1.Differential Analysis on Chemical Composition and Pharmacodynamic Effect Between Combined Decoction and Single Decoction of Famous Classical Formula Huaganjian
Yang WANG ; Gaoju ZHANG ; Ling LI ; Liping CHEN ; Li ZHANG ; Xiao LIU ; Yuyu ZHANG ; Yuan CUI ; Minglong LI ; Chaomei FU ; Xin YAN ; Yuxin HE ; Qin DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):199-207
ObjectiveThrough qualitatively and quantitatively analysis of the differences in chemical composition between the combined decoction and single decoction of Huaganjian and comparison of their core efficacy, to explore the rationality of the flexible clinical application of Huaganjian compound preparations and single-flavored dispensing granules. MethodsUltra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS) was used to qualitatively analyze the combined decoction and single decoction samples of Huaganjian, and meanwhile, the contents of four index components(geniposide, paeoniflorin, hesperidin and paeonol) were quantitatively analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) rat model induced by high-fat diet was applied to compare the efficacy of combined decoction and single decoction of Huaganjian. A total of 30 male SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, lovastatin group(1.8 mg·kg-1), combined decoction group(1.26 g·kg-1) and single decoction group(1.18 g·kg-1). After successful modeling, lovastatin group, combined decoction group and single decoction group were given corresponding doses of drugs by intragastric administration every day, and the control group and model group were given equal amounts of normal saline by intragastric administration, after 4 weeks of administration, the serum and liver tissues were collected, and the contents of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) in serum of rats were detected, and the liver pathological examination was carried out by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and oil red O staining, so as to compare differences of their efficacy. ResultsSeventy chemical components were initially identified and attributed from the lyophilized powder of the combined decoction and single decoction samples of Huaganjian, and there was no obvious difference in composition between the two. Further quantitative analysis showed that the contents of geniposide, paeoniflorin, hesperidin and paeonol in the combined decoction samples were significantly increased when compared with those of the single decoction samples(P<0.01). The pharmacodynamic results showed that compared with the model group, both the combined and single decoction groups of Huaganjian could improve the liver index of NAFLD rats, reduce the serum levels of AST, ALT, TC, TG and LDL-C, increase the serum level of HDL-C, and ameliorate the pathological changes of liver cell steatosis and fat accumulation. However, there was no significant difference in pharmacodynamic effects between the combined decoction group and the single decoction group. ConclusionThere is no significant difference between the combined decoction and single decoction of Huaganjian in terms of chemical composition, but the contents of the four index components show significantly difference. Both of them can significantly improve the fat accumulation and liver function in NAFLD rats. This study provides a reference basis for the rational clinical application and evaluation of famous classical formula compound preparations and single-flavored dispensing granules.
2.Analysis of Animal Models of Autoimmune Thyroiditis Based on Clinical Characteristics of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Sifeng JIA ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Yuyu DUAN ; Keqiu YAN ; Xinhe ZUO ; Yang LI ; Yong ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):235-243
ObjectiveAutoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is a complex and immune-mediated disorder, with no established treatment protocol. Both Western and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) focus on the pathogenesis and treatment of AIT. This study evaluated the clinical consistency of existing AIT animal models based on the diagnostic criteria of both Western and TCM, using a novel evaluation method. Additionally, it proposed recommendations and future prospects for improving these models. MethodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted on existing AIT animal models, using databases and the diagnostic criteria of both Western and TCM. Core and accompanying symptoms of these models were scored based on the diagnostic criteria of both Western and TCM, and clinical consistency was assessed. ResultsMice are the primary experimental animals used in AIT modeling. Modeling methods include vaccine immunization, iodine induction, heterologous thyroid antigen immunization, and a combination of high iodine water and antigen immunization. The average consistency of clinical syndromes based on TCM and Western medicine is 40%, 60%, 54%, and 63%, with the highest consistency observed in the combined high iodine water and antigen immunization model. Pathological models based on TCM are less common, with the liver-stagnation-spleen-deficiency rat model showing high clinical consistency. While most models are designed according to Western medical theory, meeting the surface and structural effectiveness criteria of Western medicine. However, there is a lack of fine-tuning and clear differentiation of TCM syndromes. ConclusionCurrent AIT syndrome-disease combination animal models primarily reflect the pathological features of Western medicine, with limited integration of TCM syndromes. Future research should aim to combine the syndrome characteristics of TCM with the pathological features of Western medicine, creating multi-factor and dynamic syndrome-disease models. Such models would better facilitate an experimental platform that conforms to the theories of TCM, providing more comprehensive support and guidance for the pathogenesis and treatment strategies of AIT.
3.Ethical considerations for artificial intelligence-enhanced brain-computer interface.
Yuyu CAO ; Yuhang XUE ; Hengyuan YANG ; Fan WANG ; Tianwen LI ; Lei ZHAO ; Yunfa FU
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(5):1085-1091
Artificial intelligence-enhanced brain-computer interfaces (BCI) are expected to significantly improve the performance of traditional BCIs in multiple aspects, including usability, user experience, and user satisfaction, particularly in terms of intelligence. However, such AI-integrated or AI-based BCI systems may introduce new ethical issues. This paper first evaluated the potential of AI technology, especially deep learning, in enhancing the performance of BCI systems, including improving decoding accuracy, information transfer rate, real-time performance, and adaptability. Building on this, it was considered that AI-enhanced BCI systems might introduce new or more severe ethical issues compared to traditional BCI systems. These include the possibility of making users' intentions and behaviors more predictable and manipulable, as well as the increased likelihood of technological abuse. The discussion also addressed measures to mitigate the ethical risks associated with these issues. It is hoped that this paper will promote a deeper understanding and reflection on the ethical risks and corresponding regulations of AI-enhanced BCIs.
Brain-Computer Interfaces/ethics*
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Artificial Intelligence/ethics*
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Humans
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Deep Learning
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User-Computer Interface
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Electroencephalography
4.Celastrol directly targets LRP1 to inhibit fibroblast-macrophage crosstalk and ameliorates psoriasis progression.
Yuyu ZHU ; Lixin ZHAO ; Wei YAN ; Hongyue MA ; Wanjun ZHAO ; Jiao QU ; Wei ZHENG ; Chenyang ZHANG ; Haojie DU ; Meng YU ; Ning WAN ; Hui YE ; Yicheng XIE ; Bowen KE ; Qiang XU ; Haiyan SUN ; Yang SUN ; Zijun OUYANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):876-891
Psoriasis is an incurable chronic inflammatory disease that requires new interventions. Here, we found that fibroblasts exacerbate psoriasis progression by promoting macrophage recruitment via CCL2 secretion by single-cell multi-omics analysis. The natural small molecule celastrol was screened to interfere with the secretion of CCL2 by fibroblasts and improve the psoriasis-like symptoms in both murine and cynomolgus monkey models. Mechanistically, celastrol directly bound to the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) β-chain and abolished its binding to the transcription factor c-Jun in the nucleus, which in turn inhibited CCL2 production by skin fibroblasts, blocked fibroblast-macrophage crosstalk, and ameliorated psoriasis progression. Notably, fibroblast-specific LRP1 knockout mice exhibited a significant reduction in psoriasis like inflammation. Taken together, from clinical samples and combined with various mouse models, we revealed the pathogenesis of psoriasis from the perspective of fibroblast-macrophage crosstalk, and provided a foundation for LRP1 as a novel potential target for psoriasis treatment.
5.Erratum: Author correction to "Celastrol targets adenylyl cyclase-associated protein 1 to reduce macrophages-mediated inflammation and ameliorates high fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome in mice" Acta Pharm Sin B 11 (2021) 1200-1212.
Yuyu ZHU ; Ning WAN ; Xinni SHAN ; Guoliang DENG ; Qiang XU ; Hui YE ; Yang SUN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1719-1720
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.12.008.].
6.Erratum: Author correction to "SHP2 inhibition triggers anti-tumor immunity and synergizes with PD-1 blockade" Acta Pharm Sin B 9 (2019) 304-315.
Mingxia ZHAO ; Wenjie GUO ; Yuanyuan WU ; Chenxi YANG ; Liang ZHONG ; Guoliang DENG ; Yuyu ZHU ; Wen LIU ; Yanhong GU ; Yin LU ; Lingdong KONG ; Xiangbao MENG ; Qiang XU ; Yang SUN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2810-2812
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2018.08.009.].
7.Effects of Xiaomudan Granules on PERK/eIF2α/ATF4 pathway and lipid metabolism in mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver
Haitao LIU ; Jingtao LI ; Longmei LI ; Qingrui YANG ; Xinzhu LI ; Yuyu LEI ; Zhiqiang JING
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(7):932-937
Objective:To investigate the effects of Xiaomudan Granules on PERK/eIF2α/ATF4 pathway and lipid metabolism in NAFLD mice.Methods:Totally 60 mice were divided into a normal group of 10 mice and a high-fat diet group of 50 mice. The high-fat diet group was given a high-fat diet to establish a NAFLD mouse model. The high-fat feed group was divided into model group, metformin group, and Xiaomudan Granules low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups according to the random number table method. Xiaomudan Granules low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups were orally administered with concentrated Xiaomudan Granules at dosages of 11.7, 23.4, and 46.8 g/kg, respectively. The metformin group was orally administered with metformin solution at a dose of 0.2 g/kg, while the normal group and model group were orally administered with distilled water of equal volume once a day for 8 consecutive weeks. The liver oil red O staining of mice was observed in each group. The protein expressions of p-PERK, p-eIF2α, ATF4, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), C/EBPβ, and steroid regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2) were detected by Western blot. Fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of ATF4, CHOP, C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, and SREBP2.Results:The liver tissue structure and steatosis of mice were improved in Xiaomudan Granules groups. Compared with the model group, the expressions of p-PERK/PERK, ATF4, C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, and SREBP2 proteins decreased in Xiaomudan Granules groups and the metformin group ( P<0.01 or P<0.05). The expressions of p-eIF2α/eIF2α and CHOP proteins decreased in the Xiaomudan Granules medium- and high-dosage groups and the metformin group ( P<0.01); compared with the model group, the levels of ATF4, CHOP, C/EBPα, and C/EBPβ mRNA in Xiaomudan Granules groups and the metformin group decreased ( P<0.01), while the levels of SREBP2 mRNA in the Xiaomudan Granules medium- and high-dosage groups and the metformin group decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Xiaomudan Granules may improve liver lipid metabolism and reduce liver fat deposition in NAFLD mice by regulating the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4 pathway.
8.Effects of targeting modification on intracellular transportation of PEG-PCL micelles in human cervical cancer cells
Jinjin YANG ; Qinghua YU ; Lingbo YU ; Yadong ZHANG ; Dongqin LIANG ; Yuyu SUN ; Huiyun WANG ; Yanan CUI
China Pharmacy 2024;35(12):1431-1436
OBJECTIVE To study the effects of transferrin-targeting peptide T7 (7pep) on intracellular transportation of polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone (PEG-PCL) micelles in human cervical cancer HeLa cells. METHODS Using coumarin-6 (C6) as fluorescent indicator probe, both coumarin-6 (C6)-loaded PEG-PCL (PEG-PCL-C6) micelles and 7pep-modified PEG- PCL (7pep-PEG-PCL-C6) micelles were prepared by film-dispersion method. The particle size, polydispersity index and appearance morphology were compared between two types of micelles; the real-time uptake of two types of micelles by HeLa cells was compared, and the colocalization of two types of micelles with early endosomes (EE), endocytic recycling compartments (ERC) and late endosomes (LE) after entry into the cells was observed. RESULTS The particle sizes of PEG-PCL-C6 and 7pep-PEG-PCL- C6 micelles were(75.0±2.3)and(82.0±1.5)nm; the polymer dispersity indexes were 0.17±0.20 and 0.17±0.32, respectively, with a regular spherical appearance. The colocalization results showed that entry speed and amount of 7pep-PEG-PCL-C6 micelles were significantly faster/more than those of PEG-PCL-C6 micelles. 7pep-PEG-PCL-C6 micelles entered EE faster than PEG-PCL-C6 micelles, while PEG-PCL-C6 micelles entered ERC at a faster rate than 7pep-PEG-PCL-C6 micelles, and both PEG-PCL-C6 micelles and 7pep-PEG-PCL-C6 micelles tended to accumulate gradually in LE; Pearson coefficient, signal overlap ratio, and colocalization ratio of 7pep-PEG-PCL-C6 micelles with LE were significantly lower 60 minutes after entering the cell than those 30 minutes after entering the cell (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Targeting 7pep modification can increase the entry speed and amount of PEG-PCL-C6 micelles, and also alter their intracellular transportation behavior.
9.Current Status of Outcome Indicators in Randomized Controlled Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treating Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Jie ZHANG ; Yaxi SHANG ; Qingrui YANG ; Yuyu LEI ; Huan CHEN ; Cailing LI ; Yu KANG ; Xiaoquan DU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(17):193-202
ObjectiveThis paper aims to analyze the current status of outcome indicators in randomized controlled trials (RCT) of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), so as to provide references for constructing the core outcome set (COS) of TCM in the treatment of CAG. MethodChina National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for RCTs of TCM in the treatment of CAG in the last five years. The risk of bias of included studies was evaluated, and the selection status of outcome indicators was statistically analyzed. ResultA total of 150 RCTs were included, with a sample size of 44-398 cases. 164 outcome indicators were reported, with an application frequency of 1 229 times. The outcome indicators were classified into seven indicator domains according to functional attributes, followed by physical and chemical examination (69.41%), TCM syndrome (12.69%), symptoms and signs (11.15%), safety indicators (5.37%), quality of life (0.65%), long-term prognosis (0.65%), and economic evaluation (0.08%). According to the statistical analysis, there were problems in the selection of outcome indicators in RCTs of TCM for treating CAG, including various indicators, non-standard name reports, unclear primary and secondary indicators, random combination of subjective and objective indicators, neglected patient report outcome indicators, missing long-term prognosis and economic indicators, insufficient reporting of safety indicators, and inconsistent measurement tools and measurement time points. ConclusionIn the past five years, there have been many problems in the selection of outcome indicators in RCTs of TCM for treating CAG. It is necessary to actively promote the construction of the COS of TCM in the treatment of CAG and promote the high-quality development of clinical research of TCM.
10.An automatic evaluation study for anterior located ciliary body of primary angle-closure glaucoma based on deep learning
Yuyu CONG ; Weiyan JIANG ; Jian ZHU ; Biqing ZHENG ; Yanning YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2024;42(12):1134-1141
Objective:To explore the clinical application value of a deep learning algorithm-based ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) image analysis system for primary angles-closure glaucoma (PACG) anterior located ciliary body.Methods:A diagnostic test study was conducted.A total of 2 132 UBM images from 726 eyes of 378 PACG patients who underwent UBM examination were collected at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from August 2022 to December 2023.The dataset was divided into a training set of 1 599 images and a test set of 533 images, and a deep learning algorithm was employed to construct a model.An additional 334 UBM images from 101 eyes of 69 PACG patients treated at Huangshi Aier Eye Hospital were selected to conduct external testing.A separate set of another 110 UBM images were selected for a human-machine competition to compare the accuracy and speed between anterior located ciliary body evaluation system and three senior ophthalmologists.Furthermore, eight junior ophthalmologists assessed the 110 UBM images independently without and with the assistance of the model, and the differences between the two evaluations were analyzed to assess the assisstance effect of the model.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University (No.WDRY-2022-K109).Results:The model achieved an accuracy of 93.43% for anterior located ciliary body identification in the internal test set, with a sensitivity of 84.30% and a specificity of 97.78%.The model also performed well on the external test set with an accuracy of 92.81%.In the human-machine competition, the model's accuracy was comparable to that of the senior ophthalmologists and outperformed two of the three senior ophthalmologists.The average total time of the three senior ophthalmologists was 726.73 seconds, approximately 12.47 times longer than the model's 58.30 seconds.With model assistance, the diagnostic accuracy of the eight junior ophthalmologists was 86.71%, which was significantly higher than 76.25% without model assistance ( χ2=-7.550, P<0.001).And the image evaluation time was (714.91±213.82)seconds, which was significantly lower than (987.90±238.56)seconds without model assistance ( t=2.774, P<0.05). Conclusions:The UBM image analysis system based on a deep learning algorithm demonstrates high accuracy in diagnosing anterior located ciliary body in PACG and provides a strong support for the UBM image recognition training of junior ophthalmologists.

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