1.Clinical Observation on Prevention of Recurrence of Common Bile Duct Stones After ERCP with Yuyin Lidan Granules
Xiao WANG ; Yong FANG ; Cong HE ; Jiali ZHANG ; Meng YU ; Jing KONG ; Yi JIANG ; Chuanqi CHENG ; Xiaosu WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):159-166
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yuyin Lidan granules (YYLD) in preventing the recurrence of common bile duct stones (CBDS) in patients with liver and gallbladder dampness-heat syndrome following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). MethodsThis randomized, parallel, controlled trial enrolled postoperative CBDS-ERCP patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Sixty-four patients were randomly assigned to an observation group or a control group, with 32 cases in each. Both groups received conventional Western medical treatment after ERCP, while the observation group additionally received YYLD for 8 weeks. The follow-up period lasted for 1 year. The efficacy indicators included bile bilirubin levels, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, clinical efficacy rate, pancreatitis and inflammation markers, postoperative liver function, and CBDS recurrence rate at 1-year follow-up, which were used to jointly evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of both groups. ResultsA total of 56 patients completed the study and were included in the final analysis, i.e., 29 in the observation group and 27 in the control group. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Compared with pre-treatment and with the control group after treatment, the bile bilirubin level in the observation group significantly decreased (P<0.05). After treatment, the clinical cure and marked improvement rates were higher in the observation group than in the control group, showing a statistically significant difference in overall clinical efficacy (P<0.05). Compared with pre-treatment, the primary and secondary symptoms in the observation group, as well as the primary symptom and the secondary symptom of nausea and vomiting in the control group (weeks 4 and 8), were significantly reduced (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, the observation group showed significant reductions in the primary symptom of loose stools/constipation (day 5 and week 4) and in three secondary symptoms, i.e., bitter taste and sticky dry mouth, abdominal distension and poor appetite (throughout the treatment period), and general heaviness and fatigue (day 5 and week 4), with statistical differences (P<0.05). Compared with pre-treatment, both groups showed decreased lipase and urinary amylase levels (P<0.05). However, no significant between-group differences were observed in pancreatitis or inflammation-related indices after treatment. Compared with pre-treatment, all liver function indicators in the observation group and alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ), γ-glutamyl transferase ( γ-GT ), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and conjugated bilirubin in the control group significantly decreased at weeks 4 and 8 (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, only serum total bilirubin and unconjugated bilirubin were significantly reduced in the observation group during the treatment period (P<0.05). ConclusionYYLD combined with conventional Western medical treatment can effectively regulate bilirubin metabolism (in bile and serum), improve TCM clinical symptoms, and prevent CBDS recurrence after ERCP in patients with liver and gallbladder dampness-heat syndrome. This regimen is safe and effective and is worthy of further clinical research and promotion.
2.Perioperative immune dynamics and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery
Zhiyuan CHENG ; Xinyi LIAO ; Juan WU ; Ping YANG ; Tingting WANG ; Qinjuan WU ; Wentong MENG ; Zongcheng TANG ; Jiayi SUN ; Jia TAN ; Jing LIN ; Dan LUO ; Hao WANG ; Chaonan LIU ; Jiyue XIONG ; Liqin LING ; Jing ZHOU ; Lei DU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(1):31-43
Objective: To characterize perioperative dynamic changes in immune-cell phenotypes and inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) cardiac surgery, and to explore their associations with postoperative outcomes. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 120 adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery under CPB at West China Hospital from May 2022 to March 2023 were enrolled. Perioperative immune-cell phenotypes and concentrations of 40 inflammation-related cytokines were measured. The primary outcomes were the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at 24 h after surgery and ΔSOFA (the peak SOFA score within 48 h after surgery minus the preoperative SOFA score). Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), acute kidney injury (AKI), respiratory failure, severe liver injury, and infection. Results: The mean age of enrolled patients was 57±10 years. Of these, 52% (62/120) were male and 90% (108/120) underwent valve surgery. During the rewarming to the end of CPB, neutrophil counts rapidly increased (7.39×10
/L vs preoperative 3.07×10
/L, P<0.001), with significant upregulation of CD11b (7.30×10
/L vs preoperative 3.05×10
/L, P<0.001) and CD54 (7.15×10
/L vs preoperative 2.99×10
/L, P<0.001). Lymphocyte counts increased at the end of CPB (1.75×10
/L vs preoperative 1.12×10
/L, P<0.001) but decreased significantly at 24 h after surgery (0.59×10
/L vs preoperative 1.12×10
/L, P<0.001). Plasma analysis showed that multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines increased during CPB and remained elevated up to 24 h after surgery; five chemokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 peaked at the end of CPB. The SOFA score increased from 1 (1, 2) preoperatively to 7 (5, 10) at 24 h after surgery, with a ΔSOFA of 6 (4, 8). Within 30 days after surgery, 48 patients (40.0%) developed AKI, 17 (14.2%) developed infection, 4 (3.3%) developed severe liver injury, 3 (2.5%) developed respiratory failure, and 3 (2.5%) experienced MACE. During the 2-year follow-up, 8 patients (6.7%) experienced MACE and 5 (4.2%) died. Conclusion: Multi-organ dysfunction is common after cardiac surgery under CPB (median ΔSOFA, 6), accompanied by perioperative activation of multiple immune-cell subsets and upregulation of pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and chemotactic mediators. This study provides data-driven evidence and research clues for further investigation of the associations between CPB-related immune perturbations and postoperative organ dysfunction and clinical outcomes.
3.Epidemiological characteristics and disease burden of liver cancer in Guangdong Province
Ying ZHANG ; Yixuan CHEN ; Rong CAO ; Yue GAO ; Yutong HAN ; Ye WANG ; Ruilin MENG ; Xueyan ZHENG ; Yu LIAO ; Zhuanping ZENG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(1):68-72
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and disease burden of liver cancer in Guangdong Province in 2020, and to provide a scientific foundation for the development of regionalized prevention and control strategies for liver cancer. Methods According to the cancer registry data of Guangdong Province, the incidence, mortality and age-standardized rate by Chinese standard population in 2020 were calculated to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of liver cancer. The disability adjusted life years (DALYs), year of life loss (YLL), year of lived with disability (YLD), and cause-eliminated life expectancy were used to assess the disease burden of liver cancer. Results In 2020, the crude incidence rate and the age-standardized incidence rate of liver cancer in Guangdong Province were 27.79/100 000 and 20.84/100 000,respectively, and the crude mortality rate and the age-standardized mortality rate of liver cancer were 25.49/100,000 and 17.64/100 000, respectively. The total DALY and DALY rate of liver cancer in Guangdong Province were 515 311 person-years and 513.83/100 000, respectively. After eliminating the causes of death from liver cancer, the life expectancy in Guangdong Province increased from 84.60 years to 84.99 years. All indicators consistently demonstrated that the burden of liver cancer was higher in males than that in females, and the burden of liver cancer was higher in rural areas than that in urban areas. Conclusion Liver cancer in Guangdong Province exhibits a high incidence, mortality and disease burden level in 2020. There are obvious differences of gender, age and region in cancer burden. It is necessary to strengthen liver cancer screening and diagnosis and treatment in men, the elderly and those in rural areas to reduce the burden of liver cancer gradually in Guangdong Province.
4.Construction and in vitro osteogenic activity study of magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen
WANG Meng ; SUN Yifei ; CAO Xiaoqing ; WEI Yiyuan ; CHEN Lei ; ZHANG Zhenglong ; MU Zhao ; ZHU Juanfang ; NIU Lina
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):15-28
Objective:
To investigate the efficacy of magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen (MSHA/Col) in improving the bone repair microenvironment and enhancing bone regeneration capacity, providing a strategy to address the insufficient biomimetic composition and limited bioactivity of traditional hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen (HA/Col) scaffolds.
Methods:
A high-molecular-weight polyacrylic acid-stabilized amorphous calcium magnesium strontium phosphate precursor (HPAA/ACMSP) was prepared. Its morphology and elemental distribution were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Recombinant collagen sponge blocks were immersed in the HPAA/ACMSP mineralization solution. Magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite was induced to deposit within collagen fibers (experimental group: MSHA/Col; control group: HA/Col). The morphological characteristics of MSHA/Col were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its crystal structure and chemical composition were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The mineral phase content was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The scaffold's porosity, ion release, and in vitro degradation performance were also determined. For cytological experiments, CCK-8 assay, live/dead cell staining, alkaline phosphatase staining, alizarin red S staining, RT-qPCR, and western blotting were used to evaluate the effects of the MSHA/Col scaffold on the proliferation, viability, early osteogenic differentiation activity, late mineralization capacity, and gene and protein expression levels of key osteogenic markers [runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), collagen type Ⅰ (Col-Ⅰ), osteopontin (Opn), and osteocalcin (Ocn)] in mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1).
Results:
HPAA/ACMSP appeared as amorphous spherical nanoparticles under TEM, with energy spectrum analysis showing uniform distribution of carbon, oxygen, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and strontium elements. SEM results of MSHA/Col indicated successful complete intrafibrillar mineralization. Elemental analysis showed the mass fractions of magnesium and strontium were 0.72% (matching the magnesium content in natural bone) and 2.89%, respectively. X-ray diffraction revealed characteristic peaks of hydroxyapatite crystals (25.86°, 31°-34°). Infrared spectroscopy results showed characteristic absorption peaks for both collagen and hydroxyapatite. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a mineral phase content of 78.29% in the material. The scaffold porosity was 91.6% ± 1.1%, close to the level of natural bone tissue. Ion release curves demonstrated sustained release behavior for both magnesium and strontium ions. The in vitro degradation rate matched the ingrowth rate of new bone tissue. Cytological experiments showed that MSHA/Col significantly promoted MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation (130% increase in activity at 72 h, P < 0.001). MSHA/Col exhibited excellent efficacy in promoting osteogenic differentiation, significantly upregulating the expression of osteogenesis-related genes and proteins (Runx2, Col-Ⅰ, Opn, Ocn) (P < 0.01).
Conclusion
The MSHA/Col scaffold achieves dual biomimicry of natural bone in both composition and structure, and effectively promotes osteogenic differentiation at the genetic and protein levels, breaking through the functional limitations of pure hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen. This provides a new strategy for the development of functional bone repair materials
5.Proteomic Analysis of Danlou Tablet in Improving Platelet Function for Treating Coronary Heart Disease with Phlegm-stasis Intermingling Syndrome in Minipigs
Ziyan WANG ; Ying LI ; Aoao WANG ; Hongxu MENG ; Yue SHI ; Yanlei MA ; Guoyuan ZHANG ; Lei LI ; Jianxun LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):41-53
ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the role of Danlou tablet in treating coronary heart disease (CHD) with phlegm-stasis intermingling syndrome in minipigs by improving platelet function and explore the potential pharmacological mechanism of Danlou tablet in regulating platelet function by using proteomics technology. MethodsThirty Bama minipigs were randomly divided into a normal control group (6 pigs) and a high-fat diet group (24 pigs). After 2 weeks of high-fat diet feeding, the high-fat diet group was randomly subdivided into a model group, an atorvastatin group (1 mg·kg-1), and Danlou tablet groups (0.6 g·kg-1 and 0.3 g·kg-1). All groups continued to receive a high-fat diet for 8 weeks after the procedure. The normal control group was given a regular diet, underwent only coronary angiography, and did not receive an interventional injury procedure. The model group and each administration group were fed a high-fat diet. Two weeks later, they underwent a coronary angiography injury procedure. After the procedure, drugs were mixed into the feed every morning for 8 consecutive weeks, with the minipigs maintained on a continuous high-fat diet during this period. Quantitative proteomics technology was further used to study platelet proteins, and differential proteins were obtained by screening. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to analyze key regulatory proteins and biological pathways involved in the therapeutic effect of Danlou tablet on CHD with phlegm-stasis intermingling syndrome. ResultsCompared with the normal control group, the model group showed a significant increase in total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of minipigs' serum (P<0.01), a significant shortening in prothrombin time of (PT) (P<0.01), a coagulation function index, and an increase in whole blood viscosity (P<0.01) and platelet aggregation rate (P<0.01). Moreover, the platelet morphology was altered, and the contents of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) were significantly increased (P<0.01). Hemodynamic parameters were obviously abnormal, including significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and left ventricular maximal positive dp/dt (LV+dp/dtmax) (P<0.01). Left ventricular maximal negative dp/dt (LV-dp/dtmax) was significantly increased (P<0.01). Besides, there were myocardial cell hypertrophy, obvious edematous degeneration, massive interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration, high degree of fibrosis, and coronary endothelial atherosclerosis. TC and TG levels in minipigs' serum were significantly reduced in Danlou tablet groups with 0.6 g·kg-1 and 0.3 g·kg-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), compared with those in the model group. LDL-C was decreased in the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg-1 (P<0.05). The whole blood viscosity under low and high shear conditions was significantly reduced in the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg-1 (P<0.05). In groups with all doses of Danlou tablet, maximum aggregation rate (MAR) and average aggregation rate (AAR) were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and platelets' morphological changes such as pseudopodia extension were reduced. ET-1 levels in the serum were significantly reduced. In the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg-1, NO level in the serum was reduced (P<0.05). In groups with all doses of Danlou tablet, DBP and MAP were significantly increased (P<0.05). In the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg-1, LVSP and LV+dp/dtmax were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and LV-dp/dtmax was significantly decreased (P<0.05). In groups with all doses of Danlou tablet, edematous degeneration in myocardial tissue was milder, and coronary artery lesion degree was significantly alleviated. Compared with the normal control group, there were 94 differentially expressed proteins in the model group, including 81 up-regulated and 13 down-regulated proteins. Compared with the model group, the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg-1 showed 174 differentially expressed proteins, including 100 up-regulated and 74 down-regulated proteins. A total of 30 proteins were reversed after Danlou tablet intervention. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that its pharmacological mechanism may exert anti-platelet activation, aggregation, and adhesion effects through biological pathways such as regulation of actin cytoskeleton, platelet activation pathway, Fcγ receptor-mediated phagocytosis, as well as proteins such as growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2), Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 2 (RAC2), RAC1, and heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1 (HSP90AA1). ConclusionDanlou tablet can effectively reduce platelet activation and aggregation, exerting a good therapeutic effect on CHD with phlegm-stasis intermingling syndrome in minipigs. Its pharmacological mechanism may involve regulating biological pathways such as actin cytoskeleton and platelet activation pathway, as well as proteins like GRB2, RAC2, RAC1, and HSP90AA1, thereby exerting a pharmacological effect in anti-platelet activation, aggregation, and adhesion.
6.Xiaozheng Zhitong Paste Alleviates Bone Cancer Pain by Regulating PD-1/PD-L1-induced Osteoclast Formation
Lu SHANG ; Juanxia REN ; Guangda ZHENG ; Linghan MENG ; Lingyun WANG ; Changlin LI ; Dongtao LI ; Yaohua CHEN ; Guiping YANG ; Yanju BAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):72-79
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the action mechanism by which Xiaozheng Zhitong paste (XZP) alleviates bone cancer pain (BCP) by regulating programmed death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway-induced osteoclast formation. MethodsThirty female C57BL/6 mice were randomly allocated into the following groups (n=6 per group): normal control group, model group, low‑dose XZP group (31.5 g·kg-1), high‑dose XZP group (63 g·kg-1), and PD‑1 inhibitor (Niv) group. A bone cancer pain (BCP) model was established by injecting Lewis lung carcinoma cells. Mice in the normal control and model groups received topical application of a blank paste matrix at the wound site. Mice in the low‑ and high‑dose XZP groups were treated with XZP applied topically twice daily. Mice in the Niv group were topically administered the blank paste matrix and additionally received Niv via tail‑vein injection every two days. All interventions were continued for 21 days. During this period, behavioral tests were performed to assess mechanical, motor, and thermal nociceptive sensitivities. After 21 days, all mice were euthanized, and bone tissue from the operated side was collected for sectioning and preservation. Tartrate‑resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was used to evaluate osteoclast expression in the lesioned bone tissue. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of Runt‑related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in the lesioned bone tissue. Immunofluorescence was employed to assess the expression of PD‑1 and PD‑L1 in the lesioned bone tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly decreased limb mechanical withdrawal threshold, spontaneous paw flinching, and thermal withdrawal latency (P<0.01), increased number of osteoclasts in the lesioned bone tissue (P<0.01), and reduced expression of Runx2 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the BCP mice in the XZP low-dose group, XZP high-dose group, and Niv group exhibited increased limb mechanical withdrawal threshold, movement scores, and thermal withdrawal latency (P<0.01). The XZP low-dose group showed no significant changes in osteoclast number or Runx2 expression, while the XZP high-dose group and Niv group demonstrated significantly reduced osteoclast numbers (P<0.01) and significantly increased Runx2 expression (P<0.01). In the lesioned bone tissue of BCP mice, the XZP low-dose group showed no significant decrease in the percentage of PD-1 expression, but a decrease in the percentage of PD-L1 expression (P<0.05). In contrast, both the XZP high-dose group and the Niv group exhibited significant reductions in the percentages of PD-1 and PD-L1 expression (P<0.01). ConclusionXZP alleviates the pain of mice with BCP by blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway to inhibit osteoclastogenesis.
7.Xiaozheng Zhitong Paste Relieves Bone Cancer Pain in Mice by Alleviating Activation of Microglia in Spinal Cord and Damage to Neurons via Blocking PAR2/NF-κB/NLRP3 Pathway
Guangda ZHENG ; Linghan MENG ; Lu SHANG ; Juanxia REN ; Dongtao LI ; Haixiao LIU ; Lingyun WANG ; Changlin LI ; Yaohua CHEN ; Guiping YANG ; Yanju BAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):91-100
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of Xiaozheng Zhitong Paste (XZP) on bone cancer pain (BCP). MethodsThirty female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups: a Sham group, a BCP group, a BCP+low-dose XZP group, a BCP+high-dose XZP group, and a BCP+high-dose XZP + protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) agonist GB-110 group. BCP mice model was constructed by injecting Lewis lung carcinoma cells into the femoral cavity of the right leg, which was followed by being treated with XZP for 21 d. After 21 d, the mice were sacrificed. Nissl staining was used to evaluate the survival of spinal cord neurons. Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to localize ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) and neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) in spinal cord tissue, thereby assessing microglial activation and neuronal survival. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in spinal cord tissue. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression levels associated with M1/M2 polarization of microglia. Western blot analysis was performed to examine the expression of proteins related to microglial polarization as well as those involved in the PAR2/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway in the spinal cord. ResultsCompared with the Sham group, the spinal cord neurons were damaged, the number of Nissl-positive spinal cord neurons in the spinal cord tissue was significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the rate of NeuN-positive cells was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The spinal cord microglia were activated, the inflammatory level of the spinal cord tissue was enhanced, and Iba1 staining was significantly enhanced (P<0.01). The levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β, IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly increased (P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the expression of PAR2, NLRP3, ASC and NF-κB p65 proteins in the spinal cord tissue of the BCP mice was significantly enhanced (P<0.01). Compared with the BCP group, high-dose XZP treatment significantly increased the number of Nissl-positive spinal cord neurons in the BCP mice (P<0.01), significantly enhanced the rate of NeuN-positive cells in the spinal cord tissue, and significantly weakened Iba1 staining (P<0.01). In addition, the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 were significantly decreased, while the levels of TGF-β, IL-4, and IL-10 were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and iNOS were decreased, whereas those of cluster of differentiation 206 (CD206), arginase-1 (Arg-1), and YM1/2 were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Low-dose and high-dose XZP treatment significantly decreased the expression of PAR2, NLRP3, ASC, and NF-κB p65 proteins in the spinal cord tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). These effects could all be significantly eliminated by the PAR2 agonist GB-110. ConclusionXZP can mitigate BCP in mice, which may be achieved through blocking the activated PAR2/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.
8.Xiaozheng Zhitong Paste Alleviates Bone Cancer Pain of Mice by Reducing Ferroptosis in Spinal Cord Tissue and Neuronal Damage via Regulating Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4/SLC7A11 Signaling Pathway
Juanxia REN ; Lu SHANG ; Guangda ZHENG ; Linghan MENG ; Lingyun WANG ; Changlin LI ; Dongtao LI ; Yaohua CHEN ; Guiping YANG ; Yanju BAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):101-113
ObjectiveThe paper aims to investigate the action mechanism by which the Xiaozheng Zhitong paste (XZP) relieves bone cancer pain (BCP). MethodsA model of mice with BCP was established by using Lewis tumor cells. The therapeutic effects of XZP, the ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inhibitor Brusatol (Bru) on BCP were examined. Mice were randomly divided into the Sham operation group, BCP group, BCP+XZP-L group, BCP+XZP-H group, BCP+Fer-1 group, and BCP+XZP-H+Bru group, with six mice in each group. Pain behavior tests were conducted on the mice to assess pain levels. Colorimetric assays were employed to measure ferroptosis-related factors in serum and spinal cord tissue including Fe, malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Immunofluorescence staining was used to assess ROS production in spinal cord tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of mitochondria in lumbar spinal cord tissue. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to detect mRNA expression of Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) in spinal cord neuron tissue. The protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1, GPX4, and SLC7A11 in spinal cord neurons was measured by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the Sham group, mice in the BCP group exhibited significantly reduced limb usage scores, mechanical foot withdrawal thresholds, and thermal foot withdrawal thresholds (P<0.01). Serum and lumbar spinal cord tissue levels of Fe, MDA, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were significantly elevated (P<0.05), while superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Lumbar spinal cord mitochondrial structural damage was observed, and mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1, GPX4, and SLC7A11 were significantly downregulated (P<0.01). Compared with the BCP group, both low- and high-dose XZP groups improved the aforementioned pain behavioral indicators (P<0.05,P<0.01), reduced ferroptosis-related biomarkers including Fe, MDA, and ROS levels (P<0.05), increased SOD levels (P<0.05,P<0.01), alleviated mitochondrial damage, and upregulated Nrf2, HO-1, GPX4, SLC7A11 mRNA and protein expression (P<0.05,P<0.01). The high-dose XZP group exhibited comparable efficacy to Fer-1 in alleviating pain and inhibiting ferroptosis. Following Bru administration, XZP's effects on pain behavioral indicators, regulation of ferroptosis-related markers, mitochondrial structural protection, and activation of the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4/SLC7A11 pathway were significantly reversed (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionExternal application of XZP alleviates pain symptoms in BCP mice by activating the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4/SLC7A11 pathway, thereby inhibiting ferroptosis and neuronal damage in spinal cord neurons.
9.Discussion on Treatment of Cancer Pain with Modified Wumeiwan Based on Jueyin Syndrome
Haixiao LIU ; Linghan MENG ; Guangda ZHENG ; Dongtao LI ; Lu SHANG ; Juanxia REN ; Changlin LI ; Lingyun WANG ; Yanju BAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):124-128
Pain, as one of the most common symptoms in cancer patients, seriously affects the survival quality of patients. The three-step pain relief program currently used in clinical practice cannot completely relieve pain in cancer patients and is accompanied by many problems. From the perspective of Jueyin syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this paper believed that the core pathogenesis of cancer pain was declined healthy Qi and cold and heat in complexity, and used Wumeiwan as the main formula with modification according to syndrome for clearing the upper, warming the lower part of the body, and harmonizing the cold and heat. It can regulate the pathological environment of deficiency, cold, stasis, toxicity, and heat, and restore the physiological function of Yang transforming Qi while Yin constituting form, so as to prevent, relieve, and even eliminate cancer pain, having achieved good clinical efficacy. It can not only help cancer patients relieve pain, but also control tumor and eliminate tumor, achieving a dual benefit of pain relief and tumor suppression. It gives full play to the characteristics and advantages of syndrome differentiation and treatment in TCM, and expands the scope of ZHANG Zhongjing's treatment for Jueyin syndrome, which provides ideas for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of cancer pain from the perspective of deficiency-excess in complexity and cold and heat in complexity.
10.Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure Based on AMPK Signaling Pathway
Kun LIAN ; Lichong MENG ; Xueqin WANG ; Yubin ZHANG ; Lin LI ; Xuhui TANG ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):139-148
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a group of complex clinical syndromes caused by abnormal changes in the structure and/or function of the heart due to various reasons, resulting in disorders of ventricular contraction and/or diastole. CHF is a condition where primary diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension and pulmonary heart disease recur frequently and persist for a long time, presenting blood stasis in meridians and collaterals, stagnation of water and dampness, and accumulation of Qi in collaterals. Its pathogenesis is complex and may involve myocardial energy metabolism disorders, oxidative stress responses, myocardial cell apoptosis, autophagy, inflammatory responses, etc. According to the theory of restraining hyperactivity to acquire harmony, we believe that under normal circumstances, the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway functions normally, maintaining human physiological activities and energy metabolism. Under pathological conditions, the AMPK signaling pathway is abnormal, causing energy metabolism disorders, inflammatory responses, and myocardial fibrosis. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can regulate the AMPK signaling pathway through multiple mechanisms, targets, and effects, effectively curbing the occurrence and development of CHF. It has gradually become a research hotspot in the prevention and treatment of this disease. Guided by the theory of TCM, our research group, through literature review, summarized the relationship between the AMPK pathway and CHF and reviewed the research progress in the prevention and control of CHF with TCM active ingredients, TCM compound prescriptions, and Chinese patent medicines via regulating the AMPK pathway. The review aims to clarify the mechanism and targets of TCM in the treatment of CHF by regulating the AMPK pathway and guide the clinical treatment and drug development for CHF.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail