1.Outcome Indicators in Randomized Controlled Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Ulcerative Colitis
Yasheng DENG ; Lanfang MAO ; Jiang LIN ; Yanping FAN ; Wenyue LI ; Yonghui LIU ; Zhaobing NI ; Jinzhong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):245-251
To systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention in ulcerative colitis (UC), and analyze the characteristics of these studies and their outcome indicators, thereby providing references for the design of future RCTs of TCM intervention in UC and offering evidence supporting the clinical application of TCM in UC. A computerized search was conducted in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase, and Web of Science databases for RCTs of TCM intervention in UC published from January 2021 to August 2024. The risk of bias was assessed, and outcome indicators were qualitatively analyzed. A total of 555 RCTs were included, with a sample size of 44 853 participants. The largest sample size was 218 cases, and the smallest was 28 cases, with most studies focusing on 60-100 participants. Of the 386 RCTs that explicitly reported TCM syndrome types, the top three were large intestine dampness-heat syndrome (31.05%), spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome (12.47%), and spleen deficiency with dampness syndrome (9.17%). The interventions, ranked by frequency of use, included internal Chinese medicine compounds/preparations (64.5%), Chinese medicine compounds/preparations with retained enema (18.2%), internal Chinese medicine compounds/preparations + external TCM treatment (5.95%), and external TCM treatment alone (4.86%). The treatment duration was mainly 4-8 weeks (64.86%), with 61 studies (10.99%) reporting follow-up time. A total of 157 outcome indicators were used, with a frequency of 3 460 occurrences, classified into six domains: TCM syndromes and symptoms (346 occurrences, 10%), symptoms/signs (541 occurrences, 15.64%), physical and chemical examinations (2 119 occurrences, 61.24%), quality of life (107 occurrences, 3.09%), long-term prognosis (61 occurrences, 1.76%), and safety events (284 occurrences, 8.21%). The analysis reveals several limitations in the outcome indicators of TCM intervention in UC, including the lack of a basis for sample size calculation, non-standardized TCM syndrome classification, absence of trial design and registration, inadequate blinding and allocation concealment, adherence issues with interventions, imbalanced selection of surrogate and endpoint indicators, inconsistency in the timing of outcome measurements, design issues that require standardization, and ethical and safety concerns. It is recommended that future studies actively construct a set of core indicators for UC that include standardized TCM syndrome classification, clear efficacy evaluation indicators, key endpoint indicators, and reasonable measurement time points. Long-term prognostic impacts, comprehensive assessments of patients' quality of life, and consideration of economic benefits should be emphasized, providing a basis for the clinical practice of TCM in the treatment of UC.
2.Outcome Indicators in Randomized Controlled Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Ulcerative Colitis
Yasheng DENG ; Lanfang MAO ; Jiang LIN ; Yanping FAN ; Wenyue LI ; Yonghui LIU ; Zhaobing NI ; Jinzhong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):245-251
To systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention in ulcerative colitis (UC), and analyze the characteristics of these studies and their outcome indicators, thereby providing references for the design of future RCTs of TCM intervention in UC and offering evidence supporting the clinical application of TCM in UC. A computerized search was conducted in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase, and Web of Science databases for RCTs of TCM intervention in UC published from January 2021 to August 2024. The risk of bias was assessed, and outcome indicators were qualitatively analyzed. A total of 555 RCTs were included, with a sample size of 44 853 participants. The largest sample size was 218 cases, and the smallest was 28 cases, with most studies focusing on 60-100 participants. Of the 386 RCTs that explicitly reported TCM syndrome types, the top three were large intestine dampness-heat syndrome (31.05%), spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome (12.47%), and spleen deficiency with dampness syndrome (9.17%). The interventions, ranked by frequency of use, included internal Chinese medicine compounds/preparations (64.5%), Chinese medicine compounds/preparations with retained enema (18.2%), internal Chinese medicine compounds/preparations + external TCM treatment (5.95%), and external TCM treatment alone (4.86%). The treatment duration was mainly 4-8 weeks (64.86%), with 61 studies (10.99%) reporting follow-up time. A total of 157 outcome indicators were used, with a frequency of 3 460 occurrences, classified into six domains: TCM syndromes and symptoms (346 occurrences, 10%), symptoms/signs (541 occurrences, 15.64%), physical and chemical examinations (2 119 occurrences, 61.24%), quality of life (107 occurrences, 3.09%), long-term prognosis (61 occurrences, 1.76%), and safety events (284 occurrences, 8.21%). The analysis reveals several limitations in the outcome indicators of TCM intervention in UC, including the lack of a basis for sample size calculation, non-standardized TCM syndrome classification, absence of trial design and registration, inadequate blinding and allocation concealment, adherence issues with interventions, imbalanced selection of surrogate and endpoint indicators, inconsistency in the timing of outcome measurements, design issues that require standardization, and ethical and safety concerns. It is recommended that future studies actively construct a set of core indicators for UC that include standardized TCM syndrome classification, clear efficacy evaluation indicators, key endpoint indicators, and reasonable measurement time points. Long-term prognostic impacts, comprehensive assessments of patients' quality of life, and consideration of economic benefits should be emphasized, providing a basis for the clinical practice of TCM in the treatment of UC.
3.Exploration of the Intervention Mechanism of Qingshi Anti-itch Ointment (青石止痒软膏) on Psoriasis Model Mice Based on Caspase-1/GSDMD Protein Pathway
Yatong LI ; Yuanwen LI ; Yutong DENG ; Xuewen REN ; Xuewan WANG ; Xinhui YU ; Tangyunni LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(2):170-177
ObjectiveTo explore the possible action mechanism of Qingshi Anti-itch Ointment (青石止痒软膏, QAO) in the treatment of psoriasis. MethodsForty mice were randomly divided into four groups, blank group, model group, calcipotriol group and QAO group, with 10 mice in each group. Except for the blank group, psoriasis was induced by applying imiquimod cream to the dorsal skin. After modeling for 6 hours daily, the calcipotriol group and QAO group were treated with 0.5 g of calcipotriol ointment or 0.5 g of QAO, respectively, applied to the treated dorsal skin. The blank group and the model group received no treatment. The skin lesions were observed, and the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score was assessed every other day. After 7 days, Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining was performed on dorsal skin tissue to observe pathological changes. The levels of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 18 (IL-18) were determined by enzym-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein levels of Caspase-1,Pro-Caspase-1, gasdermin D (GSDMD) and gasdermin-D-N (GSDMD-N) were detected by Western Blot (WB). The protein levels of GSDMD were observed by immunohistochemistry. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group mice showed redness, erythema, and white scales on their skin, with histological observations indicating epidermal thickening, elongated spines, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The PASI scores of the skin tissue on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 were elevated; the IOD and AOD values of GSDMD protein increased; the protein levels of Caspase-1, Pro-Caspase-1,GSDMD, GSDMD-N, and IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly elevated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the QAO group and calcipotriol group showed lighter skin lesions; the PASI scores on day 5 and day 7 in the QAO group, and on day 3, 5, and 7 in the calcipotriol group, were reduced; the IOD and AOD values of GSDMD protein, and the protein level of Caspase-1, GSDMD, and GSDMD-N, as well as level of IL-18 and IL-1β decreased in both groups; in the calcipotriol group, Pro-Caspase-1 protein level also decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the calcipotriol group, the QAO group showed slightly redder skin, more obvious thickening of the stratum corneum, and less capillary dilation; the PASI scores on day 3 and day 7 increased, while the score on day 5 was reduced; the protein level of Pro-Caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, and the level of IL-18 and IL-1β were increased in the QAO group (P<0.05). ConclusionQAO can effectively relieve psoriasis dermatitis in mice. Its potential mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Caspase-1/GSDMD protein pathway, down-regulation of IL-18 and IL-1β levels, and alleviation of pyroptosis.
4.Insights on Peripheral Blood Biomarkers for Parkinson’s Disease
Yu-Meng LI ; Jing-Kai LIU ; Zi-Xuan CHEN ; Yu-Lin DENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):72-87
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder with profound impact on patients’ quality of life and long-term health, and early detection and intervention are particularly critical. In recent years, the search for precise and reliable biomarkers has become one of the key strategies to effectively address the clinical challenges of PD. In this paper, we systematically evaluated potential biomarkers, including proteins, metabolites, epigenetic markers, and exosomes, in the peripheral blood of PD patients. Protein markers are one of the main directions of biomarker research in PD. In particular, α‑synuclein and its phosphorylated form play a key role in the pathological process of PD. It has been shown that aggregation of α-synuclein may be associated with pathologic protein deposition in PD and may be a potential marker for early diagnosis of PD. In terms of metabolites, uric acid, as a metabolite, plays an important role in oxidative stress and neuroprotection in PD. It has been found that changes in uric acid levels may be associated with the onset and progression of PD, showing its potential as an early diagnostic marker. Epigenetic markers, such as DNA methylation modifications and miRNAs, have also attracted much attention in Parkinson’s disease research. Changes in these markers may affect the expression of PD-related genes and have an important impact on the onset and progression of the disease, providing new research perspectives for the early diagnosis of PD. In addition, exosomes, as a potential biomarker carrier for PD, are able to carry a variety of biomolecules involved in intercellular communication and pathological regulation. Studies have shown that exosomes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD, and their detection in blood may provide a new breakthrough for early diagnosis. It has been shown that exosomes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD, and their detection in blood may provide new breakthroughs in early diagnosis. In summary, through in-depth evaluation of biomarkers in the peripheral blood of PD patients, this paper demonstrates the important potential of these markers in the early diagnosis of PD and in the study of pathological mechanisms. Future studies will continue to explore the clinical application value of these biomarkers to promote the early detection of PD and individualized treatment strategies.
5.Total Saponins of Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma Alleviates Gouty Arthritis by Down-regulating COX-2-mediated M1 Macrophage Reprogramming
Lin HUANG ; Shumin LIU ; Huijuan SUN ; Geyu DENG ; Donghua YU ; Yu WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):200-207
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of total saponins of Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma (TSDN) in treating gouty arthritis (GA) by regulating cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-mediated M1 macrophage reprogramming by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsIn vivo experiment: 24 male SD rats were randomly allocated into blank, model (GA), TSDN, and celecoxib groups, with 6 rats in each group. After 7 days of administration, pathological changes in the ankle synovial tissue were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to quantify the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), Caspase-1, COX-2, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the synovial tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the serum levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-1β, CD86, CD80, CD206, and arginase-1 (Arg-1). In vitro experiment: The GA model was established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + MSU induction, and the inhibitor concentration was screened by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. RAW264.7 cells were allocated into blank, model, TSDN, dexamethasone, COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib), and TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor groups. The levels of iNOS, IL-1β, CD86, CD80, CD206, and Arg-1 in the cell supernatant of each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α in each group were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsIn vivo experiment: compared with the model group, TSDN reduced the mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the synovial tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). ELISA results showed that TSDN lowered the serum levels of iNOS, IL-1β, CD86, and CD80 (P<0.01) while increasing the serum levels of CD206 and Arg-1 (P<0.01). In vitro experiment: compared with the model group, TSDN and inhibitor down-regulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α and the protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, cleaved IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.01). Compared with TSDN alone, TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor further reduced the mRNA and protein levels of the markers above (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, TSDN and COX-2 inhibitor decreased the levels of IL-1β, iNOS, CD80, and CD86 (P<0.01) and increased the levels of CD206 and Arg-1 (P<0.01) in cells. Compared with TSDN alone, TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor reduced IL-1β, iNOS, CD80, and CD86 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and elevated CD206 and Arg-1 levels (P<0.01) in cells. ConclusionTSDN can alleviate GA by downregulating COX-2-mediated M1 macrophage reprogramming and suppressing the inflammatory factors.
6.Total Saponins of Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma Alleviates Gouty Arthritis by Down-regulating COX-2-mediated M1 Macrophage Reprogramming
Lin HUANG ; Shumin LIU ; Huijuan SUN ; Geyu DENG ; Donghua YU ; Yu WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):200-207
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of total saponins of Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma (TSDN) in treating gouty arthritis (GA) by regulating cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-mediated M1 macrophage reprogramming by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsIn vivo experiment: 24 male SD rats were randomly allocated into blank, model (GA), TSDN, and celecoxib groups, with 6 rats in each group. After 7 days of administration, pathological changes in the ankle synovial tissue were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to quantify the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), Caspase-1, COX-2, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the synovial tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the serum levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-1β, CD86, CD80, CD206, and arginase-1 (Arg-1). In vitro experiment: The GA model was established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + MSU induction, and the inhibitor concentration was screened by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. RAW264.7 cells were allocated into blank, model, TSDN, dexamethasone, COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib), and TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor groups. The levels of iNOS, IL-1β, CD86, CD80, CD206, and Arg-1 in the cell supernatant of each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α in each group were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsIn vivo experiment: compared with the model group, TSDN reduced the mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the synovial tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). ELISA results showed that TSDN lowered the serum levels of iNOS, IL-1β, CD86, and CD80 (P<0.01) while increasing the serum levels of CD206 and Arg-1 (P<0.01). In vitro experiment: compared with the model group, TSDN and inhibitor down-regulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α and the protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, cleaved IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.01). Compared with TSDN alone, TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor further reduced the mRNA and protein levels of the markers above (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, TSDN and COX-2 inhibitor decreased the levels of IL-1β, iNOS, CD80, and CD86 (P<0.01) and increased the levels of CD206 and Arg-1 (P<0.01) in cells. Compared with TSDN alone, TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor reduced IL-1β, iNOS, CD80, and CD86 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and elevated CD206 and Arg-1 levels (P<0.01) in cells. ConclusionTSDN can alleviate GA by downregulating COX-2-mediated M1 macrophage reprogramming and suppressing the inflammatory factors.
7.Effect of Different Time Interventions of Yangxin Tongmai Formula (养心通脉方) on DNA Methylation in Rat Models of Premature Coronary Heart Disease with Blood Stasis Syndrome
Xing CHEN ; Zixuan YU ; Shumeng ZHANG ; Yanjuan LIU ; Shuangyou DENG ; Ying WANG ; Lingli CHEN ; Jie LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1165-1173
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Yangxin Tongmai Formula (养心通脉方) by midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method for rat models of premature coronary heart disease (PCHD) with blood stasis syndrome, and to explore the possible mechanism of action from the perspective of DNA methylation differential gene expression. MethodsThere were 3 SD rats in each of the blank group, model group and Yangxin Tongmai Formula group, and the rats in the model group and Yangxin Tongmai Formula group were fed with high-fat chow plus vitamin D3 by gavage plus isoproterenol hydrochloride by subcutaneous injection to construct rat models of PCHD with blood stasis syndrome. After successful modelling, rats in Yangxin Tongmai Formula group were gavaged with 18 g/(kg‧d) of Yangxin Tongmai Formula, and rats in blank group and the model group were gavaged with 4 ml/(kg‧d) of 0.9% NaCl solution, and serum samples of rats in each group were collected for DNA methylation sequencing after 3 weeks to screen for the relevant DNA methylation differentiation genes. In addition, rats with successful modelling of PCHD with blood stasis were randomly divided into model group, Yangxin Tongmai Formula with midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group [18 g/(kg‧d) of Yangxin Tongmai Formula was gavaged twice in the heart channel period (12:00) and pericardium channel period (20:00)], the Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group [18 g/(kg‧d) of Yangxin Tongmai Formula was gavaged twice at 8:00 and 18:00] and the Atorvastatin Calcium group [atorvastatin calcium tablets solution 1.8 mg/(kg‧d) at the same intervention time as that in Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group], and set up a blank group of 8 rats in each group. The model group and blank group were gavaged with 0.9% NaCl solution 4 ml/(kg‧d) for the same time as the Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group. After 3 weeks of gavage, the blood lipids [including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)] levels of rats in each group were detected; the HE staining of myocardial tissues and thoracic aorta was used to observe the pathomorphological changes; the levels of serum inflammation indexes [tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and interleukin 10 (IL-10)] were detected; immunoprecipitation-realtime fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the relative expression of cardiac tissue screening differential genes. ResultsThe genes screened for differentially methylated regions were calmodulin 2 (Calm2), calcium voltage-gated channel subunit α1s (Cacna1s), and phospholipase Cβ1 (Plcb1). Compared with the blank group, rats in the model group showed elevated levels of TC, LDL, TNF-α and LPS, and decreased levels of HDL and IL-10 (P<0.05 or P<0.01); HE staining showed obvious swelling of myocardial fibres, accompanied by a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration, and thickening of the inner wall of the aortic vessels with internal wall damage, which was visible as a large number of lipid cholesterol crystals and obvious inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with the model group, the TC, LDL, TNF-α and LPS contents of rats in the Yangxin Tongmai Formula with midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group, the Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group, and the atorvastatin calcium group all reduced, and the contents of HDL and IL-10 all elevated (P<0.05), with the improvement of myocardial tissue damage and the reduction of inflammatory infiltration, and the improvement of the damage of the inner lining of the thoracic aorta and the reduction of lipid infiltration. Compared with Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group, LDL, TNF-α and LPS contents reduced, and IL-10 contents increased in the midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the relative expression of Calm2 and Plcb1 genes decreased and the relative expression of Cacna1s gene increased in Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group and the midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group (P<0.05); compared with the Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group, the relative expression of Calm2 gene decreased and the relative expression of Cacna1s gene increased in the midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe intervention of Yangxin Tongmai Formula in the heart channel period (12:00) and pericardium channel period (20:00) was more effective in improving the blood lipid level, inhibiting inflammation, and improving myocardial tissue damage in rats of PCHD with blood stasis syndrome, and Calm2 and Cacna1s genes may be the key targets of Yangxin Tongmai Formula in intervening the blood stasis syndrome of PCHD.
8.A Randomized Controlled,Double-Blind Study on Huaban Jiedu Formulation (化斑解毒方) in the Treatment of Psoriasis Vulgaris with Blood-Heat Syndrome
Xuewen REN ; Yutong DENG ; Huishang FENG ; Bo HU ; Jianqing WANG ; Zhan CHEN ; Xiaodong LIU ; Xinhui YU ; Yuanwen LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(16):1679-1686
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Huaban Jiedu Formulation (化斑解毒方, HJF) in treating psoriasis vulgaris with blood-heat syndrome. MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted with 60 patients diagnosed with psoriasis vulgaris of blood-heat syndrome. Patients were randomly assigned to either a treatment group or a control group, with 30 cases in each. The treatment group received HJF granules orally, one dose a day, combined with topical Qingshi Zhiyang Ointment (青石止痒软膏), while the control group received placebo granules, one dose a day, combined with the same topical ointment. Both groups were topically treated twice daily of 28 days treatment cours. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), visual analogue scale for pruritus (VAS), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, dermatology life quality index (DLQI), and psoriasis life stress inventory (PLSI) were assessed before treatment and on day 14 and day 28. Response rates for PASI 50 (≥50% reduction) and PASI 75 (≥75% reduction), as well as overall clinical efficacy, were compared between groups. Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) were measured before and after 28 days of treatment. Adverse reactions during treatment were recorded. ResultsAfter 28 days of treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in PASI total score, lesion area score, erythema, scaling, and infiltration scores, pruritus VAS score, TCM syndrome score, DLQI, PLSI, and serum IL-6 and IL-17 levels (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the treatment group had significantly greater improvements in PASI total score and erythema score, TCM syndrome score, serum IL-6 and IL-17 levels, and PASI 50 response rate after 28 days (P<0.05). Between-group comparisons of score differences before and after 28-day treatment revealed that the treatment group showed significantly better improvements in PASI total, lesion area score, erythema score, TCM syndrome score, DLQI, PLSI, and inflammatory markers (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The total effective rate on day 14 and day 28 was 40.00% (12/30) and 83.33% (25/30) in the treatment group, versus 6.90% (2/29) and 41.38% (12/29) in the control group, respectively. The clinical efficacy in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). Mild gastric discomfort occurred in 3 patients in the treatment group and 1 in the control group. ConclusionHJF can effectively improve skin lesions and TCM symptoms relieve pruritus, enhance quality of life, and reduce inflammatory markers IL-6 and IL-17, in patients with blood-heat syndrome of psoriasis vulgaris, with a good safety profile.
9.An analysis of the seasonal epidemic characteristics of influenza in Kunming City of Yunnan Province from 2010 to 2024
Zexin HU ; Min DAI ; Wenlong LI ; Minghan WANG ; Xiaowei DENG ; Yue DING ; Hongjie YU ; Juan YANG ; Hong LIU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):643-648
ObjectiveTo characterize the seasonal patterns of influenza in Kunming City, Yunnan Province before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide scientific evidence for optimizing influenza prevention and control strategies. MethodsInfluenza-like illness (ILI) and etiological surveillance data for influenza from the 14th week of 2010 to the 13th week of 2024 in Kunming City of Yunnan Province were collected. Harmonic regression models were constructed to analyze the epidemic characteristics and seasonal patterns of influenza before (2010/2011‒2019/2020 influenza seasons), during (2020/2021‒2022/2023 influenza seasons), and after (2023/2024 influenza season) the COVID-19 pandemic. ResultsBefore the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza in Kunming City mainly exhibited an annual cyclic pattern without a significant semi-annual periodicity, peaking from December to February of the next year, with an epidemic duration of 20‒30 weeks. During the pandemic, influenza seasonality shifted, with an increase in semi-annual periodicity and an approximate one month delay in annual peaks. However, after the pandemic, the annual amplitude of influenza increased compared with that before the pandemic, and the epidemic duration extended by about one month. Although the annual peak largely reverted to the pre-pandemic levels, the annual peaks for different influenza subtypes/lineages had not fully recovered. ConclusionInfluenza seasonality in Kunming City underwent substantial alterations following the COVID-19 pandemic and has not yet fully reverted to pre-pandemic levels. Continuous surveillance on different subtypes/lineages of influenza viruses remains essential, and prevention and control strategies should be adjusted and optimized in a timely manner based on current epidemic trends.
10.Hyperoside Alleviates LPS-induced Inflammation in Zebrafish Model via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway
Qing LAN ; Anna WANG ; Feifei ZHOU ; Keqian LIU ; Zhao LI ; Wenjing YU ; Shuyao TANG ; Ping LI ; Shaowu CHENG ; Sisi DENG ; Zhenyan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):63-72
ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention effects and mechanisms of the flavonoid hyperoside (Hyp) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in the zebrafish model. MethodsZebrafish larvae were either microinjected with 0.5 g·L-1 LPS or immersed in 1 g·L-1 LPS for the modeling of inflammation. The larvae were then treated with Hyp at 25, 50, and 100 mg·L-1 through immersion for four consecutive days. The inflammatory phenotypes were assessed by analyzing the mortality rate, malformation rate, body length, and yolk sac area ratio. Behavioral tests were conducted to evaluate the inflammatory stress responses, and macrophage migration was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, the mRNA levels of inflammation-related genes, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), chemokine C-X3-C motif receptor 1 (CX3CR1), chemokine C-C motif receptor 2 (CCR2), and genes associated with the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, were measured by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the pure water injection group, the model group exhibited increased mortality, malformation rates and yolk sac area ratio (P0.01), reduced body length (P0.01), increased total swimming distance and high-speed swimming duration (P0.01), and up-regulated mRNA levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2, CX3CR1, and CCR2 (P0.01). Hyp at low, medium and high doses, as well as aspirin, reduced the mortality and malformation rates (P0.05,P0.01), increased the body length (P0.05,P0.01), decreased the yolk sac area ratio (P0.01), reduced the high-speed swimming duration (P0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2, CX3CR1, and CCR2 (P0.05,P0.01) compared with the model group. ConclusionHyp may modulate the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway to ameliorate inflammatory phenotypes and alleviate stress conditions in zebrafish, thereby exerting the anti-inflammatory effect.

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