1.Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Bupi Qingfei Prescription in Treating Stable Bronchiectasis
Zi YANG ; Guangsen LI ; Bing WANG ; Bo XU ; Jianxin WANG ; Sheng CAO ; Xinyan CHEN ; Xia SHI ; Qing MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):162-169
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Bupi Qingfei prescription (BPQF) in treating stable bronchiectasis in the patients with syndromes of lung-spleen Qi deficiency and phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs. MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Patients were randomized into BPQF and placebo control (PC) groups. On the basis of conventional Western medicine treatment, the BPQF granules and placebo were respectively administered at 10 g each time, twice a day, for a course of 24 weeks. The TCM symptom scores, Quality of Life Questionnaire for Bronchiectasis (QOL-B) scores, lung function indicators, T lymphocyte subsets, level of inflammatory factors in the sputum, level of neutrophil elastase (NE) in the sputum, and occurrence of adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. ResultsA total of 64 patients completed the study, encompassing 32 in the BPQF group and 32 in the PC group. After treatment, the BPQF group showed decreased TCM symptom scores (P<0.01), increased QOL-B scores (P<0.01), and declined levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and NE (P<0.05, P<0.01). The PC group showed decreased TCM symptom (except spleen deficiency) scores (P<0.01), increased the QOL-B health cognition and respiratory symptom domain scores (P<0.05, P<0.01), and a declined TNF-α level (P<0.01). Moreover, the BPQF group had lower TCM symptom (except chest tightness) scores (P<0.05, P<0.01), higher QOL-B (except treatment burden) scores (P<0.05, P<0.01), and lower levels of interleukin-6 and TNF-α (P<0.05) than the PC group. Neither group showed serious adverse reactions during the treatment process. ConclusionBPQF can ameliorate the clinical symptoms of stable bronchiectasis patients who have lung-spleen Qi deficiency or phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs by regulating the immune balance and inhibiting airway inflammatory responses.
2.Mechanisms of Salvianolic Acid B in Inhibiting Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer by Downregulating PAICS Expression
Bo XU ; Jixian ZHANG ; Linling HU ; Bo JIANG ; Shasha YUAN ; Yiling FAN ; Zhishen RUAN ; Yihan YU ; Qing MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):23-33
ObjectiveTo investigate the molecular mechanisms by which salvianolic acid B (SalB) inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by downregulating phosphoribosylaminoimidazole carboxylase and phosphoribosylaminoimidazole succinocarboxamide synthetase (PAICS) expression. MethodsNSCLC A549 cells and normal bronchial epithelial cells (bronchial epithelium transformed with Ad12-SV40 2B, BEAS-2B) were used as models. Cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay after treatment with SalB (0, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 μmol·L-1 for 24 or 48 h to determine effective and safe intervention concentrations. Cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis were evaluated by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining and flow cytometry, respectively. Wound healing and Transwell invasion assays were performed to assess cell migration and invasion. RNA sequencing combined with bioinformatic analysis was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes and functional enrichment. Molecular docking was used to predict the binding ability between SalB and PAICS, and the cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) was performed to evaluate the effect of SalB on the thermal stability of the PAICS protein. Western blot (WB) was used to detect the effects of SalB on PAICS and EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Slug). A functional rescue assay was conducted by PAICS overexpression via plasmid transfection. ResultsCompared with the control group, SalB inhibited A549 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), and the effective concentrations (≤300 μmol·L-1) showed no significant cytotoxicity in BEAS-2B cells. Within this concentration range, SalB significantly inhibited A549 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induced G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis (P<0.05). Transcriptomic analysis showed that SalB significantly downregulated PAICS expression, and its functions were enriched in cell proliferation and EMT. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that PAICS is highly expressed in lung adenocarcinoma and is associated with poor prognosis (P<0.01). Molecular docking showed that SalB has strong binding ability to PAICS (binding energy -9.1 kcal·mol-1. CETSA results showed that SalB significantly increased the thermal stability of the PAICS protein (P<0.05). WB results showed that, compared with the control group, SalB dose-dependently downregulated PAICS expression, upregulated E-cadherin, and downregulated N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Slug (P<0.05). Functional rescue experiments showed that, compared with the empty vector group, PAICS overexpression significantly enhanced A549 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, promoted cell cycle progression, and inhibited apoptosis (P<0.05). Meanwhile, compared with the empty vector + SalB-H group, PAICS overexpression partially reversed the inhibitory effects of SalB on malignant phenotypes and EMT-related proteins (N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Slug), and downregulated E-cadherin expression (P<0.05,P<0.01), indicating that PAICS is a key functional target mediating the antitumor effects of SalB. ConclusionSalB effectively inhibits EMT progression and cell cycle progression in A549 cells by downregulating PAICS expression, thereby exerting anti-NSCLC effects. This study not only reveals that PAICS is a key functional target through which SalB regulates EMT, but also provides experimental evidence supporting SalB as a potential candidate drug for inhibiting NSCLC metastasis.
3.Eupatilin Inhibits Proliferation, Invasion, and Metastasis of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer via EZH2/H3K27me3 Signaling Pathway
Bo XU ; Yihan YU ; Linling HU ; Bo JIANG ; Yu QI ; Shasha YUAN ; Yiling FAN ; Jixian ZHANG ; Qing MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):58-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which eupatilin (Eup) inhibits proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through the enhancer of zeste homolog 2/histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (EZH2/H3K27me3) signaling pathway. MethodsIn vivo, a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model was established in nude mice using H1299 cells to evaluate the anti-NSCLC effects of Eup. Immunohistochemistry (IHC-P) was used to detect the expression of proliferation- and invasion/metastasis-related proteins, including proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). In vitro, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays were performed to determine the viability of H1299 cells treated with different concentrations of Eup (0-200 μmol·L-1) and to select appropriate concentrations. Colony formation and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays were used to evaluate cell proliferation. Wound healing and invasion assays were conducted to assess cell migration and invasion. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) angiogenesis assays were used to evaluate the effects of Eup on angiogenesis. Transcriptomic analysis was performed to identify the targets of Eup in H1299 cells and to explore its major functions. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to predict the binding affinity and interaction stability between Eup and its target proteins. Western blot was used to detect the effects of Eup on the expression levels of EZH2/H3K27me3 pathway-related proteins and proliferation- and invasion/metastasis-related proteins, including PCNA, MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGFA. ResultsIn the subcutaneous xenograft model, compared with the model group, Eup treatment dose-dependently inhibited the growth of H1299 xenograft tumors, and the tumor inhibition rate was significantly increased (P<0.05). IHC-P results showed that, compared with the model group, high-dose Eup significantly reduced the expression levels of PCNA, MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGFA in vivo (P<0.05). In vitro, compared with the control group, Eup inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of NSCLC cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Transcriptomic analysis further showed that, compared with the control group, Eup significantly downregulated EZH2 expression, and its functional effects were associated with inhibition of tumor metastasis. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations indicated that Eup exhibited strong binding affinity with EZH2 and stable interactions. Western blot results demonstrated that, compared with the model group, Eup significantly inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, the expression levels of EZH2, H3K27me3, and proliferation- and invasion/metastasis-related proteins (PCNA, MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGFA) in both in vivo and in vitro experiments (P<0.05). In vitro, compared with the control group, overexpression of EZH2 via plasmid transfection partially reversed the inhibitory effects of Eup on the expression of key proteins involved in proliferation and invasion/metastasis in H1299 cells. ConclusionEup effectively inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of H1299 cells both in vivo and in vitro. The underlying mechanism may be related to inhibition of the EZH2/H3K27me3 signaling pathway and downregulation of proliferation- and invasion/metastasis-related proteins, including PCNA, MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGFA. Eup may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for suppressing proliferation and invasion/metastasis in NSCLC.
4.Anti-lung Cancer Mechanisms of Yang-warming Herbs and Formulas: A Review
Bo XU ; Yu QI ; Jixian ZHANG ; Linling HU ; Bo JIANG ; Yilong ZOU ; Cunyu FAN ; Yiling FAN ; Qing MIAO ; Yihan YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):70-79
Lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is the malignant tumor with the highest incidence and mortality in China and worldwide. In 2022, the global number of deaths reached 1.8 million, accounting for 18.7% of all cancer-related deaths, seriously threatening human health and life, and posing a severe challenge for prevention and treatment. Although treatment strategies for lung cancer have been continuously enriched in recent years, and progress has been made in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, long-term survival benefits remain limited due to primary or acquired drug resistance, low immune responsiveness, and chemotherapy-related toxicities. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore safe and effective adjunctive therapeutic strategies. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its advantages of holistic regulation and individualized syndrome differentiation, has played an increasingly prominent role in comprehensive cancer treatment. TCM holds that "Yang deficiency leads to accumulation" is a key pathogenesis of tumors. Based on the theory that "Yang transforms Qi, while Yin forms substance", deficiency of Yang Qi results in impaired warming and transformation functions, leading to internal accumulation of Yin-cold. This is closely related to dysregulation of the immune microenvironment, "cold tumor" characteristics, and dysfunction of the neuroendocrine system in modern medicine. Accordingly, the therapeutic strategy of "warming Yang, supporting healthy Qi, and combating cancer" has gained increasing attention. In recent years, commonly used Yang-warming Chinese herbs, including Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Zingiberis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex, Epimedii Folium, and Psoraleae Fructus, as well as their active constituents, have achieved notable progress in anti-lung cancer research by regulating multiple signaling pathways, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting metastasis, and reversing drug resistance. In addition, Yang-warming formulae such as Sini Tang and Yanghe Tang have shown promising effects in alleviating myelosuppression, improving cancer-related fatigue, managing malignant pleural effusion, and relieving cancer pain. These therapies exhibit toxicity-reducing and efficacy-enhancing effects, significantly improving patients' quality of life and survival benefits. To systematically summarize the roles and mechanisms of Yang-warming Chinese herbal medicines and compound formulae in lung cancer, this paper provides a comprehensive review of recent advances, aiming to offer insights for the clinical practice of TCM in the prevention and treatment of lung cancer.
5.Mechanisms of Salvianolic Acid B in Inhibiting Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer by Downregulating PAICS Expression
Bo XU ; Jixian ZHANG ; Linling HU ; Bo JIANG ; Shasha YUAN ; Yiling FAN ; Zhishen RUAN ; Yihan YU ; Qing MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):23-33
ObjectiveTo investigate the molecular mechanisms by which salvianolic acid B (SalB) inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by downregulating phosphoribosylaminoimidazole carboxylase and phosphoribosylaminoimidazole succinocarboxamide synthetase (PAICS) expression. MethodsNSCLC A549 cells and normal bronchial epithelial cells (bronchial epithelium transformed with Ad12-SV40 2B, BEAS-2B) were used as models. Cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay after treatment with SalB (0, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 μmol·L-1 for 24 or 48 h to determine effective and safe intervention concentrations. Cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis were evaluated by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining and flow cytometry, respectively. Wound healing and Transwell invasion assays were performed to assess cell migration and invasion. RNA sequencing combined with bioinformatic analysis was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes and functional enrichment. Molecular docking was used to predict the binding ability between SalB and PAICS, and the cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) was performed to evaluate the effect of SalB on the thermal stability of the PAICS protein. Western blot (WB) was used to detect the effects of SalB on PAICS and EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Slug). A functional rescue assay was conducted by PAICS overexpression via plasmid transfection. ResultsCompared with the control group, SalB inhibited A549 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), and the effective concentrations (≤300 μmol·L-1) showed no significant cytotoxicity in BEAS-2B cells. Within this concentration range, SalB significantly inhibited A549 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induced G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis (P<0.05). Transcriptomic analysis showed that SalB significantly downregulated PAICS expression, and its functions were enriched in cell proliferation and EMT. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that PAICS is highly expressed in lung adenocarcinoma and is associated with poor prognosis (P<0.01). Molecular docking showed that SalB has strong binding ability to PAICS (binding energy -9.1 kcal·mol-1. CETSA results showed that SalB significantly increased the thermal stability of the PAICS protein (P<0.05). WB results showed that, compared with the control group, SalB dose-dependently downregulated PAICS expression, upregulated E-cadherin, and downregulated N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Slug (P<0.05). Functional rescue experiments showed that, compared with the empty vector group, PAICS overexpression significantly enhanced A549 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, promoted cell cycle progression, and inhibited apoptosis (P<0.05). Meanwhile, compared with the empty vector + SalB-H group, PAICS overexpression partially reversed the inhibitory effects of SalB on malignant phenotypes and EMT-related proteins (N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Slug), and downregulated E-cadherin expression (P<0.05,P<0.01), indicating that PAICS is a key functional target mediating the antitumor effects of SalB. ConclusionSalB effectively inhibits EMT progression and cell cycle progression in A549 cells by downregulating PAICS expression, thereby exerting anti-NSCLC effects. This study not only reveals that PAICS is a key functional target through which SalB regulates EMT, but also provides experimental evidence supporting SalB as a potential candidate drug for inhibiting NSCLC metastasis.
6.Eupatilin Inhibits Proliferation, Invasion, and Metastasis of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer via EZH2/H3K27me3 Signaling Pathway
Bo XU ; Yihan YU ; Linling HU ; Bo JIANG ; Yu QI ; Shasha YUAN ; Yiling FAN ; Jixian ZHANG ; Qing MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):58-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which eupatilin (Eup) inhibits proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through the enhancer of zeste homolog 2/histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (EZH2/H3K27me3) signaling pathway. MethodsIn vivo, a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model was established in nude mice using H1299 cells to evaluate the anti-NSCLC effects of Eup. Immunohistochemistry (IHC-P) was used to detect the expression of proliferation- and invasion/metastasis-related proteins, including proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). In vitro, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays were performed to determine the viability of H1299 cells treated with different concentrations of Eup (0-200 μmol·L-1) and to select appropriate concentrations. Colony formation and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays were used to evaluate cell proliferation. Wound healing and invasion assays were conducted to assess cell migration and invasion. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) angiogenesis assays were used to evaluate the effects of Eup on angiogenesis. Transcriptomic analysis was performed to identify the targets of Eup in H1299 cells and to explore its major functions. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to predict the binding affinity and interaction stability between Eup and its target proteins. Western blot was used to detect the effects of Eup on the expression levels of EZH2/H3K27me3 pathway-related proteins and proliferation- and invasion/metastasis-related proteins, including PCNA, MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGFA. ResultsIn the subcutaneous xenograft model, compared with the model group, Eup treatment dose-dependently inhibited the growth of H1299 xenograft tumors, and the tumor inhibition rate was significantly increased (P<0.05). IHC-P results showed that, compared with the model group, high-dose Eup significantly reduced the expression levels of PCNA, MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGFA in vivo (P<0.05). In vitro, compared with the control group, Eup inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of NSCLC cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Transcriptomic analysis further showed that, compared with the control group, Eup significantly downregulated EZH2 expression, and its functional effects were associated with inhibition of tumor metastasis. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations indicated that Eup exhibited strong binding affinity with EZH2 and stable interactions. Western blot results demonstrated that, compared with the model group, Eup significantly inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, the expression levels of EZH2, H3K27me3, and proliferation- and invasion/metastasis-related proteins (PCNA, MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGFA) in both in vivo and in vitro experiments (P<0.05). In vitro, compared with the control group, overexpression of EZH2 via plasmid transfection partially reversed the inhibitory effects of Eup on the expression of key proteins involved in proliferation and invasion/metastasis in H1299 cells. ConclusionEup effectively inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of H1299 cells both in vivo and in vitro. The underlying mechanism may be related to inhibition of the EZH2/H3K27me3 signaling pathway and downregulation of proliferation- and invasion/metastasis-related proteins, including PCNA, MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGFA. Eup may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for suppressing proliferation and invasion/metastasis in NSCLC.
7.Anti-lung Cancer Mechanisms of Yang-warming Herbs and Formulas: A Review
Bo XU ; Yu QI ; Jixian ZHANG ; Linling HU ; Bo JIANG ; Yilong ZOU ; Cunyu FAN ; Yiling FAN ; Qing MIAO ; Yihan YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):70-79
Lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is the malignant tumor with the highest incidence and mortality in China and worldwide. In 2022, the global number of deaths reached 1.8 million, accounting for 18.7% of all cancer-related deaths, seriously threatening human health and life, and posing a severe challenge for prevention and treatment. Although treatment strategies for lung cancer have been continuously enriched in recent years, and progress has been made in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, long-term survival benefits remain limited due to primary or acquired drug resistance, low immune responsiveness, and chemotherapy-related toxicities. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore safe and effective adjunctive therapeutic strategies. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its advantages of holistic regulation and individualized syndrome differentiation, has played an increasingly prominent role in comprehensive cancer treatment. TCM holds that "Yang deficiency leads to accumulation" is a key pathogenesis of tumors. Based on the theory that "Yang transforms Qi, while Yin forms substance", deficiency of Yang Qi results in impaired warming and transformation functions, leading to internal accumulation of Yin-cold. This is closely related to dysregulation of the immune microenvironment, "cold tumor" characteristics, and dysfunction of the neuroendocrine system in modern medicine. Accordingly, the therapeutic strategy of "warming Yang, supporting healthy Qi, and combating cancer" has gained increasing attention. In recent years, commonly used Yang-warming Chinese herbs, including Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Zingiberis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex, Epimedii Folium, and Psoraleae Fructus, as well as their active constituents, have achieved notable progress in anti-lung cancer research by regulating multiple signaling pathways, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting metastasis, and reversing drug resistance. In addition, Yang-warming formulae such as Sini Tang and Yanghe Tang have shown promising effects in alleviating myelosuppression, improving cancer-related fatigue, managing malignant pleural effusion, and relieving cancer pain. These therapies exhibit toxicity-reducing and efficacy-enhancing effects, significantly improving patients' quality of life and survival benefits. To systematically summarize the roles and mechanisms of Yang-warming Chinese herbal medicines and compound formulae in lung cancer, this paper provides a comprehensive review of recent advances, aiming to offer insights for the clinical practice of TCM in the prevention and treatment of lung cancer.
8.Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Using the Method of Unblocking Collaterals with Acrid and Moistened Medicinals Based on Xuanfuhua Decoction (旋覆花汤)
Rui LI ; Yiling FAN ; Jinli KONG ; Zhishen RUAN ; Sheng CAO ; Zi YANG ; Qing MIAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(10):1115-1119
Xuanfuhua Decoction (旋覆花汤) is considered as the theoretical prototype of the method of unbloc-king collaterals with acrid and moistened medicinals. Guided by the theories of "chronic disease entering the collaterals" and "collaterals performing their functions when there is free flow", YE Gui further developed this approach into a systematic method. The core of this approach lies in dispersing and opening constraint with acrid medicinals, nourishing and harmonizing collaterals with moistened medicinals, eliminating pathogens and unblocking collaterals with insect medicinals. The disease course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is prolonged, with a complex of deficiency and excess, and chronic disease entering the collaterals. The core pathogenesis involves lung collaterals obstruction, fluid depletion with blood stasis, and chronic disease entering the collaterals. Treatment can be guided by the method of unblocking collaterals with acrid and moistened medicinals based on Xuanfuhua Decoction, following a strategy of "dispersing and unblocking, moistening and nourishing, penetrating and venting". Specifically, for lung collaterals obstruction, acrid medicinals can be used to disperse lung qi and open bi (痹). In case of fluid depletion and blood stasis, moistened medicinals for nourishing lung collaterals are suggested to restore vitality. For chronic disease ente-ring collaterals, it is advised to search and eliminate collateral pathogens in order to dissipate masses.
9.Effects of resveratrol-derived carbonized polymer dots on macrophage polarization and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells under inflammatory conditions
LI Nuo ; WANG Yulong ; LIU Qing ; MIAO Leiying
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(10):827-840
Objective:
To investigate the effect and mechanism of resveratrol-derived carbonized polymer dots (RSV-CPDs) on macrophage polarization and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) under inflammatory conditions, and to provide an experimental basis for the treatment of periodontitis with RSV-CPDs.
Methods:
RSV-CPDs were prepared by high-temperature pyrolysis of resveratrol (RSV) in the presence of ammonia as a catalyst, and RSV-CPDs were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). CCK8 was used to detect the cytotoxicity of RSV-CPDs. The effects of RSV-CPDs on the apoptosis and cell polarization of macrophages stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis-lipopolysaccharide (P.g-LPS) were detected by flow cytometry: ① For the apoptosis detection experiment, the macrophages (RAW264.7) were divided into the control group (no treatment), P.g-LPS group [treated with P.g-LPS (2 μg/mL) for 24 h], RSV group [treated with P.g-LPS (2 μg/mL) + RSV (10 μg/mL) for 24 h], and RSV-CPDs group [treated with P.g-LPS (2 μg/mL) + RSV-CPDs (50 μg/mL) for 24 h]. ② For the cell polarization experiment, the macrophages (RAW264.7) were divided into four groups. They were the control group (no treatment), P.g-LPS + IFN-γ group [P.g-LPS (200 ng/mL) + IFN-γ (20 ng/mL) treated cells for 24 h], RSV group [P.g-LPS (200 ng/mL) + IFN-γ (20 ng/mL) + RSV (10 μg / mL) treated cells for 24 h], RSV-CPDs group [P.g-LPS (200 ng / mL) + IFN-γ (20 ng / mL) + RSV-CPD (50 μg / mL) treated cells for 24 h]. The supernatant of macrophages in the above four groups of cell polarization experiments was collected and mixed with osteogenic induction medium at a 1:1 ratio to culture hPDLSCs. The hPDLSCs were divided into the control group, P.g-LPS + IFN-γ group, RSV group, and RSV-CPDs group. The osteogenic trend of hPDLSCs was detected by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and alizarin red staining (ARS). Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of osteogenesis-related genes. Western blot was used to detect the expression of osteogenesis-related proteins in hPDLSCs. Finally, transcriptome tests were used to explore the mechanism of the effect of RSV-CPDs on the phenotype of macrophages (THP-1) stimulated by inflammation.
Results:
TEM results showed that RSV-CPDs exhibited a uniform spherical structure. FTIR results showed the O-C=O peak of RSV-CPDs. XRD results confirmed that the newly synthesized RSV-CPDs exhibited an amorphous structure. XPS results showed that RSV-CPDs formed a hydrophilic carboxyl group. CCK-8 results showed that RSV had specific toxicity to RAW264.7 when the concentration exceeded 10 μg/mL (P = 0.011), while RSV-CPDs still had good biosafety to cells when the concentration reached 50 μg/mL (P > 0.05). Therefore, the concentration of RSV was 10 μg/mL and RSV-CPDs was 50 μg/mL. The results of flow cytometry showed that RSV-CPDs inhibited the apoptosis of macrophages under inflammatory stimulation (P = 0.008), and the inhibitory effect was better than that of its precursor RSV (P = 0.009). Compared with the P.g-LPS + IFN-γ group, CD86+ cells in the RSV group and RSV-CPDs group decreased by varying degrees (P < 0.001, P = 0.004), while CD206+ cells increased by varying degrees (P = 0.006, P = 0.008), and the proportion of CD206+ cells in the RSV-CPDs group was higher than that in the RSV group (P = 0.010). Compared with the P.g-LPS + IFN-γ group, the supernatant of macrophages treated with RSV-CPDs significantly increased the ALP expression (P = 0.005) and ARS level (P = 0.006) of hPDLSCs. The mRNA expression of osteogenic-related genes RUNX-2, OCN, and COL-1 significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the level of RUNX-2 protein also significantly increased (P = 0.001). Transcriptome results showed that compared with the P.g-LPS + IFN-γ group, the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway in the RSV-CPDs group showed downward trends.
Conclusion
RSV-CPDs can inhibit the apoptosis of macrophages in the inflammatory state, promote M2 polarization, and bolster the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs. The mechanism involved may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB and TNF signaling pathways.
10.The founding practice and historical experience of the first specialized acupuncture hospital in China.
Ting YANG ; Zilong ZHU ; Rongxian ZHANG ; Weicheng ZHAO ; Hong LIU ; Jianbin ZHANG ; Qing MIAO
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(12):1815-1821
In June 1958, the first specialized acupuncture hospital, the Affiliated Acupuncture Experimental Hospital of Jiangsu Provincial School of TCM, was established in Nanjing. This hospital was founded under the initiative of Mr. CHENG Dan'an, the founder of the Chengjiang School of Acupuncture. Centered on clinical acupuncture, the hospital also carried out research and teaching, forming an integrated development model of medical care, education, and research. Its development experience, including a clear hospital-running philosophy, orientation toward solving clinical needs, and deep integration of medical care, education, and research, provides important historical references for the construction of modern specialized acupuncture hospitals.
China
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History, 20th Century
;
Acupuncture Therapy/history*
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Humans
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Acupuncture/education*
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Hospitals, Special/history*


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