1.Risk factors of malaria infection and risk prediction model research in in labor export in Langfang City
Xuejun ZHANG ; Kun ZHAO ; Jing ZHAO ; ZHUO WANG ; Qiang GUO ; Jie XIAO ; Juanjuan GUO ; Jinhong PENG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(1):118-122
Objective To analyze the influencing factors of malaria infection of labor service exported to overseas in Langfang City, in order to establish a visualization tool to assist clinicians in predicting the risk of malaria. Methods A total of 4 774 expatriate employees of the Nibei Pipeline Project of the Pipeline Bureau from October 2021 to August 2023 were taken as the subjects, and the gender, age, overseas residence area and Knowledge of malaria controlscores of the study subjects were investigated by questionnaire survey, and the possible risk factors of malaria were screened by logistic regression model. At the same time, the nomogram prediction model was established, and the subjects were divided into the training group and the validation group at a ratio of 2:1, and the area under the curve (ROC) and the decision curve were plotted to evaluate the prediction ability and practicability of the prediction model in this study. Results Among the 4 774 study subjects, 96 cases of malaria occurred, and the detection rate was 2.01%. Junior school (OR=1.723,95% CI:1.361-2.173), and residence in rural areas(OR=2.091,95%CI:1.760 -3.100)were risk factors (OR>1), while protective measures(OR=0.826,95% CI : 0.781 - 0.901) and high malaria education scores (OR=0.872,95% CI : 0.621 - 0.899)were protective factors.The nomogram prediction model results showed that the area under the curve of the nomogram prediction model in the training group was 0.94 (95% CI : 0.85 - 1.00), while the validation group was 0.93 (95% CI : 0.80 - 1.00). The results of the decision curve showed that when the threshold probability of the population was 0-0.9, the nomogram model was used to predict the risk of malaria occurrence with the highest net income. Conclusion The nomogram prediction model (including gender, education, region, protection and malaria education score) established and validated in this study is of great value for clinicians to screen high-risk patients with malaria.
2.Role of SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Complex in Tumor Drug Resistance
Gui-Zhen ZHU ; Qiao YE ; Yuan LUO ; Jie PENG ; Lu WANG ; Zhao-Ting YANG ; Feng-Sen DUAN ; Bing-Qian GUO ; Zhu-Song MEI ; Guang-Yun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):20-31
Tumor drug resistance is an important problem in the failure of chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy, which is a complex process involving chromatin remodeling. SWI/SNF is one of the most studied ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes in tumorigenesis, which plays an important role in the coordination of chromatin structural stability, gene expression, and post-translation modification. However, its mechanism in tumor drug resistance has not been systematically combed. SWI/SNF can be divided into 3 types according to its subunit composition: BAF, PBAF, and ncBAF. These 3 subtypes all contain two mutually exclusive ATPase catalytic subunits (SMARCA2 or SMARCA4), core subunits (SMARCC1 and SMARCD1), and regulatory subunits (ARID1A, PBRM1, and ACTB, etc.), which can control gene expression by regulating chromatin structure. The change of SWI/SNF complex subunits is one of the important factors of tumor drug resistance and progress. SMARCA4 and ARID1A are the most widely studied subunits in tumor drug resistance. Low expression of SMARCA4 can lead to the deletion of the transcription inhibitor of the BCL2L1 gene in mantle cell lymphoma, which will result in transcription up-regulation and significant resistance to the combination therapy of ibrutinib and venetoclax. Low expression of SMARCA4 and high expression of SMARCA2 can activate the FGFR1-pERK1/2 signaling pathway in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma cells, which induces the overexpression of anti-apoptosis gene BCL2 and results in carboplatin resistance. SMARCA4 deletion can up-regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by activating YAP1 gene expression in triple-negative breast cancer. It can also reduce the expression of Ca2+ channel IP3R3 in ovarian and lung cancer, resulting in the transfer of Ca2+ needed to induce apoptosis from endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria damage. Thus, these two tumors are resistant to cisplatin. It has been found that verteporfin can overcome the drug resistance induced by SMARCA4 deletion. However, this inhibitor has not been applied in clinical practice. Therefore, it is a promising research direction to develop SWI/SNF ATPase targeted drugs with high oral bioavailability to treat patients with tumor resistance induced by low expression or deletion of SMARCA4. ARID1A deletion can activate the expression of ANXA1 protein in HER2+ breast cancer cells or down-regulate the expression of progesterone receptor B protein in endometrial cancer cells. The drug resistance of these two tumor cells to trastuzumab or progesterone is induced by activating AKT pathway. ARID1A deletion in ovarian cancer can increase the expression of MRP2 protein and make it resistant to carboplatin and paclitaxel. ARID1A deletion also can up-regulate the phosphorylation levels of EGFR, ErbB2, and RAF1 oncogene proteins.The ErbB and VEGF pathway are activated and EMT is increased. As a result, lung adenocarcinoma is resistant to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Although great progress has been made in the research on the mechanism of SWI/SNF complex inducing tumor drug resistance, most of the research is still at the protein level. It is necessary to comprehensively and deeply explore the detailed mechanism of drug resistance from gene, transcription, protein, and metabolite levels by using multi-omics techniques, which can provide sufficient theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of poor tumor prognosis caused by mutation or abnormal expression of SWI/SNF subunits in clinical practice.
3.Bacterial Diversity in Phyllosphere and Rhizosphere Soil of Angelica sinensis in Continuous Cropping and Effects of Different Disease Control Measures
Zhanwen TANG ; Tao YANG ; Tong PENG ; Yinquan WANG ; Jiang ZHAO ; Jie SHA ; Zhiye WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):199-207
ObjectiveTo investigate the bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere soil and phyllosphere of Angelica sinensis and examine the effects of foliar applications of a composite bacterial agent,salicylic acid,and coronatine on the bacterial diversity,disease incidence,and plant yield,thus providing a theoretical basis and guidance for the artificial construction of functional minimal communities and the regulation of rhizosphere through foliar treatments. MethodsUnder continuous cropping conditions in the field,foliar applications of a composite bacterial agent,salicylic acid,coronatine,and sterile water were conducted. The 100-plant weight was measured via the conventional method,and the incidence of diseases was recorded. The microbial community composition,diversity,and inter-group differences in the phyllosphere and rhizosphere soil of A. sinensis were analyzed by 16S high-throughput sequencing,and the potential microbial functions were predicted. ResultsCompared with the blank control,foliar applications of salicylic acid and coronatine both significantly reduced the yield and root rot incidence of A. sinensis. The foliar application of salicylic acid decreased the content of ferulic acid and increased that of ligustilide. The foliar application of coronatine increased the content of both ferulic acid and ligustilide. The microbial communities and functions in the phyllosphere and rhizosphere soil were significantly different. The phyllosphere had lower microbial diversity,with all bacteria being Gram-negative,mainly Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria with limited functions. The rhizosphere soil had higher microbial diversity,harboring dominant phyla including Proteobacteria,Actinobacteria,Acidobacteria,and Bacteroidetes with rich functions. All foliar treatments regulated the microbial community in the rhizosphere soil,with a more significant effect on the microbial community in the rhizosphere soil than that in the phyllosphere. The coronatine treatment significantly reduced the abundance of Proteobacteria and nitrate-reducing and aromatic compound-degrading microorganisms in the rhizosphere soil,thus affecting nutrient cycling and autotoxic substance degradation and leading to a yield reduction. Compared with the salicylic acid treatment,the coronatine treatment significantly increased the abundance of Bacillus and Streptomyces in the rhizosphere soil,demonstrating enhanced disease control efficacy. ConclusionFoliar application of coronatine and salicylic acid can significantly regulate the composition and function of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere soil,thereby reducing the disease incidence and the plant yield.
4.Effect of Yinchenhao Tang Combined with Yinchen Zhufu Tang on Treg/Th17 Cells in Vitro from Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-related Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure
Menghui ZENG ; Shan DU ; Nianhua TAN ; Jie PENG ; Bin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):43-51
ObjectiveTo study the regulatory effects of Yinchenhao Tang combined with Yinchen Zhufu Tang on the expression of regulatory T (Treg)/helper T 17 (Th17) cells cultured in vitro from the patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF). MethodsFresh peripheral blood was collected from the patients with HBV-ACLF for the separation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Immunomagnetic beads were used to isolate primary Treg and naive CD4+ T cells. After in vitro expansion, naive CD4+ T cells were induced to differentiate into Th17 cells. Rats were treated with the clearing method (Yinchenhao Tang), warming method (Yinchen Zhufu Tang), and combination of clearing method with warming method (Yinchenhao Tang combined with Yinchen Zhufu Tang, also known as Wenyang Jiedu Huayu Prescription), respectively, and then the medicated plasma samples were collected. Meanwhile, blank plasma was collected from the rats treated with normal saline. Cells were classified into blank, clearing method (5.04 g·kg-1), warming method (6.21 g·kg-1), and combination of clearing method with warming method (17.1 g·kg-1) groups and treated with corresponding plasma. The frequency of Treg/Th17 cells was detected by flow cytometry. The level of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cytometric bead array (CBA) was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-17A (IL-17A), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-23 (IL-23). The mRNA and protein levels of Forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) and retinoic acid-related orphan receptor-gamma t (ROR-γt) were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the combination of clearing method with warming method group showed decreased frequency of Treg and Th17 cells, lowered levels of Treg cytokines (TGF-β and IL-10) and Th17 cytokines (TNF-α, IL-17A, and IL-23), and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of FoxP3 and ROR-γt (P<0.01). Compared with the clearing method group, the combination of clearing method with warming method group showed decreased Treg cell frequency and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of FoxP3. Meanwhile, the combination group showed decreased Th17 cell frequency, lowered levels of TGF-β, IL-10, TNF-α, IL-17A, and IL-23, and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ROR-γt (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the warming method group, the combination of clearing method with warming method group showed decreased frequency of Treg cells and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of FoxP3. Meanwhile, the combination group showed decreased Th17 cell frequency, declined levels of TGF-β, IL-10, TNF-α, IL-17A, and IL-23, and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ROR-γt (P<0.05). ConclusionThe combination of clearing method with warming method can down-regulate the expression of specific cytokines of Treg and Th17 cells, inhibit the over activation of Treg and Th17 cells, and reduce the secretion of cytokines such as TGF-β, IL-10, TNF-α, IL-17A, and IL-23, thereby alleviating inflammation and improving the prognosis of the patients with liver failure.
5.Differences in Expression of Intestinal Flora in Patients with Different TCM Syndrome Types of "Yang Huang-Yin-Yang Huang-Yin Huang" in Hepatitis B Virus-related Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure
Shan DU ; Menghui ZENG ; Nianhua TAN ; Jie PENG ; Bin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):62-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the differential expression of intestinal flora in patients with different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome types (Yang Huang syndrome, Yin-Yang Huang syndrome, and Yin Huang syndrome) of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) and clarify the biological basis of jaundice and Yin Huang syndrome in liver failure. MethodsA total of 20 cases of HBV-ACLF patients were included in the Yang Huang group, 20 cases in the Yin-Yang Huang group, 16 cases in the Yin Huang group, and 20 healthy adult volunteers. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to detect the diversity, species distribution, and differences of the subjects' intestinal flora, and bioinformatics analysis was conducted. ResultsCompared with those in the healthy control group, the species richness and diversity of intestinal flora in the HBV-ACLF Yang Huang group, Yin-Yang Huang group, and Yin Huang group were significantly reduced, and there were significant differences in the composition of intestinal flora compared with healthy volunteers. However, there were no significant differences in the species richness, diversity, and composition of intestinal flora among the three groups. LEfSe analysis showed that compared with the healthy control group, the HBV-ACLF Yang Huang group showed significant enrichment of Staphylococcus aureus(P<0.01). Yin-Yang Huang group showed significant enrichment of s_Ileibacterium valens(P<0.05,P<0.01), and the Yin Huang group showed significant enrichment of Enterococcus faecium and Streptococcus sali varius(P<0.05). These strains may be biomarkers between the three groups of patients and the healthy control group. Compared with that in the Yin-Yang Huang group, Tyzzerella_nexilis was significantly enriched in the Yang-Huang group, and Streptococcus lactiae was significantly enriched in the Yin-Yang Huang group. Compared with that in the Yang-Huang group and the Yin-Yang Huang group, Enterococcus faecalis was significantly enriched in the Yin Huang group. The above strains may be biomarkers among the three groups of patients, and Enterococcus faecium may be a biomarker for the transition from the Yang Huang group to the Yin Huang group. ConclusionsThere are significant differences in the intestinal flora between patients with HBV-ACLF Yang Huang syndrome, Yin-Yang Huang syndrome, and Yin Huang syndrome. Enterococcus faecium is significantly enriched in the Yin Huang syndrome group, suggesting that dysbiosis of the intestinal flora may be the biological basis for jaundice and Yin Huang syndrome in liver failure.
