1.Ameliorative Effect of Wendantang Combined with Danshenyin and Dushentang on Ischemic Heart Disease with Phlegm-stasis Syndrome in Mice Based on Circulating Monocytes
Fenghe YANG ; Ziqi TIAN ; Zhiqian SONG ; Shitao PENG ; Wenjie LU ; Tao LIN ; Chun WANG ; Zhangchi NING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):22-32
ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effect of Wendantang combined with Danshenyin and Dushentang (WDD) on mice with ischemic heart disease (IHD) presenting phlegm-stasis syndrome based on the inflammatory phenotype and differentiation of circulating monocytes. MethodsA model of IHD with phlegm-stasis syndrome was established using left anterior descending coronary artery ligation supplemented with a high-fat diet. Eighty model mice were randomly assigned to the model group, WDD low-dose group (WDD-L), WDD medium-dose group (WDD-M), WDD high-dose group (WDD-H), and atorvastatin calcium tablet group, with 16 mice in each group. An additional 16 C57BL/6J mice were designated as the sham-operation group. The WDD groups received intragastric administration at doses of 8.91, 17.81, 35.62 g·kg-1, and the atorvastatin calcium tablet group received the corresponding drug at 1.3 mg·kg-1, twice daily. The sham-operation and model groups were given the same volume of pure water by gavage each day. After 5 consecutive weeks of administration, the cardiac index was calculated. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Myocardial histopathology was examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) content was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hemorheological parameters were analyzed using an automated hemorheology analyzer. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined using an automated biochemical analyzer. Changes in circulating monocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated in vitro and divided into blank group, model serum group, WDD-L drug-containing serum group, WDD-M drug-containing serum group, and WDD-H drug-containing serum group. CD36 expression and macrophage differentiation in each group were assessed by flow cytometry. The mechanism by which WDD mediates circulating monocyte differentiation was further explored using CD36 knockdown/overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines. ResultsCompared with the sham-operation group, the model group showed a significantly increased cardiac index (P0.01), significantly decreased fractional shortening (FS) (P0.01), and significantly increased left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter (LVDD) and left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter (LVDS) (P0.01). Cardiomyocytes exhibited marked deformation and necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration. Serum pro-BNP levels were significantly elevated (P0.01), and whole-blood viscosity (BV) at high, medium, and low shear rates was significantly increased (P0.01). Compared with the model group, the WDD groups showed significantly reduced cardiac index (P0.05, P0.01), significantly increased FS (P0.05, P0.01), significantly decreased LVDD and LVDS (P0.01), markedly improved cardiomyocyte morphology, significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration, significantly decreased serum pro-BNP levels (P0.01), and significantly decreased BV at high, medium, and low shear rates (P0.01), with the most pronounced improvement observed in the WDD-M group. Compared with the sham-operation group, TC, TG, and LDL levels were significantly increased in the model group (P0.05, P0.01), while HDL levels were significantly decreased (P0.05). After WDD-H treatment, TC, TG, and LDL levels were significantly reduced and HDL levels were significantly increased in mice (P0.05, P0.01). Compared with the sham-operation group, classical monocytes in blood and bone marrow and intermediate monocytes in blood were significantly increased in the model group (P0.01), whereas intermediate monocytes in bone marrow and non-classical monocytes in blood were significantly decreased (P0.01). After WDD administration, all circulating monocyte subsets in blood and bone marrow were significantly alleviated (P0.05, P0.01), with the WDD-M group showing the optimal effect. In vitro, compared with the blank group, CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and the proportion of differentiated macrophages were significantly increased in the model serum group (P0.01), and CD36 expression was significantly upregulated on RAW264.7 cells (P0.01). Compared with the model serum group, all drug-containing serum groups exhibited significantly reduced CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and significantly reduced macrophage differentiation (P0.01). WDD downregulated CD36 expression in both CD36 knockdown and overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines (P0.05, P0.01), with the strongest regulatory effect observed in the WDD-M drug-containing serum group. ConclusionWDD can significantly improve the manifestations of phlegm-stasis syndrome in IHD mice and reduce the proportion of classical circulating monocytes. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of CD36 expression on classical circulating monocytes.
2.Ameliorative Effect of Wendantang Combined with Danshenyin and Dushentang on Ischemic Heart Disease with Phlegm-stasis Syndrome in Mice Based on Circulating Monocytes
Fenghe YANG ; Ziqi TIAN ; Zhiqian SONG ; Shitao PENG ; Wenjie LU ; Tao LIN ; Chun WANG ; Zhangchi NING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):22-32
ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effect of Wendantang combined with Danshenyin and Dushentang (WDD) on mice with ischemic heart disease (IHD) presenting phlegm-stasis syndrome based on the inflammatory phenotype and differentiation of circulating monocytes. MethodsA model of IHD with phlegm-stasis syndrome was established using left anterior descending coronary artery ligation supplemented with a high-fat diet. Eighty model mice were randomly assigned to the model group, WDD low-dose group (WDD-L), WDD medium-dose group (WDD-M), WDD high-dose group (WDD-H), and atorvastatin calcium tablet group, with 16 mice in each group. An additional 16 C57BL/6J mice were designated as the sham-operation group. The WDD groups received intragastric administration at doses of 8.91, 17.81, 35.62 g·kg-1, and the atorvastatin calcium tablet group received the corresponding drug at 1.3 mg·kg-1, twice daily. The sham-operation and model groups were given the same volume of pure water by gavage each day. After 5 consecutive weeks of administration, the cardiac index was calculated. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Myocardial histopathology was examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) content was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hemorheological parameters were analyzed using an automated hemorheology analyzer. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined using an automated biochemical analyzer. Changes in circulating monocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated in vitro and divided into blank group, model serum group, WDD-L drug-containing serum group, WDD-M drug-containing serum group, and WDD-H drug-containing serum group. CD36 expression and macrophage differentiation in each group were assessed by flow cytometry. The mechanism by which WDD mediates circulating monocyte differentiation was further explored using CD36 knockdown/overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines. ResultsCompared with the sham-operation group, the model group showed a significantly increased cardiac index (P<0.01), significantly decreased fractional shortening (FS) (P<0.01), and significantly increased left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter (LVDD) and left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter (LVDS) (P<0.01). Cardiomyocytes exhibited marked deformation and necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration. Serum pro-BNP levels were significantly elevated (P<0.01), and whole-blood viscosity (BV) at high, medium, and low shear rates was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the WDD groups showed significantly reduced cardiac index (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly increased FS (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly decreased LVDD and LVDS (P<0.01), markedly improved cardiomyocyte morphology, significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration, significantly decreased serum pro-BNP levels (P<0.01), and significantly decreased BV at high, medium, and low shear rates (P<0.01), with the most pronounced improvement observed in the WDD-M group. Compared with the sham-operation group, TC, TG, and LDL levels were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), while HDL levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05). After WDD-H treatment, TC, TG, and LDL levels were significantly reduced and HDL levels were significantly increased in mice (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the sham-operation group, classical monocytes in blood and bone marrow and intermediate monocytes in blood were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01), whereas intermediate monocytes in bone marrow and non-classical monocytes in blood were significantly decreased (P<0.01). After WDD administration, all circulating monocyte subsets in blood and bone marrow were significantly alleviated (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the WDD-M group showing the optimal effect. In vitro, compared with the blank group, CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and the proportion of differentiated macrophages were significantly increased in the model serum group (P<0.01), and CD36 expression was significantly upregulated on RAW264.7 cells (P<0.01). Compared with the model serum group, all drug-containing serum groups exhibited significantly reduced CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and significantly reduced macrophage differentiation (P<0.01). WDD downregulated CD36 expression in both CD36 knockdown and overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the strongest regulatory effect observed in the WDD-M drug-containing serum group. ConclusionWDD can significantly improve the manifestations of phlegm-stasis syndrome in IHD mice and reduce the proportion of classical circulating monocytes. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of CD36 expression on classical circulating monocytes.
3.Visual Analysis of Literature Research on Compatibility of Bitter and Pungent Medicinals in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Wei SONG ; Lele YANG ; Zhongyi ZHANG ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):19-28
ObjectiveTo analyze the research situation, hotspots, and trend of the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals in traditional Chinese medicine by knowledge mapping and provide reference for the inheritance and clinical application of this theory. MethodsThe literature on the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals was retrieved from 6 databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, Web of Science, and PubMed. The literature was searched with the keywords of bitter medicinals, pungent medicinals, compatibility, Banxia Xiexin decoction, Zhuyu pills, and Zuojin pills. The search time ranged from January 1, 1984 to August 10, 2024. NoteExpress 3.7 was used for literature screening, and CiteSpace 6.1.R2 was used to visualize the number of publications, authors, institutional cooperation network, and the co-occurrence, clustering, time line, and burst of keywords. ResultsA total of 628 Chinese articles and 151 English articles related to the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals were included, and the annual number of publications rose with fluctuations. WEI Wei was the core author of Chinses articles and SHEN Tao and ZHAO Yanling were the core authors of English articles. China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences formed a close cooperative network with many research institutions at home and abroad. The high-frequency keywords included pungent dispersing and bitter descending, Coptidis Rhizoma, Euodiae Fructus, Banxia Xiexin decoction, Zuojin pills, compatibility, spleen and stomach diseases, and gut microbiota, which mainly involved common prescriptions, diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine, mechanism research and so on. The keyword bursts concentrated in famous doctors' experience, network Meta-analysis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes mellitus, intestinal microbiota, etc. The compatibility of bitter medicinals and pungent medicinals was widely used in clinical practice. Based on pungent dispersing and bitter descending, the middle energizer was regulated for treating spleen and stomach diseases and inflammatory bowel disease. Bitter and pungent medicinals descending the turbid were used to treat diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia by lowering blood glucose and lipid levels. The mild bitter and slightly pungent medicinals were used as supplements to treat depression and COVID-19 by regulating Qi movement. ConclusionIn the past 40 years, the number of publications on the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals has been increasing, and the research team has begun to take form. Clinically, the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals is the main treatment for spleen and stomach diseases and glycolipid metabolic diseases. At present, the modern scientific essence of the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals is mainly explained based on famous doctors' experience inheritance, network meta-analysis, and intestinal flora.
4.Clinical Efficacy of Zhuyuwan in Treatment of Hyperlipidemia with Syndrome of Phlegm Turbidity and Obstruction
Lele YANG ; Danmei LUO ; Jiao CHEN ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Wei SONG ; Wenyu ZHU ; Xin ZHOU ; Xueping LI ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):29-37
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Zhuyuwan in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. MethodsIn this study, hyperlipidemia patients treated in the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) from September 2022 to December 2023 were randomly assigned into a control group and an observation group. Finally, 162 valid cases were included, encompassing 74 cases in the control group and 88 cases in the observation group. The control group was treated with atorvastatin calcium tablets, and the observation group with atorvastatin calcium tablets + Zhuyuwan extract granules. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. The efficacy in terms of blood lipid level recovery, blood lipid levels, TCM syndrome distribution, efficacy in terms of TCM syndrome, and TCM symptom scores were compared between the two groups as well as between before and after treatment. Liver and kidney functions were monitored for safety assessment. ResultsIn terms of blood lipid level recovery, the total response rate in the observation group was 86.36% (76/88) and that in the control group was 86.49% (64/74), with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. After treatment, both groups showed declines in levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0.05) and elevations in the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P<0.05). Moreover, the observation group outperformed the control group in recovering the levels of TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C (P<0.05, P<0.01). In terms of TCM syndrome, hyperlipidemia was mostly caused by phlegm turbidity and obstruction. The total response rate in terms of TCM syndrome in the observation group was 87.30% (55/63), which was higher than that (63.46%, 33/52) in the control group (χ2=9.102, P<0.01). After treatment, the scores of total TCM symptoms, primary symptoms, and secondary symptoms decreased in both groups (P<0.05), and the observation group had lower scores than the control group (P<0.01). The observation group was superior to the control group in alleviating obesity, chest tightness, and low food intake (P<0.05). In terms of safety, the level of aminotransferase was slightly elevated in the control group, and no obvious adverse reaction was observed in the observation group, with no statistical significance in the incidence of adverse reactions. ConclusionZhuyuwan combined with atorvastatin can not only recover blood lipid levels and alleviate TCM symptoms but also reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions.
5.Zhuyuwan in Treatment of Hyperlipidemia Complicated with Carotid Atherosclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Wei SONG ; Lele YANG ; Zhongyi ZHANG ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):38-45
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy and safety of Zhuyuwan in the treatment of hyperlipidemia (syndrome of phlegm turbidity and obstruction) complicated with carotid atherosclerosis. MethodsA total of 120 patients with hyperlipidemia (syndrome of phlegm turbidity and obstruction) complicated with carotid atherosclerosis were randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group, with 60 patients in each group. The control group orally took rosuvastatin calcium tablets, 10 mg each time, once a day. The treatment group took Zhuyuwan granules, 1 dose a day in 3 times. Both groups received diet and exercise guidance and were treated for 24 consecutive weeks. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores were recorded before and after treatment. The levels of blood lipids [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)], carotid color ultrasound [carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque number, maximum plaque area, and maximum plaque thickness], vascular intimal repair-related factors [nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), and thromboxane B2 (TXB2)], and oxidative stress-related indicators [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)] were measured before and after treatment. The occurrence of adverse reactions was observed during treatment, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared after treatment. ResultsThe trial was completed and 112 patients (57 in the treatment group and 55 in the control group) were included in the statistical analysis, and the general information of the two groups was comparable. The total response rate in the treatment group was 87.72% (50/57), which was higher than that (74.55%, 41/55) in the control group (χ2=4.823, P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of main TCM symptoms such as body obesity, chest tightness, and limb numbness, the scores of secondary symptoms such as palpitation, insomnia, tastelessness in the mouth, reduced appetite, tongue and pulse manifestation scores, and the total TCM symptom score decreased in both groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, the treatment group had lower scores of main symptoms such as body obesity, head heaviness, chest tightness, nausea, salivation, and limb numbness, scores of secondary symptoms such as tastelessness in the mouth and reduced appetite, and total TCM symptom score than the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, both groups showed declines in TC, TG, LDL-C, IMT, plaque number, maximum plaque area, maximum plaque thickness, ET-1, sICAM-1, and TXB2 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and elevations in levels of HDL-C, NO, and SOD (P<0.05, P<0.01). The treatment group had lower TC, TG, LDL-C, IMT, plaque number, maximum plaque area, maximum plaque thickness, ET-1, sICAM-1, and TXB2 (P<0.01) and higher levels of HDL-C, NO, SOD, and GSH-Px (P<0.05, P<0.01) than the control group. During treatment, adverse reactions occurred in 3 cases (5.26%, 1 case of dizziness, 1 case of acid reflux, and 1 case of constipation) in the treatment group and 4 cases (7.27%, 2 cases of upper respiratory tract infection, 1 case of abdominal pain, and 1 case of low back pain) in the control group. ConclusionZhuyuwan can effectively reduce blood lipid levels, inhibit the formation of carotid atherosclerotic plaque, and alleviate the syndrome of phlegm turbidity and obstruction by promoting vascular intima repair and improving the antioxidant function.
6.Visual Analysis of Literature Research on Compatibility of Bitter and Pungent Medicinals in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Wei SONG ; Lele YANG ; Zhongyi ZHANG ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):19-28
ObjectiveTo analyze the research situation, hotspots, and trend of the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals in traditional Chinese medicine by knowledge mapping and provide reference for the inheritance and clinical application of this theory. MethodsThe literature on the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals was retrieved from 6 databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, Web of Science, and PubMed. The literature was searched with the keywords of bitter medicinals, pungent medicinals, compatibility, Banxia Xiexin decoction, Zhuyu pills, and Zuojin pills. The search time ranged from January 1, 1984 to August 10, 2024. NoteExpress 3.7 was used for literature screening, and CiteSpace 6.1.R2 was used to visualize the number of publications, authors, institutional cooperation network, and the co-occurrence, clustering, time line, and burst of keywords. ResultsA total of 628 Chinese articles and 151 English articles related to the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals were included, and the annual number of publications rose with fluctuations. WEI Wei was the core author of Chinses articles and SHEN Tao and ZHAO Yanling were the core authors of English articles. China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences formed a close cooperative network with many research institutions at home and abroad. The high-frequency keywords included pungent dispersing and bitter descending, Coptidis Rhizoma, Euodiae Fructus, Banxia Xiexin decoction, Zuojin pills, compatibility, spleen and stomach diseases, and gut microbiota, which mainly involved common prescriptions, diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine, mechanism research and so on. The keyword bursts concentrated in famous doctors' experience, network Meta-analysis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes mellitus, intestinal microbiota, etc. The compatibility of bitter medicinals and pungent medicinals was widely used in clinical practice. Based on pungent dispersing and bitter descending, the middle energizer was regulated for treating spleen and stomach diseases and inflammatory bowel disease. Bitter and pungent medicinals descending the turbid were used to treat diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia by lowering blood glucose and lipid levels. The mild bitter and slightly pungent medicinals were used as supplements to treat depression and COVID-19 by regulating Qi movement. ConclusionIn the past 40 years, the number of publications on the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals has been increasing, and the research team has begun to take form. Clinically, the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals is the main treatment for spleen and stomach diseases and glycolipid metabolic diseases. At present, the modern scientific essence of the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals is mainly explained based on famous doctors' experience inheritance, network meta-analysis, and intestinal flora.
7.Clinical Efficacy of Zhuyuwan in Treatment of Hyperlipidemia with Syndrome of Phlegm Turbidity and Obstruction
Lele YANG ; Danmei LUO ; Jiao CHEN ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Wei SONG ; Wenyu ZHU ; Xin ZHOU ; Xueping LI ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):29-37
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Zhuyuwan in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. MethodsIn this study, hyperlipidemia patients treated in the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) from September 2022 to December 2023 were randomly assigned into a control group and an observation group. Finally, 162 valid cases were included, encompassing 74 cases in the control group and 88 cases in the observation group. The control group was treated with atorvastatin calcium tablets, and the observation group with atorvastatin calcium tablets + Zhuyuwan extract granules. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. The efficacy in terms of blood lipid level recovery, blood lipid levels, TCM syndrome distribution, efficacy in terms of TCM syndrome, and TCM symptom scores were compared between the two groups as well as between before and after treatment. Liver and kidney functions were monitored for safety assessment. ResultsIn terms of blood lipid level recovery, the total response rate in the observation group was 86.36% (76/88) and that in the control group was 86.49% (64/74), with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. After treatment, both groups showed declines in levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0.05) and elevations in the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P<0.05). Moreover, the observation group outperformed the control group in recovering the levels of TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C (P<0.05, P<0.01). In terms of TCM syndrome, hyperlipidemia was mostly caused by phlegm turbidity and obstruction. The total response rate in terms of TCM syndrome in the observation group was 87.30% (55/63), which was higher than that (63.46%, 33/52) in the control group (χ2=9.102, P<0.01). After treatment, the scores of total TCM symptoms, primary symptoms, and secondary symptoms decreased in both groups (P<0.05), and the observation group had lower scores than the control group (P<0.01). The observation group was superior to the control group in alleviating obesity, chest tightness, and low food intake (P<0.05). In terms of safety, the level of aminotransferase was slightly elevated in the control group, and no obvious adverse reaction was observed in the observation group, with no statistical significance in the incidence of adverse reactions. ConclusionZhuyuwan combined with atorvastatin can not only recover blood lipid levels and alleviate TCM symptoms but also reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions.
8.Zhuyuwan in Treatment of Hyperlipidemia Complicated with Carotid Atherosclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Wei SONG ; Lele YANG ; Zhongyi ZHANG ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):38-45
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy and safety of Zhuyuwan in the treatment of hyperlipidemia (syndrome of phlegm turbidity and obstruction) complicated with carotid atherosclerosis. MethodsA total of 120 patients with hyperlipidemia (syndrome of phlegm turbidity and obstruction) complicated with carotid atherosclerosis were randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group, with 60 patients in each group. The control group orally took rosuvastatin calcium tablets, 10 mg each time, once a day. The treatment group took Zhuyuwan granules, 1 dose a day in 3 times. Both groups received diet and exercise guidance and were treated for 24 consecutive weeks. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores were recorded before and after treatment. The levels of blood lipids [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)], carotid color ultrasound [carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque number, maximum plaque area, and maximum plaque thickness], vascular intimal repair-related factors [nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), and thromboxane B2 (TXB2)], and oxidative stress-related indicators [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)] were measured before and after treatment. The occurrence of adverse reactions was observed during treatment, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared after treatment. ResultsThe trial was completed and 112 patients (57 in the treatment group and 55 in the control group) were included in the statistical analysis, and the general information of the two groups was comparable. The total response rate in the treatment group was 87.72% (50/57), which was higher than that (74.55%, 41/55) in the control group (χ2=4.823, P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of main TCM symptoms such as body obesity, chest tightness, and limb numbness, the scores of secondary symptoms such as palpitation, insomnia, tastelessness in the mouth, reduced appetite, tongue and pulse manifestation scores, and the total TCM symptom score decreased in both groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, the treatment group had lower scores of main symptoms such as body obesity, head heaviness, chest tightness, nausea, salivation, and limb numbness, scores of secondary symptoms such as tastelessness in the mouth and reduced appetite, and total TCM symptom score than the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, both groups showed declines in TC, TG, LDL-C, IMT, plaque number, maximum plaque area, maximum plaque thickness, ET-1, sICAM-1, and TXB2 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and elevations in levels of HDL-C, NO, and SOD (P<0.05, P<0.01). The treatment group had lower TC, TG, LDL-C, IMT, plaque number, maximum plaque area, maximum plaque thickness, ET-1, sICAM-1, and TXB2 (P<0.01) and higher levels of HDL-C, NO, SOD, and GSH-Px (P<0.05, P<0.01) than the control group. During treatment, adverse reactions occurred in 3 cases (5.26%, 1 case of dizziness, 1 case of acid reflux, and 1 case of constipation) in the treatment group and 4 cases (7.27%, 2 cases of upper respiratory tract infection, 1 case of abdominal pain, and 1 case of low back pain) in the control group. ConclusionZhuyuwan can effectively reduce blood lipid levels, inhibit the formation of carotid atherosclerotic plaque, and alleviate the syndrome of phlegm turbidity and obstruction by promoting vascular intima repair and improving the antioxidant function.
9.Electrical stimulation based on triboelectric nanogenerator promotes osteogenesis of MC3T3-E1 cells on titanium surfaces.
Bo PANG ; Shu YANG ; Hongyang HAN ; Xingwei ZHANG ; Tao SONG
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(2):366-373
This paper aims to explore the effect of electrical stimulation of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) on the osteogenic and other biological behaviors of mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1 cells) on titanium surfaces. First, an origami-type TENG was fabricated, and its electrical output performance was tested. The optimal current of the generator and the feasibility of the experiment were verified by the CCK-8 assay and scratch assay. At the optimal current, the osteogenic conditions of the cells in each group were determined by quantitative analysis of the total protein content, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and alizarin red staining (ARS) on the titanium surface. Finally, the adhesion and spreading of cells on the titanium surface after electrical stimulation were observed. The results showed that the TENG had good electrical output performance, with an open-circuit voltage of 65 V and a short-circuit current of 42 μA. Compared with the rest of the current, a current strength of 30 μA significantly improved cell proliferation and migration, osteogenesis, and adhesion and spreading capabilities. The above results confirm the safety and operability of TENG in biomedical applications, laying the foundation for future TENG applications in reducing the time of bone integration around titanium implants after surgery.
Titanium/chemistry*
;
Osteogenesis
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Osteoblasts/cytology*
;
Electric Stimulation/instrumentation*
;
Cell Adhesion
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Surface Properties
;
Cell Differentiation
;
Nanotechnology
10.Multicenter randomized controlled trial of Yiqi Huoxue formula() for the treatment of ruptured lumbar disc herniation.
Yu ZHU ; Zhi-Qiang WANG ; Shun LIN ; Ying-Ying YAO ; Xue-Qiang SHEN ; Xiao-Chun LI ; Feng YU ; Xiao-Yang XIONG ; Yi SONG ; Meng-Fei CHEN ; Peng-Fei YU ; Hong JIANG ; Jin-Tao LIU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(11):1112-1118
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the clinical symptoms and MRI outcomes of patients with ruptured lumbar disc herniation(LDH) through a multicenter randomized controlled study, and to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yiqi Huoxue formula() in the treatment of this disease.
METHODS:
A total of 160 outpatients and inpatients with ruptured LDH admitted to 4 medical centers from January 2023 to June 2023 were selected and randomly divided into the Yiqi Huoxue formula group and the control group, with 80 patients in each group. In the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, there were 43 males and 37 females, with an age of (41.03±9.56) years and a disease duration of (10.45±25.37) days, and the patients were treated with Yiqi Huoxue formula. In the control group, there were 34 males and 46 females, with an age of (42.14±8.73) years and a disease duration of (11.31±21.14) days;during the acute phase, patients in this group could take celecoxib capsules orally, and methylcobalamin orally at the same time. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), changes in the volume of herniated disc tissue on MRI, herniation rate, and absorption rate were recorded at the time of enrollment and during follow-ups at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th month after treatment.
RESULTS:
A total of 156 patients completed the clinical follow-up, and 4 patients withdrew midway. The clinical symptoms of all patients who completed the study were relieved to varying degrees, and reabsorption of herniated disc tissue was observed in all patients in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group after treatment. For the JOA score:in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, it was (10.73±2.76) points before treatment and (24.65±2.19) points at the 12th month after treatment;in the control group, it was (11.01±1.20) points before treatment and (17.07±3.26) points at the 12th month after treatment. For the ODI score:in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, it was (26.21±3.55) points before treatment and (5.65±2.19) points at the 12th month after treatment;in the control group, it was (27.92±2.51) points before treatment and (9.09±2.15) points at the 12th month after treatment. At the 12th month after treatment, the JOA and ODI scores of both groups were better than those before treatment, and the scores of the Yiqi Huoxue formula group were better than those of the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In terms of the herniated disc volume and herniation rate on MRI, the Yiqi Huoxue formula group was superior to the control group, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). Reabsorption occurred in 56.96%(45/79) of patients in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, which was significantly higher than the 37.66%(29/77) in the control group.
CONCLUSION
After treatment with Yiqi Huoxue formula, patients with ruptured LDH show significant improvement in clinical symptoms and a marked reduction in the volume of herniated discs. During the follow-up period, no obvious adverse drug reactions are observed in patients, and no recurrence of symptoms is found at the last follow-up, indicating that the formula has safe and reliable efficacy.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/drug therapy*
;
Adult
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
;
Middle Aged
;
Lumbar Vertebrae

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail