1.Application Value of Scales for Symptom & Syndrome Evaluation in Spleen-Stomach Diseases Related New Drug Research and Development
Fengbin LIU ; Simeng YAO ; Ping WANG ; Liqun BIAN ; Zhengkun HOU ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(5):504-509
Symptom and syndrome efficacy evaluation scales are indispensable tools for clinical efficacy assessment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and hold significant value at all stages of new drug research development for spleen and stomach diseases. These scales can provide scientific basis for clinical positioning, efficacy evaluation, and expansion of indications of new drugs. By analyzing the current hotspots and difficulties in research, this study aims to explore the important significance of these scales in the development of new drugs for spleen and stomach diseases, summarize the domestic research progress, and conduct comparative analyses with international studies. Future development trends are also discussed in order to promote the application of symptom and syndrome efficacy evaluation scales in the development of new drugs for spleen and stomach diseases and to advance the moder-nization process of TCM.
2.Treatment of Hyperthyroidism Combined with Atrial Fibrillation:from the Liver
Yao XU ; Yan ZHOU ; Hui LI ; Yifang HAO ; Jintao ZHANG ; Longmei YAN ; Yaxuan XING ; Jingchun ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(11):1225-1230
Hyperthyroidism (HT) is frequently complicated by atrial fibrillation (AF) in clinical practice. Based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) zang-xiang (藏象) theory and clinical experience, both HT and AF are closely associated with dysfunction of the liver. The pathogenesis is initiated by the liver failing to govern the free flow of qi, and liver constraint and qi stagnation, with the key turning points being liver constraint transforming into fire and the internal stirring of liver wind, ultimately leading to liver blood depletion and insufficient nourishment of the heart spirit. Thus, it is proposed to treat the disease from the liver, with stage-specific therapeutic approaches according to the evolution of the disease. In the early stage, the treatment should focus on soothing the liver and relieving constraint to reduce goiter and calm the heart, while in the progressive stage, the method of clearing liver and draining fire is suggested to subdue yang and stabilize palpitations. In the acute stage, the strategy is calming the liver and nourishing yin to subdue yang and extinguish wind. In the later stage, it is suggested to soften the liver and benefit qi, so as to nourish yin and restore pulse. These methods are sequentially applied to synergistically reduce goiter and stabilize palpitations, providing a therapeutic approach for HT complicated by AF.
3.Pollen-food allergy syndrome: association between allergen cross-reactivity and symptom severity.
Yuqiao ZHANG ; Fengxia YANG ; Xiaohui YAN ; Xueliang SHEN ; Ningyu FENG ; Ting YAO ; Shurong LI ; Xiyuan YAN ; Ruixia MA
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(12):1156-1162
Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and major allergens of patients with pollen-food allergy syndrome(PFAS) and their correlation with the severity of symptoms, and to provide a basis for identifying high-risk patients, optimizing the allergen testing process and developing individualized dietary management strategies. Methods:The clinical data of 166 patients with PFAS admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to July 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical symptoms, pollen types and food allergy of the patients were analyzed by questionnaire survey and serum specific IgE detection. phi coefficient, Apriori algorithm modeling and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the association between allergen and symptom severity. Results:Artemisia pollen was the most common allergen in this area, with a positive rate of 96.39%. Peach and mango were the most common food allergens, which caused allergic reactions in 24.10% and 22.89% of patients, respectively. Oral mucosal symptoms were the main symptoms. Correlation analysis showed that there was a correlation between pollen allergens and allergenic food. Association rule analysis showed that when the patient was allergic to the combination of peanuts and trees, the probability of high severity of symptoms was 82.35%. Multivariate analysis showed that ragweed allergy was significantly positively correlated with the severity of PFAS symptoms. Conclusion:Artemisia pollen and related food allergens play an important role in the pathogenesis of PFAS. Association rule mining and network map analysis revealed direct associations between peanut and tree combination allergy and symptom severity, as well as potential links between other inhaled allergens and specific food allergies. Ragweed and peach allergy are independent risk factors for the aggravation of PFAS symptoms, which can be used as early warning indicators. These results help to improve the screening of high-risk patients and the construction of regional allergen databases.
Humans
;
Food Hypersensitivity/immunology*
;
Allergens/immunology*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Pollen/immunology*
;
Cross Reactions
;
Immunoglobulin E/blood*
;
Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/immunology*
;
Artemisia/immunology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Prunus persica/immunology*
;
Arachis/immunology*
;
Middle Aged
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Surveys and Questionnaires
;
Oral Allergy Syndrome
4.Pseudolaric Acid B Alleviates Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Targeting PPARα to Regulate Lipid Metabolism and Promote Mitochondrial Biogenesis.
Shu-Yan LIU ; Xiao-Wei ZHANG ; Gai GAO ; Chang-Xin LIU ; Hui CHEN ; Zhong-Xue FU ; Jiang-Yan XU ; Zhen-Zhen WANG ; Zhen-Qiang ZHANG ; Zhi-Shen XIE
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(10):877-888
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the therapeutic potential of pseudolaric acid B (PAB) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its underlying molecular mechanism in vitro and in vivo.
METHODS:
Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice (n=32) were fed either a normal chow diet (NCD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. The HFD mice were divided into 3 groups according to a simple random method, including HFD, PAB low-dose [10 mg/(kg·d), PAB-L], and PAB high-dose [20 mg/(kg·d), PAB-H] groups. After 8 weeks of treatment, glucose metabolism and insulin resistance were assessed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT). Biochemical assays were used to measure the serum and cellular levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). White adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT) and liver tissue were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining or Oil Red O staining to observe the alterations in adipose tissue and liver injury. PharmMapper and DisGeNet were used to predict the NAFLD-related PAB targets. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) pathway involvement was suggested by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and search tool Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) analyses. Luciferase reporter assay, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), and drug affinity responsive target stability assay (DARTS) were conducted to confirm direct binding of PAB with PPARα. Molecular dynamics simulations were applied to further validate target engagement. RT-qPCR and Western blot were performed to assess the downstream genes and proteins expression, and validated by PPARα inhibitor MK886.
RESULTS:
PAB significantly reduced serum TC, TG, LDL-C, AST, and ALT levels, and increased HDL-C level in HFD mice (P<0.01). Target prediction analysis indicated a significant correlation between PAB and PPARα pathway. PAB direct target binding with PPARα was confirmed through luciferase reporter assay, CETSA, and DARTS (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The target engagement between PAB and PPARα protein was further confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations and the top 3 amino acid residues, LEU321, MET355, and PHE273 showed the most significant changes in mutational energy. Subsequently, PAB upregulated the genes expressions involved in lipid metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis downstream of PPARα (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Significantly, the PPARα inhibitor MK886 effectively reversed the lipid-lowering and PPARα activation properties of PAB (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
PAB mitigates lipid accumulation, ameliorates liver damage, and improves mitochondrial biogenesis by binding with PPARα, thus presenting a potential candidate for pharmaceutical development in the treatment of NAFLD.
Animals
;
PPAR alpha/metabolism*
;
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/pathology*
;
Male
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Lipid Metabolism/drug effects*
;
Diterpenes/therapeutic use*
;
Organelle Biogenesis
;
Diet, High-Fat
;
Humans
;
Mice
;
Liver/metabolism*
;
Insulin Resistance
;
Mitochondria/metabolism*
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
5.Comparison on Rat Models of Acute Cerebral Infarction Due to Stasis Combined with Toxin Complicated with Cerebral-cardiac Syndrome
Mingjiang YAO ; Junyuan LI ; Yue LIU ; Ce CAO ; Guo YUAN ; Lei LI ; Jianxun LIU ; Yunling ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):112-119
ObjectiveTo observe and compare the electrocardiogram index, myocardial morphology, and connexin 43 (Cx43) expression of two rat models of acute cerebral infarction (ACI) due to stasis combined with toxin complicated with cerebral-cardiac syndrome (CCS), and to provide experimental evidence for the research on the occurrence mechanism of cardiac diseases induced by ACI and the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CCS. MethodSixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomized into six groups (n=10): normal , syndrome of stasis combined with toxin induced by carrageenin combined with dry yeast (CA/Y), multi-infarct induced by micro-embolism (ME), middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), CA/Y+ME, and CA/Y+MCAO groups. The model of syndrome of stasis combined with toxin was established by intraperitoneal injection with carrageenan (CA) at 10 mg·kg-1 on the first day and subcutaneous injection with dry yeast (Y) suspension (2 mg·kg-1) on the second day of modeling. Twenty-four hours after the modeling of ACI, the electrocardiograms (ECGs) of rats in each group were collected and the number/percentage (%) of abnormal ECG was calculated. The infarct area of the brain was evaluated by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and myocardial injury was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Immumohistochemical staining and Western blot were employed to determine the expression of Cx43 in the myocardium. ResultA certain number of rats in each model group presented abnormal ECG. Compared with the normal group and CA/Y group, CA/Y+MCAO group had the highest rate of abnormal ECG (P<0.01). Compared with the normal, CA/Y, ME, and CA/Y+ME groups, the CA/Y+ME and CA/Y+MCAO groups showed decreased amplitudes of P-wave and T-wave, shortened P-R interval, and extended Q-T interval, which were particularly obvious in the CA/Y+MCAO group (P<0.05, P<0.01) and in accordance with the cerebral infarction area and pathological changes. The expression of Cx43 was up-regulated in both CA/Y+ME and CA/Y+MCAO groups, especially in the CA/Y+MCAO group (P<0.01). ConclusionThe two rat models of ACI due to stasis combined with toxin complicated with CCS can be used to study the mechanism of heart diseases caused by cerebrovascular diseases and the therapeutic effects of Chinese medicines with the functions of resolving stasis and detoxifying. Moreover, the CA/Y+MCAO method has higher abnormal electrocardiogram rate, severer myocardial pathological injury, and higher expression of Cx43 protein. The models can be chosen according to specific experimental purpose.
6.Effect of Active Ingredients of Rehmanniae Radix in Intervening Acute Kidney Injury and Fibrosis: A Review
Wenru WANG ; Ying LIANG ; Yao CHEN ; Jingyi ZHAN ; Tian ZHAN ; Lei YAN ; Fengzhao LIU ; Jixin LI ; Renhuan YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(21):289-298
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a rapid decline in renal function over a short period due to various etiologic factors. If left untreated, AKI can progress to chronic kidney disease (CKD) or even end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) can manage severe AKI, effective pharmacological treatments for AKI remain largely unavailable. Chinese medicine, with its multi-target and multi-pathway approaches, has accumulated substantial theoretical and practical knowledge in treating AKI and related complications. Rehmanniae Radix is a commonly used Chinese medicinal, known for its functions in clearing heat, cooling blood, nourishing yin, and promoting fluid production. The primary active ingredients of Rehmanniae Radix include catalpol, acteoside, and aucubin. In this study, we summarized recent research on the effect of the active ingredients of Rehmanniae Radix in preventing and treating AKI. We found that the key mechanisms underlying its anti-AKI effects include amelioration of inflammation, alleviation of oxidative stress, and inhibition of apoptosis. Additionally, the antifibrotic properties of the active ingredients of Rehmanniae Radix suggest its potential in slowing CKD progression. We reviewed the mechanisms of Rehmanniae Radix in treating AKI and its antifibrotic effects to provide a scientific basis for developing new AKI drugs, promoting the utilization of Rehmanniae Radix resources, and reducing the transition from AKI to CKD.
7.Method for Developing Patient Decision Aid in China
Yao LU ; Qian ZHANG ; Qianji CHENG ; Jianing LIU ; Mingyao SUN ; Jinling NING ; Jiajie HUANG ; Simeng REN ; Wenzheng ZHANG ; Yajie LIU ; Xiyuan DENG ; Jinhui TIAN ; Jie LIU ; Long GE
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;15(6):1422-1431
To systematically construct a guideline to provide a methodological guide for researchers to develop patient decision aids. Through a literature review of international methodological guidance for developing patient decision aids, sorting out the similarities and differences in the processes and methods for developing patient decision aids, and combining them with the topic discussion of the working group, the initial guideline was drafted. A total of 13 guidances was included, with the initial version containing 3 phases, 13 steps, and 48 points. We invited 19 multidisciplinary domain experts for forming consensus. The final version of the guideline contains 3 phases, 11 steps, and 24 points. The guideline has great potential to guide the development of patient decision aids in China and is expected to fill the methodological gap in the field. In the future, several rounds of pilot testing of the guideline based on specific decision issues will be conducted, and the guideline will be further revised and improved.
8.Method for Developing Patient Decision Aid in China
Yao LU ; Qian ZHANG ; Qianji CHENG ; Jianing LIU ; Mingyao SUN ; Jinling NING ; Jiajie HUANG ; Simeng REN ; Wenzheng ZHANG ; Yajie LIU ; Xiyuan DENG ; Jinhui TIAN ; Jie LIU ; Long GE
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;15(6):1422-1431
To systematically construct a guideline to provide a methodological guide for researchers to develop patient decision aids. Through a literature review of international methodological guidance for developing patient decision aids, sorting out the similarities and differences in the processes and methods for developing patient decision aids, and combining them with the topic discussion of the working group, the initial guideline was drafted. A total of 13 guidances was included, with the initial version containing 3 phases, 13 steps, and 48 points. We invited 19 multidisciplinary domain experts for forming consensus. The final version of the guideline contains 3 phases, 11 steps, and 24 points. The guideline has great potential to guide the development of patient decision aids in China and is expected to fill the methodological gap in the field. In the future, several rounds of pilot testing of the guideline based on specific decision issues will be conducted, and the guideline will be further revised and improved.
9.Establishment and Evaluation of Animal Models of Combined Stasis and Toxin Syndrome
Yue LIU ; Mingjiang YAO ; Xiao LIANG ; Wenqiang CUI ; Wei SHEN ; Jingjing WEI ; Xiansu CHI ; Hongxi LIU ; Jianxun LIU ; Yunling ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(13):72-78
ObjectiveTo screen and establish animal models of combined stasis and toxin syndrome based on the comparison of three modeling methods, i.e., carrageenan (Ca), Ca combined with dried yeast (Ca+Yeast), and Ca combined with lipopolysaccharide (Ca+LPS). MethodForty SPF male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, Ca group, Ca+Yeast group, and Ca+LPS group, with 10 rats in each group. The Ca group, Ca+Yeast group, and Ca+LPS group received an intraperitoneal injection of Ca (10 mg·kg-1) on the first day. The Ca+LPS group received an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (50 μg·kg-1) on the second day, and the Ca+Yeast group received a subcutaneous injection of dry yeast suspension (2 mg·kg-1) on the back on the second day. The rectal temperature of each group was dynamically observed after modeling. After 24 hours of modeling, the macroscopic evaluation indexes, including tongue manifestation, pulse, and black tail length in each group were observed. The PeriCam PSI imaging system was used to detect the blood flow perfusion of the rat tail. The automatic hemorheology analyzer was used to measure the whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity of each group. The PL platelet function analyzer was used to detect the platelet aggregation rate of the rats. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in the rat plasma. The myocardial tissue, brain tissue, and lung tissue of each group of rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. ResultCompared with the normal group, all three model groups showed varying degrees of black tail (P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced blood flow perfusion at the tail end (P<0.05, P<0.01), decreased R, G, and B values of tongue manifestation (P<0.05, P<0.01), and increased maximum platelet aggregation rate (P<0.05, P<0.01). The pulse amplitudes of the Ca+Yeast group and the Ca+LPS group were lower than that of the normal group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the average rectal temperature of the Ca+Yeast group increased after 24 hours of modeling (P<0.01), and the low-, medium-, and high-shear whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity increased (P<0.05, P<0.01) as compared with those in the normal group. Additionally, the expression level of the plasma inflammatory factor IL-6 was significantly up-regulated (P<0.05). Pathological morphology results showed that the Ca+Yeast group had the most severe pathological changes, with small foci of myocardial fiber dissolution, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibroblast proliferation observed. In the hippocampal area, the neurons were sparse and had undergone red degeneration. In the small focus of the lung interstitium, lymphocytes and neutrophils were infiltrated. ConclusionThe animal model of combined stasis and toxin syndrome was properly established using Ca+Yeast. The systematic evaluation system of the model, which includes traditional Chinese medicine four diagnostic information, western medicine microscopic indicators, and tissue pathological morphology, is worthy of consideration and reference by researchers.
10. Repair and regeneration of myocardial fibroblasts after myocardial injury and regulation by traditional Chinese medicine
Ce CAO ; Jian-Xun LIU ; Ce CAO ; Ming-Jiang YAO ; Jian-Xun LIU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2023;39(8):1411-1416
Cardiomyocytes are highly differentiated terminal cells with poor self-renewal ability. Therefore, after myocardial infarction necrotic cardiomyocytes cannot be effectively replenished, and the infarcted area is quickly replaced by fibrous tissue, which seriously affects cardiac function. The reduction of the number of myocardial cells and the destruction of the structural integrity of the heart have caused cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and heart failure, which continue to endanger human life and health. At present, the treatment of coronary heart disease has made great progress. The commonly used treatment options for myocardial repair after myocardial infarction mainly include stem cell transplantation, exosome mediation and microenvironment construction, but all of them are difficult to solve to varying degrees. Cardiac fibroblasts occupy the majority of cardiac cells, and the distribution characteristics of fibroblasts and their role in the process of myocardial infarction make them important effector cells after myocardial infarction. Therefore, this article reviews the source, distribution, post-infarction status of myocardial fibroblasts and the effect of fibroblasts on cardiomyocytes, in order to provide new treatment ideas and solutions for fibroblasts in the repair and regeneration of myocardial cells after myocardial infarction.

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