1.Quality Evaluation of Gegen Qinlian Tablets Based on HPLC Multi-component Quantification Combined with Chemical Pattern Recognition and TOPSIS Analysis
Ping QIN ; Yingying LU ; Wenming ZHANG ; Zifang FENG ; Lihong GU ; Chenjie XIA ; Minmin HU ; Xiaowei CHEN ; Zhenhua BIAN ; Xiwan LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):217-224
ObjectiveTo establish a high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) for the quantitative analysis of multiple components in Gegen Qinlian tablets, and to comprehensively evaluate the quality of samples from different manufacturers by integrating chemical pattern recognition and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution(TOPSIS), in order to provide a reference basis for quality evaluation and control of Gegen Qinlian tablets. MethodsHPLC was employed to determine the contents of 10 components in 28 batches of Gegen Qinlian tablets collected from 6 manufacturers, and taking the detection results as variables, SIMCA 14.1 and SPSS 26.0 were employed for cluster analysis(CA), principal component analysis(PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) to identify key components affecting the quality. Then, TOPSIS analysis was employed to rank the quality of Gegen Qinlian tablets from the 6 manufacturers and establish a comprehensive quality evaluation method. ResultsA quantitative method for Gegen Qinlian tablets was established. After methodological validation, the method was found to be stable and reliable, and could be used for the quantitative analysis of this preparation. The contents of 3′-hydroxy puerarin, puerarin, 3′-methoxy puerarin, daidzein, coptisine hydrochloride, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine hydrochloride, berberine hydrochloride, palmatine hydrochloride and baicalin in 28 batches of samples were 3.58-7.35, 24.88-42.32, 4.20-9.36, 4.33-7.60, 2.52-6.44, 0.93-4.10, 0.58-3.05, 10.68-22.92, 0.82-4.82, 11.73-60.16 mg·g-1, respectively. Among them, puerarin, berberine hydrochloride and baicalin all met the limit requirements for this preparation specified in the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. CA and PCA clustered the 28 batches of samples into 5 categories, PCA extracted 2 principal components with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 90.588%, and OPLS-DA screened out 4 differential markers with variable importance in the projection(VIP) values>1.0, namely baicalin, 3′-hydroxy puerarin, coptisine hydrochloride and palmatine hydrochloride, which might be the main components affecting the quality of Gegen Qinlian tablets. TOPSIS analysis showed that the comprehensive score of each evaluation index(Ci) values of different manufacturers were different. Among them, the Ci of manufacturer B was ranked higher, indicating potentially superior quality, while the Ci of manufacturer A was ranked lower, suggesting potentially inferior quality. ConclusionThis study establishes a quantitative method for Gegen Qinlian tablets, and the content uniformity of the same manufacturer is good, while there are differences in the contents of active components among different manufacturers. Through the chemical pattern recognition analysis, it is found that the content differences of Gegen Qinlian tablets may be related to baicalin, 3′-hydroxy puerarin, coptisine hydrochloride and palmatine hydrochloride.
2.Study on HPLC fingerprint and multi-component determination of Ziziphus jujuba stir-fried with Coptis chinensis juice from Longsha Medical School
Ping QIN ; Yingying LU ; Wenming ZHANG ; Zifang FENG ; Lihong GU ; Chenjie XIA ; Minmin HU ; Xiaowei CHEN ; Tulin LU ; Yiting ZHANG ; Zhenhua BIAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(15):1974-1978
OBJECTIVE To establish a high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprint and a multi-component content determination method for Ziziphus jujuba stir-fried with Coptis chinensis juice, a characteristic processed product of Longsha Medical School, and to provide a basis for the inheritance and clinical application of this distinctive variety. METHODS HPLC method was employed to establish the fingerprints of 12 batches of Z. jujuba stir-fried with C. chinensis juice. Similarity evaluation and common peak identification were subsequently carried out. Quantitative determination was performed on coclaurine, magnoflorine, coptisine hydrochloride, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine hydrochloride, spinosin, berberine hydrochloride, palmatine hydrochloride, 6"'-feruloylspinosin, and jujuboside A of samples. RESULTS The fingerprint similarities of all 12 batches of samples were higher than 0.960. A total of 17 common peaks were calibrated, among which 9 peaks were identified as coclaurine, magnoflorine, coptisine hydrochloride, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine hydrochloride, spinosin, berberine hydrochloride, palmatine hydrochloride, and 6"'-feruloylspinosin, respectively. The quantitative results showed that the mass fractions of coclaurine, magnoflorine, coptisine hydrochloride, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine hydrochloride, spinosin, berberine hydrochloride, palmatine hydrochloride, 6"'-feruloylspinosin, and jujuboside A in the 12 batches of samples were 0.044-0.091, 0.908-1.698, 0.325-0.549, 0.163-0.287, 0.103-0.172, 0.712-0.952, 1.185-1.843, 0.341-0.598, 0.228-0.405, and 0.050-0.091 mg/g, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The established HPLC fingerprint and multi-component determination method is stable and reliable, and can provide a basis for the quality standard formulation and clinical application of Z. jujuba stir-fried with C. chinensis juice.
3.An analysis of the seasonal epidemic characteristics of influenza in Kunming City of Yunnan Province from 2010 to 2024
Zexin HU ; Min DAI ; Wenlong LI ; Minghan WANG ; Xiaowei DENG ; Yue DING ; Hongjie YU ; Juan YANG ; Hong LIU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):643-648
ObjectiveTo characterize the seasonal patterns of influenza in Kunming City, Yunnan Province before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide scientific evidence for optimizing influenza prevention and control strategies. MethodsInfluenza-like illness (ILI) and etiological surveillance data for influenza from the 14th week of 2010 to the 13th week of 2024 in Kunming City of Yunnan Province were collected. Harmonic regression models were constructed to analyze the epidemic characteristics and seasonal patterns of influenza before (2010/2011‒2019/2020 influenza seasons), during (2020/2021‒2022/2023 influenza seasons), and after (2023/2024 influenza season) the COVID-19 pandemic. ResultsBefore the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza in Kunming City mainly exhibited an annual cyclic pattern without a significant semi-annual periodicity, peaking from December to February of the next year, with an epidemic duration of 20‒30 weeks. During the pandemic, influenza seasonality shifted, with an increase in semi-annual periodicity and an approximate one month delay in annual peaks. However, after the pandemic, the annual amplitude of influenza increased compared with that before the pandemic, and the epidemic duration extended by about one month. Although the annual peak largely reverted to the pre-pandemic levels, the annual peaks for different influenza subtypes/lineages had not fully recovered. ConclusionInfluenza seasonality in Kunming City underwent substantial alterations following the COVID-19 pandemic and has not yet fully reverted to pre-pandemic levels. Continuous surveillance on different subtypes/lineages of influenza viruses remains essential, and prevention and control strategies should be adjusted and optimized in a timely manner based on current epidemic trends.
4.Impact of short-term ambient temperature exposure on heart rate variability in residents of Urumqi: An hourly-level longitudinal panel study
Xingyi QIU ; Xiaowei XUE ; Wenshu LI ; Mengyuan CHENG ; Jialu HU ; Renjie CHEN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(10):1193-1200
Background While A few studies have suggested associations between ambient temperature and cardiac autonomic function, the relationship between hourly temperature variations and heart rate variability (HRV) remains unclear. Objective To examine the acute effects and lag patterns of short-term ambient temperature exposure on HRV at an hourly temporal resolution during cold and warm seasons, and to further characterize the exposure-response relationships. Methods We conducted a longitudinal panel study involving
5.From organoids to organoids-on-a-chip: Current applications and challenges in biomedical research.
Kailun LIU ; Xiaowei CHEN ; Zhen FAN ; Fei REN ; Jing LIU ; Baoyang HU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(7):792-807
The high failure rates in clinical drug development based on animal models highlight the urgent need for more representative human models in biomedical research. In response to this demand, organoids and organ chips were integrated for greater physiological relevance and dynamic, controlled experimental conditions. This innovative platform-the organoids-on-a-chip technology-shows great promise in disease modeling, drug discovery, and personalized medicine, attracting interest from researchers, clinicians, regulatory authorities, and industry stakeholders. This review traces the evolution from organoids to organoids-on-a-chip, driven by the necessity for advanced biological models. We summarize the applications of organoids-on-a-chip in simulating physiological and pathological phenotypes and therapeutic evaluation of this technology. This section highlights how integrating technologies from organ chips, such as microfluidic systems, mechanical stimulation, and sensor integration, optimizes organoid cell types, spatial structure, and physiological functions, thereby expanding their biomedical applications. We conclude by addressing the current challenges in the development of organoids-on-a-chip and offering insights into the prospects. The advancement of organoids-on-a-chip is poised to enhance fidelity, standardization, and scalability. Furthermore, the integration of cutting-edge technologies and interdisciplinary collaborations will be crucial for the progression of organoids-on-a-chip technology.
Organoids/physiology*
;
Humans
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Biomedical Research/methods*
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Lab-On-A-Chip Devices
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Animals
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Microphysiological Systems
6.PARylation promotes acute kidney injury via RACK1 dimerization-mediated HIF-1α degradation.
Xiangyu LI ; Xiaoyu SHEN ; Xinfei MAO ; Yuqing WANG ; Yuhang DONG ; Shuai SUN ; Mengmeng ZHANG ; Jie WEI ; Jianan WANG ; Chao LI ; Minglu JI ; Xiaowei HU ; Xinyu CHEN ; Juan JIN ; Jiagen WEN ; Yujie LIU ; Mingfei WU ; Jutao YU ; Xiaoming MENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4673-4691
Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) is a specific form of post-translational modification (PTM) predominantly triggered by the activation of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1). However, the role and mechanism of PARylation in the advancement of acute kidney injury (AKI) remain undetermined. Here, we demonstrated the significant upregulation of PARP1 and its associated PARylation in murine models of AKI, consistent with renal biopsy findings in patients with AKI. This elevation in PARP1 expression might be attributed to trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3). Furthermore, a reduction in PARylation levels mitigated renal dysfunction in the AKI mouse models. Mechanistically, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry indicated that PARylation mainly occurred in receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1), thereby facilitating its subsequent phosphorylation. Moreover, the phosphorylation of RACK1 enhanced its dimerization and accelerated the ubiquitination-mediated hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) degradation, thereby exacerbating kidney injury. Additionally, we identified a PARP1 proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC), A19, as a PARP1 degrader that demonstrated superior protective effects against renal injury compared with PJ34, a previously identified PARP1 inhibitor. Collectively, both genetic and drug-based inhibition of PARylation mitigated kidney injury, indicating that the PARylated RACK1/HIF-1α axis could be a promising therapeutic target for AKI treatment.
7.The splicing factor HNRNPH1 regulates Circ-MYOCD back-splicing to modulate the course of cardiac hypertrophy.
Rui CAI ; Zhuo HUANG ; Wenxia HE ; Tianhong AI ; Xiaowei SONG ; Shuting HU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(3):587-594
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the mechanism of Circ-MYOCD back-splicing and its regulatory role in myocardial hypertrophy.
METHODS:
Sanger sequencing and RNase R assays were performed to verify the circularity and stability of Circ-MYOCD, whose subcellular distribution was determined by nuclear-cytoplasmic fractionation. Bioinformatics analysis and mass spectrometry from pull-down assays were conducted to predict the RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) interacting with Circ-MYOCD. In rat cardiomyocytes H9C2 cells, the effects of HNRNPH1 and HNRNPL knockdown and overexpression on Circ-MYOCD back-splicing were evaluated. In a H9C2 cell model of angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced myocardial hypertrophy, the expression of HNRNPH1 was detected, the effects of HNRNPH1 knockdown and overexpression on progression of myocardial hypertrophy were assessed, and the regulatory effect of HNRNPH1 on Circ-MYOCD back-splicing was analyzed.
RESULTS:
Sanger sequencing confirmed that the junction primers could amplify the correct Circ-MYOCD sequence. RNase R and nuclear-cytoplasmic fractionation assays showed that Circ-MYOCD was stable and predominantly localized in the cytoplasm. Bioinformatics analysis and mass spectrometry from the Circ-MYOCD pull-down assay identified HNRNPH1 and HNRNPL as the RBPs interacting with Circ-MYOCD. In H9C2 cells, HNRNPH1 knockdown significantly enhanced while its overexpression inhibited Circ-MYOCD back-splicing; HNRNPH1 overexpression obviously increased the expressions of myocardial hypertrophy markers ANP and BNP, while its knockdown produced the opposite effect. In Ang II-induced H9C2 cells, which exhibited a significant increase of HNRNPH1 expression and increased expressions of ANP and BNP, HNRNPH1 knockdown obviously increased Circ-MYOCD expression, decreased MYOCD expression and lowered both ANP and BNP expressions.
CONCLUSIONS
HNRNPH1 regulates Circ-MYOCD back-splicing to influence the progression of myocardial hypertrophy.
Animals
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Rats
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RNA, Circular/genetics*
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Cardiomegaly/metabolism*
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Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism*
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Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group F-H/metabolism*
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Cell Line
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RNA Splicing
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Angiotensin II
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RNA-Binding Proteins
8.Quercetin Promotes M2 Polarization of Primary Microglia Induced by Lipopolysaccharide and Its Mechanism
Huiqin HU ; Lin LI ; Xiaowei HU
Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University 2025;49(3):259-271
[Objective]To explore the effect and potential mechanism of quercetin on polarization of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced primary microglia.[Methods]Primary rat microglia were isolated and cultured,and then randomly divided into control group,model group and quercetin low-dose,medium-dose,high-dose groups.In model group,microglial activation was induced with LPS.In the quercetin groups,microglia were pretreated with quercetin at concentrations of 20,40 and 80 μmol·L-1 for 1 hour,followed by the addition of LPS to the culture medium for an additional 24 hours.Cell viability was assessed by using the CCK-8 assay.The nitric oxide(NO)content in the supernatant was measured by the Griess assay.Microglia activation was detected by ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1(Iba1)/CD68 immunofluorescence staining.The expression levels of CD86,inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6,CD206,arginase-1(Arg-1),chitinase like protein 1/2(Ym1/2),IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)mRNA were determined by Real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).Network pharmacology and molecular docking methods were employed to predict the potential mechanisms of quercetin in regulating microglia polarization.The protein expression levels of CD86,iNOS,CD206,Arg-1,phosphophorylated-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(p-PI3K)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),phosphophorylated-protein kinase B(p-Akt)/protein kinase B(Akt),phosphophorylated-nuclear factor-κB(p-NF-κB)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)and phosphophorylated-inhibitor of NF-κB α(p-IκB-α)/inhibitor of NF-κB α(IκB-α)were determined by Western blot.[Results]Compared with LPS group,the NO release and CD68 mean fluorescence intensity of microglia in quercetin groups were significantly reduced(P<0.01),indicating that quercetin inhibited LPS-induced activation of primary microglia.Quercetin inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of CD86 and iNOS(P<0.05,P<0.01),and decreased the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6(P<0.05,P<0.01).Additionally,quercetin promoted the mRNA and protein expression of CD206 and Arg-1(P<0.05,P<0.01),and upregulated the mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory factors Ym1/2,IL-10 and TGF-β(P<0.05,P<0.01).These findings indicated that quercetin promoted the transformation of LPS-induced primary microglia from the M1 type to the M2 type,thereby inhibiting neuroinflammation.The results of network pharmacology and molecular docking indicated that the regulation of microglia polarization by quercetin may be through the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.In vitro experimental results showed that compared with LPS group,the protein expression levels of p-NF-κB and p-IκB-α in quercetin medium and high dose groups were significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the protein expression of p-PI3K and p-Akt was significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).[Conclusion]Quercetin inhibited LPS-induced microglia inflammatory response and promoted microglia polarization to the M2 type,and the mechanism may be related to its regulation of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.
9.A study of the trajectory of arterial oxygen tension dynamics after successful resuscitation of cardiac arrest patients and its impact on prognosis.
Jie HU ; Lei ZHONG ; Dan ZONG ; Jianhong LU ; Bo XIE ; Xiaowei JI
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(9):843-847
OBJECTIVE:
To construct a longitudinal trajectory model of arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) within 24 hours after cardiac arrest (CA).
METHODS:
A retrospective cohort study was conducted. CA patients admitted to the ICU from 2014 to 2015 were selected from the eICU Collaborative Research Database (eICU-CRD). Data about patients' demographic characteristics, history of comorbidities, laboratory test indicators within 24 hours of intensive care unit (ICU) admission [including all PaO2 data and arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2)], vasopressor use, and clinical outcomes were extracted from the database. The primary outcome variable was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Group-based trajectory model (GBTM) were built based on the changes in PaO2 within 24 hours of ICU admission, and patients were grouped according to their initial static PaO2 values upon ICU admission. Multivariable adjusted Poisson regression analysis was used to compare the in-hospital mortality risk among patients in different PaO2 dynamic trajectory groups. Sensitivity analyses were performed using multivariable logistic regression and multivariable adjusted Poisson regression without imputation of missing values.
RESULTS:
A total of 3 866 CA patients were included. Three GBTM trajectory groups were identified based on PaO2 changes within 24 hours of ICU admission: Group-1 (low level first increased then decreased, 148 cases), Group-2 (sustained low level, 3 040 cases), and Group-3 (first high level then decreased, 678 cases). Significant differences were found among the three groups in age, body weight, maximum serum potassium, maximum PaCO2, minimum hemoglobin (Hb), vasopressor use, total hospitalization time, ICU stay, and hospital mortality. After incorporating variables with significant differences into the multivariable adjusted Poisson regression model, results showed that compared to Group-2 patients, patients in Group-1 and Group-3 had an increased risk of all-cause in-hospital mortality [Group-1 adjusted relative risk (aRR) = 1.20, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.02-1.41; Group-3 aRR = 1.11, 95%CI was 1.01-1.24]. Based on initial static PaO2 values at ICU admission, patients were divided into four groups: PaO2 < 100 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa; 1 217 cases), PaO2 100-200 mmHg (569 cases), PaO2 201-300 mmHg (547 cases), and PaO2 > 300 mmHg (1 082 cases). Multivariable adjusted Poisson regression analysis indicated a significant upward trend in aRR for the latter three groups compared to the PaO2 < 100 mmHg group. Sensitivity analyses revealed that compared to Group-2, patients in Group-1 and Group-3 had a significantly increased risk of all-cause in-hospital mortality (both P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Within 24 hours after return of spontaneous circulation in CA patients, PaO2 exhibits different dynamic trajectories, and patients with hyperoxia have an increased risk of in-hospital mortality.
Humans
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Retrospective Studies
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Hospital Mortality
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Heart Arrest/blood*
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Prognosis
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Oxygen/blood*
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Intensive Care Units
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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
10.Integrating data mining and network pharmacology to decode the therapeutic principles of contemporary Xin'an medicine for chronic glomerulonephritis
Xulei HU ; Xiaowei DUAN ; Le WANG ; Zhengyang ZHU ; Yong LYU ; Hua JIN ; Dong WANG ; Lei ZHANG ; Kejun REN
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(6):676-689
Objective To systematically summarize medication patterns and explore the potential mechanisms of core herbal combinations in treating chronic glomerulonephritis(CGN)based on data mining and network pharmacology,and to provide a reference for clinical treatment strategies.Methods Electronic book databases were searched to screen the CGN prescription from the works of contemporary Xin'an medical practitioners.Frequency statistics,association rule analysis,and clustering algorithms via the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)Inheritance Support Platform V3.5 were applied to identify high-frequency herbs(frequency of use>10%)and core combinations.Active ingredients and potential targets were predicted using TCMSP,PubChem,and SwissTargetPrediction databases.Disease-related targets were retrieved from OMIM and GeneCards,after obtaining the intersecting targets,followed by protein-protein interaction(PPI)network construction(STRING platform),Cytoscape topological analysis,and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment(DAVID).Results A total of 151 prescriptions related to the treatment of CGN were included,involving 213 flavours of TCM,including 42 varites of high frequency drugs,mainly in the categories of supplementing deficiency,eliminating dampness and diuresis and clearing heat.Theherb properties were mainly cold,warm,and neutral,with flavors of sweet,bitter,and pungent.Herbs primarily targeted the liver,lung,kidney,and spleen meridians.Thecore combination"Astragali Radix,Dioscorea Rhizome,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Imperata Rhizome,Pyrrosiae Folium,Poria"was identified,with key active ingredients including quercetin,stigmasterol,and β-sitosterol.Core targets involved IL6,EGFR,TNF,AKT1,and PIK3CA,while enriched pathways included PI3K-Akt and AGE-RAGE signaling.Conclusion Contemporary Xin'an practitioners primarily treat CGN by tonifying the spleen,nourishing the kidney,and clearing damp-heat.Thecore herbal combination exerts synergistic effects through multi-target intervention in immune-inflammatory pathways,oxidative stress,and fibrotic pathways,highlighting the holistic therapeutic advantages of TCM formulas via multi-component synergistic regulation and multi-target interactions.This study provides a theoretical foundation for further experimental validation and clinical applications.

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