Compound Nujia honey paste (Nujia), a classic formulation from Traditional Uyghur Medicine, has been historically used for depression treatment and is listed in the Catalog of Ancient Classical Famous Show more
Compound Nujia honey paste (Nujia), a classic formulation from Traditional Uyghur Medicine, has been historically used for depression treatment and is listed in the Catalog of Ancient Classical Famous Formulas issued by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the National Medical Products Administration. Clarifying its pharmacodynamic material basis is essential for understanding its efficacy, yet this remains incompletely characterized. This study aimed to systematically elucidate Nujia's antidepressant efficacy and mechanisms by combining chemical analysis, computational prediction, and experimental validation in a CUMS rat model, providing a comprehensive approach to understanding its action. This study employed LC/MS to analyze the chemical constituents and blood-absorbed compounds of Nujia. This was combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking to predict and verify its potential antidepressant targets and signaling pathways. Using behavioral tests, ELISA, histopathology, Western blot, and qRT-PCR in a CUMS rat model, the research thoroughly evaluated Nujia's therapeutic effects and mechanisms, fostering trust in the findings. In this study, LC/MS analysis identified 124 chemical constituents from Nujia, and further analysis determined 26 blood-absorbed compounds (including 10 prototype compounds). Network pharmacology analysis revealed that its potential antidepressant effects are closely associated with core targets such as AKT1 and TNF, a prediction subsequently verified by molecular docking results. In the CUMS-induced rat model of depression, intervention with Nujia significantly ameliorated depression-like behaviors in the animals and alleviated neuropathological damage in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Mechanistic investigations revealed that Nujia upregulated the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters (5-HT, DA, NE) and neurotrophic factors (BDNF, NGF) in serum, while downregulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18). Further molecular experiments confirmed that Nujia likely mitigates neuroinflammation by inhibiting the TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway, and inhibits neuronal apoptosis by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and its downstream anti-apoptotic proteins. Furthermore, Nujia significantly upregulated the expression of key synaptic plasticity proteins (SYP, GAP43, and PSD95) in hippocampal tissue, thereby enhancing synaptic structure and function. These findings underscore the complex, multi-target mechanisms underlying Nujia's antidepressant effects, encouraging further exploration of its therapeutic potential. This study systematically elucidates that Nujia achieves its antidepressant therapeutic effects by mediating multi-pathway synergistic actions, including but not limited to the TNF-α/NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, to ameliorate neuroinflammation, attenuate apoptosis, and enhance synaptic plasticity. Show less
The etiology of acute Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) remains unclear. This study conducted a comprehensive case-control study of the proteome profile to gain insights into the potential pathogenesis of Show more
The etiology of acute Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) remains unclear. This study conducted a comprehensive case-control study of the proteome profile to gain insights into the potential pathogenesis of acute ATR and identify novel biomarkers. Serum (iTRAQ) and urine (label-free proteomics) from 15 acute ATR patients and 15 healthy controls were analyzed. Significant differential expression was defined as ≥1.2-fold (serum) or ≥2-fold (urine) change with p < 0.05. Bioinformatics analyses (GO, KEGG, PPI) were performed. 44 serum and 198 urine proteins were differentially expressed. Enriched pathways included immune response, metabolism, immune response, and redox regulation. protein-protein interaction analysis of the differentially expressed proteins (P < 0.05) highlighted abnormalities in major protein-protein interaction hubs, specifically pyruvate kinase (PKM), peroxiredoxin-1 (PRDX1), phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PKG1), profilin-1, and apolipoprotein A-IV, observed in the serum and urine samples of acute ATR patients. Metabolic dysregulation may affect tendon structure/strength; redox imbalance could promote degeneration. Immune-related proteins may reflect injury responses. Glycolytic enzymes (PKM, PGK1) suggest disrupted energy metabolism. Proteomic abnormalities in metabolism, immune, and redox pathways, along with key proteins (PKM, PRDX1, PGK1), may contribute to ATR pathogenesis, offering potential biomarkers warranting further validation. Show less