1.Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Its Formulas in Treatment of Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head: A Review
Tao MA ; Yin LI ; Qingsheng XIE ; Haiyang YU ; Xuerui LIU ; Jinqiu WU ; Duoxian WANG ; Hairong HE ; Xiaogang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):335-346
Osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) is a disease that causes osteocyte death due to interruption of blood supply of the femoral head, which may cause symptoms such as joint movement disorders, pain, and even femoral head collapse. Currently, the commonly used methods for treating ONFH in clinical practice are accompanied by problems such as long-term side effects, inaccurate efficacy, technical limitations, and complication risks. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown unique advantages of holistic regulation, mild side effects, and symptom alleviation. A review of the related literature shows that Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, as a representative Chinese herbal medicine for activating blood and resolving stasis, has the effects of activating blood, resolving stasis, dredging meridians, and relieving pain. Its active ingredients (such as salvianolic acid B, tanshinone ⅡA, and tanshinone Ⅰ) interfere with bone metabolism balance, osteogenesis and differentiation, and improve bone microcirculation and bone microstructure. Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is often combined with the herbal medicines with the effects of tonifying the liver and spleen or activing blood to form herb pairs (such as Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Chuanxiong Rhizoma, and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Drynariae Rhizoma), which enhances the efficacy through synergistic effects. In the application of TCM compound formulas, Bushen Huoxue prescription, Bushen Huoxue capsules, Gubi Tongxiao granules, and Shenggu Zaizao pills can regulate signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog, Notch, transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1/Smads, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) through multiple targets to significantly improve bone metabolism and hip joint function, playing an important role in preventing and treating ONFH. Through a review of available studies, this paper systematically explains the outstanding advantages of the active ingredients, herb pairs, and compound formulas of Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in the prevention and treatment of ONFH. The mechanisms may be related to factors such as promoting osteoblast generation and inhibiting osteoclast formation, increasing osteogenic differentiation, promoting angiogenesis, increasing bone density, inhibiting inflammatory response, and regulating signaling pathways. In the future, modern technology can be employed to optimize dosage forms, and high-quality clinical research should be conducted to further clarify its mechanism of action and promote the precise application of TCM. This review aims to provide more thinking directions for the application of Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in preventing and treating ONFH.
2.From Renal Tubule to Glomerulus: Emerging Insights into Pathogenesis of Diabetic Kidney Disease and Therapeutic Interventions with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Yanying LI ; Yang WANG ; Xueying LIU ; Chen JIANG ; Pengwei ZHUANG ; Yanjun ZHANG ; Qingsheng YIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):260-268
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, is characterized by intricate pathophysiological mechanisms and persistent clinical management challenges. Historically, glomerular injury has been regarded as the central pathological hallmark of DKD, with research predominantly focusing on hyperfiltration, glomerular basement membrane thickening, and podocyte dysfunction. Emerging evidence, however, underscores the renal tubule-not merely as a passive bystander but as an early initiator and pivotal driver-in DKD pathogenesis. Hyperglycemia, metabolic dysregulation, and chronic low-grade inflammation induce tubular epithelial cell injury at early disease stages. Such injury disrupts tubuloglomerular feedback, thereby elevating intraglomerular pressure and sustaining hyperfiltration. Concurrently, injured tubular cells secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines and profibrotic factors, promoting epithelia-mesenchymal transition, interstitial hypoxia, and progressive tubulointerstitial fibrosis that ultimately culminate in irreversible decline of renal function. This "tubule-first" paradigm represents a fundamental shift from the classical glomerulocentric model and redefines the conceptual framework of DKD progression. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), with its inherent advantages of multi-component synergy, multi-target engagement, and systemic homeostatic regulation, has demonstrated compelling renoprotective effect, particularly in preserving tubular integrity and function, mitigating tubular cellular stress, and indirectly alleviating glomerular hemodynamic burden. Accumulating preclinical and clinical evidence supports the efficacy of numerous single herbs and standardized formulae of TCM in attenuating tubulointerstitial injury and slowing down DKD progression. This review systematically delineates the sequential pathogenic cascade-from initial tubular insult to secondary glomerular deterioration-and critically evaluates the mechanism basis and translational potential of TCM-based interventions targeting tubular resilience. We aim to provide a refined pathophysiological rationale and actionable insights for optimizing clinical strategies and accelerating the development of novel therapeutics for DKD.
3.From Renal Tubule to Glomerulus: Emerging Insights into Pathogenesis of Diabetic Kidney Disease and Therapeutic Interventions with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Yanying LI ; Yang WANG ; Xueying LIU ; Chen JIANG ; Pengwei ZHUANG ; Yanjun ZHANG ; Qingsheng YIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):260-268
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, is characterized by intricate pathophysiological mechanisms and persistent clinical management challenges. Historically, glomerular injury has been regarded as the central pathological hallmark of DKD, with research predominantly focusing on hyperfiltration, glomerular basement membrane thickening, and podocyte dysfunction. Emerging evidence, however, underscores the renal tubule-not merely as a passive bystander but as an early initiator and pivotal driver-in DKD pathogenesis. Hyperglycemia, metabolic dysregulation, and chronic low-grade inflammation induce tubular epithelial cell injury at early disease stages. Such injury disrupts tubuloglomerular feedback, thereby elevating intraglomerular pressure and sustaining hyperfiltration. Concurrently, injured tubular cells secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines and profibrotic factors, promoting epithelia-mesenchymal transition, interstitial hypoxia, and progressive tubulointerstitial fibrosis that ultimately culminate in irreversible decline of renal function. This "tubule-first" paradigm represents a fundamental shift from the classical glomerulocentric model and redefines the conceptual framework of DKD progression. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), with its inherent advantages of multi-component synergy, multi-target engagement, and systemic homeostatic regulation, has demonstrated compelling renoprotective effect, particularly in preserving tubular integrity and function, mitigating tubular cellular stress, and indirectly alleviating glomerular hemodynamic burden. Accumulating preclinical and clinical evidence supports the efficacy of numerous single herbs and standardized formulae of TCM in attenuating tubulointerstitial injury and slowing down DKD progression. This review systematically delineates the sequential pathogenic cascade-from initial tubular insult to secondary glomerular deterioration-and critically evaluates the mechanism basis and translational potential of TCM-based interventions targeting tubular resilience. We aim to provide a refined pathophysiological rationale and actionable insights for optimizing clinical strategies and accelerating the development of novel therapeutics for DKD.
4.Feasibility and safety of a fascial space priority approach to total pelvic exenteration in patients with pelvic malignancy
Hongjie YANG ; Yuanda ZHOU ; Peishi JIANG ; Zhichun ZHANG ; Qingsheng ZENG ; Yi SUN
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2025;28(7):751-757
Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and safety of a fascial space priority approach to total pelvic exenteration (TPE) in patients with pelvic malignancy.Methods:This was a descriptive case series. Relevant clinical data of patients who had undergone TPE via a fascial space priority approach at Tianjin Union Medical Center from September 2017 to March 2025 were retrospectively collected. All operations had been performed via a fascial space priority approach, the guiding principle of which is separating the avascular pelvic spaces first and then transecting the vessels and nerves of the pelvic organs. That is, the avascular planes around all the pelvic organs are dissected first, after which the relevant vessels and nerves are fully dissected and transected, followed by en bloc resection of pelvic organs distally or via perineal approach. The variables studied included relevant surgical parameters, postoperative pathological findings, complications (classified according to the Clavien-Dindo criteria); recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival, and tumor-specific survival. Results:The study cohort comprised 41 patients, including 30 (73.2%) with primary tumors and 11 (26.8%) with recurrent tumors. Open TPE was performed on five patients (12.2%) and laparoscopic TPE on the remaining 36 (87.8%). All procedures were successfully completed with a fascial space priority approach and there were no intraoperative deaths. R0 resection was achieved in 34 patients (82.9%) and R1 resection in seven (17.1%). The operation time was 500 (265-740) min, and the amount of bleeding 200 (10-3,500) mL. Twelve patients (29.3%) developed postoperative complications, two of which were Clavien-Dindo Grade III complications. One of these patients required re-operation to manage a pelvic hematoma 29 days after the primary TPE. No active bleeding was observed during the re-operation. Another patient underwent interventional angiography for an episode of postoperative bleeding; this showed a pseudoaneurysm of the internal iliac artery that was successfully treated by interventional embolization via the internal iliac artery. Five days after undergoing a primary TPE with bladder preservation, a third patient was found to have a urinary fistula and underwent laparoscopic bladder resection with percutaneous ureterostomy. The median duration of follow-up was 18 (1-90) months. The 5-year RFS and overall survival were 46.7% and 52.2%, respectively, whereas the 5-year tumor-specific survival was 67.8%. Univariate Cox regression analysis identified a positive surgical margin ( P < 0.001), lateral pelvic sidewall invasion ( P=0.014), and vascular invasion ( P=0.004) as significantly associated with RFS, whereas multivariate analysis identified only a positive surgical margin (HR: 21.93, 95% CI: 3.78-127.42, P<0.001) as an independent predictor of RFS. Conclusions:It is safe and feasible to perform TPE with a fascial space priority approach on patients with pelvic malignancy. Positive surgical margins are significantly associated with RFS.
