1.Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Monomers and Compounds on Regulating JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment: A Review
Xiaonan YAN ; Jigao LI ; Ruixiang YANG ; Ruilin LIU ; Quan ZHOU ; Zhen LI ; Yan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):289-298
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic systemic autoimmune disease with synovitis as the main manifestation, which often causes joint swelling and pain or even deformity. It is considered to be an incurable lifelong disease. Although the current Western medicine treatment can alleviate the progression of the disease, it has the clinical limitations of liver injury, cardiovascular complications, and other adverse reactions, along with easy recurrence. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history and has the advantages of individualized treatment and fewer adverse reactions. It can effectively relieve the symptoms of joint swelling and pain in RA patients and slow down the progression of bone destruction, which has attracted wide concern in the medical community. Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway is an important intracellular pathway involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, immune regulation, and other biological behaviors, and plays an important role in the pathophysiological process of RA. In recent years, many studies have confirmed that TCM monomers and compounds can inhibit inflammation and angiogenesis by regulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), regulate immune response, and thus exert an effect in the treatment of RA. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive and systematic induction and overview. Therefore, by searching the relevant literature in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and PubMed databases from 2009 to 2024, this study described the mechanism of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in the occurrence and development of RA and summarized the research progress of TCM monomers and compounds in regulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in RA intervention. The study aims to provide new ideas and strategies for the clinical treatment of RA with TCM and the research and development of new drugs.
2.Cell Autophagy of Digestive System Tumors Induced by Active Ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Wenjun LI ; Chengzhi WANG ; Zhenyao YANG ; Mingyang HE ; Gelei ZHAO ; Dongdong LI ; Peimin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):314-320
As one of the most common malignant tumors, digestive system tumors exhibit an increase in the incidence and mortality year by year. Its pathogenesis is complex, making it difficult to carry out early prevention. Autophagy is a process in which cells use lysosomes to degrade their organelles and macromolecules to maintain cellular homeostasis under the regulation of autophagy-related genes. Cellular autophagy has a dual regulatory effect on the tumor microenvironment, which always affects the occurrence and development of digestive system tumors. Therefore, the effect and mechanism of action of cellular autophagy on digestive system tumors have become a hot topic in tumor therapy in recent years. Meanwhile, the remarkable research results of targeted autophagy drugs indicate that cellular autophagy may become an important target for anti-digestive system tumors. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in the comprehensive treatment of digestive system tumors with good efficacy. A variety of active ingredients in TCM, such as flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, quinones, and alkaloids, can increase the expression of autophagy-associated proteins microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)Ⅱ/Ⅰ, autophagy-related gene (ATG)5, ATG7, inhibit the expression of autophagy-related protein p62 , and induce autophagy in digestive system tumor cells, thereby exerting the anti-digestive system tumor effect. By summarizing the research results in recent years on the modulation of cell autophagy by active ingredients in TCM to fight against digestive system tumors, this paper analyzed the relevant signaling pathways, regulatory factors, and functional characteristics of cell autophagy modulation, so as to elucidate the mechanism by which active ingredients of TCM induce autophagy and to provide ideas and references for clinical application.
3.Cell Autophagy of Digestive System Tumors Induced by Active Ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Wenjun LI ; Chengzhi WANG ; Zhenyao YANG ; Mingyang HE ; Gelei ZHAO ; Dongdong LI ; Peimin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):314-320
As one of the most common malignant tumors, digestive system tumors exhibit an increase in the incidence and mortality year by year. Its pathogenesis is complex, making it difficult to carry out early prevention. Autophagy is a process in which cells use lysosomes to degrade their organelles and macromolecules to maintain cellular homeostasis under the regulation of autophagy-related genes. Cellular autophagy has a dual regulatory effect on the tumor microenvironment, which always affects the occurrence and development of digestive system tumors. Therefore, the effect and mechanism of action of cellular autophagy on digestive system tumors have become a hot topic in tumor therapy in recent years. Meanwhile, the remarkable research results of targeted autophagy drugs indicate that cellular autophagy may become an important target for anti-digestive system tumors. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in the comprehensive treatment of digestive system tumors with good efficacy. A variety of active ingredients in TCM, such as flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, quinones, and alkaloids, can increase the expression of autophagy-associated proteins microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)Ⅱ/Ⅰ, autophagy-related gene (ATG)5, ATG7, inhibit the expression of autophagy-related protein p62 , and induce autophagy in digestive system tumor cells, thereby exerting the anti-digestive system tumor effect. By summarizing the research results in recent years on the modulation of cell autophagy by active ingredients in TCM to fight against digestive system tumors, this paper analyzed the relevant signaling pathways, regulatory factors, and functional characteristics of cell autophagy modulation, so as to elucidate the mechanism by which active ingredients of TCM induce autophagy and to provide ideas and references for clinical application.
4.Effects and mechanism of curcumin on neurological injury in neonatal rats with bacterial meningitis
Yueyun LI ; Yanrui WANG ; Yan FU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):17-23
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of curcumin on neurological injury in neonatal rats with bacterial meningitis based on the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1( STAT1)/ nucleotide-binding domain leucine- rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway. METHODS Neonatal rats, with an equal number of males and females, were randomly divided into control group, model group, curcumin low-dose (Cur-L), medium-dose (Cur- M) and high-dose (Cur-H) groups, and Cur-H+STAT1 transcription enhancer [2-(1,8-naphthyridin-2-yl)phenol] group (Cur-H+2- NP group), with 15 rats in each group. Except for the control group, rats in other groups were injected with a suspension of group B Streptococcus (1×104 cfu/mL, 10 μL) into the cerebellomedullary cistern to establish a bacterial meningitis model. After successful model establishment, rats in Cur-L, Cur-M and Cur-H groups were intraperitoneally injected with 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg curcumin, respectively, and those in the Cur-H+2-NP group were intraperitoneally injected with 5 mg/kg curcumin and 0.5 mg/kg 2- NP, once a day, for 3 consecutive weeks. After the last administration, modified Loeffler score was conducted, white blood cells (WBC) count in cerebrospinal fluid as well as the contents of inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β and IL-18], brain water content and blood-brain barrier permeability were detected; the histopathological changes of hippocampus and cortex tissues were observed. The percentage of apoptosis in hippocampal/cortical tissue cells, the positive expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1), the co-localization of Iba-1 and NLRP3, as well as the expressions of proteins related to the STAT1/NLRP3 signaling pathway (phosphorylated STAT1, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, gasdermin D, caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18) were examined. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the neurons in the hippocampal/cortical tissues of rats in the model group exhibited significant morphological abnormalities, accompanied by neuronal edema and necrosis, as well as infiltration of inflammatory cells. The modified Loeffler score and the number of Nissl bodies were significantly decreased/reduced in the model group, while the WBC count, levels of inflammatory factors, brain water content, blood-brain barrier permeability, HE staining score, number of degenerated neurons, percentage of apoptotic cells, positive expression of Iba-1, percentage of Iba-1 and NLRP3 co-localization- positive cells, and expressions of pathway-related proteins were all significantly rose/increased/upregulated (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the histopathological changes in the hippocampal/cortical tissues of rats in all curcumin dosage groups were alleviated to varying degrees, with significant improvements in all quantitative indicators (P<0.05); conversely, 2-NP significantly reversed the ameliorative effects of curcumin on these quantitative indicators (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Curcumin can alleviate cerebral edema and blood-brain barrier damage, reduce neuroinflammation, inhibit cell apoptosis and pyroptosis, and thereby alleviate neuronal injury in neonatal rats with bacterial meningitis. The underlying mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the STAT1/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
5.Research progress on the anti-nasopharyngeal carcinoma effect of traditional Chinese medicine based on MAPK signaling pathway
Yuanyuan LI ; Yang CAO ; Yuyin JIANG ; Xinyue ZHANG ; Jingbo LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):117-123
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor originating from the mucosal epithelium of the nasopharynx. In recent years, its incidence and mortality rates have shown a continuous upward trend, and there is still a lack of therapeutic regimens with both favorable efficacy and safety in clinical practice. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway plays a key regulatory role in biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and invasion. It is widely involved in the occurrence and progression of NPC, and serves as an important target in the research field of anti-NPC therapy. This article systematically elaborates on the mechanism of action of the MAPK signaling pathway in NPC, and reviews the research status regarding the anti-NPC effect of active components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and TCM compound prescriptions by regulating this signaling pathway. The results show that TCM active components, including flavonoids (luteolin, maackiain, baicalein, etc.), alkaloids (picrasidine Ⅰ, tetrandrine, etc.), terpenoids (bakuchiol, cantharidic acid), as well as traditional Chinese medicine compound formulas (such as Biyan jiedu capsules and Yiqi jiedu formula) can exert effects including inducing autophagy and apoptosis of NPC cells, promoting pyroptosis, reversing drug resistance, blocking epithelial-mesenchymal transition, weakening cell stemness and arresting cell cycle progression by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the occurrence and development of NPC through multiple pathways.
