Chinese Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Xiaoyaosan modulates gut-brain metabolic pathways and brain microstructure in depression: a multi-omics insight.","authors":"Wen-Zhi Hao, Yan-Ru Sun, Ying-Ren Zhang, Rong-Yan-Qi Wang, Wen Ning, Lu Wang, Dong-Dong Liu, Yong-Xin Li, Jun-Qing Huang, Jia-Xu Chen","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01212-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01212-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Depression is closely associated with metabolic disorders in the gut-brain axis. Our previous studies using antibiotics (ABX)-treated mice and germ-free mice models demonstrated that Xiaoyaosan (XYS) alleviates depression by modulating metabolic pathways involved in gut-brain interactions. However, the key metabolic pathways remain to be fully characterized.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>We enriched relevant metabolic pathways and analyzed the correlation between depressive-like behaviors and these pathways. We investigated the effects of XYS on metabolic pathways associated with chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced depression and innovatively incorporated spatial dimension analysis. We further investigated the impact of these metabolic differences on brain microstructure in depression and the recovery situation after the intervention with XYS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Spatial metabolomics and multi-omics integration have been applied to explain the mechanisms behind behavioral changes. To comprehensively assess the role of XYS in gut-brain metabolic reprogramming, we innovatively employed an integrated multi-omics approach, including the 16S rRNA sequencing, metabolomic analyses, AFADESI-MSI analysis, and brain diffusion tensor properties analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We observed that XYS could decrease the relative abundances of Desulfovibrio, Erysipelatoclostridium, Parasutterella and significantly increase the relative abundances of Dubosiella, Akkermansia, and regulate the glycerophospholipid metabolism and tryptophan metabolism. Spatial and quantitative differences in lipid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, glutamate/glutamine metabolism, acetylcholine and adenosine metabolism in the brain were observed after XYS treatment. Diffusion tensor analysis further demonstrated that treatment with XYS effectively suppressed the loss of neural integrity in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus caused by chronic restraint stress.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings suggest that the antidepressant efficacy of XYS may involve the regulation of gut microbiota and microbial metabolites, improve synaptic loss, influencing the spatial distribution and concentration of brain-specific functional metabolites and reprogramming gut-brain axis metabolism. The application of spatial metabolomics and multi-omics integration can provide new ideas for the research of traditional Chinese medicine.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"151"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12486543/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145198259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Artemisia annua-derived extracellular vesicles reprogram breast tumor immune microenvironment via altering macrophage polarization and synergizing recruitment of T lymphocytes.","authors":"Yun Wang, Lin Meng, Sicheng Su, Yu Zhao, Xiaoxian Hu, Xiaoqing Xu, Chao Han, Jianguang Luo, Zhongrui Li","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01210-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01210-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The immunosuppressive microenvironment and limited immune cell infiltration into the tumor bed contribute to the proliferation, metastasis, and invasion of breast cancer (BC) cells. Reprogramming the tumor immune microenvironment has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for BC, but remains challenging in clinical practice. Artemisia annua, a medicinal plant, has shown immune-enhancing and anti-tumor activities, although its potential therapeutic applications in BC remain underexplored.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were isolated from fresh Artemisia annua using gradient centrifugation and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), Zetasizer Nano ZS90, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis was performed to investigate the mechanism of AEVs on tumor growth in vivo and mRNA sequencing (mRNA-seq) was employed to further explore the mechanism of AEVs-induced polarization shift from M2-like to M1-like macrophages. In vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to assess the polarization of macrophages and recruitment of T lymphocytes into the tumor bed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>AEVs were successfully isolated and characterized. In vivo, AEVs inhibited tumor growth by shifting macrophage polarization from the M2-like to the M1-like phenotype, and synergistically enhancing the recruitment of CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells into the tumor microenvironment. AEVs activated the NF-κB signaling pathway while inhibiting the PPARγ pathway, thereby promoting the M1-like polarization of macrophages. Polarized M1-like macrophages secreted chemokines (CCL5 and CCL3), which facilitated T lymphocyte infiltration into the tumor bed. Notably, AEVs reshaped the BC immune microenvironment without inducing systemic toxicity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>AEVs from Artemisia annua efficiently reprogrammed the immune microenvironment of breast cancer by inducing macrophage polarization and enhancing T lymphocyte infiltration. This study lays the foundation for using AEVs as a potential immunotherapy for BC and highlights the medicinal value of Artemisia annua in cancer treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"149"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487325/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145197800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Isolinderalactone regulates macrophage polarization and efferocytosis by activating the LXRα pathway against ulcerative colitis.","authors":"Mincong Huang, Mengyao Lan, Xin Liu, Cailu Lin, Lulu Zeng, Ying Li, Feng Li, Xiaotong Dou, Yan Zhao, Yuan Shi, Xiangwei Xu, Jinfeng Sun, Guang Liang","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01216-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01216-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, remains an unmet medical need. Lindera aggregata, a traditional Chinese medicine used in treating gastrointestinal disorders, has demonstrated anti-UC efficacy, though its bioactive components are poorly characterized. Isolinderalactone (ILDL), a characteristic sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Lindera aggregata, has been demonstrated anti-cancer properties. However, its therapeutic potential in UC remains unexplored.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 inflammatory cell model was used to screen the anti-inflammatory properties of Lindera aggregata's characteristic compounds in vitro. DSS induced UC mouse model was used to study the anti-UC efficacy of ILDL in vivo. Transcriptomic was used to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of ILDL. Drug affinity responsible target stability was used to identify the combination of the ILDL and LXRα. LXR-mediated effects were further assessed via flow cytometry and Western blotting.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>ILDL effectively inhibits macrophage polarization and the production of inflammatory mediators in vitro, and improves symptoms and tissue lesions in acute UC mice in vivo. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the involvement of the LXR-mediated pathway in ILDL's effects. Furthermore, ILDL was able to bind to LXRα and to upregulate LXRα target genes expression such as ABCA1, suggesting that ILDL itself can activate the LXRα pathway. Genetic/pharmacological LXRα inhibition abrogated ILDL's anti-inflammatory effects, confirming an LXRα-dependent mechanism. In addition to inhibiting macrophage M1 polarization, the activation of LXRα by ILDL can also promote macrophage efferocytosis of apoptotic intestinal epithelial cells in the co-culture system.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>ILDL activates the LXRα pathway, inhibiting macrophage M1 polarization, reducing pro-inflammatory mediators production, and promoting macrophage efferocytosis. ILDL is a promising candidate compound from Lindera aggregata for anti-inflammation and UC treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"152"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487359/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145198261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Salvianolic acid B and Senkyunolide I synergistically alleviate cardiac hypertrophy and regulate MAP3K1 signaling.","authors":"Changtong Liu, Rui Guo, Yue Zhou, Miao Zhu, Li Shao, Yingchao Wang, Lu Zhao","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01189-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01189-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cardiac hypertrophy, characterized by the thickening of the heart muscle, arises from factors such as hypertension and genetic mutations, often leading to adverse outcomes like heart failure and arrhythmias. Guanxinning tablets (GXNT), a botanical drug composed of the blood-activating herbs Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. and Ligusticum striatum DC., are widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, the active ingredients and their molecular mechanisms are yet to be fully understood.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We evaluated the anti-hypertrophic effects of GXNT and screened its active substances via cardiac function live-imaging on an aristolochic acid A-stimulated zebrafish cardiac hypertrophy model, and through F-actin immunostaining on a phenylephrine-induced hypertrophic NRCMs model. Additionally, the protective effects of GXNT's active substances were analyzed in a mouse model of cardiac hypertrophy using echocardiography, histopathology analysis, and western blotting.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The anti-hypertrophic effects of GXNT were assessed using an aristolochic acid A-stimulated zebrafish model and phenylephrine-induced hypertrophic NRCMs. GXNT demonstrated significant anti-hypertrophic effects in both models. Phenotypic screening identified Senkyunolide I (Sen I) from Ligusticum striatum as the active component in the zebrafish model, while Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) and Rosmarinic acid from Salvia miltiorrhiza emerged as the key anti-hypertrophic compound in NRCMs. In a mouse model of isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy, Sal B and Sen I showed synergistic effects, improving cardiac function, reducing oxidative stress, and suppressing inflammation. Mechanistically, transcriptomic sequencing highlighted cooperative modulation of MAP3K1 signaling by the two compounds. Notably, siRNA-mediated knockdown of MAP3K1 in cardiomyocytes attenuated the hypertrophic phenotype, supporting its essential role in the pathological process. Molecular docking and dynamic simulations further supported their binding potential to MAP3K1.