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.Animal Model of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Intervention Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Jiyu ZOU ; Lijian PANG ; Tianjiao WANG ; Ningzi ZANG ; Zhongxue ZHAO ; Yongming LIU ; Qi SI ; Tianya CAO ; Xuenan MA ; Ying WANG ; Jiaran WANG ; Xiaodong LYU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):294-303
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as one of the three major causes of death, is a complex systemic disease with high prevalence, high mortality, high disability, frequent acute exacerbations, and a variety of pulmonary complications. The pathogenesis is complex. Western medicine has no effective specificity scheme for a complete cure. However, multiple-component and multiple-target characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) demonstrate significant advantages in COPD treatment through multi-link, multi-pathway, and multi-mechanism intervention. Therefore, exploring the essence of COPD pathogenesis and discovering effective TCM treatment drugs through the application of TCM principles and prescriptions is a key focus of modern research. Animal models are of paramount importance in medical research. It is the first consideration to select appropriate animals, adopt reasonable modeling methods to replicate stable animal models that closely resemble the clinical manifestations and pathophysiological characteristics of COPD, and use appropriate evaluation methods to determine the success of COPD animal models in experimental research. The core of experimental research lies in observing the intervention effect of TCM on COPD animal models, exploring the specific pathways and regulatory mechanisms of TCM on COPD disease, and finding TCM monomers, single herbs, and TCM formulas with definite curative effects. At present, animal model research on COPD mainly involves model establishment, model evaluation, efficacy observation, mechanism exploration, and other aspects. In recent years, there has been no systematic organization, update, and reflection on the relevant research on TCM intervention in COPD animal models. This study reviewed the selection of animals for the COPD model, methods for establishing COPD animal models, model evaluation methods, and the intervention effects of TCM on COPD animal models. It aims to grasp the current research status and identify existing problems for further improvement, in order to provide evidence and support for scientific research and clinical treatment of COPD.
3.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.
4.Animal Model of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Intervention Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Jiyu ZOU ; Lijian PANG ; Tianjiao WANG ; Ningzi ZANG ; Zhongxue ZHAO ; Yongming LIU ; Qi SI ; Tianya CAO ; Xuenan MA ; Ying WANG ; Jiaran WANG ; Xiaodong LYU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):294-303
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as one of the three major causes of death, is a complex systemic disease with high prevalence, high mortality, high disability, frequent acute exacerbations, and a variety of pulmonary complications. The pathogenesis is complex. Western medicine has no effective specificity scheme for a complete cure. However, multiple-component and multiple-target characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) demonstrate significant advantages in COPD treatment through multi-link, multi-pathway, and multi-mechanism intervention. Therefore, exploring the essence of COPD pathogenesis and discovering effective TCM treatment drugs through the application of TCM principles and prescriptions is a key focus of modern research. Animal models are of paramount importance in medical research. It is the first consideration to select appropriate animals, adopt reasonable modeling methods to replicate stable animal models that closely resemble the clinical manifestations and pathophysiological characteristics of COPD, and use appropriate evaluation methods to determine the success of COPD animal models in experimental research. The core of experimental research lies in observing the intervention effect of TCM on COPD animal models, exploring the specific pathways and regulatory mechanisms of TCM on COPD disease, and finding TCM monomers, single herbs, and TCM formulas with definite curative effects. At present, animal model research on COPD mainly involves model establishment, model evaluation, efficacy observation, mechanism exploration, and other aspects. In recent years, there has been no systematic organization, update, and reflection on the relevant research on TCM intervention in COPD animal models. This study reviewed the selection of animals for the COPD model, methods for establishing COPD animal models, model evaluation methods, and the intervention effects of TCM on COPD animal models. It aims to grasp the current research status and identify existing problems for further improvement, in order to provide evidence and support for scientific research and clinical treatment of COPD.
5.Sesquiterpene ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum Improves Neuroinflammation by Regulating JNK Phosphorylation
Ziyu YIN ; Yun GAO ; Junjiao WANG ; Weigang XUE ; Xueping PANG ; Huiting LIU ; Yunfang ZHAO ; Huixia HUO ; Jun LI ; Jiao ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):139-145
ObjectiveTo study the pharmacological substances and mechanisms through which sesquiterpene ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum improves neuroinflammation. MethodsBV-2 microglial cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce neuroinflammation. The cells were divided into the normal group, the model group, and the ZH-13 low- and high-dose treatment groups (10, 20 μmol·L-1). The model group was treated with 1 μmol·L-1 LPS. Cell viability was assessed using the cell proliferation and activity assay (CCK-8 kit). Nitric oxide (NO) release in the cell supernatant was measured using a nitric oxide kit (Griess method). The mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway proteins was assessed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group, ZH-13 dose-dependently reduced NO release from BV-2 cells under LPS stimulation (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the 20 μmol·L-1 ZH-13 treatment group, the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-6 were significantly reduced compared to the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In both the low- and high-dose ZH-13 groups, the expression of the inflammatory factor TNF-α and the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the upstream MAPK pathway were significantly reduced (P<0.05). After stimulation with the JNK agonist anisomycin (Ani), both low- and high-dose ZH-13 treatment groups showed reduced phosphorylation of JNK proteins compared to the Ani-treated group (P<0.01). ConclusionThe sesquiterpene compound ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum significantly ameliorates LPS-induced neuroinflammatory responses in BV-2 cells by inhibiting excessive JNK phosphorylation and reducing TNF-α expression. These findings elucidate the pharmacological substances and mechanisms underlying the sedative and calming effects of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum.
6.Pathogenesis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Modulating Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Jiyu ZOU ; Tianjiao WANG ; Ningzi ZANG ; Yongming LIU ; Lijian PANG ; Linlin WANG ; Xiaodong LYU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):287-298
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as a chronic respiratory disease that can be prevented and intervened but cannot be completely cured, has increasing incidence and mortality rates year by year, often complicated by one or more comorbidities. However, there is currently no specific treatment available. Therefore, the healthcare issues related to COPD are urgent and prominent. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) delays the progression of COPD through multiple mechanisms, pathways, and targets. As a result, exploring the pathogenesis of COPD and identifying TCM treatment approaches and effective prescriptions are key issues that urgently need to be addressed in clinical practice. In TCM, COPD is categorized into syndromes such as "cough", "asthma", and "lung distension". It is believed that the deficiency in the origin runs through the entire disease. When external pathogens invade, Qi becomes disordered, and phlegm and blood stasis begin to accumulate, leading to an excess condition in the manifestation. Modern medicine research on the pathogenesis of COPD mainly involves aspects such as inflammatory response, oxidative stress, autophagy imbalance, and aging. Studies have found that Chinese medicine monomers, single herbs, and compound prescriptions can improve COPD by inhibiting inflammation, reducing oxidative damage, correcting autophagy, and delaying aging. However, there is no study that intuitively organizes the various pathogenesis mechanisms of COPD and their interrelationships. At the same time, research on the therapeutic effects of TCM on COPD primarily focuses on exploring a single mechanism or pathway, without integrating multiple mechanisms, pathways, and targets. Additionally, there are very few studies that summarize the corresponding relationships between the various pathogenesis mechanisms of COPD and the regulatory effects and signaling pathways of Chinese medicine. This study, for the first time, combines the latest literature in China and abroad to explain the various pathogenesis mechanisms of COPD and their interrelationships using a combination of graphs, text, and tables. It also outlines the signaling pathways, targets, and mechanisms of Chinese medicine monomers, single herbs, and compound prescriptions in regulating COPD, in order to provide new ideas and strategies for the in-depth research and systematic treatment of COPD with TCM.
7.Analysis of plasma metabonomic characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with turbid toxin accumulation syndrome
Ziqi ZHAO ; Pai PANG ; Yue REN ; Bin WANG ; Yuntao MA ; Qianjing YANG ; Shentao WU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):34-42
Objective:
To explore the plasma metabonomic characteristics of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome.
Methods:
One hundred and three patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome were enrolled from November 2023 to February 2024 in the First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and 54 healthy individuals were recruited. The general data of the two groups were analyzed, and the plasma metabolite content was detected using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap mass spectrometry. Construct an orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis model to screen metabolites with significant intergroup changes. The variable importance in projection≥ 1, |log2FC|>1, and P<0.05 were used as the criteria for the screening of differential metabolites. Annotate differential metabolites using internal databases and the human metabolome database, and perform pathway analysis using MetaboAnalyst website.
Results:
There was no statistically significant difference in gender and age between the two groups.Seventeen potential differential metabolites were identified. The D-4′-phosphopantothenate, 2, 6-dichloroindophenol, 4-methylphenol, hypoxanthine, 11, 12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, oleamide, 3-phenyllactic acid contents were higher in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome than in healthy individuals(P<0.05); 3-anisic acid, 3-iodo-octadecanoic acid, mebendazole, β-alanine, citric acid, trans-aconitic acid, geranyl diphosphate, lysophosphatidylcholine(18∶2), phosphatidylethanolamine(18∶1), and caprolactam contents were lower in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome than in healthy individuals(P<0.05). Ten metabolic pathways were identified, including the key metabolic pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis pathways.
Conclusion
Metabolic differences were observed between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome and healthy individuals, and the underlying mechanism may involve the pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis pathways, jointly mediated by D-4′-phosphopantothenate and β-alanine.
8.Modified Ditan Tang Regulates Biorhythm-related Genes in Rat Model of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Zhiwen PANG ; Yu LIU ; Nan SONG ; Jie WANG ; Jingxuan ZHU ; Zhen HUA ; Yupeng PEI ; Qun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):115-124
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of modified Ditan tang on genes related to the transcription-translation feedback loop (TTFL) of biorhythm in the rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its mechanism for prevention and treatment of NAFLD. MethodsSixty-five healthy SPF male SD rats were randomly assigned into blank (n=20), model (n=15), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (2.68, 5.36, and 10.72 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively) modified Ditan tang (n=10) groups. Other groups except the blank group were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. The modified Ditan tang groups were treated with the decoction at corresponding doses by gavage, and the blank and model groups were treated with an equal volume of normal saline from the 9th week for 4 weeks. The levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the serum were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer. TG and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) assay kits were used to measure the levels of TG and NEFA in the liver. The pathological changes in the hypothalamus and liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the lipid deposition in the liver was observed by oil red O staining. The levels of brain-muscle ARNT-like protein 1 (BMAL1/ARNTL) in the hypothalamus and liver were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA and protein levels of BMAL1, circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK), period circadian clock 2 (PER2), and cryptochrome1 (Cry1) in the hypothalamus and liver were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed elevated levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, AST, and ALT (P<0.01) and a lowered level of HDL-C (P<0.05) in the serum, elevated levels of TG and NEFA in the liver (P<0.01), pyknosis and deep staining of hypothalamic neuron cells, and a large number of vacuoles in the brain area. In addition, the model group showed lipid deposition in the liver, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 (P<0.01), and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Cry1 and PER2 (P<0.01) in the hypothalamus and liver. Compared with the model group, all the three modified Ditan tang groups showed lowered levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, ALT, and AST (P<0.05, P<0.01) and an elevated level of HDL-C (P<0.05) in the serum, and lowered levels of TG and NEFA (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the liver. Furthermore, the three groups showed alleviated pyknosis and deep staining of hypothalamic neuron cells, reduced lipid deposition in the liver, down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Cry1 and PER2 (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the hypothalamus and liver. ConclusionModified Ditan tang can reduce lipid deposition in the liver and regulate the expression of CLOCK, BMAL1, Cry1, and PER2 in the TTFL of NAFLD rats.
9.Pathogenesis and Treatment Strategies of Tumor Angiogenesis Based on the Theory "Latent Wind in Collaterals"
Zhenqing PU ; Guibin WANG ; Chenyang ZHANG ; Yi LI ; Bo PANG ; Baojin HUA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(2):139-144
This article combined the pathogenic characteristics of "latent wind" with the theory of collateral diseases to clarify the pathological features of tumor blood vessels, including their active proliferation, high permeabi-lity, and promotion of metastasis. The theory framework of "latent wind in collaterals" as the tumor mechanism was proposed, which suggests that at the site of tumor lesions, the collaterals inherit the nature of latent wind to grow excessively, adopt an open and discharge nature to leak essence, and tumor toxins, characterized by their rapid movement and frequent changes, spread and metastasize, driving the progression of malignant tumors. Focusing on the fundamental pathogenesis of "latent wind in collaterals", specific clinical treatment principles and methods centered on treating wind are proposed, including regulating qi and dispelling wind, clearing heat and extinguishing wind, unblocking collaterals and expelling wind, and reinforcing healthy qi to calm wind, so as to provide references for enhancing the precision of traditional Chinese medicine in treating malignant tumors.
10.Exploring Immune Mechanism of Alveolar Epithelial Homeostasis in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Based on Principle of "Spleen being in Charge of Defensive Function"
Jie CHEN ; Lijian PANG ; Ningzi ZANG ; Jingyu WANG ; Siyu LI ; Yuanyu LIANG ; XU XINZHU ; Ping LEI ; Xiaodong LYU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):259-264
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) can be classified as pulmonary collateral disease,and its pathogenesis is mainly characterized by the loss of Qi meridian nourishment,the loss of Yin meridian nourishment,and the formation of blood stasis in the blood vessels. Qi Yin deficiency is the pathological basis that runs through IPF,and obstruction of meridians and collaterals is a key element in the development of the disease. The dysfunction of "spleen being in charge of the defensive function" is closely related to the formation of the pathological pattern of "lung deficiency and collateral stasis" in IPF. The term "spleen being in charge of the defensive function" originated from the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon. If the spleen is healthy,the Qi will be filled with vitality. Positive energy is stored inside,evil cannot be dried up. Its concept is quite similar to the immune defense function in modern medicine. If the principle of "spleen being in charge of the defensive function" is lost,the key structure and function of the IPF alveolar epithelial barrier may be abnormal,and it can interact with various innate immune cells to promote inflammation and fibrosis processes. Therefore,this article explains the imbalance of immune homeostasis in IPF alveolar epithelium from two aspects:the barrier function of alveolar epithelial cells(AECs) and their interaction with innate immune cells. And based on the theory of "spleen being in charge of the defensive function",using traditional Chinese medicine for strengthening the spleen and nourishing Qi to treat IPF from the perspective of the spleen. This not only strengthens the scientific connotation of "spleen being in charge of the defensive function" in the pathogenesis of IPF,but also provides new research directions and ideas for its future clinical prevention and treatment.


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