1.Relationship Between lntestinal Flora and Hashimoto Thyroiditis and Regulation of Traditional Chinese Medicine:A Review
Bin WAN ; Zhengtao CHEN ; Yulin LENG ; Yutong HAN ; Hongyan XIE ; Hong GAO ; Chunguang XIE
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(3):626-632
Gut microbiota is the microbial community that is specifically planted in the human gut and interacts with the human body.It plays an important role in the human body by regulating the basal metabolism and immunity of the host to maintain the homeostasis of the human body.Once the intestinal flora is dysregulated,it can lead to multi-system diseases.Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an organ-specific autoimmune disease.The pathogenesis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis is complex and its incidence is increasing year by year,which is gradually becoming a serious public health disease affecting the world.In recent years,the relationship between gut microbiota and bridge onychitis has received extensive attention.A large number of studies have shown that the richness and diversity of intestinal flora in Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients are changed compared with healthy people.Studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine therapy can play a role in treating this disease by regulating intestinal flora.This article systematically summarizes the relationship between the two and the effect of traditional Chinese medicine on the treatment of bridge onychitis by regulating intestinal flora,so as to provide some reference for research in this field.
2.Hypericin ameliorates stress-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice by modulating the CN-NFAT calcium signaling pathway in microglia.
Zhengtao GAO ; Pingyan LIN ; Bingcan ZHOU ; Mingheng CHEN ; Erqi LIU ; Tianxiang LEI ; Huixin NI ; Haixin LIU ; Yao LIN ; Qian XU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(3):506-513
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the role of the calcium/calmodulin (CaM)-mediated activation of calcineurin (CN)-nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) signaling pathway in mediating the regulatory effect of hyperforin (HY) on stress-induced depression-like disorder (DP) in mice.
METHODS:
C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group, DP model group, and hyperforin treatment group (n=15). Behavioral changes of the mice were assessed using open field test (OFT), sucrose preference test (SPT), tail suspension test (TST), light/dark box test (LDB), and novel object suppression test (NSFT). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, and serum serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NA) levels were detected with ELISA. Western blotting was used to analyze the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, and CN-NFAT pathway proteins. In cultured BV-2 microglial cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, the effects of hyperforin and CN inhibitor (CNIS) on expressions of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA-1), 5-HT, NA, inflammatory cytokines and CN-NFAT pathway proteins were examined using immunofluorescence assay, ELISA or Western blotting.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control mice, the mice in DP group showed significantly reduced activity in OFT, decreased sucrose consumption in SPT, reduced shuttle crossing in LDB, and lowered food intake in NSFT with significantly increased immobility in TST. The mice with DP showed significantly decreased TH-positive neurons, lowered 5-HT and NA levels, and increased expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2 and CaM-CN-NFAT pathway proteins. In cultured BV-2 cells, LPS stimulation strongly increased cellular IBA-1 expression, decreased the levels of neurotransmitters (5-HT and NA), and increased the levels of inflammatory cytokines and CN-NFAT signaling, and these changes were effectively reversed by treatment with hyperforin or CNIS.
CONCLUSIONS
Hyperforin improves stress-induced depression-like behaviors in mice and activated BV-2 cells by targeting the CN-NFAT signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Mice
;
Microglia/drug effects*
;
Depression/etiology*
;
Perylene/pharmacology*
;
Calcineurin/metabolism*
;
NFATC Transcription Factors/metabolism*
;
Calcium Signaling/drug effects*
;
Stress, Psychological
;
Phloroglucinol/pharmacology*
;
Signal Transduction
;
Male
;
Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
;
Terpenes
3.Relationship Between lntestinal Flora and Hashimoto Thyroiditis and Regulation of Traditional Chinese Medicine:A Review
Bin WAN ; Zhengtao CHEN ; Yulin LENG ; Yutong HAN ; Hongyan XIE ; Hong GAO ; Chunguang XIE
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(3):626-632
Gut microbiota is the microbial community that is specifically planted in the human gut and interacts with the human body.It plays an important role in the human body by regulating the basal metabolism and immunity of the host to maintain the homeostasis of the human body.Once the intestinal flora is dysregulated,it can lead to multi-system diseases.Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an organ-specific autoimmune disease.The pathogenesis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis is complex and its incidence is increasing year by year,which is gradually becoming a serious public health disease affecting the world.In recent years,the relationship between gut microbiota and bridge onychitis has received extensive attention.A large number of studies have shown that the richness and diversity of intestinal flora in Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients are changed compared with healthy people.Studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine therapy can play a role in treating this disease by regulating intestinal flora.This article systematically summarizes the relationship between the two and the effect of traditional Chinese medicine on the treatment of bridge onychitis by regulating intestinal flora,so as to provide some reference for research in this field.
4.Lower Limb Joint Torque Estimation Based on Depth Camera and Neural Network
Fei GAO ; Zhengtao WANG ; Dongmei WANG ; Suiran YU
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2024;39(3):450-456
Objective To estimate the flexion and extension torques of the hip,knee,and ankle joints during straight-line walking using depth cameras and neural networks.Methods Gait information was collected from 20 individuals using an optical motion capture system,force plates,and an Azure Kinect depth camera.The subjects were asked to walk straight at their preferred speed while stepping on the force plates.The joint torques were obtained using visual 3D simulation as a reference value,and an artificial neural network(ANN)and long short-term memory(LSTM)network were trained to estimate the joint torques.Results The relative root mean square errors(rRMSEs)of the ANN model for estimating the joint torques of hip,knee,and ankle were 15.87%-17.32%,18.36%-25.34%,and 14.11%-16.82%,respectively,and the correlation coefficients were 0.81-0.85,0.69-0.74 and 0.76-0.82,respectively.The LSTM model had a better estimation effect,with rRMSEs of 8.53%-12.18%,14.32%-18.78%,and 6.51%-11.83%,and correlation coefficients of 0.89-0.95,0.85-0.91 and 0.90-0.97,respectively.Conclusions This study confirms the feasibility of using a depth camera and neural network for noncontact estimation of lower limb joint torques,and LSTM has a better performance.Compared with existing studies,the joint torque estimation results have better accuracy,and the potential application scenarios include telemedicine,personalized rehabilitation program development,and orthosis-assisted design.
5.Exploring the role and mechanism of Congrong Shujing Granules in regulating microglial polarization and inhibiting neuroinflammation based on the NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway
Mei ZHOU ; Zhengtao GAO ; Pingyan LIN ; Bingcan ZHOU ; Mingheng CHEN ; Chutian ZHANG ; Huiling CHENG ; Haixin LIU ; Jing CAI ; Yao LIN ; Qian XU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(12):1710-1723
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Congrong Shujing Granules on promoting microglial polarization and inhibiting neuroinflammation through the nucleotide-binding oligomeric domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/Caspase-1 signaling pathway.Methods Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to the blank serum and Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum groups using random number table method,with 10 rats in each group.Rats in the Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum group received intragastric administration of Congrong Shujing Granules(2.57 g/kg)and the rats in the blank serum group received intragastric administration of physiological saline of equal volume.Blank serum and Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum were prepared separately.Mouse microglia cells BV-2 were cultured in vitro,and the optimal concentration of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine(MPP+)and optimal volume fraction of Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum were selected by the CCK-8 assay and immunofluorescence staining.And the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 was used as a postive control.Cells were divided into the blank serum group(10%blank serum),model group(10%blank serum+500 μmol/L MPP+),Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum group(10%Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum+500 μmol/L MPP+),and MCC950 group(10%blank serum+10 μmol/L MCC950+500 μmol/L MPP+),and intervened separately.After 14 h of intervention,morphological changes in BV-2 cells were observed.The contents of interleukin(IL)-1β,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-6,and IL-4 were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The mRNA expressions of differentiation cluster 86(CD86),inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),CD206,and arginase 1(Arg1)were detected by real-time fluorescence PCR.The expressions of CD86,Arg1,Ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1(Iba1),and NLRP3 were detected by immunofluorescence staining.The expression of iNOS,Arg1,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-4,NLRP3,pro-cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1(pro-Caspase-1),and Caspase-1 proteins was detected by Western blotting.Results Iba1 activation and expression increased under the MPP+(12 h,500 μmol/L)intervention(P<0.05),and cell viability was not affected.There was no statistically significant effect on cell viability after treatment with 10%Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum alone or in combination with MPP+(P>0.05).Compared to the blank serum group,BV-2 cells in the model group showed multiple branches and protruded in the shape of an amoeba.The contents of IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6 increased,while the contents of IL-4 decreased.The mRNA expressions of CD86 and iNOS increased,while mRNA expressions of CD206 and Arg1 decreased.The mean fluorescence intensity of CD86,Iba1,and NLRP3 increased,while the mean fluorescence intensity of Arg1 decreased.The protein expressions of iNOS,TNF-α,IL-6,NLRP3,pro-Caspase-1,and Caspase-1 increased,while the protein expressions of Arg1,IL-4 decreased,P<0.05.Compared to the model group,the Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum group and MCC950 group showed a decrease in the branch of cell protrusions,reduced cell activation,decreased levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6,increased levels of IL-4,decreased expression of CD86 and iNOS mRNA,increased expression of CD206 mRNA,the decreased mean fluorescence intensity of CD86,Iba1,and NLRP3,the increased mean fluorescence intensity of Arg1,decreased expression of iNOS,TNF-α,IL-6,NLRP3,pro-Caspase-1,and Caspase-1 proteins,and increased expression of Arg1 and IL-4 proteins,P<0.05.Conclusion Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum may alleviate the MPP+-induced neuroinflammatory response by inhibiting the NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway to regulate M1/M2 phenotype polarization of microglia.
6.Targeted inhibition of Gus-expressing Enterococcus faecalis to promote intestinal stem cell and epithelial renovation contributes to the relief of irinotecan chemotoxicity by dehydrodiisoeugenol.
Ruiyang GAO ; Bei YUE ; Cheng LV ; Xiaolong GENG ; Zhilun YU ; Hao WANG ; Beibei ZHANG ; Fangbin AI ; Ziyi WANG ; Donghui LIU ; Zhengtao WANG ; Kaixian CHEN ; Wei DOU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(12):5286-5304
Irinotecan (CPT11) chemotherapy-induced diarrhea affects a substantial cancer population due to β-glucuronidase (Gus) converting 10-O-glucuronyl-7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38G) to toxic 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38). Existing interventions primarily address inflammation and Gus enzyme inhibition, neglecting epithelial repair and Gus-expressing bacteria. Herein, we discovered that dehydrodiisoeugenol (DDIE), isolated from nutmeg, alleviates CPT11-induced intestinal mucositis alongside a synergistic antitumor effect with CPT11 by improving weight loss, colon shortening, epithelial barrier dysfunction, goblet cells and intestinal stem cells (ISCs) loss, and wound-healing. The anti-mucositis effect of DDIE is gut microbiota-dependent. Analysis of microbiome profiling data from clinical patients and CPT11-induced mucositis mice reveals a strong correlation between CPT11 chemotoxicity and Gus-expressing bacteria, particularly Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). DDIE counters CPT11-induced augmentation of E. faecalis, leading to decreased intestinal Gus and SN38 levels. The Partial Least Squares Path Model (PLS-PM) algorithm initially links E. faecalis to dysregulated epithelial renovation. This is further validated in a 3D intestinal organoid model, in which both SN38 and E. faecalis hinder the formation and differentiation of organoids. Interestingly, colonization of E. faecalis exacerbates CPT11-induced mucositis and disturbs epithelial differentiation. Our study unveils a microbiota-driven, epithelial reconstruction-mediated action of DDIE against mucositis, proposing the 'Gus bacteria-host-irinotecan axis' as a promising target for mitigating CPT11 chemotoxicity.
7.Exploring the role and mechanism of Congrong Shujing Granules in regulating microglial polarization and inhibiting neuroinflammation based on the NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway
Mei ZHOU ; Zhengtao GAO ; Pingyan LIN ; Bingcan ZHOU ; Mingheng CHEN ; Chutian ZHANG ; Huiling CHENG ; Haixin LIU ; Jing CAI ; Yao LIN ; Qian XU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(12):1710-1723
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Congrong Shujing Granules on promoting microglial polarization and inhibiting neuroinflammation through the nucleotide-binding oligomeric domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/Caspase-1 signaling pathway.Methods Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to the blank serum and Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum groups using random number table method,with 10 rats in each group.Rats in the Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum group received intragastric administration of Congrong Shujing Granules(2.57 g/kg)and the rats in the blank serum group received intragastric administration of physiological saline of equal volume.Blank serum and Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum were prepared separately.Mouse microglia cells BV-2 were cultured in vitro,and the optimal concentration of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine(MPP+)and optimal volume fraction of Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum were selected by the CCK-8 assay and immunofluorescence staining.And the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 was used as a postive control.Cells were divided into the blank serum group(10%blank serum),model group(10%blank serum+500 μmol/L MPP+),Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum group(10%Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum+500 μmol/L MPP+),and MCC950 group(10%blank serum+10 μmol/L MCC950+500 μmol/L MPP+),and intervened separately.After 14 h of intervention,morphological changes in BV-2 cells were observed.The contents of interleukin(IL)-1β,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-6,and IL-4 were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The mRNA expressions of differentiation cluster 86(CD86),inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),CD206,and arginase 1(Arg1)were detected by real-time fluorescence PCR.The expressions of CD86,Arg1,Ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1(Iba1),and NLRP3 were detected by immunofluorescence staining.The expression of iNOS,Arg1,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-4,NLRP3,pro-cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1(pro-Caspase-1),and Caspase-1 proteins was detected by Western blotting.Results Iba1 activation and expression increased under the MPP+(12 h,500 μmol/L)intervention(P<0.05),and cell viability was not affected.There was no statistically significant effect on cell viability after treatment with 10%Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum alone or in combination with MPP+(P>0.05).Compared to the blank serum group,BV-2 cells in the model group showed multiple branches and protruded in the shape of an amoeba.The contents of IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6 increased,while the contents of IL-4 decreased.The mRNA expressions of CD86 and iNOS increased,while mRNA expressions of CD206 and Arg1 decreased.The mean fluorescence intensity of CD86,Iba1,and NLRP3 increased,while the mean fluorescence intensity of Arg1 decreased.The protein expressions of iNOS,TNF-α,IL-6,NLRP3,pro-Caspase-1,and Caspase-1 increased,while the protein expressions of Arg1,IL-4 decreased,P<0.05.Compared to the model group,the Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum group and MCC950 group showed a decrease in the branch of cell protrusions,reduced cell activation,decreased levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6,increased levels of IL-4,decreased expression of CD86 and iNOS mRNA,increased expression of CD206 mRNA,the decreased mean fluorescence intensity of CD86,Iba1,and NLRP3,the increased mean fluorescence intensity of Arg1,decreased expression of iNOS,TNF-α,IL-6,NLRP3,pro-Caspase-1,and Caspase-1 proteins,and increased expression of Arg1 and IL-4 proteins,P<0.05.Conclusion Congrong Shujing Granules containing serum may alleviate the MPP+-induced neuroinflammatory response by inhibiting the NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway to regulate M1/M2 phenotype polarization of microglia.
8.Autophagy of Vascular Endothelial Cells Influences Diabetic Macroangiopathy: Based on Theory of Qi Deficiency and Stagnation
Qingzhi LIANG ; Zhengtao CHEN ; Yulin LENG ; Zehua ZHANG ; Qiyue YANG ; Hong GAO ; Chunguang XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(3):178-185
The basic pathological change of diabetic macroangiopathy is atherosclerosis (AS), which is mainly associated with vascular endothelial cells (VECs) injury, oxidative stress, glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, hemorheological abnormalities, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. The injury and dysfunction of VECs are the initiating factors of diabetic macroangiopathy. Autophagy is a subcellular self-protection mechanism that regulates basic intracellular metabolism through lysosome-mediated degradation of proteins and damaged organelles to maintain homeostasis. Insufficient autophagy of VECs leads to enhanced inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress of VECs, which promotes AS. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), diabetic macroangiopathy corresponds to the syndrome of internal deficiency and pathogen invasion, with Qi deficiency and stagnation as the key pathogenesis. Qi deficiency is the root cause, and Qi stagnation is the manifestation. The disease occurs with the initial cause of nutrient-defense disharmony and instability of vessels, the main cause of the deficiency of kidney Qi and the lack of source for generation and transformation, the internal cause of Qi and blood loss in the viscera and the stagnation of Qi, blood, and fluid, and the superficial cause of the stagnation of pathological products and the damage of vessels. Autophagy is a microscopic manifestation of Qi, which has the function of dispelling pathogens and maintaining homeostasis. Insufficient autophagy of VECs leads to Qi deficiency and stagnation, and the gradual deficiency and heavy stagnation of Qi lead to insufficient autophagy, which form a vicious cycle. Modern research has demonstrated that regulating the autophagy of VECs is the main way to prevent and treat AS, and TCM can exert the therapeutic effect in a multi-target and multi-pathway manner. Therefore, based on the theory of Qi deficiency and stagnation, the method of tonifying deficiency of and removing stagnation can be adopted to select prescriptions for regulating the autophagy of VECs and treating AS, which can slow down the procession of diabetic macroangiopathy.
9.Prevention and Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy by Regulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Zhengtao CHEN ; Qingzhi LIANG ; Yuan ZHANG ; Yan YANG ; Mengping WANG ; Chunguang XIE ; Hong GAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(1):227-239
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the serious and common microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) and the main cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is a common stress defense mechanism in eukaryotic cells. In the ERS state, cells activate the unfolded protein response (UPR) to enhance the folding of unfolded proteins and the degradation of misfolded proteins, so as to restore the normal physiological function of the endoplasmic reticulum and avoid cell damage. However, excessive or chronic persistent ERS can induce apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress and other pathways to eventually cause cell damage. In recent years, a large number of studies have confirmed that ERS is closely associated with the occurrence and development of DN. In the case of DN, ERS is involved in the damage or protection of podocytes, glomerular mesangial cells, renal tubular epithelial cells, and glomerular endothelial cells. The regulation of ERS has become one of the hotspots in the prevention and treatment of DN and has received extensive attention in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. This paper systematically expounds the role of ERS in the occurrence and development of DN and summarizes the ERS-targeted regulation of DN by traditional Chinese medicine, with a view to providing certain research ideas for the prevention and control of DN with traditional Chinese medicine.
10.Relationship Between NLRP3 Inflammasome and Diabetic Cardiomyopathy and Intervention Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Sai ZHANG ; Zhengtao CHEN ; Shiyun TANG ; Chunguang XIE ; Lian DU ; Hong GAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(16):250-263
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the complications of diabetes. It refers to a specific type of idiopathic cardiomyopathy that occurs in individuals with diabetes, distinct from other cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, or congenital heart disease. It has also been identified as one of the leading causes of death in diabetic patients for many years. Research has shown that the pathogenesis of DCM is closely associated with insulin resistance, activation of various inflammatory responses, increased oxidative stress, impaired coronary microcirculation, and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Among various inflammatory responses, the activation of the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome can induce the secretion of a large amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines through the cascade reaction of inflammation, subsequently mediating cellular pyroptosis and promoting myocardial damage. Currently, extensive experimental studies on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have been conducted in China and abroad based on the significant role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the prevention and treatment of DCM. These studies have demonstrated that Chinese medicinal extracts, such as Astragalus polysaccharide and ginsenoside Rb1, single drugs like Coriolus and Cordyceps, and Chinese medicinal formulas like Didangtang and modified Taohe Chengqitang, as well as acupuncture and TCM exercise therapy, can regulate the relevant pathways of the NLRP3 inflammasome to inhibit its assembly or activation, reduce inflammatory responses, inhibit myocardial remodeling in DCM, and improve cardiac function. This article reviewed the relationship between the NLRP3 inflammasome and DCM, as well as the research progress on TCM in exerting anti-inflammatory effects in this field, aiming to provide new insights for the development of therapeutic approaches for DCM.

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