1.Modified Xiaoyaosan Alleviates Neuronal Dysfunction in Rat Model of Post-myocardial Infarction Depression by Regulating Mitochondrial Quality Control Through Drp1/PINK1/Parkin Signaling Pathway
Zhen ZHONG ; Dongsheng WEI ; Xinyue XIONG ; Lin LI ; Mingli YAO ; Xinnuan SHI ; Youming JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):20-31
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of modified Xiaoyaosan (JJXYS) on behavioral abnormalities and hippocampal mitochondrial quality control (MQC) in the rat model of post-myocardial infarction depression (PMD) and preliminarily explore its potential mechanism. MethodsA rat model of PMD was established by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Rats were randomized into a control group, a model group, a fluoxetine (FLX, 10 mg·kg-1) group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose JJXYS (JJXYS-L/M/H, 1.12, 2.24, 4.48 g·kg-1, respectively) groups. Depressive-like behaviors were evaluated by body weight monitoring, sucrose preference test, open field test, and forced swimming test. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining were used to observe hippocampal histomorphology and neuronal changes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to determine the serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). The mRNA levels of MQC-related genes including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (Nrf1), and transcription factor A, mitochondrial (TFAM) in the hippocampal tissue were measured by real-time PCR. The expression of proteins related to the dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1)/PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin signaling pathway was determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed restricted body weight gain, aggravated depressive-like behaviors, declined serum 5-HT and DA levels, evident hippocampal neuronal damage and reduced Nissl bodies, as well as downregulated expression of MQC-related genes and proteins (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, both FLX and JJXYS alleviated the above changes to varying degrees. Moreover, the JJXYS-M and JJXYS-H groups showed more pronounced effects, improving behavioral performance, restoring 5-HT and DA levels, alleviating hippocampal pathological injury, and upregulating the expression of PGC-1α/Nrf1/TFAM mRNA and Drp1/PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway-related proteins (P<0.05). ConclusionJJXYS can significantly alleviate depressive-like behaviors and neurotransmitter imbalance in the rat model of PMD by regulating hippocampal MQC and upregulating the Drp1/PINK1/Parkin-related pathway. This study provides experimental evidence for the intervention of PMD with JJXYS.
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Depression Based on Ferroptosis Theory: A Review
Chenjie HUANG ; Mingli FAN ; Xueli SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):307-314
Ferroptosis is a novel form of programmed cell death that plays a critical role in the body's disease resistance processes. Research has shown that ferroptosis plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of depression. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of depression, and the effective application of ferroptosis theory to guide TCM in the prevention and treatment of depression has become a current research hotspot. This article provides a summary and review of the regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis, its relationship with depression, and the current research status of TCM in the prevention and treatment of depression based on ferroptosis. It has been found that the occurrence of ferroptosis is related to processes such as iron metabolism disorders, uncontrolled lipid peroxidation, and abnormal amino acid metabolism. Ferroptosis plays an important regulatory role in the onset, progression, and treatment of depression, offering new ideas for therapeutic approaches to the condition. Additionally, research on TCM interventions that regulate ferroptosis to exert antidepressant effects has identified several effective components, such as saikosaponin B2, luteolin, quercetin, gallic acid, catalpol, turmerone, oxypaeoniflorin, and traditional compound formulas such as Dihuang Yinzi and Xiaoyaosan, as well as acupuncture and moxibustion. These interventions have been shown to exert antidepressant effects by regulating ferroptosis, providing scientific evidence and references for further research into ferroptosis theory and its application in guiding the prevention and treatment of depression through TCM.
3.Exploring the antidepressant mechanisms of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen and Albiziae Flos based on network pharmacology and experimental validation
Chenjie HUANG ; Mingli FAN ; Xueli SHI
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(3):342-350
Objective:To investigate the antidepressant mechanism of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen and Albiziae Flos through network pharmacology,molecular docking,and cellular experiments.Methods:Active compounds and targets were identified using TCMSP,BATMAN-TCM,GeneCards,and OMIM databases,followed by standardization via the Uniprot database.A Venn diagram was created using venn2.1.0,and a protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed with Cytoscape 3.8.2 and STRING to identify core targets.GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed using R language.Molecular docking was validated using AutoDock Vina,and the key path-ways and targets were verified by constructing an in vitro model.Results:Twelve active components of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen and Albiziae Flos act on 109 potential depression targets.GO and KEGG analyses identified 2,439 and 163 en-tries,respectively.Based on degree value and enrichment level,core targets such as transcription factor JUN,AKT1,IL-6,and pathways including AGE-RAGE and PI3K/AKT were identified.Molecular docking demonstrated a favorable binding affinity between the active components and core targets.Cellular experiments revealed that serum containing Ziziphi Spinosae Semen and Albiziae Flos at low,medium,and high doses alleviated CORT-induced PC12 cell damage,increased Cell viability,and reduced apoptosis rates.It also upregulated PI3K/AKT pathway protein expression and downregulated endoplasmic reticulum stress related apoptotic protein expression,with more pronounced improvements observed in the medium and high-dose groups(all P<0.01).Conclusion:The antidepressant effects of Ziziphi Spi-nosae Semen and Albiziae Flos are largely achieved by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and inhibiting exces-sive ERS,which in turn reduces neuronal apoptosis.
4.Exploration on the liver depression and fire syndrome of anxiety disorder and its treatment based on microglia
Xinnuan SHI ; Lin LI ; Mingli YAO ; Youming JIANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(4):439-443
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) belongs to the category of emotional diseases in TCM, and its occurrence is closely related to liver depression and qi stagnation, and liver depression and fire syndrome is one of the TCM syndromes of GAD. With the deepening of modern medical research on GAD, microglia have been found to play an important role in the development of liver depression and fire syndrome of GAD. Excessive activation of microglia and transformation to M1 type would cause inflammatory mediator secretion up-regulation and destruction of neurons, etc. When using liver-soothing and heat-clearing medicines such as Bupleuri Radix, Gardeniae Fructus, Dangzhi Xiaoyao San, Yuejiu Pills and other Chinese materia medica or compounds, activation of microglia would be suppressed, and the inflammatory mediators mediated by microglia would also be suppressed, and the neurons could be protected. Therefore, this article discussed the modern biological connotation of the liver depression and fire syndrome of GAD from the perspective of microglia, and summarized the effects of TCM modulation of microglia on the liver depression and fire syndrome of GAD, and concluded that microglia could mediate the development of liver depression and fire syndrome of GAD.
5.Exploring the antidepressant mechanisms of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen and Albiziae Flos based on network pharmacology and experimental validation
Chenjie HUANG ; Mingli FAN ; Xueli SHI
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(3):342-350
Objective:To investigate the antidepressant mechanism of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen and Albiziae Flos through network pharmacology,molecular docking,and cellular experiments.Methods:Active compounds and targets were identified using TCMSP,BATMAN-TCM,GeneCards,and OMIM databases,followed by standardization via the Uniprot database.A Venn diagram was created using venn2.1.0,and a protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed with Cytoscape 3.8.2 and STRING to identify core targets.GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed using R language.Molecular docking was validated using AutoDock Vina,and the key path-ways and targets were verified by constructing an in vitro model.Results:Twelve active components of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen and Albiziae Flos act on 109 potential depression targets.GO and KEGG analyses identified 2,439 and 163 en-tries,respectively.Based on degree value and enrichment level,core targets such as transcription factor JUN,AKT1,IL-6,and pathways including AGE-RAGE and PI3K/AKT were identified.Molecular docking demonstrated a favorable binding affinity between the active components and core targets.Cellular experiments revealed that serum containing Ziziphi Spinosae Semen and Albiziae Flos at low,medium,and high doses alleviated CORT-induced PC12 cell damage,increased Cell viability,and reduced apoptosis rates.It also upregulated PI3K/AKT pathway protein expression and downregulated endoplasmic reticulum stress related apoptotic protein expression,with more pronounced improvements observed in the medium and high-dose groups(all P<0.01).Conclusion:The antidepressant effects of Ziziphi Spi-nosae Semen and Albiziae Flos are largely achieved by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and inhibiting exces-sive ERS,which in turn reduces neuronal apoptosis.
6.Association of core circadian clock gene polymorphism with ischemic stroke
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2024;41(2):123-128
Objective To explore the association between the single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)of the core clock genes(ARNTL rs6486122 and PER1 rs2253820)of the circadian molecular clockwork and the incidence of ischemic stroke. Methods Candidate SNP genotypes were determined using the SNaPshot method. Genotypes were set as categorical variables. Logistic regression analysis was performed to compare genotypes and genetic models between the disease group and the control group,adjusting for related risk factors including age,sex,dyslipidemia,and past medical history,and the adjusted odds ratios(OR)and 95% confidence intervals(CI)of different genotypes and genetic models were calculated. Results The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of stroke increased significantly with the age of subjects(OR=6.704,95%CI 5.188-8.644,P<0.001);patients with hypertension had a 2.565-fold increased risk of ischemic stroke compared with individuals without hypertension(OR=2.565,95%CI 1.971-3.338,P<0.001);patients with dyslipidemia were 1.700 times more likely to have ischemic stroke than individuals with normal blood lipid levels(OR=1.700,95% CI 1.230-2.348,P=0.001);and increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels also increased the risk of stroke. For the rs2253820 locus of the PER1 gene,using the wild-type homozygous TT genotype as the reference,the CT genotype,CC genotype,and dominant genetic model significantly increased the risk of stroke(CT vs TT:OR=1.552,95% CI 1.194-2.018,P=0.001;CC vs TT: OR=1.295,95% CI 1.035-1.621,P=0.024;and the dominant model:OR=1.563,95% CI 1.215-2.012,P=0.001,respectively). For the rs6486122 locus of the ARNTL gene,there was no significant association of any genotype or the genetic model with the incidence of ischemic stroke after adjustment(P > 0.05). Conclusion Genetic variation at PER1 rs2253820 can increase the risk of ischemic stroke,where the C allele poses a higher risk of ischemic stroke. There is no significant association between ARNTL rs6486122 and the occurrence of ischemic stroke.
7.Application value of heparin binding protein,NLR,LMR,and PLR in immune function reconstruction evaluation in HIV/AIDS patients
Lingyan HE ; Jinchuan SHI ; Jianghao CHENG ; Mingli ZHU
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(32):52-55
Objective To explore the application value of heparin binding protein(HBP),neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR),lymphocyte to monocyte ratio(LMR),and platelet to lymphocyte ratio(PLR)in the evaluation of immune function reconstruction in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infected individuals/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS)patients.Methods Collect 138 HIV/AIDS patients from the Outpatient Department of Hangzhou Xixi Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University from January 1,to June 30,2023.According to CD4+T lymphocyte counts after antiretroviral treatment,categorize patients into groups with good immune function reconstruction(n=108)and poor immune function reconstruction(n=30).Compare the levels of HBP,NLR,LMR,and PLR between two groups,receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the application value of HBP,NLR,LMR,and PLR in the reconstruction of patient immune function.Results The NLR and PLR of group with good immune function reconstruction was significantly higher than that of group with poor immune function reconstruction(P<0.05).The LMR of group with good immune function reconstruction were significantly lower than those of group with poor immune function reconstruction(P<0.05).The HBP between two groups was no significant differences(P>0.05).LMR had the best efficacy in evaluating whether immune function reconstruction was good in HIV/AIDS patients area under the curve(AUC)=0.803,PLR was the second(AUC)=0.796,NLR was poor(AUC)=0.728.Conclusion NLR,LMR,and PLR are closely related to the immune function of HIV/AIDS patients and can be used as detection indicators to evaluate whether the immune function reconstruction of HIV/AIDS patients is good.
8.Behavioral Economics Perspectives on Communication Strategies for Vaccination Decision-Making Facilitation
Yuwei ZHANG ; Yuzhuo XIE ; Yazhou WANG ; Jiajun SHI ; Jingzhi WANG ; Jiaqi GUO ; Baijun TENG ; Mingli JIAO
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(8):66-69
In recent years,public hesitancy to vaccinate has come to the fore and can hinder the advancement of immunization programs.It is important to increase public confidence in vaccines and to rationally and effectively promote the immunization behavior of the population.Based on behavioral economics theory,it combines the anchoring effect,loss aversion,two-systems theory,and the herd effect to explore the irrational factors and decision-making preferences behind the public's vaccination decisions,and then proposes discourse strategies for effective boosting to increase the public's confidence in vaccination.
9.Behavioral Economics Perspectives on Communication Strategies for Vaccination Decision-Making Facilitation
Yuwei ZHANG ; Yuzhuo XIE ; Yazhou WANG ; Jiajun SHI ; Jingzhi WANG ; Jiaqi GUO ; Baijun TENG ; Mingli JIAO
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(8):66-69
In recent years,public hesitancy to vaccinate has come to the fore and can hinder the advancement of immunization programs.It is important to increase public confidence in vaccines and to rationally and effectively promote the immunization behavior of the population.Based on behavioral economics theory,it combines the anchoring effect,loss aversion,two-systems theory,and the herd effect to explore the irrational factors and decision-making preferences behind the public's vaccination decisions,and then proposes discourse strategies for effective boosting to increase the public's confidence in vaccination.
10.Behavioral Economics Perspectives on Communication Strategies for Vaccination Decision-Making Facilitation
Yuwei ZHANG ; Yuzhuo XIE ; Yazhou WANG ; Jiajun SHI ; Jingzhi WANG ; Jiaqi GUO ; Baijun TENG ; Mingli JIAO
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(8):66-69
In recent years,public hesitancy to vaccinate has come to the fore and can hinder the advancement of immunization programs.It is important to increase public confidence in vaccines and to rationally and effectively promote the immunization behavior of the population.Based on behavioral economics theory,it combines the anchoring effect,loss aversion,two-systems theory,and the herd effect to explore the irrational factors and decision-making preferences behind the public's vaccination decisions,and then proposes discourse strategies for effective boosting to increase the public's confidence in vaccination.

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