1.Mechanism of Diaphragmatic Dysfunction in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Yuanyuan YING ; Xiaoqing ZHOU ; Kaiwen NI ; Zhen WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):285-296
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is a common chronic respiratory disorder frequently accompanied by diaphragmatic dysfunction during its course, which significantly increases respiratory burden and impairs quality of life. As the primary inspiratory muscle, the diaphragm is prone to fatigue, atrophy, inflammation, and fibrosis during the long-term progression of COPD. Its pathological mechanisms involve multiple pathways such as inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, ion channel abnormalities, epigenetic regulation, autophagy disorder, and protein metabolism imbalance. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has demonstrated multi-targeted and systemic regulatory advantages in improving diaphragmatic function in COPD. However, related studies remain fragmented, and integrated mechanistic understanding is lacking. This paper focuses on the mechanism-target-TCM intervention framework, systematically summarizing the molecular mechanisms of diaphragmatic dysfunction, while incorporating the TCM theory of Zongqi(ancestral Qi). It highlights the therapeutic effects of Chinese herbal formulas, single herbs, and active components in modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, ion channels, epigenetic processes, autophagy, and protein homeostasis. Additionally, the review outlines existing challenges, including insufficient study volume, unbalanced selection of herbal prescriptions, limited mechanistic depth, inconsistent disease models and experimental designs, lack of standardized diaphragmatic function assessment, and weak clinical validation. Future research should strengthen the integration of TCM and modern medicine, identify additional therapeutic targets, deepen mechanistic research, and establish unified and standardized experimental systems to advance the theoretical foundation and clinical application of TCM in the prevention and treatment of COPD-related diaphragmatic dysfunction.
2.Mechanism of Diaphragmatic Dysfunction in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Yuanyuan YING ; Xiaoqing ZHOU ; Kaiwen NI ; Zhen WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):285-296
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is a common chronic respiratory disorder frequently accompanied by diaphragmatic dysfunction during its course, which significantly increases respiratory burden and impairs quality of life. As the primary inspiratory muscle, the diaphragm is prone to fatigue, atrophy, inflammation, and fibrosis during the long-term progression of COPD. Its pathological mechanisms involve multiple pathways such as inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, ion channel abnormalities, epigenetic regulation, autophagy disorder, and protein metabolism imbalance. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has demonstrated multi-targeted and systemic regulatory advantages in improving diaphragmatic function in COPD. However, related studies remain fragmented, and integrated mechanistic understanding is lacking. This paper focuses on the mechanism-target-TCM intervention framework, systematically summarizing the molecular mechanisms of diaphragmatic dysfunction, while incorporating the TCM theory of Zongqi(ancestral Qi). It highlights the therapeutic effects of Chinese herbal formulas, single herbs, and active components in modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, ion channels, epigenetic processes, autophagy, and protein homeostasis. Additionally, the review outlines existing challenges, including insufficient study volume, unbalanced selection of herbal prescriptions, limited mechanistic depth, inconsistent disease models and experimental designs, lack of standardized diaphragmatic function assessment, and weak clinical validation. Future research should strengthen the integration of TCM and modern medicine, identify additional therapeutic targets, deepen mechanistic research, and establish unified and standardized experimental systems to advance the theoretical foundation and clinical application of TCM in the prevention and treatment of COPD-related diaphragmatic dysfunction.
3.Analysis of risk factors for postoperative pneumonia following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer
Shan LI ; Xiaoqing LI ; Xinyi YE ; Na WU ; Sicheng ZHOU ; Yang HU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(08):1222-1227
Objective To explore the risk factors for postoperative pneumonia (POP) following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, and to identify potential clinical indicators for predicting POP. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2017 to 2021. Perioperative clinical indicators were collected to analyze the risk factors for the occurrence of POP. Patients were divided into a POP group and a non-POP group according to whether POP occurred. Results A total of 613 patients with esophageal cancer were included, comprising 472 males and 141 females, with a median age of 62.0 (53.0, 67.0) years. Among them, 51 patients were in the POP group, and 562 patients were in the non-POP group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the forced expiratory volume in 1 second percentage of predicted (FEV1%) [OR=0.958, 95%CI (0.943, 0.973), P<0.001], systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) [OR=1.001, 95%CI (1.000, 1.002), P=0.007], and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) [OR=0.869, 95% CI (0.813, 0.928), P<0.001] were independent risk factors for POP. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis combining FEV1%, SII, and PNI demonstrated that the area under the curve (AUC) for predicting POP was 0.826 [95%CI (0.793, 0.855), cut-off value: 0.08, sensitivity: 80.3%, specificity: 72.4%, Youden index: 0.528, P<0.001]. Cross-validation confirmed that the combined indicators had the highest predictive efficacy, which was significantly superior to that of any single indicator alone. Conclusion Preoperative levels of FEV1%, SII, and PNI are closely associated with the occurrence of POP following surgery for esophageal cancer. The combined application of FEV1%, SII, and PNI demonstrates good predictive efficacy for the occurrence of POP.
4.Development of a nomogram for predicting cognitive impairment risk among older adults with heart disease
Xiaolei WANG ; Xiaoqing ZHAO ; Shuying CHEN ; Minghao ZHANG ; Xiaoyu ZHOU ; Haiyan LI ; Jianhua ZHANG ; Qi JING ; Zhiwei DONG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(9):993-1002
ObjectiveTo develop and validate a nomogram for predicting the risk of concurrent cognitive impairment in older adults with heart disease. MethodsSelf-reported data from 2 673 respondents in the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were analyzed. The participants were randomly divided into a training set (n = 1 871) and a validation set (n = 802). Heart disease status was determined using a self-report questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors, and a nomogram for predicting the risk of concurrent cognitive impairment in older adults with heart disease was developed using R software. Bootstrap resampling was used for internal validation, and model performance was further evaluated in the randomly split validation set. The predictive performance of the model was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration curves.. ResultsA total of 2 673 older adults with heart disease were included, out of whom 315 participants in the training set had cognitive impairment. Lasso regression analysis identified age, education level, place of residence, instrumental activities of daily living and depression as predictors of concurrent cognitive impairment. A prediction model incorporating these five variables was constructed. The AUC were 0.827 (95%CI 0.804 to 0.850) in the training set and 0.847 (95%CI 0.812 to 0.882) in the validation set. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test yielded P = 0.154 and P = 0.716 in the training and validation sets, respectively. Calibration curves showed good agreement between predicted and observed probabilities. Decision curve analysis indicated that the model provided favorable net benefit and predictive performance. ConclusionThe nomogram may provide a useful reference for risk screening and early intervention for cognitive impairment in older adults with heart disease.
5.Effects of Danlong Xingnao Prescription on Learning and Memory Ability of Vascular Dementia Rats Based on PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway
Yunhui ZHANG ; Menglin YANG ; Xiaoqing ZHOU ; Dahua WU ; Xia LIU ; Kun YANG ; Yan CHENG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(1):120-127
Objective To explore the effects of Danlong Xingnao Prescription on the learning and memory ability of vascular dementia(VD)model rats based onPI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway;To discuss its possible mechanism.Methods VD rat model was prepared using improved bilateral common carotid artery ligation method.Modeling rats were randomly divided into model group,nimodipine group and DanlongXingnao Prescription low-,medium-,high-dosage groups(3.7,7.4,14.8 g/kg),with 10 rats in each group.The sham-operation group only separated the arteries without ligation.Each medication group was given corresponding drugs by gavage,the sham-operation group and the model group were given equal amounts of physiological saline by gavage for 4 consecutive weeks.Morris water maze was used to test the learning and memory ability of rats,morphology of the hippocampus were observed by HE staining,immunohistochemistry was used to detect microvascular density and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),the activity of SOD,GSH-Px and the content of MDA in liver tissue were detected by biochemical method,RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of PI3K,Akt,mTOR,hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),VEGF,Bax and Bcl-2 in hippocampal tissue.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the latency period of evasion was significantly prolonged,and the number of platform crossings was significantly reduced in the model group(P<0.01),the cells in the hippocampal CA1 region had irregular morphology,loose arrangement,blurred boundaries,nucleolar condensation,and a large number of neuronal necrosis,the microvascular density and VEGF expression significantly increased(P<0.01),the SOD and GSH-Px activity in hippocampal tissue decreased(P<0.01),MDA content increased(P<0.01),the expressions of HIF-1α,VEGF,Bax mRNA and protein in hippocampal CA1 region increased,and PI3K,Akt,mTOR,Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the latency period of evasion were significantly shortened,and the number of platform crossings increased in the Danlong Xingnao Prescription groups(P<0.05,P<0.01),neuronal damage in hippocampal CA1 region was alleviated,microvascular density and VEGF expression increased(P<0.05,P<0.0 1),the activities of SOD and GSH-Px in hippocampal tissue increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the content of MDA decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K,Akt,mTOR,HIF-1α,VEGF,Bcl-2 in hippocampal CA1 region increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the expression of Bax mRNA and protein decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Danlong Xingnao Prescription can improve the learning and memory ability of VD model rats,promote angiogenesis,inhibit oxidative stress and apoptosis.The mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in hippocampal tissue.
6.Discussion on Prevention and Treatment of Insomnia with"Time"Based on Theory of Time Medicine in Huangdi Neijing
Xiaoqing ZHOU ; Yingying TANG ; Jialing CHEN
Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University 2025;49(9):1115-1120
[Objective]Based on the holistic view of"correspondence between nature and humans"in Huangdi Neijing,which is central to traditional Chinese time medicine theory,to explore a new diagnostic and therapeutic approach to insomnia from the perspective of"time".[Methods]By grounding in ancient and modern literature,this study elucidates the connotations of traditional Chinese time medicine and systematically reviews the temporal rhythms and derived theories related to insomnia in Huangdi Neijing,summarizing the approach to treating insomnia through time medicine.[Results]The disruption of the wake-sleep rhythm is a primary pathological mechanism of insomnia.The circadian rhythm,the four seasons rhythm,the exceeding the age rhythm and the meridians rhythm discussed in Huangdi Neijing are closely related to insomnia.They could be encapsulated into four major theories:the waxing and waning of Yin and Yang,the viscera and bowels managing time,the five movements and six climates,and the midnight-midday ebb flow theory.This study advocates a four-level strategy for insomnia,closely aligned with time medicine theory and the pathogenesis of insomnia,namely"regulating Yin and Yang""adapting to the four seasons""responding to annual Qi"and"reinforcement and elimination of Nazhi".[Conclusion]The time medicine concept in Huangdi Neijing has objectively effects in the prevention and treatment of insomnia,providing a new breakthrough and integration point for clinical diagnosis and treatment of insomnia.In clinical diagnosis and treatment of insomnia,the consideration of time rhythms should be fully integrated to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.
7.Lipidomics-Based Study on the Mechanism of Sanhan Huashi Formula in Treating Respiratory Syncytial Virus Pneumonia Model Mice
Yuqing ZHU ; Keyu TAO ; Yingcai XIONG ; Jiru ZHANG ; Zhaowei ZHANG ; Xiaoqing ZHOU ; Jiani TAN ; Jianjian JI
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(11):1480-1492
OBJECTIVE To investigate the therapeutic effect of Sanhan Huashi Formula(SHF)on respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)-infected mouse models and explore its potential antiviral and anti-inflammatory mechanisms using lipidomics.METHODS Fifty-four BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups(n=9):blank group,model group,Ribavirin group(50 mg·kg-1·d-1),and SHF high(15.46 g·kg-1·d-1),medium(7.73 g·kg-1·d-1),and low-dose(3.87 g·kg-1·d-1)groups.A pneumonia model was established by in-tranasal RSV infection,followed by three consecutive days of oral gavage administration.Lung tissues were collected for histopathologi-cal evaluation using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and inflammation scoring.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was performed to measure mRNA levels of viral gene fusion protein(F),glycoprotein(G),and inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)to assess lung viral load and inflammation,while immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the expression of RSV-F protein in lung tissues.Serum lipidomics analysis was conducted using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q Exactive Or-bitrap MS)to identify lipid metabolism changes and differential lipids.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,mice in the model group exhibited marked pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue injury,with significantly elevated pulmonary histopa-thology scores and lung index.The lung viral load and the mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased,and immunofluorescence likewise indicated high expression of RSV-F protein in lung tissue.Relative to the model group,treatment with SHF at all tested doses clearly ameliorated lung tissue injury,effectively suppressed viral gene expression and inflammatory cytokine levels,and reduced the fluorescence signal intensity of RSV-F protein in the lungs.Lipidomics analysis re-vealed that compared with the blank group,the model group exhibited marked disturbances in lipid metabolism-characterized by dys-regulation of triacylglycerol(TG),phosphatidylcholine(PC),lysophosphatidylcholine(LPC),sphingomyelin(SM),diacylglycerol(DG),lysophosphatidylethanolamine(LPE),and phosphatidylethanolamine(PE).High-dose SHF treatment reversed these RSV-induced lipid abnormalities.CONCLUSION SHF effectively alleviates RSV-induced pulmonary inflammation and pathological injury,re-duces pulmonary RSV viral load,and may exert these effects by modulating dysregulated lipid metabolism in peripheral blood.
