Study of the upregulation of the activity of cytochrome P450 3A isoforms by Astragalus injection and Astragalus granules in rats and in cells

Telomerase activator-65 and pomegranate peel improved the health status of the liver in aged rats; multi-targets involved

OBJECTIVES

This study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of telomerase activator-65 (Ta-65) and pomegranate peel against aging-induced deteriorations in the liver.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The rats were divided into four groups: control, aged, aged rats treated with Ta-65, and pomegranate orally for two months.

RESULTS

Aging significantly increased the serum levels of total protein, globulins, and protein carbonyl and reduced the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). It also elevated the hepatic malondialdehyde and decreased the hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity. Aging elevated the expression of thioredoxin reductase1, telomerase reverse transcriptase, and cytochrome 3a1 in the liver; it increased the p53 protein level and elevated the activity of caspase-3 in the liver indicating the occurrence of apoptosis. The architecture of the liver deteriorated in the aged rats, as shown by both light and electron microscopy examinations. The liver of the aged rats had many apoptotic hepatocytes with shrunken nuclei. Many hepatocytes had dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, many lysosomes, and many fat droplets. Administration of Ta-65 and pomegranate to the aged rats normalized most of the previous biochemical parameters and improved the liver architecture.

CONCLUSION

Ta-65 and pomegranate have anti-aging activity through targeting multiple cellular pathways. It is also noteworthy that Ta-65 was superior to pomegranate in its alleviative effects.

Astragaloside IV Improves Tibial Defect in Rats and Promotes Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of hBMSCs through MiR-124-3p.1/STAT3 Axis

Astragaloside IV (AST-IV) facilitates the proliferation and migration of osteoblast-like cells. We sought to explore the effect and potential mechanism of AST-IV on regeneration of tibial defects. To reveal the effect of AST-IV on regeneration of tibial defects in rat, HE staining and microcomputed tomography (μCT) were performed on tibial bone. The binding relationship between miR-124-3p.1 and STAT3 was analyzed by TargetScan V7.2 and a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (hBMSCs) were identified by morphological observation and flow-cytometric analysis. To reveal the effect and mechanism of AST-IV on phenotypes of hBMSCs, hBMSCs were treated with AST-IV, miR-124-3p.1 mimic, and pcDNA-STAT3, and cell viability, cell cycle, ALP activity, and calcium deposition of hBMSCs in vitro were determined by MTT, flow-cytometric analysis, ELISA, and Alizarin red staining, respectively. The expressions of osteoblast marker molecules (RUNX2, OCN, Smad4), miR-124-3p.1, and STAT3 were indicated by RT-qPCR and Western blot. AST-IV decreased miR-124-3p.1 expression, increased STAT3 expression in tibial bone defects, and promoted regeneration of tibial bone defects in a concentration-dependent manner. The hBMSCs appeared spindle-shaped and were positive for CD105, but negative for CD34. MiR-124-3p.1 negatively regulated STAT3 expression in hBMSCs under osteogenic conditions. AST-IV promoted viability, cell cycle, ALP activity, and osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs along with increased expressions of osteoblast marker molecules, which was partially reversed by miR-124-3p.1 overexpression. However, the effect of miR-124-3p.1 overexpression on hBMSCs was also partially reversed by STAT3 overexpression. AST-IV improves tibial defects in rats and promotes proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs through the miR-124-3p.1/STAT3 axis.

Marked decrease of tacrolimus blood concentration caused by compound Chinese herbal granules in a patient with refractory nephrotic syndrome

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

The blood concentration of tacrolimus can be affected by co-administrated drugs. The objective is to draw more attention to herb-drug interactions in China, where herbal medicines are commonly used.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The blood concentration of tacrolimus in a girl with refractory nephrotic syndrome decreased nearly a half despite no change in dose. Nebulizer therapy, cyclophosphamide and a compound Chinese herbal medicine were the only additional treatments than usual.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

The most possible cause of the decrease in tacrolimus concentration was the administration of Radix Astragali among compound Chinese herbal medicine granules.

Interaction between phytotherapy and oral anticancer agents: prospective study and literature review

Cancer is becoming more prevalent in elderly patient. Due to polypharmacy, older adults with cancer are predisposed to drug-drug interactions. There is also an increasing interest in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Thirty to seventy percent of patients with cancer have used CAM. Through pharmaceutical counseling sessions, we can provide advices on herb-drug interactions (HDI). All the patients seen in pharmaceutical counseling sessions were prospectively included. Information was collected during these sessions: prescribed medication (oral anticancer agents (OAA) and other drugs), CAM (phytotherapy especially), and use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. If pharmacist considered an interaction or an intervention clinically relevant, the oncologist was notified. Then, a literature review was realized to identify the potential HDI (no interactions, precautions for use, contraindication). Among 201 pharmacist counseling sessions, it resulted in 104 interventions related to 46 HDI, 28 drug-drug interactions and 30 others (wrong dosage, omission…). To determine HDI, we review 73 medicinal plants which are used by our patients with cancer and 31 OAA. A total of 1829 recommendations were formulated about 59 (75%) medical plants and their interaction with an OAA. Herb-drug interactions should not be ignored by healthcare providers in their management of cancer patients in daily practice.

Impact of Herbal Preparations on Outcomes of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: A One-Year Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impacts of two herbal preparations for human immunodeficiency virus/aquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients, Shenling Fuzheng Capsule (, SLFZC) and Qingdu Capsule (, QDC), on the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

METHODS

HIV/AIDS patients met the criteria were all enrolled in a 1-year cohort study, in which patients receiving HAART alone were designated as Group A, those receiving HAART in combination with SLFZC were designated as Group B, and those receiving HAART in combination with QDC were designated as Group C, 100 cases in each group. The dose of SLFZC was 1.48 g (4 capsules), 3 times daily, and QDC 1.56 g (4 capsules), 3 times daily. T cell subsets, HIV RNA and HIV-1 drug resistance were detected at enrollment and 1 year after treatment. Patients were followed up every 3 months, during which side-effects and other clinical data were recorded.

RESULTS

After 1-year treatment, the median increment in CD₄ counts was 165.0, 178.0 and 145.0 cells/μL for Group A, B and C, respectively. HIV RNA was undetectable in 94% of patients in Group A, 96% in Group B and 92% in Group C. There were no differences regarding the increment in CD₄ counts, HIV RNA and frequency of HIV-1 drug resistance mutations. Two of the 14 suspected side-effect symptoms, i.e. fatigue and dizziness, were lower in Groups B and C than in Group A (P<0.05, respectively) CONCLUSIONS: SLFZC and QDC do not have a negative impact on immunological and virological response to HAART; however, these preparations are not as potent in reducing HAART-associated side-effects as anticipated.