1.Potential Mechanism of Zuojinwan in Improving Liver Fibrosis Based on Hepatic Tissue Metabolomics
Yiting JIANG ; Kexin LIU ; Yixi QIAN ; Rui ZHANG ; Feng ZHANG ; Hongyan WU ; Li CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):54-61
ObjectiveThis study aims to elucidate the potential mechanism of Zuojinwan in improving liver fibrosis through hepatic tissue metabolomics analysis. MethodsTwenty-four mice were randomly allocated into normal group, model group , positive drug group (silymarin, 100 mg·kg-1), and Zuojinwan group (Zuojinwan solution, 2.5 g·kg-1), with per group six mice. Liver fibrosis model was induced via intraperitoneal injection of olive oil solution with 10% carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (0.5 μL·g-1, three times weekly for 8 weeks) in all groups except the normal group. During the final 4 weeks, the silymarin group received silymarin (100 mg·kg-1) by gavage thrice weekly, while the Zuojinwan group was administered Zuojinwan solution (2.5 g·kg-1) under the same regimen. After the last administration, the levels of liver fibrosis indicators and liver injury markers in serum were detected. The pathological morphological changes of the liver tissues were observed. The levels of liver fibrosis markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Collagen Ⅰ(ColⅠ) were detected. Metabolomics was analyzed on mice's liver tissues. The mice's serum was collected for metabolomics analysis. ResultsCompared with the model group, Zuojinwan significantly improved indicators related to liver fibrosis and liver injury. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly elevated levels of fibrosis markers such as laminin (LN), hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen typeⅢ (PC-Ⅲ), and type Ⅳ Collagen (Ⅳ-C), while liver injury indicators such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and total bilirubin (TBIL), exhibited a marked upward trend (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the silymarin group showed a significant decrease in the aforementioned indicators (P<0.05). Notably, compared with the model group, the Zuojinwan group exhibited a significant reduction in all these indicators (P<0.05), with efficacy comparable to that of the silymarin group. Zuojinwan reduced mRNA and protein levels of α-SMA and ColⅠ in the liver tissue. Metabolomics results revealed that compared with the model group, Zuojiinwan significantly reduced levels of glucose metabolism-related metabolites such as D-fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), sodium beta-D-fructose 6-phosphate (F6P), dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), fumaric acid, and D-glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) (P<0.05). Serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect glucose metabolism indicators and further validate the regulatory effect of Zuojinwan on glucose metabolism. ConclusionThese results suggest that Zuojinwan may improve liver fibrosis by regulating the dysregulated levels of glucose metabolism during the progression of liver fibrosis.
2.Topical adhesive spatio-temporal nanosystem co-delivering chlorin e6 and HMGB1 inhibitor glycyrrhizic acid for in situ psoriasis chemo-phototherapy.
Lijun SU ; Yixi ZHU ; Xuebo LI ; Di WANG ; Xiangyu CHEN ; Zhen LIU ; Jingjing LI ; Chen ZHANG ; Jinming ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):1126-1142
Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has gained considerable attention as a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of psoriasis. Unfortunately, the activation of high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) by PDT triggers innate and adaptive immune responses, which exacerbate skin inflammation. Herein, we combined glycyrrhizic acid (GA), a natural anti-inflammatory compound and immunomodulator derived from the herb Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., with PDT actuated by the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) by co-loading them in GA-based lipid nanoparticles coated with a catechol-modified quaternary chitosan salt (GC NPs/QCS-C). GC NPs/QCS-C exhibited high drug loading efficacy, uniform size distribution, an ideal topical adhesive property, enhanced skin retention and penetration in psoriasis-like lesions, and high intracellular uptake in epidermal cells compared with the counterparts. Subsequently, the transdermal administration of GC NPs/QCS-C followed by near-infrared laser radiation in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model significantly ameliorated psoriasis symptoms, promoted the apoptosis of hyperproliferative epidermal cells, and alleviated the inflammatory cascade. The significant therapeutic outcomes of GC NPs/QCS-C were attributed to the synergistic effects of GA and PDT on modulating immune cell recruitment and inhibiting dendritic cell maturation. Our results demonstrated that the topical bio-adhesive nanosystem that combines GA and Ce6 offers a synergistic chemo-phototherapeutic strategy for psoriasis treatment.
3.TCMKD: From ancient wisdom to modern insights-A comprehensive platform for traditional Chinese medicine knowledge discovery.
Wenke XIAO ; Mengqing ZHANG ; Danni ZHAO ; Fanbo MENG ; Qiang TANG ; Lianjiang HU ; Hongguo CHEN ; Yixi XU ; Qianqian TIAN ; Mingrui LI ; Guiyang ZHANG ; Liang LENG ; Shilin CHEN ; Chi SONG ; Wei CHEN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):101297-101297
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) serves as a treasure trove of ancient knowledge, holding a crucial position in the medical field. However, the exploration of TCM's extensive information has been hindered by challenges related to data standardization, completeness, and accuracy, primarily due to the decentralized distribution of TCM resources. To address these issues, we developed a platform for TCM knowledge discovery (TCMKD, https://cbcb.cdutcm.edu.cn/TCMKD/). Seven types of data, including syndromes, formulas, Chinese patent drugs (CPDs), Chinese medicinal materials (CMMs), ingredients, targets, and diseases, were manually proofread and consolidated within TCMKD. To strengthen the integration of TCM with modern medicine, TCMKD employs analytical methods such as TCM data mining, enrichment analysis, and network localization and separation. These tools help elucidate the molecular-level commonalities between TCM and contemporary scientific insights. In addition to its analytical capabilities, a quick question and answer (Q&A) system is also embedded within TCMKD to query the database efficiently, thereby improving the interactivity of the platform. The platform also provides a TCM text annotation tool, offering a simple and efficient method for TCM text mining. Overall, TCMKD not only has the potential to become a pivotal repository for TCM, delving into the pharmacological foundations of TCM treatments, but its flexible embedded tools and algorithms can also be applied to the study of other traditional medical systems, extending beyond just TCM.
4.Analysis of influencing factors and pathway of self-regulatory fatigue in maintenance hemodialysis patients
Haojie ZENG ; Li ZHAO ; Chen ZHANG ; Yixi FAN ; Wenyu LUO ; Jinfeng ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2024;59(2):156-164
Objective Based on the process theory of stress effect,the structural equation model of the influencing factors of self-regulatory fatigue in maintenance hemodialysis patients is constructed,which provides theoretical bases and references for the formulation of intervention programs to relieve self-regulatory fatigue in patients.Method A total of 420 maintenance hemodialysis patients were surveyed using General Information Questionnaire,Self-Regulatory Fatigue Scale,Dialysis Symptom Index,Life Orientation Test-Revised,Perceived Social Support Scale,Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and Medical Coping Styles Questionnaire.Results Total score of self-regulatory fatigue in maintenance hemodialysis patients was(49.52±10.93),and self-regulatory fatigue showed significant positive correlation with symptom distress,the illness perception,avoidance coping style,yieldly coping(r=0.476,0.428,0.303,0.611,all P<0.01);self-regulatory fatigue showed significant negative correlation with perceived social support and dispositional optimism(r=-0.410,-0.652,all P<0.01);it showed no significant correlation with facing coping(r=-0.032,P>0.05).The Bootstrap analysis revealed that the mediation effect of yielding coping,dispositional optimism,perceived social support,and illness perception between symptom distress and self-regulatory fatigue was significant(95%CI:0.027~0.203).The overall effect of symptom distress on self-regulatory fatigue was(P<0.001,95%CI:0.576~0.751);the direct effect was(P<0.001,95%CI:0.170~0.357);the indirect effect was(P<0.001,95%CI:0.332~0.485);the mediation effect accounted for 61.1%of the total effect value.Conclusion Maintenance hemodialysis patients have a high degree of self-regulatory fatigue,which needs to be further improved.Medical staff should timely identify and evaluate the symptom distress of patients,focus on guiding patients to adjust optimistic disease,provide patients with psychological guidance and stress coping strategies,reduce the negative coping behavior tendency,guide the patients correctly perceive support and care in social relations,help patients set up the correct disease cognition,thus reducing the patient's self-regulatory fatigue.
5.Analysis of in Vitro Activity and Mechanism of Dunhuang Yifang Daxiefei Decoction on Pneumonia Based on Chemical Bioinformatics
Jia LIN ; Xiaojie JIN ; Chenghao LI ; Ruifeng WANG ; Yehu HOU ; Yixi ZHANG ; Hao LIU ; Min ZHANG ; Juan YAO ; Jintian LI ; Yongqi LIU
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(7):871-886
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effectiveness, potential mechanism and compatibility characteristics of efficacy groups of Dunhuang medical prescription Daxiefei decoction in preventing and treating pneumonia based on chemical bioinformatics method.
METHODS
To study the effect of Daxiefei decoction freeze-dried powder solution on the proliferation activity of lung epithelial cells through cell experiments. Daxiefei decoction was divided into three groups: clearing away heat group, resolving phlegm group, and nourishing Yin group according to its efficacy characteristics. The chemical components of Daxiefei decoction were obtained by TCMSP database and literature search, and the targets were predicted in Swiss Target Prediction database. Pneumonia disease targets were obtained by DrugBank, TTD, Genecards and DisGeNET databases. STRING database and Cytoscape were used to construct the intersection target interaction network and "drug-component-target- pathway" network and DAVID database was used for KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. The network was used to analyze the scientific connotation of the compatibility of efficacy groups. Furthermore, molecular docking was used to evaluate the target-compound affinity and molecular dynamics was used to explore the dynamic molecular mechanism.
RESULTS
Cell experiments showed that Daxiefei decoction can maintain the proliferation of lung epithelial cells, reverse the decrease of mitochondrial activity induced by LPS and reduce apoptosis. Complex network analysis showed that the pathways enriched by the three functional groups contained in Daxiefei decoction were mainly distributed in two modules: inflammation regulation and reducing airway mucus hypersecretion. Each module was connected by a common target gene and had its own focus. The results of molecular docking showed that the components quercetin, baicalein, isorhamnetin etc. might be the effective multi-target components of Daxiefei decoction. SRC, EGFR, PPARA etc. had good affinity with each potential active component, which might be a potential target of Daxiefei decoction for preventing and treating pneumonia. Molecular dynamics simulation showed that the potential active component quercetin formed stable intermolecular interactions with SRC.
CONCLUSION
This study initially reveal the material basis and molecular mechanism of Daxiefei decoction in the prevention and treatment of pneumonia. It also explores the scientific connotation of Daxiefei decoction in the prevention and treatment of pneumonia with different efficacy groups, and its modern development and clinical application provide chemical bioinformatics basis.
6.Stakeholder analysis of prevention and control of obesity among middle school students
PAN Shasha, LIN Yixi, ZHANG Youjie
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(9):1269-1274
Objective:
To identify the stakeholders of prevention and control of obesity among middle school students and analyze their motivations and interest demands for participation, in order to provide constructive recommendations for facilitating their effective engagement of stakeholders in prevention and control of obesity among middle school students.
Methods:
Stakeholders and their types were identified through a combination of literature analysis and consultation with 17 experts in children and adolescents for prevention and control of obesity. From December 2023 to January 2024, by applying convenience sampling, face to face semi structured interviews were conducted with 11 individuals engaged in prevention and control of obesity for middle school students and focus group interviews were conducted with 48 students and parents. Thematic analysis was employed to obtain motivations and interest demands for stakeholder involvement in prevention and control of obesity.
Results:
A total of 29 subcategories within 7 major categories of stakeholders were identified, including government and relevant functional departments, non profit organizations and communities, forprofit organizations and individuals, schools, professional and technical personnel, families and individuals, and scientific research institutions, with 28 subcategories being confirmed stakeholders. Among these stakeholders, there were 3 types of cooperative relationships:management, cooperation, and service. There were some factors hindering cooperation among stakeholders including imperfections in specialized policies and lack of long term cooperative mechanisms, flaws and interest conflicts in the evaluation system, insufficiency of material resources, and poor health values. In response to these challenges, interviewees proposed to convene a working group for the prevention and control of adolescent obesity. They also suggested making a contract of responsibility, strengthening supervision over for profit organizations, enhancing advocating efforts for prevention and control of obesity, and increasing financial support.
Conclusions
The prevention and control of obesity for middle school students can be facilitated by forming a collaborative alliance based on the roles and relationships of stakeholders identified in the present study. Perceived conflicts of interest among stakeholders can be reconciled by employing strategies of interest integration, goal alignment, and spiritual integration, to enhance the feasibility, participation and sustainability of obesity intervention.
7.Correlation of self-management efficacy with exercise compliance in patients after radical resection of lung cancer:a cross-lagged regression analysis
Xiufei WU ; Xiaoxuan ZHANG ; Yi ZHOU ; Wendan JING ; Yixi FAN ; Hongyan KOU
Modern Clinical Nursing 2024;23(8):19-26
Objective To explore the trend in self-management efficacy and exercise compliance among patients within 6 months after radical resection of lung cancer and analyse the predictive correlation between the factors to provide references for improvement of exercise compliance in patients after lung cancer surgery.Methods Convenience sampling was used to select patients who had surgery of radical resection of lung cancer for the first time in the departments of thoracic surgery of two Grade IIIA hospitals in Nanchong between December 2022 and May 2023.The Chinese-version strategies used by people to promote health(C-SUPPH)and exercise compliance scale were employed to assess the self-management efficacy and patient exercise compliance at four time points:1 day before discharge(T1)and 1 month(T2),3 months(T3)and 6 months(T4)after surgery.A cross-lagged model was constructed to analyse the causal correlation between self-management efficacy and exercise compliance.Results Within 6 months after surgery,both of self-management efficacy and exercise compliance in the patients after radical resection of lung cancer were seen initially increased and then decreased(P<0.05).The cross-lagged model revealed that self-management efficacy and exercise compliance during the early postoperative period(TI-T2)exhibited reciprocal causation(β=0.254,P=0.003;β=0.332,P=0.007).Between T2 and T3,higher self-management efficacy positively predicted an increased exercise compliance(β=0.286,P<0.001).However,during T3 and T4,no predictive relationship was observed between the indicators(P>0.05).Conclusion The self management efficacy of patients after lung cancer sugery is at middle level and their exercise compliance is at low level.This study indicates that the initial levels of self-management efficacy and exercise compliance among patients after radical resection of lung cancer do not necessarily reflect a long-term trend.The predictive correlation between the two factors also varies over the time.Healthcare providers should consider the dynamic changes and individual differences across different stages after surgery,and implement timely and targeted intervention.
8.Efficacy of enhanced recovery after surgery in laparoscopic treatment for children with Meckel's diverticulum
Xin FENG ; Xianwei ZHANG ; Fei ZHANG ; Yuan WEI ; Zhongyuan SUN ; Dongliang HOU ; Jushan SUN ; Quande FENG ; Yixi WANG ; Xingzhao CHEN
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2024;23(10):1079-1083
Clinical data of 166 children with Meckel's diverticulum, who were treated with laparoscopic surgery in our center from January 2015 to January 2023, were retrospectively analyzed, including 69 cases receiving enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS group) and 97 cases with traditional perioperative care (control group). There were no significant differences in age ( t=1.391), gender ( χ2=1.067), body weight ( t=1.182 ), operation time ( t=1.093), diverticulum location ( Z=0.405), surgical procedures ( χ2=0.053), and intraoperative blood loss ( t=0.394) between two groups (all P>0.05). Compared to control group, ERAS group had shorter time for indwelling gastric tube (1.1±0.7 d vs.3.8±0.8 d), earlier postoperative feeding (2.5±0.6 d vs.4.9±0.7 d), less intravenous fluid infusion (3.9±1.0 d vs. 5.3±1.1 d), shorter length of hospital stay (8.2±1.6 d vs.10.9±2.3 d), and lower hospitalization expenditure (1.8±0.2)×10 4 yuan vs. (2.1±0.3)×10 4 yuan ( t=23.289,21.718,8.505,8.379,8.769,all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in incidence of postoperative complications between two groups ( χ2=0.431, P>0.05). The study indicates that patients treated with ERAS programmed laparoscopic Meckel's diverticulum surgery is safe and effective with rapid recovery and shorter hospital stay.
9.Expression of SKA3 protein in cholangiocarcinoma tissues and its effect on the function of cholangiocarcinoma SSP-25 cells in vitro and PI3K-AKT signaling pathway
Dong WANG ; Yixi ZHANG ; Chengjian GUAN ; Xiaodong ZHANG ; Huajun LIN ; Wei GUO
Cancer Research and Clinic 2024;36(5):335-340
Objective:To investigate the expression and clinical significance of SKA3 protein in cholangiocarcinoma, and the effect of interfering SKA3 expression in vitro on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of cholangiocarcinoma SSP-25 cells, as well as its possible mechanism.Methods:The clinicopathological data, cancer tissues, and paracancerous tissues from 172 patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University between January 2015 and December 2020 were retrospectively collected. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression level of SKA3 protein in cancer tissues and paracancerous tissues. Transfection of SKA3 small interfering RNA (siRNA) into cholangiocarcinoma SSP-25 cells was used as si-SKA3 group, and the untreated SSP-25 cells were used as the control group. Cell immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were used to detect the transfection effect; CCK-8 method and cell colony formation experiment were used to observe changes in cell proliferation; cell scratch assay was used to monitor cell invasion; Western blot was used to detect the expression of PI3K-AKT signaling pathway related proteins.Results:Among 172 patients with cholangiocarcinoma, there were 116 males and 56 females; the age of 54 cases was under 60 years, and age of 118 cases was equal to or more than 60 years. The positive rate of SKA3 protein in cholangiocarcinoma tissues was higher than that in paracancerous tissues [78.49% (135/172) vs. 13.95% (24/172)], and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 42.78, P < 0.01). The positive rate of SKA3 protein in cancer tissues of cholangiocarcinoma patients with nerve invasion [84.35% (124/147) vs. 44.00% (11/25)] and lymph node metastasis [88.78% (87/98) vs. 64.86% (48/74)] was higher than that of patients without nerve invasion and without lymph node metastasis, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the positive rate of SKA3 protein in cancer tissues of patients stratified by age, gender, tumor diameter, TNM stage, and tumor differentiation (all P > 0.05). The CCK-8 method showed that after 72 h of cultivation, the proliferation ability of SSP-25 cells in the si-SKA3 group (expressed as absorbance value at 450 nm) was lower than that in the control group (0.56±0.05 vs. 0.83±0.06), and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 3.06, P = 0.06). After 2 weeks of cultivation, the colony formation experiment showed that the number of colony formation of SSP-25 cells in the si-SKA3 group was lower than that in the control group. After 24 h of cultivation, the scratch healing rates of SSP-25 cells in the si-SKA3 group and the control group were (31±6) % and (72±5)%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 5.63, P = 0.013).Western blot analysis showed that the relative expression levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT proteins in the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway were lower than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:SKA3 protein is highly expressed in cholangiocarcinoma tissues, and may related to nerve invasion and lymph node metastasis. Interfering SKA3 expression can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of cholangiocarcinoma SSP-25 cells, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.
10.DcR3 suppresses the NF-κB pathway and the NLRP3 inflammasome activation in gouty inflammation.
Yi JIANG ; Xin TU ; Jianwei GUO ; Jianxiong ZHENG ; Xia LIAO ; Yixi HE ; Yan XIE ; Quanbo ZHANG ; Yufeng QING
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(21):2644-2646


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