1.Heartbeat-evoked responses to cue-induced craving in heroin use disorder individuals
Dingming CHANG ; Yongxin CHENG ; Juan WANG ; Ruowan LI ; Fang DONG ; Kai YUAN ; Dahua YU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(2):230-239
Objective To explore the differences in heartbeat-evoked response (HER) under drug-related cues and neutral cues in individuals with heroin use disorder (HUD), and analyze the correlation between HER potentials and immediate cue-induced craving scores. Methods Fifty HUD participants were recruited from the Chang’an Compulsory Isolation Drug Rehabilitation Center in Shaanxi Province from June to September 2024. Simultaneous acquisition of 64-channel electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiogram signals was performed. Twenty alternating segments of drug-related and neutral cue videos were presented, and participants rated their subjective craving after each segment using visual analogue scale (VAS) scores. Scalp EEG data were source analyzed to obtain cortical EEG signals and corresponding HER. Short-time Fourier transform was used to calculate the power spectral density (PSD) of EEG within a time window from 100 ms before the R-peak to 500 ms after it, using the R-peak as the time zero point. Cluster-based permutation testing was used to analyze PSD differences between drug-related and neutral cues in the HUD individuals. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between HER potentials and VAS scores. Results In the 350–420 ms time window, HER potentials in the left posterior parietal, temporal, and posterior cingulate cortices were significantly lower under drug-related cues compared to neutral cues (P<0.01); in the 140–210 ms time window, HER potentials in the right prefrontal cortex were significantly higher under drug-related cues compared to neutral cues (P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed that HER potentials in the left temporal and left posterior cingulate cortices were significantly negatively correlated with VAS scores (P<0.05). Drug-related cues enhanced PSD of γ power (30–100 Hz) in salience network (fronto-insular), parietal and occipital regions (P<0.05). PSD integrations of low-γ power (40–60 Hz) in parietal region (350–400 ms) and high-γ power (70–100 Hz) in left salience network (fronto-parietal) and occipital regions (300–350 ms) were positively correlated with VAS scores (P<0.05). Conclusions Drug-related cues may modulate cortical activity related to heartbeat perception in HUD individuals, and such dynamic changes in both time and frequency domains are stably associated with subjective craving.
2.Comparative analyses of the detection performance of five multiplex polymerase chain reaction nucleic acid detection kits for respiratory pathogens
Fang YUAN ; Lei BI ; Jiajing LIU ; Huanru WANG ; Jun FENG ; Yuan ZHUANG ; Min CHEN ; Zheng TENG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(2):165-169
ObjectiveTo evaluate the detection specificity for clinical samples and the detection capability for standard substances of five commercially available multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nucleic acid detection kits (hereinafter referred to as the kits) for respiratory pathogens, and to provide a reference for selecting appropriate detection kits for multi-pathogen nucleic acid testing of respiratory infections. MethodsA total of 60 respiratory pathogen-positive clinical samples with known redults were selected and tested using the five kits (labeled as A, B, C, D, and E). The detection rates and Kappa coefficients were calculated to evaluate the consistency between the results from these kits and those from single-pathogen PCR kits. According to the limit of detection (LOD) provided by the kits, standard substances of respiratory pathogens (including 12 types such as influenza virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis) were diluted to four concentrations (250, 500, 1 000, and 2 000 copies·mL⁻¹). All five kits were used for detection to evaluate their respective detection capabilities. ResultsCompared with the results from single-pathogen PCR kits, the five tested kits demonstrated good consistency (all Kappa >0.80). Among them, Kit A had the highest detection rate (100.00%), followed by Kits C and E (98.33%), and then Kits B and D (95.00%). All five kits showed a relatively low false negative rate (FNR) for samples with a cycle threshold (Ct) value ≤35 (≤2.38%). However, for samples with Ct values>35, the FNR increased accordingly(average FNR=6.67%, P=0.029). Kit C exhibited the highest detection sensitivity for the tested standard substances (average LOD: 458.33 copies·mL⁻¹), followed by Kit D, then Kits A/E, and finally Kit B. ConclusionThe five multiplex PCR kits showed good consistency with single-pathogen detection results, but each had its own performance emphasis. Kit A, with the highest detection rate and high throughput, is suitable for targeted viral screening. Kit B, covering the broadest pathogen spectrum (including fungi/bacteria), is suitable for comprehensive respiratory pathogen screening. Kits C, D and E, are applicable for rapid detection. It is important to note that the detection efficacy of all kits decreases for low viral load samples with Ct values >35. In practical application, selection should be based on specific screening objectives, throughput requirements, and sample types.
