1.Icariin pretreatment enhances effect of human periodontal stem cells on M1-type macrophages
Ting YU ; Dongmei LYU ; Hao DENG ; Tao SUN ; Qian CHENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(7):1328-1335
BACKGROUND:Human periodontal stem cells have a certain inhibitory effect on the pro-inflammatory function of M1-type macrophages,and it is not clear whether icariin,which has anti-inflammatory and other pharmacological activities,can enhance the inhibitory effect of human periodontal stem cells on M1-type macrophages. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of icariin on M1 macrophages after pretreatment of human periodontal stem cells. METHODS:Primary human periodontal stem cells were isolated,cultured and characterized.THP-1 was induced and M1-type macrophages were identified by immunofluorescence staining and PCR.Human periodontal stem cells were cultured with α-MEM complete medium containing concentrations of 10-7,10-6,10-5,and 10-4 mol/L icariin,and the cytotoxicity of Icariin on human periodontal stem cells was detected by the CCK-8 assay at 1,3,5,and 7 days,respectively.α-MEM complete medium,untreated α-MEM conditioned medium for human periodontal stem cells and α-MEM conditioned medium for human periodontal stem cells pretreated with icariin for 24 hours were conditioned with RPMI-1640 complete medium in a 1:1 ratio for M1-type macrophages in the control,untreated,and pretreated groups,and 24 hours later,the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors in M1 macrophages was detected by RT-PCR.The protein expression of inflammatory factors in M1 macrophages was detected by ELISA.The expression of surface markers and nuclear factor-κB pathway-related proteins in M1/M2 macrophages was detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)CCK-8 assay results showed that 10-7,10-6,10-5,10-4 mol/L icariin was not cytotoxic to the human periodontal stem cells,and from day 5 onwards,all the concentrations increased the cell viability,and promoted the cell proliferation.10-4 mol/L icariin was selected for follow-up experiment.(2)RT-PCR and ELISA results showed that compared with the control group,the untreated group and the pretreated group both decreased the expression and secretion of interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α of M1-type macrophages(P<0.05),and the pretreated group was lower than the untreated group(P<0.05).(3)Western blot assay results showed that compared with the untreated group,the expression of CD86 was significantly lower in the pretreated group(P<0.05);compared with the control group,the expression of CD206,a surface marker of M2-type macrophages,was elevated in both the untreated and pretreated groups(P<0.01),and it was significantly higher in the pretreated group than in the untreated group(P<0.01).In M1-type macrophages after 24 hours of conditioned culture,compared with the control group,the expression of nuclear factor-κB/P65 was decreased in the untreated group and the pretreated group(P<0.01),and the expression of p-IκBα was decreased only in the pretreated group(P<0.01);the expression of both nuclear factor-κB/P65 and p-IκBα was significantly reduced in the pretreated group compared with the untreated group(P<0.05),while the difference of IκBα in the three groups was not statistically significant.(4)These results indicated that icariin enhanced the inhibitory effect of human periodontal stem cells on M1-type macrophages,and this effect may be related to the inhibition of the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway of macrophages.
2.Nerve growth factor promotes chondrogenic differentiation and inhibits hypertrophic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Zhihang YANG ; Zuyan SUN ; Wenliang HUANG ; Yu WAN ; Shida CHEN ; Jiang DENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(7):1336-1342
BACKGROUND:Nerve growth factor is a protein that induces nerve growth and regulates biological behaviors such as proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the promoting effect of nerve growth factor on chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS:Rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured,and nerve growth factor was transfected into bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by lentiviral transfection.The effects of nerve growth factor on the proliferation,migration,hypertrophic differentiation,and chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were detected by CCK-8 assay,cell scratch assay,alizarin red staining,and western blot assay,using the transfected null-loaded virus as control.To further investigate the promoting effect of nerve growth factor on the chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,interleukin 1β was added in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transfected with empty virus and nerve growth factor for 14 days.The expression of proteins related to chondrogenic differentiation and hypertrophic differentiation was detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)CCK-8 assay results showed that nerve growth factor had no significant effect on the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.(2)Compared with the control group,overexpression of nerve growth factor enhanced the migration ability of the cells,and the expression of cartilage-associated proteins type II collagen and SOX9 was up-regulated(P<0.05),while the expression of hypertrophic-associated proteins type X collagen and Runx2 was down-regulated(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the empty virus+interleukin 1β group,the expression of cartilage-associated proteins type II collagen and Sox9 was up-regulated(P<0.05),and the expression of hypertrophy-associated proteins type X collagen and Runx2 was down-regulated after overexpression of nerve growth factor(P<0.05).(4)The results indicated that nerve growth factor could promote the chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.
3.Effect analysis of endolymphatic sac surgery on Meniere’s disease based on propensity score matching
Yu SI ; Shipei ZHUO ; Yan HUANG ; Wuhui HE ; Jingman DENG ; Jintao LOU ; Zhigang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(2):165-170
Objective To analyse the clinical efficiency of endolymphatic sac surgery (ESS) in the management of Meniere’s disease (MD). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 274 patients with MD who were hospitalized for treatment in Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University from January 2009 to August 2023. All patients received lifestyle management and drug treatment such as diuretics. For those whose conditions were not well controlled 3 to 6 months after the initial treatment, intratympanic glucocorticoid (ITG) or ESS treatment was carried out. Six months after the treatment, the classes of vertigo relief and hearing changes in the patients were evaluated. After adjusting the confounding factors through propensity score matching (PSM), the impact of ESS on the prognosis of MD patients was evaluated. Results Among 274 patients, 194 and 80 patients underwent ITG and ESS, respectively. Eighty patients were enrolled into each group after PSM. Before and after PSM, the rate of patients reaching vertigo relief class A in ESS group was higher than that in the ITG group (P=0.004); there was no significant difference in hearing preservation between the two groups. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that vertigo relief in the ESS group was better than that in the ITG group (P=0.029); there was no statistically significant difference in hearing preservation between the two groups. Conclusion When the initial treatment for patients with MD is ineffective, choosing ESS is more beneficial than ITG for controlling vertigo.
4.Total Saponins of Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma Alleviates Gouty Arthritis by Down-regulating COX-2-mediated M1 Macrophage Reprogramming
Lin HUANG ; Shumin LIU ; Huijuan SUN ; Geyu DENG ; Donghua YU ; Yu WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):200-207
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of total saponins of Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma (TSDN) in treating gouty arthritis (GA) by regulating cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-mediated M1 macrophage reprogramming by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsIn vivo experiment: 24 male SD rats were randomly allocated into blank, model (GA), TSDN, and celecoxib groups, with 6 rats in each group. After 7 days of administration, pathological changes in the ankle synovial tissue were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to quantify the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), Caspase-1, COX-2, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the synovial tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the serum levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-1β, CD86, CD80, CD206, and arginase-1 (Arg-1). In vitro experiment: The GA model was established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + MSU induction, and the inhibitor concentration was screened by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. RAW264.7 cells were allocated into blank, model, TSDN, dexamethasone, COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib), and TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor groups. The levels of iNOS, IL-1β, CD86, CD80, CD206, and Arg-1 in the cell supernatant of each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α in each group were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsIn vivo experiment: compared with the model group, TSDN reduced the mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the synovial tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). ELISA results showed that TSDN lowered the serum levels of iNOS, IL-1β, CD86, and CD80 (P<0.01) while increasing the serum levels of CD206 and Arg-1 (P<0.01). In vitro experiment: compared with the model group, TSDN and inhibitor down-regulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α and the protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, cleaved IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.01). Compared with TSDN alone, TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor further reduced the mRNA and protein levels of the markers above (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, TSDN and COX-2 inhibitor decreased the levels of IL-1β, iNOS, CD80, and CD86 (P<0.01) and increased the levels of CD206 and Arg-1 (P<0.01) in cells. Compared with TSDN alone, TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor reduced IL-1β, iNOS, CD80, and CD86 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and elevated CD206 and Arg-1 levels (P<0.01) in cells. ConclusionTSDN can alleviate GA by downregulating COX-2-mediated M1 macrophage reprogramming and suppressing the inflammatory factors.
