1.Remyelination Regulated by microRNAs in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Review
Manjing LI ; Qi LI ; Qingsen RAN ; Kunni CHEN ; Xinke DU ; Lina YANG ; Chunxia NIE ; Qing YANG ; Yujie LI ; Ying CHEN ; Yajie WANG ; Xiaogang WENG ; Weiyan CAI ; Xiaoxin ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):223-231
Demyelination of the central nervous system often occurs in neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The myelin sheath, a layer of myelin membrane wrapping the axon, plays a role in the rapid conduction and metabolic coupling of impulses for neurons. The exposure of the axon will lead to axonal degeneratio, and further neuronal degeneration, which is the main cause of dysfunction and even disability in patients with demyelinating neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to the demyelination of mature myelin sheath, remyelination disorder is also one of the major reasons leading to the development of the diseases. The myelin sheath is composed of oligodendrocytes (OLs) derived from oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) which are differentiated from neural stem cells (NSCs). The process of myelin regeneration, i.e., remyelination, is the differentiation of NSCs into OLs. Recent studies have shown that this process is regulated by a variety of genes. MicroRNAs, as important regulators of neurodegenerative diseases, form a complex regulatory network in the process of myelin regeneration. This review summarizes the main molecular pathways of myelin regeneration and microRNAs involved in this process and classifies the mechanisms and targets. This review is expected to provide a theoretical reference for the future research on the treatment of demyelinating diseases by targeting the regulation of microRNAs.
2.Effects of Jiaohong Pills and Its Prescription on Scopolamine-induced Alzheimer's Disease Mice
Lijinchan DONG ; Weiyan CAI ; Li FENG ; Qing YANG ; Mengting LI ; Yanli WANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Xiaogang WENG ; Yajie WANG ; Xiaoxin ZHU ; Xiaoru HU ; Ying CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(2):37-45
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Jiaohong pills (JHP) and its prescription, Pericarpium Zanthoxyli (PZ) and Rehmanniae Radix (RR) cognitive dysfunction in scopolamine-induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice and its mechanism through pharmacodynamic and metabolomics study. MethodThe animal model of AD induced by scopolamine was established and treated with PZ, RG and JHP, respectively. The effects of JHP and its formulations were investigated by open field test, water maze test, object recognition test, avoidance test, cholinergic system and oxidative stress related biochemical test. Untargeted metabolomics analysis of cerebral cortex was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-Quadrupole/Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS). ResultThe behavioral data showed that, compared with the model group, the discrimination indexes of the high dose of JHP, PZ and RR groups was significantly increased (P<0.05). The staging rate of Morris water maze test in the PZ, RR, high and low dose groups of JHP was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the crossing numbers in the PZ, JHP high and low dose groups were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01); the number of errors in the avoidance test were significantly reduced in the PZ and high-dose JHP groups (P<0.01), and the error latencies were significantly increased in the JHP and its prescription drug groups (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the activities of acetylcholinesterase in the cerebral cortex of the two doses of JHP group and the PZ group were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the activity of acetylcholinesterase in the high-dose JHP group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the level of acetylcholine was significantly increased (P<0.01). At the same time, the contents of malondialdehyde in the serum of the two dose groups of JHP decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). The results of metabolomics study of cerebral cortex showed that 149 differential metabolites were identified between the JHP group and the model group, which were involved in neurotransmitter metabolism, energy metabolism, oxidative stress and amino acid metabolism. ConclusionJHP and its prescription can antagonize scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction, regulate cholinergic system, and reduce oxidative stress damage. The mechanism of its therapeutic effect on AD is related to the regulation of neurotransmitter, energy, amino acid metabolism, and improvement of oxidative stress.
3.Effect of Compatibility of Wujiwan on Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Distribution of Representative Components
Yu DONG ; Ying CHEN ; Zipeng GONG ; Qing YANG ; Xiaogang WENG ; Yajie WANG ; Xiaoxin ZHU ; Chenhao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(3):105-113
ObjectiveTo study the plasma pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of five representative components in Wujiwan, and to illustrate the difference of metabolism and tissue distribution before and after compatibility. MethodHealthy male SD rats were divided into four groups, including Wujiwan group(A group, 62.96 g·L-1), Coptidis Rhizoma group(B group, 38.4 g·L-1), processed Euodiae Fructus group(C group, 5.88 g·L-1) and fried Paeoniae Radix Alba group(D group, 18.68 g·L-1), with 65 rats in each group, and were administered the drugs according to the clinical dose of decoction pieces converted into the dose of the extracts. Then plasma, liver, small intestine and brain were taken at pharmacokinetic set time in each group after administration. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the quantitative analysis of five representative components[berberine(Ber), palmatine(Pal), evodiamine(Evo), rutecarpine(Rut) and paeoniflorin(Pae)] in Wujiwan, their concentrations in plasma, liver, small intestine and brain were detected at different time, plasma samples were processed by protein precipitation, and tissue samples were pretreated by protein precipitation plus liquid-liquid extraction. Non-atrioventricular model was used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters of each component, and the parameters of each group were compared. ResultPharmacokinetic results of A group showed that area under the curve(AUC0-t) of the five representative components were ranked as follows:Ber and Pal were small intestine>liver>blood, Evo and Rut were liver>small intestine>plasma, Pae was small intestine>plasma, which was not detected in the liver, no other components were detected in brain except for Ber. In comparison with plasma and other tissues, peak concentration(Cmax) of Ber, Pal, Evo, and Rut were the highest and time to peak(tmax) were the lowest in the liver of A group. In plasma, the AUC0-t and Cmax of Evo and Rut were increased in A group compared with C group, tmax of Pea was elevated and its Cmax was decreased in A group compared with D group. In the liver, compared with B-D groups, Cmax values of 5 representative components except Pae were elevated, AUC0-t of Pae was decreased and AUC0-t of Evo and Rut were increased in the A group. In the small intestine, half-life(t1/2) of each representative components in A group was elevated and tmax was decreased, and Cmax of each representative ingredient except Pal was decreased, AUC0-t values of Ber and Pal were increased, whereas the AUC0-t values of Evo and Rut were decreased. ConclusionThe small intestine, as the effector organ, is the most distributed, followed by the liver. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the representative components in Wujiwan are changed before and after compatibility, which is more favorable to the exertion of its pharmacodynamic effects.
4.Effect of different interventions on joint attention in children aged three to six years with mild to moderate autism spectrum disorder
Yuran YANG ; Qian WANG ; Cuicui CHEN ; Xiaoxin DU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2024;30(8):888-893
Objective To compare the effect of discrete trial training(DTT),pivotal response treatment(PRT)and a combination of DTT and PRT on joint attention in children aged three to six years with mild to moderate autism spectrum disor-der(ASD). Methods From January,2023 to March,2024,39 children with ASD aged 36 to 72 months in Tiger Children's Rehabili-tation Center in Shanghai were randomly divided into DTT,PRT and combination groups,who received DTT,PRT and a combination of DTT and PRT,respectively,for ten weeks.They were assessed with Joint Attention As-sessment Scale for children with ASD before and after intervention. Results Two cases in DTT group and one case in PRT group dropped down,resulting in a final sample of 36 cases.The main effects of group(F=11.225,P<0.001)and time(F=416.935,P<0.001)were significant,as well as the interaction(F=10.501,P<0.001),and the combination group was the best during intervention and follow-up(P<0.05). Conclusion Both DTT and PRT may improve joint attention in children with ASD,and the combination of DTT and PRT is the best.
5.Anti-metastatic Pharmacology Based on Tumor Microenvironment Regulation: A Review
Yang ZHANG ; Lina YANG ; Yujie LI ; Xinke DU ; Li LIU ; Zhiyong LI ; Qing YANG ; Ying CHEN ; Xiaoxin ZHU ; Qi LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(13):209-218
Tumor metastasis is the major cause of death for tumor patients and the key bottleneck of clinical treatment. In recent years, basic and clinical studies have recognized that tumor microenvironment (TME) is highly correlated with tumor metastasis, which provides hope for anti-metastatic drug development and clinical treatment. At present, the mainstream studies on TME represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) mainly focus on the rectification of immune function of T cells and B cells. However, a large number of studies have shown that the significance of other members of TME for tumor metastasis cannot be ignored, which greatly reflects the progress of anti-metastatic research based on TME regulation. This review focused on tumor metastasis, summarized the mechanism of action of non-T and non-B immune cells [tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs)] and non-immune members [vascular endothelial cells (ECs), tumor-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and blood platelet] in the process of tumor metastasis in TME based on the literature over the recent five years, and explored their key value in the treatment of metastasis. At the treatment level, this review focused on the perspective of the integration of frontier and traditional methods and took the functional homeostasis remodeling of TME as the entry point to summarize the activity and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regulation of non-T and non-B immune cells and non-immune members and highlight its advantages and characteristics in clinical intervention of metastasis. This review helps to break through the limitations of over-reliance on T and B immune cells in anti-metastatic research, make the research rely on a wider range of cell groups, explore the potential value of TME in anti-metastatic drug intervention, and enrich the idea and strategy of understanding the anti-metastatic pharmacological activity. The review is also expected to provide a broader vision for the research and development of new anti-metastatic drugs.
6.Efficacy analysis of the acute endovascular treatment in patients with symptomatic severe anterior intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis
Haolin LIU ; Xiaoxin BAI ; Jun CAI ; Zhuli PENG ; Ruicong CHEN ; Shaoxue LI ; Huai TU ; Jiangling LIANG ; Yuejia LIN
Chinese Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2024;21(3):175-183
Objective Observing the feasibility of acute endovascular treatment for patients with symptomatic anterior intracranial atherosclerotic severe stenosis.Method From Jun 2019 to Jun 2023,30 symptomatic anterior intracranial atherosclerotic severe stenosis cases were retrospectively collected in the Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine to evaluate the risk stratification score and explore the safety and effectiveness of acute(≤72.0h)endovascular treatment.Endovascular treatment includes balloon dilation+self-expanding stent placement,balloon-mounted stent placement,and balloon dilation.From the clinical experience,the risk stratification score was based on the ABCD3-I score for transient ischemic attacks(TIA)and additional evaluation of cerebral watershed infarction to identify the risk of stroke progression or recurrence in acute stage of symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis.The score of 0-3 was defined as low-risk,4-7 as medium risk,and 8-13 as high-risk.The successful revascularization of blood flow is determined based on the residual stenosis≤50%and the extended thrombolysis in cerebral infarction(eTICI)>2c.The information of patient receiving endovascular treatment was recorded,including age,sex,risk factors of cerebrovascular disease(hypertension,diabetes,hyperlipidemia,hyperhomocysteinemia,drinking history,smoking history),onset data(time from onset to endovascular treatment,symptoms,progression),diseased vessels,risk stratification score,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score before and 90 days after surgery,modified Rankin scale(mRS)score 90 days after surgery,intraoperative cerebrovascular events(intracranial hemorrhage,occlusion of responsible vessels),and postoperative cerebrovascular events 90 days after surgery(intracranial hemorrhage,cerebral infarction,TIA and in-stent restenosis)and deaths.Results Among 30 patients with symptomatic anterior intracranial atherosclerotic severe stenosis,3 patients were excluded from the time interval between onset and endovascular treatment>72.0 hours,1 patient needed long-term anticoagulant drugs due to other diseases,1 patient lost follow-up,3 patients coexisted with other cardiogenic cerebral embolism diseases,4 patients with non-atherosclerotic arterial stenosis,and 7 patients refused emergency endovascular treatment.11 patients were finally included.(1)All 11 patients were successfully treated with endovascular treatment,and 7 were males;age ranged from 52 to 76 years old,with a median age of 64 years old;there were 9 cases with hypertension,3 cases diabetes,7 cases hyperlipidemia,2 cases hyperhomocysteinemia(only 9cases performed the examination),2cases smoking history,1 case drinking history;time from onset to endovascular treatment is 4.0-72.0 h,with a median time of 12.0 h;there were 3 and 8 cases of infarction in the left and right hemispheres,respectively,with 4,3,and 2 cases accompanied with anterior-posterior watershed,medial watershed,and anlerior-medial-posterior watershed infarctions,and 1 case accompanied by posterior-medial,anterior-medial watershed infarctions.(2)Among the 1 1 patients,the risk stratification score was 10-13 points,with a median score of 11 points;preoperative NIHSS score ranged 0-11 points,with a median score of 7 points.(3)Among the 1 1 patients,10 lesions located in the middle cerebral artery and 1 in the C7 segment of the internal carotid artery;the preoperative stenosis rate was 70%to 99%,with a median stenosis rate of 86%;preoperative eTICI grading was 2a in 7 cases and 2b50 in 4 cases(with slow distal blood flow);9 cases received balloon dilation and self-expanding stent placement,1 case received balloon-mounted stent placement,and 1 case received balloon dilation treatment;the postoperative stenosis rate is 10%to 20%,with a median stenosis rate of 15%;there were 3 cases with postoperative eTICI grade 2c and 8 cases with grade 3.(4)Among the 11 patients,one experienced intracranial hemorrhage on the first day after surgery and one had a new cerebral infarction on the third day after surgery.Eight patients were followed up by imaging 90days after surgery,demonstrating 2 cases of in-stent restenosis;90 days post-surgery,NIHSS score was 0-20 points,with a median score of 2 points;after 90 days of surgery,the mRS score was 0-4 points,with a median score of 1 point.There were 8 patients with mRS score ≤ 2 and no death events occurred.Conclusions Preliminary analysis shows that acute endovascular treatment for symptomatic anterior intracranial atherosclerotic severe stenosis has certain effectiveness,but the safety needs to be further validated.The screening of high-risk patients using risk stratification scores still requires further exploration through large sample and multicenter studies.
7.Innovation of Methods for Efficacy Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound Prescriptions: Establishment of Characterization System for Simultaneous Treatment/Regulation Based on Correlation Patterns of Five Zang-organs
Yujie LI ; Tuo LIU ; Luqi WANG ; Lina CHEN ; Yan LIANG ; Chengcheng LIU ; Yu LI ; Xiaoxin ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):19-26
The clinical efficacy advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound prescriptions have always been inadequately characterized in experimental research,which has become a bottleneck restricting the development of TCM pharmacology and even the progress of TCM. The concept of simultaneous treatment/regulation,guided by the theory of mutual generation and restriction of five zang-organs,has guiding significance in the clinical practice of TCM throughout history and is still widely used in the current clinical practice. However,this unique and clinically valuable diagnostic and therapeutic medication system based on the syndrome differentiation has been completely ignored in the modern research of TCM pharmacology,which might be one of the key factors restricting the pharmacological characterization of the therapeutic advantages of TCM compound prescriptions. On the basis of systematically summarizing the phased progress and achievements of the efficacy evaluation of TCM compound prescriptions,this article explores the path of exploring the pharmacological advantages of TCM compound prescriptions on simultaneous treatment/regulation on the basis of the correlation patterns of five zang-organs,from the theory of Zangxiang,the core concept of five zang-organs,and the TCM disease recognition based on the theory of mutual generation and restriction of five zang-organs. With the heart-lung correlation as a breakthrough point,this study explored a new characterization method for the pharmacological advantages of TCM,aiming to provide new ideas for evaluating the efficacy of TCM compound prescriptions.
8.Exploration of Therapeutic Effect of Wujiwan on Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Rats Based on PPARγ Signaling Pathway and T-cell Immunoregulation
Shiyun GUO ; Yuxuan GUO ; Yi SUN ; Xiaoxin ZHU ; Yujie LI ; Ying CHEN ; Qing YANG ; Yajie WANG ; Qi LI ; Xiaogang WENG ; Zhihao DENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):237-245
ObjectiveThis study explores the efficacy and pharmacological mechanism of Wujiwan in rats with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from the perspectives of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) signaling pathway and T-cell immunity, providing reference for the treatment of IBD with traditional Chinese medicine. MethodThe study involved administering 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) enemas to 35 rats to induce acute IBD. After 24 hours, the animals were divided into the following groups: normal group, model group, Wujiwan treatment group, and positive drug control group. Each group received gastric gavage for 8 consecutive days before the rats were dissected to compare the disease activity index (DAI) of the rat colon tissue, the colon mucosal damage index (CMDI), and the spleen index. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the serum. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of T-bet (T-box expressed in T cells) and Gata3 (Gata-binding protein-3) in the colon tissue. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the protein expression levels of PPARγ, T-bet, and nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) in the rat colon. ResultThe rat model of IBD was successfully established. Compared with the model group, the Wujiwan treatment group showed reduced DAI, CMDI, and spleen index, decreased content of TNF-α in the serum(P<0.01), significantly increased content of IL-10(P<0.01), and elevated mRNA content of T-bet and Gata3(P<0.05) in the colon tissue. The expression of PPARγ protein was augmented(P<0.05), and the expression of T-bet and NF-κB p65 protein was decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionWujiwan activates or upregulates PPARγ expression in IBD rats to inhibit the generation of pro-inflammatory factors, participates in the inflammatory immune process, and alleviates inflammatory reactions. Its mechanism may involve regulating the NF-κB pathway through PPARγ, enhancing Th2 cell transcription expression, and reducing Th1 cell transcription.
9.Behavioral Assessment and Drug Treatment of Apathy in Dementia in Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Lijinchuan DONG ; Qing YANG ; Xiaoxin ZHU ; Qi LI ; Bo PENG ; Hongmei LI ; Weiyan CAI ; Ying CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):308-317
Dementia in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) mainly presents amnesia and dullness. Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia belong to the category of dementia in TCM. These progressive neurological diseases have a complex etiology and a long course, and the drugs that can reverse the disease course remain to be developed. Therefore, early intervention plays a vital role in delaying the disease progression. Apathy refers to a lack of motivation that leads to the attenuation or disappearance of goal-directed behaviors, cognitive functions, and emotional responses. Clinical studies have suggested that apathy exists in the early stage of a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, being one of the key symptoms to the early diagnosis of dementia. The severity of apathy is related to the severity of dementia. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of apathy are of great significance to the prevention and treatment of dementia. The preclinical research on apathy in dementia is still in its infancy, and the systematic evaluation method has not been prescribed. The clinical diagnosis and treatment are also in the exploratory stage, and the complex pathophysiological mechanisms of apathy and dementia development have not been fully elucidated. This article reviews the research progress of apathy in dementia, the apathetic behaviors of dementia animal models, the behaviors of patients with apathy, and the treatment methods in recent years and summarizes the research status of apathy in dementia. This review aims to provide a theoretical basis for exploring the behavior of apathy in dementia and conducting preclinical research and evaluation of the pathogenesis and to lay a foundation for the treatment of apathy in dementia.
10.A Review of Theoretical Research on Interpretation of Scientific Connotation of Compatibility of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compounds
Shiyun GUO ; Zhihao DENG ; Yan LI ; Yuxuan GUO ; Xiaoxin ZHU ; Yujie LI ; Ying CHEN ; Qing YANG ; Yi SUN ; Yajie WANG ; Qi LI ; Weiyan CAI ; Xiaogang WENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):338-344
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history of application in China and has consistently played a vital role in treating diseases and saving lives. TCM prescriptions (compounds) constitute the primary form of clinical TCM treatment and significantly differ from western medicine (chemicals) due to the diverse composition and chemical constituents of TCM (compounds). Nevertheless, the potential multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway action characteristics of TCM prescriptions also demonstrate their possible (complementary) therapeutic advantages when compared with single-component chemical drugs. Therefore, driven by the development of modern science and technology and the demands of the modernization and internationalization of TCM, modern theories regarding the complexity of TCM prescription effects have been continuously proposed: Different from the abstract language of traditional prescription theory, the modern TCM prescription theory is more inclined to illustrate the connotation of prescription compatibility concretely and vividly from an experimental and scientific perspective. In this paper, new theories on the complexity of TCM prescriptions proposed in recent years are summarized to provide research references and ideas for the greater role of TCM prescriptions and a better scientific understanding.

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