1.Pharmacodynamic Substance Basis and Mechanisms of Shangkeling Spray on Knee Osteoarthritis
Pengbo GUO ; Changhao XIAO ; Fei XIA ; Chong QIU ; Jigang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):206-216
ObjectiveTo analyze the pharmacodynamic substance basis of Shangkeling Spray and its potential mechanisms in intervening knee osteoarthritis (KOA) using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS), network pharmacology, and molecular docking technology. MethodsUPLC-MS was used to identify the chemical components of Shangkeling Spray. Pharmacokinetic properties were employed to screen potential active ingredients. Network pharmacology methods were utilized to collect potential targets of these ingredients and the pathological gene set of KOA. An "active ingredient-disease" target network was constructed using databases such as STRING. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analyses were performed using clusterProfiler. Libraries including NumPy were employed to calculate shortest path lengths to identify dominant pharmacodynamic links. Core gene clusters were identified using MCODE, validated through the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and molecular docking was performed between key active ingredients and core targets. ResultsA total of 322 and 314 chemical components were identified under positive and negative ion modes, respectively, with 410 components in total after de-duplication, mainly including flavonoids, coumarins, terpenoids, organic acids, and alkaloids. Analysis of the "active ingredient-disease" network identified "development and regeneration", "cell growth and death", "immune system", and "nervous system" as the dominant pharmacodynamic links of Shangkeling Spray in the treatment of KOA. Molecular docking showed that key active ingredients, such as bletillin A, formononetin, morin, oxymatrine, aconitine, gallic acid, curdione, apigenin, naringenin, and oleanolic acid, tightly bound to functional domains of 10 key targets including Jun proteins(JUN), interleukin-6 (IL-6), protein kinase B1 (Akt1), Caspase-3, nuclear transcription factor-κB subunit p65(RELA), nuclear factor-kappaB1(NF-κB1), Cyclin D1, mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and Fos proto-oncogene protein (FOS). These interactions synergistically regulated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mTOR-related signaling axis and nervous system-related pathways, mediating cartilage repair, reducing inflammation and pain, and improving KOA. ConclusionThis study preliminarily clarifies the pharmacodynamic substance basis of Shangkeling Spray and suggests that its main active ingredients may improve KOA by synergistically regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR-related pathways, providing a reference for subsequent exploration of its substance benchmark and mechanism of action.
2.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).
3.Design of a mammography X-ray image classification assistant system adapted to Chinese population
Changjin SUN ; Fei TONG ; Yi WU ; Yuting WANG ; Junjie LUO ; Yan GONG ; Mingguo QIU ; Liang QIAO
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(1):92-99
Objective To construct a mammography image classification assistant system suitable for Chinese population,and explore the potential of artificial intelligence technology to assist early screening of breast cancer in China.Methods Curated breast imaging subset of digital database for screening mammography(CBIS-DDSM),Mammographic image analysis society database(MIAS)and other international open datasets were used to conduct model training respectively in order to reproduce the mainstream in-depth learning methods in the current literature.The model was also tested on the Chinese breast mammography database(CBMD)provided by Huajiao Technology Co.,Ltd,and the performance was compared.Aiming at the problem that the Chinese population data are not ideal in the performance test of the open dataset training model,an optimization strategy based on the sliding window adjustment mechanism was implemented in combination with the characteristics of Chinese population data.Then a two-stage migration learning method was designed to improve the overall performance of the model,and then development of our system was carried out.Results With the sliding window adjustment mechanism and the CBMD training model after two-stage transfer learning,the accuracy of our developed system was improved from 0.50 of the open datasets to 0.80,precision from 0.54 to 0.82,sensitivity from 0.52 to 0.80,F1 value from 0.52 to 0.80,and AUC value from 0.51 to 0.89 based on the Chinese population dataset as the test set.Conclusion Through the introduction of sliding window adjustment mechanism and two-stage migration learning strategy,the performance of the breast molybdenum target image classification model has been significantly improved in the Chinese population dataset,and our system primarily achieves the purpose of assisting the classification of breast molybdenum target images for the Chinese population.
4.A Brief Exploration of Endogenous Wind (内风) by Tracing Its Origin and Development
Xiaojin QIU ; Min LI ; Fei YU ; Ruiying SHU ; Dandan DING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(2):197-200
The historical development of endogenous wind (内风) is traced with time as the thread, based on the progression of factors such as syndromes, causes of disease, and pathogenesis. It is believed that the concept of wind syndrome originated in The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor (《黄帝内经》), encompassing both exogenous wind (外风) and endogenous wind syndrome. Over time, exogenous wind syndrome gradually evolved into mild syndromes and severe syndromes, while endogenous wind syndrome emerged from severe syndromes of exogenous wind. Endogenous wind syndrome has both syndrome and pathogenic attributes, and its theoretical system has gradually become more refined. Based on the theories of ancient and modern medical practitioners, and combining the holistic perspectives with Xiang (象) thinking, it is proposed that endogenous wind has both physiological and pathological distinctions. The physiological endogenous wind refers to the liver's moderate dispersing and regulating function, which helps to distribute qi (气), blood, and body fluids, while pathological endogenous wind arises from abnormal liver dispersal. Therefore, in clinical practice, different treatment methods, such as tonifying, unblocking, and warming, can be applied according to the differentiation of deficiency and excess in the pathogenesis.
5.Effect and mechanism of Xintong Granules in ameliorating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by regulating gut microbiota.
Yun-Jia WANG ; Ji-Dong ZHOU ; Qiu-Yu SU ; Jing-Chun YAO ; Rui-Qiang SU ; Guo-Fei QIN ; Gui-Min ZHANG ; Hong-Bao LIANG ; Shuai FENG ; Jia-Cheng ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(14):4003-4014
This study investigates the mechanism by which Xintong Granules improve myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI) through the regulation of gut microbiota and their metabolites, specifically short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs). Rats were randomly divided based on body weight into the sham operation group, model group, low-dose Xintong Granules group(1.43 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), medium-dose Xintong Granules group(2.86 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), high-dose Xintong Granules group(5.72 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and metoprolol group(10 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). After 14 days of pre-administration, the MIRI rat model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The myocardial infarction area was assessed using the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining method. Apoptosis in tissue cells was detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL) assay. Pathological changes in myocardial cells and colonic tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), creatine kinase MB isoenzyme(CK-MB), and cardiac troponin T(cTnT) in rat serum were quantitatively measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) kits. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase(CK), and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in myocardial tissue, as well as the level of malondialdehyde(MDA), were determined using colorimetric assays. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing, and fecal SCFAs were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS). The results show that Xintong Granules significantly reduced the myocardial infarction area, suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), myocardial injury markers(CK-MB, cTnT, LDH, and CK), and oxidative stress marker MDA. Additionally, Xintong Granules significantly improved intestinal inflammation in MIRI rats, regulated gut microbiota composition and diversity, and increased the levels of SCFAs(acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, etc.). In summary, Xintong Granules effectively alleviate MIRI symptoms. This study preliminarily confirms that Xintong Granules exert their inhibitory effects on MIRI by regulating gut microbiota imbalance and increasing SCFA levels.
Animals
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Rats
;
Male
;
Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/genetics*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Humans
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-6/genetics*
;
Malondialdehyde/metabolism*
6.Prediction of Pharmacoresistance in Drug-Naïve Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Using Ictal EEGs Based on Convolutional Neural Network.
Yiwei GONG ; Zheng ZHANG ; Yuanzhi YANG ; Shuo ZHANG ; Ruifeng ZHENG ; Xin LI ; Xiaoyun QIU ; Yang ZHENG ; Shuang WANG ; Wenyu LIU ; Fan FEI ; Heming CHENG ; Yi WANG ; Dong ZHOU ; Kejie HUANG ; Zhong CHEN ; Cenglin XU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(5):790-804
Approximately 30%-40% of epilepsy patients do not respond well to adequate anti-seizure medications (ASMs), a condition known as pharmacoresistant epilepsy. The management of pharmacoresistant epilepsy remains an intractable issue in the clinic. Its early prediction is important for prevention and diagnosis. However, it still lacks effective predictors and approaches. Here, a classical model of pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) was established to screen pharmacoresistant and pharmaco-responsive individuals by applying phenytoin to amygdaloid-kindled rats. Ictal electroencephalograms (EEGs) recorded before phenytoin treatment were analyzed. Based on ictal EEGs from pharmacoresistant and pharmaco-responsive rats, a convolutional neural network predictive model was constructed to predict pharmacoresistance, and achieved 78% prediction accuracy. We further found the ictal EEGs from pharmacoresistant rats have a lower gamma-band power, which was verified in seizure EEGs from pharmacoresistant TLE patients. Prospectively, therapies targeting the subiculum in those predicted as "pharmacoresistant" individual rats significantly reduced the subsequent occurrence of pharmacoresistance. These results demonstrate a new methodology to predict whether TLE individuals become resistant to ASMs in a classic pharmacoresistant TLE model. This may be of translational importance for the precise management of pharmacoresistant TLE.
Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/diagnosis*
;
Animals
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Drug Resistant Epilepsy/drug therapy*
;
Electroencephalography/methods*
;
Rats
;
Anticonvulsants/pharmacology*
;
Neural Networks, Computer
;
Male
;
Humans
;
Phenytoin/pharmacology*
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Adult
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Female
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Young Adult
;
Convolutional Neural Networks
7.Osthole ameliorates chronic pruritus in 2,4-dichloronitrobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis by inhibiting IL-31 production.
Shuang HE ; Xiaoling LIANG ; Weixiong CHEN ; Yangji NIMA ; Yi LI ; Zihui GU ; Siyue LAI ; Fei ZHONG ; Caixiong QIU ; Yuying MO ; Jiajun TANG ; Guanyi WU
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(2):368-379
OBJECTIVE:
This study aims to elucidate the therapeutic potential of osthole for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), focusing on its ability to alleviate chronic pruritus (CP) and the underlying molecular mechanisms.
METHODS:
In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of osthole in both a 2,4-dichloronitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD mouse model and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) stimulated huma immortalized epidermal (HaCaT) cells. The anti-itch effect of osthole was specifically assessed in the AD mouse model. Using methods such as hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot (WB), quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and immunofluorescence staining.
RESULTS:
Osthole improved skin damage and clinical dermatitis scores, reduced scratching bouts, and decreased epidermal thickness AD-like mice. It also reduced the levels of interleukin (IL)-31 and IL-31 receptor A (IL-31 RA) in both skin tissues and HaCaT cells. Furthermore, Osthole suppressed the protein expression levels of phosphor-p65 (p-p65) and phosphor-inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-Bα (p-IκBα). Meanwhile, it increased the protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and PPARγ in HaCaT cells.
CONCLUSION
These findings indicated that osthole effectively inhibited CP in AD by activating PPARα, PPARγ, repressing the NF-κB signaling pathway, as well as the expression of IL-31 and IL-31 RA.
8.A questionnaire survey and analysis on the current situation of forensic ethics practice and educational needs
Wenjie LUO ; Tiantian PAN ; Shiyue LI ; Mengjun ZHAN ; Lirong QIU ; Yuchi ZHOU ; Xin CHEN ; Fei FAN ; Zhenhua DENG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(3):378-384
ObjectiveTo explore the current situation of forensic ethics practice and education by designing a questionnaire on forensic ethics, with a view to exploring the path of forensic ethics education construction. MethodsA total of 667 valid questionnaires were collected using the online survey method, basically covering various regions across the country and all sub-specialties of forensic medicine. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the relevant data. ResultsMost practitioners had relevant ethical reflections in the process of forensic practice. 69.12% of the respondents indicated that they had studied the relevant rules, but approximately half stated that there were no corresponding ethical norms or standard operating manuals. The specific behaviors violating ethics in different units were diverse. 23.04% of the respondents reported that they had encountered unethical behaviors, but only 4.9% of them reported such violations. In terms of forensic ethics education, 87.75% of the respondents believed that there were issues with the current model of forensic ethics education. Meanwhile, the respondents showed a high degree of recognition for receiving forensic ethics education, with 84.15% of respondents expressing willingness to participate in relevant courses. More than half of respondents were willing to participate in forensic ethics education during undergraduate studies, new employee training, and regular post-employment training. ConclusionCurrently, there is a problem of ethical neglect in forensic work in China. Combining ethics courses with professional courses at the practitioner training stage and providing regular training at the practice stage are effective measures to popularize forensic ethics knowledge, enhance ethical awareness, and improve the quality of practice.
9.Frequency and molecular basis of CD36 deficiency in Xinjiang, China
Jin QIU ; Fei LI ; Qiang LI ; Rubin WANG ; ; Jing LIU ; Wei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(5):629-636
Objective: To investigate the distribution characteristics of CD36 antigen in healthy individuals in Xinjiang, China and analyze the molecular mechanisms underlying CD36 deficiency. Methods: Flow cytometry was used to assess CD36 antigen expression on platelets from 881 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations between June and August 2023. Differences in CD36 antigen distribution among ethnic groups were compared, and genotyping and third-generation sequencing were conducted on samples with CD36 deficiency. Results: Among the 881 samples, 4 cases (0.5%) of CD36 type Ⅱ deficiency were identified. The deficiency frequency was 0.7% (3/430) in Han individuals and 0.3% (1/363) in Uygur individuals, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). No mutations were detected in the coding regions of the deficient samples. Two samples exhibited a (TG)11 in intron 3. Among the 12 linked mutation sites, g. 55589 G>A was mutated to g. 55589G Del, while g. 55593 A del did not occur; however, g. 55591A>T was observed nearby. Additionally, 52742insGAAAA was present in 100% of the (TG)11 haplotypes, potentially representing a novel linked mutation. Conclusion: This study indicates that the positive frequency of CD36 antigen in Xinjiang is relatively high, suggesting a low risk of alloimmune diseases in clinical practice. The (TG)11 in intron 3 is not universally present in all CD36 type Ⅱ deficiency cases, and the number of linked mutation sites extends beyond the previously reported 12.
10.Chinese agarwood petroleum ether extract suppressed gastric cancer progression via up-regulation of DNA damage-induced G0/G1 phase arrest and HO-1-mediated ferroptosis.
Lishan OUYANG ; Xuejiao WEI ; Fei WANG ; Huiming HUANG ; Xinyu QIU ; Zhuguo WANG ; Peng TAN ; Yufeng GAO ; Ruoxin ZHANG ; Jun LI ; Zhongdong HU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(10):1210-1220
Gastric cancer (GC) is characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates. Chinese agarwood comprises the resin-containing wood of Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg., traditionally utilized for treating asthma, cardiac ischemia, and tumors. However, comprehensive research regarding its anti-GC effects and underlying mechanisms remains limited. In this study, Chinese agarwood petroleum ether extract (CAPEE) demonstrated potent cytotoxicity against human GC cells, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for AGS, HGC27, and MGC803 cells of 2.89, 2.46, and 2.37 μg·mL-1, respectively, at 48 h. CAPEE significantly induced apoptosis in these GC cells, with B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) associated X protein (BAX)/BCL-2 antagonist killer 1 (BAK) likely mediating CAPEE-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, CAPEE induced G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest in human GC cells via activation of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage-p21-cyclin D1/cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) signaling axis, and increased Fe2+, lipid peroxides and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, thereby inducing ferroptosis. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and Western blotting analyses revealed CAPEE-mediated upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in human GC cells. RNA interference studies demonstrated that HO-1 knockdown reduced CAPEE sensitivity and inhibited CAPEE-induced ferroptosis in human GC cells. Additionally, CAPEE administration exhibited robust in vivo anti-GC activity without significant toxicity in nude mice while inhibiting tumor cell growth and promoting apoptosis in tumor tissues. These findings indicate that CAPEE suppresses human GC cell growth through upregulation of the DNA damage-p21-cyclin D1/CDK4 signaling axis and HO-1-mediated ferroptosis, suggesting its potential as a candidate drug for GC treatment.
Animals
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Humans
;
Mice
;
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cyclin D1/genetics*
;
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/genetics*
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DNA Damage/drug effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Ferroptosis/drug effects*
;
G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects*
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Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics*
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Mice, Nude
;
Plant Extracts/pharmacology*
;
Stomach Neoplasms/physiopathology*
;
Thymelaeaceae/chemistry*
;
Up-Regulation/drug effects*

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