1.Sanren Runchang Formula Regulates Brain-gut Axis to Treat IBS-C: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Teng LI ; Xinrong FAN ; He YAN ; Zhuozhi GONG ; Mengxi YAO ; Na YANG ; Yuhan WANG ; Huikai HU ; Wei WEI ; Tao LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):154-161
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Sanren Runchang formula in treating constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) by regulating the brain-gut axis and the effects of the formula on serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and substance P (SP). MethodsA randomized controlled design was adopted, and 72 IBS-C patients meeting Rome Ⅳ criteria were randomized into observation and control groups (36 cases).The observation group received Sanren Runchang formula granules twice daily, and the control group received lactulose oral solution daily for 4 weeks. IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS), IBS Quality of Life Scale (IBS-QOL), and Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) were used to assess clinical symptoms, and bowel movement frequency was recorded. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were employed to evaluate psychological status. ELISA was employed to measure the serum levels of 5-HT, VIP, and SP. ResultsThe total response rate in the observation group was 91.67% (33/36), which was higher than that (77.78%, 28/36) in the control group (χ2=4.50, P<0.05). After treatment, both groups showed increased defecation frequency and BSFS scores, decreased IBS-SSS total score, abdominal pain and bloating scores, IBS-QOL health anxiety, anxiety, food avoidance, and behavioral disorders scores, SAS and SDS scores, serum 5-HT and VIP levels, and increased SP levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, the observation group showed more significant changes in the indicators above than the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The SP level showed no significant difference between the two groups. During the 4-week follow-up, the recurrence rate was 5.88% in the observation group and 31.25% in the control group. No adverse events occurred in observation group, and 2 cases of mild diarrhea occurred in the control group. ConclusionSanren Runchang formula demonstrated definitive efficacy in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms and improving the psychological status and quality of life in IBS-C patients, with a low recurrence rate. The formula can regulate serum levels of neurotransmitters such as 5-HT and VIP, suggesting its potential regulatory effect on the brain-gut axis through modulating neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. However, its complete mechanism of action requires further investigation through detection of additional brain-gut axis-related biomarkers.
2.Mechanism of Action of Guishenwan in Treatment of Ovarian Insufficiency Diseases: A Review
Yao CHEN ; Sainan TIAN ; Bin'an WANG ; Shengyu WANG ; Wen'e LIU ; Lei LEI ; Li TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):317-324
Guishenwan (GSW), originating from Jingyue Quanshu (Zhang Jingyue's Complete Works), is a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula with a history of over 400 years. Designed for kidney essence deficiency syndrome, it is clinically applied to treat diseases associated with essence-blood deficiency, such as ovarian insufficiency diseases in women, oligospermia-induced infertility in men, and lumbar disc herniation. Numerous studies have confirmed its significant efficacy and advantages in managing ovarian insufficiency diseases, including diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and premature ovarian failure (POF). According to recent literature, the therapeutic mechanisms of GSW in treating ovarian insufficiency diseases involve regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (HPOA) function, ameliorating reproductive endocrine disorders, improving ovarian function, modulating relevant signaling pathways, and exerting immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. A review of GSW in clinical treatment revealed that clinical applications of GSW, particularly in combination with Western medicine, not only alleviate symptoms but also compensate for the limitations of hormone replacement therapy, thereby reducing recurrence, minimizing adverse reactions, and enhancing safety. This review aims to provide a scientific basis for the rational clinical use of GSW in ovarian insufficiency diseases, offer innovative TCM strategies for developing novel ovarian-protective drugs, promote the integration of TCM and Western medicine in reproductive medicine, and ultimately contribute a Chinese approach to global management of ovarian insufficiency diseases.
3.Study on the effects and mechanisms of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. in improving sleep
Ming QIAO ; Yao ZHAO ; Yi ZHU ; Yexia CAO ; Limei WEN ; Yuehong GONG ; Xiang LI ; Juanchen WANG ; Tao WANG ; Jianhua YANG ; Junping HU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):24-29
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. in improving sleep. METHODS Network pharmacology was employed to identify the active components of L. ruthenicum and their associated disease targets, followed by enrichment analysis. A caffeine‑induced zebrafish model of sleep deprivation was established , and the zebrafish were treated with L. ruthenicum Murr. extract (LRME) at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/mL, respectively; 24 h later, behavioral changes of zebrafish and pathological alterations in brain neurons were subsequently observed. The levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)], oxidative stress markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT)], and neurotransmitters [5- hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamic acid (Glu), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE)] were measured. The protein expression levels of protein kinase B1 (AKT1), phosphorylated AKT1 (p-AKT1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), sarcoma proto-oncogene,non-receptor tyrosine kinase (SRC), and heat shock protein 90α family class A member 1 (HSP90AA1) in the zebrafish were also determined. RESULTS A total of 12 active components and 176 intersecting disease targets were identified through network pharmacology analysis. Among these, apigenin, naringenin and others were recognized as core active compounds, while AKT1, EGFR and others served as key targets; EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway was identified as the critical pathway. The sleep improvement rates in zebrafish of LRME low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were 54.60%, 69.03% and 77.97%, 开发。E-mail:hjp_yft@163.com respectively, while the inhibition ratios of locomotor distance were 0.57, 0.83 and 0.95, respectively. Compared with the model group, the number of resting counts, resting time and resting distance were significantly increased/extended in LRME medium- and high-dose groups (P<0.05). Neuronal damage in the brain was alleviated. Additionally, the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, MDA, Glu, DA and NE, as well as the protein expression levels of AKT1, p-AKT1, EGFR, SRC and HSP90AA1, were markedly reduced (P<0.05), while the levels of IL-10, SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, 5-HT and GABA, as well as Bcl-2 protein expression, were significantly elevated (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS L. ruthenicum Murr. demonstrates sleep-improving effects, and its specific mechanism may be related to the regulation of inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter balance, and the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway.
4.Fabrication and evaluation of an inositol hexaphosphate-zinc hydrogel with dual capabilities of self-mineralization and osteoinduction
LIU Mingyi ; MIAO Xiaoyu ; CAI Yunfan ; WANG Yan ; SUN Xiaotang ; KANG Jingrui ; ZHAO Yao ; NIU Lina
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):29-40
Objective:
To fabricate a hydrogel loaded with inositol hexaphosphate-zinc and preliminarily evaluate its performance in self-mineralization and osteoinduction, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the development of bone regeneration materials.
Methods:
The hydrogel framework (designated DF0) was formed by copolymerizing methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride and four-armed poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate, followed by sequentially loading inositol hexaphosphate anions via electrostatic interaction and zinc ions via chelation. The hydrogel loaded only with inositol hexaphosphate anions was named DF1, while the co-loaded hydrogel was named DF2. The self-mineralization efficacy of the DF0 , DF1 and DF2 hydrogels was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The biocompatibility was assessed via live/dead cell staining and a CCK-8 assay. The osteoinductive capacity of the DF0 , DF1 and DF2 hydrogels on MC3T3-E1 cells was assessed via alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining. In the aforementioned cell experiments, cells cultured in standard medium served as the control group
Results:
The DF0, DF1, and DF2 hydrogels were successfully synthesized. Notably, DF1 and DF2 exhibited distinct self-mineralization within 6 days. Results from TEM, EDS, and SAED confirmed that the mineralization products were amorphous calcium phosphate in group DF1, and amorphous calciumzinc phosphate in group DF2. Biocompatibility tests revealed that none of the hydrogels (DF0, DF1, and DF2) adversely affected cell viability or proliferation. In osteogenic induction experiments, both ALP and ARS staining were intensified in the DF1 and DF2 groups, with the most profound staining observed in the DF2 group.
Conclusion
The developed inositol hexaphosphate-zinc hydrogel (DF2) demonstrates the dual capacity to generate calcium-phosphate compounds through self-mineralization while exhibiting excellent osteoinductive properties. This biocompatible, dual-promoting osteogenic hydrogel presents a novel strategy for bone regeneration.
5.Effect of community comprehensive management model intervention among patients with dyslipidemia
GAO Hui ; XIE Liang ; YAO Chunyang ; WANG Linhong ; JIN Liu ; HU Jie
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(1):15-19
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of community comprehensive management model intervention among patients with dyslipidemia, so as to provide the reference for optimizing community management strategies and improving the target achievement rate for blood lipids among this population.
Methods:
From May to June 2023, a multi-stage stratified random sampling method was employed to select patients with dyslipidemia from primary healthcare institutions in Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or an intervention group. The control group received routine management, while the intervention group was subjected to a community comprehensive management model in addition to the routine care. Both groups were followed up for 24 months. Data on demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, physical examination indices, and blood biochemical indicators were collected at baseline and after the intervention through questionnaires, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. Changes in obesity rate, central obesity rate, target achievement rates for blood lipids, blood pressure, and blood glucose, as well as lifestyle modifications, were analyzed. Differences between the two groups before and after the intervention were assessed using generalized estimating equations (GEE).
Results:
The control group consisted of 560 patients, including 303 females (54.11%) and 430 individuals aged ≥65 years (76.79%). The intervention group also included 560 patients, with 300 females (53.57%) and 431 individuals aged ≥65 years (76.96%). Before the intervention, no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of gender, age, educational level, history of chronic diseases, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk stratification (all P>0.05). After 24 months of intervention, interaction effects between group and time were observed for obesity rate, central obesity rate, target achievement rate for blood lipids, target achievement rate for blood glucose, composite target achievement rate, physical activity rate, and medication adherence (all P<0.05). Specifically, the intervention group demonstrated lower rates of obesity and central obesity, and higher target achievement rate of blood lipids, target achievement rate of blood glucose, composite target achievement rate, physical activity rate, and medication adherence compared to the control group.
Conclusion
The community comprehensive management model contributed to improvements in multiple metabolic parameters (including body weight, waist circumference, blood lipids, and blood glucose) among patients with dyslipidemia, and was associated with increased physical activity rate and medication adherence.
6.Achievements,Challenges and Pathways for Digital and Intelligent Transformation of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Huimin FU ; Guoqing XIANG ; Yujie SHEN ; Yanhui WANG ; Zhengrong YAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):265-275
Digital and intelligent technologies serve as the core engine driving the inheritance of the essence and the innovation while upholding the fundamentals of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). Currently, the digital and intelligent transformation of TCM has undergone four developmental stages, exhibiting inherent characteristics such as long-term inevitability, objective standardization, and ecological evolution. By introducing quantitative metrics, digital and intelligent technologies have achieved breakthroughs in TCM knowledge inheritance and innovation, clinical diagnosis and treatment, and herbal medicine supply. The practical applicability of methodological innovations has been empirically validated, though significant disparities exist in technological adaptability and application depth across different fields. Overall, the digital and intelligent transformation of TCM remains in its nascent stage, grappling with multiple structural challenges:weak data foundations, inadequate technological adaptability, incomplete institutional frameworks, shortages of multidisciplinary talent, lagging policies and regulations, and urban-rural digital divide. In order to foster sustainable development and modernization of TCM, this paper establishes a six-dimensional collaborative governance framework of encompassing data, technology, organization, institutions, environment and ethics, which is rooted in data governance and digital governance theories. Future efforts should center on standardization, integration, and ecosystem development to build a data and technology foundation. Focus should be placed on deepening innovation and application of key TCM-specific technologies, while simultaneously strengthening interdisciplinary talent cultivation, improving institutional mechanisms and policy frameworks, and increasing support for rural areas. By adopting a people-centered and technology-empowered approach, we can overcome developmental constraints and unleash the powerful driving force of digital and intelligent technologies for the inheritance of TCM.
7.Current status of research on the mechanism of action of emodin in the prevention and treatment of chronic liver diseases
Yajie CHEN ; Xin WANG ; Yunjuan WU ; Ying SU ; Yuhan WANG ; Jinxue ZHANG ; Ning YAO ; Ying QIN ; Xiaoning ZUO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):228-234
Chronic liver diseases are a group of diseases in which the liver is subjected to a variety of injuries over a long period of time, resulting in irreversible pathological changes that last longer than 6 months. Emodin (EMO) is a natural anthraquinone derivative derived from Rheum officinale, and its pharmacological effect has been extensively studied, exhibiting a variety of biological properties and involving multiple signaling molecules and pathways. Western medicine or surgical treatment is currently the main treatment regimen for chronic liver diseases, and the advance in treatment is limited by various reasons such as side effects and high costs. Due to its natural origin and efficacy, EMO has unique advantages in the treatment of chronic liver diseases and has now become a research hotspot. This article summarizes the therapeutic effect of EMO on chronic liver diseases and its mechanism, in order to provide a certain scientific basis for the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of chronic liver diseases and the development of drugs in clinical practice.
8.Mechanism of inhibitory effect of total flavonoids from Taraxacum mongolicum on obesity in mice by regulating intestinal flora
Yixue GAO ; Lin GUO ; Linyan LANG ; Jing WU ; Haoyang WANG ; Jing YANG ; Mingsan MIAO ; Zhanzhan LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(3):293-299
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of total flavonoids from Taraxacum mongolicum on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice through modulation of intestinal flora. METHODS Twenty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group and T. mongolicum total flavonoid group, with 8 mice in each group. Except for the blank group, the other 2 groups were given a high-fat diet, while T. mongolicum total flavonoid group was given T. mongolicum total flavonoid [400 mg/(kg·d)] intragastrically, once a day, for 8 consecutive weeks. During the experiment, the food intake of each group of mice was recorded. After the last medication, the body mass, fat weight, blood lipid level and pathological changes of liver and epididymal fat in mice were evaluated to observe the effect of T. mongolicum total flavonoid on the treatment of obesity in mice. The changes in abundance and structure of intestinal flora in mice were detected by amplicon sequencing; the effects of T. mongolicum total flavonoids on fat metabolism related genes were analyzed by qPCR. RESULTS Compared with model group, the body weight of mice in T. mongolicum total flavonoids group was decreased significantly (P<0.05); the levels of total lipid cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol were all decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the level of HDL cholesterol was increased significantly (P<0.01); the fat indexes of inguinal white adipose tissue and epididymal white wind_lz@hactcm.edu.cn adipose tissue were significantly reduced (P<0.05); significant improvement in hepatocellular steatosis and adipose cytopathy were significantly improved; mRNA expressions of COX7A1 and COX8B were significantly upregulated (P<0.05). The results of bacterial colony detection showed that compared with the model group, there was a rising trend in the diversity of the bacterial colony in T. mongolicum total flavonoids group, and the Sobs index characterization and β diversity were increased significantly (P<0.05). Relative abundances of Blautia, norank_f_Ruminococcaceae, Bilophila, Alistipes, classified_f_Ruminococcaceae, Parabacteroides, norank_f_Desulfovibrionaceae, Anaerotruncus were significantly up-regulated(P<0.05), while those of Faecalibaculum, Erysipelatoclostridium, GCA-900066575, Tuzzerella, Lactobacillus, norank_f_norank_o_RF39, achnospiraceae_FCS020_group were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS T. mongolicum total flavonoids can reduce body mass, fat weight and blood lipid levels, and repair the pathological damage to liver and epididymal fat in obese mice, which is related to improving intestinal flora disorders caused by high-fat diet.
9.Seasonal distribution characteristics, source analysis and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in PM2.5 in Lianyungang City in 2019-2023
Shengnan GAO ; Jinkun LI ; Li CHEN ; Zhengdong XYU ; Hongru ZHU ; Jian WANG ; Zhiyang YAO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(1):65-69
Objective To study the seasonal distribution characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM2.5 in Lianyungang City, and analyze the sources of PAHs pollution, and to evaluate the health risks of PAHs in different seasons. Methods PM2.5 samples were collected regularly from January 2019 to December 2023, and 16 types of PAHs were determined by HPLC. Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the concentrations of PM2.5 and PAHs in different years and seasons. The source of PAHs was analyzed by characteristic ratio and principal component analysis (PCA). Health risks were assessed using the BaP equivalent method and the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) model. Results The annual exceedance rates of PM2.5 and BaP in Lianyungang showed a decreasing trend from 2019 to 2023. PM2.5, total PAHs and PAHs monomers (except Ace, Flu and Acy) all showed significant seasonal differences, with the highest concentration in winter (P<0.001). The average proportion of 4-ring PAHs was the highest and the average proportion of 2-ring PAHs was the lowest. The proportion of 5-6 ring PAHs was relatively high in winter and spring. PM2.5and PAHs were negatively correlated with temperature, relative humidity and precipitation, and were positively correlated with atmospheric pressure. PM2.5 was negatively correlated with wind speed, while some PAHs monomers were positively correlated with wind speed. The characteristic ratio and PCA results showed that the main sources of PAHs in Lianyungang City were mixed sources of road dust and vehicle emissions, oil pollution sources and biomass combustion sources. The results of ILCR showed that the highest risk was found in adults, with males slightly higher than females. In Lianyungang, the maximum value of ILCR in winter was more than 10-6 in people over 9 years old. Conclusion The main sources of PAHs in PM2.5 in Lianyungang City are mixed sources of road dust and vehicle emissions, oil pollution sources, and biomass combustion sources. Under the current exposure level of PAHs in PM2.5, residents have a certain potential carcinogenic risk.
10.Enzyme-directed Immobilization Strategies for Biosensor Applications
Xing-Bao WANG ; Yao-Hong MA ; Yun-Long XUE ; Xiao-Zhen HUANG ; Yue SHAO ; Yi YU ; Bing-Lian WANG ; Qing-Ai LIU ; Li-He ZHANG ; Wei-Li GONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):374-394
Immobilized enzyme-based enzyme electrode biosensors, characterized by high sensitivity and efficiency, strong specificity, and compact size, demonstrate broad application prospects in life science research, disease diagnosis and monitoring, etc. Immobilization of enzyme is a critical step in determining the performance (stability, sensitivity, and reproducibility) of the biosensors. Random immobilization (physical adsorption, covalent cross-linking, etc.) can easily bring about problems, such as decreased enzyme activity and relatively unstable immobilization. Whereas, directional immobilization utilizing amino acid residue mutation, affinity peptide fusion, or nucleotide-specific binding to restrict the orientation of the enzymes provides new possibilities to solve the problems caused by random immobilization. In this paper, the principles, advantages and disadvantages and the application progress of enzyme electrode biosensors of different directional immobilization strategies for enzyme molecular sensing elements by specific amino acids (lysine, histidine, cysteine, unnatural amino acid) with functional groups introduced based on site-specific mutation, affinity peptides (gold binding peptides, carbon binding peptides, carbohydrate binding domains) fused through genetic engineering, and specific binding between nucleotides and target enzymes (proteins) were reviewed, and the application fields, advantages and limitations of various immobilized enzyme interface characterization techniques were discussed, hoping to provide theoretical and technical guidance for the creation of high-performance enzyme sensing elements and the manufacture of enzyme electrode sensors.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail