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Background: Amygdalin is the essential component of the traditional Chinese medicinal drug peach kernel. The early studies of amygdalin are mainly focused on antitussive and tumor anti-tumor, but there are few studies on the treatment of neuroinflammation. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the anti-inflammatory effect of amygdalin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuron–microglia and its protective mechanism for toll-like receptors (TLRs) signaling pathways. Materials and Methods: Griess, quantitative PCR, and flow cytometry were used to detect the influence of amygdalin on the release of inflammatory factors from BV2 mouse microglia (BV2 cells). The anti-inflammatory pathway of amygdalin was further explored by western blotting. At the same time, the effect of amygdalin on LPS-induced oxidative stress damage in BV2 cells was detected by WST-8 and fluorescence probe. Results: After LPS induction, the pro-inflammatory factors such as nitric oxide, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1β, and recombinant NLR Family, Pyrin Domain Containing Protein3 were significantly increased. However, the levels were reversed significantly after treatment with amygdalin. In addition, amygdalin significantly inhibited the increase of TLR4, TLR2, and its downstream signal myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 and P-NF-κB p65 in BV2 cells induced by LPS. Amygdalin can also reverse the abnormal expression of LPS-induced oxidative stress indexes such as cyclooxygenase-2, reactive oxygen species, and superoxide dismutase. Conclusion: Amygdalin may reduce the LPS-induced accumulation of pro-inflammatory substances via the down-regulating of the TLR2/TLR4-nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Tumescent anesthesia frequently causes the intraoperative and postoperative pain during radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of varicose veins. We have to find a way to reduce pain caused by these injections. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of topical anesthesia pretreatment (TAP) on relieving needle puncture pain during administration of tumescent anesthesia among patients undergoing RFA of varicose veins. Methods: Eligible patients treated with RFA were recruited and randomized to either application of TAP with lidocaine-prilocaine cream (EMLA) or water-based cream (placebo). The primary outcome was patient described pain scores on the visual analogue scale (VAS) at different time points during the procedure. Secondary outcomes were technical success rate, complications, satisfaction level, expense, and extra analgesia use. Results: Sixty-two patients were randomized: 32 to EMLA and 30 to placebo. Both groups had comparable baseline demographics, CEAP classification, and Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS). Less tumescent anesthetic needle puncture pain was found in the EMLA group (22 ± 7 vs 42 ± 8, p <.01). Pain scores of other time points were equivalent. There was less pain in EMLA pretreated area compared to non-pretreated area in the same patient during needle puncture (22 ± 7 vs 45 ± 7, p <.01), and similar phenomena did not appear in the placebo group. There was no statistical difference in complications, satisfaction level, expense, and technical success between the two groups. And no extra analgesia was used in all patients. Conclusion: We recommend the routine use of TAP to reduce the needle puncture pain during tumescent anesthesia in RFA of lower extremity varicose veins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new C21 steroids, 12β-O-acetyl-20-O-(2-methylbutyryl)-sarcostin and its 3-O-digitoxopyranoside (1-2) were isolated from the roots of Cynanchum otophyllum, together with three known steroids, namely deacetylmetaplexigenin (3), sarcostin (4), and kidjoranin 3-O-β-D-digitoxopyranoside (5). The structures of the new steroids were established by spectroscopic and chemical methods, especially two-dimensional NMR techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new polyhydroxypregnane glycosides, namely cynotophyllosides I-J, were isolated from the roots of Cynanchum otophyllum, together with three known steroids, namely deacetylmetaplexigenin, sarcostin and hemoside. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic methods especially 2D NMR techniques) and acidcatalysed hydrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]