1.Exploring Pathogenesis and Treatment Principles of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Based on Spleen-mitochondria Correlation
Shiyi WANG ; Miao YU ; Xinyao HE ; Zi WANG ; Haijun LUAN ; Yibo SUN ; Haotong WANG ; Linlin WANG ; Lijian PANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):258-264
According to the Qi-blood-body fluid theory and the association between the spleen in visceral manifestation theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and mitochondria in modern cellular biology, it is proposed that the role of the spleen in generating and transforming Qi and blood is analogous to the energy-producing function of mitochondria—both serving as fundamental power sources for vital activities of the human body. The spleen governs transportation and transformation, playing a critical role in energy metabolism and the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Similarly, mitochondria are vital for maintaining physiological functions such as cellular energy supply, cell survival, and overall human metabolism. Furthermore, spleen deficiency is closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Accordingly, mitochondrial energy conversion and substance metabolism are regarded as the microscopic essence of the spleen's function in transportation and transformation. Spleen deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to the formation of pathological products such as phlegm-turbidity and blood stasis. This aligns with the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with Qi deficiency as the root cause and phlegm-turbidity and blood stasis as the manifestations. Therefore, the integrative treatment of COPD should follow the therapeutic principle of invigorating the spleen and reinforcing healthy Qi, while also resolving phlegm and removing blood stasis to address both root cause and manifestations. This approach can improve the mitochondrial function, regulate energy metabolism, and reduce oxidative stress levels to alleviate COPD symptoms, slow down disease progression, and improve prognosis. By integrating the holistic concept of TCM with molecular mechanisms of modern medicine, this paper explores the pathogenesis and therapeutic principles of COPD from the spleen-mitochondria correlation. It not only provides a new direction for the modern development of TCM and the integration of Chinese and Western medicine but also offers a theoretical foundation for the integrated treatment of chronic, complex age-related diseases.
2.Exploring Pathogenesis and Treatment Principles of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Based on Spleen-mitochondria Correlation
Shiyi WANG ; Miao YU ; Xinyao HE ; Zi WANG ; Haijun LUAN ; Yibo SUN ; Haotong WANG ; Linlin WANG ; Lijian PANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):258-264
According to the Qi-blood-body fluid theory and the association between the spleen in visceral manifestation theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and mitochondria in modern cellular biology, it is proposed that the role of the spleen in generating and transforming Qi and blood is analogous to the energy-producing function of mitochondria—both serving as fundamental power sources for vital activities of the human body. The spleen governs transportation and transformation, playing a critical role in energy metabolism and the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Similarly, mitochondria are vital for maintaining physiological functions such as cellular energy supply, cell survival, and overall human metabolism. Furthermore, spleen deficiency is closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Accordingly, mitochondrial energy conversion and substance metabolism are regarded as the microscopic essence of the spleen's function in transportation and transformation. Spleen deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to the formation of pathological products such as phlegm-turbidity and blood stasis. This aligns with the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with Qi deficiency as the root cause and phlegm-turbidity and blood stasis as the manifestations. Therefore, the integrative treatment of COPD should follow the therapeutic principle of invigorating the spleen and reinforcing healthy Qi, while also resolving phlegm and removing blood stasis to address both root cause and manifestations. This approach can improve the mitochondrial function, regulate energy metabolism, and reduce oxidative stress levels to alleviate COPD symptoms, slow down disease progression, and improve prognosis. By integrating the holistic concept of TCM with molecular mechanisms of modern medicine, this paper explores the pathogenesis and therapeutic principles of COPD from the spleen-mitochondria correlation. It not only provides a new direction for the modern development of TCM and the integration of Chinese and Western medicine but also offers a theoretical foundation for the integrated treatment of chronic, complex age-related diseases.
3.Research Advances on Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidation Effect of Medicinal and Edible Herbs Liver-protecting Chinese Medicine
Jinghan ZHAO ; Zhengwang ZHU ; Linlin WANG ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):293-301
The liver is closely associated with inflammation and the redox response, and inflammation is the body's innate defense system for clearing away harmful stimuli and participating in the liver's wound-healing response.Oxidative stress is associated with the activation of inflammatory pathways, and sustained inflammation and the corresponding regenerative wound healing response can induce fibrosis, cirrhosis, progression to end-stage liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma, and ultimately death.Some "medicine and food homology" traditional Chinese medicine has been used in clinical effect, showing the ability to protect the liver.This paper reviewed the relationship between liver and oxidative stress response and inflammation response, and sorted out 110 "medicine and food same origin" traditional Chinese medicines based on the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition) and the Chinese materia medica.The results showed that common floweringqince fruit, licorice root, cassia seed, emblic,seabuckthorn fruit,Chinese date, honeysuckle, ginger, cape jasmine fruit, platycodon root, lotus leaf, dandelion, reed root, honey, mountain honeysuckle, milkvetch root, glossy ganoderma, Gastrodia gastrodia and eucommia leaf were recorded to have liver protection effects.The liver protection mechanism is mainly anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and lipid peroxidation inhibition. Some Chinese herbs can also play a liver protection role by inhibiting the growth of hepatitis virus and liver cancer cells and regulating bile acid metabolism.In addition, the biological mechanism of its liver protection effect through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in animal experiments was analyzed, and it was found that it plays a role through multiple pathways and multiple targets, providing new ideas for the role of "medicine and food homology" traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment strategy of liver diseases.
4.Research Advances on Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidation Effect of Medicinal and Edible Herbs Liver-protecting Chinese Medicine
Jinghan ZHAO ; Zhengwang ZHU ; Linlin WANG ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):293-301
The liver is closely associated with inflammation and the redox response, and inflammation is the body's innate defense system for clearing away harmful stimuli and participating in the liver's wound-healing response.Oxidative stress is associated with the activation of inflammatory pathways, and sustained inflammation and the corresponding regenerative wound healing response can induce fibrosis, cirrhosis, progression to end-stage liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma, and ultimately death.Some "medicine and food homology" traditional Chinese medicine has been used in clinical effect, showing the ability to protect the liver.This paper reviewed the relationship between liver and oxidative stress response and inflammation response, and sorted out 110 "medicine and food same origin" traditional Chinese medicines based on the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition) and the Chinese materia medica.The results showed that common floweringqince fruit, licorice root, cassia seed, emblic,seabuckthorn fruit,Chinese date, honeysuckle, ginger, cape jasmine fruit, platycodon root, lotus leaf, dandelion, reed root, honey, mountain honeysuckle, milkvetch root, glossy ganoderma, Gastrodia gastrodia and eucommia leaf were recorded to have liver protection effects.The liver protection mechanism is mainly anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and lipid peroxidation inhibition. Some Chinese herbs can also play a liver protection role by inhibiting the growth of hepatitis virus and liver cancer cells and regulating bile acid metabolism.In addition, the biological mechanism of its liver protection effect through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in animal experiments was analyzed, and it was found that it plays a role through multiple pathways and multiple targets, providing new ideas for the role of "medicine and food homology" traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment strategy of liver diseases.
5.Tuihuang Mixture improves α‑naphthylisothiocyanate-induced cholestasis in rats by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasomes via regulating farnesoid X receptor.
Zhengwang ZHU ; Linlin WANG ; Jinghan ZHAO ; Ruixue MA ; Yuchun YU ; Qingchun CAI ; Bing WANG ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(4):718-724
OBJECTIVES:
To study the therapeutic mechanism of Tuihuang Mixture against cholestasis.
METHODS:
Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomized equally into blank group, model group, ursodeoxycholic acid group and Tuihuang Mixture group. Except for those in the blank group, all the rats were given α‑naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) to establish rat models of cholestasis, followed by treatments with indicated drugs or distilled water. Serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL of the rats were determined, and hepatic expressions IL-1β, IL-18, FXR, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected using q-PCR, ELISA or Western blotting. Histopathological changes of the liver tissues were observed using HE staining.
RESULTS:
The rat models of cholestasis had significantly increased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL with increased mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1β and IL-18, decreased protein and mRNA expressions of FXR, and increased protein expressions of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 and mRNA expressions of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD in the liver tissue, showing also irregular arrangement of liver cells, proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells and inflammatory cells infiltration. Treatment of the rat models with Tuihuang Mixture significantly decreased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL, lowered IL-1β and IL-18 and increased FXR protein and mRNA expressions, and reduced NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD proteins and NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1 mRNA expressions in the liver tissue. Tuihuang Mixture also significantly alleviated hepatocyte injury, bile duct epithelial cell proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver of the rat models.
CONCLUSIONS
Tuihuang Mixture can effectively improve cholestasis in rats possibly by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammatosome-mediated pyroptosis via regulating FXR.
Animals
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
;
Rats
;
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism*
;
Cholestasis/drug therapy*
;
Rats, Wistar
;
Inflammasomes/metabolism*
;
1-Naphthylisothiocyanate
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Male
;
Interleukin-18/metabolism*
;
Caspase 1/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Liver/metabolism*
6.The regulatory role and mechanism of microRNA in cholestasis
Linlin WANG ; Zhengwang ZHU ; Jinghan ZHAO ; Ruixue MA ; Bing WANG ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(10):2187-2194
As a type of endogenous small non-coding RNA, microRNA (miRNA) can regulate gene expression and thereby intervene against the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic diseases, and autoimmune diseases. The pathogenesis of cholestasis is complex and is mainly associated with the metabolism and transport of bile acids, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and intestinal flora. Currently, ursodeoxycholic acid is the preferred drug for the clinical treatment of cholestasis, but it may cause adverse reactions and exhibit poor efficacy in some patients. Studies have shown that miRNA can intervene in the disease process of cholestasis through multiple mechanisms such as regulating bile acid metabolism and transport, alleviating oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammatory response, improving cholangiocyte proliferation, and regulating intestinal flora. It can be used as a new biomarker and action target for cholestasis, with high research potential and value. Therefore, this article summarizes the role and mechanisms of miRNA in regulating cholestasis in recent years, in order to provide a reference for further research on the prevention and treatment of cholestasis by targeting miRNA.
7.Study on the Distribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Types and Medication Rules of Functional Dyspepsia Based on Data Mining
Zhengwang ZHU ; Linlin WANG ; Jinghan ZHAO ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(9):1437-1444
Objective To explore syndrome differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and medication rules of functional dyspepsia,and to provide reference for modern TCM clinical treatment.Methods The clinical research literature on the treatment of functional dyspepsia with TCM were searched from CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,PubMed and Web of Science databases,TCM compounds were collected and database was established.Excel 2019,Clementine 12.0 and SPSS 21.0 were used for frequency analysis of TCM syndrome types,drug frequency,efficacy classifications,properties,tastes,and meridian tropisms of functional dyspepsia,and association rule analysis,factor analysis and cluster analysis were performed on high-frequency drugs.Results A total of 428 articles were included,and 442 prescriptions were extracted,involving 225 Chinese medicines and 24 high-frequency drugs,among which Codonopsis Radix,Poria,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium and Bupleuri Radix were most frequently used.Tonic deficiency drugs and regulating qi drugs were the most common efficacy categories.The property was mainly warm,the tastes were mainly bitter,pungent and sweet,most of which belonged to spleen,lung and stomach meridians.Twenty drug combinations were obtained by association rule analysis,nine common factors were extracted by factor analysis,and drugs could be divided into four categories by cluster analysis.Functional dyspepsia with the liver-stomach disharmony is the most common syndrome.Twelve drug combinations were obtained by association rule analysis,three common factors were extracted by factor analysis,and drugs could be divided into two categories by cluster analysis.Conclusion The clinical treatment of functional dyspepsia in TCM is mainly to replenish qi and invigorate spleen,dredge liver and promote qi,replenish deficiency with sweet and warm drugs,disperse pungent and descend bitter,which were compatible with drugs for resolving dampness,relieving external symptoms and clearing heat according to syndrome differentiation.
8.Characteristics and Application Analysis of Animals Model of Cholelithiasis Based on Data Mining
Linlin WANG ; Zhengwang ZHU ; Jinghan ZHAO ; Mingsan MIAO ; Pingsheng ZHU
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(10):1621-1627
Objective To summarize the existing animal models of cholelithiasis,and to explore a pathological model that can better reflect the characteristics of clinical syndromes of traditional Chinese and western medicine and meet the needs of the development of clinical and basic research of traditional Chinese medicine. Methods The animal models for experimental research on cholelithiasis at home and abroad were collected and sorted out by searching CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,SinoMed,PubMed and other databases. The animal types,modeling methods,modeling cycles,detection indicators and positive drugs of the models were statistically analyzed. Results Among the 128 articles included,the animal types of cholelithiasis models were mainly guinea pigs,rabbits and C57BL/6J mice. The most used modeling method is high-fat diet,and the feeding cycle takes eight weeks to complete. High-frequency detection indicators were stone formation rate,total cholesterol,phospholipids,total bilirubin,total bile acid,etc. The commonly used intervention methods are traditional Chinese medicine compound,western medicine and single Chinese medicine or extract. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is mainly used for western medicine intervention,whereas the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine mainly includes traditional Chinese medicine compound,acupuncture,exercise,diet and other methods. The positive control drug in the experiment was mostly UDCA. Conclusion With the continuous improvement and development of cholelithiasis animal model,there are many kinds of modeling methods to simulate the clinical manifestations of cholelithiasis in Chinese and western medicine,but there are also some limitations. This paper aims to provide reference for the selection,application and improvement of cholelithiasis model through data mining and characteristic analysis.
9.Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma exosomal miR-181b-5p promotes tumor associated macrophage polarization by inhibiting PTEN
Hui FAN ; Naikuo ZHAO ; Linlin CHEN ; Zhiguo LI ; Miao LIU ; Yuanying ZHANG ; Chaofeng ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(7):1441-1446
Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma exosomal miR-181b-5p to the polarization of M2 macrophages.Methods:Extracted and identified exosomes from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,and detected the expression of miR-181b-5p in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells and their exosomes by qRT-PCR.M0 type macro-phages were divided into PBS group,HEEC exo group,Eca-109 exo group,miR-NC exo group,miR-181b-5p exo group,miR-NC group,miR-181b-5p mimic group,si-NC group,si-PTEN group,miR-181b-5p exo+PTEN group.qRT-PCR was used to detect the expressions of CD163,CD206,iNOS and TNF-α in each group.The targeting relationship between miR-181b-5p and PTEN were veri-fied by double luciferase reporter gene experiment.Results:miR-181b-5p was significantly overexpressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells TE-13,TE-12,TE-10,Eca-109,KYSE30 and their exosomes(P<0.001).Compared with miR-NC group,the expression of CD163 and CD206 in cells were significantly upregulated in the miR-181b-5p mimic group,as well as the expressions of iNOS and TNF-α were significantly downregulated(P<0.001).The results of double luciferase reporter genes showed that PTEN was the target gene of miR-181b-5p.Compared with si-NC group,the expressions of CD163 and CD206 in cells were significantly upregu-lated in the si-PTEN group,as well as the expressions of iNOS and TNF-α were significantly downregulated(P<0.001).Compared with PBS group,the expressions of CD163 and CD206 in cells were significantly upregulated in the Eca-109 exo group,as well as the expressions of iNOS and TNF-α were significantly downregulated(P<0.001).Compared with miR-NC exo group,the expressions of CD163 and CD206 in cells were significantly upregulated in the miR-181b-5p exo group,as well as the expressions of iNOS and TNF-α were significantly downregulated(P<0.001).Compared with miR-181b-5p exo group,the expressions of CD163 and CD206 in cells were significantly downregulated in the miR-181b-5p exo+PTEN group,as well as the expressions of iNOS and TNF-α were significantly upregulated(P<0.001).Conclusion:Exosomal miR-181b-5p inhibits PTEN expressions to promote M2 macrophage polarization.
10.Correlation between obesity and early vascular aging in middle-aged and young adult health check-up populations
Linlin ZHAO ; Man CUI ; Yapei LI ; Ying LI ; Rujia MIAO ; Jiangang WANG ; Hui ZHOU
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2024;49(3):408-416
Objective:The obesity rate among middle-aged and young adults in China is increasing annually,and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases is becoming more prevalent in younger populations.However,it has not yet been reported whether obesity is associated with early vascular aging(EVA).This study aims to explore the correlation between obesity and EVA in middle-aged and young adult health check-up populations,providing a reference for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Methods:A total of 15 464 middle-aged and young adults aged 18-59 who completed brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV)test in the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January to December 2020 were included.Among them,1 965 individuals with normal blood pressure and no cardiovascular risk factors were selected as the healthy population.The baPWV thresholds for determining EVA in each age group for males and females were calculated based on the baPWV values of the healthy population.The number and percentage of individuals meeting the EVA criteria in the middle-aged and young adult health check-up populations were statistically analyzed by age and gender.The differences in obesity indicators[visceral adiposity index(VAI),body mass index(BMI),waist circumference(WC)]between the EVA and non-EVA groups for males and females were compared.Using EVA as the dependent variable,VAI,BMI,and WC were included as independent variables in a Logistic model to analyze the correlation between each obesity indicator and EVA before and after adjusting for other influencing factors.Furthermore,the correlation between each obesity indicator and EVA in each age group was analyzed. Results:In the health check-up populations,the detection rate of EVA in different age groups was 1.65%-10.92%for males,and 1.16%-10.50%for females,the detection rate of EVA increased with age in both males and females.Except for the 40-<50 age group,the EVA detection rate was higher in males than in females in all other age groups.Regardless of gender,obesity indicators VAI,BMI,and WC were significantly higher in the EVA group than in the non-EVA group(all P<0.01).Before and after adjusting for other influencing factors,VAI and WC were both correlated with EVA(both P<0.05).BMI was a risk factor for EVA before adjusting for other influencing factors(P<0.01),but after adjustment,the correlation between BMI and EVA was not statistically significant(P=0.05).After adjusting for other influencing factors,the correlation between VAI and EVA was statistically significant in the 18-<40 and 50-<60 age groups(both P<0.05),while the correlation between BMI and WC with EVA was not statistically significant(both P>0.05).In the 40-<50 age group,the correlation between VAI and BMI with EVA was not statistically significant(both P>0.05),but the correlation between WC and EVA was statistically significant(P<0.01). Conclusion:VAI is closely related to the occurrence of EVA in middle-aged and young adults aged 18-<40 and 50-<60 years,while WC is closely related to the occurrence of EVA in those aged 40-<50 years.

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