ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Shengui Jiangtang Formula on insulin resistance and glucose-lipid metabolism in spontaneous type 2 diabetic db/db mice based on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/forkhead box protein O1 （FoxO1） signaling pathway， and to provide theoretical foundation for its clinical application through fundamental experiments. MethodsA randomized controlled design was employed in this study. Thirty spontaneous type 2 diabetic db/db mice meeting the inclusion criteria （fasting blood glucose >7.0 mmol·L^-1 and random blood glucose on a different day≥11.1 mmol·L^-1） were selected as the subjects. After stratified block randomization by body weight and blood glucose levels， they were randomly assigned to a model group， a metformin group， and a Shengui Jiangtang formula group， with n=10 per group. Ten db/m mice were used as the normal group. During the 5-week intervention， general indicators （including general condition， fasting blood glucose （FBG）， body weight， and food intake） were recorded weekly. An oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT） was performed at week 5. After 5 weeks， serum was collected to measure glucose-lipid metabolism parameters. Liver tissues were analyzed as follows： Histopathology was observed through hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining， and Oil red O staining. The expression of proteins and genes related to the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway was quantitatively analyzed using Western blotting （Western blot） and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsGeneral observations： The mice in the normal group were generally healthy， exhibited agile responses and had smooth and glossy fur. Compared with the normal group， the mice in the model group displayed typical symptoms of polydipsia， polyphagia， and polyuria， along with listlessness and rough fur. Their food intake， initial body weight， liver weight， and liver index were all significantly higher than those in the normal group （P<0.01）. After 5 weeks of drug intervention， neither the Shengui Jiangtang Formula group nor the metformin group significantly affected the food intake of the model mice. Compared with the model group， no statistically significant difference was observed in liver weight or liver index in the Shengui Jiangtang formula group. Serum biochemical indicators： Compared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly elevated levels of FBG， fasting insulin， homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance （HOMA-IR）， glycosylated serum protein， and blood lipids. After drug intervention， compared with the model group， the Shengui Jiangtang formula group significantly reduced FBG in the model mice （P<0.01）. The blood glucose levels at all time points during the OGTT in the Shengui Jiangtang Formula group were lower than those in the model group， with statistically significant differences in the 0 min blood glucose and the area under the curve for glucose compared to the model group （P<0.05）. Furthermore， the formula significantly reduced fasting insulin levels， HOMA-IR， and glycosylated serum protein levels （P<0.05）. It also showed a tendency to decrease blood lipids， liver enzymes （aspartate aminotransferase， alanine aminotransferase）， and blood urea nitrogen levels， and a tendency to increase creatinine levels， although these differences were not statistically significant. Liver histomorphology： HE staining indicated that Shengui Jiangtang formula improved the morphological structure of hepatocytes and attenuated steatosis in diabetic mice. Liver PAS staining showed that it increased hepatic glycogen content and promoted hepatic glycogen synthesis in diabetic mice. Oil red O staining demonstrated that it reduced lipid deposition within hepatocytes. Western blot： Compared with the normal group， the model group showed decreased protein expression of PI3K， Akt， p-Akt， and p-FoxO1， and increased FoxO1 protein expression. Compared with the model group， both the metformin and Shengui Jiangtang Formula groups showed increased protein expression of PI3K， Akt， p-Akt， and p-FoxO1， and decreased FoxO1 protein expression. Real-time PCR： Compared with the normal group， the mRNA expression of PI3K and Akt was downregulated （P<0.05）， and the mRNA expression of FoxO1 was downregulated （P<0.05） in the model group. ConclusionShengui Jiangtang Formula can improve insulin resistance and glucose-lipid metabolic disorders in db/db mice. It alleviates hepatic steatosis， promotes hepatic glycogen synthesis， and reduces lipid deposition in these mice. The mechanism by which Shengui Jiangtang Formula improves insulin resistance may be associated with the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Tangbikang granules improve diabetic peripheral neuropathy based on ferroptosis mediated by the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （AMPK/Nrf2） signaling pathway. MethodsA diabetes model was established using spontaneous male Zucker diabetic fatty （ZDF） rats. After successful modeling， the rats were divided into a normal group， a model group， high-， medium-， and low-dose Tangbikang granules groups， and a metformin hydrochloride group. The high-， medium-， and low-dose Tangbikang granules groups were administered by gavage at doses of 2.5， 1.25， 0.625 g·kg^-1， respectively. The metformin hydrochloride group received 0.135 g·kg^-1 by gavage， while the remaining groups received an equal volume of deionized water. Administration continued for 12 weeks. Blood glucose levels were measured after administration， and at 4， 8， 12 weeks. Following the 12-week intervention， the thermal pain threshold and the sciatic nerve conduction velocity （SNCV） were measured. The levels of malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in the sciatic nerve were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Morphological changes in the sciatic nerve were observed using hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining， and the ultrastructural changes were examined using transmission electron microscopy. The levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPx4） were detected using immunofluorescence （IF） assay. The protein expression levels of p-AMPK， Nrf2， GPx4， and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 （ACSL4） were detected using Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group had significantly higher blood glucose levels after administration and at weeks 4， 8 and 12 （P<0.01）. The thermal pain threshold was significantly prolonged （P<0.01）， and the SNCV was significantly slowed down （P<0.01）. The SOD and ATP levels significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while the MDA levels significantly increased （P<0.01）. Pathologically， the sciatic nerve fibers in the model group showed a dispersed structure， disordered and sparse arrangement， axonal atrophy， irregular myelin sheath halo， increased and swollen Schwann cell nuclei， obvious endoneurial fibrosis， and collagen hyperplasia. Immunofluorescence assay revealed fragmented red fluorescence and significantly reduced expression of GPx4 （P<0.01）. Western blot analysis showed significantly decreased protein expression levels of p-AMPK， Nrf2， and GPx4 （P<0.01）， and significantly increased expression of ACSL4 （P<0.01） in the model group. Compared with the model group， fasting blood glucose level decreased significantly in the high-dose Tangbikang granules group at weeks 4 and 12 （P<0.05）. The thermal pain threshold was significantly shortened in the high- and medium-dose Tangbikang granules groups （P<0.01）. The SNCV was significantly accelerated in the high- and medium-dose Tangbikang granules groups （P<0.01）. The SOD levels were significantly elevated in the high-dose Tangbikang granules group （P<0.01）. The MDA levels significantly decreased in all Tangbikang granules groups （P<0.01）. Both the metformin hydrochloride group and the high-dose Tangbikang granules group exhibited relatively orderly and densely arranged sciatic nerve fibers with more regular myelin sheath halos. The GPx4 expression significantly increased in both the metformin hydrochloride group and all Tangbikang granules groups （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of p-AMPK， Nrf2， and GPx4 were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while ACSL4 protein expression significantly decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionTangbikang granules may improve peripheral neuropathy by suppressing ferroptosis through the regulation of the AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Diabetic retinopathy （DR） is a microvascular complication of diabetes and one of its most common complications. Prolonged hyperglycemia induces oxidative stress， inflammatory responses， apoptosis， and pathological angiogenesis， ultimately disrupting the blood-retinal barrier（BRB） and leading to visual impairment or even blindness. Recent studies show that the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of DR's pathological changes. Meanwhile， Chinese herbal monomers have been shown to modulate the Nrf2 signaling pathway， thereby intervening in the development of DR. In terms of inhibiting oxidative stress， saponin compounds such as platycodin-D and ginsenoside Rb1 downregulate the expression of malondialdehyde （MDA）， thereby ameliorating retinal oxidative stress. Flavonoids such as total flavonoids from Pueraria lobata flower and puerarin upregulate the expression of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and glutathione peroxidase （GPx）， effectively clearing lipid peroxides. Regarding the suppression of inflammation， phenolic compounds like resveratrol and chlorogenic acid inhibit the nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB） pathway， reducing the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α） and mitigating inflammatory responses. In the context of inhibiting apoptosis， polysaccharides such as Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide and Angelica sinensis polysaccharide downregulate the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） and suppress the activity of the executioner Caspase-3， thereby reducing the apoptosis rate. As for the inhibition of neovascularization， compounds including bilobalide and physcion significantly decrease the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， leading to a reduction in retinal pathological angiogenesis. Furthermore， Chinese herbal compound prescriptions such as Tongluo Zhujing pills， Yiqi Huoxue Yangyin decoction， Qiming granules， and Danlou tablets can also intervene in the onset and progression of DR through the mechanisms described above. In summary， both Chinese herbal monomers and Chinese herbal compound prescriptions can modulate the Nrf2 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress， alleviate inflammation， and participate in maintaining BRB integrity， suppressing retinal neovascularization， and preventing neurodegeneration， thereby delaying the progression of DR. Therefore， this paper reviews and summarizes recent studies at home and abroad on how traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） works to treat DR， and the relationship between the Nrf2 pathway and DR. It aims to provide research ideas for preventing and treating DR.

ObjectiveTo investigate the molecular mechanism by which the Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo prescription exerts a renal protective effect in mice with diabetic kidney disease （DKD） by regulating the cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP） signaling pathway. MethodsThirty specific pathogen-free （SPF） male db/db mice were adaptively fed for three weeks. Mice with a random tail vein blood glucose level ≥ 11.1 mmol·L^-1 and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio （ACR） ≥ 30 mg·g^-1 were considered successfully modeled. The successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into five groups with six mice in each group： the model group， the low-， medium-， and high-dose Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo prescription groups （administered at doses of 7， 14， 28 g·kg^-1·d^-1 respectively）， and the positive drug irbesartan group （administered at a dose of 20 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. Additionally， six db/m mice were selected as the blank group. Mice in each group were given intragastric administration of the Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo prescription at the corresponding concentrations， irbesartan， or an equal volume of pure water， and the intervention lasted for 12 weeks. During the experiment， the general conditions， body weight changes， and renal function indicators of the mice were dynamically monitored. After the intervention， a blood glucose meter was used to measure the fasting blood glucose （FBG） of the mice. An automatic biochemical analyzer was employed to detect the levels of serum creatinine （SCr）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， urinary microalbumin （uALB）， ACR， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， leptin （LEP）， glycosylated serum protein （GSP）， and insulin （INS） in the mice. Renal tissues were collected for hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining， and Masson's trichrome staining to observe the histopathological changes. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to detect the expressions of protein kinase A （PKA） and cAMP response element-binding protein （CREB） in the mice. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression levels of PKA， phosphorylated protein kinase A （p-PKA）， CREB， phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein （p-CREB）， and B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） proteins in the renal tissues of the mice. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of PKA， CREB， and Bcl-2 in the renal tissues of the mice. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the mice in the model group showed listlessness， decreased activity， and a significant increase in body weight （P<0.01）. Biochemical indicators revealed that the levels of BUN， uALB， ACR， AST， ALT， TC， TG， FBG， LEP， GSP， and INS were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while SCr showed an increasing trend with no statistically significant difference. Compared with the model group， the mice in the Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo prescription intervention groups had improved general conditions and a decreasing trend in body weight. Biochemical indicators showed that the levels of BUN， uALB， ACR， TC， GSP， and INS were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， while SCr， AST， ALT， TG， and LEP showed a decreasing trend with no statistically significant difference. Renal histopathological analysis showed that the model group exhibited typical DKD pathological features such as thickening of the glomerular basement membrane， expansion of the mesangial matrix， and deposition of collagen fibers in the renal tubulointerstitium， and all treatment groups could alleviate the above pathological damages. The IHC results showed that compared with the blank group， the expression levels of p-PKA and p-CREB in the renal tissues of the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the expression level of p-PKA in the medium-dose Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo prescription group was significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the expression level of p-CREB showed an increasing trend with no statistically significant difference. Western blot results showed that compared with the blank group， the expression levels of p-PKA/PKA， p-CREB/CREB， and Bcl-2 in the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the expression levels of these proteins in the medium-dose Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo prescription group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Real-time PCR results showed that compared with the blank group， the mRNA expressions of PKA， CREB， and Bcl-2 in the model group were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the mRNA expressions of these genes in the medium-dose Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo prescription group were significantly up-regulated （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo prescription can improve the liver and kidney functions of db/db mice， correct lipid metabolism disorders and glucose metabolism imbalance. Its renal protective effect is associated with up-regulating the cAMP signaling pathway to improve renal fibrosis and reduce the level of oxidative stress， thereby protecting renal function.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription improves renal fibrosis in rats with chronic kidney disease （CKD） through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy specific pathogen-free （SPF） Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a control group （n=15） and a modeling group （n=55）. Rats in the modeling group were administered a 2.5% adenine suspension at a dose of 200 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 by gavage for 4 weeks to establish a CKD model. Successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group， an irbesartan group （20.25 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （5.82， 11.64， and 23.28 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively）， with 10 rats in each group. Each group was administered an equal volume of physiological saline， the corresponding concentration of irbesartan， or Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription by gavage for 12 weeks. Body weight and renal function indices were dynamically monitored. Serum creatinine （SCr）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio （ACR）， 24-hour urinary total protein （24 hUTP）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） levels were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Renal histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Masson staining. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to detect the expression of PI3K， Akt， phosphorylated Akt （p-Akt）， and mTOR in renal tissues. Western blot was performed to assess the protein expression of PI3K， p-Akt， Akt， phosphorylated mTOR （p-mTOR）， and mTOR in renal tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， and mTOR in renal tissues. ResultsCompared with the model group， rats in the irbesartan group and the low-， medium-， and high-dose Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription groups showed significantly decreased levels of SCr， BUN， ACR， 24 hUTP， IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α （P<0.01）. AST levels were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while no significant difference was observed in ALT levels. Histopathological examination revealed that， compared with the model group， renal tubular epithelial cell edema and necrosis and Bowman's capsule dilation were alleviated， inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced， and interstitial and glomerular fibrosis was markedly improved in all treatment groups， with the most pronounced effect observed in the high-dose Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription group. Real-time PCR results showed that mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， and mTOR were significantly downregulated in the high-dose group （P<0.01）. IHC results demonstrated that PI3K and p-Akt expression levels in renal tissues were significantly decreased in the high-dose group （P<0.01）. Western blot analysis further confirmed that the expression levels of PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly reduced in the high-dose group （P<0.01）. ConclusionBushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription improves renal function indices in CKD rats， reduces collagen deposition in renal tissues， and decreases serum inflammatory factor levels. Its protective effect on renal function may be achieved by activating autophagy through downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway， thereby alleviating renal fibrosis.

Gentiopicroside(GPS)is the main active ingredient extracted from Gentiaceae.It has anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,analgesic,anti-fibrosis,inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism.Gentiaceae shows a wide range of application prospects in the treatment of diabetes,liver diseases,bone and joint diseases and other diseases.This paper reviewed the pharmacokinetics of gentiopicrin,including its pharmacokinetic properties in different animal models,and its mechanism and targets in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its complications,liver injury,bone and joint diseases.Studies have shown that gentiopictin exerts its therapeutic effects by regulating various signaling pathways,such as PI3K/AKT,FOXO1,PPAR-γ,NF-κB,etc.Although the current research has made some progress,there are still limitations,such as most studies focused on animal models and in vitro experiments,lack of high-quality clinical evidence-based trials support.Future studies should further explore the new targets and signal transduction pathways of gentiopicroside,improve its bioavailability,and strengthen the research of traditional Chinese medicine compounds,so as to give full play to the advantages of holistic treatment of traditional Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of the herb pair Mori Folium-Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma （HMG） on glucose and lipid metabolism in the mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus and decipher the possible treatment mechanism. MethodsThe db/db mice were chosen as the mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus and then treated with HMG at low and high doses （1.56， 3.12 g∙kg^-1， respectively） or metformin （0.26 g∙kg^-1） by gavage for 6 weeks. The normal group and the model group were treated with double distilled water at the same time according to body weight. The 8-h fasting blood glucose and body weight were measured once a week. The oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT） was conducted at the 6th week of dosing. The mice were sacrificed after the end of dosing. Serum levels of lipids ［total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL）］， liver function indicators ［aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and alanine aminotransferase （ALT）］， non-esterified fatty acids （NEFA）， glycosylated serum protein （GSP）， serum glucose （GLU）， fasting insulin （FINS）， and renal function indicators ［creatinine （Crea） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN）］ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein levels of peroxidase proliferator-activating receptor gamma （PPARγ）， acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase （ACC）， and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 （SREBP-1） were determined by Western blot. The pathological changes in the liver and pancreas were examined. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group presented increased body weight， elevated levels of blood glucose， TG， TC， AST， ALT， GLU， NEFA， GSP， and HDL-C， up-regulated protein levels of ACC and SREBP-1， and down-regulated protein level of PPARγ （P<0.01）. Meanwhile， the model group presented a large amount of lipid droplets and steatosis in the liver， as well as karyopyknosis and lymphocyte infiltration in the pancreas. Compared with the model group， the high- and low-dose HMG groups showed decreased body weight， declined levels of blood glucose， TG， TC， AST， ALT， GLU， NEFA， and GSP， and elevate level of HDL-C （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， the two groups showcased reduced lipid droplets and steatosis in the liver， as well as enlarged islets with clear boundaries and alleviated lymphocyte infiltration and karyopyknosis. Western blot results showed that the high-dose herb pair group demonstrated down-regulated protein levels of ACC and SREBP-1 and up-regulated protein level of PPARγ （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe HMG can effectively improve the glucose and lipid metabolism in db/db mice by regulating the expression of PPARγ， SREBP-1， and ACC.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of the herb pair Mori Folium-Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma （HMG） on glucose and lipid metabolism in the mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus and decipher the possible treatment mechanism. MethodsThe db/db mice were chosen as the mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus and then treated with HMG at low and high doses （1.56， 3.12 g∙kg^-1， respectively） or metformin （0.26 g∙kg^-1） by gavage for 6 weeks. The normal group and the model group were treated with double distilled water at the same time according to body weight. The 8-h fasting blood glucose and body weight were measured once a week. The oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT） was conducted at the 6th week of dosing. The mice were sacrificed after the end of dosing. Serum levels of lipids ［total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL）］， liver function indicators ［aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and alanine aminotransferase （ALT）］， non-esterified fatty acids （NEFA）， glycosylated serum protein （GSP）， serum glucose （GLU）， fasting insulin （FINS）， and renal function indicators ［creatinine （Crea） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN）］ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein levels of peroxidase proliferator-activating receptor gamma （PPARγ）， acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase （ACC）， and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 （SREBP-1） were determined by Western blot. The pathological changes in the liver and pancreas were examined. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group presented increased body weight， elevated levels of blood glucose， TG， TC， AST， ALT， GLU， NEFA， GSP， and HDL-C， up-regulated protein levels of ACC and SREBP-1， and down-regulated protein level of PPARγ （P<0.01）. Meanwhile， the model group presented a large amount of lipid droplets and steatosis in the liver， as well as karyopyknosis and lymphocyte infiltration in the pancreas. Compared with the model group， the high- and low-dose HMG groups showed decreased body weight， declined levels of blood glucose， TG， TC， AST， ALT， GLU， NEFA， and GSP， and elevate level of HDL-C （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， the two groups showcased reduced lipid droplets and steatosis in the liver， as well as enlarged islets with clear boundaries and alleviated lymphocyte infiltration and karyopyknosis. Western blot results showed that the high-dose herb pair group demonstrated down-regulated protein levels of ACC and SREBP-1 and up-regulated protein level of PPARγ （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe HMG can effectively improve the glucose and lipid metabolism in db/db mice by regulating the expression of PPARγ， SREBP-1， and ACC.

Objective Based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory of"simultaneous regulation of the liver and kidney,"this study integrated network pharmacology prediction,molecular docking,and animal experimental validation to analyze the multi-target regulatory network of Duzhong Xionghua(the male flower of Eucommia ulmoides)-Sanqi Hua(Sanchi flower)herb pair(hereinafter called"herb pair")in modulating glucolipid metabolic disorders in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),thereby elucidating its underlying molecular mechanism.Methods Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals,and Wanfang Data were used to obtain the active ingredients of the male flower of Eucommia ulmoides and Sanchi flower.PubChem Compound,SwissTargetPrediction,and SuperPred were used to screen and predict the targets of the drugs;The Human Gene Database,The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man,and Therapeutic Target Database were used to screen the key gene targets of T2DM.A"component-target-pathway"network diagram was constructed using Cytoscape software,and Gene Ontology functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were employed to identify the functions of the relevant target genes and pathways.Molecular docking was used to verify the binding activities of the core components and the key targets.For animal experiments,spontaneous T2DM model mice were used,in which the normal group consisted of six mice(wild type)from the same litter,and the 24 successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model,metformin(0.26 g/kg),high-dose herb pair(2.6 g/kg),and low-dose herb pair groups(1.3 g/kg)according to the blood glucose levels and body weights,with six mice per group.The drugs were administered by gavage daily for six consecutive weeks.The body weight and fasting blood glucose(FBG)levels were measured weekly,and an oral glucose tolerance test was performed in the fifth week.At the end of drug administration,body weight,naso-anal length,liver and bilateral epididymal adipose mass were measured;pathological changes in the liver were observed using HE staining;serum levels of aspartate transaminase(AST),alanine amino-transferase(ALT),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were detected using colorimetric assay;and liver tissue phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β)signaling pathway protein expressions were determined using Western blotting.Results Network pharmacology screening identified 38 active components and 669 potential targets of the herb pair.Intersection analysis with 1,275 T2DM-related targets yielded 185 common targets.Protein-protein interaction network analysis and pathway enrichment revealed the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway as a key mechanism.Molecular docking confirmed the strong binding affinity of the core components to key targets such as AKT1,suggesting that the herb pair may activate the PI3K/AKT pathway and inhibit GSK-3β activity via beta-sitosterol etc.Animal experiments demonstrated that,compared with the model group,the metformin group exhibited reduced FBG,AST,and ALT levels(P<0.01),but failed to improve body weight,Lee's index,or epididymal fat coefficient.Both herb pair doses significantly lowered Lee's index,hepatic index,and the epididymal fat coefficient(P<0.01),with the low-dose herb pair group showing attenuated body weight gain in mice.In contrast,the high-dose herb pair group exhibited decreased FBG,improved glucose tolerance,reduced TC,TG,and LDL-C levels,and increased HDL-C level(all P<0.01).HE staining revealed that all metformin and the herb pair markedly restored hepatic structure and alleviated steatosis in model mice,with more pronounced effects in the high-dose group than in the low-dose group.Western blotting result indicated that in the low-dose herb pair group,phospho-PI3K(p-PI3K),AKT,and phospho-GSK-3β(p-GSK-3β)protein expressions significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),whereas GSK-3β decreased(P<0.05).The high-dose group exhibited enhanced PI3K,p-PI3K,AKT,phospho-AKT,and p-GSK-3β protein expressions(all P<0.01),accompanied by reduced GSK-3β expression(P<0.01).Conclusion The male flower of Eucommia ulmoides-Sanchi flower herb pair may ameliorate T2DM-related glucolipid metabolic disorders by modulating the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a progressive liver disease caused by factors other than alcohol caused by heterotopic fat accumulation in the liver.In recent years,the incidence rate has been increasing,and there is no specific clinical drug.Studies have found that nuclear transcription factor κB(NF-κB)can activate inflammation and oxidative stress,which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.Traditional Chinese medicine is convenient to obtain and cheap.It can treat NAFLD through multiple channels with good clinical efficacy,and no obvious side effects have been found till now.Many studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine can inhibit the occurrence and development of NAFLD by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.This article summarizes the research results of traditional Chinese medicine in treating NAFLD based on the NF-κB signaling pathway since 2021,for several traditional Chinese medicine extracts(flavonoids,terpenoids,polysaccharides,glycosides,alkaloids and phenolic compounds)and traditional Chinese medicine compound(Shugan Jianpi Fang,Erhuang Quzhi Granules,Fuzi Lizhong Decoction,Huangqin Decoction,Qinlian Hongqu Decoction,Jiangzhi Granules),which can inhibit the further development of NAFLD by improving liver inflammatory response,oxidative stress response,fibrosis,apoptosis,autophagy and pyroptosis through the NF-κB signaling pathway,in order to provide new ideas for future new drug development and clinical medication.