Collaterals are an important component of the meridian and collaterals theory, but there has not been a systematic and in-depth study on the diagnosis and treatment of collaterals. This paper analyzes ancient and modern literature on collaterals, and discusses the theoretical foundation, application principles, and clinical application of collaterals from three aspects. It summarizes the current research status of collaterals theory in ancient and modern times. This paper believes that combining the network structure and function of collaterals can better understand the theory of collaterals. Classifying collaterals and meridians into yin and yang collaterals, qi and blood collaterals, and zang-fu collaterals and body collaterals can be helpful for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. By formulating the principles of ‘using collaterals to promote circulation' and ‘treating collaterals to treat blood stasis' based on the pathological changes of collaterals. Combined with the collateral principle and the classification of collaterals, it is concluded that pathological blood collaterals are the main object of collateral diagnosis. The current application technology has a certain therapeutic effect on the collaterals, cupping and scraping mostly act on the yang collaterals of the skin, it can be used to relax bowels and discharge heat, regulate qi and activities yang, moxibustion is mostly used on the yin collaterals, it can regulate the organs and tonify deficiency, the guidance can increase the accumulation and regulation function of the collaterals, collateral release can be used to regulate blood and collaterals, mainly for the stasis of collaterals.

Objective: To observe the characteristics of intestinal microbiota in rats with copper overloaded with Wilson disease (WD) and explore the potential microbial mechanism of Gandou Fumu Decoction on liver fibrosis with WD, so as to provide evidence for optimal traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. Methods: Two-month-old SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, penicillamine group (0.13 g/kg), low-dose group (13 mL/kg), medium-dose group (26 mL/kg), high-dose group (52 mL/kg), with 10 rats in each group. Copper overloaded model was established by diet of feed with copper sulfate (1 g/kg) and drinking water with copper sulfate (0.185%). HE staining was used for liver histopathological observation; We randomly collected fecal samples in three rats from each group for 16S rDNA sequencing at 7, 14, and 28 days of treatment; Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to detect the content of Cu²⁺ in serum and brain tissues. Results: There were differences in the intestinal microbiota of rats with copper overloaded WD among different groups. Compared with control group, abundance of Corynebacterium in other groups was significantly increased, and abundance of Lactobacillus decreased, and abundance of Corynebacterium in the high-dose group was significantly higher than that in model group, penicillamine group, low-dose group and medium-dose group (P<0.05). Compared with model group and penicillamine group, abundance of Ligilactobacillus in medium-dose group and high-dose group was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with control group, abundance of Akkermansia in penicillamine group, medium-dose group, and high-dose group decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with model group, penicillamine group, low-dose group, medium-dose group and high-dose group had significantly higher microbial network complexity, network connectivity, path length and clustering coefficient indexes, especially in the medium-dose group group. Conclusion: There is an imbalance in intestinal microbiota in rats with copper loaded WD model, and with the initiation of copper excretion treatment, the intestinal microbiota exhibits characteristic manifestations; Gandou Fumu Decoction may improve the progression of liver fibrosis in rats with copper loaded WD model by regulating intestinal microbiota.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of Shenfu Qiangxin Pills in the treatment of chronic heart failure in heart-kidney yang deficiency syndrome by using metabolomics method, explore and identify its potential biomarkers. Methods:Thirty-eight participants with chronic heart failure who received treatment with Shenfu Qiangxin Pills were included, and their serum samples of baseline and after treatment were used for metabolomics testing by UHPLC (1290 Infinity LC). A total of 1 335 metabolites above Level 2 were identified, which were identified by the combination with positive ion modes and negative ion modes. Adopted partial least squares discrimination analysis, orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis for multivariate analysis, and tested the reliability of the model by using permutation test. The identified differential metabolites were subjected to KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Results:After treatment with Shenfu Qiangxin Pills, a total of 15 differential metabolites such as D-glutamine and L-homoarginine, a total of 16 KEGG pathways such as D-Glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, Arginine biosynthesis, Pyrimidine metabolism, Purine metabolism and so on. KEGG enrichment analysis showed 6 target pathway such as Glutamatergic synapse, GABAergic synapse, D-Glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, Proximal tubule bicarbonate reclamation, Nitrogen metabolism, Arginine biosynthesis. Conclusion:Shenfu Qiangxin Pills may exert its efficacy in the treatment of chronic heart failure by regulating the amino acid metabolism.

As an earlier-written classic of traditional Chinese medicine, Nanjing occupies a crucial position in the establishment and development of the theoretical system of traditional Chinese medicine. Doctors of all dynasties have systematically investigated and annotated it through various means and achieved remarkable outcomes. Based on the systematic arrangement of over 30 annotated editions of Nanjing, this paper categorizes the approaches used by annotators of past dynasties to study Nanjing into three types: thematic essay research approach, essay deduction research approach, and annotators compile references research approach. Their functions are respectively to extract the overall framework, explain the connotation of the original text, and select representative annotated texts. Further subdivisions are made according to their characteristics under each research approach to provide references for the academic research of Nanjing.

