The present study aimed to explore whether hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) improved hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) in rats by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis-pyroptosis. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal group, normal+NaHS group, hypoxia group, and hypoxia+NaHS group, with 6 rats in each group. The control group rats were placed in a normoxic (21% O₂) environment and received daily intraperitoneal injections of an equal volume of normal saline. The normal+NaHS group rats were placed in a normoxic environment and intraperitoneally injected with 14 μmol/kg NaHS daily. The hypoxia group rats were placed in a hypoxia chamber, and the oxygen controller inside the chamber maintained the oxygen concentration at 9% to 10% by controlling the N₂ flow rate. An equal volume of normal saline was injected intraperitoneally every day. The hypoxia+NaHS group rats were also placed in an hypoxia chamber and intraperitoneally injected with 14 μmol/kg NaHS daily. After the completion of the four-week modeling, the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) of each group was measured using right heart catheterization technique, and the right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) was weighed and calculated. HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in lung tissue, Masson staining was used to observe fibrosis of lung tissue, and Western blot was used to detect protein expression levels of hexokinase 2 (HK2), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), GSDMD-N-terminal domain (GSDMD-N), Caspase-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 in lung tissue. ELISA was used to detect contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in lung tissue. The results showed that, compared with the normal control group, there were no significant changes in all indexes in the normal+NaHS group, while the hypoxia group exhibited significantly increased mPAP and RVHI, thickened pulmonary vascular wall, narrowed lumen, increased collagen fibers, up-regulated expression levels of aerobic glycolysis-related proteins (HK2 and PKM2), up-regulated expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, GSDMD-N, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18), and increased contents of IL-1β and IL-18. These changes of the above indexes in the hypoxia group were significantly reversed by NaHS. These results suggest that H₂S can improve rat HPH by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis-pyroptosis.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/metabolism* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Hydrogen Sulfide/therapeutic use* ; Hypoxia/complications* ; Rats ; Pyroptosis/drug effects*

The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of lung zinc ions to pathogenesis of lung ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, lung I/R group (I/R group), lung I/R + low-dose zinc chloride group (LZnCl₂+I/R group), lung I/R + high-dose ZnCl₂ group (HZnCl₂+I/R group), lung I/R + medium-dose ZnCl₂ group (MZnCl₂+I/R group) and TPEN+MZnCl₂+I/R group (n = 8 in each group). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure the concentration of zinc ions in lung tissue. The degree of lung tissue injury was analyzed by observing HE staining, alveolar damage index, lung wet/dry weight ratio and lung tissue gross changes. TUNEL staining was used to detect cellular apoptosis in lung tissue. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to determine the protein expression levels of caspase-3 and ZIP8, as well as the mRNA expression levels of zinc transporters (ZIP, ZNT) in lung tissue. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of lung tissue was detected by JC-1 MMP detection kit. The results showed that, compared with the control group, the lung tissue damage, lung wet/dry weight ratio and alveolar damage index were significantly increased in the I/R group. And in the lung tissue, the concentration of Zn²⁺ was markedly decreased, while the cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 ratio and apoptotic levels were significantly increased. The expression levels of ZIP8 mRNA and protein were down-regulated significantly, while the mRNA expression of other zinc transporters remained unchanged. There was also a significant decrease in MMP. Compared with the I/R group, both MZnCl₂+I/R group and HZnCl₂+I/R group exhibited significantly reduced lung tissue injury, lung wet/dry weight ratio and alveolar damage index, increased Zn²⁺ concentration, decreased ratio of cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 and apoptosis, and up-regulated expression levels of ZIP8 mRNA and protein. In addition, the MMP was significantly increased in the lung tissue. Zn²⁺ chelating agent TPEN reversed the above-mentioned protective effects of medium-dose ZnCl₂ on the lung tissue in the I/R group. The aforementioned results suggest that exogenous administration of ZnCl₂ can improve lung I/R injury in rats.
Animals ; Reperfusion Injury/pathology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Chlorides/administration & dosage* ; Lung/pathology* ; Zinc Compounds/administration & dosage* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Cation Transport Proteins/metabolism*

This study aims to explore the synergistic effects of the main components in salvianolic acids for Injection(SAFI) on key pathological events in cerebral ischemia, elucidating the pharmacological characteristics of SAFI in neuroprotection. Two major pathological gene modules related to endothelial injury and neuroinflammation in cerebral ischemia were mined from single-cell data. According to the topological distance calculated in network medicine, potential synergistic component combinations of SAFI were screened out. The results showed that the combination of caffeic acid and salvianolic acid B scored the highest in addressing both endothelial injury and neuroinflammation, demonstrating potential synergistic effects. The cell experiments confirmed that the combination of these two components at a ratio of 1∶1 significantly protected brain microvascular endothelial cells(bEnd.3) from oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R)-induced reperfusion injury and effectively suppressed lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced neuroinflammatory responses in microglial cells(BV-2). This study provides a new method for uncovering synergistic effects among active components in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and offers novel insights into the multi-component, multi-target acting mechanisms of TCM.
Brain Ischemia/metabolism* ; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Benzofurans/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Drug Synergism ; Caffeic Acids/pharmacology* ; Polyphenols/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Alkenes/pharmacology* ; Endothelial Cells/drug effects* ; Depsides

This study aims to observe the mind-tranquilizing effect of Fushen Decoction on mice and investigate its effects on the 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) system and γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA) in the brain of the mouse model of 4-chloro-DL-phenylalanine(PCPA)-induced insomnia. ICR mice were administrated with coffee(1 g·kg~(-1)) for 3 days, and the effects of Fushen Decoction(10, 20, and 40 g·kg~(-1)) on the autonomic activities of normal mice and coffee-treated mice were observed. Furthermore, the effects of Fushen Decoction on the autonomic activity and sleep induced by a suprathreshold dose of pentobarbital sodium in the mouse model of PCPA(350 mg·kg~(-1) for 3 consecutive days)-induced insomnia were observed. The levels of tryptophan hydroxylase(TPH), 5-hydroxytryptophan(5-HTP), and 5-HT in the serum, as well as those of 5-HTP and 5-HT in the brain stem, hippocampus, and cortex, were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The fluorescence intensity of 5-HT in the raphe nucleus, hippocampus, and cortex was measured by the immunofluorescence method. The protein levels of tryptophan hydroxylase-2(TPH2) and 5-HT_(1A) receptor(5-HT_(1A)R) in the brain stem, hippocampus, and cortex were measured by Western blot. The levels of GABA in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and cortex were measured by ELISA and immunohistochemistry methods. The results showed that Fushen Decoction(20, 40 g·kg~(-1)) reduced the number of autonomous activities in normal mice, coffee-treated mice, and the mouse model of PCPA-induced insomnia, and prolonged the duration of sleep induced by a suprathreshold dose of pentobarbital sodium in the mouse model. Fushen Decoction(20, 40 g·kg~(-1)) elevated the levels of TPH, 5-HTP, and 5-HT in the serum, and TPH2, 5-HTP, 5-HT, and 5-HT_(1A)R in the brain stem, hippocampus, and cortex, and up-regulated GABA expression in the hypothalamus, cortex, and hippocampus of the mouse model of PCPA-induced insomnia. In conclusion, Fushen Decoction(20, 40 g·kg~(-1)) exerted a mind-tranquilizing effect on mice by up-regulating the expression of TPH2, enhancing the 5-HT system, and elevating the GABA level in the brain.
Animals ; Serotonin/genetics* ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/genetics* ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/genetics* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fenclonine/adverse effects* ; Tryptophan Hydroxylase/genetics* ; Brain/metabolism* ; Sleep/drug effects* ; Humans ; 5-Hydroxytryptophan/metabolism*

The chemical components of Carthami Flos were investigated by using macroporous resin, silica gel column chromatography, reversed-phase octadecylsilane(ODS) column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The planar structures of the compounds were established based on their physicochemical properties and ultraviolet-visible(UV-Vis), infrared(IR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(HR-ESI-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectroscopic technology. The absolute configurations were determined by comparing the calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroism(ECD). Six flavonoid C-glycosides were isolated from the 30% ethanol elution fraction of macroporous resin obtained from the 95% ethanol extract of Carthami Flos, and identified as saffloquinoside F(1), 5-hydroxysaffloneoside(2), iso-5-hydroxysaffloneoside(3), isosafflomin C(4), safflomin C(5), and vicenin 2(6). Among these, the compounds 1 to 3 were new chalcone C-glycosides. The compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 could significantly increase the viability of H9c2 cardiomyocytes damaged by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R) at a concentration of 50 μmol·L~(-1), showing their good cardioprotective activity.
Glycosides/pharmacology* ; Flowers/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Carthamus tinctorius/chemistry* ; Chalcones/pharmacology* ; Animals

Cistanches Herba(CH) is a famous tonic traditional Chinese medicine, with the effects of tonifying kidney Yang, nourishing kidney Yin, replenishing essence and blood, and moistening the intestines to relieve constipation. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that CH has anti-aging, anti-fatigue, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and anti-aging activities, serving as an ideal raw material for the development of pharmaceuticals and health products. In 2023, CH was added in the catalog of medicinal and food substances, which provided policy support for its application in conventional food products and expanding pathways for industrial diversification. To comprehensively understand current development status of CH products, this review systematically investigated professional databases including Yaozhi(https://db.yaozh.com), Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Compendium of National Standards for Chinese Patent Medicines, and Kezhuang and collected market survey data to thoroughly review the applications of CH as a primary ingredient in domestic and international Chinese patent medicines, health foods, cosmetics, and common food products. Furthermore, this review points out challenges in the current industrial development and future potential market prospects, aiming to provide guidance for the development and industrialization of CH-based pharmaceuticals and health products, thereby promoting the vigorous growth of the CH industry.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Cistanche/chemistry* ; Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVE: To establish a two-segment vertebrectomy model using the finite element method, and to measure and compare the biomechanical properties of the lower cervical anterior transpedicular root screw (ATPRS) plate system, lower cervical anterior pedicle screw (ATPS) plate system, and lower cervical anterior cervical locked-plate (ACLP) system on this model. METHODS: CT data of the cervical spine (C₀-T₁) from a 34-year-old healthy adult male volunteer were collected. A nonlinear complete model of the lower cervical spine (C₃-C₇) was established using Mimics 10.01 software, based on which the ATPRS fixation model, ATPS fixation model, and ACLP fixation model were constructed respectively. An axial pressure of 75 N and a pure couple moment of 1.5 N·m were applied to C3 to make the model perform flexion-extension, left-right lateral bending, and left-right rotation movements. The range of motion (ROM) and stress distribution of each model under different working conditions were compared. RESULTS: The ROM of the C₄-C₇ segments in the ACLP group, ATPS group, and ATPRS group was reduced to 0.65° (-95.2%), 0.58° (-95.7%), and 0.62° (-95.4%) respectively compared with the intact model during flexion-extension movement;during lateral bending movement, it was reduced to 0.58° (-95.2%), 0.51°(-95.8%), and 0.60° (-95.1%) respectively;during rotation movement, it was reduced to 1.17° (-89.6%), 1.26° (-88.8%), and 1.27°(-88.7%) respectively. In terms of the stress on the titanium mesh graft, the ATPS group and ATPRS group had the maximum load during extension and the minimum load during flexion. Compared with the ACLP group, the stress on the titanium mesh graft in ATPS and ATPRS decreased by (-33.7%) and (-15.8%) in flexion, (-29.4%) and (-13.2%) in extension, (-26.2%) and (-23.4%) in lateral bending, and (-18.8%) and (-5.4%) in rotation, respectively. In terms of bone-screw interface stress, the peak bone stress near the C₇ screw in the ACLP group, ATPS group, and ATPRS group increased by 49.2%, 45.0%, and 47.6% respectively compared with the peak bone stress near the C₄ screw during extension. However, during flexion and lateral bending, there was no significant difference in the peak bone stress near the C₄ and C₇ screws. During rotation, the difference between the peak bone stress near the C₄ screw and that near the C₇ screw showed that in the ACLP group, left rotation (37.6%) was similar to right rotation (36.7%), while in the ATPS group and ATPRS group, left rotation was lower than right rotation. CONCLUSION Compared with the ACLP group, the ATPS group and ATPRS group have greater fixation stiffness and more stable fixation. However, in rotational movement, due to the uneven distribution of fixation stiffness, the stress distribution during torsion is uneven, but it is still better than the ACLP group. This indicates that ATPRS, like ATPS, has good primary stability, providing favorable conditions for bone graft fusion.
Humans ; Finite Element Analysis ; Male ; Cervical Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Fracture Fixation, Internal