OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein combined with auricular point sticking on menstrual migraine (MM) of qi stagnation and blood stasis, and explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: A total of 102 cases of MM with qi stagnation and blood stasis were randomly divided into an observation group (51 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (51 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the observation group were treated with bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein combined with auricular point sticking. The bloodletting was performed at vein at upper 1/3 of the dorsalis near the ear helix; the auricular point sticking was performed at Pizhixia (AT₄), Neifenmi (CO₁₈), Jiaogan (AH_6a), Nie (AT₂), Zhen (AT₃), Shenmen (TF₄) and Yidan (CO₁₁). The auricular points of both ears were alternate used. From 7 days before the onset of menstruation, bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein was given once every 7 days, 3 times were taken as a course of treatment, and 1 course of treatment was given; the auricular point sticking was given once every 3 days, and 6 times of treatment were given. The patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of flunarizine hydrochloride capsules. From 7 days before the onset of menstruation, flunarizine hydrochloride was given 2 capsules per time, once a day for 3 weeks. The menstrual headache index and visual analogue scale (VAS) score of the two groups were observed before treatment, one menstrual cycle into treatment and the first and the second menstrual cycle after treatment; the migraine-specific quality of life questionnaire (MSQ) score and the serum levels of estradiol (E₂) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were compared before treatment and one menstrual cycle into treatment; the clinical efficacy was evaluated at one menstrual cycle into treatment. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the menstrual headache index and VAS scores were reduced at one menstrual cycle into treatment and the first and second menstrual cycle after treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the MSQ scores and the serum levels of E₂ and 5-HT in the two groups were increased at one menstrual cycle into treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were higher than the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 95.8% (46/48) in the observation group, which was higher than 73.5% (36/49) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein combined with auricular point sticking could relieve headache intensity, improve the quality of life in patients with MM of qi stagnation and blood stasis, which may be achieved by raising the serum levels of E₂ and 5-HT to improve the level of hormone in the body.
Female ; Humans ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Bloodletting ; Serotonin ; Capsules ; Flunarizine ; Qi ; Quality of Life ; Migraine Disorders/drug therapy* ; Headache/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Acupuncture Points

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect between Hunyuan moxibustion and oral western medication on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome（IBS-D）of spleen and kidney yang deficiency. METHODS: Sixty patients with IBS-D of spleen and kidney yang deficiency were randomly divided into a Hunyuan moxibustion group and a western medication group, 30 cases each group. The Hunyuan moxibustion group was treated with Hunyuan moxibustion at Guanyuan（CV 4），40 min each time, once a day; in the western medication group，loperamide hydrochloride capsules (2 mg each time, 3 times a day) and bacillus licheniformis live capsules (0.5 g each time, 3 times a day) were given orally.Both groups were treated for 20 days. The scores of irritable bowel syndrome（IBS）symptom severity scale（IBS-SSS）, IBS quality of life scale (IBS-QOL) and TCM symptom grading quantitative were observed before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment，each item scores and total scores of IBS-SSS in the two groups were lower than those before treatment（P<0.05）, and the total scores of IBS-QOL were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05)；each item score and total score of IBS-SSS in the Hunyuan moxibustion group were lower than those in the western medication group (P<0.05), and the total score of IBS-QOL in the Hunyuan moxibustion group was higher than that in the western medication group (P<0.05).After treatment, each item score and total score of TCM symptom grading quantitative in the Hunyuan moxibustion group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), the abdominal pain, diarrhea, lack of appetite scores and total score in the western medication group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05)；and the abdominal pain, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, fear to cold and cold limbs scores and total score in the Hunyuan moxibustion group were lower than those in the western medication group (P<0.05).The total effective rate was 90.0%（27/30）in the Hunyuan moxibustion group, which was higher than 73.3%（22/30）in the western medication group (P<0.05). No adverse reactions occurred in both groups during treatment. CONCLUSION Hunyuan moxibustion can effectively improve the symptom severity and quality of life in patients with IBS-D of spleen and kidney yang deficiency, especially in improving the symptoms of abdominal pain, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, fear to cold and cold limbs.Its therapeutic effect is superior to western medication.
Humans ; Spleen ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/therapy* ; Quality of Life ; Capsules ; Moxibustion ; Yang Deficiency/therapy* ; Kidney ; Abdominal Pain/therapy* ; Diarrhea/therapy*

Hard capsules of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) have different degrees of hygroscopicity, which affects the stability and efficacy of drugs. In this paper, 30 kinds of commercially available TCM capsules were used as the research object. The hygroscopicity curves of capsule contents, capsule shells, and capsules were tested respectively, and the first-order kinetic equation was used for fitting. The results show that during the 24 h hygroscopicity process, the capsule shell can reduce the weight gain caused by the hygroscopicity of the contents by 0.80%-53.0% and the hygroscopicity rate of the capsule contents by 1.74%-91.3%, indicating that the capsule shell has a strong delay effect on the hygroscopicity of the contents of the TCM capsules. Seven physical parameters of the contents of 30 kinds of TCM capsules were determined, and 14 prescription process-related parameters were sorted out. A partial least squares model for predicting the hygroscopicity rate of the contents of TCM capsules(with shell) for 24 h was established. It is found that the hygroscopicity rate of the capsule shell is positively correlated with the hygroscopicity of the contents of TCM capsules(with shell), suggesting that the capsule shell with a low hygroscopicity rate is helpful for moisture prevention. In addition, the pre-treatment process route of the preparation and the type of molding raw materials affect the hygroscopicity. A larger proportion of the extract in the capsule content and a smaller proportion of the fine powder of the decoction pieces indicate stronger hygroscopicity of the capsule content. The 24 h hygroscopicity rate of 15% was used as the classification node of hygroscopicity strength, and the hygroscopicity rate constant of 0.58 was used as the classification node of hygroscopicity speed. The classification system of hygroscopicity behaviors of TCM capsules was established: the varieties with strong and fast hygroscopicity accounted for about 6.67%, while those with strong and slow hygroscopicity accounted for about 33.3%; the varieties with weak and fast hygroscopicity accounted for about 26.7%, while those with weak and slow hygroscopicity accounted for about 33.3%. The classification system is helpful to quantify and compare the hygroscopicity behavior of different TCM capsules and provides a reference for the quality improvement, moisture prevention technologies, and material research of TCM capsules.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Wettability ; Capsules ; Powders ; Technology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

The mixing process is a critical link in the formation of oral solid preparations of traditional Chinese medicine. This paper took the extract powder of Guizhi Fuling Capsules and Paeonol powder as research objects. The angle of repose, loose packing density, and particle size of the two powders were measured to calibrate discrete element simulation parameters for the mixing process. The discrete element method was used to calibrate the simulated solid density of Paeonol powder and extract powder of Guizhi Fuling Capsules based on the Hertz-Mindlin with JKR V2 contact model and particle scaling. The Plackett-Burman experimental design was used to screen out the critical contact parameters that had a significant effect on the simulation of the angle of repose. The regression model between the critical contact parameters and the simulated angle of repose was established by the Box-Behnken experimental design, and the critical contact parameters of each powder were optimized based on the regression model. The best combination of critical contact parameters of the extract powder of Guizhi Fuling Capsules was found to be 0.51 for particle-particle static friction coefficient, 0.31 for particle-particle rolling friction coefficient, and 0.64 for particle-stainless steel static friction coefficient. For Paeonol powder, the best combination of critical contact parameters was 0.4 for particle-particle static friction coefficient and 0.19 for particle-particle rolling friction coefficient. The best combination of contact parameters between Paeonol powder and extract powder of Guizhi Fuling Capsules was 0.27 for collision recovery coefficient, 0.49 for static friction coefficient, and 0.38 for rolling friction coefficient. The verification results show that the relative error between the simulated value and the measured value of the angle of repose of the two single powders is less than 1%, while the relative error between the simulated value and the measured value of the angle of repose of the mixed powder with a mass ratio of 1∶1 is less than 4%. These research results provide reliable physical property simulation data for the mixed simulation experiment of extract powder of Guizhi Fuling Capsules and Paeonol powder.
Wolfiporia ; Calibration ; Powders ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Capsules

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Qilongtian Capsules in treating acute lung injury(ALI) based on network pharmacology prediction and in vitro experimental validation. Firstly, UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was used to analyze the main chemical components of Qilongtian Capsules, and related databases were used to obtain its action targets and ALI disease targets. STRING database was used to build a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network. Metascape database was used to conduct enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG). AutoDock software was used to perform molecular docking verification on the main active components and key targets. Then, the RAW264.7 cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS) for in vitro experiments. Cell viability was measured by MTT and ROS level was measured by DCFH-DA. NO content was measured by Griess assay, and IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR. The predicted targets were preliminarily verified by investigating the effect of Qilongtian Capsules on downstream cytokines. Eighty-four compounds were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Through database retrieval, 44 active components with 589 target genes were screened out. There were 560 ALI disease targets, and 65 intersection targets. PPI network topology analysis revealed 10 core targets related to ALI, including STAT3, JUN, VEGFA, CASP3, and MMP9. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that Qilongtian Capsules mainly exerted an anti-ALI effect by regulating cancer pathway, AGE-RAGE, MAPK, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. The results of molecular docking showed that the main active components in Qilongtian Capsules, including crenulatin, ginsenoside F_1, ginsenoside Rb_1, ginsenoside Rd, ginsenoside Rg_1, ginsenoside Rg_3, notoginsenoside Fe, notoginsenoside G, notoginsenoside R_1, notoginsenoside R_2, and notoginsenoside R_3, had good binding affinities with the corresponding protein targets STAT3, JUN, VEGFA, CASP3, and MMP9. Cellular experiments showed that Qilongtian Capsules at 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 mg·mL~(-1) reduced the release of NO, while Qilongtian Capsules at 0.25 and 0.5 mg·mL~(-1) reduced ROS production, down-regulated mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and inhibited the inflammatory cascade. In summary, Qilongtian Capsules may exert therapeutic effects on ALI through multiple components and targets.
Humans ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Ginsenosides ; Caspase 3 ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; Interleukin-6 ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Network Pharmacology ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Acute Lung Injury/genetics* ; Capsules ; RNA, Messenger ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

The articles involving Xiangju Capsules were retrieved, and qualitative research and quantitative research methods were combined to evaluate the evidence of the safety, effectiveness, economy, innovation, suitability, accessibility, and characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine( "6+1" dimensions) of this drug. Multi-criteria decision analysis(MCDA) model and CSC v2.0 software were used to comprehensively evaluate the clinical value of Xiangju Capsules in the treatment of rhinosinusitis and clarify the precise clinical positioning. The dimensions are graded A, B, C, or D. Multi-source safety evidence showed that the main adverse reactions were gastrointestinal reactions, rash, itching, dizziness, and headache. Based on the available studies, the risk is controllable and the safety is grade A. Meta-analysis showed that Xiangju Capsules + conventional western medicine could recover the Lund-Kennedy score, Lund-Mackay score, and CT score, relieve headache, nasal congestion, olfactory disturbance, and facial pain, with the effectiveness is grade B. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of Xiangju Capsules + conventional western medicine compared with conventional western medicine alone in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis was 263.71 yuan, about 0.82% of the per capita disposable income. The results of sensitivity analysis showed that the research results were relatively robust. Based on the assumption that the per capita disposable income in 2020 will be the threshold of patients' willingness to pay, it is more economical to use Xiangju Capsules + conventional western medicine. The drug belongs to grade A of the national medical insurance, with an average daily cost of 3.06 yuan, and the economy is grade B. This formula is modified from classic formulas and characteristic empirical formulas, be capable of improving immunity and preventing repeated attacks. It can be used for acute and chronic rhinitis-rhinosinusitis. It had a wide range of applicability, especially for the patients with head and face tenderness. Service innovation was reflected in the measures to guarantee supply, capacity, scalability, and coverage of grass-roots sales channels. The industrial innovation was improved through the management of medicinal resources, pharmaceutical industry, production technology, quality control, scientific research and development, and this formula won three national invention patents. Comprehensively, the innovation of Xiangju Capsules is grade B. According to the survey of 188 medical practitioners and 196 patients in 20 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions of China, the drug was characterized by easy preparation and administration, individualized medication, simple technology and management, convenient use, storage, and transport, and controllable adverse reactions, with the suitability is grade B. Xiangju Capsules showed the cost of 45.9 and 275.4 yuan for treatment of acute and chronic rhinitis-rhinosinusitis, respectively, being well affordable. It was sold in 35 000 medical institutions in China. The dosage form was suitable for transportation, storage, and grass-root application. With rich, sustainable, and available medicinal resources, the accessibility of Xiangju Capsules is grade A. This drug can be used for both acute and chronic rhinitis-rhinosinusitis, clearing heat and expelling pus, and strengthening the exterior to prevent relapse. After this drug was available on the market, over 4 000 cases were studied, with rich experience in human use accumulated, and characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine is grade B. Overall, the clinical value of Xiangju Capsules is class B. It is suggested that Xiangju Capsules should be used in accordance with the relevant policies of basic clinical drug administration to play its role.
Humans ; Rhinitis/drug therapy* ; Sinusitis/drug therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Headache ; China ; Capsules

Bayesian network Meta-analysis was employed to compare the efficacy of different oral Chinese patent medicines in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus with angina pectoris of coronary heart disease. Randomized controlled trial(RCT) of oral Chinese patent medicines in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with angina pectoris of coronary heart disease were retrieved from 8 Chinese and English databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, EMbase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science with the time interval from inception to November 2022. The BUGSnet package in R 4.2.1 was used to conduct Meta-analysis. A total of 45 RCTs were included, involving 4 727 patients and 7 oral Chinese patent medicines. Network Meta-analysis showed that the conventio-nal western medicine combined with Chinese patent medicines improved the outcome indicators. Shexiang Baoxin Pills + conventional western medicine had the best effect on reducing the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events, and Yixinshu Capsules + conventional western medicine on reducing the frequency and duration of angina pectoris. The conventional western medicine combined with oral Chinese patent medicines can reduce blood glucose indicators. Yindan Xinnaotong Soft Capsules + conventional western medicine had the best effect on reducing fasting blood glucose(FBG), 2 hours postprandial blood glucose(PBG), and glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c). The conventional western medicine combined with oral Chinese patent medicines can reduce blood lipid indicators. Yixinshu Capsules + conventional western medicine had the best effect on reducing total cholesterol(TC) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C), and Yindan Xinnaotong Soft Capsules + conventional western medicine on reducing triglyceride(TG). Current evidence suggests that the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with angina pectoris of coronary heart disease could reasonably choose oral Chinese patent medicines on the basis of routine antiplatelet, anticoagulant, hypoglycemic, and antihypertensive therapies, which could reduce the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events, alleviate the symptoms of angina pectoris, and reduce the glucose and lipid metabolism indicators. Shexiang Baoxin Pills + conventional treatment and Yixinshu Capsules + conventional western medicine have better effect on angina pectoris, Yindan Xinnaotong Soft Capsules + conventional western medicine on lowering blood glucose, and Yindan Xinnaotong Soft Capsules + conventional western medicine and Yixinshu Capsules + conventional western medicine on reducing blood lipid. Due to the lack of direct comparative results between Chinese patent medicines and other factors, high-quality studies remain to be carried out for further verification.
Humans ; Nonprescription Drugs ; Network Meta-Analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy* ; Bayes Theorem ; Blood Glucose ; Angina Pectoris/drug therapy* ; Coronary Disease/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Capsules ; Lipids ; Cholesterol

Meta-analysis and integrative bioinformatics were employed to comprehensively study the efficacy, safety, and mechanism of Huangkui Capsules in treating chronic kidney disease(CKD). CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trial(RCT) of Huangkui Capsules for CKD from inception to January 3, 2023. The outcome indicators included urine protein, serum creatinine(Scr), and blood urea nitrogen(BUN) levels, and Cochrane Handbook 5.1 and RevMan 5.3 were employed to perform the Meta-analysis of the included RCT. The active ingredients of Huangkui Capsules were retrieved from CNKI, and the targets of CKD from GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD. Cytoscape 3.8.0 was used to build a "component-disease" network and a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network for the screening of core components and targets. Next, a differential analysis of the core targets of Huangkui Capsules for treating CKD was conducted with the clinical samples from GEO to identify the differentially expressed core targets, and correlation analysis and immune cell infiltration analysis were then performed for these targets. A total of 13 RCTs were included for the Meta-analysis, involving 2 372 patients(1 185 in the observation group and 1 187 in the control group). Meta-analysis showed that the Huangkui Capsules group and the losartan potassium group had no significant differences in reducing the urinary protein levels after 12(MD=19.60, 95%CI[-58.66, 97.86], P=0.62) and 24 weeks(MD=-66.00, 95%CI[-264.10, 132.11], P=0.51) of treatment. Huangkui Capsules in combination with conventional treatment was superior to conventional treatment alone(MD=-0.55, 95%CI[-0.86,-0.23], P=0.000 6). Huangkui Capsules combined with conventional treatment was superior to conventional treatment alone in recovering Scr(MD=-9.21, 95%CI[-15.85,-2.58], P=0.006) and BUN(MD=-1.02, 95%CI[-1.83,-0.21], P=0.01). Five patients showed clear adverse reactions, with abdominal or gastrointestinal discomfort. Huangkui Capsules had 43 active ingredients and 393 targets, and the core ingredients were myricetin, quercetin, gossypin, elaidic acid, dihydromyricetin, isochlorogenic acid B, and caffeic acid. CKD and Huangkui Capsules shared 247 common targets, including 25 core targets. The GEO differential analysis predicted 18 differentially expressed core targets, which were mainly positively correlated with immune cell expression and involved in immune inflammation, oxidative stress, pyroptosis, lipid metabolism, sex hormone metabolism, and cell repair. Conclusively, Huangkui Capsules combined with conventional treatment significantly reduced urine protein, Scr, and BUN. Huangkui Capsules alone and losartan potassium had no significant difference in reducing urine protein. This efficacy of Huangkui Capsules may be associated with the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway responses to immune inflammation and oxidative stress. The included RCT had small sample sizes and general quality. More clinical trial protocols with large sample sizes and rigorous design and in line with international norms are needed to improve the evidence quality, and the results of bioinformatics analysis remain to be confirmed by further studies.
Humans ; Losartan ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Capsules ; Inflammation/drug therapy*

The chemical constituents of Chuanzhi Tongluo Capsules were analyzed and identified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS) to clarify the pharmacological substance basis. In addition, network pharmacology was employed to explore the mechanism of Chuanzhi Tongluo Capsules in the treatment of cerebral infarction. Gradient elution was performed using acetonitrile and 1% acetic acid in water as the mobile phase. Mass spectrometry was performed in positive and negative ion modes. Xcalibur 4.2 software was used for compound analysis, including accurate mass-to-charge ratio and MS/MS fragment information, combined with the comparison of reference standards and literature data. A total of 152 compounds were identified, including 32 organic acids, 35 flavonoids and their glycosides, 33 diterpenes, 13 phthalides, 12 triterpenes and triterpene saponins, 23 nitrogen-containing compounds, and 4 other compounds, and their fragmentation patterns were analyzed. SwissTargetPrediction, GeneCards, DAVID, and other databases were used to predict and analyze the core targets and mechanism of Chuanzhi Tongluo Capsules. Protein-protein interaction(PPI) network topology analysis identified 10 core targets, including TNF, VEGFA, EGFR, IL1B, and CTNNB1. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that Chuanzhi Tongluo Capsules mainly exerted their effects through the regulation of lipid and atherosclerosis, glycoproteins in cancer, MicroRNAs in cancer, fluid shear stress, and atherosclerosis-related pathways. Molecular docking was performed between the key constituents and core targets, and the results demonstrated a strong binding affinity between the key constituents of Chuanzhi Tongluo Capsules and the core targets. This study comprehensively elucidated the chemical constituents of Chuanzhi Tongluo Capsules and explored the core targets and mechanism in the treatment of cerebral infarction based on network pharmacology, providing a scientific reference for the study of the pharmacological substance basis and formulation quality standards of Chuanzhi Tongluo Capsules.
Humans ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Network Pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Capsules ; Atherosclerosis ; Cerebral Infarction ; Neoplasms

The present study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism of Wuling Capsules in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis(HF) through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments. Firstly, the chemical components and targets of Wuling Capsules against HF were searched from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP), Traditional Chinese Medicines Integrated Database(TCMID), GeneCards, and literature retrieval. The protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis was carried out on the common targets by STRING database and Cytoscape 3.9.1 software, and the core targets were screened, followed by Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Enrichment analysis was conducted on the core targets and the "drug-core component-target-pathway-disease" network was further constructed. Subsequently, molecular docking between core components and core targets was conducted using AutoDock Vina software to predict the underlying mechanism of action against HF. Finally, an HF model induced by CCl_4 was constructed in rats, and the general signs and liver tissue morphology were observed. HE and Masson staining were used to analyze the liver tissue sections. The effects of Wuling Capsules on the levels of inflammatory factors, hydroxyproline(HYP) levels, and core targets were analyzed by ELISA, RT-PCR, etc. A total of 445 chemical components of Wuling Capsules were screened, corresponding to 3 882 potential targets, intersecting with 1 240 targets of HF, and 47 core targets such as TNF, IL6, INS, and PIK3CA were screened. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the core targets mainly affected the process of cell stimulation response and metabolic regulation, involving cancer, PI3K-Akt, MAPK, and other signaling pathways. Molecular docking showed that the core components of Wuling Capsules, such as lucidenic acid K, ganoderic acid B, lucidenic acid N, saikosaponin Q2, and neocryptotanshinone, had high affinities with the core targets, such as TNF, IL6 and PIK3CA. Animal experiments showed that Wuling Capsules could reduce fat vacuole, inflammatory infiltration, and collagen deposition in rat liver, decrease the levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and HYP, and downregulated the expressions of PI3K and Akt mRNA. This study suggests that the anti-HF effect of Wuling Capsules may be achieved by regulating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, reducing the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 inflammatory factors, and inhibiting the excessive deposition of collagen.
Animals ; Rats ; Interleukin-6 ; Network Pharmacology ; Animal Experimentation ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Liver Cirrhosis/genetics* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Capsules ; Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Collagen ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*