1.Mechanism of Tibetan Medicine Sanwei Doukoutang to Improve Cognitive Dysfunction in 5×FAD Mice Based on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Shuran LI ; Yaxin WANG ; Jing SUN ; Lei BAO ; Zihan GENG ; Dan XIE ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Yanyan BAO ; Qiyue SUN ; Jingsheng ZHANG ; Xinwei WANG ; Xinying LI ; Xihe CUI ; Xiaowei YANG ; LIUXIAN ; Mengyao CUI ; Qingshan LIU ; Shanshan GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):54-60
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of the Tibetan medicine Sanwei Doukoutang (SWDK) on cognitive dysfunction in mice suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its related mechanism. MethodsFifty SPF 5 × FAD mice were randomly divided into model group, total ginsenoside group(0.04 g·kg-1), high-, medium-, and low-dose groups of SWDK (32.60, 16.30, 8.15 g·kg-1), with 10 mice in each group, and ten wild-type mice of the same age were used as the normal group, male and female in 1∶1. Gavage administration was performed once daily for 8 weeks. The Morris water maze test and contextual fear memory experiment were used to observe learning and memory function. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was utilized to observe the changes in the pathomorphology of brain tissue in mice. The levels of synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic dense substance 95 (PSD95) in mice serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The positive expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the dentate gyrus (DG) region of mouse brain tissue was observed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The protein levels of BDNF, Wnt family member 3A(Wnt3a), and β-catenin were detected in the hippocampus of mice by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group of mice, the model group of mice had significantly more complex swimming routes and lower swimming speed (P<0.01), significantly lower percentage of time spent in the target quadrant (P<0.01), and a significantly lower percentage of freezing time (P<0.05). The number of neurons in the hippocampal region of mice was obviously reduced and unevenly arranged. The levels of SYP and PSD95(P<0.01) in the serum of mice were reduced, and the positive expression of BDNF in the DG region of the brain tissue of mice was reduced. The levels of hippocampal BDNF, Wnt3a, and β-catenin proteins in the hippocampus of mice were obviously reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the mice in the SWDK group and the total ginsenoside group had significantly shorter swimming routes, the high- and medium- dose SWDK groups significantly higher swimming speeds (P<0.01), significantly higher percentage of time spent in the target quadrant (P<0.01), obviously higher percentage of Freezing time (P<0.05), and obviously more neurons in the hippocampal region of the mice with tighter arrangement. The mice had elevated levels of serum SYP (P<0.05, P<0.01), PSD95 (P<0.01), increased BDNF-positive cells in the DG region of brain tissue, and obviously elevated levels of BDNF, Wnt3a, and β-catenin proteins in the hippocampus of mice (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionSWDK can significantly improve the cognitive dysfunction of AD mice, and its mechanism may be related to regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which promotes BDNF expression and thereby enhances synaptic plasticity, allowing neuronal signaling to be restored.
2.Establishment and Application of Animal Models for Disease-syndrome Combination in Viral Pneumonia: A Review
Dan XIE ; Shuran LI ; Zihan GENG ; Lei BAO ; Jing SUN ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Xian LIU ; Mengyao CUI ; Xiaowei YANG ; Xiaolan CUI ; Shanshan GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):61-69
Currently, viral pneumonia (VP) presents a major challenge to global public health. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prevention and treatment of VP is guided by the core concept of strengthening vital energy and eliminating pathogenic factors rather than targeting specific pathogens, alongside a holistic approach of syndrome differentiation and treatment. By summarizing the clinical syndromes of patients, the core pathogenesis was clarified to achieve individualized therapy. Animal models for disease-syndrome combination integrate the etiology and pathogenesis of VP and simulate the individualized manifestations of patients at different disease stages, providing an experimental platform for elucidating the theoretical basis of TCM in treating VP and promoting the development of effective TCM formulations. However, there are limitations in the application and promotion of disease-syndrome combination animal models due to the lack of standardization and normalization of model construction systems, which arise from diverse species selection, compound modeling methods, and multidimensional evaluation indicators. This paper systematically reviewed the recent research on animal models for disease-syndrome combination in VP from the perspective of species selection, modeling methods, evaluation indicators, and application status. Furthermore, it summarized the advantages and limitations of existing models, identifies future directions for improvement, and proposes optimization strategies. This review provides a reference for establishing standardized and normalized animal models for disease-syndrome combinations in VP, supporting the theoretical modernization of TCM in preventing and controlling emerging respiratory infectious diseases, and contributing to the development of new TCM drugs.
