1.Therapeutic Effect and Mechanism of Solanum nigrum on Hepatic Fibrosis Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Rats
Min WU ; Zhenxiang AN ; Yuanli HE ; Weinong WEN ; Qiang SU ; Song HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):117-125
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Solanum nigrum on hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. MethodsSixty SD rats were randomly allocated into blank, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose (0.9, 1.8, 3.6 g·kg-1, respectively) S. nigrum, and silibinin capsules (18.9 mg·kg-1) groups. Except the blank group, the other groups were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of 40% CCl4 solution for the modeling of hepatic fibrosis. After 4 weeks of gavage, blood was collected from the abdominal aorta following intraperitoneal anesthesia. The rats were sacrificed, and the liver was separated. The pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and liver fibrosis indexes [type Ⅲ procollagen (PCⅢ), type Ⅳ collagen (Col Ⅳ), laminin (LN), and hyaluronic acid (HA)] in the rat serum were determined. The mRNA and protein levels of B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax)/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3) pathway-related factors were determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited significant hepatocyte edema, infiltration of inflammatory cells, connective tissue proliferation, and collagen fiber deposition in the liver tissue. Compared with the model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose S. nigrum and silymarin capsules significantly improved the structure of liver cells and alleviated the edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, connective tissue proliferation, and collagen fiber deposition. Compared with those in the blank group, the serum levels of ALT, AST, PCⅢ, Col Ⅳ, LN, and HA were elevated in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum levels of ALT, AST, PCⅢ, Col Ⅳ, LN, and HA were reduced in all the treatment groups (P<0.05). Real-time PCR and Western blot results showed that compared with the blank group, the model group had up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2 and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Bax and Caspase-3 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all the treatment groups showed down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2 and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Bax and Caspase-3 (P<0.05), with the high-dose S. nigrum group showing the best therapeutic effect. ConclusionS. nigrum modulates the progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats by regulating apoptosis through the Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 pathway.
2.Quality Evaluation of Naomaili Granules Based on Multi-component Content Determination and Fingerprint and Screening of Its Anti-neuroinflammatory Substance Basis
Ya WANG ; Yanan KANG ; Bo LIU ; Zimo WANG ; Xuan ZHANG ; Wei LAN ; Wen ZHANG ; Lu YANG ; Yi SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):170-178
ObjectiveTo establish an ultra-performance liquid fingerprint and multi-components determination method for Naomaili granules. To evaluate the quality of different batches by chemometrics, and the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of water extract and main components of Naomaili granules were tested in vitro. MethodsThe similarity and common peaks of 27 batches of Naomaili granules were evaluated by using Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) fingerprint detection. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) technology was used to determine the content of the index components in Naomaili granules and to evaluate the quality of different batches of Naomaili granules by chemometrics. LPS-induced BV-2 cell inflammation model was used to investigate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of the water extract and main components of Naomaili granules. ResultsThe similarity of fingerprints of 27 batches of samples was > 0.90. A total of 32 common peaks were calibrated, and 23 of them were identified and assigned. In 27 batches of Naomaili granules, the mass fractions of 14 components that were stachydrine hydrochloride, leonurine hydrochloride, calycosin-7-O-glucoside, calycosin,tanshinoneⅠ, cryptotanshinone, tanshinoneⅡA, ginsenoside Rb1, notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, lactiflorin, and salvianolic acid B were found to be 2.902-3.498, 0.233-0.343, 0.111-0.301, 0.07-0.152, 0.136-0.228, 0.195-0.390, 0.324-0.482, 1.056-1.435, 0.271-0.397, 1.318-1.649, 3.038-4.059, 2.263-3.455, 0.152-0.232, 2.931-3.991 mg∙g-1, respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that paeoniflorin, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rb1 and staphylline hydrochloride were quality difference markers to control the stability of the preparation. The results of bioactive experiment showed that the water extract of Naomaili granules and the eight main components with high content in the prescription had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the release of NO in the cell supernatant. Among them, salvianolic acid B and ginsenoside Rb1 had strong anti-inflammatory activity, with IC50 values of (36.11±0.15) mg∙L-1 and (27.24±0.54) mg∙L-1, respectively. ConclusionThe quality evaluation method of Naomaili granules established in this study was accurate and reproducible. Four quality difference markers were screened out, and eight key pharmacodynamic substances of Naomaili granules against neuroinflammation were screened out by in vitro cell experiments.
3.Clinical Application and Pharmacological Effects of Guizhi Fulingwan in Treatment of Uterine Fibroids: A Review
Xiang ZHANG ; Xiaoli WEN ; Biting CHENG ; Hongning LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):299-307
Uterine fibroids are a common benign tumor of the female reproductive system, characterized by increased menstrual flow, lower abdominal pain, and prolonged menstrual periods. Modern medicine believes that the onset of this disease is related to genetic factors, environmental factors, hormone levels, et al, while the specific mechanism remains unclear, and the prevention and treatment of uterine fibroids has become a hot topic of concern for many experts and scholars in the medical field. At present, the treatment of uterine fibroids in clinical practice is mainly based on hormone drugs and uterine artery embolization, and severe cases require hysterectomy. However, the use of hormone drugs for treatment has serious side effects and is prone to recurrence after surgery. Since hysterectomy can cause severe harm to women, it is necessary to explore safer and more effective treatment methods. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has rich clinical experience in the treatment of uterine fibroids, advocating for syndrome differentiation and treatment. The TCM methods that regulate Qi and blood and balance Yin and Yang have been commonly adopted, with significant efficacy and minimal side effects, being more conducive to the recovery. Guizhi Fulingwan are first recorded in the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber written by the famous medical expert ZHANG Zhongjing during the Eastern Han dynasty. This prescription has the effects of activating blood, resolving stasis, and eliminating mass, and it is thus mainly used for treating abdominal mass in women. In recent years, Guizhi Fulingwan has also been applied in the clinical treatment of tumors and has demonstrated definite efficacy in the treatment of uterine fibroids. Studies have shown that the therapeutic mechanisms of Guizhi Fulingwan for uterine fibroids involve regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis, improving immune function, reducing inflammation, improving hemorheological indicators, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, and regulating sex hormone levels. This article mainly reviews the treatment of uterine fibroids with Guizhi Fulingwan from three aspects: theoretical basis, clinical application, and pharmacological mechanism. It is expected to provide scientific research ideas and guidance for exploring the clinical treatment of uterine fibroids.
4.Strategies for Building an Artificial Intelligence-Empowered Trusted Federated Evidence-Based Analysis Platform for Spleen-Stomach Diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Bin WANG ; Huiying ZHUANG ; Zhitao MAN ; Lifeng REN ; Chang HE ; Chen WU ; Xulei HU ; Xiaoxiao WEN ; Chenggong XIE ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):95-102
This paper outlines the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research, and elucidates the roles and advantages of large language models, knowledge graphs, and natural language processing in advancing syndrome identification, prescription generation, and mechanism exploration. Using spleen-stomach diseases as an example, it demonstrates the empowering effects of AI in classical literature mining, precise clinical syndrome differentiation, efficacy and safety prediction, and intelligent education, highlighting an upgraded research paradigm that evolves from data-driven and knowledge-driven approaches to intelligence-driven models. To address challenges related to privacy protection and regulatory compliance in cross-institutional data collaboration, a "trusted federated evidence-based analysis platform for TCM spleen-stomach diseases" is proposed, integrating blockchain-based smart contracts, federated learning, and secure multi-party computation. The deep integration of AI with privacy-preserving computing is reshaping research and clinical practice in TCM spleen-stomach diseases, providing feasible pathways and a technical framework for building a high-quality, trustworthy TCM big-data ecosystem and achieving precision syndrome differentiation.
5.Study on the effects and mechanisms of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. in improving sleep
Ming QIAO ; Yao ZHAO ; Yi ZHU ; Yexia CAO ; Limei WEN ; Yuehong GONG ; Xiang LI ; Juanchen WANG ; Tao WANG ; Jianhua YANG ; Junping HU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):24-29
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. in improving sleep. METHODS Network pharmacology was employed to identify the active components of L. ruthenicum and their associated disease targets, followed by enrichment analysis. A caffeine‑induced zebrafish model of sleep deprivation was established , and the zebrafish were treated with L. ruthenicum Murr. extract (LRME) at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/mL, respectively; 24 h later, behavioral changes of zebrafish and pathological alterations in brain neurons were subsequently observed. The levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)], oxidative stress markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT)], and neurotransmitters [5- hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamic acid (Glu), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE)] were measured. The protein expression levels of protein kinase B1 (AKT1), phosphorylated AKT1 (p-AKT1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), sarcoma proto-oncogene,non-receptor tyrosine kinase (SRC), and heat shock protein 90α family class A member 1 (HSP90AA1) in the zebrafish were also determined. RESULTS A total of 12 active components and 176 intersecting disease targets were identified through network pharmacology analysis. Among these, apigenin, naringenin and others were recognized as core active compounds, while AKT1, EGFR and others served as key targets; EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway was identified as the critical pathway. The sleep improvement rates in zebrafish of LRME low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were 54.60%, 69.03% and 77.97%, 开发。E-mail:hjp_yft@163.com respectively, while the inhibition ratios of locomotor distance were 0.57, 0.83 and 0.95, respectively. Compared with the model group, the number of resting counts, resting time and resting distance were significantly increased/extended in LRME medium- and high-dose groups (P<0.05). Neuronal damage in the brain was alleviated. Additionally, the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, MDA, Glu, DA and NE, as well as the protein expression levels of AKT1, p-AKT1, EGFR, SRC and HSP90AA1, were markedly reduced (P<0.05), while the levels of IL-10, SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, 5-HT and GABA, as well as Bcl-2 protein expression, were significantly elevated (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS L. ruthenicum Murr. demonstrates sleep-improving effects, and its specific mechanism may be related to the regulation of inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter balance, and the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway.
6.Application of electrical impedance tomography-guided PEEP titration in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients with intra-abdominal hypertension
World Journal of Emergency Medicine 2026;17(1):70-75
BACKGROUND Individualized positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration is a crucial technique in mechanical ventilation therapy for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients with intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of electrical impedance tomography (EIT)-guided PEEP titration in this population.
METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 36 ARDS patients, including 22 patients with IAH and 14 without IAH. All the patients underwent EIT-guided PEEP titration at the intersection point between alveolar overdistension and collapse during a decremental PEEP trial. The changes in pulmonary ventilation distribution, respiratory mechanics and hemodynamics during the titration process were observed.
RESULTS: After EIT-guided PEEP titration was performed, the PEEP, peak inspiratory pressure and plateau pressure increased significantly (P<0.05). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in respiratory system compliance, tidal volume, driving pressure, or the 4*DP+RR index between the two groups (P>0.05). The mechanical power increased in the non-IAH (NIAH) group after PEEP titration (P<0.05). Ventilation in gravity-dependent lung regions significantly increased (P<0.05), and the oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) improved significantly (P<0.05) in both groups. However, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, central venous pressure, and lactate levels did not significantly change. In the IAH group, the PaO2/FiO2 ratio improved less than that in the NIAH group did (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION: In our study, individualized PEEP titration guided by EIT improved oxygenation in ARDS patients with concomitant IAH without significantly affecting hemodynamics. The presence of IAH may limit the improvement of oxygenation during EIT-guided PEEP titration.
7.Construction and efficacy verification of an intelligent pharmaceutical Q&A platform based on AI hallucination-suppression
Zhengwang WEN ; Jiaying WANG ; Wenyue YANG ; Haoyu YANG ; Xiao MA ; Yun LIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):226-231
OBJECTIVE To construct an intelligent pharmaceutical Q&A platform for precision medication with low “artificial intelligence (AI) hallucination”, aiming to enhance the accuracy, consistency, and traceability of medication consultations. METHODS Medication package inserts were batch-processed and converted into structured data through Python programming to build a local pharmaceutical knowledge base. The retrieval and question-answering processes were designed based on large language models, and system integration and localized deployment were completed on Dify platform. By designing typical clinical medication questions and comparing the output of the intelligent pharmaceutical Q&A platform with the online version of DeepSeek across dimensions such as peak time retrieval, half-life, and dosage adjustment reasoning for patients with renal impairment, the accuracy and reliability of its retrieval and reasoning results were evaluated. RESULTS The intelligent pharmaceutical Q&A platform, constructed based on local drug package inserts, achieved 100% accuracy in retrieval and reasoning for peak time, half-life, and dosage adjustment schemes. In comparison, the online version of DeepSeek demonstrated accuracies of 30%(6/20), 50%(10/20), and 38%(23/60) across these three dimensions, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The constructed intelligent pharmaceutical Q&A platform is capable of accurately retrieving and extracting information from the local knowledge base based on clinical inquiries, thereby avoiding the occurrence of AI hallucinations and providing reliable medication decision support for healthcare professionals.
8.Diagnosis and treatment of cirrhotic portal hypertension with spontaneous portosystemic shunt: Current status and prospects
Yaxin CHEN ; Wen GUO ; Kaige LIU ; Qian LI ; Mingxin ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(1):176-182
Liver cirrhosis is the terminal stage of various chronic liver diseases, with the main clinical manifestation of portal hypertension, which can lead to spontaneous portosystemic shunt (SPSS). SPSS is very common in clinical practice and is closely associated with the prognosis of patients. This article summarizes the recent studies in the clinical significance of cirrhotic portal hypertension with SPSS, the controversies in studies, and the current status and future prospects and challenges of treatment, in order to provide a reference for the standardized diagnosis and treatment of portal hypertension.
9.Factors influencing intraocular pressure after femtosecond laser surgery and verification of intraocular pressure correction formulas
Chuanhai ZHOU ; Lijun WANG ; Long WEN ; Haobo FAN ; Zexin YE
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):506-510
AIM: To analyze the factors affecting non-contact intraocular pressure(IOPNCT)measurements after femtosecond laser-assisted small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE), explore the correlation of IOPNCT with central corneal thickness(CCT)and corneal curvature after SMILE, and construct the corresponding regression model which will provide scientific basis for clinical evaluation of the true IOP of patients after SMILE.METHODS: Data from a retrospective analysis of 107 myopic patients(206 eyes)who underwent SMILE and 107 myopic patients(201 eyes)received femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)surgery from June 2023 to May 2024 were examined. IOPNCT, CCT, and corneal curvature before surgery and at 1 and 3 mo were collected. The preoperative and postoperative IOPNCT, CCT and corneal curvature were analyzed by ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression models were constructed to evaluate the association of postoperative changes of IOPNCT, CCT and corneal curvature.RESULTS: There were significant differences in IOPNCT, CCT, and corneal curvature of both SMILE and FS-LASIK patients(all P<0.001), there was no significant difference between two groups and interaction effects(all P>0.05), and the IOPNCT, CCT and corneal curvature at 1 and 3 mo post-surgery were significantly lower than preoperative(all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between IOPNCT and CCT at 1 and 3 mo after SMILE(r=0.261, 0.267, all P<0.001), but no significant correlation with corneal curvature(all P>0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis of IOPNCT with CCT and corneal curvature at 1 mo after SMILE indicated that the regression equation was: Y=3.426+0.019X1-0.058X2(Y represents IOPNCT, X1 represents the CCT, and X2 represents the corneal curvature), with statistical significant difference in the equation(F=7.654, P=0.001); the regression equation for 3 mo after surgery was: Y=2.056+0.020X1-0.038 X2(Y represents IOPNCT, X1 represents the CCT, and X2 represents the corneal curvature), with statistically significance in the equation(F=7.903, P<0.001). The regression equation of postoperative IOPNCT change(△IOPNCT)and intraoperative cutting corneal thickness(△CCT)and corneal curvature at 1 mo was Y=-2.252+0.008X1+0.587X2(Y represents △IOPNCT, X1 stands for the △CCT, X2 represents the corneal curvature change value), with statistical significant difference in the equation(F=17.550, P<0.001); the regression equation for 3 mo after surgery was: Y=-2.168+0.024X1+0.281X2(Y represents △IOPNCT, X1 represents △CCT, X2 indicates the corneal curvature change values), with statistical significant difference in the equation(F=16.030, P<0.001).CONCLUSION: After SMILE and FS-LASIK surgery, the IOPNCT value of patients was mainly affected by CCT compared with preoperative surgery, and the short-term use of hormone eye drops, fluorometholone, did not cause a significant increase in IOP; both the IOP correction formula at 1 and 3 mo postoperatively can be used clinically to evaluate and correct actual IOP in patients after SMILE.
10.Factors influencing intraocular pressure after femtosecond laser surgery and verification of intraocular pressure correction formulas
Chuanhai ZHOU ; Lijun WANG ; Long WEN ; Haobo FAN ; Zexin YE
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):506-510
AIM: To analyze the factors affecting non-contact intraocular pressure(IOPNCT)measurements after femtosecond laser-assisted small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE), explore the correlation of IOPNCT with central corneal thickness(CCT)and corneal curvature after SMILE, and construct the corresponding regression model which will provide scientific basis for clinical evaluation of the true IOP of patients after SMILE.METHODS: Data from a retrospective analysis of 107 myopic patients(206 eyes)who underwent SMILE and 107 myopic patients(201 eyes)received femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)surgery from June 2023 to May 2024 were examined. IOPNCT, CCT, and corneal curvature before surgery and at 1 and 3 mo were collected. The preoperative and postoperative IOPNCT, CCT and corneal curvature were analyzed by ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression models were constructed to evaluate the association of postoperative changes of IOPNCT, CCT and corneal curvature.RESULTS: There were significant differences in IOPNCT, CCT, and corneal curvature of both SMILE and FS-LASIK patients(all P<0.001), there was no significant difference between two groups and interaction effects(all P>0.05), and the IOPNCT, CCT and corneal curvature at 1 and 3 mo post-surgery were significantly lower than preoperative(all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between IOPNCT and CCT at 1 and 3 mo after SMILE(r=0.261, 0.267, all P<0.001), but no significant correlation with corneal curvature(all P>0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis of IOPNCT with CCT and corneal curvature at 1 mo after SMILE indicated that the regression equation was: Y=3.426+0.019X1-0.058X2(Y represents IOPNCT, X1 represents the CCT, and X2 represents the corneal curvature), with statistical significant difference in the equation(F=7.654, P=0.001); the regression equation for 3 mo after surgery was: Y=2.056+0.020X1-0.038 X2(Y represents IOPNCT, X1 represents the CCT, and X2 represents the corneal curvature), with statistically significance in the equation(F=7.903, P<0.001). The regression equation of postoperative IOPNCT change(△IOPNCT)and intraoperative cutting corneal thickness(△CCT)and corneal curvature at 1 mo was Y=-2.252+0.008X1+0.587X2(Y represents △IOPNCT, X1 stands for the △CCT, X2 represents the corneal curvature change value), with statistical significant difference in the equation(F=17.550, P<0.001); the regression equation for 3 mo after surgery was: Y=-2.168+0.024X1+0.281X2(Y represents △IOPNCT, X1 represents △CCT, X2 indicates the corneal curvature change values), with statistical significant difference in the equation(F=16.030, P<0.001).CONCLUSION: After SMILE and FS-LASIK surgery, the IOPNCT value of patients was mainly affected by CCT compared with preoperative surgery, and the short-term use of hormone eye drops, fluorometholone, did not cause a significant increase in IOP; both the IOP correction formula at 1 and 3 mo postoperatively can be used clinically to evaluate and correct actual IOP in patients after SMILE.


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