ObjectiveAbnormal lipids in neurons can cause the accumulation of α-synuclein（α-syn）. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis extract （ASH） in treating Parkinson's disease （PD） mice using lipidomics combined with network pharmacology. MethodsMice were divided into the blank group， model group and ASH （45.5 mg·kg^-1） group. Motor ability was evaluated by pole climbing time and autonomous activity count； The oxidative stress indicators were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Lipid biomarkers in brain tissues were screened and identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS）， and metabolic pathway analysis was conducted. The key targets of ASH for PD treatment were explored using network pharmacology. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） database was used for pathway enrichment analysis， and the "compound-reaction-enzyme-gene" network was constructed using the MetScape plugin. The protein expression levels of glutathione S-transferase P1 （GSTP1）， glutathione S-transferase Mu 2 （GSTM2）， prostaglandin peroxide synthase 1 （PTGS1）， prostaglandin peroxide synthase 2 （PTGS2）， and prostaglandin E synthase （PTGES） were validated by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly prolonged pole climbing time and reduced autonomous activity count （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the ASH group demonstrated significantly faster pole climbing and increased autonomous activity count （P<0.01）. The model group exhibited significantly decreased superoxide dismutase （SOD） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） levels， and increased malondialdehyde （MDA） level in brain tissues compared with the blank group （P<0.01）. The ASH group showed increased SOD and GSH-Px levels and decreased MDA level compared with the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Lipidomics analysis identified 10 differential metabolites and 8 differential metabolic pathways. Network pharmacological analysis revealed 213 intersection targets between ASH components and PD， with KEGG enrichment involving the sphingolipid signaling pathway， lipid arteriosclerosis， phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B（PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway， mitogen-activated protein kinase（MAPK） signaling pathway， and hypoxia inducible factor-1（HIF-1） signaling pathway. Integrated lipidomics and network pharmacology analysis highlighted the central role of the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway. The Western blot results showed that ASH effectively up-regulated GSTP1， GSTM2， and PTGS1 protein expression， and down-regulated PTGS2 and PTGES protein expression. ConclusionASH can ameliorate behavioral deficits， exert antioxidant effects， regulate lipid differential metabolites and the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway， thereby exerting therapeutic effects in PD model mice.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of modified Shibaotang on serum sex hormone levels in patients with male late-onset hypogonadism of kidney essence deficiency syndrome complicated with diabetes mellitus. MethodsA total of 60 patients with male late-onset hypogonadism of kidney essence deficiency syndrome complicated with diabetes mellitus，who met the inclusion criteria and were admitted to Yinchuan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October 2022 to October 2023，were selected and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group，with 30 patients in each group. Both groups continued their original treatments，including blood glucose lowering and blood lipid regulation. The observation group was treated with modified Shibaotang，while the control group was treated with testosterone undecanoate capsules. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. The changes in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）syndrome scores，partial androgen deficiency in aging males （PADAM）symptom scores，glucose metabolism indexes ［fasting plasma glucose （FPG），2-hour postprandial glucose （2 h PG），glycosylated hemoglobin （HbA1c）］，and serum sex hormone indexes ［sex hormone-binding globulin （SHBG），free testosterone （FT），total testosterone （TT），prolactin （PRL），luteinizing hormone （LH），follicle stimulating hormone （FSH），estrogen （E₂）］ were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Safety was also evaluated. Results（1）Clinical efficacy comparison：After treatment，the clinical efficacy in both groups was similar，and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. （2）TCM syndrome score and PADAM symptom score comparison：After treatment，both groups showed a significant reduction in TCM syndrome scores and PADAM symptom scores （P<0.01），and the observation group showed a significantly greater reduction compared to the control group （P<0.05）. （3）Glucose metabolism indexes comparison：After treatment，the levels of FPG，2 h PG，and HbA1c were significantly reduced in both groups （P<0.01），and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding FPG，2 h PG，and HbA1c levels after treatment. （4）Serum sex hormone indexes comparison：After treatment，the levels of FT，TT，PRL，LH，and FSH were significantly increased in both groups （P<0.01），while E₂ levels were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the levels of FT，TT，PRL，LH，FSH，and E₂ after treatment. There was also no significant difference in SHBG levels within or between the groups before and after treatment. During the clinical observation，neither group exhibited any obvious adverse reactions. ConclusionModified Shibaotang can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of male late-onset hypogonadism of kidney essence deficiency syndrome complicated with diabetes mellitus，reduce blood glucose，and increase sex hormone levels. The mechanism may involve the inhibition of aromatase transformation in adipocytes，promotion of GnRH production，and regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function.

Objective The prevalence of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strains is exacerbating the global burden of tuberculosis (TB), highlighting the urgent need for new treatment strategies for TB. Methods The recombinant adenovirus vaccine expressing cyclic di-adenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP) phosphodiesterase B (CnpB) (rAd-CnpB), was administered to normal mice via mucosal immunization, either alone or in combination with drug therapy, to treat Mtb respiratory infections in mice.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of antibodies in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to assess the transcription levels of cytokines interferon γ(IFN-γ) and interleukin 10(IL-10) in mouse lungs. Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportions of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell subsets in the lungs and spleens. ELISA was employed to measure the levels of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-10, inflammatory factors IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) secreted by spleen cells following antigen stimulation. The bacteria loads in the lungs and spleens of Mtb-infected mice were enumerated by plate counting methods. Resluts Intranasal immunization with rAd-CnpB induced high titers of IgG in mouse serum and the production of IgG and IgA in BALF, along with alterations in T lymphocyte subsets in the lungs and spleens. Administration of rAd-CnpB, either alone or in combination with drugs, to Mtb-infected mice significantly increased serum IgG levels as well as IgA and IgG levels in BALF. rAd-CnpB immunization promoted the secretion of CnpB-specific cytokines and inflammatory factors by splenocytes in Mtb-infected mice. However, rAd-CnpB immunotherapy, either alone or combined with drugs, did not significantly affect the bacterial loads in the lungs and spleens of mice with Mtb respiratory infections. Conclusion Mucosal immunization with rAd-CnpB induced significant mucosal, humoral and cellular immune responses in mice, and significantly enhanced CnpB-specific cellular immune responses in Mtb-infected mice.
Animals ; Adenoviridae/immunology* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genetics* ; Mice ; Female ; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases/genetics* ; Tuberculosis Vaccines/administration & dosage* ; Tuberculosis/prevention & control* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Cytokines ; Lung/microbiology* ; Immunization ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/immunology* ; Immunity, Mucosal

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of "Shibao Decoction" in the management of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) caused by deficiency of kidney essence. METHODS: Sixty male patients with late-onset hypogonadism of kidney essence deficiency type were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group, each with 30 cases. The patients in treatment group were treated with oral Shibao Decoction, while the control group was treated with oral Testosterone Undecanoate Capsules. The patients in both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The PADAM symptom score, TCM syndrome score, serum total testosterone (TT), serum free testosterone (FT), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), body mass index (BMI), total skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), FBG, FINS, and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) levels were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, PADAM scores for each item and TCM symptoms score decreased, TT and FT increased in both groups, all with statistically significant differences from those of pre-treatment (P<0.05). The level of SHBG in the control group decreased (P<0.05), which had not changed significantly in the treatment group (P>0.05). After treatment, SMI and ASMI increased in both groups significantly (P<0.05). BMI decreased in the control group (P<0.05), which had not changed significantly in the treatment group (P>0.05). The level of FINS decreased in the control group (P<0.05), which had not changed significantly in the treatment group (P>0.05). FPG had not changed significantly in both groups (P>0.05), and the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) had significantly improved in both groups, all with statistically significant differences from those of pre-treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the total effective rates of PADAM score and TCM syndrome score in the treatment group were 73.3% and 86.6% respectively, and the total effective rates in the control group were 66.7% and 76.6% respectively. The total effective rates of the two scores in the treatment group were slightly higher than those in the control group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the indicators between the two groups after treatment, and the treatment group is generally comparable with the control group in the therapeutic effects (P>0.05). And no adverse reactions occurred during treatment in both groups. CONCLUSION The "Shibao Decoction" has a remarkable therapeutic effect on late-onset hypogonadism caused by deficiency of kidney essence and has good safety. It can be used as an alternative to testosterone undecanoate and is worthy of clinical promotion and application.
Humans ; Hypogonadism/etiology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Testosterone/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Kidney

Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T _NANC), time to symptom improvement (T _SI), and time of hospital stay (T _HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T _NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.

Evaluate the interventional effect of Lycium barbarum leaves extract on cataract rats and its effects on plasma and liver tissue metabolites. The ultimate goal is to explore the scientific connotation of Lycium barbarum leaves extract on vision improvement. All experiments were approved by the experimental animal ethics committee from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (202306A067). D-Galactose (D-gal) induced cataract model in rats was established. The lens opacity, lens and liver tissue pathology, level of oxidative stress and polyol metabolism regulation in the lens, level of oxidative stress in serum and liver tissue, and the content of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum and liver tissue were analysed to evaluate the effect of Lycium barbarum leaves extract on cataract. The metabolite profiles of plasma and liver tissue of rats were analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to compare and analyze the metabolic data in control group and cataract group, and screen potential biomarkers. The related metabolic pathways were further constructed by KEGG database analysis. The results showed that lens and liver pathology of cataract rats were improved after being intervened by the leaves extract of Lycium barbarum. The contents of AR and Ca²⁺ were significantly decreased in lens, and the contents of SDH and GSH and the ability of CAT were significantly increased; the content of GSH and the ability of SOD were significantly improved in serum and liver tissue, the content of MDA, the abilities of ALT and AST and the level of inflammatory factors were significantly reduced. The metabolomics results showed that there were 15 different metabolites in plasma and liver tissue of cataract rats, and 9 different biomarkers including retinyl ester, stearic acid, and palmitic acid, were returned by Lycium barbarum leaves extract. As revealed by pathway enrichment in plasma and liver tissue, it was found that the retinol metabolic pathway was mainly regulated by Lycium barbarum leaves extract. In summary, Lycium barbarum leaves can effectively alleviate the pathological changes of cataract, inhibit inflammation and improve antioxidant capacity, which may relate to the retinol metabolic pathway. It provides scientific basis and support for revealing the scientific connotation of the effect of Lycium barbarum leaves on vision improvement.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the intervention effect and mechanism of Lycium barbarum leaves on letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) mice. The PCOS model was prepared by letrozole combined with high-fat diet. After successful modeling, 40 mice were randomly divided into PCOS group, positive drug metformin group, low-dose Lycium barbarum leaves group, and high-dose Lycium barbarum leaves group. The corresponding drugs were given by gavage for 29 days. At the end of the experiment, the eyeballs were removed for blood collection and ovarian tissue was collected. The ovarian mass, fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS), testosterone (T), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E₂) levels were measured in each group. The morphology of ovarian tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the oocytes, cystic follicles and corpus luteum were counted. Cecal contents of mice were collected for analysis of intestinal flora composition and differential flora. The animal experiment process was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The results showed that the estrous cycle of PCOS mice was disordered. Compared with the PCOS group, the Lycium barbarum leaves group can significantly reduce the ovarian damage of mice, reduce the number of cystic dilated follicles, and normalize the estrous cycle. After the intervention of Lycium barbarum leaves, the levels of FBG, FINS, T, AMH, LH, FSH and LH/FSH were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while the level of E₂ was significantly increased (P < 0.001). In addition, Lycium barbarum leaves can regulate the disorder of intestinal flora diversity in PCOS mice, increase the abundance of Bacteroidetes, and reduce the abundance of Firmicutes, Ileibacterium, Romboutsia and Faecalibaculum. In summary, Lycium barbarum leaves can play a therapeutic role in PCOS mice by improving insulin resistance, regulating reproductive hormone disorders and gut microbiota imbalance. It provides scientific basis and useful reference for the rational utilization and development of Lycium barbarum leaves.

Objective To investigate the association between the index finger and ring finger length ratio (2D ∶ 4D) and of four loci (rs6461992‚ rs6968828‚ rs7801581‚ rs17427875) polymorphism of homeobox (HOX) A11 gene among Ningxia college students. Methods Digit camera was used to collect frontal hand photos of 667 Han college students (348 males and 319 females) from Ningxia province; Image analysis software was used to mark the anatomical points and measure finger lengths of the index and ring fingers of both hands; multiplex PCR was used to detect each locus polymorphisms of HOXA11 gene; statistical software was used to compare and analyze the differences and associations of 2D ∶4D and gene polymorphisms between different genders. Results Among Ningxia Han college students‚ both left hand and right hand 2D ∶ 4D were significantly higher in females than those of in males (all P< 0. 05)‚ and there were no significant sex differences in right-left hand 2D ∶4D; the genotypes and allele frequencies of rs7801581 locus of HOXA11 gene differed significantly between genders (all P < 0. 05)‚ and none of the other locus polymorphisms showed any significant sex differences; only female left hand 2D ∶4D was significantly associated with rs6461992 locus genotype in the relationship between 2D ∶4D and HOXA11 polymorphisms (P<0. 05). Conclusion There were significant sex differences in 2D ∶ 4D among Han college students in Ningxia‚ and the rs6461992 locus polymorphism of HOXA11 gene may be associated with the formation of 2D ∶4D in females.

Osteoarthritis （OA） is a common degenerative joint disease with a rising incidence rate year by year. Treatment often relies on analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs （NSAIDs）， which can lead to gastrointestinal damage with long-term use and the recurrence of symptoms. Chinese medicine has a long history of preventing and treating OA， with widespread application and fewer side effects. It offers unique advantages such as a broad treatment scope， multiple targets， and pathways. The effective components of Chinese medicine can reduce the content of reactive oxygen species （ROS）， relieve oxidative stress （OS） damage， and increase the antioxidant capacity of the body by interfering with the expression of biomarkers of OS response such as malondialdehyde （MDA） and superoxide dismutase （SOD）. Through the modulation of signaling pathways such as nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）， nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB）， c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， and osteoprotegerin （OPG）， they downregulated the expression of inflammatory factors such as interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， thereby effectively relieving local joint inflammation， protecting chondrocytes and bone tissue， inhibiting chondrocyte apoptosis， and further alleviating the progression of OA. Currently， there are still certain limitations in the medical research status and development trends of OA， necessitating the continued advancement of traditional Chinese medicine. This paper reviewed the literature on the regulation of OS response by effective components of Chinese medicine for the prevention and treatment of OA， providing new directions and ideas for future research.

ObjectiveTo reveal the effects of different microbial agents on quality of Lycii Fructus by comparing the differences in the contents of multiple types of chemical components in Lycii Fructus after the application of different microbial agents. MethodTaking Ningqi No. 7 as experimental material， four microbial agents， namely Peiyuan combined with Xinterui（TP group）， Trichoderma harzianum combined with Bacillus subtilis（BW group）， Genwuyou（MT group） and Junyiduo（JYD group）， were applied， and no microbial agents was used as the blank group（CK group）. Then the contents of total phenolics， total flavonoids， saccharides， amino acids， nucleosides and bases， betaine and other components in Lycii Fructus were determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry（UV）， high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry（UHPLC-MS/MS）， and the methods such as multiple comparisons， principal component analysis（PCA） and partial least squares-discriminant analysis（PLS-DA） were used to analyze the effect of different microbial agents on the quality of Lycii Fructus. ResultMicrobial agents had different effects on chemical components of Lycii Fructus. The content of total phenolics was the highest in the TP group， and it varied significantly from the CK group（P<0.05）. The total flavonoid content was the highest in the BW group， followed by the TP group. Both polysaccharide and alduronic acid contents were the highest in the JYD group. Betaine content in the TP and BW groups were significantly higher than that in the CK group（P<0.05）. For the determined 23 kinds of amino acids， most of them were the lowest in the JYD group， and the highest in the MT group， while the nucleoside bases were higher in the MT and BW groups. It indicated that Lycii Fructus from different treatment groups could be distinguished clearly based on the determined 45 chemical components. The result of PLS-DA showed that the major differential components in each group were polysaccharides， glucose， fructose， betaine， alduronic acid， asparagine， sucrose， threonine， total flavonoids， alanine and total phenolics. The results of PCA composite scores based on the main differential components showed that composite scores of chemical components in each group were BW group>TP group>MT group>CK group>JYD group. ConclusionThe application of microbial agents of BW， TP and MT can promote the quality improvement of Lycii Fructus， and the application of JYD can promote the accumulation of polysaccharides and alduronic acid to a certain extent， but the overall effect on the quality of Lycii Fructus is not clear. This study lays the foundation for the green and healthy development of Lycii Fructus industry.