Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim最新文献

{"title":"Acupuncture in depression treatment: Insights into astrocyte regulation","authors":"Ning Xu ,&nbsp;Tao Huang ,&nbsp;Long Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2025.09.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joim.2025.09.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Astrocytes are the most abundant and morphologically intricate glial cells in the central nervous system, playing diverse and crucial roles in maintaining homeostasis within this system. Increasing evidence suggests that dysfunction of astrocytes contributes to the pathophysiology of depression. As an adjunctive and integrative therapy, acupuncture presents certain advantages in alleviating the severity of depressive symptoms. In comparison to conventional pharmacotherapy, acupuncture is distinguished by its relatively rapid onset of action, minimal side effects, and compatibility with concurrent pharmacological treatments. Preclinical studies indicate that acupuncture can ameliorate both morphological and functional impairments observed in the depressed brain by targeting neurons and glia. Specifically, research has demonstrated that acupuncture reduces morphological atrophy in astrocytes while also mitigating their dysfunction in rat models of depression. This therapeutic effect may be partially mediated through the regulation of enzyme expression, cytokines, neurotrophic factors, and intracellular signaling pathways within these glial cells. This review focuses on preclinical research investigating the mechanisms through which acupuncture may aid in treating depression, with an emphasis on astrocyte modulation.</div><div>Please cite this article as: Xu N, Huang T, Wang L. Acupuncture in depression treatment: Insights into astrocyte regulation. <em>J Integr Med</em>. 2026; 24(2):163–173.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":"24 2","pages":"Pages 163-173"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145373331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Aconitum coreanum (H.Lév l.) Rapaics exerts neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemic stroke by inhibiting autophagy through the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway","authors":"Yue Liu,&nbsp;Yang Qu,&nbsp;Qian Cai","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2025.12.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joim.2025.12.004","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS) induces neuronal damage and activates neuronal autophagy through diverse mechanisms. Autophagy exerts adverse effects in acute neurological disorders, leading to neuronal apoptosis and death. The dried tuberous root of &lt;em&gt;Aconitum coreanum&lt;/em&gt; (H.Lév l.) Rapaics is a traditional herbal medicine that has been used to treat stroke. This study explores the neuroprotective effects of &lt;em&gt;A. coreanum&lt;/em&gt; through its role in autophagy and the mechanisms that underly this activity.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion technique was used to establish a CIS rat model. The neuroprotective effects of &lt;em&gt;A. coreanum&lt;/em&gt; were explored using a suite of techniques: behavioral injury was assessed with the Longa method; infarct size was measured using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride; neuronal morphology was observed using hematoxylin–eosin and Nissl staining; neuronal apoptosis was observed with terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining. Then, the mechanisms behind the neuroprotective effects were explored: the oxidative stress index was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the ultrastructure of rat neurons was observed using transmission electron microscopy; the protein expression was detected with Western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses; the mRNA expression was measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;em&gt;A. coreanum&lt;/em&gt; significantly reduced the behavioral score and infarct size of CIS rats, increased the number of neurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, improved the morphology and structure of neurons, and suppressed neuronal apoptosis. In addition, &lt;em&gt;A. coreanum&lt;/em&gt; downregulated levels of malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase and upregulated those of superoxide dismutase and glutathione. It inhibited the generation of autophagosomes and modulated the indicators of autophagy, including decreasing the ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II (LC3-II)/LC3-I, and increasing the expression of sequestosome 1. &lt;em&gt;A. coreanum&lt;/em&gt; also upregulated the expression of phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phosphorylated unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) and downregulated that of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK).&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;em&gt;A. coreanum&lt;/em&gt; exerts neuroprotective effects in CIS by inhibiting autophagy through regulating the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway. This finding provides a novel perspective on the treatment of CIS with &lt;em&gt;A. coreanum&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;Please cite this article as: Yue L, Yang Q, Qian C. &lt;em&gt;Aconitum coreanum&lt;/em&gt; (H.Lév l.) Rapaics exerts neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemic stroke by inhibiting autophagy through the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway. &lt;em&gt;J Integr Med&lt;/em&gt;. 2026; 24(2):210–223.","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":"24 2","pages":"Pages 210-223"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145866020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Developing a core outcome set for clinical research on Chinese medicine dampness syndrome","authors":"Xing-ying Qiu ,&nbsp;Qi Tang ,&nbsp;Ting Cheng ,&nbsp;Wen-cong Cao ,&nbsp;Bing-qing Liu ,&nbsp;Ze-huai Wen ,&nbsp;Geng Li","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.01.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.01.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study develops a core outcome set (COS) for clinical research concerning Chinese medicine (CM) dampness syndrome (COS-CMDS) that might improve heterogeneity of outcomes, reporting, and inadequate attention to the CM characteristic outcomes in clinical research on CM dampness syndrome.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An initial outcome pool was constructed based on a systematic review of clinical studies related to CM dampness, registered trials, and semi-structured interviews with patients and healthcare professionals. Various stakeholders were invited to participate in a 2-round Delphi survey to scrutinize the important outcomes. A consensus meeting was held to determine the final COS-CMDS.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We identified 1904 studies and 73 registered trials in the systematic review. Six patients and seven healthcare professionals were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview. Then, 541 outcomes were extracted, of which 397 were physicochemical. After combining certain outcomes (especially the physicochemical outcomes) and excluding those with weak relevance by discussion, 26 outcomes were included in round 1 of the Delphi survey. Round 1 was completed by 82.89% of participants, and 22 outcomes were carried on to round 2. Round 2 was completed by 92.06% of participants, and 14 outcomes achieved consensus for inclusion in the COS. Nineteen stakeholders attended the consensus meeting, voted, and discussed the final COS. It included evaluation of dampness syndrome, CM syndrome assessment, effective response, validated laboratory outcomes of CM dampness syndrome, and adverse events.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The COS-CMDS provides a reference for the selection and reporting of outcomes in clinical research concerning CM dampness syndrome, embodying the characteristics of CM.</div><div>Please cite this article as: Qiu XY, Tang Q, Cheng T, Cao WC, Liu BQ, Wen ZH, Li G. Developing a core outcome set for clinical research on Chinese medicine dampness syndrome. <em>J Integr Med</em>. 2026; 24(2):201–209.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":"24 2","pages":"Pages 201-209"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146158939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling the antimetastatic activity and molecular mechanism of montanine in lung cancer cells via the integration of network pharmacology approaches with in vitro and in vivo investigations","authors":"Iksen Iksen ,&nbsp;Natsaranyatron Singharajkomron ,&nbsp;Ausana Wongtayan ,&nbsp;Onsurang Wattanathamsan ,&nbsp;Amaya Choonhapan ,&nbsp;Sureeporn Wademonkolgorn ,&nbsp;Hien Minh Nguyen ,&nbsp;Trang Huyen Xuan Hoang ,&nbsp;Hoai Thi Nguyen ,&nbsp;Varisa Pongrakhananon","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.01.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, presents a poor prognosis due to its tendency to metastasize and its resistance to standard therapies. Montanine (MTN), a naturally occurring alkaloid, has recently shown potential as an anticancer agent. However, the specific mechanisms through which it exerts its anticancer effects are still largely unknown. This study investigates the anti-NSCLC potential of MTN by utilizing integrative network pharmacology alongside in vitro and in vivo experimental validations.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Genes targeted by MTN in NSCLC were identified and subjected to functional enrichment analysis to elucidate the most enriched signaling pathways. A protein–protein interaction network was constructed to identify the interactions of potential targets. Adrenoceptor β2 (<em>ADRB2</em>) expression in lung cancer was analyzed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus datasets. The effects of MTN on NSCLC cell lines, including migration, proliferation, viability and apoptosis, were assessed in vitro. MTN-related mechanisms were investigated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Furthermore, an in vivo lung cancer metastasis experiment was performed in rats using a tail vein assay.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>MTN at nontoxic doses significantly reduced cell migration and lung colonization in an in vivo metastasis study (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Network pharmacology revealed 29 targets of MTN in NSCLC, highlighting <em>ADRB2</em> as a primary target linked to poor prognosis in lung cancer. In vitro studies confirmed that MTN notably upregulated ADRB2 expression and downregulated epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling pathways, which was further enhanced by terbutaline sulfate, an ADRB2 activator.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>MTN is a promising therapeutic agent for NSCLC by suppressing the migration via ADRB2 and EMT mechanisms.</div><div><br>Please cite this article as: Iksen I, Singharajkomron N, Wongtayan A, Wattanathamsan O, Choonhapan A, Wademonkolgorn S, Nguyen HM, Hoang THX, Nguyen HT, Pongrakhananon V. Unveiling the antimetastatic activity and molecular mechanism of montanine in lung cancer cells via the integration of network pharmacology approaches with in vitro and in vivo investigations. <em>J Integr Med</em>. 2026; 24(2):253–264.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":"24 2","pages":"Pages 253-264"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146097500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Atopic dermatitis management in the era of integrative medicine","authors":"Min Chen ,&nbsp;Wan-qing Liao","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.02.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin condition. It has significant socioeconomic consequences and complex pathophysiology, necessitating updated management guidelines that consider the age, sex and geographic location of patients. Despite the widespread use of Western medicine (WM), including topical corticosteroids, as the primary treatment for AD, the possible negative effects of WM therapies are inescapable. Although there is still a lack of strong evidence, the integration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with WM may yield a more favorable therapeutic response for AD than WM alone, due to the synergistic effects involved. Balancing the application of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches from TCM and WM is crucial for the management of AD, enhancing treatment efficacy for patients, and averting disease recurrence. In 2025, a new clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of AD was released; it emphasized the integration of TCM with WM. This guideline is crucial as it consolidates global expertise and data to provide a standardized framework for the practical integration of techniques to bridge divides among clinical disciplines. As more substantial data emerge, the development and enhancement of integrative medicine for AD management should be prioritized globally, particularly in Asian regions.</div><div><br>Please cite this article as: Chen M, Liao WQ. Atopic dermatitis management in the era of integrative medicine. <em>J Integr Med</em>. 2026; 24(2):137–139.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":"24 2","pages":"Pages 137-139"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146203454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integration of traditional Chinese medicine and machine learning: Opportunities, obstacles, and implications for future of healthcare.","authors":"Xian Huang, Hui Hwang Goh, Ting-Ting He, Dong-Dong Zhang, Wei Dai, Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan, Kai Chen Goh, Hin Yong Wong, Mohammad Tariqul Islam, Xue Liang","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.02.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2026.02.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chinese herbal traditions, with a history of over 2000 years, emphasise the harmony between spirit, body and nature. Integrating these principles with machine learning (ML) offers transformative potential for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). By leveraging technologies and data-driven models, TCM can evolve while preserving its accumulated wisdom. Knowledge graphs combined with deep learning can enhance diagnosis, treatment planning and prognosis evaluation. This paper reviews current ML applications in TCM and strategies for integration with conventional practices. It categorises key challenges and proposed solutions, focusing on deep learning-based algorithms. ML has demonstrated success in automating personalised herbal prescriptions, predicting diagnostic outcomes and identifying acupoints. However, major obstacles include data standardisation, ethical and legal frameworks, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. The development of high-quality, ethical artificial intelligence requires regulatory support and cooperation with TCM practitioners. This study supports the notion that a learning platform is essential for the education of TCM practitioners. ML and TCM may adopt this implementation approach, and the emergence of convex ML can substantially enhance testing algorithms in TCM, hence improving the effectiveness of future healthcare systems. Please cite this article as: Huang X, Goh HH, He TT, Zhang DD, Dai W, Kurniawan TA, Goh KC, Wong HY, Islam MT, Liang X. Integration of traditional Chinese medicine and machine learning: Opportunities, obstacles, and implications for future of healthcare. J Integr Med. 2026; Epub ahead of print.</p>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147327785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Syndrome attractors: providing a system dynamics view of disease from the integrative medicine perspective.","authors":"Zi-Wei Zhao, Wen-Yan Li, Wan-Zhi Li, Yun Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.02.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2026.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Biomedical science has long been based on a reductionist approach, attributing diseases to specific molecular or pathway abnormalities. However, for complex diseases caused by multiple interrelated biological dysfunctions, the static, localized and linear approach struggles to fully capture the biological essence of diseases, which makes it challenging to form effective therapeutic strategies. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory offers distinct advantages. TCM identifies the comprehensive pathological state of the human body centered on the concept of syndrome differentiation; it employs systematic regulatory methods, and emphasizes the prevention of syndrome progression. This approach embodies both systemic and dynamic perspectives, thereby achieving great therapeutic outcomes for complex diseases. Nevertheless, current research on TCM syndromes has predominantly relied on a reductionist framework, interpreting syndromes merely as abnormalities in molecular expression levels; this limits the appreciation of their inherent systemic and dynamic characteristics. To address this issue, we propose an integrative perspective that is grounded in TCM syndrome theory while employing a nonlinear dynamical systems approach to disease understanding. In this paper, we first elucidate the state-medicine characteristics that are inherent in TCM theory; then we discuss how TCM syndromes align with the properties of an attractor in complex dynamical systems, proposing that TCM syndromes represent pathological attractor states of the human system; finally, we conceptualize a syndrome attractor in the system of the human body and elaborate on its value in modern medicine. This concept introduces the analytical methods of nonlinear dynamics into the study of TCM syndromes, enabling a more comprehensive elucidation of their systemic and dynamic biological basis. It bridges TCM syndrome differentiation and intervention methods with complexity science, thereby offering a new approach for integrating the holistic and systematic views of TCM with biomedical research. This study aimed to promote a dynamic systems-level understanding of diseases in modern medicine, while providing a reference for addressing current challenges for complex and refractory diseases. Please cite this article as: Zhao ZW, Li WY, Li WZ, Wang Y. Syndrome attractors: Providing a system dynamics view of disease from the integrative medicine perspective. J Integr Med. 2026; Epub ahead of print.</p>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147285804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Photothermal effect of invasive laser acupuncture: A computational study with experimental validation.","authors":"Hyo-Jin Kim, Jongwoo Kim, Jin-Gyun Kim, Seunghoon Lee, Younbyoung Chae, In-Seon Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.02.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2026.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Invasive laser acupuncture (ILA) is an innovative integration of traditional acupuncture with precise laser stimulation delivered directly into acupoints, yet it is not widely used in clinical practice and lacks extensive clinical studies. In the era of digital healthcare and patient-specific treatment, computational predictive models have become essential tools for optimizing medical procedures and ensuring treatment safety. However, existing computational models for laser-based therapies primarily focused on skin surface treatments or ablation procedures, creating a significant gap in understanding unique characteristics of ILA. This study addressed this challenge by developing and validating a novel computational predictive model that incorporates the geometric characteristics of needle-integrated optical fiber delivery. The model was validated through ex vivo experiments using a 650 nm laser device, demonstrating good agreement in temporal temperature changes at the irradiation point with an average difference of 11.6%. Using this validated model, systematic investigation of ILA responses to varying laser parameters was conducted to analyze the photothermal effects in tissue. These quantitative insights into the relationships between laser parameters and photothermal responses provided a foundation for evidence-based selection of treatment parameters. This computational framework contributes to the advancement of ILA therapy by enabling more precise control of therapeutic outcomes and supporting the development of safety protocols. Please cite this article as: Kim HJ, Kim J, Kim JG, Lee S, Chae Y, Lee IS. Photothermal effect of invasive laser acupuncture: A computational study with experimental validation J Integr Med. 2026; Epub ahead of print.</p>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147272502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Silk fibroin@polydopamine for acupoint catgut-embedding therapy in Alzheimer's disease.","authors":"Chun Wang, Xing Liu, Ying Fan, Guang-Ya Liu, Ping Wu, Sheng-Cun Li, Yan-Jun Du","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.01.010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2026.01.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>We developed a novel silk fibroin@polydopamine (SF@PDA) material and investigated the mechanism of SF@PDA acupoint implantation for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a mouse model.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In the materials research phase, we characterized the surface morphology and properties of the novel SF@PDA composites and evaluated their safety using the cell counting kit-8 assay. Following the intervention, C57BL/6 mice underwent open-field experiments and the Morris water maze test. We analyzed the collected tissues with hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunofluorescent staining, Western blotting, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After acupoint implantation, SF@PDA reduced amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition and preserve neurons, thereby improving cognitive performance. In particular, SF@PDA can reduce the expression of inflammatory factors, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, and inhibit the inflammatory response, thereby further reducing Aβ accumulation and neuronal damage. The SF@PDA treatment resulted in an increase in exploratory behavior and a decrease in the number of errors in mice. Meanwhile, the number of Aβ plaques in the brain was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), and inflammatory cell infiltration was lessened.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>SF@PDA acupoint implantation has significant therapeutic effects on AD model mice. The mechanism can be related to the inhibition of inflammatory response, reduction of Aβ deposition, and promotion of nerve regeneration. Please cite this article as: Wang C, Liu X, Fan Y, Liu GY, Wu P, Li SC, Du YJ. Silk fibroin@polydopamine for acupoint catgut-embedding therapy in Alzheimer's disease. J Integr Med. 2026; Epub ahead of print.</p>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146195880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Research advances in neural and immune regulatory mechanisms underlying the distant therapeutic effects of acupoints.","authors":"Ye-Lan Yao, Xu-Xin-Yu Gu, Xin-Bei Xie, Ying Wang, Qiang-Li Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.01.009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2026.01.009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Acupoint therapy is widely applied in clinical practice, yet its precise mechanism of action has not been completely elucidated. In recent years, the neuro-immune regulatory mechanism has emerged as a prominent focus in acupoint research. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the mechanisms of acupoint stimulation at the central, peripheral and local neural levels. It further explores the neurogenic inflammatory responses induced by acupoint stimulation and its regulatory effects on local immune cells. Studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can exert anti-inflammatory, analgesic and immunomodulatory effects through local neuro-immune interactions. However, a direct biological connection between acupoints and visceral organs has yet to be identified. Future research should prioritize elucidating the nuanced changes within the local neuro-immune microenvironment of acupoints and delineating their indirect mechanistic pathways. This deeper understanding is expected to provide a more robust theoretical foundation for the precision and scientific application of acupuncture therapy. Please cite this article as: Yao YL, Gu XXY, Xie XB, Wang Y, Wang QL. Research advances in neural and immune regulatory mechanisms underlying the distant therapeutic effects of acupoints. J Integr Med. 2026; Epub ahead of print.</p>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147436797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}