1.Effects of Yangxin Tongmai Formula (养心通脉方) on Methylation Key Genes and the PERK/ATF4/CHOP Signaling Pathway in Myocardial Tissue of Coronary Heart Disease Model Rats with Blood Stasis Syndrome
Chun ZHANG ; Shumeng ZHANG ; Yan MAO ; Xing CHEN ; Huifang KUANG ; Yi YANG ; Lingli CHEN ; Jie LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(7):784-791
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Yangxin Tongmai Formula (养心通脉方, YTF) in trea-ting coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome based on DNA methylation. MethodsSeventy-two SD rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=12) and a modeling group (n=60). The modeling group was subjected to a high-fat diet, intragastric administration of vitamin D3, and subcutaneous injection of isoprenaline to establish the rat model of coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome. Forty-one successfully modeled rats were then randomly allocated into model group, YTF low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, and the atorvastatin calcium group, with 8 rats in each group and 1 rat reserved. The YTF low-, medium-, and high-dose groups received YTF at 6, 12, and 18 g/(kg·d) by gavage, respectively. The atorvastatin calcium group received atorvastatin calcium tablets at 1.8 mg/(kg·d) by gavage. The control group and the model group received 0.9% sodium chloride injection at 4 ml/(kg·d) by gavage. All administrations were performed once daily for 3 weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, serum lipid levels including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), myocardial enzymes including cardiac troponin T (cTnT), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and inflammatory factors including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were detected by ELISA. Pathological changes in myocardial tissue were observed via HE staining. Whole blood DNA methylation sequencing was used to analyze differential methylation gene expression among the control group, model group, and YTF high-dose group. Western Blotting was used to verify the protein levels of the key genes and downstream signaling pathways. ResultsCompared to the control group, the model group showed increased levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, cTnT, CK-MB, LDH, and IL-1β, along with decreased levels of HDL-C and IL-10 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the model group, all treatment groups exhibited decreased levels of TC, LDL-C, CK-MB, and LDH, along with increased IL-10 levels. Among these, the high-dose YTF group demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing cTnT levels compared to the other TCM groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). HE staining indicated that the YTF high-dose group ameliorated myocardial cell swelling, disordered arrangement, pyknosis, and disappearance of nuclei, thereby reducing myocardial cell damage. Whole blood DNA methylation sequencing identified 240 differentially methylated genes shared by the control group, model group, and YTF high-dose group, including 109 hypermethylated and 131 hypomethylated genes; eif2ak3 was identified as a key differentially methylated gene. Compared to the control group, the model group exhibited increased protein levels of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 3 (eIf2ak3), phosphorylated protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (p-PERK), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and Bax, along with a decreased level of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) protein (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the model group, the YTF high-dose group showed decreased protein levels of eIf2ak3, p-PERK, ATF4, CHOP, and Bax, and an increased level of Bcl-2 protein (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionYTF may regulate key differentially methylated genes such as eIf2ak3 and the PERK/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress, reducing myocardial cell apoptosis, and exerting therapeutic effects in coronary heart disease blood stasis syndrome.
2.Metabolomics Reveals Mechanism of Abelmoschi Corolla Total Flavonoids in Regulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in IgA Nephropathy
Shuying SONG ; Changqing WEN ; Luwan XING ; Yan ZHANG ; Haitao GE ; Fujiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):153-161
ObjectiveTo elucidate the mechanism by which total flavonoids of Abelmoschi Corolla (TFA) treat immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) through serum metabolomics analysis. MethodsSPF-grade male SD rats were randomly assigned into six groups (n=10): blank, model, low-dose TFA (TFA-L, 27 mg·kg-1), medium-dose TFA (TFA-M, 54 mg·kg-1), high-dose TFA (TFA-H, 108 mg·kg-1), and losartan potassium (LST, 4.5 mg·kg-1) groups. The remaining five groups, excluding the blank group, were modeled with bovine serum albumin (BSA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Specifically, from weeks 1 to 10, BSA was administered via gavage every other day, and a mixture of castor oil and CCl4 was injected subcutaneously once a week, with LPS injected into the tail vein at weeks 6 and 8. After successful modeling, each intervention group was administrated with the medication prepared with distilled water once daily by gavage for a continuous period of 4 weeks. The levels of 24-hour urinary total protein (24 h UP) and serum creatinine (SCr) were quantified by kits, and the serum IgA level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Renal pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Renal IgA deposition was assessed by immunofluorescence (IF). Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were employed to detect the expression of ER stress-related factors. Non-targeted metabolomics was used to screen differential metabolites for analysis, and key metabolites arachidonic acid (AA), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were validated. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed increased 24-hour urine protein (24 h UP) and serum creatinine (SCr) levels (P<0.01), obvious renal pathological damage, elevated serum IgA level (P<0.01), increased renal AA and PGE2 levels (P<0.01), and up-regulated protein levels of COX-2, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (P-EIF2α), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α), and spliced X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1s) in the renal tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the intervention groups showed reductions in 24 h UP and SCr levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), alleviated renal pathological injury, decreased serum IgA level (P<0.05, P<0.01), and reduced renal AA and PGE2 levels (P<0.01). Western blot and IHC results showed that TFA reduced the levels of COX-2, GRP78, P-EIF2α, ATF4, IRE1α, and XBP1s in the renal tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). Metabolomics results indicated that 51 commonly differential metabolites were found among the normal, model, and TFA-M groups. TFA ameliorated IgAN by affecting metabolic pathways related to the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid and arginine through L-aspartic acid, prostaglandin 2α, leukotriene B4, leukotriene D4, among others. ConclusionTFA can regulate the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway, thereby modulating ER stress, reducing renal damage, and ameliorating IgA nephropathy.
3.Survey on the perception and current status of drug risk management in medical institutions
Xuelin SUN ; Mingqing XING ; Zixuan ZHANG ; Wenjing ZHAO ; Dongfang QIAN ; Yan LIANG ; Li XU ; Pengfei JIN ; Yatong ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(1):7-12
OBJECTIVE To know about the perception and current status of drug risk management among pharmacists in Chinese medical institutions, providing insights and recommendations for enhancing the drug risk management system in medical institutions. METHODS A questionnaire survey was conducted across 28 provinces, cities, and autonomous regions; stratified radom sampling was employed to study the population of medical workers and pharmaceutical professionals in medical institutions nationwide. The survey included information on the survey population, the current status of drug risk management implementation in medical institutions, the cognition, definition and process of drug risk management related concepts, and the content and mode of drug risk management work in medical institutions. Finally, suggestions were collected from various medical institutions on the system construction of drug risk management. Descriptive statistical analysis was adopted to summarize the obtained data. RESULTS A total of 446 questionnaires were collected in this survey, including 420 valid questionnaires and 26 invalid questionnaires. The questionnaire collection rate was 100%,and the effective rate was 94.17%. 51.19% of the respondents No.2020YFC2009001)。 based their understanding of drug risk management on Management Measures for Adverse Drug Reaction Reports and Monitoring, while 87.38% recognized the need for drug risk management throughout the drug use process. 63.33% of the participants stated that their medical institutions had dedicated positions related to drug risk management, with the highest proportion (72.17%) was in third-grade class A medical institutions. 66.43% reported implementing risk management across all drug use stages. Suggestions for the development of drug risk management systems in medical institutions by the research participants focused on enhancing guiding documents, clarifying concepts, establishing information-sharing mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS The overall awareness of drug risk management in China’s medical institutions is high, with practices in place across various stages in multiple forms. However, there remains a need to strengthen institutional documents, management regulations, system development, and information-sharing mechanisms to improve collaborative governance, improve drug management levels, and ensure patient safety.
4.Effect of Tuina at "Weizhong (BL 40)" on Spinal Microglial Activation-related Proteins and the IL-10/β-EP Pathway in a Rat Model of Chronic Sciatic Nerve Compression Injury
Tianwei ZHANG ; Xiangqian LYU ; Yani XING ; Liuchen ZHU ; Qingguang ZHU ; Lingjun KONG ; Yanbin CHENG ; Zhen YAN ; Wuquan SUN ; Min FANG ; Zhiwei WU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):734-740
ObjectiveTo investigate the analgesic effect of Tuina at the "Weizhong (BL 40)" on neuropathic pain in a rat model of chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve and its potential central spinal mechanisms. MethodsThirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (8 rats in each group), sham-operated group, model group, Tuina group, and blockade group. The CCI model was established in the model group, Tuina group, and the blockade group by ligating the sciatic nerve with catgut, while the sham-operated group underwent only sciatic nerve exposure without ligation. From postoperative day 4 to day 14, rats in the Tuina group and the blockade group received Tuina manipulation at the "Weizhong (BL 40)" using a dynamic pressure distribution measurement system (5 N pressure, 2 Hz frequency, 10 min per session, once daily). The blockade group also received intraperitoneal injections of the microglial inhibitor minocycline (10 mg/kg) once daily. The sham-operated and the model group underwent the same handling and fixation as the Tuina group without actual Tuina. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) were measured before surgery and on day 3, 7, 10, and 14 post-surgery. Transmission electron microscopy was used to evaluate sciatic nerve injury and repair, measuring axon diameter and total myelinated fiber diameter to calculate the g-ratio. Western Blotting was performed to detect the protein levels of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1), CD206, CD68, interleukin-10 (IL-10), and β-endorphin (β-EP) precursor pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) in the ipsilateral spinal dorsal horn. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group, the model group showed significantly reduced MWT and PWL on day 3, 7, 10, and 14 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Tuina group and the blockade group showed increased MWT and PWL on day 10 and 14 (P<0.05). Compared with the Tuina group, the blockade group exhibited higher MWT on day 7, 10, and 14, and higher PWL on day 10 (P<0.05). Sciatic nerve pathological morphology revealed intact and well-structured myelin in the sham-operated group, while the model group exhibited myelin collapse, distortion, and myelin ovoid formation. The Tuina group displayed partially irregular myelin with occasional myelin collapse, whereas the blockade group exhibited partial myelin irregularities and phospholipid shedding. Compared with the sham-operated group, the model group showed a decreased g-ratio and increased levels of Iba-1 and CD68 in the spinal dorsal horn (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Tuina group and the blockade group exhibited an increased g-ratio and reduced Iba-1 and CD68 levels. Additionally, the Tuina group showed elevated levels of CD206, IL-10, and POMC, whereas the blockade group had decreased CD206 levels (P<0.05). ConclusionTuina at "Weizhong (BL 40)" alleviates neuropathic pain in CCI rats, potentially by regulating microglial activation in the spinal cord, inhibiting M1 polarization while promoting M2 polarization, and activating the IL-10/β-EP pathway to exert analgesic effects.
5.Unregistered treatment situation among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Quzhou City from 2017 to 2023
YAN Qingxiu ; WANG Wei ; HAO Xiaogang ; GAO Yu ; FANG Chunfu ; ZHANG Xing ; LIU Wenfeng
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):799-803
Objective:
To analyze the unregistered treatment situation and its influencing factors among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province from 2017 to 2023, so as to provide a basis for promoting the management of tuberculosis patients and optimizing disease prevention and control strategies.
Methods:
Data of pulmonary tuberculosis patients including demographic information, etiological results, and mortality status were collected through the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System Infectious Disease Reporting and Surveillance System and the Tuberculosis Management Information System. Pulmonary tuberculosis patients not matched in the Tuberculosis Management Information System were defined as unregistered treatment patients, and the unregistered treatment rate was analyzed. Factors affecting unregistered treatment among pulmonary tuberculosis patients were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model.
Results:
A total of 10 779 pulmonary tuberculosis patients were reported in Quzhou City from 2017 to 2023, including 7 700 males (71.44%) and 3 079 females (28.56%). There were 5 484 cases aged <65 years, accounting for 50.88%. Among them, 630 cases were unregistered treatment, with an unregistered treatment rate of 5.84% (95%CI: 5.42%-6.38%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed pulmonary tuberculosis patients aged ≥65 years (OR=1.829, 95%CI: 1.512-2.212) had a higher risk of being unregistered treatment than those aged <65 years; patients with non-local household registration (OR=5.710, 95%CI: 4.724-6.901) had a higher risk than local patients; and patients engaged in housework/unemployed (OR=2.001, 95%CI: 1.421-2.818) or other occupations (OR=2.396, 95%CI: 1.789-3.137) had a higher risk than farmers. The mortality of unregistered treatment pulmonary tuberculosis patients was higher than the registered treatment patients (26.67% vs. 5.02%),with a significantly elevated mortality risk (OR=7.147, 95%CI: 5.738-8.902).
Conclusions
The unregistered treatment rate among pulmonary tuberculosis patients was well controlled in Quzhou City from 2017 to 2023, but the elderly, patients with non-local household registration, and those engaged in housework/unemployed had a higher risk of unregistered treatment. It is recommended to improve medical and social security policies, strengthen health education on tuberculosis prevention, enhance treatment adherence, and reduce mortality risk.
6.Potential utility of albumin-bilirubin and body mass index-based logistic model to predict survival outcome in non-small cell lung cancer with liver metastasis treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Lianxi SONG ; Qinqin XU ; Ting ZHONG ; Wenhuan GUO ; Shaoding LIN ; Wenjuan JIANG ; Zhan WANG ; Li DENG ; Zhe HUANG ; Haoyue QIN ; Huan YAN ; Xing ZHANG ; Fan TONG ; Ruiguang ZHANG ; Zhaoyi LIU ; Lin ZHANG ; Xiaorong DONG ; Ting LI ; Chao FANG ; Xue CHEN ; Jun DENG ; Jing WANG ; Nong YANG ; Liang ZENG ; Yongchang ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):478-480
7.Steroid sulfatase inhibitor DU-14 prevents amyloid β-protein-induced depressive-like behavior and theta rhythm suppression in rats.
Xing-Hua YUE ; Zhao-Jun WANG ; Mei-Na WU ; Hong-Yan CAI ; Jun ZHANG
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(5):801-810
The hippocampus, a major component of the limbic system, is the most important region related to emotion regulation and memory processing. Cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients may be attributed to hippocampal damage caused by amyloid β-protein (Aβ). Our previous studies have demonstrated that a steroid sulfatase inhibitor DU-14 can enhance hippocampal synaptic plasticity and spatial memory abilities in a chronic AD murine model by counteracting the toxic effects of Aβ. However, limited experimental evidence exists regarding the efficacy of steroid sulfatase inhibitor on depressive symptoms in AD animal models. In this study, we investigated the effects of DU-14 on depressive symptoms and theta-band neuronal oscillations in rats with intrahippocampal injection of Aβ1-42 using various behavioral tests such as sucrose preference test, tail suspension test, forced swimming test, and in vivo hippocampal local field potential (LFP) recording. The results demonstrated that, in comparison to the control group: (1) rats in the Aβ group exhibited a decrease in sucrose preference, indicating a loss of interest in pleasurable activities; (2) rats in the Aβ group displayed aggravated depressive-like behavior characterized by prolonged immobility time during tail suspension and forced swimming tests; (3) Aβ disrupted the induction of theta rhythm via tail pinch stimulation, and resulted in a significant reduction in peak power of theta rhythm. In contrast to the Aβ group, pretreatment with DU-14 resulted in: (1) a significant improvement in Aβ-induced anhedonia, as evidenced by increased sucrose preference; (2) significant alleviation of Aβ-induced despair and depressive-like behaviors, reflected by reduced immobility time during tail suspension and forced swimming tests; (3) successful mitigation of Aβ-mediated inhibition on bilateral hippocampal theta rhythm. These findings indicate that steroid sulfatase inhibitor DU-14 can counteract neurotoxicity induced by Aβ, and prevent Aβ-induced depressive-like behavior and suppression of theta rhythm.
Animals
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Amyloid beta-Peptides/toxicity*
;
Rats
;
Depression/physiopathology*
;
Theta Rhythm/drug effects*
;
Hippocampus/physiopathology*
;
Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Alzheimer Disease/physiopathology*
;
Steryl-Sulfatase/antagonists & inhibitors*
;
Peptide Fragments
;
Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
8.Molecular mechanism of verbascoside in promoting acetylcholine release of neurotransmitter.
Zhi-Hua ZHOU ; Hai-Yan XING ; Yan LIANG ; Jie GAO ; Yang LIU ; Ting ZHANG ; Li ZHU ; Jia-Long QIAN ; Chuan ZHOU ; Gang LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(2):335-348
The molecular mechanism of verbascoside(OC1) in promoting acetylcholine(ACh) release in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease(AD) was studied. Adrenal pheochromocytoma cells(PC12) of rats induced by β-amyloid protein(1-42)(Aβ_(1-42)) were used as AD models in vitro and were divided into control group, model group(Aβ_(1-42) 10 μmol·L~(-1)), OC1 treatment group(2 and 10 μg·mL~(-1)). The effect of OC1 on phosphorylated proteins in AD models was analyzed by whole protein phosphorylation quantitative omics, and the selectivity of OC1 for calcium channel subtypes was virtually screened in combination with computer-aided drug design. The fluorescence probe Fluo-3/AM was used to detect Ca~(2+) concentration in cells. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the effects of OC1 on the expression of phosphorylated calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ(p-CaMKⅡ, Thr286) and synaptic vesicle-related proteins, and UPLC/Q Exactive MS was used to detect the effects of OC1 on ACh release in AD models. The effects of OC1 on acetylcholine esterase(AChE) activity in AD models were detected. The results showed that the differentially modified proteins in the model group and the OC1 treatment group were related to calcium channel activation at three levels: GO classification, KEGG pathway, and protein domain. The results of molecular docking revealed the dominant role of L-type calcium channels. Fluo-3/AM fluorescence intensity decreased under the presence of Ca~(2+) chelating agent ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid(EGTA), L-type calcium channel blocker verapamil, and N-type calcium channel blocker conotoxin, and the effect of verapamil was stronger than that of conotoxin. This confirmed that OC1 promoted extracellular Ca~(2+) influx mainly through its interaction with L-type calcium channel protein. In addition, proteomic analysis and Western blot results showed that the expression of p-CaMKⅡ and downstream vesicle-related proteins was up-regulated after OC1 treatment, indicating that OC1 acted on vesicle-related proteins by activating CaMKⅡ and participated in synaptic remodeling and transmitter release, thus affecting learning and memory. OC1 also decreased the activity of AChE and prolonged the action time of ACh in synaptic gaps.
Animals
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Rats
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Glucosides/administration & dosage*
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Acetylcholine/metabolism*
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Alzheimer Disease/genetics*
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PC12 Cells
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Phenols/chemistry*
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Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal
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Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2/genetics*
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Humans
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Phosphorylation/drug effects*
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Calcium/metabolism*
;
Polyphenols
9.Tanreqing Capsules protect lung and gut of mice infected with influenza virus via "lung-gut axis".
Nai-Fan DUAN ; Yuan-Yuan YU ; Yu-Rong HE ; Feng CHEN ; Lin-Qiong ZHOU ; Ya-Lan LI ; Shi-Qi SUN ; Yan XUE ; Xing ZHANG ; Gui-Hua XU ; Yue-Juan ZHENG ; Wei ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(8):2270-2281
This study aims to explore the mechanism of lung and gut protection by Tanreqing Capsules on the mice infected with influenza virus based on "the lung-gut axis". A total of 110 C57BL/6J mice were randomized into control group, model group, oseltamivir group, and low-and high-dose Tanreqing Capsules groups. Ten mice in each group underwent body weight protection experiments, and the remaining 12 mice underwent experiments for mechanism exploration. Mice were infected with influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/08/1934(PR8) via nasal inhalation for the modeling. The lung tissue was collected on day 3 after gavage, and the lung tissue, colon tissue, and feces were collected on day 7 after gavage for subsequent testing. The results showed that Tanreqing Capsules alleviated the body weight reduction and increased the survival rate caused by PR8 infection. Compared with model group, Tanreqing Capsules can alleviate the lung injury by reducing the lung index, alleviating inflammation and edema in the lung tissue, down-regulating viral gene expression at the late stage of infection, reducing the percentage of neutrophils, and increasing the percentage of T cells. Tanreqing Capsules relieved the gut injury by restoring the colon length, increasing intestinal lumen mucin secretion, alleviating intestinal inflammation, and reducing goblet cell destruction. The gut microbiota analysis showed that Tanreqing Capsules increased species diversity compared with model group. At the phylum level, Tanreqing Capsules significantly increased the abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, while reducing the abundance of Bacteroidota and Proteobacteria to maintain gut microbiota balance. At the genus level, Tanreqing Capsules significantly increased the abundance of unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae while reducing the abundance of Bacteroides, Eubacterium, and Phocaeicola to maintain gut microbiota balance. In conclusion, Tanreqing Capsules can alleviate mouse lung and gut injury caused by influenza virus infection and restore the balance of gut microbiota. Treating influenza from the lung and gut can provide new ideas for clinical practice.
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Mice
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Lung/metabolism*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Capsules
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Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology*
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
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Male
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Humans
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Female
;
Influenza A virus/physiology*
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Influenza, Human/virology*
10.Establishment of different pneumonia mouse models suitable for traditional Chinese medicine screening.
Xing-Nan YUE ; Jia-Yin HAN ; Chen PAN ; Yu-Shi ZHANG ; Su-Yan LIU ; Yong ZHAO ; Xiao-Meng ZHANG ; Jing-Wen WU ; Xuan TANG ; Ai-Hua LIANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(15):4089-4099
In this study, lipopolysaccharide(LPS), ovalbumin(OVA), and compound 48/80(C48/80) were administered to establish non-infectious pneumonia models under simulated clinical conditions, and the correlation between their pathological characteristics and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndromes was compared, providing the basis for the selection of appropriate animal models for TCM efficacy evaluation. An acute pneumonia model was established by nasal instillation of LPS combined with intraperitoneal injection for intensive stimulation. Three doses of OVA mixed with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant were injected intraperitoneally on days one, three, and five and OVA was administered via endotracheal drip for excitation on days 14-18 to establish an OVA-induced allergic pneumonia model. A single intravenous injection of three doses of C48/80 was adopted to establish a C48/80-induced pneumonia model. By detecting the changes in peripheral blood leukocyte classification, lung tissue and plasma cytokines, immunoglobulins(Ig), histamine levels, and arachidonic acid metabolites, the multi-dimensional analysis was carried out based on pathological evaluation. The results showed that the three models could cause pulmonary edema, increased wet weight in the lung, and obvious exudative inflammation in lung tissue pathology, especially for LPS. A number of pyrogenic cytokines, inclading interleukin(IL)-6, interferon(IFN)-γ, IL-1β, and IL-4 were significantly elevated in the LPS pneumonia model. Significantly increased levels of prostacyclin analogs such as prostaglandin E2(PGE2) and PGD2, which cause increased vascular permeability, and neutrophils in peripheral blood were significantly elevated. The model could partly reflect the clinical characteristics of phlegm heat accumulating in the lung or dampness toxin obstructing the lung. The OVA model showed that the sensitization mediators IgE and leukotriene E4(LTE4) were increased, and the anti-inflammatory prostacyclin 6-keto-PGF2α was decreased. Immune cells(lymphocytes and monocytes) were decreased, and inflammatory cells(neutrophils and basophils) were increased, reflecting the characteristics of "deficiency", "phlegm", or "dampness". Lymphocytes, monocytes, and basophils were significantly increased in the C48/80 model. The phenotype of the model was that the content of histamine, a large number of prostacyclins(6-keto-PGE1, PGF2α, 15-keto-PGF2α, 6-keto-PGF1α, 13,14-D-15-keto-PGE2, PGD2, PGE2, and PGH2), LTE4, and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid(5S-HETE) was significantly increased, and these indicators were associated with vascular expansion and increased vascular permeability. The pyrogenic inflammatory cytokines were not increased. The C48/80 model reflected the characteristics of cold and damp accumulation. In the study, three non-infectious pneumonia models were constructed. The LPS model exhibited neutrophil infiltration and elevated inflammatory factors, which was suitable for the efficacy study of TCM for clearing heat, detoxifying, removing dampness, and eliminating phlegm. The OVA model, which took allergic inflammation as an index, was suitable for the efficacy study of Yiqi Gubiao formulas. The C48/80 model exhibited increased vasoactive substances(histamine, PGs, and LTE4), which was suitable for the efficacy study and evaluation of TCM for warming the lung, dispersing cold, drying dampness, and resolving phlegm. The study provides a theoretical basis for model selection for the efficacy evaluation of TCM in the treatment of pneumonia.
Animals
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Disease Models, Animal
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Mice
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Pneumonia/genetics*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Male
;
Humans
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Cytokines/immunology*
;
Female
;
Lipopolysaccharides/adverse effects*
;
Lung/drug effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal
;
Ovalbumin
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C


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