1.Comparison of Efficacy and Mechanism in Warming Yang and Dispersing Cold of Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata Processed by ZHANG Zhongjing's Method and Pharmacopoeia Method
Mingjie JIAO ; Qian CHEN ; Shuyu YAN ; Yiyan SONG ; Jia ZHANG ; Fei LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):207-217
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanism of decoctions from four kinds of processed products of Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata(ARLP) in deficiency-cold syndrome. MethodsA total of 36 SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, Shengfupian(SFP) group, Paofuzi(PFZ) group, Heishunpian(HSP) group and Paofupian(PFP) group with 6 rats in each group. Except for the control group, rats in other groups were administered hydrocortisone sodium succinate via intramuscular injection to induce a cold deficiency syndrome model. After 14 consecutive days, each ARLP decoction pieces was administered via continuous gastric lavage at a dose of 12 g·kg-1·d-1 for 7 d, while the control and model groups received an equivalent volume of physiological saline. After the end of administration, body weight, spleen weight and thymus weight were measured for calculating the spleen and thymus indexes. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of adrenal tissue. The fully automatic biochemistry analyzer was used to measure the total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), lactic dehydrogenase(LDH) and lactate(LAC) levels in serum. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to measure the contents of 17-hydroxycorticosteroid(17-OHCS), cortisol(CORT), triiodothyronine(T3), thyroxine(T4), thyrotropin(TSH), immunoglobulin(Ig) M, IgG, cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP). Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of protein kinase A(PKA), cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB), silent information regulator 1(Sirt1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α). And high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was used to determine the content of major alkaloids, followed by Pearson correlation analysis with pharmacodynamic indicators. ResultsAfter modeling, compare with the control group, the model rats exhibited symptoms such as lethargy and loose stools, mild abnormalities were observed in adrenal tissue structure, and both spleen and thymus indices were significantly reduced(P<0.01). Thyroid, adrenal and immune system functions were suppressed, with decreased serum cAMP level and significantly elevated cGMP level(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the adrenal injury by hydrocortisone sodium succinate were repaired and the spleen index were increased significantly in all four ARLP groups(P<0.05, P<0.01). The thymus index in SFP and PFZ groups were increased significantly(P<0.05). The contents of T3, TSH, 17-OHCS and CORT were increased significantly in SFP and PFZ groups(P<0.05). In addition, the content of IgG in SFP, PFZ and PFP groups were increased significantly(P<0.01), while the content of IgM in PFZ and HSP groups were also increased significantly(P<0.05). Regarding the cyclic nucleotide system, PFZ significantly elevated cAMP level while reducing cGMP level(P<0.05), exhibiting the most pronounced effect among the four decoction pieces. For energy metabolism indicators, PFZ significantly improved abnormal markers including TC, TG, LDH, and LAC(P<0.05). HSP showed marked improvement effects on TG, LDH, and LAC(P<0.05). Both PFZ and SFP significantly elevated the expression levels of PKA, CREB, Sirt1, and PGC-1α proteins(P<0.01). Additionally, the diester alkaloids in ARLP showed a strong positive correlation with TG, IgG, and CORT, a strong negative correlation with LAC, a moderate positive correlation with T4, and moderate negative correlations with cAMP and spleen index. Monomeric alkaloids showed strong positive correlations with TG and IgG, strong negative correlations with LAC, moderate positive correlations with CORT and T4, and moderate negative correlations with cAMP and spleen index. However, the content of water-soluble alkaloids showed strong positive correlations with TC, LDH, 17-OHCS, T3, TSH, and thymus index, moderate positive correlations with cAMP, CORT, T4, and spleen index, and moderate negative correlation with cGMP. ConclusionAmong different processed ARLP decoction pieces, PFZ processed according to ZHANG Zhongjing's method exhibits the most potent warming and cold-dispelling effects. Its pharmacological actions are mediated through regulating the thyroid, adrenal, immune, cyclic nucleotide systems, and material-energy metabolism pathways. Among these, water-soluble alkaloids show strong or moderate correlations with more indicators of deficiency-cold syndrome and exhibit the highest content in PFZ. Therefore, PFZ processed according to ZHANG Zhongjing's method may exert its warming and cold-dispelling effects through water-soluble alkaloids.
2.Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure Based on Thinking of Five Differentiation
Kun LIAN ; Lichong MENG ; Manting YI ; Lin LI ; Fei WANG ; Siyuan HU ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):160-168
Chronic heart failure (CHF) refers to a clinical syndrome in which the function or structure of the heart is changed due to damage to the original myocardium, resulting in reduced pumping and/or filling functions of the heart. In recent years, the mechanisms, pathways, and targets of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of CHF have been continuously confirmed, and the application of TCM theories in guiding the syndrome differentiation and precise treatment of CHF is currently a research hotspot. On the basis of the syndrome differentiation and treatment in TCM, Professor LI Candong innovatively proposed the thinking of five differentiation: Disease differentiation, syndrome differentiation, pathogenesis differentiation, symptom differentiation, and individual differentiation. This article explores the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CHF from this thinking, emphasizing comprehensive syndrome differentiation, objective analysis, dynamic assessment, and individualized treatment. In terms of diagnosis, the first is to identify the disease name, cause, location, severity, and type of CHF, determine the type and its evolution, and clarify the process of transmission and transformation between deficiency and excess. Secondly, it is necessary to distinguish the authenticity, severity, primary and secondary, urgency and complexity of CHF syndromes, providing scientific guidance for syndrome differentiation and treatment. Thirdly, according to the symptoms and the principles of deficiency and excess, the physician should identify the core pathogenesis of CHF from the perspectives of Qi, blood, Yin, Yang, deficiency, stasis, phlegm, water, and toxins. Fourthly, from the macro, meso and micro levels, the physician should carefully distinguish the presence or absence, severity, authenticity, and completeness of the symptoms to guide the diagnosis and treatment process of CHF. Finally, personalized medication for CHF should be promoted based on the patient's gender, age, constitution, and living habits. In terms of treatment, based on the thinking of five differentiation, we propose that the treatment of CHF should integrate the disease and syndrome, clarify the pathogenesis, and apply precise treatment. The treatment should be people-oriented, staged, and typed, and the medication should be adjusted according to symptoms. This diagnostic and therapeutic approach is based on the holistic concept and syndrome differentiation and treatment, and combines the three causes for appropriate treatment, providing new ideas and insights for the diagnosis and treatment of CHF.
3.Association of school bullying and insomnia with depression-anxiety-stress emotions among primary and secondary school students
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):85-89
Objective:
To explore the interaction between school bullying and insomnia in relation to depression-anxiety-stress emotions among primary and secondary school students,so as to provide a basis for preventing negative emotional states in adolescents.
Methods:
In October 2024, a stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 3 058 students in grade 5-6 of primary, junior and senior high school in Sheyang County of Jiangsu Province. The Delaware Bullying Victimization Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale-21, and Study Condition Questionnaire were employed to investigate school bullying, insomnia, depression-anxiety-stress emotions, and academic performance. The χ 2 test and Logistic regression were used to analyze the association between school bullying and insomnia interactions and depression-anxiety-stress emotions among primary and secondary school students, multiplicative interaction analysis was conducted, and additive interaction analysis was performed using R software.
Results:
The detection rates of depression-anxiety-stress emotions among primary and secondary school students were 21.6%, 28.4% and 10.8%, respectively. The detection rates of physical bullying, relationship bullying, verbal bullying and cyberbullying in school bullying were 10.6%, 14.0%, 22.3%, and 6.2%, respectively. The detection rate for insomnia was 23.1%. Results from Logistic regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for relevant factors, physical, relational, verbal, and cyberbullying and insomnia were positively correlated with the detection rates of depression ( OR = 5.72- 10.93), anxiety ( OR =6.35-12.17), and stress emotions ( OR =5.97-14.52) among primary and secondary school students (all P <0.01). The multiplicative interaction between physical, relational, verbal, and cyberbullying and insomnia was positively correlated with the detection rates of depression ( OR =8.00-18.01), anxiety ( OR =11.35-17.76), and stress emotions ( OR =7.64-9.12) in primary and secondary school students (all P <0.01). Additive interactions were observed between physical, relational, verbal, and cyberbullying and insomnia in relation to the detection rates of depression, anxiety, and stress emotions among primary and secondary school students (both RERI and AP >0 and the credible interval excluded 0, SI >1 and the credible interval excluded 1).
Conclusion
School bullying and insomnia are associated with depression, anxiety, and stress emotions among primary and secondary school students, and they exhibit both multiplicative and additive interactions.
4.Association between core symptoms and biological markers in children with autism spectrum disorders
FEI Xianyan, WANG Rui, CHAI Yangyang, HE Xianming, ZHENG Shizhu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):125-128
Objective:
To explore the relationship between serum homocysteine (Hcy), interleukin-5 (IL-5), folate and core symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders, so as to provide potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and intervention of diseases.
Methods:
A total of 106 children with autism spectrum disorders and 106 healthy children with matched sex and age in Lu an People s Hospital were enrolled as autism group and healthy group between May 2020 to December 2023. On the day of admission, levels of serum Hcy, IL-5 and folate were detected. The core symptoms in autism group were evaluated by Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-fourth edition(WPPSI-IV), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). The levels of serum Hcy, IL-5 and folate in the two groups were compared by t- test. The relationship between serum Hcy, IL-5, folate and core symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders was determined by Pearson correlation analysis.
Results:
The levels of serum Hcy and IL-5 in autism group were (7.48±0.32) μmol/L and (345.77±32.51) pg/mL, higher than those in healthy group [(6.11±0.54) μmol/L, (274.04±25.17) pg/mL], while folate level was lower than that in healthy group [(15.24±3.47) ng/mL, (22.51±4.69) ng/mL], the differences were statistically significant ( t =22.47, 17.96, 12.83, all P < 0.05 ). In autism group, levels of serum Hcy and IL-5 were positively correlated with scores of ABC, CARS and SRS ( r =0.29, 0.53 , 0.54; 0.45, 0.41, 0.50), while negatively correlated with WPPSI-IV score ( r =-0.28, -0.26)(all P <0.05). The folate level was negatively correlated with scores of ABC, CARS and SRS ( r =-0.55, -0.40, -0.25), while positively correlated with WPPSI-IV score ( r =0.41) (all P <0.05).
Conclusion
Children with ASD show elevated serum Hcy and IL-5 alongside decreased folate,and three markers correlate with core symptoms and intellectual level.
5.Pharmacodynamic Substance Basis and Mechanisms of Shangkeling Spray on Knee Osteoarthritis
Pengbo GUO ; Changhao XIAO ; Fei XIA ; Chong QIU ; Jigang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):206-216
ObjectiveTo analyze the pharmacodynamic substance basis of Shangkeling Spray and its potential mechanisms in intervening knee osteoarthritis (KOA) using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS), network pharmacology, and molecular docking technology. MethodsUPLC-MS was used to identify the chemical components of Shangkeling Spray. Pharmacokinetic properties were employed to screen potential active ingredients. Network pharmacology methods were utilized to collect potential targets of these ingredients and the pathological gene set of KOA. An "active ingredient-disease" target network was constructed using databases such as STRING. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analyses were performed using clusterProfiler. Libraries including NumPy were employed to calculate shortest path lengths to identify dominant pharmacodynamic links. Core gene clusters were identified using MCODE, validated through the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and molecular docking was performed between key active ingredients and core targets. ResultsA total of 322 and 314 chemical components were identified under positive and negative ion modes, respectively, with 410 components in total after de-duplication, mainly including flavonoids, coumarins, terpenoids, organic acids, and alkaloids. Analysis of the "active ingredient-disease" network identified "development and regeneration", "cell growth and death", "immune system", and "nervous system" as the dominant pharmacodynamic links of Shangkeling Spray in the treatment of KOA. Molecular docking showed that key active ingredients, such as bletillin A, formononetin, morin, oxymatrine, aconitine, gallic acid, curdione, apigenin, naringenin, and oleanolic acid, tightly bound to functional domains of 10 key targets including Jun proteins(JUN), interleukin-6 (IL-6), protein kinase B1 (Akt1), Caspase-3, nuclear transcription factor-κB subunit p65(RELA), nuclear factor-kappaB1(NF-κB1), Cyclin D1, mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and Fos proto-oncogene protein (FOS). These interactions synergistically regulated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mTOR-related signaling axis and nervous system-related pathways, mediating cartilage repair, reducing inflammation and pain, and improving KOA. ConclusionThis study preliminarily clarifies the pharmacodynamic substance basis of Shangkeling Spray and suggests that its main active ingredients may improve KOA by synergistically regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR-related pathways, providing a reference for subsequent exploration of its substance benchmark and mechanism of action.
6.Effects and mechanism of osthol on skin wound healing and angiogenesis in rats
Xiyan FEI ; Dan WANG ; Juan JIANG ; Xinfang HE ; Enjing ZHANG ; Shuqi FEI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(3):324-329
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of osthole (OST) on skin wound healing and angiogenesis in rats by regulating the sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway. METHODS Full-layer skin defect wound model rats were established and then randomly separated into Model group, OST low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups (OST-L group, OST-M group, OST-H group, 20, 30, 40 mg/kg OST), high-dose OST+SHH inhibitor cyclopamide group (OST-H+cyclopamide group, 40 mg/kg OST+10 mg/kg cyclopamide), with 12 rats in each group. Another 12 rats were selected as the control group. The wound healing of rats on 1, 7 and 14 days of administration was observed, and the wound healing rate of rats in each group was measured. The pathological changes and collagen deposition in rat wound tissue were observed; the levels of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in wound tissue of rats were detected; the relative expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) mRNA were also detected in wound tissue of rats; the protein expressions of VEGFA, VEGFR-2, SHH and glioma-associated oncogene homolog-1 (GLI1) were determined in wound tissue of rats. RESULTS Compared with Model group, the healing rate of skin wound, relative expression of collagen protein, the levels of Ang-1 and bFGF, the mRNA and protein expressions of VEGFA and VEGFR-2, and the protein expressions of SHH and GLI1 were all significantly increased in OST-M and OST-H groups (P<0.05). The wound tissue underwent significant re- epithelialization, with reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and granulation tissue edema, and an increase in the number of new blood vessels. SHH inhibitor cycloparamide weakened the promoting effects of OST on skin wound healing and angiogenesis in rats. CONCLUSIONS OST may promote skin wound healing and angiogenesis in rats by activating the SHH signaling pathway.
7.Changes in hemoglobin and related influencing factors in patients with liver failure undergoing artificial liver support therapy
Ying LIN ; Li CHEN ; Fei PENG ; Jianhui LIN ; Chuanshang ZHUO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(1):104-109
ObjectiveTo investigate the changing trend of hemoglobin (Hb) and related influencing factors in patients with liver failure after artificial liver support system (ALSS) therapy. MethodsA total of 106 patients with liver failure who were hospitalized and received ALSS therapy in our hospital from January to December 2018 were enrolled and analyzed in terms of clinical data and red blood cell parameters such as Hb, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red blood cell distribution width-coefficient of variation (RDW-CV). A one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data with repeated measurement between groups, and the paired t-test was used for comparison between two groups. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data with skewed distribution between multiple groups, the Mann-Whitney U test was used for further comparison between two groups. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to identify the influencing factors for the reduction in Hb after ALSS therapy. ResultsThe 106 patients with liver failure received 606 sessions of ALSS therapy, and Hb was measured for 402 sessions before and after treatment. There was a significant reduction in Hb after ALSS therapy in the patients with liver failure (97.49±20.51 g/L vs 109.38±20.22 g/L, t=32.764, P<0.001). Longitudinal observation was further performed for 14 patients with liver failure, and the results showed that the level of Hb was 108.50±21.61 g/L before the last session of ALSS therapy, with certain recovery compared with the level of Hb (103.14±19.15 g/L) on the second day after ALSS, and there was an increase in Hb on day 3 (102.57±21.73 g/L) and day 7 (105.57±22.04 g/L) after surgery. The level of Hb in patients with liver failure on the second day after ALSS decreased with the increase in the number of ALSS sessions (F=8.996, P<0.001), while MCV and MCH gradually increased with the increase in the number of ALSS sessions (F=9.154 and 13.460, P=0.004 and P<0.001), and RDW-CV first gradually increased and then gradually decreased (F=4.520, P=0.032); MCHC showed fluctuations with no clear trend (F=0.811, P=0.494). The multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the duration of ALSS therapy, the mode of ALSS therapy, and initial treatment were independent risk factors for the reduction in Hb after ALSS therapy. ConclusionALSS therapy can influence the level of peripheral blood Hb in patients with liver failure, and patient blood management should be strengthened for patients with liver failure who are receiving ALSS therapy.
8.Application of health-related quality of life assessment in patients with chronic hepatitis B and related advances
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(1):133-140
The transformation of traditional biomedical model into the bio-psycho-social medical model means that the purpose of clinical diagnosis and treatment not only focuses on the disease itself, but also emphasizes the quality of life and happiness index of patients. Since chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is infectious and has high rates of recurrence and progression, patients have to bear many pressures in terms of physiology, psychology, economy, and society, which seriously affects their quality of life. Therefore, it is very important to perform health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessments for patients with CHB. This article reviews the clinical significance and measurement tools of HRQoL assessments in patients with CHB and summarizes the influencing factors for HRQoL in CHB patients and the measures to improve their HRQoL. This article will provide theoretical support for dynamic monitoring of HRQoL in CHB patients and practical guidance for optimizing the clinical diagnosis and treatment regimens for CHB and improving the quality of life of patients.
9.Front-end access regulation and liability adjustment of infringement in the middle and back-ends of medical artificial intelligence
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(2):150-158
Based on the unique characteristics of medical artificial intelligence (AI) that differ from general medical devices, it was found that the clinical application of medical AI has brought different levels of impacts on the front-end access supervision and regulation, the mid-end informed consent right design, and back-end post-damage liability adjustment. In this regard, it is necessary to appropriately relax the admission review, strengthen the coordination of supervision before and after listing, and simultaneously adjust the comprehensive judgment ideas of “safe and effective” medical AI; clarify the “breadth” of notification and “depth” of disclosure regarding the patients’ informed consent rights; based on current product liability and liability for medical malpractice system, typologically adjust the allocation of liability, while strengthening the supplemental application of medical compulsory liability insurance, so as to enhance the relief of patients’ damage, rationalize risk allocation, and minimize social costs.
10.Key Information Research on Famous Classical Formula Shegan Mahuangtang
Cheng LUO ; Yuanhang YE ; Bo NING ; Fei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):180-188
Shegan Mahuangtang was a famous classical formula for treating asthma and is included in the the Catalogue of Ancient Famous Classical Formulas(The Second Batch). By means of bibliometrics, this study conducts a textual research and analysis on the key information of its formula origin, composition, drug origins, processing, dosage, decocting methods, efficacy, and clinical application. According to research, Shegan Mahuangtang was first recorded in Synopsis of the Golden Chamber and is the ancestral formula for treating cold asthma, which has been used to this day. Suggestions for the drug origins in Shegan Mahuangtang is as follows:Shegan is selected from the dried rhizomes of Belamcanda chinensis(Iridaceae), Mahuang is selected from the dried herbaceous stems of Ephedra sinica(Ephedraceae), Shengjiang is selected from the fresh rhizomes of Zingiber officinale(Zingiberaceae), Xixin is selected from the dried roots and rhizomes of Asarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum, A. sieboldii var. seoulense or A. sieboldii(Aristolochiaceae), Ziwan is selected from the dried roots and rhizomes of Aster tataricus(Compositae), Kuandonghua is selected from the dried flower buds of Tussilago farfara(Compositae), Nanwuweizi is selected from the dried mature fruits of Schisandra sphenanthera(Magnoliaceae), Dazao is selected from the dried mature fruit of Ziziphus jujuba(Rhamnaceae), and Banxia, a plant of the Araceae family, is selected as the processed products of dried tubers from Pinellia ternata. The recommended dosage is 41.4 g of Shegan, Xixin, Ziwan and Kuandonghua, 55.2 g of Mahuang and Shengjiang, 37.5 g of Nanwuweizi, 21 g of Dazao, 34.5 g of Banxia. The decoction method is to boil Mahuang first in 2.4 L of water, remove the froth on the top, and add the rest of the herbs and decoct them together, and then boil them to 600 mL, and then take it at warm temperature, 200 mL each time, 3 times a day. In terms of clinical application, Shegan Mahuangtang is most commonly used for respiratory system diseases, especially in the treatment of adult or pediatric bronchial asthma and cough variant asthma. Phlegm sound in the throat is the core symptom of Shegan Mahuangtang in clinical practice, and the core pathogenesis is "cold fluid stagnated in the lungs". By excavating and sorting out the ancient and modern literature of Shegan Mahuangtang, key information is confirmed, which can provide literature reference for the modern clinical application and new drug development of this famous classical formula.


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