1.Molecular Mechanism of Programmed Cell Death in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Xin PENG ; Yunhui LI ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Haotian XU ; Ziming DANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):304-313
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant threat to global health, exhibiting high morbidity, disability and mortality rate, with its prevention and treatment situation becoming increasingly critical. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex, and the underlying cellular and molecular biological mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Programmed cell death (PCD) is the process wherein cells actively undergo demise to maintain internal environmental stability in response to certain signals or specific stimuli. Contemporary medical research indicates that the dysregulation of PCD patterns such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis is closely related to the onset and progression of COPD. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of PCD in COPD may provide novel perspectives for in-depth understanding and prevention of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by holistic regulation. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted in the TCM field focusing on modulating apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis for the treatment of COPD, yielding remarkable achievements. Therefore, this study systematically explored the molecular mechanism of PCD in COPD and reviewed the potential mechanisms and intervention status of TCM targeting PCD in COPD, aiming to provide insights and references for the clinical prevention, treatment and in-depth research of COPD.
2.Molecular Mechanism of Programmed Cell Death in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Xin PENG ; Yunhui LI ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Haotian XU ; Ziming DANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):304-313
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant threat to global health, exhibiting high morbidity, disability and mortality rate, with its prevention and treatment situation becoming increasingly critical. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex, and the underlying cellular and molecular biological mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Programmed cell death (PCD) is the process wherein cells actively undergo demise to maintain internal environmental stability in response to certain signals or specific stimuli. Contemporary medical research indicates that the dysregulation of PCD patterns such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis is closely related to the onset and progression of COPD. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of PCD in COPD may provide novel perspectives for in-depth understanding and prevention of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by holistic regulation. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted in the TCM field focusing on modulating apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis for the treatment of COPD, yielding remarkable achievements. Therefore, this study systematically explored the molecular mechanism of PCD in COPD and reviewed the potential mechanisms and intervention status of TCM targeting PCD in COPD, aiming to provide insights and references for the clinical prevention, treatment and in-depth research of COPD.
3.Ancient and Modern Documentation of Classic Formula Sangjuyin
Xiaofang WANG ; Lyuyuan LIANG ; Jialei CAO ; Ziming XU ; Wangju ZHOU ; Yiping WANG ; Yujie CHANG ; Ruiting SU ; Yihan LI ; Jingwen LI ; Bingqi WEI ; Bingxiang MA ; Wenli SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):200-207
Sangjuyin, as a pungent and cooling agent with precise therapeutic effect, is a classic pungent formula for cooling relief of the epidermis, which is highly respected by medical practitioners. This formula is from the Wenbing Tiaobian written by WU Jutong in the Qing dynasty, on the basis of which subsequent medical practitioners have made additions and subtractions to apply it. The authors used the bibliometric method to systematically organize the medical books from the Qing dynasty and the Republic of China and modern literature to analyze the composition, concoction, decoction, efficacy, and previous and modern application of Sangjuyin. After examination, the drug base of this formula is basically clear. Armeniacae Semen Amarum is the dried mature seeds of Armeniaca vulgaris, family Rosaceae. Forsythiae Fructus is the dried fruit of Forsythia suspensa, family Mulleinaceae. Menthae Haplocalycis Herba is the dried above-ground part of Mentha haplocalyx, family Labiatae. Mori Folium is the dried leaves of Morus alba, family Moraceae. Chrysanthemi Flos is the dried head of Chrysanthemum morifolium, family Asteraceae. Platycodonis Radix is the dried root of Eryngium grandiflorum, family Eryngium. Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is the dried root and rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis of the Leguminosae family, and Phragmitis Rhizoma is the fresh or dried rhizome of Phragmites communis of the Gramineae family. It is recommended that the eight drugs be used in raw form as medicine. The dosage and method of decoction were converted into a modern single dosage of 7.46 g Armeniacae Semen Amarum, 5.60 g Forsythiae Fructus, 2.98 g Menthae Haplocalycis Herba, 9.33 g Mori Folium, 3.73 g Chrysanthemi Flos, 7.46 g Platycodonis Radix, 2.98 g Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and 11.19 g Phragmitis Rhizoma, with 400 mL water added, and the solution was boiled to obtain 200 mL, taken twice a day. Sangjuyin has the efficacy of dispersing wind and clearing heat, promoting lung and relieving cough, and it is used for treating the initial onset of wind-warmth and the evidence of evil spirits in the lungs and collaterals. Modern research has shown that Sangjuyin is often used in the treatment of cough, pneumonia, rhinitis, and other respiratory diseases, and the results of this study provide a reference for the later development of Sangjuyin.
