Background. Fluoxetine (FLU) is the first‐line and widely used medication for depression; however, FLU treatment is almost ineffective in 30%‐40% of patients with depression. In addition, there are some problems in FLU treatment, such as delayed efficacy, large side effects, and poor tolerance. Chaihu Shugan San (CSS) is a classic and effective antidepressant Chinese herbal medicine that has been used in China for thousands of years. CSS or coadministration of CSS and FLU has become one of the most recommended methods in the treatment of depression in China. However, the specific pathways of CSS and coadministration of CSS and FLU for antidepressant are still unclear. Objective. This study was designed to evaluate the antidepressant effects of CSS and coadministration of CSS and FLU. Methods. The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model was used to simulate depression. 120 healthy adult male Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into seven groups: the control group, CUMS group, low‐dose CSS group, high‐dose CSS group, FLU group, coadministration of low‐dose CSS and FLU group, and coadministration of high‐dose CSS and FLU group. The rats in different groups were given different interventions. Then, the depression‐like behavior and cognitive function were evaluated by the sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming test (FST), open field test (OFT), and Y‐maze test. What is more, the antidepressant mechanism of CSS and coadministration of CSS and FLU were studied through BDNF mRNA, ERK mRNA, CREB mRNA, BDNF, p‐ERK/ERK, and p‐CREB/CREB levels in the hippocampus and frontal cortex by Western blot and RT‐PCR. Results. Compared with the CUMS group, CSS and coadministration of CSS and FLU could alleviate the depressive symptoms and improve cognitive function in CUMS rats (p < 0.05); CSS and coadministration of CSS and FLU could increase the expression of BDNF, p‐CREB/CREB, p‐ERK/ERK, and BDNF mRNA, CREB mRNA, and ERK mRNA in the hippocampus and frontal cortex (p < 0.05). Besides, the high‐dose CSS combined with the fluoxetine group was significantly better than the fluoxetine group and CSS group (p < 0.05). Discussion and Conclusion. Finally, we found that both CSS and coadministration of CSS and FLU play an antidepressant role, which may be due to the regulation of the BDNF/ERK/CREB signaling pathway in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. Among them, the coadministration of CSS and FLU can enhance the antidepressant effect of CSS or FLU alone, and the underlying mechanism needs further investigation.

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of coenzyme Q10 for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods. Data from randomized controlled trials were obtained to assess the effects of coenzyme Q10 versus placebo or western medicine on patients with T2DM. The study’s registration number is CRD42018088474. The primary outcomes included glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, and fasting insulin. Result. Thirteen trials involving 765 patients were included. Compared with the control group, coenzyme Q10 may decrease the HbA1c (WMD −0.29; 95% CI −0.54, −0.03; P=0.03) and the fasting blood glucose (WMD −11.21; 95% CI −18.99, −3.43; P=0.005). For fasting insulin, there is also not strong evidence that confirms which one is better because there was no statistical difference (WMD −0.48; 95% CI −2.54, 1.57; P=0.65). Conclusion. Based on current evidence, coenzyme Q10 may assist glycemic control, decrease TG, and improve HDL-C in patients with T2DM.

Juandan-Baihe (Lilium lancifolium Thunb.), Lanzhou-Baihe (Lilium davidii var. unicolor), and Jin-Baihe (Lilium trompeten) are of the same family, but of different genera. They have often been used in Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) as Lilii Bulbus in the Chinese market. These three species of CMM are often confused, and thus, for better application, they must be accurately identified. Herein we use a headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) technique as a screening system to authenticate the three species of CMM. The obtained ion mobility data were processed using LAV processing software to identify fingerprints and perform principal component analysis (PCA). From the fingerprints, fifty peaks, for 36 compounds, were identified, among which 3-methylbutanal was the most abundant in Lilium lancifolium Thunb. (JD), butanone was the most abundant in Lilium davidii var. unicolor (LZ), and 3-methylbutanoic acid and 2-heptanone were the most abundant in Lilium trompeten (WP). All three species have a characteristic area in the fingerprint containing their characteristic biomarker. The PCA for the initial solution to original variables showed that the two principal components accounted for 53% and 21% of the total variance. This research is aimed at establishing a green, rapid method based on HS-GC-IMS to provide scientific data for discrimination between Lilii Bulbus from different species.

Chaihu-Longgu-Muli Decoction (CLMD) is a classic prescription created by Zhong-jing Zhang, a famous ancient Chinese medical scientist, to harmonize uncontrollable body activities and calm the minds. Now Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) physicians often apply it to treat psychiatric diseases such as epilepsy. This study investigated the mechanism of the effect of Chaihu-Longgu-Muli Decoction (CLMD) on hippocampal neurons pyroptosis in rats with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE). The lithium chloride-pilocarpine-induced TLE rat model was established. The behavioral testing was performed and, the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum was detected by ELISA, qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β and TNF-α in hippocampus. The expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in hippocampal dentate gyrus was detected by immunofluorescence assay. CLMD could significantly suppress the frequency and duration time of epileptic seizures, reduce the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1 TNF-α and IL-1β. CLMD exerted an obvious antiepileptic effect by improving pyroptosis in hippocampal neurons of TLE rats.

Buyang huanwu decoction (BYHWD) is a classic recipe in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to supplement Qi and activate blood. It has been used to recover the neural function after the injury of central nervous system for hundreds of years in China. This study investigated whether Buyang huanwu decoction (BYHWD) combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation had synergistic effect on neuroprotection of red nucleus neurons after spinal cord injury (SCI). Rubrospinal tract (RST) transection model was established and BMSCs were collected. The forelimb locomotor function was recorded using inclined plate test and spontaneous vertical exploration. cAMP level in red nucleus was detected with Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Morphology and number of red nucleus neurons was observed using Nissl's staining. Expression of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in red nucleus was detected using immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR and Western-blotting. The combination of BYHWD and BMSCs transplantation could improve the forelimb locomotor function significantly and give the red nucleus somas a better protection. Meanwhile, cAMP level, CREB and NGF increased, while RhoA decreased remarkably in the BYHWD+BMSCs group. BYHWD combined with BMSCs transplantation had synergistic effect on neuroprotection of red nucleus neurons after SCI; the mechanism may be related to up-regulating cAMP level, activating the cAMP/CREB/RhoA signaling pathway, and promoting expression of NGF.