1.Latent class analysis of sleep disturbances among children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders in Tianjin
LI Penghong, CHE Yifan, ZHAO Ziyu, CUI Tingkai
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):186-190
Objective:
To understand the latent categories of sleep disturbances among children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in Tianjin and their relationship with behavioral and social issues, so as to provide a basis for preventing and improving sleep disturbances in the population.
Methods:
From September 2021 to June 2024, 272 children and adolescents aged 2-23 years with neurodevelopmental disorders were recruited from special education schools and designated rehabilitation institutions in Tianjin. Sleep disturbances were assessed using the Children s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). Behavioral and social issues and severity were evaluated using the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Latent class analysis (LCA) was employed to categorize the subjects into different sleep disturbances categories. Cochran- Armitage test was used to analyze the trend of detection rate of sleep disturbances in different age groups. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the scores of each scale. The generalized linear model was used to analyze the influence of CARS and ABC scale scores. Covariance analysis was used to examine differences in behavioral and social issues among the different categories.
Results:
Among 272 survey respondents, a total of 197(72.4%) children and adolescents with NDDs were identified with sleep disturbances. The detection rates of sleep disturbances were 88.9% for those aged 2-6 years, 70.6% for aged 7-12, 66.7% for aged 13-18 and 50.0% for 19-23 years old, which was decreased across age group ( Z =3.58, P <0.01). There was a positive correlation between the total CSHQ score and the total ABC score ( r=0.16, P =0.01). The generalized linear model analysis showed that after adjusting age, gender, parents education level and family monthly income, bedtime habit ( β =3.60) and sleeping latency disorder ( β =3.36) were positively correlated with CARS scores, while the bedtime habit ( β =16.73) and waking up at night ( β =17.46) were positively correlated with ABC scores ( P <0.05). LCA revealed that sleep disturbances in children and adolescents with NDDs could be classified into four categories. The covariance analysis results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the average scores of CSHQ (70.84±9.05, 50.96±6.64, 50.33±5.82, 43.84±5.44) and ABC (49.44± 39.34 , 53.04±39.75, 63.51±40.31, 38.14±34.23) among different categories of all partipants ( F=92.09, 3.95, P <0.05).
Conclusion
Sleep disturbances in children and adolescents with NDDs are severe and exhibit distinct categorical characteristics.
2.Ethical reflections on the clinical application of medical artificial intelligence
Fangfang CUI ; Zhonglin LI ; Xianying HE ; Wenchao WANG ; Yuntian CHU ; Xiaobing SHI ; Jie ZHAO
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(2):159-165
Medical artificial intelligence (AI) is a new type of application formed by the combination of machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and other technologies with clinical medical treatment. With the continuous iteration and development of relevant technologies, medical AI has shown great potential in improving the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment, and service quality, but it also increases the possibility of triggering ethical issues. Ethical issues resulting from the clinical application of medical AI were analyzed, including the lack of algorithmic interpretability and transparency of medical AI, leading to information asymmetry and cognitive discrepancies; the concerning status of security and privacy protection of medical data; and the complex and unclear division of responsibilities due to the collaborative participation of multiple subjects in the clinical application of medical AI, resulting in increased difficulty in the identification of medical accidents and clarification of responsibilities. The paper proposed the principles of not harming patients’ interests, physician’s subjectivity, fairness and inclusiveness, and rapid response. It also explored the strategies and implementation paths for responding to the ethical issues of medical AI from multiple perspectives, including standardizing the environment and processes, clarifying responsibility attribution, continuously assessing the impact of data protection, guaranteeing data security, ensuring model transparency and interpretability, carrying out multi-subject collaboration, as well as the principles of being driven by ethical values and adhering to the “human health-centeredness.” It aimed to provide guidance for the healthy development of medical AI, ensuring technological progress while effectively managing and mitigating accompanying ethical risks, thereby promoting the benign development of medical AI technology and better serving the healthcare industry and patients.
3.Effect of childhood maltreatment on depression in college students: a moderated mediation model
Xinghua LAI ; Huitong ZHAO ; Ruofan XIAO ; Can CUI ; Ameng ZHAO ; Wei FU ; Jing JIANG ; Tinghuizi SHANG ; Honglong LI ; Zengyan YU
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(3):247-253
BackgroundCurrently, the problem of depressed mood in college students is becoming more prominent. The experience of childhood maltreatment is a significant contributor to depression among college students. Although the association between the two has been confirmed, the specific psychosocial mechanisms underlying how childhood maltreatment affects college students' mental health remain insufficiently evidenced. ObjectiveTo explore the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and depression among college students, and to investigate the moderated effects of psychological resilience and family socioeconomic status, aiming to provide references for improving depressive symptoms in college students. MethodsOn 14 March 2024, a cluster sampling method was employed to recruit 751 college students from a university in Heilongjiang Province. Participants were assessed with Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Patients' Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item (PHQ-9), 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) and Family Socioeconomic Status Questionnaire. Pearson correlation analysis was adopted to examine the correlation between the scores of scales. Model 4 and model 7 in Process 4.2 were used to test the mediating effects of emotional regulation difficulties and the moderated effects of psychological resilience and family socioeconomic status. Results① A total of 712 (94.81%) valid questionnaires were collected. ② College students' CTQ score was positively correlated with DERS score and PHQ-9 score (r=0.296, 0.507, P<0.01), and negatively correlated with CD-RISC-10 score and Family Socioeconomic Status Questionnaire score (r=-0.148, -0.229, P<0.01). ③ The indirect effect value of difficulties in emotion regulation on the relationship between childhood maltreatment and depression was 0.091 (95% CI: 0.018~0.046), accounting for 17.95% of the total effect. ④ The first half of the mediation model "childhood maltreatment → difficulties in emotion regulation → depression" (childhood maltreatment → difficulties in emotion regulation) was moderated by psychological resilience (β=-0.030, t=-6.147, 95% CI: -0.040~-0.020) and family socioeconomic status (β=-0.051, t=-3.929, 95% CI: -0.077~-0.026). ConclusionChildhood maltreatment exerts both a direct effect on college students' depression and an indirect effect through emotion regulation difficulties. The childhood maltreatment → emotion regulation difficulties pathway in this mediation model is moderated by psychological resilience and family socioeconomic status. [Funded by Qiqihar Medical University Graduate Student Innovation Fund Project (number, QYYCX2023-48); Special Research Fund Project for Young Doctors of Qiqihar Academy of Medical Sciences (number, QMSI2021B-08)]
4.Association between screen time and anxiety-depression symptoms and their comorbidity among middle school students in Taiyuan City
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(7):980-984
Objective:
To investigate the association between screen time (ST) during leisure time and anxiety-depression symptoms among middle school students, so as to provide a basis for formulating relevant intervention measures.
Methods:
From November to December 2023, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 2 542 students from junior and senior high school in Taiyuan City. A self designed questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to investigate ST and anxiety/depression symptoms among middle school students. The Logistic regression model was used to explore the association of ST with symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as with anxiety and depression comorbiditles (CAD).
Results:
The detection rates of anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and CAD were 13.69%, 15.77%, and 10.11%, respectively. The median ST was 2.00 h/d [interquartile range ( IQR =2.38) for weekly averages], with 0.33 h/d ( IQR =1.67) on work days and 5.00 h/d ( IQR=5.50) on rest days. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the total ST of mobile phones during rest days ( OR =1.07, 1.10, 1.11) and the averages ST of mobile phones over a week ( OR = 1.20 , 1.22, 1.29), as well as the total ST of all screen types during rest days ( OR =1.04, 1.04, 1.05) and the averages ST of all screen types over a week ( OR =1.08, 1.09, 1.21) were positively correlated with anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and CAD (all P <0.01).
Conclusions
Among middle school students in Taiyuan City, screen time is positively correlated with symptoms of anxiety or depression and the comorbidity of anxiety and depression, especially smartphone screen time and weekend screen use. Therefore, measures should be implemented to reduce unnecessary screen time among middle school students, especially the use of mobile phones, in order to mitigate the occurrence of anxiety and depression.
5.Therapeutic Effect of Cranial Painkiller Pills' Extract Powder in Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia Induced by Injection of Talci Pulvis into Infraorbital Foramen of Model Rats Based on OTULIN-regulated Neuroinflammation
Shuran LI ; Xinwei WANG ; Jing SUN ; Dan XIE ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Lei BAO ; Zihan GENG ; Qiyue SUN ; Jingsheng ZHANG ; Yaxin WANG ; Xihe CUI ; Xinying LI ; Bing HAN ; Tianjiao LU ; Xiaolan CUI ; Liying LIU ; Shanshan GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):21-28
ObjectiveThis paper aims to verify the therapeutic effect of Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder prepared by the new process on the rat's trigeminal neuralgia model caused by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis, evaluate its potential clinical application value, and compare the therapeutic effect with that of Cranial Painkiller granules, so as to provide data support for the application of the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and precise treatment. MethodsThe rat's trigeminal neuralgia model was constructed by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis, and the rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, carbamazepine group (60 mg·kg-1), Cranial Painkiller granules group (2.70 g·kg-1), and low, medium, and high dosage groups of Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder (1.35, 2.70, 5.40 g·kg-1) according to the basal mechanical pain thresholds, and there were 10 rats in each group. The drug was administered by gavage to each group 2 h after modeling, and distilled water was given by gavage to the normal and model groups under the same conditions once a day for 10 d. Von Frey brushes were used to measure mechanical pain thresholds in rats. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to detect pathological changes in the trigeminal ganglion, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the inflammatory factors interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in rat serum, as well as neuropeptide substance P (SP) and β-endorphin (β-EP) levels in rat brain tissue. Western blot technique was used to detect the levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and OTULIN proteins in rat brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the pain threshold of rats in the model group showed a continuous significant decrease (P<0.01). The pathological damage of brain tissue was significant (P<0.01), and the inflammatory levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in serum were significantly elevated (P<0.01). The level of the SP in the brain tissue was significantly elevated (P<0.01), and the level of β-EP was significantly reduced (P<0.01), while the level of OTULIN was significantly reduced, and NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1 protein levels were significantly elevated (P<0.01). After administration of the drug, compared with the model group, the pain threshold of each dose group of the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and the Cranial Painkiller granules group significantly increased (P<0.01). The inflammatory levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α and SP levels significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the β-EP levels were significantly elevated (P<0.01), while the levels of OTULIN protein were significantly elevated (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the levels of NLRP3, ASC proteins were decreased (P<0.01)in high dose Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder. Meanwhile, compared with those in the model group, the trigeminal ganglion lesions of rats in the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and Cranial Painkiller granules groups showed different degrees of improvement (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder has significant therapeutic effects on the rat model of trigeminal neuralgia induced by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis, and its mechanism is related to the improvement of OTULIN-regulated neuroinflammation.
6.Research on Regulatory Mechanism of Verbenalin on HCoV-229E-infected Macrophage Injury Based on Mitophagy
Qiyue SUN ; Lei BAO ; Zihan GENG ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Shuran LI ; Xihe CUI ; Jingsheng ZHANG ; Xian LIU ; Rui XIE ; Xiaolan CUI ; Shanshan GUO ; Jing SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):29-37
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of verbenalin on mouse mononuclear macrophage leukemia cells (RAW264.7) damaged by human coronavirus (HCoV)-229E infection, thereby providing experimental evidence for its development and application. MethodsRAW264.7 macrophages were infected with different concentrations of HCoV-229E to establish a coronavirus-induced macrophage injury model using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay for assessing cell proliferation and viability. Cells were randomly divided into four groups: normal control, verbenalin group (125 μmol·L-1), model group (HCoV-229E), and HCoV-229E + verbenalin group (HCoV-229E + 125 μmol·L-1 verbenalin). Cell viability was measured using the CCK-8 assay, and the maximum non-toxic concentration (CC0), half-maximal cytotoxic concentration (CC50), half-maximal effective concentration (EC50), and selectivity index (SI) of verbenalin were calculated. Calcein/PI double staining was used to assess cell viability and cytotoxicity, and JC-1 staining was applied to evaluate changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). mito-Keima adenovirus labeling was used to assess mitophagy levels in each group. ResultsA macrophage infection model was successfully established by infecting RAW264.7 cells with the original concentration of HCoV-229E for 36 h. The CC0 of verbenalin was 125 μmol·L-1. The CC50 was 448.25 μmol·L-1. The EC50 against HCoV-229E-infected cells was 46.28 μmol·L-1, and the SI was 9.68. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly reduced cell survival rate (P<0.01), increased cell death rate (P<0.01), decreased MMP (P<0.01), and suppressed mitophagy (P<0.01). In contrast, verbenalin treatment significantly improved cell survival rate (P<0.01), reduced cell death rate (P<0.01), alleviated MMP loss (P<0.01), and enhanced mitophagy levels (P<0.01) compared with the model group. ConclusionVerbenalin can enhance the survival rate of macrophages following HCoV-229E infection. The underlying mechanism may be associated with the activation of mitophagy, maintenance of MMP stability, and alleviation of mitochondrial damage.
7.Therapeutic Effect of Jidesheng Sheyao Tablets on VZV-induced Skin Vesicles in Guinea Pigs and Postherpetic Neuralgia in Rats
Rui XIE ; Shanshan GUO ; Zihan GENG ; Lei BAO ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Shuran LI ; Qiyue SUN ; Xinwei WANG ; Jingsheng ZHANG ; Xihe CUI ; Xiaolan CUI ; Jing SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):38-47
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of Jidesheng Sheyao tablets on varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and its associated postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) to provide experimental evidence for the clinical application and secondary development of Jidesheng Sheyao tablets. MethodsFifty-six guinea pigs were randomly divided into seven groups according to their body weight, namely the normal group, the model group, the positive control group, the high-dose group, medium-dose group, and low-dose group of Jidesheng Sheyao tablets (1.92, 0.96, 0.48 g·d-1), and the group treated with oral administration combined with topical application of Jidesheng Sheyao tablets (0.96 g·d-1 + 1.2 g·kg-1·d-1). The skin on the back of the guinea pigs in each group was depilated and then abraded with sandpaper. Except for the normal group, 200 μL of VZV solution was dropped on the damaged parts of the back of the guinea pigs in the other groups, and the infection lasted for 2 consecutive days. The drug administration started 2 hours after the infection on the first day and lasted for 7 days. The pathological changes of the back of the guinea pigs in each group were observed every day starting from the second day after the infection. On the 7th day, the guinea pigs were sacrificed by CO2 anesthesia. The locally infected skin was taken, and the viral DNA nucleic acid load was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The pathological histology examination was carried out after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Seventy rats were randomly divided into seven groups according to their body weight, namely the normal group, the model group, the positive control group, the high-dose group, medium-dose group, and low-dose group of Jidesheng Sheyao tablets (1.08, 0.54, 0.27 g·d-1), and the group treated with oral administration combined with topical application of Jidesheng Sheyao tablets (0.54 g·d-1 + 1.2 g·kg-1·d-1). The rats in each group (except the normal group) were subcutaneously inoculated with 50 μL of VZV suspension between the web of the first and second fingers of the left forelimb. The skin on the back of the rats was depilated, and the drug administration started 2 hours after the infection and lasted for 10 days. The mechanical withdrawal threshold of the paws of the rats was detected by a Von Frey filament algometer before inoculation and on the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 8th, and 10th days after inoculation, and the thermal withdrawal reflex latency of the paws of the rats was detected by a hot and cold plate algometer. On the 10th day after the virus inoculation, the rats were anesthetized after the behavioral examination, and the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord and spinal cord segments were taken. The contents of substance P (SP), neurokinin (NK), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord and spinal cord were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsCompared with those in the normal group, the guinea pigs in the model group had obvious skin herpes lesions (P<0.01). The viral nucleic acid load was high (P<0.01), and there were disorganized subcutaneous cellular structures and obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells and cell necrosis (P<0.01). The mechanical withdrawal threshold of the paws and the thermal withdrawal reflex latency of the paws of the rats were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the contents of NK, SP, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord and spinal cord of the rats were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-dose and medium-dose groups of topical administration of Jidesheng Sheyao tablets and the group of oral administration combined with topical application could significantly improve the lesions such as skin redness and herpes of the guinea pigs caused by VZV infection (P<0.01), reduce the VZV viral nucleic acid load in the skin tissues of the guinea pigs (P<0.01), alleviate the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration and skin cell necrosis in the skin tissue (P<0.05), significantly increase the mechanical withdrawal threshold of the paws and the thermal withdrawal reflex latency of the paws of the rats (P<0.05), and decrease the contents of NK, SP, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord and spinal cord of the rats (P<0.01). ConclusionJidesheng Sheyao tablets demonstrated significant therapeutic effects on VZV-induced skin infections and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), providing a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of VZV infections.
8.Mechanism of Tibetan Medicine Sanwei Doukoutang to Improve Cognitive Dysfunction in 5×FAD Mice Based on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Shuran LI ; Yaxin WANG ; Jing SUN ; Lei BAO ; Zihan GENG ; Dan XIE ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Yanyan BAO ; Qiyue SUN ; Jingsheng ZHANG ; Xinwei WANG ; Xinying LI ; Xihe CUI ; Xiaowei YANG ; LIUXIAN ; Mengyao CUI ; Qingshan LIU ; Shanshan GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):54-60
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of the Tibetan medicine Sanwei Doukoutang (SWDK) on cognitive dysfunction in mice suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its related mechanism. MethodsFifty SPF 5 × FAD mice were randomly divided into model group, total ginsenoside group(0.04 g·kg-1), high-, medium-, and low-dose groups of SWDK (32.60, 16.30, 8.15 g·kg-1), with 10 mice in each group, and ten wild-type mice of the same age were used as the normal group, male and female in 1∶1. Gavage administration was performed once daily for 8 weeks. The Morris water maze test and contextual fear memory experiment were used to observe learning and memory function. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was utilized to observe the changes in the pathomorphology of brain tissue in mice. The levels of synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic dense substance 95 (PSD95) in mice serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The positive expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the dentate gyrus (DG) region of mouse brain tissue was observed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The protein levels of BDNF, Wnt family member 3A(Wnt3a), and β-catenin were detected in the hippocampus of mice by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group of mice, the model group of mice had significantly more complex swimming routes and lower swimming speed (P<0.01), significantly lower percentage of time spent in the target quadrant (P<0.01), and a significantly lower percentage of freezing time (P<0.05). The number of neurons in the hippocampal region of mice was obviously reduced and unevenly arranged. The levels of SYP and PSD95(P<0.01) in the serum of mice were reduced, and the positive expression of BDNF in the DG region of the brain tissue of mice was reduced. The levels of hippocampal BDNF, Wnt3a, and β-catenin proteins in the hippocampus of mice were obviously reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the mice in the SWDK group and the total ginsenoside group had significantly shorter swimming routes, the high- and medium- dose SWDK groups significantly higher swimming speeds (P<0.01), significantly higher percentage of time spent in the target quadrant (P<0.01), obviously higher percentage of Freezing time (P<0.05), and obviously more neurons in the hippocampal region of the mice with tighter arrangement. The mice had elevated levels of serum SYP (P<0.05, P<0.01), PSD95 (P<0.01), increased BDNF-positive cells in the DG region of brain tissue, and obviously elevated levels of BDNF, Wnt3a, and β-catenin proteins in the hippocampus of mice (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionSWDK can significantly improve the cognitive dysfunction of AD mice, and its mechanism may be related to regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which promotes BDNF expression and thereby enhances synaptic plasticity, allowing neuronal signaling to be restored.
9.Establishment and Application of Animal Models for Disease-syndrome Combination in Viral Pneumonia: A Review
Dan XIE ; Shuran LI ; Zihan GENG ; Lei BAO ; Jing SUN ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Xian LIU ; Mengyao CUI ; Xiaowei YANG ; Xiaolan CUI ; Shanshan GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):61-69
Currently, viral pneumonia (VP) presents a major challenge to global public health. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prevention and treatment of VP is guided by the core concept of strengthening vital energy and eliminating pathogenic factors rather than targeting specific pathogens, alongside a holistic approach of syndrome differentiation and treatment. By summarizing the clinical syndromes of patients, the core pathogenesis was clarified to achieve individualized therapy. Animal models for disease-syndrome combination integrate the etiology and pathogenesis of VP and simulate the individualized manifestations of patients at different disease stages, providing an experimental platform for elucidating the theoretical basis of TCM in treating VP and promoting the development of effective TCM formulations. However, there are limitations in the application and promotion of disease-syndrome combination animal models due to the lack of standardization and normalization of model construction systems, which arise from diverse species selection, compound modeling methods, and multidimensional evaluation indicators. This paper systematically reviewed the recent research on animal models for disease-syndrome combination in VP from the perspective of species selection, modeling methods, evaluation indicators, and application status. Furthermore, it summarized the advantages and limitations of existing models, identifies future directions for improvement, and proposes optimization strategies. This review provides a reference for establishing standardized and normalized animal models for disease-syndrome combinations in VP, supporting the theoretical modernization of TCM in preventing and controlling emerging respiratory infectious diseases, and contributing to the development of new TCM drugs.
10.Therapeutic Effect of Cranial Painkiller Pills' Extract Powder in Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia Induced by Injection of Talci Pulvis into Infraorbital Foramen of Model Rats Based on OTULIN-regulated Neuroinflammation
Shuran LI ; Xinwei WANG ; Jing SUN ; Dan XIE ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Lei BAO ; Zihan GENG ; Qiyue SUN ; Jingsheng ZHANG ; Yaxin WANG ; Xihe CUI ; Xinying LI ; Bing HAN ; Tianjiao LU ; Xiaolan CUI ; Liying LIU ; Shanshan GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):21-28
ObjectiveThis paper aims to verify the therapeutic effect of Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder prepared by the new process on the rat's trigeminal neuralgia model caused by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis, evaluate its potential clinical application value, and compare the therapeutic effect with that of Cranial Painkiller granules, so as to provide data support for the application of the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and precise treatment. MethodsThe rat's trigeminal neuralgia model was constructed by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis, and the rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, carbamazepine group (60 mg·kg-1), Cranial Painkiller granules group (2.70 g·kg-1), and low, medium, and high dosage groups of Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder (1.35, 2.70, 5.40 g·kg-1) according to the basal mechanical pain thresholds, and there were 10 rats in each group. The drug was administered by gavage to each group 2 h after modeling, and distilled water was given by gavage to the normal and model groups under the same conditions once a day for 10 d. Von Frey brushes were used to measure mechanical pain thresholds in rats. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to detect pathological changes in the trigeminal ganglion, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the inflammatory factors interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in rat serum, as well as neuropeptide substance P (SP) and β-endorphin (β-EP) levels in rat brain tissue. Western blot technique was used to detect the levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and OTULIN proteins in rat brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the pain threshold of rats in the model group showed a continuous significant decrease (P<0.01). The pathological damage of brain tissue was significant (P<0.01), and the inflammatory levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in serum were significantly elevated (P<0.01). The level of the SP in the brain tissue was significantly elevated (P<0.01), and the level of β-EP was significantly reduced (P<0.01), while the level of OTULIN was significantly reduced, and NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1 protein levels were significantly elevated (P<0.01). After administration of the drug, compared with the model group, the pain threshold of each dose group of the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and the Cranial Painkiller granules group significantly increased (P<0.01). The inflammatory levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α and SP levels significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the β-EP levels were significantly elevated (P<0.01), while the levels of OTULIN protein were significantly elevated (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the levels of NLRP3, ASC proteins were decreased (P<0.01)in high dose Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder. Meanwhile, compared with those in the model group, the trigeminal ganglion lesions of rats in the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and Cranial Painkiller granules groups showed different degrees of improvement (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder has significant therapeutic effects on the rat model of trigeminal neuralgia induced by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis, and its mechanism is related to the improvement of OTULIN-regulated neuroinflammation.


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