1.Research progress of mitochondria in uveal melanoma
Xiqianru ZHANG ; Ruifeng WANG ; Rouqing WU ; Yongqi LIU ; Yuemei ZHANG
International Eye Science 2026;26(4):600-604
Uveal melanoma(UM)is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults and arises predominantly from the choroid. Mitochondria, as essential organelles, not only fuel energy metabolism, but also orchestrate signal transduction and apoptosis. Recent studies have progressively uncovered the multifaceted roles of mitochondria in UM, including mitochondrial DNA copy-number alterations, reprogramming of mitochondria-related metabolic genes, and mitochondria-dependent autophagy. Moreover, mitochondria modulate UM progression partly through the PI3K/AKT axis. Natural compounds and small-molecule drugs that impair mitochondrial function have also shown promising activity in inducing UM cell dysfunction. These findings provide new insights into UM pathogenesis and highlight mitochondria as potential therapeutic targets.
2.Advances in pyroptosis in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury
Wenyu WU ; Xin JIAO ; Shaofeng ZHAN ; Wanning LAN ; Jingyu NIAN ; Jingnan LIN ; Kai WANG ; Lin WANG ; Ruifeng ZENG ; Rui CHEN ; Jun LI
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(11):1743-1748
Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response triggered by infection and often leads to acute kidney injury(AKI).The pathogenesis of sepsis-associated AKI is complex,involving multiple factors such as renal ischemia,inflammation and oxidative stress.In recent years,pyroptosis,a pro-inflammatory form of programmed cell death,has gradually attracted the attention of researchers.Pyroptosis is activated by inflammasomes(e.g.,the NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-related protein 3 inflammasome,NLRP3 inflammasome),accompanied by Gas-dermin D(GSDMD)-mediated formation of cell membrane pores and release of cellular contents,which leads to exacerbation of local and systemic inflammatory responses.The mechanism of pyroptosis in sepsis-associated AKI has not been fully elucidated,but AKI is directly involved in the process of renal functional impairment by indu-cing the death of renal tubular epithelial cells and exacerbating the local inflammatory response.Blockade of key molecules in the pyroptosis pathway,such as GSDMD or NLRP3 inflammasome,can significantly alleviate renal injury,suggesting that the pyroptosis pathway may be a potential therapeutic target for sepsis-associated AKI.This review summarizes the recent research progress on pyroptosis in sepsis-associated AKI,and discuss its cen-tral role in the pathogenesis,particularly focusing on the inflammasome and GSDMD pathways.Additionally,this paper analyzes the potential of focal death inhibition as a therapeutic strategy and proposes future research direc-tions with the expectation of providing references for the treatment of sepsis-related AKI.
3.Molecular Mechanism of Gentiopicroside on Diseases
Mingxiu LI ; Qingsong LI ; Xiaotong YANG ; Ruifeng YANG ; Lili WU ; Tonghua LIU ; Lingling QIN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(4):950-961
Gentiopicroside(GPS)is the main active ingredient extracted from Gentiaceae.It has anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,analgesic,anti-fibrosis,inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism.Gentiaceae shows a wide range of application prospects in the treatment of diabetes,liver diseases,bone and joint diseases and other diseases.This paper reviewed the pharmacokinetics of gentiopicrin,including its pharmacokinetic properties in different animal models,and its mechanism and targets in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its complications,liver injury,bone and joint diseases.Studies have shown that gentiopictin exerts its therapeutic effects by regulating various signaling pathways,such as PI3K/AKT,FOXO1,PPAR-γ,NF-κB,etc.Although the current research has made some progress,there are still limitations,such as most studies focused on animal models and in vitro experiments,lack of high-quality clinical evidence-based trials support.Future studies should further explore the new targets and signal transduction pathways of gentiopicroside,improve its bioavailability,and strengthen the research of traditional Chinese medicine compounds,so as to give full play to the advantages of holistic treatment of traditional Chinese medicine.
