1.Effect and Mechanism of Modified Sini San on Improving Intestinal Mucosal Barrier of Chronic Stress Rats via Regulating Short-chain Fatty Acid Metabolism and Inhibiting HMGB1/RAGE Signaling Pathway
Youlan KE ; Yingying YUE ; Zicheng WANG ; Yaoxue SHANG ; Xian ZHOU ; Yu CHEN ; Songlin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):31-41
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of modified Sini San in ameliorating intestinal mucosal barrier by observing its effects on short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1)/receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) signaling pathways in chronic stress rats. MethodsThe 50 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,low-dose modified Sini San group (7.34 g·kg-1·d-1),high-dose modified Sini San group (14.68 g·kg-1·d-1),and Fructo-oligosaccharides group (3.15 g·kg-1·d-1),with 10 rats in each group. Except for the control group,all other groups were subjected to chronic unpredictable stress/social isolation to create a chronic stress model for 6 weeks. After 4 weeks of modeling,each treatment group was given corresponding drugs by gavage for 2 weeks while modeling. The control group and model group were given the same volume of physiological saline. The effects of Modified Sini San on behaviors,body weight,Bristol score in feces and fecal moisture content in chronic stress rats were observed. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the cecum. The content of SCFAs in the cecal contents of rats were detected by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the expression of HMGB1/RAGE pathway related proteins in cecal tissue. The levels of ZO-1,Occludin,and Claudin-1 in the cecal tissue were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsCompared with the model group,the sucrose preference rate,total distance traveled and the number of grid crossings in the open field test of rats in the low-dose modified Sini San group were obviously increased (P<0.05, P<0.01),and the immobility time in the open field test and the immobility time in the forced swimming test of rats in the low-dose and high-dose modified Sini San groups were obviously reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Meanwhile,the Bristol score and fecal moisture content of rats in the low and high dose groups of modified Sini San were obviously increased (P<0.05). The low-dose group of modified Sini San had intact mucosal layer structure in the cecal tissue and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells. The content of SCFAs in the cecal contents increased,with a obviously increase in the content of acetic acid,propionic acid,butyric acid,and isovaleric acid (P<0.05, P<0.01) and the expression levels of HMGB1,RAGE,Toll-like receptor 2(TLR2),Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and nuclear factor kappa-B p65(NF-κB p65) proteins in cecal tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in low-dose group of modified Sini San. Meanwhile,the contents of ZO-1,Occludin,and Claudin-1 in the cecal tissue were obviously increased (P<0.01) in low-dose group of modified Sini San. ConclusionModified Sini San can improve the function of intestinal mucosal barrier in chronic stress rats by increasing the content of SCFAs in the intestine and inhibiting the HMGB1/RAGE pathway.
2.Research progress on the mechanism of regulating bilirubin metabolism by traditional Chinese medicines attributed to the liver meridian
Mengting JIANG ; Zicheng XIAN ; Yinmin ZHOU ; Chao CHEN ; Xue LI ; Ming YANG
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(9):1084-1093
Bilirubin,as a major endogenous substance in the human body,plays anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,and cytoprotective roles within physiological ranges,serving a critical function in maintaining metabolic balance of endogenous substances.Bilirubin metabolism is a complex physiological process regulated by multiple factors,relying on UGT1A1 enzyme catalysis and transporter protein modulation to sustain substance homeostasis.Based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)channel tropism and the principle of visceral syndrome differentiation,liver-channel-tropic herbs can guide medications to specific viscera and meridians,exerting targeted therapeutic effects.These herbs regulate bilirubin metabolic disorders through multi-target mechanisms,including upregulating UGT1A1 enzyme activity to promote bilirubin conjugation,modulating MRP2/OATP expression to enhance bilirubin transport,attenuating oxidative stress to reduce hepatocyte damage,inhibiting inflammatory cytokines to restore metabolic enzyme activity,activating CAR signaling pathways to regulate bile acid homeostasis.This review summarizes the mechanisms by which TCM regulates bilirubin metabolism,focuses on the role of liver meridian-targeting TCM to provide a basis for its rational clinical use,and studies the effects of liver meridian-targeting TCM on bilirubin metabolism from its core mechanisms to guide its rational use and provide new ideas for the research and development of traditional Chinese medicine.This review summarizes the mechanisms by which TCM regulates bilirubin metabolism,focusing on the actions of herbs that enter the liver meridian.Starting from the core mechanisms,it explores how liver meridian-entering herbs significantly impact bilirubin metabolism.Some of these herbs demonstrate dual-directional regulatory effects on bilirubin metabolism.This understanding guides their rational clinical use,provides novel ideas for TCM research and development,and promotes the modernization of TCM studies.
3.Research progress on the mechanism of regulating bilirubin metabolism by traditional Chinese medicines attributed to the liver meridian
Mengting JIANG ; Zicheng XIAN ; Yinmin ZHOU ; Chao CHEN ; Xue LI ; Ming YANG
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(9):1084-1093
Bilirubin,as a major endogenous substance in the human body,plays anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,and cytoprotective roles within physiological ranges,serving a critical function in maintaining metabolic balance of endogenous substances.Bilirubin metabolism is a complex physiological process regulated by multiple factors,relying on UGT1A1 enzyme catalysis and transporter protein modulation to sustain substance homeostasis.Based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)channel tropism and the principle of visceral syndrome differentiation,liver-channel-tropic herbs can guide medications to specific viscera and meridians,exerting targeted therapeutic effects.These herbs regulate bilirubin metabolic disorders through multi-target mechanisms,including upregulating UGT1A1 enzyme activity to promote bilirubin conjugation,modulating MRP2/OATP expression to enhance bilirubin transport,attenuating oxidative stress to reduce hepatocyte damage,inhibiting inflammatory cytokines to restore metabolic enzyme activity,activating CAR signaling pathways to regulate bile acid homeostasis.This review summarizes the mechanisms by which TCM regulates bilirubin metabolism,focuses on the role of liver meridian-targeting TCM to provide a basis for its rational clinical use,and studies the effects of liver meridian-targeting TCM on bilirubin metabolism from its core mechanisms to guide its rational use and provide new ideas for the research and development of traditional Chinese medicine.This review summarizes the mechanisms by which TCM regulates bilirubin metabolism,focusing on the actions of herbs that enter the liver meridian.Starting from the core mechanisms,it explores how liver meridian-entering herbs significantly impact bilirubin metabolism.Some of these herbs demonstrate dual-directional regulatory effects on bilirubin metabolism.This understanding guides their rational clinical use,provides novel ideas for TCM research and development,and promotes the modernization of TCM studies.
4.Clinical study on the treatment of gastrointestinal neurosis with insomnia by combination of "stomach ten acupuncture" and domperidone tablets
Zicheng QIAN ; Cui CUI ; Fei WANG ; Chong WANG ; Yamei CAO ; Xian SUN ; Shuyuan ZHANG ; Guirui ZHANG ; Guifu ZHOU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2023;45(4):415-420
Objective:To study on the effect of "stomach ten acupuncture" combined with domperidone tablets on clinical symptoms and sleep quality of gastrointestinal neurosis patients with insomnia based on the theory of "stomach harmonious leading to restless".Methods:Randomized controlled trial. From March 2020 to March 2021, 98 patients with gastrointestinal neurosis and insomnia in our hospital who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups, with 49 patients in each group. The control group took domperidone tablets orally, and the observation group was treated with "stomach ten acupuncture" on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. Before and after treatment, TCM syndromes were scored, the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms was assessed with Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), anxiety and depression were assessed with Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and sleep quality was assessed with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale (PSQI).Results:After treatment, the scores and total scores of epigastric pain, belching, abdominal distension, anorexia, noisy acid regurgitation, tiredness and asthenia, constipation and loose stools in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t values were 19.61, 19.30, 23.10, 22.05, 20.43, 21.81, 20.51, 16.38, respectively, P<0.01); the scores and total scores of typical symptoms, abdominal pain symptoms, reflux symptoms, diarrhea symptoms, constipation symptoms were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t values were 10.10, 11.14, 11.04, 9.31, 11.24, 5.30, respectively, P<0.01); HAMA and HAMD scores were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t values were 6.96 and 6.85, respectively, P<0.01). The scores of time to fall asleep (1.15 ± 0.56 vs. 2.11 ± 0.75, t=7.18), time to sleep (0.92 ± 0.63 vs. 1.52 ± 1.12, t=3.27), sleep quality (1.02 ± 0.66 vs. 1.96 ± 0.80, t=6.35), sleep efficiency (0.86 ± 0.62 vs. 1.68 ± 0.85, t=5.46), sleep disorders (0.92 ± 0.36 vs. 1.48 ± 0.55, t=5.96), daytime dysfunction (0.96 ± 0.42 vs. 1.97 ± 0.87, t=7.32), hypnotics (0.98 ± 0.45 vs. 1.81 ± 0.62, t=7.58) and total scores (6.85 ± 1.47 vs. 12.73 ± 2.95, t=12.49) were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:The "stomach ten acupuncture" combined with domperidone tablets can improve the clinical symptoms and sleep quality of gastrointestinal neurosis patients with insomnia.
5.The effect of "ten needles in the stomach" treatment on sleep perception for the patients with spleen-gastric damp-heat insomnia based on the theory of "stomach upset, sleep restlessness"
Zicheng QIAN ; Cui CUI ; Fei WANG ; Chong WANG ; Yamei CAO ; Xian SUN ; Shuyuan ZHANG ; Guirui ZHANG ; Guifu ZHOU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2022;44(11):1227-1232
Objective:To explore the effect of "ten needles in the stomach" on sleep perception of patients with spleen-gastric damp-heat insomnia based on the theory of "stomach discord, then sleep restlessness", to provide references for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:The study subjects were 300 patients with insomnia from the sleep department and outpatient department of Shijiazhuang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. According to the random number method, they were divided into the stomach ten needle group, the diazepam group, and the stomach ten needle plus diazepam group, with 100 in each group. Among them, the stomach ten needles group received "stomach ten needles" acupuncture treatment, the diazepam group was given diazepam therapy, and the stomach ten needles plus diazepam group was given diazepam combined with "stomach ten needles" acupuncture treatment. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, the self-rating disease symptom scale (SCL-90) scores, nighttime polysomnography (PSG) monitoring indicators, and the mean sleep latency (MSL) values were compared before and after treatment in the three groups. The difference in clinical efficacy between the two groups were observed.Results:The total effective rate was 94.0% (94/100) in the combined group, 77.0% (77/100) in the diazepam group, and 85.0% (85/100) in the stomach ten needle group. There were significant differences among the three groups ( χ2=11.56, P<0.01). After treatment, the daytime dysfunction, hypnotic drugs, sleep disturbance, sleep efficiency, sleep time, sleep time, sleep quality score and total score of the combined group were significantly lower than those in the diazepam group and the stomach ten needle group ( F=5.70, 3.65, 5.23, 6.37, 3.66, 6.19, 7.54, 6.40, all Ps<0.01); The scores of SCL-90 and MSL were significantly lower than those in the diazepam group and stomach ten needle group ( F=8.97, 7.53, all Ps<0.01). In the combined group, NWAK [(1.36 ± 0.87) times vs. (2.69 ± 1.15) times, (2.11 ± 1.05) times, F=5.88], SOL [(13.62 ± 5.85) min vs. (25.06 ± 9.42) min, (19.78 ± 7.63) min, F=6.49], N1/TST [(5.69 ± 1.09)% vs. (12.65 ± 2.58)%, (8.49 ± 2.45)%, F=5.13], N2/TST [(51.07 ± 10 2.06)% vs. (58.36 ± 2.18)%, (55.61 ± 2.04)%, F=9.86] were significantly lower than those in the diazepam group and stomach ten needle group ( P<0.01), SE [(90.33 ± 2.89)% vs. (85.39 ± 2.75)%, (87.53 ± 2.69)%, F=8.36], TST [(449.32 ± 23.65) min vs. (421.66 ± 25.33) min, (431.26 ± 25.98) min, F=8.26], REM/TST [(23.87 ± 4.52)% vs. (14.52 ± 3.87)%, (18.36 ± 3.25)%, F=5.34], N3/TST [(18.69 ± 2.02)% vs. (10.31 ± 1.64)%, (14.89 ± 1.74)%, F=7.69] were significantly higher than those in the diazepam group and stomach ten needle group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Based on the "stomach discord, sleep restlessness" theory, the ten needles on the stomach can treat insomnia and improve psychological state and sleep quality, with the functions of clearing the damp and heat of the middle joker, regulating the lifting and lowering of qi in the middle.

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