1.Expert Consensus on Clinical Application of Qidong Yixin Oral Liquid
Changkuan FU ; Xiaochang MA ; Mingjun ZHU ; Yue DENG ; Hongxu LIU ; Mingxue ZHANG ; Ying CHEN ; Yan ZHOU ; Ling ZHANG ; Jianhua FU ; Wei YANG ; Yu'er HU ; Ming CHEN ; Yanming XIE ; Yuanyuan LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):147-158
The prescription of Qidong Yixin oral liquid is derived from the experience of national medical master Ren Jixue in treating viral myocarditis (VMC). It has the functions of tonifying Qi, nourishing the heart,calming the mind, and relieving palpitations. It is used to treat VMC and angina pectoris of coronary heart disease caused by deficiency of both Qi and Yin. However,the understanding of its efficacy evidence, advantageous aspects, dosage and administration, and medication safety remains insufficient in clinical practice. Therefore,the development of the Expert Consensus on the Clinical Application of Qidong Yixin Oral Liquid (hereinafter referred to as consensus) was initiated. Consensus strictly followed the process and methods of the expert consensus on the clinical application of Chinese patent medicines of the China Association of Chinese Medicine,successively completing multiple tasks such as the consensus project initiation,determination of clinical problems,evidence search and evaluation,formation of recommendation opinions and consensus suggestions,solicitation of opinions,peer review, submission for review and release, and so on. Consensus formed a total of 10 recommendation opinions and 12 consensus suggestions,clarifying the clinical positioning,efficacy advantages,syndrome differentiation,dosage and administration,combination therapy,timing of medication,adverse reactions,contraindications, and precautions of Qidong Yixin oral liquid,indicating that it has good clinical advantages and safety in the treatment of VMC and angina pectoris of coronary heart disease,providing norms and references for physicians to safely and rationally apply Qidong Yixin oral liquid. Consensus was reviewed and approved for release by the Standardization Office of the China Association of Chinese Medicine on December 23, 2024. Standard number:GSCACM-376-2024.
2.Differences in deltamethrin resistance and kdr gene mutation in Culex tritaeniorhynchus population in and outside the Yellow Sea wetland
Xiao-er ZHANG ; Zhi-ming WU ; Ye TIAN ; Qian CUI ; Yu-qian JI ; Huan WANG ; Shu-juan YANG ; Yi-chao ZHAO ; Yu WANG ; Hua-yu YIN ; Yu DING ; Guo-jin YAN ; Min-sen ZHAO ; Shou-gang ZHANG ; Bing-dong SONG ; Hong-na CHEN ; Jian GAO ; Wei-fang YANG ; Yu-fu ZHANG ; Hui LIU ; Hong-liang CHU
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):101-107
Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.
3.The Neural Circuit Characteristics of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Over The Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex for The Treatment of Migraine
Chen-Xia JIN ; Bo-Lin TAN ; Yang YE ; Ji-Qing HE ; Ling-Yan WANG ; Zhong-Ming GAO ; Yu-Jun WANG ; Hui-Li LIU ; Yong-Xing YAN ; Xian-Wei CHE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1953-1968
ObjectiveMigraine is a leading neurological disorder and the fourth most common cause of years lived with disability worldwide, affecting nearly 116 million individuals. Although pharmacological treatments are available, their efficacy is often limited by side effects and variable response rates. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) offers a safe, non-invasive alternative for migraine management. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms, particularly how rTMS modulates local cortical excitability and distributed pain-related circuits, remain poorly understood. Elucidating these mechanisms is essential for optimizing treatment protocols and improving clinical outcomes. MethodsThis study employed concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) to investigate neuroplastic and neurocircuitry mechanisms of DLPFC-rTMS in migraine. Study 1 compared 30 migraineurs and 28 healthy controls to identify abnormalities in TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) and significant current density (SCD) within sensory-discriminative regions including the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and posterior insula (pINS), cognitive-affective regions including the anterior insula (aINS) and midcingulate cortex (MCC), and a descending modulatory region, the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Study 2 used a single-blind, crossover, sham-controlled design in 34 healthy participants. Each participant received both active (10 Hz, 80% RMT, 1 500 pulses) and sham DLPFC-rTMS in counterbalanced order. TMS-EEG and cold pain tolerance were assessed before and after each session. ResultsIn Study 1, migraineurs showed a significantly less negative N120 amplitude compared to healthy controls (P=0.027, Cohen’s d=0.60), indicating local intracortical disinhibition. No group differences were observed for N40, P60, or P180 components. At the source level, migraineurs exhibited significantly higher SCD in the S1, pINS, aINS, and MCC (allQ<0.05), but not in the ventroposterior thalamus (vpTHAL), mediodorsal thalamus (mdTHAL), or PAG. In Study 2, active rTMS significantly reduced SCD from pre- to post-stimulation in the S1, aINS, and MCC (all Q<0.05). Sham stimulation also reduced SCD in the S1 (Q<0.05) but not in the aINS or MCC. Although no significant group-level analgesic effect was observed between active and sham conditions (P=0.107), correlation analyses revealed that greater SCD reductions in the S1 and MCC were significantly associated with higher post-rTMS pain tolerance (R=-0.487 and -0.495, both Q<0.01) and larger improvements in pain tolerance(R=-0.487 and -0.451, both Q<0.05). No such correlations were found following sham stimulation, suggesting that the behavioural relevance of neural changes is specific to active rTMS. ConclusionThis study provides novel evidence that migraineurs exhibit both local neuroplastic abnormalities (reduced N120 amplitude) and hyperactivity in key pain-processing regions (S1, pINS, aINS, MCC). A single session of DLPFC-rTMS reduced hyperactivity in the aINS, MCC, and S1. Notably, greater reductions in the S1 and MCC were associated with improved pain tolerance. These findings identify distinct cortical circuitries, particularly within the cognitive-affective pain network, that may serve as potential biomarkers for optimizing rTMS treatment in migraine and other chronic pain conditions. Future studies should validate these results in patient populations experiencing spontaneous migraine attacks and explore multi-session or accelerated rTMS protocols.
4.Quality control standards for biological specimens from patients with oral and maxillofacial tumors
CHEN Wantao ; PAN Xinhua ; HE Yue ; YAN Ming ; WANG Lizhen ; WANG Yan&rsquo ; an ; LI Siyi ; LI Zhihui ; ZHANG Zhen ; DU Mengxuan
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(9):833-842
Quality control (QC) of biospecimens from oral and maxillofacial tumors patients constitutes a critical foundation for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and precision medicine research of these diseases. Biospecimen quality directly governs the discovery and validation of disease biomarkers, the elucidation of pathogenesis, and the efficacy of clinical translation. QC spans the entire biospecimen lifecycle—encompassing collection, processing, storage, transportation, and utilization. Its primary objectives are to ensure sample integrity, reliability, traceability, and consistency, thereby guaranteeing the robustness of research data; the accuracy of molecular subtyping, biomarker identification, and treatment response prediction; and the precision of clinical decision-making. However, current QC frameworks for these biospecimens remain underdeveloped. Drawing on domestic and international technical standards, regulatory guidelines, and recent research advances, this paper elaborates on the importance of implementing a QC management system throughout the biospecimen lifecycle. It focuses on QC methodologies tailored to diverse biospecimen types, examining how standardized sampling procedures, regulated preprocessing workflows, and optimized long-term storage conditions influence sample quality. We aim to provide concrete guidance and a transferable paradigm for establishing standardized QC protocols and an informatics-enabled traceability system specific to oral and maxillofacial tumors. Such efforts are intended to enhance the research value and clinical utility of these biospecimens, furnishing reliable sample resources and technical support for the development of precision diagnostics and therapeutics. Furthermore, we advocate for a dual-track “QC plus Ethics” management framework within biobanks. This approach would reinforce ethical and legal safeguards, establishing a robust barrier to support safe scientific innovation and clinical translation.
5.Mechanistic study of regulatory T cells resisting ferroptosis under hypoxic stress in oral squamous cell carcinoma
GUO Ruiyu ; ZHANG Fangyu ; XU Qin ; CHEN Wantao ; YAN Ming
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(10):953-969
Objective:
To explore the metabolic molecular mechanism of regulatory T cells (Tregs) resisting ferroptosis under a hypoxic stress microenvironment, and to provide scientific support for finding intervention targets to improve the immune microenvironment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
Methods:
This study was approved by the Institutional Medical Ethics Committee. Multiplex immunofluorescence was used to detect the distribution of Tregs and the localization of hypoxic regions in clinical pathological specimens from patients with OSCC tissues. Animal experiments were approved by the Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee. A tumor-bearing model was established in C57BL/6 mice. The submandibular, subscapular, inguinal, and popliteal lymph nodes were collected along with the spleen, and were homogenized to prepare single cell suspensions. C57BL/6 mouse naive CD4⁺ T cells were induced to differentiate into Tregs in vitro, and a 1% hypoxic culture model was established. Normoxia and hypoxia groups were established, and Treg viability under hypoxic conditions was assessed by flow cytometry. Transcriptomics and metabolomics were applied to analyze differentially expressed genes, metabolic pathways, and changes in cholesterol metabolites. Western blot was performed to detect the expression of emopamil-binding protein (EBP), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1), and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4). The safe concentration of the EBP inhibitor TASIN-30 was determined by the CCK-8 assay. On this basis, four groups were established: normoxia control, hypoxia, hypoxia+TASIN-30, and hypoxia+TASIN-30+7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC). Treg viability in each group was measured by flow cytometry; intracellular Fe2+ content, lipid peroxidation level, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation were detected by cellular immunofluorescence and flow cytometry; the reduced/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio was measured using a microplate reader; and mitochondrial morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy. In vivo tumor-inhibition experiments in C3H/HeJ mice were performed to validate the in vivo effects of EBP inhibition, and clinical prognostic survival analysis based on the TCGA-HNSC cohort was performed to evaluate the clinical prognostic value of ferroptosis resistance in Tregs.
Results:
Tregs were highly enriched in OSCC tissue, preferentially accumulated in hypoxic areas, and could maintain cell survival under hypoxia. The cholesterol metabolism pathway was upregulated in the hypoxic group, with increased EBP mRNA expression (P < 0.001) and 7-DHC accumulation. Compared with the hypoxic group alone, the hypoxic + TASIN-30 group showed decreased GPX4 and FSP1 expression (P < 0.001, P = 0.003); increased ACSL4 expression (P < 0.001); a decreased viable cell ratio (P < 0.001); increased Fe2+, lipid peroxidation, and ROS levels (P < 0.001); a decreased GSH/GSSG ratio (P < 0.001); and mitochondrial shrinkage. Exogenous supplementation of 7-DHC reversed the effects of EBP inhibition. In vivo inhibition of EBP significantly inhibited tumor growth (P < 0.001).
Conclusion
Tregs upregulate EBP and promote 7-DHC accumulation in hypoxic microenvironments, thereby inhibiting Treg ferroptosis and maintaining their survival and immunosuppressive function. Inhibition of EBP can weaken the resistance of Tregs to ferroptosis under hypoxia.
6.Value of the first platelet count to respiratory rate ratio in the diagnosis and prognosis of secondary sepsis in pneumonia patients
Lijia YUAN ; Sha YANG ; Ting XIAO ; Linghu CAI ; Yan ZHOU ; Ming CHEN ; Minghua LIU
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(6):641-645
Objective To investigate the value of first platelet count(PLT)to respiratory rate(RR)ratio(PLT/RR)on admission in the diagnosis and prognosis of secondary sepsis in pneumonia patients.Methods A total of 100 patients with pneumonia admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from May 2023 to August 2024 were selected as subjects.According to the presence or absence of pneumonia sepsis,they were divided into sepsis group(63 cases)and non-sepsis group(37 cases).The secondary sepsis in pneumonia pa-tients were followed up continuously for 30 d.According to the survival situation,they were divided into sur-vival group(54 cases)and death group(9 cases).PLT in peripheral blood was measured,vital signs were col-lected on the first day of admission,and PLT/RR was calculated.The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of PLT,RR and PLT/RR for secondary sepsis in pneumonia pa-tients.The systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS)score,modified early warning score(MEWS)and quick sequential organ failure assessment(qSOFA)score on admission were calculated,and the clinical predictive value of SIRS score,MEWS and qSOFA score was compared.Results PLT and PLT/RR in sepsis group were lower than those in non-sepsis group(P<0.000 1),RR was higher than that in non-sepsis group(P<0.01).The area under the curve(AUC,95%CI)of PLT,RR and PLT/RR were 0.858(0.785-0.931),0.693(0.589-0.796)and 0.902(0.843-0.962),respectively.The optimal cut-off values were 146.5×109/L,20.5 per minute and 8.075,respectively.The specificity were 8.1%,83.8%and 2.7%,respec-tively.The sensitivity was 33.3%,50.8%and 30.2%,respectively.Compared with the non-sepsis group,the sepsis group had a significantly higher SIRS score(P<0.001),a significantly lower MEWS(P<0.000 1),and no significant difference in qSOFA score between the two groups(P>0.05).The AUC(95%CI)of SIRS score,MEWS and qSOFA score in predicting secondary sepsis in pneumonia patients were 0.717(0.616-0.818),0.748(0.650-0.846)and 0.505(0.389-0.622),respectively.The optimal cut-off values were 4.5,2.5 and 1.5 points,respectively.The specificity were 91.9%,2.7%and 100.0%,respectively.The sensitivity was 42.9%,33.3%and 6.3%,respectively.PLT and PLT/RR in death group were lower than those in sur-vival group(P<0.05),RR was higher than that in survival group(P<0.05).Secondary sepsis in pneumonia patients were followed up for 30 d,Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that patients with PLT≤138.5×109/L had a lower 30 d survival rate(P=0.007 8).Patients with RR>24.5 per minute had a lower 30 d sur-vival rate(P=0.016 1).Patients with PLT/RR≤6.375 had a lower 30 d survival rate(P=0.002 3).Conclu-sion PLT/RR can be used as a biological index to predict secondary sepsis in pneumonia patients,which is better than SIRS score,MEWS and qSOFA score,and the prognosis of secondary sepsis in pneumonia patients with low PLT/RR is worse.
7.Therapeutic efficacy and its mechanism of methylprednisolone on smoke inhalation-induced acute lung injury in rats
Hu-Ming LI ; Xu-Xin CHEN ; Yong-Qun LI ; Chun-Yang ZHANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Wei CHEN ; Zhi-Hai HAN
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(7):890-896
Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of different doses of methylprednisolone(MP)on smoke inhalation-induced acute lung injury(SI-ALI)in rats,and to explore the changes in the expression of aquaporins(AQPs)and the underlying mechanisms for alleviating lung injury.Methods A total of 86 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into five groups:control group(n=6),smoke inhalation injury(SI)group(n=20),low-dose MP group(LMP,SI+0.4 mg/kg MP,n=20),medium-dose MP group(MMP,SI+4 mg/kg MP,n=20),and high-dose MP group(HMP,SI+40 mg/kg MP,n=20).A model of smoke inhalation-induced lung injury was established.The survival status of the rats in each group was monitored.Lung tissues were collected 24 hours after injury to determine the wet-to-dry(W/D)ratio of the lung tissues,arterial oxygen partial pressure(PaO2),and the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6.The degree of lung injury was evaluated using HE staining,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of AQP1 and AQP5 in the lung tissues were detected.Results Compared with control group,the survival rate of the rats in SI group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with SI group,the survival rates of the rats in MMP and HMP groups were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the PaO2 of the Rats in SI group was significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the wet-to-dry(W/D)ratio and lung injury scores were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with SI group,the PaO2 of the rats in LMP,MMP,and HMP groups(P<0.05)was significantly increased(P<0.05),and the lung W/D ratio and injury scores in MMP and HMP groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05).ELISA results showed that compared with control group,the serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 in SI group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with SI group,the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 in MMP and HMP groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05).HE staining revealed that the alveolar structure of the rats in SI group was severely damaged;compared with SI group,the damage to the alveolar structure in MMP and HMP groups was alleviated.Real-time PCR and Western blotting analysis results showed that compared with control group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of AQP1 and AQP5 in lung tissues in SI group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);however,compared with SI group,these levels in LMP,MMP,and HMP groups were significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusions Smoke inhalation can induce acute lung injury in rats and down-regulate the expression levels of AQP1 and AQP5 in the lung tissues.Methylprednisolone can alleviate pulmonary edema and tissue damage in rats caused by smoke inhalation,and induce the up-regulation of the expression of AQP1 and AQP5.
8.Morphology of enteric nervous system in C57BL/6 mice based on fMOST high-resolution 3D reconstruction system
Li-Ge LENG ; Guan-Xiong YANG ; Ze-En WANG ; Yi CHEN ; Zhi-Liang QIAO ; Qing-Zhong HU ; Ming-Yan WANG ; Feng TIAN
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(1):114-119
Objective To initially explore the possibility of applying the fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography(fMOST)high-resolution 3D reconstruction system to the morphological study of the intestinal nervous system and to preliminarily establish a method for studying the morphology of the intestinal nervous system using this system.Methods fMOST high-resolution 3D reconstruction system was used to study the intestinal nervous system of C57BL/6 mice in detail.Based on this method,a new morphological method of the visceral nervous system of small animal models was explored at the single-cell level.Results Compared with the large intestine,the small intestine lacked the typical myenteric plexus(Auerbach),deep mucosal plexus(Henley),and submucosal superficial plexus(Meissner).Conclusion The result of this paper provide a clearer and systematic display of the anatomical structure of the enteric nervous system in C57BL/6 mice,and further clarify the similarities and differences between the enteric nervous system of mice and human,and provide a theoretical basis for its rational application in the study of digestive system diseases.The morphological study of fMOST high-resolution 3D reconstruction system is not limited to the central nervous system,but can be extended to the morphological study of multiple visceral nervous systems.
9.Stenting for the treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension complicated by different types of venous sinus stenosis:a comparative study
Zhen XU ; Wenying BAO ; Yingge XU ; Chen WANG ; Song ZHANG ; Ming ZHU ; Yinyin WU ; Lei YAN ; Shaofeng SHUI
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025;34(7):697-703
Objective To compare the efficacy of stenting in the treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension(IIH)complicated by different types of venous sinus stenosis(VSS).Methods The clinical data of 48 patients with IIH complicated by VSS,who received stenting therapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University of China from January 2019 to September 2023,were retrospectively analyzed.According to the type of VSS,the patients were divided into intrinsic stenosis group(n=20)and the extrinsic stenosis group(n=28).The improvement of symptoms,Frisén grade of papilledema,lumbar puncture opening pressure(LPOP),trans-stenosis pressure gradient(△P)of VSS,and surgery-related complications were compared between the two groups.Results The mean age of the patients in the intrinsic stenosis group was greater than that of the patients in the extrinsic stenosis group(41.60 years vs.35.25 years,P=0.049).The length of the narrowed segment in the extrinsic stenosis group was 22.5 mm,which was significantly longer than 19.0 mm in the intrinsic stenosis group(P=0.007).The postoperative Frisén grade of papilledema in the extrinsic stenosis group was obviously lower than that in the intrinsic stenosis group(P=0.037).No statistically significant differences in the other clinical data existed between the two groups(all P>0.05).After stenting,all of the median △P,mean LPOP,and median Frisén grade of papilledema were decreased significantly when compared with their preoperative values(all P<0.001),and the postoperative 3-day median Frisén grade of papilledema in the extrinsic stenosis group was much lower(P=0.037).The patients were followed up for one year,the clinical symptoms of the patients in both groups were improved to varying degrees.At the time of discharge,the proportion of patients having no symptoms of papilledema in the extrinsic stenosis group was 57.1%,which was higher than 22.2%in the intrinsic stenosis group(P=0.049),and no statistically significant differences in the improvements of other symptoms existed between the two groups(all P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(P=0.563).Conclusion Venous sinus stenting can effectively treat patients with IIH complicated by different types of VSS.
10.Icariside II attenuates isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia by regulating NLRP3/Caspase-1 axis
Wenzhong FENG ; Dong fei FANG ; Fangying TANG ; Jianmei GAO ; Fuchao CHEN ; Zhihao LI ; Cancan DUAN ; Yan ZHANG ; Ming YU ; Pingping WANG ; Jianyong ZHANG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;3(1):40-51
Background: Epimedii Folium, first recorded in the Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing), is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) known for its effects of “benefiting Qi and strengthening the heart.” Icariside II (ICS II) is one of the main active components of Epimedii Folium, possessing cardiovascular protective and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the potential mechanisms of ICS II on myocardial ischemia (MI) remain unclear. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects and preliminary molecular mechanisms of ICS II in treating isoproterenolinduced MI in rats. Methods: A rat model of MI was established by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol. Electrocardiography, echocardiography, myocardial enzymes analysis, heart weight index, triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, histopathology, TUNEL staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blot were employed to evaluate the effects and preliminary molecular mechanisms of ICS II on MI rats. Results: Pharmacodynamic studies suggested that ICS II inhibited ST-segment elevation in electrocardiograms, improved cardiac function, reduced heart weight index and myocardial enzyme levels, decreased myocardial infarct size, alleviated cardiac histological damage, and inhibited apoptosis, thereby exerting cardioprotective effects in MI rats. Further studies revealed that ICS II may partially inhibit the expression of NLRP3/Caspase-1 axis-related targets at both protein and mRNA levels. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that ICS II exerts anti-MI effects, and its preliminary molecular mechanisms may be related to inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3/Caspase-1 axis to alleviate inflammatory responses.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail