Traditional Uyghur medicine Quercus infectoria galls water extract triggers apoptosis and autophagic cell death in colorectal cancer cells

Background The water extract of Quercuse infectoria galls (QIG) is the active ingredient of Uyghur medicine Xipayi Kui Jie’an (KJA) which has promising therapeutic effects on Ulcerative Colitis (UC) as an alternative medicine. Considering the relationship between UC and the development of colorectal cancer (CRC), the present work aims to explore the direct anti-CRC activity of QIG extract. Methods CCK8 assay and flow cytometry were used to detect cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), flow cytometry, laser confocal and western blotting were performed to examine autophagy. We also adopted Reactive Oxygen Assay kit, as well as transwell and wound healing tests to study the underlying mechanism of QIG against CRC cells. Results First, we found that QIG extract could suppress the viability of CRC cells and trigger caspases-dependent apoptosis. Subsequently, we proved for the first time that QIG extract also triggered autophagic cell death in CRC cells, which together with apoptosis contributed to the cytotoxic effect on CRC cells. Further investigation revealed that QIG-induced cytotoxicity associated with intracellular ROS accumulation which could suppress the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, and then induce autophagy and inhibit cell growth. Besides, Erk signaling pathway was also involved in the process of autophagic cell death. Moreover, QIG extract also influenced EMT process and inhibited CRC cell migration. Conclusion Altogether, this study provides a basis for the utilization of QIG as an alternative medicine for CRC prevention and treatment.

A survey and analysis of traditional Uyghur medicine abnormal body fluid type major depressive disorder with personality traits

Objective: To explore the personality characteristics of Traditional Uyghur Medicine (TUM) abnormal body fluid type major depressive disorder in patients and provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment and prevention of depression. Method: Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) was used to test the 238 patients with depression, responses were compared with normal mode group, test results were obtained using SPSS 21.0 statistical software for data analysis, the two groups were compared using [Formula: see text]-test, variance analysis was used in the comparison, pairwise comparison was made with the LSD method and [Formula: see text] was found to be statistically significant. Results: The mental qualities namely Psychoticism/Socialization (P), Extroversion/Introversion (E), Neuroticism/Stability (N) and Lie/Social Desirability (L) of patients with depression were found to be higher than the normal mode group, and the difference was statistically significant; the scores of [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-scales were higher in the patients with abnormal cold and dry type depression than those in the normal group, compared with other abnormal body fluid type depressions. Conclusion: Research results indicate that abnormal body fluid and personality both play a role in the pathogenesis of depression. In particular, the personality characteristics of patients with abnormal cold and dry type body fluid play an important role in the occurence and development of depression.

Aiweixin, a Traditional Uyghur Medicinal Formula, Extends the Lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans

Aiweixin (AWX) is a traditional Uyghur medicine prescription, which has been used to treat senile diseases for a long time. We investigate whether the AWX extends the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans. The AWX decoction was the conventional product for clinical use. The wild-type Caenorhabditis elegans (N2) and mutational worms, daf-16(mu86), glp-1(e2141), daf-2(e1370), and eat-2(ad465), were applied for the lifespan analysis. We found that the lifespan of the N2 adults' worm received 0.005 and 0.01 volume of AWX/total volume was extended significantly, compared to the control without treatment of AWX. The AWX at 0.01 volume of AWX/total volume significantly prolonged the life of both mutational worms, daf-16 (mu86) and eat-2(ad465), but did not increase the lifespan of the mutational worms, daf-2(e1370) and glp-1(e2141). These results indicated that the AWX significantly extended the lifespan of wild-type nematodes, and the life extension effect of AWX was related to the germline longevity pathway and IIS signaling pathway but independent of DAF-16/FOXO.