Projekte
Laufende und abgeschlossene Studien und Veröffentlichungen in verschiedenen Bereichen an denen wir beteiligt sind:
Shufeng Jiedu capsule ameliorates olfactory dysfunction via the AMPK/mTOR autophagy pathway in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis
Hongjun Chen, Yujie Cheng, Hongmei Du, Cui Zhang, Yuan Zhou, Zhentao Zhao, Yong Li, Thomas Friedemann, Jinyu Mei, Sven Schröder, Ming Chen
Phytomedicine, (2022), 154426, 107
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154426
Background
Shufeng Jiedu capsule (SFJDC) has been widely used as a conventional Chinese pharmaceutical agent for various upper respiratory infections, including acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome and allergic rhinitis (AR). However, its mechanism in AR remains unclear.
Purpose
The present study aimed to decipher the antiallergic inflammatory effect of SFJDC in an AR model with olfactory dysfunction. Specifically, we wanted to explore whether SFJDC can improve the olfactory abnormality in AR mice and reduce the levels of inflammatory factors in the olfactory epithelium (OE) and olfactory bulb (OB).
Methods
To address the above issues, we constructed an AR model using C57BL/6 mice, which were sensitised and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) by intraperitoneal injection. SFJDC (0.045 or 0.18 g/kg) was delivered by gavage administration 1 h prior to the intraperitoneal injection of OVA. The control mice received saline alone. Then, the animals were assessed according to the presence of nasal symptoms and nasal inflammation, and a buried food test was used to evaluate olfactory function. The levels of proteins involved in the AMPK/mTOR autophagy pathway in the OE and OB were investigated by western blotting and fluorescence staining.
Results
After OVA induction of AR and drug administration, we found that SFJDC significantly ameliorated the nasal symptoms and allergic inflammatory reaction of the nasal mucosa superior to cetirizine. A behavioural test indicated that the mice with AR had olfactory dysfunction, and SFJDC can ameliorate this behavior deficiency. Meanwhile, SFJDC clearly reduced the neuroinflammation level in OE tissue. In addition, SFJDC increased p-mTOR and decreased p-AMPK, beclin1, LC3 and cleaved caspase-3 levels in the OE.
Conclusions
In addition to antibacterial and antiviral activities, SFJDC has marked anti-inflammatory effects in AR mice. Its mechanism of action in the nasal cavity involves inhibition of upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokines, modulation of autophagy and apoptosis levels and regulation of autophagy through the AMPK/mTOR pathway in the OE tissue of AR mice. Hence, SFJDC is a promising drug for AR, and clinical trials should further validate the therapeutic impact of SFJDC on AR with olfactory dysfunction.
Regulation of the cardiovascular function by CO2 laser stimulation in anesthetized rats
Thomas Friedemann, Xueyong Shen, Jürgen Bereiter-Hahn, Wolfgang Schwarz
Lasers in Medical Science, (2012), 469-477, 27(2)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-011-0973-3
Physical stimulation of body surface points is known to affect various organ functions. In traditional Chinese medicine, so-called acupoints were defined. These points can be physically stimulated to effectively treat various diseases. Here we describe for the first time the effect of CO2 laser stimulation at the acupoints Neiguan (PC-6), Quchi (LI-11), Zusanli (ST-36), and Taichong (LR-3) on heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure in anesthetized rats. CO2 laser stimulation increased the skin surface temperature to 54°C. Our results revealed that the laser stimulation at the left or right PC-6 and LR-3 increased heart rate and mean arterial pressure. There was no response of heart rate and mean arterial pressure during and after stimulation of the left LI-11, but laser stimulation at the right LI-11 slightly increased heart rate and mean arterial pressure. On the other hand, laser stimulation at the left and right ST-36 decreased heart rate and mean arterial pressure. The effects on mean arterial pressure were more pronounced than those on heart rate. After full spinal cord transection, all heart-rate and mean-arterial-pressure responses were attenuated or completely abolished. These results suggest that CO2 laser stimulation at either the left or right PC-6, ST-36, and LR-3, as well as at the right LI-11 can modulate the cardiovascular functions in anesthetized rats, and its modulatory site might be supraspinal.
Inhibitory regulation of blood pressure by manual acupuncture in the anesthetized rat
Thomas Friedemann, Weimin Li, Zhijun Wang
Autonomic Neuroscience, (2009), 178-182, 151(2)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autneu.2009.05.254
Effect of manual acupuncture (twisting; lifting and thrusting; combination of them) at acupoints Nei-guan (PL-6) in the fore limb and Zu-san-li (ST-36) in the hind limb on mean arterial blood pressure was investigated in anesthetized rats. During acupuncture treatment mean arterial blood pressure was decreased but fluctuated in intact rats, intensively decreased after vagotomy and completely abolished after spinalization. The depressor response was significantly higher with combination treatment than others at PL-6, rather than at ST-36. Results suggest that manual acupuncture at either PL-6 or ST-36 can reduce blood pressure in anesthetized rats, and its modulatory site might be supraspinal.
Shufeng Jiedu, a promising herbal therapy for moderate COVID-19: Antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, pathways of bioactive compounds, and a clinical real-world pragmatic study
Lu Xia, Yujing Shi, Jie Su, Thomas Friedemann, Zhenggang Tao, Yunfei Lu, Yun Ling, Ying Lv, Ronghua Zhao, Zihan Geng, Xiaolan Cui, Hongzhou Lu, Sven Schröder
Phytomedicine, (2021), 153390, 85
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153390
Background
Shufeng Jiedu capsules (SFJDC), a patented herbal drug composed of eight medicinal plants, is used for the treatment of different viral respiratory tract infectious diseases. Based on its antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory activity in acute lung injury, SFJDC might be a promising candidate for the treatment of COVID-19.
Purpose
To evaluate the antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties and to discover the mechanism of action of SFJDC as a potential drug for the treatment of COVID-19. Furthermore, the study should determine the clinical effectiveness of SFJDC for the treatment of COVID-19.
Design
We analyzed the antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects of SFJDC in a HCoV-229E mouse model on lung index, virus load in the lung, the release of cytokines, and on T- and B-lymphocytes. The mechanism of action was further investigated by network analysis. Additionally, we investigated data from a clinical pragmatic real-world study for patients with confirmed COVID-19, to evaluate the clinical effect of SFJDC and to determine the best time to start the treatment.
Results
SFJDC significantly reduced the virus load in the lung of HCoV-229E mice (from 1109.29 ± 696.75 to 0 ± 0 copies/ml), decreased inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in the lung, and increased the amount of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in the blood compared to the model group. Network analysis revealed that SFJDC reduces the activity of NFκB via several signaling pathways. Quercetin, wogonin, and polydatin bind directly to the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2.
Clinical data showed that SFJDC, added to standard antiviral therapy (AVD), significantly reduced the clinical recovery time of COVID-19 and fatigue (from 3.55 ± 4.09 to 1.19 ± 2.28 days) as well as cough (from 5.67 ± 5.64 to 3.47 ± 3.75) days compared to AVD alone. SFJDC therapy was significantly more effective when used within the first 8 days after the onset of symptoms.
Conclusions
SFJDC might be a promising drug for the treatment of COVID-19, but large-scale randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed to complement the real-world evidence. It might be beneficial to start SFJDC treatment as early as possible in suspected cases of COVID-19.
The Course of Mild and Moderate COVID-19 Infections—The Unexpected Long-Lasting Challenge
Lu Xia, Jun Chen, Thomas Friedemann, Zongguo Yang, Yun Ling, Xuhui Liu, Shuihua Lu, Tao Li, Zhigang Song, Wei Huang, Yunfei Lu, Sven Schröder, Hongzhou Lu
Open Forum Infectious Diseases, (2020), 1-7, 7(9)
https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofaa286
Background
The course of disease in mild and moderate COVID-19 has many implications for mobile patients, such as the risk of spread of the infection, precautions taken, and investigations targeted at preventing transmission.
Methods
Three hundred thirty-one adults were hospitalized from January 21 to February 22, 2020, and classified as severe (10%) or critical (4.8%) cases; 1.5% died. Two hundred eighty-two (85.2%) mild or moderate cases were admitted to regular wards. Epidemiological, demographic, clinical, chest computed tomography (CT) scan, laboratory, treatment, and outcome data from patient records were analyzed retrospectively.
Results
Patients were symptomatic for 9.82±5.75 (1–37) days. Pulmonary involvement was demonstrated on a chest CT scan in 97.9% of cases. It took 16.81±8.54 (3–49) days from the appearance of the first symptom until 274 patients tested virus-negative in naso- and oropharyngeal (NP) swabs, blood, urine, and stool, and 234 (83%) patients were asymptomatic for 9.09±7.82 (1–44) days. Subsequently, 131 patients were discharged. One hundred sixty-nine remained in the hospital; these patients tested virus-free and were clinically asymptomatic because of widespread persisting or increasing pulmonary infiltrates. Hospitalization took 16.24±7.57 (2–47) days; the time interval from the first symptom to discharge was 21.37±7.85 (3–52) days.
Conclusions
With an asymptomatic phase, disease courses are unexpectedly long until the stage of virus negativity. NP swabs are not reliable in the later stages of COVID-19. Pneumonia outlasts virus-positive tests if sputum is not acquired. Imminent pulmonary fibrosis in high-risk groups demands follow-up examinations. Investigation of promising antiviral agents should heed the specific needs of mild and moderate COVID-19 patients.
Systematic analyses on the potential immune and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Shufeng Jiedu Capsule against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-caused pneumonia
Zhengang Tao,Lei Zhang, Thomas Friedemann, Guangshan Yang, Jinhu Li, Yaocai Wen, Jinghui Wang, Aizong Shen
Journal of Functional Foods, (2020), 104243, 75
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2020.104243
The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-caused pneumonia (Coronavirus disease −19, COVID-19), has resulted in a global health emergency. However, there is no vaccine or effective antiviral treatment against the newly emerged coronavirus and identifying the available therapeutics as soon as possible is critical for the response to the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Shufeng Jiedu Capsule (SFJDC), a well-known prescription of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China, has been widely used in treating upper respiratory tract infections and acute lung injury, owing to its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Despite the definite evidence of effective use of SFJDC in the diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2, the underlying action mechanism remains unknown. Currently, a systematic study integrated with absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) evaluation, target prediction, network construction and functional bioinformatics analyses is proposed to illustrate the potential immune and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of SFJDC against SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, to further validate the reliability of the interactions and binding affinities between drugs and targets, docking, Molecular dynamics Simulations (MD) simulations and Molecular Mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area approach (MM-PBSA) calculations were carried out. The results demonstrate that SFJDC regulates the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory related targets on multiple pathways through its active ingredients, showing the potential anti-novel coronavirus effect. Overall, the work can provide a better understanding of the therapeutic mechanism of SFJDC for treating SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia from multi-scale perspectives, and may also offer a valuable clue for developing novel pharmaceutical strategies to control the current coronavirus.
Editorial: Translational study for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treatment
Sven Schröder, Gerhard Litscher, Weidong Pan
Frontiers in Neurology, (2023), 13
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.1105360
Acupuncture improves chemotherapy-induced neuropathy explored by neurophysiological and clinical outcomes – The randomized, controlled, cross-over ACUCIN trial
Thomas Friedemann, Edda Kark, Nida Cao, Matthias Klaßen, Gesa Meyer-Hamme, Johannes Henry Greten, Matthias Rostock, Elisabeth Buhlmann, Aiguang Zhao, Sven Schröder
Phytomedicine, (2022), 154294, 104
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154294
Background
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is recognized as the second commonest side effect after chemotherapy. Besides neurological deficits and pain, it is a potential reason for terminating chemotherapy. Effective curative treatments of neurodegeneration are lacking. Hitherto, no randomized controlled study used nerve conduction studies (NCS), the gold standard diagnostic tool for peripheral neuropathy, as the primary outcome parameter for evaluating acupuncture for CIPN, which can also measure structural changes.
Methods
The study was carried out at the HanseMerkur Center for TCM at the University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf. Sixty patients with CIPN were included in the study after physical examination, subjective evaluation and quantitative evaluation by NCS. Subsequently, the patients were randomly assigned to Group 1 (30 patients), which received, in the first period, needle acupuncture and to Group 2 (30 patients), which was assigned to the waiting list in the first period. Group 1 received a standard 10-week bilateral treatment of ST34 (Liangqiu), EX–LE12 (Qiduan) and EX–LE8 (Bafeng). After 14 weeks, both groups were re-evaluated. Using a cross-over design, the patients of Group 2 received the same treatment procedure as Group 1 in the first period. Patients of Group 1 were assigned to the waiting list for the second period. After 28 weeks both groups were re-evaluated. Wilcoxon test was used as a pre-test to rule out carryover effects and to test for differences between acupuncture and the waiting list. Group assignment was not exposed to the statistician and the neurologist.
Results
Sural sensory nerve amplitude, and sural nerve conduction velocity, were significantly improved (p < 0.01, effect size (f) 0.55 and 0.49) compared to measurements in the waiting period. Change of NCS of the tibial nerve did not significantly differ in group comparison. Patients reported subjective improvement during acupuncture treatment superior to the waiting period for burning pain, cramps, numbness, frequency of symptoms (all p < 0.01) and unsteadiness of gait (p < 0.05). On physical examination, blind walking, heel-to-toe walking, distal pallhypesthesia (both p < 0.01), and the neuropathy deficit score (p < 0.05) were significantly improved during acupuncture treatment compared to the waiting period.
Conclusions
Acupuncture can enhance structural regeneration in CIPN as measured by NCS, which is manifested in subjective improvement and neurological findings.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Symptom Score in Integrative Treatments (ALS-SSIT) for Evaluating Therapeutic Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Prospective Study
Xuanlu Zheng, Joana Schröder, Dandan Sima, Mingzhe Wang, Qiudong Wang, Weidong Pan
Computational and mathematical methods in medicine, (2022), 2022(7594481)
https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7594481
Objective
To evaluate the reliability, validity, sensitivity, and clinical applicability of a new scale—the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis symptom score in integrative treatments (ALS-SSIT)—for measuring the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Methods
A total of 160 patients with ALS were enrolled and followed up for 6 months. All patients received TCM. Patients were evaluated at enrollment and at the end of 6 months with a new scale, the ALS-SSIT, developed after extensive consultations with TCM experts with several years of experience in the treatment of ALS. The 36-item Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) scale and the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale (ALSFRS) were used as the reference standards.
Results
The acceptance rate and completion rate of the ALS-SSIT scale were high, and the content validity was confirmed by experts. Test-retest performed at enrollment and at 6 months showed good reliability of the ALS-SSIT scale (Cronbach , 0.9172 and 0.9181, respectively). The ALS-SSIT scale score showed significant change at 6 months, indicating the ability to reflect the change in disease severity.
Conclusions
The ALS-SSIT appears to be a feasible, reliable, and sensitive tool for the evaluation of the effect of TCM in patients with ALS.
Slower progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with external application of a Chinese herbal plaster–The randomized, placebo-controlled triple-blinded ALS-CHEPLA trial
Sven Schröder, Mingzhe Wang, Dandan Sima, Joana Schröder, Xuying Zhu, Xuanlu Zheng, Lin Liu, Tingying Li, Qiudong Wang, Thomas Friedemann, Te Liu, Weidong Pan
Frontiers in Neurology, (2022), 13
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.990802
Background
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by gradually increasing damage to the upper and lower motor neurons. However, definitive and efficacious treatment for ALS is not available, and oral intake in ALS patients with bulbar involvement is complicated due to swallowing difficulties.
Hypothesis/purpose
This study investigated whether the external plaster application of the herbal composition Ji-Wu-Li efficiently slows ALS progression because prior studies obtained promising evidence with oral herbal applications.
Study design
The randomized, triple-blinded study compared the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the application of Ji-Wu-Li plaster (JWLP) with placebo plaster (PLAP).
Methods
In total, 120 patients with definite ALS, clinically probable ALS, or clinically probable laboratory-supported ALS were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive JWLP or PLAP. Patients were treated and observed for 20 weeks. The primary outcome was the ALSFRS-R score, while the secondary outcomes were the ALS-SSIT score and weight loss.
Results
The mean±SD decrease in the ALSFRS-R over 20 weeks differed by 0.84 points in a group comparison (JWLP, −4.44 ± 1.15; PLAP, −5.28 ± 1.98; p = 0.005). The mean increase in the ALS-SSIT over 20 weeks differed by 2.7 points in a group comparison (JWLP, 5.361.15; PLAP, 8.06 ± 1.72; p < 0.001). The mean weight loss over 20 weeks differed by 1.65 kg in a group comparison (JWLP, −3.98 ± 2.61; PLAP, −5.63 ± 3.17; p = 0.002). Local allergic dermatitis suspected as causal to the intervention occurred in 10 of 60 participants in the JWLP group and 9 of 60 participants in the PLAP group. Systemic adverse events were mild, temporary, and considered unrelated to the intervention.
Conclusions
The JWLP showed clinical efficacy in the progression of ALS, as measured by the ALSFRS-R, ALS-SSIT, and weight loss in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Because skin reactions occurred in both groups, the covering material needs improvement. All of the Ji Wu Li herbal ingredients regulate multiple mechanisms of neurodegeneration in ALS. Hence, JWLP may offer a promising and safe add-on therapy for ALS, particularly in patients with bulbar involvement, but a confirmative long-term multicentre study is required.
Effects of Wenshen Jianpi recipe hot compress in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Zhang Hongzhi, Sima Dandan, Joana Schroder, Zheng Xuanlu, Wang Mingzhe, Pan Weidong,
Academic Journal of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, (2021), 25–28, 35(4)
https://caod.oriprobe.com/articles/61522676/Effects_of_Wenshen_Jianpi_Recipe_hot_compress_in_t.htm
Objective
To observe the efficacy and safety of Wenshen Jianpi Recipe hot compress in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS).
Methods
Sixty-nine patients with ALS were selected and randomly divided into the treatment group (n=35) and control group (n=34). The patients in both groups were treated with conventional medicine, and the patients in the treatment group were treated with Wenshen Jianpi Recipe hot compress based on above. The treatment course was 4 months. Before and after treatment, the scores of ALS symptom scale in integrative treatment (ALS-SSIT) and ALS functional rating scale (ALS-FRS) were compared between the two groups, and the safety of treatment was evaluated.
Results
In the course of trial, 3 patients in the treatment group and 4 patients in the control group were excluded. Finally 32 cases in the treatment group and 30 cases in the control group were included for the statistical analysis. After treatment, the ALS-SSIT scores in the two groups were increased(P<0.05), while the score of the treatment group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the ALS-FRS scores in the two groups were decreased (P<0.05), while the score of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). In the course of treatment, skin itching caused by Wenshen Jianpi Recipe hot compress was observed in 7 cases. Among, 2 cases discontinued the therapy and 5 cases continued the therapy. Other adverse reactions were not found.
Conclusion
As an adjuvant treatment method, Wenshen Jianpi Recipe hot compress may delay the development of ALS symptoms to a certain degree, with good safety.
Electrophysiologically verified effects of acupuncture on diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes: The randomized, partially double-blinded, controlled ACUDIN trial
Gesa Meyer-Hamme, Thomas Friedemann, Johannes Greten, Christian Gerloff, Sven Schröder
Journal of Diabetes, (2021), 469-481, 13(6)
https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-0407.13130
Background
Acupuncture is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), but data from randomized controlled trials are rare.
Methods
This randomized, placebo-controlled, partially double-blinded clinical trial randomly assigned adults with confirmed type 2 diabetes-induced DPN to receive 10 sessions of needle acupuncture, laser acupuncture, or placebo laser acupuncture for 10 consecutive weeks. Treatment was provided at bilateral acupoints Ex-LE-10 (Bafeng), Ex-LE-12 (Qiduan), and ST-34 (Lianqiu).
Neurological assessments, including nerve conduction studies (NCS) of sural and tibial nerves, were performed at baseline and weeks 6 and 15. Primary outcome was delta of sural sensory nerve action potential (SNAP). Secondary outcomes included further NCS values, clinical scores, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).
Results
Of 180 participants, 172 completed the study. Sural SNAP and sural and tibial nerve conduction velocities improved significantly after 10 treatments when comparing needle acupuncture to placebo. Needle acupuncture showed earlier onset of action than laser acupuncture. PROMs showed larger improvements following needle and laser acupuncture than placebo, reaching significant differences for hyperesthesia and cramps following needle acupuncture and for heat sensation following laser acupuncture.
Conclusions
Classical needle acupuncture had significant effects on DPN. Improvement in NCS values presumably indicates structural neuroregeneration following acupuncture.
Neuroprotective Effect of Coptis chinensis in MPP+ and MPTP-Induced Parkinson’s Disease Models
Thomas Friedemann, Yue Ying, Weigang Wang, Edgar R. Kramer, Udo Schumacher, Jian Fei, Sven Schröder
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, (2016), 907-925, 44(05)
https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X16500506
The rhizome of Coptis chinensis is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine alone or in combination with other herbs to treat diseases characterized by causing oxidative stress including inflammatory diseases, diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, there is emerging evidence that Coptis chinensis is effective in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Coptis chinensis in vitro and in vivo using MPP+ and MPTP models of Parkinson’s disease. MPP+ treated human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were used as a cell model of Parkinson’s disease. A 24h pre-treatment of the cells with the watery extract of Coptis chinensis significantly increased cell viability, as well as the intracellular ATP concentration and attenuated apoptosis compared to the MPP+ control. Further experiments with the main alkaloids of Coptidis chinensis, berberine, coptisine, jaterorrhizine and palmatine revealed that berberine and coptisine were the main active compounds responsible for the observed neuroprotective effect. However, the full extract of Coptis chinensis was more effective than the tested single alkaloids. In the MPTP-induced animal model of Parkinson’s disease, Coptis chinensis dose-dependently improved motor functions and increased tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the substantia nigra compared to the MPTP control. Based on the results of this work, Coptis chinensis and its main alkaloids could be considered potential candidates for the development of new treatment options for Parkinson’s disease.
Hypothesis-driven screening of Chinese herbs for compounds that promote neuroprotection
Thomas Friedemann, Min Li, Jian Fei, Udo Schumacher, Juxian Song, Sven Schröder
Science, (2015), 69-71, 350(6262)
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.350.6262.871-c
Neuroprotective Activity of Coptisine from Coptis chinensis (Franch)
Thomas Friedemann, Udo Schumacher, Yi Tao, Alexander Kai-Man Leung, Sven Schröder
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, (2015), 1-9, 2015
https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/827308
Coptis chinensis rhizomes (CR) are one important ingredient of traditional Chinese herbal formulas such as San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang which is used for treatment of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies suggest that the extract of CR might be a potential therapeutic agent for amelioration of neurological disorders associated with oxidative stress. In the present study we aimed at revealing the main active compound(s) of the CR extract and at investigating the mechanism of action. Four main alkaloids of the CR extract (berberine, coptisine, jatrorrhizine, and palmatine) were selected for this study. Results showed that out of those alkaloids only pretreatment with coptisine significantly attenuated tert-butylhydroperoxide induced reduction of cell viability, increased rate of apoptosis, and declined mitochondrial membrane potential. Elisa assay and quantitative real-time PCR analyses revealed that thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) gene expression was downregulated by coptisine, which could explain the neuroprotective effect, hypothetically, by strengthening the thioredoxin defense system against oxidative stress and attenuation of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (Ask1) mediated apoptotic signaling. A comparison between coptisine and CR extract identified coptisine as the main single component responsible for the neuroprotective effect. Based on the results the CR extract and coptisine are promising candidate agents for prevention or improvement of diabetic neuropathy and neurodegenerative disorders.
Coptis chinensis Franch. exhibits neuroprotective properties against oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma cells
Thomas Friedemann, Benjamin Otto, Kristin Klätschke, Udo Schumacher, Yi Tao, Alexander Kai-Man Leung, Thomas Efferth, Sven Schröder
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, (2014), 607-615, 155(1)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.06.004
Ethnopharmacological relevance
The dried rhizome of Coptis chinensis Franch. (family Ranunculaceae) is traditionally used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and diabetes. Recent studies showed a variety of activities of Coptis chinensis Franch. alkaloids, including neuroprotective, neuroregenerative, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. However, there is no report on the neuroprotective effect of Coptis chinensis Franch. watery extract against tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BOOH) induced oxidative damage. The aim of the study is to investigate neuroprotective properties of Coptis chinensis Franch. rhizome watery extract (CRE) and to evaluate its potential mechanism of action.
Materials and methods
Neuroprotective properties on t-BOOH induced oxidative stress were investigated in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Cells were pretreated with CRE for 2 h or 24 h followed by 2 h of treatment with t-BOOH. To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of CRE, cell viability, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the apoptotic rate were determined and microarray analyses, as well as qRT-PCR analyses were conducted.
