1.Mechanism and Clinical Research Progress of Puerarin in Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure
Wenjie LU ; Siqi ZHONG ; Lu ZHANG ; Wenting LIN ; Zhijun ZENG ; Shaohua WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):327-336
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is an end-stage cardiac syndrome driven by multiple factors. Its pathological process involves interactions of multiple pathways such as energy metabolism dysfunction, neuroendocrine dysregulation, and myocardial fibrosis. Although current clinical medicine can alleviate symptoms through single-target approaches, significant limitations in reversing cardiac remodeling and disease progression remain. Puerarin, a major bioactive isoflavone constituent derived from Pueraria lobata, exhibits multidimensional pharmacological effects, such as vasodilatory effects, regulation of neuroendocrine balance, enhancement of metabolic homeostasis, and suppression of myocardial apoptosis. This review systematically integrated puerarin's multi-target regulatory network, elucidating its mechanisms such as improving energy metabolism by AMP-activated protein kinase/mechanistic target of rapamycin (AMPK/mTOR) pathway, inhibiting fibrosis mediated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signals, and attenuating oxidative-inflammatory cascades by regulating nuclear factor erythroid 2 (E2)-related factor 2/nuclear transcription factor-κB(Nrf2/NF-κB) axis. Clinical research data was used to validate its efficacy in improving the left ventricular ejection function and reducing the therapeutic potential of cardiovascular events' risks. The study proposed that puerarin's "systemic regulation" characteristic breaks through the limitations of traditional single-target drugs and prospected its clinical translation pathway based on metabolomics and nano-delivery technology, offering an integrative perspective from molecular mechanisms to precise therapy for the research on modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.
2.Mechanism and Clinical Research Progress of Puerarin in Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure
Wenjie LU ; Siqi ZHONG ; Lu ZHANG ; Wenting LIN ; Zhijun ZENG ; Shaohua WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):327-336
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is an end-stage cardiac syndrome driven by multiple factors. Its pathological process involves interactions of multiple pathways such as energy metabolism dysfunction, neuroendocrine dysregulation, and myocardial fibrosis. Although current clinical medicine can alleviate symptoms through single-target approaches, significant limitations in reversing cardiac remodeling and disease progression remain. Puerarin, a major bioactive isoflavone constituent derived from Pueraria lobata, exhibits multidimensional pharmacological effects, such as vasodilatory effects, regulation of neuroendocrine balance, enhancement of metabolic homeostasis, and suppression of myocardial apoptosis. This review systematically integrated puerarin's multi-target regulatory network, elucidating its mechanisms such as improving energy metabolism by AMP-activated protein kinase/mechanistic target of rapamycin (AMPK/mTOR) pathway, inhibiting fibrosis mediated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signals, and attenuating oxidative-inflammatory cascades by regulating nuclear factor erythroid 2 (E2)-related factor 2/nuclear transcription factor-κB(Nrf2/NF-κB) axis. Clinical research data was used to validate its efficacy in improving the left ventricular ejection function and reducing the therapeutic potential of cardiovascular events' risks. The study proposed that puerarin's "systemic regulation" characteristic breaks through the limitations of traditional single-target drugs and prospected its clinical translation pathway based on metabolomics and nano-delivery technology, offering an integrative perspective from molecular mechanisms to precise therapy for the research on modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.
3.KDM5A/cGAS-STING–mediated microglial activation contributes to prenatal fine particulate matter induced cerebral cortical injury in offspring mice
Wenke NIE ; Li ZHOU ; Siqi WANG ; Chao SONG ; Hang YU ; Wanwei LI ; Mengxiao LUAN ; Lu SUN ; Li YU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(3):270-277
Background Prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is closely associated with cortical damage and neuroinflammation in offspring. The cyclic guanosine monophosphate–adenosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS)–stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway is a key regulator of inflammation and may be subject to epigenetic regulation. Objective To investigate the role of cGAS-STING pathway activation in PM2.5-induced cortical damage in offspring mice during pregnancy and the underlying epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Methods Open field tests were used to assess depressive-like behavior in offspring mice. Morphological analysis was conducted to evaluate cortical damage and microglial activation in offspring brains. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB) were performed to detect changes in the expression of key molecules in the cGAS-STING pathway in cortical tissue. A PM2.5-induced microglial cell injury model was established in BV2 cells. Microglial activation was observed, cell viability was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), and the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and key molecules in the cGAS-STING pathway were detected by RT-qPCR and WB. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to explore the epigenetic regulatory association between the STING signaling pathway and lysine-specific demethylase 5A (KDM5A). Changes in KDM5A mRNA and protein expression, as well as the protein level of histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3), were detected in an in vitro PM2.5 injury model. Using small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology, the KDM5A gene was silenced in BV2 cells exposed to PM2.5. The protein expression of H3K4me3 was detected to evaluate improvements in microglial activation, changes in inflammatory markers such as iNOS and mannose receptor (CD206), and alterations in the cGAS-STING pathway. Results Compared with the control group, the total distance of offspring mice in the PM2.5 group was significantly reduced, and both the distance traveled and the time spent in the central area of the open field were significantly decreased (P<0.01, P<0.001), indicating depressive-like behavior in the offspring mice. Compared with the control group, the offspring mice in the PM2.5 group exhibited disorganized cortical structure and significantly activated microglia (P<0.01), with significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of cGAS and STING (P<0.05, P<0.01, or P<0.001). The in vitro experiments demonstrated that the PM2.5 treatment induced BV2 cells to polarize toward the M1 phenotype, exhibiting a distinct amoeboid morphology, with upregulated expression of the pro-inflammatory factor iNOS (P<0.05, P<0.01, or P<0.001) and activation of the cGAS-STING pathway (P<0.05, P<0.01). The analysis of RNA-seq data from KDM5A knockout cells revealed significantly downregulated STING expression, suggesting that KDM5A may activate the STING signaling pathway. The in vitro experiments further confirmed that the PM2.5-treated BV2 cells exhibited significantly elevated mRNA and protein levels of KDM5A (P<0.01), while the H3K4me3 protein levels were markedly reduced (P<0.05). After silencing KDM5A in BV2 cells exposed to PM2.5, compared with the PM2.5+siNC group, the PM2.5+siKDM5A group showed no obvious microglial activation and polarized toward the M2 phenotype, with significantly decreased expression levels of iNOS, cluster of differentiation 16 (CD16), and interleukin-1β (P<0.05, P<0.01), and significantly increased expression levels of anti-inflammatory factors CD206, YM1, and interleukin-10 (P<0.01, P<0.001). Meanwhile, the expression levels of cGAS and STING were also reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion KDM5A activates microglia through the cGAS-STING pathway, thereby contributing to PM2.5-induced cortical damage in offspring mice during pregnancy.
4.Integrated evidence chain (Eff-iEC) based effectiveness evaluation of a multifunctional traditional Chinese medicine formula: Taking Xiaoyao San as an example
Caiping HE ; Ye LUO ; Zhiqi LI ; Haocheng YANG ; Lu LIU ; Yingjie XU ; Xiaoyan CHEN ; Siqi HUANG ; Jincai WEN ; Xiaoyan ZHAN ; Zhaofang BAI ; Xu ZHAO ; Xiaohe XIAO
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(1):96-103
The study focuses on the concept of multifunctional traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas and aims to evaluate the efficacy of the classical formula Xiaoyao San (逍遥散). Study employs the integrated evidence chain (Eff-iEC) method to organize, integrate, and evaluate its therapeutic efficacy in treating different diseases with the same therapy, and to investigate the feasibility of using Eff-iEC to evaluate the multifunctionality of TCM formulas. The evaluation covered Xiaoyao San's therapeutic effects on depression, premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and menopausal syndrome. Concurrently, the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used for evaluation, and authoritative medical documents were incorporated to corroborate the recognition of Xiaoyao San within the medical community. Depression and menopausal syndrome received higher ratings than other conditions in the Eff-iEC, GRADE, and Medical Community Recognition assessments. The Eff-iEC evidence grade for Xiaoyao San was rated as "High" or above for chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and menopausal syndrome. Premenstrual syndrome received a "Moderate +" rating. The GRADE evidence level was "Low-〇〇⨁⨁" for depression, premenstrual syndrome, and chronic hepatitis; "Moderate-〇⨁⨁⨁" for dyspepsia and menopausal syndrome; and "Very Low-〇〇〇⨁" for irritable bowel syndrome. Depression and menopausal syndrome had the highest inclusion frequency, appearing in all 4 categories. Premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, and dyspepsia are not recommended in Western medical guidelines, but they are included in TCM guidelines, the China National Basic Medical Insurance Drug List, and the China National Essential Drug List. Irritable bowel syndrome appears only in the China National Basic Medical Insurance Drug List and China National Essential Drug List. The evaluation results obtained using the Eff-iEC method align with Medical Community Recognition, providing an objective and comprehensive assessment of Xiaoyao San's efficacy. The findings suggest that Xiaoyao San has strong evidence for treating depression and menopausal syndrome. However, further experimental and clinical trials are needed to assess its efficacy in treating premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and dyspepsia. These results support the clinical efficacy and rational use of Xiaoyao San, expand the application scope of the Eff-iEC method, and offer valuable insights and methodological references for the comparative evaluation of multifunctional TCM formulas.
5.A prospective cohort study on glycolipid metabolic abnormalities and incident colorectal cancer risk
Qiaoyi XU ; Ruilin CHEN ; Yijing XIE ; Shuo WANG ; Renjia ZHAO ; Siqi TANG ; Linyao LU ; Huangbo YUAN ; Tiejun ZHANG ; Yanfeng JIANG ; Kelin XU ; Zhenqiu LIU ; Xingdong CHEN ; Chen SUO
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(6):409-417
ObjectiveTo investigate the associations of multiple glycolipid metabolic indicators and their cumulative abnormality burden with incident colorectal cancer risk in a general population-based prospective cohort, and to examine the mediating role of glycolipid metabolic abnormalities in the relationships between smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and colorectal cancer incidence. MethodsA total of 17 897 eligible participants recruited from the Taizhou Cohort between 2011 and 2014 were included. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the associations of conventional and derived glycolipid indicators, as well as a glycolipid abnormality index constructed from total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, and insulin, with incident colorectal cancer risk. Restricted cubic spline models were applied to evaluate dose-response relationships for major indicators. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to compare predictive performance across indicators. Mediation analyses were conducted to assess the mediating effects of the glycolipid abnormality index on the associations of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity with colorectal cancer incidence. ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 11.2 years, 102 incident colorectal cancer cases were identified, with an incidence density of 51.2 per 100 000 person-years. After adjustment for potential confounders, Cox proportional hazards regression analyses showed that decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with a 1.74-fold higher risk of colorectal cancer (HR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.03‒2.95), elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with a 1.78-fold higher risk (HR=1.78, 95%CI: 1.05‒3.02), and abnormal fasting plasma glucose was associated with a 1.86-fold higher risk (HR=1.86, 95%CI: 1.15‒3.02). Triglycerides and fasting plasma glucose showed an approximately linear increasing association with colorectal cancer risk in multivariable restricted cubic spline models. The glycolipid abnormality index showed a clear gradient association with colorectal cancer risk; participants with three or more abnormal indicators had a 3.08-fold higher risk than those without abnormalities (HR=3.08, 95%CI: 1.60‒5.92). The area under the curve was 0.795, higher than that of individual glycolipid indicators and other combined indices, and gender-stratified analyses showed generally consistent patterns. Glycolipid metabolic abnormalities partially mediated the associations of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity with colorectal cancer incidence, with mediation proportions of 8.33%, 9.45%, and 9.04%, respectively. ConclusionGlycolipid metabolic abnormalities are associated with an increased risk of incident colorectal cancer. The glycolipid abnormality index shows an increasing relationship with colorectal cancer risk and demonstrates better discrimination, and it partially mediates the associations of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity with colorectal cancer incidence in the overall population.
6."Relative symmetry with electronegativity of different key-groups" strategy for MRGPRX2 antagonist design and its effect on antigen-induced pulmonary inflammation.
Jiayu LU ; Zhaomin XIA ; Yongjing ZHANG ; He WANG ; Wen YANG ; Siqi WANG ; Nan WANG ; Yun LIU ; Huaizhen HE ; Cheng WANG ; Langchong HE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):494-507
MRGPRX2 antagonists possess the potential for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and chronic urticaria. Previously, we identified a class of diaryl urea (DPU) MRGPRX2 antagonists with sub-micromolar IC50 values in vitro. However, the structure-activity relationship remains unclear. Herein, we adopted a "relative symmetry with electronegativity of different key-groups" strategy for further modification of DPUs to achieve a promising MRGPRX2 antagonist with higher activity and safety. Electrostatic potential energy analysis and biological evaluation revealed that B-1023 and B-5023, that possess relatively symmetric electron-withdrawing substituents, remarkable inhibited mast cell degranulation at a sub-micromolar IC50 in vitro and alleviated anaphylactic symptoms. Furthermore, B-1023, mitigated antigen-induced pulmonary inflammation (AIPI) in mice and competitively bonded to MRGPRX2. In summary, the "relative symmetry with electronegativity of different key-groups" strategy provided a drug design pattern for MRGPRX2 antagonists and identified promising antiallergic precursors for AIPI treatment.
7.Enhanced radiotheranostic targeting of integrin α5β1 with PEGylation-enabled peptide multidisplay platform (PEGibody): A strategy for prolonged tumor retention with fast blood clearance.
Siqi ZHANG ; Xiaohui MA ; Jiang WU ; Jieting SHEN ; Yuntao SHI ; Xingkai WANG ; Lin XIE ; Xiaona SUN ; Yuxuan WU ; Hao TIAN ; Xin GAO ; Xueyao CHEN ; Hongyi HUANG ; Lu CHEN ; Xuekai SONG ; Qichen HU ; Hailong ZHANG ; Feng WANG ; Zhao-Hui JIN ; Ming-Rong ZHANG ; Rui WANG ; Kuan HU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):692-706
Peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals targeting integrin α5β1 show promise for precise tumor diagnosis and treatment. However, current peptide-based radioligands that target α5β1 demonstrate inadequate in vivo performance owing to limited tumor retention. The use of PEGylation to enhance the tumor retention of radiopharmaceuticals by prolonging blood circulation time poses a risk of increased blood toxicity. Therefore, a PEGylation strategy that boosts tumor retention while minimizing blood circulation time is urgently needed. Here, we developed a PEGylation-enabled peptide multidisplay platform (PEGibody) for PR_b, an α5β1 targeting peptide. PEGibody generation involved PEGylation and self-assembly. [64Cu]QM-2303 PEGibodies displayed spherical nanoparticles ranging from 100 to 200 nm in diameter. Compared with non-PEGylated radioligands, [64Cu]QM-2303 demonstrated enhanced tumor retention time due to increased binding affinity and stability. Importantly, the biodistribution analysis confirmed rapid clearance of [64Cu]QM-2303 from the bloodstream. Administration of a single dose of [177Lu]QM-2303 led to robust antitumor efficacy. Furthermore, [64Cu]/[177Lu]QM-2303 exhibited low hematological and organ toxicity in both healthy and tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, this study presents a PEGibody-based radiotheranostic approach that enhances tumor retention time and provides long-lasting antitumor effects without prolonging blood circulation lifetime. The PEGibody-based radiopharmaceutical [64Cu]/[177Lu]QM-2303 shows great potential for positron emission tomography imaging-guided targeted radionuclide therapy for α5β1-overexpressing tumors.
8.Responding to public health emergencies based on a deployment management mode for life-supporting equipment
Wen YANG ; Qiwen XIANG ; Lu ZENG ; Siqi LI ; Jingjing AN
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(4):95-99
Objective:To establish a deployment management mode for life-supporting equipment,so as to provide reference for healthcare institutions in deployment management for equipment in responding public health emergencies.Methods:The existed problems of healthcare institutions in facing public health emergencies were analyzed.Based on evidence-based practices from domestic and international healthcare institutions in responding public health emergencies,and combined with the experiences of West China Hospital of Sichuan University in preventing and treating epidemic infection of public health emergencies,a scheme of deployment management of life-supporting equipment,and an assessment scheme that precisely matched mode and equipment for supporting respiratory were formulated.The ventilator-related medical consumables was standardly managed.A deployment management mode for life-supporting equipment was constructed to conduct deployment management for the using 293 non-invasive ventilators and 112 high-flow non-invasive respiratory humidification devices in our hospital from December 26,2022,to January 20,2023.Results:During the period of deployment management for 293 non-invasive ventilators,a total of 7492 prescriptions of non-invasive ventilation were completed,and 3183 prescriptions of non-invasive(high-follow)ventilation of using 112 high-flow non-invasive respiratory humidification devices were completed at the same period,which better ensured the requirements of all patients in clinical treatment.The average turnaround time of equipment was shorted from 22.5 min before deployment management mode was implemented to 12.6 min after it was implemented.The accuracy rate of healthcare personnel was 100%in preparing medical consumables.Conclusion:The deployment management mode of life-supporting equipment can increase the use rate of limited life-supporting equipment at the maximum degree,and increase the turnover efficiency of equipment,and decrease turnover time and vacancy rate of equipment,and increase the accuracy rate of preparing medical consumables,and meet the requirement of clinical treatment under the premise of"overall deployment and coordinated management".
9.Clinical value of 18F-DPA-714 PET/MR imaging in localization of epileptogenic zone in refractory epilepsy
Siqi ZHANG ; Jie HU ; Bixiao CUI ; Chenyang YAO ; Jingjuan WANG ; Jie LU
Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2025;45(7):411-415
Objective:To analyze the clinical value of translocator protein (TSPO, 18kDa) radiotracer 18F- N, N-diethyl-2-(2-(4-(2-fluoroethoxy)-phenyl)-5, 7-dimethyl-pyrazolo[1, 5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl)-acetamide (DPA-714) PET/MR imaging for precise localization of epileptogenic zone in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Methods:From December 2022 to October 2023, 24 refractory epilepsy patients (12 males and 12 females, age (27.5±8.1) years) who underwent surgery in Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University were retrospectively enrolled. All patients received hybrid 18F-DPA-714 PET/MR before surgery, with the surgical resection site and stereoelectroencephalography recordings of the seizure focus serving as the gold standard. Initial qualitative analysis of the images was performed, followed by semi-quantitative analysis using the ROI method to calculate the asymmetry index (AI) of the proposed epileptogenic zone, assessing the degree of increased abnormal uptake (area with AI>10% was considered as the epileptogenic zone). Follow-up assessment using the Engel classification was conducted at least one year postoperatively. Differences of lesion detection efficiency of conventional MRI and PET/MR were evaluated using McNemar test. Results:Among 24 enrolled patients, 13 cases (54.2%) showed positive findings on conventional MRI, while 21 cases (87.5%) exhibited single or multiple foci of abnormally increased tracer uptake on PET/MR imaging, indicating an improved lesion detection rate ( χ2=4.90, P=0.021). Of the MRI-positive patients, 12/13 also had positive findings on PET/MR, with a localization accuracy of 10/13. Among the MRI-negative patients, 9/11 showed positive PET/MR findings, with a localization accuracy of 6/11. At one year post-surgery, 75.0%(18/24) of patients had a favorable outcome (Engel Ⅰ). Conclusion:18F-DPA-714 PET/MR imaging can accurately locate epileptogenic foci, especially for MRI-negative lesions, providing reliable information for surgical planning to improve postoperative outcomes.
10.Machine learning analysis of the influence of workload factors and social psychological factors on WMSDs
Siqi CHEN ; Cheng TANG ; Yong YAO ; Bifeng LU ; Yong MEI ; Zhenlong CHEN
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(7):498-503
Objective:To explore the effects of workload factors and social psychological factors on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) , construct a preventive decision-assisted ensemble learning model, and propose screening methods with clinical significance.Methods:In October 2022, 1071 workers from optoelectronic enterprises were selected as the research subjects by cluster sampling method. The general situation of workers, workload factors, social psychological factors and the occurrence of WMSDs were collected by using questionnaires. logistic regression, Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) , ensemble learning and classification chain model were adopted to explore the key factors influencing WMSDs, and the area under curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the model performance.Results:The incidence of WMSDs among workers in optoelectronic enterprises in the past year was 47.7% (511/1071) , among which the incidence of multi-site WMSDs was 54.4% (278/511) . logistic regression analysis showed that prolonged sitting, personnel shortage and forward neck tilt were risk factors for the occurrence of WMSDs in workers ( P<0.05) . XGBoost identified the key social psychological factors influencing WMSDs as low mood, mental tension, perceived happiness level, psychological calmness and tranquility. The integrated classification chain model based on the ordered label order had certain efficacy (AUC>0.7) when analyzing WMSDs at the neck, waist, shoulder, back, elbow and hip positions. Conclusion:Workload factors are the main risk factors for the occurrence of WMSDs among workers in optoelectronic enterprises, and social psychological factors also have potential influences. The construction of a classification chain model can accurately identify the occurrence of WMSDs in multiple parts. The alternating prevention strategy of workload factors and social psychological factors has important public health significance.

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