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.Research progress and clinical challenges in immunosuppressive regimens for xenotransplantation
Yu ZHANG ; Kun WANG ; Xuyuan ZHU ; Yuxiang CHEN ; Tao LI ; Xiaojie MA ; Hongtao JIANG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):28-35
As a pivotal strategy to alleviate the shortage of organ donors, xenotransplantation has achieved remarkable advances in both pre-clinical and clinical studies in recent years, driven by continuous optimization of gene modification techniques and immunosuppressive regimens. Nevertheless, clinical translation still confronts formidable challenges, including rejection and heightened infection risks, which severely compromise long-term graft survival. Consequently, the role of immunosuppressive regimens in xenotransplantation has become increasingly prominent. This article summarizes the mechanisms underlying xenogeneic immune rejection, the latest developments in immunosuppressive regimens, cutting-edge strategies for inducing immune tolerance and the major hurdles facing clinical xenotransplantation. It delves into potential optimization strategies and directions for future clinical research, aiming to offer theoretical insights and practical guidance for the safe and effective application of clinical xenotransplantation.
4.Allogeneic lung transplantation in miniature pigs and postoperative monitoring
Yaobo ZHAO ; Ullah SALMAN ; Kaiyan BAO ; Hua KUI ; Taiyun WEI ; Hongfang ZHAO ; Xiaoting TAO ; Xinzhong NING ; Yong LIU ; Guimei ZHANG ; He XIAO ; Jiaoxiang WANG ; Chang YANG ; Feiyan ZHU ; Kaixiang XU ; Kun QIAO ; Hongjiang WEI
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):95-105
Objective To explore the feasibility and reference value of allogeneic lung transplantation and postoperative monitoring in miniature pigs for lung transplantation research. Methods Two miniature pigs (R1 and R2) underwent left lung allogeneic transplantation. Complement-dependent cytotoxicity tests and blood cross-matching were performed before surgery. The main operative times and partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) after opening the pulmonary artery were recorded during surgery. Postoperatively, routine blood tests, biochemical blood indicators and inflammatory factors were detected, and pathological examinations of multiple organs were conducted. Results The complement-dependent cytotoxicity test showed that the survival rate of lymphocytes between donors and recipients was 42.5%-47.3%, and no agglutination reaction occurred in the cross-matching. The first warm ischemia times of D1 and D2 were 17 min and 10 min, respectively, and the cold ischemia times were 246 min and 216 min, respectively. Ultimately, R1 and R2 survived for 1.5 h and 104 h, respectively. Postoperatively, in R1, albumin (ALB) and globulin (GLB) decreased, and alanine aminotransferase increased; in R2, ALB, GLB and aspartate aminotransferase all increased. Urea nitrogen and serum creatinine increased in both recipients. Pathological results showed that in R1, the transplanted lung had partial consolidation with inflammatory cell infiltration, and multiple organs were congested and damaged. In R2, the transplanted lung had severe necrosis with fibrosis, and multiple organs had mild to moderate damage. The expression levels of interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 increased in the transplanted lungs. Conclusions The allogeneic lung transplantation model in miniature pigs may systematically evaluate immunological compatibility, intraoperative function and postoperative organ damage. The data obtained may provide technical references for subsequent lung transplantation research.
5.Study on non-invasive diagnosis of rejection after kidney transplantation using hyperspectral imaging technology
Zhe YANG ; Qilong DUAN ; Yi CHEN ; Tao LIAO ; Xiaoqing SI ; Jianning WANG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):116-123
Objective To explore a method for rapid and differential diagnosis of rejection after kidney transplantation through urine hyperspectral imaging technology. Methods Hyperspectral data information from urine samples of 118 recipients after kidney transplantation was collected, and a deep learning model was constructed to diagnose and classify the types of rejection. Results A deep learning diagnostic model based on the 34-layer residual network (ResNet-34) was constructed, and 118 patients were included and divided into the training set and the test set. Based on the pathological results of the transplanted kidney puncture, the urine samples of the patients were classified into five groups: the non-rejection group, the T-cell-mediated rejection group, the antibody-mediated rejection group, the mixed rejection group and the nephropathy recurrence group. The results showed that the diagnostic sensitivities of the model for the above five groups were 0.960, 0.980, 0.930, 0.940 and 0.943 respectively, and the diagnostic specificities were 0.983, 0.993, 0.997, 0.989 and 0.989 respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy rate reached 95.7%. Conclusions The study provides a non-invasive, rapid and accurate auxiliary diagnostic method for the differential diagnosis of rejection after kidney transplantation.
6.A bibliometric and visual analysis of the literature published in the journal of Organ Transplantation since its inception
Xi CAO ; Tao HUANG ; Qiwei YANG ; Lin YU ; Xiaowen WANG ; Wenfeng ZHU ; Haoqi CHEN ; Ning FAN ; Genshu WANG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):133-142
Objective To systematically analyze the literature characteristics of Journal of Organ Transplantation since its inception. Methods Using the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) academic journal full-text database as the data source, all articles published in the Journal of Organ Transplantation from January 2010 to August 2025 were retrieved. After excluding non-academic papers, a total of 1 568 research papers were included. R language 4.3.0, Bibliometrix package 3.2.1, and Citespace software were used to analyze the number of publications, publishing institutions, authors, keywords and other aspects. Results The number of publications in Journal of Organ Transplantation increased from an average of 82 articles per year in the early years after its inception to 113 articles per year in recent years, a growth of 37.8%. The geographical distribution of publishing institutions covers 32 provinces, cities and autonomous regions nationwide, mainly concentrated in the South China, East China and North China regions, and has now basically covered the central and western regions in recent years. The author collaboration network includes 45 authors distributed across 7 major collaboration clusters, forming a stable multi-level national research system centered on key university-affiliated hospitals. The high-frequency keywords are dominated by "liver transplantation" (425 times) and "kidney transplantation" (396 times). The theme evolution shows a clear three-stage characteristic: initially focusing on clinical technology application, deepening to immune mechanism exploration in the middle stage, and recently (since 2022) focusing on cutting-edge research areas such as xenotransplantation. Conclusions Journal of Organ Transplantation has witnessed the rapid development of China's organ transplantation cause, fully reflecting the research status and trends in China's organ transplantation field, and has provided an important platform for the future development and international cooperation in China's organ transplantation field.
7.Study on the effects and mechanisms of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. in improving sleep
Ming QIAO ; Yao ZHAO ; Yi ZHU ; Yexia CAO ; Limei WEN ; Yuehong GONG ; Xiang LI ; Juanchen WANG ; Tao WANG ; Jianhua YANG ; Junping HU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):24-29
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. in improving sleep. METHODS Network pharmacology was employed to identify the active components of L. ruthenicum and their associated disease targets, followed by enrichment analysis. A caffeine‑induced zebrafish model of sleep deprivation was established , and the zebrafish were treated with L. ruthenicum Murr. extract (LRME) at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/mL, respectively; 24 h later, behavioral changes of zebrafish and pathological alterations in brain neurons were subsequently observed. The levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)], oxidative stress markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT)], and neurotransmitters [5- hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamic acid (Glu), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE)] were measured. The protein expression levels of protein kinase B1 (AKT1), phosphorylated AKT1 (p-AKT1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), sarcoma proto-oncogene,non-receptor tyrosine kinase (SRC), and heat shock protein 90α family class A member 1 (HSP90AA1) in the zebrafish were also determined. RESULTS A total of 12 active components and 176 intersecting disease targets were identified through network pharmacology analysis. Among these, apigenin, naringenin and others were recognized as core active compounds, while AKT1, EGFR and others served as key targets; EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway was identified as the critical pathway. The sleep improvement rates in zebrafish of LRME low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were 54.60%, 69.03% and 77.97%, 开发。E-mail:hjp_yft@163.com respectively, while the inhibition ratios of locomotor distance were 0.57, 0.83 and 0.95, respectively. Compared with the model group, the number of resting counts, resting time and resting distance were significantly increased/extended in LRME medium- and high-dose groups (P<0.05). Neuronal damage in the brain was alleviated. Additionally, the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, MDA, Glu, DA and NE, as well as the protein expression levels of AKT1, p-AKT1, EGFR, SRC and HSP90AA1, were markedly reduced (P<0.05), while the levels of IL-10, SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, 5-HT and GABA, as well as Bcl-2 protein expression, were significantly elevated (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS L. ruthenicum Murr. demonstrates sleep-improving effects, and its specific mechanism may be related to the regulation of inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter balance, and the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway.
8.Mechanisms of Renshentang in Treating AS via Regulation of Endothelial Cell Inflammation Based on TRPV1
Ce CHU ; Yulu YUAN ; Zhen YANG ; Xuguang TAO ; Xiangyun CHEN ; Zhanzhan HE ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Yongqi XU ; Wanping CHEN ; Peizhang ZHAO ; Wenlai WANG ; Hongxia ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):46-53
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Renshentang treats atherosclerosis (AS) in mice, focusing on the regulation of endothelial inflammatory responses mediated by transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1). MethodsAn AS model was established in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice fed a high-fat diet. The mice were randomly divided into a simvastatin group (0.02 g·kg-1·d-1) and low-, medium-, and high-dose Renshentang groups (1.77, 3.54, 7.08 g·kg-1·d-1), with 12 mice in each group. ApoE-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet and treated simultaneously. C57BL/6J mice fed a normal diet served as the normal group (n=9). After continuous administration for 12 weeks, mice were anesthetized and the aortas were collected. Oil Red O staining was used to observe lipid plaque formation in the aorta. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to examine pathological changes in the aortic root. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the levels of pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), as well as the expression of TRPV1, phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (p-PI3K), and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt) in the aortic root. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA expression in the aorta, and Western blot was used to detect TRPV1 protein expression. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed a significant increase in aortic plaque formation (P<0.01) and significantly elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the aortic root (P<0.01). The expression levels of TRPV1, p-PI3K, and p-Akt were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and eNOS mRNA expression was reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all Renshentang groups significantly reduced aortic plaque formation (P<0.01), significantly decreased TNF-α and IL-1β levels (P<0.01), and markedly increased the expression levels of TRPV1, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and eNOS mRNA (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionRenshentang may inhibit endothelial inflammation and suppress the formation of AS by increasing TRPV1 protein expression and up-regulating the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway, which may be one of the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effect against AS.
9.Mechanisms of Antidepressant Effect of Zhizi Houpotang and Its Herbal Pairs Based on NLRP3/GSDMD Signaling Pathway
Chang CHEN ; Ziwen GUO ; Tingyu SONG ; Yan WANG ; Baomei XIA ; Weiwei TAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):72-80
ObjectiveTaking classical herbal pair compatibility research as the entry point, this study aimed to deeply investigate the material basis and compatibility rules underlying the antidepressant effects of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula Zhizi Houpotang, and to elucidate its antidepressant mechanism, with a particular focus on its regulation of neuroinflammatory responses mediated by the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/gasdermin D (GSDMD) signaling pathway and the consequent improvement of neuronal synaptic plasticity. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a blank control group, a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression model group, a Zhizi Houpotang full-formula group (6 g·kg-1·d-1), a Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (MOC)-Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (AFI) herbal pair group (4.2 g·kg-1·d-1), a Gardeniae Fructus (GF)-MOC herbal pair group (4.2 g·kg-1·d-1), a GF-AFI herbal pair group (3.6 g·kg-1·d-1), and a positive drug group (fluoxetine, 12 mg·kg-1·d-1). Depressive-like behaviors in mice were evaluated using behavioral tests. Immunofluorescence staining was used to label and quantify the expression of the microglial marker ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Ibal) and the purinergic receptor P2X ligand-gated ion channel 7 (P2RX7) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in serum and PFC tissues. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of pannexin 1 (Panx1), P2RX7, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), Caspase-1, GSDMD, postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), and the presynaptic protein Synapsin 1 in PFC tissues. Golgi staining was used to assess dendritic spine density of neurons in the PFC. ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the depression model group exhibited significant depressive-like behaviors. In addition, the immunofluorescence areas of Ibal and P2RX7 in the PFC were significantly increased (P<0.01), the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in serum and the PFC were significantly elevated (P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of Panx1, P2RX7, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and GSDMD in the PFC were significantly upregulated (P<0.01). In contrast, the protein expression levels of PSD95 and Synapsin 1 were significantly downregulated (P<0.01), and neuronal dendritic spine density was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Zhizi Houpotang full-formula group and the GF-MOC herbal pair group showed significant improvement in all the above indicators (P<0.01). The GF-AFI herbal pair group improved all the above indicators except P2RX7, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and PSD95 (P<0.05, P<0.01). In contrast, the MOC-AFI herbal pair group showed no statistically significant improvement in any of the above indicators compared with the model group. ConclusionZhizi Houpotang and its key herbal pair, GF-MOC, can effectively ameliorate CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice. Its core antidepressant mechanism may involve inhibition of P2RX7/Panx1 signaling, thereby blocking the NLRP3/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis pathway and significantly reducing the release of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. Simultaneously, it upregulates the expression of synapse-related proteins PSD95 and Synapsin 1 and increases dendritic spine density, promoting the recovery of synaptic plasticity. These results suggest that GF plays a key role in the antidepressant effects of this formula, and that the compatibility of GF with MOC may represent the principal herbal pair combination responsible for its core therapeutic action.
10.Intervention of Exercise Combined with Shenghui Tang in M1AChR Regulation of Mitochondrial Autophagy Improves Learning and Memory Ability of Alzheimer's Disease Model Rats
Xiaoxue TAO ; Min XIAO ; Kunyang TANG ; Bo WANG ; Chunchun ZHAO ; Rongxiang LIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):120-130
ObjectiveTo make clear exercise combined with Shenghui Tang interferes in acetylcholine receptor (M1AChR) to improve mitochondrial autophagy and enhance cognition of Alzheimer's disease (AD) model rats through the adenylate activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-eight male SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a Shenghui Tang group (9.3 g·kg-1), an exercise group, an exercise + Shenghui Tang group (9.3 g·kg-1), and a rapamycin group (1.5 mg·kg-1). Except for the blank group, the rat model of AD was constructed by injecting amyloid beta (Aβ1-42) into hippocampus stereotaxically. The exercise group received treadmill exercise for 4 weeks, while the Shenghui Tang group received intragastric administration for 4 weeks, and the exercise + Shenghui Tang group received treadmill exercise and intragastric administration of Shenghui Tang for 4 weeks simultaneously. After the intervention, the Morris water maze test was used to detect the learning and memory ability. Spontaneous behavior was observed in the open field test. The pathological structure of hippocampal neurons was observed by NISSl staining. The expression level of M1AChR in hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The autophagy ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The apoptosis rate was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The expression of Beclin1 and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3β (LC3β) was detected by immunofluorescence (IF). The protein expression of M1AChR, AMPK, p-AMPK, mTOR, Beclin1, LC3β, and chelate 1 (SQSTM1/p62) in hippocampus was detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited significantly increased platform escape latency on the fifth day (P<0.01) and significantly decreased activity distance in the target quadrant and times of crossing the platform (P<0.01). The total movement distance in the open field, the time of movement in the central area, and the average speed obviously decreased (P<0.05). The arrangement of nerve cells in hippocampus CA1 region was dispersed, and the numbers of Nissl bodies and M1AChR positive cells significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression of TUNEL positive cells was significantly increased (P<0.01). The typical autophagic lysosomal structure decreased. The protein expression of M1AChR, p-AMPK/AMPK, p-mTOR/mTOR, Beclin1, LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ in hippocampus was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the protein expression of p62 was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the exercise + Shenghui Tang group exhibited obviously improved space exploration and positioning navigation ability (P<0.05, P<0.01). The total movement distance in the open field, the time of movement in the central area, and the average speed of movement significantly increased (P<0.01). The number of Nissl bodies significantly increased (P<0.01). The number of M1AChR positive cells in hippocampus was significantly increased (P<0.01). The expression of TUNEL positive cells was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The protein expression of M1AChR, p-AMPK/AMPK, p-mTOR/mTOR, Beclin1, LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ in hippocampus was significantly increased (P<0.01), while the protein expression of p62 was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the exercise + Shenghui Tang group, the Shenghui Tang group and the exercise group showed significantly increased platform escape latency on the fifth day (P<0.01) and obviously decreased activity distance in the target quadrant and times of crossing the platform (P<0.05, P<0.01). The total movement distance in the open field, the time of movement in the central area, and the average speed of movement significantly decreased (P<0.01). The number of Nissl bodies and the number of M1AChR positive cells significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression of TUNEL positive cells was obviously increased (P<0.05). Ultrastructure of the hippocampal region showed decreased autophagy level. The protein expression of M1AChR, p-AMPK/AMPK, p-mTOR/mTOR, LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ in the hippocampus was obviously decreased in the Shenghui Tang group (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the protein expression of p62 was significantly increased (P<0.01). In the exercise group, the protein expression of M1AChR, p-AMPK/AMPK, Beclin1, and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was obviously decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the protein expression of p-mTOR/mTOR and p62 was significantly increased (P<0.01). ConclusionExercise combined with traditional Chinese medicine can enhance the expression of M1AChR in the hippocampus of AD model rats, induce autophagy through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, and improve the learning and memory ability of AD rats.

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