1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevents and Treats Ulcerative Colitis via TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway: A Review
Xi CUI ; Wenke DU ; Xing SHEN ; Cuicui LIU ; Rui ZHAI ; Hanghang LI ; Shuxun SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):284-294
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the colon and rectum. With a rising incidence, UC has aroused an increasingly serious public health concern. The etiology and pathogenesis of UC are complex, involving genetic susceptibility, intestinal barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and environmental factors such as diet, smoking, and infection. Current UC therapies face limitations including persistent drug resistance, multiple side effects, and compromised immune function, necessitating the exploration of novel intervention strategies. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of research into UC mechanisms, the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway has been revealved as one of the classical pathways involved in inflammation. Being crucial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, this pathway regulates inflammatory and immune responses by controlling gene transcription, thereby playing a significant role in the occurrence and progression of UC. However, systematic summarization within this field remains lacking. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses unique advantages through its multi-target, multi-pathway, and multi-mechanism approaches, being capable of curbing the pathological progression of UC by targeting key molecules in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. This paper systematically summarizes the mechanisms by which TLR4/NF-κB-related pathways regulate UC, primarily encompassing inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, immune balance, and gut microbiota. It reviews single herbs (e.g., Rosa roxburghii root and Saposhnikoviae Radix), active components (e.g., resveratrol, Tripterygium glycosides, and gypenosides), herbal extracts (e.g., Zingiberis Rhizoma extract and Taraxaci Herba extract), and compound formulas for clearing heat and removing dampness, invigorating the spleen and warming the kidneys, clearing heat and detoxifying, harmonizing the liver and spleen, and treating cold and heat in complexity (e.g., Huaihua Powder, Shenling Baizhu Powder, and Jiedu Huayu Formula). The aim is to fully leverage the advantages of TCM in UC treatment and provide novel insights for clinical and pharmacological research on UC.
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevents and Treats Ulcerative Colitis via TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway: A Review
Xi CUI ; Wenke DU ; Xing SHEN ; Cuicui LIU ; Rui ZHAI ; Hanghang LI ; Shuxun SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):284-294
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the colon and rectum. With a rising incidence, UC has aroused an increasingly serious public health concern. The etiology and pathogenesis of UC are complex, involving genetic susceptibility, intestinal barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and environmental factors such as diet, smoking, and infection. Current UC therapies face limitations including persistent drug resistance, multiple side effects, and compromised immune function, necessitating the exploration of novel intervention strategies. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of research into UC mechanisms, the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway has been revealved as one of the classical pathways involved in inflammation. Being crucial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, this pathway regulates inflammatory and immune responses by controlling gene transcription, thereby playing a significant role in the occurrence and progression of UC. However, systematic summarization within this field remains lacking. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses unique advantages through its multi-target, multi-pathway, and multi-mechanism approaches, being capable of curbing the pathological progression of UC by targeting key molecules in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. This paper systematically summarizes the mechanisms by which TLR4/NF-κB-related pathways regulate UC, primarily encompassing inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, immune balance, and gut microbiota. It reviews single herbs (e.g., Rosa roxburghii root and Saposhnikoviae Radix), active components (e.g., resveratrol, Tripterygium glycosides, and gypenosides), herbal extracts (e.g., Zingiberis Rhizoma extract and Taraxaci Herba extract), and compound formulas for clearing heat and removing dampness, invigorating the spleen and warming the kidneys, clearing heat and detoxifying, harmonizing the liver and spleen, and treating cold and heat in complexity (e.g., Huaihua Powder, Shenling Baizhu Powder, and Jiedu Huayu Formula). The aim is to fully leverage the advantages of TCM in UC treatment and provide novel insights for clinical and pharmacological research on UC.
3.Correlation between cerebral blood flow measured by 3D pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling and gait disorder in patients with cerebral small vessel disease
Xiyu PENG ; Haiyan LIU ; Cuicui ZHANG ; Zuowei DUAN ; Shuya LI
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2025;33(2):101-107
Objective:To investigate the correlation between cerebral blood flow (CBF) in different brain regions and gait disorder (GD) in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD).Methods:Patients with CSVD visited the Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from November 2023 to October 2024 were included prospectively. They were divided into GD group (<0.8 m/s) and non-GD group (≥0.8 m/s) based on their step speed. CBF was measured using 3D pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (3D-pCASL) perfusion imaging. Gait parameters were quantitatively evaluated using a wearable gait analyzer. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent factors associated with GD in patients with CSVD. Partial correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between gait parameters and CBF in different brain regions. Results:A total of 52 patients with CSVD were enrolled, including 26 males and 26 females, aged 67.00±6.84 years. Thirty-eight cases (73.1%) had mild overall burden of CSVD, and 14 cases (26.9%) had a moderate to severe overall burden of CSVD. There were 17 patients (32.7%) in the GD group and 35 (67.3%) in the non-GD group. Compared with the non-GD group, the body mass index was significantly higher, the CBF of the left occipital lobe and bilateral cerebellum decreased significantly, the step speed, step length, stride length, step frequency, swing phase, peak arm angular velocity, arm swing amplitude, maximum calf anterior/posterior swing angle, peak calf angular velocity, foot swing speed, and peak sagittal plane angular velocity in the torso decreased significantly, while the number of steps, stance phase, step length asymmetry, stride length, and step length variability increased significantly in the GD group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that left cerebellar CBF was an independent protective factor for GD in patients with CSVD (odds ratio 0.902, 95% confidence interval 0.827-0.982; P=0.019). For every 1 ml/(100 g.min) decreased in left cerebellar CBF, the patients with CSVD had an increased risk of developing GD by approximately 9.8%. Partial correlation analysis showed that left occipital lobe CBF was significantly positively correlated with step speed ( r=0.305, P=0.032), maximum calf back swing angle ( r=0.314, P=0.026), and peak calf angular velocity ( r=0.356, P=0.011). The left cerebellar CBF was significantly positively correlated with step speed ( r=0.295, P=0.037) and significantly negatively correlated with step length variability ( r=-0.335, P=0.017); the right cerebellar CBF was significantly positively correlated with step speed ( r=0.309, P=0.029) and significantly negatively correlated with step length variability ( r=-0.344, P=0.014). Conclusion:GD in patients with CSVD is associated with decreased CBF in the left occipital lobe and bilateral cerebellum, and decreased CBF in the left cerebellum significantly increased the risk of GD in patients with CSVD.
4.Comparative study on the resistance of phage and bacteria indicative of the disinfection effect on object surfaces
Cuicui MA ; Qi ZHANG ; Ying TONG ; Li YU ; Qiongqiong FANG ; Baoying ZHANG ; Jin SHEN
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(10):1703-1707
Objective:To investigate the differences in resistance to chemical disinfectants between bacteriophage Phi-X174 and disinfection effect indicator microorganisms, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Methods:Three commonly used disinfectants, including chlorine-containing disinfectants, alcohol-based disinfectants and quaternary ammonium salt disinfectants, were selected to analyze the differences in resistance of phage Phi-X174, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by using the quantitative sterilization test of suspension. Results:The 250 mg/L sodium dichloroisocyanurate solution treated for 10 minutes yielded log reduction values of 3.39, 7.25 and 7.37 against phage Phi-X174, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli respectively. The 40% ethanol for 1 minute yielded log reduction values of 0.03, 2.46 and 7.30 against phage Phi-X174, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. The 100 mg/L benzalkonium chloride for 10 minutes yielded log reduction values of 1.41, 6.84 and 0.93 for phage Phi-X174, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. Conclusion:Phage Phi-X174 has stronger resistance to chlorine-containing disinfectants and alcohol-based disinfectants than Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Its resistance to quaternary ammonium salt disinfectants is between that of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
5.Research Progress in the Mechanism of Shaoyao Decoction in Regulating Cytokines for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Cuicui LIU ; Peng'an YAN ; Xi CUI ; Qinqin LIU ; Hanghang LI ; Rui ZHAI ; Shuxun SHI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(10):179-184
Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a recurrent,chronic,nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease.Shaoyao Decoction has shown good efficacy in the treatment of UC,which mainly regulates the balance of cytokines to achieve the purpose of treating UC.This article reviewed the research progress in the mechanism of Shaoyao Decoction in the treatment of UC from two aspects of pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines.Research has shown that Shaoyao Decoction can regulate the body's immune response,alleviate intestinal inflammation,protect the intestinal mucosal barrier,restore normal structure and function of the colon mucosa through pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interferon-γ,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-17,and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as transforming growth factor-β,IL-4,IL-10,IL-13,which can provide reference for UC related mechanism research and clinical treatment.
6.A path analysis study on the relationship between the nursing organizational climate and work alienation among psychiatric nurses
Lan WANG ; Cuicui LIU ; Zhijiao ZHAO ; Li PANG ; Wenfu LI ; Qun MA ; Zhongli SHI
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(19):2397-2403
Objective To explore the effect of organizational climate on work alienation in psychiatric nurses,and the mediating role of psychological capital and positive coping styles between organizational climate and work alienation,in order to provide a reference for reducing work alienation among psychiatric nurses.Methods Convenience sampling method was used to select nurses working in 6 tertiary A psychiatric hospitals in Shandong Province from January to July 2024,and the general questionnaire,Nurses' Work Alienation Questionnaire,Organizational Climate Scale for Nursing,Psychological Capital Questionnaire,and Simple Coping Style Scale were used to conduct the survey and the mediation effect test.Results A total of 606 questionnaires were recovered,of which 572 were valid,and the validity rate of the questionnaires was 94.39%.Psychiatric nurses scored(89.58±13.69)for nursing organizational climate,(32.48±11.31)for work alienation,(97.28±19.12)for psychological capital,and(23.93±7.22)for positive coping styles.There was a direct effect of nursing organizational climate on work alienation(β=-0.681,95%CI=-0.824~-0.539).Psychological capital and positive coping styles acted as separate mediators and chain mediators in the effect of nursing organizational climate on work alienation(β=-0.116,-0.048,-0.019,95%CI=-0.182~-0.034,-0.086~-0.006,-0.042~-0.002).Conclusion There are multiple mediating effects of psychiatric nurses' psychological capital,positive coping styles between nursing organizational climate and work alienation.Nursing managers can enhance psychiatric nurses' psychological capital by creating a positive and healthy organizational climate,encouraging them to adopt positive coping styles to solve problems,and reducing work alienation.
7.Efficacy of Modified Use of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction Plus Xijiao Dihuang Decoction in the Treatment of Psoriasis Vulgaris and Its Effect on the Th1/Th2 Balance
Cuicui SHEN ; Wenhe WANG ; Haiyan WANG ; Bing ZHANG ; Shuo LI ; Xuewei LIU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(1):116-123
Objective To investigate the efficacy of modified use of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction plus Xijiao Dihuang Decoction in the treatment of patients with psoriasis vulgaris of blood-heat syndrome and to observe its effect on Th1/Th2 balance in the patients.Methods The investigation was carried out in a total of 130 patients with psoriasis vulgaris of blood-heat syndrome,who were admitted to the dermatology department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine between January 2022 and June 2023.The patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method,with 65 patients in each group.The control group was treated with conventional western medicine,while the observation group was treated with modification of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction plus Xijiao Dihuang Decoction on the basis of treatment for the control group.Both groups were treated for four consecutive weeks and were followed up for one year.The changes in the scores of Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(PASI)and Dermatology Life Quality Index(DLQI),levels of peripheral blood Th1/Th2 balance indicators,and levels of peripheral Th1/Th2-related factors such as γ-interferon(INF-γ),interleukin 2(IL-2),and interleukin 4(IL-4)in the two groups of patients before and after treatment were observed.Moreover,the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions during treatment were evaluated,and the recurrent cases within one year in the two groups were counted.Results(1)After four weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 90.77%(59/65),and that of the control group was 76.92%(50/65).The intergroup comparison showed that the clinical efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the scores of PASI and DLQI in the two groups of patients were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease of PASI and DLQI scores in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(3)After treatment,the serum levels of Th1/Th2-related factors such as INF-γ and IL-2 in the two groups of patients were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and IL-4 level was increased when compared with that before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease of serum INF-γ and IL-2 levels and the increase of serum IL-4 level in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(4)After treatment,the peripheral blood levels of Th1/Th2 balance indicators of Th1,Th2 and Th1/Th2 in the two groups of patients were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease of peripheral blood Th1,Th2 and Th1/Th2 levels in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(5)The recurrence rate of the observation group was 20.69%(12/58)and that of the control group was 38.33%(23/60),and the recurrence time in the observation group was(8.49±1.43)months and that of the control group was(5.36±0.95)months.The intergroup comparison showed that the one-year recurrence rate of the observation group was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group(P<0.05),and the recurrence time was significantly prolonged compared with that of the control group(P<0.05).(6)The medicine-induced adverse reaction rate in the observation group was 10.77%(7/65)and that in the control group was 12.31%(8/65),and the intergroup comparison showed that the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion Modified use of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction plus Xijiao Dihuang Decoction is effective on enhancing the clinical efficacy of patients with psoriasis vulgaris of blood-heat syndrome,and on improving the balance of Th1/Th2 and the severity of the disease,delaying the recurrence of psoriasis vulgaris,and reducing the recurrence rate,with high safety.
8.Non-targeted Lipid Metabolomics of Tongue Coating in Patients with Ischemic Stroke
Cuicui LI ; Donghao CAI ; Jingwen XU ; Hui LI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(5):1060-1065
Objective To explore the differences of lipid metabolites in tongue coating between ischemic stroke patients and healthy people,thus to screen out the potential biomarkers for tongue coating of ischemic stroke patients.Methods Twenty patients confirmed as ischemic stroke were selected as the observation group,and another 20 controls receiving healthy medical checkup at the same period were selected as the control group.All of them were aged between 40 and 80 years.Using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(UHPLC-MS)technology,and by combined with the statistical methods of principal component analysis(PCA)and partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA),non-targeted lipid metabolomics study was performed on tongue coating samples of the observation group and the control group.According to the criteria that the VIP value in the orthogonal signal correction-based orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA)model was greater than 1 and the P value of the Wilcoxon rank test was less than 0.05,lipid metabolites with significant differences were screened and determined.Results Differential lipid metabolites exist in ischemic stroke patients(observation group)and healthy people(control group),and a total of 14 lipid metabolites were identified,and they were free fatty acids,ceramide,sphingomyelin,cardiolipin,lecithin,etc.Of the 14 lipid metabolites,4 were down-regulated and 10 were up-regulated,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion There exist differential lipid metabolites in tongue coating of patients with ischemic stroke and the healthy controls,and these different lipid metabolites are expected to become potential biomarkers for ischemic stroke.
9.Challenges and strategies for clinical treatment of low-level viremia in chronic hepatitis B patients
Huilin GAN ; Cuicui SHI ; Guangming LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(4):736-741
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health issue, affecting the health of 250 million people worldwide. Despite the significant progress in antiviral therapy for HBV, some patients still experience low-level viremia (LLV) after receiving antiviral therapy and fail to achieve viral clearance, with an HBV DNA load remaining at a relatively low level of 20 — 2 000 IU/mL. LLV is often caused by multiple factors such as the high stability of the virus, the difficulty in clearing the virus with antiviral drugs, host immune factors, and drug resistance, which increase the difficulties in antiviral therapy. In addition, LLV can also cause liver damage, which may eventually progress to severe outcomes such as hepatocellular carcinoma. This article reviews LLV in hepatitis B in terms of diagnosis, influencing factors, clinical significance, and treatment strategies.
10.Research progress of increased heart rate related to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists
Li WANG ; Xusheng ZHANG ; Xiuli REN ; Chengwu SHEN ; Cuicui LU
Adverse Drug Reactions Journal 2025;27(3):182-187
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) have been widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the acceleration of heart rate caused by GLP-1RA should not be ignored. In the general population and patients with diabetes, increased heart rate has an independent correlation with the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases. In general, the long-acting GLP-1RA seem to exert a greater effect in increasing heart rate, and the effect is dose-dependent and negatively correlated with baseline heart rate. The increase in heart rate caused by GLP-1RA may be related to enhanced sympathetic nervous activity, reflex tachycardia as a response to vasodilation, etc. It is advisable to closely monitor the increased heart rate induced by GLP-1RA in clinical practice, especially in patients with high-risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In case of elevated heart rate, the management begins with immediate discontinuation of the GLP-1RA and symptomatic intervention should be given if necessary.

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