1.Research progress on traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of sepsis by regulating helper T cell differen-tiation
Sihan GUO ; He SU ; Ruifen ZHANG ; Tingting JIA ; Hairong ZHANG ; Jilintai RONG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(4):516-521
epsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome triggered by infection, and its high mortality rate is closely associated with immune imbalance, particularly the imbalance in the differentiation of helper T cell (Th) cell subsets [Th1, Th2, Th17, regulatory T cell (Treg) ] . In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its characteristics of multi-component and multi-target actions, has demonstrated unique advantages in regulating Th cell differentiation and function, as well as correcting immune imbalances in sepsis, offering new perspectives for immunotherapy of sepsis. This review summarizes relevant studies on the regulation of Th cell differentiation for sepsis treatment by TCM monomers and active ingredients (such as Astragalus membranaceus , Scutellaria baicalensis , Coptis chinensis , Rheum palmatum , Ganoderma lucidum , Ginkgo biloba , and Cistanche deserticola ), the alcohol extract of Dai Baijie, and TCM formulas and preparations categorized as blood-activating and stasis-removing, purgative and laxative, warming and tonifying yang, and tonifying qi and nourishing yin. The results indicate that these TCM monomers, active ingredients, extracts, formulas, and preparations can regulate the Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg balance, target the differentiation balance of Th cell subsets, alleviate inflammatory responses, or improve immune suppression, thereby exerting therapeutic effects on sepsis.
2.Study on quality markers of Hyssopus cuspidatus against airway remodeling in bronchial asthma
Xiaocui CAI ; Junting GUO ; Tingting ZHAO ; Guihua LIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):733-739
OBJECTIVE To identify the quality markers (Q-Markers) of Hyssopus cuspidatus against airway remodeling in bronchial asthma (referred to as “asthma”), an d to provide a reference for the quality control research of H. cuspidatus based on pharmacodynamic activity. METHODS Potential active components and action targets of H. cuspidatus were screened by network pharmacology method. Using human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) as objects, airway remodeling cell model was induced by platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB); validation test was then performed for anti-asthmatic effects of H. cuspidatus and the potential active components. HPLC method was employed to establish the fingerprints of 14 batches of H. cuspidatus samples, and chemometric analysis was also conducted. Combined with the results of pharmacodynamic experiments and fingerprint analysis, the Q-Markers of H. cuspidatus against airway remodeling in asthma were determined. RESULTS&CONCLUSIONS Network pharmacology analysis showed that the potential active components of H. cuspidatus against asthma might be flavonoids and phenolic acids such as luteolin, quercetin and rosmarinic acid, and the core anti-asthmatic targets were interleukin-6, mitogen-activated protein kinase, etc. In vitro experimental results confirmed that 25, 50, 100 μg/mL of H. cuspidatus , as well as neochlorogenic acid (80 μmol/L), acacetin (80 μmol/L), salvianolic acid B (40 μmol/L) and quercetin-3- O - β -D-glucuronide (80 μmol/L), significantly reduced the cell viability induced by PDGF-BB, inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and the phosphorylation level of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2, decreased the levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and reactive oxygen species, and generally arrested cells in the G 0 /G 1 phase ( P <0.05). Fingerprint analysis showed that there were 27 common peaks in the fingerprints of the 14 batches of H. cuspidatus samples, with 15 compounds (including luteolin) identified, and the similarities of fingerprints were all greater than 0.8. The 14 batches of samples could be divided into three categories: S1-S7 as one category, S8-S13 as one category, and S14 as one category. The variable importance in the projection values of rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, salvigenin, luteolin, ferulic acid, quercetin-3- O - β -D-glucuronide, and the components corresponding to peaks 5 and 8 were greater than 1, indicating they were potential differential markers affecting quality. Integrating network pharmacology, in vitro experimental validation, and chemometric analysis, rosmarinic acid, neochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, salvigenin, luteolin, ferulic acid, quercetin-3- O - β -D-glucuronide, acacetin, salvianolic acid B and chlorogenic acid may be the Q-Markers of H. cuspidatus against asthma.
3.Study on quality control of Inula salsoloides from different producing areas in Xinjiang
Tingting ZHAO ; Junting GUO ; Xiaocui CAI ; Talpbek YESEM ; Guihua LIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(12):1567-1572
OBJECTIVE To control the quality of Inula salsoloides from different producing areas in Xinjiang. METHODS The macroscopic and microscopic identification of medicinal materials was performed using conventional morphological and microscopic observation methods. Thin-layer chromatography(TLC)was applied for the qualitative identification of chlorogenic acid in the medicinal materials. In ac cordance with the General Principles in Volume Ⅳ of the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia , the contents of water, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and extractives of the samples were determined. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to measure the contents of chlorogenic acid, isoquercitrin, and quercetin. Taking water, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, extractives, and the contents of chlorogenic acid, isoquercitrin, and quercetin as evaluation indices, the entropy weight-TOPSIS method was adopted to comprehensively evaluate the quality of 18 batches of samples. RESULTS I. salsoloides from Xinjiang exhibited distinct macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, and the qualitative TLC identification results for chlorogenic acid were clear and reliable. The water content ranged from 6.20% to 7.23%, the total ash content from 12.27% to 15.80%, the acid-insoluble ash content from 1.89% to 2.57%, and the extractive contents from 21.24% to 28.09%. The contents of chlorogenic acid, isoquercitrin, and quercetin were 0.198 5 to 2.335 0 mg/g, 0.014 5 to 0.402 8 mg/g, and 0.016 5 to 0.578 7 mg/g, respectively. The comprehensive closeness degrees of 18 batches of samples were 0.106 to 0.673. CONCLUSIONS The established quality control method is stable and reliable, which can be applied to the quality control of I.salsoloides , there are significant differences in the quality of medicinal materials from different producing areas.
4.Protocol for patient version of the cancer symptom management guideline
Jing CHI ; Lanfang ZHANG ; Tingting YANG ; Shihui XIE ; Chaixiu LI ; Shisi DENG ; Jianyao TANG ; Chuhan ZHONG ; Bingqian GUO ; Qiuyan REN ; Yuman LI ; Zhengya QIN ; Ping ZHAO ; Yanni WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):900-907
Effective symptom management can alleviate the physical and psychological distress experienced by patients with cancer, improve quality of life, and contribute to treatment adherence and improve clinical outcomes. However, most existing guidelines are developed for healthcare professionals, and patients and the public have limited access to standardized and comprehensible guidance on symptom management. To address this gap and to facilitate effective communication and shared decision-making, this study proposes the development of a patient version of the cancer symptom management guideline. The development process will adhere to the methodological framework recommended by the Guidelines International Network and the World Health Organization. The GRADE approach will be employed to assess the certainty of evidence and to formulate recommendations. In addition, the process will be informed by the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Ⅱ (AGREE Ⅱ) instrument and the Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare-Public or Patient Versions of Guidelines (RIGHT-PVG). This protocol outlines the establishment of the guideline working group, the identification and prioritization of key questions, evidence retrieval and appraisal, and the formulation of recommendations, with the aim of ensuring methodological rigor and transparency in the development of the patient guideline and providing methodological reference for similar guideline initiatives.
5.Effect of Modified Shoutai Pill (寿胎丸加味方) on Inflammatory Reaction and Expression of Endometrial Receptivity-Related Factors in A Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Miscarriage with High Testosterone-Insulin Resistance
Tingting GUO ; Meng JIANG ; Huaiying YANG ; Xiang JI ; Yuehui ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(3):275-282
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms of Modified Shoutai Pill (寿胎丸加味方, MSP) in treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and miscarriage, focusing on inflammatory response and endometrial receptivity. MethodsThirty female SPF-grade SD rats with regular estrous cycles and in proestrus, and 15 male SPF-grade SD rats were housed together in a 2∶1 ratio at 18:00. At 8:00 next morning, rats showing abundant sperm and vaginal plugs were considered pregnant on the day 0.5. The 30 pregnant rats were randomly divided into three groups, normal group, model group, and MSP group, with 10 rats in each group. From day 0.5 to day 13.5 of pregnancy, the MSP group was given 26.6 g/(kg·d) of the MSP via gavage twice a day for 14 consecutive days. The normal group and the model group received 4 ml of normal saline daily. From day 7.5 to day 13.5 of pregnancy, the rats in the model group and MSP group were intraperitoneally injected with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and insulin (INS) for 7 consecutive days to establish a PCOS model with hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and miscarriage. On day 13.5 of pregnancy, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed to measure blood glucose levels at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes. On day 14.5, serum level of progesterone (P4), estradiol (E2), fasting insulin (FINS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured by ELISA. The insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Embryo implantation, miscarriage rate, and average number of live fetuses were observed. Uterine tissue pathology was examined by HE staining, and mRNA expression of Il-6, Tnf-α, leukemia inhibitory factor (Lif), homeobox gene 10 (Hoxa10), prolactin family 8 subfamily A member 2 (Prl8a2), and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (Igfbp1) in the uterine tissue was detected by qRT-PCR. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group had significantly higher blood glucose level at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes, increased miscarriage rate, elevated HOMA-IR, decreased average number of live fetuses, lower level of P4 and E2, higher level of IL-6, TNF-α, and FINS, and higher mRNA expression of Il-6 and Tnf-α in the uterine tissue. The mRNA expression of Lif, Hoxa10, and Prl8a2 was reduced (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The uterus had a dark red color, visible areas of bleeding, fewer embryos with developmental abnormalities, and increased placental necrosis. Pathological examination revealed thrombus in the decidual layer, unclear decidual cell morphology, loose arrangement, scattered distribution, edema degeneration in the cytoplasm, and nuclear shrinkage or disappearance, with extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells. In contrast, compared with the model group, the MSP group showed significantly lower blood glucose level at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min, reduced miscarriage rate, lower HOMA-IR, increased number of live fetuses, higher level of P4 and E2, and lower level of IL-6, TNF-α, and FINS. The mRNA expression of Il-6 and Tnf-α in the uterine tissue was lower, while the expression of Lif, Hoxa10, and Prl8a2 mRNA was higher (P<0.05 or P<0.01). There was significant improvement in uterine and embryo conditions, as well as in uterine tissue pathology. ConclusionThe MSP can reduce the miscarriage rate in a PCOS model with hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and miscarriage. Its mechanism may involve inhibiting inflammation, improving endometrial receptivity, and restoring the defects in endometrial decidualization.
6.Shikonin attenuates blood–brain barrier injury and oxidative stress in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage by activating Sirt1/ Nrf2/HO-1 signaling
Guanghu LI ; Yang'e YI ; Sheng QIAN ; Xianping XU ; Hao MIN ; Jianpeng WANG ; Pan GUO ; Tingting YU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):283-291
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious intracranial hemorrhage characterized by acute bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The effects of shikonin, a natural compound from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury in SAH was evaluated in this study. A rat model of SAH was established by endovascular perforation to mimic the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Rats were then administered 25 mg/kg of shikonin or dimethylsulfoxide after surgery. Brain edema, SAH grade, and neurobehavioral scores were measured after 24 h of SAH to evaluate neurological impairment. Concentrations of the oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain cortex were determined using the corresponding commercially available assay kits. Evans blue staining was used to determine BBB permeability. Western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. After modeling, the brain water content increased significantly whereas the neurobehavioral scores of rats with SAH decreased prominently. MDA levels increased and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD decreased after SAH. These changes were reversed after shikonin administration. Shikonin treatment also inhibited Evans blue extravasation after SAH. Furthermore, reduction in the levels of tight junction proteins after SAH modeling was rescued after shikonin treatment. In conclusion, shikonin exerts a neuroprotective effect after SAH by mitigating BBB injury and inhibiting oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex.
7.Shikonin attenuates blood–brain barrier injury and oxidative stress in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage by activating Sirt1/ Nrf2/HO-1 signaling
Guanghu LI ; Yang'e YI ; Sheng QIAN ; Xianping XU ; Hao MIN ; Jianpeng WANG ; Pan GUO ; Tingting YU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):283-291
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious intracranial hemorrhage characterized by acute bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The effects of shikonin, a natural compound from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury in SAH was evaluated in this study. A rat model of SAH was established by endovascular perforation to mimic the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Rats were then administered 25 mg/kg of shikonin or dimethylsulfoxide after surgery. Brain edema, SAH grade, and neurobehavioral scores were measured after 24 h of SAH to evaluate neurological impairment. Concentrations of the oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain cortex were determined using the corresponding commercially available assay kits. Evans blue staining was used to determine BBB permeability. Western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. After modeling, the brain water content increased significantly whereas the neurobehavioral scores of rats with SAH decreased prominently. MDA levels increased and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD decreased after SAH. These changes were reversed after shikonin administration. Shikonin treatment also inhibited Evans blue extravasation after SAH. Furthermore, reduction in the levels of tight junction proteins after SAH modeling was rescued after shikonin treatment. In conclusion, shikonin exerts a neuroprotective effect after SAH by mitigating BBB injury and inhibiting oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex.
8.Shikonin attenuates blood–brain barrier injury and oxidative stress in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage by activating Sirt1/ Nrf2/HO-1 signaling
Guanghu LI ; Yang'e YI ; Sheng QIAN ; Xianping XU ; Hao MIN ; Jianpeng WANG ; Pan GUO ; Tingting YU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):283-291
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious intracranial hemorrhage characterized by acute bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The effects of shikonin, a natural compound from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury in SAH was evaluated in this study. A rat model of SAH was established by endovascular perforation to mimic the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Rats were then administered 25 mg/kg of shikonin or dimethylsulfoxide after surgery. Brain edema, SAH grade, and neurobehavioral scores were measured after 24 h of SAH to evaluate neurological impairment. Concentrations of the oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain cortex were determined using the corresponding commercially available assay kits. Evans blue staining was used to determine BBB permeability. Western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. After modeling, the brain water content increased significantly whereas the neurobehavioral scores of rats with SAH decreased prominently. MDA levels increased and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD decreased after SAH. These changes were reversed after shikonin administration. Shikonin treatment also inhibited Evans blue extravasation after SAH. Furthermore, reduction in the levels of tight junction proteins after SAH modeling was rescued after shikonin treatment. In conclusion, shikonin exerts a neuroprotective effect after SAH by mitigating BBB injury and inhibiting oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex.
9.Shikonin attenuates blood–brain barrier injury and oxidative stress in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage by activating Sirt1/ Nrf2/HO-1 signaling
Guanghu LI ; Yang'e YI ; Sheng QIAN ; Xianping XU ; Hao MIN ; Jianpeng WANG ; Pan GUO ; Tingting YU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):283-291
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious intracranial hemorrhage characterized by acute bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The effects of shikonin, a natural compound from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury in SAH was evaluated in this study. A rat model of SAH was established by endovascular perforation to mimic the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Rats were then administered 25 mg/kg of shikonin or dimethylsulfoxide after surgery. Brain edema, SAH grade, and neurobehavioral scores were measured after 24 h of SAH to evaluate neurological impairment. Concentrations of the oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain cortex were determined using the corresponding commercially available assay kits. Evans blue staining was used to determine BBB permeability. Western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. After modeling, the brain water content increased significantly whereas the neurobehavioral scores of rats with SAH decreased prominently. MDA levels increased and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD decreased after SAH. These changes were reversed after shikonin administration. Shikonin treatment also inhibited Evans blue extravasation after SAH. Furthermore, reduction in the levels of tight junction proteins after SAH modeling was rescued after shikonin treatment. In conclusion, shikonin exerts a neuroprotective effect after SAH by mitigating BBB injury and inhibiting oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex.
10.Effect of Qigui Didang Decoction in Improving Metabolic Memory of Diabetic Nephropathy Through Sirt1/p53/NF-κB p65 Pathway
Tingting HU ; Lifei FAN ; Yuqin GUO ; Min LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):20-29
ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Qigui Didang decoction, formulated based on the principle of Tonifying Deficiency and Unblocking Collaterals, on improving metabolic memory of db/db mice with diabetic nephropathy (DN) through silent information regulator 1 signal regulator 1 (Sirt1)/p53/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) p65 pathway. MethodsFifteen db/db mice were randomly divided into model group (10 mL·kg-1·d-1), resveratrol group (20 mg·kg-1·d-1), and Qigui Didang decoction group (3.34 g·kg-1·d-1) Another five db/m mice were selected as the normal group (10 mL·kg-1·d-1). After the intervention, the kidney weight of each group was measured, and the kidney index (KI) was calculated. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), creatinine (CRE), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and cystatin C (CysC) were measured. Renal pathology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Sirt1, NF-κB, tumor suppressor gene p53, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and cysteine aspartate protease-3 (Caspase-3) were detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed disordered renal structure, obvious renal damage, and markedly elevated levels of renal function indexes (CRE, β2-MG, BUN, and CysC) (P<0.01). The KI and blood glucose were significantly increased (P<0.01), while Sirt1 expression was markedly decreased (P<0.01). Expression levels of NF-κB p65, p53, IL-1β, and Caspase-3 were increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with those in the model group, DN mice treated with Qigui Didang decoction exhibited significantly decreased FBG, improved renal function, and markedly decreased KI (P<0.01), along with reduced CRE, β2-MG, BUN, and CysC levels (P<0.05). Protein expression of Sirt1 was significantly upregulated (P<0.05), while that of NF-κB p65, p53, IL-1β, and Caspase-3 was markedly decreased (P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of NF-κB p65, p53, IL-1β, and Caspase-3 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The staining results indicate improved renal fibrosis, significantly decreased fiber deposition (P<0.05), and less inflammatory infiltration in the Qigui Didang decoction group. ConclusionThe findings suggest that Qigui Didang decoction can alleviate the metabolic memory effect of DN, thereby inhibiting renal cell apoptosis and inflammatory response in mice, and improving renal function. The mechanism of action is closely related to the Sirt1/p53/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway.

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