Osteoprotective effects of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi aqueous extract in aged ovariectomized rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Fructus Ligustri Lucidi </it>(FLL) is a commonly used herb for treating bone disorders in Chinese medicine. The present study investigates the anti-osteoporotic activity of FLL aqueous extract in the model of postmenopausal bone loss in aged ovariectomized (OVX) female rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>After eight weeks of treatment of FLL or water, the lumbar spine was scanned by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Effects of FLL water extract on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiations in rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were assessed by biochemical methods and staining.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>FLL aqueous extract significantly inhibited bone mineral density (BMD) loss in total, trabecular and cortical bones without affecting body weight and uterus wet weight. FLL extract significantly promoted osteogenesis and suppressed adipogenesis in MSCs as indicated by the elevated alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium deposition levels and decreased adipocyte number in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxic effects. Real-time PCR analysis revealed significant increase of osteoprotegerin (OPG)-to-receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) mRNA, indicating a decrease in osteoclastogenesis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study demonstrates the osteoprotective effects of FLL aqueous extract on aged OVX rats, stimulation of osteogenesis, inhibition of adipogenesis and osteoclastogenesis in MSCs.</p

Old Technique -New Evidence: Topical agents for musculo-skeletal injuries

The popular use of topical agents for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries has persisted for centuries but not much scientific evaluations have been done. Since medicinal herbs are particularly popular in Asia, we started a systematic exploration on their choices, and their pharmacological activities; whether transcutaneous transport of bioactive components occur and above all, whether quality clinical evidences could be generated. We found that a search on the vast literature pool would reveal the favourable choices of herbal agents. Biological screening of those selected herbs showed that they probably follow three major common pathways to help with healing after injury, viz, anti-inflammation, pro-angiogenesis and cellular proliferation. Using a simple formula of selected herbs with the ideal bioactivities, evidence based clinical trials could be organized to further prove the efficacy. We have created two such formulae to be put on clinical trial. Our early pilot clinical trials on two minor injuries on the foot and one chronic inflammatory condition have yielded positive data on the value of such topical agents on pain and oedema control, as well as functional maintenance. There was also suggestion of more rapid bone healing. Although limitations exist clear with the small number of study subjects, the positive data and safe application support more studies

The efficacy and safety of Yupingfeng Powder with variation in the treatment of allergic rhinitis: Study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an upper airways chronic inflammatory disease mediated by IgE, which affects 10%–20% of the population. The mainstay for allergic rhinitis nowadays include steroids and antihistamines, but their effects are less than ideal. Many patients therefore seek Chinese medicine for treatment and Yupingfeng Powder is one of the most common formulae prescribed. In this study, we aim to investigate the efficacy and safety of Yupingfeng Powder with variation for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.Study design: This is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. A 2-week screening period will be implemented, and then eligible subjects with allergic rhinitis will receive interventions of either “Yupingfeng Powder with variation” granules or placebo granules for 8 weeks, followed by post treatment visits at weeks 12 and 16. The change in the Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) will be used as the primary outcome.Discussion: This trail will evaluate the efficacy and safety of Yupingfeng Powder in treating allergic rhinitis. The study may provide the solid evidence of Yupingfeng Powder with variation can produce better clinical efficacy than the placebo granules.Trial registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04976023

Repurposing hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels as a novel therapy for breast cancer.

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are members of the voltage-gated cation channel family known to be expressed in the heart and central nervous system. Ivabradine, a small molecule HCN channel-blocker, is FDA-approved for clinical use as a heart rate-reducing agent. We found that HCN2 and HCN3 are overexpressed in breast cancer cells compared with normal breast epithelia, and the high expression of HCN2 and HCN3 is associated with poorer survival in breast cancer patients. Inhibition of HCN by Ivabradine or by RNAi, aborted breast cancer cell proliferation in vitro and suppressed tumour growth in patient-derived tumour xenograft models established from triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tissues, with no evident side-effects on the mice. Transcriptome-wide analysis showed enrichment for cholesterol metabolism and biosynthesis as well as lipid metabolism pathways associated with ER-stress following Ivabradine treatment. Mechanistic studies confirmed that HCN inhibition leads to ER-stress, in part due to disturbed Ca2+ homeostasis, which subsequently triggered the apoptosis cascade. More importantly, we investigated the synergistic effect of Ivabradine and paclitaxel on TNBC and confirmed that both drugs acted synergistically in vitro through ER-stress to amplify signals for caspase activation. Combination therapy could suppress tumour growth of xenografts at much lower doses for both drugs. In summary, our study identified a new molecular target with potential for being developed into targeted therapy, providing scientific grounds for initiating clinical trials for a new treatment regimen of combining HCN inhibition with chemotherapy

Herbal Treatment for Osteoporosis: A Current Review

Osteoporosis is an aging problem. The declining bone mineral density (BMD) enhances the chances of fractures during minor falls. Effective pharmaceuticals are available for a rapid improvement of BMD. However, hormonal treatment gives serious complications, and bisphosphonates may lead to odd fractures of long bones, resulting from excessive rigidity of the cortical components. Many medicinal herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, known as kidney tonics, have been tested for their effects on bone metabolism in the laboratory and clinically. Three of these, viz. Herba epimedii (淫羊藿, Yín Yáng Huò), Fructus ligustri lucidi (女貞子, Nǚ Zhēn Zi), and Fructus psoraleae (補骨脂, Bǔ Gǔ Zhī) were chosen to form a herbal formula, ELP. ELP was tested on in vitro platforms and was shown to have both osteoblastic and anti-osteoclastic action. ELP tested on ovariectomized rats also showed BMD protection. ELP was then put on a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. BMD protection was obvious among those women with the onset of menopause beyond 10 years (P0.05). Although a thorough literature review on the herbal treatment effects did not give convincing answers to the use of Chinese herbs in osteoporosis, our study supports more research and trials in this area, while we are looking for safe and effective agents to keep the bone metabolism in a balanced state

不可能擔受的性別歧視 = Unbearable gender discrimination

第二節由關懷遠主持，分別由陳婷楓主講〈簡述女性「他者」身份之建立並從女性於社交網絡媒體的遭遇看社交網絡媒體爭取女性主體性的空間〉，黃慧心主講〈是解放還是壓迫？分析香港餵哺母乳倡導行動的 盲點〉，吳兆南主講〈從戲院員工觀點分析戲院的性別分工〉，並由陸潔玲博士擔任評論及與講者進行討論

A randomized controlled study to evaluate the effects of lifestyle intervention program for patients with severe mental illness taking Second Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs) in body weight management and monitoring their Body Mass Index (BMI)

Background: Second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are strongly associated with accelerated body weightgain resulting in overweight and obesity in patients with severe mental illness (SMI). Evidence found that lifestyleinterventions used behavioral techniques to improve dietary habits and increase physical activity can reduce the increasein patients’ body weight and BMI. Methods: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) on 54 patients with severe mental illnesswere randomized with 27 patients joined in the Lifestyle Intervention group (LIP) and 27 patients in treatment as usual group(TAU) from September/2018 to October/2019. The intervention group attended the educational talks on medication, dietcontrol and physical exercise and use of a daily record. Result: After twelve months, the LIP presented a decrease of 1.25kg(CI 95% -0.73 to 3.24) and treatment as usual TAU presented with a significant increase of 1.65kg CI 95% -2.84 to -0.45)(p=0.009). The BMI of the LIP showed a decrease of 0.51kg/m2 (CI 95% -0.29 to 1.33) and the TAU presented an increaseof 0.66kg/m2. Conclusion: The TAU shows a significant increase of body weight while the LIP group had a decrease inbody weight under the Life Intervention program. This study was not intended for patients to reduce body weight, rather toprevent their body weight to increase and enhance their quality of life through understanding physical health, exercise anddietary habit

A randomized controlled study to evaluate the effects of lifestyle intervention program for patients with severe mental illness taking Second Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs) in body weight management and monitoring their Body Mass Index (BMI)

Background: Second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are strongly associated with accelerated body weightgain resulting in overweight and obesity in patients with severe mental illness (SMI). Evidence found that lifestyleinterventions used behavioral techniques to improve dietary habits and increase physical activity can reduce the increasein patients’ body weight and BMI. Methods: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) on 54 patients with severe mental illnesswere randomized with 27 patients joined in the Lifestyle Intervention group (LIP) and 27 patients in treatment as usual group(TAU) from September/2018 to October/2019. The intervention group attended the educational talks on medication, dietcontrol and physical exercise and use of a daily record. Result: After twelve months, the LIP presented a decrease of 1.25kg(CI 95% -0.73 to 3.24) and treatment as usual TAU presented with a significant increase of 1.65kg CI 95% -2.84 to -0.45)(p=0.009). The BMI of the LIP showed a decrease of 0.51kg/m2 (CI 95% -0.29 to 1.33) and the TAU presented an increaseof 0.66kg/m2. Conclusion: The TAU shows a significant increase of body weight while the LIP group had a decrease inbody weight under the Life Intervention program. This study was not intended for patients to reduce body weight, rather toprevent their body weight to increase and enhance their quality of life through understanding physical health, exercise anddietary habit

Integrative Approach to Facilitate Fracture Healing: Topical Chinese Herbal Paste with Oral Strontium Ranelate

Strontium ranelate (SrR) is one of the pharmaceutical agents reported to be effective on the promotion of fracture healing. This study aimed to evaluate the integrative effect of the oral SrR with a topical Chinese herbal paste, namely, CDR, on facilitation of bone healing. The in vivo efficacy was evaluated using rats with tibial fracture. They were treated with either CDR topically, or SrR orally, or their combined treatments. The in vivo results illustrated a significant additive effect of CDR on SrR in increasing the yield load of the fractured tibia. The in vitro results showed that neither SrR nor CDR exhibited a cytotoxic effect on UMR106 and bone-marrow stem cell (BMSC), but both of them increased the proliferation of BMSC at low concentrations. The combination of CDR at 200 μg/mL with SrR at 200 or 400 μg/ml also showed an additive effect on increasing the ALP activity of BMSC. Both SrR and CDR alone reduced osteoclast formation, and the effective concentration of SrR to inhibit osteoclastogenesis was reduced in the presence of CDR. This integrative approach by combining oral SrR and topical CDR is effective in promoting fracture healing properly due to their additive effects on proosteogenic and antiosteoclastogenic properties