1.Evaluation of Effect of Tongnaoyin on Blood-brain Barrier Injury in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Based on Dynamic Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Yangjingyi XIA ; Shanshan LI ; Li LI ; Xiaogang TANG ; Xintong WANG ; Qing ZHU ; Hui JIANG ; Cuiping YUAN ; Yongkang LIU ; Zhaoyao CHEN ; Wenlei LI ; Yuan ZHU ; Minghua WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):140-146
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of Tongnaoyin on the blood-brain barrier status and neurological impairment in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with the syndrome of phlegm-stasis blocking collaterals by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). MethodsA total of 63 patients diagnosed with AIS in the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from October 2022 to December 2023 were enrolled in this study. According to random number table method,the patients were assigned into a control group (32 cases) and an observation group (31 cases). The control group received conventional Western medical treatment,and the observation group took 200 mL Tongnaoyin after meals,twice a day from day 2 of admission on the basis of the treatment in the control group. After 7 days of treatment,the patients were examined by DCE-MRI. The baseline data for two groups of patients before treatment were compared. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score were recorded before treatment and after 90 days of treatment for both groups. The rKtrans,rKep,and rVe values were obtained from the region of interest (ROI) of the infarct zone/mirror area and compared between the two groups. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the NIHSS or mRS score between the two groups before treatment. After 90 days of treatment,the NIHSS and mRS scores declined in both groups,and the observation group had lower scores than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment,the rKtrans and rVe in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). ConclusionCompared with conventional Western medical treatment alone,conventional Western medical treatment combined with Tongnaoyin accelerates the repair of the blood-brain barrier in AIS patients,thereby ameliorating neurological impairment after AIS to improve the prognosis.
2.Hydrogel scaffolds loaded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells/resveratrol liposomes for traumatic brain injury treatment
Wenya CHI ; Yan YUAN ; Weilin LI ; Tongyu WU ; Yuan YU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(2):67-74
Objective To prepare a thermosensitive hydrogel scaffold loaded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) and resveratrol liposomes (RSV-LIP) to form a therapeutic unit and evaluate its treatment efficacy for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods BMSCs were extracted from rats, and RSV-LIP was prepared and characterized. Cell models were constructed to investigate the pharmacological effects of BMSCs combined with RSV-LIP. BMSCs and RSV-LIP were then loaded into the hydrogel, and a TBI mouse model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the hydrogel. Results The RSV-LIP had a particle size of 127.8 nm, a Zeta potential of −4.9 mV, an encapsulation efficiency of 78.50%, and a drug loading content of 2.37%. Live-dead staining indicated good biocompatibility of the hydrogel. The combination of BMSCs and RSV-LIP significantly inhibited TNF-α and reduced ROS levels, promoting cell migration in scratch assays. Compared to the control group, the hydrogel group showed significantly lower mNSS scores (P<0.01), higher hanging scores (P<0.001), and reduced stepping errors (P<0.001). Conclusion The combination of BMSCs and RSV-LIP exhibited antioxidative stress, anti-inflammatory, and neurogenic cell migration-promoting effects. When loaded into a hydrogel scaffold and locally implanted, it could improve the motor and sensory functions in TBI mice.
3.Oxidative Stress of Qidan Tangshen Granules (芪丹糖肾颗粒) in Treatment of 95 Patients with Early Diabetic Kidney Disease with Qi Deficiency,Blood Stasis,and Kidney Deficiency Syndrome:A Double-Blind,Double-Simulated,Randomized Controlled Trial
Jie ZHANG ; Yilei CONG ; Tengfei WU ; Qin LIU ; Yue YUAN ; Shilei CUI ; Hua YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):695-703
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Qidan Tangshen Granules (芪丹糖肾颗粒, QTG) in the treatment of early diabetic kidney disease (DKD) with qi deficiency, blood stasis, and kidney deficiency syndrome, and to explore its mechanism. MethodsA double-blind, double-simulated method was used to enroll 200 patients with early DKD and qi deficiency, blood stasis, and kidney deficiency syndrome. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio to the treatment group (100 cases) and the control group (100 cases). The treatment group received QTG plus a valsartan capsule simulant, while the control group received valsartan capsules plus a QTG simulant, both for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR). Secondary outcomes included estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (PBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores (including individual symptom scores for fatigue, dull complexion, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, headache and chest pain, irritability, spontaneous sweating, thirst and polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, numbness of the limbs, and the total TCM syndrome score). Oxidative stress markers including serum 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHDG), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also assessed. Clinical efficacy and TCM syndrome efficacy were evaluated after treatment, and routine blood tests, urinalysis, and liver function tests were conducted and adverse reaction during the tria was recorded to assess safety. ResultsA total of 191 patients completed the study (95 in the treatment group and 96 in the control group). The treatment group showed significant reductions in UACR, FBG, PBG, and HbA1c levels after treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The single TCM symptom scores except for polyphagia and total TCM syndrome scores significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the control group, the treatment group had signi-ficantly lower UACR, FBG, PBG levels, and total TCM syndrome scores, sinlge symptoms scores except for polyphagia and limb numbness (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Among 40 randomly selected patients (21 cases in the treatment group and 19 cases in the control group) for oxidative stress analysis, there were no significant differences in SOD, 3-NT, and 8-OHDG levels before and after treatment within or between groups (P>0.05). The overall effective rate in the treatment group was 64.2% (61/95) and 39.6% (38/96) in the control group, while the TCM syndrome efficacy rates were 80.0% (76/95) and 24.0% (23/96), respectively, with the treatment group showing superior efficacy (P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in routine blood tests, urinalysis, or liver function indices before and after treatment in either group (P>0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was 8.4% (8/95) in the treatment group and 9.4% (9/96) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). ConclusionQTG can effectively reduce UACR and blood glucose levels, alleviate clinical symptoms, and improve clinical efficacy in patients with early DKD with qi deficiency, blood stasis, and kidney deficiency syndrome. The treatment is well-tolerated and safe, with no significant impact on oxidative stress markers.
4.Effect and mechanism of Sanqi danshen tablets in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Yutian LEI ; Dan FENG ; Xinli CHEN ; Yuan YANG ; Hui WU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(6):674-679
OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential mechanism of Sanqi danshen tablets in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS Core targets of Sanqi danshen tablets in the treatment of NAFLD were explored by network pharmacological methods. Gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were also performed. Based on the results obtained from network pharmacological studies, using SD rats as subjects, the NAFLD model was induced by feeding them high-fat diet. The effects of Sanqi danshen tablets on pathological changes such as lipid droplet vacuoles and lipid accumulation in the liver tissue of NAFLD rats, as well as its impact on relative indicators of lipid metabolism, inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, were investigated. RESULTS A total of 20 core targets for the treatment of NAFLD with Sanqi danshen tablets were screened, primarily involved in GO functions such as biological regulation, cellular membrane and binding, and enriched in signaling pathways related to inflammatory responses, oxidative stress and lipid metabolism. Compared with the model group, lipid droplet vacuoles were reduced significantly in low-dose, medium-dose, high-dose groups of Sanqi danshen tablets and positive control (simvastatin) group, the number of lipid droplets decreased significantly and the color became lighter. The contents of total cholesterol, triglyceride (except for medium- dose group of Sanqi danshen tablets), aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, tumor necrosis factor-α (except for low-dose group of Sanqi danshen tablets), interleukin-17 (except for Sanqi danshen tablets groups) and malondialdehyde (except for low- dose group of Sanqi danshen tablets) in liver tissue were significantly decreased, while the content of superoxide dismutase was significantly increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Sanqi danshen tablets exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and lipid metabolism regulating effects by influencing the levels of inflammation, oxidative stress and lipids metabolism-related indicators, thereby improving NAFLD in rats.
5.Carnosic acid inhibits osteoclast differentiation by inhibiting mitochondrial activity
Haishan LI ; Yuheng WU ; Zixuan LIANG ; Shiyin ZHANG ; Zhen ZHANG ; Bin MAI ; Wei DENG ; Yongxian LI ; Yongchao TANG ; Shuncong ZHANG ; Kai YUAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(2):245-253
BACKGROUND:Carnosic acid,a bioactive compound found in rosemary,has been shown to reduce inflammation and reactive oxygen species(ROS).However,its mechanism of action in osteoclast differentiation remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of carnosic acid on osteoclast activation,ROS production,and mitochondrial function. METHODS:Primary bone marrow-derived macrophages from mice were extracted and cultured in vitro.Different concentrations of carnosic acid(0,10,15,20,25 and 30 μmol/L)were tested for their effects on bone marrow-derived macrophage proliferation and toxicity using the cell counting kit-8 cell viability assay to determine a safe concentration.Bone marrow-derived macrophages were cultured in graded concentrations and induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand for osteoclast differentiation for 5-7 days.The effects of carnosic acid on osteoclast differentiation and function were then observed through tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining,F-actin staining,H2DCFDA probe and mitochondrial ROS,and Mito-Tracker fluorescence detection.Western blot and RT-PCR assays were subsequently conducted to examine the effects of carnosic acid on the upstream and downstream proteins of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand-induced MAPK signaling pathway. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and F-actin staining showed that carnosic acid dose-dependently inhibited in vitro osteoclast differentiation and actin ring formation in the cell cytoskeleton,with the highest inhibitory effect observed in the high concentration group(30 μmol/L).Carnosic acid exhibited the most significant inhibitory effect during the early stages(days 1-3)of osteoclast differentiation compared to other intervention periods.Fluorescence imaging using the H2DCFDA probe,mitochondrial ROS,and Mito-Tracker demonstrated that carnosic acid inhibited cellular and mitochondrial ROS production while reducing mitochondrial membrane potential,thereby influencing mitochondrial function.The results of western blot and RT-PCR revealed that carnosic acid could suppress the expression of NFATc1,CTSK,MMP9,and C-fos proteins associated with osteoclast differentiation,and downregulate the expression of NFATc1,Atp6vod2,ACP5,CTSK,and C-fos genes related to osteoclast differentiation.Furthermore,carnosic acid enhanced the expression of antioxidant enzyme proteins and reduced the generation of ROS during the process of osteoclast differentiation.Overall,carnosic acid exerts its inhibitory effects on osteoclast differentiation by inhibiting the phosphorylation modification of the P38/ERK/JNK protein and activating the MAPK signaling pathway in bone marrow-derived macrophages.
6.Study on anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of blood components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets based on HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS and network pharmacology
Yuan-hong LIAO ; Jing-kun LU ; Yan NIU ; Jun LI ; Ren BU ; Peng-peng ZHANG ; Yue KANG ; Yue-wu WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):449-458
The analysis presented here is based on the blood components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets, the key anti-atherosclerosis pathway of Guanxin Qiwei tablets was screened by network pharmacology, and the anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of Guanxin Qiwei tablets was clarified and verified by cell experiments. HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS technique was used to analyze the components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into blood, to determine the precise mass charge ratio of the compounds, and to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the components by using secondary mass spectrometry fragments and literature comparison. Finally, a total of 42 components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into blood were identified. To better understand the interactions, we employed the Swiss Target Prediction database to predict the associated targets. Atherosclerosis (AS) disease targets were searched in disease databases Genecard, OMIM and Disgent, and 181 intersection targets of disease targets and component targets were obtained by Venny 2.1.0 software. Protein interactions were analyzed by String database. The 32 core targets were selected by Cytscape software. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed in DAVID database. It was found that the anti-atherosclerosis pathways of Guanxin Qiwei tablets mainly include lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications and other signal pathways. The core targets and the core compounds were interlinked, and it was found that cryptotanshinone and tanshinone ⅡA in Guanxin Qiwei tablets were well bound to TNF, PPAR
7.Therapeutic effect of anti-PD-L1&CXCR4 bispecific nanobody combined with gemcitabine in synergy with PBMC on pancreatic cancer treatment
Hai HU ; Shu-yi XU ; Yue-jiang ZHENG ; Jian-wei ZHU ; Ming-yuan WU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):388-396
Pancreatic cancer is a kind of highly malignant tumor with a low survival rate and poor prognosis. The effectiveness of gemcitabine as a first-line chemotherapy drug is limited; however, it can activate dendritic cells and improve antigen presentation which increase the sensitivity of tumor cell to immunotherapy. Although immunotherapy has made some advancements in cancer treatment, the therapeutic benefit of programmed cell death receptor 1/programmed death receptor-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) blockade therapy remains relatively low. The chemokine C-X-C chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment by recruiting immunosuppressive cells. The receptor C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), highly expressed in various tumors including pancreatic cancer, plays a crucial role in tumor development and progression. In this study, the anti-tumor immune response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (hPBMC) was enhanced using the combination of BsNb PX4 (anti-PD-L1&CXCR4 bispecific nanobody) and gemcitabine. In a co-culture system of gemcitabine-pretreated hPBMCs with tumor cells, the BsNb PX4 synergized gemcitabine to improve the cytotoxic activity of hPBMCs against tumor cells. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed increased ratio of CD8+ to CD4+ T cells in combination treatment. In NOD/SCID mice bearing pancreatic cancer, the combination treatment exhibited more infiltration of CD8+ T cells into tumor tissues, contributing to an effective anti-tumor response. This study presents potential new therapies for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Ethical approval was obtained for collection of hPBMC samples from the Local Ethics Committee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. All animal experiments were approved by the Animal Ethic Committee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (authorizing number: A2024246).
8.Impact of industrial and job changes among fishermen on schistosomiasis control following fishing ban and withdrawal in Poyang Lake areas
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(1):81-84
Objective To investigate the industrial and job changes among fishermen and their impact on economic incomes and schistosomiasis control following fishing ban and withdrawal in Poyang Lake areas, so as to provide insights into formulation of the schistosomiasis control strategy in these areas. Methods One township was selected as the study area from each of Duchang County, Poyang County and Yugan County around the Poyang Lake areas from May to June, 2023, and at least 500 fishermen at ages of 60 years and less were sampled from each township. Questionnaires were allocated to all subjects via the “Questionnaire Star” platform, including demographics, ratio of profits from different production activities before and after fishing ban and withdrawal, contact with infested water before and after fishing ban and withdrawal, and changes in household economic income before and after fishing ban and withdrawal. Subjects’ schistosomiasis examination and treatment data, and development of schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis and advanced schistosomiasis were collected from 2016 to 2023. The changes in economic incomes, contact with infested water, sero-prevalence of human schistosomiasis, and proportions of schistosomiasis examinations and treatments were compared among study subjects. Results A total of 2 449 fishermen with an average age of (49.55 ± 8.86) years were investigated, including 1 654 full-time fishermen (67.54%) and 795 part-time fishermen (32.46%). The ratios of profits from fishing activities reduced from 88.15% and 34.82% before fishing ban and withdrawal to < 0.01% and 0.03% after fishing ban and withdrawal among full-time and part-time fishermen, while the ratios of profits from other production activities increased. The proportion of full-time fishermen who thought a reduction or a large reduction in their economic incomes was 79.93% (1 322/1 654), which was higher than that (66.79%, 531/795) of part-time fishermen (χ2 = 50. 307, P < 0.001), and the proportion of part-time fishermen who thought minor changes in their economic incomes was 15.60% (124/795), which was higher than that (4.11%, 68/1 654) of full-time fishermen (χ2 = 96.274, P < 0.001). There was a reduction in the contact with infested water among fishermen following fishing ban and withdrawal, and the proportions of respondents that had no contact, a large reduction in contact and a reduction in contact with infested water were 14.74% (361/2 449), 57.78% (1 415/2 449) and 26.05% (638/2 449), respectively. In addition, the sero-prevalence of schistosomiasis, and proportions of schistosomiasis examinations and treatments decreased from 9.79%, 87.14%, and 97.80% in 2016 to 4.38%, 53.16%, and 71. 51% in 2023 among fishermen in Duchang County, Poyang County and Yugan County (χ2 = 6.944, 865.194, 238.953, all P values < 0.01), and the prevalence of schistosomiasis liver fibrosis and advanced schistosomiasis was 42.64% (826/1 937) and 6.08% (149/2 449) among study subjects, respectively. Conclusions Industrial and job changes among fishermen are beneficial for schistosomiasis control after fishing ban and withdrawal in Poyang Lake areas; however, there is an increased difficulty for management of fishermen due to an increase in number of migrant labors and other factors.
