1.Molecular Mechanism of Programmed Cell Death in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Xin PENG ; Yunhui LI ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Haotian XU ; Ziming DANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):304-313
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant threat to global health, exhibiting high morbidity, disability and mortality rate, with its prevention and treatment situation becoming increasingly critical. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex, and the underlying cellular and molecular biological mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Programmed cell death (PCD) is the process wherein cells actively undergo demise to maintain internal environmental stability in response to certain signals or specific stimuli. Contemporary medical research indicates that the dysregulation of PCD patterns such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis is closely related to the onset and progression of COPD. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of PCD in COPD may provide novel perspectives for in-depth understanding and prevention of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by holistic regulation. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted in the TCM field focusing on modulating apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis for the treatment of COPD, yielding remarkable achievements. Therefore, this study systematically explored the molecular mechanism of PCD in COPD and reviewed the potential mechanisms and intervention status of TCM targeting PCD in COPD, aiming to provide insights and references for the clinical prevention, treatment and in-depth research of COPD.
2.Molecular Mechanism of Programmed Cell Death in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Xin PENG ; Yunhui LI ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Haotian XU ; Ziming DANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):304-313
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant threat to global health, exhibiting high morbidity, disability and mortality rate, with its prevention and treatment situation becoming increasingly critical. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex, and the underlying cellular and molecular biological mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Programmed cell death (PCD) is the process wherein cells actively undergo demise to maintain internal environmental stability in response to certain signals or specific stimuli. Contemporary medical research indicates that the dysregulation of PCD patterns such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis is closely related to the onset and progression of COPD. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of PCD in COPD may provide novel perspectives for in-depth understanding and prevention of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by holistic regulation. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted in the TCM field focusing on modulating apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis for the treatment of COPD, yielding remarkable achievements. Therefore, this study systematically explored the molecular mechanism of PCD in COPD and reviewed the potential mechanisms and intervention status of TCM targeting PCD in COPD, aiming to provide insights and references for the clinical prevention, treatment and in-depth research of COPD.
3.Immunity-inflammation Mechanism of Viral Pneumonia and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment Based on Theory of Healthy Qi and Pathogenic Qi
Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Xin PENG ; Yihao ZHANG ; Yunhui LI ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):239-247
Viral pneumonia is an infectious disease caused by virus invading the lung parenchyma and interstitial tissue and causing lung inflammation, with the incidence rising year by year. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can treat viral pneumonia in a multi-component, multi-target, and holistic manner by targeting the core pathogenesis of pneumonia caused by different respiratory viruses, demonstrating minimal side effects and significant advantages. According to the theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi in TCM, the struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi and the imbalance between immunity and inflammation run through the entire process of viral pneumonia, and the immunity-inflammation status at different stages of the disease reflects different relationships between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi. Immune dysfunction leads to the deficiency of healthy Qi, causing viral infections. The struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi causes immunity-inflammation imbalance, leading to the onset of viral pneumonia. Inflammatory damage causes persistent accumulation of phlegm and stasis, leading to the progression of viral pneumonia. The cytokine storm causes immunodepletion, leading to the excess of pathogenic Qi and diminution of healthy Qi and the deterioration of viral pneumonia. After the recovery from viral pneumonia, there is a long-term imbalance between immunity and micro-inflammation, which results in healthy Qi deficiency and pathogenic Qi lingering. Healthy Qi deficiency and pathogenic Qi excess act as common core causes of pneumonia caused by different respiratory viruses. Clinical treatment should emphasize both replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi, helping to restore the balance between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi as well as between immunity and inflammation, thus promoting the recovery of patients from viral pneumonia. According to the TCM theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi, this article summarizes the immunity-inflammation mechanisms at different stages of viral pneumonia, and explores the application of the method of replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi in viral pneumonia. The aim is to probe into the scientific connotation of the TCM theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi in viral pneumonia and provide ideas for the clinical application of the method of replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi to assist in the treatment of viral pneumonia.
