1.Celastrol-loaded ginsenoside Rg3 liposomes boost immunotherapy by remodeling obesity-related immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in melanoma.
Hongyan ZHANG ; Jingyi HUANG ; Yujie LI ; Wanyu JIN ; Jiale WEI ; Ninghui MA ; Limei SHEN ; Mancang GU ; Chaofeng MU ; Donghang XU ; Yang XIONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2687-2702
Obesity usually exacerbates the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITME), hindering CD8+ T cell infiltration and function, which further represents a significant barrier to the efficacy of immunotherapy. Herein, a multifunctional liposomal system (CR-Lip) for encapsulating celastrol (CEL) was utilized to remodel obesity-related ITME and improve cancer immunotherapy, wherein Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) was detected interspersed in the phospholipid bilayer and its glycosyl exposed on the surface of the liposome. CR-Lip had a relatively uniform size (116.5 nm), facilitating favorable tumor tissue accumulation through the interaction between Rg3 and glucose transporter 1 overexpressed in obese tumor cells. Upon reaching the tumor region, CR-Lip was found to induce the immunogenic cell death (ICD) of HFD tumor cells. Notably, the level of PHD3 in HFD tumor cells was effectively boosted by CR-Lip to effectively block metabolic reprogramming and increase the availability of major free fatty acids fuel sources. In vivo, experiments studies revealed that the easy-obtained nano platform stimulated enhanced the production of various cytokines in tumor tissues, DC maturation, CD8+ T-cell infiltration, and synergistic anticancer therapeutic potency with aPD-1 (tumor inhibition rate = 82.1%) towards obesity-related melanoma. Consequently, this study presented an efficacious approach to tumor immunotherapy in obese mice by encompassing tumor eradication, inducing ICD, and reprogramming metabolism. Furthermore, it offered a unique insight into a valuable attempt at the immunotherapy of obesity-associated related tumors.
2.The crucial function of IDO1 in pulmonary fibrosis: From the perspective of mitochondrial fusion in lung fibroblasts and targeted molecular inhibition.
Lei WANG ; Shanchun GE ; Ye ZHANG ; Deqin FENG ; Ting ZHU ; Louqian ZHANG ; Chaofeng ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3125-3148
The pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is complex. It is characterized by myofibroblast hyperplasia and deposition of collagen protein. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is expressed in lung fibroblasts and epithelial cells, but its functions in lung homeostasis and diseases remain elusive. Here, we characterize the critical role of IDO1 in PF patients and bleomycin (BLM)-induced PF mouse models. We find that IDO1 is significantly upregulated in the fibrotic lungs of patients and mice, showing a positive correlation with genes characteristic of fibrosis. Functionally, IDO1 knockout inhibits lung fibroblast proliferation, differentiation, mitochondrial biogenesis, and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Conversely, IDO1 overexpression and accumulation of kynurenine (Kyn) exacerbate progressive lung fibrosis. Mechanistically, IDO1-deletion activated profound mitochondrial fusion-enhanced potentially the capacity for fatty acid oxidation, along with activation of de novo glycolytic serine/glycine synthesis pathways and mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism. Wedelolactone (WEL), a small molecule IKK inhibitor, is found to strongly bind to IDO1 and effectively protect mice from PF in an IDO1-dependent manner. Collectively, this study characterizes a promotor role for IDO1 in PF and suggests a potential avenue of targeting IDO1 to treat lung diseases.
3.Research progress on new techniques and methods for identifying active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine.
Jiaxin ZHANG ; Xinhao ZHU ; Chaofeng ZHANG ; Wangning ZHANG ; Jiangwei TIAN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(10):1153-1170
Recent years have witnessed significant advances in the development of novel techniques and methodologies for identifying active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), substantially advancing research and development efforts. Spectrum-effect correlation analysis, affinity ultrafiltration, high-content screening (HCS) imaging, and cell membrane chromatography (CMC) have emerged as essential tools, effectively linking TCM chemical constituents to their biological effects, thereby enabling efficient active ingredient screening. Additionally, molecular interaction analysis provides deeper insights into TCM-biomolecule interaction mechanisms, enhancing understanding of its therapeutic potential. Computer-aided techniques facilitate TCM active ingredient identification, optimizing the screening process for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Molecular probe technology, as an emerging methodology, enables precise and rapid screening for novel therapeutic drug discovery. Ongoing technological advancement in this field indicates promising future developments, potentially leading to more effective and targeted TCM-based therapies.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
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Humans
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Drug Discovery/methods*
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Animals
4.Research on microscopic histochemical localization of Astragalus membranaceus and its application
Yong HUANG ; Shengchao SHI ; Jian ZHANG ; Chaofeng ZHANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(5):566-571
This study compared the chemical composition differences among various root tissues of Astragalus membranaceus through optimization of histochemical localization methods, thereby providing some reference for targeted extraction and enrichment of bioactive components. The chloral hydrate permeabilization technique was enhanced with sodium nitrite-aluminum nitrate-sodium hydroxide reagent for flavonoid staining. Comparative analyses of total saponins, total flavonoids, and astragaloside IV content in xylem, phloem, and periderm tissues were performed using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). By optimizing staining protocols, interference from natural pigmentation was successfully eliminated, thereby enhancing the visualization of tissue-specific chemical distribution. Quantitative analysis revealed that the phloem contained the highest total saponins (6.92%), while the periderm exhibited peak total flavonoids (0.876%) and exclusive enrichment of astragaloside IV (0.850%). The refined histochemical localization method enables precise characterization of phytochemical distribution across root tissues, which can offer guidance for selective extraction and enrichment strategies, and comprehensively promote the utilization and development of Astragalus membranaceus resources.
5.Lipid metabolism modulates inflammatory response in Alzheimer's disease:research progress
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(5):653-660
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by complex and not fully understood pathogenesis.Recent research has revealed that abnormalities in lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses play a crucial role in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease.This review aims to explore the modulatory effects of lipid metabolism on inflammatory responses and their subsequent influence on the pathological processes of Alzheimer's disease from the aspects of the relationship between dysregulated lipid metabolism,increased inflammatory responses,and Alzheimer's disease,the regulatory effects of lipid mediators,and the role of microglia in these processes.
6.Damage effect of combined noise and CO exposure on spermatogenesis in male rats
Lulu GUO ; Zhonghao ZHANG ; Chang LIU ; Chaofeng SHI ; Jiankang WANG ; Lei SUN ; Jinyi LIU ; Yingqing LI
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(15):1729-1740
Objective To analyze the detrimental effects of exposure to environmental noise alone and combined with carbon monoxide(CO)on spermatogenesis in male rats,investigate the underlying mechanisms involved in such damage,and evaluate the protective role of pterostilbene(PTE)against these adverse effects.Methods Sixty male SD rats(6~8 weeks old,weighing 200±10 g)were randomly divided normal control group(standard housing),sham-exposure control group(restraint stress only),noise exposure(85 dB),CO exposure(460 mg/m3),combined exposure(simultaneous exposure),and PTE intervention(80 mg/kg pretreatment),with 10 animals in each group.The rats were exposed daily for 2 h via a nose-only inhalation exposure system within a multifactorial environmental simulation chamber for 60 consecutive days.Sperm count and viability were measured after exposure.Histopathological changes of testicular tissues were observed with HE staining.qRT-PCR was used to measure stage-specific mRNA levels in germ cells.Serum sex hormone levels and adenosine triphosphate(ATP)concentrations in testes and sperm were detected.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)was applied to observe the ultrastructural damage in the spermatocytes.Additionally,transcriptome sequencing was performed on testicular tissue,followed by bioinformatics analysis.Results Compared with the negative control group,the combined exposure group exhibited significant reductions in sperm viability and count(P<0.05),and developmental arrest of immature germ cells in the testicular tissue,with obviously less spermatogonia,spermatocytes,and round/elongated spermatids(P<0.01).Additionally,significantly reduced levels of reproductive-related hormones,such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone,follicle-stimulating hormone,luteinizing hormone and testosterone,and ATP levels in testes and sperm were observed in the mice after combined exposure(P<0.01),accompanied by mitochondrial rupture and cristae disruption in spermatocytes.Conversely,the PTE intervention group showed marked alleviation of these impairments,with parameters recovering almost to normal levels.Transcriptome sequencing identified biological processes related to reproductive development and ATP-dependent pathways as potential contributors to testicular injury induced by noise and CO exposure,with key genes including Nppa,Adm,Gnrh1,Ptafr,Atp13a5,Atp8b1,and LOC102555469.Conclusion Noise and CO exposure induce spermatogenic damage in rats,which may be related with energy metabolism and hormonal regulation,while PTE demonstrates significant protective effects against such reproductive impairments.
7.The role and regulatory mechanism of RNA binding protein ZFP36in hypoxia/reoxygenation injury of cardiomyocytes
Guo LÜ ; Chaofeng SUN ; Hao ZHANG ; Hongjun LI ; Fang WANG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(2):219-227
【Objective】 To explore the role of ZFP36 in cardiomyocyte injury and autophagy induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) so as to clarify its molecular regulatory mechanism. 【Methods】 H9C2 rat cardiomyocytes were infected with ZFP36 overexpressing lentivirus (OE-ZFP36) or its negative control lentivirus (OE-ZFP36 NC) to construct stable cell lines, respectively. Transfection of ATG4D overexpression plasmid (OE-ATG4D) improved the expression of ATG4D. Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) induced myocardial cell injury. H9C2 cells were mainly divided into control group, H/R group, OE-ZFP36 NC+H/R group, OE-ZFP36+H/R group, OE-ATG4D NC+H/R group, OE-ATG4D+H/R group, OE-ZFP36+OE-ATG4D NC+H/R group, and OE-ZFP36+OE-ATG4D+H/R group. The protein expressions of ATG4D, Beclin1, LC3 and ZFP36 in H9C2 cells were detected by Western blotting. The mRNA levels of ZFP36 and ATG4D in H9C2 cells were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR). The viability of H9C2 cells was detected by CCK-8 assay. The levels of interleukin (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in H9C2 cells were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in H9C2 cells were detected by DCFH-DA method. SOD detection kit was used to detect the SOD level in H9C2 cells. The apoptosis of H9C2 cells was detected by flow cytometry. LC3 autophagosomes in H9C2 cells were detected by cellular immunofluorescence. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to detect the binding of ZFP36 and ATG4D mRNA in H9C2 cells. 【Results】 Compared with control group, H/R group showed decreased cell viability, increased IL-6 and TNF-α levels, increased ROS levels and decreased SOD levels, increased cell apoptosis. Up-regulated ATG4D and Beclin1 protein expression, increased LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio, as well as upregulated ZFP36 expression were found in H/R group (all P<0.05). Compared with OE-ZFP36 NC+H/R group, elevated cell viability, decreased IL-6 and TNF-α levels, decreased ROS levels and increased SOD levels, reduced cell apoptosis (P<0.05), and downregulated ATG4D and Beclin1 protein expression, decreased LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio were shown in OE-ZFP36+H/R group (all P<0.05). Compared with infection with OE-ZFP36 NC lentivirus, infection with OE-ZFP36 lentivirus decreased the luciferase activity of ATG4D 3′-UTR reporter gene, decreased the stability of ATG4D mRNA, and downregulated the H/R-induced ATG4D mRNA expression (all P<0.05). Compared with OE-ATG4D NC+H/R group, OE-ATG4D+H/R group had upregulated ATG4D mRNA and protein expression, decreased cell viability, increased IL-6 and TNF-α levels, increased ROS levels, decreased SOD levels and elevated cell apoptosis (all P<0.05). Compared with OE-ZFP36+OE-ATG4D NC+H/R group, OE-ZFP36+OE-ATG4D+H/R group had decreased cell viability, increased IL-6 and TNF-α levels, increased ROS levels, decreased SOD levels and elevated cell apoptosis (all P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 The expression of ZFP36 is upregulated in H/R-induced cardiomyocyte injury. The overexpression of ZFP36 inhibits H/R-induced cardiomyocyte injury and autophagy by regulating ATG4D, thus resisting cardiomyocyte H/R injury. It proves that ZFP36 is an important regulatory molecule against MI/RI.
8.Prediction of the clinical supply of blood components in Xi′an City from 2023 to 2025
Linghao ZHANG ; Jin WANG ; Bei YAO ; Xiaoyue CHU ; Zhendong SUN ; Chaofeng MA
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(8):1213-1218
Objective:To construct a prediction model for the clinical supply of blood components in Xi′an City from 2023 to 2025.Methods:Based on the blood supply data of the Blood Management Information System of Shaanxi Provincial Blood Center from January 2013 to December 2022, a gray prediction model and an exponential curve fitting model were used to construct the prediction model, and the optimal prediction model was determined according to the error parameters of the relevant indicators of the model. The supply of blood components in Xi′an from 2023 to 2025 was predicted.Results:The fitting equations of the exponential curve fitting model to predict the supply of suspended red blood cells, platelets and cryoprecipitate in Xi′an were, x(1)( t+1)=1.16e 0.04t, x(1)( t+1)=1.04e 0.12t and x(1)( t+1)=1.01e 1.10t, respectively. The mean absolute errors (mean relative errors) of the exponential curve fitting model in predicting the supply of suspended red blood cells, platelets and cryoprecipitate in Xi′an were 10 488.7 (0.05%), 2 114.9 (0.08%) and 3 089.6 (0.07%), respectively, which were lower than those of the gray prediction model, about 10 488.7 (3.44%), 2 152.78 (8.20%) and 3 441.35 (7.92%), respectively. The exponential curve fitting model predicted that the clinical supply of blood components in Xi′an would increase year by year from 2023 to 2025, and the clinical supply of suspended red blood cells, platelets, and cryoprecipitate in Xi′an would increase to 409 467 U, 69 818 therapeutic volume and 94 724 U, respectively by 2025. Conclusion:The exponential curve fitting model can make a good prediction of the clinical supply of blood components in Xi′an City.
9.Prediction of the clinical supply of blood components in Xi′an City from 2023 to 2025
Linghao ZHANG ; Jin WANG ; Bei YAO ; Xiaoyue CHU ; Zhendong SUN ; Chaofeng MA
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(8):1213-1218
Objective:To construct a prediction model for the clinical supply of blood components in Xi′an City from 2023 to 2025.Methods:Based on the blood supply data of the Blood Management Information System of Shaanxi Provincial Blood Center from January 2013 to December 2022, a gray prediction model and an exponential curve fitting model were used to construct the prediction model, and the optimal prediction model was determined according to the error parameters of the relevant indicators of the model. The supply of blood components in Xi′an from 2023 to 2025 was predicted.Results:The fitting equations of the exponential curve fitting model to predict the supply of suspended red blood cells, platelets and cryoprecipitate in Xi′an were, x(1)( t+1)=1.16e 0.04t, x(1)( t+1)=1.04e 0.12t and x(1)( t+1)=1.01e 1.10t, respectively. The mean absolute errors (mean relative errors) of the exponential curve fitting model in predicting the supply of suspended red blood cells, platelets and cryoprecipitate in Xi′an were 10 488.7 (0.05%), 2 114.9 (0.08%) and 3 089.6 (0.07%), respectively, which were lower than those of the gray prediction model, about 10 488.7 (3.44%), 2 152.78 (8.20%) and 3 441.35 (7.92%), respectively. The exponential curve fitting model predicted that the clinical supply of blood components in Xi′an would increase year by year from 2023 to 2025, and the clinical supply of suspended red blood cells, platelets, and cryoprecipitate in Xi′an would increase to 409 467 U, 69 818 therapeutic volume and 94 724 U, respectively by 2025. Conclusion:The exponential curve fitting model can make a good prediction of the clinical supply of blood components in Xi′an City.
10.Research Progress on Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis as Medicinal and Edible Traditional Chinese Medicine
Yang HU ; Mian ZHAO ; Yuxuan QIU ; Debao YE ; Yangqing LIU ; Chaofeng ZHANG ; Haibo WANG ; Jian-Ming CHENG
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(1):94-108
Tiepishihu(Dendrobii officinalis Caulis)is a medicinal and food source herbal medicine with the effect of benefiting stomach and promoting fluid,nourishing Yin and clearing heat.It has rich chemical components and pharmacological activities,with anti-inflammatory,anti-bacterial,anti-oxidation,anti-tumor,immunomodulatory,blood press regulation,hypoglycemic effects.It is not only used as medicinal food and health care products,but also widely used in medicine,such as Shihu Yeguang Wan,Compound fresh dendrobium granules and other drugs,with high medicinal and economic value.This paper summarized the resource distribution,chemical composition,pharmacological activities,and medicine and food of Dendrobii officinalis Caulis,and analyzed its application status,laying a theoretical foundation for the sustainable development,medicinal and food homologous development and comprehensive utilization of Dendrobii officinalis Caulis.

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