9.Safety analysis of fondaparinux in pregnancy based on case report literature
Yin WANG ; Fengqun CAI ; Fengjiao KANG ; Liuyun WU ; Hulin WANG ; Lizhu HAN ; Qinan YIN ; Yong YANG ; Yuan BIAN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(9):1099-1104
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety of fondaparinux in pregnancy and provide reference for its rational clinical application. METHODS A search was conducted in databases including CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, Embase, and Elsevier (the search time was from the construction of the database to December 17, 2024) to collect case report literature on fondaparinux use during pregnancy. Patient demographic information, fondaparinux use during pregnancy, concomitant medications, clinical manifestations, and treatment details were extracted for descriptive statistical analysis. RESULTS A total of 17 case reports regarding the use of fondaparinux during pregnancy were collected, involving 42 patients from 11 countries and 47 pregnancy records. Among these, 20 cases involved the use of fondaparinux for the prevention of pregnancy-related venous thromboembolism (VTE), while 27 cases were fondaparinux treatment due to related conditions. A total of 29 occurrences of the patients were treated with fondaparinux due to a (family) history of VTE. Nine occurrences of complicated pregnancies were reported, and 35 patients had records of comorbidities or relevant medical histories. The adverse events that occurred during pregnancy with the use of fondaparinux include postpartum hemorrhage (7 cases) and excessive anticoagulation caused by inappropriate dosage (1 case). Among the 7 cases of postpartum hemorrhage, 3 cases had a blood loss of no less than 1 000 mL (including 2 cases with uterine atony), 3 cases had a drug discontinuation time of ≤12 h. CONCLUSIONS Based on the existing literature, the safety of fondaparinux during pregnancy is generally manageable, with the main adverse event being postpartum hemorrhage. The dosage, interval between discontinuation,comorbidities/medical history, and concomitant medications of fondaparinux may be the main causes of its adverse events.
10.Dynamic Sequential Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Nephrotic Syndrome Based on the "Sweat Pore-Qi and Liquid-Kidney Collaterals"
Zhenhua YUAN ; Mingyang CAI ; Yingying JIANG ; Jingjing WU ; Wenqing PAN ; Zichao DING ; Shuzi ZHANG ; Xianqing REN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):1007-1010
Based on the viewpoint of "sweat pore-qi and liquid-kidney collaterals", it is believed that children's nephrotic syndrome is caused by the core mechanism of sweat pore constraint and closure, qi and liquid imbalance, and kidney collaterals impairment, and it is proposed that the treatment principle is to nourish the sweat pore, regulate qi and fluid, and supplement the kidney and unblock the collaterals. In clinic, guided by sequential therapy and according to the different disease mechanism characteristics of the four stages, including early stage of the disease, hormone induction stage, hormone reduction stage, hormone maintenance stage, the staged dynamic identification and treatment was applied. For early stage of the disease with edema due to yang deficiency, modified Zhenwu Decoction (真武汤) was applied to warm yang and drain water; for hormone induction stage with yin deficiency resulting in effulgent fire, modified Zhibai Dihuang Pill (知柏地黄丸) plus Erzhi Pill (二至丸) was used to enrich yin and reduce fire; for hormone reduction stage with qi and yin deficiency, modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction (参芪地黄汤) was used to boost qi and nourish yin; for hormone maintenance stage, modified Shenqi Pill (肾气丸) was used to supplement yin and yang. Meanwhile, the treatment also attaches importance to the combination of vine-based or worm medicinals to dredge collaterals, so as to providing ideas for clinical treatment.

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