1.Construction of Perimenopausal Depression Animal Models and Mechanism of Action of Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Xiaoting LI ; Shouzhu XU ; Jun KE ; Zhan ZHANG ; Bao XIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):258-267
Perimenopausal depression (PMD) is an affective disorder that occurs in women during the transition from sexual maturity to old age. It can induce various complications, such as insomnia and cognitive decline. The etiology of PMD is complex. Although multiple hypotheses have been proposed, there is still no unified theory that fully explains its pathogenesis. Research into its mechanisms relies heavily on animal experiments, and establishing reliable animal models is crucial for experimental studies. Appropriate animal models can better simulate human pathophysiological states, rapidly evaluate the efficacy and safety of drugs and intervention methods, grasp the essence of the disease, and uncover its intrinsic connections, thereby exploring more advanced intervention strategies. However, there is a lack of systematic review and summarization of literature related to model construction. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), adhering to the principles of ''syndrome differentiation and treatment'' and ''holistic concept'', has shown significant efficacy in treating PMD. In recent years, research exploring and analyzing its therapeutic mechanisms has been increasing. Therefore, to gain a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of PMD animal modeling methods and the mechanisms of TCM, this paper reviewed Chinese and English literature on PMD animal models and mechanisms of TCM in PMD treatment. It summarized the construction methods of single-factor and multi-factor PMD models, and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of each modeling approach. Furthermore, it delved into the mechanisms of TCM intervention in PMD, revealing that TCM formulas primarily exert their effects by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, gut-brain axis, cell signaling pathways, neural circuits, hormone levels, and neurotransmitter levels. This review aims to provide a reference for future research in this field. In summary, by summarizing the progress in the methods for PMD animal model construction and the mechanisms of TCM, the paper seeks to offer new insights into the mechanistic research of TCM intervention in PMD.
2.Etiology and treatment of dysuria shortly after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: a report of 98 cases
Chao LU ; Xin GU ; Wenfeng LI ; Chong LIU ; Bao HUA ; Jiangyi WANG ; Minkai XIE ; Yiwei WANG ; Qing YANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2026;31(5):435-439
Objective To investigate the etiology and treatment of dysuria shortly after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), so as to improve the therapeutic efficacy. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1361 BPH patients who received HoLEP at our hospital during Mar. 2018 and Mar. 2025. All patients underwent ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), urethral probing or radiography, cystourethroscopy, and urodynamic testing. The causes, treatments and prognosis of dysuria after operation were summarized. Results ninety-eight patients (7.2%) experienced dysuria within 3 months after surgery, and all patients received initial urethral dilation. Among the 62 cases with urethral stricture, 28 were treated with urethral dilation (average of 8 sessions), 16 underwent external urethral incision, 8 underwent anterior urethroplasty, and 10 underwent transurethral plasma incision for urethral stricture. Of the 12 cases with residual prostate tissue, 5 underwent urethral plasma prostatectomy and 7 received medication. All of the 12 cases with bladder neck contracture underwent transurethral plasma incision of the bladder neck and local drug injection. Five cases with intravesical blood clots underwent urethral blood clot irrigation, 2 of which developed active bleeding and then underwent electrocoagulation. Four cases with detrusor dysfunction had catheters re-indwelled for one week followed by medication. Two cases with stone and one case with tissue fragment impacted in the urethra underwent urethral holmium lithotripsy and cystoscopic removal. All patients underwent reoperation successfully and experienced complete resolution or significant improvement of urinary difficulties. Conclusion A certain proportion of patients experience dysuria after HoLEP, with diverse etiologies. The combination of prevention and treatment can reduce the incidence of dysuria.
3.Preclinical mouse models for studying cholangiocarcinoma
Shanru Yang ; Chaodi Bao ; Yuan Li ; Yangxiang Ou ; Yifan Jiang ; Wenjie Xu ; Dongfang Zheng ; Na Li ; Mengjie Yang ; Fuyan Wang ; Xin Hou
Liver Research 2026;10(1):22-34
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignancy characterized by tumor cells originating in the liver or bile ducts, exhibiting features of cholangiocyte differentiation. It poses a significant clinical challenge due to the limited diagnostic and therapeutic options available. Robust animal models are essential for advancing our understanding of CCA pathogenesis and developing effective treatments. This review provides a comprehensive overview of CCA mouse models, highlighting various approaches, including chemical induction, genetically engineered models, and tumor xenografts. Each model is discussed in terms of its establishment techniques, pathological characteristics, and research significance, with a focus on intrahepatic CCA. Chemical induction models, such as diethylnitrosamine- and azoxymethane-induced models, offer insights into tumorigenesis processes, whereas genetically modified models involving alterations in key genes such as Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog, tumor protein 53, and isocitrate dehydrogenase serve as important tools for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying CCA. Xenograft models, including patient-derived xenografts, bridge the gap between experimental research and clinical applications, allowing for precise therapeutic evaluations. By comparing these models, this review underscores their respective advantages and limitations, paving the way for future studies aiming to optimize and innovate CCA modeling strategies.
4.Research on the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity and mechanisms of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives
Xu-xin CUI ; Wen-ping CUI ; Yan-xing BI ; Fan CHENG ; Yu-ning LI ; Bao-lai ZHANG ; Quan-yi ZHAO ; Xiao-lai YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2150-2157
Aim To design and synthesize a series of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives by using glycyrrhetinic acid as the parent nucleus,screen their antitumor activ-ities,and investigate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects and mechanisms of the most active compound.Methods MTT assay was used to screen for the com-pound with the most potent antitumor activity.MTT as-say,wound healing assay,colony formation assay and Transwell migration assay were used to evaluate the effects of the compound on tumor cell viability and mi-gration.Flow cytometry was employed to assess the im-pact of the compound on tumor cell cycle progression and apoptosis.Western blot was conducted to verify the effects on the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax,caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3.A mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma ascites tumor was estab-lished to examine the antitumor effects of the compound in vivo.Results Compound C22 was identified as having the most significant inhibitory effect on hepato-cellular carcinoma cells.C22 inhibited the viability and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner.C22 upreg-ulated the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax,caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 in hepatocellular car-cinoma cells,induced apoptosis,and arrested the cell cycle in the G0/G1 and S phases.C22 significantly re-duced the growth of mouse hepatocellular carcinoma as-cites tumors and prolonged survival.Conclusion Glycyrrhetinic acid derivative C22 significantly inhibits the viability and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo,and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
5.Aiwixin oral liquid alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by regulating mitochondrial fission and fusion
Hui-tian XIN ; Ya-li BAO ; Xiao-feng GAO ; Hui-hui LI ; Wan-yue LI ; Ainiwar DINA ; Nasier NUERAILAGULI ; Anwaier GULINIGAER ; Zhan SUN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2177-2185
Aim To investigate the mechanism by which Aiweixin oral liquid(AWX)alleviates myocar-dial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats through the reg-ulation of mitochondrial fusion and fission.Methods Seventy-two healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to six groups(n=12)using a ran-dom number table:sham surgery group,model group,low-dose AWX(1 mL·kg-1)group,medium-dose AWX(2 mL·kg-1)group,high-dose AWX(4 mL·kg-1)group,and positive control drug trimetazidine(10 mg·kg-1)group.A myocardial ischemia-reper-fusion injury(MIRI)model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery of the rat heart,followed by 30 minutes of ischemia and 90 mi-nutes of reperfusion.In the sham surgery group,only a suture was placed without ligation.The rats in the treatment groups were pre-gavaged with AWX starting 10 days prior to the modeling procedure.Lead Ⅱ elec-trocardiograms were recorded before and after reperfu-sion in each group to observe the changes in electrocar-diographic parameters.The myocardial infarct size in each group was assessed using TTC staining.The his-topathological changes in myocardial tissue were exam-ined under a light microscope using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.The serum levels of adenosine triphosphate(ATP)and cardiac troponin I(cTnI)were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent as-say(ELISA).Superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)were determined using bio-chemical assay kits.The protein expression levels of dynamin-related protein 1(dynamin-relatedprotein 1,DRP1),mitochondrial fission factor(mitochondrial fis-sion factor,MFF),mitochondrial fission protein 1(mi-tochondrial fission protein 1,FIS1),mitofusin 1(mito-fusion-1,MFN1),and mitofusin 2(mitofusion-2,MFN2)were evaluated by Western blot analysis.Re-sults Compared with the sham group,the model group exhibited aggravated myocardial tissue pathological damage,an increased percentage of myocardial infarct size,decreased serum SOD activity and ATP levels,and significantly elevated levels of MDA,cTnI,and LDH activity.Additionally,the protein expression of mito-chondrial fission factors DRP1,MFF,and FIS1 was up-regulated,while the expression of fusion-related factors MFN1 and MFN2 was downregulated.Compared with the model group,Aiweixin oral liquid significantly alle-viated myocardial injury,reduced the percentage of my-ocardial infarct size,increased serum SOD activity and ATP levels,decreased MDA content and cTnI and LDH activity,downregulated the protein expression of mito-chondrial fission factors DRP1,MFF,and FIS1,and up-regulated the protein expression of fusion-related factors MFN1 and MFN2.Conclusion Aiweixin oral liquid alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by regulating abnormal mitochondrial fusion and fis-sion.
6.Male genital system lymphoma:Clinicopathological analysis of 80 cases
Xiao-die ZHOU ; Rong-xin QI ; Bo YU ; Xuan WANG ; Qun-li SHI ; Qiu RAO ; Wei BAO
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(2):138-143
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis of male genital system lympho-ma(MGSL).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological and immunophenotypic features and prognosis of 80 ca-ses of MGSL.Results:The onset age of the MGSL patients ranged from 4 to 85(median 62)years old.All the cases showed non-specificity of the imaging features and clinical manifestations.MGSL was located mainly in the testis(n=66),followed by the pros-tate(n=7),epididymis(n=3),scrotum(n=3)and penile glans(n=1).Diffused large B cell lymphoma(DLBCL)was the most common pathological type(n=62),next came extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue(MALT)(n=7)and other rare types(n=12).During the 1-112-month follow-up of 10 of the 19 patients,1 died at 1 month af-ter diagnosed with prostatic B-lymphoblastic lymphoma(B-LBL)and another 1 died at 50 months after diagnosed with testicular DLBCL.Conclusion:MGSL is rare clinically,mainly of the DLBCL type pathologically,lacking specificity in clinical symptoms and imaging manifestation.The definite diagnosis of the malignancy depends on histopathology combined with related molecular exami-nation and immunohistochemical labeling,and R-CHOP chemotherapy is the first choice for its treatment.
7.Research on the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity and mechanisms of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives
Xu-xin CUI ; Wen-ping CUI ; Yan-xing BI ; Fan CHENG ; Yu-ning LI ; Bao-lai ZHANG ; Quan-yi ZHAO ; Xiao-lai YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2150-2157
Aim To design and synthesize a series of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives by using glycyrrhetinic acid as the parent nucleus,screen their antitumor activ-ities,and investigate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects and mechanisms of the most active compound.Methods MTT assay was used to screen for the com-pound with the most potent antitumor activity.MTT as-say,wound healing assay,colony formation assay and Transwell migration assay were used to evaluate the effects of the compound on tumor cell viability and mi-gration.Flow cytometry was employed to assess the im-pact of the compound on tumor cell cycle progression and apoptosis.Western blot was conducted to verify the effects on the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax,caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3.A mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma ascites tumor was estab-lished to examine the antitumor effects of the compound in vivo.Results Compound C22 was identified as having the most significant inhibitory effect on hepato-cellular carcinoma cells.C22 inhibited the viability and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner.C22 upreg-ulated the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax,caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 in hepatocellular car-cinoma cells,induced apoptosis,and arrested the cell cycle in the G0/G1 and S phases.C22 significantly re-duced the growth of mouse hepatocellular carcinoma as-cites tumors and prolonged survival.Conclusion Glycyrrhetinic acid derivative C22 significantly inhibits the viability and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo,and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
8.Aiwixin oral liquid alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by regulating mitochondrial fission and fusion
Hui-tian XIN ; Ya-li BAO ; Xiao-feng GAO ; Hui-hui LI ; Wan-yue LI ; Ainiwar DINA ; Nasier NUERAILAGULI ; Anwaier GULINIGAER ; Zhan SUN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2177-2185
Aim To investigate the mechanism by which Aiweixin oral liquid(AWX)alleviates myocar-dial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats through the reg-ulation of mitochondrial fusion and fission.Methods Seventy-two healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to six groups(n=12)using a ran-dom number table:sham surgery group,model group,low-dose AWX(1 mL·kg-1)group,medium-dose AWX(2 mL·kg-1)group,high-dose AWX(4 mL·kg-1)group,and positive control drug trimetazidine(10 mg·kg-1)group.A myocardial ischemia-reper-fusion injury(MIRI)model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery of the rat heart,followed by 30 minutes of ischemia and 90 mi-nutes of reperfusion.In the sham surgery group,only a suture was placed without ligation.The rats in the treatment groups were pre-gavaged with AWX starting 10 days prior to the modeling procedure.Lead Ⅱ elec-trocardiograms were recorded before and after reperfu-sion in each group to observe the changes in electrocar-diographic parameters.The myocardial infarct size in each group was assessed using TTC staining.The his-topathological changes in myocardial tissue were exam-ined under a light microscope using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.The serum levels of adenosine triphosphate(ATP)and cardiac troponin I(cTnI)were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent as-say(ELISA).Superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)were determined using bio-chemical assay kits.The protein expression levels of dynamin-related protein 1(dynamin-relatedprotein 1,DRP1),mitochondrial fission factor(mitochondrial fis-sion factor,MFF),mitochondrial fission protein 1(mi-tochondrial fission protein 1,FIS1),mitofusin 1(mito-fusion-1,MFN1),and mitofusin 2(mitofusion-2,MFN2)were evaluated by Western blot analysis.Re-sults Compared with the sham group,the model group exhibited aggravated myocardial tissue pathological damage,an increased percentage of myocardial infarct size,decreased serum SOD activity and ATP levels,and significantly elevated levels of MDA,cTnI,and LDH activity.Additionally,the protein expression of mito-chondrial fission factors DRP1,MFF,and FIS1 was up-regulated,while the expression of fusion-related factors MFN1 and MFN2 was downregulated.Compared with the model group,Aiweixin oral liquid significantly alle-viated myocardial injury,reduced the percentage of my-ocardial infarct size,increased serum SOD activity and ATP levels,decreased MDA content and cTnI and LDH activity,downregulated the protein expression of mito-chondrial fission factors DRP1,MFF,and FIS1,and up-regulated the protein expression of fusion-related factors MFN1 and MFN2.Conclusion Aiweixin oral liquid alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by regulating abnormal mitochondrial fusion and fis-sion.
9.Mechanism of total flavonoids of Carthamus tinctorius L.against he-patic fibrosis based on LC-MS/MS combined with network pharma-cology and pharmacology experiments
Mingqi LI ; Yinghe WANG ; Xiaolu ZHAO ; Xiaomei BAO ; Xin YUE ; Guiqiang REN ; Yue-hong MA
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(5):586-598
AIM:To elucidate the pharmacody-namic and network pharmacological mechanisms of total flavonoids of Carthamus tinctorius L.,to ex-plore their key targets and related pathways,and to clarify their mechanism of action against hepatic fibrosis.METHODS:The total flavonoids of Cartha-mus tinctorius L.were determined by LC-MS/MS and analysed for their compositions;the active in-gredients were screened by TCMSP database,SWISS ADME database and literature search;the targets related to total flavonoids of Carthamus tinctorius L.were screened by Swiss Target Predic-tion database;and the targets related to hepatic fi-brosis were screened by GeneCards database;the anti-hepatic fibrosis targets of total flavonoids of Carthamus tinctorius L.were obtained by taking the intersection of Venny.2.1.0;the protein interac-tions were analysed by STRING database;the visu-alization analysis was carried out by Cytoscape soft-ware;the GO function and KEGG pathway analysis was carried out by Metascape platform;and molec-ular docking was verified by using AutoDock soft-ware for the core targets and active ingredients.The mechanism of anti-hepatic fibrosis of total fla-vonoids of Carthamus tinctorius L.was verified by animal model and in vitro cell experiments.RE-SULTS:A total of 41 flavonoid components were identified in Carthamus tinctorius L.Through the network pharmacological analysis,149 anti-hepatic fibrosis targets of total flavonoids of Carthamus tinctorius L.were obtained,including 23 core tar-gets.The GO enrichment analyses involved a total of three aspects,namely,biological process(BP),cellular component(CC),and molecular function(MF).KEGG enrichment results showed that PI3K/Akt and MAPK are pathways involved in the devel-opment of hepatic fibrosis.Molecular docking veri-fied that the active ingredients Quercetin,Acacetin and Glabridin were tightly bound to Akt1 and HI-FIA,respectively.In animal model experiments,it was observed by HE and Masson staining that fibro-plasia was reduced,collagen deposition was re-duced,inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced,and fibrotic liver tissues were improved in total fla-vonoids of Carthamus tinctorius L.administration group.In isolated cell experiments:Western blot-ting results suggested that total flavonoids of Car-thamus tinctorius L.could decrease the hepatic fi-brosis marker factor α-SMA,Collagen1(P<0.01)and PI3K,Akt protein expression(P<0.01).CONCLU-SION:Total flavonoids of Carthamus tinctorius L.ex-erted anti-hepatic fibrosis effects through multi-components,multi-targets and multi-pathways,and their mechanism of action may be achieved by regulating the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.
10.Research progress on the role and mechanism of high mobility group box protein 1 after spinal cord injury
Xin XUE ; Chang-zheng YIN ; Jin-hui CHEN ; Lu-rong HUANG ; Xin ZHENG ; Yi-min LI ; Guo-bao XIAO ; Ping ZHANG ; Jian-hua ZHAO
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(10):918-923
High mobility group box protein 1(HMGB1)is one of the most widely expressed protein member in the HMGs family,which is well known for its involvement in the body inflammatory response.Previous researches have found that it plays a significant role in cell migration,immune identification and neuroprotection.Spinal cord injury is a disease that causes severe damage to the nervous system,and neural circuits are disrupted after a spinal cord injury,which leads to many conditions including ischemia and hypoxia,inflammatory responses,demyelinating lesions,and glial scar formation that are detrimental to nerve regeneration and repair,making it one of the most difficult diseases to treat in the modern spinal surgery field.HMGB1 is upregulated after spinal cord injury,thereby regulating neuroinflam-matory responses,and participating in the neuronal apoptosis,promoting neuronal regeneration,and inducing neural stem cell differentiation and migration,which plays an important role in the process of neural function recovery.This paper summarizes the structure and function of HMGB1,as well as its role in spinal cord injury,in order to provide direction for founding therapeutic target for neurological function recovery after spinal cord injury.


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