1.Treatment Principles and Paradigm of Diabetic Microvascular Complications Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Anzhu WANG ; Xing HANG ; Lili ZHANG ; Xiaorong ZHU ; Dantao PENG ; Ying FAN ; Min ZHANG ; Wenliang LYU ; Guoliang ZHANG ; Xiai WU ; Jia MI ; Jiaxing TIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Han WANG ; Yuan XU ; .LI PINGPING ; Zhenyu WANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Dongmei SUN ; Yi HE ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Linhua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):272-279
To explore the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and integrative TCM-Western medicine approaches in the treatment of diabetic microvascular complications (DMC), refine key pathophysiological insights and treatment principles, and promote academic innovation and strategic research planning in the prevention and treatment of DMC. The 38th session of the Expert Salon on Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine, hosted by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, was held in Beijing, 2024. Experts in TCM, Western medicine, and interdisciplinary fields convened to conduct a systematic discussion on the pathogenesis, diagnostic and treatment challenges, and mechanism research related to DMC, ultimately forming a consensus on key directions. Four major research recommendations were proposed. The first is addressing clinical bottlenecks in the prevention and control of DMC by optimizing TCM-based evidence evaluation systems. The second is refining TCM core pathogenesis across DMC stages and establishing corresponding "disease-pattern-time" framework. The third is innovating mechanism research strategies to facilitate a shift from holistic regulation to targeted intervention in TCM. The fourth is advancing interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the role of TCM in new drug development, research prioritization, and guideline formulation. TCM and integrative approaches offer distinct advantages in managing DMC. With a focus on the diseases responding specifically to TCM, strengthening evidence-based support and mechanism interpretation and promoting the integration of clinical care and research innovation will provide strong momentum for the modernization of TCM and the advancement of national health strategies.
2.Status and related factors of knowledge, attitude and practice of vision health among young children s parents in Bao an District, Shenzhen City
WANG Chunli, JIAN Jie, ZHANG Wei, HE Yingxin, ZHANG Yu, ZHANG Dongmei
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(3):343-347
Objective:
To understand the status and related factors of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on vision health among young children s parents in Bao an District, Shenzhen, so as to provide reference for further controlling myopia and promoting children s visual health.
Methods:
From May 16th to 26th, 2024, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to conduct an online questionnaire survey on 7 666 parents of kindergarten children across 41 kindergartens in a street of Bao an District, Shenzhen. The t-test, variance analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the related factors of KAP on vision health among children s parents.
Results:
The pass rates of parental vision KAP and overall assessment were 25.10%, 98.49 %, 71.18% and 58.26%, respectively. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis showed that only fathers with myopia, only mothers with myopia, both parents with myopia, children in the bottom classes, middle classes, senior classes, and pre school had higher standardized scores for KAP on vision health among parents ( β=0.08, 0.11, 0.16, 0.17, 0.16, 0.16, 0.05, P <0.05), compared to both parents without myopia and children in daycare classes. Parents of young children with myopia, and who didn t know their children s visual acuity and their own visual acuity had a lower KAP standardized scores ( β=-0.02, -0.04, -0.05 , P< 0.05).
Conclusions
Young children s parents in Bao an District hold a positive attitude towards vision health, but are lack of knowledge and practice. It is imperative to transmit accurate information and concepts about children s vision health to parents in a targeted manner. In particular, knowledge and guidance should be strengthened for children s parents.
3.Mahoniae Caulis Alkaloids Ameliorate Depression by Regulating Synaptic Plasticity via cAMP Pathway
Junhui HE ; Chunlian JIA ; Kedao LAI ; Guili ZHOU ; Rongfei ZHOU ; Yi LI ; Dongmei LI ; Jiaxiu XIE ; Guining WEI ; Juying ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):132-140
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms associated with Mahoniae Caulis alkaloids (MA) in ameliorating depression by network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments. MethodsThe component targets of MA were obtained through Swiss Target Prediction and TCMIP database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP, Genecards, HPO, DrugBank and OMIM database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP, Genecards, HPO, DrugBank and OMIM database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by protein interaction analysis (STRING) database. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed through Bioinformatics (DAVID) database. The docking of components and targets was performed by AGFR. The mouse model of depression was established by intraperitoneal injection of corticosterone (CORT) once a day for 35 consecutive days. Sixty mice were randomly allocated into control (0.9% normal saline), model (CORT, 20 mg·kg-1), positive control (fluoxetine hydrochloride, 3.6 mg·kg-1), and MA (10, 5, and 2.5 mg·kg-1) groups. Each group was administrated with corresponding medicine or normal saline once a day for 28 consecutive days. The depression-like behavior of mice was observed. The pathological changes of prefrontal cortex in mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl dUTP transferase nick end labeling (TUNEL) was employed to observe the apoptosis of neurons in the prefrontal cortex. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to assess the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and norepinephrine (NE) in mice. The mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway-related factors and inflammatory factors were determined by Real-time PCR. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of cAMP pathway-related factors and connexin 43 (Cx43). ResultsA total of 434 component targets and 545 depression targets were obtained, including 84 common targets, among which 10 core targets were screened out. GO analysis predicted 34 biological processes, 15 cell components, and 11 molecular functions. The KEGG pathways were mainly related to gap junction and cAMP signaling pathway. The core components had good binding affinity with the core targets. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the control group, CORT prolonged the immobility time of mice in forced swimming and tail suspension tests (P<0.01), lowered the serum levels of NE, BDNF, and 5-HT (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the brain tissue (P<0.05), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate effector binding protein (CREB) and BDNF (P<0.05) and the protein levels of protein kinase (PRKACA), phosphorylation (p)-CREB/CREB, BDNF, and Cx43 (P<0.05) in the brain tissue. Compared with the model group, high-dose MA reduced the immobility time of mice in forced swimming (P<0.05) and tail suspension (P<0.01) tests, raised the serum levels of NE, BDNF, and 5-HT (P<0.01), down-regulated the mRNA level of NF-κB (P<0.01), and up-regulated the mRNA level of BDNF (P<0.01) and protein levels of PRKACA, p-CREB/CREB, BDNF, and Cx43 (P<0.05). ConclusionMA alleviates the CORT-induced depressive behavior of mice. It may play an antidepressant role by regulating cAMP signaling pathway and gap junction pathway, improving synaptic plasticity and gap junction function, and reducing neuroinflammation.
4.Mahoniae Caulis Alkaloids Ameliorate Depression by Regulating Synaptic Plasticity via cAMP Pathway
Junhui HE ; Chunlian JIA ; Kedao LAI ; Guili ZHOU ; Rongfei ZHOU ; Yi LI ; Dongmei LI ; Jiaxiu XIE ; Guining WEI ; Juying ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):132-140
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms associated with Mahoniae Caulis alkaloids (MA) in ameliorating depression by network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments. MethodsThe component targets of MA were obtained through Swiss Target Prediction and TCMIP database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP, Genecards, HPO, DrugBank and OMIM database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP, Genecards, HPO, DrugBank and OMIM database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by protein interaction analysis (STRING) database. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed through Bioinformatics (DAVID) database. The docking of components and targets was performed by AGFR. The mouse model of depression was established by intraperitoneal injection of corticosterone (CORT) once a day for 35 consecutive days. Sixty mice were randomly allocated into control (0.9% normal saline), model (CORT, 20 mg·kg-1), positive control (fluoxetine hydrochloride, 3.6 mg·kg-1), and MA (10, 5, and 2.5 mg·kg-1) groups. Each group was administrated with corresponding medicine or normal saline once a day for 28 consecutive days. The depression-like behavior of mice was observed. The pathological changes of prefrontal cortex in mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl dUTP transferase nick end labeling (TUNEL) was employed to observe the apoptosis of neurons in the prefrontal cortex. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to assess the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and norepinephrine (NE) in mice. The mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway-related factors and inflammatory factors were determined by Real-time PCR. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of cAMP pathway-related factors and connexin 43 (Cx43). ResultsA total of 434 component targets and 545 depression targets were obtained, including 84 common targets, among which 10 core targets were screened out. GO analysis predicted 34 biological processes, 15 cell components, and 11 molecular functions. The KEGG pathways were mainly related to gap junction and cAMP signaling pathway. The core components had good binding affinity with the core targets. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the control group, CORT prolonged the immobility time of mice in forced swimming and tail suspension tests (P<0.01), lowered the serum levels of NE, BDNF, and 5-HT (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the brain tissue (P<0.05), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate effector binding protein (CREB) and BDNF (P<0.05) and the protein levels of protein kinase (PRKACA), phosphorylation (p)-CREB/CREB, BDNF, and Cx43 (P<0.05) in the brain tissue. Compared with the model group, high-dose MA reduced the immobility time of mice in forced swimming (P<0.05) and tail suspension (P<0.01) tests, raised the serum levels of NE, BDNF, and 5-HT (P<0.01), down-regulated the mRNA level of NF-κB (P<0.01), and up-regulated the mRNA level of BDNF (P<0.01) and protein levels of PRKACA, p-CREB/CREB, BDNF, and Cx43 (P<0.05). ConclusionMA alleviates the CORT-induced depressive behavior of mice. It may play an antidepressant role by regulating cAMP signaling pathway and gap junction pathway, improving synaptic plasticity and gap junction function, and reducing neuroinflammation.
5.Effects of Combined Tongue Three-Needle Acupuncture and Acupoint Application on Lianquan (CV 23) on Swallowing Function and Surface Electromyography Signals in Patients with Dysphagia after Ischemic Stroke
Xiaoyu DENG ; Dongmei XU ; Qiong FAN ; Lei YUAN ; Wei WU ; Haimei LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(15):1559-1565
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effectiveness and potential mechanism of combined tongue three-needle acupuncture and acupoint application on Lianquan (CV 23) for patients with dysphagia after ischemic stroke. MethodsA prospective study was conducted on 160 patients with post-stroke dysphagia, who were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 80 cases in each group. The control group received conventional rehabilitation training, while the treatment group received tongue three-needle acupuncture combined with acupoint application on Lianquan (CV 23) on the basis of conventional rehabilitation training, for 4 weeks in both groups. We compared the clinical effectivenss of both groups after treatment, and assessed the swallowing function including videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) and functional oral intake scale (FIOS), swallowing contrast test including hyoid maximum displacement (HmaxD), pharyngeal transit time (PTT), and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening, surface electromyography (sEMG) test including maximum amplitude and swallowing duration as well as swallowing quality of life questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) score of the patients in both groups before treatment, after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment, respectively. ResultsThe total effective rate in treatment group was 82.50% (66/80), significantly higher than 66.25% (53/80) in control group (P<0.05). The VFSS, and FOIS scores, UES opening rate and HmaxD, sEMG maximal amplitude values, and SWAL-QOL scores were increased in both groups after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment compared with the values before treatment (P<0.05), while SSA scores, PTT, and swallowing duration were decreased compared within group before treatment (P<0.05). VFSS and FOIS scores, UES opening rate and HmaxD, sEMG maximal amplitude values, and SWAL-QOL scores after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment in the treatment group were higher (P<0.05), while SSA scores, PTT, and swallowing duration were lower (P<0.05) than those in the control group at the same time. ConclusionCombined tongue three-needle acupuncture and acupoint application on Lianquan (CV 23) for patients with dysphagia after ischemic stroke can significantly improve swallowing activities, and its mechanism of action may be related to the improvement of the contraction ability and coordination of swallowing-related muscle groups.
6.Association between maternal lipids during pregnancy and risk of offspring s overweight and obesity at 3 years of age
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(8):1074-1078
Objective:
To explore the association between maternal lipid levels during pregnancy and the risk of overweight and obesity in offspring at 3 years of age, providing scientific evidences for the prevention and control of childhood obesity.
Methods:
A total of 2 432 mother-child pairs with maternal lipid tests during pregnancy and offspring s physical growth data at 3 years of age were included from the Borin in Guangzhou Cohort Study up to September 2021. Lipid indicators, including high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC), were measured at 13-19 +6 weeks (mid pregnancy) and 32-39 +6 weeks (late pregnancy). Children s body mass index (BMI) Z score were calculated according to the World Health Organization s growth standards for children under 5 years old. The lipid Z score were divided into four quartiles: Q 1, Q 2, Q 3 and Q 4. Linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between maternal lipid levels during pregnancy and offspring’s BMI Z score at 3 years of age. Poisson regression with a robust error variance was employed to evaluate the association between maternal lipid levels during pregnancy and the at risk of overweight and obesity in offspring at 3 years of age, after adjusting for maternal age at conception, education level, parity, pre pregnancy BMI and gestational diabetes mellitus.
Results:
There was a statistically significnt difference in the detection rate of overweight and obesity risk among children with different mothers s pre pregnancy BMI ( χ 2=22.85, P <0.05). Linear regression analysis showed that TG levels in late pregnancy were positively related to BMI Z score ( β=0.10, 95%CI=0.02-0.18, P <0.05). Poisson regression with a robust error variance indicated that, compared with the Q 1 group of TC, the Q 4 group of TC in mid pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of overweight and obesity in offspring at 3 years of age ( RR=1.59, 95%CI =1.04-2.44); compared with the Q 1 group of TG, the Q 4 group of TG during late pregnancy increased the risk of overweight and obesity in offspring at 3 years of age ( RR=1.79, 95%CI =1.02-3.12) (both P <0.05).
Conclusions
Maternal serum TC level during mid pregnancy can increase the risk of overweight and obesity in offspring at 3 years of age. Maternal serum TG levels during late pregnancy is positively correlated with BMI and the risk of overweight and obesity in offspring at 3 years of age.
7.Research progress of intraocular lens materials
Wei MENG ; Dongmei LIU ; Hongsheng BI
International Eye Science 2024;24(1):93-96
With the wide application of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation, many cataract patients have effectively recovered vision. Postoperative intraocular lens opacification is an important indicator for evaluating biocompatibility, as it affects the visual quality of patients. The manifestation and risk factors of opacification vary among different materials used for intraocular lenses. However, better visual quality after surgery is not determined by a single factor. The material of the intraocular lens and the patient's response to the intraocular lens are all factors that affect the postoperative visual quality. With the continuous advancement of technology, an increasing number of new materials are being applied in the field of intraocular lenses. Fully understanding the characteristics of intraocular lens materials, selecting suitable intraocular lens for patients and reducing complications caused by materials will be beneficial to patients. The characteristics of different intraocular lens materials and the risk factors of opacification after intraocular lens implantation were discussed in this paper.
8.Therapeutic mechanism of aqueous extract of Semiliquidambar cathayensis Chang root for pancreatic cancer:the active components,therapeutic targets and pathways
Yan HUANG ; Lulu QIN ; Shaoxing GUAN ; Yanping GUANG ; Yuru WEI ; Ailing CAO ; Dongmei LI ; Guining WEI ; Qibiao SU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(7):1336-1344
Objective To explore the key targets and signaling pathways in the therapeutic mechanism of Semiliquidambar cathayensis Chang(SC)root against pancreatic cancer network pharmacology and molecular docking studies and cell experiments.Methods The targets of SC and pancreatic cancer were predicted using the network pharmacological database,the protein-protein interaction network was constructed,and pathways,functional enrichment and molecular docking analyses were performed.CCK-8 assay was used to test the inhibitory effect of the aqueous extract of SC root on 8 cancer cell lines,and its effects on invasion,migration,proliferation,and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells were evaluated.Western blotting was performed to verify the results of network pharmacology analysis.Results We identified a total of 18 active components in SC,which regulated 21 potential key targets in pancreatic cancer.GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses showed that these targets were involved mainly in the biological processes including protein phosphorylation,signal transduction,and apoptosis and participated in cancer signaling and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways.Among the 8 cancer cell lines,The aqueous extract of SC root produced the most obvious inhibitory effect in pancreatic cancer cells,and significantly inhibited the invasion,migration,and proliferation and promoted apoptosis of pancreatic cancer Panc-1 cells(P<0.05).Western blotting confirmed that SC significantly inhibited the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT in Panc-1 cells(P<0.001).Conclusion The therapeutic effect of SC root against pancreatic cancer effects is mediated by its multiple components that act on different targets and pathways including the PI3K-Akt pathway.
9.Anti-inflammatory Effect and Mechanism of Active Constituents from Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos: A Review
Jingyue WEI ; Shiwen LUO ; Lingran FENG ; Wanjun LIN ; Keqing WU ; Xuhui LIAO ; Qinhui TUO ; Dongmei YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(11):273-281
Inflammation is involved in the development of various acute and chronic diseases in the body. Sustained inflammatory responses are key driving factors for diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and arthritis. Therefore, finding anti-inflammatory drugs is crucial for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. In recent years, there has been increasing attention to finding natural drugs with minimal toxic side effects. Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos, as traditional Chinese medicines potent in clearing heat and removing toxins, have strong biological activity and multiple pharmacological effects. They are widely distributed in the plant world and have significant medicinal value. With the continuous advancement of the research on Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos, they have been widely used in the medical field and possess great development potential. Currently, research mainly focuses on the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos, while systematic summaries of their anti-inflammatory active ingredients are rare. Therefore, this paper focuses on the differential analysis of the anti-inflammatory active components of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos. In addition, it reviewed the possible mechanisms by which extracts and active ingredients of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos may exert anti-inflammatory effects through various pathways, such as influencing the release of cellular inflammatory factors, regulating inflammatory signaling pathways such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/NF-κB, and Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathways, increasing antioxidant stress capacity, enhancing immune defense capabilities, and improving intestinal microbiota, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the rational clinical application of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos.
10.Research progress on the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and obstructive sleep apnea
Dongmei LUO ; Tenghong LIAN ; Peng GUO ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2024;43(1):1-7
Alzheimer's disease(AD)is the most common cognitive disorder in the elderly and manifests primarily as progressive cognitive function decline, neuropsychiatric symptoms and multiple functional impairments.Obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)is a common type of respiratory disorder.Studies have found that AD and OSA are connected in many ways, including the risk of developing these diseases, biomarkers and neuroimaging features.These connections may result from a variety of mechanisms, such as neuropathological protein deposition, exacerbated immune-mediated inflammation, oxidative stress abnormalities, impaired mitochondrial function, and disturbed neurotransmitter systems, among others.This article reviewed the relationship between AD and OSA, the mechanisms linking them and their treatment.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail