ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the action mechanism by which Banxia Xiexintang （BXT） inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） in chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） rats by regulating the interleukin-17（IL-17）/extracellular regulated protein kinases（ERK）/CCAAT enhancer binding protein β（C/EBPβ）signaling pathway， thereby providing new theoretical evidence for the treatment of CAG with classic traditional Chinese medicine formulas. MethodsA CAG rat model was established by using the combined factor method. After successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided into the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （0.549， 1.098， 2.196 g·kg^-1， respectively） of BXT， and the positive drug group （vitacoenzyme， 0.3 g·kg^-1）. A normal control group was also set up. After 8 weeks of intervention， the pathological changes of gastric tissue were evaluated. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the contents of IL-17， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）， and C/EBPβ in serum， as well as the contents of EMT markers in gastric mucosal tissue including E-cadherin， N-cadherin， and vimentin. The immunohistochemistry method was employed to determine the localization and protein expression levels of IL-17， p-ERK， and C/EBPβ in gastric mucosal tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of C/EBPβ， ERK， and its phosphorylated form （p）-ERK in gastric mucosa. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was applied to measure the mRNA expression levels of ERK， COX-2， and C/EBPβ in gastric mucosa. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group， the rats in the model group showed gastric mucosal glandular atrophy and inflammatory cell infiltration. The protein and their related mRNA expressions of C/EBPβ， ERK， and p-ERK in gastric mucosa were significantly increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The levels of IL-17， TNF-α， COX-2， and C/EBPβ in serum were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The contents of N-cadherin and vimentin in gastric mucosal tissue were significantly increased， while the content of E-cadherin was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， after intervention with different doses of BXT， the pathological damage of the gastric mucosa was improved to varying degrees. The protein and mRNA expressions of C/EBPβ， ERK， and p-ERK in gastric mucosa were significantly reduced （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The levels of IL-17， TNF-α， COX-2， and C/EBP β in serum were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The contents of N-cadherin and vimentin in gastric mucosa tissue were decreased， while the content of E-cadherin was increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionBXT can effectively improve the pathological damage of gastric mucosal tissue in CAG rats. Its action mechanism may be related to reducing the levels of IL-17 and TNF-α in serum， regulating the IL-17/ERK/C/EBPβ signaling pathway and inhibiting the EMT process.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish a monocrotaline （MCT）-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension （PAH） rat model to systematically evaluate the protective effect of Xiao Qinglongtang （XQLT） on right cardiac function in model rats and further elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanism. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly assigned to the normal group， model group， XQLT low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （XQLT-L/M/H）， and the beraprost sodium tablet group （BST）. Except for the normal group， rats in all other groups were given a single subcutaneous injection of MCT （60 mg·kg^-1） to induce PAH. Three weeks after injection， rats in the XQLT-L/M/H groups were administered XQLT intragastrically at 3.07， 6.14， 12.28 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively. Rats in the BST group received beraprost sodium at 12.6 μg·kg^-1·d^-1， and rats in the model group received an equal volume of saline. All treatments lasted for 3 weeks. Right ventricular systolic pressure （RVSP） was measured by right ventricular catheterization. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. The right ventricle was weighed to calculate the right ventricular hypertrophy index （RVHI）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， Masson staining， and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe myocardial morphology. Serum metabolomic changes were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS）. Data-independent acquisition （DIA） proteomics was used to detect differentially expressed （DE） proteins in the right ventricle， and Western blot was used to measure the expression of uncoupling protein 3 （UCP3）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit p110α （PIK3CA）， L1 cell adhesion molecule （L1CAM）， and quinone oxidoreductase （CRYZ）. UPLC-MS/MS was used to analyze the chemical components of XQLT. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly increased RVSP and RVHI （P<0.05）， along with pathological changes in myocardial morphology. Compared with the model group， all XQLT-treated groups exhibited reductions in RVSP and RVHI as well as significant improvements in cardiac function and myocardial morphology. Among the XQLT groups， XQLT-M showed the most pronounced effects （P<0.05）， comparable to the BST group. Serum metabolomics revealed 105 differential metabolites in the XQLT groups versus the model group ［variable importance in projection （VIP） >1， P<0.05］， including 58 upregulated and 47 downregulated metabolites. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that XQLT intervention downregulated phenylalanine metabolism （P<0.01） and upregulated unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis （P<0.05）. Proteomics analysis showed that 982 DE proteins were identified in the MCT groups versus the normal group， including 455 upregulated and 527 downregulated proteins （|fold change （FC）| >1.3， P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， 237 DE proteins were identified in the XQLT groups， including 124 upregulated and 113 downregulated proteins （|FC| >1.3， P<0.05）， with 57 overlapping DE proteins. KEGG enrichment suggested that XQLT mainly modulated pathways related to mineral absorption， ribosomal biogenesis， peroxisomes， glycolysis/gluconeogenesis， spliceosomes， and thyroid hormone signaling. Western blot analysis showed that， compared with the model group， XQLT increased the expression of UCP3， PIK3CA， and L1CAM， while decreasing the expression of CRYZ （P<0.05）. ConclusionXQLT exerts a protective effect on right heart function in MCT-induced PAH rats， and its mechanism is associated with maintaining myocardial homeostasis and alleviating right ventricular remodeling.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Yueju Wan on the 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） signaling pathway in rats with functional dyspepsia （FD） and to explore its therapeutic mechanism in the treatment of FD. MethodsSixty Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a normal group， model group， mosapride group （1.575 mg·kg^-1）， and Yueju Wan low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （0.735， 1.47， and 2.94 g·kg^-1， respectively）. The FD rat model was established using GUO's tail-clamping stimulation combined with irregular feeding. After 14 days of modeling， rats were administered the corresponding drugs by gavage for 28 days. After treatment， gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate were measured. Serum levels of 5-HT， tryptophan hydroxylase （TPH）， and substance P （SP） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and acetylcholine （ACh） levels were determined by chemical methods. Histopathological changes in the gastric antrum were observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were used to assess the mRNA and protein expression levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 receptor （5-HT4R）， SP， and acetylcholinesterase （AChE） in colon tissue， as well as 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor （5-HT3R）， SP， and AChE in hypothalamic tissue. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to examine the expression of 5-HT and 5-HT4R in the colon and 5-HT and 5-HT3R in the hypothalamus. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate in the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Serum levels of 5-HT， SP， ACh， and TPH were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. Histopathological examination revealed irregular arrangement of glands in the gastric antrum， slight mucosal atrophy， and mild inflammatory cell infiltration. The mRNA and protein expression levels of 5-HT4R， SP， and AChE in colon tissue， as well as 5-HT3R， SP， and AChE in hypothalamic tissue， were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and 5-HT protein expression in both the colon and hypothalamus was also significantly reduced （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， all Yueju Wan groups showed significantly increased gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate （P<0.01）. The glands in the gastric antrum were more regularly arranged， with no inflammatory cell infiltration observed. Serum levels of 5-HT， SP， ACh， and TPH were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of 5-HT4R， SP， and AChE in colon tissue and 5-HT3R， SP， and AChE in hypothalamic tissue were significantly upregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and 5-HT protein expression in both the colon and hypothalamus was significantly increased （P<0.01）. ConclusionYueju Wan has preventive and therapeutic effects on FD， and its mechanism may be related to regulation of the 5-HT signaling pathway， promotion of brain-gut peptide secretion， and enhancement of gastric motility.

