1.Study on Reducing Hepatotoxicity and Retaining Anti-osteoporosis Activity of Psoraleae Fructus Though Salt Processing Based on Zebrafish
Yiqi LIU ; Xuan WANG ; Qiqi FAN ; Zehua CHANG ; Shuo FAN ; Na WANG ; Zheng LI ; Xinfang XU ; Chongjun ZHAO ; Xiangri LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):79-90
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of salt processing of Psoraleae Fructus (PF) through modern analytical techniques and biotechnology, focusing on its effects related to hepatotoxicity and anti-osteoporosis activity. MethodsThe zebrafish model was utilized to evaluate the impact of PF and salt-processed Psoraleae Fructus (SPF) on the hepatotoxicity (using 134.17 , 178.89, 268.34 mg·L-1 as low, medium, and high dose groups of PF, 135.04, 180.06, 270.08 mg·L-1 as low, medium, and high dose groups of SPF, respectively) and anti-osteoporotic activity (using 33.54 , 67.08 and 134.17 mg·L-1 as low, medium, and high dose groups of PF, 33.76, 67.52, 135.04 mg·L-1 as low, medium, and high dose groups of SPF, respectively), which was using alizarin red skull staining of zebrafish as an indicator of different batches of PF. The specific dosage of a batch of PF was taken as an example. Then ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) analysis was employed to identify the chemical composition of PF before and after salt processing, and PCA, OPLS-DA, and independent sample t-test were used to elucidating the compositional changes associated with the effects of salt processing on hepatotoxicity and anti-osteoporosis activity. ResultsUnder specific conditions, PF induced notable hepatotoxicity in zebrafish while simultaneously demonstrating protective effect against prednisolone-induced osteoporosis. In comparison to PF, SPF showed alleviated hepatotoxicity while retaining significant anti-osteoporosis activity. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis revealed that after salt processing, the overall chemical composition of PF showed a downward trend, with 69 components showing a decrease in content, represented by psoralen, and 13 components showing an increase, represented by 4′-O-methyl psoralen B. Further multivariate statistical analysis revealed 11 key differential components before and after salt processing of PF, including psoralen and bakuchiol. ConclusionSalt processing effectively diminishes hepatotoxicity without impairing therapeutic efficacy against osteoporosis of PF, which may be related to the compositional changes before and after salt processing of PF and provides key evidence to reveal the scientific significance of salt processing of PF.
2.Effect of Qingfei Shenshi Decoction (清肺渗湿汤) Combined with Western Medicine on Clinical Effectiveness and Immune Function for Patients with Bronchial Asthma of Heat Wheezing Syndrome
Ying SUN ; Haibo HU ; Na LIU ; Fengchan WANG ; Jinbao ZONG ; Ping HAN ; Peng LI ; Guojing ZHAO ; Haoran WANG ; Xuechao LU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):38-44
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effectiveness and safety of Qingfei Shenshi Decoction (清肺渗湿汤) combined with western medicine for patients with bronchial asthma of heat wheezing syndrome, and to explore its potential mechanism of action. MethodsEighty-six participants with bronchial asthma of heat wheezing syndrome were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, each group with 43 participants. The control group received conventional western medicine, and the treatment group was additionally administered Qingfei Shenshi Decoction orally on the basis of the control group, 1 dose per day. Both groups were treated for 14 days. The primary outcome measure was clinical effectiveness; secondary outcome measures included traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, asthma control test (ACT) score, pulmonary function indices such as forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), serum inflammatory factor levels including interleukin-4 (IL-4), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and immune function indices including CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+. All outcome measures were evaluated before and after treatment. Vital signs were monitored, and electrocardiography, blood routine, urine routine, liver function, and renal function tests were performed before and after treatment. Adverse events and reactions during the study were recorded. ResultsA total of 80 patients completed the trial with 40 in each group. The total clinical effective rate of the treatment group was 97.5% (39/40), which was significantly higher than that of the control group (85.0%, 34/40, P<0.05). After treatment, both groups showed decreased TCM syndrome scores, IL-4, TNF-α, hs-CRP, and CD8+ levels, as well as increased ACT scores, CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+, FEV1, FVC, and PEF levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, the improvements in these indices were more significant in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). No significant abnormalities in safety indicators were observed in either group, and no adverse events or reactions occurred. ConclusionQingfei Shenshi Decoction combined with conventional western medicine for patients with bronchial asthma of heat wheezing syndrome can effectively improve the clinical symptoms, pulmonary function, and clinical effectiveness, with good safety. Its mechanism may be related to reducing inflammatory factor levels and regulating T lymphocyte subsets to improve immune function.