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings underscore GXNT's potent anti-hypertrophic effects, possibly driven by the synergistic actions of Sal B and Sen I, and offer insights into its therapeutic potential through MAP3K1 signaling regulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"148"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12476628/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145181769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Thermodynamic-driven supramolecular transition from nanofibers to nanospheres: morphology-dependent antibacterial specificity of herb medicines.","authors":"Ji-Chang Wei, Xiao-Yu Lin, Yi-Hang Zhao, Xin-Ru Tan, Zhi-Xia Wang, Yuan-Yuan Li, Xue-Mei Huang, Peng-Long Wang","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01185-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01185-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Scutellariae Radix (SR) and Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) are classic drug pairs used in clinical practice for clearing heat and drying dampness, purging fire for removing toxin. By further studying the mechanism of compatibility of SR and CR from the perspective of thermodynamically driven supramolecular phase transition, we could reveal the interaction between its pharmacodynamic components, and provide scientific basis for improving TCM efficacy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The SR-CR and its main components baicalin-berberine (BA-BBR) were taken as the research objects. The morphology of the mechanically mixed samples was characterized by malvern particle size analyzer and scanning electron microscope. UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS technology was employed to analyze the material basis of each mechanically mixed sample. ITC was used to investigate the effect of temperature on the binding ability between SR and CR. The structural differences of supramolecules in different morphology were explored by molecular dynamics simulation. Finally, in vitro antibacterial models (E. faecium and B. subtilis, S. aureus) were used to evaluate the antibacterial activities of the mechanically mixed samples and non-targeted metabolomics was used to explore the differences in antibacterial mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mechanical mixtures formed nanofibers (NFs), while heating induced a transition to nanospheres (NPs). Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that enhanced hydrogen bonding and tighter molecular packing under thermal conditions drove this morphological shift. In vitro antibacterial assays and non-targeted metabolomics showed NPs exhibited superior inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus by disrupting amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism, whereas NFs suppressed Bacillus subtilis via physical entanglement and interfered with energy metabolism.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Driven by thermal energy, the existence form of supramolecules changed from NFs to NPs and the morphology of the formed supramolecules was maintained during their interaction with bacteria, further affected the biological activity.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"147"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12462035/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145136669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Colla Corii Asini regulate collagen regeneration in UV exposure-induced skin photoaging in mice.","authors":"Yuman Ma, Jun Huang, Junxiao Gong, Lishuang Li, Yujia Zhao, Yucui Jin, Jianjun Gu, Haibin Liu, Yi Wang, Yanan Sun","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01175-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01175-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the primary external factor driving skin aging, mainly due to imbalanced collagen synthesis and degradation. Identifying new drugs targeting collagen regeneration may effectively delay skin aging. Colla Corii Asini (CCA), derived from donkey skin, contains abundant proteins and peptides, suggesting potential benefits against photoaging through collagen homeostasis regulation. However, its mechanisms and active components remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate whether CCA mitigates photoaging by regulating collagen synthesis and degradation, identifying its active components and molecular targets to support future pharmacological studies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A photoaging mouse model was established, and the therapeutic effects of CCA were assessed through in vivo optical imaging and ex vivo analyses. Human dermal fibroblasts were employed to explore mechanisms of collagen regulation by CCA. PPI analysis and AlphaFold3 were used to predict and validate key active peptides and molecular targets.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CCA significantly improved the structure and appearance of photoaged skin, reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, and enhanced collagen content and density. Mass spectrometry identified 98 peptides closely linked to protein synthesis. Mechanistically, CCA increased collagen synthesis and reduced aging markers by activating the TGFβ-SMAD signaling pathway, balancing MMPs and TIMPs. Importantly, this effect is primarily associated with the core CCA peptide YYTSASGDEMVSLK binding to and upregulating TGFBR1 and TGFBR2 expression, activating the TGFβ-SMAD pathway, and promoting collagen regeneration.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>CCA, particularly peptide YYTSASGDEMVSLK, has potential to slow skin photoaging, highlighting a promising therapeutic strategy for skin aging management.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"146"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12452026/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145111989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Buyang Huanwu Decoction enhances hippocampal-cortical connectivity remodeling via sonic hedgehog signaling to ameliorate memory dysfunction in cerebral ischemic rats.","authors":"Yun Lu, Ziyue Lin, Hanyu Wang, Yuming Zhuang, Jingting Jia, Yuxuan Wang, Le Yang, Manzhong Li, Mingcong Li, Binbin Nie, Rui Zhang, Xu Pan, Jianfeng Lei, Haiyan Zou, Hui Zhao","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01122-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01122-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) has been shown to promote functional recovery of memory following ischemic stroke, the precise mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the impact of BHD on hippocampal-cortical connectivity and elucidate the associated neurobiological mechanisms mediating its restorative effects.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model was established to simulate ischemic stroke conditions for subsequent experimental analyses. MCAO rats received daily intragastric administration of BHD over a 30-day treatment period. Cognitive performance, specifically spatial learning and memory, was assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Structural alterations in the hippocampus and cortex were quantified through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), while functional neuronal activity was evaluated using blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) imaging, including amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) analyses. Seed-based functional connectivity analysis derived from BOLD signals was employed to investigate dynamic changes in hippocampocortical connectivity. Additionally, the involvement of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway was examined using Western blotting to elucidate potential molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of BHD.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Therapeutic administration of BHD significantly ameliorated ischemia-induced memory impairments, attenuated structural damage in hippocampal and cortical regions, and restored neuronal activity levels in the post-stroke hippocampal regions. Notably, BHD treatment promoted functional reorganization of hippocampal-cortical connectivity, concomitant with the modulation of the Shh signaling pathway in both hippocampal and cortical regions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The treatment with BHD facilitated the remodeling of the connectivity between the hippocampus and cortex, and ultimately alleviated memory dysfunction following stroke. These findings hold great promise in promoting the development of BHD research and enhancing its clinical utility.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"144"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12447606/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145091208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The association between acupuncture and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer.","authors":"Rui Zhou, Yan-Juan Zhu, Yi-Han He, Jia-Jia Lin, Ze-Xin Zhang, Wen-Jie Zhao, Hao-Chuan Ma, Xue-Song Chang, Ya-Dong Chen, Wen-Zhu Li, Xian Chen, Xiao-Shu Chai, Hai-Bo Zhang","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01148-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01148-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment, yet low response rates and resistance remain challenges. Emerging evidence suggests acupuncture may enhance ICI effectiveness by reprogramming immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis was conducted on 217 ICI-treated NSCLC patients. Patients who initiated acupuncture before median progression-free survival (mPFS, 8.87 months) of the overall population were classified as the acupuncture group (n = 97). Cox regression analysis was employed to evaluate the association between clinical characteristics and outcomes. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to mitigate selection bias. Subgroup and interaction analyses were conducted to evaluate potential effect modifiers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Acupuncture was significantly associated with improved mPFS (10.23 vs. 7.87 months, P = 0.036), while a numerical trend favoring acupuncture was observed in overall survival (mOS: 24.1 vs. 20.9 months, P = 0.352). Obvious benefits emerged in bone metastasis patients, with the acupuncture group reducing progression risk by 76% (HR = 0.24, 95% CI 0.14-0.42, P < 0.001) and death risk by 53% (HR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.21-1.03, P = 0.049). Conversely, PD-L1-positive subgroups exhibited no trend of improvement (subgroup HR > 1.0), with interaction HRs > 2.0 indicating potential impairment of ICI efficacy. The results of post-PSM data suggest that acupuncture was independently associated with improved PFS (aHR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.41-0.94, P = 0.024).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings suggest a positive association between acupuncture and improved outcomes in ICI-treated NSCLC patients, particularly in those with bone metastasis, underscoring the potential role of acupuncture in the integrative management of cancer. However, biomarker-guided patient stratification is essential for integrating acupuncture into oncology care.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"145"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12447595/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145091237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multi-omics reveals mechanism of Qi-Po-Sheng-Mai granule in reducing atrial fibrillation susceptibility in aged rats.","authors":"Shuqing Shi, Xiaohan Zhang, Jiayu Lv, Zhenyue Fu, Yajiao Wang, Yihang Du, Chenglin Duan, Huan Wang, Bai Du, Qingqiao Song, Yuanhui Hu","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01154-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01154-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice, and age is an independent risk factor for the development of AF. Qi-Po-Sheng-Mai granule (QPSM) has been used clinically to treat aging-related AF, however, its underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we established a D-galactose-induced aging rat model to evaluate the effects of QPSM on aging-related AF through electrocardiograms, echocardiography, and histopathological analysis. Further, we employed transcriptomics and metabolomics to uncover molecular mechanisms and targets. Finally, in vivo experiments were conducted to validate the expression of key targets in the D-Gal-induced aging rat model and the intervention effects of QPSM.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>QPSM significantly reduced the susceptibility to AF in aging rats and alleviated atrial dilation and fibrosis. The combined analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics suggested that QPSM may inhibit the occurrence of aging-related AF by modulating Nampt expression and increasing NAD⁺ content in atrial tissue. Additionally, in vivo experiments confirmed that QPSM increased ATP content, reduced mitoSOX fluorescence intensity, and decreased the proportion of senescent cells. Whole-cell patch clamp results showed that QPSM could prolong the action potential duration of isolated atrial cells, increase I_caL. This might be achieved by regulating the expression of Oxi-CaMKII and RyR₂^ser2814, thereby alleviating calcium overload in atrial cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study demonstrates that QPSM may reduce the susceptibility to aging-related AF by regulating Nampt expression and NAD⁺ content, thereby mitigating calcium overload in atrial cells. This provides a direction for future research in related fields.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"118"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12406385/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144944894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Astrocyte inhibition and PV interneuron activation: key mechanisms in electroacupuncture's effect on pain-anxiety comorbidity.","authors":"Junfan Fang, Yashuang Xu, Mengting Qiu, Liyan Zhong, Ru Ye, Lu Guan, Junhui Ren, Zi Guo, Xiaofen He, Xiaomei Shao, Yi Liang, Jianqiao Fang, Junying Du","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01202-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01202-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Evidence indicates that the interplay between pain and anxiety poses clinical challenges for the evaluation and management of chronic pain, yet effective therapies for these comorbidities are limited. This study aimed to elucidate the effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) on pain-anxiety comorbidities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Mice injected with Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in the ipsilateral hind paw developed persistent inflammatory pain and anxiety-like behaviors, as assessed by the von Frey, open field, elevated plus maze, and novelty-suppressed feeding tests. EA was administered 12-17d after CFA injection with once daily. rAAV virus and chemogenetics were used to manipulate parvalbumin (PV) interneurons and astrocytes excitation in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Immunofluorescence, morphological analysis, patch clamp and in vivo fiber Ca²⁺ imaging were used to examine the activation of PV interneurons and astrocytes. The effect of EPCPX (antagonist of A1R) and chemogenetics activated astrocytes on EA analgesia were observed in a subset of mice prior to EA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>EA administration alleviated pain and anxiety-like behaviors in CFA mice, activated PV interneurons, and inhibited astrocytes activation in the ACC. Furthermore, both PV interneurons activation and astrocyte inhibition in the ACC elicited effects similar to those elicited by EA on pain and anxiety. Chemogenetic activation of ACC astrocytes reversed the effects of EA. Additionally, astrocyte activation in the ACC suppressed PV interneurons and induced pain-anxiety like behaviors in mice. Adenosine A1 receptors, crucial for mediating the interaction between astrocytes and PV interneurons in the ACC, were also found to be involved in the effects of EA on pain-anxiety comorbidity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings reveal that EA alleviates the pain and anxiety comorbidity through a potential mechanism involving the activation of PV interneurons, which are modulated by the inhibition of astrocytes in the ACC, thus providing a promising therapeutic strategy for persistent pain and concurrent anxiety.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"143"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12403460/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144945081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}