1.Pharmacological Review, Challenges, and Future Prospects of Zhusha Anshenwan
Xiaosong HU ; Zhou LAN ; Ping WANG ; Li DING ; Chun GUI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):329-335
Zhusha Anshenwan is a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula originating from LI Dongyuan's Treatise on the Differentiation of Endogenous and Exogenous Injuries (Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun) of the Jin-Yuan period. It is composed of five medicinal ingredients: Cinnabaris (Zhusha), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdihuang), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao). Under the guidance of TCM theory, this formula is used to treat syndromes of disturbed spirit, including insomnia, palpitations, and anxiety, caused by hyperactivity of heart fire and deficiency of Yin-blood, and it also exerts auxiliary anticonvulsant effects in epilepsy and related conditions. However, the potential neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity of its monarch drug, Cinnabaris (mainly composed of mercuric sulfide, HgS), together with the risk of in vivo accumulation, have rendered its clinical application controversial, and it has not yet been formally included in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. In addition, restrictions imposed by the Minamata Convention on Mercury have led to an increasing shortage of natural medicinal Cinnabaris resources, making the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of synthetic Cinnabaris particularly urgent. This contradiction highlights the complexity of safety evaluation for traditional medicines. Existing studies indicate that Zhusha Anshenwan exhibits definite pharmacological activities in calming the mind, improving sleep, and regulating emotional disorders. Moreover, other components of the formula may exert antagonistic effects on the toxicity of Cinnabaris, and reports of severe mercury poisoning caused by standardized clinical use of this prescription are extremely rare. Research suggests that other ingredients in the compound formula, such as Rehmanniae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, may effectively alleviate the hepatorenal toxicity of Cinnabaris through mechanisms including modulation of the gut microbiota, formation of mercury complexes, and direct protection of target organs. This article aims to systematically review the progress in pharmacodynamic research on Zhusha Anshenwan, to explore its mechanisms of action in depth, and to analyze the toxicokinetic characteristics and safety risks of Cinnabaris, as well as the scientific connotations of toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement achieved through compound compatibility. In addition, it compares Zhusha Anshenwan with other commonly used sedative formulas, with the aim of providing a scientific basis and forward-looking perspectives for the safe and rational application and in-depth development of this classical prescription in a modern context, and of emphasizing the important value of holistic research on TCM compound formulas in addressing the challenges of single-component toxicity.
2.Olfactory Receptors Expressed in The Intestine and Their Functions
Pei-Wen YANG ; Meng-Meng YUAN ; Ying ZHOU ; Peng LI ; Gui-Hong QI ; Ying YANG ; Zhong-Yi MAO ; Meng-Sha ZHOU ; Xiao-Shuang MAO ; Jian-Ping XIE ; Yi-Nan YANG ; Shi-Hao SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):534-549
Olfactory receptors (ORs) form the largest superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Traditionally recognized for their role in the nasal olfactory epithelium, where they mediate the sense of smell, accumulating evidence has firmly established their ectopic expression in non-olfactory tissues, including the intestine, lungs, and kidneys. The intestine, as the primary site for nutrient digestion and absorption, harbors a highly complex chemical environment. To adapt to this environment, the gut employs a sophisticated network of “chemosensors” to monitor luminal contents and maintain homeostasis. Among these sensors, intestinal ORs have emerged as crucial functional components, serving as a molecular bridge that connects environmental chemical signals—such as food-derived odorants—to specific physiological responses. This discovery has significantly deepened our understanding of how dietary flavors and compounds influence intestinal physiology at the molecular level. This review systematically summarizes the expression profiles, ligand classification, and biological functions of ORs within the gastrointestinal tract. Studies indicate that intestinal ORs exhibit distinct spatial distribution patterns across different gut segments and display cell-type specificity, particularly within enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells. These receptors function as versatile sensors capable of recognizing a wide variety of ligands, including exogenous dietary components, gut microbiota metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, and endogenous small molecules like azelaic acid. Upon activation by specific ligands, intestinal ORs trigger intracellular signaling cascades, primarily involving the AC-cAMP-PKA pathway or calcium influx channels. A major focus of this review is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors regulate the secretion of gut hormones. Activation of specific ORs in enteroendocrine cells has been shown to stimulate the release of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and serotonin (5-HT), thereby modulating systemic energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and gastrointestinal motility. Furthermore, the review addresses the critical roles of ORs in immune regulation and pathology. Evidence suggests that specific ORs contribute to the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis and may offer protection against inflammation. Beyond their involvement in inflammatory responses, ORs such as Olfr78 have been shown to regulate the differentiation and function of intestinal endocrine cells. Similarly, Olfr544 has been demonstrated to alleviate intestinal inflammation by remodeling the gut microbiome and metabolome. These findings collectively suggest that specific ORs hold promise as therapeutic targets for mitigating intestinal inflammation and maintaining gut homeostasis. Additionally, the review explores the emerging role of ORs in cancer. Although OR expression is often downregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal mucosa, activation of specific ORs by certain ligands can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis via pathways such as MEK/ERK and p38 MAPK. Conversely, other receptors, such as OR7C1, may serve as biomarkers for cancer-initiating cells. In conclusion, intestinal ORs represent a vital component of the gut’s sensory network. The review also discusses the translational potential of these findings. By elucidating the precise pairing relationships between dietary components and specific ORs, novel therapeutic strategies could be developed. Intestinal ORs may thus emerge as promising targets for nutritional and pharmacological interventions in metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and malignancies.
3.Treatment of burns complicated with multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection by combining low-dose cocktail phage with antibiotics
Wujin CHEN ; Sen ZHANG ; Juanjuan DONG ; Jingru ZHOU ; Ping NI ; Qin LI ; Xuhua ZHANG ; Lichuang CHEN ; Wei YANG ; Musong MO ; Lidifu DILARE
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(9):939-944
This study investigated the therapeutic effects of a low-dose phage cocktail combined with antibiotics on burn wounds in-fected with multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Given the risk of sepsis caused by drug-resistant bacteria infection after burns and the limitations of antibiotic monotherapy,we constructed a mouse model of burns combined with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.A saline control group,phage cocktail monotherapy group,antibiotic monotherapy group,and combined treatment group were examined.The combined treatment group showed a synergistic effect on the 7th day after infection:this group of mice had a sig-nificantly lower pathogenic bacterial load in the skin and liver tissues than observed in the single drug treatment group,and showed the strongest bacterial clearance effect.Histopathological analysis indicated improved structural integrity of the skin tissue,as well as decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells,and no obvious tissue damage,in the combined treatment group.Detection of serum in-flammatory factors indicated that the levels of the pro-inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α significantly decreased,whereas the level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 significantly increased.The combination of low-dose phage cocktail and antibiotics synergistically en-hanced antibacterial activity and ameliorated infection through a dual mechanism of direct removal of pathogens and regulation of the host immune response.Our findings provide an experimental basis for the optimal treatment of wounds infected with multidrug-resistant bacteria.
4.Study on the Mechanism of Malt Alcoholic Extract in the Treatment of Depression Induced by Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in Rats Based on Intestinal Flora
Yindan XIANG ; Ping NI ; Mengjuan TAO ; Tianhang LI ; Yujie ZHOU ; Huilan XU ; Bin WANG ; Qingyuan ZENG ; Yonggang CHEN
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(8):1199-1207
Objective To explore the mechanism of malt alcohol extract improving depression-like behavior induced by CUMS in rats by regulating gut microbiota.Methods The depression model of rats was established using an 8-weeks CUMS procedure,and the administration group was given low(59.6 mg·kg-1)and high(178.8 mg·kg-1)doses of malt alcohol extract,respectively.The depression-like behavior of rats was evaluated by classic behavioral test.The composition of intestinal microbiota of rats was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing.The morphological changes of colon were observed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE),the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin in colon was detected by immunofluorescence(IF),and the expression of IL-10,IL-1βand 5-HT were detected by ELISA.Results The low dose of malt alcohol extract attenuated the depressive behavior and restored the expression of 5-HT in the brain of CUMS rats.16S rRNA sequencing results showed that the diversity and relative abundance of gut microbiota changed after treatment with the low dose of malt alcohol extract.ELISA results showed that the low dose of malt alcohol extract significantly reversed the CUMS-induced reduction of IL-10 and elevation of IL-1 β.HE results showed that the low dose of malt alcohol extract significantly ameliorated CUMS-induced structural damage in colon.IF results showed increased protain expression of intestinal epithelial barrier tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin by the low dose of malt alcohol extract.Conclusion The low dose of malt alcohol extract can ameliorate CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior in rats by modulating intestinal flora,restoring 5-HT expression in the brain,inhibiting inflammation,and repairing the intestinal barrier.
5.Changing antimicrobial resistance profiles of Burkholderia cepacia in hospitals across China:results from CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program,2015-2021
Chunyue GE ; Yunjian HU ; Xiaoman AI ; Yang YANG ; Fupin HU ; Demei ZHU ; Yingchun XU ; Xiaojiang ZHANG ; Hui LI ; Ping JI ; Yi XIE ; Mei KANG ; Chuanqing WANG ; Pan FU ; Yuanhong XU ; Ying HUANG ; Ziyong SUN ; Zhongju CHEN ; Yuxing NI ; Jingyong SUN ; Yunzhuo CHU ; Sufei TIAN ; Zhidong HU ; Jin LI ; Yunsong YU ; Jie LIN ; Bin SHAN ; Yan DU ; Sufang GUO ; Lianhua WEI ; Fengmei ZOU ; Hong ZHANG ; Chun WANG ; Chao ZHUO ; Danhong SU ; Dawen GUO ; Jinying ZHAO ; Hua YU ; Xiangning HUANG ; Wen'en LIU ; Yanming LI ; Yan JIN ; Chunhong SHAO ; Xuesong XU ; Chao YAN ; Shanmei WANG ; Yafei CHU ; Lixia ZHANG ; Juan MA ; Shuping ZHOU ; Yan ZHOU ; Lei ZHU ; Jinhua MENG ; Fang DONG ; Zhiyong LÜ ; Fangfang HU ; Han SHEN ; Wanqing ZHOU ; Wei JIA ; Gang LI ; Jinsong WU ; Yuemei LU ; Jihong LI ; Jinju DUAN ; Jianbang KANG ; Xiaobo MA ; Yanping ZHENG ; Ruyi GUO ; Yan ZHU ; Yunsheng CHEN ; Qing MENG ; Shifu WANG ; Xuefei HU ; Jilu SHEN ; Wenhui HUANG ; Ruizhong WANG ; Hua FANG ; Bixia YU ; Yong ZHAO ; Ping GONG ; Kaizhen WENG ; Yirong ZHANG ; Jiangshan LIU ; Longfeng LIAO ; Hongqin GU ; Lin JIANG ; Wen HE ; Shunhong XUE ; Jiao FENG ; Chunlei YUE
Chinese Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy 2025;25(5):557-562
Objective To examine the changing prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Burkholderia cepacia in 52 hospitals across China from 2015 to 2021.Methods A total of 9 261 strains of B.cepacia were collected from 52 hospitals between January 1,2015 and December 31,2021.Antimicrobial susceptibility of the strains was tested using Kirby-Bauer method or automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems according to a unified protocol.The results were interpreted according to the breakpoints released in the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)guidelines(2023 edition).Results A total of 9 261 strains of B.cepacia were isolated from all age groups,especially elderly patients.The proportion was 11.1%(1 032 strains)in children,significantly lower than the proportion in adults.About half(46.5%,4 310/9 261)of the strains were isolated from patients at least 60 years old and 42.3%(3 919/9 261)of the strains were isolated from young adults.Most isolates(71.1%)were isolated from sputum and respiratory secretions,followed by urine(10.7%)and blood samples(8.1%).B.cepacia isolates were highly susceptible to the five antimicrobial agents recommended in the CLSI M100 document(33rd edition,2023).B.cepacia isolates showed relatively higher resistance rates to meropenem and levofloxacin.However,the resistance rates to ceftazidime,trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,and minocycline remained below 8.1%.The percentage of B.cepacia strains resistant to levofloxacin was the highest compared to other antibiotics in any of the three age groups(from 12.4%in the patients<18 years old to 20.6%in the patients aged 60 years or older).Conclusions B.cepacia is one of the clinically important non-fermenting gram-negative bacteria.Accurate and timely reporting of antimicrobial susceptibility test results and ongoing antimicrobial resistance surveillance are helpful for rational prescription of antimicrobial agents and proper prevention and control of nosocomial infections.
6.Impact of continuous renal replacement therapy on the pharmacokinetics of polymyxin B:a systematic review
Yuhan TAN ; Yanyan ZHOU ; Qing WANG ; Xin LI ; Ping XU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(10):1461-1469
Objective To systematically evaluate the impact of continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT)on the pharmacokinetics of polymyxin B,explore its possible impacting factors.Methods PubMed,Embase,Co-chrane Library,Web of Science,VIP database,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),SinoMed,and Wanfang data were retrieved.The study subjects were patients receiving CRRT and polymyxin B.Observational studies,case reports,and reviews were included.The outcome indicators included therapeutic drug monitoring re-sults,pharmacokinetic parameters,and CRRT parameters.The retrieval time was from the inception of each data-base to January 2025.The quality of literatures was evaluated with ClinPK tool.Two researchers independently conducted literature screening,data extraction,and quality evaluation.Results A total of 12 literatures were ulti-mately included in analysis,including 1 review,3 case reports,and 8 observational studies.Five studies showed that the clearance rate during CRRT period(1.3-6.66 L/h)was higher than that during non-CRRT period(0.5-3.9 L/h).Five studies reported that the area under the steady-state 24-hour drug concentration-time curve(AUCss,24h)during CRRT period(21.58-75.1 mg·h/L)was lower than that during non-CRRT period(60.6-118 mg·h/L).Two studies detected drugs in ultrafiltrate or dialysate,with in vitro drug recovery rates ranging from 5.62%to 24.0%.Two studies reported a decrease in drug concentration after passing through a blood filter.Conclusion During CRRT period,polymyxin B presents higher clearance rate and lower blood drug concentration,and some patients have lower AUCss.24h than the therapeutic target.The mechanism of this change during CRRT is not yet clear,the therapy mode and filter type may be potential impacting factors,further research are needed to promote precise anti-infective treatment.
7.Clinical efficacy of Ulinumumab combined with fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Nana LI ; Dan ZHOU ; Ating PING ; Yaping LIU
Immunological Journal 2025;41(9):648-652
Objective To investigate the efficacy of Ustekinumab combined with fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)and its impact on intestinal mucosal barrier and immune function.Methods A total of 106 IBD patients treated from January 2023 to March 2024 were selected and divided into the Usteinumab group and the Usteinumab combined with fecal microbiota transplantation group(combination group)by random number table method,with 53 patients in each group.The Ustekinumab group was treated with Ustekinumab,while the combination group was treated with Ustekinumab combined with fecal microbiota transplantation.The clinical efficacy,intestinal mucosal barrier indicators,immune function indicators,scores of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire(IBDQ)and the total incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results The total effective rate of the combination group was 94.34%(50/53),which was higher than that of the Ustekinumab group[73.58%(39/53)](P<0.05).After treatment,the levels of endotoxin,D-lactic acid and diamine oxidase in the combination group were all lower than those in the Ustekinumab group,while the levels of CD3+,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+and the scores of IBDQ were all higher than those in the Ustekinumab group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the total incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion The clinical efficacy of Ustekinumab combined with fecal microbiota transplantation is remarkable in the treatment of IBD.It can effectively alleviate intestinal mucosal injury,promote the recovery of intestinal mucosal barrier function,improve the intestinal microbial environment,enhance the immune function of patients,effectively control the progression of the disease,and has high safety.
8.Role of SATB2 and p16 expression and histomorphological features in the diagno-sis and differential diagnosis of atypical polypoidal adenomyoma
Wengeng WANG ; Ming LI ; Weigen ZHOU ; Qiaohui ZHANG ; Ping CHENG ; Hongman DOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(4):464-468,473
Purpose To investigate the role of combined immunohistochemical expression of SATB2 and p16 and pathological histomorphological features in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of atypical polypoid adenomyoma(APAM),myometrial infiltrating endometrioid carcinoma(MIEC)and interstitial fibrotic endometrial polyps(IFEP).Methods A total of 32 cases of APAM,20 cases of MIEC and 25 cases of IFEP were collected.The expression of SATB2 and p16 in the stromal cells of the three groups of cases was detected by immunohistochemical EnVision two-step method.Four morphological features were evaluated in the three groups:complex glandular structure,squamous and mulberry metaplasia,fibromuscular stroma and cellular atypia.Results The expression of SATB2 in the stroma of APAM(31/32)was significantly higher than that of MIEC(1/20)and IFEP(0/25),and the difference was statisti-cally significant.The expression of p16 in APAM(32/32)stroma was significantly higher than that in MIEC(3/20),and the difference was statistically significant,while compared with IFEP(21/25),the difference was not statistically significant.Histomorphological characteristics:compared with the MIEC group,APAM had obvious squamous and mul-berry metaplasia(APAM group 31/32,MIEC group 4/20),and the difference was statistically significant;However,there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of complex glandular structure(APAM group 22/32,MIEC group 20/20),fibromuscular stroma(APAM group 32/32,MIEC group 20/20),and cellular at-ypia(APAM group 32/32,MIEC group 20/20).Compared with the IFEP group,APAM had typical complex glandu-lar structure(APAM group 20/32,IFEP group 0/25),squamous and mulberry metaplasia(APAM group 32/32,IF-EP group 2/25),and cellular atypia(APAM group 32/32,IFEP group 0/25),and the difference was statistically sig-nificant.However,there was no statistically significant difference in fibromuscular stroma(APAM group 32/32,IFEP group 25/25)between the two groups.Conclusion The combined immunohistochemical analysis of SATB2 and p16 and histomorphological features is helpful for the diagnosis of APAM and the differential diagnosis of MIEC and IFEP.
9.Epidemiological characteristics of surgical site infection outbreaks at home and abroad
Lanping SHI ; Mengru LI ; Ping ZHOU ; Jianyun CHEN ; Jinghong YU ; Yuhua GAO ; Yang LI
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(20):3063-3067
OBJECTIVE To analyze the characteristics of global surgical site infection(SSI)outbreaks and provide references for targeted prevention and control measures.METHODS SSI outbreak events from Jan.1,1990 to Dec.31,2023 were searched from Wanfang Med,CNKI,VIP and PubMed.Data on department distribution dur-ing the outbreak,duration,investigation methods,main causes,transmission modes,pathogen composition and outbreak outcomes were summarized for analysis.RESULTS A total of 111 SSI outbreaks in 20 countries were identi-fied,involving 1 382 patients and 24 deaths.The source of the outbreak was identified in 78 cases,mainly involving med-ical personnel in 27 cases(34.62%),hospital equipment in 19 cases(24.36%),environmental factors in 11 cases(14.10%),workflow factors in 10 cases(12.82%),hospital water factors in 7 cases(8.97%)and disinfectant fac-tors in 4 cases(5.13%).The duration of SSI outbreaks abroad was 5.00(1.50,12.00)months,longer than that in China[1.00(1.00,2.00)month](P<0.05).In China,the outbreaks mainly occurred in neurosurgery,cardiac surger-y,orthopedics,obstetrics and general surgery,while at abroad,they mainly occurred in cardiac surgery,orthopedics,and involved multiple surgical departments.Environmental hygiene methods were adopted in up to 90.63%of cases in China.Compared with China,analytical epidemiological methods and molecular epidemiological methods were more com-monly used abroad.Targeted measures and strengthened basic measures were implemented for different outbreak sources to terminate the SSI outbreaks.Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(34 times)was a widely used molecular typing method in outbreak investigations.CONCLUSIONS Based on the analysis of SSI outbreak characteristics and risk factors,it is neces-sary to strengthen medical personnel training and monitoring of special pathogens.At the same time,the epidemiologi-cal investigation capabilities of infection control professionals should be strengthened.
10.Role of SATB2 and p16 expression and histomorphological features in the diagno-sis and differential diagnosis of atypical polypoidal adenomyoma
Wengeng WANG ; Ming LI ; Weigen ZHOU ; Qiaohui ZHANG ; Ping CHENG ; Hongman DOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(4):464-468,473
Purpose To investigate the role of combined immunohistochemical expression of SATB2 and p16 and pathological histomorphological features in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of atypical polypoid adenomyoma(APAM),myometrial infiltrating endometrioid carcinoma(MIEC)and interstitial fibrotic endometrial polyps(IFEP).Methods A total of 32 cases of APAM,20 cases of MIEC and 25 cases of IFEP were collected.The expression of SATB2 and p16 in the stromal cells of the three groups of cases was detected by immunohistochemical EnVision two-step method.Four morphological features were evaluated in the three groups:complex glandular structure,squamous and mulberry metaplasia,fibromuscular stroma and cellular atypia.Results The expression of SATB2 in the stroma of APAM(31/32)was significantly higher than that of MIEC(1/20)and IFEP(0/25),and the difference was statisti-cally significant.The expression of p16 in APAM(32/32)stroma was significantly higher than that in MIEC(3/20),and the difference was statistically significant,while compared with IFEP(21/25),the difference was not statistically significant.Histomorphological characteristics:compared with the MIEC group,APAM had obvious squamous and mul-berry metaplasia(APAM group 31/32,MIEC group 4/20),and the difference was statistically significant;However,there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of complex glandular structure(APAM group 22/32,MIEC group 20/20),fibromuscular stroma(APAM group 32/32,MIEC group 20/20),and cellular at-ypia(APAM group 32/32,MIEC group 20/20).Compared with the IFEP group,APAM had typical complex glandu-lar structure(APAM group 20/32,IFEP group 0/25),squamous and mulberry metaplasia(APAM group 32/32,IF-EP group 2/25),and cellular atypia(APAM group 32/32,IFEP group 0/25),and the difference was statistically sig-nificant.However,there was no statistically significant difference in fibromuscular stroma(APAM group 32/32,IFEP group 25/25)between the two groups.Conclusion The combined immunohistochemical analysis of SATB2 and p16 and histomorphological features is helpful for the diagnosis of APAM and the differential diagnosis of MIEC and IFEP.

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