1.Quality evaluation of Heat-clearing and symptom-relieving formula based on multi-component quantification and screening of marker components
Jiahui CHEN ; Qiong LUO ; Lijun WEI ; Yuewu WANG ; Jun LI ; Chengdong LIU ; Jiajia HAO ; Liwen NIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):740-745
OBJECTIVE To systematically evaluate the quality of the Heat-clearing and symptom-relieving formula and screen potential marker components that influence the quality of the formula. METHODS The contents of 11 components (calycosin-7- O - β -D-glucoside, ononin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, baicalin, baicalein, cryptotanshinone, tanshinone Ⅱ A , tanshinone Ⅰ, senkyunolide A, ferulic acid) in the Heat-clearing and symptom-relieving formula were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Using the contents of the aforementioned components as variables, cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were conducted using OriginPro 2024 software and SIMCA 14.1 software; marker components affecting the quality of the Heat-clearing and symptom-relieving formula were then screened based on the criteria of variable importance in the projection (VIP) value>1 and P <0.05. The comprehensive evaluation of 20 batches of samples was carried out using the entropy weight-technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution(TOPSIS) and grey correlation analysis (GCA) methods. RESULTS The contents of the above 11 components were 7.993-72.866, 4.542-31.228, 727.666-1 901.884, 496.846-1 293.279, 1 995.501-6 779.150, 54.500-241.280, 150.302-304.339, 79.698-189.206, 257.118-682.418, 5.498-21.687, 7.524-26.935 μg/g. CA, PCA and OPLS-DA results showed that 20 batches of samples were grouped into 2 categories. Q1, Q3, Q4, Q7-Q9, Q12, Q15, Q16 were grouped into one category, and the rest were grouped into another category; VIP values of ferulic acid, tanshinone Ⅱ A , baicalin, cryptotanshinone, calycosin-7- O - β -D-glucoside and ononin were all greater than 1 ( P <0.05). Both the entropy weight-TOPSIS and GCA methods showed that the samples ranked in the top 11 according to the euclidean distance and relative correlation degree were Q2, Q5, Q6, Q10, Q11, Q13, Q14, Q17-Q20. CONCLUSIONS The established HPLC-MS/MS method is rapid, accurate and highly sens itive. Combined with chemical pattern recognition analysis, entropy weight-TOPSIS and GCA methods, this method can be used to evaluate the quality of the Heat-clearing and symptom-relieving formula. Ferulic acid, tanshinone Ⅱ A , baicalin, cryptotanshinone, calycosin-7- O - β -D-glucoside and ononin may be the marker components that affect the quality of this formula. The overall quality of 11 batches of the Heat-clearing and symptom-relieving formula, including Q17, is relatively superior.
2.Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway regulates the development of osteoarthritis:guiding targeted therapy with traditional Chinese medicine
Hao LI ; Hongcheng TAO ; Ping ZENG ; Jinfu LIU ; Qiang DING ; Chicheng NIU ; Kai HUANG ; Hongyu KANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(6):1476-1485
BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is pathologically characterized by progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage and abnormal deformation of the subchondral bone.In recent years,with the deepening of medical research,it has been found that the mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)signaling pathway has a regulatory role in inflammatory cell infiltration,inflammatory factor release,and chondrocyte proliferation,which is particularly important for the treatment of osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To briefly review the main research progress in the mechanism of MAPK signaling pathway regulating osteoarthritis in recent years,aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of osteoarthritis.METHODS:CNKI,WanFang and PubMed databases were searched for relevant literature using the search terms of"mitogen-activated protein kinases,osteoarthritis,extracellular signal-regulated MAP kinases,p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases,JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase"in Chinese and English.Relevant literature published from January 2019 to November 2024 was searched,and 108 articles were finally included for summary analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Various stimuli inside and outside the cells activate the MAPK signaling pathway,regulate gene transcription and protein synthesis,and promote the release of inflammatory factors,such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.The release of these inflammatory factors aggravates the progression of osteoarthritis.(2)The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine,mainly saponins and flavonoids,as well as Chinese herbal formulas and preparations with the main effects of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis,tonifying the liver and kidney,can play a therapeutic role in osteoarthritis by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway,regulating the release of matrix metalloproteinases,balancing the homeostatic state of osteogenesis and osteoblastogenesis,attenuating the synovial inflammation,decreasing the release of inflammatory factors and inflammatory vesicles,decreasing cellular pyroptosis,promoting autophagy,and ameliorating oxidative stress.(3)Although traditional Chinese medicine has become popular in the treatment of osteoarthritis by virtue of its own advantages of multi-components,multi-targets,multi-pathways,and low side effects,the use of MAPK signaling pathway to guide the treatment of individual osteoarthritis is the difficulty of the technology,which needs to be continuously researched and explored.(4)Therefore,further development of relevant herbal inhibitors that can modulate the MAPK signaling pathway may be a potential drug strategy for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.