5.Feasibility and safety of a fascial space priority approach to total pelvic exenteration in patients with pelvic malignancy
Hongjie YANG ; Yuanda ZHOU ; Peishi JIANG ; Zhichun ZHANG ; Qingsheng ZENG ; Yi SUN
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2025;28(7):751-757
Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and safety of a fascial space priority approach to total pelvic exenteration (TPE) in patients with pelvic malignancy.Methods:This was a descriptive case series. Relevant clinical data of patients who had undergone TPE via a fascial space priority approach at Tianjin Union Medical Center from September 2017 to March 2025 were retrospectively collected. All operations had been performed via a fascial space priority approach, the guiding principle of which is separating the avascular pelvic spaces first and then transecting the vessels and nerves of the pelvic organs. That is, the avascular planes around all the pelvic organs are dissected first, after which the relevant vessels and nerves are fully dissected and transected, followed by en bloc resection of pelvic organs distally or via perineal approach. The variables studied included relevant surgical parameters, postoperative pathological findings, complications (classified according to the Clavien-Dindo criteria); recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival, and tumor-specific survival. Results:The study cohort comprised 41 patients, including 30 (73.2%) with primary tumors and 11 (26.8%) with recurrent tumors. Open TPE was performed on five patients (12.2%) and laparoscopic TPE on the remaining 36 (87.8%). All procedures were successfully completed with a fascial space priority approach and there were no intraoperative deaths. R0 resection was achieved in 34 patients (82.9%) and R1 resection in seven (17.1%). The operation time was 500 (265-740) min, and the amount of bleeding 200 (10-3,500) mL. Twelve patients (29.3%) developed postoperative complications, two of which were Clavien-Dindo Grade III complications. One of these patients required re-operation to manage a pelvic hematoma 29 days after the primary TPE. No active bleeding was observed during the re-operation. Another patient underwent interventional angiography for an episode of postoperative bleeding; this showed a pseudoaneurysm of the internal iliac artery that was successfully treated by interventional embolization via the internal iliac artery. Five days after undergoing a primary TPE with bladder preservation, a third patient was found to have a urinary fistula and underwent laparoscopic bladder resection with percutaneous ureterostomy. The median duration of follow-up was 18 (1-90) months. The 5-year RFS and overall survival were 46.7% and 52.2%, respectively, whereas the 5-year tumor-specific survival was 67.8%. Univariate Cox regression analysis identified a positive surgical margin ( P < 0.001), lateral pelvic sidewall invasion ( P=0.014), and vascular invasion ( P=0.004) as significantly associated with RFS, whereas multivariate analysis identified only a positive surgical margin (HR: 21.93, 95% CI: 3.78-127.42, P<0.001) as an independent predictor of RFS. Conclusions:It is safe and feasible to perform TPE with a fascial space priority approach on patients with pelvic malignancy. Positive surgical margins are significantly associated with RFS.
6.Geraniin attenuates isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis
Jiaqi DING ; Shenjie ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Boyu XIA ; Jingjing WU ; Xu LU ; Chao HUANG ; Xiaomei YUAN ; Qingsheng YOU
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):307-319
Geraniin, a polyphenol derived from the fruit peel of Nephelium lappaceum L., has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in the cardiovascular system. The present study explored whether geraniin could protect against an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy model. Mice in the ISO group received an intraperitoneal injection of ISO (5 mg/kg) once daily for 9 days, and the administration group were injected with ISO after 5 days of treatment with geraniin or spironolactone. Potential therapeutic effects and related mechanisms analysed by anatomical coefficients, histopathology, blood biochemical indices, reverse transcription-PCR and immunoblotting. Geraniin decreased the cardiac pathologic remodeling and myocardial fibrosis induced by ISO, as evidenced by the modifications to anatomical coefficients, as well as the reduction in collagen I/III á1mRNA and protein expression and cross-sectional area in hypertrophic cardiac tissue. In addition, geraniin treatment reduced ISO-induced increase in the mRNA and protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, whereas ISO-induced IL-10 showed the opposite behaviour in hypertrophic cardiac tissue.Further analysis showed that geraniin partially reversed the ISO-induced increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, and the ISO-induced decrease in glutathione, superoxide dismutase and glutathione. Furthermore, it suppressed the ISO-induced cellular apoptosis of hypertrophic cardiac tissue, as evidenced by the decrease in Bcell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X/caspase-3/caspase-9 expression, increase in Bcl-2 expression, and decrease in TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells.These findings suggest that geraniin can attenuate ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis.
7.Geraniin attenuates isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis
Jiaqi DING ; Shenjie ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Boyu XIA ; Jingjing WU ; Xu LU ; Chao HUANG ; Xiaomei YUAN ; Qingsheng YOU
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):307-319
Geraniin, a polyphenol derived from the fruit peel of Nephelium lappaceum L., has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in the cardiovascular system. The present study explored whether geraniin could protect against an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy model. Mice in the ISO group received an intraperitoneal injection of ISO (5 mg/kg) once daily for 9 days, and the administration group were injected with ISO after 5 days of treatment with geraniin or spironolactone. Potential therapeutic effects and related mechanisms analysed by anatomical coefficients, histopathology, blood biochemical indices, reverse transcription-PCR and immunoblotting. Geraniin decreased the cardiac pathologic remodeling and myocardial fibrosis induced by ISO, as evidenced by the modifications to anatomical coefficients, as well as the reduction in collagen I/III á1mRNA and protein expression and cross-sectional area in hypertrophic cardiac tissue. In addition, geraniin treatment reduced ISO-induced increase in the mRNA and protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, whereas ISO-induced IL-10 showed the opposite behaviour in hypertrophic cardiac tissue.Further analysis showed that geraniin partially reversed the ISO-induced increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, and the ISO-induced decrease in glutathione, superoxide dismutase and glutathione. Furthermore, it suppressed the ISO-induced cellular apoptosis of hypertrophic cardiac tissue, as evidenced by the decrease in Bcell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X/caspase-3/caspase-9 expression, increase in Bcl-2 expression, and decrease in TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells.These findings suggest that geraniin can attenuate ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis.
8.Geraniin attenuates isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis
Jiaqi DING ; Shenjie ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Boyu XIA ; Jingjing WU ; Xu LU ; Chao HUANG ; Xiaomei YUAN ; Qingsheng YOU
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):307-319
Geraniin, a polyphenol derived from the fruit peel of Nephelium lappaceum L., has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in the cardiovascular system. The present study explored whether geraniin could protect against an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy model. Mice in the ISO group received an intraperitoneal injection of ISO (5 mg/kg) once daily for 9 days, and the administration group were injected with ISO after 5 days of treatment with geraniin or spironolactone. Potential therapeutic effects and related mechanisms analysed by anatomical coefficients, histopathology, blood biochemical indices, reverse transcription-PCR and immunoblotting. Geraniin decreased the cardiac pathologic remodeling and myocardial fibrosis induced by ISO, as evidenced by the modifications to anatomical coefficients, as well as the reduction in collagen I/III á1mRNA and protein expression and cross-sectional area in hypertrophic cardiac tissue. In addition, geraniin treatment reduced ISO-induced increase in the mRNA and protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, whereas ISO-induced IL-10 showed the opposite behaviour in hypertrophic cardiac tissue.Further analysis showed that geraniin partially reversed the ISO-induced increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, and the ISO-induced decrease in glutathione, superoxide dismutase and glutathione. Furthermore, it suppressed the ISO-induced cellular apoptosis of hypertrophic cardiac tissue, as evidenced by the decrease in Bcell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X/caspase-3/caspase-9 expression, increase in Bcl-2 expression, and decrease in TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells.These findings suggest that geraniin can attenuate ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis.
9.Geraniin attenuates isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis
Jiaqi DING ; Shenjie ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Boyu XIA ; Jingjing WU ; Xu LU ; Chao HUANG ; Xiaomei YUAN ; Qingsheng YOU
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):307-319
Geraniin, a polyphenol derived from the fruit peel of Nephelium lappaceum L., has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in the cardiovascular system. The present study explored whether geraniin could protect against an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy model. Mice in the ISO group received an intraperitoneal injection of ISO (5 mg/kg) once daily for 9 days, and the administration group were injected with ISO after 5 days of treatment with geraniin or spironolactone. Potential therapeutic effects and related mechanisms analysed by anatomical coefficients, histopathology, blood biochemical indices, reverse transcription-PCR and immunoblotting. Geraniin decreased the cardiac pathologic remodeling and myocardial fibrosis induced by ISO, as evidenced by the modifications to anatomical coefficients, as well as the reduction in collagen I/III á1mRNA and protein expression and cross-sectional area in hypertrophic cardiac tissue. In addition, geraniin treatment reduced ISO-induced increase in the mRNA and protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, whereas ISO-induced IL-10 showed the opposite behaviour in hypertrophic cardiac tissue.Further analysis showed that geraniin partially reversed the ISO-induced increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, and the ISO-induced decrease in glutathione, superoxide dismutase and glutathione. Furthermore, it suppressed the ISO-induced cellular apoptosis of hypertrophic cardiac tissue, as evidenced by the decrease in Bcell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X/caspase-3/caspase-9 expression, increase in Bcl-2 expression, and decrease in TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells.These findings suggest that geraniin can attenuate ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis.
10.Geraniin attenuates isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis
Jiaqi DING ; Shenjie ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Boyu XIA ; Jingjing WU ; Xu LU ; Chao HUANG ; Xiaomei YUAN ; Qingsheng YOU
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):307-319
Geraniin, a polyphenol derived from the fruit peel of Nephelium lappaceum L., has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in the cardiovascular system. The present study explored whether geraniin could protect against an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy model. Mice in the ISO group received an intraperitoneal injection of ISO (5 mg/kg) once daily for 9 days, and the administration group were injected with ISO after 5 days of treatment with geraniin or spironolactone. Potential therapeutic effects and related mechanisms analysed by anatomical coefficients, histopathology, blood biochemical indices, reverse transcription-PCR and immunoblotting. Geraniin decreased the cardiac pathologic remodeling and myocardial fibrosis induced by ISO, as evidenced by the modifications to anatomical coefficients, as well as the reduction in collagen I/III á1mRNA and protein expression and cross-sectional area in hypertrophic cardiac tissue. In addition, geraniin treatment reduced ISO-induced increase in the mRNA and protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, whereas ISO-induced IL-10 showed the opposite behaviour in hypertrophic cardiac tissue.Further analysis showed that geraniin partially reversed the ISO-induced increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, and the ISO-induced decrease in glutathione, superoxide dismutase and glutathione. Furthermore, it suppressed the ISO-induced cellular apoptosis of hypertrophic cardiac tissue, as evidenced by the decrease in Bcell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X/caspase-3/caspase-9 expression, increase in Bcl-2 expression, and decrease in TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells.These findings suggest that geraniin can attenuate ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail