1.Research progress on the regulation of JNK signaling pathway by traditional Chinese medicine for intervention in central nervous system diseases
Hongwei WANG ; Mingliang QIAO ; Chenyi ZHAO ; Pei ZHU ; Zilong WEI ; Yi MENG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):257-262
The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway, a key member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, plays a central role in the pathogenesis and progression of central nervous system (CNS) diseases by regulating core biological processes such as apoptosis, inflammatory responses, synaptic plasticity, and autophagy. This article sorts out and analyzes relevant literature published domestically and internationally in recent years, summarizing the mechanisms of action of the JNK signaling pathway in common CNS diseases and the research progress in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions in CNS diseases through the regulation of the JNK signaling pathway. Studies have shown that active components of TCM, such as berberine, paeoniflorin, and astragaloside Ⅳ, as well as compound formulations like Heixiaoyao san, Ditan tang, and Buyang huanwu tang, can exert neuroprotective effects in various CNS disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and epilepsy, by inhibiting the aberrant activation of the JNK signaling pathway, thereby alleviating neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal apoptosis, while improving synaptic function and cognitive behavioral deficits, regulating autophagy, and maintaining blood-brain barrier integrity.
2.Research progress of Qifu yin in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease with marrow-sea insufficiency syndrome
Zilong WEI ; Chenyi ZHAO ; Mingliang QIAO ; Hongwei WANG ; Pei ZHU ; Yi MENG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(10):1376-1380
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Marrow-sea insufficiency serves as the fundamental basis for the onset of AD. Early syndrome differentiation-based intervention helps to delay disease progression, and improve patients’ cognitive function. Qifu yin is a representative specialized prescription for AD with marrow-sea insufficiency syndrome. Studies demonstrate that Qifu yin exerts neuroprotective effects through multiple pathways, including inhibiting the abnormal deposition of amyloid β -protein and hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, alleviating neuroinflammation, regulating oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, modulating the cholinergic system, and improving synaptic plasticity. Qifu yin combined with Western medicine such as donepezil, memantine, and butylphthalide, or combined with external therapies such as acupuncture, can effectively improve cognitive function and activities of daily living in AD patients with favorable safety. Future research should focus on the core pathogenesis and key targets of AD with marrow-sea insufficiency syndrome, provide in-depth elucidation of the scientific connotation of Qifu yin’s “tonifying the kidney to produce marrow”, and further conduct high-quality clinical studies to provide scientific evidence for the prevention and treatment of AD with marrow-sea insufficiency syndrome.
3.Research progress of nano drug delivery system based on metal-polyphenol network for the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases
Meng-jie ZHAO ; Xia-li ZHU ; Yi-jing LI ; Zi-ang WANG ; Yun-long ZHAO ; Gao-jian WEI ; Yu CHEN ; Sheng-nan HUANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):323-336
Inflammatory diseases (IDs) are a general term of diseases characterized by chronic inflammation as the primary pathogenetic mechanism, which seriously affect the quality of patient′s life and cause significant social and medical burden. Current drugs for IDs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, biologics, and antioxidants, but these drugs may cause gastrointestinal side effects, induce or worsen infections, and cause non-response or intolerance. Given the outstanding performance of metal polyphenol network (MPN) in the fields of drug delivery, biomedical imaging, and catalytic therapy, its application in the diagnosis and treatment of IDs has attracted much attention and significant progress has been made. In this paper, we first provide an overview of the types of IDs and their generating mechanisms, then sort out and summarize the different forms of MPN in recent years, and finally discuss in detail the characteristics of MPN and their latest research progress in the diagnosis and treatment of IDs. This research may provide useful references for scientific research and clinical practice in the related fields.
4.Bupleuri Radix Associated Prescriptions Against Depression: A Review
Congwei LI ; Mingliang QIAO ; Peiyuan ZHAO ; Bing LI ; Yi MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):295-304
In today's society, depression is a kind of highly prevalent chronic mental illness. It leads to a high disability rate and a heavy economic burden. Depression is defined by fundamental symptoms of low mood and diminished pleasure. Its causes and mechanisms remain unclear, and it presents a broad spectrum of symptoms and a persistent nature that significantly impacts both physical and mental well-being. Treatment in Western medicine primarily focuses on alleviating symptoms, yet it entails numerous adverse effects and contraindications. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment is based on resolving depression, which is often accompanied by soothing liver, and the key medicine is Bupleuri Radix. Bupleuri Radix associated prescriptions refer to a class of prescriptions using Bupleuri Radix as the sovereign medicinal or having a high dose of Bupleuri Radix, which are widely used in the field of anti-depression. Previous studies from animal experiments, clinical research, and modern pharmacological research have confirmed that Bupleuri Radix associated prescriptions have precise anti-depression efficacy in multiple ways and at multiple levels, but lack a comprehensive and systematic summarization. This paper summarized and analyzed the literature related to the clinical application and mechanism of action of Bupleuri Radix associated prescriptions in anti-depression treatment. The results showed that the anti-depression mechanism of the Bupleuri Radix associated prescriptions (such as Xiaochaihu Tang, Xiaoyao San, Sini San, Chaihu Shugan San, and Chaihu jia Longgu Muli San) was associated with the effects of regulating monoamine neurotransmitters, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), intestinal flora, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, inhibiting inflammatory responses, and modulating related signaling pathways. Applying them in clinical practice can effectively alleviate patient symptoms, lower the TCM syndrome score and the severity of depression, and also reduce adverse reactions. This underscores advantages of TCM in depression treatment, which offers patients a secure, effective, and more individualized alternative treatment regimen. On this basis, the shortcomings of current studies and the future trend were analyzed. This study aimed to provide an evidence-based medicine basis for the research and development of novel antidepressant medications.
5.Liang-Ge-San Decoction Ameliorates Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via Suppressing p38MAPK-NF-κ B Signaling Pathway.
Quan LI ; Juan CHEN ; Meng-Meng WANG ; Li-Ping CAO ; Wei ZHANG ; Zhi-Zhou YANG ; Yi REN ; Jing FENG ; Xiao-Qin HAN ; Shi-Nan NIE ; Zhao-Rui SUN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(7):613-623
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the potential effects and mechanisms of Liang-Ge-San (LGS) for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) through network pharmacology analysis and to verify LGS activity through biological experiments.
METHODS:
The key ingredients of LGS and related targets were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. ARDS-related targets were selected from GeneCards and DisGeNET databases. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were performed using the Metascape Database. Molecular docking analysis was used to confirm the binding affinity of the core compounds with key therapeutic targets. Finally, the effects of LGS on key signaling pathways and biological processes were determined by in vitro and in vivo experiments.
RESULTS:
A total of LGS-related targets and 496 ARDS-related targets were obtained from the databases. Network pharmacological analysis suggested that LGS could treat ARDS based on the following information: LGS ingredients luteolin, wogonin, and baicalein may be potential candidate agents. Mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14), recombinant V-Rel reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog A (RELA), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) may be potential therapeutic targets. Reactive oxygen species metabolic process and the apoptotic signaling pathway were the main biological processes. The p38MAPK/NF-κ B signaling pathway might be the key signaling pathway activated by LGS against ARDS. Moreover, molecular docking demonstrated that luteolin, wogonin, and baicalein had a good binding affinity with MAPK14, RELA, and TNF α. In vitro experiments, LGS inhibited the expression and entry of p38 and p65 into the nucleation in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBE) cells induced by LPS, inhibited the inflammatory response and oxidative stress response, and inhibited HBE cell apoptosis (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In vivo experiments, LGS improved lung injury caused by ligation and puncture, reduced inflammatory responses, and inhibited the activation of p38MAPK and p65 (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
LGS could reduce reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokine production by inhibiting p38MAPK/NF-κ B signaling pathway, thus reducing apoptosis and attenuating ARDS.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Respiratory Distress Syndrome/enzymology*
;
p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
;
NF-kappa B/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Network Pharmacology
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Mice
6.Quercetin Confers Protection against Sepsis-Related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by Suppressing ROS/p38 MAPK Pathway.
Wei-Chao DING ; Juan CHEN ; Quan LI ; Yi REN ; Meng-Meng WANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Xiao-Hang JI ; Xin-Yao WU ; Shi-Nan NIE ; Chang-Bao HUANG ; Zhao-Rui SUN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(11):1011-1020
OBJECTIVE:
To identify the underlying mechanism by which quercetin (Que) alleviates sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
METHODS:
In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were assigned to sham, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and CLP+Que (50 mg/kg) groups (n=15 per group) by using a random number table. The sepsisrelated ARDS mouse model was established using the CLP method. In vitro, the murine alveolar macrophages (MH-S) cells were classified into control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS+Que (10 μmol/L), and LPS+Que+acetylcysteine (NAC, 5 mmol/L) groups. The effect of Que on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in mice lungs and MH-S cells was determined, and the mechanism with reactive oxygen species (ROS)/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was also explored both in vivo and in vitro.
RESULTS:
Que alleviated lung injury in mice, as reflected by a reversal of pulmonary histopathologic changes as well as a reduction in lung wet/dry weight ratio and neutrophil infiltration (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Additionally, Que improved the survival rate and relieved gas exchange impairment in mice (P<0.01). Que treatment also remarkedly reduced malondialdehyde formation, superoxide dismutase and catalase depletion, and cell apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, Que treatment diminished the release of inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 both in vivo and in vitro (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Mechanistic investigation clarifified that Que administration led to a decline in the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in addition to the suppression of ROS expression (P<0.01). Furthermore, in LPS-induced MH-S cells, ROS inhibitor NAC further inhibited ROS/p38 MAPK pathway, as well as oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell apoptosis on the basis of Que treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Que was found to exert anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects by suppressing the ROS/p38 MAPK pathway, thereby conferring protection for mice against sepsis-related ARDS.
Animals
;
Sepsis/drug therapy*
;
Quercetin/therapeutic use*
;
Respiratory Distress Syndrome/enzymology*
;
p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
;
MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects*
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Lung/drug effects*
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Mice
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Lipopolysaccharides
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Macrophages, Alveolar/pathology*
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Inflammation/pathology*
;
Protective Agents/therapeutic use*
7.Expert consensus on the application of nasal cavity filling substances in nasal surgery patients(2025, Shanghai).
Keqing ZHAO ; Shaoqing YU ; Hongquan WEI ; Chenjie YU ; Guangke WANG ; Shijie QIU ; Yanjun WANG ; Hongtao ZHEN ; Yucheng YANG ; Yurong GU ; Tao GUO ; Feng LIU ; Meiping LU ; Bin SUN ; Yanli YANG ; Yuzhu WAN ; Cuida MENG ; Yanan SUN ; Yi ZHAO ; Qun LI ; An LI ; Luo BA ; Linli TIAN ; Guodong YU ; Xin FENG ; Wen LIU ; Yongtuan LI ; Jian WU ; De HUAI ; Dongsheng GU ; Hanqiang LU ; Xinyi SHI ; Huiping YE ; Yan JIANG ; Weitian ZHANG ; Yu XU ; Zhenxiao HUANG ; Huabin LI
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(4):285-291
This consensus will introduce the characteristics of fillers used in the surgical cavities of domestic nasal surgery patients based on relevant literature and expert opinions. It will also provide recommendations for the selection of cavity fillers for different nasal diseases, with chronic sinusitis as a representative example.
Humans
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Nasal Cavity/surgery*
;
Nasal Surgical Procedures
;
China
;
Consensus
;
Sinusitis/surgery*
;
Dermal Fillers
8.Diagnostic value of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT combined with abnormal prothrombin in different tumors
Meng-Xia ZHAO ; Jing YANG ; Li-Sha WANG ; Yi-Bo LI ; Bo-Xun CHEN
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(6):728-732
Objective To explore the diagnostic value of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT combined with abnormal prothrombin(PIVKA-Ⅱ)in the diagnosis of different tumors.Methods A total of 200 patients with suspected cancer who underwent examinations in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from September 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively selected,including 51 suspected liver cancer,49 suspected pancreatic cancer,52 suspected rectal cancer and 48 suspected prostate cancer.All patients underwent both serum PIVKA-Ⅱ testing and 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT imaging.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to assess the diagnostic performance of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and serum PIVKA-Ⅱ for liver cancer,pancreatic cancer,rectal cancer and prostate cancer.Results No significant differences were found in general data of 4 suspected tumor groups(P>0.05)except for age.Serum PIVKA-Ⅱ levels were significantly higher in patients with suspected liver cancer and rectal cancer compared with those with suspected pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer(P<0.05).No significant difference was observed in the serum PIVKA-Ⅱ levels between suspected pancreatic cancer group and suspected prostate cancer group(P>0.05).The positive rates of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and serum PIVKA-Ⅱ for diagnosing liver,pancreatic,rectal,and prostate cancers were significantly lower than those of pathological examination(49.0%vs.47.1%vs.92.2%,57.1%vs.55.1%vs.87.8%,48.1%vs.44.2%vs.92.3%,64.6%vs.62.5%vs.89.6%,respectively,P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that serum PIVKA-Ⅱ had a sensitivity of 79.06%,specificity of 72.02%,area under ROC curve(AUC)of 0.822,and Youden index of 0.512.For 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT,the sensitivity was 79.11%,specificity 72.07%,AUC 0.829,and Youden index 0.510.The combined use of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and serum PIVKA-Ⅱ achieved higher diagnostic accuracy,with a sensitivity of 93.28%,specificity of 81.15%,AUC of 0.924 and Youden index of 0.744,all surpassing the single index.Conclusion Both 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and serum PIVKA-Ⅱ are effective diagnostic tools for liver,pancreatic,rectal,and prostate cancers,with the combined approach yielding superior diagnostic performance.
9.Application of TEG-PM and drug-related gene detection in guiding the selection of antiplatelet regimens in patients with intracranial aneurysms after receiving stenting
Xuerou MENG ; Wenqiu PAN ; Cheng WAN ; Genfa YI ; Junchao WANG ; Jihong HU ; Wei ZHAO
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025;34(5):461-467
Objective To discuss the application of partial antiplatelet drug genotype detection and thromboelastography-platelet mapping(TEG-PM)in guiding the selection of antiplatelet regimens in patients with intracranial aneurysms(IAs)after receiving stenting.Methods A total of 106 patients with IAs in the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University,who underwent implantation of stent and received the testings of platelet-endothelial aggregation receptor 1(PEAR 1)and clopidogrel-related gene-cytochrome P450 enzyme 2C19(CYP2C19),and some of whom received TEG-PM testing from January 2019 to August 2022,were collected for this study.The patients were divided into group A(gene detection group,according to the drug-related gene detection results to adjust the medication)and group B(combination group,according to the two testing results to guide the medication).The patient's gender,age,testing data were collected,and the occlusion of IAs,stent intimal hyperplasia,drug-related hemorrhagic and ischemic complications during follow-up period were recorded.Results A total of 123 IAs lesions in 106 patients were treated.The patient's mean age was(53.67±6.66)years,67 patients were female.Group A had 41 patients and group B had 65 patients.No statistically significant differences in the baseline data,IAs features,stent types used,and medication regimen existed between the two groups(all P>0.05).In Group A,the ischemic complications and hemorrhagic complications occurred in two patients each.In Group B,no ischemic complications occurred and 4 patients developed hemorrhagic complications.The difference in the incidence of related complications between the two groups was not statistically significant(P=0.287 and P=0.782 respectively).There were no statistically significant differences in the postoperative one-month and 3-month intimal hyperplasia grade and the aneurysm occlusion rate between the two groups(all P>0.05).The postoperative 6-month overall intimal hyperplasia grade in Group A was slightly higher than that in Group B,and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.034).Conclusion In order to improve the precision and individualized treatment of antiplatelet therapy,it is suggested that clinicians should adopt TEG-PM-guided conventional double-antibody therapy first when making selection of testing items.For patients with insufficient inhibition rate indicated by TEG-PM,testing of the genes associated with antiplatelet drugs should be used.Based on the genetic test results it is necessary to determine the reasons for the insufficient inhibition rate as well as to adjust the medication promptly according to the specific situation of the patient,so as to ensure the effectiveness of antiplatelet therapy and achieve the purpose of individualized precision therapy.
10.EFFECT OF PD-1 DEFICIENCY ON IMMUNE RESPONSE IN MICE INFECTED WITH TRICHINELLA SPIRALIS
Si-Meng ZHAO ; Xin-Yang HUANG ; Yi-Qi LIU ; Yao ZHANG ; Yan YU ; Jing-Jing HUANG ; Xin-Ping ZHU ; Yu-Li CHENG
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2025;32(2):65-72
Objective To investigate the effect of programmed death-1(PD-1)on cell infiltration in muscle tissue and immune response types in mice infected with Trichinella spiralis.Methods C57BL/6J wild-type(WT)and PD-1 deficient(PD-1-/-)mice were infected with T.spiralis(400 muscle larvae per mouse),and samples were collected on day 35 after infection.The proportions of infiltrating inflammatory cells and fibroblasts around encapsulated larvae were assessed by immunohistochemistry.The expression levels of interferon-γ(IFN-γ),interleukin(IL)-4,IL-5,IL-13,and eotaxin in muscle tissue were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Peripheral blood and spleen were collected at different time points after infection.The percentages of CD4+IFN-γ+Th1 and CD4+IL-4+Th2 within CD4+T cells population in peripheral blood and spleen of mice were analyzed using flow cytometry.Results The proportions of eosinophils and fibroblasts among total infiltrating cells around the encapsulated larvae in the muscle of PD-1-/-mice were significantly lower than those in WT mice after T.spiralis infection(P<0.01).The infected PD-1-/-mice exhibited higher proportions of macrophages,T cells and B cells in total infiltrating cells than the infected WT mice(P<0.01).The levels of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13,and eotaxin in the muscle tissue of infected PD-1-/-mice were significantly lower than those in infected WT mice(P<0.05).However,IFN-γ levels were not significantly different between the infected WT and PD-1-/-mice.The proportions of Th2 cells in CD4+T cells from peripheral blood and spleen of infected PD-1-/-mice were significantly lower than those in infected WT mice,whereas the proportion of Th1 cells showed no difference among the infected groups.Conclusions PD-1 deletion results in decreased expression of key chemokines of eosinophils and key cytokines of fibroblast formation,and a corresponding decrease in inflammatory cells in muscle in T.spiralis-infected mice.This effect may be associated with a diminished Th2 immune response caused by PD-1 deletion.

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