1.Role of naringenin in the prevention and treatment of autoimmune hepatitis and its molecular mechanism
Changwen LIN ; Qiuyi REN ; Mengjie ZHENG ; Huan YAN ; Jia LI ; Jiaxin FENG ; Haiying LIN ; Faming SHU ; Xiaoling ZHOU ; Dewen MAO ; Fuli LONG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(6):1419-1425
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease mediated by T lymphocytes, and it can progress to liver cirrhosis or even liver failure without timely intervention. As a natural flavonoid compound, naringenin (NAR) shows a potential value in the prevention and treatment of AIH through multiple mechanisms such as remodeling immune homeostasis, targeted inhibition of inflammatory pathways, antioxidation, regulating hepatocyte metabolism and apoptosis, improving mitochondrial function, and regulating intestinal flora. However, the clinical translation and application of NAR is limited by issues such as low bioavailability and insufficient efficiency of liver-targeted delivery. This article systematically reviews the mechanism of action of NAR in the prevention and treatment of AIH, explores the potential signaling pathways involved in this process, and analyzes existing challenges in its translation and application and future research directions, so as to provide a reference for further research on NAR and its application in the prevention and treatment of AIH.
2.Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Fatty Liver Disease: A Review
Shuangmei ZHAO ; Hong WANG ; Suying WANG ; Jiale MA ; Long PENG ; Hengyu ZHANG ; Dewen LIANG ; Wang GAO ; Huizhen LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):282-291
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic liver disease closely related to metabolic dysfunction. Its global prevalence is increasing year by year and shows a trend toward younger onset. It is closely associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, and extrahepatic malignant tumors, and has become a major public health problem affecting the health of the Chinese population. At present, the treatment of MAFLD mainly focuses on lifestyle intervention. When metabolic cardiovascular risk factors and liver injury are present, pharmacological intervention is required. However, there is still no specific drug therapy for MAFLD. In recent years, many studies have found that the pathogenesis of MAFLD involves interactions among multiple factors, including insulin resistance, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, programmed cell death, immune dysregulation, inflammasomes, gut microbiota imbalance, and bile acid metabolism. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has advantages in integrated regulation with multiple components and multiple targets, and shows significant efficacy in the treatment of MAFLD. Active components of Chinese medicinal herbs and Chinese medicine compound formulas exert definite therapeutic effects by regulating multiple signaling pathways to improve lipid metabolism disorders, inhibit inflammatory responses, and regulate the gut microbiota, thereby effectively improving clinical symptoms and delaying the occurrence and development of MAFLD. Therefore, strengthening research on the mechanisms of action of TCM in MAFLD is of crucial importance and significance for its treatment. This article summarizes the mechanisms by which Chinese medicine monomers and compound formulas intervene in MAFLD through the regulation of related signaling pathways, based on the retrieval and analysis of relevant literature from multiple databases, with the aim of providing theoretical support and a reference basis for the clinical application of TCM in the treatment of MAFLD.
3.Qingjie Huagong Formula (清解化攻方) Combined with Conventional Western Medicine in the Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis:A Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial
Xialan LAI ; Guozhong CHEN ; Xiaodong ZHU ; Weizhizi LI ; Xiping TANG ; Xiaoyi HUANG ; Dewen LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(19):2095-2102
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of oral/ gastric tube/ jejunal tube administration or retention enema of Qingjie Huagong Formula (清解化攻方, QHF) mirabilite abdominal bag external application combined with conventional western medicine in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). MethodsA prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 128 AP patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to a control group and a treatment group, with 64 cases in each group. The control group received placebo and conventional western medicine, while the treatment group additionally received oral/ gastric tube/ jejunal tube administration or retention enema of QHF, and mirabilite abdominal bag external application. Both groups received treatment from admission to discharge as one complete course, with the maximum treatment duration not exceeding 14 days.The primary outcome was the severity grading of AP. Secondary outcomes were clinical efficacy, laboratory indicators including white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactate (Lac), and D-dimer, gastrointestinal function recovery indicators including time to relief of abdominal pain, time to recovery of bowel sounds, and time to resumption of enteral nutrition, total fluid volume administered within 24 h after admission, intra-abdominal pressure, length of hospital stay, hospitalization costs, and incidence of complications. ResultsDuring the treatment period, 3 cases dropped out in the control group and 9 cases in the treatment group, leaving 116 cases for final analysis (55 in the treatment group and 61 in the control group). After treatment, the markedly effective rate and overall effective rate in the treatment group were 69.09% (38/55) and 92.73% (51/55), respectively, which was higher than 49.18% (30/61) and 80.33% (49/61) in the control group. The severity of the disease in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the treatment group showed significantly reduced levels of WBC, CRP, PCT, BUN, Lac, and D-dimer; the time to relief of abdominal pain, time to recovery of bowel sounds, and time to resumption of enteral nutrition were significantly shortened; the fluid volume administered within 24 h after admission and intra-abdominal pressure were significantly reduced, as well as the length of hospital stay and hospitalization costs (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The incidences of acute kidney injury, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and infected pancreatic necrosis in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionQHF combined with conventional western medicine can significantly improve the inflammatory status of AP patients, promote gastrointestinal function recovery, reduce intra-abdominal pressure and fluid resuscitation requirements, lower the risk of certain complications, and shorten the length of hospital stay.
4.Qingjie Huagong Formula (清解化攻方) Combined with Conventional Western Medicine in the Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis:A Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial
Xialan LAI ; Guozhong CHEN ; Xiaodong ZHU ; Weizhizi LI ; Xiping TANG ; Xiaoyi HUANG ; Dewen LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(19):2095-2102
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of oral/ gastric tube/ jejunal tube administration or retention enema of Qingjie Huagong Formula (清解化攻方, QHF) mirabilite abdominal bag external application combined with conventional western medicine in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). MethodsA prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 128 AP patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to a control group and a treatment group, with 64 cases in each group. The control group received placebo and conventional western medicine, while the treatment group additionally received oral/ gastric tube/ jejunal tube administration or retention enema of QHF, and mirabilite abdominal bag external application. Both groups received treatment from admission to discharge as one complete course, with the maximum treatment duration not exceeding 14 days.The primary outcome was the severity grading of AP. Secondary outcomes were clinical efficacy, laboratory indicators including white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactate (Lac), and D-dimer, gastrointestinal function recovery indicators including time to relief of abdominal pain, time to recovery of bowel sounds, and time to resumption of enteral nutrition, total fluid volume administered within 24 h after admission, intra-abdominal pressure, length of hospital stay, hospitalization costs, and incidence of complications. ResultsDuring the treatment period, 3 cases dropped out in the control group and 9 cases in the treatment group, leaving 116 cases for final analysis (55 in the treatment group and 61 in the control group). After treatment, the markedly effective rate and overall effective rate in the treatment group were 69.09% (38/55) and 92.73% (51/55), respectively, which was higher than 49.18% (30/61) and 80.33% (49/61) in the control group. The severity of the disease in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the treatment group showed significantly reduced levels of WBC, CRP, PCT, BUN, Lac, and D-dimer; the time to relief of abdominal pain, time to recovery of bowel sounds, and time to resumption of enteral nutrition were significantly shortened; the fluid volume administered within 24 h after admission and intra-abdominal pressure were significantly reduced, as well as the length of hospital stay and hospitalization costs (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The incidences of acute kidney injury, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and infected pancreatic necrosis in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionQHF combined with conventional western medicine can significantly improve the inflammatory status of AP patients, promote gastrointestinal function recovery, reduce intra-abdominal pressure and fluid resuscitation requirements, lower the risk of certain complications, and shorten the length of hospital stay.
5.The role of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase in liver diseases
Yangling ZENG ; Yunyong WANG ; Haimei GUAN ; Tianwen WANG ; Baohua XIE ; Guobao LI ; Riyun ZHANG ; Tingshuai WANG ; Dewen MAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(5):983-990
Cholesterol is an essential molecule for the biosynthesis of cell membranes and cell proliferation and differentiation, and the liver plays a central role in cholesterol metabolism and is responsible for the synthesis, uptake, secretion, and transport of cholesterol. The initial stages of cholesterol synthesis in the liver are particularly important, and abnormalities in such stages are closely associated with the progression of various liver diseases. Studies have shown that as a key rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) has well-defined regulatory properties and has been confirmed as an important target for the regulation of various liver diseases. This article reviews the process of cholesterol metabolism, the degradation and regulatory mechanisms of HMGCR, and the application of inhibitors, as well as the role of HMGCR in liver diseases, in order to provide new insights for scientific research and the clinical prevention and treatment of liver diseases.
6.Progress on the application of metabolomics in the prevention and treatment of liver failure using traditional Chinese medicine
Mengling HU ; Jiongfen LI ; Yangling ZENG ; Riyun ZHANG ; Dewen MAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1207-1212
With the concurrent development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and metabolomics in the diagnosis and treatment of liver failure, techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, chromatography, metabolic flux analysis, and bioinformatics enable the qualitative or quantitative analysis of endogenous small molecule metabolites in animal models of liver failure and patients with liver failure. These methods help identify specific biomarkers for early diagnosis and clinical intervention. This article reviews recent advancements in metabolomics for the early diagnosis of liver failure, biomarker discovery, identification of TCM syndromes, and the application of TCM in treating liver failure, aiming to provide a basis for TCM-based diagnosis and treatment of liver failure.
7.Comprehensive Application of AHP-CRITIC Hybrid Weighting Method, Grey Correlation Analysis and BP-ANN in Optimization of Extraction Process of Qizhi Prescription
Qun LAN ; Yi CHENG ; Zian LI ; Bingyu WU ; Jinyu WANG ; Dewen LIU ; Yan TONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):176-186
ObjectiveBased on analytic hierarchy process(AHP)-criteria importance through intercriteria correlation(CRITIC) hybrid weighting method, grey relational analysis and backpropagation artificial neural network(BP-ANN), to optimize the water extraction process of Qizhi prescription, so as to provide an experimental basis for optimization of the preparation process of this prescription and the establishment of quality standards. MethodsL9(34) orthogonal test was employed, and the AHP-CRITIC hybrid weighting method was utilized to determine the weight coefficients of the quality fractions of various components, including astragaloside Ⅳ, polygalaxanthone Ⅲ, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, tenuifolin, and 3,6′-disinapoylsucrose, as well as the dry extract yield. The comprehensive score of each factor level combination in the orthogonal test were calculated as evaluation indicator to select the optimal extraction process parameters. The effects of extraction times, extraction time, and solvent dosage on the aqueous extraction process of the formula were investigated through intuitive analysis, variance analysis, and grey relational analysis. Meanwhile, a BP-ANN model was established to reverse-predict the optimal extraction process parameters of Qizhi prescription, and the optimized process parameters were validated. ResultsThe weight coefficients of the five index components(astragaloside Ⅳ, tenuifolin, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, polygalaxanthone Ⅲ, and 3,6′-disinapoylsucrose) and dry extract yield were 25.7%, 20.82%, 16.41%, 12.45%, 15.96% and 8.67%, respectively. The optimized extraction process parameters were extracted 3 times with 8, 6, 6 times the amount of water, each time for 1 h. The network prediction results of BP-ANN test samples were consistent with the orthogonal test results, and the mean square error(MSE) of the predicted and measured values of the network was <1%. The water extraction process of Qizhi prescription analyzed and predicted by relevant mathematical models was stable and feasible, which could effectively improve the extraction efficiency of the active ingredients of Astragali Radix and Polygalae Radix, and the average comprehensive score of the validation test was 90.85 with the relative standard deviation(RSD) of 1.55%. ConclusionThis study establishes a water extraction process for compound Qizhi granules, and the optimized extraction process can effectively improve the extraction efficiency of active ingredients, which provides useful references for the optimization of preparation process and the establishment of quality standards for other clinical experience formulas.
8.Failure analysis and structural optimization of water-based sliding bearings for aerospace applications
Chunmei WEI ; WangXi ; Yingbin LI ; Dewen YIN ; Zhenguo ZHANG ; Hualin SHI
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2025;36(3):246-249
The long service life and high reliability of SiC sliding bearings are crucial for the long-term normal operation of aerospace power equipment.In response to the fracture phenomenon observed in the sliding bearing assembly of a certain delivery pump during operation,this paper analyzes the issue from the perspectives of stress characteristics and thermal expansion effects,proposing a structural optimization design method based on temperature coefficient compensation.The research indicates that the primary cause of bearing fracture is the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the bearing and the metal rotor under elevated temperatures,leading to axial loosening of the bearing.Additionally,the gap between the bearing and the pin,combined with unstable lubrication of the friction pair,exacerbates bearing stalling and pin impact,ultimately causing cracks and localized chipping.By optimizing the bearing structure and employing a rubber pad for torque transmission,this issue has been successfully resolved.The improved structure demonstrated high reliability and stability in bench tests,providing important theoretical and technical references for the design of bearings under similar extreme operating conditions.
9.The role of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase in liver diseases
Yangling ZENG ; Yunyong WANG ; Haimei GUAN ; Tianwen WANG ; Baohua XIE ; Guobao LI ; Riyun ZHANG ; Tingshuai WANG ; Dewen MAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;42(5):983-990
Cholesterol is an essential molecule for the biosynthesis of cell membranes and cell proliferation and differentiation,and the liver plays a central role in cholesterol metabolism and is responsible for the synthesis,uptake,secretion,and transport of cholesterol.The initial stages of cholesterol synthesis in the liver are particularly important,and abnormalities in such stages are closely associated with the progression of various liver diseases.Studies have shown that as a key rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis,3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase(HMGCR)has well-defined regulatory properties and has been confirmed as an important target for the regulation of various liver diseases.This article reviews the process of cholesterol metabolism,the degradation and regulatory mechanisms of HMGCR,and the application of inhibitors,as well as the role of HMGCR in liver diseases,in order to provide new insights for scientific research and the clinical prevention and treatment of liver diseases.
10.Mechanism of regulating M1/M2 macrophage polarization intervention on intestinal injury of severe acute pancreatitis by Qingjie Huagong decoction
Hui LI ; Xiaoxia AN ; Dewen LI ; Leilei LI ; Cenyi LIANG ; Guozhong CHEN
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(11):2651-2656
Objective:To investigate the effect of Qingjie Huagong decoction on the polarization of intestinal M1/M2 macro-phages in rats with severe acute pancreatitis and the related molecular mechanisms.Methods:Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divid-ed into blank group,model group,Qingjie Huagong decoction low,medium and high dose groups,and Western medicine group.The rat model of severe acute pancreatitis was established according to 5%sodium taurocholate retrograde pancreatic duct.Western medi-cine group was given intraperitoneal injection of ulinastatin injection,and Qingjie Huagong decoction low,medium and high dose groups were given corresponding concentrations of traditional Chinese medicine by intragastric.After 24 h of intervention,pancreatic and ileal tissues were taken for HE staining to observe pathological changes.The levels of serum amylase,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-10 and TGF-β in intestinal tissue homogenate were detected by ELISA.Western blot and Real-time PCR were used to detect phosphatidylino-sitol 3-kinase(PI3K),protein serine-threonine kinase(Akt),inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),leukocyte differentiation anti-gen 86(CD86),and arginase in ileum tissue The relative expression levels of 1(Arg-1),leukocyte differentiation antigen 163(CD163)protein and mRNA.Results:Compared with the model group,the pathological injury of pancreas and small intestine in Qingjie Huagong low,medium and high groups were alleviated after intervention.ELISA method for detecting serum amylase and TNF-α,IL-6 levels significantly decreased(P<0.05),while the levels of IL-10 and TGF-β were increased(P<0.05);expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt,iNOS,CD86 mRNA and protein were significantly reduced(P<0.05),while the levels of CD163,Arg-1 mRNA and protein were significantly increased(P<0.05),with the highest dose group showing the most significant changes.Conclu-sion:Qingjie Huagong decoction may regulation the PI3K/Akt pathway and interfere with M1 macrophage polarization,inducing M2 macrophage polarization,reducing intestinal inflammatory response,improving intestinal immune barrier,and play its role in anti-in-flammatory-immune regulation.

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