1.Active Ingredients of Bupleuri Radix in Treatment of Central Nervous System: A Review
Shuhuan YANG ; Xin JIANG ; Runda YUAN ; Fang LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):325-334
Diseases of the central nervous system have become a growing global health concern. At present, there are many adverse reactions in the treatment with Western medicine. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine has shown unique efficacy and rich clinical practice accumulation in diseases of the central nervous system. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Bupleuri Radix has played an important role in the treatment of neurological diseases through multi-target regulation, multi-pathway intervention, and multi-pathway mechanism of action. In recent years, with the in-depth study of the pharmacological effects of Bupleuri Radix, it has been found that the active ingredients such as saikosaponin, baicalin, quercetin, and kaempferol in Bupleuri Radix can be used as the main material basis for the treatment of neurological diseases. The results of this study showed that in neurodegenerative diseases, active ingredients of Bupleuri Radix can inhibit β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and abnormal phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein (Tau protein) in Alzheimer's disease, regulate the nuclear factor-κB/nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (NF-κB/Nrf2) pathway to play the anti-inflammatory role, and alleviate α-Synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation and mitochondrial damage in Parkinson's disease. In epilepsy, depression, and cerebral ischemia, they can improve symptoms by regulating neurotransmitters, oxidative stress, and apoptosis pathways, and inhibit brain glioma proliferation. However, the mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated, and the complexity of compound components and poor blood-brain barrier penetration limit their clinical application. In the future, it is necessary to integrate multi-omics, network pharmacology, and nano-delivery technologies, focus on the optimization of active ingredient group compounds and the precise guidance of biomarkers, accelerate the development of innovative therapies for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other diseases for laying a solid theoretical foundation for further development and application and inspiring new research ideas.
2.Mechanism prediction and verification of Xihuang pill against diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Ruyi HUANG ; Jinyu LI ; Wenqi LIN ; Xin JIANG ; Yanling CHEN ; Weikun HUANG ; Lin YANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):161-167
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of Xihuang pill (XHP) against diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). METHODS The active ingredients of XHP and potential therapeutic targets for DLBCL were identified using TCMSP, GeneCards and DisGeNET databases. Protein-protein interaction networks were constructed using the String database and Cytoscape software to screen core components and core targets. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were then performed. The clinical relevance of core targets was analyzed using the GEPIA and PanCanSurvPlot databases. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were conducted to verify the interactions between core components and core targets, and the binding free energy was calculated using the molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) method. The effects of XHP on DLBCL and the related molecular mechanisms were validated using CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry and Western blot. RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis identified 108 active ingredients of XHP and 410 potential therapeutic targets for DLBCL. Six core components (e.g., 17 beta-estradiol, quercetin) and ten core targets [e.g., tumor protein 53 (TP53), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (SRC)] were obtained. Enrichment analysis indicated that the anti-DLBCL effects of XHP were primarily associated with the apoptotic signaling pathway, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway and so on. Clinical correlation analysis revealed that TP53 and SRC expression were significantly up-regulated in DLBCL tissues and associated with poor patient prognosis (P<0.05). Molecular docking, MD simulations and MM-PBSA calculations confirmed that the SRC-quercetin complex had a mail:stronger and more stable binding affinity. In vitro experiments demonstrated that XHP concentration-dependently inhibited the proliferation of DLBCL cells; compared with control group, XHP medium- and high-dose groups could significantly induce the apoptosis of SU-DHL2 and SU-DHL4 cells, and significantly down- regulated the expressions of SRC protein, phosphorylated (p)-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt in SU-DHL4 cells (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS XHP may inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of DLBCL cells by regulating the SRC/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
3.Simultaneous TAVI and McKeown for esophageal cancer with severe aortic regurgitation: A case report
Liang CHENG ; Lulu LIU ; Xin XIAO ; Lin LIN ; Mei YANG ; Jingxiu FAN ; Hai YU ; Longqi CHEN ; Yingqiang GUO ; Yong YUAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(02):277-280
A 71-year-old male presented with esophageal cancer and severe aortic valve regurgitation. Treatment strategies for such patients are controversial. Considering the risks of cardiopulmonary bypass and potential esophageal cancer metastasis, we successfully performed transcatheter aortic valve implantation and minimally invasive three-incision thoracolaparoscopy combined with radical resection of esophageal cancer (McKeown) simultaneously in the elderly patient who did not require neoadjuvant treatment. This dual minimally invasive procedure took 6 hours and the patient recovered smoothly without any surgical complications.
4.Awareness of knowledge about hepatitis C prevention and control among outpatients in Ningbo City
TAN Shiwen ; SHI Hongbo ; JIANG Haibo ; CHU Kun ; YE Zehao ; YANG Jianhui ; ZHOU Xin
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):192-196
Objective:
To investigate the awareness of knowledge about hepatitis C prevention and control among outpatients in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, and its influencing factors, so as to provide the evidence for strengthening health education on hepatitis C prevention and control.
Methods:
Based on sentinel surveillance of hepatitis C, the outpatients aged 15 to 65 years at seven hospitals in Yinzhou District, Cixi City and Xiangshan County of Ningbo City were selected using the convenient sampling method from April to June during 2020 and 2022. Demographic information, knowledge and behaviors related to hepatitis C prevention and control were collected through questionnaire surveys. The influencing factors for knowledge about hepatitis C prevention and control were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model.
Results:
A total of 2 792 participants were surveyed, including 1 157 males (41.44%) and 1 635 females (58.56%). The awareness rate of knowledge about hepatitis C prevention and control was 56.23%, and was lower in knowledge about hepatitis C vaccine and treatment. The awareness rates of knowledge about hepatitis C prevention and control among outpatients from 2020 to 2022 were 47.11%, 53.22% and 70.65%, respectively, showing an upward trend (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that participants aged 25 to <50 years (OR=1.358, 95%CI: 1.073-1.719), with an educational level of high school or junior college (OR=1.431, 95%CI: 1.134-1.806) or above junior college (OR=3.728, 95%CI: 2.958-4.699), with household monthly income per capita of 3 000 to <5 000 yuan (OR=1.828, 95%CI: 1.344-2.486) or ≥5 000 yuan (OR=1.858, 95%CI: 1.366-2.526), without a history of invasive treatments such as pedicure in public places (OR=1.287, 95%CI: 1.024-1.618), without a history of contact with family members' blood-contaminated items (OR=2.050, 95%CI: 1.552-2.707), and always using condoms during sexual contacts (OR=1.740, 95%CI: 1.273-2.378) had higher awareness of knowledge about hepatitis C prevention and control.
Conclusions
The awareness of knowledge about hepatitis C vaccine and treatment among outpatients in Ningbo City needs to be improved. Age, educational level, household monthly income per capita, history of invasive treatments such as pedicure in public places, history of contact with family members' blood-contaminated items and frequency of condom use during sexual contacts are associated with outpatients' awareness of knowledge about hepatitis C prevention and control.
5.Structure, content and data standardization of rehabilitation medical records
Yaru YANG ; Zhuoying QIU ; Di CHEN ; Zhongyan WANG ; Meng ZHANG ; Shiyong WU ; Yaoguang ZHANG ; Xiaoxie LIU ; Yanyan YANG ; Bin ZENG ; Mouwang ZHOU ; Yuxiao XIE ; Guangxu XU ; Jiejiao ZHENG ; Mingsheng ZHANG ; Xiangming YE ; Jian YANG ; Na AN ; Yuanjun DONG ; Xiaojia XIN ; Xiangxia REN ; Ye LIU ; Yifan TIAN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(1):21-32
ObjectiveTo elucidate the critical role of rehabilitation medical records (including electronic records) in rehabilitation medicine's clinical practice and management, comprehensively analyzed the structure, core content and data standards of rehabilitation medical records, to develop a standardized medical record data architecture and core dataset suitable for rehabilitation medicine and to explore the application of rehabilitation data in performance evaluation and payment. MethodsBased on the regulatory documents Basic Specifications for Medical Record Writing and Basic Specifications for Electronic Medical Records (Trial) issued by National Health Commission of China, and referencing the World Health Organization (WHO) Family of International Classifications (WHO-FICs) classifications, International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10/ICD-11), International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI Beta-3), this study constructed the data architecture, core content and data standards for rehabilitation medical records. Furthermore, it explored the application of rehabilitation record summary sheets (home page) data in rehabilitation medical statistics and payment methods, including Diagnosis-related Groups (DRG), Diagnosis-Intervention Packet (DIP) and Case Mix Index. ResultsThis study proposed a systematic standard framework for rehabilitation medical records, covering key components such as patient demographics, rehabilitation diagnosis, functional assessment, rehabilitation treatment prescriptions, progress evaluations and discharge summaries. The research analyzed the systematic application methods and data standards of ICD-10/ICD-11, ICF and ICHI Beta-3 in the fields of medical record terminology, coding and assessment. Constructing a standardized data structure and data standards for rehabilitation medical records can significantly improve the quality of data reporting based on the medical record summary sheet, thereby enhancing the quality control of rehabilitation services, effectively supporting the optimization of rehabilitation medical insurance payment mechanisms, and contributing to the establishment of rehabilitation medical performance evaluation and payment based on DRG and DIP. ConclusionStructured rehabilitation records and data standardization are crucial tools for quality control in rehabilitation. Systematically applying the three reference classifications of the WHO-FICs, and aligning with national medical record and electronic health record specifications, facilitate the development of a standardized rehabilitation record architecture and core dataset. Standardizing rehabilitation care pathways based on the ICF methodology, and developing ICF- and ICD-11-based rehabilitation assessment tools, auxiliary diagnostic and therapeutic systems, and supporting terminology and coding systems, can effectively enhance the quality of rehabilitation records and enable interoperability and sharing of rehabilitation data with other medical data, ultimately improving the quality and safety of rehabilitation services.
6.Analysis of related factors of dual use of traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes among middle school students in Beijing
QIN Ran, LIU Yang, LI Hongtian, LIU Jianmeng, GUO Xin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):58-62
Objective:
To analyze the factors related to dual use of traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes among middle school students in Beijing, in order to provide a scientific basis for adapting to the new situation and carrying out tobacco control among adolescents.
Methods:
A multi stage cluster random sampling method was used to select 15 688 and 13 607 junior and senior middle school students from 16 districts in Beijing from April to June in 2019 and 2023, respectively. Online self administered questionnaires among middle school students in Beijing were completed, including use of traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes, exposure to second hand smoke, attitudes and perceptions towards tobacco, etc. The Chi-square test was used to compare rates, and a multiple factors Logistic regression model was used to analyze related factors of traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes dual use among middle school students.
Results:
The dual use rate of traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes in 2023 had decreased to 2.46% from 4.88% in 2019 among middle school students in Beijing. The results of the multiple Logistic regression model analysis showed that among middle school students, tobacco control anywhere at home (boys: OR =0.47, girls: OR =0.34), without anyone smoking on campus in the past month (boys: OR =0.43, girls: OR =0.26) had lower risks of dual use ( P <0.05); and middle school students strongly or slightly agreeing that smoking could bring happiness (boys: OR =4.11, 2.22, girls: OR =5.32, 3.87), believing that smoking could increase attractiveness of young people (boys: OR =3.13, girls: OR =5.81), smoking cigarettes handed over by good friends (boys: OR =4.24, girls: OR =7.21), thinking smoking in the next year (boys: OR =5.77, girls: OR =7.74) had higher risks of dual use ( P <0.05).Among boys, junior middle school students ( OR =0.50), excellent academic performance ( OR =0.36), no acceptance of free tobacco products from tobacco companies ( OR =0.38), believing that smoking couldn t refresh oneself ( OR =0.37) and smoking still could pose a health hazard though not yet addictive ( OR =0.32) had lower risks of dual use ( P <0.05);and boys with a history of secondhand smoke exposure indoor outside home ( OR =2.19), believing that quitting smoking without difficulty ( OR =2.57),smoking e-cigarettes handed over by good friends ( OR =11.27) had higher risks of dual use ( P <0.05). Among girls, no acceptance of using tobacco product labeled items ( OR =0.28) had lower risks of dual use ( P <0.05); and girls whose parents both smoke ( OR =5.53), believing that quitting smoking might not be difficult ( OR =4.44) had higher risks of dual use ( P < 0.05 ).
Conclusions
The dual use rate of traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes among middle school students in Beijing has decreased. It is recommended to take the construction of smoke free families as the starting point, so as to reduce indoor second hand smoke exposure and control tobacco promotions, and promote the formation of correct tobacco control culture and moral constraints among secondary school students.
7.Differentiation and Treatment of Lipid Turbidity Disease Based on Theory of "Spleen Ascending and Stomach Descending"
Yun HUANG ; Wenyu ZHU ; Wei SONG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Xin ZHOU ; Lele YANG ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):244-252
Lipid turbidity disease is a metabolic disease featuring lipid metabolism disorders caused by many factors such as social environment, diet, and lifestyle, which is closely related to many diseases in modern medicine, such as hyperlipidemia, obesity, fatty liver, atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, with a wide range of influence and far-reaching harm. According to the Huangdi Neijing, lipid turbidity disease reflects the pathological change of the body's physiologic grease. Grease is the thick part of body fluids, which has the function of nourishing, and it is the initial state and source of important substances in the human body such as brain, marrow, essence, and blood. Once the grease of the human body is abnormal, it can lead to lipid turbidity disease. The Huangdi Neijing also points out the physiological relationship between the transportation and transformation of body fluids and the rise and fall of the spleen and stomach, which can deduce the pathological relationship between the occurrence of lipid turbidity disease and the abnormal rise and fall of the spleen and stomach functions. Lipid turbidity disease is caused by overconsumption of fatty and sweet foods or insufficient spleen and stomach endowments, leading to disorders of the function of promoting clear and reducing turbidity in the spleen and stomach. This leads to the transformation of thick grease in body fluids into lipid turbidity, which accumulates in the body's meridians, blood vessels, skin pores, and organs, forming various forms of metabolic diseases. The research team believed that the pathological basis of lipid turbidity disease was the abnormal rise and fall of the spleen and stomach and the obstruction of the transfer of grease. According to the different locations where lipid turbidity stays, it was divided into four common pathogenesis types: ''inability to distinguish between the clear and turbid, turbid stagnation in the Ying blood'', ''spleen not rising clear, turbid accumulation in the vessels'', ''spleen dysfunction, lipid retention in the pores'', ''spleen failure to transportation and transformation, and grease accumulation in the liver''. According to the pathogenesis, it could be divided into four common syndromes, namely, turbid stagnation in the Ying blood, turbid accumulation in the vessels, lipid retention in the pores, and grease accumulation in the liver, and the corresponding prescriptions were given for syndrome differentiation and treatment, so as to guide clinical differentiation and treatment of the lipid turbidity disease.
8.Mediating effect of frailty on social isolation and cognitive function among the elderly
JIANG Meiting ; YANG Wenfei ; ZHANG Xiang ; CAI Xin ; GUAN Aijun ; ZENG Dongyang
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):17-20
Objective:
To examine the mediating effect of frailty on social isolation and cognitive function among the elderly.
Methods:
Demographic information, smoking, alcohol consumption and cognitive function of the elderly at ages of 60 years and older were collected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2020. Social isolation and frailty were evaluated using social isolation index and frailty index, respectively. The mediating effect of frailty on social isolation and cognitive function was analyzed using the Process program, and the significance of the mediating role was tested using the Bootstrap test.
Results:
A total of 2 822 individuals were enrolled, including 1 483 males (52.55%) and 1 339 females (47.45%). There were 2 497 (88.48%) and 325 (11.52%) individuals at ages of 60-<75 years and ≥75 years, respectively. The median cognitive function score was 14 (interquartile range, 16) points. There were 432 cases with social isolation (15.31%), with a median social isolation index of 10 (interquartile range, 5) points. The median frailty index was 0.11 (interquartile range, 0.15). There were 1 111 individuals without frailty, accounting for 39.37%; 1 214 individuals with pre-frailty, accounting for 43.02%; and 497 individuals with frailty, accounting for 17.61%. Mediating effect analysis showed that social isolation affected cognitive function directly and negatively with the effect value of -0.773 (95%CI: -0.899 to -0.647), and also affected cognitive function by frailty indirectly and negatively with the effect value of -0.147 (95%CI: -0.188 to -0.110), with the mediating effect contributed 15.98% of the total effect.
Conclusion
Frailty can directly or indirectly affect cognitive function among elderly through social isolation.
9.Weichang'an Prescription-containing Serum Induces Ferroptosis of Gastric Cancer MKN-45 Cells
Xin LI ; Jinzu YANG ; Jianxin QIAN ; Li TAO ; Ling CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):132-139
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Weichang'an prescription-containing serum on ferroptosis of human gastric cancer cells and explore the possible mechanism. MethodsSD rats were administrated with 18, 36, 72 g·kg-1·d-1 Weichang'an prescription by gavage for preparation of serum samples containing different doses of Weichang'an prescription, which were then used to treat MKN-45 cells. The cell proliferation was examined by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). In addition, inhibitors of apoptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis were added, and the survival of the cells treated with the serum samples was observed. The fluorescent probe dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) and the lipid peroxidation sensor C11-BODIPY were employed to detect the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation, respectively. The levels of ferrous ion (Fe2+), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Real-time PCR and Western blotting were employed to determine the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B1 (AKR1B1), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). ResultsCompared with the blank group, Weichang'an prescription-containing serum decreased the viability of MKN-45 cells (P<0.05, P<0.01) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Compared with the Weichang'an prescription group, the apoptosis inhibitor+Weichang'an prescription group and the ferroptosis inhibitor+Weichang'an prescription group showed increased cell viability (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, Weichang'an prescription elevated the levels of ROS, lipid peroxidation, and intracellular Fe2+ and MDA (P<0.05, P<0.01) and lowered the level of GSH (P<0.05, P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the blank group, Weichang'an prescription down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2, AKR1B1, and GPX4 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4 (P<0.05, P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the blank group, Weichang'an prescription down-regulated the protein levels of p-STAT3 and p-ERK (P<0.05, P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. ConclusionThe Weichang'an prescription-containing serum can promote the ferroptosis and inhibit the proliferation of MKN-45 cells by regulating the STAT3 and MAPK pathways.
10.Mechanism of Modified Danggui Shaoyaosan in Improving Inflammation and Apoptosis in Acne via Regulating JNK/p38 MAPK Pathway
Gongzhen CHEN ; Yuqi YANG ; Xin LIU ; Ting TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):31-40
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of modified Danggui Shaoyaosan on acne based on the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) pathway. MethodsA rat ear acne model was established in SD rats, and the rats were divided into a blank group, a model group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of modified Danggui Shaoyaosan (7.15, 14.30, 28.60 g·kg·d-1), with six rats in each group. After the administration for 14 consecutive days, morphological changes in the rats' auricles were observed, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to examine the pathological changes in the acne-affected ear tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the ear tissue. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was performed to detect the mRNA expression levels of Caspase-3, B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), JNK, and p38 MAPK in the ear tissue. Additionally, Western blot analysis was conducted to assess the protein levels of Caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, JNK, and p38 MAPK in the ear tissue. The active components and key targets of modified Danggui Shaoyaosan in the treatment of acne were identified through network pharmacology analysis. Molecular docking was then employed to evaluate the interactions between the main active components and the key targets. ResultsThe results of the animal experiment demonstrated that compared with those in the blank group, rats in the model group exhibited redness, swelling, thickening, hardening, dryness, and roughness of the auricle. The surface showed sebaceous scales and desquamation, accompanied by acne-like lesions such as papule-like elevations or cysts. Histopathological changes included keratinization, epidermal thickening, dermal collagen fiber degeneration and necrosis, subcutaneous muscle degeneration and necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrous tissue proliferation. The mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, Caspase-3, Bax, JNK, and p38 MAPK were significantly increased (P<0.01), while those of Bcl-2 were significantly decreased (P<0.01). In comparison to the model group, the modified Danggui Shaoyaosan groups showed marked improvement in acne-like lesions of the auricle, with varying degrees of histopathological damage reduction. Additionally, the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, Caspase-3, Bax, JNK, and p38 MAPK in the tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while those of Bcl-2 were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Network pharmacology analysis indicated that the key compounds in modified Danggui Shaoyaosan responsible for its effects in treating acne may include acacetin, kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin, wogonin, and baicalein. These compounds exerted their effects by modulating core targets such as TNF, IL-1β, Caspase-3, and Bcl-2, thereby alleviating inflammation and apoptosis and ultimately improving acne symptoms. ConclusionModified Danggui Shaoyaosan may exert its therapeutic effects on acne by inhibiting the activation of the JNK/p38 MAPK pathway, thereby alleviating inflammation and apoptosis.


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