Astragalus Salvia Granules to Benefit the Qi (Qishen Yiqi Keli) protects H9C2 cardiomyocytes by suppressing oxidative stress

Objective: To investigate the effects of Qishen Yiqi Keli (QSYQ; Astragalus Salvia Granules to Benefit the Qi) on ROS scavenging and inhibition of NADPH oxidase in an effort to identify new natural antioxidants. Methods: A total of 23 representative components in QSYQ were investigated, their effects on hydrogen peroxide induced ROS were assayed by dichlorofluorescein assay. Lucigenin chemiluminescence was adopted to test the effect on NADPH oxidase activity in H9C2 cardiomyocyte cells, and pyrogallol autoxidation was adopted to test the superoxide scavenging capacity. Results: Nine compounds in QSYQ could significantly inhibited H2O2-induced ROS increase compared with the model group (P < .05), including tanshinone I, salvianolic acid A, danshinone IIA, and cryptotanshinone from salvia root, luteolin from salvia root, harpagoside, harpagide, and angoroside C from scrophularia root. Nine compounds in QSYQ could significantly inhibited the production of ·−O2− in H9C2 cell. Tanshinone I showed a lowest IC50 value 0.07 μM, the other including salvianolic acid A, cryptotanshinone, and salvianolic acid B, luteolin, isochlorogenic acid C, astragaloside IV, and glycyrrhetinic acid. Licochalcone A inhibited the autoxidation of pyrogallol at a low concentration, and tanshinone I showed no significant inhibitory effect from 2 μM to 20 μM. Conclusion: QSYQ had significant effects on ROS scavenging and inhibition of NADPH oxidase. Tanshinone I and salvianolic acid A are potential NADPH oxidase inhibitors

Plasma metabolomics combined with personalized diagnosis guided by Chinese medicine reveals subtypes of chronic heart failure

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is characterized by insufficient blood supply from heart to meet the body's metabolic demands. Integrating Western and traditional Chinese medicine to treat CHF has proved a validated therapeutic approach. In recent years, metabolomics has been regarded as a potential platform to provide biomarkers for disease-subtypes. Objective: To examine 38 patients, combined NMR plasma metabolomics and traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis in order to identify diagnostic biomarkers for two CHF syndrome subtypes. Methods: After processing the spectra, orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis was performed, and the contributing NMR signals were analyzed using Y-scrambling statistical validation with good reliability. Results: Plasma metabolic patterns of yin deficiency and yang deficiency patients were clearly discriminated. The yin-deficiency group had increased level of lactate, glycoprotein, lipoprotein and lower levels of glucose, valine and proline. The yang-deficiency group had higher levels of lactate, glycoprotein and pyruvic acid, and lower levels of glucose and lipoprotein. Potential biomarkers of CHF based on the two traditional Chinese medicine syndromes indicated alternative modes of metabolites and metabolic pathways in the disease, e.g. dysfunction of energy utilization and disturbance in fatty acids, amino acids. Conclusion: This study suggests that combining metabolomics with traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis can reveal metabolic signatures for CHF syndrome subtypes. The plasma metabolites identified might be of special clinical relevance for subtypes of CHF, which could lead to further understanding of mechanisms involved and an improvement in personalized treatment for CHF

Neuroprotective effect of Longshengzhi capsule following permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats

Objective: Longshengzhi capsule (LSZC) is an optimized preparation based on the traditional Chinese Medicine formula Buyanghuanwu Decoction (BYHWD), and is approved by the China Food and Drug Administration for treating stroke-induced disability and vascular diseases. Herein, we examined the pharmacodynamics, anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant actions, and potential mechanisms of action of LSZC following stroke in rats. Methods: Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was used as an ischemic stroke model. LSZC was administered intragastrically. We examined the survival rate, bodyweight, and neurological deficits in stroke rats. Brain infarct size was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Brain pathology was examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining, Nissl staining, and TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling staining. Malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione levels were examined by commercial kits. Expression of Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1, Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, and caspase-3 proteins in brain tissue was measured by Western blot. Results: LSZC markedly improved the survival rate and bodyweight, and reduced infarct volume and neurological deficit scores, in MCAO stroke rats. LSZC also significantly attenuated oxidative stress, as indicated by decreased expression of malondialdehyde, and upregulation of Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione. Moreover, LSZC significantly decreased apoptosis, including a decrease in Bax and cleaved caspase-3 expression, and an increase in Bcl-2, as well as a reduction in numbers of apoptotic neurons. Conclusion: LSZC treatment is neuroprotective against ischemic stroke, potentially via reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis. The Nrf2 and apoptotic signaling pathways may play important roles in the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic actions of LSZC. Keywords: Longshengzhi capsule, Middle cerebral artery occlusion, Oxidative stress, Apoptosis, Cerebral protectiv

A New Biomarkers Feature Pattern Consisting of TNF- α

Objective. To explore new diagnostic patterns for syndromes to overcome the insufficiency of obtainable macrocharacteristics and specific biomarkers. Methods. Chinese miniswines were subjected to Ameroid constrictor, placed around the proximal left anterior descending branch. On the 4th week, macrocharacteristics, coronary angiography, echocardiography, and hemorheology indices were detected for diagnosis. IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and hsCRP in serum were detected, and Decision Tree was built. Results. According to current official-issued standard, model animals matched the diagnosis of blood stasis syndrome with myocardial ischemia based on findings, including >90% occlusion, attenuated left ventricular segmental motion, dark red or purple tongues, and higher blood viscosity. Significant decrease of IL-10 and increase of TNF-α were found in model animals. However, in the Decision Tree, besides IL-10 and TNF-α, IL-8 helped to increase the accuracy of classification to 86%. Conclusions. The Decision Tree building with TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-8 is helpful for the diagnosis of blood stasis syndrome in myocardial ischemia animals. What is more is that our data set up a new path to the differentiation of syndrome by feature patterns consisting of multiple biomarkers not only for animals but also for patients. We believe that it will contribute to the standardization and international application of syndromes