1.Exploring Chemical Constituent Distribution in Blood/Brain(Hippocampus) and Emotional Regulatory Effect of Raw and Vinegar-processed Products of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride
Yi BAO ; Yonggui SONG ; Qianmin LI ; Zhifu AI ; Genhua ZHU ; Ming YANG ; Huanhua XU ; Qin ZHENG ; Yiting HUANG ; Zihan GAO ; Dan SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):189-197
ObjectiveTo investigate the migration and distribution characteristics of chemical constituents in blood and hippocampal tissues before and after vinegar processing of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride(CRPV), and to explore the potential material basis and mechanisms underlying their regulatory effects on emotional disorders by comparing the effects of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed to characterize and identify the chemical constituents of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV extracts, as well as their migrating components in blood and hippocampal tissues after oral administration. Reference standards, databases, and relevant literature were utilized for compound annotation, with data processing performed using PeakView 1.2 software. Seventy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into seven groups, including the blank group, model group, diazepam group(2.5 mg·kg-1), raw CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), and vinegar-processed CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), with 10 mice per group. Except for the blank group, all other groups underwent chronic restraint stress(2 h·d-1) for 20 d. Each drug-treated group received oral administration at the predetermined dose starting 10 d after modeling, with a total treatment duration of 10 d. Following model-based drug administration, mice underwent open-field, forced swimming, and elevated plus maze tests. After anesthesia with isoflurane, whole brains were collected from each group of mice, and hippocampi were dissected. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) level in hippocampal tissues was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe hippocampal tissue morphology. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect neuronal nuclei(NeuN) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha(PPARα) expressions in hippocampal tissue. Then, pharmacodynamic evaluations were conducted to assess the effects of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV on mood disorders, exploring the potential mechanisms. ResultsVinegar processing caused significant changes in the chemical composition of CRPV, with 18 components showing increased relative content and 35 components showing decreased relative content. The primary changes occurred in flavonoid compounds, including 20 flavonoids, 20 flavonoid glycosides, 3 triterpenes, 3 phenolic acids, 1 alkaloid, and 6 other compounds. Twenty-one components were detected in blood(15 methoxyflavones, 4 flavonoid glycosides, and 2 phenolic acids), with 17 shared between raw and vinegar-processed CRPV. Seven components reached hippocampal tissues(all common to both forms). In regulating emotional disorders, Vinegar-processed CRPV exhibited superior antidepressant-like effects compared to raw products. HE staining revealed that both treatments improved hippocampal neuronal morphology, particularly in the damaged CA1 and CA3 regions. Immunofluorescence and ELISA analyses demonstrated that both raw and vinegar-processed CRPV significantly modulated NeuN and PPARα expressions in hippocampal tissue while alleviating oxidative stress induced by excessive ROS(P<0.05). ConclusionThe chemical composition of CRPV undergoes changes after vinegar processing, but the migrating components in blood and hippocampus are primarily methoxyflavonoids. These components may serve as the potential material basis for activating the PPARα pathway, thereby negatively regulating ROS generation in the hippocampus, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting the development of NeuN-positive neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence for enhancing quality standards, pharmacodynamic material research, and active drug development of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV.
2.Staged Efficacy of Qijia Rougan Prescription Combined with Entecavir for Chronic Hepatitis B-related Hepatic Fibrosis with Qi Deficiency and Collateral Stasis Syndrome Based on "Zhu Ke Jiao" Theory
Baixue LI ; Xin WANG ; Jibin LIU ; Li WEN ; Cen JIANG ; Wenjun WU ; Dong WANG ; Shuwan LIU ; Huabao LIU ; Yongli ZHENG ; Liang HUANG ; Yue SU ; Song ZHANG ; Yanan SHANG ; Hang ZHOU ; Quansheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):180-188
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate and evaluate the staged efficacy and safety of the representative empirical prescription of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory, Qijia Rougan prescription, combined with entecavir in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. MethodsA multicenter randomized controlled clinical study was conducted, and 101 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B-related hepatic fibrosis (CHB-HF) who met the diagnosis and inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to an observation group (Qijia Rougan prescription + entecavir) and a control group (entecavir). The treatment duration was 24 weeks. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM), fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4), portal vein diameter, hepatitis B serology, biochemical indicators, hepatic fibrosis markers in serum [hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen Ⅲ peptide (PⅢP), and type Ⅳ collagen (Ⅳ-C)], and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores were used as efficacy evaluation indicators. Efficacy assessments and explorations of different staged subgroups of Qijia Rougan prescription were conducted according to LSM values based on the Metavir pathological staging standard. ResultsA total of 98 cases were included for statistical analysis, with 49 cases in the observation group and 49 in the control group. The general data of the patients in both groups were comparable. Compared with the same group before treatment, the observation group showed a significant reduction in LSM and FIB-4 (P<0.01), as well as notable improvements in LN, Ⅳ-C, and various TCM syndrome scores (P<0.05, P<0.01). When compared to the control group after treatment, the observation group demonstrated significant improvements in LSM, FIB-4, and various TCM syndrome score indicators (P<0.05, P<0.01), indicating that the observation group performed better than the control group. Subgroup analysis of the regression of hepatic fibrosis stages showed that compared to the same group before treatment, the observation group had better improvement in regression of stages F2 and F3 (P<0.05). When compared to the control group after treatment, the observation group exhibited superior improvement in regression of stage F3 (P<0.05). No adverse events occurred in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionCompared with entecavir alone, the combination of Qijia Rougan prescription and entecavir significantly improves the degree of hepatic fibrosis and clinical TCM symptoms in patients. The optimal intervention period is primarily during stage F3, which is a potential “interception” point of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory.
3.Cloning and Functional Characterization of O-Methyltransferase Gene in Carthamus tinctorius
Yongming HUANG ; Yaping LI ; Ping SU ; Meng XIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):217-223
ObjectiveTo comprehensively identify the O-methyltransferase (OMT) genes in Carthamus tinctorius and explore the key OMTs that can catalyze the methylation of flavonoids, providing a basis for understanding the molecular formation mechanism of the structural diversity of flavonoids in C. tinctorius. MethodsThe hidden Markov model was used to systematically identify the type Ⅰ OMTs from the high-quality genome data of C. tinctorius. A suite of bioinformatics tools was employed to systematically analyze the physicochemical properties, gene structure, conserved motifs, chromosomal localization, gene replication events, and collinearity of the identified genes. The target gene was heterologously expressed through the prokaryotic expression system of E. coli, and the protein function was verified by in vitro enzymatic reactions. ResultsA total of 31 type Ⅰ OMTs were identified. CtFOMT1 was successfully cloned and expressed in a soluble form in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein was purified via Ni2+ affinity chromatography to obtain a high-concentration preparation. In vitro enzymatic assays demonstrated that CtFOMT1 utilized S-adenosylmethionine as the methyl donor to catalyze the methylation of the 4′-OH of naringenin, resulting in the production of isosakuranetin. A similar process occurred with the 4′-OH of luteolin, leading to the formation of diosmetin. Subsequent methylation of the 3′-OH group of diosmetin generated 4′-methylchrysoeriol. ConclusionCtFOMT1 can catalyze the methylation of 4′-/3′-OH in the flavonoid skeleton. It is hypothesized that CtFOMT1 may play a role in the biosynthesis of various 4′-/3′-oxymethyl flavonoids in C. tinctorius.
4.Study on the correlation between HLA antibodies and pregnancy-related factors, and the predictive value of a random-forest model among female blood donors in Nanning
Fang LU ; Huihui MO ; Wujin SU ; Zhoulin ZHONG ; Hengcong LI ; Yuchen HUANG ; Yuxi CHEN ; Lilan LI ; Yan ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(3):367-372
Objective: To explore the association between the HLA antibody positivity rate in female blood donors and pregnancy history, number of pregnancies, interval from the last pregnancy to blood donation, and age, to identify associated variables using a univariate generalized additive model (GAM), and to further analyze the predictive role of characteristic variables for HLA antibody positivity using a random forest model. Methods: HLA antibody detection was performed on 391 female blood donors using the Luminex immunomagnetic bead method. The correlation between pregnancy-related factors and HLA antibodies was analyzed using the Chi-square test. Based on R software, a univariate GAM was first constructed to analyze the association types between characteristic variables and the HLA antibody positivity rate, followed by the construction of a random forest model to evaluate the predictive value of the variables. Results: Among the 391 female blood donors without a transfusion history, the overall HLA antibody positivity rate was 26.34%. The positivity rate in donors with a pregnancy history was significantly higher than that in those without (30.09% vs 9.72%, P<0.05), and HLA antibody positivity rate increased linearly with the number of pregnancies (P<0.05). In the univariate GAM, age and number of deliveries exhibited a non-linear association with the HLA antibody positivity rate (the positivity rate increased sharply between 25-35 years of age and stabilized after 3 deliveries). Besides, the interval from the last pregnancy to blood donation showed a linear association with the HLA antibody positivity rate, and the positivity rate decreased as the interval prolonged (P<0.05). In the random forest model, age (mean decrease gini=29.26) and interval from the last pregnancy to blood donation (mean decrease gini=22.02) were core predictive variables: age was more conducive to identifying positive samples, while the interval from the last pregnancy to blood donation was more helpful for excluding negative samples. The number of deliveries (mean decrease accuracy=16.98) made a significant contribution to predicting positive samples, whereas the number of abortions had no impact. The model had an AUC of 0.583 (95% CI: 0.593 8-0.770 2), indicating a certain predictive value. Conclusion: The associated variables identified by the univariate GAM model, including age, interval from the last pregnancy to blood donation, and number of deliveries, provide a basis for key variables in the random forest model. All three variables have predictive value for HLA antibody positivity, which can provide evidence-based support for personalized transfusion management and stratified screening of female blood donors in this region.
5.Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for CLDN18.2-positive and HER2-negative advanced gastric cancer
Ying HUANG ; Su LI ; Yan WANG ; Danxue HUANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(7):920-926
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for CLDN18.2-positive and HER2-negative advanced gastric cancer from the perspective of China’s healthcare system. METHODS Based on individual data from the GLOW clinical trial involving CLDN18.2-positive and HER2-negative patients with advanced gastric cancer, a comparison was made between the zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy regimen and the chemotherapy alone regimen. A dynamic Markov model was employed for simulation, with a cycle length of 21 days and a time horizon of ten years. A cost-utility analysis was employed, with both costs and health outcomes discounted at an annual rate of 5%. The primary outcome measures included total cost, quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), with the willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold set at three times China’s per capita gross domestic product in 2024 (287 247 yuan/QALY). One-way analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to assess the robustness of the model. Furthermore, scenario analysis and threshold analysis were conducted to explore the impact of drug price adjustments on cost-effectiveness and the threshold price. RESULTS Compared with the chemotherapy alone regimen, the ICER of zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy was 2 611 943.00 yuan/QALY. One-way sensitivity analysis indicated that the utility value of the progression free survival, the cost of zolbetuximab and body surface area were the three most influential parameters affecting the ICER. The results of the probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that when the WTP threshold was set at 2 617 450 yuan/QALY, the probability that the combined regimen was cost-effective approached 50%. Scenario analysis revealed that only when the price of zolbetuximab was reduced to 10% of the baseline price did the ICER of the combined regimen fall below the aforementioned WTP threshold. Threshold analysis further indicated that when the unit price of zolbetuximab dropped to 3.81 yuan/mg, the probability of the combination regimen being cost-effective was approximately 50%. CONCLUSIONS From the perspective of China’s healthcare system, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy regimen as first-line treatment for CLDN18.2-positive and HER2-negative advanced gastric cancer is not cost-effective compared with chemotherapy alone regimen. When the unit price of zolbetuximab drops to 3.81 yuan/mg or below, the regimen becomes cost-effective.
6.The role of probiotics in ameliorating hyperuricemia: a review
ZOU Yan ; HUANG Enshan ; ZHAO Dong ; HUANG Lichun ; SU Danting ; ZHANG Ronghua
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):36-39
Abstract
Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic disorder syndrome caused by purine metabolism dysregulation, and its prevalence increases year by year. The development and progression of HUA are accompanied by significant alterations in the composition of intestinal microbiota, making probiotics a potential and safe method to reduce serum uric acid. Probiotics ameliorate HUA through three pathways: competing with intestinal epithelial cells for purine absorption to decrease uric acid synthesis, inhibiting xanthine oxidase activity through modulation of inflammatory cytokines to reduce the conversion of purine to uric acid, as well as restoring and maintaining an orderly state of the gut microbiota to facilitate normal uric acid excretion. This article reviews the role of probiotics in ameliorating HUA, so as to provide the reference for the application of probiotics in the prevention and intervention of HUA.
7.Association between Mediterranean diet scores and dental caries among children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders
XIONG Wenjuan, SU Yuanyuan, LIU Zhao, HUANG Xiaoqing, QU Zhiyi, CUI Shanshan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):172-176
Objective:
To explore the association between mediterranean diet (MD) patterns and dental caries among children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), so as to provide a basis for developing scientific anti caries strategies related to diet.
Methods:
From December 2021 to June 2024, a questionnaire survey, a three day 24 hour dietary review survey, oral health examination, physical development measurement and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) evaluation were conducted involving 147 children and adolescents aged 2-22 years with NDD from nine special education schools and rehabilitation institutions in Tianjin. Group comparisons were carried out using the Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, or Fisher s exact probability method. The correlation between dietary quality and dental caries was analyzed by adopting multiple linear regression analysis and restricted cubic spline.
Results:
There were 46 children and adolescents (31.3%) in the non dental caries group and 101 children and adolescents (68.7%) in the dental caries group. The number of decayed missing and filled teeth (dmft) was 2.0 (4.0), and the MD score was 4.0 (2.0) points. There were 62 children and adolescents (42.2%) in the low MD scores group and 85 children and adolescents (57.8%) in the high MD scores group. There was no significant difference in MD scores between NDD children in the non dental caries group and those in the dental caries group [nondental caries group:4.0(2.0), dental caries group:4.0(2.0), Z= -0.14, P >0.05]. The MD scores and dmft exhibited increasing and then decreasing trend ( P total =0.02, P non lineary = 0.04 ). Children and adolescents with NDD in the MD high scores group had a lower number of dmft than those in the MD low scores group ( β= -2.00 , 95%CI =-3.39 to -0.62, P <0.05). However, in children and adolescents with NDD and CARS scores ≥30, the above association was insignificant ( β=-0.63, 95%CI=-0.29-0.15, P >0.05).
Conclusion
Children and adolescents with NDD who have dietary patterns similar to the Mediterranean diet, are found to have fewer dental caries, and this is observed among those with no or mild symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.
8.Interventional Effect and Mechanisms of Renqing Mangjue on MNNG-induced Malignant Transformation of Gastric Mucosal Epithelial Cells
Peiping CHEN ; Fengyu HUANG ; Xinzhuo ZHANG ; Xiangying KONG ; Ziqing XIAO ; Yanxi LI ; Xiaohui SU ; Na LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):69-77
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the intervention effect of Renqing Mangjue on the malignant transformation of gastric mucosal epithelial cells induced by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and to explore its molecular mechanism in preventing precancerous lesions of gastric cancer based on the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/protein kinase G (PKG)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. MethodsHuman gastric mucosal epithelial cells (GES-1) were initially induced by MNNG to establish a precancerous cell model (MC cells). The effective concentration of MNNG for inducing malignant transformation in GES-1 cells was screened using the cell proliferation activity decection (CCK-8) assay, and the effective concentration of Renqing Mangjue for inhibiting the proliferation of transformed GES-1 cells was also determined. GES-1 cells were divided into a blank control group, a model group, and treatment groups with Renqing Mangjue at concentrations of 1, 3, 10, and 30 mg·L-1. Furthermore, the effects of Renqing Mangjue on the migratory ability and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristics of GES-1 malignant transformed cells were evaluated using Transwell migration assays, wound healing assays, and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). Additionally, candidate chemical components and target sites of Renqing Mangjue were obtained from the TCMIP v2.0 database, and disease targets at various stages of gastric cancer precursors were sourced from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed using the Metascape database to predict the potential mechanisms of action of Renqing Mangjue. Finally, the protective mechanism of Renqing Mangjue against gastric cancer precursors was validated through Western blot analysis. ResultsAt a concentration of 20 μmol·L-1, MNNG exhibited an inhibition rate of approximately 50% on GES-1 cells (P<0.01), and at this concentration, the GES-1 cells displayed biological characteristics indicative of malignant transformation. In contrast, Renqing Mangjue had no significant effect on the proliferation of normal GES-1 cells, but significantly inhibited the proliferation of MC cells (P<0.01) and markedly reduced their migratory capacity (P<0.01). Moreover, it also increased the mRNA expression level of E-cadherin during the EMT process (P<0.05), while inhibiting the expression of both N-cadherin and the transcription factor Snail mRNA (P<0.05, P<0.01). Network predictions suggested that Renqing Mangjue may prevent gastric cancer precursors through modulating the cGMP/PKG and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways. Furthermore, Western blot results indicated that Renqing Mangjue upregulated the expression of PKG and NPRB (B-type natriuretic peptide receptor) proteins in the cGMP/PKG pathway (P<0.01), while downregulating the expression of the downstream proteins MEK and ERK (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionIn summary, Renqing Mangjue can prevent gastric cancer precursors by inhibiting the proliferation and migration of malignant transformed GES-1 cells, thereby delaying the EMT process. The underlying mechanisms may be related to the activation of the cGMP/PKG pathway and the inhibition of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway.
9.Research progress on the mechanism of action of rosmarinic acid in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases
Ke CAI ; Sheng-ru HUANG ; Fang-fang GAO ; Xiu-juan PENG ; Sheng GUO ; Feng LIU ; Jin-ao DUAN ; Shu-lan SU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):12-21
With the rapid development of social economy and the continuous improvement of human living standard, the incidence, fatality and recurrence rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are increasing year by year, which seriously affects people's life and health. Conventional therapeutic drugs have limited improvement on the disability rate, so the search for new therapeutic drugs and action targets has become one of the hotspots of current research. In recent years, the therapeutic role of the natural compound rosmarinic acid (RA) in CVD has attracted much attention, which is capable of preventing CVD by modulating multiple signalling pathways and exerting physiological activities such as antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet aggregation, as well as anti-coagulation and endothelial function protection. In this paper, the role of RA in the prevention of CVD is systematically sorted out, and its mechanism of action is summarised and analysed, with a view to providing a scientific basis and important support for the in-depth exploration of the prevention value of RA in CVD and its further development as a prevention drug.
10.Suture tape and headless compression screws in treatment of Lisfranc injury with comminuted fractures of the first and second proximal metatarsal bones
Haobo HUANG ; Xinyuan LIANG ; Guozhong YE ; Qingxiang XIE ; Boyuan SU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(9):1803-1809
BACKGROUND:Lisfranc ligament is an important structure to maintain the transverse and longitudinal arch of the foot.This injury is a serious middle-foot injury.Lisfranc ligamentous injuries are complex,and their treatment,along with the preferred method of fixation,is controversial. OBJECTIVE:To compare the short-term efficacy of plate combined with Suture tape versus plate combined with headless compression screw in the treatment of Lisfranc injury with comminuted fractures of the 1st and 2nd proximal metatarsal bones. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was performed on 48 patients with Lisfranc injury due to comminuted fractures of the 1st and 2nd proximal metatarsal bones in Seventh Department of Orthopedics,Dongguan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to June 2022.Among them,25 were fixed with plate combined with Suture tape(observation group)and 23 were fixed with plate combined with headless compression screw(control group).Preoperative classification was performed according to Myerson classification system based on preoperative imaging data.Postoperative follow-up was performed according to fracture healing time,visual analog scale,and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)criteria to assess the recovery of foot functions.Postoperative complications were compared and analyzed between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)All cases completed the operation successfully and obtained follow-up in the two groups.The postoperative follow-up time of the two groups was 12-36 months,with a mean of(18.0±5.42)months.(2)There were no significant differences in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups(P>0.05).(3)The fracture healing time of observation group was slightly longer than that of control group(P<0.05).(4)After 3,6,and 12 months of follow-up,the visual analog scale score of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).(5)At 6 and 12 months after operation,AOFAS score of foot function in the observation group was significantly improved compared with the screw group at various time points after operation(P<0.05),and was significantly higher than that before operation(P<0.05).(6)The postoperative complications were 1 case of traumatic arthritis in the observation group and 1 case of incision infection,1 case of screw fracture,and 2 cases of traumatic arthritis in the control group.There was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05),considering the correlation with a small sample size.(7)It is indicated that as for the surgical method of Lisfranc injury with comminuted fractures of the 1st and 2nd proximal metatarsal bones,the application of plate combined with Suture tape internal fixation has a reliable effect in the treatment of Lisfranc joint injury,which can improve the function of the foot joint of patients,and has the advantages of less surgical trauma,fewer postoperative complications,and lower risk of long-term iatrogenic traumatic arthritis.Compared with headless compression screw,it is more beneficial to the recovery of foot function.


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