Nanonized black soybean enhances immune response in senescence-accelerated mice

The effect and mechanism of YH0618 granule on chemotherapy- induced hair loss in patients with breast cancer: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, multi-center clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Hair loss is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy, and can cause persistent negative emotions, further affecting therapeutic effects and reducing the quality of life. However, there are no clinically safe and effective methods to solve the problem at present. Our previous clinical and animal studies showed that a medicinal and edible decoction, YH0618, could significantly promote hair growth in cancer patients after chemotherapy, without interfering with the anti-tumor effects of chemotherapy. Besides, the theory of Chinese Medicine believes that the "Essence of the kidney is reflected on the hair". Therefore, this study will further explore the efficacy of YH0618 granule on chemotherapy-induced hair loss in patients with breast cancer by a randomized, double-blind, multi-center clinical trial and elucidate the potential mechanism from the aspect of kidney deficiency or renal dysfunction.

METHODS/DESIGN

Eligible breast cancer patients who will start chemotherapy will be randomly divided into group A (YH0618 granule) and group B (placebo). The chemotherapeutic agents contain taxanes or/and anthracyclines, and the chemotherapy regimen will be for at least six cycles with a cycle every 3 weeks. Subjects assigned to group A will receive YH0618 granules twice a day (6 g each time), 6 days a week, mixed with 300 ml warm water from the first to the fourth chemotherapy cycle. Subjects in group B will receive the placebo granule in the same manner. The primary outcome is the time point of occurrence of hair loss reaching grade II as assessed by the WHO Toxicity Grading Scale, and objective indices of hair quality and hair-follicle growth recorded by a hair and scalp detector before the fifth chemotherapy cycle. Secondary outcomes include changes of facial color and thumbnail color, grading of thumbnails ridging, assessment of quality life, level of fatigue, routine blood test results, hepatic and renal function, and certain medical indicators which can reflect kidney deficiency in Chinese Medicine.

DISCUSSION

This research is of great significance for the treatment of cancer and improving the quality of life of cancer patients. The study may provide the most direct evidence for meeting clinical needs and lay a solid scientific foundation for later product development.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ID: ChiCTR1800020107. Registered on 14 December 2018.

Effect of YH0618 soup on chemotherapy-induced toxicity in patients with cancer who have completed chemotherapy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

The incidence of cancer has been staying at a high level worldwide in recent years. With advances in cancer diagnosis and therapy strategy, the survival rate of patients with cancer has been increasing, but the side effects of these treatments, especially chemotherapy, are obvious even when the chemotherapy ceases. YH0618, a prescription, has showed efficacy in reducing chemotherapy-induced toxicity through long clinical practice. However, there is no scientific research exploring the effects of YH0618 in patients with cancer. Therefore, using a randomized controlled trial, this study will explore the efficacy of YH0618 on ameliorating chemotherapy-induced toxicity including dermatologic toxicity, myelosuppression, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity and improving fatigue in cancer patients who have completed chemotherapy.

Methods/design

This is a prospective assessor-blinded, parallel, randomized controlled trial. Patients with cancer at any stage who have completed chemotherapy within two weeks will be randomly divided into group A (YH0618) and group B (wait-list) using a 1:1 allocation ratio. The chemotherapeutic agents include taxanes or anthracyclines. Subjects assigned to group A will receive YH0618 soup 6 days a week for 6 weeks and uncontrolled follow-up for 6 weeks, while group B are required to wait for 6 weeks before receiving YH0618 intervention. The primary outcome of this study is the incidence of protocol-specified grade ≥2 dermatologic toxicities graded by NCI CTCAE Chinese version 4.0 and changes of fingernail color, face skin color and tongue color evaluated by the L*a*b system within 6 weeks. There are some secondary outcomes associated with dermatologic toxicity including fatigue and clinical objective examination.

Discussion

There are few scientific and safe methods in ameliorating chemotherapy-induced toxicity. The proposed study may provide direct and convincing evidence to support YH0618 as an adjuvant treatment for reducing chemotherapy-induced toxicity, which could be introduced into clinical settings.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-IOR-15006486. Registered on 21 May 2015.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1443-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Daidzein suppresses pro-inflammatory chemokine Cxcl2 transcription in TNF-α-stimulated murine lung epithelial cells via depressing PARP-1 activity

AIM

Daidzein (4',7-dihydroxyisoflavone) is an isoflavone exiting in many herbs that has shown anti-inflammation activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism underlying its anti-inflammatory action in murine lung epithelial cells.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were intranasally exposed to TNF-α to induce lung inflammation. The mice were injected with daidzein (400 mg/kg, ip) before TNF-α challenge, and sacrificed 12 h after TNF-α challenge, and lung tissues were collected for analyisis. In in vitro studies, murine MLE-12 epithelial cells were treated with TNF-α (20 ng/mL). The expression of pro-inflammatory chemokine Cxcl2 mRNA and NF-κB transcriptional activity were examined using real-time PCR and a dual reporter assay. Protein poly-adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation (PARylation) was detecyed using Western blotting and immunoprecipitation assays.

RESULTS

Pretreatment of the mice with daidzein markedly attenuated TNF-α-induced lung inflammation, and inhibited Cxcl2 expression in lung tissues. Furthermore, daidzein (10 μmol/L) prevented TNF-α-induced increases in Cxcl2 expression and activity and NF-κB transcriptional activity, and markedly inhibited TNF-α-induced protein PARylation in MLE-12 cells in vitro. In MLE-12 cells co-transfected with the PARP-1 expression plasmid and NF-κB-luc (or Cxcl2-luc) reporter plasmid, TNF-α markedly increased NF-κB (or Cxcl2) activation, which were significantly attenuated in the presence of daidzein (or the protein PARylation inhibitor PJ 34). PARP-1 activity assay showed that daidzein (10 μmol/L) reduced the activity of PARP-1 by ∼75%.

CONCLUSION

The anti-inflammatory action of daidzein in murine lung epithelial cells seems to be mediated via a direct interaction with PARP-1, which inhibits RelA/p65 protein PARylation required for the transcriptional modulation of pro-inflammatory chemokines such as Cxcl2.

Isoflavones-Enriched Soy Protein Prevents CCL(4)-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

The burden of liver disease in Egypt is exceptionally high due to the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) resulting in rising rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of the current study was to determine the isoflavones in soy and to evaluate the protective role of soy against CCl₄-induced liver damage in rats. Four experimental groups were treated for 8 weeks and included the control group, soy-supplemented diet (20% w/w) group, the group treated orally with CCl₄ (100 mg/kg bw) twice a week, and the group fed soy-supplemented diet and treated with CCl₄. Blood and liver tissue samples were collected for biochemical analyses and histological examination. The results indicated that protein content was 45.8% and the total isoflavones recorded 167.3 mg/100 g soy. Treatment with CCl₄ resulted in a significant biochemical changes in serum liver tissue accompanied with severe oxidative stress and histological changes. Supplementation with soy succeeded to restore the elevation of liver enzymes activities and improved serum biochemical parameters. Moreover, soy supplementation improved the antioxidant enzymes, decreased lipid peroxidation, and improved the histological picture of the liver tissue. It could be concluded that soy-protein-enriched isoflavones may be a promising agent against liver diseases.

Potential health-modulating effects of isoflavones and metabolites via activation of PPAR and AhR

Isoflavones have multiple actions on cell functions. The most prominent one is the activation of estrogen receptors. Other functions are often overlooked, but are equally important and explain the beneficial health effects of isoflavones. Isoflavones are potent dual PPARα/γ agonists and exert anti-inflammatory activity, which may contribute to the prevention of metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis and various other inflammatory diseases. Some isoflavones are potent aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists and induce cell cycle arrest, chemoprevention and modulate xenobiotic metabolism. This review discusses effects mediated by the activation of AhR and PPARs and casts a light on the concerted action of isoflavones.