4.Discussion on Scientific Connotation of Vital Qi Strengthening for Detoxification Therapy in Treatment of Community-acquired Pneumonia Based on Theory of "Vital Qi Deficiency and Toxic Stasis"
Hanxiao WANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Haotian XU ; Xin PENG ; Ziming DANG ; Kun YANG ; Qianqian WANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):226-234
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) refers to an infectious inflammation of the lung parenchyma (including the alveolar wall,that is,the broad pulmonary interstitium) acquired outside the hospital. Its common pathogens include streptococcus pneumoniae,respiratory viruses, mycoplasma pneumoniae, and so on. The related factors for the occurrence and development of CAP include patient characteristics (immune function,mucus production and clearance function,coagulation function,physical condition, and comorbidity) and pathogen characteristics (susceptibility,virulence,and antibiotic resistance). The pathogenesis of CAP lies in immune deficiency,pathogen invasion,inflammatory response disorder,mucus production and clearance disorder, coagulation disorder, and so on. The pathogenesis of CAP in traditional Chinese medicine can be described as "vital Qi deficiency and toxic stasis". Vital Qi deficiency (lack of immunity) is the potential pathogenesis of the disease and easy to be invaded by external pathogens (respiratory pathogens). Toxic stasis (inflammatory disorder,mucus production and clearance disorder,and coagulation dysfunction) is the key pathogenic factor. Vital Qi deficiency and toxic stasis are intermingled in a state of deficiency and excess,which suggests that the treatment of CAP lies in strengthening vital Qi and eliminating pathogenic factors. This involves strengthening vital Qi in the whole process to consolidate body resistance and nourish promordial Qi. It also involves clearing heat,eliminating phlegm,removing dampness,and dispelling stasis to dispel pathogenic toxins based on the syndrome differentiation. Its action mechanism is to regulate immune and inflammatory responses,resist pathogens,and improve mucus production and clearance, as well as coagulation disorders. Starting from the key pathogenesis of CAP,"vital Qi deficiency and toxic stasis", this paper discussed the pathogenesis of CAP and summarized the action mechanism of vital Qi strengthening for detoxification in its treatment. It is intended to complement the theoretical system by identifying "vital Qi deficiency and toxic stasis" as the key pathogenesis underlying CAP and the scientific connotation of treating CAP with vital Qi strengthening for detoxification,thereby providing insights for its clinical application.
5.Performance Evaluation and Resource Utilization Optimization of Multidisciplinary Team Model for Lung Cancer: A Real-World Study
Meng WANG ; Xiaoli ZHANG ; Jue LIU ; Jingyi TANG ; Ziming LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):637-645
To compare the performance differences between the multidisciplinary team (MDT) model and the conventional diagnostic and treatment model for lung cancer, and to explore a high-quality development pathway for optimizing lung cancer diagnostic and treatment resources. A retrospective analysis was conducted on electronic medical record data of lung cancer patients at Shanghai Chest Hospital from March 2025 to December 2025. Patients were divided into an MDT group and a conventional care group based on whether they were admitted to the integrated oncology ward. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney A total of 4, 758 patients with primary lung cancer were included, comprising 365 (7.7%) in the MDT group and 4, 393 (92.3%) in the conventional care group. After adjusting for confounding factors, the MDT model significantly reduced hospitalization frequency during the observation period by 48.8% ( The MDT model for lung cancer significantly reduces hospitalization frequency; however, its effect on cost per hospitalization is population-selective, with increased costs in early-stage (stage Ⅰ) patients and decreased costs in late-stage (stages Ⅱ and Ⅳ) patients. The implementation of the MDT model should adopt precise patient stratification management, prioritizing the optimal patient population to achieve the optimal allocation of medical resources.
6.Sedation effects and pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine at different sites of mucosal administration in beagle dogs
Shengyuan WANG ; Xianfu LI ; Yuanyuan LIU ; Ziming ZHAO ; Zengming WANG ; Aiping ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2025;39(6):419-424
OBJECTIVE To establish an ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)method for determination of dexmedetomidine(DEX)in plasma of beagle dogs and evaluate the pharmacokinetics and sedation after nasal,buccal and sublingual mucosal admin-istration.METHODS A UPLC-MS/MS method was established and validated for dertermination of DEX in plasma of beagle dogs.DEX was administered to the nasal cavity,buccal and sublingual mucous membranes of beagle dogs,respectively.Blood samples were collected at different time points.The plasma concentration of DEX was measured by the established UPLC-MS/MS method.Pharmacokinetic parameters were fitted by Phoenix software and the sedative effect at different mucous membrane sites was evaluated in conjunction with behavioral and Ramsay scores.RESULTS The linearity of DEX was fine within the range of 0.05-100 μg·L-1(r>0.999),which was validated methodologically to meet the requirements of quantitative detection.The plasma concentration of the drug peaked the fastest with nasal administration.Tmax was 0.25 h,Cmax(4.43±1.19)μg·L-1,and the AUC0-6h was(8.92±2.07)μg·h·L-1,compared with 0.92 and 1 h,(2.87±0.69),(2.70±0.41)μg·L-1,and(7.99±1.77),(7.01±2.09)μg·h·L-1 with buccal and sublingual administration.Nasal administration had the fastest onset at 7 min,with a Ramsay score of 4,and sedation lasted for 36 min,compared with 33 and 35 min,and 38 and 37 min for buccal and sublingual administration.CONCLUSION The proposed method is sensitive,reliable and applicable to quantitative analysis of DEX in plasma of beagle dogs.Administration of DEX to the nasal cavity mucosa has a faster onset and a better sedative effect than to the buccal and sublingual mucosa.
7.Vanillic acid inhibits inflammatory response and extracellular matrix degradation of endplate chondrocytes
Qinghe YU ; Ziming CAI ; Jintao WU ; Pengfei MA ; Xin ZHANG ; Longqian ZHOU ; Yakun WANG ; Xiaoqin LIN ; Wenping LIN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(30):6391-6397
BACKGROUND:Research has shown that vanillic acid has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects,but it is unclear whether it has a protective effect on endplate chondrocytes.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect and mechanism of vanillic acid on endplate chondrocytes under inflammatory microenvironment.METHODS:(1)Primary endplate chondrocytes were isolated from the intervertebral disc of SD rats and identified by toluidine blue staining and collagenⅡ immunofluorescence.(2)The CCK-8 assay was employed to detect the effects of interleukin-1β and vanillic acid on the proliferation activity of endplate chondrocytes,in order to determine the concentration of vanillic acid for subsequent cell treatment.(3)An inflammatory microenvironment was simulated by adding 10 ng/mL interleukin-1β to the culture medium,and the endplate chondrocytes were treated with low,medium,and high mass concentrations of vanillic acid.The expression levels of inflammatory markers and extracellular matrix proteins were detected by western blot assay and immunofluorescence.(4)The expression of nuclear factor κB signaling pathway-related proteins was detected by western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The morphology of endplate chondrocytes in adherent culture was pike or triangular in shape,positive for toluidine blue staining and immunofluorescence for collagen Ⅱ,indicating that the experimentally extracted cells were endplate chondrocytes.(2)The CCK-8 assay results showed that treatment with 2.5,5,10,and 20 μg/mL vanillic acid for 24 hours did not significantly inhibit the proliferation of endplate chondrocytes.Compared with the interleukin-1β group,the viability of endplate chondrocytes treated with 5,10,and 20 μg/mL vanillic acid for 24 hours was significantly increased(P<0.05).Therefore,5,10,and 20 μg/mL vanillic acid was selected as the low,medium,and high dose groups for subsequent treatment of endplate chondrocytes.(3)Compared with the model group(complete medium containing 10 ng/mL interleukin-1β),the expression of NOD-like receptor thermal domain associated protein 3(NLRP3),matrix metalloproteinase 13,matrix metalloproteinase 3,and tumor necrosis factor alpha protein in the endplate chondrocytes of the low,medium,and high doses of vanillic acid groups were significantly reduced(P<0.05).(4)Compared with the model group,the protein expression of aggrecan and collagen Ⅱ in the endplate chondrocytes of the low,medium,and high dose groups of vanillic acid significantly increased(P<0.05).(5)Compared with the model group,the protein expression of phospho-nuclear factor κB and phospho-inhibitor of nuclear factor κB in the endplate chondrocytes of the low,medium,and high dose groups of vanillic acid was significantly reduced(P<0.05).(6)The above results indicate that vanillic acid may alleviate the inflammatory response and extracellular matrix degradation induced by interleukin-1β in rat endplate chondrocytes by inhibiting the activation of the nuclear factor κB signaling pathway.
8.Study on the efficacy and safety of Xuezhikang combined with PCSK9 inhibitor in the treatment of coronary heart disease
Ziming LIU ; Xiaozai HE ; Hong ZENG ; Jing WANG ; Yuan HUANG ; Zhitang CHANG
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(7):1560-1565
Objective To investigate the lipid-lowering efficacy and safety of Xuezhikang combined with PCSK9 inhibitor in patients with coronary heart disease.Methods A total of 102 patients with coronary heart disease hospitalized in Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital from June 2023 to November 2024 were enrolled in this study and randomly divided into a control group(50 cases)and an experimental group(52 cases).The control group received basic medication for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease,while the experi-mental group received Xuezhikang combined with PCSK9 inhibitor in addition to the basic medication.After 6 months of treatment,blood lipid indicators,liver function indicators,kidney function indicators,incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE),and incidence of adverse drug reactions were observed.Results After treatment,LDL-C,TC,AST,and ALT levels decreased in both groups compared with before treatment.The experimental group showed significantly lower levels of these indicators than the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Both groups had one case of adverse drug reaction each,showing no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).The MACE incidence was higher in the control group than in the experimental group(18.0%vs.3.8%,P<0.05).The lipid goal achievement rate was low-er in the control group than in the experimental group(44.0%vs.73.1%,P<0.05).Conclusion The com-bination of Xuezhikang and PCSK9 inhibitors demonstrates definite clinical efficacy in coronary heart disease patients,reduces MACE risk,and improves lipid goal achievement rates.
9.Levels and clinical significance of miR-17-5p and miR-141-3p in the serum of children with bacterial meningitis
Ziming TAN ; Mei ZHANG ; Tong LI ; Jun WANG ; Qiong LUO
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(9):1051-1055
Objective To investigate the levels and clinical significance of microRNA(miR)-17-5p and miR-141-3p in the serum of children with bacterial meningitis(BM).Methods A total of 111 children with BM ad-mitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from May 2019 to May 2022 were in-cluded as the study group,and another 111 healthy children who underwent physical examinations were in-cluded as the control group.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR)was used to measure the ex-pression levels of serum miR-17-5p and miR-141-3p.Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between serum miR-17-5p,miR-141-3p levels and inflammatory factors in children with BM.Multivariate Lo-gistic regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of BM occurrence.Receiver operating character-istic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic value of miR-17-5p and miR-141-3p levels for BM.Re-sults The serum levels of miR-17-5p and miR-141-3p in the study group were obviously lower than those in the control group(P<0.05),while the serum levels of C-reactive protein(CRP),procalcitonin(PCT),inter-feron-γ(IFN-γ),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-1β,and IL-6 in the study group were high-er than those in the control group(P<0.05).According to Pearson correlation analysis,miR-17-5p and miR-141-3p were negatively correlated with CRP,PCT,IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6(P<0.05).According to multivariate Logistic analysis,CRP,PCT,IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 were risk factors affecting the occur-rence of BM(P<0.05),while miR-17-5p and miR-141-3p were protective factors affecting the occurrence of BM(P<0.05).According to the ROC curve,the area under the curve(AUC)of serum level of miR-17-5p for diagnosing BM was 0.756,and the AUC of serum level of miR-141-3p for diagnosing BM was 0.720.The AUC of the combination of the two for diagnosing BM was 0.819,which was larger than that of single detec-tion(Zcombination vs.miR-17-5p=2.278,Zcombination vs.miR-141-3p=2.425,P<0.05).Conclusion The expression levels of miR-17-5p and miR-141-3p in the serum of children with BM are reduced.The two are related to the levels of inflammatory factors,and their combined detection has a high diagnostic value for BM.
10.Early functional brain network characteristics in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy assessed by functional near-infrared spectroscopy
Ziming WANG ; Zhuoyu ZHAO ; Ling ZHAO ; Jiayu ZHOU ; Yingying JIANG ; Laishuan WANG
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2025;28(4):273-279
Objective:To investigate the clinical utility of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in evaluating cerebral function in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).Methods:This was a case-control study. Fifteen neonates with moderate to severe HIE who were admitted to the Department of Neonatal Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University from March 2023 to August 2024 and completed fNIRS testing were selected as the HIE group, and 15 full-term infants without neurological diseases and completed fNIRS testing were selected as the control group during the same period. Resting-state fNIRS data were acquired to construct cerebral functional connectivity networks and topological properties were analyzed. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, analysis of variance, and Chi-square tests. Results:Compared with controls, the HIE group exhibited significantly reduced global functional connectivity strength [0.15 (0.05-0.26) vs. 0.24 (0.13-0.35), Z=-7.66, P<0.001]. Both groups demonstrated small-world network properties, with no intergroup difference (1.17±0.05 vs. 1.14±0.05, t=2.02, P=0.050). The HIE group showed decreased shortest path length (6.22±0.52 vs. 13.74±0.49, t=48.18, P<0.001), global efficiency (0.26±0.04 vs. 0.30±0.05, t=2.50, P=0.018) and normalized shortest path length (1.50±0.07 vs. 1.62±0.22, t=2.43, P=0.020). No differences were observed in the clustering coefficient or local efficiency between the two groups. Regional analysis revealed reduced nodal efficiency in both left (0.30±0.06 vs. 0.35±0.05, t=2.47, P=0.021) and right hemispheres (0.30±0.06 vs. 0.37±0.06, t=2.68, P=0.013) in HIE neonates compared with that of the corresponding hemispheres in the control group. The intra-group comparison showed no statistical significance in node efficiency between the left and right hemispheres (both P>0.05). Conclusion:fNIRS captures functional network signatures in HIE, demonstrating clinical potential for early detection of cerebral dysfunction in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic injury.

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