1.Effect and Action Mechanism of Huazhuo Sanjie Chubi Prescription on Gouty Bone Erosion Model Rats Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Zhuoming ZHENG ; Jun LIU ; Meiling WANG ; Xiaohua CHEN ; Yuwan LI ; Siwei PENG ; Yingjie ZHANG ; Ruifang YANG ; Youxin SU ; Yan XIAO ; Jiemei GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):105-117
ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the effect of Huazhuo Sanjie Chubi prescription (HSCD) on the gouty bone erosion model rats and investigate its action mechanism. MethodsThirty-six two-month-old male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group with nine rats and the modeling group with 27 rats. The rats in the modeling group were administered hypoxanthine solution at 300 mg·kg-1·d-1 and potassium oxonate solution at 250 mg·kg-1·d-1, combined with intra-articular injection of 200 μL monosodium urate (MSU) crystal suspension at 25 g·L-1 into the right ankle joint (joint injection once every three days), so as to induce the gouty bone erosion model. After four weeks of modeling, three rats were selected from these two groups to validate the model. The modeled 24 rats were randomly divided into the model group, HSCD group (10.35 g·kg-1·d-1), allopurinol group (20 mg·kg-1·d-1), and inhibitor group (LY294002, 10 mg·kg-1·d-1), with six rats per group. Except for the blank group, rats in all other groups continued to receive hypoxanthine solution at 300 mg·kg-1 and potassium oxonate solution at 250 mg·kg-1 via gavage concurrently with administration to maintain modeling intervention. The rats in the HSCD group and allopurinol group received administration by gavage at the above doses. The rats in the inhibitor group received an intraperitoneal injection at the above dose. The rats in the blank group and model group received saline (10.35 g·kg-1·d-1) by gavage for four consecutive weeks. After administration, ankle joint swelling of the rats in all groups was observed, and the diameters were measured. Bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and bone surface area to bone volume (BS/BV) were observed and quantitatively analyzed by Micro-CT. Histopathological changes in the ankle joint were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and safranin O-fast green staining. The uric acid in the rats' serum was determined by enzyme colorimetry. The levels of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein expressions of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and phosphorylated (p)-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) in ankle joint tissues of rats were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA levels of the proteins related to the bone erosion, including RANKL, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase
2.Effect and Mechanism of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus Lignans on Behavior of Schizophrenic Mice
Jiaqi LI ; Xi CHEN ; Siwei WANG ; Qi WANG ; Yiting LIU ; Ziyan GUO ; Zilong LUN ; Chengyi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):65-71
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans on schizophrenia induced by dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) in mice and to clarify its mechanism. MethodsMale mice of 4-6 weeks old were randomized into blank, model, positive drug, and low-, medium-, and high-dose (40, 80, 160 mg·kg-1, respectively) Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans groups. The blank group was administrated with distilled water, and the other groups were injected with 0.5 mg·kg-1 MK-801 to induce schizophrenia symptoms. Meanwhile, risperidone was injected at 0.2 mg·kg-1 in the positive drug group, and mice in the intervention groups were injected with corresponding drugs for 14 consecutive days. The behavioral changes of mice were observed by autonomous activity test, open field test, forced swimming test, and water maze test. The levels of dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the brain and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in peripheral blood were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The changes in the prefrontal lobe of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the changes of the hippocampal tissue were observed by Nissl staining. The protein levels of silencing information regulatory factor 1 (SIRT1) and forkhead box protein O3a (FoxO3a) in the hippocampus of mice were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group, low, medium, and high doses of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans reduced the total number of autonomous activities, total distance in the open field test, immobile time in the forced swimming test, and levels of TNF-α and NF-κB in peripheral blood (P<0.05), while increasing the number of platform crossings in the water maze test and DA and 5-HT levels in the brain tissue (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, risperidone and low, medium, and high doses of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans improve the neural cell morphology in the CA1 region, with full cells in neatly dense arrangement and exhibiting clear membrane boundary. Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans inhibited the expression of SIRT 1 and FoxO3a in the hippocampus (P<0.05). ConclusionTo sum up, Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans may improve the behavior of schizophrenic mice by activating the SIRT1/FoxO3a signaling pathway to exert neuroprotective effects.
3.Study on the mechanism of moxibustion regulating lipid antioxidation in inhibiting ferroptosis of spinal cord neurons and improving urinary retention after spinal cord injury
Jingyu CAO ; Kaiyan DU ; Chenxu QI ; Huixin WANG ; Shuting DUAN ; Meng CHEN ; Siwei HOU ; Xiaodan WANG ; Chengmei LIU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(10):1398-1403
Objective:To observe the effects of Yiyuan moxibustion on bladder function and antioxidant level of spinal cord tissues in rats with urinary retention after spinal cord injury (SCI); To explore the mechanism of inhibition of ferroptosis in spinal cord neurons after SCI by Yiyuan moxibustion.Methods:Wistar female rats were divided into sham-operation group, model group, and Yiyuan moxibustion group according to random number table method, with 12 rats in each group. The modified Allen′s vertical percussion method was used to construct the model of urinary retention after SCI in T10 segment. The rats in the Yiyuan moxibustion group were moxibued at the Zhongji acupoint, Guanyuan acupoint, and Shenque acupoint for 20 min per day, and the intervention was continued for 2 weeks. Urodynamic test was used to observe the degree of urinary retention in rats; HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of the injured spinal cord tissues; transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure of the spinal cord tissues; ferric ion kit was used to detect the ferric ion content of the spinal cord tissues; ELISA was used to detect the GSH and MDA contents of the spinal cord tissues of the rats; Western blot was used to measure the relative expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) proteins in rat spinal cord tissue.Results:Compared with the model group, the basal and leakage point pressures of the bladder, and bladder compliance were significantly reduced in the Yiyuan moxibustion group ( P<0.05); the spinal cord tissue structure was restored and mitochondrial morphology improved; the levels of iron ions and MDA in spinal cord tissue decreased ( P<0.05), while the level of GSH increased ( P<0.05), and the relative expressions of GPX4 and SLC7A11 proteins increased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Yiyuan moxibustion can improve bladder function in rats with urinary retention after SCI, and the mechanism may involve the initiation of antioxidant defense and reduction of lipid peroxidation in spinal cord neuronal cells, thus preventing the occurrence of ferroptosis and achieving the protection of neuronal cells.
4.Ferrostatin-1 prevents transfusion-related acute lung injury in mice by inhibiting ferroptosis
Siwei LIU ; Ling XIAO ; Haixia XU ; Jiale CHENG ; Li TIAN ; Zhong LIU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(8):1008-1015
Objective: To investigate the role of ferroptosis in transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and evaluate the efficacy of the specific inhibitor Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), thereby to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of TRALI. Methods: This study utilized a ”2-hit” model to induce TRALI in mice. The mouse model of TRALI was validated through survival curve analysis, lung tissue wet/dry weight ratio (W/D), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and total protein concentration in lung tissue. Samples from the TRALI model group, LPS group, and control group (n=6) were collected. The occurrence of ferroptosis in TRALI was confirmed by measuring key ferroptosis indicators, including iron concentration in lung tissue, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, lipid peroxidation products (LPO) level, and expression levels of related proteins (GPX4, ACSL4). Additionally, a Fer-1 intervention group was added to evaluate its preventive and therapeutic effects. The survival rates and clinical symptoms of the four groups (n=6) were dynamically monitored, and the degrees of lung injury were assessed. Ferroptosis-related indicators were also measured to elucidate the protective mechanism of Fer-1. Results: A mouse model of TRALI was successfully established. Compared to the control and LPS groups, the TRALI group showed significantly higher levels of ferrous iron [(18.32±1.11) nmol/well, MDA [(14.68±0.96) μmol/L], and LPO [(1.60±0.02) μmol/L] in lung tissue (all P<0.01), along with a downregulation of GPX4 and an upregulation of ACSL4. Fer-1 pretreatment significantly reversed these abnormalities: the W/D ratio decreased to 4.01±0.43, and MPO activity significantly decreased [Fer-1 group: (21 606±4 235) pg/mL vs TRALI group: (30 724±2 616) pg/mL], the total protein concentration in lung tissue of the Fer-1 group decreased by approximately 40.8% compared to the TRALI group (all P<0.01). These changes indicate that the lung injury in mice was alleviated after treatment. Following Fer-1 intervention, ferrous iron concentration [(7.46±1.83) nmol/well] was restored to a level close to that of the control group [(5.48±0.70) nmol/well]. Lipid peroxidation tests further revealed that Fer-1 intervention reduced MDA and LPO levels by 35.8% and 29.4%, respectively (P<0.001). Additionally, the expression levels of GPX4 and ACSL4 proteins returned to near-normal levels in the treated mice (both P>0.05). Conclusion: The progression of TRALI is closely related to the activation of ferroptosis, characterized by iron overload, lipid peroxidation accumulation, and the imbalance of GPX4/ACSL4. Ferrostatin-1 significantly alleviates pulmonary edema and inflammatory damage by inhibiting the ferroptosis pathway, suggesting that targeting ferroptosis may provide a new therapeutic strategy for TRALI.
5.Aloe-emodin inhibits scar tissue fibrosis through thrombospondin-1-PI3k-Akt pathway.
Hongbao GENG ; Xingyi ZHANG ; Siwei ZHOU ; Na LI ; Jia LIU ; Xuewei YUAN ; Chunliu NING ; Xudong ZHANG ; Wei HUANG
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(5):636-647
OBJECTIVES:
To propose a hypothesis that aloe-emodin may inhibit scar tissue fibrosis through thrombospondin-1(THBS1)-PI3K-Akt pathway.
METHODS:
By cultivating fibroblasts derived from scar tissue after cleft palate surgery in humans, aloe emodin of different concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 μmol/L) was added to the cells which activity was detected. At the same time, transcriptome sequencing was performed on scar tissue and cells, and bioinformatics methods were used to explore potential targets and signaling pathways of scar tissue fibrosis.
RESULTS:
Aloe-emodin had a concentration dependent inhibitory effect on fibroblast proliferation,with the 40 μmol/L concentration group showing the most significant effect. The results of tissue and cell sequencing indicated that differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in extracellular matrix-receptor interaction pathway, and shared a common differential gene which was THBS1. The ORA analysis results indicated that differentially expressed genes, including THBS1, were significantly enriched in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.
CONCLUSIONS
Aloe emodin may inhibit the PI3K-Akt pathway by downregulating THBS1, thereby reducing the proliferation activity of fibroblasts derived from postoperative palatal scar tissue.
Thrombospondin 1/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Fibroblasts/cytology*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Fibrosis
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Cicatrix/metabolism*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Anthraquinones/pharmacology*
;
Cells, Cultured
6.An analysis of the disease burden of acute viral hepatitis in China and globally from 1990 to 2021
Siwei ZHENG ; Shasha LI ; Jialuo WANG ; Yiran LIU ; Yongfeng YANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(10):2013-2021
ObjectiveTo analyze the changing trend of the disease burden of acute viral hepatitis (AVH) globally and in China from 1990 to 2021, and to provide a basis for optimizing prevention and control strategies. MethodsRelated data were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 database, including incidence rate, mortality rate, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) for AVH globally and in China from 1990 to 2021, and the patients were divided into groups according to region, age, sex, and type of hepatitis. The Joinpoint regression model was used to calculate average annual percentage change (AAPC) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). ResultsFrom 1990 to 2021, there was a tendency of reduction in the age-standardized incidence rate, mortality rate, and DALY rate of AVH globally, with an average annual reduction of 1.02% (95%CI: -1.10% to -0.94%, P<0.001), 3.97% (95%CI: -4.12% to -3.82%, P<0.001), and 3.64% (95%CI: -3.84% to -3.44%, P<0.001), respectively; in China, there was also a tendency of reduction in these indicators, with an average annual reduction of 1.63% (95%CI: -1.70% to -1.57%, P<0.001), 9.24% (95%CI: -9.51% to -8.97%, P<0.001), and 7.93% (95%CI: -8.15% to -7.71%, P<0.001), respectively. In addition, China’s share of the global disease burden of AVH continued to decrease; the proportion of new cases decreased from 24% in 1990 to 15% in 2021, the proportion of deaths decreased from 19% to 4%, and the proportion of DALY decreased from 16% to 4%. From 1990 to 2021 globally, the peaks in the incidence rate, mortality, and DALY of AVH were observed in children under 5 years of age; in China, although the peak incidence rate of the disease was still observed in children under 5 years of age, there was a tendency of increase in the incidence rate of AVH among young adults aged 25 — 29 years in recent years, with the most significant increase in the cases of acute hepatitis B (accounting for 59% of the cases in this age group), while the disease burden of mortality and DALY mainly affected the middle-aged and elderly populations. The disease burden of AVH in the male population was higher than that in the female population. As for the distribution of disease types, acute hepatitis A was the predominant type of AVH, accounting for 64% globally and 48% in China, whereas acute hepatitis B was the leading cause of mortality and DALY, accounting for 50% of deaths globally, 80% of deaths in China, 47% of DALY globally, and 69% of DALY in China. ConclusionThere is a tendency of reduction in the disease burden of AVH globally and in China from 1990 to 2021, but there is a tendency of increase in the incidence rate of AVH among young adults in China, especially acute hepatitis B. It is necessary to implement targeted prevention and control strategies.
7.Study on Internal Prescription Medication of Palmoplantar Pustulosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on Literature Data Mining Exploration
Siwei HAN ; Xingwu DUAN ; Keshuai LIU
Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University 2024;48(5):601-608
[Objective]To analyze the prescription medication pattern of internal Chinese drugs for palmoplantar pustulosis(PPP)based on data mining method.[Methods]China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform,China Science and Technology Journal Database and China Biology Medicine disc(CBMdisc)were searched for literature on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)treatment of PPP from self-establishment date to June 2023,and prescriptions that met the inclusion criteria were screened,standardized and analyzed by drug efficacy categorization,frequency analysis,nature and flavor channel tropism analysis,association rule analysis and entropy clustering analysis for the patterns of drug use.[Results]In the internal treatment of PPP,the most frequently used drugs are"clearing heat and detoxifying""clearing heat and cooling blood""clearing heat and drying dampness";the most frequently used drugs are Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae,Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma;in the analysis of the association of drug use patterns,the top three drugs with high frequency are Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch-Moutan Cortex,Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Lonicerae Japonicae Flos-Forsythia suspensa(Thunb.)Vahl.In the analysis of combination pattern rule,Moutan Cortex→Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch,Forsythia suspensa(Thunb.)Vahl→Lonicerae Japonicae Flos,Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz→Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae with high confidence;28 potential core combinations and 14 new prescriptions were obtained based on entropy clustering formula grouping rule analysis.[Conclusion]The internal treatment of PPP in TCM often focuses on clearing heat and dispelling dampness as the core of treatment,selecting bitter and cold drugs,focusing on the liver and stomach meridians.The use of Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae and Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch in the prescription,as well as the combination of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch and Moutan Cortex,Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae and Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz,Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Forsythia suspensa(Thunb.)Vahl,have great clinical and scientific value.By mining potential and implicit drug formulation patterns in the data,a core combination of dispelling dampness and heat as well as cooling blood and detoxifying can be derived,providing reference for clinical research and prescription medication in the internal treatment of PPP in TCM.
8.Efficacy-driving Mechanism of Danhong Injection for Stable Angina Pectoris Based on Composition-activity Relationship of Target Modules
Siwei TIAN ; Wenjing ZONG ; Jun LIU ; Wei YANG ; Qikai NIU ; Siqi ZHANG ; Jing'ai WANG ; Huamin ZHANG ; Zhong WANG ; Bing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):121-128
ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy-driving mechanism of Danhong injection (DHI) in the treatment of stable angina pectoris (SAP) based on the composition-activity relationship of target modules and clarify the pharmacological effects of DHI. MethodAccording to the angina frequency (AF) in the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) that was obtained in the previous clinical trial, the patients before and after DHI treatment were grouped based on efficacy. The transcriptomic data of the patients before treatment and in the best efficacy group 30 days post-treatment were selected as the data source, and then weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to construct the co-expression network. Relevant modules in the network were identified and associated with clinical features. In addition, the On-modules (Z value below 0) were identified by Zsummary. The topological indicators such as density, centrality, and clustering coefficient were adopted to explore the dynamics of DHI efficacy at the network level and module level, respectively. In addition, the driver genes were screened by the personalized network control (PNC) algorithm. Finally, rat H9C2 cells were used to establish the model of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), which was used to confirm the potential therapeutic target of DHI for SAP and provide a scientific basis for revealing the therapeutic mechanism of DHI. ResultWe identified 19 modules in the best efficacy group of DHI for SAP, and the comparison between day 0 and day 30 revealed 12 On-modules. The changes of network topological indicators at the network and module levels confirmed the correlation between the best efficacy of DHI treatment and topological dynamics. Finally, the driver genes, Klotho and fibroblast growth factor 22 (FGF22), in DHI treatment of SAP were verified by the H9C2 cell model of H/R. ConclusionBased on clinical transcriptome data, this study determined the composition-activity relationship of target modules of DHI for SAP, which provided a scientific basis for deciphering the efficacy-driven mechanism of DHI for SAP.
9.Characteristics of varicella breakthrough cases in Haishu District
LI Baojun ; SHI Fanglun ; LIN Yihe ; TONG Siwei ; LIU Fang
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(1):55-57
Objective:
To investigate the characteristics of breakthrough cases of varicella in Haishu District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province from 2017 to 2022, so as to provide the evidence for varicella prevention and control.
Methods:
Information on reported cases of varicella and vaccination in Haishu District from 2017 to 2022 were collected through the China Infectious Disease Reporting Management Information System and the Immunization Program Information Management System of Zhejiang Province. The breakthrough cases who had received 1 or 2 doses of varicella vaccine 42 days before the onset of disease were selected. The distribution of sex, age, region and the interval between onset and last immunization were descriptively analyzed.
Results:
A total of 1 563 varicella cases were reported from 2017 to 2022. There were 928 breakthrough cases (59.37%), of which 660 cases with 1-dose immunization history (42.23%) and 268 cases with 2-dose immunization history (17.15%). The proportion of 1-dose breakthrough cases in total annual cases showed a decreasing trend (P<0.05) from 2017 to 2022, while there was no significant tendency on the proportion of cases with 2-dose immunization history (P>0.05). There were 392 males (59.39%) and 268 females (40.61%) with 1-dose immunization history. There were 150 males (55.97%) and 118 females (44.03%) with 2-dose immunization history. Breakthrough cases with 1- and 2- dose immunization history had an median age of 13.00 (interquartile range, 4.00) and 9.00 (4.00) years, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The regional distribution of the breakthrough cases with 1- and 2- dose immunization history was mainly in the rural-urban fringe, with 319 cases (48.33%) and 137 cases (51.12%), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The median interval between onset and last immunization was 12.00 (interquartile range, 3.00) and 4.00 (3.00) years, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).
Conclusions
The breakthrough cases of varicella in Haishu District from 2017 to 2022 were mainly cases with 1-dose immunization history, males, and residents in rural-urban fringe. The age was older and the interval between onset and the last immunization was longer in cases with 1-dose immunization history than in cases with 2-dose immunization history.
10.Association of adverse childhood experiences and non suicidal selfinjurious interactions with suicide related behaviors in junior high school students
LIU Aini, LUO Yu, ZHANG Ronghuinan, YANG Siwei, WANG Hong
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(7):1026-1030
Objective:
To explore the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and nonsuicidal selfinjury (NSSI) and suiciderelated behaviors among junior high school students, so as to provide a reference basis for the prevention of junior high school students suicide.
Methods:
From May to June 2023, a total of 7 392 junior high school students in three districts and counties of Chongqing were selected for self-administered questionnaire survey by stratified cluster sampling and convenience sampling methods. The questionnaire survey was conducted using the Chinese version of the Childhood Trauma Scale, Adolescent NSSI Assessment Questionnaire, and Suicide Related Behavior Questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed by using χ 2 test, multifactorial Logistic regression model, and additional interaction analysis was used to calculate the estimated relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (S), as well as 95% CI .
Results:
The detection rate of NSSI among junior high school students was 38.03%, the detection rate of ACEs was 41.76%, and the detection rates of suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempt were 27.99%, 9.90%, and 4.75%, respectively. ACEs and its dimensions, and NSSI were the influencing factors for suiciderelated behaviors (OR=1.83-10.66, P<0.01). The result of the additive interaction showed that ACEs and NSSI, PN and NSSI, EA and NSSI, EN and NSSI all had additive interactions on suiciderelated behaviors (RERI=0.45-39.15, AP=0.10-1.09, S=1.02-3.92). And ACEs and its dimensions had additive interactions with NSSI on suiciderelated behaviors, for junior high school students with both ACEs and NSSI had 11.45, 20.38, and 28.76 times the risk of suicidal ideation, suicidal planning, and suicidal attempts as compared to junior high school students without ACEs and without NSSI (P<0.05).
Conclusions
ACEs and NSSI among junior high school students have an additive interaction effect on suicide related behaviors. ACEs and NSSI should be reduced to prevent suicidal behavior among middle school students.


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