1.Sesquiterpene ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum Improves Neuroinflammation by Regulating JNK Phosphorylation
Ziyu YIN ; Yun GAO ; Junjiao WANG ; Weigang XUE ; Xueping PANG ; Huiting LIU ; Yunfang ZHAO ; Huixia HUO ; Jun LI ; Jiao ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):139-145
ObjectiveTo study the pharmacological substances and mechanisms through which sesquiterpene ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum improves neuroinflammation. MethodsBV-2 microglial cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce neuroinflammation. The cells were divided into the normal group, the model group, and the ZH-13 low- and high-dose treatment groups (10, 20 μmol·L-1). The model group was treated with 1 μmol·L-1 LPS. Cell viability was assessed using the cell proliferation and activity assay (CCK-8 kit). Nitric oxide (NO) release in the cell supernatant was measured using a nitric oxide kit (Griess method). The mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway proteins was assessed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group, ZH-13 dose-dependently reduced NO release from BV-2 cells under LPS stimulation (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the 20 μmol·L-1 ZH-13 treatment group, the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-6 were significantly reduced compared to the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In both the low- and high-dose ZH-13 groups, the expression of the inflammatory factor TNF-α and the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the upstream MAPK pathway were significantly reduced (P<0.05). After stimulation with the JNK agonist anisomycin (Ani), both low- and high-dose ZH-13 treatment groups showed reduced phosphorylation of JNK proteins compared to the Ani-treated group (P<0.01). ConclusionThe sesquiterpene compound ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum significantly ameliorates LPS-induced neuroinflammatory responses in BV-2 cells by inhibiting excessive JNK phosphorylation and reducing TNF-α expression. These findings elucidate the pharmacological substances and mechanisms underlying the sedative and calming effects of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum.
2.Research progress of nano drug delivery system based on metal-polyphenol network for the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases
Meng-jie ZHAO ; Xia-li ZHU ; Yi-jing LI ; Zi-ang WANG ; Yun-long ZHAO ; Gao-jian WEI ; Yu CHEN ; Sheng-nan HUANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):323-336
Inflammatory diseases (IDs) are a general term of diseases characterized by chronic inflammation as the primary pathogenetic mechanism, which seriously affect the quality of patient′s life and cause significant social and medical burden. Current drugs for IDs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, biologics, and antioxidants, but these drugs may cause gastrointestinal side effects, induce or worsen infections, and cause non-response or intolerance. Given the outstanding performance of metal polyphenol network (MPN) in the fields of drug delivery, biomedical imaging, and catalytic therapy, its application in the diagnosis and treatment of IDs has attracted much attention and significant progress has been made. In this paper, we first provide an overview of the types of IDs and their generating mechanisms, then sort out and summarize the different forms of MPN in recent years, and finally discuss in detail the characteristics of MPN and their latest research progress in the diagnosis and treatment of IDs. This research may provide useful references for scientific research and clinical practice in the related fields.
3.Ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter for identifying metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a prospective study
Yun-Lin HUANG ; Chao SUN ; Ying WANG ; Juan CHENG ; Shi-Wen WANG ; Li WEI ; Xiu-Yun LU ; Rui CHENG ; Ming WANG ; Jian-Gao FAN ; Yi DONG
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):134-144
Purpose:
This study assessed the performance of the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP) in diagnosing and grading hepatic steatosis in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) served as the reference standard.
Methods:
Patients with hepatic steatosis were enrolled in this prospective study and underwent UGAP measurements. MRI-PDFF values of ≥5%, ≥15%, and ≥25% were used as references for the diagnosis of steatosis grades ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3, respectively. Spearman correlation coefficients and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated.
Results:
Between July 2023 and June 2024, the study included 88 patients (median age, 40 years; interquartile range [IQR], 36 to 46 years), of whom 54.5% (48/88) were men and 45.5% (40/88) were women. Steatosis grades exhibited the following distribution: 22.7% (20/88) had S0, 50.0% (44/88) had S1, 21.6% (19/88) had S2, and 5.7% (5/88) had S3. The success rate for UGAP measurements was 100%. The median UGAP value was 0.74 dB/cm/MHz (IQR, 0.65 to 0.82 dB/ cm/MHz), and UGAP values were positively correlated with MRI-PDFF (r=0.77, P<0.001). The AUCs of UGAP for the diagnoses of ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3 steatosis were 0.91, 0.90, and 0.88, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, 98.4% (60/61) of patients had valid controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) values. UGAP measurements were positively correlated with CAP values (r=0.65, P<0.001).
Conclusion
Using MRI-PDFF as the reference standard, UGAP demonstrates good diagnostic performance in the detection and grading of hepatic steatosis in patients with MASLD.
4.Ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter for identifying metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a prospective study
Yun-Lin HUANG ; Chao SUN ; Ying WANG ; Juan CHENG ; Shi-Wen WANG ; Li WEI ; Xiu-Yun LU ; Rui CHENG ; Ming WANG ; Jian-Gao FAN ; Yi DONG
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):134-144
Purpose:
This study assessed the performance of the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP) in diagnosing and grading hepatic steatosis in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) served as the reference standard.
Methods:
Patients with hepatic steatosis were enrolled in this prospective study and underwent UGAP measurements. MRI-PDFF values of ≥5%, ≥15%, and ≥25% were used as references for the diagnosis of steatosis grades ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3, respectively. Spearman correlation coefficients and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated.
Results:
Between July 2023 and June 2024, the study included 88 patients (median age, 40 years; interquartile range [IQR], 36 to 46 years), of whom 54.5% (48/88) were men and 45.5% (40/88) were women. Steatosis grades exhibited the following distribution: 22.7% (20/88) had S0, 50.0% (44/88) had S1, 21.6% (19/88) had S2, and 5.7% (5/88) had S3. The success rate for UGAP measurements was 100%. The median UGAP value was 0.74 dB/cm/MHz (IQR, 0.65 to 0.82 dB/ cm/MHz), and UGAP values were positively correlated with MRI-PDFF (r=0.77, P<0.001). The AUCs of UGAP for the diagnoses of ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3 steatosis were 0.91, 0.90, and 0.88, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, 98.4% (60/61) of patients had valid controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) values. UGAP measurements were positively correlated with CAP values (r=0.65, P<0.001).
Conclusion
Using MRI-PDFF as the reference standard, UGAP demonstrates good diagnostic performance in the detection and grading of hepatic steatosis in patients with MASLD.
5.Chemical and pharmacological research progress on Mongolian folk medicine Syringa pinnatifolia.
Kun GAO ; Chang-Xin LIU ; Jia-Qi CHEN ; Jing-Jing SUN ; Xiao-Juan LI ; Zhi-Qiang HUANG ; Ye ZHANG ; Pei-Feng XUE ; Su-Yi-le CHEN ; Xin DONG ; Xing-Yun CHAI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(8):2080-2089
Syringa pinnatifolia, belonging to the family Oleaceae, is a species endemic to China. It is predominantly distributed in the Helan Mountains region of Inner Mongolia and Ningxia of China. The peeled roots, stems, and thick branches have been used as a distinctive Mongolian medicinal material known as "Shan-chen-xiang", which has effects such as suppressing "khii", clearing heat, and relieving pain and is employed for the treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and joint pain. Over the past five years, significant increase was achieved in research on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects. There were a total of 130 new constituents reported, covering sesquiterpenoids, lignans, and alkaloids. Its effects of anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, sedation, and analgesia were revealed, and the mechanisms of agarwood formation were also investigated. To better understand its medical value and potential of clinical application, this review updates the research progress in recent five years focusing on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of S. pinnatifolia, providing reference for subsequent research on active ingredient and support for its innovative application in modern medicine system.
Medicine, Mongolian Traditional
;
Humans
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Animals
;
Syringa/chemistry*
6.Advance on clinical and pharmacological research of Bawei Chenxiang Powder and related formulae.
Lu-Lu KANG ; Jia-Tong WANG ; Feng ZHOU ; Guo-Dong YANG ; Xiao-Juan LI ; Xiao-Li GAO ; Luobu GESANG ; Xing-Yun CHAI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2875-2882
Bawei Chenxiang Powder(BCP), first documented in the Tibetan medical work Four Medical Classics, has been widely applied in clinical practices in Tibetan and Mongolian medicines since its development. It has the effect of clearing the heart heat, calming the mind, and inducing resuscitation. On the basis of BCP, multiple types of formulae have been developed, such as Bawei Yiheyi Chenxiang Powder, Bawei Rang Chenxiang Powder, and Bawei Pingchuan Chenxiang Powder, which are widely used for treating cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Current pharmacological research has revealed the pharmacological effects of BCP and its related formulae against myocardial ischemia, cerebral ischemia, renal ischemia, and anti-hypoxia. BCP and its related formulae introduced more treatment options for related clinical diseases and provided insights for fully comprehending the essence and pharmacological components of the formulae. This paper systematically reviewed the clinical and pharmacological research on BCP and its related formulae, analyzing the formulation principles and potential key flavors and active ingredients. This lays a fundamental scientific basis for the clinical use, quality evaluation, and subsequent development and application of BCP and its related formulae, providing references for studying traditional Chinese medicine formulae in a thorough and systematic manner.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Humans
;
Powders/chemistry*
;
Animals
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
7.Studies on pharmacological effects and chemical components of different extracts from Bawei Chenxiang Pills.
Jia-Tong WANG ; Lu-Lu KANG ; Feng ZHOU ; Luo-Bu GESANG ; Ya-Na LIANG ; Guo-Dong YANG ; Xiao-Li GAO ; Hui-Chao WU ; Xing-Yun CHAI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):3035-3042
The medicinal materials of Bawei Chenxiang Pills(BCPs) were extracted via three methods: reflux extraction by water, reflux extraction by 70% ethanol, and extraction by pure water following reflux extraction by 70% ethanol, yielding three extracts of ST, CT, and CST. The efficacy of ST(760 mg·kg~(-1)), CT(620 mg·kg~(-1)), and CST(1 040 mg·kg~(-1)) were evaluated by acute myocardial ischemia(AMI) and p-chlorophenylalanine(PCPA)-induced insomnia in mice, respectively. Western blot was further utilized to investigate their hypnosis mechanisms. The main chemical components of different extracts were identified by the UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS technique. The results showed that CT and CST significantly increased the ejection fraction(EF) and fractional shortening(FS) of myocardial infarction mice, reduced left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole(LVIDd) and left ventricular internal dimension at end-systole(LVIDs). In contrast, ST did not exhibit significant effects on these parameters. In the insomnia model, CT significantly reduced sleep latency and prolonged sleep duration, whereas ST only prolonged sleep duration without shortening sleep latency. CST showed no significant effects on either sleep latency or sleep duration. Additionally, both CT and ST upregulated glutamic acid decarboxylase 67(GAD67) protein expression in brain tissue. A total of 15 main chemical components were identified from CT, including 2-(2-phenylethyl) chromone and 6-methoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl) chromone. Six chemical components including chebulidic acid were identified from ST. The results suggested that chromones and terpenes were potential anti-myocardial ischemia drugs of BCPs, and tannin and phenolic acids were potential hypnosis drugs. This study enriches the pharmacological and chemical research of BCPs, providing a basis and reference for their secondary development, quality standard improvement, and clinical application.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification*
;
Mice
;
Male
;
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/physiopathology*
;
Humans
;
Myocardial Infarction/drug therapy*
;
Myocardial Ischemia/drug therapy*
8.Study on strategies and methods for discovering risk of traditional Chinese medicine-related liver injury based on real-world data: an example of Corydalis Rhizoma.
Long-Xin GUO ; Li LIN ; Yun-Juan GAO ; Min-Juan LONG ; Sheng-Kai ZHU ; Ying-Jie XU ; Xu ZHAO ; Xiao-He XIAO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(13):3784-3795
In recent years, there have been frequent adverse reactions/events associated with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), especially liver injury related to traditional non-toxic TCM, which requires adequate attention. Liver injury related to traditional non-toxic TCM is characterized by its sporadic and insidious nature and is influenced by various factors, making its detection and identification challenging. There is an urgent need to develop a strategy and method for early detection and recognition of traditional non-toxic TCM-related liver injury. This study was based on national adverse drug reaction monitoring center big data, integrating methodologies such as reporting odds ratio(ROR), network toxicology, and computational chemistry, so as to systematically research the risk signal identification and evaluation methods for TCM-related liver injury. The optimized ROR method was used to discover potential TCM with a risk of liver injury, and network toxicology and computational chemistry were used to identify potentially high-risk TCM. Additionally, typical clinical cases were analyzed for confirmation. An integrated strategy of "discovery via big data, identification via dry/wet method, confirmation via typical cases, and precise risk prevention and control" was developed to identify the risk of TCM-related liver injury. Corydalis Rhizoma was identified as a TCM with high risk, and its toxicity-related substances and potential toxicity mechanisms were analyzed. The results revealed that liver injury is associated with components such as tetrahydropalmatine and tetrahydroberberine, with potential mechanisms related to immune-inflammatory pathways such as the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, interleukin-17 signaling pathway, and Th17 cell differentiation. This paper innovatively integrated real-world evidence and computational toxicology methods, offering insights and technical support for establishing a risk discovery and identification strategy for TCM-related liver injury based on real-world big data, providing innovative ideas and strategies for guiding the safe and rational use of medication in clinical practices.
Corydalis/adverse effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
;
Humans
;
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/etiology*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/adverse effects*
;
Rhizome/adverse effects*
;
Male
;
Female
9.Posterior minimally invasive approach for treatment of posterior wall acetabular fractures.
Wenbo LI ; Lihong LIU ; Peisheng SHI ; Yun XUE ; Wei WANG ; Jie SHI ; Chuangbing LI ; Xianqing SHI ; Xiaowen DENG ; Qiuming GAO
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(2):134-139
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effectiveness of posterior minimally invasive approach in the treatment of posterior wall acetabular fractures.
METHODS:
The clinical data of 17 patients with posterior wall acetabular fractures treated with posterior minimally invasive approach between March 2019 and June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 14 males and 3 females with an average age of 41 years ranging from 28 to 57 years. The causes of injury were traffic accident in 12 cases and falling from height in 5 cases. There were 3 cases complicated with posterior hip dislocation and 2 cases complicated with sciatic nerve injury. According to AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification, there were 11 cases of type A1.1 and 6 cases of type A1.2. The time from injury to operation was 5-8 days, with an average of 6.2 days. The incision length, intraoperative blood loss, and operation time were recorded. The quality of posterior wall fracture reduction were evaluated by Matta criteria, and hip function were evaluated by modified Merle d'Aubign-Postel score criteria at 6 months after operation and last follow-up.
RESULTS:
The operation was successfully completed in 17 cases. The length of incision ranged from 7 to 9 cm, with an average of 8.3 cm, and all incisions healed by first intention. The intraoperative blood loss ranged from 200 to 350 mL, with an average of 281 mL. The operation time ranged from 45 to 70 minutes, with an average of 57 minutes. Two patients had sciatic nerve injury before operation, and the sciatic nerve function recovered completely at 3 months after operation; the other 15 patients had no symptoms of sciatic nerve injury after operation. All the 17 patients were followed up 14-27 months, with an average of 19.5 months. At 1 week after operation, according to the Matta criteria, anatomical reduction was achieved in 12 cases and satisfactory reduction in 5 cases, with a satisfaction rate of 100%. According to the modified Merle d'Aubign-Postel scoring system, the hip function score was 13-18 (mean, 16.1) at 6 months after operation. Among them, 5 cases were excellent, 9 were good, and 3 were fair, with an excellent and good rate of 82.4%. At last follow-up, the hip function score was 7-18 (mean, 13.7), of which 3 cases were excellent, 9 were good, 3 were fair, and 2 were poor, with an excellent and good rate of 70.6%. During the follow-up, there was no infection, failure of internal fixation, and femoral head necrosis, and heterotopic ossification occurred in 2 cases.
CONCLUSION
The posterior minimally invasive approach has the advantages of less trauma, shorter operation time, less blood loss, without cutting off the external rotator muscle. Exposure through the gluteus medius-piriformis space and piriformis-supercilium space can provide sufficient safe exposure for the posterior wall acetabulum fracture, which is a reliable alternative approach for the posterior acetabular fracture.
Humans
;
Acetabulum/surgery*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation*
;
Fractures, Bone/diagnostic imaging*
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Operative Time
10.Effectiveness of additional anti-rotation steel plate assisted intramedullary nail technology in aseptic femoral non-union.
Wei WANG ; Miaomiao YANG ; Xiaowen DENG ; Fan LI ; Wenbo LI ; Weiwei SHEN ; Peisheng SHI ; Jie SHI ; Chuangbing LI ; Yun XUE ; Qiuming GAO
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(9):1170-1174
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the effectiveness of additional anti-rotation steel plate assisted intramedullary nail technology in treatment of aseptic femoral non-union patients.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 21 patients with aseptic femoral non-union who admitted between September 2020 and October 2024 and treated with additional anti-rotation steel plate assisted intramedullary nail technology. There were 17 males and 4 females, aged 25-67 years (mean, 44 years). There were 19 cases of femoral anterograde intramedullary nail fixation, 1 case of femoral retrograde intramedullary nail fixation, and 1 case of steel plate fixation with fatigue fracture. There were 9 cases of hypertrophic non-union and 12 cases of atrophic non-union. All patients had varying degrees of fracture end atrophy/sclerosis. Among them, 20 patients who were fixed with intramedullary nails underwent removal of soft tissue and hardened bone at the fracture end, and cortical treatment resulted in the appearance of "chili sign" at the fracture end. Iliac bone grafting and anti-rotation steel plate fixation were performed. One patient with steel plate fixation was removed the steel palte and fixed with a retrograde intramedullary nail, while the hardened bone at the fracture end was removed, iliac bone grafting and anti-rotation steel plate fixation were performed. Postoperative follow-up observation included the incision healing, maximum knee flexion range of motion, bone healing, length of lower limbs, and subjective satisfaction. The lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) score was used to evaluate the lower limb function.
RESULTS:
All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 7-26 months (mean, 15.5 months). At last follow-up, the femoral fracture healed with the obvious callus formation at the fracture end; the maximum knee flexion range of motion was 95°-127° (mean, 112.67°). The LEFS score increased from 29.9±6.7 before operation to 75.9±3.0 at last follow-up, and the difference was significant (t=-29.622, P<0.001). Except for 1 patient who underwent intramedullary nail dynamic treatment before operation and had a lower limb shortening of about 0.9 cm, the other patients had bilateral lower limbs of equal length. All patients had no postoperative infections, mal-union of fractures, deep vein thrombosis, joint stiffness, or other complications.
CONCLUSION
The use of additional anti-rotation steel plate assisted intramedullary nail technology in the treatment of aseptic femoral non-union not only overcomes the drawbacks of insufficient stability at the fracture end of intramedullary nails, but also overcomes the shortcomings of biased fixation with steel plates. It has the advantages of minimal trauma, effective maintenance of fracture stability, and ideal postoperative functional recovery, making it an effective treatment for aseptic femoral non-union.
Humans
;
Male
;
Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary/instrumentation*
;
Female
;
Bone Plates
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Femoral Fractures/surgery*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Bone Nails
;
Aged
;
Fractures, Ununited/surgery*
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Bone Transplantation/methods*
;
Steel
;
Fracture Healing

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail