1.Mechanism of Xiaozheng Zhitong Paste in Alleviating Bone Cancer Pain by Regulating Microglial Pyroptosis Based on PINK1/Parkin/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Lingyun WANG ; Guangda ZHENG ; Lu SHANG ; Juanxia REN ; Changlin LI ; Dongtao LI ; Haixiao LIU ; Yaohua CHEN ; Guiping YANG ; Yanju BAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):80-90
ObjectiveThe paper aims to investigate the mechanism by which Xiaozheng Zhitong paste (XZP) alleviates bone cancer pain (BCP) through regulating the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin-mediated mitophagy-NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway to suppress microglial pyroptosis. MethodsLipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS-adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were used to establish an inflammation and pyroptosis model in microglial cells. The cells were randomly divided into the following groups: control group, LPS group, LPS+low-dose XZP group, LPS+high-dose XZP group, LPS-ATP group, LPS-ATP+low-dose XZP group, LPS-ATP+high-dose XZP group, LPS-ATP+XZP group, and LPS-ATP+XZP+CsA group. Techniques including terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot, and confocal fluorescence staining were employed to assess the effects of XZP on microglial apoptosis, inflammatory cytokine release, inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, and mitophagy. ResultsIn vitro experiments showed that compared with the blank group, the LPS group exhibited significantly increased levels of microglial apoptosis and pro-inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)(P<0.01), along with significantly upregulated protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) (P<0.01). Compared with the LPS group, the high-dose LPS-XZP group significantly reduced the level of apoptosis (P<0.01) and the content of the aforementioned pro-inflammatory factors (P<0.01). Both the low- and high-dose LPS-XZP groups dose-dependently downregulated the protein expression of iNOS, COX-2, and p-NF-κB p65 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the LPS-ATP group showed significantly upregulated expression of pyroptosis-related proteins, including Caspase-1/pro-Caspase-1, N-terminal fragment of gasdermin D (GSDMD-N)/full-length gasdermin D (GSDMD-F), NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), IL-1β precursor (pro-IL-1β), and mature IL-1β (P<0.01). The levels of pyroptotic factors IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly elevated (P<0.01), and membrane pore formation and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the LPS-ATP group, both the low- and high-dose LPS-ATP+XZP groups dose-dependently downregulated the expression of the aforementioned pyroptosis-related proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). The low-dose LPS-ATP+XZP group reduced IL-1β levels (P<0.01), while the high-dose group reduced both IL-1β and IL-18 levels (P<0.01) Both the low- and high-dose LPS-ATP+XZP groups dose-dependently reduced membrane pore formation and intracellular ROS production (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the LPS-ATP group showed significantly reduced expression of mitophagy-related proteins PINK1 and Parkin, and a decreased ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3Ⅱ(LC3Ⅱ) to LC3Ⅰ(P<0.01), while p62 expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). Mitochondrial ROS levels were significantly enhanced (P<0.01). Compared with the LPS-ATP group, both the low- and high-dose LPS-ATP+XZP groups dose-dependently reversed the expression of these proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01) and reduced mitochondrial ROS levels (P<0.01). After treatment with the mitophagy inhibitor cyclosporin A (CsA), the beneficial effects of XZP on mitochondrial function and its inhibitory effects on pyroptosis-related protein expression were significantly reversed (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionXZP reduces ROS levels by activating PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy, thereby inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and microglial pyroptosis, which provides new molecular evidence for the mechanism by which XZP alleviates BCP.
2.Xiaozheng Zhitong Paste Relieves Bone Cancer Pain in Mice by Alleviating Activation of Microglia in Spinal Cord and Damage to Neurons via Blocking PAR2/NF-κB/NLRP3 Pathway
Guangda ZHENG ; Linghan MENG ; Lu SHANG ; Juanxia REN ; Dongtao LI ; Haixiao LIU ; Lingyun WANG ; Changlin LI ; Yaohua CHEN ; Guiping YANG ; Yanju BAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):91-100
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of Xiaozheng Zhitong Paste (XZP) on bone cancer pain (BCP). MethodsThirty female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups: a Sham group, a BCP group, a BCP+low-dose XZP group, a BCP+high-dose XZP group, and a BCP+high-dose XZP + protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) agonist GB-110 group. BCP mice model was constructed by injecting Lewis lung carcinoma cells into the femoral cavity of the right leg, which was followed by being treated with XZP for 21 d. After 21 d, the mice were sacrificed. Nissl staining was used to evaluate the survival of spinal cord neurons. Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to localize ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) and neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) in spinal cord tissue, thereby assessing microglial activation and neuronal survival. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in spinal cord tissue. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression levels associated with M1/M2 polarization of microglia. Western blot analysis was performed to examine the expression of proteins related to microglial polarization as well as those involved in the PAR2/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway in the spinal cord. ResultsCompared with the Sham group, the spinal cord neurons were damaged, the number of Nissl-positive spinal cord neurons in the spinal cord tissue was significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the rate of NeuN-positive cells was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The spinal cord microglia were activated, the inflammatory level of the spinal cord tissue was enhanced, and Iba1 staining was significantly enhanced (P<0.01). The levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β, IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly increased (P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the expression of PAR2, NLRP3, ASC and NF-κB p65 proteins in the spinal cord tissue of the BCP mice was significantly enhanced (P<0.01). Compared with the BCP group, high-dose XZP treatment significantly increased the number of Nissl-positive spinal cord neurons in the BCP mice (P<0.01), significantly enhanced the rate of NeuN-positive cells in the spinal cord tissue, and significantly weakened Iba1 staining (P<0.01). In addition, the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 were significantly decreased, while the levels of TGF-β, IL-4, and IL-10 were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and iNOS were decreased, whereas those of cluster of differentiation 206 (CD206), arginase-1 (Arg-1), and YM1/2 were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Low-dose and high-dose XZP treatment significantly decreased the expression of PAR2, NLRP3, ASC, and NF-κB p65 proteins in the spinal cord tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). These effects could all be significantly eliminated by the PAR2 agonist GB-110. ConclusionXZP can mitigate BCP in mice, which may be achieved through blocking the activated PAR2/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.
3.Traditional Chinese Medicine for Cancer Pain Management: A Review
Lingyun WANG ; Guangda ZHENG ; Lu SHANG ; Juanxia REN ; Changlin LI ; Dongtao LI ; Haixiao LIU ; Yaohua CHEN ; Guiping YANG ; Yanju BAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):114-123
Cancer pain is one of the most common complications in patients with malignant tumors, severely affecting their quality of life. Its pathogenesis involves complex interactions among the tumor microenvironment, peripheral sensitization, and central sensitization. The tumor microenvironment initiates peripheral pain sensitization by secreting algogenic mediators, activating ion channels and related receptor signaling pathways, driving abnormal osteoclast activation, and mediating neuro-immune crosstalk. Persistent nociceptive input further triggers increased excitability of central neurons, activation of glial cells, and neuroinflammatory cascade reactions, ultimately leading to central pain sensitization. Although traditional opioid drugs can alleviate pain to some extent, they still have many limitations, such as incomplete analgesia, drug tolerance, and adverse reactions. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compounds have made continuous progress in the treatment of cancer pain. Studies have shown that they can not only effectively relieve cancer pain and reduce the dosage of opioids but also significantly improve patients' quality of life. TCM treatment of cancer pain follows the principle of syndrome differentiation and treatment. Based on this, targeted therapeutic principles have been proposed, including promoting blood circulation, removing stasis, regulating Qi, and unblocking collaterals; tonifying the kidney, replenishing essence, warming Yang, and dispersing cold, activating blood, resolving phlegm, detoxifying, and dispersing nodules, as well as strengthening the body, replenishing deficiency, and harmonizing Qi and blood. Modern research indicates that TCM compounds can exert synergistic effects through multiple pathways, inhibiting inflammatory responses, regulating nerve conduction, intervening in bone metabolism and related gene expression, thereby producing anti-inflammatory and bone-protective effects to achieve the goal of alleviating cancer pain. This article systematically elaborates on the pathogenesis of cancer pain, the clinical application of TCM in treating cancer pain, and its related mechanisms of action, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and new strategies for the integration of TCM into comprehensive cancer pain management.
4.Discussion on Treatment of Cancer Pain with Modified Wumeiwan Based on Jueyin Syndrome
Haixiao LIU ; Linghan MENG ; Guangda ZHENG ; Dongtao LI ; Lu SHANG ; Juanxia REN ; Changlin LI ; Lingyun WANG ; Yanju BAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):124-128
Pain, as one of the most common symptoms in cancer patients, seriously affects the survival quality of patients. The three-step pain relief program currently used in clinical practice cannot completely relieve pain in cancer patients and is accompanied by many problems. From the perspective of Jueyin syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this paper believed that the core pathogenesis of cancer pain was declined healthy Qi and cold and heat in complexity, and used Wumeiwan as the main formula with modification according to syndrome for clearing the upper, warming the lower part of the body, and harmonizing the cold and heat. It can regulate the pathological environment of deficiency, cold, stasis, toxicity, and heat, and restore the physiological function of Yang transforming Qi while Yin constituting form, so as to prevent, relieve, and even eliminate cancer pain, having achieved good clinical efficacy. It can not only help cancer patients relieve pain, but also control tumor and eliminate tumor, achieving a dual benefit of pain relief and tumor suppression. It gives full play to the characteristics and advantages of syndrome differentiation and treatment in TCM, and expands the scope of ZHANG Zhongjing's treatment for Jueyin syndrome, which provides ideas for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of cancer pain from the perspective of deficiency-excess in complexity and cold and heat in complexity.
5.The effects of miR-10a on the immune function of splenic CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in septic mice
Longwang CHEN ; Qiaomeng QIU ; Jie LIAN ; Haixiao LI ; Guangliang HONG ; Zhongqiu LU ; Guangju ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2018;27(2):152-158
Objective To investigate the role of miR-10a in CD4+CD25+Treg-mediated immunosuppression during sepsis and its potential role in immunotherapy for sepsis.Methods Sepsis mouse model was established by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP).Balb/c mice of clean grade were sacrificed 1,3,5,and 7 days after operation.Blood as well as spleen samples were harvested at given intervals.The splenic CD4+CD25+Treg cells and CD4+T cells were isolated by MACS microbeads.Cells were cultured,and phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry.The miR-10a expressed in Treg cells were detected by Real-time PCR.After administration of LV-mmu-miR-10a-5p-inhibition,the immunosuppressive function have been detected.Statistical analyses were performed using one-way analysis of variance (SPSS 19.0,Chicago,USA) test followed by Dunnett-t test to compare among three or more groups or by Student's t-test to compare between two groups.Results The percentages of splenic Tregs (CD4+CD25+/CD4+T) was (7.34±1.2)% in normal group,and the increase in percentage of Tregs in spleen has been observed in septic mice (P<0.05).The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of Foxp3+Treg was increased in septic mice compared with sham group (P<0.05).The expression of miR-10a was significantly elevated on CLP 1-7 day (P<0.05).After down-regulation of miR-10a in septic mice,the percentages of Tregs (CD4+CD25+/CD4+T) was significantly increased in septic mice (P<0.05),the MFI of Foxp3+Treg was increased in septic mice compared with control group (P<0.05).The CD4+T cell proliferative activity in CLP-induced mice was significantly suppressed on CLP 3 day compared with sham group (P<0.05).After down-regulation of miR-10a in septic mice,the CD4+T cell proliferative activity was significantly suppressed compared with control group (P<0.05).Conclusions Treg plays a critical role in immunosuppression in septic mice.Inhibition of miR-10a in vivo could enhence immunesuppression of CD4+CD25+Treg.Therefore miR-10a may participate in the regulation of CD4+CD25+Treg immunosuppression in sepsis and become the target for immunotherapy.
6.Research of serum myoglobin detection in patients with Kennedy's Disease
Haixiao GUO ; Ming LU ; Dongsheng FAN
Journal of Clinical Neurology 2017;30(4):294-296
Objective To explore the significance of serum myoglobin detection in the diagnosis and evaluation of Kennedy`s disease (KD).Methods The level of serum myoglobin (Myo) was detected in 60 KD patients and 30 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients.Results The serum Myo level and abnormal rate in KD group were significantly higher than those in ALS group (all P<0.001).The serum Myo level was positively related with the disease course of KD (r=0.665,P<0.01).There was no significant difference of serum Myo level and disease course of ALS (r=-0.047,P>0.05).There was no overlap of serum Myo level between the two groups.There was no significant difference of serum Myo level and CAG repeated number of ALS (r=-0.193,P>0.05).Conclusion Myo is likely as an easy and sensitive biomarker, used to identify the KD and special type of ALS, and used in the evaluation of the KD condition in the future.
7.Establishment and validation of a new assessment scale for Kennedy's disease
Haixiao GUO ; Ming LU ; Dongsheng FAN
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2015;48(4):298-301
Objective To develop a scale to assess Kennedy's disease (KD) based on patients' clinical characteristics and to validate its application in patients.Methods We developed KD1234 Scale following the model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-Functional Rating Scale.Using this new scale,we assessed patients with genetic diagnosis of KD and evaluated the reliability and validity of the new scale.Reliability was analyzed using Cronbach' s α coefficient and split-half reliability.Validity was analyzed by content validity and structure validity.Results The Cronbach' s α coefficient of the total scale was 0.789 and split-half reliability coefficient was 0.868.The α of breathing with total score was 0.3-0.4,α of written,language and swallowing with the total score was 0.4-0.5,α of other items with the total score was > 0.5 (P < 0.01 in each of above α).Four common factors extracted by exploratory factor analysis had well correspondence between the scale construction and the theoretical construction.Factor loading was ranged from 0.541 to 0.864 for each item.The duration of the disease showed some correlation with the score of KD1234 Scale.Conclusions The KD1234 Scale demonstrates high reliability and validity.The duration of the disease indicates negative correlation with KD1234 Scale scores.The KD1234 Scale can be used in clinical research to evaluate the condition of KD patients quantitatively.
8.A New Flavan-4-ol Glycoside from Pronephrium triphyllum
Xiwen ZHONG ; Wenxia ZHANG ; Haixiao LU ; Youheng GAO
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2011;03(3):161-164
Objective To study the chemical constituents ofPronephrium triphyllum.Methods The chemical constituents in the plant were isolated and purified with silica gel and Sephadex LH-20.Their structures were identified by analyses of spectral data and physicochemical properties.Results Six compounds were isolated and identified as shelincaoide A(1),n-butyl-13-D-fructopyranoside(2),triphyllin A(3),6,7-di-hydroxycoumarin(4),daucosterol(5),and 13-sitosterol(6),respectively.Conclusion Compound 1 is found to be a new compound.Compounds 2 and 4 are firstly isolated from the plants in Pronephrium Presl.and all compotmds except 3 are obtained from the species for the first time.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail