1.Compound Glycyrrhizin Tablets Ameliorate Liver Injury Induced by Tripterygium Glycosides Tablet by Regulating Cholesterol Metabolism
Xiaotong FU ; Chunyu CAO ; Chun LI ; Chenna LU ; Ting LIU ; Yifei YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):46-55
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of liver injury induced by tripterygium glycosides tablets (TG) and the molecular mechanism of compound glycyrrhizin tablets (CG) in alleviating the abnormalities of cholesterol metabolism caused by TG via cholesterol metabolism. MethodsAccording to the body weights, male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly grouped as follows: control (pure water), low-dose TG (TG-L, 189.0 mg·kg-1·d-1), high-dose TG (TG-H, 472.5 mg·kg-1·d-1), TG-L+CG (189.0 mg·kg-1·d-1 TG + 20.25 mg·kg-1·d-1 CG), and TG-H+CG (472.5 mg·kg-1·d-1 TG + 20.25 mg·kg-1·d-1 CG), with 6 rats in each group. Rats were administrated with corresponding drugs once daily for 3 weeks. At the end of the last administration, the mRNA and protein levels of liver X receptor-alpha (LXR-α), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), cholesterol 12α-hydroxylase (CYP8B1), and sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) in the liver tissue were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The level of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAR), a regulatory enzyme of cholesterol synthesis, was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HepG2 cells were used to observe the effect of TG on the cell proliferation in vitro. Specifically, HepG2 cells were grouped as follows: Low-dose TG (TG-l, 15 mg·L-1), medium-dose TG (TG-m, 45 mg·L-1), high-dose TG (TG-h, 135 mg·L-1), fenofibrate (FB, 10 μmol·L-1), CG extract, TG-h+FB (135 mg·L-1 TG + 10 μmol·L-1 FB), TG-m+FB (45 mg·L-1 TG + 10 μmol·L-1 FB), TG-l+FB (15 mg·L-1 TG + 10 μmol·L-1 FB), TG-h+CG (135 mg·L-1 TG + 60 μmol·L-1 CG), TG-m+CG (45 mg·L-1 TG + 60 μmol·L-1 CG), and TG-l+CG (15 mg·L-1 TG + 60 μmol·L-1 CG). The mRNA and protein levels of LXR-α, ABCG1, LDLR, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 in HepG2 cells were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. ResultsThe rat experiment showed that compared with the control group, the TG-H group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 in the liver tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), which were up-regulated by the application of CG (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the TG-H+CG group showed up-regulated mRNA level of LDLR (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the TG-L and TG-H groups showed down-regulated protein levels of LDLR, CYP7A1, and CYP8B1 in the liver tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the protein levels of ABCG1 and LXR-α were down-regulated in the TG-H and TG-L groups, respectively (P<0.05). Compared with TG alone, TG+CG up-regulated the protein levels of ABCG1 and LDLR (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein levels of CYP7A1 and CYP8B1 in the TG-H+CG group were up-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). The cell experiment showed that compared with the control group, the TG-h group presented up-regulated mRNA level of LXR-α (P<0.01), and the TG-m and TG-h groups showcased down-regulated mRNA levels of LDLR and CYP7A1 (P<0.01) and up-regulated mRNA level of CYP27A1 (P<0.01) in HepG2 cells. The combination of CG with TG restored the above changes (P<0.01). Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group, the TG-m and TG-h groups showed down-regulated protein levels of LXR-α, ABCG1, LDLR, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 in HepG2 cells (P<0.01). Compared with the TG-h group, the TG-h+CG group showed up-regulated protein level of LDLR (P<0.05). Compared with the TG-m group, the TG-m+CG group showcased up-regulated protein levels of LDLR, ABCG1, CYP7A1, and CYP27A1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe administration of TG at 189.0, 472.5 mg·kg-1 for 3 weeks could modulate the signaling pathways associated with cholesterol efflux, endocytosis, and cholesterol biotransformation in hepatocytes, leading to the accumulation of cholesterol and subsequent liver injury in rats. CG could ameliorate the liver injury induced by lipid metabolism disorders caused by TG by up-regulating the expression of LXR-α, LDLR, ABCG1, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 to promote cholesterol biotransformation.
2.Research progress on the chemical composition and antidepressant mechanism of volatile oils of traditional Chinese medicine
Yifei ZHANG ; Lu CHENG ; Mingshi REN ; Dao GUO ; Fengjiao KUANG ; Zonghua KANG ; Jianguang LUO ; Feihua WU
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(1):22-30
Depressive disorder is a mental illness characterized by poor mood and cognitive dysfunction caused by a range of complicated factors. Antidepressants have strong short-term efficacy in clinical application, yet with significant adverse effects and resistance in long-term use. Essential oils are small molecular compounds mainly composed of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, most of which are characterized by aromatic odors, easy permeability through the blood-brain barrier, and low toxic side effects. Volatile oil from traditional Chinese medicine can regulate neurotransmitter monoamine, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, and intestinal microbiota-gut-brain axis to exert an antidepressant effect through multiple pathways and targets. This review summarizes the main antidepressant chemical components of essential oil of traditional Chinese medicine, their pharmacological mechanisms and clinical application, aiming to provide some reference for further development and clinical application of essential oil of traditional Chinese medicine.
3.An investigation of radiation doses in pediatric non-cardiac interventional procedures
Junnan LU ; Yifei WANG ; Yingmin CHEN ; Fuhua JING ; Xiaoshan WANG ; Chenglong ZHENG ; Qingmei CHEN ; Rui CHEN
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(3):395-401
Objective To evaluate the current radiation doses in pediatric non-cardiac interventional procedures, and analyze the associated clinical factors, and to provide data references for reducing pediatric radiation exposure. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of the radiation doses of children who had undergone non-cardiac interventional procedures at the interventional department of a tertiary pediatric hospital in Jinan from January 2022 to October 2024. The collected data included basic demographic information, surgical date, anatomical site, disease type, and radiation dose parameters (cumulative fluoroscopy time, cumulative dose area product in cine mode, cumulative air kerma, and the number of images acquired). The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparative analysis between groups (P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant). Results Among the 475 included children, 99 cases (20.8%) had infantile hemangioma (median Pka, 0.136 Gy·cm2; median Ka,r, 0.38 mGy), 235 cases (49.5%) had venous malformation (median Pka, 9.82 Gy·cm2; median Ka,r, 40.99 mGy), 75 cases (15.8%) had lymphatic malformation (median Pka, 0.06 Gy·cm2; median Ka,r, 0.18 mGy), 32 cases (6.7%) had retinoblastoma (median Pka, 6.58 Gy·cm2; median Ka,r, 52.34 mGy), 12 cases (2.5%) had arteriovenous malformation (median Pka, 42.3 Gy·cm2; median Ka,r, 162.87 mGy), and 22 cases (4.6%) had other vascular malformations (median Pka, 21.7 Gy·cm2; median Ka,r, 89.1 mGy). There were significant differences between children with different disease types in the cumulative fluoroscopy time, cumulative dose area product in cine mode, cumulative air kerma at the patient entrance reference point, and the number of images acquired during non-cardiac interventional procedures (all P < 0.01). Conclusion This study presented the types and proportions of pediatric non-cardiac interventional procedures, evaluated the radiation dose levels of different surgical types, and analyzed the effects of weight and anatomical site on radiation exposure, which can be useful for preliminary assessment of radiation doses in pediatric non-cardiac interventional procedures.
4.Comparison of blinatumomab and chimeric antigen receptor T cells pre-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for pediatric Philadelphia chromosome negative B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Guanhua HU ; Pan SUO ; Lu BAI ; Xiaohui ZHANG ; Yifei CHENG ; Xiaojun HUANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):472-474
5.Cytotoxic effects of the novel photosensitizer PEG-MTPABZ-PyC-mediated photodynamic therapy on gastric cancer cells.
Lingjuan CHEN ; Qi WANG ; Lu WANG ; Yifei SHEN ; Haibin WANG ; Hengxin WANG ; Xuejie SU ; Meixu LEI ; Xianxia CHEN ; Chengjin AI ; Yifan LI ; Yali ZHOU
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(7):1137-1144
OBJECTIVES:
The application of photodynamic therapy in solid tumors has attracted increasing attention in recent years, and the efficiency of photosensitizers is a crucial determinant of therapeutic efficacy. This study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of a novel photosensitizer, PEG-MTPABZ-PyC, in photodynamic therapy against gastric cancer cells.
METHODS:
Gastric cancer MKN45 cells were treated with PEG-MTPABZ-PyC. A high-content live-cell imaging system was used to assess the cellular uptake kinetics and subcellular localization of the photosensitizer. The cytotoxic effects of PEG-MTPABZ-PyC-mediated photodynamic therapy were examined using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry, while the intrinsic cytotoxicity of the photosensitizer alone was verified by the CCK-8 assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation after photodynamic therapy was detected using 2'-7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA).
RESULTS:
PEG-MTPABZ-PyC alone exhibited no cytotoxicity toward MKN45 cells, indicating excellent cytocompatibility. The compound efficiently entered cells within 6 hours and localized predominantly in lysosomes. Upon light irradiation, PEG-MTPABZ-PyC-mediated photodynamic therapy induced significant cytotoxicity compared with the control group (P<0.05) and generated abundant intracellular ROS.
CONCLUSIONS
The novel photosensitizer PEG-MTPABZ-PyC demonstrates potent photodynamic cytotoxicity against gastric cancer cells, showing promising potential for further development in gastric cancer photodynamic therapy.
Humans
;
Stomach Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Photochemotherapy/methods*
;
Photosensitizing Agents/pharmacology*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Mesoporphyrins/pharmacology*
6.AI-integrated IQPD framework of quality prediction and diagnostics in small-sample multi-unit pharmaceutical manufacturing: Advancing from experience-driven to data-driven manufacturing.
Kaiyi WANG ; Xinhai CHEN ; Nan LI ; Huimin FENG ; Xiaoyi LIU ; Yifei WANG ; Yanfei WU ; Yufeng GUO ; Shuoshuo XU ; Lu YAO ; Zhaohua ZHANG ; Jun JIA ; Zhishu TANG ; Zhisheng WU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(8):4193-4209
The pharmaceutical industry faces challenges in quality digitization for complex multi-stage processes, especially in small-sample systems. Here, an intelligent quality prediction and diagnostic (IQPD) framework was developed and applied to Tong Ren Tang's Niuhuang Qingxin Pills, utilizing four years of data collected from four production units, covering the entire process from raw materials to finished products. In this framework, a novel path-enhanced double ensemble quality prediction model (PeDGAT) is proposed, which combines a graph attention network and path information to encode inter-unit long-range and sequential dependencies. Additionally, the double ensemble strategy enhances model stability in small samples. Compared to global traditional models, PeDGAT achieves state-of-the-art results, with an average improvement of 13.18% and 87.67% in prediction accuracy and stability on three indicators. Additionally, a more in-depth diagnostic model leveraging grey correlation analysis and expert knowledge reduces reliance on large samples, offering a panoramic view of attribute relationships across units and improving process transparency. Finally, the IQPD framework integrates into a Human-Cyber-Physical system, enabling faster decision-making and real-time quality adjustments for Tong Ren Tang's Niuhuang Qingxin Pills, a product with annual sales exceeding 100 million CNY. This facilitates the transition from experience-driven to data-driven manufacturing.
7.Prevalence of Lying Flat behaviors and its association with depressive symptoms among college students from three provinces and cities in China
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(6):844-848
Objective:
To understand the prevalence of Lying Flat behaviors and its association with depressive symptoms among Chinese college students, so as to provide a scientific basis for promoting the physical and mental health development of adolescents.
Methods:
From July to October 2023, three universities were selected through convenient sampling from Jiangxi Province, Liaoning Province and Beijing City, respectively. Selfdesigned questionnaire links were distributed on campus to collect basic information and Lying Flat behaviors among college students, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was utilized to screen for students with depressive symptoms. Finally, a total of 4 225 valid questionnaires were obtained. Chisquare was used to compare of report rates of Lying Flat behaviors across different demographic characteristics. Ordered Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association between Lying Flat behaviors and depressive symptoms, with Z test used to assess variations in the strength of associations.
Results:
The reporting rates of academic, life, and social Lying Flat were 32.7%, 17.8% and 17.5%, respectively. And 6.7% of the participants were found of all three Lying Flat behaviors simultaneously.Among college students with three Lying Flat behaviors, the constituent ratios of no, mild, moderate and above depressive symptoms were 9.9%, 30.5% and 59.6%, respectively. Additionally, college students who had three Lying Flat behaviors were more likely to show mild, moderate and above depressive symptoms [OR(95%CI)=2.49(1.60-3.87), 7.69(5.01-11.79), P<0.01].
Conclusions
Academic Lying Flat behavior is most prevalent among college students. Academic, life and social Lying Flat behaviors are all significantly positively correlated with depressive symptoms. Attention should be paid to the Lying Flat behaviors and college students psychological health conditions to promote their physical and mental health development.
8.Update on therapeutic targets for vitiligo therapy
Yan LU ; Yifei FENG ; Jiawei LU ; Xuechen CAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Aesthetics and Cosmetology 2024;30(1):1-6
Vitiligo is a dermatological condition of autoimmune origin, characterized by the acquired loss of pigmentation in the skin and mucous membranes. Inflammatory cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-21, IL-33, phosphodiester enzyme (PDE)-4, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, play a crucial role in the progression of vitiligo. Among these, the IFN-γ/chemokine ligand (CXCL) 10 axis is particularly significant. In recent times, the advent of targeted therapeutic approaches, focusing on modulating cytokines and their corresponding receptors implicated in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, has assumed paramount significance. JAK inhibitors and their combination therapy with phototherapy have been clinically proven to have promising therapeutic prospects. This review undertakes a comprehensive appraisal of the therapeutic efficacy and tailored drug selection pertaining to diverse biological agents employed in the management of vitiligo, aiming to provide valuable insights for clinical therapeutic decisions.
9.Formulation Optimization of Hydroxyylsafflower Yellow A Nanoparticle Using Box-Behnken Response Surface Method and in Vitro Release Evaluation
Yifei XIAO ; Lixin DU ; Qidong WEI ; Huiling LU ; Zhihua GUO ; Ya LI
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(1):122-131
Objective To optimize the preparation process of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA)nanoparticle and conduct in vitro release evaluation.Methods HSYA nanoparticles were prepared with PLGA as carrier by modified compound emulsion method.The optimal preparation process of the experiment was selected by Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken response surface method.The nanoparticles were characterized by using particle size analyzer,TEM scanning electron microscope,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),X-ray diffraction(XRD).Frozen(4℃)storage stability,stability in physiological medium,lyophilized protective agent and in vitro release rate were investigated.Results The optimal process prescription of nanoparticle is as follow:pH value is 6.95,the dosage is 2.8 mg,and carrier dosage is 18.2 mg.The size of nanoparticles obtained at optimum condition is(176.4±1.29)nm,the polydiseperse index(PDI)is 0.152±0.014,the Zeta potential is(-17.6±0.46)mV,the encapsulation rate is(78.5±0.49)%,drug loading is(7.3±0.07)%.These nanoparticles showed round and good dispersion.Good stability in 4℃ storage environment and different physiological media of nanoparticles were observed.The best lyophilized protective agent was 1%glucose and the in vitro release rate of nanoparticles at 48 hours was 85%.Conclusion The optimization method is reasonable and reliable.The obtained nanoparticles have good stability and sustained-release effect.The in vitro release behavior conformed to first-order kinetic model.
10.Antioxidant Kinetic Characteristics and Online Identification of Active Compounds in Chrysanthemi Flos Stems and Leaves
Wanqian TU ; Xin LU ; Liuji ZHANG ; Yifei LIU ; Jianxia WANG ; Xiangyang LI ; Jingjing CHEN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;26(7):1862-1869
Objective To study the antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging kinetics of Chrysanthemi flos stems and leaves,and online screen the active components related to free radical scavenging.Methods Using DPPH method and ABTS method the antioxidant activity of extracts from Chrysanthemi flos stems and leaves was observed,and the effects of different influencing factors,such as drug concentration,reaction temperature and reaction time on free radical scavenging rate were compared,the half scavenging rate(IC50)was determined.The flavonoids,such as luteolin glucuronic acid,luteolin,and caffeic acid,phenolic acids such as chlorogenic acid,neochlorogenic acid,cryptochlorogenic acid,isochlorogenic acid A,B,and C in the samples before and after the reaction were chosen as indexes,and their contents were determined by HPLC.Results The drug concentration,reaction temperature and reaction time could affect the scavenging rate of DPPH free radical and ABTS.The IC50 of DPPH and ABTS were 0.395 mg·mL-1 and 2.039 mg·mL-1 respectively.After reaction with DPPH and ABTS,the contents of the analytes above all decreased significantly,which suggested that,the components above might be the antioxidant components in Chrysanthemi flos stems and leaves.Conclusions Chrysanthemi flos Stems and leaves have good free radical scavenging activity.In this study,the kinetic characteristics of scavenging DPPH and ABTS free radicals in Chrysanthemi flos stems and leaves were preliminarily clarified,and the active components were found out.It provides an experimental basis for the future comprehensive development of Chrysanthemi flos stems and leaves.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail