1.Analysis of Differential Metabolites of Pinelliae Rhizoma at Different Browning Stages Based on Widely Targeted Metabolomics
Jing TAO ; Honghong LIANG ; Ruoshi LI ; Zhouli XU ; Minzhao LI ; Aien TAO ; Guihua JIANG ; Li AI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):191-199
ObjectiveTo investigate differential metabolites associated with browning in the post-harvest processing of Pinelliae Rhizoma, providing data support for elucidating the key metabolites and metabolic pathways involved in browning, and developing safe and efficient sulfur-free processing techniques. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole/linear ion trap mass spectrometry(UPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS) was used to detect the metabolites of Pinelliae Rhizoma at different browning stages(0, 8, 16 h) for widely targeted metabolomics. Subsequently, Multivariate statistical analysis of metabolites was conducted using principal component analysis(PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), and K-means cluster analysis. Differential metabolites at different browning stages were screened based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 and |log2fold change(FC)|≥1, and metabolic pathway enrichment analysis was performed using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG). ResultsA total of 1 416 metabolites were identified across the three browning stages of Pinelliae Rhizoma, predominantly comprising amino acids and their derivatives(239), lipids(219), alkaloids(156), phenolic acids(121), terpenoids(113), and flavonoids(111). A two-by-two comparison of the three browning phases, yielded 622 differential metabolites that were significantly enriched in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, and purine metabolic pathway. Further analysis revealed that carbohydrates such as D-mannose and turanose, phenolic acids such as 1-O-caffeoyl-6-O-glucosyl-β-D-glucose, dicaffeoylshikimic acid, and flavonoids such as epigallocatechin gallate, vitexin-7-O-rutinoside, luteolin-7-O-(6″-malonyl)glucoside-5-O-arabinoside, catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, isovitexin-7-O-glucoside-2″-O-rhamnoside, apigenin-7-O-rutinoside-4ʹ-O-sophoroside, 3,5,3ʹ,4ʹ,5ʹ-penta-hydroxyflavan-7-gallate may act as browning substrates and play important roles in the browning process. ConclusionCarbohydrates, phenolic acids, and flavonoids may serve as key substrates in the browning process of Pinelliae Rhizoma, involving pathways such as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, and purine metabolism, which can provide a theoretical basis for further exploration of the browning mechanism.
2.Effect of red blood cell transfusion volume on postoperative oxygenation index during lung transplantation
Dapeng WANG ; Zhongping XU ; Xiaoshan LI ; Tao ZHOU ; Song WANG ; Hongyang XU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(01):72-78
Objective To investigate the impact of intraoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion volume on the postoperative oxygenation index in lung transplant recipients. Methods This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of patients who underwent lung transplantation at Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from 2021 to 2023. Patients were divided into a non-severe primary graft dysfunction (PGD) group and a severe PGD group based on whether their postoperative oxygenation index was>200 mm Hg at 0, 24, and 48 h. General patient data and intraoperative RBC transfusion volumes were compared between the two groups. A binary logistic regression model was constructed to explore the effect size (OR and its 95%CI) of RBC transfusion volume on postoperative oxygenation status at different time points (0, 24, and 48 h). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated to evaluate the model's diagnostic performance. Results A total of 351 patients were included (260 males, 91 females), with ages ranging from 20 to 77 years. The OR for the effect of intraoperative RBC transfusion on poor oxygenation was 1.486 (95%CI 0.982 to 2.248, P=0.061) at 0 h postoperatively, 3.111 (95%CI 1.793 to 5.399, P<0.001) at 24 h, and 1.583 (95%CI 1.026 to 2.442, P=0.038) at 48 h. This indicated that as time progressed, the postoperative oxygenation status of lung transplant recipients was affected by the intraoperative transfusion volume. Furthermore, an RBC transfusion volume>975 mLhad a significant impact on patient oxygenation at 24 and 48 h postoperatively. Conclusion The volume of intraoperative RBC transfusion has a significant impact on the oxygenation status at 24 and 48 h postoperatively. Intraoperative RBC transfusion volume is associated with the occurrence of severe PGD after lung transplantation. Controlling the volume of RBC transfusion during lung transplantation may help reduce the incidence of severe PGD.
3.Artificial intelligence-based quality control of hand hygiene for hospital-acquired infection
Xuchen YANG ; Jingwen LI ; Wan ZHANG ; Shasha FENG ; Min ZENG ; Jianan SHI ; Youqiong CHEN ; Tao ZHENG ; Xun YAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(02):241-247
Objective To explore an artificial intelligence (AI)-based method for automated hand hygiene monitoring and to compare the effectiveness of three algorithms (UniFormerV2, TDN, C3D) in recognizing hand hygiene steps in surgical settings, thereby aiding hospital infection control. Methods From April to October 2024, we non-invasively collected 641 video recordings of healthcare staff performing hand hygiene at four-bay scrub sinks in two tertiary hospitals using overhead HD cameras. The dataset was annotated by five trained experts for model training and validation. Results Following training on 385 samples, internal validation (n=119) showed the C3D model achieved 81% accuracy, 87% recall, and an 83% F1-score. The TDN model achieved 93%, 91%, and 92% for the same metrics. The UniFormerV2 model outperformed both, with an accuracy, recall, and F1-score of 93%—an improvement of over 10 percentage points compared to traditional CNNs (TDN, C3D). It also achieved an 84% accuracy in external validation, demonstrating strong generalization. Conclusion The UniFormerV2 model is more accurate than CNN-based models for hand hygiene step recognition and shows robust performance in external validation. It presents a viable tool for healthcare facilities to enhance hand hygiene management, ultimately improving medical quality and patient safety.
4.Association of outdoor activity time and sleep duration with screening myopia in primary school students
LIU Xiaoling, LI Tingting, CAO Caiyun, YANG Feng, TAO Shuman, WU Xiaoyan, XU Shaojun, TAO Fangbiao
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(2):279-282
Objective:
To explore the association of outdoor activity time and sleep duration with screening myopia in primary school students, so as to provide strategies for myopia prevention.
Methods:
Through a convenience sampling method, a survey was conducted among 4 248 primary school students aged 7-13 years from three primary schools in Xihu District, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province from May to July, 2023. The average daily outdoor activity time and sleep duration on both weekdays and weekends were investigated in primary school students by using a self designed questionnaire. Uncorrected visual acuity tests and non cycloplegic autorefraction were measured by professional optometrists. Inter group comparisons were conducted using the Chi square test. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association of outdoor activity time and sleep duration with screening myopia.
Results:
The detection rate of screening myopia in primary school students was 33.6%, with the rate in boys (32.0%) lower than that in girls (35.3%), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ 2=5.11, P =0.02). The analysis results of Logistic regression showed that after adjusting for factors such as gender, grade and parental education level, both average daily outdoor activity time <2 h on both weekdays and weekends ( OR =1.27, 95% CI =1.11-1.46) and sleep duration <10 h ( OR =1.17, 95% CI =1.01- 1.35 ), as well as their combined effect ( OR =1.57, 95% CI =1.25-1.98), were associated with an increased risk of screening myopia in primary school students(all P <0.05). Subgroup analysis results indicated that compared to boys ( OR =1.46, 95% CI = 1.07 -1.99), girls( OR =1.73, 95% CI =1.22-2.44) with insufficient outdoor activity time and sleep duration had a higher risk of screening myopia(both P <0.05).
Conclusions
There is a negative correlation of outdoor activity time and sleep duration with screening myopia in primary school students. Outdoor activity time and extending sleep duration should be increased to reduce the risk of myopia in primary school students.
5.Association between random urine electrolytes and hypertension in children and adolescents
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):314-318
Objective:
To systematically evaluate the association between random urinary electrolyte levels and hypertension among children and adolescents in Guizhou Province, so as to provide evidence for region specific dietary guidance and interventions.
Methods:
In 2023, a total of 2 480 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years were recruited from a nine-year coherent style school in Guizhou Province in a children health cohort, with follow ups conducted in 2024 and 2025. Random urine samples were collected to measure urinary sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride, and the urinary sodium to potassium ratio (Na/K) was calculated. The diagnosis of hypertension was based on the criteria established by the Chinese Guidelines for Hypertension Prevention and Treatment (2024 revised edition) and relevant research. Linear mixed models and multinomial Logistic regression were used to assess the associations of urinary electrolytes with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the risk of hypertension.
Results:
At baseline, SBP, DBP, and MAP were 102.33 (94.33, 110.33), 61.33 (56.33, 67.00) and 75.22 (69.67, 81.33)mmHg among children and adolescents, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders and two follow-ups, higher urinary Na/K ratio was positively associated with higher of SBP ( β=0.054, 95%CI =0.028- 0.081 ) and MAP ( β=0.038, 95%CI =0.010-0.066), as well as higher risks of hypertension ( OR=1.248, 95%CI =1.006-1.548) (all P <0.05). Higher of urinary chloride levels were positively associated with higher of SBP ( β=0.088, 95%CI = 0.009- 0.167), whereas higher of urinary potassium (SBP: β=-0.062, 95%CI =-0.096 to -0.028; MAP: β=-0.041, 95%CI = -0.078 to -0.005) and calcium levels (SBP: β=-0.036, 95%CI =-0.065 to -0.007) were negatively associated with blood pressure (all P < 0.05 ).
Conclusion
The urinary Na/K, as a comprehensive electrolyte marker, more stably reflects sodium load and excretory pressure in children and adolescents, and may serve as an early predictor of hypertension risk.
6.Association between exposure to entertainment screen content on mobile phones and symptoms of anxiety-depression co-morbidity among college students
SUN Xuelian, LI Tingting, TAO Shuman, XIE Yang, YANG Yajuan, ZOU Liwei, TAO Fangbiao, WU Xiaoyan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):369-373
Objective:
To determine the association between exposure to entertainment screen content on mobile phones and symptoms of anxiety-depression co-morbidity among college students,so as to provide evidence for mental health interventions.
Methods:
A baseline survey was conducted from April to May 2019. A total of 1 135 college students were selected from one university each in Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province and Hefei City, Anhui Province using cluster random sampling method. A follow up study was conducted in November 2019, resulting in 1 110 matched valid responses. Self rating questionnaires were used to assess the exposure of entertainment screen content. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21(DASS-21) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to evaluate the anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and symptoms of anxiety-depression co-morbidity among college students. A multivariate binary Logistic regression model was constructed following initial intergroup comparisons with Chi-square test to determine the association between baseline exposure to mobile entertainment screen content and the risk of symptoms of anxiety depression co-morbidity at baseline and the 6 month follow up.
Results:
The prevalence rates of symptoms of anxiety-depression co-morbidity among college students were 25.4% and 20.6% at baseline and follow up, respectively.After adjusting for confounding factors such as gender, self rated family economic status and self rated health status, the results of multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the appropriate exposure level group, the exposure of entertainment screen content on mobile phones at baseline, including frequent exposure to reading( OR =1.65,95% CI =1.14-2.39), occasional exposure to other entertainment screen content ( OR =1.46,95% CI =1.01-2.10)and frequent exposure to other entertainment screen content( OR =1.76,95% CI =1.20-2.60), increased the co-occurrence risk of symptoms of anxiety-depression co-morbidity among college students during the follow up period (all P <0.05).
Conclusion
Occasional or frequert exposure to mobile entertainment screen content can increase the risk of symptoms of anxiety depression co-morbidity among college students.
7.Polygonati Rhizoma Polysaccharides Improve Cognitive and Emotional Functions of Ovariectomy-AD Model Rats Through Modulating ERα/PI3K/Akt Pathway
Gengchao ZHANG ; Li YANG ; Yuan ZHANG ; Tao ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):154-162
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effectiveness and mechanisms of Polygonati Rhizoma polysaccharides (PRP) on improving cognitive and emotional functions in the ovariectomy (OVX)-Alzheimer's disease (AD) model rats. MethodsAfter being randomly divided into blank group, model group, estradiol group (0.18 mg·kg-1·d-1), low-PRP group (200 mg·kg-1), medium-PRP group (400 mg·kg-1), and high-PRP group (800 mg·kg-1), 60 SPF female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were subjected to OVX. One week later, vaginal smear examination as well as D-galactose intraperitoneal injection (150 mg·kg-1·d-1, once daily, for eight weeks) were adopted to establish the OVX-AD model, and drug intervention was initiated nine weeks after surgery. Upon completion of the treatment course, cognitive and emotional functions, as well as hippocampal CA3 region damage were assessed in all rats by open-field test, new object recognition test, Morris water maze test, and transmission electron microscopy. Indicators of inflammation [interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor-necrosis-factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β)), oxidative-stress (superoxide-dismutase (SOD), glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px)] were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and biochemical methods. The mRNA and protein expression levels of estrogen-receptor α (ERα)/phosphoinositide 3kinase (PI3K)/protein-kinase-B (Akt) signaling pathway, apoptosis [Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2)] and the indicators of pathological sedimentary proteins [amyloid β-protein1-42 (Aβ1-42), microtubule-associated protein Tau, phosphorylated site 404 of microtubule-associated protein Tau [p-Tau (Ser404)] were detected by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and western blot analysis. ResultsCompared with those in blank group, the rats in model group exhibited marked ultra-structural damage to hippocampal CA3 neurons, along with the reduction of activity time and shuttle frequency in central area, the index and exploration frequency of new object recognition, and the platform crossings and time spent in target quadrant, as well as the prolonged latency (P<0.05, P<0.01). Furthermore, the contents and expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, Bax, Aβ1-42, Tau, and p-Tau (Ser404) were significantly increased, and the activity and expression of SOD, GSH-Px, ERα, PI3K, Akt, and Bcl-2 were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared to those in model group, the rats in estradiol group and groups with different doses of PRP noticeably presented with amelioration of neuronal damage, along with increased activity time and shuttle frequency in the central zone, elevated new object recognition index and exploration frequency, shortened latency, prolonged activity time, and increased platform crossings in the target quadrant (P<0.05, P<0.01). What is more, the contents and expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, Bax, Aβ1-42, Tau, and p-Tau (Ser404) were significantly reduced, whereas the activity and expression levels of SOD, GSH-Px, ERα, PI3K, Akt, and Bcl-2 were markedly elevated (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionPRP can improve the cognitive and emotional functions of AD model rats, and its mechanisms are probably related to modulating the ERα/PI3K/Akt pathway as well as inhibiting Aβ, Tau, neuro-inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, resulting in alleviation of neuronal damage.
8.Effect of mesaconate combined with LR on prolonging the golden treatment time window and its resuscitation efficacy for hemorrhagic shock rats under high-altitude conditions
Yuanqun ZHOU ; Xinming XIANG ; Xingnan OUYANG ; Jie ZHANG ; Qinghui LI ; Liangming LIU ; Tao LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):720-726
OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of endogenous metabolite mesaconate combined with Sodium lactate Ringer’s injection (LR) on prolonging the golden treatment time window and its resuscitation efficacy in rats with hemorrhagic shock under high-altitude conditions. METHODS Rats were divided into the shock group, LR group, and 5, 20, 50 mg/kg mesaconate+LR groups, with 20 rats in each group, to investigate the effect of additional use of mesaconate on the golden treatment time window. After establishing a model of uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock under high-altitude conditions in all groups by housing in a hypobaric hypoxia chamber combined with splenic artery transection, rats in the shock group received no resuscitation, while rats in the LR group and mesaconate+LR groups underwent low-pressure resuscitation with LR or mesaconate combined with LR. Blood pressure control, fluid infusion volume, blood loss rate and survival status were observed in each group. Rats were further divided into the normal group, shock group and mesaconate (50 mg/kg)+LR group, with 10 or 20 rats in each group, to evaluate the resuscitation effects after extending