5.Total Saponins of Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma Alleviates Gouty Arthritis by Down-regulating COX-2-mediated M1 Macrophage Reprogramming
Lin HUANG ; Shumin LIU ; Huijuan SUN ; Geyu DENG ; Donghua YU ; Yu WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):200-207
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of total saponins of Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma (TSDN) in treating gouty arthritis (GA) by regulating cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-mediated M1 macrophage reprogramming by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsIn vivo experiment: 24 male SD rats were randomly allocated into blank, model (GA), TSDN, and celecoxib groups, with 6 rats in each group. After 7 days of administration, pathological changes in the ankle synovial tissue were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to quantify the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), Caspase-1, COX-2, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the synovial tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the serum levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-1β, CD86, CD80, CD206, and arginase-1 (Arg-1). In vitro experiment: The GA model was established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + MSU induction, and the inhibitor concentration was screened by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. RAW264.7 cells were allocated into blank, model, TSDN, dexamethasone, COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib), and TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor groups. The levels of iNOS, IL-1β, CD86, CD80, CD206, and Arg-1 in the cell supernatant of each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α in each group were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsIn vivo experiment: compared with the model group, TSDN reduced the mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the synovial tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). ELISA results showed that TSDN lowered the serum levels of iNOS, IL-1β, CD86, and CD80 (P<0.01) while increasing the serum levels of CD206 and Arg-1 (P<0.01). In vitro experiment: compared with the model group, TSDN and inhibitor down-regulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α and the protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, cleaved IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.01). Compared with TSDN alone, TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor further reduced the mRNA and protein levels of the markers above (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, TSDN and COX-2 inhibitor decreased the levels of IL-1β, iNOS, CD80, and CD86 (P<0.01) and increased the levels of CD206 and Arg-1 (P<0.01) in cells. Compared with TSDN alone, TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor reduced IL-1β, iNOS, CD80, and CD86 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and elevated CD206 and Arg-1 levels (P<0.01) in cells. ConclusionTSDN can alleviate GA by downregulating COX-2-mediated M1 macrophage reprogramming and suppressing the inflammatory factors.
6.Analyzing the occupational health literacy level and its influencing factors among six key occupational populations in the Jiulongpo District, Chongqing City
Yu LUO ; Shimin DENG ; Yuqin WEN
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(1):66-70
Objective To evaluate the occupational health literacy (OHL) level and its influencing factors among individuals of six key industries from Jiulongpo District, Chongqing City. Methods A total of 2 022 frontline workers from six key industries in the Jiulongpo District of Chongqing City were selected as the research subjects using a cluster sampling method. The OHL level of the workers were assessed using the Occupational Health Literacy Questionnaire of National Key Populations. Results The overall OHL level among the 2 022 frontline workers was 51.43%. The OHL level in the four dimensions of basic knowledge of occupational health protection, healthy work practices and behaviors, legal knowledge of occupational health, and basic skills of occupational health protection were 81.45%, 56.08%, 43.42%, and 37.59%, respectively. The OHL levels of the six key industries from high to low were electrical machinery and equipment manufacturing, healthcare, education, express delivery/food delivery, transportation, and environmental hygiene, accounted for 91.43%, 61.98%, 52.64%, 40.58%, 36.70% and 31.15% (P<0.01). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that population of Han had higher OHL level than ethnic minorities (P<0.01), married individuals had lower OHL level than unmarried individuals (P<0.05), individuals with college education or above had higher OHL level than those with junior high school education or below (P<0.01), and higher personal monthly income was associated with higher OHL levels (all P<0.05). The OHL levels of workers of environmental hygiene, transportation, education, express delivery/food delivery, and healthcare were lower than those in electrical machinery and equipment manufacturing (all P<0.01). Conclusion The OHL level among occupational populations in the six key industries in Jiulongpo District, Chongqing City, needs to be further improved. And the OHL monitoring and intervention should be focused on the occupational population of express delivery/food delivery industry, transportation, environmental hygiene, and occupational population with low income, low educated, and ethnic minorities.
7.Effect of Different Time Interventions of Yangxin Tongmai Formula (养心通脉方) on DNA Methylation in Rat Models of Premature Coronary Heart Disease with Blood Stasis Syndrome
Xing CHEN ; Zixuan YU ; Shumeng ZHANG ; Yanjuan LIU ; Shuangyou DENG ; Ying WANG ; Lingli CHEN ; Jie LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1165-1173
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Yangxin Tongmai Formula (养心通脉方) by midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method for rat models of premature coronary heart disease (PCHD) with blood stasis syndrome, and to explore the possible mechanism of action from the perspective of DNA methylation differential gene expression. MethodsThere were 3 SD rats in each of the blank group, model group and Yangxin Tongmai Formula group, and the rats in the model group and Yangxin Tongmai Formula group were fed with high-fat chow plus vitamin D3 by gavage plus isoproterenol hydrochloride by subcutaneous injection to construct rat models of PCHD with blood stasis syndrome. After successful modelling, rats in Yangxin Tongmai Formula group were gavaged with 18 g/(kg‧d) of Yangxin Tongmai Formula, and rats in blank group and the model group were gavaged with 4 ml/(kg‧d) of 0.9% NaCl solution, and serum samples of rats in each group were collected for DNA methylation sequencing after 3 weeks to screen for the relevant DNA methylation differentiation genes. In addition, rats with successful modelling of PCHD with blood stasis were randomly divided into model group, Yangxin Tongmai Formula with midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group [18 g/(kg‧d) of Yangxin Tongmai Formula was gavaged twice in the heart channel period (12:00) and pericardium channel period (20:00)], the Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group [18 g/(kg‧d) of Yangxin Tongmai Formula was gavaged twice at 8:00 and 18:00] and the Atorvastatin Calcium group [atorvastatin calcium tablets solution 1.8 mg/(kg‧d) at the same intervention time as that in Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group], and set up a blank group of 8 rats in each group. The model group and blank group were gavaged with 0.9% NaCl solution 4 ml/(kg‧d) for the same time as the Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group. After 3 weeks of gavage, the blood lipids [including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)] levels of rats in each group were detected; the HE staining of myocardial tissues and thoracic aorta was used to observe the pathomorphological changes; the levels of serum inflammation indexes [tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and interleukin 10 (IL-10)] were detected; immunoprecipitation-realtime fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the relative expression of cardiac tissue screening differential genes. ResultsThe genes screened for differentially methylated regions were calmodulin 2 (Calm2), calcium voltage-gated channel subunit α1s (Cacna1s), and phospholipase Cβ1 (Plcb1). Compared with the blank group, rats in the model group showed elevated levels of TC, LDL, TNF-α and LPS, and decreased levels of HDL and IL-10 (P<0.05 or P<0.01); HE staining showed obvious swelling of myocardial fibres, accompanied by a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration, and thickening of the inner wall of the aortic vessels with internal wall damage, which was visible as a large number of lipid cholesterol crystals and obvious inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with the model group, the TC, LDL, TNF-α and LPS contents of rats in the Yangxin Tongmai Formula with midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group, the Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group, and the atorvastatin calcium group all reduced, and the contents of HDL and IL-10 all elevated (P<0.05), with the improvement of myocardial tissue damage and the reduction of inflammatory infiltration, and the improvement of the damage of the inner lining of the thoracic aorta and the reduction of lipid infiltration. Compared with Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group, LDL, TNF-α and LPS contents reduced, and IL-10 contents increased in the midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the relative expression of Calm2 and Plcb1 genes decreased and the relative expression of Cacna1s gene increased in Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group and the midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group (P<0.05); compared with the Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group, the relative expression of Calm2 gene decreased and the relative expression of Cacna1s gene increased in the midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe intervention of Yangxin Tongmai Formula in the heart channel period (12:00) and pericardium channel period (20:00) was more effective in improving the blood lipid level, inhibiting inflammation, and improving myocardial tissue damage in rats of PCHD with blood stasis syndrome, and Calm2 and Cacna1s genes may be the key targets of Yangxin Tongmai Formula in intervening the blood stasis syndrome of PCHD.
8.Effect of Processed Polygonatum cyrtonema in Preventing Depression Induced by Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in Female Rats
Xinyu DENG ; Chunhua MA ; Zimeng WANG ; Man TANG ; Xinran LI ; Lurong YU ; Xianyuan HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):117-124
ObjectiveTo observe the prevention and control effect of processed Polygonatum cyrtonema on depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in female rats. MethodsForty rats were assigned into control, model, and low-, medium-, and high-dose processed P. cyrtonema groups according to the random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. The rat model of depression was established with the CUMS method. The body mass, open field test, forced swimming test, Morris water maze test, levels of neurotransmitters [dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-TH), and acetylcholine (ACh)], serum levels of sex hormones [gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E2)] and inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10], and mRNA and protein levels of factors in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tyrosine kinase receptor B (TRKB)/cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) pathway were employed to evaluate the effect of processed P. cyrtonema on the CUMS-induced depression in female rats. ResultsThe body mass, open field test results, and forced swimming test results showed that the rat model of depression was successfully established. The comparison of behaviors, neurotransmitters, sex hormones, inflammatory factors, and neural pathways among groups showed that processed P. cyrtonema had different effects of preventing the development of depression in female rats. SPSS 25 was used for statistical analysis of error and significance. T test was conducted between groups. Each treatment group showed significant therapeutic effect compared with the model group (P<0.05). Processed P. cyrtonema elevated the level of 5-TH (P<0.01) and lowered the levels of DA and ACh (P<0.01) in the brain tissue of female rats. In addition, it reduced the serum levels of GnRH, T, E2, TNF-α, and IL-6 (P<0.05) and up-regulated the mRNA levels of BDNF and TRKB in the rat brain. ConclusionProcessed P. cyrtonema has a non-hyperactive preventive effect on CUMS-induced depression in rats, which provides a theoretical basis for the development of processed P. cyrtonema as a functional food product.
