1.Exploring Chemical Constituent Distribution in Blood/Brain(Hippocampus) and Emotional Regulatory Effect of Raw and Vinegar-processed Products of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride
Yi BAO ; Yonggui SONG ; Qianmin LI ; Zhifu AI ; Genhua ZHU ; Ming YANG ; Huanhua XU ; Qin ZHENG ; Yiting HUANG ; Zihan GAO ; Dan SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):189-197
ObjectiveTo investigate the migration and distribution characteristics of chemical constituents in blood and hippocampal tissues before and after vinegar processing of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride(CRPV), and to explore the potential material basis and mechanisms underlying their regulatory effects on emotional disorders by comparing the effects of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed to characterize and identify the chemical constituents of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV extracts, as well as their migrating components in blood and hippocampal tissues after oral administration. Reference standards, databases, and relevant literature were utilized for compound annotation, with data processing performed using PeakView 1.2 software. Seventy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into seven groups, including the blank group, model group, diazepam group(2.5 mg·kg-1), raw CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), and vinegar-processed CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), with 10 mice per group. Except for the blank group, all other groups underwent chronic restraint stress(2 h·d-1) for 20 d. Each drug-treated group received oral administration at the predetermined dose starting 10 d after modeling, with a total treatment duration of 10 d. Following model-based drug administration, mice underwent open-field, forced swimming, and elevated plus maze tests. After anesthesia with isoflurane, whole brains were collected from each group of mice, and hippocampi were dissected. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) level in hippocampal tissues was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe hippocampal tissue morphology. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect neuronal nuclei(NeuN) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha(PPARα) expressions in hippocampal tissue. Then, pharmacodynamic evaluations were conducted to assess the effects of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV on mood disorders, exploring the potential mechanisms. ResultsVinegar processing caused significant changes in the chemical composition of CRPV, with 18 components showing increased relative content and 35 components showing decreased relative content. The primary changes occurred in flavonoid compounds, including 20 flavonoids, 20 flavonoid glycosides, 3 triterpenes, 3 phenolic acids, 1 alkaloid, and 6 other compounds. Twenty-one components were detected in blood(15 methoxyflavones, 4 flavonoid glycosides, and 2 phenolic acids), with 17 shared between raw and vinegar-processed CRPV. Seven components reached hippocampal tissues(all common to both forms). In regulating emotional disorders, Vinegar-processed CRPV exhibited superior antidepressant-like effects compared to raw products. HE staining revealed that both treatments improved hippocampal neuronal morphology, particularly in the damaged CA1 and CA3 regions. Immunofluorescence and ELISA analyses demonstrated that both raw and vinegar-processed CRPV significantly modulated NeuN and PPARα expressions in hippocampal tissue while alleviating oxidative stress induced by excessive ROS(P<0.05). ConclusionThe chemical composition of CRPV undergoes changes after vinegar processing, but the migrating components in blood and hippocampus are primarily methoxyflavonoids. These components may serve as the potential material basis for activating the PPARα pathway, thereby negatively regulating ROS generation in the hippocampus, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting the development of NeuN-positive neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence for enhancing quality standards, pharmacodynamic material research, and active drug development of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV.
2.Exploring Intervention Effect of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma Processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus Juice on Slow-transit Constipation and Its "Microbiota-Metabolism" Synergistic Regulation Mechanism Based on Theory of "Spleen Governing Transportation and Transformation"
Dan LI ; Xiaoxia LIU ; Xiaofen WANG ; Zuxin HE ; Junnan WEI ; Yanqing LIU ; Yuxuan GAO ; Ping LUO ; Fang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):201-209
ObjectiveBased on the theory of "spleen governing transportation and transformation", this study investigates the efficacy of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus juice(AMR-AFI) in improving slow-transit constipation(STC), as well as the synergistic regulatory mechanism involving the microbiota-metabolism axis, thereby elucidating the scientific basis of its processing theory. MethodsAnimals were randomly divided into the control group, model group, positive drug(mosapride) group(3 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of AMR-AFI(3.9, 7.8, 15.6 g·kg-1). Except for the control group, the remaining five groups were induced with STC using loperamide hydrochloride. Following modeling, interventions were administered. All groups received continuous administration for 15 d, during which fecal samples, colon tissue, and serum were collected. Constipation improvement was assessed by measuring fecal moisture content and small intestinal propulsion rate, histological morphology of colonic tissue was observed via hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the levels of interleukin(IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, and IL-2 in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Furthermore, the microbial community structure in mouse feces was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, while transcriptomic sequencing was employed to screen differentially expressed genes in colonic tissue, followed by gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analyses. Finally, Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to explore the association between differential microbiota and differential genes. ResultsCompared with the control group, the intestinal propulsion rate and fecal moisture content in the model group were significantly decreased(P<0.01), while serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-2 were significantly elevated(P<0.01). HE staining showed damage and shedding of colonic mucosal epithelial cells, along with a reduction in goblet cells in the model group. In comparison with the model group, all treatment groups improved the pathological state of the colonic mucosa to varying degrees and reduced serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-2(P<0.01). Among these, the high-dose group of AMR-AFI significantly increased the intestinal propulsion rate and fecal moisture content of rats(P<0.05, P<0.01). Further transcriptomic analysis revealed that a total of 104 differentially expressed genes were identified from comparisons between the model group and the control group, as well as between the model group and the high-dose group of AMR-AFI. These genes were mainly enriched in pathways closely related to STC pathogenesis, such as arachidonic acid metabolism and aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption. 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that AMR-AFI reversed the structural imbalance of the gut microbiota in model mice, increased species richness, downregulated the relative abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria such as Parasutterella, and enriched beneficial and butyrate-producing bacteria, including Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae. Spearman correlation analysis further showed that the beneficial bacteria enriched in the AMR-AFI group were negatively correlated with genes involved in the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway and positively correlated with genes in the aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption pathway. In contrast, pro-inflammatory bacteria in the model group exhibited the opposite correlation trends. ConclusionAMR-AFI can effectively exert synergistic therapeutic effects on STC by regulating intestinal microbiota, arachidonic acid-mediated inflammatory metabolism, and aldosterone-regulated water-salt balance pathways.
3.Exploring Intervention Effect of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma Processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus Juice on Slow-transit Constipation and Its "Microbiota-Metabolism" Synergistic Regulation Mechanism Based on Theory of "Spleen Governing Transportation and Transformation"
Dan LI ; Xiaoxia LIU ; Xiaofen WANG ; Zuxin HE ; Junnan WEI ; Yanqing LIU ; Yuxuan GAO ; Ping LUO ; Fang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):201-209
ObjectiveBased on the theory of "spleen governing transportation and transformation", this study investigates the efficacy of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus juice(AMR-AFI) in improving slow-transit constipation(STC), as well as the synergistic regulatory mechanism involving the microbiota-metabolism axis, thereby elucidating the scientific basis of its processing theory. MethodsAnimals were randomly divided into the control group, model group, positive drug(mosapride) group(3 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of AMR-AFI(3.9, 7.8, 15.6 g·kg-1). Except for the control group, the remaining five groups were induced with STC using loperamide hydrochloride. Following modeling, interventions were administered. All groups received continuous administration for 15 d, during which fecal samples, colon tissue, and serum were collected. Constipation improvement was assessed by measuring fecal moisture content and small intestinal propulsion rate, histological morphology of colonic tissue was observed via hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the levels of interleukin(IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, and IL-2 in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Furthermore, the microbial community structure in mouse feces was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, while transcriptomic sequencing was employed to screen differentially expressed genes in colonic tissue, followed by gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analyses. Finally, Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to explore the association between differential microbiota and differential genes. ResultsCompared with the control group, the intestinal propulsion rate and fecal moisture content in the model group were significantly decreased(P<0.01), while serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-2 were significantly elevated(P<0.01). HE staining showed damage and shedding of colonic mucosal epithelial cells, along with a reduction in goblet cells in the model group. In comparison with the model group, all treatment groups improved the pathological state of the colonic mucosa to varying degrees and reduced serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-2(P<0.01). Among these, the high-dose group of AMR-AFI significantly increased the intestinal propulsion rate and fecal moisture content of rats(P<0.05, P<0.01). Further transcriptomic analysis revealed that a total of 104 differentially expressed genes were identified from comparisons between the model group and the control group, as well as between the model group and the high-dose group of AMR-AFI. These genes were mainly enriched in pathways closely related to STC pathogenesis, such as arachidonic acid metabolism and aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption. 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that AMR-AFI reversed the structural imbalance of the gut microbiota in model mice, increased species richness, downregulated the relative abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria such as Parasutterella, and enriched beneficial and butyrate-producing bacteria, including Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae. Spearman correlation analysis further showed that the beneficial bacteria enriched in the AMR-AFI group were negatively correlated with genes involved in the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway and positively correlated with genes in the aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption pathway. In contrast, pro-inflammatory bacteria in the model group exhibited the opposite correlation trends. ConclusionAMR-AFI can effectively exert synergistic therapeutic effects on STC by regulating intestinal microbiota, arachidonic acid-mediated inflammatory metabolism, and aldosterone-regulated water-salt balance pathways.
