1.Material Basis and Its Distribution in vivo of Qili Qiangxin Capsules Analyzed by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS
Jianwei ZHANG ; Jiekai HUA ; Rongsheng LI ; Qin WANG ; Xinnan CHANG ; Wei LIU ; Jie SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):185-193
ObjectiveBased on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS), the chemical constituents of Qili Qiangxin capsules was identified, and their distribution in vivo was analyzed. MethodsUPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS was used to detect the sample solution of Qili Qiangxin capsules, as well as the serum, brain, heart, lung, spleen, liver and kidney tissues of mice after oral administration. Using the Thermo Xcalibur 2.2 software, the compound information database was constructed, and the molecular formulas of compounds corresponding to the quasi-molecular ions were fitted. Based on the information of retention time, accurate relative molecular mass and fragments, the compounds and their distribution in vivo were analyzed by comparing with the data of reference substances and literature. ResultsA total of 233 compounds, including 70 terpenoids, 60 flavonoids, 23 organic acids, 17 alkaloids, 20 steroids, 7 coumarins and 36 others, were identified or predicted from Qili Qiangxin capsules, 73 of which were identified matching with standard substances. Tissue distribution results showed that 71, 17, 38, 33, 32, 58 and 43 migrating components were detected in blood, brain, heart, lung, spleen, liver and kidney, respectively. Thirty-seven components were absorbed into the blood and heart, including quinic acid, benzoylaconitine benzoylmesaconine and so on. Fourteen components were absorbed into the blood and six tissues, including calycosin, methylnissolin, formononetin, alisol B, alisol A and so on. ConclusionThis study comprehensively analyzes the chemical components of Qili Qiangxin capsules and their distribution in vivo. Among them, astragaloside Ⅳ, salvianolic acid B, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rb3, ginsenoside Rd, ginsenoside Rg3, calycosin-7-glucoside, and sinapine may be the important components for the treatment of heart failure, which can provide useful reference for its quality control and research on pharmacodynamic material basis.
2.Anti-osteoporosis Effect of Isorhamnetin: A Review
Shilong MENG ; Xu ZHANG ; Yawei XU ; Yang YU ; Wei LI ; Yanguang CAO ; Xiaolin SHI ; Wei ZHANG ; Kang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):347-352
Osteoporosis is a common senile bone metabolism disease, clinically characterized by decreased bone mass, destruction of bone microstructure, increased bone fragility, and easy fracture. It tends to occur in the elderly and postmenopausal women, seriously threatening the quality of life and physical and mental health of the elderly. At present, the treatment of osteoporosis is mainly based on oral western medicines, such as calcium, Vitamin D, and bisphosphonates. Still, there are drawbacks such as a long medication cycle and many adverse reactions. In recent years, due to the advantages of multi-component, multi-pathway, and multi-target, some traditional Chinese medicines and effective ingredients can regulate the osteogenic and osteoclastic differentiation process in both directions and are widely used in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Hippophae rhamnoides is a commonly used herbal medicine, and its fruits are rich in flavonoids, polyphenols, fatty acids, vitamins, and trace elements, which have been proven to have a good anti-osteoporosis effect. Isorhamnetin is the main effective ingredient of Hippophae rhamnoides fruits, which has many pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress, anti-aging, and anti-tumor. Studies have shown that isorhamnetin can participate in the regulation of bone metabolism and has a good anti-osteoporosis effect. However, the pharmacological effects and related mechanisms of isorhamnetin against osteoporosis have not been systematically summarized. Therefore, this paper reviewed the pharmacological effects and related mechanisms of isorhamnetin against osteoporosis by referring to relevant literature to provide more basis for the development and application of isorhamnetin.
3.Mechanism of Xinnao shutong capsule alleviating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by regulating ferroptosis
Huani LI ; Changhe LIU ; Xiaoyan GUO ; Xin ZHONG ; Wei ZHANG ; Wenjing GE
China Pharmacy 2025;36(3):306-311
OBJECTIVE To study the mechanism of Xinnao shutong capsule alleviating cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI) in rats by regulating the ferroptosis pathway. METHODS SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, Xinnao shutong low-dose, high-dose group (220, 440 mg/kg), Ginkgo biloba leaves extract group (positive control, 150 mg/kg). Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication/normal saline for 7 consecutive days. Transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery was adopted to induce the CIRI model; the samples were taken 24 h after the operation; the cerebral infarction area of rats was detected, and the cerebral infarction rate was calculated. The pathological changes of brain tissues were observed, and the levels of lipid peroxide (LPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in cerebral tissue were detected; mRNA and protein expressions of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1(HO-1) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) were all detected in cerebral tissue of rats. RESULTS Compared with model group, the cerebral infarction rate, the content of total iron in cerebral tissue and serum level of LPO (except for Ginkgo biloba leaves extract group and Xinnao shutong low-dose group) were all decreased significantly in G. biloba leaves extract group and Xinnao shutong groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the serum level of GSH, the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2, HO-1 and GPX4 were all increased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The pathological damage to brain tissue was reduced, the number of nerve cells increased, the edema was alleviated, and the nuclear membrane was flattened. CONCLUSIONS Xinnao shutong capsule can inhibit ferroptosis and reduce CIRI, the mechanism of which may be associated with the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 signaling pathway.
4.Effects of galangin on autophagy and apoptosis of chondrocytes in knee osteoarthritis rats
Qing YANG ; Wei HUANG ; Qingyi LIU ; Zhongyu ZHOU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(3):312-317
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of galangin (GLA) on autophagy and apoptosis of chondrocytes in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rats by regulating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/UNC-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) signaling pathway. METHODS KOA rat model was constructed and separated into model group, L-GLA, M-GLA, H-GLA groups [subcutaneous injection of 100, 200, 400 μg/kg GLA], GLA+Compound C group [subcutaneous injection of 400 μg/kg GLA+0.2 mg/kg AMPK inhibitor Compound C], with 10 rats in each group. Additionally, 10 normally fed rats were selected as the sham operation group. After the last medication, the degree of knee joint swelling of rats in each group was detected; the pathology of knee joints in KOA rats was observed. The serum expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in KOA rats were detected; the autophagy of chondrocytes in KOA rats was observed; the chondrocyte apoptosis in KOA rats was detected; the phosphorylation of AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway-related proteins in cartilage tissue of knee joint were detected in rats. RESULTS Compared with the sham operation group, the arrangement of articular chondrocytes in the model group was disordered, with nuclear pyknosis and severe fibrosis of the articular cartilage layer, accompanied by a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration; the degree of joint swelling, the number of autophagic vacuoles and apoptosis rate of chondrocytes, serum levels of MMP-13 and IL-1β, and the phosphorylation of mTOR protein in cartilage tissue of knee joint were all increased significantly (P<0.05), while the phosphorylation of AMPK and ULK1 protein were all decreased significantly in cartilage tissue of knee joint (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, L- GLA, M-GLA, H-GLA groups showed significant improvement in joint cartilage injury and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells in rats. The above quantitative indicators were significantly reversed in a dose-dependent manner,except the number of autophagic vacuoles increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the H-GLA group, the GLA+ Compound C group showed aggravated cartilage tissue of joint cartilage injury and inflammatory cell infiltration in rats, and the above quantitative indicators were reversed significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS GLA can promote autophagy and inhibit apoptosis of chondrocytes in KOA rats, the mechanism of which may be associated with activating AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway.
5.Mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription Against Damage to Hippocampal Synaptic Microenvironment via Suppressing GluR2/Parkin Signal-mediated Mitophagy in Rats with Diabetes-related Depression
Jian LIU ; Lin LIU ; Xiaoyuan LIN ; Wei LI ; Yuhong WANG ; Hui YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):104-112
ObjectiveTo reveal the mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu prescription against damage to hippocampal synaptic microenvironment via suppressing glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2)/Parkin signal-mediated mitophagy in rats with diabetes-related depression (DD). MethodsEighty male SD rats underwent adaptive feeding for 5 days before the study. Ten rats were randomly assigned to the normal group. The model of DD rats was established with the rest by 2-week high-fat diet + streptozotocin (STZ) tail intravenous injection + 28 days of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) combined with isolation. The rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a GluR2 blocker group (5 μg·kg-1), a GluR2 agonist group (10 μg·kg-1), a metformin + fluoxetine group (0.18 g·kg-1 metformin + 1.8 mg·kg-1 fluoxetine), and high- and low-dose Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu prescription groups (20.52 and 10.26 g·kg-1, respectively). The rats in the GluR2 blocker group and the GluR2 agonist group were continuously injected with CNQX and Cl-HIBO in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus once a week starting from stress modeling, respectively, while the metformin + fluoxetine group and the high- and low-dose Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu prescription groups were continuously given intragastric administration for 28 d at the same time of stress modeling. Depression-like behavior was evaluated by open field and forced swimming experiments. The levels of serum insulin and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in hippocampus were detected by biochemical analysis. The levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) in hippocampus were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The autophagosomes of hippocampal neurons were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The morphology and structure of dendrites and spines of hippocampal neurons were evaluated by Golgi staining. Western blot detected the expression levels of GluR2 and Parkin proteins in hippocampus. The expression levels of GluR2, Parkin, regulating synaptic membrane exocytosis protein 3 (RIMS3), and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus were detected by immunofluorescence. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited reduced total activity distance in the open field and increased immobility time in forced swimming (P<0.01), lowered levels of serum insulin and ATP, 5-HT, and DA in hippocampus (P<0.01), increased autophagosomes of hippocampal neurons, significantly damaged morphology and structure of dendrites and spines of hippocampal neurons, decreased expression levels of GluR2, RIMS3, and PSD95 in hippocampus, and an increased Parkin expression level (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the GluR2 blocker group and the GluR2 agonist group showed aggravation and alleviation of the above abnormal changes, respectively (P<0.05, P<0.01). The above depression-like behavior was significantly improved in the high- and low-dose Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu prescription groups to different degrees. Specifically, the two groups saw elevated levels of serum insulin and ATP, 5-HT, and DA in hippocampus (P<0.05, P<0.01), restrained increase in autophagosomes and damage to morphology and structure of dendrites and spines of hippocampal neurons, up-regulated protein expression levels of GluR2, RIMS3, and PSD95, and down-regulated Parkin expression level (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionZuogui Jiangtong Jieyu prescription can ameliorate the mitophagy-mediated damage to hippocampal synaptic microenvironment in DD rats, the mechanism of which might be related to the regulation of GluR2/Parkin signaling pathway.
6.Mechanism of Yantiao Prescription in Treating Lipopolysaccharide-induced Acute Lung Injury Based on Arachidonic Acid Metabolic Pathways
Pengcheng LI ; Tianyang CHEN ; Rong FANG ; Anna ZHANG ; Sijia WU ; Wei LIU ; Qian WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):101-110
ObjectiveTo clarify the anti-inflammatory and lung-protective effects of Yantiao prescription on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI), and to explore the impact of Yantiao prescription on the metabolic pathways of arachidonic acid (AA) in vivo. MethodsThirty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the following groups based on body weight: normal group, model group, dexamethasone group (2 mg·kg-1), low-dose Yantiao prescription group (18 g·kg-1), and high-dose Yantiao prescription group (36 g·kg-1), with 6 mice in each group. The ALI mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. The treatment groups received oral gavage once a day for 7 consecutive days, and serum and lung tissue were collected at the end of the experiment. The content of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess lung tissue pathology. The wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in lung tissue were measured. The content of AA metabolites in serum and lung tissue was measured by liquid chromatography triple quadrupole-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). ResultsCompared with the conditions in the normal group, the content of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the model group was significantly increased (P<0.01). The alveolar structure in mice was severely damaged, with markedly thickened alveolar walls and extensive inflammatory cell infiltration. The W/D ratio and MPO activity in lung tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01). The content of AA metabolites, including prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), 11(S)-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid [11(S)-HETE], and 5-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) in serum and lung tissue was significantly increased (P<0.05), while the content of 11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (11,12-EET) and 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-EET) in serum was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the results in the model group, the content of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the dexamethasone group, low-dose Yantiao prescription group, and high-dose Yantiao prescription group was significantly reduced (P<0.05). Mild thickening of alveolar walls, scattered inflammatory cell infiltration, and relatively intact tissue structure with improved alveolar architecture were observed. The W/D ratio and MPO activity in lung tissue were significantly reduced (P<0.01). The content of AA metabolites PGD2, PGE2, 11(S)-HETE, and 5-HETE in serum from the dexamethasone group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the content of 14,15-EET in serum significantly increased (P<0.01), and the content of 5-HETE in lung tissue significantly decreased (P<0.01). In the low-dose and high-dose Yantiao prescription groups, the content of AA metabolites PGD2, PGE2, 11(S)-HETE, and 5-HETE in serum and lung tissue was significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the content of 11,12-EET in both serum and lung tissue was significantly increased (P<0.05). ConclusionYantiao prescription has significant protective effects against LPS-induced ALI, which are related to its regulation of AA metabolic pathways in vivo.
7.Rapid Identification of Different Parts of Nardostachys jatamansi Based on HS-SPME-GC-MS and Ultra-fast Gas Phase Electronic Nose
Tao WANG ; Xiaoqin ZHAO ; Yang WEN ; Momeimei QU ; Min LI ; Jing WEI ; Xiaoming BAO ; Ying LI ; Yuan LIU ; Xiao LUO ; Wenbing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):182-191
ObjectiveTo establish a model that can quickly identify the aroma components in different parts of Nardostachys jatamansi, so as to provide a quality control basis for the market circulation and clinical use of N. jatamansi. MethodsHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-SPME-GC-MS) combined with Smart aroma database and National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST) database were used to characterize the aroma components in different parts of N. jatamansi, and the aroma components were quantified according to relative response factor(RRF) and three internal standards, and the markers of aroma differences in different parts of N. jatamansi were identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) and cluster thermal analysis based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value >1 and P<0.01. The odor data of different parts of N. jatamansi were collected by Heracles Ⅱ Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose, and the correlation between compound types of aroma components collected by the ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose and the detection results of HS-SPME-GC-MS was investigated by drawing odor fingerprints and odor response radargrams. Chromatographic peak information with distinguishing ability≥0.700 and peak area≥200 was selected as sensor data, and the rapid identification model of different parts of N. jatamansi was established by principal component analysis(PCA), discriminant factor alysis(DFA), soft independent modeling of class analogies(SIMCA) and statistical quality control analysis(SQCA). ResultsThe HS-SPME-GC-MS results showed that there were 28 common components in the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi, of which 22 could be quantified and 12 significantly different components were screened out. Among these 12 components, the contents of five components(ethyl isovalerate, 2-pentylfuran, benzyl alcohol, nonanal and glacial acetic acid,) in the aboveground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the underground part(P<0.01), the contents of β-ionone, patchouli alcohol, α-caryophyllene, linalyl butyrate, valencene, 1,8-cineole and p-cymene in the underground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the aboveground part(P<0.01). Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose results showed that the PCA discrimination index of the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi was 82, and the contribution rates of the principal component factors were 99.94% and 99.89% when 2 and 3 principal components were extracted, respectively. The contribution rate of the discriminant factor 1 of the DFA model constructed on the basis of PCA was 100%, the validation score of the SIMCA model for discrimination of the two parts was 99, and SQCA could clearly distinguish different parts of N. jatamansi. ConclusionHS-SPME-GC-MS can clarify the differential markers of underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi. The four analytical models provided by Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose(PCA, DFA, SIMCA and SQCA) can realize the rapid identification of different parts of N. jatamansi. Combining the two results, it is speculated that terpenes and carboxylic acids may be the main factors contributing to the difference in aroma between the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi.
8.Effect of "Fahan" on Metabolites of Blumea balsamifera Analyzed by Non-targeted Metabolomics
Jiayuan CAO ; Xin XU ; Xiangsheng ZHANG ; Bingnan LIU ; Yongyao WEI ; Ke ZHONG ; Yuxin PANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):200-207
ObjectiveTo characterize the changes of metabolites of Blumea balsamifera in the process of sweating by non-targeted metabolomics, and to investigate the influence of sweating processing on the constituents of B. balsamifera. MethodsUltra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS) metabolomics was used to identify the metabolites in no sweating group(F1), sweating 2 d group(F2) and sweating 4 d group(F3), the differences of metabolites between the groups were compared by principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), and differential metabolites were screened according to the variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 and P<0.05, and the pathway enrichment of the differential metabolites was analyzed by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG). ResultsThe results of PCA and OPLS-DA showed a clear distinction between the three groups of samples, indicating significant differences in the compositions of the three groups of samples. A total of 433 differential metabolites were screened between the F1 and F2, with 154 up-regulated and 279 down-regulated, the significant up-regulated metabolites were tangeritin, 5-O-demethylnobiletin and so on, while the metabolites with significant down-regulation included alternariol, fortunellin, etc. A total of 379 differential metabolites were screened between the F2 and F3, with 150 up-regulated and 229 down-regulated, the significant up-regulated metabolites were isoimperatorin, helianyl octanoate and so on, and the significant down-regulated metabolites were hovenoside I, goyasaponin Ⅲ, etc. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that tyrosine metabolism, isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, tryptophan metabolism, valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis may be the key pathways affecting metabolite differences of B. balsamifera after sweating treatment. ConclusionSweating can reduce the content of endophytic mycotoxins in B. balsamifera and has a great impact on the synthesis and metabolic pathways of total flavonoids and auxin. This study can provide a reference for the process research on the sweating conditions of B. balsamifera.
9.The Effect of Qishao Tongbi Capsule (芪芍通痹胶囊) on the Wnt/β-catenin Pathway in a Rat Model of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Yumen XUE ; Xilin XU ; Wei HAN ; Jiaben XU ; Wenting XU ; Zelin LIU ; Xiaofeng ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(1):79-88
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Qishao Tongbi Capsule (芪芍通痹胶囊, QTC) in the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). MethodsSeventy-five rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, low-dose QTC group, high-dose QTC group, high-dose QTC +agonist group, with 15 rats in each group. Except for the control group, all other groups were subjected to a fibrous ring puncture to prepare an IDD model. After modeling, rats in low-dose QTC group and high-dose QTC group were given QTC at doses of 0.2 and 0.8 g/(kg·d) by gavage, respectively. Rats in high-dose QTC+ agonist group was given QTC at 0.8 g/(kg·d) and SKL2001 solution at 10 mg/(kg·d) by gavage. The control group and model group were given 10 ml/(kg·d) distilled water by gavage. All treatments were given once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. After treatment, X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to detect IDD degree. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Safranin O-Fast Green staining were used to observe the morphological changes of the intervertebral disc tissue. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the levels of proteoglycan, type Ⅱ collagen (COL Ⅱ), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in the intervertebral disc tissue. Western blotting was used to detect the extracellular matrix (ECM)-related proteins (proteoglycan, COL Ⅱ, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13), aging-related proteins (P53, P21, P16), apoptosis related proteins, including B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 2 (BCL-2), BCL-2 related X protein (BAX), Cleaved Caspase-3, and Wnt/β-catenin pathway related proteins such as Wnt3a, glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and β-catenin in the intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue. Reverse Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to assess the mRNA expression of Wnt3a, GSK-3β, and β-catenin in intervertebral disc tissue. ResultsCompared with the model group, rats in the low-dose QTC group and high-dose QTC group exhibited improved DHI, decreased Pfirmann grading, and alleviated IDD. The structural integrity of the NP and annulus fibrosus increased, and the number of the NP increased. The levels of proteoglycan, COL Ⅱ, BCL-2 and GSK-3β increased, while the levels of MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13, P53, P21, P16, BAX, Cleaved Caspase-3, Wnt3a and β-catenin protein decreased. The mRNA expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin mRNA decreased, while GSK-3β mRNA expression increased (P<0.05). Compared with the low-dose QTC group, the high-dose QTC group showed further improvements in DHI, decrease in Pfirrmann grading (P<0.05), and greater alleviation of IDD. The structural integrity of NP and annulus fibrosus was further enhanced, and the number of NP cells further increased. The levels of proteoglycan, COL Ⅱ, BCL-2 and GSK-3β were higher, while the levels of MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13, P53, P21, P16, BAX, Cleaved Caspase-3, Wnt3a and β-catenin were lower. The mRNA expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin decreased, while GSK-3β mRNA expression increased (P<0.05). Compared with the high-dose QTC group, the high-dose QTC +agonist group showed a decrease of DHI, an increase of Pfirmann grading (P<0.05), significant aggravation of IDD, reduction in structural integrity of the NP and annulus fibrosus, a decrease of NP cell count, lower levels of proteoglycan, COL Ⅱ, BCL-2 and GSK-3β, and higher levels of MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13, P53, P21, P16, BAX and Cleaved Caspase-3. Additionally, GSK-3β mRNA expression decreased (P<0.05). ConclusionQTC can inhibit NP cell aging, apoptosis, and ECM degradation in IDD rats, and its therapeutic effect may be mediated through the inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
10.Treatment of Sjögren's Syndrome of Yin-Deficiency and Heat-Toxin Type based on the Theory of Exuberance of Shaoyang Ministerial Fire Accumulating to Heat Toxin
Wei LIU ; Qingyun YUE ; Meijiao ZHOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(1):93-97
This article aimed to summarize the clinical experience of treating sjögren's syndrome of yin-deficiency and heat-toxin type based on the theory of exuberance of shaoyang ministerial fire accumulating to heat toxin. It is believed that sjögren's syndrome of yin-deficiency and heat-toxin type is attributed to dysfunction of shaoyang gallbladder, disruption in the circulation of sanjiao, stagnation of qi leading to fire, and prolonged accumulation of toxins causing damage. The core disease mechanism involves shaoyang dysfunction, hyperactivity of ministerial fire, and accumulation of heat toxins. In clinical practice, the therapeutic principles focus on regulating shaoyang, stabilizing and subduing ministerial fire, enriching yin and resolving toxins. For shaoyang dysfunction with internal stagnation of heat toxins, treatment should aim to unblock shaoyang, clear fire and expel toxins, using modified Sangchai Decoction (桑柴饮); for shaoyang transformation into fire with symptoms of wood (the gallbladder) disease, the approach involves soothing and regulating gallbladder, clearing heat and resolving toxins, using modified Chaihu Shaoyao Decoction (柴胡芍药汤); for disordered ministerial fire with excessive heat toxins, the strategy is to rescue the sovereign fire and stabilize the ministerial fire, employing modified Xinshen Liangjiao Decoction (心肾两交汤); for unregulated ministerial fire with disordered distribution, treatment focuses on increasing body fluids and nourishing yin, stabilizing the ministerial fire, using modified Buyin Decoction (补阴汤).

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