ObjectiveTo explore the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal （HPG） axis by modified Erxian decoction in rats with perimenopausal syndrome （PMS） and to further analyze the expression of proteins related to the silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1）/hypothalamic kisspeptin （Kisspeptin）/gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH） signaling pathway in the arcuate nucleus region （ARC） of the hypothalamus， so as to reveal the potential target of action and molecular biological mechanism of modified Erxian decoction for the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome. MethodsAn animal model was established via the incomplete castration method， with successful modeling confirmed by the exfoliated cervical cell smear method. The 48 rats were divided into six groups based on the randomization principle after successful modeling， including a sham operation group， a model group， an estradiol valerate group （0.09 mg∙kg^-1∙d^-1）， high-， medium-， and low-dose modified Erxian decoction groups （7.614， 3.807，1.903 5 g∙kg^-1∙d^-1）， with 8 rats in each group. The estradiol valerate group and the high-， medium- and low-dose modified Erxian decoction groups were continuously administered by gavage for 28 days， and the indicators were detected 24 hours after the last administration. Body weights and uterine indices were measured. The pathological changes of the uterus were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to measure the levels of estradiol （E₂）， follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， and gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH）. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were used to determine the expression levels of SIRT1， Kisspeptin， kisspeptin receptor （GPR54）， and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus and gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor （GnRH-R） in pituitary. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， rats in the model group had a significantly increased body weight （P0.01）， reduced wet weight and index of uterus （P0.01）， endometrial thinning or atrophy， glandular atrophy， and a decreasing number of glands. Additionally， serum levels of E₂ and the expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus significantly decreased （P0.01）. Serum levels of FSH， LH， and GnRH， the expression of Kisspeptin， GPR54， and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus， and GnRH-R in pituitary significantly increased （P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the estradiol valerate group and the high-， medium-dose modified Erxian decoction groups had significantly reduced body weight， serum levels of FSH， LH， and GnRH， and expression of Kisspeptin， GPR54， and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus and GnRH-R in pituitary （P0.05， P0.01） and significantly increased wet weight and index of uterus， serum level of E₂， and expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus （P0.05， P0.01）. In addition， they showed thickened endometrium， increased number of endometrial glands， and improved glandular atrophy. ConclusionModified Erxian decoction regulates the function of the HPG axis through multi-targets， and its mechanism of action may be related to the up-regulation of the expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus， the inhibition of the over-activation of the Kisspeptin/GnRH signaling pathway， the regulation of the expression of GnRH-R in the pituitary， the restoration of secretion balance of gonadotropins， and the elevation of the estrogen level. This study provides an experimental basis for the interpretation of the scientific connotation of modified Erxian decoction in the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome and a theoretical reference for the development of a novel therapeutic strategy based on the SIRT1/Kisspeptin/GnRH pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai prescription （ZJTP） on human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs） damaged by high glucose combined with lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. MethodThe survival rate of cells was determined by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）， and the level of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） to determine the optimal injury concentration and action time of LPS， as well as the optimal action concentration of ZJTP drug-containing serum. HUVECs were divided into a blank control group， a model group， a ZJTP drug-containing serum group， and an SCFA mixed liquid group. ELISA was used to detect the level of endothelin-1 （ET-1）， nitric oxide （NO）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and TNF-α. Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of G protein-coupled receptor43 （GPR43）， β-suppressor protein-2 （β-arrestin-2）， nuclear factor-κB suppressor α （IκBα）， and nuclear factor κB p65 （NF-κB p65）. The nucleation of NF-κB p65 was observed by immunofluorescence staining （IF）. The role of GPR43 in the regulation of inflammatory injury was observed by means of small interfering ribonucleic acid （siRNA）. The cells after intervention were divided into an empty carrier group， a ZJTP drug-containing serum group， a Si-GPR43 group， and a Si-GPR43 + ZJTP drug-containing serum group. The content of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α was detected by ELISA. The protein expression of pathways was detected by Western blot. IF was used to observe the nucleation of NF-κB p65. ResultThe optimal molding condition was 1 mg·L^-1 LPS for 24 h. The optimal drug intervention condition was 5% ZJTP drug-containing serum for 24 h. Compared with the blank control group， the content of ET-1 in the model group was significantly increased， and the content of NO was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The levels of inflammatory factors were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The expressions of GPR43 and IκBα were significantly decreased， while the protein expressions of β-arrestin-2 and NF-κB p65 were significantly increased （P<0.01）. NF-κB p65 protein was transferred from the extranuclear to the intranuclear （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the content of ET-1 in the ZJTP drug-containing serum group was decreased， and the content of NO was increased （P<0.05）. The levels of inflammatory factors decreased （P<0.05）. The protein expressions of GPR43 and IκBα were increased， while the expressions of β-arrestin-2 and NF-κB p65 were decreased （P<0.05）. The amount of NF-κB p65 transferred from the intranuclear to the extranuclear decreased （P<0.01）. The mechanism study showed that compared with the Si-GPR43 group， the content of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α were significantly decreased after treatment with ZJTP drug-containing serum （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of GPR43 and IκBα were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the protein expressions of β-arrestin-2 and NF-κB p65 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The amount of NF-κB p65 transferred from the extranuclear to the intranuclear decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionZJTP has a protective effect on HUVECs with high glucose and LPS-induced inflammatory injury， which may be related to the regulation of GPR43/β-arrestin-2/IκBα/NF-κB pathway.

Objective To explore the characteristics of TCM in the treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia based on data mining.Methods Clinical literature on the TCM treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia in CNKI,Wanfang Data,VIP and SinoMed was retrieved.After screening,the prescriptions obtained were input into Excel 2019 database,and SPSS Modeler 18.0,SPSS Statistics 26.0 and Cytoscape 3.9.1 were used for frequency analysis,association rule analysis,clustering analysis and factor analysis.Results A total of 133 articles meeting the criteria were included,and 140 prescriptions were included,involving 202 kinds of Chinese materia medica,with a total frequency of 1 387 times.22 drugs,such as Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma,Coicis Semen,Dioscoreae Spongiosae Rhizoma,Astrctylodis Rhizoma,were frequently used in the treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia.The commonly used drugs were drugs for urine excretion to strain off dampness,tonics,clearing heat,promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis.The medicinal property was mainly warm,the medicinal taste was mainly sweet,and the meridians were mainly liver,spleen,stomach and kidney meridians.21 groups of medicinal combinations were obtained by high frequency drug association rule analysis,among which the core drug pairs were Coicis Semen-Astrctylodis Rhizoma,Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma-Dioscoreae Spongiosae Rhizoma-Coicis Semen,Coicis Semen-Astrctylodis Rhizoma-Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma,etc.Clustering analysis obtained 5 clustering methods,and factor analysis obtained 7 common factors.Conclusion In the TCM treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia,the main methods are urine excretion to strain off dampness,strengthening spleen and tonifying qi,and the main drugs are Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma,Coicis Semen,Dioscoreae Spongiosae Rhizoma,Astrctylodis Rhizoma,which can provide reference for clinical treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia.

Objective To explore the characteristics of TCM prescriptions for acute gouty arthritis based on data mining methods;To provide reference for clinical treatment.Methods The clinical literature on the TCM treatment of acute gouty arthritis was retrieved from CNKI,Wanfang Data,VIP and SinoMed.The obtained formulas were input into Excel 2019 to establish a database,and SPSS Modeler 18.0,SPSS Statistics 26.0 and Cytoscape 3.9.1 were used for frequency analysis,association rule analysis,clustering analysis and factor analysis.Results A total of 290 articles meeting the requirements were included,including 295 prescriptions,involving 218 kinds of Chinese materia medica,with a total frequency of 3 573 times.24 kinds of Chinese materia medica,including Coicis Semen,Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex,Atractylodis Rhizoma,Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma,Dioscoreae Spongiosae Rhizoma,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix were used frequently in the treatment of acute gouty arthritis.The commonly used drugs were heat-clearing drugs,moisture-clearing drugs,blood circulation-activating drugs for removing blood stasis,and wind-dampness drugs.The property was mainly cold,the taste was mainly bitter,and the meridians were mainly liver,stomach,spleen and kidney meridians.The analysis of high-frequency drug association rules obtained 22 drug combinations,among which the core drug pairs were Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex-Atractylodis Rhizoma,Coicis Semen-Atractylodis Rhizoma-Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex.Clustering analysis obtained 4 clustering methods,and factor analysis obtained 9 common factors.Conclusion The main treatment of acute gouty arthritis by TCM is clearing heat and dampness,removing blood stasis and clearing collaterals,tonifying liver and kidney,regulating spleen and stomach,which could provide reference for the clinical treatment of acute gouty arthritis.

Objective To analyze the research trends and frontier of TCM regulation of NF-κB;To provide reference for related research.Methods Relevant literature about TCM regulation of NF-κB was retrieved from CNKI,VIP,Wanfang Data,CBM and Web of Science from January 1,2013 to December 31,2022.VOSviewer 1.6.19 and CiteSpace 6.2.R4 software were used for visualization analysis on authors,institutions and keywords.Results Totally 3 728 articles in Chinese and 995 in English were included,and the number of articles was on the rise.The Chinese and English articles involved 487 and 237 core authors,respectively,forming research teams represented by Yan Guanghai,Liu Jian,Wang Li,and Li Wei,Zhang Li,Zhang Yu,etc.There were 7 and 8 effective clusters in Chinese and English articles respectively.Keyword analysis showed that this research field mainly focused on diseases(inflammatory diseases,tumors,cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases,etc.),research methods(in vivo experiment,in vitro experiment)and intervention methods(acupuncture,TCM monomer,TCM compound,etc.).Conclusion TCM regulation of NF-κB mainly focuses on related diseases and intervention methods,and it is a research trend to find drug action targets and conduct experimental verification through network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.

Objective To observe the effect of Qixian Tongluo Formula on contralateral corticospinal tract(CST)remodeling and motor functional recovery in rats with cerebral infarction,and to explore its potential molecular mechanism from the perspective of regulating factors related to never remodeling.Methods The rat middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)model was established by silk thread ligation.Fifty model rats were randomly divided into model group,citicoline group(0.054 g·kg-1),Qixian Tongluo Formula low-,medium-and high-dose(7.83,15.66,31.32 g·kg-1)groups,and sham operation group,with 10 rats in each group.The intervention administration was started on the 3rd day after operation once a day for 26 consecutive days.On the 3rd,14th and 28th day after operation,the gross motor function was evaluated by Longa score,and the fine motor function was evaluated by beam-walking test(BWT)score.The contralateral motor cortex was injected with the nerve tracer biotin dextran amine(BDA)on the 14 th day after operation to anterogradely trace the CST.On the 28th day after operation,the expression of axonal growth associated protein-43(GAP-43)and BDA positive fibers in the contralateral motor cortex and cervical spinal cord were detected by immunohistochemistry.The co-localization areas of BDA positive fibers and presynaptic marker protein vesicular glutamate transporter 1(VGLUT1)in the cervical spinal cord gray matter were detected by immunofluorescence.The expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF),nerve growth factor(NGF)and nerve remodeling-associated inhibitory factor[Nogo-A,oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein(OMgp)and myelin-associated glycoprotein(MAG)]in the contralateral motor cortex were detected by Western Blot.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between Longa score or BWT score and BDA/VGLUT1 co-localization area,respectively.Results Compared with the sham operation group,rats in the model group had obvious symptoms of motor function deficits,and the Longa scores were significantly increased(P＜0.01)and the BWT scores were significantly decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)at each time point.The expression of GAP-43 in the contralateral motor cortex and cervical spinal cord was up-regulated(P＜0.05),the number of edge-crossing fibers from the posterior funiculus in cervical cord was increased(P＜0.05),the co-localization area of BDA/VGLUT1 in the gray matter of the cervical spinal cord was increased(P＜0.05),the expressions of BDNF,GDNF and NGF in the contralateral motor cortex were up-regulated(P＜0.05),while the expressions of Nogo-A,OMgp and MAG were down-regulated(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the Longa scores in each administration group on the 14th and 28th day after MCAO operation were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),the BWT scores were significantly increased(P＜0.01),the expression of GAP-43 in the contralateral motor cortex and cervical spinal cord was significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01).The number of edge-crossing fibers from the posterior funiculus in cervical cord was significantly increased(P＜0.01),the co-localization area of BDA/VGLUT1 in the gray matter of the cervical spinal cord was significantly increased(P＜0.01).The expressions of BDNF,GDNF and NGF in the contralateral motor cortex were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01,P＜0.05),while the expressions of Nogo-A,OMgp and MAG were significantly down-regulated(P＜0.05),and the most significant effect was observed in the high dose group.The Longa score was negatively correlated with the co-localization area of BDA/VGLUT1(r=-0.89,P＜0.01),and the BWT score was positively correlated with the co-localization area of BDA/VGLUT1(r=0.84,P＜0.01).Conclusion Qixian Tongluo Formula can improve motor function through promoting contralateral CST remodeling in MCAO rats after cerebral infarction,and the molecular mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of nerve remodeling-associated factor in the contralateral motor cortex.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Xumingtang in Gu Jin Lu Yan （《古今录验》） in regulating cell pyroptosis through the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）/NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 （NLRP3） pathway in ischemic stroke （IS）. MethodSD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group， a model group， low- and high-dose Xumingtang groups， and a metformin group， with 20 rats in each group. Oral administration was performed for 3 days， and tissue samples were collected. Differential messenger RNA （mRNA） was screened using high-throughput sequencing， and Gene Ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway analyses were performed on key differentially expressed genes. The modified neurological severity score （mNSS） and 2，3，5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining were used to evaluate the effect of brain infarction. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used for pathological morphological observation of brain tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to compare the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and interleukin-18 （IL-18） in the ischemic cortical region. Double staining immunohistochemistry was used to detect the co-localization of HIF-1α and NLRP3. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （PCR） was performed to detect the mRNA expression of NLRP3， HIF-1α， Caspase-1 （CASP-1）， and gasdermin D （GSDMD）. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of HIF-1α， NLRP3， CASP-1， and GSDMD. ResultA total of 5 705 differentially expressed genes （2 733 downregulated and 2 972 upregulated） were obtained by mRNA sequencing. After conversion to homologous genes and intersection with the pyroptosis gene set， 95 key differentially expressed pyroptosis genes were obtained. Compared with the sham operation group， the model group showed significantly increased mNSS scores， larger brain infarction areas （P<0.01）， diverse neuronal morphology， disordered arrangement， widened cell gaps， significantly increased levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the ischemic cortical region （P<0.01）， enhanced co-localization fluorescence intensity， and significantly increased mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1α， NLRP3， CASP-1， and GSDMD （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose Xumingtang group showed the most significant improvement in neurological function scores and brain infarction areas （P<0.01）. The neuronal integrity and arrangement were more complete， and the cell gaps were narrower in all groups with drug treatment， with significantly reduced co-localization fluorescence intensity. Xumingtang could reduce the levels of IL-1β， IL-18， and the mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α， NLRP3， CASP-1， and GSDMD （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the high-dose Xumingtang group showing the most significant effect （P<0.01）. ConclusionXumingtang in Gu Jin Lu Yan can inhibit cell pyroptosis and promote neurological function recovery after IS， which may be related to the inhibition of the HIF-1α/NLRP3 pathway.

Immunoscenescence plays a key role in the initiation and development of tumors. Furthermore, immunoscenescence also impacts drug delivery and cancer therapeutic efficacy. To reduce the impact of immunosenescence on anti-tumor therapy, this experimental plan aimed to use neutrophils with tumor tropism properties to deliver sialic acid (SA)-modified liposomes into the tumor, kill tumor cells via SA-mediated photochemotherapy, enhance infiltration of neutrophils into the tumor, induce immunogenic death of tumor cells with chemotherapy, enhance infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells into the tumor-draining lymph nodes and tumors of immunosenescent mice, and achieve SA-mediated photochemotherapy. We found that CD8⁺ T cell and neutrophil levels in 16-month-old mice were significantly lower than those in 2- and 8-month-old mice; 16-month-old mice exhibited immunosenescence. The anti-tumor efficacy of SA-mediated non-photochemotherapy declined in 16-month-old mice, and tumors recurred after scabbing. SA-mediated photochemotherapy enhanced tumor infiltration by CD8⁺ T cells and neutrophils, induced crusting and regression of tumors in 8-month-old mice, inhibited metastasis and recurrence of tumors and eliminated the immunosenescence-induced decline in antitumor therapeutic efficacy in 16-month-old mice via the light-heat-chemical-immunity conversion.

Objective:To observe the effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)ultrasound drug permeation electrotherapy device on the inflammatory response of rats with cerebral ischemia, and to provide an experimental basis for the clinical application of TCM ultrasound drug permeation electrotherapy device in the treatment of cerebral ischemia.Methods:A total of 72 SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group (12 rats) and modeling group (60 rats). The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was prepared by thread embolism in the model group. The rats were divided into model group, Chinese medicine tablet group, blank tablet + TCM ultrasound drug permeation electrotherapy group (hereinafter referred to as "blank tablet + electrotherapy group"), Chinese medicine tablet + TCM ultrasound drug permeation electrotherapy group (hereinafter referred to as "Chinese medicine tablet + electrotherapy group") and butylphthalide group according to the random number table method, with 12 rats in each group. The corresponding treatment was given continuously for 7 days. The neurological function was scored using Longa method evaluation criteria; TTC staining was used to observe the infarct volume and calculate the percentage of infarct volume; HE staining was used to observe the cell morphology of cortical area in each group of rats; ELISA was used to detect the serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels in each group of rats; TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κBp65 protein expressions in hippocampal tissue of each group of rats on the infarct side were detected by Western blot method.Results:Compared with the model group, the neurological function scores of rats in the blank tablet + electrotherapy group, the herbal tablet + electrotherapy group, and the butylphthalein group significantly decreased ( P<0.05), the percentage of cerebral infarct volume significantly decreased ( P<0.05), the contents of serum TNF-α and IL-1β significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the expressions of TLR4 (0.42±0.07, 0.31±0.07, 0.19±0.04 vs. 0.68±0.14), MyD88 (0.39±0.12, 0.30±0.07, 0.23±0.11 vs. 0.67±0.10), NF-κBp65 (0.32±0.03, 0.27±0.02, 0.17±0.03 vs. 0.57±0.12) protein in hippocampal tissue significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The TCM ultrasound drug permeation electrotherapy device can inhibit TLR4, MyD88, NF-κBp65 protein expressions and reduce the release of serum inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β, thus exerting cerebral ischemic protective effects.

ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai prescription （ZJT） in the treatment of diabetes mellitus complicated with cerebral infarction （DM-CI） in rats based on the short-chain fatty acids （SCFAs）/G protein-coupled receptor 43 （GPR43）/glucagon-like peptide-1 （GLP-1）/GLP-1 receptor （GLP-1R） signaling pathway. MethodSixty SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group， model group， low- and high-dose ZJT groups （12， 24 g·kg^-1）， western medicine group （140 mg·kg^-1 pioglitazone metformin tablets + 27 mg·kg^-1 enteric-coated aspirin tablets）. Except for the sham operation group， all other groups were fed a high-sugar high-fat diet for 4 weeks and then subjected to intraperitoneal injection of 1% streptozotocin at 35 mg·kg^-1 combined with middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） to establish a DM-CI rat model. The corresponding interventions were performed with distilled water， low-dose ZJT， high-dose ZJT， pioglitazone metformin tablets， and enteric-coated aspirin tablets. After surgery， National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale （NIHSS） scoring and triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining to measure the rat's cerebral infarct volume were carried out. Random blood glucose levels were measured， and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe histopathological changes in rat brain tissues. Gas chromatography was employed to detect the content of SCFAs in the cecum contents. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was adopted to measure serum GLP-1 level. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of GPR43 in rat ileal tissues and GLP-1R in the ischemic brain tissues. ResultCompared with the sham operation group， the model group showed significantly increased NIHSS scores， random blood glucose levels， and cerebral infarct volumes （P<0.01）， and significantly decreased SCFAs content， GLP-1 levels， and GPR43 and GLP-1R protein expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose ZJT group and the western medicine group exhibited significantly reduced NIHSS scores， random blood glucose levels， and cerebral infarct volumes （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and significantly increased SCFAs content， GLP-1 levels， and GPR43 and GLP-1R protein expression （P<0.01）. ConclusionZJT can improve glucose metabolism disorder and reduce neurological damage in DM-CI rats， and its mechanism may be related to the increase in SCFAs content and the upregulation of the GPR43/GLP-1/GLP-1R signaling pathway.