the golden treatment time window by additionally using mesaconate. Except for the normal group, the other groups underwent the same procedure to establish an uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock model under high-altitude conditions. Rats in the shock group received no resuscitation. In the mesaconate+LR group, after 3 h of low-pressure resuscitation, bleeding control was performed by ligation of the spleen artery, and the infusion volume and blood loss rate were recorded; subsequently, the rats received LR resuscitation with twice the volume of blood loss. Then, blood gas indicators of the mesaconate+LR group were measured at different time points. Survival rates, indicators related to sublingual microcirculatory perfusion, liver and kidney blood flow, indicators related to the function of vital organs, and lung and brain water content were observed in all groups. RESULTS LR infusion alone could effectively maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) within 50-60 mmHg for approximately 1 h. The administration of mesaconate combined with LR during hypotensive resuscitation could maintain MAP within 50-60 mmHg for over 3 h, with significantly reduced fluid infusion volume and blood loss rate in 50 mg/kg mesaconate+LR group, compared to the LR group ( P <0.05). In the LR group, rats maintained low pressure for up to 1 hour with a survival rate of 52.94%, and no rats survived beyond 2 h. In the 5, 20 and 50 mg/kg mesaconate+LR groups, rats maintained low pressure for up to 1 h with a survival rate exceeding 80%; in the 20 and 50 mg/kg mesaconate+LR groups, rats maintained low pressure for up to 3 h with a survival rate exceeding 70%. After complete resuscitation with mesaconate combined with LR, the 72 h survival rate of rats was 43.75%, and significant improvements in blood gas parameters were observed compared to the end of the shock phase ( P <0.05). Compared to the shock group, the mesaconate+LR group showed significant recovery in sublingual microcirculatory indicators, and liver/kidney blood flow after complete resuscitation ( P <0.05), with significant reductions in heart, liver and kidney function-related indicators and lung water content ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Mesaconate combined with LR significantly extends the golden treatment time window for hemorrhagic shock in rats under high-altitude conditions, improves blood gas parameters, sublingual microcirculatory perfusion, and liver/kidney blood flow, mitigates vital organ impairment and pulmonary edema, and increases the survival rate of shocked rats.
9.Zishen Huoxue Prescription Alleviates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Hippocampal Neurons of 2-VO Rats via GRP78/PERK/ATF4 Signaling Pathway
Yao SU ; Feng QIU ; Tao YI ; Hanquan LI ; Le XIE ; Xiuli ZHANG ; Dahua WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):93-102
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which the Zishen Huoxue prescription (ZSHXP) ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in rats with vascular dementia (VD) induced by the bilateral common carotid artery ligation (2-VO model rats) through regulating the glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78)/protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) signaling pathway. MethodsA VD rat model was established via the 2-VO method. A total of 72 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into six groups: Sham group, Model group, donepezil hydrochloride group (0.45 mg·kg-1), and ZSHXP groups at low (8.90 g·kg-1), medium (17.80 g·kg-1), and high (35.60 g·kg-1) doses,with 12 rats in each group. The Morris Water Maze test was utilized to assess spatial learning and memory abilities of rats, and the Novel Object Recognition test was used to evaluate cognitive performance. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Nissl staining were applied to observe the histological and morphological changes in hippocampal tissues. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the morphological changes of endoplasmic reticulum in rat hippocampal neurons. Immunofluorescence staining was adopted to detect the colocalization of neuronal nuclei antigen (NeuN) with GRP78 and βⅢ Tubulin with gasdermin D (GSDMD) in hippocampal neurons. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related proteins including GRP78, PERK, ATF4, phosphorylated protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (p-PERK), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1 and GSDMD. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the model group showed a significantly prolonged escape latency (P<0.01), a significant decrease in the number of platform crossings and the residence time in the target quadrant (P<0.01), and a markedly reduced recognition index (P<0.01). Histological observations revealed that the hippocampal neurons in the model group were disorderly arranged with reduced quantity, deformed and shrunken cell bodies, and pyknotic and hyperchromatic nuclei. The number of Nissl bodies decreased significantly. The number of endoplasmic reticula reduced obviously, accompanied by abnormal dilation and swelling, and the loss of normal folding structure. The fluorescence colocalization of NeuN with GRP78 and βⅢ Tubulin with GSDMD in the hippocampus was significantly increased in the model group. The protein expression levels of GRP78, p-PERK/PERK, ATF4, CHOP, NLRP3, GSDMD and Caspase-1 in the model group were significantly elevated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the donepezil hydrochloride group and the ZSHXP medium- and high-dose groups had a significantly shortened escape latency (P<0.01) and an increased number of platform crossings (P<0.05, P<0.01). The residence time in the target quadrant was increased in the donepezil hydrochloride group and all ZSHXP groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), with a significantly improved recognition index (P<0.01). In the donepezil hydrochloride group and all ZSHXP groups, the number of hippocampal neurons increased with a more compact arrangement and reduced nuclear hyperchromasia. The number of Nissl bodies increased with morphological structures tending to be normal. In the ZSHXP high-dose group, the number of endoplasmic reticula increased and the folding structure was restored. The fluorescence colocalization of NeuN with GRP78 and βⅢ Tubulin with GSDMD in the hippocampus was significantly weakened in the treatment groups. In the donepezil hydrochloride group, the protein expressions of GRP78, ATF4 and CHOP were increased (P<0.01), while the expression of p-PERK/PERK was decreased (P<0.05). In the ZSHXP low-dose group, the expressions of GRP78, p-PERK/PERK and CHOP were elevated (P<0.05, P<0.01). The ZSHXP medium- and high-dose groups showed a significant decrease in the protein expressions of p-PERK/PERK, ATF4 and CHOP (P<0.01), and the high-dose group had a markedly reduced GRP78 protein expression (P<0.01). In the donepezil hydrochloride group, the Caspase-1 protein expression was increased (P<0.01) and the NLRP3 protein expression was decreased (P<0.01). In the ZSHXP low-dose group, the GSDMD expression was elevated (P<0.01) while the NLRP3 protein expression was reduced (P<0.01). After treatment with medium and high doses of ZSHXP, the protein expression levels of NLRP3, GSDMD and Caspase-1 were significantly decreased (P<0.01). ConclusionThe ameliorative effect of ZSHXP on cognitive function in 2-VO model rats may be associated with its regulation of the GRP78/PERK/ATF4 signaling pathway, which ameliorates ERS and inhibits neuronal pyroptosis.
10.Preparation of Triptolide-Chuanxiong Rhizoma Extract Ethanol Transfersomes and Analysis on Its in Vitro Anti-inflammatory Mechanism
Ling TAO ; Zhiyan WAN ; Yidan LIU ; Zhe LI ; Zhenzhong ZANG ; Weifeng ZHU ; Yongmei GUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):210-218
ObjectiveTo prepare triptolide-Chuanxiong Rhizoma extract ethanol transfersomes(TP-CX@TESs), conduct its quality evaluation, and investigate its in vitro anti-inflammatory efficacy and the underlying mechanisms. MethodsTP-CX@TESs was prepared via the ultrasonic injection method. With encapsulation efficiency and particle size as evaluation indicators, Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology(BBD-RSM) was employed to optimize the formulation process. The TP-CX@TESs prepared under the optimal process was characterized and evaluated for in vitro transdermal performance. A lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cell inflammation model was established. After 24 h of drug intervention, the levels of inflammatory factors such as nitric oxide(NO), interleukin-6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in the cell supernatant were detected. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of Janus kinase 2(JAK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(α7nAChR), and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was applied to measure the mRNA expression levels of JAK2, STAT3, the encoding gene of α7nAChR(CHRNA7), and nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB). ResultsResults of BBD-RSM showed that the optimal formulation for preparing TP-CX@TESs was as follows:egg yolk lecithin content of 2.3%, ethanol volume fraction of 30%, and ratio of polysorbate-80 to egg yolk lecithin of 2∶5. Microscopic characterization revealed that TP-CX@TESs exhibited a spherical-like structure with a particle size of (105.60±3.85) nm, a polydispersity index of 0.19±0.03, and a Zeta potential of (-15.89±0.98) mV. The encapsulation efficiencies of triptolide, ferulic acid, and ligustilide were (76.88±4.40)%, (78.84±4.40)%, and (65.88±0.06)%, respectively. Both in vitro release and transdermal penetration of triptolide, ferulic acid, and ligustilide in TP-CX@TESs all followed the first-order kinetic model, showing a certain sustained-release property. Experimental results in RAW264.7 cells indicated that TP-CX@TESs significantly inhibited the release of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6(P<0.01), remarkably upregulated the protein expression levels of STAT3 and α7nAChR(P<0.01), increased the mRNA expression level of CHRNA7, and significantly downregulated the mRNA expression level of NF-κB(P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe optimized formulation process of TP-CX@TESs is simple and feasible, along with favorable in vitro release property, good transdermal permeability, and excellent in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, the mechanism is related to the inhibition of NF-κB.


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