1.Effect of Shenge Bushen Capsules and Its Polysaccharides and Flavonoids on Precocious Puberty in Young Mice
Hong SUN ; Fan LEI ; Chenggong LI ; Shixian HU ; Weihua WANG ; Bin REN ; Juan HAO ; Rui LUO ; Lijun DU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):95-103
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Shenge Bushen Capsules (SBC) on sexual development in normal 3-week-old mice. MethodsThe experiment consisted of two parts. In the first part, mice were divided into four groups: The control group and the low, medium, and high-dose SBC groups (234.7, 469.4, 938.7 mg·kg-1, respectively). In the second part, mice were divided into four groups: Control group, Pseudostellariae Radix polysaccharide (PRP) group, total flavonoids group, and SBC group, all receiving a dose of 469.4 mg·kg-1. After 7 days of administration, the vaginal opening of female mice and the descent of testes and scrotum in male mice, as well as the ovarian and testicular organ indices, were observed. After 4 weeks of administration, female and male mice were housed together for 2 days, and the pregnancy rate of females was monitored. After delivery, the pregnant female mice continued receiving the treatment for 4 weeks, and the sexual development of their offspring, including vaginal opening, testicular descent, and organ indices of ovaries and testes, was observed. Serum sex hormones were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and growth hormone (GH) proteins in the hypothalamus was assessed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group, there was no significant effect on the vaginal opening of female mice or the descent of testes in male mice after 7 days of SBC administration. After 4 weeks of administration, the pregnancy rate in the low-dose group was significantly reduced (P<0.05), but no significant effects were observed in the other groups. The three doses of SBC did not significantly affect the ovarian or testicular organ indices, and there was no significant upregulation in the expression of GnRH or GH in the hypothalamus. The primary component of SBC, Pseudostellariae Radix polysaccharide, significantly reduced the vaginal opening in female mice after 7 days of administration (P<0.05). After 4 weeks, the serum estradiol levels of non-pregnant female mice were decreased (P<0.05), but there was no significant effect on the expression of GnRH or GH proteins in the hypothalamus of either male or female mice. Additionally, there were no significant effects on precocious puberty indicators, such as vaginal opening and testicular descent, in the offspring mice. ConclusionSBC does not significantly promote precocious puberty in young mice, and it does not have any noticeable effects on the pregnancy rate of adult mice or the sexual development of their offspring.
2.Correlation of serum leucine-rich α-2 glycoprotein 1 and fibroblast growth factor 21 levels with neovascular glaucoma
Zhong LUO ; He ZHOU ; Yi HUANG ; Wanjiang DONG
International Eye Science 2025;25(1):118-121
AIM: To investigate the correlation of serum leucine-rich α-2 glycoprotein 1(LRG1)and fibroblast growth factor 21(FGF-21)levels with neovascular glaucoma(NVG).METHODS: A total of 110 cases(110 eyes)with NVG admitted to the ophthalmology department from September 2020 to September 2022 were selected as NVG group, with 23 cases of grade II, 44 cases of grade III, and 43 cases of grade IV, while 90 sex and age matched cataract patients(90 eyes)were selected as control group. The levels of LRG1, FGF-21, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), pigment epithelium-derived factor(PEDF), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in serum were detected by ELISA; Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation of serum LRG1 and FGF-21 levels with Teich grade, VEGF, PEDF and TNF-α levels.RESULTS: The levels of serum LRG1, FGF-21, VEGF, PEDF and TNF-α in the NVG group were significantly higher than those in the control group(all P<0.01). With the increase of Teich grading, the levels of serum LRG1, FGF-21, VEGF, PEDF and TNF-α in NVG patients significantly increased in turn(all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the levels of LRG1 and FGF-21 in serum of NVG patients were positively correlated with the levels of VEGF, PEDF and TNF-α(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The levels of LRG1 and FGF-21 in serum of patients with NVG are obviously increased, which are positively correlated with the levels of VEGF, PEDF and TNF-α, both of which may be related to the development of NVG.
3.Serum Metabolomics of Simulated Weightless Rats Treated with Taikong Yangxin Pills
Xiaodi LIU ; Xuemei FAN ; Yiming WANG ; Mengjia YAN ; Yongzhi LI ; Jiaping WANG ; Junlian LIU ; Guoan LUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):147-153
ObjectiveTo study the effect of Taikong Yangxin Pills on the metabolism of simulated weightless rats based on metabolomics and discuss the metabolism mechanism. MethodsIn the simulated space capsule environment on the ground, the rat model of simulated weightlessness was established by the tail suspension method. Rats were randomly grouped as follows: out-of-capsule control, in-capsule control, model, and high (3.0 g·kg-1) and low (1.5 g·kg-1) doses of Taikong Yangxin Pills, and they were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 28 days. The serum levels of endogenous metabolites in rats were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS). The obtained data were processed by principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) to screen for differential metabolites and potential biomarkers. MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for pathway enrichment analysis to explain the metabolic regulation mechanism of the drug. ResultsCompared with the out-of-capsule control group, the in-capsule control group showed elevated levels of thirteen metabolites, including 14-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid (P<0.05), which suggested that the space capsule environment mainly affected the metabolism of α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid in the rats. Compared with the in-capsule control group, the model group showed lowered levels of fourteen metabolites, including 4-imidazolone-5-propionic acid, isocitric acid/citric acid, and L-tyrosine (P<0.05), which were recovered after the treatment with Taikong Yangxin pills (P<0.05). The pathway enrichment analysis revealed that weightlessness induced by tail suspension and drug intervention mainly involved the phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, histidine metabolism, and citric acid cycle. ConclusionThe simulated space capsule environment and simulated weightlessness induced by tail suspension can both affect the metabolism level of rats. Taikong Yangxin pills can ameliorate the metabolic abnormality in the rat model of weightlessness by regulating various amino acids and energy metabolism-related pathways.
4.Rapid Identification of Different Parts of Nardostachys jatamansi Based on HS-SPME-GC-MS and Ultra-fast Gas Phase Electronic Nose
Tao WANG ; Xiaoqin ZHAO ; Yang WEN ; Momeimei QU ; Min LI ; Jing WEI ; Xiaoming BAO ; Ying LI ; Yuan LIU ; Xiao LUO ; Wenbing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):182-191
ObjectiveTo establish a model that can quickly identify the aroma components in different parts of Nardostachys jatamansi, so as to provide a quality control basis for the market circulation and clinical use of N. jatamansi. MethodsHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-SPME-GC-MS) combined with Smart aroma database and National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST) database were used to characterize the aroma components in different parts of N. jatamansi, and the aroma components were quantified according to relative response factor(RRF) and three internal standards, and the markers of aroma differences in different parts of N. jatamansi were identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) and cluster thermal analysis based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value >1 and P<0.01. The odor data of different parts of N. jatamansi were collected by Heracles Ⅱ Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose, and the correlation between compound types of aroma components collected by the ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose and the detection results of HS-SPME-GC-MS was investigated by drawing odor fingerprints and odor response radargrams. Chromatographic peak information with distinguishing ability≥0.700 and peak area≥200 was selected as sensor data, and the rapid identification model of different parts of N. jatamansi was established by principal component analysis(PCA), discriminant factor alysis(DFA), soft independent modeling of class analogies(SIMCA) and statistical quality control analysis(SQCA). ResultsThe HS-SPME-GC-MS results showed that there were 28 common components in the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi, of which 22 could be quantified and 12 significantly different components were screened out. Among these 12 components, the contents of five components(ethyl isovalerate, 2-pentylfuran, benzyl alcohol, nonanal and glacial acetic acid,) in the aboveground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the underground part(P<0.01), the contents of β-ionone, patchouli alcohol, α-caryophyllene, linalyl butyrate, valencene, 1,8-cineole and p-cymene in the underground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the aboveground part(P<0.01). Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose results showed that the PCA discrimination index of the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi was 82, and the contribution rates of the principal component factors were 99.94% and 99.89% when 2 and 3 principal components were extracted, respectively. The contribution rate of the discriminant factor 1 of the DFA model constructed on the basis of PCA was 100%, the validation score of the SIMCA model for discrimination of the two parts was 99, and SQCA could clearly distinguish different parts of N. jatamansi. ConclusionHS-SPME-GC-MS can clarify the differential markers of underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi. The four analytical models provided by Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose(PCA, DFA, SIMCA and SQCA) can realize the rapid identification of different parts of N. jatamansi. Combining the two results, it is speculated that terpenes and carboxylic acids may be the main factors contributing to the difference in aroma between the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi.
5.Application Analysis of Animal Models of Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Based on Data Mining
Fangli LUO ; Luqiang SUN ; Yujun HOU ; Siqi WANG ; Ying LI ; Siyuan ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):219-226
ObjectiveBased on literature data mining, this study explores the modeling elements of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) animal models in China and abroad, providing references and suggestions for improving modeling methods and evaluation indicators. MethodsRelevant literature on IBS-D animal experiments from 2014 to 2024 was retrieved through computer searches in databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP, Chinese Medical Journals Full-text Database, and PubMed. Information on experimental animal species, gender, body weight, modeling methods, modeling periods, intervention controls, modeling standards, and detection indicators was organized. Microsoft Excel 2021 software was used to establish a database and perform statistical analysis to examine the characteristics of IBS-D animal models. ResultsA total of 398 articles that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. The IBS-D animal models were predominantly established using SD rats, Wistar rats, and C57BL/6 mice. Male animals were more commonly used, with rats typically aged 6-8 weeks and mice aged 4-6 weeks. In terms of interventions, piverium bromide was the main Western medicine, Tongxieyaofang was the primary Chinese medicine, and electroacupuncture was the primary acupuncture method. Among the modeling methods, the multi-factor combined composite modeling approach was the most common. Modeling periods were mainly concentrated between 1-14 days and 15-30 days. The success criteria for modeling were mainly evaluated based on the animal's general condition, fecal appearance, visceral sensitivity, gastrointestinal motility, behavior, and pathology. Detection indicators included apparent indexes, pathological markers, biochemical indicators, oxidative stress, brain-gut peptides, neurotransmitters, inflammatory factors, immune function, intestinal permeability, autophagy, apoptosis, proteins related to relevant signaling pathways, intestinal microbiota and its metabolites, etc. ConclusionThere are various methods for establishing IBS-D animal models, but no unified and universally accepted method has been established. The operation of the same modeling methods and the evaluation standards of the models vary across studies. Based on the results of data mining, the authors suggest that the multi-factor combined composite modeling approach most closely reflects the pathophysiological processes of IBS-D, better simulating the complex clinical symptoms of IBS-D patients, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, and has a high degree of clinical relevance. This method is relatively recommended. While animal models in general align with Western medicine standards, models incorporating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes are relatively few. Therefore, one of the future directions for research is to establish IBS-D animal models that meet the combined clinical disease and syndrome requirements of both Western and Chinese medicine.
6.Chinese Medicine Regulates Ferroptosis to Treat Lung Cancer: A Review
Cheng LUO ; Yuanhang YE ; Bo NING ; Jia KE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):268-278
This article provides a systematic review of the research progress in the mechanisms related to lung cancer and ferroptosis, ferroptosis-related lung cancer biomarkers and gene mutation targets, and ferroptosis-targeted regulation of Chinese medicine in treating lung cancer in the past five years, providing a feasible and effective basis for the prevention and treatment of lung cancer with Chinese medicine and the development of new drugs. According to the available studies, ferroptosis is widely suppressed in lung cancer, while the specific regulatory mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The suppression is related to lipid metabolism, iron metabolism, cystine/glutamate antiporter system Xc- (System Xc-)/glutathione (GSH)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1)/coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate [NAD(P)H], long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and p53. In modern times, traditional Chinese medicine is widely used in the comprehensive treatment of lung cancer, and it has gradually become a hot research topic due to its obvious advantages of anti-tumor activity, high efficacy, and low toxicity. Traditional Chinese medicine plays an important role in the treatment of lung cancer. Studies have shown that the active components, extracts, and prescriptions of Chinese medicine can induce ferroptosis in lung cancer cells through targeted regulation of iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, and p53, Nrf2, LncRNA, and GPX4 pathways to inhibit the growth and proliferation of lung cancer, thus exerting anti-tumor effects. Therefore, regulating ferroptosis is expected to become a new direction for preventing lung cancer. Basic research has shown that Chinese medicine can regulate ferroptosis via multiple targets and pathways in the treatment of lung cancer. At present, Chinese medicine demonstrates great research prospects in regulating ferroptosis to treat lung cancer, which, howeve, still faces challenges to achieve clinical transformation.
7.Pharmacological Effect of Berberine on Alzheimer's Disease: A Review
Xuejing WANG ; Guangcheng ZHONG ; Shuting LI ; Qian ZHANG ; Bojie LUO ; Qi WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):286-294
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a degenerative disease of the central nervous system, is characterized by progressive degradation of learning, memory, and cognitive functions. Currently, few drugs are available for treating AD, and their effects are limited. Berberine (BBR) is a natural isoquinoline (quaternary ammonium-like) with a wide range of pharmacological effects. Studies have proven that BBR has good potential in the treatment of AD. Specifically, BBR can inhibit the generation, aggregation, and neurotoxicity of amyloid-β and the hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein, promote the clearance of phosphorylated Tau protein, reduce the cholinesterase activity, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress, regulate neuronal apoptosis, improve the mitochondrial function and glucose and lipid metabolism, suppress the monoamine oxidase activity, and modulate gut microbiota. In addition, researchers have ameliorated the low bioavailability of BBR. Probing into the potential targets is hoped to provide a reference for further research on the prevention and treatment of AD by BBR.
8.Sex differences in the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating patients with non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Xindong LUO ; Ziqiang HONG ; Baiqiang CUI ; Tao CHENG ; Yunjiu GOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(02):237-243
Objective To systematically review the sex differences in efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods We conducted a computer search of Medline, The Cochrane Library, and EMbase from inception to November 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of ICIs in patients with NSCLC. A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. Results Finally 16 RCTs with a total of 9 653 patients were included, and the modified Jadad scale score was≥4 points. Meta-analysis results showed that in female NSCLC patients receiving immune therapy, the median overall survival (OS) [HR=0.72, 95%CI (0.61, 0.85), P<0.001] was longer than that in males [HR=0.73, 95%CI (0.69, 0.78), P<0.001]. Males [HR=0.64, 95%CI (0.58, 0.71), P<0.001] had an advantage over females [HR=0.76, 95%CI (0.57, 1.03), P=0.760] in median progression-free survival (PFS). Conclusion Females receiving ICIs have an advantage over males in terms of median OS. However, males tend to derive greater benefit from ICIs in terms of median PFS.
9.Advances of clinical trials related to Resmetirom as an approved new drug for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis
Aifang LIU ; Lei LUO ; Wenlong YANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(1):145-150
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease is the largest liver disease around the world and is a serious public health hazard, but there has always been a lack of drugs approved for treatment. On March 14, 2024, Resmetirom became the first drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). This article summarizes the mechanism of action of Resmetirom in the treatment of MASH, related clinical trial designs, and some research results and analyzes shortcomings and future prospects. Current data have shown that Resmetirom is effective in improving steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis, but there is still a large gap between Resmetirom and the ideal drug for the treatment of MASH, and it is expected to develop more effective drugs for MASH.
10.Time-series study on the impact of atmospheric fine particulate matter PM2.5 on short-term pulmonary function in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Taiyuan City
Yingying SHAO ; Chen WANG ; Anfeng CUI ; Haodong WANG ; Tian-e LUO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(1):18-22
Objective To explore the effect of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Taiyuan City on short-term pulmonary function in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Among the 1 015 elderly COPD patients admitted to the respiratory departments of five general hospitals in Taiyuan City from December 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively selected for research; medical records, air pollutant data and meteorological data were analyzed; the relationship between PM2.5 and lung function indicators and air pollutants was analyzed; the impact of PM2.5 on lung function and its lag effect were analyzed; the cumulative effect of PM2.5 concentration on the risk of pulmonary ventilation dysfunction was analyzed; The influence of gender and age on the relationship between PM2.5 and patients ' short-term pulmonary function was analyzed. Results PM2.5, respirable particulate matter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO) were negatively correlated with average temperature and average humidity (P<0.05) ; Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3) were negatively correlated with average temperature (P<0.05) ; There was a positive correlation among PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, NO2, and O3 (P<0.05) ; Elevated PM2.5 is an independent risk factor for decreased lung function and increased air pollutants (P<0.05) ; At lag0 and lag1, PM2.5 concentration was negatively correlated with lung function in a dose-response manner (P<0.05); daily average PM2.5 concentration at lag0 was a dangerous effect (P<0.05). Conclusion The impact of PM2.5 concentration on lung function has a certain time lag. An increase in PM2.5 concentrations can lead to a decline in lung function.


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