According to traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） theory， impaired spleen transportation function disrupts nutrient distribution， causing metabolic accumulation of lipids that transform into pathogenic phlegm-dampness. These pathological factors disseminate through the San Jiao and obstruct meridian pathways， ultimately forming the pathogenesis described as "all disorders involve phlegm". Phlegm and dampness share common pathogenic origins but manifest distinct clinical manifestations. Dampness， as the precursor， may congeal into phlegm， while existing phlegm accumulation can further exacerbate dampness stagnation， thereby establishing a self-perpetuating pathological cycle. Modern medical research has confirmed that the essence of "phlegm-dampness" syndrome is closely associated with energy metabolism disorders， serving as a common pathological basis for metabolic syndrome， type 2 diabetes mellitus， atherosclerosis， and other major chronic diseases. As a crucial vehicle for medical experimental research， disease-syndrome combination animal models serve as an indispensable means to advance the modernization of TCM. Currently， based on classical theories such as "rich and greasy foods produce phlegm" and "physical coldness combined with cold consumption causes external pathogens to invade the skin and hair， thereby generating internal dampness"， researchers primarily employ two paradigms to construct animal models of phlegm-turbidity， dampness obstruction， and phlegm-dampness syndromes： the first involves simulating TCM etiological factors （through methods like dietary irregularities， imblanace between work and rest， and combined internal-external dampness exposure）， while the second combines disease with syndrome differentiation （inducing pathological changes through physical， chemical， or biological interventions）. Through comprehensive evaluation incorporating macroscopic observation and microscopic index detection， model animals undergo systematic biological and pathological assessment， with further syndrome type verification achieved via the "prescription-based syndrome detection" approach. However， existing models still exhibit significant deficiencies in both the standardization of modeling methodologies and the systematization of evaluation criteria. This paper reviews the strategies for constructing "phlegm-dampness" syndrome animal models and their corresponding evaluation indices， focusing on the pathological correlations among different modeling approaches. The aim is to provide methodological guidance for research on TCM syndromes related to "phlegm-dampness" syndrome and to support the development of TCM therapies for resolving phlegm and eliminating dampness. This study not only contributes to advancing the standardization of TCM syndrome research but also provides crucial technical support for the modernization of TCM.

ObjectiveTo investigate the pharmacological basis and mechanism of Qinlian Jiangxia decoction （QLJXD） in the treatment of glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. MethodsThe Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine （ETCM） and the GeneCards database were used to predict the active components and targets of QLJXD in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） combined with dyslipidemia. The key components and core targets were screened following protein-protein interaction （PPI） network， Gene Ontology （GO）， and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） analyses of the targets and then verified by molecular docking. SD rats were used to prepare the QLJXD-medicated serum， and a 3T3-L1 adipocyte model of insulin resistance （IR） was constructed with 1 μmol·L^-1 dexamethasone （DEX）. After intervention with four sera， cell glucose consumption and lipid metabolism levels were measured to screen the optimal action concentration of the medicated serum. A 3T3-L1 adipocyte model of IR with fatty acid-binding protein 4 （FABP4） overexpression was further constructed by plasmid transfection. Western blot and Real-time quantitative PCR （Real-time PCR） were employed to determine the expression of FABP4 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ （PPARG） at protein and mRNA levels， respectively， on the basis of which the regulatory effect of QLJXD on the FABP4/PPARG pathway was evaluated. ResultsNetwork pharmacology revealed that the key active components of QLJXD in treating T2DM complicated with dyslipidemia were baicalein， acacetin， and α-linolenic acid， and FABP1， FABP4， and PPARG were the core targets. Molecular docking showed good binding activity between the key components and core targets. QLJXD-medicated serum improved the glucose uptake capacity， increased insulin （INS）-stimulated glucose consumption （P<0.01）， and reduced total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， and free fatty acid （FFA） levels （P<0.01） in the 3T3-L1 adipocyte model of IR， with the medium-dose-medicated serum demonstrating the most potent effects. Overexpression of FABP4 impaired the glucose uptake capacity in the 3T3-L1 adipocyte model of IR and promoted intracellular accumulation of TC， TG， and FFA （P<0.05）. The medium-dose-medicated serum improved glucose uptake capacity and reduced the accumulation of TC， TG， and FFA （P<0.01）， while decreasing the protein and mRNA expression levels of FABP4 and concomitantly increasing the protein and mRNA levels of PPARG （P<0.05） in the 3T3-L1 adipocyte model of IR with FABP4 overexpression. ConclusionThe QLJXD-medicated serum has been evidenced to ameliorate glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in the 3T3-L1 adipocyte model of IR through multiple components， with the mechanism related to the FABP4/PPARG signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of Bufei Tongbi decoction on pulmonary fibrosis in diabetic rats via the transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）/phosphorylated Smad family member 3 （p-Smad3） signaling pathway. MethodsStreptozotocin （60 mg·kg^-1） and bleomycin （24.80 U·kg^-1） were used to prepare the rat model of diabetes with pulmonary fibrosis by intratracheal injection. Sixty rats were randomly assigned into blank， model， low-， medium-， and high-dose （3.98， 7.95， and 15.90 g·kg^-1， respectively） Bufei Tongbi decoction， and pirfenidone （0.36 mg·kg^-1） groups （n=10）. The successfully modeled rats in each group were administrated with corresponding agents once per day for four consecutive weeks. After drug administration， fasting blood glucose and lung function indicators were measured. Chemical immunoassay was employed to determine the serum levels of hydroxyproline （Hyp）， hyaluronic acid （HA）， and laminin （LN）. The lung index was determined by the wet and dry methods. The pathological changes in the lung tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and the degree of fibrosis was detected by Masson staining. The mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β₁， p-Smad3， Smad3， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 （Col1A1）， and fibronectin were determined by PCR and Western blotting， respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed alveolar septa thickening， obvious thickening of the basement membrane of pulmonary blood vessels， severe destruction of the alveolar structure， structural disarrangement of the lung parenchyma， and an increase in the proportion of inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung tissue， together with a large amount of blue collagen deposition and a large amount of collagen fibroplasia in the bronchial wall， vessel wall， interstitium， and alveolar wall， which indicated severe fibrosis. Bufei Tongbi decoction groups and the pirfenidone group showed lower fasting blood glucose level （P<0.05） and higher forced vital capacity （FVC）， cytoplasmic dynein （Cydn）， FEV_0.3/FEV ratio， and lung index （P<0.05） than the model group. Moreover， these groups demonstrated alleviated lung fibrosis， elevated Hyp， HA， and LN levels， down-regulated mRNA levels of α-SMA， Col1A1， and fibronectin， and down-regulated protein levels of TGF-β₁， Smad3， p-Smad3， α-SMA， Col1A1， and fibronectin （P<0.05）. ConclusionBufei Tongbi decoction can inhibit pulmonary fibrosis in diabetic rats by inhibiting the TGF-β₁/p-Smad3 signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the shared potential targets and molecular mechanisms of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)using bioinformatics methods,to validate the expression of core targets through animal experiments,and to analyze the intervention potential of active components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Methods The obese population datasets(GSE151839 and GSE162653)were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database to screen for differentially expressed genes,which were then intersected with T2DM-related targets from the GeneCards database to identify shared targets.A protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed using the STRING database.Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)analyses were performed to identify enriched biological processes and signaling pathways.The expression of core targets in adipose tissue from patients with obesity and T2DM was validated using the GEO database.A total of 12 specific-pathogen-free(SPF)male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats,aged 8 weeks and weighing between 180 and 200 g,were randomly assigned to a control group and a model group(n=6 each).A T2DM rat model was established,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of core targets in adipose tissue were measured.Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were performed to assess the binding ability of TCM active components to core targets.Results A total of 460 and 796 obesity-related differentially expressed genes were identified in the GSE151839 and GSE162653 datasets,respectively,and 109 shared targets were obtained by intersection with T2DM-related targets.According to PPI network analysis,PTPRC,MMP9,ITGB2,CD86,CCR5,and CCR2 were identified as the core targets.GO and KEGG analysis showed that these targets are mainly enriched in biological processes such as inflammatory response,immune regulation,and cell adhesion.Animal experiments confirmed that the mRNA and protein expression of core targets,including PTPRC,ITGAX,MMP9,ITGB2,CCR2,and CXCL1,were significantly upregulated in the adipose tissue of T2DM rats(P<0.05).Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations revealed that berberine and puerarin had good binding ability with PTPRC,MMP9,and ITGB2.Conclusion This study reveals the shared molecular mechanisms between obesity and T2DM and shows that core targets,such as PTPRC and MMP9,may promote disease progression by regulating the inflammation-immune network.These findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies based on TCM active ingredients.

