1.Ameliorative Effect of Wendantang Combined with Danshenyin and Dushentang on Ischemic Heart Disease with Phlegm-stasis Syndrome in Mice Based on Circulating Monocytes
Fenghe YANG ; Ziqi TIAN ; Zhiqian SONG ; Shitao PENG ; Wenjie LU ; Tao LIN ; Chun WANG ; Zhangchi NING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):22-32
ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effect of Wendantang combined with Danshenyin and Dushentang (WDD) on mice with ischemic heart disease (IHD) presenting phlegm-stasis syndrome based on the inflammatory phenotype and differentiation of circulating monocytes. MethodsA model of IHD with phlegm-stasis syndrome was established using left anterior descending coronary artery ligation supplemented with a high-fat diet. Eighty model mice were randomly assigned to the model group, WDD low-dose group (WDD-L), WDD medium-dose group (WDD-M), WDD high-dose group (WDD-H), and atorvastatin calcium tablet group, with 16 mice in each group. An additional 16 C57BL/6J mice were designated as the sham-operation group. The WDD groups received intragastric administration at doses of 8.91, 17.81, 35.62 g·kg-1, and the atorvastatin calcium tablet group received the corresponding drug at 1.3 mg·kg-1, twice daily. The sham-operation and model groups were given the same volume of pure water by gavage each day. After 5 consecutive weeks of administration, the cardiac index was calculated. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Myocardial histopathology was examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) content was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hemorheological parameters were analyzed using an automated hemorheology analyzer. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined using an automated biochemical analyzer. Changes in circulating monocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated in vitro and divided into blank group, model serum group, WDD-L drug-containing serum group, WDD-M drug-containing serum group, and WDD-H drug-containing serum group. CD36 expression and macrophage differentiation in each group were assessed by flow cytometry. The mechanism by which WDD mediates circulating monocyte differentiation was further explored using CD36 knockdown/overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines. ResultsCompared with the sham-operation group, the model group showed a significantly increased cardiac index (P0.01), significantly decreased fractional shortening (FS) (P0.01), and significantly increased left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter (LVDD) and left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter (LVDS) (P0.01). Cardiomyocytes exhibited marked deformation and necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration. Serum pro-BNP levels were significantly elevated (P0.01), and whole-blood viscosity (BV) at high, medium, and low shear rates was significantly increased (P0.01). Compared with the model group, the WDD groups showed significantly reduced cardiac index (P0.05, P0.01), significantly increased FS (P0.05, P0.01), significantly decreased LVDD and LVDS (P0.01), markedly improved cardiomyocyte morphology, significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration, significantly decreased serum pro-BNP levels (P0.01), and significantly decreased BV at high, medium, and low shear rates (P0.01), with the most pronounced improvement observed in the WDD-M group. Compared with the sham-operation group, TC, TG, and LDL levels were significantly increased in the model group (P0.05, P0.01), while HDL levels were significantly decreased (P0.05). After WDD-H treatment, TC, TG, and LDL levels were significantly reduced and HDL levels were significantly increased in mice (P0.05, P0.01). Compared with the sham-operation group, classical monocytes in blood and bone marrow and intermediate monocytes in blood were significantly increased in the model group (P0.01), whereas intermediate monocytes in bone marrow and non-classical monocytes in blood were significantly decreased (P0.01). After WDD administration, all circulating monocyte subsets in blood and bone marrow were significantly alleviated (P0.05, P0.01), with the WDD-M group showing the optimal effect. In vitro, compared with the blank group, CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and the proportion of differentiated macrophages were significantly increased in the model serum group (P0.01), and CD36 expression was significantly upregulated on RAW264.7 cells (P0.01). Compared with the model serum group, all drug-containing serum groups exhibited significantly reduced CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and significantly reduced macrophage differentiation (P0.01). WDD downregulated CD36 expression in both CD36 knockdown and overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines (P0.05, P0.01), with the strongest regulatory effect observed in the WDD-M drug-containing serum group. ConclusionWDD can significantly improve the manifestations of phlegm-stasis syndrome in IHD mice and reduce the proportion of classical circulating monocytes. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of CD36 expression on classical circulating monocytes.
2.Ameliorative Effect of Wendantang Combined with Danshenyin and Dushentang on Ischemic Heart Disease with Phlegm-stasis Syndrome in Mice Based on Circulating Monocytes
Fenghe YANG ; Ziqi TIAN ; Zhiqian SONG ; Shitao PENG ; Wenjie LU ; Tao LIN ; Chun WANG ; Zhangchi NING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):22-32
ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effect of Wendantang combined with Danshenyin and Dushentang (WDD) on mice with ischemic heart disease (IHD) presenting phlegm-stasis syndrome based on the inflammatory phenotype and differentiation of circulating monocytes. MethodsA model of IHD with phlegm-stasis syndrome was established using left anterior descending coronary artery ligation supplemented with a high-fat diet. Eighty model mice were randomly assigned to the model group, WDD low-dose group (WDD-L), WDD medium-dose group (WDD-M), WDD high-dose group (WDD-H), and atorvastatin calcium tablet group, with 16 mice in each group. An additional 16 C57BL/6J mice were designated as the sham-operation group. The WDD groups received intragastric administration at doses of 8.91, 17.81, 35.62 g·kg-1, and the atorvastatin calcium tablet group received the corresponding drug at 1.3 mg·kg-1, twice daily. The sham-operation and model groups were given the same volume of pure water by gavage each day. After 5 consecutive weeks of administration, the cardiac index was calculated. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Myocardial histopathology was examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) content was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hemorheological parameters were analyzed using an automated hemorheology analyzer. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined using an automated biochemical analyzer. Changes in circulating monocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated in vitro and divided into blank group, model serum group, WDD-L drug-containing serum group, WDD-M drug-containing serum group, and WDD-H drug-containing serum group. CD36 expression and macrophage differentiation in each group were assessed by flow cytometry. The mechanism by which WDD mediates circulating monocyte differentiation was further explored using CD36 knockdown/overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines. ResultsCompared with the sham-operation group, the model group showed a significantly increased cardiac index (P<0.01), significantly decreased fractional shortening (FS) (P<0.01), and significantly increased left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter (LVDD) and left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter (LVDS) (P<0.01). Cardiomyocytes exhibited marked deformation and necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration. Serum pro-BNP levels were significantly elevated (P<0.01), and whole-blood viscosity (BV) at high, medium, and low shear rates was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the WDD groups showed significantly reduced cardiac index (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly increased FS (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly decreased LVDD and LVDS (P<0.01), markedly improved cardiomyocyte morphology, significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration, significantly decreased serum pro-BNP levels (P<0.01), and significantly decreased BV at high, medium, and low shear rates (P<0.01), with the most pronounced improvement observed in the WDD-M group. Compared with the sham-operation group, TC, TG, and LDL levels were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), while HDL levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05). After WDD-H treatment, TC, TG, and LDL levels were significantly reduced and HDL levels were significantly increased in mice (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the sham-operation group, classical monocytes in blood and bone marrow and intermediate monocytes in blood were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01), whereas intermediate monocytes in bone marrow and non-classical monocytes in blood were significantly decreased (P<0.01). After WDD administration, all circulating monocyte subsets in blood and bone marrow were significantly alleviated (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the WDD-M group showing the optimal effect. In vitro, compared with the blank group, CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and the proportion of differentiated macrophages were significantly increased in the model serum group (P<0.01), and CD36 expression was significantly upregulated on RAW264.7 cells (P<0.01). Compared with the model serum group, all drug-containing serum groups exhibited significantly reduced CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and significantly reduced macrophage differentiation (P<0.01). WDD downregulated CD36 expression in both CD36 knockdown and overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the strongest regulatory effect observed in the WDD-M drug-containing serum group. ConclusionWDD can significantly improve the manifestations of phlegm-stasis syndrome in IHD mice and reduce the proportion of classical circulating monocytes. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of CD36 expression on classical circulating monocytes.
3.Clinical Observation on 60 Cases of Knee Osteoarthritis Treated with Heat-Sensitive Moxibustion
Lu TIAN ; Hongwu XIE ; Meihua LIU ; Jing ZHANG ; Shaozhong XU ; Changjun LI ; Zhixiong KOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(5):492-500
ObjectiveTo explore the central neuroregulation mechanism of heat-sensitive moxibustion for knee osteoarthritis on pain relief. MethodsThirty patients who did not have experience of Deqi (得气) during heat-sensitive moxibustion treatment were assigned to the "non-Deqi group", while another 30 patients who had experience of Deqi were assigned to the "Deqi group". Both groups received moxibustion at the left Heding (EX-LE2) acupoint. In the Deqi group, after the patients experienced sensation of Deqi at the acupoint, moxibustion was applied at approximately 3 cm from the skin for 10 minutes; in the non-Deqi group, moxibustion was also applied at approximately 3 cm from the skin for 10 minutes. Both groups received treatment once daily for 10 consecutive days. Knee joint pain was assessed before and after treatment using the visual analog scale (VAS). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans were performed on all participants before the first treatment session and after the final session on the 10th day. The fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) maps before and after treatment were processed using the SPM12 module by MATLAB. ResultsAfter treatment, VAS scores in both groups were significantly lower than before treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01), with the Deqi group showing significantly lower VAS scores than the non-Deqi group (P<0.01). Compared to before treatment, the Deqi group exhibited significant activation in the prefrontal cortex (t = 6.28), white matter (t = 6.36), and left temporal lobe (t = 9.33), while significant inhibition was observed in the occipital lobe (t = -9.86) and right cerebrum (t = -4.54, P<0.01); in the non-Deqi group, significant changes after treatment were observed in the left occipital lobe (t = -6.42), left medial frontal gyrus (t = -4.35), left middle frontal gyrus (t = -4.74), right superior frontal gyrus (t = -4.82), right superior temporal gyrus (t = -6.61), and right cerebellar posterior lobe (t = -8.64), all of which were in inhibited states (P<0.01). Compared to the non-Deqi group, the Deqi group exhibited significant activation after treatment in the external nucleus (t = 5.77), white matter (t = 3.58), right cerebrum (t = 5.84), left cerebellum (t = 5.35), and left cerebrum (t = 4.32), while significant inhibition was observed in the prefrontal cortex (t = -4.16), occipital lobe (t = -4.87), and precentral gyrus (t = -4.46, P<0.01). ConclusionsHeat-sensitive moxibustion provides better analgesic effects for knee osteoarthritis under state of Deqi. Its central neuroregulation mechanism may be related to the involvement of the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, external nucleus, white matter, right cerebrum, left cerebellum, left cerebrum, and precentral gyrus in modulating pain signals.
4.Treatment of Sepsis-induced Inflammatory Responses with Xijiao Dihuangtang by Modulation of PKM2-mediated One-carbon Metabolism Pathway
Qixiang YAN ; Yeyan ZHU ; Fan GE ; Qimeng SUN ; Leyao YE ; Fang TIAN ; Jun LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):18-26
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Xijiao Dihuangtang (XJDHT) on mice with sepsis and cellular models of sepsis and explore its molecular mechanism in alleviating sepsis-induced inflammatory responses via regulating pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2)-mediated one-carbon metabolism pathway. MethodsForty C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal group, model group, low-dose XJDHT group (7.7 g·kg-1), and high-dose XJDHT group (15.4 g·kg-1). After one week of continuous gavage, sepsis was induced using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in groups except the normal group. 24 h after the surgery, mortality rates in all groups were recorded, and serum cytokines were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lung histopathology was examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. During the in vitro experiment, the human monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1) was exposed to various concentrations of XJDHT and treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a final concentration of 2 mg·L-1 for 24 h. Cell apoptosis was detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Protein levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were measured by Western blot. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to analyze differentially expressed genes in all groups and conduct gene ontology (GO) enrichment. Key genes in the one-carbon metabolism pathway, including pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase (MTR), and phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), were verified by Western blot. A PKM2 inhibition model was established using shikonin for further protein expression analysis. ResultsAnimal experiments showed that compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significantly elevated body temperature and lung pathology (P<0.01) and increased serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels (P<0.01). High-dose XJDHT reduced body temperature and lung tissue damage (P<0.01) and significantly decreased serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels (P<0.01). Low-dose XJDHT treatment showed no significant temperature change (P<0.01) but reduced serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels (P<0.01). Transcriptome sequencing and Western blot revealed significant differences in the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and one-carbon metabolism genes (PKM2, MTR, and PHGDH) (P<0.01). Cell experiments demonstrated that compared to the normal group, the model group showed elevated protein expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in THP-1 cells (P<0.01), decreased Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and increased apoptosis (P<0.01). Transcriptome sequencing and Western blot revealed significant differences in the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and one-carbon metabolism genes (PKM2, MTR, and PHGDH) (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, high-dose XJDHT significantly increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and PHGDH protein expression (P<0.01) and effectively reduced cell apoptosis (P<0.01) while down-regulating protein expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, PKM2, and MTR (P<0.01). Low-dose XJDHT moderately increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and PHGDH protein expression (P<0.05), reduced apoptosis (P<0.05), and decreased IL-1β and MTR protein levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), but there were no significant changes in TNF-α and PKM2 expression. After PKM2 inhibition by shikonin in THP-1 cells, the expression of protein related to one-carbon metabolism was detected. Compared with the blank group, the LPS-induced model group showed significantly upregulated PKM2 and MTR protein expression (P<0.01) and downregulated PHGDH expression (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, shikonin treatment significantly reduced PKM2 expression (P<0.05), increased PHGDH expression (P<0.01), and decreased MTR expression (P<0.05). ConclusionXJDHT can inhibit the release of inflammatory factors in sepsis, and its mechanism is related to the intervention of the PKM2-regulated one-carbon metabolism pathway in macrophages.
5.Trends in global burden due to visceral leishmaniasis from 1990 to 2021 and projections up to 2035
Guobing YANG ; Aiwei HE ; Yongjun LI ; Shan LÜ ; Muxin CHEN ; Liguang TIAN ; Qin LIU ; Lei DUAN ; Yan LU ; Jian YANG ; Shizhu LI ; Xiaonong ZHOU ; Jichun WANG ; Shunxian ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(1):35-43
Objective To investigate the global burden of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) from 1990 to 2021 and predict the trends in the burden of VL from 2022 to 2035, so as to provide insights into global VL prevention and control. Methods The global age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates of VL and their 95% uncertainty intervals (UI) were captured from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) data resources. The trends in the global burden of VL were evaluated with average annual percent change (AAPC) and 95% confidence interval (CI) from 1990 to 2021, and gender-, age-, country-, geographical area- and socio-demographic index (SDI)-stratified burdens of VL were analyzed. The trends in the global burden of VL were projected with a Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model from 2022 to 2035, and the associations of age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs rates of VL with SDI levels were examined with a smoothing spline model. Results The global age-standardized incidence [AAPC = -0.25%, 95% CI: (-0.25%, -0.24%)], prevalence [AAPC = -0.06%, 95% CI: (-0.06%, -0.06%)], mortality [AAPC = -0.25%, 95% CI: (-0.25%, -0.24%)] and DALYs rates of VL [AAPC = -2.38%, 95% CI: (-2.44%, -2.33%)] all appeared a tendency towards a decline from 1990 to 2021, and the highest age-standardized incidence [2.55/105, 95% UI: (1.49/105, 4.07/105)], prevalence [0.64/105, 95% UI: (0.37/105, 1.02/105)], mortality [0.51/105, 95% UI: (0, 1.80/105)] and DALYs rates of VL [33.81/105, 95% UI: (0.06/105, 124.09/105)] were seen in tropical Latin America in 2021. The global age-standardized incidence and prevalence of VL were both higher among men [0.57/105, 95% UI: (0.45/105, 0.72/105); 0.14/105, 95% UI: (0.11/105, 0.18/105)] than among women [0.27/105, 95% UI: (0.21/105, 0.33/105); 0.06/105, 95% UI: (0.05/105, 0.08/105)], and the highest mortality of VL was found among children under 5 years of age [0.24/105, 95% UI: (0.08/105, 0.66/105)]. The age-standardized incidence (r = -0.483, P < 0.001), prevalence (r = -0.483, P < 0.001), mortality (r = -0.511, P < 0.001) and DALYs rates of VL (r = -0.514, P < 0.001) correlated negatively with SDI levels from 1990 to 2021. In addition, the global burden of VL was projected with the BAPC model to appear a tendency towards a decline from 2022 to 2035, and the age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality and DALYs rates were projected to be reduced to 0.11/105, 0.03/105, 0.02/105 and 1.44/105 in 2035, respectively. Conclusions Although the global burden of VL appeared an overall tendency towards a decline from 1990 to 2021, the burden of VL showed a tendency towards a rise in Central Asia and western sub-Saharan African areas. The age-standardized incidence and prevalence rates of VL were relatively higher among men, and the age-standardized mortality of VL was relatively higher among children under 5 years of age. The global burden of VL was projected to continue to decline from 2022 to 2035.
6.Experience of WANG Jie in Treating Palpitation by Using the Method of Tonifying the Kidney and Invigorating Blood
Jing TIAN ; Mi DENG ; Luna NIU ; Baoying LI ; Yuling CHA ; Ruowei ZHU ; Lu JING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):996-999
To summarize the clinical experience of Professor WANG Jie in treating palpitation using the method of tonifying the kidneys and invigorating blood. It is believed that kidney yang deficiency and heart vessel stasis are the key pathogenesis of palpitation, and it is advocated to treat palpitation by tonifying the kidney and invigorating the blood. Meanwhile,the methods of draining water, dissolving phlegm, and fortifying the spleen to supplement the blood should be applied. For palpitation with kidney yang deficiency and heart vessel stasis with upward water, the treatment could use self-prescribed Bushen Huoxue Lishui Formula (补肾活血利水方); for palpitation with phlegm obstruction in blood vessel, the treatment could use self-prescribed Bushen Huoxue Huatan Formula (补肾活血化痰方); for palpitation with spleen yang deficiency, the treatment could use self-prescribed Bushen Huoxue Jianpi Formula (补肾活血健脾方).
7.Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Signaling Pathways Related to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Review
Shenglong LI ; Ganggang LU ; Yonglin LIANG ; Xu MA ; Meisheng GONG ; Hui LI ; Yuanbo ZHAO ; Dacheng TIAN ; Yongqiang ZHAO ; Xixiang LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):287-295
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common chronic progressive disease in middle-aged and elderly men, characterized by prostate enlargement and bladder outlet obstruction, leading to symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and difficulty urinating. The pathogenesis of BPH involves factors such as aging, hormonal metabolic abnormalities, inflammatory responses, and imbalances in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Currently, the main treatment methods for BPH include medication, physical therapy, and surgical intervention. However, medication may cause side effects like sexual dysfunction and hypotension, physical therapy has limited efficacy, and surgery carries risks and postoperative complications. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find safer and more effective treatment options. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its focus on treatment based on syndrome differentiation and a holistic approach, offers therapeutic advantages through multiple pathways and mechanisms. Recent studies have shown that TCM regulates pathways such as phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE), androgen receptor (AR), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor (HIF-1α/VEGF) to inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory response, reduce prostate cell proliferation, and promote apoptosis, thus exerting therapeutic effects. This article summarizes and analyzes the roles of these signaling pathways in the occurrence and development of BPH and the mechanisms of TCM intervention, aiming to provide scientific evidence for clinical treatment and drug development for BPH.
8.Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Signaling Pathways Related to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Review
Shenglong LI ; Ganggang LU ; Yonglin LIANG ; Xu MA ; Meisheng GONG ; Hui LI ; Yuanbo ZHAO ; Dacheng TIAN ; Yongqiang ZHAO ; Xixiang LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):287-295
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common chronic progressive disease in middle-aged and elderly men, characterized by prostate enlargement and bladder outlet obstruction, leading to symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and difficulty urinating. The pathogenesis of BPH involves factors such as aging, hormonal metabolic abnormalities, inflammatory responses, and imbalances in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Currently, the main treatment methods for BPH include medication, physical therapy, and surgical intervention. However, medication may cause side effects like sexual dysfunction and hypotension, physical therapy has limited efficacy, and surgery carries risks and postoperative complications. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find safer and more effective treatment options. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its focus on treatment based on syndrome differentiation and a holistic approach, offers therapeutic advantages through multiple pathways and mechanisms. Recent studies have shown that TCM regulates pathways such as phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE), androgen receptor (AR), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor (HIF-1α/VEGF) to inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory response, reduce prostate cell proliferation, and promote apoptosis, thus exerting therapeutic effects. This article summarizes and analyzes the roles of these signaling pathways in the occurrence and development of BPH and the mechanisms of TCM intervention, aiming to provide scientific evidence for clinical treatment and drug development for BPH.
9.Mechanism of Xiayuxue Tang in Inhibiting Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Regulating YAP1/SIRT5 Signaling Axis to Mediate Succinate Metabolism and Succinylation
Linzhu LU ; Qianqian GUO ; Xuefei TIAN ; Bin CHEN ; Nianhua TAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):52-61
ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of Xiayuxue Tang (XYXT) on hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the regulation of succinate metabolism and succinylation modification. MethodsXYXT-medicated serum was prepared. The effects of different concentrations of succinate on the proliferation of HepG2 and MHCC97H cells were observed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and the experimental concentrations for subsequent tests were determined. Further CCK-8 assays were performed to evaluate the effects of XYXT-medicated serum of different concentrations (5%, 10%, and 15%) on cell proliferation. Flow cytometry, scratch test, and Transwell assay were employed to analyze the effect of 10% XYXT-medicated serum on the cell cycle, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. The changes in succinate metabolism and succinylation modification were examined based on succinate content assays, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity detection, and western blot. The expressions of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) and sirtuin 5 (SIRT5) were detected via Real-time PCR and western blot. Molecular docking was applied to validate the binding between XYXT’s main components and target proteins. ResultsCompared with the control group, 1-2 mmol·L-¹ succinate significantly promoted HepG2 and MHCC97H cell proliferation (P<0.01). XYXT-medicated serum (5%, 10%, and 15%) markedly inhibited the proliferation of both cell lines compared with the blank group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Treatment with 10% XYXT-medicated serum arrested the cell cycle at the stage prior to DNA synthesis (G0/G1) (P<0.01), suppressed migration (P<0.01) and invasion (P<0.05, P<0.01), and promoted apoptosis of HepG2 and MHCC97H cells (P<0.01). Co-treatment with XYXT and succinate reversed the inhibitory effects of XYXT on proliferation, migration, and invasion of HepG2 and MHCC97H cells (P<0.05, P<0.01). The proportion of cells at G0/G1 phase decreased (P<0.01), and the apoptosis rate decreased (P<0.01). In terms of succinate metabolism, compared with the blank serum group, the 10% XYXT-medicated serum reduced succinate levels of HepG2 and MHCC97H cells (P<0.05, P<0.01), enhanced SDH activity (P<0.01), and downregulated succinylation modification. In terms of YAP1/SIRT5 pathway, compared with the blank serum group, the 10% XYXT-medicated serum significantly downregulated the mRNA and protein expressions of YAP1 in HepG2 and MHCC97H cells (P<0.05, P<0.01) while significantly upregulated the mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT5 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Molecular docking confirmed that there was a good binding ability between YAP1 and SIRT5, as well as between XYXT's main active components and YAP1 and SIRT5. ConclusionXYXT suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma cells by modulating the YAP1/SIRT5 signaling axis to intervene in succinate metabolism and succinylation modification.
10.Recommendations for Standardized Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis of Animal Experiments
Qingyong ZHENG ; Donghua YANG ; Zhichao MA ; Ziyu ZHOU ; Yang LU ; Jingyu WANG ; Lina XING ; Yingying KANG ; Li DU ; Chunxiang ZHAO ; Baoshan DI ; Jinhui TIAN
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(4):496-507
Animal experiments are an essential component of life sciences and medical research. However, the external validity and reliability of individual animal studies are frequently challenged by inherent limitations such as small sample sizes, high design heterogeneity, and poor reproducibility, which impede the effective translation of research findings into clinical practice. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis represent a key methodology for integrating existing evidence and enhancing the robustness of conclusions. Currently, however, the application of systematic reviews and meta-analysis in the field of animal experiments lacks standardized guidelines for their conduct and reporting, resulting in inconsistent quality and, to some extent, diminishing their evidence value. To address this issue, this paper aims to systematically delineate the reporting process for systematic reviews and meta-analysis of animal experiments and to propose a set of standardized recommendations that are both scientific and practical. The article's scope encompasses the entire process, from the preliminary preparatory phase [including formulating the population, intervention, comparison and outcome (PICO) question, assessing feasibility, and protocol pre-registration] to the key writing points for each section of the main report. In the core methods section, the paper elaborates on how to implement literature searches, establish eligibility criteria, perform data extraction, and assess the risk of bias, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement, in conjunction with relevant guidelines and tools such as Animal Research: Reporting of in Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) and a risk of bias assessment tool developed by the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE). For the presentation of results, strategies are proposed for clear and transparent display using flow diagrams and tables of characteristics. The discussion section places particular emphasis on how to scientifically interpret pooled effects, thoroughly analyze sources of heterogeneity, evaluate the impact of publication bias, and cautiously discuss the validity and limitations of extrapolating findings from animal studies to clinical settings. Furthermore, this paper recommends adopting the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to comprehensively grade the quality of evidence. Through a modular analysis of the entire reporting process, this paper aims to provide researchers in the field with a clear and practical guide, thereby promoting the standardized development of systematic reviews and meta-analysis of animal experiments and enhancing their application value in scientific decision-making and translational medicine.

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