1.Clinical Advantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Childhood Simple Obesity: Insights from Expert Consensus
Qi ZHANG ; Yingke LIU ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Guichen NI ; Heyin XIAO ; Junhong WANG ; Liqun WU ; Zhanfeng YAN ; Kundi WANG ; Jiajia CHEN ; Hong ZHENG ; Xinying GAO ; Liya WEI ; Qiang HE ; Qian ZHAO ; Huimin SU ; Zhaolan LIU ; Dafeng LONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):238-245
Childhood simple obesity has become a significant public health issue in China. Modern medicine primarily relies on lifestyle interventions and often suffers from poor long-term compliance, while pharmacological options are limited and associated with potential adverse effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history in the prevention and management of this condition, demonstrating eight distinct advantages, including systematic theoretical foundation, diversified therapeutic approaches, definite therapeutic efficacy, high safety profile, good patient compliance, comprehensive intervention strategies, emphasis on prevention, and stepwise treatment protocols. Additionally, TCM is characterized by six distinctive features: the use of natural medicinal substances, non-invasive external therapies, integration of medicinal dietetics, simple exercise regimens, precise syndrome differentiation, and diverse dosage forms. By combining internal and external treatments, TCM facilitates individualized regimen adjustment and holistic regulation, demonstrating remarkable effects in improving obesity-related metabolic indicators, regulating constitutional imbalance, and promoting healthy behaviors. However, challenges remain, such as inconsistent operational standards, insufficient high-quality clinical evidence, and a gap between basic research and clinical application. Future efforts should focus on accelerating the standardization of TCM diagnosis and treatment, conducting multicenter randomized controlled trials, and fostering interdisciplinary integration, so as to enhance the scientific validity and international recognition of TCM in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.
2.Shenqi Dihuang Decoction Improves Renal Function in Mouse Model of Diabetic Kidney Disease by Inhibiting Arachidonic Acid-related Ferroptosis Via ACSL4/LPCAT3/ALOX15 Axis
Yuantao WU ; Zhibin WANG ; Xinying FU ; Xiaoling ZOU ; Wenxiao HU ; Yixian ZOU ; Jun FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):140-149
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanism of Shenqi Dihuang decoction (SQDHD) on diabetic kidney disease (DKD), with a focus on its impact on arachidonic acid-related ferroptosis. MethodsSixty C57BL/6 mice were allocated into a normal group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=50), with 43 mice successfully modeled. The successfully modeled mice were further allocated into model, low-, medium-, and high-dose (4.68, 9.36, and 18.72 g·kg-1, respectively) SQDHD, and dapagliflozin (0.13 mg·kg-1) groups. The drug treatment groups were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage, and the normal and model groups were administrated with equal volumes of normal saline by gavage. An electronic balance and a glucometer were used to monitor the body weight and fasting blood glucose level from the tail tip, respectively. Serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Histopathological changes in the renal tissue were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. The fluorescence intensity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in frozen sections was observed by an inverted fluorescence microscope to evaluate the levels of ferrous ions (Fe2+) and lipid peroxidation in the renal tissue. Immunofluorescence staining of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) in the renal tissue was performed to detect their localization and expression. Western blot was employed to assess the expression levels of key ferroptosis proteins such as GPX4 and cystine/glutamate antiporter (xCT), as well as the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway-related proteins, including ACSL4, lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3 (LPCAT3), and arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15). Real-time PCR was employed to measure the mRNA levels of key ferroptosis proteins, including solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and GPX4, as well as arachidonic acid metabolism-related factors (ACSL4, LPCAT3, and ALOX15) in the renal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, DKD model mice exhibited a decrease in body weight (P<0.01), increases in levels of blood glucose (P<0.01), 24-hour urinary protein, Scr, and BUN (P<0.01), along with severe pathological changes, such as mesangial cell proliferation, basement membrane thickening, tubular atrophy, and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. In addition, the modeling elevated the levels of Fe2+, MDA, LPO, and ROS (P<0.01), lowered the GPX4 and xCT levels (P<0.01), raised the ACSL4, LPCAT3, and ALOX15 levels (P<0.01), down-regulated the mRNA levels of GPX4 and SLC7A11 (P<0.01), and up-regulated the mRNA levels of ACSL4, LPCAT3, and ALOX15 (P<0.01) in the renal tissue. Compared with the model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose SQDHD groups and the dapagliflozin group showed an increase in body weight (P<0.01), decreases in levels of blood glucose (P<0.01), 24-hour urinary protein, and Scr (P<0.01), alleviated pathological changes in glomeruli and tubules, and reduced degree of glomerular and tubular fibrosis. The high-dose SQDHD group and the dapagliflozin group showed reductions in Fe2+, MDA, LPO, and ROS levels (P<0.01). The medium- and high-dose SQDHD groups and the dapagliflozin group exhibited increased levels of GPX4 and xCT (P<0.01), decreased levels of ACSL4, LPCAT3, and ALOX15 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated mRNA levels of ACSL4, LPCAT3, and ALOX15 (P<0.01). ConclusionSQDHD ameliorates DKD by inhibiting ferroptosis potentially by reducing iron ion levels, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, up-regulating GPX4 expression, and down-regulating ACSL4 expression. This study provides new insights and a theoretical basis for the treatment of DKD with traditional Chinese medicine and identifies potential targets for developing novel therapeutics for DKD.
3.Shenqi Dihuang Decoction Improves Renal Function in Mouse Model of Diabetic Kidney Disease by Inhibiting Arachidonic Acid-related Ferroptosis Via ACSL4/LPCAT3/ALOX15 Axis
Yuantao WU ; Zhibin WANG ; Xinying FU ; Xiaoling ZOU ; Wenxiao HU ; Yixian ZOU ; Jun FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):140-149
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanism of Shenqi Dihuang decoction (SQDHD) on diabetic kidney disease (DKD), with a focus on its impact on arachidonic acid-related ferroptosis. MethodsSixty C57BL/6 mice were allocated into a normal group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=50), with 43 mice successfully modeled. The successfully modeled mice were further allocated into model, low-, medium-, and high-dose (4.68, 9.36, and 18.72 g·kg-1, respectively) SQDHD, and dapagliflozin (0.13 mg·kg-1) groups. The drug treatment groups were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage, and the normal and model groups were administrated with equal volumes of normal saline by gavage. An electronic balance and a glucometer were used to monitor the body weight and fasting blood glucose level from the tail tip, respectively. Serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Histopathological changes in the renal tissue were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. The fluorescence intensity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in frozen sections was observed by an inverted fluorescence microscope to evaluate the levels of ferrous ions (Fe2+) and lipid peroxidation in the renal tissue. Immunofluorescence staining of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) in the renal tissue was performed to detect their localization and expression. Western blot was employed to assess the expression levels of key ferroptosis proteins such as GPX4 and cystine/glutamate antiporter (xCT), as well as the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway-related proteins, including ACSL4, lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3 (LPCAT3), and arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15). Real-time PCR was employed to measure the mRNA levels of key ferroptosis proteins, including solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and GPX4, as well as arachidonic acid metabolism-related factors (ACSL4, LPCAT3, and ALOX15) in the renal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, DKD model mice exhibited a decrease in body weight (P<0.01), increases in levels of blood glucose (P<0.01), 24-hour urinary protein, Scr, and BUN (P<0.01), along with severe pathological changes, such as mesangial cell proliferation, basement membrane thickening, tubular atrophy, and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. In addition, the modeling elevated the levels of Fe2+, MDA, LPO, and ROS (P<0.01), lowered the GPX4 and xCT levels (P<0.01), raised the ACSL4, LPCAT3, and ALOX15 levels (P<0.01), down-regulated the mRNA levels of GPX4 and SLC7A11 (P<0.01), and up-regulated the mRNA levels of ACSL4, LPCAT3, and ALOX15 (P<0.01) in the renal tissue. Compared with the model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose SQDHD groups and the dapagliflozin group showed an increase in body weight (P<0.01), decreases in levels of blood glucose (P<0.01), 24-hour urinary protein, and Scr (P<0.01), alleviated pathological changes in glomeruli and tubules, and reduced degree of glomerular and tubular fibrosis. The high-dose SQDHD group and the dapagliflozin group showed reductions in Fe2+, MDA, LPO, and ROS levels (P<0.01). The medium- and high-dose SQDHD groups and the dapagliflozin group exhibited increased levels of GPX4 and xCT (P<0.01), decreased levels of ACSL4, LPCAT3, and ALOX15 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated mRNA levels of ACSL4, LPCAT3, and ALOX15 (P<0.01). ConclusionSQDHD ameliorates DKD by inhibiting ferroptosis potentially by reducing iron ion levels, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, up-regulating GPX4 expression, and down-regulating ACSL4 expression. This study provides new insights and a theoretical basis for the treatment of DKD with traditional Chinese medicine and identifies potential targets for developing novel therapeutics for DKD.
4.Exosome-derived miR-1275 mediates IL-38 upregulation in lymphocytes to suppress lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis of myocardial cells in vitro.
Haimei BO ; Xinying CAO ; Pingchuan XING ; Zhijun WANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(8):1608-1615
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effect of cardiomyocytes-derived exosomes on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiomyocyte injury and its mechanism.
METHODS:
Exosomes isolated from rat cardiomyocytes with or without LPS treatment were co-cultured with rat lymphocytes. The lymphocytes with or without exosome treatment were co-cultured with LPS-induced rat cardiomyocytes for 48 h. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry, and the expressions of apoptosis marker proteins and the PI3K/AKT pathway proteins were detected using Western blotting. The effects of human recombinant IL-38 protein on apoptosis and protein expressions in LPS-induced cardiomyocytes were examined.
RESULTS:
Compared with normal cardiomyocyte-derived exosomes, the exosomes from LPS-induced cardiomyocytes significantly enhanced proliferation and increased mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-38 in rat lymphocytes. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that miR-1275 in the exosome played a key role in LPS-induced cardiomyocyte injury, and in dual luciferase reporter gene assay, miR-1275 mimics significantly increased luciferase activity of WT-IL-38. Co-culture with lymphocytes treated with exosomes from LPS-induced cardiomyocytes significantly inhibited apoptosis of LPS-induced cardiomyocytes. Treatment with recombinant IL-38 also effectively lowered apoptosis rate of LPS-induced cardiomyocytes, reduced cellular expression of Bax protein, and increased the protein expression levels of Bcl-2, p-PI3K and p-AKT.
CONCLUSIONS
miR-1275 in exosomes derived from LPS-induced cardiomyocytes mediates IL-38 up-regulation expression in lymphocytes to activate the PI3K/AKT pathway and inhibit LPS-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
MicroRNAs/metabolism*
;
Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Lipopolysaccharides
;
Rats
;
Exosomes/metabolism*
;
Up-Regulation
;
Interleukins/metabolism*
;
Lymphocytes/cytology*
;
Cells, Cultured
;
Signal Transduction
;
Coculture Techniques
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Humans
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
5.Clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factor analysis of mucinous com-ponents heterogeneity in lung adenocarcinoma
Kaiwen CHI ; Wei SUN ; Xin YANG ; Haiyue WANG ; Xinying LIU ; Yumeng JIANG ; Xiaozheng HUANG ; Dongmei LIN
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(6):719-725
Purpose This study aimed to explore the mucinous phenotype characteristics,key points of differenti-al diagnosis and prognosis of invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinoma(INMA)and invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma(IMA)under the WHO(2021)lung adenocarcinoma classification.Methods We retrospectively collected clinico-pathological data from 522 cases of lung adenocarcinoma,including 425 INMA(66 with mucin secretion,259 without mucin secretion)and 97 IMA.Immunohistochemical(IHC)staining using the EnVision method was performed on the mucin-secreting adenocarcinoma to assess expression of TTF-1,HNF4α,MUC1,MUC4,MUC5AC,MUC5B,and MUC6.Unsupervised clustering analysis was conducted to explore phenotypic subgroups.Results 522 patients with lung adenocarcinoma ranged from 32 to 83 years old(median:61).251 cases(48.1%)were male and 271 cases(51.9%)were female.Clustering analysis divided lung adenocarcinomas into two major groups:one characterized by TTF-1-/HNF4α+and gastric-type mucins MUC5AC+/MUC6+,predominantly IMA;the other,TTF-1+/HNF4α-/MUC4+,largely INMA.A three-marker IHC panel(TTF-1,HNF4α,MUC6)distinguished IMA from mucinous IN-MA with an area under the ROC curve(AUC)of 0.957(95%CI:0.928-0.986)and a Youden's index of 0.860.Further cluster analysis of INMA cases identified four phenotypic subgroups.Prognostic analysis demonstrated that pa-tients with advanced-stage mucin-secreting INMA had significantly shorter overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)than those without mucin secretion(5-year OS:57.1% vs 81.8%,P=0.004;3-year PFS:40.9% vs 62.4%,P=0.004).No significant survival differences were noted among INMA subgroups stratified by varying mucin proportions.Multivariate analysis identified pathological stage,tumor necrosis,KRAS mutation,and TTF-1 negativity as independent adverse prognostic factors for both OS and PFS in mucinous INMA.Conclusion A three-marker im-munohistochemical panel of TTF-1,HNF4α,and MUC6 is recommended to distinguish IMA from mucinous INMA.Mucus component portends a worse prognosis in advanced INMA,with necrosis,KRAS mutations,and TTF-1 negativi-ty serving as independent adverse prognostic factors in mucinous INMA.
6.Construction and Validation of A Combination of Disease and Syndrome Prediction Model for Radiation Pneumonitis in Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy
Xinying ZHENG ; Huiyong ZHANG ; Lei WANG ; Xing HUANG ; Lei QIU ; Shunxian ZHANG ; Qingliang FANG ; Zhenhui LU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(4):1064-1071
Objective To establish,evaluate and validate the Nomogram prediction model of radiation pneumonitis(RP)in intensity modulated radiotherapy(IMRT)with TCM syndrome elements.Methods 257 patients with locally advanved non-small cell lung cancer receiving IMRT were analyzed retrospectively.The total population was randomly divided into a training set and a validation set by 7:3.A prediction model was established by Lasso-Logistic regression analysis,and then visualized by Nomogram to evaluate and validate the model.Results Independent risk factors included in the prediction model included tumor stage(OR=6.576;P=0.003),position(OR=2.935;P=0.016),MLD of the affected lung(OR=1.001;P<0.001)and Yin deficiency(OR=3.861;P=0.003).Based on the above factors,the prediction model was constructed and visualized.The C-index of the training set and the validation set were 0.865 and 0.867,respectively.The calibration curves of the two sets had a good fit and had certain clinical usefulness.Conclusion Based on the clinical elements of Chinese and Western medicine,tumor stage,position,lung MLD and Yin deficiency,the model can accurately predict the occurrence of≥grade 2 RP,and provide a reference for clinical screening of high-risk patients and further improvement of treatment plan.
7.Super-enhancers in immune diseases: roles and research progress
Xinying WANG ; Jingyi XU ; Fei WANG ; Hua LIU
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2025;45(9):802-808
Super-enhancers are highly transcriptionally active epigenetic regulatory regions enriched with multiple enhancers, playing a crucial role in regulating gene activity and cell specialization. These regions are closely associated with tissue characteristics and disease development. While current research on super enhancers predominantly focuses on cancer and development, studies related to immune diseases are still in their infancy. This paper systematically reviews the potential applications of super enhancers in immune diseases, the related research techniques and methods, and the progress in understanding their roles in disease development. The aim is to provide a reference for developing super enhancer-based therapeutic strategies and to offer more effective treatment options for immune diseases.
8.Mediating effect of psychosocial adaptation on relationship between loneliness and fatigue in young patients with cerebral infarction
Xinying WANG ; Xiaoli WANG ; Shuangzhen BAO ; Yuelin ZHENG ; Yongzhao WANG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(5):601-606
Objective To analyze the mediating effect of psychosocial adaptation on the relationship between loneliness and fatigue in young patients with cerebral infarction.Methods A total of 186 patients(aged 18 to 45 years)with cerebral infarction in Hengshui People's Hospital from Febru-ary,2023 to May,2024 were selected.They were investigated with Fatigue Severity Scale(FSS),Univesity of California at Los Angels Loneliness Scale(UCLA)and Psychosocial Adaptation to Illness Scale-self-report ver-sion(PAIS-SR)three months after discharging.The FSS scores were compared among patients with different characteristics.The correlation between the scores of FSS,UCLA and PAIS-SR was analyzed with Pearson's co-efficient.Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the mediating effect of PAIS-SR score on the relation-ship between scores of FSS and UCLA.Results A total of 183 valid questionnaires were returned.The FSS score was(36.78±7.23),the UCLA score was(42.26±9.18),and the PAIS-SR score was(56.62±13.89).There were significant differences in FSS scores among pa-tients with different National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores,modified Rankin Scale scores and depres-sion status(F>3.557,P<0.001).The FSS score was positively correlated with the UCLA score(r=0.740,P<0.001)and the PAIS-SR score(r=0.731,P<0.001),while the UCLA score was positively correlated with the PAIS-SR score(r=0.761,P<0.001).The main effect of UCLA score was significant on FSS score(effect size of 0.348),and the mediating effect of PAIS-SR score between UCLA score and FSS score was significant(effect size of 0.154).Conclusion Psychosocial adaptation plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between loneliness and fatigue for young patients with cerebral infarction.Improving psychosocial adaptation may relieve the influence of loneli-ness on fatigue.
9.Promoting myogenesis based on the SphK1/S1P/S1PR2 signaling pathway:a new perspective on improving skeletal muscle health through exercise
Wenhua ZHANG ; Xun LI ; Weichao ZHANG ; Xinying LI ; Guoao MA ; Xiaoqiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1265-1275
BACKGROUND:In recent years,improving the health of skeletal muscles through exercise has become an important research concern for scholars.Appropriate exercise has a positive effect on skeletal muscles.Among them,how to activate the sphingosine kinase1(SphK1)/sphingosine-1-phase(S1P)/sphingosine-1-phase receptor2(S1PR2)signaling pathway during exercise so as to improve the health of skeletal muscles is receiving attention from researchers. OBJECTIVE:To investigate how exercise improves the health of skeletal muscles through the SphK1/S1P/S1PR2 signaling pathway,and to explore new methods for treating related muscle diseases in order to improve human skeletal muscle health. METHODS:The first author searched for relevant literature from the establishment of the database to the present in the Web of Science,PubMed,CNKI,WanFang,and VIP databases.The search terms were"signaling pathway,SphK1,S1P,S1PR2,skeletal muscle,satellite cell,myogenesis,exercise"in Chinese and English.Finally,69 articles were included for review and analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The SphK1/S1P/S1PR2 signaling pathway is a complex regulatory network that triggers downstream signal transduction processes by SphK1 to catalyze the interaction between S1P and receptors such as S1PR2,thereby regulating multiple biological functions of cells,tissues,organs,and systems.The SphK1/S1P/S1PR2 signaling pathway can regulate satellite cell proliferation and myoblast differentiation,improving myogenesis.The physiological basis of the SphK1/S1P/S1PR2 signaling pathway and the potential impact of exercise on it were analyzed through literature research.Acute aerobic exercise can increase the expression of SphK1 in skeletal muscle.Both human and animal studies have confirmed that acute and long-term exercise can increase the expression of S1P in skeletal muscle.In addition,studies have shown that long-term resistance exercise can increase the expression of S1PR2 in skeletal muscle.Some experimental results indicate that acute and long-term exercise have no significant effect on muscle or blood S1P levels,and the reason for different results may be due to different research subjects,methods,intensities,and frequencies selected,while the specific mechanism is not yet clear.Research suggests that exercise can promote the expression of the SphK1/S1P/S1PR2 signaling pathway in skeletal muscle and regulate downstream related signaling pathways.Research on this signaling pathway may provide new strategies and methods for the treatment of skeletal muscle diseases,thereby improving skeletal muscle health.In the future,we should deepen the research on the association between SphK1/S1P/S1PR2 signaling pathway and skeletal muscle health,further reveal its regulatory relationship with satellite cells and myoblasts as well as its interactions with the upstream and downstream pathways,explore its clinical application value,take into account the changes of this pathway when formulating the rehabilitation program,explore the specific mechanisms by which different types of exercise affect the SphK1/S1P/S1PR2 signaling pathway in skeletal muscles,and use the SphK1/S1P/S1PR2 signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target for diseases.Further development and application of human muscle models should be developed to improve research depth and accuracy.
10.Therapeutic Effect of Cranial Painkiller Pills' Extract Powder in Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia Induced by Injection of Talci Pulvis into Infraorbital Foramen of Model Rats Based on OTULIN-regulated Neuroinflammation
Shuran LI ; Xinwei WANG ; Jing SUN ; Dan XIE ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Lei BAO ; Zihan GENG ; Qiyue SUN ; Jingsheng ZHANG ; Yaxin WANG ; Xihe CUI ; Xinying LI ; Bing HAN ; Tianjiao LU ; Xiaolan CUI ; Liying LIU ; Shanshan GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):21-28
ObjectiveThis paper aims to verify the therapeutic effect of Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder prepared by the new process on the rat's trigeminal neuralgia model caused by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis, evaluate its potential clinical application value, and compare the therapeutic effect with that of Cranial Painkiller granules, so as to provide data support for the application of the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and precise treatment. MethodsThe rat's trigeminal neuralgia model was constructed by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis, and the rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, carbamazepine group (60 mg·kg-1), Cranial Painkiller granules group (2.70 g·kg-1), and low, medium, and high dosage groups of Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder (1.35, 2.70, 5.40 g·kg-1) according to the basal mechanical pain thresholds, and there were 10 rats in each group. The drug was administered by gavage to each group 2 h after modeling, and distilled water was given by gavage to the normal and model groups under the same conditions once a day for 10 d. Von Frey brushes were used to measure mechanical pain thresholds in rats. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to detect pathological changes in the trigeminal ganglion, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the inflammatory factors interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in rat serum, as well as neuropeptide substance P (SP) and β-endorphin (β-EP) levels in rat brain tissue. Western blot technique was used to detect the levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and OTULIN proteins in rat brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the pain threshold of rats in the model group showed a continuous significant decrease (P<0.01). The pathological damage of brain tissue was significant (P<0.01), and the inflammatory levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in serum were significantly elevated (P<0.01). The level of the SP in the brain tissue was significantly elevated (P<0.01), and the level of β-EP was significantly reduced (P<0.01), while the level of OTULIN was significantly reduced, and NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1 protein levels were significantly elevated (P<0.01). After administration of the drug, compared with the model group, the pain threshold of each dose group of the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and the Cranial Painkiller granules group significantly increased (P<0.01). The inflammatory levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α and SP levels significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the β-EP levels were significantly elevated (P<0.01), while the levels of OTULIN protein were significantly elevated (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the levels of NLRP3, ASC proteins were decreased (P<0.01)in high dose Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder. Meanwhile, compared with those in the model group, the trigeminal ganglion lesions of rats in the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and Cranial Painkiller granules groups showed different degrees of improvement (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder has significant therapeutic effects on the rat model of trigeminal neuralgia induced by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis, and its mechanism is related to the improvement of OTULIN-regulated neuroinflammation.

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