1.Therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine in liver cancer by regulating tumor-associated macrophages and its mechanism
Yi TANG ; Guotai WANG ; Yuhan JIANG ; Chenyang WU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1199-1206
Liver cancer has high prevalence and mortality rates around the world, and its development and progression are closely associated with the interaction between the tumor microenvironment and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). TAMs play a significant role in immune suppression, immune escape, cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance in liver cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its unique therapeutic concepts and methods, has shown great potential in regulating TAMs and improving the prognosis of liver cancer. This article reviews the role and molecular mechanisms of TCM in regulating TAMs for the treatment of liver cancer, discusses the key role of TAMs in the progression of liver cancer, and analyzes the impact of Chinese medicinal components on the recruitment, polarization, and activity of TAMs and the expression of related factors based on TCM theory. Studies have shown that TCM can regulate the polarization state of TAMs, promote the formation of M1-type antitumor macrophages, and inhibit the activity of M2-type tumor macrophages, thereby playing a role in inhibiting the proliferation of liver cancer cells, promoting apoptosis, inhibiting angiogenesis, and enhancing immune response. In addition, this article also summarizes the molecular targets and mechanisms of action of TCM monomers, compound prescriptions, and novel preparations in the treatment of liver cancer, such as inhibiting the secretion of cytokines by TAMs, regulating signaling pathways, and affecting metabolic pathways, in order to provide a scientific basis for the application of TCM in liver cancer treatment and offer new ideas for immunotherapy for liver cancer.
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound Formulas in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis by Regulating NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathway: A Review
Guanyu ZHAO ; Ruihua XIN ; Ying WANG ; Lei SHI ; Lidong DU ; Guotai WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):305-314
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a refractory disease of the digestive system characterized by diverse etiologies, complex pathogenesis, a prolonged course, and frequent relapses. In recent years, the incidence of UC has been increasing annually, severely impairing patients' quality of life, posing a risk of malignant transformation that may threaten patients' lives, and resulting in a substantial medical burden. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound formulas, with their advantages of multi-component and multi-target actions, have become a new therapeutic option for UC. The NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a core component of innate immunity, and its aberrant activation is closely associated with the onset and progression of UC, involving multiple processes such as inflammation and oxidative stress, and exhibiting crosstalk with pathways including nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). At present, NLRP3 has become one of the most intensely studied hotspots in UC-related research. Although increasing studies have focused on the regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by TCM compound formulas for UC treatment, challenges remain due to the complex pathogenesis of UC and the compositional diversity of TCM, hindering the realization of precision therapy. In this context, by reviewing literature from the past decade, this paper summarizes the activation process of NLRP3 and its relationship with UC, and elucidates the roles and mechanisms by which TCM compound formulas regulate the NLRP3 inflammasome and related signaling pathways, with a view to providing a reference for further research into the pathogenesis of UC, TCM treatment strategies, and their mechanisms of action.
3.Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound Formulas in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis by Regulating NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathway: A Review
Guanyu ZHAO ; Ruihua XIN ; Ying WANG ; Lei SHI ; Lidong DU ; Guotai WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):305-314
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a refractory disease of the digestive system characterized by diverse etiologies, complex pathogenesis, a prolonged course, and frequent relapses. In recent years, the incidence of UC has been increasing annually, severely impairing patients' quality of life, posing a risk of malignant transformation that may threaten patients' lives, and resulting in a substantial medical burden. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound formulas, with their advantages of multi-component and multi-target actions, have become a new therapeutic option for UC. The NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a core component of innate immunity, and its aberrant activation is closely associated with the onset and progression of UC, involving multiple processes such as inflammation and oxidative stress, and exhibiting crosstalk with pathways including nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). At present, NLRP3 has become one of the most intensely studied hotspots in UC-related research. Although increasing studies have focused on the regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by TCM compound formulas for UC treatment, challenges remain due to the complex pathogenesis of UC and the compositional diversity of TCM, hindering the realization of precision therapy. In this context, by reviewing literature from the past decade, this paper summarizes the activation process of NLRP3 and its relationship with UC, and elucidates the roles and mechanisms by which TCM compound formulas regulate the NLRP3 inflammasome and related signaling pathways, with a view to providing a reference for further research into the pathogenesis of UC, TCM treatment strategies, and their mechanisms of action.
4.Research progress on the regulation of endometriosis by PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and the intervention effect of traditional Chinese medicine
Quanyang LI ; Yafang HAO ; Guotai WU ; Ruiqiong WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2024;29(5):501-511
Endometriosis(Endometriosis,EMs)is a disease caused by abnormal colonization of the endometrial stroma or glands to sites other than the coated mucosa of the uterine cavity.Phospho-lipid inositol 3 kinase(phosphoinositide 3-kinase,PI3K)/protein kinase B(protein kinase B,Akt)sig-naling pathway is involved in the process of focal blood vessel formation,cell autophagic apoptosis,migration and invasion,and is one of the classic pathways regulating the pathological characteris-tics of EMs.The characteristics of multi-compo-nent,multi-target and multi-pathway of TCM have significant advantages in the treatment of EMs.Some TCM active components and TCM com-pounds can interfere with the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,thus inhibiting the treatment of endome-triotic tissues,reducing pain and alleviating fibrotic lesions.By explaining the connection between the key targets of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and EMs,this paper summarizes and summarizes the re-search status of EMs by regulating PI3K/Akt signal pathway in home and abroad,aiming to provide a new perspective and idea for the use of traditional Chinese medicine and compound to treat EMs.
5.Research progress in diarrhea animal models and drug therapies
Yucun SHI ; Xiaoli DONG ; Xiaoying HOU ; Kai YIN ; Fan GAO ; Guotai WU
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2024;34(9):94-107
Diarrhea is a common and frequent disease in clinical practice.Many factors cause diarrhea,and numerous research method with animal models of diarrhea have been explored.Despite this,drugs for the treatment of diarrhea in clinical practice are limited,and some existing drugs are only suitable for diarrhea caused by a single factor.Therefore,the construction and selection of appropriate animal models of diarrhea are not only important for in-depth studies of the pathogenesis,but are also effective means for the clinical screening and evaluation of drugs for comprehensively preventing and treating diarrhea.This article reviews the literature on the establishment and evaluation of animal models of functional,bacterial,viral,and symptomatic diarrhea,as well as progress of therapeutic drug research,to provide a reference for animal experimental research into the prevention and treatment of diarrhea.
6.Effect of Component Compatibility of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix and Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma on Serum Inflammatory Factors and Expression of NF-κB and VEGF in Ankle Joint of Rats with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Congjia GUO ; Guotai WU ; Huiqin GAO ; Lixia ZHENG ; Sa LI ; Liming WANG ; Qianying HAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(11):53-63
ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of the component compatibility of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix and Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma on the rat model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the mechanism. MethodSeventy-two SPF-grade SD rats (male and female) aged 5 to 6 weeks were selected. Except the blank group, the rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was replicated by the type Ⅱ collagen induction method. The 64 rats after successfully modeling were randomly divided into model group, methotrexate group (0.375 mg·kg-1), gentianoside with magnoflorine group (150.454 1 mg·kg-1+5.061 8 mg·kg-1), gentianoside with clematichinenoside AR group (150.454 1 mg·kg-1+16.433 1 mg·kg-1), sweroside with magnoflorine group (3.455 8 mg·kg-1+5.061 8 mg·kg-1), sweroside with clematichinenoside AR group (3.455 8 mg·kg-1+16.433 1 mg·kg-1), swertiamarin with magnoflorine group (9.303 2 mg·kg-1+5.061 8 mg·kg-1), and swertiamarin with clematichinenoside AR group (9.303 2 mg·kg-1+16.433 1 mg·kg-1), with 8 rats in each group. Each group was given the corresponding medicinal solution or normal saline by gavage for 15 d. During the experiment, the general status, of rats in each group were observed and recorded. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), rheumatoid factor (RF), C reactive protein (CRP), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and anti-cyclic peptide containing citrulline antibody (anti-CCP Ab) in the serum of rats were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The histopathological changes in rat ankle joints were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rat ankle joints. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of NF-κB and VEGF in rat ankle joints. ResultCompared with those in the blank group, rats in the model group were in poor general conditions with significant foot-plantar swelling, and the content of CRP, anti-CCP Ab, and IL-1β in the rat serum was significantly increased (P<0.01). In the model group, the tissue structure of the ankle joint was severely damaged, and the protein and mRNA expression of NF-κB and VEGF in the rat ankle joints were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). As compared with the model group, the general status of rats in each administration group was significantly improved. The levels of serum TNF-α, IL-1β, RF, CRP, PGE2, and anti-CCP Ab were reduced to different degrees in these administration groups, among which the effects of the gentianoside with clematichinenoside AR group on down-regulating serum TNF-α and IL-1β, the gentianoside with magnoflorine group on down-regulating serum RF and CRP, the sweroside with magnoflorine group on down-regulating serum PGE2, and the swertiamarin with clematichinenoside AR group on lowering serum anti-CCP Ab were better than those of administration groups. The histopathological changes in the ankle joint were improved to different degrees. The protein and mRNA expression of NF-κB and VEGF in rat ankle joints in the administration groups was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the swertiamarin paired with clematichinenoside AR group had the most significant effect. ConclusionThe component compatibility of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix and Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma exerts a good therapeutic effect on the rat model of RA, and the compatibility of components from the two medicines has a multi-channel, multi-target, and synergistic effect. The five component compatibility patterns, namely gentiobioside with magnoflorine, gentiobioside with clematichinenoside AR, sweroside with clematichinenoside AR, swertiamarin with magnoflorine, and swertiamarin with clematichinenoside AR, all have potential advantages. The mechanism may be related to the reduction of inflammatory factor secretion and the inhibition of abnormal protein and mRNA expression of NF-κB and VEGF.
7.Study on Prescription Optimization of Jiawei Foshou San Based on Mixed Uniform Design to Improve Cerebral Ischemia Effect
Xiaoyu WANG ; Yixuan ZHANG ; Min FANG ; Yijie WANG ; Qianqian MA ; Ling JIN ; Guotai WU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2023;25(9):3087-3097
Objective Screening of modified Foshou San to improve cerebral ischemia,determine the best prescription composition and the proper dose.Methods Using data mining method,the traditional Chinese medicine for hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage(HICH)were screened,and cluster analysis was carried out to obtain Jiawei Foshou San combinations;According to the mixed uniform design U14(42×33×22),the auricular artery dilatation experiment and acute cerebral ischemia induced by saturated magnesium chloride in mice were used to observe the auricular artery dilatation index and survival time of mice,and the pharmacological effects of each prescription to improve cerebral ischemia were evaluated.On the basis of visual analysis of pharmacodynamics,stepwise multiple regression analysis was carried out,and the regression equation was used to calculate the best prescription composition and dose of Jiawei Foshou San.The optimized prescription was verified by acute cerebral ischemia experiment in mice.Results A total of 51 prescriptions that may be used for the treatment of HICH were selected by data mining,including 103 Chinese herbs,with a total frequency of 535 times.The results of mixed uniform design U14(42×33×22)test showed that the auricular artery index of mice in each prescription group of Jiawei Foshou San increased to varying degrees.The differences between prescription 4,8,12 and 13 were significant(P<0.05),and the differences between prescription 3,7,9,11 and 14 were extremely significant(P<0.01).The survival time of acute cerebral ischemia in mice was prolonged to varying degrees in each group of Jiawei Foshou San,and the difference between prescription 2-14 groups and the blank group was statistically significant(P<0.01).The prescription of the new Jiawei Foshou San was determined as 60 g of Astragalus membranaceus,60 g of Angelica sinensis,24 g of Ligusticum chuanxiong,15 g of Paeonia lactiflora and 9 g of Dilong from the intuitive analysis.The validation results showed that the high and middle dosage of the new Jiawei Foshou San could significantly prolong the breathing time,increase the number of breaths,and prolong the time of normal pressure hypoxia tolerance in mice with acute cerebral ischemia(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Using mixed uniform design combined with improving cerebral ischemia effect index can determine the best prescription composition and the best dose of Jiawei Foshou San,and the effect of improving cerebral ischemia is certain.
8.Social Network Analysis of Health Food Containing Angelica sinensis in the Past 20 Years
Guotai WU ; Lidong DU ; Ruiqiong WANG ; Ming SUN ; Yuan REN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2018;20(4):514-520
We studid the research status and network analysis of health food containing Angelica sinensis in the past 20 years with the methods of data mining. The key information of health food containing Angelica sinensis was obtained in State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) webpage, using Bibexcel analysis software generated co-occurrence matrix, and using Ucinet 6.0 Net Draw software drawed the social network graph according to the centrality. The data was calculated by SPSS19.0 software analysis. The results showed that 539 health food containing Angelica sinensis were successfully registered in 1997-2016 years, and the annual number of registration was the overall growth trend, there is a certain gap in R & D ability and level of health food containing Angelica sinensis with Angelica health food, brand advantage had not been established in health food containing Angelica sinensis; Health food containing Angelica sinensis form tend to preparation was very obvious such as capsule and oral liquid. The function of health food containing Angelica sinensis mainly concentrated in immune regulation and immune enhancement, removing chloasma, anemia improvment, anti-fatigue, relaxing bowel, improving sleep and anti-aging; and the compatibility of herbs with Angelica sinensis most often were Radix astragali membranacei, Radix rehmanniae, Poria cocos, Radix panacis ginseng, Radix codonopsitis pilosulae, Fructus zizyphi jujubae, Fructus lycii chinesis, Radix rehmanniae, Radix dioscoreae oppositae, Radix albus paeoniae lactiflorae, Colla Corii Asini, Saffron crocus, although compatibility is different, but the quality indexes are similar, the main detection of total polysaccharide and total saponin and total flavonoids. Research and development of health food containing Angelica sinensis should be in the form of regular food and adopt a multi index quality control model in future.
9.Study on Multi-index Quality Evaluation of Atracylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma Based on PCA Model
Fang LI ; Hongyan WU ; Guotai WU ; Qin LI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2016;23(11):81-85
Objective To establish a multi-index quality evaluation method of Atracylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma based on principal component analysis (PCA) model.Methods The contents of atractylenolideⅠ and atractylenolideⅢ were determined by HPLC; atractylodes macrocephalaon polysaccharide was determined by phenol-sulfuric acid method; ethanol soluble extractum was determined by hot soak in general rule of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 Edition); PCA was used to establish a multi-index quality evaluation model. Results AtractylenolideⅠ and atractylenolideⅢ showed good linear correlations (r=0.999 9), and the average recoveries were 100.9% and 102.1%, respectively. PCA showed that the Atracylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma from Panan County, Yuqian Town, Jinyun County, Xinchang County of Zhejiang Province had the best quality, from Bozhou City and Fuyang City of Anhui Province had good quality.Conclusion The established multi-index quality evaluation method based on PCA model can be applied to objectively evaluate the quality of Atracylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma from different producing areas.
10.Comparison for the Effects Between Emergent and Delayed Stent Implantation in Patients With STEMI After Thrombus Extraction
Zhiyong WU ; Guotai SHENG ; Zhiyun ZHU ; Zhitang CHANG ; Maosheng YU ; Yu TANG ; Huatai LI
Chinese Circulation Journal 2015;(4):317-321
Objective: To compare the efifcacy between emergent and delayed stent implantation in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after thrombus extraction.
Methods: A total of 82 STEMI patients who received thrombus extraction and intracoronary injection of tiroifban, sodium nitroprusside, nitroglycerin via thrombus extraction catheter and with recovered TIMI 3 lfow from 2012-11 to 2014-01 were retrospectively studied. The patients were randomized into 2 groups by SAS software: Emergent group, the patients received stent implantation immediately upon diagnosis and Delayed group, the patients were treated by anti-platelet and anticoagulant medication for 10-14 days, and then received stent implantation. n=41 in each group. The primary and secondary indicators were compared between 2 groups which including ST-segment resolution (STR), the occurrence rate of no-relfow/slow-relfow, myocardial blush grade (MBG) 3, parameters of stent, ventricular remodeling condition, the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE).
Results: ①Delayed group had the post PCI STR at (68.2 ± 9.2)%, TIMI 3 grade at 97.5%, MBG 3 at 69.0%and corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) at (19.5 ± 5.2), compared with Emergent group, P<0.05. The occurrence rate of no-relfow/slow-relfow in Delayed group and Emergent group were 2.5% and 31.0%, P<0.01. ②The parameters of stents in Delayed group and Emergent group were as the number at (1.21 ± 0.32) vs. (1.76 ± 0.76), the mean length at (28.3 ± 11.7) mm vs. (33.7 ± 12.9) mm, the mean diameter at (3.17 ± 0.76) mm vs. (2.82 ± 0.87) mm, all P<0.01. Delayed group had the higher dilating pressure than that in Emergent group, (18.5 ± 6.2) atm vs (13.6 ± 7.1) atm, P<0.01, and more patients in Delayed group receive high-pressure non-compliant balloon dilation 75% vs 23.8%, P<0.01. ③With 6 months of follow-up study, there were slightly declining trend for LVEF and LVSF in both groups than that at 1 week condition, P>0.05, while LVEDV and LVEDD increased than 1 week, P<0.05, the changes were more obvious in Emergent group, P<0.05. Delayed group had less MACE occurrence, P<0.05.
Conclusion: Delayed stent implantation in STEMI patients after thrombus extraction had reduced incidence of post PCI no-relfow/slow-relfow phenomenon, improved myocardial reperfusion and less MACE occurrence.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail