1.Interventional Effect of Active Ingredients of Chinese Medicine and Compound Formulas on Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition in Lung Cancer: A Review
Shanshan SONG ; Min JIANG ; Xinxin LIU ; Bozhen HUANG ; Siyi MA ; Guoyu WANG ; Wanqing WANG ; Luyao WANG ; Liang WANG ; Ruiqing BO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):336-346
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and tumor metastasis is a key factor contributing to the mortality of most lung cancer patients. Aberrant activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major driver of lung cancer progression and metastasis. EMT is characterized by the loss of apical-basal polarity and intercellular adhesion in highly differentiated, polarized, and organized epithelial cells, which acquire motility, migratory potential, and invasive properties. During this process, cells undergo cytoskeletal remodeling and transform into a mesenchymal phenotype, accompanied by associated changes in cellular markers. The EMT process is highly complex and is tightly regulated by intricate networks involving multiple transcription factors, post-translational controls, epigenetic modifications, and non-coding RNAs. Therefore, therapies targeting the mechanisms of malignant transformation and their associated pathways in lung cancer are of significant clinical importance. In recent years, EMT has attracted increasing attention as a potential target for cancer therapy. Chinese medicine, with its characteristics of multi-target action, low side effects, and good therapeutic efficacy, has demonstrated an important role in anticancer treatment. A series of studies have investigated the role of Chinese medicine in inhibiting EMT in lung cancer. Active ingredients of Chinese medicine, including flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, terpenoids, saccharides, and alkaloids, as well as Chinese medicine compound formulas, have shown significant regulatory effects on EMT. Their mechanisms mainly involve multiple pathways, targets, and links, including signaling pathways, exosomes, microRNAs (miRNAs), and the tumor-associated immune microenvironment. This article summarizes the mechanisms by which EMT promotes malignant tumor progression and reviews the current research on how Chinese medicine active ingredients, monomers, and compound formulas inhibit EMT and suppress lung cancer cell migration and invasion. This study is expected to provide comprehensive theoretical information for basic and translational research on lung cancer.
2.Pulsatilla saponin D inhibits invasion and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer cells through multiple targets and pathways.
Qiao CHU ; Xiaona WANG ; Jiaying XU ; Huilin PENG ; Yulin ZHAO ; Jing ZHANG ; Guoyu LU ; Kai WANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(1):150-161
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the mechanism by which Pulsatilla saponin D (PSD) inhibits invasion and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
METHODS:
The public databases were used to identify the potential targets of PSD and the invasion and metastasis targets of TNBC to obtain the intersection targets between PSD and TNBC. The "PSD-target-disease" interaction network was constructed and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was performed to obtain the core targets, which were analyzed for KEGG pathway and GO functional enrichment. Molecular docking study of the core targets and PSD was performed, and the therapeutic effect and mechanism of PSD were verified using Transwell assay and Western blotting in cultured TNBC cells.
RESULTS:
Network pharmacology analysis identified a total of 285 potential PSD targets and 26 drug-disease intersection core targets. GO analysis yielded 175 entries related to the binding of biomolecules (protein, DNA and RNA), enzyme activities, and regulation of gene transcription. KEGG analysis yielded 46 entries involving pathways in cancer, chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation, microRNAs in cancer, chemical carcinogenesis-reactive oxygen species, PD-L1 expression and PD-1 checkpoint pathway in cancer. Molecular docking showed high binding affinities of PSD to MTOR, HDAC2, ABL1, CDK1, TLR4, TERT, PIK3R1, NFE2L2 and PTPN1. In cultured TNBC cells, treatment with PSD significantly inhibited cell invasion and migration and lowered the expressions of MMP2, MMP9, N-cadherin and the core proteins p-mTOR, ABL1, TERT, PTPN1, HDAC2, PIK3R1, CDK1, TLR4 as well as NFE2L2 expressionin the cell nuclei.
CONCLUSIONS
The inhibitory effects of PSD on TNBC invasion and metastasis are mediated by multiple targets and pathways.
