1.Exploring Anti-inflammatory Synergistic Mechanism of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma Processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus Juice Based on Differential Component Tracking Strategy
Hongda XUAN ; Shengnan SHEN ; Linlin LI ; Jingjing LIAO ; Xianyu XU ; Xiaoxia LIU ; Haining LYU ; Fang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):228-237
ObjectiveTaking Aurantii Fructus Immaturus juice(AFI)-processed Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma(AMR) as an example, this study aims to systematically compare the volatile and non-volatile components of AMR and its processed products, investigate the key differential components, evaluate their anti-inflammatory activities, and elucidate the synergistic mechanism of processing. MethodsThe chemical compositions of volatile and non-volatile components in AMR and AFI-processed AMR were systematically characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS), with relative mass fractions and response values determined separately. Volatile components were identified through searches in the National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST)17 database, comparison with retention index(RI) and fragmentation pattern matching. Non-volatile components were identified by searching Waters Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) spectral library, in conjunction with PubChem and MassBank, characteristic fragmentation patterns and response values were also used to support identification. Differential components were screened using principal component analysis(PCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), with variable importance in the projection(VIP) value >1. Components with high log2fold change(FC) among major differential groups were selected as those exhibiting significant changes before and after processing. The anti-inflammatory activity of the differential compounds was evaluated by assessing their effects on nitric oxide(NO) production in a lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage model. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the effects of the differential components on tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein(MCP)-1 levels, and immunofluorescence(IF) was employed to assess their effects on nuclear transcription factor(NF)-κB p65 translocation, thereby elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms. ResultsA total of 36 compounds were identified in the volatile components of AMR and AFI-processed AMR, among which, sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes were significantly increased after processing. In the non-volatile components, 36 compounds were identified, and the main differential components were flavonoids, sesquiterpenoids, and triterpenoids. Flavonoids were the primary differential components distinguishing AMR from its processed products, representing compounds directly introduced during processing. Five compounds, including atractylenolide Ⅲ, tangeritin, nobiletin, hesperidin and narirutin, were selected as representatives of three classes based on their most prominent differential expression among different compound types for subsequent anti-inflammatory activity studies. The results showed that 100 μmol·L-1 tangerine and narirutin could significantly inhibit LPS-induced NO production(P<0.01) in a concentration-dependent manner. Tangeritin was able to significantly inhibit the levels of TNF-α and MCP-1 secreted by RAW264.7(P<0.05), while narirutin significantly inhibited the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1 and IL-6(P<0.01). IF revealed that both tangeritin and narirutin significantly blocked the translocation of NF-κB p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. ConclusionAFI-processed AMR significantly alters the chemical composition profile of AMR, and the newly introduced flavonoid components during processing may be key to its enhanced anti-inflammatory effects.
2.Exploring Intervention Effect of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma Processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus Juice on Slow-transit Constipation and Its "Microbiota-Metabolism" Synergistic Regulation Mechanism Based on Theory of "Spleen Governing Transportation and Transformation"
Dan LI ; Xiaoxia LIU ; Xiaofen WANG ; Zuxin HE ; Junnan WEI ; Yanqing LIU ; Yuxuan GAO ; Ping LUO ; Fang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):201-209
ObjectiveBased on the theory of "spleen governing transportation and transformation", this study investigates the efficacy of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus juice(AMR-AFI) in improving slow-transit constipation(STC), as well as the synergistic regulatory mechanism involving the microbiota-metabolism axis, thereby elucidating the scientific basis of its processing theory. MethodsAnimals were randomly divided into the control group, model group, positive drug(mosapride) group(3 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of AMR-AFI(3.9, 7.8, 15.6 g·kg-1). Except for the control group, the remaining five groups were induced with STC using loperamide hydrochloride. Following modeling, interventions were administered. All groups received continuous administration for 15 d, during which fecal samples, colon tissue, and serum were collected. Constipation improvement was assessed by measuring fecal moisture content and small intestinal propulsion rate, histological morphology of colonic tissue was observed via hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the levels of interleukin(IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, and IL-2 in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Furthermore, the microbial community structure in mouse feces was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, while transcriptomic sequencing was employed to screen differentially expressed genes in colonic tissue, followed by gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analyses. Finally, Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to explore the association between differential microbiota and differential genes. ResultsCompared with the control group, the intestinal propulsion rate and fecal moisture content in the model group were significantly decreased(P<0.01), while serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-2 were significantly elevated(P<0.01). HE staining showed damage and shedding of colonic mucosal epithelial cells, along with a reduction in goblet cells in the model group. In comparison with the model group, all treatment groups improved the pathological state of the colonic mucosa to varying degrees and reduced serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-2(P<0.01). Among these, the high-dose group of AMR-AFI significantly increased the intestinal propulsion rate and fecal moisture content of rats(P<0.05, P<0.01). Further transcriptomic analysis revealed that a total of 104 differentially expressed genes were identified from comparisons between the model group and the control group, as well as between the model group and the high-dose group of AMR-AFI. These genes were mainly enriched in pathways closely related to STC pathogenesis, such as arachidonic acid metabolism and aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption. 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that AMR-AFI reversed the structural imbalance of the gut microbiota in model mice, increased species richness, downregulated the relative abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria such as Parasutterella, and enriched beneficial and butyrate-producing bacteria, including Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae. Spearman correlation analysis further showed that the beneficial bacteria enriched in the AMR-AFI group were negatively correlated with genes involved in the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway and positively correlated with genes in the aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption pathway. In contrast, pro-inflammatory bacteria in the model group exhibited the opposite correlation trends. ConclusionAMR-AFI can effectively exert synergistic therapeutic effects on STC by regulating intestinal microbiota, arachidonic acid-mediated inflammatory metabolism, and aldosterone-regulated water-salt balance pathways.
3.Exploring Intervention Effect of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma Processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus Juice on Slow-transit Constipation and Its "Microbiota-Metabolism" Synergistic Regulation Mechanism Based on Theory of "Spleen Governing Transportation and Transformation"
Dan LI ; Xiaoxia LIU ; Xiaofen WANG ; Zuxin HE ; Junnan WEI ; Yanqing LIU ; Yuxuan GAO ; Ping LUO ; Fang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):201-209
ObjectiveBased on the theory of "spleen governing transportation and transformation", this study investigates the efficacy of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus juice(AMR-AFI) in improving slow-transit constipation(STC), as well as the synergistic regulatory mechanism involving the microbiota-metabolism axis, thereby elucidating the scientific basis of its processing theory. MethodsAnimals were randomly divided into the control group, model group, positive drug(mosapride) group(3 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of AMR-AFI(3.9, 7.8, 15.6 g·kg-1). Except for the control group, the remaining five groups were induced with STC using loperamide hydrochloride. Following modeling, interventions were administered. All groups received continuous administration for 15 d, during which fecal samples, colon tissue, and serum were collected. Constipation improvement was assessed by measuring fecal moisture content and small intestinal propulsion rate, histological morphology of colonic tissue was observed via hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the levels of interleukin(IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, and IL-2 in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Furthermore, the microbial community structure in mouse feces was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, while transcriptomic sequencing was employed to screen differentially expressed genes in colonic tissue, followed by gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analyses. Finally, Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to explore the association between differential microbiota and differential genes. ResultsCompared with the control group, the intestinal propulsion rate and fecal moisture content in the model group were significantly decreased(P<0.01), while serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-2 were significantly elevated(P<0.01). HE staining showed damage and shedding of colonic mucosal epithelial cells, along with a reduction in goblet cells in the model group. In comparison with the model group, all treatment groups improved the pathological state of the colonic mucosa to varying degrees and reduced serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-2(P<0.01). Among these, the high-dose group of AMR-AFI significantly increased the intestinal propulsion rate and fecal moisture content of rats(P<0.05, P<0.01). Further transcriptomic analysis revealed that a total of 104 differentially expressed genes were identified from comparisons between the model group and the control group, as well as between the model group and the high-dose group of AMR-AFI. These genes were mainly enriched in pathways closely related to STC pathogenesis, such as arachidonic acid metabolism and aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption. 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that AMR-AFI reversed the structural imbalance of the gut microbiota in model mice, increased species richness, downregulated the relative abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria such as Parasutterella, and enriched beneficial and butyrate-producing bacteria, including Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae. Spearman correlation analysis further showed that the beneficial bacteria enriched in the AMR-AFI group were negatively correlated with genes involved in the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway and positively correlated with genes in the aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption pathway. In contrast, pro-inflammatory bacteria in the model group exhibited the opposite correlation trends. ConclusionAMR-AFI can effectively exert synergistic therapeutic effects on STC by regulating intestinal microbiota, arachidonic acid-mediated inflammatory metabolism, and aldosterone-regulated water-salt balance pathways.
4.Latent profile analysis and nursing implications of social alienation in colorectal cancer patients
Xiaoxia YANG ; Zifu YU ; Fang WANG ; Yali HOU ; Lijing ZHU ; Liming LÜ
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(20):2499-2506
Objective To analyze the latent classes of social alienation in colorectal cancer patients and further explore the influencing factors and cumulative effects of risk factors across different classes,thereby providing a reference for individualized interventions.Methods Convenience sampling was used to select colorectal cancer patients hospitalized in the gastrointestinal surgery and oncology departments of 3 tertiary-level hospitals in Shandong Province from January to June 2023 as the study subjects.A questionnaire survey was conducted using the General Information Questionnaire,Social Avoidance Scale,Social Anxiety Scale,UCLA Loneliness Scale,Sense of Coherence Scale,Family Cohesion Scale,and Social Support Rating Scale.Data analysis was performed using latent profile analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 292 questionnaires were distributed,with 270 valid responses collected,yielding a response rate of 92.47%.The results of the latent profile analysis indicated that social alienation among colorectal cancer patients could be categorized into 3 latent groups:the"low alienation group"(42.59%),the"high alienation-high social avoidance group"(14.08%),and the"moderate alienation-high social anxiety group"(43.33%).Results of logistic regression analysis revealed that employment status,stoma status,metastasis,sense of coherence,family cohesion,and social support were influencing factors across different categories.Moreover,a cumulative effect of sense of coherence,family cohesion,and social support on distinct categories was observed(P<0.05).Conclusion Social alienation among colorectal cancer patients exhibits group heterogeneity.Healthcare professionals should identify the characteristic differences among patients,prioritise those with multiple risk factors,and develop targeted intervention measures to help them better integrate into society.
5.Research progress on macrophages and tumor ferroptosis
Fang LIU ; Tingting FAN ; Xiaoxia MA ; Qinglin LIU ; Che CHEN
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(9):1121-1125
Macrophages are closely related to tumor progression,and can promote tumor growth and pro-liferation by promoting inflammation,angiogenesis and immunosuppression and so on,as well as killing tumors by directly killing tumor cells and triggering specific immune responses.Iron death,as an iron-depend-ent cell death caused by lipid peroxidation,can effectively kill tumor cells when regulated from the perspective of iron homeostasis,and can also release pro-inflammatory factors,trigger inflammatory reactions,change the survival environment of tumors as well as reduce the immune susceptibility of tumor cells.In recent years,more and more studies have shown that macrophages and iron death are closely related.In this paper,the rela-tionship between macrophages and iron death in terms of their functional properties and targeting of tumors are mainly introduced,and an overview of the functional properties of the two differentiated phenotypes of macrophages for the treatment of iron death in tumors is provided.
6.Mediating effect of post-traumatic growth between medical coping styles and compliance with rehabilitation exercise in young and middle-aged stroke patients
Jie ZHANG ; Yanli LAI ; Yalin WANG ; Xiaoxia FANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(9):1184-1189
Objective:To analyze the mediating effect of post-traumatic growth between medical coping styles and compliance with rehabilitation exercise in young and middle-aged stroke patients.Methods:By convenience sampling, 217 stroke patients admitted to the Department of Neurology, Xinxiang Central Hospital from March 2023 to February 2024 were selected as the research objects. The investigation was carried out using a basic information questionnaire, Medical Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and Exercise Compliance Questionnaire. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationships among post-traumatic growth, medical coping styles, and compliance with rehabilitation exercise. The structural equation model was established using AMOS 21.0 software and the mediating effect was verified.Results:A total of 217 questionnaires were distributed, and 209 valid questionnaires were collected, with the valid questionnaire recovery rate being 96.31%. The PTGI score of the 209 patients was (45.62±10.52) ; the positive coping score in SCSQ was (14.05±3.46), and the negative coping score was (15.23±3.67) ; the compliance score with rehabilitation exercise was (31.62±4.38). Post-traumatic growth was positively correlated with the total and dimensional scores of positive coping and rehabilitation exercise compliance ( P<0.05), and negatively correlated with negative coping ( P<0.05) ; positive coping was positively correlated with the total scores and scores of each dimension of compliance with rehabilitation exercise ( P<0.05). Post-traumatic growth played a partial mediating role between medical coping styles and compliance with rehabilitation exercise, and the mediating effect accounted for 25.00% (0.037/0.148) of the total effect. Conclusions:In the early stage of the stable period, young and middle-aged stroke patients show obvious negative coping, have insufficient post-traumatic growth levels, and have good compliance with rehabilitation exercise, with room for improvement. Post-traumatic growth plays a partial mediating role between medical coping styles and compliance with rehabilitation exercise in young and middle-aged stroke patients.
7.Effectiveness of a shared decision-making intervention with nurses as "decision coaches" in the perioperative period for bladder cancer patients
Jing GUO ; Xinli WANG ; Xiaoxia FANG ; Zhong JING ; Shengjie REN
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(10):1346-1351
Objective:To explore the effectiveness of shared decision-making intervention with nurses as "decision coaches" in perioperative decision management of bladder cancer patients.Methods:From March 2023 to February 2024, 152 bladder cancer patients in the Department of Urology Surgery of Xinxiang Central Hospital for surgical treatment were selected by convenience sampling. The patients were divided into control group and observation group of 76 cases each using the randomized numerical table method. Control group implemented conventional bladder cancer surgical decision management, and observation group implemented a shared decision-making intervention with nurses as "decision coaches" on this basis, and the intervention period was one week before surgery. Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS), Preparation Decision Making (PrepDM), Patients Satisfaction with Participation in Medical Decision-making Scale, and Decision Regret Scale (DRS) scores were compared between the two groups of patients before and after intervention.Results:Finally 74 patients in control group and 75 patients in observation group completed the study. After the intervention, the DCS scores of observation group were lower than those of control group and before the intervention, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). After the intervention, the PrepDM scores of observation group were higher than those of control group and before the intervention, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). One week after surgery, observation group had higher decision-making participation satisfaction scores and lower DRS scores than control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05) . Conclusions:Preoperative shared decision-making interventions with nurses as "decision coaches" in bladder cancer patients can effectively reduce preoperative decision conflicts, increase preoperative decision readiness and participation satisfaction with decision-making, and decrease patients' postoperative decision regret.
8.Latent profile analysis and nursing implications of social alienation in colorectal cancer patients
Xiaoxia YANG ; Zifu YU ; Fang WANG ; Yali HOU ; Lijing ZHU ; Liming LÜ
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(20):2499-2506
Objective To analyze the latent classes of social alienation in colorectal cancer patients and further explore the influencing factors and cumulative effects of risk factors across different classes,thereby providing a reference for individualized interventions.Methods Convenience sampling was used to select colorectal cancer patients hospitalized in the gastrointestinal surgery and oncology departments of 3 tertiary-level hospitals in Shandong Province from January to June 2023 as the study subjects.A questionnaire survey was conducted using the General Information Questionnaire,Social Avoidance Scale,Social Anxiety Scale,UCLA Loneliness Scale,Sense of Coherence Scale,Family Cohesion Scale,and Social Support Rating Scale.Data analysis was performed using latent profile analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 292 questionnaires were distributed,with 270 valid responses collected,yielding a response rate of 92.47%.The results of the latent profile analysis indicated that social alienation among colorectal cancer patients could be categorized into 3 latent groups:the"low alienation group"(42.59%),the"high alienation-high social avoidance group"(14.08%),and the"moderate alienation-high social anxiety group"(43.33%).Results of logistic regression analysis revealed that employment status,stoma status,metastasis,sense of coherence,family cohesion,and social support were influencing factors across different categories.Moreover,a cumulative effect of sense of coherence,family cohesion,and social support on distinct categories was observed(P<0.05).Conclusion Social alienation among colorectal cancer patients exhibits group heterogeneity.Healthcare professionals should identify the characteristic differences among patients,prioritise those with multiple risk factors,and develop targeted intervention measures to help them better integrate into society.
9.Trajectory of changes in electronic health literacy and its relationship with unplanned readmission in young and middle-aged patients with coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus after PCI
Yan ZHAO ; Xiaoxia FANG ; Ling MA ; Mingming QIAO ; Ke XU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(30):4158-4163
Objective:To explore the trajectory of changes in electronic health literacy in young and middle-aged patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) combined with diabetes mellitus (DM) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and to analyze its relationship with unplanned readmission within 30 days.Methods:A convenience sample of 210 young and middle-aged CHD patients with DM who underwent PCI in the Department of Cardiology, Xinxiang Central Hospital, from February 2023 to June 2024 was selected. The e-Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS) was used to assess electronic health literacy at the 3rd day (T 1), 15th day (T 2), and 30th day (T 3) after PCI. Unplanned readmission within 30 days after discharge was recorded. Latent class growth model (LCGM) was used to identify categories and characteristics of electronic health literacy trajectories. Kaplan-Meier method was applied to plot the cumulative incidence of 30-day unplanned readmission, and the Log-Rank test was used to compare differences among different trajectory types. Results:A total of 207 patients completed the entire survey and follow-up, with a valid response rate of 98.57% (207/210). eHEALS scores gradually increased after PCI, with scores of (6.75±1.31), (11.55±3.31), and (15.56±5.75) at T 1, T 2, and T 3, respectively. Two potential categories were identified: persistent low-level type (85 cases, 41.06%) and gradually improving type (122 cases, 58.94%). Twenty-six patients experienced unplanned readmission within 30 days, with an incidence of 12.56%. The proportions of unplanned readmission within 30 days were 20.00% (17/85) in the persistent low-level group and 7.38% (9/122) in the gradually improving group, with a statistically significant difference (χ 2=7.268, P=0.007). Kaplan-Meier cumulative risk function analysis showed that the cumulative incidence of 30-day unplanned readmission in the gradually improving group was lower than that in the persistent low-level group, with a statistically significant difference (Log-Rank=7.683, P=0.006) . Conclusions:Young and middle-aged CHD patients with DM after PCI show trajectory characteristics in electronic health literacy. Although the electronic health literacy of some patients gradually improved after PCI, persistent low-level literacy was still common, and patients in the persistent low-level group had a higher risk of 30-day unplanned readmission, which deserves clinical attention.
10.Mediating effect of illness acceptance between self-compassion and rehabilitation motivation in stroke patients with partial disability
Yanli LAI ; Xiaoxia FANG ; Hongyan LI ; Liping WANG ; Fei ZHOU ; Zhaolin LU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(35):4845-4850
Objective:To explore the mediating effect of illness acceptance between self-compassion and rehabilitation motivation in stroke patients with partial disability.Methods:By convenience sampling method, stroke patients who attended the neurology outpatient clinic of Xinxiang Central Hospital from February to December 2024 were selected as the research subjects. The General Information Questionnaire, Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), Chinese version of Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS-CHI), and Stroke Rehabilitation Motivation Scale (SRMS) were used for the survey. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to analyze the relationships among self-compassion, illness acceptance, and rehabilitation motivation. AMOS 21.0 software was used to establish a structural equation model and verify the mediating effect.Results:A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed, and 289 valid ones were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 96.33%. Among the 289 stroke patients with partial disability, the total score of SCS was (65.73±5.50), the total score of AIS-CHI was (17.46±5.62), and the total score of SRMS was (77.18±10.97). Pairwise positive correlations were found between self-compassion, illness acceptance, and rehabilitation motivation (all P<0.05). Self-compassion had a direct positive effect on rehabilitation motivation ( β=0.328, P<0.01) and a direct positive effect on illness acceptance ( β=0.439, P<0.01). Illness acceptance played a partial mediating role between self-compassion and rehabilitation motivation, and the mediating effect accounted for 31.38% of the total effect (0.150/0.478) . Conclusions:The levels of self-compassion, illness acceptance, and rehabilitation motivation in stroke patients with partial disability need to be further improved. Illness acceptance exerts a partial mediating effect between self-compassion and rehabilitation motivation. Clinically, the rehabilitation motivation of patients can be enhanced by improving their levels of self-compassion and illness acceptance.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail