1.Evaluation of CARIFS Score and Negative Antigen Conversion Rate of Qingxuan Daozhi Formula in Treatment of Influenza in Children (Heat Accumulation in Lung and Stomach Syndrome):A Multi-center Randomized Controlled Clinical Study
Jing WANG ; Liqun WU ; Tiegang LIU ; Yongning CAO ; Jing QIU ; Jing LI ; Huaqing TAN ; Ying ZHANG ; Xulei GOU ; Jia WANG ; Jing LI ; Haipeng CHEN ; Xueying QIN ; Yuanshuo TIAN ; Yang WANG ; Chen BAI ; Zhendong WANG ; Qianqian LI ; He YU ; Xueyan MA ; Fei DONG ; Lin JIANG ; Yingqi XU ; Jianping LIU ; Xiaohong GU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):188-196
ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the syndrome improvement and negative antigen conversion rate of Qingxuan Daozhi formula in the treatment of influenza in children (heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome). MethodsThrough a multi-center randomized controlled methodology design,confirmed influenza cases were collected from October 2022 to April 2023 in the pediatrics department of eight hospitals,such as Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. A total of 180 children with influenza and heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome conforming to the standard were recruited through the clinic. The sick children meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into groups by a block-randomized method. The children in the experimental group were treated with Qingxuan Daozhi formula for five days,and those in the control group were treated with Oseltamivir Phosphate Granules for five days. The primary efficacy indicator was the negative conversion rate of influenza antigen detection. Secondary efficacy indicators were the Canadian acute respiratory illness and flu scale (CARIFS) and the incidence of complications,severe cases, and critical cases. Follow-up observation was conducted on the day of enrollment,48 hours after medication,72 hours after medication, and (6+1) d after medication. ResultsOne hundred and eighty participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (90 cases) or the control group (90 cases). All participants were followed up during the study. Comparison of influenza antigen detection results in the primary efficacy indicators showed that the average time of negative influenza antigen conversion in the experimental group was (5.29±1.25) d,and that in the control group was (5.40±1.68) d,without a statistically significant difference. After five days of intervention,52 cases in the experimental group and 51 cases in the control group converted to negative,without a statistically significant difference. CARIFS score results in the secondary efficacy indicators showed that during 72 hours after intervention,there were statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in three dimensions, including headache,muscle soreness, and the need for extra care (P<0.05). On the (6+1) days after the intervention,the differences in both the experimental group and the control group were statistically significant in 10 dimensions, including sore throat,bad sleep,uncomfortable feeling,poor spirit and fatigue,crying more than usual,the need for extra care,symptom,function,influence on parents,and total score (P<0.05). The comparison results within the group in the dimensional scores of symptom, function, and influence on parents,as well as the CARIFS total score showed that with the delay of follow-up time,scores of both groups decreased significantly,with a statistically significant difference (P<0.01). Inter-group comparison results showed that the mean score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group at the time of enrollment. With the progress of intervention,the score of the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group. At the end of follow-up,the mean score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group,with no statistically significant difference. In terms of the incidence of complications,severe cases, and critical cases, there were no complications,severe cases, and critical cases in the two groups,without a statistically significant difference. ConclusionThe symptom improvement effect and negative antigen conversion rate of Qingxuan Daozhi formula in the treatment of influenza in children (heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome) are not inferior to Oseltamivir Phosphate granules, and children's acceptance is better. It can be more widely used in clinical treatment of influenza in children (heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome).
2.Clinical Observation of Modified Zhigancao Tang in Treating Patients with Liver and Kidney Deficiency of Parkinson's Disease and Its Effect on Neuronal Signal-related Proteins
Yifo WEI ; Furong LYU ; Jia YAO ; Guonian LI ; Xianyi LUO ; Meng LUO ; Zhengzheng WEN ; Qiuqi LI ; Yihan LIU ; Linlin YANG ; Rui ZUO ; Wenxin DANG ; Fang MI ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Zhigang CHEN ; Fan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):166-173
ObjectiveMicrotube associated protein-2 (MAP-2), alpha-tubulin (α-tubulin), and synaptophysin (SYP) are important proteins in neuronal signal communication. This paper observed the effects of modified Zhigancao Tang on the expression of serum α-Synuclein (α-Syn) and its oligomers, MAP-2, α-tubulin, and SYP of patients with liver and kidney deficiency of Parkinson's disease (PD), analyzed their correlation, and evaluated the therapeutic effect of modified Zhigancao Tang in patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD based on α-Syn transmission pathway mediated by neuronal communication in vivo. MethodsA total of 60 patients with PD who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). Both groups were treated on the basis of PD medicine, and the treatment group was treated with modified Zhigancao Tang. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The changes in UPDRS score, TCM syndrome score, and expression of serum α-Syn and its oligomers, MAP-2, α-tubulin, and SYP were observed before and after 12 weeks of treatment in each group. The correlation between the above-mentioned serum biological indexes and the levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers was analyzed. ResultsAfter treatment, the TCM syndrome score, UPDRS score, UPDRS-Ⅱ score, and UPDRS-Ⅲ score of the treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The UPDRS score, UPDRS-Ⅱ score, and UPDRS-Ⅲ scores in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the total effective rate of the control group was 63.3% (19/30), and that of the treatment group was 86.7% (26/30). The clinical effect of the observation group was better than the control group (Z=-2.03, P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=5.136, P<0.05). After treatment, the oligomer level of serum α-Syn and MAP-2 level in the treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers, as well as α-tubulin in the treatment group, were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum α-Syn was correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-Syn oligomer in patients with PD (P<0.05, P<0.01) but not correlated with serum SYP . Serum α-Syn oligomers of patients with PD were correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-tubulin (P<0.05, P<0.01) but not correlated with serum SYP level. Serum SYP of patients with PD was correlated with serum MAP-2 (P<0.05). ConclusionModified Zhigancao Tang has a therapeutic effect on patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD by inhibiting the production of α-Syn oligomers and intervening α-Syn microtubule transport pathway in vivo.
3.Clinical Efficacy of Xiaoji Hufei Formula in Protecting Children with Close Contact Exposure to Influenza: A Multicenter,Prospective, Non-randomized, Parallel, Controlled Trial
Jing WANG ; Jianping LIU ; Tiegang LIU ; Hong WANG ; Yingxin FU ; Jing LI ; Huaqing TAN ; Yingqi XU ; Yanan MA ; Wei WANG ; Jia WANG ; Haipeng CHEN ; Yuanshuo TIAN ; Yang WANG ; Chen BAI ; Zhendong WANG ; Qianqian LI ; He YU ; Xueyan MA ; Fei DONG ; Liqun WU ; Xiaohong GU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):223-230
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xiaoji Hufei Formula in protecting children with close contact exposure to influenza, and to provide reference and evidence-based support for better clinical prevention and treatment of influenza in children. MethodsA multicenter, prospective, non-randomized, parallel, controlled trial was conducted from October 2021 to May 2022 in five hospitals, including Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Confirmed influenza cases and influenza-like illness (ILI) cases were collected, and eligible children with close contact exposure to these cases were recruited in the outpatient clinics. According to whether the enrolled close contacts were willing to take Xiaoji Hufei formula for influenza prevention, they were assigned to the observation group (108 cases) or the control group (108 cases). Follow-up visits were conducted on days 7 and 14 after enrollment. The primary outcomes were the incidence of ILI and the rate of laboratory-confirmed influenza. Secondary outcomes included traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score scale for influenza, influenza-related emergency (outpatient) visit rate, influenza hospitalization rate, and time to onset after exposure to influenza cases. ResultsA total of 216 participants were enrolled, with 108 in the observation group and 108 in the control group. Primary outcomes: (1) Incidence of ILI: The incidence was 12.0% (13/108) in the observation group and 23.1% (25/108) in the control group, with the observation group showing a significantly lower incidence (χ2=4.6, P<0.05). (2) Influenza confirmation rate: 3.7% (4/108) in the observation group and 4.6% (5/108) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference. Secondary outcomes: (1) TCM symptom score scale: after onset, nasal congestion and runny nose scores differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05), while other symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and cough showed no significant differences. (2) Influenza-related emergency (outpatient) visit rate: 84.6% (11 cases) in the observation group and 96.0% (24 cases) in the control group, with no significant difference. (3) Time to onset after exposure: The median onset time after exposure to index patients was 7 days in the observation group and 4 days in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). ConclusionIn previously healthy children exposed to infectious influenza cases under unprotected conditions, Xiaoji Hufei formula prophylaxis significantly reduced the incidence of ILI. Xiaoji Hufei Formula can be recommended as a specific preventive prescription for influenza in children.
4.Clinical Efficacy of Xiaoji Hufei Formula in Protecting Children with Close Contact Exposure to Influenza: A Multicenter,Prospective, Non-randomized, Parallel, Controlled Trial
Jing WANG ; Jianping LIU ; Tiegang LIU ; Hong WANG ; Yingxin FU ; Jing LI ; Huaqing TAN ; Yingqi XU ; Yanan MA ; Wei WANG ; Jia WANG ; Haipeng CHEN ; Yuanshuo TIAN ; Yang WANG ; Chen BAI ; Zhendong WANG ; Qianqian LI ; He YU ; Xueyan MA ; Fei DONG ; Liqun WU ; Xiaohong GU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):223-230
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xiaoji Hufei Formula in protecting children with close contact exposure to influenza, and to provide reference and evidence-based support for better clinical prevention and treatment of influenza in children. MethodsA multicenter, prospective, non-randomized, parallel, controlled trial was conducted from October 2021 to May 2022 in five hospitals, including Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Confirmed influenza cases and influenza-like illness (ILI) cases were collected, and eligible children with close contact exposure to these cases were recruited in the outpatient clinics. According to whether the enrolled close contacts were willing to take Xiaoji Hufei formula for influenza prevention, they were assigned to the observation group (108 cases) or the control group (108 cases). Follow-up visits were conducted on days 7 and 14 after enrollment. The primary outcomes were the incidence of ILI and the rate of laboratory-confirmed influenza. Secondary outcomes included traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score scale for influenza, influenza-related emergency (outpatient) visit rate, influenza hospitalization rate, and time to onset after exposure to influenza cases. ResultsA total of 216 participants were enrolled, with 108 in the observation group and 108 in the control group. Primary outcomes: (1) Incidence of ILI: The incidence was 12.0% (13/108) in the observation group and 23.1% (25/108) in the control group, with the observation group showing a significantly lower incidence (χ2=4.6, P<0.05). (2) Influenza confirmation rate: 3.7% (4/108) in the observation group and 4.6% (5/108) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference. Secondary outcomes: (1) TCM symptom score scale: after onset, nasal congestion and runny nose scores differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05), while other symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and cough showed no significant differences. (2) Influenza-related emergency (outpatient) visit rate: 84.6% (11 cases) in the observation group and 96.0% (24 cases) in the control group, with no significant difference. (3) Time to onset after exposure: The median onset time after exposure to index patients was 7 days in the observation group and 4 days in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). ConclusionIn previously healthy children exposed to infectious influenza cases under unprotected conditions, Xiaoji Hufei formula prophylaxis significantly reduced the incidence of ILI. Xiaoji Hufei Formula can be recommended as a specific preventive prescription for influenza in children.
5.Expert consensus on the positioning of the "Three-in-One" Registration and Evaluation Evidence System and the value of orientation of the "personal experience"
Qi WANG ; Yongyan WANG ; Wei XIAO ; Jinzhou TIAN ; Shilin CHEN ; Liguo ZHU ; Guangrong SUN ; Daning ZHANG ; Daihan ZHOU ; Guoqiang MEI ; Baofan SHEN ; Qingguo WANG ; Xixing WANG ; Zheng NAN ; Mingxiang HAN ; Yue GAO ; Xiaohe XIAO ; Xiaobo SUN ; Kaiwen HU ; Liqun JIA ; Li FENG ; Chengyu WU ; Xia DING
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):445-450
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a treasure of the Chinese nation, plays a significant role in maintaining public health. In 2019, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council proposed for the first time the establishment of a TCM registration and evaluation evidence system that integrates TCM theory, "personal experience" and clinical trials (referred to as the "Three-in-One" System) to promote the inheritance and innovation of TCM. Subsequently, the National Medical Products Administration issued several guiding principles to advance the improvement and implementation of this system. Owing to the complexity of its implementation, there are still differing understandings within the TCM industry regarding the positioning of the "Three-in-One" Registration and Evaluation Evidence System, as well as the connotation and value orientation of the "personal experience." To address this, Academician WANG Qi, President of the TCM Association, China International Exchange and Promotion Association for Medical and Healthcare and TCM master, led a group of academicians, TCM masters, TCM pharmacology experts and clinical TCM experts to convene a "Seminar on Promoting the Implementation of the ′Three-in-One′ Registration and Evaluation Evidence System for Chinese Medicinals." Through extensive discussions, an expert consensus was formed, clarifying the different roles of the TCM theory, "personal experience" and clinical trials within the system. It was further emphasized that the "personal experience" is the core of this system, and its data should be derived from clinical practice scenarios. In the future, the improvement of this system will require collaborative efforts across multiple fields to promote the high-quality development of the Chinese medicinal industry.
6.Glucocorticoid Discontinuation in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis under Background of Chinese Medicine: Challenges and Potentials Coexist.
Chuan-Hui YAO ; Chi ZHANG ; Meng-Ge SONG ; Cong-Min XIA ; Tian CHANG ; Xie-Li MA ; Wei-Xiang LIU ; Zi-Xia LIU ; Jia-Meng LIU ; Xiao-Po TANG ; Ying LIU ; Jian LIU ; Jiang-Yun PENG ; Dong-Yi HE ; Qing-Chun HUANG ; Ming-Li GAO ; Jian-Ping YU ; Wei LIU ; Jian-Yong ZHANG ; Yue-Lan ZHU ; Xiu-Juan HOU ; Hai-Dong WANG ; Yong-Fei FANG ; Yue WANG ; Yin SU ; Xin-Ping TIAN ; Ai-Ping LYU ; Xun GONG ; Quan JIANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(7):581-589
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM).
METHODS:
This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis.
RESULTS:
Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings.
CONCLUSIONS
RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy*
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Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Retrospective Studies
7.International risk signal prioritization principles: comparison and implications for scientific regulation of traditional Chinese medicine.
Rui ZHENG ; Shuo LIU ; Shi-Jia WANG ; He-Rong CUI ; Hai-Bo SONG ; Hong-Cai SHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):273-277
Signal detection is a critical task in drug safety regulation. However, it inevitably generates irrelevant or false signals, posing challenges for resource allocation by marketing authorization holders. To reasonably assess these signals, different countries have established various principles for prioritizing the evaluation of risk signals. This study systematically compares these principles and finds that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) focuses on practical issues, such as identifying drug confusion or drug interactions. However, China's Good Pharmacovigilance Practices and the European Medicines Agency(EMA) emphasize a comprehensive evaluation framework. The Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences(CIOMS) emphasizes the consistency of multiple data sources, highlighting the reliability of signal evaluation. China practices a multidisciplinary approach combining traditional Chinese and western medicine, and the risk signals related to traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) have unique characteristics, including complex components, cumulative toxicity, specific theoretical foundations, and drug interactions. The different priorities in risk signal evaluation principles across countries suggest that China should strengthen clinical trial research, emphasize corroboration with evidence of multiple sources, and pay particular attention to the risks of drug interactions in the TCM regulatory science. Establishing the risk signal prioritization principles that align with the characteristics of TCM enables more precise and efficient scientific regulation of TCM.
Humans
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
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China
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
;
United States
;
United States Food and Drug Administration
8.Evidence map analysis of clinical research on treatment of pulmonary fibrosis with proprietary Chinese medicines.
Meng-Jia KOU ; Yang JIAO ; Jie NIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1392-1403
This study aimed to construct an evidence map and conduct a comprehensive analysis of clinical research literature on the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis with proprietary Chinese medicines published over the past three decades, so as to systematically evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of existing evidence and provide a scientific basis for subsequent clinical practice, research directions, and policy-making. A systematic search was conducted across 7 databases in both Chinese and English from the inception of the databases to June 1, 2024. The clinical research characteristics and methodological quality of the included literature were assessed. A total of 123 pieces of literature were ultimately included, comprising 108 interventional studies, 3 observational studies, 10 secondary study, and 2 expert consensuses. These studies involved 33 kinds of proprietary Chinese medicines, with Danhong Injection being the most widely used. Most studies had a duration of 1-3 months and a sample size ranging from 50 to 100 cases, and they were often used in combination with steroids or conventional western medicine. There was a common phenomenon of off-label use of proprietary Chinese medicines. The main outcome indicators included pulmonary function, blood gas analysis, and total effective rate, with issues such as insufficient safety reporting, lack of distinctive traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) features, absence of long-term outcome indicators, and strong subjective evaluation. In terms of methodological quality assessment, randomized controlled trial(RCT) had biases in randomization and outcome indicator measurement and a risk of selective reporting. Meta-analysis lacked reporting on protocol registration, literature exclusion lists, and disclosure of conflicts of interest. Expert consensuses lacked standards in terms of rigor, scientific basis, and applicability. The quality of clinical research evidence on the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis with proprietary Chinese medicines urgently needs improvement. It is recommended that future research should pay more attention to the scientific and rigorous design to enhance the standardization and reproducibility of the research. At the same time, it should integrate TCM theories to establish an outcome indicator evaluation system suitable for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis with proprietary Chinese medicines, so as to fully explore the potential of proprietary Chinese medicines in treating pulmonary fibrosis.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Humans
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Pulmonary Fibrosis/drug therapy*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
9.Application of OpenSim musculoskeletal model in biomechanics research of orthopedics and traumatology.
Rui LI ; Yang LIU ; Zhao-Jie ZHANG ; Xin-Wei ZHANG ; Yan-Zhen ZHANG ; Yan-Qi HU ; Can YANG ; Shu-Shi MAO ; Jia-Ming QIU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(3):319-324
OpenSim is an open source, free motion simulation and gait analysis software, which can be used to dynamically simulate and analyze the complex motion of the human body, and is widely used in human biomechanical research. Since OpenSim can analyze multi-dimensional motion data such as muscle strength, joint torque, and muscle synergistic activation during human movement, it can be used to study the biomechanical mechanism of musculoskeletal imbalance diseases and various treatment methods in TCM orthopedics, and has a broad application prospect in the field of TCM orthopedics. By the analysis of the basic characteristics, elements, analysis process, and application prospects of OpenSim, it is concluded that OpenSim musculoskeletal model has a large application space in the field of traditional Chinese medicine orthopedic, which is helpful to explain the pathogenesis and mechanism of diseases, and promote the precision diagnosis and treatment of orthopedics diseases;the application of OpenSim musculoskeletal model can solve the problem that the previous research paid attention to the bone malalignment and not enough attention to the tendon, and provide a new method for the research of orthopedic diseases. At present, there are still problems in the promotion and application of OpenSim, such as large equipment requirements and high operation threshold. Therefore, multidisciplinary cooperation, clinical research, and data sharing are the basic research strategies in this field.
Humans
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Biomechanical Phenomena
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Orthopedics
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Traumatology
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Software
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Musculoskeletal System
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Models, Biological
10.Mechanism of Tangbikang Dry Paste in Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Based on GLO-1/AGE/RAGE Pathway
Lijia WU ; Chengfei ZHANG ; Xiaolei JIA ; Lingling QIN ; Haiyan WANG ; Yukun HUANG ; You WANG ; Xincui BAO ; Jing YANG ; Cuiyan LYU ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):60-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Tangbikang dry paste in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) based on the glyoxalase-1 (GLO-1)/advanced glycation end products (AGE)/receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) pathway. MethodsA total of 56 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided, with eight assigned to the normal group. The remaining 48 rats were fed a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) to induce a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) model. Based on blood glucose levels, the rats were randomly assigned to the model group, Tanglin group (13.5 mg·kg-1), metformin group (135 mg·kg-1), and Tangbikang dry paste low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (3, 6, 12 g·kg-1). Successful modeling of DPN was confirmed by a decrease in mechanical pain threshold in the model group at week 4. Fasting blood glucose, body weight, and mechanical pain threshold were measured every 4 weeks. After 16 weeks of intervention, the pathological morphology of the sciatic nerve was observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression of RAGE, AGE, protein kinase C (PKC), and collagen (COL) in the sciatic nerve was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of RAGE, PKC, Toll-like receptor (TLR), COL, and GLO-1 was detected using real-time quantitative PCR (Real-time PCR). Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine (CREA), urea (UREA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased fasting blood glucose (P<0.01), decreased body weight and mechanical pain threshold (P<0.01), and elevated serum AST, ALT, CREA, UREA, IL-6, and TNF-α levels (P<0.01). The expression of RAGE, AGE, and PKC in the sciatic nerve was significantly increased (P<0.01), while COL expression was decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of TLR, RAGE, and PKC was upregulated (P<0.01), whereas COL and GLO-1 mRNA levels were downregulated (P<0.01). Histological examination showed irregular nerve morphology, axonal alterations, and myelin degeneration. Compared with the model group, fasting blood glucose levels in the Tangbikang dry paste high-dose group at all time points and in the medium-dose group at weeks 4 and 16 were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). No significant changes in body weight were observed across all Tangbikang dose groups. The mechanical pain threshold was elevated at different time points after administration in all Tangbikang groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were decreased in all dose groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression of RAGE, AGE, and PKC in the sciatic nerve was reduced (P<0.01), while COL expression was increased (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of TLR, RAGE, and PKC was downregulated (P<0.01), whereas GLO-1 mRNA expression was upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Additionally, COL mRNA expression was significantly increased in the low- and high-dose groups (P<0.01). Pathological changes in the sciatic nerve were milder in all Tangbikang groups compared to the model group. ConclusionTangbikang dry paste significantly improves DPN, and its mechanism may be associated with the regulation of the GLO-1/AGE/RAGE signaling pathway.


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