Effects of Rehmannia glutinosa oligosaccharide on human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro

Changes in Rehmanniae Radix processing and their impact on ovarian hypofunction: potential mechanisms of action

Objective

This study evaluates the research developments concerning Rehmanniae Radix in ovarian hypofunction diseases. It explores the processing methods of Rehmanniae Radix, the variations in its compounds before and after processing, the mechanism of Rehmanniae Radix and its active compounds in improving ovarian function, and the advancements in clinical applications of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound that include Rehmanniae Radix.

Methods

Comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database, National Science and Technology Library, the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, Pubmed, and the Web of Science Database. The search utilized the following Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and keywords: "Rehmanniae Radix," "Drying Rehmannia Root," "Rehmannia glutinosa," "Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata," "Traditional Chinese Medicine Processing," "Pharmacological Effects," "Ovarian Aging," "Diminished ovarian reserve," "Premature ovarian insufficiency," "Premature Ovarian Failure," "Ovarian hypofunction diseases".

Results

The ancient Chinese medical books document various processing techniques for Rehmanniae Radix. Contemporary research has identified changes in its compounds processing and the resultant diverse therapeutic effects. When processed into Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, it is noted for its ability to invigorate the kidney. TCM compound containing Rehmanniae Radix is frequently used to treat ovarian hypofunction diseases, demonstrating significant clinical effectiveness. The key changes in its compounds processing include cyclic dilute ether terpene glycosides, phenylethanol glycosides, sugars, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. Its pharmacological action is primarily linked to the improvement of granulosa cell proliferation, antioxidative and anti-aging properties, and modulation of the immune and inflammatory microenvironment. Furthermore, Rehmanniae Radix also offers therapeutic benefits for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, osteoporosis and cognitive dysfunction caused by low estrogen levels. Thereby Rehmanniae Radix mitigates both the short-term and long-term health risks associated with ovarian hypofunction diseases.

Conclusion

Processed Rehmanniae Radix has shown potential to improve ovarian function, and its compound prescriptions have a definite effect on ovarian dysfunction diseases. Therefore Rehmanniae Radix was garnering interest for both basic and clinical research, with promising application prospects as a future therapeutic agent for ovarian hypofunction diseases. However, further studies on its toxicology and the design of standardized clinical trials are necessary to fully establish its efficacy and safety.

Intervention effects of traditional Chinese medicine on stem cell therapy of myocardial infarction

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of global mortality, in which myocardial infarction accounts for 46% of total deaths. Although good progress has been achieved in medication and interventional techniques, a proven method to repair the damaged myocardium has not yet been determined. Stem cell therapy for damaged myocardial repair has evolved into a promising treatment for ischemic heart disease. However, low retention and poor survival of the injected stem cells are the major obstacles to achieving the intended therapeutic effects. Chinese botanical and other natural drug substances are a rich source of effective treatment for various diseases. As such, numerous studies have revealed the role of Chinese medicine in stem cell therapy for myocardial infarction treatment, including promoting proliferation, survival, migration, angiogenesis, and differentiation of stem cells. Here, we discuss the potential and limitations of stem cell therapy, as well as the regulatory mechanism of Chinese medicines underlying stem cell therapy. We focus on the evidence from pre-clinical trials and clinical practices, and based on traditional Chinese medicine theories, we further summarize the mechanisms of Chinese medicine treatment in stem cell therapy by the commonly used prescriptions. Despite the pre-clinical evidence showing that traditional Chinese medicine is helpful in stem cell therapy, there are still some limitations of traditional Chinese medicine therapy. We also systematically assess the detailed experimental design and reliability of included pharmacological research in our review. Strictly controlled animal models with multi-perspective pharmacokinetic profiles and high-grade clinical evidence with multi-disciplinary efforts are highly demanded in the future.

Comparison of the Characteristics of Breast Milk-derived Stem Cells with the Stem Cells Derived from the Other Sources: A Comparative Review

Breast milk (BrM) not only supplies nutrition, but it also contains a diverse population of cells. It has been estimated that up to 6% of the cells in human milk possess the characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Available data also indicate that these cells are multipotent and capable of self-renewal and differentiation with other cells. In this review, we have compared different characteristics, such as CD markers, differentiation capacity, and morphology of stem cells, derived from human breast milk (hBr-MSC) with human bone marrow (hBMSC), Wharton's jelly (WJMSC), and human adipose tissue (hADMSC). Through the literature review, it was revealed that human breast milk-derived stem cells specifically express a group of cell surface markers, including CD14, CD31, CD45, and CD86. Importantly, a group of markers, CD13, CD29, CD44, CD105, CD106, CD146, and CD166, were identified, which were common in the four sources of stem cells. WJMSC, hBMSC, hADMSC, and hBr-MSC are potently able to differentiate into the mesoderm, ectoderm, and endoderm cell lineages. The ability of hBr-MSCs todifferentiate into the neural stem cells, neurons, adipocyte, hepatocyte, chondrocyte, osteocyte, and cardiomyocytes has made these cells a promising source of stem cells in regenerative medicine, while isolation of stem cells from the commonly used sources, such as bone marrow, requires invasive procedures. Although autologous breast milk-derived stem cells are an accessible source for women who are in the lactation period, breast milk can be considered as a source of stem cells with high differentiation potential without any ethical concern.

Observation of the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and the Potential Effect of Promoting Hair Growth Treated with Chinese Herbal BeauTop

Despite minoxidil and finasteride already being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hair loss, it is important to identify new and innovative treatments for hair loss, such as looking for a solution in Chinese herbal medicine. One such treatment to consider is BeauTop (BT), whose primary ingredients include Panax japonicus (T.Nees), C.A. Mey. (Araliaceae), Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bunge (Fabaceae), Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Apiaceae), Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton (Oleaceae), Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC. (Plantaginaceae), and Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. (Compositae). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether BT can promote hair growth in C57BL/6 mice and to investigate hair coverage, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEFG), and the numbers of hair follicles in growth phase after oral administration. A total of 12 C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups: control group and treatment group BT. BT was administered orally as an extract at a volume of 0.6 g/kg. The control group was treated with distilled water. Each group was treated once a day for 12 consecutive days. To observe the expression of VEGF distribution, the number of hair follicles and the hair coverage were examined on days 4, 8, and 12. By comparing the treatment group and control group, we found that VEGF in the BT group on day 8 presented with a higher area percentage than the control group (p value = 0.003). Hair follicle counting results showed that the BT group was significantly higher than the control group on day 8 (p value = 0.031). Furthermore, hair coverage was shown to be significantly increased in the treatment group BT on day 8 (p value = 0.013). Taken together, these results suggest that Chinese medicine (BT) possesses the potential effect of promoting hair growth through VEGF expression. VEGF is considered the most important mediator for the process of angiogenesis involved in hair growth development.

Hair growth is promoted by BeauTop via expression of EGF and FGF‑7

Minoxidil and finasteride have been approved to treat hair loss by the Food and Drug Administration. However, the further elucidation of treatments for hair loss, including those using Chinese herbal medicine, remains important clinically. BeauTop (BT) is a health food supplement which contains Ginseng radix, Astragali radix, Radix Angelicae sinensis, Ligustri fructus, Rehmannia glutinosa and Eclipta prostrata (Linn). Susbsequent to oral administration of BT at 0.6 g/kg/day to wax/rosin-induced alopecia in C57BL/6 mice, BT significantly induced hair growth at day 8 compared with control treatment (P<0.05). The expression levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-7 were increased compared with control animals on day 8. In contrast, levels of FGF-5 of the BT group were reduced compared with the control on day 12. There were no effects on the expression of insulin-like growth factor 1. The results demonstrated that the mechanism of BT improving alopecia is potentially associated with modulation of EGF and FGF-7 levels. Taken together, it is suggested that BT may have a potential effect of the promotion of hair growth.

Rehmanniae Radix in osteoporosis: A review of traditional Chinese medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics and pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Emerging clinical usage and pharmacological effects have been achieved in using Rehmanniae Radix either singly or in combination with other herbs to treat skeletal diseases in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the recent years. This study is aimed to provide a comprehensive review about the historical TCM interpretation of the action of Rehmanniae Radix in osteoporosis, its usage in clinical trials and osteoporotic models, its main phytochemical constituents, and its pharmacokinetics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Several databases included PubMed, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, National Science and Technology Library and the Web of Science Database were consulted to locate the publications pertaining to Rehmanniae Radix. The initial inquiry was conducted for the presence of the following terms combinations in the abstracts: Rehmanniae Radix, Dihuang, phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics, osteoporosis, bone, osteoclast and osteoblast. About 330 research papers and reviews were consulted.

RESULTS

In TCM, Rehmanniae Radix exerts the anti-osteoporotic effect via regulating the functions of kidney and liver as well as improving blood circulation. 107 clinical trials are identified that used Rehmanniae Radix in combination with other herbs to treat post-menopausal, senile and secondary osteoporosis. Most of the clinical trials are characterized by high efficacy and no obvious adverse effects. However, the efficacies of these clinical trials are limited because of small patient sample size, short treatment duration and poor clinical design. In addition, TCM herbs under the clinical study are not clear because of a lack of standardization and authentication. The pharmacokinetics data demonstrate that the ingredients of Rehmanniae Radix are widely distributed after administration, and that catalpol and ajugol as well as acetoside are supposed to be the active constituents. More than 140 individual compounds have been currently isolated from this plant and reported to show pleiotropic effects on various diseases. Rehmanniae Radix displays bone protecting features in the osteoporosis models via the delicate balance between osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis through single herb extracts and its isolated compounds.

CONCLUSIONS

The successful inclusion of Rehmanniae Radix in clinical trials and preclinical studies for the management of osteoporosis has attracted rising attentions for identifying potential anti-osteoporotic candidates from this plant and clinical existing TCM formulas, which will further speed up anti-osteoporosis drug discovery processes. Properly designed and well controlled prospective studies are still needed to further demonstrate bone protective actions and safe use of this herb and its ingredients.

Hair growth effect of traditional Chinese medicine BeauTop on androgenetic alopecia patients: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the treatment effects of BeauTop in alopecia by observing its effectiveness in improving androgenetic alopecia. Hair growth was observed using a dermatoscope and clinical photos, and was scored by three dermatologists. Dermatologists evaluated and selected suitable participants for this study using the Norwood scale or Ludwig scale. A total of 40 participants with androgenetic alopecia were recruited in this study, and 32 participants completed the 6-month trial. The results revealed that in the BeauTop treatment group, 9/17 participants (52.9%) showed increased hair growth. Changes in hair growth were as follows: No change, 47.1% patients; minimally improved, 5.9% patients; moderately improved, 29.4% patients; and significantly improved, 17.6% patients. In the placebo group, 2/15 participants (13%) showed increased hair growth. A Chi-square test was performed and attained a value of 0.01 Collapse

Key Words

• BeauTop
• androgenetic alopecia
• ludwig scale
• norwood scale

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Affiliation(s)

Chien-Ying Lee Department of Pharmacology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40242, Taiwan, R.O.C Department of Pharmacy, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40242, Taiwan, R.O.C Department of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40242, Taiwan, R.O.C
Cheng-Chung Wei Department of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40242, Taiwan, R.O.C Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40242, Taiwan, R.O.C
Min-Chien Yu Department of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40242, Taiwan, R.O.C Department of Dermatology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40242, Taiwan, R.O.C Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40242, Taiwan, R.O.C
Ching-Che Lin Brion Research Institute, New Taipei City 23143, Taiwan, R.O.C
Shuenn-Jyi Sheu Brion Research Institute, New Taipei City 23143, Taiwan, R.O.C
Jen-Hung Yang College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan, R.O.C
Chien-Ying Chiang Brion Research Institute, New Taipei City 23143, Taiwan, R.O.C
Kuang-Hua Huang Department of Health Service Administration, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan, R.O.C
Yu-Hsiang Kuan Department of Pharmacology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40242, Taiwan, R.O.C Department of Pharmacy, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40242, Taiwan, R.O.C Department of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40242, Taiwan, R.O.C

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Advances in mesenchymal stem cells combined with traditional Chinese medicine therapy for liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is a primary cause of liver cirrhosis, and even hepatocarcinoma. Recently, the usage of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been investigated to improve liver fibrosis. It has been reported that the differentiation, proliferation and migration of MSCs can be regulated by traditional Chinese medicine treatment; however, the mechanisms are still unclear. In this article, the authors review the characteristics of MSCs such as multidirectional differentiation and homing, and its application in animal experiments and clinical trials. The authors also list areas that need further investigation, andlook at the future prospects of clinical application of MSCs.

Effects of vitexin-2"-O-rhamnoside and vitexin-4"-O-glucoside on growth and oxidative stress-induced cell apoptosis of human adipose-derived stem cells

OBJECTIVES

Vitexin-2"-O-rhamnoside (VOR) and vitexin-4"-O-glucoside (VOG) are the two main flavonoid glycosides of the leaves of Cratagus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N. E. Br. that has been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular system diseases. In this study, we simultaneously investigated the influence of VOR and VOG on human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) injury induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) to further characterize their anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic activity.

METHODS

hADSCs were isolated, cultured in vitro and pretreated with 62.5 μm VOR or 120 μm VOG for 24 h and then exposed to 500 μm H2 O2 for an additional 4 h.

KEY FINDINGS

Pretreatment of hADSCs with VOR and VOG was demonstrated to significantly ameliorate the toxicity and apoptosis effects, such as morphological distortion, nuclear condensation, decreased intracellular caspase-3 activity and percentage of cells in apoptosis/necrosis by using morphological assay, immunocytochemistry and flow cytometric evaluation. In addition, VOR and VOG caused no cytotoxic effect on hADSCs at concentrations up to 250 and 480 μm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated that both VOR and VOG contribute to the protection against H2 O2 -mediated oxidative stress damage and could be safely used for a wide range of concentrations.

Isolation, characterization, and hepatoprotective effects of the raffinose family oligosaccharides from Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch

This study was aimed to isolate and characterize the raffinose family oligosaccharides (RGOs) from a novel plant source of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch, and further evaluate whether RGOs can attenuate CCl4-induced oxidative stress and hepatopathy in mice. HPLC analysis showed that RGOs were mainly composed of stachyose (61.7%, w/w), followed by 23.7% raffinose and 7.1% sucrose. Administration of RGOs orally daily in mice for 21 days significantly reduced the impact of CCl4 toxicity on the serum markers of liver damage, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total-cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG). RGOs also increased antioxidant levels of hepatic glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and ameliorated the elevated hepatic formation of malonaldehyde (MDA) induced by CCl4 in mice, which coincided with the histological alteration. These findings exhibited the potential prospect of RGOs as functional ingredients to prevent ROS-related liver damage.