1.Exploring Chemical Constituent Distribution in Blood/Brain(Hippocampus) and Emotional Regulatory Effect of Raw and Vinegar-processed Products of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride
Yi BAO ; Yonggui SONG ; Qianmin LI ; Zhifu AI ; Genhua ZHU ; Ming YANG ; Huanhua XU ; Qin ZHENG ; Yiting HUANG ; Zihan GAO ; Dan SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):189-197
ObjectiveTo investigate the migration and distribution characteristics of chemical constituents in blood and hippocampal tissues before and after vinegar processing of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride(CRPV), and to explore the potential material basis and mechanisms underlying their regulatory effects on emotional disorders by comparing the effects of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed to characterize and identify the chemical constituents of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV extracts, as well as their migrating components in blood and hippocampal tissues after oral administration. Reference standards, databases, and relevant literature were utilized for compound annotation, with data processing performed using PeakView 1.2 software. Seventy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into seven groups, including the blank group, model group, diazepam group(2.5 mg·kg-1), raw CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), and vinegar-processed CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), with 10 mice per group. Except for the blank group, all other groups underwent chronic restraint stress(2 h·d-1) for 20 d. Each drug-treated group received oral administration at the predetermined dose starting 10 d after modeling, with a total treatment duration of 10 d. Following model-based drug administration, mice underwent open-field, forced swimming, and elevated plus maze tests. After anesthesia with isoflurane, whole brains were collected from each group of mice, and hippocampi were dissected. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) level in hippocampal tissues was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe hippocampal tissue morphology. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect neuronal nuclei(NeuN) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha(PPARα) expressions in hippocampal tissue. Then, pharmacodynamic evaluations were conducted to assess the effects of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV on mood disorders, exploring the potential mechanisms. ResultsVinegar processing caused significant changes in the chemical composition of CRPV, with 18 components showing increased relative content and 35 components showing decreased relative content. The primary changes occurred in flavonoid compounds, including 20 flavonoids, 20 flavonoid glycosides, 3 triterpenes, 3 phenolic acids, 1 alkaloid, and 6 other compounds. Twenty-one components were detected in blood(15 methoxyflavones, 4 flavonoid glycosides, and 2 phenolic acids), with 17 shared between raw and vinegar-processed CRPV. Seven components reached hippocampal tissues(all common to both forms). In regulating emotional disorders, Vinegar-processed CRPV exhibited superior antidepressant-like effects compared to raw products. HE staining revealed that both treatments improved hippocampal neuronal morphology, particularly in the damaged CA1 and CA3 regions. Immunofluorescence and ELISA analyses demonstrated that both raw and vinegar-processed CRPV significantly modulated NeuN and PPARα expressions in hippocampal tissue while alleviating oxidative stress induced by excessive ROS(P<0.05). ConclusionThe chemical composition of CRPV undergoes changes after vinegar processing, but the migrating components in blood and hippocampus are primarily methoxyflavonoids. These components may serve as the potential material basis for activating the PPARα pathway, thereby negatively regulating ROS generation in the hippocampus, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting the development of NeuN-positive neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence for enhancing quality standards, pharmacodynamic material research, and active drug development of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV.
2.Systemic Lupus Erythematosus as a Dominant Disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Zihan WANG ; Yanyu CHEN ; Yong CUI ; Qingwen TAO ; Mei MO ; Ke XUE ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Yuan XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):263-269
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a refractory autoimmune disease, is among the dominant diseases where traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shows advantages in the field of rheumatology and immunology. The China-Japan Friendship Hospital hosted the "46th Youth Salon on Dominant Diseases (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)" organized by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, which led to a consensus on "the advantages, challenges, interdisciplinary approaches, and translational achievements of integrated TCM and Western medical approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE." The diagnosis and treatment of SLE currently face several challenges, such as frequent misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis in the early stages, difficulty in achieving treatment targets, multiple side effects from pharmacotherapy, and the lack of management strategies for special populations, all of which hinder the fulfillment of the clinical needs of patients. Integrated TCM and Western medical approaches can improve clinical symptoms such as skin erythema, aversion to cold and cold limbs, fatigue, dry mouth, restlessness, and heat sensation in the palms and soles, thereby improving patients' quality of life. The approaches also help consolidate the efficacy of conventional Western medicine, slow disease progression, reduce relapse rates, address multi-organ involvement, and prevent or treat complications. Additionally, they enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity, prevent the side effects of Western medications, help reduce hormone use, and offer distinct advantages in the individualized intervention of special populations, contributing to the whole-process management of the disease. However, evidence-based medical support for this integrated approach remains limited, and the quality of available evidence is generally low. Common evaluation systems and modern research methodologies should be adopted to clarify the efficacy of TCM in SLE treatment. Efforts should be made to carry out high-quality evidence-based medical research, strengthen the development of fundamental and pharmacological research, and further explain the distinct advantages of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE. Future efforts should focus on advancing the integration of TCM and modern medicine, incorporating multi-omics technologies, individualized stratification, and other precision medicine concepts, in combination with artificial intelligence. Moreover, interdisciplinary collaboration should be promoted to utilize modern technology in exploring the essence of TCM theories and screening effective formulae, thereby comprehensively improving the diagnosis and treatment of SLE through integrated TCM and Western medical approaches.
3.Systemic Lupus Erythematosus as a Dominant Disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Zihan WANG ; Yanyu CHEN ; Yong CUI ; Qingwen TAO ; Mei MO ; Ke XUE ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Yuan XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):263-269
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a refractory autoimmune disease, is among the dominant diseases where traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shows advantages in the field of rheumatology and immunology. The China-Japan Friendship Hospital hosted the "46th Youth Salon on Dominant Diseases (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)" organized by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, which led to a consensus on "the advantages, challenges, interdisciplinary approaches, and translational achievements of integrated TCM and Western medical approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE." The diagnosis and treatment of SLE currently face several challenges, such as frequent misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis in the early stages, difficulty in achieving treatment targets, multiple side effects from pharmacotherapy, and the lack of management strategies for special populations, all of which hinder the fulfillment of the clinical needs of patients. Integrated TCM and Western medical approaches can improve clinical symptoms such as skin erythema, aversion to cold and cold limbs, fatigue, dry mouth, restlessness, and heat sensation in the palms and soles, thereby improving patients' quality of life. The approaches also help consolidate the efficacy of conventional Western medicine, slow disease progression, reduce relapse rates, address multi-organ involvement, and prevent or treat complications. Additionally, they enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity, prevent the side effects of Western medications, help reduce hormone use, and offer distinct advantages in the individualized intervention of special populations, contributing to the whole-process management of the disease. However, evidence-based medical support for this integrated approach remains limited, and the quality of available evidence is generally low. Common evaluation systems and modern research methodologies should be adopted to clarify the efficacy of TCM in SLE treatment. Efforts should be made to carry out high-quality evidence-based medical research, strengthen the development of fundamental and pharmacological research, and further explain the distinct advantages of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE. Future efforts should focus on advancing the integration of TCM and modern medicine, incorporating multi-omics technologies, individualized stratification, and other precision medicine concepts, in combination with artificial intelligence. Moreover, interdisciplinary collaboration should be promoted to utilize modern technology in exploring the essence of TCM theories and screening effective formulae, thereby comprehensively improving the diagnosis and treatment of SLE through integrated TCM and Western medical approaches.
4.Clinical Dominant Disease of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Jinping WANG ; Qingwen TAO ; Mei MO ; Zihan WANG ; Nan ZHANG ; Yuan XU ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):202-210
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized primarily by erosive arthritis, with a high prevalence and disability rate. Although significant progress has been made in the treatment of RA in recent years, challenges such as suboptimal efficacy, drug resistance, severe side effects, and high costs of long-term treatment remain, especially for patients in the early stages of RA, as well as those with RA complications, comorbidities, and severe conditions. Hosted by the China-Japan Friendship Hospital and organized by the Youth Committee of the China Association of Chinese Medicine, the 27th session of the Clinical Dominant Disease Series (Rheumatoid Arthritis) Youth Salon invited nearly 20 experts and scholars from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), western medicine, and interdisciplinary fields to actively discuss the clinical needs of modern medicine and the advantageous stages and aspects of TCM in RA. Experts at the salon agreed that TCM has unique advantages in the treatment of RA, especially during the early stage, periods of low to moderate disease activity, remission phase, and in addressing complications and comorbidities. TCM can achieve both prevention and treatment by regulating the immune system and restoring immune homeostasis. The integrated approach of traditional Chinese and western medicine demonstrates significant advantages in active RA, refractory cases, and stages with severe complications, by rapidly controlling disease progression, alleviating symptoms, enhancing the quality of life, and facilitating recovery. Given the frequent occurrence of multiple comorbidities in RA, TCM shows potential in regulating immunity, alleviating symptoms, and improving physical constitution, which provides new insights into the comprehensive treatment of RA with comorbidities. However, high-quality clinical studies on integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine in RA are still lacking. It is necessary to establish large-scale clinical cohorts and biological databases to provide a scientific basis for the development of precision-targeted therapies and clinical treatment protocols. In the future, individualized treatment strategies integrating traditional Chinese and western medicine are expected to become an important direction for improving the quality of life in RA patients.
5.Clinical Dominant Disease of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Jinping WANG ; Qingwen TAO ; Mei MO ; Zihan WANG ; Nan ZHANG ; Yuan XU ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):202-210
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized primarily by erosive arthritis, with a high prevalence and disability rate. Although significant progress has been made in the treatment of RA in recent years, challenges such as suboptimal efficacy, drug resistance, severe side effects, and high costs of long-term treatment remain, especially for patients in the early stages of RA, as well as those with RA complications, comorbidities, and severe conditions. Hosted by the China-Japan Friendship Hospital and organized by the Youth Committee of the China Association of Chinese Medicine, the 27th session of the Clinical Dominant Disease Series (Rheumatoid Arthritis) Youth Salon invited nearly 20 experts and scholars from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), western medicine, and interdisciplinary fields to actively discuss the clinical needs of modern medicine and the advantageous stages and aspects of TCM in RA. Experts at the salon agreed that TCM has unique advantages in the treatment of RA, especially during the early stage, periods of low to moderate disease activity, remission phase, and in addressing complications and comorbidities. TCM can achieve both prevention and treatment by regulating the immune system and restoring immune homeostasis. The integrated approach of traditional Chinese and western medicine demonstrates significant advantages in active RA, refractory cases, and stages with severe complications, by rapidly controlling disease progression, alleviating symptoms, enhancing the quality of life, and facilitating recovery. Given the frequent occurrence of multiple comorbidities in RA, TCM shows potential in regulating immunity, alleviating symptoms, and improving physical constitution, which provides new insights into the comprehensive treatment of RA with comorbidities. However, high-quality clinical studies on integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine in RA are still lacking. It is necessary to establish large-scale clinical cohorts and biological databases to provide a scientific basis for the development of precision-targeted therapies and clinical treatment protocols. In the future, individualized treatment strategies integrating traditional Chinese and western medicine are expected to become an important direction for improving the quality of life in RA patients.
6.Structures and functions of the MICOS: Pathogenesis and therapeutic implications in Alzheimer's disease.
Zihan WANG ; Kaige ZHANG ; Minghao HUANG ; Dehao SHANG ; Xiaomin HE ; Zhou WU ; Xu YAN ; Xinwen ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):2966-2984
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (MICOS) plays a pivotal role in shaping the inner mitochondrial membrane, forming cristae junctions and establishing interaction sites between the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes and thereby serving as a cornerstone of mitochondrial structure and function. In the past decade, MICOS abnormalities have been extensively linked to AD pathogenesis. In particular, dysregulated expression of MICOS subunits and mutations in MICOS-related genes have been identified in AD, often in association with hallmark pathological features such as amyloid-β plaque accumulation, neurofibrillary tangle formation, and neuronal apoptosis. Furthermore, MICOS subunits interact with several etiologically relevant proteins, significantly influencing AD progression. The intricate crosstalk between these proteins and MICOS subunits underscores the relevance of MICOS dysfunction in AD. Therapeutic strategies targeting MICOS subunits or their interacting proteins may offer novel approaches for AD treatment. In the present review, we introduce current understanding of MICOS structures and functions, highlight MICOS pathogenesis in AD, and summarize the available MICOS-targeting drugs potentially useful for AD.
7.Nomogram for Predicting Invasive Breast Cancer with Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis
Mengying XU ; Jinrui LIU ; Jian LI ; Pan ZHANG ; Zhihao LI ; Zihan HONG ; Bing CHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2024;32(2):150-156,161
Purpose To explore the predictive value of nomogram model for invasive breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis.Materials and Methods Retrospective analysis was made on 122 patients suspected to be breast cancer in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from September 2020 to March 2022.According to whether there was axillary lymph node metastasis,all subjects were divided into 57 patients in the metastasis group and 65 patients in the non-metastasis group.All lesions were pathologically confirmed by surgery.The two groups received synthesis of magnetic resonance imaging(syMRI),dynamic contrast enhancement magnetic resonance imaging(DCE-MRI)and diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)scans.The syMRI parameters[including T1,T2,proton density(PD)],DCE-MRI time signal intensity curve,apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value of breast lesions were measured.Compared the difference of parameters between the two groups,and screened the independent risk factors of invasive breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis.Results Logistic regression results showed that Ki-67(OR=2.971,95%CI 1.306-6.762,P=0.009),lesion size(OR=1.652,95%CI 1.067-2.556,P=0.024),ADCratio(OR=1.685,95%CI 1.014-2.801,P=0.044),T2ratio(OR=3.015,95%CI 1.433-6.340,P=0.003),PDratio(OR=2.782,95%CI 1.471-5.262,P=0.002)were independent risk factors for invasive breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis.The comparison of the five models showed that the Logistic regression model had the best performance,with the area under curve of 0.729(95%CI 0.621-0.789),the accuracy,specificity and sensitivity were 70.65%,62.79%and 77.55%,respectively.The accuracy of the nomogram model was tested,and C-index=0.844,the accuracy of the nomogram model established was good,cut-off risk was 0.468,and the cut-off score was 143.50,which means that when the total score exceeds 143.50,the risk of axillary lymph node metastasis would be higher than 46.8%.Conclusion Nomogram model has a good predictive ability for invasive breast cancer patients with axillary lymph node metastasis.
8.Current status of quality control of kV X-ray radiotherapy equipment
Zechen FENG ; Zihan WANG ; Yongzhong MA ; Hui XU ; Qiao MA ; Hailiang LI
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2024;33(4):466-471
kV X-ray radiotherapy was the primary mode of radiotherapy widely used to treat many types of cancer, including deep tumors, before the invention of the Co-60 therapy machine and the electron linear accelerator, which gradually replaced kV X-ray radiotherapy. kV X-ray radiotherapy equipment requires less space and shielding, and still has application value in the treatment of skin lesions and superficial tumors. Especially in recent years, kV X-ray has been used in the treatment of keloid, and electronic brachytherapy equipment has been used in intracavitary, intraoperative, and superficial radiotherapy. Therefore, kV X-ray radiotherapy has seen renewed application. The quality control of kV X-ray radiotherapy equipment is the key to ensure the treatment effect and safety of patients. This paper reviews the current status of quality control of kV X-ray radiotherapy equipment and provides a reference for the formulation of quality control assessment standards for kV X-ray radiotherapy equipment.
9.Effect of Influenza A Virus on BEAS-2B in Human Lung Epithelial Cells and Intervention Effect of Shufeng Jiedu Capsule-containing Serum
Shan CAO ; Zihan GENG ; Lei BAO ; Yingli XU ; Bo PANG ; Jingsheng ZHANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Mengping CHEN ; Yaxin WANG ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Shanshan GUO ; Xiaolan CUI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):90-97
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Shufeng Jiedu capsule (SFJD)-containing serum on human lung epithelial cells infected by influenza A virus, and investigate the protective effect of the drug on the cells and the potential antiviral effect. MethodThe SFJD-containing serum was prepared and used to treat human lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) cultured in vitro. The viability of cells treated with different concentrations of SFJD-containing serum was measured by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), and the optimal concentration of SFJD-containing serum was screened for subsequent experiments. BEAS-2B cells were classified into normal control, virus infection, and SFJD-containing serum groups, and the CCK-8 method was used to detect the survival rate of BEAS-2B cells after virus infection and drug administration. The expression of influenza virus nucleic acid in the cells of each group was determined, and the apoptosis of cells in different groups was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of influenza virus nucleoprotein (NP), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) in each group of cells. The immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the fluorescence intensities of TLR4, MyD88, and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB (p-NF-κB) in lung epithelial cells. ResultCompared with that in the control group (normal serum), the cell survival rates in the blank serum and the SFJD-containing serum (5%, 10%, and 20%) groups were 100.00%±0.00%, 89.05%±4.80%, 87.13%±5.90%, 93.83%±6.03%, and 99.33%±3.39%, respectively (P<0.01). The SFJD-containing serum of 20% was selected as the optimal treatment for subsequent experiments. Compared with the normal control group, the virus infection group showed reduced cell survival rate (P<0.01), and the reduction was increased by the SFJD-containing serum (P<0.01). Compared with the virus infection group, SFJD-containing serum reduced the virus load (P<0.01) to decrease apoptosis. Compared with the normal control group, the virus infection group showed up-regulated mRNA levels of NP, TLR4, and MyD88 (P<0.01), and the up-regulation was down-regulated by the SFJD-containing serum (P<0.05, P<0.01). The fluorescence intensities of TLR4, MyD88, and p-NF-κB proteins in the cells increased after virus infection compared with those in the normal control (P<0.05, P<0.01), and they were decreased after administration with the SFJD-containing serum (P<0.05). ConclusionThe SFJD-containing serum can inhibit influenza virus in vitro by increasing the survival rate, reducing the apoptosis, and down-regulating the protein levels of TLR4, MyD88, and p-NF-κB in BEAS-2B cells.
10.Longitudinal study on association between sugar sweetened beverages consumption and insomnia among college students in Yunnan Province
SU Yingzhen, YANG Jieru, ZHANG Gaohong, TAO Jian, LU Qiuan, HU Dongyue, LIU Zihan, SU Yunpeng, XU Honglü ;
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(10):1451-1454
Objective:
To study the relationship between sugar sweetened beverages consumption characteristics and insomnia of college students in Yunnan Province, so as to provide evidence for sleep quality improvement of college students.
Methods:
A cluster random sampling method was used to select 2 515 college students from two universities (Kunming University and Dali Nursing Vocational College) in Kunming and Dali in Yunnan Province for a longitudinal study, including baseline survey (T1, November 2021) and three follow up surveys (T2: June 2022, T3: November 2022, T4: June 2023). Sugar sweetened beverages consumption of college students was collected by Semi quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire and insomnia was assessed by Insomnia Severity Index Scale. Sugarsweetened beverages consumption was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test. The Mann-Whiter U test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare the detection rate of insomnia in college students with different population characteristics, and the generalized estimating equations model was established to analyze the association between sugar sweetened beverages consumption and insomnia.
Results:
The reported rate of insomnia among college students from T1 to T4 was 21.2%, 23.6%, 30.5 % and 36.0%, respectively. The median of sugar sweetened beverages consumption per week was 5 (1,9) bottles per person, and there were significant differences in sugar sweetened beverages (carbonated beverages, fruit beverages, tea beverages, milk beverages, energy beverages) consumption among college students with different insomnia status ( χ 2=42.91, 23.67, 29.98, 61.70, 30.82, P <0.01). The analysis of the generalized estimating equation model revealed that the consumption of carbonated beverages ( β= 0.04, 95%CI =0.00-0.08) and the consumption of milk beverages among college students ( β=0.04, 95%CI =0.00-0.09) were correlated with insomnia ( P <0.05). The stratified analysis indicated that consumption of carbonated beverages by female college students was associated with insomnia [ β(95%CI )=0.06(0.01-0.11)]; consumption of milk beverages among college students from middle income family was associated with insomnia [ β (95% CI )=0.05(0.00-0.10)], and consumption of carbonated beverages and fruit beverages from college students with high household economic status were both associated with insomnia [ β (95% CI )=0.35(0.23-0.46), 0.12(0.00-0.24)] ( P <0.05).
Conclusion
Sugar sweetened beverages, especially carbonated beverages, are associated with insomnia among college students in Yunnan Province.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail