Depression is a mental disease with in-creasing prevalence worldwide,which seriously en-dangers human health with high disability rate and high suicide rate.Epigenetics is an emerging genet-ic theory in the 21st century.Its main research con-tent is to regulate the process of gene transcription or translation and affect its function and character-istics without changing the DNA sequence.These include DNA methylation,histone modification,chromatin remodeling and non-coding RNA regula-tion.The nervous system is susceptible to changes in the activity of epigenetic modifiers,and an in-creasing number of studies have shown that genet-ics and environment play an important role in the development of depression.This review will focus on the epigenetic mechanisms of depression.

AIM:To investigate the effects of Xiaoyao-Kang'ai-Jieyu formula(XYKAJY)-containing serum on the co-culture of BV2 and HT22 cells from mice with breast cancer-related depression(BCRD).METHODS:The op-timal concentration of XYKAJY-containing serum was determined using mouse HT22 cells.In vitro co-culture model of mouse HT22 and BV2 cells was established through incubation with 4T1 cell supernatant and 200 μmol/L corticosterone.The cells were then divided into control group,model group,blank serum group,positive drug serum group,5%XY-KAJY-containing serum group,10%XYKAJY-containing serum group,15%XYKAJY-containing serum group and 20%XYKAJY-containing serum group.Alterations in HT22 cell viability was detected by CCK8 assay.The concentration level of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6 and IL-18 in the cell supernatant was quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent as-say(ELISA).Flow cytometry was conducted to assess the apoptosis rate of HT22 cells and quantify the expression levels of adhesion molecule CD11b on the surface of BV2 cells.Immunofluorescence was performed to determine the expression of neuron-specific enolase(NSE),synapsin 1(Syn1)and postsynaptic density protein 95(PSD95)in HT22 cells,and that of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)in BV2 cells.RESULTS:Treatment with XYKAJY-containing serum down-regulated CD11b expression level in BV2 cells(P<0.01),and reduced the release of IL-1β,IL-6 and IL-18(P<0.01).Moreover,it significantly improved the viability of HT22 cells(P<0.01),enhanced cell morphology integrity,and reduced the apoptosis rate(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:These findings indicated that XYKAJY-containing serum im-proved the function of mouse HT22 neurons by regulating the polarization phenotype of mouse BV2 cells and alleviating neuroinflammatory-induced toxicity.

Anxiety disorder is a common emotional disorder,with its pathological mechanisms involving the imbalance of multiple neurotransmitter systems,especially the dysfunction of the gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)system.This article explored the TCM understanding of anxiety disorder,and summarized and organized the research on the regulation of GABA system in the treatment of anxiety disorders through TCM monomers and formulas from the aspects of terpenes,flavonoids,phenolic acids,lignans,cinnamic acids,saponins,etc.At present,the research mainly involved chrysin,baicalin,ginsenoside,Baihe Dihuang Decoction,Bentun Decoction,Suanzaoren Decoction,Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction,etc.The mechanism involved regulating the inflammatory response of the body,alleviating oxidative stress damage,restoring the hyperactive HPA axis and other action pathways,which could provide a reference for the related research of TCM anti anxiety treatment and the development of new drugs.

Depression is a mental disease with in-creasing prevalence worldwide,which seriously en-dangers human health with high disability rate and high suicide rate.Epigenetics is an emerging genet-ic theory in the 21st century.Its main research con-tent is to regulate the process of gene transcription or translation and affect its function and character-istics without changing the DNA sequence.These include DNA methylation,histone modification,chromatin remodeling and non-coding RNA regula-tion.The nervous system is susceptible to changes in the activity of epigenetic modifiers,and an in-creasing number of studies have shown that genet-ics and environment play an important role in the development of depression.This review will focus on the epigenetic mechanisms of depression.

AIM:To investigate the effects of Xiaoyao-Kang'ai-Jieyu formula(XYKAJY)-containing serum on the co-culture of BV2 and HT22 cells from mice with breast cancer-related depression(BCRD).METHODS:The op-timal concentration of XYKAJY-containing serum was determined using mouse HT22 cells.In vitro co-culture model of mouse HT22 and BV2 cells was established through incubation with 4T1 cell supernatant and 200 μmol/L corticosterone.The cells were then divided into control group,model group,blank serum group,positive drug serum group,5%XY-KAJY-containing serum group,10%XYKAJY-containing serum group,15%XYKAJY-containing serum group and 20%XYKAJY-containing serum group.Alterations in HT22 cell viability was detected by CCK8 assay.The concentration level of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6 and IL-18 in the cell supernatant was quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent as-say(ELISA).Flow cytometry was conducted to assess the apoptosis rate of HT22 cells and quantify the expression levels of adhesion molecule CD11b on the surface of BV2 cells.Immunofluorescence was performed to determine the expression of neuron-specific enolase(NSE),synapsin 1(Syn1)and postsynaptic density protein 95(PSD95)in HT22 cells,and that of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)in BV2 cells.RESULTS:Treatment with XYKAJY-containing serum down-regulated CD11b expression level in BV2 cells(P<0.01),and reduced the release of IL-1β,IL-6 and IL-18(P<0.01).Moreover,it significantly improved the viability of HT22 cells(P<0.01),enhanced cell morphology integrity,and reduced the apoptosis rate(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:These findings indicated that XYKAJY-containing serum im-proved the function of mouse HT22 neurons by regulating the polarization phenotype of mouse BV2 cells and alleviating neuroinflammatory-induced toxicity.

Anxiety disorder is a common emotional disorder,with its pathological mechanisms involving the imbalance of multiple neurotransmitter systems,especially the dysfunction of the gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)system.This article explored the TCM understanding of anxiety disorder,and summarized and organized the research on the regulation of GABA system in the treatment of anxiety disorders through TCM monomers and formulas from the aspects of terpenes,flavonoids,phenolic acids,lignans,cinnamic acids,saponins,etc.At present,the research mainly involved chrysin,baicalin,ginsenoside,Baihe Dihuang Decoction,Bentun Decoction,Suanzaoren Decoction,Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction,etc.The mechanism involved regulating the inflammatory response of the body,alleviating oxidative stress damage,restoring the hyperactive HPA axis and other action pathways,which could provide a reference for the related research of TCM anti anxiety treatment and the development of new drugs.

Chemical cleaning and disinfection are crucial steps for eliminating infection in root canal treatment.However,irrigant selection or irrigation procedures are far from clear.The vapor lock effect in the apical region has yet to be solved,impeding irrigation efficacy and resulting in residual infections and compromised treatment outcomes.Additionally,ambiguous clinical indications for root canal medication and non-standardized dressing protocols must be clarified.Inappropriate intracanal medication may present side effects and jeopardize the therapeutic outcomes.Indeed,clinicians have been aware of these concerns for years.Based on the current evidence of studies,this article reviews the properties of various irrigants and intracanal medicaments and elucidates their effectiveness and interactions.The evolution of different kinetic irrigation methods,their effects,limitations,the paradigm shift,current indications,and effective operational procedures regarding intracanal medication are also discussed.This expert consensus aims to establish the clinical operation guidelines for root canal irrigation and a position statement on intracanal medication,thus facilitating a better understanding of infection control,standardizing clinical practice,and ultimately improving the success of endodontic therapy.

Objective To optimize the traditional water extraction and purification process of Ginkgo folium.Methods Using the transfer rate of total ginkgolic acid,transfer rate of total flavonol glycosides,and extraction rate as evaluation indicators,the weight coefficient was determined by analytic hierarchy process(AHP)-entropy weight method.On the basis of single factor experiments,the optimal water extraction and purification process for Ginkgo folium were selected through orthogonal experiments.Results The optimum water extraction process was as follows:the ratio of ginkgo leaf pieces was 1/2,adding 8 times of water,decocting twice,and 30 min for each time.The optimum purification process was as follows:the water extract was concentrated under reduced pressure to a relative density of 1.08 and stewing at 4 °C for 48 h,and the upper layer of medicine liquid after stewing was centrifugated for 5 min at 2 029×g.Conclusion The method is stable and feasible,which can remove the harmful component,total ginkgolic acid to the greatest extent possible,and retain the effective component,total flavonol glycosides.

Objective To explore the effect and related mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription on neuroinflammation of nucleus accumbens in rats with diabetes mellitus(DM)complicated with depression based on dopamine receptor.Methods DM,depression and DM complicated with depression models were respectively established through a combination of high-fat feeding and streptozotocin intraperitoneal injection,as well as chronic unpredictable mild stress+solitary cage feeding.The rats were divided into control group,depression group,DM group,DM complicated with depression group,positive group,D1R agonists group,D2/3R agonists group and Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription group.Depression and learning and memory abilities in rats were assessed using open field experiments,forced swimming experiments and water maze experiments.Neuronal damage in nucleus accumbens was detected through HE and Nissl staining.Serum contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),dopamine(DA),interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-18 were detected by ELISA.The expressions of D1R,D2R,D3R and Iba1/NLRP3 in nucleus accumbens were detected by immunofluorescence.The protein expressions of D1R,D2R,D3R,NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1 p20 and IL-1β in nucleus accumbens were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,the changes of fasting blood glucose(FBG)in rats of DM complicated with depression group significantly increased(P<0.01),the total distance and number of activities in the open field experiment,the time ratio of staying in the original platform quadrant and the number of times crossed the original platform in the water maze experiment significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the forced swimming immobility time and the escape latency period in the water maze experiment were prolonged(P<0.05,P<0.01),the contents of serum 5-HT and DA significantly decreased(P<0.01),the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),neurons in the nucleus accumbens showed nuclear condensation,degeneration,and increased necrotic cells,with loss of Nissl bodies,the expressions of D1R,D2R and D3R were significantly decreased(P<0.01),while the expressions of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1 p20 and IL-1β protein significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the DM complicated with depression group,the changes of FBG significantly decreased in the Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription group,learning and memory abilities were enhanced,depression-like behavior was improved,and the damage to neurons in the nucleus accumbens was reduced,the contents of serum 5-HT and DA significantly increased(P<0.01),the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 significantly decreased(P<0.01),the expressions of D1R,D2R and D3R in the nucleus accumbens increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the expressions of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1 p20 and IL-1β protein decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion The dopaminergic system dysfunction and neuroinflammation are the key mechanisms of DM complicated with depression.Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription may improve neuroinflammation by regulating the dopamine receptor to inhibit the activation of microglial NLRP3 signaling in the nucleus accumbens.

Objective To analyze the differential metabolites in the seminal plasma of different types of male infertility based on untargeted metabolomics and explore new biomarkers. Methods Seminal plasma samples were collected from 85 men,and divided into oligospermia (n=20),azoospermia (n=20),asthenozoospermia (n=10),high sperm DNA fragmentation index (n=15),and healthy control (n=20) groups. Seminal plasma metabolites were detected using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Differential metabolites were identified after data processing and statistical analyses. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis was used to identify key metabolic pathways. Area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the diag-nostic efficacy of differential metabolites. Results We identified 1431 differential metabolites. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that differential metabolites mainly participated in pathways,such as amino acid biosynthesis,protein digestion and absorption,and nucleotide metabolism. The AUC of the top 10 upregulated and downregulated metabolites in each group were>0.7,indicating good diagnostic effi-cacy. Conclusion Untargeted metabolomics of seminal plasma can detect differential metabolites between different types of male infer-tility and healthy men,providing new ideas for exploring biomarkers and metabolomics-related mechanisms of male infertility.