[Summary]Diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)is one of the most common complications of diabetes.The blood nerve barrier(BNB)is a barrier structure located in peripheral nerve tissue,protecting nerve tissue from toxic substances in the blood and maintaining material exchange and information transmission between nerves and blood.Studies have shown that changes in BNB may be the initial event leading to the occurrence of DPN.After BNB is destroyed,blood-borne pathogens can directly damage peripheral nerves and cause DPN.This article will review the physiological and pathological characteristics of BNB,the relationship between BNB and DPN,and the research progress in targeting BNB for the treatment of DPN.

[Summary]Diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)is one of the most common complications of diabetes.The blood nerve barrier(BNB)is a barrier structure located in peripheral nerve tissue,protecting nerve tissue from toxic substances in the blood and maintaining material exchange and information transmission between nerves and blood.Studies have shown that changes in BNB may be the initial event leading to the occurrence of DPN.After BNB is destroyed,blood-borne pathogens can directly damage peripheral nerves and cause DPN.This article will review the physiological and pathological characteristics of BNB,the relationship between BNB and DPN,and the research progress in targeting BNB for the treatment of DPN.

This paper summarized Professor ZHANG Farong's experience in the staged treatment of hyperthyroi-dism with triangular medicine. It is considered that "pathogenic heat consuming and damaging qi-yin" is the key pathogenesis of hyperthyroidism. In the early stage， liver constraint transforms into fire， and then pathogenic heat becomes exuberant inside， consuming qi and damaging yin. In the middle stage， the fire and heat are intense， and phlegm and stasis are binded， when qi and yin are initially depleted. In the late stage， both qi and yin are deficient， and as the disease lasts for a long time， the kidneys are affected， resulting in liver and kidney depletion. For treatment， it is suggested to put focus on rectifying healthy qi and dispelling pathogen， protecting qi and yin， and treating the disease by stages based on syndrome differentiation， and eight groups of triangular medicines have been summarized according to the characteristics of pathogenesis in different periods. In the early stage， the combination of Chaihu （Radix Bupleuri）， Xiangfu （Rhizoma Cyperi） and Yujin （Radix Curcumae） is used to soothe the liver and resolve constraint， and the combination of Longdancao （Radix et Rhizoma Gentianae）， Huangqin （Radix Scutellariae） and Zhizi （Fructus Gardeniae） is recommended to clear liver and drain fire. In the middle stage， the combination of Xiakucao （Spica Prunellae）， Baihua Sheshecao （Herba Hedyotis Diffusae） and Banzhilian （Herba Scutellariae Barbatae） is used to clear heat and dissipate masses， and the combination of Huangyaozi （Rhizoma Dioscoreae bulbiferae）， Maozhuacao （Ranunculus Ternatus） and Shancigu （Asarum Sagittarioides） can dissolve phlegm and dissipate masses， and the combination of Danshen （Radix et Rhizoma Salviae Miltiorrhizae）， Xuanshen （Radix Scrophulariae） and Kushen （Radix Sophorae Flavescentis） can invigorate blood and eliminate goiter. In the late stage， the combination of Dangshen （Radix Codonopsis）， Baizhu （Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae） and Yiyiren （Semen Coicis） can fortify spleen and replenish qi， and the combination of Maidong （Radix Ophiopogonis）， Beishashen （Radix Glehniae） and Wuweizi （Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis） is used to nourish yin and calm heart， while the combination of Huangqi （Radix Astragali）， Huangjing （Rhizoma Polygonati） and Diyu （Radix Sanguisorbae） is used to nourish yin and replenish kidneys.

Disruptions in circadian rhythms such as work,meal times,social jet lag and insufficient sleep can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Food signals are factors that cause peripheral circadian oscillations and regulate circadian rhythms,playing an important role in human tissue metabolism.Time-restricted eating(TRE)is an emerging dietary intervention strategy that intervenes in glucose metabolism by controlling daily eating time,driving circadian oscillations of circadian clock genes and body energy metabolism.This article reviews the research progress of TRE and T2DM under circadian rhythm.

Fenugreek is a kind of Chinese herbal medicine with great development prospects.At present,there are many modern reports on its components extraction,quality standards,processing technology and pharmacological effects.However,there is still a lack of research on sorting out and analyzing the relevant ancient records,and people's herbological cognition of fenugreek is still controversial and incomplete.In this study,through systematic review and analysis of ancient records,the names,original plant,processing methods and properties(including nature,flavor,meridian tropism,action,application,toxicity and contraindication)of fenugreek were comprehensively verified for the first time,which provided a herbological reference for further development,utilization and in-depth study of Fenugreek.It is found that fenugreek has several names such as Kudou,Luba,Huba and Jidou.Based on analyzing the descriptions and pictures of fenugreek original plant in ancient records,there is a strong likelihood that the ancient and modern medicinal fenugreek belong to the same species.In addition to the current common method of stir-frying with salt solution,the ancient books also recorded eight processing methods of fenugreek,such as stir-frying,steaming,baking,and calcining.According to the research of properties,it is found that fenugreek is warm-hot in nature,bitter,sweet,and pungent in flavor,and attributive to the kidney,stomach,liver and bladder meridians.In addition to the efficacy recorded in pharmacopoeia,this study also complemented fenugreek's actions of"improving hearing and eyesight,guiding fire to origin"and application of"fullness and discomfort in abdomen and hypochondrium".According to the textual research of toxicity and contraindication,fenugreek has been recorded as non-toxic in the past dynasties,but it should be used cautiously in the excess-heat syndrome,Yin deficiency syndrome,and pregnant women.

ObjectiveTo observe the curative effect of Lishui Xiaogu plaster combined with liver disease therapeutic apparatus on the treatment of refractory ascites due to hepatitis B cirrhosis. MethodA total of 120 cases of refractory ascites due to hepatitis B cirrhosis were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group， with 60 cases in each group. The control group was treated with conventional western medicine and DSG-Ⅲ liver disease therapeutic apparatus， and the observation group was externally applied with Lishui Xiaogu plaster in the liver area and abdomen based on the control group. After 4 weeks of continuous treatment， the weight， abdominal circumference， 24-hour urine volume， the quantitative score of clinical symptoms， liver function， serum endothelin-1 （ET-1）， nitric oxide （NO）， and interferon-γ （IFN-γ） before and after treatment were observed in the patients of two groups. ResultAfter 4 weeks of treatment， the total effective rate of the observation group was 87.72% （50/57）， higher than 67.9% （38/56） in the control group （P<0.05） （χ²=6.411， P<0.05）. The changes in abdominal circumference， body weight， and 24-hour urine volume in the two groups were better than those before treatment （P<0.05）. In terms of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） clinical symptom scores， there was no significant difference in the symptoms of appetite， fatigue， sleep， and yellowing of the body and eyes in the control group before and after treatment， and other indexes in the two groups were better than those before treatment （P<0.05）. The observation group was better than the control group in improving symptoms such as abdominal distension， hypochondriac pain， appetite， fatigue， and lower limb edema （P<0.05）， but there was no significant difference between the two groups in improving sleep and yellowing of the body and eyes. In the experiment， the total bilirubin （TBIL）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， albumin/globulin ratio （AGR）， ET-1， NO， and IFN-γ in the two groups were all better than those before treatment （P<0.05）. Except that there was no significant difference between the two groups of TBIL， other indexes in the observation group were better than those in the control group （P<0.05）. In terms of portal vein hemodynamics， the portal vein diameter （D_PV）， the maximum blood flow velocity （V_max）， and portal vein blood flow （Q） in the two groups improved after treatment， and the D_PV， V_max， and Q in the observation group were better than those in the control group （P<0.05）. ConclusionExternal application of Lishui Xiaogu plaster combined with liver disease therapeutic apparatus significantly improves the effective rate of refractory ascites due to hepatitis B cirrhosis， and its mechanism is presumedly related to the decreasing of serum NO and ET-1 levels， the increasing of serum IFN-γ level， and the improvement of portal hemodynamics.