1.
The efficacy and safety of total glucosides of peony in the treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome: a multi-center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Liu, X, Li, X, Li, X, Li, Z, Zhao, D, Liu, S, Zhang, M, Zhang, F, Zhu, P, Chen, J, et al
Clinical rheumatology. 2019;(3):657-664
Abstract
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of total glucosides of peony (TGP) in adults with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). A multi-center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study was conducted between March 2012 and July 2014 at ten Chinese hospitals. In total, 320 pSS patients-classified according to the 2002 American-European Consensus Group Criteria-were randomized (2:1 ratio) to receive TGP(600 mg, tid) in the TGP group or placebo for 24 weeks in the placebo group. Study personnel, investigators, and patients were blinded to the treatment grouping. The primary endpoint was the improvement of EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI) at week 24. The secondary endpoints were dry eyes/mouth/skin/nose/throat/vagina visual analogue scale (VAS), pain and discomfort VAS, fatigue VAS, mental discomfort VAS, patient global assessment (PGA), EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI), Schirmer's test, basal/stimulated salivary flow-rate values, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). All adverse events were recorded during the trial period. ESSPRI improved more in the TGP than the placebo group (p < 0.001). Dry eyes/throat/vagina VAS, fatigue VAS, mental discomfort VAS, PGA, Schirmer's test, and ESR also improved more in the TGP group than in the placebo group (all p < 0.05). Stimulated salivary flow-rate values increased in the TGP group at week 12 but not at week 24. Adverse events in TGP group were 10.9%. TGP can alleviate some dryness symptoms as well as disease activity in pSS patients over 24 weeks. TGP was well tolerated by study subjects. TGP seems to be an effective and safe treatment for pSS.
2.
Screening of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and characterizing of phytochemical constituents from Dichocarpum auriculatum (Franch.) W.T. Wang & P. K. Hsiao through UPLC-MS combined with an acetylcholinesterase inhibition assay in vitro.
Li, P, Liu, S, Liu, Q, Shen, J, Yang, R, Jiang, B, He, C, Xiao, P
Journal of ethnopharmacology. 2019;:112185
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The genus Dichocarpum is endemic to East Asia, and many of them are traditionally used folk medicine in China. Dichocarpum auriculatum (Franch.) W. T. Wang et P. K. Hsiao has the effect of clearing away heat, removing toxicity, and relieving swelling in southwestern China. Intriguingly, its root and whole herb also used as remedy for the neurological disease epilepsy. However, there are not any scientific reports on the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of D. auriculatum. AIM OF STUDY Traditional and folk medicinal knowledge would be useful for finding new pharmaceutical resources. There are many evidences over the years reported that an interaction probably exists between epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of the study was to investigate the potential AChE inhibitors and the phytochemical profiles of the specie D. auriculatum. MATERIALS AND METHODS The AChE inhibitory activity of plant extracts of D. auriculatum and other 6 species from different regions of the genus Dichocarpum were evaluated in vitro assays and the UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique was used to analyze the chemical constituents. Moreover, UPLC-ESI-MS/MS was used to determine the distribution of 12 standard compounds in samples. RESULTS As a preferred source of potential acetylcholinesterase inhibitors of the genus Dichocarpum, D. auriculatum has been further investigated. The screening results show that the ability of root extracts from D. auriculatum (IC50 = 0.15 mg·mL-1) to inhibit AChE was better than other samples, it is consistent with traditional medicinal records. The phytochemical constituents of D. auriculatum was surveyed firstly by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis, and 36 compounds, including 14 alkaloids, 16 flavonoids, 6 others, were identified tentatively. Further experiments showed that five compounds (columbamine, palmatine, dauricine, jatrorrhizine and berberine) from D. auriculatum were confirmed the potential inhibition of AChE activity in vitro (IC50: 0.24-6.37 μM) and UPLC-ESI-MS/MS results showed that the content of most active compounds in roots was much higher than in aerial parts. Palmatine (IC50 = 0.34 μM) and columbamine (IC50 = 0.24 μM) showed prominent AChE inhibitory activity among the tested compounds. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report about the evaluation of AChE inhibitory activity and phytochemical profiles of D. auriculatum, led to the identification of 36 compounds including alkaloids and flavonoids, and five alkaloids exhibited a significant AChE inhibitory activity and had the potential as AChE inhibitors. This study provided scientific experimental basis for the traditional efficacy of neurological disease of the plant.
3.
Herbal medicine for management of the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD): A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Hyde, AJ, May, BH, Dong, L, Feng, M, Liu, S, Guo, X, Zhang, AL, Lu, C, Xue, CC
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England). 2017;(2):169-183
Abstract
Management of the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia remains a challenge worldwide. Herbal medicines may play a role in the development of new interventions. To determine effects of herbal medicines for management of the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, meta-analysis was conducted of 31 controlled trials (3613 participants). Frequently tested herbal medicines were the Ginkgo biloba leaf extract EGb 761 (seven studies) and the multi-ingredient formula Yokukansan (eight studies). Sixteen studies tested other herbal medicines. Improvements were detected in Neuropsychiatric Inventory scores in EGb 761 groups compared to placebo (MD -3.46 [-5.94, -0.98]; I2 = 93%; n = 1757) and Yokukansan groups compared to no treatment (SMD -0.53 [-0.86, -0.21]; I2 = 0%; n = 150). Cognitive scores were improved in EGb 761 groups while Yokukansan did not appear to affect cognitive function. Of the other herbal medicines, there were improvements in the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and cognitive outcomes in two of four placebo-controlled studies. EGb 761 and Yokukansan appeared safe and well tolerated. Adverse effects and dropouts were not reported consistently for the other herbal medicines. Weaknesses of these included short durations, small sample sizes, lack of blinding and other risks of bias. Well-designed studies are needed to further investigate the reported effects of these interventions on the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.