1.Mechanism of Congrong Zonggan Capsules in Improving Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Impairment in 5×FAD Mice Based on NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Yanru ZHOU ; Xinru GU ; Yuru LIU ; Shun ZHANG ; Yaozhong LYU ; Zhenzhong WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):130-138
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Congrong Zonggan capsules (CRZG) on cognitive impairment in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) model of mice and its related mechanisms. MethodsSPF grade 4-week-old 5×FAD mice were divided into a model group, low-dose CRZG (0.819 g·kg-1) and high-dose CRZG (1.638 g·kg-1) groups, and Donepezilepezil hydrochloride group (2 mg·kg-1), with eight mice in each group. Eight C57 mice with the same background were set as the normal group. After one week of adaptive feeding, mice were orally administered continuously for six months. On the 5th month of drug administration, Y maze, new object recognition, and Morris water maze tests were conducted separately. After administration, mouse brain tissue was taken, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in brain tissue were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to detect the expression of small glial cell markers Iba1, astrocyte markers GFAP, and amyloid protein 1-42 (Aβ1-42) in the hippocampus of the brain tissue. The hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to detect pathological changes in the hippocampus of brain tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cleaved Caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), and other proteins in the brain tissue. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group, the mice in the model group had obvious cognitive impairment. The spontaneous alternation rate of the Y maze was decreased, and the discrimination index of novel object recognition was decreased significantly (P<0.01). The escape latency in the water maze was shortened significantly (P<0.01). The contents of IL-6 and TNF-α in brain tissue were increased. The fluorescence levels of Iba1 and Aβ1-42 in the hippocampus were significantly increased (P<0.01). There was a significant increase in neuronal lesions, neuronal atrophy, loose arrangement of tissue structure, and abnormal erythrocyte aggregation in the hippocampus. The protein expressions of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, cleaved Caspase-1, ASC, IL-6, and IL-1β were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the spontaneous alternation rate and discrimination index of the high-dose CRZG group were increased significantly (P<0.01), and the escape latency was shortened significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). The content of IL-6 decreased in the brain, and that of TNF-α dropped significantly (P<0.01). The expression of Iba1 protein and Aβ1-42 in the hippocampus decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). The hippocampal neurons were densely arranged, and the pyramidal nuclei were clear and centered. The abnormal aggregation of red blood cells was alleviated. The value of p-NF-κB/NF-κB proteins and the expression of ASC, cleaved Caspase-1, IL-6, and IL-1β were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionCRZG can effectively improve cognitive impairment in 5×FAD mice with Alzheimer's disease, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway to reduce the abnormal activation of microglia and inhibit neuroinflammation.
2.Research Status and Design Ideas of Placebo Manipulation in Clinical Trial Design of Tuina
Jingui WANG ; Haining ZHANG ; Shun FAN ; Yusheng LI ; Hongyi WANG ; An BAO ; Wei ZHANG ; Huanan LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1128-1132
The rationale for the design of control groups in tuina clinical trial is the foundation for rigorously validating the effectiveness and safety of this therapy. This article reviewed the current state of the design of tuina placebo in control groups of clinical trials, pointed out the necessity of setting up tuina placebo in clinical trials of tuina, analyzed the challenges in implementing blinding of tuina manipulation, and concluded that tuina placebo is still challenged by the placebo effect, the diversification of tuina manipulation but the lack of standardization, and the difficulty of implementing blinding due to the high level of public awareness of tuina. This article also summarized the design of placebo manipulation in three types of clinical trials, including spinal manipulation, acupressure, and paediatric tuina, and proposed four strategies for designing placebo tuina manipulation-controlling placebo effects, developing operational standards for placebo tuina manipulation, ensuring the rigor of blinding implementation, and applying new technologies to enhance the standardization and blinding capacity of placebo tuina methods. So the article is aimed at improving the methodological quality of tuina clinical trial designs, and promoting the standardization and scientificity of tuina clinical trial design.
3.Effect of Zishen Tongguan Formula on "Gut-prostate" Axis of Rats with Chronic Non-bacterial Prostatitis Based on 16S rDNA Sequencing
Xiran LI ; Mengjiao CHEN ; Kaiping ZOU ; Chenguang ZHAO ; Xingbin DAI ; Xiaoqing ZHANG ; Shun LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):63-71
ObjectiveBased on the theory of "gut-prostate" axis, this study explored the effects and mechanisms of Zishen Tongguan formula and Cinnamomi Cortex in the formula in treating rats with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis(CNP) by detecting the levels of inflammatory factors, and the composition and structure of intestinal flora in CNP rats. MethodsEight out of 42 SD rats were randomly selected as the normal group, and the remaining rats were injected with carrageenan to prepare the CNP model. After successful modeling, 32 rats were randomly divided into the model group, Ningmitai capsule group(0.50 g·kg-1), Zishen Tongguan formula group(2.00 g·kg-1), and the Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex-Anemarrhenae Rhizoma pair group(PCC-AR group, 2.00 g·kg-1), with 8 rats in each group. The administered groups were given the corresponding medicinal solution by gavage, and the normal and model groups were intragastrically administered with an equal volume of normal saline, once a day for 14 consecutive days. The prostate tissues of rats were collected and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining to observe the pathological changes of the tissues in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of related inflammatory factors in rat serum, and 16S rDNA sequencing was used to analyze the abundance and diversity changes of gut microbiota before and after administration, and species difference analysis was performed. ResultsAll the administered groups could alleviate the inflammatory symptoms of CNP rats, increase the expression levels of anti-inflammatory factors and decrease the expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors, with the most sIgnificant effect observed in the Zishen Tongguan formula group. Compared with the normal group, the expression levels of interleukin(IL)-8, hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), immunoglobulin(Ig)M, secretory IgA (sIgA), and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) were sIgnificantly increased in the model group(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression levels of the above inflammatory factors in all administered groups were significantly reduced(P<0.01). When compared with the PCC-AR group, the Zishen Tongguan formula group showed a significant decrease in transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 expression level(P<0.05) and a significant increase in IgM expression level(P<0.01). The results of gut microbiota analysis showed that, compared with the PCC-AR group, at the order level, the Zishen Tongguan formula group significantly reduced the relative abundance of conditional pathogens such as Bacteroidales, Acidaminococcales, Rhodospirillales, Clostridiales, and Elusimicrobiales(P<0.01). And at the genus level, the Zishen Tongguan formula group significantly decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic microbiota such as Lachnospira and Bacteroides(P<0.01) and significantly increased the relative abundances of beneficial microbiota such as Ruminococcus and Lactobacillus(P<0.01). ConclusionZishen Tongguan formula can reduce the level of harmful intestinal bacteria, increase the level of beneficial intestinal bacteria, down-regulate the expression of serum inflammatory factors, and the small amount of Cinnamomi Cortex in the formula may play a key role in the treatment of CNP with this formula.
4.Effect of Zishen Tongguan Formula on "Gut-prostate" Axis of Rats with Chronic Non-bacterial Prostatitis Based on 16S rDNA Sequencing
Xiran LI ; Mengjiao CHEN ; Kaiping ZOU ; Chenguang ZHAO ; Xingbin DAI ; Xiaoqing ZHANG ; Shun LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):63-71
ObjectiveBased on the theory of "gut-prostate" axis, this study explored the effects and mechanisms of Zishen Tongguan formula and Cinnamomi Cortex in the formula in treating rats with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis(CNP) by detecting the levels of inflammatory factors, and the composition and structure of intestinal flora in CNP rats. MethodsEight out of 42 SD rats were randomly selected as the normal group, and the remaining rats were injected with carrageenan to prepare the CNP model. After successful modeling, 32 rats were randomly divided into the model group, Ningmitai capsule group(0.50 g·kg-1), Zishen Tongguan formula group(2.00 g·kg-1), and the Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex-Anemarrhenae Rhizoma pair group(PCC-AR group, 2.00 g·kg-1), with 8 rats in each group. The administered groups were given the corresponding medicinal solution by gavage, and the normal and model groups were intragastrically administered with an equal volume of normal saline, once a day for 14 consecutive days. The prostate tissues of rats were collected and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining to observe the pathological changes of the tissues in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of related inflammatory factors in rat serum, and 16S rDNA sequencing was used to analyze the abundance and diversity changes of gut microbiota before and after administration, and species difference analysis was performed. ResultsAll the administered groups could alleviate the inflammatory symptoms of CNP rats, increase the expression levels of anti-inflammatory factors and decrease the expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors, with the most sIgnificant effect observed in the Zishen Tongguan formula group. Compared with the normal group, the expression levels of interleukin(IL)-8, hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), immunoglobulin(Ig)M, secretory IgA (sIgA), and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) were sIgnificantly increased in the model group(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression levels of the above inflammatory factors in all administered groups were significantly reduced(P<0.01). When compared with the PCC-AR group, the Zishen Tongguan formula group showed a significant decrease in transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 expression level(P<0.05) and a significant increase in IgM expression level(P<0.01). The results of gut microbiota analysis showed that, compared with the PCC-AR group, at the order level, the Zishen Tongguan formula group significantly reduced the relative abundance of conditional pathogens such as Bacteroidales, Acidaminococcales, Rhodospirillales, Clostridiales, and Elusimicrobiales(P<0.01). And at the genus level, the Zishen Tongguan formula group significantly decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic microbiota such as Lachnospira and Bacteroides(P<0.01) and significantly increased the relative abundances of beneficial microbiota such as Ruminococcus and Lactobacillus(P<0.01). ConclusionZishen Tongguan formula can reduce the level of harmful intestinal bacteria, increase the level of beneficial intestinal bacteria, down-regulate the expression of serum inflammatory factors, and the small amount of Cinnamomi Cortex in the formula may play a key role in the treatment of CNP with this formula.
