Ameliorative Effects of Humulus japonicus Extract and Polysaccharide-Rich Extract of Phragmites rhizoma in Rats with Gastrointestinal Dysfunctions Induced by Water Avoidance Stress

Application potential of Humulus Scandens in livestock husbandry

On the background of antibiotic-free livestock husbandry, animal nutritionists are trying to find alternatives to antibiotics. Many herbs have been developed for animal diets to replace antibiotics. Humulus Scandens (HS) is also known as Humulus japonicus and Japanese hop in English, lü Cao () in Mandarin Chinese and kanamugura (カナムグラ) in Japanese. It is a traditional Chinese medicine with good environmental adaptability. It can grow rapidly and cover any area. Its high yield, strong vitality and medical value allow its potential to be used as an exogenous additive for animal diets to replace antibiotics. However, the knowledge about this herb is limited at present. This manuscript reviewed the processing method of HS and its application in livestock husbandry in order to provide references for its application.

Pharmacological targeting of gastric mucosal barrier with traditional Chinese medications for repairing gastric mucosal injury

Introduction: The gastric mucosa (GM) is the first barrier and vital interface in the stomach that protects the host from hydrochloric acid in gastric juice and defends against exogenous insults to gastric tissues. The use of traditional Chinese medications (TCMs) for the treatment of gastric mucosal injury (GMI) has long-standing history and a good curative effect. Whereas there are poor overall reports on the intrinsic mechanisms of these TCM preparations that pharmacology uses to protect body from GMI, which is crucial to treating this disease. These existing reviews have deficiencies that limit the clinical application and development of both customary prescriptions and new drugs. Methods: Further basic and translational studies must be done to elucidate the intrinsic mechanisms of influence of these TCM preparations. Moreover, well-designed and well-conducted experiences and clinical trials are necessary to ascertain the efficacy and mechanisms of these agents. Therefore, this paper presents a focused overview of currently published literature to assess how TCMs action that facilitates the cures for GMI. It offers a whole train of current state of pharmacological evidence, identifies the pharmacological mechanisms of TCMs on GM, and highlights that remarkable capacity of TCMs to restore GM after damage. Results: These TCMs preparations promote the repair of multicomponent targets such as the gastric mucus, epithelial layer, blood flow (GMBF) and lamina propria barrier. Summary: Overall, this study has summarized the essential regulatory mechanisms and pharmacological efficacy of TCMs on new and productive therapeutic targets. Discussion: This review provides an avenue for studying various drugs with potentially promising effects on mucosal integrity, as well as subsequent pharmacological studies, clinical applications, and new drug development.

The Aqueous Extract of Humulus japonicus Ameliorates Cognitive Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease Models via Modulating the Cholinergic System

Humulus japonicus (HJ) is an herbal medicine, which has been reported as being antioxidative and anti-inflammatory. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of oral administration of HJ water extract (HJW) on cognitive function through the cholinergic system in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse models. Institute of Cancer Research mice injected with beta-amyloid (Aβ) (1-42) (i.c.v.) and APP/PS1 transgenic (TG) mice were orally administered with HJW at 500 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks. Aβ-injected mice and APP/PS1 TG mice showed cognitive dysfunction, which was evaluated by various behavioral tests. HJW treatment significantly attenuated memory impairments in Aβ-injected mice and APP/PS1 TG mice. Aβ injection decreased acetylcholine (ACh) concentrations and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, and increased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. These cholinergic impairments were also found in APP/PS1 TG mice. HJW significantly attenuated cholinergic alterations in Aβ-injected mice and TG mice. In addition, HJW significantly decreased Aβ plaque deposition in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of TG mice. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that HJW protected against AD-related memory impairments via enhancing the cholinergic system and inhibiting Aβ plaque deposition.