4.Combination of brefeldin A and tunicamycin induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells through the endoplasmic reticulum stress-activated PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway
Minghong LI ; Mengyi DUAN ; Ying YANG ; Xingdao LI ; Dan LI ; Wenting GAO ; Xiaotong JI ; Jianying BAI
Liver Research 2025;9(1):49-56
Background and aims:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a malignant tumor with a high mortality rate,but there are still no effective treatments.The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer po-tential of the combined use of brefeldin A(BFA)and tunicamycin(TM)in HepG2 cells,as well as the underlying mechanisms.Methods:HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of BFA(0.1-2.5 mg/L)and TM(1-5 mg/L)for 24 h.DMSO(0.1%,v/v)was used as a vehicle control.Cell viability and cell migration were measured using MTT assay and scratch wound assay,respectively.Apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry and acridine orange(AO)staining.The protein and mRNA levels of various factors involved in apoptosis(poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1(PARP-1),caspase-12,caspase-3,and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1)and endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress(binding immunoglobulin protein(BiP),protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK),p-PERK,phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2alpha(p-eIF2α),activating transcription factor(ATF)4,and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP))were measured using Western blotting and qRT-PCR,respectively.Results:Both BFA and TM alone significantly reduced the viability of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent way.The co-incubation with TM(1 mg/L)further significantly reduced the viability of HepG2 cells treated with BFA(0.25 mg/L)alone(P<0.05).BFA significantly increased the protein and mRNA levels of caspase-3 and PARP-1(P<0.05)compared to control and DMSO-treated cells,indicating that BFA induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells by increasing the expression of caspase-3 and PARP-1.The induction of apoptosis by BFA could be further significantly enhanced by co-incubation with TM.In addition,BFA significantly increased the mRNA levels of BiP,PERK and ATF4(P<0.05)compared to control and DMSO-treated cells.After co-incubation of BFA and TM,the protein levels of BiP,p-PERK,p-eIF2α and CHOP were significantly increased,indicating that TM could enhance BFA-induced ER stress in HepG2 cells through the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP pathway.Conclusions:BFA could induce apoptosis and ER stress,and TM could enhance the ability of BFA to induce apoptosis and ER stress in HepG2 cells through the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP pathway.The findings highlight the therapeutic potential of the combined use of BFA and TM in treating HCC.
5.Mechanism of Anemoside B4 on glutamine metabolism in oral lichen planus epithelial cells via the NOS3-DHFR axis
Min Li ; Menghua Yang ; Yi Gao ; Zijian Zhang ; Dan Jiang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(11):2059-2068
Objective:
To investigate the mechanism of Anemoside B4 (AB4) on glutamine metabolism in oral li- chen planus (OLP) epithelial cells via the nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3)-dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) axis .
Methods:
Bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify the intersection of molecular targets of OLP , AB4 , and genes related to glutamine metabolism . A lipopolysaccharide ( LPS)-induced HOK-16B model of OLP was estab- lished . HOK-16B were divided into Ctrl group , OLP group , AB4 group , OLP + oe-NOS3 group , OLP + sh-NOS3 group , OLP + sh-NOS3 + oe-DHFR group , and OLP + sh-NOS3 + AB4 group . Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) ; cell apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling ( TUNEL) ; inflammatory factors iInterleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factors-α ( TNF-α) concentrations in cell supernatants were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits; glutamine uptake and glutamate produc- tion were determined using kits; and the protein expression of alanine-serine-cysteine transporter2 ( ASCT2) and glutamine synthase (GLS) was assessed by Western blot.
Results:
Bioinformatics analysis of molecular targets of OLP , AB4 , and genes related to glutamine metabolism revealed three intersection targets : NFE2L2 , NOS1 , and NOS3 . Compared with the Ctrl group , the OLP group exhibited decreased HOK-16B cell viability (P < 0. 001) , increased apoptosis rate (P < 0. 01) , upregulated concentrations of IL-1βand TNF-α(P < 0. 001) , elevated glu- tamine uptake and glutamate production (P < 0. 01) , and enhanced expression of ASCPT2 and GLS proteins (P < 0. 001) . Compared with the OLP group , the AB4 group showed improved cell viability (P < 0. 05) , reduced apop- tosis rate and release of IL-1βand TNF-α(P < 0. 05) , decreased glutamine uptake and glutamate production (P < 0. 05) , and downregulated expression of ASCPT2 and GLS proteins ( P < 0. 001) . Compared with the OLP group , the OLP + oe-NOS3 group had increased HOK-16B cell viability (P < 0. 01) , reduced apoptosis rate (P < 0. 05) , decreased concentrations of IL-1βand TNF-α(P < 0. 05) , lowered glutamine uptake and glutamate pro- duction (P < 0. 05) , and weakened expression of ASCPT2 and GLS proteins (P < 0. 01) ; whereas the OLP + sh- NOS3 group had decreased HOK-16B cell viability ( P < 0. 05) , increased apoptosis rate ( P < 0. 05) , elevated concentrations of IL-1βand TNF-α ( P < 0. 01 ) , increased glutamine uptake and glutamate production ( P < 0. 05) , and enhanced expression of ASCPT2 and GLS proteins (P < 0. 001) . Compared with the OLP + sh-NOS3 group , both the OLP + sh-NOS3 + oe-DHFR group and the OLP + sh-NOS3 + AB4 group showed increased HOK- 16B cell viability (P < 0. 001) , reduced apoptosis rate (P < 0. 05) , decreased concentrations of IL-1βand TNF-α (P < 0. 01) , lowered glutamine uptake and glutamate production ( P < 0. 05) , and weakened expression of AS- CPT2 and GLS proteins ( P < 0. 05) .
Conclusion
AB4 inhibits the progression of OLP by mediating glutamine metabolism via the regulation of the NOS3-DHFR axis .
6.Construction and investigation of work capability evaluation indicator system for different positions of offshore workers
Dan QU ; Xiaobei JU ; Jian GAO
Journal of Navy Medicine 2025;46(8):821-825
Objective To investigate the work capability need of offshore workers,and then to construct the evaluation indicator system of work capability for different positions of offshore workers.Methods Literature search,cluster analysis,key events,weight calculation and expert assessment were applied in this study.Results After the indicator screening,weight calculation and expert verification,the work capability evaluation indicator system was established,which contained 5 dimensions and 24 items.The indicators were sequenced according to the weight calculation,and the coefficient of variation of each indicator was less than 20%.Conclusion The construction of the work capability evaluation indicator system for different positions of offshore workers not only improves the content of the offshore job performance evaluation system,but also meets the demand for enhancing offshore operation support.It has greatly practical significance and promotion value.
7.Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments reveal mechanism of Zhizhu Decoction in regulating macrophage polarization to reduce adipose tissue inflammation in obese children.
Yong-Kai YIN ; Chang-Miao NIU ; Li-Ting LIANG ; Mo DAN ; Tian-Qi GAO ; Yan-Hong QIN ; Xiao-Ning YAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):228-238
Network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to predict the mechanism of Zhizhu Decoction in regulating macrophage polarization to reduce adipose tissue inflammation in obese children, and animal experiments were then carried out to validate the prediction results. The active ingredients and targets of Zhizhu Decoction were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP). The inflammation related targets in the adipose tissue of obese children were searched against GeneCards, OMIM, and DisGeNET, and a drug-disease-target network was established. STRING was used to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network and screen for core targets. R language was used to carry out Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. AutoDock was used for the molecular docking between core targets and active ingredients. 24 SPF grade 6-week C57B/6J male mice were adaptively fed for 1 week, and 8 mice were randomly selected as the blank group. The remaining 16 mice were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to onstruct a high-fat diet induced mouse obesity model. After successful modeling, the 16 mice were randomly divided into model group and Zhizhu Decoction group, with 8 mice in each group. Zhizhu Decoction group was intervened by gavage for 14 days, once a day. Blank group and model group were given an equal amount of sterile double distilled water(ddH_2O) by gavage daily. After the last gavage, serum and inguinal adipose tissue were collected from mice for testing. The morphology of inguinal adipose tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the protein expression of macrophage marker molecule nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and epidermal growth factor like hormone receptor 1(F4/80) was detected by immunofluorescence staining. Network pharmacology predicted luteolin, naringenin, and nobiletin as the main active ingredients in Zhizhu Decoction and 15 core targets. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed involvement in the key signaling pathway of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB). Molecular docking showed that the active ingredients of Zhizhu Decoction bound well to the core targets. Animal experiment showed that compared with the model group, Zhizhu Decoction reduced the distribution of inflammatory cytokines in the inguinal adipose tissue of mice, lowered the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum(P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated the expression of iNOS and F4/80(P<0.05). The results showed that the active ingredients in Zhizhu Decoction, such as luteolin, naringenin, and nobiletin, inhibit the aggregation of macrophages in adipose tissue, downregulate their classic activated macrophage(M1) polarization, reduce the expression of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α, and thus improve adipose tissue inflammation in obese mice.
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Molecular Docking Simulation
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Adipose Tissue/immunology*
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Mice
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Male
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Humans
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Network Pharmacology
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Macrophages/immunology*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Child
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Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects*
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Obesity/genetics*
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Inflammation/drug therapy*
8.Qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical components of different processed products of Corni Fructus by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS.
Li-Qiang ZHANG ; Guo-Shun SHAN ; Yi-Dan HONG ; Si-Han LIU ; Guo-Wei XU ; Hui GAO ; Wei WANG ; Cheng-Guo JU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(8):2145-2158
Qualitative and quantitative analysis methods for chemical components of different processed products of Corni Fructus were established to systematically characterize and identify these components, and the content of the main differential components was determined. The chemical components of different processed products of Corni Fructus were collected using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Through analysis of self-built databases, literature, and reference standards, a total of 93 components were obtained, including 19 iridoids, 15 flavonoids, 16 organic acids, eight triterpenoids, eight tannins, four amino acids, two polysaccharides, five olefins, and 16 other compounds. Additionally, by using multivariate statistical methods, the differential components between different processed products of Corni Fructus were screened under the conditions of VIP>1.0 and FC<0.5 or FC>2.0 and P<0.05. The PCA and OPLS-DA results showed differences in the chemical components between different processed products of Corni Fructus. A total of 21 differential components were screened, including tartaric acid, morroniside, and rutin. On this basis, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) was used to determine the content of 10 main common differential components, including gallic acid, morroniside, ursolic acid, loganin, swertiamarin, rutin, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, cornuside Ⅰ, quercetin, and oleanolic acid. The above 10 components showed a good linear relationship within the determined concentration range, with the precision, stability, repeatability, and sample recovery rate all meeting the requirements. Compared with that in Corni Fructus, the content of iridoid glycosides in wine-prepared Corni Fructus and wine-and honey-prepared Corni Fructus decreased, while the content of gallic acid, rutin, quercetin, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, ursolic acid, and oleanolic acid increased. Compared with wine-prepared Corni Fructus, wine-and honey-prepared Corni Fructus showed varying degrees of increase in all other components, except for a slight decrease in gallic acid content. In summary, this study clarified the influence of different processing methods on the chemical components of Corni Fructus, providing a theoretical basis for the scientific connotation, overall quality evaluation, and clinically rational application of Corni Fructus processing in the future.
Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods*
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*
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Cornus/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Fruit/chemistry*
9.Re-admission risk prediction models for patients with heart failure after discharge: A systematic review
Ruilei GAO ; Dan WANG ; Guohua DAI ; Wulin GAO ; Hui GUAN ; Xueyan DONG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):677-684
Objective To systematically evaluate the predictive models for re-admission in patients with heart failure (HF) in China. Methods Studies related to the risk prediction model for HF patient re-admission published in The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, and other databases were searched from their inception to April 30, 2024. The prediction model risk of bias assessment tool was used to assess the risk of bias and applicability of the included literature, relevant data were extracted to evaluate the model quality. Results Nineteen studies were included, involving a total of 38 predictive models for HF patient re-admission. Comorbidities such as diabetes, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide/brain natriuretic peptide, chronic renal insufficiency, left ventricular ejection fraction, New York Heart Association cardiac function classification, and medication adherence were identified as primary predictors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ranged from 0.547 to 0.962. Thirteen studies conducted internal validation, one study conducted external validation, and five studies performed both internal and external validation. Seventeen studies evaluated model calibration, while five studies assessed clinical feasibility. The presentation of the models was primarily in the form of nomograms. All studies had a high overall risk of bias. Conclusion Most predictive models for HF patient re-admission in China demonstrate good discrimination and calibration. However, the overall research quality is suboptimal. There is a need to externally validate and calibrate existing models and develop more stable and clinically applicable predictive models to assess the risk of HF patient re-admission and identify relevant patients for early intervention.
10.Houshihei San Repairs Skeletal Muscle Injury After Ischaemic Stroke by Regulating Ferroptosis Pathway
Hu QI ; Dan TIAN ; Xiongwei ZHANG ; Zeyang ZHANG ; Yuanlin GAO ; Yanning JIANG ; Xinran MIN ; Jiamin ZOU ; Jiuseng ZENG ; Nan ZENG ; Ruocong YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):1-11
ObjectiveTo investigate the pharmacodynamic effects of Houshihei San (HSHS) recorded with the effects of treating wind and limb heaviness on muscle tissue injury after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats through the ferroptosis pathway. MethodsThirty SD male rats were selected and randomly grouped as follows: sham, MCAO, deferoxamine mesylate, high-dose HSHS (HSHS-H, 0.54 g·kg-1), and low-dose HSHS (HSHS-L, 0.27 g·kg-1), with 6 rats in each group. A laser scattering system was used to evaluate the stability of the MCAO model, and rats were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage for 7 days. During the administration period, behavioral, imaging and other methods were used to systematically evaluate the skeletal muscle tissue injury after MCAO and the therapeutic effect in each administration group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to evaluate the cross-section of muscle cells. Subsequently, immunohistochemistry was used to detect tumor suppressor p53 and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in the soleus tissue. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of p53, GPX4, myogenic differentiation 1 (MyoD1), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Myostatin, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), muscle ring-finger protein-1 (MuRF1), and muscle atrophy F-box protein (MAFbx) to verify the therapeutic effect in each group. ResultsCompared with the MCAO group, HSHS enhanced the locomotor ability and promoted muscle regeneration, which suggested that the pharmacological effects of HSHS were related to the inhibition of muscle tissue ferroptosis to reduce the expression of muscle atrophy factors. Behavioral and imaging results suggested that compared with the MCAO group, HSHS ameliorated neurological impairments in rats on day 7 (P<0.01), enhanced 5-min locomotor distance and postural control (P<0.01), strengthened grasping power and promoted muscle growth (P<0.01), stabilized skeletal muscle length and weight (P<0.01), and increased the cross-section of muscle cells (P<0.01). Compared with the MCAO group, HSHS promoted the increases in glutathione and superoxide dismutase content and inhibited the increase in malondialdehyde content (P<0.05,P<0.01). Ferroptosis pathway-related assays suggested that HSHS reduced the p53-positive cells and increased the GPX4-positive cells (P<0.01). HSHS ameliorated muscle function decline after stroke by promoting the expression of GPX4, Nrf2, SLC7A11, and MyoD1 and inhibiting the expression of p53, Myostatin, MurRF1, and MAFbx to reduce ferroptosis in the muscle (P<0.01). ConclusionHSHS, prepared with reference to the method in the Synopsis of Golden Chamber, can simultaneously reduce the myolysis and increase the protein synthesis in the skeletal muscle tissue after ischemic stroke by regulating the ferroptosis pathway.


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