1.Active Components of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Its Compound in Treatment of Nervous System Diseases: A Review
Weining SONG ; Shuxiang ZHANG ; Fang LU ; Zhize WANG ; Ruyang CHENG ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):303-313
Nervous system diseases, also known as neuropathies, encompass a wide range of conditions, primarily including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders, as well as depression, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, vascular dementia, and other neurological diseases. These diseases pose serious threats to the health and lives of patients, bringing heavy burdens to society and families. The pathogenesis of nervous system diseases is highly complex, involving mechanisms such as neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, brain-derived neurotrophic factor deficiency, reduced cholinergic activity, axonal injury, and demyelination. In recent years, the incidence and mortality of nervous system diseases have been rising annually. Currently, western medicine primarily focuses on symptomatic treatment, often accompanied by many adverse reactions, including lethargy, excessive sedation, dizziness, headaches, tachycardia, liver function damage, metabolic disorders, and incomplete recovery after surgery. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma has effects such as promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, cooling the blood, clearing the heart, nourishing the blood, and calming the nerves. It can play a role in the treatment and protection against nervous system diseases through multiple targets, pathways, and mechanisms. Studies have found that the water-soluble phenolic acids and fat-soluble diterpenoid quinones in Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma are the main active ingredients for the treatment of nervous system diseases. This paper summarized the effects of the active components and compounds of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma on nervous system diseases over the past ten years, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and research ideas for the development and application of active components and compounds of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in nervous system diseases.
2.Tension hydrocele: report of 2 cases and literature review
Xun ZHAO ; Shumin WANG ; Min QIU ; Chuxiao XU ; Guoliang WANG ; Shudong ZHANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(1):69-72
[Objective] To explore the diagnosis and treatment experience of tension hydrocele. [Methods] The clinical data of 2 patients with tension hydrocele treated in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Relevant literature was retrieved to analyze the clinical characteristics of this disease. [Results] Case 1 was diagnosed due to swelling and pain of the left scrotum after trauma for more than one month, which worsened for one day.Physical examination showed high tension in the left scrotum and positive light transmission test.Ultrasound examination revealed that the blood flow signal in the left testis disappeared.Emergency left scrotal exploration and hydrocelectomy were performed.There was no sign of testis torsion during the operation.Case 2 was diagnosed mainly due to hydrocele of the right testis for 1 year, which worsened for 1 week and complicated with testis distension and pain.Physical examination showed high tension in the right scrotum and positive light transmission test.Ultrasound examination revealed that the blood flow signal in the right testis decreased.After 40ml of fluid was extracted under ultrasound monitoring, the blood flow signal in the right testis recovered.Hydrocelectomy was performed the next day.During the follow-up of 8 months, there was no recurrence of hydrocele.A search of domestic and foreign literature showed that there were no reports in domestic literature, while a total of 11 cases were reported in foreign literature. [Conclusion] Tension hydrocele of the testis is a rare emergency of the scrotum.Surgery or decompression should be performed as soon as possible to restore testicular blood supply, and hydrocelectomy should be performed simultaneously or in stages to prevent recurrence.
3.Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine Against Gouty Arthritis via Regulating Nrf2 Signaling Pathway: A Review
Siyi CHEN ; Shumin HUANG ; Yushan ZHAO ; Jiajin LIN ; Qian SHI ; Yefeng CHEN ; Yize ZHANG ; Zhongwen ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):323-330
Gouty arthritis (GA) is an inflammatory disorder caused by monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition, accompanied by elevated oxidative stress and aberrant release of inflammatory cytokines, resulting in joint tissue damage and intense pain. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a key transcription factor regulating the antioxidant defence system, exerts cytoprotective effects through dissociation from Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and activates downstream antioxidant response element (ARE)-mediated pathways. It can upregulate the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione transferase (GST) to preserve redox homeostasis. Moreover, Nrf2 can suppress activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production and release, modulate nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcriptional activity, regulate gut microbiota balance, enhance mitophagy, and inhibit apoptosis, so as to reduce joint inflammation and pain and promote body recovery. This review systematically examined recent advancements in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for GA prevention and treatment via regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. It delineated Nrf2's molecular mechanisms and its role in GA pathogenesis and elucidated how TCM intervenes in multiple pathways including Keap1/Nrf2/ARE, Nrf2/HO-1(NQO1), and Nrf2/NF-κB/NLRP3 to exert therapeutic effects. The study demonstrated that TCM monomers and compounds effectively counteract oxidative damage, attenuate inflammatory responses, promote autophagy, and inhibit apoptosis via regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. These findings not only clarify the scientific basis of TCM in GA treatment but also offer strategic insights for developing novel Nrf2-targeted anti-gout drugs.
4.Coagulation abnormalities in acute decompensated cirrhosis comorbid with infection: A prospective observational study based on thromboelastography
Ruiqing ZHANG ; Shumin CAI ; Xiuhua JIANG ; Jianming HUANG ; Beiling LI ; Jinjun CHEN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(5):907-913
ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in coagulation system in acute decompensated cirrhosis (ADC) patients with or without sepsis and the association of these changes with short-term prognosis. MethodsA prospective study was conducted among 116 ADC patients who were hospitalized in Nanfang Hospital from January 2021 to July 2023, among whom there were 86 patients with sepsis and 30 patients without sepsis, and 54 patients with sepsis alone who had no chronic liver disease were enrolled as control group. Thromboelastography (TEG) and other conventional coagulation parameters were used to comprehensively evaluate the coagulation function of patients. The data including TEG results and short-term prognosis were collected, and a correlation analysis was performed. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated to investigate the correlation between different variables. The Logistic regression model was used to perform the univariate and multivariate analyses. ResultsFor the ADC patients with sepsis, the lungs and bloodstream were the main infection sites, and bacteria were the main pathogenic microorganism. TEG results showed that compared with the patients with sepsis alone, the patients with ADC and sepsis had a significant reduction in median maximum amplitude (MA), a significant increase in coagulation time (K time), and a significant reduction in α angle (all P<0.05); the patients with ADC and sepsis had a significantly longer reaction time (R time) than those with ADC alone (P=0.02), and the patients with sepsis alone had a significantly longer R time than those with ADC and sepsis (P=0.04). There was no correlation between MA and platelet count in the patients with ADC and sepsis (r=-0.133, P=0.057), while there was a significant correlation between MA and platelet count in the patients with sepsis alone (r=0.595, P=0.001). SOFA score was negatively correlated with MA in sepsis patients with or without ADC (r=-0.503 and -0.561, both P<0.001), and for the patients with ADC and sepsis, R time, K time, and α angle were weakly correlated with SOFA score and had a relatively strong correlation with APTT (all P<0.05). The patients with ADC alone all survived within 90 days, and compared with the death group, the patients with sepsis alone who survived had significantly higher values of MA and α angle (all P<0.05); there was a significant difference in α angle on day 90 between the survival group and the death group, no matter whether the patients were comorbid with ADC or not (both P<0.01), while for the patients with ADC and sepsis, there was no significant difference in MA value on day 90 between the survival group and the death group (P>0.05). ConclusionFor ADC patients comorbid with sepsis, coagulation function assessment and monitoring should be taken seriously in clinical practice, and TEG parameters and SOFA score should be monitored when necessary to develop individualized treatment regimens.
5.Application of Lycii Fructus and Its Compound Formulas in Central Nervous System Diseases: A Review
Ruyang CHENG ; Weining SONG ; Xin JIANG ; Yehao WANG ; Chi ZHANG ; Zhendong ZHANG ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):273-281
The pathogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) diseases is complex, seriously affecting patients' physical and mental health and imposing a heavy economic burden on society. Western medicine shows limited efficacy in treating CNS diseases and is often associated with numerous adverse reactions and contraindications. Chinese medicine Lycii Fructus exhibits multiple pharmacological effects, including immune regulation, enhancement of hematopoietic function, liver protection, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, antipyretic, anti-aging, and anti-radiation activities, and has gradually been applied in clinical treatment. In recent years, the active components of Lycii Fructus have attracted considerable attention for their potential therapeutic effects on CNS diseases. Studies indicate that these active components may exert neuroprotective effects through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions, inhibition of neuronal apoptosis, and repair of neuronal damage, involving multiple targets and pathways. This review summarizes the therapeutic effects of Lycii Fructus active components in CNS diseases over the past decade by searching PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and other electronic databases, aiming to provide new treatment strategies and insights for future research on Lycii Fructus in CNS disorders.
6.Temporal-spatial Generation of Astrocytes in the Developing Diencephalon.
Wentong HONG ; Pifang GONG ; Xinjie PAN ; Zhonggan REN ; Yitong LIU ; Guibo QI ; Jun-Liszt LI ; Wenzhi SUN ; Woo-Ping GE ; Chun-Li ZHANG ; Shumin DUAN ; Song QIN
Neuroscience Bulletin 2024;40(1):1-16
Astrocytes are the largest glial population in the mammalian brain. However, we have a minimal understanding of astrocyte development, especially fate specification in different regions of the brain. Through lineage tracing of the progenitors of the third ventricle (3V) wall via in-utero electroporation in the embryonic mouse brain, we show the fate specification and migration pattern of astrocytes derived from radial glia along the 3V wall. Unexpectedly, radial glia located in different regions along the 3V wall of the diencephalon produce distinct cell types: radial glia in the upper region produce astrocytes and those in the lower region produce neurons in the diencephalon. With genetic fate mapping analysis, we reveal that the first population of astrocytes appears along the zona incerta in the diencephalon. Astrogenesis occurs at an early time point in the dorsal region relative to that in the ventral region of the developing diencephalon. With transcriptomic analysis of the region-specific 3V wall and lateral ventricle (LV) wall, we identified cohorts of differentially-expressed genes in the dorsal 3V wall compared to the ventral 3V wall and LV wall that may regulate astrogenesis in the dorsal diencephalon. Together, these results demonstrate that the generation of astrocytes shows a spatiotemporal pattern in the developing mouse diencephalon.
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7.Boosting synergism of chemo- and immuno-therapies via switching paclitaxel-induced apoptosis to mevalonate metabolism-triggered ferroptosis by bisphosphonate coordination lipid nanogranules.
Ge SONG ; Minghui LI ; Shumin FAN ; Mengmeng QIN ; Bin SHAO ; Wenbing DAI ; Hua ZHANG ; Xueqing WANG ; Bing HE ; Qiang ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):836-853
Conventional chemotherapy based on cytotoxic drugs is facing tough challenges recently following the advances of monoclonal antibodies and molecularly targeted drugs. It is critical to inspire new potential to remodel the value of this classical therapeutic strategy. Here, we fabricate bisphosphonate coordination lipid nanogranules (BC-LNPs) and load paclitaxel (PTX) to boost the chemo- and immuno-therapeutic synergism of cytotoxic drugs. Alendronate in BC-LNPs@PTX, a bisphosphonate to block mevalonate metabolism, works as both the structure and drug constituent in nanogranules, where alendronate coordinated with calcium ions to form the particle core. The synergy of alendronate enhances the efficacy of paclitaxel, suppresses tumor metastasis, and alters the cytotoxic mechanism. Differing from the paclitaxel-induced apoptosis, the involvement of alendronate inhibits the mevalonate metabolism, changes the mitochondrial morphology, disturbs the redox homeostasis, and causes the accumulation of mitochondrial ROS and lethal lipid peroxides (LPO). These factors finally trigger the ferroptosis of tumor cells, an immunogenic cell death mode, which remodels the suppressive tumor immune microenvironment and synergizes with immunotherapy. Therefore, by switching paclitaxel-induced apoptosis to mevalonate metabolism-triggered ferroptosis, BC-LNPs@PTX provides new insight into the development of cytotoxic drugs and highlights the potential of metabolism regulation in cancer therapy.
8.Effect of Cannabidiol on Pulmonary Fibrosis Analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS
Mengdi SUN ; Feiyu ZHANG ; Huicong YANG ; Yu WANG ; Pingping CHEN ; Fang LU ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(12):185-193
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of anti-pulmonary fibrosis of cannabidiol by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). MethodSD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, prednisone group(3.15 mg·kg-1) and cannabidiol low, medium and high dose groups(12, 36, 108 mg·kg-1), with 8 rats in each group. The rat model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by intratracheal injection of bleomycin(5 mg·kg-1), which was administered continuously for 28 days after successful modeling. The pathological changes of rat lung tissue were observed, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-7(MMP-7), type Ⅱ alveolar cell surface antigen(KL-6), pulmonary surfactant-associated protein A(SP-A) and SP-D in serum. The expression levels of type Ⅰ collagen(Col-Ⅰ) and fibronectin(FN) in lung tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of mucin 5 subtype AC(MUC5AC) was detected by immunofluorescence. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to search for potential biomarkers and related metabolic pathways of cannabidiol in treating pulmonary fibrosis. ResultCompared with the blank group, there were a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration and continuous fibrosis lesions in the lung tissue of rats in the model group. Compared with the model group, the inflammatory infiltration and blue collagen deposition in the lung tissue of rats in the prednisone and cannabidiol groups were reduced. Compared with the blank group, the expressions of MMP-7, KL-6, SP-A and SP-D in serum of the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01), while the expressions of MMP-7, KL-6, SP-A and SP-D in the prednisone and cannabidiol high dose groups were significantly decreased by comparing with the model group(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the expression levels of Col-Ⅰ and FN in the lung tissues of the model group were significantly increased, and the fluorescence intensity of MUC5AC was significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression levels of Col-Ⅰ and FN in the lung tissues of the prednisone and cannabidiol high dose groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the expression of MUC5AC was significantly decreased(P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, a total of 18 differential compounds were screened out in the model group, which could be used as potential biomarkers, and cannabidiol could call back 16 of them, mainly involving 4 metabolic pathways(linoleic acid metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, and niacin and niacinamide metabolism). Compared with the blank group, the relative contents of potential biomarkers arachidonic acid and linoleic acid were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.05, P<0.01), while the relative contents of 5,6-EET, L-tyrosine and niacinamide were significantly decreased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, cannabidiol could significantly reduce the relative contents of arachidonic acid and linoleic acid, and significantly increase the relative contents of 5,6-EET, L-tyrosine and niacinamide(P<0.01). ConclusionCannabidiol has an intervention and remission effect on pulmonary fibrosis, and its mechanism may be related to linoleic acid metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, niacin and niacinamide metabolism.
9.Effects of dexmedetomidine in perioperative period on pain, oxidative stress and adverse reactions after radical breast cancer surgery
Hong LI ; Jianjian LIU ; Shumin WEI ; Mujiao XI ; Fazhan ZHANG ; Shoukai ZONG ; Nana CHI ; Qingxiang CAO
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2024;18(1):104-108
Objective:To explore the effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on postoperative pain, oxidative stress and adverse reactions in patients undergoing radical mastectomy.Methods:A total of 90 patients with breast cancer who received radical surgical treatment in our hospital from Jun. 2022 to Jun. 2023 were prospectively included as research objects and randomly divided into 3 groups with 30 patients in each group. DEX group was applied before, during and after surgery, respectively. The levels of pain visual analogue scale (VAS), Richmonation sedation score (RASS), superoxide dismu-tase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were recorded.Results:The recovery time and extubation time in preoperative and intraoperative DEX group were significantly lower than those in postoperative DEX group, and the awakening time and extubation time in preoperative DEX group were significantly lower than those in intraoperative DEX group ( F value was 48.62 and 53.98, respectively, P<0.001). At 1 h, 6 h and 12 h after surgery, the VAS and RASS scores of patients in the preoperative and intraoperative DEX group were significantly lower than those in the postoperative DEX group, compared with those in the intraoperative DEX group. The VAS and RASS scores in the DEX group were significantly decreased ( F value: 62.34, 55.24, 69.26, 36.82, 24.20, 39.97, P<0.001). At 24h after surgery, there was no significant difference in VAS and RASS scores among the three groups ( F value was 0.45 and 0.81, respectively, P value was 0.613 and 0.418). Immediately after surgery, 24 h after surgery, 72 h after surgery, the SOD level of DEX group was significantly higher than that of DEX group before and during surgery ( F value was 29.37, 33.24, 10.35, P<0.001). MDA levels were significantly lower than those in postoperative DEX group ( F value was 30.52, 41.27, 8.26, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions among all groups ( P>0.05) . Conclusion:Preoperative and intraoperative application of DEX can reduce postoperative pain and oxidative stress in breast cancer patients, help patients recover quickly after surgery, and preoperative application is superior to intraoperative application.
10.FOS expression in oxytocin and vasopressin positive neurons in paraventricular nucleus of mice induced by diabetes
Shumin WANG ; Peng JIA ; Shuting REN ; Siting LYU ; Ting ZHANG ; Yanling YANG ; Juan SHI
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2024;40(1):35-42
Objective:To explore the feature of FOS expression in oxytocin-and vasopressin-positive neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus(PVN)under different status of diabetes mellitus(DM).Methods:Intraperito-neal injection of vehicle or STZ in mice was conducted to establish control or diabetes model.Mechanical sensitivity was evaluated by von Frey filament tests to distinguish diabetic neuropathic pain(DNP)from without-pain group(DWP).The expression of FOS,oxytocin(OXT)-and vasopressin(VP)-positive neurons,as well as their double labeling was detected by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining.Cell counting and comparison were made in groups.Results:FOS expression was easily detected in the PVN in the three groups(Control group,DNP group and DWP group)at 7 days,while that in DWP and DNP groups at 28 days was hardly detectable,with the number being signifi-cantly different from the 7 days group(P<0.05 or 0.001).Likewise,compared with the control group,immunofluo-rescent signals for VP and OXT staining in the DNP and DWP groups also showed a trend of weakening as the modeling time increased(P<0.05).The cell counting after double staining for VP or OXT with FOS showed that,in the DWP group at 7 days,the number of VP and FOS double-labeled neurons was 74.33±22.10,accounting for(56.64± 7.52)%of VP-positive cells,whereas the double labeling rate for OXT and FOS was only(10.44±3.14)%.In the DNP group at 7 days,the number of OXT and FOS double-labeled neurons was 51.00±31.80,accounting for(18.50 ±9.51)%of OXT-positive neurons,whereas the double labeling rate for VP and FOS was only(9.34±3.27)%.In contrast to these changes in 7 days group,the expression of FOS decreased sharply in the group of 28 days,thereby al-most no double-labeled neurons.Conclusion:The plasticity changes of oxytocin-and vasopressin-positive neurons in the PVN are different depending on the status of pain and non-pain,and the stage of disease progression.Understanding the changes is of great significance for unravelling the neural mechanism of diabetes and its complications.

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