Network Pharmacological Study of Achyranthis bidentatae Radix Effect on Bone Trauma

Identifying target organ location of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae: a bioinformatics approach on active compounds and genes

Background: Herbal medicines traditionally target organs for treatment based on medicinal properties, and this theory is widely used for prescriptions. However, the scientific evidence explaining how herbs act on specific organs by biological methods has been still limited. This study used bioinformatic tools to identify the target organ locations of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae (RAB), a blood-activating herb that nourishes the liver and kidney, strengthens bones, and directs prescription to the lower body. Methods: RAB's active compounds and targets were collected and predicted using databases such as TCMSP, HIT2.0, and BATMAN-TCM. Next, the RAB's target list was analyzed based on two approaches to obtain target organ locations. DAVID and Gene ORGANizer enrichment-based approaches were used to enrich an entire gene list, and the BioGPS and HPA gene expression-based approaches were used to analyze the expression of core genes. Results: RAB's targets were found to be involved in whole blood, blood components, and lymphatic organs across all four tools. Each tool indicated a particular aspect of RAB's target organ locations: DAVID-enriched genes showed a predominance in blood, liver, and kidneys; Gene ORGANizer showed the effect on low body parts as well as bones and joints; BioGPS and HPA showed high gene expression in bone marrow, lymphoid tissue, and smooth muscle. Conclusion: Our bioinformatics-based target organ location prediction can serve as a modern interpretation tool for the target organ location theory of traditional medicine. Future studies should predict therapeutic target organ locations in complex prescriptions rather than single herbs and conduct experiments to verify predictions.

Antiosteoporosis effect and possible mechanisms of the ingredients of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae in animal models of osteoporosis: systematic review and meta-analysis of in vivo studies

BACKGROUND

The effect and mechanisms of the ingredients (IRAB) of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae (RAB) on treating osteoporosis (OP) remains debated. We aimed to summary the evidence to evaluate the efficacy of IRAB for animal model OP and elucidate the potential mechanism of IRAB in the treatment of OP.

METHODS

In this review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, as well as Chinese VIP databases for targeting articles published from inception to March 2023 in English or Chinese. All randomized controlled animal trials that assessed the efficacy and safety of IRAB for OP were included. We excluded trials according to exclusion criteria. The CAMARADES 10-item quality checklist was utilized to test the risk of potential bias for each including study and modifications were performed accordingly. The primary outcome measures were bone mineral density of the femoral neck (F-BMD), serum calcium (Ca), serum phosphorus (P), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone gla protein (BGP), bone maximum stress (M-STRESS). The secondary outcome measure was the antiosteoporosis mechanisms of IRAB.

RESULTS

Data from nine articles were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, which focused on 196 animals. Egger's test revealed the presence of publication bias in various studies regarding the primary outcome. Administration of IRAB or RAB could significantly increases the F-BMD (SMD = 2.09; 95% CI = 1.29 to 2.89; P < 0.001, I² = 76%), Ca (SMD = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.39to1.34; P = 0.07, I² = 49%); P (SMD = 1.01; 95% CI = 0.45-4.57; P = 0.08, I² = 50%), BGP (SMD = 2.13; 95% CI = 1.48 to 2.78; I² = 46%, P = 0.10), while the ALP (SMD = - 0.85; 95% CI =  - 1.38 to - 0.31; I² = 46%, P = 0.10) was remarkably decreased in OP model animals. Moreover, the bone biomechanical indicator M-STRESS (SMD = 2.39; 95% CI = 1.74-3.04; I² = 32%, P = 0.21) was significantly improved.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, the findings suggest that the RAB or IRAB could be an effective drug or an ingredient in diet for the clinical treatment of OP in future.

Clinical efficacy of electromagnetic field therapy combined with traditional Chinese pain-reducing paste in myofascial pain syndrome

BACKGROUND

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is widely used to treat myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Damp-clearing and pain-reducing paste (DPP) comprises medical herbs and has been a traditional method of reducing myofascial pain in China for a long time, and it is usually administered with heating. However, the synergistic effect of PEMF therapy on heating-DPP in patients with MPS is unclear.

AIM

To investigate the synergistic effect of PEMF therapy plus heating-DPP in lumbar MPS.

METHODS

This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 120 patients with lumbar MPS who were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG, n = 60) and a control group (CG, n = 60). Patients in both groups were treated with heating-DPP combined with PEMF therapy; however, the electromagnetic function of the therapeutic apparatus used in the CG was disabled. Each treatment lasted for 20 min and was applied five times a week for two weeks. The short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire was applied at five time points: pretest, end of the first and second weeks of treatment, and end of the first and fourth week after completing treatment. Visual analog scale (VAS), present pain intensity index (PPI), and pain rating index (PRI; total, affective pain, and sensory pain scores) scores were then analyzed.

RESULTS

Compared with the CG, the VAS, PPI and PRI scores (total, affective pain and sensory pain scores) in the EG were significantly lower after treatment and during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

PEMF therapy combined with heating-DPP showed better efficacy than heating-DPP alone in reducing the overall intensity of pain and sensory and affective pain.