1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Treats Ischemic Stroke by Regulating BDNF/TrkB Signaling Pathway: A Review
Qingge WANG ; Feixiang LIU ; Yunke ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):312-321
Ischemic stroke (IS) is an acute cerebrovascular disease caused by insufficient blood supply to the brain, resulting in brain tissue necrosis and neurological dysfunction. It is characterized by impaired motor, language, sensory, cognitive, and other functions. The pathogenesis involves inflammatory responses, excitotoxicity of excitatory amino acids, and mitochondrial dysfunction. IS with a high incidence, high mortality, high disability, and a high recurrence rate is the leading cause of death in China. At present, Western medical therapies mainly focus on vascular recanalization, including thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy. However, due to the possibility of cerebral hemorrhage and edema, narrow time windows, and contraindications associated with intravascular therapy, only a few patients can benefit from these therapies, which greatly limit their clinical application. IS belongs to the categories such as stroke, hem iplegia, and major syncope in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is mainly caused caused by wind, fire, phlegm, and stasis, which lead to imbalance of Yin and Yang, disorder of Qi and blood, and invasion of clear orifices. The common treatment methods include calming the liver and dispelling wind, resolving phlegm and unblocking meridians, and activating blood and resolving stasis. TCM acting on multiple pathways and targets with low toxicity and side effects has definite effects in improving the prognosis and reducing the recurrence rate, being worthy of promotion and research. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a key role in promoting neurogenesis and increasing synaptic plasticity. During the progression of IS, BDNF binds to tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) to initiate intracellular signaling cascades, thus exerting neuroprotective effects. Studies have shown that TCM can regulate the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway, treating IS by regulating synaptic plasticity and promoting neural repair. This paper summarizes and generalizes the mechanisms of active components, single herbs, and compound prescriptions of TCM in regulating the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway in the treatment of IS through the review of domestic and foreign literature in recent years, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and treatment reference for the treatment of IS with TCM.
2.Value of immunoglobulin G/immunoglobulin M ratio in predicting the prognosis of patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitor and programmed cell death protein-1 inhibitor
Xingzhi LI ; Wei LUO ; Yuan FENG ; Yu CAI ; Xiaohong LIU ; Feixiang WU ; Yong PENG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):117-124
ObjectiveTo investigate the association between immunoglobulin G (IgG)/immunoglobulin M (IgM) ratio and prognosis in patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (iuHCC) receiving TTP triple therapy with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), and programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitors. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 151 iuHCC patients who received TTP triple therapy in Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, from November 2019 to December 2022, and according to IgG/IgM ratio, they were divided into high IgG/IgM group (IgG/IgM ratio >13.23) and low IgG/IgM group (IgG/IgM ratio ≤13.23). The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test were used for survival analysis, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate the potential influencing factors for overall survival (OS). ResultsThe 151 patients had a median OS of 26.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19.8-not reached) and a median progression-free survival of 12.5 months (95%CI: 10.4 — 15.8). The objective response rate was 83.4% and the disease control rate was 94.0%. There were no significant differences in baseline data between the high IgG/IgM group and the low IgG/IgM group (all P>0.05). There was a significant difference in median OS between the high IgG/IgM group and the low IgG/IgM group (20.6 months vs not reached, P=0.016). In both the high IgG/IgM group and the low IgG/IgM group, salvage hepatectomy was significantly associated with the improvement in OS (χ2=8.297 and 10.307, both P<0.05). The multivariate analysis showed that high IgG/IgM ratio (hazard ratio [HR]=1.799, 95%CI: 1.077 — 3.006, P=0.025), baseline alpha-fetoprotein >400 ng/mL (HR=1.762, 95%CI: 1.017 — 3.050, P=0.043), and BCLC stage (HR=2.265, 95%CI: 1.212 — 4.232, P=0.010) were independent influencing factors for OS. ConclusionHigh IgG/IgM ratio is associated with a poorer prognosis in iuHCC patients receiving TTP triple therapy, and salvage hepatectomy has a potential value in improving the prognosis of patients with a high IgG/IGM ratio.
3.Regulation of lysosome function by stem cells in treatment of lysosomal storage diseases
Yiwen LI ; Feixiang LIU ; Yunke ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(1):145-152
BACKGROUND:Lysosomal storage diseases,as a group of rare genetic metabolic disorders,exhibit complex pathogenesis often leading to dysfunction of cells,tissues,and organs.Current therapeutic approaches have certain limitations.Stem cell transplantation,as an emerging treatment method,offers new options for patients with lysosomal storage diseases.OBJECTIVE:To review the mechanisms of action of stem cells in regulating lysosomes for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases and explore the feasibility of traditional Chinese medicine in treating such diseases,providing new insights for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with stem cells.METHODS:Relevant literature from 2010 to 2024 was searched in CNKI and PubMed databases using keywords"stem cells,lysosomal storage disease,lysosome"in English and Chinese.Ultimately,78 articles were included for review and analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Stem cells treat lysosomal storage diseases by regulating lysosomes primarily through three aspects:regulating stem cell differentiation and replacement,improving intercellular communication and the microenvironment,and enhancing lysosomal enzyme expression through gene editing.(2)Stem cells have achieved significant effects in the treatment of some lysosomal storage diseases,such as Niemann-Pick disease,mucopolysaccharidoses,Gaucher disease,and metachromatic leukodystrophy.(3)The procedure for stem cell transplantation needs further optimization.Adverse reactions post-transplantation urgently need to be addressed,and the efficiency and safety of gene-modified stem cells also need to be further improved.In the future,more research on the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with traditional Chinese medicine is required to reveal the relevant mechanisms for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with traditional Chinese medicine.
4.Regulation of lysosome function by stem cells in treatment of lysosomal storage diseases
Yiwen LI ; Feixiang LIU ; Yunke ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(1):145-152
BACKGROUND:Lysosomal storage diseases,as a group of rare genetic metabolic disorders,exhibit complex pathogenesis often leading to dysfunction of cells,tissues,and organs.Current therapeutic approaches have certain limitations.Stem cell transplantation,as an emerging treatment method,offers new options for patients with lysosomal storage diseases.OBJECTIVE:To review the mechanisms of action of stem cells in regulating lysosomes for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases and explore the feasibility of traditional Chinese medicine in treating such diseases,providing new insights for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with stem cells.METHODS:Relevant literature from 2010 to 2024 was searched in CNKI and PubMed databases using keywords"stem cells,lysosomal storage disease,lysosome"in English and Chinese.Ultimately,78 articles were included for review and analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Stem cells treat lysosomal storage diseases by regulating lysosomes primarily through three aspects:regulating stem cell differentiation and replacement,improving intercellular communication and the microenvironment,and enhancing lysosomal enzyme expression through gene editing.(2)Stem cells have achieved significant effects in the treatment of some lysosomal storage diseases,such as Niemann-Pick disease,mucopolysaccharidoses,Gaucher disease,and metachromatic leukodystrophy.(3)The procedure for stem cell transplantation needs further optimization.Adverse reactions post-transplantation urgently need to be addressed,and the efficiency and safety of gene-modified stem cells also need to be further improved.In the future,more research on the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with traditional Chinese medicine is required to reveal the relevant mechanisms for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with traditional Chinese medicine.
5.Mechanism of Shoutaiwan in Treatment of Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion: A Review
Xue DANG ; Feixiang LIU ; Yanchen FENG ; Zhiying CHE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):283-291
Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a common gynecological disease during pregnancy, clinically characterized by repeated spontaneous abortions, yet its pathological mechanism remains incompletely understood. Traditional Chinese medicine attributes the pathogenesis of RSA to the deficiency of Chong Ren and the lack of fetal solidity. It has amassed experience in treating RSA, with Shoutaiwan being widely utilized for addressing miscarriage symptoms such as habitual abortion due to kidney deficiency, bleeding during pregnancy, and fetal movement. In recent years, there has been a gradual increase in experimental studies on the application of Shoutaiwan in treating RSA and on related experiments. These studies have demonstrated that Shoutaiwan preserves the fetus mainly by modulating hormone balance, alleviating immune inflammation, and enhancing blood coagulation equilibrium during pregnancy. Besides, through the modulation of key signaling pathways such as nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), as well as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Shoutaiwan has improved cellular antioxidant capacity, adjusted the phenotype of trophoblast and metaphase cells, and inhibited immune rejection, thus improving the pregnancy success rate. These findings not only elucidate the diverse biological foundations underlying Shoutaiwan's efficacy in treating RSA but also offer a scientific rationale for its clinical application and further mechanism research. Nonetheless, there remains a dearth of systematic reviews on RSA treatment with Shoutaiwan. Therefore, this review summarizes and synthesizes existing research findings to systematically analyze existing literature and studies, delving deeply into the principal pharmacological effects and associated signaling pathways of Shoutaiwan in regulating RSA. It aims to establish crucial reference points for its clinical application in RSA treatment and future experiments and research.
6.Qixiong Zuogui Granules enhance synaptic plasticity in aging rats by regulating the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway
Qingge WANG ; Xiaohui ZHAO ; Yuxuan HE ; Feixiang LIU ; Yunke ZHANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(8):1589-1598
Objective To exple the mechanism of Qixiong Zuogui Granules(QXZG)for enhancing synaptic plasticity in aging rats.Method Forty SD rats were randomized into control group,aging model group,donepezil treatment group,and QXZG treatment group(n=10).Except for the control rats,all the rats were subjected to daily intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose for 8 consecutive weeks to induce brain aging,and donepezil hydrochloride and QXZG suspension were administered by gavage during modeling.After the interventions,the rats were evaluated for general conditions,behavioral changes,oxidative stress indicators,hippocampal pathologies,and expressions of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)/tyrosine kinase receptor B(TrkB)pathway,p16,and synaptic plasticity-associated proteins.Results The rats in the model group exhibited obvious aging phenotypes such as yellowing of the teeth and hair,body weight loss,and impaired learning and memory abilities,with decreased serum SOD and GSH-Px activities and increased serum MDA level.The rat models also showed obvious pathological changes,reduced Nissl bodies,and elevated p16 protein expression in the hippocampal CA1 region,with significantly decreased expression levels of BDNF,TrkB,CREB and synaptic plasticity proteins SYN,GAP43,and PSD95.Treatment with QXZG alleviated the aging phenotypes in the rat models,improved their learning and memory abilities and pathological changes in the hippocampal CA1 region,reduced oxidative stress and p16 protein expression,and promoted the expressions of the BDNF/TrkB pathway proteins and synaptic plasticity proteins.Conclusion QXZG enhances synaptic plasticity and reduces oxidative stress in aging rats possibly by upregulating the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway proteins,thereby delaying brain aging and improving learning and memory abilities of the rats.
7.Qixiong Zuogui Granules enhance synaptic plasticity in aging rats by regulating the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway.
Qingge WANG ; Xiaohui ZHAO ; Yuxuan HE ; Feixiang LIU ; Yunke ZHANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(8):1589-1598
OBJECTIVES:
To exple the mechanism of Qixiong Zuogui Granules (QXZG) for enhancing synaptic plasticity in aging rats.
METHODS:
Forty SD rats were randomized into control group, aging model group, donepezil treatment group, and QXZG treatment group (n=10). Except for the control rats, all the rats were subjected to daily intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose for 8 consecutive weeks to induce brain aging, and donepezil hydrochloride and QXZG suspension were administered by gavage during modeling. After the interventions, the rats were evaluated for general conditions, behavioral changes, oxidative stress indicators, hippocampal pathologies, and expressions of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) pathway, p16, and synaptic plasticity-associated proteins.
RESULTS:
The rats in the model group exhibited obvious aging phenotypes such as yellowing of the teeth and hair, body weight loss, and impaired learning and memory abilities, with decreased serum SOD and GSH-Px activities and increased serum MDA level. The rat models also showed obvious pathological changes, reduced Nissl bodies, and elevated p16 protein expression in the hippocampal CA1 region, with significantly decreased expression levels of BDNF, TrkB, CREB and synaptic plasticity proteins SYN, GAP43, and PSD95. Treatment with QXZG alleviated the aging phenotypes in the rat models, improved their learning and memory abilities and pathological changes in the hippocampal CA1 region, reduced oxidative stress and p16 protein expression, and promoted the expressions of the BDNF/TrkB pathway proteins and synaptic plasticity proteins.
CONCLUSIONS
QXZG enhances synaptic plasticity and reduces oxidative stress in aging rats possibly by upregulating the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway proteins, thereby delaying brain aging and improving learning and memory abilities of the rats.
Animals
;
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism*
;
Neuronal Plasticity/drug effects*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Receptor, trkB/metabolism*
;
Rats
;
Aging
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Male
;
Oxidative Stress
;
Hippocampus/metabolism*
8.Ginsenoside Rk3 alleviates retinal pigment epithelial cell senescence by enhancing autophagy via mTOR inhibition
Feixiang HE ; Xuemei LIU ; Qian TANG ; Ting LIU
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(19):2340-2350
Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of ginsenoside Rk3 in alleviating the senescence of retinal pigment epithelial(RPE)cells and in treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration(nAMD).Methods An ARPE-19 cell senescence model induced by hydrogen peroxide and an nAMD mouse model were subjected to validate the pharmacological activity of ginsenoside Rk3 in reducing RPE cell senescence and shrinking choroidal neovascularization(CNV)area.Transcriptome sequencing was performed to analyze the changes in differential gene expression profiles.Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of mTOR,S6K1,p-S6K1,4EBP1,p-4EBP1,p62,and LC3A/B.Molecular docking and dynamics simulations were conducted to analyze the binding affinity of ginsenoside Rk3 with mTOR protein.Results ① Cell experiments showed that ginsenoside Rk3 significantly alleviated the senescence in ARPE-19 cells(P<0.05).② Animal experiments confirmed that ginsenoside Rk3 significantly reduced the retinal CNV area in nAMD mice(P<0.01),and its efficacy was comparable to the first-line clinical drug aflibercept(P>0.05).③ Transcriptome sequencing suggested that ginsenoside Rk3 led to enrichment of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.Western blotting showed that ginsenoside Rk3 inhibited the overactivation of mTORC1 signaling(P<0.05)and simultaneously enhanced cellular autophagy(P<0.05).④ Molecular docking and dynamics simulations further validated that ginsenoside Rk3 probably targets mTOR to alleviate RPE cell senescence.Conclusion Ginsenoside Rk3 alleviates RPE cell senescence and reduces retinal CNV area in nAMD mice by enhancing autophagy through inhibition of mTOR.
9.The Association between Screen Time Behavior in Early Childhood,Outdoor Activities and their Interaction with Hyperactive Behavior in Preschool Children
Huiting CHEN ; Yulan WU ; Feixiang ZENG ; Dongyan WEN ; Weiying LIU ; Ruoqing CHEN ; Lvping LI ; Yu JIN
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(6):891-901
[Objective]To investigate the association between screen content and the frequency of screen exposure at the age of one and a half years and hyperactive behavior in preschool,and to explore how the association is affected by the interaction between outdoor activities and screen behaviors,which could provide theoretical basis and feasible solutions for the prevention and intervention of behavioral problems in childhoood.[Methods]The survey was conducted from June 2022 to June 2023 in Huicheng District,Huizhou (China) stratified by whole cluster sampling methods. Parents and teachers of 5648 children in 61 kindergartens were sampled for questionnaire surveys. The Conners Teacher Rating Scale (TRS) was used to investigate hyperactive behavior. A self-administered questionnaire was used to investigate basic demographic information of children,screen content,frequency of screen exposure and outdoor activities at the age of one and a half years. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the association between video screen behavior and hyperactive behavior and its interaction with outdoor activities by controlling for covariates such as children's age,gender,and parental education.[Results]Result showed the overall prevalence of 3.2% for hyperactive behavior,2.1% for conduct problems,2.1% for hyperactivity problems,1.3% for inattention-passivity problems,and 0.9% for hyperactivity index. After adjusting for confounding factors,multiple logistic regression analysis showed that screen exposure of "two to four times a week" at one and a half years old was associated with an increased detection rate of hyperactive behaviors in preschool children,with an estimated ORs (95% CI) of 1.682 (1.141,2.480). Daily screen exposure was associated with increased detection rates of hyperactive behavior,conduct problems,hyperactivity issues,inattention-passivity problems,and hyperactivity index in pre-school age. The estimated ORs (95% CI) were 2.136 (1.218,3.746),2.321 (1.185,4.546),2.300 (1.208,4.380),2.776 (1.267,6.085) and 3.640 (1.525,8.687),respectively. But the above associations were not found in children who were engaged in daily outdoor activities at the age of one and a half years (P value for interaction<0.001). No association was found between screen content and hyperactive behavior (P>0.05).[Conclusions]Frequency of screen exposure in early childhood is significantly associated with hyperactive behavior problems in preschool,and outdoor activities could weaken the correlation between high-frequency screen exposure and hyperactive behavior,suggesting that parents and schools should prioritize scientifically guiding children's video viewing behavior and outdoor activities,ensuring a well-arranged daily life,to lay a good foundation for the healthy development of children's behavior.
10.Modified Tongqiao Huoxuetang Down-regulates PI3K/Akt Pathway to Treat Basilar Artery Dolichoectasia
Feixiang LIU ; Daopei ZHANG ; Zhaoxin WU ; Huailiang ZHANG ; Yunke ZHANG ; Jinxin MIAO ; Zhenqiang ZHANG ; Ruiqin SUN ; Lixiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):87-94
ObjectiveTo establish a mouse model of basilar artery dolichoectasia (BAD) and explore the mechanism of modified Tongqiao Huoxuetang (JTQHX) in regulating BAD via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway. MethodSixty C57/BL6 female mice were randomized into sham operation (injected with 10 U·mL-1 inactivate elastase), model, atorvastatin calcium tablets (2.6 mg·kg·d-1), and low- and high-dose (crude drug 3.4, 17 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively) JTQHX groups. The mouse model of BAD was established by injection with 10 U·mL-1 elastase. After 14 days of modeling, the sham operation group and model group were administrated with equal volumes of pure water by gavage, and other groups with corresponding drugs for 2 months. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and calpain (LpA) in the serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Verhoeff 's Van Gieson (EVG) staining was employed to observe the pathological changes of blood vessels. Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) was employed to examine the apoptosis rate of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Image Pro Plus was used to observe and calculate the curvature index, elongation length, percentage increase in vessel diameter, and curvature angle of the basilar artery vessels in mice. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of PI3K and Akt in the vascular tissue. ResultCompared with the sham operation group, the model group showed lowered IL-6 level (P<0.01), no significant change in LpA level, increased apoptosis of VSMCs (P<0.01), and increased curvature index, elongation length, percentage increase in vessel diameter, and curvature angle (P<0.01). Furthermore, the modeling up-regulated the protein levels of PI3K and Akt in blood vessels (P<0.01) and aggravated the destruction of the inner elastic layer, atrophy of the muscular layer, and hyaline changes in the connective tissue of the medial membrane of the basilar artery wall. Compared with the model group, 2 months of treatment with JTQHX elevated the IL-6 level (P<0.01), reduced the apoptosis of VSMCs (P<0.01), decreased the curvature index, elongation length, percentage increase in vessel diameter, and curvature angle (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated the protein levels of PI3K and Akt in blood vessels (P<0.01). In addition, the treatment alleviated the destruction of the inner elastic layer, atrophy of the muscular layer, and hyaline changes in the connective tissue of the medial membrane of the basilar artery wall. ConclusionJTQHX inhibits the elongation, expansion, and curvature of basilar artery vessels and alleviates the pathological changes by reducing the apoptosis of VSMCs and down-regulating the expression of PI3K/Akt pathway.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail