1.Exploring Biological Characteristics of Rat Model of Atrial Fibrillation with Phlegm-heat and Blood Stasis Pattern Based on Metabolomics
Ailin HOU ; Yuxuan LIU ; Wenxi YU ; Xing JI ; Chan WU ; Dazhuo SHI ; Ying ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):245-255
ObjectiveTo establish an animal model of atrial fibrillation(AF) that accurately reflects the phlegm-heat and blood stasis(TRYZ) pathogenesis in traditional Chinese medicine. MethodsForty SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned using a random number table to the following groups:the control group, the TRYZ+AF group,the AF group and the TRYZ group, with ten rats in each group. The TRYZ+AF and TRYZ groups underwent a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide(LPS) injection to simulate the pathological alterations of TRYZ syndrome. Groups TRYZ+AF and AF were induced with acetylcholine-calcium chloride(Ach-CaCl2) via caudal vein injection to induce AF. The control group received no intervention and was maintained under normal conditions. The modeling period lasted 3 weeks. Electrocardiography was used to assess AF episodes and duration, echocardiography evaluated left atrial dimensions and cardiac function, fully automated biochemical analyzer measured the levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), hemoreometer analyzed the whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and whole blood reduced viscosity, a coagulation analyzer assessed prothrombin time(PT), activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT), thrombin time(TT), and fibrinogen(FIB), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine the levels of C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17, tumour necrosis factor(TNF)-α, matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9), galectin-3(Gal-3), Collagen Ⅰ, and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson's trichrome staining were used to analyze pathological changes in atrial myocardium, Western blot was employed to detect MMP-9, Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA protein expression in myocardial tissue, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) evaluated fibrous factor gene expression levels. Changes in the TRYZ syndrome were assessed via body weight, tongue color[red(R), green(G), and blue(B)], and rectal temperature. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was employed to detect differential metabolites between the control group and the TRYZ+AF group. ResultsFollowing three weeks of sustained modeling, compared with the control group, rats in the TRYZ+AF and the TRYZ groups exhibited reduced body weight, dry faeces, elevated rectal temperature, dark red tongue, decreased RGB values on the tongue surface, and markedly elevated TC and LDL-C levels(P<0.05, P<0.01). The TRYZ+AF, TRYZ, and AF groups exhibited significantly decreased TT, APTT and PT, along with markedly elevated whole blood viscosity and FIB(P<0.05, P<0.01). Rats in the TRYZ+AF and AF groups exhibited AF rhythm, markedly decreased heart rate, prolonged RR intervals, enlarged left atrium, and significantly reduced ejection fraction and shortening fraction(P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum levels of CRP, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, MMP-9, Gal-3, Collagen Ⅰ, and α-SMA were elevated in rats from the TRYZ+AF, TRYZ, and AF groups compared to the control group, with the most pronounced increase observed in the TRYZ+AF group(P<0.05, P<0.01). Histopathology revealed that the collagen fiber deposition in the atrial of rats in the TRYZ+AF, TRYZ and AF groups was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05, P<0.01). Western blot and Real-time PCR results further demonstrated that the protein and mRNA expression levels of MMP-9, Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA in the myocardial tissue of the TRYZ+AF group were higher than those in the other three groups(P<0.05, P<0.01). Metabolomic analysis revealed 173 differentially expressed metabolites in the TRYZ+AF group and the control group, primarily enriched in pathways such as glycerophospholipid metabolism and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. ConclusionThis study successfully establishes a rat model of AF integrated with the TRYZ syndrome, demonstrating the pathological process where the interactions of phlegm, heat and stasis jointly trigger tremor, this provides a reliable experimental tool for in-depth research into the biological basis of this disease syndrome.
2.Clinical efficacy analysis of seven pediatric patients with Acute myeloid leukemia and the t(16;21)(p11;q22) FUS::ERG fusion gene.
Lihuan SHI ; Shan HUANG ; Xing XIE ; Pengkai FAN ; Haili GAO ; Yanna MAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(2):90-95
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of seven pediatric patients with Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) positive for the t(16;21)(p11;q22) FUS::ERG fusion gene.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was carried out on the clinical data, treatment, and prognosis of seven AML patients with t(16;21)(p11;q22) FUS::ERG fusion gene admitted to Henan Children's Hospital between June 2015 and November 2024. Relevant literature was also reviewed. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No.: 2024-102-001).
RESULTS:
Among 297 pediatric patients with AML, 7 cases (2.36%) were positive for the t(16;21)(p11;q22) FUS::ERG fusion gene, including 3 males and 4 females, with a median age of 11 years (range: 3 ~ 12 years). According to the FAB classification, these included 1 case of M2, 3 cases of M5, and 3 cases of AML-not otherwise specified (non-M3). All 7 patients were found to harbor the t(16;21)(p11;q22) translocation, with 3 cases showing additional chromosomal abnormalities. Immunophenotyping revealed universal expression of CD13, CD33, CD34, and CD117, with partial expression of CD56, CD4, CD64, CD123, CD15, CD38, CD11b, HLA-DR, cMPO, and CD16. One patient achieved complete remission (CR) after the first course of DAE (cytarabine + daunorubicin + etoposide) induction chemotherapy but relapsed and discontinued the treatment. Six patients received DAH (cytarabine + daunorubicin + homoharringtonine) induction therapy, of whom 2 achieved CR after two courses and underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), resulting in an overall CR rate of 42.86%. Five children did not receive allo-HSCT and had a median overall survival of 9 months (range: 6 ~ 18 months). Two children who underwent transplantation achieved bone marrow morphological and molecular biological relapse at 6 and 9 months post-transplantation, respectively. After receiving combined chemotherapy and donor lymphocyte infusion, one child failed to achieve remission and died at 22 months post-transplantation, while the other has been followed up to date with positive fusion gene status. Their overall survival was 25 months and 30 months, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The t(16;21)(p11;q22) FUS::ERG fusion gene is rare in pediatric AML and associated with poor prognosis. Allo-HSCT may mitigate the adverse prognostic impact of the FUS::ERG fusion gene and contribute to prolonged survival.
Humans
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Male
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Child
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Female
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Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy*
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Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics*
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Translocation, Genetic
;
Retrospective Studies
;
RNA-Binding Protein FUS/genetics*
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Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16/genetics*
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Adolescent
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Child, Preschool
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Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21/genetics*
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Prognosis
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Treatment Outcome
3.Survey of post-discharge exercise behavior and analysis of factors influencing exercise intensity in patients undergoing lung surgery
Hongyu ZENG ; Xiang WANG ; Tian ZHANG ; Yaqin WANG ; Xing WEI ; Zhen DAI ; Liping ZHANG ; Xiaoqin LIU ; Qiang LI ; Qiuling SHI ; Wei DAI ; Jia LIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(05):734-742
Objective To investigate the post-discharge exercise behavior and factors influencing moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) in patients undergoing lung surgery. Methods A total of 2874 patients from the large prospective, observational perioperative lung symptom study cohort (CN-PRO-Lung 3) in the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Sichuan Cancer Hospital between April 7, 2021, and January 31, 2024, were selected as the survey subjects. A survey was conducted using the Investigation of Exercise Behavior after Lung Surgery questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) among patients who underwent lung surgery. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing patients’ engagement in MVPA. Results A total of 702 patients were surveyed, including 252 males and 450 females, with an average age of (52.4±10.2) years. Patients with lung cancer accounted for 85.9%. Only 36.0% of the patients had regular exercise habits, while 42.3% did not engage in any physical activity. The three main barriers for postoperative exercise were physical discomfort (pain, coughing, shortness of breath, etc, 54.7%), lack of professional guidance (41.7%), and concerns about the surgical wound (28.9%). The proportions of patients engaging in vigorous, moderate, and low-intensity physical activity were 5.7%, 28.2%, and 66.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that patients with a personal annual income ≥50000 yuan (OR=1.52, 95%CI 1.01-2.29, P=0.044), high school education or above (OR=1.92, 95%CI 1.33-2.76, P<0.001), and lobectomy (OR=1.44, 95%CI 1.02-2.03, P=0.037) engaged in more MVPA. Conclusion Patients undergoing lung surgery have inadequate physical activity after discharge, particularly lacking in MVPA. Patients with higher income, higher educational levels, and lobectomy are more frequently engaged in MVPA. Measures such as symptom control, providing exercise guidance, and enhancing education on wound care may potentially improve the inadequate physical activity in lung surgery patients after discharge.
4.Expert consensus on precise intervention with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for sleep disorders in the elderly
Yuan SHAO ; Jian WANG ; Wei LIANG ; Yingli ZHANG ; Gangqiang HOU ; Xia LI ; Yi XING ; Lu WANG ; Shi TANG ; Yongjun WANG
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(2):97-105
In recent years, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has garnered significant attention as a therapeutic approach for sleep disorders in the elderly. However, the prevailing rTMS protocols are predominantly developed based on normative neurophysiological data derived from young adults and fail to incorporate individualized parameters tailored to the brain characteristics of the elderly. To address this gap, the consensus development group synthesized the latest evidence from 2010 to 2025 and established a standardized rTMS protocol specifically for elderly patients with sleep disorders. Adhering to the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) framework, systematically screened randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews regarding rTMS in the treatment of sleep disorders across various conditions. Meanwhile, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was employed to rigorously grade the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations. This consensus guideline delineates precise rTMS protocols for the management of sleep disorders in the elderly, highlights the adjustment of stimulation intensity according to scalp-cortex distance recommends either MRI‑guided neuronavigation or the Beam F3/F4 heuristic approach for accurate target localization, thereby providing precise rTMS intervention protocol for sleep disorders in the elderly, aiming to enhance clinical efficacy while ensuring treatment safety. [Funded by National Key Research and Development Program (number, 2023YFC3603200); General Program of Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission (number, JCYJ20240813112859008, JCYJ20240813112900002); Youth Program of Shenzhen Kangning Hospital (number, KN2023A004); www.guidelines-registry.cn number, PREPARE-2026CN530]
5.A Personalized Brain-computer Interface Paradigm and Decoding Method for The Objective Evaluation of Auditory Frequency Difference Limen
Sheng-Ye LI ; Xiao-Lin XIAO ; Shi-Hang YU ; Bei-Bei ZHANG ; Xing-Wei AN ; Min-Peng XU ; Dong MING
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1927-1941
ObjectiveThe frequency difference limen (FDL) serves as a fundamental metric utilized for effectively quantifying the precise perceptual capabilities of the central auditory system. However, traditional measurement methods rely heavily on the active behavioral responses of subjects and are consequently highly susceptible to the negative influence of confounding subjective factors. Furthermore, existing research paradigms frequently employ uniform stimulus configurations that overlook critical individual perceptual differences. Based on brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, this comprehensive study aims to establish an objective and quantitative evaluation method for auditory frequency discrimination by systematically analyzing and decoding the specific neural responses elicited at the exact threshold state. MethodsWe designed a personalized rapid serial auditory presentation (RSAP) paradigm customized based on each individual’s precise FDL. A cohort of eleven healthy participants was recruited to evaluate the paradigm using pure-tone sequences at a baseline frequency of 4 000 Hz. This experimental paradigm simulates a realistic auditory perception environment through the continuous presentation of acoustic stimuli, thereby allowing for an in-depth investigation into the specific neural representations evoked by weak frequency deviations at the threshold state. Given that auditory stimulus-evoked response features exhibit complex and differentiated spatiotemporal distribution patterns across multiple frequency domains, this study further deeply integrates the cross-scale feature interaction module with the dynamic spatiotemporal attention allocation strategy, innovatively proposing the Multi-Scale Spatial-Temporal Dual Attention Network (MS-STAMNet). Specifically, the network constructs parallel processing branches with multiple receptive fields and introduces a dynamic adaptive weighting strategy to precisely localize core neural activity signals, further deeply integrating multi-scale information through cross-branch feature information interaction to achieve robust single-trial decoding of weak auditory evoked responses. ResultsThe comprehensive electrophysiological data analysis demonstrated that subtle auditory frequency deviation stimuli presented at the threshold level successfully elicited pronounced N2 and P3 event-related potential features, reflecting pre-attentive mismatch detection and subsequent cognitive evaluation, which were prominently distributed over the frontal, central, and temporal regions of the scalp. In the complex time-frequency domain, the extracted neural response characteristics exhibited distinct, statistically significant event-related synchronization within both the low-frequency δ and θ frequency bands, which was simultaneously accompanied by a widespread, prominent event-related desynchronization within the higher α band. A comparative analysis of model performance demonstrated that MS-STAMNet achieved an average unweighted average recall (UAR) of (69.67±6.12)% and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.761 8±0.07, significantly outperforming the established baseline models such as EEGNet and PLNet. Furthermore, a distinct dissociation phenomenon was verified between neural decoding and behavioral performance through regression analysis (R2=0.016, P=0.709), indicating that this model can effectively capture the implicit features of subtle frequency deviations, even when they fail to trigger explicit conscious responses. Additionally, attention weight visualization analysis further reveals the highly accurate focus of the network on key features concentrated over the bilateral temporal and fronto-parietal regions. ConclusionThis study systematically and comprehensively uncovers the multi-dimensional spatiotemporal evolutionary patterns of complex neural responses processing subtle acoustic variations under long-sequence threshold auditory stimulation. Concurrently, it verifies the efficacy and robustness of the proposed MS-STAMNet architecture in accurately deciphering weak, single-trial electroencephalogram signals amidst complex background noise. Ultimately, these neurophysiological and algorithmic findings lay a solid theoretical and methodological foundation for the objective and quantitative evaluation of individual auditory cognitive capabilities in clinical applications, transcending the fundamental limitations of traditional behavioral paradigms and providing robust technical support for future auditory research and related clinical assessments.
6.Tengli Kangliu Prescription Inhibits Colorectal Adenoma Carcinoma Transition in Mice via Regulating STAT3 Signaling Pathway and Targeting M2 Type Macrophages
Fang LIU ; Kaiyue CHI ; Qingxiu WU ; Xing SHI ; Jiangmei ZOU ; Mingjun BAO ; Bo CAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):207-216
ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention effect of Tengli Kangliu prescription (TKP) on the carcinogenesis of colorectal adenoma (CRA) induced by azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulphate sodium salt (DSS) in C57BL/6 mice and decipher the potential mechanism through regulating the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway to target M2-type macrophages. MethodsA total of 55 male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into a blank group (n=10), a model group (n=15), a celecoxib (0.02 g·kg-1·d-1) group (n=15), a TKP (42.43 g·kg-1·d-1) group (n=15). The mice in the model, TKP, and celecoxib groups were modeled for CRA lesions through the AOM/DSS three-cycle protocol. The intervention in each group began one week after free access to DSS and lasted for 12 weeks, and the blank group received 20 mL·kg-1·d-1 normal saline through gavage. Throughout the study period, changes in body mass and survival rate were recorded, alongside measurements of colorectal length and spleen mass. Histological changes of the colonic tissue were observed by HE staining. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed to detect the positive expression of CD68 and CD11c in the colorectal tissue. Western blot was employed to assess the protein levels of STAT3, phosphorylated (p)-STAT3, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in the intestinal tissue. Real-time quantitative PCR was employed to analyze the mRNA levels of arginase 1 (Arg1), CD206, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to measure the serum concentrations of Th2-type cytokines interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, and IL-13 in mice. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited symptoms including diarrhea, hematochezia, and body mass loss, accompanied by shortened colon length, mucosal damage, and multiple tumors. In addition, the model group showcased up-regulated protein levels of STAT3, p-STAT3, and Bcl-2, down-regulated protein level of Bax, increased positive expression of CD68 and CD11c, and up-regulated mRNA levels of Arg1, CD206, and VEGF in the colon tissue, together with elevated serum levels of IL-4, IL-13, and IL-6 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the above-mentioned indicators were partially reversed in both TKP group and celecoxib group, with superior effects observed in the TKP group (P<0.05). ConclusionTKP significantly improves the survival quality of the mouse model of AOM/DSS-induced CRA by reducing intestinal inflammation and decreasing colorectal tumor number and size. It may delay the progression of AOM/DSS-induced colorectal tumor-like lesions by inhibiting activation of the STAT3/p-STAT3 signaling pathway in the intestinal tissue, targeting regulation of M2-type macrophages, and improving the tumor microenvironment, thereby suppressing CRA carcinogenesis.
7.Mechanism of Huangqi Xiayuxue Decoction Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma via PI3K/Akt/FoxO Signaling Pathway
Xingru XING ; Yuanzhou SHI ; Jiawei WANG ; Di WU ; Yuyao ZHANG ; Yalin WU ; Du CHEN ; Zhen ZHANG ; Sha TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):131-141
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction against hepatocellular carcinoma based on network pharmacology, animal experiments, and cell experiments. MethodsThe active ingredients and corresponding targets of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction were screened via databases including the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM). Hepatocellular carcinoma-related targets were retrieved from the GeneCards database. The common targets shared by Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and hepatocellular carcinoma were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma was prepared. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was adopted to observe the effects of different volume fractions (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma on the proliferation of HepG2, MHCC-97H, Hepa1-6, and Huh-7 cells, and the concentration for subsequent experiments was determined. Flow cytometry was adopted to detect the effects of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) on the apoptosis of MHCC-97H cells. A mouse model of subcutaneous xenograft hepatocellular carcinoma was established. The model mice were assigned into low-, medium-, and high-dose (4.63, 9.25, 18.5 g·kg-1) Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and sorafenib (20 mg·kg-1) groups. Body mass and tumor volume of mice were dynamically monitored during the intervention period. After 3 weeks of intervention, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe tumor morphology. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was employed to detect cell apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was adopted to examine the expression of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in the tumor tissue. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to verify the changes in apoptosis-related factors and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/forkhead box O1 (PI3K/Akt/FoxO1) signaling pathway. ResultsA total of 220 common targets shared by Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and hepatocellular carcinoma were screened out by network pharmacology, among which tumor protein p53 (TP53), Akt1, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were the core targets. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the common targets were involved in cell apoptosis and proliferation, as well as the PI3K/Akt and FoxO signaling pathways. Cell experiments showed that compared with the blank plasma group, all volume fractions of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma inhibited the proliferation of HepG2, MHCC-97H, Hepa1-6, and Huh-7 cells (P<0.01). The proportion of early apoptotic cells in MHCC-97H cells was increased after treatment with different volume fractions of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma (P<0.01). Animal experiments revealed that Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction inhibited the growth of tumor volume, promoted tumor cell apoptosis in the high-dose group, up-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Bax and Caspase-3, down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2, and reduced the phosphorylation level of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHuangqi Xiayuxue decoction exerts anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway and promoting hepatocellular carcinoma cell apoptosis.
8.Mechanism of Huangqi Xiayuxue Decoction Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma via PI3K/Akt/FoxO Signaling Pathway
Xingru XING ; Yuanzhou SHI ; Jiawei WANG ; Di WU ; Yuyao ZHANG ; Yalin WU ; Du CHEN ; Zhen ZHANG ; Sha TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):131-141
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction against hepatocellular carcinoma based on network pharmacology, animal experiments, and cell experiments. MethodsThe active ingredients and corresponding targets of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction were screened via databases including the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM). Hepatocellular carcinoma-related targets were retrieved from the GeneCards database. The common targets shared by Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and hepatocellular carcinoma were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma was prepared. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was adopted to observe the effects of different volume fractions (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma on the proliferation of HepG2, MHCC-97H, Hepa1-6, and Huh-7 cells, and the concentration for subsequent experiments was determined. Flow cytometry was adopted to detect the effects of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) on the apoptosis of MHCC-97H cells. A mouse model of subcutaneous xenograft hepatocellular carcinoma was established. The model mice were assigned into low-, medium-, and high-dose (4.63, 9.25, 18.5 g·kg-1) Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and sorafenib (20 mg·kg-1) groups. Body mass and tumor volume of mice were dynamically monitored during the intervention period. After 3 weeks of intervention, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe tumor morphology. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was employed to detect cell apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was adopted to examine the expression of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in the tumor tissue. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to verify the changes in apoptosis-related factors and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/forkhead box O1 (PI3K/Akt/FoxO1) signaling pathway. ResultsA total of 220 common targets shared by Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and hepatocellular carcinoma were screened out by network pharmacology, among which tumor protein p53 (TP53), Akt1, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were the core targets. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the common targets were involved in cell apoptosis and proliferation, as well as the PI3K/Akt and FoxO signaling pathways. Cell experiments showed that compared with the blank plasma group, all volume fractions of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma inhibited the proliferation of HepG2, MHCC-97H, Hepa1-6, and Huh-7 cells (P<0.01). The proportion of early apoptotic cells in MHCC-97H cells was increased after treatment with different volume fractions of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma (P<0.01). Animal experiments revealed that Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction inhibited the growth of tumor volume, promoted tumor cell apoptosis in the high-dose group, up-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Bax and Caspase-3, down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2, and reduced the phosphorylation level of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHuangqi Xiayuxue decoction exerts anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway and promoting hepatocellular carcinoma cell apoptosis.
9.Chemical composition and efficacy of warming lung and resolving fluid retention of Asarum forbesii grown under different shading conditions.
Lu LIAO ; Li-Xian LU ; Hong-Zhuan SHI ; Qiao-Sheng GUO ; Cheng-Hao FEI ; Kun ZHAO ; Yuan-Yuan XING ; Yong SU ; Chang LIU ; Xin-Yue YUAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(2):384-394
Asarum forbesii is a perennial herb born in a shaded and humid environment, which is warm in nature. With the efficacy of warming lung, resolving fluid retention, and relieving coughs, it can be used to treat the syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. To investigate the effects of different shading conditions on the composition and efficacy of A. forbesii, this study planted A. forbesii under 20% natural light(NL20), 40% natural light(NL40), 60% natural light(NL60), and 80% natural light(NL80) and utilized ultra performance liquid chromatography(UPLC) and micro broth 2-fold dilution method to detect the volatile chemical compounds and the minimum inhibitory concentration. At the same time, the study investigated the effects of A. forbesii grown under different shading conditions on the signs, pathological changes of lung tissues, serum cytokine levels, activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ-Ⅴ in lung tissues, and relative expression of related genes of mice with syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. The results indicated that with the increase of shading, the content of kakuol, methyl eugenol, and asarinin in A. forbesii and the antibacterial effect showed a tendency of increasing first and then decreasing, and the NL40 group was significantly better than the other groups. Under the conditions of NL20 and NL40, A. forbesii significantly alleviated the pathological damage to lung tissues, restored the homeostasis of the lung, and enhanced the energy metabolism level of mice with syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. In addition, A. forbesii planted under the two conditions reduced the content of interleukin-8(IL-8), interleukin-13(IL-13), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and mucin 5AC(MUC5AC), increased the levels of interleukin-10(IL-10) and aquaporin 1(AQP1), lowered the expression of MMP9, VEGF, TGF-β, and MAPK3. In conclusion, the therapeutic effect of A. forbesii on the syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung was positively correlated with the degree of shading, and the chemical composition and efficacy of warming lung and resolving fluid retention were optimal under the conditions of NL20-NL40. This study can provide reference for the pharmacological research and cultivation of A. forbesii.
Animals
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Mice
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Lung/pathology*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Male
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Light
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Cytokines/genetics*
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Humans
10.Huanglian Jiedu Decoction prevents and treats acute liver injury in septic mice via AMPK/SIRT1 autophagy pathway.
Rui-Zhu ZHAO ; Xin-Yue REN ; Yu-Hang WANG ; Ding-Xing FAN ; Shi-Lei LOU ; Hui YAN ; Cong SUN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(2):507-514
This study aims to explore the mechanism of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction(HJD) in treating acute liver injury(ALI) in the mouse model of sepsis induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Fifty-four male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into six groups: blank group, model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose group HJD, and dexamethasone group. The mouse model of sepsis was established by intraperitoneal injection of LPS after 7 days of gavage with HJD, and dexamethasone(0.2 mL) was injected intraperitoneally 1.5 h after modeling. The murine sepsis score(MSS) was recorded 12 h after modeling. The levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) in the liver tissue and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in the serum were measured by ELISA. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the mouse liver. The content of light chain 3 of microtubule-associated protein 1(LC3) was detected by immunofluorescence, and that of sirtuin 1(SIRT1) was detected by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA levels of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK), LC3, and P62 were detected by RT-PCR. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of AMPK, p-AMPK, and SIRT1 in the liver tissue. The results showed that compared with model group, drug interventions decreased the MSS and liver injury indicators, lowered the levels of inflammatory cytokines, improved the liver tissue structure, upregulated the protein levels of of p-AMPK/AMPK and SIRT1 and the mRNA levels of AMPK and LC3, and downregulated the mRNA level of P62. To sum up, HJD can regulate the autophagy level and reduce inflammation to ameliorate acute liver injury in septic mice by activating the AMPK/SIRT1 autophagy pathway.
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Sirtuin 1/genetics*
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Male
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Mice
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Sepsis/metabolism*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Autophagy/drug effects*
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AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics*
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Liver/metabolism*
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Humans
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics*

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