ObjectiveTo investigate the optimal ratio of goat horn replacing antelope horn in Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills and the blood pressure-lowering mechanism of this medicine. MethodsThe blood pressure-lowering efficacy of Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills with varying proportions of goat horn replacing antelope horn was evaluated on spontaneous hypertensive rats （SHR）. In this experiment， 50 SHR rats were randomly grouped as follows： model （n=8）， captopril （0.01 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， low-dose blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.342 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， high-dose blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.684 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， low-dose antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.378 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， high-dose antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.756 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， low-dose goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.378 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， and high-dose goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.756 g·kg^-1） （n=6）. Additionally， 8 WKY rats were used as the normal group. Drugs were administered by gavage for 4 weeks while an equal volume of distilled water was administered for the normal and model groups. Blood pressure was measured before administration， 3 h post administration， and biweekly thereafter. In the experiment for Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills with goat horn replacing antelope horn in different proportions， 48 SHR rats were randomly grouped as follows： model， blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.684 g·kg^-1）， antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.756 g·kg^-1）， 2× goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.824 g·kg^-1）， 4× goat horn Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.969 g·kg^-1）， and 6× goat horn Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （1.112 g·kg^-1）. The normal group included 8 WKY rats， and the normal group and model group received an equal volume of distilled water. The treatment lasted for 2 weeks， and blood pressure was recorded at various time points （pre-administration， 3 h post administration， and on days 4， 7， 10， and 14 of administration）. Serum levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme （ACE）， angiotensin Ⅱ（Ang Ⅱ）， renin， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histopathological changes in the heart， kidney， and thoracic aorta were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The protein levels of ACE2， angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor （AT1R）， and angiotensinogen （AGT） in the kidney tissue were determined by Western blot， while the expression of nuclear factor （NF）-κB p65 and Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） in the thoracic aorta tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry. ResultsCompared with the model group， all treatment groups showed lowered blood pressure （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the 6× goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills group showed consistent blood pressure-lowering effect with the antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills group. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed elevated serum levels of ACE， Ang Ⅱ， renin， and IL-6， while the elevations were declined in the Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Pathological changes in the heart， kidney， and thoracic aorta were alleviated in all the treatment groups， with the 6× goat horn- and antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups exhibited the best effect. Western blot and immunohistochemistry results showed that all the treatment groups exhibited down-regulated protein levels of AT1R， AGT， NF-κB p65， and TLR4 and up-regulated protein levels of ACE2 （P<0.05， P<0.01） compared with model group， with the 6×goat horn- and antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups showcasing the best effect. ConclusionReplacing antelope horn with 6×goat horn in Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills can achieve consistent blood pressure-lowering effect with the original prescription. The prescription may exert the effect by inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system （RAAS） and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways.

To summarize Professor WANG Jianmin's experience in cathartic colon from "keeping sweet to return liquid". It is believed that the key to the pathogenesis of cathartic colon is fluid consumption and intestinal dryness， including yin depletion of spleen earth， and lack of sources for body fluids production； discordance of water and fire in kidneys， and irregular distribution of body fluids； and closure of the lungs and liver leads to inability of the flow of fluids. The treatment is based on the principle of "keeping sweet to return liquid"， using sweet medicinals mainly， assistant with sour， bland and acrid medicinals， and self-prescribed Lipi Shengjin Decoction （理脾生津汤）， Wenshen Runchang Decoction （温肾润肠汤）， Kaifei Shunchang Decoction （开肺顺肠汤）， Rougan Tongbian Decoction （柔肝通便汤） could be used to regulate spleen yin by the sweet and bland， and establish qi and promote fluid production； the sweet and warm medicinals can replenish water and fire， transform into qi， and distribute body fluids； the acrid and sweet can open lung depression， descend qi， and flow the body fluids； the sour and sweet can emolliate liver， move qi， and transform fluids.

Asarum forbesii is a perennial herb born in a shaded and humid environment, which is warm in nature. With the efficacy of warming lung, resolving fluid retention, and relieving coughs, it can be used to treat the syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. To investigate the effects of different shading conditions on the composition and efficacy of A. forbesii, this study planted A. forbesii under 20% natural light(NL20), 40% natural light(NL40), 60% natural light(NL60), and 80% natural light(NL80) and utilized ultra performance liquid chromatography(UPLC) and micro broth 2-fold dilution method to detect the volatile chemical compounds and the minimum inhibitory concentration. At the same time, the study investigated the effects of A. forbesii grown under different shading conditions on the signs, pathological changes of lung tissues, serum cytokine levels, activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ-Ⅴ in lung tissues, and relative expression of related genes of mice with syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. The results indicated that with the increase of shading, the content of kakuol, methyl eugenol, and asarinin in A. forbesii and the antibacterial effect showed a tendency of increasing first and then decreasing, and the NL40 group was significantly better than the other groups. Under the conditions of NL20 and NL40, A. forbesii significantly alleviated the pathological damage to lung tissues, restored the homeostasis of the lung, and enhanced the energy metabolism level of mice with syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. In addition, A. forbesii planted under the two conditions reduced the content of interleukin-8(IL-8), interleukin-13(IL-13), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and mucin 5AC(MUC5AC), increased the levels of interleukin-10(IL-10) and aquaporin 1(AQP1), lowered the expression of MMP9, VEGF, TGF-β, and MAPK3. In conclusion, the therapeutic effect of A. forbesii on the syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung was positively correlated with the degree of shading, and the chemical composition and efficacy of warming lung and resolving fluid retention were optimal under the conditions of NL20-NL40. This study can provide reference for the pharmacological research and cultivation of A. forbesii.
Animals ; Mice ; Lung/pathology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Light ; Cytokines/genetics* ; Humans

Osteoarthritis (OA) causes chronic pain that significantly impairs quality of life, with current treatments often proving insufficient and accompanied by adverse effects. Recent research has identified the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and its resident macrophages as crucial mediators of chronic OA pain through neuroinflammation driven by macrophage polarization. We present a novel injectable thermo-sensitive hydrogel system, KAF@PLEL, designed to deliver an anti-inflammatory peptide (KAF) specifically to the DRG. This biodegradable hydrogel enables sustained KAF release, promoting the reprogramming of DRG macrophages from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory phenotypes. Through comprehensive in vitro and in vivo studies, we evaluated the hydrogel's biocompatibility, effects on macrophage polarization, and therapeutic efficacy in chronic OA pain management. The system demonstrated significant capabilities in preserving macrophage mitochondrial function, suppressing neuroinflammation, alleviating chronic OA pain, reducing cartilage degradation, and improving motor function in OA rat models. The sustained-release properties of KAF@PLEL enabled prolonged therapeutic effects while minimizing systemic exposure and side effects. These findings suggest that KAF@PLEL represents a promising therapeutic approach for improving outcomes in OA patients through targeted, sustained treatment.

Objective:To investigate the application of (4R)-4-(3-[ 18F]fluoranyl-5-fluorophenyl)-1-((3-methylpyridin-4-yl)methyl)pyrrolidin-2-one( 18F-SynVesT-1), a synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) radioactive tracer, in patients with Alzheimer′s disease (AD). Methods:A total of 20 AD patients (2 males, 18 females, age (66.4±8.1) years) with positive β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and 20 normal controls (NC; 9 males, 11 females, age (62.6±8.6) years ) without Aβ deposition were retrospectively recruited from Huashan Hospital, Fudan University between December 2021 and December 2022. All of them underwent 18F-SynVesT-1 PET/MR and 18F-Florbetapir (AV45) PET/CT scans. Preprocessing of brain 18F-SynVesT-1 PET images was carried out using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). The differences of the uptke of 18F-SynVesT-1 (synaptic density) between two groups based on ROI were compared by using either the independent-sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test. Spearman rank correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between synaptic density and cognitive performance. For voxelwise analysis, a general linear model was constructed to analyze differences in synaptic density between the two groups using the independent-sample t test. Furthermore, a multiple linear regression model was developed to explore the relationship between synaptic density and cognitive performance. Results:Compared to the NC group, the AD group exhibited significant widespread reduction in synaptic density across the cortical regions ( P<0.05, false discovery rate (FDR)-corrected), particularly in the medial temporal lobe (0.84±0.09 vs 1.04±0.09; t=-6.95, P<0.001), lateral temporal lobe (1.15±0.13 vs 1.31±0.08; t=-4.56, P<0.001), and lateral parietal lobe (1.24(1.04, 1.26) vs 1.32(1.23, 1.39); z=-3.25, P=0.001). Moreover, synaptic density in extensive cortical regions showed a positive correlation with mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Montreal cognitive assessment-basic (MoCA-B) scores ( P<0.05, FDR-corrected). Notably, significant associations were observed between MMSE and MoCA-B scores and synaptic density in the lateral temporal lobe ( rs values: 0.71, 0.74, both P<0.001) and medial temporal lobe ( rs values: 0.71, 0.74, both P<0.001). Conclusions:18F-SynVesT-1 PET imaging is a valuable tool for evaluating synaptic density, specifically in the context of AD. The observed widespread reduction in synaptic density across cortical regions of patients with AD are closely related to cognitive decline.

The study is designed to observe the mechanism of Tongfu Xiefei Guanchang Solution(TFXF) in the treatment of acute lung injury(ALI) in rats by improving intestinal barrier and intestinal flora structure via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK)/myosin light chain kinase(MLCK) signaling pathway. Sixty SPF-grade Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control(CON) group, lipopolysaccharide(LPS) group(7.5 mg·kg~(-1)), LPS + dexamethasone(DEX) group(3.5 mg·kg~(-1)), LPS + high-dose(HD)-TFXF group(14.74 g·kg~(-1)), LPS + middle-dose(MD)-TFXF group(7.37 g·kg~(-1)), and LPS + low-dose(LD)-TFXF group(3.69 g·kg~(-1)). ALI model of the rat was established by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. The lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) activity and total protein concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were measured; tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) levels in lung and colon tissue of rats were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological expression in the lung and colon tissue of rats. The mRNA expression of p38 MAPK, TNF-α, and IL-1β in rat lung tissue was determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(real-time PCR). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression related to the p38 MAPK/MLCK signaling pathway in the colon tissue of rats. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to detect changes in the composition and content of intestinal flora in rats, and correlation analyses were performed to explore the regulatory role of intestinal flora in improving ALI in rats. The results showed that compared with those in the LPS group, the histopathological scores of lung and colon tissue, LDH activity, and total protein concentration in BALF were significantly reduced in rats in all groups after drug administration. Except for the LPS + LD-TFXF group, the remaining groups significantly reduced the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the lung and colon tissue of rats. The protein expressions of phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p-p38 MAPK)/p38, phosphorylated myosin light chain(p-MLC)/myosin light chain 2(MLC2), and MLCK in colon tissue of rats in each drug administration group were significantly decreased. The mRNA expression levels of p38 MAPK, TNF-α, and IL-1β were significantly reduced in the LPS + HD-TFXF group. 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that the abundance of intestinal flora was significantly higher in the LPS + HD-TFXF group, and intestinal floras including Sobs, Shannon, and Npshannon were significantly higher. The β-diversity distribution of intestinal flora tends toward the CON group, and the abundance of Firmicutes was significantly higher. The abundance of Proteobacteria was significantly reduced; the abundance of Bacteroides was significantly reduced, and the abundance of Ruminococcus was significantly higher. The main species differences were Blautia, Roseburia＿sp＿499, and Butyricicoccus. TNF-α and IL-1β of lung tissue were negatively correlated with Muribaculaceae, unclassified norank＿f＿Eubacterium＿coprostanoligenes, and Ruminococcus and positively correlated with Bacteroides. Meanwhile, TNF-α and IL-1β of colon tissue were negatively correlated with unclassified norank＿f＿Eubacterium＿coprostanoligenes and Ruminococcus and positively correlated with Bacteroides. The predicted biological function of the flora was related to the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, amino acid biosynthesis, sugar metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation. The above studies show that TFXF can repair lung and colon tissue structure and regulate inflammatory factor levels by modulating the abundance and diversity of intestinal flora species in ALI rats. Its mechanism of action in ameliorating ALI in rats may be related to the inhibition of inflammation, improvement of intestinal mucosal permeability, and maintenance of intestinal flora homeostasis and barrier through the p38 MAPK/MLCK signaling pathway.
Animals ; Acute Lung Injury/genetics* ; Rats ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Myosin-Light-Chain Kinase/genetics* ; Male ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Lung/metabolism* ; Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism* ; Humans

ObjectiveTo decipher the mechanism of modified Sanpiantang in the treatment of nitroglycerin-induced migraine in rats. MethodSeventy-two Wistar rats were randomized into the control， model （nitroglycerin， 10 mg·kg^-1）， positive control （rizatriptan， 0.89 mg·kg^-1）， and high- （12.96 g·kg^-1）， medium- （6.48 g·kg^-1）， and low-dose （3.24 g·kg^-1） modified Sanpiantang groups. The rat model of migraine was established by intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg·kg^-1 nitroglycerin. The behavioral test was carried out to measure the mechanical pain thresholds （MPT） of the periorbital region and hindpaw after successful modeling. The serum levels of nitric oxide （NO）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interferon-γ （IFN-γ）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in rats were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was employed to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis （TNC）. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of iNOS and phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p-p38 MAPK） in the TNC. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） was performed to measure the mRNA levels of iNOS， p38 MAPK， and IL-1β in the TNC. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group showed decreased MPT （P<0.01）， elevated serum levels of NO， TNF-α， IFN-γ， and IL-1β （P<0.01）， and up-regulated expression levels of p38 MAPK， iNOS， and IL-1β in the TNC （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， modified Sanpiantang increased the MPT （P<0.05）， and the medium-dose group showed the most significant effect （P<0.01）. In addition， modified Sanpiantang down-regulated the mRNA levels of iNOS， p38 MAPK， and IL-1β and the protein levels of p-p38 MAPK and iNOS in the TNC of migraine rats （P<0.05， P<0.01） and lowered the serum levels of NO， TNF-α， IFN-γ， and IL-1β （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Sanpiantang may treat migraine by down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory factors such as NO， TNF-α， IFN-γ， and IL-1β in the p38 MAPK/iNOS signaling pathway to reduce the neurogenic inflammation.

In this study, untargeted metabolomics technology based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was used to analyze and identify the overall chemical components of Juniperri Caulis et Folium. Chemical markers for the identification of different Juniperri Caulis et Folium species were screened by integrated principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis. A total of 58 chemical components were detected and 46 of them were identified, including 26 flavonoids, 8 organic acids and their derivatives, 4 phenylpropanoids, 3 terpenoids, and 5 other components. Among them, methylsyringin and ekersenin were identified for the first time. In the positive ion mode, 12 markers were screened, and in the negative ion mode, 13 markers were screened for species identification. In summary, UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS metabonomics technology combined with chemometrics method can effectively reveal the chemical composition differences of different Juniperri Caulis et Folium species, and provide reference for its species identification and quality control.