1.Study on the efficacy and mechanism of Tongbianling capsule in the treatment of constipation
Ying CHEN ; Zihua XU ; Bei HU ; Yaling CUI ; Huan GAO ; Qiong WU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(1):10-16
Object To study the efficacy and potential mechanism of Tongbianling capsule in constipation. Methods The effects of Tongbianling capsule on intestinal motility in normal mice and carbon powder propulsion rate in small intestine of constipation model mice after were observed administration. The potential targets and key pathways of Tongbianling capsule in treating constipation were identified through network pharmacology. To verify the mechanism, the expression of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT and CASP3 proteins in mouse colon tissue was detected by the western blot. Results The time for mice to excrete the first black stool was shortened and the number of fecal particles was increased in Tongbianling capsule administration group, and the carbon powder propulsion rate of mice in each Tongbianling capsule administration group was increased. The results of network pharmacology showed that treatment of constipation by Tongbianling capsule may be related to signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and 5-HT. The protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, and CASP3 in mouse colon tissue could be significantly downregulated in administration group. Conclusion Tongbianling capsule could effectively promote intestinal peristalsis in mice, increase the frequency of defecation, and effectively treat constipation. The mechanism of its action may be related to the direct or indirect regulation of intestinal motility by the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.
2.The Ferroptosis-inducing Compounds in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Xin-Die WANG ; Da-Li FENG ; Xiang CUI ; Su ZHOU ; Peng-Fei ZHANG ; Zhi-Qiang GAO ; Li-Li ZOU ; Jun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):804-819
Ferroptosis, a programmed cell death modality discovered and defined in the last decade, is primarily induced by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. At present, it has been found that ferroptosis is involved in various physiological functions such as immune regulation, growth and development, aging, and tumor suppression. Especially its role in tumor biology has attracted extensive attention and research. Breast cancer is one of the most common female tumors, characterized by high heterogeneity and complex genetic background. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a special type of breast cancer, which lacks conventional breast cancer treatment targets and is prone to drug resistance to existing chemotherapy drugs and has a low cure rate after progression and metastasis. There is an urgent need to find new targets or develop new drugs. With the increase of studies on promoting ferroptosis in breast cancer, it has gradually attracted attention as a treatment strategy for breast cancer. Some studies have found that certain compounds and natural products can act on TNBC, promote their ferroptosis, inhibit cancer cells proliferation, enhance sensitivity to radiotherapy, and improve resistance to chemotherapy drugs. To promote the study of ferroptosis in TNBC, this article summarized and reviewed the compounds and natural products that induce ferroptosis in TNBC and their mechanisms of action. We started with the exploration of the pathways of ferroptosis, with particular attention to the System Xc--cystine-GPX4 pathway and iron metabolism. Then, a series of compounds, including sulfasalazine (SAS), metformin, and statins, were described in terms of how they interact with cells to deplete glutathione (GSH), thereby inhibiting the activity of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and preventing the production of lipid peroxidases. The disruption of the cellular defense against oxidative stress ultimately results in the death of TNBC cells. We have also our focus to the realm of natural products, exploring the therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine extracts for TNBC. These herbal extracts exhibit multi-target effects and good safety, and have shown promising capabilities in inducing ferroptosis in TNBC cells. We believe that further exploration and characterization of these natural compounds could lead to the development of a new generation of cancer therapeutics. In addition to traditional chemotherapy, we discussed the role of drug delivery systems in enhancing the efficacy and reducing the toxicity of ferroptosis inducers. Nanoparticles such as exosomes and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can improve the solubility and bioavailability of these compounds, thereby expanding their therapeutic potential while minimizing systemic side effects. Although preclinical data on ferroptosis inducers are relatively robust, their translation into clinical practice remains in its early stages. We also emphasize the urgent need for more in-depth and comprehensive research to understand the complex mechanisms of ferroptosis in TNBC. This is crucial for the rational design and development of clinical trials, as well as for leveraging ferroptosis to improve patient outcomes. Hoping the above summarize and review could provide references for the research and development of lead compounds for the treatment for TNBC.
3.Concept,Organizational Structure,and Medical Model of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Myocardial Infarction Unit
Jun LI ; Jialiang GAO ; Jie WANG ; Zhenpeng ZHANG ; Xinyuan WU ; Ji WU ; Zicong XIE ; Jingrun CUI ; Haoqiang HE ; Yuqing TAN ; Chunkun YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):873-877
The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) myocardial infarction (MI) unit is a standardized, regulated, and continuous integrated care unit guided by TCM theory and built upon existing chest pain centers or emergency care units. This unit emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration and forms a restructured clinical entity without altering current departmental settings, offering comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services with full participation of TCM in the treatment of MI. Its core medical model is patient-centered and disease-focused, providing horizontally integrated TCM-based care across multiple specialties and vertically constructing a full-cycle treatment unit for MI, delivering prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation during the acute, stable, and recovery phases. Additionally, the unit establishes a TCM-featured education and prevention mechanism for MI to guide patients in proactive health management, reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction, and improve quality of life.
