OBJECTIVES: To compare the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic effects of Yinqiao Powder (YQS) formulated granules and decoction. METHODS: We first evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the two dosage forms of YQS in a LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell model using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. We further constructed zebrafish models of inflammation by copper sulfate exposure, caudal fin transection, or LPS and Poly (I:C) microinjection, and evaluated anti-inflammatory effects of YQS granules and decoction by examining neutrophil aggregation and HE staining findings. In a mouse model of acute lung injury (ALI) induced by intratracheal LPS instillation, the effects of YQS gavage at 10, 15, and 20 g/kg on lung pathologies were evaluated by calculating lung wet-dry weight ratio and using HE staining, ELISA and Western blotting. The microbroth dilution method was used to evaluate the antibacterial effect of YQS. Mouse pain models established by hot plate and intraperitoneal injection of glacial acetic acid were used to evaluate the analgesic effects of YQS at 10, 15, and 20 g/kg. RESULTS: Both YQS granules and decoction significantly reduced TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β expressions and p-STAT3 (Tyr 705) phosphorylation level in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, and obviously inhibited neutrophil aggregation in the zebrafish models. In ALI mice, YQS granules and decoction effectively ameliorated lung injury, lowered lung wet-dry weight ratio, and reduced p-STAT3 (Tyr 705) expression and TNF-α and IL-6 levels. YQS produced obvious antibacterial effect at the doses of 15.63 and 31.25 mg/mL, and significantly reduced body torsion and increased pain threshold in the mouse pain models. CONCLUSIONS The two dosage forms of TQS have similar anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic effects with only differences in their inhibitory effect on TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA expressions in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells.
Animals ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; Analgesics/pharmacology* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Zebrafish ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Powders ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Acute Lung Injury/drug therapy* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides

ObjectiveTo study the relationship between qi stagnation constitution and suboptimal health status (SHS) or lifestyle.MethodsFrom 2012 to 2013, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 24 159 Chinese individuals aged 12–80 years. The qi stagnation constitution was assessed using the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire. Health status was evaluated through medical records and the Subhealth Measurement Scale V1.0 (SHMS V1.0). Health-promoting lifestyles were measured using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II).ResultsOf the 24 159 participants, 16.1% and 15.2% were classified as “always” and “sometimes” having the qi stagnation constitution, respectively. Those classified as “rarely” having the qi stagnation constitution scored higher on both the HPLP-II and SHMS V1.0. The participants classified as “always” having the qi stagnation constitution showed a significant association with SHS or disease compared to other imbalanced constitutions. Those in the “always” category were approximately 21 times more likely to be classified as having SHS (odds ratio [OR]: 21.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.74–28.45), whereas those in the “sometimes” category were approximately six times more likely (OR: 5.89, 95% CI: 5.04–6.90). Accordingly, the qi stagnation constitution score was significantly associated with the diagnosis of SHS, with an area under the curve of 0.77 (P .001). A score of 18.75 yielded the highest Youden Index (0.407), with a sensitivity of 60.5% and a specificity of 80.3%. Significant associations were observed between health-promoting lifestyles and qi stagnation constitution severity in an ordinal regression analysis (P .001). Protective factors included stress management (OR: 1.59), self-actualization (OR: 1.57), and exercise (OR: 1.36). In contrast, poorer interpersonal relationships (OR: 0.79), greater health responsibilities (OR: 0.86), and poorer nutrition (OR: 0.91) were associated with increased severity.ConclusionModulating the qi stagnation constitution through lifestyle interventions may help prevent the progression of SHS to disease, which aligns with core preventive principles in traditional Chinese medicine.

Atherosclerosis （AS） is a chronic inflammatory pathological process in which lipid and/or fibrous substances are deposited in the intima of arteries， and it is one of the pathological bases of many cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS） is a protective mechanism of cell adaptation. Moderate ERS can reduce abnormal protein aggregation and increase the degradation of misfolded proteins to repair and stabilize the internal environment， while excessive ERS can cause unfolded protein reaction， activate inflammation， oxidative stress， apoptosis， autophagy， and other downstream pathways， and lead to cell damage， or even apoptosis. A large number of studies have shown that ERS mediates a variety of pathological processes related to AS， affects endothelial cells， smooth muscle cells， macrophages， endothelial progenitor cells， and other cell components closely related to its occurrence and development， influences the progress of AS by regulating cell function， and promotes the formation of AS plaque， the transformation of stable plaque to unstable plaque， and the rupture of unstable plaque. Regulation of ERS may be a key target for the prevention and treatment of AS， and it is a research hotspot at present. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） believes that the origin of AS is the imbalance of Yin and Yang， the disharmony of Zangfu organs， and the abnormal operation of Qi， blood， and body fluid， which leads to the accumulation of phlegm， blood stasis， and other pathological products in the pulse channels， making the blood flow blocked or misfunction and causing the disease， which belongs to the syndrome of deficiency in origin and excess in superficiality. As the pathogenesis of AS is complex， and the symptoms are diverse， TCM has significant advantages in treating AS because of its multiple targets， multiple pathways， stable efficacy， strong individualization， and high safety. This paper systematically elaborated on the role of ERS in the occurrence and development of AS and summarized the mechanism research on the regulation and control of ERS by Chinese herbal monomer， Chinese herbal extract， Chinese herbal compound， and proprietary medicine， so as to provide a theoretical basis for clinical research and drug development in the prevention and treatment of AS.

Objective To observe the efficacy of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy(PMT)for treating different traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome type lower extremity arterial thromboses.Methods Forty patients with lower extremity arterial thromboses who underwent PMT were retrospectively enrolled and divided into dampness-heat syndrome group(n=18)and blood stasis syndrome group(n=22)according to TCM syndrome types.The technical success rate,ankle-brachial index(ABI),Rutherford grade and vascular patency rate 12 months after PMT were compared between groups.Perioperative complications and adverse events during follow-up were recorded.Results The technical success rate of PMT in dampness-heat syndrome group and blood stasis syndrome group was 94.44%(17/18)and 100%(22/22),respectively.Twelve months after PMT,ABI was 0.45±0.11 and 0.52±0.14,and vascular patency rate was 94.44%(17/18)and 81.82%(18/22)in dampness-heat syndrome group and blood stasis syndrome group,respectively,both not significantly different between groups(all P＞0.05).No significant difference of Rutherford grade before treatment was found between groups(P＞0.05),while 12 months after PMT,Rutherford grade in dampness-heat syndrome group was higher than in blood stasis syndrome group(P＜0.05).During perioperative period,false aneurysm of brachial artery occurred in 1 case in dampness-heat syndrome group,while osteofascial compartment syndrome and atrial fibrillation occurred each in 1 case in blood stasis syndrome group,both relieved after treatments.No serious adverse event such as amputation nor death occurred during follow-up.Conclusion PMT was effective and safe for treating different TCM syndrome type lower extremity arterial thromboses.The prognosis of patients with blood stasis syndrome type lower extremity arterial thromboses was better than that of those with dampness-heat syndrome.

The basic pathological change of diabetic macroangiopathy is atherosclerosis （AS）， which is mainly associated with vascular endothelial cells （VECs） injury， oxidative stress， glucose and lipid metabolism disorders， hemorheological abnormalities， and endoplasmic reticulum stress. The injury and dysfunction of VECs are the initiating factors of diabetic macroangiopathy. Autophagy is a subcellular self-protection mechanism that regulates basic intracellular metabolism through lysosome-mediated degradation of proteins and damaged organelles to maintain homeostasis. Insufficient autophagy of VECs leads to enhanced inflammation， apoptosis， and oxidative stress of VECs， which promotes AS. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， diabetic macroangiopathy corresponds to the syndrome of internal deficiency and pathogen invasion， with Qi deficiency and stagnation as the key pathogenesis. Qi deficiency is the root cause， and Qi stagnation is the manifestation. The disease occurs with the initial cause of nutrient-defense disharmony and instability of vessels， the main cause of the deficiency of kidney Qi and the lack of source for generation and transformation， the internal cause of Qi and blood loss in the viscera and the stagnation of Qi， blood， and fluid， and the superficial cause of the stagnation of pathological products and the damage of vessels. Autophagy is a microscopic manifestation of Qi， which has the function of dispelling pathogens and maintaining homeostasis. Insufficient autophagy of VECs leads to Qi deficiency and stagnation， and the gradual deficiency and heavy stagnation of Qi lead to insufficient autophagy， which form a vicious cycle. Modern research has demonstrated that regulating the autophagy of VECs is the main way to prevent and treat AS， and TCM can exert the therapeutic effect in a multi-target and multi-pathway manner. Therefore， based on the theory of Qi deficiency and stagnation， the method of tonifying deficiency of and removing stagnation can be adopted to select prescriptions for regulating the autophagy of VECs and treating AS， which can slow down the procession of diabetic macroangiopathy.

In atherosclerosis, chronic inflammatory processes in local diseased areas may lead to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we devised a highly sensitive H₂O₂-scavenging nano-bionic system loaded with probucol (RPP-PU), to treat atherosclerosis more effectively. The RPP material had high sensitivity to H₂O₂, and the response sensitivity could be reduced from 40 to 10 μmol/L which was close to the lowest concentration of H₂O₂ levels of the pathological environment. RPP-PU delayed the release and prolonged the duration of PU in vivo. In Apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE^‒/‒) mice, RPP-PU effectively eliminated pathological ROS, reduced the level of lipids and related metabolic enzymes, and significantly decreased the area of vascular plaques and fibers. Our study demonstrated that the H₂O₂-scavenging nano-bionic system could scavenge the abundant ROS in the atherosclerosis lesion, thereby reducing the oxidative stress for treating atherosclerosis and thus achieve the therapeutic goals with atherosclerosis more desirably.

Diabetic nephropathy （DN） is one of the serious and common microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus （DM） and the main cause of end-stage renal disease （ESRD）. Endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS） is a common stress defense mechanism in eukaryotic cells. In the ERS state， cells activate the unfolded protein response （UPR） to enhance the folding of unfolded proteins and the degradation of misfolded proteins， so as to restore the normal physiological function of the endoplasmic reticulum and avoid cell damage. However， excessive or chronic persistent ERS can induce apoptosis， inflammation， oxidative stress and other pathways to eventually cause cell damage. In recent years， a large number of studies have confirmed that ERS is closely associated with the occurrence and development of DN. In the case of DN， ERS is involved in the damage or protection of podocytes， glomerular mesangial cells， renal tubular epithelial cells， and glomerular endothelial cells. The regulation of ERS has become one of the hotspots in the prevention and treatment of DN and has received extensive attention in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. This paper systematically expounds the role of ERS in the occurrence and development of DN and summarizes the ERS-targeted regulation of DN by traditional Chinese medicine， with a view to providing certain research ideas for the prevention and control of DN with traditional Chinese medicine.

The basic pathological change of diabetic macroangiopathy is atherosclerosis， and the metabolism legacy effect of hyperglycemia will cause continuous damage to the large vessels. Oxidative stress is a common mechanism for diabetes and its chronic complications and it is also the basis of the metabolism legacy effect which keeps damaging the large vessels. Anti-oxidant therapy can delay the course of diabetic macroangiopathy. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， the pathogenicity of hidden pathogen is concealing， lingering， and refractory. On the basis of the syndrome and treatment of collateral diseases， vessel-collateral theory， and hidden pathogen theory of TCM， the pathological changes of diabetic macroangiopathy are summarized as pathogen concealment-accumulation of sugar and lipids leading to phlegm and blood stasis-accumulation of toxins-damage to vessels and collaterals-hardening vessels. The core pathogenesis is the hidden pathogen damaging the collaterals， and the basic pathological change is vessel hardening. The toxins of sugar， lipid， phlegm， and stasis are the pathological products and the key to be treated. According to this theory， the medicinal materials with the functions of activating blood to dredging collaterals， resolving phlegm to clearing collaterals， Promoting qi to unblocking collaterals and removing toxins to shunting collaterals can be selected for prescription. These medicinal materials can inhibit the generation of reactive oxygen species， affect the oxidase activity， and enhance the antioxidant capacity， thereby regulating the oxidative stress response， protecting the vascular endothelial function， reducing the damage of the large blood vessels， and slowing down the progression of the disease. Such therapy is of great significance in clinical practice and research， providing a new idea for the prevention and treatment of diabetic macroangiopathy.

A comprehensive profiling of the vaginal microbial communities and their variability enables an accurate description of the microbiome in women.However,there is a lack of studies available on Chinese women.In the present study,the composition of the vaginal microbiota during pregnancy and the 6-week postpartum period of 454 Chinese women was characterized by sequenc-ing the V3-V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA(rRNA)gene.The vaginal microbiome showed variations during pregnancy and the postpartum period based on the abortion history,hypertensive disorders,delivery mode,and maternal age.Co-variation of 22 bacterial taxa,including the Lacto-bacillus genus and two of its species,may account for the common characteristics of the vaginal microbiome under scenarios of different medical histories and pregnancy outcomes.In contrast,dis-criminant bacterial species were significantly different between women who had preterm birth(PTB)with and without premature rupture of membranes(PROM),and the community state type(CST)Ⅳ-A without any predominant Lactobacillus species in the microbiota was more prevalent during pregnancy in the PROM-PTB cases,suggesting that specific bacterial species could be considered to distinguish between different types of PTB.By providing data on Chinese women,this study will enrich the knowledge of the human microbiome and contribute to a better understanding of the association between the vaginal microbiome and reproductive health.