1.Pharmacological Review, Challenges, and Future Prospects of Zhusha Anshenwan
Xiaosong HU ; Zhou LAN ; Ping WANG ; Li DING ; Chun GUI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):329-335
Zhusha Anshenwan is a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula originating from LI Dongyuan's Treatise on the Differentiation of Endogenous and Exogenous Injuries (Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun) of the Jin-Yuan period. It is composed of five medicinal ingredients: Cinnabaris (Zhusha), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdihuang), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao). Under the guidance of TCM theory, this formula is used to treat syndromes of disturbed spirit, including insomnia, palpitations, and anxiety, caused by hyperactivity of heart fire and deficiency of Yin-blood, and it also exerts auxiliary anticonvulsant effects in epilepsy and related conditions. However, the potential neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity of its monarch drug, Cinnabaris (mainly composed of mercuric sulfide, HgS), together with the risk of in vivo accumulation, have rendered its clinical application controversial, and it has not yet been formally included in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. In addition, restrictions imposed by the Minamata Convention on Mercury have led to an increasing shortage of natural medicinal Cinnabaris resources, making the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of synthetic Cinnabaris particularly urgent. This contradiction highlights the complexity of safety evaluation for traditional medicines. Existing studies indicate that Zhusha Anshenwan exhibits definite pharmacological activities in calming the mind, improving sleep, and regulating emotional disorders. Moreover, other components of the formula may exert antagonistic effects on the toxicity of Cinnabaris, and reports of severe mercury poisoning caused by standardized clinical use of this prescription are extremely rare. Research suggests that other ingredients in the compound formula, such as Rehmanniae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, may effectively alleviate the hepatorenal toxicity of Cinnabaris through mechanisms including modulation of the gut microbiota, formation of mercury complexes, and direct protection of target organs. This article aims to systematically review the progress in pharmacodynamic research on Zhusha Anshenwan, to explore its mechanisms of action in depth, and to analyze the toxicokinetic characteristics and safety risks of Cinnabaris, as well as the scientific connotations of toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement achieved through compound compatibility. In addition, it compares Zhusha Anshenwan with other commonly used sedative formulas, with the aim of providing a scientific basis and forward-looking perspectives for the safe and rational application and in-depth development of this classical prescription in a modern context, and of emphasizing the important value of holistic research on TCM compound formulas in addressing the challenges of single-component toxicity.
2.Improvement effect and mechanism of ginsenoside F1 on allergic rhinitis rats based on the MAPK/STAT3 pathway
Jiahui LAN ; Tao ZHANG ; Wei DONG ; Chang LIU ; An HU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(14):1845-1850
OBJECTIVE To explore the improvement effect and potential mechanism of ginsenoside F1 (GF1) on allergic rhinitis (AR) rats based on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway. METHODS Male SD rats were divided into a control group ( n =15) and a modeling group ( n =55). The AR rat model was established by basic sensitization with ovalbumin followed by local challenge. The successfully modeled rats were randomly assigned to the AR group, low-dose GF1 group [2.5 mg/(kg·d) ] , high-dose GF1 group [5 mg/(kg·d) ] , loratadine group (positive control, 1.5 mg/(kg·d) ] , and high-dose GF1+MAPK activator group [5 mg/(kg·d) GF1+0.2 nmol C16-PAF ] , with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 rats from the control group were randomly selected as the blank control group. Rats in each group received corresponding drug solutions or normal saline via intranasal instillation and/or oral gavage once daily for 28 consecutive days. After the final administration, AR symptoms were observed and rhinitis symptom scores were assessed. Histopathological changes of the nasal mucosa were examined. The number of inflammatory cells in nasal lavage fluid, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines [interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-17, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) ] and immunoglobulin E (IgE), as well as the density of goblet cells, the number of mast cells, and the expression of MAPK/STAT3 pathway-related proteins in nasal mucosal tissues were measured. RESULTS Compared with the blank control group, the AR group exhibited marked pathological damage to the nasal mucosal epithelium, characterized by interstitial edema and inflammatory cell infiltration. The rhinitis symptom score, the number of macrophages, lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils and mast cells, the density of goblet cells, the levels of IL-4, IL-17 and IgE, as well as the protein phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK and STAT3 were significantly increased or elevated, while the level of IFN-γ was significantly decreased in the AR group ( P <0.05). Compared with the AR group, all administration groups showed recovery of nasal mucosal epithelial pathological damage and significant improvements in all quantitative indicators, with the high-dose GF1 group and loratadine group showing more pronounced improvements than the low-dose GF1 group ( P <0.05). C16-PAF significantly reversed the ameliorative effects of GF1 on all quantitative indicators ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS GF1 can alleviate rhinitis symptoms in AR rats and inhibit inflammatory responses, which may be related to the inhibition of the MAPK/STAT3 pathway activation.
3.Mechanistic study of FOXK1 in promoting laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma progression by upregulating AKT2 expression
Xu Yuru1 ; Lu Guang2 ; Liu Meng1 ; Hu Guobin1 ; Liu Shenghui1 ; Zhao Ruili1 ; Lan Lili1
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(7):754-762
[摘 要] 目的:探讨叉头框K1(FOXK1)在喉鳞状细胞癌(LSCC)中的表达、临床意义及对细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭的影响,并阐明其分子机制。方法:RT-qPCR、免疫组化检测LSCC组织及LSCC细胞TU177中FOXK1表达,分析其与临床病理参数及预后的相关性;通过瞬时转染构建FOXK1过表达与敲低细胞模型,通过MTS法、克隆形成实验、划痕愈合实验和Transwell实验检测细胞恶性生物学行为的变化;采用RT-qPCR检测上皮-间充质转化(EMT)相关因子mRNA的表达;采用WB法检测PI3K/AKT信号通路相关蛋白的表达;结合生物信息学预测与功能回复实验,验证FOXK1对AKT2的调控作用。结果:FOXK1在LSCC组织及细胞中高表达(P < 0.01),且主要定位于细胞核;FOXK1高表达与较晚TNM分期相关(P < 0.05),且FOXK1高表达患者5年生存率较低(P < 0.05);过表达FOXK1显著增强TU177细胞增殖、迁移与侵袭能力并诱导EMT(P < 0.01或P < 0.05),敲低FOXK1则产生相反的效应;FOXK1可上调AKT2表达并激活PI3K/AKT信号通路;敲低AKT2可部分逆转FOXK1过表达对细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭及EMT进程的促进作用(P < 0.01或P < 0.05)。结论:FOXK1在LSCC中高表达,与肿瘤进展及不良预后密切相关。FOXK1可能通过上调AKT2激活PI3K/AKT信号通路,诱导EMT,从而促进LSCC细胞的恶性生物学行为。
4.Expert recommendations on artificial intelligence assisted myopia prevention and control in children and adolescents
PAN Chenwei, LI Danlin, LIANG Gang, HE Xiangui, LIU Hu, HU Ke, GUO Lan, WU Xiaoyan, TAO Fangbiao, Vision Health Branch of Chinese Association for Student Nutrition & ; Health Promotion
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(8):1065-1068
Abstract
The prevention and control of myopia in children and adolescents has become a national health strategy in China, and its prevention and management are transitioning from experience driven approaches to precise and intelligent strategies. Understanding the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in myopia prevention and control can provide a foundation for a comprehensive myopia prevention and control system. AI, with its powerful capabilities in data analysis and pattern recognition, shows significant potential in myopia risk prediction, screening and diagnosis, intervention support and behavior monitoring in children and adolescents. The article systematically summarizes the scientific evidence and consensus on the application of AI for myopia prevention and control in children and adolescents. From the perspective of public health practice, it proposes hierarchical expert recommendations for multiple scenarios including schools, families, communities and medical institutions, as well as policy and research with development. Furthermore, it discusses current challenges and future directions, aiming to provide a reference for building an intelligent, precise and fully covered comprehensive myopia prevention and control system in children and adolescents.
5.Application of Recombinant Collagen in Biomedicine
Huan HU ; Hong ZHANG ; Jian WANG ; Li-Wen WANG ; Qian LIU ; Ning-Wen CHENG ; Xin-Yue ZHANG ; Yun-Lan LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):395-416
Collagen is a major structural protein in the matrix of animal cells and the most widely distributed and abundant functional protein in mammals. Collagen’s good biocompatibility, biodegradability and biological activity make it a very valuable biomaterial. According to the source of collagen, it can be broadly categorized into two types: one is animal collagen; the other is recombinant collagen. Animal collagen is mainly extracted and purified from animal connective tissues by chemical methods, such as acid, alkali and enzyme methods, etc. Recombinant collagen refers to collagen produced by gene splicing technology, where the amino acid sequence is first designed and improved according to one’s own needs, and the gene sequence of improved recombinant collagen is highly consistent with that of human beings, and then the designed gene sequence is cloned into the appropriate vector, and then transferred to the appropriate expression vector. The designed gene sequence is cloned into a suitable vector, and then transferred to a suitable expression system for full expression, and finally the target protein is obtained by extraction and purification technology. Recombinant collagen has excellent histocompatibility and water solubility, can be directly absorbed by the human body and participate in the construction of collagen, remodeling of the extracellular matrix, cell growth, wound healing and site filling, etc., which has demonstrated significant effects, and has become the focus of the development of modern biomedical materials. This paper firstly elaborates the structure, type, and tissue distribution of human collagen, as well as the associated genetic diseases of different types of collagen, then introduces the specific process of producing animal source collagen and recombinant collagen, explains the advantages of recombinant collagen production method, and then introduces the various systems of expressing recombinant collagen, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, and finally briefly introduces the application of animal collagen, focusing on the use of animal collagen in the development of biopharmaceutical materials. In terms of application, it focuses on the use of animal disease models exploring the application effects of recombinant collagen in wound hemostasis, wound repair, corneal therapy, female pelvic floor dysfunction (FPFD), vaginal atrophy (VA) and vaginal dryness, thin endometritis (TE), chronic endometritis (CE), bone tissue regeneration in vivo, cardiovascular diseases, breast cancer (BC) and anti-aging. The mechanism of action of recombinant collagen in the treatment of FPFD and CE was introduced, and the clinical application and curative effect of recombinant collagen in skin burn, skin wound, dermatitis, acne and menopausal urogenital syndrome (GSM) were summarized. From the exploratory studies and clinical applications, it is evident that recombinant collagen has demonstrated surprising effects in the treatment of all types of diseases, such as reducing inflammation, promoting cell proliferation, migration and adhesion, increasing collagen deposition, and remodeling the extracellular matrix. At the end of the review, the challenges faced by recombinant collagen are summarized: to develop new recombinant collagen types and dosage forms, to explore the mechanism of action of recombinant collagen, and to provide an outlook for the future development and application of recombinant collagen.
6.Research progress on strategies to target intestinal microbiota to improve drug resistance in tumor immunotherapy
Hui-ling LI ; Bi-qing LIU ; Ying-nan FENG ; Xin HU ; Lan ZHANG ; Xian-zhe DONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):260-268
A growing body of research points out that gut microbiota plays a key role in tumor immunotherapy. By optimizing the composition of intestinal microbiota, it is possible to effectively improve immunotherapy resistance and enhance its therapeutic effect. This article comprehensively analyzes the mechanism of intestinal microbiota influencing tumor immunotherapy resistance, expounds the current strategies for targeted regulation of intestinal microbiota, such as traditional Chinese medicine and plant components, fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, prebiotics and dietary therapy, and explores the potential mechanisms of these strategies to improve patients' resistance to tumor immunotherapy. At the same time, the article also briefly discusses the prospects and challenges of targeting intestinal microbiota to improve tumor immunotherapy resistance, which provides a reference for related research to help the strategy research of reversing tumor immunotherapy resistance.
7.The effects and mechanisms of silica on alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis
Yali LAN ; Wenyao SU ; Zhiming HU ; Ping WANG ; Bizhu ZHANG ; Na ZHAO
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(1):10-16
Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of silica dust on the apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) through in vitro and animal experiments. Methods i) In vitro experiment. A549 cells were stimulated with 100 mg/L silica suspension for 0, 12, 24 and 48 hours. The cell apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. ii) Animal experiment. Specific pathogen-free male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control, 14-day, 28-day, and 56-day groups, with five mice in each group. The mice in the control group were sacrificed at 56 days after being treated with 40.0 μL 0.9% sodium chloride solution, and the mice in the last three groups were sacrificed at 14, 28 and 56 days after being treated with 40.0 μL silica suspension with a mass concentration of 125 g/L via tracheal exposure method. The lung tissues of mice were collected to measure lung organ coefficients. Masson staining was used to detect the degree of pulmonary fibrosis, and Ashcroft scores were evaluated. The apoptosis of AEC in mice was observed by TUNEL immunofluorescence assay. iii) The mRNA relative expression of apoptosis-related genes in A549 cells and mouse lung tissue was detected using reverse transcription and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results i) In vitro experiment. The apoptosis rate of A549 cells increased with longer silica exposure (all P<0.05). The relative expression of B cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) mRNA in A549 cells in 24 h group and 48 h group decreased (both P<0.05), and the relative expression of BCL-2 associated X protein (BAX) mRNA increased (both P<0.05), compared with 0 h group. The mRNA relative expression of caspase (CASP) -3 and CASP-9 in A549 cells increased with longer silica exposure (all P<0.05). ii) Animal experiment. The lung organ coefficients and Ashcroft score in mice progressively increased (all P<0.05), the degree of pulmonary fibrosis was gradually aggravated, and TUNEL positive cells in lung tissue were gradually increased, while Bax, Casp-3 and Casp-9 mRNA relative expression increased with longer silica exposure (all P<0.05). Conclusion Silica dust may cause pulmonary fibrosis by inducing apoptosis of AEC, with a time-dependent effect. The mechanism may be related to the effect of silica dust on mitochondrial apoptosis through Bcl-2/Bax/Caspase-3 signaling pathway.
8.Disease Burden of Malignant Tumors Among Residents of Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, 2006–2021
Zhouquan FAN ; Wenbin HU ; Yixu JIN ; Lyulin LU ; Jie ZHOU ; Lan TONG ; Wei QIN
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(5):411-417
Objective To analyze the burden of disease of malignant tumors in Kunshan City from 2006 to 2021. Methods The global burden of disease research methodology was applied. The indicators of cancer incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in Kunshan were calculated using the data from the Tumor Registry System and Death Registry System in Kunshan. The changes in cancer were compared. Results In 2021, the number of incidences and deaths and the DALYs of cancer were
9.Application of blood conservation measures with different red blood cell transfusion volumes in obstetrics and their impact on postpartum outcomes
Huimin DENG ; Fengcheng XU ; Meiting LI ; Lan HU ; Xiao WANG ; Shiyu WANG ; Xiaofei YUAN ; Jun ZHENG ; Zehua DONG ; Yuanshan LU ; Shaoheng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(5):691-698
Objective: To evaluate the application of blood conservation measures in obstetric patients with different red blood cell transfusion volumes and to assess the impact of different transfusion volumes on postpartum outcomes. Methods: A retrospective investigation was conducted on 448 obstetric patients who received blood transfusions at the Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2016 to December 2022. Patients were divided into four groups (1-2 units group, 3-4 units group, 5-6 units group, and >6 units group) based on the volumes of red blood cells (RBCs) transfused during and within 7 days after delivery. The maternal physiological indicators, pre- and postpartum laboratory test indicators, obstetric complications, application of blood conservation measures, use of blood products, and postpartum outcomes were reviewed. The clinical characteristics, application of blood conservation measures, and their impact on postpartum outcomes were compared among different transfusion groups. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the multivariate logistic analysis of history of previous cesarean section (OR=1.781), eclampsia/pre-eclampsia/(OR=1.972) and postpartum blood loss>1 000 mL(OR=1.699)(P<0.05) among different transfusion groups. In terms of blood conservation measures, the more RBCs transfused, the higher the rate of mothers receiving blood conservation measures such as balloon occlusion, arterial ligation, autologous blood transfusion with a cell saver, and hysterectomy. With the increase in the volume of RBCs transfusion, the demand for fresh frozen plasma(FFP), cryoprecipitate, and platelet transfusions also increased. The hospitalization days for the four groups of parturients were 6.0 (4.0-9.0), 7.5 (5.0-14.8), 7.0 (4.5-13.0) and 11.0 (9.0-20.5), respectively (P<0.05) and the rates of ICU transfer were 2.0% (5/250), 9.4% (12/128),18.2% (6/33) and 51.4% (19/37), respectively (P<0.05). Both increased significantly with the increase in the volume of RBCs transfusion, and the differences between groups were statistically significant. Conclusion: Parturients who received higher volume of RBCs had multiple risks factors for bleeding before childbirth, had higher postpartum blood loss, and had a higher rate of application of various blood conservation measures. In addition, an increase in the volume of RBCs transfusion may have adverse effects on postpartum recovery.
10.Screening of lncRNAs Associated with Muscle Development and Meat Formation in the Longest Dorsal Muscles of Female Yanchi Tan Sheep of Different Months of Age by Transcriptome Sequencing
Yi-Lan LIU ; Ya-Mei HU ; Hui-Xia LI ; Jia-Wei LU ; Yuan LIU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(2):284-295
Yanchi Tan sheep,a specialty of Ningxia,China,is famous for its excellent meat quality,but the detailed mechanisms of its muscle development and meat quality formation are still unclear.In or-der to preliminarily investigate the unique molecular mechanisms in the muscle development of the sheep,the present study was carried out to collect the longest dorsal muscle(LDM)samples from 6-month-old and 12-month-old female Tan sheep,and we screened the genes and long non-coding RNA(lncRNAs)that may play important roles in regulating the muscle development and meat quality formation through transcriptome sequencing(RNA-seq).The results showed that a total of 504 mRNAs and 1,483 lncRNAs were detected between the two groups of LDMs,with significant differences(P<0.05).And we also pre-dicted 103 potential lncRNA-mRNA cis-regulatory relationship pairs with significant differences(P<0.05).Skeletal muscle development-related genes such as MSTN,CDKN1A,FHL1 and skeletal muscle metabolism-related genes such as LPL and SCD were subsequently screened based on the functional anal-ysis of differentially expressed mRNA.Based on the functional analysis of differentially expressed lncRNA target genes,13 lncRNAs potentially related to muscle development(LNC.17926.1,LNC.981.1,LNC.16284.1,etc.)and 8 lncRNAs potentially related to skeletal muscle metabolism(LNC.15496.1,LNC.18149.1,etc.)were identified.5 lncRNAs and 4 mRNAs expressed in both groups were randomly selected for qPCR validation experiments,and their results were consistent with RNA-seq,which corrob-orated with the reliability of the sequencing results.This study lays a solid foundation for future investiga-tions of muscle development,meat quality formation mechanism and molecular breeding in Tan sheep,and provides a scientific basis for improving the meat production performance of other domestic sheep breeds.


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