4.Characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes in Patients with Concurrent Postmenopausal Osteoporosis and Knee Osteoarthritis
Xin CUI ; Huaiwei GAO ; Long LIANG ; Ming CHEN ; Shangquan WANG ; Ting CHENG ; Yili ZHANG ; Xu WEI ; Yanming XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):257-265
ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in the patients with concurrent knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) and provide a scientific basis for precise TCM syndrome differentiation, diagnosis, and treatment of such concurrent diseases. MethodsA prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional clinical survey was conducted to analyze the characteristics of TCM syndromes in the patients with concurrent PMOP and KOA. Excel 2021 was used to statistically analyze the general characteristics of the included patients. Continuous variables were reported as
5.Characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes in Patients with Concurrent Postmenopausal Osteoporosis and Knee Osteoarthritis
Xin CUI ; Huaiwei GAO ; Long LIANG ; Ming CHEN ; Shangquan WANG ; Ting CHENG ; Yili ZHANG ; Xu WEI ; Yanming XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):257-265
ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in the patients with concurrent knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) and provide a scientific basis for precise TCM syndrome differentiation, diagnosis, and treatment of such concurrent diseases. MethodsA prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional clinical survey was conducted to analyze the characteristics of TCM syndromes in the patients with concurrent PMOP and KOA. Excel 2021 was used to statistically analyze the general characteristics of the included patients. Continuous variables were reported as
6.Further Recognization of Disease Name in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Knee Osteoarthritis Based on Micropathologic Phenotypes
Hongfei WU ; Yushi CUI ; Yun GAO ; Shuai ZHANG ; Mingyuan WANG ; Xingping ZHANG ; Zhilong ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1089-1093
This paper interprets the disease name related to bi (痹) disease in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) from the perspective of micropathological phenotypes in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). By systematically reviewing classical TCM literature on the pathogenesis and clinical features of different subtypes such as damp-retention bi, bone bi, and tendon bi, and integrating these with current research on pathological subtypes of KOA including the synovitis type, cartilage-meniscus type, and subchondral bone type, the study explores the correlation between traditional disease terms and modern micropathological phenotypes. The author proposes subtype classifications of damp-retention bi corresponding to synovial inflammation, bone bi related to abnormal subchondral bone remodeling, and tendon bi representing cartilage and meniscus degeneration. This approach provides a microscopic biological explanation for TCM syndrome differentiation and offers new perspectives for advancing integrative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in both Chinese and western medicine.
7.Compilation Instructions for Expert Consensus on Clinical Application of Dieda Huoxue Capsules
Yuhang MENG ; Jinghua GAO ; Minshan FENG ; Quan JI ; Jin JIN ; Ting CHENG ; Yongyao LI ; Yuanyuan LI ; Xin CUI ; Yanming XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):177-183
The Compilation Instructions for Expert Consensus on Clinical Application of Dieda Huoxue capsules systematically expound the development methods and evidence-based basis of this consensus. In view of the weak clinical application evidence and ambiguous indications of Dieda Huoxue capsules, the Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Wangjing Hospital took the lead and collaborated with 33 experts from 28 medical institutions nationwide. They strictly followed the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline-making norms and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) evidence-grading system and completed the compilation through multidisciplinary cooperation. The workflow included constructing clinical questions (19 items were screened by the nominal group technique), retrieving evidence (from Chinese and English databases and grey literature), assessing safety (integrating drug monitoring data and clinical investigations), and forming recommendations and consensus suggestions (3 recommendations were reached via the GRADE grid method, and 16 consensus suggestions were reached by the majority vote rule). The results indicate that the consensus clearly states that this medicine (Dieda Huoxue capsules) is applicable to conditions like traumatic injury, blood stasis-induced pain, and sudden lumbar sprains. The recommended dose is 6 capsules each time, twice a day. Combining oral administration with external application can enhance the efficacy, and elderly patients should take the medicine at intervals. Safety monitoring suggests that it should be used with caution in people with a bleeding tendency and those with an allergic constitution. The compilation process involved three rounds of reviews by internal and external experts. Literature analysis, the Delphi method, and clinical applicability tests were employed to ensure methodological rigor. The compilation instructions comprehensively present key aspects such as project approval and registration, conflict-of-interest statements, and evidence evaluation through 12 appendices, providing methodological support for the clinical translation of the consensus. In the future, it will be continuously improved through a dynamic revision mechanism.
8.Exploring Effect and Mechanism of Astragaloside on Repair and Healing in Chronic Non-healing Wound Rat Model Based on SIRT1 and PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Mengdi CUI ; Jiawei GAO ; Lvqun ZHU ; Guisheng CHEN ; Yiliang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):101-108
ObjectiveTo investigate the promotional effect of astragaloside on the repair and healing of chronic non-healing wounds and its mechanism. MethodA total of 60 male SD rats were constructed with full-layer skin defect wounds on the back, and except for the control (Con) group, the rest were constructed with non-healing wounds, which were then randomly divided into the sham-operation (sham) group, the low-dose astragaloside group, the high-dose astragaloside group, the astragaloside + LY294002 [phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor] group, and the astragaloside + EX527 [silencing regulatory protein 1 (SIRT1) inhibitor] group. The percentage of wound area in each group was observed on the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th days after wound molding. Collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 (COL1A1) and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expressions in the wound tissue were detected by immunofluorescence. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed to determine the pathological structure of the wound. The mRNA expression of inflammatory factors in the wound was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), and the expression of proteins related to the SIRT1/ nuclear factor (NF)-κB and PI3K/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways in the wound was tested by Western blot. ResultCompared with the sham group, the percentage of postoperative wound area of rats in both low-dose and high-dose astragaloside groups gradually decreased with time, and the efficacy of the high-dose astragaloside group was better. Compared with the Con group, the fluorescence intensity of COL1A1 in wound tissue of the sham group decreased, while the expression of α-SMA increased. The epithelial tissue was severely damaged, with an increase in the thickness, and a large number of inflammatory cells were seen in the infiltration. The mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was elevated. The protein expression of NF-κB p65, p-PI3K/PI3K, and p-Akt/Akt was elevated, while SIRT1 expression was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the sham group, the fluorescence intensity of COL1A1 and α-SMA increased after astragaloside treatment. The number of epithelial cells increased, and the thickness decreased. The inflammatory cells decreased, and the amount of collagen increased. The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and iNOS was decreased, and the protein expression of NF-κB p65, p-PI3K/PI3K, and p-Akt/Akt was decreased. SIRT1 was elevated, and the effect was better in the high-dose astragaloside group (P<0.05). Compared with the high-dose astragaloside group, inhibition of the PI3K/Akt and SIRT1 pathways by LY294002 and EX527 prevented the therapeutic efficacy of astragaloside on chronic non-healing wounds. ConclusionThe topical application of astragaloside significantly promotes the healing of chronic non-healing wounds in rats, and the mechanism may be related to the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and the SIRT1/NF-κB pathway.
9.Perspective of Calcium Imaging Technology Applied to Acupuncture Research.
Sha LI ; Yun LIU ; Nan ZHANG ; Wang LI ; Wen-Jie XU ; Yi-Qian XU ; Yi-Yuan CHEN ; Xiang CUI ; Bing ZHU ; Xin-Yan GAO
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2024;30(1):3-9
Acupuncture, a therapeutic treatment defined as the insertion of needles into the body at specific points (ie, acupoints), has growing in popularity world-wide to treat various diseases effectively, especially acute and chronic pain. In parallel, interest in the physiological mechanisms underlying acupuncture analgesia, particularly the neural mechanisms have been increasing. Over the past decades, our understanding of how the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system process signals induced by acupuncture has developed rapidly by using electrophysiological methods. However, with the development of neuroscience, electrophysiology is being challenged by calcium imaging in view field, neuron population and visualization in vivo. Owing to the outstanding spatial resolution, the novel imaging approaches provide opportunities to enrich our knowledge about the neurophysiological mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia at subcellular, cellular, and circuit levels in combination with new labeling, genetic and circuit tracing techniques. Therefore, this review will introduce the principle and the method of calcium imaging applied to acupuncture research. We will also review the current findings in pain research using calcium imaging from in vitro to in vivo experiments and discuss the potential methodological considerations in studying acupuncture analgesia.
Calcium
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Acupuncture Therapy
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Acupuncture
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Acupuncture Analgesia/methods*
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Acupuncture Points
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Technology
10.Establishment of HPLC fingerprint and content determination of multiple index components in Xiao’er resuqing oral liquid
Junfeng CUI ; Shuai CUI ; Xiukun LIANG ; Dongxu LI ; Xinrui WANG ; Peng GAO
China Pharmacy 2024;35(7):801-806
OBJECTIVE To establish an HPLC fingerprint of Xiao’er resuqing oral liquid, and to determine the contents of twelve index components. METHODS HPLC method was adopted. The determination was performed on Venusil MP C18 column with mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.1% phosphate aqueous solution (gradient elution) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detection wavelength was set at 210 nm, the column temperature was 30 ℃, the injection volume was 10 μL. HPLC fingerprint of Xiao’er resuqing oral liquid was established by using the Similarity Evaluation System of Chromatographic Fingerprint of TCM (2012 edition) to evaluate the similarity. The contents of 12 components were determined, including (R, S)-goitrin, 3,5-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid, puerarin, forsythin, forsythoside A, chlorogenic acid, baicalin, saikosaponins d, wogonoside, baicalein, emodin and chrysophanol. RESULTS The similarity of HPLC fingerprints of 13 batches of Xiao’er resuqing oral liquid was greater than 0.97, and 14 common peaks were confirmed. The contents of the above 12 index components in 13 batches of Xiao’er resuqing oral liquid were as follows: 0.078-0.172, 1.564-2.736, 1.338-2.578, 0.426-0.872, 1.477-2.628, 1.396-2.447, 4.052-9.146, 0.367- 0.692, 1.974-4.674, 1.274-2.969, 0.085-0.167 and 0.155-0.307 mg/mL. CONCLUSIONS The established HPLC fingerprint and content determination methods have high accuracy and high specificity, which can be used for the quality evaluation of Xiao’er resuqing oral liquid.

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