1.Pathogenesis and Treatment of Vascular Dementia Based on Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine: A Review
Xiwu ZHANG ; Anran LIU ; Jinjin DOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(4):202-211
Vascular dementia (VaD) is a common disease that affects the health of the elderly. Due to the aging of the social population, the incidence of VaD is increasing year by year. There have been no officially approved treatments for this disease, mainly because its pathogenesis is complex, and the mechanism of action of effective drugs is not yet clear, which hinders drug research for the treatment of VaD. Therefore, by reviewing the available literature related to VaD, this study sorted out the pathogenesis of VaD from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western medicine, and concluded that in TCM, VaD was characterized by the deficiency of the spleen and kidney (deficiency) and combination of phlegm and blood stasis (excess), while in western medicine, the pathogenesis of VaD is mainly inflammatory response, oxidative stress, abnormal expression of related proteins, and dysfunction of signaling pathways. On this basis, this study also summarized the research on the mechanism of action of commonly used single Chinese herbal medicine and Chinese herbal medicine compound, western medicine, and the combination of Chinese herbal medicine and western medicine in the treatment of VaD in recent years. The commonly used single Chinese herbal medicine Ginkgo Folium and Chinese herbal medicine compound Dihuang Yinzi have the multi-component and multi-target characteristics and few adverse reactions in the treatment of VaD, while the commonly used western medicines such as donepezil and memantine have the characteristics of the clear target and quick onset. The combination of Chinese herbal medicine and western medicines can achieve a better effect. This study summarized the research on the pathogenesis and treatment of VaD, aiming to link the pathogenesis of VaD with the mechanism of effective drug therapy, and provide an important reference for future drug development for the treatment of VaD.
2.Euonymus alatus delays progression of diabetic kidney disease in mice by regulating EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway
Jinjin WANG ; Wenfei CUI ; Xuewei DOU ; Binglei YIN ; Yuqi NIU ; Ling NIU ; Guoli YAN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(7):1243-1255
Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of Euonymus alatus for diabetic kidney disease(DKD).Methods TCMSP,PubChem and Swiss Target Prediction databases were used to obtain the active ingredients in Euonymus alatus and their targets.GEO database and R language were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes in DKD.The therapeutic targets of DKD were obtained using GeneCards,DisGeNet,OMIM and TTD databases.The protein-protein interaction network and the"drug-component-target-disease"network were constructed for analyzing the topological properties of the core targets,which were functionally annotated using GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses.Molecular docking was performed for the core targets and the main pharmacologically active components,and the results were verified in db/db mice.Results Analysis of GSE96804,GSE30528 and GSE30529 datasets(including 60 DKD patients and 45 normal samples)identified 111 differentially expressed genes in DKD.Network pharmacology analysis obtained 161 intersecting genes between the target genes of Euonymus alatus and DKD,including the key core target genes SRC,EGFR,and AKT1.The core active ingredients of Euonymus alatus were quercetin,kaempferol,diosmetin,and naringenin,which were associated with responses to xenobiotic stimulionus and protein phosphorylation and regulated EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance pathways.Molecular docking suggested good binding activities of the core active components of Euonymus alatus with the core targets.In db/db mouse models of DKD,treatment with Euonymus alatus obviously ameliorated kidney pathologies,significantly inhibited renal expressions of SRC,EGFR and AKT1,and delayed the progression of DKD.Conclusion Euonymus alatus contains multiple active ingredients such as quercetin,kakaferol,diosmetin,naringenin,which regulate the expressions of SRC,EGFR,and AKT1 to affect the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway to delay the progression of DKD.