Humans
;
Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Saponins/pharmacology*
;
Pulsatilla/chemistry*
;
Female
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Protein Interaction Maps
;
Neoplasm Metastasis
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Cell Movement/drug effects*
3.Pulsatilla saponin D inhibits invasion and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer cells through multiple targets and pathways
Qiao CHU ; Xiaona WANG ; Jiaying XU ; Huilin PENG ; Yulin ZHAO ; Jing ZHANG ; Guoyu LU ; Kai WANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(1):150-161
Objective To explore the mechanism by which Pulsatilla saponin D(PSD)inhibits invasion and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC).Methods The public databases were used to identify the potential targets of PSD and the invasion and metastasis targets of TNBC to obtain the intersection targets between PSD and TNBC.The"PSD-target-disease"interaction network was constructed and protein-protein interaction(PPI)analysis was performed to obtain the core targets,which were analyzed for KEGG pathway and GO functional enrichment.Molecular docking study of the core targets and PSD was performed,and the therapeutic effect and mechanism of PSD were verified using Transwell assay and Western blotting in cultured TNBC cells.Results Network pharmacology analysis identified a total of 285 potential PSD targets and 26 drug-disease intersection core targets.GO analysis yielded 175 entries related to the binding of biomolecules(protein,DNA and RNA),enzyme activities,and regulation of gene transcription.KEGG analysis yielded 46 entries involving pathways in cancer,chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation,microRNAs in cancer,chemical carcinogenesis-reactive oxygen species,PD-L1 expression and PD-1 checkpoint pathway in cancer.Molecular docking showed high binding affinities of PSD to MTOR,HDAC2,ABL1,CDK1,TLR4,TERT,PIK3R1,NFE2L2 and PTPN1.In cultured TNBC cells,treatment with PSD significantly inhibited cell invasion and migration and lowered the expressions of MMP2,MMP9,N-cadherin and the core proteins p-mTOR,ABL1,TERT,PTPN1,HDAC2,PIK3R1,CDK1,TLR4 as well as NFE2L2 expressionin the cell nuclei.Conclusion The inhibitory effects of PSD on TNBC invasion and metastasis are mediated by multiple targets and pathways.
4.Triglyceride-glucose index in evaluating metabolic differences and its role in predicting all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure
Qingqing ZHANG ; Xiangwei DING ; Guoyu WANG ; Si SUN ; Suyun JIANG ; Jing ZHENG ; Peng GAO ; Yucheng WU
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(2):154-158
Objective To compare TyG index between the patients with CHF and ADHF to eluci-date the metabolic difference between these two stages.Methods A total of 1156 HF patients ad-mitted in Taizhou People's Hospital between January 2020 and December 2022 were enrolled,and according to 2021 ESC Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Heart Fail-ure,they were divided into CHF group(365 cases)and ADHF group(791 cases).The clinical da-ta,results of laboratory tests,and cardiovascular history were collected,and TyG index was calcu-lated.All-cause death outcome was observed in ADHF patients during a follow-up of 1 year.Results The TyG index was significantly lower in the ADHF group than the CHF group[8.27(7.99,8.62)vs 8.35(8.04,8.75),P=0.001].In the ADHF group,the TyG index was positively correlated with SBP,DBP,TC,TG,LDL-C,FPG,HbA1c,BMI,and LVEF,and negatively with age(P<0.01).In the CHF group,the index was positively correlated with DBP,TC,TG,LDL-C,FPG,BMI,and HbA1c,and negatively with age(P<0.05,P<0.01).Both univariate and multiva-riate logistic regression analyses indicated that the TyG index was a protective factor for ADHF(OR=0.647,95%CI:0.503~0.832,P=0.001;OR=0.694,95%CI:0.536~0.898,P=0.005).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the index in ADHF patients was a protective factor for one-year all-cause mortality(OR=0.483,95%CI:0.254-0.916;P=0.026).Conclusion TyG index might be regarded as an important marker for assessing the metabolic status in HF patients and predicting the prognosis in ADHF patients.
5.The global burden of tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer disease from 1990 to 2021 and the forecast to 2040
Shanshan SONG ; Min JIANG ; Liang WANG ; Bozhen HUANG ; Guoyu WANG ; Xinxin LIU ; Siyi MA
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(8):875-884
Objective To analyze the global burden of disease and cross-national imbalances of tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer from 1990-2021 and to further predict changes up to 2040.Methods Age-standardised incidence rate(ASIR),prevalence rate(ASPR),mortality rate(ASMR),disability-adjusted life years rate(ASDR)and 95%confidence interval(95%UI)were extracted from GHDx.The official data platform of the institute for health metrics and evaluation(IHME)and the source of data were the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021(GBD 2021)for global burden of disease of trachea,bronchus and lung cancer.The estimated annual percentage change(EAPC)was calculated to describe the prevalence at global,regional and national levels,to understand the differences in diseases at different gender,age and socio-demographic index(SDI)levels,and to explore the overall situation through cluster analysis,cross-country health inequality analysis and to predict the future prevalence up to 2040 through Nordpred model.Results Globally,the ASIR for tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer fluctuated slightly from 1990 to 2009,and began to decline rapidly after 2009,with an ASIR of 26.42/100 000 in 2021.ASPR showed an increasing and then decreasing trend,reaching a peak in 2011,with a peak of 37.28/100 000 in 2021,while the ASMR and the ASDR showed a general decreasing trend.Tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer diseases showed the highest disease burden in men,those aged 65-74 and in countries and regions with high SDI.ASDR burden showed significant inequalities globally,with a significant positive correlation between ASDR and SDI,mainly concentrated in countries and regions with high SDI,and the unequal burden of ASDR for tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer decreases over time.Predictive analyses found that the number of new cases,current cases,deaths and disability-adjusted life years(DALY)for tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer were expected to increase through 2040,whereas ASIR,ASPR,ASMR and ASDR were projected to decrease each year.Conclusion The overall burden of tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer has declined globally from 1990 to 2021,but with demographic and regional differences.The actual number of cases will continue to climb in the future,despite the continuing decline in age-specified rates,and disease prevention and control will need to focus on growth trends and equity in resource allocation.
6.The global burden of tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer disease from 1990 to 2021 and the forecast to 2040
Shanshan SONG ; Min JIANG ; Liang WANG ; Bozhen HUANG ; Guoyu WANG ; Xinxin LIU ; Siyi MA
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(8):875-884
Objective To analyze the global burden of disease and cross-national imbalances of tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer from 1990-2021 and to further predict changes up to 2040.Methods Age-standardised incidence rate(ASIR),prevalence rate(ASPR),mortality rate(ASMR),disability-adjusted life years rate(ASDR)and 95%confidence interval(95%UI)were extracted from GHDx.The official data platform of the institute for health metrics and evaluation(IHME)and the source of data were the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021(GBD 2021)for global burden of disease of trachea,bronchus and lung cancer.The estimated annual percentage change(EAPC)was calculated to describe the prevalence at global,regional and national levels,to understand the differences in diseases at different gender,age and socio-demographic index(SDI)levels,and to explore the overall situation through cluster analysis,cross-country health inequality analysis and to predict the future prevalence up to 2040 through Nordpred model.Results Globally,the ASIR for tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer fluctuated slightly from 1990 to 2009,and began to decline rapidly after 2009,with an ASIR of 26.42/100 000 in 2021.ASPR showed an increasing and then decreasing trend,reaching a peak in 2011,with a peak of 37.28/100 000 in 2021,while the ASMR and the ASDR showed a general decreasing trend.Tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer diseases showed the highest disease burden in men,those aged 65-74 and in countries and regions with high SDI.ASDR burden showed significant inequalities globally,with a significant positive correlation between ASDR and SDI,mainly concentrated in countries and regions with high SDI,and the unequal burden of ASDR for tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer decreases over time.Predictive analyses found that the number of new cases,current cases,deaths and disability-adjusted life years(DALY)for tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer were expected to increase through 2040,whereas ASIR,ASPR,ASMR and ASDR were projected to decrease each year.Conclusion The overall burden of tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer has declined globally from 1990 to 2021,but with demographic and regional differences.The actual number of cases will continue to climb in the future,despite the continuing decline in age-specified rates,and disease prevention and control will need to focus on growth trends and equity in resource allocation.
7.Triglyceride-glucose index in evaluating metabolic differences and its role in predicting all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure
Qingqing ZHANG ; Xiangwei DING ; Guoyu WANG ; Si SUN ; Suyun JIANG ; Jing ZHENG ; Peng GAO ; Yucheng WU
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(2):154-158
Objective To compare TyG index between the patients with CHF and ADHF to eluci-date the metabolic difference between these two stages.Methods A total of 1156 HF patients ad-mitted in Taizhou People's Hospital between January 2020 and December 2022 were enrolled,and according to 2021 ESC Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Heart Fail-ure,they were divided into CHF group(365 cases)and ADHF group(791 cases).The clinical da-ta,results of laboratory tests,and cardiovascular history were collected,and TyG index was calcu-lated.All-cause death outcome was observed in ADHF patients during a follow-up of 1 year.Results The TyG index was significantly lower in the ADHF group than the CHF group[8.27(7.99,8.62)vs 8.35(8.04,8.75),P=0.001].In the ADHF group,the TyG index was positively correlated with SBP,DBP,TC,TG,LDL-C,FPG,HbA1c,BMI,and LVEF,and negatively with age(P<0.01).In the CHF group,the index was positively correlated with DBP,TC,TG,LDL-C,FPG,BMI,and HbA1c,and negatively with age(P<0.05,P<0.01).Both univariate and multiva-riate logistic regression analyses indicated that the TyG index was a protective factor for ADHF(OR=0.647,95%CI:0.503~0.832,P=0.001;OR=0.694,95%CI:0.536~0.898,P=0.005).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the index in ADHF patients was a protective factor for one-year all-cause mortality(OR=0.483,95%CI:0.254-0.916;P=0.026).Conclusion TyG index might be regarded as an important marker for assessing the metabolic status in HF patients and predicting the prognosis in ADHF patients.
8.Relationship between plasma fluoride content, daily calcium intake and blood cell parameters in children and adolescents
Hongxia XIA ; Zeyuan NIU ; Yanan WANG ; Xinying WANG ; Xi YAN ; Yuhui DU ; Fangfang YU ; Yue BA ; Guoyu ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2024;43(1):6-12
Objective:To investigate the relationship between plasma fluoride content, daily calcium intake and blood cell parameters in children and adolescents.Methods:This study was based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database of the United States from 2013 to 2016, with 3 684 children and adolescents aged 6 - 19 as the research subjects. Information on plasma fluoride content, daily calcium intake and blood cell parameters from the database were collected. Non-linear relationships between plasma fluoride content, daily calcium intake and blood cell parameters were analyzed using restricted cubic splines. If there was a non-linear relationship, the optimal inflection point was calculated using threshold/saturation effect analysis method. Subsequently, multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the associations among the three, and the modification effect of daily calcium intake (binary classification, stratified by median daily calcium intake) on the association between plasma fluoride content and blood cell parameters was analyzed.Results:There was no non-linear relationship between plasma fluoride content and white blood cell count, hemoglobin content and platelet count ( Pnon-linear > 0.05), but there was a non-linear relationship between plasma fluoride content and erythrocyte count and hematocrit ( Pnon-linear < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, the optimal inflection points of the effects of plasma fluoride content on erythrocyte count and hematocrit were 0.54 and 0.31 μmol/L, respectively. There was no non-linear relationship between daily calcium intake and blood cell parameters ( Pnon-linear > 0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, for every 1 μmol/L increase in plasma fluoride content, the white blood cell count increased by 0.49 × 10 9/L ( P = 0.009). There was a saturation effect in the association between plasma fluoride content, erythrocyte count and hematocrit: when plasma fluoride content was < 0.54 μmol/L, the erythrocyte count decreased by 0.46 × 10 12/L for every 1 μmol/L increase ( P < 0.001). When plasma fluoride content was < 0.31 μmol/L, the hematocrit decreased by 6.29% for every 1 μmol/L increase ( P = 0.006). The above associations were not statistically significant when plasma fluoride content was higher than the optimal inflection points ( P > 0.05). After stratification according to the median daily calcium intake, in the low-calcium group (daily calcium intake < 0.87 g), for every 1 μmol/L increase in plasma fluoride content, the white blood cell count increased by 0.77 × 10 9/L ( P = 0.001). When plasma fluoride content was < 0.54 μmol/L, the erythrocyte count decreased by 0.41 × 10 12/L for every 1 μmol/L increase ( P = 0.002). When plasma fluoride content was ≥0.54 μmol/L, erythrocyte count decreased by 0.47 × 10 12/L for every 1 μmol/L increase ( P < 0.001). When the plasma fluoride content was < 0.31 μmol/L, the hematocrit decreased by 8.29% for every 1 μmol/L increase ( P = 0.011). The above associations were not statistically significant in the high-calcium group (daily calcium intake ≥0.87 g, P > 0.05). There was an interaction of daily calcium intake and plasma fluoride content on platelet count ( Pinteraction = 0.070), as demonstrated by an increase in platelet count of 12.68 × 10 9/L ( P = 0.013) in the low-calcium group and a decrease in platelet count of 9.05 × 10 9/L ( P = 0.035) in the high-calcium group for every 1 μmol/L increase in plasma fluoride content. Conclusions:The blood cell parameters of children and adolescents are closely related to plasma fluoride content, but not directly related to daily calcium intake. However, the correlation between plasma fluoride content and blood cell parameters varies among different calcium intake populations, and daily calcium intake can modify the association between plasma fluoride content and platelet count.