Tendons bundle bone, bone tensioning tendon, tendon-bone coordination is the basis of human spine and joint to maintain dynamic balance. Once the tendons and bones are out of balance, the normal function of the joint is impaired, causing knee osteoarthritis (KOA). In this study, it is found that the theory of ‘tendon-bone imbalance' is rich in connotation, including not only the abnormalities of skeletal muscle elasticity, tension, muscle strength and ligament properties, but also bone abnormalities such as osteophyte formation, knee varus and osteoporosis. At the same time, tuina can adjust the tendons and bones based on the ‘tendon-bone imbalance', and play the adjustment role of KOA ‘tendon-bone imbalance' through the tendon management and bone setting techniques. This has a positive guiding significance for further deepening the theoretical connotation of ‘tendon-bone imbalance' and its clinical application in tuina.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of effect of abdominal massage for insomnia and determine whether it is the core therapy for the treatment of insomnia. Methods:A total of 72 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group (FK), model group (FM), simple abdominal group (FD), abdominal therapy group (FC), drug group (FY) and drug + simple abdominal group (FT), with 12 rats in each group. Insomnia models were prepared by intraperitoneally injecting PCPA in rats of FM group and each treatment group. After successful modelling, FK and FM groups were not intervened; FD group treated with abdominal massage in the whole abdomen position; FC group treated with various massage methods containing abdominal massage; FY group treated with Zolpidem tartrate tablets (0.92 mg · kg^-1 · d^-1) by instillation; FT group treated with abdominal massage based on drug group, given daily for 14 days. After the final intervention, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) levels were analyzed by ELISA in hypothalamus of the rats in each group. 16S rDNA sequencing was used to analyse the structure, diversity and species differences of the gut microbiota in each group, and the Spearman correlation analysis was performed with 5-HT, DA and NE. Results:The 5-HT and DA levels were significantly reduced and the NE level was significantly increased in the hypothalamus of rats in FM group compared with FK group (P<0.05). Compared with the FM group, the 5-HT levels in the hypothalamus of rats in each treatment group were increased significantly and the NE levels were decreased (P<0.05), and the DA levels in the hypothalamus of rats in the FC, FY, and FT groups were increased significantly (P<0.05). The Chao1 index was significantly increased in both FD and FY groups compared to FM group (P<0.05), and Shannon index was increased in FD group (P<0.05). Beta diversity analyses showed that there was significant segregation between samples in FK and FM groups; At the phylum level, faecal microbiota of rats were dominated by Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes; The genus level is dominated by such as Bacteroides and Lactobacillus; The phylum and genus levels obtained respectively 7 and 102 significantly different species. The level of 5-HT showed positively correlation with Lactobacillus (r=0.268, P<0.05), negatively with Bacteroides (r=-0.342, P<0.01); The level of DA showed positively negatively correlation with Bacteroides and Negativibacillus (r=-0.252, r=-0.268, P<0.05); The level of NE showed positively correlation with Alloprevotella and Negativibacillu (r=0.309, P<0.01; r=0.273, P<0.05). Conclusion:Abdominal massage is the core therapy for insomnia and the mechanism of its effect may be linked to the regulation of gut bacteria and consequently altering the level of neurotransmitter expression in the brain associated with the gut bacteria.

This paper introduces the content of Clinical Guidelines of Acupotomy Treatment of Scapulohumeral Periarthritis. The guideline is based on research findings related to acupotomy for scapulohumeral periarthritis both domestically and internationally. Following the methods used in the development of international clinical practice guidelines, evidence from literature was selected and evaluated based on evidence-based medicine principles. An evidence grading system was established following internationally recommended assessment and development procedures, and after expert consultation, the Clinical Guidelines of Acupotomy Treatment of Scapulohumeral Periarthritis with evidence levels and recommendations were formulated. These guidelines cover definitions, diagnosis, and acupotomy treatment, with the aim of providing guidance for safe and effective clinical practice.

Chinese medicine believes that the heart has the function of mastering mental activities such as spirit, consciousness, thinking and emotion, while the brain also has the function of mastering vital activities, mental activities and sensory movements. Both the heart and the brain have the function of mastering the spirit. Based on the concept of the trinity of life view, this article explains the mechanism of the heart and brain in terms of their form, qi and spirit, respectively, and demonstrates the theory that ‘the heart and brain share the mastery of the mind' and explains that the brain, which dominates human spirituality, consciousness and thinking activities, is closely related to the heart. It provides new ideas for the modern scientific analysis of Chinese medicine theories and clinical treatment of mental diseases.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a common clinical interstitial lung disease with an increasing incidence year by year, poor quality of life, and poor prognosis, ultimately leading to severe impairment of lung function or even patient death. Western drug therapy includes medications such as N-acetylcysteine, pirfenidone, and nintedanib, as well as non-drug therapies such as oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and lung transplantation. However, the therapeutic effect is limited. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment of IPF offers a new approach, and recent studies have shown that TCM has good efficacy in treating IPF. In this paper, we discuss the etiology, pathogenesis, and pharmacological treatment of IPF from the perspective of Chinese medicine. We also summarize the Chinese medicinal compounds, extracts, and injections that have been clinically and experimentally proven to have antifibrotic potential, further elaborating on their efficacy, mechanisms, and the progress of modern pharmacological research.

To explore the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome elements and the scores of the mini mental state examination (MMSE) and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) in middle-aged and elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: A cluster random sampling method was adopted to randomly select 7 communities in the main urban area of Xixian. The middle-aged and elderly population aged 50 to 89 were selected as screening targets. MCI patients were screened based on the general information and medical history of the screened population, combined with cognitive ability testing and standardized diagnostic criteria. The correlation between TCM syndrome elements of MCI patients and MMSE and MoCA scale scores was analyzed. Results: Women had more MCI cases than men; The distribution frequency of deficiency pathological syndrome elements in MCI was kidney deficiency>marrow deficiency>yin deficiency>qi deficiency>spleen deficiency>yang deficiency>blood deficiency; The distribution frequency of empirical pathological syndrome elements was phlegm turbidity>internal heat>blood stasis>yang hyperactivity; The TCM syndrome elements of MCI were mainly characterized by two types of syndrome elements coexisting (70/206, 33.98%) and three types of syndrome elements coexisting (49/206, 23.79%); Cognitive impairment was mainly concentrated in areas such as attention and computing power, structural ability, writing ability, and delayed recall in the MMSE scale, while in the MoCA scale, it was mainly concentrated in areas such as attention, language ability, visual space and executive function, and delayed recall; The total score of MMSE was negatively correlated with yang hyperactivity (P<0.05); The immediate memory score was negatively correlated with phlegm turbidity (P<0.05); The delayed recall score was negatively correlated with marrow deficiency (P<0.05); The score of writing ability was positively correlated with deficiency (P<0.01); The score of retelling ability was positively correlated with internal heat (P<0.05); The reading ability score was negatively correlated with blood stasis (P<0.05); The score of structural ability was negatively correlated with kidney deficiency (P<0.01); The total score of MoCA was positively correlated with internal heat (P<0.01); Visual space and executive function were positively correlated with internal heat (P<0.01), and negatively correlated with blood stasis (P<0.05); The score of naming was negatively correlated with marrow deficiency (P<0.05); Attention score was positively correlated with internal heat (P<0.05) and negatively correlated with blood stasis (P<0.05); The language ability score was negatively correlated with marrow deficiency (P<0.05) and positively correlated with internal heat (P<0.01). Conclusion: TCM syndrome elements in middle-aged and elderly MCI patients are mainly concentrated in kidney deficiency, marrow deficiency, internal heat, phlegm turbidity, etc., which is the result of the interaction of multiple pathological factors. There is a certain correlation between MCI and TCM syndrome elements, but the research conclusions are not yet unified and further research is needed.

Objective:To explore the protective effect and mechanism of Jiannao Guben Formula (JNGB) on the neurovascular unit (NVU) in rats with cerebral small vessel cognitive impairment (CSVCI). Methods:The CSVCI rat model was prepared using bilateral common carotid artery occulsion method. The rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, donepezil group and JNGB group, with 8 rats in each group. Rats in the sham group and model group were given normal saline by gavage, while rats in the donepezil group and JNGB group were given donepezil suspension and JNGB by gavage respectively.After 4 weeks of administration, the Morris water maze was performed to examine the learning and memory abilities of the rats. HE, Nissl and LFB staining were performed to observe the pathological changes of cortical neurons and myelin sheath. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence were used to detect proteins expression of Claudin5, Occludin, vWF, ICAM-1, MBP, GFAP and IBA1 in rats. Results:Compared with the model group, the average escape latency of the water maze of the rats in the JNGB group decreased (P<0.05) and the distance ratio of platform area and the number of times crossed the platform increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The pathological changes of neurons were ameliorated, the number of Nissl bodies was increased, and the myelin sheaths of corpus callosum were denser and regular. Furthermore, JNGB supplement could increase the protein expressions of MBP, Claudin-5, Occludin (P<0.05, P<0.01) and decrease the expression of vWF, ICAM-1, GFAP and IBA1 (P<0.01, P<0.05). Besides, the distance between activated astrocytes and microglia was increased, and the interaction was reduced. Conclusion:There are NVU damages in CSVCI rats, which is accordance with the theory of ‘toxic damage to the brain meridians', and JNGB can improve cognitive function by repairing NVU damage.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of astragaloside intervention in the autophagy of asthma models with cold retention accumulation in lung. Methods:Forty SPF-grade male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group, model group, astragaloside group, and rapamycin group, with 10 rats in each group. An asthma model with cold rheum accumulating in lung was established, and corresponding treatments were administered: astragaloside (10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) and rapamycin (0.01 mg·kg^-1·d^-1). Changes in body weight were observed, and inflammatory factors [interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13] in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. Pathological changes in lung tissue, autophagic bodies in lung tissue, and intestinal tissue changes were examined. PCR and Western blot analyses were conducted to detect the levels of autophagy genes (Beclin1, LC3, mTOR mRNA) and proteins (LC3 II/I, Beclin1, mTOR). Results:Compared to the control group, the model group showed inflammatory infiltration, hemorrhage, and cell shedding in lung and airway tissues. The expression levels of interleukins (IL)-4 and IL-13 in BALF significantly increased (P<0.01), while the mRNA expressions of autophagy genes LC3 and Beclin 1 in lung tissue significantly decreased (P<0.01). The relative expression of autophagy proteins LC3 II/I and Beclin 1 also significantly declined (P<0.05), while mTOR mRNA and protein levels significantly increased (P<0.01). In the treatment groups, administration of astragaloside and rapamycin led to varying degrees of improvement in all indicators, with the astragaloside group showing the best effects. Conclusion:Astragaloside enhances autophagy in rats with asthma due to cold rheum accumulating in lung, facilitating the clearance of necrotic foreign substances in the airways, reducing airway inflammatory responses, and improving the body's ability to regulate gas exchange, thus alleviating airway inflammation.

In recent years, the incidence of primary liver cancer has been increasing worldwide, and the treatment strategies for primary liver cancer are still insufficient. Zhuang medicine is effective in the treatment of primary liver cancer, and has unique understanding and national characteristics in the etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of the disease. At the same time, Zhuang medicine and its derivative compound preparations have the effects of protecting liver and reducing enzyme, improving immunity, inhibiting proliferation, migration and inducing apoptosis of liver cancer cells. This paper summarizes the characteristic theories and commonly used drugs of Zhuang medicine in the treatment of primary liver cancer, in order to provide new ideas for the treatment and drug development of primary liver cancer.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved from early machine learning to the current era of large models and has become a vital enabler for global economic and social development. As a representative of advanced information technology, AI is emerging as a driving force in the preservation and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current challenges and urgent issues faced by AI technology in TCM research, especially in diagnosis. It examines how AI has contributed to making the four diagnostic methods of TCM more objective and modernized. The goal is to offer insights into the information and modernized development of TCM diagnostics within the context of large-scale AI models, thereby enhancing the role of TCM in advancing the goal of a healthy China.

Sarcopenia is a complex age-related syndrome primarily characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and decline in muscle function. Current studies report significant variations in its prevalence, while the underlying pathogenesis remains multifaceted and overlapping. Due to the absence of specific clinical manifestations, there are notable differences in the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia at the international level. Although research on sarcopenia is still in its early exploratory stages, therapeutic approaches are gradually being translated into clinical applications. This article provides a comprehensive review of the existing consensus and literature on sarcopenia, with a focus on its definition, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria, and treatment strategies.

Cracked tongue, as one of the tongue shape characteristics reflecting the deficiency and excess of Zang Fu organs and the rise and fall of qi and blood, is often used to quickly determine the existence of cracks in clinical diagnosis, and there is little in-depth discussion and analysis. Starting from the definition of the word ‘crack', this paper combs the historical origin and modern development of the word ‘crack tongue' until its emergence and application in disease diagnosis, analyzes the causes of crack tongue under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine theory, points out how crack tongue can help identify the disease position in tongue diagnosis, and proposes that crack tongue and tongue lines can be distinguished in detail in diseases, especially chronic diseases, in order to improve researchers' attention and application of the characteristics of crack tongue lines, It is a new path for disease diagnosis and treatment, syndrome identification and evolution law exploration.

Damp-heat syndrome is one of the common clinical syndromes in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In this review, the epidemiology, diagnostic criteria, research on pathological mechanisms, and therapeutic progress of TCM for damp-heat syndrome are summarized. It is summarized the pathogenesis from the point of view of damp-heat syndrome with gene expression, programmed cell death, immunity and inflammation, proteomics, metabolomics, microecosystems. The author provide a scientific basis for the treatment of damp-heat syndromes in TCM from the aspects of modern application of classic formulae, microscopic investigation of the pharmacodynamic basis and mechanism of action, and exploration of the treatment of different diseases and same syndromes. In the future, the modern scientific connotation of damp-heat syndrome can be further clarified with the help of modern technologies such as system biology and network pharmacology, and the modern diagnosis and treatment standard of damp-heat syndrome can be established.

In recent years, the four diagnosis equipment of traditional Chinese medicine has developed vigorously with the support of policy and technological, but there are still many problems in the development of research and development (R&D) thinking, R&D standards, R&D personnel and achievement transformation. Based on the interdisciplinary background, this article mainly discusses the current development problems of the four diagnosis equipment of traditional Chinese medicine under the interdisciplinary background, and analyzes the thinking research, standard establishment, talent construction and achievement transformation of the equipment research and development. At the same time, based on the multidisciplinary thinking perspective, the development strategies of traditional Chinese medicine four diagnosis equipment are discussed.

Zhenwu Decoction was first introduced by ZHANG Zhongjing in his book Shanghan Zabing Lun. It is the most commonly classical formula for the clinical treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF). The paper delves into the alignment between the symptomatic manifestations treated by Zhenwu Decoction, as per its traditional applications and characteristic pathogenesis, and those of CHF. Integrated with the pathogenic mechanisms of CHF, it systematically reviews and summarizes the roles and potential toxic side effects of five categories of active ingredients, alkaloids, terpenes, sterols, flavonoids, gingerols, and other bioactive compounds, in the therapeutic context of this condition. The discussion is augmented by an exploration of the synergistic interactions among the herbal components of Zhenwu Decoction and the holistic nature of the original formula. The objective of this study is to provide theoretical support and empirical evidence for the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine formulas in the treatment of CHF, as well as to expand the utilization of classic formula.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional bowel disease. Research suggests that the imbalance of intestinal flora is one of its fundamental pathogenesis. The associated symptoms of IBS are also observed when fecal microbiota is transplanted into germ-free animals. Thus, animal models of IBS based on humanized intestinal flora are receiving increasing attention. This paper reviewed the methods of constructing the animal models of IBS based on humanized intestinal flora, and analyzed the research progress of the pathological mechanism and therapeutic mechanism of IBS based on this model in recent years. Additionally, this paper also proposed the research strategy for constructing the animal model of humanized intestinal flora based on traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation, to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of IBS and the study of traditional Chinese medicine based on the IBS animal model of humanized intestinal flora.

From the perspective of ‘Xuanfu-qi liquid-Shen', we analyze ‘form and Shen' and believe that the development of depression is a co-morbidity of form and Shen. From the perspective of disease process flow, we analyze in depth the pathogenic level of depression, which is depression of the Xuanfu, loss of qi liquid, and injury to the spirit, and believe that damage to the ‘form' is the basis of depression, and disorder of the ‘Shen' is the condition of depression. The treatment is based on the principle of ‘opening up the Xuanfu', which is a combination of both reinforcing and dredging methods, and the form and the spirit, with flexible addition and subtraction according to the special symptoms of depression, in order to guide the clinical treatment of depression.

The issue of canonization is a significant topic in the study of the history of traditional Chinese medicine thought. This paper intends to focus on one of the most controversial academic cases in the canonization process of Huangdi Neijing: the supplement of the Seven Articles of Yun-qi. By thoroughly considering the profound tension between its philological positioning and its historical academic impact, this study integrates the ‘internal cause' dimension of the evolution of the ideological text itself with the ‘external cause' dimension of the academic tendencies of the Song dynasty. It argues the legitimacy of including the Seven Articles of Yun-qi into the canonical text system, explores its significance and value in the canonization process of Huangdi Neijing, and thereby reflects on the ideological core and implications of ‘canonical' in the context of traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective: To observe the protective effect and mechanism of Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo Formula (BKTF) on the kidney of db/db mice. Methods: Thirty db/db mice were randomly divided into five groups based on fasting blood glucose levels: the model group, the irbesartan group, the low-dose, the medium-dose and the high-dose BKTF groups, six in each group, and six m/m mice were included as the normal group. Every 2 weeks, the body weight of mice in each group was measured. After 12 weeks of continuous administration, specimens were collected for measurement of fasting blood glucose, urinary albumin, urinary creatinine, urinary albumin creatinine ratio (ACR), serum creatinine (Scr), urea, serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, insulin (INS), aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels. Kidney sections were embedded and subjected to staining with Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE), Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS), and Masson's trichrome. Immunohistochemical and RT-qPCR detected PPARγand ERK1/2 protein and mRNA expression in the kidney. Results: Compared with the model group, the body weight of mice in the each dose BKTF group was significantly reduced (P<0.05), the urine ACR level of mice in the medium-and high-dose BKTF groups was reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05), the Scr and TC level of mice in the medium-dose BKTF group was reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), the INS content of all dose BKTF groups was reduced (P<0.01). All doses BKTF groups could can alleviate the dilation of capillaries in the glomerulus, thickening of the basement membrane, and degeneration and necrosis of renal tubular epithelial cells, reduce glycogen deposition, and improve the level of renal fibrosis. Immunohistochemical detection showed that compared with the model group, the group of all dose BKTF groups had the levels of PPARγ protein signifcantly increased (P<0.01), while the levels of ERK1/2 protein decreased (P<0.01). RT-qPCR detection showed that compared with the model group, the group of medium- and high-dose BKTF groups had the levels of PPARγ mRNA signifcantly increased (P<0.01), while the levels of ERK1 mRNA decreased (P<0.01), and the group of all dose BKTF groups had the levels of ERK2 mRNA signifcantly decreased (P<0.01). Conclusion: BKTF can improve the renal function of diabetes nephropathy mice, reduce urinary protein, and alleviate kidney damage. Its mechanism may be related to PPARγ/ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Diabetes mellitus can cause multiple organ damage including brain, kidney, heart and peripheral nerve, and even have the risk of disability and death. At present, there is a lack of safe and effective chemical drugs for the treatment of diabetic complications in clinical practices, and there are many problems in symptomatic treatment. This review firstly summarized the representative studies of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions for the treatment of diabetic complications, and it is found that traditional Chinese medicine can exhibit beneficial effects by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, alleviating oxidative stress, and inhibiting the inflammatory response. Meanwhile, considering most pharmacological researches in this field were not according to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, taking the pathogenesis of diabetic complications ‘the injury of collaterals by toxins’ as an example, this paper put forward the hypothesis of the biological basis of ‘endogenous toxin’, and carried out various researches on classical traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions with detoxification effects, in order to provide theoretical basis and scientific data for the treatment of diabetic complications.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Kidney-tonifying and Wind-eliminating Granules (KWG) on ferroptosis in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) based on the SLC7a11/GPX4 pathway. Methods: Male SD rats were used to establish an IgAN animal model using bovine serum albumin, carbon tetrachloride and lipopolysaccharide. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, model group, low-dose and high-dose KWG groups, and telmisartan group. After 12 weeks of intervention, blood, urine and kidneys were collected for blood and urine biochemical analysis and renal pathological examination to evaluate the effect of KWG. RNA-seq, immunohistochemistry, Western Blot and other methods were used to explore the effect mechanism of KWG on ferroptosis in IgAN. Results: Compared with the model group, the high-dose KWG group significantly reduced serum creatinine, urinary microalbumin/creatinine ratio, and urinary total protein/creatinine ratio (P<0.05, P<0.01). Additionally, it markedly decreased IgA deposition in the glomerular mesangial areas and improved renal pathology. RNA-seq and GSEA revealed that its therapeutic effects were significantly associated with ferroptosis (P<0.05). Furthermore, compared with the model group, the high-dose KWG group significantly reduced renal tissue Fe²⁺ and MDA levels (P<0.01 , P<0.01), elevated GSH levels (P<0.05), and markedly increased the protein expression levels of GPX4 and SLC7a11 in renal tissues (P<0.01, P<0.05). Conclusion: KWG can inhibit ferroptosis in IgAN through the SLC7a11/GPX4 pathway and play the role of ‘benefit the kidney origin, relieve the wind toxicity’ of the kidney.

Metabolic diseases are caused by disorders in the metabolism of substances and energy, such as sugars, lipids, proteins, purines, trace elements, etc.. Professor WANG Xixing believes that the key pathogenesis of metabolic diseases lies in the dysfunction of the spleen and stomach's functions of ascending lucidity and descending turbidity. He restores these functions from three aspects: ascending yang and nourishing qi, ascending yang and eliminating dampness, and ascending yang and dispelling fire. Based on Buzhong Yiqi Decoction, Shengyang Yiwei Decoction, and Bupiwei Xieyinhuo Shengyang Decoction, he treats metabolic diseases and achieves good clinical results. The application of ‘ascending' and ‘descending' in the human body is complementary, with one supporting the other. Where there is ascending, there is descending, and vice versa. They are both opposite and unified. The clinical experience of professor WANG is summarized, when applying the method of ascending lucidity and descending turbidity, professor WANG uses both ascending and descending simultaneously, and incorporates wind-dispelling herbs to overcome dampness. When the clear yang ascends, the human organs are nourished; when the turbid yin descends, waste and toxins are expelled from the body, maintaining a relatively balanced state of metabolism and achieving harmony between yin and yang.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of action of serum containing Liaotuo Formula on the regulation of androgenic alopecia (AGA) cell model by dermal papilla cell (DPC)-derived exosomes. Methods: The DPC were extracted from the whisker pads of C57BL/6 mice, and three generations of DPC were treated with the CCK8 method to obtain the optimal concentration of drug-containing serum of Liaotuo Formula, and the exosomes were isolated by low-temperature ultracentrifugation method. An in vitro model of AGA was established by treating DPC with DHT and intervening with Liaotuo Formula-containing serum, finasteride-containing serum, DPC-derived exosomes (DPC-EXO), and Liaotuo Formula-DPC-EXO, respectively. ELISA was used to detect the level of androgen receptor (AR) in the model, cell growth morphology was observed under microscope in each group, CCK8 method was used to detect the proliferation rate of DPC in each group, and RT-qPCR, Western Blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of BMP4, SHH and GSK-3β, respectively. Results: DPC in the model group showed whirling agglutinative growth and significantly higher AR level than the blank group (P<0.01), CCK8 results showed that the proliferation rate of each treatment group was higher than that of the model group (P<0.01), Western Blot showed that the expression levels of BMP4 and GSK-3β protein in the finasteride group, the treatment group, the DPC-EXO group and the treatment group-DPC-EXO group significantly decreased compared with the model group (P<0.01), the expression of SHH protein in the finasteride group, the treatment group and the treatment group-DPC-EXO group significantly increased (P<0.01); RT-qPCR showed that in the DPC of each treatment group, the expression of BMP4 and GSK-3β mRNA was significantly downregulated (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the expression of SHH mRNA was significantly upregulated than that in model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion: The intervention effect of Liaotuo Formula-DPC-EXO on AGA may involve the regulation of BMP4 and SHH expression, leading to the inhibition of apoptosis protein GSK-3βexpression and ultimately promoting DPC proliferation and inhibiting DPC apoptosis, thus facilitating hair regrowth.

Objective: To develop a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) assisted decision-making model for diagnosing Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) through machine learning techniques, with the goal of aiding healthcare providers in TCM syndrome differentiation during clinical practice. Methods: A dataset was compiled using data from 611 patients diagnosed with SS in the rheumatology and immunology department of Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, between September 2022 and December 2023. These data samples were split into training and testing sets at an 8∶2 ratio. The Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT) algorithm was utilized to construct multiclass and binary differentiation diagnosis models. Model performance was assessed using metrics like precision, recall, F1 score and accuracy. Results: The multi-classification differentiation model achieves an accuracy of 0.78. Using ‘qi-yin deficiency’ as the reference model, four differential diagnosis models were constructed. The accuracy of the differentiation diagnostic model is as follows: 0.95 for ‘qi-yin deficiency-phlegm-heat accumulation’, 0.94 for ‘qi-yin deficiency-qi deficiency and blood stasis’, 0.85 for ‘qi-yin deficiency-yin deficiency and damp-heat’, and 0.92 for ‘qi-yin deficiency-liver qi stagnation’. Conclusion: The GBDT model demonstrated heightened accuracy in developing the binary differentiation diagnosis model, indicating the feasibility of establishing a TCM model for diagnosing and treating SS. This model has the potential to aid clinicians in TCM differentiation and treatment decisions by quantifying diagnostic outcomes objectively, thereby enhancing diagnostic efficiency and accuracy.

Damp-heat constitution is characterized by oily face, a bitter taste, sticky stool and yellowish and greasy fur. As the second largest group of biased constitution, its research is now receiving increasing attention. By sorting out the research progress of damp-heat constitution in recent years, this paper theoretically elaborates and cites scientific evidence on the causes, characteristics, distribution pattern, pathogenic tendency, and methods of adjusting constitution of damp-heat constitution. We have identified the weaknesses in the study of damp-heat constitution and look at its future research directions.

Cinnamaldehyde is a bioactive phytochemical isolated from traditional Chinese medicine such as Cinnamomi Cortex, which is considered to have extensive medical effects. Based on previous research work, this article summarizes the research progress of cinnamaldehyde in recent years in the fields of nerve damage, bone damage, anticancer, antibacterial, and so on, and finds that cinnamaldehyde can exert these effects by acting on various signal pathways. This article also puts forward suggestions for the urgent problems to be solved, with a view to providing reference for the clinical safe use of cinnamaldehyde and the development of new drugs.

Objective: To observe the effects of herb-partitioned moxibustion on the navel in diarrhea symptoms, visceral sensitivity index and TRPV1, SP and CGRP in colon tissue of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) rats to explore its curative effect and mechanism. Methods: The rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, herb-partitioned moxibustion navel group, herb-partitioned moxibustion navel+TRPV1 antagonist group. After treatment, the diarrhea symptoms of rats in each group were observed, abdominal wall withdrawal reflex score (AWR), the expression of TRPV1, SP, CGRP protein and mRNA in the colon of rats in each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay and immunohistochemistry, Western Blot, and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR technology. Results: Compared with the control group, diarrhea symptoms, AWR score and the protein and mRNA expressions of TRPV1, SP and CGRP in colon tissue of rats in model group were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with model group, the above indexes were significantly improved after herb-partitioned moxibustion on the navel (P<0.01). The curative effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion on the navel was better than that of herb-partitioned moxibustion on the navel+TRPV1 antagonist group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Conclusion: Herb-partitioned moxibustion on the navel can effectively improve diarrhea symptoms in rats with IBS-D, down-regulate the expression levels of TRPV1, SP and CGRP in colon tissue, and effectively alleviate visceral hypersensitivity. The mechanism may be related to TRPV1 ion channel.

Epimedium has the effects such as tonify kidney yang, strengthening bones and muscles, and dispelling wind and dampness. In this paper, the chemical composition and geo-herbalism analysis techniques of Epimedium were reviewed by consulting domestic and foreign literature. At the same time, combined with the concept of quality markers of traditional Chinese medicine, the quality markers of Epimedium were predicted and analyzed. It is suggested that eight isopentenyl flavonoids and flavonoid glycoside, neutral and acid polysaccharides, alkaloids, long-chain fatty acids, trace elements zinc and manganese might be the quality markers of Epimedium, which provides a scientific basis for the quality evaluation and clinical treatment of Epimedium.

Sanghuangporus spp. is a general name of a class of fungi in the family of rust and mulberry Huangporus. It has a history of more than two thousand years in our country. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is mainly used for the treatment of night sweat, dysentery, blood drench, rectal diarrhea. By combing related ancient books and literatures, this paper conducted materia medica textual research and review on the origin, original plant knowledge, producing area, medicinal effect, flavor and processing history and changes of mulberry medicinal materials. Research has found that ancient books often believed that mulberry yellow originated from mulberry trees, providing a basis for modern belief that mulberry yellow is the true mulberry yellow. However, there are many species of Sanghuang, and the labeling is unclear, making it difficult to summarize the entire Sanghuang medicinal material under the name ‘Sanghuang'. It should be distinguished based on different sources; Sanghuang has a wide range of production areas, with the main cultivated varieties being ‘Yangshu Sanghuang' and ‘Sangshu Sanghuang'; The medicinal efficacy of Sanghuang is consistent with modern Chinese medicine in treating diseases such as collapse and leakage, amenorrhea, and accumulation of symptoms and masses. However, there are significant differences in its nature and taste between ancient and modern times, which may be related to the different species of Sanghuang. In addition, there are processing methods such as ‘burning and storage' in ancient books that provide reference for the processing of Sanghuang. This study investigates the problem of unclear classification of the true Sanghuang genus, analyzes the types of Sanghuang in ancient books, summarizes and discovers ancient processing methods such as ‘burning and storage', and proposes research directions such as Sanghuang combined therapy for tumors, in order to provide some reference for the rational application of Sanghuang, in-depth research, and market expansion of industrial development.

Objective: To explore the neuroprotective effect of Kaixin San on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mice and its effect on NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway. Methods: Forty mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal group, model group, Kaixin San group and Donepezil group, with 10 mice in each group. After 3 months intervention, Morris water maze was used to test the learning and memory ability of mice, and ELISA was used to detect the expression levels of IL-18, IL-1β and Aβ_1-42 in serum. Nissal and IHC were used to observe the pathological changes and the expression of IL-18 and IL-1β in hippocampal CA1 region. The protein expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β and IL-18 in hippocampus were detected by Western Blot. Results: Compared with the normal group, the escape latency of the model group mice was significantly prolonged, the number of crossing platforms and the target quadrant residence time were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the serum levels of Aβ_1-42, IL-18, IL-1β significantly increased (P<0.01); The number of Nissl bodies in the hippocampus decreased significantly, NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, IL-18 protein expression significantly increased (P<0.01); Compared with the model group, the escape latency of mice in the Donepezil and Kaixin San groups was significantly shortened, and the number of times they crossed the platform and the target quadrant residence time were significantly prolonged (P<0.05, P<0.01), the serum levels of Aβ_1-42, IL-18 and IL-1β were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the number of Nissl bodies in the hippocampus was increased, and the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β and IL-18 was significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion: Kaixin San may play a neuroprotective role by regulating NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway to inhibit the activation of inflammasome and inhibit cell coke death.

Objective: To investigate the active ingredients, targets and mechanisms of action of Elsholtzia rugulosa Hemsl. against gastric cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques, and to further validate them through in vitro cellular assays. Methods: The aqueous extracts of Elsholtzia rugulosa Hemsl. were analyzed and identified by UPLC-MS/MS. The active ingredients and targets of Elsholtzia rugulosa Hemsl. for the treatment of gastric cancer were screened based on these ingredients using network pharmacology tools to construct an ‘active ingredient-target’ network and to predict the relevant signaling pathways. In vitro cellular assays were performed to detect the Elsholtzia rugulosa Hemsl. on the proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells, and the changes in protein expression by Western Blot. Results: The network pharmacological analysis showed that Elsholtzia rugulosa Hemsl. could play a role in killing gastric cancer cells by acting on the core targets of the PI3K-Akt pathway and other pathways through key components such as caffeic acid phenethyl ester and gossypol, and so on. The results of the cell experiment demonstrated that, compared with the control group, the water extract of Elsholtzia rugulosa Hemsl. exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the proliferation activity of MGC-803 gastric cancer cells and effectively induced cellular apoptosis within a concentration range of 0.01, 0.05, 0.10 mg/mL. Furthermore, at concentrations of 0.01, 0.025, 0.05 mg/mL, the water extract of Elsholtzia rugulosa Hemsl. significantly suppressed both migration and invasion abilities of MGC-803 cells. Western Blot analysis revealed a downward trend in the expression levels of p-Akt, Bcl-2, MMP-2, and MMP-9 proteins in cells treated by of Elsholtzia rugulosa Hemsl., there was a notable increase in pro-apoptotic protein Bax expression compared with the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Elsholtzia rugulosa Hemsl. can achieve anti-gastric cancer pharmacological effects through multi-component, multi-target and regulation of PI3K-Akt pathway.

Transdermal administration of Chinese medicine is an important component of the external treatment system of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its timeless and numerous methods. Based on the theory of ‘cutaneous region' and ‘channel', this article attempts to start from the skin and its affiliated structures, and discuss the classification and distribution, morphological structure, physiological function, and strong correlation with modern substantive structure and information molecules of TCM cutaneous region and channels from different dimensions such as the skin collateral network channel, the spiracle Xuanfu micro channel, and the skin striae Sanjiao membrane channel, to lay a theoretical foundation for further revealing the biological transport mechanism of TCM transdermal administration.

Objective:To develop a diagnosis scale for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome. Methods:Based on relevant consensus and diagnosis and treatment program, a CAG TCM syndrome item database was established. Items were qualitatively optimized using repository method, selection method as well as Delphi method. Clinical data and correlation test were applied for quantitative optimization of items. Logistic discriminant analysis was used to weight the syndrome items. For each type of syndrome, the ROC curve was used to determine the initial threshold of suspicious diagnosis and the threshold of confirmed diagnosis, so as to construct diagnosis scale for traditional Chinese medicine syndrome types of chronic atrophic gastritis. Results:When the diagnostic scale scores of CAG qi deficiency syndrome of spleen and stomach, asthenia cold syndrome of spleen and stomach, blood stasis syndrome of stomach, qi stagnation syndrome of liver and stomach, heat stagnation syndrome of liver and stomach, yin deficiency syndrome of stomach, and damp heat syndrome of spleen and stomach fall between 6 to 31, 9 to 31, 3 to 6, 5 to 18, 17 to 31, 17 to 34 and 11 to 32 points, a suspicious diagnosis of the corresponding syndrome type can be made. When the diagnostic scale scores of aboved syndromes were ≥32, ≥32, ≥7, ≥19, ≥32, ≥35, ≥33, and then the corresponding syndrome type could be diagnosed. For the suspected patients, the probability calculation formula of corresponding syndrome type were (score-5)×3.70%, (score-8)×4.17%, (score-2)×20.00%, (score-4)×6.67%, (score-16)×6.25%, (score-10)×4.00% and (score-16)×5.88%, respectively. Conclusion:This research preliminarily constructed a diagnosis scale for CAG TCM syndrome, which can be used by professional clinicians in the fields of TCM to assist syndrome differentiation and guide clinical medication.