1.Mechanism of Shoutaiwan in Treatment of Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion: A Review
Xue DANG ; Feixiang LIU ; Yanchen FENG ; Zhiying CHE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):283-291
Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a common gynecological disease during pregnancy, clinically characterized by repeated spontaneous abortions, yet its pathological mechanism remains incompletely understood. Traditional Chinese medicine attributes the pathogenesis of RSA to the deficiency of Chong Ren and the lack of fetal solidity. It has amassed experience in treating RSA, with Shoutaiwan being widely utilized for addressing miscarriage symptoms such as habitual abortion due to kidney deficiency, bleeding during pregnancy, and fetal movement. In recent years, there has been a gradual increase in experimental studies on the application of Shoutaiwan in treating RSA and on related experiments. These studies have demonstrated that Shoutaiwan preserves the fetus mainly by modulating hormone balance, alleviating immune inflammation, and enhancing blood coagulation equilibrium during pregnancy. Besides, through the modulation of key signaling pathways such as nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), as well as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Shoutaiwan has improved cellular antioxidant capacity, adjusted the phenotype of trophoblast and metaphase cells, and inhibited immune rejection, thus improving the pregnancy success rate. These findings not only elucidate the diverse biological foundations underlying Shoutaiwan's efficacy in treating RSA but also offer a scientific rationale for its clinical application and further mechanism research. Nonetheless, there remains a dearth of systematic reviews on RSA treatment with Shoutaiwan. Therefore, this review summarizes and synthesizes existing research findings to systematically analyze existing literature and studies, delving deeply into the principal pharmacological effects and associated signaling pathways of Shoutaiwan in regulating RSA. It aims to establish crucial reference points for its clinical application in RSA treatment and future experiments and research.
2.Protective Effect of Tongluo Baoshen Prescription-containing Serum on Lipopolysaccharide-induced Podocyte Injury of Rats
Yongfang LIU ; Tiantian YIN ; Huiyang LIU ; Rui HUANG ; Zhiying FENG ; Li ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):139-148
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Tongluo Baoshen prescription (TLBS)-containing serum on the rat podocyte injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and explore the potential mechanisms. MethodsSD rats were used to prepare the blank serum, losartan potassium-containing serum, and low-, medium-, and high-dose TLBS-containing sera. Rat podocytes were cultured in vitro, and the effects of drug-containing sera on podocyte viability were detected by the cell counting kit-8 (CKK-8) method. The optimal intervention volume fraction of drug-containing sera and the optimal concentration of LPS for inducing the podocyte injury were determined. Rat podocytes were grouped as follows: normal control (NC, 10% blank serum), model control (MC, 20.00 mg·L-1 LPS+10% black serum), losartan potassium (LP, 20.00 mg·L-1 LPS+10% losartan potassium-containing serum), low-dose TLBS (TLBS-L, 20.00 mg·L-1 LPS+10% low-dose TLBS-containing serum), medium-dose TLBS (TLBS-M, 20.00 mg·L-1 LPS+10% medium-dose TLBS-containing serum), and high-dose TLBS (TLBS-H, 20.00 mg·L-1 LPS+10% high-dose TLBS-containing serum), and the interventions lasted for 48 h. The ultrastructure of podocytes was observed under a transmission electron microscope. The podocyte apoptosis was detected by the terminal deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL) kit. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of gasdermin D N-terminal fragment (GSDMD-NT) in podocytes. The mRNA and protein levels of G protein-coupled receptor family C group 5 member B (GPRC5B), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p50, NF-κB p52, NF-κB p65, Rel B, c-Rel, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 (Caspase-1), GSDMD-NT, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, nephrin, integrin α3, and integrin β1 in podocytes were determined by real-time quaritiative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the NC group, the MC group showed reduced podocyte protrusions and organelles, segmental missing of cell membranes, increased and swollen mitochondria, irregular nuclear membranes, light chromatin, increased TUNEL fluorescence-positive nuclei (P<0.01), obviously enhanced fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-NT, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of GPRC5B, NF-κB p50, NF-κB p52, NF-κB p65, Rel B, c-Rel, NLRP3, caspase-1, GSDMD-NT, IL-1β, and IL-18 (P<0.01), and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of nephrin, integrin α3, and integrin β1 (P<0.01) in podocytes. Compared with the MC group, the LP, TLBS-M, and TLBS-H groups showed improved ultrastructure of podocytes with increased protrusions, intact cell membranes, reduced organelles, and alleviated mitochondrial swelling, decreased TUNEL fluorescence-positive nuclei (P<0.01), weakened fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-NT, down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of GPRC5B, NF-κB p50, NF-κB p52, NF-κB p65, Rel B, c-Rel, NLRP3, caspase-1, GSDMD-NT, IL-1β, and IL-18 (P<0.01), and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of nephrin, integrin α3, and integrin β1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, the changes above were the most obvious in the TLBS-H group. ConclusionThe TLBS-containing serum can regulate the GPRC5B/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway to inhibit pyroptosis, thereby ameliorating the podocyte injury induced by LPS.
4.Mechanism prediction and experimental verification of Maxing Shigan Decoction against influenza A virus infection based on UPLC-MS/MS and network pharmacology
Jiawang HUANG ; Jianing SHI ; Yang LIU ; Zhiying FENG ; Jingmin FU ; Siyu WANG ; Xuan JI ; Rong YU ; Ling LI
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(4):532-542
Objective:
To investigate the chemical compositions of Maxing Shigan Decoction (麻杏石甘汤, MXSGD) and elucidate its anti-influenza A virus (IAV) mechanism from prediction to validation.
Methods:
Ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was employed to analyze the chemical compositions of MXSGD. Network pharmacology theories were used to screen and identify shared targets of both the potential targets of active ingredients of MXSGD and IAV. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was then constructed, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. The binding stability between core bioactive compounds and key targets was validated by molecular docking and dynamic simulations. A total of 24 BALB/c mice were infected with IAV to build IAV mouse models. After successful modelling, the mouse models were randomly divided into model, MXSGD high-dose (2.8 g/kg), MXSGD low-dose (1.4 g/kg), and oseltamivir (20.14 mg/kg) groups, with an additional normal mice as control group (n = 6 per group). The treatments were administered by gavage daily between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. for five consecutive days. Upon completion of the administration, the body weight ratio, lung index, protein content in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the levels of inflammatory factors including interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in mice were measured to preliminarily analyze the therapeutic efficacy of MXSGD against IAV infection. Furthermore, the expression levels of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins in the HIF-1 signaling pathway, which was enriched by network pharmacology, were detected by Western blot.
Results:
A total of 212 chemical components in MXSGD were identified by the UPLC-MS/MS method. These chemical components can be classified into 9 primary categories and 31 secondary categories. After intersecting the chemical component targets with IAV-related targets, a total of 567 potential MXSGD components targeting IAV were identified. The construction of PPI network and the results of both GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that the anti-IAV effects of MXSGD were associated with multiple pathways, including apoptosis, TNF, HIF-1, and IL-17 signaling pathways. The results of molecular docking demonstrated that the binding energies between the core compound 1-methoxyphaseollin and key targets including HIF-1α, mTOR, and VEGF were all lower than – 5.0 kcal/mol. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the structural stability of the resulting complexes. Animal experiments showed that compared with the normal controls, IAV-infected mice showed significantly reduced body weight ratio, markedly increased lung index, protein content in BALF, and the levels of inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and TNF-α (P < 0.01), thereby causing damage to the lung tissue; consequently, the expression levels of mTOR, HIF-1α, and VEGF proteins in the lung tissues of these mice were significantly elevated (P < 0.01). However, after MXSGD treatment, the mouse models presented a significant increase in body weight ratio, as well as marked decreases in lung index, protein content in BALF, and the levels of inflammatory factors including IL-6 and TNF-α (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the therapy alleviated IAV-induced injuries and significantly downregulated the expression levels of mTOR, HIF-1α, and VEGF proteins in lung tissues (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).
Conclusion
MXSGD exerts anti-IAV effects through multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway synergism. Among them, 1-methoxyphaseollin is identified as a potential key component, which alleviates virus-induced lung injury and inflammatory response via the regulation of HIF-1 signaling pathway, providing experimental evidence for the clinical application of MXSGD.
5.Review of TCM research on emotional abnormalities in chronic fatigue syndrome
Shuhao GUO ; Chuwen FENG ; Yuanyuan QU ; Tao CHEN ; Yuying SHAO ; Jing LU ; Binbin LI ; Tingting LIU ; Minghang ZHU ; Zhiying YUAN ; Tiansong YANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(9):1240-1244
TCM believes that spleen deficiency is the root cause of emotional abnormalities in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and clinical treatment often involves the heart, liver and kidney. TCM therapy has a significant efficacy in CFS emotional abnormalities. It is mostly treated with oral administration of TCM, acupuncture, moxibustion and massage therapy. It may play a therapeutic role by improving oxidative stress and immune inflammation, regulating nerve-endocrine, controlling energy metabolism and other ways. It is suggested to establish the syndrome differentiation standard of CFS emotional abnormality in the future, so as to improve the accuracy of syndrome differentiation and treatment; form a perfect treatment guide or expert consensus to guide the standardized application of various internal and external treatment methods; explore objective indicators based on the pathogenesis, and focus on the morphological and functional changes of disease target brain regions with the help of neuroimaging techniques, so as to improve the diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of CFS; based on the guidance of TCM theory, improve the CFS emotional abnormal animal modeling method.
6.Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome in IgA Nephropathy and Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Yongfang LIU ; Li ZHOU ; Huiyang LIU ; Rui HUANG ; Zhiying FENG ; Tiantian YIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):269-279
IgA nephropathy is recognized as the most common primary glomerular disease, with up to 20%-40% of patients developing end-stage kidney disease within 20 years of onset. The deposition of IgA1-containing immune complexes targeting glycosylation defects in the mesangial region and the subsequent inflammation caused by T lymphocyte activation are considered as the main causes of IgA nephropathy, and innate immunity is also involved in the pathogenesis. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) is a newly discovered pattern recognition receptor expressed in renal intrinsic cells such as renal tubular epithelial cells, mesangial cells, and podocytes. Activated by external stimuli, NLRP3 can form NLRP3 inflammasomes with apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC). The NLRP3 inflammasome can activate cysteine aspartate-specific protease-1 (Caspase-1), causing the maturation and release of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) involved in inflammation. Increasing evidence has suggested that NLRP3 inflammasomes are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of IgA nephropathy and associated with the damage of renal intrinsic cells such as podocytes, mesangial cells, endothelial cells, and renal tubular epithelial cells. Chinese medicine can regulate inflammatory cytokines and their signaling pathways by acting on NLRP3 inflammasomes and related molecules, exerting therapeutic effects on IgA nephropathy. This article introduces the role of NLRP3 inflammasomes in IgA nephropathy and reviews the clinical and experimental research progress of Chinese medicine intervention in IgA nephropathy via NLRP3 inflammasomes, aiming to provide a reference for further research and application of Chinese medicine intervention in the NLRP3 inflammasome as a new therapeutic target.
7.Summary of the Academic Thought of TCM Master Zhou Zhongying on Integrating the Ancient and Modern to Create a New System of Pathogenesis Theory
Fang YE ; Mianhua WU ; Xueping ZHOU ; Haibo CHENG ; Liu LI ; Zhe FENG ; Lu JIN ; Yao ZHU ; Lizhong GUO ; Zhiqiang ZHAO ; Zhiying WANG ; Miaowen JIN
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(10):1071-1079
This paper summarizes the exploration process and academic significance of the academic thought of Zhou Zhongying,a master of traditional Chinese medicine,who took the creation of a new system of TCM pathogenesis theory as the core,and interprets its theoretical connotation.As a pioneer in the construction of higher education textbooks for traditional Chinese medicine,Professor Zhou Zhongying created the outline of TCM internal medicine viscera differentiation,persisted in carrying out innovative research on patho-genesis theory,achieved fruitful academic results,and enriched and developed the academic system of TCM theory.In the clinical di-agnosis and treatment of exogenous febrile diseases and acute and difficult internal injuries,he systematically created new pathogenesis theories such as stasis-heat theory and cancer toxicity theory.Based on this,the legislation of medication can improve the clinical effi-cacy,and it is realized that identifying the pathogenesis is the key link in syndrome differentiation and treatment.In his later years,Professor Zhou Zhongying,guided by the holistic view,proposed the"thirteen pathogenesis"and constructed a new system of TCM pathogenesis differentiation,highlighting the guiding value of complex pathogenesis and the causal chain of pathogenesis elements to complex clinical diseases and syndromes,forming a theory with the idea of"examining syndromes and seeking pathogenesis,activating syndrome differentiation"as its soul.This theory breaks through the rigid thinking of syndrome differentiation and treatment based on a single pathogenesis or fixed syndrome type,reconstructs the theoretical framework of TCM with the idea of holistic view,and is a major academic innovation in modern TCM.
8.Development and Governance Strategy of Chinese Materia Medica Industry from the Perspective of Multi-chain Integration: A Case Study of Polygonati Rhizoma Industry in Anhui Province
Aiyu LI ; Zhiying LIU ; Zhipei FENG
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(9):1258-1266
OBJECTIVE
To put forward the governance for the development of Chinese materia medica industry by studying the multi-chain docking and integration mechanism based on the investigation and analysis of Polygonati Rhizoma industry in Anhui province.
METHODS
Based on the theory of multi-chain integration, this research defines the connotation of multi-chain integration, proposes the mechanism of multi-chain integration, and takes Anhui Polygonati Rhizoma industry as a case to sort out the mechanism of inter-chain docking and integration in industrial development, and puts forward the management strategy of industrial development accordingly.
RESULTS
The precise docking of the industrial chain, value chain, innovation chain, information chain, capital chain and policy chain was explored. Leading enterprises, scientific research units, financial institutions, industry organizations, government departments five inter-chain contact points, docking to promote multi-chain integration.
CONCLUSION
This research promotes industrial multi-chain integration from five aspects: leading enterprises to promote product development, scientific research institutions to promote innovation, financial departments to increase capital investment, industry organizations to build information exchange platforms, and government departments to increase policy support, for government to promote the development of effective Chinese materia medica industry reference theory instruction value and reality significance.
9.Application of single-wide-tunnel endoscopic submucosal dissection with single-clip-line traction for large early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions
Zhongshang SUN ; Liansong YE ; Xuelian LI ; Zhiying GAO ; Zhenguo PAN ; Bing HU ; Feng PAN
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2024;41(10):798-804
Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of single-wide-tunnel endoscopic submucosal dissection with single-clip-line traction (W-ESTD) for the treatment of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions with large area (≥ 3/4 circumference).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on patient data of large early esophageal cancer or precancerous lesions treated with digestive endoscopy at the Affiliated Huai'an NO.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2018 to January 2023. Patients were divided into W-ESTD group and endoscopic submucosal double-tunnel dissection (D-ESTD) group based on the technique used. Surgical speed, en bloc resection rate, R0 resection rate, curative resection rate, intraoperative and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 44 patients with large early esophageal cancer or precancerous lesions were included in this study, including 23 cases in the W-ESTD group and 21 cases in the D-ESTD group. There was no statistically significant difference in baseline data between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operating speeds of W-ESTD and D-ESTD groups were 29.97±11.89 mm2/min and 22.65±6.30 mm2/min, respectively, with significant difference ( t=2.580, P=0.014). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of en bloc resection rate [95.7% (22/23) VS 100.0% (21/21), P=1.000], R0 resection rate [87.0% (20/23) VS 90.5% (19/21), P=1.000], or curative resection rate [73.9% (17/23) VS 85.7% (18/21), P=0.462]. No recurrence occurred. Intraoperative muscular injury occurred in 3 cases in the W-ESTD group and 5 cases in the D-ESTD group, and postoperative esophageal stricture occurred in 11 cases and 8 cases respectively, with no significant differences between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared to D-ESTD, W-ESTD can significantly improve surgical speed and demonstrate itself as a safe and effective approach for treating large early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions.
10.Network pharmacology and experimental validation of Maxing Shigan decoction in the treatment of influenza virus-induced ferroptosis.
Jiawang HUANG ; Xinyue MA ; Zexuan LIAO ; Zhuolin LIU ; Kangyu WANG ; Zhiying FENG ; Yi NING ; Fangguo LU ; Ling LI
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2023;21(10):775-788
Influenza is an acute viral respiratory infection that has caused high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Influenza A virus (IAV) has been found to activate multiple programmed cell death pathways, including ferroptosis. Ferroptosis is a novel form of programmed cell death in which the accumulation of intracellular iron promotes lipid peroxidation, leading to cell death. However, little is known about how influenza viruses induce ferroptosis in the host cells. In this study, based on network pharmacology, we predicted the mechanism of action of Maxing Shigan decoction (MXSGD) in IAV-induced ferroptosis, and found that this process was related to biological processes, cellular components, molecular function and multiple signaling pathways, where the hypoxia inducible factor-1(HIF-1) signaling pathway plays a significant role. Subsequently, we constructed the mouse lung epithelial (MLE-12) cell model by IAV-infected in vitro cell experiments, and revealed that IAV infection induced cellular ferroptosis that was characterized by mitochondrial damage, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) release, increased total iron and iron ion contents, decreased expression of ferroptosis marker gene recombinant glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), increased expression of acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4), and enhanced activation of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the HIF-1 signaling pathway. Treatment with MXSGD effectively reduced intracellular viral load, while reducing ROS, total iron and ferrous ion contents, repairing mitochondrial results and inhibiting the expression of cellular ferroptosis and the HIF-1 signaling pathway. Finally, based on animal experiments, it was found that MXSGD effectively alleviated pulmonary congestion, edema and inflammation in IAV-infected mice, and inhibited the expression of ferroptosis-related protein and the HIF-1 signaling pathway in lung tissues.
Animals
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Mice
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Ferroptosis
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Network Pharmacology
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Reactive Oxygen Species
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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Influenza A virus
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Iron
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Hypoxia


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