1.Potential Toxicity of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Its Scientific Regulation
Ting WANG ; Can TU ; Lin ZHANG ; Zhaojuan GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):1-9
In recent years, with the extensive application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) both domestically and internationally, safety concerns associated with TCM have been frequently reported. Notably, some TCM substances traditionally regarded as ''non-toxic'' have exhibited significant adverse reactions during clinical use, drawing substantial attention to TCM safety. This study first analyzed the risk factors contributing to the potential toxicity of TCM from perspectives such as drug properties, individual constitution, and clinical medication practices. Subsequently, it proposed research strategies and methodologies for investigating potential TCM toxicity: ① conduct studies under the guidance of TCM theory, adhering to the principle of diversity and unity. ② adopt an integrated research paradigm of ''originating from clinical practice-syndrome-based foundation-returning to clinical practice-serving supervision''. ③ implement a three-tier technical system of ''Mathematical modeling-high-throughput screening via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-systems biology'' to systematically elucidate the causes, material basis, and mechanisms of toxicity. Finally, scientific regulatory recommendations for potential TCM toxicity are proposed: ① establish a multidimensional prevention and control system addressing drug properties, physical constitution factors, and clinical medication practices. ② address the impact of modern processing techniques on the safety of new TCM drugs. ③ strengthen the revision of standards for Chinese medicinal materials to ensure their safety. ④ account for disease-syndrome combination animal models and interspecies differences in safety assessment outcomes. This study aims to overcome critical challenges in TCM regulation by advancing evaluation through research and driving research through evaluation. By establishing a high-level scientific regulatory framework, it seeks to not only safeguard clinical medication safety but also propel the high-quality development of the TCM industry, thereby providing scientific support for the inheritance and innovative evolution of TCM.
2.Potential Toxicity of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Its Scientific Regulation
Ting WANG ; Can TU ; Lin ZHANG ; Zhaojuan GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):1-9
In recent years, with the extensive application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) both domestically and internationally, safety concerns associated with TCM have been frequently reported. Notably, some TCM substances traditionally regarded as ''non-toxic'' have exhibited significant adverse reactions during clinical use, drawing substantial attention to TCM safety. This study first analyzed the risk factors contributing to the potential toxicity of TCM from perspectives such as drug properties, individual constitution, and clinical medication practices. Subsequently, it proposed research strategies and methodologies for investigating potential TCM toxicity: ① conduct studies under the guidance of TCM theory, adhering to the principle of diversity and unity. ② adopt an integrated research paradigm of ''originating from clinical practice-syndrome-based foundation-returning to clinical practice-serving supervision''. ③ implement a three-tier technical system of ''Mathematical modeling-high-throughput screening via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-systems biology'' to systematically elucidate the causes, material basis, and mechanisms of toxicity. Finally, scientific regulatory recommendations for potential TCM toxicity are proposed: ① establish a multidimensional prevention and control system addressing drug properties, physical constitution factors, and clinical medication practices. ② address the impact of modern processing techniques on the safety of new TCM drugs. ③ strengthen the revision of standards for Chinese medicinal materials to ensure their safety. ④ account for disease-syndrome combination animal models and interspecies differences in safety assessment outcomes. This study aims to overcome critical challenges in TCM regulation by advancing evaluation through research and driving research through evaluation. By establishing a high-level scientific regulatory framework, it seeks to not only safeguard clinical medication safety but also propel the high-quality development of the TCM industry, thereby providing scientific support for the inheritance and innovative evolution of TCM.
3.Astragalin Regulates Autophagy and Apoptosis of Astrocytes in L4-5 Spinal Dorsal Horn of Mouse Inflammatory Pain Model
Weishan ZHANG ; Jiahong LIN ; Can WANG ; Runheng ZHANG ; Junhua YANG ; Jing LIU ; Guoying LI ; Yuxin MA
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(2):186-196
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of astragalin (AST) on autophagy and apoptosis of astrocytes in the L4-5 dorsal horn of the spinal cord in mice with inflammatory pain induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). MethodsTwenty-four male C57BL/6 mice, aged six months, were randomly assigned to four groups: control group, saline group, CFA model group, and CFA+AST group, six mice in each group. The inflammatory pain model was established by injection of 10 µL CFA into the right lateral malleolus fossa. The saline group were injected with an equal amount of normal saline at the same site. The inflammatory pain mice in CFA+AST group were further treated with AST (60 mg/kg) intraperitoneally once a day for 21 consecutive days. Multiplex immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the coexpression of autophagy-related factors including ATG 12 and Beclin-1, apoptosis-related factors including Cleaved-Caspase3 and Caspase9, and the astrocyte marker such as GFAP in the L4-5 spinal dorsal horn of the mice in each group. Western blot was used to examine the protein expression levels of autophagy-related proteins(ATG12, Beclin-1) and apoptosis-related proteins(Caspase 3, Caspase 9) in the L4-5 spinal dorsal horn of mice. ResultsImmunofluorescent staining showed that in the L4-5 dorsal horn of the spinal cord, the fluorescence intensity of ATG12 (P<0.000 1) and Beclin-1 (P<0.000 1) was significantly increased, while that of Cleaved-Caspase 3 (P<0.001) and Caspase 9 (P<0.000 1) was decreased in the CFA+AST group when compared to the CFA model group. Furthermore, AST could inhibit the activation of astrocytes. Western blot further confirmed that AST significantly upregulated the expression of ATG12 (P<0.000 1) and Beclin-1 (P<0.000 1) in the L4-5 spinal cord of CFA mice, and downregulated the expression of Caspase 3 (P<0.01) and Caspase 9 (P<0.001). ConclusionsAST promotes autophagy of astrocytes and inhibits their apoptosis in the L4-5 spinal dorsal horn of CFA mice.
4.Clinical application of single-balloon and double-balloon enteroscopy in pediatric small bowel diseases: a retrospective study of 576 cases.
Can-Lin LI ; Jie-Yu YOU ; Yan-Hong LUO ; Hong-Juan OU-YANG ; Li LIU ; Wen-Ting ZHANG ; Jia-Qi DUAN ; Na JIANG ; Mei-Zheng ZHAN ; Chen-Xi LIU ; Juan ZHOU ; Ling-Zhi YUAN ; Hong-Mei ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(7):822-828
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the effectiveness of single-balloon and double-balloon enteroscopy in diagnosing pediatric small bowel diseases and assess the diagnostic efficacy of computed tomography enterography (CTE) for small bowel diseases using enteroscopy as the reference standard.
METHODS:
Clinical data from 576 children who underwent enteroscopy at Hunan Children's Hospital between January 2017 and December 2023 were retrospectively collected. The children were categorized based on enteroscopy type into the single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) group (n=457) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) group (n=119), and the clinical data were compared between the two groups. The sensitivity and specificity of CTE for diagnosing small bowel diseases were evaluated using enteroscopy results as the standard.
RESULTS:
Among the 576 children, small bowel lesions were detected by enteroscopy in 274 children (47.6%).There was no significant difference in lesion detection rates or complication rates between the SBE and DBE groups (P>0.05), but the DBE group had deeper insertion, longer procedure time, and higher complete small bowel examination rate (P<0.05). The complication rate during enteroscopy was 4.3% (25/576), with 18 cases (3.1%) of mild complications and 7 cases (1.2%) of severe complications, which improved with symptomatic treatment, surgical, or endoscopic intervention. Among the 412 children who underwent CTE, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing small bowel diseases were 44.4% and 71.3%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
SBE and DBE have similar diagnostic efficacy for pediatric small bowel diseases, but DBE is preferred for suspected deep small bowel lesions and comprehensive small bowel examination. Enteroscopy in children demonstrates relatively good overall safety. CTE demonstrates relatively low sensitivity but comparatively high specificity for diagnosing small bowel diseases.
Retrospective Studies
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Treatment Outcome
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Double-Balloon Enteroscopy/statistics & numerical data*
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Single-Balloon Enteroscopy/statistics & numerical data*
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Humans
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Male
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Female
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Child
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Operative Time
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Tomography, X-Ray Computed/statistics & numerical data*
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Sensitivity and Specificity
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Intestine, Small/surgery*
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Intestinal Diseases/surgery*
5.Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis with integrative traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
Xin-Ran DU ; Meng-Yi WU ; Mao-Can TAO ; Ying LIN ; Chao-Ying GU ; Min-Feng WU ; Yi CAO ; Da-Can CHEN ; Wei LI ; Hong-Wei WANG ; Ying WANG ; Yi WANG ; Han-Zhi LU ; Xin LIU ; Xiang-Fei SU ; Fu-Lun LI
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(6):641-653
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a well-accepted therapy for atopic dermatitis (AD). However, there are currently no evidence-based guidelines integrating TCM and Western medicine for the treatment of AD, limiting the clinical application of such combined approaches. Therefore, the China Association of Chinese Medicine initiated the development of the current guideline, focusing on key issues related to the use of TCM in the treatment of AD. This guideline was developed in accordance with the principles of the guideline formulation manual published by the World Health Organization. A comprehensive review of the literature on the combined use of TCM and Western medicine to treat AD was conducted. The findings were extensively discussed by experts in dermatology and pharmacy with expertise in both TCM and Western medicine. This guideline comprises 23 recommendations across seven major areas, including TCM syndrome differentiation and classification of AD, principles and application scenarios of TCM combined with Western medicine for treating AD, outcome indicators for evaluating clinical efficacy of AD treatment, integration of TCM pattern classification and Western medicine across disease stages, daily management of AD, the use of internal TCM therapies and proprietary Chinese medicines, and TCM external treatments. Please cite this article as: Du XR, Wu MY, Tao MC, Lin Y, Gu CY, Wu MF, Cao Y, Chen DC, Li W, Wang HW, Wang Y, Wang Y, Lu HZ, Liu X, Su XF, Li FL. Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis with integrative traditional Chinese and Western medicine. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):641-653.
Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy*
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Humans
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
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Integrative Medicine
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Practice Guidelines as Topic
6.Scutellarin inhibits proliferation and migration of human prostate cancer cell line PC-3
Yanhong XIAO ; Mingdong JIANG ; Yeyuan LIN ; Can RAN ; Bo LIANG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2024;44(9):1229-1235
Objective To investigate the effect of scutellarin(STR)on the proliferation and migration of human prostate cancer cell line(PC-3)and its underlying mechanism.Methods PC-3 cells were divided into low-dose STR group,medium-dose STR group,high-dose STR group,colivelin(STAT3 activator)group,high-dose STR+colivelin group and control group.CCK-8 assay and colony formation experiments were applied to detect cell prolif-eration;Scratch experiment was applied to detect cell migration;Transmission electron microscopy was applied to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure of PC-3 cells.The intracellular free Fe2+,malondialdehyde(MDA)content and reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were detected by colorimetric method;RT-qPCR was applied to detect the mRNA expression of member 11 of solute vector family(SLC7A11),proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)in cells;Western blot was used to detected p-STAT3 and GPX4 proteins in cells.Results Compared to control group,the mitochondrial structure of PC-3 cells in the low-dose STR group,medium-dose STR group and high-dose STR group was significantly disrupted.The A450 value,colony formation rate,scratch healing rate,PCNA,SLC7A11,MMP-9 mRNA expression,and p-STAT3,GPX4 protein all reduced.While Fe2+,MDA content,and that ROS level increased with dose-dependent way(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the destruction of mitochondrial structure in cells from colivelin group improved;The A450 value,colony formation rate,scratch healing rate,PCNA,SLC7A11,MMP-9 mRNA expression and p-STAT3,GPX4 protein all increased,while Fe2+MDA content,and ROS level decreased(P<0.05).Compared with high-dose STR group,the damage of mitochondrial structure in PC-3 cells in the high-dose STR+colivelin group was re-duced.The A450 value,colony formation rate,scratch healing rate,PCNA,SLC7A11,MMP-9 mRNA expression,and p-STAT3,GPX4 protein increased,while Fe2+,MDA content and ROS level decreased(P<0.05).Conclusions The mechanism by of STR reducing proliferation and migration of prostate cancer cells is potentially related to the inhibition of STAT3/GPX4 pathway.
7.Effects of Bushen Zhuyun Prescription on Endometrial Angiogenesis by Regulating Mitochondrial Function
Yuling ZHOU ; Jinglei ZHANG ; Can CAO ; Ying SUN ; Ruobing NIU ; Yingmei ZHANG ; Shuchan HU ; Lin LUO ; Ming HE
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(1):91-96
Objective To observe the effects of Bushen Zhuyun Prescription on regulating mitochondrial function and endometrial angiogenesis;To explore its mechanism of improving endometrial receptivity.Methods The mouse model of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation(COH)was established,and the mice were randomly divided into normal group,model group,and Bushen group,with 20 mice in each group.Bushen group received Bushen Zhuyun Prescription for gavage for 11 d,and the normal group and model group received normal saline for gavage.The number of embryo implantation was counted,the endometrial morphology was observed by HE staining,α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)expression was observed by immunofluorescence staining.Human endometrial microvascular endothelial cells(HEMECs)were cultured in vitro,they were divided into control group,VEGFA group,Bushen group and VEGFA + Bushen group,and were intervened with VEGFA and/or Bushen Zhuyun Prescription medicated serum.The activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ-Ⅳ,the content of ATP,the expression of PCNA and Caspase-3 were detected.Results Animal experiment showed that,compared with the normal group,the number of embryo implantation in model group significantly decreased(P<0.05),α-SMA protein expression in endometrial tissue significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with the model group,the number of embryo implantation in Bushen group significantly increased(P<0.05),α-SMA protein expression in endometrial tissue significantly increased(P<0.05).Cell experiment showed that,Bushen Zhuyun Prescription medicated serum could increase the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ-Ⅳ and ATP content in HEMECs,promote PCNA protein expression,and inhibit Caspase-3 protein expression(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Bushen Zhuyun Prescription can promote endometrial angiogenesis through improving mitochondrial function.
8.Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry Analysis and Imaging of Porcine Brain Tissue Section Using Precoated Nanocarbon-Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Composite Matrix
Si-Jia ZHUANG ; Yu-Lin SHEN ; Fan YANG ; Can GONG ; Xu XU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(7):985-994,中插22-中插29
Nanomaterial matrices have unique advantages in small molecule analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry(MALDI-MS).On the basis of comparing different surfactants,a method for pre-coating nanocarbon sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS)composite matrix was established,which could alleviate the issue of aggregation of nanocarbon particles as a matrix.The experimental results showed that the nanocarbon-SDS composite pre-coated matrix effectively suppressed the background ion peak of the nano matrix,significantly improved the MS peak intensity and signal-to-noise ratio of the tested substance.Under the optimal conditions,cholesterol,1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine(DPPC),and triglyceride standards were analyzed,with intra-point repeatability(RSD)of MS peak intensity≤5%and inter-point repeatability≤7%.As to measurement of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and DPPC samples in the range of 0.05?1.0 mg/mL,linear correlation coefficient(R2)between peak intensity and concentration was greater than 0.993,indicating good quantitative analysis potential.The nanocarbon-SDS composite pre-coating matrix was used for MALDI-MS imaging of pig brain tissue,and the differences in component distribution between pig brain white matter and gray matter were observed,demonstrating the potential of nanocarbon-SDS composite pre-coating matrix for MALDI-MS imaging.
9.Standardized operational protocol for the China Human Brain Bank Consortium(2nd edition)
Xue WANG ; Zhen CHEN ; Juan-Li WU ; Nai-Li WANG ; Di ZHANG ; Juan DU ; Liang YU ; Wan-Ru DUAN ; Peng-Hao LIU ; Han-Lin ZHANG ; Can HUANG ; Yue-Shan PIAO ; Ke-Qing ZHU ; Ai-Min BAO ; Jing ZHANG ; Yi SHEN ; Chao MA ; Wen-Ying QIU ; Xiao-Jing QIAN
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2024;55(6):734-745
Human brain banks use a standardized protocol to collect,process and store post-mortem human brains and related tissues,along with relevant clinical information,and to provide the tissue samples and data as a resource to foster neuroscience research according to a standardized operating protocols(SOP).Human brain bank serves as the foundation for neuroscience research and the diagnosis of neurological disorders,highlighting the crucial rule of ensuring the consistency of standardized quality for brain tissue samples.The first version of SOP in 2017 was published by the China Human Brain Bank Consortium.As members increases from different regions in China,a revised SOP was drafted by experts from the China Human Brain Bank Consortium to meet the growing demands for neuroscience research.The revised SOP places a strong emphasis on ethical standards,incorporates neuropathological evaluation of brain regions,and provides clarity on spinal cord sampling and pathological assessment.Notable enhancements in this updated version of the SOP include reinforced ethical guidelines,inclusion of matching controls in recruitment,and expansion of brain regions to be sampled for neuropathological evaluation.
10.A Study on the Anti-Angiogenic Activity of an RG-I Polysaccharide from Lonicera macranthoides Flowers
Can JIN ; Liyan LIN ; Huixian CHEN ; Kan DING
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;26(5):1172-1181
Objective This study aims to investigate the structure and anti-angiogenic activity of homogeneous polysaccharides in Honeysuckle flowers,constructing the theoretical basis for its widespread application.Methods Homogeneous Honeysuckle polysaccharide LF-02-2 was obtained through water extraction,alcohol precipitation,anion exchange chromatography,and gel permeation chromatography.The structure of LF-02-2 was deduced through molecular weight determination,monosaccharide composition analysis,sugar residue linkage analysis,partial acid hydrolysis,and sugar aldonic acid reduction combined with NMR data.Additionally,in vitro tube formation experiments using human microvascular endothelial cells(HMEC-1)were conducted to assess its anti-angiogenic activity.Results Structural analysis of LF-02-2 revealed a homogeneous polysaccharide with a weight-average molecular weight of 74.1 kDa.The monosaccharide composition included rhamnose(Rha),galactose(Gal),galacturonic acid(GalA),and arabinose(Ara)in molar ratios of 10.43:14.94:6.66:67.97.The main chain consisted of 1,4-linked α-Galp A,1,2-linked α-Rhap,and 1,2,4-linked α-Rhap.Branches were connected to O-4 of 1,2,4-linked α-Rhap and included β-Galp with terminal connections and 1,4,6-linked β-Galp and α-Araf with terminal and 1,5-linked connections.Tube formation experiments demonstrated that LF-02-2 significantly inhibited tube formation in human microvascular endothelial cells(HMEC).Conclusion LF-02-2,an RG-I pectic polysaccharide from Honeysuckle flowers,exhibited significant anti-angiogenic activity,suggesting its potential for development as an anti-angiogenic drug.

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