1.Material Basis of Entada phaseoloides Against Neuropathic Pain Based on in vitro Chemical Profiling and in vivo Absorbed Constituents
Sensen LI ; Hanxue WU ; Yuanbin LI ; Limin ZHAO ; Xiaohui SU ; Hui XIONG ; Weihua MA ; Chao WANG ; Zhaochen MA ; Na LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):88-97
ObjectiveTo systematically characterize the in vitro chemical constituents of Entada phaseoloides and its absorbed prototype compounds and metabolites in a neuropathic pain (NP) model, thereby elucidating the potential pharmacological material basis underlying its analgesic activity. MethodsUltra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) was used to analyze the constituents of the 80% methanol extract of E. phaseoloides. Thirty-six mice were divided into a blank group, low-, medium-, and high-dose E. phaseoloides extract groups (25, 50, and 100 mg·kg-1, respectively), an aspirin group (400 mg·kg-1), and a morphine group (10 mg·kg-1), with six mice in each group. The tail-flick threshold was measured. Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into a blank group and low-, medium-, and high-dose E. phaseoloides extract groups (25, 50, and 100 mg·kg-1, respectively), with six mice in each group, and motor coordination was evaluated. A spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model was established in mice. Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into a sham-operated (Sham) group, an SNL group, an SNL + E. phaseoloides extract group (750 mg·kg-1), and an SNL + pregabalin group (20 mg·kg-1), with 6 mice in each group. Mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were evaluated. Behavioral assessments were combined to determine the optimal onset time of the analgesic effect, and plasma samples were collected at this time point. Absorbed components and metabolites were systematically identified based on accurate mass, MS/MS fragmentation patterns, retention time, and comparisons with literature data and reference standards. Meanwhile, network pharmacology, target similarity analysis, and molecular docking validation were integrated to evaluate the potential effects of absorbed components on disease intervention. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the high-dose E. phaseoloides extract group and morphine group showed significantly increased pain response thresholds (P<0.01), without affecting motor coordination in normal mice. Compared with the Sham group, the SNL group exhibited significantly decreased thresholds for mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia (P<0.01). Compared with the SNL group, the SNL + E. phaseoloides extract group and SNL + pregabalin group showed significantly increased thresholds for mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia (P<0.01). The analgesic effect of E. phaseoloides was most significant at 2 h after administration. A total of 70 constituents were identified in vitro, and 22 prototype compounds and 29 metabolites were detected in plasma. The targets of the absorbed components were mainly enriched in biological processes associated with pain signal perception and transmission and showed a high degree of overlap with disease genes related to neuropathic pain. In addition, multiple components exhibited strong binding energies with core pain-related targets. Based on integrated analysis of in vitro content, plasma exposure levels, and target associations, ketanthamide A-β-D-pyranoside and ketengzide were identified as the most representative pharmacologically active substances responsible for the analgesic effect. ConclusionThis study systematically elucidates the material basis of E. phaseoloides intervention in neuropathic pain from three aspects, including chemical constituent characteristics, in vivo behavioral characteristics, and potential targets, providing important theoretical foundations and experimental support for further studies on its pharmacological mechanism and analgesic drug development.
2.Effects of Electrothermal Acupuncture on the HIF-1α/S1P/S1PR3 Pathway and Macrophage Polarization in Epididymal White Adipose Tissue of Obese Model Mice
Xiaobo GE ; Yuanyuan LI ; Jiangyan WEI ; Limin NIE ; Xin YANG ; Quan MIAO ; Mina WANG ; Yawei XI ; Luopeng ZHAO ; Yine SONG ; Xinru SUN ; Lu LIU ; Bin LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(20):2227-2235
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism underlying the weight loss effect of electrothermal acupuncture (ETA) in diet-induced obese (DIO) model mice based on the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 3 (S1PR3) signaling pathway-mediated macrophage polarization. MethodsAn obesity mouse model was established by continuously feeding at a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. Twenty successfully modeled obese mice were randomly divided into a model group and an electrothermal acupuncture (ETA) group with 10 mice per group, both of which continued to receive the HFD till week 12. Another 10 mice were assigned to the normal group and fed a standard chow diet continuously for 12 weeks. Starting from week 9 of the experiment, mice in the ETA group received electrothermal acupuncture stimulation at Zhongwan (CV12), bilateral Tianshu (ST25), and bilateral Zusanli (ST36) for 30 minutes per session, with the instrument current set at (40±0.5)mA and a constant temperature of (40±0.5)℃. Mice in the normal group and the model group were restrained in the same manner for 30 minutes without acupuncture. All interventions were performed once every other day for a total of 4 weeks. Ten hours after the final intervention, the body weight, waist circumference, and body length of mice in each group were measured, and Lee's index was calculated. Serum biochemical analysis was performed to assess fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (Cr). Serum leptin (LEP) and adiponectin (ADPN) levels, as well as sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) levels in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), were detected by ELISA. Histomorphological changes in eWAT were monitored via HE staining. Flow cytometry was used to analyze macrophage subtype-related indexes in eWAT, including the total proportion of macrophages, the proportion of M1 macrophages, the proportion of M2 macrophages, and the M1/M2 ratio. Antibody array technology was used to determine the levels of differentially expressed inflammatory factors in eWAT between the model and blank groups, as well as between the ETA and model groups. Western blot and qPCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α and S1PR3 in the eWAT, respectively. ResultsCompared to the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased body weight, Lee's index, waist circumference, and FBG, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, AST, and ALT levels, upgraded LEP and S1P levels, decreased ADPN level and ADPN/LEP ratio, elevated proportion of M1 macrophages and the M1/M2 ratio, reduced proportion of M2 macrophages, and upregulated protein and mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α and S1PR3 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). With the exception of HDL-C, all the abovementioned indicators in the ETA group were significantly improved compared to the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Analysis of differentially expressed inflammatory cytokines revealed that, compared to the normal group, the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-12p70 (IL-12p70) in the eWAT of the model group were elevated; conversely, the levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-5 (IL-5), IL-6, and interleukin-23 (IL-23) in the eWAT of the ETA group decreased compared to the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionETA exerts a weight-reducing effect in obese model mice, and the mechanism may involve inhibition of the HIF-1α/S1P/S1PR3 signaling pathway activation, which shifts macrophage polarization from the M1 to M2 phenotype, thereby alleviating chronic inflammation.
3.Dipsacus asper Treats Alzheimer's Disease in Caenorhabditis elegans by Regulating PPARα/TFEB Pathway
Mengmeng WANG ; Jianping ZHAO ; Limin WU ; Shuang CHU ; Yanli HUANG ; Zhenghao CUI ; Yiran SUN ; Pan WANG ; Hui WANG ; Zhenqiang ZHANG ; Zhishen XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):104-114
ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) effect of Dipsacus asper(DA) in the Caenorhabditis elegans model, and decipher the underlying mechanism via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα)/transcription factor EB (TFEB) pathway. MethodsFirst, transgenic AD C. elegans individuals were assigned into the blank control, model, positive control (WY14643, 20 µmol·L-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (100, 200, and 400 mg·L-1, respectively) DA groups. The amyloid β-42 (Aβ42) formation in the muscle cells, the paralysis time, and the deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) in the head were detected. The lysosomal autophagy in the BV2 cell model was examined by Rluc-LC3wt/G120A. The expression levels of lysosomal autophagy-related proteins LC3Ⅱ, LC3I, LAMP2, and TFEB were detected by Western blot. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to determine the mRNA levels of autophagy-related genes beclin1 and Atg5 and lysosome-related genes LAMP2 and CLN2 downstream of PPARα/TFEB. A reporter gene assay was used to detect the transcriptional activities of PPARα and TFEB. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the fluorescence intensity of PPARα, and the active components of the ethanol extract of DA were identified by UPLC-MS. RCSB PDB, Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and Autodock were used to analyze the binding between the active components and PPARα-ligand-binding domain (LBD). ResultsCompared with the model group, the positive control group and 200 and 400 mg·L-1 DA groups showed prolonged paralysis time (P<0.05), and all the treatment groups showed decreased Aβ deposition in the head (P<0.01). DA within the concentration range of 50-500 mg·L-1 did not affect the viability of BV2 cells. In addition, DA enhanced the autophagy flux (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA levels of beclin1, Atg5, LAMP2, and CLN2 (P<0.05, P<0.01), promoted the nuclear translocation of TFEB (P<0.05), increased LAMP2 expression and autophagy flux (P<0.05, P<0.01), and enhanced the transcriptional activities of PPARα and TFEB (P<0.01). The positive control group and 200 and 400 mg·L-1 DA groups showed enhanced fluorescence intensity of PPARα in the BV2 nucleus (P<0.01). UPLC-MS detected nine known compounds of DA, from which 8 active components of DA were screened out. The docking results suggested that a variety of components in DA could bind to PPARα-LBD and form stable hydrogen bonds. ConclusionDA may reduce the pathological changes in AD by regulating the PPARα-TFEB pathway.
4.Gandou Bushen Decoction Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment in Wilson Disease Model TX Mice by Regulating Melatonin Synthesis via the SIRT3/FOXO3α Pathway
Luyao WANG ; Limin WU ; Tingting WANG ; Xinru FANG ; Zhenzhen JIANG ; Yike YUE ; Dan ZHAO ; Qianzhuo LIU ; Hui HAN
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(1):102-111
Objective Melatonin has been shown to have neuroprotective effects.This study is aimed at observing the effects of copper deposition on cognitive function in a toxic milk(TX)mouse model of Wilson disease(WD),and investigating the effects and mechanisms of action of Gandou Bushen Decoction(GDBSD)on melatonin synthesis and pineal function in the WD model mice.Methods A total of 30 homozygous TX mice were randomly assigned to 3 groups(n=10 in each group),including a WD group,a GDBSD group,and a dimercaptosuccinic acid(DMSA)group.A total of 10 DL mice were included in the normal control(NC)group.The structure and copper content of pineal gland tissues,oxidative stress and apoptosis-related markers,and serum melatonin levels were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),flow cytometry,and Western blot.Results Compared with the NC group,the WD group exhibited decreased learning and cognitive abilities(P<0.05),damaged pineal gland structure,increased copper content,reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels,and mitochondrial damage rate in the pineal gland(P<0.01),altered levels of melatonin and oxidative stress-related markers(P<0.05),upregulated expression levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Caspase-3,and decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2(P<0.01).After treatment with GDBSD and DMSA,the SIRT3/FOXO3α signaling pathway was activated,the copper content in the pineal gland was reduced,and oxidative stress and apoptosis-related damages were improved,leading to an improvement in learning and memory abilities(P<0.05).Conclusion GDBSD can alleviate cognitive impairments in WD mice caused by pineal gland copper deposition by inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis in the pineal gland.The underlying molecular mechanism is associated with the regulation of the SIRT3/FOXO3α signaling pathway.
5.Clinical Application of NETs in Diagnosis and Monitoring of Acute Ischemic Stroke
Wendi YANG ; Yaxin WANG ; Jing QIAN ; Limin YIN ; Fengting MU ; Xiaoli ZHAO
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2025;46(10):97-105
Objective To explore the value of neutrophil extracellular trapping nets(neutrophil extracellular traps,NETs)in the diagnosis and monitoring of acute ischemic stroke(acute ischemic stroke,AIS).Methods From June 2023 to February 2024,63 patients newly diagnosed with AIS at the Ganmei Hospital Affiliated with Kunming Medical University were selected as the experimental group,and 58 non-AIS individuals matched in gender,age,and other characteristics were selected as the control group.The NETs levels of patients in the experimental group were detected before and 7-10 days after treatment,and general clinical data and related laboratory results were statistically analyzed.Results The experimental group showed significantly higher levels of NEUT,LYMPH,MONO,EO,FDP,D-dimer,and NETs compared to the control group(P<0.05).The NETs levels before treatment were significantly higher than those at 7~10 days after treatment and in the control group(P<0.05).The NETs levels 7~10 days after treatment were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).NEUT,MONO,FDP,D-dimer,and NIHSS scores were positively correlated with the pre-treatment NETs levels(P<0.05).Elevated serum NETs levels were associated with AIS risk factors(P<0.05).The combined diagnostic value of NEUT,D-dimer,and NETs for AIS was superior to other indicators.Conclusion NETs are highly expressed in the serum of patients with acute ischemic stroke,and serum NETs have certain value in the auxiliary diagnosis and monitoring of acute ischemic stroke.
6.Adverse reactions to rabies vaccine for human use in China: a review
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(7):682-686
Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by rabies virus with a high fatality rate. Post-exposure human rabies vaccination is an important measure to reduce the risk of rabies. Rabies vaccine is mainly used for post-exposure immunization with safety and tolerance. However, adverse reactions may occur in some recipients, mainly including local reactions such as pain, redness and swelling, and systemic reactions such as fever and headache. Usually, the symptoms are mild and self-limited, but severe adverse reactions in allergic patients may be life-threatening. The occurrence of adverse reactions to rabies vaccine for human use is closely related to individual differences, vaccine production process, and vaccination factors. The articles on adverse reaction of rabies vaccine for human use published in CNKI and PubMed database from 2006 to 2024 were retrieved. The incidence, causes and countermeasures of adverse reaction of rabies vaccine for human use were reviewed, so as to provide reference for reducing adverse reactions of rabies vaccine.
7.Whole-liver intensity-modulated radiation therapy as a rescue therapy for acute graft-versus-host disease after liver transplantation.
Dong CHEN ; Yuanyuan ZHAO ; Guangyuan HU ; Bo YANG ; Limin ZHANG ; Zipei WANG ; Hui GUO ; Qianyong ZHAO ; Lai WEI ; Zhishui CHEN
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(1):105-107
8.Efficacy of balloon stent or oral estrogen for adhesion prevention in septate uterus: A randomized clinical trial.
Shan DENG ; Zichen ZHAO ; Limin FENG ; Xiaowu HUANG ; Sumin WANG ; Xiang XUE ; Lei YAN ; Baorong MA ; Lijuan HAO ; Xueying LI ; Lihua YANG ; Mingyu SI ; Heping ZHANG ; Zi-Jiang CHEN ; Lan ZHU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(8):985-987
9.Effect of buccal and lingual tooth thickness on the restoration of molars after root canal therapy
Guoqing ZHANG ; Limin WANG ; Ali ZHAO ; Liang CAO ; Weiguo WANG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(2):12-15
Objective To compare the stress magnitude and distribution of the restorations,remaining tooth tissues,and bonding interfaces of endodontically mandibular first molar with different buccolingual residual tooth tissue thicknesses in two different restorations.Methods The finite element method was used to model the restorations of mandibular first molars with different buccolingual residual tissue thicknesses after root canal treatment.The vertical and oblique loads were applied to record the stress magnitude and distribution of restorations,residual tissues,and bonding interfaces of the different restorations.Results Three different models of mandibular first molar were designed based on the amount of buccal and glossal side dental tissue.Based on this simulation of the dental preparation of FO and EC and the preparation of the prosthesis,generating 6 different groups:FO repair in A1 group,thickness of the buccal tooth tissue is 2mm;A2 group was repaired by FO,thickness of the buccal tooth tissue is 3mm;A3 Group was performed with FO repair,thickness of the buccal and lingual remaining tooth tissue is 4mm;In B1 group,with EC repair,thickness of buccal tooth tissue is 2mm;In B2 group with EC repair,thickness of buccal tooth tissue is 3mm;In B3 group,using EC repair,thickness of remaining dental tissue on buccal and lingual side was 4mm.Results Two loading modes,the restoration such as effect force distribution are concentrated around the loading point,dentin effect force are concentrated in the tooth neck,the full coverage of high embedded group restoration-dental resin interface maximum main stress(MPS)is concentrated in the hole wall and shaft wall Angle,the pulp cavity setting crown group restoration-dental resin interface MPS focus in the bottom wall angle of the pulp cavity setting hole type.In the model of tooth tissue thickness in the same buccal-lingual side,except that the peak effect force of the restoration was greater than the peak of the full coverage crown,the peak of the observed index of the full coverage crown was greater than that of the whole cavity.Conclusion Endocrown can better protect the tooth tissue after root canal treatment,and it is recommended to choose endocrown for restoration after root canal treatment.
10.Study on influencing factors of social frailty in elderly patients with mild ischemic stroke
Limin QIAO ; Yaning ZHAO ; Yao LIU ; Pan ZHANG ; Daye ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(10):1251-1256
Objective To explore the factors affecting social frailty in elderly patients with mild ischemic stroke and conduct interpretable analysis to provide references for the implementation of targeted intervention.Methods Using convenience sampling method,elderly mild ischemic stroke patients treated in a tertiary A hospital in Tangshan from September 2022 to August 2023 were selected as the survey subjects according to whether social weakness and no social weakness occurred 6 months after discharge.General Information Questionnaire,Chronic Illness Resources Survey,Family Care Index Questionnaire,Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale,Mini-Mental State Examination,International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form,and Social Frailty Scale were uesd to investigate.Univariate analysis,random forest-feature recurrence elimination screening variables were used to construct random forest models,and SHAP values were introduced for influencing factor analysis.Results A total of 818 elderly patients with mild ischemic stroke were included,and 110 patients were lost at 6 months,and 708 patients(86.55%)finally completed the survey.The prediction accuracy of random forest model was 0.828 and 0.807 in the training set and test set.The SHAP interpretability analysis results showed that impaired self-care ability,sedentary behavior,and the number of combined chronic diseases were positively associated with social weakness,ideal utilization of chronic disease resources,good family care and social weakness;the importance of characteristics was self-care ability,chronic disease resource utilization,family care,sedentary behavior,and combined chronic diseases.Conclusion The influencing factors of social frailty in elderly patients with mild ischemic stroke are complex,so medical staff should pay attention to the social function of elderly patients with mild ischemic stroke,and reduce the risk of social frailty by formulating personalized intervention measures.


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