1.Clinical Advantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Childhood Simple Obesity: Insights from Expert Consensus
Qi ZHANG ; Yingke LIU ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Guichen NI ; Heyin XIAO ; Junhong WANG ; Liqun WU ; Zhanfeng YAN ; Kundi WANG ; Jiajia CHEN ; Hong ZHENG ; Xinying GAO ; Liya WEI ; Qiang HE ; Qian ZHAO ; Huimin SU ; Zhaolan LIU ; Dafeng LONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):238-245
Childhood simple obesity has become a significant public health issue in China. Modern medicine primarily relies on lifestyle interventions and often suffers from poor long-term compliance, while pharmacological options are limited and associated with potential adverse effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history in the prevention and management of this condition, demonstrating eight distinct advantages, including systematic theoretical foundation, diversified therapeutic approaches, definite therapeutic efficacy, high safety profile, good patient compliance, comprehensive intervention strategies, emphasis on prevention, and stepwise treatment protocols. Additionally, TCM is characterized by six distinctive features: the use of natural medicinal substances, non-invasive external therapies, integration of medicinal dietetics, simple exercise regimens, precise syndrome differentiation, and diverse dosage forms. By combining internal and external treatments, TCM facilitates individualized regimen adjustment and holistic regulation, demonstrating remarkable effects in improving obesity-related metabolic indicators, regulating constitutional imbalance, and promoting healthy behaviors. However, challenges remain, such as inconsistent operational standards, insufficient high-quality clinical evidence, and a gap between basic research and clinical application. Future efforts should focus on accelerating the standardization of TCM diagnosis and treatment, conducting multicenter randomized controlled trials, and fostering interdisciplinary integration, so as to enhance the scientific validity and international recognition of TCM in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.
2.Current status of research on the mechanism of action of emodin in the prevention and treatment of chronic liver diseases
Yajie CHEN ; Xin WANG ; Yunjuan WU ; Ying SU ; Yuhan WANG ; Jinxue ZHANG ; Ning YAO ; Ying QIN ; Xiaoning ZUO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):228-234
Chronic liver diseases are a group of diseases in which the liver is subjected to a variety of injuries over a long period of time, resulting in irreversible pathological changes that last longer than 6 months. Emodin (EMO) is a natural anthraquinone derivative derived from Rheum officinale, and its pharmacological effect has been extensively studied, exhibiting a variety of biological properties and involving multiple signaling molecules and pathways. Western medicine or surgical treatment is currently the main treatment regimen for chronic liver diseases, and the advance in treatment is limited by various reasons such as side effects and high costs. Due to its natural origin and efficacy, EMO has unique advantages in the treatment of chronic liver diseases and has now become a research hotspot. This article summarizes the therapeutic effect of EMO on chronic liver diseases and its mechanism, in order to provide a certain scientific basis for the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of chronic liver diseases and the development of drugs in clinical practice.
3.Programmed Cell Death in Endometriosis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Zuoliang ZHANG ; Wanrun WANG ; Wen LI ; Xue HAN ; Xiaohong CHEN ; Nan SU ; Huiling LIU ; Quansheng WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):48-57
Endometriosis (EMT) is a common disease with frequent occurrence and difficult to be cured in modern clinical practice of obstetrics and gynaecology. It is characterized by progressively worsening dysmenorrhoea, pelvic mass, and infertility. The incidence of EMT is growing and increasingly younger patients are diagnosed with this disease, which poses a serious threat to the reproductive and psychological health of women of childbearing age and adolescent females. However, the pathogenesis of EMT is still not completely clear, and the disease has a long course. Therefore, developing new therapies is an urgent clinical problem to be solved. Great progress has been achieved in the treatment of EMT with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), while the underlying mechanism remains in exploration. Programmed cell death (PCD) is a cell death mode mediated by a variety of bio-molecules with specific signaling cascades. The known PCD processes include apoptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis, which all play a pivotal role in the development of EMT. Researchers have made achievements in the treatment of EMT with TCM, which regulates PCD via multiple pathways, routes, targets, and mechanisms. However, the progress in the regulation of PCD in the treatment of EMT with TCM remains to be reviewed. This paper reviews the research progress in the treatment of EMT with TCM from five PCD processes (apoptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis), with the aim of providing a theoretical basis for the clinical prevention and treatment of EMT.
4.Effect of Wulao Qisun Prescription on Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of AS Fibroblasts by Regulating Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Juanjuan YANG ; Ping CHEN ; Haidong WANG ; Zhendong WANG ; Haolin LI ; Zhimin ZHANG ; Yuping YANG ; Weigang CHENG ; Jin SU ; Jingjing SONG ; Dongsheng LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):67-73
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of the Wulao Qisun prescription on pathological new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). MethodsSynovial fibroblasts were isolated from the hip joints of AS patients and observed under a microscope to assess cell morphology. The cells were identified using immunofluorescence staining. The isolated AS fibroblasts were divided into blank group, low drug-containing serum group, medium drug-containing serum group, high drug-containing serum group, and positive drug group. After drug intervention, cell proliferation was measured using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay to observe fibroblast growth and determine the optimal intervention time. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured using the alkaline phosphatase assay. Protein expression of osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) was detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression levels of Wnt5a, β-catenin, and Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the blank group, each drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription and the positive drug group inhibited the proliferation of AS fibroblasts and reduced ALP expression (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription downregulated β-catenin mRNA expression (P<0.05). The medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group significantly downregulated Wnt5a and β-catenin mRNA expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the positive drug group showing the most pronounced effect (P<0.01). The high drug-containing serum group and the positive drug group significantly upregulated DKK-1 mRNA expression (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription inhibited the expression of OPN and Runx2 proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group inhibited the expression of OCN, OPN, and Runx2 proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe Wulao Qisun prescription can inhibit the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of AS fibroblasts, thereby delaying the formation of pathological new bone in AS. The possible mechanism involves the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin-related gene expression, further inhibiting the transcription of downstream target genes.
5.Forty Cases of Mid-Stage Diabetes Kidney Disease Patients of Blood Stasis Syndrome Treated with Huayu Tongluo Formula (化瘀通络方) as an Adjunct Therapy: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Yun MA ; Kaishuang WANG ; Shuang CAO ; Bingwu ZHAO ; Lu BAI ; Su WU ; Yuwei GAO ; Xinghua WANG ; Dong BIAN ; Zhiqiang CHEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(6):588-595
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Huayu Tongluo Formula (化瘀通络方, HTF) in patients with mid-stage diabetic kidney disease of blood stasis syndrome and explore its potential mechanisms. MethodsA multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted. Ninety patients of mid-stage diabetic kidney disease of blood stasis syndrome were divided into a control group of 46 cases and a treatment group of 44 cases. Both groups received conventional western medicine treatment, the treatment group additionally taking HTF, while the control group taking a placebo of the formula. The treatment was administered once daily for 24 weeks. The primary outcomes included 24-hour urine total protein (24 h-UTP), serum albumin (Alb), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and serum creatinine (Scr).The secondary outcomes included changes in levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy was evaluated based on TCM syndrome scores and overall disease outcomes. Adverse reactions and endpoint events were recorded. ResultsIn the treatment group after treatment, 24 h-UTP, ET-1, and VEGF levels significantly decreased (P<0.05), Alb and NO levels significantly increased (P<0.05); while the TCM syndrome scores for edema, lumbar pain, numbness of limbs, dark purple lips, dark purple tongue or purpura, and thin, rough pulse all significantly decreased (P<0.05). In the control group, no significant changes were observed in any of the indicators after treatment (P>0.05).Compared with the control group, the treatment group showed significant reductions in 24 h-UTP, ET-1, and VEGF levels, and increases in Alb and NO levels (P<0.05). The TCM syndrome scores for edema, lumbar pain, dark purple tongue or purpura, and thin, rough pulse were all lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of TCM syndrome in the treatment group was 59.09% (26/44), and the overall clinical effective rate was 45.45% (20/44). In the control group, these rates were 15.22% (7/46) and 8.7% (4/46), respectively, with the treatment group showing significantly better outcomes (P<0.05). A total of 7 adverse events occurred across both groups, with no significant difference (P>0.05). No endpoint events occurred during the study. ConclusionOn the basis of conventional treatment of Western medicine, HTF can further reduce urinary protein levels and improve clinical symptoms in patients with mid-stage diabetic kidney disease of blood stasis syndrome. The mechanism may be related to its effects on endothelial function.
6.Research progress of antifungal drugs from natural sources
Shao-jie CHU ; Yan ZHENG ; Shuang-shuang SU ; Xue-song WU ; Hong YAN ; Shao-xin CHEN ; Hong-bo WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):48-57
As the number of patients with compromised immune function increases and fungal resistance develops, so does the risk of contracting deadly fungi in humans. Both fungi and humans are eukaryotes, so identifying unique targets for antifungal drug development is difficult. In addition, the existing antifungal drugs are limited by toxicity, drug interaction and drug resistance in practical application, which leads to the increasing incidence and fatal rate of fungal infections. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new antifungal drugs. The semi-synthetic technology using microbial fermentation products from natural sources as lead compounds has become the most used method in structural modification of antifungal drugs due to its advantages of few reaction steps and easy operation. This paper will introduce the current status of natural antifungal drugs in clinical use, as well as the latest progress in the research and development of new semi-synthetic antifungal drugs, and summarize their mechanism of action, structural modifications, advantages and disadvantages, so as to provide reference for the subsequent development of new antifungal drugs.
7.Study on the influential factors of blood concentration for duloxetine based on therapeutic drug monitoring
Yang LUN ; Liguang DUAN ; Feiyue AN ; Ran FU ; Jing YU ; Chaoli CHEN ; Mengqiang ZHAO ; Shi SU ; Yang SONG ; Jiaqi WANG ; Yuhang YAN ; Chunhua ZHOU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(6):727-731
OBJECTIVE To explore the main factors influencing the blood concentration of duloxetine, and provide a scientific basis for the individualized use of duloxetine. METHODS Retrospective analysis was conducted on 434 inpatients with depressive disorders at the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, who were treated with duloxetine and underwent blood concentration monitoring between January 2022 and April 2024. The study examined the impact of various factors, including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), gene phenotypes, combined medication, drug type (original/generic), and genotyping results of gene single nucleotide polymorphism loci, on blood concentration and the concentration-to-dose (C/D) after dose adjustment. RESULTS The blood concentration of duloxetine was 76.65 (45.57, 130.31) ng/mL, and C/D was 0.96 (0.63, 1.60) ng·d/(mL·mg). The blood concentration of duloxetine was positively correlated with the daily dose of administration (R2=0.253 7, P<0.001). Blood concentration of duloxetine in 38.94% of patients exceeded the recommended range specified in the guidelines. Gender, age, BMI, combined use of CYP2D6 enzyme inhibitors, and CYP2D6 and CYP1A2 phenotypes had significant effects on C/D of duloxetine (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The patient’s age, gender, BMI, combined medication, and genetic phenotypes are closely related to the blood concentration of duloxetine.
8.Association between negative life events and smartphone addiction among middle school students
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(5):619-623
Objective:
To explore the association between negative life events and smartphone addiction among middle school students, so as to provide theoretical support and practical guidance for prevention and intervention of smartphone addiction among middle school students.
Methods:
Using cluster sampling, 8 890 students were selected to survey from 27 junior high schools and 3 senior high schools in a district of Shenzhen in 2022 (baseline) and 2023 (followup). Data were collected through selfresigned questionnaires on basic information, the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, and the Adolescent Selfrating Life Events Checklist. Mixedeffects models were employed to analyze the association.
Results:
Compared to 2022, the punishment scores of middle school students in 2023 [1.00 (0.00, 6.00) and 1.00 (0.00, 6.00)] decreased (Z=4.27), while the scores of interpersonal stress, learning stress and adaptation [4.00(0.00, 8.00), 4.00(0.00, 8.00); 4.00(1.00, 8.00), 5.00(2.00, 9.00); 2.00 (0.00, 6.00), 3.00 (0.00, 7.00)] increased (Z=-3.04, -8.36, -6.80) (P<0.01). Mixedeffects models revealed a positive doseresponse relationship between negative life events and smartphone addiction (OR=1.08-1.17, P<0.01). Stepwise regression showed independent positive effects of interpersonal stress (OR=1.05), academic stress (OR=1.03), and adaptation stress (OR=1.11) on smartphone addiction (P<0.01). Subgroup analysis of nonaddicted students in 2022 confirmed persistent associations for academic stress (OR=1.03) and adaptation (OR=1.07) (P<0.01).
Conclusion
Negative life events exhibit a positive doseresponse relationship with smartphone addiction, particularly interpersonal stress, academic stress, and adaptationrelated events.
9.Longitudinal association between compulsive behaviour and smartphone addiction in middle school students
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(5):638-641
Objective:
To explore the potential causal association between adolescent compulsive behaviour and smartphone addiction based on longitudinal data, so as to provide reference for the establishment of adolescent smartphone addiction interventions.
Methods:
A preliminary survey and follow-up were conducted on 8 907 middle and high school students in a district of Shenzhen in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Compulsive behaviours were measured by using the Mental Health Inventory for Middle School Students-60 Items (MMHI-60), smartphone addiction was assessed by using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version ( SAS- SV), and the associations between compulsive behaviours and smartphone addiction were analysed by using multilevel mixed-effects models and subgroup analyses.
Results:
Smartphone addiction detection rates among middle school students were significantly associated with genders, father s education level, mother s education level, study load subgroups, and whether or not they were single-parent families, and there were statistical differences ( χ 2=17.21-175.34, P <0.05). Students with compulsive behaviours were 2.98 times more likely to develop smartphone addiction than those without compulsive behaviours ( OR=2.98, 95%CI=2.77-3.22, P <0.05). Subgroup analysis of middle school students without smartphone addiction in the first year found that compulsive behaviours significantly predicted smartphone addiction ( OR= 1.76 , 95%CI=1.54-2.01, P <0.05).
Conclusion
There is a potential causal association between obsessive-compulsive behaviours and smartphone addiction in middle school students, and obsessive-compulsive behaviours in middle school students could significantly predicted the occurrence of smartphone addiction.
10.Mechanism of Huanglian Wendantang on Damp-heat Type Diabetes Enteropathy Rats Based on TGR5/GLP-1 Signaling Pathway and Intestinal Flora
Yujin WANG ; Yulong QIE ; Hua JIANG ; Chen YUAN ; Xirui DENG ; Xuelian MENG ; Wenli WANG ; Yanjin SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):10-18
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Huanglian Wendantang on damp-heat type diabetes enteropathy rats based on the G protein coupled bile acid receptor 5/glucagon like peptide-1 (TGR5/GLP-1) signaling pathway and intestinal flora. MethodsA total of 72 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were adaptively fed for one week. Twelve SD rats were randomly selected as a blank group and fed with an ordinary diet. The rest of the SD rats were fasted for 12 hours without water. A rat model with damp-heat type diabetes enteropathy was made by left intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg·kg-1) and high sugar and high fat diet (20% sucrose solution + high fat diet) in a humid and hot environment (artificial climate box: temperature 30-34 ℃, relative humidity: 85%-95%). After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into a model group, a metformin group (200 mg·kg-1), low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose Huanglian Wendantang groups (7.10, 14.20, 28.39 g·kg-1), with 12 rats in each group. The normal group and the model group were orally administered with physiological saline once a day for 6 consecutive weeks. During the observation period, the weight and blood glucose levels of rats were measured and recorded weekly. After the administration, fresh feces were collected from rats, and 16S rRNA sequencing technology was used to study the differences and changes in intestinal flora among different groups. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum of rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the pathological morphological changes of colon tissue were examined. The expression of TGR5 and GLP-1 in colon tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of TGR5 and GLP-1 proteins in colon tissue was measured by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed a decrease in body weight, an increase in blood glucose, and significant damp-heat symptoms. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in serum were significantly increased (P<0.01). The expression of TGR5 and GLP-1 was decreased (P<0.01), and the pathogenic bacteria were increased. Compared with the model group, the treatment groups exhibited improvements in body weight, blood glucose levels, and damp-heat syndrome in rats. Among them, the high-dose group of Huanglian Wendantang displayed the most significant improvement effect, with significantly reduced inflammation levels (P<0.01) and elevated expression of TGR5 and GLP-1 (P<0.01). Colonic pathological sections showed that Huanglian Wendantang could effectively ameliorate colonic pathological changes. The 16S rRNA sequencing result indicated a significant increase in beneficial bacteria in the treatment groups. ConclusionHuanglian Wendantang can effectively ameliorate the damp-heat symptoms and blood glucose levels in rats with damp-heat type diabetes enteropathy, and it may exert an effect by regulating the TGR5/GLP-1 signaling pathway and intestinal flora disorder.


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