3.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates VEGF Signaling Pathway for Anti-angiogenic Intervention in Preneoplastic Breast Cancer: A Review
Huikun BAI ; Min HUANG ; Benfa LI ; Rong ZHAO ; Zhuoling LI ; Dongdong ZHAO ; Na YANG ; Awei BI ; Yun GAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):295-302
Breast cancer prevention and treatment have become major issues that urgently need to be addressed in the field of global public health. As a key pathological transitional stage in the progression of breast cancer, preneoplastic breast cancer (PBC) carries a significant risk of clinical transformation. Effective intervention in the progression of PBC is of great clinical significance in preventing the occurrence of breast cancer. Pathological studies have shown that abnormal angiogenesis is a key mechanism driving the transformation of PBC into breast cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as a core regulatory molecule that promotes angiogenesis, plays a pivotal role in this process. The malignant transformation of PBC is closely associated with the abnormal activation of the VEGF-mediated pro-angiogenic network. Although modern medicine has achieved certain therapeutic effects through surgery and endocrine therapy, clinical limitations such as invasiveness, drug resistance, and adverse reactions still exist. Recent studies have demonstrated that the VEGF signaling system mediates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. In addition, the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/VEGF signaling pathway and the delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4)/Notch receptor 1 (Notch1) signaling pathway, together with other pathways, form a complex regulatory network that plays a central role in angiogenesis during PBC. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by multi-component synergy, multi-pathway regulation, and high safety, demonstrates significant advantages in inhibiting pathological angiogenesis and blocking PBC progression by targeting the VEGF signaling pathway. From the perspective of VEGF pathway regulation, this paper systematically reviews the latest research progress on TCM in inhibiting angiogenesis and intervening in PBC, and discusses its mechanisms and application value in the early prevention and treatment of PBC, with the aim of providing references for optimizing clinical intervention strategies for PBC.
4.Performance validation of a novel multiplex detection reagent for screening transfusion-associated infectious diseases
Miao LIU ; Qian ZHAO ; Na YAO ; Jing LI ; Jiahui ZHANG ; Ning YE ; Yuena XIE
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(5):650-655
Objective: To validate the performance of the Procleix UltrioPlex E assay (Grifols, Spain) on the Procleix Panther automated nucleic acid detection platform, which employs the TMA method to simultaneously detect HIV-1/HIV-2/HCV/HBV/HEV viruses, and to evaluate its value for screening transfusion-associated infectious diseases. Methods: In accordance with the requirements of ISO15189"Application of the Guidelines for the Accreditation of Quality and Capabilities of Medical Laboratories in the Field of Molecular Diagnostics (CNAS-CL02-A009: 2018)", "Guidelines for Performance Validation of Molecular Diagnostic Testing Procedures (CNAS-GL039: 2019)", and the "Technical Operating Procedures for Blood Banks (2019 Edition)", this study validated the reagent's performance in terms of analytical sensitivity validation, performance consistency validation, interference resistance, and cross-contamination resistance. Results: Probit analysis revealed that the 95% detection limits (95% confidence interval) for HBV, HCV, HIV, and HEV were 2.0 IU/mL, 1.5 IU/mL, 18.0 IU/mL and 3.7 IU/mL, respectively, which were consistent with the minimum detection limits stated in the kit's package insert and were comparable to the Procleix Ultrio Elite kit. Both kits were used to test the performance validation serum plate simultaneously, yielding results consistent with the serum plate (Kappa=1), indicating stable performance. Detection of medium-and low-concentration lipemia and weakly positive hemolysis samples demonstrated good interference resistance. Cross-contamination performance validation showed that the kit exhibited excellent cross-contamination resistance. Conclusion: The Procleix UltrioPlex E nucleic acid detection kit enables combined detection of HIV-1, HIV-2, HCV, HBV, and HEV, allowing single-test screening for multiple viruses in donor blood. The kit's analytical performance is stable and meets basic laboratory requirements, making it suitable for screening transfusion-associated infectious diseases in blood banks.
5.Simultaneous Determination of 21 Kinds of Aconitum Alkaloids in Biological Specimens and Herbal Wines Using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Ju YANG ; Guo-Jun LI ; Xian-Mou FAN ; Rui-Bin ZHAO ; Shao-Ming SU ; Xu-Xian FU ; En-Jin ZHU ; Qi-Lin HUANG ; Yao QIN ; Li-Na LI
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(8):1391-1401,后插1-后插6,封3
A method for simultaneous determination of 21 kinds of Aconitum alkaloids(ATS)in biological specimens and infused liquor using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)was developed.The biological samples were pretreated with methanol-acetonitrile(1∶2,V/V)for protein precipitation,while infused liquors were diluted 100-fold with acetonitrile,followed by centrifugation,and filtration by a 0.22-μm membrane.Chromatographic separation was carried out on an EC-C18 column using gradient elution with the mixture of 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate and 0.2%formic acid as mobile phase A and acetonitrile as mobile phase B.With this method,all the analytes were separated within 9.5 min.The samples were detected in positive ESI mode with dynamic multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)and quantified via external standard calibration.The results showed that the concentrations of the analytes in the range of 2-1000 ng/mL had excellent linearity(R2>0.9992)with the peak area.The developed method was successfully used for detection of 21 kinds of aconitum alkaloids,with limits of detection of 0.5-2 ng/mL,quantification limits of 2-6 ng/mL,intra/inter-day precision≤6.0%,spiked recoveries of 89.4%-100.9%,extraction recoveries of 74.2%-104.4%,and matrix effects ranging from-11.1%to 9.2%in blood/urine.The method was applied to detection of 12 samples from 4 fatal aconite poisoning cases,and all 21 kinds of ATS with total alkaloid concentrations of 0.04-4.18 μg/mL in blood and 154.96-422.83 μg/mL in medicinal liquors were detected.Tissue distribution revealed that the order of concentrations from highest to lowest is as follows:urine(157.22 μg/mL)>gastric contents(51.37 μg/mL)>kidney(21.6 μg/g)>whole blood(4.18 μg/mL)>liver(0.03 μg/g).This method showed many advantages such as simple pretreatment,low detection limits,accurate quantification,broad analyte coverage,and superior anti-interference capability in complex matrices,proving ideal for forensic and toxicological analysis of aconitum alkaloids.
6.Study on characteristics and drug resistance of neonatal sepsis caused by different pathogenic bacteria
Yunfei GAO ; Shuhua ZHAO ; Ruilai LIU ; Xufang LI ; Zitian WANG ; Yue ZHANG ; Hong SHA ; Jing HE ; Xiaoyu YANG ; Na WU
International Journal of Pediatrics 2025;52(3):211-216
Objective:To investigate the differences in clinical characteristics and antibiotic resistance of neonatal sepsis(NS)caused by different Gram-staining pathogens.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on confirmed NS cases admitted to the Neonatal Ward of the Pediatric Department at The First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University,from June 1,2014,to May 31,2024.Patients were divided into Gram-positive and Gram-negative groups based on blood or cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)culture results.Clinical characteristics,pathogen distribution,and antibiotic resistance were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 98 cases were included,with 81 in the Gram-positive group and 17 in the Gram-negative group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that NS cases with a high neutrophil percentage( OR=0.933,95% CI:0.899-0.969)or hemorrhagic symptoms/signs( OR=0.059,95% CI:0.008-0.458)were less likely to have Gram-positive pathogens detected in blood or CSF cultures( P<0.05).Common Gram-positive pathogens included Staphylococcus epidermidis with 35 strains(33.65%)and Staphylococcus hominis with 22 strains(21.15%).The predominant Gram-negative pathogen was Escherichia coli with 14 strains(13.46%).Gram-positive pathogens exhibited high resistance to oxacillin(91.30%),erythromycin(90.91%),and penicillin G(90.00%),but low resistance to tigecycline(0),linezolid(0),and vancomycin(0).Gram-negative pathogens showed high resistance to ampicillin(92.31%),cefazolin(90.00%),and ampicillin/sulbactam(75.00%),but low resistance to amikacin(6.25%),latamoxef(0),and ertapenem(0).The incidence of concurrent purulent meningitis was lower in the Gram-positive group than in the Gram-negative group(9.88% vs.47.06%, χ2=11.628, P<0.05),and there was significant difference. Conclusion:NS cases with high neutrophil percentages or hemorrhagic symptoms/signs are less likely to be caused by Gram-positive pathogens.Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus hominis are common Gram-positive pathogens,while Escherichia coli is the predominant Gram-negative pathogen in NS.Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens exhibit resistance to specific antibiotics.NS caused by Gram-positive pathogens is less likely to be complicated by purulent meningitis compared to those caused by Gram-negative pathogens.
7.Correlation between serum miR-410,miR-17-5p,miR-21 expression levels and disease activity in patients with psoriasis vulgaris
Yanxin WANG ; Fengdi LI ; Qingyi WANG ; Na ZHAO
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(10):1216-1220
Objective To investigate the correlation between serum microRNA(miR)-410,miR-17-5p,and miR-21 expression levels with disease activity in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.Methods A total of 126 pa-tients with psoriasis vulgaris who visited Department of Dermatology in the hospital from January 2022 to January 2024 were included as the research group(51 cases in the active phase,37 cases in the quiescent phase,and 38 cases in the degenerative phase).According to the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(PASI)scoring method,the patients were assigned into 52 cases of mild piasis group and 74 cases of moderate to se-vere sis group.126 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations at the hospital were included as the control group.Fluorescence quantitative PCR was applied to detect the expression levels of miR-410,miR-17-5p,and miR-21.The general clinical data of the research group and the control group were compared.The expression levels of serum miR-410,miR-17-5p,and miR-21 were compared among different groups.Spearman method was applied to analyze the correlation between serum miR-410,miR-17-5p,miR-21 and disease activity(PASI score)in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.Receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic value of serum miR-410,miR-17-5p,and miR-21 for disease activity in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.Results Compared with the control group,the serum miR-410 expression level in the research group was lower,while the serum miR-17-5p and miR-21 expression levels were higher(P<0.05).The serum miR-410 expression level of patients with psoriasis vulgaris in different periods showed a decreasing trend and ser-um miR-17-5p and miR-21 expression levels showed increasing trends compared with the control group(P<0.05).The serum miR-410 expression level in the moderate to severe group was lower than that in the mild group,while the serum miR-17-5p and miR-21 expression levels were higher than those in the mild group(P<0.05).Serum miR-410 was negatively correlated with PASI score in patients with psoriasis vulgaris,while serum miR-17-5p and miR-21 were positively correlated with PASI score(P<0.05).The area under the curve of serum miR-410,miR-17-5p,miR-21,and their combined diagnosis for disease activity in patients with psoriasis vulgaris was 0.790,0.843,0.795,and 0.969,respectively.The combination of the three was superior to their individual diagnosis.Conclusion The occurrence and development of psoriasis vulgaris are related to the expression levels of serum miR-410,miR-17-5p and miR-21,and the changes in the expression levels of three could evaluate the severity of the disease in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.
9.Anti-inflammatory and osteogenic effects of chitosan/sodium glycerophosphate/sodium alginate/leonurine hydrogel
Zengbo ZHAO ; Chenxi LI ; Chenlei DOU ; Na MA ; Guanjun ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(4):678-685
BACKGROUND:Leonurine has many biological activities such as improving microcirculation,anti-oxidation,anti-apoptosis,scavenging free radicals,anti-inflammation,and anti-fibrosis,and can promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,which has the potential to be applied in the treatment of periodontitis. OBJECTIVE:To explore the anti-inflammatory and osteogenic effects of leonurine loading into chitosan/sodium glycerophosphate/sodium alginate hydrogel. METHODS:(1)Chitosan/sodium glycerophosphate/sodium alginate hydrogel(blank hydrogel)and chitosan/sodium glycerophosphate/sodium alginate/leonurus alkali hydrogel were prepared respectively.RAW 264.7 and MC3T3-E1 cells were inoculated with the two kinds of hydrogel.The cytotoxicity of hydrogels was detected by CCK-8 assay and live/dead cell staining.(2)RAW 264.7 cells were cultured in five groups.The blank group was cultured for 24 hours routinely.The lipopolysaccharide group was treated with lipopolysaccharide.The simple hydrogel group was treated with lipopolysaccharide and blank hydrogel.The drug-loaded hydrogel group was treated with lipopolysaccharide and drug-loaded hydrogel.The inhibitor group was treated with lippolysaccharide,drug-loaded hydrogel,and PI3K inhibitor LY294002.24 hours later,mRNA expression of inflammation-related factors was detected by qRT-PCR.Western blot assay was utilized to detect the protein expression of inflammation-related factors and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.(3)MC3T3-E1 cells were inoculated in four groups.The blank group was cultured without any material.The simple hydrogel group was treated with blank hydrogel.The drug-loaded hydrogel group was treated with drug-loaded hydrogel.The inhibitor group was treated with drug-loaded hydrogel and PI3K inhibitor LY294002 for 7 days.Alkaline phosphatase staining was performed.mRNA expression levels of osteogenic factors were detected by qRT-PCR.The protein expression levels of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of CCK-8 assay and live/dead cell staining showed that the two kinds of hydrogels had no cytotoxic effect and had good cytocompatibility.(2)Compared with the blank group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of interleukin 6,tumor necrosis factor α,and interleukin 1β were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the protein expression levels of p-AKT,p-PI3K,p-p65,and p-IκBα were significantly increased in the lipopolysaccharide group(P<0.05).Compared with lipopolysaccharide group,mRNA and protein expression levels of the above indexes were decreased in drug-loaded hydrogel group(P<0.05).Compared with the drug-loaded hydrogel group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of the above indexes were decreased in the inhibitor group(P<0.05).(3)The activity of alkaline phosphatase in drug-loaded hydrogel group was higher than that in the blank group,simple hydrogel group,and inhibitor group(P<0.05).Compared with blank group,the mRNA expression levels of alkaline phosphatase,Runx2,osteocalcin,and type I collagen were increased(P<0.05),and the protein expression levels of p-AKT and p-PI3K were increased in the simple hydrogel group(P<0.05).Compared with the simple hydrogel group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of the above indexes were increased in the drug-loaded hydrogel group(P<0.05).Compared with the drug-loaded hydrogel group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of the above indexes were decreased in the inhibitor group(P<0.05).(4)These findings conclude that chitosan/sodium glycerophosphate/sodium alginate/leonurine hydrogel has anti-inflammatory and osteogenic effects,which may be related to the regulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
10.Characteristic Analysis of Effective Components and Compounds of TCM for Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer Based on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway Targeting
Haoyang WANG ; Lin GUO ; Hui ZHAO ; Lihua CAO ; Na LI ; Mingsan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):282-290
Breast cancer is a kind of malignant tumor with a complex mechanism, and its morbidity and mortality are increasing year by year, which seriously threatens women's health. At present, the main clinical treatments are surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and drug therapy, but they are often accompanied by side effects and adverse reactions, which affect the therapeutic effect. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the advantages of multi-component and multi-target treatment in the fight against breast cancer. The wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is one of the classic pathways in cancer research. Abnormally activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibits β-catenin degradation by blocking the formation of Axin/glycogen synthase kinase 3β/adenomatous polyposis coli complex, thus promoting β-catenin nuclear metastasis, and it binds to T cell transcription factor/lymphoenhancer factor-1 to initiate downstream target genes and further interfere with the proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumor cells to affect the tumor process. Previous studies have shown that TCM monomers and compounds can mediate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit the malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells, thus playing an anti-breast cancer role, and the biochemical process involved in the regulation of therapeutic drugs has not been systematically combed. By analyzing and collating Chinese and foreign literature at the present stage, this paper discussed the association mechanism between Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and breast cancer and analyzed the internal mechanism of TCM monomers and compounds in mediating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to exert anti-breast cancer effect. The statistical results showed that the flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids in TCM monomers could target the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and block the further development of malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells. TCM compounds with functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and tonifying kidney and liver were commonly used to intervene in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to prevent breast cancer. Compared with the current inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the application of TCM monomers and compounds is expected to bring low-toxicity and high-efficiency breast cancer treatment drugs to the clinical practice, and the existing results provide a reference for the subsequent screening, research, and development of TCM small-molecule compounds and TCM compounds against breast cancer.

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