ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Shenqi Yiliu prescription reverses cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells by regulating the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway-mediated glycolysis. MethodsThe human ovarian cancer A2780 cell line was intervened with progressively increasing doses of cisplatin （1 g·L^-1） to establish the cisplatin-resistant cell line A2780cisR， and the cell sensitivity to cisplatin was examined by the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay. High， medium， and low （39.9， 19.95， 9.98 g·kg^-1） doses of Shenqi Yiliu prescription-containing sera were used to treat A2780cisR cells for 48 h. Glucose consumption and lactate production were measured by the cuvette assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to determine the activities of glucose transporter （GLUT）， phosphofructokinase （PFK）， and pyruvate kinase （PK）. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） staining was used to detect apoptosis. Western blot was employed to quantify the protein levels of phosphorylated （p）-PI3K， p-Akt， p-mTOR， hexokinase 2 （HK2）， pyruvate kinase M2 （PKM2）， B-cell lymphoblastoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X-protein （Bax）， and B-lymphoblastoma-2 gene-related promoter （Bad）. Real-time PCR was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of HK2， PKM2， Bax， Bcl-2， and Bad. ResultsThe median inhibitory concentration （IC₅₀） of cisplatin on A2780cisR cells was nearly 3 times that on A2780P cells. Compared with A2780P cells， A2780cisR cells showed increased glucose consumption， lactate production， GLUT， PFK， and PK activities， and mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K， Akt， p-mTOR， HK2， PKM2， Bax （P<0.05）， and decreased apoptosis rate and Bcl-2 expression （P<0.05）. Compared with A2780cisR cells， medium- and high-dose Shenqi Yiliu prescription reduced the glucose consumption， lactate production， GLUT， PFK， and PK activities， and mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K， Akt， p-mTOR， HK2， PKM2， Bax， and Bad （P<0.05）， while increasing the apoptosis rate and Bcl-2 expression （P<0.05）. ConclusionShenqi Yiliu prescription can inhibit glycolysis mediated by the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to promote apoptosis， thereby reversing cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Shengjiang Pingchuan Zhike pills （SPZP） alleviate airway injury in the rat model of cough variant asthma （CVA） via regulating autophagy through activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）/Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 （ULK1） signaling pathway based on transcriptomics， thus providing experimental evidence for the clinical application of SPZP. MethodsForty SPF-grade SD rats were enrolled in the present study and randomly via the random number table method assigned into four groups： a blank group， a model group， a SPZP （2 160 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） group， and a positive drug （montelukast sodium， MTL， 0.9 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）group， with 10 rats in each group. After one week of adaptive feeding， the rat model of cough variant asthma （CVA） was established by two-week sensitization with ovalbumin （OVA） and aluminium hydroxide， followed by capsaicin atomization challenge. Rats in the blank group received an equal volume of normal saline during modeling. Upon successful modeling， rats in the SPZP group and positive drug group were administrated with SPZP suspension and MTL solution， respectively， while those in the blank and model groups received the same dose of normal saline by gavage. The whole intervention lasted for 21 consecutive days. After the intervention， general behaviors of rats in each group were observed. Pulmonary function indicators were subsequently detected. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to visualize the pathological morphology of the lung tissue， and periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining was adopted to evaluate airway mucus secretion. Transcriptomic sequencing was conducted to screen differentially expressed genes in the lung tissue across groups. The levels of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin （IL）-4， IL-5， immunoglobulin E （IgE）， and interferon-γ （IFN-γ） in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Immunofluorescence staining was used for detecting the co-localization of autophagy-related protein Beclin-1 and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin （p-mTOR）. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to count autophagosomes and observe mitochondrial morphological changes in the lung tissue. Western blot assay was utilized to measure the expression levels of AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 axis-related proteins， including AMPK， phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （p-AMPK）， mTOR， phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin （p-mTOR）， ULK1， and phosphorylated Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 （p-ULK1） as well as the autophagy biomarkers Beclin-1 and selective autophagy adaptor protein p62 in lung specimens. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group exhibited markedly elevated cough frequency accompanied by wheezing and stridor， dull fur， poor mental activity， diminished motor activity， accelerated respiratory rate， and weakened sensory response and mobility to external stimuli， accompanied by a declining tendency of body mass. Meanwhile， the model group exhibited decreased dynamic lung compliance， increased airway resistance （P<0.01）， severe pathological damage and excessive mucus secretion in the lung tissue （P<0.01）， and elevated levels of IL-4， IL-5， and IgE and declined level of IFN-γ in the BALF （P<0.01）. Ultrastructural observation revealed damaged mitochondrial morphology and a sharp reduction in the number of autophagosomes in the lung tissue. In addition， the expression of p-AMPK， p-ULK1， and Beclin-1 were downregulated， whereas p-mTOR and p62 were highly expressed （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the model group. Gene Ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analyses demonstrated significant enrichment of AMPK， mTOR， and autophagy-related pathways. Compared with the model group， both the positive drug group and SPZP group obtained visible improvements in general behavioral manifestations and obvious recovery of pulmonary function indicators （P<0.05）， alleviated pulmonary pathological lesions and suppressed excessive airway mucus secretion （P<0.05）， recovered levels of inflammatory cytokines in the BALF （P<0.05）， restored mitochondrial morphology， increased autophagosomes， upregulated expression levels of p-AMPK， p-ULK1， and Beclin-1， and downregulated expression levels of p-mTOR and p62 （P<0.05）. ConclusionSPZP can effectively ameliorate airway inflammation and improve the pulmonary function in the rat model of CVA by activating the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway， enhancing autophagy in the lung tissue， and inhibiting excessive airway mucus secretion and immune inflammatory imbalance.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Si Junzitang in treating liver injury in rats with spleen Qi deficiency syndrome based on transcriptomics and to experimentally verify its effects. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， low-dose Si Junzitang （6 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， medium-dose Si Junzitang group （12 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， high-dose Si Junzitang group （24 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and natural recovery group， with 10 rats in each group. A composite multifactorial modeling method （forced swimming + intragastric administration of Xiao Chengqitang + irregular diet） was used to establish a spleen Qi deficiency model. After 30 days of continuous intervention， body weight and 3-hour food intake were measured， and macroscopic symptom scores for spleen Qi deficiency syndrome were evaluated. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and alanine aminotransferase （ALT） in each group were detected， and hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining was used to observe histopathological changes in liver tissue. Transcriptome sequencing （RNA-Seq） was used to identify differentially expressed genes （DEGs） among the blank， model， and high-dose Si Junzitang groups. Gene ontology（GO） and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genome（KEGG） enrichment analyses were performed on the DEGs. Immunofluorescence （IF） and Western blot were used to detect NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein （ASC）， Caspase-1， and the N-terminal domain of gasdermin D （GSDMD-N）. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to detect the expression of downstream inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and interleukin-18 （IL-18）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly reduced body weight and 3-hour food intake， significantly increased macroscopic symptom scores， and elevated serum AST and ALT levels （P<0.01）， with mild inflammatory liver injury observed histologically. Compared with the model group， Si Junzitang at all doses significantly improved these parameters and alleviated liver injury in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.05，P<0.01）. RNA-Seq analysis revealed 1 254 DEGs between the blank and model groups， and 842 DEGs between the model and high-dose Si Junzitang groups. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway was activated in liver injury associated with spleen Qi deficiency， suggesting that the NLRP3 inflammasome may be a key target. Results from IF， IHC， and Westernblot showed that compared with the blank group， the expression of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， GSDMD-N， and the downstream inflammatory cytokines IL-1β， IL-6， and IL-18 were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）， while these levels were markedly decreased in the high-dose Si Junzitang group （P<0.01）. ConclusionSi Junzitang effectively improves mild inflammatory liver injury in rats with spleen Qi deficiency syndrome in a dose-dependent manner. Its mechanism may be associated with inhibition of the NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 signaling pathway， downregulation of the pyroptosis executioner protein GSDMD-N， and reduction of pyroptosis-related inflammatory cytokine release.

ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of Shenqi Yiliu Formula （参芪抑瘤方） in treating precancerous lesions of gastric cancer （PLGC） by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. MethodsThe CCK-8 assay was used to determine the optimal intervention time for Shenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum and the concentration of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor XAV939 depends on the survival rate of AGS gastric cancer cell line. AGS cells were divided into the gastric cancer cell group （15% blank serum）， inhibitor group （selected concentration of XAV939）， high-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula group （12% Shenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum + 3% blank serum）， medium-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula group （6% Shenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum + 9% blank serum）， and low-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula group （3% Shenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum + 12% blank serum）. Each group was tested in triplicate. After culturing for 24 and 48 hours， cell migration and invasion were assessed by scratch assays； after a selected intervention period （48 hours）， cell cycle distribution was analyzed using flow cytometry， Ki67 protein levels were detected by immunofluorescence， the protein levels of Wnt， β-catenin， GSK-3β， and intranuclear T-cell specific factor（TCF） were measured by the protein immunoblotting assay， and the mRNA expressions of these above factors were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. ResultsThe optimal intervention time for Shenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum was determined to be 48 hours， and the effective concentration of XAV939 was 20 μmol/L. Compared with the gastric cancer cell group， Shenqi Yiliu Formula at all doses reduced the cell migration rate at 24 and 48 hours （P＜0.05）， except for the low-dose group at 24 hours. Compared to the low-dose group at corresponding time points， high- and medium-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula groups showed significantly reduced migration rates， particularly the high-dose group at 48 hours （P＜0.05）. Compared with the gastric cancer cell group， the high-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula and inhibitor groups exhibited reduced protein and mRNA levels of Wnt， β-catenin， and TCF， along with reduced Ki67 protein levels and a decreased proportion of cells in the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle， but GSK-3β protein levels， GSK-3β mRNA expression， and the proportion of cells in the G1 phase increased （P＜0.05）. Compared to the inhibitor group， the high-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula group showed a decreased proportion of G1-phase cells and an increased proportion of G2-phase cells （P＜0.05）， although differences in Wnt and β-catenin protein levels and mRNA expressions were not statistically significant （P＞0.05）. ConclusionShenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum inhibits the migration and invasion of gastric cancer AGS cells and block the cell cycle at G1 phase， and its underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Digital technology has revolutionized the traditional model of quality evaluation for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).This article systematically reviews the research hotspots and practical applications of digital-driv-en quality evaluation of TCM.Simultaneously,this paper analyzes and assesses the challenges faced by the digitiza-tion of TCM quality evaluation from multiple perspectives,including data acquisition,model construction,applica-tion promotion and market acceptance,and puts forward targeted strategies.Addressing the existing issues in the field of TCM quality,this paper proposes a series of innovative concepts,including the mining and application of TCM property data,the construction of a large database of TCM components,the integration of digital technology and emerging biotechnology for biological effect evaluation of TCM and clinical intelligent evaluation based on real-world data.Based on these,it further proposes a multi-dimensional quality analysis model for grading TCM,which encompasses TCM property data,chemical composition analysis,biological effect assessment and clinical evalua-tion.It aims to provide a useful reference for the modernization,scientification,and standardization of TCM quality evaluation.

Digital technology has revolutionized the traditional model of quality evaluation for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).This article systematically reviews the research hotspots and practical applications of digital-driv-en quality evaluation of TCM.Simultaneously,this paper analyzes and assesses the challenges faced by the digitiza-tion of TCM quality evaluation from multiple perspectives,including data acquisition,model construction,applica-tion promotion and market acceptance,and puts forward targeted strategies.Addressing the existing issues in the field of TCM quality,this paper proposes a series of innovative concepts,including the mining and application of TCM property data,the construction of a large database of TCM components,the integration of digital technology and emerging biotechnology for biological effect evaluation of TCM and clinical intelligent evaluation based on real-world data.Based on these,it further proposes a multi-dimensional quality analysis model for grading TCM,which encompasses TCM property data,chemical composition analysis,biological effect assessment and clinical evalua-tion.It aims to provide a useful reference for the modernization,scientification,and standardization of TCM quality evaluation.

Objective To predict the molecular mechanism of Shenqi Yiliu Prescription for the treatment of ovarian cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology;To conduct experimental validation.Methods The active components and targets of Shenqi Yiliu Prescription were retrieved and screened through TCMSP database,and ovarian cancer disease targets were searched through GeneCards database.A protein-protein interaction network between drugs and disease was established using the STRING database,and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed.Molecular docking between key active components and core targets was conducted.Ovarian cancer A2780 cells were intervened with Shenqi Yiliu Prescription low-,medium-and high-dosages containing serum.ELISA was used to detect TNF-α and IL-17 contents in cell supernatant;TUNEL staining was used to detect cell apoptosis;Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-AKT,phosphorylated T218(MDM2),and tumor protein P53(P53);real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of PI3K,AKT,MDM2 and P53.Results Network pharmacology analysis showed that quercetin,β-sitosterol and kaempferol were the active components of Shenqi Yiliu Prescription to treat ovarian cancer,and TP53,AKT1 and TNF were the core targets.The molecular docking results showed that the key active components could bind well to the core targets.KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway may be the core pathway for Shenqi Yiliu Prescription to intervene in ovarian cancer.The cell experiment results showed that compared with the control group,the contents of TNF-α and IL-17 in cell supernatant decreased(P<0.05),the apoptosis rate increased(P<0.05),the expressions of p-PI3K,p-AKT,MDM2 protein and PI3K,AKT,MDM2 mRNA decreased(P<0.05),and the expressions of P53 protein and mRNA decreased(P<0.05)in each Shenqi Yiliu Prescription group.Moreover,the intervention effect of Shenqi Yiliu Prescription was dose-dependent.Conclusion Shenqi Yiliu Prescription can effectively inhibit the proliferation and promote apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells,and its possible mechanism maybe related to inhibition of the activation of AKT-MDM2-P53 signaling pathway and the reduction of IL-17 and TNF-α contents.

