1.Scientific basis for acupuncture combined with neural stem cells for repairing spinal cord injury
Xiaomeng HUANG ; Zhilan ZHANG ; Wenya SHANG ; Jing HUANG ; Huilin WEI ; Bing LI ; Yafeng REN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4111-4121
BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury is a neurological disorder caused by traumatic or non-traumatic events,often leading to severe functional impairment below the injured segment.In recent years,neural stem cell transplantation has been considered to have significant therapeutic potential in regulating the inflammatory response after spinal cord injury,inhibiting excessive proliferation of glial scars,and promoting nerve regeneration. OBJECTIVE:To review and discuss the potential mechanism of action of acupuncture and neural stem cell transplantation therapy in inhibiting spinal cord injury-induced secondary injury,and to delve into the scientific basis for its treatment of spinal cord injury. METHODS:PubMed,Elsevier,WanFang,and CNKI databases were searched using"spinal cord injury,acupuncture,neural stem cells,SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis"as Chinese and English search terms.Totally 96 articles were finally included.The research findings of acupuncture combined with neural stem cells in the treatment of spinal cord injury were summarized and analyzed,and the mechanism of this combination therapy in the treatment of secondary injury after spinal cord injury was summarized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The stromal-derived factor 1α(SDF-1α)/chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)axis plays a crucial role in neural stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury.This signaling mechanism not only affects neural stem cell migration,proliferation,and differentiation,but is also a key factor in determining the efficiency of stem cell homing to the injury site.Therefore,the regulation of targeting this axis is of great significance in enhancing the therapeutic effect of spinal cord injury.(2)Acupuncture,as a traditional Chinese medicine therapy,shows unique advantages in the regulation of secondary injury in spinal cord injury.It can effectively reduce secondary injury after spinal cord injury by regulating inflammatory response,inhibiting apoptosis,improving microcirculation,reducing glial scar formation,and counteracting oxidative stress.(3)Acupuncture was also able to influence the expression and function of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis,thereby enhancing the homing and survival ability of neural stem cells and promoting nerve regeneration and functional recovery.(4)The therapy combining acupuncture and stem cell transplantation is an innovative treatment strategy for spinal cord injury and suitable for repairing neural circuits.It combines the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine with the advantages of modern biotechnology,providing a new treatment option for spinal cord injury patients.However,this combination therapy is still in the research and exploration stage,and its long-term efficacy and safety need to be further verified.(5)Taken together,acupuncture and neural stem cell transplantation for the treatment of spinal cord injury has great potential for clinical application,but in-depth research and optimization of treatment options are still needed.In the future,we look forward to further revealing the efficacy mechanism and optimal indications of this therapy through more clinical trials and mechanism studies,so as to bring better hope of recovery and more efficient therapeutic effects to spinal cord injury patients.
2.Nasal-to-Brain Drug Delivery Strategies for Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine:A Review
Yang CHEN ; Tiantian WANG ; Yufang HUANG ; Guangdi YANG ; Shengmou HU ; Xiaomeng LEI ; Wenliu ZHANG ; Dongxun LI ; Canjian WANG ; Guosong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):252-261
Central nervous system(CNS) disorders are characterized by complex pathological mechanisms and the presence of the blood-brain barrier(BBB), which significantly limits the effectiveness of drug therapy. Traditional drug delivery modes include oral administration, intravenous injection and transdermal delivery, which have certain advantages, but it is difficult for the drugs to effectively cross the BBB. Therefore, it is crucial to find drug delivery modes that can efficiently traverse the BBB. Nasal drug delivery, as a non-invasive method, can realize the targeted delivery of drugs to the CNS via three pathways, including olfactory neurons, trigeminal neurons and blood circulation, and shows a broad application prospect in the treatment of CNS diseases. Numerous studies have further confirmed that nasal drug delivery combined with novel drug delivery systems such as lipid nanocarriers, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions and composite in situ gels can effectively load the active components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and significantly increase drug concentration in the brain, which provides new strategies for the treatment of CNS diseases. In this paper, the current status of drug delivery for CNS diseases was systematically sorted out, the characteristics of nasal drug delivery were discussed in depth, and the research progress of passive targeting, active targeting, and "guiding the meridian" drug delivery strategies for the nasal-to-brain transport of TCM active components was summarized and analyzed, which was aimed to provide references and insights for the development of drugs for CNS diseases and the application of TCM in nasal-to-brain delivery.
3.Nasal-to-Brain Drug Delivery Strategies for Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine:A Review
Yang CHEN ; Tiantian WANG ; Yufang HUANG ; Guangdi YANG ; Shengmou HU ; Xiaomeng LEI ; Wenliu ZHANG ; Dongxun LI ; Canjian WANG ; Guosong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):252-261
Central nervous system(CNS) disorders are characterized by complex pathological mechanisms and the presence of the blood-brain barrier(BBB), which significantly limits the effectiveness of drug therapy. Traditional drug delivery modes include oral administration, intravenous injection and transdermal delivery, which have certain advantages, but it is difficult for the drugs to effectively cross the BBB. Therefore, it is crucial to find drug delivery modes that can efficiently traverse the BBB. Nasal drug delivery, as a non-invasive method, can realize the targeted delivery of drugs to the CNS via three pathways, including olfactory neurons, trigeminal neurons and blood circulation, and shows a broad application prospect in the treatment of CNS diseases. Numerous studies have further confirmed that nasal drug delivery combined with novel drug delivery systems such as lipid nanocarriers, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions and composite in situ gels can effectively load the active components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and significantly increase drug concentration in the brain, which provides new strategies for the treatment of CNS diseases. In this paper, the current status of drug delivery for CNS diseases was systematically sorted out, the characteristics of nasal drug delivery were discussed in depth, and the research progress of passive targeting, active targeting, and "guiding the meridian" drug delivery strategies for the nasal-to-brain transport of TCM active components was summarized and analyzed, which was aimed to provide references and insights for the development of drugs for CNS diseases and the application of TCM in nasal-to-brain delivery.
4.Mechanism of Yiyuan moxibustion on improving urinary storage function in rats with neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury through the AMPK-Cx43 pathway
Zhilan ZHANG ; Xiaomeng HUANG ; Huilin WEI ; Jing HUANG ; Wenya SHANG ; Bing LI ; Yafeng REN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(6):835-844
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Yiyuan moxibustion on urinary storage function in rats with neurogenic bladder(NB)after suprasacral spinal cord injury(SCI)based on adenosine activated protein kinase(AMPK)-connexin 43(Cx43)pathway.Methods Twelve female Sprague-Dawley rats were selected as the sham operation group using the random number table method,and 68 rats were used to prepare the suprasacral SCI model according to the modified Hassan Shaker spinal cord transection method.After the SCI model was stable,the standard NB model after SCI was screened out.The rats with successful modeling were divided into the model group(n=14),the Yiyuan moxibustion group(n=14),the inhibitor group(n=14),and the Yiyuan moxibustion+inhibitor group(n=14)according to the random number table method.The rats in the Yiyuan moxibustion group were treated with Yiyuan moxibustion.The rats in the inhibitor group were injected with AMPK inhibitor dorsomorphin(0.2 mg/kg)by tail vein.The rats in the Yiyuan moxibustion+inhibitor group were treated with Yiyuan moxibustion combined with tail vein injection of dorsomorphin(0.2 mg/kg).The sham operation group and the model group did not receive any intervention for 14 days.After the intervention,the bladder function of rats was evaluated by urodynamics.HE staining was used to observe morphological changes of the bladder tissue;the content of adenosine triphosphate(ATP)in bladder tissue was detected by colorimetry.The positive expressions of phosphorylated AMPK(p-AMPK),Cx43 and tyrosine protein kinase receptor(C-kit)in bladder tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.The protein expressions of AMPK,p-AMPK,Cx43 and C-kit in bladder tissue were detected by Western blotting.Results Compared with the model group,the maximum bladder capacity and bladder compliance of the rats in the Yiyuan moxibustion group were increased,the leak point pressure was decreased,the cells in the Yiyuan moxibustion group were relatively regular and orderly,the vacuolar cells were reduced,and the tissue edema was reduced;the ATP content in the bladder tissue was decreased,the positive expression rate of p-AMPK was increased,the positive expression rate of Cx43 and C-kit were decreased,the protein expressions of p-AMPK protein was increased,the expression of Cx43 and C-kit were decreased,and the mRNA expression of Cx43 and C-kit were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the Yiyuan moxibustion+inhibitor group,the maximum bladder capacity and bladder compliance of the rats in the Yiyuan moxibustion group increased,the leak point pressure decreased,the cells in the Yiyuan moxibustion group were arranged more closely and the tissue edema was reduced;the ATP content in the bladder tissue decreased,the positive expression rate of p-AMPK increased,the positive expression rates of Cx43 and C-kit decreased,the protein expression of p-AMPK increased,the protein expressions of Cx43 and C-kit decreased,and the mRNA expressions of Cx43 and C-kit decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Yiyuan moxibustion can improve the urinary storage function of NB rats after suprasacral SCI,and its mechanism may be related to activating the AMPK-Cx43 pathway in bladder tissue,reducing the excitation transmission between bladder detrusor cells,thereby reducing the frequency of smooth muscle contraction.
5.Optimization of Preparation Technology of Xinqingduyin Granules Based on Characteristic Chromato-grams and Index Components
Xiaomeng LU ; Yuzheng GU ; Ruimei LIU ; Yinhui LIN ; Shanyu ZHOU ; Xinxin HE ; Fei XIAO ; Jun ZHANG ; Xin'an HUANG
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(2):263-273
Objective To establish high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)characteristic chromatograms of Xinqingduyin Granules(composed of Taraxaci Herba,Lonicerae Japonicae Flos,Chrysanthemi Indici Flos,etc.)and content determination of chicory acid and glycyrrhizic acid,and to optimize the preparation process of Xinqingduyin Granules.Methods Using the characteristic chromatograms of Xinqingduyin and the retention rate of chicory acid and glycyrrhizic acid as indexes,we carried out orthogonal experiment to optimize the extraction process of Xinqingduyin,and studied the concentration process.The molding process of Xinqingduyin Granules was conducted by screening the types and dosage of auxiliary materials,then three batches of pilot experiments were carried out.Results HPLC characteristic chromatograms of Xinqingshuyin Granules and the determination methods of chicory acid and glycyrrhizic acid were established.The optimal preparation technology was as follows:8 times amount of water was added,the drug was decocted for 3 times,with 1 hour per time.After the extract was concentrated under reduced pressure at 80℃,the appropriate amount of steviol glycoside and lactose was added into the extract and mixed.One-step granulation and packaging were adopted.The retention rates of chicoric acid and glycyrrhizic acid in the 3 batches of Xinqingduyin Granules,which were prepared on the pilot scale,were(54.56±1.63)%and(54.96±1.08)%,and the rate of finished product was(87.47±0.49)%,respectively.The quality is uniform,and the characteristic map of Xinqingduyin Granules showed high similarity with that of decoction prepared from the same batch of slices.Conclusion The optimized preparation technology is reasonable,feasible and reproducible.This preparation can be used to obtain the granule with similar materials of Xinqingduyin decoction.
6.Regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for pyroptosis after spinal cord injury
Wenya SHANG ; Yafeng REN ; Bing LI ; Huilin WEI ; Zhilan ZHANG ; Xiaomeng HUANG ; Jing HUANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(11):1772-1779
BACKGROUND:Cell death and neuroinflammation are two important targets in the treatment of spinal cord injury.Pyroptosis is a programmed cell death closely related to neuroinflammation and targeted inhibition of pyroptosis after spinal cord injury is a promising therapeutic strategy. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the molecular mechanism,positive and negative regulatory factors and therapeutic strategies of pyroptosis in spinal cord injury. METHODS:The search terms were"spinal cord injury,pyroptosis,nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),Caspase,Gasdermin D(GSDMD),IL-1β,IL-18"and 93 English literatures included in PubMed and Web of Science were finally selected for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:As a newly discovered programmed cell death,pyroptosis has been shown to play an important role in the secondary injury stage after spinal cord injury.Among the regulatory factors of pyroptosis after spinal cord injury,CD73,NRF2,GDF-11,dopamine,FANCC and miR-423-5P could inhibit pyroptosis,while TLR4 and Aopps could promote pyroptosis.In terms of treatment,the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine(paeonol,tripterine,betulinic acid,piperine,kaempferol,and camptothecin),exosomes of various cell origins,and some drugs(metformin,topotecan,lithium,zinc,and carbon monoxide-releasing molecule 3)can effectively inhibit pyroptosis and reduce secondary spinal cord injury,but the toxicity and specific dose of these drugs need to be further studied.The specific molecular mechanism by which pyroptosis aggravates spinal cord injury is still poorly understood.The role of non-classical pathways and other inflammasomes is worth further exploration.At present,the research on pyroptosis after spinal cord injury only stays at the animal experiment stage.There are no related clinical studies and no approved targeted therapeutic drugs.(6)The application of pyroptosis after spinal cord injury has great potential,and its specific regulatory mechanism should be further studied in the future to provide a new target for the treatment of spinal cord injury.
7.Licorice-saponin A3 is a broad-spectrum inhibitor for COVID-19 by targeting viral spike and anti-inflammation
Yang YI ; Wenzhe LI ; Kefang LIU ; Heng XUE ; Rong YU ; Meng ZHANG ; Yang-Oujie BAO ; Xinyuan LAI ; Jingjing FAN ; Yuxi HUANG ; Jing WANG ; Xiaomeng SHI ; Junhua LI ; Hongping WEI ; Kuanhui XIANG ; Linjie LI ; Rong ZHANG ; Xin ZHAO ; Xue QIAO ; Hang YANG ; Min YE
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(1):115-127
Currently,human health due to corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has been seriously threatened.The coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)spike(S)protein plays a crucial role in virus transmission and several S-based therapeutic approaches have been approved for the treatment of COVID-19.However,the efficacy is compromised by the SARS-CoV-2 evolvement and mutation.Here we report the SARS-CoV-2 S protein receptor-binding domain(RBD)inhibitor licorice-saponin A3(A3)could widely inhibit RBD of SARS-CoV-2 variants,including Beta,Delta,and Omicron BA.1,XBB and BQ1.1.Furthermore,A3 could potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Omicron virus in Vero E6 cells,with EC50 of 1.016 pM.The mechanism was related to binding with Y453 of RBD deter-mined by hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry(HDX-MS)analysis combined with quan-tum mechanics/molecular mechanics(QM/MM)simulations.Interestingly,phosphoproteomics analysis and multi fluorescent immunohistochemistry(mIHC)respectively indicated that A3 also inhibits host inflammation by directly modulating the JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)path-ways and rebalancing the corresponding immune dysregulation.This work supports A3 as a promising broad-spectrum small molecule drug candidate for COVID-19.
8.Exploration of strategies for enhancing emergency management capabilities in general hospitals under the background of public health emergencies
Zhifu GONG ; Zhenliang LI ; Jingyi JI ; Chenxi LIU ; Jing YUAN ; Xiaomeng HUANG ; Dong LIU
Chinese Medical Ethics 2024;37(10):1175-1180
Public health emergencies pose severe challenges to the public health sector and emergency management work in hospitals.Enhancing the emergency management capabilities in general hospitals is of great significance in promoting high-quality development of hospitals,improving the government's public governance system,alleviating social panic,and other aspects.However,there are the practical dilemmas of insufficient monitoring and early warning,imperfect guarantee systems,and lack of technological innovation in emergency management in general hospitals.The emergency management capabilities in general hospitals can be improved through normalized monitoring and disposal,standing facility and material teams,information-based power systems,and standardization of technical support,further promoting the innovation and development of the emergency management system in general hospitals.
9.Effects of blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio on frailty in the elderly aged 65 years and older in 8 longevity areas in China
Ziting CHEN ; Jian GAO ; Wenfang ZHONG ; Qingmei HUANG ; Peiliang CHEN ; Weiqi SONG ; Xiaomeng WANG ; Yishi ZHONG ; Xiaoming SHI ; Chen MAO
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(5):666-672
Objective:To explore the relationship between blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio and frailty in the elderly aged ≥65 years in 8 longevity areas in China.Methods:Participants were recruited from the Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study. Based on baseline information about blood urea nitrogen and risk for frailty obtained at follow-up of the participants, blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio was classified according to quintiles, Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze the association between blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio and frailty.Results:A total of 1 562 participants aged (81.0±17.0) years were included, in whom 814 (52.1%) were men, and 258 frailty events occurred during a mean follow-up of (3.73±1.43) years. Cox proportional hazards model showed that after adjusting for relevant confounders, compared with the participants in the lowest quintile group ( Q1), the risk for frailty decreased by 36%, 44%, and 40% in the participants in the third quintile group ( Q3), the fourth quintile group ( Q4) and the highest quintile group ( Q5) respectively [hazard ratio ( HR)=0.64, 95% CI: 0.43-0.94; HR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.38-0.84; HR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.41-0.88]. The risk for frailty decreased by 20% for every unit standard deviation increase in blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio ( HR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.70-0.91). Moreover, blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio and the risk for frailty showed a nearly linear dose-response relationship. Conclusions:The increase in blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio was associated with higher risk for frailty. Maintaining high blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio is important for the prevention of frailty in the elderly.
10.Lung cancer epidemiology in the world and China in 2022
Xiaomeng NIE ; Rong ZHANG ; Haidong HUANG
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2024;45(11):1402-1407
Objective To analyze the incidence and mortality of lung cancer in 2022 globally and in China by combining gender,age,and human development index(HDI)based on the Global Cancer Statistics 2022 issued by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.Methods Lung cancer data from 185 countries and territories worldwide were obtained from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database,and the HDI was organized based on data from the Human Development Report 2021 published by the United Nations Development Program.Cancer data were stratified by age,gender,and HDI to describe the prevalence of lung cancer globally and in China.Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the correlations between age-standardized incidence rate(ASIR),age-standardized mortality rate(ASMR),mortality-to-incidence ratio(M/I)and HDI.Results In 2022,the total number of global lung cancer incidence was 2 481 000,ranking the 1st among all cancers,and the ASIR(23.6/100 000)ranked the 3rd among all cancers;the total number of global lung cancer deaths was 1 817 000,ranking the 1st among all cancers,and the ASMR(16.8/100 000)ranked the 1st among all cancers.In 2022,the total number of lung cancer incidence in China was 1 061 000,ranking the 1st among all cancers in China,accounting for 42.8%of the global lung cancer,and the ASIR(40.8/100 000)ranked the 1st among all cancers in China.The total number of lung cancer deaths was 733 000,ranking the 1st among all cancers in China,accounting for 40.4%of the global lung cancer deaths,and the ASMR(26.7/100 000)ranked the 1st among all cancers in China.The number of lung cancer incidence and deaths,ASIR,and ASMR in men were higher than those in women both globally and in China.The incidences of lung cancer,ASIR,deaths and ASMR in the world and China showed an upward trend with age,and then rapidly increased in the group older than 40-44 years group.ASIR and ASMR were positively correlated with HDI(r=0.739 3,0.686 5,both P<0.000 1),while M/I was negatively correlated with HDI(r=-0.688 1,P<0.000 1)in different countries and territories.Conclusion The burden of lung cancer is serious in the world and China,and the prevalence varies among countries and territories with different HDI levels,genders,and ages.

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