1.Pharmacodynamic Substance Basis and Mechanisms of Shangkeling Spray on Knee Osteoarthritis
Pengbo GUO ; Changhao XIAO ; Fei XIA ; Chong QIU ; Jigang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):206-216
ObjectiveTo analyze the pharmacodynamic substance basis of Shangkeling Spray and its potential mechanisms in intervening knee osteoarthritis (KOA) using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS), network pharmacology, and molecular docking technology. MethodsUPLC-MS was used to identify the chemical components of Shangkeling Spray. Pharmacokinetic properties were employed to screen potential active ingredients. Network pharmacology methods were utilized to collect potential targets of these ingredients and the pathological gene set of KOA. An "active ingredient-disease" target network was constructed using databases such as STRING. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analyses were performed using clusterProfiler. Libraries including NumPy were employed to calculate shortest path lengths to identify dominant pharmacodynamic links. Core gene clusters were identified using MCODE, validated through the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and molecular docking was performed between key active ingredients and core targets. ResultsA total of 322 and 314 chemical components were identified under positive and negative ion modes, respectively, with 410 components in total after de-duplication, mainly including flavonoids, coumarins, terpenoids, organic acids, and alkaloids. Analysis of the "active ingredient-disease" network identified "development and regeneration", "cell growth and death", "immune system", and "nervous system" as the dominant pharmacodynamic links of Shangkeling Spray in the treatment of KOA. Molecular docking showed that key active ingredients, such as bletillin A, formononetin, morin, oxymatrine, aconitine, gallic acid, curdione, apigenin, naringenin, and oleanolic acid, tightly bound to functional domains of 10 key targets including Jun proteins(JUN), interleukin-6 (IL-6), protein kinase B1 (Akt1), Caspase-3, nuclear transcription factor-κB subunit p65(RELA), nuclear factor-kappaB1(NF-κB1), Cyclin D1, mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and Fos proto-oncogene protein (FOS). These interactions synergistically regulated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mTOR-related signaling axis and nervous system-related pathways, mediating cartilage repair, reducing inflammation and pain, and improving KOA. ConclusionThis study preliminarily clarifies the pharmacodynamic substance basis of Shangkeling Spray and suggests that its main active ingredients may improve KOA by synergistically regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR-related pathways, providing a reference for subsequent exploration of its substance benchmark and mechanism of action.
2.Intelligent handheld ultrasound improving the ability of non-expert general practitioners in carotid examinations for community populations: a prospective and parallel controlled trial
Pei SUN ; Hong HAN ; Yi-Kang SUN ; Xi WANG ; Xiao-Chuan LIU ; Bo-Yang ZHOU ; Li-Fan WANG ; Ya-Qin ZHANG ; Zhi-Gang PAN ; Bei-Jian HUANG ; Hui-Xiong XU ; Chong-Ke ZHAO
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):112-123
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations.
Methods:
This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits.
Results:
Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01).
Conclusion
Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.
3.Xiaojianzhong Granule inhibits food allergy by regulating gut microbiota and repairing intestinal barrier
Yunjie ZHANG ; Yonglu YU ; Chong WAN ; Ning XU ; Peilun XIAO ; Hai XIE ; Meifang LIU ; Lingzhi XU
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(3):322-330
Objective:To investigate the inhibitory effect of Xiaojianzhong Granule(XJZG)on food allergy(FA)and related mecha-nisms in terms of gut microbiota,zonula occluden-1(ZO-1),and Occludin.Methods:A total of 24 specific pathogen-free female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal group,model group,prevention group,and treatment group,with 6 mice in each group.The mice in the prevention group were given XJZG by gavage at a standard dose of 5.85 g/kg/day from 3 days before the first challenge till 4 hours before the last challenge;the mice in the treatment group were given XJZG at the double dose for 3 days based on the allergy score;the mice in the other groups were given an equal volume of distilled water by gavage.At the end of the experiment,al-lergy score and anal temperature were measured;flow cytometry was used to measure eosinophils and mast cells in mesenteric lymph nodes(MLNs);toluidine blue staining was performed for mast cells in jejunal tissue;immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin;16S rRNA sequencing was per-formed to analyze the microbiota in the intestinal content;high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to measure the content of short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)in jejunal lavage fluid.Results:Compared with the model group,the prevention group and the treatment group had significant reductions in al-lergy score(P=0.000,P=0.000),anal temperature(P=0.002,P=0.000),the proportion of eosinophils and mast cells in MLNs(P<0.05),and mast cell infiltration in jejunal tissue(P=0.000,P=0.000).Compared with the normal group,the model group had signifi-cant increases in the relative abundances of Erysipelaceae and Turicibacter,while the prevention group and the treatment group had disappearance of Erysipelaceae and Turicibacter and an increase in the relative abundance of Porphyromonadaceae.Compared with the normal group,the model group had a significant reduction in the content of propionate in jejunal lavage fluid(P=0.014),and compared with the model group,the prevention group had a significant increase in the content of propionate in jejunal lavage fluid(P=0.024),as well as a significant increase in the treatment group(P=0.008).In the model group,the expression of ZO-1 was downregulated(P=0.010),and the expression of Occludin was significantly downregulated(P=0.002),while the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin re-turned to normal levels in the prevention group and the treatment group(P=0.001,P=0.013;P=0.025,P=0.015).Conclusion:XJZG can change the composition and abundance of gut microbiota,increase the concentration of SCFAs,upregulate the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin,promote the repair of intestinal barrier,and inhibit food allergy.
4.Efficacy and safety of BTX-A in alleviating postoperative pain and reducing capsular contracture after breast augmentation surgery
Chong JING ; Xiaopeng WANG ; Zhenggang XIAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Aesthetics and Cosmetology 2025;31(2):167-171
Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of type A botulinum toxin (BTX-A) in alleviating pain and reducing capsular contracture after breast augmentation surgery.Methods:This single-center, double-blind, and randomized controlled trial included 212 female patients who underwent breast augmentation surgery at Changsha YaMei Medical Cosmetic Hospital from May 2020 to January 2021. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether BTX-A was injected into the pectoralis major during the augmentation: 106 in the BTX-A group, with an average age of (33.1±3.8) years; and 106 in the control group, with an average age of (33.3±3.5) years. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess pain on days 1, 3 and 7 post-operation. After two years of follow-up, the postoperative VAS scores, duration of pain, rates of capsular contracture, and incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results:One case was lost to follow-up in each group. On postoperative days 1 and 3, the VAS scores of the BTX-A group were (3.93±1.77) and (5.35±2.04) scores, respectively, lower than those of the control group, which were (5.93±2.17) and (7.34±1.75) scores (both P<0.001). On day 7, the scores were (1.96±1.71) and (2.26±1.90) scores, respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( P=0.225). The pain severity in both groups showed a trend of initial increase followed by a decrease, with a significant difference ( P<0.001). The duration of pain in the BTX-A group was (2.6±1.8) days, shorter than that in the control group (4.9±2.1) days, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.001). The rate of capsular contracture in the BTX-A group was 0.95% (1/105), compared to 1.90% (2/105) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference ( P=1.000). The incidence of adverse reactions was 11.32% (12/106) in the BTX-A group and 10.38% (11/106) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference ( P=0.825). There were no severe adverse reactions such as respiratory or cardiovascular events or deaths in either group. Conclusion:BTX-A can alleviate pain after breast augmentation surgery with high safety. However, it does not have a significant advantage in preventing capsular contracture.
5.Intelligent handheld ultrasound improving the ability of non-expert general practitioners in carotid examinations for community populations: a prospective and parallel controlled trial
Pei SUN ; Hong HAN ; Yi-Kang SUN ; Xi WANG ; Xiao-Chuan LIU ; Bo-Yang ZHOU ; Li-Fan WANG ; Ya-Qin ZHANG ; Zhi-Gang PAN ; Bei-Jian HUANG ; Hui-Xiong XU ; Chong-Ke ZHAO
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):112-123
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations.
Methods:
This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits.
Results:
Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01).
Conclusion
Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.
6.The Scientific Connotation of the Pathogenesis of"Dysfunction of Spleen Transforming Essences"in Colorectal Cancer Based on"Epigenetic-Reprogramming of Glucose Metabolism"
Xiumei FAN ; Wenbo HUANG ; Xueke LI ; Fengming YOU ; Fang LI ; Chong XIAO
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(2):460-465
The key link to colorectal cancer progression is that epigenetic derangements promote reprogramming of glucose metabolism.Based on many studies on the relationship between spleen being the origin of acquired constitution and epigenetics,spleen qi dispersing essence and glucose metabolism,combined with the extensive experience of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of colorectal cancer and the accumulation of researches on glucose metabolism,it is believed that the"epigenetic-reprogramming of glucose metabolism"pathology of colorectal cancer is the microscopic essence of the key pathogenesis of"dysfunction of spleen transforming essences".The"promoting spleen and dispersing essences"method means that"promoting spleen"to reverse epigenetic derangements and"dispersing essences"to regulate reprogramming of glucose metabolism was put forward to treat colorectal cancer.Look forward to enrich the scientific connotation of the pathogenesis of"dysfunction of spleen transforming essences",new ideas and potential empirical basis for traditional Chinese medicine intervention in colorectal cancer were provided.
7.Functional Analysis of the Promoter of the deSUMOylation Enzyme senp8 and Its Relationship with Lipid Metabolism in Yellow Catfish(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)
Fu-Xuan DUAN ; Zhi-Wei HAO ; Tao LIU ; Chang-Chun SONG ; Tian-Hua ZHANG ; Chong-Chao ZHONG ; Xiao-Ying TAN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(4):607-616
To investigate the transcriptionally regulatory mechanism of the senp8 promoter in yellow cat-fish(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco);this study used P.fulvidraco as the research subject.Dual-luciferase re-porter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay were employed to analyze the functional activity of the promoter;coupled with in vivo experiments.The results indicated that the 2 045 bp senp8 promoter se-quence contained key transcription factor binding sites such as SP1;TATA-Box;CCAAT-Box;SREBP1;PPARα;and PPARγ.The binding sites of SREBP1(-901/-910 bp);PPARα(-1 291/-1 308 bp);and PPARγ(-1 292/-1 306 bp)in the senp8 promoter positively regulate its activity;and oleic acid or palmitic acid promote this binding.Furthermore;high-fat feeding promoted the expression of the senp8 gene and its protein in the liver of P.fulvidraco;oleic acid or palmitic acid treatment significantly en-hanced the activity of the senp8 promoter;and this enhancement could be achieved through the regulatory effects of SREBP1;PPARα;and PPARγ response elements.Additionally;high-fat feeding influenced the mRNA and protein expression levels of genes related to deSUMOylation modification in the liver of P.fulvidraco.This study provides new insights into the relationship between deSUMOylation modification and the regulation of lipid metabolism in the vertebrates.
8.Intelligent handheld ultrasound improving the ability of non-expert general practitioners in carotid examinations for community populations: a prospective and parallel controlled trial
Pei SUN ; Hong HAN ; Yi-Kang SUN ; Xi WANG ; Xiao-Chuan LIU ; Bo-Yang ZHOU ; Li-Fan WANG ; Ya-Qin ZHANG ; Zhi-Gang PAN ; Bei-Jian HUANG ; Hui-Xiong XU ; Chong-Ke ZHAO
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):112-123
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations.
Methods:
This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits.
Results:
Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01).
Conclusion
Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.
9.Pathophysiological Evolution and Syndrome-Based Stratified Treatment of Qi Deficiency with Stagnation in Chemotherapy-Induced Myelosuppression
Jing LONG ; Hengzhou LAI ; Wenbo HUANG ; Feng YU ; Yifang JIANG ; Zhuoling DAI ; Chong XIAO ; Fengming YOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1109-1113
The concept of "qi deficiency with stagnation" refers to a pathological state characterized by the depletion of primordial qi, impaired qi transformation, and the development of internal stagnation. Under the cyclic chemotherapy regimen in oncology, chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression follows a progressive pathological course from qi deficiency to increasing stagnation. This sequential evolution from mild to severe myelosuppression closely aligns with the dynamic syndrome differentiation and treatment framework of "qi deficiency with stagnation". "Qi deficiency" reflects the gradual depletion of qi, blood, and essence, while "stagnation" refers to the accumulation of phlegm, turbid dampness, and blood stasis. These two components interact reciprocally, forming a vicious cycle where deficiency leads to stagnation, and stagnation further damages the healthy qi. In the early stage of mild myelosuppression, chemotoxicity begins to accumulate in the bone marrow, leading to qi consumption, blood deficiency, yin injury, and the gradual formation of turbid phlegm and damp stagnation. In the advanced stage of severe myelosuppression, the accumulation of toxicity causes qi sinking, exhaustion of essence, and marrow depletion, along with blood stasis obstructing the collaterals. Treatment strategies should be based on syndrome differentiation, with an emphasis on assessing the severity of the condition, balancing deficiency and excess, and achieving both symptomatic relief and root cause resolution.
10.Advantages of Chinese Medicines for Diabetic Retinopathy and Mechanisms: Focused on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress.
Li-Shuo DONG ; Chong-Xiang XUE ; Jia-Qi GAO ; Yue HU ; Ze-Zheng KANG ; A-Ru SUN ; Jia-Rui LI ; Xiao-Lin TONG ; Xiu-Ge WANG ; Xiu-Yang LI
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(11):1046-1055

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