1.Mechanisms of Intestinal Microecology in Hyperuricemia and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention:A Review
Mingyuan FAN ; Jiuzhu YUAN ; Hongyan XIE ; Sai ZHANG ; Qiyuan YAO ; Luqi HE ; Qingqing FU ; Hong GAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):329-338
In recent years, hyperuricemia (HUA) has shown a rapidly increasing incidence and tends to occur in increasingly young people, with a wide range of cardiac, renal, joint, and cancerous hazards and all-cause mortality associations. Western medicine treatment has limitations such as large liver and kidney damage, medication restriction, and easy recurrence. The intestine is the major extra-renal excretion pathway for uric acid (UA), and the intestinal microecology can be regulated to promote UA degradation. It offers great potential to develop UA-lowering strategies that target the intestinal microecology, which are promising to provide safer and more effective therapeutic approaches. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can treat HUA via multiple targets and multiple pathways from a holistic view, with low toxicity and side effects. Studies have shown that intestinal microecology is a crucial target for TCM in the treatment of HUA. However, its specific mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. Focusing on the key role of intestinal microecology in HUA, this review explores the relationship between intestinal microecology and HUA in terms of intestinal flora, intestinal metabolites, intestinal UA transporters, and intestinal barriers. Furthermore, we summarize the research progress in TCM treatment of HUA by targeting the intestinal microecology, with the aim of providing references for the development of TCM intervention strategies for HUA and the direction of future research.
2.Study on the mechanism of gossypol acetic acid in the treatment of uterine fibroids based on proteomics
Xin ZHANG ; Abulaiti GULISITAN ; Jing SHEN ; Pei ZHANG ; Zuwen MA ; Jun YAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(3):318-323
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of gossypol acetic acid (GAA) in the treatment of uterine fibroids. METHODS Human leiomyoma cells SK-UT-1 were selected as objects to investigate the effects of different concentrations (5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 μmol/L) of GAA on the activities of cell proliferation. 4D-DIA proteomic detection and bioinformatics analysis were carried out to screen differential proteins. Gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway analysis were performed. The expressions of top 3 proteins [N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1), epidermal growth factor receptor feedback inhibitor 1 (ERRFI1), CXC chemokine ligand 3 (CXCL3)] with differential fold changes in SK-UT-1 cells were determined. RESULTS 10-160 μmol/L GAA could significantly reduce the survival rate of SK- UT-1 cells (P<0.05). Proteomics results showed that a total of 921 differentially expressed proteins were obtained, including 254 up-regulated proteins and 667 down-regulated proteins. The differentially expressed proteins were mainly distributed in mitochondria, nucleus, extracellular matrix, etc. Bioinformatics results showed that differentially expressed proteins were mainly involved in signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT (phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B), MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), TNF (tumor necrosis factor), etc., which mainly involved cell apoptosis, aging, and movement. GAA significantly decreased protein expressions of NDRG1 and CXCL3 (P<0.05), but increased protein expression of ERRFI1 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The improvement effect of GAA on uterine fibroids may involve signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT, MAPK, TNF, etc. It can improve the occurrence and development of uterine fibroids by downregulating the expressions of NDRG1 and CXCL3 proteins, upregulating the expression of ERRFI1 protein, and affecting the proliferation and apoptosis of uterine fibroid cells.
3.Research progress on the relationship between sleep status and visual acuity in children and adolescents
Wenjuan LUO ; Rui YAO ; Xin ZHANG ; Hongmei LUO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(1):135-139
Myopia is a common eye disease among children and adolescents, and it is also a major and common public health problem for children and adolescents worldwide. Although the myopia rate among children and adolescents in different provinces , cities , and regions varies , the incidence of myopia is generally high , showing a trend of high incidence and younger age. Myopia in children and adolescents is closely related to sleep conditions . The sleep time of most children and adolescents in China does not reach the recommended length of time for this age group, and their sleep quality is poor, which affects their study and life. The biological connection and molecular mechanism between sleep and myopia are hot topics in clinical research . This article reviews the epidemiological characteristics of myopia and sleep status in children and adolescents , as well as the biological mechanisms between sleep and myopia , with the aim of providing a theoretical basis for preventing myopia in children and adolescents.
