1.Staged Efficacy of Qijia Rougan Prescription Combined with Entecavir for Chronic Hepatitis B-related Hepatic Fibrosis with Qi Deficiency and Collateral Stasis Syndrome Based on "Zhu Ke Jiao" Theory
Baixue LI ; Xin WANG ; Jibin LIU ; Li WEN ; Cen JIANG ; Wenjun WU ; Dong WANG ; Shuwan LIU ; Huabao LIU ; Yongli ZHENG ; Liang HUANG ; Yue SU ; Song ZHANG ; Yanan SHANG ; Hang ZHOU ; Quansheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):180-188
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate and evaluate the staged efficacy and safety of the representative empirical prescription of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory, Qijia Rougan prescription, combined with entecavir in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. MethodsA multicenter randomized controlled clinical study was conducted, and 101 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B-related hepatic fibrosis (CHB-HF) who met the diagnosis and inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to an observation group (Qijia Rougan prescription + entecavir) and a control group (entecavir). The treatment duration was 24 weeks. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM), fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4), portal vein diameter, hepatitis B serology, biochemical indicators, hepatic fibrosis markers in serum [hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen Ⅲ peptide (PⅢP), and type Ⅳ collagen (Ⅳ-C)], and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores were used as efficacy evaluation indicators. Efficacy assessments and explorations of different staged subgroups of Qijia Rougan prescription were conducted according to LSM values based on the Metavir pathological staging standard. ResultsA total of 98 cases were included for statistical analysis, with 49 cases in the observation group and 49 in the control group. The general data of the patients in both groups were comparable. Compared with the same group before treatment, the observation group showed a significant reduction in LSM and FIB-4 (P<0.01), as well as notable improvements in LN, Ⅳ-C, and various TCM syndrome scores (P<0.05, P<0.01). When compared to the control group after treatment, the observation group demonstrated significant improvements in LSM, FIB-4, and various TCM syndrome score indicators (P<0.05, P<0.01), indicating that the observation group performed better than the control group. Subgroup analysis of the regression of hepatic fibrosis stages showed that compared to the same group before treatment, the observation group had better improvement in regression of stages F2 and F3 (P<0.05). When compared to the control group after treatment, the observation group exhibited superior improvement in regression of stage F3 (P<0.05). No adverse events occurred in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionCompared with entecavir alone, the combination of Qijia Rougan prescription and entecavir significantly improves the degree of hepatic fibrosis and clinical TCM symptoms in patients. The optimal intervention period is primarily during stage F3, which is a potential “interception” point of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory.
2.Expert consensus on clinical application of parenteral direct thrombin inhibitors in perioperative period
Mingyu JIANG ; Yuan BIAN ; Lizhu HAN ; Qinan YIN ; Fengjiao KANG ; Anhua WEI ; Danjie ZHAO ; Lin WANG ; Ying SHAO ; Li TANG ; Yi WANG ; Shuhong LIANG ; Huijuan LIU ; Guirong XIAO ; Yue LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):689-699
OBJECTIVE To form an expert consensus on the clinical application of parenteral direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs) in patients during the perioperative period. METHODS Led by Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital (the Affiliated Hospital of UESTC), a multidisciplinary working group was established. Through literature review and the Delphi method, clinical questions related to the rational perioperative use of parenteral DTIs were identified. A structured design was adopted using the “Population-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome” framework; systematic searches were conducted in CNKI, Medline, Embase and other databases. Relevant evidence from randomized controlled trials and cohort studies was included and synthesized. Evidence quality was assessed using the Grades of Recommendations Assessment,Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, and recommendations were formulated through multiple rounds of Delphi surveys and expert consensus meetings. RESULTS &CONCLUSIONS Seven recommendations (each with an expert consensus rate exceeding 90%) on the use of parenteral DTIs in perioperative patients were developed. These recommendations specify drug selection, dosing ranges, key monitoring points, and safety management strategies for parenteral DTIs in various scenarios, including the perioperative period of ventricular assist device implantation, the perioperative period of cardiac surgery, perioperative patients with lower-extremity atherosclerotic disease, the perioperative period of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome, the perioperative period of carotid artery stenting in patients with carotid stenosis, the perioperative period of patients with right heart thrombosis, and patients who develop related thrombosis and dysfunction after a central venous catheter insertion. In addition, warning and management pathways for perioperative bleeding and thrombotic events were proposed. This expert consensus, which is formulated based on the best available evidence, provides evidence-based guidance for standardized and individualized use of parenteral DTIs in perioperative period.
3.Mechanism of Wenyang Jieyu Prescription in Regulating Activation of Mouse Hippocampal Microglia Based on JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway
Ying WANG ; Zihan GONG ; Wenqing LIANG ; Jingwen YANG ; Guangxin YUE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):88-96
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of the Wenyang Jieyu prescription in regulating depression-like behavior in mice after maternal-infant separation combined with secondary stress. MethodsAfter birth, the rats were randomly divided into blank (NC) group, maternal-infant separation (MS) group, restraint stress (RS) group, maternal-infant separation combined with restraint stress (MRS) group, Wenyang group, Jieyu group, Wenyang Jieyu (XSF) group, and minocycline group. Maternal-infant separation was performed on day 5 (PD5), followed by weaning at PD21 and prophylactic administration. The dose of Wenyang group, Xiaoyao group, XSF group and minocycline group were 5.85, 12.03, 16.71 g·kg-1 and 50 mg·kg-1, respectively. Restraint stress was applied on PD90. The model was evaluated using glucose, social interaction, open field, and O-maze behavior tests, as well as high-performance liquid chromatography to measure serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters. The expression level of ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule-1 (Iba-1) protein, a marker of hippocampal microglia, was detected by immunohistochemistry. Protein expression levels of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in the hippocampus were analyzed by an automatic protein expression analysis system. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression levels of M1 markers, JAK2/STAT3 pathway-related genes, and cytokines in hippocampal microglia in each group. ResultsCompared with the NC group, the MRS group exhibited depression-like behavior, with significantly decreased levels of neurotransmitters in the hippocampus (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased expression of Iba-1 (P<0.01), and elevated protein levels of JAK2 and STAT3 (P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of CD68, CD11b, IL-1β, JAK2, and STAT3 were significantly increased (P<0.01), while IL-10 mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the MRS group, the XSF and minocycline groups showed some improvement in depression-like behavior. In these groups, the hippocampal neurotransmitter content was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and Iba-1 expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The protein levels of JAK2 and STAT3 in the XSF group showed a downward trend. The mRNA expression levels of CD68, CD11b, JAK2, STAT3, and IL-1β in the hippocampus were significantly decreased in the XSF and minocycline groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), while IL-10 mRNA expression was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionWenyang Jieyu prescription can regulate depression-like behavior in maternal-infant separation mice combined with secondary stress by inhibiting the polarization of hippocampal microglia to the M1 phenotype. The regulation of hippocampal microglia polarization by Wenyang Jieyu prescription may be associated with the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
4.Optimization Strategy and Practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound and Its Component Compatibility
Zhihao WANG ; Wenjing ZHOU ; Chenghao FEI ; Yunlu LIU ; Yijing ZHANG ; Yue ZHAO ; Lan WANG ; Liang FENG ; Zhiyong LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):299-310
Prescription optimization is a crucial aspect in the study of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compounds. In recent years, the introduction of mathematical methods, data mining techniques, and artificial neural networks has provided new tools for elucidating the compatibility rules of TCM compounds. The study of TCM compounds involves numerous variables, including the proportions of different herbs, the specific extraction parts of each ingredient, and the interactions among multiple components. These factors together create a complex nonlinear dose-effect relationship. In this context, it is essential to identify methods that suit the characteristics of TCM compounds and can leverage their advantages for effective application in new drug development. This paper provided a comprehensive review of the cutting-edge optimization experimental design methods applied in recent studies of TCM compound compatibilities. The key technical issues, such as the optimization of source material selection, dosage optimization of compatible herbs, and multi-objective optimization indicators, were discussed. Furthermore, the evaluation methods for component effects were summarized during the optimization process, so as to provide scientific and practical foundations for innovative research in TCM and the development of new drugs based on TCM compounds.
5.Association analysis of DHH gene single nucleotide polymorphism and depression
Jing-Jie CHEN ; Yi-Xi WANG ; Peng LIANG ; Yue LI ; Jian LI ; Yun-Dan LIANG
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(2):158-162
Objective To explore the correlation between the rs7296288 single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)of the DHH gene and the onset of depression.Methods From March 2018 to December 2019,480 patients with depression in Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital,Jining Mental Hospital,Yunnan Mental Health Center were collected as the case group,and 329 patients without depression were collected as the control group.Peripheral blood samples were collected and DNA was extracted.After multiple amplification and high-throughput sequencing,statistical software was used to analyze the relevant data.Results The rs7296288 polymorphism of the DHH gene,the AA genotype was 32.9%in the control group and 36.7%in the case group,with no statistical difference;the AC genotype was 52.8%in the control group and 47.7%in the case group,with no statistical difference;the CC genotype was 14.3%in the control group and 15.6%in the case group,with no statistical difference.The co-dominant,dominant,and recessive statistical models were not statistically significant.Subgroup analysis of the degree of depressive episodes,suicide attempts,and first-episode patients did not find an association between the rs7296288 SNP locus of the DHH gene and the clinical features of depression,that is,the SNP rs7296288 of the DHH gene had no significant correlation with depression.Conclusion The rs7296288 polymorphism of DHH gene is not correlated with the pathogenesis of depression.
6.Exploring Mechanism of Hei Xiaoyaosan Regulating PI3K/Akt Pathway to Improve Learning and Memory Ability of Insomnia Rats with Liver Depression Syndrome Based on Transcriptomics
Jiamin LIU ; Yale WANG ; Hai HUANG ; Yue LI ; Xin FAN ; Pengpeng LIANG ; Shizhao ZHANG ; Mei YAN ; Guiyun LI ; Hongyan WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):114-125
ObjectiveBased on transcriptomics, to explore the mechanism of Hei Xiaoyaosan regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway to improve the learning and memory ability of insomnia rats with liver depression syndrome. MethodsSixty 8-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, eszopiclone group (0.09 mg·kg-1), and low, medium, and high dose groups of Hei Xiaoyaosan (3.82, 7.65, 15.30 g·kg-1), with ten rats in each group. Except for the blank group, the other groups were induced insomnia rat model with liver depression by chronic restraint, tail clamping stimulation and intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA). Each treatment group received intragastric administration according to the specified dosage, once a day for 14 consecutive days. The pentobarbital sodium cooperative sleep test, open field test, and Morris water maze test were used to test the sleep quality, depressive-like behavior, and learning and memory abilities of rats. Additionally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and nitric oxide (NO) in hippocampus. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe pathological changes of the hippocampal tissue, while terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end labeling (TUNEL) was used to evaluate apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. Transcriptomic sequencing technology was employed to identify differentially expressed genes in hippocampus between the model group and the blank group, as well as between the medium-dose group of Hei Xiaoyaosan and the model group. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed on the intersecting genes. Subsequently, the enriched key genes and signaling pathways were analyzed and verified. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was utilized to assess the mRNA expression levels of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-like protein 11 (BCL2L11), and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) in hippocampus, and Western blot was employed to evaluate the protein expressions of PI3K, phosphorylation (p)-PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, Bcl-2, Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and cleaved Caspase-3 in the same tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited a reduction in body weight, an increase in sleep latency, and a decrease in sleep duration (P<0.01). Additionally, rats showed obvious depression-like behavior, and their learning and memory abilities decreased. Furthermore, the contents of 5-HT, GABA, NO, BDNF and GDNF in hippocampus decreased (P<0.01). Histological examination revealed a disorganized cell arrangement in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, characterized by irregular cell shapes, a reduced cell count, deeply stained and pyknotic nuclei, increased vacuolar degeneration, and an elevated apoptosis rate (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the body weight of the high and medium dose groups of Hei Xiaoyaosan increased, the sleep latency shortened and the sleep time prolonged (P<0.05, P<0.01). Additionally, depression-like behavior and learning and memory abilities of rats were significantly improved, the levels of 5-HT, GABA, NO, BDNF and GDNF in the hippocampus increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). These interventions also ameliorated pathological damage in the hippocampal CA1 area and reduced the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons (P<0.01). Transcriptomic sequencing results indicated that Hei Xiaoyaosan might exert a therapeutic effect by regulating PI3K/Akt pathway through key mRNAs such as PTEN, BCL2L11, and MAPK1. The roles of these key mRNAs and proteins within PI3K/Akt pathway were further validated. In comparison to the blank group, the expression levels of PTEN, BCL2L11 and MAPK1 mRNA in the hippocampus of rats in the model group were increased (P<0.01), while the protein expression levels of p-PI3K, p-Akt and Bcl-2 were decreased (P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of PTEN, Bax and cleaved Caspase-3 were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-dose and medium-dose groups of Hei Xiaoyaosan could down-regulate the expressions of PTEN, BCL2L11 and MAPK1 mRNAs (P<0.01), up-regulate the expressions of p-PI3K, p-Akt and Bcl-2 proteins (P<0.01), and down-regulate the protein expressions of PTEN, Bax and cleaved Caspase-3 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan may regulate PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by down-regulating expressions of key genes such as PTEN, BCL2L11 and MAPK1, and thus improve the learning and memory abilities of insomnia rats with liver depression syndrome.
7.Deubiquitinase OTUD6A alleviates acetaminophen-induced liver injury by targeting EZH2 to reduce cell death in hepatocytes.
Yanni ZHAO ; Tianyang JIN ; Tingxin XU ; Yi FANG ; Qingsong ZHENG ; Wu LUO ; Weiwei ZHU ; Yue CHEN ; Jiong WANG ; Yi CHEN ; Wei ZUO ; Lijiang HUANG ; Guang LIANG ; Yi WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4772-4788
Acetaminophen (APAP) is the primary cause of drug-induced acute liver failure. Ovarian tumor deubiquitinase 6A (OTUD6A), a recently discovered deubiquitinase of the OTU family, has been primarily studied in tumor contexts. However, its role in APAP-induced liver injury (AILI) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the involvement of OTUD6A in the pathogenesis of AILI. Our findings demonstrated a substantial upregulation of OTUD6A in both the liver tissue and isolated hepatocytes of mice following APAP stimulation. OTUD6A knockout exacerbated APAP-induced inflammation, hepatocyte necrosis, and liver injury, whereas OTUD6A overexpression alleviated these pathologies. Mechanistically, OTUD6A directly interacted with the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and selectively removed K48-linked polyubiquitin chains from EZH2, enhancing its stability. This resulted in increased protein levels of EZH2 and H3K27me3, as well as reduced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and cell death in hepatocytes. Collectively, our research uncovers a novel role for OTUD6A in mitigating APAP-induced liver injury by promoting EZH2 stabilization.
8.Research progress on the relationship between migratory birds and parasites
Lizhu LIANG ; Cong WANG ; Yue LI ; Zhiguang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2025;44(3):248-252
Migration is one of the core biological characteristics of migratory birds. The nutrient, energy, and biological flows triggered during this process can facilitate the cross-regional spread of parasites and induce changes in their community structures. This article systematically reviews the interaction between migratory birds and parasites, including the prevalence characteristics of parasites in migratory birds, the vector role of migratory birds in parasite transmission, and the potential impact of parasites on hosts, ecosystems, and humans, in order to provide theoretical support for biodiversity conservation and prevention and control of zoonosis.
9.Novel Structural Features of Isoflavone Synthase from Medicago truncatula Shed Light on Its Unique Enzymatic Mechanism
Chao SHI ; Zhao-Yang YE ; Fei XU ; Xiang-Ning DU ; Zhang-Xin CHEN ; Ming-Yue GU ; Jie DENG ; Wei WANG ; Liang-Yu LIU ; Mei-Ying WANG ; Xiao-Dong SU ; He-Li LIU ; Ming-Ying SHANG ; Li-Xin HUANG ; Zhen-Zhan CHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(8):1204-1213,中插1-中插6
Isoflavones which mainly distributed in leguminous plants have plenty of health benefits.Isoflavone synthase(IFS)is a membrane-associated cytochrome P450 enzyme(CYP450)which carries out the unique aryl-ring migration and hydroxylation.So far,few crystal structures of plant P450s have been obtained.We determined the crystal structure of IFS from Medicago truncatula at 1.9 ? by MAD method using a selenomethionine substituted crystal and conducted molecular docking and mutagenesis study.The structure of IFS complexed with imidazole exhibits the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif which cor-responds to helix Ⅰ of other P450s.Compared with structures of common P450s,IFS/imidazole structure contains an extra domain,i.e.,the γ-domain.The structure reveals a homodimer in which the γ-domain of one molecule interacts with the β-domain of another.The plane of heme group makes an angle of ap-proximately 40° with the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif.Molecular docking combined with mutagenesis study suggested that Trp-128 and Asp-300 might play important roles in substrate binding and recogni-tion.Phe-301,Ser-303 and Gly-305 from the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif may play important roles in the aryl-ring migration.These novel structural features reveal insights into the unique reaction mechanism of IFS and provide a basis for engineering IFS in leguminous crops for health purpose.
10.Compatibility Study of Biapenem with Parenteral Nutrition Solution Mimicking Y-type Infusion Pathway
Liguo WANG ; Yantao YUE ; Yuanpei LI ; Lijie LOU ; Liang ZHAO
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(9):1490-1495
Objective To study the physical and chemical stability of biapenem and parenteral nutrient solutions when they are used together through a Y-type infusion pathway,and to evaluate the rationality and feasibility of clinical compatibility.Methods Based on the actual clinical infusion rates of biapenem solution and parenteral nutrition solution in ICU,under room temperature and light conditions,simulate a Y-shaped pathway to mix biapenem solution and four types of parenteral nutrition solutions in three volume ratios(1∶1,2∶1,3∶1),and collect the compatible solutions at 0,1,2,4,and 6 hours,observing the appearance,pH value,osmolality,insoluble particles,Zeta potential,particle size and the change of biapenem content of the compatible solution,to investigate the potential interaction between them.Results Within 6 hours,the appearance,pH value,osmotic pressure,insoluble particles,particle size,and Zeta potential did not significantly change.Compared with zero time,the content of the biapenem fluctuated between 93.68%and 100.86%,and there was no impurity peak interference in the chromatogram.Conclusion The physico-chemical properties of biapenem were stable within 6 hours under the condition of room temperature and no light exposure through Y-type infusion pathway and parenteral nutrient solutions.

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