1.Mechanism of Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis Extract in Treating Parkinson's Disease Based on Lipidomics
Ningxia LU ; Ao GAO ; Yehao WANG ; Jinjin YANG ; Yi LU ; Fang LU ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):91-99
ObjectiveAbnormal lipids in neurons can cause the accumulation of α-synuclein(α-syn). This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis extract (ASH) in treating Parkinson's disease (PD) mice using lipidomics combined with network pharmacology. MethodsMice were divided into the blank group, model group and ASH (45.5 mg·kg-1) group. Motor ability was evaluated by pole climbing time and autonomous activity count; The oxidative stress indicators were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lipid biomarkers in brain tissues were screened and identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), and metabolic pathway analysis was conducted. The key targets of ASH for PD treatment were explored using network pharmacology. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database was used for pathway enrichment analysis, and the "compound-reaction-enzyme-gene" network was constructed using the MetScape plugin. The protein expression levels of glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1), glutathione S-transferase Mu 2 (GSTM2), prostaglandin peroxide synthase 1 (PTGS1), prostaglandin peroxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), and prostaglandin E synthase (PTGES) were validated by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed significantly prolonged pole climbing time and reduced autonomous activity count (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the ASH group demonstrated significantly faster pole climbing and increased autonomous activity count (P<0.01). The model group exhibited significantly decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels, and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) level in brain tissues compared with the blank group (P<0.01). The ASH group showed increased SOD and GSH-Px levels and decreased MDA level compared with the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Lipidomics analysis identified 10 differential metabolites and 8 differential metabolic pathways. Network pharmacological analysis revealed 213 intersection targets between ASH components and PD, with KEGG enrichment involving the sphingolipid signaling pathway, lipid arteriosclerosis, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathway, and hypoxia inducible factor-1(HIF-1) signaling pathway. Integrated lipidomics and network pharmacology analysis highlighted the central role of the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway. The Western blot results showed that ASH effectively up-regulated GSTP1, GSTM2, and PTGS1 protein expression, and down-regulated PTGS2 and PTGES protein expression. ConclusionASH can ameliorate behavioral deficits, exert antioxidant effects, regulate lipid differential metabolites and the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway, thereby exerting therapeutic effects in PD model mice.
2.Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Comorbidity of Parkinson's Disease and Depression: A Review
Qi ZHENG ; Xiaomin XU ; Simeng WANG ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):268-276
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder primarily characterized by motor dysfunction. Traditionally, its main clinical features include resting tremor, muscular rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural balance disorders. However, an increasing number of studies have shown that its non-motor symptoms (NMS) exert an even greater impact on patients' quality of life than motor symptoms, severely affecting daily functioning and increasing the burden on families and society. Among these, depression is one of the most common and most debilitating NMS, with statistics indicating that the incidence of depression among PD patients reaches as high as 40%-50%. The pathological mechanisms are complex, involving the interplay between degenerative changes in dopaminergic neurons and disruptions in emotional regulatory circuits, which poses a substantial challenge to clinical treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by holistic regulation and multi-target intervention, has demonstrated significant advantages in the treatment of PD and depression, offering new insights for managing PD-depression comorbidity. This study integrates research extracted from multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), that investigates the potential mechanisms of PD and depression as well as TCM-based treatments for these conditions. The aim is to elucidate the shared pathological mechanisms underlying PD and depression and to explore the therapeutic potential of TCM in effectively combating PD-depression comorbidity through these shared mechanisms, thereby providing valuable insights for the development of targeted therapies.
3.Ameliorative effect and mechanism of Forsythia suspensa-Lonicera japonica herb pair on acute lung injury via regulating serum exosomal miRNA
Zhaohua CHEN ; Shumin XIE ; Wanshun CHANG ; Yuqing HAN ; Yanwen CHEN ; Yanhui ZHU ; Mingzhuo CAO ; Haiying HUANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(3):305-310
OBJECTIVE To study the ameliorative effect and mechanism of Forsythia suspensa-Lonicera japonica herb pair on acute lung injury (ALI) based on serum exosomal microRNA (miRNA). METHODS The rats were randomly divided into a blank group (normal saline), model group (nomal saline), and F. suspensa-L. japonica herb pair group (2.55 g/kg), with 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, the other groups were used to establish an ALI model by intratracheal dripping of 5 mg/ mL lipopolysaccharides. After modeling, each group was given relevant medicine/normal saline intragastrically, once a day, for 3 consecutive days. After the last medication, the pathological status of lung tissue was observed; lung wet-to-dry weight ratio and leukocyte counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined. The levels of inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-10] in BALF were determined. Exosomes were isolated from rat serum, and high- throughput sequencing technology was employed to screen differentially expressed miRNA within the exosomes, followed by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Based on the screened differentially expressed miRNA and the enriched KEGG pathways, in vitro cellular experiments were conducted for validation. RESULTS The animal experimental results demonstrated that after intervention with the F. suspensa-L. japonica herb pair, the wet-to-dry weight ratio, the number of leukocytes in BALF, as well as the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in BALF of ALI rats were all significantly reduced (P<0.01), while the level of IL-10 was significantly increased (P<0.01). The results of high-throughput sequencing experiments revealed that the F. suspensa-L. japonica herb pair could significantly up-regulate the expressions of miR-345-3p, miR-194-5p, miR-653-5p, and others in exosomes. Among them, the KEGG pathways involved in the target genes of differentially expressed miRNA included the hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1) signaling pathway, among others. The results of cellular E-mail:huang.haiying@126.com validation experiments showed that overexpressed miR-345-3p could significantly elevate the level of IL-10 in the cell supernatant (P<0.01), while significantly reducing the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the cell supernatant, as well as the mRNA and protein expression levels of protein kinase B1, phosphatidylinositol 3- kinase, and HIF-1α (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS F. suspensa-L. japonica herb pair can alleviate inflammatory responses and thereby exert a therapeutic effect in improving ALI by up-regulating the expression of miR-345-3p in serum exosomes and inhibiting the activity of the HIF-1 signaling pathway.
4.Exploring Mechanism of Anti-atherosclerosis Effect of Huangqi Chifengtang Based on AMPK/PPARα Signaling Pathway and NLRP3 Inflammasome
Yuqin LIANG ; Jie LIU ; Chi ZHANG ; Pingping CHEN ; Fang LU ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):131-139
ObjectiveTo explore the improving effect of Huangqi Chifengtang(HCT) on atherosclerosis(AS), and elucidate its mechanism in relation to adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α(PPARα) signaling pathway and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome. MethodsEight C57BL/6J mice were set as the normal group, and 32 ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into the model group, the positive drug group(atorvastatin, 5 mg·kg-1·d-1), HCT low- and high-dose groups(1.95, 3.90 g·kg-1·d-1). ApoE-/- mice were fed with high-fat and high-cholesterol feed to establish an AS mouse model. After modeling, they were orally administered corresponding dose of drugs for 28 days, while the normal and model groups received an equal volume of physiological saline via oral gavage. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological status of the aorta and liver in mice, Biochemical testing and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) were used to detect the levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-18 in the serum, as well as superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA), and reduced glutathione(GSH) in the liver. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1(Caspase-1), Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) in the aorta, and fatty acid synthase(FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1(SCD1), PPARα, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A(CPT1A) in the liver. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the protein expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and ASC in the aorta, and Western blot was used to measure the protein expressions of AMPK, p-AMPK, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c(SREBP-1c), CPT1A, and FAS in the liver. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed a significant increase in lipid plaque deposition in the aorta and lipid accumulation in the liver, the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, AST, ALT, IL-1β, IL-18 and CRP in the serum were significantly increased(P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expressions of aortic TLR4, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and ASC were significantly upregulated(P<0.01). The levels of SOD and GSH in the liver were significantly reduced, while the level of MDA was significantly increased(P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of FAS and SCD1 in the liver were significantly downregulated, while the mRNA expressions of PPARα and CPT1A were significantly upregulated. The protein expressions of p-AMPK/AMPK and CPT1A in the liver were significantly reduced, while the expressions of SREBP-1c and FAS proteins were significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the low- and high-dose HCT groups showed significant improvements in aortic plaques and hepatic lipid deposition. The levels of TC, LDL-C, AST, IL-1β and IL-18 in the serum of the low-dose HCT group, as well as TC, TG, LDL-C, AST, ALT, IL-1β, IL-18 and CRP in the serum of the high-dose HCT group, were significantly reduced(P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of TLR4, NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in the aorta of the low-dose HCT group, as well as TLR4, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and ASC in the aorta of the high-dose HCT group, were significantly downregulated(P<0.01). The protein expressions of Caspase-1 and ASC in the aorta of the low-dose HCT group, as well as NLRP3, Caspase-1 and ASC in the high-dose HCT group, were significantly downregulated(P<0.01). The levels of SOD and GSH in the liver of the low- and high-dose HCT groups were significantly increased, while the level of MDA in the high-dose HCT group was significantly decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01). In the HCT-treated group, the mRNA expressions of FAS and SCD1 in the liver were significantly upregulated, while the mRNA expressions of PPARα and CPT1A were significantly downregulated, the protein expressions of p-AMPK/AMPK and CPT1A in the liver were significantly increased, while the protein expressions of SREBP-1c and FAS were significantly decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHCT can improve lipid metabolism by activating the AMPK/PPARα pathway and inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammatory responses, thereby reducing hepatic lipid deposition and AS plaque formation.
5.Current status and future prospects of global robotic surgery: Evolution from thoracic surgery to multidisciplinary integration
Ming CHENG ; Wei XU ; Renquan DING ; Boxiao HU ; Shumin WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(05):686-697
This article systematically elucidates the current development status and future trends of robot-assisted surgery worldwide. Currently, robotic surgery led by the Da Vinci Surgical System has been widely adopted across multiple disciplines, including thoracic surgery, urology, and gynecology, demonstrating advantages such as precision, stability, and minimal invasiveness. Significant regional disparities exist in the global distribution of robotic surgery, reflecting inequalities in healthcare resources and economic development worldwide. China is rapidly emerging in the field of robotic surgery, undergoing a strategic transition from technology adoption to independent innovation: domestically developed systems (e.g., Toumai, Surgibot) have demonstrated safety and efficacy in multidisciplinary clinical practice; leveraging the advantages of 5G technology, remote robotic surgery has progressed from proof-of-concept to clinical reality, offering innovative solutions for equitable healthcare resource allocation; meanwhile, a quality control system spanning from national strategic planning to clinical operational standards is under development. Confronted with core challenges such as high costs, technical barriers (e.g., lack of force feedback), steep learning curves, lagging regulatory and ethical frameworks, and uneven regional development, future robotic surgery will deeply integrate artificial intelligence, evolving toward single-port/flexible miniaturization, normalization of remote surgery, and personalized precision treatment. Ultimately, it will drive the transformation of surgical medicine toward a new paradigm characterized by greater precision, intelligence, and accessibility, and is expected to play a strategic role in public health emergencies and disaster relief operations.
6.Chinese Medicine against Parkinson's Disease Based on Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis Theory: A Review
Xin GAO ; Chen LIU ; Dapeng TONG ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):307-314
Parkinson's disease (PD), with its incidence increasing year by year and its onset age gradually becoming younger, has become a major chronic multisystem movement disorder that threatens public health. The microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) is a bidirectional communication system connecting the enteric nervous system and the central nervous system. Its core functions rely on the synergistic interactions among gut microbiota, neural signal transmission, endocrine regulation, and immune interactions, and it plays an indispensable role in maintaining gut-brain dynamic homeostasis, regulating neurotransmitter metabolism, and modulating inflammatory responses. Current studies have found that the gut microbiota of patients with PD exhibits dual dysbiosis characterized by the enrichment of opportunistic pathogens and beneficial bacteria, accompanied by abnormal metabolite levels, which accumulate and trigger neuroinflammation, demonstrating the pivotal regulatory role of the MGBA in the early pathology of PD. Furthermore, this article summarizes Chinese medicines, their active components, and compound formulas that may prevent and treat PD through intervention in the MGBA. These agents can modulate microbial composition, suppress inflammation and oxidative stress, protect the intestinal barrier, and ameliorate dopaminergic neuron damage. By systematically summarizing the central mechanisms of the MGBA in PD and reviewing the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) mediated regulation of this pathway in PD intervention, this article aims to provide a theoretical reference for the clinical prevention and treatment of PD and scientific research design.
7.Tension hydrocele: report of 2 cases and literature review
Xun ZHAO ; Shumin WANG ; Min QIU ; Chuxiao XU ; Guoliang WANG ; Shudong ZHANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(1):69-72
[Objective] To explore the diagnosis and treatment experience of tension hydrocele. [Methods] The clinical data of 2 patients with tension hydrocele treated in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Relevant literature was retrieved to analyze the clinical characteristics of this disease. [Results] Case 1 was diagnosed due to swelling and pain of the left scrotum after trauma for more than one month, which worsened for one day.Physical examination showed high tension in the left scrotum and positive light transmission test.Ultrasound examination revealed that the blood flow signal in the left testis disappeared.Emergency left scrotal exploration and hydrocelectomy were performed.There was no sign of testis torsion during the operation.Case 2 was diagnosed mainly due to hydrocele of the right testis for 1 year, which worsened for 1 week and complicated with testis distension and pain.Physical examination showed high tension in the right scrotum and positive light transmission test.Ultrasound examination revealed that the blood flow signal in the right testis decreased.After 40ml of fluid was extracted under ultrasound monitoring, the blood flow signal in the right testis recovered.Hydrocelectomy was performed the next day.During the follow-up of 8 months, there was no recurrence of hydrocele.A search of domestic and foreign literature showed that there were no reports in domestic literature, while a total of 11 cases were reported in foreign literature. [Conclusion] Tension hydrocele of the testis is a rare emergency of the scrotum.Surgery or decompression should be performed as soon as possible to restore testicular blood supply, and hydrocelectomy should be performed simultaneously or in stages to prevent recurrence.
8.Hepatitis E virus infection among blood donors in Zhengzhou
Hongna ZHAO ; Yueguang WEI ; Lumin YAN ; Tiantian TU ; Shumin WANG ; Yihui WEI ; Yifang WANG ; Lei ZHAO ; Mingjun CHEN
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(1):13-18
[Objective] To analyze the infection status of hepatitis E virus (HEV) among blood donors in Zhengzhou, so as to provide data support for formulating local blood screening strategies. [Methods] Random samples from blood donors from January to December 2022 were tested for HEV RNA using PCR technology. Reactive samples were sequenced for gene analysis, and the donors were followed up. [Results] Among 21 311 samples, 3(0.14‰) were reactive for HEV RNA, all of whom were male. Genetic sequencing results revealed that one strong positive sample was genotype 4, while sequencing failed for the other two due to low viral load. A follow-up of 25 strong positive donors showed that ALT significantly increased on day 7 after donation, anti-HEV IgM and anti-HEV IgG turned positive. On day 21, ALT returned to normal, and on day 35, HEV RNA turned negative. Notably, anti-HEV IgM and anti-HEV IgG persisted until day 482. [Conclusion] There is HEV infection among blood donors in Zhengzhou, and it is necessary to expand the screening scope to comprehensively explore the prevalence and genotype distribution of HEV among blood donors.
9.Current Status and Prospects of Research on the Potential Neurobiological Mechanisms of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Tobacco Dependence
Shumin CHEN ; Jin CHANG ; Chaoren TAN ; Hao ZHU ; Jinsheng YANG ; Zhao LIU ; Yingying WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(4):421-426
This paper comprehensively discusses on the potential neurobiological mechanisms of acupuncture in the treatment of tobacco dependence, focusing on three important aspects, including acupuncture's regulation of tobacco dependence behavior, effects of acupuncture on withdrawal syndrome, and the role of acupuncture in preventing relapse. It is found that acupuncture can inhibit drug-seeking behavior by regulating the reward pathway and related neurons, such as dopamine, thus modulating tobacco dependence behavior. It also alleviates withdrawal symptoms by improving the oral environment of smokers and reducing negative emotions after quitting. Furthermore, acupuncture can prevent relapse by decreasing brain network activity related to smoking cravings and improving cognitive brain functions like addiction memory. Currently, research on the specific neurobiological mechanism of acupuncture in treating tobacco dependence and the involved neural circuits is limited. Future research directions are proposed, including the evaluation of clinical effects, exploration of specific therapeutic mechanisms, investigation of brain pathology, and strengthening the exploration of brain functions. Additionally, combining modern technologies to clarify the neural circuits involved in acupuncture intervention will provide a basis for acupuncture treatment of tobacco addiction.
10.Underlying Mechanism of Wuwei Shenqintang in Amelioration of Pulmonary Fibrosis by Regulating "Lung-intestine Axis" Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS Metabolomics Technology
Mengdi SUN ; Fang LU ; Donghua YU ; Yu WANG ; Pingping CHEN ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):11-20
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of action of Wuwei Shenqintang in improving pulmonary fibrosis by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) for metabolomic analysis of lung tissue and feces. MethodsA rat model with pulmonary fibrosis was established by intratracheal injection of 5 mg·kg-1 bleomycin. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a prednisone (3.15 mg·kg-1) group, and low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Wuwei Shenqintang (4.586, 9.172, 18.344 g·kg-1). The rats were given intragastric administration once a day for 28 consecutive days. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to measure the pathological changes in lung and colon tissue, and Masson staining was used to detect the degree of pulmonary fibrosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and intestinal mucus. Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) were used to detect the expression of type Ⅰ collagen (Col-Ⅰ), fibronectin (FN), and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in lung tissue. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to study the changes in the metabolic network of lung tissue and feces in rats with pulmonary fibrosis treated with Wuwei Shenqintang, screen potential biomarkers for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis by Wuwei Shenqintang, and perform pathway enrichment analysis. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed extensive inflammatory cell infiltration and continuous fibrotic lesions in lung tissue, colonic mucosal damage, and connective tissue hyperplasia. The expression of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, TNF-α, and SIgA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and intestinal mucus was significantly increased (P<0.01). The expression of Col-Ⅰ, FN, and α-SMA proteins and mRNAs in lung tissue was significantly upregulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the groups of Wuwei Shenqintang exhibited significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration and blue collagen deposition in lung tissue, alleviated colonic damage, decreased expression of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, TNF-α, and SIgA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and intestinal mucus (P<0.01), and reduced average absorbance values and mRNA expression of Col-Ⅰ, FN, and α-SMA in lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the prednisone group and the medium-dose and high-dose groups of Wuwei Shenqintang showing the most significant effects. The metabolomics results for lung tissue showed that compared with the blank group, the model group had 19 significantly different compounds (P<0.05, P<0.01). Wuwei Shenqintang could normalize 17 of these compounds compared with the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Fecal metabolomics results showed that compared with those in the blank group, there were 42 compounds with significant differences in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model control group, Wuwei Shenqintang could normalize 41 of these compounds (P<0.05, P<0.01). The combined analysis results indicated that Wuwei Shenqintang might inhibit pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan as well as the retinol metabolism pathway. ConclusionWuwei Shenqintang can ameliorate pulmonary fibrosis, which may be related to the regulation of the "lung-intestine axis".

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail