1.The efficacy of skin soft tissue expansion and recombinant human epidermal growth factor in the repair of second-degree scald scars: a prospective single-blind randomized controlled trial
Hui HE ; Miaomiao XU ; Wenlu ZHANG ; Jia YE
Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research 2025;108(5):325-330
Purpose:
This research observed the efficacy and safety of soft tissue expansion combined with recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) in repairing second-degree scald scars.
Methods:
This study conducted a prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Eighty-four patients with deep second-degree scald scars were evenly divided into the control and observation groups. The control group was treated with soft tissue expansion, and the observation group was additionally treated with rhEGF. The skin expansion and wound healing times were compared. The changes in wound exudate and inflammation around the wound were observed after first-stage surgery. The hydroxyproline (OHP) and collagen I/III ratios were compared during the second stage of surgery.The complications and repair effects during treatment were evaluated.
Results:
The observation group exhibited lower expansion time, immediate retraction rate, and wound healing time, higher skin expansion rate, higher wound exudate score and inflammation score, higher OHP, lower collagen I/III, lower complication rate, and higher total effective rate than the control group (all P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Skin soft tissue expansion combined with rhEGF is more effective in repairing second-degree scald scars, which can effectively increase skin expansion area and reduce wound infection and complications.
2.The efficacy of skin soft tissue expansion and recombinant human epidermal growth factor in the repair of second-degree scald scars: a prospective single-blind randomized controlled trial
Hui HE ; Miaomiao XU ; Wenlu ZHANG ; Jia YE
Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research 2025;108(5):325-330
Purpose:
This research observed the efficacy and safety of soft tissue expansion combined with recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) in repairing second-degree scald scars.
Methods:
This study conducted a prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Eighty-four patients with deep second-degree scald scars were evenly divided into the control and observation groups. The control group was treated with soft tissue expansion, and the observation group was additionally treated with rhEGF. The skin expansion and wound healing times were compared. The changes in wound exudate and inflammation around the wound were observed after first-stage surgery. The hydroxyproline (OHP) and collagen I/III ratios were compared during the second stage of surgery.The complications and repair effects during treatment were evaluated.
Results:
The observation group exhibited lower expansion time, immediate retraction rate, and wound healing time, higher skin expansion rate, higher wound exudate score and inflammation score, higher OHP, lower collagen I/III, lower complication rate, and higher total effective rate than the control group (all P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Skin soft tissue expansion combined with rhEGF is more effective in repairing second-degree scald scars, which can effectively increase skin expansion area and reduce wound infection and complications.
3.The Experience of Retention Enema with Traditional Chinese Medicine for Ulcerative Colitis Based on the Theory of Sweat Pore
Zifu HONG ; Yinghua HE ; Lipeng FENG ; Fei JIA ; Mouwen QYU ; Liang YUAN ; Mingwen JIA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(6):634-637
This paper discussed the nature of ulcerative colitis, that is deficiency of the root and excess of the branch, from the theory of sweat pore, and to explore the theoretical basis and experience of treating this disease with retention enema of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The main location of this disease is in the intestine. As a part of sweat pore, the intestinal sweat pore serves as the gateway for the ascending, descending, exiting and entering of qi movement in the zang fu (脏腑) organs, meridians and collaterals, as well as the channel for the transportation of qi, blood and body fluids. The constraint and closure of the intestinal sweat pore are the main pathological basis of ulcerative colitis. According to the manifestations of colonoscopy, and the different etiological factors and pathogenesis that lead to the constraint and closure of sweat pore, there should be different treatment focuses such as expelling wind to open sweat pore, clearing fire to open sweat pore, promoting blood circulation to open sweat pore, for which wind-dispersing herbs, heat-clearing herbs, and blood-activating herbs are used accordingly. The method of retention enema can directly induce Chinese medicinal herbs to the affected part, so as to diffuse and unblock the sweat pore, regulate qi and blood, and thus restore the normal function of the intestinal sweat pore.
4.Evidence-based research on the nutritional and health effects of functional components of tea
Zhijian HE ; Yuping LI ; Fan BU ; Jia CUI ; Xinwen BI ; Yuanjie CUI ; Zhiyuan GUO ; Ming LI
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):190-198
As a traditional nutritional and healthy cash crop in China, tea has certain significance in promoting human health and preventing and controlling chronic diseases. Studies have shown that the nutritional health effect of tea is due to its rich functional components, mainly including tea polyphenols, tea pigments, tea polysaccharides, theanine, alkaloids and other bioactive substances. At present, researchers from the academic circles have continuously carried out animal and human experiments on the health effects of various functional components of tea, which has accumulated abundant research data and materials. Based on this, this article reviews the literature on the nutritional and health effects of the main functional components of tea, and adopts the method of evidence-based research to screen and extract relevant data for qualitative and quantitative meta-analysis. Subsequently, the nutritional health effects of the five functional components of tea, namely tea polyphenols, tea pigments, tea polysaccharides, theanine, and alkaloids, are summarized and outlined. Studies have shown that tea polyphenols, tea pigments, tea polysaccharides, theanine and alkaloids have different health effects and are expected to play their unique roles in promoting human health and preventing and controlling diseases.
5.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,
6.Mahoniae Caulis Alkaloids Ameliorate Depression by Regulating Synaptic Plasticity via cAMP Pathway
Junhui HE ; Chunlian JIA ; Kedao LAI ; Guili ZHOU ; Rongfei ZHOU ; Yi LI ; Dongmei LI ; Jiaxiu XIE ; Guining WEI ; Juying ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):132-140
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms associated with Mahoniae Caulis alkaloids (MA) in ameliorating depression by network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments. MethodsThe component targets of MA were obtained through Swiss Target Prediction and TCMIP database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP, Genecards, HPO, DrugBank and OMIM database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP, Genecards, HPO, DrugBank and OMIM database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by protein interaction analysis (STRING) database. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed through Bioinformatics (DAVID) database. The docking of components and targets was performed by AGFR. The mouse model of depression was established by intraperitoneal injection of corticosterone (CORT) once a day for 35 consecutive days. Sixty mice were randomly allocated into control (0.9% normal saline), model (CORT, 20 mg·kg-1), positive control (fluoxetine hydrochloride, 3.6 mg·kg-1), and MA (10, 5, and 2.5 mg·kg-1) groups. Each group was administrated with corresponding medicine or normal saline once a day for 28 consecutive days. The depression-like behavior of mice was observed. The pathological changes of prefrontal cortex in mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl dUTP transferase nick end labeling (TUNEL) was employed to observe the apoptosis of neurons in the prefrontal cortex. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to assess the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and norepinephrine (NE) in mice. The mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway-related factors and inflammatory factors were determined by Real-time PCR. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of cAMP pathway-related factors and connexin 43 (Cx43). ResultsA total of 434 component targets and 545 depression targets were obtained, including 84 common targets, among which 10 core targets were screened out. GO analysis predicted 34 biological processes, 15 cell components, and 11 molecular functions. The KEGG pathways were mainly related to gap junction and cAMP signaling pathway. The core components had good binding affinity with the core targets. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the control group, CORT prolonged the immobility time of mice in forced swimming and tail suspension tests (P<0.01), lowered the serum levels of NE, BDNF, and 5-HT (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the brain tissue (P<0.05), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate effector binding protein (CREB) and BDNF (P<0.05) and the protein levels of protein kinase (PRKACA), phosphorylation (p)-CREB/CREB, BDNF, and Cx43 (P<0.05) in the brain tissue. Compared with the model group, high-dose MA reduced the immobility time of mice in forced swimming (P<0.05) and tail suspension (P<0.01) tests, raised the serum levels of NE, BDNF, and 5-HT (P<0.01), down-regulated the mRNA level of NF-κB (P<0.01), and up-regulated the mRNA level of BDNF (P<0.01) and protein levels of PRKACA, p-CREB/CREB, BDNF, and Cx43 (P<0.05). ConclusionMA alleviates the CORT-induced depressive behavior of mice. It may play an antidepressant role by regulating cAMP signaling pathway and gap junction pathway, improving synaptic plasticity and gap junction function, and reducing neuroinflammation.
7.Mahoniae Caulis Alkaloids Ameliorate Depression by Regulating Synaptic Plasticity via cAMP Pathway
Junhui HE ; Chunlian JIA ; Kedao LAI ; Guili ZHOU ; Rongfei ZHOU ; Yi LI ; Dongmei LI ; Jiaxiu XIE ; Guining WEI ; Juying ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):132-140
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms associated with Mahoniae Caulis alkaloids (MA) in ameliorating depression by network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments. MethodsThe component targets of MA were obtained through Swiss Target Prediction and TCMIP database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP, Genecards, HPO, DrugBank and OMIM database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP, Genecards, HPO, DrugBank and OMIM database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by protein interaction analysis (STRING) database. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed through Bioinformatics (DAVID) database. The docking of components and targets was performed by AGFR. The mouse model of depression was established by intraperitoneal injection of corticosterone (CORT) once a day for 35 consecutive days. Sixty mice were randomly allocated into control (0.9% normal saline), model (CORT, 20 mg·kg-1), positive control (fluoxetine hydrochloride, 3.6 mg·kg-1), and MA (10, 5, and 2.5 mg·kg-1) groups. Each group was administrated with corresponding medicine or normal saline once a day for 28 consecutive days. The depression-like behavior of mice was observed. The pathological changes of prefrontal cortex in mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl dUTP transferase nick end labeling (TUNEL) was employed to observe the apoptosis of neurons in the prefrontal cortex. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to assess the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and norepinephrine (NE) in mice. The mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway-related factors and inflammatory factors were determined by Real-time PCR. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of cAMP pathway-related factors and connexin 43 (Cx43). ResultsA total of 434 component targets and 545 depression targets were obtained, including 84 common targets, among which 10 core targets were screened out. GO analysis predicted 34 biological processes, 15 cell components, and 11 molecular functions. The KEGG pathways were mainly related to gap junction and cAMP signaling pathway. The core components had good binding affinity with the core targets. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the control group, CORT prolonged the immobility time of mice in forced swimming and tail suspension tests (P<0.01), lowered the serum levels of NE, BDNF, and 5-HT (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the brain tissue (P<0.05), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate effector binding protein (CREB) and BDNF (P<0.05) and the protein levels of protein kinase (PRKACA), phosphorylation (p)-CREB/CREB, BDNF, and Cx43 (P<0.05) in the brain tissue. Compared with the model group, high-dose MA reduced the immobility time of mice in forced swimming (P<0.05) and tail suspension (P<0.01) tests, raised the serum levels of NE, BDNF, and 5-HT (P<0.01), down-regulated the mRNA level of NF-κB (P<0.01), and up-regulated the mRNA level of BDNF (P<0.01) and protein levels of PRKACA, p-CREB/CREB, BDNF, and Cx43 (P<0.05). ConclusionMA alleviates the CORT-induced depressive behavior of mice. It may play an antidepressant role by regulating cAMP signaling pathway and gap junction pathway, improving synaptic plasticity and gap junction function, and reducing neuroinflammation.
8.Characterization of Animal Models of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Hypertension Based on Clinical Symptoms in Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Ziyi WANG ; Xingyu FAN ; Yuzhi JIA ; Qingyong HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):230-236
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension are common and frequent chronic non-communicable diseases, which often coexist in clinical practice, resulting in a large number of cardiovascular events and deaths, and their case fatality rate far exceeds that of other factors such as dyslipidemia and obesity. Based on the diagnostic standards, guidelines, and animal model evaluation methods of T2DM with hypertension at home and abroad, this study summarized, evaluated, and analyzed the characteristics of the existing animal models of T2DM with hypertension based on the clinical symptoms in traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The animal models showing high fitting degrees with the clinical symptoms in Western medicine are mainly established by injection of streptozocin (STZ) in SHR rats in the surgical induction and chemical induction methods and feeding a high-fat and high-salt diet combined with STZ injection in SD rats in the dietary induction methods. The models showcasing high fitting degrees with the clinical symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are mainly established by the surgical induction method. Considering the fitting degrees and the advantages and disadvantages, the ideal modeling method for T2DM with hypertension is the two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) method (a surgical induction method) combined with feeding a high-fat and high-sugar diet and STZ injection. However, the available models lack the characteristics of TCM and the evaluation indicators have poor specificity. This study found that there are few animal models of T2DM with hypertension considering the characteristics of both disease and syndrome, which may be related to the identification and attribution of TCM syndromes in animal macroscopic information. In view of this problem, it is suggested that the evaluation criteria should be established and improved for the animal models combining disease and syndrome, which can help to evaluate the fitting degree of the pathological characteristics of different syndromes in the animal models of T2DM with hypertension. In this way, ideal animal models of T2DM with hypertension can be established to simulate the disease occurrence and development in the human body. The animal models are expected to provide an ideal approach for the further research on the pathogenesis of T2DM and its prevention and treatment with TCM, which is of great significance for the treatment and prevention of T2DM with hypertension and the prognosis of its complications. At the same time, breakthroughs in the basic syndrome models of comorbidities are expected to lay a foundation for the leapfrog development of TCM research.
9.Application of Huangkui Capsules in Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Review
Jia LUO ; Beile JIANG ; Qiuxiang HE ; Shilong LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):314-324
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a kidney disease caused by hyperglycemia,which is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes. Due to the high incidence of diabetes,the incidence of DKD has also increased year by year,and DKD has become a global public health problem. The pathogenesis of DKD is related to mechanisms such as oxidative stress,inflammation,renal fibrosis,and decreased mitophagy activity,which are developed under a variety of complex mechanisms. In traditional Chinese medicine,it is believed that the incidence of DKD is closely related to damp heat. Therefore,it is necessary to grasp the treatment method of clearing heat and removing dampness in clinical medication. Huangkui Capsules (HKC) have the effect of clearing damp heat,detoxifying, and detumescence. Because of its unique curative effect on DKD,HKC is often used in the treatment of DKD. HKC plays a role in the treatment of DKD with a variety of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes. In many laboratory studies,it has been found that the specific mechanisms of HKC in the treatment of DKD include increasing mitophagy,reducing mitochondrial damage,reducing renal fibrosis,controlling inflammatory response,and inhibiting oxidative stress,which can achieve the purpose of reducing renal damage and promoting renal function. Some clinical studies have also verified that the application of HKC alone can exert renal protective function through anti-inflammatory,anti-oxidative stress,anti-renal fibrosis effects,as well as reduction of urinary protein. Since DKD is not a single injury of renal function,it is often accompanied by problems in blood pressure,blood lipids,blood circulation,body immunity, and other aspects. Therefore,the combination of HKC with other drugs can often achieve more comprehensive results,improve the advantages of various drugs,and improve the therapeutic effect. The combination of drugs such as antihypertensive,lipid-lowering, vascular circulation improvement,immunity inhibition,and anti-oxidative stress with HKC has achieved good results. In addition,HKC is often used in combination with other Chinese patent medicines in clinics. The application of HKC in the treatment of DKD has made some progress,but there are still many places worthy of further study,and the research on the mechanism of HKC is not comprehensive enough. The research on its long-term effect and safety in clinical application is relatively lacking,and the drug variety is relatively single when combined with certain drugs. These problems deserve further attention. Finally,it is necessary to pay attention to the promotion and application of HKC in clinical practice so that HKC can be better applied in clinical practice and better solve practical problems for patients.
10.Characterization of Animal Models of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Hypertension Based on Clinical Symptoms in Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Ziyi WANG ; Xingyu FAN ; Yuzhi JIA ; Qingyong HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):230-236
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension are common and frequent chronic non-communicable diseases, which often coexist in clinical practice, resulting in a large number of cardiovascular events and deaths, and their case fatality rate far exceeds that of other factors such as dyslipidemia and obesity. Based on the diagnostic standards, guidelines, and animal model evaluation methods of T2DM with hypertension at home and abroad, this study summarized, evaluated, and analyzed the characteristics of the existing animal models of T2DM with hypertension based on the clinical symptoms in traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The animal models showing high fitting degrees with the clinical symptoms in Western medicine are mainly established by injection of streptozocin (STZ) in SHR rats in the surgical induction and chemical induction methods and feeding a high-fat and high-salt diet combined with STZ injection in SD rats in the dietary induction methods. The models showcasing high fitting degrees with the clinical symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are mainly established by the surgical induction method. Considering the fitting degrees and the advantages and disadvantages, the ideal modeling method for T2DM with hypertension is the two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) method (a surgical induction method) combined with feeding a high-fat and high-sugar diet and STZ injection. However, the available models lack the characteristics of TCM and the evaluation indicators have poor specificity. This study found that there are few animal models of T2DM with hypertension considering the characteristics of both disease and syndrome, which may be related to the identification and attribution of TCM syndromes in animal macroscopic information. In view of this problem, it is suggested that the evaluation criteria should be established and improved for the animal models combining disease and syndrome, which can help to evaluate the fitting degree of the pathological characteristics of different syndromes in the animal models of T2DM with hypertension. In this way, ideal animal models of T2DM with hypertension can be established to simulate the disease occurrence and development in the human body. The animal models are expected to provide an ideal approach for the further research on the pathogenesis of T2DM and its prevention and treatment with TCM, which is of great significance for the treatment and prevention of T2DM with hypertension and the prognosis of its complications. At the same time, breakthroughs in the basic syndrome models of comorbidities are expected to lay a foundation for the leapfrog development of TCM research.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail