1.Mechanism of Fresh Cutting of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Discussion on Integration of Traditional Wisdom and Modern Technology
Wenjie BAO ; Lingyun ZHONG ; Wenhua WU ; Congmin LIU ; Zixin CHEN ; Xingmei LU ; Hengli TONG ; Yi HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):282-290
Fresh-cut processing constitutes a pivotal technique in the origin processing of Chinese medicinal materials, with a long history documented in multiple materia medica. In recent years, it has garnered national policy support for its ability to prevent component loss and low processing efficiency associated with traditional drying-before-cutting methods. As of August 2025, 26 provinces and municipalities nationwide have cumulatively published 789 species for fresh-cut processing. Among these, 78 were included in the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. However, the practice continues to face common challenges and difficulties, including ambiguous scientific understanding, fragmented standards, limited quality control approaches, and poor process stability. Based on this, this paper synthesises years of research findings to systematically elucidate the core mechanisms of fresh-cut processing. These encompass alterations to herbal tissue structure during cutting, post-processing changes in constituents, and physiological-biochemical processes such as plant stress responses and shifts in endogenous enzyme activity. It also summarises influencing factors, including inherent herbal properties, cutting timing and methods, and environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, and microbial presence. Based on this overview of fresh-cutting mechanisms, subsequent research should advance in four directions:Clarifying the scientific principles of fresh-cutting, overcoming technical bottlenecks, upgrading intelligent equipment, and establishing quality standards and evaluation systems. This study provides a theoretical foundation and scientific basis for future research on fresh-cutting in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), promoting its deeper practical application within the industry and contributing to the high-quality development of TCM industry and the modernization of TCM.
2.Mechanism and Clinical Research Progress of Puerarin in Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure
Wenjie LU ; Siqi ZHONG ; Lu ZHANG ; Wenting LIN ; Zhijun ZENG ; Shaohua WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):327-336
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is an end-stage cardiac syndrome driven by multiple factors. Its pathological process involves interactions of multiple pathways such as energy metabolism dysfunction, neuroendocrine dysregulation, and myocardial fibrosis. Although current clinical medicine can alleviate symptoms through single-target approaches, significant limitations in reversing cardiac remodeling and disease progression remain. Puerarin, a major bioactive isoflavone constituent derived from Pueraria lobata, exhibits multidimensional pharmacological effects, such as vasodilatory effects, regulation of neuroendocrine balance, enhancement of metabolic homeostasis, and suppression of myocardial apoptosis. This review systematically integrated puerarin's multi-target regulatory network, elucidating its mechanisms such as improving energy metabolism by AMP-activated protein kinase/mechanistic target of rapamycin (AMPK/mTOR) pathway, inhibiting fibrosis mediated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signals, and attenuating oxidative-inflammatory cascades by regulating nuclear factor erythroid 2 (E2)-related factor 2/nuclear transcription factor-κB(Nrf2/NF-κB) axis. Clinical research data was used to validate its efficacy in improving the left ventricular ejection function and reducing the therapeutic potential of cardiovascular events' risks. The study proposed that puerarin's "systemic regulation" characteristic breaks through the limitations of traditional single-target drugs and prospected its clinical translation pathway based on metabolomics and nano-delivery technology, offering an integrative perspective from molecular mechanisms to precise therapy for the research on modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.
3.Mechanism and Clinical Research Progress of Puerarin in Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure
Wenjie LU ; Siqi ZHONG ; Lu ZHANG ; Wenting LIN ; Zhijun ZENG ; Shaohua WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):327-336
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is an end-stage cardiac syndrome driven by multiple factors. Its pathological process involves interactions of multiple pathways such as energy metabolism dysfunction, neuroendocrine dysregulation, and myocardial fibrosis. Although current clinical medicine can alleviate symptoms through single-target approaches, significant limitations in reversing cardiac remodeling and disease progression remain. Puerarin, a major bioactive isoflavone constituent derived from Pueraria lobata, exhibits multidimensional pharmacological effects, such as vasodilatory effects, regulation of neuroendocrine balance, enhancement of metabolic homeostasis, and suppression of myocardial apoptosis. This review systematically integrated puerarin's multi-target regulatory network, elucidating its mechanisms such as improving energy metabolism by AMP-activated protein kinase/mechanistic target of rapamycin (AMPK/mTOR) pathway, inhibiting fibrosis mediated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signals, and attenuating oxidative-inflammatory cascades by regulating nuclear factor erythroid 2 (E2)-related factor 2/nuclear transcription factor-κB(Nrf2/NF-κB) axis. Clinical research data was used to validate its efficacy in improving the left ventricular ejection function and reducing the therapeutic potential of cardiovascular events' risks. The study proposed that puerarin's "systemic regulation" characteristic breaks through the limitations of traditional single-target drugs and prospected its clinical translation pathway based on metabolomics and nano-delivery technology, offering an integrative perspective from molecular mechanisms to precise therapy for the research on modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.
4.The effects of tripterygium glycosides on adipocyte differentiation,inflamma-tion,and fibrosis of orbital fibroblasts in thyroid associated ophthalmopathy
Jin ZHU ; Shu ZHU ; Yuling ZHONG ; Hong CHEN ; Wenjie LIN
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(3):202-210
Objective To explore the effects of tripterygium glycosides(TGs)on adipocyte differentiation,inflam-mation,and fibrosis of orbital fibroblasts(OFs)in thyroid associated ophthalmopathy(TAO).Methods OFs isolated from 12 TAO patients were cultured and identified.CCK-8 experiment was used to detect the effect of different concentra-tions of TGs(0,12.5,25.0,50.0,100.0 mg·L-1)on the activity of OFs.Then,adipocyte differentiation phenotypes of OFs were induced and divided into a control group,an adipocyte differentiation group(DM),and TG groups(12.5,25.0,and 50.0 mg·L-1 TGs).Inflammation phenotypes of OFs were induced and divided into a control group,an IL-1 β group,and TG groups(12.5,25.0,and 50.0 mg·L-1 TGs).Fibrosis phenotypes of OFs were induced and divided into a control group,a TGF-βi group,and TG groups(12.5,25.0,and 50.0 mg·L-1 TGs).Oil red O staining was used to detect the formation of lipid droplets in OFs of adipocyte differentiation phenotype.ELISA was used to measure IL-6 and TNF-α levels in OFs of inflammation phenotype and HA levels in OFs of fibrosis phenotype.Transwell experiment was used to detect the cell migration rate of OFs of fibrosis phenotype.Real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of PPAR-γ,c/EBP-α,FABP-4,perilipin-1,and adiponectin mRNAs and pro-teins in OFs of adipocyte differentiation phenotype,the expression levels of IL-6,TNF-α,COX-2,MCP-1 and ICAM-1 mR-NAs and proteins in OFs of inflammation phenotype,and the expression levels of Vimentin,Fibronectin,COL1A1,COL1A2 and ACTA2 mRNAs and proteins in OFs of fibrosis phenotype.Results The cells were identified as OFs.12.5,25.0,and 50.0 mg·L-1 of TGs had no significant effect on OF activity and these three concentrations were used in the subsequent ex-periment.In OFs of adipocyte differentiation phenotype,the number of orange red lipid droplets greatly decreased after TG treatment.The expression levels of PPAR-γ,c/EBP-α,FABP-4,perilipin-1,and adiponectin mRNAs and proteins in cells of TG groups were significantly lower than those of the DM group(all P<0.05).In OFs of inflammation phenotype,IL-6 and TNF-α levels in supernatant and cells of TG groups were significantly decreased,compared with those of the IL-1βgroup(all P<0.05).The expression levels of COX-2,MCP-1,and ICAM-1 mRNAs and proteins in cells of TG groups were significantly lower than those of the IL-1 β group(all P<0.05).In OFs of fibrosis phenotype,the cell migration rates,HA levels in cell culture supernatant,and the expression levels of Vimentin,Fibronectin,COL1A1,COL1A2,and ACTA2 mR-NAs and proteins in cells of TG groups were significant lower than those of the TGF-β1 group(all P<0.05).Conclusion TGs can inhibit the adipocyte differentiation,IL-1 β-induced inflammatory responses and TGF-β1-induced fibrosis of TAO-OFs.
5.Correctly performing manual subgingival scaling and root planing exercises: part Ⅱ of a series on basic training in periodontal diagnosis and treatment
Cui WANG ; Tianxing YAN ; Wenjie HU ; Dong SHI ; Jinsheng ZHONG ; Jun KANG
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(2):184-190
Periodontitis constitutes the primary cause of tooth loss among adults in China. The disease is characterized by the high morbidity, which significantly impairs both oral and systemic health. As the key insights of initial periodontal therapy, subgingival scaling and root planing (SRP) have been considered as simple, effective, and cost-efficient treatment approaches for managing periodontal inflammation. Substantial published evidences indicated that the majority of patients diagnosed with periodontitis could achieve lifelong retention of their natural teeth through standardized initial periodontal therapy, rigorous plaque control, and long-term supportive periodontal treatment. However, the proficiency in periodontal diagnosis and treatment among general dental practitioners in China is heterogeneous, with a notable scarcity of periodontists and a suboptimal level of SRP standardization. Drawing upon over four decades of clinical expertise from Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology as well as comprehensive literature reviews, this paper meticulously outlines the standardized procedures for SRP, aiming at guiding clinicians to perform standardized SRP step by step, and thereby enhancing clinical efficacy of periodontal treatment, promoting periodontal health, and ultimately improving patients′ quality of life.
6.Significance and clinical applications of periodontal chart: part Ⅳ of a series on basic training in periodontal diagnosis and treatment
Yanling ZHANG ; Jinsheng ZHONG ; Wenjie HU ; Yangeng XU
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(9):1085-1089
The periodontal chart comprehensively and objectively records the periodontal status of each tooth in the entire dentition, which is an important basis and essential for the correct diagnosis of periodontal diseases and treatment plan formulation. This article describes in detail the content and clinical significance of the periodontal chart, the key points of the implementation of the clinical completion of the periodontal chart and the step-by-step training mode. This article, as the fourth chapter in the basic skills training series for periodontal diagnosis and treatment, aims to provide guidance for the standardization of periodontal chart recording and application in the clinic and teaching, so as to promote the standardization of Chinese periodontal diagnosis and treatment and bring it on par with the international advanced level.
7.Correctly performing gingivectomy and periodontal flap surgery exercises: part Ⅴ of a series on basic training in periodontal diagnosis and treatment
Min ZHEN ; Wenjie HU ; Di WANG ; Jinsheng ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(12):1436-1440
Gingivectomy and periodontal flap surgery are fundamental periodontal surgeries. Undergraduate students majoring in stomatology must master the basic principles of these two surgical procedures and be familiar with their key operational essentials. This article elaborates on how to conduct standardized fundamental periodontal surgery training step by step, including the significance of the two surgical methods in periodontal therapy, the scheduling and implementation strategies of surgical training, the training essentials, as well as common errors and countermeasures during the training process, providing guidance to improve the standardization of periodontal surgery in China.
8.Accuracy of screw placement and learning curve analysis of robot-assisted minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion
Wenjie ZHONG ; Wenao LIAO ; Xilin LIU
Chinese Journal of Spine and Spinal Cord 2025;35(1):53-60
Objectives:To investigate the pedicle screw placement accuracy of robot-assisted minimally inva-sive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(RA-MIS-TLIF)and analyze its learning curve.Methods:A retro-spective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 160 patients with degenerative lumbar diseases treated at the Department of Orthopedics,Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hos-pital between January 2019 and June 2022.The patients were divided into a robot group(n=80)and a manual group(n=80)based on the surgical approach.Each group was further divided into four subgroups(1,2,3,4)of 20 patients each,arranged sequentially according to the order of surgery dates.The total operative time,blood loss,and planning and screw placement time of the two surgical methods were statistically analyzed.Preoper-ative,postoperative 1d,and six-month postoperative visual analogue scale(VAS)scores for pain and Oswestry disability index(ODI)were compared across the four subgroups.The trends in total operative time and blood loss with increasing surgery cases were analyzed using a logarithmic regression model.Screw placement clas-sification was evaluated using the Gertzbein-Robbins classification based on postoperative CT scans,and then the screw placement accuracy was calculated.Results:All the surgeries were successfully completed.In the robot group,the total operative time was 162.9±5.7min,blood loss was 91.4±9.5mL,and planning and screw placement time was 42.1±1.3min;In the manual group,the total operative time was 169.1±6.6min,blood loss was 101.0±9.2mL,and planning and screw placement time was 57.0±6.3min.A total of 320 screws were placed in each group,with accuracy rates of 97%(311/320)in the robot group and 92%(295/320)in the manual group.Neither group had grade C or D screws.The total operative time decreased with the increase in the number of surgeries in both groups.The robot group achieved relative stability between subgroups 2 and 3[y=-5.894×ln(x)+183.891,R2=0.576,P<0.05],while the manual group achieved relative stability between subgroups 3 and 4[y=-4.424×ln(x)+184.221,R2=0.376,P<0.05].The blood loss also decreased with the increase in the number of surgeries in both groups,the robot group achieved relative stability between subgroups 2 and 3[y=-9.480×ln(x)+125.361,R2=0.547,P<0.05],and the manual group achieved relative stability also between subgroups 2 and 3[y=-3.868×ln(x)+114.183,R2=0.148,P<0.05].Postoperative VAS scores in the robot group decreased from 6.9±1.1 preoperatively to 2.4±0.9 on postoperative 1d(P<0.05)and to 1.1±0.4 at six months(P<0.05).In the manual group,VAS scores decreased from 7.0±0.9 preoperatively to 2.4±0.9 on postoperative 1d(P<0.05)and to 1.4±0.6 at six months(P<0.05).ODI in the robot group decreased from(59.5±7.1)%preoperatively to(20.0±4.1)%on postoperative 1d(P<0.05)and to(10.8±3.0)%at six months(P<0.05).In the manual group,ODI scores decreased from(57.7±6.9)%preoperatively to(19.6±4.6)%on postoperative 1d(P<0.05)and to(11.3±3.4)%at six months(P<0.05).All the 160 patients completed follow-ups with no severe complications reported during the follow-up period.Conclusions:Comparing with traditional MIS-TLIF with manual pedicle screw placement,RA-MIS-TLIF has a higher accuracy of screw placement and a smoother learning curve,which stabilizes after approximately 20 cases.
9.Analysis of pathogenic bacteria distribution and immune response of urinary tract infection after pyeloureteroplasty in children
Hailin WANG ; Yi CHENG ; Huixian ZHAO ; Wenjie MA ; Zhong HE
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(10):2488-2494
Objective:To investigate the changes of pathogenic bacteria distribution and immune response of urinary tract infection(UTI)after pyeloureteroplasty in children.Methods:A total of 150 children with obstructive hydronephroplasty who received pyeloureteroplasty in Qinghai Women and Children's Hospital from February 2020 to June 2023 were selected as the study objects.The postoperative urine of the children was collected,the pathogens were identified by automatic bacterial analyzer,and the patients were divided into infected group and uninfected group according to the infection status.The detection of pathogenic bacteria in children with UTI was analyzed.The clinical data of the two groups were compared,and the influencing factors of postoperative UTI were screened by Logistic regression analysis,and the prediction model was established and verified.The changes of immune response were compared between the two groups.Results:UTI occurred in 56 cases(37.33%)of 150 children who underwent pyeloureteroplasty.There were 58 strains of gram-negative bacteria,29 strains of gram-positive bacteria and 2 strains of fungi isolated.The main pathogenic bacteria was Escherichia coli.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that serum creatinine(SCr)and hydronephrosis volume/renal volume(HV/RV)levels increased,urinary catheter retention time,urinary bag replacement time and hospital stay were risk factors for UTI after pyeloureteroplasty in children,increased age and elevated albumin(Alb)were protective factors(P<0.05).Through Bootstrap self-sampling,the prediction model had good differentiation and accuracy.There was no significant difference in the levels of CD4+,CD8+and IgM between the two groups before surgery(P>0.05),and the levels of CD4+,CD8+and IgM were signi-ficantly improved between the two groups after surgery,and the improvement degree of the uninfected group was significantly better than that of the infected group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The pathogens of UTI in children after pyeloureteroplasty are mainly gram-nega-tive bacteria,and the immune function is increased 7 days after the operation.
10.Research progress in the protective mechanism of gut microbiota in radiation‐induced lung injury
Shujun ZHANG ; Xinmin DONG ; Tiantian LI ; Mingliang ZHONG ; Wenjie WU ; Mei JUN ; Jian ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(8):819-823
Radiation‐induced lung injury (RILI) is one of the common and serious complications in chest cancer patients after undergoing radiotherapy. In recent years, gut microbiota has garnered attention as a research hotspot. Multiple studies found that it has preventive and therapeutic effects on RILI. It can exert its effects through various mechanisms including the regulation of the immune system, the gut‐lung axis and its own metabolites, etc. In this article, the mechanism of RILI was elucidated and the protective mechanism of gut microbiota against RILI was comprehensively analyzed, providing new insights for the prevention and treatment of RILI in clinical practice and offering new methods to improve patient prognosis and enhance the quality of life.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail