ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the active components and target pathways of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma （ASR-PR） herb pair in the treatment of simple obesity through network pharmacology and molecular docking， and to verify and investigate its mechanism of action via animal experiments. MethodsThe chemical constituents and targets of ASR and PR were predicted using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP）. Targets related to simple obesity were identified by retrieving the GeneCards， Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM）， Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase （PharmGKB）， and DisGeNET databases. The intersection of drug and disease targets was used to construct an active component-target network using Cytoscape software. This network was imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction （PPI） network， and topological analysis was conducted to identify core genes. Gene Ontology （GO） analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis and mapping were performed using the DAVID database and the Microbioinformatics platform. AutoDock 1.5.7 software was used to perform molecular docking between the top five active components and core targets. An animal model of simple obesity was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a high-fat diet. The mice were administered ASR （2.06 g·kg^-1）， PR （2.06 g·kg^-1）， or ASR-PR （4.11 g·kg^-1） for 10 weeks， while the model group received an equal volume of purified water by gavage. After the administration period， the mice were sacrificed to measure body fat weight and serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， high-density lipoprotein （HDL）， and low-density lipoprotein （LDL）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe histopathological sections of liver and adipose tissue. Serum levels of leptin， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the mRNA expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR） and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） in liver tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated that the treatment of simple obesity by ASR-PR may involve the regulation of protein expression of core targets EGFR and STAT3 by its main components MOL009760 （Siberian glycoside A_qt）， MOL003889 （methyl protodioscin_qt）， MOL009766 （resveratrol）， MOL006331 （4′，5-dihydroxyflavone）， and MOL004941 （baicalin）， thereby modulating the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the normal group， the model group had significantly increased body weight， body fat weight， and serum levels of TG， TC， TNF-α， IL-6， and leptin （P<0.01）. EGFR mRNA expression was significantly elevated （P<0.05）， while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Histological analysis revealed disordered hepatic architecture in the model group， with pronounced lipid vacuoles， cytoplasmic loosening， lipid accumulation， and steatosis. Adipocytes in white adipose tissue （WAT） and brown adipose tissue （BAT） of the model group exhibited markedly increased diameters， reduced cell counts per unit area， and irregular morphology. Compared with the model group， the ASR-PR group significantly reduced body weight， body fat weight， serum TC， IL-6， TNF-α， leptin levels， and EGFR mRNA expression （P<0.01）. TG levels were also significantly decreased （P<0.05）， while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Histopathological improvements included reduced size and number of hepatic lipid vacuoles and restoration of liver cell morphology toward that of the normal group. The diameter of adipocytes significantly decreased， and the number of adipocytes per unit area increased. ConclusionASR-PR may regulate the expression of key target proteins such as EGFR and STAT3 via its core active components， modulate the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways， repair damaged liver and adipose tissues， and thereby alleviate the progression of obesity in mice.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of Gynostemma pentaphyllum alcohol extract in improving glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in db/db mice through transcriptomics and gut microbiota analysis. MethodsEighteen db/db mice were randomly assigned to the model（DM） group， metformin（MET） group， and G. pentaphyllum alcohol extract（GP） group， with six mice in each group， based on stratification of fasting blood glucose and body weight. An additional six db/m mice were selected as the normal control（NC） group. Mice in the NC and DM groups were administered deionized water （10 mL·kg^-1） daily. The MET group received metformin （0.195 g·kg^-1） by gavage. The GP group was treated with G. pentaphyllum alcohol extract （3.9 g·kg^-1） by gavage for six weeks. Fasting blood glucose was measured every two weeks. After six weeks of intervention， serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， creatinine （CREA）， and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） were assessed. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure insulin （FINS）， adiponectin （ADP）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe liver histomorphology， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining was employed to assess hepatic glycogen synthesis， and Oil Red O staining was used to detect hepatic lipid deposition. Liver transcriptomic data were used to identify differentially expressed genes in the liver and conduct enrichment analysis. Real-time PCR was employed to verify the expression levels of adiponectin gene （Adipoq）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α （PGC-1α）， AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α （PPARα）， glucokinase （GCK）， forkhead box （Fox）O1， FoxO3， phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase （PEPCK）， and glucose-6-phosphatase （G6PC）. Metagenomic sequencing was conducted to analyze changes in gut microbiota composition. ResultsCompared with the NC group， the DM group exhibited significantly elevated fasting blood glucose （P<0.01）， serum AST， ALT， TC， TG， LDL-C， and HDL-C （P<0.01）. FINS， homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance （HOMA-IR）， and the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while ADP was significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Histological analysis confirmed severe hepatic steatosis and excessive lipid accumulation in the DM group， along with markedly reduced glycogen synthesis. Compared with the DM group， the GP group showed significantly decreased fasting blood glucose （P<0.01）， reduced serum TC， LDL-C， and HDL-C levels （P<0.05）， significantly decreased serum TG and AST levels （P<0.01）， significantly reduced FINS， HOMA-IR， and TNF-α levels （P<0.01）， and significantly increased ADP （P<0.01）. Hepatic steatosis and lipid deposition were significantly alleviated， while glycogen synthesis was markedly enhanced. Transcriptomic differential and enrichment analyses suggested that the mechanisms by which G. pentaphyllum alcohol extract improved hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism in db/db mice may involve regulation of the AMPK and FoxO signaling pathways. Real-time PCR results confirmed that expression of PGC-1α， PEPCK， G6PC， FoxO1， and FoxO3 was significantly downregulated following treatment with G. pentaphyllum alcohol extract （P<0.05， P<0.01）， whereas mRNA expression of Adipoq， PPARα， GCK， and AMPK was significantly upregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Metagenomic analysis showed that the relative abundance of Lactobacillus， Alistipes， and Akkermansia species was higher in the GP group than in the DM group. ConclusionG. pentaphyllum alcohol extract may improve glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in db/db mice by regulating the hepatic AMPK/PPARα pathway to suppress lipid deposition and alleviate hepatic steatosis， by inhibiting gluconeogenesis through the AMPK/PGC-1α and FoxO pathways to lower fasting blood glucose， and by increasing the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria such as Lactobacillus， Alistipes， and Akkermansia to restore gut microbiota balance.

ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the active components and target pathways of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma （ASR-PR） herb pair in the treatment of simple obesity through network pharmacology and molecular docking， and to verify and investigate its mechanism of action via animal experiments. MethodsThe chemical constituents and targets of ASR and PR were predicted using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP）. Targets related to simple obesity were identified by retrieving the GeneCards， Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM）， Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase （PharmGKB）， and DisGeNET databases. The intersection of drug and disease targets was used to construct an active component-target network using Cytoscape software. This network was imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction （PPI） network， and topological analysis was conducted to identify core genes. Gene Ontology （GO） analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis and mapping were performed using the DAVID database and the Microbioinformatics platform. AutoDock 1.5.7 software was used to perform molecular docking between the top five active components and core targets. An animal model of simple obesity was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a high-fat diet. The mice were administered ASR （2.06 g·kg^-1）， PR （2.06 g·kg^-1）， or ASR-PR （4.11 g·kg^-1） for 10 weeks， while the model group received an equal volume of purified water by gavage. After the administration period， the mice were sacrificed to measure body fat weight and serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， high-density lipoprotein （HDL）， and low-density lipoprotein （LDL）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe histopathological sections of liver and adipose tissue. Serum levels of leptin， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the mRNA expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR） and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） in liver tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated that the treatment of simple obesity by ASR-PR may involve the regulation of protein expression of core targets EGFR and STAT3 by its main components MOL009760 （Siberian glycoside A_qt）， MOL003889 （methyl protodioscin_qt）， MOL009766 （resveratrol）， MOL006331 （4′，5-dihydroxyflavone）， and MOL004941 （baicalin）， thereby modulating the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the normal group， the model group had significantly increased body weight， body fat weight， and serum levels of TG， TC， TNF-α， IL-6， and leptin （P<0.01）. EGFR mRNA expression was significantly elevated （P<0.05）， while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Histological analysis revealed disordered hepatic architecture in the model group， with pronounced lipid vacuoles， cytoplasmic loosening， lipid accumulation， and steatosis. Adipocytes in white adipose tissue （WAT） and brown adipose tissue （BAT） of the model group exhibited markedly increased diameters， reduced cell counts per unit area， and irregular morphology. Compared with the model group， the ASR-PR group significantly reduced body weight， body fat weight， serum TC， IL-6， TNF-α， leptin levels， and EGFR mRNA expression （P<0.01）. TG levels were also significantly decreased （P<0.05）， while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Histopathological improvements included reduced size and number of hepatic lipid vacuoles and restoration of liver cell morphology toward that of the normal group. The diameter of adipocytes significantly decreased， and the number of adipocytes per unit area increased. ConclusionASR-PR may regulate the expression of key target proteins such as EGFR and STAT3 via its core active components， modulate the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways， repair damaged liver and adipose tissues， and thereby alleviate the progression of obesity in mice.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of Gynostemma pentaphyllum alcohol extract in improving glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in db/db mice through transcriptomics and gut microbiota analysis. MethodsEighteen db/db mice were randomly assigned to the model（DM） group， metformin（MET） group， and G. pentaphyllum alcohol extract（GP） group， with six mice in each group， based on stratification of fasting blood glucose and body weight. An additional six db/m mice were selected as the normal control（NC） group. Mice in the NC and DM groups were administered deionized water （10 mL·kg^-1） daily. The MET group received metformin （0.195 g·kg^-1） by gavage. The GP group was treated with G. pentaphyllum alcohol extract （3.9 g·kg^-1） by gavage for six weeks. Fasting blood glucose was measured every two weeks. After six weeks of intervention， serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， creatinine （CREA）， and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） were assessed. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure insulin （FINS）， adiponectin （ADP）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe liver histomorphology， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining was employed to assess hepatic glycogen synthesis， and Oil Red O staining was used to detect hepatic lipid deposition. Liver transcriptomic data were used to identify differentially expressed genes in the liver and conduct enrichment analysis. Real-time PCR was employed to verify the expression levels of adiponectin gene （Adipoq）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α （PGC-1α）， AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α （PPARα）， glucokinase （GCK）， forkhead box （Fox）O1， FoxO3， phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase （PEPCK）， and glucose-6-phosphatase （G6PC）. Metagenomic sequencing was conducted to analyze changes in gut microbiota composition. ResultsCompared with the NC group， the DM group exhibited significantly elevated fasting blood glucose （P<0.01）， serum AST， ALT， TC， TG， LDL-C， and HDL-C （P<0.01）. FINS， homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance （HOMA-IR）， and the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while ADP was significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Histological analysis confirmed severe hepatic steatosis and excessive lipid accumulation in the DM group， along with markedly reduced glycogen synthesis. Compared with the DM group， the GP group showed significantly decreased fasting blood glucose （P<0.01）， reduced serum TC， LDL-C， and HDL-C levels （P<0.05）， significantly decreased serum TG and AST levels （P<0.01）， significantly reduced FINS， HOMA-IR， and TNF-α levels （P<0.01）， and significantly increased ADP （P<0.01）. Hepatic steatosis and lipid deposition were significantly alleviated， while glycogen synthesis was markedly enhanced. Transcriptomic differential and enrichment analyses suggested that the mechanisms by which G. pentaphyllum alcohol extract improved hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism in db/db mice may involve regulation of the AMPK and FoxO signaling pathways. Real-time PCR results confirmed that expression of PGC-1α， PEPCK， G6PC， FoxO1， and FoxO3 was significantly downregulated following treatment with G. pentaphyllum alcohol extract （P<0.05， P<0.01）， whereas mRNA expression of Adipoq， PPARα， GCK， and AMPK was significantly upregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Metagenomic analysis showed that the relative abundance of Lactobacillus， Alistipes， and Akkermansia species was higher in the GP group than in the DM group. ConclusionG. pentaphyllum alcohol extract may improve glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in db/db mice by regulating the hepatic AMPK/PPARα pathway to suppress lipid deposition and alleviate hepatic steatosis， by inhibiting gluconeogenesis through the AMPK/PGC-1α and FoxO pathways to lower fasting blood glucose， and by increasing the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria such as Lactobacillus， Alistipes， and Akkermansia to restore gut microbiota balance.

Objective To investigate the potential value of exosomes derived from rat ectoderm mesenchymal stem cells(EMSCs-exo)for repairing secondary spinal cord injury.Methods EMSCs-exo were obtained using ultracentrifugation from EMSCs isolated from rat nasal mucosa,identified by transmission electron microscope,nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA),and Western blotting,and quantified using the BCA method.Neonatal rat microglia purified by differential attachment were induced with 100 μg/L lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and treated with 37.5 or 75 mg/L EMSCs-exo.PC12 cells were exposed to 400 μmol/L H2O2 and treated with EMSCs-exo at 37.5 or 75 mg/L.The protein and mRNA expressions of Arg1 and iNOS in the treated cells were determined with Western blotting and qRT-PCR,and the concentrations of IL-6,IL-10,and IGF-1 in the supernatants were measured with ELISA.The viability and apoptosis of PC12 cells were detected using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry.Results The isolated rat EMSCs showed high expressions of nestin,CD44,CD105,and vimentin.The obtained EMSCs-exo had a typical cup-shaped structure under transmission electron microscope with an average particle size of 142 nm and positivity for CD63,CD81,and TSG101 but not vimentin.In LPS-treated microglia,EMSCs-exo treatment at 75 mg/L significantly increased Arg1 protein level and lowered iNOS protein expression(P<0.05).EMSCs-exo treatment at 75 mg/L,as compared with the lower concentration at 37.5 mg/L,more strongly increased Arg1 mRNA expression and IGF-1 and IL-10 production and decreased iNOS mRNA expression and IL-6 production in LPS-induced microglia,and more effectively promoted cell survival and decreased apoptosis rate of H2O2-induced PC12 cells(P<0.05).Conclusion EMSCs-exo at 75 mg/L can effectively reduce the proportion of M1 microglia and alleviate neuronal apoptosis under oxidative stress to promote neuronal survival,suggesting its potential in controlling secondary spinal cord injury.

Objective To investigate the potential value of exosomes derived from rat ectoderm mesenchymal stem cells(EMSCs-exo)for repairing secondary spinal cord injury.Methods EMSCs-exo were obtained using ultracentrifugation from EMSCs isolated from rat nasal mucosa,identified by transmission electron microscope,nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA),and Western blotting,and quantified using the BCA method.Neonatal rat microglia purified by differential attachment were induced with 100 μg/L lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and treated with 37.5 or 75 mg/L EMSCs-exo.PC12 cells were exposed to 400 μmol/L H2O2 and treated with EMSCs-exo at 37.5 or 75 mg/L.The protein and mRNA expressions of Arg1 and iNOS in the treated cells were determined with Western blotting and qRT-PCR,and the concentrations of IL-6,IL-10,and IGF-1 in the supernatants were measured with ELISA.The viability and apoptosis of PC12 cells were detected using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry.Results The isolated rat EMSCs showed high expressions of nestin,CD44,CD105,and vimentin.The obtained EMSCs-exo had a typical cup-shaped structure under transmission electron microscope with an average particle size of 142 nm and positivity for CD63,CD81,and TSG101 but not vimentin.In LPS-treated microglia,EMSCs-exo treatment at 75 mg/L significantly increased Arg1 protein level and lowered iNOS protein expression(P<0.05).EMSCs-exo treatment at 75 mg/L,as compared with the lower concentration at 37.5 mg/L,more strongly increased Arg1 mRNA expression and IGF-1 and IL-10 production and decreased iNOS mRNA expression and IL-6 production in LPS-induced microglia,and more effectively promoted cell survival and decreased apoptosis rate of H2O2-induced PC12 cells(P<0.05).Conclusion EMSCs-exo at 75 mg/L can effectively reduce the proportion of M1 microglia and alleviate neuronal apoptosis under oxidative stress to promote neuronal survival,suggesting its potential in controlling secondary spinal cord injury.

This article discusses the overview of virtual reality (VR) technology and chronic pain kinesiophobia, elucidating the principles by which VR technology reduces chronic pain kinesiophobia and its effectiveness in the treatment and rehabilitation training of patients with this condition. The advantages and limitations of VR technology are summarized, aiming to provide references for clinical practitioners to better apply VR technology in the treatment and rehabilitation management of chronic pain kinesiophobia. The goal is to improve patients' fear of movement, fear-avoidance beliefs, pain related to movement injuries, physical function, motivation for training, and patient satisfaction.

Objective To explore the effect of formononetin on alleviating inflammatory injury of C28/I2 cell,and to explain its mechanism of alleviating inflammatory injury of chondrocytes via NF-κB signaling pathway.Methods The treating concentrations of formononetin were screened,and the model of LPS-induced inflammatory injury in C28/I2 cells was established.Experimental group:normal control group,LPS group,low-dose group(12.5 μmol·L-1),medium-dose group(25 μmol·L-1),and high-dose group(50 μmol·L-1).The cell counting kit 8(CCK-8)was used to detect the effect of formononetin on chondrocyte viability.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the supernatant of C28/I2 cell culture.Western blotting assay was used to measure the protein expressions of nuclear factor kappa B inhibitory protein α(IκBα),phospho-nuclear factor kappa B inhibitory protein α(p-IκBα),nuclear factor kappa B p65(NF-κB p65)and phospho-nuclear factor kappa B p65(p-NF-κB p65)in C28/I2 cells.Results The results of CCK-8 assay showed the chondrocyte viability decreased in the 10 μg·mL-1 LPS group and increased in formononetin group(P<0.01).The results of ELISA experiments showed that the administration of formononetin could reduce the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the supernatant of C28/I2 cells(P<0.01 or 0.05)when compared with the LPS group.The results of Western blotting showed that compared with the LPS group,the phosphorylation level of the NFκB pathway could be down-regulated in a dose-dependent way(P<0.01 or 0.05).Conclusion The formononetin can alleviate the inflammatory injury of C28/I2 cell,which is related to the modulation of the phosphorylation activation of NF-κB signal pathway.

Fatigue is one of the common symptoms in patients with liver cirrhosis, which has a serious impact on the quality of life of patients. This article reviews the influencing factors and intervention strategies of fatigue in patients with cirrhosis, aiming to provide reference for early recognition and intervention of fatigue in patients with cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of catalpol affecting the differentiation of helper T cell 17 （Th17） by interfering the expressions of pyruvate kinase M2 （PKM2） and lactate dehydrogenase A （LDHA）. METHODS The naive CD4+ T cells were selected from the spleen of C57BL/6 mice， and were differentiated into Th17 cells by adding directional differentiation stimulants for 72 hours. At the same time， the cells were treated with 0 （directed control）， 20， 40 and 80 μg/mL catalpol. The flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Th17 cell differentiation in cells； the colorimetric method was adopted to detect the levels of pyruvate and lactate in cell culture supernatant； mRNA expressions of retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptor gamma t （RORγt）， PKM2 and LDHA were detected by qRT-PCR method； Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of PKM2， LDHA， signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， and phosphorylated STAT3 （p-STAT3） proteins in cells. RESULTS Compared with the directed control group， after 72 hours of treatment with 20， 40， 80 μg/mL catalpol， the differentiation ratio of Th17 cells were decreased by 6.74%， 8.41%， 9.24%， and the levels of pyruvate and lactate in the cell culture supernatant， the mRNA expressions of PKM2， LDHA and RORγt as well as the protein expressions of PKM2 and LDHA and the phosphorylation of STAT3 were significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Catalpol can reduce the glycolysis level by down-regulating the expressions of PKM2 and LDHA， thereby inhibiting the differentiation of Th17 cells.