1.Exploring Anti-inflammatory Synergistic Mechanism of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma Processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus Juice Based on Differential Component Tracking Strategy
Hongda XUAN ; Shengnan SHEN ; Linlin LI ; Jingjing LIAO ; Xianyu XU ; Xiaoxia LIU ; Haining LYU ; Fang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):228-237
ObjectiveTaking Aurantii Fructus Immaturus juice(AFI)-processed Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma(AMR) as an example, this study aims to systematically compare the volatile and non-volatile components of AMR and its processed products, investigate the key differential components, evaluate their anti-inflammatory activities, and elucidate the synergistic mechanism of processing. MethodsThe chemical compositions of volatile and non-volatile components in AMR and AFI-processed AMR were systematically characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS), with relative mass fractions and response values determined separately. Volatile components were identified through searches in the National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST)17 database, comparison with retention index(RI) and fragmentation pattern matching. Non-volatile components were identified by searching Waters Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) spectral library, in conjunction with PubChem and MassBank, characteristic fragmentation patterns and response values were also used to support identification. Differential components were screened using principal component analysis(PCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), with variable importance in the projection(VIP) value >1. Components with high log2fold change(FC) among major differential groups were selected as those exhibiting significant changes before and after processing. The anti-inflammatory activity of the differential compounds was evaluated by assessing their effects on nitric oxide(NO) production in a lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage model. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the effects of the differential components on tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein(MCP)-1 levels, and immunofluorescence(IF) was employed to assess their effects on nuclear transcription factor(NF)-κB p65 translocation, thereby elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms. ResultsA total of 36 compounds were identified in the volatile components of AMR and AFI-processed AMR, among which, sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes were significantly increased after processing. In the non-volatile components, 36 compounds were identified, and the main differential components were flavonoids, sesquiterpenoids, and triterpenoids. Flavonoids were the primary differential components distinguishing AMR from its processed products, representing compounds directly introduced during processing. Five compounds, including atractylenolide Ⅲ, tangeritin, nobiletin, hesperidin and narirutin, were selected as representatives of three classes based on their most prominent differential expression among different compound types for subsequent anti-inflammatory activity studies. The results showed that 100 μmol·L-1 tangerine and narirutin could significantly inhibit LPS-induced NO production(P<0.01) in a concentration-dependent manner. Tangeritin was able to significantly inhibit the levels of TNF-α and MCP-1 secreted by RAW264.7(P<0.05), while narirutin significantly inhibited the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1 and IL-6(P<0.01). IF revealed that both tangeritin and narirutin significantly blocked the translocation of NF-κB p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. ConclusionAFI-processed AMR significantly alters the chemical composition profile of AMR, and the newly introduced flavonoid components during processing may be key to its enhanced anti-inflammatory effects.
2.PPARα activation alleviates lithocholic acid-induced liver injury by inhibiting pyroptosis
Hang-Fei Liang ; Chuo-Ying Mai ; Xuan Li ; Jia-Ning Tian ; Hai-Guo Su ; Min Huang ; Jian-Hong Fang ; Hai-Tao Wang ; Xiao Yang ; Hui-Chang Bi
Liver Research 2026;10(2):177-188
Background and aims
The mechanism of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) is unclear, and effective therapies are lacking. While peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists show potential hepatoprotective effect and pyroptosis is implicated in hepatocellular damage, how PPARα activation mitigates lithocholic acid (LCA)-induced pyroptosis remains unknown.
Methods
The hepatoprotective effect of PPARα agonists was evaluated in a mouse model of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by LCA. Liver injury was assessed via serum biochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining, and electron microscopy. Pyroptosis pathways were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation.
Results
Combined morphological, histopathological, and biochemical analyses confirmed that PPARα activation protects against CLI. Compared with LCA treatment alone, PPARα activation significantly attenuated the elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the increased TUNEL-positive cells, and the formation of hepatocyte membrane pores. Mechanistically, PPARα activation suppressed both NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1)/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Furthermore, PPARα agonist pretreatment inhibited activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) signaling pathways.
Conclusions
PPARα protects against LCA-induced CLI by inhibiting both NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis associated with NF-κB and APAF-1/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis associated with the FOXO1 signaling pathway.
3.Research progress of phytochemicals in tumor immunotherapy
Xuan ZHANG ; Juan LI ; Chuanfeng FANG ; Hong TIAN ; Jiaren LIU
Practical Oncology Journal 2025;39(5):428-432
In recent years,the incidence and mortality of malignant tumors have been increasing year by year,becoming a se-rious challenge to global public health.Unlike traditional treatment methods,tumor immunotherapy activates the body's own immune system to against tumors,and has significant advantage such as minimal side effects,long-lasting efficacy,and strong targeting.Howev-er,immunotherapy also has issues such as frequent adverse reactions and high treatment costs.In order to enhance the efficacy of im-munotherapy,some phytochemicals are used in the field of immunotherapy as modulators.These phytochemicals not only increase the sensitivity of tumor cells to immune cells,but also reduce the expression of immune checkpoint proteins.Therefore,this article provides a review of phytochemicals that play an important role in tumor immunotherapy and their related mechanisms of action.
4.Forensic pathological analysis of deaths due to craniocerebral injury in traffic acci-dents
Haisheng YU ; Lingqing CAI ; Yanzhi CHEN ; Xuan LI ; Keli ZHANG ; Yihu FANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(3):365-368
Purpose To explore the forensic pathological features of deaths caused by craniocerebral injury in traf-fic accidents,in order to provide forensic practitioners with a more rigorous approach to identification.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 225 autopsy reports of traffic accident fatalities resulting from craniocerebral in-jury.The causes of death were classified,tabulated,and analyzed.Results Among the 225 autopsy reports,the main causes of death included primary brain injury,secondary brainstem injury,and complications.The main types of injuries craniocerebral injuries observed were skull fractures,cerebral hemorrhage,cerebral contusion,cerebral edema and so on.Conclusion The occurrence of craniocerebral injury is related to factors such as age,vehicle,collision speed,and road conditions,and there is an inherent regularity to these factors.Forensic practitioners should combine comprehesive and systematic pathological examinations,clinical data,and the inherent regularities of related factors to make objective,comprehensive,and accurate determinations of the cause of death in traffic accident-related craniocere-bral injuries.
5.Development of the Motivation for Bedtime Procrastination Questionnaire for College Students
Yifan ZHANG ; Meijiao HUANG ; Min LI ; Xuan WANG ; Zhijun YU ; Haihui CHEN ; Runtong JIA ; Fang FAN
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(5):471-476
Objective:To develop the Motivation for Bedtime Procrastination Questionnaire for College Students(CS-MBPQ)and evaluate its validity and reliability.Methods:Based on literature analysis,interviews with severe bedtime procrastinators,and open-ended surveys with college students,the initial questionnaire was formed.A total of 389 college students were recruited to conduct item analysis and exploratory factor analysis.Additionally,691 college students were selected for confirmatory factor analysis,criterion validity testing,and internal consistency reliability analysis,and 132 of them were retested two weeks later.The subscale of behav-ioral intention from the Theory of Planned Behavior Questionnaire(TPBQ),Bedtime Procrastination Scale(BPS),and a self-made question for the frequency of bedtime procrastination were used as criterion tools.Results:The CS-MBPQ consists of 10 items,encompassing three factors:emotional need,external influence,and behavioral attitude,explaining 63.31%of the variance.Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the three-factor structure model of CS-MBPQ fitted well(x2/df=4.90,RMSEA=0.07,CFI=0.96,TLI=0.94).The CS-MBPQ total scores and scores for each factor were positively associated with the score of intentions to sleep on time,BPS scores,and bed-time procrastination frequency(ICC=0.14-0.53,Ps<0.05).The internal consistency reliabilities for CS-MBPQ and the three factors were 0.87,0.89,0.74,and 0.66,respectively,and the test-retest reliabilities(ICC)were 0.74,0.66,0.69,and 0.58,respectively.Conclusion:The Motivation for Bedtime Procrastination Questionnaire for College Students(CS-MBPQ)demonstrates good validity and reliability,which could be used as a tool to evaluate motivations for bedtime procrastination among Chinese college students.
6.Investigation of effects of petroleum ether fraction from Derris eriocarpa on glucose and lipid metabolism in a mouse model of metabolic syndrome via ATF3/HNF4ɑ/CYP7A1 pathway
Jing YAN ; Jie WENG ; Xuan ZHANG ; Xue LI ; Chao-nan KONG ; Hong-cun LIU ; Li-fang YANG ; Ming-guo JIANG ; Qiu-yan LIANG ; Li-ting HE
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(9):2902-2911
AIM To investigate effects of petroleum ether fraction from Derris eriocarpa How on glucose and lipid metabolism in a mouse model of metabolic syndrome(MS).METHODS KM mice were fed a high-fat diet and administered streptozotocin intraperitoneally to establish MS models.The MS mice were then randomly assigned to the model group,the metformin hydrochloride group,the lovastatin group,the ursolic acid group,and the high-,medium-and low-dose D.eriocarpa petroleum ether fraction groups,with 10 mice in each group.Ten additional mice maitained on a normal diet served as the normal control group.After 4 weeks of intragastric administration,glucose and lipid metabolism indicators were measured.Hepatic pathological changes were assessed using HE staining and oil red O staining.Liver tissue mRNA expressions of ATF3,PEPCK,FXR,CYP7A1,HNF4ɑ,CYP8B1 and SRB1 were quantified by RT-qPCR.Hepatic protein expressions of ATF3,HNF4ɑ,PEPCK,FXR and CYP7A1 was analyzed by Western blot in MS mice.RESULTS Compared to the model group,the high-dose D.eriocarpa petroleum ether fraction group exhibited significant glucose tolerance improvement(reduced OGTT-AUC,P<0.01);favorable serum lipid modulation in terms of increased HDL-C levels(P<0.01)and decreased TG,TC,LDL-C(P<0.01);reduced renal biomarkers(BUN,SCR)and hepatotoxic indicators of TBA,AST and ALT activities(P<0.01);alleviated hepatic lipid accumulation and histopathological damage;downregulated mRNA and protein expressions of ATF3,HNF4ɑ and PEPCK,as well as CYP8B1 mRNA expression(P<0.01);and upregulated mRNA and protein expressions of FXR and CYP7A1,along with SRB1 mRNA expression(P<0.01).CONCLUSION D.eriocarpa petroleum ether fraction ameliorates glucose and lipid metabolism dysregulation in MS mice by modulating the ATF3/HNF4ɑ/CYP7A1 signaling pathway,consequently eliciting hypoglycemic,hypolipidemic,hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects.
7.Risk analysis for coil adverse events based on FDA MAUDE database
Jian-wei YANG ; Lin HUANG ; Yu-juan ZHAO ; Yi XUAN ; Jian-jun CAO ; Chang-qing LIU ; Hui-fang NIU ; Xia LI
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(6):83-87
The coil adverse events in the U.S.Food and Drug Administration Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience(MAUDE)database from January 2021 to June 2024 were analyzed retrospectively.The risks of coils during the clinical application and their causes were explored with hospital survey and expert demonstration in Shandong Province.Some improving measures were put forward for the safe use of coils,including implementing the main responsibility of the registrant,enhancing the professional skills of the using institutions and strengthening the supervision of the supervisory authorities.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(6):83-87]
8.Prediction and verification of potential mechanism of"ginseng-astragalus-pueraria"horn medicine in protecting pancreatic islet morphology
Ying-qun NI ; Ju-yi LI ; Yi-xuan LIN ; Lei YE ; Zhe ZHANG ; Zhao-hui FANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(3):574-582
Aim To predict and verify the potential mechanism of the compatibility of"ginseng-astragalus-pueraria"in protecting islet morphology and improving insulin resistance by using network pharmacology.Methods The active ingredients and targets of the horn medicine were obtained from three platforms:TC-MSP,TCMIP,and BATMAN.The targets of type 2 dia-betes mellitus(T2DM)were obtained from three plat-forms:TTD,OMIM,and disgeNET.The PPI network was constructed by using the STRING database and Cy-toscape 3.9.1;GO and KEGG analysis were per-formed;POCASA 1.1 was used to predict protein binding sites,and AutoDock Vina1.1.2 was used for docking and experimental verification.Results"Gin-seng-astragalus-pueraria"screened out 2 021 targets,of which 152 were closely related to T2DM,and 10 key genes and the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway were i-dentified.Molecular docking showed that quercetin had good binding to RAGE,INS,and PI3K.Experi-ments showed that the horn drug increased insulin binding rate and secretion index and reduced serum in-sulin level and insulin resistance index.These data benefited from"ginseng-astragalus-pueraria"reducing the expression of AGE-RAGE,activating PI3K-Akt,in-hibiting NF-κB,and reducing the expression of IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α.Conclusion The study suggests that"ginseng-astragalus-pueraria"regulates the AGE-RAGE/PI3K-Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway,repairs damaged islet morphology,and improves insulin resist-ance.
9.Clinical features and genetic analysis of three patients with Infantile liver failure syndrome type 2 due to variants of NBAS gene
Suli LI ; Zhidan YU ; Xuan ZHENG ; Bingjie QUAN ; Yijing LIU ; Shiyue MEI ; Fang ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(1):56-63
Objective:To explore the clinical features and genetic characteristics of three patients with Infantile liver failure syndrome type 2 (ILFS2).Methods:Three children who were diagnosed with ILFS2 at the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from February 2023 to February 2024 were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data of the children were collected. Peripheral blood samples of the children and their parents were collected and subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variants of the NBAS gene were verified by Sanger sequencing. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University (Ethics No. 2024-k-069). Results:The three children had presented with fever-triggered recurrent acute liver failure. All of them were found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the NBAS gene, including c. 3596G>A and c.1181A>T in child 1, c.2617C>T and c. 2T>C in child 2, and c. 3596G>A and c. 2817_2818insT in child 3. Among these, the c. 1181A>T and c. 2817_2818insT variants were unreported previously. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), they were respectively classified as variants of uncertain significance (PM2_Supporting+ PM3+ PP3) and pathogenic (PVS1+ PM2_Supporting+ PM3). Conclusion:Combined with the patient′s clinical phenotype, the compound heterozygous variants of the NBAS gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of ILFS2 in the three children. For children with fever-related acute liver failure of unknown causes, the possibility of this disease should be suspected, and genetic testing may facilitate the diagnosis. Early diagnosis and timely intervention can significantly improve the prognosis. Discoveries of the c. 1181A>T and c. 2817_2818insT variants have enriched the mutational spectrum of the NBAS gene.
10.MED15-TFE3 renal cell carcinoma: a clinicopathological and molecular analysis
Xiaotong WANG ; Rusong ZHANG ; Rui LI ; Xuan WANG ; Ru FANG ; Qiuyuan XIA ; Qiu RAO
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(1):16-22
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype, molecular characteristics, and differential diagnosis of MED15-TFE3 gene fusion renal cell carcinoma (MED15-TFE3 RCC).Methods:A total of 12 MED15-TFE3 RCCs, diagnosed from 2016 to 2023, were collected from the Department of Pathology of Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China for clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses and follow-up. In addition, its diagnosis and differential diagnosis were also explored.Results:There were five males and seven females. The patients′ ages ranged from 16 to 60 years, with an average age of 40.4 years. The follow-up time ranged from 15 to 92 months, and no recurrence or metastasis was observed. Histologically, 6 cases exhibited extensive cystic structures with almost no solid sheet components, while the remaining 6 cases displayed a cysto-solid growth pattern. The cytoplasm of the tumor cells appeared flocculent, with a clear or faintly eosinophilic appearance, and nucleoli were inconspicuous. Psammoma bodies were observed in 12 cases. There was deposition of basement membrane-like material in 5 cases. All cases showed strong expression of TFE3, GPNMB, Cathepsin K, Melan A, and PAX8, while no expression of CAⅨ or CK7. FISH analyses showed that all 12 cases were positive for the MED15-TFE3 fusion, while the MED15-TFE3 fusion gene and specific fusion sites were detected in 2 cases using RNA-seq.Conclusions:MED15-TFE3 RCC is a type of TFE3-rearranged renal cell carcinoma that exhibits both identifiable diagnostic characteristics and highly deceptive morphology. Its distinct extensive cystic structure can be easily confused with multilocular cystic renal neoplasm of low malignant potential, necessitating careful differentiation in routine practice.


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