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.

ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of action of the Qufeng Tongqiao Cough-relieving Decoction （祛风通窍止咳方， QTCD） in the treatment of upper airway cough syndrome （UACS）. MethodsTwenty-four guinea pigs were randomly divided into blank group， model group， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） group， and inhibitor group， with six guinea pigs in each group. Except for the blank group， guinea pigs were sensitized with ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide via intraperitoneal injection， followed by ovalbumin nasal drops combined with smoke exposure to establish the UACS model. After modeling， the TCM group was administered QTCD 0.9 g/（100 g·d） by gavage， the inhibitor group received the transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 4 （TRPV4） inhibitor GSK2193874 1 mmol/L， 5 min by nebulisation， and the blank group and model group were given 2 ml/（100 g·d） normal saline by gavage once daily. After 7 days of treatment， a cough provocation test was performed using 0.4 mol/L citric acid. The levels of IgE in serum and inflammatory cytokines， including interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-8 （IL-8） in serum， bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF）， and nasal lavage fluid （NLF） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Histopathological changes in lung and nasal mucosal tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein levels of TRPV4， substance P （SP）， and calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP） in lung and nasal mucosal tissues. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of TRPV4， SP， and CGRP in lung tissues. ResultsHE staining showed significant structural damage and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lung and nasal mucosal tissues in the model group， while the TCM group and inhibitor group showed improved pathological changes. Compared with the blank group， the model group showed increased cough frequency， serum IgE level， and IL-6 and IL-8 levels in serum， BALF， and NLF. The protein levels of TRPV4， SP， and CGRP in lung and nasal mucosal tissues and their mRNA expression were elevated （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the TCM group and inhibitor group showed reduced cough frequency， serum IgE level， and TRPV4 and SP mRNA expression in lung tissues. The TCM group showed reduced IL-6 and IL-8 levels in serum， BALF， and NLF， and reduced TRPV4 and CGRP protein levels in lung and nasal mucosal tissues. The inhibitor group showed reduced IL-6 and IL-8 levels in serum， BALF， and NLF， reduced IL-6 in BALF， reduced IL-8 in NLF， and decreased TRPV4， SP， and CGRP protein levels in lung tissues and SP and CGRP protein levels in nasal mucosal tissues （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the TCM group， the inhibitor group had increased serum IgE， IL-6， and IL-8 levels， increased IL-6 level in BALF， and increased IL-8 levle in NLF， but decreased SP protein level in lung tissues and increased TRPV4 and SP mRNA expression in lung tissues （P＜0.01）. ConclusionQTCD effectively reduces cough frequency in the UACS guinea pig model. Its mechanism may involve inhibiting the activation of the TRPV4 pathway， improving airway neurogenic inflammation， alleviating inflammatory responses， and reducing cough hypersensitivity.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of menopausal time and menopausal age with the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD）， and to provide a basis for the early prevention and treatment of NAFLD in clinical practice. MethodsRelated data were collected from 373 postmenopausal women who attended the outpatient service of Department of Spleen， Stomach， Liver and Gallbladder Diseases， The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine， from January 2017 to December 2021， including general information， menopausal age， menopausal time， and presence or absence of NAFLD. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data； the independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups， and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups. A Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the association intensity and 95% confidence interval （95%CI） of menopausal time and menopausal age for the risk of NAFLD， and the restricted cubic spline （RCS） method was used to investigate the dose-response relationship between menopausal time/age and the risk of NAFLD. ResultsCompared with the women with normal menopause or late menopause， the women with early menopause had a higher prevalence rate of NAFLD and a higher degree of steatosis and fibrosis （all P<0.05）. After adjustment for the confounding factors such as age and age of menarche， the risk of NAFLD in women with a menopausal time of >3 years was 4.80 （95%CI： 1.93‍ ‍—‍‍ ‍11.95， P=0.001） times that in women with a menopausal time of ≤3 years， and the risk of NAFLD in women with early or late menopause was 8.14 times （95%CI： ‍1.77 ‍— ‍37.58， P=0.007） and 0.09 times （95%CI： 0.03 ‍— ‍0.32， P<0.001）， respectively， that in those with a normal menopausal age. There is a dose-response relationship between menopausal time/age and the risk of NAFLD. Menopausal time is positively correlated with the association intensity of NAFLD， while menopausal age is negatively correlated with the association intensity of NAFLD. ConclusionThe longer the menopause time and the earlier the menopause age， the ligher the risk of NAFLD.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible action mechanism of Qingshi Anti-itch Ointment （青石止痒软膏， QAO） in the treatment of psoriasis. MethodsForty mice were randomly divided into four groups， blank group， model group， calcipotriol group and QAO group， with 10 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， psoriasis was induced by applying imiquimod cream to the dorsal skin. After modeling for 6 hours daily， the calcipotriol group and QAO group were treated with 0.5 g of calcipotriol ointment or 0.5 g of QAO， respectively， applied to the treated dorsal skin. The blank group and the model group received no treatment. The skin lesions were observed， and the psoriasis area and severity index （PASI） score was assessed every other day. After 7 days， Hematoxylin and Eosin （HE） staining was performed on dorsal skin tissue to observe pathological changes. The levels of interleukin 1β （IL-1β） and interleukin 18 （IL-18） were determined by enzym-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The protein levels of Caspase-1，Pro-Caspase-1， gasdermin D （GSDMD） and gasdermin-D-N （GSDMD-N） were detected by Western Blot （WB）. The protein levels of GSDMD were observed by immunohistochemistry. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group mice showed redness， erythema， and white scales on their skin， with histological observations indicating epidermal thickening， elongated spines， and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The PASI scores of the skin tissue on days 1， 3， 5， and 7 were elevated； the IOD and AOD values of GSDMD protein increased； the protein levels of Caspase-1， Pro-Caspase-1，GSDMD， GSDMD-N， and IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly elevated （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the QAO group and calcipotriol group showed lighter skin lesions； the PASI scores on day 5 and day 7 in the QAO group， and on day 3， 5， and 7 in the calcipotriol group， were reduced； the IOD and AOD values of GSDMD protein， and the protein level of Caspase-1， GSDMD， and GSDMD-N， as well as level of IL-18 and IL-1β decreased in both groups； in the calcipotriol group， Pro-Caspase-1 protein level also decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the calcipotriol group， the QAO group showed slightly redder skin， more obvious thickening of the stratum corneum， and less capillary dilation； the PASI scores on day 3 and day 7 increased， while the score on day 5 was reduced； the protein level of Pro-Caspase-1， GSDMD， GSDMD-N， and the level of IL-18 and IL-1β were increased in the QAO group （P＜0.05）. ConclusionQAO can effectively relieve psoriasis dermatitis in mice. Its potential mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Caspase-1/GSDMD protein pathway， down-regulation of IL-18 and IL-1β levels， and alleviation of pyroptosis.

ObjectiveMicrotube associated protein-2 （MAP-2）， alpha-tubulin （α-tubulin）， and synaptophysin （SYP） are important proteins in neuronal signal communication. This paper observed the effects of modified Zhigancao Tang on the expression of serum α-Synuclein （α-Syn） and its oligomers， MAP-2， α-tubulin， and SYP of patients with liver and kidney deficiency of Parkinson's disease （PD）， analyzed their correlation， and evaluated the therapeutic effect of modified Zhigancao Tang in patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD based on α-Syn transmission pathway mediated by neuronal communication in vivo. MethodsA total of 60 patients with PD who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group （30 cases） and a control group （30 cases）. Both groups were treated on the basis of PD medicine， and the treatment group was treated with modified Zhigancao Tang. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The changes in UPDRS score， TCM syndrome score， and expression of serum α-Syn and its oligomers， MAP-2， α-tubulin， and SYP were observed before and after 12 weeks of treatment in each group. The correlation between the above-mentioned serum biological indexes and the levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers was analyzed. ResultsAfter treatment， the TCM syndrome score， UPDRS score， UPDRS-Ⅱ score， and UPDRS-Ⅲ score of the treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The UPDRS score， UPDRS-Ⅱ score， and UPDRS-Ⅲ scores in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment （P<0.05）. After treatment， the total effective rate of the control group was 63.3% （19/30）， and that of the treatment group was 86.7% （26/30）. The clinical effect of the observation group was better than the control group （Z=-2.03， P<0.05）. The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=5.136， P<0.05）. After treatment， the oligomer level of serum α-Syn and MAP-2 level in the treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers， as well as α-tubulin in the treatment group， were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum α-Syn was correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-Syn oligomer in patients with PD （P<0.05， P<0.01） but not correlated with serum SYP . Serum α-Syn oligomers of patients with PD were correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-tubulin （P<0.05， P<0.01） but not correlated with serum SYP level. Serum SYP of patients with PD was correlated with serum MAP-2 （P<0.05）. ConclusionModified Zhigancao Tang has a therapeutic effect on patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD by inhibiting the production of α-Syn oligomers and intervening α-Syn microtubule transport pathway in vivo.

The Expert Consensus on Clinical Application of Qinbaohong Zhike Oral Liquid in Treatment of Acute Bronchitis and Acute Attack of Chronic Bronchitis （GS/CACM 337-2023） was released by the China Association of Chinese Medicine on December 13^th， 2023. This expert consensus was developed by experts in methodology， pharmacy， and Chinese medicine in strict accordance with the development requirements of the China Association of Chinese Medicine （CACM） and based on the latest medical evidence and the clinical medication experience of well-known experts in the fields of respiratory medicine （pulmonary diseases） and pediatrics. This expert consensus defines the application of Qinbaohong Zhike oral liquid in the treatment of cough and excessive sputum caused by phlegm-heat obstructing lung， acute bronchitis， and acute attack of chronic bronchitis from the aspects of applicable populations， efficacy evaluation， usage， dosage， drug combination， and safety. It is expected to guide the rational drug use in medical and health institutions， give full play to the unique value of Qinbaohong Zhike oral liquid， and vigorously promote the inheritance and innovation of Chinese patent medicines.

BACKGROUND:Pinoresinol diglucoside promotes bone formation and bone matrix synthesis and accelerates bone tissue repair.However,the mechanism of action and effects of this compound in osteoblasts need to be further explored. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect and mechanism of action of pinoresinol diglucoside on dexamethasone-treated osteoblasts based on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. METHODS:Different concentrations of dexamethasone groups and pinoresinol diglucoside groups were set to treat osteoblasts for 24 hours,and the optimal intervention concentrations were screened.Osteoblasts were treated with dexamethasone,pinoresinol diglucoside and inhibitor XAV-939.Then,control group,dexamethasone group,XVA-939 group,pinoresinol diglucoside group,pinoresinol diglucoside+XVA-939 group were set up.Cell counting kit-8 assay was used to detect cell activity.Alkaline phosphatase activity and caspase3/7 enzyme activity in cells were detected.Annexin V/PI staining and EdU assay were used to detect cell apoptosis and proliferation.Real-time qPCR and western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of Wnt3a,β-catenin,c-myc,osteocalcin,and type I collagen,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After dexamethasone and pinoresinol diglucoside intervened in osteoblasts for 24 hours,10 μmol/L dexamethasone was found to be the optimal intervention concentration for cell inhibition,and cell proliferation was most pronounced at a concentration of pinoresinol diglucoside of 100 μmol/L.Compared with the dexamethasone group,alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly enhanced(P<0.05)and caspase3/7 enzyme activity was significantly reduced(P<0.05)in the pinoresinol diglucoside group.Annexin V/PI staining and cell proliferation assay by EdU method showed that pinoresinol diglucoside inhibited apoptosis and promoted proliferation of osteoblasts after dexamethasone intervention.The mRNA and protein expression levels of Wnt3a,β-catenin,c-myc,osteocalcin,and type I collagen were significantly higher in the pinoresinol diglucoside group and pinoresinol diglucoside+XVA-939 group compared with the dexamethasone and XVA-939 groups(P<0.05).To conclude,pinoresinol diglucoside can inhibit osteoblast apoptosis after dexamethasone intervention,protect osteoblast activity and promote osteoblast proliferation by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,which may play a role in delaying steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

BACKGROUND:Crosslinked sodium hyaluronate gel has good mechanical property,biocompatibility,and biodegradability,and can be used as an isolated protective material in tumor radiation therapy to protect endangered organs from damage caused by excess radiation dose. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the safety and efficacy of crosslinked sodium hyaluronate gel in reducing the dose of radiation to dangerous organs during brachytherapy. METHODS:A total of 16 specific pathogen-free Kunming mice of the same age and similar body weight were selected as experimental subjects and divided into experimental group and control group by the random number table method,with 8 mice in each group.125I seeds were implanted subcutaneously in the back of mice in the experimental group,and then crosslinked sodium hyaluronate gel was injected around the radioactive particles.Only 125I seeds were implanted subcutaneously in the back of mice in the control group.After injection,the distance between the radioactive particles and the epidermis was measured by spiral CT scan,and the surface radiation dose was measured by radiation dosimeter.Within 10 weeks after injection,the growth state,survival rate,skin radiation damage,and gel retention of mice were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Spiral CT scan showed that the implanted gel was relatively concentrated and created an effective distance between the radioactive seeds and the epidermis.The body surface radiation dose of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.01).(2)During the experimental observation period,mice in both groups survived;mice in the control group showed obvious irritability and other unstable behavior in the late experimental period,and some mice in the experimental group showed similar behavior.The daily food intake of mice in the two groups had no significant change,and the body mass showed the same increasing trend.After implantation of radioactive seeds,the two groups of mice showed different degrees of radioactive skin injury.From day 23 after injection to the end of the experiment,the skin radiation injury score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group(P<0.01).At week 10 after implantation,6 mice in the experimental group had no obvious gel residue under their skin,and 2 mice had a very small amount of scattered gel-like samples under their skin.(3)Therefore,the crosslinked sodium hyaluronate injection technique can increase the space between the radioactive target area of 125I seeds and the organ at risk outside the target through physical space occupying,which can effectively reduce the dose of the organ at risk,and play a role in the isolation and protection of the organ at risk.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effects of modified Buwangsan on cognitive dysfunction in the rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus with mild cognitive impairment （T2DM-MCI） and explore the underlying mechanism. MethodsThirty-six 5-week-old SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups： Normal （Con， fed with a normal diet）， model （DM， fed with a high-sugar and high-fat diet）， low-dose modified Buwangsan （L-BWS， 1.86 g·kg^-1）， medium-dose modified Buwangsan （M-BWS， 3.72 g·kg^-1）， high-dose modified Buwangsan （H-BWS，7.44 g·kg^-1）， and huperzine A （SSJJ， 0.018 mg·kg^-1）. The rats were treated by gavage once a day for 12 weeks. The body weight and blood glucose level were monitored dynamically. Morris water maze was employed to test the cognitive function of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining were employed to observe the pathological changes of the hippocampus. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the serum and hippocampus were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blotting was employed to determine the expression levels of key autophagy-related proteins including microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3）， type Ⅲ phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase complex regulatory subunit （Beclin1）， and phosphorylated UNC-51-like kinase （p-ULK） 1/2 in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to observe the regulation of p-PI3K/PI3K， p-mTOR/mTOR， and p-Akt/Akt ratios. ResultsCompared with the DM group， the L-BWS， M-BWS， H-BWS， and SSJJ groups showed increases in body weight at the end of the experiment （P<0.05）， and the M-BWS， H-BWS and SSJJ groups showed declines in fasting blood glucose level （P<0.05）. In the water maze test， compared with the DM group， the M-BWS， H-BWS， and SSJJ groups presented shortened escape latency （P<0.001）. The L-BWS， M-BWS， H-BWS， and SSJJ group showcased regularly arranged cells in the hippocampus and cortex， markedly increased number of neurons， and significantly recovered Nissl bodies. Compared with the DM group， the L-BWS， M-BWS， H-BWS， and SSJJ groups had reductions in the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in the serum and hippocampus （P<0.05）， increases in the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and expression level of beclin1 in the hippocampus （P<0.05） and the p-ULK level （P<0.05）. The p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-mTOR/mTOR ratios in the hippocampus decreased in the M-BWS， H-BWS， and SSJJ groups （P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Buwangsan significantly ameliorates cognitive dysfunction and neurological damage in the rat model of T2DM through multiple mechanisms. It regulates metabolic disorders， lowers the blood glucose level， improves lipid metabolism， and alleviates oxidative stress. It promotes the protection and repair of neurons by inhibiting inflammatory responses and activating the autophagy pathway in the hippocampus. At the same time， modified Buwangsan relieves autophagy inhibition by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway to alleviate the brain tissue injury.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effects of modified Buwangsan on cognitive dysfunction in the rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus with mild cognitive impairment （T2DM-MCI） and explore the underlying mechanism. MethodsThirty-six 5-week-old SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups： Normal （Con， fed with a normal diet）， model （DM， fed with a high-sugar and high-fat diet）， low-dose modified Buwangsan （L-BWS， 1.86 g·kg^-1）， medium-dose modified Buwangsan （M-BWS， 3.72 g·kg^-1）， high-dose modified Buwangsan （H-BWS，7.44 g·kg^-1）， and huperzine A （SSJJ， 0.018 mg·kg^-1）. The rats were treated by gavage once a day for 12 weeks. The body weight and blood glucose level were monitored dynamically. Morris water maze was employed to test the cognitive function of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining were employed to observe the pathological changes of the hippocampus. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the serum and hippocampus were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blotting was employed to determine the expression levels of key autophagy-related proteins including microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3）， type Ⅲ phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase complex regulatory subunit （Beclin1）， and phosphorylated UNC-51-like kinase （p-ULK） 1/2 in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to observe the regulation of p-PI3K/PI3K， p-mTOR/mTOR， and p-Akt/Akt ratios. ResultsCompared with the DM group， the L-BWS， M-BWS， H-BWS， and SSJJ groups showed increases in body weight at the end of the experiment （P<0.05）， and the M-BWS， H-BWS and SSJJ groups showed declines in fasting blood glucose level （P<0.05）. In the water maze test， compared with the DM group， the M-BWS， H-BWS， and SSJJ groups presented shortened escape latency （P<0.001）. The L-BWS， M-BWS， H-BWS， and SSJJ group showcased regularly arranged cells in the hippocampus and cortex， markedly increased number of neurons， and significantly recovered Nissl bodies. Compared with the DM group， the L-BWS， M-BWS， H-BWS， and SSJJ groups had reductions in the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in the serum and hippocampus （P<0.05）， increases in the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and expression level of beclin1 in the hippocampus （P<0.05） and the p-ULK level （P<0.05）. The p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-mTOR/mTOR ratios in the hippocampus decreased in the M-BWS， H-BWS， and SSJJ groups （P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Buwangsan significantly ameliorates cognitive dysfunction and neurological damage in the rat model of T2DM through multiple mechanisms. It regulates metabolic disorders， lowers the blood glucose level， improves lipid metabolism， and alleviates oxidative stress. It promotes the protection and repair of neurons by inhibiting inflammatory responses and activating the autophagy pathway in the hippocampus. At the same time， modified Buwangsan relieves autophagy inhibition by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway to alleviate the brain tissue injury.