1.Optimization of Quality Standards for Polygalae Radix Based on Characteristic Chromatograms and QAMS for Xanthones
Humin XIE ; Xiaoqing CUI ; Weihong FENG ; Yu LU ; Xiaoqian LIU ; Xiaoli SUN ; Yanrong LI ; Zhimin WANG ; Chun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):196-204
ObjectiveTo address the limitations of the current quality standard for Polygalae Radix(PR), which relies on a single component for quality assessment and struggles to holistically control its intrinsic quality, by constructing a comprehensive quality evaluation system integrating "macro-characterization of chemical profile, synchronous quantification of multiple index components, and quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS) for key component groups". This study aims to facilitate the scientific revision of the quality standard for PR. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) characteristic chromatograms were established for 11 batches of PR medicinal materials(YZ), 10 batches of PR decoction pieces(YP), and 10 batches of licorice-processed PR decoction pieces(ZYZ), followed by similarity evaluation and identification of common peaks. HPLC-QAMS was developed for xanthones(sibiricaxanthone B, polygalaxanthone Ⅺ, polygalaxanthone Ⅲ) in the characteristic chromatograms. Simultaneously, the external standard method(ESM) was used to determine the contents of the corresponding xanthones and 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose in YZ, YP, and ZYZ, followed by multivariate statistical analysis and Spearman correlation analysis. ResultsThe similarity between the characteristic chromatograms of 31 batches of PR samples and the reference chromatogram was>0.9. A total of 13 common peaks were identified, and 10 of these peaks were characterized through reference standard comparison. The successfully constructed QAMS method showed that the relative correction factors(RCFs) of sibiricaxanthone B and polygalaxanthone Ⅺ to polygalaxanthone Ⅲ were 0.76 and 0.88, and their relative retention times(RRTs) were 0.85 and 0.97, respectively. The results calculated by the QAMS method showed no significant difference from those obtained by the ESM. According to the limit standard for polygalaxanthone Ⅲ in the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(hereinafter referred to as the Chinese Pharmacopoeia), the pass rate of 31 batches of samples was only 19.35%. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated certain compositional differences between different batches of YZ and YP, as well as between YP and ZYZ, with 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose identified as the main differentiating component. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that the content of polygalaxanthone Ⅲ was positively correlated with the contents of sibiricaxanthone B and polygalaxanthone Ⅺ, but showed no association with the content of 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose. ConclusionIt is recommended that the content limit for polygalaxanthone Ⅲ in YZ,YP and ZYZ be revised to not less than 0.07%, or the total content of polygalaxanthone Ⅲ, sibiricaxanthone B and polygalaxanthone Ⅺ be not less than 0.18%. The newly established triple quality control model of "holistic control via characteristic chromatograms, precise quantification of oligosaccharide esters, and efficient detection of xanthones by QAMS" provides a systematic and precise solution for quality evaluation of PR and similar Chinese herbal medicines.
2.The Role of MAPK in Depressive Disorder and Research on Related Drugs
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):388-403
Depressive disorder is a prevalent mental illness characterized by pronounced and enduring symptoms of depression and cognitive impairment. The escalating pressures of modern society have led to a corresponding rise in the number of depressive disorder patients, particularly those exposed to adverse social, economic, political, and environmental factors which exacerbate the risk of this disorder. The pathogenesis of depressive disorder is multifaceted, encompassing oxidative stress, neuroplasticity alterations, neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter system imbalances, and intestinal microecological disruptions, among others. Clinically, conventional antidepressants are primarily predicated on the monoamine neurotransmitter hypothesis. This theory posits that depressive disorder can be ameliorated by regulating the levels of neurotransmitters within the body through a singular mechanism. However, the complex and multifaceted pathogenesis of depressive disorder results in limited selectivity for these drugs. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a conserved serine/threonine kinase that plays a crucial role in various cellular physiological and pathological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, stress adaptation, and inflammatory response. It is instrumental in maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating cellular responses. Numerous studies indicate that MAPK is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of depressive disorder through various pathogenesis. However, what deserves attention is that the interaction between the pathogenesis and dynamics of regulatory process remains unclear. Modulating MAPK has been shown to influence the onset and progression of depressive disorder, though the precise mechanism remains elusive. Within the MAPK family, aberrant activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) can damage hippocampal neurons and overactivate microglia, precipitating depressive disorder. Excessive activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) results in heightened neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, and suppresses the expression of neurotrophic factors. p38, a key regulator in inflammatory reactions, can induce neuroinflammation when overactive, leading to depressive disorder. ERK, JNK, and p38 sub-pathways do not function in isolation but rather interact synergistically and/or antagonistically through shared activators and common target molecules. Consequently, these sub-pathways form a complementary and coordinated regulatory network. In addition, MAPK family members can jointly influence the process of depressive disorder by sharing upstream factors and regulating common downstream targets, and there is a lack of identification of their markers and screening for subgroups. The collective abnormal activities of these MAPK family members illuminate the underlying mechanisms of depressive disorder, suggesting that MAPK could serve as a potential therapeutic target for this disorder. As for the study of ERK, different models of depressive disorder have contradictory effects on its activity. The primary cause of these differences can be attributed to the distinct pathological environments utilized in the creation of depressive disorder models. In the future, it is suggested that we use the inducement of depressive disorder as a modeling standard to accurately simulate the onset of depressive disorder to carry out accurate treatment according to the causes of depressive disorder. Research shows that classic clinical drugs, novel MAPK inhibitors and certain traditional Chinese medicines can prevent and treat depressive disorder by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway. Research on MAPK remains limited, particularly concerning the permeability and cellular specificity across the blood-brain barrier and the identification of objective predictive markers. Although inhibitors face challenges, they also possess significant advantages and developmental potential. This paper systematically summarizes the current status of MAPK in the treatment of depressive disorder, in order to provide insights for researching the pathogenesis of depressive disorder and developing new antidepressant drugs.
3.The Role of MAPK in Depressive Disorder and Research on Related Drugs
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):388-403
Depressive disorder is a prevalent mental illness characterized by pronounced and enduring symptoms of depression and cognitive impairment. The escalating pressures of modern society have led to a corresponding rise in the number of depressive disorder patients, particularly those exposed to adverse social, economic, political, and environmental factors which exacerbate the risk of this disorder. The pathogenesis of depressive disorder is multifaceted, encompassing oxidative stress, neuroplasticity alterations, neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter system imbalances, and intestinal microecological disruptions, among others. Clinically, conventional antidepressants are primarily predicated on the monoamine neurotransmitter hypothesis. This theory posits that depressive disorder can be ameliorated by regulating the levels of neurotransmitters within the body through a singular mechanism. However, the complex and multifaceted pathogenesis of depressive disorder results in limited selectivity for these drugs. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a conserved serine/threonine kinase that plays a crucial role in various cellular physiological and pathological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, stress adaptation, and inflammatory response. It is instrumental in maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating cellular responses. Numerous studies indicate that MAPK is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of depressive disorder through various pathogenesis. However, what deserves attention is that the interaction between the pathogenesis and dynamics of regulatory process remains unclear. Modulating MAPK has been shown to influence the onset and progression of depressive disorder, though the precise mechanism remains elusive. Within the MAPK family, aberrant activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) can damage hippocampal neurons and overactivate microglia, precipitating depressive disorder. Excessive activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) results in heightened neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, and suppresses the expression of neurotrophic factors. p38, a key regulator in inflammatory reactions, can induce neuroinflammation when overactive, leading to depressive disorder. ERK, JNK, and p38 sub-pathways do not function in isolation but rather interact synergistically and/or antagonistically through shared activators and common target molecules. Consequently, these sub-pathways form a complementary and coordinated regulatory network. In addition, MAPK family members can jointly influence the process of depressive disorder by sharing upstream factors and regulating common downstream targets, and there is a lack of identification of their markers and screening for subgroups. The collective abnormal activities of these MAPK family members illuminate the underlying mechanisms of depressive disorder, suggesting that MAPK could serve as a potential therapeutic target for this disorder. As for the study of ERK, different models of depressive disorder have contradictory effects on its activity. The primary cause of these differences can be attributed to the distinct pathological environments utilized in the creation of depressive disorder models. In the future, it is suggested that we use the inducement of depressive disorder as a modeling standard to accurately simulate the onset of depressive disorder to carry out accurate treatment according to the causes of depressive disorder. Research shows that classic clinical drugs, novel MAPK inhibitors and certain traditional Chinese medicines can prevent and treat depressive disorder by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway. Research on MAPK remains limited, particularly concerning the permeability and cellular specificity across the blood-brain barrier and the identification of objective predictive markers. Although inhibitors face challenges, they also possess significant advantages and developmental potential. This paper systematically summarizes the current status of MAPK in the treatment of depressive disorder, in order to provide insights for researching the pathogenesis of depressive disorder and developing new antidepressant drugs.
4.Alternative Polyadenylation in Mammalian
Yu ZHANG ; Hong-Xia CHI ; Wu-Ri-Tu YANG ; Yong-Chun ZUO ; Yong-Qiang XING
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):32-49
With the rapid development of sequencing technologies, the detection of alternative polyadenylation (APA) in mammals has become more precise. APA precisely regulates gene expression by altering the length and position of the poly(A) tail, and is involved in various biological processes such as disease occurrence and embryonic development. The research on APA in mammals mainly focuses on the following aspects:(1) identifying APA based on transcriptome data and elucidating their characteristics; (2) investigating the relationship between APA and gene expression regulation to reveal its important role in life regulation;(3) exploring the intrinsic connections between APA and disease occurrence, embryonic development, differentiation, and other life processes to provide new perspectives and methods for disease diagnosis and treatment, as well as uncovering embryonic development regulatory mechanisms. In this review, the classification, mechanisms and functions of APA were elaborated in detail and the methods for APA identifying and APA data resources based on various transcriptome data were systematically summarized. Moreover, we epitomized and provided an outlook on research on APA, emphasizing the role of sequencing technologies in driving studies on APA in mammals. In the future, with the further development of sequencing technology, the regulatory mechanisms of APA in mammals will become clearer.
5.Role of autophagy in treatment of paracetamol-induced liver injury
Guojing XING ; Lifei WANG ; Longlong LUO ; Xiaofeng ZHENG ; Chun GAO ; Xiaohui YU ; Jiucong ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):389-394
N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP) is an antipyretic analgesic commonly used in clinical practice, and APAP overdose can cause severe liver injury and even death. In recent years, the incidence rate of APAP-induced liver injury (AILI) tends to increase, and it has become the second most common cause of liver transplantation worldwide. Autophagy is a highly conserved catabolic process that removes unwanted cytosolic proteins and organelles through lysosomal degradation to achieve the metabolic needs of cells themselves and the renewal of organelles. A large number of studies have shown that autophagy plays a key role in the pathophysiology of AILI, involving the mechanisms such as APAP protein conjugates, oxidative stress, JNK activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory response and apoptosis. This article elaborates on the biological mechanism of autophagy in AILI, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of AILI and the development of autophagy regulators.
6.Predicting Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer Using Urine Metabolomics via Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
Chung-Hsin CHEN ; Hsiang-Po HUANG ; Kai-Hsiung CHANG ; Ming-Shyue LEE ; Cheng-Fan LEE ; Chih-Yu LIN ; Yuan Chi LIN ; William J. HUANG ; Chun-Hou LIAO ; Chih-Chin YU ; Shiu-Dong CHUNG ; Yao-Chou TSAI ; Chia-Chang WU ; Chen-Hsun HO ; Pei-Wen HSIAO ; Yeong-Shiau PU ;
The World Journal of Men's Health 2025;43(2):376-386
Purpose:
Biomarkers predicting clinically significant prostate cancer (sPC) before biopsy are currently lacking. This study aimed to develop a non-invasive urine test to predict sPC in at-risk men using urinary metabolomic profiles.
Materials and Methods:
Urine samples from 934 at-risk subjects and 268 treatment-naïve PC patients were subjected to liquid chromatography/mass spectrophotometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics profiling using both C18 and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) column analyses. Four models were constructed (training cohort [n=647]) and validated (validation cohort [n=344]) for different purposes. Model I differentiates PC from benign cases. Models II, III, and a Gleason score model (model GS) predict sPC that is defined as National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-categorized favorable-intermediate risk group or higher (Model II), unfavorable-intermediate risk group or higher (Model III), and GS ≥7 PC (model GS), respectively. The metabolomic panels and predicting models were constructed using logistic regression and Akaike information criterion.
Results:
The best metabolomic panels from the HILIC column include 25, 27, 28 and 26 metabolites in Models I, II, III, and GS, respectively, with area under the curve (AUC) values ranging between 0.82 and 0.91 in the training cohort and between 0.77 and 0.86 in the validation cohort. The combination of the metabolomic panels and five baseline clinical factors that include serum prostate-specific antigen, age, family history of PC, previously negative biopsy, and abnormal digital rectal examination results significantly increased AUCs (range 0.88–0.91). At 90% sensitivity (validation cohort), 33%, 34%, 41%, and 36% of unnecessary biopsies were avoided in Models I, II, III, and GS, respectively. The above results were successfully validated using LC-MS with the C18 column.
Conclusions
Urinary metabolomic profiles with baseline clinical factors may accurately predict sPC in men with elevated risk before biopsy.
7.Outcomes of Deferring Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Without Physiologic Assessment for Intermediate Coronary Lesions
Jihoon KIM ; Seong-Hoon LIM ; Joo-Yong HAHN ; Jin-Ok JEONG ; Yong Hwan PARK ; Woo Jung CHUN ; Ju Hyeon OH ; Dae Kyoung CHO ; Yu Jeong CHOI ; Eul-Soon IM ; Kyung-Heon WON ; Sung Yun LEE ; Sang-Wook KIM ; Ki Hong CHOI ; Joo Myung LEE ; Taek Kyu PARK ; Jeong Hoon YANG ; Young Bin SONG ; Seung-Hyuk CHOI ; Hyeon-Cheol GWON
Korean Circulation Journal 2025;55(3):185-195
Background and Objectives:
Outcomes of deferring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without invasive physiologic assessment for intermediate coronary lesions is uncertain.We sought to compare long-term outcomes between medical treatment and PCI of intermediate lesions without invasive physiologic assessment.
Methods:
A total of 899 patients with intermediate coronary lesions between 50% and 70% diameter-stenosis were randomized to the conservative group (n=449) or the aggressive group (n=450). For intermediate lesions, PCI was performed in the aggressive group, but was deferred in the conservative group. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE, a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction [MI], or ischemia-driven any revascularization) at 3 years.
Results:
The number of treated lesions per patient was 0.8±0.9 in the conservative group and 1.7±0.9 in the aggressive group (p=0.001). At 3 years, the conservative group had a significantly higher incidence of MACE than the aggressive group (13.8% vs. 9.3%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–2.21; p=0.049), mainly driven by revascularization of target intermediate lesion (6.5% vs. 1.1%; HR, 5.69; 95% CI, 2.20–14.73;p<0.001). Between 1 and 3 years after the index procedure, compared to the aggressive group, the conservative group had significantly higher incidence of cardiac death or MI (3.2% vs.0.7%; HR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.24–15.22; p=0.022) and ischemia-driven any revascularization.
Conclusions
For intermediate lesions, medical therapy alone, guided only by angiography, was associated with a higher risk of MACE at 3 years compared with performing PCI, mainly due to increased revascularization.
8.Predictive Modeling of Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage Following Endovascular Thrombectomy: Insights From the Nationwide TREAT-AIS Registry
Jia-Hung CHEN ; I-Chang SU ; Yueh-Hsun LU ; Yi-Chen HSIEH ; Chih-Hao CHEN ; Chun-Jen LIN ; Yu-Wei CHEN ; Kuan-Hung LIN ; Pi-Shan SUNG ; Chih-Wei TANG ; Hai-Jui CHU ; Chuan-Hsiu FU ; Chao-Liang CHOU ; Cheng-Yu WEI ; Shang-Yih YAN ; Po-Lin CHEN ; Hsu-Ling YEH ; Sheng-Feng SUNG ; Hon-Man LIU ; Ching-Huang LIN ; Meng LEE ; Sung-Chun TANG ; I-Hui LEE ; Lung CHAN ; Li-Ming LIEN ; Hung-Yi CHIOU ; Jiunn-Tay LEE ; Jiann-Shing JENG ;
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(1):85-94
Background:
and Purpose Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a severe complication associated with adverse functional outcomes and increased mortality rates. Currently, a reliable predictive model for sICH risk after EVT is lacking.
Methods:
This study used data from patients aged ≥20 years who underwent EVT for anterior circulation stroke from the nationwide Taiwan Registry of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke (TREAT-AIS). A predictive model including factors associated with an increased risk of sICH after EVT was developed to differentiate between patients with and without sICH. This model was compared existing predictive models using nationwide registry data to evaluate its relative performance.
Results:
Of the 2,507 identified patients, 158 developed sICH after EVT. Factors such as diastolic blood pressure, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, platelet count, glucose level, collateral score, and successful reperfusion were associated with the risk of sICH after EVT. The TREAT-AIS score demonstrated acceptable predictive accuracy (area under the curve [AUC]=0.694), with higher scores being associated with an increased risk of sICH (odds ratio=2.01 per score increase, 95% confidence interval=1.64–2.45, P<0.001). The discriminatory capacity of the score was similar in patients with symptom onset beyond 6 hours (AUC=0.705). Compared to existing models, the TREAT-AIS score consistently exhibited superior predictive accuracy, although this difference was marginal.
Conclusions
The TREAT-AIS score outperformed existing models, and demonstrated an acceptable discriminatory capacity for distinguishing patients according to sICH risk levels. However, the differences between models were only marginal. Further research incorporating periprocedural and postprocedural factors is required to improve the predictive accuracy.
9.Parkinsonism in Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy With Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy: Clinical Features and Biomarkers
Chih-Hao CHEN ; Te-Wei WANG ; Yu-Wen CHENG ; Yung-Tsai CHU ; Mei-Fang CHENG ; Ya-Fang CHEN ; Chin-Hsien LIN ; Sung-Chun TANG
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(1):122-127
10.Early Administration of Nelonemdaz May Improve the Stroke Outcomes in Patients With Acute Stroke
Jin Soo LEE ; Ji Sung LEE ; Seong Hwan AHN ; Hyun Goo KANG ; Tae-Jin SONG ; Dong-Ick SHIN ; Hee-Joon BAE ; Chang Hun KIM ; Sung Hyuk HEO ; Jae-Kwan CHA ; Yeong Bae LEE ; Eung Gyu KIM ; Man Seok PARK ; Hee-Kwon PARK ; Jinkwon KIM ; Sungwook YU ; Heejung MO ; Sung Il SOHN ; Jee Hyun KWON ; Jae Guk KIM ; Young Seo KIM ; Jay Chol CHOI ; Yang-Ha HWANG ; Keun Hwa JUNG ; Soo-Kyoung KIM ; Woo Keun SEO ; Jung Hwa SEO ; Joonsang YOO ; Jun Young CHANG ; Mooseok PARK ; Kyu Sun YUM ; Chun San AN ; Byoung Joo GWAG ; Dennis W. CHOI ; Ji Man HONG ; Sun U. KWON ;
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(2):279-283

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