3.Euonymus alatus delays progression of diabetic kidney disease in mice by regulating EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway
Jinjin WANG ; Wenfei CUI ; Xuewei DOU ; Binglei YIN ; Yuqi NIU ; Ling NIU ; Guoli YAN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(7):1243-1255
Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of Euonymus alatus for diabetic kidney disease(DKD).Methods TCMSP,PubChem and Swiss Target Prediction databases were used to obtain the active ingredients in Euonymus alatus and their targets.GEO database and R language were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes in DKD.The therapeutic targets of DKD were obtained using GeneCards,DisGeNet,OMIM and TTD databases.The protein-protein interaction network and the"drug-component-target-disease"network were constructed for analyzing the topological properties of the core targets,which were functionally annotated using GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses.Molecular docking was performed for the core targets and the main pharmacologically active components,and the results were verified in db/db mice.Results Analysis of GSE96804,GSE30528 and GSE30529 datasets(including 60 DKD patients and 45 normal samples)identified 111 differentially expressed genes in DKD.Network pharmacology analysis obtained 161 intersecting genes between the target genes of Euonymus alatus and DKD,including the key core target genes SRC,EGFR,and AKT1.The core active ingredients of Euonymus alatus were quercetin,kaempferol,diosmetin,and naringenin,which were associated with responses to xenobiotic stimulionus and protein phosphorylation and regulated EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance pathways.Molecular docking suggested good binding activities of the core active components of Euonymus alatus with the core targets.In db/db mouse models of DKD,treatment with Euonymus alatus obviously ameliorated kidney pathologies,significantly inhibited renal expressions of SRC,EGFR and AKT1,and delayed the progression of DKD.Conclusion Euonymus alatus contains multiple active ingredients such as quercetin,kakaferol,diosmetin,naringenin,which regulate the expressions of SRC,EGFR,and AKT1 to affect the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway to delay the progression of DKD.
4.Preparation and Characterization of Syringopicroside Solid Lipid Nanoparticles
Xiwu ZHANG ; Qiuhan LI ; Yingpeng LI ; Yongji LI ; Zuodi XU ; Jinjin DOU
China Pharmacy 2019;30(9):1168-1172
OBJECTIVE: To prepare Syringopicroside solid lipid nanoparticles (SYR-SLN), and optimize the formula and characterize SYR-SLN. METHODS: SYR-SLN were prepared by emulsion evaporation method. Using entrapment efficiency as index, based on single factor, orthogonal design was adopted to optimize the mass ratio of lecithin-monoglyceride, volume ratio of organ phase to water phase, poloxamer 188 (F68) concentration and drug dosage. The optimal formula technology was established to investigate entrapment efficiency, drug-loading amount, morphology, particle size, Zeta potential, stability, etc. RESULTS: The mass ratio of lecithin-monoglyceride was 3 ∶ 1; the volume ratio of organic phase to water phase was 1 ∶ 2; the concentration of F68 was 0.4%; drug dosage was 10 mg. The optimal formula included that monoglyceride 80 mg, lecithin 240 mg, 0.4% F68, syringopicroside 10 mg, absolute ethyl alcohol 5 mL, distilled water 10 mL, emulsification temperature at 65℃ and stirring at 600 r/min. Encapsulation efficiency of SYR-SLN was (42.35±0.60)% (n=3); drug-loading amount was (5.33±0.03)% (n=3); SYR-SLN had a spherical morphology and was evenly distributed. The average particle size was (180.30±5.31) nm with Zeta potential of (-41.9±0.8) mV, and the SYR-SLN could maintain stable for 15 days at 4℃. CONCLUSIONS: SYR-SLN is prepared successfully, and the technology is simple with high encapsulation efficiency.
5.Huanglian Ejiaotang in Treating Insomnia: A Review
Zepeng DU ; Qinni ZHENG ; Xiwu ZHANG ; Jinjin DOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(21):279-288
Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in clinical practice, and prolonged insomnia can significantly impact daily life and work. Currently, the clinical treatment of insomnia primarily relies on sedative and hypnotic drugs, which, although fast-acting, come with numerous adverse reactions. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) approaches the treatment of insomnia by employing syndrome differentiation and focusing on addressing the root cause of the disease. This approach is characterized by fewer adverse reactions, stable long-term effects, and better patient compliance. Huanglian Ejiaotang was first recorded in Zhang Zhongjing's Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases(《伤寒杂病论》) during the Han dynasty. It has the effects of nourishing Yin, reducing fire, eliminating irritability, and calming the nerves. Clinical studies have shown that Huanglian Ejiaotang is frequently used to treat insomnia and, when combined with other classic prescriptions, Western medicine, or other therapies, it can have a synergistic effect, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Research indicates that the mechanism of action of Huanglian Ejiaotang in treating insomnia may be related to the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), central neurotransmitters, gut microbiota, and the inhibition of inflammatory factors. The active components of Huanglian Ejiaotang that are effective in treating insomnia include berberine, baicalin, baicalein, total glucosides of paeony, and collagen. This article discussed the treatment of insomnia with Huanglian Ejiaotang from several perspectives, including its theoretical foundation, clinical research, and mechanisms of action, and also summarized the latest research progress on Huanglian Ejiaotang for insomnia, with the aim of providing more comprehensive ideas for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of insomnia.