1.Tangbikang Granules Improve Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via AMPK/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway
Zehong YANG ; Tonghua LIU ; Xiaohong MU ; Yaqi ZHANG ; Huizhong BAI ; Lingling QIN ; Xiaolei JIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):52-60
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Tangbikang granules improve diabetic peripheral neuropathy based on ferroptosis mediated by the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (AMPK/Nrf2) signaling pathway. MethodsA diabetes model was established using spontaneous male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. After successful modeling, the rats were divided into a normal group, a model group, high-, medium-, and low-dose Tangbikang granules groups, and a metformin hydrochloride group. The high-, medium-, and low-dose Tangbikang granules groups were administered by gavage at doses of 2.5, 1.25, 0.625 g·kg-1, respectively. The metformin hydrochloride group received 0.135 g·kg-1 by gavage, while the remaining groups received an equal volume of deionized water. Administration continued for 12 weeks. Blood glucose levels were measured after administration, and at 4, 8, 12 weeks. Following the 12-week intervention, the thermal pain threshold and the sciatic nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) were measured. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the sciatic nerve were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Morphological changes in the sciatic nerve were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and the ultrastructural changes were examined using transmission electron microscopy. The levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) were detected using immunofluorescence (IF) assay. The protein expression levels of p-AMPK, Nrf2, GPx4, and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) were detected using Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group had significantly higher blood glucose levels after administration and at weeks 4, 8 and 12 (P<0.01). The thermal pain threshold was significantly prolonged (P<0.01), and the SNCV was significantly slowed down (P<0.01). The SOD and ATP levels significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the MDA levels significantly increased (P<0.01). Pathologically, the sciatic nerve fibers in the model group showed a dispersed structure, disordered and sparse arrangement, axonal atrophy, irregular myelin sheath halo, increased and swollen Schwann cell nuclei, obvious endoneurial fibrosis, and collagen hyperplasia. Immunofluorescence assay revealed fragmented red fluorescence and significantly reduced expression of GPx4 (P<0.01). Western blot analysis showed significantly decreased protein expression levels of p-AMPK, Nrf2, and GPx4 (P<0.01), and significantly increased expression of ACSL4 (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, fasting blood glucose level decreased significantly in the high-dose Tangbikang granules group at weeks 4 and 12 (P<0.05). The thermal pain threshold was significantly shortened in the high- and medium-dose Tangbikang granules groups (P<0.01). The SNCV was significantly accelerated in the high- and medium-dose Tangbikang granules groups (P<0.01). The SOD levels were significantly elevated in the high-dose Tangbikang granules group (P<0.01). The MDA levels significantly decreased in all Tangbikang granules groups (P<0.01). Both the metformin hydrochloride group and the high-dose Tangbikang granules group exhibited relatively orderly and densely arranged sciatic nerve fibers with more regular myelin sheath halos. The GPx4 expression significantly increased in both the metformin hydrochloride group and all Tangbikang granules groups (P<0.01). The protein expression levels of p-AMPK, Nrf2, and GPx4 were significantly increased (P<0.01), while ACSL4 protein expression significantly decreased (P<0.01). ConclusionTangbikang granules may improve peripheral neuropathy by suppressing ferroptosis through the regulation of the AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
2.Role of Wnt signaling Pathway in Diabetic Osteoporosis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Yaqi ZHANG ; Weiguo WANG ; Qidong ZHANG ; Huizhong BAI ; Lingling QIN ; Feng GAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(9):283-292
Diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) is a kind of bone complication caused by diabetes, which is characterized by the decrease of bone mineral density, the change of bone microstructure and the increase of bone fragility. The process of DOP is closely related to high glucose, insulin resistance, oxidative stress and other mechanisms. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays an important role in mediating insulin resistance and bone metabolic balance in diabetes. Regulation of Wnt signal transduction promotes the expression of glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β)phosphorylation and improves glucose and lipid metabolism. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is also an important way regulating osteocyte-driven bone remodeling, which not only plays an important regulatory role in the balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts and improve bone metabolic homeostasis, but also promotes the expression of osteopontin, osteocalcin and type Ⅰ collagen, and improves bone proliferation and osteogenic differentiation by regulating the Wnt pathway. In recent years, the research of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the prevention and treatment of DOP has gradually increased, and the exploration of TCM to interfere with the Wnt pathway to improve DOP has made some progress. This paper collects and summarizes the studies on the Wnt signaling pathway in glucose metabolism, bone metabolism and DOP worldwide in the past decade, as well as the related literature on the intervention of DOP by TCM compounds (classical and other compounds), single Chinese medicine and TCM monomers based on the Wnt pathway, in order to provide a reference and direction for the development of new drugs for clinical prevention and treatment of DOP.
3.Inhibition of Oxidative Stress of Sciatic Nerve in Diabetic Rats by Tangbikang Granules Regulating AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 Signaling Pathway
Gang LIU ; Yaqi ZHANG ; Lingling QIN ; Chengfei ZHANG ; Qiue ZHANG ; Huizhong BAI ; Yi ZHAO ; Tonghua LIU ; Xiaohong MU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):75-82
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Tangbikang granules on oxidative stress of sciatic nerve in diabetic rats by regulating adenylate activated protein kinase/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α/mitochondrial Sirtuins 3 (AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3) signaling pathway. MethodThe spontaneous obesity type 2 diabetes model was established using ZDF rats. After modeling, they were randomly divided into high, medium, and low dose Tangbikang granule groups (2.5, 1.25, 0.625 g·kg-1·d-1) and lipoic acid group (0.026 8 g·kg-1·d-1), and the normal group was set up. The rats were administered continuously for 12 weeks after modeling. The blood glucose of rats was detected before intervention and at 4, 8, 12 weeks after intervention. At the 12th week, motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV), nerve blood flow velocity, mechanical pain threshold, and thermal pain threshold were detected. The sciatic nerve was taken for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe the tissue morphology. The ultrastructure of the sciatic nerve was observed by transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in sciatic nerve were determined by enzyme-related immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expressions of AMPKα, AMPKβ, PGC-1α, and SIRT3 in sciatic nerve were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultCompared with the normal group, fasting blood glucose in the model group was increased at each time point (P<0.01). The mechanical pain threshold was decreased (P<0.05), and the incubation time of the hot plate was extended (P<0.01). MNCV, SNCV, and nerve blood flow velocity decreased (P<0.05). The expression level of SOD was decreased (P<0.01). The expression levels of MDA, IL-1β, and TNF-α were increased (P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of AMPKα, AMPKβ, PGC-1α, and SIRT3 were decreased (P<0.01). The structure of sciatic nerve fibers in the model group was loose, and the arrangement was disordered. The demyelination change was obvious. Compared with the model group, the fasting blood glucose of rats in the high dose Tangbikang granule group was decreased after the intervention of eight weeks and 12 weeks (P<0.01). The mechanical pain threshold increased (P<0.05). The incubation time of the hot plate was shortened (P<0.01). MNCV, SNCV, and Flux increased (P<0.05). The expression level of SOD was increased (P<0.01). The expression levels of MDA, IL-1β, and TNF-α were decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of AMPKα, AMPKβ, PGC-1α, and SIRT3 were increased (P<0.01). The sciatic nerve fibers in the high-dose Tangbikang granule group were tighter and more neatly arranged, with only a few demyelinating changes. The high, medium, and low dose Tangbikang granule groups showed a significant dose-effect trend. ConclusionTangbikang granules may improve sciatic nerve function in diabetic rats by regulating AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 signaling pathway partly to inhibit oxidative stress.
4.Relationship between lumbar spine development and hip development in children with spastic cerebral palsy
Xinwei ZUO ; Gang LIU ; Huizhong BAI ; Lin XU ; Yi ZHAO ; Jingpei REN ; Chuanyu HU ; Xiaohong MU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(8):1247-1252
BACKGROUND:Most scholars now believe that children with cerebral palsy who have severe spinal deformities in early childhood(<15 years of age)may have a higher risk of progression of spinal deformities,which may result from imbalances in movement due to pelvic tilt,pain,etc. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between lumbar spine development and hip joint development in children with spastic cerebral palsy. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was performed in 102 children with spastic cerebral palsy admitted at Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from January 2014 to December 2021.All admitted children had X-rays of the pelvic position and the lumbar lateral position.Anteroposterior X-ray of the pelvis was performed to measure femoral head migration percentage,central edge angle,neck-shaft angle,and acetabular index.The sagittal Cobb angle,sacral slope,arch-top distance,and lumbar lordosis index were measured by the lateral X-ray of the lumbar spine.Correlation of the two sets of indicators was further analyzed.All children were divided into normal group,risk group,hip subluxation group and total hip dislocation group according to their femoral head migration percentage,and the differences in lumbar spine indexes between groups were evaluated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Pearson correlation analysis showed that the femoral head migration percentage was moderately positively correlated with sagittal Cobb angle and arch-top distance,and weakly positively correlated with lumbar lordosis index;the central edge angle was moderately negatively correlated with the arch-top distance and weakly negatively correlated with the sagittal Cobb angle;the neck-shaft angle was weakly positively correlated or not correlated with the sagittal Cobb angle and lumbar lordosis index;and the acetabular index was weakly positively correlated with the sagittal Cobb angle and arch-top distance.No statistically significant correlation was found between the remaining indicators.According to the femoral head migration percentage,the children were divided into four groups,including 25 cases in the normal group,41 cases in the risk group,27 cases in the hip subluxation group,and 9 cases in the total hip dislocation group.The sagittal Cobb angle was significantly increased in the risk group,the hip subluxation group and the total hip dislocation group compared with the normal group,showing an increasing trend group by group,and there were significant differences between groups(P<0.05).Compared with the normal group,the lumbar lordosis index in the risk group and the hip subluxation group increased significantly,and there were significant differences between groups(P<0.05).There was an increase trend in the lumbar lordosis index of the total hip dislocation group compared with the normal group.Compared with the normal group,the arch-top distance in the hip subluxation group and the total hip dislocation group increased significantly(P<0.05),and there was a stepwise increasing trend.There was no significant difference in sacral slope between groups.To conclude,the development of the lumbar spine in children with cerebral palsy is closely related to the development of the pelvic hip joint,and the most obvious relationship is between lumbar lordosis and hip dislocation.
5.Effects of Shujin Jiannao Prescription on cell apoptosis in rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury
Yu JIANG ; Lin XU ; Yalin ZHAO ; Gang LIU ; Yaqi ZHANG ; Huizhong BAI ; Jingpei REN ; Jie ZENG ; Xiaohong MU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(28):4477-4483
BACKGROUND:Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury is one of the most common causes of cerebral palsy.Shujin Jiannao Prescription is an experienced formula for treating cerebral palsy and improving blood supply to the brain developed by the Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. OBJECTIVE:To explore the possible mechanism of Shujin Jiannao Prescription in treating hypoxic-ischemic cerebral palsy. METHODS:Sixty-four 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups.There were 12 rats in each of the control and model groups as well as 10 animals in each of the minocycline group,and the low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of Shujin Jiannao Prescription.The neonatal rat ischemic-hypoxic cerebral palsy model was established in all groups except for the control group.After successful modeling,rats in each drug group were respectively gavaged with minocycline and Shujin Jiannao Prescription at a dose of 4,8,and 16 g/kg per day for 1 week.Body mass of rats was measured and behavioral changes were detected before and after drug administration.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histomorphology of hippocampal CA1 region of rat brain tissue,and immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to detect the expression levels of Bcl-2,Bax,and Caspase-3 in the brain tissue of rats. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the model group,medium-and high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription significantly increased the body mass of rats(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,minocycline effectively prolonged the suspension time of ischemic-hypoxic cerebral palsy rats(P<0.05),while medium-and high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription significantly prolonged the suspension time,shortened the inclined plane test time,and increased the Longa score of rats(P<0.05).The pathological results showed that after drug intervention,only a small number of neuronal cells in the brain tissue of rats were necrotic,the cells were more neatly arranged,the cell structure was more complete,and only part of the cell nuclei became smaller.Compared with the model group,minocycline and medium-and high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription reduced the expression of Bax Caspase-3(P<0.05),medium-and high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription increased the expression of Bcl-2(P<0.05),and Bcl-2/Bax protein expression was increased in minocycline and three Shujin Jiannao Prescription groups(P<0.05).In addition,the protein expression was increased in a dose-dependent manner after intervention with Shujin Jiannao Prescription,and there was no significant difference between the minocycline and three Shujin Jiannao Prescription groups(P>0.05).To conclude,the mechanism by which Shujin Jiannao Prescription treats ischemic-hypoxic cerebral palsy in rats may be to enhance the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2,inhibit the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax,and reduce the expression of Caspase-3,ultimately inhibiting the apoptosis of hippocampal neuronal cells in rats with cerebral palsy.Within a certain range,the higher dose of Shujin Jiannao Prescription indicates the better therapeutic effect,and the high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription is as effective as minocycline.
6.Mechanism of glutaminergic neurons in medial prefrontal cortex involved in aggressive behavior of CD1 mice
Jiaxin LI ; Lu HUANG ; Zonghong LONG ; Min ZHANG ; Huizhong WEN ; Ying XIONG ; Hong LI ; Fuhai BAI
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(12):1336-1343
Objective To investigate the intrinsic neural mechanism of aggressive behavior in CD 1 mice.Methods CD1 mice with aggressive behavior were screened out by resident intruder test.After the aggressive conditioned pair preference was further verified,the activated brain regions of the whole brain were labeled with c-Fos,and the types of neurons activated by the aggressive behavior were analyzed by double immunofluorescence labeling.Finally,the effects of activity of these neurons regulated by optogenetics on aggressive behavior were observed.Results The c-Fos screening revealed that about 82%of the CD1 mice showed aggressive behavior.After the occurrence of aggressive behavior,the main activation occured in the medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC),and the results of immunofluorescence double labeling showed that the c-Fos positive neurons in the mPFC were mainly glutamatergic neurons.Finally,glutamatergic neurons in the mPFC could be activated by optogenetics,and the activation inhibited the aggressive behavior of CD1 mice.In contrast,optogenetics could inhibit glutamatergic neurons in the mPFC and then promote the aggressive behavior of CD1 mice.Conclusion Glutamatergic neurons in the mPFC are an important component in the regulation of aggressive behavior in CD1 mice.
7.A national multi-center prospective study on the perioperative practice of enhanced recovery after surgery for choledochal cysts in children
Ming YUE ; Jiexiong FENG ; Yan′an LI ; Yuanmei LIU ; Zhigang GAO ; Qi CHEN ; Hongwei XI ; Qiang YIN ; Chengji ZHAO ; Yuzuo BAI ; Wanfu LI ; Libin ZHU ; Weibing TANG ; Hongqiang BIAN ; Huizhong NIU ; Zhiheng GUO ; Heying YANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2024;39(11):827-832
Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS) in the perioperative period of congenital choledochal cysts in children.Methods:This is a multicenter prospective randomized controlled study. The clinical data of 273 pediatric congenital choledochal cysts(CCC) patients who underwent surgery at 14 medical centers with complete follow-up data were collected through the medical data analysis platform. Among them, 123 cases in ERAS group were managed perioperatively in strict accordance with ERAS mode, and 150 cases in conventional group were managed according to traditional mode. The length of hospital stay,time to first farting, time to complete feeding, the incidence of complications, cost and readmission rate within 30 days,stress indexes and liver function were compared between the two groups.Results:Compared with the conventional group, median time to start farting (2.0 d vs. 3.0 d, P<0.001), median time to complete feeding (5.0 d vs. 7.0 d, P<0.001), median postoperative hospitalization time (6.0 d vs. 9.0 d, P<0.001),the median total length of stay(13.0 d vs. 15.0 d, P<0.001) were shorter,the median hospitalization cost (37,000 yuan vs.43,000 yuan P<0.001) was lower, and stress indexes recovered quickly. The incidence of postoperative hospital stay and readimission rate within 30 d were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion:It is safe and feasible to implement ERAS for children with CCC in the perioperative period, which can reduce stress response, speed up recovery,and save medical costs.
8.A Meta-analysis in efficacy and safety of selective posterior rhizotomy for patients with cerebral palsy at different grades of the Gross Motor Function Classification System
Yu JIANG ; Gang LIU ; Luyao HUO ; Huizhong BAI ; Jingpei REN ; Yi ZHAO ; Chuanyu HU ; Lin XU ; Xiaohong MU
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2024;28(19):60-67
Objective To investigate the differences in efficacy and safety in the treatment of patients with cerebral palsy at different grades of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) by selective posterior rhizotomy (SPR). Methods Relevant literatures on SPR treatment for cerebral palsy were retrieved from Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine disc, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, and VIP Database. Clinical trials on SPR treatment for cerebral palsy were included for Meta-analysis. At least two researchers independently screened the literatures, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the literatures. Data analysis was performed by Review Manager 5.4 software. Results A total of 2, 726 literatures were retrieved, and 8 literatures were finally included after screening. The results of the Meta-analysis showed that the gross motor function and self-care ability of patients with cerebral palsy at all GMFCS grades improved significantly after surgery, and muscle tone decreased significantly after surgery (
9.Effect of Tangbikang Granules on PI3K Pathway in Type 2 Diabetic Mellitus Rats with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Yaqi ZHANG ; Lingling QIN ; Chengfei ZHANG ; Qiue ZHANG ; Huizhong BAI ; Gang LIU ; Xinwei ZUO ; Yi ZHAO ; Tonghua LIU ; Xiaohong MU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(9):71-80
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of Tangbikang granules(TBK) on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. MethodT2DM and NAFLD were induced in ZDF rats, which were then respectively treated (ig) with low-dose (0.625 g·kg-1), medium-dose (1.25 g·kg-1), and high-dose (2.5 g·kg-1) TBK for 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body mass were recorded every 4 weeks during the treatment. One week before sampling, the feed intake of rats was detected, and after 12 h night fasting, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate glucose tolerance, and the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Blood in abdominal aorta and liver were collected for determination of blood glucose and lipid metabolism indexes: Fasting serum insulin (FINS), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA). The liver was weighed to calculate the liver index, and the liver tissue morphology was observed and analyzed based on hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. The protein levels of insulin receptor substrate (IRS), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt) and phosphorylated IRS and Akt were detected by Western blotting. All data were analyzed by SPSS 20.0. ResultThe feed intake of the model group was higher than that in the normal group (P<0.01), and the feed intake the administration groups was lower than that in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). At the 8th and 12th week, the body mass in the model group was lower than that in the normal group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, TBK reduced FBG in a concentration-dependent manner. The blood glucose level in OGTT and AUC in the model group were higher/larger than those in the normal group (P<0.01). The blood glucose value in OGTT was decreased in TBK groups and the metformin group compared with that in the model group, and AUC in the administration groups was significantly different from that in the model group (P<0.01). The serum level of FINS and HOMA-IR in the model group were higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01), and they were lower in the TBK groups than in the model group (P<0.01). Serum levels of TG, TC, HDL-C, NEFA (P<0.05, P<0.01), and LDL-C were higher in the model group than in the normal group. Serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, and NEFA in the TBK groups were lower than those in the model group, and the levels of TG, LDL-C, and NEFA in TBK groups were concentration-dependent (lowest levels in high-dose TBK group). Compared with the model group, high-dose TBK significantly increased the level of HDL-C (P<0.05). Liver index of the model group was higher than that in the normal group (P<0.01). The liver index of the administration groups showed a decreasing trend with no significant difference from that in the model group. As for the HE staining result of liver, the model group had unclear structure of liver lobule, enlarged cells of different sizes, and obvious steatosis of hepatocytes. TBK of all doses alleviated liver injury, particularly the high dose. For the PAS staining, compared with the normal group, the model group demonstrated significant fat vacuoles and significant reduction in purplish red glycogen granules in the cytoplasm. The staining results of high- and medium-dose groups of TBK were more similar to the normal group. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of liver tissue. The expression of PI3K protein, p-IRS1/IRS1, and p-Akt/Akt in the model group were lower than those in the normal group (P<0.01), and they were higher in the high-dose TBK group than in the model group (P<0.01). ConclusionTBK exerts therapeutic effect on T2DM combined with NAFLD in ZDF rats by activating the typical PI3K signaling pathway.
10.Molecular Mechanism of Tangbikang Granules Against Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification
Yaqi ZHANG ; Lingling QIN ; Huizhong BAI ; Chengfei ZHANG ; Qiue ZHANG ; Xinwei ZUO ; Shengyuan JIANG ; Yi ZHAO ; Tonghua LIU ; Xiaohong MU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(9):81-90
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Tangbikang granules (TBK) against diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) based on network pharmacology and in-vivo experiment. MethodThe active components in medicinals of TBK and their target genes were searched from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The active components of the medicinals which are not included in TCMSP were searched from previous research. After the analysis of drug-likeness by SwissADME, the target genes of them were predicted with SwissTargetPrediction. DPN-related target genes were retrieved from GeneCards. The common targets of the disease and the prescription were the hub genes of TBK against DPN, which were uploaded to Metascape for Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. High-sugar and high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin (STZ, ip) were employed to induce diabetes in rats, and then the model rats were respectively treated with low-dose (0.625 g·kg-1), medium-dose (1.25 g·kg-1), and high-dose (2.5 g·kg-1) TBK for 12 weeks. Sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) was evaluated. After hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, the sciatic nerve was observed under light microscope to examine the nerve damage. Real-time PCR was performed to detect the gene expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway-related targets in rat sciatic nerve, and Western blot to measure the protein expression of AMPK and phosphorylated (p)-AMPK in rat sciatic nerve. ResultThe main active components of TBK, such as quercetin, kaempferol, β-sitosterol, leech pteridine A, stigmasterol, and baicalein were screened out, mainly acting on interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), protein kinase B (Akt), JUN, and HSP90AA1 and signaling pathways such as AMPK, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT). Molecular docking results showed that β-sitosterol and stigmasterol had high binding affinity with IL-6, TNF, JUN, and HSP90AA1. As for the animal experiment, compared with the normal group, model group had low SNCV of sciatic nerve (P<0.01), disordered and loose myelinated nerve fibers with axonotmesis and demyelinization, low mRNA expression of AMPKα, AMPKβ, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), Sirtuin 3 (SirT3), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), and low p-AMPK/AMPK ratio in sciatic nerve (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, TBK of the three doses raised the SNCV (P<0.01), restored nerve morphology and nerve compactness, and increased the mRNA expression of AMPKα, AMPKβ, PGC-1α, SirT3, and TFAM (P<0.05, P<0.01). The ratio of p-AMPK/AMPK in the high-dose and medium-dose TBK groups was higher than that in the model group (P<0.01), while the protein expression in the low-dose TBK group was insignificantly different from that in the model group. ConclusionTBK exerts therapeutic effect on DPN through multiple pathways and targets. The mechanism is that it activates and regulates AMPK/PGC-1α/SirT3 signaling, which lays a basis for further study of TBK in the treatment of DPN.


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