Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) extract at low dose ameliorates reproductive dysfunction in l-NAME-induced hypertension and oxidative stress in male rats","authors":"Anjaree Inchan ,&nbsp;Krongkarn Chootip ,&nbsp;Kitiya Kongthong ,&nbsp;Tippaporn Bualeong ,&nbsp;Wiriyaporn Sumsakul ,&nbsp;Phapada Apaikawee ,&nbsp;Pakaporn Sa-Nguanpong ,&nbsp;Sinlapachai Senarat ,&nbsp;Jutamas Wongphoom ,&nbsp;Natthawut Charoenphon","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.05.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.05.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div><em>Nelumbo nucifera</em> Gaertn. (Lotus) seeds have been traditionally used to treat hypertension and are reported to have antioxidant effects. The role of lotus seeds in reproductive dysfunction associated with hypertension has not yet been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate lotus seed extract (LSE) on reproductive functions in N^ω-nitro-<span>l</span>-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (<span>l</span>-NAME) induced hypertension and oxidative stress in rats.</div></div><div><h3>Experimental procedure</h3><div>Male Sprague–Dawley rats were allocated into six groups: i) normotensive rats, ii) rats treated with <span>l</span>-NAME (40 mg/kg), iii-vi) rats treated with <span>l</span>-NAME + either 10, 100, 300 mg/kg LSE or 5 mg/kg captopril for 5 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), sperm concentrations, viability and motility and the serum testosterone were measured. The morphology, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were evaluated in testis and epididymis.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusion</h3><div><span>l</span>-NAME-treated rats exhibited high SBP (181.9 ± 6.5 mmHg, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.01) and reduced SOD activities in comparison to the normal group. These were significantly improved by the administration of 10, 100, 300 mg/kg LSE or captopril (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). <span>l</span>-NAME also led to a significant increase in MDA, and reductions in sperm count, viability and motility, testosterone levels, as well as the diameter and epithelial thickness of the seminiferous tubules. Treatment with 10 mg/kg LSE or captopril significantly attenuated these effects (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), whereas 100 and 300 mg/kg LSE showed no significant differences compared to the <span>l</span>-NAME group. Thus, our study demonstrates that a low dose of LSE has therapeutic potential in alleviating reproductive dysfunction associated with hypertension.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Pages 404-413"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141044127","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":"Ameliorative effects of Sesamum Indicum aqueous extract on Letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in adult female rats and formulation of sesame syrup","authors":"Zeynab Khosrowpour ,&nbsp;Shamim Sahranavard ,&nbsp;Fatemeh Jafari ,&nbsp;Mojgan Tansaz ,&nbsp;Shirin Fahimi ,&nbsp;Mehrdad Faizi","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.04.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.04.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>In this study, we explored the potential of Sesamum indicum L. aqueous extract (AES) in treating Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in female rats and developing a medicinal syrup from it.</div></div><div><h3>Experimental procedure</h3><div>We conducted experiments on 42 adult Sprague Dawley female rats, dividing them into six groups. The control group received a 1% carboxymethyl cellulose vehicle, while the other groups were given letrozole orally for 21 days followed by administration of AES, metformin, and distilled water after 28 days of PCOS induction.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Results showed that after letrozole administration, PCOS was confirmed by irregular estrous cycles and increased LH and testosterone levels. The AES and metformin improved estrus cyclicity in rats compared to the PCOS group. Additionally, LH levels and LH/FSH ratio were significantly reduced in AES and metformin groups, while testosterone levels decreased and estradiol levels increased. Histological studies revealed normal follicular development in these groups with fewer cystic follicles.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In conclusion, the AES showed promise in alleviating PCOS symptoms due to its phytochemical components such as β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol, and sesquiterpenes with phytoestrogenic, androgenic and antiinflammatory effects. The 400 mg/kg dose was found to be the most effective in this experiment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Pages 369-379"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140777878","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":"Tianqi pingchan granule promotes recovery of glymphatic system function in a rat model of l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia","authors":"Zhihua Liu ,&nbsp;Shuyuan Yang ,&nbsp;Lu Song,&nbsp;Yu Zhang,&nbsp;Ying Wan,&nbsp;Jing Gan,&nbsp;Na Wu,&nbsp;Zhenguo Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.04.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.04.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>Tianqi Pingchan Granule (TPG), as a traditional Chinese medicine, is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. <span>l</span>-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID) is mentioned as a debilitating motor complication in the course of Parkinson's disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of TPG on LID via the pathway of the glymphatic system.</div></div><div><h3>Experimental procedure</h3><div>A rat model of LID was used in this study. The severity of LID was assessed by behavioural tests. Three doses of TPG were administered once a day for 3 weeks to investigate the role of TPG in behavioural characteristics of LID rats. The glymphatic function was evaluated by utilizing intracisternal infusion of a fluorescenttracer. The amyloid-β levels were measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression and distribution of, and GFAP were assessed using immunofluorescence.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusion</h3><div>Dose-dependent effects of TPG in the 1behavioural characteristics were observed. Cortical and striatal influx cerebral spinal fluid tracer were reduced in LID rats with impaired AQP4 polarization. Amyloid-β, AQP4, and reactive astrogliosis was upregulated in LID rats. TPG administration increased cerebral influx of fluorescent tracer, restored polarized localization and expression of AQP4, and attenuated <span>l</span>-DOPA-induced amyloid-β deposits and astrogliosis. This study shows for the first time that glymphatic system function is impaired in LID and TPG attenuates abnormal involuntary movements in rats with LID by protecting the glymphatic system.</div></div><div><h3>Section</h3><div>1. Natural Products; 3. Dietary therapy supplements; 4. History, Philosophy and Social-Cultural aspects of Traditional Medicine.</div></div><div><h3>Taxonomy (classification by evise)</h3><div>identify the disease condition, the experimental approach.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Pages 380-387"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144491472","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":"Achillea extracts elicit anti-diabetic neuropathic pain by modulating inflammatory cytokines","authors":"Ola Kbaydet ,&nbsp;Maha Abou-Ela ,&nbsp;Karim Raafat","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.04.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.04.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>The Eastern-Mediterranean herbal-remedies are utilized for their immunomodulatory-potentials. <em>Achillea</em> species have ethno-pharmacological significance. The current-work aims to perform an in-depth phytochemical-investigation on three Eastern-Mediterranean <em>Achillea species,</em> mainly, <em>Achillea kotschyi</em> Boiss. (AK)<em>, Achillea falcata</em> L. (AF)<em>,</em> and <em>Achillea aleppica</em> DC. (AAL) essential oils (EOs), and to investigate their antidiabetic, and antineuropathic pain, and inflammation, and to have insights into their mechanisms of action.</div></div><div><h3>Experimental-procedure</h3><div>The methods include EO-isolation from three different samples of each of the three species examined, optimization, and validation of GC-MS method, <em>in</em>-<em>vivo</em> antioxidant-technique, HbA1c diabetes-assessment, insulin-level, thermal-hyperalgesia and tactile-allodynia experiments, anti-inflammatory, and inflammatory-markers, TNF-α, IL-6, and 10 level monitoring.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusion</h3><div>The optimized and validated GC-MS method was developed to quantify the major EO components. The highest components detected on AK-EO were thujone (35.84 ± 0.01 %), <em>α</em>-phellandrene (15.99 ± 0.01), and ocimene (12.31 ± 0.01 %), while those of AF were ocimene (65.11 ± 0.01 %), thujone (14.68 ± 0.01 %), and resorcinol (5.00 ± 0.01 %), and the AAL-EO were <em>m</em>-toluamide (49.35 ± 0.01 %), eucalyptol (21.08 ± 0.01 %), and ocimene (13.48 ± 0.01 %). AAL-EO showed superiority in normalizing HbA1c-levels. AAL-EO showed the highest improvement in both thermal-hyperalgesia and tactile-allodynia latencies. The insulin-secretagogue-potential and the improvement of the antioxidant serum-catalase levels might be their mechanism of antinociception. AAL-EO highest-dose (300 mg/kg)showed superiority in the anti-inflammatory-potentials both acutely and chronically, compared to AK and AF-EOs. The decrease in the inflammatory-mediators, TNF-α and IL-6, and the improvement of IL-10 titers proved to be their mechanism of anti-inflammation. In conclusion, AK, AF, and AAL proved to be rich in essential-oil components that can ameliorate chronic-conditions like diabetes, diabetic-neuropathy pain, and inflammation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Pages 388-403"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141027454","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":"Salvianic acid A promotes osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in senile osteoporosis through bromodomain-containing protein 4/Ariadne RBR E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase 1/Rubicon axis","authors":"Zhixian Xu ,&nbsp;Jun Luo ,&nbsp;Yongfa Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhenyu Zhang ,&nbsp;Jie Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2025.02.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2025.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Senile osteoporosis (SOP) seriously disturbs the life of elder people. Inhibition of autophagy can contribute to the progression of SOP. Meanwhile, Salvianic acid A (SA) could inhibit the progression of SOP, and it could regulate the autophagy. However, the relationship between SA and autophagy in SOP remains to be further explored.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated from senescence-accelerated mouse propensity 6 (SAMP6) mice. Then, Alizarin red S (ARS) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining were performed to analyze the osteogenesis in BMSCs. Meanwhile, protein levels were investigated using Western blot. The binding between Ariadne RBR E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase 1 (ARIH1) and Rubicon was investigated using Co-IP. ChIP and Dual-luciferase assay were used to explore the binding between bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) and ARIH1 promoter region.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The levels of BRD4, Rubicon and p62 were upregulated in BMSCs from SAMP6 mice, while ARIH1, Beclin1, ATG5 and the ratio of LC3II/LC3I were downregulated. SA could promote the osteogenesis of BMSCs through mediating the autophagy. In addition, SA dose-dependently upregulated the levels of OPN, OCN and Runx2 in BMSCs from SAMP6 mice. ARIH1 could degrade Rubicon through ubiquitination, and BRD4 could transcriptionally inhibit the expression of ARIH1. Meanwhile, SA obviously promoted the autophagy and osteogenesis in BMSCs through mediation of BRD4/ARIH1/Rubicon axis.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>SA promoted osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in senile osteoporosis through BRD4/ARIH1/Rubicon axis. Thus, our study might provide a new theoretical basis for developing the new strategies against SOP in clinic.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Pages 434-445"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144491433","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":"Pulsatilla saponin inhibits the proliferation of keratinocytes and ameliorates imiquimod-induced psoriasis through the NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways","authors":"Jilang Li ,&nbsp;Haixin Qiu ,&nbsp;Siyuan Li ,&nbsp;Shan Han ,&nbsp;Yuming He ,&nbsp;Jia He ,&nbsp;Xiang Gao ,&nbsp;Jingjing Li ,&nbsp;Jianfang Feng ,&nbsp;Shilin Yang ,&nbsp;Renyikun Yuan ,&nbsp;Hongwei Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.04.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.04.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>Pulsatilla saponin (Ps) was isolated from Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel, a traditional Chinese medicine, that has anti-proliferation, anti-inflammation, anti-tumor and immunomodulation activities. However, the anti-psoriasis activity of Ps and its underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. This study aims to investigate the effect and potential mechanisms of Ps on psoriasis.</div></div><div><h3>Experimental procedure</h3><div>Ps underwent quality control through HPLC and NMR analysis. Wound healing assay, MTT, clone assay, and EdU staining were used to detect HaCaT cells proliferation. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to assess the expression of proteins. The th17 cells population was analyzed by flow cytometry. The levels of cytokines in the mice skin tissues were measured by RT-qPCR and ELISA.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusion</h3><div>In vitro, Ps has an inhibition effect on the proliferation of M5-induced HaCaT cells. Ps inhibited proliferation by regulating NF-κB and JAK1/STAT3 pathways. Additionally, Ps decreased TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA levels in M5-induced HaCaT cells. In vivo, Ps improved the pathological damage of Imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis BALB/c mice skin and reduced the Ki67 level in mice skin tissue. Further results showed that Ps decreased Th17 cells differentiation and IL-22, IL-17A, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1β secretion. Ps could ameliorate the psoriatic symptoms, decrease M5-induced HaCaT cell proliferation, and decrease the differentiation of Th17 cells in IMQ-induced psoriasis mice. Ps suppressed the release of inflammation cytokines by regulating NF-κB and JAK1/STAT3 pathways. Those results indicate that Ps has promising therapeutic potential for psoriasis treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Pages 356-368"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140768265","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":"Electroacupuncture improves cardiac function in hyperlipidemic rats by enhancing efferocytosis in myocardial macrophages via the PPARγ-LXRα-MerTK pathway","authors":"Yong-Li Han ,&nbsp;Shu-Wen Jin ,&nbsp;Xiao-Li Pan ,&nbsp;Hong-Xing Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.10.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.10.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>Electroacupuncture (EA) is an effective treatment for hyperlipidemia because it decreases the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and liver X receptor alpha (LXRα). Lowering blood lipids can reverse cardiac insufficiency, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to explore whether EA reduces blood lipid levels and restores cardiac function in hyperlipidemic rats and to elucidate the underlying mechanism involved.</div></div><div><h3>Procedures</h3><div>A hyperlipidemic rat model was established by providing the animals with a high-fat diet (HFD). Animals were divided into normal control diet (NC), HFD, PPARγ siRNA, EA, and EA + PPARγ siRNA groups. H&amp;E staining was used to observe the histopathology of the heart and liver. Transmission electron microscopy and oil red O staining were used to detect the distribution of myocardial lipid droplets and the efferocytosis of macrophages. Double immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of ATP binding cassette transport A1 (ABCA1), ATP binding cassette transport G1 (ABCG1), PPARγ, LXR, and MER proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MerTK) in cardiac macrophages. The MerTK−/− rats and littermate wild-type rats were divided into NC, HFD, and EA groups. The efferocytosis rate of myocardial macrophages in different groups was detected using TUNEL and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusion</h3><div>EA had positive effects on the blood lipid profile, cardiac function, and heart and liver weights; reduced fat deposition in cardiomyocytes and hepatocytes; promoted reverse cholesterol transport; and enhanced macrophage efferocytosis in HFD-fed rats. This effect was blocked by PPARγ siRNA. The protein expression of the PPARγ-LXRα-MerTK pathway was also increased by EA treatment. However, under MerTK−/− conditions, the beneficial effects of EA on efferocytosis in myocardial macrophages were blocked. EA reversed ectopic lipid deposition in the liver and heart, increased efferocytosis in myocardial macrophages, improved hyperlipidemia, and ameliorated cardiac dysfunction in HFD-fed rats through the PPARγ-LXRα-MerTK pathway.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Pages 423-433"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144491432","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":"Antinociceptive and anti-ulcerogenic effect of hydroethanolic stem bark extract of Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) Pierre ex. Heckel (Euphorbiaceae): Involvement of the opioidergic pathway and attenuation of oxidative stress","authors":"Isaac Tabiri Henneh ,&nbsp;Wisdom Ahlidja ,&nbsp;Ernest Amponsah Asiamah ,&nbsp;Denzel Opoku-Kwabi ,&nbsp;Henry Mensah Korsah ,&nbsp;Fynn Malcom ,&nbsp;Stephen Mensah Arhin ,&nbsp;Michael Buenor Adinortey ,&nbsp;Francis Ackah Armah","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.03.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.03.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>Approximately 80% of the population in developing countries is affected by gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers are associated with pain, and there is an urgent need for drugs that can manage both conditions. <em>Ricinodendron heudelotii (</em>Baill.<em>)</em> Pierre ex. Heckel has long been used in managing gastric ulcers and pain in African Traditional Medicine. In the present study, the antinociceptive and anti-ulcer activity of <em>Ricinodendron heudelotii</em> hydroethanolic stem bark extract (RHE) was evaluated.</div></div><div><h3>Experimental procedure</h3><div>The antinociceptive effect of RHE was tested in ICR mice using the hot plate test, the glutamate-induced nociceptive test, and the formalin test. Gastric ulcers were induced in healthy male adult albino rats in acidified alcohol-induced ulcer (AAIU) and indomethacin-induced ulcer (IIU) models. After ulcer induction, the rats were treated with either RHE (30, 100, or 300 mg/kg, <em>p.o</em>.) or 10 mg/kg omeprazole. The stomachs of the sacrificed animals were removed for further analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusion</h3><div>RHE (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg) exhibited an anti-nociceptive effect in the hot plate, formalin and glutamate tests. The opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone, reversed the analgesic effect, indicating that the extract may be acting via the opioidergic pathway. But compared to the model group in both AAIU and IIU, oral administration of RHE decreased ulcer index, raised gastric pH levels, increased tissue levels of total antioxidant capacity, catalase, total thiols, and glutathione, and kept gastric histoarchitecture intact. RHE exhibited anti-nociceptive effects, possibly via the opioidergic pathway and anti-ulcer activity via reduction of oxidative stress.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Pages 331-342"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140277015","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":"A formulation of combined Poria cocos and Cordyceps militaris rice ameliorates depressive-like effects by downregulating p38 MAPK signaling pathways","authors":"Yun-Ju Huang ,&nbsp;Hsin-Yu Wu ,&nbsp;Wan-Ting Chang ,&nbsp;Kuan-Hung Lu ,&nbsp;Yu-En Lin ,&nbsp;Huai-Syuan Huang ,&nbsp;Yun-Sheng Lu ,&nbsp;Lee-Yan Sheen","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.05.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.05.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div><em>Poria cocos</em> (PC) is traditional Chinese medicine with sedative, diuretic, and tonic properties. <em>Cordyceps militaris</em> rice (CMR) is a matrix used for the solid-state culture of C. militaris, which has been used for anti-angiogenetic and anti-inflammation effects. To investigate a formulation of combined <em>Poria cocos</em> and <em>Cordyceps militaris</em> rice (PC-CMR) alleviates anxiety behaviours and depressive-like effects for the first time.</div></div><div><h3>Experimental procedure</h3><div>After five-week of stress, <strong>r</strong>ats were induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) treated with PC-CMR formulation. Then, rats underwent various behavior tests, testing serum inflammatory mediators by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), evaluated monoamines by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, and protein expression by western blotting.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Treatment with doses of formulated PC-CMR reversed sucrose preference and increased amount of time spent on the open arms in rat behavioral tests. The formulated PC-CMR significantly reduced glutamate content and turnover rates of serotonin and dopamine in the prefrontal cortex of rats. In the inflammation-related pathway, PC-CMR decreased interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in serum and downregulated the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) in the prefrontal cortex and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in the amygdala.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our findings suggest that the formulated PC-CMR could have antidepressive and anxiolytic effects by modulating neurotransmitter levels and reducing inflammation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Pages 414-422"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141026565","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":"Antcin-H, a natural triterpene derived from Antrodia cinnamomea, ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome","authors":"Wei-Ting Wong ,&nbsp;Lan-Hui Li ,&nbsp;Hsiao-Wen Chiu ,&nbsp;Mridula P. Menon ,&nbsp;Hsien-Ta Hsu ,&nbsp;Wen-Yu Lin ,&nbsp;Chun-Hsien Wu ,&nbsp;Chen-Lung Ho ,&nbsp;Kuo-Feng Hua","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.03.016","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.03.016","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises idiopathic intestinal disorders, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Patients with IBD experience a significantly reduced quality of life, and effective management remains challenging. <u>The NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3)</u> inflammasome controls the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines <u>interleukin (IL)-1β</u> and IL-18. Abnormal activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is a crucial factor in the pathogenesis of IBD, making it an attractive therapeutic target. We discovered that Antcin-H, a triterpene isolated from the unique medicinal fungus <em>Antrodia cinnamomea</em> found in Taiwan, effectively inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages and alleviates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in a mouse model. <u>We noted that Antcin-H effectively suppresses the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages by diminishing reactive oxygen species production, alleviating mitochondrial damage, and reducing apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) oligomerization. Importantly, these effects are achieved without impacting NF-κB activation.</u> Oral administration of Antcin-H improved symptoms such as diarrhea, bloody stool, weight loss, colon length shortening, and splenomegaly in DSS-treated mice. Antcin-H inhibits colonic expression of NLRP3, ASC, active caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-6, <u>tumor necrosis factor-alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, myeloperoxidase, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1, and cyclooxygenase-2</u> in DSS-treated mice. Furthermore, Antcin-H modulates the colonic expression of long non-coding RNAs involved in the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These results indicate that Antcin-H has the potential to improve IBD by reducing colonic inflammation and suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Pages 343-355"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140401659","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}