ObjectiveTo investigate the material basis of the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemic injury with blood stasis and toxin syndrome and to explore the protective effects of Huayu Jiedu prescription （HYJDP） on neutrophil extracellular trap-related cell death （NETosis） in cerebral ischemic injury following acute cerebral infarction. MethodsSeventy-two Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into six groups （n=12 per group）： sham operation （Sham） group， blood stasis and toxin model （Model） group， low-， medium-， and high-dose HYJDP groups （HYJDP-L， HYJDP-M， and HYJDP-H； 9， 18， and 36 g·kg^-1， respectively）， and butylphthalide （NBP） group （0.06 g·kg^-1）. Except for the Sham group， rats in all other groups were subjected to carrageenan/dry yeast combined with a modified intraluminal filament method to establish a focal cerebral ischemia model of the middle cerebral artery with blood stasis and toxin syndrome. Neurological function was evaluated at 24 h after modeling using the Zea-Longa neurological deficit score. Cerebral infarction rate was assessed by 2，3，5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining. Pathological morphology of brain tissue was observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine serum levels of interleukin-8 （IL-8）， myeloperoxidase-DNA complexes （MPO-DNA）， and citrullinated histone H3 （CitH3）. Protein expression of phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （p-PI3K）， protein kinase B （p-Akt）， mammalian target of rapamycin （p-mTOR）， sequestosome 1 （p62）， and CitH3 in brain tissue was detected by Western blot. Immunofluorescence （IF） was used to detect the expression of neutrophil-specific marker Ly6G， CitH3， and neuron-specific nuclear protein （NeuN） in brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the Sham group， neurological deficit scores and cerebral infarction rates in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01 for both）. HE staining showed varying degrees of neuronal degeneration and necrosis， characterized by blurred neuronal structures， nuclear pyknosis and fragmentation， cytoplasmic dissolution into a vacuolated reticular pattern， and mild glial cell proliferation. ELISA results showed that serum levels of IL-8， MPO-DNA， and CitH3 were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Western blot analysis demonstrated decreased expression of p-PI3K， p-Akt， p-mTOR， and p62， while CitH3 expression was significantly increased （P<0.01）. IF results showed an increased number of NETs⁺ cells and a significant decrease in NeuN⁺ cells （P<0.01）. Compared with the Model group， neurological deficit scores in the HYJDP-H group were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and cerebral infarction rates in the HYJDP-H and NBP groups were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. HE staining showed that brain tissue damage was markedly alleviated in the HYJDP-H group. ELISA results showed that levels of IL-8， MPO-DNA， and CitH3 were significantly decreased in the HYJDP-M， HYJDP-H， and NBP groups （P<0.01）. Western blot analysis showed that expression of p-PI3K， p-Akt， p-mTOR， and p62 was significantly increased in the HYJDP-H and NBP groups， while CitH3 expression was significantly reduced in all drug intervention groups （P<0.01）. IF results showed that the number of NETs⁺ cells was significantly decreased and the number of NeuN⁺ cells was significantly increased in all drug intervention groups （P<0.01）. ConclusionNETs may be the material basis of the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemic injury characterized by blood stasis and toxin. HYJDP can regulate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway， reduce the release of pro-inflammatory mediators and NETosis-related products， alleviate cerebral ischemic injury caused by autophagy-dependent NETosis， and thereby exert a neuroprotective effect.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the protective effect of Huamoyan granules on knee osteoarthritis （KOA） and explore whether its protective effect is oriented toward an anti-inflammatory direction by regulation of macrophage polarization， which can effectively inhibit the progression of pathological inflammatory response， reduce the release of inflammatory pain mediators， and downregulate the protein expression level of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 （TRPV1）， so as to provide experimental evidence for its clinical application and investigate its action mechanism. MethodsAfter adaptive feeding， Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into six groups： sham group， model group， celecoxib group， and high， medium， and low-dose synovitis granule groups （9.6， 4.8， 2.4 g·kg^-1）. The administration dose of celecoxib capsules was 20 mg·kg^-1. There were 10 rats in the sham group and 12 rats in the model group and each administration group. A KOA animal model was established by means of intra-articular injection of sodium iodoacetate into the knee joint. From the 10^th day of the experiment， each administration group was given intragastric administration at a dose of 10 mL·kg^-1 for 4 weeks. General conditions of rats in each group were assessed daily. The pressure pain threshold （PPT） to mechanical stimulation and joint diameter were recorded. X-ray examination was performed on the right knee joints of rats for imaging analysis. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to detect the tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， serum interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and other pro-inflammatory cytokines in rat serum samples， as well as the expression levels of neurogenic inflammatory mediators such as nerve growth factor （NGF） and calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP）. Histopathological changes in the knee joint synovial tissues were examined by hematoxylineosin （HE） staining. Safranin O-fast green staining was performed to observe and evaluate the degree of knee cartilage lesions. Western blot was employed to quantitatively analyze TRPV1， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）， and phosphorylated （p）-p38 MAPK in rat knee synovial tissues. Immunofluorescence （IF） was used to measure and assess M1/M2 macrophage polarization. ResultsCompared with those in the sham group， the circumference and joint diameter of the right knee were markedly enlarged in the model group （P<0.01）， while PPTs of rats showed a significant reduction （P<0.01）. The contents of IL-1β， TNF-α， CGRP， and NGF in rats' serum were significantly elevated （P<0.01）， and the synovial Krenn score was increased （P<0.01）. The Mankin score of cartilage tissue was increased （P<0.01）， and the protein expressions of TRPV1 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK were significantly upregulated （P<0.01）. The experimental intervention significantly reduced the proportion of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages in the total macrophage population （P<0.01）， and the percentage of M2 macrophages was decreased （P<0.01）. The M1/M2 macrophage ratio was significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Knee joint diameters of all dose groups of Huamoyan granules and the celecoxib group were reduced （P<0.01） compared with those of the model group， and the PPT recovery speeds in the high and medium-dose groups of Huamoyan granules were more obvious （P<0.05）. The contents of IL-1β， CGRP， and NGF in the rats' serum in all administration groups were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the content of TNF-α in rats' serum was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. All dose groups of Huamoyan granules demonstrated significant reductions in both synovial Krenn score （P<0.05， P<0.01） and protein expression of TRPV1 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK in rats' synovial tissues （P<0.01）. The percentage of M1 macrophages in the synovial tissues of the celecoxib group and all dose groups of Huamoyan granules was decreased （P<0.01）. The percentage of M2 macrophages was increased （P<0.05）， and the M1/M2 ratio was decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionHuamoyan granules can alleviate the inflammatory response of KOA， reduce the release of inflammatory pain mediators， and downregulate TRPV1 protein expression by regulating macrophage polarization. Its mechanism may be related to the TRPV1/p38 MAPK signaling pathway， thereby achieving the effect of improving peripheral pain hypersensitivity in KOA.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms of Yangjing Tongluo prescription （YJTL） in the treatment of intrauterine adhesion （IUA） from the perspective of oxidative stress mediated by the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 （Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1） signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 48 rats with normal estrous cycles were selected and randomly divided into a normal group （n=8） and a modeling group （n=40）. An IUA rat model was established using a dual-injury method combining surgical curettage and infection. Eight rats were randomly selected from the modeling group for a pilot experiment to confirm successful model establishment. After successful modeling， the remaining 32 rats were randomly divided into a model group， a low-dose YJTL group （YJTL-L）， a high-dose YJTL group （YJTL-H）， and a Progynova group. Rats in the normal and model groups were administered purified water （15 mL·kg^-1） by gavage daily， while rats in the YJTL-L， YJTL-H， and Progynova groups received YJTL at doses of 6.43 and 12.86 g·kg^-1 and Progynova at 2.06 × 10^-4 g·kg^-1， respectively， for 14 consecutive days. The general condition， uterine morphology， and uterine index of the rats were monitored. Histopathological changes in uterine tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Serum levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Protein expression levels of Keap1， Nrf2， and HO-1 in endometrial tissue were detected by Western blot. Immunofluorescence （IF） was used to assess the distribution of Nrf2 and HO-1， as well as the expression of Nrf2 in the cytoplasm and nucleus. ResultsCompared with the normal group， rats in the model group exhibited poor mental status and reduced mobility， markedly edematous and tortuous uterine morphology， decreased gland number， and inflammatory reactions in the endometrium， along with an increased uterine organ index （P<0.05）. Serum ROS levels were significantly increased （P<0.05）， while serum GSH-Px levels were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. In endometrial tissue， Keap1 protein expression was increased （P<0.05）， whereas Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression was decreased. Mild nuclear translocation of Nrf2 was observed， accompanied by increased relative fluorescence intensity of nuclear Nrf2 and decreased relative fluorescence intensity of cytoplasmic HO-1. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups showed varying degrees of improvement in the above symptoms and pathological changes. Serum ROS levels were reduced （P<0.05）， serum GSH-Px levels were increased （P<0.05）， Keap1 protein expression in endometrial tissue was decreased， and Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression was increased in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.05）. Notably， significant nuclear translocation of Nrf2 was observed， with correspondingly increased relative fluorescence intensity of nuclear Nrf2 and enhanced relative fluorescence intensity of cytoplasmic HO-1. ConclusionYJTL may enhance antioxidant capacity and repair oxidative damage to the endometrial basal layer by regulating the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Jiangtang No. 3 prescription on inflammatory pathways and insulin resistance-related indicators in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM）， and to elucidate its molecular mechanism in combating diabetes. MethodsA T2DM rat model was established using a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （STZ）. Successfully modeled rats were randomly assigned to the model group， metformin group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose Jiangtang No. 3 prescription groups， and a normal group was also set. Daily gavage was administered for 8 weeks as follows： metformin at 0.1 g·kg^-1·d^-1， Jiangtang No. 3 prescription granules at 1.62， 3.24， 6.48 g·kg^-1·d^-1 for the respective dose groups， and sterile water for the normal and model groups. Rat body weight， fasting blood glucose （FBG）， oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT）， and insulin tolerance test （ITT） were measured. After drug intervention， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL）， non-esterified fatty acids （NEFA）， interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-18， and insulin （INS）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe morphological changes in adipose tissue. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， Caspase-1， IL-1β， IL-18， and gasdermin D （GSDMD） in adipose tissue. Western blot was used to measure the corresponding protein expression levels. ResultsCompared with the model group， Jiangtang No. 3 prescription groups exhibited significantly increased body weight （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significantly reduced FBG （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significant reductions in TC， TG， NEFA， and LDL （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and a significant increase in HDL （P<0.01）. Serum levels of inflammatory mediators IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance （HOMA-IR） index was significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and adipose tissue pathology was improved. The protein expression levels of TLR4， NF-κB， NLRP3， Caspase-1， IL-1β， IL-18， and GSDMD were markedly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the mRNA expression levels of these indicators were also significantly downregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Some effects were superior to those of the positive control drug metformin， and certain indicators exhibited dose-dependent improvements. ConclusionT2DM rats display significant inflammatory responses， disordered glucose and lipid metabolism， and insulin resistance. Jiangtang No. 3 prescription effectively suppresses inflammatory mediators， improves glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin resistance， and ameliorates pathological changes in adipose tissue. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in visceral adipose tissue， thereby influencing downstream inflammatory mediators.

ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics and potential mechanisms of Luotong Xianrong Yin （LTXRY） in improving lung injury in rats with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF） by regulating glycolysis. MethodsForty specific pathogen-free （SPF） Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group （10 mL·kg^-1）， model group （10 mL·kg^-1）， LTXRY group （15.18 g·kg^-1）， and nintedanib group （0.1 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. The IPF rat model was established by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. After 28 days of gavage intervention， pulmonary function was assessed. Lung pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Masson staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the levels of inflammatory factors， including tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin （IL）-1β， and IL-6， in lung tissue. Chemiluminescence assays were employed to detect lactate content and lactate dehydrogenase activity in lung tissue. Western blot was used to measure the protein expression of transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）， CollagenⅠ and CollagenⅢ to evaluate collagen deposition， as well as hexokinase 2 （HK2）， pyruvate kinase M2 （PKM2）， and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2，6-bisphosphatase 3 （PFKFB3） to assess glycolysis levels. Network pharmacology was applied to analyze the potential targets and signaling pathways of LTXRY in IPF， and molecular docking was conducted to evaluate the binding energy between active components and potential targets. Western blot was further used to detect the expression of target- and pathway-related proteins. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group， rats in the model group showed significantly increased main airway resistance （Rn） and respiratory system resistance （Rrs）， and significantly decreased respiratory system compliance （Crs）. Inflammatory infiltration and collagen deposition were observed in lung tissue， with significantly increased levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6， as well as elevated protein expression of TGF-β₁， CollagenⅠ and CollagenⅢ. Lactate content， lactate dehydrogenase activity， and the protein expression of HK2， PKM2， and PFKFB3 in lung tissue were significantly increased. Network pharmacology analysis indicated that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） was a key target of LTXRY in IPF， and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 （HIF-1） was a critical signaling pathway. The expression levels of phosphorylated STAT3 （p-STAT3） and HIF-1α in lung tissue were significantly higher than those in the sham-operated group. Compared with the model group， rats in the LTXRY group showed significantly decreased Rn and Rrs and significantly increased Crs. Lung inflammatory infiltration and collagen deposition were markedly alleviated， with significantly reduced levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6， and decreased protein expression of TGF-β₁， CollagenⅠ and CollagenⅢ. Lactate content， lactate dehydrogenase activity， and the protein expression of HK2， PKM2， and PFKFB3 were significantly decreased， accompanied by markedly reduced expression of p-STAT3 and HIF-1α. ConclusionLTXRY alleviates lung tissue injury in IPF rats by regulating glycolysis mediated by the STAT3/HIF-1α signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Sangpi Zhike prescription in treating cough after respiratory syncytial virus （RSV） infection through the "lung-intestine co-treatment" approach using network pharmacology and animal experimental validation. MethodsActive ingredients and targets of Sangpi Zhike prescription were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology （TCMSP） database. Disease targets were obtained from GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man（OMIM） databases. Protein-protein interaction （PPI） networks and drug-component-target networks were constructed using overlapping targets between drugs and diseases to identify core targets. Gene ontology（GO） and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes（KEGG） pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the overlapping targets. Sixty mouse models were established： 10 as the normal group， and the remaining mice were infected with RSV via slow nasal drip of RSV suspension， with cough induced using capsaicin solution. After modeling， mice were divided into a model group， a Montelukast Sodium group （1 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and low， medium， and high dose groups of Sangpi Zhike prescription （4.875，9.75，and 19.5 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， with 10 mice per group. From day 14 after RSV infection， the normal and model groups received saline via gavage， while other groups received corresponding drug treatments once daily for 5 d. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to observe pathological changes in lung and intestinal tissue. The protein content of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2） and phosphorylated （p）-ERK1/2 in the lung and colon tissue of mice was detected by Western blot. Real-time polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） detected ERK1/2 mRNA expression in lung and intestinal tissue. Immunohistochemistry assessed p-MEK1/2， p-ERK1/2， p-c-Fos protein levels， and inflammatory cytokines interleukin（IL）-4 and （TNF）-α in lung and colon tissue. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified 184 active ingredients and 684 targets in Sangpi Zhike prescription， with 1 344 RSV-related disease targets and 209 overlapping targets. Core targets included TNF， Fos， and Jun. KEGG enrichment revealed 179 pathways， primarily mitogen-activated protein kinase（MAPK）， cancer， TNF， and IL-17 signaling pathways. Animal experiments showed that， compared to those of the normal group， the lung tissue sections of the model group showed typical inflammatory damage， infiltration of inflammatory cells， rupture of alveolar septa， extensive alveolar fusion， and disruption of tight junctions between single-layer columnar epithelial cells in the intestinal tissue. The values of p-ERK1/2 and ERK1/2 in lung and intestinal tissue were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression level of ERK1/2 mRNA was significantly elevated （P<0.01）. The levels of ERK1/2， p-MEK1/2， p-ERK1/2， p-c-Fos， IL-4， and TNF-α along the ERK pathway were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared to the model group， Sangpi Zhike prescription groups showed reduced lung and intestinal inflammation， decreased p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 ratios （P<0.05，P<0.01）， lower ERK1/2 mRNA levels， and downregulated ERK pathway proteins （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionSangpi Zhike prescription alleviates cough and intestinal symptoms after RSV infection via the "lung-intestine co-treatment" mechanism by suppressing expression levels of ERK1/2， p-MEK1/2， p-ERK1/2， p-c-Fos， IL-4， and TNF-α on ERK pathway components， thereby mitigating lung and intestinal pathological damage.

The prescription of Qidong Yixin oral liquid is derived from the experience of national medical master Ren Jixue in treating viral myocarditis （VMC）. It has the functions of tonifying Qi， nourishing the heart，calming the mind， and relieving palpitations. It is used to treat VMC and angina pectoris of coronary heart disease caused by deficiency of both Qi and Yin. However，the understanding of its efficacy evidence， advantageous aspects， dosage and administration， and medication safety remains insufficient in clinical practice. Therefore，the development of the Expert Consensus on the Clinical Application of Qidong Yixin Oral Liquid （hereinafter referred to as consensus） was initiated. Consensus strictly followed the process and methods of the expert consensus on the clinical application of Chinese patent medicines of the China Association of Chinese Medicine，successively completing multiple tasks such as the consensus project initiation，determination of clinical problems，evidence search and evaluation，formation of recommendation opinions and consensus suggestions，solicitation of opinions，peer review， submission for review and release， and so on. Consensus formed a total of 10 recommendation opinions and 12 consensus suggestions，clarifying the clinical positioning，efficacy advantages，syndrome differentiation，dosage and administration，combination therapy，timing of medication，adverse reactions，contraindications， and precautions of Qidong Yixin oral liquid，indicating that it has good clinical advantages and safety in the treatment of VMC and angina pectoris of coronary heart disease，providing norms and references for physicians to safely and rationally apply Qidong Yixin oral liquid. Consensus was reviewed and approved for release by the Standardization Office of the China Association of Chinese Medicine on December 23， 2024. Standard number：GSCACM-376-2024.