9.Outcome Indicators in Randomized Controlled Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Ulcerative Colitis
Yasheng DENG ; Lanfang MAO ; Jiang LIN ; Yanping FAN ; Wenyue LI ; Yonghui LIU ; Zhaobing NI ; Jinzhong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):245-251
To systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention in ulcerative colitis (UC), and analyze the characteristics of these studies and their outcome indicators, thereby providing references for the design of future RCTs of TCM intervention in UC and offering evidence supporting the clinical application of TCM in UC. A computerized search was conducted in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase, and Web of Science databases for RCTs of TCM intervention in UC published from January 2021 to August 2024. The risk of bias was assessed, and outcome indicators were qualitatively analyzed. A total of 555 RCTs were included, with a sample size of 44 853 participants. The largest sample size was 218 cases, and the smallest was 28 cases, with most studies focusing on 60-100 participants. Of the 386 RCTs that explicitly reported TCM syndrome types, the top three were large intestine dampness-heat syndrome (31.05%), spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome (12.47%), and spleen deficiency with dampness syndrome (9.17%). The interventions, ranked by frequency of use, included internal Chinese medicine compounds/preparations (64.5%), Chinese medicine compounds/preparations with retained enema (18.2%), internal Chinese medicine compounds/preparations + external TCM treatment (5.95%), and external TCM treatment alone (4.86%). The treatment duration was mainly 4-8 weeks (64.86%), with 61 studies (10.99%) reporting follow-up time. A total of 157 outcome indicators were used, with a frequency of 3 460 occurrences, classified into six domains: TCM syndromes and symptoms (346 occurrences, 10%), symptoms/signs (541 occurrences, 15.64%), physical and chemical examinations (2 119 occurrences, 61.24%), quality of life (107 occurrences, 3.09%), long-term prognosis (61 occurrences, 1.76%), and safety events (284 occurrences, 8.21%). The analysis reveals several limitations in the outcome indicators of TCM intervention in UC, including the lack of a basis for sample size calculation, non-standardized TCM syndrome classification, absence of trial design and registration, inadequate blinding and allocation concealment, adherence issues with interventions, imbalanced selection of surrogate and endpoint indicators, inconsistency in the timing of outcome measurements, design issues that require standardization, and ethical and safety concerns. It is recommended that future studies actively construct a set of core indicators for UC that include standardized TCM syndrome classification, clear efficacy evaluation indicators, key endpoint indicators, and reasonable measurement time points. Long-term prognostic impacts, comprehensive assessments of patients' quality of life, and consideration of economic benefits should be emphasized, providing a basis for the clinical practice of TCM in the treatment of UC.
10.Effect of Processed Polygonatum cyrtonema in Preventing Depression Induced by Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in Female Rats
Xinyu DENG ; Chunhua MA ; Zimeng WANG ; Man TANG ; Xinran LI ; Lurong YU ; Xianyuan HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):117-124
ObjectiveTo observe the prevention and control effect of processed Polygonatum cyrtonema on depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in female rats. MethodsForty rats were assigned into control, model, and low-, medium-, and high-dose processed P. cyrtonema groups according to the random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. The rat model of depression was established with the CUMS method. The body mass, open field test, forced swimming test, Morris water maze test, levels of neurotransmitters [dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-TH), and acetylcholine (ACh)], serum levels of sex hormones [gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E2)] and inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10], and mRNA and protein levels of factors in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tyrosine kinase receptor B (TRKB)/cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) pathway were employed to evaluate the effect of processed P. cyrtonema on the CUMS-induced depression in female rats. ResultsThe body mass, open field test results, and forced swimming test results showed that the rat model of depression was successfully established. The comparison of behaviors, neurotransmitters, sex hormones, inflammatory factors, and neural pathways among groups showed that processed P. cyrtonema had different effects of preventing the development of depression in female rats. SPSS 25 was used for statistical analysis of error and significance. T test was conducted between groups. Each treatment group showed significant therapeutic effect compared with the model group (P<0.05). Processed P. cyrtonema elevated the level of 5-TH (P<0.01) and lowered the levels of DA and ACh (P<0.01) in the brain tissue of female rats. In addition, it reduced the serum levels of GnRH, T, E2, TNF-α, and IL-6 (P<0.05) and up-regulated the mRNA levels of BDNF and TRKB in the rat brain. ConclusionProcessed P. cyrtonema has a non-hyperactive preventive effect on CUMS-induced depression in rats, which provides a theoretical basis for the development of processed P. cyrtonema as a functional food product.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail