ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Jishe Qushi Capsule （脊蛇祛湿胶囊， JQC） in treating rheumatoid arthritis （RA） from the perspective of macrophage polarization mediated by neutrophil extracellular traps （NETs）. MethodsTwenty-four female SD rats were randomly divided into four groups， blank control group， model group， JQC group， and peptidylarginine deiminase 4 （PAD4） inhibitor group with 6 rats in each group. All groups but the blank control group were subjected to the induction of collagen-induced arthritis （CIA）. After successful model establishment， rats in the JQC group received intragastric administration of JQC 1.47 g/kg daily； rats in the PAD4 inhibitor group received intraperitoneal injections of the PAD4 inhibitor 4 mg/kg weekly. Rats in the blank， model， and PAD4 inhibitor groups received 2 ml of pure water daily by gavage. All treatments lasted 4 weeks. Joint lesions of each group were assessed on day 7， 14， 21， 28， and 35 after model establishment， and arthritis index （AI） scores were recorded. At 24 h after the final administration， histopathology of knee joints， including HE staining， safranin O-fast green staining， and TRAP staining， was performed. Flow cytometry was used to detect the counts of M1 and M2 macrophages in peripheral blood. ELISA was used to determine serum levels of TRACP， NETs， TNF-α， IL-1β， and iNOS. Western Blotting and qRT-PCR were used to measure MPO， NE， RANKL， OPG， and p65 protein and mRNA expression in knee cartilage tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank control group， the model group showed increased AI scores （P＜0.05）， marked synovial inflammatory infiltration， angiogenesis， and bone-cartilage destruction， increased TRAP-positive osteoclasts， increased M1 macrophages and decreased M2 macrophages， elevated serum TRACP， NETs， TNF-α， IL-1β， and iNOS （P＜0.05）， elevated MPO， NE， RANKL， and p65 protein/mRNA expression and decreased OPG protein/mRNA expression in knee cartilage tissue （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the JQC group exhibited improved synovial inflammation， angiogenesis， and bone-cartilage damage， reduced AI scores on day 21， 28， and 35， decreased osteoclast counts， decreased M1 macrophages and increased M2 macrophages， reduced serum TRACP， NETs， TNF-α， IL-1β， and iNOS （P＜0.05）， decreased MPO， NE， RANKL， and p65 protein/mRNA expression and increased OPG expression （P＜0.05）. Compared with the PAD4 inhibitor group， the JQC group showed significantly lower AI scores， reduced M1 macrophages， increased M2 macrophages （P＜0.05）， reduced serum TRACP， TNF-α， IL-1β， and iNOS， decreased MPO， RANKL， and p65 expression， and increased OPG levels （P＜0.05）. ConclusionThe therapeutic mechanism of JQC for RA may involve inhibition of NETs formation， downregulation of the RANKL/NF-κB signaling pathway， and regulation of macrophage M1/M2 polarization imbalance， thereby suppressing osteoclastogenesis and inflammatory bone destruction.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of total glucosides of paeonia （TGP） in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus （SLE）. METHODS Randomized controlled trial （RCT） about TGP combined with western medicine versus western medicine alone for SLE treatment were retrieved from PubMed， Embase， Cochrane Library， Web of Science， CNKI， VIP， Wanfang Data， and CBM. The search period spanned from the inception of each database to June 1， 2025. After literature screening， data extraction， and quality assessment of the included studies， Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS Fifteen RCTs， involving 1 318 patients， were included. Meta-analysis results showed that compared with western medicine alone， TGP combined with western medicine significantly improved clinical efficacy [OR＝4.96， 95%CI（3.41， 7.23）， P＜0.000 01]， complement 3 [MD＝0.18， 95%CI （0.13， 0.23）， P＜0.000 01] and complement 4[MD＝0.08， 般021） 95%CI （0.04， 0.11）， P＜0.000 01]， and reduced the levels of immunoglobulin G （IgG） [MD＝－3.10， 95%CI （－3.59，－2.62）， P＜0.000 01]， IgA [MD＝－0.68， 95%CI （－0.78， －0.58）， P＜0.000 01]， IgM [MD＝－0.43， 95%CI （－0.53，－0.34）， P＜0.000 01]， systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index （SLEDAI） [MD＝－1.59， 95%CI （－2.20， －0.99）， P＜0.000 01]， recurrence rate [OR＝0.23， 95%CI （0.13， 0.42）， P＜0.000 01] and the incidence of adverse drug reactions [OR＝ 0.54， 95%CI （0.36， 0.82）， P＝0.004]. CONCLUSIONS TGP therapy can improve clinical efficacy of SLE patients， promote the restoration of immunoglobulins and complements， reduce SLEDAI and recurrence rate and has good safety.

ObjectiveTo construct a risk prediction model for frequent acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） under disease-syndrome combination， thus providing decision support for precise clinical intervention. MethodsA total of 2 029 patients with acute exacerbations of COPD admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to August 2024 were retrospectively included. These patients were classified into groups of frequent acute exacerbations （≥2 times/year） and infrequent acute exacerbations （<2 times/year） according to the hospitalization times per year. Risk factors were screened by LASSO regression combined with logistic regression， and a nomogram model was constructed. The model performance was assessed based on the area under the curve （AUC）， calibration curves， and decision curve analysis （DCA）. ResultsThe differences in baseline characteristics between the frequent acute exacerbations group （1 196 cases） and infrequent acute exacerbations group （833 cases） were not statistically significant. LASSO regression combined with multivariate logistic regression screened the following independent risk factors： body mass index （BMI）， hospitalization days， number of smoking years， place of residence， use of noninvasive ventilators， oxygen-demanding therapy， liver cirrhosis， use of systemic glucocorticosteroids， and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome （phlegm and stasis obstructing the lung）. The nomogram model showed good discrimination and calibration in both the training set （AUC=0.748） and validation set （AUC=0.774）. ConclusionThe risk prediction model for frequent acute exacerbations of COPD， integrating traditional Chinese medicine syndrome， constructed in this study has high accuracy. It can provide a scientific basis for early clinical identification of high-risk patients and individualized intervention.

Objective To study the five-year survival status and influencing factors of elderly patients with lung cancer complicated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A cohort study was conducted to follow up 450 patients with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were hospitalized in our hospital from January 2018 to December 2023. The endpoint of the follow-up was the end of a five-year period or death. The Life Tables method was used to calculate survival rates and plot survival curves. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the influencing factors of five-year survival. Results The results indicated that the overall five-year survival rate of patients was 4.89%, and it decreased year by year. Cox regression analysis showed that age, gender, family functioning, and psychological status significantly influenced patient survival rate (all P<0.05). Stratified analysis found that the smoking status, family functioning, and psychological status of male patients all had an impact on survival rate (all P<0.05), while the psychological status of female patients had a more significant impact on survival (P=0.008). Conclusion This study provides a scientific basis for comprehensive intervention of elderly lung cancer patients with COPD. It is recommended that clinical attention should be paid to psychological and family factors to improve patient prognosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the ameliorative effect and mechanism of short-acting exenatide on diabetic cognitive dysfunction. METHODS Spontaneously diabetic db / db mice were randomly divided into model group （normal saline） and exenatide group （50 μg/kg）， with db / m mice as the normal control group （normal saline）， with 8 mice in each group. Mice in each group were subcutaneously injected with corresponding drugs or normal saline twice daily for 8 consecutive weeks. Body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured at a fixed time every week. Cognitive function was evaluated by Morris water maze test. The levels of oxidative st ress indicators [malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， glutathione （GSH） ] ， cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP） and protein kinase A （PKA） were detected in hippocampus tissue of mice. The hippocampal neuronal HT22 cells of mice were divided into control group （25 mmol/L glucose）， high glucose group （125 mmol/L glucose）， high glucose+exenatide group （125 mmol/L glucose+20 nmol/L exenatide）， high glucose+exenatide+H89 （PKA inhibitor） group （125 mmol/L glucose+20 nmol/L exenatide+10 μmol/L H89）， and high glucose+H89 group （125 mmol/L glucose+10 μmol/L H89）. After 48 h of intervention with corresponding solutions/culture medium， the levels of oxidative stress indicators， cAMP and PKA， the activities of mitochondrial respiratory enzymes Ⅱ and Ⅳ， and the phosphorylation level of dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1） were measured. RESULTS Animal experiments showed that compared with the normal control group， the model group exhibited significantly increased body weight， fasting blood glucose and MDA level in the hippocampus （ P ＜0.05）， as well as significantly prolonged escape latency （ P ＜0.05）； swimming speed significantly slowed down， the time spent in the target quadrant， the number of platform crossings， and the levels of SOD， GSH， cAMP and PKA in the hippocampus were significantly decreased （ P ＜0.05）. Compared with model group， all the above indicators （except for swimming speed） in the exenatide group were significantly reversed （ P ＜0.05）. Cell experiments showed that compared with high glucose group， the high glucose+exenatide group had significantly decreased MDA level （ P ＜0.05）， and significantly increased levels of SOD， GSH， cAMP and PKA， the activities of mitochondrial respiratory enzymes Ⅱ and Ⅳ， and phosphorylation level of Drp1 （ P ＜0.05）. Compared with high glucose+exenatide group， the above indicators in the high glucose+exenatide+H89 group were significantly reversed （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Short-acting exenatide can activate the cAMP/PKA pathway， promote Drp1 phosphorylation， and increase the activities of mitochondrial respiratory enzymes， thereby maintaining mitochondrial stability， reducing oxidative stress injury， and ultimately improving diabetic cognitive dysfunction.

Objective To investigate the differential expression of related proteins in interosseous muscle tissue between patients with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis（FALS） and normal individuals in a family using the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation （iTRAQ） technique， to identify the pathogenic proteins for this family， and to provide a basis for treatment. Methods Interosseous muscle tissue samples were collected from all subjects in this family， and the iTRAQ technique was used to perform qualitative and quantitative analyses for all proteins and obtain the expression profile of proteins in the disease group and the normal group. The bioinformatics methods were used to identify the proteins associated with the onset of FALS. A gene ontology（GO）analysis was performed for cell components， and a classification analysis was performed for related proteins. Results A total of 453 proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. The GO analysis obtained 14 differentially expressed proteins between the disease group and the normal group （P<0.05）， and compared with the normal group，the disease group had the low expression of 5 proteins （Ratio<1） and the high expression of 9 proteins （Ratio>1）. Conclusion This study identifies 8 proteins that are highly associated with FALS， i.e.， tripartite motif-containing protein 72， NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 beta subcomplex subunit 1， annexin A1， decorin， glutathione peroxidase 3， collagen alpha-1 （Ⅻ） chain， collagen alpha-2 （Ⅰ） chain， and collagen type I alpha 1 isoform CRA-a. There are 6 proteins that might be associated with FALS， i.e.，26 S protease regulatory subunit 8， laminin subunit alpha-2，prolargin， fibrillin-1， myosin-8， and dermatopontin.
Proteomics

Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignant tumors in China. Given their lack of obviously early symptoms, more than half of patients with cervical cancer are diagnosed in the middle and late stages of this malignancy, resulting in poor prognosis. Finding new therapeutic targets is the current research direction. Metabolomics, as a new omics technology, is expected to provide new targets for tumor precision diagnosis and treatment through the analysis of the changes and potential mechanisms of metabolites in tumor occurrence and development by chromatography, mass spectrometry, and other technologies. Herein, we review the research methods of metabolomics; metabolic characteristics of cervical cancer; and progress of the research on metabolomics in cervical cancer diagnosis, curative effect prediction, and prognosis evaluation to provide new ideas for the precise diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer.

The 95% ethanol extract from bulbs of Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis(BNTC) was eluted with 30%, 60%, and pure methanol on D-101 macroporous resin. The elution fractions were isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography, thin layer chromatography, D-101 macroporous resin, semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), and HPLC. The purified compounds were identified using one-dimensional and two-dimensional spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and other techniques. A total of 15 compounds were isolated and identified as 5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-N-methyl-3,6-dihydropyridine-2(1H)-one(1), 3,5-di(hydroxyphenyl)-N-methyl-3,6-dihydropyridine-2(1H)-one(2), protocatechualdehyde(3), protocatechuic acid(4), 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone(5), syringic acid(6), vanillic acid(7), p-hydroxybenzoic acid(8),(2S)-4'-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavan(9), 2,4,6-trimethoxyacetophenone(10), N-trans-ferulic acid p-hydroxyphenylethylamine(11), N-cis-p-coumaroyltyramine(12), N-trans-p-coumaroyltyramine(13), piscidic acid(14), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(15). Compounds 1 and 2 are new compounds with similar structure that have not been reported yet, named narcissus A and narcissus B. Compounds 8-13 were isolated and identified from the genus Narcissus for the first time, and compounds 14 and 15 were isolated from BNTC for the first time. Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited the release of NO from RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)(P<0.001), with compound 1 having an IC_(50) value of(72.76±2.97) μmol·L~(-1) and compound 2 having an IC_(50) value of(63.59±0.96) μmol·L~(-1).
Mice ; Animals ; Narcissus/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Macrophages/immunology* ; RAW 264.7 Cells

Qing court records show that Arecae Semen was extensively applied. The royal medical records of the Qing Dynasty document nine types of Arecae Semen, with the Palace Museum preserving seven kinds, totaling twelve cultural relics. Historical documents and physical artifacts corroborate each other, providing evidence for the study of the supply channels and court processing of Arecae Semen in the Qing court. According to relevant Qing court archival records, the sources of Arecae Semen used in the imperial court were diverse, including tributes from foreign countries such as Vietnam and Gurkha, annual tributes from local governments in Guangdong, gifts from close aides, and commodities purchased by the Imperial Household Department from civilian shops. The imperial physicians of the Qing court placed great emphasis on the specifications of Arecae Semen slices and were extremely meticulous about their processing. The variety of Arecae Semen slices used in the Qing palace exceeded those recorded in the botanical texts of the era. Compared with the commonly used processing methods for Arecae Semen in the Qing Dynasty, the imperial physicians adjusted the properties and efficacy of the herbs through different processing techniques, based on the patient's condition, constitution, and other factors, in order to meet the clinical treatment needs of the court. The slicing of Arecae Semen in the Qing court required strict control of thickness, with an average thickness of 0.44 mm, which is significantly thinner than the Arecae Semen slices found in today's markets. The texture was softer, making them easier to chew and absorb. Both the Qing court Arecae Semen slices and the Muxiang Binglang Pills focused on the use of authentic medicinal materials, ensuring the quality of the medicine and enhancing the efficacy of Arecae Semen through meticulous selection and preparation.
China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/history* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history* ; History, 19th Century ; History, Ancient ; History, 17th Century ; History, 18th Century

This paper investigated the inhibitory effect of carbonized Scutellariae Radix(Cb-SR) on pyroptosis in endometrial epithelial cells of mice with endometritis and its correlation with the IKBKE/NLRP3 signaling axis. Mice model of endometritis was established by using an intrauterine injection of 10 μL polysaccharides(LPS, 5 mg·mL~(-1)), and the mice were randomly divided into model group(LPS), low-dose group of Cb-SR(L-Cb-SR, 0.55 g·kg~(-1)), medium-dose group of Cb-SR(M-Cb-SR, 1.10 g·kg~(-1)), high-dose group of Cb-SR(H-Cb-SR, 2.20 g·kg~(-1)), crude Scutellariae Radix group(Cr-SR, 1.63 g·kg~(-1)), and Fuke Qianjin Capsule group(FQC, 0.30 g·kg~(-1)), with 10 mice in each group. Ten healthy female mice were selected and injected with PBS of equal volume into the bilateral uterus, and they were set as the sham group. The mice in the drug treatment groups were given the corresponding doses of Cb-SR, Cr-SR, FQC, or physiological saline of equal volume by gavage twice a day for seven days. Thirty minutes after the last administration, each mouse was euthanized by cervical dislocation. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy were applied to observe the histopathological morphology of the uterine tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of CD38 and CD138. Myeloperoxidase(MPO) values in neutrophils were measured by the kit; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the secretion of interleukin-18(IL-18), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to analyze the expression of the proteins related to the IKBKE/NLRP3 signaling axis. Mouse endometrial epithelial cells(MEECs) were separated and purified from the uterine tissue of pregnant female mice through in vitro experiments and injured by LPS for 24 h, and then they were cultured with Cb-SR-containing serum. The anti-endometritis effect of Cb-SR was investigated by CCK-8 assay, scanning electron microscopy, and Western blot. The results showed that Cb-SR significantly reduced MPO values, attenuated uterine tissue damage, inhibited the expression of CD38 and CD138, decreased the levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α, and inhibited the expression of proteins associated with IKBKE/NLRP3 signaling axis in mice with endometritis. In addition, Cb-SR-containing serum reduced swelling of MEECs organelles induced by LPS, decreased the expression of inflammatory factors, and suppressed the expression of IKBKE/NLRP3 signaling axis-related proteins. These results suggest that Cb-SR can inhibit endometrial epithelial cell pyroptosis in endometritis by suppressing the IKBKE/NLRP3 signaling axis.
Animals ; Female ; Mice ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Endometritis/chemically induced* ; Lipopolysaccharides/adverse effects* ; Scutellaria baicalensis/chemistry* ; Humans ; Epithelial Cells/drug effects*