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.

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.

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.

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.

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*

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.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Hedysari Radix polysaccharide on the apoptosis of gastric sinus smooth muscle cells and explore the underlying mechanism via the insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1）/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/serine-threonine kinase （Akt） pathway in the rat model of diabetic gastroparesis （DGP）. MethodSixty-two Wistar male rats were randomized into a blank group （n=12） and a modelling group （n=50）. The rat model of DGP was established by small-dose multiple intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin combined with an irregular high-fat and high-sugar diet for 4 weeks. The modeled rats were randomized into model group， mosapride citrate （1.35 mg·kg^-1）， and high-， medium-， and low-dose （200， 100， and 50 mg·kg^-1， respectively） Hedysari Radix polysaccharide groups. The rats were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage， and those in the blank and model groups with equal volumes of pure water by gavage once a day for 8 consecutive weeks. The random blood glucose and body mass were measured every 2 weeks， and gastric emptying rate was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes of smooth muscle in gastric antrum， and terminal deoxynucleoitidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling （TUNEL） was employed to detect the apoptosis of smooth muscle cells in the gastric antrum. The expression of IGF-1， phosphorylated （p）-PI3K， and p-Akt in the smooth muscle of gastric sinus tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of IGF-1， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） in the smooth muscle of the gastric antrum. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed elevated random blood glucose at all time points （P<0.01）， decreased body mass and gastric emptying rate （P<0.01）， increased apoptotic index of smooth muscle cells in the gastric antrum （P<0.01）， down-regulated protein levels of IGF-1， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and Bcl-2， and up-regulated protein level of Bax （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the 8 weeks of drug administration lowered the random blood glucose， increased the body mass and gastric emptying rate （P<0.05， P<0.01）， decreased the apoptotic index of smooth muscle cells in the gastric antrum （P<0.05， P<0.01）， up-regulated the protein levels of IGF-1， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and Bcl-2， and down-regulated the protein level of Bax （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the mosapride citrate group，the administration of low-dose Hedysari Radix polysaccharide for 6 and 8 weeks lowered the random blood glucose and decreased the body mass （P<0.05， P<0.01），low and medium-dose Hedysari Radix polysaccharide decreased the gastric emptying rate and the apoptotic index of smooth muscle cells in the astragaloside low-dose group decreased （P<0.05）. The protein levels of IGF-1，p-PI3K/PI3K，p-Akt/Akt and Bcl-2（low dose）were down-regulated and the protein level of Bax was up-regulated by low doses of Hedysari Radix polysaccharide （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with high-dose Hedysari Radix polysaccharide， low-dose Hedysari Radix polysaccharide elevated random blood glucose and reduced body mass after 6 and 8 weeks of administration （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the low and medium doses decreased the gastric emptying rate， increased the apoptotic index of smooth muscle cells in the gastric antrum （P<0.05， P<0.01）， down-regulated the protein levels of IGF-1， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and Bcl-2， and up-regulated the protein level of Bax （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the medium-dose group，the low-dose group of Hedysari Radix polysaccharide had lower body mass，lower gastric emptying rate in rats，higher apoptotic index of smooth muscle cells in gastric sinus tissue after 6 and 8 weeks of administration （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and lower protein expression of IGF-1，p-PI3K/PI3K，p-Akt/Akt. ConclusionHedysari Radix polysaccharide protects the smooth muscle cells in gastric antrum against apoptotic injury and promotes gastric motility by activating the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， as manifested by the up-regulated expression of IGF-1， p-PI3K， p-Akt， and Bcl-2 and down-regulated expression of Bax.

Saponins are widely found in various Chinese medicines such as Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma， Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma， and Bupleuri Radix. They possess multiple biological activities， including anti-inflammatory， antioxidant， antitumor， hepatoprotective， lipid-lowering， and hypoglycemic effects. They play an important role in the prevention and treatment of diseases such as acute lung injury， hyperlipidemia， and diabetic cardiovascular complications， and hold significant research potential and value. Metabolism-related fatty liver disease is a prevalent chronic liver disease characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. According to the "multiple hit" theory， its occurrence is the result of systemic homeostasis disorder， influenced by abnormal lipid metabolism， oxidative stress， inflammation， insulin resistance， mitochondrial dysfunction， and intestinal microbiota. However， there is currently no effective treatment available in clinical practice. Recent studies have found that Chinese herbal saponins can alleviate metabolism-related fatty liver disease through various pathways， including regulating abnormal lipid metabolism， inhibiting inflammatory responses， alleviating oxidative stress， reducing insulin resistance， improving mitochondrial dysfunction， modulating intestinal flora， inhibiting hepatocyte programmed death， regulating liver autophagy， and correcting immune imbalances. Therefore， this review summarized the pharmacological effects and related mechanisms of Chinese herbal saponins in improving metabolism-related fatty liver disease in recent years， aiming to provide a theoretical reference for the clinical application and experimental research of Chinese herbal saponins in the prevention and treatment of metabolism-related fatty liver disease.

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.

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.