1.Advances in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment by Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on Cellular Senescence: A Review
Qixian MA ; Shiyu HAN ; Hui HUANG ; Jing TIAN ; Xu HAN ; Qingguang CHEN ; Hao LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):322-330
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common and harmful complications of type 2 diabetes. DPN's pathogenesis include high blood sugar-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. These factors are combined to damage nerve fibers, leading to sensory issues, pain, and numbness. Through a coordinated effect, these factors trigger nerve fiber damage and lead to sensory abnormalities, pain and numbness in limbs, and other symptoms, seriously restricting patients' activities of daily living and mobility. Recent research highlights that cellular senescence plays a critical role in DPN. Cellular senescence is manifested by the loss of cell proliferation ability, and further aggravates nerve damage via oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy impairment, inflammatory reaction, and other mechanisms, accelerating DPN occurrence and progression. In terms of medical treatment, current methods focus on blood sugar control, pain relief medicine, and microcirculation improvement, while no therapy has been developed based on cellular senescence. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shows a unique advantage in DPN prevention and treatment via cellular senescence modulation. TCM emphasizes a holistic approach, as well as syndrome differentiation and treatment, effective in anti-aging and nerve damage repair. Recent studies show that TCM active ingredients, including puerarin, ginsenosides, and berberine, can reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis via signaling pathway regulation, thereby slowing cellular senescence to alleviate nerve damage. Furthermore, TCM compounds such as Buyang Huanwutang, Taohong Siwutang, and Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang exert synergistic effects on cellular senescence-related pathways to improve nerve health and reduce DPN clinical symptoms. Therefore, this paper reviews the literature related to the interaction between cellular senescence and DPN from the perspective of cellular senescence, summarizing the mechanism of DPN and TCM intervention strategies.
2.Clinical Observation on 60 Cases of Knee Osteoarthritis Treated with Heat-Sensitive Moxibustion
Lu TIAN ; Hongwu XIE ; Meihua LIU ; Jing ZHANG ; Shaozhong XU ; Changjun LI ; Zhixiong KOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(5):492-500
ObjectiveTo explore the central neuroregulation mechanism of heat-sensitive moxibustion for knee osteoarthritis on pain relief. MethodsThirty patients who did not have experience of Deqi (得气) during heat-sensitive moxibustion treatment were assigned to the "non-Deqi group", while another 30 patients who had experience of Deqi were assigned to the "Deqi group". Both groups received moxibustion at the left Heding (EX-LE2) acupoint. In the Deqi group, after the patients experienced sensation of Deqi at the acupoint, moxibustion was applied at approximately 3 cm from the skin for 10 minutes; in the non-Deqi group, moxibustion was also applied at approximately 3 cm from the skin for 10 minutes. Both groups received treatment once daily for 10 consecutive days. Knee joint pain was assessed before and after treatment using the visual analog scale (VAS). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans were performed on all participants before the first treatment session and after the final session on the 10th day. The fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) maps before and after treatment were processed using the SPM12 module by MATLAB. ResultsAfter treatment, VAS scores in both groups were significantly lower than before treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01), with the Deqi group showing significantly lower VAS scores than the non-Deqi group (P<0.01). Compared to before treatment, the Deqi group exhibited significant activation in the prefrontal cortex (t = 6.28), white matter (t = 6.36), and left temporal lobe (t = 9.33), while significant inhibition was observed in the occipital lobe (t = -9.86) and right cerebrum (t = -4.54, P<0.01); in the non-Deqi group, significant changes after treatment were observed in the left occipital lobe (t = -6.42), left medial frontal gyrus (t = -4.35), left middle frontal gyrus (t = -4.74), right superior frontal gyrus (t = -4.82), right superior temporal gyrus (t = -6.61), and right cerebellar posterior lobe (t = -8.64), all of which were in inhibited states (P<0.01). Compared to the non-Deqi group, the Deqi group exhibited significant activation after treatment in the external nucleus (t = 5.77), white matter (t = 3.58), right cerebrum (t = 5.84), left cerebellum (t = 5.35), and left cerebrum (t = 4.32), while significant inhibition was observed in the prefrontal cortex (t = -4.16), occipital lobe (t = -4.87), and precentral gyrus (t = -4.46, P<0.01). ConclusionsHeat-sensitive moxibustion provides better analgesic effects for knee osteoarthritis under state of Deqi. Its central neuroregulation mechanism may be related to the involvement of the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, external nucleus, white matter, right cerebrum, left cerebellum, left cerebrum, and precentral gyrus in modulating pain signals.
3.One-year clinical observation of epithelial-off accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking on the treatment of progressive keratoconus
Jing LU ; Ping MA ; Changjun LAN
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):451-454
AIM: To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of epithelial-off accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking(CXL)in the management of progressive keratoconus over 1 a period.METHODS:A retrospective pre-post self-controlled study. Data were collected from complete cases of 63 patients(84 eyes)with progressive keratoconus who underwent epithelial-off accelerated CXL between August 2018 and September 2021. Uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), refraction, corneal transparency, maximum keratometry(Kmax)of the anterior corneal surface, minimum corneal thickness, endothelial cell counts, and intraocular pressure(IOP)were analyzed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo postoperatively.RESULTS:No significant differences were observed in UCVA and spherical power before and after surgery(all P>0.05). However, there were significant differences in BCVA, cylinder power, Kmax, minimum corneal thickness, and IOP(all P<0.05). At 12 mo postoperatively, there were no significant differences in BCVA, cylinder power, minimum corneal thickness, and IOP compared with preoperative values(all P>0.05), while Kmax was decreased compared with preoperative value(P<0.05). At 1 mo postoperatively, the corneal endothelial cell count(2519.87±345.28 cells/mm2)was decreased compared with preoperative value(2693.63±313.39 cells/mm2; P<0.001). At 1 wk postoperatively, 22 eyes developed corneal haze(grade 0.5 to 1), and 15 eyes presented with linear corneal stromal opacity at 1 mo postoperatively. In 7 eyes, corneal opacity subsided within 3 to 6 mo after the operation, however, 5 eyes still exhibited corneal nebula or macula without affecting visual acuity.CONCLUSION: After epithelial-off accelerated CXL, the UCVA, BCVA and spherical diopter of patients remained stable over time. The astigmatism and corneal curvature temporarily increased and then gradually decreased. The cornea minimum thickness decreased initially but subsequently returned to preoperative levels. The corneal curvature at 6 and 12 mo after surgery was significantly lower than that before surgery, which could effectively prevent the progression of keratoconus. Despite potential localized corneal opacity and macular complications, as well as a possible decrease in corneal endothelial cell count, BCVA remained unaffected, demonstrating favorable safety outcomes.
4.One-year clinical observation of epithelial-off accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking on the treatment of progressive keratoconus
Jing LU ; Ping MA ; Changjun LAN
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):451-454
AIM: To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of epithelial-off accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking(CXL)in the management of progressive keratoconus over 1 a period.METHODS:A retrospective pre-post self-controlled study. Data were collected from complete cases of 63 patients(84 eyes)with progressive keratoconus who underwent epithelial-off accelerated CXL between August 2018 and September 2021. Uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), refraction, corneal transparency, maximum keratometry(Kmax)of the anterior corneal surface, minimum corneal thickness, endothelial cell counts, and intraocular pressure(IOP)were analyzed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo postoperatively.RESULTS:No significant differences were observed in UCVA and spherical power before and after surgery(all P>0.05). However, there were significant differences in BCVA, cylinder power, Kmax, minimum corneal thickness, and IOP(all P<0.05). At 12 mo postoperatively, there were no significant differences in BCVA, cylinder power, minimum corneal thickness, and IOP compared with preoperative values(all P>0.05), while Kmax was decreased compared with preoperative value(P<0.05). At 1 mo postoperatively, the corneal endothelial cell count(2519.87±345.28 cells/mm2)was decreased compared with preoperative value(2693.63±313.39 cells/mm2; P<0.001). At 1 wk postoperatively, 22 eyes developed corneal haze(grade 0.5 to 1), and 15 eyes presented with linear corneal stromal opacity at 1 mo postoperatively. In 7 eyes, corneal opacity subsided within 3 to 6 mo after the operation, however, 5 eyes still exhibited corneal nebula or macula without affecting visual acuity.CONCLUSION: After epithelial-off accelerated CXL, the UCVA, BCVA and spherical diopter of patients remained stable over time. The astigmatism and corneal curvature temporarily increased and then gradually decreased. The cornea minimum thickness decreased initially but subsequently returned to preoperative levels. The corneal curvature at 6 and 12 mo after surgery was significantly lower than that before surgery, which could effectively prevent the progression of keratoconus. Despite potential localized corneal opacity and macular complications, as well as a possible decrease in corneal endothelial cell count, BCVA remained unaffected, demonstrating favorable safety outcomes.
5.Preliminary exploration of differentiating and treating multiple system atrophy from the perspective of the eight extraordinary meridians
Di ZHAO ; Zhigang CHEN ; Nannan LI ; Lu CHEN ; Yao WANG ; Jing XUE ; Xinning ZHANG ; Chengru JIA ; Xuan XU ; Kaige ZHANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(3):392-397
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare neurodegenerative disease with complex clinical manifestations, presenting substantial challenges in clinical diagnosis and treatment. Its symptoms and the eight extraordinary meridians are potentially correlated; therefore, this article explores the association between MSA symptom clusters and the eight extraordinary meridians based on their circulation and physiological functions, as well as their treatment strategies. The progression from deficiency to damage in the eight extraordinary meridians aligns with the core pathogenesis of MSA, which is characterized by "the continuous accumulation of impacts from the vital qi deficiency leading to eventual damage". Liver and kidney deficiency and the emptiness of the eight extraordinary meridians are required for the onset of MSA; the stagnation of qi deficiency and the gradual damage to the eight extraordinary meridians are the key stages in the prolonged progression of MSA. The disease often begins with the involvement of the yin and yang qiao mai, governor vessel, thoroughfare vessel, and conception vessel before progressing to multiple meridian involvements, ultimately affecting all eight extraordinary meridians simultaneously. The treatment approach emphasizes that "the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect method will be needed in order to secure victory" and focuses on "eliminate pathogenic factors and reinforce healthy qi". Distinguishing the extraordinary meridians and focusing on the primary symptoms are pivotal to improving efficacy. Clinical treatment is aimed at the target, and tailored treatment based on careful clinical observation ensures precision in targeting the disease using the eight extraordinary meridians as the framework and core symptoms as the specific focus. Additionally, combining acupuncture, daoyin therapy, and other method may help prolong survival. This article classifies clinical manifestations based on the theory of the eight extraordinary meridians and explores treatment.
6.Experience of WANG Jie in Treating Palpitation by Using the Method of Tonifying the Kidney and Invigorating Blood
Jing TIAN ; Mi DENG ; Luna NIU ; Baoying LI ; Yuling CHA ; Ruowei ZHU ; Lu JING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):996-999
To summarize the clinical experience of Professor WANG Jie in treating palpitation using the method of tonifying the kidneys and invigorating blood. It is believed that kidney yang deficiency and heart vessel stasis are the key pathogenesis of palpitation, and it is advocated to treat palpitation by tonifying the kidney and invigorating the blood. Meanwhile,the methods of draining water, dissolving phlegm, and fortifying the spleen to supplement the blood should be applied. For palpitation with kidney yang deficiency and heart vessel stasis with upward water, the treatment could use self-prescribed Bushen Huoxue Lishui Formula (补肾活血利水方); for palpitation with phlegm obstruction in blood vessel, the treatment could use self-prescribed Bushen Huoxue Huatan Formula (补肾活血化痰方); for palpitation with spleen yang deficiency, the treatment could use self-prescribed Bushen Huoxue Jianpi Formula (补肾活血健脾方).
7.Application of Engineered Exosomes in Tumor-targeted Therapy
Jia-Lu SONG ; Yi-Xin JIN ; Xing-Yu MU ; Yu-Huan JIANG ; Jing WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1140-1151
Tumors are the second leading cause of death worldwide. Exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicle secreted from multivesicular bodies, with particle sizes ranging from 40 to 160 nm. They regulate the tumor microenvironment, proliferation, and progression by transporting proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules. Compared with other drug delivery systems, exosomes derived from different cells possess unique cellular tropism, enabling them to selectively target specific tissues and organs. This homing ability allows them to cross biological barriers that are otherwise difficult for conventional drug delivery systems to penetrate. Due to their biocompatibility and unique biological properties, exosomes can serve as drug delivery systems capable of loading various anti-tumor drugs. They can traverse biological barriers, evade immune responses, and specifically target tumor tissues, making them ideal carriers for anti-tumor therapeutics. This article systematically summarizes the methods for exosome isolation, including ultracentrifugation, ultrafiltration, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), immunoaffinity capture, and microfluidics. However, these methods have certain limitations. A combination of multiple isolation techniques can improve isolation efficiency. For instance, combining ultrafiltration with SEC can achieve both high purity and high yield while reducing processing time. Exosome drug loading methods can be classified into post-loading and pre-loading approaches. Pre-loading is further categorized into active and passive loading. Active loading methods, including electroporation, sonication, extrusion, and freeze-thaw cycles, involve physical or chemical disruption of the exosome membrane to facilitate drug encapsulation. Passive loading relies on drug concentration gradients or hydrophobic interactions between drugs and exosomes for encapsulation. Pre-loading strategies also include genetic engineering and co-incubation methods. Additionally, we review approaches to enhance the targeting, retention, and permeability of exosomes. Genetic engineering and chemical modifications can improve their tumor-targeting capabilities. Magnetic fields can also be employed to promote the accumulation of exosomes at tumor sites. Retention time can be prolonged by inhibiting monocyte-mediated clearance or by combining exosomes with hydrogels. Engineered exosomes can also reshape the tumor microenvironment to enhance permeability. This review further discusses the current applications of exosomes in delivering various anti-tumor drugs. Specifically, exosomes can encapsulate chemotherapeutic agents such as paclitaxel to reduce side effects and increase drug concentration within tumor tissues. For instance, exosomes loaded with doxorubicin can mitigate cardiotoxicity and minimize adverse effects on healthy tissues. Furthermore, exosomes can encapsulate proteins to enhance protein stability and bioavailability or carry immunogenic cell death inducers for tumor vaccines. In addition to these applications, exosomes can deliver nucleic acids such as siRNA and miRNA to regulate gene expression, inhibit tumor proliferation, and suppress invasion. Beyond their therapeutic applications, exosomes also serve as tumor biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis. The detection of exosomal miRNA can improve the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing prostate and pancreatic cancers. Despite their promising potential as drug delivery systems, challenges remain in the standardization and large-scale production of exosomes. This article explores the future development of engineered exosomes for targeted tumor therapy. Plant-derived exosomes hold potential due to their superior biocompatibility, lower toxicity, and abundant availability. Furthermore, the integration of exosomes with artificial intelligence may offer novel applications in diagnostics, therapeutics, and personalized medicine.
8.Manufacture and mechanical property on zirconia abutments with a titanium base in dental implant restoration
Huan WANG ; Jing LU ; Ying LI ; Maohua MENG ; Jiayu SHU ; Yuncai LUO ; Wenjie LI ; Qiang DONG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(10):2171-2177
BACKGROUND:With the development of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing technology,zirconia abutments with a titanium base are widely used in clinic due to its good application advantages,but there are still some problems and a lack of consensus design standards. OBJECTIVE:To review the fabrication methods of Ti-base zirconia abutment,and the effect of abutment connection,emergence design,abutment angle,and bonding on mechanical properties of Ti-base zirconia abutment. METHODS:Relevant literature published from 2010 to 2023 was searched in CNKI and PubMed databases with the search terms"zirconia abutment,titanium base"in Chinese and English,respectively.The search time limit was extended for some classical literature.The relevant literature was obtained through inclusion and exclusion criteria,and 57 eligible documents were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:It is recommended that clinicians try to select antirotational titanium bases or rotational titanium bases with a Morse taper connection.Implants should be placed in the correct axial angulation of not more than 15° or with an inclination to the palatal side when using angled zirconia abutments.When a≥30° labial inclination is followed for implant placement,the bite force must be decreased effectively to reduce the risk of mechanical and biological complications of implants,abutments,and prostheses.Ti-base zirconia abutments with a higher gingival height should be selected,and its restorative angle should not exceed 40°.Multilink Hybrid Abutment could be the first choice for extraoral bonding of zirconia abutment to titanium bases.
9.Effect of Compatibility of Effective Monomer Components of Fujin Shengjisan on Angiogenesis of HUVEC Based on Uniform Design
Xianying LU ; Jing GAO ; Dingxi BAI ; Chaoming HOU ; Wenting JI ; Huan CHEN ; Chenxi WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):9-20
ObjectiveTo determine the optimal combination of the effective monomer components "quercetin-kaempferol-abietic acid-boswellic acid" in Fujin Shengjisan for promoting diabetic ulcer (DU) wound healing through uniform design, thereby achieving the modern application of the ancient formula. MethodsFollowing the principle of "uniform design-pharmacodynamic experiment-mathematical modeling and model verification", the U14(145) uniform design table was adopted.The four monomer components of Chinese medicine were considered as the independent variables, and the proliferation rate of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by glucose was used as the pharmacodynamic indicator. A mathematical model was constructed using DPS software to correlate the effective monomer components with the pharmacodynamic indicator. The results of uniform design were verified through CCK-8 assay, cell scratch healing, tube formation, Western blot, and Real-time PCR. ResultsAmong the 14 compatibility groups, compared with the high-glucose model group, compound compatibility group 6 showed the strongest proliferation effect and statistical significance (P<0.05). Four quadratic polynomial regression equations (Y1-Y4) were obtained through DPS modeling. Considering the model's fit, stability, and practical application, equations Y1-Y3 were selected for the follow-up verification. To ensure experiment reproducibility, group 6 was used for validation. Group 6 and equations Y1-Y3 were renamed as compound prescription ① to compound prescription④, respectively, to represent the modern application of the ancient FJSJ Powder through compatibility of monomer components. Verification experiments showed that in the CCK-8, scratch healing, and tube formation assays, the cell viability, wound healing rate, and tube formation number of HUVECs stimulated with 50 mmol·L-1 glucose were significantly reduced compared with the blank group. Moreover, the expression levels of angiogenesis-related cytokines, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), and CD31 secretion were significantly down-regulated. However, after intervention with compound prescriptions ① to ④, compound prescriptions ① and ③ significantly improved the biological functions of HUVECs induced by 50 mmol·L-1 glucose. Further analysis of the regression coefficients of compound prescriptions ① and ③, and the relative dose ratios of each monomer component, indicated that abietic acid, quercetin, and boswellic acid promoted angiogenesis of HUVECs in the high glucose environment, with a major effect (positive partial correlation coefficients, all > 0.9). Abietic acid and boswellic acid, as well as kaempferol and boswellic acid, promoted angiogenesis in HUVECs through interaction (positive partial correlation coefficients). ConclusionCompound prescriptions ① and ③ are the optimal combinations. They can reverse the inhibitory effects of high glucose, stimulate the proliferation, migration, and tube formation abilities of HUVECs in a high glucose environment, and promote the expression of vascular endothelial growth factorA(VEGFA), FGF2, and CD31, thereby promoting angiogenesis and facilitating DU wound healing. This finding not only confirms the good reproducibility and feasibility of compound prescriptions ① and ③ but also provides new insights and methods for the rational construction of mathematical models to further study the compatibility theory of Chinese medicine.
10.Study on anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of blood components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets based on HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS and network pharmacology
Yuan-hong LIAO ; Jing-kun LU ; Yan NIU ; Jun LI ; Ren BU ; Peng-peng ZHANG ; Yue KANG ; Yue-wu WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):449-458
The analysis presented here is based on the blood components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets, the key anti-atherosclerosis pathway of Guanxin Qiwei tablets was screened by network pharmacology, and the anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of Guanxin Qiwei tablets was clarified and verified by cell experiments. HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS technique was used to analyze the components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into blood, to determine the precise mass charge ratio of the compounds, and to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the components by using secondary mass spectrometry fragments and literature comparison. Finally, a total of 42 components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into blood were identified. To better understand the interactions, we employed the Swiss Target Prediction database to predict the associated targets. Atherosclerosis (AS) disease targets were searched in disease databases Genecard, OMIM and Disgent, and 181 intersection targets of disease targets and component targets were obtained by Venny 2.1.0 software. Protein interactions were analyzed by String database. The 32 core targets were selected by Cytscape software. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed in DAVID database. It was found that the anti-atherosclerosis pathways of Guanxin Qiwei tablets mainly include lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications and other signal pathways. The core targets and the core compounds were interlinked, and it was found that cryptotanshinone and tanshinone ⅡA in Guanxin Qiwei tablets were well bound to TNF, PPAR


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