1.Molecular Mechanism of Programmed Cell Death in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Xin PENG ; Yunhui LI ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Haotian XU ; Ziming DANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):304-313
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant threat to global health, exhibiting high morbidity, disability and mortality rate, with its prevention and treatment situation becoming increasingly critical. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex, and the underlying cellular and molecular biological mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Programmed cell death (PCD) is the process wherein cells actively undergo demise to maintain internal environmental stability in response to certain signals or specific stimuli. Contemporary medical research indicates that the dysregulation of PCD patterns such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis is closely related to the onset and progression of COPD. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of PCD in COPD may provide novel perspectives for in-depth understanding and prevention of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by holistic regulation. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted in the TCM field focusing on modulating apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis for the treatment of COPD, yielding remarkable achievements. Therefore, this study systematically explored the molecular mechanism of PCD in COPD and reviewed the potential mechanisms and intervention status of TCM targeting PCD in COPD, aiming to provide insights and references for the clinical prevention, treatment and in-depth research of COPD.
2.Molecular Mechanism of Programmed Cell Death in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Xin PENG ; Yunhui LI ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Haotian XU ; Ziming DANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):304-313
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant threat to global health, exhibiting high morbidity, disability and mortality rate, with its prevention and treatment situation becoming increasingly critical. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex, and the underlying cellular and molecular biological mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Programmed cell death (PCD) is the process wherein cells actively undergo demise to maintain internal environmental stability in response to certain signals or specific stimuli. Contemporary medical research indicates that the dysregulation of PCD patterns such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis is closely related to the onset and progression of COPD. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of PCD in COPD may provide novel perspectives for in-depth understanding and prevention of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by holistic regulation. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted in the TCM field focusing on modulating apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis for the treatment of COPD, yielding remarkable achievements. Therefore, this study systematically explored the molecular mechanism of PCD in COPD and reviewed the potential mechanisms and intervention status of TCM targeting PCD in COPD, aiming to provide insights and references for the clinical prevention, treatment and in-depth research of COPD.
3.Immunity-inflammation Mechanism of Viral Pneumonia and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment Based on Theory of Healthy Qi and Pathogenic Qi
Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Xin PENG ; Yihao ZHANG ; Yunhui LI ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):239-247
Viral pneumonia is an infectious disease caused by virus invading the lung parenchyma and interstitial tissue and causing lung inflammation, with the incidence rising year by year. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can treat viral pneumonia in a multi-component, multi-target, and holistic manner by targeting the core pathogenesis of pneumonia caused by different respiratory viruses, demonstrating minimal side effects and significant advantages. According to the theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi in TCM, the struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi and the imbalance between immunity and inflammation run through the entire process of viral pneumonia, and the immunity-inflammation status at different stages of the disease reflects different relationships between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi. Immune dysfunction leads to the deficiency of healthy Qi, causing viral infections. The struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi causes immunity-inflammation imbalance, leading to the onset of viral pneumonia. Inflammatory damage causes persistent accumulation of phlegm and stasis, leading to the progression of viral pneumonia. The cytokine storm causes immunodepletion, leading to the excess of pathogenic Qi and diminution of healthy Qi and the deterioration of viral pneumonia. After the recovery from viral pneumonia, there is a long-term imbalance between immunity and micro-inflammation, which results in healthy Qi deficiency and pathogenic Qi lingering. Healthy Qi deficiency and pathogenic Qi excess act as common core causes of pneumonia caused by different respiratory viruses. Clinical treatment should emphasize both replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi, helping to restore the balance between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi as well as between immunity and inflammation, thus promoting the recovery of patients from viral pneumonia. According to the TCM theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi, this article summarizes the immunity-inflammation mechanisms at different stages of viral pneumonia, and explores the application of the method of replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi in viral pneumonia. The aim is to probe into the scientific connotation of the TCM theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi in viral pneumonia and provide ideas for the clinical application of the method of replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi to assist in the treatment of viral pneumonia.
4.Thoughts of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment and Effect Mechanism of Haoqin Qingdantang in Treating Viral Pneumonia Based on Theory of Treating Different Diseases with Same Therapy
Xin PENG ; Haotian XU ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Yihao ZHANG ; Kun YANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):209-217
The principle of treating different diseases with the same therapy is the essence of syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It means that when the same pathogenic changes or the same symptoms appear in the development of different diseases, the same principles or methods can be used for treatment. Due to the complexity and high variability of viral pathogenicity, the precise and effective treatment of different types of viral pneumonia (VP) has always been a research focus and difficulty in modern medicine. VP belongs to the category of external-contraction febrile disease, warm disease, and epidemic in TCM. Haoqin Qingdantang (HQQDD) is a representative formula for clearing heat and dispelling dampness in warm diseases, and its intervention in VP caused by various viral infections has significant effects. This study, guided by the theory of treating different diseases with the same therapy, links the related studies on using HQQDD to treat different types of VP and finds that influenza virus pneumonia (IVP), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and COVID-19 all have a common pathogenic mechanism of dampness-heat at different stages of respective diseases. When these diseases are dominated by damp-heat factors, the use of HQQDD yields remarkable therapeutic effects. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that HQQDD can inhibit virus replication, reduce fever reactions, inhibit the expression of inflammatory mediators, and regulate immune balance. Moreover, the sovereign medicine in this formula has excellent antiviral activity, and the formula reflects rich scientific connotations of treating VP. According to the theory of treating different diseases with the same therapy and based on the effective treatment practice and modern pharmacological research of HQQDD for different types of VP, this paper mines the underlying TCM theory of treatment with the same therapy, explores the syndrome differentiation and treatment strategy and effect mechanism of this formula for different types of VP, and analyzes the treatment mechanism and characteristics, with the aim of providing evidence and reference for the clinical application and modern research of HQQDD.
5.Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Regulating Immune Inflammation and Microvascular Damage in Preventing Recurrence of Pneumonia During Recovery Based on Combination of Pathogenic Factors
Xin PENG ; Haotian XU ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Kun YANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):249-258
Pneumonia is an infectious disease with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its damage to the body is not limited to the acute phase. The theory of combination of pathogenic factors emphasizes that the combination of new pathogens and residual pathogens in the body leads to the occurrence of diseases, which generalizes the causes of recurrence during pneumonia recovery. During the recovery stage of pneumonia, pathological changes such as disturbance of immune homeostasis, persistent low-grade inflammation, and microvascular damage continue to affect the body function, impair the health and quality of life of patients, and increase the risk of secondary infection. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), pneumonia is caused by deficiency, and Qi deficiency and blood stasis is the core pathogenesis in the recovery stage. At this time, the body is not full of healthy qi and still has residual pathogens, and thus it is susceptible to external pathogenic factors that lead to disease recurrence. As an important part of the TCM philosophy of treating disease before its onset, prevention of recurrence after recovery emphasizes the need for aftercare in the recovery stage to prevent disease recurrence. Based on the pathogenesis theory of combination of pathogenic factors and the pathogenesis of Qi deficiency and blood stasis, this paper discusses the effect and connotation of TCM in regulating immune inflammation and microvascular damage in preventing recurrence of pneumonia during the recovery stage, aiming to develop new ideas for effective prevention and treatment of pneumonia at this stage.
6.Application of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of severe immune-mediated thrombocytopenia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children.
Bo ZHANG ; Zuo LUAN ; Xiang-Feng TANG ; Nan-Hai WU
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(9):1128-1133
This report describes two cases of severe immune-mediated thrombocytopenia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) who were treated with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs). Case 1 was a child with severe aplastic anemia who underwent haploidentical bone marrow and peripheral blood HSCT, with a chimerism rate of 99.8% on day +25 and severe immune-mediated thrombocytopenia on day +60. After intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) pulse therapy, platelet count increased temporarily but then decreased, while cyclosporine, methylprednisolone, and rituximab had a poor therapeutic effect. Case 2 was a child with Gaucher's disease who underwent unrelated umbilical cord blood HSCT, with a chimerism rate of 96.35% on day +41 and severe immune-mediated thrombocytopenia on day +153. After three sessions of IVIG pulse therapy, the platelet count increased initially but subsequently decreased. Therapies with dexamethasone, prednisone, cyclosporine, and recombinant human thrombopoietin also yielded a poor response. Both children received three sessions of UC-MSCs infusion, and platelet counts increased and were subsequently maintained within the normal range. Case 1 has been followed up for 10 years and remains in disease-free survival. UC-MSCs infusion may be effective for severe immune-mediated thrombocytopenia that is unresponsive to first- and second-line therapies after HSCT and could potentially improve the quality of life and disease-free survival rate.
Child
;
Humans
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects*
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
;
Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/etiology*
;
Thrombocytopenia/therapy*
;
Transplantation, Homologous
;
Umbilical Cord/cytology*
7.High serum cystatin C is an independent risk factor for poor renal prognosis in IgA nephropathy.
Tianwei TANG ; Luan LI ; Yuanhan CHEN ; Li ZHANG ; Lixia XU ; Zhilian LI ; Zhonglin FENG ; Huilin ZHANG ; Ruifang HUA ; Zhiming YE ; Xinling LIANG ; Ruizhao LI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(2):379-386
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the value of serum cystatin C (CysC) levels in evaluating renal prognosis in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients.
METHODS:
We retrospectively collected the clinical data of IgAN patients diagnosed by renal biopsy at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from January, 2014 to December, 2018. Based on baseline serum CysC levels, the patients were divided into high serum CysC (>1.03 mg/L) group and normal serum CysC (≤1.03 mg/L) group. The composite endpoint for poor renal prognosis was defined as ≥50% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and/or progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Lasso regression, multivariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used to identify the risk factors and compare renal survival rates between the two groups. Smooth curves fitting and threshold effect analysis were used to explore the relationship between serum CysC levels and the outcomes. A nomogram model was constructed and its predictive performance was evaluated using concordance index, calibration curve, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under curve (AUC).
RESULTS:
A total of 356 IgAN patients were enrolled, who were followed up for 4.65±0.93 years. The composite endpoint occurred in 74 patients. High serum CysC was identified as an independent risk factor for poor renal prognosis in IgAN (HR=2.142, 95% CI 1.222 to 3.755), and the patients with high serum CysC levels had a lower renal survival rate (Log-rank χ2=47.970, P<0.001). In patients with serum CysC below 2.12 mg/L, a higher CysC level was associated with an increased risk of poor renal prognosis (β=3.487, 95% CI: 2.561-4.413, P<0.001), while above this level, the increase of the risk was not significant (β=0.676, 95% CI: -0.642-1.995, P=0.315). The nomogram model based on serum CysC and 3 other independent risk factors demonstrated good internal validity with a concordance index of 0.873 (95% CI: 0.839-0.907) and an AUC of 0.909 (95% CI: 0.873-0.945).
CONCLUSIONS
Serum CysC levels are associated with renal prognosis in IgAN patients, and high serum CysC an independent risk factor for poor renal prognosis.
Humans
;
Glomerulonephritis, IGA/diagnosis*
;
Cystatin C/blood*
;
Prognosis
;
Risk Factors
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Glomerular Filtration Rate
;
Kidney Failure, Chronic
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Nomograms
;
Middle Aged
8.Role of Supplementing Qi and Activating Blood in Preventing Relapse After Recovery of Community-acquired Pneumonia with Syndrome of Lung Deficiency and Collateral Stasis
Hanxiao WANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(14):232-239
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a respiratory infection which takes a long time to fully recover after clinical symptoms are alleviated in the short term. It affects the physical health and quality of life of the patients in the long term and can occur repeatedly, which is related to inflammation, immunity, and the coagulation function. Lung Qi deficiency and collateral stasis are the key pathogenesis of CAP at the recovery stage. The development of CAP is accompanied by the decreased production and the increased consumption of Qi, which results in lung Qi deficiency. At the same time, heat pathogen forces the blood to move improperly, which depletes Qi and damages fluid, resulting in lung collateral stasis. Lung Qi deficiency and collateral stasis are causal and influence each other. The patients at the recovery stage of CAP generally present deficient lung Qi and healthy Qi, impaired immune function, and weakened defense function. However, pathogenic Qi, coagulation function changes, and thrombosis exist, and some coagulation factors are associated with the prognosis of CAP. The Chinese medicines for tonifying lung and supplementing Qi can help replenish healthy Qi, consolidate the body foundation, and regulate the inflammation. The Chinese medicines for activating blood and resolving stasis can dredge the lung collaterals, clear the pathogenic Qi, improve the microvascular circulation, and inhibit the inflammatory response. The Chinese medicines for supplementing Qi and activating blood can replenish healthy Qi and dispel pathogen to regulate immunity, inhibit inflammation, and alleviate the clinical symptoms, thus promoting the recovery from pneumonia. From lung Qi deficiency and collateral stasis, this paper summarizes the application and explains the scientific connotation of supplementing Qi and activating blood in preventing relapse after recovery of CAP, providing ideas for using this method to assist in preventing relapse after recovery of CAP.
9.GC-MS Analysis of Total Volatile Oil from Branches and Leaves of Four Rhododendron Species Under Supercritical CO2 Extraction
Dan FENG ; Zhenjie LUAN ; Ruolan LONG ; Peipei LI ; Xi LUO ; Jing SUN
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(13):1742-1749
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the components of volatile oil in branches and leaves of Rhododendron anthopogonoides, Rhododendron capitatum, Rhododendron thymifolium and Rhododendron przewalskii.
METHODS
The total volatile oil in leaves and branches of these plants were obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction. After that, the chemical composition of the total volatile oil was analyzed and identified by GC-MS, and the contents of different parts and varieties were compared.
RESULTS
The results showed that the highest oil yield of leaves was Rhododendron thymifolium(6.97%), and the highest oil yield of branches was Rhododendron anthopogonoides(20.53%). Thirty-five, eighty, fifty-eight and forty compounds were detected in the branch oil of Rhododendron anthopogonoides, Rhododendron capitatum, Rhododendron thymifolium and Rhododendron przewalskii respectively, among which Rhododendron capitatum was rich in compounds. Forty-eight, fifty-seven, sixty-two and fifty compounds were detected in the leaf oil, among which the compounds of Rhododendron anthopogonoides were the richest. Among the detected components, squalene(34.92%, 26.90%) was the highest content in the branches and leaves of Rhododendron anthopogonoides. 1-Eicosanol(26.79%) was the highest content in the branch oil of Rhododendron capitatum, and octadecyl acetate(42.32%) was the highest content in the leaf oil. The highest content of bisabola-3,10-diene-2-one(34.66%, 28.20%) was found in the branches and leaves of Rhododendron thymifolium, and 15-oxoETE(38.20%, 40.40%) was the highest content in the branches and leaves of Rhododendron przewalskii. The results showed that the contents of oil in branches and leaves of Rhododendron capitatum were quite different in different parts. In the comparison of different varieties, the compounds with the highest content of four rhododendrons were all different.
CONCLUSION
According to the difference of the content of active components of different rhododendrons and parts, the appropriate species and parts for purposeful development and utilization should be selected. The research results can provide scientific basis for rational development and utilization of Rhododendron resources.
10.Therapeutic effects of enalapril maleate on doxorubicin-induced heart failure in rats
Shu-Yan HUANG ; Yu-Ling LUAN ; Ying ZHANG ; Jun-Feng QIAN ; Zong-Jun LIU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(4):569-573
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanism of enalapril maleate tablet on doxorubicin-induced heart failure rats based on mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway.Methods Eleven of the 40 male SD rats were randomly selected as the normal group(equivalent to 0.9%NaCl),and the remaining 29 were prepared with intraperitoneal injection of 3 mg·kg-1·w-1 doxorubicin to prepare heart failure model.After successful modeling,they were randomly divided into model group(n=15 cases)and experimental group(n=14 cases).Experimental group was given 1.8 mg·kg-1·d-1 enalapril maleate suspension for gavage;normal and model groups were given the same amount of 0.9%NaCl by gavage.After 8 weeks,the rats were subjected to cardiac ultrasound,the left ventricular ejection fractions(LVEF)of each group were recorded,the serum myocardial injury index level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and the expression levels of mRNA and protein related to the MAPK signaling pathway were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.Results The LVEF values of control,model and experimental groups were(77.85±3.34%)%,(41.39±2.87%)%and(60.10±6.53%)%;serum brain natriuretic peptide contents were(219.30±10.59),(333.90±61.19)and(260.00±16.10)pg·mL-1;the relative expression levels of Mapk8ip2 were 1.00±0.01,2.60±0.12 and 2.00±0.08;the relative expression levels of Mapk8ip3 were 1.00±0.00,6.77±1.04 and 3.66±0.54;the relative expression levels of Mapk1 were 1.00±0.00,4.40±0.14 and 2.71±0.24;the relative expression levels of Mapk3 were 1.00±0.01,7.83±0.34 and 2.71±0.24;the relative expression levels of P38-MAPK were 1.00±0.05,1.14±0.02 and 1.02±0.03;the relative expression levels of extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 protein were 1.00±0.07,1.49±0.03 and 1.16±0.10;the relative expression levels of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 protein were 1.00±0.03,1.65±0.19 and 1.14±0.01,respectively.Compared with the model group,the differences of above indexes in the normal and experimental groups were statistically significant(all P<0.01).Conclusion Enalapril maleate tablets have therapeutic effects on rats with heart failure,and the mechanism may be achieved by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway.


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