1.Research progress of traditional Chinese medicine regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to promote chronic wound healing
Zhenhui ZHU ; Zhi LI ; Yu LENG ; Tao CAI ; Xuefa SHEN ; Xianxue XIANG ; Yongxin HUANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(8):1019-1024
The pathogenesis of chronic wound healing is complex. It is often difficult to heal due to a long course of disease, difficulty in treatment, and it seriously affects the quality of life in patients. The active ingredients, couplet medicinals, and compound formulas of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possess unique advantages in the treatment of chronic wound healing. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway is extremely critical in the treatment of chronic wound healing by regulating a series of biological processes, including cell apoptosis, angiogenesis, and inflammatory responses. This article reviews the relevant research on the regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by TCM to promote chronic wound healing. It has been found that the active ingredients of TCM (such as geniposide, astragaloside, and ginsenosides, etc.), and compound formulas (such as Chonghe ointment, Huanglian ointment, Shirun shaoshang ointment, etc.) mainly reduce inflammatory responses, promote angiogenesis, regulate cell autophagy, and accelerate wound healing by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway; at the same time, there are also a few couplet medicinals( such as Huangqi-Honghua) and compound formulas (such as Xiangpi Shengji ointment) that exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting this signaling pathway, to promote wound healing.
2.Effect and Mechanism of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma Herb Pair in Treatment of Simple Obesity
Wenjing LI ; Zhongyu WANG ; Yongxin HUANG ; Jingjing XU ; Ying DING ; You WU ; Zhiwei QI ; Ruifeng YANG ; Xiaotong YANG ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):70-79
ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the active components and target pathways of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma (ASR-PR) herb pair in the treatment of simple obesity through network pharmacology and molecular docking, and to verify and investigate its mechanism of action via animal experiments. MethodsThe chemical constituents and targets of ASR and PR were predicted using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Targets related to simple obesity were identified by retrieving the GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB), and DisGeNET databases. The intersection of drug and disease targets was used to construct an active component-target network using Cytoscape software. This network was imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and topological analysis was conducted to identify core genes. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and mapping were performed using the DAVID database and the Microbioinformatics platform. AutoDock 1.5.7 software was used to perform molecular docking between the top five active components and core targets. An animal model of simple obesity was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a high-fat diet. The mice were administered ASR (2.06 g·kg-1), PR (2.06 g·kg-1), or ASR-PR (4.11 g·kg-1) for 10 weeks, while the model group received an equal volume of purified water by gavage. After the administration period, the mice were sacrificed to measure body fat weight and serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histopathological sections of liver and adipose tissue. Serum levels of leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in liver tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated that the treatment of simple obesity by ASR-PR may involve the regulation of protein expression of core targets EGFR and STAT3 by its main components MOL009760 (Siberian glycoside A_qt), MOL003889 (methyl protodioscin_qt), MOL009766 (resveratrol), MOL006331 (4′,5-dihydroxyflavone), and MOL004941 (baicalin), thereby modulating the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had significantly increased body weight, body fat weight, and serum levels of TG, TC, TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin (P<0.01). EGFR mRNA expression was significantly elevated (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Histological analysis revealed disordered hepatic architecture in the model group, with pronounced lipid vacuoles, cytoplasmic loosening, lipid accumulation, and steatosis. Adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) of the model group exhibited markedly increased diameters, reduced cell counts per unit area, and irregular morphology. Compared with the model group, the ASR-PR group significantly reduced body weight, body fat weight, serum TC, IL-6, TNF-α, leptin levels, and EGFR mRNA expression (P<0.01). TG levels were also significantly decreased (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). Histopathological improvements included reduced size and number of hepatic lipid vacuoles and restoration of liver cell morphology toward that of the normal group. The diameter of adipocytes significantly decreased, and the number of adipocytes per unit area increased. ConclusionASR-PR may regulate the expression of key target proteins such as EGFR and STAT3 via its core active components, modulate the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, repair damaged liver and adipose tissues, and thereby alleviate the progression of obesity in mice.
