1.Deciphering the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of Artemisia argyit essential oil on flagellum-mediated Salmonella infections.
Linlin DING ; Lei XU ; Na HU ; Jianfeng WANG ; Jiazhang QIU ; Qingjie LI ; Xuming DENG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(6):714-726
Salmonellosis represents a global epidemic, and the emergence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Salmonella and its sustained transmission worldwide constitutes a significant public health concern. Flagellum-mediated motility serves as a crucial virulence trait of Salmonella that guides the pathogen toward the epithelial surface, enhancing gut colonization. Artemisia argyit essential oil, a traditional herb extract, demonstrates efficacy in treating inflammation-related symptoms and diseases; however, its effects on flagellum assembly and expression mechanisms in anti-Salmonella activity remain inadequately explored. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which Artemisia argyit essential oil addresses Salmonella infections. Network pharmacological analysis revealed that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Artemisia argyit exhibited anti-Salmonella infection potential and inhibited flagellum-dependent motility. The application of Artemisia argyit essential oil induced notable motility defects through the downregulation of flagellar and fimbriae expression. Moreover, it significantly reduced Salmonella-infected cell damage by interfering with flagellum-mediated Salmonella colonization. In vivo studies demonstrated that Artemisia argyit essential oil administration effectively alleviated Salmonella infection symptoms by reducing bacterial loads, inhibiting interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) production, and diminishing pathological injury. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified forty-three compounds in Artemisia argyit essential oil, with their corresponding targets and active ingredients predicted. Investigation of an in vivo model of Salmonella infection using the active ingredient demonstrated that alpha-cedrene ameliorated Salmonella infection. These findings suggest the potential application of Artemisia argyit essential oil in controlling Salmonella, the predominant food-borne pathogen.
Artemisia/chemistry*
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Oils, Volatile/chemistry*
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Animals
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Flagella/drug effects*
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Salmonella Infections/microbiology*
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Humans
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Mice
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Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*
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Salmonella/pathogenicity*
2.Wenxia Changfu Formula inhibits NSCLC metastasis by halting TAMs-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition via antagonisticallymodulating CCL18.
Qianyu BI ; Mengran WANG ; Li LUO ; Beiying ZHANG ; Siyuan LV ; Zengna WANG ; Xuming JI
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(7):838-847
Our previous research demonstrated that the Wenxia Changfu Formula (WCF), as a neoadjuvant therapy, inhibits M2 macrophage infiltration in the tumor microenvironment and prevents lung cancer metastasis. Given tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), this study investigated whether WCF impedes lung cancer metastasis by attenuating TAM-induced EMT in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Utilizing a co-culture model treated with or without WCF, we observed that WCF downregulated cluster of differentiation 163 (CD163) expression in macrophages, reduced CCL18 levels in the conditioned medium, and inhibited the growth, invasion, and EMT of NSCLC cells induced by macrophage co-culture. Manipulation of CCL18 levels and Src overexpression in NSCLC cells revealed that WCF's effects are mediated through CCL18 and Src signaling. In vivo, WCF inhibited recombinant CCL18 (rCCL18)-induced tumor metastasis in nude mice by blocking Src signaling. These findings indicate that WCF inhibits NSCLC metastasis by impeding TAM-induced EMT via antagonistic modulation of CCL18, providing evidence for its potential development and clinical application in NSCLC patients.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects*
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/metabolism*
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Humans
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Animals
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Lung Neoplasms/metabolism*
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Chemokines, CC/antagonists & inhibitors*
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Mice
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Mice, Nude
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Neoplasm Metastasis
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Tumor-Associated Macrophages/drug effects*
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
3.A novel carbonyl reductase for the synthesis of (R)-tolvaptan.
Yahui LIU ; Xuming WANG ; Shuo MA ; Keyu LIU ; Wei LI ; Lulu ZHANG ; Jie DU ; Honglei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(1):321-332
Screening carbonyl reductases with the ability to catalyze the reduction of complex carbonyl compounds is of great significance for the biosynthesis of R-tolvaptan(R-TVP). In this study, the target carbonyl reductase in the crude enzyme extract of rabbit liver was separated, purified, and identified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel-filtration chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, and protein mass spectrometry. With the rabbit liver genome as the template, the gene encoding the carbonyl reductase rlsr5 was amplified by PCR and the recombinant strain was successfully constructed. After RLSR5 was purified by affinity chromatography, its enzymatic properties were characterized. The results indicated that the gene sequence of rlsr5 was 972 bp, encoding a protein with a molecular weight of 40 kDa. RLSR5 was a dimeric protein, and each monomer was composed of a (α/β)8-barrel structure. RLSR5 could asymmetrically reduce 7-chloro-1-[2-methyl-4-[(2- methylbenzoyl)amino]benzoyl]-5-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1-benzazepine (prochiral ketone, PK) to synthesize R-TVP. The specific activity of the enzyme was 36.64 U/mg, and the optical purity of the product was 99%. This enzyme showcased the optimal performance at pH 6.0 and 30 °C. It was independent of metal ions, with the activity enhanced by Mn2+. This study lays a foundation for the biosynthesis of tolvaptan of optical grade.
Animals
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Rabbits
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Alcohol Oxidoreductases/biosynthesis*
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Recombinant Proteins/metabolism*
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Escherichia coli/metabolism*
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Liver/enzymology*
4.Advances of Virtual Reality in the Field of Pain Treatment
Chen WU ; Li ZHANG ; Chao MA ; Hongju LIU ; Xuming LIU ; Kepu ZHANG ; Tengti WANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;15(2):272-278
Pain not only affects the physical and mental health of individuals, but also imposes a huge burden on society as a whole. Traditional pain management measures are diverse, but each has its limitations. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new tools. Digital therapies are booming, and virtual reality (VR) has been widely used, especially in the field of pain management. VR uses assistive tools, such as headsets, to build a three-dimensional virtual world with the participation of multiple senses, including vision, hearing, and smell, so that it can make user feel being there. This review aims to summarize the application and mechanism of VR in the field of pain management, with the hope of making VR a new choice for pain management.
5.Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation of Duliang Soft Capsules in Treatment of Migraine with Wind-cold Blood Stasis Syndrome
Xiaoxiao ZHAO ; Xuming ZHANG ; Junyu XI ; Zhenkai LU ; Fumei LIU ; Lianxin WANG ; Yuanyuan LI ; Yanming XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(8):223-232
ObjectiveTo comprehensively assess the clinical value of Duliang soft capsules in the treatment of migraine with wind-cold blood stasis syndrome, and to provide guidance for national medical decision-making, clinical drug promotion, and pharmaceutical services. MethodThe evaluation of Duliang soft capsules' clinical value was conducted in accordance with the Guidelines for the Management of Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation of Drugs (Trial Version, 2021) using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Utilizing the CSC v2.0 software, this study conducted a comprehensive clinical evaluation of Duliang soft capsules across the "6+1" dimensions, including safety pre- and post-market launch, effectiveness in treating migraine, economy (cost-effectiveness), and innovation, suitability, accessibility, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) characteristics in both its technology and clinical applications. ResultSafety: Duliang soft capsules were found to have good safety based on evidence from known adverse reactions (spontaneous reporting system (SRS) data, literature data, etc.), pre-marketing toxicological research, and post-marketing drug monitoring. Effectiveness: A meta-analysis indicated that the combination of Duliang soft capsules and western medicine was more effective than Western medicine alone in the treatment of migraine. The product's effectiveness was rated as "Best" based on the quality and value of the evidence. Economy: Duliang soft capsules are moderately priced and categorized as a Type B medical insurance product. Economic research indicated that the combination of Western medicine and Duliang soft capsules was more cost-effective than Western medicine alone. The product's economy was rated as "Better". Innovation: Duliang soft capsules, with Angelicae Dahuricae Radix and Chuanxiong Rhizoma as the main components, hold one invention patent and have been awarded the China Patent Excellence Award. The pharmaceutical company has introduced innovative extraction (CO2 supercritical extraction technology) and formulation (soft capsule) processes. The product's innovation was rated as "Better". Suitability: A questionnaire survey on Duliang soft capsules showed that it was well-suited for both patients and healthcare professionals. The product received a comprehensive assessment of suitability through the "Evaluation of Chinese Patent Medicine Information Services". The product's suitability was rated as "Best". Accessibility: Duliang soft capsules are moderately priced, making them accessible and affordable. The product's accessibility was rated as "Good" based on evidence from these three aspects. TCM characteristics: The formulation of Duliang soft capsules can be traced back to WANG Qiu's Selected Formulas from the Praiseworthy Studio (Shi Zhai Bai Yi Xuan Fang) from the Song Dynasty, and it was documented in ZHANG Jiebin's The Complete Works of Zhang Jing-yue (Jing Yue Quan Shu) as "Duliangwan". The product has been extensively studied with over 2000 clinical cases since its market launch, and its TCM characteristics were rated as outstanding with sufficient evidence. ConclusionThe comprehensive clinical value evaluation of Duliang soft capsules demonstrated its high effectiveness, suitability, and accessibility, and outstanding TCM characteristics. The product's safety, economy, and innovation received good ratings. In summary, Duliang soft capsules exhibited significant clinical value and outstanding TCM characteristics, the evidence was sufficient, and the result was confirmed, providing crucial references for clinical decision-making and pharmaceutical management.
6.Construction and gene identification of myeloid-specific Spi1 knockout mice
Xuming WU ; Huihui WANG ; Xiangling ZHU ; Yuanyuan ZHOU ; Anqi WANG ; Huiru ZHANG ; Chong LIU ; Jiajie TU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(3):413-417
Objective To construct myeloid-specific Spi1 gene knockout mice and analyze their genotypes,so as to provide animal model basis for the study of pathological mechanism of diseases and drug targets.Methods Ac-cording to the principle of CRISPR/Cas9 technology and Cre/LoxP system,sgRNA and Donor vectors were de-signed and constructed.The transcript of Exon 2(Exon 2)was used as the knockout region,and Loxp elements were placed on both sides of Exon 2.Cas9 protein,sgRNA and Donor vector were mixed and microinjected into the fertilized eggs of C57BL/6J mice,the fertilized eggs were transplanted into the uterus of C57BL/6J pregnant female mice,and F0 generation was obtained after 19~20 days.Positive F0 mice were mated with C57BL/6J mice to ob-tain stable F1 Spi1flox/+mice.Spi1flox/+mice of F1 generation were selfed to obtain Spi1flox/flox mice.Spi1flox/flox mated with Lyz2-Cre+mice to obtain Spi1flox/+/Lyz2-Cre+mice,and then mated with Spi1flox/flox,the Spi1flox/flox/Lyz2-Cre+mice were myeloid-specific Spi1 gene knockout(KO)mice.Spi1flox/flox/Lyz2-cre-mice were used as wild-type(WT)mice.DNA of WT and KO mice was extracted,and the genotypes were identified by agarose gel electro-phoresis after PCR amplification.Western blot was used to detect the expression of spleen focus forming virus provi-ral integration oncogene,Spi-1/purine rich box-1(PU.1)in immune cells of WT and KO mice.Results The results of PCR identification showed that the genotype of mice with only 220 bp amplified by flox primer was Spi1flox/flox homozygote,and the genotype of mice with 700 bp amplified by Lyz2-Cre primer was Lyz2-Cre+.Western blot showed that compared with WT group,the protein PU.1 was not expressed in bone marrow-derived macropha-ges(BMDMs)and peritoneal macrophages(PM)in KO group(P<0.01).There was no significant difference of statistics in the expression level of PU.1 in T cells between KO mice and WT mice.The results of PCR and West-ern blot showed that myeloid-specific Spi1 KO mice were successfully constructed.Conclusion The myeloid-spe-cific Spi1 gene KO mice are successfully constructed and identified,which provides animal model basis for further revealing the potential mechanism of PU.1 inimmune regulation.
7.Breeding and genotyping of T lymphocyte-conditional Spi1 knockout mice
Huihui WANG ; Xiangling ZHU ; Xuming WU ; Huiru ZHANG ; Yuanyuan ZHOU ; Anqi WANG ; Chong LIU ; Jiajie TU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(4):595-599
Objective To breed and identify the T lymphocyte-conditional Spi1 knockout mice for the further in-vestgation of the specific role of Spi1-encoded protein PU.1.Methods The Lck-Cre mice were mated with Spi1flox/flox mice to obtain Lck-Cre×Spi1flox/flox mice(T lymphocyte-specific Spi1 knockout mice),and the genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and agarose gel electrophoresis.Magnetic beads were used to sort out the splenic T lymphocytes,and the knockdown efficiency of PU.1 in T cells was detected by Western blot,quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR)and flow cytometry.Results The Lck-Cre×Spi1flox/flox mouse genotype was stably inherited.Compared with Spi1flox/flox mice,the expression level of PU.1 was significantly reduced in splenic T cells of Lck-Cre×Spi1flox/flox mice.Conclusion In this study,the T lymphocyte-specific Spi1 knockout mice was successfully constructed by applying Cre/LoxP system and CRISPR/Cas9 technology,which provided a reliable an-imal model for the subsequent experiments of the specific role of PU.1 in T cell-related diseases.
8.Construction and efficiency detection of Csf1r-CreERT2 R26REYFP reporter gene mouse based on Cre/Loxp system
Xiangling ZHU ; Xuming WU ; Huihui WANG ; Yuanyuan ZHOU ; Anqi WANG ; Huiru ZHANG ; Chong LIU ; Jiajie TU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(7):1175-1180
Objective To construct Csf1r-CreERT2 R26REYFP reporter gene mice and assess the efficacy of Csf1r-CreERT2-mediated enhancement of CSF1R in CD45+cells labeled with yellow fluorescein protein EYFP.Methods Csf1r-CreERT2 mice were crossbred with R26REYFP homozygous mice,and Csf1r-CreERT2R26REYFP mice were identified through PCR and Western Blot analyses.Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate CSF1R tag-efficiency in CD45+cells across different mouse tissues following tamoxifen induction.Results Csf1r-CreERT2 R26REYFP reporter gene mice were acquired.In addition,it was found that Csf1r-CreERT2-mediated EYFP could effectively mark CSF1R in various tissues of mice and CD45+cells in different locations.Compared to the R26REYF P group,the highest labeling efficiency was observed in the brain tissue(P<0.001),the lowest in the thymus tissue(P<0.05),and no sig-nificant difference was observed in the spleen tissue.Conclusion Adult Csf1r-CreERT2 mice and R26REYFP mice are effective ways to obtain Csf1r-CreERT2 R26REYFP induced conditional fluorescence mice.Csf1r-CreERT2 can mediate EYFP to effectively trace CSF1R in CD45+cells in different parts of mice.
9.Research progress on origin of abnormal aorta in coronary artery
Mingtang YE ; Yang WANG ; Di YU ; Jirong QI ; Xuming MO
Chinese Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2024;40(2):117-123
Anomalous aortic origin of the coronary artery(AAOCA) refers to the abnormal initiation, route, or distribution of coronary arteries, which is generally believed to be caused by abnormal or incomplete development of embryonic coronary arteries, and is a rare congenital cardiovascular malformation. It can exist independently without other congenital heart disease. With the development of medical science and people's understanding of AAOCA, more and more AAOCA has been detected, and its clinical significance has attracted more and more attention. Based on abnormal coronary artery opening, malignant or potential contorts can cause long-term blood flow dynamic change, appear abnormal blood vessel hardening of the arteries, at the same time due to walk in the pulmonary artery and the ascending aorta between two vessels, vulnerable to the extrusion of large blood vessels, which caused a temporary blood flow in coronary artery interruption, can cause acute angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, exercise-induced cardiac syncope. This review focuses on the anatomy, diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery abnormalities arising from aorta.
10.Adipose derived mesenchymal stem cell exosomes inhibit adverse ventricular remode-ling after myocardial infarction by regulating autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasomes balance of cardiac fibroblasts
Jianjun WANG ; Jing LI ; Xuming MA ; Zhaofei WAN ; Bin ZHU ; Yaping LIU ; Xiangqian GUO ; Jiping PAN ; Yan FAN
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2024;32(8):654-662
Aim To investigate the inhibition role and mechanism of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cell(ADMSC)exosomes(Exo)on adverse ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction(MI).Methods The chan-ges of autophagy and inflammasomes phenotype of cardiac fibroblasts after H2O2 treatment were observed.MI rats were in-jected with an equal volume of normal saline,adipose derived mesenchymal stem cell exosomes(MSC-Exo)or fibroblast exosomes(MEF-Exo)via a tail vein.The expression of autophagy related 16 like protein 1(ATG16L1),autophagy re-lated protein 7(ATG7)and NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),inflammatory response,the degree of myocardial fi-brosis,and the cardiac function were observed in different groups.Results After treatment with H2O2 on cardiac fi-broblasts,the expressions of ATG16L1 and ATG7 were significantly decreased(P<0.001),NLRP3 was significantly in-creased(P<0.001),and the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 were significantly elevated(P<0.001).After MI rats were intervened with MSC-Exo,the expressions of autophagy related proteins ATG16L1 and ATG7 were significantly up-regulated(P<0.001),NLRP3 was significantly down-regulated(P<0.001),serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels were significantly decreased(P<0.001),fibrosis-related proteins collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ were significantly reduced(P<0.001),myocardial fibrosis was significantly relieved(P<0.001),and cardiac function was sig-nificantly improved(P<0.001).Conclusion Adipose derived MSC-Exo play a role in inhibiting adverse ventricular remodeling after MI by regulating the balance of autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasomes.


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