ObjectiveTo explore the syndromes and mechanisms of depression induced by maternal separation （MS） combined with chronic restraint stress （RS） in mice. MethodOn postnatal day 0 （PD0）， the offspring mice were randomized into a blank group （NC） and a modeling group. The mouse model of depression was established by MS+RS for 21 days. After removal of female mice on PD21， the modeled mice were randomized into model， Wenyang， Jieyu， Wenyang Jieyu， and fluoxetine groups， with 15 mice in each group. The sucrose preference， tail suspension， and open field tests were carried out to evaluate the anxiety and depression-like behavior in mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the adrenocorticotrophic hormone （ACTH） and corticosterone （CORT） levels in mouse plasma. High performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detector was used to determine the content of monoamine neurotransmitters in the hippocampus. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to determine the mRNA levels of genes in the 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） system， hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal （HPA） axis， and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） signaling pathway in the hippocampus. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression levels of proteins in the 5-HT system and HPA axis in the hippocampus. The Simple Western system was used to determine the protein levels of BDNF and tyrosine kinase receptor B （TrkB） in the hippocampus. ResultCompared with the NC group， the model group exhibited depression-like behavior， which was significantly relieved by Wenyang Jieyu prescription and fluoxetine. Compared with the NC group， the model group showed elevated levels of CORT and ACTH in the plasma （P<0.01）， which， however， were lowered by Wenyang Jieyu prescription and fluoxetine （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the NC group， the model group showed inhibited expression of neurotransmitters in the hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while Wenyang Jieyu prescription and fluoxetine restored the expression of neurotransmitters （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with NC group， the model group showed inhibition of the 5-HTergic nerve and abnormal activation of the HPA axis， and Wenyang Jieyu prescription and fluoxetine regulated the abnormal state of the 5-HTergic nerve and HPA axis. Compared with NC group， the modeling down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）， which， however， were recovered in Wenyang， Jieyu， Wenyang Jieyu， and fluoxetine groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe mouse model of depression induced by MS+RS may present the syndrome of Yang deficiency and liver depression. Wenyang Jieyu prescription may increase the content of hippocampal neurotransmitters by regulating the 5-HT system and the BDNF signaling pathway mediated by the HPA axis， thereby alleviating depression-like behavior in mice.

ObjectiveTo predict the molecular mechanism of Erxian decoction and Wenshen prescription （modified Erxian decoction） in the treatment of depression based on network pharmacology and explore the feasibility of Wenshen prescription in the treatment of depression by comparing the efficacy and mechanism of the two decoctions based on a depression model induced by maternal separation combined with chronic restraint stress. MethodActive components and targets of Erxian decoction and Wenshen prescription were collected through Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine （BATMAN-TCM）. Targets related to depression were screened out from databases such as GeneCards， Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database （OMIM）， and DrugBank. Common targets of drugs and disease were obtained and imported to Cytoscape 3.8.2 to plot the drug-active component-target-disease network. STRING platform was used to construct a protein-protein interaction （PPI） network and core targets and related core components were screened out. Gene Ontology （GO） enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） functional enrichment analysis were performed on common targets through Metascape platform. The depression model was induced in mice by maternal separation combined with chronic restraint stress. From the 21st day of maternal separation （PD21） to the 111th day of restraint stress completion （PD111）， mice were fed with the diet mixed with Erxian decoction or Wenshen prescription for intervention. The depressive state of mice was evaluated according to the sucrose preference test， tail suspension test， open field test， and elevated O-maze test. The expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 （Iba1） in the microglia was observed by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. Western blot and Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to detect the expression levels of protein kinase B1（Akt1）， brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）， postsynaptic density-95 （PSD95）， and synaptophysin （Syn）. ResultA total of 126 and 118 targets of Erxian decoction and Wenshen prescription in the treatment of depression were screened out， with only eight more targets of Erxian decoction than Wenshen prescription. The two decoctions shared the same core targets， mainly including Akt1， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis predicted that Erxian decoction and Wenshen prescription mainly treated depression through the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase （PI3K）/Akt signaling pathway， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signaling pathway， and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway. Animal experiments showed that compared with the results in the model group， Erxian decoction and Wenshen prescription could up-regulate the sucrose preference index， prolong the time spent in the central zone， increase the number of crossings， prolong the time spent in opened arm， increase the number of crossings in the opened arm， elevate the expression levels of p-Akt1， BDNF， PSD95， and Syn （P<0.05， P<0.01）， shorten the immobility time of tail suspension， and reduce the expression level of Iba-1 in the hippocampal microglia （P<0.05， P<0.01）. No significant difference between the two decoctions was found. ConclusionUnder the pathogenesis and syndrome law of depression dominated by kidney yang deficiency， Wenshen prescription modified from Erxian decoction is feasible in the treatment of depression. The mechanism may be attributed to the fact that both decoctions can improve neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus by affecting Akt1， IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， and other core targets and regulating the PI3K/Akt， MAPK， and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction signaling pathways.

ObjectiveTo observe the behavioral and pain threshold alterations， as well as the changes in indexes related to depression and pain in the serum and central system in mice stressed by maternal separation and chronic neuropathic pain， and explore the underlying mechanism of Wenyang prescription （WY）， Jieyu prescription （JY）， and Wenyang Jieyu prescription （WYJY） in improving depression and pain sensitivity. MethodThe birth date of mice was recorded as PD0. After birth， the mice were divided into a blank group and an experimental group. The neonatal mice in the experimental group underwent maternal separation in PD5-14 at 8 h·d^-1. After ablactation， the mice were divided into a maternal separation group， a WY group （Erxian decoction， 5.84 g·kg^-1）， a JY group （Xiaoyaosan， 12.00 g·kg^-1）， a WYJY group （16.68 g·kg^-1）， and a fluoxetine group （2.60 mg·kg^-1）， with 15 mice in each group. Meanwhile， 15 male mice of the same age without maternal separation were assigned to the normal control group. Mice in the blank group and the maternal separation group were fed on a regular chow diet in PD21-PD90， while the remaining groups were fed on the corresponding drugs. In PD91， sciatic nerve ligation was performed to induce a model of maternal separation and chronic neuropathic pain. The open field test was used to observe the depression-like behaviors of mice in each group， and the mechanical and temperature pain thresholds were measured to detect the pain sensitivity of mice in each group. The serum levels of corticosterone （CORT）， substance P， and β-endorphin （β-EP） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the expression of the glucocorticoid receptor （GR） in the amygdala and β-EP protein in the hypothalamus was detected by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression levels of amygdala GR gene （Nr3c1）， FK506 binding protein 5 gene （FKBP5）， metabolic glutamate receptor 5 gene （GRM5）， and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）. ResultCompared with the blank group， the maternal separation group showed reduced stay time and total distance traveled in the 5-min open field test （P<0.01）， reduced mechanical pain threshold （P<0.01）， increased serum CORT and β-EP （P<0.01）， declining FKBP5 mRNA expression （P<0.01）， and increased hypothalamic β-EP expression （P<0.05）. Compared with the maternal separation group， the groups with drug intervention showed prolonged stay time （P<0.05， P<0.01） and up-regulated pain thresholds to different degrees. The total distance traveled in the 5-min open field test increased in the WY group， the WYJY group， and the fluoxetine group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The JY group showed decreased serum CORT （P<0.01）， reduced β-EP ， and increased BDNF mRNA （P<0.01）. Nr3c1 and GRM5 mRNA decreased in the WY group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The WYJY group showed decreased serum CORT （P<0.05）and decreased Nr3c1， GRM5， and BDNF mRNA （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of β-EP expression were elevated to different degrees in the groups with drug intervention， but the differences were not significant. The levels of GR expression in the WY group， the JY group， and the WYJY group increased （P<0.05）. ConclusionWYJY can inhibit central pain sensitization and regulate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal gland （HPA） axis function by enhancing the expression of GR in the amygdala and inhibiting neuroplasticity and excitability in the amygdala to relieve depression-like behaviors and improve somatic hyperalgesia.

ObjectiveTo predict the potential molecular mechanism of Erxian decoction in the treatment of anxiety disorder based on network pharmacology， and to verify the efficacy and mechanism using the animal model of maternal separation combined with restraint stress. MethodActive components and related targets of Erxian decoction were obtained by traditional Chinese medicine system pharmacology database and analysis platform （TCMSP） and SwissTargetPrediction. The targets related to anxiety disorder were screened out through GeneCards， therapeutic target database （TTD）， online mendelian inheritance in man database （OMIM）， and DrugBank， and the drug-disease intersection targets were obtained by taking intersections with the drug targets. The protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed by the STRING database， and the core targets were screened out based on topological parameter analysis. Gene Ontology （GO） enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis were carried out for the intersection targets through the Metascape platform. Maternal separation combined with restraint stress was used to induce the mouse model of anxiety disorder. From the end of lactation on the 21st postnatal day （PD21） to the completion of restraint stress on the 97^th postnatal day （PD97）， the mice were fed with Erxian decoction mixed with diet. The anxiety state of mice was evaluated by open field test and elevated O-maze test. The content of plasma corticosterone （CORT） in mice was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expression levels of protein kinase B （Akt1）， mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）， postsynaptic density-95 （PSD95）， and synaptophysin in the hippocampus of mice were detected by Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultNinty-seven active components and 227 action targets of Erxian decoction were obtained. There were 3 863 targets related to anxiety disorder， with 161 drug-disease intersection targets. Among these intersection targets， core targets such as Akt1， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， and mTOR were presumedly closely related to anxiety disorder. The results of KEGG pathway analysis showed that Erxian decoction mainly treated anxiety disorder through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/Akt， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction signaling pathways. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the model group， the Erxian decoction group significantly increased the time of mice spent in the central zone and central crossing times and time spent in the opened arm and opened arm crossing times， with significantly increased expression levels of p-Akt1， p-mTOR， BDNF， PSD95， and synaptophysin （Syp）. ConclusionErxian decoction has the multi-target and multi-pathway characteristics in the treatment of anxiety disorder， and its mechanism may be related to the improvement of synaptic plasticity and neuroinflammation by affecting Akt1， IL-1β， IL-6， TNF， mTOR， and other core targets and modulating PI3K/Akt， MAPK， as well as neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction signal pathways.

The circadian rhythm of mammals is a physiological phenomena that is about 24 hours produced by genetically encoded molecular clocks, making the physiological process of the body coordinated with the changes of the external environment, and it is a manifestation of adaptation to the environment. In mammals, reproductive physiology is regulated by the circadian clock. The expression of circadian clock genes has been observed in each tissue of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, and the biological clock at all levels coordinates and synchronizes with each other to maintain normal reproductive behavior. The production, maintenance, and regulation of circadian rhythms depend on a chain of transcription-translation feedback loops (TTLs), which determine the cycle and amplitude of gene expression in each tissue of the HPO axis. The circadian clock of the ovary is regulated by theneuroendocrine regulation of suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus, but it is autonomous. Circadian rhythm disruption caused by environmental factors can seriously impair female fertility and lead to a range of related ovarian diseases. In addition, the circadian clock is also closely related to ovarianaging. Based on existing research, this paper focuses on the mechanism of the circadian clock in ovarian follicular development, ovulation and steroid generation, as well as the latest research progress on the relationship between the circadian clock and ovarian aging. In addition, several common ovarian diseases with decreased fertility due to circadian clock disorders are described.

Objective:To observe the activation of microglia and the expression of inflammatory factors in hippocampus of mice with depression-like behavior after mother-infant separation （MS） combined with lipopolysaccharide （LPS） stress， and to explore the possible anti-depression mechanisms of Wenyang （WY）， Jieyu （JY）， and Wenyang Jieyu （WYJY） prescriptions from the perspective of warming Yang and relieving depression. Method:Seventy offspring mice were randomly divided into a normal group （n=10）， a LPS stress group （n=10）， and a modeling group （n=50）. After undergoing 8 h·d^-1 mother-infant separation during postnatal day 5 （PD₅）–PD₁₄， mice in the modeling group were further divided into the MS + LPS group， WY group， JY group， WYJY group， and fluoxetine （FLU） group， with 10 in each group. The birth date of the offspring mice was recorded as PD₀. The mice in the normal， LPS， and MS + LPS groups were fed a normal diet during PD₂₁–PD₉₀， while those in the other groups were treated with the mixtures of corresponding drugs and feed， followed by seven-day intraperitoneal injection of LPS since PD₉₁ for inducing depression. The depression-like behavior of mice in each group was detected in the open-field， O-maze， and social interaction tests. The protein expression of microglia-specific ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 （Iba-1） in the hippocampus was assayed by immunohistochemistry， and the mRNA expression of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， Iba-1， and glucocorticoid receptor （GR） by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR （Real-time PCR）. Result:Compared with the normal group， the LPS group exhibited significantly reduced residence time at the central area within 5 min （P<0.01） and shortened total exercise distance （P<0.01）. In the MS + LPS group， the open-arm activity time and the total activity distance decreased significantly （P<0.01， P<0.05）， whereas the training， discrimination and exploration time increased significantly （P<0.01）. The expression of Iba-1 in hippocampal CA1 region of mice in the LPS and MS + LPS groups was remarkably elevated （P<0.01）. Compared with the LPS group， the MS + LPS group displayed significantly prolonged distance of 5-min exercise （P<0.05）， increased training， discrimination and exploration time （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and up-regulated Iba-1 expression in hippocampal CA1 area （P<0.01）. As revealed by comparison with the MS + LPS group， both the total 5-min exercise distance （P<0.01） and the training and discrimination time （P<0.01， P<0.05） of mice in each administration group was significantly shortened. The discrimination and exploration time of mice in the JY， WYJY， and FLU groups was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the expression of Iba-1 in hippocampal CA1 region of mice in each administration group was significantly down-regulated （P<0.01）. Conclusion:The warming Yang and relieving depression method helps to inhibit the occurrence and development of depression due to its efficacy in activating microglia in hippocampus of depression mice and lowering the expression of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α.

Objective:To observe the activation of microglia in hippocampus of depressed and anxious mice induced by maternal separation with acute restraint stress and the expression of interleukin-1β（IL-1β），interleukin-6（IL-6），tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）， investigating the mechanism of Wenyang Jieyu prescription in treating anxiety and depression. Method:Eighty four male C57BL offspring were randomly divided into control group， acute restraint stress group and model group on postnatal day 0（PD0）. Maternal separation combined with acute restraint stress was used to prepare anxious and depressed model mice， dividing the model mice into model group， Wenyang， Jieyu， Wenyang Jieyu and fluoxetine group according to random number table method. During the period of PD21-PD90， the control， acute restraint stress and model mice were fed with normal diet， with the other groups fed with corresponding medicine mixed diet. The Wenyang， Jieyu and Wenyang Jieyu groups were given 5.85， 12.03 and 16.71 g·kg^-1·d^-1 respectively. The fluoxetine group was given 2.60 mg·kg^-1·d^-1. Open field， zero maze test and social interaction tests were used to evaluate the anxiety and depression of model mice. The expression of Iba-1 in hippocampal microglia was detected by immunohistochemistry（IHC）. The mRNA expression of IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， Iba-1 and glucocorticoid receptor（GR）were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. Result:Compared with the control group， total movement distance and time spent in central zone in 5 min of the model mice significantly decreased（P<0.01）， time spent in opened arm and total movement distance decreased significantly（P<0.05，P<0.01）， investigation time during testing and training increased significantly（P<0.01）. The expression of Iba-1 protein and mRNA，IL-1β，IL-6，TNF-α mRNA significantly increased（P<0.01）， the expression levels of GR mRNA significantly decreased（P<0.01）. The result of IHC staining showed that microglia were over activated. Compared with the model group， total movement distance and time spent in central zone in 5 min of mice in the Wenyang Jieyu and fluoxetine group significantly increased（P<0.05，P<0.01）.Time spent in opened arm significantly increased（P<0.01）. Investigation time during testing and training significantly decreased（P<0.05，P<0.01）. The expression of Iba-1 protein and mRNA，IL-1β，IL-6，TNF-α mRNA significantly decreased（P<0.05，P<0.01）. The expression of GR mRNA increased significantly（P<0.05，P<0.01）. IHC staining showed the microglia recovered. Time spent in opened arm of mice in the Wenyang group and Jieyu group significantly increased （P<0.01）， time spent investigating during testing decreased significantly （P<0.05）， the expression levels of Iba-1 protein and mRNA，IL-6 mRNA significantly decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The expression of GR mRNA of mice in the Wenyang group significantly increased （P<0.05）， the expression of TNF-α mRNA significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Total movement distance of mice in the Jieyu group increased significantly （P<0.01）， time spent investigating during training decreased significantly （P<0.05），the expression level of IL-1β mRNA significantly decreased （P<0.05）. IHC staining showed that microglia recovered partly in both groups. Conclusion:The comprehensive curative effect and pharmacological action of Wenyang Jieyu prescription were better than Wenyang prescription and Jieyu prescription. Wenyang Jieyu prescription can treat anxiety and depression in maternal separation and acute restraint stress mice， its possible mechanism may be related to the decreased activation of microglia， down-regulation of IL-1β，IL-6，TNF-α expression and up-regulation of GR expression.

Besides UCP1-dependent thermogenesis pathways, UCP1-independent thermogenesis pathways also could increase heat production in adipose tissue to combat obesity. N-Acyl amino acids (NAAs) have been suggested as novel endogenous uncouplers to induce mitochondria UCP1-independent thermogenesis in adipose tissue. Here, we use mouse skeletal muscle C2C12 cells which lack of UCP1 as UCP1 negative cell models. Comparing with its corresponding common fatty acid—oleate, one of the NAAs—N-Oleoylglycine (NOGly), which is highly expressed in the plasma of HFD mice, is selected to study their effects and mechanisms on mitochondrial thermogenesis. We found that 60 μmol / L oleate could induce mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation protein levels, as well as increase mitochondria thermogenesis-related genes (COX8b, DIO2, UCP3) expression (P < 0. 05) . However, 60 μmol / L NOGly damaged the production and oxidative phosphorylation of mitochondria, significantly down-regulated expression of thermogenic genes (PGC1a, COX8b, COX2, DIO2, UQCRFS1and UCP3) (P< 0. 01), induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mitochondria, and enhanced the oxidative stress in cells. Our study found that oleate can induce UCP1-independent thermogenesis under 60 μmol / L addition dose, whereas NOGly does not due to the induction of oxidative stress in cells.

Oocytes are the germ cells of female animals, which determine the reproductive ability of female animals. A large amount of lipids are present in oocytes, which are found in lipid droplets mostly in the form of triglycerides. The size, color and distribution pattern of lipid droplets are associated with the developmental ability of oocytes. Triglycerides could be lipolyzed into fatty acids in oocytes. The fatty acid β-oxidation is an important energy source for the development of oocytes and early embryos. However, excessive lipid deposition would increase levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in the dysfunction of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, eventually impairing the subsequent oocyte development. By summarizing the positive and negative effects of lipids on oocyte development, this review shows the dual roles of lipids in oocyte development, and discusses the effects of lipids on oocyte development.

Objective:To analyze the viral nucleic acid and cytokines in 12 children with 2019-nCoV infection.Methods:Clinical and laboratory data of the children diagnosed with 2019-nCoV infection in Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center from January to April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Throat and anal swabs were collected on alternate days for the detection of 2019-nCoV nucleic acid by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Flow cytometry was used to detect serum cytokines including IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, TNF-α and TNF-β during the early (both throat and anal swab tests were positive), the intermediate (throat swab test was negative, while anal swab test remained positive), and the convalescence (both throat and anal swab tests were negative) stages of infection.Results:A total of 12 children were enrolled in this study. The male-to-female ratio was 5∶1. The average age was (7.0±4.3) years. There were two asymptomatic, five mild and five common cases. No severe or critical cases were involved. Initially, throat and anal swab nucleic acid tests were simultaneously positive in nine children newly diagnosed in our hospital and the median time of viral shedding in throat swab was longer than that in throat swab [32 (4.5, 45.0) d vs 3 (2, 9) d, Z=11.0, P=0.010]. The median difference of viral shedding time between anal swab and pharyngeal swab was 25.5 (1.5, 42.8) d. The overall levels of serum cytokines IL-17A, IL -4 and IL-5 in different stages of the disease (early, intermediate and convalescence stage) were statistically different ( Z or F, P values were 8.33, 0.016; 5.36, 0.010 and 6.56, 0.004, respectively), and a significant increase was observed in the intermediate stage of infection. IL-17F, IL-2 and IL-22 were all increased during the infection, but there was no significant statistical difference among the three stages ( P>0.05). Conclusions:It was noted that intestinal viral shedding needed a longer time. Although the infectivity has not been determined, higher requirements have been put forward for disease prevention and control. Cytokines secreted by Th2 and Th17 cells were involved in the immune response in children with non-severe 2019-nCoV infection. Monitoring viral shedding and cytokine changes in pediatric patients would be conducive to disease assessment.