ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Sini San （SNS） treats liver fibrosis through regulating the polarization of intrahepatic Kupffer cells. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male Balb/c mice were randomized into blank control， model， silymarin （0.2 g·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （2.93， 5.85， 11.70 g·kg^-1， respectively） SNS groups. A mouse model of liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄. After 5 weeks of administration， the body mass， liver pathological changes ［Hematoxylin and Eosin （HE）， Masson， and Sirius red staining］， serum biochemical indicators ［alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， and alanine aminotransferase （ALT）］， liver fibrosis markers ［procollagen type Ⅲ （PCⅢ）， laminin （LN）， and hyaluronic acid （HA）］， inflammatory cytokines ［interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and interleukin-10 （IL-10）］， and fibrosis-related proteins ［α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， collagen type Ⅰ （Col Ⅰ）， and collagen type Ⅲ （Col Ⅲ）］ were assessed. A co-culture system of THP-1 cells （M1 macrophages） and human hepatic stellate cells （LX-2） was established. The cell experiment was designed with blank control （LX-2 alone）， model （LX-2 + M1 macrophages）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose SNS （co-culture with 5%， 10%， or 20% SNS-containing serum， respectively） groups. Cell viability， inflammatory cytokines， and macrophage phenotype were examined. Human primary hepatic Kupffer cells were allocated into blank control， M1 （LPS 100 μg·L^-1+IFN-γ 20 μg·L^-1）， M2 （IL-4 20 μg·L^-1+IL-13 20 μg·L^-1）， M1+M2， M1+SNS （supplemented with 10% SNS-containing serum for 2 h after culture under M1 conditions for 24 h）， M2+SNS （supplemented with 10% SNS-containing serum for 2 h after culture under M2 conditions for 24 h）， and M1+M2+SNS groups （supplemented with 10% SNS-containing serum for 2 h after culture under M1+M2 conditions for 24 h）， and the expression of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） p65 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） at protein and mRNA levels was determined. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group exhibited increased serum levels of ALT， AST， ALP， PCⅢ， LN， HA， IL-6， and TNF-α， upregulated protein and mRNA levels of α-SMA， Col Ⅰ， and Col Ⅲ in the liver tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and decreased IL-10 level and STAT3 mRNA level （P<0.05， P<0.01）， accompanied by marked collagen deposition and inflammatory infiltration in the liver. Compared with the model group， all doses of Sini San reversed these alterations （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the high-dose group showing the most pronounced effects. Cell experiments demonstrated that， compared with the blank control group， the model group had elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines （IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α） and upregulated protein and mRNA levels of M1 markers ［cluster of differentiation 86 （CD86， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1）］ （P<0.01）， along with declined level of IL-10 and downregulated expression of M2 markers ［（CD163， CD206， and arginase-1 （Arg-1）］ （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， treatment with Sini San-containing serum at various concentrations lowered the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and expression of M1 markers （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while increasing the IL-10 level and M2 marker expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Additionally， Sini San downregulated the mRNA level of NF-κB and upregulated the mRNA level of STAT （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the experiment with human primary Kupffer cells， compared with the blank group， the M1 group showed increased NF-κB p65 expression （P<0.01） and decreased STAT3 expression （P<0.05）， whereas the M2 group exhibited increased STAT3 expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the respective model groups， Sini San-containing serum reversed the M1-induced overexpression of NF-κB p65 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and further enhanced the M2-induced STAT3 expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionSini San can inhibit the NF-κB p65/STAT3 signaling pathway and repolarize intrahepatic Kupffer cells from the pro-inflammatory M1 to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype to attenuate inflammation and suppress hepatic stellate cell activation and collagen deposition， thereby exerting anti-fibrotic effect.

Objective To explore the anti-intestinal fibrosis mechanism of Dahuang Zhechong pill.Methods Based on the network pharmacology method,the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform,SwissTargetPrediction database and metabolomics technology was used.OmicsNet 2.0 platform combined with the findings of network pharmacology and metabolomics,and molecular simulation docking and molecular biology methods were used to study the mechanism of anti-intestinal fibrosis of Dahuang Zhechong pill.Results Dahuang Zhechong pill contains 142 potential active ingredients and 855 anti-intestinal fibrosis targets.The 10 core ingredients(quercetin,acacetin,oroxylin a,kaempferol,moslosooflavone,panicolin,etc.)may play a role in regulating lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis,EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance,HIF-1 signaling pathway,TNF signaling pathway and IL-17 signaling pathway.Metabolomics results showed that 59 endogenous substances(oxaloacetic acid,ethylthioisonicamide,6-benzylaminopurine,tyrosine and cortisol,etc.)may be the key metabolites of this drug against intestinal fibrosis.Central carbon metabolism,TCA cycle and amino acid metabolism were the key mechanisms,EGFR,AKT1,MAPK1,PTPN11,CASP3,PPARG,MET and PDGFRB may be the core targets.Dahuang Zhechong pill could significantly improve the levels of colorectal edema,inflammatory factors,inflammatory cell infiltration,collagen fiber deposition and α-SMA expression in mice with intestinal fibrosis,reduce the expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors IL-17 and IL-23 in serum,and increase the level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10.Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated stable conformational binding between core active ingredients and key targets.Conclusion Dahuang Zhechong pill may regulate EGFR/AKT1/MAPK mediated metabolism-inflammation interaction network through flavonoid components,and can improve intestinal fibrosis in multiple dimensions through molecular validation.

Objective To explore the anti-intestinal fibrosis mechanism of Dahuang Zhechong pill.Methods Based on the network pharmacology method,the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform,SwissTargetPrediction database and metabolomics technology was used.OmicsNet 2.0 platform combined with the findings of network pharmacology and metabolomics,and molecular simulation docking and molecular biology methods were used to study the mechanism of anti-intestinal fibrosis of Dahuang Zhechong pill.Results Dahuang Zhechong pill contains 142 potential active ingredients and 855 anti-intestinal fibrosis targets.The 10 core ingredients(quercetin,acacetin,oroxylin a,kaempferol,moslosooflavone,panicolin,etc.)may play a role in regulating lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis,EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance,HIF-1 signaling pathway,TNF signaling pathway and IL-17 signaling pathway.Metabolomics results showed that 59 endogenous substances(oxaloacetic acid,ethylthioisonicamide,6-benzylaminopurine,tyrosine and cortisol,etc.)may be the key metabolites of this drug against intestinal fibrosis.Central carbon metabolism,TCA cycle and amino acid metabolism were the key mechanisms,EGFR,AKT1,MAPK1,PTPN11,CASP3,PPARG,MET and PDGFRB may be the core targets.Dahuang Zhechong pill could significantly improve the levels of colorectal edema,inflammatory factors,inflammatory cell infiltration,collagen fiber deposition and α-SMA expression in mice with intestinal fibrosis,reduce the expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors IL-17 and IL-23 in serum,and increase the level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10.Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated stable conformational binding between core active ingredients and key targets.Conclusion Dahuang Zhechong pill may regulate EGFR/AKT1/MAPK mediated metabolism-inflammation interaction network through flavonoid components,and can improve intestinal fibrosis in multiple dimensions through molecular validation.

Objective To identify mutations in the OSMR gene in a pedigree with familial primary cutaneous amyloidosis (FPCA).Methods Clinical data were collected from a pedigree with FPCA.Peripheral blood samples were obtained from the proband,his 19 relatives,and 50 unrelated healthy human controls.Genomic DNA was extracted from these blood samples,and subjected to PCR for the amplification of 18 encoding exons and their flanking sequences of the OSMR gene followed by DNA sequencing.Results A heterozygous missense mutation c.2081C ＞ T,which leads to the substitution of proline by threonine at position 694,was detected in the OSMR gene of the proband and his affected relatives,but not in unaffected relatives or healthy controls.Conclusion The heterozygous mutation p.P694L in the OSMR gene may cause the clinical phenotype of FPCA in this family.