1.Overview of the Research on Mechanisms and Application of Essential Oil of Aromatic Chinese Medicinals in Prevention of Respiratory Infectious Disease
Wan Ling LI ; Xinxin WU ; Xiaolei LI ; Mingzhao HAO ; Fang ZHANG ; Yue ZHANG ; Haoyue LI ; Jing ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(6):638-644
Aromatic Chinese medicinal essential oils are volatile oils extracted from aromatic Chinese herbs, which can prevent and treat respiratory infectious diseases through multiple synergistic mechanisms including pathogen inhibition, immune regulation, and inflammatory response regulation. Essential oils are primarily used externally on the body to prevent infections and alleviate symptoms through methods like inhalation, smearing, topical application, bathing, gargling or as a suppository. They can also be utilized in the environment for disinfection and air purification, through methods like diffusion, vaporization, or spraying. The external application of essential oils extracted from Chinese aromatic herbs has the advantages of convenience, quick absorption, and simultaneous influence on both the body and mind. However, there are still challenges and deficiencies in aspects such as the positioning of functions, indications, safety, and the research on the mechanism of action. It has been proposed to combine the theory of aromatic Chinese medicinals with the characteristics of essential oils, and formulate prescriptions of Chinese medicinal essential oils under the principles of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation, and prevent and treat respiratory infectious diseases efficiently, accurately, and safely, thereby expanding the clinical application of aromatic Chinese medicinals and the preventive theory of traditional Chinese medicine.
2.Intervention of Breast Cancer by Regulating Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Lu LING ; Jingyu XU ; Junfei ZHAO ; Songjiang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):320-330
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, and its incidence rate is also rising in China and tends to happen in younger age groups. The classical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is an important target in the treatment of breast cancer, playing a key role in the whole process of breast cancer development by regulating the expression of related signal proteins and genes. Traditional Chinese medicine has a profound history and practical experience in the treatment of malignant tumors, and the development of modern technology further highlights the therapeutic advantages of traditional Chinese medicine, which has multiple targets and components. Research shows that Chinese medicine can effectively slow down the proliferation of breast cancer cells by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and has a significant inhibitory effect on the development of breast cancer. Based on this, this paper summarized domestic and foreign relevant studies on the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway with traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of breast cancer, analyzed the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine treating breast cancer by intervening in this signaling pathway, and summarized 44 different types of traditional Chinese medicine monomers, including terpenes (triptolide, andrographolide, etc.), flavonoids (scutellarin, sinensetin, etc.), polysaccharides (Angelica sinensis polysaccharides, etc.), phenols (curcumin, polydatin, etc.), and alkaloids (lycorine, etc.). In addition, there are 3 traditional Chinese medicines (Ganoderma lucidum, Radix actinidia chinensis, and Antrodia camphorata), 1 group of medicine pairs (Trionycis Carapax-Zedoary Turmeric), and 8 traditional Chinese medicine formulas (Compound Tubeimu, Huangqi Jiedu Tang, Xihuang Wan, Liuwei Dihuang Wan, Jiazhu Tang, Aiduqing Fang, Sini San, and compound Kushen injection). By regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and its key molecules, these single herbs, monomers, and compound herbs can reverse the epithelial mesenchymal transformation process, reduce the activity of stem cells, and inhibit the growth and metastasis of cancer cells. Besides, it can also enhance the sensitivity of drugs and radiotherapy and combat breast cancer, providing a new perspective for drug development and treatment strategies for breast cancer.
3.Evaluation of Animal Models with Diminished Ovarian Reserve Based on Clinical Disease and Syndrome Characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine
Mingyue YU ; Ling TANG ; Xiaohui SUN ; Jingjing ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):240-248
ObjectiveWith the development of society and the increasing demand for pregnancy at an advanced age, diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) has attracted wider attention. This disease affects the normal menstruation of women and poses a threat to their mental health. Current research on DOR is still in the initial stage, and advancing research progress in DOR necessitates the construction of effective and clinically relevant animal models. Building on existing literature and integrating the diagnosis criteria of DOR in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine, this study summarized, analyzed, and evaluated existing models, providing a reference for optimizing DOR animal models. MethodsA retrospective analysis of literature on DOR-related animal models was conducted, and the diagnostic criteria of DOR in TCM and Western medicine were sorted out. By means of evaluation methods of animal models, the clinical relevance of each model to TCM and Western medicine was assessed. ResultsDOR animal models included those based on natural factors, iatrogenic factors, immune factors, metabolic factors, and environmental factors. Among them, the model based on iatrogenic factors, especially models induced by Tripterygium wilfordii preparations, cyclophosphamide, and cisplatin, had a high degree of relevance to both Western medical diseases and TCM syndromes and was confirmed as the optimal modeling method for studying DOR at present. ConclusionThe existing DOR modeling methods mostly have a high degree of clinical relevance to Western medical diseases, while the number of DOR animal models with clear TCM syndromes is very limited. TCM plays an indispensable role in exploring DOR treatment methods. Therefore, the development of DOR animal models related to TCM syndromes should be strengthened, further exploring the potential of TCM and providing strong theoretical support for the application of TCM in DOR treatment.
