1.Research and Application of Scalp Surface Laplacian Technique
Rui-Xin LUO ; Si-Ying GUO ; Xin-Yi LI ; Yu-He ZHAO ; Chun-Hou ZHENG ; Min-Peng XU ; Dong MING
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):425-438
Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a non-invasive, high temporal-resolution technique for monitoring brain activity. However, affected by the volume conduction effect, EEG has a low spatial resolution and is difficult to locate brain neuronal activity precisely. The surface Laplacian (SL) technique obtains the Laplacian EEG (LEEG) by estimating the second-order spatial derivative of the scalp potential. LEEG can reflect the radial current activity under the scalp, with positive values indicating current flow from the brain to the scalp (“source”) and negative values indicating current flow from the scalp to the brain (“sink”). It attenuates signals from volume conduction, effectively improving the spatial resolution of EEG, and is expected to contribute to breakthroughs in neural engineering. This paper provides a systematic overview of the principles and development of SL technology. Currently, there are two implementation paths for SL technology: current source density algorithms (CSD) and concentric ring electrodes (CRE). CSD performs the Laplace transform of the EEG signals acquired by conventional disc electrodes to indirectly estimate the LEEG. It can be mainly classified into local methods, global methods, and realistic Laplacian methods. The global method is the most commonly used approach in CSD, which can achieve more accurate estimation compared with the local method, and it does not require additional imaging equipment compared with the realistic Laplacian method. CRE employs new concentric ring electrodes instead of the traditional disc electrodes, and measures the LEEG directly by differential acquisition of the multi-ring signals. Depending on the structure, it can be divided into bipolar CRE, quasi-bipolar CRE, tripolar CRE, and multi-pole CRE. The tripolar CRE is widely used due to its optimal detection performance. While ensuring the quality of signal acquisition, the complexity of its preamplifier is relatively acceptable. Here, this paper introduces the study of the SL technique in resting rhythms, visual-related potentials, movement-related potentials, and sensorimotor rhythms. These studies demonstrate that SL technology can improve signal quality and enhance signal characteristics, confirming its potential applications in neuroscientific research, disease diagnosis, visual pathway detection, and brain-computer interfaces. CSD is frequently utilized in applications such as neuroscientific research and disease detection, where high-precision estimation of LEEG is required. And CRE tends to be used in brain-computer interfaces, that have stringent requirements for real-time data processing. Finally, this paper summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of SL technology and envisages its future development. SL technology boasts advantages such as reference independence, high spatial resolution, high temporal resolution, enhanced source connectivity analysis, and noise suppression. However, it also has shortcomings that can be further improved. Theoretically, simulation experiments should be conducted to investigate the theoretical characteristics of SL technology. For CSD methods, the algorithm needs to be optimized to improve the precision of LEEG estimation, reduce dependence on the number of channels, and decrease computational complexity and time consumption. For CRE methods, the electrodes need to be designed with appropriate structures and sizes, and the low-noise, high common-mode rejection ratio preamplifier should be developed. We hope that this paper can promote the in-depth research and wide application of SL technology.
2.Optimization and Mechanism Exploration of Tusizi Prescription for Ovarian Reserve Function Based on Uniform Design Method
Yuan LI ; Hanqian DU ; Jiashan LI ; Li GUO ; Zehui LI ; Na LIN ; Ying XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):53-62
ObjectiveTo optimize Tusizi prescription for ovarian reserve function based on the uniform design method combined with in vitro experiments and explore the underlying mechanisms of this prescription. MethodsThe uniform design method was adopted to design a 5-factor 11-level experiment on the water extract of Tusizi prescription. The cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was employed to measure the viability of human ovarian granulosa cells (KGN cells) treated with Tusizi prescription extracts 1-11, and multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the optimal herb ratio in this prescription. The potential targets of active ingredients in the prescription were retrieved from traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) and encyclopedia of traditional Chinese medicine (ETCM). The common targets shared by Tusizi prescription and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) were selected and imported into search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins (STRING) to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and into gene function annotation database (DAVID) for gene ontology (GO) analysis. The CCK-8 assay was used to measure the viability of ovarian germline stem cells treated with hyperoside. The CCK-8 assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were employed to examine the proliferation, apoptosis, and estradiol (E2) secretion of KGN cells treated with the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 4∶4∶2∶1∶1) and the optimal prescription screened by uniform design. On this basis, the optimal prescription composition for maximizing the effect on ovarian reserve function was determined and preliminary insights into the underlying mechanisms of this prescription were gained. ResultsA total of 147 common targets were obtained from 278 targets of Tusizi prescription and 1 721 targets of DOR. GO analysis revealed 194 biological processes, primarily involving cellular responses to exogenous compound stimuli, negative regulation of apoptotic process, and positive regulation of cell proliferation. It identified 84 cellular components, including cell membrane, mitochondria, and neuronal cell body, as well as 144 molecular functions such as enzyme binding, estrogen response element binding, and nuclear estrogen receptor binding. The multivariate regression analysis revealed that when Tusizi prescription was composed of Cuscutae Semen, Lycii Fructus, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Poria, and Nelumbinis Semen in a ratio of 27∶30∶17∶12∶14, the water extract of Tusizi prescription had the best effect of enhancing the viability of KGN cells. CCK-8 results showed that compared with the normal group, the hyperoside group demonstrated increased viability of ovarian germline stem cells (P<0.01). The CCK-8, EdU, and ELISA results showed that compared with the normal group, the optimal prescription screened by uniform design and the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription increased the proliferation and reduced the apoptosis of KGN cells (P<0.05, P<0.01). ELISA results showed that compared with the normal group, the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription promoted the E2 secretion of KGN cells (P<0.05), while the optimal prescription screened by uniform design had no significant effect on the E2 secretion. ConclusionBoth the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 4∶4∶2∶1∶1) and the optimal prescription screened by uniform design (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 27∶30∶17∶12∶14) can improve the ovarian reserve function, and the former has better effect. Tusizi prescription can modulate biological processes (such as cell proliferation and apoptosis) and molecular functions (such as enzyme binding and estrogen response element binding) through active components like hyperoside to promote the proliferation and E2 secretion and inhibit the apoptosis of KGN cells, thereby protecting the ovarian reserve function.
3.Optimization and Mechanism Exploration of Tusizi Prescription for Ovarian Reserve Function Based on Uniform Design Method
Yuan LI ; Hanqian DU ; Jiashan LI ; Li GUO ; Zehui LI ; Na LIN ; Ying XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):53-62
ObjectiveTo optimize Tusizi prescription for ovarian reserve function based on the uniform design method combined with in vitro experiments and explore the underlying mechanisms of this prescription. MethodsThe uniform design method was adopted to design a 5-factor 11-level experiment on the water extract of Tusizi prescription. The cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was employed to measure the viability of human ovarian granulosa cells (KGN cells) treated with Tusizi prescription extracts 1-11, and multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the optimal herb ratio in this prescription. The potential targets of active ingredients in the prescription were retrieved from traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) and encyclopedia of traditional Chinese medicine (ETCM). The common targets shared by Tusizi prescription and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) were selected and imported into search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins (STRING) to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and into gene function annotation database (DAVID) for gene ontology (GO) analysis. The CCK-8 assay was used to measure the viability of ovarian germline stem cells treated with hyperoside. The CCK-8 assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were employed to examine the proliferation, apoptosis, and estradiol (E2) secretion of KGN cells treated with the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 4∶4∶2∶1∶1) and the optimal prescription screened by uniform design. On this basis, the optimal prescription composition for maximizing the effect on ovarian reserve function was determined and preliminary insights into the underlying mechanisms of this prescription were gained. ResultsA total of 147 common targets were obtained from 278 targets of Tusizi prescription and 1 721 targets of DOR. GO analysis revealed 194 biological processes, primarily involving cellular responses to exogenous compound stimuli, negative regulation of apoptotic process, and positive regulation of cell proliferation. It identified 84 cellular components, including cell membrane, mitochondria, and neuronal cell body, as well as 144 molecular functions such as enzyme binding, estrogen response element binding, and nuclear estrogen receptor binding. The multivariate regression analysis revealed that when Tusizi prescription was composed of Cuscutae Semen, Lycii Fructus, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Poria, and Nelumbinis Semen in a ratio of 27∶30∶17∶12∶14, the water extract of Tusizi prescription had the best effect of enhancing the viability of KGN cells. CCK-8 results showed that compared with the normal group, the hyperoside group demonstrated increased viability of ovarian germline stem cells (P<0.01). The CCK-8, EdU, and ELISA results showed that compared with the normal group, the optimal prescription screened by uniform design and the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription increased the proliferation and reduced the apoptosis of KGN cells (P<0.05, P<0.01). ELISA results showed that compared with the normal group, the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription promoted the E2 secretion of KGN cells (P<0.05), while the optimal prescription screened by uniform design had no significant effect on the E2 secretion. ConclusionBoth the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 4∶4∶2∶1∶1) and the optimal prescription screened by uniform design (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 27∶30∶17∶12∶14) can improve the ovarian reserve function, and the former has better effect. Tusizi prescription can modulate biological processes (such as cell proliferation and apoptosis) and molecular functions (such as enzyme binding and estrogen response element binding) through active components like hyperoside to promote the proliferation and E2 secretion and inhibit the apoptosis of KGN cells, thereby protecting the ovarian reserve function.
4.Ameliorating effects of tetrahydrocurcumin and its nano-preparations on lipopolysaccharide-induced depression in mice
Hui Tan ; Yuanping Li ; Jingyuan Meng ; Tengteng Ma ; Yan Yang ; Zhengmao Yang ; Jiaqing Ma ; Jianping Xie ; Ying Guo
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):79-86
Objective :
To investigate the antidepressant effects and the underlying mechanisms of tetrahydrocurcumin(THC) and its nanoparticle formulation(THCN).
Methods :
Forty-six male ICR mice were randomly divided into Con group, LPS group, THC group, THCN group and SER group. A mouse depression model was established by intraperitoneal administration of LPS. The anxiety and depression-like behaviors of mice were evaluated by open field test(OFT) and forced swimming test(FST). Myelin staining was applied to assess the extent of demyelination in the prefrontal cortex of the mice. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were further examined for the expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) through quantitative immunofluorescence assays.
Results :
Compared with the Con group, the LPS group showed increased anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors in both the long-term and short-term experiments(P<0.05); the degree of demyelination increased in the LPS group of the long-term experiment(P<0.01); the expression of GFAP was reduced in the LPS group of the short-term experiment(P<0.01), while the expression of TLR4 increased(P<0.05); the expression of TLR4 decreased in the THC group(P<0.01); the expression of GFAP in the prefrontal cortex of the THCN group was reduced(P<0.01), while the expression of TLR4 increased(P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the THC group showed reduced depressive-like behaviors in the long-term experiment(P<0.05), while the anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors of the THCN group and the SER group were reduced(P<0.05), and the anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors of the THC group and the THCN group were reduced in the short-term experiment(P<0.05); the degree of demyelination was reduced in the THC group, THCN group and SER group in the long-term experiment(P<0.05); the expression of GFAP increased in the THC group of the short-term experiment(P<0.05), while the expression of TLR4 was reduced(P<0.05), and the expression of GFAP increased in the THCN group(P<0.05). Compared with the THC group, the THCN group and the SER group showed reduced anxiety-like behaviors in the long-term experiment(P<0.05); the expression of GFAP in the prefrontal cortex of the THCN group was reduced in the short-term experiment(P<0.05), while the expression of TLR4 in the hippocampal DG area increased in the short-term experiment(P<0.01).
Conclusion
Tetrahydrocurcumin and its nanoparticle formulation both exert significant ameliorative effects on depression-like behaviors and demyelination in mice induced by lipopolysaccharide. The antidepressant mechanism of THC appears to be mediated through the down-regulation of TLR4 and the up-regulation of GFAP. The mechanism underlying the antidepressant action of THCN seems predominantly focused on the enhancement of GFAP expression.
5.Autophagy Abnormalities in PCOS and Targeted Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Xinxin YANG ; Zhicheng JIA ; Mengyu SHI ; Yongqian LI ; Peixuan WANG ; Ying GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):313-322
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecological endocrine and reproductive disorder,with the main clinical manifestations including ovulation failure,insulin resistance,hyperandrogenism,and obesity. Its occurrence and development are closely related to cellular regulatory mechanisms such as apoptosis,autophagy,oxidative stress,and inflammatory response. Autophagy,as a clearance mechanism that maintains cellular homeostasis,plays a crucial role in maintaining the growth,development,and maturation of oocytes. Exploring the mechanism of autophagy during the occurrence and development of diseases can help develop treatment methods for PCOS by regulating autophagy. Studies have shown that autophagy plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PCOS,and it can affect the occurrence and development of PCOS through multiple pathways,levels,and targets. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regulates autophagy in ovarian granulosa cells or endometrium of patients with PCOS by targeting the expression of autophagy signaling pathways,regulatory factors,and non-coding single-stranded RNA molecules,thereby alleviating inflammation,regulating metabolism disorders,and balancing hormone levels in PCOS. Accordingly,TCM can ameliorate pathological conditions such as insulin resistance,hyperandrogenism,and ovulation failure in PCOS. This article summarizes the TCM formulas and extracts for the treatment of PCOS,as well as the main autophagy pathways and regulatory factors involved,aiming to provide reference and suggestions for the future treatment of PCOS with TCM by regulating autophagy.
6.A Randomized Controlled Trial of Stone Needle Thermocompression and Massage for Treating Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in the Shoulder and Back:A Secondary Analysis of Muscle Elasticity as a Mediator
Jingjing QIAN ; Yuanjing LI ; Li LI ; Yawei XI ; Ying WANG ; Cuihua GUO ; Jiayan ZHOU ; Yaxuan SUN ; Shu LIU ; Guangjing YANG ; Na YUAN ; Xiaofang YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):935-940
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of stone needle thermocompression and massage compared to flurbiprofen gel patch in relieving chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back, and to explore the potential mediating mechanism through muscle elasticity. MethodsA total of 120 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back were randomly assigned to either stone needle group or flurbiprofen group, with 60 patients in each. The stone needle group received stone needle thermocompression and massage for 30 minutes, three times per week; the flurbiprofen group received flurbiprofen gel patch twice daily. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. Pain improvement, as the primary outcome, was assessed using the Global Pain Scale (GPS) at baseline, after 2 weeks of treatment, and again 2 weeks post-treatment. To explore potential mechanisms, a mediator analysis was conducted by measuring changes in superficial and deep muscle elasticity using musculoskeletal ultrasound at baseline and after the 2-week treatment period. ResultsThe stone needle group showed significantly greater pain relief than the flurbiprofen group 2 weeks post-treatment. After adjusting for confounders related to pain duration, the between-group mean difference was -8.8 [95% CI (-18.2, -0.7), P<0.05]. Part of the therapeutic effect was mediated by changes in deep muscle elasticity, with a mediation effect size of -1.5 [95% CI (-2.0, -0.9), P = 0.024], accounting for 17.9% of the total effect. ConclusionStone needle thermocompression and massage can effectively relieve chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back, partly through a mediating effect of improved deep muscle elasticity.
7.Effect and mechanism of Shenmai Injection in regulating copper death in myocardial fibrosis in rats.
Si-Tong LIU ; Zhi-Yuan GUO ; Yue ZOU ; Zhi-An CHEN ; Shuai ZHANG ; Yan WANG ; Li-Ying WANG ; Yi-Hong ZHANG ; Zhi LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1601-1609
Based on copper death, this study investigates the effect and mechanism of Shenmai Injection on isoproterenol(ISO)-induced myocardial fibrosis(MF) in rats. SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, model group, captopril(5 mg·kg~(-1)) positive control group, and Shenmai Injection low(6 mL·kg~(-1)), medium(9 mL·kg~(-1)), and high(12 mL·kg~(-1)) dose groups. Except for the normal group, the rats in the other groups were subcutaneously injected with ISO(5 mg·kg~(-1)) once a day for 10 consecutive days to establish an MF model. Starting from the second day after successful modeling, intraperitoneal injections of the respective treatments were administered for 28 consecutive days. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Masson staining were used to observe pathological changes and fibrosis levels in the myocardial tissue. Colorimetry was employed to detect serum Cu~(2+) concentration in rats. The levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-18(IL-18), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), as well as mitochondrial energy metabolites adenosine triphosphate(ATP), adenosine diphosphate(ADP), and adenosine monophosphate(AMP) in serum were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Western blot was performed to detect the expression of collagen Ⅰ(Col-Ⅰ), collagen Ⅲ(Col-Ⅲ), and copper death-related proteins dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase(DLAT), ferredoxin 1(FDX1), lipoic acid synthetase(LIAS), and heat shock protein 70(HSP70) in myocardial tissue. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of DLAT, FDX1, and HSP70, while immunohistochemistry was conducted to examine the expressions of DLAT, FDX1, LIAS, and HSP70. The results showed that, compared to the model group, the myocardial structure disorder and collagen fiber deposition in the drug treatment groups were significantly improved, the cardiac index level was reduced, serum Cu~(2+), IL-6, IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, ADP, and AMP levels were significantly decreased, ATP levels were significantly increased, and the expressions of Col-Ⅰ, Col-Ⅲ, and HSP70 proteins in myocardial tissue were significantly reduced, while the expressions of DLAT, FDX1, and LIAS proteins were significantly elevated. In conclusion, Shenmai Injection effectively alleviates myocardial structure disorder and interstitial collagen fiber deposition in ISO-induced MF rats, promotes copper excretion, and reduces copper death in the ISO-induced rat MF model.
Animals
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Male
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Rats
;
Myocardium/metabolism*
;
Drug Combinations
;
Fibrosis/metabolism*
;
Copper/blood*
;
Cardiomyopathies/genetics*
;
Humans
8.Randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, multicenter, equivalence clinical trial of Jiuwei Xifeng Granules(Os Draconis replaced by Ostreae Concha) for treating tic disorder in children.
Qiu-Han CAI ; Cheng-Liang ZHONG ; Si-Yuan HU ; Xin-Min LI ; Zhi-Chun XU ; Hui CHEN ; Ying HUA ; Jun-Hong WANG ; Ji-Hong TANG ; Bing-Xiang MA ; Xiu-Xia WANG ; Ai-Zhen WANG ; Meng-Qing WANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Chun WANG ; Yi-Qun TENG ; Yi-Hui SHAN ; Sheng-Xuan GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1699-1705
Jiuwei Xifeng Granules have become a Chinese patent medicine in the market. Because the formula contains Os Draconis, a top-level protected fossil of ancient organisms, the formula was to be improved by replacing Os Draconis with Ostreae Concha. To evaluate whether the improved formula has the same effectiveness and safety as the original formula, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, equivalence clinical trial was conducted. This study enrolled 288 tic disorder(TD) of children and assigned them into two groups in 1∶1. The treatment group and control group took the modified formula and original formula, respectively. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks, and follow-up visits were conducted at weeks 2, 4, and 6. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference in Yale global tic severity scale(YGTSS)-total tic severity(TTS) score from baseline after 6 weeks of treatment. The results showed that after 6 weeks of treatment, the declines in YGTSS-TSS score showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The difference in YGTSS-TSS score(treatment group-control group) and the 95%CI of the full analysis set(FAS) were-0.17[-1.42, 1.08] and those of per-protocol set(PPS) were 0.29[-0.97, 1.56], which were within the equivalence boundary [-3, 3]. The equivalence test was therefore concluded. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary efficacy endpoints of effective rate for TD, total score and factor scores of YGTSS, clinical global impressions-severity(CGI-S) score, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) response rate, or symptom disappearance rate, and thus a complete evidence chain with the primary outcome was formed. A total of 6 adverse reactions were reported, including 4(2.82%) cases in the treatment group and 2(1.41%) cases in the control group, which showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. No serious suspected unexpected adverse reactions were reported, and no laboratory test results indicated serious clinically significant abnormalities. The results support the replacement of Os Draconis by Ostreae Concha in the original formula, and the efficacy and safety of the modified formula are consistent with those of the original formula.
Adolescent
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Child
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Child, Preschool
;
Female
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Humans
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Male
;
Double-Blind Method
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Tic Disorders/drug therapy*
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Treatment Outcome
9.Analysis of impact of host plants on quality of Taxilli Herba based on widely targeted metabolomics.
Dong-Lan ZHOU ; Zi-Shu CHAI ; Mei RU ; Fei-Ying HUANG ; Xie-Jun ZHANG ; Min GUO ; Yong-Hua LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3281-3290
This study aims to explore the impact of host plants on the quality of Taxilli Herba and provide a theoretical basis for the quality control of Taxilli Herba. The components of Taxilli Herba from three different host plants(Morus alba, Salix babylonica, and Cinnamomum cassia) and its 3 hosts(mulberry branch, willow branch, and cinnamon branch) were detected by widely targeted metabolomics based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS). Principal component analysis(PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), and Venn diagram were employed for analysis. A total of 717 metabolites were detected in Taxilli Herba from the three host plants and the branches of these host plants by UPLC-MS/MS. The results of PCA and OPLS-DA of Taxilli Herba from the three different host plants showed an obvious separation trend due to the different effects of host plants. The Venn diagram showed that there were 32, 8, and 26 characteristic metabolites in samples of Taxilli Herba from M. alba host, S. babylonica host, and C. cassia host, respectively. It was found by comparing the characteristic metabolites of Taxilli Herba and its hosts that each host transmits its characteristic components to Taxilli Herba, so that the Taxilli Herba contains the characteristic components of the host. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway analysis showed that the differential metabolites of Taxilli Herba from the three hosts were mainly enriched in flavonoid biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. Furthermore, the differential metabolites enriching pathways of Taxilli Herba from the three hosts were different depending on the host. In a word, host plants have a significant impact on the metabolites of Taxilli Herba, and it may be an important factor for the quality of Taxilli Herba.
Metabolomics/methods*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
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Tandem Mass Spectrometry
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Quality Control
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Salix/chemistry*
;
Cinnamomum aromaticum/metabolism*
;
Principal Component Analysis
10.Mechanism of Maxiong Powder in inhibiting Epac1-Piezo2 signaling pathway in medial habenular nucleus-interpeduncular nucleus of rats with neuropathic pain.
Xin-Yuan WANG ; Zhi CHEN ; Ying LIU ; Jian SUN ; Ru-Jie LI ; Zhi-Guo WANG ; Mei-Yu ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2719-2729
Central sensitization(CS) is an important factor in inducing neuropathic pain(NPP), and the association between signal transduction protein 1(Epac1) and piezoelectric type mechanosensitive ion channel component 2(Piezo2) is a new and significant pathway for initiating CS. This study whether the central analgesic effect of Maxiong Powder is achieved through the synchronized regulation of the Epac1-Piezo2 signaling pathway in the medial habenular nucleus(MHb) and interpeduncular nucleus(IPN) of the brain. Dynamic in vivo microdialysis, combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection(HPLC-RFC), behavioral assessments, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative reverse transcription PCR, were employed in rats with partial sciatic nerve injury(SNI) to investigate the distribution and expression of Epac1 and Piezo2 proteins and genes in the MHb and IPN regions, and the changes in the extracellular levels of glutamate(Glu), aspartic acid(Asp), and glycine(Gly). Compared with the sham group, rats in the SNI group showed significantly reduced analgesic activity, a significant increase in cold pain sensitivity scores, and elevated Glu levels in the MHb and IPN regions. Additionally, the number of Piezo2-positive cells in these regions, as well as the expression levels of Epac1 and Piezo2 proteins and genes, were significantly increased. Compared with the SNI group, after Maxiong Powder administration, the analgesic activity in rats significantly increased, and cold pain sensitivity scores were significantly reduced. Maxiong Powder also significantly decreased the Glu content in the MHb and IPN regions and the Gly content in the MHb region, while significantly increasing the Asp content in both regions. Furthermore, Maxiong Powder significantly reduced the number of Piezo2-positive cells and lowered the protein and gene expression levels of Epac1 and Piezo2 in both brain regions. The central analgesic effect of Maxiong Powder may be related to its inhibition of Glu and Gly release in the extracellular fluid of the MHb and IPN regions, the increase of Asp levels in these regions, and the regulation of the Epac1-Piezo2 pathway through the reduction of Epac1 and Piezo2 protein and gene expression. These results provide partial scientific evidence for the clinical analgesic efficacy of Maxiong Powder and offer new ideas and approaches for the clinical treatment of NPP.
Animals
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Neuralgia/genetics*
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Rats
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Male
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors/genetics*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Habenula/drug effects*
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Ion Channels/genetics*
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Humans


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