1.HerbRNomes: ushering in the post-genome era of modernizing traditional Chinese medicine research
Yu TIAN ; Hai SHANG ; Gui-bo SUN ; Wei-dong ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):300-313
With the completion of the "Human Genome Project" and the smooth progress of the "Herbal Genome Project", the research wave of RNAomics is gradually advancing, opening the research gateway for the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and initiating the post-genome era of medicinal plant RNA research. Therefore, this article proposes for the first time the concept of HerbRNomes, which involves constructing databases of medicinal plant, medicinal fungus, and medicinal animal RNA at different stages, from different origins, and in different organs. This research aims to explore the role of HerbRNA in self-genetic information transmission, functional regulation, as well as cross-species regulation functional mechanisms and key technologies. It also investigates application scenarios, providing a theoretical basis and research ideas for the resistance of TCM or medicinal plants to adversity and stress, molecular assistant breeding, and the development of small nucleic acid drugs. This article reviews recent research progress in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of the transmission and expression of genetic information, self-regulation and cross-species regulation of herbs at the RNA level, along with key technologies. It proposes a development strategy for small nucleic acid drugs based on HerbRNomes, providing theoretical support and guidance for the modernization of TCM based on HerbRNomes research.
2.Frequent association of malignant effusions in plasmablastic lymphoma:a single‑institutional experience of nine cases in Taiwan
Bo‑Jung CHEN ; Yu‑Ting KUO ; Sheng‑Tsung CHANG ; Khin‑Than WIN ; Shang‑Wen CHEN ; Sheng‑Yen HSIAO ; Yin‑Hsun FENG ; Yen‑Chuan HSIEH ; Shih‑Sung CHUANG
Blood Research 2025;60():22-
Purpose:
Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare, aggressive lymphoma that is characterized by terminal B-cell differ‑ entiation. In the West, PBL usually occurs in patients with immunodeficiencies, particularly those induced by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We investigated the clinicopathological features of PBL at a single institute in Taiwan, where HIV infection is rare.
Methods:
This retrospective chart review identified PBL cases that were treated at a single institute in southern Tai‑ wan between 2008 and 2024.
Results:
We identified nine patients (four males and five females; median age 71 years). Of the eight patients tested for HIV, only one tested positive. Pathologically, the tumors showed plasmablastic morphology and immunopheno‑ type, and three (33%) cases tested positive for Epstein–Barr virus. Six (67%) patients presented with Stage IV disease, including five (56%) with malignant effusion. Six patients were treated with chemotherapy and the remaining three received only supportive care. During a median follow-up of 10 months, five patients died of progressive disease, two died of unrelated diseases, and two were alive with PBL relapse.
Conclusion
In Taiwan, PBL constitutes a rare and aggressive clinical condition and is frequently associated with malignant effusion. In contrast to Western patients, the PBL in most patients from Taiwan was unrelated to HIV infection.
3.Frequent association of malignant effusions in plasmablastic lymphoma:a single‑institutional experience of nine cases in Taiwan
Bo‑Jung CHEN ; Yu‑Ting KUO ; Sheng‑Tsung CHANG ; Khin‑Than WIN ; Shang‑Wen CHEN ; Sheng‑Yen HSIAO ; Yin‑Hsun FENG ; Yen‑Chuan HSIEH ; Shih‑Sung CHUANG
Blood Research 2025;60():22-
Purpose:
Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare, aggressive lymphoma that is characterized by terminal B-cell differ‑ entiation. In the West, PBL usually occurs in patients with immunodeficiencies, particularly those induced by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We investigated the clinicopathological features of PBL at a single institute in Taiwan, where HIV infection is rare.
Methods:
This retrospective chart review identified PBL cases that were treated at a single institute in southern Tai‑ wan between 2008 and 2024.
Results:
We identified nine patients (four males and five females; median age 71 years). Of the eight patients tested for HIV, only one tested positive. Pathologically, the tumors showed plasmablastic morphology and immunopheno‑ type, and three (33%) cases tested positive for Epstein–Barr virus. Six (67%) patients presented with Stage IV disease, including five (56%) with malignant effusion. Six patients were treated with chemotherapy and the remaining three received only supportive care. During a median follow-up of 10 months, five patients died of progressive disease, two died of unrelated diseases, and two were alive with PBL relapse.
Conclusion
In Taiwan, PBL constitutes a rare and aggressive clinical condition and is frequently associated with malignant effusion. In contrast to Western patients, the PBL in most patients from Taiwan was unrelated to HIV infection.
4.Efficacy and safety of denosumab in the treatment of prostate cancer with bone metastases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Li YANG ; Bo FANG ; Can-Qin HE ; Xu-Xin ZHAN ; You-Ping XIAO ; Xiao-Jun QIN ; Qiang LOU ; Xue-Jun SHANG
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(4):349-356
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of denosumab in the treatment of prostate cancer with bone metastases.
METHODS:
Relevant studies were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Science, Sinomed , CNKI and Wanfang databases. The Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of included studies, and relevant data were extracted. meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 and RStudio software, and forest plots were generated.
RESULTS:
Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Compared with the control group, denosumab significantly reduced the risk of skeletal-related events (HR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.62-0.93). In terms of safety, denosumab did not increase the risk of total adverse events, severe adverse events and the adverse events higher than CTC grade 3.
CONCLUSION
Denosumab can delay the time to first skeletal-related event with good safety. However, due to the limitations of this study, further high-quality, large-sample, multicenter RCTs are needed to confirm these findings.
Humans
;
Denosumab/therapeutic use*
;
Bone Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Male
;
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
;
Bone Density Conservation Agents/therapeutic use*
5.Frequent association of malignant effusions in plasmablastic lymphoma:a single‑institutional experience of nine cases in Taiwan
Bo‑Jung CHEN ; Yu‑Ting KUO ; Sheng‑Tsung CHANG ; Khin‑Than WIN ; Shang‑Wen CHEN ; Sheng‑Yen HSIAO ; Yin‑Hsun FENG ; Yen‑Chuan HSIEH ; Shih‑Sung CHUANG
Blood Research 2025;60():22-
Purpose:
Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare, aggressive lymphoma that is characterized by terminal B-cell differ‑ entiation. In the West, PBL usually occurs in patients with immunodeficiencies, particularly those induced by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We investigated the clinicopathological features of PBL at a single institute in Taiwan, where HIV infection is rare.
Methods:
This retrospective chart review identified PBL cases that were treated at a single institute in southern Tai‑ wan between 2008 and 2024.
Results:
We identified nine patients (four males and five females; median age 71 years). Of the eight patients tested for HIV, only one tested positive. Pathologically, the tumors showed plasmablastic morphology and immunopheno‑ type, and three (33%) cases tested positive for Epstein–Barr virus. Six (67%) patients presented with Stage IV disease, including five (56%) with malignant effusion. Six patients were treated with chemotherapy and the remaining three received only supportive care. During a median follow-up of 10 months, five patients died of progressive disease, two died of unrelated diseases, and two were alive with PBL relapse.
Conclusion
In Taiwan, PBL constitutes a rare and aggressive clinical condition and is frequently associated with malignant effusion. In contrast to Western patients, the PBL in most patients from Taiwan was unrelated to HIV infection.
