1.Current Situation, Problems and Countermeasures of Experimental Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulating PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway in Rats with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Pengxuan YAN ; Yiqing LIU ; Nanxing XIAN ; Linjing PENG ; Kun LI ; Jingchun ZHANG ; Yukun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):259-266
Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) and its resulting infertility is one of the common diseases of gynecology and reproductive endocrinology. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway is relatively well-studied in the development of intervention in PCOS, and the experiments on PCOS in rats conducted by traditional Chinese medicine through this signaling pathway is also the main direction of mechanistic research. In this paper, 20 articles published in academic journals in the past 5 years were selected through the corresponding criteria, and the objective situation and existing problems of the selected research projects were analyzed from five aspects, namely, baseline data, modeling and treatment, grouping, evaluative indexes, and pharmacodynamic indexes. It is found that there were different degrees of problems in each research project, such as the observation indicators of modeling, criteria for judging the success of the model, the treatment period, the calculation of dosage of prescription/active ingredients and specific dosage were not clearly defined, which could easily lead the bias of the results or reduce the validity of experimental data. Based on this, the list of PCOS rat experimental research operations was formed, involving five categories of experimental rats, model construction, study implementation, outcome measures and analysis and report with a total of 21 operation lists, with a view to provide a reference for the subsequent PCOS experiments related to scientific research and helping to form high-quality results.
2.Clinical Efficacy of Modified Huangqi Chifengtang in Treatment of IgA Nephropathy Patients and Exploration of Dose-effect Relationship of Astragali Radix
Xiujie SHI ; Meiying CHANG ; Yue SHI ; Ziyan ZHANG ; Yifan ZHANG ; Qi ZHANG ; Hangyu DUAN ; Jing LIU ; Mingming ZHAO ; Yuan SI ; Yu ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):9-16
ObjectiveTo explore the dose-effect relationship and safety of high, medium, and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in the modified Huangqi Chifengtang (MHCD) for treating proteinuria in immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, and to provide scientific evidence for the clinical use of high-dose Astragali Radix in the treatment of proteinuria in IgA nephropathy. MethodsA total of 120 patients with IgA nephropathy, diagnosed with Qi deficiency and blood stasis combined with wind pathogen and heat toxicity, were randomly divided into a control group and three treatment groups. The control group received telmisartan combined with a Chinese medicine placebo, while the treatment groups were given telmisartan combined with MHCD containing different doses of raw Astragali Radix (60, 30, 15 g). Each group contained 30 patients, and the treatment period was 12 weeks. Changes in 24-hour urinary protein (24 hUTP), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, effective rate, and renal function were observed before and after treatment. Safety was assessed by monitoring liver function and blood routine. ResultsAfter 12 weeks of treatment, 24 hUTP significantly decreased in the high, medium, and low-dose groups, as well as the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The TCM syndrome scores in the high, medium, and low-dose groups also significantly decreased (P<0.01). Comparisons between groups showed that the 24 hUTP in the high-dose group was significantly lower than in the medium, low-dose, and control groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the 24 hUTP in the medium-dose group was significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.05). The TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly lower than in the low-dose and control groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The total effective rates for proteinuria in the high, medium, low-dose, and control groups were 92.59% (25/27), 85.19% (23/27), 60.71% (17/28), and 57.14% (16/28), respectively. The effective rates in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly higher than in the low-dose and control groups (χ2=13.185, P<0.05, P<0.01). The effective rates for TCM syndrome scores in the high, medium, low-dose, and control groups were 88.89% (24/27), 81.48% (22/27), 71.43% (20/28), and 46.43% (13/28), respectively. The efficacy of TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups was significantly higher than in the control group (χ2=14.053, P<0.01). Compared with pre-treatment values, there was no statistically significant difference in eGFR and serum creatinine in the high and medium-dose groups. However, eGFR significantly decreased in the low-dose and control groups after treatment (P<0.05), and serum creatinine levels increased significantly in the control group (P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in urea nitrogen, uric acid, albumin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, liver function, and blood routine before and after treatment in any group. ConclusionThere is a dose-effect relationship in the treatment of IgA nephropathy with high, medium, and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in MHCD. The high-dose group exhibited the best therapeutic effect and good safety profile.
3.Role of VEGF Signaling Pathway in Pathological Mechanism of Colorectal Cancer and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Qiuning LIU ; Yutian ZHU ; Yun XU ; Yang YE ; Xiaoqiang JIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):289-296
Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor that originates from the epithelial cells of the colon and rectum. It has the third highest incidence and the second highest mortality rate among malignant tumors worldwide. With the rapid development of the economy and the increasing Westernization of dietary habits in China, its incidence in China has been rising year by year. Over the past decade, despite the introduction of numerous treatment methods for colorectal cancer, the efficacy of existing therapies remains unsatisfactory. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has become a major focus in the treatment of colorectal cancer due to its advantages of multi-target, multi-pathway mechanisms and low toxicity and side effects. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important angiogenic factor that promotes blood vessel formation, providing nutrients and oxygen for tumor growth. It also increases vascular permeability, allowing tumor cells to easily pass through the blood vessel wall into other tissues, thereby facilitating metastasis. Several studies have shown that TCM can inhibit tumor angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, promote tumor cell apoptosis, and inhibit the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by acting on the VEGF signaling pathway, thereby delaying tumor growth. In recent years, research in this field has been rapidly updated, but there is a lack of relevant summaries, making subsequent literature searches inconvenient. Therefore, this article focuses on the physiological functions of the VEGF signaling pathway, its role in the occurrence of colorectal cancer, and the intervention of TCM on VEGF, providing a supplement and summary of relevant information to offer a reference for future research in this area.
4.Expert Consensus on Clinical Application of Qinbaohong Zhike Oral Liquid in Treatment of Acute Bronchitis and Acute Attack of Chronic Bronchitis
Jian LIU ; Hongchun ZHANG ; Chengxiang WANG ; Hongsheng CUI ; Xia CUI ; Shunan ZHANG ; Daowen YANG ; Cuiling FENG ; Yubo GUO ; Zengtao SUN ; Huiyong ZHANG ; Guangxi LI ; Qing MIAO ; Sumei WANG ; Liqing SHI ; Hongjun YANG ; Ting LIU ; Fangbo ZHANG ; Sheng CHEN ; Wei CHEN ; Hai WANG ; Lin LIN ; Nini QU ; Lei WU ; Dengshan WU ; Yafeng LIU ; Wenyan ZHANG ; Yueying ZHANG ; Yongfen FAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):182-188
The Expert Consensus on Clinical Application of Qinbaohong Zhike Oral Liquid in Treatment of Acute Bronchitis and Acute Attack of Chronic Bronchitis (GS/CACM 337-2023) was released by the China Association of Chinese Medicine on December 13th, 2023. This expert consensus was developed by experts in methodology, pharmacy, and Chinese medicine in strict accordance with the development requirements of the China Association of Chinese Medicine (CACM) and based on the latest medical evidence and the clinical medication experience of well-known experts in the fields of respiratory medicine (pulmonary diseases) and pediatrics. This expert consensus defines the application of Qinbaohong Zhike oral liquid in the treatment of cough and excessive sputum caused by phlegm-heat obstructing lung, acute bronchitis, and acute attack of chronic bronchitis from the aspects of applicable populations, efficacy evaluation, usage, dosage, drug combination, and safety. It is expected to guide the rational drug use in medical and health institutions, give full play to the unique value of Qinbaohong Zhike oral liquid, and vigorously promote the inheritance and innovation of Chinese patent medicines.
5.Effect of Different Degrees of Blood Stasis on Cognitive Function and Plasma Differential Metabolites in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease
Shihan XU ; Yanfei LIU ; Fenglan LIU ; Qing WANG ; Fengqin XU ; Yue LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):167-176
ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between the blood stasis score of coronary heart disease(CAD) and mild cognitive impairment(MCI), as well as the changes in plasma metabolic profile of blood stasis in patients with CAD combined with MCI(CADMCI) through a cross-sectional study, and further explore the impact of different degrees of blood stasis on the plasma metabolite profile of CADMCI patients. MethodsAccording to the diagnostic criteria of CAD and CAD blood stasis, patients hospitalized in Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from October 2022 to October 2023 were continuously included. According to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA) scale score, the enrolled patients were divided into CADMCI blood stasis group and CAD blood stasis group. The association between blood stasis score and MCI was analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression model. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was drawn, and the area under the curve(AUC) was calculated to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the model. According to the blood stasis score, the first 30 patients in the CADMCI blood stasis group and CAD blood stasis group were divided into mild blood stasis and severe blood stasis. Ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was used to detect plasma metabolites in each group of patients. The differential metabolites were screened according to variable importance in the projection(VIP) value≥1, fold change(FC)<0.67 or >1.5, and P<0.05. ROC curve analysis was further used to evaluate the discriminatory efficiency of the screened differential metabolites for each group of samples. ResultsA total of 266 CAD patients were included in this study. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the CAD blood stasis score was significantly correlated with MCI[odds ratio(OR)=1.619, 95% confidence interval(CI) 1.223-2.142, P<0.001, ROC curve AUC was 0.615(95% CI 0.547-0.683, P=0.001)], indicating that the CAD blood stasis score has a certain predictive value for MCI. Plasma non-targeted metabolomics analysis showed that the main differential metabolites between CAD blood stasis and CADMCI blood stasis were lipid metabolites, among which phosphatidylcholine[20∶4(5Z, 8Z, 11Z, 14Z)/P-18∶1(11Z)] had the best discriminatory efficiency(ROC curve AUC=0.867, 95% CI 0.754-0.942). Further analysis of the differential metabolites between mild and severe blood stasis showed that lipid metabolites were also the main differential metabolites between mild and severe blood stasis. Among them, 1α,25-dihydroxy-2β-(2-hydroxyethoxy) vitamin D3 had the best efficacy in distinguishing mild and severe CAD blood stasis(AUC=0.813, 95% CI 0.649-0.951), and phosphatidylcholine 34∶2 had the best efficacy in distinguishing mild and severe CADMCI blood stasis(AUC=0.819, 95% CI 0.640-0.941). ConclusionThere is a significant correlation between CAD blood stasis score and MCI. Phosphatidylcholine metabolites play an important role in the pathogenesis of CADMCI blood stasis and severe blood stasis. The CAD blood stasis score combined with the detection of phosphatidylcholine metabolites can provide a reference for the development of early and efficient identification strategies for CADMCI.
6.Establishment of a Gastrointestinal-Brain Inter-Organ Multimodal Characterization System Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory and Its Application in Refractory Diseases
Guanghui HAN ; Yan GUO ; Peijing RONG ; Bin CONG ; Shuangjiang LIU ; Shaoyuan LI ; Wei WEI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(6):561-568
The concept of holism is the core idea of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Various organs and tissues coordinate with each other to maintain the body's life activities, with a close and mutual influence between the spleen, stomach, and the central nervous system (brain). The gut-brain axis plays an important bridging role between the digestive system and the central nervous system, achieving bidirectional information exchange between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract through complex neuroendocrine and immune mechanisms. The theory of cross-organ interaction involves the mutual influence, coordination, and integration between different organs and systems; multimodality, on the other hand, utilizes multiple sensory modalities, such as vision, hearing, and touch, to convey information. By combining TCM theory with the gut-brain axis theory, a cross-organ multimodal characterization system is established to explore its mechanism and application value in refractory diseases such as functional gastrointestinal disorders, precancerous gastrointestinal diseases, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and depression.
7.Intervention of Acute Lung Injury by Traditional Chinese Medicine via Regulating Oxidative Stress: A Review
Ang'ang LI ; Xiao LIANG ; Junmei LI ; Qing PENG ; Jianxun LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):305-312
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a clinically critical disease with limited treatment options and poor prognosis, with high morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary inflammation caused by trauma, infection, and other factors in vivo and in vitro can damage alveolar epithelial and vascular endothelial barriers, resulting in lung tissue congestion and edema and eventually leading to significant dyspnea and hypoxemia, It can further develop into acute respiratory distress syndrome. Oxidative stress is one of the pathogenesis of ALI. A large number of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can promote the aggregation of inflammatory cells, increase pulmonary capillary permeability, and even directly damage lung tissue. Therefore, regulating oxidative stress becomes one of the effective means to reduce the degree of lung injury. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ALI is divided into the categories of "sudden wheezing" and "dyspnea due to wheezing". TCM treats the causes of dampness, heat, poison, and stasis by syndrome differentiation and treatment, regulates Qi and blood, and balances Yin and Yang to restore the physiological function of the lung. In recent years, a large number of studies have shown that TCM can regulate ROS through multiple targets and mechanisms and play a role in reducing lung inflammation and protecting alveolar epithelial cells and endothelial vessels, in which the nuclear factor E2 associated factor 2 (Nrf2) antioxidant pathway plays an important role. Based on the generation and clearance of ROS, this article summarized the related mechanisms of TCM monomers, TCM pairs, and TCM compounds in regulating oxidative stress to prevent ALI, so as to provide theoretical reference for the research and development of new TCM for ALI and clinical treatment.
8.Mechanism of Danshenol A in Alleviating Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury-induced Ferroptosis of Cardiomyocytes
Lei ZHANG ; Jiangang LIU ; Peili WANG ; Tao GENG ; Die LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):135-144
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of danshenol A (DA) pretreatment in alleviating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) by regulating cardiomyocyte ferroptosis by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsA MIRI model was established in SD rats, and an in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was constructed with H9C2 cells. Both models were treated with DA. H9C2 cells were allocated into blank, model (OGD/R), DA, ferroptosis inducer (erastin), and ferroptosis inhibitor (Fer-1) groups. Cell viability was assessed by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and ferrous ion (Fe2+) levels. Dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence assay was adopted to quantify the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to quantify the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), and acyl-coA synthetase long-chain family 4 (ACSL4). Sixty SPF-grade healthy male SD rats were randomly assigned to control, model (MIRI), DA, erastin, and Fer-1 groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK). Histopathological changes in the myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL). The effect of DA on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis were observed and analyzed by in vivo and in vitro experiments. ResultsIn vitro experiment: compared with the blank group, the OGD/R model group showed reduced cell viability, elevated levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4, lowered levels of SOD and GSH, and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 (P<0.05,P<0.01). The DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited consistent trends: cell viability, SOD and GSH levels, and the mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 were significantly restored, while the ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ levels, and the mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4 were reduced (P<0.05,P<0.01). In vivo experiment: Compared with the control group, the MIRI model group showed elevated serum levels of cTnI, LDH, and CK, increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, risen levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+, and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4. However, both DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited reductions in the indicators above (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the MIRI model group demonstrated reduced levels of SOD and GSH and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 (P<0.05). In contrast, both DA and Fer-1 upregulated these indicators (P<0.05), effectively reversing the trends in the model group. In addition, the MIRI model group showed swelling of cardiomyocytes, disarrangement of cardiac muscle fibers, and massive inflammatory cell infiltration, which were alleviated in the DA and Fer-1 groups. ConclusionDA alleviates MIRI by inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammation, demonstrating therapeutic potential in acute myocardial infarction.
9.Differention and Treatment of Brain Metastasis from Lung Cancer Based on Theory of "Yang Qi Depletion and Latent Pathogens Transmitting to the Brain"
Huiying ZHAO ; Yanxia LIANG ; Guangsen LI ; Wenwen WANG ; Wenwen SU ; Fenggu LIU ; Hongfei XING ; Maorong FAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):968-972
10.Mechanism of Danshenol A in Alleviating Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury-induced Ferroptosis of Cardiomyocytes
Lei ZHANG ; Jiangang LIU ; Peili WANG ; Tao GENG ; Die LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):135-144
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of danshenol A (DA) pretreatment in alleviating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) by regulating cardiomyocyte ferroptosis by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsA MIRI model was established in SD rats, and an in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was constructed with H9C2 cells. Both models were treated with DA. H9C2 cells were allocated into blank, model (OGD/R), DA, ferroptosis inducer (erastin), and ferroptosis inhibitor (Fer-1) groups. Cell viability was assessed by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and ferrous ion (Fe2+) levels. Dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence assay was adopted to quantify the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to quantify the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), and acyl-coA synthetase long-chain family 4 (ACSL4). Sixty SPF-grade healthy male SD rats were randomly assigned to control, model (MIRI), DA, erastin, and Fer-1 groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK). Histopathological changes in the myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL). The effect of DA on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis were observed and analyzed by in vivo and in vitro experiments. ResultsIn vitro experiment: compared with the blank group, the OGD/R model group showed reduced cell viability, elevated levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4, lowered levels of SOD and GSH, and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 (P<0.05,P<0.01). The DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited consistent trends: cell viability, SOD and GSH levels, and the mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 were significantly restored, while the ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ levels, and the mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4 were reduced (P<0.05,P<0.01). In vivo experiment: Compared with the control group, the MIRI model group showed elevated serum levels of cTnI, LDH, and CK, increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, risen levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+, and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4. However, both DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited reductions in the indicators above (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the MIRI model group demonstrated reduced levels of SOD and GSH and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 (P<0.05). In contrast, both DA and Fer-1 upregulated these indicators (P<0.05), effectively reversing the trends in the model group. In addition, the MIRI model group showed swelling of cardiomyocytes, disarrangement of cardiac muscle fibers, and massive inflammatory cell infiltration, which were alleviated in the DA and Fer-1 groups. ConclusionDA alleviates MIRI by inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammation, demonstrating therapeutic potential in acute myocardial infarction.

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