Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

OBJECTIVE: Radiotherapy is used to treat patients with tumors; however, radiation (IR)-induced testicular injury, which has no effective treatment approved in clinical practice, significantly influences their prognosis and quality of life. The protective effects and underlying mechanisms of action of isofraxidin (IF) against IR-induced testicular injury were investigated. Methods: A mouse testis injury model was established using 5 Gy irradiation. H&amp;E staining, immunofluorescence staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to measure DNA damage, apoptosis, inflammatory reactions, and oxidative stress in the testes of mice after irradiation. The effectiveness of IF irradiation on testicular injury was evaluated, and the mechanisms of the related oxidative stress and inflammatory response pathways are discussed. Results: IF can improve IR-induced testicular injury by inhibiting the increased levels of DNA damage, apoptosis rate, oxidative stress, and inflammatory factors. The radioprotective effects of IF on testicular injury are mediated by the stimulation of Nrf2/HO-1 or suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathways. In addition, crosstalk between the Nrf2/HO-1 and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathways was elucidated, in which the inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome was mediated by the activation of Nrf2 signaling with IF upon IR exposure. Conclusion: IF can be a potent radioprotective agent to mitigate testicular damage, and may provide a new therapeutic option to alleviate the side effects of radiotherapy in male patients with tumors.

Changkun Hu

Zekun Wu

Liangliang Zhang

Zengchun Ma

Zebin Liao

Yue Gao

Isofraxidin alleviated radiation-induced testicular damage via the Nrf2/HO-1-NLRP3/ASC Axis

异佛拉西丁通过Nrf2/HO-1-NLRP3/ASC轴减轻辐射诱导的睾丸损伤

Objective: Injury can lead to long-term changes that increase the sensitivity of afferent nerve endings to subsequent stimulation and pain can transition from acute to chronic. This phenomenon is known as hyperalgesic priming (HP). This study aimed to understand the mechanisms underlying the effect of Electroacupuncture (EA) on HP and optimize acupoint selection for EA to prevent pain transition. Methods: A rat HP model was established using sequential intraplantar injections of carrageenan (Cg) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The pain thresholds were measured using von Frey filaments. EA on bilateral Zusanli(ST36) and Kunlun(BL60) was used to prevent pain transition. The number of mast cells in the ipsilateral hindpaw skin was determined using toluidine blue or fluorescence-labeled avidin staining. The protein expression levels of protein kinase C (PKCε) in the lumbar dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) were detected by western blotting 24 h after PGE2 injection. Serial pharmacological experiments were conducted to evaluate the relationship between mast cells and pain transition. Finally, EA on the bilateral ST36 and Chongyang(ST42) or a novel combination (ST36 and ST42 on the ipsilateral side, and ST36 and BL60 on the contralateral side) was used to prevent pain transition. Results: Although EA applied to ST36 and BL60 alleviated acute pain induced by Cg injection, it failed to prevent the pain transition caused by PGE2 injection. Mast cell accumulation in the ipsilateral hind paw was observed 7 days after Cg injection. Furthermore, mast cell degranulation may be responsible for PKCε activation in the DRG, a marker of pain transition. EA significantly decreased the number of mast cells in the skin of the ipsilateral hind paw when applied at ST36 and ST42, but not when applied at ST36 and BL60. Furthermore, EA employed to ST36 and ST42 significantly reversed long-term hyperalgesia induced by PGE2 injection, even when administered before injection. However, EA did not alleviate acute pain caused by Cg injection. By using a novel acupoint combination, EA simultaneously alleviated acute pain and prevented pain transition. Conclusions: Our study suggests that mast cells play a critical role in both HP and the transition from acute to chronic pain, whereas EA can prevent pain transition by decreasing the number of mast cells in the local tissue. Graphical abstract: http://links.lww.com/AHM/A144.

Junhui Ren

Na Li

Xi Danning

Naixuan Wei

Xiaomei Shao

Boyi Liu

Yi Liang

Junying Du

Xiaomin Jin

Jianqiao Fang

Junfan Fang

Role of Mast Cell in Hyperalgesic Priming and the Preventive Effect of Electroacupuncture on the Transition from Acute to Chronic Pain

肥大细胞在痛觉过敏启动中的作用及电针预防急性痛向慢性痛转变的效果

People turn nervous when mention is made of radiation injuries, which cause multiple organ morbidities and are difficult to manage. However, the discovery of antiradiation drugs remains challenging. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may be an effective treatment strategy because of its overall regulation. Herein, we systematically review TCM formulae, herbs, and natural products as potential antiradiation candidates. At the same time, we categorize them by their effective characteristics and target organs. In addition, TCM formulae, herbs, and ingredients used to block the absorption and accelerate the excretion of radionuclides are considered in this review. To better manage radiation injuries, the scientific basis of TCM for radioprotection requires further in-depth research.

Shuai Shao

Traditional Chinese Medicine: An Important Coping Strategy with Challenges of Radiation Injury

传统中医药：应对辐射损伤挑战的重要策略

Recently, immunotherapy has redefined cancer treatment by promoting the rapid killing of tumor cells through the immune system. Herbal medicines have been increasingly used as adjunct therapies to complement cancer treatment along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy to delay tumor development, reduce pain, and prolong patient survival. However, the potential immunotherapeutic effects of these herbal derivatives are limited by their structural instability, poor membrane permeability, and low bioavailability. To address this issue, nanotechnology has been used to enhance the activity of active compounds. Therefore, this review focuses on the effectiveness of the active ingredients of herbal medicines in suppressing tumor progression by modulating both the innate and adaptive immune systems, challenges in their delivery, and the application of nanocarriers for the effective delivery of these herbal components.

Xiang Li

Chenkai Gong

Abid Naeem

Jing Liu

Ming Yang

Jing Zhang

Hongming Shang

Priming immunity via herbal components and their nanomedicines for the treatment of cancer

通过草药成分及其纳米药物启动免疫以治疗癌症

Objective: Bone is a tissue that is constantly remodeled to adjust the microarchitecture and maintain the mechanical needs of bone through the balance of bone resorption and formation processes. Alterations in these processes can lead to the development of different diseases, such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. In recent years, it has been shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment for pain, physical dysfunctions, and the immune system, so the stimulation of acupuncture points could affect genes associated with inflammatory processes and, therefore, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. To analyze changes in gene expression post-acupuncture in data from a group of individuals with osteoarthritis that also manifests in osteoporosis. Method: Through using microarray technology and bioinformatics analysis, potential genes associated with osteoarthritis after acupuncture treatment are identified and compared with genes implicated in osteoporosis. The genes identified in each disease were evaluated through a KEGG signaling pathway analysis, where the results allowed the generation of an in-silico model that shows interaction networks between signaling pathways and genes involved in both diseases. Results: In this interaction, 37 differentially expressed genes were identified in patients with osteoarthritis before and after acupuncture treatment, and 665 differentially expressed genes was involved in osteoporosis. In the osteoarthritis group, 15 signaling pathways involved in this disease were obtained, and for osteoporosis, 13 signaling pathways associated with immunological processes that participate in bone metabolism were obtained osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are two age-associated diseases that are characterized by alterations in the bone remodeling mechanism induced by changes in gene expression profiles. Conclusions: Treatment with acupuncture can modify various cytokines involved in diseases related to the immune system so that it can have beneficial effects on osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. In addition, bioinformatics analysis allows us to know those signaling pathways through which they could have acupuncture effects. Graphical abstract: http://links.lww.com/AHM/A137.

Michell E. García-Espinosa

Paul Limas-Quezada

Alejandra I. Ortega-Meléndez

Martha A Ballinas-Verdugo

Rosa E. López-Gómez

Emma López-Espinosa

Rogelio F. Jiménez-Ortega

Acupuncture-induced gene co-expression networks in postmenopausal women with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis: In-silico analysis.

针灸诱导的绝经后女性骨关节炎和骨质疏松症基因共表达网络：计算机分析。

Star anise ( Illicium verum Hook. f., SA) is a well-known culinary seasoning in China and Vietnam. Actually, SA also has been widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine in China with a long history. Phytochemical analysis has revealed that SA contains a high concentration of essential oils, phenols, flavonoids, and other bioactive compounds that contribute to its diverse pharmacological properties. These properties include anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, anti-oxidation, anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-diabetes, anti-diarrheal and promoting hair growth. Various preclinical studies have shown that SA extracts and their active constituents may have potential therapeutic applications in preventing and treating various diseases. However, a comprehensive report on the relationship between the active ingredient, biological activity and food characteristics of SA is rare. The medicinal value of SA has not been well valued and developed. This review provides an overview of the botanical chemistry and pharmacological properties of SA, as well as its potential innovative applications in food and personal care products, aiming to provide theoretical support for its further development and utilization. Graphical abstract: http://links.lww.com/AHM/A138

Lin Zhu

Yu Luo

Jian Xiao

Erwei Hao

Jinchao Wei

Jinmin Zhao

Chun Yao

Yitao Wang

Hua Luo

Star Anise (Illicium verum Hook. f.): Dual Therapeutic and Nutritional Potential in Food and Medicine

八角茴香（Illicium verum Hook. f.）：食品与医药中的双重治疗与营养潜力

ISSN	2097-0226, 2765-8619
h-index	10

涉及主题	herbal medicineacupuncturecomplementary medicinealternative medicine
出版信息	出版商: Wolters Kluwer，出版周期: ，期刊类型: journal，开源期刊: 是
基本数据	创刊年份: 2021，原创研究文献占比: ，自引率:， Gold OA占比:
平均审稿周期	14 weeks

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

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Isofraxidin alleviated radiation-induced testicular damage via the Nrf2/HO-1-NLRP3/ASC Axis

Role of Mast Cell in Hyperalgesic Priming and the Preventive Effect of Electroacupuncture on the Transition from Acute to Chronic Pain

Traditional Chinese Medicine: An Important Coping Strategy with Challenges of Radiation Injury

Priming immunity via herbal components and their nanomedicines for the treatment of cancer

Acupuncture-induced gene co-expression networks in postmenopausal women with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis: In-silico analysis.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: An Important Coping Strategy with Challenges of Radiation Injury

Isofraxidin alleviated radiation-induced testicular damage via the Nrf2/HO-1-NLRP3/ASC Axis

Role of Mast Cell in Hyperalgesic Priming and the Preventive Effect of Electroacupuncture on the Transition from Acute to Chronic Pain

Star Anise (Illicium verum Hook. f.): Dual Therapeutic and Nutritional Potential in Food and Medicine

Priming immunity via herbal components and their nanomedicines for the treatment of cancer