3.Mechanism of Tibetan Medicine Sanwei Doukoutang to Improve Cognitive Dysfunction in 5×FAD Mice Based on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Shuran LI ; Yaxin WANG ; Jing SUN ; Lei BAO ; Zihan GENG ; Dan XIE ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Yanyan BAO ; Qiyue SUN ; Jingsheng ZHANG ; Xinwei WANG ; Xinying LI ; Xihe CUI ; Xiaowei YANG ; LIUXIAN ; Mengyao CUI ; Qingshan LIU ; Shanshan GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):54-60
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of the Tibetan medicine Sanwei Doukoutang (SWDK) on cognitive dysfunction in mice suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its related mechanism. MethodsFifty SPF 5 × FAD mice were randomly divided into model group, total ginsenoside group(0.04 g·kg-1), high-, medium-, and low-dose groups of SWDK (32.60, 16.30, 8.15 g·kg-1), with 10 mice in each group, and ten wild-type mice of the same age were used as the normal group, male and female in 1∶1. Gavage administration was performed once daily for 8 weeks. The Morris water maze test and contextual fear memory experiment were used to observe learning and memory function. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was utilized to observe the changes in the pathomorphology of brain tissue in mice. The levels of synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic dense substance 95 (PSD95) in mice serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The positive expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the dentate gyrus (DG) region of mouse brain tissue was observed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The protein levels of BDNF, Wnt family member 3A(Wnt3a), and β-catenin were detected in the hippocampus of mice by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group of mice, the model group of mice had significantly more complex swimming routes and lower swimming speed (P<0.01), significantly lower percentage of time spent in the target quadrant (P<0.01), and a significantly lower percentage of freezing time (P<0.05). The number of neurons in the hippocampal region of mice was obviously reduced and unevenly arranged. The levels of SYP and PSD95(P<0.01) in the serum of mice were reduced, and the positive expression of BDNF in the DG region of the brain tissue of mice was reduced. The levels of hippocampal BDNF, Wnt3a, and β-catenin proteins in the hippocampus of mice were obviously reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the mice in the SWDK group and the total ginsenoside group had significantly shorter swimming routes, the high- and medium- dose SWDK groups significantly higher swimming speeds (P<0.01), significantly higher percentage of time spent in the target quadrant (P<0.01), obviously higher percentage of Freezing time (P<0.05), and obviously more neurons in the hippocampal region of the mice with tighter arrangement. The mice had elevated levels of serum SYP (P<0.05, P<0.01), PSD95 (P<0.01), increased BDNF-positive cells in the DG region of brain tissue, and obviously elevated levels of BDNF, Wnt3a, and β-catenin proteins in the hippocampus of mice (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionSWDK can significantly improve the cognitive dysfunction of AD mice, and its mechanism may be related to regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which promotes BDNF expression and thereby enhances synaptic plasticity, allowing neuronal signaling to be restored.
4.Establishment and Application of Animal Models for Disease-syndrome Combination in Viral Pneumonia: A Review
Dan XIE ; Shuran LI ; Zihan GENG ; Lei BAO ; Jing SUN ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Xian LIU ; Mengyao CUI ; Xiaowei YANG ; Xiaolan CUI ; Shanshan GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):61-69
Currently, viral pneumonia (VP) presents a major challenge to global public health. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prevention and treatment of VP is guided by the core concept of strengthening vital energy and eliminating pathogenic factors rather than targeting specific pathogens, alongside a holistic approach of syndrome differentiation and treatment. By summarizing the clinical syndromes of patients, the core pathogenesis was clarified to achieve individualized therapy. Animal models for disease-syndrome combination integrate the etiology and pathogenesis of VP and simulate the individualized manifestations of patients at different disease stages, providing an experimental platform for elucidating the theoretical basis of TCM in treating VP and promoting the development of effective TCM formulations. However, there are limitations in the application and promotion of disease-syndrome combination animal models due to the lack of standardization and normalization of model construction systems, which arise from diverse species selection, compound modeling methods, and multidimensional evaluation indicators. This paper systematically reviewed the recent research on animal models for disease-syndrome combination in VP from the perspective of species selection, modeling methods, evaluation indicators, and application status. Furthermore, it summarized the advantages and limitations of existing models, identifies future directions for improvement, and proposes optimization strategies. This review provides a reference for establishing standardized and normalized animal models for disease-syndrome combinations in VP, supporting the theoretical modernization of TCM in preventing and controlling emerging respiratory infectious diseases, and contributing to the development of new TCM drugs.
5.PCR-RFLP for Distinguishing Periplocae Cortex from Acanthopanacis Cortex and Lycii Cortex
Xiaowei DIAO ; Yanan LIU ; Yan JIN ; Chao JIANG ; Yuyang ZHAO ; Yuan YUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(4):42-47
ObjectiveTo establish a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method for rapid distinguishing Periplocae Cortex from Acanthopanacis Cortex and Lycii Cortex, so as to avoid the influence of genetic confusion on drug safety. MethodThe DSS-tagged sequences of Periplocae Cortex were obtained from the Chloroplast Genome Information Resource (CGIR) and analyzed to find the enzymatic cleavage sites that were different from those of Acanthopanacis Cortex and Lycii Cortex. The specific enzymatic cleavage site, Cla I, of Periplocae Cortex was selected, on the basis of which the primers for PCR-RFLP were designed. Furthermore, the factors such as annealing temperature, number of cycles, Taq enzyme, PCR instruments, and enzymatic treatment time that may influence PCR-RFLP were studied. The established PCR-RFLP method was applied to the identification of Periplocae Cortex, Acanthopanacis Cortex, and Lycii Cortex samples produced in different regions. ResultThe PCR-RFLP at the annealing temperature of 59 ℃ and with 40 cycles showed clear bands of the samples. When the enzyme digestion time was 30 min. The reaction produced the target bands at about 140 bp and 290 bp for both Periplocae Cortex and its original plant and only a band at about 430 bp for Acanthopanacis Cortex, Lycii Cortex, and their original plants. The method can accurately distinguish Periplocae Cortex from its confounders Acanthopanacis Cortex and Lycii Cortex. ConclusionThe PCR-RFLP method for distinguishing Periplocae Cortex from Acanthopanacis Cortex and Lycii Cortex was established. It has high stability, sensitivity, and applicability, providing a reference for the quality control of Periplocae Cortex, Acanthopanacis Cortex, and Lycii Cortex.
6.Clinical guidelines for indications, techniques, and complications of autogenous bone grafting.
Jianzheng ZHANG ; Shaoguang LI ; Hongying HE ; Li HAN ; Simeng ZHANG ; Lin YANG ; Wenxing HAN ; Xiaowei WANG ; Jie GAO ; Jianwen ZHAO ; Weidong SHI ; Zhuo WU ; Hao WANG ; Zhicheng ZHANG ; Licheng ZHANG ; Wei CHEN ; Qingtang ZHU ; Tiansheng SUN ; Peifu TANG ; Yingze ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(1):5-7
7.Discovery of proqodine A derivatives with antitumor activity targeting NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase.
Jiangzhou SONG ; Guiqing ZOU ; Zhou ZHAO ; Ya ZHU ; Jiayu XUE ; Lanjia AO ; Huiyong SUN ; Haiping HAO ; Bo ZHANG ; Xiaowei XU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2024;22(1):75-88
NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a flavin protease highly expressed in various cancer cells. NQO1 catalyzes a futile redox cycle in substrates, leading to substantial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. This ROS generation results in extensive DNA damage and elevated poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1)-mediated consumption of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), ultimately causing cell death. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), the rate-limiting enzyme in the NAD+ salvage synthesis pathway, emerges as a critical target in cancer therapy. The concurrent inhibition of NQO1 and NAMPT triggers hyperactivation of PARP1 and intensive NAD+ depletion. In this study, we designed, synthesized, and assessed a novel series of proqodine A derivatives targeting both NQO1 and NAMPT. Among these, compound T8 demonstrated potent antitumor properties. Specifically, T8 selectively inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells and induced apoptosis through mechanisms dependent on both NQO1 and NAMPT. This discovery offers a promising new molecular entity for advancing anticancer research.
Humans
;
NAD/metabolism*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase/metabolism*
;
Cytokines/metabolism*
;
Quinones
;
Oxidoreductases
8.Salvianolic Acid F Regulates Bax/Caspase-3/GSDME Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Pyroptosis of HK-2 Cells
Xiancong SHI ; Zhishen XIE ; Liang ZHAO ; Jiajun WANG ; Yafei DUAN ; Pan WANG ; Zhenqiang ZHANG ; Xiaowei ZHANG ; Jiangyan XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(9):56-64
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of salvianolic acid F (Sal F) in repairing the high glucose-induced injury in human kidney-2 (HK-2) cells via the B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax)/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase 3 (Caspase-3)/gasdermin-E (GSDME) pathway. MethodThe cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to measure the relative viability of HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and different concentrations (2.5, 5, 10, 20 μmol·L-1) of Sal F and the relative viability of HK-2 cells treated with Sal F for different time periods. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the supernatant of the cell culture were measured by the LDH assay kit and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, respectively. Flow cytometry combined with Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) and Hoechst 33342/PI staining was employed to reveal the proportion of PI-positive HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose. Western blotting was employed to determine the protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome C, cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase (Caspase)-9, Caspase-3, and GSDME in the HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and treated with Sal F. The 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescence probe (DCFH-DA) and mitochondrial membrane potential assay kit (JC-1) were used to determine the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the mitochondrial membrane potential in the HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and treated with Sal F. ResultCompared with the blank group, the model group showed decreased cell viability (P<0.01), elevated levels LDH and IL-1β, increased proportion of PI-positive cells (P<0.01), up-regulated protein levels of Bax, cytochrome C, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, and GSDME (P<0.01), down-regulated protein level of Bcl-2 (P<0.01), decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and excessive ROS accumulation. Compared with the model group, Sal F repaired the high glucose-induced injury in HK-2 cells (P<0.05), lowered the levels of LDH and IL-1β (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased the proportion of PI-positive cells (P<0.01). In addition, Sal F down-regulated the protein levels of Bax, cytochrome C, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, and GSDME and up-regulated the protein level of Bcl-2 (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased the mitochondrial membrane potential, and decreased the accumulation of ROS in HK-2 cells. ConclusionSal F can reduce the production of ROS, restore the balance of mitochondrial membrane potential, and inhibit pyroptosis via the Bax/Caspase-3/GSDME signaling pathway to repair the high glucose-induced injury in HK-2 cells.
9.Clinical and pathological features and prognosis of lupus nephritis complicated with thrombotic microangiopathy
Haipeng LIU ; Xiaowei LIU ; Yingrong ZHAO ; Feng ZHU
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2024;39(3):203-208
Objective:To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics and prognosis of children with lupus nephritis(LN)and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA).Methods:In this retrospective case-control study, clinical and pathological data of LN children confirmed by renal biopsy from January 2008 to January 2023 in Xuzhou Children′s Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University were analyzed.There were 46 LN children complicated with TMA (LN-TMA group). With matched age, sex and pathology, 92 LN children (1∶2) without TMA were selected as the control group (LN group). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate the overall and renal survival rates of children with LN, and the Cox regression model was used to analyze the risk factors for the progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).Results:TMA was moderately associated with serum creatinine, serum C3, anti-C1q antibody (a-C1q), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), endocapillary proliferation, fibrinoid necrosis, and renal C1q deposition (all r>0.5). Serum a-C1q≥20 U/mL ( HR=8.724, 95% CI: 0.976-16.114, P=0.026) and eGFR≤60 mL/(min·1.73 m 2) ( HR=12.213, 95% CI: 1.147-25.048, P=0.038) were independent risk factors for TMA in children with LN.Glomerular sclerosis ( HR=7.228, 95% CI: 0.186-22.358, P=0.016), TMA ( HR=11.387, 95% CI: 3.426-42.554, P=0.009) and eGFR≤60 mL/(min·1.73 m 2) ( HR=3.116, 95% CI: 0.592-10.064, P=0.030) were independent risk factors for developing ESRD in LN children.The 5-year and 10-year renal survival rates in the LN-TMA group were lower than those in the LN group (97.44% vs.98.28%, 80.90% vs.87.27%, χ2=4.918, P=0.027). Conclusions:Children with LN-TMA present with severe symptoms and poor prognosis.TMA is an independent risk factor for progression to ESRD in children with LN, and the mechanism may be related to complement activation.
10.Intervention of muscle strength training combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on lower limb function and biomechanical changes in patients with patellofemoral pain
Jing WU ; Yingce YAO ; Xiaowei YANG ; Boshi XUE ; Jianbin ZHAO ; Chen YANG ; Tianfeng LUAN ; Zhipeng ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(9):1365-1371
BACKGROUND:Lower limb peri-knee muscle strength training and neuromuscular electrical stimulation are generally safe and effective rehabilitation methods for patellofemoral joint pain,but the mechanism of their intervention is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To determine the effect of muscle strength training combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on pain,lower extremity function and biomechanical characteristics in patients with patellofemoral pain. METHODS:Thirty-seven patients with patellofemoral pain were randomly divided into muscle strength training combined with electrical stimulation group(trial group,n=19)and muscle strength training group(control group,n=18).Both groups underwent intervention training for 6 weeks,three times a week.The visual analog scale and anterior knee pain scale were used to evaluate the pain level and functional level of the knee.Kinematic and kinetics data during running were collected by using an infrared motion capture system and a three-dimensional force platform simultaneously.A two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures(group*time)was applied to analyze the data. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After the intervention,the visual analog scale scores of the trial group and the control group were significantly decreased(P<0.001),and the anterior knee pain scale scores were significantly increased(Ptrial group<0.001,Pcontrol group=0.001)in the trial group and control group.The anterior knee pain scale scores of the trial group were significantly higher compared to the control group after the intervention(P=0.001).(2)The peak knee flexion angle(P=0.011),peak knee extension moment(P<0.001),the peak knee internal rotation moment(P=0.008),the peak patellofemoral stress(P<0.001)and the peak patellofemoral contact force(P<0.001)were significantly decreased in the trial and control groups during running after the intervention compared with those before the intervention.(3)In conclusion,both muscle strength training and muscle strength training combined with electrical stimulation training are helpful to improve the subjective pain and lower limb function of patellofemoral pain patients,enhance the movement pattern during running and reduce the stress of the patellofemoral joint.Compared with muscle strength training alone,muscle strength training combined with electrical stimulation can improve lower limb function more significantly.

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