1.Analysis of Blood-absorbed Components and Their Metabolic Differences of Xiebaisan in Normal and Chronic Bronchitis Mice Based on UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS
Peng PENG ; Jiaxin LI ; Xinyue YANG ; Fangle LIU ; Chenchen ZHU ; Chaozhan LIN ; Yufeng YAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):219-227
ObjectiveThis study aims to systematically analyze the blood-absorbed components and metabolic profiles of Xiebaisan(XBS) in normal and chronic bronchitis (CB) mice using ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS), while comparing differences between the two states. MethodsThirty female BABL/c mice were randomly divided into the normal group, the normal drug administration group, the CB group, the CB drug administration group and the dexamethasone group, with 6 mice in each group. The CB mouse model was established by inducing with ovalbumin (OVA). The mice in the normal drug administration group and the CB drug administration group started to be gavaged with XBS(13.2 g·kg-1) from the 21st day, and the dexamethasone group mice were simultaneously gavaged with dexamethasone (0.5 mg·kg-1) until the end of the 35th day of the experiment. Subsequently, serum samples were collected and evaluated for their efficacy, based on the pharmacological evaluation indicators, to determine the efficacy of XBS in treating CB. Then the UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS was employed to identify and analyze the chemical constituents, blood-absorbed components, and metabolites of XBS. Chemometric analysis was conducted to reveal metabolic profile differences under "dual states". Concurrently, Real-time PCR technology was utilized to detect the expression levels of key liver metabolic enzymes CYP2E1, CYP3A1, UGT1A1, and UGT1A6. ResultsA total of 28 prototype components and 158 metabolites (including 48 phase Ⅰ metabolites and 110 phase Ⅱ metabolites) of XBS were unambiguously identified in the serum of normal mice. Additionally, a comprehensive characterization was performed on a total of 32 prototype components and 178 metabolites (including 50 phase Ⅰ metabolites and 128 phase Ⅱ metabolites) of XBS in the serum of CB mice. Among them, 27 prototype components were detected in both states, including 12 flavonoids, 2 alkaloids, 3 triterpenes, 4 organic acids, 3 amides, 1 stilbene and 2 other compounds. The chemometrics analysis revealed no significant difference in the prototype components and metabolites of XBS between normal and CB mice; however, there was a significant increase in the in-vivo exposure of XBS in CB mice. Compared to normal mice, the levels of phase Ⅰ metabolites such as oxidation, reduction and methylation of blood components of XBS as well as phase Ⅱ metabolites of glucuronidation showed significant changes in CB mice. Real-time PCR further confirmed that these alterations were attributed to the upregulation of CYP2E1 (P<0.05), CYP3A1 (P>0.05), UGT1A1 (P<0.01) and UGT1A6 (P<0.01) enzymes expression in the liver of CB mice. ConclusionThis study elucidated the disparities in the levels of the blood-absorbed components and metabolic profiles of XBS in normal and CB mice, especially in oxidation, reduction, methylation in phase Ⅰ metabolism and glucoaldehyde acidification in phase Ⅱ metabolism. And there are related to the differences in the expression levels of phase Ⅰ and phase Ⅱ metabolic enzymes CYP2E1, CYP3A1, UGT1A1 and UGT1A6 in the liver.
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine Modulates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress for Prevention and Treatment of Neuropathic Pain: A Review
Fengjiao YANG ; Yingye LIANG ; Peng YANG ; Yuling JIANG ; Gangyun WANG ; Yufeng HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):291-300
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a chronic pain syndrome resulting from injury, inflammation, or dysfunction of the somatosensory nervous system. Its pathogenesis is complex and intimately associated with peripheral sensitization and maladaptive neuroplasticity within the central nervous system. The core clinical manifestations, including spontaneous pain, allodynia, and paresthesia, severely compromise patients’ quality of life and pose substantial challenges to clinical management. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), a critical cellular defense mechanism against disrupted intracellular homeostasis, is primarily initiated and modulated through three canonical branches of the unfolded protein response (UPR): the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) pathway, the inositol-requiring transmembrane kinase/endonuclease 1α (IRE1α) pathway, and the activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) pathway. These signaling cascades play a pivotal role in the pathological progression of NP. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exhibits unique advantages in the treatment of NP. Leveraging its hallmark characteristics of multi-target, multi-pathway, and holistic regulation, TCM can systematically modulate the ERS signaling network to inhibit neuronal apoptosis, attenuate neuroinflammatory infiltration, and rectify autophagic dysfunction, ultimately promoting the repair and regeneration of damaged neural tissue. This review systematically summarizes the core role of ERS in the occurrence and development of NP. It focuses on the latest research progress regarding ERS pathway modulation in NP amelioration by representative TCM interventions, including potential core bioactive components (e.g., tanshinoneⅡA, catalpol, and formononetin), classic and empirical compound formulas (e.g., Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction, Compound Qiying granules, and Tangluoning), and TCM external therapies (e.g., electroacupuncture, moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone, and acupotomy). Through an in-depth analysis of the functional characteristics and mechanisms of these TCM interventions, particularly their bidirectional regulation and multi-target synergy, this review aims to provide a solid theoretical foundation for further optimizing TCM-based strategies for NP prevention and treatment and to delineate future directions for clinical translation of related research achievements and targeted drug development.
3.Clinical observation of sacituzumab tirumotecan combined with bevacizumab in the treatment of HER2-negative breast cancer with brain metastases
Yufeng YANG ; Xiuli YANG ; Peng CHENG ; Ling SHEN ; Qian YANG ; Yingbo SHAO
China Pharmacy 2026;37(16):2156-2160
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sacituzumab tirumotecan combined with bevacizumab for the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer with brain metastases.METHODS Clinical data of 90 patients with HER2- breast cancer with brain metastases treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanyang Medical College from December 2024 to November 2025 were retrospectively collected. According to the treatment regimens, the patients were divided into a control group ( n =55) and an experimental group ( n =35). Patients in the experimental group received sacituzumab tirumotecan combined with bevacizumab, whereas those in the control group received conventional systemic therapy, including albumin-bound paclitaxel-based regimens, capecitabine-based regimens, or gemcitabine/vinorelbine combined with platinum-based regimens. Short-term efficacy, progression-free survival (PFS), brain metastasis-related efficacy, adverse events, treatment discontinuation due to adverse events, and treatment-related deaths were compared between the two groups.RESULTS The objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate, median PFS, intracranial disease control rate, and proportion of patients with improvement in neurological symptoms in the experimental group were significantly higher than in the control group ( P <0.05). Stratified analysis showed that PFS of the experimental group was significantly longer than the control group among patients with Breast-Graded Prognostic Assessment scores ≥2.0 and <2.0 ( P <0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the proportion of patients with glucocorticoid dose reduction/discontinuation, the incidence of adverse events of different grades, or the rate of treatment discontinuation due to adverse events between the two groups ( P >0.05). No treatment-related deaths occurred in either group.CONCLUSIONS Compared with conventional systemic therapy, sacituzumab tirumotecan combined with bevacizumab can improve the ORR and prolong PFS in patients with HER2- breast cancer with brain metastases, with an overall manageable safety profile.
4.Discussion of sequential diagnosis and treatment model of diabetes mellitus of spatiotemporal syndrome differentiation from the perspective of qi, blood, and fluid
Jinhao HU ; Guiyan SUN ; Yufeng YANG ; Yan SHI
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):8-13
The dysfunction of qi, blood, and fluid underlies the pathology of diabetes mellitus. The symptoms, signs, and physical and chemical indexes of diabetes mellitus patients reflect the duration, degree, primary and secondary pathological state of the abnormal metabolism of qi, blood, and fluid. It is necessary to construct a three-dimensional syndrome differentiation system of diabetes mellitus based on spatial and temporal dimensions. According to the four stages of depression, heat, deficiency, and damage, the location of the disease can be locked into qi, ying, and blood levels. The process reflects the pathological trend of the abnormal metabolism of qi, blood, and fluid: qi depression (prodromal stage: asymptomatic metabolic disorder/early stage of qi level) → qi heat (initial stage: index stage/late stage of qi level) → deficiency of both qi and yin (middle stage: symptom stage of three more and one less/stage of ying level) → damage of zang-fu viscera and meridians (late stage: complication stage/stage of blood level). According to the time process, the treatment principles are proposed as follows: during the early stage of qi level, treatment should focus on strengthening the spleen to regulate qi flow, to prevent the accumulation of glucose; during the late stage of qi level, treatment should focus on clearing heat and resolving turbidity, to remove the stagnated heat caused by glucose; during the stage of ying level, treatment should focus on benefiting qi and nourishing yin, to improve the symptoms about deficiency of both qi and yin; during the stage of blood level, treatment should focus on promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, to remove the complication. According to the etiology and pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus, the sequential treatment strategy is thus proposed, which is strengthening the spleen to regulate qi flow, clearing heat and resolving turbidity, benefiting qi and nourishing yin, and promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. The compound prescriptions such as Houpo Sanwu Decoction, Baihu Jia Renshen Decoction, Danggui Liuhuang Decoction, and Taohong Siwu Decoction are used with modification in the stage-based treatment.
5.Role of Macrophage Activation and Polarization in Diabetes Mellitus and Its Related Complications and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention
Zhichao CHEN ; Qiaoni LIN ; Liya SUN ; Jinxi WANG ; Zishan FU ; Yufeng YANG ; Yan SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):311-320
The occurrence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is closely related to insulin resistance and islet β cell dysfunction. Modern studies have found that macrophages are widely present in the liver,fat,skeletal muscle,islets, and other tissues and organs. Macrophage M1/M2 polarization plays an important role in the occurrence and development of diabetes mellitus and its related complications by intervening in inflammatory response,improving insulin resistance,and promoting tissue repair. Most of the traditional Chinese medicines that regulate the activation and polarization of macrophages are Qi-replenishing and Yin-nourishing,heat-clearing, and detoxicating medicinal,which are consistent with the etiology and pathogenesis of diabetes and its related complications. Therefore,by summarizing the mechanisms between macrophage activation,polarization, and insulin resistance in various tissues,this paper reviewed traditional Chinese medicine and its effective components and compounds in improving diabetes mellitus and its related complications through multi-channel regulation of macrophage polarization and regulation of M1/M2 ratio,providing references for the future treatment of DM and its related complications with traditional Chinese medicine.
6.Etiology spectrum, clinical features, and gene mutations of unexplained intrahepatic cholestasis: An analysis of 62 cases
Jialuo WANG ; Yufeng ZHENG ; Qingfang XIONG ; Yongfeng YANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):307-313
ObjectiveTo investigate the etiology and clinical features of intrahepatic cholestasis and the diagnostic value of whole exome sequencing (WES) through a retrospective analysis of the medical history, pathological results, and gene sequencing data of 62 patients with unexplained intrahepatic cholestasis. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 480 patients who underwent WES due to unexplained liver function abnormalities in Nanjing Second Hospital from January 2017 to December 2023, among whom 62 patients with unexplained intrahepatic cholestasis were selected based on laboratory data, and a confirmed diagnosis was made based on imaging data, pathological findings, and gene sequencing data. The patients with unexplained intrahepatic cholestasis were analyzed in terms of demographic features, clinical manifestation, etiology spectrum, and genetic profile. ResultsA total of 62 patients with unexplained intrahepatic cholestasis were included, among whom there were 35 male patients and 27 female patients, with a median age of 42 (7 — 77) years. WES was used to make a definite diagnosis in 21 patients (33.87%), among whom the patients with familial intrahepatic cholestasis accounted for the highest proportion of 52.38% (11/21); genetic metabolic disorders were excluded by WES in 34 patients, with drug-induced liver injury and sepsis-associated liver injury accounting for the highest proportion of 55.88% (19/34), followed by primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis accounting for 20.59% (7/34) and intrahepatic bile duct stones accounting for 17.65% (6/34), while the patients with a lack of confirmed diagnosis accounted for 11.29% (7/62). A total of 21 novel mutation sites which were not reported in previous articles were identified in this study. ConclusionGenetic metabolic disorders constitute a significant proportion of unexplained intrahepatic cholestasis, and WES plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of unexplained intrahepatic cholestasis.
7.Experience in the Application of Jiao (角) Medicine in Treating Diabetes Mellitus from the Perspective of Qi, Blood and Fluids
Jinhao HU ; Guiyan SUN ; He GAO ; Yufeng YANG ; Nan HU ; Yan SHI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(16):1727-1730
This paper summarizes the clinical experience in applying jiao (角) medicine to treat diabetes mellitus from the perspective of qi, blood, and fluids. It is believed that impaired spleen transportation and transformation is the key pathomechanism of diabetes, leading to metabolic disturbances in qi, blood, and fluids, and resulting in a sequential pathological progression of "qi → thick fluids → thin fluids → blood". At the qi level, the disease is mainly characterized by spleen qi deficiency and stagnation, and is commonly treated with Hongshen (Panax Ginseng), Huangqi (Astragalus Mongholicus), and Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala) to tonify the spleen and regulate qi. At the thick fluids level, the condition manifests as abdominal distension, internal heat, and turbid pathogens, requiring Zexie (Alisma Orientale), Huanglian (Coptis Chinensis), and Dahuang (Rheum Palmatum) to clear the spleen and drain turbidity. At the thin fluids level, with qi and yin deficiency and predominant yin damage, Gegen (Pueraria Lobata), Wuweizi (Schisandra Chinensis), and Maidong (Ophiopogon Japonicus) are used to nourish yin and generate fluids. At the blood level, where vascular damage is predominant, Shuizhifen (Whitmania Pigra Powder), Danshen (Salvia Miltiorrhiza), and Sanqifen (Panax Notoginseng Powder) are applied to activate blood circulation, resolve stasis, and unblock the channels. Clinicians may flexibly select appropriate jiao medicine based on the specific pathological layer affected in each patient.
8.Effects of whole breast combined with regional nodal hypofractionated radiotherapy on PLC and NLR in patients with breast cancer
Yang ZHOU ; Xiaohong WANG ; Bin LI ; Yuwei WANG ; Jiangong WANG ; Yufeng LI
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(5):679-686
Objective To investigate the effects of whole breast combined with regional nodal hypofractionated radiotherapy compared with conventional fractionated radiotherapy on peripheral lymphocyte count (PLC) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery. Methods This retrospective study enrolled 94 patients with breast cancer who underwent breast-conserving surgery in Tangshan People’s Hospital between April 2022 and April 2024. All patients received whole breast combined with regional nodal radiotherapy. These patients were divided into hypofractionated radiotherapy group (n = 42) and conventional fractionated radiotherapy group (n = 52) according to radiotherapy regimen. Differences in PLC and NLR before and after radiotherapy between the two groups were compared using the t-test. Results Before radiotherapy, the baseline PLC and NLR were comparable between the two groups (P > 0.05). After radiotherapy, PLC decreased and NLR increased in both groups (P < 0.05). The PLC in the hypofractionated radiotherapy group was significantly higher than that in the conventional fractionated radiotherapy group (0.95 ± 0.30 vs. 0.77 ± 0.26, P = 0.002), and the NLR was significantly lower in the hypofractionated radiotherapy group than in the conventional fractionated radiotherapy group (2.86 ± 1.27 vs. 3.67 ± 1.59, P = 0.010). Conclusion Compared with conventional fractionated radiotherapy, whole breast combined with regional nodal hypofractionated radiotherapy has less impact on PLC and NLR in patients with breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery.
9.Mechanism Investigation of Qi-invigorating and Blood-activating Drug Combination in Yitangkang Compound Against Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Using Multimodal Research Approach
Chenghao YU ; Tingting LI ; Mingbo ZHANG ; Honghe XIAO ; Yufeng YANG ; Yan SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):94-106
ObjectiveThrough multimodal research methods including medication rule mining, network pharmacology, molecular docking and dynamics simulation, and in vivo animal experiments, this study aims to speculate and verify the core composition (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and efficacy (Qi-invigorating and blood-activating) of the drug combination in Yitangkang Compound for improving diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), investigate the interaction relationship and binding strength between core active ingredients of the drug combination and key signaling pathway targets, and further explore the mechanism by which the Qi-invigorating and blood-activating drug combination regulates the calcium signaling pathway to improve cardiac function in DCM rats. MethodsThe Ancient and Modern Medical Cases Cloud Platform was used to construct a DCM prescription database, and the "Analysis Method" module of the platform was applied to mine and summarize medication rules, thereby determining the core composition of the Qi-invigorating and blood-activating drug combination in Yitangkang. Drug-active ingredient-signaling pathway-core target-disease analysis and visualization were conducted by combining network pharmacology with the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Platform (TCMSP) database, SwissTargetPrediction platform, GeneCards database, MetaScape database, CytoScape software, etc. Then, molecular docking was performed via the CB-Dock2 platform, and molecular dynamics simulation of the high-binding-strength docking complexes was carried out by Gromacs software. Finally, in vivo animal experiments were carried out. Twenty-eight Sprague Dawley (SD) rats meeting the research criteria were divided into a normal group, a model group, a drug combination group (3.3 g·kg-1), and a Yitangkang group (20 g·kg-1). A type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat model was established by high-fat diet feeding combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ), followed by continuous feeding for eight weeks until the DCM model was successfully established. During this period, the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound and drug combination were administered for prevention and treatment intervention. Meanwhile, changes in blood glucose, body weight, and heart index of each group were monitored. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography, and electrophysiological signals were detected by an electrocardiogram. The heart tissue was observed for pathological changes by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining, and the expression of L-type calcium channel (CACNA1C), calmodulin (CALM1), calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱδ (CAMK2D), and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1) proteins in the calcium signaling pathway of myocardial tissue was detected by Western blot. ResultsIn 62 DCM prescriptions, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma were used most frequently. Their meridian tropism mainly involved the spleen, heart, and lung, and their sweet and warm properties were prominent. The drugs for tonifying or blood-activating and stasis-resolving ranked top. In association rule analysis, (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma)-Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma had the highest lift. Network pharmacology obtained 75 active ingredients of the drug combination, 714 drug combination action targets, 2 702 disease targets, and 286 intersection targets. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network predicted nine interaction component-targets (nine active ingredients and four calcium signaling pathway target genes). Molecular docking showed the four complexes with the lowest binding energy were 2f3z-ginsenoside Re, 1cll-quercetin, 9blh-(6S)-6-(hydroxymethyl)-1,6-dimethyl-8,9-dihydro-7H-naphtho[8,7-g]benzofuran-10,11-dione, and 5vv0-miltionone Ⅱ. Dynamics simulation showed the CALM1-quercetin complex had the strongest binding affinity. The animal experiment results revealed that compared with the normal group, the model group showed significant changes in blood glucose, body weight, myocardial tissue morphology, heart index, cardiac function, electrophysiological indexes, and the expression levels of CACNA1C, CALM1, CAMK2D, and NOS1 proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Yitangkang group had a certain improvement effect on the above indexes (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the Yitangkang group, the drug combination group showed no significant difference in improving myocardial tissue morphology, heart index, cardiac function, electrophysiological indexes, and the expression of CACNA1C, CALM1, CAMK2D, and NOS1 proteins, except for blood glucose and body weight. ConclusionGinseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma are the core Qi-invigorating and blood-activating drug combination in Yitangkang Compound. They have a good preventive and therapeutic effect on STZ-induced DCM in rats, and their mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the calcium signaling pathway.
10.Development and validation of the “Questionnaires on the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of College Students in Response to Public Health Emergencies”
Hong JIANG ; Shuli MA ; Yufeng ZHANG ; Yue ZHAO ; Xinling YANG
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(1):33-39
Objective To develop the "Questionnaires on the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of College Students in Response to Public Health Emergencies" and validate its reliability and validity. Methods The initial questionnaire was developed according to literature review, expert consultations, and one-on-one interviews with students and educators. A total of 43 college students were selected as the pre-test subjects using the convenience sampling method. The final version of the questionnaire was developed using item analysis and expert consultations. A total of 682 college students were selected as the validation subjects using the cluster sampling method. The exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to assess the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. Results The final version of the questionnaire consisted of three dimensions: knowledge, practice, and attitude, with 5, 10, 7 items, respectively. The KMO test value for the questionnaire was 0.804, with Bartlett′s test of sphericity showing a chi-square value of 2 000.557 (P<0.01). The content validity index for each item ranged from 0.894 to 1.000, with the overall content validity index for the questionnaire being 0.966 and 0.973. The exploratory factor analysis identified three common factors, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 54.1%. The result of confirmatory factor analysis showed good model fit, with model fit index, comparative fit index, normed fit index, incremental fit index, Tucker-Lewis Index, root mean square error of approximation of 2.960, 0.930, 0.940, 0.930, 0.950 and 0.070, respectively. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the questionnaire was 0.772, split-half reliability was 0.604, and test-retest reliability was 0.905. Conclusion The "Questionnaires on the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of College Students in Response to Public Health Emergencies" demonstrates good reliability, and it is suitable for widespread application.


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