1.Research and application progress on recognition components of surface plasmon resonance sensors in the pharmaceutical field
Xiaofei WANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Jiayu GU ; Xiner HU ; Hai ZHANG ; Yan CAO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(5):205-212
Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor is an optical detection technique enables real-time and dynamic monitoring of biological samples. SPR-based biosensors have remarkable characteristics such as label-free detection and high sensitivity, making them important tools for studying molecular interactions. The recognition element, which plays a critical role in SPR sensors,which could specifically identify and capture of target analytes, closely influencing the selectivity performance of the sensor. The progress on SPR sensors in pharmaceutical research were reviewed, which focused on the application of recognition elements such as antibodies, aptamers, molecularly imprinted polymers, and metal nanoparticles.
2.Role of Peripheral 5-hydroxytryptamine in Toll-like Receptor 4-mediated Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
Yi-Ying ZHANG ; Ping ZHANG ; Bo YANG ; Xiao-Tong CHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1070-1080
In recent years, the prevalence of diabetes has continued to rise, with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) being the most common form. T2DM is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation and disruptions in insulin metabolism. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a key pattern recognition receptor that, upon activation, upregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines via the nuclear factor κB (NF‑κB) pathway, thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of T2DM. Peripheral 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), primarily synthesized by enterochromaffin (EC) cells in the gut, interacts with 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors (5-HTRs) in key insulin-target tissues, including the liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. This interaction influences hepatic gluconeogenesis, fat mobilization, and the browning of white adipose tissue. Elevated peripheral 5-HT levels may disrupt glucose and lipid metabolism, thereby contributing to the onset and progression of T2DM. Within mitochondria, 5-HT undergoes degradation and inactivation through the enzymatic action of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excessive ROS production and accumulation can induce oxidative stress, which may further contribute to the pathogenesis of T2DM. Platelets serve as the primary reservoir for5-HT in the bloodstream. The activation of the TLR4 signaling pathway on the platelet surface, coupled with reduced expression of the 5-HT transporter on the cell membrane, leads to elevated serum 5-HT levels, potentially accelerating the progression of T2DM. Therefore, inhibition of TLR4 and reduction of peripheral 5-HT levels could represent promising therapeutic strategies for T2DM. This review explores the synthesis, transport, and metabolism of peripheral 5-HT, as well as its role in TLR4-mediated T2DM, with the aim of providing novel insights into the clinical diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of T2DM.
3.PANoptosis: a New Target for Cardiovascular Diseases
Xin-Nong CHEN ; Ying-Xi YANG ; Xiao-Chen GUO ; Jun-Ping ZHANG ; Na-Wen LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1113-1125
The innate immune system detects cellular stressors and microbial infections, activating programmed cell death (PCD) pathways to eliminate intracellular pathogens and maintain homeostasis. Among these pathways, pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis represent the most characteristic forms of PCD. Although initially regarded as mechanistically distinct, emerging research has revealed significant crosstalk among their signaling cascades. Consequently, the concept of PANoptosis has been proposed—an inflammatory cell death pathway driven by caspases and receptor-interacting protein kinases (RIPKs), and regulated by the PANoptosome, which integrates key features of pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis. The core mechanism of PANoptosis involves the assembly and activation of the PANoptosome, a macromolecular complex composed of three structural components: sensor proteins, adaptor proteins, and effector proteins. Sensors detect upstream stimuli and transmit signals downstream, recruiting critical molecules via adaptors to form a molecular scaffold. This scaffold activates effectors, triggering intracellular signaling cascades that culminate in PANoptosis. The PANoptosome is regulated by upstream molecules such as interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), and adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1), which function as molecular switches to control PANoptosis. Targeting these switches represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Furthermore, PANoptosis is influenced by organelle functions, including those of the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosomes, highlighting organelle-targeted interventions as effective regulatory approaches. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the leading global cause of morbidity and mortality, are profoundly impacted by PCD. Extensive crosstalk among multiple cell death pathways in CVDs suggests a complex regulatory network. As a novel cell death modality bridging pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis, PANoptosis offers fresh insights into the complexity of cell death and provides innovative strategies for CVD treatment. This review summarizes current evidence linking PANoptosis to various CVDs, including myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy, cardiotoxic injury, atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection, and vascular toxic injury, thereby providing critical clinical insights into CVD pathophysiology. However, the current understanding of PANoptosis in CVDs remains incomplete. First, while PANoptosis in cardiomyocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells has been implicated in CVD pathogenesis, its role in other cell types—such as vascular endothelial cells and immune cells (e.g., macrophages)—warrants further investigation. Second, although pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are known to activate the PANoptosome in infectious diseases, the stimuli driving PANoptosis in CVDs remain poorly defined. Additionally, methodological challenges persist in identifying PANoptosome assembly in CVDs and in establishing reliable PANoptosis models. Beyond the diseases discussed, PANoptosis may also play a role in viral myocarditis and diabetic cardiomyopathy, necessitating further exploration. In conclusion, elucidating the role of PANoptosis in CVDs opens new avenues for drug development. Targeting this pathway could yield transformative therapies, addressing unmet clinical needs in cardiovascular medicine.
4.Exploring Multi-target Effect of Erzhiwan on Improving Myocardial Injury in Ovariectomized Mice Based on Non-targeted Metabolomics
Ying YANG ; Jing HU ; Pei LI ; Ruyuan ZHU ; Zhiguo ZHANG ; Haixia LIU ; Yanjing CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):74-84
ObjectiveTo explore the target of Erzhiwan in reducing myocardial injury in ovariectomized mice through non-targeted myocardial metabolomics combined with experimental verification. MethodsOvariectomized mouse model was selected, 40 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, estrogen group(estradiol valerate, 1.3×10-4 g·kg-1), Erzhiwan low and high dose groups(3.12, 9.36 g·kg-1), with 8 mice in each group. Each administration group was given the corresponding dose of Erzhiwan by gavage, and the sham operation group and model group were given equal volume of distilled water by gavage for 12 weeks. Echocardiography was used to detect cardiac function, hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe myocardial morphological changes, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of estrogen, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP), hypersensitive troponin T(hs-TnT), total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-18 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). The non-targeted metabolomics of mouse myocardium were analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbital trap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS), and the differential metabolites and corresponding metabolic pathways were obtained. The mRNA expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K) and protein kinase B(Akt) in mouse myocardial tissues were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), and the protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated(p)-Akt were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the model group showed abnormal cardiac function, increased myocardial fiber space, cardiomyocyte atrophy, sarcoplasmic aggregation, and occasional dissolution or rupture of muscle fiber, the level of estrogen in the serum was decreased, the levels of NT-proBNP, hs-TnT, IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, TG, TC and LDL-C were increased, and the level of HDL-C was decreased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Erzhiwan could increase the level of estrogen, improve the abnormal cardiac function, reduce the pathological injury of myocardial tissue, decrease the levels of myocardial injury markers(NT-proBNP, hs-TnT) and inflammatory factors(IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α), decrease the levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, and increased the level of HDL-C(P<0.01). The results of non-targeted myocardial metabolomics showed that 31 of the 162 differential metabolites between the model group and sham operation group were significantly adjusted after administration of Erzhiwan, which were mainly glycerol phospholipid metabolites. Pathway enrichment results showed that Erzhiwan mainly affected glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway, PI3K-Akt pathway, cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP)-protein kinase G(PKG) pathway and other metabolic pathways. Compared with the sham operation group, the levels of phosphatidylcholine(PC, 11 types) and phosphatidylethanolamine(PE, 5 types) in mouse myocardial tissue of the model group were increased(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K and p-Akt were decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the levels of PC(11 types) and PE(5 types) were decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01) in myocardial tissue of Erzhiwan group, the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K and p-Akt were elevated(P<0.01). ConclusionErzhiwan can alleviate the pathological injury of myocardium in ovariectomized mice, improve the abnormal cardiac function, improve lipid metabolism disorder, and reduce the levels of myocardial injury markers and inflammatory factors, which involves a number of signaling and metabolic pathways in the heart, among which glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway and PI3K/Akt pathway may have key roles.
5.Expert Consensus on Clinical Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine: Atopic Dermatitis
Junfeng LIU ; Xiumei MO ; Mei MO ; Hongyi LI ; Ying LIN ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Dacan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):244-252
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common pruritic and chronic inflammatory dermatosis in clinical practice and is one of the diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). With the launch of biological agents and small molecule drugs and the development and implementation of guidelines of diagnosis and treatment, clinical pathways of treatment of moderate to severe AD, and consensus on the whole-process management of AD, the clinical efficacy of moderate to severe AD has been significantly improved. However, there are still many unmet clinical needs that require more effective methods to meet. In response to the Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Facilitating the Inheritance, Innovation, and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the spirit of the National Conference on TCM, the China Association of Chinese Medicine organized more than 20 experts in TCM dermatology, Western medicine dermatology, interdisciplinary fields, and industries to discuss the difficulties and advantages of TCM in the treatment of AD. TCM treatment for AD can not only improve rash and relieve itching but also solve many concomitant syndromes. The abundant external treatment methods of TCM have advantages for different special populations and rash characteristics. The concept of treating disease before its onset in TCM is in line with the chronic disease management mode of prevention and treatment of atopic march and prevention of recurrence. In addition, TCM therapy can reduce the use of topical glucocorticoids and has good safety. Regarding the comorbidity of AD, equal emphasis on TCM and Western medicine and multidisciplinary joint treatment should be advocated to achieve maximum benefit for patients. The exchange of TCM and Western medicine has clarified the positioning and advantages of TCM intervention in AD, providing guidance for clinical and scientific research.
6.Exploration on Mechanism of Topical Treatment of Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Mice with Portulacae Herba Based on Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Xiaoxue WANG ; Guanwei FAN ; Xiang PU ; Zhongzhao ZHANG ; Xia CHEN ; Ying TANG ; Nana WU ; Jiangli LUO ; Xiangyan KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):115-123
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of topical treatment of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) mice with Portulacae Herba based on the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 70 6-week-old specific pathogen free (SPF) female Kunming mice were adaptively fed for 1 week and randomly divided into blank group, model group, compound dexamethasone acetate cream group (2.075×10-2 g·g-1), blank matrix cream group, low-dose Portulacae Herba cream group (0.1 g·g-1), high-dose Portulacae Herba cream group (0.2 g·g-1), and Portulacae Herba + inhibitor group (0.2 g·g-1 + 30 mg·kg-1 ML385), with 10 mice in each group. One day before the experiment, the mice were shaved on the neck and back. Except for the blank group, the mice in the other groups were treated with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) to establish an ACD model. After respective administration, the skin lesion of the mice was scored, and the histopathological changes of the skin were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum of mice. The expression of Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins in mouse skin tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blot, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the blank group, the mice in the model group had an increased skin lesion score (P<0.01), severe pathological damage to skin tissue, increased content of IL-1β, IL-6, ROS, and MDA in their serum (P<0.01), and decreased content of SOD (P<0.01). In addition, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and nuclear factor-κB inhibitor α (IκBα) in skin tissue were up-regulated (P<0.01), while the protein expression levels of phosphorylated (p)-IκBα and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 were down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group and the blank matrix cream group, the mice treated with Portulacae Herba had a decreased skin lesion score (P<0.01), reduced pathological damage to skin tissue, decreased content of IL-1β, IL-6, ROS, and MDA in their serum (P<0.01), and increased content of SOD (P<0.01). Additionally, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and IκBα in skin tissue were down-regulated (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of p-IκBα and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 were up-regulated (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the Portulacae Herba + inhibitor group, the high-dose Portulacae Herba cream group had a decreased skin lesion score (P<0.01), alleviated pathological damage to skin tissue, decreased content of IL-1β, IL-6, ROS, and MDA in the serum of mice (P<0.05,P<0.01), and increased content of SOD (P<0.01). The protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and IκBα and the mRNA expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in skin tissue were up-regulated (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of p-IκBα and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 were down-regulated (P<0.05). ConclusionPortulacae Herba can improve DNCB-induced ACD skin damage in mice by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB signaling pathway.
7.Spatio-temporal distribution of pulmonary tuberculosis among students in Suzhou City from 2015 to 2023
CUI Caiyan ; JIANG Jun ; WANG Feixian ; FU Ying ; ZHANG Xiaolong
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):77-81
Objective:
To analyze the spatio-temporal distribution of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among students in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province from 2015 to 2023, so as to provide the evidence for the prevention and control of PTB in schools.
Methods:
Data of PTB cases among students in Suzhou City from 2015 to 2023 were collected from Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System and Suzhou Report of Investigation and Disposal of Tuberculosis in Schools. The seasonal incidence of PTB among students was analyzed using seasonal index (SI). The spatio-temporal clustering characteristics of PTB among students were analyzed using spatial autocorrelation and retrospective spatio-temporal permutation scanning.
Results:
Totally 1 374 PTB cases among students were reported in Suzhou City from 2015 to 2023. PTB cases were reported in each month, and the SIs were 100.69%, 124.38%, 108.98%, 135.04%, 106.61% and 106.61% in April, May, July, September, October and November, respectively, indicating the prevalence of PTB among students. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed there was a positive spatial correlation of PTB among students in 2019 and 2020 (Moran's I=0.053 and 0.089, both P<0.05). From 2015 to 2023, there were high-high clustering sites mainly in Hengtang Street and Shishan Street. Retrospective spatio-temporal permutation scanning showed a primary cluster in Hengtang Street, with aggregation time in 2017, and 6 secondary clusters covering 25 towns (streets).
Conclusion
From 2015 to 2023, the PTB cases among students in Suzhou City were mainly concentrated in summer and autumn, and were predominantly clustered in Hengtang Street and Shishan Street.
8.Progress of Clinical Research on Trop2 in Solid Tumors
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(1):79-86
Trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (Trop2) is a glycoprotein that is barely expressed in normal tissues but highly expressed in malignant tumors; it is remarkably associated with poor prognosis. Various targeted therapeutics against Trop2, such as anti-Trop2 antibodies and antibody-drug conjugate drugs targeting Trop2, have been developed, and some therapeutics have been approved or are in clinical trials for cancer treatment. In this review, we comprehensively discuss the gene structure, mechanism of action, clinical research, drug development, and other aspects of Trop2 to provide references for the clinical development of effective and safe Trop2-targeting drugs.
9.Effects of imperatorin on malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer cells by regulating ThPOK expression
Lan CHEN ; Lingli XIA ; Ying CHEN ; Gang ZHANG ; Feng WEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):191-196
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of imperatorin (IMP-SD) on malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer (GC) cells by regulating zinc finger and BTB domain 7B (ThPOK). METHODS Human GC cells MKN-7 were used as the research object and then divided into control group (no treatment), IMP-SD low-, medium- and high-concentration groups (40, 80 and 160 μmol/L IMP-SD), si-ThPOK and si-NC group [treated with 160 μmol/L IMP-SD and then transfected with ThPOK small interfering RNA (si-ThPOK) or its negative control (si-NC)]. After treatment, cell clone formation, migration and invasion abilities and apoptosis of MKN-7 cells were detected; the killing activity of NK cells, T cells classification, the protein expressions of ThPOK, programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) were all determined. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the number of cell clones, migration number, invasion number, and the protein expressions of PD-1 and PD-L1 were decreased or down-regulated significantly in IMP-SD groups, while the cell apoptotic rate, NK cell killing activity, CD4+ T proportion, the ratio of CD4+ T proportion and CD8+ T proportion (CD4+ T/CD8+ T), and the protein expression of ThPOK were increased or up-regulated significantly, in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). Compared with IMP-SD high-concentration group and si-NC group, the number of cell clones, migration number, invasion number, and the protein expressions of PD-1 and PD-L1 were increased or up-regulated significantly in si-ThPOK group, while the cell apoptotic rate, NK cell killing activity, CD4+ T proportion, CD4+ T/CD8+ T, and the protein expression of ThPOK were decreased or down-regulated significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS IMP-SD may reduce the clonal formation, migration and invasion abilities of GC cells, promote their apoptosis and inhibit their immune escape by promoting ThPOK expression.
10.Effects of imperatorin on malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer cells by regulating ThPOK expression
Lan CHEN ; Lingli XIA ; Ying CHEN ; Gang ZHANG ; Feng WEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):191-196
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of imperatorin (IMP-SD) on malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer (GC) cells by regulating zinc finger and BTB domain 7B (ThPOK). METHODS Human GC cells MKN-7 were used as the research object and then divided into control group (no treatment), IMP-SD low-, medium- and high-concentration groups (40, 80 and 160 μmol/L IMP-SD), si-ThPOK and si-NC group [treated with 160 μmol/L IMP-SD and then transfected with ThPOK small interfering RNA (si-ThPOK) or its negative control (si-NC)]. After treatment, cell clone formation, migration and invasion abilities and apoptosis of MKN-7 cells were detected; the killing activity of NK cells, T cells classification, the protein expressions of ThPOK, programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) were all determined. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the number of cell clones, migration number, invasion number, and the protein expressions of PD-1 and PD-L1 were decreased or down-regulated significantly in IMP-SD groups, while the cell apoptotic rate, NK cell killing activity, CD4+ T proportion, the ratio of CD4+ T proportion and CD8+ T proportion (CD4+ T/CD8+ T), and the protein expression of ThPOK were increased or up-regulated significantly, in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). Compared with IMP-SD high-concentration group and si-NC group, the number of cell clones, migration number, invasion number, and the protein expressions of PD-1 and PD-L1 were increased or up-regulated significantly in si-ThPOK group, while the cell apoptotic rate, NK cell killing activity, CD4+ T proportion, CD4+ T/CD8+ T, and the protein expression of ThPOK were decreased or down-regulated significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS IMP-SD may reduce the clonal formation, migration and invasion abilities of GC cells, promote their apoptosis and inhibit their immune escape by promoting ThPOK expression.


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