1.Optimization Strategy and Practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound and Its Component Compatibility
Zhihao WANG ; Wenjing ZHOU ; Chenghao FEI ; Yunlu LIU ; Yijing ZHANG ; Yue ZHAO ; Lan WANG ; Liang FENG ; Zhiyong LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):299-310
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Prescription optimization is a crucial aspect in the study of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compounds. In recent years, the introduction of mathematical methods, data mining techniques, and artificial neural networks has provided new tools for elucidating the compatibility rules of TCM compounds. The study of TCM compounds involves numerous variables, including the proportions of different herbs, the specific extraction parts of each ingredient, and the interactions among multiple components. These factors together create a complex nonlinear dose-effect relationship. In this context, it is essential to identify methods that suit the characteristics of TCM compounds and can leverage their advantages for effective application in new drug development. This paper provided a comprehensive review of the cutting-edge optimization experimental design methods applied in recent studies of TCM compound compatibilities. The key technical issues, such as the optimization of source material selection, dosage optimization of compatible herbs, and multi-objective optimization indicators, were discussed. Furthermore, the evaluation methods for component effects were summarized during the optimization process, so as to provide scientific and practical foundations for innovative research in TCM and the development of new drugs based on TCM compounds. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Research progress on mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in improving myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by mitochondrial quality control
Gaojing ZHANG ; Zhiyu YUAN ; Xincan LIU ; Tianfu SUN ; Zhenzhen LAN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(12):1542-1546
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) is a common cardiac pathological process, resulting from the combined effects of multiple mechanisms involving metabolic changes and mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial quality control (MQC), as a key regulatory mechanism, may serve as an important target for the prevention and treatment of MIRI. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated unique advantages in the field of improving MIRI, with multiple targets, multiple pathways, and low toxic and side effects. It has gained widespread clinical recognition and application. Through systematically organizing and summarizing recent studies on the targeting of MQC by monomers, active fractions, herb pairs, compound formulas and related preparations of TCM to improve MIRI, this paper finds that monomers and active fractions of TCM (such as schisandrin B, isoliquiritigenin, calenduloside E, berberine, Lycium barbarum polysaccharides and so on) as well as TCM herb pairs, compound formulas, and related preparations (couplet medicinals of Fuzi-Ganjiang, Yixin formula, Shuangshen ningxin capsule, Baijin formula, Yiqi huoxue decoction and so on), can alleviate MIRI by activating MQC to reduce oxidative stress-induced damage, promote mitochondrial biogenesis, maintain mitochondrial fission/fusion homeostasis, regulate mitochondrial autophagy, and restore mitochondrial calcium homeostasis.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Astragali Radix Polysaccharide Inhibits Proliferation and Migration of Gastric Cancer Cells by Targeting ID1 and Akt
Peizheng SHI ; Shanshan XIAO ; Xinjiang ZHANG ; Yixiang NIE ; Xianchao WANG ; Jing HUANG ; Jie MEI ; Huaquan LAN ; Tuanyun JI ; Tianyi ZHANG ; Xiaoyong WEI ; Qiaohong YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):96-105
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo explore the regulatory effects and mechanisms of Astragali Radix polysaccharide (APS) on inhibitor of differentiation1 (ID1) and protein kinase B (Akt) in gastric cancer. MethodsImmunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of ID1 and Akt in 61 gastric cancer tissue samples and 20 adjacent normal gastric tissue samples. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the localization of ID1 and Akt. The effects of APS at the concentrations of 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg·L-1 on the proliferation of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells were examined by the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method and the colony formation assay. The target information of APS was retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology and Analysis Platform and Swiss Target Prediction. Keywords such as gastric cancer, gastric tumor, and stomach cancer were searched against GeneCards, UniProt, DisGeNET, and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) for the screening of gastric cancer-related targets. The online tool jvenn was used to create the Venn diagram to identify the common targets, and STRING and Cytoscape were used to construct the protein-protein interaction network. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were conducted via R 4.2.2 to predict the potential roles of APS in the development of gastric cancer. The cell scratch assay was employed to assess the effect of APS on the migration of MGC-803 cells. The protein and mRNA levels of ID1 and Akt in the cells treated with APS were determined by Western blot and Real-time PCR, respectively. ResultsCompared with the adjacent normal gastric tissue, the gastric adenocarcinoma tissue showed increased positive expression of ID1 (χ2 =81.00, P<0.01). Immunofluorescence detection showed that ID1 and Akt were mainly located in the cytoplasm of gastric adenocarcinoma cells. Bioinformatics analysis identified 14 common genes shared between APS and gastric cancer. The average degree of protein-protein interaction network nodes was 14.29. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment results showed that ID1 and Akt were significantly enriched in the Rap1 and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) /Akt signaling pathways. Cell experiments demonstrated that 5-fluorouracil (0.1 mg·L-1) and APS (10, 20 mg·L-1) groups showed decreased cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation. Compared with the control group, 10, 20 mg·L-1 APS inhibited the proliferation of MGC-803 cells (P<0.01), with 10 mg·L-1 APS demonstrating stronger inhibitory effect. In addition, APS at 10, 20 mg·L-1 inhibited the migration (P<0.01) and colony formation (P<0.05, P<0.01) of MGC-803 cells. Compared with the control group, APS at 10, 20 mg·L-1 down-regulated the protein levels of ID1 (P<0.01) and Akt (P<0.05) and the mRNA levels of ID1 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and Akt (P<0.05, P<0.01) in MGC-803 cells. ConclusionID1 and Akt are highly expressed in the gastric adenocarcinoma tissue, which may be related to the development of gastric cancer. APS can down-regulate the protein and mRNA levels of ID1 and Akt to exert anti-tumor effects, which is expected to provide new therapeutic targets for gastric cancer treatment. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Determination method of clopidogrel and its metabolites in rat plasma and its pharmacokinetic study
Huan YI ; Lan MIAO ; Changying REN ; Li LIN ; Mingqian SUN ; Qing PENG ; Ying ZHANG ; Jianxun LIU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(13):1599-1603
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			OBJECTIVE To establish a method for determining the contents of clopidogrel (CLP), clopidogrel carboxylate (CLP-C), clopidogrel acyl-β-D-glucuronide (CLP-G) and contents of clopidogrel active metabolite (CAM) in rat plasma, and to investigate their in vivo pharmacokinetic characteristics. METHODS The Shisedo CAPCELL ADME column was used with a mobile phase consisting of water and acetonitrile (both containing 0.1% formic acid) in a gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.4 mL/min, and the column temperature was maintained at 20 ℃. The injection volume was 2 μL. The analysis was performed in positive ion mode using electrospray ionization with multiple reaction monitoring. The ion pairs for quantitative analysis were m/z 322.1→211.9 (for CLP), m/z 308.1→197.9 (for CLP-C), m/z 322.1→154.8 (for CLP-G), m/z 504.1→154.9 [for racemic CAM derivative (CAMD)]. Six rats were administered a single intragastric dose of CLP (10 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected before medication and at 0.08, 0.33, 0.66, 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 23 and 35 hours after medication. The established method was used to detect the serum contents of various components in rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters were then calculated using WinNonlin 6.1 software. RESULTS The linear ranges for CLP, CLP-C and CAMD were 0.08-20.00, 205.00-8 000.00, and 0.04-25.00 ng/mL, respectively (r≥0.990). The relative standard deviations for both intra-day and inter-day precision tests were all less than 15%, and the relative errors for accuracy ranged from -11.68% to 14.40%. The coefficients of variation for the matrix factors were all less than 15%, meeting the requirements for bioanalytical method validation. The results of the pharmacokinetic study revealed that, following a single intagastric administration of CLP in rats, the exposure to the parent CLP in plasma was extremely low. Both the area under the drug concentration-time curve (AUC0-35 h) and the peak concentration of the parent CLP were lower than those of its metabolites. The AUC0-35 h of the active metabolite CAM was approximately 43 times that of CLP, though it had a shorter half-life (2.53 h). The inactive metabolite CLP-C exhibited the highest exposure level, but it reached its peak concentration the latest and was eliminated slowly. The AUC0-35 h of CLP-G was about four times that of CAM, and its half-life was similar to that of CLP-C. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully established an liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of CLP and its three metabolites, and revealed their pharmacokinetic characteristics in rats. Specifically, the parent drug CLP was rapidly eliminated, while the inactive metabolites CLP-C and CLP-G exhibited long half-lives, and active metabolite CAM displayed a transient exposure pattern.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5.Anatomical considerations for natural tooth-related maxillary sinus floor elevation of maxillary posterior teeth
JI Xiao ; ZHANG Lan ; HUANG Dingming
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(8):680-689
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Endodontic microsurgery is an important treatment for endodontic disease and maxillary sinusitis of endodontic origin of maxillary posterior teeth. However, endodontic microsurgery is challenging due to the close proximity between the maxillary posterior teeth and the maxillary sinus, which may lead to complications of mucosal perforation of the maxillary sinus floor. Endodontic microsurgery combined with maxillary sinus floor elevation is considered as a solution, namely natural tooth-related maxillary sinus floor elevation. The evaluation and design of natural tooth-related maxillary sinus floor elevation are closely related to local anatomic relationships. This article provides a systematic review of the anatomical considerations of endodontic microsurgery, namely natural tooth-related maxillary sinus floor elevation in the maxillary posterior region in terms of maxillary posterior teeth, alveolar ridge of the maxillary posterior region, and maxillary sinus. The literature review showed that a minimum of 3 mm of the root apex must be removed during endodontic microsurgery to eliminate the majority of apical ramification, lateral canals, and severe root curvatures. The height and thickness of alveolar ridge bone are important indicators for evaluating and designing endodontic microsurgery for maxillary posterior teeth. Maxillary sinus floor mucosa, maxillary sinus ostium, the proximity between maxillary posterior teeth and the maxillary sinus floor, maxillary sinus septa, posterior superior alveolar artery, and greater palatine artery, and possible maxillary sinus cysts are the main maxillary sinus-related considerations. When the maxillary sinus floor is below the line between the buccal and palatal roots, when the root apices contact or protrude into the maxillary sinus floor, or when the apical lesion is directly connected to the maxillary sinus mucosa, natural tooth-related maxillary sinus floor elevation is applicable. Anatomical considerations should be emphasized throughout endodontic microsurgery and natural tooth-related maxillary sinus floor elevation in the maxillary posterior region. Further studies are required to investigate the clinical design and difficulty assessment of natural tooth-related maxillary sinus floor elevation in different local anatomical relationships.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Feixin Decoction Treats Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension by Regulating Pyroptosis in PASMCs via PPARγ/NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Junlan TAN ; Xianya CAO ; Runxiu ZHENG ; Wen ZHANG ; Chao ZHANG ; Jian YI ; Feiying WANG ; Xia LI ; Jianmin FAN ; Hui LIU ; Lan SONG ; Aiguo DAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):1-9
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Feixin decoction treats hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) by regulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-eight male SD rats were randomly allocated into normal, hypoxia, and low-, medium- and high-dose (5.85, 11.7, 23.4 g·kg-1, respectively) Feixin decoction groups, with 8 rats in each group. Except the normal group, the remaining five groups were placed in a hypoxia chamber with an oxygen concentration of (10.0±0.5)% for 8 h per day, 28 days, and administrated with corresponding drugs during the modeling process. After 4 weeks of treatment, echocardiographic parameters [pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAT), pulmonary artery ejection time (PET), right ventricular anterior wall thickness (RVAWd), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)] were measured for each group. The right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was measured by the right heart catheterization method, and the right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) was calculated by weighing the heart. The pathological changes in pulmonary arterioles were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The co-localization of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) with NLRP3, N-terminal gasdermin D (N-GSDMD), and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1) in pulmonary arteries was detected by immunofluorescence. The protein levels of PPARγ, NF-κB, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), N-GSDMD, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-18(IL-18), and cleaved Caspase-1 in the lung tissue was determined by Western blot. The ultrastructural changes in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) were observed by transmission electron microscopy. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the hypoxia group showed increased RVSP and RVHI (P<0.01), decreased right heart function (P<0.01), increased pulmonary vascular remodeling (P<0.01), increased co-localization of α-SMA with NLRP3, N-GSDMD, and Caspase-1 in pulmonary arterioles (P<0.01), up-regulated protein levels of NF-κB, NLRP3, ASC, N-GSDMD, IL-1β, IL-18, and cleaved Caspase-1 in the lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), a down-regulated protein level of PPARγ (P<0.05, P<0.01), and pyroptosis in PASMCs. Compared with the hypoxia group, Feixin decoction reduced RVSP and RVHI, improved the right heart function and ameliorated pulmonary vascular remodeling (P<0.05, P<0.01), decreased the co-localization of α-SMA with NLRP3, N-GSDMD, and Caspase-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), down-regulated the protein levels of NF-κB, NLRP3, ASC, N-GSDMD, IL-1β, IL-18, and cleaved Caspase-1 in the lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated the protein level of PPARγ (P<0.05, P<0.01), and alleviated pyroptosis in PASMCs. ConclusionFeixin decoction can ameliorate pulmonary vascular remodeling and right heart dysfunction in chronically induced HPH rats by regulating pyroptosis in PASMCs through the PPARγ/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.Effects of fractionated low-dose ionizing radiation on differentially expressed genes in ferroptosis of human bronchial epithelial cells
Min ZHANG ; Lingyu ZHANG ; Yashi CAI ; Huixian LI ; Yanting CHEN ; Guanyou CHEN ; Xin LAN ; Changyong WEN ; Weixu HUANG ; Jianming ZOU ; Huifeng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(3):310-317
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the effects of fractionated low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR) on the ferroptosis in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells as well as the associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), biological processes, and signaling pathways. Methods HBE cells were exposed to different single doses of X-ray irradiation (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mGy) for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. The change in cell viability was detected by MTT assay. Cells were irradiated with 0, 25, 50, and 100 mGy X-rays 5 times, with 48 h between each irradiation and a dose rate of 50 mGy/min. Cells were harvested 24 h after irradiation for the measurement of the expression of ferroptosis-related genes SLC7A11 and GPX4 at the mRNA and protein levels, cellular iron content, and the expression of FTH1 and FTL mRNAs. High-throughput sequencing was used to screen for the DEGs in each dose group, followed by Gene Ontology-Biological Process (GO-BP) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Results Compared with the control group, single-dose LDIR significantly increased cell proliferation at 75 mGy after 24 h (P < 0.05), at 50, 75, and 100 mGy after 48 h (P < 0.05), and at 75 and 100 mGy after 72 h (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, at the end of the fifth fractionated LDIR, SLC7A11 and GPX4 mRNAs decreased at all doses (P < 0.05), SLC7A11 protein decreased at all doses, GPX4 protein decreased at 25 and 100 mGy, iron content increased at all doses, and FTH1 and FTL mRNAs decreased at all doses (P< 0.05). Sequencing analysis identified 248, 30, and 291 DEGs and 10, 2, and 9 ferroptosis-associated genes at the three doses compared to the control. Gene Ontology-Biological Process analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in biological processes such as response to lipids, cell death, and response to unfolded proteins. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, lipids and atherosclerosis, ferroptosis, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, and FoxO signaling pathway. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in ferroptosis, fatty acid degradation, and glutathione metabolism. Conclusion Fractionated low-dose radiation induced ferroptosis in HBE cells, and DEGs were predominantly enriched in biological processes and signaling pathways related to inflammation, ferroptosis, and endoplasmic reticulum stress.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Awareness of core tuberculosis knowledge and willingness for preventive intervention against latent tuberculosis infection among secondary school students in Lanzhou
KANG Liwen, ZHANG Lan, ZHAO Jianxi
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(8):1107-1110
		                        		
		                        			Objective:
		                        			To investigate the awareness of core tuberculosis (TB) knowledge and the willingness to TB preventive intervention among secondary school students in Lanzhou City, so as to provide a reference basis for the prevention and control of TB in schools. 
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			From April to June 2024, a total of 1 127 secondary school students from 8 schools in 4 districts (counties) of Lanzhou City were recruited by stratified cluster sampling method to conduct a questionnaire survey on the awareness of core TB knowledge and the willingness for preventive intervention against latent tuberculosis infection. Data were analysed using  χ 2 test and binary Logistic regression model. 
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			The overall awareness rate of core TB knowledge among secondary school students in Lanzhou City was 74.48%, while only 25.91% demonstrated awareness of all core knowledge items. The lowest awareness was observed for the item "tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease" (61.84%). About 94.85% of the students reported willingness to receive preventive interventions after a diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection. Multifactorial Logistic regression analysis showed that students whose father s education was junior high school ( OR=3.14, 95%CI =1.22-8.08), senior high school or secondary vocational school ( OR=3.55,95%CI =1.16-10.86) had a higher willingness to receive preventive interventions than those whose father s education was primary school or below (both  P <0.05). In addition, students who recognized "suspected tuberculosis" were also more likely to express willingness to receive preventive interventions ( OR=1.96, 95%CI =1.01-3.80,  P <0.05). 
		                        		
		                        			Conclusions
		                        			The total  awareness rate of core TB knowledge among secondary school students in Lanzhou City is low; willingness to receive preventive interventions for latent tuberculosis infection is high and it is related to father s literacy and core TB knowledge level.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Key Information Research and Ancient and Modern Application Analysis of Classic Prescription Houpo Sanwutang
Wenli SHI ; Qing TANG ; Huimin CHEN ; Jialei CAO ; Bingqi WEI ; Lan LIU ; Keke LIU ; Yun ZHANG ; Yujie CHANG ; Yihan LI ; Jingwen LI ; Bingxiang MA ; Lvyuan LIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):214-221
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Houpo Sanwutang, included in the Catalogue of Ancient Classical Prescriptions (Second Batch), was first recorded in the Synopsis of Golden Chamber written by ZHANG Zhongjing from the Eastern Han dynasty and was modified by successive generations of medical experts. A total of 37 pieces of effective data involving 37 ancient Chinese medical books were retrieved from different databases. Through literature mining, statistical analysis, and data processing, combined with modern articles, this study employed bibliometrics to investigate the historical origin, composition, decoction methods, clinical application, and other key information. The results showed that the medicinal origin of Houpo Sanwutang was clearly documented in classic books. Based on the conversion of the measurements from the Han Dynasty, it is recommended that 110.4 g Magnolia Officinalis Cortex, 55.2 g Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, and 72 g Aurantii Fructus Immaturus should be taken. Magnolia Officinalis Cortex and Aurantii Fructus Immaturus should be decocted with 2 400 mL water first, and 1 000 mL should be taken from the decocted liquid. Following this, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma should be added for further decoction, and then 600 mL should be taken from the decocted liquid. A single dose of administration is 200 mL, and the medication can be stopped when patients restore smooth bowel movement. Houpo Sanwutang has the effect of moving Qi, relieving stuffiness and fullness, removing food stagnation, and regulating bowels. It can be used in treating abdominal distending pain, guarding, constipation, and other diseases with the pathogenesis of stagnated heat and stagnated Qi in the stomach. The above results provide reference for the future development and research of Houpo Sanwutang. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.External validation of the model for predicting high-grade patterns of stage ⅠA invasive lung adenocarcinoma based on clinical and imaging features
Yu RONG ; Nianqiao HAN ; Yanbing HAO ; Jianli HU ; Yajin NIU ; Lan ZHANG ; Yuehua DONG ; Nan ZHANG ; Junfeng LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(08):1096-1104
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective  To externally validate a prediction model based on clinical and CT imaging features for the preoperative identification of high-grade patterns (HGP), such as micropapillary and solid subtypes, in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma, in order to guide clinical treatment decisions. Methods  This study conducted an external validation of a previously developed prediction model using a cohort of patients with clinical stage ⅠA lung adenocarcinoma from the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University. The model, which incorporated factors including tumor size, density, and lobulation, was assessed for its discrimination, calibration performance, and clinical impact. Results  A total of 650 patients (293 males, 357 females; age range: 30-82 years) were included. The validation showed that the model demonstrated good performance in discriminating HGP (area under the curve>0.7). After recalibration, the model's calibration performance was improved. Decision curve analysis (DCA) indicated that at a threshold probability>0.6, the number of HGP patients predicted by the model closely approximated the actual number of cases. Conclusion  This study confirms the effectiveness of a clinical and imaging feature-based prediction model for identifying HGP in stage ⅠA lung adenocarcinoma in a clinical setting. Successful application of this model may be significant for determining surgical strategies and improving patients' prognosis. Despite certain limitations, these findings provide new directions for future research.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            

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