1.Treatment of IgA Nephropathy by Tonifying Kidney and Invigorating Spleen as Well as Detoxifying and Relieving Sore-throat Based on PIgR-CR1-mediated Mucosal-renal Axis
Fan LI ; Hongan WANG ; He NAN ; Mingyu HE ; Chengji CUI ; Yinping WANG ; Yutong LIU ; Shoulin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):237-244
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the primary glomerulonephritis with the highest incidence rate in the world. It is also the main cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in China, which has brought heavy economic burden to the society and patient families. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has certain advantages in treating IgAN. In TCM, IgAN is classified into consumptive disease, hematuria, and edema categories, with the location in the kidney and involving the lung, liver, and spleen. Professor Ren Jixue, a master of TCM, believes that kidney deficiency and spleen deficiency are the root causes of IgAN, and the throat is the source of the disease. He proposed the theory of throat-kidney correlation and used the method of tonifying kidney and invigorating spleen as well as detoxifying and relieving sore-throat to treat IgAN, achieving significant therapeutic effects. Studies have shown that IgAN is closely related to mucosal immune defense. IgAN patients often experience recurrent and gradually worsening symptoms due to mucosal infections, and polymeric Ig receptor (PIgR) is an important component of mucosal defense function. The lack of PIgR leads to the accumulation of IgA molecules in the mucosal lamina propria, and the molecules enter the bloodstream in large quantities and ultimately deposit in the kidneys, causing kidney damage. Complement regulatory protein complement receptor type 1 (CR1) exists on red blood cells and glomeruli and has the function of inhibiting the activation and differentiation of B cells, clearing immune complexes, and inhibiting excessive activation of the complement system. Therefore, regulating the immune defense function through the mucosal-renal axis mediated by PIgR-CR1 will be an important target for preventing and treating IgAN. Based on the theory of throat-kidney correlation, this article explores the effects and molecular mechanisms of tonifying kidney and invigorating spleen as well as detoxifying and relieving sore-throat in preventing and treating IgAN by regulating the mucosal-kidney axis mediated by PIgR-CR1. It provides effective theoretical support and a scientific basis for TCM prevention and treatment of IgAN based on the theory of throat-kidney correlation.
2.Treatment of IgA Nephropathy by Tonifying Kidney and Invigorating Spleen as Well as Detoxifying and Relieving Sore-throat Based on PIgR-CR1-mediated Mucosal-renal Axis
Fan LI ; Hongan WANG ; He NAN ; Mingyu HE ; Chengji CUI ; Yinping WANG ; Yutong LIU ; Shoulin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):237-244
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the primary glomerulonephritis with the highest incidence rate in the world. It is also the main cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in China, which has brought heavy economic burden to the society and patient families. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has certain advantages in treating IgAN. In TCM, IgAN is classified into consumptive disease, hematuria, and edema categories, with the location in the kidney and involving the lung, liver, and spleen. Professor Ren Jixue, a master of TCM, believes that kidney deficiency and spleen deficiency are the root causes of IgAN, and the throat is the source of the disease. He proposed the theory of throat-kidney correlation and used the method of tonifying kidney and invigorating spleen as well as detoxifying and relieving sore-throat to treat IgAN, achieving significant therapeutic effects. Studies have shown that IgAN is closely related to mucosal immune defense. IgAN patients often experience recurrent and gradually worsening symptoms due to mucosal infections, and polymeric Ig receptor (PIgR) is an important component of mucosal defense function. The lack of PIgR leads to the accumulation of IgA molecules in the mucosal lamina propria, and the molecules enter the bloodstream in large quantities and ultimately deposit in the kidneys, causing kidney damage. Complement regulatory protein complement receptor type 1 (CR1) exists on red blood cells and glomeruli and has the function of inhibiting the activation and differentiation of B cells, clearing immune complexes, and inhibiting excessive activation of the complement system. Therefore, regulating the immune defense function through the mucosal-renal axis mediated by PIgR-CR1 will be an important target for preventing and treating IgAN. Based on the theory of throat-kidney correlation, this article explores the effects and molecular mechanisms of tonifying kidney and invigorating spleen as well as detoxifying and relieving sore-throat in preventing and treating IgAN by regulating the mucosal-kidney axis mediated by PIgR-CR1. It provides effective theoretical support and a scientific basis for TCM prevention and treatment of IgAN based on the theory of throat-kidney correlation.
3.Occupational stress and its effects on depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and sleep in workers of ferrous and non-ferrous metal mining industry in Gansu Province
Yuhong HE ; Haiya ZHANG ; Nan ZHOU ; Jia XU ; Wenli ZHAO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(4):444-450
Background Due to the unique working environment and numerous occupational disease hazards, workers in mining industry are particularly susceptible to psychological problems such as occupational stress. Objective To understand the current status of occupational stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and sleep quality of workers in ferrous and non-ferrous metal mining industry in Gansu Province, and to explore the effects of occupational stress on depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and sleep. Methods From April to December 2022, the workers of 25 large, medium, and small and micro enterprises were selected by stratified cluster random sampling and surveyed in ferrous and non-ferrous metal mining industry in Gansu Province. The Occupational Health Literacy Questionnaire of National Key Population, Core Occupational Stress Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-q, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Self-administer Sleep Questionnaire were used to collect basic information, occupational stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and sleep quality of the workers. Chi-square test was used to compare occupational stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and sleep disorders among different categories. Logistic regression model was used to study the effects of occupational stress on depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and sleep quality. Results In this study,
4.Exploring Molecular Mechanism of Gypenoside L against Ovarian Cancer Based on Ferroptosis Pathway Mediated by Mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3-LPCAT3
Jingxuan ZHU ; Jiao ZHAO ; Qun WANG ; Xiaofei SUN ; Jiaxin WANG ; Hongda ZHANG ; Nan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):107-117
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC and pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT in the ferroptosis phenotype of ovarian cancer (OC) cells and the regulatory mechanism of gypenoside L (Gyp-L) on mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC and pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT in OC cells. MethodsThe proliferation of human ovarian adenocarcinoma OVCAR3 cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of cisplatin (DDP), Gyp-L, and DDP in the presence of Gyp-L were calculated to determine the intervention concentration for subsequent experiments. Cell cloning assay and scratch assay reflected the proliferation and migration ability of OVCAR3 cells. PANDORA-seq small RNA sequencing was used to detect the differentially expressed transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) in the cells after Gyp-L intervention, and the corresponding target genes of the tsRNAs were found by the RNAhybrid software. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxide (LPO) levels were measured by colorimetry or enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, Fe2+ content by FerroOrange fluorescent probe, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) content by DCFH-DA fluorescent probe to reflect the occurrence of ferroptosis in OVCAR3 cells. OVCAR3 cells were divided into a control group, a 50 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L group, and a 100 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L group. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect the expression of mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC, mature-tRNA-Leu-CAA, mature-mt_tRNA-Tyr-GTA_5_end, mature-tRNA-Val-CAC, mature-mt_tRNA-Glu-TTC, pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT, mature-tRNA-Asn-GTT, hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS), Wnt, β-catenin, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), cystine/glutamate antiporter xCT, lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3 (LPCAT3), and arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15). Western blot was performed to detect the expression of HMBS, Wnt, β-catenin, GPX4, KEAP1, Nrf2, ATF3, xCT, LPCAT3, and ALOX15 proteins. ResultsThe 50 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L, 100 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L, DDP, 50 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L+DDP, and 100 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L+DDP groups showed significantly inhibited proliferation and migration of OVCAR3 cells (P<0.05) and exacerbated cell ferroptosis as reflected by the increase in the content of ROS, MDA, LPO, and Fe2+, as well as a decrease in the content of GSH (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, Gyp-L effectively interfered with the expression of 25 tsRNAs in OVCAR3 cells (P<0.05, |log2Fc|>1). Pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/HMBS/Wnt/β-catenin/GPX4, pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/KEAP1/NRF2/xCT, mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3/KEAP1/NRF2/xCT, and mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/LPCAT3/ALOX15 axial expression was significantly aberrant after Gyp-L intervention (P<0.05). ConclusionThe pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/HMBS/Wnt/β-catenin/GPX4, pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/KEAP1/Nrf2/xCT, mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3/KEAP1/Nrf2/xCT, and mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/LPCAT3/ALOX15 signaling pathways are involved in OC development. Gyp-L inhibits OC development by activating OVCAR3 cell ferroptosis onset mainly through the mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3/KEAP1/Nrf2/xCT and mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/LPCAT3/ALOX15 signaling axes.
5.Exploring Molecular Mechanism of Gypenoside L against Ovarian Cancer Based on Ferroptosis Pathway Mediated by Mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3-LPCAT3
Jingxuan ZHU ; Jiao ZHAO ; Qun WANG ; Xiaofei SUN ; Jiaxin WANG ; Hongda ZHANG ; Nan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):107-117
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC and pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT in the ferroptosis phenotype of ovarian cancer (OC) cells and the regulatory mechanism of gypenoside L (Gyp-L) on mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC and pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT in OC cells. MethodsThe proliferation of human ovarian adenocarcinoma OVCAR3 cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of cisplatin (DDP), Gyp-L, and DDP in the presence of Gyp-L were calculated to determine the intervention concentration for subsequent experiments. Cell cloning assay and scratch assay reflected the proliferation and migration ability of OVCAR3 cells. PANDORA-seq small RNA sequencing was used to detect the differentially expressed transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) in the cells after Gyp-L intervention, and the corresponding target genes of the tsRNAs were found by the RNAhybrid software. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxide (LPO) levels were measured by colorimetry or enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, Fe2+ content by FerroOrange fluorescent probe, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) content by DCFH-DA fluorescent probe to reflect the occurrence of ferroptosis in OVCAR3 cells. OVCAR3 cells were divided into a control group, a 50 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L group, and a 100 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L group. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect the expression of mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC, mature-tRNA-Leu-CAA, mature-mt_tRNA-Tyr-GTA_5_end, mature-tRNA-Val-CAC, mature-mt_tRNA-Glu-TTC, pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT, mature-tRNA-Asn-GTT, hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS), Wnt, β-catenin, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), cystine/glutamate antiporter xCT, lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3 (LPCAT3), and arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15). Western blot was performed to detect the expression of HMBS, Wnt, β-catenin, GPX4, KEAP1, Nrf2, ATF3, xCT, LPCAT3, and ALOX15 proteins. ResultsThe 50 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L, 100 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L, DDP, 50 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L+DDP, and 100 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L+DDP groups showed significantly inhibited proliferation and migration of OVCAR3 cells (P<0.05) and exacerbated cell ferroptosis as reflected by the increase in the content of ROS, MDA, LPO, and Fe2+, as well as a decrease in the content of GSH (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, Gyp-L effectively interfered with the expression of 25 tsRNAs in OVCAR3 cells (P<0.05, |log2Fc|>1). Pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/HMBS/Wnt/β-catenin/GPX4, pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/KEAP1/NRF2/xCT, mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3/KEAP1/NRF2/xCT, and mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/LPCAT3/ALOX15 axial expression was significantly aberrant after Gyp-L intervention (P<0.05). ConclusionThe pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/HMBS/Wnt/β-catenin/GPX4, pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/KEAP1/Nrf2/xCT, mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3/KEAP1/Nrf2/xCT, and mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/LPCAT3/ALOX15 signaling pathways are involved in OC development. Gyp-L inhibits OC development by activating OVCAR3 cell ferroptosis onset mainly through the mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3/KEAP1/Nrf2/xCT and mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/LPCAT3/ALOX15 signaling axes.
6.Expert consensus on clinical protocol for treating herpes zoster with fire needling.
Xiaodong WU ; Bin LI ; Baoyan LIU ; Lin HE ; Zhishun LIU ; Shixi HUANG ; Keyi HUI ; Hongxia LIU ; Yuxia CAO ; Shuxin WANG ; Zhe XU ; Cang ZHANG ; Jingsheng ZHAO ; Yali LIU ; Nanqi ZHAO ; Nan DING ; Jing HU
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(12):1825-1832
The expert consensus on the clinical treatment of herpes zoster with fire needling was developed, and the commonly used fire needling treatment scheme verified by clinical research was selected to form a standardized diagnosis and treatment scheme for acute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), so as to answer the core problems in clinical application. The consensus focuses on patients with herpes zoster, and forms recommendations for 9 key clinical issues, covering simple fire needling and TCM comprehensive therapy based on fire needling, including fire needling combined with cupping, fire needling combined with Chinese herb, fire needling combined with cupping and Chinese herb, fire needling combined with filiform needling, fire needling combined with moxibustion, and provides specific recommendations and operational guidelines for various therapies.
Humans
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Herpes Zoster/therapy*
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Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation*
;
Consensus
;
Clinical Protocols
8.Role of artificial intelligence in medical image analysis.
Lu WANG ; Shimin ZHANG ; Nan XU ; Qianqian HE ; Yuming ZHU ; Zhihui CHANG ; Yanan WU ; Huihan WANG ; Shouliang QI ; Lina ZHANG ; Yu SHI ; Xiujuan QU ; Xin ZHOU ; Jiangdian SONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2879-2894
With the emergence of deep learning techniques based on convolutional neural networks, artificial intelligence (AI) has driven transformative developments in the field of medical image analysis. Recently, large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have also started to achieve distinction in this domain. Increasing research shows the undeniable role of AI in reshaping various aspects of medical image analysis, including processes such as image enhancement, segmentation, detection in image preprocessing, and postprocessing related to medical diagnosis and prognosis in clinical settings. However, despite the significant progress in AI research, studies investigating the recent advances in AI technology in the aforementioned aspects, the changes in research hotspot trajectories, and the performance of studies in addressing key clinical challenges in this field are limited. This article provides an overview of recent advances in AI for medical image analysis and discusses the methodological profiles, advantages, disadvantages, and future trends of AI technologies.
Artificial Intelligence
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Humans
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Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*
;
Neural Networks, Computer
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Deep Learning
;
Diagnostic Imaging/methods*
9.Current status and suggestions on regulation of traditional Chinese medicine raw materials and preparations under regulatory system of drugs.
Li-Ping QU ; Yong-Dan XU ; Wei-Jing HE ; Ding-Kun ZHANG ; Nan YANG ; Min-Xian SONG ; Zhi-Qiang MIN ; Ting-Mo ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):824-832
At present, the cause of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in China has entered a new period of high-quality development. How to strengthen the foundation for the TCM industry from the source is an important issue that deserves the attention of the authorities, industry, and academia. This study systematically analyzed the regulatory system of TCM raw materials and preparations. The study took the TCM industry chain and the product life cycle as a clue and focused on the dimensions of TCM resource protection and plant cultivation(farming), production and quality supervision of TCM raw materials and preparations, and their market access and distribution. It analyzed the current situation of the regulation of TCM raw materials and preparations under the regulatory system of drugs, discussed the main problems, and put forward corresponding suggestions. The results can provide an important reference value for the subsequent improvement of the regulatory system of drugs and the construction of a prominent regulatory system of drugs in accordance with TCM characteristics.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/economics*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
;
China
;
Quality Control
;
Humans
;
Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*
10.Quality changes of volatile oil and chlorogenic acid compounds during extraction process of Artemisiae Argyi Folium: process analysis based on chemical composition, physicochemical properties, and biological activity.
Dan-Dan YANG ; Hao-Zhou HUANG ; Xin-Ming CHEN ; Lin HUANG ; Ya-Nan HE ; Zhen-Feng WU ; Xiao-Ming BAO ; Ding-Kun ZHANG ; Ming YANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):3001-3012
To explore the variation laws of volatile oil during the extraction process of Artemisiae Argyi Folium and its impact on the quality of the medicinal solution, as well as to achieve precise control of the extraction process, this study employed headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-SPME-GC-MS) in combination with multiple light scattering techniques to conduct a comprehensive analysis, identification, and characterization of the changes in volatile components and the physical properties of the medicinal solution during the extraction process. A total of 82 volatile compounds were identified using the HS-SPME-GC-MS technique, including 21 alcohols, 15 alkenes, 14 ketones, 9 acids, 6 aldehydes, 5 phenols, 3 esters, and 9 other types of compounds. At different extraction time points(15, 30, 45, and 60 min), 71, 72, 64, and 44 compounds were identified in the medicinal solution, respectively. It was observed that the content of volatile components gradually decreased with the extension of extraction time. Through multivariate statistical analysis, four compounds with significant differences during different extraction time intervals were identified, namely 1,8-cineole, terpinen-4-ol, 3-octanone, and camphor. RESULTS:: from multiple light scattering techniques indicated that at 15 minutes of extraction, the transmittance of the medicinal solution was the lowest(25%), the particle size was the largest(0.325-0.350 nm), and the stability index(turbiscan stability index, TSI) was the highest(0-2.5). With the extension of extraction time, the light transmittance of the medicinal solution improved, stability was enhanced, and the particle size decreased. These laws of physicochemical property changes provide important basis for the control of Artemisiae Argyi Folium extraction process. In addition, the changes in the bioactivity of Artemisiae Argyi Folium extracts during the extraction process were investigated through mouse writhing tests and antimicrobial assays. The results indicated that the analgesic and antimicrobial effects of the medicinal solution were strongest at the 15-minute extracting point. In summary, the findings of this study demonstrate that the content of volatile oil in Artemisiae Argyi Folium extracts gradually decreases with the extension of extraction time, and the variation in volatile oil content directly influences the physicochemical properties and pharmacological efficacy of the medicinal solution. This discovery provides important scientific reference for the optimization of Artemisiae Argyi Folium extraction processes and the development and application of process analytical technologies.
Oils, Volatile/pharmacology*
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Artemisia/chemistry*
;
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Chlorogenic Acid/pharmacology*
;
Solid Phase Microextraction
;
Quality Control

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