4.Thoughts of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment and Effect Mechanism of Haoqin Qingdantang in Treating Viral Pneumonia Based on Theory of Treating Different Diseases with Same Therapy
Xin PENG ; Haotian XU ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Yihao ZHANG ; Kun YANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):209-217
The principle of treating different diseases with the same therapy is the essence of syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It means that when the same pathogenic changes or the same symptoms appear in the development of different diseases, the same principles or methods can be used for treatment. Due to the complexity and high variability of viral pathogenicity, the precise and effective treatment of different types of viral pneumonia (VP) has always been a research focus and difficulty in modern medicine. VP belongs to the category of external-contraction febrile disease, warm disease, and epidemic in TCM. Haoqin Qingdantang (HQQDD) is a representative formula for clearing heat and dispelling dampness in warm diseases, and its intervention in VP caused by various viral infections has significant effects. This study, guided by the theory of treating different diseases with the same therapy, links the related studies on using HQQDD to treat different types of VP and finds that influenza virus pneumonia (IVP), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and COVID-19 all have a common pathogenic mechanism of dampness-heat at different stages of respective diseases. When these diseases are dominated by damp-heat factors, the use of HQQDD yields remarkable therapeutic effects. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that HQQDD can inhibit virus replication, reduce fever reactions, inhibit the expression of inflammatory mediators, and regulate immune balance. Moreover, the sovereign medicine in this formula has excellent antiviral activity, and the formula reflects rich scientific connotations of treating VP. According to the theory of treating different diseases with the same therapy and based on the effective treatment practice and modern pharmacological research of HQQDD for different types of VP, this paper mines the underlying TCM theory of treatment with the same therapy, explores the syndrome differentiation and treatment strategy and effect mechanism of this formula for different types of VP, and analyzes the treatment mechanism and characteristics, with the aim of providing evidence and reference for the clinical application and modern research of HQQDD.
5.Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Regulating Immune Inflammation and Microvascular Damage in Preventing Recurrence of Pneumonia During Recovery Based on Combination of Pathogenic Factors
Xin PENG ; Haotian XU ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Kun YANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):249-258
Pneumonia is an infectious disease with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its damage to the body is not limited to the acute phase. The theory of combination of pathogenic factors emphasizes that the combination of new pathogens and residual pathogens in the body leads to the occurrence of diseases, which generalizes the causes of recurrence during pneumonia recovery. During the recovery stage of pneumonia, pathological changes such as disturbance of immune homeostasis, persistent low-grade inflammation, and microvascular damage continue to affect the body function, impair the health and quality of life of patients, and increase the risk of secondary infection. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), pneumonia is caused by deficiency, and Qi deficiency and blood stasis is the core pathogenesis in the recovery stage. At this time, the body is not full of healthy qi and still has residual pathogens, and thus it is susceptible to external pathogenic factors that lead to disease recurrence. As an important part of the TCM philosophy of treating disease before its onset, prevention of recurrence after recovery emphasizes the need for aftercare in the recovery stage to prevent disease recurrence. Based on the pathogenesis theory of combination of pathogenic factors and the pathogenesis of Qi deficiency and blood stasis, this paper discusses the effect and connotation of TCM in regulating immune inflammation and microvascular damage in preventing recurrence of pneumonia during the recovery stage, aiming to develop new ideas for effective prevention and treatment of pneumonia at this stage.
6.Depression among middle school students in Jiading District
WANG Haiqi ; ZHANG Hanxiao ; YANG Fengyun ; GUO Xianli ; FAN Shengrong ; ZHANG Lifeng ; JIANG Hong
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):832-836
Objective:
To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of depression among middle school students in Jiading District, Shanghai Municipality, so as to provide the evidence for developing mental health intervention strategies among middle school students.
Methods:
Students from 3 junior high schools and 3 senior high schools in Jiading District were selected from June 2022 to June 2023 using a stratified random cluster sampling method. Basic information including gender and educational stage was collected through questionnaire surveys. Depression, mental health literacy, cognitive emotion regulation, family cohesion, school climate, stress, and life satisfaction were assessed using the Children's Depression Inventory, the Mental Health Literacy Assessment Scale, the Chinese version of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale, the Perceived School Climate Scale, Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale, and the Life Satisfaction Scale, respectively. Factors affecting depression among middle school students were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model.
Results:
There were 1 117 boys (53.94%) and 954 girls (46.06%), with a mean age of (15.20±1.77) years. There were 1 193 (57.61%) junior high school students and 878 (42.39%) senior high school students. Depression was detected in 577 students, with a prevalence of 27.86%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified gender (boy, OR=0.652, 95%CI: 0.512-0.832), educational stage (senior high school, OR=2.519, 95%CI: 1.584-4.008), mental health literacy (OR=0.958, 95%CI: 0.951-0.966), cognitive emotion regulation (adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies, OR=0.970, 95%CI: 0.958-0.982; maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies, OR=1.103, 95%CI: 1.084-1.123), family cohesion (OR=0.910, 95%CI: 0.899-0.921), school climate (OR=0.720, 95%CI: 0.694-0.747), stress (OR=1.127, 95%CI: 1.104-1.150), life satisfaction (OR=0.817, 95%CI: 0.799-0.836) as factors affecting depression among middle school students.
Conclusions
Depression among middle school students in Jiading District is associated with gender, educational stage, mental health literacy, cognitive emotion regulation, family cohesion, school climate, stress, and life satisfaction. It is recommended that targeted measures be taken from the perspectives of individuals, families, schools, and society to promote the mental health of middle school students.
7.Unveiling the "Dark Matter" of platelet involvement in tumor microenvironment.
Peiyin ZHANG ; Ruiling ZU ; Xingmei ZHANG ; Hanxiao REN ; Lubei RAO ; Dongsheng WANG ; Tian LI ; Ping LENG ; Huaichao LUO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(9):101218-101218
Platelets are well-known for their functions in blood clotting and vascular repair. However, in recent years, the regulatory role of platelets in the occurrence and development of malignant tumors has received significant attention. While extensive research has been conducted on the regulation of tumors by circulating platelets in peripheral blood, there is a lack of coherence and continuity among these studies. The tumor microenvironment encompasses the intricate network of cellular and acellular elements that surround and interact with tumor cells, creating a supportive ecosystem for their survival and growth. It plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of tumors. Similar to dark matter in the universe, platelets, as tiny and enigmatic entities, play an essential role in tumor development and treatment within the tumor microenvironment. Although our current understanding of platelet regulation in the tumor microenvironment is limited, they hold immense untapped potential. In-depth studies on the tumor microenvironment have revealed platelets as a meaningful component, influencing various aspects of tumor development, metastasis, and immune evasion. Platelets, through the release of various bioactive substances or direct interaction with tumor cells, impact tumor progression while being influenced by the tumor in return. Therefore, understanding the role and mechanisms of platelets in the tumor microenvironment is of great importance for tumor prevention and treatment. This review provides a summary of the research progress on the interplay between platelets and tumors in the tumor microenvironment, and presents a promising outlook on the potential of platelets in tumor therapy.
8.Effect of transcranial alternating current stimulation on cerebral perfusion in patients with Alzheimer's disease using MRI 3D-ASL
Tao WANG ; Shaozhen YAN ; Hanxiao XUE ; Hanyu XI ; Zhigang QI ; Yi TANG ; Jie LU
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2024;26(11):1315-1319
Objective To investigate the effect of transcranial alternating current stimulation(tACS)on cerebral blood flow(CBF)in patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods A ret-rospective study was conducted on 21 mild AD patients admitted in our hospital from September 2019 to April 2022.All of them received tACS treatment for 3 weeks.Mini-mental state examina-tion(MMSE),auditory verbal learning test(AVLT)and MRI were applied to obtain the data at baseline(T0),the end of the treatment(T1)and in three months after treatment(T2).Z-trans-form CBF(zCBF)was performed to reduce individual variability.The changes in MMSE and AVLT scores,as well as brain zCBF and CBF values before and after tACS treatment were ana-lyzed.Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship of zCBF and CBF with cognitive scores.Results In the AD patients,their MMSE score was significantly increased at T1 than at T0[22.00(20.00,25.00)vs 20.00(18.00,21.50),P<0.01].Based on voxel analysis,the AD patients exhibited significantly increased zCBF in the bilateral frontal and temporal cortex at T1,and in the right frontal and temporal cortex at T2 when compared with the levels at T0(P<0.05).The most pronounced increase in zCBF was observed in the right insular.Based on region of inter-est analysis,increased zCBF and CBF in the right frontal and temporal cortex at T1 were observed(P<0.05).There was a positive correlation between the change of CBF in the right frontal cortex and AVLT-recognition recall at T1(r=0.617,P=0.005)and between the change of CBF in the left frontal cortex and MMSE at T2(r=0.596,P=0.012).Conclusion MRI 3D-ASL can objec-tively evaluate the changes of CBF in AD patients after tACS treatment,and it provides a reliable imaging marker for evaluating the efficacy of tACS.
9.Effect of compound betamethasone on breakthrough pain after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty under sciatic nerve combined with femoral nerve block
Qingbao LI ; Hanxiao NIE ; Shihong LI ; Yibin WANG ; Naiqi CHEN ; Wei WANG ; Fei XU ; Deli ZHANG
The Journal of Clinical Anesthesiology 2024;40(6):601-605
Objective To investigate the effect of compound betamethasone adjuvant on break-through pain after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty under sciatic nerve combined with femoral nerve block.Methods A total of 100 patients underwent unicondylar knee arthroplasty,32 males and 68 females,aged 55-75 years,BMI 18.5-35.0 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ,were divided into three groups according to random number table method:no adjuvant group(group C,n=34),dexamethasone adjuvant group(group D,n=33)and compound betamethasone adjuvant group(group B,n=33).The patients in the three groups received sciatic nerve block and 0.4%ropivacaine 15 ml before anesthesia in-duction,then femoral nerve block,0.4%ropivacaine 15 ml in group C,0.4%ropivacaine 15 ml in group D(containing dexamethasone 5 mg),and 0.4%ropivacaine 15 ml in group B(containing compound beca-methasone 4 mg).The occurrence of breakthrough pain,the number of effective analgesic pump compres-sions,opioid dosage,and the number of remedial analgesia cases were recorded.The ground movement dis-tance was recorded 0-24 hours,24-48 hours,and 48-72 hours after operation.The sleep quality scores and adverse events were also recorded.Results Compared with group C,the incidence rate of breakthrough pain was lower(P<0.05),the number of effective analgesia pump compressions,the dosage of opioid,and the sleep quality score on the first night after operation were significantly decreased in group B(P<0.05).Compared with group D,the incidence rate of breakthrough pain and breakthrough pain score were lower(P<0.05),the number of effective analgesia pump compressions,the dosage of opioid,and the sleep quality score on the 1 st night after operation were significantly decreased in group B(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the ground movement distance of in different time periods and inci-dence of adverse events among the three groups.Conclusion Compound betamethasone adjuvant can reduce the incidence of breakthrough pain after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty under sciatic nerve com-bined with femoral nerve block,provide perfect analgesic effect,reduce postoperative opioid consumption,and improve the sleep quality of patients on the first night after surgery.
10.Role of Supplementing Qi and Activating Blood in Preventing Relapse After Recovery of Community-acquired Pneumonia with Syndrome of Lung Deficiency and Collateral Stasis
Hanxiao WANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(14):232-239
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a respiratory infection which takes a long time to fully recover after clinical symptoms are alleviated in the short term. It affects the physical health and quality of life of the patients in the long term and can occur repeatedly, which is related to inflammation, immunity, and the coagulation function. Lung Qi deficiency and collateral stasis are the key pathogenesis of CAP at the recovery stage. The development of CAP is accompanied by the decreased production and the increased consumption of Qi, which results in lung Qi deficiency. At the same time, heat pathogen forces the blood to move improperly, which depletes Qi and damages fluid, resulting in lung collateral stasis. Lung Qi deficiency and collateral stasis are causal and influence each other. The patients at the recovery stage of CAP generally present deficient lung Qi and healthy Qi, impaired immune function, and weakened defense function. However, pathogenic Qi, coagulation function changes, and thrombosis exist, and some coagulation factors are associated with the prognosis of CAP. The Chinese medicines for tonifying lung and supplementing Qi can help replenish healthy Qi, consolidate the body foundation, and regulate the inflammation. The Chinese medicines for activating blood and resolving stasis can dredge the lung collaterals, clear the pathogenic Qi, improve the microvascular circulation, and inhibit the inflammatory response. The Chinese medicines for supplementing Qi and activating blood can replenish healthy Qi and dispel pathogen to regulate immunity, inhibit inflammation, and alleviate the clinical symptoms, thus promoting the recovery from pneumonia. From lung Qi deficiency and collateral stasis, this paper summarizes the application and explains the scientific connotation of supplementing Qi and activating blood in preventing relapse after recovery of CAP, providing ideas for using this method to assist in preventing relapse after recovery of CAP.


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