1.Comparative Study on Effect of Jingui Shenqiwan and Liuwei Dihuangwan on Reproductive Ability and Brain Function of Normal Mice
Hong SUN ; Fan LEI ; Chenggong LI ; Rui LUO ; Shixian HU ; Bin REN ; Juan HAO ; Yi DING ; Lijun DU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):1-14
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Jingui Shenqiwan (JSW) and Liuwei Dihuangwan (LDW) on the reproductive ability and brain function of normal mice and compare the actions of the two medications. MethodsSeven groups of female and male mice were divided at a ratio of 2∶1. Except for the control group, the other six groups were as follows: a group of both males and females receiving JSW (3.0 g·kg-1), a group of both males and females receiving LDW (4.5 g·kg-1), a group of males receiving water and females receiving JSW, a group of males receiving water while females receiving LDW, a group of females receiving water while males receiving JSW, and a group of females receiving water while males receiving LDW. Each group was administered the drug for 14 days and then caged together at a 2∶1 (female∶male) ratio to detect the number of pregnant mice and calculate the pregnancy rate. Pregnant mice continued receiving the drug until they naturally gave birth, which was followed by the observation of newborn mice, calculation of their average number, and the measurement of the offspring's preference for sugar water and neonatal recognition index. At the end of the experiment, the weights of the thymus and spleen were measured to calculate the organ coefficients, and mRNA or protein expression was analyzed in the brain and testes or ovaries. A 1% sucrose solution was used to examine the euphoria of their brain reward systems, while novel object recognition test (NOR) was applied to assess their memory capabilities. mRNA expression was detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) assay, and protein expression was analyzed with Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group, oral administration of JSW to both male and female mice for 14 days significantly increased the pregnancy rate of female mice on day 2 after being caged together (P<0.05), while LDW showed a trend but no statistical significance. Additionally, compared with the control group, JSW could upregulate the gene expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the thalamus, as well as reproductive stem cell factor (SCF) and tyrosine kinase receptor (c-Kit) in the testes and reproductive stem cell marker mouse vasa homologue (MVH) in the ovaries, upregulate the expression of proteins influencing neuronal functional activity, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), in hippocampal neurons (P<0.05), and enhance sucrose preference in male mice (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, JSW significantly increased sucrose preference and novel object recognition index in offspring mice (P<0.05), which was related to the upregulation of hippocampal dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (Nmdar) gene expression. Compared with the control group, both JSW and LDW could upregulate the protein expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), BDNF, and tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) in the hippocampus of offspring mice (P<0.05). ConclusionJSW significantly enhances the reproductive ability of normal mice, which is not only related to the release of gonadotropin but also associated with its regulation of brain function. Additionally, JSW has a certain regulatory effect on the brain function of the offspring mice.
2.Current Status of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the Research on Mechanism
Junxiang LI ; Hong SHEN ; Tangyou MAO ; Lei ZHU ; Jiaqi ZHANG ; Zhibin WANG ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):103-110
In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has achieved significant progress in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A comprehensive literature search was conducted covering the period from January 1, 2010, to December 30, 2024, across Chinese databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP China Science and Technology Journal Database, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System, as well as international databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. The clinical applications and mechanistic studies of TCM in IBD were systematically reviewed. The current status of TCM research on the etiology and pathogenesis of IBD, innovative clinical practices, and multimodal therapeutic approaches, including Chinese herbal formulas, single herbs or active compounds, acupuncture, herbal retention enema, and acupoint application, were summarized, together with their synergistic effects when combined with western medical treatments. The development and application of Chinese patent medicines for IBD are undergoing a profound transition from efficacy validation to mechanistic exploration. Mechanistic studies on the effects of TCM in IBD mainly focus on regulating gut microbiota homeostasis, repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier, and modulating intestinal immune balance. Furthermore, future research directions for TCM-based IBD management are proposed, including the establishment of TCM diagnostic and treatment models, expanding integrated applications of external and internal TCM therapies, innovating personalized treatment strategies, and advancing drug development. These efforts aim to provide insights for the standardized and precision-oriented development of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of IBD.
3.Exploring Vascular Recruitment in Tracheobronchial Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma from Perspective of Abnormal Collateral
Jun TENG ; Lei LI ; Junyan XIA ; Yi LUO ; Qinyan HONG ; Shuiping CHEN ; Hongwu WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):260-269
Tracheobronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma (TACC) is a low-grade malignant tumor originating from the airway mucosa. Despite its slow progression,it is characterized by high invasiveness,frequent recurrence,and a strong tendency for metastasis. Preclinical studies have shown that vascular-targeted therapy holds significant potential. However,an effective systemic treatment for TACC has not been established yet. This study explored TACC from the perspective of "Feiji" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as the starting point. It deeply investigated the mechanisms of abnormal collaterals and tumor vascular recruitment and further elaborated on the theoretical connection between abnormal collaterals and tumor vascular recruitment. Firstly,collateral hyperactivity led to disordered and erratic pulmonary collaterals. Their abnormal structures were similar to the disorderly and tortuous nature of tumor (pseudo)angiogenesis. This resulted in imbalances in the functions of circulation,perfusion,and reverse injection of the pulmonary collaterals,and then led to unrestrained collateral dysfunction and the accumulation of pathogenic factors. Secondly,the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in TACC were critical processes in vascular co-option (VCO),representing the micro-level manifestation of the displacement of nutrient and defense. During this process,ECM remodeling made TACC cells more likely to hijack normal blood vessels,creating a complex vascular microenvironment conducive to tumor growth. In terms of treatment,this study proposed a TCM strategy of "regulating collaterals to expel pathogenic factors and nourishing collaterals to strengthen the healthy Qi",and listed potential TCM. These were intended to regulate the Qi and blood in the collaterals,repair the functions of abnormal collaterals,and intervene in the vascular recruitment process of TACC. Future research should focus on improving the TCM clinical syndrome characteristics of TACC. Through modern molecular biology techniques,it is necessary to deeply analyze the micro-level pattern of vascular recruitment in TACC. This would enrich the understanding of the profound connection between abnormal collaterals and tumor vascular recruitment,providing empirical evidence for TCM-targeted therapies for vascular recruitment in TACC.
4.The introduction on the revised standards of pharmaceutical excipients in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition
CHEN Lei ; LUI Yanming ; YUAN Yaozuo ; CHEN Ying ; DAI Hong ; ZHANG Jun ; MA Shuangcheng
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(1):051-057
According to the work goals and tasks determined by edition outline of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 has been completed. Among them, 52 new pharmaceutical excipients monographs have been added, and the total number has reached 387. 245 pharmaceutical excipients monographs have been revised, of which 109 monographs have only textual revisions and 136 monographs have substantive revisions. This article focuses on the general framework and the main characteristics of the standards of pharmaceutical excipients in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025, which can contribute to accurately understand and utilize the standards in Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
5.Effect and mechanism of Qingxue xiaozhi jiangtang formula on insulin resistance in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Yuxin HONG ; Lei ZHANG ; Mingxue ZHOU ; Sinai LI ; Li LIN ; Meng ZHANG ; Zixuan GUO ; Weihong LIU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(1):24-29
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effect and potential mechanism of Qingxue xiaozhi jiangtang formula on insulin resistance (IR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. METHODS T2DM rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg streptozotocin combined with high-fat and high-sugar diet. The rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, Qingxue xiaozhi jiangtang formula low-dose and high-dose groups (6.525, 13.05 g/kg, calculated by raw material) and metformin group (positive control, 0.18 g/kg), with 8 rats in each group. Administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically; normal control group and model group were given constant volume of normal saline intragastrically, once a day, for consecutive 6 weeks. Body mass and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were determined, and oral glucose tolerance test was conducted. Serum fasting insulin (FINS) level was measured to calculate the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity index (ISI). Additionally, the level of serum lipids, liver function, oxidative stress indicators and inflammatory factors were assessed. The phosphorylation levels of kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) protein in liver tissue of rats were determined. RESULTS Compared with model group, the body weight, ISI, the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and superoxide dismutase were increased significantly in Qingxue xiaozhi jiangtang formula high-dose group and metformin group (P<0.05); FBG, blood glucose level at 120 minutes of glucose loading, area under the curve of glucose, FINS, HOMA-IR, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglyceride, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and C-reactive protein levels were significantly reduced (P< Δ0.05); the pathological damage of liver tissue had significantlyimproved, and the phosphorylation levels of PERK and FOXO1 proteins in liver tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Qingxue xiaozhi jiangtang formula can regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation factor and oxidative stress levels, and alleviate insulin resistance in T2DM rats. Its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the PERK/FOXO1 signaling pathway.
6.Application of reimplantation technique in treating Marfan syndrome and giant aortic root aneurysm during mid-pregnancy: A case report
NIU ; Hong QIAN ; Haibo SONG ; Lei DU ; Hai YU ; Eryong ZHANG ; Zhenghua XIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(03):416-420
Pregnancy complicated by aortic root aneurysm in patients with Marfan syndrome is one of the main causes of termination of pregnancy or even death in pregnant women. A very small number of pregnant women require cardiac surgery to preserve pregnancy under extracorporeal circulation, and all surgeries use aortic root replacement. We reported a 30-year-old patient with severe aortic regurgitation combined with giant aortic root aneurysm and Marfan syndrome in mid-pregnancy. Valve-sparing root replacement using reimplantation technology was performed via a multidisciplinary cooperation model. This not only achieved the patient’s desire to continue pregnancy but also avoided the anticoagulation and bleeding complications brought by mechanical valve replacement, reduced pregnancy risks and improved long-term quality of life. Postoperative echocardiography showed a small amount of aortic valve regurgitation, aortic valve coaptation height of 0.6 cm, effective height of 1.1 cm, maximum aortic flow velocity of 1.4 m/s, mean transvalvular pressure gradient of 4.4 mm Hg, and satisfactory clinical results.
7.Preparation of new hydrogels and their synergistic effects of immunochemotherapy
Wen-wen YAN ; Yan-long ZHANG ; Ming-hui CAO ; Zheng-han LIU ; Hong LEI ; Xiang-qian JIA
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):479-487
In recent years, cancer treatment methods and means are becoming more and more diversified, and single treatment methods often have limited efficacy, while the synergistic effect of immunity combined with chemotherapy can inhibit tumor growth more effectively. Based on this, we constructed a sodium alginate hydrogel composite system loaded with chemotherapeutic agents and tumor vaccines (named SA-DOX-NA) with a view to the combined use of chemotherapeutic agents and tumor vaccines. Firstly, the tumor vaccine (named NA) degradable under acidic conditions was constructed by
8.Design, synthesis and anti-Alzheimer's disease activity evaluation of cinnamyl triazole compounds
Wen-ju LEI ; Zhong-di CAI ; Lin-jie TAN ; Mi-min LIU ; Li ZENG ; Ting SUN ; Hong YI ; Rui LIU ; Zhuo-rong LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):150-163
19 cinnamamide/ester-triazole compounds were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) activity. Among them, compound
9.Neutrophil activation is correlated with acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass
Tingting WANG ; Yuanyuan YAO ; Jiayi SUN ; Juan WU ; Xinyi LIAO ; Wentong MENG ; Min YAN ; Lei DU ; Jiyue XIONG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(3):358-367
[Objective] To explore the relationship between neutrophil activation under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and the incidence of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI). [Methods] This prospective cohort study enrolled adult patients who scheduled for cardiac surgery under CPB at West China Hospital between May 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. The primary outcome was acute kidney injury (AKI). Blood samples (5 mL) were obtained from the central vein before surgery, at rewarming, at the end of CPB, and 24 hours after surgery. Neutrophils were labeled with CD11b, CD54 and other markers. To assess the effect of neutrophils activation on AKI, propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to equilibrate covariates between the groups. [Results] A total of 120 patients included into the study, and 17 (14.2%) developed AKI. Both CD11b+ and CD54+ neutrophils significantly increased during the rewarming phase and the increases were kept until 24 hours after surgery. During rewarming, the numbers of CD11b+ neutrophils were significantly higher in AKI compared to non-AKI (4.71×109/L vs 3.31×109/L, Z=-2.14, P<0.05). Similarly, the CD54+ neutrophils counts were also significantly higher in AKI than in non-AKI before surgery (2.75×109/L vs 1.79×109/L, Z=-2.99, P<0.05), during rewarming (3.12×109/L vs 1.62×109/L, Z=-4.34, P<0.05), and at the end of CPB (4.28×109/L vs 2.14×109/L, Z=-3.91, P<0.05). An analysis of 32 matched patients (16 in each group) revealed that CD11b+ and CD54+ neutrophil levels of AKI were 1.74 folds (4.83×109/L vs 2.77×109/L, Z=-2.72, P<0.05) and 2.34 folds (3.32×109/L vs 1.42×109/L, Z=-4.12, P<0.05), respectively, of non-AKI at rewarming phase. [Conclusion] Neutrophils are activated during CPB, and they can be identified by CD11b/CD54 markers. The activated neutrophils of AKI patients are approximately 2 folds of non-AKI during the rewarming phase, with disparity reached peak between groups during rewarming. These findings suggest the removal of 50% of activated neutrophils during the rewarming phase may be effective to reduce the risk of AKI.
10.Analysis of Treatment of Diabetic Kidney Disease with Modified Buyang Huanwutang Based on 5hmC-Seal Sequencing Technology
Baixin ZHEN ; Haoyu CHEN ; Duolikun MAIMAITIYASEN ; Xuehui LI ; Hong XIAO ; Xiaxuan LI ; Kuerban SUBINUER ; Lei ZHANG ; Hangyu CHEN ; Jian LIN ; Linlin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):208-217
ObjectiveTo improve the therapeutic effect of Buyang Huanwutang(BYHW) on diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and explore new methods for developing new Chinese medicine decoctions,we utilized 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC)-Seal sequencing technology and network pharmacology to modify BYHW. MethodsWe selected 14 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients and 15 DKD patients hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology of Peking University Third Hospital in 2021. Circulating free DNA (cfDNA) in the patients’ plasma was sequenced. After data processing and screening, we performed temporal clustering analysis to select a DKD 5hmC gene set, which was then cross-validated with a DKD database gene set to obtain the DKD gene set. We retrieved target genes of the seven herbal components of BYHW from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ETCM), and performed cross-analysis with the DKD gene set to identify common genes shared by the disease and the Chinese medicines. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed for the common genes to screen out the key genes. Chinese medicines targeting these key genes were searched against ETCM to identify removable Chinese medicines. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis was performed on non-common DKD genes, and key genes in DKD-related pathways were selected based on machine learning. The GSE30529 dataset was used to verify the expression trends of 5hmC-modified genes and the feasibility of target genes as drug targets. TCMBank was used to search for target genes and obtain compounds targeting these genes and the corresponding Chinese medicines to construct a "key target-compound-Chinese medicine" network. Molecular docking was employed to verify the binding affinity of compounds with key targets. TCMSP and ETCM were used to search and count the candidate Chinese medicines targeting DKD-related genes, and a new decoction was formed by adding the selected Chinese medicines. A mouse model of DKD was established to examine the efficacy of the new decoction based on the mouse body mass, random blood glucose, urinary microalbumin (mALB), serum creatinine (Scr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and by hematoxylin-eosin staining, periodic acid-Schiff staining, Masson staining, immunofluorescence assay, and Real-time PCR. ResultsThe cross-analysis results showed that the DKD gene set included 507 genes, of which 30 were target genes of BYHW. The PPI analysis indicated that the top 15% target genes regarding the degree were interleukin-6 (IL-6), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), lactotransferrin (LTF), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF1). Persicae Semen and Pheretima in BYHW were unrelated to key genes and removed. Machine learning identified 10 potential target genes, among which TBC1 domain family member 5 (TBC1D5), RAD51 paralog B (RAD51B), and proteasome 20S subunit alpha 6 (PSMA6) had expression trends consistent with the GSE30529 dataset and could serve as drug targets. The "key target-compound-Chinese medicine" network and molecular docking results indicated that the compounds with good binding affinity to target proteins were arginine, glycine, myristicin, serine, and tyrosine, corresponding to 121 Chinese medicines. The top 10 Chinese medicines targeting DKD-related genes were Lycii Fructus, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, Isatidis Radix, Glehniae Radix, Ophiopogonis Radix, Allii Sativi Bulbus, Isatidis Folium, and Bolbostemmatis Rhizoma. Based on traditional Chinese medicine theory, the new decoction was obtained after removal of Persicae Semen and Pheretima and addition of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata and Dioscoreae Rhizoma. Animal experiment results indicated that the modified BYHW improved the kidney function and inhibited renal fibrosis in DKD mice, with better effects than the original decoction. ConclusionThe BYHW modified based on 5hmC-Seal sequencing demonstrates better performance in inhibiting fibrosis and ameliorating DKD than the original decoction. This elucidates the biomedical theory behind the epigenetic modification of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, potentially offering new perspectives for the exploration of these prescriptions

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