Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology in accelerating drug discovery and development within natural medicines research. Natural medicines, characterized by their complex chemical compositions and multifaceted pharmacological mechanisms, demonstrate widespread application in treating diverse diseases. However, research and development face significant challenges, including component complexity, extraction difficulties, and efficacy validation. AI technology, particularly through deep learning (DL) and machine learning (ML) approaches, enables efficient analysis of extensive datasets, facilitating drug screening, component analysis, and pharmacological mechanism elucidation. The implementation of AI technology demonstrates considerable potential in virtual screening, compound optimization, and synthetic pathway design, thereby enhancing natural medicines' bioavailability and safety profiles. Nevertheless, current applications encounter limitations regarding data quality, model interpretability, and ethical considerations. As AI technologies continue to evolve, natural medicines research and development will achieve greater efficiency and precision, advancing both personalized medicine and contemporary drug development approaches.
Biological Products/pharmacology* ; Artificial Intelligence ; Humans ; Drug Discovery/methods* ; Machine Learning ; Deep Learning

Direct electrical stimulation of the human cortex can produce subjective visual sensations, yet these sensations are unstable. The underlying mechanisms may stem from differences in electrophysiological activity within the distributed network outside the stimulated site. To address this problem, we recruited 69 patients who experienced visual sensations during invasive electrical stimulation while intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) data were recorded. We found significantly flattened power spectral slopes in distributed regions involving different brain networks and decreased integrated information during elicited visual sensations compared with the non-sensation condition. Further analysis based on minimum information partitions revealed that the reconfigured network interactions primarily involved the inferior frontal cortex, posterior superior temporal sulcus, and temporoparietal junction. The flattened power spectral slope in the inferior frontal gyrus was also correlated with integrated information. Taken together, this study indicates that the altered electrophysiological signatures provide insights into the neural mechanisms underlying subjective visual sensations.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Visual Perception/physiology* ; Electric Stimulation ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Electrocorticography ; Electroencephalography ; Brain Mapping

AIM To explore the clinical effects of Bushen Huoxue Ointment Formula on patients with ankylosing spondylitis of Kidney Deficiency and Blood Stasis Pattern.METHODS One hundred and sixty-seven patients were randomly assigned into control group(55 cases)for 2-year intervention of conventional treatment,exposure group(54 cases)for 2-year intervention of both Bushen Huoxue Decoction and conventional treatment,and high exposure group(58 cases)for 2-year intervention of Bushen Huoxue Ointment Formula,Bushen Huoxue Decoction and conventional treatment.The changes in clinical effects,BASDAI score,ASDAS-CRP,BASFI score,spinal pain score,PGA score,BASMI score,ASQoL score,SPARCC score,Kidney Deficiency and Blood Stasis Pattern score,ESR,CRP,IL-6,TNF-α,IL-17,IL-23,IL-35,NLR,PLR and safety indices were detected.RESULTS The high exposure group demonstrated more ASAS40,ASASAS5/6,BASDAI50 cases than the exposure group and the control group(P<0.05).After the treatment,the high exposure group displayed lower BASDAI score,ASDAS-CRP,BASFI score,spinal pain score,PGA score,BASMI score,SPARCC score,ASQoL score,Kidney Deficiency and Blood Stasis Pattern score,ESR,CRP,IL-6,TNF-α,IL-17,IL-23 than the other two groups(P<0.05),and higher IL-35(P<0.05).After adjusting confounding factors by logistic regression analysis,Bushen Huoxue Decoction and Bushen Huoxue Ointment Formula reduced BASDAI score,ASDAS-CRP(P<0.05),and enhanced clinical effects(P<0.05).No serious adverse reactions were found in the three groups.CONCLUSION For the patients with ankylosing spondylitis of Kidney Deficiency and Blood Stasis Pattern,Bushen Huoxue Ointment Formula can safely and effectively inhibit inflammation,reduce disease activity,alleviate bone marrow edema,improve clinical symptoms,and enhance joint functions and life quality.

Objective To observe the effect of Shenqi Chongcao (SQCC) Formula on the ASS1/src/STAT3 signaling pathway in a rat model of lung fibrosis and explore its therapeutic mechanism. Methods A total of 120 male SD rats were divided equally into 5 groups, including a blank control group with saline treatment and 4 groups of rat models of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis induced by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. One day after modeling, the rat models were treated with daily gavage of 10 mL/kg saline, SQCC decoction (0.423 g/kg), pirfenidone (10 mL/kg), or intraperitoneal injection of arginine deiminase (ADI; 2.25 mg/kg, every 3 days) for 28 days. After the treatments, the lung tissues of the rats were collected for calculating the lung/body weight ratio, observing histopathology using HE and Masson staining, and analyzing the inflammatory cells in BALF using Giemsa staining. Serum chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels were measured with ELISA. The protein expressions of src, p-srcTry529, STAT3, and p-STAT3Try705 and the mRNA expressions of ASS1, src and STAT3 in the lung tissues were detected using Western blotting and RT-qPCR. Results The neutrophil, macrophage and lymphocyte counts and serum levels of CCL2 and TGF-β1 were significantly lower in SQCC, pirfenidone and ADI treatment groups than in the model group at each time point of measurement (P<0.05). P-srcTry529 and p-STAT3Try705 protein expression levels and ASS1, src, and STAT3 mRNA in the lung tissues were also significantly lower in the 3 treatment groups than in the model group (P<0.05). Conclusion SQCC Formula can alleviate lung fibrosis in rats possibly by activating the ASS1/src/STAT3 signaling pathway in the lung tissues.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of electroacupuncture on the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1),ATP-binding cassette transporter G1(ABCG1),and class B type Ⅰ scavenger receptor(SR-B Ⅰ)genes and proteins in peritoneal macrophages of atherosclerotic rabbits.The study aimed to explore the mechanism underlying the treatment of atherosclerosis(AS)with electroacupuncture.Methods Twenty-six male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into the negative control group(n=7)and the modeling group(n=19)using a random number table method.The negative control group rabbits were fed a regular diet,while the modeling group was induced with a combination of high-fat feed and common carotid artery balloon injury surgery to create an AS model.After successful modeling,the rabbits in the modeling group were further divided into the model group,the electroacupuncture group,and the atorvastatin group,with 6 rabbits in each group.The rabbits in the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at"'Neiguan'(PC6)","'Zusanli'(ST36)",and"'Guanyuan'(ST25)"acupoints,using a density wave,a current of 1 mA,and a frequency of 4 Hz/20 Hz,once a day.The needle was retained for 20 minutes each time,and a total of 4 courses of treatment were conducted,with 6 days per course.The rabbits in the atorvastatin group were administered atorvastatin calcium tablet suspension(1 mg/kg)orally once a day,for 6 days per course,with a total of 4 courses.After the interventions,HE staining was performed to observe the morphological changes in the common carotid artery tissue of the rabbits.Peritoneal macrophages were collected from the rabbits,and the mRNA expression levels of ABCA1,ABCG1,and SR-B Ⅰ were measured using real-time fluorescence PCR.The protein expression levels of ABCA1,ABCG1,and SR-B Ⅰ were detected using Western blotting.Results The negative control group exhibited smooth intima of common carotid artery in rabbits,while the model group displayed damaged intima of common carotid artery,thickened artery walls,and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.The electroacupuncture group and atorvastatin group showed significant improvements in wall thickening and a reduction in plaque area.Compared with the negative control group,the mRNA and protein expressions of ABCA1,ABCG1,and SR-B Ⅰ in peritoneal macrophages of rabbits in the model group were reduced(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the electroacupuncture group and atorvastatin group exhibited increased mRNA and protein expressions of ABCA1,ABCG1,and SR-B Ⅰ in abdominal macrophages of rabbits(P＜0.01).Furthermore,the atorvastatin group demonstrated increased mRNA levels of ABCG1 and SR-B Ⅰ,as well as increased protein expressions of ABCA1,ABCG1,and SR-B Ⅰ in peritoneal macrophages of rabbits,in comparison to the electroacupuncture group(P＜0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can enhance the expressions of ABCA1,ABCG1,and SR-B Ⅰ mRNA and protein in abdominal macrophages of AS rabbits,thereby promoting the process of cholesterol reverse transport.This may be one of the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of AS.

Objective To investigate the impact of metabolic labeling on Porphyromonas gingivalis(Pg)and com-pare the imaging effects of two fluorescent probes.Methods This study was reviewed by the unit Ethics Committee and was approved by the Experimental Animal Welfare Ethics Branch of the Unit Experimental Biomedical Ethics Com-mittee.Pg integrated N-azidoacetylgalactosamine(Ac4GalNAz)via a bioorthogonal reaction and was labeled with Cy5-DBCO or Cy7-DBCO via a click chemistry reaction.The bacteria were divided into Pg group(control,not fluorescently labeled),Cy5-Pg group(tagged by Cy5-DBCO),and Cy7-Pg group(tagged by Cy7-DBCO).A live/dead staining kit was applied to test the viability of Pg,Cy5-Pg,and Cy7-Pg.The mRNA levels of interleukin-6(IL-6)and IL-8 and cell pro-liferation were examined in human gingival fibroblasts(HGFs)after the challenge of Cy5-Pg,Cy7-Pg,or Pg.To investi-gate the stability of metabolic labeling,Cy5-Pg or Cy7-Pg was cocultured with Escherichia coli(E.coli).Cy5-Pg and Cy7-Pg signal intensity with serial dilutions were examined using an in vivo imaging system(IVIS).Finally,C57BL/6J mice were orally administered Cy5-Pg or Cy7-Pg for IVIS detection,and the signal-to-background ratios were calculated.Results Metabolic labeling could be applied to label live Pg in vitro.The optimal labeling concentrations for Cy5 and Cy7 were 20 μmol/L and 30 μmol/L,respectively.The area ratios of live to dead bacteria were approximately 2.0 in the three groups(F=0.318,P＞0.05).After a 6-h challenge with Cy5-Pg,Cy7-Pg,or Pg,the mRNA levels of HGFs in-creased by 7.86-,7.46-,and 6.56-fold for IL-6,respectively(F=40.886,P＜0.001)and 12.43-,13.03-,and 13.71-fold for IL-8(F=18.781,P＜0.01),were spectively,compared to that of the Ctrl group,which was not challenged by bacte-ria,where no significant differences were observed among the three groups(P＞0.05).HGFs were further challenged by Cy5-Pg,Cy7-Pg,or Pg at different MOIs,and cell proliferation was significantly inhibited(MOI=104∶1,F=153.52,P＜0.001;MOI=105∶1,F=331.21,P＜0.001;MOI=106∶1,F=533.65,P＜0.001),with no significant differences among the three groups(P＞0.05).Within 24 h of co-culturing Cy5-Pg or Cy7-Pg with E.coli,minimal E.coli was de-tected.The intensities of Cy5 and Cy7 remained stable for 3 h.Additionally,the fluorescence signal intensities of Cy5 and Cy7 were linearly correlated with the concentration(R2=0.97).After oral gavage of Cy5-Pg or Cy7-Pg in mice for the abdominal region at 1 h and 3 h,the signal-to-background ratios of Cy7-Pg were approximately 4.24-fold(t=6.893,P＜0.01)and 3.77-fold(t=4.407,P＜0.05)higher,respectively,than those of Cy5-Pg.For the isolated gastrointestinal tracts at 3 h,the signal-to-background ratio of Cy7-Pg was 5.19-fold higher than that of Cy5-Pg(t=4.418,P＜0.05).Conclusions Metabolic labeling did not significantly affect viability,immunomodulatory ability,and toxicity.The im-aging effect of Cy7 on IVIS was better than that of Cy5.Our study provided experimental evidence for the correlation be-tween periodontitis and overall health.

Objective To observe the effect of Shenqi Chongcao (SQCC) Formula on the ASS1/src/STAT3 signaling pathway in a rat model of lung fibrosis and explore its therapeutic mechanism. Methods A total of 120 male SD rats were divided equally into 5 groups, including a blank control group with saline treatment and 4 groups of rat models of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis induced by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. One day after modeling, the rat models were treated with daily gavage of 10 mL/kg saline, SQCC decoction (0.423 g/kg), pirfenidone (10 mL/kg), or intraperitoneal injection of arginine deiminase (ADI; 2.25 mg/kg, every 3 days) for 28 days. After the treatments, the lung tissues of the rats were collected for calculating the lung/body weight ratio, observing histopathology using HE and Masson staining, and analyzing the inflammatory cells in BALF using Giemsa staining. Serum chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels were measured with ELISA. The protein expressions of src, p-srcTry529, STAT3, and p-STAT3Try705 and the mRNA expressions of ASS1, src and STAT3 in the lung tissues were detected using Western blotting and RT-qPCR. Results The neutrophil, macrophage and lymphocyte counts and serum levels of CCL2 and TGF-β1 were significantly lower in SQCC, pirfenidone and ADI treatment groups than in the model group at each time point of measurement (P<0.05). P-srcTry529 and p-STAT3Try705 protein expression levels and ASS1, src, and STAT3 mRNA in the lung tissues were also significantly lower in the 3 treatment groups than in the model group (P<0.05). Conclusion SQCC Formula can alleviate lung fibrosis in rats possibly by activating the ASS1/src/STAT3 signaling pathway in the lung tissues.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

To assess the reliability, validity and responsiveness of the Chinese version of the atopic dermatitis control tool (ADCT). After this study obtained authorization for the Chinese version of the ADCT scale. 114 patients with atopic dermatitis were enrolled from the Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital using convenience sampling from October 2022. Patients were surveyed using the General Information Questionnaire, Chinese version of ADCT, patient-oriented eczema measure (POEM),peak pruritus numerical rating scale (PP-NRS),dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and the global patient self-assessment for disease severity. Mann-Whitney rank sum test and Spearman correlation analysis were used for item analysis; content validity was assessed using content validity index (CVI); exploratory factor analysis was used to assess structural validity; Cronbach' alpha coefficient was used to assess internal consistency; Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation of ADCT with other scales to assess external responsiveness. The results showed that all items were retained by item analysis. I-CVI was 0.9-1, and S-CVI/Average was 0.983; the scale extracted one common factor by factor analysis, the cumulative variance explanation rate was 77.927%; the Cronbach' alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.937; the correlation coefficients of the Chinese version of ADCT with POEM, PP-NRS, and DLQI were 0.805, 0.861, and 0.709 respectively. In conclusion, the Chinese version of the ADCT has adequate reliability, validity and responsiveness, and is suitable for measuring disease control in Chinese patients with atopic dermatitis.
Humans ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Quality of Life ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of different doses of Jiedu Tongluo Shengjin prescription （JTSP） on serum interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and forkhead box P3 （FoxP3） in submandibular gland of NOD/Ltj mice with Sjögren's syndrome， and to explore the mechanism of JTSP on immune regulation in NOD/Ltj mice. MethodThirty NOD/Ltj mice （eight weeks old） were randomly divided into model group， JTSP low-dose group， JTSP medium-dose group， JTSP high-dose group and hydroxychloroquine group， and were administrated with normal saline， JTSP 9， 18， and 36 g·kg^-1， and hydroxychloroquine 60 mg·kg^-1 daily， respectively from the age of 12 weeks. Six ICR mice were given an equal amount of normal saline by gavage as the control group. During the experiment， daily water consumption and saliva secretion of mice at the age of 9， 12， 16 weeks were recorded. After 4 weeks of administration， submandibular gland and spleen tissues were dissected to calculate corresponding indexes. The pathological morphology of submandibular gland was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Meso Scale Discovery （MSD） and immunohistochemistry were employed to detect the serum levels of IL-6， TNF-α and IL-10， and the expression and distribution of FoxP3 in submandibular gland， respectively. The protein expression of FoxP3 in mouse submandibular gland was determined by Western blot， and the mRNA expressions of FoxP3 and TNF-α were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group presented increased daily water consumption， decreased saliva secretion， lowered submandibular gland index， elevated pathological score of submandibular gland， up-regulated serum IL-6 and TNF-α and mRNA expression of TNF-α while down-regulated serum IL-10 and protein and mRNA expressions of FoxP3 in submandibular gland （P<0.05）. Compared with the conditions in model group， daily water consumption in JTSP groups was reduced while saliva secretion was increased， especially in medium-dose and high-dose groups （P<0.05）， and there was an increase in the submandibular gland index of JTSP medium-dose group （P<0.05） while a decrease in the spleen index of JTSP high-dose group （P<0.05）. Additionally， JTSP groups had lower pathological score of submandibular gland than the model group （P<0.05）， especially high-dose group， as well as lower serum IL-6 and TNF-α and mRNA expression of TNF-α while higher serum IL-10 （P<0.05）. JTSP at medium and high doses up-regulated the protein and mRNA expressions of FoxP3 in submandibular gland （P<0.05）. ConclusionJTSP may inhibit the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by regulating the stability of FoxP3⁺ regulatory T （Treg） cells， thus alleviating the systemic immune inflammation in Sjögren's syndrome.