1.Invasion and Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer Mediated by Traditional Chinese Medicine via Cell Signaling Pathway: A Review
Min GUO ; Wenyan YU ; Naicheng ZHU ; Yuwei YAN ; Chen ZHONG ; Xiudan CHEN ; Nanxin LI ; Guojuan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):323-330
Colorectal cancer is a common and malignant tumor in the digestive tract. Invasion and metastasis of cancer cells are key factors leading to the high mortality rate and postoperative recurrence of colorectal cancer. Chemotherapy is the main treatment method for preventing recurrence of this disease. However, there are many toxic side effects in clinical application, which seriously hinder the treatment process. Therefore, it is imperative to search for efficient and low-toxicity drugs. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history of treating colorectal cancer and offers advantages such as safety, effectiveness, multiple targets, multiple pathways and minimal toxic side effects, which have made it increasingly popular worldwide. According to TCM, the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer is rooted in both deficiency and excess. TCM formulas mainly focus on tonifying the body to address the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer, such as Jianpi compound, Jianpi Xiaoai decoction, and Bushen Jiedu Sanjie decoction. TCM monomers, such as emodin, berberine, and tanshinone, mainly focus on clearing heat and removing toxin, circulating blood and transforming stasis, and resolving swelling and dispersing nodules. Signaling pathways play a crucial role for analyzing invasion and metastasis, and research has shown that pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase (PI3K/Akt), Janus kinase 2/signal transduction and transcription activating factor 3 (JAK2/STAT3), nuclear factors-κB (NF-κB), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) play important roles in the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer. The invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer can be inhibited via regulating the key proteins and related factors in these pathways. In this review, we searched various literature databases, such as PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and VIP, using keywords such as "colorectal cancer", "signaling pathway", "invasion and metastasis", and "traditional Chinese medicine", to summarize and analyze the relevant pathways of TCM compounds and monomers against invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer published in the past five years. The review aims to provide new insights and references for in-depth research on the therapy for invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer and new drug development.
2.Retrospective analysis of adverse events associated with traditional Chinese medicine formula granules and decoction pieces in hospitalized patients using the global trigger tool
Yaxiong LI ; Fusang WANG ; Mei ZHANG ; Jiawei LIN ; Wenge CHEN ; Min HUANG ; Junyan WU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(5):606-611
OBJECTIVE To provide technical support for improving recognition rate of adverse drug events (ADEs) related to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula granules and decoction pieces among inpatient patients. METHODS By referencing the global trigger tool (GTT) whitepaper, literature on adverse reactions to TCM, and expert review opinions, ADE trigger items for TCM formula granules and decoction pieces used in the inpatients were established. GTT was applied to analyze ADEs in inpatients who had used TCM formula granules and decoction pieces in our hospital from August 2013 to August 2023, utilizing the Chinese Hospital Pharmacovigilance System. The effectiveness of GTT and the characteristics of these ADEs were analyzed. RESULTS A total of forty-eight triggers were established, including thirty-two laboratory test indexes, thirteen clinical symptoms, and three antidotes. Among the 1 682 patients included, GTT identified 652 potential ADEs, 284 true positive ADEs,with a trigger rate of 38.76% and a positive predictive value of 43.56%. After review by the auditor, 278 cases of ADEs were finally confirmed, with an incidence rate of 16.53%, significantly higher than the number of spontaneously reported ADEs during the same period (0). The 278 cases of ADEs were mostly grade 1 (223 cases), mainly involving hepatobiliary system, gastrointestinal system, blood- lymphatic system, etc;a total of 219 types of TCMs are involved,and the top five suspected TCMs used at a frequency higher than 1% were Poria cocos, Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, fried Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and Scutellaria baicalensis. CONCLUSIONS The established GTT can improve the recognition rate of ADEs for hospitalized patients using traditional Chinese medicine formula granules and decoction pieces.
3.Differentiation and Syndrome-treatment of Liver Heat and Liver Disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ethnomedicine
Jiangfeng CHEN ; Min GUO ; Saixue WEI ; Huan YANG ; Xiaodong LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):218-227
As one of the core pathogenesis during treatment with traditional Chinese medicine,liver heat runs through different stages of liver disease. The interpretation of its meaning in different medicine categories(traditional Chinese medicine,Tibetan medicine,Mongolian medicine,Uygur medicine,Dai medicine,Yao medicine,etc.) is not unified, and the phenomena of the same name with different meanings,confusion, and misappropriation emerge. This seriously restricts the inheritance,innovation, and clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine and ethnomedicine. By tracing and analyzing liver heat, it is found that liver heat in traditional Chinese medicine is caused by disordered rest and diet, as well as internal injury due to emotional disorder, which leads to liver dysfunction, Qi stagnation, and heat turning to fire in the liver meridian. The liver heat in Tibetan medicine is caused by the accumulated heat of the liver nature and the evil heat in the liver, which stimulates the toxin of Chiba fever. The liver heat in Mongolian medicine derives from the abnormal diet and rest, making excessive Sheila accumulate in the liver and causing disease. The above etiologies are all related to diet, rest,exogenous evil,emotion,and so on, and the pathogenesis is related to the imbalance of Qi and the metabolic disorder of organs. The clinical symptoms are pain in the liver region,yellow eyes, bitter mouth, fever,digestion,and loss of appetite. The principle of treatment and compatibility of prescription are heat-based, with auxiliary detoxification. Other ethnomedicine, such as Uygur medicine, Dai medicine, Yao Medicine,Miao medicine, and She medicine do not have a clear discussion on liver heat,and their etiology, pathogenesis, treatment,and prescription are not systematic,mostly based on a single drug or proven prescriptions.Through the systematic tracing,mining,induction,analysis, and arrangement of the liver heat based on existing literature information database in China,this paper regarded syndrome as the outline and disease as the goal,clarified the similarities and differences of the pathogenesis of liver heat in traditional Chinese medicine,and determined the relationship between liver heat and liver disease and the status quo of syndrome and treatment.This review provides evidence and reference for clinical prevention and treatment,as well as drug development for liver disease.
4.Efficacy and Mechanism of Action of Ermiao Situ Decoction in Modulating JAK/STAT Pathway in Rats with Damp-heat Eczema
Kangning HAN ; Junjie HU ; Juan LI ; Min ZHANG ; Xian ZHOU ; Songlin LIU ; Xin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):37-47
ObjectiveUltra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) coupled with network pharmacology and molecular docking was utilized to explore the efficacy and mechanism of action of Ermiao Situ decoction on rats with damp-heat eczema. MethodsA rat model of damp-heat eczema was established by artificial climate chamber intervention combined with sensitization induction by dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), and it was randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, the medium- and high-dose groups of Ermiao Situ decoction (3.40 g·kg-1 and 6.80 g·kg-1), and the prednisone acetate group (2.51 mg·kg-1), with eight rats in each group, totalling 46 rats, of which six rats were tested with the drug-containing serum. The chemical analysis of drug-containing serum from rats was carried out by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, combined with network pharmacology for the prediction of key components, core targets, and signaling pathways, and molecular docking experiments were performed by CB-Dock2 online website. The pharmacological effects of Ermiao Situ decoction in the treatment of damp-heat eczema were investigated by epitaxial indexes combined with the pathologic tissue staining method. The serum levels of gastrin (GAS), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-13 (IL-13) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), phosphorylated (p)-JAK1, signal transduction and activation of transcription factor 3 (STAT3), and p-STAT3 protein expression level was determined by Western bolt. ResultsA total of 19 active ingredients were detected in drug-containing serum samples of rats, which were predicted to act on 198 targets for the treatment of damp-heat eczema, among which the key ingredients included rhodopsin, huangpai alkaloids, and quercetin, and the main core targets included STAT3, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and IL-6, which were mainly involved in the cancer signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase (Akt) signaling pathway, T helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation signaling pathway, and JAK/STAT signaling pathway. The molecular docking results suggested that the key components had strong binding activities with the core targets IL-6, JAK1, and STAT3 in the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with those in the normal group, rats in the model group were depressed. They had loose hair, loose stools, epidermal oozing, vesiculation, and generation of thick scabs in the form of scales, decreased body weight, increased anus temperature and water intake, and increased indexes of the spleen, thymus gland, and stomach (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the lesion tissue could be seen to be hyperkeratotic, with the aggregation of inflammatory cells and nonsignificant separation of epidermis and dermis. The gastric mucosa was thinned, deficient, and structurally disorganized, and obvious inflammatory cell aggregation was seen. The levels of GAS, IL-4, and IL-13 in serum were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of IL-6, JAK1, p-JAK1, and p-STAT3 in the lesion tissue were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, rats in each administration group had stable mental states, formed feces, a clean perianal area, and basically normal epidermis. Only a small amount of scaly scabs existed, and the rats had body weight increased, with decreased anal temperature and water intake, as well as decreased spleen, thymus, and gastric indexes (P<0.05, P<0.01). Epidermal thickness was decreased, and epidermal and dermal separation boundaries were obvious, but hyperkeratotic and accumulation of inflammatory cells could still be seen. The thickness of gastric mucosa increased, and the structure was restored to varying degrees. The levels of GAS, IL-4, and IL-13 content in the serum of rats were increased to varying degrees, and the protein expression levels of IL-6, JAK1, p-JAK1, and p-STAT3 in the dermal lesion tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionErmiao Situ decoction may exert therapeutic effects on rats with damp-heat eczema by modulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.
5.Simulation analysis of work posture and muscle fatigue in breaking and connecting contact terminal
Ruijian PAN ; Xin LU ; Conghan LIU ; Chu CHEN ; Lei LIU ; Min LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(3):260-269
Background When live working line operators engage in upper limb operations, working for a long time with raising arms and the exposure to adverse ergonomic factors tend to increase muscle load, cause fatigue accumulation, and increase the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Objective To analyze work posture and associated muscle fatigue during executing breaking/connecting contact terminal, and identify adverse ergonomic factors of the work process. Methods This study recruited 10 volunteers to perform breaking/connecting contact terminal simulation. At a distance of 4.5, 3.5, and 2.5 m from the body to the wire, each performed the task 5 times. Visual 3D was used to analyze the kinematic data from motion capture. The surface electromyography (sEMG) signals of the deltoid, biceps, triceps, and brachioradialis were recorded during the simulation and analyzed for muscle fatigue using root mean square (RMS), median frequency (MF), and jointed EMG amplitude and spectrum analysis (JASA). After completion of each task, Borg scale was used to query the volunteers of their subjective fatigue. A 2-min rest was required between each distance. Results The kinematic data from motion capture showed that in the entire process of the task, the right upper limb was higher when lifting, with the right shoulder joint maintaining flexion and fluctuating periodically between abduction and adduction, external and internal rotation, the right elbow joint maintaining flexion and supination. The frequency of task cycle showed a significant effect on the Borg scale scores (P<0.001, partial
6.Prevalence and influencing factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in neck and shoulder among power distribution workers
Conghan LIU ; Min LI ; Chu CHEN ; Lei LIU ; Xin LU ; Ruijian PAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(3):310-318
Background Power grid is an important component of the national infrastructure. The occupational health issues among the workers in this industry are attracting great concern nationwide. Objective To investigate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in neck and shoulder among the power distribution workers of power supply enterprises, and analyze the related influencing factors. Method In April 2023, a total of
7.MiRSNP in MGMT 3′ untranslated region regulates low-dose radiation-induced senescence in lung cells
Lingyu ZHANG ; Yashi CAI ; Huixian LI ; Min ZHANG ; Changyong WEN ; Weixu HUANG ; Huifeng CHEN ; Jianming ZOU
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(1):25-32
Objective To investigate the role of the O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene-3′ untranslated region (UTR) microRNA-associated single nucleotide polymorphism (miRSNP) (rs7896488 G>A) in affecting miR-4297-targeted modulation of MGMT in senescence of lung cells with polymorphic genotypes induced by fractionated low dose ionizing radiation (LDIR). Methods i) MiRSNPs were predicted and screened using bioinformatics, and DNA from two types of lung cells, A549 cells and human bronchial epithelioid cells (HBE cells), was extracted for target gene sequencing. After co-transfection of pGL3c-MGMT-3′UTR-rs7896488 G>A reporter gene recombinant plasmid, pRL-TK Vector with micrON mimic NC #22 or micrON hsa-miR-4297 mimic (set up as the mimic NC group and the miR-4297 mimic group) in these two types of lung cells, dual luciferase reporter gene assay was performed. The relative expression of MGMT mRNA was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the relative expression of MGMT protein was detected by Western blotting. ii) These two types of lung cells were randomly divided into the control group and irradiation group, which received either 0 or 100 mGy X-rays irradiation seven times. After irradiation, the cells were transfected with either micrON mimic NC #22 or micrON hsa-miR-4297 mimic, resulting in mimic NC + control group, miR-4297 mimic + control group, mimic NC + irradiation group, and miR-4297 mimic + irradiation group. Cells were collected for senescence-associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining, and the relative expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand-1 (CXCL-1) proteins was detected via Western blotting. Results i) The rs7896488 G>A was the miRSNP located in the conserved binding region targeted by miR-4297 in the MGMT gene 3′UTR. A549 cells were the rs7896488 GG wild-type homozygous genotype, while HBE cells were the rs7896488 GA heterozygous mutant genotype. In the miR-4297 mimic group, A549 and HBE cells carrying the rs7896488 G allele showed significantly lower dual-luciferase activity compared with that in the mimic NC group (both P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in dual-luciferase activity between the two groups in both A549 and HBE cells carrying the rs7896488 A allele (both P>0.05). The relative expression levels of MGMT mRNA and MGMT protein of A549 cells in the miR-4297 mimic group were lower than those in the mimic NC group (both P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in MGMT mRNA and MGMT protein of HBE cells between these two groups (both P>0.05). ii) The relative activity of SA-β-Gal and the relative expression of MMP-9 and CXCL-1 proteins of A549 cells in the miR-4297 mimic+irradiation group were higher than those in the mimic NC + control group, the miR-4297 mimic + control group, and the mimic NC + irradiation group (all P<0.05). The relative activity of SA-β-Gal and the relative expression of MMP-9 and CXCL-1 proteins of HBE cells in the miR-4297 mimic + irradiation group were higher than those in the mimic NC + control group and the miR-4297 mimic + control group (all P<0.05), while there was no significant difference compared with those in the mimic NC + irradiation group (all P>0.05). Conclusion MGMT-3′UTR-miRSNP rs7896488 G>A plays a role in LDIR-induced senescence of lung cells with different polymorphic genotypes by affecting miR-4297-targeted regulation of MGMT.
8.Analyzing the occupational health literacy level and its influencing factors among workers in non-metallic mineral product industry in Yunfu City
Xiaoyue CHEN ; Xiaotang SU ; Jiabin CHEN ; Min YANG ; Huiqing CHEN ; Xiaoyi LI ; Jichao CHEN
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(1):94-98
Objective To analyze the occupational health literacy (OHL) level and its influencing factors of workers in non-metallic mineral product industry in Yunfu City. Methods A total of 947 frontline workers from 24 non-metallic mineral products enterprises in Yunfu City were selected as the research subjects using the stratified random sampling method. The OHL level of the workers were assessed using the Occupational Health Literacy Questionnaire of National Key Populations. Results The overall OHL level of the research subjects was 58.3% (552/947). The OHL levels across four dimensions, from highest to lowest, were basic knowledge of occupational health protection (94.7%), healthy work practices and behaviors (81.8%), legal knowledge of occupational health (65.5%), and basic skills of occupational health protection (25.9%). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that workers with 2.0-<10.0 years and ≥10 years of work experience had higher OHL levels than those with <2.0 years of work experience (all P<0.01). Workers with a high school education or above had higher OHL levels than those with a junior high school education or below (all P<0.01). Workers in large- and medium-sized enterprises had higher OHL levels than those in small and micro-sized enterprises (both P<0.01). Conclusion The OHL levels of workers in Yunfu City's non-metallic mineral products industry can be further improved, particularly the occupational health protection skills and related legal knowledge. Workers with short seniority, low educational level, and in small and micro enterprises should be the key groups for improving OHL levels.
9.The two-year follow up study on the association between new caries risk in school aged children and multi dimensional sleep indicators
LU Xiuzhen, HUANG Chuanlong, LI Yang, ZUO Min, SUN Ying, CHEN Xin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(4):579-583
Objective:
To explore the prospective association between multidimensional sleep indicators and the risk of newlyonset dental caries, providing a reference for childrens oral healthrelated sleep intervention.
Methods:
In October 2021, 1 417 students in grades 1 to 4 (aged 6 to 11) from two elementary schools in Bengbu, Anhui Province, were selected by cluster sampling method. Surveys and followup visits were conducted at baseline (T1), November 2022 (T2), May 2023 (T3), and November 2023 (T4), respectively, including parental questionnaires, oral health and physical examination. Bedtime, sleep duration, sleep midpoint, social jet lag, weekend catchup sleep, and sleep habits were collected and calculated. A multifactorial Cox proportional risk regression model was used to analyze the association between multidimensional sleep indicators and newlyonset caries in schoolaged children after 2 years.
Results:
The prevalence of dental caries in children was 65.1% at baseline, and the prevalence was 59.0% at the end of the 2year followup. Cox proportional risk regression model showed that for every 1point increase in the childrens bedtime resistance, nocturnal awakenings, parasomnias, and daytime sleepiness scores, the risk of newlyonset caries increased by 12% (HR=1.12, 95%CI=1.08-1.15), 22% (HR=1.22, 95%CI=1.15-1.29), 12% (HR=1.12, 95%CI=1.08-1.17), and 15% (HR=1.15, 95%CI=1.12-1.19), respectively; the risk of newlyonset caries increased by 23% for each 1 h increase in the length of weekend catchup sleep (HR=1.23, 95%CI=1.14 -1.33); compared with children who went to bed before 21:00 on school days, those who went to bed later than 22:00 had a 57% higher risk of newlyonset caries (HR=1.57, 95%CI=1.22-2.03). Compared to children who slept adequately (≥9 h/d), those with insufficient sleep had a 67% higher risk of new caries (HR=1.67, 95%CI=1.43-1.95) (P<0.01).
Conclusions
These findings suggest a significant association between sleep patterns/sleep disorders and the development of childhood dental caries. Incorporating sleep behavior optimization and sleep quality improvement into comprehensive caries prevention and oral health management protocols may represent a promising intervention strategy to enhance childrens oral health outcomes.
10.Analysis of Disease Burden and Attributable Risk Factors of Early-onset Female Breast Cancer in China and Globally from 1990 to 2021
Danqi HUANG ; Min YANG ; Wei XIONG ; Jingyi LIU ; Wanqing CHEN ; Jingbo ZHAI ; Jiang LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(3):777-784
To analyze the disease burden, temporal trends, and attributable risk factors of early-onset female breast cancer (EOBC) in China and globally from 1990 to 2021. Data on the absolute numbers and crude rates of incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for EOBC (diagnosis age < 50 years) in China and globally were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database. Attributable DALY proportions for five risk factors (smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity, high red meat consumption, elevated fasting plasma glucose) and all combined risk factors were obtained. Joinpoint regression analysis was performed to assess temporal trends in age-standardized rates, quantified by annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC). From 1990 to 2021, age-standardized incidence rates of EOBC increased significantly in both China (AAPC=2.25%) and globally (AAPC=0.64%; pairwise comparison, China's age-standardized EOBC incidence is rising rapidly and approaching global levels, while mortality and DALY rates have increased over the past decade, underscoring persistent challenges in disease control. Future efforts should prioritize expanding the coverage of breast cancer screening programs, optimizing screening protocols, and enhancing public awareness of cancer prevention to mitigate the growing burden of EOBC in China.


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