1.Research Advances on Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidation Effect of Medicinal and Edible Herbs Liver-protecting Chinese Medicine
Jinghan ZHAO ; Zhengwang ZHU ; Linlin WANG ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):293-301
The liver is closely associated with inflammation and the redox response, and inflammation is the body's innate defense system for clearing away harmful stimuli and participating in the liver's wound-healing response.Oxidative stress is associated with the activation of inflammatory pathways, and sustained inflammation and the corresponding regenerative wound healing response can induce fibrosis, cirrhosis, progression to end-stage liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma, and ultimately death.Some "medicine and food homology" traditional Chinese medicine has been used in clinical effect, showing the ability to protect the liver.This paper reviewed the relationship between liver and oxidative stress response and inflammation response, and sorted out 110 "medicine and food same origin" traditional Chinese medicines based on the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition) and the Chinese materia medica.The results showed that common floweringqince fruit, licorice root, cassia seed, emblic,seabuckthorn fruit,Chinese date, honeysuckle, ginger, cape jasmine fruit, platycodon root, lotus leaf, dandelion, reed root, honey, mountain honeysuckle, milkvetch root, glossy ganoderma, Gastrodia gastrodia and eucommia leaf were recorded to have liver protection effects.The liver protection mechanism is mainly anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and lipid peroxidation inhibition. Some Chinese herbs can also play a liver protection role by inhibiting the growth of hepatitis virus and liver cancer cells and regulating bile acid metabolism.In addition, the biological mechanism of its liver protection effect through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in animal experiments was analyzed, and it was found that it plays a role through multiple pathways and multiple targets, providing new ideas for the role of "medicine and food homology" traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment strategy of liver diseases.
2.Research Advances on Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidation Effect of Medicinal and Edible Herbs Liver-protecting Chinese Medicine
Jinghan ZHAO ; Zhengwang ZHU ; Linlin WANG ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):293-301
The liver is closely associated with inflammation and the redox response, and inflammation is the body's innate defense system for clearing away harmful stimuli and participating in the liver's wound-healing response.Oxidative stress is associated with the activation of inflammatory pathways, and sustained inflammation and the corresponding regenerative wound healing response can induce fibrosis, cirrhosis, progression to end-stage liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma, and ultimately death.Some "medicine and food homology" traditional Chinese medicine has been used in clinical effect, showing the ability to protect the liver.This paper reviewed the relationship between liver and oxidative stress response and inflammation response, and sorted out 110 "medicine and food same origin" traditional Chinese medicines based on the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition) and the Chinese materia medica.The results showed that common floweringqince fruit, licorice root, cassia seed, emblic,seabuckthorn fruit,Chinese date, honeysuckle, ginger, cape jasmine fruit, platycodon root, lotus leaf, dandelion, reed root, honey, mountain honeysuckle, milkvetch root, glossy ganoderma, Gastrodia gastrodia and eucommia leaf were recorded to have liver protection effects.The liver protection mechanism is mainly anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and lipid peroxidation inhibition. Some Chinese herbs can also play a liver protection role by inhibiting the growth of hepatitis virus and liver cancer cells and regulating bile acid metabolism.In addition, the biological mechanism of its liver protection effect through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in animal experiments was analyzed, and it was found that it plays a role through multiple pathways and multiple targets, providing new ideas for the role of "medicine and food homology" traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment strategy of liver diseases.
3.Tuihuang Mixture improves α‑naphthylisothiocyanate-induced cholestasis in rats by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasomes via regulating farnesoid X receptor.
Zhengwang ZHU ; Linlin WANG ; Jinghan ZHAO ; Ruixue MA ; Yuchun YU ; Qingchun CAI ; Bing WANG ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(4):718-724
OBJECTIVES:
To study the therapeutic mechanism of Tuihuang Mixture against cholestasis.
METHODS:
Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomized equally into blank group, model group, ursodeoxycholic acid group and Tuihuang Mixture group. Except for those in the blank group, all the rats were given α‑naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) to establish rat models of cholestasis, followed by treatments with indicated drugs or distilled water. Serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL of the rats were determined, and hepatic expressions IL-1β, IL-18, FXR, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected using q-PCR, ELISA or Western blotting. Histopathological changes of the liver tissues were observed using HE staining.
RESULTS:
The rat models of cholestasis had significantly increased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL with increased mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1β and IL-18, decreased protein and mRNA expressions of FXR, and increased protein expressions of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 and mRNA expressions of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD in the liver tissue, showing also irregular arrangement of liver cells, proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells and inflammatory cells infiltration. Treatment of the rat models with Tuihuang Mixture significantly decreased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL, lowered IL-1β and IL-18 and increased FXR protein and mRNA expressions, and reduced NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD proteins and NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1 mRNA expressions in the liver tissue. Tuihuang Mixture also significantly alleviated hepatocyte injury, bile duct epithelial cell proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver of the rat models.
CONCLUSIONS
Tuihuang Mixture can effectively improve cholestasis in rats possibly by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammatosome-mediated pyroptosis via regulating FXR.
Animals
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
;
Rats
;
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism*
;
Cholestasis/drug therapy*
;
Rats, Wistar
;
Inflammasomes/metabolism*
;
1-Naphthylisothiocyanate
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Male
;
Interleukin-18/metabolism*
;
Caspase 1/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Liver/metabolism*
4.The regulatory role and mechanism of microRNA in cholestasis
Linlin WANG ; Zhengwang ZHU ; Jinghan ZHAO ; Ruixue MA ; Bing WANG ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(10):2187-2194
As a type of endogenous small non-coding RNA, microRNA (miRNA) can regulate gene expression and thereby intervene against the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic diseases, and autoimmune diseases. The pathogenesis of cholestasis is complex and is mainly associated with the metabolism and transport of bile acids, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and intestinal flora. Currently, ursodeoxycholic acid is the preferred drug for the clinical treatment of cholestasis, but it may cause adverse reactions and exhibit poor efficacy in some patients. Studies have shown that miRNA can intervene in the disease process of cholestasis through multiple mechanisms such as regulating bile acid metabolism and transport, alleviating oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammatory response, improving cholangiocyte proliferation, and regulating intestinal flora. It can be used as a new biomarker and action target for cholestasis, with high research potential and value. Therefore, this article summarizes the role and mechanisms of miRNA in regulating cholestasis in recent years, in order to provide a reference for further research on the prevention and treatment of cholestasis by targeting miRNA.
5.Role and Mechanism of Chinese Herbal Saponins in Ameliorating Metabolism-associated Fatty Liver Disease: A Review
Linlin WANG ; Zhengwang ZHU ; Jinghan ZHAO ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(19):273-281
Saponins are widely found in various Chinese medicines such as Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, and Bupleuri Radix. They possess multiple biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, hepatoprotective, lipid-lowering, and hypoglycemic effects. They play an important role in the prevention and treatment of diseases such as acute lung injury, hyperlipidemia, and diabetic cardiovascular complications, and hold significant research potential and value. Metabolism-related fatty liver disease is a prevalent chronic liver disease characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. According to the "multiple hit" theory, its occurrence is the result of systemic homeostasis disorder, influenced by abnormal lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and intestinal microbiota. However, there is currently no effective treatment available in clinical practice. Recent studies have found that Chinese herbal saponins can alleviate metabolism-related fatty liver disease through various pathways, including regulating abnormal lipid metabolism, inhibiting inflammatory responses, alleviating oxidative stress, reducing insulin resistance, improving mitochondrial dysfunction, modulating intestinal flora, inhibiting hepatocyte programmed death, regulating liver autophagy, and correcting immune imbalances. Therefore, this review summarized the pharmacological effects and related mechanisms of Chinese herbal saponins in improving metabolism-related fatty liver disease in recent years, aiming to provide a theoretical reference for the clinical application and experimental research of Chinese herbal saponins in the prevention and treatment of metabolism-related fatty liver disease.
6.Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell line from a patient with surfactant metabolism dysfunction carrying ABCA3 mutations
Zhichen TIAN ; Xin XIE ; Jinghan CHI ; Jia CHEN ; Danhua ZHAO ; Yanmei HE ; Xiaojuan YIN
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2024;39(2):98-103
Objective:Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) cell lines were established using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a patient suffering from neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) who carried Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A3 ( ABCA3) compound heterozygous mutations. Methods:Cell experimental research.Peripheral venous blood was collected and PBMCs were isolated and cultured in vitro. PBMCs were transfected with non-integrated Sendai vector carrying reprogramming factors.The chromosome karyotypes of the established iPSCs were analyzed.Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were used to detect pluripotency markers of stem cells and verify their differentiation potential.Sanger sequencing was performed to analyze gene mutations.In addition, short tandem repeat (STR) analysis was performed, polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis were used to detect virus residual. Results:Karyotype analysis of established iPSCs cell lines showed normal diploid 46, XY karyotype.Immunofluorescence showed positive staining of stem cell pluripotency markers OCT4, SSEA4, Nanog and Sox2.Flow cytometry was used to detected stem cell pluripotency markers and showed expression of TRA-1-60, SSEA-4 and OCT4.After differentiation into all three germ layers, immunofluorescence was performed to detect ectoderm (Pax-6), mesoderm (Brachyury) and endoderm alpha-fetoprotein markers, and the results showed positive staining, which confirmed that the iPSCs had the potential to differentiate.Sanger sequencing showed c. 3997_3998del and c. 3137C>T compound heterozygous mutations.STR analysis showed they originate from PBMCs, and no Sendai virus residual was detected by PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis.Conclusions:In this study, PBMCs from patient carrying ABCA3 compound heterozygous mutations was used to establish iPSCs cell lines.The research lays a foundation for the study of pathogenesis, therapeutic drug screening and cell therapy of NRDS caused by ABCA3 gene mutations.
7.Study on the Distribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Types and Medication Rules of Functional Dyspepsia Based on Data Mining
Zhengwang ZHU ; Linlin WANG ; Jinghan ZHAO ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(9):1437-1444
Objective To explore syndrome differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and medication rules of functional dyspepsia,and to provide reference for modern TCM clinical treatment.Methods The clinical research literature on the treatment of functional dyspepsia with TCM were searched from CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,PubMed and Web of Science databases,TCM compounds were collected and database was established.Excel 2019,Clementine 12.0 and SPSS 21.0 were used for frequency analysis of TCM syndrome types,drug frequency,efficacy classifications,properties,tastes,and meridian tropisms of functional dyspepsia,and association rule analysis,factor analysis and cluster analysis were performed on high-frequency drugs.Results A total of 428 articles were included,and 442 prescriptions were extracted,involving 225 Chinese medicines and 24 high-frequency drugs,among which Codonopsis Radix,Poria,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium and Bupleuri Radix were most frequently used.Tonic deficiency drugs and regulating qi drugs were the most common efficacy categories.The property was mainly warm,the tastes were mainly bitter,pungent and sweet,most of which belonged to spleen,lung and stomach meridians.Twenty drug combinations were obtained by association rule analysis,nine common factors were extracted by factor analysis,and drugs could be divided into four categories by cluster analysis.Functional dyspepsia with the liver-stomach disharmony is the most common syndrome.Twelve drug combinations were obtained by association rule analysis,three common factors were extracted by factor analysis,and drugs could be divided into two categories by cluster analysis.Conclusion The clinical treatment of functional dyspepsia in TCM is mainly to replenish qi and invigorate spleen,dredge liver and promote qi,replenish deficiency with sweet and warm drugs,disperse pungent and descend bitter,which were compatible with drugs for resolving dampness,relieving external symptoms and clearing heat according to syndrome differentiation.
8.Characteristics and Application Analysis of Animals Model of Cholelithiasis Based on Data Mining
Linlin WANG ; Zhengwang ZHU ; Jinghan ZHAO ; Mingsan MIAO ; Pingsheng ZHU
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(10):1621-1627
Objective To summarize the existing animal models of cholelithiasis,and to explore a pathological model that can better reflect the characteristics of clinical syndromes of traditional Chinese and western medicine and meet the needs of the development of clinical and basic research of traditional Chinese medicine. Methods The animal models for experimental research on cholelithiasis at home and abroad were collected and sorted out by searching CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,SinoMed,PubMed and other databases. The animal types,modeling methods,modeling cycles,detection indicators and positive drugs of the models were statistically analyzed. Results Among the 128 articles included,the animal types of cholelithiasis models were mainly guinea pigs,rabbits and C57BL/6J mice. The most used modeling method is high-fat diet,and the feeding cycle takes eight weeks to complete. High-frequency detection indicators were stone formation rate,total cholesterol,phospholipids,total bilirubin,total bile acid,etc. The commonly used intervention methods are traditional Chinese medicine compound,western medicine and single Chinese medicine or extract. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is mainly used for western medicine intervention,whereas the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine mainly includes traditional Chinese medicine compound,acupuncture,exercise,diet and other methods. The positive control drug in the experiment was mostly UDCA. Conclusion With the continuous improvement and development of cholelithiasis animal model,there are many kinds of modeling methods to simulate the clinical manifestations of cholelithiasis in Chinese and western medicine,but there are also some limitations. This paper aims to provide reference for the selection,application and improvement of cholelithiasis model through data mining and characteristic analysis.
9.Genetic testing and prenatal diagnosis of 64 pedigrees with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
Li WANG ; Jingjing LI ; Jinghan XU ; Ying BAI ; Yue SUN ; Huikun DUAN ; Gege SUN ; Ganye ZHAO ; Xiangdong KONG
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2023;39(12):903-911
Objective:To detect and analyze the gene variation types of 64 unrelated pedigrees affected with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and explore the detection efficiency of multiple gene analysis techniques and variation characteristics.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. The clinical data of 64 pedigrees with ADPKD from Nephrology Department or Genetic and Prenatal Diagnosis Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2017 to August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The blood samples of probands and other family members were collected. Genetic analysis was carried out by next generation sequencing, and suspected mutations were verified by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, or long-range PCR combined with Sanger sequencing. Prenatal diagnosis for high-risk fetuses was performed by fetal villi or amniotic fluid cells after genotyping without maternal genomic DNA contamination.Results:Among detected 64 pedigrees, 57 pedigrees (89.06%) had genetic variants in PKD1/PKD2. A total of 49 pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in PKD1/PKD2 were identified in 51 pedigrees (79.69%), including 14 nonsense variants (28.57%), 14 frameshift variants (28.57%), 11 missense variants (22.45%), 5 splicing variants (10.20%) and 5 deletion variants (10.20%). Of these variants, 87.76% (43/49) were in PKD1 and 12.24% (6/49) were in PKD2. Totally, 14 novel variants in PKD1/ PKD2 were identified, including 7 frameshift variants, 3 splicing variants, 2 nonsense variants, 1 deletion variant and 1 missense variant, of which 11 variants were in PKD1 and 3 variants were in PKD2. Twenty high-risk fetuses from 17 pedigrees received prenatal diagnosis, in whom 6 fetuses had PKD1 variation, and other 14 fetuses had no PKD1/ PKD2-genetic variation. Conclusions:The combination of next-generation sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and long-range PCR combined with Sanger sequencing can be helpful for rapid, efficient and accurate genetic diagnosis of ADPKD pedigrees. Point mutations are the most common types in PKD1/PKD2. Fourteen novel variants in PKD1/PKD2 extend its pathogenic variant spectrum and can provide basis for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of ADPKD pedigrees.
10.Diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of FH-deficient renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus
Min QIU ; Xiaojun TIAN ; Huiying HE ; Meixin ZHAO ; Binshuai WANG ; Jinghan DONG ; Cheng LIU ; Lulin MA ; Shudong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Urology 2023;44(6):416-421
Objective:To Explore the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of FH-deficient renal cell carcinoma (FH-deficient RCC) with tumor thrombus, and share surgical experience.Methods:From August 2019 to October 2022, 6 cases of FH-deficient RCC with tumor thrombus were diagnosed and treated in our center, including 4 males and 2 females. The patients were aged 22 to 57 years, with 2 cases younger than 40 years, icluding 5 cases on the left and 1 case on the right. The median maximum diameter of the tumor is 8 (4.8, 14.0) cm. Operations were performed after complete examination (enhanced CT and other related examinations). One case underwent open surgery and palliative resection of the left kidney was performed because of severe adhesion of the inferior vena cava. Among the remaining 5 cases, 1 case underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic right radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy, 1 case underwent transabdominal laparoscopic left radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy, and 3 cases underwent robot assisted laparoscopic left radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy.Results:The median surgical time was 293 (185, 366) min, with blockage of the vena cava for 13 min and 28 min in 2 of 6 cases, respectively. The pathological report of renal tumor and tumor thrombus was FH-deficient renal carcinoma. The pathological features were as follows: the gross section of the specimen was gray yellow solid, often accompanied by necrosis, and the cystic cavity could be seen locally. Microscopically, the tumor extensively involved the renal parenchyma, with papillary, cribriform and tubular cystic structures. Immunohistochemistry showed FH (-), 2SC (+ ). The median postoperative hospital stay was 8 (4, 15) days. The median follow-up time was 13 (4, 27) months. One patient undergoing palliative resection of the left kidney underwent targeted therapy and radiotherapy after surgery (died 15 months after surgery due to gastrointestinal perforation). During the follow-up process, 4 cases experienced metastasis and received systematic treatment, with 1 death 27 months after surgery. Uterine leiomyomas were found in the remaining 1 case during follow-up.Conclusions:FH-deficient RCC with tumor thrombus is very rare. This disease is highly invasive, difficult to be diagnosed preoperatively and poor clinically prognostic. Operation combined with systemic therapy is an effective way to treat FH-deficient RCC with tumor thrombus.

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