1.Mechanistic Study on Tougu Xiaotong Capsules in Regulating PANoptosis to Delay Degeneration of Chondrocytes in Knee Osteoarthritis
Jinxia YE ; Yixin LIN ; Xiaoqing LEI ; Yanfeng HUANG ; Changlong FU ; Desen LI ; Wenyi WANG ; Lan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):149-161
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Tougu Xiaotong capsules (TGXTC) on the regulation of chondrocyte PANoptosis, delay of chondrocyte degeneration, and improvement of the symptoms in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MethodsIn vivo experiments: 50 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into five groups (n=10 per group): sham operation group, model group, low-dose TGXTC group (7.2 g·kg-1), high-dose TGXTC group (14.4 g·kg-1), and diclofenac sodium group (0.05 g·kg-1). Except for the sham group, KOA models were established in all other groups using the modified Hulth method. Following successful model induction, the TGXTC groups received daily oral gavage of 7.2 or 14.4 g·kg-1 for 6 weeks, while the diclofenac sodium group received 0.05 g·kg-1 solution daily over the same duration. Model evaluation was performed using Lequesne MG score; micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was used to scan the knee, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and safranin O-fast green staining were used to observe the morphology of cartilage, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to determine ultrastructural changes of PANoptosis. Multiple immunofluorescence (IF) co-localization assays was performed to detect the co-localization of cleaved Caspase-3, receptor-interacting protein 3 (RlPK3), and the N-terminal domain of gasdermin D (GSDMD-N) in cartilage tissue, while western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of cleaved Caspase-3, RIPK3, and GSDMD-N. In vitro experiments: The knee cartilages of 4-week-old SD rats were isolated, and a chondrocyte in vitro culture system was established through mechanical digestion with 0.2% type Ⅱ collagenase. Second-generation chondrocytes were divided into three groups: the control group, the model group (pretreated with 10 mg·L-1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h followed by treatment with 1 μmol·L-1 nigericin for 4 h), and the TGXTC treatment group (pretreated with 10 mg·L-1 LPS for 24 h, followed by exposure to 1 μmol·L-1 nigericin for 4 h and subsequently treated with 100 mg·L-1 TGXTC for an additional 24 h). The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis of chondrocytes were evaluated via fluorescence microscopy following staining with ROS detection, AO/EB and YO-PRO-1/PI staining kits. Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to investigate the ultrastructural changes associated with PANoptosis in cartilage tissue of KOA mice. Inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β and IL-18) were measured using ELISA. Western blot was conducted to assess protein expressions related to PANoptosis, including cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-8, RIPK3, ZBP1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the Lequesne MG scores were significantly up-regulated(P<0.01) in the model group, and the pathological changes of cartilage were significantly, with joint spaces narrower, osteophyte formation increased, secere abrasion of cartilage surface. Ultrastructural analysis revealed pronounced chondrocyte apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis, along with markedly elevated expression of cleaved Caspase-3, RlPK3, and GSDMD-N in cartilage tissue (P<0.01). In addition, The mean fluorescence intensities of ROS, orange-red fluorescence in AO/EB staining, green fluorescence and red fluorescence in YO-PRO-1/PI staining were increased of chondrocyte in the model group (P<0.01) . The levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant were increased (P<0.01). The expression of PANoptosis related proteins (cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-8, RIPK3, ZBP1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3) were also significantly upregulated(P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the TGXTC group demonstrated a significant improvement in various parameters of mice. These included a reduction in the Lequesne MG score, an increase in joint space, a decrease in osteophyte formation, diminished cartilage damage, reduced release of ROS, and alleviation of apoptotic, necroptotic, and pyroptotic processes in chondrocytes. Additionally, mitochondrial swelling and endoplasmic reticulum dilation were also mitigated. The levels of ROS as well as IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression levels of proteins associated with PANoptosis in cartilage tissue showed marked reductions (P<0.05). Similar results were observed in chondrocytes: cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-8, RIPK3, ZBP1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3 exhibited significant decreases as well (P<0.05). ConclusionTGXTC may mitigate chondrocytes degeneration and alleviate KOA symptoms by reducing oxidative stress and suppressing the activation of PANoptosis pathways.
2.Mechanistic Study on Tougu Xiaotong Capsules in Regulating PANoptosis to Delay Degeneration of Chondrocytes in Knee Osteoarthritis
Jinxia YE ; Yixin LIN ; Xiaoqing LEI ; Yanfeng HUANG ; Changlong FU ; Desen LI ; Wenyi WANG ; Lan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):149-161
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Tougu Xiaotong capsules (TGXTC) on the regulation of chondrocyte PANoptosis, delay of chondrocyte degeneration, and improvement of the symptoms in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MethodsIn vivo experiments: 50 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into five groups (n=10 per group): sham operation group, model group, low-dose TGXTC group (7.2 g·kg-1), high-dose TGXTC group (14.4 g·kg-1), and diclofenac sodium group (0.05 g·kg-1). Except for the sham group, KOA models were established in all other groups using the modified Hulth method. Following successful model induction, the TGXTC groups received daily oral gavage of 7.2 or 14.4 g·kg-1 for 6 weeks, while the diclofenac sodium group received 0.05 g·kg-1 solution daily over the same duration. Model evaluation was performed using Lequesne MG score; micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was used to scan the knee, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and safranin O-fast green staining were used to observe the morphology of cartilage, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to determine ultrastructural changes of PANoptosis. Multiple immunofluorescence (IF) co-localization assays was performed to detect the co-localization of cleaved Caspase-3, receptor-interacting protein 3 (RlPK3), and the N-terminal domain of gasdermin D (GSDMD-N) in cartilage tissue, while western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of cleaved Caspase-3, RIPK3, and GSDMD-N. In vitro experiments: The knee cartilages of 4-week-old SD rats were isolated, and a chondrocyte in vitro culture system was established through mechanical digestion with 0.2% type Ⅱ collagenase. Second-generation chondrocytes were divided into three groups: the control group, the model group (pretreated with 10 mg·L-1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h followed by treatment with 1 μmol·L-1 nigericin for 4 h), and the TGXTC treatment group (pretreated with 10 mg·L-1 LPS for 24 h, followed by exposure to 1 μmol·L-1 nigericin for 4 h and subsequently treated with 100 mg·L-1 TGXTC for an additional 24 h). The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis of chondrocytes were evaluated via fluorescence microscopy following staining with ROS detection, AO/EB and YO-PRO-1/PI staining kits. Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to investigate the ultrastructural changes associated with PANoptosis in cartilage tissue of KOA mice. Inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β and IL-18) were measured using ELISA. Western blot was conducted to assess protein expressions related to PANoptosis, including cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-8, RIPK3, ZBP1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the Lequesne MG scores were significantly up-regulated(P<0.01) in the model group, and the pathological changes of cartilage were significantly, with joint spaces narrower, osteophyte formation increased, secere abrasion of cartilage surface. Ultrastructural analysis revealed pronounced chondrocyte apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis, along with markedly elevated expression of cleaved Caspase-3, RlPK3, and GSDMD-N in cartilage tissue (P<0.01). In addition, The mean fluorescence intensities of ROS, orange-red fluorescence in AO/EB staining, green fluorescence and red fluorescence in YO-PRO-1/PI staining were increased of chondrocyte in the model group (P<0.01) . The levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant were increased (P<0.01). The expression of PANoptosis related proteins (cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-8, RIPK3, ZBP1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3) were also significantly upregulated(P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the TGXTC group demonstrated a significant improvement in various parameters of mice. These included a reduction in the Lequesne MG score, an increase in joint space, a decrease in osteophyte formation, diminished cartilage damage, reduced release of ROS, and alleviation of apoptotic, necroptotic, and pyroptotic processes in chondrocytes. Additionally, mitochondrial swelling and endoplasmic reticulum dilation were also mitigated. The levels of ROS as well as IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression levels of proteins associated with PANoptosis in cartilage tissue showed marked reductions (P<0.05). Similar results were observed in chondrocytes: cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-8, RIPK3, ZBP1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3 exhibited significant decreases as well (P<0.05). ConclusionTGXTC may mitigate chondrocytes degeneration and alleviate KOA symptoms by reducing oxidative stress and suppressing the activation of PANoptosis pathways.
3.Optimization of Quality Standards for Polygalae Radix Based on Characteristic Chromatograms and QAMS for Xanthones
Humin XIE ; Xiaoqing CUI ; Weihong FENG ; Yu LU ; Xiaoqian LIU ; Xiaoli SUN ; Yanrong LI ; Zhimin WANG ; Chun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):196-204
ObjectiveTo address the limitations of the current quality standard for Polygalae Radix(PR), which relies on a single component for quality assessment and struggles to holistically control its intrinsic quality, by constructing a comprehensive quality evaluation system integrating "macro-characterization of chemical profile, synchronous quantification of multiple index components, and quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS) for key component groups". This study aims to facilitate the scientific revision of the quality standard for PR. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) characteristic chromatograms were established for 11 batches of PR medicinal materials(YZ), 10 batches of PR decoction pieces(YP), and 10 batches of licorice-processed PR decoction pieces(ZYZ), followed by similarity evaluation and identification of common peaks. HPLC-QAMS was developed for xanthones(sibiricaxanthone B, polygalaxanthone Ⅺ, polygalaxanthone Ⅲ) in the characteristic chromatograms. Simultaneously, the external standard method(ESM) was used to determine the contents of the corresponding xanthones and 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose in YZ, YP, and ZYZ, followed by multivariate statistical analysis and Spearman correlation analysis. ResultsThe similarity between the characteristic chromatograms of 31 batches of PR samples and the reference chromatogram was>0.9. A total of 13 common peaks were identified, and 10 of these peaks were characterized through reference standard comparison. The successfully constructed QAMS method showed that the relative correction factors(RCFs) of sibiricaxanthone B and polygalaxanthone Ⅺ to polygalaxanthone Ⅲ were 0.76 and 0.88, and their relative retention times(RRTs) were 0.85 and 0.97, respectively. The results calculated by the QAMS method showed no significant difference from those obtained by the ESM. According to the limit standard for polygalaxanthone Ⅲ in the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(hereinafter referred to as the Chinese Pharmacopoeia), the pass rate of 31 batches of samples was only 19.35%. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated certain compositional differences between different batches of YZ and YP, as well as between YP and ZYZ, with 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose identified as the main differentiating component. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that the content of polygalaxanthone Ⅲ was positively correlated with the contents of sibiricaxanthone B and polygalaxanthone Ⅺ, but showed no association with the content of 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose. ConclusionIt is recommended that the content limit for polygalaxanthone Ⅲ in YZ,YP and ZYZ be revised to not less than 0.07%, or the total content of polygalaxanthone Ⅲ, sibiricaxanthone B and polygalaxanthone Ⅺ be not less than 0.18%. The newly established triple quality control model of "holistic control via characteristic chromatograms, precise quantification of oligosaccharide esters, and efficient detection of xanthones by QAMS" provides a systematic and precise solution for quality evaluation of PR and similar Chinese herbal medicines.
4.Arginine Metabolic Disorder in Heart Failure Rats: Analysis Based on Targeted Metabolomics and Bioinformatics
Zeyu LI ; Xiaoqing WANG ; Zhengyu FANG ; Yurou ZHAO ; He XIAO ; Penghaobang LIU ; Haiming ZHANG ; Chunyan LIU ; Yanhong HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):229-237
ObjectiveThis study systematically analyzed the arginine metabolic dysregulation in the rat model of heart failure (HF), providing a modern scientific basis for elucidating the pathogenesis of HF and offering new insights for the prevention and treatment of HF with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). MethodsA thoracotomy was performed to ligate the left anterior descending coronary artery of rats, which induced acute myocardial ischemia and thus led to the development of post-myocardial infarction heart failure. The rats were divided into a sham surgery group and a model group, with eight rats in each group. Serum targeted metabolomics analysis was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-TQ-S), and the spatial distribution of metabolites in cardiac tissue was observed using airflow-assisted desorption electrospray ionizationmass spectrometry imaging (AFADESI-MSI). Targets associated with HF and arginine metabolism were screened from databases including GeneCards and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and enrichment analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) was performed. Finally, molecular docking was conducted to verify the binding between core metabolic components and key targets, and potential TCMs were predicted based on the core pathways and targets. ResultsCompared with the sham surgery group, the levels of arginine and citrulline in the serum of model rats were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while those of proline, ornithine, creatine, creatinine and glutamate were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Cardiac mass spectrometry imaging showed a decreased abundance of arginine in the local myocardial tissue. Bioinformatics analysis identified 24 core functional targets, such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1), 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and enrichment analysis indicated that these targets were significantly involved in the calcium signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, and phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding activities between arginine, citrulline and HTR2A, as well as between creatine, creatinine and EGFR. Based on pathway-target prediction, potential TCM interventions, such as ginseng and magnolia, were identified. ConclusionThis study revealed characteristic arginine metabolic disorder in HF, and the core targets of HF were closely associated with the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. It provides a modern biological interpretation of the pathogenesis of HF in TCM from the perspectives of metabolites and signaling pathways, and offers valuable insights for targeted therapy of HF and the development of TCM.
5.Arginine Metabolic Disorder in Heart Failure Rats: Analysis Based on Targeted Metabolomics and Bioinformatics
Zeyu LI ; Xiaoqing WANG ; Zhengyu FANG ; Yurou ZHAO ; He XIAO ; Penghaobang LIU ; Haiming ZHANG ; Chunyan LIU ; Yanhong HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):229-237
ObjectiveThis study systematically analyzed the arginine metabolic dysregulation in the rat model of heart failure (HF), providing a modern scientific basis for elucidating the pathogenesis of HF and offering new insights for the prevention and treatment of HF with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). MethodsA thoracotomy was performed to ligate the left anterior descending coronary artery of rats, which induced acute myocardial ischemia and thus led to the development of post-myocardial infarction heart failure. The rats were divided into a sham surgery group and a model group, with eight rats in each group. Serum targeted metabolomics analysis was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-TQ-S), and the spatial distribution of metabolites in cardiac tissue was observed using airflow-assisted desorption electrospray ionizationmass spectrometry imaging (AFADESI-MSI). Targets associated with HF and arginine metabolism were screened from databases including GeneCards and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and enrichment analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) was performed. Finally, molecular docking was conducted to verify the binding between core metabolic components and key targets, and potential TCMs were predicted based on the core pathways and targets. ResultsCompared with the sham surgery group, the levels of arginine and citrulline in the serum of model rats were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while those of proline, ornithine, creatine, creatinine and glutamate were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Cardiac mass spectrometry imaging showed a decreased abundance of arginine in the local myocardial tissue. Bioinformatics analysis identified 24 core functional targets, such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1), 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and enrichment analysis indicated that these targets were significantly involved in the calcium signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, and phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding activities between arginine, citrulline and HTR2A, as well as between creatine, creatinine and EGFR. Based on pathway-target prediction, potential TCM interventions, such as ginseng and magnolia, were identified. ConclusionThis study revealed characteristic arginine metabolic disorder in HF, and the core targets of HF were closely associated with the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. It provides a modern biological interpretation of the pathogenesis of HF in TCM from the perspectives of metabolites and signaling pathways, and offers valuable insights for targeted therapy of HF and the development of TCM.
6.Effect of Zishen Tongguan Formula on "Gut-prostate" Axis of Rats with Chronic Non-bacterial Prostatitis Based on 16S rDNA Sequencing
Xiran LI ; Mengjiao CHEN ; Kaiping ZOU ; Chenguang ZHAO ; Xingbin DAI ; Xiaoqing ZHANG ; Shun LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):63-71
ObjectiveBased on the theory of "gut-prostate" axis, this study explored the effects and mechanisms of Zishen Tongguan formula and Cinnamomi Cortex in the formula in treating rats with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis(CNP) by detecting the levels of inflammatory factors, and the composition and structure of intestinal flora in CNP rats. MethodsEight out of 42 SD rats were randomly selected as the normal group, and the remaining rats were injected with carrageenan to prepare the CNP model. After successful modeling, 32 rats were randomly divided into the model group, Ningmitai capsule group(0.50 g·kg-1), Zishen Tongguan formula group(2.00 g·kg-1), and the Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex-Anemarrhenae Rhizoma pair group(PCC-AR group, 2.00 g·kg-1), with 8 rats in each group. The administered groups were given the corresponding medicinal solution by gavage, and the normal and model groups were intragastrically administered with an equal volume of normal saline, once a day for 14 consecutive days. The prostate tissues of rats were collected and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining to observe the pathological changes of the tissues in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of related inflammatory factors in rat serum, and 16S rDNA sequencing was used to analyze the abundance and diversity changes of gut microbiota before and after administration, and species difference analysis was performed. ResultsAll the administered groups could alleviate the inflammatory symptoms of CNP rats, increase the expression levels of anti-inflammatory factors and decrease the expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors, with the most sIgnificant effect observed in the Zishen Tongguan formula group. Compared with the normal group, the expression levels of interleukin(IL)-8, hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), immunoglobulin(Ig)M, secretory IgA (sIgA), and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) were sIgnificantly increased in the model group(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression levels of the above inflammatory factors in all administered groups were significantly reduced(P<0.01). When compared with the PCC-AR group, the Zishen Tongguan formula group showed a significant decrease in transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 expression level(P<0.05) and a significant increase in IgM expression level(P<0.01). The results of gut microbiota analysis showed that, compared with the PCC-AR group, at the order level, the Zishen Tongguan formula group significantly reduced the relative abundance of conditional pathogens such as Bacteroidales, Acidaminococcales, Rhodospirillales, Clostridiales, and Elusimicrobiales(P<0.01). And at the genus level, the Zishen Tongguan formula group significantly decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic microbiota such as Lachnospira and Bacteroides(P<0.01) and significantly increased the relative abundances of beneficial microbiota such as Ruminococcus and Lactobacillus(P<0.01). ConclusionZishen Tongguan formula can reduce the level of harmful intestinal bacteria, increase the level of beneficial intestinal bacteria, down-regulate the expression of serum inflammatory factors, and the small amount of Cinnamomi Cortex in the formula may play a key role in the treatment of CNP with this formula.
7.Effect of Zishen Tongguan Formula on "Gut-prostate" Axis of Rats with Chronic Non-bacterial Prostatitis Based on 16S rDNA Sequencing
Xiran LI ; Mengjiao CHEN ; Kaiping ZOU ; Chenguang ZHAO ; Xingbin DAI ; Xiaoqing ZHANG ; Shun LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):63-71
ObjectiveBased on the theory of "gut-prostate" axis, this study explored the effects and mechanisms of Zishen Tongguan formula and Cinnamomi Cortex in the formula in treating rats with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis(CNP) by detecting the levels of inflammatory factors, and the composition and structure of intestinal flora in CNP rats. MethodsEight out of 42 SD rats were randomly selected as the normal group, and the remaining rats were injected with carrageenan to prepare the CNP model. After successful modeling, 32 rats were randomly divided into the model group, Ningmitai capsule group(0.50 g·kg-1), Zishen Tongguan formula group(2.00 g·kg-1), and the Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex-Anemarrhenae Rhizoma pair group(PCC-AR group, 2.00 g·kg-1), with 8 rats in each group. The administered groups were given the corresponding medicinal solution by gavage, and the normal and model groups were intragastrically administered with an equal volume of normal saline, once a day for 14 consecutive days. The prostate tissues of rats were collected and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining to observe the pathological changes of the tissues in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of related inflammatory factors in rat serum, and 16S rDNA sequencing was used to analyze the abundance and diversity changes of gut microbiota before and after administration, and species difference analysis was performed. ResultsAll the administered groups could alleviate the inflammatory symptoms of CNP rats, increase the expression levels of anti-inflammatory factors and decrease the expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors, with the most sIgnificant effect observed in the Zishen Tongguan formula group. Compared with the normal group, the expression levels of interleukin(IL)-8, hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), immunoglobulin(Ig)M, secretory IgA (sIgA), and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) were sIgnificantly increased in the model group(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression levels of the above inflammatory factors in all administered groups were significantly reduced(P<0.01). When compared with the PCC-AR group, the Zishen Tongguan formula group showed a significant decrease in transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 expression level(P<0.05) and a significant increase in IgM expression level(P<0.01). The results of gut microbiota analysis showed that, compared with the PCC-AR group, at the order level, the Zishen Tongguan formula group significantly reduced the relative abundance of conditional pathogens such as Bacteroidales, Acidaminococcales, Rhodospirillales, Clostridiales, and Elusimicrobiales(P<0.01). And at the genus level, the Zishen Tongguan formula group significantly decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic microbiota such as Lachnospira and Bacteroides(P<0.01) and significantly increased the relative abundances of beneficial microbiota such as Ruminococcus and Lactobacillus(P<0.01). ConclusionZishen Tongguan formula can reduce the level of harmful intestinal bacteria, increase the level of beneficial intestinal bacteria, down-regulate the expression of serum inflammatory factors, and the small amount of Cinnamomi Cortex in the formula may play a key role in the treatment of CNP with this formula.
8.Injection of platelet-rich plasma at the fracture site combined with microfracture surgery for the treatment of delayed fracture healing
Junbo TU ; Xiaowu HUANG ; Xingwang LI ; Xiaoqing LI
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(2):194-200
[Objective] To report a new technique that combines microfracture surgery under local anesthesia with injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) at the fracture site, so as to improve fracture healing rates. [Methods] Data from patients who visited our hospital from March 2020 to June 2023 and underwent the treatment for delayed union of limb fractures were retrospectively analyzed. Under local infiltrative anesthesia, with the assistance of a C-arm X-ray machine or ultrasound, percutaneous loosening was done at the fracture site and the medullary cavity, followed by cortical drilling around the fracture. The previously prepared PRP was then injected locally at the fracture site. Patients were followed up and their postoperative recovery was recorded. [Results] All patients were followed up, and the fracture healing rate was 94.12% (16/17), with an average healing duration of (5.88±2.50) months. None of the patients experienced any neural or vascular injuries, nor adverse events such as wound infections or osteomyelitis. Before the operation and at the last follow-up, the patients' pain visual analogue scores were (5.12±1.11) vs (0.71±1.21) respectively. The postoperative VAS scores showed a significant decrease compared to preoperative values (P<0.05). The excellent and good rate for limb function on the affected side was 88.24% (14/17) at the last follow-up, which was a significant increase from 0.00% before surgery (P<0.05). [Conclusion] The injection of PRP at the fracture site combined with microfracture surgery at the fracture site is minimally invasive, simple to perform, and well-accepted by patients. It has demonstrated some clinical efficacy in treating delayed fracture healing.
9.Effect and Mechanism of Wulingsan Decoction in Protecting Blood Brain Barrier and Ameliorating Cerebral Edema after Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Mice
Damei TAO ; Huihong LI ; Xiaoqing ZHENG ; Yunfei DENG ; Wei WEI ; Xiehua XUE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):1-9
ObjectiveTo study the effect of Wulingsan on cerebral edema after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in mice and explore the treatment mechanism. MethodsThe mouse model of ICH was established by injection of collagenase into the caudate nucleus. Mice were randomly assigned into the following groups: sham, ICH, intervention before modeling with low-dose and high-dose (3.69, 11.07 g·kg-1, respectively) Wulingsan, and intervention after modeling with high-dose Wulingsan. The modified neurological severity score (mNSS) was recorded, and the small animal MRI T2 sequential scanning was performed to measure the volume of cerebral hemorrhage after the modeling of ICH in each group. The Y-maze test, open field test, and Morris water maze test were conducted to evaluate the neurological behaviors of mice in each group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the brain tissue. Immunohistochemistry was employed to observe the expression of aquaporin 4 (AQP4), neuronal nuclei (NeuN), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the brain tissue. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of AQP4, Claudin-5, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in the hematoma area. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the ICH group showed increases in the mNSS, the cerebral hemorrhage volume, and the escape latency in the Morris water maze test (P<0.01), decreases in the times of touching the platform and times of entering the quadrant where the platform was located in the Morris water maze test, and reductions in the spontaneous alternation rate in the Y-maze test and the ratio of distance of center travel to total travel distance in the open field test (P<0.01). Moreover, pathological changes such as cell disarrangement, cell space enlargement, and cell swelling were observed in the ICH group. Immunohistochemistry results showed that the ICH group had higher proportions of AQP4- and GFAP-positive cells and lower proportion of NeuN-positive cells than the sham group (P<0.01). Compared with the sham group, the ICH group showed an up-regulated protein level of AQP4 and down-regulated protein levels of Claudin-5 and ZO-1 (P<0.01). Compared with the ICH group, the intervention with Wulingsan decreased the mNSS, the volume of cerebral hemorrhage, and the escape latency in the Morris water maze test (P<0.05, P<0.01), while increasing the times of touching the platform and times of entering the quadrant where the platform was located in the Morris water maze test, the spontaneous alternation rate in the Y-maze test, and the ratio of distance of center travel to total travel distance in the open field test (P<0.05, P<0.01). Furthermore, the intervention with Wulingsan alleviated the pathological changes in the brain tissue after ICH, decreased the proportion of AQP4- and GFAP-positive cells (P<0.01), increased the proportion of NeuN-positive cells (P<0.01), down-regulated the protein level of AQP4 (P<0.01), and up-regulated the protein levels of Claudin-5 and ZO-1 (P<0.01). ConclusionThe intervention with Wulingsan could reduce the neural function score and the cerebral hemorrhage volume, up-regulate the expression of Claudin-5 and ZO-1, and down-regulate the expression of AQP4 to ameliorate the neurological function defect and cerebral edema after ICH, thereby protecting the brain.
10.Characteristics and implications of observation tools for physical activity among children and adolescents
QIU Yanping, WANG Lijuan, QI Jing, CHEN Huan, ZHENG Nan, LI Xiaoqing
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(3):310-314
Abstract
To analyzes the characteristics, problems and enlightenment of physical activity observation tools, so as to provide reference for researchers to quickly and accurately choose appropriate observation tools to evaluate children s and adolescents physical activity. Literature search is conducted in eight databases of Chinese and English, including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, ERIC, and SPORTDiscus. Ultimately, eight observation tools for assessing physical activity in children and adolescents are included. Through summarization and comparison, it is found that the applications of those tools cover multiple age groups, the observation indicators cover multiple dimensions for each with varying emphases, and the applicable contexts vary in their specific background information, and recording methods tend to be quantitative. However, several issues remain to be addressed in practical applications. First, the observation indicators need to be supplemented and improved; second, physical activity in community environments and academic classrooms requires further attention; third, physical activity intensity needs to be scientifically evaluated; fourth, observation and recording methods need to be integrated and innovated; fifth, the number of observation subjects needs to be expanded. Future research could focus on developing observation tools tailored to the characteristics of Chinese children and adolescents, while drawing on foreign observation tools to comprehensively assess physical activity among children and adolescents.


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