3.Effect and Mechanism of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma Herb Pair in Treatment of Simple Obesity
Wenjing LI ; Zhongyu WANG ; Yongxin HUANG ; Jingjing XU ; Ying DING ; You WU ; Zhiwei QI ; Ruifeng YANG ; Xiaotong YANG ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):70-79
ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the active components and target pathways of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma (ASR-PR) herb pair in the treatment of simple obesity through network pharmacology and molecular docking, and to verify and investigate its mechanism of action via animal experiments. MethodsThe chemical constituents and targets of ASR and PR were predicted using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Targets related to simple obesity were identified by retrieving the GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB), and DisGeNET databases. The intersection of drug and disease targets was used to construct an active component-target network using Cytoscape software. This network was imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and topological analysis was conducted to identify core genes. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and mapping were performed using the DAVID database and the Microbioinformatics platform. AutoDock 1.5.7 software was used to perform molecular docking between the top five active components and core targets. An animal model of simple obesity was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a high-fat diet. The mice were administered ASR (2.06 g·kg-1), PR (2.06 g·kg-1), or ASR-PR (4.11 g·kg-1) for 10 weeks, while the model group received an equal volume of purified water by gavage. After the administration period, the mice were sacrificed to measure body fat weight and serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histopathological sections of liver and adipose tissue. Serum levels of leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in liver tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated that the treatment of simple obesity by ASR-PR may involve the regulation of protein expression of core targets EGFR and STAT3 by its main components MOL009760 (Siberian glycoside A_qt), MOL003889 (methyl protodioscin_qt), MOL009766 (resveratrol), MOL006331 (4′,5-dihydroxyflavone), and MOL004941 (baicalin), thereby modulating the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had significantly increased body weight, body fat weight, and serum levels of TG, TC, TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin (P<0.01). EGFR mRNA expression was significantly elevated (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Histological analysis revealed disordered hepatic architecture in the model group, with pronounced lipid vacuoles, cytoplasmic loosening, lipid accumulation, and steatosis. Adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) of the model group exhibited markedly increased diameters, reduced cell counts per unit area, and irregular morphology. Compared with the model group, the ASR-PR group significantly reduced body weight, body fat weight, serum TC, IL-6, TNF-α, leptin levels, and EGFR mRNA expression (P<0.01). TG levels were also significantly decreased (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). Histopathological improvements included reduced size and number of hepatic lipid vacuoles and restoration of liver cell morphology toward that of the normal group. The diameter of adipocytes significantly decreased, and the number of adipocytes per unit area increased. ConclusionASR-PR may regulate the expression of key target proteins such as EGFR and STAT3 via its core active components, modulate the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, repair damaged liver and adipose tissues, and thereby alleviate the progression of obesity in mice.
4.Interventional effect and mechanism of 1,8-cineole on pancreatic β cell ferroptosis induced by type 2 diabetes
Hong YANG ; Pengyan REN ; Yongxin CHEN ; Yuting YAO ; Shiquan GAN ; Jia LIU ; Tingting CHEN ; Bao ZHANG ; Xiangchun SHEN ; Yue LI
China Pharmacy 2024;35(3):290-295
OBJECTIVE To study the interventional effect and mechanism of 1,8-cineole on pancreatic β cell ferroptosis induced by type 2 diabetes. METHODS In vitro ferroptosis model was established in pancreatic β cells of mice by using high glucose. The effects of low-dose and high-dose 1,8-cineole (0.25, 0.5 μmol/L) on the level of Fe2+ in pancreatic β cells were investigated. The effects of 1,8-cineole (0.5 μmol/L) combined with ferroptosis inducer Erastin (20 μmol/L) and ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin-1 (20 μmol/L) on the protein expressions of glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPX4) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) were also detected. The type 2 diabetes model mice were established by feeding high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The effects of low-dose and high-dose 1,8-cineole (50, 200 mg/kg) on the pathological morphology of pancreatic tissue, the content of iron as well as the protein expressions of GPX4 and COX2 were investigated. RESULTS The results of the cell experiment showed that compared with the model group, pretreatment with 1,8-cineole significantly reduced intracellular Fe2+ levels and upregulated GPX4 protein expression, while downregulated COX2 protein expression in pancreatic β cells (P<0.05). After combining with Ferrostatin-1, the expression trends of the above two proteins were the same, while there was no statistically significant difference after combining with Erastin. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the model group, after intervention with 1,8-cineole, the structure of the pancreatic islets in mice recovered intact and their morphology improved; the iron content of pancreatic tissue and protein expression of COX2 were decreased significantly (P<0.05), while protein expression of GPX4 was increased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS 1,8-cineole could ameliorate pancreatic β cell injury induced by diabetes, the mechanism of which may be related to reducing intracellular iron deposition and regulating ferroptosis-related proteins.
5.Application of artificial intelligence in ophthalmic plastic surgery
Yingge MA ; Shixu LI ; Yongxin ZHANG ; Jun MEI ; Lin YE ; Meina YANG
International Eye Science 2024;24(3):453-457
The advancement of computers and data explosion have ushered in the third wave of artificial intelligence(AI). AI is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses new ideas, new theories, and new technologies, etc. AI has brought convenience to ophthalmology application and promoted its intelligent, precise, and minimally invasive development. At present, AI has been widely applied in various fields of ophthalmology, especially in oculoplastic surgery. AI has made rapid progress in image detection, facial recognition, etc., and its performance and accuracy have even surpassed humans in some aspects. This article reviews the relevant research and applications of AI in oculoplastic surgery, including ptosis, single eyelid, pouch, eyelid mass, and exophthalmos, and discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by AI in oculoplastic surgery, and provides prospects for its future development, aiming to provide new ideas for the development of AI in oculoplastic surgery.
6.A cross-sectional survey of mental health literacy in college freshmen
Dian ZHANG ; Jinpei SONG ; Shen CHEN ; Yongxin LI
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2024;38(1):84-88
Objective:To investigate the stateand related factors of mental health literacy in college freshmen.Methods:A total of 8 014 college freshmen in the class of 2022 from a comprehensive university in Henan Province were selected.They were assessed with a self-administered general information questionnaire and the Mental Health Literacy Scale(MHLS).Results:The average total score of freshmen on the MHLS was(111.55±9.84),and the MHLS total scores were higher in female freshmen than in male freshmen(P<0.001).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that gender was significantly negatively associated with total MHLS scores(β=-0.24,P<0.001),and whether or not they had taken mental health education courses(β=0.09)and whether or not they had read psychology-related books(β=0.08)were positively associated with total MHLS score(Ps<0.001).Conclusion:In this study,the mental health literacy in freshmen is at amoderate level,with higher levels of mental health literacy in females,those who have taken mental health education courses,and those who have read books on psychology.
7.Secondary osteoporosis and respiratory diseases: An update
Wenbin TAN ; Jia LI ; Mingyu LIU ; Yongxin LU ; Yaxin CHENG
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;40(2):177-182
Long-term burden of illness and associated medication usage make osteoporosis(OP) a common complication of respiratory diseases. The pathogenic risk factors and treatment strategies for respiratory diseases related OP are similar to primary OP. However, due to differences in the pathogenesis of each disease, there are distinctions in the characteristics of bone loss and treatment approaches. Therefore, targeted diagnostic and therapeutic plans need to be formulated. This article provides a comprehensive review of secondary OP caused by common respiratory diseases in terms of epidemiological characteristics, related risk factors or possible mechanisms, changes in bone metabolic indexes or characteristics of bone damage, and progress in diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this review is to offer insights into the prevention and treatment of secondary OP related to respiratory diseases and promote the development of a multidisciplinary collaborative approach.
8.Imaging evaluation of duplication of the internal auditory canal
Chunmei WU ; Simeng LU ; Shuilian YU ; Miao LEI ; Yongxin LI ; Bentao YANG
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2024;31(2):92-96
OBJECTIVE To analyze the MSCT and MRI imaging manifestations of patients with duplication of the internal auditory canal(DIAC),improve understanding of the deformity,to provide preoperative basis for cochlear implantation.METHODS Retrospective observation of 20 cases(24 ears)of DIAC inner ear multi-spiral CT(MSCT)and MRI data,measurement and analysis of the width of the internal auditory canal(IAC)and cochlear nerve canal in the lesion group and the control group.RESULTS All DIACs had stenosis of the IAC cambined with other temporal bone malformations.MSCT shows that the 21 ears IAC,while MRI hydrography shows the 16 ears IAC divided into double tubes by bone.MRI hydrography shows a slender vestibulocochlear nerve.There were statistically significant differences(P<0.001)in the width of IAC and cochlear nerve canal between the lesion group and the control group.Six cases(8 ears)had varying degrees of hearing recovery after cochlear implant surgery.CONCLUSION DIAC shows stenosis of the IAC;The bone septa shown on MSCT are its characteristic fertures;MRI hydrography shows underdeveloped vestibular and cochlear nerves;The combination of two imaging examination methods can provide objective reference for the diagnosis of this disease and artificial auditory implantation.
9.Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Rehmanniae Radix and Its Decoction Pieces Based on Sugar Spectrum
Mengru DAI ; Chun LI ; Raorao LI ; Limei LIN ; Chunxiu SHEN ; Yongxin ZHANG ; Weihong FENG ; Zhimin WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(18):157-163
ObjectiveTaking the oligosaccharides in Rehmanniae Radix(RR) as the research object, the content determination method based on high performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detection(HPLC-ELSD) and thin layer chromatography(TLC) identification method were established to explore the content and distribution of oligosaccharides in different RR herbs and decoction pieces. MethodA total of 10 batches of fresh and raw RR, 12 batches of RR decoction pieces and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata(RRP) were collected. A TLC identification method for fructose, sucrose, manninotriose, raffinose and stachyose in RR was established by using silica gel G thin-layer plates with ethyl acetate-water-anhydrous formic acid-glacial acetic acid(12∶6∶5∶4) as the developing agent and 10% sulfuric acid-ethanol solution as chromogenic agent. A HPLC-ELSD was used to determine the contents of fructose, glucose, sucrose, melibiose, raffinose, manninotriose and stachyose in different RR herbs and decoction pieces. Then principal component analysis(PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) were used to analyze the contents of 7 kinds of saccharides in RR herbs and decoction pieces, and the differential components were screened with the value of variable importance in the projection(VIP)>1. ResultThe results of TLC identification showed that fresh RR, raw RR and its decoction pieces showed spots of the same color on the corresponding positions with the control products of stachyose, raffinose and sucrose, while the TLC of RRP showed spots of the same color at corresponding positions to manninotriose and fructose controls. The results of methodological investigations of 7 analytes met the requirements of determination. Only glucose, sucrose, raffinose and stachyose were detected in 10 batches of fresh RR and 10 batches of raw RR herbs, the average contents of which were 0.84%, 4.62%, 2.42% and 57.90% in fresh samples, while those were 3.16%, 9.36%, 7.05% and 38.10% in raw samples, respectively. In 12 batches of RR decoction pieces, the contents of the above seven sugars(fructose, glucose, sucrose, melibiose, raffinose, manninotriose and stachyose) were 1.68%, 4.27%, 9.96%, 0.53%, 6.85%, 3.05% and 37.52%, respectively. In 12 batches of RRP, the contents of the above seven sugars were 10.62%, 11.01%, 1.25%, 3.35%, 1.12%, 28.16% and 6.39%, respectively. The results of multivariate statistical analysis showed that fresh RR, raw RR and RRP could be distinguished from each other by the contents of the 7 sugars, and the main differential components were stachyose, sucrose, raffinose and manninotriose. ConclusionIn terms of oligosaccharides, the contents and types of saccharides in different herbs and decoction pieces of RR are quite different, and the TLC identification method based on this can be used to distinguish raw RR from RRP, which can lay a foundation for improving the quality standard of RR and developing and applying oligosaccharides in different processed products of RR.
10.Selection and Weight Determination of Diagnostic Items for Qi Stagnation Syndrome Based on Delphi Method and Analytic Hierarchy Process
Xuan ZHOU ; Ge FANG ; Qingyu MA ; Xiaojuan LI ; Yongxin LI ; Zhixi HU ; Xiantao LI ; Jiaxu CHEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(21):2211-2216
ObjectiveUsing the Delphi method and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to screen diagnostic items for qi stagnation syndrome and determine their weights, providing a reference for the development of a diagnostic scale of qi stagnation syndrome. MethodsLiterature related to qi stagnation syndrome were screened from databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed (from inception to October 31, 2020). Through systematic review of literature and expert discussions, the information on the four examinations of traditional Chinese medicine were organized and an item pool was constructed. The Delphi method was used to screen the item indicators, while the AHP was employed to determine their weights. Statistical methods such as mean value, full score ratio, rank sum, unimportant percentage, and coefficient of variation were used for item screening, with the weights calculated by AHP serving as the item weights. ResultsA total of 235 articles and books were included for analysis, resulting in an item pool of 16 items. After three rounds of expert consultation, a total of 84 valid questionnaires were collected, with a total expert enthusiasm coefficient of 99% and authority coefficient of 0.86, 0.84, 0.83, respectively, and the coordination coefficients were 0.45, 0.49, and 0.29, respectively. Through the statistics analysis, 8 diagnosis items were screened out, including distension (stuffi-ness) or distending pain or scurrying pain, wiry pulse, depressed emotions, frequent sighing, deep and wiry pulse, irritability, pale red tongue, and thin white coating. The AHP showed that the order of weights of the first-level indicators from high to low was clinical symptoms, pulse manifestation, and tongue manifestation; the order of weights of the second-level indicators from high to low was distension (stuffiness) or distending pain or scurrying pain, wiry pulse, depressed emotions, frequent sighing, deep and wiry pulse, irritability, pale red tongue, and thin white coating. ConclusionBy applying the Delphi method and AHP to analyze and evaluate the diagnostic items for qi stagnation syndrome, key diagnostic items were screened and their weights determined, laying the foundation for the development of a diagnostic scale for qi stagnation syndrome.

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