1.Mechanism of Action of Kaixinsan in Ameliorating Alzheimer's Disease
Xiaoming HE ; Xiaotong WANG ; Dongyu MIN ; Xinxin WANG ; Meijia CHENG ; Yongming LIU ; Yetao JU ; Yali YANG ; Changbin YUAN ; Changyang YU ; Li ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):20-29
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of Kaixinsan in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experimental validation. MethodsThe Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP) and the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine(ETCM) databases were used to obtain the active ingredients and targets of Kaixinsan. GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM), TTD, PharmGKB, and DrugBank databases were used to obtain the relevant targets of AD. The intersection (common targets) of the active ingredient targets of Kaixinsan and the relevant targets of AD was taken, and the network interaction analysis of the common targets was carried out in the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network. The CytoNCA plugin within Cytoscape was used to screen out the core targets, and the Metascape platform was used to perform gene ontology(GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. The “drug-active ingredient-target” interaction network was constructed with the help of Cytoscape 3.8.2, and AutoDock Vina was used for molecular docking. Scopolamine (SCOP) was utilized for modeling and injected intraperitoneally once daily. Thirty-two male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into blank control (CON) group (0.9% NaCl, n=8), model (SCOP) group (3 mg·kg-1·d-1, n=8), positive control group (3 mg·kg-1·d-1 of SCOP+3 mg·kg-1·d-1 of Donepezil, n=8), and Kaixinsan group (3 mg·kg-1·d-1 of SCOP+6.5 g·kg-1·d-1 of Kaixinsan, n=8). Mice in each group were administered with 0.9% NaCl, Kaixinsan, or Donepezil by gavage twice a day for 14 days. Morris water maze experiment was used to observe the learning memory ability of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining method was used to observe the pathological changes in the CA1 area of the mouse hippocampus. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine the serum acetylcholine (ACh) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) contents of mice. Western blot method was used to detect the protein expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) and nuclear transcription factor(NF)-κB p65 in the hippocampus of mice. ResultsA total of 73 active ingredients of Kaixinsan were obtained, and 578 potential targets (common targets) of Kaixinsan for the treatment of AD were screened out. Key active ingredients included kaempferol, gijugliflozin, etc.. Potential core targets were STAT3, NF-κB p65, et al. GO functional enrichment analysis obtained 3 124 biological functions, 254 cellular building blocks, and 461 molecular functions. KEGG pathway enrichment obtained 248 pathways, mainly involving cancer-related pathways, TRP pathway, cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) pathway, and NF-κB pathway. Molecular docking showed that the binding of the key active ingredients to the target targets was more stable. Morris water maze experiment indicated that Kaixinsan could improve the learning memory ability of SCOP-induced mice. HE staining and ELISA results showed that Kaixinsan had an ameliorating effect on central nerve injury in mice. Western blot test indicated that Kaixinsan had a down-regulating effect on the levels of NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and STAT3 phosphorylation in the hippocampal tissue of mice in the SCOP model. ConclusionKaixinsan can improve the cognitive impairment function in SCOP model mice and may reduce hippocampal neuronal damage and thus play a therapeutic role in the treatment of AD by regulating NF-κB p65, STAT3, and other targets involved in the NF-κB signaling pathway.
2.Mechanism of Modified Si Junzitang and Shashen Maidong Tang in Improving Sensitivity of Cisplatin in EGFR-TKI Resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells Based on Aerobic Glycolysis
Yanping WEN ; Yi JIANG ; Liping SHEN ; Haiwei XIAO ; Xiaofeng YANG ; Surui YUAN ; Lingshuang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):39-46
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of modified Si Junzitang and Shashen Maidong Tang [Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu prescription (YQYYJD)] in enhancing the sensitivity of cisplatin in epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI)-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells based on aerobic glycolysis. MethodsThe effects of different concentrations of YQYYJD (0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 g·L-1) and cisplatin (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 mg·L-1) on the proliferation and activity of PC9/GR cells were detected by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay after 24 hours of intervention. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for PC9/GR cells was calculated to determine the concentrations used in subsequent experiments. PC9/GR cells were divided into blank group (complete medium), YQYYJD group (5 g·L-1), cisplatin group (12 mg·L-1), and combined group (YQYYJD 5 g·L-1 + cisplatin 12 mg·L-1). After 24 hours of intervention, cell viability was measured using CCK-8 assay. Cell proliferation was assessed by colony formation assay, and cell migration was evaluated by scratch and Transwell assays. Glucose consumption, lactate production, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were measured by colorimetric assays. The expression levels of glycolysis-related proteins, including hexokinase 2 (HK2), phosphofructokinase P (PFKP), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), were determined by Western blot. ResultsBoth YQYYJD and cisplatin inhibited the viability of PC9/GR cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 of PC9/GR cells for YQYYJD and cisplatin were 5.15 g·L-1 and 12.91 mg·L-1, respectively. In terms of cell proliferation, compared with the blank group, the cell survival rate and the number of colonies formed in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group showed a further significant reduction in cell survival rate and colony formation (P<0.01). In terms of cell migration, compared with the blank group, the cell migration rate and the number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group exhibited a further significant reduction in cell migration rate and the number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane (P<0.01). In terms of glycolysis, compared with the blank group, glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP levels in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group showed a further significant reduction in glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP levels (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the protein expression levels of HK2, PFKP, PKM2, and LDHA in the YQYYJD, cisplatin, and combined groups were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The combined group showed a further significant reduction in the expression levels of these proteins compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups (P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in the protein expression levels of GLUT1 and MCT4 among the groups. ConclusionYQYYJD can synergistically inhibit the proliferation and migration of PC9/GR cells and enhance their sensitivity to cisplatin. The mechanism may be related to the downregulation of the expression of glycolysis-related rate-limiting enzymes, including HK2, PFKP, PKM2, and LDHA, thereby inhibiting glycolysis.
3.Bioinformatics Reveals Mechanism of Xiezhuo Jiedu Precription in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis by Regulating Autophagy
Xin KANG ; Chaodi SUN ; Jianping LIU ; Jie REN ; Mingmin DU ; Yuan ZHAO ; Xiaomeng LANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):166-173
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription in regulating autophagy in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) by bioinformatics and animal experiments. MethodsThe differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the colonic mucosal tissue of UC patients was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and those overlapped with autophagy genes were obtained as the differentially expressed autophagy-related genes (DEARGs). DEARGs were imported into Metascape and STRING, respectively, for gene ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics (GO/KEGG) enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Finally, 15 key DEARGs were obtained. The core DEARGs were obtained by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. The CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm was used to analyze the immunoinfiltration of UC patients and the correlations between core DEARGs and immune cells. C57BL/6J mice were assigned into a normal group and a modeling group. The mouse model of UC was established by free drinking of 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium. The modeled mice were assigned into low-, medium-, and high-dose Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription and mesalazine groups according to the random number table method and administrated with corresponding agents by gavage for 7 days. The colonic mucosal morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The protein and mRNA levels of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase 1 (Caspase-1), cathepsin B (CTSB), C-C motif chemokine-2 (CCL2), CXC motif receptor 4 (CXCR4), and hypoxia-inducing factor-1α (HIF-1α) in the colon tissue were determined by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. ResultsThe dataset GSE87466 was screened from GEO and interlaced with autophagy genes. After PPI analysis, LASSO regression, and ROC analysis, the core DEARGs (Caspase-1, CCL2, CTSB, and CXCR4) were obtained. The results of immunoinfiltration analysis showed that the counts of NK cells, M0 macrophages, M1 macrophages, and dendritic cells in the colonic mucosal tissue of UC patients had significant differences, and core DEARGs had significant correlations with these immune cells. This result, combined with the prediction results of network pharmacology, suggested that the HIF-1α signaling pathway may play a key role in the regulation of UC by Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription. The animal experiments showed that Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription significantly alleviated colonic mucosal inflammation in UC mice. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of caspase-1, CCL2, CTSB, CXCR4, and HIF-1α, which were down-regulated after treatment with Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription or mesalazine. ConclusionCaspase-1, CCL2, CTSB, and CXCR4 are autophagy genes that are closely related to the onset of UC. Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription can down-regulate the expression of core autophagy genes to alleviate the inflammation in the colonic mucosa of mice.
4.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.
5.Compound Xishu Granules Inhibit Proliferation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Regulating Ferroptosis
Yuan TIAN ; Yuxi WANG ; Zhen LIU ; Yuncheng MA ; Hongyu ZHU ; Xiaozhu WANG ; Qian LI ; Jian GAO ; Weiling WANG ; Wenhui XU ; Ting WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):37-45
ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of compound Xishu granules (CXG) in inhibiting the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating ferroptosis. MethodsThe transplanted tumor model of human Huh7 was established with nude mice and the successfully modeled mice were randomized into model, Fufang Banmao (0.21 g·kg-1), low-dose (1.87 g·kg-1) CXG, medium-dose (3.74 g·kg-1) CXG, and high-dose (7.49 g·kg-1) CXG groups. Mice were administrated with drinking water or CXG for 28 days, and the body weight and tumor volume were measured every 4 days. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the histopathological changes of tumors. The cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to examine the survival rate of Huh7 cells treated with different concentrations (0, 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250, 500, 1 000 mg·L-1) of CXG for 24 h and 48 h. CA-AM, DCFH-DA, and C11-BODIPY581/591 fluorescent probes were used to determine the intracellular levels of ferrous ion (Fe2+), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lipid peroxide (LPO), respectively. The colorimetric method was employed to measure the levels of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1), and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), respectively. ResultsIn the animal experiment, compared with the model group, the drug treatment groups showed reductions in the tumor volume from day 12 (P<0.01). After treatment, the Fufang Banmao and low-, medium-, and high-dose CXG groups had lower tumor volume, relative tumor volume, and tumor weight than the model group (P<0.05), with tumor inhibition rates of 48.99%, 79.93%, 91.38%, and 97.36%, respectively. Moreover, the CXG groups had lower tumor volume and relative tumor volume (P<0.05 in all the three dose groups) and lower tumor weight (P<0.05 in medium-dose and high-dose groups) than the Fufang Banmao group. Compared with the model group, the drug treatment groups showed reduced number of tumor cells, necrotic foci with karyopyknosis, nuclear fragmentation, and nucleolysis, and the high-dose CXG group showed an increase in the proportion of interstitial fibroblasts. In the cell experiment, compared with the blank group, CXG reduced the survival rate of Huh7 cells in a dose-dependent manner after incubation for 24 h and 48 h (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the RSL3 group and the low-, medium-, and high-dose CXG groups showed a decrease in the relative fluorescence intensity of CA-AM and increases in the fluorescence intensity of DCFH-DA and fluorescence ratio of C11-BODIPY581/591, which indicated elevations in the levels of Fe2+ (P<0.01), ROS (P<0.05), and LPO (P<0.01), respectively. Compared with the blank group, the RSL3 and low-, medium-, and high-dose CXG groups showed lowered levels of GSH and SOD (P<0.05). In addition, the RSL3 group and the medium- and high-dose CXG groups showed down-regulated expression of GPX4 and FTH1 (P<0.05), and the low- and high-dose CXG groups presented up-regulated expression of TFR1 (P<0.05). ConclusionCXG suppresses the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by inducing ferroptosis via downregulating the GSH-GPX4 signaling axis and increasing intracellular Fe2+and LPO levels.
6.Evaluation of Effect of Tongnaoyin on Blood-brain Barrier Injury in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Based on Dynamic Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Yangjingyi XIA ; Shanshan LI ; Li LI ; Xiaogang TANG ; Xintong WANG ; Qing ZHU ; Hui JIANG ; Cuiping YUAN ; Yongkang LIU ; Zhaoyao CHEN ; Wenlei LI ; Yuan ZHU ; Minghua WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):140-146
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of Tongnaoyin on the blood-brain barrier status and neurological impairment in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with the syndrome of phlegm-stasis blocking collaterals by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). MethodsA total of 63 patients diagnosed with AIS in the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from October 2022 to December 2023 were enrolled in this study. According to random number table method,the patients were assigned into a control group (32 cases) and an observation group (31 cases). The control group received conventional Western medical treatment,and the observation group took 200 mL Tongnaoyin after meals,twice a day from day 2 of admission on the basis of the treatment in the control group. After 7 days of treatment,the patients were examined by DCE-MRI. The baseline data for two groups of patients before treatment were compared. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score were recorded before treatment and after 90 days of treatment for both groups. The rKtrans,rKep,and rVe values were obtained from the region of interest (ROI) of the infarct zone/mirror area and compared between the two groups. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the NIHSS or mRS score between the two groups before treatment. After 90 days of treatment,the NIHSS and mRS scores declined in both groups,and the observation group had lower scores than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment,the rKtrans and rVe in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). ConclusionCompared with conventional Western medical treatment alone,conventional Western medical treatment combined with Tongnaoyin accelerates the repair of the blood-brain barrier in AIS patients,thereby ameliorating neurological impairment after AIS to improve the prognosis.
7.Rapid Identification of Different Parts of Nardostachys jatamansi Based on HS-SPME-GC-MS and Ultra-fast Gas Phase Electronic Nose
Tao WANG ; Xiaoqin ZHAO ; Yang WEN ; Momeimei QU ; Min LI ; Jing WEI ; Xiaoming BAO ; Ying LI ; Yuan LIU ; Xiao LUO ; Wenbing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):182-191
ObjectiveTo establish a model that can quickly identify the aroma components in different parts of Nardostachys jatamansi, so as to provide a quality control basis for the market circulation and clinical use of N. jatamansi. MethodsHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-SPME-GC-MS) combined with Smart aroma database and National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST) database were used to characterize the aroma components in different parts of N. jatamansi, and the aroma components were quantified according to relative response factor(RRF) and three internal standards, and the markers of aroma differences in different parts of N. jatamansi were identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) and cluster thermal analysis based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value >1 and P<0.01. The odor data of different parts of N. jatamansi were collected by Heracles Ⅱ Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose, and the correlation between compound types of aroma components collected by the ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose and the detection results of HS-SPME-GC-MS was investigated by drawing odor fingerprints and odor response radargrams. Chromatographic peak information with distinguishing ability≥0.700 and peak area≥200 was selected as sensor data, and the rapid identification model of different parts of N. jatamansi was established by principal component analysis(PCA), discriminant factor alysis(DFA), soft independent modeling of class analogies(SIMCA) and statistical quality control analysis(SQCA). ResultsThe HS-SPME-GC-MS results showed that there were 28 common components in the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi, of which 22 could be quantified and 12 significantly different components were screened out. Among these 12 components, the contents of five components(ethyl isovalerate, 2-pentylfuran, benzyl alcohol, nonanal and glacial acetic acid,) in the aboveground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the underground part(P<0.01), the contents of β-ionone, patchouli alcohol, α-caryophyllene, linalyl butyrate, valencene, 1,8-cineole and p-cymene in the underground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the aboveground part(P<0.01). Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose results showed that the PCA discrimination index of the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi was 82, and the contribution rates of the principal component factors were 99.94% and 99.89% when 2 and 3 principal components were extracted, respectively. The contribution rate of the discriminant factor 1 of the DFA model constructed on the basis of PCA was 100%, the validation score of the SIMCA model for discrimination of the two parts was 99, and SQCA could clearly distinguish different parts of N. jatamansi. ConclusionHS-SPME-GC-MS can clarify the differential markers of underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi. The four analytical models provided by Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose(PCA, DFA, SIMCA and SQCA) can realize the rapid identification of different parts of N. jatamansi. Combining the two results, it is speculated that terpenes and carboxylic acids may be the main factors contributing to the difference in aroma between the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi.
8.Treatment of Diabetic Kidney Disease with Active Ingredients of Astragali Radix Based on Inflammation: A Review
Xinze YUAN ; Chenchen LIU ; Shengnan WANG ; Xinyu SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):295-302
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the common microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) and a primary cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Inflammation is currently a hot topic in exploring the pathogenesis of DKD. Macrophages, T cells, interleukins, tumor necrosis factor, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)-related signaling pathway all play a role in regulating the inflammation of DKD and accelerating its progression. Astragali Radix, a Chinese herbal medicine, is widely used in the treatment of DKD and possesses strong anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have revealed that active ingredients of Astragali Radix, including polysaccharides, astragaloside Ⅳ, total flavonoids, calycosin, and quercetin, can regulate multiple signaling pathways to ameliorate the microinflammatory state and alleviate kidney damage, thereby slowing down the progression of DKD. This article systematically reviews the factors influencing the inflammation in DKD and analyzes recent research findings and mechanisms concerning active ingredients of Astragali Radix in the management of DKD inflammation, aiming to offer novel insights and directions for the prevention, treatment, and research of DKD.
9.Genetic Transformation for Medicinal Plants: A Review
Haoxiyu ZHANG ; Longfei LIN ; Yuan YUAN ; Yuling LIU ; Hui LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):323-330
Medicinal plants, with diverse species, high heterozygosity, and special breeding objectives, can be hardly bred with conventional hybridization techniques. Plant genetic transformation is highly selective and can specifically change the traits of plants, serving as an important technical means for the breeding of medicinal plants. The commonly used plant genetic transformation technologies include Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and particle bombardment. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is the most widely used method, while it is not applicable to all medicinal plants due to the high specificity. Although not specific, particle bombardment is limited in application due to the low conversion efficiency and external force damage to cells and tissue. With the rise and development of nanotechnology, the emerging nanomaterial-mediated transformation has solved the problems of the above two technologies. However, limited by its late development, the mechanism of nanomaterial-mediated introduction of genetic materials into plant cells remains unclear, and thus this technology is rarely used in medicinal plants. This article summarizes the development status of several commonly used or emerging plant genetic transformation technologies such as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, particle bombardment, and nanomaterial-mediated transformation, as well as their application in different medicinal plants. Furthermore, this article looks forward to the development trend of genetic transformation technologies for plants and their application prospects in medicinal plants and Chinese materia medica resources, aiming to provide new technical ideas for the genetic improvement and germplasm innovation of medicinal plants and inject new impetus into the sustainable development of Chinese materia medica resources.
10.Clinical Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Patients with Cold Dampness Obstruction Syndrome
Yanyu CHEN ; Yanqi LI ; Longxiao LIU ; Liubo ZHANG ; Tianyi LAN ; Nan ZHANG ; Cheng XIAO ; Yuan XU ; Qingwen TAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):140-146
ObjectiveTo study the clinical characteristics and influencing factors of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the patients with cold dampness obstruction syndrome. MethodsThe RA patients treated in the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rheumatology of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital from August 2022 to June 2024 were selected. The demographic information, clinical data, laboratory test results, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom information were collected for syndrome differentiation, on the basis of which the characteristics and influencing factors of cold dampness obstruction syndrome were analyzed. ResultsA total of 258 RA patients were selected in this study, including 88 (34.1%) patients with cold dampness obstruction syndrome, 53 (20.5%) patients with dampness and heat obstruction syndrome, 31 (12.0%) patients with wind dampness obstruction syndrome, 29 (11.2%) patients with liver-kidney deficiency syndrome, 19 (7.4%) patients with Qi-blood deficiency syndrome, 14 (5.4%) patients with phlegm-stasis obstruction syndrome, 15 (5.8%) patients with stasis obstructing collateral syndrome and 9 (3.5%) patients with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome. The patients were assigned into two groups of cold dampness obstruction syndrome and other syndromes. The group of cold dampness obstruction syndrome had lower joint fever, 28-tender joint count (TJC28), and 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28)-C-reactive protein (CRP) and higher central sensitization, cold feeling of joints, fear of wind and cold, cold limbs, and abdominal distention than the group of other syndromes (P<0.05). The binary logistic regression analysis showed that central sensitization (OR 5.749, 95%CI 2.116-15.616, P<0.001) and DAS28-CRP (OR 0.600, 95% CI 0.418-0.862, P=0.006) were the independent factors influencing cold dampness obstruction syndrome in RA. ConclusionCold dampness obstruction syndrome is a common syndrome in RA patients. It is associated with central sensitization, cold feeling of joints, abdominal distension and may be a clinical syndrome associated with central sensitization.

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