1.Mechanistic Interpretation of Zheng’s San Qi San Powder in Treating Skeletal Muscle Injury via Bioinformatics Prediction, Chemical Analysis and Experimental Verification
Ding-Rui WANG ; Yun-Xin LIU ; Jun-Jie XU ; Liu YANG ; Jia-Hao LÜ ; Cheng-Yuan XING ; Lei LÜ ; Bei-Bei QIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):1028-1047
ObjectiveZheng’s San Qi San (ZSQS) power, a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is used for treating soft tissue injuries involving muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, its underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to screen and identify pharmaceutically active ingredients and their candidate biomolecule targets, and further elucidate the molecular mechanism of ZSQS in the treatment of skeletal muscle injury. MethodsNetwork pharmacology was employed to construct “ZSQS-component-target”, “protein-protein interaction (PPI)” and “active ingredient-core protein-pathway” networks to predict the key active ingredients and potential core targets of ZSQS for skeletal muscle injury. The predicted results were then validated via microarray data from the GEO database. Molecular docking was then performed to assess the binding ability between the screened active ingredients of ZSQS and the candidate core targets. Moreover, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis to verify the active components of the drug and ZSQS serum. Finally, an animal model of eccentric exercise-induced skeletal muscle injury and a myotube cell model of oxidative stress-induced injury were established to validate the effects of ZSQS and its interventional effects on the biological functions of critical targets, thereby demonstrating the potential therapeutic mechanism of ZSQS. ResultsAmong the 111 active components identified in ZSQS and their corresponding 204 targets related to the skeletal muscle injury repair process, 14 core targets (including AKT1) and 4 core active components (quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, and β‑sitosterol) were screened out, while the corresponding metabolites of quercetin, luteolin and kaempferol were detected in the ZSQS serum. Among these targets, 5 candidate genes (IL-6, CASP3, HIF1A, STAT3, and JUN) overlapped with the differential expression screening results with GEO data, and IL-6 was confirmed to be enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway. Combined with the prediction results of the AKT expression levels, these findings suggest that the phosphorylation level of AKT1 plays a core role in the therapeutic mechanism of ZSQS. Molecular docking analysis further revealed that the PH domain of AKT1 had high binding energy with all 4 core active components, as verified by LC-MS. Finally, animal model studies have shown the promoting effect of ZSQS administration on skeletal muscle injury repair and its possible antioxidant damage mechanism. Cell model studies further demonstrated that ZSQS-containing serum, core active ingredient combination therapy, and quercetin monomer could increase the phosphorylation level of AKT, promote the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, upregulate the expression of downstream antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and GR), and inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α), thereby alleviating oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. ConclusionZSQS alleviates skeletal muscle injury mainly by activating the AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway, enhancing cellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the clinical application and modernized development of ZSQS.
2.Trpc6 knockout suppresses inflammasome activity and alleviates myocardial inflammatory damage in mice
Haoyu LIANG ; Lei FAN ; Xing ZHU ; Lei HUANG ; Weiping LI ; Weizu LI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(4):591-598
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Trpc6 knockout on chronic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced myocardial inflammation and fibrosis in mice and its potential mechanisms. MethodsMale C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice and Trpc6 knockout (Trpc6-/-) mice of the same background were randomly divided into four groups: WT control, WT+LPS (200 μg/kg), Trpc6-/- control, and Trpc6-/-+LPS (200 μg/kg). Group with LPS received intraperitoneal LPS injections for 21 consecutive days to induce chronic myocardial inflammatory injury. Cardiac ultrasound assessed changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular shortening fraction (FS), and cardiac output (CO). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining were used to examine morphological alterations in myocardial tissue. Masson’s trichrome staining was used to assess myocardial fiber alterations; Western blot analysis was used to measure myocardial tissue expression of transient receptor potential calcium channel 6 (TRPC6), NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome (NLRP3),absent in melanoma 2 inflammasome (AIM2), Caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β in mouse myocardial tissue. ResultsCompared with the WT control group, the WT+LPS group exhibited decreased cardiac EF (P<0.01), FS (P<0.01), and CO (P<0.05), along with significantly increased myocardial tissue damage, glycoprotein deposition, and fibrosis (P<0.01). Further analysis revealed that compared with the WT control group, the WT+LPS group exhibited markedly increased myocardial tissue expression of TRPC6, NLRP3, AIM2, Caspase-1, IL-6, and IL-1β (P<0.01). Compared with the WT+LPS group, mice in the Trpc6-/- +LPS group exhibited elevated EF (P<0.01) and FS (P<0.05), along with reduced myocardial tissue injury, glycoprotein deposition, and fibrosis (P<0.05). ConclusionChronic LPS treatment can activate NLRP3/AIM2 inflammasomes through the up-regulation of TRPC6 expression, and then lead to chronic myocardial inflammatory injury and fibrosis, while Trpc6 knockdown can reduce myocardial inflammatory injury and fibrosis, and the mechanism is related to inhibiting the activation of NLRP3/AIM2 inflammasomes.
3.Autologous scalp repair of wounds in the medium-thickness skin donor area:safety and effectiveness
Dayong CAO ; Junjie ZHENG ; Lei WANG ; Yang YANG ; Haina GUO ; Peipeng XING ; Chengde XIA ; Haiping DI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(18):3804-3810
BACKGROUND:Large deep burn wounds are often accompanied by scar hyperplasia after healing,requiring transplantation of medium-thickness skin for repair,and the medium-thickness skin slices taken generally reach below the papillary layer of the dermis.If not handled correctly,complications such as delayed healing,ulceration,and post-healing pain and itching in the donor area can easily occur.Therefore,the repair of wounds in the donor area should be emphasized.OBJECTIVE:To observe the safety and practicability of autologous scalp repair of skin donor area in patients with deep burns and scarring.METHODS:Sixty patients with deep burn and scar hyperplasia admitted to the Burn Department of Zhengzhou First People's Hospital from January 2021 to September 2023 were selected as the study subjects.They all needed medium-thickness skin transplantation and repair,and were divided into study group(n=30)and control group(n=30)according to random systematic sampling method.The skin was taken from the patient's own medium-thickness skin on the leg or back.In the study group,the skin donor area was repaired with self-blade thick scalp replantation,and in the control group,the skin donor area was repaired with absorbent dressing.The wound healing rate and the time to complete epithelialization of the wound were observed and compared in the two groups 6 days after surgery.The pain of dressing change at 3 and 6 days after surgery and scar hyperplasia in the skin donor area at 6 months after surgery were compared between two groups.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,the time to complete epithelialization of the wound was significantly lower in the study group(P<0.05),and the wound healing rate was significantly higher in the study group(P<0.05),the pain score for dressing change at 3 and 6 days after surgery was significantly lower in the study group(P<0.05),and the scar hyperplasia rate,scar score and itch score were also significantly lower in the study group(P<0.05)at 6 months after surgery.In conclusion,autologous scalp repair of the medium-thickness skin donor area can accelerate wound healing and reduce scar hyperplasia.
4.Chemical constituents from Fomes officinalis and their anti-inflammatory activities
Subinuer JULAITI ; Zhan-ming XU ; Xuan-lin LIU ; Lei-ling SHI ; Xing-wang GAO ; Xiong-fei GUO
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(1):108-117
AIM To study the chemical constituents from Fomes officinalis(Vill.ex Fr.)Ames and their anti-inflammatory activities.METHODS The 95%ethanol extract from F.officinalis was isolated and purified by silica gel,Sephadex LH-20,HW-40C,MCI and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.Their anti-inflammatory activities in vitro were evaluated by RAW264.7 model.RESULTS Twenty compounds were isolated and identified as asperginine A(1),laricinolic acid(2),methoxylaricinolic acid(3),fomeffic acid(4),19-acetoxy-13S-hydroxylabda-8(17),14-diene(5),bisbenzopyran(6),lariciresinol acetate(7),fomitopsin G(8),fomitopsin H(9),demalonyl fomitopsin H(10),fomlactone A(11),fomlactone B(12),fomefficinol A(13),fomefficinol B(14),laetiporins A(15),laetiporins B(16),dehydrosulphurenic acid(17),dehydroeburicoic acid(18),3-keto-dehydrosulfurenic acid(19),eburicoic acid(20).The IC50 values of compounds 7,13,20 were(4.00±1.02),(3.29±0.62),(3.22±0.94)μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Compound 1 is a new compound,3,6,15,16 are isolated from this plant for the first time.Compounds 7,13,20 have strong anti-inflammatory activities.
5.Panax notoginseng saponins influence the interaction between endometrial cancer cells and macrophages via the EGFR/HSP27 axis
Yan LEI ; Chun FENG ; Qi XING ; Yue GAO ; Hong-mei LIAN ; Xin DU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(2):306-315
Aim To investigate the effect of Panax no-toginseng saponins(PNS)on the interaction between endometrial cancer cells and macrophages by regulating the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)/heat shock protein 27(HSP27)axis.Methods Ishikawa cells were divided into Control,DDP,PNS-treated,M2-CM,M2-CM+DDP,M2-CM+PNS,M2-CM+PNS+oe-NC,M2-CM+PNS+oe-EGFR,PNS(200 mg·L-1)+oe-NC,PNS(200 mg·L-1)+oe-EG-FR,oe-NC,oe-EGFR,oe-EGFR+si-NC,and oe-EG-FR+si-HSP27 groups.MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation,Transwell assay for cell invasion,TUNEL assay for cell apoptosis,qRT-PCR for macro-phage polarization markers CD86 and CD163 mRNA levels,ELISA for iNOS and IL-12 levels,and West-ern-blot for EGFR and HSP27 protein expression.A nude mouse xenograft tumor model was established and treated with PNS to evaluate the effect of PNS in vivo.Results Compared with the Control group,PNS and DDP significantly inhibited the proliferation and inva-sion of Ishikawa cells and induced apoptosis.M2-CM treatment inhibited M1 macrophage markers,promoted M2 macrophage markers,and induced Ishikawa cell growth,but this effect was reversed by PNS treatment.EGFR was confirmed as a target of PNS,and compared with the M2-CM+PNS+oe-NC group,EGFR overex-pression promoted M2 macrophage marker levels,in-duced Ishikawa cell proliferation and invasion,and in-hibited apoptosis.Knockdown of HSP27 reversed the effect of EGFR overexpression on the biological behav-ior of Ishikawa cells.Animal experiments showed that PNS could inhibit tumor growth and reduce the positive expression of CD163,EGFR,and HSP27 in tumor tis-sues.Conclusion PNS affects the interaction be-tween macrophages and EC cells by regulating the EG-FR/HSP27 axis,thereby participating in EC progres-sion.
6.Chemical constituents from Fomes officinalis and their anti-inflammatory activities
Subinuer JULAITI ; Zhan-ming XU ; Xuan-lin LIU ; Lei-ling SHI ; Xing-wang GAO ; Xiong-fei GUO
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(1):108-117
AIM To study the chemical constituents from Fomes officinalis(Vill.ex Fr.)Ames and their anti-inflammatory activities.METHODS The 95%ethanol extract from F.officinalis was isolated and purified by silica gel,Sephadex LH-20,HW-40C,MCI and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.Their anti-inflammatory activities in vitro were evaluated by RAW264.7 model.RESULTS Twenty compounds were isolated and identified as asperginine A(1),laricinolic acid(2),methoxylaricinolic acid(3),fomeffic acid(4),19-acetoxy-13S-hydroxylabda-8(17),14-diene(5),bisbenzopyran(6),lariciresinol acetate(7),fomitopsin G(8),fomitopsin H(9),demalonyl fomitopsin H(10),fomlactone A(11),fomlactone B(12),fomefficinol A(13),fomefficinol B(14),laetiporins A(15),laetiporins B(16),dehydrosulphurenic acid(17),dehydroeburicoic acid(18),3-keto-dehydrosulfurenic acid(19),eburicoic acid(20).The IC50 values of compounds 7,13,20 were(4.00±1.02),(3.29±0.62),(3.22±0.94)μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Compound 1 is a new compound,3,6,15,16 are isolated from this plant for the first time.Compounds 7,13,20 have strong anti-inflammatory activities.
7.Expert consensus on the management of mini-midline catheters
Xing LI ; Chunyan LI ; Fengni LI ; Lei WANG ; Fang ZHU ; Jiarui CHEN ; Qi XIA ; Nian YAO ; Jinghui ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(13):1548-1553
Objective To establish an expert consensus on the management of mini-midline catheters(hereinafter referred to as the'consensus')to guide nurses in standardizing the insertion and maintenance of mini-midline catheters.Methods Evidence was systematically retrieved,scientifically evaluated,and synthesized using evidence-based methods to draft the initial version of the consensus.From December 2023 to July 2024,totally 2 rounds of expert correspondence and 2 rounds of expert panel discussions were conducted to revise the content,resulting in the final version.Results There were 17 experts from tertiary A general hospitals in Beijing,Shanghai,Hunan,Hubei,Sichuan,Jiangsu,Hainan,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,and Shandong participating in the consultation,with a 100%response rate.In the 2 rounds of expert correspondence,the authority coefficients were 0.947 and 0.962,respectively.The mean importance scores of all items exceeded 4.00 points.The coefficients of variation(CV)were 0-0.32(first round)and 0-0.15(second round).Kendall's concordance coefficients were 0.097 and 0.101(both P<0.001).The consensus covers 11 sections,including definition,indications,contraindications,qualification training,pre-insertion preparation,catheter insertion,catheter use,catheter maintenance,catheter removal,prevention and management of common complications,and health education.Conclusion The Consensus demonstrates scientific rigor and comprehensively addresses key procedures before,during,and after the insertion of mini-midline catheters,providing actionable guidance for nurses in catheter insertion and maintenance.
8.Protective mechanism of Dachengqi decoction on intestinal mucosal barrier:a network pharmacology study focused on autophagy
Xing LU ; Kai ZHANG ; Jing ZHAO ; Shiya ZHANG ; Zhibo LI ; Xinjing GAO ; Lei XU ; Chengfen YIN
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2025;32(4):454-459
Objective To explore and verify the active components of Dachengqi decoction in regulating autophagy and its mechanism of protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier through network pharmacology and animal experiments.Methods The chemical components and autophagy-related target points of Dachengqi decoction were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database Analysis Platform(TCMSP)and GeneCards databases.The intersection of the drug target points and disease target points was taken and analyzed.The Cytoscape 3.10.2 software's Network Analyzer tool was used to analyze the drug components and target points,and the core target points were screened out to construct a traditional Chinese medicine compound regulatory network.The drug active component target point-disease network model and protein-protein interaction(PPI)network were visualized.Then,30 C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the Dachengqi decoction group,the intestinal infection group,and the control group,with 10 mice in each group.The intestinal infection group was given 200 μL/d of Klebsiella pneumoniae strain by gavage for 5 consecutive days,with a colony count of 109 CFU/mL,to create an intestinal infection model.The control group was given 200 μL/d of sterile normal saline by gavage.The Dachengqi decoction group(drug composition:Rhubarb 12 g,Aurantii Fructus 12 g,Magnolia Officinalis 24 g,Mirabilite 9 g,the drugs were dissolved in boiling distilled water to make a 1 kg/L solution)was given by gavage at a dose of 8 g·kg-1·d-1 for 3 consecutive days,and then given Klebsiella pneumoniae by gavage for 5 consecutive days on the 4th day.Detection indicators and methods:after the experiment,the mice were sacrificed and the terminal ileum tissues were collected.The tissues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin(HE),and the pathological changes of the intestinal mucosa were observed under a light microscope;immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the positive expressions of junction proteins ZO-1,Claudin-2,light chain 3-Ⅱ(LC3-Ⅱ),and Beclin-1 and the intestinal mucosal autophagy;the mRNA expression levels of autophagy genes were determined by polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Results The intersection of the obtained drug targets and disease targets yielded 111 potential autophagy-related targets for drug treatment of diseases.Key targets included β2-adrenergic receptor(ADRB2),heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),etc.,and the signaling pathways involved included AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)pathway,mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway,etc.Animal experiments confirmed that the intestinal mucosal barrier function in the Dachengqi decoction group was better than that in the intestinal infection group,and the positive expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 lingt chain 3-Ⅱ(LC3-Ⅱ)and autophagy gene Beclin1 was significantly higher than that in the intestinal infection group.Transcriptome sequencing results showed that the key genes associated with autophagy and oxidative stress included ADRB2,HO-1,etc.The mRNA expression levels of ADRB2 and HO-1 in the Dachengqi decoction group were significantly higher than those in the intestinal infection group[HO-1 mRNA expression(FPKM):11.20±0.80 vs.6.63±0.53,ADRB2 mRNA expression(FPKM):6.98±0.54 vs.3.98±0.32,both P<0.01],verifying some of the predictions from network pharmacology.Conclusions Dachengqi decoction regulates autophagy through multiple components,multiple targets and multiple pathways,protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier function and reducing the translocation of intestinal microbiota.This lays a certain foundation for further in-depth research on the mechanism of reducing intestinal bacterial translocation by Dachengqi decoction.
9.Construction and Validation of A Combination of Disease and Syndrome Prediction Model for Radiation Pneumonitis in Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy
Xinying ZHENG ; Huiyong ZHANG ; Lei WANG ; Xing HUANG ; Lei QIU ; Shunxian ZHANG ; Qingliang FANG ; Zhenhui LU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(4):1064-1071
Objective To establish,evaluate and validate the Nomogram prediction model of radiation pneumonitis(RP)in intensity modulated radiotherapy(IMRT)with TCM syndrome elements.Methods 257 patients with locally advanved non-small cell lung cancer receiving IMRT were analyzed retrospectively.The total population was randomly divided into a training set and a validation set by 7:3.A prediction model was established by Lasso-Logistic regression analysis,and then visualized by Nomogram to evaluate and validate the model.Results Independent risk factors included in the prediction model included tumor stage(OR=6.576;P=0.003),position(OR=2.935;P=0.016),MLD of the affected lung(OR=1.001;P<0.001)and Yin deficiency(OR=3.861;P=0.003).Based on the above factors,the prediction model was constructed and visualized.The C-index of the training set and the validation set were 0.865 and 0.867,respectively.The calibration curves of the two sets had a good fit and had certain clinical usefulness.Conclusion Based on the clinical elements of Chinese and Western medicine,tumor stage,position,lung MLD and Yin deficiency,the model can accurately predict the occurrence of≥grade 2 RP,and provide a reference for clinical screening of high-risk patients and further improvement of treatment plan.
10.Protective effect of Tilianin on septicemia-induced myocardial injury in rat based on TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway
Jian-xin HAO ; Yong-xin ZHANG ; Yue WANG ; Lei XU ; Rui-fang ZHENG ; Jian-guo XING
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(6):1135-1141
Aim To investigate the protective effects of Tilianin on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced septice-mia-induced myocardial injury in rats and to explore the related mechanisms.Methods Animals were ran-domly grouped and a rat septicemia-induced myocardial injury model was constructed.Echocardiography was used to assess the cardiac function of rats,left ventricu-lar internal diameter at end-diastole(LVIDd)and left ventricular internal diameter at end-systole(LVIDs)were measured,and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS)were calculated;the kits were used to detect the serum activity of the relevant cardiac enzymes and the level of inflammatory factors;HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of myocardium;immunofluorescence staining of cardiac tissues was used to detect the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65;Western blot was used to detect the expression of TLR4,MyD88,p-NF-κB p65,and NLRP3 proteins in cardiac tissues.Results Compared with the model group,each administration group differently upregulated LVEF,LVFS,and LVIDs,and improved the coordina-tion of LV wall fluctuations in the model group of rats;cardiac enzymes LDH and CK-MB levels increased,and levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1 β were reduced,exerting cardioprotective effects;HE staining showed that myocardial tissue cell gap was re-duced,myocardial fiber breakage was reduced,cardio-myocyte arrangement tended to be normal,and inflam-matory cell infiltration was reduced;NF-κB p65 entry into the nucleus was reduced,and phosphorylated NF-κB p65(p-NF-κB p65)expression was reduced;and Western blot results showed that the expression of TLR4,MyD88,and NLRP3 proteins was reduced.Conclusions Tilianin pretreatment reduces serum my-ocardial enzymes and inflammatory factors and im-proves myocardial injury in rats with septicemia-in-duced myocardial injury,which may be related to the Tilianin anti-TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammatory signa-ling pathway.

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