1.Clinical Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Patients with Cold Dampness Obstruction Syndrome
Yanyu CHEN ; Yanqi LI ; Longxiao LIU ; Liubo ZHANG ; Tianyi LAN ; Nan ZHANG ; Cheng XIAO ; Yuan XU ; Qingwen TAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):140-146
ObjectiveTo study the clinical characteristics and influencing factors of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the patients with cold dampness obstruction syndrome. MethodsThe RA patients treated in the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rheumatology of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital from August 2022 to June 2024 were selected. The demographic information, clinical data, laboratory test results, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom information were collected for syndrome differentiation, on the basis of which the characteristics and influencing factors of cold dampness obstruction syndrome were analyzed. ResultsA total of 258 RA patients were selected in this study, including 88 (34.1%) patients with cold dampness obstruction syndrome, 53 (20.5%) patients with dampness and heat obstruction syndrome, 31 (12.0%) patients with wind dampness obstruction syndrome, 29 (11.2%) patients with liver-kidney deficiency syndrome, 19 (7.4%) patients with Qi-blood deficiency syndrome, 14 (5.4%) patients with phlegm-stasis obstruction syndrome, 15 (5.8%) patients with stasis obstructing collateral syndrome and 9 (3.5%) patients with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome. The patients were assigned into two groups of cold dampness obstruction syndrome and other syndromes. The group of cold dampness obstruction syndrome had lower joint fever, 28-tender joint count (TJC28), and 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28)-C-reactive protein (CRP) and higher central sensitization, cold feeling of joints, fear of wind and cold, cold limbs, and abdominal distention than the group of other syndromes (P<0.05). The binary logistic regression analysis showed that central sensitization (OR 5.749, 95%CI 2.116-15.616, P<0.001) and DAS28-CRP (OR 0.600, 95% CI 0.418-0.862, P=0.006) were the independent factors influencing cold dampness obstruction syndrome in RA. ConclusionCold dampness obstruction syndrome is a common syndrome in RA patients. It is associated with central sensitization, cold feeling of joints, abdominal distension and may be a clinical syndrome associated with central sensitization.
2.Herbal Textual Research and Modern Research Progress of Ostreae Concha
Hongyi ZHANG ; Bin WANG ; Jiawen LIU ; Yuan HU ; Lin CHEN ; Youping LIU ; Hongping CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):223-234
By consulting relevant literature of ancient herbal books and processing specifications, this paper made a systematic research and analysis of Ostreae Concha, including the name, producing area, harvesting, quality, historical evolution of processing, relevant processing specifications, modern processing technology, and changes in chemical composition and pharmacological effects before and after processing, in order to provide documentary evidence for the research on processing technology and the establishment of quality standards. According to the textual research, it is known that Ostreae Concha has a long history of being used in medicine, and there have been many aliases and local names in each historical period. Shennong's Classic of the Materia Medica(Shennong Bencaojing) began to use Muli as the correct name, which has continued to use to today, and there were also aliases such as Muge, Zuogu Muli and Haoke. Ostreae Concha has a wide range of localities and irregular harvesting periods. The ancients believed that its left shell was of superior quality, but this has not been seen in modern. And there were many kinds of processing methods of Ostreae Concha, such as grinding, roasting, calcining, frying, simmering, quenching and so on, and the calcining was still in use. The different editions of Chinese Pharmacopoeia from 1963 to 2020 contain only calcined Ostreae Concha, and the local processing specifications mainly include three kinds of processed products(calcined products, salt-soaked products and vinegar-soaked products). Modern processing research mainly focuses on process optimization, changes in chemical composition and pharmacological effects, and the research methods are relatively single. Overall, there are currently issues such as inconsistent processing standards, unclear process parameters and imperfect quality standards, which are not conducive to the quality control and standardized clinical use of Ostreae Concha. Therefore, it is necessary to further investigate the pharmacological substance basis of Ostreae Concha and its processed products in order to elucidate the processing mechanism, standardize the processing technology and improve the quality standard.
3.Effects of Shenfuhuang Formula (参附黄配方) on Potential Targets of Action in the Brain Tissue of Sepsis Model Mice:Transcriptomics-Based Exploration
Yuchen WANG ; Xuerui WANG ; Xiaolong XU ; Jingxia ZHAO ; Jiabo WANG ; Yuan GAO ; Weijun KONG ; Qingquan LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(1):65-70
ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Shenfuhuang Formula (参附黄配方) in prevention and treatment of epsis-associated encephalopathy from the perspective of brain genomics. MethodsC57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham surgery group, sepsis group, and Shenfuhuang group, with 20 mice in each group. The sepsis group and Shenfuhuang group were induced to develop sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) procedure. At 4 hours after modelling, Shenfuhuang group were gavaged with 2.5 g/(kg·d) of Shenfuhuang Formula, 0.5 ml each time, at 12 hours intervals, for a total of 4 times after modelling. Sepsis group and sham surgery group were given 0.5 ml of purified water orally. At 48 hours after modeling, the transcriptome sequencing was used to explore the differential gene expression in the effects of Shenfuhuang Formula on the brain regions of septic mice, and real-time PCR and ELISA were later used to further validate the differential gene and proteins expression. ResultsA total of 4605 genes were differentially expressed in Shenfuhuang group compared with sepsis group, of which 2353 genes were up-regulated and 2252 genes were down-regulated. According to the results of previous publications, six key genes were screened, including serine/threonine-protein kinase (Nek1), myelin-associated glycoprotein (Mag), endothelial cell-specific tyrosine kinase receptor (Tek), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 20 (Adamts20), lymphocyte antigen 86 (Ly86), and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (Traip). Further genetic and protein validation revealed that, compared to the sham surgery group, the mRNA levels and corresponding protein levels of Nek1, Mag, Tek, Adamts20, Ly86, and Traip in the brain tissue of septic mice significantly reduced (P<0.05). In comparison to the sepsis group, Shenfuhuang group showed significantly increased mRNA levels and corresponding protein levels of Nek1, Mag, Tek, Adamts20, Ly86, and Traip (P<0.05). ConclusionThe potential therapeutic targets of Shenfuhuang Formula for treating sepsis-associated encephalopathy may be related to the Nek1, Mag, Tek, Adamts20, Ly86, and Traip genes and their encoded proteins.
4.Quercetin-loaded carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel promotes wound healing in diabetic rats
Meilin DONG ; Haiyu DU ; Yuan LIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(4):692-699
BACKGROUND:Quercetin has anti-inflammatory,anti-cancer,anti-oxidation,anti-aging,anti-depression and other pharmacological effects,and has high medicinal value.Quercetin can promote wound healing in normal rats,but few drugs with quercetin as the main component have been developed,which limits its wide application in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the application effect of quercetin-carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel on diabetic wound in rats by loading quercetin with hydrogel material. METHODS:(1)Carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogels and quercetin-carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogels were prepared respectively,and the micromorphology and in vitro drug release properties of the hydrogels were characterized.(2)Cell experiment:Mouse L929 fibroblasts were cultured in four groups.The blank control group was cultured conventionally.Carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel,quercetin solution and quercetin-carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel were added to pure hydrogel group,drug group,and drug-loaded hydrogel group,respectively,to detect cell proliferation and migration ability.(3)Animal experiments:Diabetic models were established in 80 SD rats.After successful modeling,full-layer skin defect wounds with a diameter of 2 cm were made on the back of rats,and these models were randomly divided into four groups.Normal saline,carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel,quercetin solution,and quercetin-carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel were injected into the wounds of blank control group,pure hydrogel group,drug group,and drug-loaded hydrogel group,respectively.Each group contained 20 animals,which were bound with sterile gauze.Wound healing,pathological morphology,expression of inflammatory factors,and angiogenesis were observed after operation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Under scanning electron microscope,the microstructures of the two hydrogels were similar,both showed loose porous network structure,and quercetin-carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogels had good drug release performance in vitro.(2)Compared with blank control group,the cell proliferation and mobility of the other three groups were increased(P<0.05).The cell proliferation and mobility of drug-loaded hydrogel group were higher than those of pure hydrogel group and drug group(P<0.05).(3)The wound healing rate of the drug-loaded hydrogel group was higher than that of the other three groups at 5 and 11 days after operation.The wound healing rate of rats in the hydrogel group,pure hydrogel group,and drug group reached 100%18 days after operation,which was higher than that in the blank control group(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that intact skin and skin appendages were visible on the wounds of rats in the drug-loaded hydrogel group 18 days after surgery,while intact skin and skin appendages were visible on the wounds of rats in the blank control group,pure hydrogel group,and drug group 25 days after surgery.The levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6 in the drug-loaded hydrogel group were lower than those in the blank control group at 5,11,and 18 days after surgery(P<0.05),and the levels of transforming growth factor β1 at 11 and 18 days after surgery were lower than those in the blank control group(P<0.05).The mRNA expressions of CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor α in the drug-loaded hydrogel group were higher than those in the other three groups at 11 and 18 days after operation(P<0.05).(4)These findings indicate that quercetin in quercetin carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel can regulate inflammatory response,accelerate angiogenesis,promote the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts,and enhance the healing of diabetic wounds in rats.
5.Pathogenesis and treatment progress of flap ischemia-reperfusion injury
Bo HE ; Wen CHEN ; Suilu MA ; Zhijun HE ; Yuan SONG ; Jinpeng LI ; Tao LIU ; Xiaotao WEI ; Weiwei WANG ; Jing XIE
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1230-1238
BACKGROUND:Flap transplantation technique is a commonly used surgical procedure for the treatment of severe tissue defects,but postoperative flap necrosis is easily triggered by ischemia-reperfusion injury.Therefore,it is still an important research topic to improve the survival rate of transplanted flaps. OBJECTIVE:To review the pathogenesis and latest treatment progress of flap ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang Database and PubMed database were searched for relevant literature published from 2014 to 2024.The search terms used were"flap,ischemia-reperfusion injury,inflammatory response,oxidative stress,Ca2+overload,apoptosis,mesenchymal stem cells,platelet-rich plasma,signaling pathways,shock wave,pretreatment"in Chinese and English.After elimination of irrelevant literature,poor quality and obsolete literature,77 documents were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Flap ischemia/reperfusion injury may be related to pathological factors such as inflammatory response,oxidative stress response,Ca2+overload,and apoptosis,which can cause apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells,vascular damage and microcirculation disorders in the flap,and eventually lead to flap necrosis.Studies have found that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation,platelet-rich plasma,signaling pathway modulators,shock waves,and pretreatment can alleviate flap ischemia/reperfusion injuries from different aspects and to varying degrees,and reduce the necrosis rate and necrosis area of the grafted flap.Although there are many therapeutic methods for skin flap ischemia/reperfusion injury,a unified and effective therapeutic method has not yet been developed in the clinic,and the advantages and disadvantages of various therapeutic methods have not yet been compared.Most of the studies remain in the stage of animal experiments,rarely involving clinical observations.Therefore,a lot of research is required in the future to gradually move from animal experiments to the clinic in order to better serve the clinic.
6.Potential application of liver organoids in liver disease models and transplantation therapy
Weibo YUAN ; Chan LIU ; Limei YU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(8):1684-1692
BACKGROUND:Liver organoids are of great significance to elucidate the exact pathological mechanism of liver diseases and the treatment of liver diseases. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the basic research in this field at home and abroad,review the important research progress in the construction of liver organoids,disease modeling and transplantation therapy,and discuss the application prospect of combined tissue engineering technology of liver organoids. METHODS:The relevant articles included in PubMed and CNKI databases were searched.The English and Chinese search terms were"liver,organoids,liver diseases."The main search time was from April 2018 to April 2024.Duplicate literature was excluded by manual reading.Finally,94 articles were included for review and analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The seed cells constructed by liver organoids are mainly concentrated in adult cells and pluripotent stem cells,which promote the generation of organoids by assisting various cytokines to participate in signal guidance and providing 3D microenvironment by extracellular matrix.However,the overall maturity is not high,which is expected to improve this problem by combining tissue engineering technology.In vitro disease modeling is mainly studied in the field of simple diseases and single-gene genetic diseases.Organoids highly retain patient genetic characteristics,and it is expected to simulate more complex liver diseases and clarify deeper pathological mechanisms by combining CRISPR-Cas9 gene correction and other emerging technologies.In vivo transplantation treatment,liver organoids can be safely and effectively implanted,showing amazing liver function replacement potential,tissue regeneration ability,and may also be combined with other tissue engineering materials to achieve therapeutic purposes.
7.Platelet-rich plasma and hydrogel for spinal cord injury
Wenqi ZHAO ; Haichi YU ; Yiru SONG ; Tianyang YUAN ; Qinyi LIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(10):2189-2200
BACKGROUND:A large number of articles have reported the effect and mechanism of platelet-rich plasma and hydrogel in the treatment of spinal cord injury,but few articles have summarized their treatment strategies for spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the pathological process of spinal cord injury and the strategies of repairing spinal cord injury with platelet-rich plasma and hydrogel alone and in combination. METHODS:PubMed and CNKI databases were searched for articles published from inception to March 2024 by computer.The Chinese search terms were"spinal cord injury,platelet-rich plasma,hydrogel."The English search terms were"spinal cord injury,spinal cord,platelet-rich plasma,hydrogel,angiogenesis,neuralgia,combination therapy."Articles were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria,and 128 articles were finally included for review and analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The classification of platelet-rich plasma is complex and diverse,and the effects of platelet-rich plasma in the repair treatment of spinal cord injury are various,but they all show certain positive effects,that is,they can promote axon regeneration,stimulate angiogenesis,and treat neuropathic pain and so on.(2)The effect of platelet-rich plasma is mainly due to the growth factors contained in platelet-rich plasma.(3)There are many types of hydrogels,which mainly play the role of filling,simulating extracellular matrix,carrying drugs and biological products,and carrying cells as scaffolds in the repair treatment of spinal cord injury.(4)Compared with single therapy,combination therapy of platelet-rich plasma and hydrogel can promote nerve regeneration and spinal cord function recovery more effectively.
8.Mechanism of Action of Kaixinsan in Ameliorating Alzheimer's Disease
Xiaoming HE ; Xiaotong WANG ; Dongyu MIN ; Xinxin WANG ; Meijia CHENG ; Yongming LIU ; Yetao JU ; Yali YANG ; Changbin YUAN ; Changyang YU ; Li ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):20-29
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of Kaixinsan in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experimental validation. MethodsThe Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP) and the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine(ETCM) databases were used to obtain the active ingredients and targets of Kaixinsan. GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM), TTD, PharmGKB, and DrugBank databases were used to obtain the relevant targets of AD. The intersection (common targets) of the active ingredient targets of Kaixinsan and the relevant targets of AD was taken, and the network interaction analysis of the common targets was carried out in the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network. The CytoNCA plugin within Cytoscape was used to screen out the core targets, and the Metascape platform was used to perform gene ontology(GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. The “drug-active ingredient-target” interaction network was constructed with the help of Cytoscape 3.8.2, and AutoDock Vina was used for molecular docking. Scopolamine (SCOP) was utilized for modeling and injected intraperitoneally once daily. Thirty-two male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into blank control (CON) group (0.9% NaCl, n=8), model (SCOP) group (3 mg·kg-1·d-1, n=8), positive control group (3 mg·kg-1·d-1 of SCOP+3 mg·kg-1·d-1 of Donepezil, n=8), and Kaixinsan group (3 mg·kg-1·d-1 of SCOP+6.5 g·kg-1·d-1 of Kaixinsan, n=8). Mice in each group were administered with 0.9% NaCl, Kaixinsan, or Donepezil by gavage twice a day for 14 days. Morris water maze experiment was used to observe the learning memory ability of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining method was used to observe the pathological changes in the CA1 area of the mouse hippocampus. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine the serum acetylcholine (ACh) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) contents of mice. Western blot method was used to detect the protein expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) and nuclear transcription factor(NF)-κB p65 in the hippocampus of mice. ResultsA total of 73 active ingredients of Kaixinsan were obtained, and 578 potential targets (common targets) of Kaixinsan for the treatment of AD were screened out. Key active ingredients included kaempferol, gijugliflozin, etc.. Potential core targets were STAT3, NF-κB p65, et al. GO functional enrichment analysis obtained 3 124 biological functions, 254 cellular building blocks, and 461 molecular functions. KEGG pathway enrichment obtained 248 pathways, mainly involving cancer-related pathways, TRP pathway, cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) pathway, and NF-κB pathway. Molecular docking showed that the binding of the key active ingredients to the target targets was more stable. Morris water maze experiment indicated that Kaixinsan could improve the learning memory ability of SCOP-induced mice. HE staining and ELISA results showed that Kaixinsan had an ameliorating effect on central nerve injury in mice. Western blot test indicated that Kaixinsan had a down-regulating effect on the levels of NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and STAT3 phosphorylation in the hippocampal tissue of mice in the SCOP model. ConclusionKaixinsan can improve the cognitive impairment function in SCOP model mice and may reduce hippocampal neuronal damage and thus play a therapeutic role in the treatment of AD by regulating NF-κB p65, STAT3, and other targets involved in the NF-κB signaling pathway.
9.Mechanism of Modified Si Junzitang and Shashen Maidong Tang in Improving Sensitivity of Cisplatin in EGFR-TKI Resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells Based on Aerobic Glycolysis
Yanping WEN ; Yi JIANG ; Liping SHEN ; Haiwei XIAO ; Xiaofeng YANG ; Surui YUAN ; Lingshuang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):39-46
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of modified Si Junzitang and Shashen Maidong Tang [Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu prescription (YQYYJD)] in enhancing the sensitivity of cisplatin in epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI)-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells based on aerobic glycolysis. MethodsThe effects of different concentrations of YQYYJD (0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 g·L-1) and cisplatin (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 mg·L-1) on the proliferation and activity of PC9/GR cells were detected by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay after 24 hours of intervention. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for PC9/GR cells was calculated to determine the concentrations used in subsequent experiments. PC9/GR cells were divided into blank group (complete medium), YQYYJD group (5 g·L-1), cisplatin group (12 mg·L-1), and combined group (YQYYJD 5 g·L-1 + cisplatin 12 mg·L-1). After 24 hours of intervention, cell viability was measured using CCK-8 assay. Cell proliferation was assessed by colony formation assay, and cell migration was evaluated by scratch and Transwell assays. Glucose consumption, lactate production, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were measured by colorimetric assays. The expression levels of glycolysis-related proteins, including hexokinase 2 (HK2), phosphofructokinase P (PFKP), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), were determined by Western blot. ResultsBoth YQYYJD and cisplatin inhibited the viability of PC9/GR cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 of PC9/GR cells for YQYYJD and cisplatin were 5.15 g·L-1 and 12.91 mg·L-1, respectively. In terms of cell proliferation, compared with the blank group, the cell survival rate and the number of colonies formed in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group showed a further significant reduction in cell survival rate and colony formation (P<0.01). In terms of cell migration, compared with the blank group, the cell migration rate and the number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group exhibited a further significant reduction in cell migration rate and the number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane (P<0.01). In terms of glycolysis, compared with the blank group, glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP levels in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group showed a further significant reduction in glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP levels (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the protein expression levels of HK2, PFKP, PKM2, and LDHA in the YQYYJD, cisplatin, and combined groups were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The combined group showed a further significant reduction in the expression levels of these proteins compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups (P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in the protein expression levels of GLUT1 and MCT4 among the groups. ConclusionYQYYJD can synergistically inhibit the proliferation and migration of PC9/GR cells and enhance their sensitivity to cisplatin. The mechanism may be related to the downregulation of the expression of glycolysis-related rate-limiting enzymes, including HK2, PFKP, PKM2, and LDHA, thereby inhibiting glycolysis.
10.Bioinformatics Reveals Mechanism of Xiezhuo Jiedu Precription in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis by Regulating Autophagy
Xin KANG ; Chaodi SUN ; Jianping LIU ; Jie REN ; Mingmin DU ; Yuan ZHAO ; Xiaomeng LANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):166-173
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription in regulating autophagy in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) by bioinformatics and animal experiments. MethodsThe differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the colonic mucosal tissue of UC patients was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and those overlapped with autophagy genes were obtained as the differentially expressed autophagy-related genes (DEARGs). DEARGs were imported into Metascape and STRING, respectively, for gene ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics (GO/KEGG) enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Finally, 15 key DEARGs were obtained. The core DEARGs were obtained by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. The CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm was used to analyze the immunoinfiltration of UC patients and the correlations between core DEARGs and immune cells. C57BL/6J mice were assigned into a normal group and a modeling group. The mouse model of UC was established by free drinking of 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium. The modeled mice were assigned into low-, medium-, and high-dose Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription and mesalazine groups according to the random number table method and administrated with corresponding agents by gavage for 7 days. The colonic mucosal morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The protein and mRNA levels of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase 1 (Caspase-1), cathepsin B (CTSB), C-C motif chemokine-2 (CCL2), CXC motif receptor 4 (CXCR4), and hypoxia-inducing factor-1α (HIF-1α) in the colon tissue were determined by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. ResultsThe dataset GSE87466 was screened from GEO and interlaced with autophagy genes. After PPI analysis, LASSO regression, and ROC analysis, the core DEARGs (Caspase-1, CCL2, CTSB, and CXCR4) were obtained. The results of immunoinfiltration analysis showed that the counts of NK cells, M0 macrophages, M1 macrophages, and dendritic cells in the colonic mucosal tissue of UC patients had significant differences, and core DEARGs had significant correlations with these immune cells. This result, combined with the prediction results of network pharmacology, suggested that the HIF-1α signaling pathway may play a key role in the regulation of UC by Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription. The animal experiments showed that Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription significantly alleviated colonic mucosal inflammation in UC mice. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of caspase-1, CCL2, CTSB, CXCR4, and HIF-1α, which were down-regulated after treatment with Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription or mesalazine. ConclusionCaspase-1, CCL2, CTSB, and CXCR4 are autophagy genes that are closely related to the onset of UC. Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription can down-regulate the expression of core autophagy genes to alleviate the inflammation in the colonic mucosa of mice.

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