4.Varieties and Prescription Characteristics of Chinese Patent Medicines for Stroke in China
Jingdan ZHANG ; Wanping SUN ; Xiaoxia LIN ; Shuo ZHANG ; Xue ZHANG ; Jiahui YAO ; Yiming LIU ; Ming XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):270-274
ObjectiveTo explore the listed varieties and prescription characteristics of Chinese patent medicines for stroke in China, explore the medication rules of Chinese medicine for stroke, and provide guidance for further clinical research and development of Chinese patent medicines. MethodsExcel 2021 and the Ancient and Modern Medical Record Cloud Platform (V2.3.5) were used to systematically mine and analyze the varieties and prescriptions of Chinese patent medicines for stroke in China. ResultsA total of 244 Chinese patent medicines (two for different dosage forms of the same prescription), 1 736 approval documents for Chinese patent medicines, 792 manufacturers, and 83 varieties of protected Chinese patent medicines were finally included in the database. The top three dosage forms were capsules (75), pills (53), and tablets (42). There were 28 Chinese patent medicines for stroke in the National Essential Drug Catalogue (2018), 129 in the National Essential Medical Insurance, Industrial Injury Insurance and Maternity Insurance Drug Catalogue (2023), and 4 in the National Non-prescription Drug Catalogue. Among the 138 prescriptions screened out, Chinese patent medicines mainly treated stroke patients with the syndrome of Qi deficiency and blood stasis. The top three most frequent medicinal herbs were Chuanxiong Rhizoma (63), Pheretima (47), and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (47). The medicinal herbs used were mainly warm, pungent, with the meridian tropism to the liver meridian. The correlation analysis showed that the herb pair with the highest support was Astragali Radix-Chuanxiong Rhizoma, and that with the highest confidence was Carthami Flos-Chuanxiong Rhizoma. Five herb combinations were identified based on the cluster analysis. ConclusionThe Chinese patent medicines for stroke mainly treat patients with the syndrome of Qi deficiency and blood stasis. The medicinal herbs used in the prescriptions mainly have the functions of activating blood and resolving stasis, extinguishing wind and stopping convulsions. Drug compatibility usually focuses on activating blood and resolving stasis, as well as expelling phlegm and opening orifices. This review of the varieties and prescription characteristics of Chinese patent medicines for stroke helps optimize clinical decision-making, guide drug research and development, promote medical research and scientific progress, and provide more effective support and guarantee for the treatment of stroke patients.
5.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.
6.Role and Mechanism of Cucurbitacin B in Suppressing Proliferation of Breast Cancer 4T1 Cells via Inducing Ferroptosis
Yidan RUAN ; Huizhong ZHANG ; Huating HUANG ; Pingzhi ZHANG ; Aina YAO ; Yongqiang ZHANG ; Xiaohan XU ; Shiman LI ; Jian NI ; Xiaoxu DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):91-97
ObjectiveTo explore the role of cucurbitacin B (CuB) in inducing ferroptosis in 4T1 cells and its mechanism. MethodsThe effects of CuB(0.2, 0.4, 0.8 μmol·L-1)on the proliferation ability of 4T1 cells in vitro were detected using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The clonogenic ability of 4T1 cells was detected by the plate cloning assay, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in 4T1 cells were detected by the use of a kit. The mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry, and the mitochondrial ultrastructure of 4T1 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The western blot was used to detect the expression of ferroptosis-related protein p53 in 4T1 cells, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SCL7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), transferrin receptor protein 1 (TFR1), and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). ResultsCompared with that in the blank group, the survival rate of 4T1 cells in CuB groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the number of cell clones in CuB groups was significantly reduced (P<0.01). In addition, compared with that in the blank group, the leakage of LDH in cells in CuB groups was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells in CuB groups decreased significantly (P<0.01). Cellular ROS levels were significantly elevated in CuB groups (P<0.01). The mitochondria of cells in CuB groups were obviously wrinkled, and the mitochondrial cristae were reduced or even disappeared. Compared with that in the blank group, the protein expression of p53, ACSL4, and TFR1 were significantly up-regulated in CuB groups (P<0.05), and that of SLC7A11, GPX4, and FTH1 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). ConclusionCuB may inhibit SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression by up-regulating the expression of p53, which in turn regulates the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway axis and accelerates the generation of lipid peroxidation substrate by up-regulating the expression of ACSL4. It up-regulates TFR1 expression to promote cellular uptake of Fe3+ and down-regulates the expression of FTH1 to reduce the ability of iron storage, resulting in an elevated free Fe2+ level. It catalyzes the Fenton reaction, generates excess ROS, imbalances the antioxidant system and iron metabolism, and then induces ferroptosis in 4T1 cells.
7.Role and Mechanism of Cucurbitacin B in Suppressing Proliferation of Breast Cancer 4T1 Cells via Inducing Ferroptosis
Yidan RUAN ; Huizhong ZHANG ; Huating HUANG ; Pingzhi ZHANG ; Aina YAO ; Yongqiang ZHANG ; Xiaohan XU ; Shiman LI ; Jian NI ; Xiaoxu DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):91-97
ObjectiveTo explore the role of cucurbitacin B (CuB) in inducing ferroptosis in 4T1 cells and its mechanism. MethodsThe effects of CuB(0.2, 0.4, 0.8 μmol·L-1)on the proliferation ability of 4T1 cells in vitro were detected using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The clonogenic ability of 4T1 cells was detected by the plate cloning assay, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in 4T1 cells were detected by the use of a kit. The mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry, and the mitochondrial ultrastructure of 4T1 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The western blot was used to detect the expression of ferroptosis-related protein p53 in 4T1 cells, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SCL7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), transferrin receptor protein 1 (TFR1), and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). ResultsCompared with that in the blank group, the survival rate of 4T1 cells in CuB groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the number of cell clones in CuB groups was significantly reduced (P<0.01). In addition, compared with that in the blank group, the leakage of LDH in cells in CuB groups was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells in CuB groups decreased significantly (P<0.01). Cellular ROS levels were significantly elevated in CuB groups (P<0.01). The mitochondria of cells in CuB groups were obviously wrinkled, and the mitochondrial cristae were reduced or even disappeared. Compared with that in the blank group, the protein expression of p53, ACSL4, and TFR1 were significantly up-regulated in CuB groups (P<0.05), and that of SLC7A11, GPX4, and FTH1 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). ConclusionCuB may inhibit SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression by up-regulating the expression of p53, which in turn regulates the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway axis and accelerates the generation of lipid peroxidation substrate by up-regulating the expression of ACSL4. It up-regulates TFR1 expression to promote cellular uptake of Fe3+ and down-regulates the expression of FTH1 to reduce the ability of iron storage, resulting in an elevated free Fe2+ level. It catalyzes the Fenton reaction, generates excess ROS, imbalances the antioxidant system and iron metabolism, and then induces ferroptosis in 4T1 cells.
8.Construction and practice of the theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis” and related prevention and treatment strategies for hepatic encephalopathy in traditional Chinese medicine/Zhuang medicine
Zhipeng WU ; Yuqin ZHANG ; Chun YAO ; Minggang WANG ; Na WANG ; Mengru PENG ; Ningfang MO ; Yaqing ZHENG ; Rongzhen ZHANG ; Dewen MAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):370-374
Hepatic encephalopathy is a difficult and critical disease with rapid progression and limited treatment methods in the field of liver disease, and it is urgently needed to make breakthroughs in its pathogenesis. Selection of appropriate prevention and treatment strategies is of great importance in delaying disease progression and reducing the incidence and mortality rates. This article reviews the theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis” and related prevention and treatment strategies for hepatic encephalopathy in traditional Chinese medicine/Zhuang medicine, proposes a new theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis”, analyzes the scientific connotations of “turbid”, “toxin”, and the theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis”, and constructs the “four-step” prevention and treatment strategies for hepatic encephalopathy, thereby establishing the new clinical prevention and treatment regimen for hepatic encephalopathy represented by “four prescriptions and two techniques” and clarifying the effect mechanism and biological basis of core prescriptions and techniques in the prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, in order to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.
9.Current status of eating behaviors and its predictive role in overweight and obese of adolescents
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):53-57
Objective:
To explore the current status and influencing factors of eating behaviors in adolescents, so as to provide a theoretical foundation for health promotion education among adolescents.
Methods:
Based on the database from Survey of Chinese Family Health Index (2021), by a random number table method, 1 065 teenagers were selected from the provincial capitals of 22 provinces and 5 autonomous regions in China, as well as 4 municipalities directly under the central government. A general characteristic questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Short Form of the Family Health Scale (FHS-SF), 10-item Short Version of the Big Five Personality(BFP-10), Content-based Media Exposure Scale (CM-E) and Sakata Eating Behavior Scale Short Form(EBS-SF) were used to collect information. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis was employed to identify and analyze related factors of eating behaviors among adolescents. Receiver operating characteristic was used to validate the predictive ability of the EBS-SF score for overweight and obesity among adolescents.
Results:
The average scores of BFI-10,C-ME, FHS-SF, PHQ-9 and EBS-SF were (33.08±4.64)(19.20±4.55)(38.48±6.65)(6.09±5.63)(16.75±4.36), respectively. Multivariate linear regression showed that family type (other types), agreeableness, conscientiousness, family health and depression were the main related factors of EBS-SF scores among adolescents( B =2.61,-0.42,0.20,-0.11,0.23, P <0.05).The analysis of receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the EBS-SF scores had a good ability in predicting obesity among male adolescents ( AUC= 0.73, P <0.01).
Conclusions
Family type, big five personality, family health,depression are the related factors of eating behaviors among adolescents. EBS-SF scores are predictive of obesity in adolescents, which would provide a new perspective for promoting healthy eating habits among adolescents.
10.Research on the standardization of “Indications”in package inserts for Chinese patent medicines
Meiwei ZHANG ; Keqian LI ; Keyu YAO ; Yan ZHU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(5):513-518
OBJECTIVE To promote the standardization of the “Indications” section in package inserts for Chinese patent medicines and ensure rational clinical and patient use. METHODS The “Function and Indications” information of package inserts for Chinese patent medicines was retrieved and collected from the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (Volume Ⅰ) and various national and regional standards. Identification criteria were established for syndrome, pathogenesis, disease name, and symptom terminology in the “Indications” section. Microsoft Office Access 2021 was utilized to create query tables for manual extraction of terminological elements, followed by the construction of a three-tier classification system for “Indications” descriptions. A standardized template for “Indications” was developed through quantitative analysis. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS A total of 9 851 valid package inserts for Chinese patent medicines were included. Among these, the majority (7 991) contained symptom terminology, followed by disease names (5 867) and pathogenesis descriptions (5 167). Within disease name terminology, Western medical disease names predominated (4 446), followed by traditional Chinese medicine disease names (2 018). The “Function and Indications” content of 6 962 package inserts complied with existing requirements. Notably, the secondary classifications of “disease name”, as well as the tertiary classification of “disease name+symptoms” and “symptoms”, failed to meet established standards. Two standardized templates for “Indications” were formulated based on pathogenesis and syndrome:“pathogenesis+disease name+symptoms” and “disease name+syndrome+symptoms”. The “Indications”section should provide complete and accurate information, adhere to standardized formatting, and employ appropriate conjunctions and punctuation. For non-prescription patent medicines, package inserts should be categorized into professional and patient versions. These measures will facilitate the standardization of “Indications” descriptions and advance the overall package inserts for Chinese patent medicines documentation.


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