ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) has been widely used as a traditional remedy for insomnia, depression and anxiety in China and Western countries. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that rosemary has important applications in neurological disorders. However, the mechanism of action of rosemary hydrosol in the treatment of insomnia is not known.AIMS OF THE STUDY:Insomnia is closely linked to anxiety and depression, and its pathogenesis is related to biology, psychology, and sociology. Rosemary is a natural plant that has been used to treat insomnia and depression and has good biological activity, but its material basis and mechanism for the treatment of insomnia are not clear. Here, we report on the role of aqueous extracts of rosemary in the treatment of insomnia.MATERIALS AND METHODS:The study was based on network pharmacology, using a combination of RNA-sequencing, "quantity-effect" weighting coefficients, and pharmacodynamic experiments. DL-4-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) was intraperitoneally injected into SD rats to replicate the insomnia model with a blank, model, diazepam, and rosemary hydrosol low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were set up for the experiment. The key pathways in the treatment of insomnia with rosemary hydrosol were analyzed by molecular docking, open field assay, ELISA, western-Blot, Rt-PCR, and immunohistochemical assay.RESULTS:Rosemary hydrosol was analyzed by GC-MS to identify 19 components. 1579 differential genes were obtained by RNA-Seq analysis, 533 targets for rosemary hydrosol and 2705 targets for insomnia, and 29 key targets were obtained by intersection. The KEGG results were ranked by "quantity-effect" weighting coefficients, resulting in serotonergic synapse was the key pathway for the treatment of insomnia with rosemary hydrosol. Molecular docking results showed that 1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1] heptan-2-one, 3-methyl-4-isopropylphenol, caryophyllene, and citronellol of rosemary hydrosol acted synergistically to achieve a therapeutic effect on insomnia. Caryophyllene acts on the HTR1A target by upregulating 5-HT1AR, leading to increased 5-HT release, and upregulation of ADCY5, cAMP, PKA and GABAA at serotonergic synapses; citronellol upregulated ADCY5 and 1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1] heptan-2-one, and 3-methyl-4-isopropylphenol up-regulated GABAA to improve insomnia symptoms. In open-field experiments, ELISA kits (5-HT, GABA, and DA), Western-blotting, Rt-PCR and immunohistochemical assay experiments, insomnia rats in the low-, medium- and high-dose groups of rosemary hydrosol showed different degrees of improvement compared with the model group.CONCLUSIONS:It was shown that rosemary hydrosol may exert its therapeutic effects on insomnia through serotonergic synapses by combining RNA-Seq, "quantity-effect" weighting coefficients network pharmacology and pharmacodynamic experiments. We have provided a preliminary theoretical study for the development of rosemary hydrosol additive into a beverage for the treatment of insomnia, but it needs to be studied in depth. This study was conducted in rats and the results have limitations and may not apply to humans.

Purpose: Frankincense has been shown in studies to have healing benefits for people with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, its underlying mechanisms have not been fully investigated. The objective of this study was to explore the potential molecular mechanisms of Frankincense essential oil (FREO) in improving dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC from multiple perspectives.Methods: The FREO components were analyzed by GC-MS, and the interactions between the key active com-ponents and the mechanism of FREO were determined based on RNA-seq, "quantity-effect" weighting coefficient network pharmacology, WGCNA and pharmacodynamic experiments. The protection of FREO against DSS-induced UC mice was assessed by behavioral and pathological changes through mice. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of MAPK and NF-kappa B-related proteins by the Western Blotting and immunohistochemistry method.Results: Treatment with FREO significantly improved the symptoms of weight loss, diarrhea, stool blood, and colon shortening in UC mice. Reduced intestinal mucosal damage and the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration in the colon. Decreased TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in mice's serum and inhibited phosphorylation of ERK, p65 in MAPK and NF-kappa B signaling.Conclusion: FREO may decrease the inflammatory response to reduce the symptoms of UC by modulating the MAPK/ NF-kappa B pathway. This may be due to the synergistic interaction of the effective ingredient Hepten-2-yl tiglate, 6-methyl-5-, Isoneocembrene A and P-Cymene. This study provides a promising drug candidate and a new concept for the treatment of UC.

Pueraria thomsonii Radix. as an important edible and medicinal plant in China, its effects and mechanisms on alcoholic liver disease (ALD) remain unclear. Herein, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of the water extracts of Pueraria thomsonii (WEPT) in the ALD rat model induced by Chinese Baijiu. The results revealed that, a total of 23 compounds were obtained from the WEPT by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Compared with the model group, WEPT group showed a significant decrease in liver index and serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) levels in the livers, with a significant increase in ethanol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) levels in the livers, significantly reduced the expression of HSP90, p-AKT, p-IKK and NOX4 in the liver tissues. Our study demonstrates that Pueraria thomsonii Radix may be beneficial food for alcoholic liver disease, by inhibited the PI3K/AKT and NOX4/ROS signaling pathways.

Materials and Methods:This article collects information from relevant documents, including scientific papers, books, and dissertations concerning Gastrodia elata BI.Results:To date, research on Gastrodia elata BI. has identified about 100 active compounds. Many compounds in Gastrodia elata BI. have biological activities, such as sedation and hypnosis, anticonvulsion, improvement of learning and memory, protection of neurons, antidepressive effects, lowering of blood pressure, promotion of angiogenesis, protection of cardiomyocytes, antiplatelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory activity, and amelioration of labor pains.Conclusion:Although many traditional uses of this plant have been confirmed, it is necessary to continue to study the relationship between its structure and function, clarify the mechanisms of pharmacological effects, and explore new clinical applications so as to better delineate the quality control standards for Gastrodia elata BI.

OBJECTIVE:To observe clinical effect of percutaneous minimally invasive osteotomy with 8-shaped bandage and hallux valgus splint fixation in treating moderate hallux valgus.METHODS:Totally 23 patients with moderate hallux valgus were treated with percutaneous minimally invasive osteotomy with 8-shaped bandage and hallux valgus splint fixation from August 2019 to January 2021, and 1 patient was loss to follow-up, and finally 22 patients(30 feet) were included, 4 males (6 feet) and 18 females(24 feet), aged from 27 to 66 years old with an average of(50.59±11.95) years old. Hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), metatarsal span (the distance between the first and the fifth metatarsal bones), changed of soft tissue width, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS) score, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were collected and compared before operation and 6 months after operation.RESULTS:Twenty-two patients were followed up from 5.7 to 6.4 months with an average of (6.13±0.85) months. The first metatarsal osteotomy of patients were obtained bone union, and deformity of the toes was corrected. Complications such as avascular necrosis of metatarsal head and transfer metatarsalgia were not occurred. Postoperative HVA, IMA, metatarsal span, soft tissue width, VAS, AOFAS score at 6 months were significantly improved compared with pre-operation (P<0.01). According to AOFAS score at 6 months after operation, 10 feet were excellent, 18 good and 2 poor. Two feet with poor were excellent after prolonged 8-shaped bandage and hallux valgus splint fixation time.CONCLUSION:Percutaneous minimally invasive osteotomy with 8-shaped bandage and hallux valgus splint fixation for the treatment of moderate hallux valgus could better correct deformity of hallux valgus, relieve foot symptoms, good recovery of postoperative function, and has a significant clinical efficacy.

Purpose:To study the active components, drug targets and mechanism of Schisandra chinensis (S.chinensis) combined with coenzyme Q10 (CQ10) in the treatment of heart failure (HF).Methods:Network pharmacology combined with the gene expression omnibus chip method to analyze the main pathways by which S.chinensis combined with CQ10 functioned to treat heart failure. Subsequently, the biological activities of the major pathway key proteins and their corresponding compounds were verified by molecular docking techniques. Finally, the molecular mechanism of S. chinensis combined with CQ10 for the treatment of heart failure was verified using a rat heart failure model induced by isoproterenol hydrochloride and using hematoxylin-eosin staining, TUNEL, immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Results:Network pharmacology combined with experimental validation suggests that the mechanism of action of S.chinensis combined with CQ10 in the treatment of heart failure may involve CQ10, Citral, Schisandrone, Schisanhenol B, Gomisin O, Schisandrin C and other components, which may synergistically inhibit the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and affect the expression of AKT1, PIK3CG and other targets on this pathway. In addition, S. chinensis combined with CQ10 could effectively improve the cardiac coefficients of rats with heart failure, reduce the area of myocardial fibrosis and lowered the serum levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in heart failure rats, as well as reduced cardiac myocyte apoptosis, increased Bcl-2 expression and decreased p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, P65 and Bax expression in cardiac tissue. Comparison of the results showed that the combination of S.chinensis and CQ10 was more effective compared with CQ10 alone, ie, the ability of S.chinensis combined with CQ10 in improving cardiac function, inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis and reducing inflammatory response lies in the synergistic effect of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.Conclusion:The therapeutic effect of S.chinensis combined with CQ10 on heart failure, which may occur through the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breit. is a well-known perennial herb that is used in traditional medicine in China, Japan and Korea. It's drawing worldwide interests in medicinal applications owing such as anti-diarrhea, lipid-lowering, anti-tumor, anti-cough, expectorant, anti-gastric ulcer, etc. Aim of the study: This review aims to provide useful information on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and quality control of Pinellia ternata to help increase its efficiency. In addition, this review will discuss the future research trends and development prospects of this plant. Materials and methods: Data was obtained through a systematic search of published literature and online databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, and Sci-Finder. The botanical names were confirmed using the World Flora Online and chemical structures were drawn using the ChemBio Draw Ultra Version 19.0 Software. Results: Pinellia ternata is distributed in regions of China and other areas. Pinellia ternata and its compound preparations can be used for cough, vomiting, gastric ulcer and other diseases. Approximately 212 chemical constituents have been isolated from Pinellia ternata, including alkaloids, volatile oils, amino acids, organic acids, flavonoids, cerebrosides, phenylpropanoids and other compounds. Considerable pharmacological experiments in vitro and in vivo have demonstrated that Pinellia ternata possessed antitumor effect, antitussive effects, antiasthmatic effects, increasing resistance to gastric ulcer, and antidiarrheal effect. However, these extracts can also lead to various toxicities such as irritant toxicity, cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and embryonic toxicity. Considerable experiments have demonstrated that different processing methods and suitable compatibility with other herbs can effectively reduce the toxicities and increase the efficiency of Pinellia ternata. Conclusions: Pinellia ternata is an ancient herbal medicine with a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities that has been used for thousands of years in China. Future studies should perform an in-depth analyses of the pharmacokinetics and mechanisms of toxicity of Pinellia ternata. Quality standards should be developed to correspond to the various application methods to ensure the efficacy of drugs in actual treatment.

膝关节骨性关节炎(KOA)是骨关节炎中发病率最高的一种,是以膝关节软骨及软骨下骨发生病理改变为主的退行性疾病,初期以膝关节疼痛为主要症状,病情发展至后期可出现畸形、活动障碍,严重影响患者的生活质量.现代医学对于早中期KOA缺乏有效的治疗手段,并且有副作用明显、费用高昂等缺点.中医药在治疗KOA方面具有独特优势,创伤小、价格低廉、疗效确切、副作用小等优点明显.笔者通过学习近年来中医治疗膝骨关节炎的相关文献,重点从病因病机、辩证诊断、中药内外治法、针灸理疗等方面阐述中医药治疗膝骨关节炎的研究进展,以期为膝骨关节炎的中医药治疗和机理探讨提供依据.

目的 通过对比扶他林乳胶剂,观察滑膜膏外敷治疗膝关节滑膜炎的临床疗效.方法 将120例膝关节滑膜炎患者随机分成两组各组60例,治疗组采用滑膜膏涂抹患处,对照组采用扶他林涂抹患处,治疗期间减少关节负重并配合股四头肌功能锻炼,疗程为20天.观察两组患者治疗前后中医症状体征及滑膜厚度、关节腔积液改善情况,并评定滑膜膏治疗膝关节滑膜炎的综合疗效.结果 治疗组总有效率93.3％,对照组为90.0％,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 滑膜膏外用可明显缓解膝关节滑膜炎带来的关节疼痛、肿胀,活动不利等症状,临床治疗效果可靠.

目的 通过对比扶他林乳胶剂,观察滑膜膏联合冲击波治疗膝关节滑膜炎的临床疗效.方法 将120例膝关节滑膜炎患者随机分成两组,各组60例,治疗组采用滑膜膏涂抹患处,联合冲击波治疗,对照组采用扶他林涂抹患处,治疗期间减少关节负重并配合股四头肌等长肌力收缩训练,待膝关节肿胀减轻,可进行膝关节主动屈伸训练及等张训练,疗程为20 d.观察两组患者治疗前后中医症状体征及滑膜厚度、关节腔积液改善情况、血清中炎性因子,并评定滑膜膏联合冲击波治疗膝关节滑膜炎的综合疗效.结果 治疗组总有效率96.70％,对照组为85.00％,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 中药贴敷滑膜膏联合冲击波治疗可明显缓解膝关节滑膜炎带来的关节疼痛、肿胀,活动不利等症状,临床治疗效果可靠.

Ethnopharmacological relevance:Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. is the dried above-ground part of dragon's tooth grass, a plant of the Rosaceae family, which is widely distributed in China, Korea, and Japan. Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. is a herbal medicine with great scope for development and use. It is astringent and hemostatic, and it is used for treating malaria, preventing dysentery, detoxification, and as a tonic for deficiency.Aim of the review:We summarize the traditional uses, botanical and chemical composition, extraction methods, and pharmacological and toxicological progress of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. and discuss the future research trends and development prospects of this plant.Materials and methods:Information on Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. was gathered via the Internet (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, SpringerLink, Wiley, Wanfang Data, and Baidu Academic). Additional information was obtained from books (Ben Cao Tu Jing, A Textual Research on the Name and Reality of Plants, Modern Practical Chinese Medicine, Zhen Nan Ben Cao) and PhD and MS dissertations.Results:Phytochemical studies have identified more than 252 compounds from Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb., including flavonoids, volatile oils, tannins, phenols, m-benzotrienols, pentacyclic triterpenoids, isocoumarins, lignans, organic acids, and other chemical constituents. The compounds and extracts isolated from Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. show various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antitumor effects, antioxidant, analgesic effects, and other pharmacological effects.Conclusion:This review highlights the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and traditional uses of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb., providing a basis for future research and clinical applications. Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. has shown remarkable effectiveness in the treatment of various diseases, especially enteritis, gastric ulcers, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Most prescriptions for Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. are empirical and lack rigorous clinical observation. For these reasons, the toxicology, standardized clinical studies, nature of active ingredients, pharmacokinetics, mechanism, and metabolism of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. should be deepened, especially through clinical trials, to ensure the clinical safety of its use for further research.