4.TCM Intervention in Prostate Cancer via Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway: A Review
Lu LING ; Jingyu XU ; Junfei ZHAO ; Songjiang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):304-312
Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that primarily arises from the epithelial tissue of the prostate in men. With the aggravation of population aging in China, the incidence rate of this disease has been continuously rising. Although the exact cause of prostate cancer remains unclear, it has been proven to be closely related to various factors, including individual genetic susceptibility, genetic mutations, dietary habits, and lifestyle. Research has shown that abnormal activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway also plays an important role in the occurrence and development of prostate cancer. Multiple experimental results have revealed that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its multi-target and multi-stage mechanisms of action, exerts significant regulatory effects on key biological processes such as proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of prostate cancer cells. TCM has shown excellent potential in preventing prostate cancer progression and improving patient prognosis and has become a research focus in prostate cancer treatment in recent years. Based on this, this study reviewed the research on the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by TCM in the treatment of prostate cancer at home and abroad. It analyzed the mechanisms by which TCM intervention exerts anti-prostate cancer effects via this signaling pathway, identifying 29 different types of active ingredients in TCM, including alkaloids (e.g., capsaicin, berberine), flavonoids (e.g., icariin and hyperoside), polyphenols (e.g., gastrodin and honokiol), terpenes (e.g., oridonin), quinones (e.g., aloe-emodin), coumarins (e.g., agrimonolide), and saponins (e.g., saikosaponin-d). Additionally, one TCM medicinal substance (arsenic), one drug pair (Danggui - Qieyi combination), and two TCM formulae (Yishen Tonglong Tang and Guben Qingyuan Formula) were included. The study aims to deepen the understanding of the pathological mechanism of prostate cancer and to explore possible therapeutic targets, thereby providing new perspectives and approaches for clinical research and new drug development, and ultimately promoting the advancement and innovation of prostate cancer treatment strategies.
5.TCM Intervention in Prostate Cancer via Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway: A Review
Lu LING ; Jingyu XU ; Junfei ZHAO ; Songjiang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):304-312
Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that primarily arises from the epithelial tissue of the prostate in men. With the aggravation of population aging in China, the incidence rate of this disease has been continuously rising. Although the exact cause of prostate cancer remains unclear, it has been proven to be closely related to various factors, including individual genetic susceptibility, genetic mutations, dietary habits, and lifestyle. Research has shown that abnormal activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway also plays an important role in the occurrence and development of prostate cancer. Multiple experimental results have revealed that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its multi-target and multi-stage mechanisms of action, exerts significant regulatory effects on key biological processes such as proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of prostate cancer cells. TCM has shown excellent potential in preventing prostate cancer progression and improving patient prognosis and has become a research focus in prostate cancer treatment in recent years. Based on this, this study reviewed the research on the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by TCM in the treatment of prostate cancer at home and abroad. It analyzed the mechanisms by which TCM intervention exerts anti-prostate cancer effects via this signaling pathway, identifying 29 different types of active ingredients in TCM, including alkaloids (e.g., capsaicin, berberine), flavonoids (e.g., icariin and hyperoside), polyphenols (e.g., gastrodin and honokiol), terpenes (e.g., oridonin), quinones (e.g., aloe-emodin), coumarins (e.g., agrimonolide), and saponins (e.g., saikosaponin-d). Additionally, one TCM medicinal substance (arsenic), one drug pair (Danggui - Qieyi combination), and two TCM formulae (Yishen Tonglong Tang and Guben Qingyuan Formula) were included. The study aims to deepen the understanding of the pathological mechanism of prostate cancer and to explore possible therapeutic targets, thereby providing new perspectives and approaches for clinical research and new drug development, and ultimately promoting the advancement and innovation of prostate cancer treatment strategies.
6.Syndrome Element Distribution and Complication Risks in Type 2 Diabetic Patients:A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study
Yu WEI ; Lili ZHANG ; Ling ZHOU ; Linhua ZHAO ; Qing NI ; Xiaolin TONG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(13):1363-1368
ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome elements in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients based on maximum body mass index (maxBMI) and explore their association with complication risks. MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study was used to collect clinical data from hospitalized T2DM patients, extracting age, gender, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, duration of disease, HbA1c level, complications, and TCM syndromes, and extracting the syndrome elements of disease location and disease nature based on their TCM syndromes. MaxBMI was calculated by telephone survey of patients' self-reported maximum body weight; patients with maxBMI ≥24 kg/m2 were classified into spleen-heat syndrome group, and those with maxBMI <24 kg/m2 were classified into consumptive-heat syndrome group. The distribution of TCM syndrome types and syndrome elements of patients in the two groups were analysed. Then the propensity score matching method was used to balance the baseline characteristics between the two groups and compare the differences in the distribution of syndrome types and syndrome elements and the risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications between the two groups. ResultsAmong the 1178 T2DM patients, syndrome elements in spleen-heat patients (1034 cases) were primarily located in the spleen (351 cases, 33.95%), liver (240 cases, 23.21%), and stomach (139 cases, 13.44%), while in consumptive-heat patients (144 cases), they were concentrated in the spleen (57 cases, 39.58%), liver (34 cases, 23.61%), and kidneys (17 cases, 11.81%); regarding syndrome elements of disease nature, spleen-heat patients were predominantly characterized by qi deficiency (481 cases, 46.52%), phlegm (353 cases, 22.73%), and dampness (241 cases, 23.31%), whereas consumptive-heat patients showed more qi deficiency (84 cases, 58.33%) and yin deficiency (44 cases, 30.56%). After propensity score matching, 132 cases were included in each group, and no statistically significant differences were observed in the distribution of syndrome elements of disease location between the two groups (P>0.05), but the phlegm element was significantly more prevalent in spleen-heat patients than in consumptive-heat patients (P = 0.006). Regarding the risk of complications, spleen-heat patients had a significantly higher risk of developing macrovascular complications compared to consumptive-heat patients (OR=2.04, P=0.010), while no significant differences were found between groups in the occurrence of microvascular complications (P>0.05). ConclusionThe spleen-heat T2DM patients show a more frequent syndrome element of disease nature of phlegm, and a higher risk of developing macrovascular complications compared to consumptive-heat patients.
7.Current situation of preservatives and sweeteners usage in beverages sold near schools in Anshun City
LIU Yujie, XU Lin,GONG Ling,WEI Gang, ZHAO Lianwei, QU Guangsheng, CAI Guixiang
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(7):1051-1054
Objective:
To analyze the characteristics and safety risks of preservatives and sweeteners in beverages sold near schools in Anshun City, so as to provide a evidence for formulating targeted regulatory strategies in campus.
Methods:
From December 2023 to July 2024, 834 beverage samples were collected from sales points near primary and secondary schools in Xixiu District and four surrounding townships of Anshun City by a stratified random sampling method. High performance liquid chromatography was used to detect three preservatives (sorbic acid, benzoic acid and dehydroacetic acid) and four sweeteners (sodium saccharin, acesulfame-K, aspartame, and neotame). Differences were analyzed using the Chi-square test.
Results:
The overall exceedance rate of preservative was 8.6% (72 samples), with dehydroacetic acid showing the highest exceedance rate (7.0%, 58 samples), significantly higher than sorbic acid (0.6%, 5 samples) and benzoic acid (0.4%, 3 samples) ( χ 2=90.85, P <0.01). The overall exceedance rate of sweetener was 10.4% (87 samples), with sodium saccharin having the highest exceedance rate ( 6.2 %, 52 samples),significantly higher than neotame (2.8%, 23 samples), acesulfame-K (0) and aspartame (0) ( χ 2=262.04, P <0.01). Potential risks were identified due to the co occurrence of multiple additive exceedances, including 0.7% (6 samples) for mixed preservatives and 1.6% (13 samples) for mixed sweetener. No statistically significant differences were found in preservative (7.2%, 26 samples) or sweetener (12.3%, 44 samples) exceedance rates between micro enterprises and large, medium and small enterprises ( χ 2=2.67, 5.16, both P >0.05).
Conclusion
Systemic misuse risk of food additives in beverages sold near school necessitates a risk traceability based regulatory framework, with emphasis on standardizing enterprise production practices and strengthening oversight of sales outlets near campuses.
8. Mechanism of ellagic acid improving cognitive dysfunction in APP/PS double transgenic mice based on PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway
Li-Li ZHONG ; Xin LU ; Ying YU ; Qin-Yan ZHAO ; Jing ZHANG ; Tong-Hui LIU ; Xue-Yan NI ; Li-Li ZHONG ; Yan-Ling CHE ; Dan WU ; Hong LIU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(1):90-98
Aim To investigate the effect of ellagic acid (EA) on cognitive function in APP/PS 1 double- transgenic mice, and to explore the regulatory mechanism of ellagic acid on the level of oxidative stress in the hippocampus of double-transgenic mice based on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase-3 (PI3K/AKT/GSK-3 β) signaling pathway. Methods Thirty-two SPF-grade 6-month-old APP/PS 1 double transgenic mice were randomly divided into four groups, namely, APP/PS 1 group, APP/PS1 + EA group, APP/PS1 + LY294002 group, APP/PS 1 + EA + LY294002 group, with eight mice in each group, and eight SPF-grade C57BL/6J wild type mice ( Wild type) were selected as the blank control group. The APP/PS 1 + EA group was given 50 mg · kg
9.Severity of COVID-19 reinfection among healthcare workers in a grade A tertiary hospital in Shanghai by the end of 2022
Wanwan LIU ; Qiuqiong DENG ; Jianhua MI ; Jingli GU ; Ling YU ; Zhuyi HUANG ; Jiahong ZHAO ; Fei CHEN ; Qin CAO ; Qun XU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(2):123-127
ObjectiveTo describe the epidemic characteristics of COVID-19 after policy adjustment from “Category B notifiable disease with category A management” to “Category B notifiable disease with category B management”, and to explore the protective effect of previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 on common symptoms of reinfection. MethodsHealthcare workers infected with SARS-CoV-2 in a grade A tertiary hospital in Shanghai were included in the study from December 4, 2022 to January 11, 2023. Data on demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, medical history, and COVID-19 vaccination history were collected. We determined the epidemiological curve and characteristics, and then compared the difference in the severity of clinical symptoms between primary and reinfection subjects. ResultsA total of 2 704 cases were included in the study, of which 45 had reinfection, 605 (22.4%)were males, 608 (22.5%)were doctors, 1 275 (47.2%) were nurses, and 2 351 (86.9%) received ≥3 doses of COVID-19 vaccination. The average age of these healthcare workers was (34.9±9.1) years old. The number of cases with mild/moderate illness, asymptomatic infection, fever, headache, dry cough, expectoration, and chest tightness were 2 704 (100.0%), 92 (3.4%), 2 385 (88.2%), 2 066 (76.4%), 1 642 (60.7%), 1 807 (66.8%), and 439 (16.2%), respectively. Reinfection was a protective factor for fever (OR=0.161, P<0.001), headache (OR=0.320, P<0.001), and peak body temperature (β=-0.446, P<0.001). ConclusionFollowing the COVID-19 policy adjustment as a category B notifiable disease, healthcare workers at a grade A tertiary hospital in Shanghai predominantly experiences mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms. Reinfection results in milder clinical manifestations, with a lower proportion of being asymptomatic.
10.Prevalence and risk factors of hyperuricemia among workers in an electronics factory in Wuhan
Jiajie SUN ; Chao XIA ; Yuqin SHI ; Pengli CAI ; Hao ZHANG ; Jinxin CHENG ; Ruixue ZHAO ; Ling ZHANG ; Wenjun YIN ; Jingrong LIU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(3):90-94
Objective To understand the prevalence and risk factors of hyperuricemia in electronics factory workers in Wuhan, and to provide evidence for the health protection of electronics factory workers. Methods A total of 1 415 employees in an electronics factory in Wuhan were selected as the research subjects, and the physical examination and determination of various biochemical indicators, as well as questionnaire survey were carried out. Results The detection rate of hyperuricemia among workers in the electronics factory in Wuhan was 32.43%, with 36.33% for men and 14.11% for women, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=46.077,P<0.001). The detection rate of hyperuricemia was the highest (33.77%) among those with university or college education, followed by graduate students and above (31.50%). Compared with subjects with good lifestyle habits, people with drinking habits had higher hyperuricemia detection rate (49.38%), and the difference was statistically significant (P =0.001). The detection rates of hyperuricemia in those with central obesity and elevated alanine aminotransferase were 48.23% and 61.29%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the subjects without the above diseases (26.91% and 27.21%, respectively), and the differences were statistically significant (P <0.001). Obese people had the highest detection rate of hyperuricemia (66.95%), followed by overweight people (43.75%), and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.001). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that alcohol drinking (OR=1.836, 95% CI=1.139-2.961, P =0.013) and body mass index ≥ 24 kg/m2 (OR=2.175, 95% CI=1.686 -2.806, P <0.001) were risk factors for hyperuricemia in electronic factory workers. Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was significantly correlated with hyperuricemia (OR=2.964, 95%CI=2.146-4.095 , P <0.001). Female gender was a protective factor for hyperuricemia in workers in the electronics factory (OR=0.441, 95%CI=0.297-0.653 , P <0.001). Conclusion The detection rate of hyperuricemia among workers in an electronics factory in Wuhan is high, and the detection rate of hyperuricemia in men is higher than that in women. Alcohol consumption, overweight and obesity will increase the risk of hyperuricemia. Elevated ALT is associated with hyperuricemia. Maintaining an ideal body mass index and establishing a good lifestyle play an important role in preventing hyperuricemia.


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