1.Mechanism of Colquhounia Root Tablets against diabetic kidney disease via RAGE-ROS-PI3K-AKT-NF-κB-NLRP3 signaling axis.
Ming-Zhu XU ; Zhao-Chen MA ; Zi-Qing XIAO ; Shuang-Rong GAO ; Yi-Xin YANG ; Jia-Yun SHEN ; Chu ZHANG ; Feng HUANG ; Jiang-Rui WANG ; Bei-Lei CAI ; Na LIN ; Yan-Qiong ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1830-1840
This study aimed to explore the therapeutic mechanisms of Colquhounia Root Tablets(CRT) in treating diabetic kidney disease(DKD) by integrating biomolecular network mining with animal model verification. By analyzing clinical transcriptomics data, an interaction network was constructed between candidate targets of CRT and DKD-related genes. Based on the topological eigenvalues of network nodes, 101 core network targets of CRT against DKD were identified. These targets were found to be closely related to multiple pathways associated with type 2 diabetes, immune response, and metabolic reprogramming. Given that immune-inflammatory imbalance driven by metabolic reprogramming is one of the key pathogenic mechanisms of DKD, and that many core network targets of CRT are involved in this pathological process, receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE)-reactive oxygen species(ROS)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT)-nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)-NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3) signaling axis was selected as a candidate target for in-depth research. Further, a rat model of DKD induced by a high-sugar, high-fat diet and streptozotocin was established to evaluate the pharmacological effects of CRT and verify the expression of related targets. The experimental results showed that CRT could effectively correct metabolic disturbances in DKD, restore immune-inflammatory balance, and improve renal function and its pathological changes by inhibiting the activation of the RAGE-ROS-PI3K-AKT-NF-κB-NLRP3 signaling axis. In conclusion, this study reveals that CRT alleviates the progression of DKD through dual regulation of metabolic reprogramming and immune-inflammatory responses, providing strong experimental evidence for its clinical application in DKD.
Animals
;
Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism*
;
Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products/genetics*
;
NF-kappa B/genetics*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Rats
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Male
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Plant Roots/chemistry*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Tablets/administration & dosage*
2.Expert consensus on evaluation index system construction for new traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) from TCM clinical practice in medical institutions.
Li LIU ; Lei ZHANG ; Wei-An YUAN ; Zhong-Qi YANG ; Jun-Hua ZHANG ; Bao-He WANG ; Si-Yuan HU ; Zu-Guang YE ; Ling HAN ; Yue-Hua ZHOU ; Zi-Feng YANG ; Rui GAO ; Ming YANG ; Ting WANG ; Jie-Lai XIA ; Shi-Shan YU ; Xiao-Hui FAN ; Hua HUA ; Jia HE ; Yin LU ; Zhong WANG ; Jin-Hui DOU ; Geng LI ; Yu DONG ; Hao YU ; Li-Ping QU ; Jian-Yuan TANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3474-3482
Medical institutions, with their clinical practice foundation and abundant human use experience data, have become important carriers for the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the "cradles" of the preparation of new TCM. To effectively promote the transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and establish an effective evaluation index system for the transformation of new TCM conforming to the characteristics of TCM, consensus experts adopted the literature research, questionnaire survey, Delphi method, etc. By focusing on the policy and technical evaluation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions, a comprehensive evaluation from the dimensions of drug safety, efficacy, feasibility, and characteristic advantages was conducted, thus forming a comprehensive evaluation system with four primary indicators and 37 secondary indicators. The expert consensus reached aims to encourage medical institutions at all levels to continuously improve the high-quality research and development and transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and targeted at clinical needs, so as to provide a decision-making basis for the preparation, selection, cultivation, and transformation of new TCM for medical institutions, improve the development efficiency of new TCM, and precisely respond to the public medication needs.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
;
Humans
;
Consensus
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
3.Mechanism of isorhamnetin in alleviating acute lung injury by regulating pyroptosis medicated by NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 axis.
Ya-Lei SUN ; Yu GUO ; Xin-Yu WANG ; Ya-Su ZHANG ; Xue CHENG ; Ke ZHU ; Li-Dian CHEN ; Xiao-Dong FENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(15):4120-4128
This study aims to explore the intervention effects of isorhamnetin(Isor) on acute lung injury(ALI) and its regulatory effects on pyroptosis mediated by the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3)/apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC)/cysteine aspartate-specific protease-1(caspase-1) axis. In the in vivo experiments, 60 BALB/c mice were divided into five groups. Except for the control group, the other groups were administered Isor by gavage 1 hour before intratracheal instillation of LPS to induce ALI, and tissues were collected after 12 hours. In the in vitro experiments, RAW264.7 cells were divided into five groups. Except for the control group, the other groups were pretreated with Isor for 2 hours before LPS stimulation and subsequent assessments. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe pathological changes in lung tissue, while lung swelling, protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF), and myeloperoxidase(MPO) levels in lung tissue were measured. Cell proliferation toxicity and viability were assessed using the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), IL-6, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, cleaved caspase-1, and the N-terminal fragment of gasdermin D(GSDMD-N) were evaluated using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot. The results showed that in the in vivo experiments, Isor significantly improved pathological damage in lung tissue, reduced lung swelling, protein levels in BALF, MPO levels in lung tissue, and levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α, and inhibited the high expression of the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 axis and the pyroptosis core gene GSDMD-N. In the in vitro experiments, the safe dose of Isor was determined through cell proliferation toxicity assays. Isor reduced cell death and inhibited the expression levels of the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 axis, GSDMD-N, and inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, Isor may alleviate ALI by modulating pyroptosis mediated by the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 axis.
Animals
;
Pyroptosis/drug effects*
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NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics*
;
Acute Lung Injury/physiopathology*
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Mice
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C
;
Quercetin/pharmacology*
;
Caspase 1/genetics*
;
CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/genetics*
;
Male
;
RAW 264.7 Cells
;
Humans
;
Lung/metabolism*
4.Short-to-medium-term clinical efficacy of total hip arthroplasty with Pinnacle ES constrained liner in the treatment of femoral neck fractures associated with lower limb neuromuscular disorders.
Can-Feng WANG ; Xiao-Qing WANG ; Lei HAN ; Yun-Gen HU ; Tuo WANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(11):1151-1155
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the short-to-medium-term clinical efficacy of total hip arthroplasty(THA) with Pinnacle ES constrained liner in the treatment of femoral neck fractures(FNF) associated with lower limb neuromuscular disorders.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 16 patients who underwent primary THA using Pinnacle ES constrained liner for FNF with lower limb neuromuscular disorders and had complete follow-up data, treated between January 2020 and January 2023. There were 7 males and 9 females, with a mean age of (68.42±3.58) years old ranging from 61 to 75 years old. Among them, 10 cases had left-sided fractures and 6 had right-sided fractures;based on the Garden classification, 11 cases were type Ⅲ and 5 cases were type Ⅳ. The affected limbs were complicated with sequelae of poliomyelitis (2 cases), Parkinson's disease (2 cases), and sequelae of cerebral infarction (12 cases). All operations were performed via a posterolateral approach. Prosthesis position was evaluated using imaging data. Hip function was assessed by the Harris hip score(HHS) and Merle D'Aubigne hip score. During the follow-up period, the occurrence of complications such as prosthetic dislocation, loosening, and infection was recorded.
RESULTS:
One patient died of advanced tumor 2 years after surgery, and the remaining 15 patients were followed up for 24 to 64 months with a mean of (34.8±5.5) months. The operation time ranged from 50 to 90 minutes with a mean of (75.56±8.15) minutes, and the blood loss ranged from 150 to 200 ml with a mean of (170.32±12.56) ml. All patients achieved primary wound healing after surgery. Intraoperatively, femoral calcar splitting occurred in 2 cases, which were treated with titanium cable binding;no neurovascular injuries were observed in any case. The mean HHS increased from (18.95±2.25) preoperatively to (88.02±2.42) at the last follow-up, and the mean Merle D'Aubigne Score increased from (3.05±0.06) preoperatively to (16.65±0.93) at the last follow-up. Postoperative follow-up X-rays showed good prosthetic position, and no complications such as dislocation, prosthetic loosening, periprosthetic fracture, or deep infection occurred during the follow-up period.
CONCLUSION
Total hip arthroplasty with Pinnacle ES constrained liner is effective in the treatment of femoral neck fractures associated with lower limb neuromuscular disorders. It can significantly improve hip function, reduce the postoperative prosthetic dislocation rate, provide good initial stability, and achieve satisfactory short-to-medium-term clinical efficacy.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/methods*
;
Femoral Neck Fractures/complications*
;
Retrospective Studies
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Neuromuscular Diseases/surgery*
;
Lower Extremity
;
Treatment Outcome
5.Multiple biomarkers risk score for accurately predicting the long-term prognosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome.
Zhi-Yong ZHANG ; Xin-Yu WANG ; Cong-Cong HOU ; Hong-Bin LIU ; Lyu LYU ; Mu-Lei CHEN ; Xiao-Rong XU ; Feng JIANG ; Long LI ; Wei-Ming LI ; Kui-Bao LI ; Juan WANG
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(7):656-667
BACKGROUND:
Biomarkers-based prediction of long-term risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is scarce. We aim to develop a risk score integrating clinical routine information (C) and plasma biomarkers (B) for predicting long-term risk of ACS patients.
METHODS:
We included 2729 ACS patients from the OCEA (Observation of cardiovascular events in ACS patients). The earlier admitted 1910 patients were enrolled as development cohort; and the subsequently admitted 819 subjects were treated as validation cohort. We investigated 10-year risk of cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction (MI) and all cause death in these patients. Potential variables contributing to risk of clinical events were assessed using Cox regression models and a score was derived using main part of these variables.
RESULTS:
During 16,110 person-years of follow-up, there were 238 CV death/MI in the development cohort. The 7 most important predictors including in the final model were NT-proBNP, D-dimer, GDF-15, peripheral artery disease (PAD), Fibrinogen, ST-segment elevated MI (STEMI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), termed as CB-ACS score. C-index of the score for predication of cardiovascular events was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.76-0.82) in development cohort and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.76-0.78) in the validation cohort (5832 person-years of follow-up), which outperformed GRACE 2.0 and ABC-ACS risk score. The CB-ACS score was also well calibrated in development and validation cohort (Greenwood-Nam-D'Agostino: P = 0.70 and P = 0.07, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
CB-ACS risk score provides a useful tool for long-term prediction of CV events in patients with ACS. This model outperforms GRACE 2.0 and ABC-ACS ischemic risk score.
6.Gentiopicroside Alleviates Atherosclerosis by Suppressing Reactive Oxygen Species-Dependent NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in Vascular Endothelial Cells via SIRT1/Nrf2 Pathway.
Zhu-Qing LI ; Feng ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Li WANG ; Xiao-Qiang SUN ; Chao LI ; Xue-Mei YIN ; Chun-Lei LIU ; Yan-Xin WANG ; Xiao-Yu DU ; Cheng-Zhi LU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(2):118-130
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the protective effects of gentiopicroside (GPS) against reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in endothelial cells, aiming to reduce atherosclerosis.
METHODS:
Eight-week-old male ApoE-deficient mice were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=10 per group): the vehicle group and the GPS treatment group. Both groups were fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. GPS (40 mg/kg per day) was administered by oral gavage to the GPS group, while the vehicle group received an equivalent volume of the vehicle solution. At the end of the treatment, blood and aortic tissues were collected for assessments of atherosclerosis, lipid profiles, oxidative stress, and molecular expressions related to NLRP3 inflammasome activation, ROS production, and apoptosis. Additionally, in vitro experiments on human aortic endothelial cells treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were conducted to evaluate the effects of GPS on NLRP3 inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, apoptosis, and ROS production, specifically examining the role of the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. SIRT1 and Nrf2 inhibitors were used to confirm the pathway's role.
RESULTS:
GPS treatment significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions in the en face aorta (P<0.01), as well as in the thoracic and abdominal aortic regions, and markedly decreased sinus lesions within the aortic root (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Additionally, GPS reduced oxidative stress markers and proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1 β and IL-18, in lesion areas (P<0.05, P<0.01). In vitro, GPS inhibited ox-LDL-induced NLRP3 activation, as evidenced by reduced NLRP3 (P<0.01), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, cleaved-caspase-1, and cleaved-gasdermin D expressions (all P<0.01). GPS also decreased ROS production, apoptosis, and pyroptosis, with the beneficial effects being significantly reversed by SIRT1 or Nrf2 inhibitors.
CONCLUSION
GPS exerts an antiatherogenic effect by inhibiting ROS-dependent NLRP3 inflammasome activation via the SIRT1/Nrf2 pathway.
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Iridoid Glucosides/therapeutic use*
;
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Atherosclerosis/metabolism*
;
Inflammasomes/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Sirtuin 1/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Humans
;
Endothelial Cells/pathology*
;
Mice
;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Lipoproteins, LDL
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
7.Psychological stress-activated NR3C1/NUPR1 axis promotes ovarian tumor metastasis.
Bin LIU ; Wen-Zhe DENG ; Wen-Hua HU ; Rong-Xi LU ; Qing-Yu ZHANG ; Chen-Feng GAO ; Xiao-Jie HUANG ; Wei-Guo LIAO ; Jin GAO ; Yang LIU ; Hiroshi KURIHARA ; Yi-Fang LI ; Xu-Hui ZHANG ; Yan-Ping WU ; Lei LIANG ; Rong-Rong HE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3149-3162
Ovarian tumor (OT) is the most lethal form of gynecologic malignancy, with minimal improvements in patient outcomes over the past several decades. Metastasis is the leading cause of ovarian cancer-related deaths, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Psychological stress is known to activate the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1), a factor associated with poor prognosis in OT patients. However, the precise mechanisms linking NR3C1 signaling and metastasis have yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that chronic restraint stress accelerates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis in OT through an NR3C1-dependent mechanism involving nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1). Mechanistically, NR3C1 directly regulates the transcription of NUPR1, which in turn increases the expression of snail family transcriptional repressor 2 (SNAI2), a key driver of EMT. Clinically, elevated NR3C1 positively correlates with NUPR1 expression in OT patients, and both are positively associated with poorer prognosis. Overall, our study identified the NR3C1/NUPR1 axis as a critical regulatory pathway in psychological stress-induced OT metastasis, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for intervention in OT metastasis.
8.Factors associated with failure of preoperative optimization with exclusive enteral nutrition in patients with Crohn's disease
Yi-Xiao WANG ; Teng-Hui ZHANG ; Lei CAO ; Jian-Feng GONG
Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition 2025;32(2):75-80
objective:To investigate the factors influencing failure of preoperative optimisation with exclusive enteral nutrition(EEN)in patients with Crohn's disease(CD)and to construct a predictive model.Methods:Clinical data of 161 patients with Crohn's disease who underwent surgical treatment after preoperative EEN optimization at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center of General Surgery of the Eastern Theater General Hospital from June 2021 to November 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were divided into two groups according to the preoperative EEN optimisation effect:optimisation success and optimisation failure.Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors influencing optimisation failure,and a column line graphical model was constructed using R4.4.0 software.Results:After at least 4 weeks of EEN treatment,a total of 44 patients(27.33%)failed preoperative optimization.Multifactorial analysis showed that FC>500 μg/g and use of corticosteroids were independent risk factors for failure of preoperative optimization,and an increase in prealbumin after 1 week of treatment was a protective factor for successful preoperative optimization.Based on the results of the multivariate analysis,a column graph was constructed,and the C-index was 0.873(95%CI=0.783~0.964).The calibration curve shows that the probability of failure predicted by the nomogram model prior to optimization is in good agreement with the actual probability.The clinical decision curve confirms that the risk threshold is between 0.03~0.96,and the nomogram model can be used to predict the failure of preoperative EEN optimization over other treatment options.Conclusion:FC>500μg/g and history of corticosteroid use were independent risk factors for failure of preoperative optimization,and an increase in prealbumin after 1 week of treatment was a protective factor for successful preoperative optimization.The nomogram constructed on the basis of these results has a good predictive value and is clinically applicable.
9.Synthesis and Applications of Indole-3-formylhydrazine Modified Pyrene Schiff Base Compound as Copper Ion Fluorescence Probe
Mu-Xi WANG ; Zhen-Yu HUANG ; Xiao-Feng LIN ; Xiao-Lan LEI ; Jian SUN ; Li-Jun MA
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(7):1108-1117
In this work,a fluorescent probe PIN was synthesized using indole-3-carbohydrazide and pyrenecarboxaldehyde as raw materials.PIN showed weak fluorescence emission in aqueous solution with acetonitrile volume fraction of 70%.However,when Cu2+was added to this aqueous solution of PIN,a new fluorescence emission peak appeared at 495 nm,and the intensity of this peak gradually increased with the increase of concentration of Cu2+,and also caused a significant change in the fluorescence color of the solution.In contrast,the addition of 15 kinds of other common metal ions did not cause such change.The detection limit of PIN for Cu2+was 78.7 nmol/L,which was much lower than the maximum permitting level of Cu2+in drinking water in hygienic standard for drinking water in China.Therefore,PIN was a highly selective and sensitive fluorescence-enhanced probe for Cu2+.Meanwhile,the addition of Cu2+could also cause a new absorption peak at 440 nm in the ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum of the aqueous solution of PIN,and meanwhile the colorless PIN solution changed into yellow,exhibiting the performance of PIN as a colorimetric probe for Cu2+.By fitting with the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm equation,the binding ratio of PIN to Cu2+was 2:1,and the binding constant was 3.42×1012 L2/mol2.In addition,the binding mode of PIN with Cu2+was explored by using proton nuclear magnetic resonance(1H NMR)titration experiments and density functional theory simulations.The results showed that the addition of Cu2+could cause the aggregation of PIN molecules to form excimers,thus showing highly selective recognition.Finally,PIN was made into a simple test strip,which could achieve rapid and convenient fluorescence detection of Cu2+in actual water samples.
10.A new trichothecene macrolide from endophyte Myrothecium roridum associated with Trachelospermum jasminoides
Xu HAN ; Xiao-wen LI ; Feng ZHANG ; Lei FANG ; Li SHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(10):2889-2893
Three compounds were obtained from the crude extract of the fermentation broth of endophyte

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