6.Changes of Treg/Th17 Cell Expression in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-related Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure in Five Types of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome
Shan DU ; Menghui ZENG ; Nianhua TAN ; Jie PENG ; Bin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):70-76
ObjectiveTo study the expression differences of regulatory T cells (Treg) and T helper 17 cells (Th17) in the peripheral blood of patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) in five types of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome. MethodsA total of 144 patients with HBV-ACLF were included and divided into five types of TCM syndrome, including 34 cases of heat-toxin amassment syndrome, 44 cases of dampness-heat amassment syndrome, 27 cases of Qi-deficiency and stasis jaundice syndrome, 21 cases of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome, and 18 cases of liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome. Meanwhile, 30 healthy volunteers were included as controls. The frequency of Treg and Th17 cells in the peripheral blood of subjects in each group was detected by flow cytometry, and the Treg/Th17 ratio was calculated. Cytometric bead array (CBA) was used to detect the levels of cytokines interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-17A, and IL-23. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (Real-time PCR) detected the mRNA expression of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) and retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t (ROR-γt). Results(1) Compared with that in the healthy control group, the frequency of Treg and Th17 cells in patients with various TCM syndrome types of HBV-ACLF increased (P<0.05). Compared with that in the heat-toxin amassment syndrome group, the frequency of Treg and Th17 cells decreased in the dampness-heat amassment syndrome group (P<0.05), while the frequency of Treg and Th17 cells increased in the Qi-deficiency and stasis jaundice syndrome group, spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome group, and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group (P<0.05). Compared with that in the dampness-heat amassment syndrome group, the frequency of Treg and Th17 cells increased in the dampness-heat amassment syndrome group, spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome group, and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group (P<0.05). Compared with that in the Qi-deficiency and stasis jaundice syndrome group, the frequency of Treg and Th17 cells increased in the spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome group (P<0.05), while the frequency of Treg and Th17 cells decreased in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group (P<0.05). Compared with the spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome group, the frequency of Treg and Th17 cells decreased in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group (P<0.05). (2) Compared with that in the healthy control group, the Treg/Th17 cell ratio in patients with various TCM syndromes of HBV-ACLF decreased (P<0.05). Compared with that in the heat-toxin amassment syndrome group, the Treg/Th17 cell ratio increased in the dampness-heat amassment syndrome group (P<0.05), while it decreased in the Qi-deficiency and stasis jaundice syndrome group, spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome group, and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group (P<0.05). Compared with that in the dampness-heat amassment syndrome group, the Treg/Th17 cell ratio decreased in the Qi-deficiency and stasis jaundice syndrome group, spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome group, and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group (P<0.05). Compared with that in the Qi-deficiency and stasis jaundice syndrome group, the Treg/Th17 cell ratio increased in the spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome group and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group (P<0.05). Compared with the spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome group, the Treg/Th17 cell ratio in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group increased (P<0.05). (3) Compared with those in the healthy control group, the levels of Treg-related cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β, as well as Th17-related cytokines TNF-α, IL-17A, and IL-23, were elevated in patients with various TCM syndrome types of HBV-ACLF (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in TNF-α levels among different TCM syndrome types. Compared with those in the heat-toxin amassment syndrome group, the levels of IL-10, TNF-β, IL-17A, and IL-23 in the dampness-heat amassment syndrome group, Qi-deficiency and stasis jaundice syndrome group, spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome group, and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome groups increased (P<0.05). Compared with those in the dampness-heat amassment syndrome group, the levels of IL-10, TGF-β, IL-17A, and IL-23 increased in the Qi-deficiency and stasis jaundice syndrome group, spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome group, and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group (P<0.05). Compared with those in the Qi-deficiency and stasis jaundice syndrome group, the levels of IL-10, TGF-β, IL-17A, and IL-23 in the spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome group increased (P<0.05), while those in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group decreased (P<0.05). Compared with those in the spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome, the levels of IL-10, TGF-β, IL-17A, and IL-23 in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group decreased (P<0.05). (4) Compared with that in the healthy control group, the mRNA of Treg/Th17 cell specific transcription factors FoxP3 and ROR-γt were elevated in patients with various TCM syndrome types of HBV-ACLF (P<0.05). Compared with that in the heat-toxin amassment syndrome group, the mRNA of FoxP3 and ROR-γt increased in the Qi-deficiency and stasis jaundice syndrome group, spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome group, and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group (P<0.05). Compared with that in the dampness-heat amassment syndrome group, the mRNA of FoxP3 and ROR-γt increased in the Qi-deficiency and stasis jaundice syndrome group, spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome group, and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome (P<0.05). Compared with that in the Qi-deficiency and stasis jaundice syndrome group, the mRNA of FoxP3 and ROR-γt in the spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome group increased (P<0.05), and it decreased in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group (P<0.05). Compared with that in the spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome group, the mRNA of FoxP3 and ROR-γt decreased in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe frequency and ratio of Treg/Th17 cells, as well as the expression of related cytokines and specific receptors in peripheral blood of patients with HBV-ACLF in five types of TCM syndromes are different, which has certain reference value for TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment of patients with HBV-ACLF.
7.Mume Fructus Restores Intestinal Mucosal Epithelial Barrier Through MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway in Mouse Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Huachen LIU ; Chonghao ZHANG ; Yalan LI ; Jie LIU ; Jialong SU ; Na LI ; Shaoshuai LIU ; Qing WANG ; Guiying PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):76-85
ObjectiveTo clarify the repair effect of Mume Fructus on the intestinal mucosal epithelial barrier in the mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and explore the repair mechanism. MethodsThirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into six groups: normal, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose (200, 400, and 800 mg·kg-1) Mume Fructus, and sulfasalazine (300 mg·kg-1). Except the normal group, the rest groups had free access to 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) solution for seven days to establish the IBD model, followed by a seven-day drug intervention. The body weight change and disease activity index (DAI) were recorded. After the last administration, spleen and colon tissue samples were collected to analyze the differences in colon length and spleen index. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the morphology of the colon tissue. The level of diamine oxidase (DAO) in the serum was measured by the DAO assay kit. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression of tight junction proteins such as Claudin-1, Occludin, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in the colon tissue. Real-time PCR was performed to measure the mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the colon tissue. Finally, Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phosphorylated (p)-MEK, and phosphorylated ERK in the colon tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited decreases in body weight and colon length (P<0.01), increases in DAI, spleen index, and serum DAO level (P<0.01), damaged colonic epithelium and goblet cells, and obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells. In addition, the model group exhibited higher positive expression of Claudin-1, Occludin, and ZO-1 (P<0.01), higher mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-1β (P<0.01), and higher protein levels of p-MEK and p-ERK (P<0.05, P<0.01) than the normal group. However, sulfasalazine and three doses of Mume Fructus markedly decreased the body weight and DAI (P<0.05), recovered the colon length and spleen index, alleviated colon tissue damage, lowered the level of DAO in the serum (P<0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-1β (P<0.01) and the protein levels of p-MEK and p-ERK (P<0.05). Sulfasalazine and low- and medium-dose Mume Fructus increased the positive expression of Occludin, Claudin-1, and ZO-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Furthermore, high-dose Mume Fructus elevated the protein expression of Occludin (P<0.05). ConclusionMume Fructus can restore the expression of intestinal epithelial tight junction proteins by inhibiting the phosphorylation of proteins in the MEK/ERK signaling pathway and down-regulating the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β, thus repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier in the mouse model of IBD.
8.Regulatory Effect of Modified Wumeiwan on Th17/Treg Balance and Intestinal Microbiota in Ulcerative Colitis with Dampness-heat Obstruction Syndrome in Human Flora-associated Model
Chonghao ZHANG ; Peiguang MA ; Huachen LIU ; Jialong SU ; Jie LIU ; Yalan LI ; Guichuan XU ; Na LI ; Guiying PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):86-93
ObjectiveTo investigate the modulating effect of modified Wumeiwan (MWMW) on the ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated intestinal helper T cell 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg) balance and intestinal flora by using a human flora-associated model of UC patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome, thus providing a new idea for the UC-related research and therapeutic strategies. MethodsThe 24 male C57BL/6J mice were randomized into normal control, model, and MWMW groups (n=8). Model and MWMW groups were first treated with an antibiotic cocktail (vancomycin, 0.1 g·kg-1; neomycin sulfate, 0.2 g·kg-1; ampicillin, 0.2 g·kg-1; metronidazole, 0.2 g·kg-1) for 21 days. At the end of antibiotic treatment, the gavage of fecal microbiota suspension from UC patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome was started at a dose of 0.2 mL·d-1 for 19 consecutive days, by which a human flora-associated model of UC was obtained. The MWMW group was administrated daily with MWMW liquid (12.5 g·kg-1), while the normal control and model groups were administrated by gavage with an equal amount of sterile water for 7 consecutive days. The symptoms of dampness-heat obstruction were observed. The colon length and spleen index were measured and calculated, and the proportions of Th17 and Treg cells were detected by flow assay. The intestinal flora was analyzed by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. ResultsCompared with the normal control group, the model group showed shortened colon (P<0.05) and increased spleen index (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the MWMW group showed prolonged colon (P<0.01) and decreased spleen index (P<0.05). After the intervention of MWMW, the Th17 proportion and Th17/Treg ratio in the colon decreased (P<0.01), and the proportion of Treg cells increased (P<0.05). The number of species and alpha and beta diversity of intestinal flora in mice were regulated by MWMW (P<0.05). In terms of intestinal flora composition, MWMW increased the relative abundance of several phyla (Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Fusobacteriota, Actinobacteriota, and Gemmatimonadota), the genus Bacteroides, and two species (Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and B. fragilis) in model mice. Moreover, Spearman's correlation analysis showed that the relative abundance of B. thetaiotaomicron and B. fragilis were negatively correlated with the Th17 level (P<0.05). In addition, the above changes in intestinal flora caused the changes in microbial genes involved in 14 pathways, such as glycolysis, amino acid degradation, inorganic nutrient metabolism, biosynthesis of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleotides, antibiotic resistance, and degradation of polysaccharides. ConclusionsThe human flora-associated model successfully simulated the changes (marked by a decrease in the abundance of Bacteroides) of intestinal flora in UC patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome. MWMW can enrich the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as B. thetaiotaomicron and B. fragilis and promote the synergistic intestinal immune modulation with the metabolic functions centered on glycolysis, amino acid metabolism, and nucleotide synthesis through bacterial polysaccharide utilization sites to reduce the Th17/Treg ratio, thereby exerting a protective effect on UC.
9.Thoughts on Development Path of Traditional Chinese Medicine Processing Technology from Perspective of Traditional Medicine and Techniques
Ying LIU ; Yun WANG ; Zhe JIA ; Peng ZHANG ; Jie ZOU ; Cun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):233-240
As an important part of Chinese traditional culture, the processing technology of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) carries the wisdom of TCM for thousands of years, and its process is complex and rigorous. With the popularization of modern production technology, traditional processing techiques are facing the dual pressures from technological innovation and production standardization under the perspective of intangible cultural heritage. The modernization of TCM processing technology is an inevitable trend for industrial upgrading, but it cannot be separated from the foundation of traditional skills and ignore the core concepts and cultural values it embodies. Therefore, by analyzing the core characteristics of TCM processing technology and its differences with modern production, this paper discusses the establishment of a synergistic innovation mechanism between traditional techniques and modern technologies, the promotion of joint research and development between scientific research institutes and the industry, the strengthening of standardization of processing techniques, and the enhancement of social education and industry training to improve the recognition and inheritance of processing techniques in order to achieve the goal of innovation and protection of TCM processing technologies in the context of modernization, and to promote the high-quality development of the TCM processing industry.
10.Study on component analysis,fingerprint establishment and anti-inflammatory spectrum-effect relationship of Yao ethnic medicine Pittosporum pauciflorum
Dan QIN ; Peng FU ; Jiajie CAO ; Qingchen TANG ; Jie GAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(18):2244-2249
OBJECTIVE To analyze chemical components of Yao ethnic medicine Pittosporum pauciflorum, establish its fingerprint and investigate the spectrum-effect relationship of its anti-inflammatory effect. METHODS UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS technology was used to analyze the chemical components of P. pauciflorum (batch S6). The fingerprints for 10 batches of P. pauciflorum from different producing areas in Guangxi Province (batches S1-S10) were established by HPLC, and similarity assessment and chemometric pattern recognition analysis were conducted. RAW264.7 inflammatory cell model was induced by lipopolysaccharide, and the anti-inflammatory activity of P. pauciflorum was investigated. Using inhibition rates of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β as efficacy indicators, grey relational analysis and partial least squares regression analysis were adopted to evaluate the spectrum-effect relationship of the anti-inflammatory effect of P. pauciflorum. RESULTS There were 60 chemical components, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, lipids, etc., identified in P. pauciflorum. The fingerprints for 10 batches of P. pauciflorum showed 14 common peaks,with similarity values ranging from 0.883 to 0.991. Three common peaks were assigned neochlorogenic acid (peak 5), chlorogenic acid (peak 7), and syringaldehyde (peak 10). The classification results of the systematic clustering analysis and the principal component analysis were basically consistent. Batches S1 to S10 of P. pauciflorum significantly reduced the levels of NO, TNF-α, IL-6 (except for batch S5) and IL-1β in the cell supernatant (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Inhibition rates of above inflammatory indexes were 10.26%-39.96%, 14.96%-31.36%, 1.38%-21.27%, 18.54%-28.00%, respectively. The contents of neochlorogenic acid, syringaldehyde, as well as the components corresponding to peaks 1, 3, 9, 12 and 14,exhibited a strong correlation with the anti-inflammatory effects of P. pauciflorum. CONCLUSIONS The present study has analyzed the chemical components of P. pauciflorum and established HPLC fingerprints for 10 batches of P. pauciflorum. Each batch of medicinal herbs demonstrates certain anti- inflammatory activities, among which neochlorogenic acid, syringaldehyde, and the components corresponding to peaks 1, 3, 9, 12 and 14 are likely to be the active anti-inflammatory components.


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