Original
Network pharmacology analysis and clinical efficacy of the traditional Chinese medicine Bu-Shen-Jian-Pi. Part 1: Biogenic components and identification of targets and signaling pathways in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients
Jiacheng Lin, Jun Wang, Chenghui Wang, Yuetong Shan, Wei Jing, Zhimin Fei, and Weidong Pan
Price
42.00 $
Volume 62 (2024) p. 155 - 161
Abstract
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vol. 62 – No. 4/2024 (155-161)
Network pharmacology analysis and clinical efficacy of the traditional Chinese medicine Bu-Shen-Jian-Pi. Part 1: Biogenic components and identification of targets and signaling pathways in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients
Jiacheng Lin1*, Jun Wang2*, Chenghui Wang2, Yuetong Shan2, Wei Jing2, Zhimin Fei3#4, and Weidong Pan2#4#5
1Central Laboratory, Science and Technology Laboratory Center, 2Deparment of Neurology, 3Department of Neurosurgery, 4Encephalopathy Laboratory, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, and 5First Department of Encephalopathy, Anhui Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine), Anhui, China
Background: There is evidence that Bu-Shen-Jian-Pi (BSJP), a traditional Chinese medicine, has curative effects in patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive and potentially fatal hypoxic condition.
Objective: To identify biogenic components in BSJP extracts having potential pharmacological efficacy in ALS.
Materials and methods: Biogenic components in BSJP and their potential pharmacological targets and signaling pathways in ALS were identified and assessed using network pharmacology/hub node analysis.
Results: Network pharmacology analysis identified icariin, naringenin, kaempferol, quercetin, and formononetin as core components in BSJP with potential activity involving mitochondrial protection in patients with ALS.
Conclusion: Network pharmacology analysis proved to be a successful screening tool for obtaining information from scientific databases on the pharmacology of biogenic components in BSJP showing potential therapeutic activity in ALS.
*Contributed equally.Correspondence to:
Professor Zhimin Fei, MD
or
Professor Weidong Pan, MD, PhD
528, Pudong, New Areas
201203 Shanghai, China
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Original
Network pharmacology analysis and clinical efficacy of the traditional Chinese medicine Bu-Shen-Jian-Pi. Part 2: Modulation of hypoxia, redox status, and mitochondrial protection in a neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y
Wenli Yuan, Jiacheng Lin, Jun Wang, Chenghui Wang, Yuetong Shan, Wei Jing, Zhimin Fei, and Weidong Pan
Price
42.00 $
Volume 62 (2024) p. 162 - 168
Abstract
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vol. 62 – No. 4/2024 (162-168)
Network pharmacology analysis and clinical efficacy of the traditional Chinese medicine Bu-Shen-Jian-Pi. Part 2: Modulation of hypoxia, redox status, and mitochondrial protection in a neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y
Wenli Yuan1*, Jiacheng Lin2*, Jun Wang3, Chenghui Wang3, Yuetong Shan3, Wei Jing3, Zhimin Fei4#5, and Weidong Pan3#5#6
1Department of Nephrology Diseases, Yueyang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2Central Laboratory, Science and Technology Laboratory Center, 3Deparment of Neurology, 4Department of Neurosurgery, 5Encephalopathy Laboratory, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, and 6First Department of Encephalopathy, Anhui Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine), Anhui, China
Objective: To examine the mitochondrial protective effects of icariin, naringenin, kaempferol, and formononetin, potentially active agents in Bu-Shen-Jian-Pi formula (BSJP) identified using network pharmacology analysis.
Materials and methods: Mitochondrial protection activity was determined using a hypoxia–reoxygenation in vitro model based on the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y and measurements of anti-ferroptotic activity.
Results: Icariin, naringenin, kaempferol, and formononetin showed mitochondrial protective activity involving diverse signaling pathways. The cytoprotective effects of formononetin depended on the inhibition of ferroptosis. Hypoxia-reoxygenation stimulation induced ferroptosis in SH-SY5Y cells.
Discussion: Ferroptosis is a key mechanism in nervous system diseases and is associated with hypoxia-reoxygenation injury. Naringenin and kaempferol were devoid of anti-ferroptotic activity.
Conclusion: Evidence has been obtained showing that the core components: icariin, naringenin, kaempferol, and formononetin in BSJP formula have anti-hypoxic and mitochondrial protective activity of potential clinical importance in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and patients with symptoms of hypoxia.
*Contributed equally as co-first authors.Correspondence to:
Professor Zhimin Fei, MD
or
Professor Weidong Pan, MD, PhD
528, Pudong, New Areas
201203 Shanghai, China
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Original
Network pharmacology analysis and clinical efficacy of the traditional Chinese medicine Bu-Shen-Jian-Pi. Part 3: Alleviation of hypoxia, muscle-wasting, and modulation of redox functions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Rui Li, Xiaojing Han, Qiudong Wang, Chenghui Wang, Wei Jing, Haihan Zhang, Jun Wang, and Weidong Pan
Price
42.00 $
Volume 62 (2024) p. 169 - 177
Abstract
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vol. 62 – No. 4/2024 (169-177)
Network pharmacology analysis and clinical efficacy of the traditional Chinese medicine Bu-Shen-Jian-Pi. Part 3: Alleviation of hypoxia, muscle-wasting, and modulation of redox functions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Rui Li1#2, Xiaojing Han2, Qiudong Wang3, Chenghui Wang1, Wei Jing1, Haihan Zhang1, Jun Wang1, and Weidong Pan1#2#4
1Deparment of Neurology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 2First Department of Encephalopathy, Anhui Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine), Anhui, 3Department of Integrative Neurology, Pudong Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, and 4Encephalopathy Laboratory, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
Objective: The aim of this clinical study is to obtain evidence for the clinical efficacy of Bu-Shen-Jian-Pi formula (BSJP), a traditional Chinese medicine, used for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a relatively rare, progressive and usually fatal disease possibly associated with alterations in tissue redox status, hypoxia, and muscular injury.
Background: The active agents in BSJP formula† causing apoptosis, modulation of redox changes, and alterations in the immune status have been studied previously by us using cell cultures. The findings from these investigations have been incorporated into pharmacology databases employed in our analysis of BSJP using network pharmacology analysis/artifical intelligence. This information has been used here in the design of the investigation and to optimize evaluation of the clinical efficacy and usefulness of this herbal medicine, as far as possible using evidence-based medicine criteria.
Materials and methods: The design of the study was a randomized multi-center, controlled clinical trial in 127 patients with confirmed diagnoses of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Patients and investigator were double-blinded. Clinical efficacy was determined using the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Symptom Score in Integrative Treatment Scale (ALS-SSIT) and the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R), together with tests of limb muscle strength using the manual muscle test (MMT), forced vital capacity (FVC), and clinical chemistry laboratory tests over a 20-week observation period.
Results: The scores of ALS-SSIT in the BSJP group increased significantly (22%) after treatment. The ALSFRS-R score in the BSJP group decreased significantly after treatment (19%). The rate of decrease in muscle function (MMT score) in most BSJP patients was lower than that in the control group, where the differences in the scores for the trapezius and triceps brachii were statistically significant compared to the control group. The fall in FVC in the BJSP group was significantly slower than in the control group. There were no marked differences observed in the frequency of side effects. Serum vitamin D3 levels in the BSJP group showed greater increases compared to the control group.
Conclusion: BSJP treatment reduced the rate of progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis according to the ALS-SSITS and ALSFRS scores and significantly reduced the rate of deterioration in muscle function in the limbs of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. The modes of action of BSJP in treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are probably diverse and multi targeted, some of which may involve regulation of serum vitamin D3 and alleviation of the impairments in liver and kidney function.Correspondence to:
Dr. Jun Wang
and
Professor Weidong Pan
Department of Neurology, Shuguang Hospital
Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Shanghai, China
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Review
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis rehabilitation management and non-pharmacological symptomatic treatment: A review
Yuetong Shan, Wei Jing, Haihan Zhang, Yizhou Liu, Shangyu Wei, Feifei Wu, and Weidong Pan
Price
42.00 $
Volume 64 (2026) p. 38 - 46
Abstract
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vol. 64 – No. 1/2026 (38-46)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis rehabilitation management and non-pharmacological symptomatic treatment: A review
Yuetong Shan1*, Wei Jing1*, Haihan Zhang1, Yizhou Liu1, Shangyu Wei1, Feifei Wu2, and Weidong Pan1#3
1Department of Neurology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinses Medicine, 2Department of Neurology, Shanghai Pudong New Area Gongli Hospital, and 3Encephalopathy Laboratory, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that lacks effective treatment options for the prevention of progression. Relieving swallowing difficulties, reducing breathing difficulties, and alleviating muscle spasms are essential to improving the quality of life in patients with ALS. Many symptoms can be treated clinically with medication; however, the evidence level of related research is relatively low. Rehabilitation management can aid in improving various functional impairments and enhancing quality of life. This review introduces and describes the relevant evaluations of rehabilitation and nonpharmacological symptomatic treatment methods for functional disorders from the perspectives of motor and nonmotor symptoms. This review may promote the popularization of ALS rehabilitation management and provide an additional reference for ALS treatment.
*Yuetong Shan and Wei Jing contributed equally to this work.Correspondence to:
Dr. Feifei Wu
Department of Neurology
Shanghai Pudong New Area Gongli Hospital
Shanghai 200135, China
or
Professor Weidong Pan
Department of Neurology
Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai
University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Shanghai 201203, China
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Supplement
Integrative treatment of the motor neuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, efficacy of pharmacotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine and importance of respiratory support, life-style, and gastrostomy-assisted nutrition: A review
Wei Jing, Yutong Shan, Haisheng Wu, Tingting Li, Haiyan Tang, Yan Sun, Voratunyakit Napattharin, Shikay Loong, Baofeng Qin, and Weidong Pan
Volume 63 (2025) p. 0 - 11
Abstract
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vol. 63 – Suppl. 1/2025 (S14-S25)
Integrative treatment of the motor neuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, efficacy of pharmacotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine and importance of respiratory support, life-style, and gastrostomy-assisted nutrition: A review
Wei Jing1, Yutong Shan1, Haisheng Wu2, Tingting Li1, Haiyan Tang1, Yan Sun1, Voratunyakit Napattharin1, Shikay Loong1, Baofeng Qin1, and Weidong Pan1,2,3
1Department of Neurology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai, 2Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Armed Police Hospital of Anhui, and 3First Department of Encephalopathy, Anhui Branch of Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of TCM, Anhui, China
Currently, there are no effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease. Although the etiology of ALS is unknown, it is thought that factors such as diet, the environment, and lifestyle habits play a role. The pathogenesis of ALS includes alterations in glutamate neurotransmission, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction. Drugs such as riluzole, edaravone, dextromethorphan/quinidine combinations, and the administration of tofersen by injection are approved treatment options for ALS although a number of other agents are being examined in clinical trials. Despite these developments, the availability of effective treatment options is limited. This review summarizes the etiology and pathogenesis of ALS and describes treatments in detail as an integrative medicine approach and including traditional Chinese medicine together with the importance of the timing for interventions, precautions necessary for noninvasive ventilator and gastrostomy surgery, and precautions for dealing with respiratory issues with the overall aim of providing state-of-the-art clinical recommendations for the care and therapy of ALS patients.Correspondence to:
Dr. Baofeng Qin, Department of Neurology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai, 201203, China, and Professor Weidong Pan, Department of Neurology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of TCM Shanghai, 201203, China
Email: [email protected]