9.Prognostic nutritional index application value for acute-on-chronic liver failure co-infection
Yamin WANG ; Yushan LIU ; Juan LI ; Qiao ZHANG ; Taotao YAN ; Danfeng REN ; Li ZHU ; Guoyu ZHANG ; Yuan YANG ; Jinfeng LIU ; Tianyan CHEN ; Yingren ZHAO ; Yingli HE
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2024;32(3):235-241
Objective:To explore the predictive value of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in concurrently infected patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).Methods:220 cases with ACLF diagnosed and treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2011 to December 2016 were selected. Patients were divided into an infection and non-infection group according to whether they had co-infections during the course of the disease. Clinical data differences were compared between the two groups of patients. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to screen out influencing factors related to co-infection. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of PNI for ACLF co-infection. The measurement data between groups were compared using the independent sample t-test and the Mann-Whitney U rank sum test. The enumeration data were analyzed using the Fisher exact probability test or the Pearson χ2 test. The Pearson method was performed for correlation analysis. The independent risk factors for liver failure associated with co-infection were analyzed by multivariate logistic analysis. Results:There were statistically significant differences in ascites, hepatorenal syndrome, PNI score, and albumin between the infection and the non-infection group ( P ?0.05). Among the 220 ACLF cases, 158 (71.82%) were infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The incidence rate of infection during hospitalization was 69.09% (152/220). The common sites of infection were intraabdominal (57.07%) and pulmonary infection (29.29%). Pearson correlation analysis showed that PNI and MELD-Na were negatively correlated ( r ?=?-0.150, P ?0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis results showed that low PNI score ( OR=0.916, 95% CI: 0.865~0.970), ascites ( OR=4.243, 95% CI: 2.237~8.047), and hepatorenal syndrome ( OR=4.082, 95% CI : 1.106~15.067) were risk factors for ACLF co-infection ( P ?0.05). The ROC results showed that the PNI curve area (0.648) was higher than the MELD-Na score curve area (0.610, P ?0.05). The effectiveness of predicting infection risk when PNI was combined with ascites and hepatorenal syndrome complications was raised. Patients with co-infections had a good predictive effect when PNI ≤ 40.625. The sensitivity and specificity were 84.2% and 41.2%, respectively. Conclusion:Low PNI score and ACLF co-infection have a close correlation. Therefore, PNI has a certain appraisal value for ACLF co-infection.
10.Effects of facial emotion recognition on prosocial behavior of medical students in mask-obscured scenes:mediating effect of state empathy
Zhenming ZHANG ; Yingcan ZHENG ; Yingdan TANG ; Xinjie TAN ; Feifei WANG ; Jia WANG ; Mengyin ZHU ; Yitong XUE ; Guoyu YANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(13):1585-1592
Objective To explore the mediating effect of facial emotion recognition on prosocial behavior of medical students in mask-obscured scenes.Methods Fifty-three medical students from a medical university in Chongqing were enrolled from July to September 2023 to complete the facial emotion recognition task,the dictator gaming task and the state empathy test.Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between mask wearing and state empathy,trait empathy and prosocial behaviours,and the PROCESS procedure was used to test the mediation of state empathy and the moderating effect of mask wearing or not.Results ①mask wearing,state empathy and prosocial behaviour were significantly correlated(P<0.01);② State empathy exerted mediated effect between facial emotion recognition and prosocial behavior,with the largest effect size(47%)for the relative mediating effect of sadness;③The interaction terms of facial emotion recognition and mask wearing had a significant effect on state empathy(P<0.05).Conclusion Facial emotion recognition can influence prosocial behavior directly and also exert indirect effect on prosocial behavior through state empathy.Compared to the condition without mask wearing,mask wearing can significantly facilitate the effect of happy,sad and neutral emotions on state empathy.

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