Long-term treatment with a "Yang-invigorating" Chinese herbal formula, Wu-Zi-Yan-Zong-Wan, reduces mortality and liver oxidative damage in chronic alcohol-intoxicated rats

Xie Zhuo Tiao Zhi formula ameliorates chronic alcohol-induced liver injury in mice

This study aimed to evaluate the protective role and potential mechanisms of Xie Zhuo Tiao Zhi decoction (XZTZ) on alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). XZTZ significantly alleviated alcohol-induced liver dysfunction, based on histological examinations and biochemical parameters after 4-week administration. Mechanically, alcohol-stimulated hepatic oxidative stress was ameliorated by XZTZ, accompanied by the improvement of Nrf2/Keap1 expression and alcohol-activated phosphorylation of pro-inflammatory transcription factors, including JNK, P38, P65, and IκBα, were rescued by XZTZ. In conclusion, XZTZ demonstrates potential in alleviating alcohol-induced liver injury, oxidative stress, and inflammation possibly through modulation of Nrf2/Keap1 and MAPKs/NF-κB signaling pathways, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic option for patients with alcoholic liver disease.

The Therapeutic Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Poor Semen Quality in Infertile Males

Poor sperm quality is one of the main factors of male infertility. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used frequently in clinical practice in many countries to treat a wide array of infertile problems. To further understand the effects of TCM on semen quality, we retrospectively enrolled patients with male infertility and poor semen quality at the Tainan Municipal Hospital in Taiwan between 2013 and 2016. Semen quality analysis in accordance with the WHO criteria is an essential step in the evaluation of male fertility status. Associations between the semen parameters and body mass index, smoking status, alcohol use, duration of infertility, and age were also analyzed. A total of 126 male infertility patients with abnormal semen analysis were included in this study: 50 TCM users and 13 TCM non-users. The basic characteristics of the two groups were not significantly different. TCM users account for 92.5% of the total semen improvement subjects. In conclusion, TCM supplementation may have a beneficial role as improving sperm quality for infertility patients.

Ursolic-Acid-Enriched Herba Cynomorii Extract Protects against Oxidant Injury in H9c2 Cells and Rat Myocardium by Increasing Mitochondrial ATP Generation Capacity and Enhancing Cellular Glutathione Redox Cycling, Possibly through Mitochondrial Uncoupling

Mitochondrial decay is considered to be a major contributor to aging-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and certain metabolic diseases. Therefore, the maintenance of mitochondrial functional capacity and antioxidant status should play an essential role in preventive health. Herba Cynomorii, which is one of the most potent "Yang-invigorating" Chinese tonic herbs, was found to increase mitochondrial ATP generation capacity (ATP-GC) in rat hearts ex vivo. In the present study, we demonstrated that HCY2, an active fraction of Herba Cynomorii, and its major ingredient ursolic acid (UA) could protect against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced cell apoptosis in H9c2 cells in vitro and also against ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury in rat hearts ex vivo. The cardioprotection was associated with an increase in ATP-GC and an enhancement of glutathione redox cycling. The results suggest that UA may be one of the active ingredients responsible for the cardioprotection afforded by Herba Cynomorii, and this effect may be mediated, at least in part, by enhancement of mitochondrial functional capacity and antioxidant status, possibly through the induction of mitochondrial uncoupling.