Background: A comparative study of classical medical texts within Traditional Medicine provides a vital framework for uncovering the origins, development, transmission, and historical significance of healing traditions. This approach highlights a specific culture’s contribution to medical knowledge and reflects the intricate interplay of religion, culture, and philosophical thought embedded in those eras. Aim: To conduct a comparative analysis of the depictions of the “Medicinal Mandala” as described in the first chapter of the “Root Tantra” section in the two classical medical sources Sorig Bumshi and Gyudshi. Materials and Methods: This research examines two foundational Tibetan medical texts—Sorig Bumshi and Gyudshi—using theme-based classification and content analysis methodologies grounded in textual source criticism. Results: The findings confirm that Sorig Bumshi, a Bönpo medical text from the ancient Zhangzhung civilization, was composed earlier. The great translator Byaruzana translated it from the Zhangzhung language, after which Yuthok Yönten Gönpo and collaborators edited, revised, and systematized the text to form Gyudshi, embedding it in Buddhist epistemological frameworks. Conclusions 1. The medicinal mandala of Gyudshi—structured around a central "beautiful medicinal city" surrounded by four directional mountains—demonstrates a refined adaptation of the more expansive, sacred mandala depicted in Sorig Bumshi, which is centered on Olmo Lung Ring, a Bönpo pure land rich in symbolic geography. 2. The numerical values recorded in both texts—particularly the recurring use of 360 and 404—suggest different paradigms in medical theory. Sorig Bumshi embeds these numbers within a Bön cosmological and ritual context (e.g., 360 deities, mountains, and healing lakes), while Gyudshi reinterprets them under Buddhist causal reasoning (e.g., 404 diseases derived from wind, bile, phlegm, and karma). This transformation reflects a shift from Bön to Buddhist medical epistemology through selective integration and doctrinal refinement.

Colorectal cancer(CRC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide. Due to the treatment intolerance and side effects, CRC rank the top among various cancers regarding the incidence and mortality rates. Therefore, exploring new therapies is of great significance for the treatment of CRC. Aerobic glycolysis(AEG) plays an important role in the microenvironment formation, proliferation, metastasis, and recurrence of CRC and other tumor cells. It has been confirmed that intervening in the AEG pathway can effectively curb CRC. The active ingredients and compound prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) can effectively inhibit the proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance and regulate the apoptosis of tumor cells by modulating AEG-associated transport proteins [eg, glucose transporters(GLUT)], key enzymes [hexokinase(HK) and phosphofructokinase(PFK)], key genes [hypoxia-inducible factor 1(HIF-1) and oncogene(c-Myc)], and signaling pathways(MET/PI3K/Akt/mTOR). Accordingly, they can treat CRC, reduce the recurrence, and improve the prognosis of CRC. Although AEG plays a key role in the development and progression of CRC, the specific mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this article delves into the intrinsic connection of the targets and mechanisms of the AEG pathway with CRC from the perspective of tumor cell glycolysis and explores how active ingredients(oxymatrine, kaempferol, and dioscin) and compound prescriptions(Quxie Capsules, Jiedu Sangen Decoction, and Xianlian Jiedu Prescription) of TCM treat CRC by intervening in the AEG pathway. Additionally, this article explores the shortcomings in the current research, aiming to provide reliable targets and a theoretical basis for treating CRC with TCM.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Prostate cancer(PCa) is a common malignant tumor among elderly men, with high incidence and mortality rates worldwide, posing a serious threat to human health. Traditional treatments face limitations, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. Recent studies on the regulatory mechanisms of micro ribonucleic acid(microRNA, miRNA) in tumor development has identified miRNA as new targets for PCa diagnosis and treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), with its multi-mechanism, multi-target, and multi-pathway regulatory properties, shows promising potential in miRNA-based PCa therapy. This review summarized recent findings on miRNA' roles in PCa and research progress of TCM intervention and found that a variety of miRNA played important regulatory roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, immune microenvironment, and drug resistance, and their potential as biomarkers for PCa diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy, indicating the potential to be a biomarker for the diagnosis, prognosis evaluation, and treatment of PCa. The review concluded that the active components of TCM(terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and others) and compounds(Yishen Tonglong Decoction, Shenhu Decoction, Zhoushi Qiling Decoction, Fuzheng Yiliu Decoction, and Qilan Formula) could regulate the expression of their downstream target genes by acting on specific miRNA and affect the above biological behaviors of PCa cells, thus playing a role in the treatment of PCa. This review aims to provide a theoretical basis for miRNA as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PCa and suggest new avenues for further development of targeted therapy strategies against miRNA.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects*

Objective To study the microscopic structure and morphological characteristics of Zebrafish eyeball and retina at different developmental stages, and to lay a foundation for visual research model. Methods Select eight groups of zebrafish at different ages, with six fish in each group, 48 fish in total. Optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the eyeball structure of Zebrafish at different developmental stages, and the thickness of retinal each layer was measured to analyze the temporal and spatial development pattern. The morphological characteristics of various cells in the retina and the way of nerve connection were observed from the microscopic and ultrastructural aspects, especially the structural differences between rod cells and cone cells. Results The retina of Zebrafish can be divided into ten layers including retinal pigment epithelial layer, rod cells and cone cells layer, outer limiting membrane, outer nuclear layer, outer plexiform layer, inner nuclear layer, inner plexiform layer, ganglion cell layer, nerve fiber layer, inner limiting membrane. Rod cells had a smaller nucleus and a higher electron density than cone cells. Photoreceptor terminals were neatly arranged in the outer plexiform layer, forming neural connections with horizontal cells and bipolar cells, and several synaptic ribbons are clearly visible within them. In Zebrafish retina, ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer are the earliest developed. With the growth and development of Zebrafish, the thickness of rod cells and cone cells layer and retinal pigment epithelial layer gradually increases, and the retinal structure was basically developed in about 10 weeks. Conclusion The retinal structure of Zebrafish is typical, with obvious stratification and highly differentiated nerve cells. There are abundant neural connections in the outer plexiform layer. The ocular development characteristics of Zebrafish are similar to those of most mammals.

ObjectiveProtein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) play pivotal roles in numerous cellular biological processes. However, the precise regulatory effects of PRMTs on the fate determination of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) remain elusive. Our previous studies have shed light on the regulatory role and molecular mechanism of PRMT5 in MSC osteogenic differentiation. This study aims to clarify the role and corresponding regulatory mechanism of PRMT7 during the adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Methods(1) Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) were cultured in a medium that induces adipogenesis. We used qRT-PCR and Western blot to monitor changes in PRMT7 expression during adipogenic differentiation. (2) We created a cell line with PRMT7 knocked down and assessed changes in PRMT7 expression and adipogenic capacity using Oil Red O staining, qRT-PCR and Western blot. (3) We implanted hBMSCs cell lines mixed with a collagen membrane subcutaneously into nude mice and performed Oil Red O staining to observe ectopic lipogenesis in vivo. (4) A cell line overexpressing PRMT7 was generated, and we examined changes in PRMT7 expression using qRT-PCR and Western blot. We also performed Oil Red O staining and quantitative analysis after inducing the cells in lipogenic medium. Additionally, we assessed changes in PPARγ expression. (5) We investigated changes in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) expression in both PRMT7 knockdown and overexpressing cell lines using qRT-PCR and Western blot, to understand PRMT7’s regulatory effect on IGF-1 expression. siIGF-1 was transfected into the PRMT7 knockdown cell line to inhibit IGF-1 expression, and knockdown efficiency was confirmed. Then, we induced cells from the control and knockdown groups transfected with siIGF-1 in lipogenic medium and performed Oil Red O staining and quantitative analysis. Finally, we assessed PPARγ expression to explore IGF-1’s involvement in PRMT7’s regulation of adipogenic differentiation in hBMSCs. Results(1) During the adipogenesis process of hBMSCs, the expression level of PRMT7 was significantly reduced (P<0.01). (2) The adipogenic differentiation ability of PRMT7 knockdown group was significantly stronger than that of control group (P<0.001). (3) The ectopic adipogenic differentiation ability of PRMT7 knockdown group was significantly stronger than that of control group. (4) The adipogenic differentiation ability of the PRMT7 overexpression group was significantly weaker than that of the control group (P<0.01). (5) The expression level of IGF-1 increased after PRMT7 knockdown (P<0.000 1). The expression level of IGF-1 decreased after PRMT7 overexpression (P<0.000 1), indicating that PRMT7 regulates the expression of IGF-1. After siIGF-1 transfection, the expression level of IGF-1 in all cell lines decreased significantly (P<0.001). The ability of adipogenic differentiation of knockdown group transfected with siIGF-1 was significantly reduced (P<0.01), indicating that IGF-1 affects the regulation of PRMT7 on adipogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. ConclusionIn this investigation, our findings elucidate the inhibitory role of PRMT7 in the adipogenic differentiation of hBMSCs, as demonstrated through both in vitro cell-level experiments and in vivo subcutaneous transplantation experiments conducted in nude mice. Mechanistic exploration revealed that PRMT7’s regulatory effect on the adipogenic differentiation of hBMSCs operates via modulation of IGF-1 signaling pathway. These collective findings underscore PRMT7 as a potential therapeutic target for fatty metabolic disorders, thereby offering a novel avenue for leveraging PRMT7 and hBMSCs in the therapeutic landscape of relevant diseases.

In black tea,theaflavins (TFs) are one important class of substances that determine sensory quality and have significant medicinal activities. In addition to the four kinds of common TFs,there may be many other theaflavin analogues (TFAs) with similar chemical structures in tea,but the study on them is very limited. Based on the characteristic sub-structure,mass spectrometry (MS) and MS/MS information,a method for screening and annotation of TFAs from the complex ultra high performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) data was proposed in this work. By analyzing the oxidation and polymerization process of a few TFs,the theoretical reaction model of TFs were summarized,which was used to calculate the precursor ion values of potential TFAs. Meanwhile,the diagnostic fragmentation ions and neutral loss of TFAs according to the fragmentation pathways obtained from chemical standards or documented in literatures were summarized. As a result,36 kinds of compounds were successfully annotated based on the calculated precursor ion values and the MS fragmentation patterns,among which 6 kinds of compounds were reported for the first time in tea. In vitro synthesis experiments were carried out to verified the annotation results. Based on the results of quantitation of 36 kinds of TFAs,a partial least squares-discriminant analysis model was used to investigate the changes of these components during black tea manufacturing. The results indicated that these novel TFAs could be used to effectively distinguish the black tea samples before and after fermentation.

Objective To explore the effect of gastrodin(GAS)on the polarization of M2 microglia under oxygen and glucose deprivation(OGD)and the effect of p38 MAPK inhibition on the polarization status of microglia.Methods BV2 microglia was divided into the control group(Ctrl),p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 group(Ⅰ),OGD group(OGD),OGD+I group,gastrodin treatment group(G+OGD),and G+OGD+Ⅰ group.The expressions of p38 MAPK,phosphorylated p38 MAPK(p-p38 MAPK),M2 microglia marker arginase-1(Arg-1)and chitinase like protein 1/2(YM1/2)were detected by immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting.Results Immunofluorescent staining results showed that the pretreatment with gastrodin reduced the fluorescence expression of p-p38 MAPK in OGD induced BV2 microglia,enhanced the fluorescence expressions of Arg-1 and YM1/2.After pretreatment with SB203580,the fluorescence expressions of p-p38 MAPK further decreased,the fluorescence expressions of Arg-1 and YM1/2 further increased,both were significantly different from the G+OGD group(n=3,P＜0.05).The fluorescence expressions of p38 MAPK in each group was not statistically significant(n=3,P＞0.05).Western blotting results showed that the protein expressions of p-p38 MAPK,Arg-1 and YM1/2 in the OGD group enhanced,compared with that in the control group(n=3,P＜0.05).After the pretreatment with gastrodin,the protein expression of p-p38 MAPK was reduced significantly,the protein expressions of Arg-1 and YM1/2 was enhanced obviously,both were significantly different from the OGD group(n=3,P＜0.05).After pretreatment with SB203580,the protein expressions of p-p38 MAPK was further reduced,the protein expression of Arg-1 and YM1/2 were further enhanced,both were significantly different from the G+OGD group(n=3,P＜0.05).In addition,there was no significant change in p38 MAPK protein expression among groups(n=3,P＞0.05).Conclusion Gastrodin inhibits p38 MAPK signaling activation to promote BV2 microglial polarization towards the M2 phenotype,reducing inflammatory responses and exerting a protective effect.