Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Cardiotoxic effects of Bisphenol-A in male Wistar rats are attenuated by Garcinia kola and its biflavonoid, kolaviron, via antioxidant and antiinflammation-based mechanisms","authors":"Amara C. Omodon,&nbsp;Osah M. Onwuka,&nbsp;Bernard O. Adele,&nbsp;Abayomi O. Ige","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.08.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.08.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The heart, due to its high energetic metabolic and reactive oxygen production rate, is a target for oxidative stress-related injuries. Therefore, environmental toxicants such as Bisphenol-A (BPA), that exert pathologies through oxidative and nitrite stress-related mechanism may target the heart for their deleterious effects. This study was therefore designed to investigate the effect of two naturally occurring antioxidants, <em>Garcinia kola</em> (GK) and kolaviron, on BPA-induced cardiac dysfunction and toxicity in male Wistar rats.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Fifty-six animals were divided into 7equal groups and treated orally for 28days as follows; groups I(control) and II(vehicle) received distilled water(1.5 mL/kg) and corn oil(1.5 mL/kg) respectively. Animals in groups III-V received BPA (50 mg/kg) only, BPA + GK (200 mg/kg), BPA + kolaviron (200 m/kg) respectively, while animals in groups VI-VII received GK and kolaviron only, respectively. Thereafter, blood pressure and electrocardiogram were evaluated in each group and under anesthesia, cardiac samples were excised and analyzed for oxidative stress status, inflammatory markers and histology, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>BPA-only exposed rats exhibited cardiac dysfunction manifested by elevated systolic blood pressure and cardiac inflammatory markers, reduced cardiac antioxidants and distorted structural aberrations. Treatment of BPA exposed animals with either GK or kolaviron mitigated the development of these dysfunctions in varying degrees, while treatment of either GK or kolaviron alone in the absence of BPA exposure showed significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These results suggests that <em>Garcinia kola</em> and its biflavonoid, kolaviron, prevents the development of bisphenol-A induced cardiac dysfunction and toxicity by potentiating antioxidant defence and impeding inflammation mediated mechanism.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 6","pages":"Pages 583-590"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145289883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of Zhengqing Fengtongning in combination with routine rheumatoid arthritis treatment: A real-world multicenter retrospective study","authors":"Ze Yu ,&nbsp;Zan Li ,&nbsp;Ya Gao ,&nbsp;Chunming Lyu ,&nbsp;Fang Kou ,&nbsp;Jialong Guo ,&nbsp;Fei Gao ,&nbsp;Hai Wei","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.08.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.08.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Zhengqing Fengtongning (ZF) is a modern traditional Chinese medicine preparation used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we aimed to prove the effectiveness of ZF in combination with routine RA treatment in the real world.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This was a retrospective study including 3877 RA patients in multi-centers from August 2015 to April 2023. The experimental group received ZF and the control group received other RA regimens. Propensity score matching was used to eliminate bias. The effectiveness of ZF in combination with routine RA treatment was evaluated through DAS28, ESR, CRP and RF.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The effectiveness of combining ZF with methotrexate (MTX), iguratimod (IGU), leflunomide (LEF), MTX + LEF, and MTX + nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in treating RA was significantly better than that of not combining ZF (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). The effectiveness of combining ZF was significantly better than that of combining total glucosides of paeony, Kunxian capsule, or Biqi capsule (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). No significant difference existed in effectiveness among MTX, IGU, and ZF combined with JAK inhibitor or TNF-ɑ inhibitor (<em>p</em> &gt; 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study provides evidence that the effectiveness of MTX, IGU, LEF, MTX + LEF, and MTX + NSAIDs combined with ZF in treating RA was better than those without ZF.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 6","pages":"Pages 591-600"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145289872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Explore the action mechanism of Danggui Buxue decoction on chronic heart failure in rats by proteomics and untargeted metabolomics","authors":"Yongchang Zhou ,&nbsp;Yichen Guan ,&nbsp;Siman Tao ,&nbsp;Zigang Pu ,&nbsp;Kepei Yang ,&nbsp;Juan Qi ,&nbsp;Junxian Zhao ,&nbsp;Yongjie Pang ,&nbsp;Peng Wang ,&nbsp;Qing Yang ,&nbsp;Xinxu Tian ,&nbsp;Xiuying Pu","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.08.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.08.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>Danggui Buxue Decoction (DBD) has been applied to alleviate chronic heart failure (CHF) in clinics, however, its mechanism is still unclear. This study investigates the potential action mechanism of DBD for rats with CHF combined with liver injury.</div></div><div><h3>Experimental procedure</h3><div>For this purpose, this study established a CHF rat model. The change of proteins in myocardial tissues was identified by proteomics and then further verified using western blotting. Additionally, metabolomics revealed the metabolic pathways associated with liver injury in CHF rats.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusion</h3><div>Animal studies demonstrated that DBD could relieve CHF as it significantly reduced serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in CHF rats, and promoted the activity of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), cytochrome oxidase (COX), and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in myocardial tissues. Myocardial proteomics analysis revealed that DBD improved myocardial mitochondria and peroxisomes function by regulating the expression of proteins associated with energy metabolism and oxidative damage. Western blotting confirmed that DBD upregulated the expression of proteins in the adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog-1 (SIRT1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1 α)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta (PPAR β) signaling pathway, which also proved the efficacy of DBD in alleviating CHF in rats. Hepatic metabolomics analysis showed that DBD could restore the damaged liver function of CHF rats via metabolic pathways, including the metabolism of lipid, vitamin, and amino acids. In conclusion, this study unveiled a novel action mechanism of DBD in the treating ISO-induced CHF and liver injury based on proteomics and metabolomics. These results lay a scientific basis for the widespread application of DBD in the cardiovascular field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 6","pages":"Pages 615-627"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145289875","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimization of the formulation of Tubiechong gel plaster and its effect on fracture healing by promoting angiogenesis in a rat model","authors":"Yu-Ying Deng ,&nbsp;Bing-Hao Shao ,&nbsp;Yi-Bo Wang,&nbsp;Jing Wang,&nbsp;Ze-Feng Zhang,&nbsp;Xue-Qing Xie,&nbsp;Xue Wei,&nbsp;Xing Chen,&nbsp;Chun-Mei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.08.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.08.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>Transdermal drug delivery has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and is worth further developing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preparation method of Tubiechong gel plaster (TGP) and evaluate its activity to promote fracture healing.</div></div><div><h3>Experimental procedure</h3><div>Using rat skin as a barrier, and the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) proliferation promotion rate of the receiving solution as the evaluation index, the <em>in vitro</em> permeability of the plaster was studied by Franz diffusion cell method. A modified Einhorn method was used to model rat tibia fractures. The bone healing process was monitored by radiography. Bone development and angiogenesis were assessed by Safranin O Fast Green staining and CD31 immunohistochemistry, respectively. Serum bone metabolites and VEGF levels were determined by ELISA method.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusion</h3><div>The optimal dose of azone for TGP is 2 %. The transdermal penetration equation for this plaster is consistent with the Ritger-Peppas equation. The prepared plaster was stable for at least 3 months. X-ray images showed that the fracture healing was promoted by TGP in a dose-related form at all periods. Serum BALP, OC, CTX-I, and VEGF levels also indicated better fracture healing after treatment. TGP significantly stimulated angiogenesis and bone growth at the fracture site on days 7,14 and 21, and the effect of promoting bone growth was shown on the third day. These data prove that the prepared Tubiechong gel plasters can promote fracture healing by promoting angiogenesis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 6","pages":"Pages 628-636"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145289876","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chinese herbal medicine alleviates renal impairment induced by immunosuppressants in patients post living donor liver transplantation","authors":"Hsiang-Chun Lai ,&nbsp;Kuan-Wen Lin ,&nbsp;Cheng-Li Lin ,&nbsp;Shi-Chen Ou ,&nbsp;Hung-Jen Lin ,&nbsp;Ju-Chien Cheng ,&nbsp;Chao-Chun Huang ,&nbsp;Sheng-Teng Huang ,&nbsp;Long-Bin Jeng","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.09.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.09.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>Patients post liver transplantation (LT) with long-term immunosuppression agents will suffer from renal function impairment. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been reported to relieve chronic kidney disease progression. Nevertheless, there are a lack of high-quality reports related to CHM reducing renal dysfunction in post-LT patients. We aim to investigate whether CHM alleviates renal impairment induced by immunosuppressants in patients having undergone LT.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>We conducted a hospital-based retrospective cohort study including patients with LT from January 1, 2003 to March 31, 2020. We matched the CHM users to non-users at a 1:1 ratio according to baseline variables, comorbidities and drug use status by propensity score (PS) matching.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study enrolled a total of 1052 LT patients. After PS matching, 554 patients were included with a 1:1 ratio. CHM and non-CHM users exhibited a significant difference of improved urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPCR) over several 3-month follow-up periods. CHM users exhibited an alleviated decrease in GFR compared to non-CHM users after 12 months of follow-up (CHM: 58.1 to 56.3 ml/min/1.73 m²; non-CHM: 59.8 to 54.7 ml/min/1.73 m²). Among HCC patients, CHM users had alleviated GFR, UPCR and blood urea nitrogen impairments compared to non-CHM users. The most commonly prescribed herbs and formulas are noted.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>We herein report that CHM could protect renal function after 12 months of follow-up compared to non-CHM users, without liver function impairment. However, the long-term effects and exact renal protection mechanisms require further investigations to confirm.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 6","pages":"Pages 659-667"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145289877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Keratinocyte Piezo1 and CD39 initiated the acupuncture analgesic signals via Co-regulating extracellular ATP mobilization at acupoints","authors":"Yu-Jia Li ,&nbsp;Si-Qi Tang ,&nbsp;Jie Lin ,&nbsp;Wei-Min Zuo ,&nbsp;Ya-Wen Zheng ,&nbsp;Meng Huang ,&nbsp;Guang-Hong Ding ,&nbsp;Li-Na Wang ,&nbsp;Xue-Yong Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.09.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.09.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Acupoints are the initiation sites for acupuncture analgesic signals, where adenosine signaling plays a crucial role. A comprehensive understanding of this matter will guide clinicians to optimize acupuncture manipulations to improve acupuncture effectiveness. Recently, keratinocyte Piezo1 channels and cascade ATP release are independently unveiled to be essential for the skin tactile sensation. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether keratinocyte Piezo1-mediated ATP release, in orchestration with CD39, contributed to this initiation mechanism via producing adenosine. 20-min needling was administered at the unilateral ST36 acupoint on the acute ankle arthritis rats. The pain thresholds in the affected hindpaws were determined. Interstitial ATP and adenosine were extracted with microdialysis and assessed by luciferase-luciferin and HPLC, respectively. To simulate needling stimulation, keratinocyte HaCaT cells were subjected to hypotonic shock. ATP release and live calcium imaging were conducted. Immunofluorescence labeling showed the presence of Piezo1 and CD39 on keratinocytes. Acupuncture led to a prompt analgesic effect, as well as a temporary accumulation of ATP and adenosine. Activating adenosine A1 receptors, promoting ATP release by activating Piezo1, or facilitating ATP hydrolysis by potentiating CD39 achieved anti-nociceptive effects. Conversely, altering these modulations in the opposite direction reversed the subsequent effects of acupuncture. Needling-induced accumulation of interstitial ATP parallelly changed with these modulations. Hypotonic shock led to ATP release and [Ca²⁺]_i rise in HaCaT, which were impeded by introducing siRNA-Piezo1, or replicated by agonism at Piezo1. These findings suggest that keratinocyte Piezo1 and CD39 co-mediated ATP mobilization at acupoints contributes to the initiation signals of acupuncture analgesia via triggering adenosine signaling.</div></div><div><h3>Section</h3><div>Physical/Mental practices (acupuncture)</div></div><div><h3>Taxonomy (classification by evise)</h3><div>pain and analgesia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 6","pages":"Pages 668-677"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145289878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Qingre huazhuo tang regulates IgA nephropathy through immune checkpoints and ferroptosis","authors":"Yan Xu ,&nbsp;Shanshan Han ,&nbsp;Ting Guo ,&nbsp;Yudi Li ,&nbsp;Donglin Li ,&nbsp;Ying Ding","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.11.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.11.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Qingre huazhuo tang (QRHZT) is a traditional Chinese medicine decoction that has been used clinically by traditional Chinese medicine masters for more than 50 years with good results. However, its mechanism is unknown, and further elucidation is necessary.</div></div><div><h3>Aim of the study</h3><div>To verify the mechanism by which QRHZT regulates IgA nephropathy through immune checkpoints and ferroptosis by combining network pharmacology, single-cell sequencing and experimental studies.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>The single-cell sequencing data obtained from podocytes of immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) patients were screened, and the QRHZT target information was obtained from the ETCM database. Moreover, the KEGG, GSEA, immune checkpoint and ferroptosis data were analyzed and plotted using R language. Finally, the relevant immune checkpoint and ferroptosis targets were validated experimentally.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>QRHZT can regulate IgAN through the immune checkpoints FIT, FTH1, AKR1C3, and IL6 and the ferroptosis-related genes PVR and IFNG.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>QRHZT has the potential to regulate IgAN, and omics strategies combined with network pharmacology is a feasible method for exploring the mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicines.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 6","pages":"Pages 678-686"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145289873","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Repurposing Suan-Zao-Ren-Tang as anticancer agents in apoptotic sensitization against non-small cell lung cancer cell lines through amplification of spindle assembly checkpoint activation","authors":"Yu-Chi Hsiao ,&nbsp;Yi-Hua Sheng ,&nbsp;Tse-Yu Chen ,&nbsp;Wohn-Jenn Leu ,&nbsp;Jui-Ling Hsu ,&nbsp;Lih-Ching Hsu ,&nbsp;Lie-Chwen Lin ,&nbsp;Jih-Hwa Guh","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.08.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.08.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a high unmet medical need. We repurposed Suan-Zao-Ren-Tang (SZRT), a widely used traditional Chinese medicine in alleviating insomnia, to sensitize vinorelbine-induced anti-NSCLC effect and have unveiled the underlying mechanism. B7E2, the partial purified extract from SZRT, was used through bioactivity-guided fractionation based on anti-proliferative activity in NSCLC cell lines A549 and NCI-H460. Three batches of B7E2 and their individual components were prepared for the examination of components and bioactivity and mechanistic study. B7E2 alone had no cytotoxic effect but its combination with vinorelbine displayed a synergistic activity in killing NSCLC cells. Apoptotic sensitization was verified by a remarkable increase of caspase activation and phosphorylation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Combination treatment prolonged mitotic arrest and induced a substantial activation of spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) characterized by BUBR1 phosphorylation at Ser670 and Thr680, and cyclin B1 upregulation. Combination treatment enhanced the interaction between mitotic checkpoint complex (MCC) components, including BUBR1, MAD2, BUB3 and CDC20. Further analysis revealed that SZRT components, including senkyunolide-A, <em>trans</em>-neocnidilide, 3-butylidenephthalide, betulinic acid and linoleic acid, were responsible for B7E2 activities. Three B7E2 batches showed a good chemical similarity and similar activities between batches. The data suggest that B7E2 is a potential chemosensitizer in potentiating vinorelbine-induced anti-NSCLC activity through amplification and prolongation of SAC activation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 6","pages":"Pages 601-614"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145289882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hovenia dulcis Thunb. monofloral honey attenuates LPS-induced inflammation and endotoxemia through the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 axis","authors":"Wisurumuni Arachchilage Hasitha Maduranga Karunarathne ,&nbsp;Sungjoon Na ,&nbsp;Mi-Hwa Lee ,&nbsp;Chang-Hee Kang ,&nbsp;Yung Hyun Choi ,&nbsp;Gi-Young Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.09.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.09.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Monofloral honey derived from <em>Hovenia dulcis</em> Thunb<em>.</em> (HMH) is known for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. However, its potential to alleviate the inflammatory response has not yet been explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-endotoxemic effects of HMH. The findings showed that HMH did not exhibit toxicity to RAW 264.7 macrophages at low concentrations and suppressed the production of proinflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂, as well as cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-12 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, by inhibiting NF-κB activation. Additionally, HMH prevented mortality and abnormalities in LPS-microinjected zebrafish larvae along with the inhibition of proinflammatory genes. In addition, HMH was found to reduce mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production in both LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and zebrafish larvae. Furthermore, HMH induced the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and promotes the nuclear translocation of Nrf2. The anti-inflammatory effects of HMH are mediated via the Nrf2-HO-1 axis, and an HO-1 inhibitor reverses HMH-induced responses. This study is the first to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and anti-endotoxemic effects of HMH, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 6","pages":"Pages 647-658"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145289824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acupoint stimulation by microneedle alleviates motor dysfunction through modulating striatal dopamine and choline levels and reducing neuroinflammation in the Parkinson's disease mouse model","authors":"Jin Hee Kim ,&nbsp;In Gyoung Ju ,&nbsp;Yujin Choi ,&nbsp;Jin Se Kim ,&nbsp;Hanbyeol Lee ,&nbsp;Ju-Young Oh ,&nbsp;Keun Ho Lee ,&nbsp;Sookie La ,&nbsp;Do Hyeon Jeong ,&nbsp;Changsu Na ,&nbsp;Hi-Joon Park ,&nbsp;Myung Sook Oh","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.09.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.09.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia. Despite the development of numerous drugs to treat PD, the limitations of these drugs have led to the exploration of various therapies. Previous clinical trials and <em>in vivo</em> studies have demonstrated that stimulation of acupuncture points (acupoints) effectively improve PD phenotype. Recently, microneedles (MNs) have emerged as promising therapeutic tools and may offer a novel approach for easy acupoint stimulation. This study explored the effects of MN patches attached to acupoints on PD phenotypes. The MN patches were attached to the Fengchi (GB20) and Yanglingquan (GB34) acupoints in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP)-induced mice for 12 consecutive days. Following this treatment, tissue analysis was performed using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Mice with MN patches showed significantly improved motor function in the pole and rotarod tests. In the SN of a mouse with MN patches attached, the expression of Heme Oxygenase 1 (HO-1)/Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was increased, and dopaminergic neurons damaged by MPTP were protected. In the brain tissues of mice with MN patches, the balance of dopaminergic and cholinergic neurons was regulated, and the hyperactivation of microglia and astrocytes was inhibited. Furthermore, the levels of cytokines in the plasma of mice with MN patches were significantly decreased. Collectively, the stimulation of GB20 and GB34 acupoints by MN patches may be a novel therapy for delaying PD.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 6","pages":"Pages 637-646"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145289874","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}