1.Sini San Treats Liver Fibrosis by Regulating Polarization of Intrahepatic Kupffer Cells
Yanyu QU ; Qiao GENG ; Zhuxiu ZHOU ; Dongyang ZHENG ; Jianmin YAN ; Huan LIU ; Li CHEN ; Feng ZHANG ; Desong KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(23):34-46
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Sini San (SNS) treats liver fibrosis through regulating the polarization of intrahepatic Kupffer cells. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male Balb/c mice were randomized into blank control, model, silymarin (0.2 g·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (2.93, 5.85, 11.70 g·kg-1, respectively) SNS groups. A mouse model of liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. After 5 weeks of administration, the body mass, liver pathological changes [Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE), Masson, and Sirius red staining], serum biochemical indicators [alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)], liver fibrosis markers [procollagen type Ⅲ (PCⅢ), laminin (LN), and hyaluronic acid (HA)], inflammatory cytokines [interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-10 (IL-10)], and fibrosis-related proteins [α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type Ⅰ (Col Ⅰ), and collagen type Ⅲ (Col Ⅲ)] were assessed. A co-culture system of THP-1 cells (M1 macrophages) and human hepatic stellate cells (LX-2) was established. The cell experiment was designed with blank control (LX-2 alone), model (LX-2 + M1 macrophages), and low-, medium-, and high-dose SNS (co-culture with 5%, 10%, or 20% SNS-containing serum, respectively) groups. Cell viability, inflammatory cytokines, and macrophage phenotype were examined. Human primary hepatic Kupffer cells were allocated into blank control, M1 (LPS 100 μg·L-1+IFN-γ 20 μg·L-1), M2 (IL-4 20 μg·L-1+IL-13 20 μg·L-1), M1+M2, M1+SNS (supplemented with 10% SNS-containing serum for 2 h after culture under M1 conditions for 24 h), M2+SNS (supplemented with 10% SNS-containing serum for 2 h after culture under M2 conditions for 24 h), and M1+M2+SNS groups (supplemented with 10% SNS-containing serum for 2 h after culture under M1+M2 conditions for 24 h), and the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) at protein and mRNA levels was determined. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited increased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, PCⅢ, LN, HA, IL-6, and TNF-α, upregulated protein and mRNA levels of α-SMA, Col Ⅰ, and Col Ⅲ in the liver tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased IL-10 level and STAT3 mRNA level (P<0.05, P<0.01), accompanied by marked collagen deposition and inflammatory infiltration in the liver. Compared with the model group, all doses of Sini San reversed these alterations (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the high-dose group showing the most pronounced effects. Cell experiments demonstrated that, compared with the blank control group, the model group had elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and upregulated protein and mRNA levels of M1 markers [cluster of differentiation 86 (CD86, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)] (P<0.01), along with declined level of IL-10 and downregulated expression of M2 markers [(CD163, CD206, and arginase-1 (Arg-1)] (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the model group, treatment with Sini San-containing serum at various concentrations lowered the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and expression of M1 markers (P<0.05, P<0.01), while increasing the IL-10 level and M2 marker expression (P<0.05, P<0.01). Additionally, Sini San downregulated the mRNA level of NF-κB and upregulated the mRNA level of STAT (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the experiment with human primary Kupffer cells, compared with the blank group, the M1 group showed increased NF-κB p65 expression (P<0.01) and decreased STAT3 expression (P<0.05), whereas the M2 group exhibited increased STAT3 expression (P<0.01). Compared with the respective model groups, Sini San-containing serum reversed the M1-induced overexpression of NF-κB p65 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and further enhanced the M2-induced STAT3 expression (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionSini San can inhibit the NF-κB p65/STAT3 signaling pathway and repolarize intrahepatic Kupffer cells from the pro-inflammatory M1 to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype to attenuate inflammation and suppress hepatic stellate cell activation and collagen deposition, thereby exerting anti-fibrotic effect.
2.Unraveling the Multi-target Regulatory Network of Dahuang Zhechong Pill in Intestinal Fibrosis via Integrated Multi-omics and Computational Biology
Zhuxiu ZHOU ; Jiong MA ; Haibing HUA ; Zhimin FAN ; Desong KONG ; Bao YUAN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(10):2817-2835
Objective To explore the anti-intestinal fibrosis mechanism of Dahuang Zhechong pill.Methods Based on the network pharmacology method,the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform,SwissTargetPrediction database and metabolomics technology was used.OmicsNet 2.0 platform combined with the findings of network pharmacology and metabolomics,and molecular simulation docking and molecular biology methods were used to study the mechanism of anti-intestinal fibrosis of Dahuang Zhechong pill.Results Dahuang Zhechong pill contains 142 potential active ingredients and 855 anti-intestinal fibrosis targets.The 10 core ingredients(quercetin,acacetin,oroxylin a,kaempferol,moslosooflavone,panicolin,etc.)may play a role in regulating lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis,EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance,HIF-1 signaling pathway,TNF signaling pathway and IL-17 signaling pathway.Metabolomics results showed that 59 endogenous substances(oxaloacetic acid,ethylthioisonicamide,6-benzylaminopurine,tyrosine and cortisol,etc.)may be the key metabolites of this drug against intestinal fibrosis.Central carbon metabolism,TCA cycle and amino acid metabolism were the key mechanisms,EGFR,AKT1,MAPK1,PTPN11,CASP3,PPARG,MET and PDGFRB may be the core targets.Dahuang Zhechong pill could significantly improve the levels of colorectal edema,inflammatory factors,inflammatory cell infiltration,collagen fiber deposition and α-SMA expression in mice with intestinal fibrosis,reduce the expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors IL-17 and IL-23 in serum,and increase the level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10.Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated stable conformational binding between core active ingredients and key targets.Conclusion Dahuang Zhechong pill may regulate EGFR/AKT1/MAPK mediated metabolism-inflammation interaction network through flavonoid components,and can improve intestinal fibrosis in multiple dimensions through molecular validation.
3.Unraveling the Multi-target Regulatory Network of Dahuang Zhechong Pill in Intestinal Fibrosis via Integrated Multi-omics and Computational Biology
Zhuxiu ZHOU ; Jiong MA ; Haibing HUA ; Zhimin FAN ; Desong KONG ; Bao YUAN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(10):2817-2835
Objective To explore the anti-intestinal fibrosis mechanism of Dahuang Zhechong pill.Methods Based on the network pharmacology method,the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform,SwissTargetPrediction database and metabolomics technology was used.OmicsNet 2.0 platform combined with the findings of network pharmacology and metabolomics,and molecular simulation docking and molecular biology methods were used to study the mechanism of anti-intestinal fibrosis of Dahuang Zhechong pill.Results Dahuang Zhechong pill contains 142 potential active ingredients and 855 anti-intestinal fibrosis targets.The 10 core ingredients(quercetin,acacetin,oroxylin a,kaempferol,moslosooflavone,panicolin,etc.)may play a role in regulating lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis,EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance,HIF-1 signaling pathway,TNF signaling pathway and IL-17 signaling pathway.Metabolomics results showed that 59 endogenous substances(oxaloacetic acid,ethylthioisonicamide,6-benzylaminopurine,tyrosine and cortisol,etc.)may be the key metabolites of this drug against intestinal fibrosis.Central carbon metabolism,TCA cycle and amino acid metabolism were the key mechanisms,EGFR,AKT1,MAPK1,PTPN11,CASP3,PPARG,MET and PDGFRB may be the core targets.Dahuang Zhechong pill could significantly improve the levels of colorectal edema,inflammatory factors,inflammatory cell infiltration,collagen fiber deposition and α-SMA expression in mice with intestinal fibrosis,reduce the expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors IL-17 and IL-23 in serum,and increase the level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10.Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated stable conformational binding between core active ingredients and key targets.Conclusion Dahuang Zhechong pill may regulate EGFR/AKT1/MAPK mediated metabolism-inflammation interaction network through flavonoid components,and can improve intestinal fibrosis in multiple dimensions through molecular validation.
4.Effectiveness and Safety of Qiaoqi Formula (翘芪组方) for Mild Influenza: A 36-case Randomized Controlled Trial
Desong KONG ; Feng ZHAO ; Yanliang ZHANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Jinghua ZHANG ; Ye YANG ; Guoxue ZHU ; Leilei GONG ; Xiaosong GU ; Heming YU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(7):710-715
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Qiaoqi Formula (翘芪组方) for mild influenza. MethodsA randomized controlled study was designed, recruiting 74 patients with mild influenza, who were randomly divided into trial group and control group. The trial group took Qiaoqi Formula orally, 40ml each time, twice a day; the control group took Lianhua Qingwen Capsules (连花清瘟胶囊) orally, 1.4 g each time, three times a day. Both groups were treated for 3 consecutive days and follow-up for 4 consecutive days after treatment. The time for fever reduction including onset of fever reduction, complete fever reduction time, fever reduction rates at 24, 48 and 72 hours, improvement of influenza symptoms, total traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score, and safety indicators in two groups after treatment were recorded. ResultsSixty-five patients were ultimately included, including 36 in the trial group and 29 in the control group. Onset time of fever reduction in the trial group was (15.49±23.47) h, the complete fever reduction time (21.37±30.06)h, and the 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, fever reduction rate was 77.14%, 88.57%, 91.42% respectively. The above indicators of the control group showed as (17.58±20.38)h, (24.30±21.87)h, 61.29%, 90.32%, 96.77% respectively, with no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). On the 7th day after treatment, the total score of TCM syndromes in trial group and control group decreased compared to those before treatment (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the cure rate, significant effective rate, effective rate, and total effective rate of TCM syndromes between groups (P>0.05). On the 4th day, the lymphocyte ratio of patients in the control group was higher than before treatment, while alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea, and creatinine of both groups before and after treatment were within the normal range. The main adverse reactions in both groups were mild headache and dizziness, and no serious adverse reactions observed. ConclusionThe therapeutic effect of Qiaoqi Formula in treating mild influenza is equivalent to Lianhua Qingwen Capsules, which can shorten the fever reduction time, improve clinical symptoms, and no adverse events observed during the study.
5.Construction and application of traditional chinese medicine evidence-based big data platform
Qiao GENG ; Ailing YIN ; Yi FU ; Xiaosu ZHANG ; Zhimin FAN ; Desong KONG
Modern Hospital 2024;24(9):1435-1438
Objective Build an evidence-based big data governance platform centered around intelligent Traditional Chi-nese Medicine(TCM),incorporating TCM characteristics,to promote the development of intelligent TCM healthcare,and en-hance the efficiency of medical research and practical applications..Methods We integrate hospital TCM diagnosis and treat-ment process data and other kinds of clinical data..And we employ artificial intelligence and big data technologies to effectively clean and standardize the data,among other data governance and data preparation tasks,in order to build a Chinese Medicine Clinical Data Center System.Results The platform has achieved the collection and governance of millions of real medical re-cords,providing strong support for health management and clinical research in TCM,particularly promoting research in TCM's syndrome differentiation and treatment,prescription research,and drug reactions.Conclusion By constructing a big data gov-ernance platform based on Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM),we have achieved value-added effective management and utili-zation of TCM data,particularly enhancing the precision of TCM diagnosis and treatment and the speed of research output,thus driving the modernization process of TCM.
6."Research on the new model and scheme under the background of ""dual-track to one"" training mode on the acupuncture standardization training of Chinese medicine master's degree"
Can DONG ; Desong KONG ; Yanyan XU ; Zhilan HUANG ; Jinjin PAN ; Xiaosu ZHANG ; Zhizhong RUAN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2017;39(3):254-257
Under the background of dual-track training mode, the current clinical program of professional master's graduate education lacks complete and unified content and requirements. We set out a unified teaching scheme of subspecialty, in the main subject acupuncture. We identified the teaching management and innovated the teaching and examination methods in the scheme. Our research gradually formed a multidisciplinary talents training system, as the foundation of developing the standardization training. This method could help to cultivate qualified graduates as the high quality talents for the national medicine development.
7.The practice and exploration of integration of clinical teaching pattern management in traditional Chinese medicine
Jinjin PAN ; Desong KONG ; Yanyan XU ; Xiaosu ZHANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2017;39(2):156-158
Current undergraduate education in traditional Chinese Medicine combines classroom teaching with a small number of practical courses, which has showed its limitations of increasingly bad medical environment and employment situation. Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine explored new ways and means of medical education in recent years. Therefore, reforming based on the integration of clinical teaching pattern for TCM Bachelor has been carried out step by step. It meant that classroom teaching and clinical practice were fully integrated by moving classroom in the affiliated hospitals. It has been proved to work. With the experiences of the development, we have successfully explored a mature mean for the integration clinical teaching pattern. Here, we discussed the codes of such practice in order to strive to maximize the effectiveness of such practice.
8.The investigation on the study effect of new teaching methods of acupuncture on non-acupuncture master postgraduate in the background with dual-track in resident standardization training
Can DONG ; Desong KONG ; Yanyan XU ; Zhilan HUANG ; Jinjin PAN ; Xiaosu ZHANG ; Zhizhong RUAN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2017;39(9):832-835
A total of 60 non-acupuncture master postgraduates were divided into control class and experimental class randomly, 30 postgraduates in each class. The control class was taught by traditional teaching methods and experimental class was taught by new teaching methods. The test was conducted after one month later. All the scores were analyzed by SPSS17.0. The result showed that the oretical score ,the practical score and disease recognition rates in the experimental class were significantly higher than those in the control class (P<0.05). The questionnaires showed experimental class had obvious advantage than control class (P<0.05). The new teaching methods of acupuncture has obvious advantage than traditional teaching methods and can provide a new way for teaching acupuncture during resident standardization training.
9.The inhibitory effect of ligustrazine combined with paeonol on rat liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 and mechanisms
Desong KONG ; Zili ZHANG ; Feng ZHANG ; Ping QIU ; Shizhong ZHENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2016;32(12):1741-1745,1746
Aim To explore the inhibitory effect of li-gustrazine combined with paeonol on rat liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 and its mechanisms,so as to provide new treatment strategies for liver fibrosis in clinical. Methods Cleaning laboratory male SD rats were ran-domly divided into blank control group,model group (CCl4 ),ligustrazine group,paeonol group and combi-nation group (ligustrazine+paeonol).HE staining was used to observe the pathological change.Masson stai-ning and Sirius red staining was used to observe the collagen deposition.The levels of serum ALT,AST, ALP and hydroxyproline were detected by automatic bi-ochemistry analyzer.Western blot detected the markers of liver fibrosis.HSC-T6 cell was divided into model group,ligustrazine group,paeonol group and combina-tion group.The protein and gene expression of inflam-mation and apoptosis pathway was analyzed by Western blot and real time-PCR.Results Ligustrazine com-bined with paeonol could significantly improve liver tis-sue pathology changes caused by CCl4 .It could reduce serum ALT, AST, ALP and hydroxyproline levels. Moreover,it could also inhibit liver fibrosis marker protein expression,and thus reduce the deposition of collagen fibers.The effect was better than that in sin-gle intervention group.Combination group could inhib-it the inflammatory pathways related protein expression in HSC cells and promote the apoptosis of HSC cells. Conclusion Ligustrazine in combination with paeonol has significant anti-fibrosis effect,and the effect is bet-ter than both single intervention.The effect may be due to the interference with TNF-α/NF-κB pathway in the HSC cells,which promotes its apoptosis and inhib-its the generation of extracellular matrix.
10.Role of histone modification in occurrence and progress of liver diseases
Desong KONG ; Feng ZHANG ; Shizhong ZHENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2015;(5):615-618
Histone modification participates in the occurrence and development of the diseases though affecting gene transcrip-tion activity by acetylation,methylation,phosphorylation,and other forms.It is an important field in the study of epigenetics. Numerous studies have demonstrated that histone modification plays an important role in the occurrence and development of liv-er diseases.This paper reviews the recent progress in under-standing the role and mechanisms of histone modification in alco-holic liver disease,nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,viral hepati-tis,liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma,with an aim to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of liver diseases and drug development.

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