1.Pharmacological Review, Challenges, and Future Prospects of Zhusha Anshenwan
Xiaosong HU ; Zhou LAN ; Ping WANG ; Li DING ; Chun GUI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):329-335
Zhusha Anshenwan is a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula originating from LI Dongyuan's Treatise on the Differentiation of Endogenous and Exogenous Injuries (Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun) of the Jin-Yuan period. It is composed of five medicinal ingredients: Cinnabaris (Zhusha), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdihuang), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao). Under the guidance of TCM theory, this formula is used to treat syndromes of disturbed spirit, including insomnia, palpitations, and anxiety, caused by hyperactivity of heart fire and deficiency of Yin-blood, and it also exerts auxiliary anticonvulsant effects in epilepsy and related conditions. However, the potential neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity of its monarch drug, Cinnabaris (mainly composed of mercuric sulfide, HgS), together with the risk of in vivo accumulation, have rendered its clinical application controversial, and it has not yet been formally included in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. In addition, restrictions imposed by the Minamata Convention on Mercury have led to an increasing shortage of natural medicinal Cinnabaris resources, making the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of synthetic Cinnabaris particularly urgent. This contradiction highlights the complexity of safety evaluation for traditional medicines. Existing studies indicate that Zhusha Anshenwan exhibits definite pharmacological activities in calming the mind, improving sleep, and regulating emotional disorders. Moreover, other components of the formula may exert antagonistic effects on the toxicity of Cinnabaris, and reports of severe mercury poisoning caused by standardized clinical use of this prescription are extremely rare. Research suggests that other ingredients in the compound formula, such as Rehmanniae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, may effectively alleviate the hepatorenal toxicity of Cinnabaris through mechanisms including modulation of the gut microbiota, formation of mercury complexes, and direct protection of target organs. This article aims to systematically review the progress in pharmacodynamic research on Zhusha Anshenwan, to explore its mechanisms of action in depth, and to analyze the toxicokinetic characteristics and safety risks of Cinnabaris, as well as the scientific connotations of toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement achieved through compound compatibility. In addition, it compares Zhusha Anshenwan with other commonly used sedative formulas, with the aim of providing a scientific basis and forward-looking perspectives for the safe and rational application and in-depth development of this classical prescription in a modern context, and of emphasizing the important value of holistic research on TCM compound formulas in addressing the challenges of single-component toxicity.
2.In Vitro Study of ROS-responsive Hydrogel Loaded With Polydopamine Nanoparticles for Neuronal Protection by Regulating Inflammatory Microenvironment
Yang XIAO ; Wei LIU ; Tian-Yi SUN ; Chuan-Lu SHA ; Chun-Lan WANG ; Chang-Yong WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1699-1711
ObjectiveCerebral ischemic injury triggers a complex pathological cascade characterized by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, persistent oxidative stress, and sustained neuroinflammation in the injured brain microenvironment. These events collectively drive mitochondrial dysfunction, microglial overactivation, pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and progressive neuronal apoptosis, ultimately leading to severe and irreversible neurological deficits. However, conventional therapeutic strategies face critical limitations, including poor blood-brain barrier penetration, insufficient local drug concentration, uncontrolled drug release, and off-target systemic side effects. To address this pathological process, we rationally designed and fabricated an injectable ROS-responsive hydrogel loaded with polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) for spatiotemporally controlled antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and neuroprotection in the ischemic injury microenvironment. The present study aimed to systematically characterize the physicochemical properties, ROS-responsive drug release behavior, biocompatibility, and neuroprotective efficacy of this composite hydrogel system in vitro. MethodsPDA NPs were fabricated via oxidative self-polymerization. The ROS-responsive hydrogel was cross-linked using N1-(4-boronobenzyl)-N3-(4-boronophenyl)-N1,N1,N3,N3-tetramethylpropane-1, 3-diaminium (TSPBA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Morphology, particle size, Zeta potential, and structure of PDA NPs were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta potential analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Microstructure, rheological properties, shear-thinning behavior, and ROS-triggered release profiles of the hydrogel were examined by SEM and rheometry. Biocompatibility was evaluated using HT22 mouse hippocampal neurons with CCK-8 and live/dead staining. An oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was established to simulate ischemic injury in vitro. ROS levels and neuronal apoptosis were detected by DHE staining and TUNEL assay. Microglial polarization and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression were analyzed using immunofluorescence and RT-qPCR in BV-2 microglia. Transwell co-culture was used to verify the indirect neuroprotection mediated by modulated microglia. ResultsCharacterization results confirmed that the as-prepared PDA NPs were monodispersed spherical nanoparticles with uniform diameter and negative surface potential, demonstrating favorable dispersibility and robust ROS-scavenging activity. The TSPBA-PVA hydrogel exhibited a highly porous interconnected network, suitable mechanical strength, and obvious shear-thinning behavior, supporting its application as an injectable implant. More importantly, the hydrogel displayed typical ROS-responsive degradation and on-demand PDA NP release in a ROS-concentration-dependent manner. In vitro cellular experiments demonstrated that the PDA NP-loaded hydrogel possessed excellent biocompatibility with HT22 cells. In the OGD/R model, the hydrogel significantly reduced intracellular ROS accumulation and markedly suppressed neuronal apoptosis. Furthermore, the composite hydrogel effectively redirected BV-2 microglia from the pro-inflammatory M1 toward the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes, downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and reduced inflammatory damage. Transwell co-culture assays further validated that M2-polarized microglia mediated by the hydrogel significantly enhanced the survival of OGD/R-injured HT22 neurons and attenuated apoptosis. ConclusionIn this study, we successfully developed a novel injectable ROS-responsive hydrogel loaded with PDA NPs for synergistic antioxidative and anti-inflammatory neuroprotection. This intelligent hydrogel system enables ROS-triggered on-demand release of PDA NPs, efficiently scavenges excessive ROS, inhibits oxidative stress injury, modulates microglial polarization, and suppresses neuroinflammation, thereby exerting robust neuroprotective effects in vitro. This biomaterial platform provides a promising strategy for the targeted and controlled delivery of bioactive nanomaterials in the central nervous system diseases and establishes a solid experimental foundation for the development of in situ injectable therapies for ischemic brain injury.
4.Expert Consensus on the Ethical Requirements for Generative AI-Assisted Academic Writing
You-Quan BU ; Yong-Fu CAO ; Zeng-Yi CHANG ; Hong-Yu CHEN ; Xiao-Wei CHEN ; Yuan-Yuan CHEN ; Zhu-Cheng CHEN ; Rui DENG ; Jie DING ; Zhong-Kai FAN ; Guo-Quan GAO ; Xu GAO ; Lan HU ; Xiao-Qing HU ; Hong-Ti JIA ; Ying KONG ; En-Min LI ; Ling LI ; Yu-Hua LI ; Jun-Rong LIU ; Zhi-Qiang LIU ; Ya-Ping LUO ; Xue-Mei LV ; Yan-Xi PEI ; Xiao-Zhong PENG ; Qi-Qun TANG ; You WAN ; Yong WANG ; Ming-Xu WANG ; Xian WANG ; Guang-Kuan XIE ; Jun XIE ; Xiao-Hua YAN ; Mei YIN ; Zhong-Shan YU ; Chun-Yan ZHOU ; Rui-Fang ZHU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(6):826-832
With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.
5.Predictive value of pre-infarction angina combined with Lp-PLA2 for no-reflow during PCI in eld-erly patients with acute STEMI
Jie-jie MENG ; Ya-dong FENG ; Ya-zhao SUN ; Xin-xin XU ; Chun-lan BAI ; Pei SUN ; Bin LI
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(2):167-172
Objective:To investigate the predictive value of pre-infarction angina(PIA)combined with serum lipo-protein-associated phospholipase A2(Lp-PLA2)for no-reflow during primary percutaneous coronary interven-tion(PCI)in elderly patients with new-onset acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI).Meth-ods:A total of 189 patients who hospitalized because of acute STEMI and underwent primary PCI within 12h in De-partment of Cardiology,Cangzhou People's Hospital between January 2018 and December 2022 were enrolled.Ac-cording to their TIMI blood flow during PCI,the patients were divided into no reflow group(n=42)and normal re-flow group(n=147).The baseline data were compared between two groups.Multivariate Logistic regression analy-sis was used to analyze the risk factors of no-reflow during PCI.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to evaluate the predictive value of PIA and Lp-PLA2 for no-reflow.Results:PI A occurred in 73 cases(38.6%),and no reflow occurred in 42 cases(22.2%)during primary PCI.Compared with patients in normal re-flow group,those in no reflow group had significant higher Lp-PLA2[(341.33±98.32)ng/ml vs.(261.95±75.21)ng/ml]and onset to reperfusion time[(7.02±1.28)h vs.(5.14±1.48)h],and significant lower incidence of PIA(23.8% vs.42.9%)(P<0.05 or<0.01).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that Lp-PLA2(OR=1.528,95%CI 1.028~2.030,P<0.001),onset to reperfusion time(OR=2.602,95%CI 1.848~3.665,P<0.001)were independent risk factors for no reflow during PCI in elderly STEMI patients,while PIA was an inde-pendent protective factor(OR=0.261,95%CI 0.101~0.671,P=0.005).The area under ROC curve of Lp-PLA2 combined PIA was 0.863(95%CI 0.806~0.909),which was significantly higher than those of Lp-PLA2[0.733(95%CI 0.664~0.794),Z=2.690,P=0.007]and PIA alone[0.609(95%CI 0.535~0.679),Z=5.657,P<0.001].Conclusion:Pre-infarction angina has an important protective effect on no-reflow in STEMI patients.High Lp-PLA2 and absence of pre-infarction angina at admission may be good predictors of no-reflow during primary PCI in elderly patients with newly-onset acute STEMI,and it contributes to risk stratification of high risk patients.
6.Effects of Liangxue Heying Formula-medicated serum on the activation of LPS-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells via JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway
Chun-lan XIA ; Xia FENG ; Ye-min CAO ; Zhi-qiang LIANG ; Yi LE ; Hong-tao XU ; Fei QI ; Ji LI
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(4):1150-1156
AIM To investigate the effects of Liangxue Heying Formula-medicated serum(LXHY-MS)on human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS).METHODS CCK-8,DCFH-DA fluorescence probe and Western blot method were used to screen the LPS concentration in modeling and the serum LXHY concentration for treatment.The HUVECs divided into the normal group,the model group and the LXHY-MS group had their SOD activity detected by automatic biochemical analyzer;their MDA level detected by colorimetry;their protein expressions of ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-6,TNF-α,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 detected by Western blot;and their mROS expression and recruitment effect on THP-1 photographed with high connotation.With the use of JAK2/STAT3 pathway inhibitor(AG490),the HUVECs divided into the normal group,the AG490 group,the LPS group,the LPS+AG490 group,the LPS+LXHY-MS group,and LPS+LXHY-MS+AG490 group were subjected to the corresponding treatment,followed by the detection of their protein expressions of ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-6,TNF-α,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the normal group,the model group displayed decreased SOD activity(P<0.01),increased MDA level(P<0.05),increased ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-6,TNF-α,p-JAK2,p-STAT3 protein expressions(P<0.05,P<0.01),and increased mROS expression and THP-1 cells recruitment.Compared with the model group,the LXHY-MS group shared increased SOD activity(P<0.05),decreased MDA level(P<0.01),decreased ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-6,TNF-α,p-JAK2,p-STAT3 protein expressions(P<0.05,P<0.01),reduced mROS expression and THP-1 cells recruitment.Given the use of AG490,the model group displayed increased protein expressions of ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-6,TNF-α,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in contrast to the normal group(P<0.05,P<0.01);each intervened group showed decreased expressions of related proteins in contrast to the model group(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION LXHY-MS may protect the injury due to the activation of HUVECs by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.
7.Influence of different disinfectants on ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein puncture and adhesive application
Jin-zhu MA ; Hai-yan GAO ; Hao WANG ; Ming-lan YANG ; Chun-hui HU ; Dong-liang WANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(2):147-150
Objective To investigate the influence of different disinfectants on the ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein puncture and adhesive application.Methods A total of 102 emergency patients with traumatic hemorrhage who underwent ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein puncture and catheterization were selected as the study subjects and randomly divided into the iodine group(51 cases)and the chlorhexidine-alcohol group(51 cases).Iodophor(0.5%effective iodine)and 2.0%chlorhexidine gluconate+70.0%ethanol were used for disinfection before puncture,respectively.The disinfection effect of the puncture site,puncture condition,ultrasound imaging,and adhesive force of the application of patients were statistically compared between the two groups.Results There was no significant difference in the bacterial count before disinfection,the bacterial count after disinfection or the qualified rate of disinfection at the puncture site of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).There were significant differences in the success rate of one-time puncture,the number of puncture and the time of puncture and catheterization between the two groups(P<0.05).There were significant differences in the rate of clear ultrasound images,adhesive force and rate of warping or shedding of the application between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion For emergency patients with traumatic hemorrhage,using iodophor(0.5%effective iodine)and 2.0%chlorhexidine gluconate+70.0%ethanol disinfection before ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein puncture can achieve good disinfection effects.Iodine disinfection can obtain clearer ultrasound images and a higher success rate of one-time puncture,but the adhesive force of the application is poor,making it prone to warping or shedding.
8.Disease burden and trends in enteric infections in China,1990-2021:a One Health perspective
Jing TAN ; Fei WANG ; Shi-pan CHEN ; Xiao-chun LI ; Hong-xin JU ; Chun-xiao YANG ; Wen-qiang YIN ; Lan-hua LI
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(5):472-479
This study analyzed the burden and trends in enteric infections in China from 1990 to 2021 from a One Health perspec-tive.Data on mortality associated with enteric infections were extracted from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease(GBD)database.The analysis focused on assessing the mortality rates of enteric infectious diseases attributed to various etiologies and risk factors,along with the age and sex distribution,from 1990 to 2021.Average annual percentage change(AAPC)was used to assess the total changes in disease burden.The age-standardized mortality rate of intestinal infections in China decreased from 9.642/100 000 in 1990 to 0.439/100 000 in 2021,with an AAPC of-57.103%(95%CI:-57.118%to-57.088%).In 2021,Rotavirus,Norovirus,and Crypto-sporidium were the top three etiologies contributing to disease burden,with mortality rates of 1.020/100 000,0.040/100 000 and 0.079/100 000,respectively.A significant variation in etiology distribution was observed across age groups:Rotavirus,Shigella,and Crypto-sporidium dominated among children under 5 years of age,whereas Cryptosporidium,Norovirus,and Clostridioides difficile were more prevalent in older populations.Risk factor analysis indicated that unsafe water sources and poor sanitation accounted for 73.394%of all enteric disease-related deaths.In conclusion,the burden of enteric infections in China markedly declined from 1990 to 2021,and sig-nificant variations in the etiological spectrum and disease burden were observed across age groups.The persistent effects of unsafe wa-ter sources and poor sanitation underscore the need for targeted interventions to further decrease the burden of these diseases.Our find-ings highlight the success of public health interventions in decreasing the burden of enteric infections in China,while emphasizing the need for targeted measures to address disparities in high-risk populations and improve environmental sanitation.
9.Relationship between exosomes and the tumour microenvironment and the impact of their delivery of non-coding RNAs on breast cancer
Xue-li MA ; Jun-liang WANG ; Juan-xia SUN ; Jing-rui WANG ; Rui TAO ; Chun YU ; Tao HAN ; Yong-mei LAN
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2025;41(2):279-283
The development of breast cancer is closely related to the information transfer in its microenvironment.As a novel information communication tool,exosomes present non-coding RNAs that are involved in breast cancer cell proliferation,migration,invasion,tumour-associated fibroblasts ogenesis,cell cycle,degradation of oncogenes,etc.This paper reviews the relationship between exosomes and the tumour microenvironment and the role of their presenting non-coding RNAs on breast cancer as well as their clinical applications in order to provide new ideas for biological research and therapeutic strategies.
10.Application of systemic immune-inflammation index and cystatin C in evaluating severity and progno-sis of acute pulmonary embolism
Chun-lan BAI ; Ya-zhao SUN ; Jie-jie MENG ; Na LIU ; Dong-sheng LIU
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(3):310-317
Objective:To investigate the association of systemic immune-inflammation index(SII)and serum cysta-tin C(CysC)with the severity of acute pulmonary embolism(APE),and their predictive value for prognosis.Meth-ods:A total of 181 patients who were first diagnosed with APE in Cangzhou People's Hospital between January 2018 and January 2023 were retrospectively selected.The severity of APE was determined according to risk stratification criteria for pulmonary embolism,and the patients were divided into low-risk group(n=67),middle-risk group(n=81)and high-risk group(n=33).General clinical data and venous blood neutrophils,platelet and lymphocyte counts,CysC and other indicators were collected,and SII was calculated according to the formula.The relevant in-dicators were compared among three groups,and their correlation with the severity of APE was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis.According to the prognosis,all APE patients were divided into favorable outcome group(n=129)and unfavorable outcome group(n=52).The general clinical data were compared and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to study the influencing factors of unfavorable outcome in APE patients.The re-ceiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was drawn to evaluate the predictive value of SII,CysC and their com-bination for the prognosis of APE patients.Nomogram model for prognosis was constructed.Results:Compared with patients in low-risk group,those in the middle-risk group and the high-risk group had significantly higher levels of serum creatinine,CysC and uric acid(P<0.05 or<0.01).The SII in the high-risk group was significant-ly higher than those of middle-risk group and low-risk group(P<0.001 all).Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum creatinine,CysC,uric acid and SII were significant positively correlated with the severity of APE(r=0.356,0.358,0.233,0.353,P<0.01 all).Compared with patients in the favorable outcome group,those in the unfavorable outcome group had significantly higher levels of D-dimer,serum creatinine,CysC,uric acid and SII(P<0.01 all).There was a statistically significant difference in the severity of APE between the two groups(P=0.001).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that CysC,SII,and middle or high risk of disease severity were independent risk factors for unfavorable outcome in APE patients(HR=1.001~14.453,P<0.05 or<0.01).ROC curve indicated that the AUC of SII,CysC and their combination in predicting unfavorable outcome of APE patients were 0.815(95%CI 0.749~0.881),0.747(95%CI 0.661~0.832)and 0.878(95%CI,0.821~0.936),respectively.The combined AUC of the two was significantly higher than those of SII and CysC alone(Z=-2.234,-3.500,P<0.05 or<0.01).Based on the above independent risk factors,the AUC values of the 1-year and 3-year unfavorable outcome nomogram models were 92.9 and 88.2,respectively.The calibration prediction curve and the ideal curve fitted well.The decision curve showed that the model had a good net benefit.Conclusion:SII and CysC are significant positively correlated with the severity of APE and they are independent risk factors for unfavor-able outcome of APE,and the combination of the two indicators has a good predictive value for the prognosis of APE.The nomogram constructed has good accuracy and practicability.

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