Objective To investigate the effects of Huayu Xiaopi Decoction on the proliferation and migration of AGS cells;To explore its mechanism in treating precancerous lesions of gastric cancer.Methods AGS cells were divided into blank group,inhibitor group and Huayu Xiaopi Decoction high-,medium-and low-dosage groups.The blank group was cultured with 15%control serum,the inhibitor group was cultured with 10 μmol/L HIF-1α inhibitor,and the Huayu Xiaopi Decoction high-,medium-and low-dosage groups were cultured with 12%,6%and 3%drug containing serum,respectively.CCK-8 method was used to detect cell survival rate,cell migration ability was detected by scratch test,immunofluorescence was used to detect the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in AGS cells,the expressions of HIF-1α,COX-2,VEGF,VEGFR2,MMP-2,MMP-9 mRNA and HIF-1α,COX-2,VEGF,VEGFR2 proteins in AGS cells were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the cell survival rate and migration rate were significantly decreased in the inhibitor group and each dosage of Huayu Xiaopi Decoction groups(P<0.05),the expressions of PCNA,MMP-2 and MMP-9 significantly decreased in the inhibitor group and Huayu Xiaopi Decoction high-and medium-dosage groups(P<0.05),the mRNA expressions of HIF-1α,COX-2,VEGF,VEGFR2,MMP-2,MMP-9 and the protein expression of HIF-1α,COX-2,VEGF,VEGFR2 were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Huayu Xiaopi Decoction can inhibit the proliferation and migration of AGS cells,and its mechanism is related to the regulation of the expression of key molecules in HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway.

Objective To predict the molecular mechanism of Shenqi Yiliu Prescription for the treatment of ovarian cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology;To conduct experimental validation.Methods The active components and targets of Shenqi Yiliu Prescription were retrieved and screened through TCMSP database,and ovarian cancer disease targets were searched through GeneCards database.A protein-protein interaction network between drugs and disease was established using the STRING database,and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed.Molecular docking between key active components and core targets was conducted.Ovarian cancer A2780 cells were intervened with Shenqi Yiliu Prescription low-,medium-and high-dosages containing serum.ELISA was used to detect TNF-α and IL-17 contents in cell supernatant;TUNEL staining was used to detect cell apoptosis;Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-AKT,phosphorylated T218(MDM2),and tumor protein P53(P53);real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of PI3K,AKT,MDM2 and P53.Results Network pharmacology analysis showed that quercetin,β-sitosterol and kaempferol were the active components of Shenqi Yiliu Prescription to treat ovarian cancer,and TP53,AKT1 and TNF were the core targets.The molecular docking results showed that the key active components could bind well to the core targets.KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway may be the core pathway for Shenqi Yiliu Prescription to intervene in ovarian cancer.The cell experiment results showed that compared with the control group,the contents of TNF-α and IL-17 in cell supernatant decreased(P<0.05),the apoptosis rate increased(P<0.05),the expressions of p-PI3K,p-AKT,MDM2 protein and PI3K,AKT,MDM2 mRNA decreased(P<0.05),and the expressions of P53 protein and mRNA decreased(P<0.05)in each Shenqi Yiliu Prescription group.Moreover,the intervention effect of Shenqi Yiliu Prescription was dose-dependent.Conclusion Shenqi Yiliu Prescription can effectively inhibit the proliferation and promote apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells,and its possible mechanism maybe related to inhibition of the activation of AKT-MDM2-P53 signaling pathway and the reduction of IL-17 and TNF-α contents.

Objective To investigate the effects of Huayu Xiaopi Decoction on the proliferation and migration of AGS cells;To explore its mechanism in treating precancerous lesions of gastric cancer.Methods AGS cells were divided into blank group,inhibitor group and Huayu Xiaopi Decoction high-,medium-and low-dosage groups.The blank group was cultured with 15%control serum,the inhibitor group was cultured with 10 μmol/L HIF-1α inhibitor,and the Huayu Xiaopi Decoction high-,medium-and low-dosage groups were cultured with 12%,6%and 3%drug containing serum,respectively.CCK-8 method was used to detect cell survival rate,cell migration ability was detected by scratch test,immunofluorescence was used to detect the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in AGS cells,the expressions of HIF-1α,COX-2,VEGF,VEGFR2,MMP-2,MMP-9 mRNA and HIF-1α,COX-2,VEGF,VEGFR2 proteins in AGS cells were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the cell survival rate and migration rate were significantly decreased in the inhibitor group and each dosage of Huayu Xiaopi Decoction groups(P<0.05),the expressions of PCNA,MMP-2 and MMP-9 significantly decreased in the inhibitor group and Huayu Xiaopi Decoction high-and medium-dosage groups(P<0.05),the mRNA expressions of HIF-1α,COX-2,VEGF,VEGFR2,MMP-2,MMP-9 and the protein expression of HIF-1α,COX-2,VEGF,VEGFR2 were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Huayu Xiaopi Decoction can inhibit the proliferation and migration of AGS cells,and its mechanism is related to the regulation of the expression of key molecules in HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway.