Objective: To investigate the objective characteristics of tongue manifestation in different stages of damp-heat syndrome in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 134 patients with DKD G3-5 stages who met the diagnostic criteria for damp-heat syndrome in DKD. The patients were treated at Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, from May 2023 to January 2024. The patients were divided into three groups: DKD G3, DKD G4, and DKD G5 stage, with 53, 33, and 48 patients in each group, respectively. Clinical general data (gender, age, and body mass index) and damp-heat syndrome scores were collected from the patients. The YZAI-02 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) AI Tongue Image Acquisition Device was used to capture tongue images from these patients. The accompanying AI Open Platform for TCM Tongue Diagnosis of the device was used to analyze and extract tongue manifestation features, including objective data on tongue color, tongue quality, coating color, and coating texture. Clinical data and objective tongue manifestation characteristics were compared among patients with DKD G3-5 based on their DKD damp-heat syndrome status. Results: No statistically significant difference in gender or body mass index was observed among the three patient groups. The DKD G3 stage group had the highest age (P<0.05). The DKD G3 stage group had a lower score for symptoms of poor appetite and anorexia(P<0.05) than the DKD G5 group. No statistically significant difference was observed in damp-heat syndrome scores among the three groups. Compared with the DKD G5 stage group, the DKD G3 stage group showed a decreased proportion of pale color at the tip and edges of the tongue (P<0.05). The DKD G4 stage group exhibited an increased proportion of crimson at the root of the tongue, a decreased proportion of thick white tongue coating at the root, a decreased proportion of pale color at the tip and edges of the tongue, an increased hue value (indicating color tone) of the tongue color in the middle, an increased brightness value (indicating color lightness) of the tongue coating color in the middle, and an increased thickness of the tongue coating (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in other tongue color proportions, color chroma values, body characteristics, coating color proportions, coating color chroma values, and coating texture characteristics among the three groups. Conclusion Tongue features differ in different stages of DKD damp-heat syndrome in multiple dimensions, enabling the inference that during the DKD G5 stage, the degree of qi and blood deficiency in the kidneys, heart, lungs, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and stomach is prominent. Dampness is more likely to accumulate in the lower jiao, particularly in the kidneys, whereas heat evil in the spleen and stomach is the most severe. These insights provide novel ideas for the clinical treatment of DKD.

Energy metabolism reconstruction is the new target of the treatment of heart failure. By combing the researches of Chinese medicinals for energy metabolism reconstruction of heart failure， it was found that Chinese medicinal compound formula and single Chinese medicinal have a certain role in regulating energy metabolism， mainly through three aspects， including the optimization of substrate utilization， improvement of mitochondrial structure， function， and homeostasis， and improvement of mitochondrial energy transport， so as to make the energy metabolism of the cardiomyocyte adjusted in the direction of beneficial to the organism， increasing the supply of energy， and improving the cardiac function.

Astragali Radix (AR), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy against various diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, over centuries of use. While doxorubicin serves as an effective chemotherapeutic agent against multiple cancers, its clinical application remains constrained by significant cardiotoxicity. Research has indicated that AR exhibits protective properties against doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC); however, the specific bioactive components and underlying mechanisms responsible for this therapeutic effect remain incompletely understood. This investigation seeks to identify the protective bioactive components in AR against DIC and elucidate their mechanisms of action. Through network medicine analysis, astragaloside IV (AsIV) and formononetin (FMT) were identified as potential cardioprotective agents from 129 AR components. In vitro experiments using H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes revealed that the AsIV-FMT combination (AFC) effectively reduced doxorubicin-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner, with optimal efficacy at a 1∶2 ratio. In vivo, AFC enhanced survival rates and improved cardiac function in both acute and chronic DIC mouse models. Additionally, AFC demonstrated cardiac protection while maintaining doxorubicin's anti-cancer efficacy in a breast cancer mouse model. Lipidomic and metabolomics analyses revealed that AFC normalized doxorubicin-induced lipid profile alterations, particularly by reducing fatty acid accumulation. Gene knockdown studies and inhibitor experiments in H9c2 cells demonstrated that AsIV and FMT upregulated peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and PPARα, respectively, two key proteins involved in fatty acid metabolism. This research establishes AFC as a promising therapeutic approach for DIC, highlighting the significance of multi-target therapies derived from natural herbals in contemporary medicine.
Animals ; Doxorubicin/adverse effects* ; Saponins/administration & dosage* ; Isoflavones/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Cardiomyopathies/prevention & control* ; Mice ; Fatty Acids/metabolism* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Triterpenes/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Cardiotonic Agents/administration & dosage* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cell Line ; Astragalus Plant/chemistry* ; Astragalus propinquus

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the potential target and molecular mechanism of Eclipta prostrata L-Ligustrum Lucidum Ait (EPL-LLA) in the treatment of periodontitis by using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, and to explore its biocompatibility, regulatory effects on inflammatory factors, and antioxidant acti-vity through in vitro experiments. METHODS: The active components and potential targets of EPL-LLA were screened and predicted through a variety of databases, and the intersection of EPL-LLA and periodontitis targets was selected. The protein interaction network (PPI) was analyzed by the string platform. The Metascape database was used for gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. The active ingredients from the top 6 degrees were docked with the core targets, and the results of binding energy were visualized. An in vitro cell model was established to evaluate the biocompatibility, modulation of inflammatory factors, and antioxidative effects of EPL-LLA through cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and 2',7'-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescent probe assays. RESULTS: Screening revealed 13 active components in EPL corresponding to 220 potential targets, 10 active components in LLA corresponding to 283 potential targets, and 1 643 periodontitis-related targets, with 91 shared targets among the three. GO analysis of the shared targets yielded 5 271 entries, while KEGG enrichment analysis indicated involvement in 253 signaling pathways. Molecular docking confirmed stable binding between the top 6 active components and core targets. CCK-8 assays demonstrated good biocompatibility of EPL-LLA at concentrations 0.02 mg/mL (P<0.05). qRT-PCR showed that EPL-LLA reduced the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory factors in macrophages stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide while upregulating anti-inflammatory factor mRNA expression (P<0.05). DCFH-DA fluorescence probe assays confirmed the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging capacity of EPL-LLA (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS EPL-LLA may treat periodontitis through multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway mechanisms, providing a theoretical basis for further research on its therapeutic potential.
Periodontitis/drug therapy* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Eclipta/chemistry* ; Humans ; Protein Interaction Maps ; Ligustrum/chemistry* ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Network Pharmacology

To summarize Professor WANG Xixing's clinical experience in treating advanced breast cancer with anxiety and depression from the perspective of shaoyang pivot. It is believed that the core pathogenesis of advanced breast cancer with anxiety and depression lies in the dysfunction of shaoyang pivot （referring to the imbalanced regulatory function of the shaoyang meridian system that governs the transportation and transformation of qi， blood， and body fluids）. This dysfunction can lead to abnormal circulation of qi， blood， and body fluids， as well as the intermingling of phlegm and blood stasis， which further promotes the spread and diffusion of cancer toxin. Meanwhile， it disturbs mental activity， resulting in a condition characterized by stagnation of cancer toxin and concurrent disorders of both the physical body and the spirit. Based on this pathogenesis， the basic therapeutic principles of harmonizing shaoyang， regulating the pivot to calm the spirit， and dissipating masses and resolving toxins are proposed. Clinically， the disease is classified into three syndromes for differentiation and treatment. For shaoyang pivot dysfunction syndrome， treatment should use self-prescribed Chaiqin Hengshu Ningxin Decoction （柴芩衡枢宁神汤）； for sanjiao pivot dysfunction syndrome， treatment should prescribe Chaigui Tongshu Dashen Decoction （柴归通枢达神饮）； for gallbladder function disorder syndrome， treatment should apply Wendan Qishu Shoushen Decoction （温胆启枢守神汤）. Throughout the treatment process， the concept of "simultaneous treatment of cancer and depression" is implemented to smooth the shaoyang pivot， block the vicious cycle where cancer toxin and emotional abnormalities mutually reinforce each other.

As the main product of anaerobic or aerobic glycolysis,lactic acid has long been considered to be only the metabolic waste of this process,but now researches have are gradually revealing that lactic acid,as an important signaling molecule,plays a key immune regulatory role by acting on lactic acid transporters,lactate receptors and intracellular direct sensors in immune cells.In chronic inflammatory diseases,lactic acid helps maintain a pro-inflammatory environment that encourages immune cells to remain at the site of inflammation.In the event of infection,lactic acid impairs host immunity.In the tumor microenvironment(TME),the increase in lactic acid production and the resulting TME acidification promote tumor growth and invasion,and inhibit the body's immune response to tumor antigens.This review focuses on the recent research progress on the role of lactic acid in immune regulation.