4.Mechanistic study on the male flower of Eucommia ulmoides-Sanchi flower herb pair for improving glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus model mice
Ning WANG ; Congyi LIU ; Ying DING ; Xinyu ZHONG ; Zimeng HUANG ; Na ZHENG ; Qiu'e ZHANG ; Ruifeng YANG ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Tonghua LIU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(10):1390-1403
Objective Based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory of"simultaneous regulation of the liver and kidney,"this study integrated network pharmacology prediction,molecular docking,and animal experimental validation to analyze the multi-target regulatory network of Duzhong Xionghua(the male flower of Eucommia ulmoides)-Sanqi Hua(Sanchi flower)herb pair(hereinafter called"herb pair")in modulating glucolipid metabolic disorders in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),thereby elucidating its underlying molecular mechanism.Methods Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals,and Wanfang Data were used to obtain the active ingredients of the male flower of Eucommia ulmoides and Sanchi flower.PubChem Compound,SwissTargetPrediction,and SuperPred were used to screen and predict the targets of the drugs;The Human Gene Database,The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man,and Therapeutic Target Database were used to screen the key gene targets of T2DM.A"component-target-pathway"network diagram was constructed using Cytoscape software,and Gene Ontology functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were employed to identify the functions of the relevant target genes and pathways.Molecular docking was used to verify the binding activities of the core components and the key targets.For animal experiments,spontaneous T2DM model mice were used,in which the normal group consisted of six mice(wild type)from the same litter,and the 24 successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model,metformin(0.26 g/kg),high-dose herb pair(2.6 g/kg),and low-dose herb pair groups(1.3 g/kg)according to the blood glucose levels and body weights,with six mice per group.The drugs were administered by gavage daily for six consecutive weeks.The body weight and fasting blood glucose(FBG)levels were measured weekly,and an oral glucose tolerance test was performed in the fifth week.At the end of drug administration,body weight,naso-anal length,liver and bilateral epididymal adipose mass were measured;pathological changes in the liver were observed using HE staining;serum levels of aspartate transaminase(AST),alanine amino-transferase(ALT),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were detected using colorimetric assay;and liver tissue phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β)signaling pathway protein expressions were determined using Western blotting.Results Network pharmacology screening identified 38 active components and 669 potential targets of the herb pair.Intersection analysis with 1,275 T2DM-related targets yielded 185 common targets.Protein-protein interaction network analysis and pathway enrichment revealed the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway as a key mechanism.Molecular docking confirmed the strong binding affinity of the core components to key targets such as AKT1,suggesting that the herb pair may activate the PI3K/AKT pathway and inhibit GSK-3β activity via beta-sitosterol etc.Animal experiments demonstrated that,compared with the model group,the metformin group exhibited reduced FBG,AST,and ALT levels(P<0.01),but failed to improve body weight,Lee's index,or epididymal fat coefficient.Both herb pair doses significantly lowered Lee's index,hepatic index,and the epididymal fat coefficient(P<0.01),with the low-dose herb pair group showing attenuated body weight gain in mice.In contrast,the high-dose herb pair group exhibited decreased FBG,improved glucose tolerance,reduced TC,TG,and LDL-C levels,and increased HDL-C level(all P<0.01).HE staining revealed that all metformin and the herb pair markedly restored hepatic structure and alleviated steatosis in model mice,with more pronounced effects in the high-dose group than in the low-dose group.Western blotting result indicated that in the low-dose herb pair group,phospho-PI3K(p-PI3K),AKT,and phospho-GSK-3β(p-GSK-3β)protein expressions significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),whereas GSK-3β decreased(P<0.05).The high-dose group exhibited enhanced PI3K,p-PI3K,AKT,phospho-AKT,and p-GSK-3β protein expressions(all P<0.01),accompanied by reduced GSK-3β expression(P<0.01).Conclusion The male flower of Eucommia ulmoides-Sanchi flower herb pair may ameliorate T2DM-related glucolipid metabolic disorders by modulating the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway.
5.Analysis of Strategies to Enhance Traditional Chinese Medicine Services for Preventive Healthcare Based on Stakeholder Theory
Wei LIU ; Liujie FU ; Jinyu WU ; Yanhui LI ; Ran GUO ; Ruifeng LI
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(7):30-35
Objective:In order to advance the upgrade of the Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)"preventive healthcare"project and develop high-quality TCM preventive healthcare services.Methods:Utilizing stakeholder theory to identify the stakeholders of current TCM health preservation services,and analyze the core stakeholders'interest relationships,influence,connection strength,policy impact,and the recognition degree for TCM"preventive healthcare".Results:It describes the economic connotations and current development status of TCM"preventive healthcare"services,where the core stakeholders include government and functional departments,medical insurance departments,medical institutions,medical and health technicians,and patient groups.By comparing the interest descriptions of core stakeholders,the existing problems are analyzed.Conclusion:The government should improve policy management and promote departmental collaboration.Medical insurance departments need to strengthen policy coordination and product development.Medical institutions should establish a multi-level service system,optimize the service model,improve the incentive mechanism for medical and health technicians,and enhance service capabilities.The patient group should enhance health awareness and optimize the service experience.Through the management strategy driven by interests,it can promote the high-quality development of TCM preventive treatment services and meet the health needs of the residents.
6.Analysis of Strategies to Enhance Traditional Chinese Medicine Services for Preventive Healthcare Based on Stakeholder Theory
Wei LIU ; Liujie FU ; Jinyu WU ; Yanhui LI ; Ran GUO ; Ruifeng LI
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(7):30-35
Objective:In order to advance the upgrade of the Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)"preventive healthcare"project and develop high-quality TCM preventive healthcare services.Methods:Utilizing stakeholder theory to identify the stakeholders of current TCM health preservation services,and analyze the core stakeholders'interest relationships,influence,connection strength,policy impact,and the recognition degree for TCM"preventive healthcare".Results:It describes the economic connotations and current development status of TCM"preventive healthcare"services,where the core stakeholders include government and functional departments,medical insurance departments,medical institutions,medical and health technicians,and patient groups.By comparing the interest descriptions of core stakeholders,the existing problems are analyzed.Conclusion:The government should improve policy management and promote departmental collaboration.Medical insurance departments need to strengthen policy coordination and product development.Medical institutions should establish a multi-level service system,optimize the service model,improve the incentive mechanism for medical and health technicians,and enhance service capabilities.The patient group should enhance health awareness and optimize the service experience.Through the management strategy driven by interests,it can promote the high-quality development of TCM preventive treatment services and meet the health needs of the residents.
7.Mechanistic study on the male flower of Eucommia ulmoides-Sanchi flower herb pair for improving glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus model mice
Ning WANG ; Congyi LIU ; Ying DING ; Xinyu ZHONG ; Zimeng HUANG ; Na ZHENG ; Qiu'e ZHANG ; Ruifeng YANG ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Tonghua LIU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(10):1390-1403
Objective Based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory of"simultaneous regulation of the liver and kidney,"this study integrated network pharmacology prediction,molecular docking,and animal experimental validation to analyze the multi-target regulatory network of Duzhong Xionghua(the male flower of Eucommia ulmoides)-Sanqi Hua(Sanchi flower)herb pair(hereinafter called"herb pair")in modulating glucolipid metabolic disorders in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),thereby elucidating its underlying molecular mechanism.Methods Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals,and Wanfang Data were used to obtain the active ingredients of the male flower of Eucommia ulmoides and Sanchi flower.PubChem Compound,SwissTargetPrediction,and SuperPred were used to screen and predict the targets of the drugs;The Human Gene Database,The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man,and Therapeutic Target Database were used to screen the key gene targets of T2DM.A"component-target-pathway"network diagram was constructed using Cytoscape software,and Gene Ontology functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were employed to identify the functions of the relevant target genes and pathways.Molecular docking was used to verify the binding activities of the core components and the key targets.For animal experiments,spontaneous T2DM model mice were used,in which the normal group consisted of six mice(wild type)from the same litter,and the 24 successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model,metformin(0.26 g/kg),high-dose herb pair(2.6 g/kg),and low-dose herb pair groups(1.3 g/kg)according to the blood glucose levels and body weights,with six mice per group.The drugs were administered by gavage daily for six consecutive weeks.The body weight and fasting blood glucose(FBG)levels were measured weekly,and an oral glucose tolerance test was performed in the fifth week.At the end of drug administration,body weight,naso-anal length,liver and bilateral epididymal adipose mass were measured;pathological changes in the liver were observed using HE staining;serum levels of aspartate transaminase(AST),alanine amino-transferase(ALT),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were detected using colorimetric assay;and liver tissue phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β)signaling pathway protein expressions were determined using Western blotting.Results Network pharmacology screening identified 38 active components and 669 potential targets of the herb pair.Intersection analysis with 1,275 T2DM-related targets yielded 185 common targets.Protein-protein interaction network analysis and pathway enrichment revealed the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway as a key mechanism.Molecular docking confirmed the strong binding affinity of the core components to key targets such as AKT1,suggesting that the herb pair may activate the PI3K/AKT pathway and inhibit GSK-3β activity via beta-sitosterol etc.Animal experiments demonstrated that,compared with the model group,the metformin group exhibited reduced FBG,AST,and ALT levels(P<0.01),but failed to improve body weight,Lee's index,or epididymal fat coefficient.Both herb pair doses significantly lowered Lee's index,hepatic index,and the epididymal fat coefficient(P<0.01),with the low-dose herb pair group showing attenuated body weight gain in mice.In contrast,the high-dose herb pair group exhibited decreased FBG,improved glucose tolerance,reduced TC,TG,and LDL-C levels,and increased HDL-C level(all P<0.01).HE staining revealed that all metformin and the herb pair markedly restored hepatic structure and alleviated steatosis in model mice,with more pronounced effects in the high-dose group than in the low-dose group.Western blotting result indicated that in the low-dose herb pair group,phospho-PI3K(p-PI3K),AKT,and phospho-GSK-3β(p-GSK-3β)protein expressions significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),whereas GSK-3β decreased(P<0.05).The high-dose group exhibited enhanced PI3K,p-PI3K,AKT,phospho-AKT,and p-GSK-3β protein expressions(all P<0.01),accompanied by reduced GSK-3β expression(P<0.01).Conclusion The male flower of Eucommia ulmoides-Sanchi flower herb pair may ameliorate T2DM-related glucolipid metabolic disorders by modulating the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway.
8.Effect and Mechanism of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma Herb Pair in Treatment of Simple Obesity
Wenjing LI ; Zhongyu WANG ; Yongxin HUANG ; Jingjing XU ; Ying DING ; You WU ; Zhiwei QI ; Ruifeng YANG ; Xiaotong YANG ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):70-79
ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the active components and target pathways of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma (ASR-PR) herb pair in the treatment of simple obesity through network pharmacology and molecular docking, and to verify and investigate its mechanism of action via animal experiments. MethodsThe chemical constituents and targets of ASR and PR were predicted using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Targets related to simple obesity were identified by retrieving the GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB), and DisGeNET databases. The intersection of drug and disease targets was used to construct an active component-target network using Cytoscape software. This network was imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and topological analysis was conducted to identify core genes. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and mapping were performed using the DAVID database and the Microbioinformatics platform. AutoDock 1.5.7 software was used to perform molecular docking between the top five active components and core targets. An animal model of simple obesity was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a high-fat diet. The mice were administered ASR (2.06 g·kg-1), PR (2.06 g·kg-1), or ASR-PR (4.11 g·kg-1) for 10 weeks, while the model group received an equal volume of purified water by gavage. After the administration period, the mice were sacrificed to measure body fat weight and serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histopathological sections of liver and adipose tissue. Serum levels of leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in liver tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated that the treatment of simple obesity by ASR-PR may involve the regulation of protein expression of core targets EGFR and STAT3 by its main components MOL009760 (Siberian glycoside A_qt), MOL003889 (methyl protodioscin_qt), MOL009766 (resveratrol), MOL006331 (4′,5-dihydroxyflavone), and MOL004941 (baicalin), thereby modulating the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had significantly increased body weight, body fat weight, and serum levels of TG, TC, TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin (P<0.01). EGFR mRNA expression was significantly elevated (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Histological analysis revealed disordered hepatic architecture in the model group, with pronounced lipid vacuoles, cytoplasmic loosening, lipid accumulation, and steatosis. Adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) of the model group exhibited markedly increased diameters, reduced cell counts per unit area, and irregular morphology. Compared with the model group, the ASR-PR group significantly reduced body weight, body fat weight, serum TC, IL-6, TNF-α, leptin levels, and EGFR mRNA expression (P<0.01). TG levels were also significantly decreased (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). Histopathological improvements included reduced size and number of hepatic lipid vacuoles and restoration of liver cell morphology toward that of the normal group. The diameter of adipocytes significantly decreased, and the number of adipocytes per unit area increased. ConclusionASR-PR may regulate the expression of key target proteins such as EGFR and STAT3 via its core active components, modulate the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, repair damaged liver and adipose tissues, and thereby alleviate the progression of obesity in mice.
9.Effect and Mechanism of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma Herb Pair in Treatment of Simple Obesity
Wenjing LI ; Zhongyu WANG ; Yongxin HUANG ; Jingjing XU ; Ying DING ; You WU ; Zhiwei QI ; Ruifeng YANG ; Xiaotong YANG ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):70-79
ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the active components and target pathways of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma (ASR-PR) herb pair in the treatment of simple obesity through network pharmacology and molecular docking, and to verify and investigate its mechanism of action via animal experiments. MethodsThe chemical constituents and targets of ASR and PR were predicted using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Targets related to simple obesity were identified by retrieving the GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB), and DisGeNET databases. The intersection of drug and disease targets was used to construct an active component-target network using Cytoscape software. This network was imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and topological analysis was conducted to identify core genes. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and mapping were performed using the DAVID database and the Microbioinformatics platform. AutoDock 1.5.7 software was used to perform molecular docking between the top five active components and core targets. An animal model of simple obesity was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a high-fat diet. The mice were administered ASR (2.06 g·kg-1), PR (2.06 g·kg-1), or ASR-PR (4.11 g·kg-1) for 10 weeks, while the model group received an equal volume of purified water by gavage. After the administration period, the mice were sacrificed to measure body fat weight and serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histopathological sections of liver and adipose tissue. Serum levels of leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in liver tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated that the treatment of simple obesity by ASR-PR may involve the regulation of protein expression of core targets EGFR and STAT3 by its main components MOL009760 (Siberian glycoside A_qt), MOL003889 (methyl protodioscin_qt), MOL009766 (resveratrol), MOL006331 (4′,5-dihydroxyflavone), and MOL004941 (baicalin), thereby modulating the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had significantly increased body weight, body fat weight, and serum levels of TG, TC, TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin (P<0.01). EGFR mRNA expression was significantly elevated (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Histological analysis revealed disordered hepatic architecture in the model group, with pronounced lipid vacuoles, cytoplasmic loosening, lipid accumulation, and steatosis. Adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) of the model group exhibited markedly increased diameters, reduced cell counts per unit area, and irregular morphology. Compared with the model group, the ASR-PR group significantly reduced body weight, body fat weight, serum TC, IL-6, TNF-α, leptin levels, and EGFR mRNA expression (P<0.01). TG levels were also significantly decreased (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). Histopathological improvements included reduced size and number of hepatic lipid vacuoles and restoration of liver cell morphology toward that of the normal group. The diameter of adipocytes significantly decreased, and the number of adipocytes per unit area increased. ConclusionASR-PR may regulate the expression of key target proteins such as EGFR and STAT3 via its core active components, modulate the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, repair damaged liver and adipose tissues, and thereby alleviate the progression of obesity in mice.
10.Antidepressant effects and mechanisms of Wuhua herbal tea in a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress
Zhiwei Qi ; Lingling Qin ; Ming Gao ; Ruifeng Yang ; Congyi Liu ; Ning Wang ; Wenjing Li ; Yongxin Huang ; Lili Wu ; Tonghua Liu
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2025;2025(3):364-374
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of Wuhua herbal tea on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression and explore its mechanism of action in combating depression.MethodsWe tested the antidepressant effects of Wuhua herbal tea in a rat model of CUMS-induced depression using fluoxetine as a positive control. The rats were divided into four groups: control group, model group, fluoxetine group, and Wuhua herbal tea group. The rats underwent body weight measurements, sucrose preference test, and open-field test. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to detect the serum levels of serotonin, dopamine, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone, norepinephrine, and interleukin-6. Intergroup comparisons and detection of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mRNA expression in the hippocampus were performed using RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify the expression of phosphorylated JAK2 (p-JAK2) and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) proteins in hippocampal paraffin sections of CUMS rats.ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group rats had depressive tendencies, exhibiting low vitality and interest in various behavioral indicators which were signs of despair. The Wuhua herbal tea group statistically increased the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the serum of CUMS rats to varying degrees (P = .015 and P = .002); reduced serum levels of ACTH, corticosterone, norepinephrine, and interleukin-6 (all P .05); and decreased mRNA expression of BDNF, CREB, JAK2, and STAT3 in the hippocampus (all P .05); and decreased p-STAT3 protein levels (P = .006).ConclusionWuhua herbal tea shows antidepressant potential in CUMS rats by modulating the HPA axis and inhibiting JAK2-STAT3 overactivation, alleviating neuroinflammation. It also restores BDNF-CREB pathway function, reducing depressive symptoms.


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