3.Influencing factors for calcium salt deposition in patients with alveolar echinococcosis
Zitong XIONG ; Zhiyi LIN ; Yanxin HUANG ; Fuzhong FANG ; Zhengzhan WU ; Zirui XIN ; Chunxia HU ; Jiayu ZHOU ; Yuan YAO ; Hongwei ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):372-379
ObjectiveTo investigate the imaging features of calcium salt deposition and serological markers in patients with alveolar echinococcosis through a retrospective analysis, as well as independent risk factors for the degree of calcium salt deposition in lesions, and to provide a basis for assessing disease process. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the imaging and clinical data of 107 patients with alveolar echinococcosis who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University from December 2023 to June 2025, and according to the volume of calcium salt deposition, they were divided into non-deposition group with 16 patients, mild deposition group with 52 patients, moderate deposition group with 16 patients, and severe deposition group with 23 patients. A one-way analysis of variance or the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups, and the χ2 test or Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The four groups were further combined into the low deposition group (no/mild deposition) and the high deposition group (moderate/severe deposition). A binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the independent influencing factors for calcium salt deposition, and a predictive model was established. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the predictive performance of the model, and the Bootstrap method was used for internal validation. ResultsThere were significant differences between the four groups in sex distribution, involvement of other sites, white blood cell count, lymphocyte percentage, fibrinogen, uric acid, sodium ion, chloride ion, and calcium ion (all P<0.05). The univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences between the four groups in sex, involvement of other sites, white blood cell count, lymphocyte percentage, fibrinogen, alanine aminotransferase, albumin, creatinine, uric acid, sodium ion, chloride ion, and calcium ion (all P<0.1). The multi-collinearity diagnosis showed that the VIF values for all continuous variables ranged from 1.104 to 1.760, suggesting that collinearity did not affect modeling. An ordinal logistic regression model was established based on sex, involvement of other sites, calcium ion, lymphocyte percentage, and uric acid. The multivariate analysis showed that lymphocyte percentage (odds ratio [OR]=1.106, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.041 — 1.174, P=0.001) and blood calcium level (OR=0.005, 95%CI: 0.000 —0.230, P=0.007) were independent influencing factors for the degree of calcium salt deposition. The regression equation was established as Logit(P)=8.231 + 0.100 × lymphocyte percentage -5.344 × calcium ion. The ROC curve analysis showed that the model had an area under the ROC curve of 0.716, with a Youden index of 0.353, a sensitivity of 1.000, and a specificity of 0.353. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the model had poor calibration (χ2=20.688, P=0.008). The Bootstrap method with 1000 repeated samples showed that the estimated values of lymphocyte percentage (OR=1.106, 95%CI: 1.049 — 1.186, P=0.002) and calcium ion (OR=0.005, 95%CI: 0.000 — 0.214, P=0.010) were consistent with the original model, and the confidence intervals did not include 1, which further supported the reliability of the model. ConclusionBoth lymphocyte percentage and blood calcium level are independent influencing factors for calcium salt deposition in alveolar echinococcosis, and the degree of calcium salt deposition in alveolar echinococcosis lesions increases with the reduction in blood calcium level and the increase in lymphocyte percentage.
4.Active Ingredients of Bupleuri Radix in Treatment of Central Nervous System: A Review
Shuhuan YANG ; Xin JIANG ; Runda YUAN ; Fang LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):325-334
Diseases of the central nervous system have become a growing global health concern. At present, there are many adverse reactions in the treatment with Western medicine. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine has shown unique efficacy and rich clinical practice accumulation in diseases of the central nervous system. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Bupleuri Radix has played an important role in the treatment of neurological diseases through multi-target regulation, multi-pathway intervention, and multi-pathway mechanism of action. In recent years, with the in-depth study of the pharmacological effects of Bupleuri Radix, it has been found that the active ingredients such as saikosaponin, baicalin, quercetin, and kaempferol in Bupleuri Radix can be used as the main material basis for the treatment of neurological diseases. The results of this study showed that in neurodegenerative diseases, active ingredients of Bupleuri Radix can inhibit β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and abnormal phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein (Tau protein) in Alzheimer's disease, regulate the nuclear factor-κB/nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (NF-κB/Nrf2) pathway to play the anti-inflammatory role, and alleviate α-Synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation and mitochondrial damage in Parkinson's disease. In epilepsy, depression, and cerebral ischemia, they can improve symptoms by regulating neurotransmitters, oxidative stress, and apoptosis pathways, and inhibit brain glioma proliferation. However, the mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated, and the complexity of compound components and poor blood-brain barrier penetration limit their clinical application. In the future, it is necessary to integrate multi-omics, network pharmacology, and nano-delivery technologies, focus on the optimization of active ingredient group compounds and the precise guidance of biomarkers, accelerate the development of innovative therapies for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other diseases for laying a solid theoretical foundation for further development and application and inspiring new research ideas.
5.Species of sandflies and prevalence of Leishmania infections in sandflies in selected areas of northern and northwestern China
Yaqi HE ; Lei CUI ; Yi ZHANG ; Yuanyuan LI ; Limin YANG ; Yuan FANG ; Zhongqiu LI ; Zhengbin ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(1):20-28
Objective To investigate the species of sandflies and the prevalence of Leishmania infections in sandflies from selected areas of northern and northwestern China, so as to provide insights into identification of leishmaniasis vectors and assessment of epidemiological trends of leishmaniasis in China. Methods Sandfly samples were collected from Mentougou District of Beijing Municipality, Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province, Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County of Karamay District of Karamay City, Gaochang District of Turpan City in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July 2023 to July 2024. Approximately 100 intact female sandfly samples were randomly selected from each site and the species of sandflies was identified according to morphological characteristics and molecular assays. Female sandflies originating from the same habitat were grouped into pools of 10 individuals. Leishmania infection was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) gene, and the prevalence of Leishmania infection was calculated in sandflies from different sampling sites using the minimum infection rate (MIR) method. In addition, positive amplicons were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Results A total of 6 155 sandflies were collected from different environments at sampling sites across the six aforementioned regions from July 2023 to July 2024. Phlebotomus chinensis (96.00%) was the dominant sandfly species in Mentougou District, Beijing Municipality, with a small proportion of Ph. sergenti (4.00%), and only Ph. chinensis was found in Xiangning County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province. Ph. wui was the only sandfly species detected in Ejin Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County, Kashgar City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Ph. caucasicus (97.70%) was the dominant sandfly species in Karamay District, Karamay City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with a small proportion of Ph. wui (2.30%), while Ph. alexandri was the only species in Gaochang District, Turpan City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. A total of 40, 60, 34, 18, 18, and 22 pools of sandfly samples were tested from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality, Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province, Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Payzawat County in Kashgar City, Karamay District in Karamay City, and Gaochang District in Turpan City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, respectively. L. infantum was detected in Ph. chinensis samples from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality, and Xiangning County of Linfen City in Shanxi Province, with MIR of 0.25% to 1.00%, and L. donovani was detected in Ph. wui from Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County in Kashgar City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with MIR of 0.56% to 0.88%; however, no Leishmania infection was detected in Ph. caucasicus from Karamay District in Karamay City or Ph. alexandri from Gaochang District in Turpan City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Leishmania ITS-1 gene sequences obtained from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality and Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province were clustered into the same clade with the reference sequences of L. infantum ITS-1 gene, while the Leishmania ITS-1 gene sequences obtained from Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Payzawat County in Kashgar City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were clustered into the same clade with the reference sequences of L. donovani ITS-1 gene. Conclusions There are variations in sandfly species in selected areas of northern and northwestern China, and variations in the species of Leishmania infecting sandflies. Improved surveillance of sandfly vectors and targeted control strategies with adaptations to geographical features and leishmaniasis vectors are recommended.
6.Ablation of IGFBP5 expression alleviates neurogenic erectile dysfunction by inducing neurovascular regeneration
Jiyeon OCK ; Guo Nan YIN ; Fang-Yuan LIU ; Yan HUANG ; Fitri Rahma FRIDAYANA ; Minh Nhat VO ; Ji-Kan RYU
Investigative and Clinical Urology 2025;66(1):74-86
Purpose:
To investigate the therapeutic potential of eliminating insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) expression in improving erectile function in mice with cavernous nerve injury (CNI)-induced erectile dysfunction (ED).
Materials and Methods:
Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups: a sham-operated group and three CNI-induced ED groups. The CNI-induced ED groups were treated with intracavernous injections 3 days before the CNI procedure.These injections included phosphate-buffered saline, scrambled control short hairpin RNA (shRNA), or shRNA targeting mouse IGFBP5 lentiviral particles. One week after CNI, erectile function was evaluated and the penile tissue was then harvested for histological examination and western blot analysis. Additionally, the major pelvic ganglia (MPG) and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were cultured for ex vivo neurite outgrowth assays.
Results:
Following CNI, IGFBP5 expression in the cavernous tissues significantly increased, reaching its peak at day 7. First, ablation of IGFBP5 expression promotes neurite sprouting in MPG and DRG when exposed to lipopolysaccharide. Second, ablating IGFBP5 expression in CNI-induced ED mice improved erectile function, likely owing to increased neurovascular contents, including endothelial cells, pericytes, and neuronal processes. Third, ablating IGFBP5 expression in CNI-induced ED mice promoted neurovascular regeneration by increasing cell proliferation, reducing apoptosis, and decreasing Reactive oxygen species production. Finally, western blot analysis demonstrated that IGFBP5 ablation attenuated the JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway, activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and increased vascular endothelial growth factor and neurotrophic factor expression.
Conclusions
Ablating IGFBP5 expression enhanced neurovascular regeneration and ultimately improved erectile function in CNI-induced ED mice.
7.Textual research on Fuxiong.
Fang-Yuan MU ; Jia-Xin TIAN ; Kun-Yu LI ; Hai-Guang MA ; Feng GAO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1715-1720
Fuxiong has a long history of cultivation. Since its first record in the Beneficial Formulas from the Taiping Imperial Pharmacy of the Song Dynasty, Fuxiong had always been used by ancient physicians and became a preponderant variety for some reasons during the periods of the Ming Dynasty, Qing Dynasty, and Republic of China. However, as for modern use, only Chuanxiong Rhizoma is valued, and the medicinal value of Fuxiong is gradually being overlooked. This article systematically researches the nomenclature, producing area, origin, and efficacy of Fuxiong, proving that the planting technology of Fuxiong matured in the Song Dynasty at the latest, slightly later than the emergence of Chuanxiong Rhizoma in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Over the years, the producing area of Fuxiong has not undergone significant changes, and it is mainly cultivated within Jiangxi province. According to the analysis of the origin of Xiongqiong, combined with modern genetic research, it can be basically clarified that the early source of Xiongqiong may not be single. With the popularization of cultivation, Chuanxiong Rhizoma became a Dao-di herb earliest, gradually replacing Xiongqiong and being recognized clinically. After cultivation, the polyploidy of Chuanxiong Rhizoma varieties formed stable inheritance, forming the later Fuxiong. Medical experts have gradually deepened their understanding of the efficacy of Fuxiong. Initially, they believed that it was a substitute for Chuanxiong Rhizoma and had weaker efficacy than Chuanxiong Rhizoma. Medical experts in Jin and Yuan Dynasties such as Zhu Danxi and Dai Sigong believed that Fuxiong was good at relieving stagnation. Books and records of materia medica in the Ming and Qing Dynasties explicitly proposed the great ability of Fuxiong to relieve stagnation. Fuxiong should be distinguished from Chuanxiong Rhizoma when applied, and the application differences should be clearly reflected in medical records. Based on the comprehensive research in this article, it can be concluded that although most of ancient physicians have attached great importance to genuineness of Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Fuxiong, as a dominant variety of traditional application, has a clear historical context and significant efficacy characteristics, worthy of further in-depth study.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/history*
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China
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history*
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History, Ancient
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Humans
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History, Medieval
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Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*
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Rhizome/growth & development*
8.Medicinal properties and compatibility application of aromatic traditional Chinese medicine monomer components based on action of volatile components against viral pneumonia.
Yin-Ming ZHAO ; Lin-Yuan WANG ; Jian-Jun ZHANG ; Chun WANG ; Yi LI ; Xiao-Fang WU ; Qi ZHANG ; Xing-Yu ZHAO ; Lin-Ze LI ; Rui-Lin LYU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(8):2013-2021
Aromatic traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has played an important role against epidemics and viruses, and volatile components are the main components that exert the pharmacological effects of aromatic TCM. By screening the related monomer components in aromatic TCM against epidemic and viruses and analyzing and endowing TCM with medicinal properties based on its clinical application and pharmacological research according to the theoretical thinking of TCM, the key technical issues of compatibility of TCM monomer components were solved from a theoretical perspective, providing new ideas and methods for screening raw materials and formulas for the development of new TCM drugs. Based on the conditions of antiviral activity, clinical application foundation, definite therapeutic effect, and high safety, a gradient screening of aromatic TCM was carried out. Firstly, 30 aromatic TCM were screened from anti-epidemic literature and clinical trial formulas, and seven volatile monomers were further screened from them. Then, four monomer components with significant effects, namely patchouli alcohol, carvacrol, p-cymene, and eucalyptol were screened. By adopting the "four-step method for a systematic study of TCM properties", the four monomer components were endowed with medicinal properties, and compatibility and combination studies were conducted to explore the theoretical basis of monomer formulas and form monomer formulas guided by TCM theory. The screening results of volatile monomers in aromatic TCM against viral pneumonia included patchouli alcohol, carvacrol, p-cymene, and eucalyptol. The medicinal properties and compatibility theory of volatile monomer components in TCM were explored. Patchouli alcohol was the main herb, with a cool and pungent nature. It entered the lung meridian to dispel evil Qi and has the effects of aromatization, detoxification, and epidemic prevention. Carvacrol was a minister drug with a cool and pungent taste. It had the effects of aromatizing, moistening, and dissolving the exterior, as well as strengthening the spleen and stomach. p-Cymene was an adjunctive medicine with a mild and pungent nature. It entered the lungs and kidneys and had the effects of aromatic purification, cough relief, and asthma relief. Eucalyptol was also an adjunctive medicine with a pungent and warm taste. It had the functions of aromatic purification, cough relief, phlegm reduction, and pain relief. The combination of the four medicines had the effects of aromatizing, moistening, detoxifying, and epidemic prevention, as well as relieving cough and asthma and strengthening the spleen and stomach. They were used to treat viral pneumonia caused by upper respiratory tract viral infections, with symptoms such as chest tightness, cough, wheezing, fatigue, nasal congestion, runny nose, nausea, and vomiting. This study has laid a literature and theoretical foundation for further drug efficacy verification experiments, compatibility efficacy experiments, and subsequent product development and clinical applications, and it serves as an innovative practice that combines literature research, theoretical research, experimental research, and clinical practice to develop new products.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Antiviral Agents/pharmacology*
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Humans
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Pneumonia, Viral/virology*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Volatile Organic Compounds/pharmacology*
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Animals
9.Influence of eucalyptol on biological effects of spleen cold and spleen heat syndromes in rats and mechanism of regulating spleen channel with its warm nature based on TRP ion channel.
Xing-Yu ZHAO ; Yi LI ; Xiao-Fang WU ; Qi ZHANG ; Lin-Ze LI ; Yin-Ming ZHAO ; Chun WANG ; Jian-Jun ZHANG ; Lin-Yuan WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(8):2022-2031
This paper aims to investigate the influence of eucalyptol on the biological effects of spleen cold and spleen heat syndromes in rats and its regulation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1), transient receptor potential melastatin 8(TRPM8), and uncoupling protein 1(UCP1), so as to explore the cold-heat properties of eucalyptol. Rats were randomly divided into groups as follows: blank group, spleen cold syndrome model group, spleen cold syndrome+Atractylodis Rhizoma group, spleen cold syndrome + low-dose eucalyptol group, and spleen cold syndrome+high-dose eucalyptol group, as well as blank group, spleen heat syndrome model group, spleen heat syndrome+Coptidis Rhizoma group, spleen heat syndrome + low-dose eucalyptol group, and spleen heat syndrome + high-dose eucalyptol group. Spleen cold and spleen heat syndromes were induced by disorders of hunger and satiety combined with bitter cold drugs, as well as a high-fat diet combined with liquor. Except for the blank and model groups, the other groups were administered once a day during the modeling process for 14 consecutive days. The general condition and body weight of rats in each group were observed, and the histopathological morphology of the gastric antrum and small intestine was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The contents of cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP), triiodothyronine(T3), thyroxine(T4), Na~+-K~+-ATPase, total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), gastrin(GAS), motilin(MTL), D-xylose, and other related indices were detected in rats. The expression levels of TRPV1, TRPM8, and UCP1 in small intestine tissue of rats with spleen cold syndrome were detected. The results showed that eucalyptol had a certain degree of improvement in the overall state and body weight of rats with spleen cold syndrome. Compared with the spleen cold syndrome model group, high-dose eucalyptol significantly increased the levels of serum cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, TG, and TC in rats with spleen cold syndrome(P<0.05, P<0.01), decreased the content of cGMP, and significantly elevated the levels of gastrointestinal function-related indicators GAS, MTL, and D-xylose(P<0.05, P<0.01). Low-dose eucalyptol significantly increased the level of cAMP/cGMP in the serum and Na~+-K~+-ATPase levels in hepatic tissue(P<0.05, P<0.01), and significantly increased the levels of GAS and D-xylose(P<0.01). Eucalyptol showed similar effects to Atractylodis Rhizoma with a warm nature on rats with spleen cold syndrome. Compared with the spleen heat syndrome model group, the high-dose and low-dose eucalyptol groups showed a trend of increase in gastrointestinal indicators, with no significant changes in other indicators. In addition, high-dose eucalyptol increased the expression of TRPV1 and UCP1 and decreased the expression of TRPM8 in the small intestine tissue of rats with spleen cold syndrome. Eucalyptol could affect the cyclic nucleotide and material energy metabolism levels of rats with spleen cold syndrome and had a certain improvement effect on their gastrointestinal digestion and absorption function, thereby improving spleen cold syndrome. Eucalyptol had no significant improvement effect on rats with spleen heat syndrome, suggesting that eucalyptol may have a warm nature and regulate spleen meridians. It is speculated that eucalyptol may exhibit its medicinal properties by activating the TRPV1 pathway, promoting the expression of UCP1, and inhibiting the TRPM8 channel.
Animals
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Rats
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Spleen/metabolism*
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Male
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TRPV Cation Channels/genetics*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Eucalyptol/administration & dosage*
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TRPM Cation Channels/genetics*
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Uncoupling Protein 1/genetics*
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Humans
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Cold Temperature
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Cyclic GMP/metabolism*
10.Medicinal properties and mechanisms of p-cymene with mild and warm nature based on deficiency-cold and deficiency-heat syndrome models.
Xiao-Fang WU ; Yi LI ; Xing-Yu ZHAO ; Lin-Ze LI ; Qi ZHANG ; Yin-Ming ZHAO ; Ying-Li ZHU ; Chun WANG ; Jian-Jun ZHANG ; Lin-Yuan WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(8):2032-2040
This paper aims to study the effect of p-cymene on mice with deficiency-cold syndrome induced by hydrocortisone and deficiency-heat syndrome induced by dexamethasone and explore the medicinal properties and mechanism of p-cymene with mild and warm nature based on the dominant characteristics of the two-way applicable conditions of mild drugs. A total of 80 KM mice were randomly divided into blank group, deficiency-cold syndrome model group, deficiency-cold syndrome + ginseng group, and deficiency-cold syndrome + low-dose and high-dose p-cymene groups, as well as blank group, deficiency-heat syndrome model group, deficiency-heat syndrome + American ginseng group, and deficiency-heat syndrome + low-dose and high-dose p-cymene groups. Hydrocortisone and dexamethasone solution were intragastrically administered for 14 consecutive days to prepare deficiency-cold syndrome and deficiency-heat syndrome models. Except for the blank group and the model group intragastrically administered with normal saline, the other groups were intragastrically administrated with drugs for 14 days. The levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP), triiodothyronine(T3), thyroxine(T4), total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), immunoglobin G(IgG), and immunoglobin M(IgM) in serum, as well as the activity of Na~+-K~+-ATPase in liver tissue were detected. The expression of transient receptor potential melastatin 8(TRPM8), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1), and uncoupling protein 1(UCP1) in brown adipose tissue of deficiency-cold syndrome model after intervention with p-cymene was studied. The results showed that p-cymene could effectively improve the levels of cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, TC, IgM, and IgG in serum and the activity of Na~+-K~+-ATPase in liver tissue of mice with deficiency-cold syndrome and reduce the content of cGMP. The effects on T3, T4, and TG were not statistically significant. At the same time, p-cymene could reduce the levels of cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, and T4 in serum and the activity of Na~+-K~+-ATPase in liver tissue of mice with deficiency-cold syndrome and increase the levels of cGMP, IgM, and IgG, and it had no effect on T3, TC, and TG. In addition, p-cymene could up-regulate the expression of TRPV1 and UCP1 in brown fat of mice with deficiency-cold syndrome and down-regulate the expression of TRPM8. In summary, p-cymene could significantly regulate the syndrome indexes of mice with deficiency-cold syndrome, and some indexes of mice with deficiency-heat syndrome could be improved, but the effects on lipid metabolism and energy metabolism indexes were not obvious, indicating that the regulation effect of p-cymene on deficiency-cold syndrome model was more prominent and that the medicinal properties of p-cymene were mild and warm. The regulation of TRPV1/TRPM8/UCP1 channel expression may be the molecular biological mechanism of p-cymene with mild and warm nature affecting the energy metabolism of the body.
Animals
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Cymenes
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Mice
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Male
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Disease Models, Animal
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Humans
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Cyclic AMP/metabolism*
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Monoterpenes/administration & dosage*
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Liver/metabolism*
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Cyclic GMP/metabolism*
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TRPV Cation Channels/genetics*
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Uncoupling Protein 1/genetics*

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