8.Study on the efficacy and mechanism of Qingre xiaoyanning against influenza A H3N2 virus
Shasha ZHOU ; Xueqing CHENG ; Dongdong PENG ; Xiaoqing WANG ; Lijun FU ; Wenxi XIAO ; Guomin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(3):347-354
AIM:To investigate the antiviral effica-cy and mechanism of Qingre Xiaoyanning(QRXYN)in vivo,and provide experimental basis for their prevention and treatment of influenza A virus.METHODS:We constructed a mouse model infect-ed with influenza A H3N2 virus.To evaluate the therapeutic effect of QRXYN on influenza A virus,we measured the body weight changes,pathologi-cal changes in lung tissue,hemagglutination titer,and viral load in mouse.To evaluate the possible mechanism of QRXYN's anti influenza A virus infec-tion,we used the ELISA to measure the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-4,IFN-γ,and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1)in mouse bronchoalveolar Ia-vage fluid;used flow cytometry to assess the pro-portions of macrophages(F4/80),helper T lympho-cytes(CD4+T lymphocytes),and natural killer(NK)cells in lung tissue;and used Western blotting to detect the expression of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MYD88),inhibitor of kappa B kinase-β(IKK-β),NF-kappa-B inhibitor al-pha(IκBα),and phospho-IKB alpha(p-IκBα)in lung tissue.RESULTS:Compared to the model group,both Oseltamivir and QRXYN can alleviate the se-verity of lung tissue lesions in mice,decrease the blood coagulation titer and viral load of mouse lung tissue(P<0.01),lower the levels of TNF-α,IL-4,and VCAM-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(P<0.05,P<0.01),reduce the proportion of macro-phages(P<0.05,P<0.01),and increase the propor-tion of CD4+T lymphocytes and NK cells(P<0.05,P<0.01).Additionally,oseltamivir can reduce the ex-pression of MYD88 protein in mouse lungs(P<0.05),while QRXYN can decrease the expression of IKK-β and P-IκBα proteins in mouse lungs(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:QRXYN have good in vivo antiviral ef-fects against the influenza A virus,and their mecha-nism may be related to the regulation of the immu-nologic function and NF-κB signal pathway.
9.Effects of Danlong Xingnao Prescription on the Activation of Microglial Cells in Hippocampal Region and HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB Pathway in Vascular Dementia Model Rats
Yunhui ZHANG ; Menglin YANG ; Xiaoqing ZHOU ; Dahua WU ; Xia LIU ; Jianshe QIN ; Yujing HUANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(4):120-127
Objective To investigate the effects of Danlong Xingnao Prescription on learning and memory ability and microglia activation in rats with vascular dementia(VD)based on HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB pathway.Methods Ten rats were randomly selected from 72 rats as a sham-operation group.The remaining rats were treated with modified bilateral common carotid artery ligation method to prepare the VD model.The 50 successful model rats were randomly divided into model group,nimodipine group(10.8 mg/kg)and Danlong Xingnao Prescription low-,medium-and high-dosage groups(3.7,7.4,14.8 g/kg),with 10 rats in each group.The administration groups were given relevant solution for gavage,the sham-operation group and model group were given the same amount of normal saline for consecutive 28 d.Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate learning and memory abilities of rats,the morphology in the hippocampus were observed by HE staining,the contents of interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in hippocampal tissue were detect by ELISA,RT-PCR was used to detect high mobility group protein B1(HMGB1),receptor of advanced glycation end product(RAGE),nuclear factor(NF)-κB p65 and regulatory RNase-1(Regnase-1)mRNA expression in hippocampal tissue,immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the protein expressions of ion calcium binding adapter molecule 1(Iba1),HMGB1,RAGE,NF-κB p65 and Regnase-1 in hippocampal tissue.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the escape latency of rats was prolonged,and the number of crossings through the original platform was increased in the model group(P<0.01),the pyramidal cells in the hippocampus were reduced and irregularly shaped,with unclear cell and nuclear membranes,and a significant number of necrotic neurons were visible,the contents of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in hippocampal tissue increased(P<0.01),the mRNA expressions of HMGB1,RAGE and NF-κB p65 in hippocampal tissue increased(P<0.01),while the mRNA expression of Regnase-1 decreased(P<0.01),the protein expressions of Iba1,HMGB1,RAGE and NF-κB p65 increased(P<0.01),while the protein expression of Regnase-1 decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the escape latency of rats was shortened in Danlong Xingnao Prescription groups,the number of crossings through the original platform was reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01),the neuronal structure of hippocampal tissue was significantly improved,the number of necrotic neurons was reduced,and the contents of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in hippocampal tissue reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01),the mRNA expressions of HMGB1,RAGE and NF-κB p65 in hippocampal tissue decreased,the mRNA expression of Regnase-1 increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the protein expression of Iba1,HMGB1,RAGE and NF-κB p65 decreased,the protein expression of Regnase-1 increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Danlong Xingnao Prescription can improve the learning and memory ability of VD rats,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the activation of HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB pathway and increasing Regnase-1 expression,thereby inhibiting the activation of microglia.
10.Study on the efficacy and mechanism of Qingre xiaoyanning against influenza A H3N2 virus
Shasha ZHOU ; Xueqing CHENG ; Dongdong PENG ; Xiaoqing WANG ; Lijun FU ; Wenxi XIAO ; Guomin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(3):347-354
AIM:To investigate the antiviral effica-cy and mechanism of Qingre Xiaoyanning(QRXYN)in vivo,and provide experimental basis for their prevention and treatment of influenza A virus.METHODS:We constructed a mouse model infect-ed with influenza A H3N2 virus.To evaluate the therapeutic effect of QRXYN on influenza A virus,we measured the body weight changes,pathologi-cal changes in lung tissue,hemagglutination titer,and viral load in mouse.To evaluate the possible mechanism of QRXYN's anti influenza A virus infec-tion,we used the ELISA to measure the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-4,IFN-γ,and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1)in mouse bronchoalveolar Ia-vage fluid;used flow cytometry to assess the pro-portions of macrophages(F4/80),helper T lympho-cytes(CD4+T lymphocytes),and natural killer(NK)cells in lung tissue;and used Western blotting to detect the expression of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MYD88),inhibitor of kappa B kinase-β(IKK-β),NF-kappa-B inhibitor al-pha(IκBα),and phospho-IKB alpha(p-IκBα)in lung tissue.RESULTS:Compared to the model group,both Oseltamivir and QRXYN can alleviate the se-verity of lung tissue lesions in mice,decrease the blood coagulation titer and viral load of mouse lung tissue(P<0.01),lower the levels of TNF-α,IL-4,and VCAM-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(P<0.05,P<0.01),reduce the proportion of macro-phages(P<0.05,P<0.01),and increase the propor-tion of CD4+T lymphocytes and NK cells(P<0.05,P<0.01).Additionally,oseltamivir can reduce the ex-pression of MYD88 protein in mouse lungs(P<0.05),while QRXYN can decrease the expression of IKK-β and P-IκBα proteins in mouse lungs(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:QRXYN have good in vivo antiviral ef-fects against the influenza A virus,and their mecha-nism may be related to the regulation of the immu-nologic function and NF-κB signal pathway.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail