1.Ameliorating Effect of Yifei Tongluo Prescription on Bleomycin-induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Rats via Regulating NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD Signaling Pathway and Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition
Bowen ZHOU ; Zefeng LI ; Xian MA ; Xuannian LI ; Jingwen WANG ; Fei XU ; Huaman LIU ; Xinhua JIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):150-159
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Yifei Tongluo prescription on the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/Caspase-1/gasdermin D (GSDMD) pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in rats with pulmonary fibrosis. MethodsTracheal instillation of bleomycin was conducted to establish a rat model of pulmonary fibrosis. Thirty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a prednisone acetate group (1.17 mg·kg-1), and low- and high-dose Yifei Tongluo prescription groups (10.62 and 21.24 g·kg-1, respectively). Administration started on the 7th day after modeling, once a day for 28 consecutive days. The lung coefficient of each group was calculated. The pathological changes of lung tissues in each group were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining. The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and vimentin in rat lung tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of NLRP3 inflammasome, E-cadherin (E-cad), and typeⅠ collagen (ColⅠ) in lung tissues was detected by immunofluorescence. The content of hydroxyproline (HYP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-18, and IL-1β in rat serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), IL-1β, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in rat lung tissues were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The protein expression levels of NLRP3, GSDMD, ASC, and Caspase-1 in rat lung tissues were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited a significantly increased lung coefficient (P<0.01) and significantly increased range of pulmonary interstitial inflammation and collagen deposition. In addition, the levels of α-SMA, Vimentin, E-cad, and ColⅠ in lung tissues were significantly increased (P<0.01). The levels of fibrosis- and inflammation-related factors HYP, TNF-α, IL-18, and IL-1β in serum were significantly upregulated (P<0.01). The levels of factors related to the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in lung tissues, including NLRP3, GSDMD, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and TGF-β1, were significantly upregulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Yifei Tongluo prescription groups showed improved lung coefficients. Additionally, the extent of lung inflammation and collagen deposition was significantly reduced. The expression of α-SMA, Vimentin, E-cad, and ColⅠ in lung tissue was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The levels of HYP, TNF-α, IL-18, and IL-1β in serum were significantly reduced (P<0.01). The expression levels of NLRP3, GSDMD, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and TGF-β1 in lung tissue were also significantly decreased (P<0.01). ConclusionYifei Tongluo prescription can regulate the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway, down-regulate release of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines, alleviate NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and EMT, and thereby improve pulmonary fibrosis in rats.
2.Research on the mechanism of Chaiqi yigan granules against liver cancer via the ferroptosis pathway
Bowen LIU ; Guiping MA ; Feng LI ; Xiaobin LI ; Fenping LU ; Xu PANG ; Shiping HU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(10):1272-1276
OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of Chaiqi yigan granules (CQYG) against liver cancer through the ferroptosis pathway. METHODS Network pharmacology combined with ferroptosis-related database was used to screen key targets and main effective components of CQYG against liver cancer via regulating ferroptosis; molecular docking technology was employed to analyze the binding ability of main active components to key targets. Human liver Huh-7 cells were divided into blank serum control (CON) group, CQYG drug-containing serum (CQYGKL) group, ferroptosis inducer (RSL3) group, mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) inhibitor (RMC-5552) group, mTORC1 agonist (CCT007093) group, and CCT007093+CQYGKL group. The levels of Fe 2+ , malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) in the cells were detected in the former three groups; mRNA expressions of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), protein expressions of SREBP1 and SCD1 as well as phosphorylation levels of mTOR and ribosomal S6 kinase (S6K) proteins were detected in all groups. RESULTS Key targets of CQYG for anti-liver cancer through the ferroptosis pathway were mTOR, SREBP1, SCD1,etc. The main active components included quercetin, tanshinone Ⅱ A , baicalein, etc. The binding energies of main active components to key targets were all less than -5 kJ/mol. Compared with CON group, the levels of Fe 2+ and MDA in the cells in CQYGKL group and RSL3 group were significantly increased, while the levels of GSH were significantly decreased ( P <0.05). mRNA expressions of mTOR, SREBP1 and SCD1, protein expressions of SREBP1 and SCD1, as well as the phosphorylation levels of mTOR and S6K proteins were significantly decreased in the CQYGKL group, RSL3 group, and RMC-5552 group, whereas all the above indicators were significantly increased in the CCT007093 group ( P <0.05). Compared with CCT007093 group, the changes in all the above indicators were significantly suppressed in the CCT007093+CQYGKL group ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS CQYG may induce ferroptosis by inhibiting mTORC1/SREBP1/SCD1 axis, thereby exerting anti-liver cancer effects.
3.Hyperlipidemia Animal Models Based on Disease-syndrome Clinical Characteristics of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Furong XU ; Liran XU ; Yujie LI ; Xiaohan SHEN ; Qingquan MENG ; Cancan SHAO ; Bowen LI ; Jingyu YUE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):248-255
ObjectiveHyperlipidemia (HLP) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by abnormal lipid metabolism and is one of the important risk factors for the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Its incidence has increased year by year, showing a trend toward younger onset. The overall prevalence of HLP among adults in China is as high as 40.40%. Although existing animal models provide important tools for research on the mechanisms of HLP, they generally show insufficient clinical concordance and lack the combined disease-syndrome characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine. This article systematically reviews the research progress of HLP animal models, integrates the clinicopathological characteristics of TCM and Western medicine, and proposes new model construction strategies, aiming to provide an experimental basis for accurately analyzing the pathogenesis of HLP and developing integrated TCM-Western medicine therapies. MethodsBased on literature included in PubMed, CNKI, and Wanfang databases over the past 30 years, the construction methods and evaluation systems of HLP animal models were systematically retrieved and summarized. The concordance of existing animal models was calculated according to the new animal model evaluation method proposed by Professor MIAO Mingsan. ResultsAmong existing Western medicine modeling approaches, genetically modified models showed the highest concordance (72%), followed by dietary induction (66%) and chemical drug induction (60%). The dietary induction method is the most widely used in practice because of its simple operation and mature technology. Existing TCM modeling approaches are classified into three types, i.e., spleen deficiency type, phlegm syndrome type, and liver-kidney yin deficiency type. Among them, the phlegm syndrome type shows a high degree of concordance. However, all three types have the problem of non-objective evaluation indicators and insufficient application of tongue and pulse assessment. ConclusionThe construction of existing HLP disease-syndrome combined animal models is still mainly based on Western medicine modeling methods and lacks adequate reflection of TCM syndromes. In the future, HLP animal models that conform to the clinical disease-syndrome characteristics of both TCM and Western medicine may be constructed through multifactor composite modeling strategies, intelligent tongue image analysis via robot learning, objective pulse detection, the establishment of objective evaluation systems for TCM syndromes through big data computing, and the application of cutting-edge technologies.
4.Development and psychometric evaluation of the Nurse Parenting Stress Scale
Haixiao YU ; Yueguang DAI ; Bowen LI ; Xiujuan CHEN ; Shengjie JIA ; Zhaozhao XU ; Shuxiang ZHANG ; Xiaomin LIU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(35):4803-4808
Objective:To develop the Nurse Parenting Stress Scale and evaluate its reliability and validity.Methods:Based on Abidin's Parenting Stress Theory, scale items were generated through literature review and semi-structured interviews. The initial version was constructed via Delphi expert consultation. Using a convenience sampling method, nurses from six hospitals in Shandong Province were surveyed between August and October 2024. The first survey collected 314 questionnaires (308 valid, effective recovery rate 98.1%) for item analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The second survey collected 458 questionnaires (447 valid, effective recovery rate 97.6%) for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) .Results:The Nurse Parenting Stress Scale consists of 4 dimensions and 31 items. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the total scale was 0.951, split-half reliability was 0.782, and test-retest reliability was 0.926. EFA extracted four common factors explaining 70.241% of the cumulative variance. CFA demonstrated a good model fit. The item-level content validity index ( I- CVI) ranged from 0.889 to 1.000, the scale-level universal agreement content validity index ( S- CVI/ UA) was 0.903, and the scale-level average content validity index ( S- CVI/ Ave) was 0.989. Conclusions:The Nurse Parenting Stress Scale shows strong reliability and validity and can serve as an effective tool for assessing parenting stress among nurses.
5.Relationship between renal tertiary lymphoid structure and clinical pathology and prognosis in idiopathic membranous nephropathy patients
Feng WANG ; Jiayi XU ; Bowen WANG ; Xiaomei LIU ; Fumei WANG ; Beiru ZHANG ; Hua ZHOU ; Yanqiu WANG
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2025;41(6):417-426
Objective:To evaluate the expression of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in renal tissues, and the relationship between TLS and clinicopathological changes and prognosis in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) patients.Methods:It was a single center retrospective study. The patients with IMN diagnosed by renal biopsy at Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University from January 2018 to December 2020 were enrolled, and their clinicopathological data were collected. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of TLS in renal tissues. According to whether TLS expression in renal tissues was positive or not, the patients were divided into TLS-positive group and TLS-negative group, and the baseline differences in clinicopathological data between the two groups were compared. The clinical remission included complete remission and partial remission. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody titer and positive TLS expression in renal tissues. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test were performed to analyze the differences of proteinuria remission rates between TLS-positive and TLS-negative groups. Cox regression analysis was employed to identify the related factors of proteinuria remission. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the value of TLS in predicting proteinuria remission.Results:A total of 120 IMN patients were included in this study, with age of 50.00 (40.00, 57.75) years and 78 (65.00%) males. The 24-hour urinary protein was (7.54±4.14) g, 89 (74.17%) patients were positive for serum PLA2R antibody, and the serum PLA2R antibody titer was 90.49 (48.88, 155.33) RU/ml. Immunohistochemical results showed that TLS was mainly distributed in the renal cortex glomeruli or around renal blood vessels in renal tissues. There were 43 patients in the TLS-positive group and 77 patients in the TLS-negative group. The positive rate of serum PLA2R antibody in the TLS-positive group was 83.72% (36/43). Compared with the TLS-negative group, the TLS-positive group had lower serum albumin ( t=-3.474, P<0.001) and estimated glomerular filtration rate ( Z=-2.076, P=0.045), while serum creatinine ( t=2.006, P=0.028), 24-hour urinary protein ( t=4.140, P<0.001), serum PLA2R antibody titer ( Z=4.628, P=0.001), glomerulosclerosis degree ( Z=2.403, P=0.019), and proportions of hypertension ( χ2=6.511, P=0.011), renal interstitial fibrosis ( χ2=4.088, P=0.043), renal interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration ( χ2=9.261, P=0.002), tubular atrophy ( χ2=4.936, P=0.026) and extremely high-risk of kidney disease progression ( χ2=9.352, P=0.002) were higher. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum PLA2R antibody titer was an independent factor correlated with positive TLS expression in renal tissues ( OR=1.014, 95% CI 1.007-1.021). The median follow-up time was 18.00 (95% CI 16.07-19.93) months. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the proteinuria remission rate in the TLS-positive group was lower than that in the TLS-negative group (Log-rank χ2=9.339, P=0.002). Cox regression analysis showed that positive TLS expression was an independent factor correlated with proteinuria remission ( HR=0.228, 95% CI 0.177-0.297). ROC curve showed that TLS had a certain clinical predictive value for proteinuria remission ( AUC=0.703, 95% CI 0.608-0.798). Conclusions:IMN patients with positive TLS expression in renal tissues have a lower proteinuria remission rate, more severe pathological damage, and a higher risk of disease progression. TLS is expected to become a pathological marker for predicting the severity and prognosis of IMN.
6.Exploration on the Three-Stage Treatment System for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Based on National TCM Master Han Mingxiang's"Qi Monism"
Bowen XU ; Ke CHEN ; Jiabing TONG ; Zegeng LI ; Mingxiang HAN
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(10):160-163
This article systematically summarized the clinical experience of Professor Han Mingxiang,a national TCM master,in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)from the perspective of the"qi monism"theory,proposing an innovative"three stages,three strategies"diagnostic and treatment approach.Under the guidance of"qi monism",Professor Han believes that the core pathological mechanisms of COPD progress are through three successive stages:dysfunction in the ascent and descent of qi,deficiency of yang qi,and prolapse of the great qi,all of which stem from the disruption of the dynamic balance of qi.In response to this chain of qi imbalance,Professor Han develops three strategies:"strengthening the foundation","illuminating the central yang",and"lifting and correcting",which aim to regulate qi flow,support yang qi,and coordinate the three energizers in a phased manner.This approach seeks to achieve dynamic restoration and holistic balance of qi,with prescriptions carefully aligned with the dynamic balance and pathological changes of qi,yielding distinctive therapeutic effects.
7.Application exploration of bidirectional regulation among meridian,time rhythm,and immune system in allergic rhinitis
Ke CHEN ; Bowen XU ; Xue LIANG ; Di WU ; Haoran XU ; Jie ZHU ; Jiabing TONG ; Zegeng LI
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(6):833-838
Time rhythm and the immune system play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)believes that the circulation of qi and blood in lung meridian follows the principle of"yang during the day,yin at night",which has a defensive function to protect the body from external pathogens.Qi stagnation in lung meridian and impaired qi and blood circulation can lead to the invasion of external pathogens,exacerbating allergic reactions,especially during the active period of the lung meridian,when the immune system is most sensitive to allergens.Based on this,this paper proposes the concept of"bidirectional regulation among meridian,time rhythm,and immune system",and in combination with TCM theory of midnight-noon and ebb-flow doctrine,analyzes the fluctuations of allergic rhinitis symptoms and the temporal changes of meridian qi and blood,and reveals the rhythmic relationship between meridian activity and immune response.This paper combines existing clinical and experimental studies to support this hypothesis,integrating the time dimension into traditional TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment,offering a more individualized treatment approach.This concept not only provides novel scientific evidence for TCM treatment of allergic rhinitis,but also offers theoretical support for optimizing treatment timing and intervention strategies.
8.Research progress on pyroptosis in subarachnoid hemorrhage
Bowen SUN ; Shuai LAN ; Xi'ao WANG ; Shancai XU ; Huaizhang SHI
Chinese Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2025;22(5):349-355
Subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH)is a major subtype of stroke,characterized by high mortality and disability rates.Pyroptosis,a form of programmed cell death,has been identified as a key pathological process in early brain injury.Current research indicates that pyroptosis can occur in neurons,microglia,astrocytes,and cerebral vascular endothelial cells after SAH,leading to neurological dysfunction,brain edema,and disruption of the blood-brain barrier.The NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome is regarded as a central regulatory component of pyroptosis,and its activation mechanisms and roles in various cell types have become focal points of research.A variety of therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway have emerged,including NLRP3 inhibitors,Caspase-1 inhibitors,and Gasdermin-D inhibitors.The aforemenetioned approaches all have demonstrated efficacy in animal studies.Additionally,novel technologies such as stem cell therapy,exosome therapy,and gas therapy offer novel intervention approaches for modulating pyroptosis.Although,various therapeutic strategies targeting pyroptosis-related pathways have emerged in recent years,a comprehensive summary remains absent.This article reviewed the advancements in pyroptosis research following SAH and associated treatment strategies,aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for subsequent mechanistic studies and clinical translation.
9.Direction and clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of cancer
Xinyi MA ; Bowen XU ; Jie LI ; Ying ZHANG ; Luchang CAO ; Yuansha GE ; Guanghui ZHU ; Xiaoyu ZHU ; Jingyuan WU ; Xinmiao WANG
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2025;47(2):121-128
Cancer is a major chronic disease that threatens human health, while traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a unique method for cancer prevention and treatment in China. After about 70 years of innovation and development, TCM has made constant progress in areas such as the clinical diagnosis, treatment, evidence-based researches, and mechanism exploration of cancer. It has special advantages in aspects such as reducing toxicity, enhancing treatment efficacy, managing symptoms, accelerating recovery, preventing recurrence and metastasis, and prolonging advanced-stage survival. However, there are still bottlenecks for TCM in cancer care. This paper cuts in the key links between TCM and western medicine in their combined application in cancer prevention and treatment, and take the original TCM theories on cancer as the lead, high-quality evidence-based researches as the drive, and analysis on the dynamic mechanism as the core, to show the advantages and effects of TCM in cancer treatment in an all-round way. It also aims to provide novel strategies for sustainable and innovative development and for formulation of comprehensive schemes that integrate TCM and western medicine for cancer prevention and treatment.
10.Fusobacterium nucleatum upregulates ABCG2 by activating the E-cadherin/β-catenin signaling pathway to promote oxaliplatin resistance in colorectal cancer
Fangqi XU ; Bowen LI ; Yang LIU ; Yunwei WEI
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2025;47(4):329-339
Objective:To investigate whether F.nucleatum affects the chemotherapy resistance of colorectal cancer by regulating ABC subfamily G subtype 2 (ABCG2), in view of the fact that the correlation between the two has not been reported. Methods:Oxaliplatin was used to interfere with colorectal cancer cells and co-cultured with F.nucleatum to establish a chemotherapy-induced model of microbial infection. Calcein AM/PI cell staining, trypan blue staining, and cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) method were used to detect cell activity. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to detect ABCG2 mRNA and protein expression levels in colorectal cancer cells. The target gene was knocked down by constructing shRNA plasmids. The HCT-116 cell F.nucleatum infection model was constructed and transcriptome sequencing and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and gene ontology (GO) analyses were performed to determine the differential gene expression enrichment pathways. Genistein (GST) was used as an E-cadherin blocker, and triclabendazole sulfoxide (TCBZSO) was used as an ABCG2 blocker. Immunofluorescence was used to detect E-cadherin and β-catenin protein expressions and intracellular localization levels. The subcutaneous xenograft model of nude mice was constructed in vivo, and the expression level of ABCG2 protein in tissues was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Results:CCK-8 results showed that F. nucleatum+oxaliplatin group [HT-29, (92.26±1.66)%; HCT-116, (82.13±1.84)%] cell relative survival rate was higher than that of oxaliplatin group [HT-29, (79.64±3.72)%; HCT-116, (67.56±2.96)%; P<0.001]. The relative survival rate of oxaliplatin and F. nucleatum co-culture group with ABCG2-knockdown HCT-116 cells [(61.44±1.48)%] was lower than that of F. nucleatum and oxaliplatin co-cultured with HCT-116 cells [(69.29±4.45)%, P=0.015]. GO enrichment analysis showed that HCT-116 cells co-cultured with F.nucleatum were significantly enriched in "β-catenin binding", "cadherin binding" and "regulation of Wnt signaling pathway". RT-qPCR results showed that the relative expression of ABCG2 mRNA in F.nucleatum + genistein group was significantly lower than that in F.nucleatum group ( P<0.001). The results in vivo showed that the tumor weight in the F.n+L-OHP+TCBZSO group [(0.12±0.02)g] was lower than that in the F.n+L-OHP group [(0.33±0.05)g, P<0.001]. Immunohistochemistry suggested that the promotion of ABCG2 protein expression by F. nucleatum was blocked after TCBZSO intervention. Conclusion:F. nucleatum up-regulates ABCG2 expression through E-cadherin/β-catenin signaling pathway to promote colorectal cancer resistance to oxaliplatin.

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