Danshen enhanced the estrogenic effects of Qing E formula in ovariectomized rats

Glucocorticoid induced bone disorders in children: Research progress in treatment mechanisms

Long-term or supra-physiological dose of glucocorticoid (GC) application in clinic can lead to impaired bone growth and osteoporosis. The side effects of GC on the skeletal system are particularly serious in growing children, potentially causing growth retardation or even osteoporotic fractures. Children's bone growth is dependent on endochondral ossification of growth plate chondrocytes, and excessive GC can hinder the development of growth plate and longitudinal bone growth. Despite the availability of drugs for treating osteoporosis, they have failed to effectively prevent or treat longitudinal bone growth and development disorders caused by GCs. As of now, there is no specific drug to mitigate these severe side effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine shows potential as an alternative to the current treatments by eliminating the side effects of GC. In summary, this article comprehensively reviews the research frontiers concerning growth and development disorders resulting from supra-physiological levels of GC and discusses the future research and treatment directions for optimizing steroid therapy. This article may also provide theoretical and experimental insight into the research and development of novel drugs to prevent GC-related side effects.

Modified Qing’e Formula protects against UV-induced skin oxidative damage via the activation of Nrf2/ARE defensive pathway

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light triggers the rapid generation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in skin cells, which increases oxidative stress damage and leads to photoaging. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) modulates the antioxidant defense of skin cells against environmental factors, especially ultraviolet radiation. Natural products that target Nrf2-regulated antioxidant reactions are promising candidates for anti-photoaging. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Modified Qing’e Formula (MQEF) on UV-induced skin oxidative damage and its molecular mechanisms. In this study, the photoaging models of human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and ICR mice were established by UV irradiation. In vitro models showed that MQEF displayed potent antioxidant activity, significantly increased cell viability and reduced apoptosis and excess ROS levels. Meanwhile, the knockdown of Nrf2 reversed the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of MQEF. In vivo experiments indicated that MQEF could protect the skin against UV-exposed injury which manifested by water loss, sensitivity, tanning, wrinkling, and breakage of collagen and elastic fibers. The application of MQEF effectively increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduced the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in mice. In addition, MQEF was able to activate Nrf2 nuclear translocation in mouse skin tissue. In summary, MQEF may attenuate UV-induced photoaging by upregulating Nrf2 expression and enhancing antioxidant damage capacity. MQEF may be a potential candidate to prevent UV-induced photoaging by restoring redox homeostasis.

The effect of Salvia officinalis extract on symptoms of flushing, night sweat, sleep disorders, and score of forgetfulness in postmenopausal women

Background:

Complications of hormone therapy (as replacement) during menopause prompted us to research on alternative therapies including herbal therapy in this regard.

Objectives:

The effect of Salvia officinalis extract on symptoms of flushing, night sweat, sleep disorders, and score of forgetfulness in postmenopausal women on Namazi Hospital Bone Density Center in Shiraz 2015.

Methods:

In a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, 66 postmenopausal women complaining of menopausal symptoms were divided into two groups of intervention and control, respectively. The intervention group received S. officinalis tablets (containing 100 mg S. officinalis extract), with a dose of three tablets a day for 3 months, while the control group received placebo tablets with the same prescription order. MRS (Menopause Rating Scale) and PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) questionnaires were completed at the beginning and end of the study. The checklists of hot flushing and night sweating were completed a week before the intervention and at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 during the intervention. Finally, the data were analyzed through SPSS₁₈ software, using paired t-test, ANOVA. A significant level of 5% was considered.

Results:

According to the paired t-test, the mean score of flushing, palpitation, sleeping disorders, muscle and joint aches, depression, nervousness, anxiety, and sexual desire and satisfaction significantly decreased by 1.6, 0.4, 1.6, 2.1, 1.4, 1.2, 1.6, and 0.8 units, respectively, in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Therefore, the mean score of PSQI significantly decreased by 3.8 units in the intervention group after the intervention (9.4 ± 3.7 vs 5.6 ± 1.9 (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Salvia extract improved menopausal symptoms such as flushing, night sweat, heart palpitations, muscle and joint pain, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and sexual desire.

Chinese herbal formulas for postmenopausal osteoporosis: A review of preclinical evidence on animal studies and molecular mechanism

Whether Chinese herbal formulas are effective in treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis remains unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the experimental evidence of both in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies using Chinese herbal formulas in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Searches were applied to various databases with relevant keywords. Original in vivo and in vitro studies using Chinese herbal formulas to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis, and with full text available, were included. Er-Xian Decoction, Bu-Shen-Ning-Xin Decoction, Qing E Formula, Liuwei Dihuang Wan, and Xian-Ling-Gu-Bao Decoction, the most commonly studied formulas, were selected from the pool of Chinese medicine. The preclinical data indicated the potential use of Chinese herbal formulas in postmenopausal osteoporosis. The underlying mechanisms included bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), Wnt/[Formula: see text]-catenin, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase/c-Jun [Formula: see text] terminal kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/JNK/MAPK), estrogen receptor (ER), and osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor [Formula: see text]B ligand (OPG/RANKL) signaling pathways. This study demonstrated the anti-osteoporotic effect of Chinese herbal formulas targeting different pathways in bone metabolism. Further study with adequate sample size and follow-up time, appropriate controls, and optimal blinding is required.

The utilization of traditional Chinese medicine in patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based study

BACKGROUND

Many patients with gynecological disorders seek traditional medicine consultations in Asian countries. This study intended to investigate the utilization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) in Taiwan.

METHODS

We analyzed a cohort of one million individuals randomly selected from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. We included 46,337 subjects with newly diagnosed DUB (ICD-9-CM codes 626.8) from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2010. The patients were categorized into TCM seekers and non-TCM seekers according to their use of TCM.

RESULTS

Among the subjects, 41,558 (89.69%) were TCM seekers and 4,779 (10.31%) were non-TCM seekers. Patients who were younger tended to be TCM seekers. Most of the patients had also taken Western medicine, especially tranexamic acid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). More than half of TCM seekers (55.41%) received combined treatment with both Chinese herbal remedies and acupuncture. The most commonly used TCM formula and single herb were Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (Bupleurum and Peony Formula) and Yi-Mu-Cao (Herba Leonuri), respectively. The core pattern of Chinese herbal medicine for DUB patients consisted of Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San, Xiang-Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi), and Yi-Mu-Cao (Herba Leonuri).

CONCLUSIONS

TCM use is popular among patients with DUB in Taiwan. Further pharmacological investigations and clinical trials are required to validate the efficacy and safety of these items.

Compounds from Cynomorium songaricum with Estrogenic and Androgenic Activities Suppress the Oestrogen/Androgen-Induced BPH Process

Objective

To investigate the phytoestrogenic and phytoandrogenic activities of compounds isolated from CS and uncover the role of CS in prevention of oestrogen/androgen-induced BPH.

Methods

Cells were treated with CS compounds, and immunofluorescence assay was performed to detect the nuclear translocation of ERα or AR in MCF-7 or LNCaP cells; luciferase reporter assay was performed to detect ERs or AR transcriptional activity in HeLa or AD293 cells; MTT assay was performed to detect the cell proliferation of MCF-7 or LNCaP cells. Oestrogen/androgen-induced BPH model was established in rat and the anti-BPH, anti-estrogenic, and anti-androgenic activities of CS in vivo were further investigated.

Results

The nuclear translocation of ERα was stimulated by nine CS compounds, three of which also stimulated AR translocation. The transcriptional activities of ERα and ERβ were induced by five compounds, within which only ECG induced AR transcriptional activity as well. Besides, ECG stimulated the proliferation of both MCF-7 cells and LNCaP cells. CS extract suppressed oestrogen/androgen-induced BPH progress in vivo by downregulation of E2 and T level in serum and alteration of the expressions of ERα, ERβ, and AR in the prostate.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrates that compounds from CS exhibit phytoestrogenic and phytoandrogenic activities, which may contribute to inhibiting the oestrogen/androgen-induced BPH development.

Salvia miltiorrhiza bunge increases estrogen level without side effects on reproductive tissues in immature/ovariectomized mice

Salvia miltiorrhiza bunge(SM) is a popular herb for alleviating menopausal symptoms, although the scientific evidence of applying SM to estrogen replacement therapy is limited. In this study, we characterized the estrogenic activity of SM using in vivo models of immature and ovariectomized (OVX) mice and performed in vitro studies focusing on the estrogen receptor (ER) pathway for further molecular characterizations. SM treatments demonstrated significant estrogenic activity by promoting the development of uterus and vagina in immature mice, restoring the estrus cycle and reversing the atrophy of reproductive tissues in OVX mice, as well as increasing the expressions of ERα and ERβ at protein and mRNA level in the reproductive tissues. Meanwhile, SM significantly increased estradiol in serum, and decreased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the circulation of immature and OVX mice. SM could stimulate the binding effect of ERα and ERβ, and significantly induce ERα/β-estrogen response element (ERE) luciferase reporter gene expression. All these activities were inhibited by the ER antagonist ICI182, 780. This study demonstrates SM exerts estrogenic effects by stimulating biosynthesis of estrogen and increasing ERs in target tissues without side effects on reproductive tissues and through ER-ERE-dependent pathway.