1.Molecular Crosstalk Mechanisms of Shoutai Wan and Juyuan Jian on Maternal-fetal Interface Subcellular Clusters in CBA/J×DBA/2 Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Model
Jingxin GAO ; Qiuping CHEN ; Xiaoyan ZHENG ; Pengfei ZENG ; Rui ZHOU ; Yancai TANG ; Qian ZENG ; Wenli GUO ; Jinzhu HUANG ; Weijun DING ; Linwen DENG ; Hang ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):70-87
ObjectiveTo systematically compare the differential regulation of the maternal-fetal interface cell lineages and communication networks in the CBA/J×DBA/2 mouse model of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) by the two classic therapeutic methods-tonifying the kidney to stabilize the fetus and invigorating the spleen to stabilize the fetus (Shoutai Wan, Juyuan Jian)-of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at the single-cell resolution and clarify their modern scientific connotations. MethodsFemale non-pregnant CBA/J mice were caged with male BALB/c (blank group) and DBA/2 (modeling group) mice separately. Pregnant mice in the modeling group were randomly grouped as follows: high/low-dose Shoutai Wan, high/low-dose Juyuan Jian, model (RPL), and positive control (dydrogesterone), with 10 mice in each group. Starting from the day after the detection of the vaginal plug, mice were administrated with drugs or an equal volume of normal saline by gavage for 10 consecutive days. After the intervention, the following indicators were measured. ① Macroscopic evaluation: general conditions, uterine wet weight, embryo loss rate, four coagulation parameters [prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), and thrombin time (TT)], and peripheral blood estradiol (E2) and progesterone (Pg) levels. The decidua with embryos was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), CXC chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 homolog (LC3)Ⅰ/Ⅱ was quantified by Western blot. ② Mechanism analysis at the single-cell level: The decidua with embryos from the blank, model, high-dose Shoutai Wan, and high-dose Juyuan Jian groups (6 mice per group, with 3 single-cell samples per group, totaling 24 mice) were analyzed by the BD Rhapsody™ platform, and the whole-cell atlas was drawn by uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) dimensionality reduction clustering combined with the single-cell mouse cell atlas (scMCA). The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and cell interaction networks were analyzed via Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and CellChat, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) map of subtype cells was constructed. The CytoTRACE pseudo-temporal analysis was performed to explore the developmental trajectories of core immune cells (natural killer cells, NK cells) from maternal and fetal sources. Results① Pathological and Western blot results indicated that compared with the blank group, the RPL group showed an increase in the embryo loss rate (P<0.01), down-regulated expression of Bcl-2, LIF, MMP-2, and Vegf in the decidua with embryos (P<0.05), up-regulated protein levels of CXCL-12, AngⅡ, and IL-6 (P<0.05), blocked angiogenesis, apoptosis-inflammation imbalance, and coagulation dysfunction. Both prescriptions dose-dependently reduced the abortion rate and restored the angiogenesis-inflammation balance, and Shoutai pill showed superior performance in restoring the E2 level to the Pg level (P<0.05). ② Single-cell transcriptome analysis indicated that compared with the blank group, the RPL group showed differences in multiple key cell populations such as decidual cells, trophoblast cells, endothelial cells, erythroblasts, NK cells, and macrophages at the maternal-fetal interface. Immunity and angiogenesis were the key links in RPL. Compared with the RPL group, high-dose Shoutai Wan reversed the changes of NK cells in the embryonic layer (upregulating the mRNA levels of 17 genes and downregulating the mRNA levels of 29 genes) and macrophages (upregulating the mRNA levels of 117 genes and downregulating the mRNA levels of 53 genes) through the regulation of gene expression. High-dose Shoutai pill regulated the immune cells to affect unfolded proteins, cell adhesion, and programmed cell death, thereby promoting decidualization and angiogenesis and modulating embryo-membrane development. High-dose Juyuan Jian regulated the key subgroups of NK cells (up-regulating the mRNA levels of 9 genes and down-regulating the mRNA levels of 17 genes) and macrophages (up-regulating the mRNA levels of 110 genes and down-regulating the mRNA levels of 81 genes), which affected decidual inflammation and apoptosis and intervened in glycolysis. ③ The pseudo-temporal analysis and communication network indicated that the communication frequency of the RPL group decreased. High-dose Shoutai Wan restored maternal-fetal tolerance through pathways such as NKG2D, CDH5, GDF, and FASLG. High-dose Juyuan Jian enhanced the IL-6/LIFR/JAK/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and desmosome/SEMA6/tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) signaling to improve endometrial receptivity. The RPL group showed an increased proportion of toxic dNK7, a decreased proportion of reparative dNK4, and blocked embryo fNK1. High-dose Shoutai Wan down-regulated dNK7 and up-regulated dNK4. High-dose Juyuan Jian inhibited the terminal differentiation of dNK7 and up-regulated LILRB1, thus restoring the balance of cytotoxicity and repair. ConclusionBoth the kidney-tonifying and spleen-invigorating methods are effective in treating RPL. NK and macrophages are the key immune cells in the interaction between the embryo and the membrane. The kidney-tonifying method (Shoutai Wan) has an advantage in regulating the phenotypes of unfolded protein, cell adhesion, and programmed cell death, and shows expression characteristics closer to the physiological state in the regulation of NKG2D and CDH5 signals. The spleen-invigorating method (Juyuan Jian) has an advantage in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, and glycolysis and shows higher communication intensity in the IL-6 and LIFR pathways.
2.Nanopackaged Astaxanthin Improves Demyelination in Multiple Sclerosis Model Mice by Scavenging Excessive Endogenous Formaldehyde
Wan-Jia LÜ ; Xin ZENG ; Zhi-Qian TONG ; Yang XING ; Xu YANG ; Mei-Na WU ; Ping MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):442-457
ObjectiveMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS); however, its underlying neurological pathogenic mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Endogenous formaldehyde (FA), a metabolic byproduct of methylation-demethylation cycles, has recently been implicated in neurotoxicity, oxidative damage, and cognitive impairment. This study aimed to investigate whether excessive FA contributes to myelin sheath demyelination in mice and to evaluate the protective effects and mechanisms of two FA-elimination strategies: sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3), a classical FA scavenger, and polyethylene glycol-modified astaxanthin nanoparticles (PEG-ATX@NPs), a brain-targeted nano-antioxidant formulation. MethodsA chronic demyelination model was established by feeding female C57BL/6J mice a diet containing 0.2% cuprizone (CPZ) for four weeks, followed by a two-week intervention period. Eighty mice were randomly assigned to four groups: NS (normal saline), CPZ+NS, CPZ+NaHSO3, and CPZ+PEG-ATX@NPs. Behavioral tests, including open-field, Y-maze, and pole-climbing assays, were conducted to assess locomotor activity, motor coordination, and working memory. FA levels in serum, corpus callosum, and spinal cord were measured using an Na-FA fluorescent probe and quantified via in vivo and ex vivo fluorescence imaging. Neuroinflammatory responses were evaluated by measuring TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels using ELISA, while oxidative stress was assessed by reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorescence intensity. Demyelination was examined via Luxol fast blue staining, and microglial activation was analyzed by Iba1 immunofluorescence. Correlation analyses were performed to explore relationships among FA levels, inflammatory cytokines, ROS intensity, and behavioral parameters. ResultsCompared with the NS group, mice in the CPZ+NS group exhibited significant weight loss, impaired motor coordination and memory, and markedly reduced myelin regeneration (P<0.05). FA levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in serum, corpus callosum, and spinal cord (P<0.05). FA-associated fluorescence in brain and spinal tissues, as well as ROS intensity across all tissues examined, also increased substantially (P<0.05). CPZ treatment induced pronounced microglial activation and severe demyelination in the corpus callosum (P<0.01). Both NaHSO3 and PEG-ATX@NPs effectively reduced FA accumulation in the brain and spinal cord, attenuated demyelination, suppressed microglial activation, decreased inflammatory cytokine levels, and improved motor and cognitive performance. These results confirm that CPZ induced severe demyelination accompanied by oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and abnormal FA accumulation. Following intervention with either NaHSO3 or PEG-ATX@NPs, endogenous FA levels in the CNS were substantially reduced. Both treatments alleviated demyelination and significantly decreased the number of activated microglia. Levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in serum, corpus callosum, and spinal cord were downregulated. Behavioral performance improved significantly, as evidenced by enhanced locomotor activity, better coordination, and improved memory function. These findings indicate that both FA-scavenging agents mitigate CPZ-induced biochemical and behavioral abnormalities. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that excessive endogenous FA is closely associated with cognitive impairment, inflammatory dysregulation, and demyelination in a CPZ-induced chronic demyelination mouse model. Clearing abnormally elevated FA effectively reduces neuroinflammation, suppresses microglial overactivation, decreases oxidative stress, and alleviates demyelination, ultimately improving motor and cognitive outcomes in mice. These results suggest that targeting endogenous FA represents a promising therapeutic strategy for MS and other demyelinating disorders. Further investigations are warranted to explore the long-term safety, dosage optimization, and molecular pathways involved in FA-mediated neurotoxicity.
3.Nanopackaged Astaxanthin Improves Demyelination in Multiple Sclerosis Model Mice by Scavenging Excessive Endogenous Formaldehyde
Wan-Jia LÜ ; Xin ZENG ; Zhi-Qian TONG ; Yang XING ; Xu YANG ; Mei-Na WU ; Ping MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):442-457
ObjectiveMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS); however, its underlying neurological pathogenic mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Endogenous formaldehyde (FA), a metabolic byproduct of methylation-demethylation cycles, has recently been implicated in neurotoxicity, oxidative damage, and cognitive impairment. This study aimed to investigate whether excessive FA contributes to myelin sheath demyelination in mice and to evaluate the protective effects and mechanisms of two FA-elimination strategies: sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3), a classical FA scavenger, and polyethylene glycol-modified astaxanthin nanoparticles (PEG-ATX@NPs), a brain-targeted nano-antioxidant formulation. MethodsA chronic demyelination model was established by feeding female C57BL/6J mice a diet containing 0.2% cuprizone (CPZ) for four weeks, followed by a two-week intervention period. Eighty mice were randomly assigned to four groups: NS (normal saline), CPZ+NS, CPZ+NaHSO3, and CPZ+PEG-ATX@NPs. Behavioral tests, including open-field, Y-maze, and pole-climbing assays, were conducted to assess locomotor activity, motor coordination, and working memory. FA levels in serum, corpus callosum, and spinal cord were measured using an Na-FA fluorescent probe and quantified via in vivo and ex vivo fluorescence imaging. Neuroinflammatory responses were evaluated by measuring TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels using ELISA, while oxidative stress was assessed by reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorescence intensity. Demyelination was examined via Luxol fast blue staining, and microglial activation was analyzed by Iba1 immunofluorescence. Correlation analyses were performed to explore relationships among FA levels, inflammatory cytokines, ROS intensity, and behavioral parameters. ResultsCompared with the NS group, mice in the CPZ+NS group exhibited significant weight loss, impaired motor coordination and memory, and markedly reduced myelin regeneration (P<0.05). FA levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in serum, corpus callosum, and spinal cord (P<0.05). FA-associated fluorescence in brain and spinal tissues, as well as ROS intensity across all tissues examined, also increased substantially (P<0.05). CPZ treatment induced pronounced microglial activation and severe demyelination in the corpus callosum (P<0.01). Both NaHSO3 and PEG-ATX@NPs effectively reduced FA accumulation in the brain and spinal cord, attenuated demyelination, suppressed microglial activation, decreased inflammatory cytokine levels, and improved motor and cognitive performance. These results confirm that CPZ induced severe demyelination accompanied by oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and abnormal FA accumulation. Following intervention with either NaHSO3 or PEG-ATX@NPs, endogenous FA levels in the CNS were substantially reduced. Both treatments alleviated demyelination and significantly decreased the number of activated microglia. Levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in serum, corpus callosum, and spinal cord were downregulated. Behavioral performance improved significantly, as evidenced by enhanced locomotor activity, better coordination, and improved memory function. These findings indicate that both FA-scavenging agents mitigate CPZ-induced biochemical and behavioral abnormalities. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that excessive endogenous FA is closely associated with cognitive impairment, inflammatory dysregulation, and demyelination in a CPZ-induced chronic demyelination mouse model. Clearing abnormally elevated FA effectively reduces neuroinflammation, suppresses microglial overactivation, decreases oxidative stress, and alleviates demyelination, ultimately improving motor and cognitive outcomes in mice. These results suggest that targeting endogenous FA represents a promising therapeutic strategy for MS and other demyelinating disorders. Further investigations are warranted to explore the long-term safety, dosage optimization, and molecular pathways involved in FA-mediated neurotoxicity.
4.Mechanism of Embryo Implantation Promotion via Exosomal miRNA-mediated Communication Network at Maternal-fetal Interface Based on Bushen Huoxue Therapy
Pei GUO ; Jiajun LIU ; Hang ZHOU ; Zeyi GUO ; Yili WANG ; Linwen DENG ; Qian ZENG ; Jinzhu HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):317-327
ObjectiveTo investigate whether Bushen Huoxue prescription improves embryo implantation through regulating exosomal miRNA to enhance maternal-fetal interface communication based on Bushen Huoxue therapy. MethodsIn the animal experiment, all the rats (except for the blank group) were administered hydroxyurea (450 mg·kg-1) via gavage for 10 d, as well as epinephrine (0.3 mg·kg-1) and mifepristone (5.5 mg·kg-1) via subcutaneous injection for 7 d to establish an implantation disorder model of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type. The Bushen Huoxue prescription (BSHX) groups were administered the prescription at different doses (7.30 g·kg-1 for the high-dose group, 3.65 g·kg-1 for the medium-dose group, and 1.83 g·kg-1 for the low-dose group) via gavage. The dydrogesterone group was administered the corresponding medicine (2.63 mg·kg-1) via gavage. After intervention for 10 days, uterine histopathological changes were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Mucin (MUC1), forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1), and homeobox A10 (HoxA10) expression levels were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot. Cell experiment selected primary endometrial epithelial cells (EEC) and trophoblast cells (TC) as research subjects. Exosome-free medicated serum was prepared by ultracentrifugation and cultured in complete medium. Exosomes were isolated from cell supernatants by ultracentrifugation for cross-co-culture. After 48 h, migration and invasion abilities were assessed by scratch and Transwell assays. Sequencing was then performed on EEC-origin exosomal miRNA. ResultsThe model rats exhibited thin endometrium, along with reduced blood vessels, glandules, and pinopode numbers. BSHX improved endometrial morphology and increased pinopode numbers. MUC1, FoxO1, and HoxA10 expressions were downregulated in the model rats, while these parameters were upregulated after BSHX medium- and high-dose intervention. In the cell experiment, after exosome-free medicated serum intervention for 24 h, migration and invasion abilities were enhanced in the BSHX groups (P<0.01). In EEC-origin exosomal miRNA sequencing, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed enrichment in biological processes (gastrulation, neuronal differentiation, alongside cell development and regeneration), involving the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), FoxO1, Wnt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathways. ConclusionBSHX promotes embryo implantation by improving endometrial receptivity via regulating exosomal miRNA. These findings provide potential targets for exosomal miRNA-based assisted reproductive strategies and a novel theoretical basis for infertility treatment by traditional Chinese medicine.
5.A Sensitive Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Detection of Interleukin-6 Using Carbon Dots-Mesoporous Silica Nanocomposite Fluorescent Probes
Yue-Qian YANG ; Peng-Yue WANG ; Jia-Qi REN ; Xiao PAN ; Feng-Hua TAN ; Yu-Jie MA ; Cong-Ying WEN ; Jing-Bin ZENG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(9):1467-1475
In this study,a sensitive lateral flow immunoassay(LFIA)platform based on carbon dots-mesoporous silica nanocomposite(CD-MSNs)fluorescent probes was constructed for high-performance detection of inflammatory marker interleukin-6(IL-6).Green fluorescent carbon dots(CDs)were prepared by hydrothermal method with 3,9-perylenic acid and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane(APTES)as raw materials,and highly fluorescent CD-MSNs composites were then constructed by encapsulating the prepared CDs in mesoporous silica nanoparticles(MSNs).Fluorescent probes were prepared by covalent coupling of CD-MSNs with IL-6 antibody.Fluorescent immunochromatographic test strips were constructed by spraying IL-6 capture antibody and goat anti-mouse IgG on nitrocellulose membrane as detection line(T-line)and quality control line(C-line),respectively.The fluorescence immunoassay analyzer was used to quantitatively detect the fluorescence intensity of T-line,and the experimental results showed that the LFIA platform based on this probe had a good linear relationship in IL-6 concentration range of 102-106 pg/mL,and the detection limit was 64 pg/mL,which was two orders of magnitude more sensitive than that of the traditional colloidal gold test strips.This method effectively solved the issue of insufficient sensitivity of traditional LFIA technique,and provided a rapid and highly sensitive detection method for early diagnosis of inflammatory diseases.
6.Visualization analysis on research literature about "thirteen ghost acupoints" based on CiteSpace
Dian ZENG ; Chengchen LI ; Qian ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(2):237-243
Objective:To analyze the research status, hotspots and trends of "thirteen ghost acupoints".Methods:Literature related to the study of "thirteen ghost acupoints" from January 1,1993 to December 31, 2023 was retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, and CBM. CiteSpace 6.3.R1 software was used to conduct co-occurrence analysis of authors and institutions, as well as co-occurrence, clustering, timeline, and prominence analysis of keywords in the included literature.Results:A total of 221 articles were included, and the annual trend of the number of articles was fluctuating, with 25 articles reaching the peak in 2017. Cui Housong was the author with the most publications (7 articles). The institution with the most publications was Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (14 articles). keyword co-occurrence and cluster time axis analysis showed that Sun Simiao, literature research and medical records were the hot literature research and interpretation; acupuncture therapy, moxibustion ghost therapy, transcutaneous electric stimulation at acupoints and blood-letting stimulation were the research hotspots; mental diseases, disturbance of consciousness, ynecological diseases and acute trauma were the research hotspots in clinical dominant diseases. The long time span of each research hotspot indicated that the study of the thirteen ghost acupoints was of great value and has been gradually concerned by people. The analysis results of keyword emergence indicated that depression syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, guitang acupoint, emotional disease, lateral habenular nucleus, Tongdu Tiaoshen had greater influence and stronger explosive force, which may be a research hotspot of thirteen ghost acupoints.Conclusions:At present, the study of thirteen ghost acupoints focuses on the textual research, intervention methods and clinical dominant diseases, it is predicted that the future research trend will mainly focus on the compatibility of thirteen ghost acupoints, the mechanism of treatment and the specific mechanism to carry out. At the same time, scholars should pay attention to the study of the clinical application category of thirteen ghost acupoints and explore its clinical value in more diseases. It is suggested to strengthen the academic exchange among the research teams, and promote the further development of thirteen ghost acupoints.
7.Carvedilol to prevent hepatic decompensation of cirrhosis in patients with clinically significant portal hypertension stratified by new non-invasive model (CHESS2306)
Chuan LIU ; Hong YOU ; Qing-Lei ZENG ; Yu Jun WONG ; Bingqiong WANG ; Ivica GRGUREVIC ; Chenghai LIU ; Hyung Joon YIM ; Wei GOU ; Bingtian DONG ; Shenghong JU ; Yanan GUO ; Qian YU ; Masashi HIROOKA ; Hirayuki ENOMOTO ; Amr Shaaban HANAFY ; Zhujun CAO ; Xiemin DONG ; Jing LV ; Tae Hyung KIM ; Yohei KOIZUMI ; Yoichi HIASA ; Takashi NISHIMURA ; Hiroko IIJIMA ; Chuanjun XU ; Erhei DAI ; Xiaoling LAN ; Changxiang LAI ; Shirong LIU ; Fang WANG ; Ying GUO ; Jiaojian LV ; Liting ZHANG ; Yuqing WANG ; Qing XIE ; Chuxiao SHAO ; Zhensheng LIU ; Federico RAVAIOLI ; Antonio COLECCHIA ; Jie LI ; Gao-Jun TENG ; Xiaolong QI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):105-118
Background:
s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model.
Methods:
Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort.
Results:
In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM).
Conclusions
Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.
8.Clinical Observation of Acupuncture Combined with Modified Zuojin Granules in Treating Reflux Esophagitis with Liver-Stomach Disharmony Syndrome
Dengjie REN ; Shaoyu BAI ; Hongping ZENG ; Jie LIU ; Qian DING ; Qi ZHU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(9):2218-2224
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with Modified Zuojin Granules in treating reflux esophagitis(RE)with liver-stomach disharmony syndrome.Methods A total of 100 patients diagnosed with liver-stomach disharmony syndrome RE were enrolled from October 2022 to October 2024 at Zigong First People's Hospital.The patients were randomly assigned to the observation group and the control group,with 50 cases in each group.The control group was treated with Modified Zuojin Granules,while the observation group was given acupuncture plus Modified Zuojin Granules,both group were treated for 4 weeks.The changes in the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,24-hour esophageal acid reflux parameters(frequency and longest duration),serum gastrointestinal hormones[gastrin(GAS),motilin(MTL),vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP)],gut microbiota composition(Lactobacillus,Bifidobacterium,Enterococcus,Enterobacter)were observed.The adverse reactions and safety profiles were evaluated.Results(1)Both groups showed significant improvement in TCM syndrome scores(P<0.05),with greater improvement in the observation group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,both groups of patients showed significant improvements in the number of gastric reflux episodes in the oesophagus over 24 hours and the longest reflux duration(P<0.05).The observation group demonstrated significantly better improvements in the number of gastric reflux episodes in the oesophagus over 24 hours and the longest reflux duration compared to the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,the serum levels of GAS,MTL,and VIP in both groups of patients were significantly improved(P<0.05).The observation group showed significantly better improvement in serum GAS,MTL,and VIP levels compared to the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).(4)After treatment,the levels of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in both groups increased significantly compared to before treatment(P<0.05),while the levels of Enterococci and Enterobacteria were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The improvement in intestinal microbiota levels was more pronounced in the observation group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).(5)The overall efficacy rate was 96.00%(48/50)in the observation group and 80.00%(40/50)in the control group.The observation group demonstrated superior efficacy compared to the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).(6)The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 8.00%(4/50),while that in the control group was 12.00%(6/50).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion The combined therapy significantly improves clinical symptoms,modulates gastrointestinal hormones and gut microbiota,demonstrating excellent efficacy and safety for liver-stomach disharmony syndrome RE.
9.Establishment of Human Luminal Breast Cancer Stem Cell Model and the Therapeutic Effects of Astragaloside Ⅳ
Liushan CHEN ; Huachao LI ; Yingchao WU ; Yuqi LIANG ; Peng WU ; Congwen YANG ; Junfeng HUANG ; Jieting CHEN ; Zhili ZENG ; Chen FANG ; Qian ZUO ; Qianjun CHEN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(9):2295-2304
Objective To establish a human luminal breast cancer stem cell(BCSC)model and investigate the inhibitory effects of astragaloside Ⅳ(AS-Ⅳ)on BCSC growth.Methods MCF-7 breast cancer cells were cultured in stem cell-specific medium to induce BCSC formation.The BCSCs were then divided into a blank control group and an AS-Ⅳ treatment group,both groups were given PBS or AS-Ⅳ treatment.Morphological changes were observed after intervention.The therapeutic efficacy of AS-Ⅳ was evaluated using 3D spheroid formation and cell viability assays.Transcriptomic profiling and gene expression analysis were performed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.Results Compared with the MCF7 breast cancer cells,MCF7 breast cancer stem cell mammospheres exhibited accelerated growth(P<0.01)and significantly increased expression of the stemness marker ALDH1A1(P<0.01).Further comparison with the blank control group revealed that astragaloside Ⅳ(AS-Ⅳ)treatment significantly inhibited MCF7 breast cancer stem cell proliferation(P<0.001)and slowed mammosphere growth(P<0.01).Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that differentially expressed genes(DEGs)induced by stem cell modeling and AS-Ⅳ intervention were enriched in the cellular senescence signaling pathway.AS-Ⅳ intervention substantially increased the number of SA-β-gal-positive cells(P<0.01).RT-PCR analysis confirmed that AS-Ⅳsignificantly upregulated mRNA expression of IL-1α(P<0.01),P21(P<0.001),and P53(P<0.05)in MCF7 breast cancer stem cells.Conclusion Astragaloside Ⅳ suppresses the growth of human luminal breast cancer stem cells by inducing cellular senescence.
10.Effects of Herbal Compatibility on Chemical Composition and Neuroinflammatory Activity of Banxia Houpo Decoction
Yuanning ZENG ; Yaming CHEN ; Huilin SU ; Qiuhong WANG ; Qian WANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(9):2305-2313
Objective To investigate the influence of herbal compatibility on the chemical composition of Banxia Houpo Decoction(BHD)using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS)coupled with multivariate statistical analysis,and to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of key differential components against neuroinflammation and neuronal injury using cellular models.Methods(1)UPLC-MS analysis of chemical constituents in co-decoction and separated decoction(individual herbs decocted separately then combined)of Banxia Houpo Decoction,followed by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA)to identify differential components before and after herbal compatibility(2)BV2 microglia were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)to establish a neuroinflammation model.Cell viability was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit 8(CCK-8)assay.Nitric oxide(NO)levels were measured by the Griess method,while TNF-α and IL-1β concentrations were quantified via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).(3)SH-SY5Y neuronal cells were co-cultured with conditioned medium from LPS-stimulated BV2 cells(LPS-CM)to model neuronal injury.Cell viability was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay.Results UPLC-MS/OPLS-DA identified 11 differential components between compatibility methods,with honokiol and magnolol showing significant post-compatibility increases.In the neuroinflammation model,LPS stimulation elevated NO,TNF-α and IL-1 β levels in BV2 cells,which were suppressed by 5,10 μg/mL honokiol or magnolol.In the neuronal injury model,LPS-CM induced SH-SY5Y apoptosis,while 5,10 μg/mL honokiol or magnolol attenuated this damage.Conclusion Herbal compatibility significantly enhances honokiol and magnolol content in BHD.These components inhibit microglial inflammatory responses and neuronal apoptosis,suggesting their role as primary active constituents mediating BHD's neuroprotective effects.

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