ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of Wuhua herbal tea on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression and explore its mechanism of action in combating depression.MethodsWe tested the antidepressant effects of Wuhua herbal tea in a rat model of CUMS-induced depression using fluoxetine as a positive control. The rats were divided into four groups: control group, model group, fluoxetine group, and Wuhua herbal tea group. The rats underwent body weight measurements, sucrose preference test, and open-field test. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to detect the serum levels of serotonin, dopamine, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone, norepinephrine, and interleukin-6. Intergroup comparisons and detection of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mRNA expression in the hippocampus were performed using RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify the expression of phosphorylated JAK2 (p-JAK2) and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) proteins in hippocampal paraffin sections of CUMS rats.ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group rats had depressive tendencies, exhibiting low vitality and interest in various behavioral indicators which were signs of despair. The Wuhua herbal tea group statistically increased the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the serum of CUMS rats to varying degrees (P = .015 and P = .002); reduced serum levels of ACTH, corticosterone, norepinephrine, and interleukin-6 (all P .05); and decreased mRNA expression of BDNF, CREB, JAK2, and STAT3 in the hippocampus (all P .05); and decreased p-STAT3 protein levels (P = .006).ConclusionWuhua herbal tea shows antidepressant potential in CUMS rats by modulating the HPA axis and inhibiting JAK2-STAT3 overactivation, alleviating neuroinflammation. It also restores BDNF-CREB pathway function, reducing depressive symptoms.

Objectives:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and ethnic differences of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome(CKM)among the Hani,Dai,Bai,and Lisu populations in Yunnan Province,and to provide evidence for developing effective prevention and control strategies for CKM.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among four ethnic minority groups.A total of 3 906 permanent residents aged 18 years and older were enrolled using a multistage cluster random sampling method.CKM stages(0-4)were defined based on the 2023 American Heart Association criteria,stages 3-4 were classified as advanced CKM.Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to compare the prevalence of CKM stages across ethnic groups.Modified Poisson regression was applied to estimate relative risk(RR)and 95%confidence intervals(CI)for factors associated with advanced CKM.Results:The prevalence rates of CKM stage 1 and above among the Hani,Dai,Bai and Lisu ethnic groups were 80.1%,87.3%,84.8%and 67.8%,respectively.The prevalence of CKM was generally higher in males than in females,and the prevalence of CKM increased significantly with age.The Dai ethnic group had the highest prevalence of advanced CKM(24.7%,95%CI:22.1%-27.4%),while the Lisu ethnic group had the lowest prevalence of advanced CKM(13.7%,95%CI:11.5%-15.9%).Modified Poisson regression analysis showed that older age and higher body mass index were common risk factors for advanced CKM across all four ethnic groups.Additionally,except for the Lisu ethnic group,the other three ethnic groups had specific individual risk factors:among the Hani ethnic group,low educational attainment(RR=2.18,95%CI:1.12-4.25)and low income(RR=1.47,95%CI:1.00-2.18)were the primary risk factors of CKM.Among the Dai ethnic group,smoking(RR=1.60,95%CI:1.07-2.37)and a family history of cardiovascular disease(RR=1.61,95%CI:1.14-2.27)are the primary risk factors of CKM.Among the Bai ethnic group,male gender(RR=0.48,95%CI:0.29-0.79)was the primary risk factor of CKM.Conclusions:The prevalence of CKM stage 1 or higher is relatively high among the four minority ethnic groups in Yunnan province.There are significant differences in staging characteristics and primary risk factors across ethnic groups,necessitating the development of stratified,differentiated intervention strategies to achieve precise prevention and control and ethnic health equity in terms of CKM.

Objective Based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory of"simultaneous regulation of the liver and kidney,"this study integrated network pharmacology prediction,molecular docking,and animal experimental validation to analyze the multi-target regulatory network of Duzhong Xionghua(the male flower of Eucommia ulmoides)-Sanqi Hua(Sanchi flower)herb pair(hereinafter called"herb pair")in modulating glucolipid metabolic disorders in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),thereby elucidating its underlying molecular mechanism.Methods Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals,and Wanfang Data were used to obtain the active ingredients of the male flower of Eucommia ulmoides and Sanchi flower.PubChem Compound,SwissTargetPrediction,and SuperPred were used to screen and predict the targets of the drugs;The Human Gene Database,The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man,and Therapeutic Target Database were used to screen the key gene targets of T2DM.A"component-target-pathway"network diagram was constructed using Cytoscape software,and Gene Ontology functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were employed to identify the functions of the relevant target genes and pathways.Molecular docking was used to verify the binding activities of the core components and the key targets.For animal experiments,spontaneous T2DM model mice were used,in which the normal group consisted of six mice(wild type)from the same litter,and the 24 successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model,metformin(0.26 g/kg),high-dose herb pair(2.6 g/kg),and low-dose herb pair groups(1.3 g/kg)according to the blood glucose levels and body weights,with six mice per group.The drugs were administered by gavage daily for six consecutive weeks.The body weight and fasting blood glucose(FBG)levels were measured weekly,and an oral glucose tolerance test was performed in the fifth week.At the end of drug administration,body weight,naso-anal length,liver and bilateral epididymal adipose mass were measured;pathological changes in the liver were observed using HE staining;serum levels of aspartate transaminase(AST),alanine amino-transferase(ALT),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were detected using colorimetric assay;and liver tissue phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β)signaling pathway protein expressions were determined using Western blotting.Results Network pharmacology screening identified 38 active components and 669 potential targets of the herb pair.Intersection analysis with 1,275 T2DM-related targets yielded 185 common targets.Protein-protein interaction network analysis and pathway enrichment revealed the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway as a key mechanism.Molecular docking confirmed the strong binding affinity of the core components to key targets such as AKT1,suggesting that the herb pair may activate the PI3K/AKT pathway and inhibit GSK-3β activity via beta-sitosterol etc.Animal experiments demonstrated that,compared with the model group,the metformin group exhibited reduced FBG,AST,and ALT levels(P<0.01),but failed to improve body weight,Lee's index,or epididymal fat coefficient.Both herb pair doses significantly lowered Lee's index,hepatic index,and the epididymal fat coefficient(P<0.01),with the low-dose herb pair group showing attenuated body weight gain in mice.In contrast,the high-dose herb pair group exhibited decreased FBG,improved glucose tolerance,reduced TC,TG,and LDL-C levels,and increased HDL-C level(all P<0.01).HE staining revealed that all metformin and the herb pair markedly restored hepatic structure and alleviated steatosis in model mice,with more pronounced effects in the high-dose group than in the low-dose group.Western blotting result indicated that in the low-dose herb pair group,phospho-PI3K(p-PI3K),AKT,and phospho-GSK-3β(p-GSK-3β)protein expressions significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),whereas GSK-3β decreased(P<0.05).The high-dose group exhibited enhanced PI3K,p-PI3K,AKT,phospho-AKT,and p-GSK-3β protein expressions(all P<0.01),accompanied by reduced GSK-3β expression(P<0.01).Conclusion The male flower of Eucommia ulmoides-Sanchi flower herb pair may ameliorate T2DM-related glucolipid metabolic disorders by modulating the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway.

Objective Based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory of"simultaneous regulation of the liver and kidney,"this study integrated network pharmacology prediction,molecular docking,and animal experimental validation to analyze the multi-target regulatory network of Duzhong Xionghua(the male flower of Eucommia ulmoides)-Sanqi Hua(Sanchi flower)herb pair(hereinafter called"herb pair")in modulating glucolipid metabolic disorders in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),thereby elucidating its underlying molecular mechanism.Methods Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals,and Wanfang Data were used to obtain the active ingredients of the male flower of Eucommia ulmoides and Sanchi flower.PubChem Compound,SwissTargetPrediction,and SuperPred were used to screen and predict the targets of the drugs;The Human Gene Database,The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man,and Therapeutic Target Database were used to screen the key gene targets of T2DM.A"component-target-pathway"network diagram was constructed using Cytoscape software,and Gene Ontology functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were employed to identify the functions of the relevant target genes and pathways.Molecular docking was used to verify the binding activities of the core components and the key targets.For animal experiments,spontaneous T2DM model mice were used,in which the normal group consisted of six mice(wild type)from the same litter,and the 24 successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model,metformin(0.26 g/kg),high-dose herb pair(2.6 g/kg),and low-dose herb pair groups(1.3 g/kg)according to the blood glucose levels and body weights,with six mice per group.The drugs were administered by gavage daily for six consecutive weeks.The body weight and fasting blood glucose(FBG)levels were measured weekly,and an oral glucose tolerance test was performed in the fifth week.At the end of drug administration,body weight,naso-anal length,liver and bilateral epididymal adipose mass were measured;pathological changes in the liver were observed using HE staining;serum levels of aspartate transaminase(AST),alanine amino-transferase(ALT),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were detected using colorimetric assay;and liver tissue phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β)signaling pathway protein expressions were determined using Western blotting.Results Network pharmacology screening identified 38 active components and 669 potential targets of the herb pair.Intersection analysis with 1,275 T2DM-related targets yielded 185 common targets.Protein-protein interaction network analysis and pathway enrichment revealed the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway as a key mechanism.Molecular docking confirmed the strong binding affinity of the core components to key targets such as AKT1,suggesting that the herb pair may activate the PI3K/AKT pathway and inhibit GSK-3β activity via beta-sitosterol etc.Animal experiments demonstrated that,compared with the model group,the metformin group exhibited reduced FBG,AST,and ALT levels(P<0.01),but failed to improve body weight,Lee's index,or epididymal fat coefficient.Both herb pair doses significantly lowered Lee's index,hepatic index,and the epididymal fat coefficient(P<0.01),with the low-dose herb pair group showing attenuated body weight gain in mice.In contrast,the high-dose herb pair group exhibited decreased FBG,improved glucose tolerance,reduced TC,TG,and LDL-C levels,and increased HDL-C level(all P<0.01).HE staining revealed that all metformin and the herb pair markedly restored hepatic structure and alleviated steatosis in model mice,with more pronounced effects in the high-dose group than in the low-dose group.Western blotting result indicated that in the low-dose herb pair group,phospho-PI3K(p-PI3K),AKT,and phospho-GSK-3β(p-GSK-3β)protein expressions significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),whereas GSK-3β decreased(P<0.05).The high-dose group exhibited enhanced PI3K,p-PI3K,AKT,phospho-AKT,and p-GSK-3β protein expressions(all P<0.01),accompanied by reduced GSK-3β expression(P<0.01).Conclusion The male flower of Eucommia ulmoides-Sanchi flower herb pair may ameliorate T2DM-related glucolipid metabolic disorders by modulating the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway.

Objectives:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and ethnic differences of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome(CKM)among the Hani,Dai,Bai,and Lisu populations in Yunnan Province,and to provide evidence for developing effective prevention and control strategies for CKM.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among four ethnic minority groups.A total of 3 906 permanent residents aged 18 years and older were enrolled using a multistage cluster random sampling method.CKM stages(0-4)were defined based on the 2023 American Heart Association criteria,stages 3-4 were classified as advanced CKM.Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to compare the prevalence of CKM stages across ethnic groups.Modified Poisson regression was applied to estimate relative risk(RR)and 95%confidence intervals(CI)for factors associated with advanced CKM.Results:The prevalence rates of CKM stage 1 and above among the Hani,Dai,Bai and Lisu ethnic groups were 80.1%,87.3%,84.8%and 67.8%,respectively.The prevalence of CKM was generally higher in males than in females,and the prevalence of CKM increased significantly with age.The Dai ethnic group had the highest prevalence of advanced CKM(24.7%,95%CI:22.1%-27.4%),while the Lisu ethnic group had the lowest prevalence of advanced CKM(13.7%,95%CI:11.5%-15.9%).Modified Poisson regression analysis showed that older age and higher body mass index were common risk factors for advanced CKM across all four ethnic groups.Additionally,except for the Lisu ethnic group,the other three ethnic groups had specific individual risk factors:among the Hani ethnic group,low educational attainment(RR=2.18,95%CI:1.12-4.25)and low income(RR=1.47,95%CI:1.00-2.18)were the primary risk factors of CKM.Among the Dai ethnic group,smoking(RR=1.60,95%CI:1.07-2.37)and a family history of cardiovascular disease(RR=1.61,95%CI:1.14-2.27)are the primary risk factors of CKM.Among the Bai ethnic group,male gender(RR=0.48,95%CI:0.29-0.79)was the primary risk factor of CKM.Conclusions:The prevalence of CKM stage 1 or higher is relatively high among the four minority ethnic groups in Yunnan province.There are significant differences in staging characteristics and primary risk factors across ethnic groups,necessitating the development of stratified,differentiated intervention strategies to achieve precise prevention and control and ethnic health equity in terms of CKM.

Objective:To identify protein markers that may be associated with ulcerative colitis(UC)by analyzing differential proteins in the salivary exosomes from newly diagnosed patients with active UC and healthy controls(HC),and to investigate the function of salivary exosome-specific high-expression proteins in UC patients and their potential role in the pathogenesis of UC.Methods:All patients and healthy controls were recruited from Peking University People's Hospital.Whole saliva was obtained from 37 patients with newly diagnosed active ulcerative colitis(n=37)and apparently healthy controls(n=10).Salivary exosomes were extracted from samples,and the proteins within the exosomes were identi-fied by liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer(LC-MS/MS).The differentially expressed protein genes underwent gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis using the DAVID tool.In vitro,macrophages were co-cultured with salivary exosomes from UC group and those from HC group,respectively,and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)was used to detect levels of CD80+and CD86+.Additionally,ELISA was performed to measure secretion levels of interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the cell supernatant.Results:A total of 259 proteins were co-expressed in saliva exosomes from UC group and HC group,among which 11 proteins were highly expressed in the UC group,including PDIA4,A2M,EEF2,C3,PSMA2,PSMB6,PSMA1,IGHG1,IGHG3,IGHG4 and SERPING1,while 4 proteins were lowly expressed in UC group,including TCN1,SLPI and SERPING.Functional analysis of these 15 pro-teins,along with 129 specific proteins found only in the UC patients and 69 specific proteins found only in HC patients,respectively,was conducted using GO/KEGG.The results revealed that in the UC group,proteasome-related proteins such as PSMA1,PSMA2 and PSMB6 expressions were increased in salivary ex-osomes while many key molecules involved in complement cascade pathways,such as C3 were up-regu-lated.In vitro co-culture experiments demonstrated that compared with healthy controls,the salivary exo-somes of the UC patients in active stage could play a pro-inflammatory role by promoting the transformation of macrophages into M1 type cells that secrete inflammatory factors IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α.Conclusion:Salivary exosomes in the UC patients may have the function of promoting inflammation.Analysis of protein levels in the saliva of the UC patients and healthy controls revealed significant differences in the expression levels of 15 co-expressed proteins between the two groups.Among them,C3,PSMA2,PSMB6 and PSMA1 were found to be mainly related to immune and inflammatory reactions in the UC group.These findings sug-gest that proteins with high specific expression in salivary exosomes of the UC patients have the potential to be used as a disease marker for UC diagnosis and may contribute to the pathogenesis of UC.

Background Ocular alkali burns leads to corneal ulcer and angiogenesis and even corneal opacity.There is still no ideal treatment method.Studies showed that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can repair corneal wound in vivo,but the specific mechanism is still not clear.Objective This study aimed to observe the histopathological change after the early transplatation of bone marrow MSCs (BMSCs) for corneal alkali burn model in rabbits and explore the anti-inflammatory effects of MSCs after corneal alkali burn.Methods Bone marrow of 4 ml was collected from 2-3 month-old Japanese rabbit.BMSCs were isolated and cultured from the bone marrow of rabbits,and the third generation of cells were used in this study.Cultured cells were identified by morphology and the expressions of surface markers.Corneal alkali burn models were extablished in the right eyes of 24 rabbits by attaching the filter paper with 0.1％ NaOH at the central cornea for 30 seconds,and then the models were randomized into 2 groups.BMSCs suspension of 300 μl (concentration 5×l06/μl) was subconjunctivally injected 1 hour after modeling in the BMSCs group,and equal volume of PBS was used in the same way in the PBS group.Corneal opacification was scored under the slim lamp microscope in 3,14 and 28 days after injection.The polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) were counted by histopathological examination,and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in the corneal tissue was evaluated by immunochemistry in various time points.The use and care of the rabbits followed the statement of ARVO.Results The rabbit BMSCs were plastic-adherent cells that exhibited a fibroblastlike shape.Cultrued cells highly expressed surface adhesion molecular markers CD29 and CD90 (99.18％ and 97.94％) and lowly expressed hematopoietic cell markers CD34 and CD31 (0.74％ and 0.15％).Opacification of cornea,defect of corneal epithelium,stromal edema and neovascularization appeared after modeling.In 14 days and 28 days after modeling,the opacification scores in the BMSCs group were 2.37±0.52 and 2.25±0.50,which were significantly lower than 3.00±0.53 and 3.25 ±0.50 in the PBS group (t =2.376,2.828,both at P＜0.05).After subconjunctival injection,the number of PMNs was (34.17 ±1.85) /12 fields and (25.64 ±3.86)/12 fields in the BMSCs group,showing significant decrease in comparison with (42.70 ±1.54) /12 fields and (32.67 ±1.42)/12 fields in the PBS group (t=10.021,4.832,both at P=0.000).The expression levels of MMP-2 (A value) in cornea were 0.388±0.016 and 0.384±0.006 in the BMSCs group,with considerable decreases in comparison with 0.438± 0.006 and 0.412± 0.005 in the PBS group (t=10.205,13.514,both at P=0.000).Conclusions Early transplantation of BMSCs can arrest the occurrance of corneal ulcer by suppressing the infiltration of PMNs,alleviateing the inflammation reaction,downregulating the expression of MMP-2 in cornea and inhibiting the degradation of stromal collagen fibers.

Objective To observe the effects of serum with drug Penthorum chinense Pursh extractum on transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and collagen I secretions of activated hepatic stellate cells. Methods Twenty male SD rats were divided into 2 groups, and were administered with 0.9% sodium chloride solution and Penthorum chinense Pursh extraetum via gastrogavage for 3 days respectively and then sacrificed. Serum samples of these rats were collected. HSC-T6 cells were divided into the normal group and the treatment group. The cells of the normal group were incubated in Dulbecco's modified eagle medium (DMEM)with sera of normal rats, while those of the treatment group were incubated in DMEM with sera from Penthorum chinense Pursh extractum treated rats. The HSC-T6 viability was observed by AlamarBlue assay, while the toxicity of Penthorum ehinense Pursh extractum was measured by 3-(4, 5-Dimethyhhiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The expression of collagen I and TGF-β1 mRNA were determined by real timepolymerase chain reaction (real time PCR). The protein expressions of collagen I and TGF-β1 were analyzed by Western blotting. The data were analyzed by single factor analysis of variance and pairwise comparison was done by q test. Results Different concentrations of sera from Penthorum chinense Pursh extractum treated rats could all inhibit HSC-T6 proliferation, especially when the sera concentration were 10% and the HSC-T6 cells were incubated for 24 h (P＜0.01 ). MTT assay indicated that sera from Penthorum chinense Pursh extractum treated rats showed no obvious toxicity to HSC-T6 compared with those from normal rats (P ＞0.05). After 24 h incubation, 10% sera from Penthorum chinense Pursh extractum treated rats could significantly down-regulate mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and collagen I compared with normal group (TGF-β1 2.790±0.174 vs 9. 827 ± 1.429, P＜0.01 ; collagen I 1.213 ± 0.099 vs 4.053 ± 1.005, P＜0.01 ). Mcanwhile, the protein expressions of TGF-β1 and collagen I were also obviously inhibited in drug treated group compared with normal group (P＜0.01). Conclusions Serum from Penthorum chinense Pursh extractum treated rats can significantly decrease TGF-β1 and collagen I secretions of activated hepatic stellate cells, which provides the experimental evidence for liver fibrosis treatment.