Results
Two hours of exposure to 100 µM t-BOOH resulted in a significant reduction of cell viability, increased apoptotic rate, declined mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and increased ROS production. Reduction of cell viability, increased apoptotic rate and declined mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) could be significantly reduced in cells pretreated with CRE (100 µg/ml) for 2 h or 24 h ahead of t-BOOH exposure with the greatest effect after 24 h of pretreatment; however ROS production was not changed significantly. Furthermore, microarray analyses revealed that the expressions of 2 genes; thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) and mitochondrially encoded NADH dehydrogenase 1, were significantly regulated. Down regulation of TXNIP was confirmed by qRT-PCR.
Conclusions
Due to its neuroprotective properties CRE might be a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention or amelioration of diseases like diabetic neuropathy and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer and Parkinsons disease.
Immediate Pain Relief in Adhesive Capsulitis by Acupuncture—A Randomized Controlled Double-Blinded Study
Sven Schröder, Gesa Meyer-Hamme, Thomas Friedemann, Sebastian Kirch, Michael Hauck, Rosemarie Plaetke, Sunja Friedrichs, Amit Gulati, Daniel Briem
Pain Medicine, (2017), 2235-2247, 18(11)
https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnx052
Objective
Primary adhesive capsulitis (AC), or frozen shoulder, is an insidious and idiopathic disease. Severe pain is predominant in the first two of the three stages of the condition, which can last up to 21 months.
Design, Setting, and Subjects
Sixty volunteers with primary AC were randomly assigned to acupuncture with press tack needles compared with press tack placebos in a patient- and observer-blinded placebo-controlled study. The participants were subsequently offered classical needle acupuncture in an open follow-up clinical application. Thirty-four volunteers received conservative therapy, including 10 classical needle acupuncture treatments over 10 weeks, 13 volunteers received conservative therapy without classical needle acupuncture. All subjects agreed to follow-up after one year.
Methods
Acupuncture treatment was performed using a specific distal needling concept, using reflex areas on distant extremities avoiding local treatment.
Results
An immediate improvement of 3.3 ± 3.2 points in Constant-Murley Shoulder Score (CMS) pain subscore was seen in the press tack needles group and of 1.6 ± 2.8 points in the press tack placebos group (P <0.02). Conservative therapy including classical needle acupuncture significantly improved the pain subscore within 14.9 ± 15.9 weeks compared with 30.9 ± 15.8 weeks with only conservative therapy (P < 0.001).
Conclusions
The efficiency of distal needling acupuncture on immediate pain reduction was demonstrated in patients with AC and confirmed the applicability of press tack needles and press tack placebos for double-blind studies in acupuncture. Subsequent clinical application observation proved that results obtained with press tack needles/press tack placebos can be transferred to classical needle acupuncture. Integrating acupuncture with conservative therapy showed superior effectiveness with respect to the time course of the recovery process in AC compared with conservative therapy alone.
Acupuncture analgesia involves modulation of pain-induced gamma oscillations and cortical network connectivity
Michael Hauck, Sven Schröder, Gesa Meyer-Hamme, Jürgen Lorenz, Sunja Friedrichs, Guido Nolte, Christian Gerloff, Andreas K. Engel
Scientific Reports, (2017), 16307, 7(1)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-13633-4
Recent studies support the view that cortical sensory, limbic and executive networks and the autonomic nervous system might interact in distinct manners under the influence of acupuncture to modulate pain. We performed a double-blind crossover design study to investigate subjective ratings, EEG and ECG following experimental laser pain under the influence of sham and verum acupuncture in 26 healthy volunteers. We analyzed neuronal oscillations and inter-regional coherence in the gamma band of 128-channel-EEG recordings as well as heart rate variability (HRV) on two experimental days. Pain ratings and pain-induced gamma oscillations together with vagally-mediated power in the high-frequency bandwidth (vmHF) of HRV decreased significantly stronger during verum than sham acupuncture. Gamma oscillations were localized in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), mid-cingulate cortex (MCC), primary somatosensory cortex and insula. Reductions of pain ratings and vmHF-power were significantly correlated with increase of connectivity between the insula and MCC. In contrast, connectivity between left and right PFC and between PFC and insula correlated positively with vmHF-power without a relationship to acupuncture analgesia. Overall, these findings highlight the influence of the insula in integrating activity in limbic-saliency networks with vagally mediated homeostatic control to mediate antinociception under the influence of acupuncture.