1.Application Characteristics and Patterns of Marketed Traditional Chinese Patent Medicines for Treating Abortion
Changyue SONG ; Shuangfei DENG ; Siyu LI ; Daiyue DING ; Jinghong XIE ; Xiaohui SU ; Xiangying KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):244-251
ObjectiveThis paper aims to analyze the variety characteristics and prescription patterns of marketed traditional Chinese patent medicines for treating abortion and provide references for new medicine development and clinical application. MethodsRelevant information of traditional Chinese patent medicines for treating abortion was systematically retrieved and collected. Microsoft Excel 2021 software was used to sort and statistically analyze the medicine syndrome types, quantity, market situation, and status of package inserts. Based on the Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform (V2.3.9), the medicine properties, flavors, meridian tropism, and medication characteristics of standardized prescriptions were analyzed. ResultsA total of 39 marketed traditional Chinese patent medicines for treating abortion in China were included. According to disease type, these medicines were categorized as therapeutic medicines for threatened abortion and recurrent spontaneous abortion. According to clinical function, they were categorized into three groups: fetus stabilization, blood nourishment, and adjunctive conditioning. They were also categorized into pre-pregnancy conditioning and post-pregnancy fetal maintenance by clinical intervention stage. Post-marketing research showed that only three products had undergone safety evaluations and one involved pharmacoeconomic research, indicating a general lack of standardized evidence-based data. Dosage forms were mainly pills and granules. Package insert analysis revealed that 15 products listed "contraindications", while 28 included "precautions". Based on prescription inclusion and exclusion criteria, 25 products were selected for further analysis. Their therapeutic effects were mainly concentrated on "tonifying the kidney and spleen, replenishing Qi, and nourishing blood", with core medicines including Paeoniae Radix Alba, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma. Most medicines were warm or neutral in nature, predominantly sweet and pungent in flavor, and mainly entered the spleen, liver, and kidney meridians. ConclusionTraditional Chinese patent medicines for treating abortion demonstrate clear clinical value. However, shortcomings remain, including insufficient post-marketing research, prescription homogeneity, and incomplete package inserts. Future efforts should establish a clinically value-oriented modern development pathway, strengthen safety surveillance and evidence evaluation, improve package inserts, and promote precision use to further enhance clinical value.
2.Analysis of Variety Characteristics and Patterns of Marketed Traditional Chinese Patent Medicines for Treating Chronic Gastritis
Daiyue DING ; Changyue SONG ; Shuangfei DENG ; Siyu LI ; Xiangying KONG ; Xiaohui SU ; Na LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):252-260
ObjectiveThis study aims to systematically review the marketed traditional Chinese patent medicines for treating chronic gastritis (CG) in China. By analyzing their variety characteristics and prescription patterns, it seeks to provide references for clinical syndrome differentiation-based drug selection, treatment method optimization, and the design of high-quality clinical research. MethodsInformation on marketed traditional Chinese patent medicines for treating CG was collected. Microsoft Excel software was used to collate and statistically analyze representative drugs for each pathological stage, market status, syndrome types, and other contents. The Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform (V2.3.9) was employed to analyze the formula composition patterns of standardized prescriptions. ResultsA total of 141 marketed traditional Chinese patent medicines for treating CG in China were included. Based on the disease's pathological progression, they can be classified into drugs for non-atrophic gastritis, atrophic gastritis, and precancerous lesions. Post-marketing research reveals that relevant evaluation is only conducted on 17 drugs, of which 2 involve pharmacoeconomic studies and 14 possess standardized evidence-based evidence. The primary dosage forms were capsules, granules, and tablets. From the 100 prescriptions screened according to inclusion/exclusion criteria, the varieties indicated for the stomach collateral stasis syndrome in atrophic gastritis accounted for the highest proportion. The main efficacy distributions were clearing heat, detoxifying, and relieving pain by promoting Qi circulation. Core drugs included Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome, Paeoniae Radix Alba, and Aucklandiae Radix. Medicinal properties were predominantly warm and neutral. Flavors were mainly bitter, pungent, and sweet. The drugs primarily entered the spleen and stomach meridians. Analysis of the package inserts reveals that 67 products list "contraindications", 110 include "precautions", and 23 explicitly state "adverse reactions". ConclusionTraditional Chinese patent medicines for treating CG hold unique value in clinical practice. However, currently there are challenges such as insufficient clarity in syndrome type descriptions within package inserts and a relative lack of high-level evidence-based medical evidence, as well as pharmacoeconomic evaluations. Future efforts should focus on addressing these shortcomings by advancing research on syndrome characteristics and medication patterns based on syndrome differentiation, systematically conducting pharmacoeconomic evaluations, strengthening the accumulation of high-level evidence-based evidence, and, on this basis, improving patient medication adherence. This will comprehensively enhance the clinical application value and scientific connotation of this category of drugs.
3.Analysis on Characteristics and Prescriptions of Chinese Patent Medicines for Functional Diarrhea on Market
Shuangfei DENG ; Siyu LI ; Changyue SONG ; Caiyu LIU ; Daiyue DING ; Xiaohui SU ; Xiaoqin LUO ; Haiyu ZHAO ; Xiangying KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):261-268
ObjectiveThis study focused on the marketed Chinese patent medicines for the treatment of Functional Diarrhea (FDr) in China and their prescription characteristics, in order to provide support for the clinical application and research and development of anti-FDr Chinese patent medicines. MethodsCollect the information of Chinese patent medicines that have been marketed to treat FDr, use Microsoft Excel 2021 software to conduct preliminary data collation and statistical analysis, and use the ancient and modern medical record cloud platform (V2.3.9) to analyze the standardized Chinese patent medicine prescriptions from the aspects of drug nature and taste, medication characteristics and prescription rules. Results147 kinds of FDr Chinese patent medicines were included in this study. There are a total of 40 varieties of FDr Chinese patent medicines suitable for children; The distribution of dosage forms is mainly pills, tablets, and capsules. 110 prescriptions were screened, among which the proportion of Chinese patent medicines for the treatment of spleen deficiency syndrome was the highest; The top three drug use frequency were licorice, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Poria cocos; The medicinal properties are mainly warm and flat, and the medicinal taste is mostly pungent, sweet and bitter, and most of them belong to the two meridians of the spleen and stomach; The association rules analysis obtains 20 strong association pairing sets; Three drug combinations were obtained by cluster analysis. ConclusionFDr Chinese patent medicine shows unique value in clinical application, especially in the field of children. However, there are still problems such as strong professionalism in the indication expression of drug instructions, limited coverage of the medical insurance catalog, and lack of high-level evidence-based medicine and pharmacoeconomic evidence. To this end, in the future, efforts should be made to build a multi-level evidence-based evidence system, improve medication compliance, and deepen research on syndrome-based medication laws, so as to enhance the clinical application value and scientific connotation of FDr Chinese patent medicines.
4.Characteristics and Prescription Analysis of Marketed Chinese Patent Medicines for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Siyu LI ; Shuangfei DENG ; Daiyue DING ; Changyue SONG ; Xiaohui SU ; Xiangying KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):269-276
ObjectiveTo study the marketed products and prescription characteristics of Chinese patent medicines for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China, thus providing support for clinical application and innovative research and development of Chinese patent medicines for RA. MethodsInformation on marketed Chinese patent medicines for RA treatment was collected. Preliminary data organization and statistical analysis were performed in Microsoft Excel 2021. Subsequently, the standardized prescriptions were analyzed via the Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform (V2.3.9) across dimensions including medicinal properties, flavors, channel tropisms, usage characteristics, and formulation patterns. ResultsThis study ultimately included 311 marketed Chinese patent medicines for RA in China. Their initial market launch dates were mostly concentrated from the 1990s to the early 21st century. The National Basic Medical Insurance, Work-Related Injury Insurance, and Maternity Insurance Drug Directory included 89 Chinese patent medicines for RA. The primary dosage forms were tablets, capsules, medicated wines, and pills. After screening, 237 prescriptions were obtained, and the research on their origins was lagging. Among them, the Chinese patent medicines for treating wind-cold-dampness obstruction syndrome accounted for the highest proportion. The top three most frequently used medicinals were Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, and Saposhnikoviae Radix. Medicinal properties were primarily warm and plain, and flavors were mostly pungent, sweet, and bitter. The medicinals predominantly exhibited the liver and spleen channel tropism. Association rule analysis revealed that the herb pairs with the highest confidence were Chuanxiong-Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Myrrha-Olibanum. Cluster analysis yielded three medicinal combinations. ConclusionAlthough Chinese patent medicines for RA have application advantages, issues such as narrow syndrome coverage and insufficient innovation in dosage forms exist. Future development should focus on constructing an evidence-based system, strengthening the textual research on prescription origins and the exploration of classical famous formulas, and promoting dosage form innovation and precise medication to enhance their clinical value.
5.Interventional Effect and Mechanisms of Renqing Mangjue on MNNG-induced Malignant Transformation of Gastric Mucosal Epithelial Cells
Peiping CHEN ; Fengyu HUANG ; Xinzhuo ZHANG ; Xiangying KONG ; Ziqing XIAO ; Yanxi LI ; Xiaohui SU ; Na LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):69-77
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the intervention effect of Renqing Mangjue on the malignant transformation of gastric mucosal epithelial cells induced by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and to explore its molecular mechanism in preventing precancerous lesions of gastric cancer based on the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/protein kinase G (PKG)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. MethodsHuman gastric mucosal epithelial cells (GES-1) were initially induced by MNNG to establish a precancerous cell model (MC cells). The effective concentration of MNNG for inducing malignant transformation in GES-1 cells was screened using the cell proliferation activity decection (CCK-8) assay, and the effective concentration of Renqing Mangjue for inhibiting the proliferation of transformed GES-1 cells was also determined. GES-1 cells were divided into a blank control group, a model group, and treatment groups with Renqing Mangjue at concentrations of 1, 3, 10, and 30 mg·L-1. Furthermore, the effects of Renqing Mangjue on the migratory ability and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristics of GES-1 malignant transformed cells were evaluated using Transwell migration assays, wound healing assays, and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). Additionally, candidate chemical components and target sites of Renqing Mangjue were obtained from the TCMIP v2.0 database, and disease targets at various stages of gastric cancer precursors were sourced from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed using the Metascape database to predict the potential mechanisms of action of Renqing Mangjue. Finally, the protective mechanism of Renqing Mangjue against gastric cancer precursors was validated through Western blot analysis. ResultsAt a concentration of 20 μmol·L-1, MNNG exhibited an inhibition rate of approximately 50% on GES-1 cells (P<0.01), and at this concentration, the GES-1 cells displayed biological characteristics indicative of malignant transformation. In contrast, Renqing Mangjue had no significant effect on the proliferation of normal GES-1 cells, but significantly inhibited the proliferation of MC cells (P<0.01) and markedly reduced their migratory capacity (P<0.01). Moreover, it also increased the mRNA expression level of E-cadherin during the EMT process (P<0.05), while inhibiting the expression of both N-cadherin and the transcription factor Snail mRNA (P<0.05, P<0.01). Network predictions suggested that Renqing Mangjue may prevent gastric cancer precursors through modulating the cGMP/PKG and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways. Furthermore, Western blot results indicated that Renqing Mangjue upregulated the expression of PKG and NPRB (B-type natriuretic peptide receptor) proteins in the cGMP/PKG pathway (P<0.01), while downregulating the expression of the downstream proteins MEK and ERK (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionIn summary, Renqing Mangjue can prevent gastric cancer precursors by inhibiting the proliferation and migration of malignant transformed GES-1 cells, thereby delaying the EMT process. The underlying mechanisms may be related to the activation of the cGMP/PKG pathway and the inhibition of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway.
6.Protective Effect of Bushen Zhuyun Prescription on Abortion Rats with Kidney Deficiency-Corpus Luteum Inhibition Syndrome via ERα/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathwa
Changyue SONG ; Siyu LI ; Fengyu HUANG ; Mingzhu QI ; Daiyue DING ; Shuangfei DENG ; Heqiao LI ; Jinghong XIE ; Guohua WANG ; Chen ZANG ; Hong XU ; Xiaohui SU ; Xiangying KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):107-116
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of Bushen Zhuyun prescription (BSZY) on abortion rats with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome. MethodsAn abortion rat model with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome was constructed. Pregnant mice aged 8-10 weeks were randomly divided into a control group (Control), a model group (Model), low-dose BSZY (BSZY-L), medium-dose BSZY (BSZY-M), and high-dose BSZY (BSZY-H) groups (2.57, 5.14, 10.28 g·kg-¹), and a Zishen Yutai Pill (ZSYT) group (1.575 g·kg-¹). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate histopathological changes in ovarian and decidual tissue of rats in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure levels of estrogen (E₂), progesterone (P), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum. The candidate targets of BSZY were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Platform (TCMSP) and Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCMIP) v2.0 databases, while disease targets for recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) were retrieved from GeneCards, DrugBank, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and Therapeutic Target Database (TTD). The intersection targets were identified by the Venny 2.1.0 platform. Pathway enrichment analysis was conducted based on the Metascape database to predict the potential mechanisms of BSZY. Additionally. Western blot was used to verify the effects of BSZY on the expression of estrogen receptor (ERα), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt) and explore its protective mechanism on RSA rats. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited significantly decreased uterine, ovarian, and embryonic wet weights (P<0.05, P<0.01), with an abortion rate of 57.18%. The ovarian tissue showed varying degrees of reduction in primordial follicles, primary follicles, mature follicles, and corpora lutea, along with a large number of atretic follicles. The endometrium was thinner, and decidual tissue exhibited cellular edema and disorganized arrangement. In contrast, compared with the model group, the BSZY groups at all doses and the ZSYT group demonstrated increased uterine, ovarian, and embryonic wet weights, along with a reduced abortion rate. The number of primordial follicles, primary follicles, mature follicles, and corpora lutea increased, while atretic follicles decreased. The endometrium thickened, and decidual tissue displayed normal cellular structure with tight arrangement. Additionally, the model group showed significantly decreased levels of E₂, P, PRL, and FSH in serum (P<0.05, P<0.01), along with a decreasing trend in LH level. In contrast, the BSZY groups at all doses exhibited significantly elevated levels of E₂, P, LH, PRL, and FSH in serum (P<0.05, P<0.01). Network pharmacology predictions suggested that BSZY may exert protective effects against abortion in rats by activating the ERα/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Western blot results confirmed that BSZY significantly upregulated the expression of ERα, PI3K, and p-Akt proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBSZY has a protective effect on the abortion rats with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome, possibly by activating the ERα/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to reduce ovarian apoptosis and regulate endocrine function, thereby lowering the abortion rate.
7.Mechanism of Total Glucosides of Paeony in Attenuating Neurotoxicity of Aqueous Extract of Strychni Semen via GRIN2A/PLCB1/PRKCG Signaling Pathway
Siyu LI ; Kun YANG ; Changyue SONG ; Peiping CHEN ; Xinzhuo ZHANG ; Mingzhu QI ; Xiaohui SU ; Xiangying KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):56-63
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of total glucosides of paeony (TGP) on neurotoxicity induced by aqueous extract of Strychni Semen (SA) in mice and to explore its mechanism. MethodThirty-two male KM mice were randomly divided into normal group,SA group (19.5 mg·kg-1),TGP group (225 mg·kg-1),and SA+TGP group (SA 19.5 mg·kg-1+TGP 225 mg·kg-1). The open field test and beam walking test were used to observe the behavioral changes in mice. Pathological changes in the Nissl bodies of the cerebral cortex were assessed through Nissl staining. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA),glutamate (Glu) in the mouse brain tissue,and serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Transcriptome sequencing was employed to analyze gene expression profiles in the brain tissue. Common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) underwent gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. The mRNA expression levels of key targets were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultCompared with the normal group,the SA group exhibited significant increases in side-to-side distance and average speed in the open field test,as well as increased walking time on the balance beam. The axons of cortical neurons were absent,and the levels of Glu and MDA in the brain tissue were significantly elevated (P<0.05,P<0.01),along with a notable increase in serum 5-HT levels (P<0.05). In contrast to the SA group,the SA+TGP group significantly reduced the side-to-side distance,average speed,and balance beam walking time (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The neuronal axons were clearly visible,and levels of 5-HT,Glu,and MDA were decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01). Transcriptome analysis indicated that TGP could regulate the glutamate receptor,ionotropic,N-methyl-D-aspartate 2a (GRIN2A)/phospholipase C β1 (PLCB1)/protein kinase C,gamma (PRKCG) signaling pathway. Compared with the normal group,SA significantly decreased the expression of GRIN2A,PLCB1,and PRKCG genes in the mouse brain (P<0.01),while the mRNA levels of GRIN2A and PRKCG significantly increased after TGP administration (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionSA induces significant neurotoxicity in the mouse brain,and TGP significantly alleviates SA-induced neurological damage,potentially through the GRIN2A/PLCB1/PRKCG signaling pathway.
8.Pathogenesis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Based on Theory of "Harmful Hyperactivity and Responding Inhibition"
Siyu LI ; Changyue SONG ; Xiaohui SU ; Jingbo WANG ; Huantian CUI ; Xiangying KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):300-307
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a complex pathogenesis. Immune dysfunction, synovial inflammation, and bone destruction are the key pathological links. The theory of "harmful hyperactivity and responding inhibition" is a high-level summary of the coordinated development of things in nature and the generation and restriction of the five elements and the six factors in nature. People and all things have the same origin, and the theory of "harmful hyperactivity and responding inhibition" represents the intrinsic regulation mechanism of the human body's homeostasis, reflecting the unity of opposites of "hyperactivity" and "inhibition" and emphasizing coordination and stabilization. In the pathogenesis of RA, the excessive immune response disrupts the normal body balance, which is closely related to the process of "hyperactivity becoming harmful". Synovial inflammation, tissue hyperplasia, and bone destruction are pathological results of the dysregulation of the body's immune self-stabilization function and can be regarded as the process of "failing to inhibition". Therefore, the theory of "hyperactivity harmful hyperactivity and responding inhibition" provides a unique perspective for understanding the modern pathological mechanisms of RA. Based on the theory of "harmful hyperactivity and responding inhibition" and the pathogenesis of RA, the author analyzed the modern medical basis of RA from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and revealed the intrinsic connection between TCM pathogenesis such as insufficiency of vital energy and blood, strong defensive Qi and weak nutrient Qi, and intertwined phlegm and blood stasis and modern research on autoimmune disorders, synovial inflammation, and bone destruction. With the therapeutic criterion of "harm inhibition and responsible supporting", the article summarized the mechanism of TCM in calming hyperactivity and supporting invincibility, which provided theoretical references for the clinical treatment of RA.
9.Dosimetric effects of prone immobilization devices combined with a belly-board in intensity-modulated radiotherapy for gynecologic cancers
Jie DONG ; Donghui WANG ; Zhenghuan LI ; Fantu KONG ; Luxi CHEN ; Huamei YAN ; Xiangying XU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2023;43(1):23-29
Objective:To investigate the dosimetric effects of prone immobilization devices combined with a belly board (PIDBBs) in the intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for gynecologic cancers.Methods:A total of 20 patients with cervical or endometrial cancer treated with radiotherapy in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from August 2020 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Two sets of body contours were outlined for each patient. One set of body contours did not contain the immobilization devices, and the other contour set included the immobilization devices. For each patient, doses were calculated for the two sets of contours using the same 7-field IMRT plan and were recorded as Plan without and Plan with. The dosimetric difference caused by the immobilization devices was assessed by comparing the parameter values in the dose-volume histograms (DVHs) and by plan subtraction. The Gafchromic EBT3 film and anthropomorphic phantom were used to verify the calculated doses. Results:The target coverage and average dose of Plan with were lower than those of Plan without. Specifically, the V50 Gy, V49 Gy, and Dmean of planning target volume (PTV) decreased by 19.75%, 7.99%, and 2.54% ( t = 8.96, 10.49, 22.09, P < 0.01), respectively. The V40 Gy, V30 Gy, V20 Gy, V15 Gy, and Dmean of skins increased by 51.79%, 51.05%, 45.72%, 33.63% and 10.80% ( t = -2.54, -5.63, -15.57, -24.06, -13.88, P < 0.01), respectively. Doses to other organs at risk (OARs) showed no significant differences. As indicated by the EBT3 measurements, the doses to skins of the abdomen and pelvis on the anthropomorphic phantom increased by approximately 37.24% ( t = 10.86, P<0.01). Conclusions:Although PIDBBs can effectively reduce the low dose to the small intestine, the radiation attenuation caused by them can reduce the PTV coverage of radiotherapy plans and increase the doses to abdominal and pelvic skins sharply, especially for patients requiring irradiation of the groin and perineum.
10.Effect of Aqueous Extract of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma on Bone Destruction and PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Jingbo WANG ; Jinghang YANG ; Wanyi GUO ; Panpan ZHU ; Yunheng SHEN ; Xiaohui SU ; Xiangying KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(23):30-37
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of aqueous extract of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma (STRR) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to explore the anti-bone destruction mechanism based on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/serine/threonine-protein kinase (Akt) pathway. MethodHigh-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the content of main active components in aqueous extract of STRR, and type Ⅱ collagen to induce RA (CIA) in mice. The blank group, model group, methotrexate (MTX) group (0.5 mg·kg-1), and low-dose (100 mg·kg-1) and high-dose (200 mg·kg-1) STRR aqueous extract groups were designed. Joint swelling was observed and clinical scores of CIA mice were calculated. Pathological changes of mouse joints were observed based on hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and Micro-CT was performed to monitor joint destruction. TRAP staining was used to observe osteoclast formation in mouse joint, and Western blot to detect the expression of key proteins in PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in mouse joint tissue. ResultThe model group demonstrated higher degree of joint swelling, clinical scores of CIA, and degrees of synovial hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration (P<0.01), and joint destruction, more osteoclasts, and higher levels of matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), cathepsin K (CTSK), nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), PI3K, and phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt) proteins than the blank group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the low-dose and high-dose aqueous extract of STRR alleviated joint swelling, reduced the clinical scores of CIA mice (P<0.05, P<0.01), relieved the pathological changes of joint tissue (P<0.01) and joint destruction, decreased osteoclasts (P<0.05, P<0.01), and lowered the levels of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-related proteins in joint tissue of mice (P<0.01). ConclusionThe aqueous extract of STRR can significantly delay the inflammatory response of RA and especially inhibit bone destruction by down-regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

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