1.Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway regulates the development of osteoarthritis:guiding targeted therapy with traditional Chinese medicine
Hao LI ; Hongcheng TAO ; Ping ZENG ; Jinfu LIU ; Qiang DING ; Chicheng NIU ; Kai HUANG ; Hongyu KANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(6):1476-1485
BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is pathologically characterized by progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage and abnormal deformation of the subchondral bone.In recent years,with the deepening of medical research,it has been found that the mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)signaling pathway has a regulatory role in inflammatory cell infiltration,inflammatory factor release,and chondrocyte proliferation,which is particularly important for the treatment of osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To briefly review the main research progress in the mechanism of MAPK signaling pathway regulating osteoarthritis in recent years,aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of osteoarthritis.METHODS:CNKI,WanFang and PubMed databases were searched for relevant literature using the search terms of"mitogen-activated protein kinases,osteoarthritis,extracellular signal-regulated MAP kinases,p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases,JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase"in Chinese and English.Relevant literature published from January 2019 to November 2024 was searched,and 108 articles were finally included for summary analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Various stimuli inside and outside the cells activate the MAPK signaling pathway,regulate gene transcription and protein synthesis,and promote the release of inflammatory factors,such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.The release of these inflammatory factors aggravates the progression of osteoarthritis.(2)The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine,mainly saponins and flavonoids,as well as Chinese herbal formulas and preparations with the main effects of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis,tonifying the liver and kidney,can play a therapeutic role in osteoarthritis by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway,regulating the release of matrix metalloproteinases,balancing the homeostatic state of osteogenesis and osteoblastogenesis,attenuating the synovial inflammation,decreasing the release of inflammatory factors and inflammatory vesicles,decreasing cellular pyroptosis,promoting autophagy,and ameliorating oxidative stress.(3)Although traditional Chinese medicine has become popular in the treatment of osteoarthritis by virtue of its own advantages of multi-components,multi-targets,multi-pathways,and low side effects,the use of MAPK signaling pathway to guide the treatment of individual osteoarthritis is the difficulty of the technology,which needs to be continuously researched and explored.(4)Therefore,further development of relevant herbal inhibitors that can modulate the MAPK signaling pathway may be a potential drug strategy for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.
2.Differentiation and Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure Based on Theory of "Harmony When Conforming to Qi and Illness When Going Against Qi"
Zongyi LIU ; Yan ZHANG ; Hongyu CUI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):239-250
Chronic heart failure (CHF) represents the terminal stage of numerous cardiovascular diseases. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, the pathogenesis of CHF is characterized by deficiency of the root and excess of the branch. The deficiency of the root mainly stems from insufficiency of heart Qi, while the excess of the branch arises from pathological accumulation of phlegm, blood stasis, and fluid retention. During the occurrence and development of CHF, the disobedience of heart Qi consistently serves as the key to the onset of the disease. As elucidated in Da Lun Chapter of WU Yun Xing in The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic: Plain Questions, "harmony when conforming to qi and illness when going against Qi". This principle describes the relationship between human physiology and nature Qi dynamics. Harmony leads to health, while disobedience leads to illness. The same principle can be applied within the human body, that is, harmony between the zang-fu organs and their Qi leads to health, while disobedience leads to illness. The occurrence of CHF and the relationship between the heart and heart Qi also follow this principle. This study started from this theory, analyzed the relationship between "following or going against Qi" and the occurrence of diseases in the human body, further analyzing the "following" and "going against" between the heart and heart Qi, the pathogenesis of CHF, the corresponding relationship between the heart Qi and modern physiology in the state of "following Qi", the corresponding situation between the heart Qi and modern pathology in the state of "going against Qi", and the relationship between "going against Qi" and different stages of CHF. Moreover, it proposed to treat CHF from the perspective of "illness when going against Qi". One is to replenish the insufficiency of heart Qi (tonifying heart Qi and also invigorating the spleen), and the other is to unblock the channels of heart Qi (resolving phlegm and removing turbidity to unblock the channels, removing blood stasis and dredging collaterals to promote blood circulation, and transforming fluid retention and expelling water to facilitate blood flow). Meanwhile, the effects of single-herb Chinese medicines and Chinese-medicine compound prescriptions on the myocardium and micro-indexes of the human body under the "tonifying" and "unblocking" methods were analyzed. Through the above-mentioned treatment methods, the nature of heart Qi can finally be restored to "abundant" and "unobstructed", so that the heart Qi can be harmonized and CHF can be improved. These findings may provide a new way of thinking for the future treatment of CHF.
3.Differentiation and Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure Based on Theory of "Harmony When Conforming to Qi and Illness When Going Against Qi"
Zongyi LIU ; Yan ZHANG ; Hongyu CUI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):239-250
Chronic heart failure (CHF) represents the terminal stage of numerous cardiovascular diseases. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, the pathogenesis of CHF is characterized by deficiency of the root and excess of the branch. The deficiency of the root mainly stems from insufficiency of heart Qi, while the excess of the branch arises from pathological accumulation of phlegm, blood stasis, and fluid retention. During the occurrence and development of CHF, the disobedience of heart Qi consistently serves as the key to the onset of the disease. As elucidated in Da Lun Chapter of WU Yun Xing in The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic: Plain Questions, "harmony when conforming to qi and illness when going against Qi". This principle describes the relationship between human physiology and nature Qi dynamics. Harmony leads to health, while disobedience leads to illness. The same principle can be applied within the human body, that is, harmony between the zang-fu organs and their Qi leads to health, while disobedience leads to illness. The occurrence of CHF and the relationship between the heart and heart Qi also follow this principle. This study started from this theory, analyzed the relationship between "following or going against Qi" and the occurrence of diseases in the human body, further analyzing the "following" and "going against" between the heart and heart Qi, the pathogenesis of CHF, the corresponding relationship between the heart Qi and modern physiology in the state of "following Qi", the corresponding situation between the heart Qi and modern pathology in the state of "going against Qi", and the relationship between "going against Qi" and different stages of CHF. Moreover, it proposed to treat CHF from the perspective of "illness when going against Qi". One is to replenish the insufficiency of heart Qi (tonifying heart Qi and also invigorating the spleen), and the other is to unblock the channels of heart Qi (resolving phlegm and removing turbidity to unblock the channels, removing blood stasis and dredging collaterals to promote blood circulation, and transforming fluid retention and expelling water to facilitate blood flow). Meanwhile, the effects of single-herb Chinese medicines and Chinese-medicine compound prescriptions on the myocardium and micro-indexes of the human body under the "tonifying" and "unblocking" methods were analyzed. Through the above-mentioned treatment methods, the nature of heart Qi can finally be restored to "abundant" and "unobstructed", so that the heart Qi can be harmonized and CHF can be improved. These findings may provide a new way of thinking for the future treatment of CHF.
4.Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway regulates the development of osteoarthritis:guiding targeted therapy with traditional Chinese medicine
Hao LI ; Hongcheng TAO ; Ping ZENG ; Jinfu LIU ; Qiang DING ; Chicheng NIU ; Kai HUANG ; Hongyu KANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(6):1476-1485
BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is pathologically characterized by progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage and abnormal deformation of the subchondral bone.In recent years,with the deepening of medical research,it has been found that the mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)signaling pathway has a regulatory role in inflammatory cell infiltration,inflammatory factor release,and chondrocyte proliferation,which is particularly important for the treatment of osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To briefly review the main research progress in the mechanism of MAPK signaling pathway regulating osteoarthritis in recent years,aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of osteoarthritis.METHODS:CNKI,WanFang and PubMed databases were searched for relevant literature using the search terms of"mitogen-activated protein kinases,osteoarthritis,extracellular signal-regulated MAP kinases,p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases,JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase"in Chinese and English.Relevant literature published from January 2019 to November 2024 was searched,and 108 articles were finally included for summary analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Various stimuli inside and outside the cells activate the MAPK signaling pathway,regulate gene transcription and protein synthesis,and promote the release of inflammatory factors,such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.The release of these inflammatory factors aggravates the progression of osteoarthritis.(2)The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine,mainly saponins and flavonoids,as well as Chinese herbal formulas and preparations with the main effects of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis,tonifying the liver and kidney,can play a therapeutic role in osteoarthritis by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway,regulating the release of matrix metalloproteinases,balancing the homeostatic state of osteogenesis and osteoblastogenesis,attenuating the synovial inflammation,decreasing the release of inflammatory factors and inflammatory vesicles,decreasing cellular pyroptosis,promoting autophagy,and ameliorating oxidative stress.(3)Although traditional Chinese medicine has become popular in the treatment of osteoarthritis by virtue of its own advantages of multi-components,multi-targets,multi-pathways,and low side effects,the use of MAPK signaling pathway to guide the treatment of individual osteoarthritis is the difficulty of the technology,which needs to be continuously researched and explored.(4)Therefore,further development of relevant herbal inhibitors that can modulate the MAPK signaling pathway may be a potential drug strategy for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.
5.Compound Xishu Granules Inhibit Proliferation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Regulating Ferroptosis
Yuan TIAN ; Yuxi WANG ; Zhen LIU ; Yuncheng MA ; Hongyu ZHU ; Xiaozhu WANG ; Qian LI ; Jian GAO ; Weiling WANG ; Wenhui XU ; Ting WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):37-45
ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of compound Xishu granules (CXG) in inhibiting the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating ferroptosis. MethodsThe transplanted tumor model of human Huh7 was established with nude mice and the successfully modeled mice were randomized into model, Fufang Banmao (0.21 g·kg-1), low-dose (1.87 g·kg-1) CXG, medium-dose (3.74 g·kg-1) CXG, and high-dose (7.49 g·kg-1) CXG groups. Mice were administrated with drinking water or CXG for 28 days, and the body weight and tumor volume were measured every 4 days. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the histopathological changes of tumors. The cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to examine the survival rate of Huh7 cells treated with different concentrations (0, 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250, 500, 1 000 mg·L-1) of CXG for 24 h and 48 h. CA-AM, DCFH-DA, and C11-BODIPY581/591 fluorescent probes were used to determine the intracellular levels of ferrous ion (Fe2+), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lipid peroxide (LPO), respectively. The colorimetric method was employed to measure the levels of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1), and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), respectively. ResultsIn the animal experiment, compared with the model group, the drug treatment groups showed reductions in the tumor volume from day 12 (P<0.01). After treatment, the Fufang Banmao and low-, medium-, and high-dose CXG groups had lower tumor volume, relative tumor volume, and tumor weight than the model group (P<0.05), with tumor inhibition rates of 48.99%, 79.93%, 91.38%, and 97.36%, respectively. Moreover, the CXG groups had lower tumor volume and relative tumor volume (P<0.05 in all the three dose groups) and lower tumor weight (P<0.05 in medium-dose and high-dose groups) than the Fufang Banmao group. Compared with the model group, the drug treatment groups showed reduced number of tumor cells, necrotic foci with karyopyknosis, nuclear fragmentation, and nucleolysis, and the high-dose CXG group showed an increase in the proportion of interstitial fibroblasts. In the cell experiment, compared with the blank group, CXG reduced the survival rate of Huh7 cells in a dose-dependent manner after incubation for 24 h and 48 h (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the RSL3 group and the low-, medium-, and high-dose CXG groups showed a decrease in the relative fluorescence intensity of CA-AM and increases in the fluorescence intensity of DCFH-DA and fluorescence ratio of C11-BODIPY581/591, which indicated elevations in the levels of Fe2+ (P<0.01), ROS (P<0.05), and LPO (P<0.01), respectively. Compared with the blank group, the RSL3 and low-, medium-, and high-dose CXG groups showed lowered levels of GSH and SOD (P<0.05). In addition, the RSL3 group and the medium- and high-dose CXG groups showed down-regulated expression of GPX4 and FTH1 (P<0.05), and the low- and high-dose CXG groups presented up-regulated expression of TFR1 (P<0.05). ConclusionCXG suppresses the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by inducing ferroptosis via downregulating the GSH-GPX4 signaling axis and increasing intracellular Fe2+and LPO levels.
6.The relationship between size distribution of circulating extracellular vesicles and coagulation function after cardiac surgery
Hongyu CAO ; Haoxiang YUAN ; Chao CHEN ; Yupeng JIAN ; Yuquan LI ; Xiaojun LIU ; Zhensheng MA ; Yan LI ; Jingsong OU
Chinese Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;41(3):183-190
Objective:To investigate the relationship between the changes in extracellular vesicles (EVs) size distribution before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) cardiac surgery and postoperative coagulation function.Methods:A total of 103 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB were enrolled. Venous blood samples were collected at preoperation, postoperative 12 h and 3 days. Additionally, 50 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers served as a control group. EVs were isolated using gradient centrifugation, and their size distribution was assessed by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The relationship between EV size characteristics, including peak diameter, peak height, and interquartile range( IQR), and postoperative coagulation function was analyzed. Results:Compared to patients with normal postoperative coagulation function, those with postoperative coagulation dysfunction had lower size at peak and IQR, and significantly higher peak intensity. Logistic regression analysis indicated that elevated peak intensity and lower size at peak and IQR were risk factors for coagulation dysfunction. The area under the curve ( AUC) for diagnosing coagulation dysfunction with 12 h postoperative EVs peak intensity was 0.76, with a positive predictive value of 85% at the optimal cutoff of 8.2; the AUC for IQR was 0.84, with a sensitivity of 83%, specificity of 82%, and negative predictive value of 86% at the optimal cutoff of 125.05 nm. Conclusion:The size distribution of circulating EVs show a correlation with coagulation function after cardiac surgery with CPB and may serve as a novel biomarker to predict postoperative coagulation dysfunction.
7.National clinical three-tiered surveillance and stratified precision detection report on respiratory infectious pathogens in 2024
Jingwen AI ; Jikui DENG ; Min DONG ; Xiaohong GAO ; Jiawei GENG ; Xiaoli HU ; Zhu JIN ; Hongyan LIU ; Yongzhong LI ; Xi LIU ; Yuanwang QIU ; Lihong QU ; Binhuang SUN ; Wei SONG ; Hongyu WANG ; Junping WANG ; Sen WANG ; Xiaoming XIONG ; Daokun YANG ; Liaoyun ZHANG ; Yanliang ZHANG ; Xianghong ZHOU ; Wenhong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Infectious Diseases 2025;43(2):79-89
Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of respiratory pathogens in China.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study, which encompassed 19 core units of the clinical pathogen network and established a three-tiered clinical pathogen surveillance system. Thirty respiratory samples were collected every two weeks from various units from January to December 2024, and the clinical and pathogen diagnostic information were gathered. A total of 11 864 samples were tested using this system. The tier-1 clinical pathogen surveillance system covered influenza A virus (Flu-A), influenza B virus (Flu-B), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The tier-2 clinical pathogen surveillance system focused on 18 key respiratory pathogens. The tier-3 clinical pathogen surveillance system further clarified whether any emerging infectious diseases had occurred.Results:The tier-1 clinical pathogen surveillance system showed Flu-A predominated in December, Flu-B predominated in January, SARS-CoV-2 peaked in March and August, whereas RSV circulated sporadically throughout the year. Geographic trends were broadly consistent across the seven major regions, although Flu-A detection in December was notably higher in Northeast China (48.1%(111/231)) and East China (36.2%(148/409)), and RSV detection was concentrated in the Northwest and South China from January to March. Data from the tier-2 clinical pathogen surveillance system indicated that Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, rhinovirus, and adenovirus were detected year-round, of these, Streptococcus pneumoniae and rhinovirus showed elevated positive detection rates from August to September, while adenovirus peaked in January. Legionella pneumophila was not detected throughout the year, and other pathogens fluctuated throughout the year without a consistent pattern. The predominant etiologic agents of pediatric pneumonia were Mycoplasma pneumoniae (35.0%(105/300)), rhinovirus (25.7%(77/300)), and adenovirus (17.3%(52/300)), whereas adult pneumonia was mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (10.5%(29/277)), Staphylococcus aureus (6.9%(19/277)), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (6.9%(19/277)), and Flu-A (6.1%(17/277)). The tier-3 clinical pathogen surveillance system did not identify any emerging respiratory pathogens. Conclusion:Respiratory pathogens in China in 2024 exhibit distinct temporal and spatial distribution patterns and vary among different populations.
8.Interpretation and thoughts on the formulation and revision of the standards for exogenous harmful residues in traditional Chinese medicinal materials in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition
Ying WANG ; Mingrui SHEN ; Yuanxi LIU ; Tiantian ZUO ; Dandan WANG ; Yi HE ; Xianlong CHENG ; Hongyu JIN ; Yongli LIU ; Feng WEI ; Shuangcheng MA
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(1):83-92
As people's attention to health continues to increase,the market demand for traditional Chinese medi-cine(TCM)is growing steadily.The quality and safety of Chinese medicinal materials have attracted unprecedent-ed social attention.In particular,the issue of exogenous harmful residue pollution in TCM has become a hot topic of concern for both regulatory authorities and society.The Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition further refines the detection methods and limit standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM .This not only reflects China's high-level emphasis on the quality and safety of TCM but also demonstrates the continuous progress made by China in the field of TCM safety supervision.Basis on this study,by systematically reviewing the development history of the detection standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM and analyzing the revisions and updates of these detec-tion standards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition,deeply explores the key points of the changes in the monitoring standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition.Moreo-ver,it interprets the future development directions of the detection of exogenous residues in TCM ,aiming to provide a reference for the formulation of TCM safety supervision policies.
9.Sangma Zhike Formula alleviates airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in rats with postinfectious cough by inhibiting the TRPV1-SP/CGRP and pyroptosis pathways
Qinjun YANG ; Hongyu ZHU ; Yuan GAO ; Cheng YANG ; Tong LIU ; Lu ZHANG ; Jiabing TONG ; Zegeng LI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(9):1830-1839
Objective To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Sangma Zhike Formula(SMZKF)for relieving cough sensitivity and airway inflammation in rats with postinfectious cough(PIC).Methods Male SD rat models were established by cigarette smoke exposure with intranasal LPS instillation and capsaicin aerosol inhalation.From day 19 following the start of PIC modeling,the rats received daily treatment with saline(model group),low-,medium-,and high-dose SMZKF,and compound methoxyphenamine(ASM)via gavage for 10 consecutive days(n=8).The assessments included behavioral changes,cough sensitivity(latency and frequency),lung histopathology,inflammatory cell counts and cytokine/mediator levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF),oxidative stress markers in the lung tissue,and expressions of proteins related with cough hypersensitivity and pyroptosis.Results The rat models of PIC exhibited reduced mental alertness,accelerated respiration,and pronounced symptoms such as coughing,sneezing,and facial scratching with significantly shortened cough latency and increased 5-min cough frequency.Histopathological analysis revealed collapsed alveolar structures,thickened alveolar septa,and extensive inflammatory cell infiltration in the bronchi and peribronchial regions,accompanied by elevated bronchial and alveolar inflammation scores of the rat models.In the BALF,inflammatory cell counts and the levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-6,COX-2,PGE-2,and TXA-2 were all markedly elevated,and the pulmonary oxidative stress markers(ROS and MDA)and myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity were also significantly increased.The pulmonary expressions of cough hypersensitivity-related proteins(TRPV1,SP,CGRP,and NK1R)and pyroptosis-associated markers(P-NF-κB,NLRP3,ACS,cleaved caspase-1,cleaved IL-1β,and GSDMD-N)were significantly upregulated in the model group.SMZKF interventions significantly ameliorated these pathological changes in the rat models,and high-dose SMZKF produced a similar therapeutic efficacy to that of ASM.Conclusion SMZKF alleviates cough sensitivity and airway inflammation in PIC rats possibly by inhibiting TRPV1-mediated SP/NK1R signaling and the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway.
10.Relationship between psychological resilience and attention bias among secondary vocational school students
LIU Ya, ZHENG Hongyu, XU Fenglin, ZHONG Hui
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(3):368-371
Objective:
To explore the relationship between psychological resilience and attention bias towards negative information in secondary vocational school students, so as to provide reference for developing their mental health work.
Methods:
In May, 2024, 177 secondary vocational students were selected from the technical secondary vocational school by convenient sampling method. The experiment utilized a mixed experimental design of 2 (group: high psychological resilience group, low psychological resilience group) ×2 (type of stimulus: negative stimulus, neutral stimulus). Adolescents were divided into the high psychological resilience group ( n =32) and the low psychological resilience group ( n =31) based on their scores from the Adolescent Psychological Resilience Scale. Both groups completed the classical dot probing task, with correct rate, reaction time serving and attention biasvalues as primary indicators to assess attention bias. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the reaction time and accuracy of attention bias tasks between two groups of participants, and Pearson correlation analysis was performed on the five dimensions of psychological resilience and attention bias values.
Results:
The low resilience group exhibited significantly faster response time to negative stimuli compared to neutral stimuli [(579.11±85.44, 586.13±78.92)ms, F (1,61)=5.93, P <0.05]. Additionally, the accuracy of responses to negative stimuli in the low resilience group was significantly lower than that of neutral stimuli [(0.93±0.12, 0.95±0.09), F (1,61)=12.81, P <0.01]. Attention bias values were significantly higher in the low resilience group (7.03±18.43) compared to the high resilience group (-2.54±13.39) ( t =2.36, P <0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a marginally significant negative correlation between the interpersonal assistance (2.85±0.77) and attention bias values (2.20±16.65) ( r=-0.25, P <0.05).
Conclusion
Secondary vocational school students with low psychological resilience showed a significant attention bias towards negative emotional stimuli, which may render them more susceptible to such stimuli.


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