1.A Systematic Strategy for Discovering First-in-class Anti-fibrotic Drugs from Traditional Chinese Medicine
Wen HUANG ; Guang XIN ; Sanyin ZHANG ; Tao WANG ; Wei CHEN ; Zeliang WEI ; Qilong ZHOU ; Ke LI ; Dan SUN ; Kui YU ; Shilin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):296-307
Pulmonary fibrosis(PF) is a progressive and life-threatening disease with limited therapeutic options, highlighting the urgent need for innovative drug discovery strategies. To address this challenge, the authors propose the formula-originated rational intelligent screening&translation(FIRST), a systematic framework for developing anti-fibrotic monomers derived from classical traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The strategy integrates three key dimensions, including tissue-oriented intelligent screening of active compounds, structural optimization based on drug-target spatial interactions and plant biosynthetic pathways, and cross-scale validation of drug. We further highlight its applications in discovering tissue-oriented novel drugs from clinically validated TCM, the development and mechanistic elucidation of anti-fibrotic therapeutics, as well as the clinical translation and secondary development of candidate drugs. This strategy paves the way for first-in-class, formula-derived monomeric drugs with defined structures, clarified mechanisms, and proven safety, offering a transformative avenue to meet the urgent therapeutic needs of PF and setting a new paradigm for TCM-based drug innovation.
2.A Systematic Strategy for Discovering First-in-class Anti-fibrotic Drugs from Traditional Chinese Medicine
Wen HUANG ; Guang XIN ; Sanyin ZHANG ; Tao WANG ; Wei CHEN ; Zeliang WEI ; Qilong ZHOU ; Ke LI ; Dan SUN ; Kui YU ; Shilin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):296-307
Pulmonary fibrosis(PF) is a progressive and life-threatening disease with limited therapeutic options, highlighting the urgent need for innovative drug discovery strategies. To address this challenge, the authors propose the formula-originated rational intelligent screening&translation(FIRST), a systematic framework for developing anti-fibrotic monomers derived from classical traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The strategy integrates three key dimensions, including tissue-oriented intelligent screening of active compounds, structural optimization based on drug-target spatial interactions and plant biosynthetic pathways, and cross-scale validation of drug. We further highlight its applications in discovering tissue-oriented novel drugs from clinically validated TCM, the development and mechanistic elucidation of anti-fibrotic therapeutics, as well as the clinical translation and secondary development of candidate drugs. This strategy paves the way for first-in-class, formula-derived monomeric drugs with defined structures, clarified mechanisms, and proven safety, offering a transformative avenue to meet the urgent therapeutic needs of PF and setting a new paradigm for TCM-based drug innovation.
3.Characteristics of newly diagnosed occupational diseases in Huangpu District, Guangzhou City, 2010-2024
Na SHI ; Yu HUANG ; Xianbang CAO ; Dan XU
China Occupational Medicine 2026;53(2):212-215
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of newly reported occupational diseases in Huangpu District, Guangzhou City, from 2010 to 2024. Methods Data on newly reported occupational diseases in Huangpu District, Guangzhou City, from 2010 to 2024 were collected from the Occupational Diseases and Health Hazard Factors Monitoring Information System, a subsystem of the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The spectrum composition and distribution characteristics of diseases were analyzed by year, enterprise and industry. Results A total of 501 newly diagnosed occupational disease cases involving seven categories and 21 specific disease types were reported in Huangpu District from 2010 to 2024. The overall trend showed a pattern of rapid increase, decline after peaking, and low-level fluctuation. The top four occupational disease categories by case count were occupational pneumoconiosis and other respiratory diseases (32.53%), occupational ear, nose, and throat diseases (30.14%), occupational diseases caused by physical factors (21.96%), and occupational chemical poisoning (12.18%). The predominant specific diseases type within these four categories were occupational pneumoconiosis, occupational noise-induced deafness, occupational hand-arm vibration disease, and occupational benzene poisoning. Cases were mainly distributed in enterprises invested by Hong Kong-, Macao-, and Taiwan, in private enterprises, and in foreign-invested enterprises, accounting for 82.44% of all cases. Medium- and small-sized enterprises were predominant in terms of enterprise scale, accounting for 46.71% and 34.33%, respectively. Cases were predominantly distributed across four industries: manufacturing of railway, ship, aerospace, and other transport equipment; manufacture of articles for culture, education, arts and crafts, sport, and entertainment; manufacturing of general-purpose machinery; and manufacture of chemicals and chemical products. Collectively, these sectors accounted for 56.09% of all cases. Conclusion Future occupational health work in Huangpu District should focus on key diseases including occupational pneumoconiosis, occupational noise-induced deafness, and occupational benzene poisoning. Prevention and control measures should target small- and medium-sized enterprises in high-risk industries such as shipbuilding and automobile manufacturing.
4.Moxibustion for central obesity with phlegm-dampness constitution: a randomized controlled trial.
Yanji ZHANG ; Dan WEI ; Wei HUANG ; Jiajie WANG ; Xia CHEN ; Chengwei FU ; Benlu YU ; Yingrong ZHANG ; Zhongyu ZHOU
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(8):1053-1060
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the efficacy and safety of moxibustion in treating patients with central obesity of phlegm-dampness constitution.
METHODS:
A total of 66 patients with central obesity of phlegm-dampness constitution were randomly assigned to a moxibustion group (n=33, 3 cases dropped out) and a sham moxibustion group (n=33, 4 cases dropped out). The moxibustion group received mild moxibustion combined with lifestyle intervention; the moxibustion was applied at Shenque (CV8) and bilateral Zusanli (ST36), 30 min per session, maintaining a local skin temperature of (43±1) ℃. The sham moxibustion group received simulated moxibustion combined with lifestyle intervention; the simulated moxibustion was applied at the same acupoints, with the same session length, but with a maintained skin temperature of (37±1) ℃. Both groups were treated once every other day, three times per week for 8 consecutive weeks. Obesity-related physical indicators (waist circumference, hip circumference, body weight, body fat percentage, body mass index [BMI]), constitution evaluation indicators (phlegm-dampness constitution conversion score, symptom score), the impact of weight on quality of life-lite (IWQOL-Lite), the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), and the incidence of adverse events were measured before and after treatment, and after 4 weeks of follow-up.
RESULTS:
Compared with before treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in waist circumference, hip circumference, body weight, body fat percentage, BMI, phlegm-dampness constitution conversion score and symptom score, IWQOL-Lite, and both anxiety and depression subscale scores of HADS after treatment and at follow-up (P<0.001). These improvements were significantly greater in the moxibustion group than those in the sham moxibustion group (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05). One patient in the moxibustion group experienced a mild burn that resolved with routine care; the incidence of adverse reactions was 3.0% (1/33) in the moxibustion group and 0% (0/33) in the sham moxibustion group, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
On the basis of lifestyle intervention, moxibustion effectively improves obesity-related physical indicators, enhances quality of life, alleviates anxiety and depression, and improves the phlegm-dampness constitution in patients with central obesity. These benefits persist for at least 4 weeks after treatment.
Humans
;
Moxibustion
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Obesity, Abdominal/psychology*
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Aged
;
Quality of Life
;
Young Adult
;
Body Mass Index
5.Two new sesquiterpenoids from Aucklandiae Radix and their farnesoid X receptor agonist activity.
Qian-Yu CHEN ; Dan HUANG ; Hong-Hong ZHAN ; Fan-Cheng MENG ; Guo-Wei WANG ; Min CHEN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1810-1816
Various chromatographic methods were comprehensively applied to study the chemical composition of the ethyl acetate extract from Aucklandiae Radix. The structures of all compounds were identified by analyzing their physicochemical properties and using spectroscopic methods. Two new sesquiterpenoids, named auclappsines A and B(1 and 2) were isolated and identified. Through in vitro high content screening and with the use of a guggulsterone-induced L02 cells, the effects of 1 and 2 on farnesoid X receptor(FXR) protein expression were investigated. The results showed that 1 had a significant FXR activation effect, providing a scientific basis for the development of drugs for the treatment of liver and gallbladder diseases.
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics*
;
Humans
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Sesquiterpenes/isolation & purification*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification*
;
Cell Line
;
Molecular Structure
6.Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of Bone:Report of Eight Cases and Review of the Literature.
Ya BI ; Dan-Dan WU ; Fang-Ying YU ; Zhen-Hong FANG ; Bo HUANG
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(2):325-332
Langerhans cell histiocytosis of bone is a rare tumor disease characterized by the large accumulation of CD1a+ and CD207+ dendritic cells in tissues of unknown cause.It mainly occurs in children aged 1-4 years old,with incidences of 4-6 per million in children and 1-2 per million in adults.Due to its low incidence,diverse clinical manifestations,and no obvious specificity of imaging manifestations,the definitive diagnosis and early treatment of this type of tumor are challenging.In this paper,we report 8 cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis of bone and review the relevant literature published in the past five years to summarize the clinical characteristics,pathological features,diagnosis,treatment,and prognosis of this disease.
Humans
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Bone Diseases/therapy*
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Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell/therapy*
7.Listeria Brainstem Encephalitis With Myelitis Misdiagnosed as Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis:Report of One Case.
Dan-Ying WU ; Qin-Xue WANG ; Dong-Mei ZHU ; Yu-Jing GAN ; Min HUANG ; Su-Ming ZHOU
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(4):673-678
Listeria brainstem encephalitis with myelitis is extremely rare in clinical practice.Since the clinical manifestations are non-specific,MRI is helpful for diagnosis.Positive cerebrospinal fluid culture is considered the gold standard for diagnosis.This article reports a case of an immunocompetent individual with listeria brainstem encephalitis with myelitis,aiming to enhance the awareness of this condition.
Humans
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Brain Stem/pathology*
;
Diagnostic Errors
;
Encephalitis/complications*
;
Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated/diagnosis*
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Listeriosis/complications*
;
Myelitis/complications*
8.Distribution of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and its association with perinatal outcomes
Jin CHEN ; Dan YANG ; Qianrong LI ; Yan SANG ; Zhi YU ; Jiao XU ; Xuemei WANG ; Heying HUANG ; Xue TANG ; Lin ZHUANG ; Xiaoyin WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(11):2343-2350
ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and its association with perinatal outcomes, and to provide a basis for precise treatment based on TCM syndrome differentiation. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 275 patients with ICP who were admitted to The Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April 2023 to April 2025. A hierarchical cluster analysis was used to summarize TCM syndromes. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the clinical features significantly associated with TCM syndrome. ResultsThe cluster analysis identified three core TCM syndromes among the 275 patients with ICP, i.e., liver-gallbladder damp-heat syndrome (45.8%), syndrome of blood deficiency generating wind (30.9%), and liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome (23.3%). There was a significant difference in the distribution of TCM syndromes between different groups stratified by maternal age at delivery, parity, history of ICP recurrence, gestational weeks at disease onset, total bile acid (TBA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and comorbidity with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (all P<0.05). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that<34 gestational weeks at disease onset was significantly associated with all three syndromes (damp-heat: odds ratio [OR]=3.769, P<0.001; blood deficiency: OR=4.031, P<0.001; liver stagnation: OR=3.552, P<0.001). Liver-gallbladder damp-heat syndrome was associated with maternal age ≥35 years at disease onset (OR=2.048, P=0.014), parity ≥2 times (OR=1.921, P=0.034), history of ICP recurrence (OR=2.404, P=0.030), ALT ≥200 U/L (OR=2.051, P=0.018), comorbidity with GDM (OR=1.944, P=0.029), and TBA ≥40 μmol/L (OR=2.542, P=0.024). The syndrome of blood deficiency generating wind syndrome was associated with maternal age ≥35 years (OR=2.939, P=0.003), parity ≥2 time (OR=3.222, P=0.003), history of ICP recurrence (OR=3.809, P=0.010), ALT ≥200 U/L (OR=2.889, P=0.006), comorbidity with GDM (OR=3.711, P=0.001), and comorbidity with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR=4.472, P=0.011). Liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome was associated with TBA ≥40 μmol/L (OR=2.995, P=0.044). The analysis of perinatal outcomes showed that there were significant differences in mode of delivery, gestational weeks at the time of delivery, postpartum blood loss, and neonatal birth weight between the three groups with different TCM syndromes (all P<0.05). ConclusionLiver-gallbladder damp-heat syndrome, syndrome of blood deficiency generating wind, and liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome are the main TCM syndrome types in ICP, and the distribution of TCM syndromes is closely associated with clinical factors and perinatal outcomes, which provides a basis for precise TCM syndrome differentiation and individualized treatment.
9.The change of serum chloride ion level and its relationship with prognosis in patients with AHF
Dan FU ; Cui HUANG ; Fangfang YU ; Dingfu LI
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(13):1591-1596
Objective To explore the change of serum chloride ion(Cl-)level and its relationship with prognosis in patients with acute heart failure(AHF).Methods A total of 289 patients with AHF admitted to the hospital from September 2020 to March 2023 were included in the study.Clinical and laboratory data of patients were collected,serum Cl-levels were detected at admission and discharge,and the difference of Cl-levels was calculated(△Cl-).Patients with AHF were divided into poor prognosis group and good prognosis group according to the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events during follow-up.Clinical and laboratory data of the two groups were compared.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between se-rum △Cl-level and poor prognosis of AHF by using restricted cubic spline(RCS)curve drawn by the func-tions in the rms package.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to analyze the value of△Cl-levels in predicting the risk of adverse cardiovascular events within 1 year of discharge from hospital in patients with AHF.Results The age and the proportion of patients with atrial fibrillation in the poor progno-sis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The levels of left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and Cl-at discharge in the poor prognosis group were lower than those in the good prognosis group,and the levels of brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)and △Cl-in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group,with statistical sig-nificance(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that LVEF was an independent protective factor for poor prognosis of AHF,and age,BNP and △Cl-levels were independent risk factors for poor prognosis of AHF(P<0.05).RCS curve analysis showed a significant linear association between △Cl-levels and the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with AHF within 1 year of discharge.ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of △Cl-level in predicting the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in AHF pa-tients within 1 year after discharge was 0.857,the sensitivity was 88.37%,and the specificity was 69.46%.Conclusion The change of serum Cl-level of patients with AHF is related to the prognosis of patients with AHF,and monitoring the serum Cl-level of patients with AHF can guide the early clinical intervention.
10.Correlation Between Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Types and Laboratory Findings in Patients with Primary Sj?gren's Syndrome:An Analysis of 326 Cases
Wanmei NA ; Dan WANG ; Hao ZHAO ; Yu HUANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(2):261-265
Objective To investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome types in patients with primary Sj?gren's syndrome(PSS),and to explore the correlation between TCM syndrome types and laboratory findings of immunological parameters and inflammatory cytokines.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 326 patients with PSS who attended the Department of Rheumatology of Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from January 2018 to December 2022.Analysis was carried out for the distribution of TCM syndrome types,namely yin deficiency and blood dryness syndrome,deficiency of qi and yin syndrome,internal retention of damp-heat syndrome,and stagnant heat in the collateral syndrome,in PSS patients.The gender,age of onset,and duration of disease of PSS patients with different TCM syndrome types were compared.And then an exploration was performed in the correlation between TCM syndrome types and laboratory findings of Sj?gren's syndrome antigen A antibody(anti-SSA),Sj?gren's syndrome antigen B antibody(anti-SSB),C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),immunoglobulin G(IgG),immunoglobulin A(IgA),interleukin 6(IL-6),complement 3(C3)and complement 4(C4).Results(1)The analysis of the distribution of TCM syndrome types showed that among the 326 patients,106 cases(32.5%)were differentiated as internal retention of damp-heat syndrome,which accounted for the most,and then came yin deficiency and blood dryness syndrome(84 cases,25.8%),stagnant heat in the collateral syndrome(78 cases,23.9%),and deficiency of qi and yin syndrome(58 cases,17.8%)in descending order.(2)There was no statistically significant difference in the gender among the PSS patients with different TCM syndrome types(P>0.05),but the differences of age of onset and the duration of disease among the PSS patients with different TCM syndrome types were statistically significant(P<0.05).The distribution of duration of disease and age of onset in the PSS patients with yin deficiency and blood dryness syndrome,deficiency of qi and yin syndrome,and stagnant heat in the collateral syndrome,internal retention of damp-heat syndrome was in descending order.(3)The analysis of the correlation between TCM syndrome types and laboratory findings showed that yin deficiency and blood dryness syndrome was positively correlated with anti-SSB,IgA,IgG,and C4;deficiency of qi and yin syndrome was positively correlated with anti-SSB,IgG,and C4;internal retention of damp-heat syndrome was positively correlated with CRP,ESR,IL-6,anti-SSA,and IgA;stagnant heat in the collateral syndrome was positively correlated with CRP,ESR,IL-6,and anti-SSA.The differences were all statistically significant(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion The patients with PSS are usually differentiated as internal retention of damp-heat syndrome,patients with yin deficiency and blood dryness syndrome and deficiency of qi and yin syndrome usually have longer duration of disease and older age of onset,and the patients with internal retention of damp-heat syndrome and stagnant heat in the collateral syndrome usually have shorter duration of disease and younger age of onset.The laboratory findings such as immunological parameters and inflammatory cytokine are correlated with TCM syndrome types of PSS patients to some extent,which will supply guidance for the clinical differentiation of TCM syndromes of PSS.

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