1.Fitting Degrees of Animal Models of Chronic Glomerulonephritis with Clinical Characteristics in Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Siqing WU ; Lin GUO ; Beibei ZHANG ; Mingsan MIAO ; Jinxin MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):259-264
Chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) is a common clinical chronic glomerular disease caused by autoimmune reaction, the pathogenesis of which is complex and has not been fully elucidated. There is no specific treatment method in modern medicine. The establishment of an animal model of CGN in accordance with its characteristics in western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine will help to reveal the pathogenesis of CGN, rate drugs, and improve the treatment plan. Based on the clinical diagnostic criteria of CGN, the paper establishes the syndrome differentiation criteria of CGN for Chinese and western medicine. Through summarizing the literature on animal models of CGN and making a further analysis, it is found that the CGN models are mainly modeled using rats with the methods of single-factor induction or two-factor induction, and the main manifestation of the disease characteristics is nephritis-related symptoms. The single-factor-induced or two-factor-induced CGN rat models have a high fitting degree with the clinical characteristics in western medicine, but the fitting degree is insufficient with the clinical characteristics in traditional Chinese medicine. In addition, the CGN models with syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine are dominated by Qi deficiency in the spleen and kidney and Qi deficiency in the lung and kidney, while models for Yang deficiency in the spleen and kidney, Yin deficiency in the liver and kidney, and deficiency of both Qi and Yin are slightly insufficient. Therefore, it is important to prepare a new and improved animal model of CGN, so that a preclinical model can be provided for the exploration of the pathogenesis of CGN in western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine and its therapeutic research.
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevents and Treats Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury by Regulating Nrf2 Signaling Pathway: A Review
Siqing WU ; Jun WANG ; Mingsan MIAO ; Jinxin MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):286-295
Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI), a common cerebrovascular disease damage, has garnered increasing attention in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Restoration of blood flow and reperfusion to ischemic brain tissue is the key to treatment, while this process often triggers a variety of complex pathophysiological responses, such as oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, angiogenic abnormalities, and disruption of the blood-brain barrier. These responses not only impede the recovery of neurological functions but also may lead to damage or even death of nerve cells, seriously affecting the neurological function and quality of survival of patients. As an important transcription factor, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) has the pharmacological effect of alleviating CIRI by regulating antioxidant, anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation, mitochondrial function, angiogenesis, and blood-brain barrier pathways. This reveals the potential mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in intervening in CIRI and shows the potential of Nrf2 as a new pathway for dealing with ischemia stroke. This paper comprehensively analyzes the effects and mechanisms of active components and compound prescription of TCM in treating CIRI by modulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway, while pointing out the shortcomings of available studies and proposing a multidimensional exploration. This review aims to provide patients with more comprehensive, safe, and effective therapeutic regimens and improve the quality of survival and prognosis of patients. In addition, in-depth research on TCM should be promoted to reveal the potential mechanism for treating CIRI, providing new ideas and directions for the development of novel therapeutic drugs and methods.
3.Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevents and Treats Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury by Regulating Nrf2 Signaling Pathway: A Review
Siqing WU ; Jun WANG ; Mingsan MIAO ; Jinxin MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):286-295
Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI), a common cerebrovascular disease damage, has garnered increasing attention in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Restoration of blood flow and reperfusion to ischemic brain tissue is the key to treatment, while this process often triggers a variety of complex pathophysiological responses, such as oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, angiogenic abnormalities, and disruption of the blood-brain barrier. These responses not only impede the recovery of neurological functions but also may lead to damage or even death of nerve cells, seriously affecting the neurological function and quality of survival of patients. As an important transcription factor, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) has the pharmacological effect of alleviating CIRI by regulating antioxidant, anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation, mitochondrial function, angiogenesis, and blood-brain barrier pathways. This reveals the potential mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in intervening in CIRI and shows the potential of Nrf2 as a new pathway for dealing with ischemia stroke. This paper comprehensively analyzes the effects and mechanisms of active components and compound prescription of TCM in treating CIRI by modulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway, while pointing out the shortcomings of available studies and proposing a multidimensional exploration. This review aims to provide patients with more comprehensive, safe, and effective therapeutic regimens and improve the quality of survival and prognosis of patients. In addition, in-depth research on TCM should be promoted to reveal the potential mechanism for treating CIRI, providing new ideas and directions for the development of novel therapeutic drugs and methods.
4.Mechanism of Chinese Medicine Polysaccharide in Improving Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury
Siqing WU ; Mingsan MIAO ; Jinxin MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):277-288
Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) is one of the major complications of cardiovascular diseases in recent years, seriously threatening the life and health of patients. In recent years, although significant progress has been made in modern medical research on MIRI, due to its complex pathogenesis, adverse drug reactions, and high postoperative risks, there is an urgent need for safer and more effective therapeutic drugs. The pathological effects of MIRI involve inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and other mechanisms, while Chinese medicine polysaccharide compounds exhibit pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammation, antioxidation, and anti-apoptosis, which are of great significance for improving MIRI. Numerous studies have found that Chinese medicine polysaccharide compounds mainly exert their effects by activating signal pathways such as nerve regenerative factor-1/epidermal growth factor receptor (NRG-1/ErbB), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1), adenosine 5ʹ-monophosphate-activated protein kinase/silent information regulator 1/peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ coactivator lα (AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α), Ras homologous gene/Rho kinase (Rho/ROCK), glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3), and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK), thereby playing a role in improving MIRI. This paper, based on an extensive review of relevant literature in China and abroad, systematically summarizes the latest research findings on the use of Chinese medicine polysaccharide compounds in the treatment of MIRI, analyzes the mechanisms by which these compounds improve MIRI, and explores new therapeutic directions based on the joint investigation of signaling pathways and metabolomics. The paper emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in promoting the development of new drugs, aiming to provide valuable references for the basic research and clinical application of Chinese medicine polysaccharide compounds, ultimately benefiting the majority of cardiovascular disease patients.
5.Analysis of the application characteristics of the acute liver injury animal model based on data mining
Yilong HU ; Yinan ZHAO ; Shuangli ZHANG ; Guangnan QIU ; Yifan FENG ; Mingsan MIAO ; Jinxin MIAO
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2024;34(2):89-100
Objective To investigate the modeling elements of various types of animal models for acute liver injury,and to provide references and suggestions to establish and evaluate animal models of acute liver injury(ALI).Methods The animal experimental literature of ALI from 2002 to 2022 was searched in the databases of the China Knowledge Network,WanFang,Chongqing Vip(VIP),Chinese Medical Journal Full Text Data(Yiigle),and PubMed.The animal species,positive control drugs,modeling method,modeling drugs,and drug administration of the animal models of ALI in the literature were summarized.The result were analyzed using Excel,SPSS Modeler 18.0,and Cytoscape 3.8.2.Results A total of 896 articles were included in the databases.The most used animal models for ALI were male KM mice.The modeling method were mainly chemical liver injury,alcoholic liver injury,drug-related liver injury,and immune liver injury.①The corresponding main modeling method were intraperitoneal injection of 10 mL/kg of 0.1%CC14 in vegetable oil at 24 h before experiments,②gavage of 12.0 mL/kg of 50.0%~56.0%ethanol at 16 h before experiments,③intraperitoneal injection of 300 mg/kg APAP at 24 h before experiments,④tail vein injection of 20 mg/kg Con A at 8 h before experiments.Evaluation of the models was based on liver pathological indexes as the gold standard combined with biochemical indexes of serum ALT,AST,and SOD and MDA contents and activities in liver tissue homogenate as direct indicators.Conclusions Because the causes of ALI vary in clinical practice,the preparation of animal models of ALI should be based on the specific study content and characteristics,and the corresponding modeling method should be selected.
6.Study on the mechanism of astragaloside Ⅰ inhibiting podocyte pyroptosis in diabetic kidney disease
Yafei DUAN ; Xiancong SHI ; Liang ZHAO ; Mingzhen LYU ; Xinqi REN ; Yulei GU ; Jiangyan XU ; Zhenqiang ZHANG ; Jinxin MIAO ; Zhishen XIE ; Xiaowei ZHANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(10):1408-1415
Objective To investigate the mechanism of astragaloside Ⅰ,the active constituent of milkvetch root,in inhibiting podocyte injury and improving diabetic kidney disease.Methods According to the body weight,60 male db/db mice were randomly divided into the model group,astragaloside Ⅰ low-dose group(10 mg/kg),astragaloside Ⅰ medium-dose group(20 mg/kg),astragaloside Ⅰ high-dose group(40 mg/kg),and valsartan group(10mg/kg),with 12 mice per group.Twelve db/db littermate control db/m mice were used as the control group.The drug was administered by gavage for 8 weeks.Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructure of the kidney;immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of nephrotic protein(nephrin),a marker of renal podocytes;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the contents of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and interleukin-18(IL-18)in the serum of mice;Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of NOD-like receptor thermoprotein domain-related protein 3(NLRP3),cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1(Caspase-1),and Gasdermin D(GSDMD)in kidney tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the glomeruli of the model group showed obvious podocyte loss and foot process fusion;the protein expression of nephrin was decreased(P<0.05);the contents of IL-1 β and IL-18 in serum were increased(P<0.05);the protein expressions of NLRP3,Cleaved-Caspase-1,and GSDMD-N were increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the renal pathological damage in the astragaloside Ⅰ administration groups were alleviated;the protein expression of nephrin was increased(P<0.05);the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in serum were decreased(P<0.05);the protein expressions of NLRP3,Cleaved-Caspase-1,and GSDMD-N were decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Astragaloside Ⅰ may play a role in intervening diabetic kidney disease by inhibiting pyroptosis and improving podocyte injury.
7.Modified Tongqiao Huoxuetang Down-regulates PI3K/Akt Pathway to Treat Basilar Artery Dolichoectasia
Feixiang LIU ; Daopei ZHANG ; Zhaoxin WU ; Huailiang ZHANG ; Yunke ZHANG ; Jinxin MIAO ; Zhenqiang ZHANG ; Ruiqin SUN ; Lixiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):87-94
ObjectiveTo establish a mouse model of basilar artery dolichoectasia (BAD) and explore the mechanism of modified Tongqiao Huoxuetang (JTQHX) in regulating BAD via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway. MethodSixty C57/BL6 female mice were randomized into sham operation (injected with 10 U·mL-1 inactivate elastase), model, atorvastatin calcium tablets (2.6 mg·kg·d-1), and low- and high-dose (crude drug 3.4, 17 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively) JTQHX groups. The mouse model of BAD was established by injection with 10 U·mL-1 elastase. After 14 days of modeling, the sham operation group and model group were administrated with equal volumes of pure water by gavage, and other groups with corresponding drugs for 2 months. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and calpain (LpA) in the serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Verhoeff 's Van Gieson (EVG) staining was employed to observe the pathological changes of blood vessels. Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) was employed to examine the apoptosis rate of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Image Pro Plus was used to observe and calculate the curvature index, elongation length, percentage increase in vessel diameter, and curvature angle of the basilar artery vessels in mice. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of PI3K and Akt in the vascular tissue. ResultCompared with the sham operation group, the model group showed lowered IL-6 level (P<0.01), no significant change in LpA level, increased apoptosis of VSMCs (P<0.01), and increased curvature index, elongation length, percentage increase in vessel diameter, and curvature angle (P<0.01). Furthermore, the modeling up-regulated the protein levels of PI3K and Akt in blood vessels (P<0.01) and aggravated the destruction of the inner elastic layer, atrophy of the muscular layer, and hyaline changes in the connective tissue of the medial membrane of the basilar artery wall. Compared with the model group, 2 months of treatment with JTQHX elevated the IL-6 level (P<0.01), reduced the apoptosis of VSMCs (P<0.01), decreased the curvature index, elongation length, percentage increase in vessel diameter, and curvature angle (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated the protein levels of PI3K and Akt in blood vessels (P<0.01). In addition, the treatment alleviated the destruction of the inner elastic layer, atrophy of the muscular layer, and hyaline changes in the connective tissue of the medial membrane of the basilar artery wall. ConclusionJTQHX inhibits the elongation, expansion, and curvature of basilar artery vessels and alleviates the pathological changes by reducing the apoptosis of VSMCs and down-regulating the expression of PI3K/Akt pathway.
8.Overview of behavioral evaluation methods of Parkinson's disease in rat and mouse and analysis of the characteristics of common animal models
Yilong HU ; Yinan ZHAO ; Jinxin MIAO ; Mingsan MIAO
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2024;32(7):942-954
Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in middle-aged and elderly people.It is characterized by a long disease course and complex treatment process,introducing great challenges to society.Behavioral changes in animal models of Parkinson's disease can intuitively reflect the modeling situation of experimental animals and the effects of drug interventions.Therefore,selecting standardized animal models and appropriate behavioral assays is fundamental for both understanding the mechanisms of Parkinson's disease and developing anti-Parkinson drugs.In this paper,we summarize the method of behavioral experiments of Parkinson's disease using mice and rats at home and abroad and systematically summarize the experimental equipment,experimental method,evaluation indexes,and precautions of commonly used Parkinson's behavioral experiments.We also provide an overview of the commonly used animal models of Parkinson's disease and analyze their modeling mechanisms,alignment with the clinical features of Parkinson's disease,and respective advantages and disadvantages.This analysis will help researchers in choosing appropriate animal models of Parkinson's disease and behavioral testing method according to the purpose of the study.
9.Educational reform of animal experiment courses for medical graduate students:cultivating students'active learning and innovative thinking abilities
Jinxin MIAO ; Lihua CAO ; Mingsan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2024;34(6):100-105
Animal experiment courses are important for developing students'practical skills in medical and life science education.They help to cultivate students'experimental skills,scientific reasoning,and innovative thinking ability.However,the traditional teaching method used in animal experiment courses tend to focus on a single topic and have minimal student participation.Courses should aim to promote students'active learning and innovative thinking abilities,and this paper discusses the ways teaching in animal experiment courses can be reformed.First,the paper introduces the background and significance of teaching in animal experiment courses and emphasizes the importance of cultivating the students'abilities.Second,it puts forward the principles of improved animal experiment course teaching,including designing student-centered lessons,providing opportunities for problem solving and practical exploration,and promoting interdisciplinary integration.At the same time,we integrate an ethical review of the welfare of experimental animals in China.Then,from the aspects of course design,teaching method,and evaluation method,this paper expounds several concrete measures of teaching reform in animal experiment courses in detail.When designing a course,attention should be paid to the selection of challenging and exploratory experimental projects,and students'interests and professional needs should be fully considered.Using improved teaching method,students should be encouraged to actively participate in explorative and cooperative classes,be guided through problem solving tasks,and encouraged to cultivate innovative thinking.Diversified evaluation method,such as experimental reports,group discussions,and project presentations,should be used to comprehensively evaluate students'practical and innovative thinking abilities.Finally,with practical verification and effect evaluation,the experiences and outcomes from a reform of animal experiment course teaching are summarized,and suggestions for further improvements are put forward.
10.Research Progress on Antifibrotic Effect and Molecular Mechanisms of Chemical Components from Astragali Radix
Jiajun WANG ; Shixie XIANG ; Zhishen XIE ; Pan WANG ; Jinxin MIAO ; Zhenqiang ZHANG ; Xiaowei ZHANG ; Jiangyan XU
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2023;34(12):1799-1805
Fibrosis refers to the final outcome of damage in multiple-type tissue and the imbalance of tissue repair especially in the process of chronic inflammatory response diseases.Fibrosis can occur in various organ tissues.Its continuous progression may lead to organ dysfunction and failure,which is a huge threat to human health.Traditional Chinese medicine has significant therapeutic effects in preventing and treating fibrosis.Due to its characteristics of multiple components,pathways,and targets,it has become a hot research topic in the field of fibrosis.Astragali Radix,a Chinese medicinal for supplementing qi,is the root of Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.)Bge.var.mongholicus Hisao or Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.)Bge.It has the effects of replenishing qi and elevating yang,generating fluid and nourishing blood,expelling toxin and draining pus,astringing sore and promoting granulation.It has found that Astragali Radix contains many chemical components such as polysaccharides,saponins,and flavonoids,which have good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.Astragali Radix can effectively intervene in the fibrosis process of multiple organ tissues such as the heart,kidney,liver,and lung.Therefore,this article reviews the anti-fibrotic effects and mechanisms of Astragali Radix and its chemical components,hoping to provide ideas and references for the development and utilization of Astragali Radix.

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