1.Combined Therapy of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Hepatitis B Virus Infection: A Review
Xuan WU ; Hui LI ; Jian HUANG ; Xikun YANG ; Yan ZENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):279-288
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the primary cause of viral hepatitis and represents a substantial disease burden in China. However, effective and safe agents capable of completely eliminating HBV DNA are still lacking. In modern medicine, anti-HBV strategies mainly target covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), among other mechanisms, and multiple novel drugs are currently under clinical investigation. Traditional medicine has been shown to exert anti-HBV effects through direct pathways, such as blocking viral entry, as well as indirect pathways, including the regulation of programmed cell death. Studies have confirmed that the integration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine in treating HBV infection and its related complications offers complementary advantages, particularly in enhancing HBV clearance rates, improving liver function, preventing various complications, and delaying the progression from hepatic fibrosis to hepatocellular carcinoma. This review focuses on advances in anti-HBV research involving TCM, Western medicine, and their integrated application, aiming to provide a basis for integrated HBV therapy and new drug development.
2.Correlation analysis of inflammatory markers (NLR/PLR/SII) with the severity of intrauterine adhesions
Ying WANG ; Xuan XU ; Longyu ZHANG ; Rong WU ; Jingjing HU ; Wenjuan YANG ; Xiao WU ; Zhaolian WEI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):146-150
ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and the severity of intrauterine adhesions (IUA). MethodsThe retrospective study included 380 patients who underwent transcervical resection of adhesions (TCRA) from December 2019 to March 2025. Based on the American Fertility Society (AFS) classification, patients were divided into mild (n=61), moderate (n=225), and severe (n=94) groups. NLR, PLR, and SII were calculated from preoperative blood tests. Statistical analyses included Kruskal-Wallis test and ordinal Logistic regression. ResultsNLR, PLR, and SII were significantly higher in the severe IUA group compared to the mild group (P<0.05), with SII showing the strongest predictive ability (OR=1.004, P=0.001). The number of intrauterine procedures was an independent risk factor (OR=1.27/level, P=0.016). The predictive model [Logit(P)=-0.676+0.241×operation times+0.004×SII] effectively identified severe IUA cases. ConclusionInflammatory markers (particularly SII) are correlated with IUA severity and may serve as non-invasive tools for clinical assessment.
3.Analysis of the current situation and influencing factors of platelet supply in medical institutions
Xuan WU ; Ting ZHANG ; Xiaozhen GUAN ; Yang YU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(3):339-345
Objective: To systematically analyze the current status and influencing factors of platelet supply in medical institutions across China, and to explore the problems and future development directions of the existing supply models. Methods: From February 25 to March 5, 2025, a web-based questionnaire survey was performed. A self-designed questionnaire was distributed to staff in the blood transfusion departments of medical institutions nationwide in China. Data on the current status and influencing factors of platelet supply were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 2 268 responses were collected in this survey, with 1 366 valid questionnaires finally included, covering 33 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government across China. The survey revealed that platelet supply in Chinese medical institutions exhibited a pattern of "sufficient in the eastern region, stable in the central region, and scarce in the western region": adequate in East China; generally favorable in South China except Guangxi; centered on Beijing and Tianjin in North China; basically met but with insufficient reserves in Central China; subject to seasonal fluctuations in Northeast China; only meeting the baseline supply in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan in Southwest China; and notably short in Qinghai, Ningxia, and Xinjiang in Northwest China. Family donor mobilization was required in 81.2% (1 109/1 366) of institutions, whereas this proportion was only 12.7% (173/1 366) among institutions with sufficient supply. Tertiary hospitals constituted the main users, among which tertiary Class A hospitals had the highest sufficiency rate, and secondary Class B hospitals showed the most pronounced shortage. A total of 84% (1 147/1 366) of institutions lacked a professional management team; only 19% (266/1 366) had an inventory warning system, of which 88% (234/266) considered it effective. Platelet reservation required 3 days in 33% (458/1 366) of institutions. The mandatory transfusion rate was 30.55% (29/118) when the reservation lead time exceeded 3 days, representing an increase of 5.98% compared with 24.57% (55/180) in the same-day reservation group. For optimization, most institutions called for improved blood donation services, strengthened education and incentives, establishment of regional coordination and policy collaboration, and supplementary suggestions focused on technologies for extending platelet shelf life. Conclusion: Regional imbalance in platelet supply across China is prominent, with supply shortages in some provinces, reliance on family donor mobilization in most institutions, weak grassroots support capacity, imperfect management systems, and supply timeliness constraining clinical practice. Systematic improvements are needed in optimizing blood donation services, strengthening regional coordination, improving relevant policies, and developing platelet preservation technologies, so as to enhance the level of supply security and patient safety.
4.In Vitro Anti-psoriatic Effect of Kangfuxin Liquid via Inhibiting Cell Proliferation and Migration Ability and Blocking JAK3/STAT3 Signaling Pathway
Shuai LI ; Xuan LIU ; Wenyan TANG ; Zhenqi WU ; Chunhui CHEN ; Dadan QIU ; Yi XU ; Chenggui ZHANG ; Jianquan ZHU ; Jiali ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):123-133
ObjectiveThis paper aims to explore the in vitro anti-psoriasis activity and potential mechanism of Kangfuxin liquid (KFX liquid), providing experimental evidence for the anti-psoriasis effect of KFX liquid. MethodsFirstly, the uninduced human immortalized keratinocyte cells (HaCaT cells) were divided into seven groups, namely the control group and KFX liquid groups with different doses (5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 g·L-1). After being treated with different concentrations of KFX liquid, the effect of KFX liquid on the normal cell proliferation was detected by using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method. Secondly, the uninduced HaCaT cells were divided into six groups, namely the control group and recombinant human interleukin-7A (rh-IL-7A) groups with different doses (5, 10, 50, 100, 120 g·L-1). After being treated with different concentrations of recombinant human interleukin-17A (rh IL-17A) liquid, the effect of rh IL-17A on cell proliferation was detected. The optimal induction concentration was screened. Then, normal HaCaT cells were divided into a control group and KFX liquid groups with different doses (5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 g·L-1). Except for the control group, the other groups established psoriasis cell models with the optimal induction concentration of rh IL-17A. After being treated with different concentrations of KFX liquid, the effects of KFX liquid on the psoriasis-like HaCaT cell proliferation were investigated. Finally, the uninduced HaCaT cells were divided into six groups, namely the control group, rh IL-17A group, methotrexate (MTX) group, and KFX liquid groups with different doses (20, 40, 80 g·L-1). Except for the control group, the other groups used the optimal induction concentration of rh IL-17A to establish psoriasis cell models. After being treated with different drugs, the cell migration levels were detected through scratch assays, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the relative mRNA expression levels of Ki-67 antigen (Ki67), S100 calcium-binding protein A7 (S100A7), S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8), and S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100A9), thereby comprehensively evaluating the in vitro anti-psoriasis activity of KFX liquid. By detecting the relative mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and chemokine-20 (CXCL-20) inflammatory-related factors in psoriasis-like HaCaT cells and the protein expression levels of Janus kinase 3 (JAK3), phosphorylated Janus kinase 3 (p-JAK3), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3), the mechanism was explored. ResultsCompared with that of control group, when treated with 80 g·L-1 KFX liquid for 72 h (P<0.05) and at different times with 160 g·L-1 KFX liquid, the HaCaT cell proliferation activity was significantly affected (P<0.01), while the other concentrations of KFX liquid had no significant differences in cell morphology and cell proliferation activity at different times, indicating that the KFX liquid is relatively safe for HaCaT cells and has no obvious toxic side effects. Compared with that of control group, when treated with different concentrations of rh IL-17A for 24 h, the HaCaT cell proliferation activity was significantly enhanced, and the cell activity was the strongest when the concentration was 100 μg·L-1 (P<0.05), with a density close to 100% and intact cell morphology, indicating that 100 μg·L-1 is the optimal concentration for inducing HaCaT cell proliferation. The results of the KFX liquid treatment on rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like cells show that the KFX liquid not only effectively inhibits the rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like HaCaT cell proliferation activity (P<0.01), but also significantly reduces the migration ability of rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like HaCaT cells (P<0.01), and the relative mRNA expression levels of Ki67, S100A7, S100A8, and S100A9 (P<0.01). Moreover, the KFX liquid can significantly reduce the relative mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and CXCL-20 in rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like cells (P<0.01), and significantly inhibit the phosphorylation levels of JAK3 and STAT3 proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe KFX liquid has no obvious toxicity to uninduced HaCaT cells. It can inhibit rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like HaCaT cell proliferation, reduce the cell migration ability, and has good in vitro anti-psoriasis activity. Its action mechanism may be related to downregulating the expression levels of inflammation-related cytokines in the JAK3/STAT3 signaling pathway and inhibiting the phosphorylation levels of JAK3 and STAT3 proteins.
5.In Vitro Anti-psoriatic Effect of Kangfuxin Liquid via Inhibiting Cell Proliferation and Migration Ability and Blocking JAK3/STAT3 Signaling Pathway
Shuai LI ; Xuan LIU ; Wenyan TANG ; Zhenqi WU ; Chunhui CHEN ; Dadan QIU ; Yi XU ; Chenggui ZHANG ; Jianquan ZHU ; Jiali ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):123-133
ObjectiveThis paper aims to explore the in vitro anti-psoriasis activity and potential mechanism of Kangfuxin liquid (KFX liquid), providing experimental evidence for the anti-psoriasis effect of KFX liquid. MethodsFirstly, the uninduced human immortalized keratinocyte cells (HaCaT cells) were divided into seven groups, namely the control group and KFX liquid groups with different doses (5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 g·L-1). After being treated with different concentrations of KFX liquid, the effect of KFX liquid on the normal cell proliferation was detected by using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method. Secondly, the uninduced HaCaT cells were divided into six groups, namely the control group and recombinant human interleukin-7A (rh-IL-7A) groups with different doses (5, 10, 50, 100, 120 g·L-1). After being treated with different concentrations of recombinant human interleukin-17A (rh IL-17A) liquid, the effect of rh IL-17A on cell proliferation was detected. The optimal induction concentration was screened. Then, normal HaCaT cells were divided into a control group and KFX liquid groups with different doses (5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 g·L-1). Except for the control group, the other groups established psoriasis cell models with the optimal induction concentration of rh IL-17A. After being treated with different concentrations of KFX liquid, the effects of KFX liquid on the psoriasis-like HaCaT cell proliferation were investigated. Finally, the uninduced HaCaT cells were divided into six groups, namely the control group, rh IL-17A group, methotrexate (MTX) group, and KFX liquid groups with different doses (20, 40, 80 g·L-1). Except for the control group, the other groups used the optimal induction concentration of rh IL-17A to establish psoriasis cell models. After being treated with different drugs, the cell migration levels were detected through scratch assays, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the relative mRNA expression levels of Ki-67 antigen (Ki67), S100 calcium-binding protein A7 (S100A7), S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8), and S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100A9), thereby comprehensively evaluating the in vitro anti-psoriasis activity of KFX liquid. By detecting the relative mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and chemokine-20 (CXCL-20) inflammatory-related factors in psoriasis-like HaCaT cells and the protein expression levels of Janus kinase 3 (JAK3), phosphorylated Janus kinase 3 (p-JAK3), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3), the mechanism was explored. ResultsCompared with that of control group, when treated with 80 g·L-1 KFX liquid for 72 h (P<0.05) and at different times with 160 g·L-1 KFX liquid, the HaCaT cell proliferation activity was significantly affected (P<0.01), while the other concentrations of KFX liquid had no significant differences in cell morphology and cell proliferation activity at different times, indicating that the KFX liquid is relatively safe for HaCaT cells and has no obvious toxic side effects. Compared with that of control group, when treated with different concentrations of rh IL-17A for 24 h, the HaCaT cell proliferation activity was significantly enhanced, and the cell activity was the strongest when the concentration was 100 μg·L-1 (P<0.05), with a density close to 100% and intact cell morphology, indicating that 100 μg·L-1 is the optimal concentration for inducing HaCaT cell proliferation. The results of the KFX liquid treatment on rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like cells show that the KFX liquid not only effectively inhibits the rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like HaCaT cell proliferation activity (P<0.01), but also significantly reduces the migration ability of rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like HaCaT cells (P<0.01), and the relative mRNA expression levels of Ki67, S100A7, S100A8, and S100A9 (P<0.01). Moreover, the KFX liquid can significantly reduce the relative mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and CXCL-20 in rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like cells (P<0.01), and significantly inhibit the phosphorylation levels of JAK3 and STAT3 proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe KFX liquid has no obvious toxicity to uninduced HaCaT cells. It can inhibit rh IL-17A-induced psoriasis-like HaCaT cell proliferation, reduce the cell migration ability, and has good in vitro anti-psoriasis activity. Its action mechanism may be related to downregulating the expression levels of inflammation-related cytokines in the JAK3/STAT3 signaling pathway and inhibiting the phosphorylation levels of JAK3 and STAT3 proteins.
6.Therapeutic Effect of Wenweishu Granules on Functional Dyspepsia Rats with Spleen-stomach Deficiency Cold Syndrome Based on Bioinformatics Analysis and Experimental Validation
Xinyu YANG ; Xiaoyi JIA ; Zihua XUAN ; Shuangying GUI ; Yanfang WU ; Yuhan MA ; Qin RUAN ; Jia ZHENG ; Zhiyong JIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):30-40
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of Wenweishu granule (WWSG) on functional dyspepsia (FD) with spleen-stomach deficiency cold syndrome in rats by integrating network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments. MethodsActive components and corresponding targets of WWSG were collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and the Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM). Disease-related targets for FD with spleen-stomach deficiency cold syndrome were screened using GeneCards and the Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCMIP). Core therapeutic targets were identified via Cytoscape and validated by molecular docking. A rat model of FD with spleen-stomach deficiency cold syndrome was established using vinegar gavage combined with tail-clamping. The rats were randomly divided into a model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose WWSG groups (2.0, 4.0, 8.0 g·kg-1), a domperidone group (3.0 mg·kg-1), a Fuzi Lizhong pillwan (0.8 g·kg-1), and a normal control group (n=10 per group). Drugs were administered once daily by gavage for 14 consecutive days. After treatment, body weight, symptom scores, and gastrointestinal motility indices were recorded. Gastric and duodenal pathologies changes were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Brain-gut peptides were measured in serum and tissue using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were performed to assess stem cell factor (SCF) and receptor tyrosine kinase (c-Kit) protein expression in gastric tissues. ResultsA total of 305 drug targets, 1 140 disease targets, and 116 overlapping targets were identified. Cytoscape analysis revealed 104 core targets. Enrichment analysis indicated that the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway was the key mechanism. Molecular docking confirmed a strong binding affinity between active components of WWSG and SCF/c-Kit proteins (binding energy<-5.1 kcal·mol-1). Compared with the normal group, model rats exhibited slower weight gain (P<0.05), reduced gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion (P<0.01), mild gastric mucosal shedding, duodenal inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased levels of gastrin (GAS), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) (P<0.05, P<0.01), and elevated somatostatin (SS) expression (P<0.05, P<0.01). WWSG treatment ameliorated weight gain, symptom scores, and low-grade inflammation in gastric/duodenal tissues. High-dose WWSG significantly improved gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion, upregulated GAS, 5-HT, and VIP, and downregulated SS expression in serum and tissues (P<0.05, P<0.01). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot demonstrated that SCF and c-Kit protein expression was decreased in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), which was reversed by WWSG intervention (P<0.05). ConclusionWWSG exerts therapeutic effects on FD with spleen-stomach deficiency cold syndrome in rats, potentially by regulating the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway to enhance gastrointestinal motility.
7.Evaluation index system of cervical cancer prevention and control literacy based on Delphi method
ZHOU Xuan ; WU Miaomiao ; HE Yiqing ; SU Fang ; DING Jinxia ; XIE Lunfang
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(4):413-416,420
Objective:
To construct an evaluation index system of cervical cancer prevention and control literacy, so as to provide an assessment tool for cervical cancer prevention and control literacy.
Methods:
The preliminary framework for cervical cancer prevention and control literacy was designed based on literature review. Twenty-one experts with both theoretical and practical experience in cervical cancer prevention and control were invited to participate in two rounds of Delphi consultation. The weights of indicators were determined by the percentage weighting method and product method, and the response rate, authority level, opinion concentration degree, and coordination degree of experts were evaluated.
Results:
Twenty-one experts participated in the consultation, including 3 males and 18 females. There were 11 experts with a doctor's degree, 7 with a master's degree and 3 with a bachelor's degree. All of them had senior professional titles and had more than 10 years of working experience. The recovery rates of the two rounds of consultations were 100.00% and 95.24%, the authority coefficients were 0.963 and 0.948, and Kendall's coefficients of concordance were 0.175 and 0.148 (both P<0.05), respectively. The final cervical cancer prevention and control literacy evaluation index system included 3 primary indicators (basic knowledge and concepts: 0.334; healthy lifestyle and behaviors: 0.338; basic skills: 0.328), 12 secondary indicators, with "capability to accurately acquire, comprehend, evaluate and apply health information" having the highest weight (0.166), and 51 tertiary indicators, with "HPV vaccination" (0.086), "consulting on relevant issues" (0.082), and "expressing personal perspectives" (0.080) having relatively higher weights.
Conclusion
The evaluation index system of cervical cancer prevention and control literacy serves as a valid assessment tool for women of appropriate age, providing the reference for developing targeted health education to enhance cervical cancer prevention and control literacy.
8.Analysis of the demands for pharmaceutical clinic service and influential factors based on Kano model
Han SHAN ; Xuan YE ; Zihan GUO ; Jing WU ; Jinwei HU ; Xiaopei TONG ; Yufei BIN ; Jiyong LIU ; Qiong DU ; Mengmeng WANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(22):2850-2855
OBJECTIVE To explore the characteristics and influential factors of pharmaceutical clinic service demands, providing evidence for optimizing pharmaceutical service models and facilitating pharmaceutical service models of pharmacist role transformation. METHODS A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and 410 outpatient participants were selected from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center through convenience sampling for questionnaire administration from February to May 2025. Kano model was applied to analyze the demand attributes of 25 pharmaceutical services, while questionnaires were used to assess patients’ awareness and demand status. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on key demographic variables such as gender, age, educational attainment, and economic burdens, to SACA- systematically examine the differences in Kano attribute classification among patients in each subgroup. RESULTS The awareness rate of pharmaceutical outpatient services among patients was only 14.63%, yet those who were aware demonstrated a significantly higher demand rate for such services compared to those who were unaware (P<0.001). The demand for pharmaceutical clinic services exhibited a hierarchical characteristic: twelve items were identified as attractive attributes (e. g., providing suggestions for more affordable treatment options, offering online consultation services, etc.), five items as expected attributes (e.g., having a good attitude and being able to patiently answer your questions, etc.), three items as must-have attributes (e.g., providing guidance on medication dosage and usage, providing guidance on medication precautions, etc.), five items as indifferent attributes (e.g., providing treatment plan recommendations based on the patient’s condition). There were zero items classified as reverse attribute. Subgroup analysis revealed that female patients showed greater concern for “neat and clean attire of medical staff” than male patients (P<0.001); patients under 60 years of age demonstrated stronger demand for “providing treatment plan recommendations based on patients’ conditions” compared to patients aged 60 or above (P=0.016); those with below high school education placed greater emphasis on “providing guidance on medication precautions” compared to those with a high school education or above (P=0.011); patients with lower economic burdens exhibited stronger preferences for “neat and clean attire of medical staff ” (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS The public awareness rate of pharmaceutical clinic services is considerably low; however, those who are aware of such services demonstrate significantly higher demand. The medication safety-related services and convenience-oriented demands should be prioritized in the development of pharmaceutical clinics. Moreover, the study also revealed that factors such as gender, age, educational level, and economic burdens exert significant influences on patients’ service demands.
9.Verification of resveratrol ameliorating vascular endothelial damage in sepsis-associated encephalopathy through HIF-1α pathway based on network pharmacology and experiment.
Rong LI ; Yue WU ; Wen-Xuan ZHU ; Meng QIN ; Si-Yu SUN ; Li-Ya WANG ; Mei-Hui TIAN ; Ying YU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):1087-1097
This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which resveratrol(RES) alleviates cerebral vascular endothelial damage in sepsis-associated encephalopathy(SAE) through network pharmacology and animal experiments. By using network pharmacology, the study identified common targets and genes associated with RES and SAE and constructed a protein-protein interaction( PPI) network. Gene Ontology(GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed to pinpoint key signaling pathways, followed by molecular docking validation. In the animal experiments, a cecum ligation and puncture(CLP) method was employed to induce SAE in mice. The mice were randomly assigned to the sham group, CLP group, and medium-dose and high-dose groups of RES. The sham group underwent open surgery without CLP, and the CLP group received an intraperitoneal injection of 0. 9% sodium chloride solution after surgery. The medium-dose and high-dose groups of RES were injected intraperitoneally with 40 mg·kg-1 and 60 mg·kg~(-1) of RES after modeling, respectively, and samples were collected 12 hours later. Neurological function scores were assessed, and the wet-dry weight ratio of brain tissue was detected. Serum superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase( CAT) activity, and malondialdehyde( MDA) content were measured by oxidative stress kit. Histopathological changes in brain tissue were examined using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to evaluate tight cell junctions and mitochondrial ultrastructure changes in cerebral vascular endothelium. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of zonula occludens1( ZO-1), occludin, claudins-5, optic atrophy 1( OPA1), mitofusin 2(Mfn2), dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1), fission 1(Fis1), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α). Network pharmacology identified 76 intersecting targets for RES and SAE, with the top five core targets being EGFR, PTGS2, ESR1, HIF-1α, and APP. GO enrichment analysis showed that RES participated in the SAE mechanism through oxidative stress reaction. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that RES participated in SAE therapy through HIF-1α, Rap1, and other signaling pathways. Molecular docking results showed favorable docking activity between RES and key targets such as HIF-1α. Animal experiment results demonstrated that compared to the sham group, the CLP group exhibited reduced nervous reflexes, decreased water content in brain tissue, as well as serum SOD and CAT activity, and increased MDA content. In addition, the CLP group exhibited disrupted tight junctions in cerebral vascular endothelium and abnormal mitochondrial morphology. The protein expression levels of Drp1, Fis1, and HIF-1α in brain tissue were increased, while those of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-5, Mfn2, and OPA1 were decreased. In contrast, the medium-dose and high-dose groups of RES showed improved neurological function, increased water content in brain tissue and SOD and CAT activity, and decreased MDA content. Cell morphology in brain tissue, tight junctions between endothelial cells, and mitochondrial structure were improved. The protein expressions of Drp1, Fis1, and HIF-1α were decreased, while those of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-5, Mfn2, and OPA1 were increased. This study suggested that RES could ameliorate cerebrovascular endothelial barrier function and maintain mitochondrial homeostasis by inhibiting oxidative stress after SAE damage, potentially through modulation of the HIF-1α signaling pathway.
Animals
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Mice
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Network Pharmacology
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Resveratrol/administration & dosage*
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Male
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Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy/genetics*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics*
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Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism*
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Molecular Docking Simulation
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Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects*
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Humans
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Sepsis/complications*
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Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
10.UPLC-Q-TOF-MS combined with network pharmacology reveals effect and mechanism of Gentianella turkestanorum total extract in ameliorating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Wu DAI ; Dong-Xuan ZHENG ; Ruo-Yu GENG ; Li-Mei WEN ; Bo-Wei JU ; Qiang HOU ; Ya-Li GUO ; Xiang GAO ; Jun-Ping HU ; Jian-Hua YANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1938-1948
This study aims to reveal the effect and mechanism of Gentianella turkestanorum total extract(GTI) in ameliorating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH). UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was employed to identify the chemical components in GTI. SwissTarget-Prediction, GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD were utilized to screen the targets of GTI components and NASH. The common targets shared by GTI components and NASH were filtered through the STRING database and Cytoscape 3.9.0 to identify core targets, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. AutoDock was used for molecular docking of key components with core targets. A mouse model of NASH was established with a methionine-choline-deficient high-fat diet. A 4-week drug intervention was conducted, during which mouse weight was monitored, and the liver-to-brain ratio was measured at the end. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Sirius red staining, and oil red O staining were employed to observe the pathological changes in the liver tissue. The levels of various biomarkers, including aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), hydroxyproline(HYP), total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), malondialdehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and glutathione(GSH), in the serum and liver tissue were determined. RT-qPCR was conducted to measure the mRNA levels of interleukin 1β(IL-1β), interleukin 6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), collagen type I α1 chain(COL1A1), and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA). Western blotting was conducted to determine the protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and potential drug targets identified through network pharmacology. UPLC-Q-TOF/MS identified 581 chemical components of GTI, and 534 targets of GTI and 1 157 targets of NASH were screened out. The topological analysis of the common targets shared by GTI and NASH identified core targets such as IL-1β, IL-6, protein kinase B(AKT), TNF, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma(PPARG). GO and KEGG analyses indicated that the ameliorating effect of GTI on NASH was related to inflammatory responses and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/AKT pathway. The staining results demonstrated that GTI ameliorated hepatocyte vacuolation, swelling, ballooning, and lipid accumulation in NASH mice. Compared with the model group, high doses of GTI reduced the AST, ALT, HYP, TC, and TG levels(P<0.01) while increasing the HDL-C, SOD, and GSH levels(P<0.01). RT-qPCR results showed that GTI down-regulated the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COL1A1, and α-SMA(P<0.01). Western blot results indicated that GTI down-regulated the protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K), phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT), phosphorylated inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B alpha(p-IκBα), and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)(P<0.01). In summary, GTI ameliorates inflammation, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress associated with NASH by regulating the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Animals
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Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/genetics*
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Mice
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Network Pharmacology
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Male
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
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Liver/metabolism*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Humans
;
Mass Spectrometry
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
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Disease Models, Animal
;
Molecular Docking Simulation


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