1.Effective Components of Epimedii Folium in Regulating Related Signaling Pathways for Treatment of Steroid-induced Avascular Necrosis of Femoral Head: A Review
Jingxuan CHANG ; Jinyao WU ; Meiying JIN ; Fanqi MENG ; Wenhai ZHAO ; Zhenhai CUI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):277-288
Steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head(SANFH) is a bone and joint disease caused by prolonged and excessive steroid use. Its typical pathological features involve progressive circulatory disorders in the blood supply system of femoral head, leading to osteocyte apoptosis and bone tissue necrosis. As the disease progresses, it ultimately results in structural collapse and necrotic lesions of the femoral head, severely affecting patients' limb function and quality of life. Glucocorticoids mediate pathological damage through dual mechanisms, on the one hand, they disrupt the dynamic equilibrium between bone formation and resorption by suppressing osteoblast differentiation activity and activating osteoclastogenesis, on the other hand, they induce lipid metabolism disorders, inhibit angiogenesis, and impair endothelial cell function, thereby triggering microcirculatory disorders. Epimedii Folium and its active components exhibit multidimensional regulatory effects in SANFH prevention and treatment. Literature review reveals that it is rich in multiple active ingredients, primarily including total flavonoids of Epimedii Folium, icaritin, icariin, kaempferol, icariside Ⅱ, etc. These compounds exert multiple pharmacological effects(regulating bone metabolic homeostasis, modulating angiogenesis, correcting lipid metabolism disorders, and controlling cellular autophagy processes) through multiple signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, transforming growth factor(TGF)-β/bone morphogenetic protein(BMP)/Smad, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt), osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear transcription factor-κB ligand/receptor activator of nuclear transcription factor-κB(OPG/RANKL/RANK), etc. Based on existing research findings, this paper systematically elucidates the intervention mechanisms of active components in Epimedii Folium on key pathological processes of SANFH through the above pathways. It also deeply analyzes their regulatory roles in key nodes of different signaling pathways, aiming to provide valuable references for future clinical treatment and experimental research.
2.Prevalence and related factors of overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure with their comorbidities among primary and secondary school students in Changchun
SONG Yan, HAN Qihui, ZHAO Huizi, SONG Yueying
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(2):263-267
Objective:
To analyze the prevalence and the related factors of comorbidity of overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure among primary and secondary school students in Changchun, so as to provide a basis for the intervention strategies of multiple disease prevention among primary and secondary school students.
Methods:
From September to October 2023,a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 32 552 primary and secondary school students aged 7 to 18 from 16 counties (cities) and districts in Changchun City for physical examinations and questionnaires on behavioral patterns. The Chi-square test was used for intergroup comparison and unconditional Logistic regression model was used for analyzing related factors of comorbidity presence of overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure among primary and secondary school students.
Results:
The detection rate of comorbidity of overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure among primary and secondary school students was 8.7%.The detection rate of boys(10.1%) was higher than that of girls(7.3%), the detection rate was higher among students in urban areas ( 10.6 %) than that in suburban areas(5.7%); and the detection rate among vocation high school students(15.7%) was higher than that in general high school students (11.8%), junior high school students (10.2%) and primary school students (5.3%).All the differences were statistically significant (χ 2=84.67, 239.28, 468.64 ,all P <0.01).The results of the multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that daily moderate to vigorous physical activity for 60 minutes or more ( OR =0.70) was associated with a reduced risk of comorbidity of overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure among primary and secondary school students; boys ( OR = 1.46 ), urban residents ( OR =1.70),junior high school students( OR =1.78), general high school students ( OR =1.97), vocational high school students ( OR =2.20), and screen time without meeting the standard( OR =1.11) were associated with an increased risk of comorbidity of overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure among primary and secondary school students(all P <0.05).
Conclusions
The comorbidity detection rate of overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure and obesity among primary and secondary school students in Changchun is relatively high. Targeted measures should be developed to reduce the occurrence of overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure with comorbidity of them.
3.Pharmacological Effect and Mechanism of Volatile Oil Microemulsion of Atractylodes chinensis in Relieving Depression
Xinxing HU ; Shuyue ZHAO ; Chunping XIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):144-153
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of Atractylodes chinensis volatile oil microemulsion in relieving depression, thus establishing a theoretical foundation and a new approach for developing it as a novel adjunctive antidepressant. MethodsSixty SD male rats were assigned into four groups: control, model (chronic unpredictable mild stress), positive drug (flupentixol hydrochloride, 1.8 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, high-dose (16.2, 32.4, 64.8 mg·kg-1) A. chinensis volatile oil microemulsion. The sucrose preference test, open field test, tail suspension test, and forced swimming test were conducted to measure the sucrose preference rate, total exercise distance, average speed, resting time, tail suspension time, and swimming immobility time before and after treatment. The morphology of the rat brain tissue was visualized by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), and cortisol (CORT) in the hippocampal tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Real-time PCR was used to detect mRNA level differences of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) in the hippocampus. Western blot was employed to assess protein level variations of cAMP, PKA, CREB, BDNF, and TrkB in the same tissue samples. ResultsCompared with that in the blank group, the body mass of rats in low-, medium-, high-dose A. chinensis volatile oil emulsion groups decreased (P<0.05), indicating that the modeling was successful. Compared with the model group, medium-, high-dose A. chinensis volatile oil emulsion shortened the tail suspension time, swimming immobility time, and resting time (P<0.05, P<0.01), while increasing the sucrose preference rate, total exercise distance, and average speed (P<0.01). No significant changes were observed in the low-dose A. chinensis volatile oil emulsion group. ELISA results indicated that CORT concentrations in the hippocampal tissue of medium and high-dose A. chinensis volatile oil emulsion groups decreased (P<0.01). In the high-dose group, 5-HT and NE concentrations increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while they had no significant changes in the low-dose group. Real-time PCR results revealed that the mRNA levels of cAMP, PKA, and CREB in the hippocampus of the medium-dose Beicangzhu volatile oil emulsion group increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and those of cAMP, PKA, CREB, BDNF, and TrkB were upregulated in the high-dose Beicangshu volatile oil microemulsion group (P<0.01). Western blot and immunofluorescence results demonstrated that the protein levels of cAMP, PKA, and TrkB in the hippocampal tissue of the low-dose A. chinensis volatile oil microemulsion group were up-regulated (P<0.05). The medium-dose Beicangzhu volatile oil emulsion group exhibited increases in protein levels of cAMP, PKA, BDNF, and TrkB (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the high-dose group showed elevationsin protein levels of cAMP, PKA, CREB, BDNF, and TrkB (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBeicangzhu volatile oil emulsion demonstrates certain antidepressant efficacy by inhibiting CORT expression, upregulating the expression of 5-HT, NE, cAMP, PKA, CREB, BDNF, and TrkB, activating the CREB/BDNF signaling pathway to improve the cerebral protection.
4.Treatment Principles and Paradigm of Diabetic Microvascular Complications Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Anzhu WANG ; Xing HANG ; Lili ZHANG ; Xiaorong ZHU ; Dantao PENG ; Ying FAN ; Min ZHANG ; Wenliang LYU ; Guoliang ZHANG ; Xiai WU ; Jia MI ; Jiaxing TIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Han WANG ; Yuan XU ; .LI PINGPING ; Zhenyu WANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Dongmei SUN ; Yi HE ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Linhua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):272-279
To explore the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and integrative TCM-Western medicine approaches in the treatment of diabetic microvascular complications (DMC), refine key pathophysiological insights and treatment principles, and promote academic innovation and strategic research planning in the prevention and treatment of DMC. The 38th session of the Expert Salon on Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine, hosted by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, was held in Beijing, 2024. Experts in TCM, Western medicine, and interdisciplinary fields convened to conduct a systematic discussion on the pathogenesis, diagnostic and treatment challenges, and mechanism research related to DMC, ultimately forming a consensus on key directions. Four major research recommendations were proposed. The first is addressing clinical bottlenecks in the prevention and control of DMC by optimizing TCM-based evidence evaluation systems. The second is refining TCM core pathogenesis across DMC stages and establishing corresponding "disease-pattern-time" framework. The third is innovating mechanism research strategies to facilitate a shift from holistic regulation to targeted intervention in TCM. The fourth is advancing interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the role of TCM in new drug development, research prioritization, and guideline formulation. TCM and integrative approaches offer distinct advantages in managing DMC. With a focus on the diseases responding specifically to TCM, strengthening evidence-based support and mechanism interpretation and promoting the integration of clinical care and research innovation will provide strong momentum for the modernization of TCM and the advancement of national health strategies.
5.Tocilizumab combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy in treatment of children with antibody-negative autoimmune encephalitis: A case report and literature review
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2026;43(4):363-368
Antibody-negative autoimmune encephalitis (AE) in children poses certain challenges for clinical diagnosis and treatment due to the lack of characteristic autoantibodies. This study conducts a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of a boy, aged 7 years, who had the main manifestations of “irritability, vomiting, pyrexia, and lethargy”. Video electroencephalography showed diffuse slow waves, with the presence of type 2 cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands, and the boy was tested negative for related autoantibodies in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Finally the boy was diagnosed with antibody-negative AE. After admission, the boy received first-line immunotherapy with methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin, combined with tocilizumab for intensive treatment, and the symptoms were rapidly relieved. At 1 week after discharge, the boy experienced memory loss, and head MRI suggested cerebral atrophy. After 1 month of adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the boy’s memory recovered to the level before disease onset, and reexaminations of MRI and video electroencephalography obtained normal results.No recurrence was observed during follow-up for 6 months, and the boy achieved satisfactory academic performance.This case suggests that for children with antibody-negative AE, first-line immunotherapy combined with tocilizumab can rapidly control inflammation, and the addition of hyperbaric oxygen therapy can effectively improve subsequent cerebral structural and cognitive abnormalities, with few adverse reactions, which provides a new clinical approach for the treatment of this type of disease.
6.The SMAD-Pathway Mediates HMGB1-Induced Proliferation and Metastatic Progression in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
De-De LIAN ; Xue Mei LI ; Yu-Xi JIA ; Ming-Wei ZHOU ; Xiang-Ru CHEN ; Yang-Yang TIAN ; Min LI ; Ming-Hui SUN ; Ye ZHAO ; Hong-Jun LI ; Qing-Ling ZHANG
Annals of Dermatology 2026;38(1):51-58
Background:
High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is a chromatin-binding protein involved in arthritis, ischemia, sepsis, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, meningitis, and cancer. HMGB1 exhibits dual roles in cancer, acting as either a tumor suppressor or oncoprotein depending on context.
Objective:
This research aimed to elucidate HMGB1’s functional significance in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).
Methods:
We overexpressed HMGB1 in cSCC cell lines using recombinant adenovirus and examined its effects on cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration.
Results:
Immunohistochemical analysis revealed elevated HMGB1 expression levels in cSCC tissue relative to normal epidermis. To assess the influence of HMGB1, we employed recombinant adenoviruses expressing HMGB1 to transduce SCC cell lines (SCC12 and SCC13). Enhanced HMGB1 expression significantly promoted cellular proliferation and colony formation capacity.Notably, HMGB1 overexpression elevated the levels of proliferation regulators, including P63, SOX2, CDK4 and CDK6. Furthermore, HMGB1 overexpression substantially enhanced tumor invasiveness, accompanied by upregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers. Mechanistically, overexpression of HMGB1 enhanced transforming growth factor-β signaling by increasing phosphorylation of SMAD2/3, the key mediators of EMT.
Conclusion
These data imply that HMGB1 acts as a tumor-promoting factor in cSCC.
7.Status and influencing factors of the application of informatization tools for antimicrobial stewardship in Chinese county hospitals
Yuqi FU ; Xin LI ; Ying LI ; Hongwei WU ; Zhixin FAN ; Jinru LIU ; Xi CHEN ; Yuxiang XIA ; Qiang SUN ; Yingbo ZHAO
China Pharmacy 2026;37(16):2084-2089
OBJECTIVE To investigate the current status of informatization tools applied to antimicrobial stewardship in county hospitals in China, and to provide a reference for promoting the informatization development of antimicrobial stewardship in county hospitals.METHODS From August to September 2025, an online questionnaire survey was conducted among 1 007 county hospitals across 31 provinces(autonomous regions, and municipalities) in China. The survey focused on the application of four types of informatization tools:the real-time monitoring system for antimicrobial use, the pre-prescription review system, the irrational use warning system, and the electronic prescription evaluation system(hereinafter referred to as the “monitoring system”“review system”“warning system”“evaluation system”,respectively). Correlation analysis and binary Logistic regression analysis were employed to explore the influencing factors.RESULTS Of the county hospitals, 80.83% were equipped with at least one type of informatization tool for antimicrobial stewardship, while 19.17% had no relevant tool. Only 18.87% of the hospitals were equipped with all four types of tools. The monitoring system exhibited the highest equipped rate (70.80%), whereas the warning system was equipped in only 33.96% of the hospitals. Four types of tools are evenly and adequately deployed in the eastern region, the central and western regions have far lower deployment rates of intervention tools including review system and warning system, accompanied by prominent intra-provincial gaps. The total number of the health technicians, hospital grade, and prescription review rate of outpatient antibacterial drug were significantly and positively correlated with the deployment rates of the four informatization tools ( P <0.05). The results of the Logistic regression model fitting indicated that the model of the review system was rated “excellent” [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC)=0.81], and the model of the warning system was rated “further improvement” (AUC=0.67). The total number of health technicians was significantly positively correlated with the deployment rates of all four types of informatization tools (all P <0.05).CONCLUSIONS The informatization of antimicrobial stewardship in county hospitals in China remains in the initial stage of transitioning from “passive statistics” to “active prevention and control”, with challenges such as structural imbalance and regional disparities. In the future, differentiated support strategies should be implemented, the allocation of resources should be optimized, to enhance the level of refined antimicrobial stewardship.
8.Effect of gallic acid in increasing the chemosensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells to sorafenib
Baikun LIU ; Zhiru WANG ; Wenjing ZHAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):292-299
ObjectiveTo investigate the chemosensitization effect of gallic acid (GA) combined with sorafenib (Sora) on hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and related mechanisms. MethodsHepG2 cells were randomly divided into control group, GA group, Sora group, and GA+Sora group. CCK8 assay was used to measure cell viability; CompuSyn software was used to analyze combination index (CI); colony formation assay was used to evaluate the colony formation ability of cells; flow cytometry was used to measure cell apoptosis; wound healing assay and Transwell chamber assay were used to observe the migration and invasion abilities of cells; Western Blot was used to measure the expression matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and apoptosis-related proteins. HepG2 cells were subcutaneously inoculated into the lower right back of mice, and 6 days later, the mice were divided into control group, GA group, Sora group, and GA+Sora group. Tumor size and body weight were measured once a week, and drug intervention was performed for 21 days. Then the nude mice were sacrificed, and tumor weight was measured. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsThe mean IC50 values of GA and Sora for the treatment of HepG2 cells for 48 hours were 123.47±5.16 μmol/L and 9.87±0.98 μmol/L, respectively, and when Sora was combined with 70 μmol/L GA (IC30), IC50 decreased to 2.06±0.35 μmol/L; the CI value was<1 for Sora at different concentrations combined with 70 μmol/L GA. The number of cell colonies was 234.0±20.4, 147.0±12.1, 129.3±13.3, and 73.0±7.6, respectively, in the four groups, and the GA+Sora group had a significantly lower number of cell colonies than the control group, the GA group, and the Sora group (all P<0.05). After 48 hours of treatment, the cell apoptosis rate was 1.98%±0.29%, 15.17%± 1.56%, 18.65%±1.48%, and 34.60%±5.36%, respectively, in the four groups, and the GA+Sora group had a significantly higher cell apoptosis rate than the control group, the GA group, and the Sora group (all P<0.05). After 24 hours of treatment, the cell migration rate was 55.59%±5.08%, 29.34%±4.36%, 21.80%±5.16%, and 6.47%±2.75%, respectively, in the four groups, and the GA+Sora group had a significantly lower cell migration rate than the control group, the GA group, and the Sora group (all P<0.05). After 48 hours of treatment, the number of transmembrane cells was 223.7±13.0, 168.3±10.9, 155.3±29.1, and 62.7±19.7, respectively, in the four groups, and the GA+Sora group had a significantly lower number of transmembrane cells than the control group, the GA group, and the Sora group (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the GA group, the Sora group, and the GA+Sora group had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, and Bcl-2 (all P<0.05) and significant increases in the protein expression levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the GA, Sora, and GA+Sora groups had significant reductions in tumor volume and weight (all P<0.05), and compared with the Sora group, the GA+Sora group had significant reductions in tumor volume and weight in nude mice (both P<0.05). ConclusionGA can increase the sensitivity of HepG2 cells to Sora chemotherapy, possibly by promoting cell apoptosis and inhibiting cell migration and invasion after combination with Sora.
9.Effect and mechanism of gallic acid on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells
Zhiru WANG ; Wenjing ZHAO ; Xi CHEN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(3):493-498
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of gallic acid (GA) on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and its mechanism. MethodsHepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of GA (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 μg/mL) for 24 and 48 hours, and CCK8 assay was used to measure cell viability and calculate IC50. The experiment was divided into control group (HepG2 cells), 5 μg/mL GA group, 10 μg/mL GA group, and 20 μg/mL GA group. Plate colony formation assay was used to evaluate the effect of GA on cell proliferation; wound healing assay and Transwell chamber assay were used to observe the effect of GA on cell migration and invasion; flow cytometry was used to observe the effect of GA on cell apoptosis; Western blot was used to measure the expression of matrix metallopeptidase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), and apoptosis-related proteins. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsThe mean IC50 value of GA on HepG2 cells was 38.02±2.58 μg/mL at 24 hours and 18.36±1.54 μg/mL at 48 hours. The number of cell colonies was 239.00±29.45 in the control group, 210.00±19.00 in the 5 μg/mL GA group, 144.33±16.03 in the 10 μg/mL GA group, and 57.00±9.55 in the 20 μg/mL GA group, suggesting that compared with the control group, each GA group had a significant reduction in cell colony formation ability (all P<0.05). After 24 hours of treatment, the cell migration rate was 42.62%± 7.82% in the control group, 35.34%±6.42% in the 5 μg/mL GA group, 21.85%±4.42% in the 10 μg/mL GA group, and 12.57%± 3.54% in the 20 μg/mL GA group, respectively, in these four groups, and the number of transmembrane cells in these four groups was 230.30±15.30, 182.12±12.60, 137.20±7.50, and 124.40±6.80, respectively, suggesting that compared with the control group, each GA group had significant reductions in migration rate and the number of transmembrane cells (all P<0.05). After 48 hours of treatment, the cell apoptotic rate was 0.67%±0.08% in the control group, 13.27%±1.07% in the 5 μg/mL GA group, 20.94%± 2.45% in the 10 μg/mL GA group, and 40.74%±2.63% in the 20 μg/mL GA group, and compared with the control group, each GA group had a significant increase in cell apoptosis rate (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, each GA group had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 (all P<0.05) and significant increases in the protein expression levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 (all P<0.05). ConclusionGA can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HepG2 cells and promote the apoptosis of HepG2 cells, possibly by regulating MMP-2, MMP-9, and the apoptosis-related proteins Bax/Bcl-2.
10.Inner Ear Delivery of Polyamino Acid Nanohydrogels Loaded with Dexamethasone
Pingping AI ; Lidong ZHAO ; Zhaohui TANG ; Chaoliang HE ; Xuesi CHEN ; Shiming YANG ; Nan WU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(2):370-378
To develop a novel polyamino acid-based nanohydrogel drug delivery system for dexamethasone to enhance its delivery efficiency to the inner ear. A fluorescein-labeled polyglutamic acid-based polyamino acid dexamethasone nanohydrogel was synthesized, and its gelation time was measured. The hydrogel was surgically injected into the round window niche of guinea pigs to determine its degradation time in the middle ear cavity in vivo. The safety, pharmacokinetics, and distribution patterns of dexamethasone in the inner ear were evaluated. The hydrogel exhibited a gelation time of 80 seconds in a 37℃ water bath. In vivo, the hydrogel was almost completely degraded within 7 days in the middle ear cavity of guinea pigs. Transient hearing loss was observed one day after administration, but hearing gradually returned to normal over time. No significant cytotoxicity, vestibular stimulation signs, or pathological abnormalities in spiral ganglion cells were observed. Histopathological examination revealed no significant inflammatory reactions. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated sustained drug release and prolonged dexamethasone activity. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed the distribution of dexamethasone in both the cochlea and vestibular organs. The polyamino acid nanohydrogel exhibits excellent injectability and biodegradability, representing a safe and effective drug delivery system for the inner ear.


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