OBJECTIVE To preliminarily investigate the antiasthmatic effect and mechanism of Ephedrae Herba-Armeniacae Semen Amarum herb pair on the respiratory center. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， dexamethasone group （positive control）， and Ephedrae Herba-Armeniacae Semen Amarum 2∶1， 1∶1 and 1∶2 groups. Rats in each group were administered different ratios of the herb pair decoction [all at 18 g （crude drug）/kg]， dexamethasone suspension （0.5 mg/kg）， or normal saline intragastrically twice daily for seven consecutive days. Forty minutes after the last administration， medicated cerebrospinal fluid was collected to determine the content of effective components entering the brain. One and a half hours after the last administration， the nucleus tractus solitarius （NTS） was located using a stereotaxic apparatus. Histamine phosphate （1 μL） was injected into the NTS region at a constant rate of 1 μL/min using a 10 μL microsyringe to induce excitation of the respiratory center in rats； the blank group was injected with normal saline. The contents of neurotransmitters [nerve growth factor （NGF）， substance P （SP）， norepinephrine （NA）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） and acetylcholine （Ach）] in the medulla oblongata brain tissue were detected. The mRNA expressions of neurokinin-1 receptor （NK-1R）， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， and c-fos in the medulla oblongata， as well as the protein expressions of NK-1R， p38 MAPK， and c-fos in the NTS region， were determined. RESULTS The main active components of Ephedrae Herba-Armeniacae Semen Amarum herb pair entering the brain were ephedrine， pseudoephedrine， and methylephedrine. Compared with blank group， the contents of NGF， SP， NA， 5-HT and Ach， and the relative expression levels of NK-1R， p38 MAPK， and c-fos mRNA and protein were significantly increased in the model group （ P ＜0.01）. Compared with model group， Ephedrae Herba-Armeniacae Semen Amarum herb pair groups with different ratios significantly reduced the neurotransmitter contents and the relative expression levels of NK-1R， p38 MAPK， and c-fos mRNA and protein （ P ＜0.01）， with the 2∶1 Ephedrae Herba-Armeniacae Semen Amarum herb pair and 1∶1 mass ratios showing relatively better effects. CONCLUSIONS Ephedrae Herba alkaloids are the main active components in affecting the function of the respiratory center. The herb pair groups with a larger proportion of Ephedrae Herba exhibit stronger effects. Ephedrae Herba-Armeniacae Semen Amarum herb pair can reduce the excitability of the respiratory center by down-regulating the expression of the NK-1R/MAPK/c-fos pathway in the NTS and decreasing the abnormal release of neurotransmitters such as NGF and SP.

Hepatolenticular degeneration， also known as Wilson disease （WD）， is a hereditary disease caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene， leading to copper metabolism disorders. Gene mutations result in impaired synthesis of copper-binding protein， and abnormal excretion of copper through bile leads to pathological deposition of copper in various organs， ultimately causing multi-organ damage. The insidious onset and low specificity of symptoms make it difficult to diagnose this disease. On the basis of existing studies and the theory of latent toxin， this paper proposes that latent toxin in kidney collaterals is the main pathogenesis of renal injury in WD. It is pointed out that health Qi deficiency and latent pathogen are the premises for the occurrence of this disease， and the transformation of latent pathogen into toxin is the ley pathological process. Toxin damaging kidney collaterals is the ultimate result. According to the pathogenesis， this paper proposes the treatment principle of reinforcing healthy Qi and resolving toxin and treatment based on syndrome differentiation. This review provides new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of renal injury in WD with traditional Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Gandouling decoction combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation （NMES） in the treatment of dysphagia in Wilson disease （WD） with combined phlegm and stasis. MethodsA total of 80 WD patients with dysphagia due to combined phlegm and stasis treated in the Department of Encephalopathy， the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine were randomized into a control group and an observation group， with 40 patients in each group. In addition， 40 healthy volunteers were recruited as the normal group. The control group was treated with basic copper drainage combined with NMES. The observation group was treated with Gandouling Decoction on the basis of the therapy in the control group. Each course of treatment lasted for 8 days， and the patients were treated for a total of 4 courses. All subjects underwent video fluoroscopic swallowing study （VFSS） before and after treatment. During the examination， contrast agents with 4 different characters were used for the swallowing action， and the passing time was recorded. The TCM syndrome score， water swallow test score， standard swallowing assessment （SSA） score， and 24-h urinary copper level before and after treatment were analyzed. ResultsWhen performing VFSS， the passing time of contrast agents of different characters in the oral stage was longer in the WD group than in the normal group （P<0.01）， while it had no significant difference in the pharyngeal stage. After treatment， the passing time in the oral stage shortened in the control and observation groups （P<0.01）， and the observation group outperformed the control group （P<0.01）. After treatment， both the control and observation groups showed declines in TCM syndrome score and SSA score （P<0.01） and an increase in water swallow test score （P<0.01）， and the changes were more obvious in the observation group than in the control group （P<0.01）. In addition， the treatment in the control and observation groups elevated the 24-h urinary copper level （P<0.01）， and the elevation in the observation group was more obvious than that in the control group （P<0.01）. Neither group showed obvious adverse reaction. ConclusionGandouling decoction combined with NMES can significantly ameliorate dysphagia in WD patients with the syndrome of combined phlegm and stasis regarding the TCM syndrome score， water swallow test score， and SSA score， demonstrating definite clinical efficacy and high safety.

BACKGROUND: T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma/acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-LBL/ALL) is an aggressive form of hematological malignancy associated with poor prognosis in adult patients. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are aberrantly expressed in T-LBL/ALL and are considered potential therapeutic targets. Here, we investigated the antitumor effect of a novel HDAC inhibitor, chidamide, on T-LBL/ALL. METHODS: HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3 levels in T-LBL/ALL cell lines and patient samples were compared with those in normal controls. Flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy, and lactate dehydrogenase release assays were conducted in Jurkat and MOLT-4 cells to assess apoptosis and pyroptosis. A specific forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) inhibitor was used to rescue pyroptosis and upregulated gasdermin E (GSDME) expression caused by chidamide treatment. The role of the FOXO1 transcription factor was evaluated by dual-luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. The efficacy of chidamide in vivo was evaluated in a xenograft mouse. RESULTS: The expression of HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3 was significantly upregulated in T-LBL/ALL. Cell viability was obviously inhibited after chidamide treatment. Pyroptosis, characterized by cell swelling, pore formation on the plasma membrane and lactate dehydrogenase leakage, was identified as a new mechanism of chidamide treatment. Chidamide triggered pyroptosis through caspase 3 activation and GSDME transcriptional upregulation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that chidamide led to the increased transcription of GSDME through a more relaxed chromatin structure at the promoter and the upregulation of FOXO1 expression. Moreover, we identified the therapeutic effect of chidamide in vivo . CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that chidamide exerts an antitumor effect on T-LBL/ALL and promotes a more inflammatory form of cell death via the FOXO1/GSDME axis, which provides a novel choice of targeted therapy for patients with T-LBL/ALL.
Humans ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Forkhead Box Protein O1/genetics* ; Aminopyridines/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Mice ; Benzamides/pharmacology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/drug therapy* ; Phosphate-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/pharmacology* ; Jurkat Cells ; Histone Deacetylases/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Gasdermins

Panax quinquefolium, also known as American ginseng, is a perennial herb in the Araliaceae family. It has the effects of replenishing Qi and nourishing Yin, clearing heat and generating saliva. Additionally, it has protective effects on the nerves, improves myocardial ischemia and hypoxia, regulates metabolism, enhances the body's immunity, and is known as "green gold". However, with the development of the industry and the expansion of planting scales, P. quinquefolium faces serious disease issues that are difficult to prevent and control. Among these, root rot, often referred to as "plant cancer", is one of the most destructive plant diseases affecting the yield and quality of P. quinquefolium. P. quinquefolium root rot is caused by the fungi Fusarium(genus) and Ilyonectria(genus), which severely affect the root system and limit the production and quality of P. quinquefolium, thus restricting the development of the P. quinquefolium industry. In recent years, research on P. quinquefolium root rot has attracted significant attention and made some progress. However, the mechanisms of interaction between the root rot pathogens and the host plant remain unclear. This paper reviews the research progress on the pathogens, infection cycle, disease prevalence, pathogenesis, and biological control of P. quinquefolium root rot to provide prospects for future research, aiming to provide references for the in-depth study and effective control of root rot, and to promote the green and healthy development of the P. quinquefolium industry.
Panax/microbiology* ; Plant Diseases/prevention & control* ; Plant Roots/microbiology* ; Fusarium/pathogenicity*

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) capable of clearing heat and removing toxin is most commonly used in clinical practice and has the effect of removing fire-heat and toxin. Studies have shown that most of the Ilex plants have the effect of clearing heat and removing toxin, among which the varieties of I. cornuta, I. pubescens, I. rotunda, I. latifolia, and I. chinensis are most widely used. These plants generally contain triterpenoids and their glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and other chemical components, especially pentacyclic triterpenoids. According to their skeletons, pentacyclic triterpenoids can be divided into the oleanane type, the ursane type, the lupinane type, etc. Among them, ursane-type components are the most abundant, and 136 species have been found so far. These components have been proved to have pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, hypolipidemic, anti-thrombosis, cardiomyocyte-protective, antibacterial, and hepatoprotective effects. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews the domestic and foreign literature on Ilex plants with a focus on the research progress on pentacyclic triterpenoids and their pharmacological activities, aiming to provide reference for the development of TCM resources with the effect of clearing heat and removing toxin.
Ilex/chemistry* ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Animals

OBJECTIVES: Psoriasis is associated with lipid metabolism disorders, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in lipid metabolism dysregulation in psoriasis. METHODS: An imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like mouse model was used to assess lipid metabolism parameters, TMAO levels, and liver flavin monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) mRNA expression. Blood samples from healthy individuals and psoriatic patients were collected to measure serum TMAO levels and lipid profiles. To clarify the role of TMAO in the lipid metabolism disorder of mice with psoriasis model, exogenous TMAO, choline, or 3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol (DMB) were administered via intraperitoneal injections or diet in IMQ-treated mice. Liver tissues from the mouse models were subjected to RNA sequencing to identify TMAO-regulated signaling pathways. RESULTS: IMQ-induced psoriatic mice exhibited abnormal glucose, insulin, and lipid levels. IMQ treatment also downregulated the hepatic mRNA expression of glucose transporter 2 (Glut2) and silence information regulator 1 (Sirt1), while upregulating glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Elevated serum TMAO levels were observed in both psoriatic patients and IMQ-treated mice. Additionally, liver FMO3 mRNA expression was increased in the psoriatic mouse model. In patients, TMAO levels positively correlated with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores, serum triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels. The intraperitoneal injection of TMAO exacerbated lipid dysregulation in IMQ-treated mice. A choline-rich diet further aggravated lipid abnormalities and liver injury in psoriatic mice, whereas DMB treatment alleviated these effects. RNA-Seq analysis demonstrated that TMAO upregulated hepatic microRNA-122 (miR-122), which may suppress the expression of gremlin 2 (GREM2), thus contributing to lipid metabolism disorder. CONCLUSIONS TMAO may promote lipid metabolism dysregulation in psoriasis by modulating the hepatic miR-122/GREM2 pathway.
Animals ; Methylamines/blood* ; Mice ; Psoriasis/chemically induced* ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects* ; Humans ; Male ; Liver/metabolism* ; Female ; Oxygenases/genetics* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lipid Metabolism Disorders/etiology* ; Adult ; Mice, Inbred C57BL