1.Fitting Degrees of Animal Models of Chronic Glomerulonephritis with Clinical Characteristics in Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Siqing WU ; Lin GUO ; Beibei ZHANG ; Mingsan MIAO ; Jinxin MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):259-264
Chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) is a common clinical chronic glomerular disease caused by autoimmune reaction, the pathogenesis of which is complex and has not been fully elucidated. There is no specific treatment method in modern medicine. The establishment of an animal model of CGN in accordance with its characteristics in western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine will help to reveal the pathogenesis of CGN, rate drugs, and improve the treatment plan. Based on the clinical diagnostic criteria of CGN, the paper establishes the syndrome differentiation criteria of CGN for Chinese and western medicine. Through summarizing the literature on animal models of CGN and making a further analysis, it is found that the CGN models are mainly modeled using rats with the methods of single-factor induction or two-factor induction, and the main manifestation of the disease characteristics is nephritis-related symptoms. The single-factor-induced or two-factor-induced CGN rat models have a high fitting degree with the clinical characteristics in western medicine, but the fitting degree is insufficient with the clinical characteristics in traditional Chinese medicine. In addition, the CGN models with syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine are dominated by Qi deficiency in the spleen and kidney and Qi deficiency in the lung and kidney, while models for Yang deficiency in the spleen and kidney, Yin deficiency in the liver and kidney, and deficiency of both Qi and Yin are slightly insufficient. Therefore, it is important to prepare a new and improved animal model of CGN, so that a preclinical model can be provided for the exploration of the pathogenesis of CGN in western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine and its therapeutic research.
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine Treats Diabetic Nephropathy via Pathways Related to Pyroptosis: A Review
Jintao SHI ; Zhiyi ZHANG ; Yunfei WEI ; Jiarui HAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):290-300
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), one of the leading causes of end-stage renal disease, shows increasing prevalence and mortality, seriously affecting the physical and mental health of patients. As a crucial link in the occurrence and development of DKD, pyroptosis can lead to kidney cell injury and inflammation through the abnormal activation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)/thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/NLRP3, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/NLRP3, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/NLRP3 signaling pathways, which accelerate the progression of DKD. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated definite efficacy in the treatment of DKD via multiple targets and pathways. Studies have shown that various TCM active components, including glycosides, flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids, as well as TCM compound prescriptions for clearing heat and detoxifying, tonifying deficiency and consolidating root, and eliminating stasis and descending turbidity, can target relevant signaling pathways to inhibit pyroptosis and intervene in the development of DKD, providing new possibilities for precision treatment of DKD. This article systematically reviews the relevant pathways of pyroptosis and summarizes the research achievements and mechanisms of TCM active components and compound prescriptions in the treatment of DKD via pyroptosis in recent years. This review aims to provide new directions and ideas for the treatment and research of DKD with TCM and promote the modernization and development of TCM.
3.Signaling Pathways Related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Regulation by Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Manman YAO ; Liya MA ; Dawei ZHANG ; Xuelin ZHANG ; Xuan ZHOU ; Yu TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):301-312
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent gynecological diseases, and its incidence is increasing year by year, seriously affecting the physical and mental health of female patients. The pathogenesis of this disease is complex and has not been fully clarified. At present, PCOS is mainly treated by Western medicine, which, however, has poor efficacy and induces various adverse reactions. Therefore, developing safe and effective therapies has become a difficult problem that needs to be solved. Studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can regulate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt), mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK), Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB (TLR4/NF-κB), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smads, secreted glycoprotein/β-catenin (Wnt/β-catenin), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and advanced glycation endproduct/receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (AGE/RAGE) signaling pathways to ameliorate insulin resistance, inhibit inflammation and oxidative stress, regulate endocrine hormone disorders, and intervene in apoptosis and autophagy, thus alleviating the symptoms, slowing down the disease progression, and improving the ovarian function. The treatment of PCOS with TCM has demonstrated definite effects and high safety. Therefore, exploring this disease from cellular and molecular perspectives can provide a theoretical basis for its clinical treatment and new drug development. However, there is a lack of systematic reviews on the modulation of relevant signaling pathways by TCM in the treatment of PCOS. This article reviews the research progress in the treatment of PCOS with the active ingredients and compound prescriptions of TCM by regulating relevant signaling pathways in recent years, with the aim of providing evidence to support the promotion of TCM for treating PCOS in the future.
4.ZHANG Lei's Experience in the Treatment of Sjögren Syndrome from the Perspective of "Same Form and Disease of Dryness and Dampness"
Yanan LI ; Erping XU ; Rui ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(1):12-16
This paper summarized professor ZHANG Lei's experience in the treatment of sjögren syndrome (SS) from the perspective of "same form and disease of dryness and dampness". It is believed that both dryness and dampness are involved as the pathological factors of SS. The important pathogenesis is that dryness and dampness are of the same form and coexist in the disease, that is, dryness and dampness can transform into each other with the same form or be concurrent in the disease. The same form of dryness and dampness includes the dryness syndrome caused by dampness and the dampness syndrome caused by dryness, which can be treated with modified Wuling Powder (五苓散) and modified Ejiao Jizihuang Decoction (阿胶鸡子黄汤), respectively. The disease of both dryness and dampness includes lung dryness with spleen dampness, stomach dryness with spleen dampness, liver dryness with spleen dampness, and kidney dryness with spleen dampness syndrome, which can be treated with modified Ganlu Beverage and Weijing Decoction(甘露饮合苇茎汤), self-made Jianpi Yangyin Formula (健脾养阴方) with modifications, self-made Guqing Decoction and Jupi Zhishu Pill (谷青汤合橘皮枳术丸) with modifications, and Shenqi Pill and Linggui Zhugan Decoction (肾气丸合苓桂术甘汤) with modifications, respectively.
5.Improvement mechanism of Pangshi antai zhixue decoction on spontaneous abortion with heat syndrome by regulating NLRP3 inflammasome
Liya MA ; Xingfei WU ; Liujun WU ; Yanduo SHEN ; Bingheng XIE ; Jiale ZHANG ; Jinhao HAO ; Meng YU ; Yumiko NAKAYAMA ; Minghao ZHANG ; Dawei ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(1):37-43
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of Pangshi antai zhixue decoction in the improvement of spontaneous abortion with heat syndrome by regulating the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. METHODS The binding activities of 13 main components in Pangshi antai zhixue decoction with NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein , containing a CARD (ASC), and caspase-1 precursor (pro- No.20-21ZY1053) caspase-1) were predicted by molecular docking. Sixty 1-day-old pregnant rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, dexamethasone group (0.002 g/kg), and Pangshi antai zhixue decoction low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (11.025, 22.05, 44.10 g/kg), with 10 rats in each group. Each group was given distilled water/corresponding medicinal solution intragastrically, once a day, for 12 consecutive days. Except for normal group, other groups were given traditional Chinese medicine for warming yang and mifepristone to establish a model of spontaneous abortion with heat syndrome. 24 h after the last medication, serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were all detected; the abortion rate and uterine coefficient were calculated; the pathological morphology of the pregnant uterus was observed; protein expressions of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 were detected. RESULTS The molecular docking results showed that the binding energies of 13 main components of Pangshi antai zhixue decoction with NLRP3, ASC, and pro-caspase-1 were all less than -5 kJ/moL. The animal experiment results showed that compared with normal group, the uterine coefficient and serum levels of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 were decreased significantly in model group (P<0.05); the abortion rate and serum levels of T3, T4, IL-2 and IFN-γ as well as protein expressions of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 were increased significantly (P<0.05); there were abortion lesions in the pregnant endometrium. Compared with the model group, most of the quantitative indicators mentioned above were significantly reversed in Pangshi antai zhixue decoction groups (P<0.05), and the endometrial miscarriage lesions in pregnancy were improved to varying degrees. CONCLUSIONS Pangshi antai zhixue decoction influences the immune balance between mother and fetus by regulating the formation of NLRP3 inflammasome, down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ and IL-2, and up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10, thereby improving spontaneous abortion with heat syndrome.
6.Effects of leonurine on myocardial injury in rats with coronary heart disease by regulating the GAS6/Axl signaling pathway
Wangtao MENG ; Dongling CUI ; Dongjing WU ; Chao CHEN ; Yingying ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(1):51-56
OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of leonurine on growth arrest-specific protein-6 (GAS6)/Axl signaling pathway, and clarify its mechanism of alleviating myocardial injury in rats with coronary heart disease. METHODS The rat model of coronary heart disease was constructed; successfully modeled rats were randomly separated into model group, leonurine low- dose and high-dose groups (intragastric administration of leonurine 25, 100 mg/kg+intraperitoneal injection of normal saline 75 mg/kg), and leonurine high-dose+GAS6/Axl signaling pathway inhibitor group (intragastric administration of leonurine 100 mg/kg+ intraperitoneal injection of R428 75 mg/kg), with 12 rats in each group. Additional 12 normal rats were selected as control group. Each administration group was given relevant medicine; control group and model group were given a constant volume of normal saline intragastrically and intraperitoneally, once a day, for 48 consecutive days. After administration, the heart function of rats, and serum levels of inflammatory factors and myocardial injury markers were detected; the pathological morphology of myocardial tissue was observed; the myocardial cell apoptosis rate, the expressions of apoptosis and GAS6/Axl signaling pathway-related proteins were determined. RESULTS Compared with control group, model group showed disorders in the arrangement of myocardial cells and myocardial fibers, hypertrophy of myocardial cells, and nuclear condensation; left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular fractional shortening, ratio of early-diastolic and late-diastolic motion velocity of the mitral ring, the protein expression of GAS6, B-cell lymphoma 2/B-cell lymphoma 2 associated X protein and phosphorylated Axl/Axl ratios were decreased significantly (P<0.05). The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, creatine kinase isoenzyme, troponin Ⅰ and myoglobin, the cell apoptosis rate, and cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 ratio were increased significantly (P<0.05). Leonurine could obviously improve the above pathological conditions and detection indicators (P<0.05), and the effect of leonurine high-dose group was more significant than that of leonurine low-dose group (P<0.05); R428 treatment could reverse the ameliorating effect of high-dose of leonurine on myocardial injury in rats with coronary heart disease (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Leonurine can alleviate myocardial injury in rats with coronary heart disease, and its mechanism of action is related to the activation of the GAS6/Axl signaling pathway.
7.Effects and mechanism of persimmon leaf extract on IEC-6 cell ferroptosis induced by H2O2
Xuexia ZHANG ; Min ZHOU ; Hongyan ZHOU ; Lifei WANG ; Huani LI ; Changhe LIU ; Hongde XU ; Mingli ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(1):64-70
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of persimmon leaf (PL) extract against ferroptosis induced by H2O2 in IEC-6 cells. METHODS Using IEC-6 cells as object, the effects of ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 on IEC-6 cell viability induced by H2O2 were investigated; IEC-6 cells were divided into control group, H2O2 group, H2O2+PL 25 μg/mL group and H2O2+PL 50 μg/mL group. The levels of oxidant stress indexes [content of malondialdehyde (MDA), activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS)], mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) as well as mRNA and protein expressions of nuclear factor-erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NADPH/quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1), cystine/glutamate anti-porter (xCT), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and ferritin heavy chain (FTH) were detected. RESULTS Ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 could significantly increase the survival rate of H2O2-induced cells (P< 0.01). Compared with the control group, MDA content, ROS level, mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and NQO-1 as well as protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were increased or up-regulated significantly, while SOD activity, MMP, mRNA expressions of xCT, GPX4 and FTH as well as protein expressions of GPX4 and FTH were decreased or down-regulated significantly (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared with the H2O2 group, oxidative stress Δ indexes of H2O2+PL 25, 50 μg/mL groups were reversed to different extents, MMP level was increased significantly, as well as mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO-1,xCT, GPX4 and FTH were up-regulated to different extents;there were statistical significances in some indexes between groups (P<0.01 or P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS PL extract can alleviate mitochondrial membrane damage and abnormal accumulation of ROS caused by H2O2, which may be related to the inhibition of ferroptosis by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
8.Quality analysis of Pinghuo tea standard decoction
Xinmei ZHAO ; Hongyang SANG ; Chunjing YANG ; Jingwei LEI ; Haiyan GONG ; Caixia XIE ; Chunya ZHANG ; Haohan DUAN ; Hao YU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(1):71-78
OBJECTIVE To establish the fingerprint of Pinghuo tea standard decoction and a method for determination of multi-component to clarify the transfer relationship of quantities and quality from pieces and standard decoction. METHODS Fifteen batches of Pinghuo tea standard decoction were prepared and the extract rate was determined; the fingerprint of the preparation was established by using high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC); the similarity evaluation and the determination of common peaks were performed, and chemometric analysis was performed; the same method was used to determine the content of indicator components and the transfer rate was calculated. The chromatographic column was Venusil C18 column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid solution (gradient elution); the column temperature was 30 ℃, and the detection wavelengths were 238 nm (0-37 min, 85-102 min) and 330 nm (37-85 min) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with an injection volume of 10 μL. RESULTS The similarity of HPLC fingerprints for 15 batches of Pinghuo tea standard decoction was not lower than 0.968. A total of 24 common peaks were calibrated and 9 peaks were recognized, which were as follows neochlorogenic acid (peak 3), chlorogenic acid (peak 6), geniposide (peak 9), glycyrrhizin (peak 10), galuteolin (peak 11), isochlorogenic acid A (peak 14), luteolin (peak 21), kaempferol (peak 23) and glycyrrhizic acid (peak 24). Cluster analysis, principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis showed consistent results, all of which could classify the 15 batches of samples into three categories. The linear range of indicator components in 15 batches of Pinghuo tea standard decoction, such as geniposide, luteolin, isochlorogenic acid A, glycyrrhizin, and glycyrrhizic acid, were 0.020 580-0.411 600, 0.001 617-0.080 850, 0.006 076-0.607 600, 0.005 125-0.071 740, and 0.017 288-0.432 200 mg/mL, respectively; RSDs of precision, repeatability, stability and recovery rate tests were all not higher than 4% (n=6). The mass fractions ranged 3.227 9-10.002 2, 0.297 4-0.554 6, 3.350 1-6.159 6, 0.720 6-1.073 3, 2.003 1-3.030 1 mg/g; transfer rates from the pieces and standard decoction were 19.762 8%-35.840 5%, 12.123 3%-21.254 0%, 46.097 2%-82.869 4%, 58.708 8%-91.629 6%, 39.114 3%-63.710 6%. The transfer rates of the extract from 15 batches of Pinghuo tea standard decoction ranged from 61.15%-84.68%. CONCLUSIONS Established HPLC fingerprint and content determination methods in this study are simple and accurate, which can provide reference for the quantitative value transfer study, quality control, clinical application and the development of subsequent formulations of Pinghuo tea standard decoction.
9.Exploring the Relationship Between Liver and Executive Function Decline Based on "the Liver Governs the Designing of Strategy"
Lei HUO ; Yanan DENG ; Jinchai DENG ; Yan ZHANG ; Xueyuan DU ; Xianghong ZHAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(2):201-204
The concept of "spirit" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) aligns closely with "the liver governs the designing of strategy". By exploring the relationship between the liver and executive function decline, it is proposed that prolonged liver constraint leads to indecisiveness in strategy designing, which is the initiating factor for executive function decline; liver blood deficiency causes difficulties in executing strategy, which forms an essential foundation for the progression of executive function decline; obstruction in the "liver-du mai-brain" pathway leads to unclear strategy designing, which accelerates executive function decline. This relationship is examined from the perspectives of TCM, modern medicine, and cognitive psychology, aiming to provide insights into addressing executive function decline through treatments focused on the liver.
10.Textual Research of Key Information of Classic Formula Xieqingwan Based on Ancient and Modern Literature
Yujie CHANG ; Lyuyuan LIANG ; Jialei CAO ; Xinghang LYU ; Wenxi WEI ; Xiaofang WANG ; Huizhen ZHANG ; Sai REN ; Mengqi WANG ; Bingqi WEI ; Bingxiang MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):226-234
ObjectiveThis paper aims to systematically collect and organize ancient and modern clauses and studies containing Xieqingwan, excavate and analyze the key information of Xieqingwan, and provide a reference for facilitating the development of the classic formula Xieqingwan. MethodsThe composition, dosage, decocting methods, usage, and other key information of Xieqingwan in ancient traditional Chinese medicine books were collected and analyzed by means of literature research and metrological methods. The modern clinical application of Xieqingwan was summarized. ResultsA total of 42 pieces of effective data involving 32 ancient traditional Chinese medicine books were collected. Xieqingwan was first recorded in Xiaoer Yaozheng Zhijue. The drug origin of this formula is basically clear in the ancient traditional Chinese medicine books. The modern drug usage and decocting method were as follows: Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Gardenia seeds, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, and Saposhnikoviae Radix were grounded to fine powder, decocted with honey, and finally formed into pills with the size of a chicken head (1.5 g). It was suggested that half a pill or one pill were taken for one dose with warm Lophatheri decoction and sugar. The indications and clinical application had developed from the recordings in Xiaoer Yaozheng Zhijue and evolved from pediatrics to ophthalmic otolaryngology, neurology, dermatology, digestion, and respiratory diseases. The main pathogenesis of these diseases is heat in the liver meridian and is treated. The effect of Xieqingwan is "clearing away heat and toxicity, removing fire and relaxing the bowels, and dispersing swelling and relieving pain". It is recommended to use the corresponding preparation methods in the 2020 Edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. Modern clinical studies are centered around the clinical application of Xieqingwan, which is often modified and used in treating Tourette syndrome, herpes, febrile convulsion, sleepwalking, and insomnia. ConclusionThis paper conducts a thorough textual research of the key information of Xieqingwan, induces its historic evolution, and confirms its key information, so as to provide a reference for the future development of Xieqingwan.

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