1.Bugansan Regulates R-spondin1/Wnt3a-mediated Intestinal Injury to Ameliorate Digestion and Absorption Dysfunction in Rat Model of Aging Induced by D-galactose
Yixuan WANG ; Ran HUO ; Jin TIAN ; Fang FANG ; Na LIU ; Jiepeng WANG ; Chaoyi FANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):19-27
ObjectiveTo elucidate the correlation between alterations in digestion and absorption functions and hepatic deficiency states in aging rats based on the R-spondin1/Wnt3a signaling pathway, and reveal the intervention mechanism of Bugansan. MethodsForty-eight SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly assigned to six groups: blank control, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose (7.03, 14.06, 28.12 g·kg-1, respectively) Bugansan, and vitamin E (suspension, 27 mg·kg-1), with 8 rats in each group. The rat model of aging was established by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose (400 mg·kg-1), while the blank control group was injected with normal saline. Since the day of modeling, rats in intervention groups received corresponding agents by gavage, and those in blank control and model groups received an equal volume of normal saline (10 mL·kg-1). General biological features such as fur color, activity, body mass, water intake, and food intake were observed. Meanwhile, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the serum were measured to assess aging. Grip strength and the content of total bile acids (TBA) and the activity of α-amylase (AMY) in the serum were measured to evaluate hepatic deficiency states. The activity of β-galactosidase (β-gal) in the duodenum was measured to evaluate intestinal senescence. The levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and D-xylose in the serum were determined to assess digestion and absorption functions of the small intestine. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was conducted to observe pathological changes of the duodenum to assess the small intestine damage. Immunohistochemical staining was employed to visualize the expression of B-cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 (Bmi1) and leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5) in the duodenal tissue. Moreover, Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was utilized to quantify the mRNA levels of Ki67, Bmi1, and Lgr5 to assess proliferation and regeneration of the small intestine. Additionally, the mRNA levels of R-spondin1, Wnt3a, β-catenin, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and the protein levels of R-spondin1, Wnt3a, β-catenin, and phosphorylated GSK-3β (p-GSK-3β) in the duodenum were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively, to analyze the mechanisms of intestinal digestion and absorption dysfunction in aging rats and the regulatory characteristics of Bugansan. ResultsCompared with blank control group, the model group showed decreases in body mass, water intake, food intake, grip strength, activities of SOD, GSH-Px, and AMY in the serum and content of GLP-1, VIP and D-xylose in the serum (P<0.05), increases in the content of MDA and TBA in the serum and β-gal activity in the duodenum (P<0.05), reductions in villus length, villus width, crypt depth, and villi/crypt (V/C) value, down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Ki67, Lgr5, Bmi1, R-spondin1, Wnt3a, β-catenin, and up-regulated level of GSK-3β, phosphorylation (p)-GSK-3β (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, Bugansan increased the body mass, water intake, food intake, grip strength, and activities of SOD, GSH-Px, and AMY and levels of GLP-1, VIP and D-xylose in the serum (P<0.05), while decreasing the content of MDA and TBA in the serum and β-gal activity in the duodenum (P<0.05). Furthermore, Bugansan increased the villus length, villus width, crypt depth, and V/C value, up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Ki67, Lgr5, Bmi1, R-spondin1, Wnt3a, β-catenin, and down-regulated the level of GSK-3β and p-GSK-3β (P<0.05). ConclusionAging rats exhibit obvious impairments in digestion and absorption functions, accompanied by a state of hepatic deficiency. The traditional Chinese medicine approach of tonifying liver Qi effectively ameliorates aging-related changes by modulating the R-spondin1/Wnt3a signaling pathway to mitigate intestinal senescence and enhance digestion and absorption functions, ultimately contributing to the delay of aging.
2.Status Analysis of Acupoint Selection and Stimulation Parameters Application for Acupuncture Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia
Siyi ZHENG ; Han ZHANG ; Yang YU ; Chuanlong ZHOU ; Yan SHI ; Xiaohu YIN ; Shouhai HONG ; Na NIE ; Jianqiao FANG ; Yi LIANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(12):1293-1299
Based on commonly used acupoints in the clinical acupuncture treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD), this study systematically analyzes the therapeutic differences and synergistic effects between local and distal point selection. It also examines the suitability of primary acupoint selection for different FD subtypes, postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) and epigastric pain syndrome (EPS). The findings suggest that a combination of local and distal acupoints may be more appropriate as primary points for PDS, whereas local acupoints alone may be more suitable for EPS. Additionally, the study explores the impact of various factors, such as stimulation techniques, needling order, intensity or stimulation parameters, and depth, on the efficacy of acupuncture. It concludes that the intrinsic properties of acupoints are the primary determinants of therapeutic direction. Other factors mainly influence the magnitude rather than the direction of the effect. Future research may further investigate how different acupoint combinations, local versus distal, affect the treatment outcomes of FD subtypes, providing new insights for clinical acupuncture prescriptions.
3.Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Mechanism of Modified Sinisan in Ameliorating Anxiety-like Behaviors Induced by Chronic Restraint Stress in Mice
Jie ZHAO ; Zhengyu FANG ; He XIAO ; Na GUO ; Hongwei WU ; Hongjun YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):70-79
ObjectiveTo elucidate the potential mechanism of modified Sinisan (MSNS) in alleviating anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) in mice at the metabolic level based on serum untargeted metabolomics and identify key metabolites and metabolic pathways regulated by MSNS. MethodsSeventy-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into six groups: control, model, high-dose (2.4 g·kg-1) MSNS, medium-dose (1.2 g·kg-1) MSNS, low-dose (0.6 g·kg-1) MSNS, and positive control (fluoxetine, 2.6 mg·kg-1). Except the control group, the other groups were subjected to CRS for the modeling of anxiety. Mice were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage 2 h before daily restraint for 14 days. Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated by the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM) test, and light/dark box (LDB) test. Serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone (CORT) were measured via ELISA to assess stress levels. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was employed to detect 9 metabolites in the brain tissue and serum metabolites. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was adopted to identify differential metabolites (VIP>1.0, P<0.05). MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the differential metabolites. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed reductions in the central activity time and central distance in the OFT (P<0.05), the proportions of open-arm residence time and open-arm residence times in the EPM test (P<0.01), and the proportions of open box activity time and open box activity distance in the LDB test (P<0.05), which were increased in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups compared with the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group showed elevated levels of CRH, ACTH, and CORT in the serum (P<0.01), and the elevations were diminished in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups (P<0.05). UPLC-MS results indicated that compared with the control group, the model group presented declined DA, GABA, 5-HIAA, 5-HT, and 5-HT/Trp levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and raised Glu, NE, Kyn, and Kyn/Trp levels (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, high-dose MSNS increased the GABA, 5-HIAA, and 5-HT/Trp levels (P<0.05) and lowered the Glu and Kyn/Trp levels (P<0.05). Untargeted metabolomics identified that 16 CRS-induced metabolic disturbances were reversed by MSNS. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that MSNS primarily modulated eight core pathways including alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine-proline metabolism, TCA cycle, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and tryptophan metabolism. The mechanisms involved multidimensional biological processes, including neurotransmitter homeostasis regulation, TCA cycle energy metabolism optimization, and inflammatory response suppression. ConclusionMSNS alleviates CRS-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice by mitigating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity, improving hippocampal neurotransmitter and tryptophan metabolic pathways, and regulating alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine-proline metabolism, and TCA cycle.
4.Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Mechanism of Modified Sinisan in Ameliorating Anxiety-like Behaviors Induced by Chronic Restraint Stress in Mice
Jie ZHAO ; Zhengyu FANG ; He XIAO ; Na GUO ; Hongwei WU ; Hongjun YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):70-79
ObjectiveTo elucidate the potential mechanism of modified Sinisan (MSNS) in alleviating anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) in mice at the metabolic level based on serum untargeted metabolomics and identify key metabolites and metabolic pathways regulated by MSNS. MethodsSeventy-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into six groups: control, model, high-dose (2.4 g·kg-1) MSNS, medium-dose (1.2 g·kg-1) MSNS, low-dose (0.6 g·kg-1) MSNS, and positive control (fluoxetine, 2.6 mg·kg-1). Except the control group, the other groups were subjected to CRS for the modeling of anxiety. Mice were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage 2 h before daily restraint for 14 days. Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated by the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM) test, and light/dark box (LDB) test. Serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone (CORT) were measured via ELISA to assess stress levels. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was employed to detect 9 metabolites in the brain tissue and serum metabolites. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was adopted to identify differential metabolites (VIP>1.0, P<0.05). MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the differential metabolites. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed reductions in the central activity time and central distance in the OFT (P<0.05), the proportions of open-arm residence time and open-arm residence times in the EPM test (P<0.01), and the proportions of open box activity time and open box activity distance in the LDB test (P<0.05), which were increased in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups compared with the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group showed elevated levels of CRH, ACTH, and CORT in the serum (P<0.01), and the elevations were diminished in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups (P<0.05). UPLC-MS results indicated that compared with the control group, the model group presented declined DA, GABA, 5-HIAA, 5-HT, and 5-HT/Trp levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and raised Glu, NE, Kyn, and Kyn/Trp levels (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, high-dose MSNS increased the GABA, 5-HIAA, and 5-HT/Trp levels (P<0.05) and lowered the Glu and Kyn/Trp levels (P<0.05). Untargeted metabolomics identified that 16 CRS-induced metabolic disturbances were reversed by MSNS. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that MSNS primarily modulated eight core pathways including alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine-proline metabolism, TCA cycle, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and tryptophan metabolism. The mechanisms involved multidimensional biological processes, including neurotransmitter homeostasis regulation, TCA cycle energy metabolism optimization, and inflammatory response suppression. ConclusionMSNS alleviates CRS-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice by mitigating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity, improving hippocampal neurotransmitter and tryptophan metabolic pathways, and regulating alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine-proline metabolism, and TCA cycle.
5.Effect of Qianyang Yuyin Granules on Elderly Hypertensive Patients Based on "Energy-inflammation-aging" Network
Yuan FANG ; Li LI ; Na XIONG ; Meng LI ; Yongcheng NI ; Yawei ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):165-173
ObjectiveTo multidimensionally analyze the clinical effects of Qianyang Yuyin granules on elderly hypertensive patients through an "energy-inflammation-aging" network. MethodsRelevant datasets were retrieved from the GEO database. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed on the gene expression profiles of peripheral blood cells from patients with essential hypertension in dataset GSE24752. The GSEA referenced "GO gene sets" and "KEGG gene sets" to identify significantly enriched gene sets. A clinical trial was conducted using a randomized controlled study design. A total of 40 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The control group received standard antihypertensive treatment with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) or combined calcium channel blockers (CCBs). In contrast,the treatment group received Qianyang Yuyin Granules in addition to the standard treatment for 12 weeks. Blood pressure levels and clinical efficacy were observed,and changes in energy metabolism indicators,DNA damage markers,and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in blood were measured using ELISA before and after treatment. ResultsGSEA results indicated significant energy metabolism dysregulation in hypertensive patients. Clinical findings showed that both groups achieved blood pressure control without significant intergroup differences. In terms of clinical efficacy,the treatment group had a significantly higher effective rate compared to the control group (95% vs 65%,P0.05). After treatment,the treatment group showed a significant increase in NAD+ levels (P0.01),with higher levels compared to the control group (P0.05). The treatment group also exhibited a greater reduction in DNA damage marker 8-OHdG (P0.01) and cell adhesion factors ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 (P0.01) compared to the control group. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly reduced in the treatment group (P0.01),with greater reductions compared to the control group (P0.05,P0.01). Anti-inflammatory cytokines IFN-α,IL-4,and IL-10 were significantly elevated in the treatment group (P0.01),with higher levels compared to the control group (P0.01). No significant adverse reactions were reported in either group. ConclusionThe "energy- inflammation- aging" network plays an important role in the pathological mechanism of hypertension patients. Qianyang Yuyin granules may delay the aging process by increasing patients' energy metabolism levels,reducing DNA oxidative damage,and maintaining the balance of inflammatory factors.
6.Transporter-mediated Nano-delivery System in Promoting Oral Absorption of Drugs:A Review
Na TIAN ; Yanqing ZHANG ; Wei LI ; Leilei FANG ; Junbo XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(2):254-266
Oral administration is the most convenient way of drug delivery, but due to the existence of intestinal barrier, the oral bioavailability of drugs is generally low, especially for drugs with low water solubility, poor permeability and macromolecules. For decades, researchers have demonstrated that nano-delivery system is one of the most effective strategies to solve this problem, but nano-delivery systems have shown limited improvement in the oral bioavailability of drugs. Therefore, researchers have proposed to use transporter-mediated nano-delivery systems to promote the oral absorption of drugs. The intestinal tract were highly expressed as a transporter for ingesting various nutrients(such as glucose, oligopeptides and bile acids), which was an excellent target of oral drug delivery system. Its substrate were modified on the nano-delivery system, and the loaded drugs could cross the intestinal barrier and enter the systemic circulation more efficiently through the targeting effect of transporters. At present, more and more evidences supported the potential of transporters in the field of oral drug delivery system. Therefore, this paper reviewed the research on intestinal transporters-mediated nano-delivery system to promote oral absorption of drugs, including the distribution of intestinal transporters, three strategies of transporter substrate modification, the transport properties of different types of transporters and their effects of mediating the nano-delivery system for promoting the oral absorption of drugs or treating diseases, with the aim of providing an important theoretical reference for the development of intestinal targeted nano-delivery systems.
7.Therapeutic effects of paeoniflorin on thromboangiitis obliterans model rats by regulating PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway
Ya-Na WANG ; Xiao-Lin XU ; Wen-Hua MA ; Luo-Fang CUI ; Li LIU ; Lin-Li XU ; Yan ZHANG ; Xiu-Lei ZHAO
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(6):854-858
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of paeoniflorin(PAE)on thrombosis angiitis obliterans(TAO)in rats.Methods TAO rat model was established by sodium laurate injection.Rats were randomly divided into sham operation group(intraperitoneal injection of 0.9%NaCl),model group(intraperitoneal injection of 0.9%NaCl),experimental-L,-H groups(intraperitoneal injection of PAE 5,20 mg·kg-1·d-1),experimental-H+agonist group(intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg·kg-1·d-1 PAE+caudal vein injection of 10 ng·mL-1·kg 1·d-1 740 Y-P).Thrombin time(TT)was measured by magnetic bead coagulation;the levels of interleukin(IL)-1 β and endothelin 1(ET-1)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit;the expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),phosphorylated-PI3K(p-PI3 K),protein kinase B(AKT),p-AKT,nuclear factor(NF)-κB p65,p-NF-κB p65 were detected by Western blotting.Results The TT of sham operation group,model group,experimental-L,-H groups and experimental-H+agonist group were(14.88±1.32),(10.02±0.95),(12.65±1.22),(14.70±1.36)and(10.64±1.21)s;IL-1β were(154.23±13.45),(356.69±31.17),(268.62±23.58),(199.64±20.87)and(337.48±31.46)pg·mL-1;ET-1 were(6.78±0.68),(14.43±1.14),(11.23±1.07),(8.20±0.81)and(13.33±1.27)pg·mL-1;p-PI3K/PI3K were 0.36±0.04,0.76±0.07,0.59±0.05,0.44±0.04 and 0.69±0.07;p-AKT/AKT were 0.52±0.05,0.90±0.09,0.74±0.08,0.61±0.06 and 0.86±0.08;p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 were 0.28±0.03,0.95±0.04,0.69±0.07,0.35±0.05 and 0.87±0.08,respectively.There were statistically significant differences between model group and sham operation group(all P<0.05);the above indexes in experimental-L group and experimental-H group were significantly different from those in medel group(all P<0.05);the above indexes in experimental-H+agonist group were significantly different from those in experimental-H group(all P<0.05).Conclusion PAE may improve disease progression in TAO rats by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.
8.Effects of vitamin D mediated MEK/ERK pathway on myocardial damage in rats with gestational diabetes mellitus
Er-Xia JIA ; Na XU ; Shuai LI ; Qiu-Fang SHU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(7):1014-1018
Objective To investigate the effects of vitamin D mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase(MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)pathway on myocardial injury in rats with gestational diabetes mellitus.Methods Fifty SD rats were divided into control group,model group,experimental-L group,experimental-M group and experimental-H group,and the gestational diabetes rat model was established.After successful modeling,experimental-L,experimental-M,experimental-H groups were given intragastric administration of 0.05,0.10 and 0.15 μg·kg-1 concentration of vitamin D,while control group and model group were given intragastric administration of 0.9%NaCl at the same dose once a day for 2 weeks.Fasting blood glucose concentration and insulin level were detected before intervention,1 week and 2 weeks after intervention.Echocardiography was used to detect cardiac function[left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),maximum rate of rise(+dp/dtmax)and maximum rate of decline(-dp/dtmax)of left ventricular pressure].Myocardial enzyme indexes[troponin Ⅰ(cTn Ⅰ)kit,creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB)]and inflammatory factors[tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),C-reactive protein(CRP)]in serum and myocardial tissue of rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and MEK/ERK pathway protein expression was detected by western blot.Results The levels of cTn Ⅰ in cardiac tissue of control group,model group,experimental-L group,experimental-M group,experimental-H group were(10.50±1.08),(42.26±4.30),(31.85±2.44),(23.31±2.15)and(14.85±1.19)ng·mL-1;serum cTn Ⅰ levels were(23.79±3.46),(63.59±5.52),(51.02±4.27),(42.75±3.19)and(29.20±2.11)ng·mL-1;myocardial tissue levels of CK-MB were(8.52±0.90),(17.65±1.75),(15.62±1.27),(13.11±1.24)and(9.85±0.87)ng·mL-1;serum levels of CK-MB were(11.32±0.98),(21.24±1.45),(18.75±1.32),(15.11±1.02)and(12.27±1.11)ng·mL-1;phosphorylated-MEK protein expression were 0.24±0.03,0.85±0.09,0.72±0.06,0.57±0.07 and 0.35±0.04;phosphorylated-ERK1/2 protein expression were 0.18±0.02,0.66±0.07,0.52±0.06,0.40±0.07 and 0.24±0.05,respectively.There were statistically significant differences of above indexes between control group and model group(all P<0.05);the difference between model group and experimental-L,experimental-M,experimental-H groups were all statistically significant(all P<0.05).Conclusion Vitamin D may reduce myocardial injury in rats with gestational diabetes by inhibiting the activation of MEK/ERK pathway.
9.General considerations for the design of bioequivalence studies of etomidate medium/long-chain fat emulsion injection
Na AN ; Dong LI ; Li-Li LIU ; Fang LI ; Li-Li HA ; Man-Ru REN ; Yu ZHOU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(10):1541-1544
Etomidate reversibly blocks 11-β-hydroxylated steroid dehydrogenase inhibits the synthesis of cortisol by adrenal cells.This product is a special injection.When evaluating the quality and efficacy of the generic and the reference preparations,it should be based on pharmaceutical and non-clinical consistency and adopt a step-by-step research strategy,firstly,bioequivalence(BE)was studied.In bioequivalence study,the research type,dosage and method,bioequivalence evaluation,safety monitoring and pharmacodynamics(PD)evaluation should be considered and designed reasonably.Based on the pharmacokinetics(PK)characteristics of etomidate medium-long chain fat emulsion injection and the bioequivalence study of its generic drug before its domestic market,the general design requirements and relevant considerations for the bioequivalence study of this product were systematically discussed.The purpose is to provide useful reference and guidance for domestic research and development of generic drugs.
10.Effects of radiation on pharmacokinetics
Jie ZONG ; Hai-Hui ZHANG ; Gui-Fang DOU ; Zhi-Yun MENG ; Ruo-Lan GU ; Zhuo-Na WU ; Xiao-Xia ZHU ; Xuan HU ; Hui GAN
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(13):1996-2000
Radiation mainly comes from medical radiation,industrial radiation,nuclear waste and atmospheric ultraviolet radiation,etc.,radiation is divided into ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation.Studying the effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation on drug metabolism,understanding the absorption and distribution of drugs in the body after radiation and the speed of elimination under radiation conditions can provide reasonable guidance for clinical medication.This article reviews the effects of radiation on the pharmacokinetics of different drugs,elaborates the changes of different pharmacokinetics under radiation state,and discusses the reasons for the changes.

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