Objective: To investigate the efficacy of magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen (MSHA/Col) in improving the bone repair microenvironment and enhancing bone regeneration capacity, providing a strategy to address the insufficient biomimetic composition and limited bioactivity of traditional hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen (HA/Col) scaffolds. Methods: A high-molecular-weight polyacrylic acid-stabilized amorphous calcium magnesium strontium phosphate precursor (HPAA/ACMSP) was prepared. Its morphology and elemental distribution were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Recombinant collagen sponge blocks were immersed in the HPAA/ACMSP mineralization solution. Magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite was induced to deposit within collagen fibers (experimental group: MSHA/Col; control group: HA/Col). The morphological characteristics of MSHA/Col were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its crystal structure and chemical composition were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The mineral phase content was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The scaffold's porosity, ion release, and in vitro degradation performance were also determined. For cytological experiments, CCK-8 assay, live/dead cell staining, alkaline phosphatase staining, alizarin red S staining, RT-qPCR, and western blotting were used to evaluate the effects of the MSHA/Col scaffold on the proliferation, viability, early osteogenic differentiation activity, late mineralization capacity, and gene and protein expression levels of key osteogenic markers [runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), collagen type Ⅰ (Col-Ⅰ), osteopontin (Opn), and osteocalcin (Ocn)] in mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1). Results: HPAA/ACMSP appeared as amorphous spherical nanoparticles under TEM, with energy spectrum analysis showing uniform distribution of carbon, oxygen, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and strontium elements. SEM results of MSHA/Col indicated successful complete intrafibrillar mineralization. Elemental analysis showed the mass fractions of magnesium and strontium were 0.72% (matching the magnesium content in natural bone) and 2.89%, respectively. X-ray diffraction revealed characteristic peaks of hydroxyapatite crystals (25.86°, 31°-34°). Infrared spectroscopy results showed characteristic absorption peaks for both collagen and hydroxyapatite. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a mineral phase content of 78.29% in the material. The scaffold porosity was 91.6% ± 1.1%, close to the level of natural bone tissue. Ion release curves demonstrated sustained release behavior for both magnesium and strontium ions. The in vitro degradation rate matched the ingrowth rate of new bone tissue. Cytological experiments showed that MSHA/Col significantly promoted MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation (130% increase in activity at 72 h, P < 0.001). MSHA/Col exhibited excellent efficacy in promoting osteogenic differentiation, significantly upregulating the expression of osteogenesis-related genes and proteins (Runx2, Col-Ⅰ, Opn, Ocn) (P < 0.01). Conclusion The MSHA/Col scaffold achieves dual biomimicry of natural bone in both composition and structure, and effectively promotes osteogenic differentiation at the genetic and protein levels, breaking through the functional limitations of pure hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen. This provides a new strategy for the development of functional bone repair materials

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.

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.

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.

Chronic heart failure （CHF） is a complex clinical syndrome caused by ventricular dysfunction， with mitochondrial energy metabolism disorder being a critical factor in disease progression. Heart-Yang deficiency syndrome， as the core pathogenesis of CHF， persists throughout the disease course. Insufficiency of heart-Yang leads to weakened warming and propelling functions， resulting in the accumulation of phlegm-fluid， blood stasis， and dampness. This eventually causes Qi stagnation with phlegm obstruction and blood stasis with water retention， forming a vicious cycle that exacerbates disease progression. According to the theory of reinforcing Yang， the clinical experience of the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） master Tang Zuxuan in treating CHF with heart-Yang deficiency syndrome， and achievements from molecular biological studies， this study innovatively proposes an integrated research framework of "TCM syndrome differentiation and staging-mitochondrial metabolism mechanisms-intervention with Yang-reinforcing prescriptions" which is characterized by the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Heart-Yang deficiency syndrome is classified into mild （Stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ）， severe （Stage Ⅲ）， and critical （Stage Ⅳ） stages. The study elucidates the precise correlations between the pathogenesis of each stage and mitochondrial metabolism disorders from theoretical， pathophysiological， and therapeutic perspectives. The mild stage is characterized by impaired biogenesis and substrate-utilization imbalance， corresponding to heart-Yang deficiency and phlegm-fluid aggregation. Linggui Zhugantang and similar prescriptions can significantly improve the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1α（PGC-1α）/silent information regulator 2 homolog 1 （SIRT1） and ATPase activity. The severe stage centers on oxidative stress and structural damage， reflecting Yang deficiency with water overflow and phlegm-blood stasis intermingling. At this stage， Zhenwu Tang and Qiangxin Tang can effectively mitigate oxidative stress damage， increase adenosine triphosphate （ATP） content， and repair mitochondrial structure. The critical stage arises from calcium overload and mitochondrial disintegration， leading to the collapse of Yin-Yang equilibrium. At this stage， Yang-restoring and crisis-resolving prescriptions such as Fuling Sini Tang and Qili Qiangxin capsules can inhibit abnormal opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore （MPTP）， reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate， and protect mitochondrial function. By summarizing the characteristics of mitochondrial energy metabolism disorders at different stages of CHF， this study explores the application of the theory of reinforcing Yang in treating heart-Yang deficiency syndrome and provides new insights for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CHF.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of ventricular remodeling mediated by the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）/nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB） signaling pathway in the rat model of chronic heart failure （CHF） with heart-blood stasis syndrome， as well as the intervention effect of Danhong injection. MethodsIn vivo experiment： SPF-grade male SD rats were assigned via the random number table method into 4 groups： Sham operation， model， captopril （8.8 mg·kg^-1）， and Danhong injection （6.0 mL·kg^-1）. The model of CHF with heart-blood stasis syndrome was established by abdominal aortic constriction， and the sham operation group only underwent laparotomy without constriction. All the groups were treated continuously for 15 days. The tongue color of rats was observed. Echocardiography， hemorheology， heart mass index （HMI）， and left ventricular mass index （LVMI） were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson staining were performed to observe the pathological and fibrotic changes of the myocardial tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to quantify the levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， angiotensin Ⅱ （AngⅡ）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and Creactive protein （CRP） in the serum， as well as the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 （MMP-2） and matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9） in the myocardial tissue. Western blot was used to quantify the protein levels of p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 in the myocardial tissue. In vitro experiment： H9C2 cardiomyocytes were treated with 1×10^-6 mol·L^-1 AngⅡ to establish a model of myocardial hypertrophy. H9C2 cardiomyocytes were allocated into normal， model， inhibitor + Danhong injection， Danhong injection （20 mL·L^-1）， and inhibitor （SB203580， 5 μmol·L^-1） groups. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the viability of H9C2 cardiomyocytes. Rhodamine-labeled phalloidin staining was used to reveal the area of cardiomyocytes. Real-time PCR was performed to determine the mRNA levels of atrial natriuretic peptide （ANP） and brain natriuretic peptide （BNP）. Western blot was used to assess the protein levels of p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65. ResultsIn vivo experiment： Compared with the sham operation group， the model group showed purplish-dark tongue with decreased R， G， B values of the tongue surface （P<0.01）， increased whole blood viscosity （at low， medium， and high shear rates） （P<0.01）， decreased left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） and left ventricular fractional shortening （LVFS） （P<0.01）， increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVIDd）， left ventricular end-systolic diameter （LVIDs）， and left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole （LVPWd） （P<0.01）， raised LVMI and HMI （P<0.01）， and elevated levels of NT-proBNP， TNF-α， IL-6， and CRP in the serum and MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the myocardial tissue （P<0.01）. The HE and Masson staining of the myocardial tissue showed compensatory myocardial hypertrophy， fibrosis， and massive inflammatory cell infiltration in the model group. Additionally， the model group presented up-regulated protein levels of p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 in the myocardial tissue （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， each administration group showed increased R， G， B values of the tongue surface （P<0.05， P<0.01）， decreased whole blood viscosity （at low， medium， and high shear rates） （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased LVEF and LVFS （P<0.01）， decreased LVIDd， LVIDs， and LVPWd （P<0.05， P<0.01）， declined LVMI and HMI （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and lowered levels of NT-proBNP， TNF-α， IL-6， and CRP in the serum and MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the myocardial tissue （P<0.01）. HE and Masson staining showed alleviated compensatory myocardial hypertrophy， reduced fibrosis， and decreased expression of p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 in the myocardial tissue （P<0.01）. In vitro experiment： When the concentration of Danhong injection reached 20 mL·L^-1， the survival rate of H9C2 cardiomyocytes was the highest （P<0.01）. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed up-regulated mRNA levels of ANP and BNP （P<0.01）， increased relative cell surface area （P<0.01）， and raised protein levels of p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， each administration group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of ANP and BNP （P<0.01）， reduced relative cell surface area （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated protein levels of p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionDanhong injection can regulate ventricular remodeling through the p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway， thereby exerting a protective effect on the rat model of CHF with heart-blood stasis syndrome.

Metabolic reprogramming， as one of the core hallmarks of malignant tumors， plays a key role in the occurrence， development and treatment of breast cancer （BC）. Abnormal changes in glucose metabolism， amino acid metabolism， lipid metabolism， as well as the tricarboxylic acid （TCA） cycle and oxidative phosphorylation （OXPHOS） pathways significantly influence the pathogenesis and progression of BC. Studies have shown that various active components of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） （such as berberine， matrine， quercetin， curcumin， etc.） and their compound formulations （e.g. Xihuang pill， Danzhi xiaoyao powder， Yanghe decoction， etc.） can inhibit the proliferation and migration of BC cells and induce apoptosis by regulating key metabolic pathways such as glycolysis， lipid synthesis， and amino acid metabolism. TCM demonstrates multi-target and holistic regulatory advantages in intervening in BC metabolic reprogramming， showing significant potential in modulating key molecules like hypoxia inducible factor-1α， hexokinase-2， pyruvate kinase M2， lactate dehydrogenase A， glucose transporter-1， fatty acid synthase， and signaling pathways such as AKT/mTOR. However， current researches still focus predominantly on glucose metabolism， with insufficient mechanistic studies on lipid metabolism， amino acid metabolism， the TCA cycle， and OXPHOS. The precise targets， molecular mechanisms， and clinical translation value of these interventions require further validation and clarification through more high-quality experimental studies and clinical trials.

Objective: To explore the characteristics of the diversity and composition of oral microbial flora with age, and to provide a reference for understanding the succession of oral microecology at different ages. Methods: Oral rinse 16S rRNA (V4 region) sequencing data from 9 021 participants 14-69 years of age in the 2009-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed. Alpha diversity (Observed OTUs, Faith’s PD, Shannon Index), beta diversity (Bray-Curtis and UniFrac), and genus-level composition were examined using weighted generalized linear models (GLMs), including quadratic terms for age and adjusting for key covariates (gender, race/ethnicity, BMI, smoking status, and periodontitis severity). Results: Alpha diversity demonstrated a clear inverted U-shaped trajectory across age, peaking at 25-30 years old and declining thereafter. This trend remained consistent across sex, race, smoking, and periodontal health strata. Beta diversity analyses revealed a modest but steady age-related shift in community structure. Genus-level analyses revealed that Rothia, Prevotella_6, and Lactobacillus increased steadily with age, while Haemophilus, Porphyromonas, and Corynebacterium declined significantly. Notably, potential periodontopathogens, such as Fusobacterium and Treponema_2, peaked in early adulthood before declining with age. Conclusion Age is an important driver of oral microbial succession, and the oral microbiome exhibits dynamic changes across different life stages. Future longitudinal and multi-omic studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these age-related trajectories.

Objective: To investigate the trends in incidence and mortality of lung cancer in Huangpu District, Shanghai Municipality from 2002 to 2019, so as to provide the evidence for formulating lung cancer prevention and control measures. Methods: Data of lung cancer incidence and mortality among residents in Huangpu District from 2002 to 2019 were collected through the Shanghai Cancer Registration and Reporting Management System. The crude incidence and mortality of lung cancer was calculated, and standardized by the data from the Chinese Fifth National Population Census in 2000 (Chinese-standardized rate) and the Segi's world standard population in 1960 (world-standardized rate). The trends in incidence and mortality of lung cancer among residents by age and gender were evaluated using annual percent change (APC). Results: A total of 12 965 cases of lung cancer were reported in Huangpu District from 2002 to 2019, and the crude incidence rate was 80.66/105, the Chinese-standardized incidence rate was 34.54/105, and the world-standardized incidence rate was 31.30/105, all showing upward trends (APC=4.588%, 2.933% and 3.247%, all P<0.05). A total of 10 102 deaths of lung cancer were reported, and the crude mortality rate was 62.30/105, showing an upward trend (APC=0.959%, P<0.05); the Chinese-standardized mortality was 25.93/105, and the world-standardized mortality was 22.05/105, both showing downward trends (APC=-1.282% and -1.263%, both P<0.05). The crude incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer in males were higher than those in females (101.39/105 vs. 60.52/105, 85.45/105 vs. 39.87/105, both P<0.05). The crude incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer showed upward trends with age (both P<0.05), reaching their peaks in the age groups of 80-<85 years (341.37/105) and 85 years or above (355.97/105), respectively. Conclusions The incidence of lung cancer showed an upward trend, while the mortality showed a downward trend in Huangpu District from 2002 to 2019. Elderly men were the high-risk group for lung cancer incidence and mortality.

Objective: The effects and molecular mechanisms of micheliolide on cytokine expression in myeloproliferative neoplasm cell lines were explored based on the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Methods: The UKE-1 and SET-2 cell lines were investigated, and micheliolide concentrations were screened using the CCK-8 assay. The UKE-1 and SET-2 cells were divided into the control and micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μmol/L. Each group received 1 mL of micheliolide solution at final concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μmol/L, respectively, whereas the control group only received an equal volume of culture medium. The inhibition rates of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) mRNA expression in cells from each group were detected using real-time fluorescent PCR (RT-PCR). Western blotting was used to measure STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) protein expression levels in cells from each group. Reversal experiments with reduced glutathione and dithiothreitol were performed using UKE-1 cells, which were divided into the control group, micheliolide, micheliolide + glutathione, micheliolide + dithiothreitol, and glutathione + dithiothreitol groups. Western blotting was used to detect the STAT3 and p-STAT3 protein expression levels in the cells of each group. UKE-1 cells were stimulated with TNF-α (5 μg/L) to replicate a pathological model of excessive cytokine secretion. Subsequently, UKE-1 cells were divided into the control, model, and three micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μmol/L. RT-PCR was used to measure the indicators above. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the CCL2 content in the cell culture media of each group. Western blotting was performed to assess the protein expression levels of STAT3, p-STAT3, and proteins related to the NF-κB signaling pathway. Results: Compared with the control group, the proliferation inhibition rates of UKE-1 cells at 24, 48, and 72 h increased in the micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 μmol/L. Similarly, the proliferation inhibition rates of SET-2 at 48 and 72 h increased in the micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 μmol/L (P<0.05). Concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μmol/L were selected for further studies to exclude the potential influence of high micheliolide concentrations on subsequent result owing to reduced cell numbers. Compared with the control group, the inhibition rates of TNF-α mRNA expression in UKE-1 and SET-2 cells increased in the micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μmol/L. Similarly, the inhibition rates of IL-1β mRNA expression in UKE-1 and SET-2 cells also increased in the micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 5.0 and 10.0 μmol/L. Additionally, the inhibition rate of CCL2 mRNA expression in UKE-1 and SET-2 cells increased in the micheliolide-treated group at a concentration of 10 μmol/L (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the inhibition rates of TNF-α, IL-1β, and CCL2 mRNA expression in UKE-1 cells increased in the micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μmol/L after stimulation with TNF-α (P<0.05). ELISA showed that compared with the control group, the CCL2 content in UKE-1 cells increased in the model group. Compared with the model group, the CCL2 content in UKE-1 cells decreased in the micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μmol/L (P<0.05). Western blotting showed that compared with the control group, the p-STAT3 protein expression levels in UKE-1 and SET-2 cells were downregulated in the micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 5.0 and 10.0 μmol/L, and the protein expression level of STAT3 in SET-2 was also downregulated (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the p-STAT3 expression level in UKE-1 cells decreased in the micheliolide group in the reductive glutathione and dithiothreitol reversal experiments. Compared with the micheliolide group, the p-STAT3 protein expression levels in UKE-1 cells increased in the micheliolide + dithiothreitol and micheliolide + glutathione groups (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group showed increased p-STAT3, p-IκKα/β, p-IκBα, and p-NF-κB p65 protein expression and decreased IκBα protein expression after stimulation with TNF-α. Compared with the model group, the micheliolide-treated groups showed decreased p-IκKα/β, p-IκBα, p-STAT3, and p-NF-κB p65 protein expression at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μmol/L, whereas the micheliolide-treated groups showed increased IκBα protein expression at concentrations of 5.0 and 10.0 μmol/L (P<0.05). Conclusion Micheliolide potently suppresses IL-1β, TNF-α, and CCL2 mRNA expression in UKE-1 and SET-2 cells, as well as CCL2 secretion by UKE-1 cells, which may be associated with STAT3 phosphorylation suppression and NF-κB signaling pathway activation.