1.Pharmacodynamic Substances and Mechanisms of Da Chengqitang in Treating Stroke: A Review
Yizhi YAN ; Xinyi LIU ; Yang DUAN ; Miaoqing LONG ; Chaoya LI ; Qiang LI ; Yi'an CHEN ; Shasha YANG ; Yue ZHANG ; Peng ZENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):297-306
Stroke is the main cause of death and disability among adults in China and is characterized by high incidence, disability, mortality, and recurrence rates. The combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine has great potential in treating stroke and its sequelae. The classic traditional Chinese medicine prescription Da Chengqitang (DCQT) has a long history and proven efficacy in treating stroke. Clinically, DCQT is often used to treat stroke and its sequelae. However, the number and quality of clinical trials of DCQT in treating stroke need to be improved. Because of the insufficient basic research, the active ingredients and multi-target mechanism of action of DCQT remain unclear. Our research group has previously confirmed that DCQT can effectively reverse neurological damage, reduce iron deposition, and downregulate the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the rat model of hemorrhagic stroke. The treatment mechanism is related to the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated signaling pathway and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling-mediated microglia activation. To clarify the pharmacodynamic basis and anti-stroke mechanism of DCQT, this article reviews the research progress in the treatment of stroke with DCQT in terms of clinical trials, pharmacodynamic material basis, safety evaluation, and mechanisms of absorbed components. This article summarizes 45 major phytochemical components of DCQT, 11 of which are currently confirmed absorbed components. Among them, emodin, rhein, chrysophanol, aloe-emodin, synephrine, hesperidin, naringin, magnolol, and honokiol can be used as quality markers (Q-markers) of DCQT. The mechanism of DCQT in treating stroke is complex, involving regulation of inflammatory responses, neuronal damage, oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and anti-platelet aggregation. This article helps to deeply understand the pharmacodynamic basis and mechanism of DCQT in treating stroke and provides a theoretical basis for the clinical application of DCQT in treating stroke and the development of stroke drugs.
2.Impact of cold spells on hospitalizations of residents in Hengyang City from 2017 to 2023: A time series study based on different definitions of cold spells
Xiaoming DENG ; Guanxiang ZOU ; Weixiong PENG ; Bin LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(7):808-813
Background The impact of cold spells on population health can be categorized into an independent main effect of extreme low temperatures and an added effect of prolonged low temperatures. However, studies on the added effects of cold spells on hospitalizations remain limited. Objective To investigate the added effects of cold spells on hospitalizations of residents in Hengyang City, Hunan Province, and to provide a scientific basis for establishing a cold spell early warning system. Methods Daily meteorological data, air pollutant data, and hospitalization data from six tertiary hospitals of four districts in Hengyang City from 2017 to 2023 were collected. A generalized linear model (GLM) combined with a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to assess the added effects of cold spells on non-accidental hospitalizations, as well as hospitalizations for circulatory system diseases and respiratory system diseases, after controlling the main effect of temperature. The modifying effects of cold spell characteristics (intensity and duration) and individual characteristics (gender and age) were also analyzed. Results Compared with non-cold spell periods, the relative risks (RRs) of total non-accidental hospitalizations and hospitalizations across disease categories, genders, and age groups were elevated during cold spells of varying intensities and durations. However, the total effects of cold spells exhibited a "U-shape" nonlinear relationship with intensity and decreased with prolonged duration. During high-intensity cold spells (daily average temperature < P5 and lasting ≥ 2 d), the RR (95%CI) for non-accidental hospitalizations was 1.71 (1.21, 2.42); the RRs (95%CIs) for males and females were 1.99 (1.38, 2.84) and 1.47 (1.00, 2.16), respectively; for individuals < 65 years and ≥ 65 years, the RRs (95%CIs) were 1.59 (1.12, 2.26) and 1.93 (1.27, 2.92), respectively; and for circulatory and respiratory system diseases, the RRs (95%CIs) were 1.84 (1.22, 2.79) and 1.07 (0.71, 1.60), respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between the above subgroups. The single-day lagged effects of cold spells displayed a two-peaked pattern. The single-day lag RR for total non-accidental hospitalizations peaked at lag 1 d after cold spell exposure, declined thereafter, and began to rise again after lag 5 d, reaching a second peak at lag 12–13 d before gradually decreasing. The lagged effects remained statistically significant during lag 8–18 d. The lag patterns of cold spell associations across disease categories, genders, and age groups were largely consistent with those of total hospitalizations. Conclusion Cold spells have a significant impact on non-accidental hospitalizations of residents in Hengyang City, with notable lagged effects. The findings provide important theoretical support for establishing a more targeted cold spell early warning system.
3.Consensus on low-altitude transport and delivery services for emergency medicines via drones (2025 edition)
Qinshui WU ; Yanfang CHEN ; Tao LIU ; Xiaoyan LI ; Yumin LIANG ; Xin LI ; Zhong LI ; Rong LI ; Xiaoman WANG ; Shuyao ZHANG ; Huishu TIAN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(18):2221-2225
OBJECTIVE To promote the application of drones in emergency rescue and related fields, expand “low-altitude+ medical” rescue services, and advance the standardization of “low-altitude+medical” distribution services. METHODS The Consensus on Low-altitude Transport and Delivery Services for Emergency Medicines via Drones (2025 Edition) (hereinafter referred to as the Consensus) was jointly initiated by the Division of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Chinese Pharmacological Society and the Expert Committee on Precision Medication of the Guangdong Pharmaceutical Association. Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital served as the leading unit, organizing 53 multidisciplinary experts nationwide to participate in drafting and reviewing. A nominal group technique was employed to discuss and finalize the consensus outline, resulting in a preliminary draft. Delphi method was employed, and 11 external review experts were invited to conduct the evaluation. After the experts’ opinions were analyzed and integrated, the Consensus was finalized. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS The finalized Consensus includes its purpose, principles, and applicable scenarios, basic requirements, and operational procedures for low-altitude transport and delivery of emergency medications; distribution requirements and precautions for controlled substances, fragile medications, and temperature-sensitive medications; and recommendations for emergency medications supplies suitable for the low-altitude transportation and distribution. The release of this Consensus is expected to provide guidance and support for the standardization of “low-altitude+medical” distribution services and the application of low-altitude economy in the healthcare sector.
4.Disulfiram: A novel repurposed drug for cancer therapy
Min ZENG ; Baibei WU ; Wenjie WEI ; Zihan JIANG ; Peiqiang LI ; Yuanting QUAN ; Xiaobo HU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(12):1389-1398
Cancer is a major global health issue. Effective therapeutic strategies can prolong patients’ survival and reduce the costs of treatment. Drug repurposing, which identifies new therapeutic uses for approved drugs, is a promising approach with the advantages of reducing research costs, shortening development time, and increasing efficiency and safety. Disulfiram (DSF), a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug used to treat chronic alcoholism, has a great potential as an anticancer drug by targeting diverse human malignancies. Several studies show the antitumor effects of DSF, particularly the combination of DSF and copper (DSF/Cu), on a wide range of cancers such as glioblastoma (GBM), breast cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and melanoma. In this review, we summarize the antitumor mechanisms of DSF/Cu, including induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and various cell death signaling pathways, and inhibition of proteasome activity, as well as inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. Furthermore, we highlight the ability of DSF/Cu to target cancer stem cells (CSCs), which provides a new approach to prevent tumor recurrence and metastasis. Strikingly, DSF/Cu inhibits several molecular targets associated with drug resistance, and therefore it is becoming a novel option to increase the sensitivity of chemo-resistant and radio-resistant patients. Studies of DSF/Cu may shed light on its improved application to clinical tumor treatment.
5. Diallyl disulfide augments sensitivity of DJ-1 overexpressed human gastric cells to 5-FU
Yi XUN ; Hong XIA ; Zhi-Min LI ; Fang LIU ; Qi SU ; Bo SU ; Yi XUN ; Zhi-Min LI ; Bo SU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(1):99-105
Aim To investigate whether diallyl disul-fide (DADS) augments the sensitivity of DJ-1 (protein/ nucleic acid deglycase) overexpressed human gastric SGC7901 cells to 5-FU (5-fluorouracil). Methods The experimental groups include control group, DADS group, VCR (vincristine) group, VCR + DADS group, DJ-1 group, DJ-1 + DADS group. MTT was used to analyze the effect of DADS on 5 -FU (5 -fluorou- racil) induced proliferation inhibition. Flow cytometry was performed to examine the effect of DADS on cell apoptosis. RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluo-rescence were used for determine the effect of DADS on the drug resistance associated gene expression. Results DADS enhanced the proliferation inhibitory effect of 5-FU on DJ-1 overexpressed cells and VCR resistant cells. DADS could induce apoptosis in VCR-resistant cells. DADS downregulated the expression of DJ-1 while inducing apoptosis in DJ-1 overexpressed cells. DJ-1 overexpression upregulated the expression of P-gp (P-glycoprotein), Bcl-2, and XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein), downregulated the expression of caspase-3. DADS decreased the expression of P-gp, Bcl-2, and XIAP, while increased the expression of caspase-3 in DJ-1 overexpressed cells and VCR-resistant cells. Conclusions DADS can augment the sensitivity of DJ-1 overexpressed cells to 5-FU, which is related to its antagonism against DJ-1 mediated upregula- tion of P-gp, Bcl-2, XIAP, and downregulation of caspase-3.
6.Pharmacodynamic Substances and Action Mechanisms of Chaihu Shugansan in Antidepressant Treatment: A Review
Jieyun LIN ; Yang DUAN ; Miaoqing LONG ; Chaoya LI ; Manfei DENG ; Peng ZENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(10):246-257
Depression is a kind of complex mental illness, which is mainly treated by western medicine at present, but the effect of western antidepressant drugs is not good due to the combined influence of side effects and individual differences of patients. Depression is a "stagnation syndrome" in traditional Chinese medicine, and its treatment principle is to disperse stagnated liver Qi for relieving Qi stagnation. The classic traditional Chinese medicine formula Chaihu Shugansan (CHSGS) has a long history of treating depression and demonstrates significant therapeutic efficacy. Clinically, the addition and subtraction of CHSGS is flexible, but the properties of the active ingredients are vague, and the mechanism and function are unclear. In order to elucidate the pharmacodynamic basis and antidepressant mechanism of CHSGS, this article reviews the pharmacodynamic material basis of CHSGS, clinical research and antidepressant mechanism research progress. Clinically, CHSGS can treat various types of depression such as primary depression, post-stroke depression, and postpartum depression. This article summarizes 32 main ingredients of CHSGS, among which albiflorin, ferulic acid, naringin, hesperidin, saikosaponin a, glycyrrhetinic acid, tangeretin, meranzin hydrate, nobiletin and glycyrrhizic acid are the quality markers (Q-markers) for the antidepressant effect of CHSGS. The antidepressant mechanism of CHSGS is complex, including regulating monoamine neurotransmitters, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, neurotrophic factors, inflammatory response, cell damage-related pathways, oxidative stress, etc. This article helps to deeply understand the pharmacodynamic basis and mechanism of CHSGS in treating depression, and provides a theoretical basis for the clinical application of CHSGS in treating depression and the development of antidepressant drugs.
7.Study on gene therapy for DPOAE and ABR threshold changes in adult Otof-/- mice.
Zijing WANG ; Qi CAO ; Shaowei HU ; Xintai FAN ; Jun LV ; Hui WANG ; Wuqing WANG ; Huawei LI ; Yilai SHU
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2024;38(1):49-56
Objective:This study aims to analyze the threshold changes in distortion product otoacoustic emissions(DPOAE) and auditory brainstem response(ABR) in adult Otof-/- mice before and after gene therapy, evaluating its effectiveness and exploring methods for assessing hearing recovery post-treatment. Methods:At the age of 4 weeks, adult Otof-/- mice received an inner ear injection of a therapeutic agent containing intein-mediated recombination of the OTOF gene, delivered via dual AAV vectors through the round window membrane(RWM). Immunofluorescence staining assessed the proportion of inner ear hair cells with restored otoferlin expression and the number of synapses.Statistical analysis was performed to compare the DPOAE and ABR thresholds before and after the treatment. Results:AAV-PHP. eB demonstrates high transduction efficiency in inner ear hair cells. The therapeutic regimen corrected hearing loss in adult Otof-/- mice without impacting auditory function in wild-type mice. The changes in DPOAE and ABR thresholds after gene therapy are significantly correlated at 16 kHz. Post-treatment,a slight increase in DPOAE was observeds,followed by a recovery trend at 2 months post-treatment. Conclusion:Gene therapy significantly restored hearing in adult Otof-/- mice, though the surgical delivery may cause transient hearing damage. Precise and gentle surgical techniques are essential to maximize gene therapy's efficacy.
Mice
;
Animals
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Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous/physiology*
;
Hearing/physiology*
;
Ear, Inner
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Hearing Loss/therapy*
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Genetic Therapy
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Auditory Threshold/physiology*
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Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem/physiology*
;
Membrane Proteins
8.Herbal Textual Research on Asteris Radix et Rhizoma in Famous Classical Formulas
Hengyang LI ; Wenjie LI ; Xiaoying DING ; Dan ZHANG ; Zijing XUE ; Qi AN ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Yuguang ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):20-30
By reviewing the ancient and modern literature, the name, origin, scientific name evolution, place of origin, quality, harvesting, processing, efficacy and toxicity of Asteris Radix et Rhizoma(ARR) were systematically sorted out, so as to provide reference for the development and utilization of the relevant famous classical formulas. According to textual research, ARR was first contained in Shennong Bencaojing, all generations are Ziwan for its proper name, and there are still aliases such as Ziyuan, Ziqian and Xiaobianer. Its mainstream origin in successive generations was Aster tataricus, and there are also Ligularia fischeri and others in local area of use. The medicinal parts of ARR are root and rhizome, but in modern times, the rhizome is mostly used for propagation and cultivation, so some of ARR medicinal materials only have the root without the rhizome. The earliest recorded ancient origin of ARR was now Fangxian(Hubei), Zhengding and Handan(Heibei), then the range of production areas gradually expanded, the mainstream production areas from the Song dynasty to the Ming and Qing dynasties included Hebei, Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan and other places, since modern times, two major producing areas have been formed in Anguo, Hebei province and Bozhou, Anhui province. From the quality evaluation, it is clear that from ancient times, flexible roots and purple color are the best. The ancient harvesting was mainly in lunar February or March, and then dried in the shade, and the modern harvesting is mostly in spring and autumn, and the roots are braided into pigtails and then dried in the sun or dried in the sun after 1-2 d. The ancient and modern processing method of ARR are basically the same, mainly honey processing, there are still methods of frying, steaming, vinegar sizzling, etc. Based on the results, it is recommended that the dried roots and rhizomes of A. tataricus should be used in clinical and the development of related famous classical formulas, and those whose original formulas specify the processing requirements can be processed according to the relevant requirements, while whose processing requirements are not specified should be used in the form of raw products.
9.Effects of bisdemethoxycurcumin promoting neuronal differentiation of neuroblastoma cells in mice and its mechanism
Jiaxin WANG ; Hongzhi FANG ; Min WU ; Zejie YANG ; Wenbo XU ; Shuang ZHANG ; Shali LI ; Genyun TANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(5):578-583
OBJECTIVE To study the effects of the curcumin derivative bisdemethoxycurcumin (BC) promoting neuronal differentiation of neuroblastoma cells Neuro-2a (N2a) in mice and its mechanism. METHODS The effects of BC (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 μmol/L) on the viability of N2a cells were detected by MTT assay to determine the concentration range of drug treatment. The control group, retinoic acid (RA) group (10 μmol/L) and BC groups (1, 2 and 4 μmol/L) were set up, and the length of neural protrusions of the differentiated cells was measured and the cell differentiation rate was calculated after 48 h and 72 h of culture. Compared with 0 min group, Western blot was used to detect the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B (Akt), extracellular- signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) proteins in cells treated by 4 μmol/L BC for 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 min. After intervention with inhibitors LY294002 (LY) and PD98059 (PD), the effects of BC on Akt and ERK1/2 protein phosphorylation levels and promoting neural differentiation were further validated. RESULTS According to the MTT experiment, the BC concentrations for subsequent induction of cell differentiation were determined to be 1, 2, and 4 μmol/L. After 48 hours of differentiation, compared with the control group, the cell differentiation rate in RA group and BC 1, 2 and 4 μmol/L groups, the length of cellular neural processes wjxhhxx413@163.com in the BC 4 μmol/L group significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01);after inducing differentiation of BC for 72 hours,compared with the control group, the cell differentiation rate and the length of cellular neural processes in the RA group, the cell differentiation rate in the BC 4 μmol/L group, and the length of cellular neural processes in the BC 2 μmol/L group all significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with the 0 min group, the phosphorylation levels of Akt, ERK1/2, and p38 proteins in cells of the 5, 15, 30, 60 and 120 min groups increased to varying degrees after treated by 4 μmol/L BC, and some differences were statistically significant (P<0.05 or P<0.01). After adding the inhibitor LY/PD, compared with the BC group, the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2 protein in the PD+BC group cells were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the cell differentiation rates in the LY group, LY+BC group, PD group, and PD+BC group was significantly reduced (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS BC promotes N2a cell differentiation mainly by increasing cell differentiation rate and neural protrusion length. The mechanism may be related to the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase/ ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.
10.Herbal Textual Research on Farfarae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Tao WANG ; Xiaoying DING ; Hengyang LI ; Qi AN ; Zijing XUE ; Huikang ZHANG ; Yuguang ZHENG ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Dan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(4):67-76
By consulting ancient and modern literature, the herbal textual research of Farfarae Flos has been conducted to verify the name, origin, producing area, quality evaluation, harvesting and processing methods, so as to provide reference for the development and utilization of the famous classical formulas containing Farfarae Flos. According to the research, the results showed that Farfarae Flos was first described as a medicinal material by the name of Kuandonghua in Shennong Bencaojing(《神农本草经》), and the name was used and justified by later generations. The main origin was the folwer buds of Tussilago farfara, in addition, the flower buds of Petasites japonicus were used as medicine in ancient times. The ancient harvesting time of Farfarae Flos was mostly in the twelfth month of the lunar calendar, and the modern harvesting time is in December or before the ground freeze when the flower buds have not been excavated. Hebei, Gansu, Shaanxi are the authentic producing areas with the good quality products. Since modern times, its quality is summarized as big, fat, purple-red color, no pedicel is better. Processing method from soaking with licorice water in the Northern and Southern dynasties to stir-frying with honey water followed by micro-fire in the Ming dynasty, and gradually evolved to the modern mainstream processing method of honey processing. Based on the research results, it is suggested that the dried flower buds of T. farfara, a Compositae plant, should be selected for the development of famous classical formulas containing Farfarae Flos, and the corresponding processed products should be selected according to the specific processing requirements of the formulas, and raw products are recommended for medicinal use without indicating processing requirements.

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