1.Effects of Mitoxantrone liposomes on the proliferation,migration and stemness in ovarian cancer cells
Dong WANG ; Yue ZHANG ; Baiwang CHU ; Hua SUN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):42-48
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Mitoxantrone liposomes (Lipo-MIT) on the proliferation, migration and cancer stem cell (CSCs) stemness of ovarian cancer cells, as well as to explore its mechanism of action based on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway. METHODS The effects of Lipo-MIT on cell proliferation, migration and the stemness characteristics of CSCs were investigated through in vitro experiments. A human ovarian cancer A2780 cells xenograft tumor model of nude mouse was established to explore the effects of Lipo-MIT at doses of 2 and 5 mg/kg on the safety of tumor-bearing mice, as well as in vivo tumor growth and the pathological characteristics of tumor tissues. The influence of Lipo-MIT on the expression levels of PI3K/AKT pathway-related proteins, epithelial-mesenchymal transition related proteins, and stemness related proteins in both cells and tumor tissues was also investigated. RESULTS The half maximal inhibitory concentrations of Lipo-MIT against A2780, SK-OV3, and OV-CAR5 cells were 0.72, 5.41, and 2.77 μmol/L, respectively. Compared with solvent control (0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide), 0.5-2.5 μmol/L Lipo-MIT significantly reduced the cell colony formation rate, shortened the cell migration distance, decreased the number of migrated cells, down-regulated the protein expression of N-cadherin, up-regulated the protein expression of E-cadherin (P<0.05), and also decreased the stem cell sphere formation frequency and down-regulated the protein expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1) (P<0.05). Additionally, 1.0 and 2.5 μmol/L Lipo-MIT significantly reduced the stem cell sphere formation probability and down-regulated the protein expression of sex determining region Y box protein 2 in cells (P<0.05). In vivo experimental results demonstrated that 2, 5 mg/kg Lipo-MIT had no significant effects on the body weight, food intake, water intake, and organ (heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney) indices of tumor-bearing nude mice (P>0.05), but could significantly improve the pathological changes of tumor tissues and remarkably inhibit the protein expressions of N-cadherin, CD133 and ALDH1A1( only at 5 mg/kg Lipo-MIT), up-regulate the expression of E- cadherin (only at 5 mg/kg Lipo-MIT) in tumor tissues (P<0.05). Lipo-MIT at different concentrations/doses significantly reduced the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT proteins in cells/tumor tissues (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Lipo-MIT can inhibit the proliferation and migration of ovarian cancer cells and the stemness by suppressing the activity of the PI3K/AKT pathway.
2.Effects of Modified Guomin Decoction (加味过敏煎) on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes and Quality of Life in Patients with Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis of Heart Fire and Spleen Deficiency Pattern:A Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial
Jing NIE ; Rui PANG ; Lingjiao QIAN ; Hua SU ; Yuanwen LI ; Xinyuan WANG ; Jingxiao WANG ; Yi YANG ; Yunong WANG ; Yue LI ; Panpan ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):1031-1037
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Modified Guomin Decoction (加味过敏煎, MGD) in patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern of heart fire and spleen deficiency, and to explore its possible mechanisms. MethodsIn this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 72 patients with mild to moderate AD and the TCM pattern of heart fire and spleen deficiency were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 36 cases in each group. The treatment group received oral MGD granules combined with topical vitamin E emulsion, while the control group received oral placebo granules combined with topical vitamin E treatment. Both groups were treated twice daily for 4 weeks. Clinical efficacy, TCM syndrome scores, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pruritus, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores, Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and serum biomarkers, including interleukin-33 (IL-33), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were compared before and after treatment. Safety indexes was also assessed. ResultsThe total clinical effective rates were 77.78% (28/36) in the treatment group and 38.89% (14/36) in the control group, with cure rates of 19.44% (7/36) and 2.78% (1/36), respectively. The treatment group showed significantly better clinical outcomes compared to the control group (P<0.05). The treatment group exhibited significant reductions in total TCM syndrome scores, including erythema, edema, papules, scaling, lichenification, pruritus, irritability, insomnia, abdominal distension, and fatigue scores, as well as reductions in VAS, DLQI, SCORAD, and serum IgE and IL-33 levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the control group, the treatment group had significantly better improvements in all indicators except for insomnia (P<0.05). No adverse events occurred in either group. ConclusionMGD is effective and safe in treating mild to moderate AD patients with heart fire and spleen deficiency pattern. It significantly alleviates pruritus, improves TCM syndromes and quality of life, and enhances clinical efficacy, possibly through modulation of immune responses.
3.Research on the Correlation between Balance Function and Core Muscles in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Si-Jia LI ; Qing YUE ; Qian-Jin LIU ; Yan-Hua LIANG ; Tian-Tian ZHOU ; Xiao-Song LI ; Tian-Yang FENG ; Tong ZHANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):264-275
Objective:
This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals.
Methods:
A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test.
Results:
AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.
4.Anti-tumor Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine with Effect of Softening Hardness and Dissipating Mass: A Review
Yue HU ; Linfeng WANG ; Yue LI ; Rui LIU ; Baojin HUA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):276-286
The global burden of malignant tumors keeps increasing, and the increased morbidity and mortality make malignant tumors one of the major challenges to global health. Currently, malignant tumors are mainly managed by surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, which, however, usually cause serious adverse reactions, such as tissue damage, immune function inhibition, and multidrug resistance, affecting the prognosis and quality of life of the patients. Traditional Chinese medicine with low toxic and side effects and multi-target, multi-system, and multi-pathway therapeutic effects has shown positive therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. In particular, the traditional Chinese medicine with the effects of softening hardness and dissipating mass, which contains a variety of active ingredients, have shown strong inhibitory effects on tumor cells. Such medicine can not only directly attack tumor cells and inhibit their proliferation and invasion but also exert therapeutic effects by inducing apoptosis, blocking tumor-related signaling pathways, and inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. In addition, traditional Chinese medicine can improve the overall efficacy of cancer treatment by regulating the immune status of the body and reversing the drug resistance of tumor cells. Traditional Chinese medicine can exert the anti-tumor effect by regulating intracellular signaling pathways, which is one of the research hotspots in this field. Signaling pathways such as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) play a key role in the formation and development of tumors. Traditional Chinese medicine can regulate the growth, apoptosis, and metabolic process of tumor cells by affecting the activity of these signaling pathways, thus exerting the therapeutic effects on tumors. Based on these mechanisms, a large number of experimental studies and clinical trials have proved that traditional Chinese medicine has broad prospects in anti-tumor treatment. To further verify these research results and provide a basis for the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine and the development of new drugs, a systematic review and integrated analysis of the research reports on the anti-tumor effect of traditional Chinese medicine was carried out to summarize the anti-tumor mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine. This review is expected to promote the wide application of traditional Chinese medicine in anti-tumor treatment worldwide and bring more hope and possibility to cancer patients.
5.Effects of High Temperature on Antioxidant,Carbon Metabolism Physiological Indicators and Transcriptome of Mytilus coruscus
Zhi YANG ; Yuan-Yue ZHANG ; Jian-Xin WANG ; Zhi LIAO ; Qun-Ju HU ; Qiao-Mei YANG ; Xiao-Lin ZHANG ; Mei-Hua FAN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(3):446-459
The ocean plays a critical role in the global carbon cycle,and base on the"dual carbon"goals,ocean carbon sinks have received widespread attention.Shellfish aquaculture is one of the most important sources of carbon sinks in fisheries,which has an important impact on the offshore carbon cy-cle.As global temperature rises and ocean acidification intensifies,the capacity of the ocean to absorb CO2 will change.However,the effects of high temperature on the physiology and transcriptome related to carbon metabolism in Mytilus coruscus are not clear enough.This study investigated the effects of high temperatures on the total carbon content,carbon metabolism,antioxidant-related enzyme activities,and the transcriptome of Mytilus coruscus.The results showed that high temperature significantly inhibited the activities of hexokinase and pyruvate kinase,increased carbonic anhydrase activity(P<0.05),de-creased the ATP content of digestive glands(P<0.05),and affected glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle,leading to a significant decrease in the mussel's ability to sequester carbon.High temperature re-sulted in significant(P<0.05)increases in the levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde,and enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase.Observations by transmission electron microscopy showed that high temperatures damaged the subcellular structure of the digestive gland in Mytilus coruscus,resulting in the shrinkage of the nucleolus,swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum,and a significant reduction in the mitochondrial cristae.Comparative transcriptomic analysis showed that the upregulated DEGs were mainly enriched in protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum,antigen pro-cessing and presentation,and MAPK signaling pathway.The downregulated DEGs were mainly enriched in necroptosis,DNA replication,and the NF-kappa B signaling pathway.In antioxidant-related DEGs,the upregulated DEGs include vitamin K epoxide reductase,peroxidases,heat shock protein 105 kD,heat shock protein 70 kD,and superoxide dismutase;The downregulated DEGs mainly included NADPH oxidase,glutathione reductase,cytochrome b-245,cytochrome P450,and quinone reductase.The up-regulated genes enriched in the carbon metabolism pathway included chitinase,phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase,phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase,galactokinase,and inositol trisphosphate 3-kinase.The downregulated genes included aldose-1-epimerase,carbonic anhydrase,galactose mutaro-tase,acyl-CoA synthetase,alcohol dehydrogenase,and hexokinase.In conclusion,high temperature has an inhibitory effect on the activities of enzymes and the expression of genes related to carbon metabolism in Mytilus coruscus.The results of this study are intended to provide a scientific basis for the healthy de-velopment of mussel aquaculture and the assessment of carbon sinks.
6.Exploring the Protective Effect and Mechanism of Rougan Tongluo Decoction on Ischemic Stroke Induced Motor Disorder Rats Based on NLRP3/GSDMD/Aspase-1 Pathway
Ming-yue YANG ; Le XIE ; Yao XIE ; Rui FANG ; Shi-liang WANG ; Shan-shan ZENG ; Da-hua WU
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(20):3201-3210
Objective:To explore the protective effect and mechanism of Rougan Tongluo Decoction on ischemic stroke induced motor disorder rats based on NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3)/Gasdermin D(GSDMD)/Cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1(Caspase-1)pathway.Methods:Establishing a rat model of ischemic stroke with motor disorders using the modified suture method.The rats were randomly divided into model control group,Rougan Tongluo Decoction low,medium and high dose groups and butylphthalide soft capsule group,with 10 rats in each group,Another 10 rats were selected as sham surgery group.After 28 days of administration,the neurological function of rats in each group was evaluated by the Zea-Longa scoring method;The forelimb grasping force of rats in each group was detected by grip tester;The coordination ability of rats was evaluated by rat-mouse rotarod instrument;The expression of NLRP3,GSDMD,Caspase-1 protein and Interleukin-1β(IL-1β)was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:The NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD protein and IL-1β expression Zea-Longa score in the cerebral cortex of the model control group were significantly higher than those in sham surgery group,the forelimb grasping force was lower than that in sham surgery group,and the latency period for turning the baton was shorter than that in sham surgery group(P<0.05).The Zeba-Longa score,NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD protein and IL-1 β expression in the cerebral cortex the butylphthalide soft capsule group,low dose,medium dose,high dose Rougan Tongluo decoction group were lower than those in model control group,the forelimb grasping force was higher than that in model control group,and the latency period for turning the baton was longer than that in model control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Rougan Tongluo Decoction may alleviate inflammatory response by regulating the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway to improve neurological function and motor ability in ischemic stroke induced motor disorder rats.
7.Identification and Expression Analysis of The Glycyrrhiza SQE Gene Family Members under Abiotic Stress
Yue-Tao LI ; Lin-Yuan CHENG ; YAO-HUA ; Hai-Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(5):716-729
Glycyrrhizic acid is one of the key bioactive components in licorice,known for its liver-protec-tive and antiviral effects.Squalene epoxidase(SQE)is a crucial enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of glycyrrhizic acid.However,there is limited research on the systematic analysis of the SQE gene family and its function in licorice.This study aims to explore the role of the SQE gene family in glycyrrhizic acid synthesis through bioinformatic analysis,expression specificity,and correlation with glycyrrhizic acid con-tent.The results showed that the three medicinal species of licorice contained a total of 11 SQE genes.Among them,both Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza inflata had four SQE genes,while Glycyrrhiza ura-lensis had three.Highly homologous SQE genes exhibited similar expression patterns and were located at similar chromosomal positions.Different SQE genes displayed distinct expression characteristics.Specif-ically,GgSQE1,GiSQE1,GuSQE1,and GuSQE3 were primarily expressed in the roots,while GgSQE3 was highly expressed in the whole plant of licorice.Under 15%PEG6000 and 150 mmol/L NaCl treat-ments at different time points during seedling stages of different licorice species,the expression patterns of GgSQE1,GgSQE3,GiSQE1,GiSQE3,and GuSQE1 exhibited trends similar to the changes in glycyr-rhizic acid content.Further analysis revealed that the promoter regions of these genes contained multiple stress-responsive elements,suggesting that SQE1 and SQE3 may be involved in glycyrrhizic acid synthesis following abiotic stress in licorice.The findings of this study provide candidate genes for future breeding programs aimed at improving glycyrrhizic acid content and lay a foundation for further research into the molecular mechanisms by which abiotic stress enhances glycyrrhizic acid production.
8.Screening and Identification of Nanobodies Against β-Conglycinin
Jia-Shu CHANG ; Hua-Bo SUN ; Yu-Ting WANG ; Xiao-Hui WANG ; Bo YANG ; Hong-Rui LIU ; Yue-Xin LI ; Yuan-Zhao SUN ; Shao-Peng GU ; Jin-Xin HE
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(5):764-770
Soy is a vital source of plant carbohydrates.However,it poses significant allergenic risks,particularly to young children and animals.Among the various proteins in soy,β-conglycinin,which con-stitutes approximately 30%of total soy carbohydrates,is a primary allergen.Undigested β-conglycinin can lead to intestinal damage by inhibiting cell growth,disrupting the cytoskeleton,and inducing apopto-sis.It can also enter the lymphatic and circulatory systems,triggering allergic reactions.Conventional ELISA methods for detecting β-conglycinin rely on polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies,which are limited by their large molecular weight,difficulty in accessing the protein core,and sensitivity to acidic and bas-ic conditions.To address these limitations,this study aimed to develop nanobodies(Nbs)against β-con-glycinin.Nbs,derived from the variable regions of heavy-chain antibodies found in camelids,have a mo-lecular weight approximately one-tenth that of conventional antibodies.They offer advantages such as small size,stable structure,high specificity,and strong affinity.A female alpacas was immunized five times using β-conglycinin,which showed a heavy chain antibody potency of 1∶16 000 by ELISA.Pe-ripheral blood lymphocytes were subsequently isolated and total RNA was extracted.The variable region of the heavy-chain antibody was amplified via PCR,and recombinant plasmids were constructed and transformed into the E.coli competency strain ER2738.The resulting library contained about 3.5×108 CFU/mL,which increased to 1.15×1012 PFU/mL after phage rescue,with a 100%Nbs gene insertion rate,indicating high diversity.Its Nbs phage output was significantly enriched by four rounds of solid-phase elution with an enrichment rate of 155.9.Four rounds of solid-phase panning yielded 35 positive clones,all of which shared the same amino acid sequence upon sequencing.The selected Nb was ex-pressed in a prokaryotic system,and its binding ability to β-conglycinin was confirmed using Western blotting and ELISA.The results demonstrated excellent specificity and affinity.This research lays the groundwork for developing a rapid and efficient detection method for β-conglycinin using Nbs,potentially enhancing food safety and allergen management.
9.Biological Characteristics of Cardiolipin in Cardiovascular Diseases
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(5):678-686
Cardiolipin(CL)is a special type of polyglycerophospholipid,primarily synthesized in the mitochondrial inner membrane and cristae,and serves as a key component for mitochondrial function.It plays an essential role in the cellular membrane,mitochondrial inner membrane and energy metabolism,especially in maintaining the stability of oxidative phosphorylation and the electron transport chain.Ab-normal metabolism of cardiolipin is closely associated with the occurrence of various cardiovascular disea-ses,particularly in genetic disorders such as Barth syndrome(BTHS).Moreover,the role of cardiolipin peroxides in cardiovascular diseases has been increasingly recognized.Studies have shown that cardiolipin peroxidation not only leads to damage of the mitochondrial inner membrane but also promotes the genera-tion of reactive oxygen species(ROS),thereby enhancing oxidative stress within the cell.Abnormal me-tabolism of cardiolipin is also closely related to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis,diabetic cardiomyopa-thy,hypertension,and other diseases.Regulating cardiolipin metabolism and repairing its functional de-fects may offer potential strategies for treating these diseases.This review discusses the synthesis,degra-dation,and remodeling processes of cardiolipin,and explores its significant role in cardiovascular disea-ses.The synthesis of cardiolipin relies on various enzymes within the mitochondria,while its remodeling involves key enzymes such as phosphatidyltransferases.Abnormal metabolism of cardiolipin,particularly the CL remodeling defects caused by tafazzin gene mutations in BTHS patients,leads to mitochondrial dysfunction,reduced ATP synthesis,increased oxidative stress,and ultimately results in myocardial and other tissue damage.
10.Protective effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide on Leptospiral infection in golden hamster
Lingling GONG ; Tianbao LYU ; Hua TIAN ; Hongkai HE ; Yue DING ; Jiuxi LIU ; Xufeng XIE ; Wenlong ZHANG ; Yongguo CAO
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(5):1060-1066
To explore the protective effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide(ASP)on leptospiro-sis induced by pathogenic Leptospira infection,the golden hamster model of leptospirosis was se-lected for the experiment.The Leptospira and Leptospira+ASP groups were intraperitoneally injected with Leptospira interrogans serovar Lai strain 56601(1 × 10 6 per hamster).After infec-tion,the Leptospira+ASP group was injected intraperitoneally with ASP(50 mg/kg)for three consecutive days,while the Leptospira group was injected intraperitoneally with normal saline for three days.The experiment employed methods such as daily observation of the clinical symptoms of golden hamsters,statistics of the survival status of each group of golden hamsters,pathological damage of liver,kidney,and lung,bacterial load in organs,and the expression of inflammatory cy-tokines(IL-1β and TNF-α).The results indicated that ASP could effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms of the infected hamsters,enhance the survival rate,ameliorate the pathological damage of the body,reduce the bacterial load in various organs,and mitigate tissue inflammation.This study demonstrated for the first time that ASP has a protective effect on leptospirosis,providing medication guidance for the clinical treatment of leptospirosis.

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