1.Effect and Mechanisms of Ermiao Formula Analogs and Their Active Components in Treating Dampness-heat Type Gouty Arthritis: A Review
Xueping ZHAO ; Xinya ZHANG ; Le YANG ; Ye SUN ; Xin SUN ; Hui SUN ; Qimeng ZHANG ; Guangli YAN ; Xijun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):276-285
Gouty arthritis (GA) is caused by monosodium urate(MSU) deposition due to purine metabolism disorders. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it falls under the category of "dampness-heat Bi syndrome", with core pathogenesis involving dampness-heat accumulation and dysfunction of the spleen and kidney. The dampness-heat syndrome is the most common and the primary syndrome type during acute attacks. In Western medicine, GA is associated with purine metabolism imbalance and inflammation triggered by MSU crystals, involving pathways such as NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and Toll-like receptor 2/4 (TLR2/4) signaling. Clinically, colchicine and similar drugs are commonly used to treat GA, although long-term use carries potential side effects. Ermiao Formula analogs originate from ancient prescriptions, including Ermiao, Sanmiao, and Simiao compound formulas. All contain Atractylodis Rhizoma and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex. Ermiaowan follow a 1∶1 formulation ratio. Sanmiaowan add Cyathulae Radix. Simiaowan further incorporate Coicis Semen. These formulas are rich in active ingredients, including alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and sterols, and treat GA through multi-component, multi-pathway, and multi-target mechanisms. Ermiaosan primarily exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting pathways such as TLR4/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) or regulating immune responses to reduce the release of inflammatory mediators, while also suppressing xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity to decrease uric acid production. Sanmiaowan enhance uric acid-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects through the guiding herb Cyathulae Radix, while also protecting cartilage from damage. Simiaowan utilizes Coicis Semen to regulate intestinal flora, alleviate dampness-heat symptoms, and exert multi-pathway anti-inflammatory and uric acid-lowering effects. The active ingredients contribute differently to uric acid metabolism regulation, anti-inflammation, antioxidant activity, and bone repair, resulting in varying therapeutic effects due to differences in formula composition. In summary, formulas derived from Ermiaosan demonstrate significant efficacy in treating dampness-heat type GA. This review summarizes their research progress and mechanisms, providing a reference for clinical application, new drug development, and further studies.
2.Structure and Function of GPR126/ADGRG6
Ting-Ting WU ; Si-Qi JIA ; Shu-Zhu CAO ; De-Xin ZHU ; Guo-Chao TANG ; Zhi-Hua SUN ; Xing-Mei DENG ; Hui ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):299-309
GPR126, also known as ADGRG6, is one of the most deeply studied aGPCRs. Initially, GPR126 was thought to be a receptor associated with muscle development and was primarily expressed in the muscular and skeletal systems. With the deepening of research, it was found that GPR126 is expressed in multiple mammalian tissues and organs, and is involved in many biological processes such as embryonic development, nervous system development, and extracellular matrix interactions. Compared with other aGPCRs proteins, GPR126 has a longer N-terminal domain, which can bind to ligands one-to-one and one-to-many. Its N-terminus contains five domains, a CUB (complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, Bmp1) domain, a PTX (Pentraxin) domain, a SEA (Sperm protein, Enterokinase, and Agrin) domain, a hormone binding (HormR) domain, and a conserved GAIN domain. The GAIN domain has a self-shearing function, which is essential for the maturation, stability, transport and function of aGPCRs. Different SEA domains constitute different GPR126 isomers, which can regulate the activation and closure of downstream signaling pathways through conformational changes. GPR126 has a typical aGPCRs seven-transmembrane helical structure, which can be coupled to Gs and Gi, causing cAMP to up- or down-regulation, mediating transmembrane signaling and participating in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. GPR126 is activated in a tethered-stalk peptide agonism or orthosteric agonism, which is mainly manifested by self-proteolysis or conformational changes in the GAIN domain, which mediates the rapid activation or closure of downstream pathways by tethered agonists. In addition to the tethered short stem peptide activation mode, GPR126 also has another allosteric agonism or tunable agonism mode, which is specifically expressed as the GAIN domain does not have self-shearing function in the physiological state, NTF and CTF always maintain the binding state, and the NTF binds to the ligand to cause conformational changes of the receptor, which somehow transmits signals to the GAIN domain in a spatial structure. The GAIN domain can cause the 7TM domain to produce an activated or inhibited signal for signal transduction, For example, type IV collagen interacts with the CUB and PTX domains of GPR126 to activate GPR126 downstream signal transduction. GPR126 has homology of 51.6%-86.9% among different species, with 10 conserved regions between different species, which can be traced back to the oldest metazoans as well as unicellular animals.In terms of diseases, GPR126 dysfunction involves the pathological process of bone, myelin, embryo and other related diseases, and is also closely related to the occurrence and development of malignant tumors such as breast cancer and colon cancer. However, the biological function of GPR126 in various diseases and its potential as a therapeutic target still needs further research. This paper focuses on the structure, interspecies differences and conservatism, signal transduction and biological functions of GPR126, which provides ideas and references for future research on GPR126.
3.Optimization of extraction process for Shenxiong Huanglian Jiedu Granules based on AHP-CRITIC hybrid weighting method, grey correlation analysis, and BP-ANN.
Zi-An LI ; De-Wen LIU ; Xin-Jian LI ; Bing-Yu WU ; Qun LAN ; Meng-Jia GUO ; Jia-Hui SUN ; Nan-Yang LIU ; Hui PEI ; Hao LI ; Hong YI ; Jin-Yu WANG ; Liang-Mian CHEN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2674-2683
By employing the analytic hierarchy process(AHP), the CRITIC method(a weight determination method based on indicator correlations), and the AHP-CRITIC hybrid weighting method, the weight coefficients of evaluation indicators were determined, followed by a comprehensive score comparison. The grey correlation analysis was then performed to analyze the results calculated using the hybrid weighting method. Subsequently, a backpropagation-artificial neural network(BP-ANN) model was constructed to predict the extraction process parameters and optimize the extraction process for Shenxiong Huanglian Jiedu Granules(SHJG). In the extraction process, an L_9(3~4) orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize three factors at three levels, including extraction frequency, water addition amount, and extraction time. The evaluation indicators included geniposide, berberine, ginsenoside Rg_1 + Re, ginsenoside Rb_1, ferulic acid, and extract yield. Finally, the optimal extraction results obtained by the orthogonal experiment, grey correlation analysis, and BP-ANN method were compared, and validation experiments were conducted. The results showed that the optimal extraction process involved two rounds of aqueous extraction, each lasting one hour; the first extraction used ten times the amount of added water, while the second extraction used eight times the amount. In the validation experiments, the average content of each indicator component was higher than the average content obtained in the orthogonal experiment, with a higher comprehensive score. The optimized extraction process parameters were reliable and stable, making them suitable for subsequent preparation process research.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis*
;
Neural Networks, Computer
4.Identification of tissue distribution components and mechanism of antipyretic effect of famous classical formula Dayuanyin.
Yu-Jie HOU ; Kang-Ning XIAO ; Jian-Yun BI ; Xin-Rui LI ; Ming SU ; Li-Jie WANG ; Yu-Qing WANG ; Dan-Dan SUN ; Hui ZHANG ; Xin-Jun ZHANG ; Shan-Xin LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2810-2824
Based on the ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS) technology, combined with related literature, databases, and reference material information, this study qualitatively analyzed the components of Dayuanyin in the tissue of rats after gavage and employed molecular docking technology to predict the rationality of the mechanism behind the antipyretic effect of the in vivo components in Dayuanyin. A total of 21, 26, 20, 21, 14, and 31 prototype components and 3, 16, 3, 7, 5, and 24 metabolites were identified from the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and hypothalamus of the rats, respectively, and the binding ability of key components and targets was further verified by molecular docking. The results showed that all components had good binding ability with targets. The established UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS could effectively and quickly identify the Dayuanyin components distributed in tissue and preliminarily identify their metabolites. Many components were identified in the hypothalamus, which suggested that the components delivered to the brain should be focused on in the study on Dayuanyin in the treatment of febrile diseases. The molecular docking technology was used to predict the rationality of the mechanism behind its antipyretic effect, which lays the foundation for the clarification of the material basis and action mechanism of Dayuanyin, the development of new preparations, and the prediction of quality markers.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Rats
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Male
;
Antipyretics/metabolism*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Tissue Distribution
;
Mass Spectrometry
;
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
;
Hypothalamus/metabolism*
5.Characterization of hippocampal components of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula based on HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and network pharmacology and assessment of its therapeutic potential for nervous system diseases.
Wen-Qing HU ; Hui-Yuan GAO ; Li YANG ; Yu-Xin WANG ; Hao-Jie CHENG ; Si-Yu YANG ; Mei-Yu ZHANG ; Jian SUN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(14):4053-4062
In this study, the pharmacodynamic components and potential pharmacological functions of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula in treating nervous system diseases were investigated by hippocampal component characterization and network pharmacology. After rats were administrated with Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula by gavage, high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed to explore the components in the hippocampus of rats. Fifty-seven components were identified in the hippocampus of rats by comparing the extract of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula, herbal components in the hippocampus after administration, and blank samples. KEGG and GO analyses predicted 74 core targets including GSK3B, MAPK1, AKT, IL6. These targets were involved in PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, MAPK, JAK/STAT, Wnt, and other signaling pathways. The results indicated that Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula may ameliorate other nervous system diseases enriched in DO, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and mental and emotional disorders by mediating target pathways, inhibiting inflammation, reducing neuronal damage, and alleviating hippocampal atrophy. The relevant activities exhibited by this formula in nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and diabetic neuropathy have extremely high development value and are worthy of further in-depth research. This study provides a theoretical basis and practical guidance for expanding the application of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula in the treatment of nervous system diseases.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Animals
;
Rats
;
Hippocampus/metabolism*
;
Network Pharmacology
;
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
;
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Male
;
Nervous System Diseases/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
6.Effect of Yishen Tongluo Prescription on Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index and Sperm Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Patients with Asymptomatic Idiopathic Asthenospermia Infertility
Gaoli HAO ; Xin HE ; Lipeng FAN ; Jianshe CHEN ; Xun LI ; Hui ZHANG ; Xiang CHEN ; Shuilin LYU ; Xiaojun FU ; Zixue SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):145-151
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Yishen Tongluo prescription on sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in patients with asymptomatic idiopathic asthenospermia infertility. MethodsA total of 128 patients with asymptomatic idiopathic asthenospermia were randomly assigned to an experimental group (64 cases) and a control group (64 cases). The experimental group received Yishen Tongluo prescription, while the control group was treated with Wuzi Yanzongwan combined with L-carnitine oral solution. One treatment course lasted 12 weeks. Spouse pregnancy rate, sperm progressive motility (PR), total sperm motility (PR+NP), sperm function (sperm tail hypotonic swelling rate, sperm acrosin activity), sperm DFI, and sperm MMP were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Adverse reactions were observed and recorded during the study, and clinical efficacy and safety were systematically evaluated. ResultsA total of 121 patients completed the study, including 61 in the experimental group and 60 in the control group. The spouse pregnancy rate in the experimental group was 14.75% (9/61), higher than that in the control group at 6.67% (4/60), though the difference was not statistically significant. Clinical efficacy in the experimental group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the results before treatment, sperm PR, PR + NP, sperm tail hypotonic swelling rate, sperm acrosin activity, sperm DFI, and sperm MMP were significantly improved in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), with greater improvements in the experimental group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant change in sperm concentration in either group after treatment. During the study, no abnormal safety indicators or significant adverse reactions occurred in either group. ConclusionThe kidney-tonifying and collateral-dredging method shows good clinical efficacy in the treatment of asymptomatic idiopathic asthenospermia infertility. Yishen Tongluo prescription can improve sperm motility, increase spouse pregnancy rate, enhance sperm function, and demonstrates good safety. Its mechanism may be related to reducing sperm DFI and increasing sperm MMP.
7.HIV-1 pretreatment drug resistance and molecular transmission network characteristics in Yubei District,Chongqing
Difei LI ; Ying XU ; Mao YE ; Xin HUANG ; Xuemei MA ; Yi JIN ; Songsong SUN ; Jinping XIONG ; Hui LIU ; Guohui WU
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(3):719-724,730
Objective To analyze the characteristics of HIV-1 pretreatment drug resistance(PDR)and molecular transmission networks in Yubei District,Chongqing,providing evidence for targeted interventions.Methods Using a cross-sectional design,plasma samples were collected from HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy(ART)in Yubei District from January 2022 to December 2023.Pol gene fragments were extracted and amplified for HIV-1 genotyping and drug resistance analysis.Molecular transmission networks were constructed based on genetic distance calculations.Results Among 478 HIV-1 pol sequences,eight geno-types were identified:with CRF07_BC(60.4%,289/478),CRF08_BC(15.5%,74/478),CRF01_AE(11.7%,56/478),and CRF85_BC(5.9%,28/478).The overall PDR rate was 6.3%(30/478),with resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NRTIs)and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NNRTIs)at 1.7%(8/478)and 5.2%(25/478),respectively.No protease inhibitor(PI)resistance was de-tected.The molecular network included 177 cases(37.0%network entry rate),forming 53 clusters with 198 connections.Cluster sizes ranged from 2 to 17 nodes,and 75.3%(149/198)of connections were associated with five subdistricts/towns:Shuanglonghu Street,Huixing Street,Luoqi Town,Gulu Town,and Baoshenghu Street.Conclusion HIV-1 genotypes in Yubei District exhibit diversity and complexity,with moderate PDR prevalence.Regional clustering of transmission networks suggests the need for enhanced molecular surveil-lance and targeted interventions based on analytical findings.
8.A Novel Model of Traumatic Optic Neuropathy Under Direct Vision Through the Anterior Orbital Approach in Non-human Primates.
Zhi-Qiang XIAO ; Xiu HAN ; Xin REN ; Zeng-Qiang WANG ; Si-Qi CHEN ; Qiao-Feng ZHU ; Hai-Yang CHENG ; Yin-Tian LI ; Dan LIANG ; Xuan-Wei LIANG ; Ying XU ; Hui YANG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(5):911-916
9.Construction of Tax-PC/SDC/PVP-K30 micelles and their protective effect on alcoholic liver injury
Shi-yu ZHANG ; Jing-meng SUN ; Dong-dong LI ; Xin ZHANG ; Jia-hui ZHANG ; Wei-yu ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):488-497
Taxifolin (Tax) has been proved to be a medicinal edible substance with protective effects against alcoholic liver injury, however, its poor hydrophilicity and permeability have hindered the clinical application of Tax. In this study, we prepared taxifolin-phosphatidylcholine/sodium deoxycholate/PVP-K30 micells (Tax-MLs). Box-Behnken test was used to obtain the optimal preparation process, and Tax-MLs were characterised by transmission electron microscopy and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Physicochemical parameters such as proximate micelle concentration, equilibrium solubility and oil-water partition coefficient were determined, and the release pattern of Tax-MLs was investigated by
10.Surveillance results of respiratory syncytial virus outbreaks in kindergarten and school in Shenzhen, 2017-2023
WANG Xin, FANG Shisong, WU Weihua, LIU Hui, SUN Ying, ZOU Xuan, TANG Xiujuan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(3):435-437
Objective:
To analyze respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) outbreaks surveillance results and the epidemiological characteristics in kindergarten and school in Shenzhen during 2017-2023 , so as to provide a scientific reference for control and prevention of RSV.
Methods:
Epidemiological data and surveillance results of RSV outbreaks in kindergarten and school from 2017 to 2023 were collected for descriptive analyses.
Results:
A total of 31 RSV outbreaks were identified in kindergarten and school in 2017-2023 in Shenzhen, 346 cases were reported, the average incidence rate was 22.02%. The most annual RSV outbreaks were reported in 2020 with 14 outbreaks, followed by 8 outbreaks in 2023. A total of 64.52% of RSV outbreaks were identified in kindergarten with rest occurring in primary school or middle school. The greatest monthly count of outbreak was 18 (58.06%) in September, followed by 3 outbreaks (9.68%) in March and October. A total of 244 swab samples were collected, 169 samples were positive for respiratory viruses, the positive rate was 69.26%, 121 samples were positive for RSV,from 31 respiratory syncytical virus outbreaks 57 and samples were positive for other respiratory viruses(9 samples were positive for two respiratory viruses). A toral of 14(45.16%) outbreaks are caused by RSV alone, 17 outbreaks (54.84%) were caused by RSV and other respiratory viruses.
Conclusions
Most RSV outbreaks in kindergarten and school are reported after 2020 in Shenzhen, most RSV outbreaks occur in kindergarten, peak seasons of RSV outbreaks are autumn and spring.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail