1.Tripterygium wilfordii: Historical origins, pharmacological mechanisms, and biosynthesis of triptolide and celastrol
Yuhan JIA ; Xinyi HU ; Ziming ZHU ; Yuan LI ; Xuan LIU ; Jinxuan YU ; Jiadian WANG ; Yating HU
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(3):211-224
Tripterygium wilfordii is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with a long history of therapeutic use but remains controversial in modern medicine because of its potent toxicity. Among its diverse chemical constituents, the diterpenoid triptolide and the triterpenoid celastrol have emerged as prominent compounds due to their remarkable pharmacological activities, including antitumor, immunosuppressive, anti-obesity, and neuroprotective effects. However, their clinical translation is limited by toxicity concerns and restricted natural availability. This review summarizes the medicinal history and chemical constituents of T. wilfordii, with particular emphasis on the pharmacological mechanisms, structural modification strategies, and recent advances in the biosynthesis of triptolide and celastrol. In addition, we discuss perspectives on toxicity mitigation and lead compound development, aiming to provide theoretical guidance and valuable references for modern drug development and the green manufacturing of T. wilfordii-derived resources.
2.A study on bergapten anti-inflammatory inhibition of bone resorption in the treatment of periodontitis
Yuhan JIANG ; Pinzhe YOU ; Xueyun ZHAO ; Mohan LIN ; Bowei SHI ; Junlin PU ; Bo JIA
STOMATOLOGY 2025;45(9):667-674
Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of bergaptenand its inhibition of bone resorption in the treatment of periodontitis,as well as its potential underlying mechanisms.Methods A total of 35 male Wistar rats were randomly di-vided into five groups(control group,model group,and low-,medium-,and high-dose bergapten groups,with 7 rats in each group).Except for the control group,periodontitis was induced in all other groups by orthodontic ligation of the bilateral maxillary first molars(M1)and feeding a high-sugar diet.After successful modeling,the control and model groups received gavage of isotonic saline,while the bergapten groups received gavage of 50,100,and 200 mg/kg bergapten,respectively,once daily for 4 consecutive weeks.Perio-dontal symptoms were observed,and GI,SBI grades,and PLI scores were recorded.Rats were sacrificed within 24 hours after the last administration,and their maxillae were immediately subjected to Micro-CT scanning to assess alveolar bone resorption.Histopathological changes in the periodontal tissues were observed using HE staining,and serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines(IL-6 and IL-1β)were measured by ELISA.Results Compared with the control group,the model group exhibited significantly higher levels of IL-6,IL-1β,GI,SBI grades,PLI scores,and CEJ-ABC distance,while bone volume to total volume ratio(BV/TV),trabec-ular number(Tb.N),and trabecular thickness(Tb.Th)were significantly reduced(P<0.001).In comparison to the model group,the bergapten groups(with the exception of the low-dose group for IL-6)demonstrated reductions in IL-6,IL-1β levels,GI,SBI grades,PLI scores,and CEJ-ABC distance,with the medium-dose group showing the most pronounced effect(except for IL-6).Conclusion Bergapten can effectively prevent and treat periodontitis by inhibiting the secretion of IL-6 and IL-1β cytokines,achieving anti-inflam-matory effects and inhibiting bone resorption.
3.Research on decision-making method of updating medical equipment based on intuitionistic fuzzy TODIM
Yufeng LI ; Menghan LIU ; Jia JIA ; Xing LI ; Yuhan ZHAO
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(6):119-123
Objective:To construct a updating decision model of medical equipment based on multi-criteria,so as to provide scientific guidance for decision of management departments for medical equipment.Methods:To establish an evaluation index system for updating medical equipment,and evaluate the importance of expert,and transform weight language of expert index into intuitionistic fuzzy numbers,and use the Intuitionistic Fuzzy Weighted Average(IFWA)operator to aggregate qualitative indicators,and construct an initial decision matrix by integrating quantitative data,and apply the Tomadade Decis?o Iterativa Multicritério(TODIM)method to conduct prioritization for medical equipment that was waiting update.Four B-ultrasound equipment that were waiting for update in Peking University First Hospital from January 2023 to December 2023 were selected,and they were labeled respectively as A1,A2,A3 and A4 for priority ranking to conduct update.Results:The obtained comprehensive scores of A1,A2,A3 and A4 were respectively 0.617,0,0.714 and 1.000 through intuitionistic fuzzy theory and TODIM calculations.The priority ranking for updated equipment was ε(a4)>ε(a3)>ε(a1)>ε(a2),indicating that medical equipment A4 was the highest-priority equipment for update.The result was consistent with actual operation that A4 equipment had been scrapped for disposal as scheme in April,2024.Conclusion:The model of updating decision for medical equipment on the basis of the intuitionistic fuzzy TODIM,can effectively avoid the subjectivity of medical institutes in updating equipment and solve the problem of multi-criteria decision-making in updating medical equipment.
4.Therapeutic Effect of Wenweishu Granules on Functional Dyspepsia Rats with Spleen-stomach Deficiency Cold Syndrome Based on Bioinformatics Analysis and Experimental Validation
Xinyu YANG ; Xiaoyi JIA ; Zihua XUAN ; Shuangying GUI ; Yanfang WU ; Yuhan MA ; Qin RUAN ; Jia ZHENG ; Zhiyong JIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):30-40
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of Wenweishu granule (WWSG) on functional dyspepsia (FD) with spleen-stomach deficiency cold syndrome in rats by integrating network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments. MethodsActive components and corresponding targets of WWSG were collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and the Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM). Disease-related targets for FD with spleen-stomach deficiency cold syndrome were screened using GeneCards and the Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCMIP). Core therapeutic targets were identified via Cytoscape and validated by molecular docking. A rat model of FD with spleen-stomach deficiency cold syndrome was established using vinegar gavage combined with tail-clamping. The rats were randomly divided into a model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose WWSG groups (2.0, 4.0, 8.0 g·kg-1), a domperidone group (3.0 mg·kg-1), a Fuzi Lizhong pillwan (0.8 g·kg-1), and a normal control group (n=10 per group). Drugs were administered once daily by gavage for 14 consecutive days. After treatment, body weight, symptom scores, and gastrointestinal motility indices were recorded. Gastric and duodenal pathologies changes were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Brain-gut peptides were measured in serum and tissue using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were performed to assess stem cell factor (SCF) and receptor tyrosine kinase (c-Kit) protein expression in gastric tissues. ResultsA total of 305 drug targets, 1 140 disease targets, and 116 overlapping targets were identified. Cytoscape analysis revealed 104 core targets. Enrichment analysis indicated that the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway was the key mechanism. Molecular docking confirmed a strong binding affinity between active components of WWSG and SCF/c-Kit proteins (binding energy<-5.1 kcal·mol-1). Compared with the normal group, model rats exhibited slower weight gain (P<0.05), reduced gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion (P<0.01), mild gastric mucosal shedding, duodenal inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased levels of gastrin (GAS), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) (P<0.05, P<0.01), and elevated somatostatin (SS) expression (P<0.05, P<0.01). WWSG treatment ameliorated weight gain, symptom scores, and low-grade inflammation in gastric/duodenal tissues. High-dose WWSG significantly improved gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion, upregulated GAS, 5-HT, and VIP, and downregulated SS expression in serum and tissues (P<0.05, P<0.01). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot demonstrated that SCF and c-Kit protein expression was decreased in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), which was reversed by WWSG intervention (P<0.05). ConclusionWWSG exerts therapeutic effects on FD with spleen-stomach deficiency cold syndrome in rats, potentially by regulating the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway to enhance gastrointestinal motility.
5.Health risk assessment of heavy metals and metalloids in atmospheric PM2.5 from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2023
Jiake ZHU ; Shengmei YANG ; Yuhan QIN ; Nana WEI ; Wenqian ZHANG ; Xinrui JIA ; Wenyu ZHANG ; Xuanhao BAI ; Minghui YIN ; Li ZHANG ; Huan LI ; Duoduo WU ; Xuanzhi YUE ; Yaochun FAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(10):1201-1208
Background The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is a vast area with a wide array of ecological environments, resulting in considerable regional variations in air pollution characteristics. Current research is limited by a scarcity of systematic, region-wide studies and risk assessments. Objective To assess the health risks associated with inhalation exposure to nine heavy metal and metalloid elements in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) for the population of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Methods From the 10th to the 16th of each month throughout 2023, atmospheric PM2.5 samples were collected at designated monitoring sites in 12 leagues (cities) across the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to analyze the characteristics and trends in concentration. The health risk assessment model developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency was employed to evaluate both the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with the heavy metal elements beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), hydrargyrum (Hg), plumbum (Pb), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni) and the metalloid elements stibium (Sb) and arsenic (As). Results In 2023, a total of
6.A study on bergapten anti-inflammatory inhibition of bone resorption in the treatment of periodontitis
Yuhan JIANG ; Pinzhe YOU ; Xueyun ZHAO ; Mohan LIN ; Bowei SHI ; Junlin PU ; Bo JIA
STOMATOLOGY 2025;45(9):667-674
Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of bergaptenand its inhibition of bone resorption in the treatment of periodontitis,as well as its potential underlying mechanisms.Methods A total of 35 male Wistar rats were randomly di-vided into five groups(control group,model group,and low-,medium-,and high-dose bergapten groups,with 7 rats in each group).Except for the control group,periodontitis was induced in all other groups by orthodontic ligation of the bilateral maxillary first molars(M1)and feeding a high-sugar diet.After successful modeling,the control and model groups received gavage of isotonic saline,while the bergapten groups received gavage of 50,100,and 200 mg/kg bergapten,respectively,once daily for 4 consecutive weeks.Perio-dontal symptoms were observed,and GI,SBI grades,and PLI scores were recorded.Rats were sacrificed within 24 hours after the last administration,and their maxillae were immediately subjected to Micro-CT scanning to assess alveolar bone resorption.Histopathological changes in the periodontal tissues were observed using HE staining,and serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines(IL-6 and IL-1β)were measured by ELISA.Results Compared with the control group,the model group exhibited significantly higher levels of IL-6,IL-1β,GI,SBI grades,PLI scores,and CEJ-ABC distance,while bone volume to total volume ratio(BV/TV),trabec-ular number(Tb.N),and trabecular thickness(Tb.Th)were significantly reduced(P<0.001).In comparison to the model group,the bergapten groups(with the exception of the low-dose group for IL-6)demonstrated reductions in IL-6,IL-1β levels,GI,SBI grades,PLI scores,and CEJ-ABC distance,with the medium-dose group showing the most pronounced effect(except for IL-6).Conclusion Bergapten can effectively prevent and treat periodontitis by inhibiting the secretion of IL-6 and IL-1β cytokines,achieving anti-inflam-matory effects and inhibiting bone resorption.
7.Unraveling Optimal Dose and Responsive Markers for Human Cord Blood Derived Mononuclear Cells in Alleviating Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Neonatal Mice
Jia CHEN ; Yuhan CHEN ; Xue DU ; Liu HE ; Yanhua WANG ; Huiling HAN ; Qiuping LI ; Huixia ZHOU ; Zhichun FENG
International Journal of Stem Cells 2025;18(4):368-383
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), characterized by impaired alveolarization and dysregulated vascularization, is a severe health burden for neonates worldwide. Hyperoxia induced acute lung injury is a major contributor to the progression and deterioration of BPD. An increasing number of animal studies have revealed that human umbilical cord blood derived mononuclear cells (hUCB-MNCs) infusion significantly attenuated the hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury through regeneration capacity. Currently, clinical application requires determination of the optimal dose and adjustment to good manufacturing practices. In this work, we comprehensively investigated the optimal dose of hUCB-MNCs in alleviating hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonatal C57BL6/J mice. Mice with hyperoxia exposure were implanted with low (3×104cells/kg, Dl), middle (3×105 cells/kg, Dm) and high (3×106 cells/kg, Dh) dose of hUCB-MNCs at postnatal day 7. Three weeks after graft, characteristics exhibited in lungs including morphology, function and cytokine expression were thoroughly analyzed. Implantation of hUCB-MNCs sharply reverted the impaired lung architecture induced by hyperoxia exposure dose dependently as evidenced by indicated parameters. Attenuated expression of IL-1β concomitant with enhanced expression of IL-10 and IL-2 were shown in Dh inoculated groups, where Dl and Dm failed to restore the level of IL-10, IL-1β and IL-2. Significantly re-escalated marker of angiogenic marker VEGFA, CD31 in lung tissue were uniquely observed in Dh group. Mechanistically, our study revealed the appropriate dose of intravenous infusion of hUCB-MNCs in alleviating hyperoxia-induced lung injury through modulating reactive oxygen species response in neonatal mice.Therefore, a tight control of hUCB-MNCs density or levels of CB-MNC related products is of great significance.
8.Research on decision-making method of updating medical equipment based on intuitionistic fuzzy TODIM
Yufeng LI ; Menghan LIU ; Jia JIA ; Xing LI ; Yuhan ZHAO
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(6):119-123
Objective:To construct a updating decision model of medical equipment based on multi-criteria,so as to provide scientific guidance for decision of management departments for medical equipment.Methods:To establish an evaluation index system for updating medical equipment,and evaluate the importance of expert,and transform weight language of expert index into intuitionistic fuzzy numbers,and use the Intuitionistic Fuzzy Weighted Average(IFWA)operator to aggregate qualitative indicators,and construct an initial decision matrix by integrating quantitative data,and apply the Tomadade Decis?o Iterativa Multicritério(TODIM)method to conduct prioritization for medical equipment that was waiting update.Four B-ultrasound equipment that were waiting for update in Peking University First Hospital from January 2023 to December 2023 were selected,and they were labeled respectively as A1,A2,A3 and A4 for priority ranking to conduct update.Results:The obtained comprehensive scores of A1,A2,A3 and A4 were respectively 0.617,0,0.714 and 1.000 through intuitionistic fuzzy theory and TODIM calculations.The priority ranking for updated equipment was ε(a4)>ε(a3)>ε(a1)>ε(a2),indicating that medical equipment A4 was the highest-priority equipment for update.The result was consistent with actual operation that A4 equipment had been scrapped for disposal as scheme in April,2024.Conclusion:The model of updating decision for medical equipment on the basis of the intuitionistic fuzzy TODIM,can effectively avoid the subjectivity of medical institutes in updating equipment and solve the problem of multi-criteria decision-making in updating medical equipment.
9.The effect of two different skin flaps on replantation repair of skin defect type severed fingers and their impact on finger function recovery
Wulin JIA ; Yuhan YIN ; Qingguo ZHAO
Journal of Chinese Physician 2024;26(2):250-254
Objective:To explore the effects of lateral finger flap and micro free venous flap on the replantation repair of skin defect type severed fingers and their impact on finger function recovery.Methods:A retrospective selection was conducted on the clinical data of 94 patients (94 fingers) with skin defect type finger amputation admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from January 2020 to September 2022. According to the different design methods of the skin flap, there were 48 cases in the observation group (micro free venous flap) and 46 cases in the control group (finger side flap). We compared the repair effects, blood circulation, finger function recovery, and complications between two groups.Results:Two months after surgery, there was no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05) in the total effective rate of repair between the observation group [79.17%(38/48)] and the control group [76.09%(35/46)]. The blood flow velocity, skin temperature, and skin redness ratio of the observation group were higher than those of the control group, and the capillary filling time was shorter than that of the control group, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference (all P>0.05) in the scores of joint autonomy, daily living activities, and recovery between the two groups. The subjective sensation and appearance scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The incidence of complications in the observation group was 10.42%(5/48), and there was no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05) compared to the incidence of complications in the control group [13.04%(6/46)]. Conclusions:For patients with severed fingers with skin defects, the lateral finger flap and mini free vein flap are effective methods for replantation. In clinical practice, reasonable skin flap repair methods can be flexibly selected based on the patient′s actual situation.
10.Oxytocin promotes arousal and cognitive function recovery in mice after anesthesia
Wenrui JIANG ; Yuhan ZHOU ; Hongyi JIA ; Yiyao LI ; Fang ZHOU ; Fujuan MA ; Yujie LIU ; Mingming ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2024;40(6):695-702
Objective:By observing the loss(LORR)and recovery of righting reflex(RORR)in mice after anes-thesia and the exploration of Y-maze,explore the role of oxytocin(OXT)in promoting arousal in mice.Methods:The expression of oxytocin receptor(OXTR)in the cell bodies and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)positive immunoreactive neu-rons in locus coeruleus(LC)was verified by immunofluorescence staining.Using the function of intraperitoneal injec-tion anesthesia and gas anesthesia,and intraperitoneal injection,intrathecal injection,and right LC single tube catheter administration,OXT or saline given as experimental group and control group,respectively,explored the time needed in the induction anesthesia period and anesthesia recovery period of mice after administration,and conducted Y-maze test on groups with statistically different anesthesia results,then explored the exploration of novel arm in Y-maze after 6,9,18 and 24 hours of RORR.Results:In LC,TH and OXTR positive neurons had double labeling.There was no differ-ence in the time of RORR after intraperitoneal injection and intrathecal injection of OXT and saline respectively,and no difference in the time of LORR and RORR after single-tube cannula administration of OXT and saline with intraperitone-al anesthesia and gas anesthesia.Compared with the control group,the recovery time of mice in the experimental group under gas anesthesia given OXT with single cannula was reduced(P<0.05).In this group,the exploration activities of Y-maze novel arm increased after 9 hours of anesthesia recovery(P<0.05),but there was no significant statistical difference in the exploration activities of Y-maze novel arm at 6,18 and 24 hours.Western Blot showed that compared with the control group,the expression of TH in LC in the experimental group increased significantly within 9 hours after anesthesia(P<0.05),and then began to decrease after 9 hours(P<0.01).Conclusion:OXT can promote the arousal of mice,and the cognitive degree of mice given OXT recovered better after waking up for 9 hours after anesthe-sia.

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