1.Mechanism of puerarin in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis based on network pharmacology and animal experimental verification
Yue Gao ; Fang Tang ; Wukai Ma ; Weiya Lan ; Zong Jiang ; Zexu Jin
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):22-31
		                        		
		                        			Objective :
		                        			To investigate the mechanism of puerarin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) by network pharmacology and animal experiments.
		                        		
		                        			Methods :
		                        			Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmcolog Database(TCMSP) and SwissTargetPrediction database were used to collect puerarin targets, and the targets of RA were obtained from GeneCards database and OMIM database. The PPI network was established by Cytoscape 3.7.2 software. Gene ontology(GO) function and Kyotoencyclopedia of genes(KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed through the Metascape database. RA rat-collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) model was reproduced using type Ⅱ collagen emulsion, 49 Wistar rats were randomly assigned to seven groups: control group, CIA model group, low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose puerarin group, methotrexate group, Tripterysium Glycosides Tablets group. Except for the control group, the other groups were given continuous gavage for 28 days after the CIA in rats model were prepared. The redness and swelling of the joints and ankle joint pathological changes were observed in each group. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Glycogen synthase kinase3β(GSK-3β), beta-catenin(β-catenin) proteins in the synovium. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR) was used to detect the expression of GSK-3β, β-catenin and c-Myc mRNA in the synovium. 
		                        		
		                        			Results :
		                        			Puerarin had 134 targets genes, RA had 5 821 target genes, and there were 102 overlapping target genes of puerarin and RA. It involved 184 signaling pathways, including JAK-STAT signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, et al. The results of animal experiments showed that after the intervention of M-puerarin and MTX, the symptoms of redness and swelling of the hind foot were alleviated, the inflammatory cell infiltration in the synovium of the joint was significantly reduced, and the damage of cartilage and bone tissue was reduced. Compared with CIA group, the expressions of GSK-3β, β-catenin protein and GSK-3β, β-catenin and c-Myc mRNA in synovial tissue of rats after M-puerarin intervention decreased(P<0.05).
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion 
		                        			Puerarin has the characteristic of multi-components, multi-targets and multi-pathway intervention in RA. Puerarin may alleviate synovial hyperplasia, reduce articular cartilage erosion and bone destruction in CIA in rats by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Herbal Textual Research on Houttuyniae Herba in Famous Classical Formulas
Dan ZHAO ; Changgui YANG ; Chuanzhi KANG ; Chenghong XIAO ; Zhikun WU ; Hongliang MA ; Jiwen WANG ; Xiufu WAN ; Sheng WANG ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):250-259
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name, medicinal parts, origin, harvesting, processing and other aspects of Houttuyniae Herba(HH) by referring to the medical books, prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties, combined with the research materials related to modern and contemporary times, in order to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing this herb. In ancient literature, HH was often referred to as "Ji" and "Jicai", the name of "Ji" was first recorded in Mingyi Bielu during the Han and Wei dynasties, and the name of Yuxingcao was first seen in Lyuchanyan Bencao during the southern Song dynasty and has continued to this day. The origin of HH used throughout history is consistent, all of which are the whole herb or aboveground parts of Houttuynia cordata in Saururaceae family. HH recorded throughout history has a wide range of production areas, mostly self-produced self-marketing. In ancient times, fresh HH was often used as medicine by pounding its juice without involving any processing steps. Both fresh and dried products can be used as medicine, the fresh products uses the whole plant, while the dried products uses the aboveground parts, which are cleaned, selected and processed before use. Fresh products are harvested regardless of season, while dried products are harvested in both summer and autumn, with summer as the best. In ancient times, there were no specific requirements for the quality of HH, while in modern times, "intact stems and leaves with a strong fishy smell" are preferred. In addition, the medicinal properties of HH have undergone significant changes from ancient to modern times. In the early period, it was believed that its medicinal property was slightly warm, until the 1977 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia officially changed it to slightly cold. Both ancient and modern literature states that HH can be used for the treatment of carbuncle and malignant sores, Lyuchanyan Bencao for the first time introduced HH fresh juice can relieve summer heat, since Diannan Bencao recorded that it can be used for lung carbuncle, and gradually developed into the first choice for the treatment of lung carbuncle. Based on the research results, it is suggested that fresh herb or dried aboveground parts of H. cordata are used as medicine when developing famous classical formulas. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Bioinformatics Analysis and Experimental Validation of the Mechanism of Leigongteng (Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f.) in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis
Yuzheng YANG ; Xiaoling YAO ; Feng LUO ; Wukai MA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):724-733
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanisms of Leigongteng (Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f.) in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. MethodsBioinformatics approaches, including the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), the traditional Chinese medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, molecular docking, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and immune infiltration analysis, were used to predict the key active components of Leigongteng and its target genes for RA treatment. Experimental validation was conducted using human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (HFLS-RA) in vitro, with methotrexate as the positive control. A scratch assay was performed to assess cell migration after 24 hours of culture. Western blotting was used to detect protein expression levels, qPCR was used to measure target gene mRNA levels, and ELISA was conducted to evaluate inflammatory cytokine levels, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). ResultsA total of 117 target genes of Leigongteng were identified and intersected with RA-related genes, yielding 55 key genes. Further screening identified three core genes: PTGS2, CXCR4, and TIMP1. Based on the correspondence between potential drug targets and key components, triptolide and nobiletin were identified as the primary active compounds. Molecular docking results showed that both triptolide and nobiletin had binding energies lower than -5 kcal/mol with their respective target proteins, indicating strong interactions. In vitro experiments demonstrated that, compared with the blank control group, the triptolide, nobiletin, and positive control groups exhibited reduced cell migration rates after 24 hours of culture (P<0.01). The expression levels of PTGS2 and CXCR4 (both mRNA and protein) were significantly downregulated, while TIMP1 expression was upregulated. Levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α decreased, whereas IL-10 levels increased (P<0.01). Compared with the positive control group, the triptolide and nobiletin groups showed increased cell migration rates, upregulated PTGS2 and CXCR4 expression (mRNA and protein), downregulated TIMP1 expression (mRNA and protein), increased IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels, and decreased IL-10 levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionThe key active components of Leigongteng, triptolide and nobiletin, may alleviate RA by inhibiting PTGS2 and CXCR4 while promoting TIMP1 expression, thereby suppressing inflammatory responses. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Analyzing the quality control evaluation results of occupational health examination institutions in Guizhou Province in 2022
Mei YANG ; Dongxia LI ; Yunxia AO ; Jun LI ; Hourui MA
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(1):71-75
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To understand the status of quality control in occupational medical examination (OME) institutions in Guizhou Province. Methods A total of 124 registered OME institutions actively conducting OME in Guizhou Province were selected as the study subjects using the judgment sampling method. The evaluation was conducted by on-site document reviews, practical skill assessments, and investigation of OME practices for quality evaluation and analyzing their quality control performance. Results The public institutions accounted for 71.0% with a 41.5% of OME workload, while private institutions accounted for 29.0% with a 58.5% of OME workload among these 124 OME institutions. The overall pass rate for quality evaluation of OME institutions was 16.9% (21/124), with a total of 1 296 items failed to pass the quality evaluation. Among the unqualified items, organizational structure, quality control management systems, OME quality control, and information reporting accounted for 15.2%, 21.7%, 52.8%, and 10.3%, respectively. The unqualified rate of quality assessment items of OME institutions was 24.5% (1 296/5 288), and the unqualified rate was lower in public institutions compared with private institutions (22.4% vs 29.3%, P<0.01). The rates of the three key unqualified items, including chest radiography conclusion evaluation, audiogram calculation and conclusion evaluation, and blood lead comparison were 9.8%, 74.8% and 71.4%, respectively. The rates of unqualified audiometry operation test and chief physician theory test were 74.8% and 9.7%, respectively. Conclusion The quality of OME institutions in Guizhou Province requires continuous improvement, particularly in enhancing the abilities of audiometry operation, calculating audiogram results and conducing right conclusion, and blood lead inter-laboratory comparision. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5.Effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Qingzhi Formula on the cGAS/STING/TBK1 signaling pathway in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Yangyang GOU ; Jiahui MA ; Cong CHEN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(3):370-378
		                        		
		                        			Objective:
		                        			To investigate how Zuogui Jiangtang Qingzhi Formula (ZGJTQZF), a traditional Chinese medicine compound for lowering blood glucose levels and clearing lipids based on Zuogui Pill, regulates the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes (STING)/TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) signaling pathway to improve type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			According to fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, body weight, and sex, 40 MKR mice, with half being male and the other half female, were randomly divided into four groups: blank, model, ZGJTQZF (29.6 g/kg), metformin + simvastatin ([65.0+ 2.6] mg/kg), 10 mice per group, and a normal group consisting of 10 age-matched FVB mice. Mice in all groups, except in the normal and blank groups, were fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks to induce the disease model. Each group received daily gavage of the respective treatments for 8 weeks after successful modeling. Various parameters were measured, including FBG, liver function (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate transaminase [AST]), and blood lipids (triglyceride [TG] and total cholesterol [TC]). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Histological liver changes were examined using transmission electron and optical microscope. cGAS, STING, and TBK1 protein and mRNA expression levels in liver tissues were detected using Western blotting and real-time PCR, respectively.
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significant fat accumulation in hepatocytes and liver damage. Additionally, FBG, ALT, AST, serum TNF-α, IL-6, cGAS, STING and TBK1 expression levels in liver tissues were significantly elevated (P<0.05). Treatment with ZGJTQZF and metformin + simvastatin significantly improved FBG, ALT, AST, TG, TC, TNF-α, and IL-6 (P<0.01). Histologically, hepatic steatosis was notably alleviated. Expression of protein and mRNA of cGAS, STING, and TBK1 in liver tissues was significantly reduced (P<0.05).
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			ZGJTQZF improves lipid and glucose metabolism, mitigates liver injury, and reduces inflammatory markers in MKR mice. These effects may be mediated through the regulation of the cGAS/STING/TBK1 signaling pathway.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Study on quality control method of the roots and rhizoma of Toricellia angulata
Xue LI ; Yushan NIE ; Xue MA ; Yuan LU ; Chang YANG ; Yongjun LI ; Yonglin WANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(1):21-26
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			OBJECTIVE To establish the quality control method for the roots and rhizoma of Toricellia angulata. METHODS The properties of the roots and rhizoma of T. angulata were observed and microscopic identification was conducted. The moisture, total ash, acid-insoluble ash and ethanol-soluble extract were examined according to the method stated in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (part Ⅳ). HPLC fingerprints of 11 batches of the roots and rhizoma of T. angulata were established, common peaks were identified and the similarity was evaluated by using the Similarity Evaluation System of Chromatographic Fingerprint of TCM (2012 edition). The contents of coniferin, syringin, chlorogenic acid, (+)-syringaresinol-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and syringaresinol were determined by HPLC. RESULTS The properties and microscopic identification of the roots and rhizoma of T. angulata were obvious. The average contents of moisture, total ash, acid-insoluble ash and ethanol-soluble extract were 7.54%, 2.18%, 0.15% and 7.81%, respectively. There were 16 common peaks marked in the HPLC fingerprints of 11 batches of the roots and rhizoma of T. angulata, with similarities of 0.856-0.960; five of them were identified, such as coniferin, syringin, chlorogenic acid, (+)-syringaresinol-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and syringaresinol. The contents of the above five components were 0.047 2-0.401 6, 0.836 8-8.697 9, 1.245 3-10.950 0, 0.139 0-0.437 8 and 0.016 4-0.635 3 mg/g, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The established method is stable and accurate, which can be used for the quality control of the roots and rhizoma of T. angulata. It is preliminarily proposed that the moisture in the roots and rhizoma of T. angulata is not more than 11.0%, the total ash is not more than 4.0%, the ethanol-soluble extract is not less than 5.0%, the contents of coniferin, syringin, chlorogenic acid, (+)-syringaresinol-O-β-D- glucopyranoside and syringaresinol are not less than 0.04,0.83, 1.24, 0.13, 0.01 mg/g, respectively.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.Clinical Effect of Runzaoling Combined with Iguratimod on Primary Sjögren's Syndrome
Linru LUO ; Xi MA ; Ping ZENG ; Lei HOU ; Wukai MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(2):127-133
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of iguratimod combined with the Chinese medicine Runzaoling in the treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). MethodSeventy-two patients treated in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) from January 2021 to June 2022 who met the Western medical diagnosis of pSS and had the TCM syndrome of Yin deficiency and heat toxin syndrome were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, with 36 patients in each group. The observation group was treated with iguratimod combined with Runzaoling, and the control group was treated with iguratimod. The treatment in both groups lasted for 12 weeks. The clinical symptoms, EULAR Sjogren's syndrome patient reported index (ESSPRI), EULAR Sjögren's syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI), erythrocyte sedimentation Rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), immunoglobulin (IgG), Schirmer score, and saliva flow of the two groups were determined before and after treatment. Furthermore, the incidence of adverse reactions was compared between the two groups. ResultThe total response rate in the observation group was 75.0% (27 patients with response and 9 patients with no response), which was higher than that (61.11%, 22 patients with response and 14 patients without response) in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the ESSPRI, ESSDAI, and TCM syndrome scores in both groups decreased and the decreases were more obvious in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The treatment in both groups recovered the ESR, CRP, IgG, Schirmer score, and saliva flow (P<0.05). Moreover, the observation outperformed the control group in terms of the ESR, CRP, IgG, and saliva flow (P<0.05) and had no significant difference in the Schirmer score compared with the control group. During the treatment period, 2 patients in the observation group had nausea, and 1 patient had an abnormal liver function, which were relieved after symptomatic treatment and did not affect the treatment. In the control group, 1 patient withdrew from the study due to rashes and showed no special discomfort in the follow-up 4 weeks, and 1 patient had nausea, which was relieved after symptomatic treatment. ConclusionIguratimod combined with Runzaoling has good clinical efficacy and safety in the treatment of pSS. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Influencing factors for the prognosis of patients with drug-induced liver injury and establishment of a nomogram model
Shimei WANG ; Shuai JIN ; Junru LI ; Na WANG ; Yan CHEN ; Ying CUI ; Mingming MA ; Xiaoli HU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(3):562-567
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo investigate the influencing factors for the clinical outcome of patients with drug-induced liver injury (DILI), and to establish a nomogram prediction model for validation. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the general information and laboratory data of 188 patients with DILI who were admitted to Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Institute of Technology from January 2017 to December 2022, and according to their clinical outcome, they were divided into good outcome group with 146 patients and poor outcome group with 42 patients. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the independent influencing factors for the clinical outcome of DILI patients. R Studio 4.1.2 software was used to establish a nomogram model, and calibration curve, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to perform internal validation. ResultsThe univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that liver biopsy for the diagnosis of DILI, platelet count, cholinesterase, albumin, prothrombin time activity, IgM, and IgG were associated with adverse outcomes in patients with DILI. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that liver biopsy for the diagnosis of DILI (odds ratio [OR]=0.072, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.022 — 0.213, P<0.001), clinical classification (OR=0.463, 95%CI: 0.213 — 0.926, P=0.039), alanine aminotransferase (OR=0.999, 95%CI: 0.998 — 1.000, P=0.025), prothrombin time activity (OR=0.973, 95%CI: 0.952 — 0.993, P=0.011), and IgM (OR=1.456, 95%CI: 1.082 — 2.021, P=0.015) were independent influencing factors for clinical outcome in patients with DILI. The nomogram prediction model was established, and after validation, the calibration curve was close to the reference curve. The area under the ROC curve was 0.829, and the DCA curve showed that the model had good net clinical benefit. ConclusionThe nomogram prediction model established in this study has good clinical calibration, discriminative ability, and application value in evaluating the clinical outcome of patients with DILI. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Influencing factors for unplanned re-hospitalization in adult renal transplant recipients after surgery
Weiwei CAO ; Minghuan ZHONG ; Zhou SUN ; Guofu LIANG ; Fu YAN ; Chao LIU ; Li MA ; Kejing ZHU ; Yanyan XU ; Bei DING ; Yulin NIU
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2024;28(18):117-122
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the influencing factors of unplanned rehospitalization within one year after surgery among adult renal transplant recipients. Methods The clinical data of 299 recipients who underwent renal transplant surgery in the Department of Organ Transplantation of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The recipients were divided into unplanned rehospitalization group and non-rehospitalization group based on whether they experienced unplanned rehospitalization within one year after surgery. Univariate analysis and binary Logistic regression analysis were performed to explore the influencing factors of unplanned rehospitalization within one year after renal transplantation. Results Among the 299 recipients, 102 experienced unplanned rehospitalization, with an incidence rate of 34.11%. Univariate analysis revealedstatistically significant differences were noted between the two groups in terms of gender, occupational status, preoperative underlying disease, rejection reactions, nosocomial infections, immunosuppressive medication regimens, serum creatinine, cystatin C, serum phosphorus, serum potassium, and initial hospitalization duration (
		                        		
		                        	
10.Summary of the Evidence for Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Adults
Xiaoya ZHAN ; Xue ZHAO ; Peng CAI ; Lei MA ; Huan HE
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;16(5):1301-1308
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			 To retrieve, evaluate, and integrate evidence related to the operational procedures of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in adults, aiming to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. A systematic search was conducted following the "6S" pyramid model of evidence-based resources to identify literature pertaining to ABPM operations in adults from relevant domestic and international databases and websites, with the search period spanning from the inception of each database to April 2024. After screening the literature, the methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated. Evidence was extracted and summarized according to thematic categories. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 15 publications were ultimately included, comprising 1 clinical decision, 10 guidelines, 1 best practice summary, and 3 expert consensus documents. A total of 32 evidence items were synthesized. This study consolidates evidence related to ABPM operational procedures, providing an evidence-based foundation for standardizing ABPM practices among healthcare professionals.
		                        		
		                        	
            

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