1.Inhibitory effects of different concentrations of auranofin on M1 macrophage function and its therapeutic potential in diabetic wound healing
Hongfei PAN ; Zhenbing ZHUANG ; Baiyun XU ; Zhangyang YANG ; Kairui LIN ; Bingqing ZHAN ; Jinghan LAN ; Heng GAO ; Nanbo ZHANG ; Jiayu LIN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(6):1390-1397
BACKGROUND:During diabetic wound healing,the sustained activation of M1 macrophages exacerbates the inflammatory response and hinders wound repair.Auranofin,an anti-inflammatory drug,has not been clearly studied for its effects on M1 macrophages and its potential role in diabetic wound healing.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of different concentrations of auranofin on the biological function of M1 macrophages and evaluate its potential application in diabetic wound healing.METHODS:RAW264.7 and THP-1 cells were used as research models.M1 polarization was induced using different concentrations of interferon-γ and lipopolysaccharide.M1 macrophages were treated with 1 and 2 μmol/L auranofin.Cell counting kit-8 assay was used to evaluate the effect of auranofin on cell viability.Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to detect mRNA expression of interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α.ELISA was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α in the supernatant.Western blot analysis was used to assess the expression of nuclear factor-κB(p65),phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK),and total MAPK proteins.Additionally,6-8-week-old male C57BL/6J and db/db diabetic mice were used for wound healing experiments,with the mice divided into C57 control,db/db control and auranofin treatment groups,each containing six animals.Dorsal skin defect modeling and treatment with intraperitoneal injection of auranofin were performed to observe wound healing in mice.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Cell experiments showed that co-treatment with interferon-y(10 ng/mL)and lipopolysaccharide(100 ng/mL)significantly induced M1 polarization in RAW264.7 and THP-1 cells,resulting in increased mRNA expression of interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α.Treatment with auranofin(1 and 2 μmol/L)reduced the mRNA expression of these inflammatory factors in the cells and inhibited the secretion of inflammatory factors in the cell supernatant.(2)Auranofin treatment significantly suppressed the activation of nuclear factor-κB(p65)and phosphorylated MAPK signaling pathways.(3)Animal experiments showed that auranofin promoted wound healing in db/db diabetic mice,suggesting that auranofin has strong anti-inflammatory effects and may facilitate the healing of wounds in diabetic mice.
2.Advances and application of neutrophil extracellular traps and activated platelets in lung cancer research
Daiyao YU ; Ping SHI ; Lan YANG ; Zhishu LI ; Yongping LU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(1):229-237
BACKGROUND:Neutrophil extracellular traps and activated platelets are involved in the invasion,metastasis,growth,and angiogenesis of lung cancer,and are closely related to the development and prognosis of lung cancer.OBJECTIVE:To review the mechanism of neutrophil extracellular traps and activated platelets in lung cancer and their application in diagnosis,prognosis,and treatment of lung cancer.METHODS:"Platelet activation,lung neoplasms,extracellular traps,treatment"for English search terms and"lung cancer,neutrophil-extracellular traps,platelet activation,P-selectin,treatment"for Chinese search terms were searched in PubMed and CNKI databases.After reading the title and abstract of the literature,according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,63 articles with high relevance were finally included.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Formation of neutrophil extracellular traps and platelet activation were induced by lung tumor.(2)Neutrophil extracellular traps and activated platelets jointly promote the proliferation,growth and metastasis of lung cancer.(3)Neutrophil extracellular traps can be used as a novel biomarker for the diagnosis,prognosis and progression of lung cancer.(4)Targeting neutrophil extracellular traps and activating platelets can be used as potential therapies for lung cancer.
3.Exploring Therapeutic Mechanism of Xihuang Wan for Hyperplasia of Mammary Glands Based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Cell Experiments
Junliang WANG ; Peihua LIANG ; Xueli MA ; Juanxia SUN ; Tao HAN ; Yongmei LAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):41-49
ObjectiveTo study the therapeutic mechanism of Xihuang Wan for hyperplasia of mammary glands based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cell experiments. MethodsThe active ingredients and targets of Xihuang Wan were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and A Bioinformatics Annotation daTabase for Molecular mechANism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM) and supplemented by searching against PubChem and Swiss Target Prediction. The targets of differential metabolites in tissues and urine were obtained from previous metabolomics studies through PubChem and Swiss Target Prediction. GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), PharmGKB, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), Drunbank were searched for the targets of hyperplasia of mammary glands. After the common targets were obtained via Veeny2.1.0, the STRING database was used to analyze the protein-protein interactions, and Cytoscape was used for the core target analysis and visualization. Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were employed for enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was carried out in Autodock, and cell experiments were conducted to verify the prediction results. In the cell experiments, estradiol and progesterone (E2+P) were used to intervene in human mammary epithelial/MCF-10A cells, and thus the MCF-10A cell proliferation model was established. The cells were then treated with Xihuang Wan-medicated serum. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to measure the cell proliferation, and flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis. The mRNA and protein levels of key factors in MCF-10A cells were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsThe results of network pharmacology showed that 90 active ingredients and 316 common targets were obtained, from which 20 core targets and 38 corresponding active ingredients were screened out. The results of GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that Xihuang Wan exerted effect against hyperplasia of mammary glands by regulating a variety of biological processes, which may be related to protein kinase B (Akt)-related molecular functions, estrogen signaling pathway, prolactin signaling pathway and other biological processes. The results of molecular docking showed that estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), serine/threonine kinase 1 (Akt1), non-receptor tyrosine kinase (SRC), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) all had strong binding activity with the nine active ingredients, suggesting that Xihuang Wan exert the effect through the ESR1/SRC/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway and the Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT3 signaling pathway. The results of cell experiments showed that E2+P intervention in MCF-10A cells promoted the proliferation of MCF-10A cells (P<0.05), while the Xihuang Wan-medicated serum inhibited the proliferation of MCF-10A cells exposed to E2+P (P<0.05). Flow cytometry showed that the Xihuang Wan-medicated serum promoted the apoptosis of MCF-10A cells exposed to E2+P (P<0.01). The results of Real-time PCR showed that the Xihuang Wan-medicated serum down-regulated the mRNA levels of PI3K, Akt, JAK2, and STAT3 in MCF-10A cells treated with E2+P (P<0.01). The results of Western blot showed that the Xihuang Wan-medicated serum inhibited the expression of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, p-JAK2/JAK2, and p-STAT3/STAT3 in MCF-10A cells treated with E2+P (P<0.05). ConclusionXihuang Wan may exert the effect against hyperplasia of mammary glands by inhibiting the proliferation and promoting the apoptosis of MCF-10A cells, which may related to the inhibition of the activation of PI3K/Akt and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways.
4.Shenqi Yiliu Prescription Reverses Cisplatin Resistance in Ovarian Cancer Cells by Regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway-mediated Glycolysis
Lan MA ; Yuping YANG ; Min BAI ; Yongqiang DUAN ; Zhining ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):60-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Shenqi Yiliu prescription reverses cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells by regulating the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway-mediated glycolysis. MethodsThe human ovarian cancer A2780 cell line was intervened with progressively increasing doses of cisplatin (1 g·L-1) to establish the cisplatin-resistant cell line A2780cisR, and the cell sensitivity to cisplatin was examined by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. High, medium, and low (39.9, 19.95, 9.98 g·kg-1) doses of Shenqi Yiliu prescription-containing sera were used to treat A2780cisR cells for 48 h. Glucose consumption and lactate production were measured by the cuvette assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to determine the activities of glucose transporter (GLUT), phosphofructokinase (PFK), and pyruvate kinase (PK). Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to detect apoptosis. Western blot was employed to quantify the protein levels of phosphorylated (p)-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR, hexokinase 2 (HK2), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), B-cell lymphoblastoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X-protein (Bax), and B-lymphoblastoma-2 gene-related promoter (Bad). Real-time PCR was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of HK2, PKM2, Bax, Bcl-2, and Bad. ResultsThe median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of cisplatin on A2780cisR cells was nearly 3 times that on A2780P cells. Compared with A2780P cells, A2780cisR cells showed increased glucose consumption, lactate production, GLUT, PFK, and PK activities, and mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K, Akt, p-mTOR, HK2, PKM2, Bax (P<0.05), and decreased apoptosis rate and Bcl-2 expression (P<0.05). Compared with A2780cisR cells, medium- and high-dose Shenqi Yiliu prescription reduced the glucose consumption, lactate production, GLUT, PFK, and PK activities, and mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K, Akt, p-mTOR, HK2, PKM2, Bax, and Bad (P<0.05), while increasing the apoptosis rate and Bcl-2 expression (P<0.05). ConclusionShenqi Yiliu prescription can inhibit glycolysis mediated by the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to promote apoptosis, thereby reversing cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells.
5.Construction and Evaluation of Mouse Model of Qi Deficiency and Phlegm Dampness Syndrome
Qichun ZHOU ; Gangxing ZHU ; Yongchun ZOU ; Baoyi LAN ; Zhanyu CUI ; Xi WANG ; Mengfei XU ; Qing TANG ; Sumei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):138-146
ObjectiveQi deficiency and phlegm dampness syndrome is a common type of clinical traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome. However, there is no standard, scientific, and accurate report on the construction of animal models of Qi deficiency and phlegm dampness syndrome. This study aims to construct a mouse model of Qi deficiency and phlegm dampness syndrome by using a multi-factor composite modeling method and to evaluate the model. MethodsTwenty-one C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups with seven mice in each group, which were the normal group, model group, and Shenling Baizhusan (SLBZ) group. The control group was fed with ordinary diet and kept in a normal environment. The model group and SLBZ group were fed with a high-fat diet in a high-humidity environment. Swimming with heavy weights until exhaustion and gavage with cold water or lard were used to establish the mouse model of Qi deficiency and phlegm dampness syndrome. In order to test the syndrome by prescription, mice in the SLBZ group were treated with SLBZ for 14 days after model construction. The exhaustive swimming time, body weight, serum lipid levels, tongue changes, "Qi deficiency and phlegm dampness" assessment scale score, and cecal index of mice in each group were measured. The feces of each group of mice were sent for metagenomics and metabolome sequencing, and the changes in intestinal flora and metabolites were analyzed. ResultsAfter the modeling of Qi deficiency and phlegm dampness syndrome, the exhaustive swimming time of mice was obviously shortened (P<0.01). The serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol of mice were significantly increased (all P<0.01). The tongue of mice was significantly different from that of the normal group, and the score of the assessment scale was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.01). Cecal index decreased significantly (P<0.01). The serum lipid level, tongue image, assessment scale score, and cecal index were reversed in the SLBZ group. Metagenomic and metabolome sequencing results showed that intestinal flora and fecal metabolites were significantly changed in mice with Qi deficiency and phlegm dampness syndrome. Akkermansia_muciniphila, Faecalibaculum_rodentium, Eubacterium_plexicaudatum, Eubacterium sp 14_2, Candida glabrata, Romboutsia_ilealis, Turicibacter sp TS3, and other bacteria had significant changes, and the expressions of intestinal metabolites such as chenodeoxycholic acid, choline, L-phenylalanine betaine, and 2-phenylbutyric acid were significantly changed. Related metabolic pathways such as linoleic acid metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, lysine degradation, arginine biosynthesis, and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism were affected. ConclusionThe Qi deficiency and phlegm dampness model of mice can be constructed by the multi-factor composite modeling method of high-fat diet feeding, high-humidity environment feeding, exhaustive swimming with heavy weight, and intragastric administration with cold water or lard. The blood lipid level, tongue change, score of "Qi deficiency and phlegm dampness assessment scale", cecal index, and changes in related intestinal flora and metabolites of mice can be used as key indicators for model evaluation.
6.Variations of Chemical Components in Gardeniae Fructus Before and After Being Charred Analyzed by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS
Lan LI ; Jie HONG ; Yanan SONG ; Yilan LI ; Yun WANG ; Cun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):175-182
ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in chemical components of Gardeniae Fructus(GF) before and after being charred, providing data support for research on the material basis of GF Carbonisata(GFC). MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS) was used to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the chemical components in GF and GFC under positive and negative ion modes with Compound Discoverer 3.3 software and online database. Then, principal component analysis and partial least squares-discriminant analysis in SIMCA14.1 software were used to analyze the MS data of each sample. Based on the principle of variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1, differential secondary and primary metabolites before and after carbonization were screened. In addition, MetaboAnalyst website was used for pathway enrichment of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), so as to provide a reference for clarifying the processing mechanism. ResultsA total of 185 components were identified, including 96 secondary metabolites and 89 primary metabolites. These components were classified into nine categories, primarily including iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, and terpenoids, their fragmentation pathways were also analyzed. Simultaneously, multivariate statistical analysis was performed on the secondary and primary metabolites, identifying 70 and 59 differential metabolites, respectively. The secondary metabolites were enriched in two metabolic pathways, including C5-branched dibasic acid metabolism and flavonoid and flavonol biosynthesis, while the primary differential metabolites were enriched in seven pathways such as linoleic acid metabolism and tyrosine metabolism. ConclusionThe chemical components of GF change significantly after carbonization, with a significant decrease in the contents of iridoid glycosides and terpenoids such as hydroxyisogeniposide, crocin Ⅱ, crocetin, and jasminoside B. while the contents of 4-hydroxycoumarin, geniposidic acid, gentiopicroside, and gardenoside methyl ester increase significantly. This change is presumed to be associated with the enhanced cooling and hemostatic effects of the processed products. The identified key components provide a basis for elucidating the material basis underlying the efficacy changes before and after carbonization.
7.Analysis of HPV Infection Characteristics and Influencing Factors for Lesion Grade in Patients with Cervical Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion and Cervical Cancer
Jingjing HAN ; Lijie ZHANG ; Ruyu CAI ; Haili LI ; He WANG ; Le DANG ; Hongda CHEN ; Ming'e LI ; Lan ZHU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):156-165
To summarize the distribution characteristics of human papillomavirus(HPV) infection types in patients with cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion(SIL) and cervical cancer(CC), and to explore the impact of HPV vaccination, HPV infection types, and general clinical data on different grades of cervical lesions. Clinical data of women attending the gynecological colposcopy clinic of Shenzhen People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2023 were retrospectively collected. Patients with HPV genotyping records and histopathologically diagnosed SIL or CC were included and divided into three groups based on pathological results: low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion(LSIL) group, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion(HSIL) group, and CC group. The distribution of high-risk HPV subtypes was analyzed among the three groups, and multivariate Logistic regression was used to identify influencing factors for high-grade cervical lesions. A total of 4162 patients were included, comprising 4057 cervical SIL patients(3317 LSIL and 740 HSIL) and 105 CC patients. The overall mean age was(39.9±11.2) years. The HPV infection rate was 95.1%(3959/4162), and 25.0%(1040/4162) of patients had received HPV vaccination. Among high-risk HPV infections, HPV 52, HPV 16, HPV 58, and HPV 18 were the most common subtypes. HPV 52 had the highest infection rate in the LSIL group(27.6%), while HPV 16 was the most prevalent in the HSIL group(45.3%) and CC group(64.9%). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that HPV vaccination( HPV infection is common in patients with SIL and CC, but the distribution of high-risk HPV subtypes varies among different grades of cervical lesions. It is recommended to strengthen cervical cancer screening and monitoring of key high-risk HPV infections in older and multiparous women in Shenzhen, and to continue promoting HPV vaccination.
8.Five-year survival analysis and influencing factors of elderly lung cancer patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Mianyang City
Haishi XUE ; Ling HUANG ; Junjie XIA ; Yu QIU ; Ke GE ; Jincheng WANG ; Yuting CHEN ; Runjiao CHEN ; Lingna LI ; An LAN ; Yan HOU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(1):138-141
Objective To study the five-year survival status and influencing factors of elderly patients with lung cancer complicated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A cohort study was conducted to follow up 450 patients with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were hospitalized in our hospital from January 2018 to December 2023. The endpoint of the follow-up was the end of a five-year period or death. The Life Tables method was used to calculate survival rates and plot survival curves. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the influencing factors of five-year survival. Results The results indicated that the overall five-year survival rate of patients was 4.89%, and it decreased year by year. Cox regression analysis showed that age, gender, family functioning, and psychological status significantly influenced patient survival rate (all P<0.05). Stratified analysis found that the smoking status, family functioning, and psychological status of male patients all had an impact on survival rate (all P<0.05), while the psychological status of female patients had a more significant impact on survival (P=0.008). Conclusion This study provides a scientific basis for comprehensive intervention of elderly lung cancer patients with COPD. It is recommended that clinical attention should be paid to psychological and family factors to improve patient prognosis.
9.Ancient and Modern Application and Key Information Analysis of Classic Formula Erchentang
Qing TANG ; Lyuyuan LIANG ; Jialei CAO ; Lan LIU ; Hejia WAN ; Chengxin LUO ; Bingqi WEI ; Yamin KONG ; Bingxiang MA ; Wenli SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):262-270
Erchentang is a classic formula widely used by medical practitioners throughout history. In this paper,ancient and modern literature of Erchentang were collected, and bibliometrics was employed to analyze its historic evolution,prescription meaning,herbs origin, processing method,preparation methods, and clinical application. A total of 84 pieces of data were collected, and 58 pieces of data involving 53 ancient medical Chinese books were screened, sorted, and processed. Combined with research of modern scholars,the research has found that the Erchentang originated from the Taiping Huimin Huiye Shijie Fang compiled by the Imperial Medical Bureau of the Song Dynasty. The basic information about the origin of the drugs is quite clear. Pinelliae rhizoma in the formula is the dried tuber of Pinellia ternata. Citri exocarpium rubrum is the dried mature peel of Citrus reticulata and its cultivated varieties, with the inner white membrane removed. Poria is the whitest dry sclerotia of Poria cocos; Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma is the dried root and rhizome of the Glycyrrhiza uralensis. The dosage is 5.70 g Pinelliae rhizome and Citri exocarpium rubrum, 3.43 g Poria, and 1.69 g Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma praeparata cum melle. During the decoction process, the above-mentioned herbs should be chopped, with 300 mL water, 7 g ginger in thick slices, and 2 g Mume fructus added, and it was then simmered together to 180 mL. After removing the medicinal residue, it can be taken warmly. Erchentang has the effect of drying dampness and resolving phlegm, regulating Qi and harmonizing the middle. It can be used in treating the syndrome of phlegm and dampness,as well as symptoms such as frequent cough,white phlegm,fullness in chest and diaphragm,nausea and vomiting,limb drowsiness,anorexia,dizziness,palpitations,white and greasy tongue coating, and slippery pulse. The above results provide reference for future research and development of Erchentang.
10.Brain-computer interface: application value, ethical risks, and governance frameworks
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(2):159-166
As a globally acclaimed emerging technology, the development speed and scale of the brain-computer interfaces have exceeded public expectations. On the one hand, it boasts significant application value in treating brain diseases, promoting the development of the brain-computer interaction industry, enhancing human capabilities, and driving a new round of technological revolution. On the other hand, its inherent uncertainty and ambiguity can trigger a series of complex and unique risks, including threats to individuals’ physical and psychological safety, erosion of individual autonomy, potential risks from the abuse of brain data, as well as latent threats to social justice and national security. Therefore, this study proposed a governance framework for responsible research and innovation, encompassing recommendations such as an open and transparent governance process, flexible regulation to avoid stifling technological innovation, and strengthened international cooperation to restrict military applications.


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