1.Xiaozheng Zhitong Paste Alleviates Bone Cancer Pain by Regulating PD-1/PD-L1-induced Osteoclast Formation
Lu SHANG ; Juanxia REN ; Guangda ZHENG ; Linghan MENG ; Lingyun WANG ; Changlin LI ; Dongtao LI ; Yaohua CHEN ; Guiping YANG ; Yanju BAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):72-79
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the action mechanism by which Xiaozheng Zhitong paste (XZP) alleviates bone cancer pain (BCP) by regulating programmed death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway-induced osteoclast formation. MethodsThirty female C57BL/6 mice were randomly allocated into the following groups (n=6 per group): normal control group, model group, low‑dose XZP group (31.5 g·kg-1), high‑dose XZP group (63 g·kg-1), and PD‑1 inhibitor (Niv) group. A bone cancer pain (BCP) model was established by injecting Lewis lung carcinoma cells. Mice in the normal control and model groups received topical application of a blank paste matrix at the wound site. Mice in the low‑ and high‑dose XZP groups were treated with XZP applied topically twice daily. Mice in the Niv group were topically administered the blank paste matrix and additionally received Niv via tail‑vein injection every two days. All interventions were continued for 21 days. During this period, behavioral tests were performed to assess mechanical, motor, and thermal nociceptive sensitivities. After 21 days, all mice were euthanized, and bone tissue from the operated side was collected for sectioning and preservation. Tartrate‑resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was used to evaluate osteoclast expression in the lesioned bone tissue. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of Runt‑related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in the lesioned bone tissue. Immunofluorescence was employed to assess the expression of PD‑1 and PD‑L1 in the lesioned bone tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly decreased limb mechanical withdrawal threshold, spontaneous paw flinching, and thermal withdrawal latency (P<0.01), increased number of osteoclasts in the lesioned bone tissue (P<0.01), and reduced expression of Runx2 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the BCP mice in the XZP low-dose group, XZP high-dose group, and Niv group exhibited increased limb mechanical withdrawal threshold, movement scores, and thermal withdrawal latency (P<0.01). The XZP low-dose group showed no significant changes in osteoclast number or Runx2 expression, while the XZP high-dose group and Niv group demonstrated significantly reduced osteoclast numbers (P<0.01) and significantly increased Runx2 expression (P<0.01). In the lesioned bone tissue of BCP mice, the XZP low-dose group showed no significant decrease in the percentage of PD-1 expression, but a decrease in the percentage of PD-L1 expression (P<0.05). In contrast, both the XZP high-dose group and the Niv group exhibited significant reductions in the percentages of PD-1 and PD-L1 expression (P<0.01). ConclusionXZP alleviates the pain of mice with BCP by blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway to inhibit osteoclastogenesis.
2.Xiaozheng Zhitong Paste Relieves Bone Cancer Pain in Mice by Alleviating Activation of Microglia in Spinal Cord and Damage to Neurons via Blocking PAR2/NF-κB/NLRP3 Pathway
Guangda ZHENG ; Linghan MENG ; Lu SHANG ; Juanxia REN ; Dongtao LI ; Haixiao LIU ; Lingyun WANG ; Changlin LI ; Yaohua CHEN ; Guiping YANG ; Yanju BAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):91-100
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of Xiaozheng Zhitong Paste (XZP) on bone cancer pain (BCP). MethodsThirty female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups: a Sham group, a BCP group, a BCP+low-dose XZP group, a BCP+high-dose XZP group, and a BCP+high-dose XZP + protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) agonist GB-110 group. BCP mice model was constructed by injecting Lewis lung carcinoma cells into the femoral cavity of the right leg, which was followed by being treated with XZP for 21 d. After 21 d, the mice were sacrificed. Nissl staining was used to evaluate the survival of spinal cord neurons. Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to localize ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) and neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) in spinal cord tissue, thereby assessing microglial activation and neuronal survival. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in spinal cord tissue. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression levels associated with M1/M2 polarization of microglia. Western blot analysis was performed to examine the expression of proteins related to microglial polarization as well as those involved in the PAR2/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway in the spinal cord. ResultsCompared with the Sham group, the spinal cord neurons were damaged, the number of Nissl-positive spinal cord neurons in the spinal cord tissue was significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the rate of NeuN-positive cells was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The spinal cord microglia were activated, the inflammatory level of the spinal cord tissue was enhanced, and Iba1 staining was significantly enhanced (P<0.01). The levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β, IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly increased (P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the expression of PAR2, NLRP3, ASC and NF-κB p65 proteins in the spinal cord tissue of the BCP mice was significantly enhanced (P<0.01). Compared with the BCP group, high-dose XZP treatment significantly increased the number of Nissl-positive spinal cord neurons in the BCP mice (P<0.01), significantly enhanced the rate of NeuN-positive cells in the spinal cord tissue, and significantly weakened Iba1 staining (P<0.01). In addition, the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 were significantly decreased, while the levels of TGF-β, IL-4, and IL-10 were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and iNOS were decreased, whereas those of cluster of differentiation 206 (CD206), arginase-1 (Arg-1), and YM1/2 were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Low-dose and high-dose XZP treatment significantly decreased the expression of PAR2, NLRP3, ASC, and NF-κB p65 proteins in the spinal cord tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). These effects could all be significantly eliminated by the PAR2 agonist GB-110. ConclusionXZP can mitigate BCP in mice, which may be achieved through blocking the activated PAR2/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.
3.Xiaozheng Zhitong Paste Alleviates Bone Cancer Pain of Mice by Reducing Ferroptosis in Spinal Cord Tissue and Neuronal Damage via Regulating Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4/SLC7A11 Signaling Pathway
Juanxia REN ; Lu SHANG ; Guangda ZHENG ; Linghan MENG ; Lingyun WANG ; Changlin LI ; Dongtao LI ; Yaohua CHEN ; Guiping YANG ; Yanju BAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):101-113
ObjectiveThe paper aims to investigate the action mechanism by which the Xiaozheng Zhitong paste (XZP) relieves bone cancer pain (BCP). MethodsA model of mice with BCP was established by using Lewis tumor cells. The therapeutic effects of XZP, the ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inhibitor Brusatol (Bru) on BCP were examined. Mice were randomly divided into the Sham operation group, BCP group, BCP+XZP-L group, BCP+XZP-H group, BCP+Fer-1 group, and BCP+XZP-H+Bru group, with six mice in each group. Pain behavior tests were conducted on the mice to assess pain levels. Colorimetric assays were employed to measure ferroptosis-related factors in serum and spinal cord tissue including Fe, malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Immunofluorescence staining was used to assess ROS production in spinal cord tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of mitochondria in lumbar spinal cord tissue. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to detect mRNA expression of Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) in spinal cord neuron tissue. The protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1, GPX4, and SLC7A11 in spinal cord neurons was measured by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the Sham group, mice in the BCP group exhibited significantly reduced limb usage scores, mechanical foot withdrawal thresholds, and thermal foot withdrawal thresholds (P<0.01). Serum and lumbar spinal cord tissue levels of Fe, MDA, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were significantly elevated (P<0.05), while superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Lumbar spinal cord mitochondrial structural damage was observed, and mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1, GPX4, and SLC7A11 were significantly downregulated (P<0.01). Compared with the BCP group, both low- and high-dose XZP groups improved the aforementioned pain behavioral indicators (P<0.05,P<0.01), reduced ferroptosis-related biomarkers including Fe, MDA, and ROS levels (P<0.05), increased SOD levels (P<0.05,P<0.01), alleviated mitochondrial damage, and upregulated Nrf2, HO-1, GPX4, SLC7A11 mRNA and protein expression (P<0.05,P<0.01). The high-dose XZP group exhibited comparable efficacy to Fer-1 in alleviating pain and inhibiting ferroptosis. Following Bru administration, XZP's effects on pain behavioral indicators, regulation of ferroptosis-related markers, mitochondrial structural protection, and activation of the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4/SLC7A11 pathway were significantly reversed (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionExternal application of XZP alleviates pain symptoms in BCP mice by activating the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4/SLC7A11 pathway, thereby inhibiting ferroptosis and neuronal damage in spinal cord neurons.
4.Discussion on Treatment of Cancer Pain with Modified Wumeiwan Based on Jueyin Syndrome
Haixiao LIU ; Linghan MENG ; Guangda ZHENG ; Dongtao LI ; Lu SHANG ; Juanxia REN ; Changlin LI ; Lingyun WANG ; Yanju BAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):124-128
Pain, as one of the most common symptoms in cancer patients, seriously affects the survival quality of patients. The three-step pain relief program currently used in clinical practice cannot completely relieve pain in cancer patients and is accompanied by many problems. From the perspective of Jueyin syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this paper believed that the core pathogenesis of cancer pain was declined healthy Qi and cold and heat in complexity, and used Wumeiwan as the main formula with modification according to syndrome for clearing the upper, warming the lower part of the body, and harmonizing the cold and heat. It can regulate the pathological environment of deficiency, cold, stasis, toxicity, and heat, and restore the physiological function of Yang transforming Qi while Yin constituting form, so as to prevent, relieve, and even eliminate cancer pain, having achieved good clinical efficacy. It can not only help cancer patients relieve pain, but also control tumor and eliminate tumor, achieving a dual benefit of pain relief and tumor suppression. It gives full play to the characteristics and advantages of syndrome differentiation and treatment in TCM, and expands the scope of ZHANG Zhongjing's treatment for Jueyin syndrome, which provides ideas for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of cancer pain from the perspective of deficiency-excess in complexity and cold and heat in complexity.
5.Discovery and proof-of-concept study of a novel highly selective sigma-1 receptor agonist for antipsychotic drug development.
Wanyu TANG ; Zhixue MA ; Bang LI ; Zhexiang YU ; Xiaobao ZHAO ; Huicui YANG ; Jian HU ; Sheng TIAN ; Linghan GU ; Jiaojiao CHEN ; Xing ZOU ; Qi WANG ; Fan CHEN ; Guangying LI ; Chaonan ZHENG ; Shuliu GAO ; Wenjing LIU ; Yue LI ; Wenhua ZHENG ; Mingmei WANG ; Na YE ; Xuechu ZHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5346-5365
Sigma-1 receptor (σ 1R) has become a focus point of drug discovery for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. A series of novel 1-phenylethan-1-one O-(2-aminoethyl) oxime derivatives were synthesized. In vitro biological evaluation led to the identification of 1a, 14a, 15d and 16d as the most high-affinity (K i < 4 nmol/L) and selective σ 1R agonists. Among these, 15d, the most metabolically stable derivative exhibited high selectivity for σ 1R in relation to σ 2R and 52 other human targets. In addition to low CYP450 inhibition and induction, 15d also exhibited high brain permeability and excellent oral bioavailability. Importantly, 15d demonstrated effective antipsychotic potency, particularly for alleviating negative symptoms and improving cognitive impairment in experimental animal models, both of which are major challenges for schizophrenia treatment. Moreover, 15d produced no significant extrapyramidal symptoms, exhibiting superior pharmacological profiles in relation to current antipsychotic drugs. Mechanistically, 15d inhibited GSK3β and enhanced prefrontal BDNF expression and excitatory synaptic transmission in pyramidal neurons. Collectively, these in vivo proof-of-concept findings provide substantial experimental evidence to demonstrate that modulating σ 1R represents a potential new therapeutic approach for schizophrenia. The novel chemical entity along with its favorable drug-like and pharmacological profile of 15d renders it a promising candidate for treating schizophrenia.
6.Application effect of free anterolateral thigh flaps in the repair of head and facial tumors
Lei LIU ; Linghan LI ; Shun YU ; Bing GUO
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2025;32(7):418-421
OBJECTIVE To discuss the clinical application effect of free transplantation with anterolateral thigh flap repairing tissue defects after resection of head and facial tumors.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients from August 2018 to November 2023,diagnosed with head and facial tumors who underwent surgical resection and simultaneous repair with free anterolateral thigh flaps in Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery at the North District of Shanghai 9th People's Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.The survival of flaps and the healing of the donor site were observed,and postoperative follow-up was conducted for 6-12 months.The texture of flaps,scar formation in the surgical area,tumor recurrence,and patient satisfaction were evaluated.The Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)scale was used to assess the patients'health status preoperatively and at the final postoperative follow-up.RESULTS 16 patients were enrolled,comprising 12 males and 4 females,aged from 31 to 67 years old.Pathological types of tumors included 9 cases squamous cell carcinoma,4 cases dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans,and 3 cases other malignancies.All 16 flaps survived completely.The follow-up period was 6-12 months,and the texture of flaps was good.All patients were satisfied with the surgical effect,and no tumor recurred.All incisions in the thigh donor area healed in one stage,and linear scars were observed during follow-up.The preoperative KPS score was 80±7.30,while the postoperative KPS score at the final follow-up was 88.13±6.55,showing a statistically significant difference(t=4.96,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Free transplantation of the anterolateral thigh flap is a reliable and effective method for patients with large-scale soft tissue defects after resection of head and facial tumors.
7.Perioperative efficacy analysis of robotic surgical system assisted anatomic and non-anatomic hepatectomy
Tian HANG ; Zheyong LI ; Mingyu CHEN ; Jiang CHEN ; Junhao ZHENG ; Liye TAO ; Linghan GONG ; Zaibo YANG ; Chao SONG ; Xiao LIANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2023;22(4):497-504
Objective:To investigate the perioperative efficacy of robot surgical system assisted anatomic and non-anatomic hepatectomy.Methods:The propensity score matching and retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 103 patients who underwent robot surgical system assisted hepatectomy in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Affiliated with the Zhejiang University School of Medicine from March 2016 to December 2021 were collected. There were 54 males and 49 females, aged 56(range, 44?64)years. Of the 103 patients, 55 cases undergoing robot surgical system assisted anatomic hepatectomy were divided into the anatomic group, and 48 cases undergoing robot surgical system assisted non-anatomic hepatectomy were divided into the non-anatomic group. Observation indicators: (1) propensity score matching and comparison of general data of patients between the two groups after matching; (2) intraoperative conditions; (3) perioperative complications. Propensity score matching was done by the 1:1 nearest neighbor matching method. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were expressed as M(range), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was conducted using the rank sum test. Results:(1) Propensity score matching and compari-son of general data of patients between the two groups after matching. Of the 103 patients, 94 cases were successfully matched, including 47 cases in the anatomic group and 47 cases in the non-anatomic group. The elimination of preoperative body mass index, preoperative platelet and preoperative albumin confounding bias ensured comparability between the two groups after propensity score matching. (2) Intraoperative conditions. After propensity score matching, the operation time and volume of intraoperative blood loss were 175(range, 120?240)minutes and 50(range, 50?100)mL in patients of the anatomic group, versus 155(range, 105?190)minutes and 100(range, 50?200)mL in patients of the non-anatomic group, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=1.97, 2.49, P<0.05). (3) Perioperative complications. After propensity score matching, cases with pleural fluid and/or ascites, case with biliary fistula, case with thrombosis, case with peritoneal infection, case with incision infection were 11, 1, 2, 4, 1 in patients of the anatomic group, versus 12, 0, 4, 1, 0 in patients of the non-anatomic group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( P>0.05). Cases with complications classified as grade Ⅰ, grade Ⅱ, grade Ⅲ, grade Ⅳ of the Clavien-Dindo classification were 33, 14, 0, 0 in patients of the anatomic group, versus 28, 14, 3, 2 in patients of the non-anatomic group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=?1.38, P>0.05). Conclusions:Robotic surgical system assisted anatomic and non-anatomic hepatectomy are safe and feasible for clinical application. Compared with robot surgical system assisted non-anatomic hepatectomy, patients under-going robot surgical system assisted anatomic hepatectomy have long operation time and less volume of intraoperative blood loss.
8.Effect of lncRNA TUG1 on osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells
JIANG Yaxin ; ZHANG Hua ; SUN Linghan ; LI Shiting ; FENG Hao
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2022;30(12):844-851
Objective:
To explore the effects of long noncoding-RNA (lncRNA) taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) on the proliferation and osteogenic/odontoblast differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs).
Methods :
hDPSCs were isolated and cultured. The surface antigens CD44, CD45, CD73, CD90, CD133 and STRO-1 were detected by flow cytometry. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and alizarin red staining were used to identify the ability of cells to differentiate. RNA was collected on Days 0, 7 and 14 of the osteogenic induction of hDPSCs, and qRT-PCR was used to detect the relative expression of TUG1. The hDPSCs were stably transfected with a lentiviral vector containing the TUG1-silenced pSLenti-U6-shRNA(TUG1)-CMV-EGFP-F2A-Puro-WPRE to silence TUG1. The ability of hDPSCs to proliferate was assessed with the CCK-8 method. ALP and alizarin red staining and quantitative detection were used to detect the ALP activity and formation of mineralized nodules of hDPSCs. The expression levels of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1), Runt-associated transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osteocalcin (OCN) and osteopontin (OPN) genes and proteins were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot.
Results :
The hDPSCs were successfully isolated and cultured, and TUG1 expression was significantly increased during osteogenic differentiation (P<0.05). The hDPSCs proliferation was suppressed after silencing TUG1(P<0.05). After osteogenic induction, ALP and alizarin red staining showed that ALP activity and mineralized nodules were suppressed by silencing TUG1. The expression levels of the odontogenic differentiation gene DSPP and DMP-1 and the osteogenic differentiation gene Runx2, OCN and OPN were also significantly decreased (P<0.05).
Conclusion
Knocking down TUG1 can inhibit the proliferation and osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs.
9.Construction of evaluation index system of postgraduate education quality of clinical medicine based on SNA
Ye LI ; Wanxin TIAN ; Qi XIA ; Xiyu ZHANG ; Wenqing MIAO ; Qunhong WU ; Mingli JIAO ; Ming FANG ; Ning NING ; Nianshi WANG ; Linghan SHAN
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2021;20(8):948-954
Objective:To systematically sort out and cluster the existing indicators of key issues in the quality of postgraduate clinical degree education based on the bibliometric study, so as to build a multidimensional quality assessment index system that integrates scientificity, rationality and representativeness, and to provide a scientific measurement tool for assessing clinical professional postgraduate education in China.Methods:By mining the related functions of UCINET6 network analysis integration software and its one-dimensional and two-dimensional data analysis NetDraw program, the social network analysis (SNA) method was used to extract and cluster the education quality problem set of clinical professional degree postgraduates.Results:A three-dimensional evaluation index system was constructed. The first dimension concluded such 8 key issues in the quality of postgraduate education in clinical medicine as ability assessment, teaching system, teaching quality assurance system, professional cognition and career prospects, assessment and evaluation system and organization, and the pulse taking and diagnosis.Conclusion:The clinical graduate education quality evaluation index system is an effective measurement tool for education quality improvement, based on a multidimensional perspective, with key issues as priority areas for intervention, providing an effective evidence-based basis for ensuring the development of professional graduate education efforts from 2020-2025.
10.Analysis of TGFBI gene mutation in a pedigree affected with corneal dystrophy.
Anli SHU ; Gen LI ; Hai LUO ; Juan HE ; Xiaowen HU ; Jiayi SUN ; Ying QING ; Linghan GAO ; Juan ZHANG ; Chao YANG ; Lin HE ; Chunling WAN
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2018;35(5):672-674
OBJECTIVETo detect potential mutation in a large Chinese pedigree affected with congenital corneal dystrophy.
METHODSTwo patients from the pedigree were subjected to whole exome sequencing to determine the candidate gene. Suspected mutation was verified in 13 additional members by directional Sanger sequencing. Ccorrelation between genotype and phenotype was explored.
RESULTSA missense mutation, c.1877A>C (p.His626Pro), was detected in exon 14 of the TGFBI gene in 8 patients from the pedigree, but not in five unaffected members and 100 unrelated healthy controls. Respectively, the mutation was predicted as "affecting protein function", "probably damaging" and "disease causing" by SIFT, PolyPhen-2 and MutationTaster.
CONCLUSIONThe c.1877A>C mutation of the TGFBI gene probably underlies the disease in this pedigree.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail