1.Current status of research on the mechanism of action of emodin in the prevention and treatment of chronic liver diseases
Yajie CHEN ; Xin WANG ; Yunjuan WU ; Ying SU ; Yuhan WANG ; Jinxue ZHANG ; Ning YAO ; Ying QIN ; Xiaoning ZUO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):228-234
Chronic liver diseases are a group of diseases in which the liver is subjected to a variety of injuries over a long period of time, resulting in irreversible pathological changes that last longer than 6 months. Emodin (EMO) is a natural anthraquinone derivative derived from Rheum officinale, and its pharmacological effect has been extensively studied, exhibiting a variety of biological properties and involving multiple signaling molecules and pathways. Western medicine or surgical treatment is currently the main treatment regimen for chronic liver diseases, and the advance in treatment is limited by various reasons such as side effects and high costs. Due to its natural origin and efficacy, EMO has unique advantages in the treatment of chronic liver diseases and has now become a research hotspot. This article summarizes the therapeutic effect of EMO on chronic liver diseases and its mechanism, in order to provide a certain scientific basis for the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of chronic liver diseases and the development of drugs in clinical practice.
2.Mechanism by which hydroxysafflor yellow A alleviates demyelination in cuprizone mice
Ying CHEN ; Jian LIU ; Yajie LIANG ; Yanqing LI ; Lijuan SONG ; Jianjun HUANG ; Jiezhong YU ; Qing WANG ; Cungen MA
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(25):5311-5319
BACKGROUND:In the occurrence and development of demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system,neuroinflammation caused by microglia is the main pathological feature,so inhibiting the inflammatory response is very important to alleviate demyelination.Hydroxysafflor yellow A can protect the blood-brain barrier,inhibit neuronal apoptosis,and improve neurological function.OBJECTIVE:To explore the mechanism of hydroxysafflor yellow A inhibiting bicyclohexanone oxalyl dihydrazone-induced demyelination in mice.METHODS:(1)In vivo:Thirty healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups:normal group,cuprizone group,and hydroxysafflor yellow A group.The mice in the cuprizone group and the hydroxysafflor yellow A group were fed with 0.2%cuprizone diet for 6 weeks to establish mouse models of demyelination.The mice in the normal group were fed with normal diet.At the end of the 4th week,the mice in the hydroxysafflor yellow A group were intraperitoneally injected with hydroxysafflor yellow A 20 mg/kg per day.The mice in the normal and cuprizone groups were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline for 2 weeks.The behavioral changes of mice were evaluated by open field test and elevated plus maze test.The loss of myelin sheath in corpus callosum was detected by black gold staining,myelin basic protein and degraded myelin basic protein immunofluorescence staining.The activation of microglia and the expression of inflammatory factors were detected by I ba-1 immunofluorescence staining and ELISA,respectively.The protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4,myeloid differentiation factor 88,and nuclear factor κB p65 in the brain of mice in each group were detected by western blot assay.(2)In vitro experiment:The inflammation model of BV2 microglia was established by lipopolysaccharide induction.BV2 cells were divided into normal group,lipopolysaccharide group(1 μg/mL),and lipopolysaccharide(1 μg/mL)+hydroxysafflor yellow A(25 μmol/L)group.The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 in the supernatant were detected by ELISA.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the normal group,the mice in the cuprizone group had severe anxiety,abnormal autonomic movement ability,and a large amount of myelin sheath loss in the corpus callosum.The average fluorescence intensity of myelin basic protein was significantly reduced,and the average fluorescence intensity of degraded myelin basic protein was significantly increased.The number of lba1+microglia increased,the contents of interleukin 1β,tumor necrosis factor α,and interleukin 6 in the brain increased,and the protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4,myeloid differentiation factor 88,and nuclear factor κB p65 increased significantly.The above symptoms and indexes of mice were reversed after hydroxysafflor yellow A treatment.(2)Hydroxysafflor yellow A significantly inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor α,and interleukin 6 induced by lipopolysaccharide in BV2 microglia.(3)The above results demonstrate that hydroxysafflor yellow A can significantly improve cuprizone-induced demyelination in mice.The mechanism of action is related to the inhibition of microglial activation-mediated inflammatory response through the Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 88/nuclear factor κB p65 signaling pathway.
3.Bibliometric analysis of the current state of domestic and international research on workplace violence among nurses
Yajie YING ; Haifang WANG ; Jianzheng CAI ; Weixia YU ; Yingying ZHANG ; Zhaofang TANG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(30):2373-2379
Objective:To compare the current situation of research on workplace violence (WPV) among nurses at home and abroad, providing directions for further research.Methods:Research on WPV among nurses published in PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, China national knowledge infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP databases from January 1, 2003 to October 14, 2023 were searched and screened, using visualization software CiteSpace and VOSviewer to analyze the distribution and correlation of countries, authors, institutions and keywords of the included studies.Results:A total of 1 082 Chinese articles and 2 770 English articles were included. From 2003 to 2023, the annual publication volume of research on nurse WPV showed a continuous upward trend in both Chinese and English literature. Among domestic institutions, Harbin Medical University published the most articles ( n=25). Among international research institutions, North South University ( n=9) and University of Malaya ( n=9) led in publication output. A total of 67 core authors were identified in Chinese literature and 194 in the English literature. Analysis of high-frequency keywords showed that the research topics could be summarized as research types, occurrence mechanisms, negative effects, high-risk precursors, intervention strategies, negative effects and population differences. Chinese Nursing Research ( n=40) and Journal of Nursing Management ( n=186) published the most Chinese and English articles. Conclusions:The amount of research on workplace violence among nurses has generally increased in recent years. The mechanisms of occurrence, high-risk precursors, and intervention strategies are important research directions. It is still necessary to further deepen the research content in the future.
4.Mechanism by which hydroxysafflor yellow A alleviates demyelination in cuprizone mice
Ying CHEN ; Jian LIU ; Yajie LIANG ; Yanqing LI ; Lijuan SONG ; Jianjun HUANG ; Jiezhong YU ; Qing WANG ; Cungen MA
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(25):5311-5319
BACKGROUND:In the occurrence and development of demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system,neuroinflammation caused by microglia is the main pathological feature,so inhibiting the inflammatory response is very important to alleviate demyelination.Hydroxysafflor yellow A can protect the blood-brain barrier,inhibit neuronal apoptosis,and improve neurological function.OBJECTIVE:To explore the mechanism of hydroxysafflor yellow A inhibiting bicyclohexanone oxalyl dihydrazone-induced demyelination in mice.METHODS:(1)In vivo:Thirty healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups:normal group,cuprizone group,and hydroxysafflor yellow A group.The mice in the cuprizone group and the hydroxysafflor yellow A group were fed with 0.2%cuprizone diet for 6 weeks to establish mouse models of demyelination.The mice in the normal group were fed with normal diet.At the end of the 4th week,the mice in the hydroxysafflor yellow A group were intraperitoneally injected with hydroxysafflor yellow A 20 mg/kg per day.The mice in the normal and cuprizone groups were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline for 2 weeks.The behavioral changes of mice were evaluated by open field test and elevated plus maze test.The loss of myelin sheath in corpus callosum was detected by black gold staining,myelin basic protein and degraded myelin basic protein immunofluorescence staining.The activation of microglia and the expression of inflammatory factors were detected by I ba-1 immunofluorescence staining and ELISA,respectively.The protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4,myeloid differentiation factor 88,and nuclear factor κB p65 in the brain of mice in each group were detected by western blot assay.(2)In vitro experiment:The inflammation model of BV2 microglia was established by lipopolysaccharide induction.BV2 cells were divided into normal group,lipopolysaccharide group(1 μg/mL),and lipopolysaccharide(1 μg/mL)+hydroxysafflor yellow A(25 μmol/L)group.The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 in the supernatant were detected by ELISA.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the normal group,the mice in the cuprizone group had severe anxiety,abnormal autonomic movement ability,and a large amount of myelin sheath loss in the corpus callosum.The average fluorescence intensity of myelin basic protein was significantly reduced,and the average fluorescence intensity of degraded myelin basic protein was significantly increased.The number of lba1+microglia increased,the contents of interleukin 1β,tumor necrosis factor α,and interleukin 6 in the brain increased,and the protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4,myeloid differentiation factor 88,and nuclear factor κB p65 increased significantly.The above symptoms and indexes of mice were reversed after hydroxysafflor yellow A treatment.(2)Hydroxysafflor yellow A significantly inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor α,and interleukin 6 induced by lipopolysaccharide in BV2 microglia.(3)The above results demonstrate that hydroxysafflor yellow A can significantly improve cuprizone-induced demyelination in mice.The mechanism of action is related to the inhibition of microglial activation-mediated inflammatory response through the Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 88/nuclear factor κB p65 signaling pathway.
5.Bibliometric analysis of the current state of domestic and international research on workplace violence among nurses
Yajie YING ; Haifang WANG ; Jianzheng CAI ; Weixia YU ; Yingying ZHANG ; Zhaofang TANG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(30):2373-2379
Objective:To compare the current situation of research on workplace violence (WPV) among nurses at home and abroad, providing directions for further research.Methods:Research on WPV among nurses published in PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, China national knowledge infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP databases from January 1, 2003 to October 14, 2023 were searched and screened, using visualization software CiteSpace and VOSviewer to analyze the distribution and correlation of countries, authors, institutions and keywords of the included studies.Results:A total of 1 082 Chinese articles and 2 770 English articles were included. From 2003 to 2023, the annual publication volume of research on nurse WPV showed a continuous upward trend in both Chinese and English literature. Among domestic institutions, Harbin Medical University published the most articles ( n=25). Among international research institutions, North South University ( n=9) and University of Malaya ( n=9) led in publication output. A total of 67 core authors were identified in Chinese literature and 194 in the English literature. Analysis of high-frequency keywords showed that the research topics could be summarized as research types, occurrence mechanisms, negative effects, high-risk precursors, intervention strategies, negative effects and population differences. Chinese Nursing Research ( n=40) and Journal of Nursing Management ( n=186) published the most Chinese and English articles. Conclusions:The amount of research on workplace violence among nurses has generally increased in recent years. The mechanisms of occurrence, high-risk precursors, and intervention strategies are important research directions. It is still necessary to further deepen the research content in the future.
6.Predictive value of olfactory function for cognitive decline in older adults with mild cognitive impairment
Huixiu HU ; Chao SUN ; Yajie ZHAO ; Meijuan LI ; Ying DENG ; Linzhi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(32):4359-4365
Objective:To analyze the early predictive value of olfactory function for cognitive decline in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) .Methods:From March 2023 to January 2024, convenience sampling was used to select 385 older adults with MCI from two community health service centers in Dongcheng District and Fengtai District of Beijing as participants. Participants were followed up for six months to collect data on general information, olfactory function testing, and cognitive function. According to whether there were changes in clinical cognitive function, older adults were divided into a cognitive function decline group and a cognitive function non-decline group. Binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent influencing factors of cognitive decline in older adults with MCI, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive effect of olfactory function on cognitive decline.Results:Among 385 older adults with MCI, 113 (29.4%) experienced cognitive decline. Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that education level, passive cognition activity, social activity, and olfactory dysfunction were independent influencing factors for cognitive decline in older adults with MCI ( P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve was 0.819 [95% CI (0.773, 0.865), P<0.01], with an optimal cutoff value of 9.5 points, a sensitivity of 81.3% and specificity of 31.0%. Conclusions:The olfactory function has good predictive value for cognitive decline in older adults with MCI, and can be used for early screening of MCI high-risk individuals with rapid cognitive decline.
7.Dendrobium Officinale Polysaccharide Alleviates Hepatic Fibrosis via Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Liuqing YANG ; Qin FAN ; Yajie BAI ; Ying XU ; Jina LUO ; Jiamao CHENG ; Haiyan CHEN
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(1):76-84
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide (DOP)on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis(HF)and its mechanism. MethodsA total of 56 male SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups: normal group(NG),model group(MG),colchicine group(CG, 0.1 mg/kg), Fuzheng Huayu group(FG, 0.45 g/kg),low-dose DOP group(LDG, 0.05 g/kg),middle-dose DOP group(MDG, 0.1 g/kg)and high-dose DOP group(HDG,0.2 g/kg),with 8 rats in each group. HF rat model was established by subcutaneous injection with 40% CCl4 olive oil mixture, every 3-day for 10 weeks. At the end of the sixth week, the drug groups were treated with colchicine, Fuzheng Huayu and DOP solution by gavage respectively, once a day for 4 weeks. NG and MG groups were similarly handled with an equal amount of 0.9 % normal saline. Liver histopathology was detected using hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Masson and Sirius red staining; blood biochemistry was tested for liver function and four indicators of HF; RT-qPCR and Western Blot were used to measure the expression of α-SMA, Col-I, E-cadherin, and ZEB1 genes and proteins in the liver tissues of rats, respectively. ResultsHE, Masson, and Sirius red staining showed that the liver tissue of MG rats had typical pathologic features of HF, and the degree of HF was alleviated in LDG, MDG, and HDG rats, respectively. Liver function test results showed that the serum AST, TBIL, and AKP levels were significantly lower in LDG, MDG, and HDG, compared with those of the MG (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). Meanwhile, ALT levels in serum deceased remarkably except in LDG (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). The four results of HF showed that the serum HA, LN, PC-Ⅲ, and COL-Ⅳ levels in LDG, MDG, and HDG rats were significantly decreased compared with those of the MG (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). The relative expressions of α-SMA, COL-I, and ZEB1 genes and proteins were significantly decreased in the liver tissues of LDG, MDG, and HDG (P < 0.05 or < 0.01), and the relative expression of E-cadherin gene and protein increased (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). In addition, the expressions of HA, α-SMA, COL-I, ZEB1 and E-cadherin were dependent on the dose of DOP. ConclusionDOP alleviated the degree of CCl4 induced HF in rats by inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in liver tissue.
8.Effects of Jiaohong Pills and Its Prescription on Scopolamine-induced Alzheimer's Disease Mice
Lijinchan DONG ; Weiyan CAI ; Li FENG ; Qing YANG ; Mengting LI ; Yanli WANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Xiaogang WENG ; Yajie WANG ; Xiaoxin ZHU ; Xiaoru HU ; Ying CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(2):37-45
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Jiaohong pills (JHP) and its prescription, Pericarpium Zanthoxyli (PZ) and Rehmanniae Radix (RR) cognitive dysfunction in scopolamine-induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice and its mechanism through pharmacodynamic and metabolomics study. MethodThe animal model of AD induced by scopolamine was established and treated with PZ, RG and JHP, respectively. The effects of JHP and its formulations were investigated by open field test, water maze test, object recognition test, avoidance test, cholinergic system and oxidative stress related biochemical test. Untargeted metabolomics analysis of cerebral cortex was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-Quadrupole/Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS). ResultThe behavioral data showed that, compared with the model group, the discrimination indexes of the high dose of JHP, PZ and RR groups was significantly increased (P<0.05). The staging rate of Morris water maze test in the PZ, RR, high and low dose groups of JHP was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the crossing numbers in the PZ, JHP high and low dose groups were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01); the number of errors in the avoidance test were significantly reduced in the PZ and high-dose JHP groups (P<0.01), and the error latencies were significantly increased in the JHP and its prescription drug groups (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the activities of acetylcholinesterase in the cerebral cortex of the two doses of JHP group and the PZ group were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the activity of acetylcholinesterase in the high-dose JHP group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the level of acetylcholine was significantly increased (P<0.01). At the same time, the contents of malondialdehyde in the serum of the two dose groups of JHP decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). The results of metabolomics study of cerebral cortex showed that 149 differential metabolites were identified between the JHP group and the model group, which were involved in neurotransmitter metabolism, energy metabolism, oxidative stress and amino acid metabolism. ConclusionJHP and its prescription can antagonize scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction, regulate cholinergic system, and reduce oxidative stress damage. The mechanism of its therapeutic effect on AD is related to the regulation of neurotransmitter, energy, amino acid metabolism, and improvement of oxidative stress.
9.Effect of Compatibility of Wujiwan on Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Distribution of Representative Components
Yu DONG ; Ying CHEN ; Zipeng GONG ; Qing YANG ; Xiaogang WENG ; Yajie WANG ; Xiaoxin ZHU ; Chenhao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(3):105-113
ObjectiveTo study the plasma pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of five representative components in Wujiwan, and to illustrate the difference of metabolism and tissue distribution before and after compatibility. MethodHealthy male SD rats were divided into four groups, including Wujiwan group(A group, 62.96 g·L-1), Coptidis Rhizoma group(B group, 38.4 g·L-1), processed Euodiae Fructus group(C group, 5.88 g·L-1) and fried Paeoniae Radix Alba group(D group, 18.68 g·L-1), with 65 rats in each group, and were administered the drugs according to the clinical dose of decoction pieces converted into the dose of the extracts. Then plasma, liver, small intestine and brain were taken at pharmacokinetic set time in each group after administration. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the quantitative analysis of five representative components[berberine(Ber), palmatine(Pal), evodiamine(Evo), rutecarpine(Rut) and paeoniflorin(Pae)] in Wujiwan, their concentrations in plasma, liver, small intestine and brain were detected at different time, plasma samples were processed by protein precipitation, and tissue samples were pretreated by protein precipitation plus liquid-liquid extraction. Non-atrioventricular model was used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters of each component, and the parameters of each group were compared. ResultPharmacokinetic results of A group showed that area under the curve(AUC0-t) of the five representative components were ranked as follows:Ber and Pal were small intestine>liver>blood, Evo and Rut were liver>small intestine>plasma, Pae was small intestine>plasma, which was not detected in the liver, no other components were detected in brain except for Ber. In comparison with plasma and other tissues, peak concentration(Cmax) of Ber, Pal, Evo, and Rut were the highest and time to peak(tmax) were the lowest in the liver of A group. In plasma, the AUC0-t and Cmax of Evo and Rut were increased in A group compared with C group, tmax of Pea was elevated and its Cmax was decreased in A group compared with D group. In the liver, compared with B-D groups, Cmax values of 5 representative components except Pae were elevated, AUC0-t of Pae was decreased and AUC0-t of Evo and Rut were increased in the A group. In the small intestine, half-life(t1/2) of each representative components in A group was elevated and tmax was decreased, and Cmax of each representative ingredient except Pal was decreased, AUC0-t values of Ber and Pal were increased, whereas the AUC0-t values of Evo and Rut were decreased. ConclusionThe small intestine, as the effector organ, is the most distributed, followed by the liver. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the representative components in Wujiwan are changed before and after compatibility, which is more favorable to the exertion of its pharmacodynamic effects.
10.Exploration of Therapeutic Effect of Wujiwan on Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Rats Based on PPARγ Signaling Pathway and T-cell Immunoregulation
Shiyun GUO ; Yuxuan GUO ; Yi SUN ; Xiaoxin ZHU ; Yujie LI ; Ying CHEN ; Qing YANG ; Yajie WANG ; Qi LI ; Xiaogang WENG ; Zhihao DENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):237-245
ObjectiveThis study explores the efficacy and pharmacological mechanism of Wujiwan in rats with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from the perspectives of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) signaling pathway and T-cell immunity, providing reference for the treatment of IBD with traditional Chinese medicine. MethodThe study involved administering 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) enemas to 35 rats to induce acute IBD. After 24 hours, the animals were divided into the following groups: normal group, model group, Wujiwan treatment group, and positive drug control group. Each group received gastric gavage for 8 consecutive days before the rats were dissected to compare the disease activity index (DAI) of the rat colon tissue, the colon mucosal damage index (CMDI), and the spleen index. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the serum. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of T-bet (T-box expressed in T cells) and Gata3 (Gata-binding protein-3) in the colon tissue. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the protein expression levels of PPARγ, T-bet, and nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) in the rat colon. ResultThe rat model of IBD was successfully established. Compared with the model group, the Wujiwan treatment group showed reduced DAI, CMDI, and spleen index, decreased content of TNF-α in the serum(P<0.01), significantly increased content of IL-10(P<0.01), and elevated mRNA content of T-bet and Gata3(P<0.05) in the colon tissue. The expression of PPARγ protein was augmented(P<0.05), and the expression of T-bet and NF-κB p65 protein was decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionWujiwan activates or upregulates PPARγ expression in IBD rats to inhibit the generation of pro-inflammatory factors, participates in the inflammatory immune process, and alleviates inflammatory reactions. Its mechanism may involve regulating the NF-κB pathway through PPARγ, enhancing Th2 cell transcription expression, and reducing Th1 cell transcription.

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