ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Danhe granules in treating mixed hyperlipidemia based on network pharmacology， as well as animal and cell experiments. MethodsThe active compounds and targets of Danhe granules were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） and the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine （ETCM）. Related targets for mixed hyperlipidemia were obtained from the GeneCards database. The intersecting targets were subjected to Gene Ontology （GO） functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analyses. A high-fat model was established in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells （HepG2） induced by palmitic acid （PA）， followed by intervention with Danhe granules to assess intracellular lipid accumulation and oxidative stress levels. A mixed hyperlipidemia rat model was also established and divided into low-， medium-， and high-dose Danhe granules groups （1.134， 2.268， and 4.536 g·kg^-1， respectively）， as well as a positive control group treated with pravastatin sodium （4.020 mg·kg^-1）. After eight weeks of intervention， serum lipid levels， inflammatory factors， oxidative stress indices， and the expression of key hepatic lipid metabolism-related proteins were determined. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified 93 intersecting targets between Danhe granules and mixed hyperlipidemia， with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARG）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha （PPARA）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and IL-1B among the key nodes. The PPAR signaling pathway， AGE/RAGE signaling pathway， lipid metabolism， atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） were among the most significantly enriched pathways. Cellular experiments demonstrated that Danhe granules significantly reduced reactive oxygen species （ROS） and malondialdehyde （MDA） levels while increasing catalase （CAT） activity （P<0.05）， thereby alleviating intracellular lipid accumulation and triglyceride （TG） content in HepG2. In animal experiments， Danhe granules markedly decreased serum total cholesterol （TC）， TG， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） levels （P<0.05）， reduced hepatic MDA levels， and elevated superoxide dismutase （SOD） and CAT levels. Histological analysis showed alleviation of hepatic steatosis， upregulation of hepatic PPARA and lipoprotein lipase （LPL） expressions， and downregulation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 （SREBP1） expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionDanhe granules improve lipid metabolism disorders in mixed hyperlipidemia by reducing MDA levels， enhancing SOD and CAT activities， scavenging excessive ROS， inhibiting oxidative stress， and mitigating liver injury. The underlying mechanism may involve the upregulation of PPARA and LPL and the suppression of SREBP1 expression.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Danhe granules in treating mixed hyperlipidemia based on network pharmacology， as well as animal and cell experiments. MethodsThe active compounds and targets of Danhe granules were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） and the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine （ETCM）. Related targets for mixed hyperlipidemia were obtained from the GeneCards database. The intersecting targets were subjected to Gene Ontology （GO） functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analyses. A high-fat model was established in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells （HepG2） induced by palmitic acid （PA）， followed by intervention with Danhe granules to assess intracellular lipid accumulation and oxidative stress levels. A mixed hyperlipidemia rat model was also established and divided into low-， medium-， and high-dose Danhe granules groups （1.134， 2.268， and 4.536 g·kg^-1， respectively）， as well as a positive control group treated with pravastatin sodium （4.020 mg·kg^-1）. After eight weeks of intervention， serum lipid levels， inflammatory factors， oxidative stress indices， and the expression of key hepatic lipid metabolism-related proteins were determined. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified 93 intersecting targets between Danhe granules and mixed hyperlipidemia， with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARG）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha （PPARA）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and IL-1B among the key nodes. The PPAR signaling pathway， AGE/RAGE signaling pathway， lipid metabolism， atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） were among the most significantly enriched pathways. Cellular experiments demonstrated that Danhe granules significantly reduced reactive oxygen species （ROS） and malondialdehyde （MDA） levels while increasing catalase （CAT） activity （P<0.05）， thereby alleviating intracellular lipid accumulation and triglyceride （TG） content in HepG2. In animal experiments， Danhe granules markedly decreased serum total cholesterol （TC）， TG， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） levels （P<0.05）， reduced hepatic MDA levels， and elevated superoxide dismutase （SOD） and CAT levels. Histological analysis showed alleviation of hepatic steatosis， upregulation of hepatic PPARA and lipoprotein lipase （LPL） expressions， and downregulation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 （SREBP1） expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionDanhe granules improve lipid metabolism disorders in mixed hyperlipidemia by reducing MDA levels， enhancing SOD and CAT activities， scavenging excessive ROS， inhibiting oxidative stress， and mitigating liver injury. The underlying mechanism may involve the upregulation of PPARA and LPL and the suppression of SREBP1 expression.

Objective To investigate the post-discharge exercise behavior and factors influencing moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) in patients undergoing lung surgery. Methods A total of 2874 patients from the large prospective, observational perioperative lung symptom study cohort (CN-PRO-Lung 3) in the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Sichuan Cancer Hospital between April 7, 2021, and January 31, 2024, were selected as the survey subjects. A survey was conducted using the Investigation of Exercise Behavior after Lung Surgery questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) among patients who underwent lung surgery. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing patients’ engagement in MVPA. Results A total of 702 patients were surveyed, including 252 males and 450 females, with an average age of (52.4±10.2) years. Patients with lung cancer accounted for 85.9%. Only 36.0% of the patients had regular exercise habits, while 42.3% did not engage in any physical activity. The three main barriers for postoperative exercise were physical discomfort (pain, coughing, shortness of breath, etc, 54.7%), lack of professional guidance (41.7%), and concerns about the surgical wound (28.9%). The proportions of patients engaging in vigorous, moderate, and low-intensity physical activity were 5.7%, 28.2%, and 66.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that patients with a personal annual income ≥50000 yuan (OR=1.52, 95%CI 1.01-2.29, P=0.044), high school education or above (OR=1.92, 95%CI 1.33-2.76, P<0.001), and lobectomy (OR=1.44, 95%CI 1.02-2.03, P=0.037) engaged in more MVPA. Conclusion Patients undergoing lung surgery have inadequate physical activity after discharge, particularly lacking in MVPA. Patients with higher income, higher educational levels, and lobectomy are more frequently engaged in MVPA. Measures such as symptom control, providing exercise guidance, and enhancing education on wound care may potentially improve the inadequate physical activity in lung surgery patients after discharge.

ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m⁶A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m⁶A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m⁶A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.

ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m⁶A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m⁶A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m⁶A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Jianpi Xiao'ai prescription （JPXAP） inhibits colorectal cancer progression by regulating the inducible nitric oxide synthase-arginase 1 （iNOS-ARG1） metabolic axis and inducing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species （mito-ROS）-mediated mitochondrial structural and functional impairment. MethodsAn arginine metabolism disorder model of human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells was established by combined treatment with recombinant human interferon-γ （IFN-γ， 10 μg·L^-1） and N（ω）-hydroxy-L-arginine （Nor-NOHA， 200 μmol·L^-1） for 24 h， followed by intervention with 5%， 10%， or 20% JPXAP-containing serum. Cell proliferation was assessed using cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）， 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine （EdU） staining， and colony formation assays. Cell invasion and migration were evaluated using Transwell chamber and wound healing assays. Mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP） and ROS levels were assessed by JC-1 and MitoSOX staining， respectively. Mitochondrial ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The expression of iNOS， ARG1， and mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins， including mitofusin 2 （MFN2） and dynamin-related protein 1 （DRP1）， was analyzed by Western blot and immunofluorescence. The levels of L-arginine， citrulline， and urea were determined by colorimetric methods and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group exhibited significantly upregulated iNOS expression， downregulated ARG1 expression， a decreased ARG1/iNOS ratio， reduced L-arginine and urea levels， and increased citrulline levels （P<0.05）. Meanwhile， mito-ROS accumulation was significantly increased， the JC-1 red/green fluorescence ratio was decreased， and mitochondria showed swelling and cristae disruption， indicating that metabolic disorder induced mitochondrial injury. Compared with the model group， all JPXAP-treated groups further decreased the ARG1/iNOS ratio， enhanced nitric oxide （NO） and reactive nitrogen species accumulation， further reduced L-arginine and urea levels， and increased citrulline levels （P<0.01）. EdU-positive rate， colony formation rate， wound healing rate， and Transwell invasion number all decreased significantly with increasing serum concentration （P<0.01）. Mito-ROS levels were further elevated， and the JC-1 red/green ratio further decreased. TEM revealed aggravated mitochondrial swelling and vacuolization. MFN2 expression was downregulated and DRP1 expression was upregulated （P<0.01），in a dose-dependent manner. ConclusionJPXAP further activates NO-mediated oxidative/nitrosative stress under arginine metabolism imbalance， inducing mito-ROS accumulation， MMP collapse， and mitochondrial dynamics imbalance， thereby inhibiting colorectal cancer cell proliferation and migration. These findings reveal an antitumor mechanism of JPXAP based on coordinated targeting of the "metabolism-mitochondria" axis.

Objective This study investigated the diversity of rodent populations and the infection status of Bartonella at three ports along the China-Mongolia border in 2022. Methods Rodents at three Belt and Road ports along the China-Mongolia border, namely Ganqimaodu, Erenhot, and Zhuengadabuqi, were morphologically identified. The Bartonella citrate synthase(gltA)gene was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction(PCR), and PCR-positive products were sequenced. The resulting sequences were then analyzed for genetic characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGA 11.0 software using Neighbor-Joining and Maximum-Likelihood method. Results A total of 94 rodents were captured, representing seven species from five families and six genera: Mus musculus, Meriones unguiculatus, Meriones meridianus, Spermophilus dauricus, Allactaga sibirica, Dipus sagitta, and Phodopus roborovskii. Among them, M. unguiculatus was the most abundant species, with 58 rodents, accounting for 61.70% of the total. Overall,11 positive Bartonella pathogen sequences were obtained from the three ports, with a positive detection rate of 11.70%(11/94). The infected rodent species included M. unguiculatus, M. meridianus, and A. sibirica, and two species of Bartonella were detected. Conclusions Rodents at Ganqimaodu, Erenhot, and Zhuengadabuqi ports along the China-Mongolia border were naturally infected with Bartonella. Rodent monitoring and pathogen prevention and control in this area should be strengthened.

ObjectiveType I interferon (IFN-I) signaling is essential for antiviral innate immunity, yet its sustained or excessive activation contributes to the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases and interferonopathies, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. Current strategies targeting this pathway, exemplified by JAK inhibitors, act mainly on downstream signal transduction and provide limited direct control over upstream IFN-I production, while also carrying the risk of broad immunosuppression. Phyllanthus emblica L. has long been used in traditional medicine for inflammatory disorders, but the bioactive constituent responsible for its regulation of IFN-I signaling and the underlying molecular mechanism have not been clearly defined. This study aimed to identify the active anti-inflammatory component of P. emblica and to characterize its mechanism of action on the IFN-I pathway in macrophages. MethodsActive components ofP. emblica and their candidate targets were screened by network pharmacology using the TCMSP and DrugBank databases (oral bioavailability≥30%, drug-likeness≥0.18) and intersected with inflammation-related genes retrieved from public databases. The predicted interaction between EGCG and IFN-I pathway proteins (TBK1, IRF3, STAT1) was evaluated by molecular docking, with BX795 and GSK8612 used as reference TBK1 inhibitors. Mechanistic experiments were performed in THP-1-derived macrophages and primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). Upstream signaling was activated by transfection of the nucleic acid analogs poly(I∶C) and poly(dA∶dT) or by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, whereas downstream signaling was activated by exogenous IFN-β. An siRNA-mediated TREX1 knockdown model was used to mimic endogenous nucleic acid-driven interferonopathy. Expression of IFN-β1 and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) was measured by RT-qPCR, protein phosphorylation by Western blot, and IFN-β secretion by ELISA. Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) were used to probe the interactionbetween EGCG and IRF3. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a candidate IFN-I-suppressive constituent of P. emblica, with predicted binding to TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1. Molecular docking yielded binding energies of -9.2, -7.2, and -8.2 kcal/mol for TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1, respectively, indicating an affinity for TBK1 comparable to that of the reference inhibitors BX795 (-5.7 kcal/mol) and GSK8612 (-6.4 kcal/mol). EGCG suppressed IFN-β1 and ISG mRNA expression under poly (I∶C), poly (dA∶dT), and LPS stimulation in both THP-1 macrophages and BMDM. At the protein level, EGCG reduced the phosphorylation of TBK1 and IRF3 without affecting the levels of the upstream sensors cGAS and RIG-I, and lowered IFN-β secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. CETSA and DARTS showed that EGCG did not enhance the thermal stability or protease resistance of IRF3, indicating that its effect on IRF3 is indirect. Following IFN-β stimulation, prolonged EGCG treatment reduced STAT1 phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner without an apparent change in IRF9, and partially attenuated ISG transcription; this effect was not monotonicly concentration-dependent, and CXCL10 showed the most consistent suppression. In TREX1-knockdown cells, the elevated mRNA levels of ISG15, ISG56, and CXCL10 were reduced by EGCG. ConclusionEGCG suppresses IFN-I responses by concurrently inhibiting TBK1-IRF3-dependent IFN‑β production and JAK-STAT1-mediated downstream transcription. These in vitro findings provide a mechanistic basis for the anti-inflammatory use of P. emblica in traditional medicine and identify EGCG as a candidate for further evaluation in interferon-driven autoimmune disease models.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting multiple systems, characterized by the development of harmful autoantibodies and immune complexes that lead to damage in organs and tissues. Chinese medicine (CM) plays a role in mitigating complications, enhancing treatment effectiveness, and reducing toxicity of concurrent medications, and ensuring a safe pregnancy. However, CM mainly solves the disease comprehensively through multi-target and multi-channel regulation process, therefore, its treatment mechanism is often complicated, involving many molecular links. This review introduces the research progress of pathogenesis of SLE from the aspects of genetics, epigenetics, innate immunity and acquired immunity, and then discusses the molecular mechanism and target of single Chinese herbal medicine and prescription that are commonly used and effective in clinic to treat SLE.
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of acupuncture therapy on dysphagia in patients with Parkinson's disease. METHODS: This randomized controlled study lasted 42 days and included 112 patients with Parkinson's disease and dysphagia. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (56 cases each group) using the completely randomized design, all under routine treatment. The experimental group was given acupuncture therapy. The primary outcome was Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS). The secondary outcomes were (1) Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA), and (2) nutritional status including body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, prealbumin, and hemoglobin. Adverse events were recorded as safety indicators. RESULTS: One participant quitted the study midway. There were no significant differences in baseline assessment (P>0.05). After treatment, both groups showed significant improvement in PAS, SSA and nutritional status except for BMI of the control group. There were significant differences between the two groups in the PAS for both paste and liquid, SSA (25.18±8.25 vs. 20.84±6.92), BMI (19.97±3.34 kg/m²vs. 21.26 ±2.38 kg/m²), serum albumin (35.16 ±5.29 g/L vs. 37.24 ±3.98 g/L), prealbumin (248.33 ±27.72 mg/L vs. 261.39 ±22.10 mg/L), hemoglobin (119.09±12.53 g/L vs. 126.67±13.97 g/L) (P<0.05). There were no severe adverse events during the study. CONCLUSION: The combination of routine treatment and acupuncture therapy can better improve dysphagia and nutritional status in patients with Parkinson's disease, than routine treatment solely. (registration No. CLINICALTRIAL gov NCT06199323).
Humans ; Parkinson Disease/therapy* ; Deglutition Disorders/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Nutritional Status ; Body Mass Index