1.Efficacy Mechanism of Xianlian Jiedu Prescription Against Colorectal Cancer Recurrence vias Regulating Angiogenesis
Yanru XU ; Lihuiping TAO ; Jingyang QIAN ; Weixing SHEN ; Jiani TAN ; Chengtao YU ; Minmin FAN ; Changliang XU ; Yueyang LAI ; Liu LI ; Dongdong SUN ; Haibo CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):79-87
ObjectiveTo explore effect of Xianlian Jiedu prescription on the recurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and investigate the related mechanisms. MethodsA postoperative recurrence model was established in 25 Balb/c mice by injecting CT26 cells subcutaneously into the armpit, followed by surgical removal of 99% of the subcutaneous tumor. The mice were randomly divided into model group, low-dose Xianlian Jiedu prescription (XLJDP-L) group (6.45 g·kg-1·d-1), medium-dose Xianlian Jiedu prescription (XLJDP-M) group (12.9 g·kg-1·d-1), high-dose Xianlian Jiedu prescription (XLJDP-H) group (25.8 g·kg-1·d-1), and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) group (1×10-3 g·kg-1·d-1). The mice were euthanized after 14 days of continuous intervention, and recurrent tumor tissue was harvested. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe pathological and morphological changes in the recurrent tumor tissue. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to assess the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Ki67), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule (CD31) in recurrent tumor tissue. The Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2), VEGF, phosphorylated-protein kinase B (p-Akt), protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in recurrent tumor tissue. ResultsBefore treatment, there were no statistical differences in tumor volume, tumor weight, and body mass among the XLJDP-L, XLJDP-M, and XLJDP-H groups and the 5-FU group compared to the model group, indicating model stability. After treatment, compared with those in the model group, the tumor volume and tumor weight in the XLJDP-L, XLJDP-M, and XLJDP-H groups and the 5-FU group were significantly reduced (P<0.01), showing dose dependency. Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in body weight among the XLJDP-L, XLJDP-M, and XLJDP-H groups and the 5-FU group compared to the model group. HE staining showed that compared with that in the model group, tumor tissue in the XLJDP-L, XLJDP-M, and XLJDP-H groups and the 5-FU group had loosely arranged cells, increased intercellular spaces, small and shriveled nuclei, light staining, fewer mitotic figures and atypical nuclei, and increased necrotic areas. IHC showed that compared with those of the model group, the positive rates of Ki67, VEGF, and CD31 in the recurrent tumor tissue of the XLJDP-L, XLJDP-M, and XLJDP-H groups and the 5-FU group were significantly reduced (P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot results showed that compared with those of the model group, the protein expression levels of ANG-2 and VEGF in the recurrent tumor tissue of the XLJDP-L, XLJDP-M, and XLJDP-H groups and the 5-FU group were significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the p-Akt/Akt and p-PI3K/PI3K ratios were significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionXianlian Jiedu prescription significantly inhibits the recurrence of CRC in mice after subcutaneous tumor surgery. The mechanism may involve regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway and downregulating key angiogenic proteins such as ANG-2, VEGF, and CD31.
2.Investigation of the Mechanism of Atractylodes Ⅰ Inhibiting Colorectal Cancer via the AKT/S6K1 Signaling Pathway
Wei TIAN ; Qiuying YAN ; Jingwen LUO ; Qibiao WU ; Weixing SHEN ; Haibo CHENG ; Changliang XU ; Dongdong SUN
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(8):1037-1046
OBJECTIVE To investigate the pharmacological efficacy and mechanism of action of Atractylenolide Ⅰ(Atr-Ⅰ)in inhibiting colorectal cancer.METHODS Among three active compounds of Atractylodes macrocephala,Atr-Ⅰ exhibited the highest anti-tumor potency by MTT assay.The optimal concentration of Atr-Ⅰ was determined.The effect of Atr-Ⅰ on LoVo cell prolifera-tion was assessed via a clonogenic assay,while its impact on apoptosis and cell cycle progression was evaluated using flow cytometry.The influence of Atr-Ⅰ on the migration and invasion of LoVo cell line was examined through wound healing and Transwell migration assays.Western blot analysis was performed to explore the effects and mechanisms of Atr-Ⅰ on proteins associated with mi-gration,proliferation,and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in LoVo cells.The CT26 mouse subcutaneous tumor model was established,and histopathological analysis was conducted using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.Western blot was also used to assess the effects of Atr-Ⅰ on EMT-related proteins in mouse tissues to elucidate underlying mechanisms.RESULTS Atr-Ⅰ significantly reduced colorectal cancer cell viability,with statistically significant differences between treatment and control groups(P<0.05,P<0.01).Atr-Ⅰ induced apoptosis in LoVo cells,with the treatment group showing significant differences compared to the control(P<0.05,P<0.01).Cell cycle analysis revealed that Atr-Ⅰ exerted anti-tumor effects by inducing G2/M phase arrest,with increased G2 phase cell numbers in the LoVo treatment group compared to the control(P<0.05).Wound healing and Transwell migration assays confirmed that Atr-Ⅰ significantly inhibited tumor cell migration and invasion(P<0.05,P<0.01).Western blot analysis demonstra-ted that Atr-Ⅰ specifically suppressed the expression of c-Myc and Bcl-2(P<0.05),as well as cell cycle-related proteins CDK1,Cyclin B1,and Cyclin D1(P<0.05),and angiogenesis-related proteins VEGF and MMP9(P<0.05).Additionally,Atr-Ⅰ down-regulated EMT-related protein N-cadherin and upregulated E-cadherin expression(P<0.05).It also reduced the expression of p-AKT and p-S6K1(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Atr-Ⅰ exhibits potent anti-tumor effects against colorectal cancer,potentially through modulation of the AKT/S6K1 signaling pathway.
3.Investigation of the Mechanism of Atractylodes Ⅰ Inhibiting Colorectal Cancer via the AKT/S6K1 Signaling Pathway
Wei TIAN ; Qiuying YAN ; Jingwen LUO ; Qibiao WU ; Weixing SHEN ; Haibo CHENG ; Changliang XU ; Dongdong SUN
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(8):1037-1046
OBJECTIVE To investigate the pharmacological efficacy and mechanism of action of Atractylenolide Ⅰ(Atr-Ⅰ)in inhibiting colorectal cancer.METHODS Among three active compounds of Atractylodes macrocephala,Atr-Ⅰ exhibited the highest anti-tumor potency by MTT assay.The optimal concentration of Atr-Ⅰ was determined.The effect of Atr-Ⅰ on LoVo cell prolifera-tion was assessed via a clonogenic assay,while its impact on apoptosis and cell cycle progression was evaluated using flow cytometry.The influence of Atr-Ⅰ on the migration and invasion of LoVo cell line was examined through wound healing and Transwell migration assays.Western blot analysis was performed to explore the effects and mechanisms of Atr-Ⅰ on proteins associated with mi-gration,proliferation,and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in LoVo cells.The CT26 mouse subcutaneous tumor model was established,and histopathological analysis was conducted using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.Western blot was also used to assess the effects of Atr-Ⅰ on EMT-related proteins in mouse tissues to elucidate underlying mechanisms.RESULTS Atr-Ⅰ significantly reduced colorectal cancer cell viability,with statistically significant differences between treatment and control groups(P<0.05,P<0.01).Atr-Ⅰ induced apoptosis in LoVo cells,with the treatment group showing significant differences compared to the control(P<0.05,P<0.01).Cell cycle analysis revealed that Atr-Ⅰ exerted anti-tumor effects by inducing G2/M phase arrest,with increased G2 phase cell numbers in the LoVo treatment group compared to the control(P<0.05).Wound healing and Transwell migration assays confirmed that Atr-Ⅰ significantly inhibited tumor cell migration and invasion(P<0.05,P<0.01).Western blot analysis demonstra-ted that Atr-Ⅰ specifically suppressed the expression of c-Myc and Bcl-2(P<0.05),as well as cell cycle-related proteins CDK1,Cyclin B1,and Cyclin D1(P<0.05),and angiogenesis-related proteins VEGF and MMP9(P<0.05).Additionally,Atr-Ⅰ down-regulated EMT-related protein N-cadherin and upregulated E-cadherin expression(P<0.05).It also reduced the expression of p-AKT and p-S6K1(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Atr-Ⅰ exhibits potent anti-tumor effects against colorectal cancer,potentially through modulation of the AKT/S6K1 signaling pathway.
4.Investigation of the quality standard of pharmaceutical excipient denatonium benzoate
Lijuan SHEN ; Lingli QIAN ; Guoping JIANG ; Xiaopeng ZHU ; Lei CHENG ; Changliang LI ; Heng LI
Drug Standards of China 2024;25(6):560-566
Objective:To revise and enlarge the specification of pharmaceutical excipient denatonium benzoate in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025.Methods:At present,only USP-NF 2023 in domestic and foreign pharmacopoe-ias includes denatonium benzoate.This quality standard is subject to standard research in accordance with USP-NF 2023,the fourth general rules of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 edition,and other relevant requirements.Results:According to the quality of the product and the actual application in the formulation,the quality standards for the pharmaceutical excipient denatonium benzoate will be studied.At present,the quality standard of denatoni-um benzoate for pharmaceutical excipients has been disclosed.Conclusion:The established standard will fill the domestic gap and provide the quality guarantee for the application of denatonium benzoate in medicines.
5.Investigation of the quality standard of pharmaceutical excipient denatonium benzoate
Lijuan SHEN ; Lingli QIAN ; Guoping JIANG ; Xiaopeng ZHU ; Lei CHENG ; Changliang LI ; Heng LI
Drug Standards of China 2024;25(6):560-566
Objective:To revise and enlarge the specification of pharmaceutical excipient denatonium benzoate in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025.Methods:At present,only USP-NF 2023 in domestic and foreign pharmacopoe-ias includes denatonium benzoate.This quality standard is subject to standard research in accordance with USP-NF 2023,the fourth general rules of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 edition,and other relevant requirements.Results:According to the quality of the product and the actual application in the formulation,the quality standards for the pharmaceutical excipient denatonium benzoate will be studied.At present,the quality standard of denatoni-um benzoate for pharmaceutical excipients has been disclosed.Conclusion:The established standard will fill the domestic gap and provide the quality guarantee for the application of denatonium benzoate in medicines.
6.Characterization of natural peptides in Pheretima by integrating proteogenomics and label-free peptidomics
Xiaoxiao LUO ; Qirui BI ; Dongdong HUANG ; Yun LI ; Changliang YAO ; Jianqing ZHANG ; Wenlong WEI ; Jiayuan LI ; Zhenwei LI ; Jingxian ZHANG ; Shen JI ; Yurong WANG ; De-An GUO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2023;13(9):1070-1079
Pheretima,also called"earthworms",is a well-known animal-derived traditional Chinese medicine that is extensively used in over 50 Chinese patent medicines(CPMs)in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edi-tion).However,its zoological origin is unclear,both in the herbal market and CPMs.In this study,a strategy for integrating in-house annotated protein databases constructed from close evolutionary relationship-sourced RNA sequencing data from public archival resources and various sequencing al-gorithms(restricted search,open search,and de novo)was developed to characterize the phenotype of natural peptides of three major commercial species of Pheretima,including Pheretima aspergillum(PA),Pheretima vulgaris(PV),and Metaphire magna(MM).We identified 10,477 natural peptides in the PA,7,451 in PV,and 5,896 in MM samples.Five specific signature peptides were screened and then validated using synthetic peptides;these demonstrated robust specificity for the authentication of PA,PV,and MM.Finally,all marker peptides were successfully applied to identify the zoological origins of Brain Heart capsules and Xiaohuoluo pills,revealing the inconsistent Pheretima species used in these CPMs.In conclusion,our integrated strategy could be used for the in-depth characterization of natural peptides of other animal-derived traditional Chinese medicines,especially non-model species with poorly annotated protein databases.
7.Efficacy and Mechanism of Shenbai Jiedu Prescription Against Proliferation of HCT116 Cells
Dong JIANG ; Haibo CHENG ; Weixing SHEN ; Changliang XU ; Jiani TAN ; Yueyang LAI ; Dongdong SUN ; Liu LI ; Minmin FAN ; Chengtao YU ; Jun XIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(13):34-41
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Shenbai Jiedu prescription (SBJDF) inhibits the proliferation of colorectal cancer (CRC) HCT116 cells. MethodAfter 48 h treatment of HCT116 cells with SBJDF (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 g·L-1), the viability of HCT116 cells were determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetry. Following the classification of cells into blank control group and SBJDF (1, 2, 4 g·L-1) groups, the effect of SBJDF on HCT116 cell morphology was observed under an inverted microscope. The effects of SBJDF on the proliferation of HCT116 cells and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) were detected by colony formation assay and JC-1 probe, respectively. The flow cytometry was then performed for determining cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. The effects of SBJDF on cell cycle-, apoptosis-, and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway-related proteins were determined by Western blot. ResultSBJDF effectively inhibited the vitality of HCT116 cells and changed their morphology in a concentration-dependent manner. Compared with the blank control group, SBJDF at 1, 2, 4 g·L-1 significantly reduced cell colony formation (P<0.05, P<0.01),and SBJDF at 2 and 4 g·L-1 arrested the HCT116 cell cycle at G0/G1 phase (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the blank control group, SBJDF at 1, 2, 4 g·L-1 remarkably down-regulated the protein expression of CyclinD1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). SBJDF at 2 and 4 g·L-1 lowered the CyclinA2 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) (P<0.05, P<0.01). SBJDF at 4 g·L-1 reduced the cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) (P<0.01). Compared with the blank control group, SBJDF at 2 and 4 g·L-1 induced HCT116 cell apoptosis, down-regulated the protein expression of anti-apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl as well as the NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins IκB kinase α (IKKα),inhibitor α of NF-κB (IκBα),and phospho-NF-κB p65 (p-p65) (P<0.05, P<0.01), and diminished the mitochondrial membrane potential of HCT116 cells. ConclusionSBJDF inhibits the proliferation of HCT116 cells, which may be related to its inhibition of the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
8.Shenbai Jiedu Prescription Inhibits Proliferation of Colorectal Cancer Cells by Regulating PTEN/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Jianrong LIU ; Min HUANG ; Minmin FAN ; Haibo CHENG ; Weixing SHEN ; Jun XIAO ; Changliang XU ; Jiani TAN ; Yueyang LAI ; Chengtao YU ; Dongdong SUN ; Liu LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(14):36-43
ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of Shenbai Jiedu prescription inhibiting the proliferation of HCT116 colorectal cancer (CRC) cells by regulating the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/ protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. MethodShenbai Jiedu prescription was extracted by water extraction and alcohol precipitation to prepare freeze-dried powder. HCT116 cells were cultured in vitro, and treated with different concentrations of Shenbai Jiedu prescription (2, 4, 8, 16 g·L-1). The inhibitory effect of Shenbai Jiedu prescription on the proliferation of HCT116 cells was tested by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT). Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of PTEN, PI3K, Akt, glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), c-Myc, survivin and Cyclin D1. Western blot was employed to measure the protein expression levels of PTEN, phosphorylated PTEN (p-PTEN), PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), GSK-3β, phosphorylated GSK-3β (p-GSK-3β), c-Myc, survivin and Cyclin D1, β-catenin nuclear import was explored by immunofluorescence assay. ResultCompared with the control group, Shenbai Jiedu prescription inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the mRNA expression levels of PTEN and GSK-3β were up-regulated whereas those of PI3K, Akt, c-Myc, survivin and CyclinD1 were down-regulated after treatment with Shenbai Jiedu prescription (P<0.01). The protein expression levels of PTEN, p-PTEN and GSK-3β were up-regulated whereas those of PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, GSK-3β, p-GSK-3β, c-Myc, survivin and CyclinD1 were down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Immunofluorescence assay showed that Shenbai Jiedu prescription suppressed β-catenin nuclear import in HCT116 cells. ConclusionShenbai Jiedu prescription inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 cells via the mechanism of regulating the PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
9.Effect of Xiang-Qi-Tang on coagulation factors in mice with endotoxemia
Yuting ZHANG ; Yu MA ; Lizi YIN ; Yangping OU ; Gang YE ; Gang SHU ; Bendong FU ; Haiqing SHEN ; Changliang HE
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2017;37(8):1583-1588
To study the anticoagulant effect of Xiang-Qi-Tang (XQT),the mice model of endotoxemia was established to detect the expression of coagulation factors and their regulatory proteins in serum and aorta.The results showed that XQT could decrease the expression of TF and increase the expression of tPA in the aorta of mice with endotoxemia,and also decrease the expression of sEPCR in the serum.We further found that XQT caused the decrease of sEPCR through the regulation of PKC δ and ADAM17 to contribute the anticoagulation in mice.This study may provide a new strategy for treating endotoxin-induced disease and provide evidences for further researching the pharmacological action of XQT.
10.Application of amide proton transfer imaging in differentiating glioma from treatment effect
Changliang SU ; Jiaxuan ZHANG ; Shun ZHANG ; Jingjing JIANG ; Rifeng JIANG ; Nanqian SHEN ; Ju ZHANG ; Chengxia LIU ; Lingyun ZHAO ; Wenzhen ZHU
Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2017;37(6):337-341
Objective To explore the application of amide proton transfer (APT) imaging in differentiating glioma from treatment effect and to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the quantitative APT-related parameters.Methods A total of 23 patients (15 males, 8 females, age: 13-80 years) with 27 lesions who had underwent APT imaging in Tongji Hospital(Wuhan, China) from October 2014 to June 2015 were enrolled in this prospective study.The scan protocols were MRI normal plain scanning, diffusion WI, contrast-enhancement T1WI and APT imaging.Both the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and the relative MTR (rMTR) of lesions were manually measured by drawing ROI in the functional post-processing workstation.The results were compared with those of pathologic examinations and radiographic follow-up (≥3 months).Mann-Whitney u test was used to analyze the data.Results Compared with contralateral white matter, the primary gliomas (n=12) and recurrent gliomas (n=8) manifested hyper-intensity, while the treatment induced injuries (n=7) showed iso-or hypo-intensity.The difference of MTR between tumors and treatment effects was significant (102.78(101.93,103.84) vs 100.17(99.94, 100.63);z=-3.76, P<0.01), so was the difference of rMTR between tumors and treatment effects (3.92%(2.69%,4.67%) vs 0.47%(-0.79%,1.11%);z=-3.43, P<0.01).Both those two quantitative parameters exhibited excellent diagnostic performance with the AUC of 0.986 and 0.943.The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MTR were 100%(20/20), 6/7 and 96.3%(26/27) in the threshold of 100.68, while those of rMTR were 95.0%(19/20), 6/7 and 92.6%(25/27) in the threshold of 1.66%.Conclusions Combined with the routine MRI images, APT imaging can provide excellent qualitative and quantitative information in differentiating glioma from treatment effect.Both MTR and rMTR are helpful for the differentiation with high sensitivity and specificity and can be used as non-invasive imaging biomarkers in evaluating treatment effect of glioma.

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