1.Antidepressant Mechanisms of Polygalae Radix: A Review
Liming LIU ; Shuaijun PENG ; Pan SU ; Yucheng LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):300-309
Depression is a high-incidence mental disorder with complex causes and multifaceted pathogenic mechanisms. Its pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated, which has hindered the development of novel and highly effective antidepressant drugs. This condition severely affects human physical and mental health while imposing a significant socio-economic burden. At present, several hypotheses exist regarding the pathogenesis of depression, including monoamine neurotransmitter imbalances, neurotrophic factor deficiencies, neural plasticity impairments, glutamate dysregulation, neuroinflammatory disorders, gut microbiota imbalances, and mitochondrial autophagy dysfunction. Currently, most clinical antidepressants are monoamine neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitors. Although they exhibit certain therapeutic effects, they are associated with significant drawbacks, such as severe adverse reactions and poor patient compliance. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by its multi-targeted effects, mild efficacy, and minimal side effects, has demonstrated significant advantages in the treatment of depression. Chinese medicine Polygalae Radix possesses the functions of calming the mind, enhancing cognitive functions, harmonizing the heart and kidneys, and dispelling phlegm to open orifices. It is often included in compound prescriptions for the clinical treatment of depression. Based on current hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of depression, this paper systematically reviews research progress on the antidepressant mechanisms of Polygalae Radix from multiple perspectives, including its active components, its use in herbal pairings, and its inclusion in TCM compound prescriptions. This review aims to provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of Polygalae Radix in antidepressant therapy and to serve as a reference for the modernization of its antidepressant research.
2.Exploring Effect of Buchong Tiaojing Prescription on Ferroptosis in Ovarian Tissue of Rat Model of Diminished Ovarian Reserve and Its Mechanism from Perspective of NLRP3 Inflammasome
Yixuan WANG ; Zuang LI ; Yunling ZHENG ; Yucheng LI ; Songping LUO ; Ling ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):40-48
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic mechanism of Buchong Tiaojing prescription for rats with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) from the perspectives of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and ferroptosis. MethodsA total of 48 female SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, low, medium, and high dose groups of Buchong Tiaojing prescription, and an MCC950 group, with eight rats in each group. Except the normal group, all the other groups were injected subcutaneously on the back of the neck with D-galactose to prepare the DOR rat model. From the 15th day of modeling, the rats in the low, medium, and high dose groups of Buchong Tiaojing prescription were subjected to gavage daily at doses of 14.4, 28.8, 57.6 g·kg-1, respectively. Rats in the MCC950 group were injected intraperitoneally with MCC950 at a dose of 10 mg·kg-1, once every other day. The interventions of all the groups lasted for 4 weeks. The estrous cycle of the rats was observed with vaginal exfoliated cell smear. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe the development of follicles and corpus luteum in the ovary. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the levels of serum sex hormones and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot assay were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome, acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and oxidative stress kits were used to detect ovarian superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. ResultsDuring the experiment, one rat died in the high dose group of Buchong Tiaojing prescription, and a total of 47 rats were finally included in the index tests and statistics. Compared with those in the normal group, rats in the model group had significantly disturbed estrous cycles, increased number of atretic follicles, and significant disorder of serum sex hormones. The mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome, ACSL4, and TFR1 in ovarian tissue was up-regulated (P<0.01), while that of GPX4 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). The SOD content in the ovary was decreased significantly, while the MDA level was increased (P<0.01). After drug intervention, the estrous cycle of rats was basically resumed, and the follicles at all levels were more structurally intact and significantly increased in number. Additionally, the levels of serum sex hormones and IL-1β were significantly improved. The mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome, ACSL4, and TFR1 were down-regulated, while that of GPX4 was significantly up-regulated, and the ovarian oxidative stress was alleviated (P<0.05, P<0.01), especially in the high dose group of Buchong Tiaojing prescription and the MCC950 group. ConclusionInflammatory injury and ferroptosis occur in the ovaries of DOR rats, and the Buchong Tiaojing prescription is able to inhibit ovarian NLRP3 inflammasome, alleviate the degree of ovarian ferroptosis, and improve ovarian reserve.
3.2024 annual report of interventional treatment for congenital heart disease
Changdong ZHANG ; Yucheng ZHONG ; Geng LI ; Jun TIAN ; Gejun ZHANG ; Nianguo DONG ; Yuan FENG ; Daxin ZHOU ; Yongjian WU ; Lianglong CHEN ; Xiaoke SHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(07):909-918
In recent years, with the continuous development and increasing maturity of interventional techniques, interventional treatment for congenital heart disease (CHD) has been progressively disseminated to county- and city-level hospitals in China. Concurrently, the standardized management of adult CHD (particularly patent foramen ovale) and the lifelong management of complex CHD are gaining increasing clinical attention, while the emergence of new techniques and products continuously advances the discipline. This article aims to review the new progress made in the field of interventional treatment for congenital heart disease in China during 2024. It specifically reviews and analyzes the following key aspects: (1) annual statistics on interventional closure procedures for CHD; (2) recent insights into patent foramen ovale closure; (3) advances in transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement; (4) interventional treatment and lifelong management strategies for complex CHD; (5) new interventional techniques for acquired heart disease; and (6) the application of artificial intelligence in CHD management. Through the synthesis and discussion of these topics, this article seeks to provide a detailed analysis of the current landscape of interventional treatment for CHD in China and project its future development trends.
4.Prognostic factors of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma recipients beyond UCSF criteria but without macrovascular invasion
Guangdong WU ; Rui TANG ; Ang LI ; Xuan TONG ; Lihan YU ; Yucheng HOU ; Abudusalamu AINI ; Wei YANG ; Huayuan HAO ; Jingyi LIN ; Qian LU
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2024;39(5):339-343
Objective:To investigate the prognostic factors for liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma beyond UCSF criteria but without macrovascular invasion.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of the hepatocellular carcinoma patients without macrovascular invasion beyond UCSF criteria who underwent liver transplantation at our center from Jan 2018 to Jun 2023. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to assess the predictive power of potential prognosis factors.Results:With this criteria, the 1-, 3-year overall survival rates were 94.1% and 75.0%, respectively, and the 1-, 3-year tumor free survival rates were 82.4% and 38.1%, respectively. The maximum tumor size, number of tumors, AFP, PIVKA-Ⅱ before transplantation, and whether undergo pretransplant down-stage therapy were significant prognostic factors ( P<0.05). Combining the above prognostic factors to construct the receiver operating characteristic curve yielded an area under the curve of 0.967, with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.932, 0.952, respectively. Further, the differentiation, MVI and Ki-67 were significant prognostic factors ( P<0.05). Combining pathological factors to construct the receiver operating characteristic curve yielded an area under the curve of 0.927, with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.769, 1, respectively. Conclusion:The maximum tumor diameter, number of tumors, AFP, PIVKA-Ⅱ before transplantation, and pretransplant down-stage therapy and tumor differentiation, MVI and Ki-67 are all prognostic factors of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma without macrovascular invasion beyond UCSF criteria.
5.Pre-hospital emergency care research on stroke in China based on CiteSpace software
Jingtao LI ; Wenzhao ZHAO ; Yucheng JIN ; Chen NIU
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(20):81-85
Objective To analyze the research hotspots and development trends in the pre-hospital emergency care field of stroke in China from 2014 to 2023 using bibliometric method.Methods Retrieve stroke pre-hospital emergency care research articles published in the China National Konwledge Infrastructure(CNKI),WanFang and CQVIP database from 2014 to 2023.Visualize and analyze authors,institutions,and keywords using CiteSpace 5.7.R5 software.Results We included 3,125 articles for analysis.The year 2021 marked the peak of publication activity with 500 articles.The top five authors with the highest number of publications were Guo Wei,Li Dou,Yu Longjuan,Peng Peng,and Zhang Lingjuan,respectively.The Beijing Emergency Center emerged as the institution with the most significant number of publications.Predominant research hotspots encompassed topics such as intravenous thrombolysis,therapeutic outcomes,nerve functions,pathways for emergency nursing care,and green Channel.Current trends are directed towards enhancing the quality of emergency services,optimizing interventional thrombectomy techniques,improving neurological outcomes,and prognostic assessments.Conclusion Over the last decade,there has been a progressive increase in the focus on pre-hospital emergency care research for stroke within China.Future research endeavors should aim at elevating the quality of emergency care,refining thrombectomy approaches,augmenting neurological functional recovery,and improving patient prognoses.
6.Analysis of the prognostic value of hemodynamic monitoring collective strategy——CHOLKIT protocol in patients after cardiac surgery
Rui WANG ; Yunlin SONG ; Yucheng REN ; Yaowei TONG ; Laiti JU ; Zhengkai WANG ; Ying LI
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(30):55-60
Objective To predict the prognosis of patients after cardiac surgery by implementing hemodynamic monitoring collective strategy—CHOLKIT protocol,and to explore the practical application value of CHOLKIT protocol,such as early intervention to improve tissue circulation and microcirculation,and predict the timing of extubation.Methods A prospective cohort study was used to analyse 88 patients who underwent cardiac surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from April to October 2020,and they were divided into the survival group (84 cases) and the death group (4 cases) with patient survival or death as the study endpoint.The CHOLKIT protocol was applied to score the central venous pressure (CVP),heart rate (HR),central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2),lactic acid (Lac),potassium (K+),perfusion index (PI),and toe temperature (T) of patients at different time periods.The correlation between CHOLKIT score and prognosis was predicted based on the scores.Results Some monitoring indexes in the CHOLKIT protocol were related to the mortality,renal injury and duration of mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery.Conclusion The CHOLKIT protocol can predict the timing of extubation and the change of the condition of patients after cardiac surgery,and early intervention can improve the prognosis of patients,duration of mechanical ventilation and number of days of stay in the intensive care unit.
7.Exploring the Mechanism of Zuogui Pills on Improving the Stemness of Ovarian Germline Stem Cells in Rats with Ovarian Aging Based on the PI3K/AKT Pathway
Yunyi LIANG ; Tingting CHEN ; Lihua ZENG ; Zu'ang LI ; Yucheng LI ; Ling ZHU
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(10):1504-1511
Objective To investigate the mechanism of Zuogui Pills (ZGP) on improving the stemness of ovarian germline stem cells (OSCs) in ovarian aging rats through the gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43) phosphorylation based on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway. Methods Eight-week-old female SD rats were randomly divided into control(CON),model(cyclophosphamide,CTX),ZGP and dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA) groups,six rats in each group. CTX was injected intraperitoneally for 15 days to establish a model for ovarian aging,and then ZGP (1.85 g·kg-1) or DHEA (8.1 mg·kg-1) was administered by gavage once daily for 30 days. Follicle count at different stages and pathological changes of ovarian tissues were observed by HE staining. ELISA was used to detect serum levels of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH),follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH),and estradiol(E2). The expression levels of related proteins (PCNA,MVH,Oct4,Cx43,p-Cx43,EGFR,AKT、p-AKT) in ovarian tissue were detected by Western Blot. Results Compared with the CON group,rats in CTX group had significantly reduced body mass(P<0.05) and ovarian mass(P<0.05). The number of primordial follicles decreased significantly(P<0.01). Serum FSH level increased remarkably(P<0.01),while AMH and E2 levels showed a downward trend (P>0.05). The protein expressions of Oct4,MVH,PCNA,EGFR,p-AKT/AKT,p-Cx43(Ser368)/Cx43 and Cx43 in ovarian tissue were obviously decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the model group,the body mass of rats in ZGP group was significantly increased (P<0.05),as well as ovarian mass and ovarian coefficient were remarkably increased (P<0.01). The number of primordial follicles were increased significantly (P<0.01),and E2 level increased significantly (P<0.05). The protein expressions of Oct4,MVH,PCNA,EGFR,p-AKT/AKT,p-Cx43(Ser368)/Cx43 and Cx43 in ovarian tissue were all increased significantly (P<0.05,P<0.01). Conclusion ZGP may ameliorate ovarian aging by maintaining the stemness of OSCs. Its mechanism of actions is related to the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and gap junction protein phosphorylation.
8.Progress in role of bile acid metabolism in depression
Hui LIU ; Baoying WANG ; Erping XU ; Ming BAI ; Jiduo SHEN ; Yucheng LI
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2024;40(7):1351-1355
Bile acids not only play an important physiological role in regulating lipid metabolism,but also par-ticipate in the regulation of central nervous system.Numerous studies indicated that abnormal bile acid metabolism is closely related to depression,but the exact mechanism remains unclear.This study summarized the relationship between bile acid metabolism and depression and aimed to provide a new perspective for the study and treatment of depression.
9.Wenxiao Powder Alleviates Depression by Promoting Neurogenesis via BDNF/TrkB/ERK/CREB Signaling Pathway
Duo ZHANG ; Xiuhui GUO ; Yucheng LI ; Yunli GAO ; Ming BAI ; Xiangli YAN ; Erping XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(8):100-108
ObjectiveTo decipher the mechanism of Wenxiao powder in alleviating corticosterone-induced depression-like behaviors in mice. MethodMale ICR mice were randomized into normal, model, paroxetine (20 mg·kg-1), and low- and high-dose (3.27, 6.54 g·kg-1, respectively) Wenxiao powder groups. The mice in normal and model groups received equal volume of saline. Other groups except the normal group were injected with corticosterone subcutaneously 0.5 h after gavage to induce depression. Mice were tested for depression-like behaviors after drug administration. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the corticosterone content in the serum. Nissl staining was performed to observe the damage of hippocampal neurons. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to observe the expression of double cortin (DCX) in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of proteins in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) pathway in the hippocampus. ResultCompared with the normal group, the model group showed decreased sucrose preference rate, increased immobility time in the tail suspension test (P<0.01), and reduced residence time in the central area of the open field and the total movement distance (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the modeling elevated the corticosterone level in the serum (P<0.01), decreased the volume and intensified the nuclear staining of hippocampal neurons in the DG area, reduced the expression of DCX in the DG area, and down-regulated the protein levels of BDNF, phosphorylated (p)-TrkB, p-ERK, and p-CREB in the hippocampus (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, low-dose Wenxiao powder improved the mouse behavivors in the sucrose preference, open field, and tail suspension tests (P<0.05, P<0.01), and high-dose Wenxiao powder improved the behaviors in the sucrose preference and open field tests (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, Wenxiao powder lowered the serum corticosterone level (P<0.01) and recovered the structure and morphology of neurons with obvious nuclei and presence of Nissl bodies in the DG area of the hippocampus. Moreover, Wenxiao powder at both doses promoted the expression of DCX in the DG area, and high-dose Wenxiao powder up-regulated the protein levels of BDNF, p-TrkB, p-ERK, and p-CREB in the hippocampus (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionWenxiao powder can alleviate corticosterone-induced depression-like behaviors and promote neurogenesis in mice possibly by activating the BDNF/TrkB/ERK/CREB signaling pathway.
10.Meta analysis of the effects of sports participation on adolescent aggressive behavior
LIU Dongfei, LI Baoguo, CHEN Jinlan, LU Xuanjun, JIANG Yucheng, ZHAO Zhimin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(5):669-673
Objective:
To explore the relationship between adolescent sports participation and aggression, so as to provide a reference basis for sports interventions aimed at reducing adolescent aggression.
Methods:
The search databases used in the study included China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Vipo, Wanfang, Web of Science, Ebsco, Pro Quest, and PubMed, and the search period was from the construction of the database to October 22, 2023. The search terms for sports participation were "sport" "exercise" "exercise" "physical activity" "physical activity"; the search terms for aggressive behavior were "assault" "aggressive behavior" "aggression"; the search terms for aggressive behavior were "assault" "aggressive behavior" "aggression" "bullying", and "violence", and the above keywords were jointly searched. Foreign language data were searched using Web of Science, Ebsco, Pro Quest, PubMed and supplemented by Google Scholar. The search terms for sports participation were sport, athletics, exercise, train, fitness, physical exercise, physical activity, physical education; and the search terms for aggressive behavior were aggression, bullying, violence, atrocity, fighting, aggressive behavior, physical assault; the above keywords were jointly searched. Statistical analysis was performed using CMA 3.0 software.
Results:
A total of 20 studies with 80 effect sizes and 9 308 subjects were included. The Metaanalysis showed that adolescent sports participation was moderately negatively correlated with indicators of aggression (r=-0.11), physical aggression (r=-0.14), verbal aggression (r=-0.14), and hostility (r=-0.16), and weakly negatively correlated with indicators of anger (r=-0.08) (P<0.05). Aggressive behavior was influenced by gender, school stage, mode of exercise, and the sports participants region (P<0.05).
Conclusions
Exercise participation has a positive impact on reducing aggressive behavior in adolescents, and mode of exercise, age, gender, and region are moderating variables in the relationship. Schools can reduce adolescent aggression by developing exercise and physical education interventions.


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