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  • Yongming LIU, Xiaodong LYU, Lijian PANG, Ningzi ZANG, Jingyu WANG, Jiaran WANG, Yuanyu LIANG, Jiyu ZOU, Yu ZHENG
    Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2025, 43(7): 108-113.

    Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF)is a chronic and fibrotic lethal interstitial lung disease. There is no specific treatment except lung transplantation. Modern medical research shows that the pathogenesis of IPF can be discussed from the aspects of imbalance of coagulation-fibrinolysis system,platelet activation and pathological angiogenesis. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),“blood stasis”runs through the course of IPF. Therefore,the method of promoting blood circulation for removing blood stasis is established as an important method for the treatment of IPF,and combined with the methods of benefiting Qi,nourishing Yin and dispelling phlegm,the research has found that the treatment of IPF from blood stasis has a definite therapeutic effect on IPF patients,which can effectively alleviate clinical symptoms and delay disease progression,and mainly plays an anti-pulmonary fibrosis role by improving the imbalance of coagulation-fibrinolysis system,intervening platelet activation,reducing angiogenesis and other multiple mechanisms. This article reviewed the understanding of“blood stasis”of IPF in TCM and modern medicine,the related treatment methods of IPF from blood stasis,and the modern biological mechanism of the treatment of IPF from blood stasis,so as to reveal the scientific connotation of the treatment of IPF from blood stasis and provide a new theoretical basis for enriching the TCM methods of treating blood stasis.

  • Ping YANG, Xixiang LI, Wei SONG, Xuemei WANG
    Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2025, 43(7): 114-120.

    Cangzhu(Atractylodis Rhizoma)is a major traditional Chinese medicine commonly used in TCM clinical practice and has a long history of medicinal use. It has the effect of drying dampness and strengthening spleen,dispelling wind and dispelling cold,and brightening eyes. It is widely used in gastrointestinal diseases and rheumatic diseases,the clinical effect is remarkable. The main active ingredients are volatile oils,including atractyloketone,atractylotin,β-phylloalcohol and citronol. Atractylotin is one of the main efficacy components of Cangzhu(Atractylodis Rhizoma). It is also an important index component for quality control of Cangzhu(Atractylodis Rhizoma). Modern pharmacological studies have shown that atractylotin has anti-inflammatory,gastric emptying,anti-tumor,positive muscle strength,antibacterial,liver protection,heart protection,antioxidant activities. It has a wide range of anti-inflammatory effects and therapeutic effects on intestinal inflammation,arthritis,airway inflammation,pneumonia,etc. It can improve gastrointestinal function to strengthen spleen,inhibit the proliferation of bile duct cancer,liver cancer,breast cancer and lung cancer cells,and has significant antibacterial effect. The liver protection effect may be related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities,and it also has protective effects on the heart and nervous system. Atractylotin has a wide range of pharmacological effects and great potential for development and application. With further research,more and more pharmacological mechanisms will be elucidated,which will play an important role in promoting the development and utilization of atractylotin. The pharmacological action and mechanism of atractylotin were summarized in order to provide reference for its clinical application and new drug development.

  • Yanyan ZHANG, Yueqiao CHEN, Hao PEI, Xue ZHANG, Jianyu LI, Yuwen HUANG, Liyi PAN, Yu CHEN, Lyuping YE
    Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2025, 43(7): 121-125.

    Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)has the unique advantages of multi-efficacy,multi-target and multieffect mechanism,and has a long history in anti-cancer and anti-tumor treatment. As the limitations of western medicine in the treatment of cancer continue to highlight,the monomer and compound active ingredients of TCM have been widely concerned in the field of biomolecular and pharmacological research. More and more research evidence shows that the flavonoids of TCM have more aspects,more ways and significant anti-hepatoma effect. It mainly plays an anti-hepatoma effect by regulating the apoptosis and autophagy of liver cancer cells,inhibiting the invasion and migration of liver cancer cells,anti-angiogenesis of liver cancer cells,regulating the cell cycle arrest of liver cancer cells and reshaping the microenvironment of immunosuppressed liver cancer cells. This article systematically reviewed the domestic and foreign literature on the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma mechanism of flavonoids in TCM,and expounded the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)signaling pathway,Janus kinase(JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)signaling pathway and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway involved in the proliferation,invasion,migration,transcription,drug resistance and other effects of liver cancer,in order to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of liver cancer by flavonoids in TCM. Clarifying the multiple pharmacological mechanisms of active ingredients in TCM can provide new thinking and opportunities for cancer treatment strategies and new drug development,and bring benefits to more clinical cancer patients.

  • Guoyuan ZHANG, Ying LI, Ziyan WANG, Mingqian SUN, Jianxun LIU
    Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2025, 43(7): 126-134.
    Objective

    To study the changes in metabolites in platelets of a rat model of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome using metabolomics methods and further elucidate the intervention effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction(补阳还五汤,BYHWD)on Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.

    Method

    Thirty Sprague dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into the normal,model and BYHWD groups. The model group established a sleep deprivation model through a multi-platform sleep deprivation system in the water environment. The BYHWD group was administered for two weeks after successful modeling,with sleep deprivation added simultaneously. The administration group was orally administered BYHWD at a clinical dose of 13 g· kg-1,while the normal and model groups were orally administered an equal amount of distilled water once a day at the same time for 14 consecutive days. The construction of a comprehensive evaluation model and platelet function were evaluated from the perspectives of grip,coagulation function,platelet morphology,aggregation rate and CD62P(P-Selectin)expression rate. The metabolomics analysis of endogenous metabolites in rat platelets was carried out by using Ultra-high Performance Liquid Chromatography with Quadrupole Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The detection conditions were reverse phase chromatography column(RPLC)and Hydrophilic Interaction Chromatography(HILIC)chromatographic column,mobile phase 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution(A)-0.1% formic acid acetonitrile solution(B)gradient elution,flow rate 0.3 mL· min-1,electric spray ion source(ESI),positive and negative ion mode detection,scanning range m/z50-1000. The multivariate statistical analysis was used to screen the inter-group differential ions and match fragment ion information with databases such as the Human Metabolome Database(HMDB)to identify biomarkers. The biological information of metabolites was obtained through the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)database,and their related metabolic pathways were analyzed using MetaboAnalyst 5.0 software.

    Result

    Study showed that compared with that of the normal group,the grip of the model group decreased(P<0.01),and BYHWD significantly increased the grip compared to the model group(P<0.01). Compared with that of the normal group,the activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT)of coagulation function in the model group decreased(P<0.01),while the thrombin time(TT)increased(P<0.05)and the level of fibrinogen(FIB)increased(P<0.05). Compared with those of the model group,the APTT in the BYHWD group significantly increased(P<0.01),while FIB level decreased(P<0.05). Compared with those of the normal group,the maximum platelet aggregation rate(MAR)and average platelet aggregation rate(AAR)of the model group rats were significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with those of the model group,the MAR and AAR of platelets in the BYHWD group were significantly reduced,with varying degrees of difference(P<0.01,P<0.05). Compared with that of the normal group,the expression of platelet CD62Pin the model group was significantly increased(P<0.05),and the BYHWD group could significantly reduce the expression rate of platelet CD62P(P<0.05). The scanning electron microscopy results showed that compared with the normal group,the model group showed excessive platelet activation,significant pseudopodia extension and increased aggregation between platelets. Compared with the model group,the BYHWD group had fewer platelet activation and aggregation phenomena. The metabolomics results showed that the platelet metabolism of the rat model with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome was disrupted,resulting in 95 significantly different metabolites. The main differential metabolites were concentrated in fatty acids,amino acids,phosphatidylcholine,lysophosphatidylcholine,nucleotides,etc. The intervention effect of BYHWD on Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome was mainly reflected in the regulation of metabolic pathways such as lipid metabolism,amino acid metabolism,nucleic acid metabolism and energy metabolism.

    Conclusion

    Study preliminarily reveals the metabolomics characteristics of platelets in rats with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome and provides a basis for the mechanism of action of BYHWD on platelets in the intervention of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.

  • Jian XIONG, Chen YANG, Qianhua ZHENG, Ying WEI, Fayang LING, Wenchuan QI, Dehua LI, Fanrong LIANG
    Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2025, 43(7): 135-139.

    This paper summarized the clinical experience of Professor LIANG Fanrong in treating angina pectoris of coronary heart disease by combining acupuncture and medicine from the perspectives of“spirit,phlegm,blood stasis and deficiency”. According to the clinical symptoms of chest congestion,wheezing and inability to lie down,and even heartache involving back,back pain involving heart,and the theoretical basis of heart governing blood,heart governing spirit,and prolonged illness damaging Qi,combined with long-term clinical experience,Professor LIANG Fanrong believes that spirit disturbance,phlegm turbidity,blood stasis and positive Qi deficiency are the four major pathogenesis of coronary heart disease angina pectoris. These can cause disease either alone or in combination. And Professor LIANG Fanrong has put forward the four principles of combining acupuncture and medicine to treat spirit,phlegm,blood stasis and deficiency. Professor LIANGFanrong's clinical study has found that Neiguan(PC6)and Tongli(HT5)are obviously“activated”due to pathological changes in patients with angina pectoris,so the two are identified as the sensitizing acupoints of angina pectoris,and Jiaji acupoints(EX-B2)become the main acupoints together. Professor LIANG Fanrong stresses that in the course of treatment,the attention should be paid to the adjustment of body with medicine,the adjustment of Qi with acupuncture,the combination of acupuncture and medicine,and the harmonization of body and Qi,so as to achieve the purpose of treating both symptoms and root causes,controlling the disease and alleviating the recurrence.

  • Zekun WANG, Shunchao ZHANG, Juntao WANG, Yuling ZHENG
    Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2025, 43(7): 140-144.

    Liver cancer is one of the most common clinical oncological diseases. Its incidence and fatality rate are in the forefront of all cancers. In addition,most cases of liver cancer in China are initially diagnosed in late stage,which is difficult to treat,with high recurrence and metastasis rate and poor prognosis. Modern medicine has surgical operation,interventional therapy,chemoradiotherapy,targeted therapy,immunotherapy and other means in the treatment of liver cancer. The curative effect is accurate,but there are many limitations such as side effects,poor compliance and high drug resistance. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the occurrence of liver cancer is related to dampness,heat,phlegm,toxin,blood stasis,deficiency and other pathological factors. The disease is characterized by positive deficiency and evil excess,and the treatment is based on syndrome differentiation and treatment,with one prescription for one patient,which can effectively improve the quality of life and prolong the survival period of patients. Xiaochaihu Decoction(小柴胡汤)is a classic prescription for the treatment of liver cancer recorded in Treatise on Febrile Diseases,with the effect of reconciling Shaoyang,soothing liver and strengthening spleen. In recent years,many studies have found that it has a good therapeutic effect on liver cancer. In clinical studies,Xiaochaihu Decoction can improve the curative effect of surgery,promote postoperative recovery,improve the adverse reactions of radiotherapy and chemotherapy,treat complications such as cancerous fever and prevent liver cancer. In terms of basic research,the mechanism of Xiaochaihu Decoction in the treatment of liver cancer may be related to promoting mitochondrial apoptosis,blocking cell cycle,reversing chemotherapy resistance,improving immune function and antioxidant effect. This paper mainly discussed the treatment of liver cancer by Xiaochaihu Decoction from three aspects,including basic prescription theory,clinical research and basic research,aiming to further study the new progress of Xiaochaihu Decoction in the treatment of liver cancer and provide a broader idea for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

  • Xiaomin ZHU, Wei CHEN, Guifeng ZHUO, Shanshan PU, Lin WU
    Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2025, 43(7): 145-149.
    Objective

    Modern studies have shown that immune cells play an important role in the occurrence and development of ischemic stroke(IS). Currently,the intrinsic mechanism of the theory of positive Qi-evil in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has not been elucidated yet,and a number of studies have suggested that immune cell-mediated immune homeostasis may be one of the important mechanisms of the theory of positive Qi-evil in TCM. In this paper,it used Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis to verify the causal relationship of immune cells on ISand further explored the intrinsic mechanism of the theory of positive Qi-evil.

    Methods

    Based on publicly available genetic data,a two-sample MR analysis was performed using immune cells as instrumental variables to explore the causal relationship between 731 immune cell phenotypes and the risk of IS prevalence. The inverse variance weighting(IVW)method as the primary method was used as a standardized analysis,supplemented by the use of weighted median,MR-Egger,Simple mode and Weighted mode. Cochrans Q was used to test the heterogeneity,and MR-Egger intercept to test the test-level pleiotropy.

    Results

    Eleven immune cell phenotypes were still found to be statistically significant(P<0.05 corrected for FDR):among them CD27 on memory B cell,CD27 on sw mem,CD27 on CD24+CD27+,CD27 on IgD-CD38dim,CD27 on IgD-CD38-,CD27 on IgD-CD38br,CD25 on IgD+and CD25 on IgD+CD38dim play a dangerous role for IS;CD40 on CD14-CD16+monocyte,CD40 on CD14+CD16-monocyte and CD40 on CD14+CD16+monocyte play a protective role for IS. Eight of them were in the B-cell group and three in the monocyte group. It was significant with CD27 and CD25 on B cells and CD40 on monocytes.

    Conclusion

    This study confirmed that immune cells play a key role in ISby genetic means,providing some reference for elucidating the intrinsic mechanism of the theory of positive Qi-evil.

  • Xin OUYANG, Zhongyong LIU
    Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2025, 43(7): 150-154.

    This paper highlighted the research status of medicinal insects in the treatment of heart diseases from both ancient literature and modern research. The research findings on the treatment of heart diseases with medicinal insects were sorted out from the ancient literature,and the current research status of the treatment of heart diseases with medicinal insects was summarized by etiology,pathogenesis,tendency of disease,indications and pharmacology. In particular,several problems,direction and trend of future research in the treatment of heart diseases with medicinal insects were pointed out. These two aspects provided reference for further in-depth research on the treatment of heart diseases with medicinal insects.

  • Xiawei ZHANG, Danyang YANG, Haoyue ZHU, Yazhuo WANG, Jia CHEN, Ning ZHAO, Baoquan QU, Huike MA, Ping LI, Yujiao MENG, Jingxia ZHAO
    Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2025, 43(7): 155-161.
    Objective

    This study aimed to investigate the ameliorating effect of Qinjiao Wuwei Formula(秦艽五味方,QJF)on skin lesions in a mouse model of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene(DNFB)-induced atopic dermatitis(AD)-like mice and its mechanism.

    Methods

    The DNFB-induced mouse AD-like model was established,and the mice were randomly divided into blank control,model(DNFB),positive control(dexamethasone,DXMS)and QJF groups. The severity of skin lesions was evaluated using the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis Index(SCORAD),and the histomorphological changes and epidermal thickness of the lesions were observed under light microscopy. The number of mast cells was detected by toluidine blue staining,the expression of filaggrin(FLG)in skin lesions was detected by immunohistochemistry,and the expression of serum IgE was detected by ELISA. The proportion of Th1/Th2 cells in the spleen and lymph nodes,the proportion of Th17 cells in lymph nodes were tested by flow cytometry,and the differential expressions of inflammatory factors in serum were detected by high-throughput liquid-phase protein chip technology.

    Results

    Compared with the model group,the QJFgroup had significantly reduced SCORAD scores and scratching index,thinner skin lesions,and a significant decrease in the number of mast cells in the lesions. The positive expression of FLG was restored,and the expression of IgE was reduced. The ratio of Th1/Th2 in the spleen and lymph nodes increased,while the proportion of Th17 cells in the lymph nodes was decreased. Furthermore,inflammatory cytokines in serum were all decreased after treatment with QJF,with the most significant regulatory effect on the expressions of Th2-related cytokines.

    Conclusion

    QJF can effectively improve the skin lesions of DNFB-induced AD-like mice while regulating the inflammatory response of Th2-related cytokines.

  • Jing JIANG, Xiaoqing ZHANG, Rui CAO, Yiran CHEN, Xin ZHOU, Nan HU, Shijing SUN, Jiaxin LI, Rong SHI
    Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2025, 43(7): 162-167.
    Objective

    To observe the mechanism of electroacupuncture intervention on the activation of astrocytes in the hippocampal region of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and its effects on the expressions of reactive oxygen species(ROS),thioredoxin interacting protein(TXNIP)and nucleotidebinding oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3).

    Methods

    Forty-eight adult male SD rats were randomly divided into sham surgery group,model group,ROSinhibitor group and electroacupuncture group,with 12 rats in each group. The cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury rat model was prepared using the traditional Koizumi suture method,and the rats were included or excluded according to the Longa scoring method. The sham surgery group only underwent the separation of the carotid artery. The inhibitor group received intragastric administration of the ROSinhibitor N-acetyl-L-cysteine solution for 10 days starting 3 days before modeling. The electroacupuncture group received intervention at Baihui(DU20),Yintang(DU29)and bilateral Zusanli(ST36)for 10 min per day for 7 days. Cylinder experiment was conducted to observe the recovery ofneurological function.TTC was used to detect the infarct area of the brain. The immunohistochemistry method was performed to detect the positive expression of GFAPin the hippocampal region.DHE fluorescence probe was used to detect ROScontent in the hippocampal region. Western blot was performed to detect the protein expressions of GFAP,TXNIP and NLRP3 in the hippocampal region,and immunofluorescence was used to determine the colocalization of TXNIPand NLRP3 in the hippocampal region.

    Results

    Compared with the sham surgery group,the model group showed a significantly reduced asymmetry index,more severe neurological function damage(P<0.01),larger range of cerebral infarction area(P<0.01),increased expression and protein content of GFAP(P<0.01),less proliferation of astrocytes,weaker fiber protrusions of cell bodies,and significant increase in ROS,TXNIPand NLRP3(P<0.01). Compared with the model group,the ROSinhibitor group and the electroacupuncture group showed higher asymmetry index,better recovery of neurological function(P<0.05,P<0.01),smaller range of cerebral infarction area(P<0.01),significantly increased expression and protein content of GFAP(P<0.01),increased activation of astrocyte proliferation,denser arrangement,increased degree of cell fiber protrusions,and decrease in the contents of ROS,TX-NIP and NLRP3(P<0.05,P<0.01),with the electroacupuncture group showing more significant effects than the inhibitor group.

    Conclusion

    Electroacupuncture intervention can restore neurological function damage in rats,which may be related to promoting the proliferation and activation of astrocytes,inhibiting the ROSTXNIP-NLRP3 signaling pathway,reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions and exerting neuroprotective effects.