3.Body image disturbance status in AS patients and analysis of its influencing factors
Min NIU ; Jingman YUAN ; Liya MA ; Hao XU ; Jun LI ; Meixi YAN ; Xinru DU ; Hanhui MA ; Xichao YANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(1):158-162
Objective To understand the status of body image disturbance and its influencing factors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical management of AS. Methods A total of 353 AS patients admitted from January 2022 to December 2024 were selected as research subjects. Chinese version of Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire (BIDQ) was used to investigate the body image disturbance in AS patients. Single factor analysis was performed by t test and analysis of variance, and multiple factors were analyzed by multivariate linear regression. Results The total score of BIDQ in 342 AS patients was (25.01±4.22). Multivariate linear regression analysis results showed that self-paid medical expense, nighttime VAS score and negative emotion PANAS score could positively predict body image disturbance in AS patients (standardized regression coefficient=0.413, 0.413, 0.460, P<0.05), and PSSS score, positive emotion PANAS score and exercise management CDSSM score could negatively predict body image disturbance (standardized regression coefficient=-0.245, -0.134, -0.247, P<0.05). Conclusion The body image disturbance in AS patients is worthy of clinical attention. Nighttime pain, negative emotion and self-paid medical treatment can increase the risk of body image disturbance. Positive emotion, social support and high self-management level of exercise behavior can reduce the formation of body image disturbance, which can provide new ideas for clinical management of AS patients.
4.Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway regulates the development of osteoarthritis:guiding targeted therapy with traditional Chinese medicine
Hao LI ; Hongcheng TAO ; Ping ZENG ; Jinfu LIU ; Qiang DING ; Chicheng NIU ; Kai HUANG ; Hongyu KANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(6):1476-1485
BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is pathologically characterized by progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage and abnormal deformation of the subchondral bone.In recent years,with the deepening of medical research,it has been found that the mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)signaling pathway has a regulatory role in inflammatory cell infiltration,inflammatory factor release,and chondrocyte proliferation,which is particularly important for the treatment of osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To briefly review the main research progress in the mechanism of MAPK signaling pathway regulating osteoarthritis in recent years,aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of osteoarthritis.METHODS:CNKI,WanFang and PubMed databases were searched for relevant literature using the search terms of"mitogen-activated protein kinases,osteoarthritis,extracellular signal-regulated MAP kinases,p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases,JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase"in Chinese and English.Relevant literature published from January 2019 to November 2024 was searched,and 108 articles were finally included for summary analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Various stimuli inside and outside the cells activate the MAPK signaling pathway,regulate gene transcription and protein synthesis,and promote the release of inflammatory factors,such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.The release of these inflammatory factors aggravates the progression of osteoarthritis.(2)The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine,mainly saponins and flavonoids,as well as Chinese herbal formulas and preparations with the main effects of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis,tonifying the liver and kidney,can play a therapeutic role in osteoarthritis by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway,regulating the release of matrix metalloproteinases,balancing the homeostatic state of osteogenesis and osteoblastogenesis,attenuating the synovial inflammation,decreasing the release of inflammatory factors and inflammatory vesicles,decreasing cellular pyroptosis,promoting autophagy,and ameliorating oxidative stress.(3)Although traditional Chinese medicine has become popular in the treatment of osteoarthritis by virtue of its own advantages of multi-components,multi-targets,multi-pathways,and low side effects,the use of MAPK signaling pathway to guide the treatment of individual osteoarthritis is the difficulty of the technology,which needs to be continuously researched and explored.(4)Therefore,further development of relevant herbal inhibitors that can modulate the MAPK signaling pathway may be a potential drug strategy for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.
5.Literature analysis of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis induced by empagliflozin
Zhenzhen LEI ; Wei RUI ; Yanling SHI ; Jiayue ZHU ; Ying GANG ; Xiaodi SUN ; Hao ZHAN ; Junnan WANG ; Yukun NIU ; Wenxiang ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(14):1874-1879
OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical characteristics of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (euDKA) induced by empagliflozin, and provide references for safe medication. METHODS Case reports of euDKA induced by empagliflozin were retrieved and analyzed from PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang Data. The Naranjo’s scale was adopted to assess the causal relationship between empagliflozin and euDKA. RESULTS A total of 29 patients were enrolled, including 16 males and 13 females,with a median age of 58 years. All patients were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus; 22 patients had at least one comorbidity. The median time to euDKA onset was 60 days after administration, and 7 cases occurred within 2 weeks of treatment. Perioperative periods,fasting,and low-carbohydrate or ketogenic diets were the main predisposing factors. Common presentations included nausea,vomiting, fatigue, tachypnea,and tachycardia. The causal relationship between empagliflozin and euDKA was assessed as “probable” in all cases. According to adverse reaction severity grading, 13 cases were grade 3 (severe) and 16 cases were grade 4 (life-threatening). All patients discontinued empagliflozin and recovered after corresponding treatment. CONCLUSIONS euDKA is a serious adverse reaction to empagliflozin, which mostly occurs early in treatment. Perioperative periods, fasting, and ketogenic diets are prone to induce euDKA. Elderly patients and those with comorbidities are at higher risk. Risk assessment should be conducted before clinical administration; blood ketones and acid-base monitoring should be strengthened in the early medication period; withhold the drug before elective surgery, avoid prolonged fasting;upon diagnosis, discontinue empagliflozin and initiate intravenous insulin, provide fluid resuscitation promptly, and use other treatments to improve patient prognosis.
6.Adjuvant therapy after compromised sublobar resection for pathological stage ⅠA peripheral solid-type non-small cell lung cancer in patients with advanced age or poor cardiopulmonary function
Yu LU ; Jialin ZHANG ; Haoyan NIU ; Honggang KE ; Xiaodan WENG ; Jiaping ZHAO ; Hao ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(10):1609-1616
Objective To explore the adjuvant treatment options for elderly patients or those with low cardiopulmonary function who cannot tolerate lobectomy for peripheral solid pathological stage ⅠA (pⅠA) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with peripheral solid pⅠA stage NSCLC treated with lobectomy and compromised sublobar resection (CSR) in the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, from 2018 to 2019. The incidence of postoperative complications and independent predictors of postoperative recurrence were analyzed. Patients in the CSR group were divided into a targeted therapy group, a chemotherapy group, and an observation group based on postoperative treatment measures. The 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of the three subgroups before and after propensity score matching (PSM) were compared. Results A total of 586 patients were included, including 288 (49.15%) males and 298 (50.85%) females, with a median age of 64.00 years. There were 335 patients of lobectomy and 251 patients of CSR. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the lobectomy group and CSR group [RR=0.987, 95%CI (0.898, 1.085), P=0.789]. Multivariate analysis showed that gender, tumor location, and size were independent risk factors for recurrence after CSR. After PSM, 17 patients were enrolled in each of the three subgroups of CSR. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the 3-year RFS rate (P=0.115) and 5-year OS rate (P=0.101) between the targeted therapy group and chemotherapy group after PSM. The 3-year RFS rate and 5-year OS of the targeted group were significantly better than those of the observation group (P=0.041, P=0.009). Compared with lobectomy, there was no statistically significant difference in the 3-year RFS rate (P=0.069) and 5-year OS rate (P=0.540) in the targeted therapy group, while the chemotherapy group and observation group were significantly inferior to the lobectomy group (P<0.05). Conclusion CSR for treating stage pⅠA peripheral solid NSCLC in patients with advanced age or poor cardiopulmonary function does not increase the incidence of postoperative complications. Gender, tumor location, and size are independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence. In terms of 3-year RFS rate and 5-year OS rate, adjuvant targeted therapy after CSR is not only superior to observation but also not inferior to lobectomy.
7.Discovery of selective HDAC6 inhibitors driven by artificial intelligence and molecular dynamics simulation approaches
Xingang LIU ; Hao YANG ; Xinyu LIU ; Minjie MOU ; Jie LIU ; Wenying YAN ; Tianle NIU ; Ziyang ZHANG ; He SHI ; Xiangdong SU ; Xuedong LI ; Yang ZHANG ; Qingzhong JIA
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(8):1860-1872
Increasing evidence showed that histone deacetylase 6(HDAC6)dysfunction is directly associated with the onset and progression of various diseases,especially cancers,making the development of HDAC6-targeted anti-tumor agents a research hotspot.In this study,artificial intelligence(AI)technology and molecular simulation strategies were fully integrated to construct an efficient and precise drug screening pipeline,which combined Voting strategy based on compound-protein interaction(CPI)prediction models,cascade molecular docking,and molecular dynamic(MD)simulations.The biological potential of the screened compounds was further evaluated through enzymatic and cellular activity assays.Among the identified compounds,Cmpd.18 exhibited more potent HDAC6 enzyme inhibitory activity(IC50=5.41 nM)than that of tubastatin A(TubA)(IC50=15.11 nM),along with a favorable subtype selectivity profile(selectivity index ≈ 117.23 for HDAC1),which was further verified by the Western blot analysis.Additionally,Cmpd.18 induced G2/M phase arrest and promoted apoptosis in HCT-116 cells,exerting desirable antiproliferative activity(IC50=2.59 μM).Furthermore,based on long-term MD simulation trajectory,the key residues facilitating Cmpd.18's binding were identified by decomposition free energy analysis,thereby elucidating its binding mechanism.Moreover,the representative conformation analysis also indicated that Cmpd.18 could stably bind to the active pocket in an effective conformation,thus demonstrating the potential for in-depth research of the 2-(2-phenoxyethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one scaffold.
8.Safety and efficacy analysis of TACE combined with donafenib and PD-1 inhibitors in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Daqian HAN ; Wenze XU ; Chao LIANG ; Hao LI ; Shuguang JU ; Manzhou WANG ; Jiacheng WANG ; Yang-yang NIU ; Xinwei HAN ; Jianzhuang REN ; Xuhua DUAN
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2025;31(7):503-509
Objective:To compare the safety and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with donafenib and programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors and TACE combined with donafenib in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).Methods:Clinical data of 148 patients with uHCC treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 127 males and 21 females, aged (56.6±9.9) years. Patients were divided into two groups: the TACE combined with donafenib and PD-1 inhibitors group (TACE+ DP, n=73) and TACE combined with single donafenib (TACE+ D, n=75). The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and the occurrence of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of the two groups of patients were observed. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for survival assessment, and the log-rank test was used for comparison. The related factors affecting the prognosis of patients were indentified and analyzed. Results:The median PFS of patients in the TACE+ D group and the TACE+ DP group were 7.2 months (95% CI: 5.7-8.3 months) and 10.5months (95% CI: 8.9-11.3 months), respectively. The median OS was 13.2 months (95% CI: 12.3-13.7 months) and 16.9 months (95% CI: 15.1-19.8 months), respectively. All these differences were statistically significant ( χ2=17.81, 26.92, respectively, both P<0.001). The ORR and DCR of TACE+ DP group were both higher than those in TACE+ D group [53.4% (39/73) vs 36.0% (27/75), χ2=4.55, P=0.031; and 90.4% (66/73) vs 77.3% (58/75), χ2=4.66, P=0.044]. No grade 4 or above adverse events occurred in either the TACE+ DP or the TACE+ D group. The most common treatment-related adverse events in TACE+ D and TACE+ DP group were hand-foot syndrome [46.7% (35/75) vs 49.3% (36/73)], hypertension [26.7% (20/75) vs 30.1% (22/73)], fatigue [22.7% (17/75) vs 24.7% (18/73)], diarrhea [26.7% (20/75) vs 28.8% (21/73)], and thrombocytopenia [25.3% (19/75) vs 28.8% (21/73)]. There was no significant difference in the incidence and severity of TRAEs between the groups ( χ2=0.08, P=0.774). TACE+ DP treatment was a favorable prognostic factor for PFS ( HR=0.33, 95% CI: 0.22-0.49, P<0.001) and OS ( HR=0.19, 95% CI: 0.11-0.33, P<0.001) of patients. Conclusion:Compared to TACE combined with donafenib, TACE combined with donafenib and PD-1 inhibitors, with good efficacy and safety, significantly improved the treatment response and survival in patients with uHCC.
9.Clinical study of TACE combined with apatinib for advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma
Daqian HAN ; Hao LI ; Chao LIANG ; Manzhou WANG ; Yangyang NIU ; Shuguang JU ; Jiacheng WANG ; Jianzhuang REN ; Xinwei HAN ; Xuhua DUAN
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2025;31(4):262-267
Objective:To study the safety and feasibility of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with apatinib in the treatment of advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:Clinical data of 41 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from November 2019 to October 2020 were prospectively collected, including 21 males and 20 females, aged (65.1±12.5) years. The drugs used for TACE were albumin paclitaxel and gemcitabine, which were performed once every four to six weeks for no more than six times. Apatinib were adminstered two days after each TACE. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) and the secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and adverse events. Patients were followed-up by outpatient, inpatient or telephone review. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results:Hilar cholangiocarcinoma were confirmed in all 41 patients by pathology. All patients were treated with TACE for at least twice. Twenty-three patients achieved complete remission, 14 stable disease, and four partial remission, with an ORR of 56.1% and a disease control rate of 90.2%. The follow-up duration was (13.3±5.4) months without lost to follow-up. The median PFS was 9.0 months, the median OS was 14.0 months, the 1-year cumulative recurrence-free survival rate was 31.7%, and the 1-year cumulative survival rate was 65.9%. Treatment-related adverse events in this study were predominantly Clavien-Dindo grade 1 or 2, without grade 4 to 5.Conclusion:TACE combined with apatinib treatment could be safe and feasible for advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
10.Imaging quality and detection capability of bone metastases:Comparison on domestic Insight NM/CT Pro SPECT/CT and Siemens Symbia T16 SPECT/CT scanners
Zhenfeng ZHAO ; Rui WANG ; Weina ZHOU ; Lei LIU ; Xiyan HAO ; Ruilong NIU ; Xuemei WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(6):967-970
Objective To compare imaging quality and detection capability of bone metastases between Insight NM/CT Pro SPECT/CT(Insight SPECT/CT)and Siemens Symbia T16 SPECT/CT(Symbia T16 SPECT/CT)scanners.Methods Totally 40 patients with diagnosed or suspected bone metastases were prospectively enrolled.Whole-body bone imaging and local tomographic fusion imaging were performed using Symbia T16 and Insight SPECT/CT scanners with same method and parameters,and imaging quality and detection capability were compared between 2 devices.Results Among whole-body bone imaging acquired with Symbia T 16 SPECT/CT,the imaging quality score was 5 in 35 cases and 4 in 5 cases,and detected 118 positive bone lesions,including 36 lesions involved chest,28 involved spinal cord,30 involved pelvic bones,20 involved limbs and 4 involved cranial bones.The imaging quality score of local tomographic fusion imaging obtained with Symbia T16 SPECT/CT was 5 in all 40 cases,and 59 positive lesions involved bone regions were detected,including 14 lesions presented as bone destruction,11 presented as increased bone density and 34 showed uneven bone density on CT.Meanwhile,the whole-body bone imaging quality score acquired with Insight SPECT/CT was 5 in 35 cases,4 in 4 cases and 3 in 1 case,and both the detected positive lesions and the involved bone regions were consistent with those of Symbia T 16 SPECT/CT.Furthermore,the imaging quality,detected positive lesions and their involved regions,as well as CT manifestations on local tomographic fusion imaging obtained with Insight SPECT/CT scanner were all consistent with those of Symbia T 16 scanner.Conclusion The imaging quality of whole-body bone imaging and local tomographic fusion imaging of bone metastases of domestic Insight SPECT/CT were comparable to those of Siemens Symbia T16 SPECT/CT.


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