1.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.
2.Mechanism of isochlorogenic acid A against hepatocellular carcinoma based on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway combined with multi-omics
Weiwei SU ; Weibing JIA ; Houjian REN ; Xianhui SU ; Huijie GAO ; Zhongchao HUO ; Xin HOU ; Zhen WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(10):1258-1263
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of isochlorogenic acid A against hepatocellular carcinoma based on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling pathway and multi-omics technology. METHODS The invasion rate and migration rate of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells after 48 h of intervention with 0 (control group), 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL isochlorogenic acid A were examined; mRNA expression of DEP domain-containing mTOR-interacting protein (DEPTOR), the protein expressions of mTOR, PI3K and phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN), as well as the phosphorylation level of Akt protein were determined in the cells. Metabolomics analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and differential metabolites were screened and subjected to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis; transcriptomics monitoring was conducted by RNA sequencing, and differentially expressed genes were screened and subjected to gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. RESULTS Compared with the control group, intervention with 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL isochlorogenic acid A for 48 h significantly inhibited the invasion rate and migration rate of HepG2 cells, significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of DEPTOR and the protein expression of PTEN, and significantly down-regulated the protein expression of PI3K and the phosphorylation level of Akt protein (except for 0.25 mg/mL isochlorogenic acid A) ( P <0.05). A total of 304 differential metabolites and 212 differentially expressed genes were screened by multi-omics analysis. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that isochlorogenic acid A regulated key signaling of HepG2 cell growth mainly by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, synergizing with metabolic reprogramming such as mTOR signaling pathway, ferroptosis, pentose phosphate pathway and purine/pyrimidine metabo lism. CONCLUSIONS The anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect of isochlorogenic acid A is associated with the blockade of abnormal activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In addition, it may also be related to the inhibition of the pentose phosphate pathway and purine/pyrimidine metabolism, as well as the induction of ferroptosis,etc.
3.Construction of the content for pharmaceutical care provided by hospital pharmacists collaborating with nursing homes in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Shangjie YANG ; Jianhua WANG ; Aierken AIZEZIJIANG ; Chunlin LUO ; Qianhui LI ; Yu LI ; Weiwei XIAO ; Yubo WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(10):1335-1340
OBJECTIVE To construct a pharmaceutical care framework suitable for elderly individuals in nursing homes, so as to provide standardized content guidance for relevant practice. METHODS The initial items of pharmaceutical care content in n ursing homes were drafted through literature research and semi-structured interviews. Delphi method was used to conduct correspondence consultation among 38 experts from related fields in Xinjiang. The expert positive coefficient, authority coefficient, and Kendall’s W were calculated, and the analytic hierarchy process was employed to determine the weight of each item. After thorough discussion among the research team members, the pharmaceutical care framework suitable for elderly individuals provided by hospital pharmacists collaborating with nursing homes was finalized. RESULTS The questionnaire recovery rates for both rounds of expert correspondence consultation were 100%, with an authority coefficient >0.8 and Kendall’s W ranging between 0.153 and 0.185 ( P <0.001). A total of 7 primary items and 31 secondary items were ultimately determined, with the consistency ratio of the item weights all being less than 0.1. Based on the integration of importance and feasibility, among the primary items, “assessment of pharmaceutical care needs” was assigned the highest weight. Among the secondary items, highly practical items such as “survey of pharmaceutical care needs”“guidance on usage and dosage”“methods for correctly reading drug package inserts”, and “self-management of common chronic diseases in the elderly” were assigned relatively high comprehensive weights. CONCLUSIONS The pharmaceutical care framework suitable for elderly individuals provided by hospital pharmacists collaborating with nursing homes, which was constructed based on the Delphi method, demonstrates good scientific validity and reliability, and can serve as a reference for pharmacists to provide pharmaceutical care in nursing homes.
4.Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Therapeutic Strategies for Diabetic Kidney Disease under the Guidance of "Diseased Collateral" Theory
Yuzi CAI ; Huijuan ZHENG ; Weijun HUANG ; Yue JI ; Yizhen HAN ; Weiwei SUN ; Yuning LIU ; Yaoxian WANG ; Weijing LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(13):1390-1396
Based on the theory of diseased collaterals and the progression pattern of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), this paper proposes a staged treatment system based on the "three states of kidney collaterals" including collateral distention, collateral bi (痹) and collateral accumulation. In the collateral distention stage, the primary pathogenesis is heat damaging the kidney collaterals and collateral vessel dilation, corresponding to the early state of DKD characterized by hyperfiltration and microalbuminuria; the clearing method is suggested, and Shenling Jiangtang Formula (参苓降糖方) can be used to promote the remission of proteinuria by ameliorating insulin resistance and regulating intestinal microecology. In the collateral bi stage, the core pathogenesis lies in the binding of phlegm and stasis, and the formation of concretions and conglomerations in the kidney collaterals, corresponding to massive proteinuria and the decline of renal function, for which the unblocking method should be taken, using Jinchan Yishen Tongluo Formula (金蝉益肾通络方) and Qingre Xiaozheng Formula (清热消癥方) to alleviate renal pathological damage by regulating the autophagy-lysosome pathway and repairing mitochondrial energy metabolism. The collateral accumulation stage is characterized by the internal retention of turbid toxins and accumulations of concretions in the kidney collaterals, corresponding to renal fibrosis and end-stage renal disease (ESRD); the dispersion method is suggested, and Yiqi Tongluo Xiezhuo Formula (益气通络泄浊方) and Shenyan Fangshuai Fluid (肾炎防衰液) can be used to inhibit extracellular matrix accumulation and delay the progressive loss of renal function. Collateral deficiency runs through the entire course of the disease and is closely related to cellular senescence and the imbalance of the ubiquitin-proteasome/autophagy system. The concept of the "three states of kidney collaterals" integrates the evolution of traditional Chinese medicine pathogenesis with modern pathological staging, forming a whole-course intervention system of "staging-syndrome differentiation-target-formula", thereby providing novel insights for prevention and treatment of DKD using integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine.
5.Construction features and practical applications of an intelligent morning meeting management platform in the radiology department
Weiwei LIU ; Haichang XING ; Jianguo WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(3):455-459
Objective To investigated how morning meetings are conducted in radiology departments across different levels of hospitals in Shandong Province. It also explored the role of an intelligent morning meeting platform in supporting digital management of radiology departments. Methods This study was conducted through the Shandong Provincial Regional Medical Center Alliance. A questionnaire survey was administered to 241 hospitals of different grades to assess their morning meeting practices. Based on the findings, an intelligent and process-oriented management model suitable for the regional context was summarized and developed, leading to the construction of an intelligent morning meeting management platform. A comparative analysis was then performed in our hospital's radiology department. Key management indicators were compared before and after using the platform. These indicators included: weekly frequency of morning meetings, number of meeting types, staff attendance rate, rate of electronic management of meeting materials, proportion of case discussions that met teaching requirements, and staff satisfaction. Results The intelligent morning meeting management platform integrates multiple functions. These functions included morning meeting management, case management, archiving of meeting materials, quality control management, electronic attendance tracking, and online meetings across multiple hospital campuses. After the platform was implemented in the radiology department, all key indicators improved significantly. Specifically, weekly meeting frequency, number of meeting types, attendance rate, rate of electronic management of meeting materials, proportion of case discussions meeting teaching requirements, and staff satisfaction were all significantly higher than before implementation (all P<0.05). Conclusion The application of the intelligent morning meeting management platform can digitize, standardize, and make traceable the morning meetings in radiology departments.It significantly improves the efficiency and quality of these meetings. It also effectively enhances the digital management level of radiology departments. This study aimed to investigate the current operation of morning meetings in radiology departments at different levels of hospitals in Shandong Province, and to explore the role of the intelligent morning meeting platform in the digital management of radiology departments.
6.Exploration on Surrogate Outcome Measures in Clinical Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Diabetic Kidney Disease
Can CAO ; Weiwei SUN ; Tong MA ; Yaoxian WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(8):790-794
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique advantages in alleviating the symptoms of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and slowing its progression. However, traditional clinical trials often use the occurrence of end-stage renal disease as the end point, requiring long-term follow-up, which increases trial complexity and costs, thereby limiting the feasibility of TCM clinical studies. This paper suggested that in clinical trials of TCM for DKD, both the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) change rate (≥30%) and eGFR slope can serve as potential surrogate outcome measures. If the intervention course is short (<1 year), the eGFR change rate (≥30%) is recommended as a surrogate outcome measure, whereas in long-term interventional studies (≥1 year), the eGFR slope may be more appropriate. Furthermore, based on biochemical indicators such as eGFR slope and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) change rate, integrating TCM symptom evaluation, TCM syndrome evaluation, and quality of life scales can help develop internationally recognized patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for TCM clinical trials, which will be a key step in enhancing the evaluation system for the effectiveness of TCM in treating DKD.
7.Research on the framework construction and promotion strategy of medical care capability based on the core literacy of palliative care
Shenghua DING ; Yongmei LIU ; Hongjuan CHEN ; Weiwei WANG ; Shengnan ZHAO
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(7):943-948
This paper aims to discuss the construction and promotion strategy of medical care capacity framework based on the core literacy of palliative care, combining domestic and foreign research and clinical status. The research results show that it is particularly important to construct a framework of medical care competence based on palliative care. The core competencies required for palliative care include the ability to comprehensively evaluate and formulate personalized programs, effective communication skills, interdisciplinary teamwork skills, and the ability to continuously learn and improve themselves. The quality of care can be further improved if the above abilities are incorporated into the framework of medical care ability based on palliative care. However, there are a series of problems in the process of constructing the framework of palliative medical care capacity, such as difficult implementation of policy support, poor professionalism of talent team, single and irregular service model, low social acceptance, and difficult interdisciplinary cooperation and resource integration. After a detailed analysis of the problems, this paper puts forward the countermeasures to construct the framework of caring ability literacy based on palliative care. Effective countermeasures such as increasing policy support, cultivating comprehensive talents, developing diversified palliative care models, improving social recognition, and strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation and resource integration can effectively improve the core literacy and professional ability of medical care personnel, and then promote the development and improvement of palliative care services. In-depth discussion of the above contents can provide scientific reference for building a care model and literacy framework with palliative care as the core.
8.Pathogenesis and treatment progress of flap ischemia-reperfusion injury
Bo HE ; Wen CHEN ; Suilu MA ; Zhijun HE ; Yuan SONG ; Jinpeng LI ; Tao LIU ; Xiaotao WEI ; Weiwei WANG ; Jing XIE
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1230-1238
BACKGROUND:Flap transplantation technique is a commonly used surgical procedure for the treatment of severe tissue defects,but postoperative flap necrosis is easily triggered by ischemia-reperfusion injury.Therefore,it is still an important research topic to improve the survival rate of transplanted flaps. OBJECTIVE:To review the pathogenesis and latest treatment progress of flap ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang Database and PubMed database were searched for relevant literature published from 2014 to 2024.The search terms used were"flap,ischemia-reperfusion injury,inflammatory response,oxidative stress,Ca2+overload,apoptosis,mesenchymal stem cells,platelet-rich plasma,signaling pathways,shock wave,pretreatment"in Chinese and English.After elimination of irrelevant literature,poor quality and obsolete literature,77 documents were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Flap ischemia/reperfusion injury may be related to pathological factors such as inflammatory response,oxidative stress response,Ca2+overload,and apoptosis,which can cause apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells,vascular damage and microcirculation disorders in the flap,and eventually lead to flap necrosis.Studies have found that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation,platelet-rich plasma,signaling pathway modulators,shock waves,and pretreatment can alleviate flap ischemia/reperfusion injuries from different aspects and to varying degrees,and reduce the necrosis rate and necrosis area of the grafted flap.Although there are many therapeutic methods for skin flap ischemia/reperfusion injury,a unified and effective therapeutic method has not yet been developed in the clinic,and the advantages and disadvantages of various therapeutic methods have not yet been compared.Most of the studies remain in the stage of animal experiments,rarely involving clinical observations.Therefore,a lot of research is required in the future to gradually move from animal experiments to the clinic in order to better serve the clinic.
9.Study on meal preferences of school aged children based on discrete choice experiment
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):45-49
Objective:
To explore the relative importance of different food attributes and levels in food decision making of school aged children, and to understand their meal preferences, so as to provide the evidence for formulating precise intervention strategies for dietary behaviours of school aged children.
Methods:
From May to June 2024, a total of 854 children aged 11 to 15 years old were selected from 2 middle schools (each school in urban and rural areas) in both Hubei Province and Anhui Province by stratified cluster random sampling method to conduct a D-optimal discrete choice experiment. The mixed Logit model was used to analyze children s preference for meal attributes and different levels, and to calculate the relative importance (RI) of attributes and willingness to pay (WTP) in meal choices.
Results:
The included five food attributes had statistical significance on meal choice of school aged children ( P <0.05). The relative importance of food attributes affecting the meal choices of school aged children in descending order were dining mode ( RI =31.26%), food varieties ( RI =30.56%), cooking method( RI =23.84%), taste( RI =8.06%) and price ( RI =6.27%). Among them, school aged children preferred home cooked meals ( β =0.74) (WTP=86.3 yuan),varied foods(grain/tubers+vegetables+fish, meat, eggs and beans) ( β =0.61) (WTP=71.9 yuan), fried/roasted cooking ( β =0.51) and spicy taste ( β =0.33).Price was negatively correlated with meal choices( β =-0.01) ( P <0.05). Based on residential area and body mass index (BMI), the stratified analysis showed that dining mode was highest in the relative importance for rural children with overweight and obese children ( RI =31.28%,34.17%), both of whom preferred home cooked meals ( β =0.76, 0.91), and meals containing fish, meat, eggs and beans with grain/tubers or grain/tubers and vegetables in terms of food choice (area: β =0.53, 0.53 ; BMI: β =0.55, 0.56) ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
School aged children have different preferences for different attributes of meals. The quality of school meals should be improved,the cost of buying healthy meals should be reduced,targeted family health education should be carried out,and healthy cooking methods should be advocated.
10.Difficulties in the Differentiation and Treatment of Diabetic Kidney Disease and Its Clinical Treatment Model
Weiwei SUN ; Huixi CHEN ; Yuxin HU ; Huijuan ZHENG ; Yaoxian WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(6):569-574
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the main causes of chronic kidney disease. Both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western medicine have their own advantages in the prevention and treatment of DKD, but there are also many difficulties. By analysis of the difficulties faced by TCM and western medicine in the differentiation and treatment of DKD, based on the theory of "miniature masses in the renal collaterals", combined with long-term clinical practice, "internal heat leading to mass" is proposed as the core pathogenesis of DKD. Therefore, a trinity model of "disease-syndrome-symptom" for differentiation and treatment of DKD based on the core pathogenesis has been proposed. This model highlights the status of the core pathogenesis of "internal heat leading to mass" in DKD, and conducts a three-dimensional identification from the perspectives of disease, syndrome and symptom, so as to inspire clinical practice.


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