1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevents and Treats Ulcerative Colitis via TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway: A Review
Xi CUI ; Wenke DU ; Xing SHEN ; Cuicui LIU ; Rui ZHAI ; Hanghang LI ; Shuxun SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):284-294
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the colon and rectum. With a rising incidence, UC has aroused an increasingly serious public health concern. The etiology and pathogenesis of UC are complex, involving genetic susceptibility, intestinal barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and environmental factors such as diet, smoking, and infection. Current UC therapies face limitations including persistent drug resistance, multiple side effects, and compromised immune function, necessitating the exploration of novel intervention strategies. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of research into UC mechanisms, the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway has been revealved as one of the classical pathways involved in inflammation. Being crucial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, this pathway regulates inflammatory and immune responses by controlling gene transcription, thereby playing a significant role in the occurrence and progression of UC. However, systematic summarization within this field remains lacking. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses unique advantages through its multi-target, multi-pathway, and multi-mechanism approaches, being capable of curbing the pathological progression of UC by targeting key molecules in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. This paper systematically summarizes the mechanisms by which TLR4/NF-κB-related pathways regulate UC, primarily encompassing inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, immune balance, and gut microbiota. It reviews single herbs (e.g., Rosa roxburghii root and Saposhnikoviae Radix), active components (e.g., resveratrol, Tripterygium glycosides, and gypenosides), herbal extracts (e.g., Zingiberis Rhizoma extract and Taraxaci Herba extract), and compound formulas for clearing heat and removing dampness, invigorating the spleen and warming the kidneys, clearing heat and detoxifying, harmonizing the liver and spleen, and treating cold and heat in complexity (e.g., Huaihua Powder, Shenling Baizhu Powder, and Jiedu Huayu Formula). The aim is to fully leverage the advantages of TCM in UC treatment and provide novel insights for clinical and pharmacological research on UC.
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevents and Treats Ulcerative Colitis via TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway: A Review
Xi CUI ; Wenke DU ; Xing SHEN ; Cuicui LIU ; Rui ZHAI ; Hanghang LI ; Shuxun SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):284-294
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the colon and rectum. With a rising incidence, UC has aroused an increasingly serious public health concern. The etiology and pathogenesis of UC are complex, involving genetic susceptibility, intestinal barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and environmental factors such as diet, smoking, and infection. Current UC therapies face limitations including persistent drug resistance, multiple side effects, and compromised immune function, necessitating the exploration of novel intervention strategies. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of research into UC mechanisms, the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway has been revealved as one of the classical pathways involved in inflammation. Being crucial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, this pathway regulates inflammatory and immune responses by controlling gene transcription, thereby playing a significant role in the occurrence and progression of UC. However, systematic summarization within this field remains lacking. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses unique advantages through its multi-target, multi-pathway, and multi-mechanism approaches, being capable of curbing the pathological progression of UC by targeting key molecules in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. This paper systematically summarizes the mechanisms by which TLR4/NF-κB-related pathways regulate UC, primarily encompassing inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, immune balance, and gut microbiota. It reviews single herbs (e.g., Rosa roxburghii root and Saposhnikoviae Radix), active components (e.g., resveratrol, Tripterygium glycosides, and gypenosides), herbal extracts (e.g., Zingiberis Rhizoma extract and Taraxaci Herba extract), and compound formulas for clearing heat and removing dampness, invigorating the spleen and warming the kidneys, clearing heat and detoxifying, harmonizing the liver and spleen, and treating cold and heat in complexity (e.g., Huaihua Powder, Shenling Baizhu Powder, and Jiedu Huayu Formula). The aim is to fully leverage the advantages of TCM in UC treatment and provide novel insights for clinical and pharmacological research on UC.
3.Collagen-based micro/nanogel delivery systems: Manufacturing, release mechanisms, and biomedical applications.
Bowei DU ; Shuhan FENG ; Jiajun WANG ; Keyi CAO ; Zhiheng SHI ; Cuicui MEN ; Tengfei YU ; Shiqi WANG ; Yaqin HUANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(10):1135-1152
Collagen-based materials, renowned for their biocompatibility and minimal immunogenicity, serve as exemplary substrates in a myriad of biomedical applications. Collagen-based micro/nanogels, in particular, are valued for their increased surface area, tunable degradation rates, and ability to facilitate targeted drug delivery, making them instrumental in advanced therapeutics and tissue engineering endeavors. Although extensive reviews on micro/nanogels exist, they tend to cover a wide range of biomaterials and lack a specific focus on collagen-based materials. The current review offers an in-depth look into the manufacturing technologies, drug release mechanisms, and biomedical applications of collagen-based micro/nanogels to address this gap. First, we provide an overview of the synthetic strategies that allow the precise control of the size, shape, and mechanical strength of these collagen-based micro/nanogels by controlling the degree of cross-linking of the materials. These properties are crucial for their performance in biomedical applications. We then highlight the environmental responsiveness of these collagen-based micro/nanogels, particularly their sensitivity to enzymes and pH, which enables controlled drug release under various pathological conditions. The discussion then expands to include their applications in cancer therapy, antimicrobial treatments, bone tissue repair, and imaging diagnosis, emphasizing their versatility and potential in these critical areas. The challenges and future perspectives of collagen-based micro/nanogels in the field are discussed at the end of the review, with an emphasis on the translation to clinical practice. This comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and scientists alike, providing insights into the current state and future directions of collagen-based micro/nanogel research and development.
Collagen/chemistry*
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Drug Delivery Systems/methods*
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Humans
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Tissue Engineering/methods*
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Animals
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Biocompatible Materials/chemistry*
4.The predictive value of the systemic immune inflammatory index for acute lung injury after severe traumatic brain injury
Ke XIE ; Cuicui SHI ; Xue SUN ; Liqin HU ; Xiong LIU ; Xin LU ; Zhang BU ; Peng YANG ; Feng XU ; Xionghui CHEN
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2025;34(9):1199-1205
Objective:To investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of systemic immune inflammatory index (SII) for severe traumatic brain injury secondary to acute lung injury (sTBI-ALI).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on patients with severe traumatic brain injury admitted to the trauma center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2021 to November 2023. Patients received standard treatments including hemostasis and intracranial pressure management. Vital signs and blood routine data were collected upon admission. Patients were categorized into sTBI group and sTBI-ALI group based on established clinical diagnostic criteria for ALI to evaluate the diagnostic utility of SII. Subsequently, within the sTBI-ALI group, patients were stratified into survival and non-survival groups based on their 30-day outcomes to assess the prognostic value of SII.Results:A total of 260 sTBI patients were enrolled, of whom 113 developed ALI. Among the sTBI-ALI patients, 73 survived at 30 days. Compared to the sTBI group, the sTBI-ALI group exhibited significantly higher respiratory rates, heart rates, white blood cell counts, neutrophil counts, platelet counts, and SII levels (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that SII index ( OR=1.003, 95% CI: 1.002-1.004, P<0.001) was an independent risk factor for ALI development in sTBI patients. The combined predictive model incorporating SII and heart rate yielded an AUC of 0.801 (95% CI: 0.740-0.862). The non-survival group had significantly higher neutrophil counts and SII levels, and significantly lower Glasgow Coma Scale scores than the survival group (all P<0.05). Multifactorial regression analysis indicated that SII index ( OR=1.002, P=0.004, 95% CI: 1.000-1.003) served as an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality in sTBI-ALI patients. The combined predictive model of SII and GCS achieved an AUC of 0.904 (95% CI: 0.848-0.960). Conclusions:SII demonstrates potential as a biomarker for predicting the development of ALI following sTBI. Furthermore, incorporating SII into predictive models significantly enhances the ability to forecast mortality risk in sTBI-ALI patients.
5.Role of G protein inhibitory α subunit 1/3 mediating the nerve growth factor pathway in postoperative learning and memory function in Alzheimer's disease mice
Cuicui SHI ; Yufeng ZHANG ; Hao ZHANG ; Enhui CUI ; Ming YAN ; Yue SUN ; Jian SUN
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(11):1562-1566
Objective To investigate the effects of isoflurane anesthesia on cognitive function and the hippocampal nerve growth factor(NGF)and tyrosine receptor kinase A(TrkA)signaling pathway in Alzheimer's disease(AD)mice,while explore the role of G protein inhibitory α subunit 1/3(Gαi1/3)in this pathway.Methods Twelve wide-type mice and 48 APP/PS1(AD)mice(all males)were respectively assigned into a control group and 4 experimental groups,including AD,AD+postoperative cognitive dysfunction(POCD)group,empty adenovirus group,and Gαi1/3 overexpression group,with 12 mice in each group.Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests were conducted to assess the learning and memory function of each group;Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of amyloid P-protein 1-42(Aβ1-42),IL-6,TNF-α,synaptotagmin-1,synapsin-1,and NGF,p-TrkA,Gαi1/3,and p-Gab1 in hippocampal tissues.Results Compared with the control group and AD group,the avoidance incubation period in the AD+POCD group is significantly extended from days 2 to 4(P<0.05),enhanced expression of Aβ1-42,IL-6,and TNF-α(P<0.05),and reduced expression of synaptotagmin-1,synapsin-1,NGF,p-TrkA,Gαi1/3,and p-Gab1(P<0.05).When compared with the AD+POCD group and the empty adenovirus group,the avoidance latency in the Gαi1/3 overexpression group was significantly shorted on days 2 to 4(P<0.05),down-regulation of Aβ1-42(2.00±0.39 vs 3.38±0.38),IL-6(1.65±0.37 vs 3.36±0.39),and TNF-α(1.58±0.30 vs 2.90±0.31,P<0.05),and up-regulation of synaptotagmin-1,synapsin-1,Gαi1/3,and p-Gab1(P<0.05).Conclusion Isoflurane anesthesia can exacerbate POCD in AD mice,and overexpression of Gαi1/3 can improve cognitive function by activating the phosphorylation of Gab1.
6.A path analysis study on the relationship between the nursing organizational climate and work alienation among psychiatric nurses
Lan WANG ; Cuicui LIU ; Zhijiao ZHAO ; Li PANG ; Wenfu LI ; Qun MA ; Zhongli SHI
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(19):2397-2403
Objective To explore the effect of organizational climate on work alienation in psychiatric nurses,and the mediating role of psychological capital and positive coping styles between organizational climate and work alienation,in order to provide a reference for reducing work alienation among psychiatric nurses.Methods Convenience sampling method was used to select nurses working in 6 tertiary A psychiatric hospitals in Shandong Province from January to July 2024,and the general questionnaire,Nurses' Work Alienation Questionnaire,Organizational Climate Scale for Nursing,Psychological Capital Questionnaire,and Simple Coping Style Scale were used to conduct the survey and the mediation effect test.Results A total of 606 questionnaires were recovered,of which 572 were valid,and the validity rate of the questionnaires was 94.39%.Psychiatric nurses scored(89.58±13.69)for nursing organizational climate,(32.48±11.31)for work alienation,(97.28±19.12)for psychological capital,and(23.93±7.22)for positive coping styles.There was a direct effect of nursing organizational climate on work alienation(β=-0.681,95%CI=-0.824~-0.539).Psychological capital and positive coping styles acted as separate mediators and chain mediators in the effect of nursing organizational climate on work alienation(β=-0.116,-0.048,-0.019,95%CI=-0.182~-0.034,-0.086~-0.006,-0.042~-0.002).Conclusion There are multiple mediating effects of psychiatric nurses' psychological capital,positive coping styles between nursing organizational climate and work alienation.Nursing managers can enhance psychiatric nurses' psychological capital by creating a positive and healthy organizational climate,encouraging them to adopt positive coping styles to solve problems,and reducing work alienation.
7.Challenges and strategies for clinical treatment of low-level viremia in chronic hepatitis B patients
Huilin GAN ; Cuicui SHI ; Guangming LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(4):736-741
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health issue, affecting the health of 250 million people worldwide. Despite the significant progress in antiviral therapy for HBV, some patients still experience low-level viremia (LLV) after receiving antiviral therapy and fail to achieve viral clearance, with an HBV DNA load remaining at a relatively low level of 20 — 2 000 IU/mL. LLV is often caused by multiple factors such as the high stability of the virus, the difficulty in clearing the virus with antiviral drugs, host immune factors, and drug resistance, which increase the difficulties in antiviral therapy. In addition, LLV can also cause liver damage, which may eventually progress to severe outcomes such as hepatocellular carcinoma. This article reviews LLV in hepatitis B in terms of diagnosis, influencing factors, clinical significance, and treatment strategies.
8.Research Progress in the Mechanism of Shaoyao Decoction in Regulating Cytokines for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Cuicui LIU ; Peng'an YAN ; Xi CUI ; Qinqin LIU ; Hanghang LI ; Rui ZHAI ; Shuxun SHI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(10):179-184
Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a recurrent,chronic,nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease.Shaoyao Decoction has shown good efficacy in the treatment of UC,which mainly regulates the balance of cytokines to achieve the purpose of treating UC.This article reviewed the research progress in the mechanism of Shaoyao Decoction in the treatment of UC from two aspects of pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines.Research has shown that Shaoyao Decoction can regulate the body's immune response,alleviate intestinal inflammation,protect the intestinal mucosal barrier,restore normal structure and function of the colon mucosa through pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interferon-γ,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-17,and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as transforming growth factor-β,IL-4,IL-10,IL-13,which can provide reference for UC related mechanism research and clinical treatment.
9.A path analysis study on the relationship between the nursing organizational climate and work alienation among psychiatric nurses
Lan WANG ; Cuicui LIU ; Zhijiao ZHAO ; Li PANG ; Wenfu LI ; Qun MA ; Zhongli SHI
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(19):2397-2403
Objective To explore the effect of organizational climate on work alienation in psychiatric nurses,and the mediating role of psychological capital and positive coping styles between organizational climate and work alienation,in order to provide a reference for reducing work alienation among psychiatric nurses.Methods Convenience sampling method was used to select nurses working in 6 tertiary A psychiatric hospitals in Shandong Province from January to July 2024,and the general questionnaire,Nurses' Work Alienation Questionnaire,Organizational Climate Scale for Nursing,Psychological Capital Questionnaire,and Simple Coping Style Scale were used to conduct the survey and the mediation effect test.Results A total of 606 questionnaires were recovered,of which 572 were valid,and the validity rate of the questionnaires was 94.39%.Psychiatric nurses scored(89.58±13.69)for nursing organizational climate,(32.48±11.31)for work alienation,(97.28±19.12)for psychological capital,and(23.93±7.22)for positive coping styles.There was a direct effect of nursing organizational climate on work alienation(β=-0.681,95%CI=-0.824~-0.539).Psychological capital and positive coping styles acted as separate mediators and chain mediators in the effect of nursing organizational climate on work alienation(β=-0.116,-0.048,-0.019,95%CI=-0.182~-0.034,-0.086~-0.006,-0.042~-0.002).Conclusion There are multiple mediating effects of psychiatric nurses' psychological capital,positive coping styles between nursing organizational climate and work alienation.Nursing managers can enhance psychiatric nurses' psychological capital by creating a positive and healthy organizational climate,encouraging them to adopt positive coping styles to solve problems,and reducing work alienation.
10.Research Progress in the Mechanism of Shaoyao Decoction in Regulating Cytokines for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Cuicui LIU ; Peng'an YAN ; Xi CUI ; Qinqin LIU ; Hanghang LI ; Rui ZHAI ; Shuxun SHI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(10):179-184
Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a recurrent,chronic,nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease.Shaoyao Decoction has shown good efficacy in the treatment of UC,which mainly regulates the balance of cytokines to achieve the purpose of treating UC.This article reviewed the research progress in the mechanism of Shaoyao Decoction in the treatment of UC from two aspects of pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines.Research has shown that Shaoyao Decoction can regulate the body's immune response,alleviate intestinal inflammation,protect the intestinal mucosal barrier,restore normal structure and function of the colon mucosa through pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interferon-γ,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-17,and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as transforming growth factor-β,IL-4,IL-10,IL-13,which can provide reference for UC related mechanism research and clinical treatment.

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