ObjectiveBased on the clinical characteristics of chronic gouty arthritis （CGA） in both traditional Chinese and western medicine， this study aims to systematically evaluate the clinical concordance of existing CGA animal models， providing recommendations for establishing animal models that align with the pathological characteristics of CGA and the manifestations of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes. MethodsBy comprehensively retrieving Chinese and international databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure， Wanfang， VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database （VIP）， and PubMed， all relevant literature on CGA animal models was collected. Based on the guidelines， the diagnostic criteria of both traditional Chinese and western medicine were summarized and organized. The evaluation indicators for the CGA model were constructed with reference to existing evaluation modes， and the CGA animal models were analyzed to systematically evaluate the clinical concordance of existing models. ResultsThe current methods used to construct CGA animal models mainly include monosodium urate crystal induction， high-protein diet induction （poultry lack urate oxidase）， and high-fat diet combined with urate oxidase inhibitors and joint injection. Based on 11 pieces of included literature， the traditional Chinese and western medicine scoring data of each model were extracted， and the average scoring values of all models were ultimately calculated. The results show that the average clinical concordances of existing CGA animal models in both traditional Chinese and western medicine are 43.33% and 64.44%， respectively. Among them， the model with the highest clinical concordance rate is the one with a high-fat diet combined with potassium oxonate to induce hyperuricemia plus joint injection， achieving 83.33% clinical concordance in western medicine and 60% in traditional Chinese medicine. This model aligns well with the pathogenic characteristics and pathological changes of clinical CGA. ConclusionAlthough current CGA animal models can simulate some pathological characteristics of CGA， they struggle to comprehensively reflect the complex pathological processes of CGA and the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes. Therefore， in the future， it is necessary to establish the CGA animal models that incorporate the clinical disease and syndrome characteristics of traditional Chinese and western medicine and formulate the uniform model evaluation criteria， providing more precise tools for CGA mechanism research and the development of traditional Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of Huazhuo SanJie Chubi presciption （HSCD） on chronic gouty arthritis （CGA） rats with low-grade inflammation and to explore the underlying mechanism with a focus on macrophage polarization. MethodsThe 41 male 6-week-old SD rats were randomly allocated， using the random number table， to a normal group （n=8） and a model group （n =33）. CGA with low-grade inflammation was induced in the model group by daily gavage of potassium oxonate （250 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） and hypoxanthine （300 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， combined with intra-articular injection of a monosodium urate （MSU） crystal suspension （50 μL， 25 g·L^-¹） into the left ankle twice weekly. After 4 weeks of modeling， 3 rats were randomly selected from each group for model validation. The remaining successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group， an HSCD group （10.35 g·kg^-1·d^-1， gavage once daily）， an M1 polarization agonist group （L-methionine sulfoximine， 300 mg·kg^-1， subcutaneous injection every other day）， an M1 polarization agonist + HSCD group， an M2 polarization inhibitor group （PD0325901， 10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， gavage once daily）， and M2 polarization inhibitor + HSCD group. The corresponding drug or drug combination was administered according to group assignment， whereas rats in the normal and model groups received 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium （CMC-Na） vehicle （10.35 g·kg^-1·d^-1， gavage once daily）. All interventions were continued for four weeks. During the intervention period， except for the normal group， potassium oxonate （250 mg·kg⁻¹） and hypoxanthine （300 mg·kg^-1） were co-administered by gavage every other day to maintain the model. At the end of treatment， serum uric acid （SUA）， ankle joint diameter and joint swelling index were measured. The levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 （CCL2）， S100 calcium-binding protein A8/A9 （S100A8/A9）， interleukin-10 （IL-10） and arginase-1 （Arg-1） in serum and joint fluid were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. High-frequency ultrasound was used to assess MSU deposition in the ankle joint. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to evaluate synovial histopathological changes. Quantitative Real-time PCR and immunofluorescence were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of the M1 macrophage polarization markers inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） and the M2 macrophage polarization marker scavenger receptor cysteine-rich type 1 protein M130 （CD163） in synovial tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly elevated SUA level and joint swelling index， and increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines， CCL2， and S100A8/A9 in both serum and joint fluid （P<0.05）， accompanied by MSU deposition and synovial inflammation in the ankle joint. The mRNA and protein expression levels of macrophage polarization M1/M2 markers iNOS and CD163 in synovial tissues were also significantly up-regulated （P<0.05）. Compared with model group， rats in HSCD group had significantly lower SUA levels， attenuated joint swelling， reduced serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines， and decreased levels of CCL2 and S100A8/A9 in both serum and joint fluid， accompanied with alleviated MSU deposition and synovial inflammation （P<0.05）. HSCD markedly downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of M1 marker iNOS （P<0.05）， whereas it had no significant effect on the expression of M2 marker CD163. Compared with the M1 polarization agonist group， the M1 polarization agonist + HSCD group showed significantly reduced joint swelling， lower serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines， and decreased levels of CCL2 and S100A8/A9 in joint fluid （P<0.05）. In addition， synovial inflammatory cell infiltration and angiogenesis were attenuated， and iNOS mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Compared with the M2 polarization inhibitor group， the M2 polarization inhibitor + HSCD group exhibited reduced joint swelling， decreased levels of CCL2 and S100A8/A9 in joint fluid and ameliorated synovial inflammation （P<0.05）， whereas the levels of anti-inflammatory mediators （IL-10， Arg-1） and CD163 mRNA and protein expression were not significantly increased. ConclusionHSCD alleviates low-grade inflammation in CGA rats， at least in part， by inhibiting macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the material basis of the anti-inflammatory efficacy and mechanism of action of Bushen Tongdu prescription （BSTDP）. MethodsThe chemical components of BSTDP and its blood-absorbed components in vivo were systematically identified by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry （UPLC-LIT-Orbitrap-MS）. Network pharmacology was employed to screen blood-absorbed bioactive components and potential targets of this formula. A protein-protein interaction （PPI） network of core targets was constructed to conduct enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was further utilized to verify the binding affinity between key components and targets. The inflammatory model was established and verified in vivo by using a transgenic zebrafish Tg （mpx： GFP）. At three days post-fertilization （3 dpf）， larvae of zebrafish were randomly assigned to blank group， model group， positive drug dexamethasone acetate group （75 μmol·L^-1）， and BSTDP groups with low， medium， and high doses （500， 1 000， and 2 000 mg·L^-1）. The distribution and quantity of neutrophils in the yolk sac region were observed under a fluorescence microscope. The mRNA expression levels of key genes in the toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）/nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） signaling pathway and inflammatory factors including interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsA total of 120 chemical components were identified in BSTDP， among which 26 original components were confirmed by using serum pharmacochemical methods. A total of 227 common targets linking rheumatoid arthritis （RA） and the blood-absorbed components were screened by network pharmacology. It is suggested that pseudobrucine， vomicine， sinapine， rehmannioside， cinnamyl alcohol glycoside， and methylephedrine exert anti-inflammatory effects by acting on core targets including protein kinase B1 （Akt1）， signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， TLR4， mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 （MAPK14）， and phosphatidylinositol-4，5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit α （PIK3CA）， thereby modulating multiple signaling pathways such as TLR4 and NF-κB. In vivo verification in zebrafish demonstrates that the maximum tolerable concentration of Bushen Tongdu Formula is 2 000 mg·L^-1. Compared to those in the blank group， zebrafish in the model group showed a significantly higher number of neutrophils in the yolk sac region （P<0.01） and rising mRNA levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β （P<0.01）. Compared to that in the model group， the number of neutrophils was significantly reduced in BSTDP groups with medium and high doses， as well as the dexamethasone acetate group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in the low dose group. The mRNA expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThis paper identifies the material basis of the efficacy of BSTDP， demonstrating that the formula can exert an anti-inflammatory effect through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. The results provide scientific experimental evidence for its further clinical application.

Fungal infections have emerged as a critical public health issue endangering human health. However, the existing arsenal of antifungal agents is limited in diversity and is commonly plagued by drawbacks including narrow antimicrobial spectrums and the frequent emergence of drug resistance, which severely compromises the efficacy of clinical treatments. Pathogenic fungi can develop extensive adaptability to currently available drugs through multiple mechanisms, which are mainly manifested in three aspects: drug resistance, tolerance and persistence. The molecular mechanisms and regulatory pathways underlying drug resistance, tolerance and persistence in pathogenic fungi were systematically summarized in this review, and the counteractive strategies such as combination therapy and the development of novel antifungal agents were further discussed, which aimed to provide theoretical basis and practical reference for the precision treatment of fungal infections.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the material basis of the anti-inflammatory efficacy and mechanism of action of Bushen Tongdu prescription （BSTDP）. MethodsThe chemical components of BSTDP and its blood-absorbed components in vivo were systematically identified by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry （UPLC-LIT-Orbitrap-MS）. Network pharmacology was employed to screen blood-absorbed bioactive components and potential targets of this formula. A protein-protein interaction （PPI） network of core targets was constructed to conduct enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was further utilized to verify the binding affinity between key components and targets. The inflammatory model was established and verified in vivo by using a transgenic zebrafish Tg （mpx： GFP）. At three days post-fertilization （3 dpf）， larvae of zebrafish were randomly assigned to blank group， model group， positive drug dexamethasone acetate group （75 μmol·L^-1）， and BSTDP groups with low， medium， and high doses （500， 1 000， and 2 000 mg·L^-1）. The distribution and quantity of neutrophils in the yolk sac region were observed under a fluorescence microscope. The mRNA expression levels of key genes in the toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）/nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） signaling pathway and inflammatory factors including interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsA total of 120 chemical components were identified in BSTDP， among which 26 original components were confirmed by using serum pharmacochemical methods. A total of 227 common targets linking rheumatoid arthritis （RA） and the blood-absorbed components were screened by network pharmacology. It is suggested that pseudobrucine， vomicine， sinapine， rehmannioside， cinnamyl alcohol glycoside， and methylephedrine exert anti-inflammatory effects by acting on core targets including protein kinase B1 （Akt1）， signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， TLR4， mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 （MAPK14）， and phosphatidylinositol-4，5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit α （PIK3CA）， thereby modulating multiple signaling pathways such as TLR4 and NF-κB. In vivo verification in zebrafish demonstrates that the maximum tolerable concentration of Bushen Tongdu Formula is 2 000 mg·L^-1. Compared to those in the blank group， zebrafish in the model group showed a significantly higher number of neutrophils in the yolk sac region （P<0.01） and rising mRNA levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β （P<0.01）. Compared to that in the model group， the number of neutrophils was significantly reduced in BSTDP groups with medium and high doses， as well as the dexamethasone acetate group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in the low dose group. The mRNA expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThis paper identifies the material basis of the efficacy of BSTDP， demonstrating that the formula can exert an anti-inflammatory effect through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. The results provide scientific experimental evidence for its further clinical application.

The occurrence of diabetes mellitus （DM） is closely related to insulin resistance and islet β cell dysfunction. Modern studies have found that macrophages are widely present in the liver，fat，skeletal muscle，islets， and other tissues and organs. Macrophage M1/M2 polarization plays an important role in the occurrence and development of diabetes mellitus and its related complications by intervening in inflammatory response，improving insulin resistance，and promoting tissue repair. Most of the traditional Chinese medicines that regulate the activation and polarization of macrophages are Qi-replenishing and Yin-nourishing，heat-clearing， and detoxicating medicinal，which are consistent with the etiology and pathogenesis of diabetes and its related complications. Therefore，by summarizing the mechanisms between macrophage activation，polarization， and insulin resistance in various tissues，this paper reviewed traditional Chinese medicine and its effective components and compounds in improving diabetes mellitus and its related complications through multi-channel regulation of macrophage polarization and regulation of M1/M2 ratio，providing references for the future treatment of DM and its related complications with traditional Chinese medicine.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic immunoinflammatory disease that mainly affects the spine and the sacroiliac joint， the mechanism of which is closely related to signaling pathways， such as osteoprotegerin （OPG）/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB （RANK）/RANK ligand， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， Wnt/β-catenin （β-catenin）， phosphoinositide 3- kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin （PI3K/Akt/mTOR）. Traditional Chinese medicine has the characteristics of multiple components and targets， and is widely used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases due to its low toxicity， strong specificity， and high efficacy. This review found that monomers and compounds of traditional Chinese medicine can exert anti ankylosing spondylitis effects by intervening in the aforementioned signaling pathways， regulating immune inflammatory responses， and inhibiting biological processes such as bone destruction， ectopic osteogenic differentiation， cell apoptosis， and autophagy.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by synovial inflammation, joint destruction, and functional impairment. Angiogenesis plays a key role in the pathological progression of RA with dysfunction of endothelial cells to promote synovial inflammation, sustain pannus formation, subsequently leading to joint damage. Colquhounia Root Tablets (CRT), a Chinese patent drug, has shown a satisfying clinical efficacy in treating RA, while the underlying mechanism by which CRT inhibits RA-associated angiogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we applied a research approach combining transcriptomic data analysis, bio-network mapping, and in vivo and in vitro experiments to explore the molecular mechanisms of CRT in suppressing angiogenesis in RA. Animal welfare and experimental procedures follow the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of Institute of Basic Theory for Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (ratification number: IBTCMCACMS21-2307-06). Network analysis identified that key genes such as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2), SMAD family member 3 (SMAD3), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) significantly enriched in pathways related to NOD-like receptor signaling and VEGF signaling, indicating that CRT may inhibit angiogenesis by regulating vascular endothelial cell function with modulating angiogenesis-related pathways. In vivo data showed that CRT significantly reduced the positive expression of CD31 and VEGF in the ankle joint of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats. In vitro data further confirmed that CRT effectively inhibited VEGF-induced migration, invasion, and tube formation in HUVECs, while significantly reduced the expression of angiogenesis-related factors VEGF/CD31/Ang-1, as well as the positive expression of VEGF and CD31 in HUVECs. Furthermore, CRT markedly decreased the protein expression of NOD2, VEGFA, and SMAD3. In conclusion, these findings indicate that CRT may inhibit the RA-related angiogenesis by targeting the NOD2/SMAD3/VEGF signaling axis to improve endothelial cell function, enriching the scientific connotation of CRT in inhibiting pathological angiogenesis in RA and also offer new insights for clinical prevention and treatment of RA.

AIM: To summarize 10 surgical pearls for managing proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)adapted from the ancient Chinese allusions and analyze the application of these pearls in a real-world fashion.METHODS: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional study. Ten surgical pearls were summarized and adapted from the ancient Chinese philosophy. Totally 346 cases(443 eyes)that underwent pars plana vitrectomy(PPV)at our hospial from January 2016 to February 2024 were selected. Flexible combinations of these pearls were applied according to the specific condition of each patient during surgeries. The efficacy and safety were analyzed, as well as the application frequencies according to the existence of tractional retinal detachment or not.RESULTS: A total of 473 times of surgeries were performed on all the patients. According to ancient Chinese allusions, ten surgical pearls were summarized from these surgeries. All PPVs went smoothly with the application of different combinations. Finally, almost all proliferative membranes were successfully peeled except for 10 patients(11 eyes), who went through strategy No.10(minimal membranectomy)that, only necessary relaxation incisions were made with most of the proliferative membranes left on purpose. The final visual acuities were mostly improved or stable(1.92±0.83 LogMAR preoperatively vs 1.16±0.85 LogMAR postoperatively, P<0.01). Postoperative complications mainly included early inflammatory responses in the anterior chamber and nuclear sclerosis. Recurrent vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and hyphema or neovascular glaucoma occurred in 1.9%(9/473), 3.2%(15/473), 0.4%(2/473)and 0.4%(2/473)times of PPVs, respectively. After 12/473(2.5%)times of PPVs, retinal detachment at the macular area still existed, and multiple times of subsequent PPVs were conducted. Final retinal attachment at the macular area was realized in 98.9% eyes. Those 5 unattached eyes were with heavily reproliferated membranes and subsequent tractional retinal detachment recurrence under the oil, and three of them were scleral buckled additionally.CONCLUSION:These 10 surgical strategies and technique pearls were mostly effective and safe in the management of severe PDR patients. They were relatively easy to be memorized and applicated once the meaning of each Chinese idiom was understood. One can use different combinations flexibly according to a patient's specific condition.

Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs), recognized as emerging environmental pollutants, are widely distributed in natural environments. Due to their small particle size and significant migratory capacity, MNPs can infiltrate diverse environmental matrices, then invade and accumulate in the organism via the skin, respiration, and digestion. Recently, concerns have grown over the detrimental effects and potential toxicity of MNPs on reproductive health. This review summarized published epidemiological and toxicological studies related to MNPs exposure and their effects on reproductive health. Firstly, this review critically examined the current landscape of epidemiological evidence and found that MNPs (e.g., polystyrene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, etc.) are present in various biological specimens from both males and females, and their presence may be associated with an increased risk of reproductive disorders. Secondly, extensive toxicological studies revealed that MNPs exposure induces reproductive health damage through mechanisms such as disrupting the microstructure of reproductive organs and altering molecular-level expressions. Oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis are identified as potential links between MNPs exposure and reproductive damage. Finally, this review addressed the prevalent shortcomings in existing studies and proposed future directions to tackle the challenges posed by MNPs-induced reproductive harm. These insights aim to inform strategies for safeguarding public reproductive health and ecological security, providing a scientific foundation for mitigating risks associated with MNPs pollution.