1.Species of sandflies and prevalence of Leishmania infections in sandflies in selected areas of northern and northwestern China
Yaqi HE ; Lei CUI ; Yi ZHANG ; Yuanyuan LI ; Limin YANG ; Yuan FANG ; Zhongqiu LI ; Zhengbin ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(1):20-28
Objective To investigate the species of sandflies and the prevalence of Leishmania infections in sandflies from selected areas of northern and northwestern China, so as to provide insights into identification of leishmaniasis vectors and assessment of epidemiological trends of leishmaniasis in China. Methods Sandfly samples were collected from Mentougou District of Beijing Municipality, Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province, Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County of Karamay District of Karamay City, Gaochang District of Turpan City in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July 2023 to July 2024. Approximately 100 intact female sandfly samples were randomly selected from each site and the species of sandflies was identified according to morphological characteristics and molecular assays. Female sandflies originating from the same habitat were grouped into pools of 10 individuals. Leishmania infection was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) gene, and the prevalence of Leishmania infection was calculated in sandflies from different sampling sites using the minimum infection rate (MIR) method. In addition, positive amplicons were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Results A total of 6 155 sandflies were collected from different environments at sampling sites across the six aforementioned regions from July 2023 to July 2024. Phlebotomus chinensis (96.00%) was the dominant sandfly species in Mentougou District, Beijing Municipality, with a small proportion of Ph. sergenti (4.00%), and only Ph. chinensis was found in Xiangning County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province. Ph. wui was the only sandfly species detected in Ejin Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County, Kashgar City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Ph. caucasicus (97.70%) was the dominant sandfly species in Karamay District, Karamay City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with a small proportion of Ph. wui (2.30%), while Ph. alexandri was the only species in Gaochang District, Turpan City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. A total of 40, 60, 34, 18, 18, and 22 pools of sandfly samples were tested from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality, Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province, Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Payzawat County in Kashgar City, Karamay District in Karamay City, and Gaochang District in Turpan City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, respectively. L. infantum was detected in Ph. chinensis samples from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality, and Xiangning County of Linfen City in Shanxi Province, with MIR of 0.25% to 1.00%, and L. donovani was detected in Ph. wui from Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County in Kashgar City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with MIR of 0.56% to 0.88%; however, no Leishmania infection was detected in Ph. caucasicus from Karamay District in Karamay City or Ph. alexandri from Gaochang District in Turpan City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Leishmania ITS-1 gene sequences obtained from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality and Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province were clustered into the same clade with the reference sequences of L. infantum ITS-1 gene, while the Leishmania ITS-1 gene sequences obtained from Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Payzawat County in Kashgar City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were clustered into the same clade with the reference sequences of L. donovani ITS-1 gene. Conclusions There are variations in sandfly species in selected areas of northern and northwestern China, and variations in the species of Leishmania infecting sandflies. Improved surveillance of sandfly vectors and targeted control strategies with adaptations to geographical features and leishmaniasis vectors are recommended.
2.Differentiation and Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease from the Perspective of "Guarding the Channel Passages" Based on Circadian Rhythm
Jingjing ZHAO ; Yuanyuan CHEN ; Lanlan LI ; Xiaoqing ZHANG ; Ran ZHAO ; Shujuan XU ; Han PENG ; Lingmei LI ; Hao GUO ; Jianhua FU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(18):1977-1981
Coronary heart disease (CHD) has a distinct circadian rhythmicity in its onset, which is closely related to the waxing and waning of qi and blood in the channel passages of the human body. Grounded in the circadian rhythm theory of "correspondence between heaven and humankind", this paper explores the pathogenic evolution rules of qi-blood disharmony, channel obstruction, interacting as cause and effect with circadian rhythm disorders in CHD. Clinically, CHD can be observed to attack in the early morning, at night, in the afternoon, and at fixed or unfixed circadian intervals. The pathogenesis rhythms at different time nodes can correspondingly reflect the susceptibility tendencies and pathological stress responses of the human body to core pathogeneses such as yang deficiency with cold congelation, yin deficiency with yang floating, qi and yin deficiency, and liver constraint with qi stagnation under specific temporal states. Treatment should be adapted to the season and time, regulating yin and yang in accordance with biological rhythms. It is recommended to regulate qi during the daytime by promoting ascending and dispersing to unblock the channel passages, and select the appropriate timing for administration to harness natural timing. At the Mao (卯) hour, yang ascends while yin descends, and taking medication at this time conforms to the ascending of yang qi. At the Wu (午) hour, the heart meridian is active, and taking medication at this time warms the channel passages and assists heart yang, which can be treated with modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction (补中益气汤) or Shengyang Yiwei Decoction (升阳益胃汤). At night, blood should be harmonized, when the channel passages are unblocked through nourishing, restraining, and searching, with Lianmei Decoction (连梅汤) combined with Dahuang Zhechong Pill (大黄䗪虫丸). Following the temporal rhythm, the focus is put on the transitional time of day and night and the four seasons to treat disease before it arises, resonating and corresponding with the natural rhythm.
3.Clinical efficacy and influencing factors of Chaihu anxin capsules in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression
Yaqing LI ; Yupei HAO ; Shizhao YUAN ; Wentao WANG ; Chunhua ZHOU ; Yancong HAN ; Yuanyuan ZHAO ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Shulian FU ; Jing YU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(18):2402-2407
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Chaihu anxin capsules in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression, analyze the influencing factors of its efficacy, construct a nomogram prediction model.METHODS Patients with mild-to-moderate depression treated at The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from May 1, 2023 to March 10, 2025 were retrospectively included and categorized into Chaihu anxin capsules group and milnacipran group according to treatment regimen. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance baseline characteristics, and treatment efficacy was compared after 8 weeks, including 24 Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24) scores and changes, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores and changes, and treatment response rate after 8 weeks of treatment. Patients receiving Chaihu anxin capsules were further classified as responders or non-responders based on the occurrence of treatment response. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the influencing factors of treatment response, and a nomogram model was constructed to predict the probability of treatment response, its predictive performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis.RESULTS A total of 297 patients were included before PSM, including 196 patients in the Chaihu anxin capsules group and 101 patients in the milnacipran group. After PSM, each group included 44 patients. After PSM, the HAMD-24 scores and HAMA scores at 8 weeks after treatment in the Chaihu anxin capsules group, as well as the HAMD-24 scores in the milnacipran group, were significantly lower than their respective baseline values ( P <0.05); the change in HAMA score in the Chaihu anxin capsules group was significantly greater than that in the milnacipran group ( P =0.04). Multivariable Logistic regression identified age, total bilirubin, and baseline HAMD-24 score as independent predictors of treatment response ( P <0.05). The area under the ROC curve of the constructed nomogram prediction model was 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.637-0.799), and the corrected Brier score was 0.143 (95% confidence interval: 0.112-0.176); compared with the “all intervention” and “all non intervention” strategies, applying this nomogram prediction model could achieve higher net benefits within the threshold probability range of 8% to 37%.CONCLUSIONS The efficacy of Chaihu anxin capsules in improving mild-to-moderate depression is comparable to that of milnacipran, and it has certain advantages in improving anxiety symptoms; age, total bilirubin, and baseline HAMD-24 score are independent influencing factors for the treatment response of Chaihu anxin capsules. The nomogram prediction model constructed based on these factors has good discrimination, calibration, and clinical applicability.
4.Disease burden and changing trends of bladder cancer in China and globally in 1992 - 2021
Zhengnan LI ; Zhuang LI ; Yuanyuan LUO ; Bo YU ; Hao SU ; GuangYong CAO ; Kai YIN ; Dongbo YUAN ; Jianguo ZHU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(3):8-13
Objective To analyze the disease burden and trends of bladder cancer in China and globally from 1992 to 2021. Methods Using the GBD 2021 database, the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates of bladder cancer in China and globally from 1992–2021 were analyzed. Average annual percentage change (AAPC) was calculated using Joinpoint regression. Subgroup analyses by sex and age were conducted, and a Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model was used to predict trends in age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) for the next 15 years. Results In 2021, China reported 106 000 new cases (ASIR: 5.14/100 000), 571 000 prevalent cases (age-standardized prevalence rate, ASPR: 26.61/100 000), 43 000 deaths (ASMR: 2.34/100 000), and a DALY rate of 45.31/100 000. From 1992–2021, China showed upward trends in ASIR and ASPR but declines in ASMR and DALYs, while global ASIR, ASMR, and DALYs decreased overall with slow ASPR growth. The peak cases in China and globally were both concentrated in the 65-79 age group, with a significantly higher burden on males than females. In China, smoking-related ASMR and ASDR exceeded global averages and rose, whereas high glucose-related indexes were lower and declined. Projections for 2021–2036 indicated that the global incidence and mortality rates would be rising, but ASIR/ASPR would be declining, while in China, the incidence rate would continue to rise, and the mortality rate will stabilize, with a significant increase in ASIR and a gradual decrease in ASPR. Conclusion From 1992 to 2021, the incidence of bladder cancer in China has shown a continuous upward trend and is projected to persist in the future, with significant gender and age differences. Particular attention should be given to elderly males aged 85-89. The disease burden of bladder cancer attributable to smoking continues to rise, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen tobacco control policies.
5.Regional molecular transmission characteristics of newly reported HIV-infected students aged ≥18 years in Nanjing City from 2016 to 2022
Hongjie SHI ; Sainan WANG ; Xin LI ; Sushu WU ; Rong WU ; Xin YUAN ; Jingwen WANG ; Xiaoyong SHENG ; Yuanyuan XU ; Zhengping ZHU
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(1):82-89
To analyze the transmission characteristics of newly reported HIV-infected students aged ≥18 years in Nanjing City from 2016 to 2022 and provide evidence for AIDS publicity and intervention among young students. The pol region sequences of newly reported HIV-infected students and non-student HIV-infected individuals in Nanjing City from 2016 to 2022 were collected, and the BLAST tool was used to search the published global non-Nanjing reported HIV infection sequences in the LANL HIV database. The basic molecular transmission network and regional molecular transmission network were constructed using the HIV-TRACE in a pairwise genetic distance threshold of 1.0%. 332 sequences of infected students aged≥18 years in Nanjing City, 1 904 sequences of non-student-infected individuals in Nanjing City and 1 698 non-Nanjing-infected individuals were obtained. Among the 332 infected students, the main route of infection was homosexual (96.39%), and the subtypes were CRF01_AE (37.95%), CRF07_BC (37.65%) and CRF105_0107 (10.24%). There were 890 sequences in the regional molecular transmission network, of which 21.80% were infected students in Nanjing City, 39.89% were non-student-infected individuals in Nanjing City, and 38.31% were non-Nanjing-infected individuals. In the CRF105_0107 transmission cluster, non-student-infected individuals from Nanjing accounted for 66.95% (81/121), while in the CRF07_BC transmission cluster, non-Nanjing-infected individuals accounted for 56.66% (200/353). There were 1 644 edges connected to infected students within the regional molecular transmission network, with local transmission accounting for 64.72% and regional transmission accounting for 35.28%. Regional transmission was mainly in Guangdong Province (19.83%) and other cities in Jiangsu Province (4.50%). The HIV-1 subtypes of newly reported HIV-infected students aged≥18 years in Nanjing City are mainly CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC and CRF105_0107, with local transmission as the main transmission characteristics. There is transmission between students and non-students.
6.Low contrast dose and low flow rate one-stop craniocervical CT angiography-cerebral CT perfusion for detecting carotid atherosclerosis
Yuanyuan CUI ; Rongrong FAN ; Qinling JIANG ; Xiaolei SHI ; An SUN ; Chenshi ZHANG ; Weimin YUAN ; Shiyuan LIU ; Yi XIAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(7):1144-1149
Objective To explore the value of low contrast dose and low flow rate one-stop craniocervical CT angiography(CT A)-cerebral CT perfusion(CTP)for detecting carotid atherosclerosis(CAS).Methods Totally 117 CAS patients were prospectively enrolled and divided into group A(n=19),B(n=52),C(n=46),and low contrast dose and low flow rate one-stop craniocervical CTA-brain CTP scanning,low contrast dose and low flow rate craniocervical CT A scanning,as well as conventional craniocervical CT A scanning were performed,respectively.Virtual monoenergetic images(VMI)of 40,50 and 60 keV were reconstructed in group A and B.The subjective and objective evaluations of image quality were compared among 3 groups.Results Subjective scores of image quality and diagnostic confidence of 40 and 50 keV VMI,and the diagnostic confidence of 60 keV VMI in group A and B were not significant different compared with those in group C(all P>0.05).Signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of each segment of craniocervical blood vessels at 40 and 50 keV VMI in group A and B were all higher than those in group C(all P<0.05).CNR of cavernous sinus segment of internal carotid artery(C5 segment),horizontal segment of middle cerebral artery(MCA)(A1 segment),lateral sulcus segment of MCA(M2 segment)and basilar artery(BA)segment in group A at 60 keV VMI were all higher than those in group C(all P<0.05).SNR of C5 segment,A1 segment and BA segment,as well as CNR of BA segment of 60 keV VMI in group B were all higher than those in group C(all P<0.05).Conclusion Low contrast dose and low flow rate one-stop craniocervical was feasible for detecting CAS.
7.Clinical characteristics of 103 children with drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome: a retrospective study
Lei JIAO ; Yuan LIANG ; Yang WANG ; Chunping SHEN ; Xin XIANG ; Zhe XU ; Yuanyuan XIAO ; Li LI ; Ying LIU ; Bin ZHANG ; Zigang XU ; Lin MA
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(10):936-942
Objective:To investigate clinical characteristics, treatment approaches, and prognosis of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data from pediatric inpatients with DIHS in Department of Dermatology, Beijing Children's Hospital from 2009 to 2023. The clinical data included demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatment regimens, and outcomes.Results:A total of 103 children with DIHS were included, comprising 54 males (52.4%) and 49 females (47.6%), with ages ( M [ Q1, Q3]) of 2.3 (1.2, 4.5) years. Primary causative drugs were antibiotics (52 cases, 45.2%), antiepileptic drugs (41 cases, 35.7%), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (19 cases, 16.5%), with a median latency period of 12 days. All patients presented with rashes, including 72 (69.9%) with maculopapular rashes, 69 (67.0%) with edema (including 46 with facial edema). Lip involvement occurred in 25 cases (24.3%), and mucosal involvement was noted in 11 cases (10.7%). Additionally, 102 (99.0%) patients had fever, and 79 (76.7%) presented with lymphadenectasis. Eosinophilia was present in 64 cases (62.1%). Among 84 patients tested for atypical lymphocytes, 51 (60.7%) showed elevated percentages of atypical lymphocytes. Liver involvement was noted in 94 cases (91.3%), followed by pulmonary involvement in 31 (30.1%), gastrointestinal symptoms in 25 (24.3%), cardiac involvement in 14 (13.6%), renal involvement in 10 (9.7%), and pancreatic involvement in 7 cases (6.8%). Among 82 patients tested for blood immunocytes, 49 (59.8%) showed decreased percentages of B lymphocytes, and 69 (84.1%) showed decreased percentages of natural killer cells. Of 88 patients tested for serum immunoglobulins, 40 (45.5%) showed decreased IgA levels. Among 20 patients tested for serum cytokines, 15 (75.0%), 15 (75.0%), 13 (65.0%), and 12 (60.0%) showed elevated levels of interleukin (IL) -5, IL-6, IL-10, and interferon-γ, respectively. All patients received systemic glucocorticoid therapy, among whom 86 additionally received intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, 4 received Janus kinase inhibitors, and 3 received dupilumab. Five patients died, 9 developed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, 6 developed bronchiolitis obliterans, and 5 experienced long-term immune-related sequelae. Conclusions:Among these children with DIHS, antibiotics were the most common causative drugs, and the latency period could be shorter than 2 weeks. In addition to the common involvement of the liver and lungs, gastrointestinal and cardiac impairments were relatively frequent, while renal involvement was rare. Immunological features included decreased percentages of B lymphocytes and natural killer cells, reduced IgA levels, and elevated levels of cytokines such as IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and interferon-γ.
8.Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote proliferation and drug resistance of gastric cancer organoids:a primary study
Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Zhenquan DUAN ; Yuxian LI ; Mengqiu HUANG ; Baohang ZHU ; Yuan QIU ; Quanming ZOU ; Liusheng PENG ; Daiyuan MA
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(5):453-461
Objective To construct an in vitro co-culture model of gastric cancer organoids and cancer-associated fibroblasts(CAFs),and investigate the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the proliferation and chemotherapy resistance of gastric cancer organoids.Methods Tumor tissues from 12 gastric cancer patients undergoing surgical treatment in Department of General Surgery of Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from February 2023 to March 2024 were collected to construct gastric cancer organoids using 3D culture.HE staining was used to observe the morphology,and immunohistochemical assay was employed to determine the expression of cytokeratin CK7,carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),and proliferation marker Ki-67.After CAFs derived from the same patient were cultured,observed for their morphology under a light microscope,and detected for the phenotype by flow cytometry,the cells were co-cultured with gastric cancer organoids in a 1:1 ratio.Phase-contrast microscopy was applied to observe the growth of the organoids and analyze the number,average diameter,and total area.Then,organoids cultured alone served as the control group.After the control and co-culture groups were treated with chemotherapy drugs,5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin,for 48 h,the viability and apoptosis of organoids were assessed with CellTiter-Glo??3D assay and CellEvent? Caspase 3/7 activity,respectively.Results Gastric cancer organoids and CAFs were successfully established from 10 gastric cancer patient-derived samples.The gastric cancer organoids exhibited morphological characteristics consistent with the corresponding primary tumors,and showed positive expression of CK7,CEA,and Ki-67.CAFs displayed typical spindle-shaped morphology and exhibited the phenotypic markers CD326-,CD45-,CD31-,α-SMA+,CD73+,CD90+,and CD105+.Compared to the organoids cultured alone,the organoids co-cultured with CAFs showed more formation of organoids,in larger average diameter,and taking larger total area(P<0.05).After the treatment of 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin,the half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)was 10.66 and 3.26 μmol/L,respectively in the control group,while was 46.23 and 91.11 μmol/L in the co-culture group.Additionally,the number of CellEvent? Caspase 3/7 positive apoptotic cells was significantly less in the co-culture group than the control group.Conclusion Compared with individually cultured gastric cancer organoids,the co-culture model of gastric cancer organoids and CAFs better simulates the pro-tumor proliferation and drug resistance effects of in vivo tumor microenvironment.
9.Recent advances in regulating the cell cycle through inhibiting CDKs for cancer treatment.
Weijiao CHEN ; Xujie ZHUANG ; Yuanyuan CHEN ; Huanaoyu YANG ; Linhu SHEN ; Sikai FENG ; Wenjian MIN ; Kai YUAN ; Peng YANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(3):286-298
The inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) is considered a promising strategy for cancer treatment due to their role in cell cycle regulation. However, CDK inhibitors with no selectivity among CDK families have not been approved. A CDK inhibitor with high selectivity for CDK4/6 exhibited significant treatment effects on breast cancer and has become a heavy bomb on the market. Subsequently, resistance gradually decreased the efficacy of selective CDK4/6 inhibitors in breast cancer treatment. In this review, we first introduce the development of selective CDK4/6 inhibitors and then explain the role of CDK2 activation in inducing resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors. Moreover, we focused on the development of CDK2/4/6 inhibitors and selective CDK2 inhibitors, which will aid in the discovery of novel CDK inhibitors targeting the cell cycle in the future.
Humans
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Cell Cycle/drug effects*
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Protein Kinase Inhibitors/chemistry*
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Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/metabolism*
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Neoplasms/genetics*
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Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*
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Animals
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Breast Neoplasms/enzymology*
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Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/metabolism*
10.Efficacy and Mechanism of Shuanghua Drink in Treating Primary Dysmenorrhea Based on COX-2/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Yuncheng MA ; Yuanyuan SHI ; Zhen LIU ; Yuxi WANG ; Yuan TIAN ; Qian LI ; Xiaozhu WANG ; Cheng HE ; Wenhui XU ; Weiling WANG ; Jian GAO ; Ting WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):72-80
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of Shuanghua drink in treating primary dysmenorrhea in the rat model and explore its mechanism of action. MethodsAn oxytocin-induced writhing mouse model was established to evaluate the analgesic effect of Shuanghua drink. Forty-eight non-pregnant female institute of cancer research (ICR) mice were randomly divided into six groups, including a blank group, a model group, an ibuprofen group (85.00 mg·kg-1), a low-dose group of Shuanghua drink (7.14 mL·kg-1), a medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink (14.28 mL·kg-1), and a high-dose group of Shuanghua drink (28.57 mL·kg-1). Each group consisted of eight mice. All treatment groups received daily intragastric administration at corresponding doses for 10 consecutive days. One hour after the final administration, 2 U of oxytocin was intraperitoneally injected per mouse. The writhing latency and number of writhing within 20 minutes were recorded. A primary dysmenorrhea rat model was established by using estradiol benzoate and oxytocin to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Shuanghua drink on the contraction of uterine smooth muscle. Forty-eight non-pregnant female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into six groups, including a blank group, a model group, an ibuprofen group (51.00 mg·kg-1), a low-dose group of Shuanghua drink (4.28 mL·kg-1), a medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink (8.57 mL·kg-1), and a high-dose group of Shuanghua drink (17.10 mL·kg-1). Each group consisted of eight rats. Rats received subcutaneous injections of estradiol benzoate for 10 consecutive days to enhance uterine sensitivity. On the eleventh day, oxytocin (2 U/rat) was intraperitoneally administered to induce abnormal uterine contractions for establishing the primary dysmenorrhea model. All treatment groups received daily intragastric administration from the second day of modeling for 10 days. The effects of Shuanghua drink were evaluated by using parameters including uterine motility and the variation rate of uterine motility. The mechanism of action was investigated in rats with primary dysmenorrhea. The content of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), prostacyclin metabolite (6-keto-PGF1α), and β-endorphin (β-EP) in uterine tissue of rats was detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The changes in the content of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were analyzed via colorimetric assay. Western blot was performed to determine the content of phosphorylated inhibitor of kappa B kinase beta (p-IKKβ)/IKKβ, phosphorylated inhibitor of kappa B alpha (p-IκBα), IκBα, phosphorylated p65 (p-p65), p65, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins in uterine tissue of rats. ResultsIn the oxytocin-induced writhing mouse model, the model group exhibited significantly shortened writhing latency and increased writhing frequency compared to the control group (P<0.01). Both the ibuprofen group and the high-dose group of Shuanghua drink displayed prolonged writhing latency (P<0.05), while the ibuprofen group and the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink exhibited reduced writhing frequency (P<0.01). In the primary dysmenorrhea rat model, the uterine motility and its variation rate in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group (P<0.01). These parameters were markedly suppressed by ibuprofen and Shuanghua drink at all tested doses (P<0.01). For the mechanism of action, the model group showed significantly increased PGF2α/PGE2, TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α, NO, and iNOS in uterine tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01) and significantly decreased β-EP (P<0.01). These parameters were significantly attenuated in the ibuprofen group and the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink. The PGF2α/PGE2 (P<0.01), TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α (P<0.01), NO (medium-dose group P<0.05), and iNOS (P<0.01) were reduced, and the β-EP (medium-dose group P<0.05) was up-regulated. Compared to the model group, the ibuprofen group and medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink showed significantly increased content of β-EP in the serum of rats (P<0.05). Compared to the blank group, the model group showed significantly elevated expressions of COX-2, p-IKKβ/IKKβ, p-IκBα/IκBα, and p-p65/p65 proteins (P<0.01) and significantly reduced anti-inflammatory protein IκBα (P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the ibuprofen group and the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink showed significantly reduced expressions of COX-2 (P<0.01), p-IKKβ/IKKβ (P<0.01), p-IκBα/IκBα (P<0.05, P<0.01), and p-p65/p65(P<0.01) and up-regulated expression of IκBα protein (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionShuanghua drink effectively alleviates primary dysmenorrhea through analgesia and suppression of abnormal contractions of uterine smooth muscle. Its mechanism may be mediated by reduced levels of PGF2α/PGE2, TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α, iNOS, and NO, elevated β-EP level, and inhibited COX-2/NF-κB signaling pathway.


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