OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Dendrobium officinale (Tiepi Shihu) extract (DOE) on insomnia. METHODS: Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=7 per group): normal control, model control, melatonin (MT, 40 mg/kg), and 3-dose DOE (0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 g/kg) groups. Rats were raised in a strong-light (10,000 LUX) and -noise (>80 db) environment (12 h/d) for 16 weeks to induce insomnia, and from week 10 to week 16, MT and DOE were correspondingly administered to rats. The behavior tests including sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep experiment, sucrose preference test, and autonomous activity test were used to evaluate changes in sleep and emotions of rats. The metabolic-related indicators such as blood pressure, blood viscosity, blood glucose, and uric acid in rats were measured. The pathological changes in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region of rat brain were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining and Nissl staining. Additionally, the sleep-related factors gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (GA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, we screened potential sleep-improving receptors of DOE using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array and validated the results with quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: DOE significantly improved rats' sleep and mood, increased the sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep time and sucrose preference index, and reduced autonomic activity times (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DOE also had a good effect on metabolic abnormalities, significantly reducing triglyceride, blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood viscosity indicators (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DOE significantly increased the GABA content in hippocampus and reduced the GA/GABA ratio and IL-6 level (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, DOE improved the pathological changes such as the disorder of cell arrangement in the hippocampus and the decrease of Nissel bodies. Seven differential genes were screened by PCR array, and the GABA_A receptors (Gabra5, Gabra6, Gabrq) were selected for verification. The results showed that DOE could up-regulate their expressions (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION DOE demonstrated remarkable potential for improving insomnia, which may be through regulating GABA_A receptors expressions and GA/GABA ratio.
Animals ; Dendrobium/chemistry* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/blood* ; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use* ; Receptors, GABA-A/metabolism* ; Noise/adverse effects* ; Light/adverse effects* ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolism* ; Sleep/drug effects* ; Rats ; Receptors, GABA/metabolism*

Mechanical pain is one of the most common causes of clinical pain, but there remains a lack of effective treatment for debilitating mechanical and chronic forms of neuropathic pain. Recently, neurotoxin GsMTx4, a selective mechanosensitive (MS) channel inhibitor, has been found to be effective, while the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, with multiple rodent pain models, we demonstrated that a GsMTx4-based 17-residue peptide, which we call P10581, was able to reduce mechanical hyperalgesia and neuropathic pain. The analgesic effects of P10581 can be as strong as morphine but is not toxic in animal models. The anti-hyperalgesic effect of the peptide was resistant to naloxone (an μ-opioid receptor antagonist) and showed no side effects of morphine, including tolerance, motor impairment, and conditioned place preference. Pharmacological inhibition of TRPV4 by P10581 in a heterogeneous expression system, combined with the use of Trpv4 knockout mice indicates that TRPV4 channels may act as the potential target for the analgesic effect of P10581. Our study identified a potential drug for curing mechanical pain and exposed its mechanism.

Allergic rhinitis (AR), a globally prevalent immune-mediated inflammatory condition, is still an incurable disease. In the present study, we have validated the impact of the Kelch-like ECH associated protein 1 (Keap1)-related oxidative stress and inflammatory response in clinical AR patient peripheral blood and nasal swab samples, emphasizing the biological relevance of Keap1 and AR. Targeting Keap1 -nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) related anti-oxidative stress may be effective for AR intervention. Drawing inspiration from the Keap1 homodimerization and the E3 ligase characteristics, we herein present a design of novel bivalent molecules for chemical knockdown of Keap1. For the first time, we characterized ternary complexes of Keap1 dimer and one molecule of bivalent compounds. The best bivalent molecule 8 encompasses robust capacity to degrade Keap1 as a homoPROTAC^KEAP1. It efficaciously suppresses inflammatory cytokines in extensively different cells, including human nasal epithelial cells. Moreover, in an AR mouse model, we confirmed that the chemical degradation induced by homoPROTAC^KEAP1 led to therapeutic benefits in managing AR symptoms, oxidative stress and inflammation. In summary, our findings underscore the efficacy of targeting the Keap1 system through the homoPROTAC-ing technology as an innovative and promising treatment strategy for the incurable allergic disorders.

【Objective】 To explore the therapeutic effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) based on the Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue 2.0 (MOCART 2.0) knee score system. 【Methods】 A total of 22 patients (28 knees) with PFOA treated by intraarticular PRP injection in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2023 were enrolled in the study. The nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) images before and after treatment were compared using the MOCART 2.0 knee score system. Visual Analog Scales (VAS) score and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score before and after treatment were evaluated and compared, and adverse reactions were observed during the treatment. 【Results】 The MOCART 2.0 knee score showed no difference before and after treatment (53.4±12.2 vs 49.9±2.1)(P>0.05). In the subgroup analysis, the "signal intensity of the repair tissue" score and the "subchondral changes" score were better than those before treatment as(5.5±1.5)vs(4.6±1.5)and(15.9±4.3)vs(13.2±6.4)(P<0.05). There were no significant changes in indicators as " degree of cartilage filling" , " integration with adjacent cartilage edges" , " repair of tissue surface structure" , " repair of tissue structure" and " bone changes" (P>0.05).The VAS score and WOMAC score gradually decreased at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment and were better than before treatment (P<0.05). Incidence of adverse reactions was 4% (4/112). 【Conclusion】 Intraarticular PRP injection is an effective and safe option for treatment of PFOA, and can improve the cartilage signal intensity and alleviating subchondral bone edema.

Objective To evaluate the characteristics of the mass balance and pharmacokinetics of[14 C]birociclib in Chinese male healthy volunteers after a single oral administration.Methods This study used a 14 C labeled method to investigate the mass balance and biological transformation of birociclib in human.Subjects were given a single oral dose of 360 mg/50 pCi of[14 C]birociclib suspension after meals.The blood,urine,and fecal samples were collected at specified time points/intervals after administration.The radiation levels of 14 C labeled birociclib-related compounds in the blood,plasma,urine,and feces were analyzed using liquid scintillation counting.In addition,a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and on-line/off-line isotope detectors was used to obtain radioactive isotope metabolite spectra of plasma,urine,and fecal samples,and high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to identify the main metabolites.Results A total of 6 healthy male subjects were enrolled in this study.The median peak time of radioactive components in plasma was 5.00 h and the average terminal elimination half-life was 43.70 h after administration.The radioactive components were basically excreted and cleared from the body within 288.00 hours after administration,and average cumulative recovery rate of radioactive drugs was(94.10±8.19)％.The radioactive drugs were mainly excreted through feces,accounting for(84.60±7.10)％of the dose of radioactive drugs administered.Urine was the secondary excretory pathway,accounting for 9.41％of the dose of radioactive drugs administered.Metabolic analysis indicated that the prototype drug was the main radioactive components in plasma samples.The main metabolites in plasma were RM4(XZP-5286),RM6(XZP-3584),and RM7(XZP-5736).The drugs were mainly cleared from the body in the form of prototype drugs and metabolites.In addition to prototype drugs,a total of 9 metabolites were identified and analyzed in plasma,urine,and fecal samples,all of which were phase 1 metabolites.The main metabolic and clearance pathways of drugs in the body were deethylation,diisopropylat ion,oxidation,etc.Conclusion After a single oral administration of[14C]birociclib suspension to healthy subjects,it was mainly cleared from the body in the form of prototype drugs and metabolites,with feces as the main excretory pathway and urine as the secondary excretory pathway.Drugs mainly undergo metabolic reactions in the body,such as deethylation,diisopropylation,and oxidation.The subjects were well tolerance after administration.

Objective To explore the effects of low-dose esketamine on the median effective dose(ED50)of ciprofol for sedation in elderly patients undergoing ultrasound-guided transperineal prostate biopsy.Methods Forty-nine elderly male patients,aged 65-75 years,BMI 18.5-30.0 kg/m2,ASA physical stutas Ⅰ-Ⅲ,who underwent ultrasound-guided transperineal prostate biopsy,were randomly as-signed into the esketamine-ciprofol group(group E,n=23)and the ciprofol group(group C,n=26).After intravenous administration of sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg,patients in group E received esketamine 0.2 mg/kg,while patients in group C received the same volume of normal saline.The up-and-down sequential allocation method was used to calculate the effective dose of ciprofol.The initial dose of ciprofol was 0.2 mg/kg in group E and 0.3 mg/kg in group C,and the dose gradient was 0.05 mg/kg for both groups.If there was no body movement during the first puncture of prostate after the loss of eyelash reflex,the ciprofol dose in the next patient was reduced by 0.05 mg/kg.Otherwise,the ciprofol dose in the next patient was in-creased by 0.05 mg/kg.The study was completed until 7 inflection points alternating between non-body movement and body movement achieved.The total amount of ciprofol,surgical time,recovery time,stay in recovery room,hypotension,bradycardia,respiratory depression,injection pain,nausea and vomiting,and adverse reaction of the mental system were recorded.The Probit method was used to calculate the ED50 and 95%effective dose(ED95)with 95%confidence interval(CI)of ciprofol for inhibition of body movement.Results Compared with group C,the total amount of ciprofol in group E was significantly reduced(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences between the two groups in surgical time,recovery time,stay in recovery room,and adverse events.The ED50 of ciprofol in group E was 0.22 mg/kg(95%CI 0.19-0.26 mg/kg),and the ED50 in group C was 0.38 mg/kg(95%CI 0.31-0.46 mg/kg).Compared with group C,the ED50 in group E was significantly reduced(P＜0.05).The ED95 of ciprofol in group E was 0.28 mg/kg(95%CI 0.25-0.49 mg/kg),and the ED95 in group C was 0.51 mg/kg(95%CI 0.44-1.25 mg/kg).Compared with group C,the ED95 in group E was significantly reduced(P＜0.05).Conclusion The ED50 of ciprofol for inhibition of body movement in elderly patients undergoing ultrasound-guided transperi-neal prostate biopsy was 0.38 mg/kg,which was reduced to 0.22 mg/kg by using lose-dose esketamine 0.2 mg/kg as an adjuvant.

Objective To explore the value of 3D black bone sequence for measuring femoral head extrusion index and evaluating Herring classification of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease(LCPD).Methods Data of hip joint MRI of 38 children with unilateral LCPD were retrospectively analyzed.Femoral head extrusion indices derived from coronal 3D black bone sequence and coronal fat suppression T2WI were compared to those from anteroposterior hip X-ray,respectively.Taken hip X-ray film as gold standards,receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the efficacy of 3D black bone sequence and fat suppression T2WI for evaluating Herring classification of LCPD,and DeLong test was performed for statistical comparison.Results Femoral head extrusion index of LCPD based on X-ray film and 3D black bone sequence simulated X-ray film was(11.31±6.16)％and(11.47±5.83)％on control side,respectively,being not significantly different(P＞0.05),while was(22.45±9.21)％and(22.82±7.92)％on the affected side,respectively,also being not significantly different(P＞0.05)but both higher than that on the control side(both P＜0.001).Femoral head extrusion index of LCPD based on fat suppression T2WI was(28.01±2.01)％on affected side and(27.25±1.92)％on control side,respectively,being not significantly different(P＞0.05)and both higher than those obtained based on X-ray film(both P＜0.001).AUC of 3D black bone sequence and fat suppression T2WI was 0.750-0.938 and 0.625-0.705,respectively.AUC of 3D black bone sequence for evaluating LCPD Herring B type was higher than that of fat suppression T2WI(P＜0.05),while no significant difference was found for evaluating other Herring type of LCPD(all P＞0.05).Conclusion 3D black bone sequences could be used to measure head extrusion index and assess Herring classification of LCPD,which was expected to replace hip X-ray to some extents combining with fat suppression T2WI.

Background Osteoclast stimulatory transmembrane protein (OC-STAMP) is involved in silicosis fibrosis induced by silicon oxide (SiO₂) exposure. Its role in silicosis fibrosis by inducing ferroptosis of alveolar type II epithelial cells and its related mechanism remain unclear. Objective To explore the effect and possible mechanism of OC-STAMP on ferroptosis of alveolar type II epithelial cells and silicosis fibrosis in rats under SiO₂ exposure. Methods Twenty male Wistar rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into two groups: control (Sham) group and SiO₂ group, 15 rats in each group. Rats in the SiO₂ group were given 1 mL of 50 mg·L⁻¹ SiO₂ suspension at one time through the non-exposed intratracheal instillation method to establish an animal model of silicosis, and rats in the Sham group were give 1 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution in the same way. Rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks. Samples of lung tissue were fixed in glutaraldehyde or paraformaldehyde for observing ultrastructure of mitochondria by transmission electron microscopy; HE, Masson, VG, and Prussian blue were used to observe changes in lung tissue structure and iron deposition. The expression level of OC-STAMP and the degree of lung fibrosis were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The expression level of OC-STAMP in rat lung tissue was detected and the transfection effect of OC-STAMP was verified by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Overexpression (OCS group) and inhibition expression (SI-OC group) models were constructed by OC-STAMP plasmid and OC-STAMP small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection to cultured MLE-12 cells, respectively. The relative expression levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and other proteins in lung tissue and MLE-12 were detected by Western blotting. Results The results of HE, Masson, and VG staining showed that the silicosis modeling was successful after 8 weeks of SiO₂ exposure. The immunofluorescence results showed that OC-STAMP and ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 3 (ABCA3) co-localized in alveolar type II epithelium. The immunohistochemical results showed that the levels of OC-STAMP and collagen I in the SiO₂ group were significantly higher than those in the Sham group (P<0.01). The RT-PCR results showed that the OC-STAMP mRNA in the lung tissue of the SiO₂ group was significantly higher than that of the Sham group (P<0.01). The Prussian blue staining in the lung tissue of the SiO₂ group showed positive brownish-yellow particles. Compared with the Sham group which showed normal mitochondrial structure, the mitochondrial structure was generally swollen and the mitochondrial cristae dissolved and disappeared in the SiO₂ group by transmission electron microscope observation. The Western blotting results showed that the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 both decreased in the lung tissue of the SiO₂ group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the expression level of Vimentin increased (P<0.01). In the transfected MLE-12 cells, compared with the Sham group, the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in the OCS group were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion OC-STAMP may affect the expression of proteins related to ferroptosis, and promote lung fibrosis induced by SiO₂ exposure.

Clinical efficacy is the basis for the development of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and the evaluation of clinical efficacy of TCM has always been the focus of attention. The technical and methodological difficulties in the evaluation process often restrict the generation of high-level evidence. Therefore, methodological research should be deepened and innovative practice should be carried out to study the application of scientific research methods in the evaluation of the advantages of TCM. After more than ten years of development, the clinical efficacy evaluation of TCM, on the basis of the initially classic placebo randomized controlled trials, has successively carried out a series of meaningful attempts and explorations in N-of-1 trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, real world studies, narrative medicine studies, systematic evaluation, and other aspects, laying the foundation for the transformation of TCM from "experience" to "evidence". This paper focused on the clinical efficacy evaluation of TCM, summarized the main connotation and development status of efficacy evaluation indicators, standards, and methods, and put forward corresponding countermeasures and suggestions for the problems of indicator selection, standard formulation, and methodology optimization in the research process. It is clear that scientific and objective evaluation of the efficacy of TCM is an urgent problem to be solved at present.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Case-Control Studies ; Narrative Medicine

Amid the modernization and internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), the safety of TCM has attracted much attention. At the moment, the government, scientific research teams, and pharmaceutical enterprises have made great efforts to explore methods and techniques for clinical safety evaluation of TCM. Although considerable achievements have been made, there are still many problems, such as the non-standard terms of adverse reactions of TCM, unclear evaluation indicators, unreasonable judgment methods, lack of evaluation models, out-of-date evaluation standards, and unsound reporting systems. Therefore, it is urgent to further deepen the research mode and method of clinical safety evaluation of TCM. Based on the current national requirements for the life-cycle management of drugs, this study focused on the problems in the five dimensions of clinical safety evaluation of TCM, including normative terms, evaluation modes, judgment methods, evaluation standards, and reporting systems, and proposed suggestions on the development of a life-cycle clinical safety evaluation method that conformed to the characteristics of TCM, hoping to provide a reference for future research.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/adverse effects* ; Social Change