Intestinal barrier damage is a prominent feature of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） and serves as a critical factor driving the progression from simple fatty liver to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）， fibrosis， and cirrhosis. The "turbid pathogenic factors entering the blood" theory integrates classical traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） principles with contemporary disease evolution trends and research findings. It posits that endogenous turbid pathogenic factors within the body infiltrate the blood vessels， leading to impure and viscous blood quality， thereby triggering various diseases. Based on this theory， this article elucidated the pathogenic mechanism of NAFLD-associated intestinal barrier damage. It argued that in NAFLD， the liver loses its dredging function， and the spleen becomes obstructed and dysfunctional. Moreover， essential nutrients fail to be properly transformed， resulting in the internal generation of turbid pathogenic factors. This subsequently initiates a series of pathological changes， namely， "infiltration of phlegm-turbidity into the blood， eroding the intestinal mucosa"， "infiltration of glucose-turbidity into the blood， macerating and eroding the intestinal mucosa"， "infiltration of heat-turbidity into the blood， scorching and eroding the intestinal mucosa"， and "infiltration of stasis-turbidity into the blood， stagnating and eroding the intestinal mucosa"， ultimately causing intestinal barrier damage. Furthermore， guided by the "turbid pathogenic factors entering the blood" theory， this article explored TCM intervention strategies： employing medicinals targeting the liver meridian to address the root cause and reduce the generation and deposition of turbid pathogenic factors in the liver， administering blood-system medicinals to clear the blood and purge turbidity， thereby intercepting the progression of the disease mechanism， and applying tonifying medicinals to bolster healthy Qi and defend against turbid invasion， allowing the damaged intestinal mucosa to gradually heal. This article presented novel theoretical and medicinal perspectives for analyzing NAFLD-associated intestinal barrier damage based on the "turbid pathogenic factors entering the blood" theory， aiming to provide new entry points and broader horizons for related research and clinical practice.

Breast cancer is a kind of malignant tumor with a complex mechanism， and its morbidity and mortality are increasing year by year， which seriously threatens women's health. At present， the main clinical treatments are surgical resection， radiotherapy， chemotherapy， and drug therapy， but they are often accompanied by side effects and adverse reactions， which affect the therapeutic effect. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has the advantages of multi-component and multi-target treatment in the fight against breast cancer. The wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is one of the classic pathways in cancer research. Abnormally activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibits β-catenin degradation by blocking the formation of Axin/glycogen synthase kinase 3β/adenomatous polyposis coli complex， thus promoting β-catenin nuclear metastasis， and it binds to T cell transcription factor/lymphoenhancer factor-1 to initiate downstream target genes and further interfere with the proliferation， migration， and invasion of tumor cells to affect the tumor process. Previous studies have shown that TCM monomers and compounds can mediate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit the malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells， thus playing an anti-breast cancer role， and the biochemical process involved in the regulation of therapeutic drugs has not been systematically combed. By analyzing and collating Chinese and foreign literature at the present stage， this paper discussed the association mechanism between Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and breast cancer and analyzed the internal mechanism of TCM monomers and compounds in mediating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to exert anti-breast cancer effect. The statistical results showed that the flavonoids， alkaloids， and terpenoids in TCM monomers could target the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and block the further development of malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells. TCM compounds with functions of clearing heat and detoxifying， promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis， and tonifying kidney and liver were commonly used to intervene in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to prevent breast cancer. Compared with the current inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway， the application of TCM monomers and compounds is expected to bring low-toxicity and high-efficiency breast cancer treatment drugs to the clinical practice， and the existing results provide a reference for the subsequent screening， research， and development of TCM small-molecule compounds and TCM compounds against breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of total flavonoids from Taraxacum mongolicum on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice through modulation of intestinal flora. METHODS Twenty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into blank group， model group and T. mongolicum total flavonoid group， with 8 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， the other 2 groups were given a high-fat diet， while T. mongolicum total flavonoid group was given T. mongolicum total flavonoid [400 mg/（kg·d）] intragastrically， once a day， for 8 consecutive weeks. During the experiment， the food intake of each group of mice was recorded. After the last medication， the body mass， fat weight， blood lipid level and pathological changes of liver and epididymal fat in mice were evaluated to observe the effect of T. mongolicum total flavonoid on the treatment of obesity in mice. The changes in abundance and structure of intestinal flora in mice were detected by amplicon sequencing； the effects of T. mongolicum total flavonoids on fat metabolism related genes were analyzed by qPCR. RESULTS Compared with model group， the body weight of mice in T. mongolicum total flavonoids group was decreased significantly （P＜0.05）； the levels of total lipid cholesterol， triglycerides， and LDL cholesterol were all decreased significantly （P＜0.01）， and the level of HDL cholesterol was increased significantly （P＜0.01）； the fat indexes of inguinal white adipose tissue and epididymal white wind_lz@hactcm.edu.cn adipose tissue were significantly reduced （P＜0.05）； significant improvement in hepatocellular steatosis and adipose cytopathy were significantly improved； mRNA expressions of COX7A1 and COX8B were significantly upregulated （P＜0.05）. The results of bacterial colony detection showed that compared with the model group， there was a rising trend in the diversity of the bacterial colony in T. mongolicum total flavonoids group， and the Sobs index characterization and β diversity were increased significantly （P＜0.05）. Relative abundances of Blautia， norank_f_Ruminococcaceae， Bilophila， Alistipes， classified_f_Ruminococcaceae， Parabacteroides， norank_f_Desulfovibrionaceae， Anaerotruncus were significantly up-regulated（P＜0.05）， while those of Faecalibaculum， Erysipelatoclostridium， GCA-900066575， Tuzzerella， Lactobacillus， norank_f_norank_o_RF39， achnospiraceae_FCS020_group were significantly down-regulated （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS T. mongolicum total flavonoids can reduce body mass， fat weight and blood lipid levels， and repair the pathological damage to liver and epididymal fat in obese mice， which is related to improving intestinal flora disorders caused by high-fat diet.

ObjectiveTo assess the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine compound Shenlong decoction in addressing the symptoms of pulmonary deficiency and stasis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF）. MethodsSixty eligible patients with lung deficiency and collateral stasis syndrome of IPF were randomly assigned to the observation （30 patients） and control groups （30 patients）. All patients underwent standard Western medical therapy. Additionally，the observation group received Shenlong decoction granules，while the control group received a placebo. Both treatments were packaged in four doses of 10.5 g each，taken twice daily for three months. The indexes of the patients during the treatment cycle were observed，and the main indexes include traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores and 6 min walk test （6MWT）. The secondary indexes include pulmonary function test ［actual value/expected value of total lung volume （TLC%），actual value/expected value of vital capacity（FVC%），actual/predicted diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide（DLCO%），actual/predicted forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV₁%），and FEV₁/ forced vital capacity （FVC）］，blood gas analysis ［arterial blood diathesis partial pressure of oxygen （PaO₂），partial pressure of carbon dioxide （PaCO₂），and arterial oxygen saturation （SaO₂）］，serum inflammatory factors ［transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁），interleukin-4 （IL-4），interleukin-13 （IL-13），interleukin-12 （IL-12），and gamma-interferon （IFN-γ）］，and quality of survival evaluation ［St George's Respiratory Questionnaire （SGRQ） score］. The patients' clinical manifestations were determined at the end of the treatment， and the occurrence of adverse events was recorded. ResultsA total of 53 patients completed the study，comprising 27 in the control group and 26 in the observation group. Upon completion of the treatment period，the control group achieved a total effective rate of 33.33% （9/27），whereas the observation group demonstrated a total effective rate of 53.85% （14/26），which was statistically superior to the control group （χ²=4.034，P<0.05）. After the treatment，the TCM syndrome scores，6MWT，DLCO%，FEV₁%，PaO₂，PaCO₂，TGF-β₁，IL-4，IL-13，IL-12，and IFN-γ in the two groups were all significantly improved （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the control group after treatment at the same period，the TCM syndrome scores，6MWT，PaO₂，and PaCO₂ were significantly improved in the observation group after 60 days and 90 days of medication （P<0.01）. Three months after the end of medication，the SGRQ score in the observation group showed significant improvement when compared to that in the control group （P<0.05），and no severe adverse events were reported during the follow-up period. ConclusionCompound Shenlong decoction can alleviate clinical symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing in patients with lung deficiency and collateral stasis syndrome of IPF，enhance exercise tolerance，improve the quality of life，and have certain potential advantages in improving pulmonary function.

ObjectiveTo assess the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine compound Shenlong decoction in addressing the symptoms of pulmonary deficiency and stasis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF）. MethodsSixty eligible patients with lung deficiency and collateral stasis syndrome of IPF were randomly assigned to the observation （30 patients） and control groups （30 patients）. All patients underwent standard Western medical therapy. Additionally，the observation group received Shenlong decoction granules，while the control group received a placebo. Both treatments were packaged in four doses of 10.5 g each，taken twice daily for three months. The indexes of the patients during the treatment cycle were observed，and the main indexes include traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores and 6 min walk test （6MWT）. The secondary indexes include pulmonary function test ［actual value/expected value of total lung volume （TLC%），actual value/expected value of vital capacity（FVC%），actual/predicted diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide（DLCO%），actual/predicted forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV₁%），and FEV₁/ forced vital capacity （FVC）］，blood gas analysis ［arterial blood diathesis partial pressure of oxygen （PaO₂），partial pressure of carbon dioxide （PaCO₂），and arterial oxygen saturation （SaO₂）］，serum inflammatory factors ［transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁），interleukin-4 （IL-4），interleukin-13 （IL-13），interleukin-12 （IL-12），and gamma-interferon （IFN-γ）］，and quality of survival evaluation ［St George's Respiratory Questionnaire （SGRQ） score］. The patients' clinical manifestations were determined at the end of the treatment， and the occurrence of adverse events was recorded. ResultsA total of 53 patients completed the study，comprising 27 in the control group and 26 in the observation group. Upon completion of the treatment period，the control group achieved a total effective rate of 33.33% （9/27），whereas the observation group demonstrated a total effective rate of 53.85% （14/26），which was statistically superior to the control group （χ²=4.034，P<0.05）. After the treatment，the TCM syndrome scores，6MWT，DLCO%，FEV₁%，PaO₂，PaCO₂，TGF-β₁，IL-4，IL-13，IL-12，and IFN-γ in the two groups were all significantly improved （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the control group after treatment at the same period，the TCM syndrome scores，6MWT，PaO₂，and PaCO₂ were significantly improved in the observation group after 60 days and 90 days of medication （P<0.01）. Three months after the end of medication，the SGRQ score in the observation group showed significant improvement when compared to that in the control group （P<0.05），and no severe adverse events were reported during the follow-up period. ConclusionCompound Shenlong decoction can alleviate clinical symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing in patients with lung deficiency and collateral stasis syndrome of IPF，enhance exercise tolerance，improve the quality of life，and have certain potential advantages in improving pulmonary function.

ObjectiveMaxing Shigan Tang， as a traditional prescription for treating pneumonia， has a remarkable clinical effect. This study aims to systematically investigate the molecular mechanisms of Maxing Shigan Tang in treating pneumonia by integrating its structural and transcriptomic data at the target level. MethodsNP-TCMtarget， a developed systematic network pharmacological model focusing on drug targets， was used to mine the effect targets of Maxing Shigan Tang for treating pneumonia based on the transcriptome data. The structural targets of chemical components in Maxing Shigan Tang were predicted based on the structural information. The intersection of effect targets and structural targets was taken as the direct targets of Maxing Shigan Tang for treating pneumonia， and the remaining effect targets except direct targets were taken as indirect targets. Finally， functional enrichment analysis was performed on these targets to explore the molecular mechanism of Maxing Shigan Tang in treating pneumonia. ResultsA total of 1 604 effect targets and 816 structural targets of Maxing Shigan Tang for treating pneumonia were identified. Maxing Shigan Tang exerted its therapeutic effects through 164 direct targets and 1 440 indirect targets. The functional analysis of 1 604 effect targets predicted 19 significantly enriched pathways. Comprehensive analysis of these pathways showed that these targets were mainly linked to immune and inflammatory responses， such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction， necrosis factor （NF）-κB signaling pathway， and helper T cell 17 differentiation. ConclusionFocusing on the hierarchical feature of drug targets and the structural and transcriptomic data， this study systematically reveals the path of herbal component-direct target-indirect target-biological effects of Maxing Shigan Tang in treating pneumonia.

ObjectiveMaxing Shigan Tang， as a traditional prescription for treating pneumonia， has a remarkable clinical effect. This study aims to systematically investigate the molecular mechanisms of Maxing Shigan Tang in treating pneumonia by integrating its structural and transcriptomic data at the target level. MethodsNP-TCMtarget， a developed systematic network pharmacological model focusing on drug targets， was used to mine the effect targets of Maxing Shigan Tang for treating pneumonia based on the transcriptome data. The structural targets of chemical components in Maxing Shigan Tang were predicted based on the structural information. The intersection of effect targets and structural targets was taken as the direct targets of Maxing Shigan Tang for treating pneumonia， and the remaining effect targets except direct targets were taken as indirect targets. Finally， functional enrichment analysis was performed on these targets to explore the molecular mechanism of Maxing Shigan Tang in treating pneumonia. ResultsA total of 1 604 effect targets and 816 structural targets of Maxing Shigan Tang for treating pneumonia were identified. Maxing Shigan Tang exerted its therapeutic effects through 164 direct targets and 1 440 indirect targets. The functional analysis of 1 604 effect targets predicted 19 significantly enriched pathways. Comprehensive analysis of these pathways showed that these targets were mainly linked to immune and inflammatory responses， such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction， necrosis factor （NF）-κB signaling pathway， and helper T cell 17 differentiation. ConclusionFocusing on the hierarchical feature of drug targets and the structural and transcriptomic data， this study systematically reveals the path of herbal component-direct target-indirect target-biological effects of Maxing Shigan Tang in treating pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of double-channel core decompression (CD) combined with medullary cavity irrigation with those of simple CD on progression of collapse and clinical outcomes in non-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 19 patients (30 hips) with non-traumatic ONFH who underwent double-channel CD combined with medullary cavity irrigation and admitted between January 2024 and October 2024 (CD+irrigation group). According to a 1: 2 ratio, 54 patients (60 hips) who underwent simple CD and were matched in terms of age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) were included as the control (CD group). There was no significant difference in baseline data such as age, gender, BMI, affected side, ONFH type, preoperative Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) stage, bone marrow edema stage, visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain, and Harris score between the two groups ( P>0.05). The postoperative discharge time and occurrence of complications were recorded for both groups. The VAS scores before operation and at discharge after operation were compared, and the differences between pre- and post-operation (change values) were calculated for intergroup comparison. The Harris scores before operation and at discharge and 3 months after operation were also compared. During follow-up, X-ray film, CT, and MRI were performed for reexamination. The ARCO stage and bone marrow edema stage were evaluated at 3 months after operation and compared with those before operation to determine whether there was radiological progression or relief. RESULTS: All incisions in both groups healed by first intention after operation, with no infection, femoral neck fracture, or other operation-related complications. All patients were followed up, and the follow-up time of the CD+irrigation group was (146.8±27.7) days, and that of the CD group was (164.3±48.2) days; there was no significant difference between the two groups ( t=1.840, P=0.069). There was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). At discharge after operation, the VAS score of the CD+irrigation group was significantly lower than that of the CD group ( P<0.05), and the change value was significantly higher than that of the CD group ( P<0.05). The Harris scores at discharge and 3 months after operation in the CD+irrigation group were significantly higher than those in the CD group ( P<0.05). The Harris score gradually increased with time, and the differences between different time points were significant ( P<0.05). Radiological reexamination showed that there was no significant difference in the ARCO stage and the incidence of radiological progression between the two groups at 3 months after operation ( P>0.05); however, the bone marrow edema stage and the degree of bone marrow edema relief in the CD+irrigation group were better than those in the CD group, with significant differences ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION Double-channel CD combined with medullary cavity irrigation can significantly alleviate hip joint pain and improve joint function in patients with non-traumatic ONFH, reduce the degree of bone marrow edema in the femoral head, and delay the progression of ONFH.
Humans ; Femur Head Necrosis/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Therapeutic Irrigation/methods* ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Middle Aged ; Femur Head/surgery*

Epimedin B(EB)is one of the main flavonoid ingredients present in Epimedium brevicornum Maxim.,a traditional herb widely used in China.Our previous study showed that EB was a stronger inducer of melanogenesis and an activator of tyrosinase(TYR).However,the role of EB in melanogenesis and the mechanism underlying the regulation remain unclear.Herein,as an extension to our previous investi-gation,we provide comprehensive evidence of EB-induced pigmentation in vivo and in vitro and eluci-date the melanogenesis mechanism by assessing its effects on the TYR family of proteins(TYRs)in terms of expression,activity,and stability.The results showed that EB increased TYRs expression through microphthalmia-associated transcription factor-mediated p-Akt(referred to as protein kinase B(PKB))/glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK3β)/β-catenin,p-p70 S6 kinase cascades,and protein 38(p38)/mitogen-activated protein(MAP)kinase(MAPK)and extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK)/MAPK pathways,after which EB increased the number of melanosomes and promoted their maturation for melanogenesis in melanoma cells and human primary melanocytes/skin tissues.Furthermore,EB exerted repigmentation by stimulating TYR activity in hydroquinone-and N-phenylthiourea-induced TYR inhibitive models,including melanoma cells,zebrafish,and mice.Finally,EB ameliorated monobenzone-induced depigmentation in vitro and in vivo through the enhancement of TYRs stability by inhibiting TYR misfolding,TYR-related protein 1 formation,and retention in the endoplasmic reticulum and then by downregulating the ubiquitination and proteolysis processes.These data conclude that EB can target TYRs and alter their expression,activity,and stability,thus stimulating their pigmentation function,which might provide a novel rational strategy for hypopigmentation treatment in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Objective To explore the lipid-lowering effect of Qige Decoction before and after compatibility through the combination of pharmacodynamics and liver metabolomics,and to provide new research strategies for exploring the scientific notation of traditional Chinese medicine compatibility.Methods According to the pharmacodynamic strategy,three groups of drug administration were set up as Qige Decoction group,Astragali Radix-Puerariae Radix group,and Pericarpium Citri Tangerinae group.Four indices of blood lipids,serum biochemical indicators,and liver morphology and pathology were used to evaluate the intervention effect of Qige Decoction on hyperlipidemic rats.Liver metabolomics technology was used to analyze the effects of Qige Decoction on metabolites before and after compatibility,and multivariate statistical analysis was used to evaluate the differences between groups in terms of differential metabolites and metabolic pathways.Results Compared with the model group,the callback abilities of four indices of blood lipid in the Qige Decoction group were higher than those in Astragali Radix-Puerariae Radix group and Pericarpium Citri Tangerinae group,among which the total cholesterol(TC)and triglyceride(TG)levels in the Qige Decoction group decreased(P＜0.05).A total of 86 potential biomarkers were identified by liver metabolomics,with 23,13,and 7 metabolites being significantly different in the Qige Decoction group,Astragali Radix-Puerariae Radix group,and Pericarpium Citri Tangerinae group,respectively(P＜0.05).Metabolic pathway analysis of 29 specific biomarkers with significant callback effects showed that they were related to glycerophospholipid metabolism,linoleic acid metabolism,α-linolenic acid metabolism,sphingolipid metabolism,arachidonic acid metabolism,and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis.Qige Decoction mainly regulates glycerophospholipid and linoleic acid metabolism,and uniquely acts on sphingolipid metabolism.Conclusion Qige Decoction has more lipid-lowering targets after compatibility,with better lipid-lowering effects than the Astragali Radix-Puerariae Radix group and Pericarpium Citri Tangerinae group.This study provides experimental evidence and research strategies for further revealing the scientific notation of traditional Chinese medicine compatibility.