6.Effectiveness of the integrated schistosomiasis control programme in Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2023
Chen PU ; Yu ZHANG ; Jiajia WAN ; Nannan WANG ; Jingye SHANG ; Liang XU ; Ling CHEN ; Lin CHEN ; Zisong WU ; Bo ZHONG ; Yang LIU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(3):284-288
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of the integrated schistosomiasis control programme in Sichuan Province during the stage moving from transmission interruption to elimination (2015—2023), so as to provide insights into formulation of the schistosomiasis control measures during the post-elimination stage. Methods Schistosomiasis control data were retrospectively collected from departments of health, agriculture and rural affairs, forestry and grassland, water resources, and natural resources in Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2023, and a database was created to document examinations and treatments of human and livestock schistosomiasis, and snail survey and control, conversion of paddy fields to dry fields, ditch hardening, rivers and lakes management and building of forests for snail control and schistosomiasis prevention. The completion of schistosomiasis control measures was investigated, and the effectiveness was evaluated. Results A total of 20 545 155 person-times received human schistosomiasis examinations in Sichuan Province during the period from 2015 to 2023, and 232 157 person-times were seropositive, with a reduction in the seroprevalence from 2.10% (44 299/2 107 003) in 2015 to 1.12% (9 361/837 896) in 2023 (χ2 = 7.68, P < 0.001). The seroprevalence of human schistosomiasis appeared a tendency towards a decline in Sichuan Province over years from 2015 to 2023 (b = −8.375, t = −10.052, P < 0.001); however, no egg positive individuals were identified during the period from 2018 to 2023, with the prevalence of human Schistosoma japonicum infections maintained at 0. Expanded chemotherapy was administered to 2 754 515 person-times, and medical assistance of advanced schistosomiasis was given to 6 436 persontimes, with the treatment coverage increasing from 46.80% (827/1 767) in 2015 to 64.87% (868/1 338) in 2023. Parasitological tests for livestock schistosomiasis were performed in 35 113 herd-times, and expanded chemotherapy was administered to 513 043 herd-times, while the number of fenced livestock decreased from 121 631 in 2015 to 103 489 in 2023, with a reduction of 14.92%. Snail survey covered 433 621.80 hm2 in Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2023, with 204 602.81 hm2 treated by chemical control and 4 637.74 hm2 by environmental modifications. The area of snail habitats decreased from the peak of 5 029.80 hm2 in 2016 to 3 709.72 hm2 in 2023, and the actual area of snail habitats decreased from the peak of 8 585.48 hm2 in 2016 to 473.09 hm2 in 2023. The mean density of living snails remained low across the study period except in 2017 (0.62 snails/0.1 m2). Schistosomiasis control efforts by departments of agriculture and rural affairs in Sichuan Province included conversion of paddy fields to dry fields covering 153 346.93 hm2, hardening of 6 110.31 km ditches, building of 70 356 biogas digesters, replacement of cattle with 227 161 sets of machines, and captive breeding of 21 161 070 livestock from 2015 to 2023, and the control efforts by departments of water resources included rivers and lakes management measuring 5 676.92 km and renovation of 2 331 irrigation areas, while the control efforts by departments of forestry and grassland included building of forests for snail control and schistosomiasis prevention covering 23 913.33 hm2, renovation of snail control forests covering 8 720 hm2 and newly building of shelterbelts covering 764 686.67 hm2. All 63 endemic counties (cities and districts) had achieved the criterion for schistosomiasis elimination criteria in Sichuan Province by the end of 2023. Conclusion Following the integrated control efforts from 2015 to 2023, remarkable achievements have been obtained in the schistosomiasis control programme in Sichuan Province, with all endemic counties successfully attaining the schistosomiasis elimination target at the county level.
7.Alzheimer's disease diagnosis among dementia patients via blood biomarker measurement based on the AT(N) system.
Tianyi WANG ; Li SHANG ; Chenhui MAO ; Longze SHA ; Liling DONG ; Caiyan LIU ; Dan LEI ; Jie LI ; Jie WANG ; Xinying HUANG ; Shanshan CHU ; Wei JIN ; Zhaohui ZHU ; Huimin SUI ; Bo HOU ; Feng FENG ; Bin PENG ; Liying CUI ; Jianyong WANG ; Qi XU ; Jing GAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(12):1505-1507
8.International risk signal prioritization principles: comparison and implications for scientific regulation of traditional Chinese medicine.
Rui ZHENG ; Shuo LIU ; Shi-Jia WANG ; He-Rong CUI ; Hai-Bo SONG ; Hong-Cai SHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):273-277
Signal detection is a critical task in drug safety regulation. However, it inevitably generates irrelevant or false signals, posing challenges for resource allocation by marketing authorization holders. To reasonably assess these signals, different countries have established various principles for prioritizing the evaluation of risk signals. This study systematically compares these principles and finds that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) focuses on practical issues, such as identifying drug confusion or drug interactions. However, China's Good Pharmacovigilance Practices and the European Medicines Agency(EMA) emphasize a comprehensive evaluation framework. The Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences(CIOMS) emphasizes the consistency of multiple data sources, highlighting the reliability of signal evaluation. China practices a multidisciplinary approach combining traditional Chinese and western medicine, and the risk signals related to traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) have unique characteristics, including complex components, cumulative toxicity, specific theoretical foundations, and drug interactions. The different priorities in risk signal evaluation principles across countries suggest that China should strengthen clinical trial research, emphasize corroboration with evidence of multiple sources, and pay particular attention to the risks of drug interactions in the TCM regulatory science. Establishing the risk signal prioritization principles that align with the characteristics of TCM enables more precise and efficient scientific regulation of TCM.
Humans
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
;
China
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
;
United States
;
United States Food and Drug Administration
9.Therapeutic effect of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen extracts on chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression and insomnia-like behavior in mice.
Hong-Bo CHENG ; Xian LIU ; Hui-Ying SHANG ; Rong GAO ; Wan-Yun DANG ; Ye-Hui GAO ; Cheng-Rong XIAO ; Yue GAO ; Zeng-Chun MA
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1817-1829
This paper aims to study the effect of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen extracts on chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)-induced depression-like and insomnia behavior models of mice. The CUMS-induced depression-like and insomnia behavior model of mice was established by CUMS treatment for three weeks. The mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, positive drug diazepam group(2 mg·kg~(-1)), as well as low-dose group(1.95 g·kg~(-1)), medium-dose group(3.9 g·kg~(-1)), and high-dose group(7.8 g·kg~(-1)) of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen extracts, with 18 mice in each group. On the 15th day of modeling, the drug was administered intragastrically once a day for one week. Then, the pentobarbital sodium cooperative righting experiment, open field experiment, and elevated plus maze experiment were carried out, respectively. The contents of neurotransmitters 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid(5-HIAA) in serum and thalamus of mice, as well as the levels of corticotropin releasing hormone(CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH), and corticosterone(CORT) in serum, were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The neuron damage in the hippocampus of mice was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Nissl staining. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of tryptophan hydroxylase 2(TPH2), serotonin transporter(SERT), monoamine oxidase A(MAOA), five prime repressors under dual repression binding protein 1(Freud1), synaptic plasticity-related proteins [cellular gene FOS(C-FOS), postsynaptic density protein 95(PSD95), synapsin 1(SYN1), and activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated gene(ARC)], blood-brain barrier(BBB) permeability-related proteins [zonula occludens 1(ZO-1), occludin, and claudin 1], inflammatory factors [NOD-, LRR-and pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), gasdermin D(GSDMD), caspase-3, and caspase-8], and antioxidant factors [nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(NRF2) and heme oxygenase 1(HO1)] in thalamic tissue of mice. The results indicated that compared with that in the model group, the sleep latency was significantly shortened, and the sleep duration was significantly prolonged in each dose group of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen extracts. The number of visits to the central area of the open field and the distance and time of visits were significantly increased in each dose group of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen extracts. In addition, the proportion of distance and time of entering the open arm area of the elevated plus maze was significantly increased in each dose group of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen extracts. The contents of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in serum and thalamus of mice increased to varying degrees in each dose group of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen extracts; the contents of CRH, ACTH, and CORT in serum of mice were significantly decreased. The protein expression of TPH2 was significantly increased. The protein expression of MAOA, SERT, and Freud1 was significantly decreased. Ziziphi Spinosae Semen extracts could also significantly reduce the protein expression of C-FOS but significantly increase the protein expression of PSD95, ARC, and SYN1. They could reduce the pathological damage of the hippocampus in mice and significantly increase the protein expression of ZO-1, occluding, and claudin 1. The protein expression of NLRP3, GSDMD, ASC, caspase-3, and caspase-8 in the thalamic tissue of mice was significantly decreased, and the protein expression of HO1 and NRF2 was significantly increased. In conclusion, Ziziphi Spinosae Semen extracts could effectively improve sleep disorders and depression-like behaviors in CUMS-induced model mice, which may be related to regulating the 5-HT anabolism process and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA) axis-related hormone levels, reducing pathological damage in the hippocampus, improving synaptic plasticity, repairing BBB integrity, and alleviating inflammatory response and oxidative stress damage.
Animals
;
Ziziphus/chemistry*
;
Mice
;
Male
;
Depression/psychology*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/psychology*
;
Stress, Psychological/complications*
;
Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
;
Humans
;
Disease Models, Animal
10.Mechanism of Naoxintong Capsules in treatment of rats with multiple cerebral infarctions and myocardial injury based on HIF-1α/VEGF pathway.
Xiao-Lu ZHANG ; Jin-Feng SHANG ; Yin-Lian WEN ; Gui-Jin-Feng HUANG ; Bo-Hong WANG ; Wan-Ting WEI ; Wen-Bin CHEN ; Xin LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1889-1899
This study aims to explore whether Naoxintong Capsules improve multiple cerebral infarctions and myocardial injury via promoting angiogenesis, thereby exerting a simultaneous treatment effect on both the brain and heart. Male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham-operated group, model group, high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose groups of Naoxintong Capsules(440, 220, and 110 mg·kg~(-1)), and nimodipine group(10.8 mg·kg~(-1)). Rat models of multiple cerebral infarctions were established by injecting autologous thrombus, and samples were collected and tested seven days after modeling. Evaluations included multiple cerebral infarction model assessments, neurological function scores, grip strength tests, and rotarod tests, so as to evaluate neuromotor functions. Morphological structures of brain and heart tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, Nissl staining, and Masson staining. Network pharmacology was employed to screen the mechanisms of Naoxintong Capsules in improving multiple cerebral infarctions and myocardial injury. Neuronal and myocardial cell ultrastructures were observed using transmission electron microscopy. Apoptosis rate in brain neuronal cells was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) staining, and reactive oxygen species(ROS) levels in myocardial cells were measured. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1(CD31), antigen identified by monoclonal antibody Ki67(Ki67), hematopoietic progenitor cell antigen CD34(CD34), and hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) in brain and myocardial tissue. Western blot, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) were used to detect the expression of HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2), sarcoma(Src), basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF), angiopoietin-1(Ang-1), and TEK receptor tyrosine kinase(Tie-2). Compared with the model group, the medium-dose group of Naoxintong Capsules showed significantly lower neurological function scores, increased grip strength, and prolonged time on the rotarod. Pathological damage in brain and heart tissue was reduced, with increased and more orderly arranged mitochondria in neurons and cardiomyocytes. Apoptosis in brain neuronal cells was decreased, and ROS levels in cardiomyocytes were reduced. The microvascular density and endothelial cells of new blood vessels in brain and heart tissue increased, with increased overlapping regions of CD31 and Ki67 expression. The relative protein and mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGF, VEGFR2, Src, Ang-1, Tie-2, and bFGF were elevated in brain tissue and myocardial tissue. Naoxintong Capsules may improve multiple cerebral infarctions and myocardial injury by mediating HIF-1α/VEGF expression to promote angiogenesis.
Animals
;
Male
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Cerebral Infarction/genetics*
;
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics*
;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics*
;
Capsules
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Humans
;
Brain/metabolism*
;
Myocardium/metabolism*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*

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