5.The effect of rutaecarpine on improving fatty liver and osteoporosis in MAFLD mice
Yu-hao ZHANG ; Yi-ning LI ; Xin-hai JIANG ; Wei-zhi WANG ; Shun-wang LI ; Ren SHENG ; Li-juan LEI ; Yu-yan ZHANG ; Jing-rui WANG ; Xin-wei WEI ; Yan-ni XU ; Yan LIN ; Lin TANG ; Shu-yi SI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):141-149
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and osteoporosis (OP) are two very common metabolic diseases. A growing body of experimental evidence supports a pathophysiological link between MAFLD and OP. MAFLD is often associated with the development of OP. Rutaecarpine (RUT) is one of the main active components of Chinese medicine Euodiae Fructus. Our previous studies have demonstrated that RUT has lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects, and can improve the OP of rats. However, whether RUT can improve both fatty liver and OP symptoms of MAFLD mice at the same time remains to be investigated. In this study, we used C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 months to construct a MAFLD model, and gave the mice a low dose (5 mg·kg-1) and a high dose (15 mg·kg-1) of RUT by gavage for 4 weeks. The effects of RUT on liver steatosis and bone metabolism were then evaluated at the end of the experiment [this experiment was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (approval number: IMB-20190124D303)]. The results showed that RUT treatment significantly reduced hepatic steatosis and lipid accumulation, and significantly reduced bone loss and promoted bone formation. In summary, this study shows that RUT has an effect of improving fatty liver and OP in MAFLD mice.
6.N-butyl-9H-pyrimido4,5-bindole-2-carboxamide inhibits macrophage foaming and pyroptosis via NLRP3/caspase-1
Zhi-Yun SHU ; Zi-Xu HUYAN ; Wen-Qing ZHANG ; Shi-Shun XIE ; Hong-Yuan CHENG ; Guo-Xing XU ; Xiang-Jun LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1035-1041
Aim To design the pyrimidoindole deriva-tive N-butyl-9H-pyrimido[4,5-b]indole-2-carboxamide(BFPI)and synthesize it to investigate whether it in-hibits macrophage pyroptosis and foaming effects through the NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway.Methods BFPI was synthesized using 2,4,6-triethoxycarbonyl-l,3,5-triazine and 2-aminoindole as starting materials and structurally characterized by 1H NMR,13C NMR,and ESI-MS.The in vitro cultured mouse monocyte macro-phage cell line RAW264.7 was divided into blank,model(PA)and therapeutic(BFPI)groups,and the cells in each group were treated with the corresponding culture medium for 24 h.The proliferative viability was detected by MTT assay,and the formation of intracel-lular lipid droplets was detected by oil red O staining,and NLRP3 was detected by Western-blot and RT-qPCR,caspase-1 and MCP-1 mRNA and protein ex-pression levels by Western blot and RT-qPCR.Results Compared with the blank group,the proliferation vi-ability of cells in the model group significantly de-creased and the formation of lipid droplets significantly increased;compared with the model group,the prolif-eration viability of cells in the treatment group signifi-cantly increased and the formation of lipid droplets sig-nificantly decreased,and the differences were statisti-cally significant(P<0.01);compared with the blank group,the cellular NLRP3,caspase-1 and MCP-1 mR-NA and protein expression levels of cells in the model group significantly increased;compared with the model group,the expression levels of the above indexes of the cells in the treatment group significantly decreased,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).Conclusions BFPI contributes to delaying macrophage-derived foam cell formation during athero-genesis by inhibiting macrophage NLRP3,caspase-1,and MCP-1 expression and thereby promoting their pro-liferation and inhibiting lipid phagocytosis.
7.Study on bioequivalence evaluation of Pemirolast potassium tablets in Chinese healthy volunteers on an empty stomach/after meals
Yi-Ming MA ; Wang HU ; Feng ZHANG ; Wen ZHANG ; Sheng-Long ZHAO ; Yang CAO ; Jing XIE ; Huan ZHOU ; Shun-Wang HUANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1075-1081
Aim To compare the pharmacokinetics of pemirolast potassium tablets in healthy subjects in Chi-na under single fasting and postprandial conditions,and to evaluate the bioequivalence of the test prepara-tion(T)and the reference preparation(R).Methods A randomized,open-ended,single-dose,two-cycle,double-cross bioequivalence trial design was adopted,and 26 and 30 subjects were enrolled in the fasting group and the postprandial group,respectively,and 10 mg of the test preparation and the reference preparation were taken in the fasting or postprandial state each cy-cle,and venous blood was collected at the designed time points before and after the administration cycle.The concentration of pemirolast potassium in plasma was determined by LC-MS/MS method,and the phar-macokinetic parameters were calculated with PhoenixTM WinNonlin ?(8.3)software,and the bioequivalence analysis of the two preparations was performed.Re-sults The t1/2 of the test preparation and the reference preparation was(4.44±0.91)h and(4.49±0.93)h,respectively;the median tmax was(1.96±1.29)h and(2.18±1.25)h,respectively;the Cmax was(867.12±205.56)μg·L-1 and(863.35±172.03)μg·L-1,respectively;the AUC0-t was(5 513.23±1463.67)h·μg·L-1 and(5 661.32±1 628.65)h·μg·L-1,respectively;AUC0_∞ was(5 699.81±1477.68)h·μg·L-1 and(5 849.44±1 644.75)h·μg·L-1,respectively.The statistical results of the 90%confidence intervals of the main pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax,AUC0-t,and AUC0-∞ was 92.49%~107.53%,94.71%~100.67%and 95.28%~100.27%,respectively,all of which were within the range of 80.00%~125.00%,and the safety of the tested preparation and the reference preparation was good when taken orally on an empty stomach.The t1/2 of single oral administration after prandial administra-tion of the tested preparation and the reference prepara-tion was(4.46±0.78)and(4.51±0.84)h,respec-tively;the median tmax was(3.08±1.36)h and(3.28±1.28)h,respectively;the Cmax was(683.83±111.87)μg·L-1 and(689.77±110.24)μg·L-1,respectively;the AUC0-t was(5 695.99±1566.05)h·μg·L-1 and(5 773.60±1 551.04)h·μg·L-1,respectively;the AUC0-∞ was(5 914.06±1 551.86)h·μg·L-1 and(5 967.30±1552.89)h·μg·L-1,respectively.The 90%confi-dence interval of Cmax,AUC0-t,and AUC0-∞ was 93.56%~104.69%,96.43%~100.83%,and 97.29%~101.14%,respectively,which was in the range of 80.00%~125.00%,and the safety of the tested preparation and the reference preparation was good after meals.Conclusion In the state of fasting and postprandial single oral administration,the two kinds of pemirolast potassium tablets have good bio-equivalence.
8.Isolation and identification of Klebsiella oxytoca GS-BY-GG from racing pigeons
Wei LI ; Yun-Hui LI ; You-Shun JIN ; Xu-Li BA ; Huai-Yu ZHANG ; Tao HAN ; Zhao-Cai LI ; Ji-Zhang ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(6):512-519
The biological characteristics and pathogenicity of Klebsiella oxytoca isolated from sick carrier pigeons in Gansu province were explored by morphological observations,biochemical testing,16S rRNA PCR analysis,and RNA sequencing.The drug resistance and pathogenicity of the isolated strains were studied by histopathological observation,drug susceptibility testing,and pathogenicity analysis.The livers,lungs,hearts,and other organs of the sick pigeons were bleeding.In addition,the livers were yellow and brittle,and the lungs were purulent.A Gram-negative,short,rod-shaped bacterium was successfully isolated from the sick pigeon.Pink,smooth,moist,and round colonies grew on MacConkey's agar.The result of the indigo matrix test was positive.The homology between the amplified 16S rRNA sequence and MN330093.1 was 100.00%,indicating that the sick pigeon was infected with K.oxytoca.The strain was named GS-BY-GG.K.Oxytoca GS-BY-GG was resistant to 10 drugs,including penicillin,ampicillin,and furazolidone,and sensitive to 5 others,which included florfenicol,meropenem,and gentamicin.Histopathological observation showed bleeding in multiple organs.The liver cells were irregu-larly arranged with brown-yellow pigmentation.Extensive cell necrosis and exfoliation were observed in the trachea and mucosal epithelium,with inflammatory cell infiltration in the mucosal layer.The isolates were highly pathogenic in specific pathogen-free chickens.These findings provide support for the clinical diagnosis and control of K.oxytoca GS-BY-GG.
9.Progress in animal models of hemophilic arthritis
Kun LIN ; Xianshun HE ; Jiaqing TIAN ; Shun LU ; Mincong HE ; Tianye LIN ; Xiaoming HE ; Shuai FAN ; Hongguang YANG ; Tianqi YU ; Daguang ZHANG ; Wei HE ; Qiushi WEI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2024;32(4):523-529
Hemophilic arthritis(HA),caused by recurrent bleeding,can seriously affect patient quality of life and consumes extensive social and medical resources.There is thus a need to establish an animal model of HA for research;however,this is limited by ethical requirements.Here we review the recent literature and summarize research progress into animal models of HA at home and abroad,from the aspects of species selection,modeling method,histopathology,and imaging evaluation method.Species selection includes rodents such as mice,New Zealand rabbits,beagles,miniature pigs,and crab-eating macaques.Modeling method comprise gene knockout trauma models,gene knockout spontaneous models,and injection models.Among these,the gene knockout spontaneous model closely mimics the pathological process of spontaneous bleeding and concurrent arthritis in human HA,making it more relevant to human HA.However,due to high modeling costs,phenotypic instability,and low survival rates,this model is not the preferred choice for animal experimental studies.In contrast,gene knockout trauma models exhibit characteristics such as short modeling time,strong stability,and high success rates,thus being widely utilized in animal experimental research.Evaluation of HA models involves various imaging method including MRI,micro-CT,MSKUS/PD,in addition to various gross scoring method.By reviewing the progress of HA model research,more experimental evidence is provided for investigating the pathogenesis and validating the efficacy of HA treatments,thereby compensating for the lack of clinical data,particularly in the field of traditional Chinese medicine therapy.
10.Arthroscopic ligament reconstruction in the treatment of chronic PalmerⅠD type triangular fibrochondral complex injury
Shun YANG ; Yabo CHENG ; Wang XIANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Keyi CHEN ; Yaming YU
Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine 2024;43(7):512-517
Objective To explore the clinical effect of reconstructing distal radioulnar ligament with al-lograft tendon under wrist arthroscopy in the treatment of chronic PalmerⅠD type triangular fibrocarti-lage complex injury complicated with distal radioulnar joint instability.Methods Clinical data of 15 pa-tients with chronic PalmerⅠD type triangular fibrocartilage complex injury and admitted to our hospital between January 2017 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.All of them were treated with wrist arthroscopic allograft tendon reconstruction of distal radioulnar ligament.During the postoperative follow-up,the wrist range of motion and grip strength were evaluated,while the wrist pain and wrist function were assessed using the visual analogue scale(VAS)and modified Mayo score.Results All pa-tients were followed up twelve to twenty-four months,with an average of(18.15±2.20)months.The postoperative VAS score was(2.56±0.69),significantly better than the preoperative one(6.78±1.24)(P<0.05).Moreover,the postoperative ratio of grip strength between the affected and the healthy hand was(76.18±9.72)%,significantly better than that of(50.18±6.79)%(P<0.05),with increased grip strength.Meanwhile,the postoperative rotational motion of wrist joint[(151.09±12.38)°]improved significantly compared with that before operation[(142.87±10.19)°](P<0.05).According to the modi-fied Mayo score,8 cases were excellent,6 cases were good,and 1 case was fair,reaching an excel-lent and good rate of 93.33%.Conclusion Wrist arthroscopic reconstruction of distal radioulnar liga-ment with allograft tendon is effective in the treatment of chronic PalmerⅠD type triangular fibrocarti-lage complex injury with lower radioulnar joint instability,relieving pain and promoting grip strength and rotational motion.

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