1.Application Characteristics and Patterns of Marketed Traditional Chinese Patent Medicines for Treating Abortion
Changyue SONG ; Shuangfei DENG ; Siyu LI ; Daiyue DING ; Jinghong XIE ; Xiaohui SU ; Xiangying KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):244-251
ObjectiveThis paper aims to analyze the variety characteristics and prescription patterns of marketed traditional Chinese patent medicines for treating abortion and provide references for new medicine development and clinical application. MethodsRelevant information of traditional Chinese patent medicines for treating abortion was systematically retrieved and collected. Microsoft Excel 2021 software was used to sort and statistically analyze the medicine syndrome types, quantity, market situation, and status of package inserts. Based on the Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform (V2.3.9), the medicine properties, flavors, meridian tropism, and medication characteristics of standardized prescriptions were analyzed. ResultsA total of 39 marketed traditional Chinese patent medicines for treating abortion in China were included. According to disease type, these medicines were categorized as therapeutic medicines for threatened abortion and recurrent spontaneous abortion. According to clinical function, they were categorized into three groups: fetus stabilization, blood nourishment, and adjunctive conditioning. They were also categorized into pre-pregnancy conditioning and post-pregnancy fetal maintenance by clinical intervention stage. Post-marketing research showed that only three products had undergone safety evaluations and one involved pharmacoeconomic research, indicating a general lack of standardized evidence-based data. Dosage forms were mainly pills and granules. Package insert analysis revealed that 15 products listed "contraindications", while 28 included "precautions". Based on prescription inclusion and exclusion criteria, 25 products were selected for further analysis. Their therapeutic effects were mainly concentrated on "tonifying the kidney and spleen, replenishing Qi, and nourishing blood", with core medicines including Paeoniae Radix Alba, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma. Most medicines were warm or neutral in nature, predominantly sweet and pungent in flavor, and mainly entered the spleen, liver, and kidney meridians. ConclusionTraditional Chinese patent medicines for treating abortion demonstrate clear clinical value. However, shortcomings remain, including insufficient post-marketing research, prescription homogeneity, and incomplete package inserts. Future efforts should establish a clinically value-oriented modern development pathway, strengthen safety surveillance and evidence evaluation, improve package inserts, and promote precision use to further enhance clinical value.
2.Research progress of red light therapy for dry eye and visual fatigue
Yutong XIE ; Siyu JIA ; Jiamin GAO ; Ruofan LIU ; Meiling LI ; Jiangying LI ; Xi LUO ; Xiaonan LI ; Rong YAN ; Hongbo LI
International Eye Science 2026;26(4):636-640
Dry eye disease(DED)is a common ocular surface disorder worldwide, primarily characterized by a loss of homeostasis of the tear film, and frequently associated with meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD), decreased tear film stability, ocular discomfort, and visual impairment. In recent years, factors such as the widespread use of digital devices,the aging population, and environmental changes have contributed to a significant increase in its global prevalence, making it a major public health concern. Red light therapy(RLT), also known as low-level laser therapy(LLLT)or photobiomodulation(PBM), is a non-invasive treatment that utilizes low-energy red or near-infrared light to irradiate tissues. It exerts photobiomodulatory effects to promote cellular repair and functional recovery. This therapy has demonstrated considerable potential in treating various ocular conditions. Its broader clinical application could improve therapeutic outcomes, alleviate patient discomfort and financial burden, and reduce the consumption of healthcare resources, thereby yielding significant socio-economic benefits. This paper systematically reviews the multifaceted mechanisms and application prospects of RLT in managing DED, including its anti-inflammatory effects, improvement of meibomian gland function, promotion of conjunctival goblet cell repair, and alleviation of visual fatigue, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation and practical reference for its clinical adoption.
3.Liuwei Dihuangwan Reduces Valproic Acid-induced ASD-like Behaviors in Rats by Modulating mTOR-mediated Synaptic Plasticity in Prefrontal Cortex-hippocampus Circuit
Ji WU ; Niya YIN ; Lei OUYANG ; Siyu HE ; Fangyu PEI ; Ying XIE ; Fan LI ; Qian LEI ; Sha ZHAO ; Di ZHANG ; Qinquan ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):1-11
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Liuwei Dihuangwan on mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex-hippocampus circuit in the rat model of valproic acid (VPA)-induced autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to explore its potential mechanism for reducing behavioral abnormalities in ASD rats. MethodsThirteen SD pregnant rats were randomized into the VPA group (10 rats) and the control group (3 rats). On gestational day 13, the VPA group was intraperitoneally injected with VPA solution (600 mg·kg-1), while the control group was injected with an equal volume of normal saline. Male pups of 21 days old from both groups underwent behavioral tests to screen the ASD model rats (32 rats). These rats were then randomly assigned to the model (distilled water), vitamin D (1 480 U·kg-1), low-dose (0.75 g·kg-1) Liuwei Dihuangwan, and high-dose (1.5 g·kg-1) Liuwei Dihuangwan groups, and normal male pups were selected as the blank group (distilled water), with 8 rats in each group. Each group was treated with the corresponding drug or an equal volume of distilled water via gavage daily. After drug administration, behavioral tests were conducted again, followed by anesthesia and tissue collection. Nissl staining was carried out to observe the morphological changes of neurons in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe changes in hippocampal synaptic structure. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were employed to determine the expression of mTOR, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt) in the prefrontal cortex, as well as synaptophysin-1 (SYP-1), postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95), and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in the hippocampus. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited severe growth retardation and developmental deformities, with abnormal behavioral performance and pathological damage to neurons and synapses in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Compared with the model group, all treatment groups showed reduced behavioral abnormalities and pathological damage to neurons and synapses in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, with the most significant effects in the high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan group. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited significantly increased protein levels and phosphorylation ratios of p-mTOR, p-Akt, and p-PI3K in the prefrontal cortex (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased protein levels of SYP-1 and PSD95 and increased protein level of NMDARs in the hippocampus (P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the protein levels of p-mTOR, p-Akt, and p-PI3K in the prefrontal cortex decreased in the vitamin D and high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan groups (P<0.05), and the p-mTOR/mTOR, p-Akt/Akt, and p-PI3K/PI3K ratios in the prefrontal cortex declined in the vitamin D group (P<0.05). The high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan group showed a reduction in p-PI3K/PI3K ratio (P<0.05). The protein level of SYP-1 and PSD95 in the hippocampus increased in the vitamin D, low-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan, and high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the protein level of NMDARs decreased in the vitamin D and high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan groups (P<0.01). ConclusionLiuwei Dihuangwan significantly reduces VPA-induced ASD-like behaviors and enhances the regeneration and repair of neurons in the prefrontal cortex and synaptic structures in the hippocampus by downregulating of PI3K/Akt/mTOR expression in the prefrontal cortex, upregulating SYP-1 and PSD95 expression in the hippocampus, and inhibiting NMDARs expression.
4.Emerging kidney organoid technologies: present and future
Chinese Journal of Organ Transplantation 2025;46(6):469-474
End-stage renal disease has become a major challenge in the field of global public health due to its high prevalence and the limitations of existing therapeutic strategies. In the field of regenerative medicine, especially kidney organoid technology based on human induced pluripotent stem cells, new research avenues have been opened for alternative treatments of kidney diseases. This article explains the advantages of organoid technology in recapitulating the structure and function of the human kidney, introduces current methods for generating kidney organoids, and focuses on the latest research progress in vascularization and maturation of kidney organoids. In addition, the article reveals the challenges encountered during the clinical translation of kidney organoid technology and provides an outlook on potential technological innovations and application prospects. This review systematically summarizes the current status, technical bottlenecks, and future directions of kidney organoid research, aiming to provide important theoretical support for the future development of transplantable bioartificial kidneys.