AIM:To investigate the anti-fibrotic effect of Panax notoginseng saponins(PNS)in arecoline(ANE)-induced oral submucous fibrosis,and to analyze the effect of PNS on nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/glu-tamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit(GCLC)signaling pathway.METHODS:CCK-8 assay was used to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of PNS and arecoline on the survival rate of human immortalized keratinocyte cell line Ha-CaT.The results of CCK-8 were used to select 75 mg/L arecoline,and 25,50 and 100 mg/L PNS as subsequent experi-mental concentrations.The cells were set as blank control group,model group,and low,medium and high doses(25,50 and 100 mg/L)of PNS groups.The protein and mRNA expressions of collagen type I(COL-I),E-cadherin,Nrf2,GCLC and glutathione reductase(GR)in each group were detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR.Immunofluorescence method was used to detect the entry of Nrf2 into the nucleus.Biochemical kits were used to detect the content of glutathione(GSH),nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH)and malondialdehyde(MDA),and superoxide dis-mutase(SOD)activity in each group of cells.DCFH-DA fluorescent probe was used to detect the content of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS).RESULTS:Compared with the blank control group,the protein and mRNA expression of COL-I in the model group was up-regulated,and the protein and mRNA levels of E-cadherin,Nrf2,GCLC,nuclear Nrf2 and GR were down-regulated.The content of NADPH,MDA and ROS in the cells increased,and the content of GSH and the activity of SOD was significantly reduced.Compared with the model group,the protein and mRNA expression of COL-I was down-regulated,and the protein and mRNA expression of E-cadherin,Nrf2,GCLC,nuclear Nrf2 and GR were up-regulated in PNS 50 and 100 mg/L groups.Compared with the model group,the content of NADPH,MDA and ROS in cells decreased,and the content of GSH and the activity of SOD was significantly enhanced(P<0.05 or P<0.01).CON-CLUSION:Panax notoginseng saponins have anti-fibrosis effects in HaCaT cells,and their mechanism may be related to the activation of Nrf2/GCLC signaling pathway,thereby resisting oxidative stress and improving oral submucosal fibrosis.

Hypoxia is the most common tumor microenvironment caused by rapid proliferation of tumor cells, and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is the main transcription factor for tumor cells to adapt to hypoxia. Current research has found that HIF can interact with a variety of mesenchymal cells such as fibroblasts, endothelial cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, leading to the transcription and expression of target genes in response to hypoxia, which ultimately promotes tumor angiogenesis, and induces physiological changes such as migration, invasion, and immune escape of tumor cells. However, the signaling pathways involved in the HIF regulatory mechanism are complex, and the mechanism of HIF in the tumor microenvironment need to be further investigated, also most HIF inhibitors are still in the preclinical research stage. This paper reviews the research progress on the effects of HIF on tumor mesenchymal stromal cells to provide a theoretical basis for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of tumors targeting HIF.

Objective:To analyze the dental phenotypes of patients with EDA genovariation related selective tooth agenesis.Meth-ods:We summarized the selective tooth agenesis patients with EDA genovariation,based on literature published before April 2023.The literature search was conducted using PubMed and multiple Chinese databases.The total number and the percentages of missing teeth were analyzed.The dental phenotype between male and female patients were compared.Results:EDA related selective tooth a-genesis mainly affects mandibular incisors(47.7％),mandibular and maxillary lateral incisors(41.6％and 40.1％respectively),while molars are seldom affected.Additionally,male patients were more affected than female and have more missing teeth.Conclusion:Dental phenotype analysis of EDA variants might contribute to precise prediction of causative genes from phenotype of missing teeth and guide for genetic counseling.

The prevalence of periodontal disease in Chinese population is more than 90％.The present treatment techniques can only control the development of the disease,inducement of bone tissue regeneration is a promising strategy and a challenge for the treatment.Exosomes are multivesicle structures derived from endosomes.More and more studies have been conducted on their application in perio-dontal regeneration.This paper reviews the application of exosome in periodontal regeneration in recent years,which is expected to pro-vide new idea for periodontal regeneration therapy.