1.Mechanisms of Jiangtang No. 3 Prescription in Alleviating Adipose Tissue Insulin Resistance in Diabetic Rats via TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway-mediated Inflammation
Tongxun WANG ; Lantian LIU ; Runqi LI ; Haoxiang LI ; Yi ZHAO ; Tian TIAN ; Rufeng MA ; Sihua GAO ; Dandan ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):109-117
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Jiangtang No. 3 prescription on inflammatory pathways and insulin resistance-related indicators in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to elucidate its molecular mechanism in combating diabetes. MethodsA T2DM rat model was established using a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Successfully modeled rats were randomly assigned to the model group, metformin group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose Jiangtang No. 3 prescription groups, and a normal group was also set. Daily gavage was administered for 8 weeks as follows: metformin at 0.1 g·kg-1·d-1, Jiangtang No. 3 prescription granules at 1.62, 3.24, 6.48 g·kg-1·d-1 for the respective dose groups, and sterile water for the normal and model groups. Rat body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were measured. After drug intervention, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and insulin (INS). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe morphological changes in adipose tissue. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18, and gasdermin D (GSDMD) in adipose tissue. Western blot was used to measure the corresponding protein expression levels. ResultsCompared with the model group, Jiangtang No. 3 prescription groups exhibited significantly increased body weight (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly reduced FBG (P<0.05, P<0.01), significant reductions in TC, TG, NEFA, and LDL (P<0.05, P<0.01), and a significant increase in HDL (P<0.01). Serum levels of inflammatory mediators IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly decreased (P<0.01), the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index was significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and adipose tissue pathology was improved. The protein expression levels of TLR4, NF-κB, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18, and GSDMD were markedly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the mRNA expression levels of these indicators were also significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Some effects were superior to those of the positive control drug metformin, and certain indicators exhibited dose-dependent improvements. ConclusionT2DM rats display significant inflammatory responses, disordered glucose and lipid metabolism, and insulin resistance. Jiangtang No. 3 prescription effectively suppresses inflammatory mediators, improves glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin resistance, and ameliorates pathological changes in adipose tissue. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in visceral adipose tissue, thereby influencing downstream inflammatory mediators.
2.Correlation Between Human Body Fat Distribution and Carotid Atherosclerosis
Yanmeng QI ; Dandan LI ; Anqi CHEN ; Han YANG ; Yan LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(3):703-709
To explore the correlation between human body fat distribution and carotid athero-sclerosis. Adult healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations at the Health Management Center of the International Medical Department(Xidan Campus) of Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2020 and January 2023 were selected as study participants. Baseline data, laboratory indicators, Inbody body composition analysis, and carotid ultrasound examination results were collected. Participants were divided into carotid atherosclerosis group and control group based on carotid ultrasound examination results. Baseline data, laboratory indicators, and body composition differences between the two groups were compared, and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the correlation between carotid atherosclerosis and body composition. To further explore the correlation between fat distribution and carotid atherosclerosis, the ratio of trunk fat to limb fat(trunk fat/limb fat), visceral fat area, and waist-to-hip ratio were stratified into Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups(with Q1 group as the reference) based on quartiles(Q1 to Q4), and a forest plot was constructed to analyze the risk of carotid atherosclerosis in each subgroup. A total of 2221 participants were included in this study, including 1194 males(53.76%) and 1027 females(46.24%), with a mean age of(50.28±10.93) years. There were 1049 cases in the carotid atherosclerosis group and 1172 cases in the control group. Baseline data analysis showed that the carotid atherosclerosis group had a higher age and male proportion compared to the control group(both There is a significant correlation between trunk fat/limb fat and the occurrence of carotid atherosclerosis. In the future, the sample size should be expanded, and more precise methods for measuring fat distribution should be adopted to validate the conclusions of this study.
3.Mechanism prediction and validation of Kaixinsan in ameliorating neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease
Dandan XU ; Yongchang ZENG ; Shaoyu LIANG ; Qi LIU ; Junhong WU ; Kang HE
China Pharmacy 2025;36(12):1476-1482
OBJECTIVE To predict and validate the potential mechanisms of Kaixinsan (KXS) in ameliorating neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). METHODS Network pharmacology was employed to identify core anti- inflammatory components and key inflammatory targets of KXS for AD. Gene ontology (GO) functional annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, and molecular docking were performed. Based on these findings, male SD rats were used to establish an AD model via chronic D-galactose induction. The effects of KXS on AD rats were evaluated, including quantitative behavioral score, learning and memory parameters (escape latency, platform crossings, platform quadrant distance and time), organ indexes (heart, liver, spleen, thymus), histopathological alterations in the hippocampus, and expressions of inflammation-related pathway proteins and their upstream/downstream regulators. RESULTS Core anti-inflammatory components of KXS for AD included gomisin B, panaxytriol, gomisin A, enhydrin, vulgarin and panaxydol, while key inflammatory targets involved nuclear factor-kappa B subunit 1( NFKB1), nuclear factor-κB p65( NF-κB p65), interleukin-1β( IL- 1β), IL-6, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), tumor necrosis factor, nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain- containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) and caspase-1 (CASP1). GO and KEGG pathway enrichment involved inflammatory response, phosphorylation and the NF-κB signaling pathway. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding affinities between core components and key targets. Animal experiments demonstrated that, compared to the model group, KXS significantly alleviated histopathological damage (e.g., neuronal shrinkage, reduced Nissl bodies in hippocampal CA1, CA3, and DG regions), increased organ indexes (except for liver index) and Nissl-stained positive cells, improved learning and memory performance, and reduced behavioral scores (at the 8 and 12 weeks of the experiment) and protein expression of NF- κB p65, phosphorylated NF- κB p65, TLR4, NLRP3, CASP1 and IL-1β. CONCLUSIONS KXS effectively mitigates neuroinflammation, reduces hippocampal neuronal injury, and enhances learning and memory ability in AD rats, potentially through suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway and its upstream/ downstream regulators.
4.Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of cemental tear.
Ye LIANG ; Hongrui LIU ; Chengjia XIE ; Yang YU ; Jinlong SHAO ; Chunxu LV ; Wenyan KANG ; Fuhua YAN ; Yaping PAN ; Faming CHEN ; Yan XU ; Zuomin WANG ; Yao SUN ; Ang LI ; Lili CHEN ; Qingxian LUAN ; Chuanjiang ZHAO ; Zhengguo CAO ; Yi LIU ; Jiang SUN ; Zhongchen SONG ; Lei ZHAO ; Li LIN ; Peihui DING ; Weilian SUN ; Jun WANG ; Jiang LIN ; Guangxun ZHU ; Qi ZHANG ; Lijun LUO ; Jiayin DENG ; Yihuai PAN ; Jin ZHAO ; Aimei SONG ; Hongmei GUO ; Jin ZHANG ; Pingping CUI ; Song GE ; Rui ZHANG ; Xiuyun REN ; Shengbin HUANG ; Xi WEI ; Lihong QIU ; Jing DENG ; Keqing PAN ; Dandan MA ; Hongyu ZHAO ; Dong CHEN ; Liangjun ZHONG ; Gang DING ; Wu CHEN ; Quanchen XU ; Xiaoyu SUN ; Lingqian DU ; Ling LI ; Yijia WANG ; Xiaoyuan LI ; Qiang CHEN ; Hui WANG ; Zheng ZHANG ; Mengmeng LIU ; Chengfei ZHANG ; Xuedong ZHOU ; Shaohua GE
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):61-61
Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans
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Dental Cementum/injuries*
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Consensus
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Diagnosis, Differential
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Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
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Tooth Fractures/therapy*
5.Research progress and challenges of molecular recognition techniques in the screening of active ingredients in Traditional Chinese medicine.
Lin LI ; Qi LI ; Yanxiao LI ; Dandan GONG ; Bonian ZHAO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(9):101243-101243
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has become an important treasure trove of natural resources for the development of new medicines due to their diverse compositions, significant therapeutic effects, and few side effects. The screening of active ingredients in TCM represents a crucial step in elucidating the material basis and mechanism of action of TCM. At present, efficient and precise molecular recognition techniques based on intermolecular interactions have been extensively employed for the identification of active ingredients in TCM. This paper presents a review of the fundamental principles underlying solution-phase/affinity ligand fishing, solid-phase/affinity ligand fishing, molecular imprinting and molecular docking techniques, with a particular focus on their applications in the screening of active ingredients in TCM. Furthermore, the paper compares the advantages and disadvantages of the various techniques and identifies the limitations of existing techniques. In conclusion, the paper identifies the prospective trajectory of molecular recognition techniques in the domain of TCM research. This paper not only provides theoretical references for the development of new methods of active ingredient screening but also helps to promote the modernization and internationalization of TCM.
6.Research advances on the age-related macular degeneration
Dandan WEI ; Yuhan SONG ; Qi WANG ; Shulan SU ; Yue ZHU ; Jin'ao DUAN
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2024;44(4):553-557
Age-related macular degeneration(AMD)is a serious threat to the visual health of the elderly,and the dysfunction of retinal pigment epithelial cells(RPE)is a significant etiology risk.Aging process leads to RPE repli-cation senescence,and some environment factors like light exposure and cigarette exposure may lead to RPE stress premature aging,and the decreased lysosomal digestion ability of senescent RPE cells may lead to the accumulation of lipofuscin,triggering the occurrence of early AMD.A series of homeostatic imbalances in aging retina,such as cell senescence-renewal imbalance,oxidative stress-antioxidant imbalance,chronic inflammatory-anti-inflammatory imbalance,intestinal barrier and intestinal microbiota imbalance and pro-angiogenesis-antiangiogenic imbalance all contribute to the development of AMD.
7.Risk assessment of nosocomial infection in patients with multiple myeloma in the first hospitalization
Qi RAO ; Ting LUO ; Dandan WANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(1):113-115
Objective To assess the risk of nosocomial infection in patients with multiple myeloma during their first hospitalization. Methods Totally 480 patients with multiple myeloma who were hospitalized for the first time in department of hematology of West China Hospital, Sichuan University from August 2021 to August 2022 were included, and the nosocomial infection during treatment was statistically analyzed. The patients were divided into infected group and uninfected group. The independent influencing factors of nosocomial infection were analyzed and a prediction model was established. The reliability of the prediction model was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results The incidence rate of nosocomial infection was 31.2% among 480 patients hospitalized for the first time. There were statistically significant differences in age, ISS staging, controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score, agranulocytosis, hemoglobin, and albumin between the infected group and the uninfected group (P<0.05). Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that age, ISS staging, CONUT score, agranulocytosis, hemoglobin level, and albumin level were all independent correlated factors of nosocomial infection in patients with multiple myeloma hospitalized for the first time (P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity of multivariate logistic regression prediction model were 0.88 (95%CI: 0.840-0.920), 85.00% and 76.36%, respectively. Conclusion The incidence rate of nosocomial infection is high among patients with multiple myeloma in the first hospitalization. The prediction model established according to independent correlated factors of nosocomial infection has high predictive value on the occurrence of nosocomial infection.
8.Discussion on TCM Etiology and Pathogenesis of Cognitive Dysfunction from the of Perspective Microbiota-gut-brain Axis Based on"Spleen Can't Regulate Spirit"
Lanhui ZHENG ; Qi ZHANG ; Boyu ZHANG ; Dandan FENG ; Jiayao LUO ; Tong YANG ; Hua SUI ; Yan WANG ; Qingquan SUN ; Sheng LI ; Shuyuan LIU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(6):18-23
Cognitive dysfunction refers to dysfunction of individual perception,memory,understanding,learning,creation and other dysfunctions caused by abnormal brain function and structure.Based on the fact that the spleen can't regulate transportation and transformation,govern blood and send up essential substance,combined with the microbiota-gut-brain axis,this article discussed the etiology and pathogenesis of intestinal flora imbalance affecting cognitive dysfunction in TCM.It was proposed that the spleen in TCM and intestinal flora are connected in physiology and pathology:the spleen regulates spirit and governs cognition,when the spleen fails to function normally that it can't dominate transportation and transformation,govern blood and send up essential substance will cause that the brain spirit can not be nourished;intestinal flora is closely related to the spleen in TCM,and affects brain function through the nervous system,endocrine,immune and metabolic mechanisms.This article can provide explore new ideas for the clinical research and treatment of cognitive dysfunction of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
9.Discussion on Prescription Law of Wang Yinglin's Treatment for Pediatric Cough Based on Carma Algorithm and Complex Network
Jianjun WU ; Dandan DING ; Benzhang ZHAO ; Huimin ZHOU ; Ruitao WANG ; Qi LI ; Yi ZHANG ; Weisha DU ; Xin LI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(7):38-43
Objective To explore the prescription law of Professor Wang Yinglin for treating pediatric cough based on the Carma algorithm and complex network.Methods The prescriptions of children with cough as the chief complaint who were treated by Professor Wang in the outpatient department from November 2022 to May 2023 were taken as the research object.Carma algorithm and complex network were used to analyze the main prescriptions of Professor Wang for treating children's cough,and explore the prescription law of Professor Wang for treating children's cough.Results A total of 420 cases were included,with an average age of 6.5 years old.Among them,there were 158 males and 262 females,involving 420 prescriptions,97 kinds of Chinese materia medica,a total frequency of 4 665,and 37 drugs with a frequency of use>20.By analyzing the drug combination derived from Carma analysis of algorithms and clinical verification,it was found that Professor Wang commonly used two drug combinations to treat children's cough:Poria-Exocarpium Citri Rubrum,Scrophulariae Radix-Imperatae Rhizoma,Peucedani Radix-Cynanchi Stauntonii Rhizoma,Perillae Fructus-Asteris Radix,Saposhnikoviae Radix-Liquidambaris Fructus;three medicine combination:Perillae Fructus-Asteris Radix-Semen Lepidii,Poria-Cablin Potchouli Herb-Exocarpium Citri Rubrum,Magnoliae Flos-Saposhnikoviae Radix-Liquidambaris Fructus;the combination of four drugs included Poria-Scrophulariae Radix-Exocarpium Citri Rubrum-Imperatae Rhizoma,Poria-Adenophorae Radix-Exocarpium Citri Rubrum-Scrophulariae Radix;five medicine combinations:Poria-Scrophulariae Radix-Exocarpium Citri Rubrum-Imperatae Rhizoma-Adenophorae Radix,Poria-Scrophulariae Radix-Exocarpium Citri Rubrum-Imperatae Rhizoma-Cablin Potchouli Herb;six medicine combinations:Poria-Scrophulariae Radix-Exocarpium Citri Rubrum-Imperatae Rhizoma-Adenophorae Radix-Folium Eriobotryae,Poria-Scrophulariae Radix-Exocarpium Citri Rubrum-Imperatae Rhizoma-Adenophorae Radix-Isatidis Radix,Poria-Scrophulariae Radix-Exocarpium Citri Rubrum-Imperatae Rhizoma-Cablin Potchouli Herb-Saposhnikoviae Radix,Folium Eriobotryae-Perillae Fructus-Asteris Radix-Semen Lepidii-Peucedani Radix-Cynanchi Stauntonii Rhizoma,Glehniae Radix-Crataegi Fructus-Stemonae Radix-Bulbus Lilii-Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae-Ophiopogonis Radix.Complex network analysis found that the core drugs were:Adenophorae Radix,Poria,Exocarpium Citri Rubrum,Scrophulariae Radix,Imperatae Rhizoma,Folium Eriobotryae,Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii,Isatidis Radix,Peucedani Radix,Cynanchi Stauntonii Rhizoma,Stemonae Radix,Bambusae Concretio Silicea,Cablin Potchouli Herb.Five core prescriptions were obtained by multi-scale backbone network analysis.Conclusion Professor Wang's treatment of pediatric cough varies depending on the medical history,symptoms,and location of the disease,with different prescriptions.New diseases are often considered based on pathogenic factors,with phlegm heat as the main treatment,and the efficacy is mostly achieved by purging the lungs and resolving phlegm;phlegm heat gradually subsides,and residual pathogens are not cleared.The main approach is to eliminate residual pathogens and replenish qi and yin;long term illness mainly focuses on supplementing qi and nourishing yin.
10.Study on the Improvement Effect and Mechanism of Saikosaponin A on Insomnia Rats by Regulating cAMP/PKA/CREB Signaling Pathway
Mingliang QIAO ; Shuo LIANG ; Yi MENG ; Fengsen LI ; Gaofeng TAN ; Dandan QI ; Haopan CHEN
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(5):633-638
Objective To explore the improving effect and mechanism of saikosaponin A on insomnia rats based on cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway.Methods Seventy-five SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,low-dose saikosaponin A group(0.625 mg·kg-1),high-dose saikosaponin A group(2.500 mg·kg-1)and Estazolam group(0.1 mg·kg-1),with 15 rats in each group.Insomnia rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of Phenylalanine(PCPA,0.1 mg·kg-1).The general condition and circadian rhythm of rats were observed;the sleep latency and sleep duration of rats were measured by pentobarbital sodium righting experiment.The sleep phase of rats was observed,and the duration of slow wave sleep phase 1(SWS1),slow wave sleep phase 2(SWS2),rapid eye movement sleep phase(REMS)and total sleep time(TST)were recorded.The mRNA expression levels of hypothalamic circadian genes Clock,Bmal1 and clock-controlled genes Rev-erbα and Rorα were determined by qRT-PCR.The expression level of NeuN in hippocampus was determined by immunofluorescence.The level of cAMP in brain tissue was determined by ELISA.The expression levels of Clock,Bmal1,Rev-erbα,Rorα and cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway-related proteins in brain tissue were determined by Western Blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the rats in the model group had disordered circadian rhythms,extreme excitement,irritability,and reduced sleep;the sleep latency was significantly prolonged(P<0.05),and the sleep duration and SWS1,SWS2,REMS and TST were significantly shortened(P<0.05).The arrangement of neurons was disordered,and the IOD value of NeuN positive neurons was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The mRNA and protein expression levels of Clock,Bmal1,Rev-erbα and Rorα in brain tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The expression levels of cAMP,p-PKA/PKA and p-CREB/CREB in brain tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the aggressiveness of the rats in the administration group was significantly weakened,the circadian rhythm was rhythmic,the activity was reduced,and the sleep was increased.The sleep latency was significantly shortened(P<0.05),and the sleep duration and SWS1,SWS2,REMS and TST were significantly prolonged(P<0.05).The disorder of neuronal arrangement was restored,and the IOD value of NeuN positive neurons was significantly increased(P<0.05).The mRNA and protein expression levels of Clock,Bmal1,Rev-erbα and Rorα in brain tissue were significantly increased(P<0.05).The protein expression levels of cAMP,p-PKA/PKA and p-CREB/CREB in brain tissue were significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Saikosaponin A may improve the circadian rhythm of insomnia rats by activating cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway.


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