1.Efficacy Connotation and Mechanisms of Shudi Qiangjin Pills Against Steroid-induced Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head Based on "Disease-Syndrome-Formula" Association Network
Zhijian CHEN ; Suya ZHANG ; Longlong DING ; Guixin ZHANG ; Bo LIU ; Baohong MI ; Yanqiong ZHANG ; Na LIN ; Weiheng CHEN ; Chunzhu GONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):88-99
ObjectiveTo elucidate the efficacy connotation of Shudi Qiangjin pills (SQP) against liver and kidney deficiency in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head (SONFH) from the perspective of the "disease-syndrome-formula" association and to clarify the underlying mechanisms based on in vivo and in vitro experiment validation. MethodsThe chemical components and the corresponding putative targets of SQP were collected from the Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCMIP) v2.0, the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ETCM) v2.0, and HERB databases. The SONFH-related genes were identified based on the differential expression profiles of peripheral blood of patients with SONFH compared to the healthy volunteers, and the disease phenotype-related targets were collected from the TCMIP v2.0 database. Then, the interaction network of "SONFH-related genes and candidate targets of SQP" was constructed based on "gene-gene interaction information", and the major network targets were screened by calculating the topological characteristic values of the network followed by the functional mining according to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database and the SoFDA database. After that, the SONFH rat model was prepared by lipopolysaccharide combined with methylprednisolone injection, and 2.5, 5, 7.5 g·kg-1 SQP (once per day, equivalent to 1, 2, and 3 times the clinical equivalent dose, respectively) or 7.3×10-3 g·kg-1 of alendronate sodium (ALS, once per week, equivalent to the clinical equivalent dose) was given for 8 weeks. The effect characteristics of SQP and ALS in the treatment of SONFH were evaluated by micro-computed tomography scanning, hematoxylin and eosin staining, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, immunohistochemical staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)staining, and a comparative efficacy analysis was conducted with ALS. In addition, SONFH cell models were prepared by dexamethasone stimulation of osteoblasts, and the intervention was carried out with the medicated serum of SQP at the aforementioned three doses. Cell counting kit-8, ALP staining, ALP activity assay, alizarin red staining, and flow cytometry were employed to investigate the regulatory effect of SQP on osteoblasts. The expression levels of osteogenesis-related proteins and key factors of the target signaling axis were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. ResultsThe network analysis results demonstrated that the candidate targets of SQP primarily exerted their therapeutic effects through key signaling pathways, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt), lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis, prolactin, chemokines, and neurotrophic factors pathways. These pathways were significantly involved in critical biological processes such as muscle and bone metabolism and the regulation of the "neuro-endocrine-immune" network, thereby addressing both modern medical symptoms (e.g., delayed skeletal maturation and recurrent fractures) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms (e.g., fatigue, aversion to cold, cold limbs, and pain in the limbs and joints in patients with SONFH characterized by liver and kidney deficiency syndrome. Among these pathways, the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway exhibited the highest degree of enrichment. The in vivo experimental results demonstrated that starting from the 4th week after modeling, the modeling group exhibited a significant reduction in body weight compared to the control group (P<0.05). After six weeks of treatment, all dosage groups of SQP showed significantly higher body weights compared to the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significant decreases in bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), osteocalcin (OCN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in femoral head tissue, and serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) (P<0.01), along with significant increases in trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), empty lacunae rate in tissue, and apoptosis rate (P<0.01). In comparison to the model group, the SQP intervention groups showed significant improvements in BMD, BV/TV and Tb.N (P<0.01), significant reductions in Tb.Sp, empty lacunae rate and apoptosis rate (P<0.05), and significant increases in protein levels of OCN and ALP as well as BALP content (P<0.05). The in vitro experimental results revealed that all dosage groups of SQP medicated serum showed no toxic effects on osteoblast. Compared with the normal group, the model group displayed significant suppression of osteoblast proliferation activity, ALP activity, and calcified nodule formation rate (P<0.01), significant decreases in mRNA transcription levels of OCN and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) (P<0.01), significant reductions in protein content of osteopontin (OPN), typeⅠ collagen (ColⅠ)A1, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), PI3K, and phosphorylated (p)-Akt (P<0.01), and a significant increase in apoptosis rate (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the SQP medicated serum intervention groups exhibited significant increases in proliferation activity, ALP activity, calcified nodule formation rate, mRNA transcription levels of OCN and RUNX2, and protein content of OPN, ColⅠA1, Bcl-2, PI3K, and p-Akt (P<0.05), along with a significant decrease in apoptosis rate (P<0.01). ConclusionSQP can effectively reduce the disease severity of SONFH with liver and kidney deficiency syndrome and improve bone microstructure, with the therapeutic effects exhibiting a dose-dependent manner. The mechanism may be related to its regulation of key processes such as muscle and bone metabolism and the correction of imbalances in the "neuro-endocrine-immune" network, thereby promoting osteoblast differentiation and inhibiting osteoblast apoptosis. The PI3K/Akt signaling axis is likely one of the key pathways through which this formula exerts its effects.
2.Research progress on ANXA3 gene and protein
Tingting FENG ; Jingxiang ZHANG ; Yan WANG ; Weiheng XU ; Junping ZHANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(2):47-50
Annexin A3(ANXA3)is a member of the membrane associated protein family. It has two subtypes of 36 kDa and 33 kDa. Its gene is located on the fourth chromosome of human. ANXA3, widely expressed in human bone marrow, lung, placenta, prostate and thyroid, is closely related to several biological processes such as exoplasmosis, vascular production, fat cell maturity, and white blood cell migration. Studies have found that ANXA3 is abnormally expressed in various diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease and inflammation. It can regulate multiple signaling pathways such as JNK, NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, and may become a potential drug target for treatment of related diseases. The structure, functions, the link with diseases and related mechanisms of ANXA3 were summarized in this paper, which could provide reference for ANXA3 related research.
3.Oxylipidomics Combined with Transcriptomics Reveals Mechanism of Jianpi Huogu Prescription in Treating Steroid-induced Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head in Rats
Lili WANG ; Qun LI ; Zhixing HU ; Qianqian YAN ; Liting XU ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Chunyan ZHU ; Yanqiong ZHANG ; Weiheng CHEN ; Haijun HE ; Chunfang LIU ; Na LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):190-199
ObjectiveTo unveil the mechanism of Jianpi Huogu prescription (JPHGP) in ameliorating the dyslipidemia of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femur head (SONFH) by oxylipidomics combined with transcriptomics. MethodsSixty SD rats were assigned into normal, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose (2.5, 5, 10 g·kg-1, respectively) JPHGP, and Jiangushengwan (1.53 g·kg-1) groups. Lipopolysaccharide was injected into the tail vein at a dose of 20 μg·kg-1 on days 1 and 2, and methylprednisolone sodium succinate was injected at a dose of 40 mg·kg-1 into the buttock muscle on days 3 to 5. The normal group received an equal volume of normal saline. Drug administration by gavage began 4 weeks after the last injection, and samples were taken after administration for 8 weeks. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was conducted to reveal the histopathological changes of the femoral head, and the number of adipocytes, the rate of empty bone lacunae, and the trabecular area were calculated. Micro-computed tomography was used for revealing the histological and histomorphometrical changes of the femoral head. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), and apolipoprotein B (ApoB). At the same time, the femoral head was collected for oxylipidomic and transcriptomic detection. The differential metabolites and differential genes were enriched and analyzed, and the target genes regulating lipid metabolism were predicted. The predicted target proteins were further verified by molecular docking, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showcased thinning of the femoral head, trabecular fracture, karyopyknosis, subchondral cystic degeneration, increases in the number of adipocytes and the rate of empty bone lacunae (P<0.01), a reduction in the trabecular area (P<0.01), decreases in BMD, Tb.Th, Tb.N, and BV/TV, and increases in Tb.Sp and BS/BV (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the JPHGP groups showed no obvious thinning of the femoral head or subchondroidal cystic degeneration. The high- and medium-dose JPHGP groups presented declines in the number of adipocytes and the rate of empty bone lacunae, an increase in the trabecular area (P<0.05, P<0.01), rises in BMD, Tb.Th, Tb.N, and BV/TV, and decreases in Tb.Sp and BS/BV (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, the model group showcased raised serum levels of TG, TC, LDL, and ApoB and lowered serum levels of HDL and ApoA1 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the JPHGP groups had lowered serum levels of TG, TC, LDL, and ApoB (P<0.05, P<0.01) and a risen serum level of ApoA1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, the serum level of HDL in the high-dose JPHGP group increased (P<0.01). A total of 19 different metabolites of disease set and drug set were screened out by oxylipidomics of the femoral head, and 119 core genes with restored expression were detected by transcriptomics. The enriched pathways were mainly concentrated in inflammation, lipids, apoptosis, and osteoclast differentiation. Molecular docking, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot results showed that compared with the normal group, the model group displayed increased content of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in the femoral head (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, medium- and high-dose JPHGP reduced the content of 5-LO and PPARγ (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionJPHGP can restore the levels of oxidized lipid metabolites by regulating the 5-LO-PPARγ axis to treat SONFH in rats. Relevant studies provide experimental evidence for the efficacy mechanism of JPHGP in the treatment of SONFH.
4.Oxylipidomics Combined with Transcriptomics Reveals Mechanism of Jianpi Huogu Prescription in Treating Steroid-induced Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head in Rats
Lili WANG ; Qun LI ; Zhixing HU ; Qianqian YAN ; Liting XU ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Chunyan ZHU ; Yanqiong ZHANG ; Weiheng CHEN ; Haijun HE ; Chunfang LIU ; Na LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):190-199
ObjectiveTo unveil the mechanism of Jianpi Huogu prescription (JPHGP) in ameliorating the dyslipidemia of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femur head (SONFH) by oxylipidomics combined with transcriptomics. MethodsSixty SD rats were assigned into normal, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose (2.5, 5, 10 g·kg-1, respectively) JPHGP, and Jiangushengwan (1.53 g·kg-1) groups. Lipopolysaccharide was injected into the tail vein at a dose of 20 μg·kg-1 on days 1 and 2, and methylprednisolone sodium succinate was injected at a dose of 40 mg·kg-1 into the buttock muscle on days 3 to 5. The normal group received an equal volume of normal saline. Drug administration by gavage began 4 weeks after the last injection, and samples were taken after administration for 8 weeks. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was conducted to reveal the histopathological changes of the femoral head, and the number of adipocytes, the rate of empty bone lacunae, and the trabecular area were calculated. Micro-computed tomography was used for revealing the histological and histomorphometrical changes of the femoral head. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), and apolipoprotein B (ApoB). At the same time, the femoral head was collected for oxylipidomic and transcriptomic detection. The differential metabolites and differential genes were enriched and analyzed, and the target genes regulating lipid metabolism were predicted. The predicted target proteins were further verified by molecular docking, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showcased thinning of the femoral head, trabecular fracture, karyopyknosis, subchondral cystic degeneration, increases in the number of adipocytes and the rate of empty bone lacunae (P<0.01), a reduction in the trabecular area (P<0.01), decreases in BMD, Tb.Th, Tb.N, and BV/TV, and increases in Tb.Sp and BS/BV (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the JPHGP groups showed no obvious thinning of the femoral head or subchondroidal cystic degeneration. The high- and medium-dose JPHGP groups presented declines in the number of adipocytes and the rate of empty bone lacunae, an increase in the trabecular area (P<0.05, P<0.01), rises in BMD, Tb.Th, Tb.N, and BV/TV, and decreases in Tb.Sp and BS/BV (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, the model group showcased raised serum levels of TG, TC, LDL, and ApoB and lowered serum levels of HDL and ApoA1 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the JPHGP groups had lowered serum levels of TG, TC, LDL, and ApoB (P<0.05, P<0.01) and a risen serum level of ApoA1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, the serum level of HDL in the high-dose JPHGP group increased (P<0.01). A total of 19 different metabolites of disease set and drug set were screened out by oxylipidomics of the femoral head, and 119 core genes with restored expression were detected by transcriptomics. The enriched pathways were mainly concentrated in inflammation, lipids, apoptosis, and osteoclast differentiation. Molecular docking, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot results showed that compared with the normal group, the model group displayed increased content of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in the femoral head (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, medium- and high-dose JPHGP reduced the content of 5-LO and PPARγ (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionJPHGP can restore the levels of oxidized lipid metabolites by regulating the 5-LO-PPARγ axis to treat SONFH in rats. Relevant studies provide experimental evidence for the efficacy mechanism of JPHGP in the treatment of SONFH.
5.Zuoguiwan Prevent Decreased Ovarian Reserve in Prenatal Stressed Offspring Rats via TLR4/NF-κB p65 Signaling Pathway
Yinjuan LYU ; Weiheng ZHANG ; Siyi CHEN ; Wenjing TIAN ; Jian GONG ; Yuhao MENG ; Huan HE ; Xiaocui JIANG ; Min ZHAO ; Min XIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(17):67-76
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Zuoguiwan on ovarian reserve in the female offspring rat model of prenatal stress (PS) and explore the mechanism based on Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB p65 (TLR4/NF-κB p65) signaling pathway. MethodThirty-two pregnant rats were prepared and randomized into four groups (n=8): control, model, Zuoguiwan (18.9 mg·kg-1), and vitamin E (1.44 mg·kg-1). Except the control group, the other three groups were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) from day 11 of pregnancy, and the modeling was accompanied by gavage with corresponding drugs until delivery. The PS model was evaluated by the sucrose preference test, open field test, and serum corticosterone (CORT) level. The estrous cycle was monitored and the morphological changes in the ovarian tissue were observed. The serum levels of estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) in the 75-day-old offspring rats were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to evaluate the ovarian reserve. The ovary and uterus indices were calculated. The serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The morphology of the ovarian tissue in the offspring on the day of birth and day 75 after birth was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The transport of NF-κB p65 to the nucleus in the ovaries of the 75-day-old offspring was detected by the immunofluorescence (IF) assay. The expression of TLR4, NF-κB p65 and other related proteins in the ovarian tissue was determined by Western blot. ResultCompared with the control group, the model group showed reduced primordial follicles in the offspring on the day of birth (P<0.01) as well as disturbed estrous cycle, decreased ovary index and uterus index (P<0.01), reduced corpus luteum, increased atretic follicles (P<0.01), lowered serum levels of AMH and E2 (P<0.01), elevated serum levels of LH, FSH, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulated protein levels of TLR4, NF-κB p65, recombinant myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and phosphorylated NF-κB inhibitor (p-IκBα) (P<0.01) in the 75-day-old offspring rats. Compared with the model group, Zuoguiwan and vitamin E increased the primordial follicles in the offspring on the day of birth (P<0.01). Moreover, they resumed the estrous cycle, increased the ovary and uterine indices (P<0.05, P<0.01) and corpus luteum (P<0.01), reduced atretic follicles (P<0.01), elevated the serum levels of AMH and E2 (P<0.05, P<0.01), lowered the serum levels of LH, FSH, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated the expression of TLR4, NF-κB p65, MyD88, and p-IκB-α (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the 75-day-old offspring. ConclusionZuoguiwan can improve the ovarian reserve in the offspring rat model of congenital kidney deficiency by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway.
6.Establishment and evaluation of the comorbidity animal model of knee osteoarthritis and hypertension with pattern of liver and kidney deficiency
Zhaochen MA ; Chu ZHANG ; Mingzhu XU ; Yudong LIU ; Weiheng CHEN ; Yanqiong ZHANG ; Na LIN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(5):652-661
Objective To establish the animal model of comorbidity of knee osteoarthritis(KOA)and hypertension with pattern of liver and kidney deficiency and evaluate its characteristics of comorbidity and pattern.Methods Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)were assigned to the WKY control group(control group),hypertension combined with KOA sham-operation group(sham-operation group),hypertension combined with KOA group(model group),hypertension combined with KOA and liver-kidney deficiency pattern group(LKD group).The animal model of KOA combined with hypertension was prepared by anterior cruciate ligament transection(ACLT)in spontaneously hypertensive rats.ACLT combined with intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone was performed to prepare an animal model of KOA with liver-kidney deficiency(LKD)pattern type,combined with hypertension.Then,the related indexes of LKD syndrome were detected in turn,including the contents of thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH),testosterone(T),corticosterone(CORT),adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)in serum,and enzyme activities of alanine transaminase(ALT),aspartate transaminase(AST),and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)in serum,the mass ratio of liver,kidney,spleen,thymus to the brain,body weight,anal temperature,activity situation,and emotion.Systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,and other blood pressure-related indices were also detected.The levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β),plantar mechanical pain sensitivity threshold,weight difference score of both hind limbs,hind limb joint swelling,and quadruped gait parameters were also measured.Furthermore,hematoxylin-eosin,safranine-fast green,and Masson staining were performed to observe pathological changes,cartilage degeneration,and bone destruction of the knee joint,and the microstructure parameters of the tibia were detected by Micro-CT imaging.Results Compared to the model group,the contents of serum TSH,ACTH,T,CORT and the mass ratio of the kidney,spleen,and thymus to the brain in the LKD group decreased(P<0.05).Compared to the control group,the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of the other three groups increased significantly(P<0.05).Compared to the sham-operation group,serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels increased,plantar mechanical pain threshold decreased,weight difference score of both hind limbs and joint swelling of the affected limb increased(P<0.05),and gait parameters(e.g.,gait length and standing time of the affected limbs)became abnormal in the model and LKD groups.Simultaneously,the cartilage surface defect of the rat knee joint was severe,the arrangement of the surface chondrocytes was altered,the cartilage layer became thinner,the muscle fibers increased,and the cartilage ossification was severe.Furthermore,the relative volume,thickness,and number of trabeculae of the knee joint decreased significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion The rat model established in this study is consistent with the clinical characteristics of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in patients with comorbidities of hypertension and KOA with liver and kidney deficiency pattern.This rat model can characterize the typical symptoms of liver and kidney deficiency pattern.It has typical pathological changes in knee cartilage and subchondral bone tissues and can maintain a stable range of high systolic and diastolic blood pressure.It also explore the scientific connotation of simultaneous treatment of different diseases in traditional Chinese medicine,revealing the therapeutic mechanism and developing new drugs.
7.Real-World Study on the Clinical Efficacy of Different Medication Regimens of Wangbi Tablet (尪痹片) in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Kuayue ZHANG ; Chao LI ; Zhuoyun WU ; Yawei DONG ; Zelu ZHENG ; Yuzhi LIU ; Jun ZHOU ; Jiaming LIN ; Yuefeng CHEN ; Baohong MI ; Weiheng CHEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(22):2316-2325
ObjectiveTo investigate the differences in clinical efficacy of different medication regimens of Wangbi Tablets (尪痹片) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in a real-world setting, providing a basis for rational clinical use of Wangbi Tablets. MethodsA prospective registry study was conducted, involving 2,999 KOA patients registered in 30 hospitals nationwide from January 26th, 2019, to December 17th, 2021. Based on the use of Wangbi Tablets during the observation period, patients were divided into a monotherapy group (1,507 cases) and a combination therapy group (1,492 cases), and the combination group can be further divided into Wangbi Tablets plus Chinese medicine (CM), Wangbi Tablets plus western medicine (WM), and Wangbi Tablets plus Chinese and western medicine (CM+WM) subgroups. The baseline data of patients in the monotherapy group and the combination group were compared, including age, gender, body weight, medication time, clinical stage, K-L grade, and others. Efficacy indicators included the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, and EuroQol five-dimensional (EQ-5D) health index, which were evaluated before and after 4-, 8- and 12-week treatment, and the difference before and after treatment was calculated after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment. The difference between the baseline and 12 weeks of treatment of all the above indicators was used as the dependent variables, and gender, age, body mass index (BMI), course of disease, K-L grade, and clinical stage were used as independent variables, when multiple linear regression was taken to explore the influencing factors of the efficacy. At the same time, the occurrence of major symptoms (including morning stiffness, joint swelling, soreness of waist and knees, fear of wind, and fear of cold) was counted, and the disappearance of symptoms at each time point was counted after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment. ResultsAt baseline, there were no statistically significant differences in gender and age distribution between the monotherapy and combination therapy groups (P>0.05); the proportion of patients in the acute stage and recovery stage was higher in the monotherapy group than in the combination therapy group, while the proportion in the remission stage was lower (P<0.05); the VAS score was higher in the monotherapy group, and the EQ-5D index was lower (P<0.01), with no statistically significant difference in total WOMAC score between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared to those measured before treatment and at previous timepoint, the VAS score and WOMAC total score significantly decreased in both groups, while EQ-5D value increased (P<0.05). The difference in VAS score between baseline and after 12-week treatment was higher in the monotherapy group than the combination group, while the differences in WOMAC total score and EQ-5D value between baseline and after 4-, 8- and 12-week treatment were higher in the combination group (P<0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that VAS score before treatment had greatest impact on pain improvement (P<0.01), and compared to Wangbi Tablets monotherapy, the combination of Wangbi tablets with WM or CM had larger associations with pain improvement (P<0.05); and Wangbi Tablets had better efficacy when the course of treatment was >28 days (P<0.01). Wangbi Tablets plus WM had a better effect on improving the overall function of the knee joint than Wangbi Tablets alone (P<0.01); and the efficacy of Wangbi Tablets with a course of treatment >28 days was better (P<0.05). The improvement of quality of life of patients in the attack and remission stages was more obvious than that in the recovery stage (P<0.01); Wangbi Tablets plus WM or CM had a better effect on improving quality of life than Wangbi Tablets alone (P<0.05). Before treatment, the proportion of patients with morning stiffness, soreness of waist and knees, fear of wind and chills in the monotherapy group was higher than that in the combination group (P<0.01). The proportion of main symptoms in both groups decreased after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the disappearance rate of each main symptom in the combination group was higher than that in the monotherapy group, and after 12 weeks of treatment, the disappearance rate of fear of wind in the monotherapy group was higher than that in the combination group, while the disappearance rate of joint swelling and soreness of waist and knees was lower (P<0.05). ConclusionWangbi Tablets, whether used alone or in combination with other medications, is effective throughout the course of KOA, with greater benefits in improving joint function and quality of life during the acute and remission stages compared to the recovery stage. Combination therapy had a faster onset of effect, but began to converge with monotherapy after 8 weeks. The best efficacy was observed with the combination of Wangbi Tablets with WM, followed by combination with CM.
8.A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, and Placebo-parallel Controlled Trial of Tibetan Medicine Ruyi Zhenbaowan in Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Chunquan SUN ; Yanming XIE ; Jinghua GAO ; Weiheng CHEN ; Lianxin WANG ; Shangquan WANG ; Xiangdong TIAN ; Zujian XU ; Yuxin ZHENG ; Mingwang ZHOU ; Chungen LI ; Zhanwang XU ; Jiayi GUO ; Shuangqing DU ; Qigang CHEN ; Quan JI ; Zhiqiang BAI ; Jing XIAO ; Wanli QI ; Weiyi YANG ; Jingxiao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(24):57-67
ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ruyi Zhenbaowan(RYZBW)in the treatment of initial and early knee osteoarthritis (KOA) through a prospective multicenter,randomized,double-blind,and placebo-parallel controlled trial. MethodFrom October 13th, 2021 to December 25th, 2021, 240 KOA subjects meeting the acceptance criteria were enrolled in 15 sub-centers including Wangjing Hospital, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and they were randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 120 cases in each group. The intervention measures for the observation group were RYZBW + health education, and the intervention measures for the control group were RYZBW placebo + health education. The intervention period in both groups was four weeks, and they were followed up for four weeks after the intervention. The primary outcome measure was the total score of Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index score (WOMAC score), and the secondary outcome measures were the response rate of visual scale (VAS) pain score, WOMAC sub item scores (joint pain, joint stiffness, and joint function), quality of life (SF-12) score, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score. Result(1) Efficacy evaluation. The marginal model results showed that the observation group was better than the control group in improving the WOMAC total score and WOMAC pain score in the treatment of KOA with RYZBW, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in improving VAS score response rate, WOMAC function score, WOMAC stiffness score, SF12-PCS (quality of life-physical health) score, SF12-MCS (quality of life-mental health) score, and TCM syndrome score. (2) Subgroup analysis. ① In terms of VAS score response rate, the response rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group for subjects with baseline VAS score of (4, 5], and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). ② In terms of TCM syndrome score, for subjects aged [56, 60] and [61, 65], the decrease in total TCM syndrome score in the observation group was better than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). ConclusionTibetan medicine RYZBW has good clinical efficacy in improving WOMAC total score, VAS score response rate, WOMAC pain score, WOMAC function score, and TCM syndrome score for patients with initial and early KOA, which can fill the lack of Tibetan medicine RYZBW in the treatment of KOA and make a demonstration study for the inheritance and development of ethnic medicine.
9.Investigation on Mechanisms of Osteoking Against Four Types of Bone Injury Diseases Based on Heterogeneous Information Network with Concept of "Treating Different Diseases with an Identical Treatment"
Suya ZHANG ; Zhaochen MA ; Shuangrong GAO ; Weiheng CHEN ; Yanqiong ZHANG ; Na LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(24):42-53
ObjectiveTo elucidate the mechanism of Osteoking against fracture, femoral head necrosis, osteoarthritis, and lumbar disc herniation by integrating heterogeneous information network mining and experimental validation. MethodOn the basis of the disease-related database and transcriptome expression profiling dataset, as well as the ETCM database, the gene sets related to four target diseases and the candidate target spectrum of Osteoking were obtained through the integration and analysis of bioinformatics data, and a "disease-syndrome-formula-target-pathway-effect" heterogeneous information network was constructed. In addition, by functional enrichment analysis, the core targets of Osteoking in interfering with the imbalance network of four kinds of bone injury diseases, the biological pathways involved, and the corresponding clinical symptoms were screened, and they were verified in animal experiments. ResultHeterogeneous information network mining indicates that Osteoking may commonly reverse the imbalance networks of fracture, femoral head necrosis, osteoarthritis, and lumbar disc herniation via regulating cell function and activity, inhibiting inflammatory response, reducing bone destruction, and improving the immune function of the body by modulating relevant core candidate targets such as RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (Akt1), catenin beta-1 (CTNNB1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), heat shock protein 90-alpha (HSP90AA1), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha isoform (PI3KCA), as well as related biological pathways such as phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), and Toll-like receptors. In particular, Osteoking may improve the blood supply of the fracture end by regulating blood circulation at the target site of the disease, and it may maintain the balance of bone metabolism by regulating hormone-related pathways to promote fracture healing. In addition, Osteoking may relieve lipid metabolism disorders by targeting and regulating lipid-related pathways, accelerate bone formation and bone repair, and delay the progression of femoral head necrosis. Osteoking may relieve the symptoms of pain by acting on neurological pathways to reduce local nociceptive stimulation in patients with osteoarthritis and lumbar disc herniation. Further experimental validation demonstrates that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is the most significantly enriched pathway for the key network targets of Osteoking for the four diseases. The candidate target of Osteoking may have the strongest association with the network of fracture-related genes. Therefore, this study chooses fracture as the target disease to verify the efficacy of Osteoking. The results show that Osteoking can accelerate bone formation and promote fracture healing by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling axis. ConclusionThe study shows that the main mechanism of "treating different diseases with an identical treatment" of four bone injury diseases with Osteoking involves cell function regulation and immune inflammation-related signaling pathways. Further experimental validation identifies that the PI3K/Akt signaling axis may be one of the key pathways of Osteoking to promote bone regeneration, bone reconstruction, and bone metabolism homeostasis.
10.Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Osteoking in Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis Based on Real-world Data
Ruihan LI ; Jun ZHOU ; Zhi LIANG ; Shuai GAO ; Rui QUAN ; Xisheng WENG ; Yanqiong ZHANG ; Na LIN ; Weiheng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(24):63-71
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and mechanisms of Osteoking in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in real-world practice, so as to provide a basis for the rational clinical use of Osteoking. MethodFrom the Osteoking for knee osteoarthritis case registration system, 638 KOA cases treated with Osteoking were selected and analyzed in SPSS 26.0. The clinical data were collected from 20 hospitals in China from May 2020 to December 2021. Descriptive analyses of patient age, gender, body mass index, course of treatment and other parameters were performed. The Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster universities arthritis index (WOMAC) scores before and after treatment. The integrative pharmacology-based research platform of traditional Chinese medicine (TCMIP) v2.0 was used for network analysis of the core targets of Osteoking in treating knee osteoarthritis. Furthermore, 20 KOA patients treated with Osteoking in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from October to December in 2022 were enrolled in the treatment group, and 20 healthy volunteers in the control group. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of related indicators to verify the prediction results. ResultA total of 638 KOA patients were treated with Osteoking, including 429 (67.24%) receiving Osteoking alone and 209 (32.76%) receiving Osteoking combined with other therapies. The female patients (415, 65.05%) were more than the male patients (223, 34.95%). The patients showed the mean age of (63.48±13.51) years, mean body mass index of (24.09±2.98) kg·m-2, and mean course of treatment of (15.78±9.66) days. Most of the patients were rated as grades Ⅱ (46.24%) and Ⅲ (34.64%) in Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grading and in the relief stage (82.45%) in clinical staging. There was no significant correlation between clinical staging and K-L grading results. The cluster analysis identified three TCM syndromes: Qi stagnation and blood stasis, cold-dampness obstruction, and liver-kidney deficiency. The overall clinical efficacy evaluation showed that VAS score decreased from (6.01±0.85) scores before treatment to (2.54±1.73) scores after treatment (P<0.05), and the WOMAC score decreased from (93.25±25.91) scores before treatment to (50.73±25.14) scores after treatment (P<0.05). The network analysis predicted that Osteoking might regulate the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways to exert the therapeutic effect. The clinical trial showed elevated TGF-β1 level (P<0.01) and lowered NF-κB subunit RELA and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 1A (TNFRSF1A) levels (P<0.05) after treatment. The synergistic effects of these changes provide a multidimensional and comprehensive therapeutic efficacy for KOA, alleviating the joint pain and limited mobility in patients. ConclusionOsteoking showed significant therapeutic efficacy in treating KOA. Osteoking may act on multiple pathways involved in cartilage metabolism and inflammation. The findings provide experimental evidence and theoretical support for elucidating the multi-target mechanism of Osteoking in treating KOA.

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