1.Exploration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Characteristics in A Heart Failure Model Induced by Coronary Artery Ligation Based on Method of Syndrome Identification by Prescription Efficacy
Xiaoqian LIAO ; Peiyao LI ; Xingyu FAN ; Zhenyu ZHAO ; Junyu ZHANG ; Yuehang XU ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):169-177
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a major global public health problem, and myocardial infarction is one of its main causes. The mouse model of heart failure induced by coronary artery ligation is widely used in the study of CHF, while the TCM syndrome attributes of this model have not yet been clarified. According to the theory of correspondence between prescriptions and syndromes, the method of syndrome identification by prescription efficacy is an important means of current syndrome research of animal models. This method deduces the syndrome characteristics of animal models through prescription efficacy. Taking the four basic syndrome elements of Qi, blood, Yin and Yang as the classification reference, this study used coronary artery ligation to construct a mouse model of CHF and treated the model with four representative TCM injections with the effects of replenishing Qi, warming Yang, nourishing Yin, and activating blood and enalapril. Echocardiography, tongue color parameters, histopathology, serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin Ⅰ (cTnⅠ) levels, and systematically explored the TCM syndrome attributes of this model. The results showed that the coronary ligation model presented an obvious cardiac function decline, myocardial fibrosis, infarct size expansion, and purple dark tongue, which were consistent with the basic syndrome characteristics of blood stasis in CHF. Danhong injection had significant effects of improving the cardiac function, alleviating myocardial fibrosis, and reducing serum NT-proBNP and cTnⅠ levels. Huangqi Injection and Shenfu injection can improve the cardiac function and tongue color parameters, with limited effects. The effect of Shenmai injection group was not obvious. This study verifies that the established model conforms to blood stasis syndrome through the method of syndrome identification by prescription efficacy, which provides an experimental basis for the study of TCM syndrome mechanism of CHF.
2.Clinical Efficacy and Economic Evaluation of 1293 Non-Severe Adult Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia Treated by the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Dominant Diseases:A Multicenter,Retrospective Real-World Cohort Study
Ye MA ; Yeqing JI ; Zhichao WANG ; Fanchao FENG ; Mingzhi PU ; Hong LYU ; Xiaodong HU ; Gaohua FENG ; Xiaoqian FANG ; Guicai ZHANG ; Yanfen TANG ; Yeqing ZHANG ; Yao ZHUFU ; Wenpan PENG ; Hao WANG ; Cheng GU ; Zhichao ZHANG ; Shuang YANG ; Xinyu SUN ; Qi ZHAO ; Aojie GUO ; Xin TONG ; Zhuoyue WU ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Jia LIU ; Hailang HE ; Xianmei ZHOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):966-974
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and economic value of the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Dominant Diseases (abbreviated as the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol) in adult patients with non-severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) based on real-world clinical data. MethodsA retrospective real-world cohort study was conducted using electronic medical records of adult patients hospitalized for non-severe CAP from September 1st, 2023 to December 31st, 2024 across 10 TCM hospitals in Jiangsu province. Patients were classified into an exposure group and a non-exposure group based on whether they received Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) according to the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol. The non-exposure group received only conventional western medicine, while the exposure group additionally received differentiated CHM for at least five consecutive days. Outcomes were compared between two patient groups, including cough resolution rate, sputum resolution rate (assessed by volume, color, and consistency), incidence of abnormal C-reactive protein (CRP), incidence of abnormal white blood cell (WBC) count, and radiographic resolution rate of pulmonary infiltrates on chest imaging. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors influencing clinical efficacy. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age, gender, smoking status, history of hypertension, and pneumonia severity score (CURB-65), and the efficacy of treatment for cough and sputum was analyzed within each subgroup. Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using cough resolution rate as the outcome measure, evaluating the pharmacoeconomics of the two groups. ResultsA total of 1688 patients were included with 1293 in the exposure group and 395 in the non-exposure group. Compared to the non-exposure group, the exposure group demonstrated significantly higher resolution rates of cough, sputum volume, color, and consistency, as well as a significantly lower incidence of abnormal CRP (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of abnormal WBC count and radiographic resolution rate of pulmonary infiltrates (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the cough resolution rate in the exposure group was 1.83 times that of the non-exposure group, while the probabilities of resolution in sputum volume, color, and consistency were 1.37, 2.09, and 1.56 times those of the non-exposure group, respectively (P<0.05). Subgroup analyses showed that the exposure group achieved significantly higher cough resolution rates across most subgroups except for populations with a CURB-65 score ≥2 or those with a history of hypertension (P<0.05). Specifically, among females, patients aged ≥18 and <65 years, non-smokers, those without hypertension, and those with a CURB-65 score of 0, the exposure group showed a higher cough resolution rate than the non-exposure group (P<0.05). From an economic perspective, total hospitalization cost, length of stay, antibiotic cost, and CHM cost all differed significantly between groups (P<0.05). The cost-effectiveness ratio (CER) was 10,788.80 CNY/case in the exposure group, while 22,513.80 CNY/case in the non-exposure group. This implies that, compared with the exposure group, the non-exposure group incurred an additional 17,302.27 CNY to achieve one case of cough resolution. When the willingness-to-pay threshold ranged from 0 to 50,000 CNY, the probability of economic advantage was consistently higher in the exposure group than in the non-exposure group. ConclusionOn the basis of conventional western medicine, the addition of CHM in accordance with the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol can effectively improve clinical symptoms, reduce inflammatory markers, promote clinical recovery, and is more cost-effective in treating adults with non-severe CAP.
3.Efficacy and Economic Evaluation of Weishi Qingjin Formula (苇石清金方)in the Treatment of Adult Community-Acquired Pneumonia with Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lung Syndrome:A Multicenter Retrospective Real-World Cohort Study
Yeqing JI ; Ye MA ; Zhichao WANG ; Fanchao FENG ; Mingzhi PU ; Hong LYU ; Xiaodong HU ; Gaohua FENG ; Xiaoqian FANG ; Guicai ZHANG ; Yanfen TANG ; Yeqing ZHANG ; Yao ZHUFU ; Wenpan PENG ; Hao WANG ; Cheng GU ; Zhichao ZHANG ; Shuang YANG ; Xinyu SUN ; Qi ZHAO ; Aojie GUO ; Xin TONG ; Zhuoyue WU ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Jia LIU ; Hailang HE ; Xianmei ZHOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):975-984
ObjectiveTo observe the real‑world effectiveness and economic outcomes of Weishi Qingjin Formula (苇石清金方, WQF) in the treatment of adult community‑acquired pneumonia (CAP) with phlegm‑heat obstructing the lung syndrome. MethodsBased on a multicenter, real-world retrospective cohort study, clinical data were collected from hospitalized adult patients diagnosed with non‑severe CAP and phlegm‑heat obstructing the lung syndrome in 10 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospitals in Jiangsu province. Patients were divided into an exposure group (those who received oral WQF) and a non‑exposure group (those who did not). The following outcomes were compared between the two groups before and after treatment, which were remission rates of clinical symptoms including cough, expectoration (sputum volume, color, consistency), and chest pain, levels of inflammatory markers including C‑reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC), and the rate of pulmonary inflammatory absorption on chest CT. Subgroup analyses were performed based on age, gender, smoking status, presence of hypertension, and the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CURB‑65) score, comparing the two groups in terms of cough remission rate, chest pain remission rate, and chest CT absorption rate. For health economic evaluation, cost‑effectiveness analysis was used to calculate the cost‑effectiveness ratio (CER) and incremental cost‑effectiveness ratio (ICER). Univariate sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to test the robustness of the results. ResultsA total of 647 patients in the exposure group and 1491 patients in the non-exposure group were included in the final statistical analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in length of hospital stay, gender, marital status, smoking history, bronchoscopy history, and comorbidities between the groups (P>0.05), but age, CURB-65 score, and antibiotic use. The exposure group had significantly higher remission rates of cough and sputum consistency than the non-exposure group (P<0.05). After adjusting for confounders using propensity score matching and logistic regression, the cough remission rate in the exposure group was 1.49 times that of the non-exposure group (P<0.01). No significant difference was observed between groups in the reduction rates of CRP and WBC, and in the rate of pulmonary inflammatory absorption on chest CT (P>0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that the cough remission rate in the exposure group was significantly better than that in the non-exposure group except for patients aged ≥65 years, smokers, hypertensive patients, those using other type antibiotics or not using antibiotics, and those with a CURB-65 score ≥1 (P<0.05). Among smokers, the chest pain remission rate in the exposure group was 4.38 times that of the non-exposure group (P<0.01). No significant difference in chest CT absorption rate was found between groups across subgroups of gender, age, hypertension status, or antibiotic type (P>0.05). In terms of economic evaluation, CER was 10,877.60 CNY/case in the exposure group and 16,773.10 CNY/case in the non-exposure group. Compared to the exposure group, the non-exposure group incurred an additional 15,034.26 CNY to achieve one case of cough resolution, indicating a more favorable cost-effectiveness profile. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis yielded results consistent with the cost-effectiveness analysis, confirming the robustness of the findings. ConclusionWQF demonstrates significant efficacy in improving cough symptoms in the treatment of adult CAP with phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome, and also exhibits favorable economic benefits.
4.Clinical Efficacy and Economic Evaluation of 1293 Non-Severe Adult Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia Treated by the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Dominant Diseases:A Multicenter,Retrospective Real-World Cohort Study
Ye MA ; Yeqing JI ; Zhichao WANG ; Fanchao FENG ; Mingzhi PU ; Hong LYU ; Xiaodong HU ; Gaohua FENG ; Xiaoqian FANG ; Guicai ZHANG ; Yanfen TANG ; Yeqing ZHANG ; Yao ZHUFU ; Wenpan PENG ; Hao WANG ; Cheng GU ; Zhichao ZHANG ; Shuang YANG ; Xinyu SUN ; Qi ZHAO ; Aojie GUO ; Xin TONG ; Zhuoyue WU ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Jia LIU ; Hailang HE ; Xianmei ZHOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):966-974
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and economic value of the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Dominant Diseases (abbreviated as the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol) in adult patients with non-severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) based on real-world clinical data. MethodsA retrospective real-world cohort study was conducted using electronic medical records of adult patients hospitalized for non-severe CAP from September 1st, 2023 to December 31st, 2024 across 10 TCM hospitals in Jiangsu province. Patients were classified into an exposure group and a non-exposure group based on whether they received Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) according to the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol. The non-exposure group received only conventional western medicine, while the exposure group additionally received differentiated CHM for at least five consecutive days. Outcomes were compared between two patient groups, including cough resolution rate, sputum resolution rate (assessed by volume, color, and consistency), incidence of abnormal C-reactive protein (CRP), incidence of abnormal white blood cell (WBC) count, and radiographic resolution rate of pulmonary infiltrates on chest imaging. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors influencing clinical efficacy. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age, gender, smoking status, history of hypertension, and pneumonia severity score (CURB-65), and the efficacy of treatment for cough and sputum was analyzed within each subgroup. Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using cough resolution rate as the outcome measure, evaluating the pharmacoeconomics of the two groups. ResultsA total of 1688 patients were included with 1293 in the exposure group and 395 in the non-exposure group. Compared to the non-exposure group, the exposure group demonstrated significantly higher resolution rates of cough, sputum volume, color, and consistency, as well as a significantly lower incidence of abnormal CRP (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of abnormal WBC count and radiographic resolution rate of pulmonary infiltrates (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the cough resolution rate in the exposure group was 1.83 times that of the non-exposure group, while the probabilities of resolution in sputum volume, color, and consistency were 1.37, 2.09, and 1.56 times those of the non-exposure group, respectively (P<0.05). Subgroup analyses showed that the exposure group achieved significantly higher cough resolution rates across most subgroups except for populations with a CURB-65 score ≥2 or those with a history of hypertension (P<0.05). Specifically, among females, patients aged ≥18 and <65 years, non-smokers, those without hypertension, and those with a CURB-65 score of 0, the exposure group showed a higher cough resolution rate than the non-exposure group (P<0.05). From an economic perspective, total hospitalization cost, length of stay, antibiotic cost, and CHM cost all differed significantly between groups (P<0.05). The cost-effectiveness ratio (CER) was 10,788.80 CNY/case in the exposure group, while 22,513.80 CNY/case in the non-exposure group. This implies that, compared with the exposure group, the non-exposure group incurred an additional 17,302.27 CNY to achieve one case of cough resolution. When the willingness-to-pay threshold ranged from 0 to 50,000 CNY, the probability of economic advantage was consistently higher in the exposure group than in the non-exposure group. ConclusionOn the basis of conventional western medicine, the addition of CHM in accordance with the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol can effectively improve clinical symptoms, reduce inflammatory markers, promote clinical recovery, and is more cost-effective in treating adults with non-severe CAP.
5.Efficacy and Economic Evaluation of Weishi Qingjin Formula (苇石清金方)in the Treatment of Adult Community-Acquired Pneumonia with Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lung Syndrome:A Multicenter Retrospective Real-World Cohort Study
Yeqing JI ; Ye MA ; Zhichao WANG ; Fanchao FENG ; Mingzhi PU ; Hong LYU ; Xiaodong HU ; Gaohua FENG ; Xiaoqian FANG ; Guicai ZHANG ; Yanfen TANG ; Yeqing ZHANG ; Yao ZHUFU ; Wenpan PENG ; Hao WANG ; Cheng GU ; Zhichao ZHANG ; Shuang YANG ; Xinyu SUN ; Qi ZHAO ; Aojie GUO ; Xin TONG ; Zhuoyue WU ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Jia LIU ; Hailang HE ; Xianmei ZHOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):975-984
ObjectiveTo observe the real‑world effectiveness and economic outcomes of Weishi Qingjin Formula (苇石清金方, WQF) in the treatment of adult community‑acquired pneumonia (CAP) with phlegm‑heat obstructing the lung syndrome. MethodsBased on a multicenter, real-world retrospective cohort study, clinical data were collected from hospitalized adult patients diagnosed with non‑severe CAP and phlegm‑heat obstructing the lung syndrome in 10 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospitals in Jiangsu province. Patients were divided into an exposure group (those who received oral WQF) and a non‑exposure group (those who did not). The following outcomes were compared between the two groups before and after treatment, which were remission rates of clinical symptoms including cough, expectoration (sputum volume, color, consistency), and chest pain, levels of inflammatory markers including C‑reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC), and the rate of pulmonary inflammatory absorption on chest CT. Subgroup analyses were performed based on age, gender, smoking status, presence of hypertension, and the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CURB‑65) score, comparing the two groups in terms of cough remission rate, chest pain remission rate, and chest CT absorption rate. For health economic evaluation, cost‑effectiveness analysis was used to calculate the cost‑effectiveness ratio (CER) and incremental cost‑effectiveness ratio (ICER). Univariate sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to test the robustness of the results. ResultsA total of 647 patients in the exposure group and 1491 patients in the non-exposure group were included in the final statistical analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in length of hospital stay, gender, marital status, smoking history, bronchoscopy history, and comorbidities between the groups (P>0.05), but age, CURB-65 score, and antibiotic use. The exposure group had significantly higher remission rates of cough and sputum consistency than the non-exposure group (P<0.05). After adjusting for confounders using propensity score matching and logistic regression, the cough remission rate in the exposure group was 1.49 times that of the non-exposure group (P<0.01). No significant difference was observed between groups in the reduction rates of CRP and WBC, and in the rate of pulmonary inflammatory absorption on chest CT (P>0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that the cough remission rate in the exposure group was significantly better than that in the non-exposure group except for patients aged ≥65 years, smokers, hypertensive patients, those using other type antibiotics or not using antibiotics, and those with a CURB-65 score ≥1 (P<0.05). Among smokers, the chest pain remission rate in the exposure group was 4.38 times that of the non-exposure group (P<0.01). No significant difference in chest CT absorption rate was found between groups across subgroups of gender, age, hypertension status, or antibiotic type (P>0.05). In terms of economic evaluation, CER was 10,877.60 CNY/case in the exposure group and 16,773.10 CNY/case in the non-exposure group. Compared to the exposure group, the non-exposure group incurred an additional 15,034.26 CNY to achieve one case of cough resolution, indicating a more favorable cost-effectiveness profile. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis yielded results consistent with the cost-effectiveness analysis, confirming the robustness of the findings. ConclusionWQF demonstrates significant efficacy in improving cough symptoms in the treatment of adult CAP with phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome, and also exhibits favorable economic benefits.
6.Shenfu Injection Improve Chronic Heart Failure by Regulates Glycolytic Pathway Mediated by HIF-1α/PFKFB3 Pathway
Ji OUYANG ; Kun LIAN ; Xiaoqian LIAO ; Lichong MENG ; Lin LI ; Zhenyu ZHAO ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):136-145
ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the mechanism and targets of Shenfu Injection in regulating glycolysis to intervene in myocardial fibrosis in chronic heart failure based on the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/ 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) signaling pathway. MethodsA rat model of chronic heart failure was established by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (ISO). After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into the Sham group, Model group, Shenfu injection (SFI, 6 mL·kg-1) group, and inhibitor (3PO, 35 mg·kg-1) group, according to a random number table, and they were treated for 15 days. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography, and serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fasting body weight and heart weight were measured, and the heart index (HI) was calculated. Pathological changes in myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining, and the fibrosis rate was calculated. Biochemical assays were used to determine serum levels of glucose (GLU), lactic acid (LA), and pyruvic acid (PA). Western blot was used to analyze the expression of proteins related to the HIF-1α/PFKFB3 signaling pathway (HIF-1α and PFKFB3), glycolysis-related proteins (HK1, HK2, PKM2, and LDHA), and fibrosis-related proteins [transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and Collagen type Ⅰ α1 (ColⅠA1)]. Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of HIF-1α and PFKFB3 in myocardial tissue. ResultsCompared with the Sham group, the Model group showed significantly decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular shortening fraction (LVFS), interventricular septal thickness (IVSd), and interventricular septal strain (IVSs) (P<0.05), while left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole (LVDd) and end-systole (LVIDs) were increased (P<0.05). Serum NT-proBNP levels were significantly increased (P<0.01), and body weight was decreased. Heart weight was increased, and the HIT index was increased (P<0.05). Myocardial tissue exhibited inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber deposition, and the fibrosis rate was significantly increased (P<0.05). Serum GLU was decreased (P<0.05), while LA and PA levels were increased (P<0.05). Protein expressions of HIF-1α, PFKFB3, HK1, HK2, PKM2, LDHA, TGF-β1, α-SMA, and ColⅠA1, as well as the mRNA expression of HIF-1α and PFKFB3 were increased (P<0.05). Compared with the Model group, both the SFI group and 3PO groups showed significant improvements in LVEF, LVFS, IVSd, and IVSs (P<0.05) and decreases in LVDd, LVIDs, and NT-proBNP levels (P<0.05). Body weight was significantly increased. Heart weight was significantly decreased, and the HIT index was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen fiber deposition, and the fibrosis rate were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Serum GLU levels were significantly increased (P<0.05), while LA and PA levels were decreased (P<0.05). Expressions of glycolysis-related proteins, fibrosis-related proteins, and HIF-1α/PFKFB3 pathway-related proteins and mRNAs were significantly suppressed (P<0.05). ConclusionSFI improves cardiac function in chronic heart failure by downregulating the expression of HIF-1α/PFKFB3 signaling pathway-related proteins, regulating glycolysis, and inhibiting myocardial fibrosis.
7.Research progress on natural products regulating osteogenic differentiation
Hu CAI ; Xiaoqian WU ; Lingfei HAN ; Feng FENG ; Wei QU ; Wenyuan LIU
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(1):10-21
As the important source of bone cells, osteoblasts are involved in bone formation and repair, and play a key role in maintaining bone balance. If the osteogenic differentiation process in vivo is disrupted, a variety of bone-related diseases may occur. Natural products, which have a wide range of sources, a wide variety of physiological activities, and few toxic side-effects, have been found in recent years to be able to regulate osteoblast differentiation. Based on the sources of natural products, this paper reviews the intervention of natural products from plant, animal and microbial sources on osteogenic differentiation, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for natural products in the treatment of bone diseases.
8.Development and Reliability and Validity Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnostic Scale for Pulmonary Qi Stagnation Syndrome in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Xiaoqian LIAO ; Xingyu FAN ; Ge FANG ; Yuquan TAN ; Haobo JIANG ; Zhixi HU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(5):1228-1233
Objective To construct a traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic scale suitable for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)with lung qi stagnation syndrome,and to verify the reliability and validity of the scale.Methods Preliminary research has identified 16 core symptom items for lung qi stagnation syndrome.Diagnosis and scale collection were conducted on 95 patients using both traditional Chinese and Western medicine,with scores of 0,1,2,and 3 based on the severity of symptoms.By frequency t-test,discrete trend,and Cronbach's alpha coefficient screening items were used to evaluate the internal consistency of the scale,Spearman Brown coefficient was used to evaluate the stability of the scale,and exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the structural validity of the scale.Results Partial items were excluded and the final 11 scale items were confirmed.The overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.719,and the overall Spearman Brown coefficient was 0.647;The KMO test value is 0.612>0.5,The significance level of Bartlett's sphericity test is P<0.01;Extracting common factors with feature roots greater than 1,the maximum total variance explained by 64.122%was achieved when extracting four common factors.The common factor loadings for each item were all greater than 0.5,and the variance was all greater than 0.4,indicating good structural validity of the scale.Conclusion This study constructed and validated a traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic scale for COPD with lung qi stagnation syndrome.The scale has good reliability and validity,providing a reliable tool for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
9.Kuntai capsule combined with stem cell therapy attenuates oxidative stress damage in rats with premature ovarian failure by Nrf2-ARE sig-naling pathway
Ning ZHANG ; Xiaoqian WU ; Yuqin HU ; Geng TIAN
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(3):562-568
AIM:To investigate the effects of Kuntai capsule combined with stem cell therapy on oxidative stress damage in rats with premature ovarian failure(POF),focusing on the Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway.METHODS:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)from Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured from primary to third generation.Female Sprague-Dawley rats were selected,and mesenchymal stem cells were isolated.A POF rat model was established through intraperitoneal injection of cyclic phosphamide,and the model was randomly divided into five groups:POF group,Kuntai group,stem cell group,combination group,and combination+Brusatol group.Normal rats injected with physio-logical saline served as the control group,with 10 rats in each group.After the intervention,changes in body weight and ovarian index were analyzed.Serum levels of estrogen indicators[luteinizing hormone(LH),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),serum estradiol(E2),and anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH)]and oxidative stress markers[malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH),and superoxide dismutase(SOD)]were measured.Ovarian tissue was isolated for histologi-cal examination using HE staining and for expression analysis of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 and pro-apoptotic BAX mRNA via RT-qPCR.Western blot analysis was conducted to assess the expression of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)proteins.RESULTS:Compared to the control group,the POF group exhibited fewer mature follicles and disorganized ovarian mor-phology,along with significantly reduced body weight gain,ovarian index,E2,AMH,SOD and GSH levels,BCL-2 mRNA,and Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression.Conversely,LH,FSH,MDA levels,and BAX mRNA expression were significantly increased(P<0.05).In comparison to the POF group,the Kuntai group,stem cell group,and combination group showed improved ovarian morphology,with the combination group demonstrating the most significant improvement.In these groups,body weight gain,ovarian index,E2,AMH,SOD,GSH levels,BCL-2 mRNA,and Nrf2 and HO-1 pro-tein expression were markedly increased,while LH,FSH,MDA levels,and BAX mRNA expression were notably de-creased,with significant statistical differences observed between the combination group and the Kuntai and stem cell groups(P<0.05).In contrast,the combination+Brusatol group exhibited a reduction in mature follicles and disrupted follicular structure compared to the combination group,along with decreased body weight gain,ovarian index,E2,AMH,SOD and GSH levels,BCL-2 mRNA,and Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression,while LH,FSH and MDA levels,and BAX mRNA expression were significantly increased(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The combination of Kuntai capsule and stem cell therapy effectively mitigates oxidative stress damage in POF rats,potentially through the activation of the Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway.
10.Utidelone induces apoptosis and autophagy in small cell lung cancer cells through the ROS/AMPK signaling pathway
Xiaoqian MU ; Chaonan YU ; Yanqiu ZHAO ; Xiufeng HU ; Hongbo WU
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2025;47(8):703-714
Objective:To investigate the effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of Utidelone (UTD1) in small cell lung cancer (SCLC).Methods:The study utilized small cell lung cancer H446 and H1048 cell lines along with animal models. Cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, autophagy, and related activities following UTD1 treatment were assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation assay, and Western blot analysis. The involvement of the ROS/adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway was also examined. Data analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism version 8 software.Results:UTD1 inhibited the viability of H446 and H1048 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The half inhibitory concentrations (IC 50) of UTD1 for H446 and H1048 cells were 0.675 and 0.439 μg/ml, respectively. The proportion of cells in the G 2/M phase for H446 and H1048 cells in the UTD1 group at 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h was [(53.86±4.54)%, (68.59±5.49)%, (60.89±3.26)%] and [(46.83±2.20)%, (60.67±3.44)%, (57.88±5.11)%], which were significantly higher than that in the control group, except for the proportion of H1048 cells at 6 h [(38.99±2.60)% vs. (40.73±2.50)%, P<0.05]. The apoptosis rates were [(23.57±0.12)%, (35.79±1.59)%, and (46.15±4.57)%] for H446 cells and [(23.05±2.70)%, (37.73±2.97)%, and (43.39±3.31)% for H1048 cells], all of which were significantly higher than those in the control group [(6.44±0.96)%, (6.31±0.75)%, respectively; all P<0.05]. The number of LC3 fluorescent spots was [(56±11), (69±8), and (66±8)] for H446 cells and [(39±7), (56±12), and (50±11)] for H1048 cells, both significantly higher than those in the control group [(13±6) and (12±5), respectively; both P<0.05]. The relative fluorescence intensity of ROS was 2.54±0.48, 2.85±0.68, and 5.03±0.72 for H446 cells and 2.26±0.51, 4.17±0.35, and 4.66±0.51 for H1048 cells, which were also significantly higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The expression levels of cyclin B1, cyclin A2, and P21 of H446 cells in the three time points were [(0.63±0.07, 0.33±0.05, 0.23±0.04), (0.68±0.08, 0.46±0.03, 0.27±0.06), and (0.64±0.03, 0.32±0.05, 0.22±0.03), respectively], all significantly lower compared to the control group ( P<0.05). The apoptosis rates of H446 and H1048 cells in the UTD1+Z-VAD-FMK group were (19.97±3.19)% and (17.68±3.14)%, both lower than those in the UTD1 group [(40.73±3.35)% and (39.82±2.45)%, respectively; all P<0.05]. The absorbance values of H446 and H1048 cells in the UTD1+3-MA group were significantly higher than those in the UTD1 group at 6h, 12h, and 24h (all P<0.05). The levels of p-AMPKα/AMPKα, LC3-II expression, and the percentage of apoptotic cells in the H446 and H1048 cells of the UTD1+NAC group were [(1.33±0.09, 1.33±0.11), (1.49±0.16, 1.55±0.05), (17.24±2.15)%, and (19.40±4.28)%], all of which were lower than those observed in the UTD1 group [(1.98±0.17, 2.23±0.23), (2.81±0.19, 2.49±0.38), (38.07±3.53)%, and (41.20±1.87)%, all P<0.05]. The number of LC3 fluorescence points and the percentage of apoptotic cells in the H446 and H1048 cells of the UTD1+si-AMPKα group [(24±5, 23±3), (18.35±1.15)%, and (19.15±3.46)%] were all lower than those in the UTD1+si-NC group [(46±6, 36±6), (39.34±1.77)%, and (39.50±2.15)%, all P<0.05]. The tumor inhibition rates in small cell lung cancer tumor-bearing nude mice for the 2.5 mg/kg UTD1 group and the 5 mg/kg UTD1 group were 46.43% and 58.33%, respectively. Furthermore, the proportions of apoptosis-positive cells and p-AMPKα-positive cells in the UTD1 group were significantly higher compared to the control group, while the levels of Ki-67 positivity were significantly reduced. Conclusion:UTD1 inhibits SCLC cell proliferation, induces G 2/M phase arrest, and promotes cell apoptosis and autophagy through the activation of the ROS/AMPK signaling pathway.

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