1.Effect of Simiaowan on Promoting Ileal Uric Acid Excretion by Modulating Gut Microbiota to Improve Intestinal Barrier Function and Upregulate ABCG2 Expression in Rats
Yuan ZHANG ; Zhongyou ZHANG ; Huilin FENG ; Lian DUAN ; Lingchun WANG ; Hao DAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):101-112
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Simiaowan on intestinal barrier function and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) expression in hyperuricemic (HUA) rats, and elucidate its therapeutic mechanisms. MethodsForty male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into a normal group, a model group, low-dose (282.6 mg·kg-1) and high-dose (565.2 mg·kg-1) Simiaowan groups, and a Benzbromarone (4.7 mg·kg-1) group. The HUA model was established via intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxonate (ip) combined with oral gavage of hypoxanthine (ig) for 14 days. Following modeling, treatments were administered for 14 days. Samples were collected and weighed 4 h after final dosing. Blood uric acid and hepatic function were analyzed. Histopathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and Chiu's scoring was conducted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) quantified tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), diamine oxidase (DAO), and D-lactic acid (D-LA) levels. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry assessed the expression of Claudin-1, Occludin, occludens-1 (ZO-1), and ABCG2 mRNAs and proteins. 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing characterized ileal microbiota. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited epithelial shedding in the ileal villus, structural disruption, infiltration of extensive inflammatory cells, and significantly elevated Chiu's scores (P<0.01). The DAO, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, LPS, and D-LA levels in the ileum were markedly increased (P<0.01), while mRNA and protein expressions of Claudin 1, Occludin, ZO-1, and ABCG2, as well as positive staining area and proportion, were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Simiaowan groups at all doses showed improved epithelial damage in the ileal villus, significantly lowered Chiu's scores (P<0.01), significantly reduced DAO, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, LPS, and D-LA levels in the ileum (P<0.01), and upregulated mRNA and protein expressions of Claudin 1, Occludin, ZO-1, and ABCG2, as well as positive staining area and proportion (P<0.01). The 16S rDNA results showed that in the model group, the α-diversity index of the ileal microbiota was increased, and species diversity and richness were enhanced, with microbiota dysfunction observed. The community structure of the gut microbiota was significantly different from that of the normal microbiota. The abundance of probiotics was decreased, and the abundance of pathogenic bacteria was increased, with butyrate-producing bacteria showing a low abundance. In contrast, Simiaowan at all doses reduced species diversity and richness, regulated microbiota dysfunction, and promoted the shift of the structure of the gut microbiota community towards a normal one. This increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, decreased the abundance of harmful bacteria, and restored the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria. ConclusionSimiaowan enhances ileal uric acid excretion and further alleviates HUA by modulating the gut microbiota composition to improve the intestinal barrier and upregulate the expression of the urate transporter ABCG2 in HUA rats.
2.Construction of glucose oxidase–loaded nanogels and its inhibition effect on the Warburg effect in glioma cells
Wenbo ZHOU ; Weilin LI ; Wuting DAI ; Ruiyao LIU ; Yuan YU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(3):132-136
Objective To construct glucose oxidase(GOx)–loaded nanogels (GONGs), optimize their formulation, and evaluate their capacity to inhibit the Warburg effect in glioma cells. Methods A responsive polymer (HAM) was synthesized and used to self-assemble GONGs, which were then characterized. Encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were determined using fluorescence spectrophotometry. Biocompatibility was tested by measuring cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity. Western blotting was used to evaluate the effects of GONGs on the expression of proteins associated with the Warburg phenotype and oxidative damage in glioma cells. Results GONGs prepared at a drug–to–polymer ratio of 1∶10 exhibited a particle size of 140.3 nm and a zeta potential of −27.2 mV. Compared with free GOx, GONGs markedly reduced cytotoxicity, increased the IC50 in hUVEC cells from 2.150 nmol/L to 74.86 nmol/L, and significantly decreased hemolysis. At a GOx concentration of 2 nmol/L, GONGs effectively downregulated glycolysis-related proteins, such as HK2 and LDHA, and inhibited glutamine metabolism in glioma cells. Conclusion GONGs exhibited high GOx loading capacity, significantly reduced GOx-induced cytotoxicity, inhibited the Warburg effect in glioma cells and induced oxidative damage.
3.Development and validation of assessment and diagnostic tools for apraxia of speech of Chinese Putonghua
Tianhao NI ; Siyu BI ; Yuan DAI ; Hong QIAN ; Yongli WANG ; Qin WAN ; Zhaoming HUANG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(5):550-560
ObjectiveTo develop an assessment tool for apraxia of speech (AOS) of Chinese Putonghua speakers and test its reliability and validity. MethodsThe Chinese Apraxia of Speech Assessment and Diagnostic Tool (CAADT) was developed based on the Apraxia of Speech Rating Scale 3.5, combined with the linguistic characteristics of Chinese and clinical experience. The tool consistsed of eleven items across three sections: articulation, prosody and alternating motion rates. Six experts evaluated the content validity. From November, 2024 to May, 2025, 51 patients with post-stroke AOS (experimental group) and ten patients with post-stroke aphasia without AOS (control group) were recruited from Anhui Wannan Rehabilitation Hospital (the Fifth People's Hospital of Wuhu), and tested with CAADT. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's α coefficient, Kendall's coefficient of concordance W and Pearson correlation coefficient. Validity was evaluated using the content validity index (CVI) and Spearman correlation coefficient. Discriminative effect was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. ResultsThe Cronbach's α coefficients for the articulation and prosody sections and the total scale were all > 0.9, while it was 0.454 for the alternating motion rates. Inter-rater reliability was good (W ≥ 0.598, P < 0.001). Test-retest reliability showed high positive correlations for the three sections and the total score between the two assessments (r ≥ 0.84, P < 0.001). The scale-level CVI was 0.95, and the item-level CVI ≥ 0.83. The Spearman correlation coefficients among the sections ranged from 0.30 to 0.70. ROC analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.953, with a cut-off value of 11, yielding a sensitivity of 0.92 and a specificity of 0.90. ConclusionCAADT demonstrates good reliability, validity and discriminative effect, which can be used for clinical assessment and auxiliary diagnosis of Chinese Putonghua speaking patients with post-stroke AOS.
4.Identification and content determination of active components in Shugantongluo capsules
Bo DAI ; Fang WANG ; Fangchu XU ; Min ZHOU ; Hailong YUAN ; Zhihui YANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(7):358-361
Objective To establish the method of thin layer chromatography (TLC) for identification and content quantitative determination of Shugantongluo capsules, and provide methodological reference for the quality control of Shugantongluo capsules. Methods Bupleuriradix, polygala tenuifolia yuanzhi, and acorus tatarinowii rhizoma were identified by TLC qualitatively. The content of Saikosaponin-a was determined by HPLC method. The chromatography was performed on Venusil XBP C18(L) (4.6 mm×150 mm, 5 μm) with a stable temperature of 30℃. The mobile phase in isocratic elution consisted of acetonitrile-water (40∶60, V/V) at the flow rate of 1.0 ml/min with an injection volume of 20 μl. The detection wavelength was set at 210 nm. Results Clear spots were obtained with good separation in TLC identification which was highly specific. The Saikosaponin-a at the range of 25.00-500.0 μg/ml was linear with peak area (r=0.999 9), the average recovery rate was 97.00%, and RSD was 2.60%. Conclusion These methods was easy to operate with accurate results, with good specificity and reproducibility, which could be uesd for the quality control for Shugantongluo capsules.
5.Risk factors for low blood pressure in patients with refractory heart failure: a discussion based on comorbidities and clinical indicators
Jiamin ZAN ; Bailing ZHANG ; Fenglai ZHOU ; Shuling ZHANG ; Rong ZHANG ; Tiantian YUAN ; Jingli DAI ; Yuanxin KANG ; Qingqing YANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(5):101-105
Objective To analyze the occurrence status of low blood pressure (BP) in patients with refractory heart failure (RHF) and its relationship with comorbidities. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 360 patients with RHF who were hospitalized in department of cardiology of Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University from May 2021 to May 2025. These patients were divided into the RHF with BP group and the RHF group based on their blood pressure at admission. The general data and comorbidities were compared between both groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for coexisting BP. Results The heart rate (HR), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), blood urea nitrogen, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, right atrial diameter, proportion of cardiac function grade IV, use rate of diuretics and prevalence rate of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in the RHF with BP group were higher while the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), albumin, left ventricular ejection fraction, use rate of lipid-lowering drugs and prevalence rate of coronary heart disease were lower compared to the RHF group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that increased HR (OR=1.685, 95%CI: 1.106-2.569), increased NT-proBNP (OR=1.772, 95%CI: 1.138-2.759), decreased HDL-C (OR=0.605, 95%CI: 0.400-0.917) and DCM (OR=1.956, 95%CI: 1.176-3.255) were independent risk factors affecting BP in RHF patients (P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence rate of low blood pressure in elderly RHF patients is about 19.17%. Increased heart rate, increased NT-proBNP, decreased HDL-C and dilated cardiomyopathy are closely linked to the occurrence of low blood pressure, and they can be used as clinically related factors to identify patients at high risk of low blood pressure.
6.Evaluation of Anti-osteoporosis Activity and Hepatotoxicity of Xianling Gubao Based on Zebrafish Model
Qiuman LI ; Yue QIAN ; Zixuan ZHU ; Yuan SONG ; Qian DENG ; Shengyun DAI ; Chongjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):87-94
ObjectiveTo investigate the association and translational mechanism between the hepatotoxicity of Xianling Gubao (XLGB) and its treatment of osteoporosis based on a zebrafish model. MethodsZebrafish were randomly selected four days after fertilization (4 dpf) and exposed to different concentrations of XLGB (0.7,0.35 mg·L-1) for 96 h. At the endpoint of the exposure, the mortality rates of zebrafish in the treatment groups of different concentrations were counted, and the "dose-toxicity" curves were plotted. The 10% sublethal concentration (LC10) was calculated. The liver area, acridine orange staining, and pathological tissue sections of transgenic zebrafish [CZ16 (gz15Tg.Tg (fabp 10a: ds Red; ela31: EGFP)] were used as indicators to confirm the hepatic damage caused by the sublethal concentration of XLGB. By using the prednisolone (PNSL)-induced osteoporosis model of zebrafish, the anti-osteoporosis activity of XLGB was evaluated by using the area of skull stained by alizarin red and the cumulative optical density value as indicators. Then, the toxicity difference of XLGB on the liver of zebrafish in healthy and osteoporotic states was compared, and the mechanism of the translational action of the toxicity of XLGB was predicted based on network pharmacology and real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). ResultsThe LC10 of XLGB on zebrafish (8 dpf) was 0.7 mg·L-1. Compared with the blank group, the sublethal concentration (LC10=0.7 mg·L-1, 1/2 LC10=0.35 mg·L-1) of XLGB induced an increase in the number of apoptosis of hepatocytes in a dose-dependent manner, and the tissue arrangement of the liver was disordered and loose. The vacuoles were obvious, and the fluorescence area of the liver was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the mineralized area and cumulative optical density value of zebrafish skull in the PNSL model group were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and those in the 0.7,0.35 mg·L-1 XLGB treatment group were significantly increased compared with the model group (P<0.01). Most importantly, 0.7 mg·L-1 XLGB had no significant effect on the liver of zebrafish in the osteoporosis disease model compared with the blank group. The results of network pharmacology and real-time PCR experiments showed that the toxic transformation of XLGB might be related to the differences in the expression levels of key targets, such as tumor protein 53 (TP53), cysteine aspartic acid specific protease-3(Caspase-3), interleukin(IL)-6, and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) in different organismal states. ConclusionUnder certain conditions, XLGB has hepatotoxicity in normal zebrafish, but under osteoporotic conditions, XLGB not only exerts significant anti-osteoporosis activity but also alleviates hepatotoxicity significantly, which provides a reference for the safe clinical use of XLGB and real evidence for the theories of traditional Chinese medicine of attacking poison with poison and of treating disease with corresponding drugs without damage to the body.
7.The introduction on the revised standards of pharmaceutical excipients in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition
CHEN Lei ; LUI Yanming ; YUAN Yaozuo ; CHEN Ying ; DAI Hong ; ZHANG Jun ; MA Shuangcheng
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(1):051-057
According to the work goals and tasks determined by edition outline of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 has been completed. Among them, 52 new pharmaceutical excipients monographs have been added, and the total number has reached 387. 245 pharmaceutical excipients monographs have been revised, of which 109 monographs have only textual revisions and 136 monographs have substantive revisions. This article focuses on the general framework and the main characteristics of the standards of pharmaceutical excipients in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025, which can contribute to accurately understand and utilize the standards in Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
8.Expression and prognostic value of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 in patients with cirrhotic ascites and intra-abdominal infection
Feng WEI ; Xinyan YUE ; Xiling LIU ; Huimin YAN ; Lin LIN ; Tao HUANG ; Yantao PEI ; Shixiang SHAO ; Erhei DAI ; Wenfang YUAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(5):914-920
ObjectiveTo analyze the expression level of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) in serum and ascites of patients with cirrhotic ascites, and to investigate its correlation with clinical features and inflammatory markers and its role in the diagnosis of infection and prognostic evaluation. MethodsA total of 110 patients with cirrhotic ascites who were hospitalized in The Fifth Hospital of Shijiazhuang from January 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled, and according to the presence or absence of intra-abdominal infection, they were divided into infection group with 72 patients and non-infection group with 38 patients. The patients with infection were further divided into improvement group with 38 patients and non-improvement group with 34 patients. Clinical data and laboratory markers were collected from all patients. Serum and ascites samples were collected, and ELISA was used to measure the level of TREM-1. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. A Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between indicators. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors for the prognosis of patients with cirrhotic ascites and infection. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic efficacy of each indicator, and the Delong test was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve (AUC). ResultsThe level of TREM-1 in ascites was significantly positively correlated with that in serum (r=0.50, P<0.001). Compared with the improvement group, the non-improvement group had a significantly higher level of TREM-1 in ascites (Z=-2.391, P=0.017) and serum (Z=-2.544, P=0.011), and compared with the non-infection group, the infection group had a significantly higher level of TREM-1 in ascites (Z=-3.420, P<0.001), while there was no significant difference in the level of TREM-1 in serum between the two groups (P>0.05). The level of TREM-1 in serum and ascites were significantly positively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), white blood cell count, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (r=0.288, 0.344, 0.530, 0.510, 0.534, 0.454, 0.330, and 0.404, all P<0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that when PCT, CRP, and serum or ascitic TREM-1 were used in combination for the diagnosis of cirrhotic ascites with infection, the AUCs were 0.715 and 0.740, respectively. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CRP (odds ratio [OR]=1.019, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001 — 1.038, P=0.043) and serum TREM-1 (OR=1.002, 95%CI: 1.000 — 1.003, P=0.016) were independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with cirrhotic ascites and infection, and the combination of these two indicators had an AUC of 0.728 in predicting poor prognosis. ConclusionThe level of TREM-1 is closely associated with the severity of infection and prognosis in patients with cirrhotic ascites, and combined measurement of TREM-1 and CRP/PCT can improve the diagnostic accuracy of infection and provide support for prognostic evaluation.
9.Advantages of modified ligation method for spinal cord injury modeling
Daohui LI ; Xiaoshuang XU ; Zhengtao LI ; Xinpeng TIAN ; Hangchuan BI ; Yuan LIU ; Yongwen DAI ; Lingqiang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(2):379-384
BACKGROUND:Currently,different methods of model establishment have been derived from different injury modes of spinal cord injury.Traditional physical injury modeling methods have their own advantages and disadvantages,and there is a lack of more effective and stable animal models of spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE:To establish a reproducible,controllable,trauma-free,low-mortality,more stable,widely applicable,and short-term postoperative care rat model of spinal cord injury. METHODS:Forty Sprague-Dawley rats with similar body mass and ages were randomly divided into a control group and an improved group,with 20 rats in each group.Animal models of spinal cord injury in the control group were constructed using a clip model method,while the improved group used a modified ligation method based on the compression method to make the spinal cord injury models using suture ligation based on fenestration.Postoperative comparisons were made between the two groups,assessing urination behavior,hematuria,pyuria(infection rate),mortality,scoliosis rate and Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotor rating scale scores at 1,3,5,and 7 days after modeling. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the conventional modeling method,the modified ligation method based on the compression method resulted in faster recovery of urination behavior,lower hematuria rate,lower infection rate,lower mortality rate,lower scoliosis rate,and more concentrated and stable Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scores(all below 2 points within 1 week).This proves that the modified ligation method based on compression is more suitable for the establishment of spinal cord injury models in rats.
10.Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification Unraveled The Mechanism of Pachymic Acid in The Treatment of Neuroblastoma
Hang LIU ; Yu-Xin ZHU ; Si-Lin GUO ; Xin-Yun PAN ; Yuan-Jie XIE ; Si-Cong LIAO ; Xin-Wen DAI ; Ping SHEN ; Yu-Bo XIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2376-2392
ObjectiveTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutes a valuable cultural heritage and an important source of antitumor compounds. Poria (Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf), the dried sclerotium of a polyporaceae fungus, was first documented in Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica and has been used therapeutically and dietarily in China for millennia. Traditionally recognized for its diuretic, spleen-tonifying, and sedative properties, modern pharmacological studies confirm that Poria exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. Pachymic acid (PA; a triterpenoid with the chemical structure 3β-acetyloxy-16α-hydroxy-lanosta-8,24(31)-dien-21-oic acid), isolated from Poria, is a principal bioactive constituent. Emerging evidence indicates PA exerts antitumor effects through multiple mechanisms, though these remain incompletely characterized. Neuroblastoma (NB), a highly malignant pediatric extracranial solid tumor accounting for 15% of childhood cancer deaths, urgently requires safer therapeutics due to the limitations of current treatments. Although PA shows multi-mechanistic antitumor potential, its efficacy against NB remains uncharacterized. This study systematically investigated the potential molecular targets and mechanisms underlying the anti-NB effects of PA by integrating network pharmacology-based target prediction with experimental validation of multi-target interactions through molecular docking, dynamic simulations, and in vitro assays, aimed to establish a novel perspective on PA’s antitumor activity and explore its potential clinical implications for NB treatment by integrating computational predictions with biological assays. MethodsThis study employed network pharmacology to identify potential targets of PA in NB, followed by validation using molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, MM/PBSA free energy analysis, RT-qPCR and Western blot experiments. Network pharmacology analysis included target screening via TCMSP, GeneCards, DisGeNET, SwissTargetPrediction, SuperPred, and PharmMapper. Subsequently, potential targets were predicted by intersecting the results from these databases via Venn analysis. Following target prediction, topological analysis was performed to identify key targets using Cytoscape software. Molecular docking was conducted using AutoDock Vina, with the binding pocket defined based on crystal structures. MD simulations were performed for 100 ns using GROMACS, and RMSD, RMSF, SASA, and hydrogen bonding dynamics were analyzed. MM/PBSA calculations were carried out to estimate the binding free energy of each protein-ligand complex. In vitro validation included RT-qPCR and Western blot, with GAPDH used as an internal control. ResultsThe CCK-8 assay demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of PA on NB cell viability. GO analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve cellular response to chemical stress, vesicle lumen, and protein tyrosine kinase activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and Ras signaling pathways. Molecular docking and MD simulations revealed stable binding interactions between PA and the core target proteins AKT1, EGFR, SRC, and HSP90AA1. RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses further confirmed that PA treatment significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression of AKT1, EGFR, and SRC while increasing the HSP90AA1 mRNA and protein levels. ConclusionIt was suggested that PA may exert its anti-NB effects by inhibiting AKT1, EGFR, and SRC expression, potentially modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. These findings provide crucial evidence supporting PA’s development as a therapeutic candidate for NB.


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