1.Pathogenesis and Syndrome Differentiation of "Gaozhuo" of Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Kidney Disease
Yuman YIN ; Yunfeng YU ; Xiangning HUANG ; Jiawang HUANG ; Gang HU ; Juan HUANG ; Rong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):226-234
Oxidative stress is a pivotal factor in the onset and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and it plays an essential role in the prevention and treatment of DKD. The "Gaozhuo" pathogenesis posits that DKD is characterized by the invasion of Gaozhuo and damage to the kidney collaterals, with the underlying cause being the insufficiency of spleen Qi and the internal formation of Gaozhuo, which provides valuable guidance on oxidative stress. The insufficiency of spleen Qi and the internal formation of Gaozhuo represent a dynamic, evolving process. Gaozhuo invades the kidney collaterals, impairs kidney Qi, and progressively leads to the congealing and stagnation of Gaozhuo and blood, ultimately resulting in the failure of both the spleen and kidneys. The damage caused by Gaozhuo to the kidney collaterals and kidney Qi is analogous to the organ and functional damage of the kidneys induced by excessive reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. Damage to the kidney collaterals means organic injuries to the glomeruli, renal tubules, and renal interstitium, and the depletion of kidney Qi refers to damage to glomerular filtration and renal tubular reabsorption. The congealing and stagnation of Gaozhuo and blood in the kidney collaterals is similar to oxidative stress-induced thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and fibrosis. The interaction between spleen and kidney Qi deficiency and the congealing and stagnation of Gaozhuo and blood creates a vicious cycle that exacerbates the condition, ultimately evolving into the failure of both the spleen and kidneys. The failure of the spleen and kidneys is analogous to renal failure, and its extreme manifestation is end-stage renal disease and uremia. The treatment of oxidative stress in DKD with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on the principles of strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidneys, and dispelling turbidity and removing blood stasis. According to the syndrome type, it is recommended to use methods such as strengthening the spleen and tonifying Qi while dispelling dampness and removing turbidity, strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidneys while dispelling dampness and removing turbidity, strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidneys while dispelling turbidity and removing blood stasis, or consolidating the spleen and kidneys while clearing away turbidity and blood stasis.
2.Research Advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulation of Pyroptosis for Lung Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Qiongqiong GUO ; Meihao XUE ; Xuchao DONG ; Ping TIAN ; Rong HU ; Longxin XU ; Juan LI ; Jianqing LIANG ; Jintian LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):716-725
Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its treatment continues to face major challenges such as therapeutic resistance and tumor recurrence. Pyroptosis, a newly characterized form of programmed cell death, induces tumor cell death through gasdermin-mediated membrane pore formation and is accompanied by the release of inflammatory mediators, thereby playing complex roles in lung cancer initiation, progression, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Active components and herbal formulas derived from traditional Chinese medicine can modulate pyroptosis-related signaling pathways through multi-target mechanisms, showing potential advantages in inducing lung cancer cell death, inhibiting proliferation and migration, and reversing chemoresistance. This review systematically summarizes relevant studies from domestic and international sources, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of pyroptosis, its roles in lung cancer development and tumor microenvironment remodeling, and the current research progress on traditional Chinese medicine-based interventions targeting pyroptosis, with the aim of providing references for the prevention and treatment of lung cancer using traditional Chinese medicine.
3.Fluorescence Suppression Method of Raman Spectroscopy and Its Application in Skin and Cosmetics Analysis
Yun-Xia CHEN ; Jia-Rong WANG ; Jian-Yu ZHU ; Shi-Wen LIN ; Ya-Nan LIU ; Xiao-Yue MA ; Guang-Cheng XI ; Juan LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1914-1926
Owing to its inherent advantages—such as being non-destructive, rapid, highly molecule-specific, and minimally interfered with by moisture—Raman spectroscopy has been widely adopted in the fields of skin barrier function assessment, monitoring the transdermal penetration of active cosmetic ingredients, and the identification and quality control of cosmetic products. Despite these strengths, the practical application of this technique faces a significant bottleneck: the strong fluorescence background generated by endogenous skin components and exogenous cosmetic additives. Endogenous skin substances, such as structural proteins (e.g., collagen and elastin), metabolic coenzymes (e.g., nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), and pigments (e.g., melanin), together with exogenous cosmetic constituents like organic colorants, chemical sunscreens, and fragrances, often possess strong absorption and emission characteristics. When excited by lasers, these components produce a fluorescence background that can be 106 to 108 times stronger than the Raman scattering signals, effectively masking the inherently weak vibrational fingerprint information. In recent years, driven by the rapid development of optoelectronic hardware and artificial intelligence algorithms, fluorescence suppression strategies have evolved from isolated, single-method approaches into comprehensive, multi-level synergistic systems. These systems are categorized into three distinct tiers: sample preparation, signal acquisition, and data processing. At the sample preparation level, techniques such as photobleaching and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) are employed to eliminate or bypass the generation of fluorescence at the source. At the signal acquisition level, instrumental improvements—including the use of long-wavelength near-infrared excitation (typically 785 nm or 1 064 nm), confocal spatial filtering, and shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SERDS)— are utilized to physically isolate Raman signals from the fluorescence background. Furthermore, at the data processing level, numerical baseline correction methods such as polynomial fitting, penalized least squares (e.g., airPLS, arPLS), wavelet transform, and derivative algorithms are increasingly integrated into the analytical pipeline to extract Raman spectral features from mixed signals without increasing hardware costs or acquisition time. This review provides a systematic categorization and critical evaluation of these fluorescence suppression methods, detailing their underlying principles, technical advantages, and inherent limitations in diverse experimental setups. By focusing on critical application scenarios—including skin barrier assessment, percutaneous absorption monitoring, the routine quality control of cosmetics, and the emerging field of portable on-site detection—this paper explores the current state of technique selection and optimization. Finally, the article discusses future development trends, emphasizing the necessity of constructing adaptive, tiered suppression strategies, developing intelligent and automated data processing algorithms, and promoting the integration of portable, multi-modal diagnostic devices. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive technical reference to facilitate the transition of Raman spectroscopy from a specialized laboratory tool into a routine, robust analytical platform for advancements in skin science and cosmetic research.
4.Modified Guishenwan Alleviates Inflammation in Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome by Inhibiting MAPK/NF-κB Pathway
Jiayu TIAN ; Wenyi QIN ; Juan YANG ; Xiaofeng RONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):86-94
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which modified Guishenwan alleviates inflammation in the rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by regulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. MethodsAccording to the random number table method, 60 SPF female SD rats were randomized into a normal group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=50). The normal group received routine feeding, while the modeling group was administrated with letrozole (1 mg·kg-1·d-1) by gavage for 21 days for the modeling of PCOS. The successfully modeled rats were randomized into model, diane-35 (0.2 g·kg-1·d-1), high- (16.04 g·kg-1·d-1), medium- (8.02 g·kg-1·d-1), low- (4.01 g·kg-1·d-1) dose modified Guishenwan groups. The drug intervention groups were administrated with modified Guishenwan at corresponding doses by gavage, and the normal group and model group were given equal volumes of normal saline. All the groups were continuously treated for 28 days. After treatment, Gram staining of vaginal smears was employed to observe the estrous cycle in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), and progesterone (PROG) in the plasma, as well as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the plasma and ovarian tissue. The LH/FSH ratio was calculated. The morphological changes in the ovarian tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAPK, NF-κB p65, IκBα, p-JNK, p-ERK, p-p38 MAPK, p-NF-κB p65, and p-IκBα in the ovarian tissue. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the mRNA levels of ERK, JNK, p38 MAPK, NF-κB p65, and IκBα in the ovarian tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group was in the estrus phase, with an increase in the number of ovarian vesicles and decreases in granulosa cells and corpus luteum formation (P<0.05), and lowered levels of FSH and E2 and elevated levels of LH, T, and LH/FSH in the plasma (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, high-, medium-, and low-dose modified Guishenwan recovered the estrous cycle, increased the generation of granulosa cells and corpus luteum, reduced the number of vesicles, elevated the levels of FSH and E2, and lowered the levels LH, T, and LH/FSH (P<0.05, P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. High-dose modified Guishenwan demonstrated the best therapeutic effect. Therefore, subsequent experiments for exploring the treatment mechanism were conducted in the normal group, model group, and high-dose modified Guishenwan group. The results showed that compared with the model group, high-dose modified Guishenwan lowered the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10 and elevated the level of IL-10 in the plasma and ovarian tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), down-regulated the protein levels of p-ERK, p-JNK, p-p38 MAPK, p-NF-κB p65, and p-IκBα, while up-regulating the protein level of IκBα (P<0.01). At the same time, the mRNA levels of ERK, JNK, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB p65 in the high-dose modified Guishenwan group were down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionModified Guishenwan can improve the ovarian function in rat model of PCOS induced by letrozole and has anti-inflammatory effects, which may be related to inhibition of the MAPK/NF-κB pathway.
5.Effect of hypoxia inducible factor-1α/aquaporin-4 pathway in high altitude cerebral edema after blood brain barrier damage in rats
Cai-Yan QIU ; Tian-Sha SUO ; Tao LIN ; Rong-Fu ZHANG ; Xue-Ling LI ; Juan SUN
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(2):163-170
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of hypoxia inducible factor-1 α/aquaporin-4(HIF-1α/AQP4)pathway in high altitude cerebral edema(HACE)after blood-brain barrier injury in rats.Methods Adult male SD rats(n=40)were randomly divided into two groups:control group(Ctrl,n=20)and high altitude cerebral edema group(HACE,n=20).The rats in the control group were reared in Xining(altitude 2261 m)for 4 days,and the rats in HACE group were reared in low-pressure simulation chamber(altitude 5000 m)for 4 days.Brain water content was measured by the method of dry and wet weight.The intracranial structure,morphology and signal changes of small animals were observed through T2 weighted image of 7.0 T MRI.The morphological changes of neurons and the apoptosis of nerve cells in the CA1 region of hippocampal tissue were observed by the staining of Nissl and TUNEL.Immunohistochemical staining was performed to observe the extravasation of immunoglobulin G(IgG).The expressions of HIF-1α,AQP4,matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9),claudin-5,occludin and zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)in the tissue of hippocampal were detected by the method of Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining.Results The brain water content increased significantly in the HACE group(P<0.05).The neurons in CA1 region of hippocampal tissue were atrophic and deformed,the arrangement of neurons was disordered in the HACE group.The number of neurons decreased significantly,the apoptosis of nerve cells increased significantly,and the IgG exudates obviously in the CA1 region of hippocampal tissue in the HACE group.The expressions of HIF-1α,AQP4 and MMP-9 proteins increased significantly,while claudin-5,occludin and ZO-1 proteins decreased significantly in the CA1 region of hippocampal tissue,which detected by the method of Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining(P<0.05).Conclusion Acute high-altitude hypoxia can induce to blood-brain barrier disruption through the HIF-1α/AQP4 pathway,resulting in high-altitude cerebral edema.
6.An overview of real-world study in clinical transfusion
Jiashun GONG ; Fengxia LIU ; Xueyuan HUANG ; Hang DONG ; Chunhong DU ; Juan WANG ; Rong HUANG ; Rong GUI
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(7):991-996
Real-world study (RWS), based on multi-source data from real medical environments, is gradually becoming an important supplement to traditional randomized controlled trials, and its application in the field of transfusion medicine is becoming increasingly widespread. This article systematically reviews the definition and methodological system of RWS, examines its application cases in clinical blood transfusion research, and discusses the advantages, limitations, and future research directions of RWS, aiming to provide a reference for evidence-based research in blood transfusion medicine.
7.An overview of real-world study in clinical transfusion
Jiashun GONG ; Fengxia LIU ; Xueyuan HUANG ; Hang DONG ; Chunhong DU ; Juan WANG ; Rong HUANG ; Rong GUI
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(7):991-996
Real-world study (RWS), based on multi-source data from real medical environments, is gradually becoming an important supplement to traditional randomized controlled trials, and its application in the field of transfusion medicine is becoming increasingly widespread. This article systematically reviews the definition and methodological system of RWS, examines its application cases in clinical blood transfusion research, and discusses the advantages, limitations, and future research directions of RWS, aiming to provide a reference for evidence-based research in blood transfusion medicine.
8.Expression of NUDT5 in breast cancer and its correlation with ultrasound signs and clinicopathological charac-teristics
Lu RONG ; Min ZHOU ; Lu-xin YU ; Juan LYU ; Jing WAN ; Qian ZHANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(5):421-424
Objective To explore the expression of Nudix hydrolase 5(NUDT5)protein in breast cancer tissues and its correlation with ultrasound signs and clinicopathological characteristics.Methods A total of 108 patients with breast cancer admitted to our hospital from October 2019 to April 2022 were selected as the research objects.Ultrasound examination was performed before operation to observe the ultrasound signs of patients.Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of estrogen receptor(ER),progesterone receptor(PR)and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER-2)in breast cancer tissues,and the expression levels of NUDT5 protein in breast cancer tissues and adjacent tissues,and the relationships of NUDT5 protein expression with ultrasound signs and clinicopathological characteristics of patients were analyzed.Results Among 108 patients,there were 62 cases with ER positive,60 cases with PR positive,and 28 cases with HER-2 positive.The positive expression rate of NUDT5 protein in breast cancer tissues was higher than that in adjacent tissues(P<0.05).The positive expression rate of NUDT5 protein was higher in breast cancer tissues with microcalcification,blood flow imaging grade(grade 2 to 3)and lymph node metastasis(P<0.05).The positive expression of NUDT5 protein was correlated with histological grade,ER and HER-2(P<0.05).The expression of NUDT5 protein in breast cancer tissue was positively correlated with ER negative and HER-2 positive(rs=0.463,0.398,P<0.05).Conclusion The positive expression rate of NUDT5 protein in breast cancer tissues is higher than that in adjacent tissues,and its expression has a certain correlation with microcalcification,blood flow imaging grade(grade 2 to 3),lymph node metastasis in ultrasound signs and histological grade,ER,and HER-2 in clinicopathological characteristics.
9.Mechanism of Modified Guishenwan in Regulating AMPK/Akt/Nrf2 Pathway to Improve Glucose and Lipid Metabolism and Oxidative Stress in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rats
Jiayu TIAN ; Wenyi QIN ; Juan YANG ; Xiaofeng RONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):1-8
ObjectiveBased on the adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase/protein kinase B/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (AMPK/Akt/Nrf2) pathway, this study aims to explore the mechanism by which modified Guishenwan improves glucose and lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rats. MethodsA PCOS rat model was established by continuous oral administration of letrozole (1 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 21 days. Successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, a metformin group (0.25 g·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose modified Guishenwan groups (4.01, 8.02, and 16.04 g·kg-1·d-1), with 8 rats in each group. Ten normal rats were assigned to the normal group. The drug groups were given their respective doses, while the normal and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline. Intervention lasted for 4 weeks. Testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the LH/FSH ratio was calculated. Fasting blood glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer, and the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity index (HOMA-ISI) were calculated. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were conducted. Malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in serum and ovarian tissue were measured using a chemical fluorescence method. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess ovarian tissue pathology. Real-time quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were used to measure the expression of AMPK/Akt/Nrf2 pathway-related genes and proteins in ovarian tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significantly increased levels of T, LH, LH/FSH, FPG, FINS, TG, TC, and HOMA-IR, while FSH, E2, and HOMA-ISI were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). MDA and AGEs levels were significantly higher in both serum and ovarian tissue, and SOD levels were significantly reduced (P<0.05). AMPK, Akt, and Nrf2 mRNA and protein expression in ovarian tissue was also significantly reduced (P<0.05). The OGTT and ITT results showed significantly higher blood glucose levels at each time point (P<0.05, P<0.01), with impaired glucose and insulin tolerance. Ovarian follicles showed polycystic changes, reduced corpus luteum, and sparse granulosa cell layers. Compared with the model group, the metformin group and the high-dose modified Guishenwan group showed significant decreases in T, LH, LH/FSH, FPG, FINS, TG, TC, and HOMA-IR, while FSH, E2, and HOMA-ISI were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the high-dose modified Guishenwan group, MDA and AGEs levels in serum and ovarian tissue were significantly reduced, and SOD levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of AMPK, Akt, and Nrf2 in ovarian tissue was significantly increased (P<0.05). OGTT and ITT results showed that blood glucose levels in rats decreased significantly at each time point (P<0.05, P<0.01). No obvious abnormalities were observed in ovarian tissue. Compared with the low-dose modified Guishenwan group, the high-dose group showed significant decreases in T, LH, LH/FSH, FPG, FINS, TG, TC, and HOMA-IR, while FSH, E2, and HOMA-ISI were significantly increased (P<0.05). OGTT and ITT results indicated that the high-dose modified Guishenwan group significantly improved glucose and insulin tolerance in rats. No significant abnormalities were observed in ovarian tissue. ConclusionModified Guishenwan effectively improves glucose and lipid metabolism abnormalities and inhibits oxidative stress in PCOS rats, potentially through regulation of the AMPK/Akt/Nrf2 pathway.
10.Meta-analysis of the clinical efficacy and safety of Jianwei xiaoshi oral liquid in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in children
Ping RONG ; Guiyun PAN ; Juan WEI ; Tengda LI ; Xilian ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(7):867-873
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Jianwei xiaoshi oral liquid in the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD) in children, and provide evidence-based basis for clinical use of the drug. METHODS Retrieved from CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, CBM, Cochrane Library and PubMed, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about Jianwei xiaoshi oral liquid in the treatment of FD in children were collected from the inception to Apr. 2024. The control group was treated with conventional western drugs (including gastrointestinal motion-promoting, antacids or acid-suppressing drugs), and the trial group was treated with Jianwei xiaoshi oral liquid alone or combined with conventional Western drugs (drug dosage and course of treatment were the same as the control group). Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software after quality evaluation with the Cochrane risk bias assessment tool 6.1. RESULTS Totally 16 literature were employed which included 1 962 patients. The results of meta-analysis showed that the total clinical effective rate of Jianwei xiaoxi oral liquid in the treatment of FD in children of trial group was significantly higher than that of the control group [RR=1.18, 95%CI (1.13, 1.22), P<0.000 01]. In this study, subgroup analysis was conducted on the usage and dosage, course of treatment, and combination or not in trial group, as well as the type of conventional Western drugs. The results showed that the total clinical effective rate of trial group was significantly higher than that of control group; the relief time of abdominal distension and abdominal pain in trial group [MD=-2.54, 95%CI (-3.10, -1.98)], loss of appetite relief time [MD=-2.12, 95%CI (-2.63, -1.61)], nausea and vomiting relief time [MD=-1.70, 95%CI (-2.27, -1.14)], and belching relief time [MD=-1.61, 95%CI (-2.44, -0.78)] were shorter than that of the control group significantly (P<0.05). In addition, compared with control group, the levels of gastrin [SMD=1.63, 95%CI (0.98, 2.29)] and motilin [SMD=2.06, 95%CI (1.58, 2.54)] as well as gastric antral emptying rate [MD=5.99, 95%CI (2.78, 9.21)] in trial group were increased significantly, while the level of somatostatin was decreased significantly [SMD=-1.30, 95%CI (-1.57, -1.02)] (P≤0.000 3). CONCLUSIONS Jianwei xiaoshi oral liquid, whether used alone or in combination with other medications, and regardless of the treatment course or dosage and usage, is effective in treating FD in children, with good safety.

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