1.Herbal Textual Research on Arcae Concha in Famous Classical Formulas
Yiqin ZHANG ; Yixue ZHUANG ; Yinan LU ; Yanning CHEN ; Yichong CHEN ; Shuiyu XU ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Chengzi YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):208-218
In this paper, the name, origin, producing area, harvesting, processing and functional indications of Arcae Concha were systematically combed and verified by consulting the ancient and modern literature, in order to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing Arcae Concha. Arcae Concha was first recorded in the name of Han in Bencao Shiyi, but later, due to the influence of LI Shizhen's error of combining Han item with Kuiha in the Ming dynasty, there were aliases such as Kuilu and Fulao, and Yizong Bidu began to include Walengzi as its correct name and has been used ever since. The textual descriptions and illustrations of the medicinal materials of Arcae Concha contained in the materia medica of the past generations were consistent with the modern Arca inflata, A. subcrenata and A. granosa. In ancient times, there were medicinal records of two parts of shell and meat, but now the shell is used as medicine, and the meat is mostly edible. In ancient times, Zhejiang, Shandong, Guangdong and Guangxi were the main producing areas, and Zhejiang was the best. It is now believed that A. inflata is mostly distributed in the northern part of the Huanghai Sea, A. granosa is mostly distributed in the coastal areas south of Shandong Peninsula in China, and A. subcrenata is widely distributed in the coastal areas of China. Its quality is better in a complete, white, no residual meat and sand. In ancient times, there was no clear harvesting period, and the processing was mainly based on vinegar quenching after calcination or powdering of calcined shell, but now the harvesting period is autumn and winter. After harvesting, it is directly washed and crushed for raw use or processed by calcined method. The records of the medicinal materials in the past dynasties on the properties of Arcae Concha were mainly warm, sweet, salty and mild, and it is now believed that Arcae Concha is salty in taste and mild in nature. In ancient times, it was believed that Arcae Concha were mainly used for coldness in the heart and abdomen, coldness in the waist and spine, benefiting the five internal organs, strengthening the stomach. Nowadays, it is believed that Arcae Concha can eliminate phlegm and remove blood stasis, soften the hardness and dissipate the lumps, produce acid and relieve pain. It can be used in the treatment of stubborn phlegm, gall tumor, scrofula and other symptoms. In conclusion, it is suggested that for the famous classical formulas containing Arcae Concha, the corresponding methods should be selected according to the processing requirements of the drug in the formulas, while those without processing requirements can be determined according to the functional position of the products.
2.Mechanism of Modified Shaofu Zhuyutang in Antagonising Ectopic Endometrial Tissue Fibrosis Based on Cellular Pyroptosis Mediated by TRL4/NF-κB/NLPR3 Signaling Pathway
Zuoliang ZHANG ; Jiaxing WANG ; Wanrun WANG ; Xiangyu LIN ; Bin YUE ; Zhirui ZHANG ; Yinan WANG ; Yaling YANG ; Dongqing WEI ; Cancan HUANG ; Quansheng WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):19-28
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of modified Shaofu Zhuyutang in antagonizing cellular pyroptosis and fibrosis in ectopic endometrial tissues of endometriosis through the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (TRL4/NF-κB/NLPR3) signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-two SPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group (n = 12) and a modeling group (n = 60). The rats in the sham-operated group underwent a caesarean section, while the rats in the modeling group were used to establish an endometriosis model through the auto-transplantation method. After successful modeling, the animals were randomly divided into the model group, progesterone group (0.25 mg·kg-1), and modified Shaofu Zhuyutang low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (7.5, 15, 30 g·kg-1), with 12 animals in each group. After 4 weeks of drug administration, voluntary activity and heat pain latency were observed. The rats were sacrificed for tissue collection, and Masson staining were used to observe histopathological changes in the endometrial tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the protein expression area of tumor necrosis factor-related factor 6 (TRAF6) and NLPR3 in the endometrial tissues. Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to detect the relative fluorescence intensity of Caspase-1 and gasdermin D (GSDMD) in the endometrial tissues. Western blot was employed to measure the relative expression of TRL4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), TRAF6, NF-κB p65, phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65), and NLPR3 proteins in endometrial tissues. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of TRL4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB, and NLPR3 in the endometrial tissues. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group, rats in the model group showed reduced voluntary activity and shorter heat pain latency. Serum levels of IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β were elevated. The relative expression areas of TRAF6 and NLPR3 proteins were increased, and the relative fluorescence intensity of Caspase-1 and GSDMD was enhanced. The relative expression of TRL4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65, and NLPR3 proteins, along with the expression of TRL4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB, and NLPR3 mRNA, were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, rats in the progesterone group and the modified Shaofu Zhuyutang medium- and high-dose groups exhibited improved voluntary activity, longer heat pain latency, the fibrosis of endometrial tissue is alleviated. Serum levels of IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β were decreased. The relative expression areas of TRAF6 and NLPR3 proteins decreased, and the relative fluorescence intensity of Caspase-1 and GSDMD weakened. The relative expression of TRL4, MyD88, TRAF6, p-NF-κB p65, NLPR3 proteins, and TRL4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB, and NLPR3 mRNA expression were reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionModified Shaofu Zhuyutang may play a therapeutic role in endometriosis by interfering with key proteins in the TRL4/NF-κB/NLPR3 signaling pathway, reducing NLRP3 inflammasome-induced cellular pyroptosis, antagonizing the fibrosis process in ectopic endometrial tissues, improving the inflammatory microenvironment in the pelvic cavity, and alleviating pain.
3.Herbal Textual Research on Selaginellae Herba in Famous Classical Formulas
Yinan LU ; Jing MENG ; Yangyang CHEN ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Chengzi YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):31-39
By consulting the ancient Chinese herbal books, medical books and formularies of the past dynasties, and combining with modern research data, this paper makes a systematic textual research on the name, origin, place of origin, traditional quality evaluation, harvesting and processing of Selaginellae Herba, so as to provide a basis for the development and utilization of the relevant famous classical formulas. According to the textual research, Juanbai is the correct name of the herbal medicine in all dynasties, and there are also aliases such as Baozu, Qiugu, Jiaoshi and Jiusi Huanhuncao. The origin of Selaginellae Herba in the ancient herbal books was Selaginella tamariscina in all dynasties. Since the Republic of China, S. pulvinata has been gradually used as another origin of Selaginellae Herba. In ancient times, the producing area of S. tamariscina was mainly in Shandong, Hebei, Henan, Shaanxi, Jiangsu and Sichuan, etc. Nowadays, it is produced all over the country. S. pulvinata is mainly produced in Guangxi, Fujian, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Hebei and so on. Since the recent times, it is concluded that the quality of the green color, complete and unbroken is good. Before the Qing dynasty, it was recorded that the harvesting time of Selaginellae Herba was generally from April to July, and it was expanded to all year round since the Qing dynasty. After harvesting, remove the sediment(sand and mud), cut off the fibrous roots and dry in the shade or in the sun. The processing methods in all dynasties were mainly carbonizing by stir-frying and stir-bake to brown, and some ancient books contained the processing method of brine boiling, which was rarely used in modern times. Based on the results, it is recommended that S. tamariscina should be used as the base material of Selaginellae Herba. Because of more impurities, it should be fully purified to ensure the cleanliness of the herb, and the processing method can be based on the prescription requirements, if the processing requirements are not specified, the raw products can be used, charcoal products is recommended for use as an hemostatic.
4.Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Options of Peripheral Spondyloarthritis
Lulu ZENG ; Xiaojian JI ; Lidong HU ; Jiawen HU ; Yinan ZHANG ; Jiaxin ZHANG ; Xingkang LIU ; Shiwei YANG ; Feng HUANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;16(1):50-58
To compare the differences in clinical features and treatment choices between peripheral spondyloarthritis(pSpA) and axial spondyloarthritis(axSpA), and better understand the clinical characteristics and medication needs of pSpA. Our study is a retrospective cohort study. The patients who first visited the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 2016 and December 2022 and were diagnosed with axSpA or pSpA according to the classification criteria established by the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society were selected as the study subjects. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, and treatment information of these patients were obtained through the electronic medical records management system and the intelligent management system for spondyloarthritis. The research compared the distribution of swollen and tender joints between pSpA and axSpA patients, as well as that between pSpA1(excluding patients with psoriatic arthritis) and axSpA patients. Additionally, we analyzed differences in clinical features and treatment options among these groups. A total of 1639 patients were included in the study, of which 184 had pSpA(including 97 with psoriatic arthritis), and 1455 had axSpA. Compared to axSpA patients, pSpA patients had fewer male patients(62.5% pSpA patients tend to have a later onset of disease, a lower proportion of male and HLA-B27 positivity, more associated peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, psoriasis, and a more common family history of psoriasis. The disease burden in terms of treatment for pSpA is not lower than that for axSpA. Due to the presence of more peripheral symptoms, psoriasis, and higher levels of inflammation, they also require more medication.
5.Fractional order calculus model diffusion weighted imaging for evaluating pathological classification and differentiation degree of cervical cancer
Jinchao ZHANG ; Yinan SUN ; Qing YANG ; Ming CHEN ; Wangyan XU ; Mengxiao LIU ; Juan ZHU ; Fei WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2024;40(11):1730-1734
Objective To explore the value of fractional order calculus(FROC)model diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)for evaluating pathological classification and differentiation degree of cervical cancer(CCA).Methods Totally 74 CCA patients were enrolled and divided into squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)group(n=54)and adenocarcinoma(ACA)group(n=20)based on pathological classification,also low differentiation group(n=33)and medium-high differentiation group(n=41)based on differentiation degree.Conventional MR examination and DWI with 12 b-values were performed,FROC model parameters(D,β,and p value)and the apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)of mono-exponential model were obtained via software analysis.The parameters were compared between groups,and receiver operating characteristic curve of those being significantly different between groups were drawn,the area under the curves(AUC)were calculated to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy.Results Significant differences of ADC,D,and β values were found between SCC group and ACA group(all P<0.05),and D value had the highest AUC(0.726)for distinguishing pathological classification CCA.Meanwhile,significant differences of D,β,p values and ADC were observed between low differentiation group and medium-high differentiation group(all P<0.05),D value also had the highest AUC(0.865).AUC of the combined model constructed based on significant variables β and p values in logistic regression was 0.926,higher than that of each parameter alone(all P<0.05).Conclusion FROC model DWI could be used to evaluate pathological classification and differentiation degree of CCA.
6.Clinical application and development of digital therapy in psychiatry
Teng ZHU ; Yinan MO ; Ruilin JIN ; Han-Lin LI ; Menjie ZHANG ; Jiayun YU ; Wanying ZHENG ; Chuang YANG
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2023;49(10):625-630
Digital therapeutics(DTs)refers to a non-drug intervention method that uses electronic devices such as computers,smartphones,and wearable devices to evaluate and intervene through software programs and Internet technologies.It has been confirmed that there is a good therapeutic effect on a variety of mental disorders.Digital therapeutics can improve the insomnia problems of insomniacs,enhance the attention and work memory ability of patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,and can also alleviate symptoms such as depression and anxiety disorder.Digital therapy will develop towards personalized treatment,popular treatment,fragmented treatment,and entertainment treatment in the future and have broad development prospects.
7.Reliability and validity of the hidden hunger assessment scale in China-revised for high school students
Zhang NING ; Wang MINAO ; Zhang YUCHEN ; Cao HUAKE ; Yang YANG ; Shi YUHANG ; Pei YANG ; Yang FEIXIANG ; Du YINAN
Global Health Journal 2023;7(2):110-116
Objective:Hidden hunger remains a severe public health problem that affects millions of people worldwide.In China,challenges related to dietary imbalance and hidden hunger persist.Micronutrient inadequacy deserves more attention among adolescents,given its vital role in their growth and development;however,this problem appears to have been largely ignored.High school students,in particular,are often at a high risk of hidden hunger but have limited assessment tools available.Therefore,this study aims to revise the hidden hunger assessment scale for high school students(HHAS-HSS)in China and assess its reliability and validity.Methods:Based on a literature review,expert consultation,pre-experiment,and formal survey,a hidden hunger assessment scale was revised for high school students.The formal survey involved 9 336 high school students in 11 of the 16 cities in Anhui Province,China,and 9038 valid questionnaires were collected and included in the analysis.The item analysis,internal consistency reliability,test-retest reliability,content validity,exploratory factor analysis,and confirmatory factor analysis of the HHAS-HSS were examined.Results:The HHAS-HSS included a total of 4 dimensions and 12 items:"vegetables and food diversity"(three items),"fruits and dairy products"(three items),"micronutrient-dense foods"(four items),and"health condition and eating habits"(two items).The results showed a Cronbach's alpha of 0.758,a split-half reliability of 0.829,and a test-retest reliability of 0.793,indicating good internal consistency.Using the Bartlett's test and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test(KMO)to test the exploratory factor analysis presented a four-factor model of the HHAS-HSS,the KMO value was 0.820(P<0.001),which indicated the possibility for factor confirmatory factor analysis.Using the maximum variance rotation method,four factors were obtained,and the cumulative variance explained rate was 57.974%.Confirmatory factor analysis also supported the division of the scale into four dimensions,and the fitting indices were x2=1417.656,x2/df=29.534,goodness-of-fit index=0.974,adjusted goodnesss-of-fit index=0.958,parsimonious goodness-of-fit index=0.600,normed fit index=0.938,incremental fit index=0.940,Tucker-Lewis index=0.917,comparative fit index=0.939,and root mean square error of approximation=0.056.Except for x2/df,all the indices reached the fitting standard,and the above results showed that the construct validity of the scale reached an acceptable level.Conclusions:The HHAS-HSS has good validity and reliability for Chinese high school students.It is a convenient self-report measure of hidden hunger risk.
8.Herbal Textual Reseach on Haliotidis Concha in Famous Classical Formulas
Yixue ZHUANG ; Yinan LU ; Jingwen HU ; Yiqin ZHANG ; Jing MENG ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Chengzi YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(6):25-33
By reviewing the ancient materia medica, medical books and modern literature, this paper made a systematic textual research on Haliotidis Concha in famous classical formulas, including the name, origin, producing area, quality evaluation, harvesting and processing, in order to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing Haliotidis Concha. The textual research showed that Shijueming was the official name of Haliotidis Concha in past dynasties, and there were also aliases such as Qianliguang, Jiukongluo and Zhenzhumu named after its efficacy, properties and near-phonetic characters. Before the Tang dynasty, the original description of Haliotidis Concha was too concise, which could only be identified as the animal of genus Haliotis, family Haliotidae. During the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, the main varieties were H. diversicolor and H. discus hannai. At the beginning of the Republic of China, a variety of animals from genus Haliotis were used as Haliotidis Concha, and varieties were numerous and continued to this day. In ancient and modern times, the main producing areas in China are Hainan, Guangdong and Shandong, while the foreign producing areas are mainly Japan and Vietnam. The quality evaluation of Haliotidis Concha in ancient books was roughly determined by the number of openings of the expiratory orifice, and seven-hole and nine-hole abalone shells were preferred. In modern times, characters as big, neat, unbroken, clean inside and outside, lustrous, thick shells are preferred. Based on the textual research results and combined with the record years of the Shijueming San, it is suggested that the shells of H. diversicolor or H. discus hannai should be used in the development of this formula, and the raw products should be used as medicine.
9.Effect of Cuscutae Semen on Learning and Memory and N6-methyladenosine Modification in Hippocampus of Offspring of Fear-damaged Pregnant Rats
Tong ZHANG ; Junlin HOU ; Yu JIANG ; Liping YANG ; Zhixin DU ; Yuexuan LIU ; Shenao DING ; Xueming YANG ; Yinan YAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(2):104-112
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Cuscutae Semen on the learning and memory ability, N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-related modification enzymes and total m6A level in hippocampus of the offspring of fear-damaged pregnant rats. MethodForty-five pregnant rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group and Cuscutae Semen group. From the 1st day to the 19th day of pregnancy, rats in the model group and the Cuscutae Semen group were induced by observing electric shock of other rats. The Cuscutae Semen group was treated with 5 g·kg-1·d-1 Cuscutae Semen decoction (ig), while the other two groups were treated with the same amount of purified water. The offspring were assigned following the grouping method of their maternal generation. The behavioral changes of the offspring were tested by Morris water maze on 21st day after birth, and the development of hippocampal neurons was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The mRNA and protein expression levels of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), METTL14, Wilms tumor 1 associated protein (WTAP), fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) and Alk B homologue 5 (ALKBH5) were detected by Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The total content of m6A in hippocampus was determined by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). ResultCompared with the conditions in the blank group, the average latency duration in the model group was prolonged, and the number of entries in the target quadrant, the target quadrant duration and the number of crossing the platform were decreased (P<0.01). Additionally, the model group had seriously damaged structure of hippocampal CA1 and CA3 neurons, swollen mitochondria, expanded endoplasmic reticulum, and small number of synapses with some having blurred structure, and the expression levels of METTL3, METTL14, FTO, ALKBH5 as well as the total m6A level were lower than those in the blank group (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Cuscutae Semen group had shortened average latency duration, increased number of entries in the target quadrant, target quadrant duration and number of crossing the platform (P<0.01), alleviated damage of hippocampal CA1 and CA3 neurons, fine structure of mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum, and clear, intact and dense synapses. And the expression levels of METTL3, METTL14, FTO as well as the total level of m6A were up regulated, while the expression level of ALKBH5 was down regulated in the Cuscutae Semen group (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionCuscutae Semen improved the learning and memory ability of the offspring of the rats affected by fear damaging kidney during pregnancy, protected hippocampal neurons, and up-regulated the expression levels of METTL3, METTL14, FTO and the total m6A level in hippocampus.
10.Dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins isolated from Gynostemma pentaphyllum ameliorate liver fibrosis via agonizing PP2Cα and inhibiting deposition of extracellular matrix.
Yue LIU ; Yating YANG ; Hanghang WANG ; Han LI ; Qi LV ; Xiachang WANG ; Dalei WU ; Lihong HU ; Yinan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2023;21(8):599-609
Gypenosides, structurally analogous to ginsenosides and derived from a sustainable source, are recognized as the principal active compounds found in Gynostemma pentaphyllum, a Chinese medicinal plant used in the treatment of the metabolic syndrome. By bioactive tracking isolation of the plants collected from different regions across China, we obtained four new gypenosides (1-4), together with nine known gypenosides (5-13), from the methanol extract of the plant. The structures of new gypenosides were elucidated by one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, complemented by chemical degradation experiments. Through comprehensive evaluation involving COL1A1 promoter assays and PP2Cα activity assays, we established a definitive structure-activity relationship for these dammarane-type triterpenoids, affirming the indispensability of the C-3 saccharide chain and C-17 lactone ring in effectively impeding extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition within hepatic stellate cells. Further in vivo study on the CCl4-induced liver damage mouse model corroborated that compound 5 significantly ameliorated the process of hepatic fibrosis by oral administration. These results underscore the potential of dammarane-type triterpenoids as prospective anti-fibrotic leads and highlight their prevalence as key molecular frameworks in the therapeutic intervention of chronic hepatic disorders.
Animals
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Mice
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Gynostemma
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Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy*
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Triterpenes/pharmacology*
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Ginsenosides
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Extracellular Matrix
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Dammaranes

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