1.Research Progress on Regulation of Relevant Pathways by Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
Zhonghao GUO ; Quan LI ; Pengyu PAN ; Tengyu ZHAO ; Zeyuan AN ; Yuan LIU ; Yanyan ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):333-342
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor impairments, with its pathological mechanisms involving multiple processes such as the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and the abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein. Current Western medical treatments face challenges including diminished long-term efficacy and motor complications. In recent years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has demonstrated advantages in the prevention and treatment of PD through its systematic regulatory capabilities, featuring multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway approaches.This article systematically reviews the roles of seven key signaling pathways-NF-κB, AMPK/mTOR, PI3K/Akt, MAPKs, Nrf2/ARE, Wnt/β-catenin, and BDNF/TrkB-in the pathological process of PD and the regulatory mechanisms of TCM. Research indicates that active ingredients of Chinese herbs and compound formulations can synergistically modulate these pathways, exerting comprehensive effects in inhibiting neuroinflammation, alleviating oxidative stress, promoting autophagy to clear abnormal proteins, and enhancing neurotrophic support. These signaling pathways form a complex regulatory network through crosstalk among key nodal molecules, constituting an intricate regulatory system in PD pathology. The multi-target intervention characteristics of TCM align well with this network-based regulatory requirement, achieving integrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, autophagy-regulating, and neurorestorative effects through synergistic multi-pathway modulation. This article systematically outlines the mechanisms of TCM in the coordinated regulation of multiple pathways, providing a theoretical basis for elucidating the pathological process of PD and the intervention mechanisms of TCM, while also offering new perspectives and directions for modern research on TCM in the prevention and treatment of PD.
2.Disease-syndrome Combination Animal Models in Andrology of Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review and Prospects
Jigang CAO ; Jianxiong LIU ; Min XIAO ; Xiaocui JIANG ; Aidi LIANG ; Xingyu JIANG ; Yanyan ZHOU ; Xiaoming YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):303-314
The disease-syndrome combination animal model in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) andrology serves as an important bridge linking TCM theory with modern medical research, providing a key experimental platform for elucidating the 'syndrome-disease' correlation mechanism in male-specific diseases and for screening effective prescriptions. This article reviews recent progress in animal model research on common TCM andrological diseases, including prostatic diseases, sexual dysfunction, and male infertility, with a focus on analyzing the application, advantages, and disadvantages of various modeling strategies, such as immune induction, hormonal intervention, and multi-factor combination across different syndrome types. However, despite breakthroughs in model construction techniques, current research still faces several challenges, including insufficient standardization of syndrome differentiation and difficulties in quantifying TCM-specific indicators. Future studies need to optimize model evaluation systems by integrating modern technologies, in order to promote the standardization and internationalization of TCM andrology research.
3.The change of EPA1-ROS-NLRP1 signaling in CUMS-induced depression model mice
Shuxiang TIAN ; Mengqing LIU ; Han YANG ; Mingguang NIU ; Yanyan YIN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):836-844
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression changes of the Endophilin A1 (EPA1)-reactive oxygen species (ROS)-NLR family pyrin domain containing 1 (NLRP1) signaling pathway in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression model mice. Methods50 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group and CUMS model group(n=25). The model mice received 42 days of CUMS stress exposure, after which behavioral changes were assessed through monitoring body weight, sucrose preference test, forced swim test, tail suspension test, open field test, and elevated plus-maze test. Hematoxylin-Eosin and Nissl staining were used to observe neuronal damage in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions. Calcium ion (Ca²⁺) assay kit was used to detect Ca²⁺ levels in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence was used to detect colocalization of EPA1 and NLRP1 as well as ROS changes in the hippocampus. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe mitochondrial structure in hippocampal neurons. The expression levels of calcium-activated neutral protease 1 (Calpain-1), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2 (NOX2), NLRP1 inflammasome, downstream inflammatory proteins, and synapse-associated proteins in the hippocampus of mice was detected by using Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group, mice in the CUMS model group exhibited depressive-like behavior and hippocampal neuronal damage. The levels of NLRP1 and EPA1 significantly increased in the hippocampus, and both were co-expressed in the cytoplasm and membrane of hippocampal neurons in the CUMS group mice(P<0.01). Ca²⁺ concentration was elevated(P<0.01), and the protein levels of Calpain 1 and NOX2 were upregulated(P<0.01). The average fluorescence intensity of ROS significantly increased, accompanied by structural damage to neuronal mitochondria(P<0.01). The levels of NLRP1 and its downstream inflammatory proteins significantly increased (P<0.01), while the expression levels of synapse-associated proteins significantly decreased (P<0.01). ConclusionEPA1 exhibits abnormal expression changes in CUMS-induced depression model mice, which may be closely associated with ROS generation, NLRP1 inflammasome activation, and the regulation of synaptic protein expression.
4.Determination of multi-component content and analysis of differential components in Aurantii Fructus Immaturus from different origins
Qianying WU ; Dehong LIU ; Weikang CHEN ; Xi CHEN ; Yanyan ZHU ; Jie WANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(9):1071-1075
OBJECTIVE To determine the contents of 15 components in Aurantii Fructus Immaturus from different origins (Citrus aurantium, C. junos, C. aurantium Linn., C. sinensis Osb., C. sinensis), screen differential components, and provide references for the quality evaluation of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus. METHODS HPLC method was adopted to determine the contents of synephrine, N-methyltyramine, 5,7-dihydroxychromone-7-neohesperidoside, neoponcirin, narirutin, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, naringenin, hesperetin, sinensetin, nobiletin, tangeretin, 5-demethylnobiletin, and auraptene in 46 batches of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus from different origins. The determination was performed on Waters Symmetry C18 column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid (gradient elution) at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min; column temperature was set at 40 ℃ , detection wavelength was 284 nm, and sample injection volume was 5 μL. The differences between different origins of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus were analyzed by cluster analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and differential components were screened. RESULTS The linear relationships of the aforementioned 15 components were all good within the tested mass concentration ranges (all r>0.999 0). The RSDs for precision, stability (24 h), and repeatability tests were all less than 2.00%. The average recovery rate ranged from 91.1% to 103.9% (all RSDs<3.10%). Cluster analysis, PCA, and OPLS-DA revealed that C. sinensis Osb. and C. sinensis were clustered into one category, while C. aurantium,C. junos and C. aurantium Linn. were clustered into another category. The variable importance projection values for neohesperidin, auraptene, naringin, neoponcirin, tangeretin, hesperidin, sinensetin, and 5,7-dihydroxychromone-7-neohesperidoside were all greater than 1. CONCLUSIONS In this study, the contents of 15 components in Aurantii Fructus Immaturus from different origins are determined, and 8 differential components, including neohesperidin, auraptene, naringin, and neoponcirin, are screened out.
5.Comparison of value of Logistic regression model and XGBoost model in predicting upper limb lymphedema after radical mastectomy
Yanyan WU ; Yajie ZHANG ; Yan LIU
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2025;19(2):172-176
Objective:To study the value of Logistic regression model and XGBoost model in predicting upper limb lymphedema after radical mastectomy.Methods:A total of 150 patients with breast cancer admitted to the Department of Breast Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College from Jan. 2023 to Jan. 2024 were collected as the study objects, all of whom underwent surgical treatment. The subjects were divided into the occurrence group (30 cases) and the non-occurrence group (120 cases) according to whether upper limb lymphedema occurred after operation. The clinical data of the patients in the study were collected, and the risk prediction models of upper limb lymphedema after radical mastectomy were constructed based on Logistic regression analysis and XGBoost method, respectively, and the predictive value of the two models was compared.Results:Among the 150 patients, 30 patients developed upper limb lymphedema after surgery, with an incidence of 20.00% (30/150) . The age, body mass index (BMI) level, clinical stage (stage III) , number of excised lymph nodes ≥ 10, postoperative non functional exercise, postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy, and proportion of hypertension in the incidence group were higher than those in the non incidence group ( t=3.21, 5.21, χ 2=30.68, 16.24, 12.40, 11.11, 8.58, P<0.05) . Logistic regression analysis showed that BMI, clinical stage (stage III) , number of lymph nodes removed ≥10, postoperative non-functional exercise, postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy and hypertension were all risk factors for upper limb lymphedema after radical mastectomy ( P<0.05) . ROC curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of multivariate Logistic regression and XGBoost model predicting upper limb lymphedema after radical mastectomy was 0.886 (95% CI: 0.843-0.941) and 0.874 (95% CI: 0.829-0.935) , respectively. There was no significant difference in AUC between the two models ( Z=1.34, P=0.462) . The Calibration curves of multivariate Logistic regression and XGBoost model were tested by Hosmer-Lemeshow, but there was no significant difference ( χ 2=0.83, P=0.516; χ 2=0.71, P=0.637) . Both models fit well. Conclusions:Multiple Logistic regression and XGBoost model were equally effective in predicting upper limb lymphedema after radical mastectomy. BMI, clinical stage (stage III) , number of lymph nodes removed ≥10, postoperative non-functional exercise, postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy, and hypertension are all important factors affecting upper limb lymphedema after radical mastectomy.
6.Clinical application of gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via posterior chest-collarbone approach in the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Lixiang LI ; Yanyan LIU ; Haohao CHEN ; Wencan YANG ; Xuwen HAO ; Rongsheng SU
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2025;19(1):51-56
Objective:To investigate the clinical results of gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via posterior chest-collarbone approach (GETPCA) compared with open neck surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) .Mthods:Retrospective analysis of PTC patients admitted to the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from Jan. 2022 to Dec. 2023,and randomly divided into the open group and the lumbo-scopic group according to whether or not they had a requirement for an unmarked neck, in which the open group was n=100,and the lumbo-scopic group was n=67,with 39 male cases and 128 female cases. Clinicopathological characteristics, surgery-related indexes, postoperative complications, postoperative pain scores and postoperative cosmetic satisfaction were compared between the two groups.The t-test,Wilcoxon rank-sum test, χ2 test, consecutively corrected χ2 test, or Fisher’s exact probability method were used to compare the groups. Results:No recurrence was seen during the follow-up period,and none of the cases in the luminal group was open in the middle. The differences in age, body mass index BMI, gender, relative tumor location,preoperative TSH, T stage and N stage between the two groups were not statistically significant ( P>0.05) . The total operation time [ (121.07±39.80) min vs. (93.87±26.97) min]in the luminal group was greater than that in the open group,intraoperative bleeding was less than that in the open group, and the postoperative drainage flow[ (130.69±31.01) mL vs. (105.52±32.71) mL] was greater than that in the open group in the postoperative period of 72 h, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001) .There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of 24-h postoperative drainage volume, number of central zone lymph node dissection, number of positive central zone lymph nodes,postoperative hospitalization days or total hospitalization cost ( P>0.05) .The number of cases of neck discomfort (3 cases vs.23 cases, P<0.001) and swallowing dysfunction (2 cases vs.20 cases, P=0.003) in the luminal group was smaller than that in the open group,and the difference was statistically significant.The difference in the incidence of bleeding,incision infection,seroma,temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and temporary parathyroid gland injury between the two groups was also not statistically significant ( P>0.05) .The postoperative NRS on day 1 and postoperative NRS on day 3 of the luminal group were lower than those of the open group,and the difference was statistically significant ( P>0.05) ,while there was no statistically significant difference between the postoperative NRS on day 7,the postoperative NRS on month 1 and the postoperative NRS on month 3 ( P>0.05) .Cosmetic satisfaction at 6 months postoperatively was higher in the luminal group than in the open group,and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001) . Conclusion:GETPCA for the treatment of the PTC is safe and feasible,with satisfactory cosmetic results and reduction of neck discomfort and swallowing dysfunction,which is worthy of clinical popularization.
7.Study on Chemical Identification of Bupleurum Chinense and Counterfeits Based on Characteristic Chromatogram and UP-LC-Q-TOF/MS Technology
Yanyan GUO ; Huanhuan WANG ; Ziyi ZHONG ; Xinlian LIU ; Li SUN ; Jing WANG
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(1):66-77
OBJECTIVE To identify Bupleurum chinense pieces and its counterfeits based on the characteristic chromatogram and UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology.METHODS Thin layer chromatography was used to identify Bupleurum chinense and its counterfeits collected from different origins and different producing areas.Then,the chemical constituents of Bupleurum chinense and its counter-feits were compared according to the established HPLC characteristic chromatogram,and the representative differential markers of Bup-leurum chinense counterfeits were further identified by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology.RESULTS Thin layer chromatography showed that different original Bupleurum chinense pieces had saikosaponin A and saikosaponin D,which could be distinguished according to the intensity and position of fluorescent spots.There were 14 and 16 common peaks in the specific chromatogram of Bupleurum chinense and its vinegar-processed products respectively,and 6 components were identified.The chemical components of Bupleurum chinense pieces from different producing areas were similar,and the established method could better reflect the characteristics of Bupleurum chinense.Further comparison of the specific chromatogram of Bupleurum chinense and its counterfeits showed that the composition of B.marginatum Wall.was close to that of the authentic Bupleurum chinense.,B.bicaule Helm and B.longiradiatum Turcz.had their own characteristic peaks with high response values.The content of saponins in B.marginatum var.stenophyllum was significantly high-er.A total of 69 Bupleurum compounds were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS mainly triterpenoid saponins,followed by flavonoids,a few chromones,phenylpropanoids and alkynes.The results of cluster analysis showed that the interspecific differences of Bupleurum chinense were obvious,and different Bupleurum counterfeits had representative differential markers.CONCLUSION The established characteristic chromatogram and UPLC-Q-TOF/MS method can be used for the chemical identification of Bupleurum chinense and its counterfeits,which provide a basis for the comprehensive and rational development and utilization of Bupleurum resources.
8.Clinical effect and complication management of superselective arterial embolization in children with Parkes-Weber syndrome
Xinxian LIU ; Fan FEI ; Yanyan GUO ; Bin ZHOU ; Yaqi WANG ; Jiahui KE
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(2):302-305
Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of superselective arterial embolization in children with Parkes-Weber syndrome(PWS),and the prevention and treatment of postoperative complications.Methods Nine patients with PWS diagnosed by clinical and imaging examinations were selected.Under general anesthesia,the catheter was cannulated to all levels of branch arteries and lesion sites using the Seldinger technique.Absorbent gelatin sponge particle(or lipiodol)was selected according to the angiographic situation,and then target vessel embolization was performed.Patients with venous malformations were treated with local sclerotherapy at the same time.The patients were followed up for 1 month,3 months,6 months and 1 year after the operation to observe the clinical efficacy and complication.Results All 9 patients were successfully treated with interventional therapy.Arteriography showed that micro arteriovenous fistula existed at the distal end of multiple branch arteries,and the arteriovenous fistula had been closed after embolization.Review after 1 month of interventional therapy,the color spot of the affected limb became lighter,the temperature decreased,the leg circumference decreased,and the pain was relieved of all 9 cases.Three patients had skin deep color 2-3 days after the operation,so they were given hirudoid local smear,3 times/day,local warm water wet compress,raised limb position,local massage and other methods,and the local skin color gradually recovered after 1 week;On the 15th day after the operation,2 patients suffered from ischemic necrosis at the embolic site,skin color deepened,and tenderness.They were locally disinfected with hirudoid,aurantium peptide,normal saline,and iodophor.The skin broke and scabbed more than 1 month after the operation,the skin ulcer improved and new granulation tissue grew up 1.5 months after the operation;One case had no obvious reduction of the lesion 1 month after the operation,so the second intervention was performed.Conclusion Superselective arterial embolization is effective in the treatment of PWS in children,but the prevention of complications should be paid attention to and complications should be timely treated.
9.Screening of key genes for Alzheimer disease and chronic periodontitis based on bioinformatics
Yanyan YANG ; Lingyu FANG ; Xuejing MA ; Chang LIU ; Lili REN ; Peng WANG
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(11):1029-1035
Objective To analyze the potential biological relationship between Alzheimer disease(AD)and chronic periodontitis(CP)by bioinformatics.Methods We analyzed two datasets of AD and CP from the Gene Expression Omnibus database,and differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were identified from these datasets.Weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA)was used to identify the most relevant modules.Functional enrichment analysis of shared genes was performed,and a protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed.MCODE was used to identify key modules,and machine learning was used to discover key genes.In addition,Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA)and CIBERSORT were used to investigate KLRB1-related molecular pathways and immune cell distribu-tion.Results The study identified 18 genes common to both AD and CP.MCODE analysis revealed five pivotal genes,machine learning identified 13 genes for AD,eight for CP,and KLRB1 was determined as a common gene for AD and CP.GSEA demonstrated the intricate involvement of these genes in disease-related pathways.Immunocellular analysis underscored a significant association between KLRB1 and γδT cells.Conclusion This research highlighted KLRB1 as a key gene for AD and CP,providing new insights into their molecular linkages.
10.Research advances in radiomics combined with multi-omics in hepatocellular carcinoma
Yanyi LIU ; Yanyan ZHANG ; Hongjun LI
Journal of Capital Medical University 2025;46(5):934-939
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the sixth most common malignant tumor in the world,accounting for 75%-85%.Due to the high incidence,strong heterogeneity and poor prognosis of HCC,early monitoring and fine assessment of high-risk populations are particularly important.In recent years,as a non-invasive method,radiomics has been widely used in the diagnosis,pathological characterization,selection of treatment methods and evaluation of curative effect of HCC.In addition,radiomics combined with next-generation sequencing technology and other multi-omics methods provide new ideas for HCC research.This paper reviews the research progress of radiomics combined with multi-omics in the field of HCC,in order to provide a new perspective for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

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