Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Mechanism of Modified Shenqi Pill in Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis Comorbid with Asthma Based on Proteomics.","authors":"Rui-Zhi Wang, Fan Ye, Jun-Hai Chen, Zhen-Hao Xiao, Min Zhou, Qin-Tai Yang","doi":"10.1007/s11655-026-3956-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-026-3956-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate the mechanisms of Modified Shenqi Pill (MSQP) in the treatment of allergic rhinitis comorbid with asthma (ARCA).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>According to a random number table, 30 BALB/c mice were divided into a control group, an ARCA group, a MSQP low-dose group (MSQP-L, 24.6 g/kg), a MSQP high-dose group (MSQP-H, 49.2 g/kg), and a dexamethasone (DXMS) group (1 mg/kg), with 6 mice in each group. The ARCA mouse model was established using ovalbumin (OVA). MSQP and DXMS were administered by gavage for 10 d. The airway allergic symptom scores, serum OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (OVA-sIgE), histopathological changes in nasal and lung tissues were evaluated. Differential protein expression profiles in lung tissues were detected by proteomics. Functional enrichment analysis of differential proteins was performed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. Activation of the JAK2/STAT1 signaling pathway was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot. Activation of B lymphocytes was detected by CD19 and MHC II immunofluorescence (IF) double staining. The proportions of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells in lung and spleen tissues were analyzed by flow cytometry.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared with the ARCA group, MSQP significantly decreased airway allergic symptom scores and serum OVA-sIgE levels, and reduced eosinophil infiltration and goblet cell hyperplasia in nasal and lung tissues (P<0.05 or P<0.01). GO and KEGG analyses revealed that differential proteins between MSQP and ARCA groups were primarily associated with immune regulation, involving signaling pathways including JAK/STAT, MHC II-mediated antigen presentation, Th1/Th2 differentiation, and Th17 differentiation. Western blot and IHC results showed that MSQP-H reduced the expressions of JAK2, p-JAK2, STAT1, p-STAT1 in nasal and lung tissues (P<0.01). IF results showed that MSQP-H reduced the numbers of CD19⁺ and MHC II⁺ positive cells, and CD19⁺MHC II⁺ double-positive cells in nasal and lung tissues (P<0.01). Flow cytometry results showed that MSQP-H changed the proportional relationship among Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells in lung and spleen tissues (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>MSQP improved airway allergic symptoms and inflammatory responses in ARCA mice, possibly by inhibiting the activation of JAK2/STAT1 signaling pathway and B lymphocytes, and correcting imbalances in Th1/Th2 and Th17 differentiation.</p>","PeriodicalId":10005,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148700852","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Polyphenols Derived from Medicinal Plants on Multiple Myeloma via Modulating Bone Marrow Microenvironment.","authors":"Hao-Yue Wang, Ya-Jing Xu, Li-Xiang Yan, Xiao-Tong Lu, Yi-Fan Wang, Chao-Ya Deng, Zhe-Xin Shi","doi":"10.1007/s11655-026-4046-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-026-4046-7","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10005,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148700887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Akkermansia: A Potential Target for Natural Botanicals in Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases.","authors":"Yan-Qing Ye, Jing Zhou, Zhe-Yun He, Si Chen, Bo-Ming Wu, Hong-Shan Li","doi":"10.1007/s11655-025-3847-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11655-025-3847-4","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10005,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"736-745"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145984436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect and Mechanisms of Electroacupuncture on Mucosal Healing in Ulcerative Colitis Mice via Non-neuroronal Cholinergic System.","authors":"Han Li, Wei He, Xiao-Yu Wang, Hong-Ye Wan, Li-Zhen Chen, Li-Bin Zhan, Qi Zhang, Xiang-Hong Jing","doi":"10.1007/s11655-025-3811-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11655-025-3811-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on enhancing local acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis through activation of the nonneuronal cholinergic system (NNCS) and its action on the muscarinic ACh receptor (mAChR)-mediated signalling pathway for repair of mucosal barrier in ulcerative colitis (UC) mice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-four wild-type male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table method, including control, model, EA, and sham EA (SEA) groups, 6 mice in each group. The UC model mice were induced by 2.5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in free drinking water for 1 week. EA was administered by electrical stimulation (parameters: 2/15 Hz, 0.8 mA, 30 min/d) at the bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) for 7 consecutive days. SEA was performed at the same acupoints without electrical stimulation. The disease activity index (DAI) was determined and colonic permeability were analysed by fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran. The mucosal barrier and tight junctions (TJs) were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and colocalization of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) with organic cation transporters (OCT) and vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT) were tested by immunofluorescence analysis. The protein expressions of myosin light chain (MLC), phosphorylation MLC (pMLC), phospholipase C (PLC), ChAT, nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κ Bp65), mAChR, OCT and VAChT were measured by Western blot.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared with the model group, DAI score, colonic permeability, as well as the protein expressions of pMLC, NF-κ Bp65 and VAChT were decreased in the EA group, and the mucosal barrier and TJs were repaired by EA treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The expressions of ZO-1, mAChR and ChAT in the EA group were increased (P<0.05). The fluorescence intensities of ChAT relative to OCT and the ratio of the colocalization of ChAT with OCT and VAChT were increased as well (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>EA at bilateral ST 36 may activate the NNCS, promote ACh release by OCT, activate mAChR-related signaling by inhibiting pMLC expression, upregulate ZO-1, reduce colonic permeability and repair TJs to achieve mucosal barrier repair in UC.</p>","PeriodicalId":10005,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"728-735"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144301208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Berberine Regulates Hepatic Fatty Acid Metabolism via AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α Pathway.","authors":"Yu-Jin Guo, Fan Wu, Min-Min Gong, Wen-Bin Wu, Fu-Er Lu, Ding-Kun Wang","doi":"10.1007/s11655-026-3846-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11655-026-3846-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate the therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of berberine (BBR) for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) concomitant with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In vivo, 16 db/db mice were randomly assigned to the model group and the BBR group by a random number table method (n=8), with db/m mice serving as the control group. Mice were given BBR [100 mg/(kg·d)] or distilled water via gavage for 4 weeks. In vitro, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxyamide ribonucleoside (AICAR) and compound C were introduced as a AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) agonist and an inhibitor, respectively. HepG2 cells were induced with palmitic acid (PA) and high glucose, and the treatment cells received BBR (5 µmol/L), AICAR (0.8 mmol/L) or compound C (10 µmol/L) or a combination of BBR and compound C for 24 h additionally. Biochemical assays and pathological staining were performed to assess lipid and glucose metabolism. qPCR and Western blot analysis were used to evaluate the mRNA and protein expressions related to fatty acids (FA) translation [including FA transport proteins (FATP) 2, FATP5, CD36], FA synthesis [including stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), sterol regulatory element-binding proteins-1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthase (FASN)], and FA β-oxidation [acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 1 (ACSL1), carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT)1A, CPT1B, CPT2, short-chain-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase(SCAD), medium-chain-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD), long-chain-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCAD), and very-long-chain-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD), as well as AMPK/Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) pathway.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In vivo, compared with the model group, the mice in the BBR group showed lower TG, TC, LDL-C, fasting blood glucose levels and improved insulin sensitivity, as well as reduced lipid accumulation in liver tissues (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In the molecules related to fatty acid metabolism, the mice in the BBR group showed decreased protein expression of FASN and increased expressions of ACSL1 and CPT1A (P<0.05). Additionally, the mRNA expressions of fatp5 and CD36 were decreased, and CPT1A, CPT2, SCAD, LCAD, and VLCAD were increased (P<0.05). AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway was activated in the liver of BBR-treated mice (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In vitro, BBR reduced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells and activated the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway, and these effects were blocked by compound C (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Berberine activates AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway, thereby improving fatty acid metabolism, and ultimately exerts therapeutic effects on NAFLD accompanied by T2DM.</p>","PeriodicalId":10005,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"702-708"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147927023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Aromatherapy Improves Pain, Sleep and Physiological Parameters in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Patients: A Single-Blind, Parallel Group, and Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Seda Akutay, Ayser Doner, Ozlem Ceyhan, Mehmet Baykan, Ali Saz","doi":"10.1007/s11655-025-3823-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11655-025-3823-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate the effects of inhaled lavender and geranium essential oils on pain, sleep and physiological parameters in patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a randomized controlled study with a single-blind parallel group. A total of 153 patients were assigned to 3 groups, including control, lavender, and geranium groups, with 51 patients in each group by a stratified block randomization method. Inhalation aromatherapy with lavender and geranium essential oil was administered to 2 intervention groups, respectively. Patients in the control group only recelved standard treatment. Physiological parameters, pain intensity, and sleep quality were recorded before surgery, the day of surgery, and one day after surgery.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was no significant difference in the pain intensity among 3 groups before aromatic oil inhalation (P>0.05). A significant decrease in the pain intensity was observed in the patients with aroma inhalation after surgery compared with the control group (P<0.01). A higher increase in sleep quality was observed in the geranium group compared with the lavender group (P<0.01). There was a significant difference within the groups in terms of physiological parameters (P<0.05). Moreover, a significant weak correlation was observed between the frequency of analgesic use and pain intensity on the first postoperative day in the lavender group (r=-0.297, P=0.034), and between the frequency of analgesic use and postoperative sleep quality in the geranium group (r=0.297, P=0.034).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Inhalation aromatherapy with lavender and geranium essential oils in patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy decreases pain intensity, increases sleep quality, and stabilizes physical parameters in the preoperative and postoperative periods. (Registration No. NCT05464602).</p>","PeriodicalId":10005,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"685-692"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144257462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Reduces Postoperative Abdominal Pain after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Single-Center, Prospective, and Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Xu-Ming Liu, Yu-Xuan Qi, Jian-Yong Zheng, Si-Qi Hao, Wen-Wen Hao, Yi Du, Wen-Jing Li, Li-Xin An","doi":"10.1007/s11655-025-3844-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11655-025-3844-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the efficacy of perioperative transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) for reducing postoperative abdominal pain in patients after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric and esophageal neoplasms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 129 patients undergoing ESD were assigned randomly to the TEAS group (64 cases) or the sham group (65 cases) using computer-generated random numbers and stratified by the surgical type (i.e., gastric or esophageal ESD). Patients in the TEAS group were treated bilaterally at the acupoints Hegu (LI 4), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), and Shangjuxu (ST 37), with the stimulation current frequency 2/100 Hz and intensity to the patient's maximum tolerance level. Patients in the sham group were treated at sham acupoints, and no electrical stimulation was given from the HANS stimulator. The TEAS and sham stimulations are both given from 30 min before ESD to the end of surgery. The primary outcome was the incidence of moderate-to-severe pain within 24 h. Secondary outcomes included the area under the curve (AUC) of Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain score from 1 to 48 h, morphine consumption after ESD, intraoperative hemodynamic parameters and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The incidence of moderate-to-severe pain within 24 h postoperative period was significantly decreased by TEAS [22 (37.9%) vs. 40 (64.5%), P=0.004]. Patients needing morphine were also reduced by TEAS treatment [19 (32.7%) vs. 40 (64.5%), P<0.01]. TEAS significantly decreased the proportion and incidence of PONV compared with the sham group (P=0.06). Intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, recovery of gastrointestinal function, postoperative adverse events were similar between the two groups. According to the results of multivariate logistic regression, TEAS treatment was a protective factor associated with reduced incidence of NRS scores ⩾4 (OR=0.227; 95% CI: 0.100 to 0.512; P<0.01), whereas patients undergoing gastric ESD had a much lower incidence of NRS scores ⩾ 4 than esophageal ESD (OR=0.287; 95% CI: 0.133 to 0.621; P=0.002).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>TEAS can effectively reduce the incidence of moderate-to-severe pain in patients after ESD. TEAS demonstrates an morphine-sparing effect and reduces the occurrence of PONV. (Registration No. ChiCTR2100052837).</p>","PeriodicalId":10005,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"720-727"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145755464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Arbutin-A Hydroquinone Glycoside: Journey from Food Supplement to Cutting-Edge Medicine.","authors":"Pooja Mishra, Farogh Ahsan, Tarique Mahmood, Shahzadi Bano, Arshiya Shamim, Vaseem Ahamad Ansari, Jyoti Yadav","doi":"10.1007/s11655-025-3827-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11655-025-3827-8","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10005,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"746-756"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143623566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lianxia Xiaopi Granules for Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind and Placebo-Controlled Trial.","authors":"Yang Yang, Rui Liu, Qiang Zhou, Qing Xia, Yang Gong, Yu-Feng Li, Lu-Zhou Xu, Yan Leng, Bei-Ping Zhang, Zheng-Hua Zhou, Su-Fang Zhou, Tao Zhang, Shao-Neng Liu, Yu-Fei Liu, Pei-Min Feng","doi":"10.1007/s11655-026-3850-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11655-026-3850-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Lianxia Xiaopi Granules (LXXP) in treating functional dyspepsia (FD) with combined cold and heat pattern in Chinese medicine (CM).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial was conducted at 11 centers between April 1, 2021, and October 24, 2022 in China. Using stratified block randomization at a 2:1 ratio, patients diagnosed with FD were randomly assigned to receive either LXXP (3.5 g/bag, equivalent to 8.337 g of raw herbs) or a placebo (3.5 g/bag) 3 times daily for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was dyspepsia symptom response rate. Secondary outcomes included individual dyspepsia symptom response rate, Chinese medicine syndrome efficacy evaluation scale including reduction rate of CM symptom total score, cure and effective rates, and safety analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed according to postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) or epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) subtypes and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection status.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 240 participants completed the trial, 160 in the LXXP group and 80 in the placebo group. At week 8, the dyspepsia symptom response rate was significantly higher in the LXXP group than in the placebo group [54.38% (87/160) vs. 32.50% (26/80), P=0.0013]. LXXP significantly improved postprandial fullness, early satiety, and bloating compared with the placebo group (P<0.05). Subgroup analysis showed greater efficacy in PDS and Hp-negative patients (P<0.05). Safety analysis revealed no significant differences in adverse events between the 2 groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>LXXP effectively improves FD symptoms, particularly in PDS and Hp-negative patients, supporting its application in CM-based treatment. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2100041993).</p>","PeriodicalId":10005,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"675-684"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147927029","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Total Flavonoids of Litchi chinensis Sonn. Seed Improves Hepatic Fibrosis by Inhibiting PANoptosis.","authors":"Yan Tang, Ting Wang, Min-Chao Feng, Jun-Wen Gong, Mei-Wen Tang, Guo-Zhong Chen, Ma-Ling Si, Jian-Fang Feng, Wei-Sheng Luo","doi":"10.1007/s11655-025-3839-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11655-025-3839-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate the therapeutic benefits and possible mechanism of total flavonoids of Litchi chinensis Sonn. seed (TFLS) on hepatic fibrosis (HF) in vivo and in vitro.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced rat HF model and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-stimulated hepatic stellate cell (HSC)-T6 cells were employed. For in vivo study, rats were randomly divided into 6 groups using a random number table method, including vehicle, CCl₄, silybin (50 mg/kg), and low-, medium-, high-dose (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) TFLS treatment groups. TFLS or silybin was administered daily by gavage for 8 weeks during CCl₄ induction period. For in vitro study, HSC-T6 cells were divided into 4 groups, including control, TGF-β1 (20 ng/mL), TGF-β1 + Z-DNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1) siRNA (si-ZBP1), TGF-β1 + low-dose (80 µg/mL) TFLS, and TGF-β1 + high-dose (160 µg/mL) TFLS groups. Serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hydroxyproline (HYP), total bile acid (TBA), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome staining were employed to conduct a histological examination of the liver tissue. Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL. Cysteine-aspartic acid protease (CASP)-8, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), gasdermin D (GSDMD), and receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 3 were immunohistochemically detected. CASP-8, NLRP3, GSDMD, CASP-3, BCL-2, BCL-2-associated X (BAX), ZBP1, RIPK1, and RIPK3 mRNA levels were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. PANoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blot.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In CCl₄-induced HF rats, TFLS improved liver function, inflammatory response, and liver tissue fibrosis (P<0.05 or P<0.01). TFLs inhibited the activation of PANoptosis initiator ZBP1, which subsequently regulated PANoptosis by increasing BAX, CASP-3, CASP-8 and decreasing BCL-2, NLRP3, GSDMD, CASP-1, RIPK1, RIPK3, and mixed lineage kinase domain-like expressions (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In vitro, TFLS inhibited TGF-β1-induced HSC-T6 cells activation and PANoptosis (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>TFLS might ameliorate HF by targeting ZBP1 to suppress PANoptosis, highlighting its multi-modal regulation of apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":10005,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"709-719"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145707551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}