6.Nutritional supply status of school meals for primary and secondary students in three cities of Henan Province
LI Shan, YANG Li, HE Qidong, CAO Linlin, CHEN Xiaolong, LIU Bingrui, FENG Yinhua, FU Pengyu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):50-52
Objective:
To assess the nutritional supply status of school meals for primary and secondary school students in Henan Province, so as to provide a basis for scientific guidance of school meals.
Methods:
During 2021-2023, 115 lunch and dinner samples were collected from 25 primary and secondary schools in Zhoukou, Anyang and Luoyang of Henan Province by a direct selection method, and 13 nutrients were determined for each sample. The nutrient supply was evaluated based on Nutrition Guidelines of School Meals and Reference Intake of Dietary Nutrients for Chinese Residents (2023 Edition). Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences of nutritional supply between urban and rural schools.
Results:
The median values for energy (709.77 kcal,1 kcal=4.18 kJ), fat energy supply ratio (0.27) and carbohydrate energy supply ratio (0.55) in the 66 lunches and dinners from primary school were within the recommended range. The supply of protein (28.39 g) and sodium (1 464.59 mg) was excessive. The median values of zinc (2.62 mg) and dietary fiber (5.19 g) were lower than the reference values. No statistically significant differences were observed in the supply of 13 nutrients between urban and rural primary schools( U = 427.00 -633.00, P > 0.05 ). Among 49 samples from secondary schools, the median value of energy supply (930.02 kcal), carbohydrate energy ratio ( 0.54 ) and fat energy supply ratio(0.25) were within the recommended range; and the median values of protein (38.82 g) and sodium (2 556.80 mg) were higher than the standard; and the median values of calcium (250.32 mg) and vitamin B1 (0.16 mg) were lower than the standard. Additionally, the differences in the level of vitamin B2 ( U =372.00) and zinc ( U =375.00) between the urban and rural secondary schools were statistically significant ( P <0.05).
Conclusion
Nutrient supply of primary and secondary school meals in three cities of Henan Province is inadequate and imbalanced, and the recipe need to be further optimized and improved.
7.Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of rituximab in the treatment of primary Sjögren syndrome
Jigao LI ; Ruilin LIU ; Zihua WANG ; Hejun WANG ; Peipei SU ; Quan ZHOU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(5):619-623
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS). METHODS Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of RTX (trial group) versus placebo (control group) in the treatment of pSS were searched from the Cochran Library, PubMed, Embase, Medline, Web of Science, VIP, CNKI, Wanfang, and other databases during the inception to February 2024. After literature screening and quality evaluation, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS Seven RCTs were finally included, involving a total of 518 patients. Results of meta-analysis showed that European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI) score [MD=-1.17, 95%CI(-1.52, -0.82), P<0.000 01] and oral dryness visual analogue scale (VAS) score [MD=-3.97, 95%CI (-5.08, -2.86), P<0.000 01] in the trial group were significantly lower than the control group; unstimulated salivary flow rate [SMD=0.64, 95%CI(0.41, 0.87), P<0.000 01] and Schirmer score [MD=0.19, 95%CI(0.18, 0.20), P<0.000 01] were significantly higher than the control group. There was no statistical significance in response rate [RD=0.10, 95%CI(-0.04, 0.23), P=0.16], fatigue VAS score [MD=-12.50, 95%CI(-35.14, 10.15), P=0.28], European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren syndrome patient reported index (ESSPRI) score [MD=0.33, 95%CI(-0.53, 1.18), P=0.46], Short-form 36 health survey physical component summary (SF36-PCS) score [MD=0.90, 95%CI(-2.97, 4.78), P=0.65], SF-36 mental component summary (SF36-MCS) score [MD=0.11, 95%CI(-0.41, 0.63), P=0.68], total salivary gland ultrasound score [SMD=-1.91, 95%CI(-4.01, 0.19), P=0.07] or the incidence of adverse drug reactions [OR=1.15,95%CI(0.62,2.13),P=0.66] between 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS RTX has advantages in the improvement of ESSDAI score, unstimulated salivary flow rate, Schirmer score and oral dryness VAS score in pSS patients, and has a good safety profile. However, it did not exhibit significant improvement in fatigue VAS score, ESSPRI score, SF36-PCS score, SF36-MCS score or response rates.
8.Effect of Tongmai Kaiqiao Pills on Mitochondrial Biogenesis of Hippocampal Neurons in Rats with Vascular Cognitive Impairment Based on AMPK/PGC-1α Signaling Pathway
Luyao MA ; Yanjie LI ; Haoyuan LIU ; Yanjie BAI ; Ruoxing XING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):125-134
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Tongmai Kaiqiao pills on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) signaling pathway and mitochondrial biogenesis in hippocampal tissue of rats with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) and to investigate the potential mechanism of Tongmai Kaiqiao pills in improving cognitive impairment in rats with VCI. MethodsTwelve of 72 male SD rats were selected as the sham operation group, and the remaining rats were modelled using the modified 2VO method. The rats that were successfully modelled were divided into the model group, the high-dose group of Tongmai Kaiqiao pills (27.6 g·kg-1), the low-dose group of Tongmai Kaiqiao pills (13.8 g·kg-1), the combination group (27.6 g·kg-1 Tongmai Kaiqiao pills + 25 mg·kg-1 dorsomorphin), and the donepezil hydrochloride group (0.45 g·kg-1) according to the random number table method. After four weeks of continuous intraperitoneal injection of the corresponding drugs, the Morris water maze test was used to test the learning and memory ability of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to detect pathological changes in the hippocampus of the rats. The content of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the brain hippocampus was detected by colorimetry, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected in rat mitochondria by MitoSOX Red assay. Mitochondrial DNA copy number was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (Real-time PCR). Pathological changes in mitochondria were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and AMPK, PGC-1α, phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (Nrf1), and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) protein expression in the hippocampus of the rats were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with those in the sham operation group, rats in the model group had a reduced number of platform crossings (P<0.01), significantly prolonged evasion latency (P<0.01), disorganized neuronal arrangement in the hippocampal region, widened gaps, and blurred nucleus membrane and nucleolus boundaries. The emergence of necrotic cells was visible. The color of the nissl bodies was light, and the number was reduced with severe loss. Mitochondria were atrophied, and cristae were lost. Severe damage was observed. The content of ROS was increased, and the level of ATP was decreased. mtDNA copy number decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the protein expression of p-AMPK, PGC-1α, Nrf1, and TFAM decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, rats in the high-dose group of Tongmai Kaiqiao pills and donepezil hydrochloride group showed a shorter time to find the platform (P<0.01), increased number of platform crossings (P<0.01), restored mitochondrial morphology and structure of the hippocampal neurons, alleviated neuronal death, increased number of nissl bodies, weaken degree of injury, lower content of ROS, and significantly increased levels of ATP and number of copies of mtDNA (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, there was increased protein expression of p-AMPK, PGC-1α, Nrf1, and TFAM (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the evasion latency was shortened in the low-dose group of Tongmai Kaiqiao pills (P<0.01), and the number of platform crossings was increased, but the difference was not statistically significant. The mitochondria were swollen and deformed, and the cristae became shorter and partially disappeared. The degree of damage did not improve significantly, and the number of nissl bodies was increased but not statistically significant. The ROS content decreased (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in ATP level and mtDNA copy number. The protein expression of PGC-1α was increased (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the protein expression of p-AMPK, Nrf1, and TFAM, and the results were not statistically significant. Compared with the donepezil hydrochloride group, there was no significant change in the results of each assay in the high-dose group of Tongmai Kaiqiao pills, and the difference was not statistically significant. Compared with the high-dose group of Tongmai Kaiqiao pills, rats in the combination group had a significantly lower number of platform crossings (P<0.01), a significantly longer evasion latency (P<0.01), a reduced number of neuronal cells, disorganized tissue structure, swollen and blurred cell outlines, a significant reduction in the number of nissl bodies. Moreover, there was an increase in the content of ROS, a decrease in the level of ATP and the number of mtDNA copies (P<0.01), and a decrease in the expression of p-AMPK, PGC-1α, Nrf1, and TFAM (P<0.05). ConclusionTongmai Kaiqiao pills is able to improve cognitive function in rats by activating the AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway, promoting mitochondrial biogenesis, and attenuating pathological damage to neurons in the hippocampal region, thereby demonstrating its therapeutic potential.
9.Characteristic Analysis of Effective Components and Compounds of TCM for Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer Based on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway Targeting
Haoyang WANG ; Lin GUO ; Hui ZHAO ; Lihua CAO ; Na LI ; Mingsan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):282-290
Breast cancer is a kind of malignant tumor with a complex mechanism, and its morbidity and mortality are increasing year by year, which seriously threatens women's health. At present, the main clinical treatments are surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and drug therapy, but they are often accompanied by side effects and adverse reactions, which affect the therapeutic effect. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the advantages of multi-component and multi-target treatment in the fight against breast cancer. The wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is one of the classic pathways in cancer research. Abnormally activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibits β-catenin degradation by blocking the formation of Axin/glycogen synthase kinase 3β/adenomatous polyposis coli complex, thus promoting β-catenin nuclear metastasis, and it binds to T cell transcription factor/lymphoenhancer factor-1 to initiate downstream target genes and further interfere with the proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumor cells to affect the tumor process. Previous studies have shown that TCM monomers and compounds can mediate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit the malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells, thus playing an anti-breast cancer role, and the biochemical process involved in the regulation of therapeutic drugs has not been systematically combed. By analyzing and collating Chinese and foreign literature at the present stage, this paper discussed the association mechanism between Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and breast cancer and analyzed the internal mechanism of TCM monomers and compounds in mediating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to exert anti-breast cancer effect. The statistical results showed that the flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids in TCM monomers could target the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and block the further development of malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells. TCM compounds with functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and tonifying kidney and liver were commonly used to intervene in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to prevent breast cancer. Compared with the current inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the application of TCM monomers and compounds is expected to bring low-toxicity and high-efficiency breast cancer treatment drugs to the clinical practice, and the existing results provide a reference for the subsequent screening, research, and development of TCM small-molecule compounds and TCM compounds against breast cancer.
10.Antidepressant Mechanisms of Polygalae Radix: A Review
Liming LIU ; Shuaijun PENG ; Pan SU ; Yucheng LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):300-309
Depression is a high-incidence mental disorder with complex causes and multifaceted pathogenic mechanisms. Its pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated, which has hindered the development of novel and highly effective antidepressant drugs. This condition severely affects human physical and mental health while imposing a significant socio-economic burden. At present, several hypotheses exist regarding the pathogenesis of depression, including monoamine neurotransmitter imbalances, neurotrophic factor deficiencies, neural plasticity impairments, glutamate dysregulation, neuroinflammatory disorders, gut microbiota imbalances, and mitochondrial autophagy dysfunction. Currently, most clinical antidepressants are monoamine neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitors. Although they exhibit certain therapeutic effects, they are associated with significant drawbacks, such as severe adverse reactions and poor patient compliance. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by its multi-targeted effects, mild efficacy, and minimal side effects, has demonstrated significant advantages in the treatment of depression. Chinese medicine Polygalae Radix possesses the functions of calming the mind, enhancing cognitive functions, harmonizing the heart and kidneys, and dispelling phlegm to open orifices. It is often included in compound prescriptions for the clinical treatment of depression. Based on current hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of depression, this paper systematically reviews research progress on the antidepressant mechanisms of Polygalae Radix from multiple perspectives, including its active components, its use in herbal pairings, and its inclusion in TCM compound prescriptions. This review aims to provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of Polygalae Radix in antidepressant therapy and to serve as a reference for the modernization of its antidepressant research.


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