5.Percutaneous Pulmonary Artery Denervation for the Treatment of Isolated Post-Capillary Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Heart Failure: A Report of 2 Cases
Juan ZHANG ; Dujiang XIE ; Zhaojun WANG ; Xiaoyu WU ; Siyu CHEN ; Wen GU ; Hang ZHANG
Cardiology Discovery 2025;05(3):257-260
Although percutaneous pulmonary artery denervation (PADN) has demonstrated long-term benefits in combined post- and pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension, its usefulness for isolated post-capillary pulmonary hypertension (IpcPH) remains unclear. This report presents 2 cases of IpcPH due to left heart failure who underwent PADN treatment following an insufficient response to optimized conventional therapy. This case study illustrates how PADN, when combined with heart failure guideline-directed medical therapy, may represent a promising treatment option for IpcPH.
6.Construction and validation of a risk prediction model for high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome
Yu DING ; Zejun WANG ; Jiaxin XIE ; Siyu ZHAO ; Gang ZHANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(1):20-29
Objective To construct risk models for predicting the occurrence of high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome(HADAS)in the population returning from the plateau to the plain based on different machine learning algorithms and validate the predicting efficiency of these models.Methods Field or online surveys were conducted on the individuals who had ended their high-altitude living and returned to the plain areas from November 2020 to February 2024.Basic information,chronic mountain sickness(CMS),HADAS symptoms and other data were collected.With the inclusion and exclusion criteria,totally 1 095 individuals were subjected and assigned into the modeling group.Positive events were defined as HADAS score>5.Then the modelling group was divided into a training set(n=766)and an internal test set(n=329)in a 7∶3 ratio.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression was used to select independent variables.Risk prediction models for high-altitude adaptation symptoms were built based on 8 machine learning methods,including multiple factor logistic regression(LR),decision tree(DT),random forest(RF),eXtreme gradient boosting(XGB),support vector machine(SVM),K-nearest neighbor(KNN),light gradient boosting(LGB)and na?ve bayes(NB).The models were compared and evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,calibration curves and confusion matrices in the internal test set.The final model was presented using a nomogram or Shapley additive explanations(SHAP)algorithm.In August 2024,another 132 individuals who returned to the plains and met the same criteria were recruited and served as the external validation group.Results There were 549 individuals(50.14%)out of the 1 095 subjects having HADAS symptoms.LASSO regression identified CMS score,age and duration of high-altitude residence as significant predictors.Among the 8 machine learning algorithms,the LR model was identified as the best,with an area under the curve(AUC)value of 0.819(95%CI:0.789~0.850)and 0.841(95%CI:0.799~0.884),and an F1 score of 0.801 in the internal test set,respectively,and the AUC value and F1 score of the LR model were the largest among the 8 models in the internal test set.Spiegelhalter Z test of the calibration curve of the LR model indicated that its P=0.703 in the training set while P=0.281 in the internal test set.The AUC value of the LR model was 0.867(95%CI:0.765~0.969)in the external validation set.Conclusion The LR model constructed based on indicators including CMS score,age and duration of high-altitude residence has a good overall performance in the internal test set,and good discriminating effect in the external validation set.The constructed nomogram is convenient for application.
7.hAMSCs repair endometrial injury through suppressing endometrial EMT and fibrosis via TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway
Ting XIE ; Yanming HUANG ; Jiaying NIU ; Rongxia LIU ; Siyu LIANG ; Yao ZHANG ; Lu CHEN ; Binyue SHENG
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(21):2688-2697
Objective To explore the repair effect and mechanism of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells(hAMSCs)on endometrial injury.Methods hAMSCs were isolated using a two-enzyme digestion and then cultured.The third-passage(P3)cells were harvested to detect the surface markers by flow cytometry and to identify their trilineage differentiation potentials.Eighteen nulliparous female SD rats(8~9 weeks old,weighing 250~280 g)were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=6):normal control group,model group,and hAMSCs group.A rat model of intrauterine adhesions(IUA)was established in SD rats by using curettage combined with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)infection.In 2 weeks after modeling,the hAMSCs group received a bilateral uterine horn transplantation of 0.2 mL hAMSCs(1.0×10? cells/mL),while the model group received a same volume of PBS into both uterine horns.All rats were sacrificed in 2 weeks after transplantation.HE and Masson staining was used to observe endometrial thickness and gland number as well as endometrial fibrosis area.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1,Smad3,Smad7,epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)markers(E-cadherin,Vimentin),fibrosis factor α-SMA,and endometrial estrogen receptor(ER)and progesterone receptor(PR)in endometrial tissues.Results The obtained cells were identified as hAMSCs due to the characteristics of surface markers and differentiation potentials.Compared with the normal control group,the model group showed decreased endometrial thickness,reduced gland number,increased fibrosis area,and enhanced mRNA and protein levels of fibrosis-related factors TGF-β1,Smad3,Vimentin,and α-SMA(P<0.01),while down-regulation of fibrosis-inhibiting molecule Smad7,the EMT marker E-cadherin,and endometrial receptors ER and PR at both mRNA and protein levels(P<0.01).hAMSCs transplantation increased endometrial thickness and gland number,decreased fibrosis area,and down-regulated mRNA expression of the aforementioned fibrosis-related factors(P<0.01),and up-regulated the mRNA expression levels of Smad7,E-cadherin,ER,and PR(P<0.01).The hAMSCs group also exhibited obviously down-regulated protein levels of TGF-β1,Smad3,and α-SMA(P<0.05),while enhanced protein levels of Smad7 and PR(P<0.05).Conclusion Intrauterine transplantation of hAMSCs can promote the repair of endometrial injury,and inhibits endometrial EMT and fibrosis through the TGF-β1/Smad7 signaling pathway.
8.A novel dual-targeting strategy of nanobody-driven protein corona modulation for glioma therapy.
Yupei ZHANG ; Shugang QIN ; Tingting SONG ; Zhiying HUANG ; Zekai LV ; Yang ZHAO ; Xiangyu JIAO ; Min SUN ; Yinghan ZHANG ; Guang XIE ; Yuting CHEN ; Xuli RUAN ; Ruyue LIU ; Haixing SHI ; Chunli YANG ; Siyu ZHAO ; Zhongshan HE ; Hai HUANG ; Xiangrong SONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4917-4931
Glioma represents the most prevalent malignant tumor of the central nervous system, with chemotherapy serving as an essential adjunctive treatment. However, most chemotherapeutic agents exhibit limited ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This study introduced a novel dual-targeting strategy for glioma therapy by modulating the formation of nanobody-driven protein coronas to enhance the brain and tumor-targeting efficiency of hydrophobic cisplatin prodrug-loaded lipid nanoparticles (C8Pt-Ls). Specifically, nanobodies (Nbs) with fibrinogen-binding capabilities were conjugated to the surface of C8Pt-Ls, resulting in the generation of Nb-C8Pt-Ls. Within the bloodstream, Nb-C8Pt-Ls could bound more fibrinogen, forming the protein corona that specifically interacted with LRP-1, a receptor highly expressed on the BBB. This interaction enabled a "Hitchhiking Effect" mechanism, facilitating efficient trans-BBB transport and promoting effective brain targeting. Additionally, the protein corona interacted with LRP-1, which is also overexpressed in glioma cells, achieving precise tumor targeting. Computational simulations and SPR detection clarified the molecular interaction mechanism of the Nb-fibrinogen-(LRP-1) complex, confirming its binding specificity and stability. Our results demonstrated that this strategy significantly enhanced C8Pt accumulation in brain tissues and tumors, induced apoptosis in glioma cells, and improved therapeutic efficacy. This study provides a novel framework for glioma therapy and underscores the potential of protein corona modulation-based dual-targeting strategies in advancing treatments for brain tumors.
9.Unveiling core acupoints in acupuncture treatment for primary depressive disorder: integrating data mining and network acupuncture-based analysis
Siyu LIU ; Xinnan LUO ; Jiayun XIE ; Miqun ZHOU ; Xiaona HU ; Shuang SONG
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(4):504-516
Objective:
To identify core acupoint patterns and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of acupuncture for primary depressive disorder (PDD) through data mining and network analysis.
Methods:
A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Ovid Technologies (OVID), Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (VIP), Wanfang Data, and SinoMed Database from database foundation to January 31, 2025, for clinical studies on acupuncture treatment of PDD. Descriptive statistics, high-frequency acupoint analysis, degree and betweenness centrality evaluation, and core acupoint prescription mining identified predominant therapeutic combinations for PDD. Network acupuncture was used to predict therapeutic target for the core acupoint prescription. Subsequent protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and molecular complex detection (MCODE) analyses were conducted to identify the key targets and functional modules. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses explored the underlying biological mechanisms of the core acupoint prescription in treating PDD.
Results:
A total of 57 acupoint prescriptions underwent systematic analysis. The core therapeutic combinations comprised Baihui (GV20), Yintang (GV29), Neiguan (PC6), Hegu (LI4), and Shenmen (HT7). Network acupuncture analysis identified 88 potential therapeutic targets (79 overlapping with PDD), while PPI network analysis revealed central regulatory nodes, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), IL-10, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3), and nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1). MCODE-based modular analysis further elucidated three functionally coherent clusters: inflammation-homeostasis (score = 6.571), plasticity-neurotransmission (score = 3.143), and oxidative stress (score = 3.000). GO and KEGG analyses demonstrated significant enrichment of the MAPK, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 signaling pathways. These mechanistic insights suggested that the antidepressant effects mediated through mechanisms of neuroinflammatory regulation, neuroplasticity restoration, and immune-oxidative stress homeostasis.
Conclusion
This study reveals that acupuncture alleviates depression through a multi-level mechanism, primarily involving the neuroinflammation suppression, neuroplasticity enhancement, and oxidative stress regulation. These findings systematically clarify the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture’s antidepressant effects and identify novel therapeutic targets for further mechanistic research.
10.Indole-3-aldehyde-loaded inulin-based hydrogel for protection against radiation-induced intestinal injury
Tuo LI ; Feifei MA ; Jiebing GUAN ; Siyu XIE ; Ning WANG ; Ningning HE ; Huijuan SONG ; Jianguo LI ; Qiang LIU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(5):408-415
Objective:To explore the protective effects and mechanisms of an indole-3-acetaldehyde (I3A)-loaded inulin-based hydrogel against radiation-induced intestinal injury.Methods:The gelation properties and injectability of the I3A-loaded inulin-based hydrogel were detected using a rheometer, and its biocompatibility was assessed via a CCK-8 assay. Eighteen C57BL/6 mice (aged: 6-8 weeks) were stratified by body weight and randomly assigned into three groups with 6 mice in each group: blank control, irradiation-only, and irradiation+ hydrogel protection. Abdominal irradiation was administered using 137Cs γ-rays at 17 Gy. The irradiation+ hydrogel protection group received 200 μl/day of I3A-loaded inulin-based hydrogel for two days before and 2-3 days after irradiation. Meanwhile, the irradiation-only group was treated with an equivalent volume of sterile water via gavage. The mice were euthanized four days post-irradiation, and their intestinal tissues were harvested. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Ki67 immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL immunofluorescence were performed to assess histopathological damage, epithelial cell proliferation, and apoptosis, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was employed to measure mRNA levels of inflammatory and antioxidant factors. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing. Results:The test results of the rheometer confirmed successful hydrogel formation. CCK-8 assays demonstrated excellent biocompatibility. Compared with the irradiation-only group, the irradiation+ hydrogel protection group exhibited preserved intestinal histoarchitecture, a 1.5-fold increase in intestinal cell proliferation ( t = 8.35, P < 0.05), and a 2-fold reduction in radiation-induced apoptosis ( t = 7.94, P < 0.05). Moreover, the hydrogel group showed significantly elevated expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and antioxidant factors NRF-2 and HO-1 ( t = 3.16, 24.83, 5.92, P < 0.05), alongside reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α ( t = 5.15, 3.82, 3.83, P < 0.05). Gut microbiota analysis revealed significant modulation in microbial composition and abundance in the hydrogel group. Conclusions:The I3A-loaded inulin-based hydrogel can significantly promote intestinal cell proliferation, reduce radiation-induced apoptosis, and enhance both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant responses. In addition, it regulates gut microbiota composition and abundance, protecting against radiation-induced intestinal injury.

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