1.Ameliorative effects of Imperatae Rhizoma extract against doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury and its molecular mechanisms
Huan LUO ; Qiang WANG ; Youjun ZHU ; Chunrong TAO ; Yang MAO ; Defeng LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(12):1559-1566
OBJECTIVE To investigate the ameliorative effects of Imperatae Rhizoma (RI) extract against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced myocardial injury and its potential molecular mechanisms. METHODS Network pharmacology was employed to screen for target overlap between the predicted core targets of RI’s active components and targets associated with myocardial injury, followed by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Based on the network pharmacology results, a DOX-induced myocardial injury mouse model was established using male C57BL/6J mice to observe the effects of RI extract [1 g/(kg·d)] on the survival rate, body weight, and cardiac damage. A DOX-injured HL-1 cardiomyocyte model was established to assess the effects of different mass concentrations of RI extract (50, 100, 200 μg/mL) on mitochondrial membrane potential, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptosis, and expression of the relevant target proteins. The mechanism was validated by transfecting with small interfering RNA of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1). RESULTS A total of 58 overlapping targets were screened, which were enriched in biological processes such as hormone response and hypoxia response, as well as pathways including apoptosis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and pyruvate metabolism. Key target proteins, such as ESR1, were also identified. Animal experiments confirmed that the survival rate of mice in the DOX+RI group was obviously higher than that in the DOX group, with a slower rate of weight loss and improved pathological changes, such as cardiac atrophy and inflammatory cell infiltration, compared to the DOX group. Cell experiments showed that, compared with the DOX group, the DOX+RI groups exhibited significantly increased or upregulated mitochondrial membrane potential, relative ATP levels, and mRNA expressions of isocitrate dehydrogenase 3A (IDH3A), succinate dehydrogenase A (SDHA) and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), as well as mRNA and protein expressions of ESR1; conversely, relative ROS levels and apoptosis rates were significantly reduced ( P <0.05). Following ESR1 knockdown, the anti-apoptotic effect of the RI extract on cardiomyocytes was significantly attenuated ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS The RI extract may alleviate DOX-induced myocardial injury by activating the ESR1 signaling pathway, improving mitochondrial function, and inhibiting excessive ROS production and cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
2.Oligohydramnios caused by exposure to losartan during pregnancy
Chunrong SONG ; Qiang WEI ; Li ZHANG ; Yi XU ; Meifan DUAN
Adverse Drug Reactions Journal 2020;22(6):377-378
A 32-year-old female patient with nephrotic syndrome got pregnant during treatments with losartan potassium tablets (50 mg once daily), methylprednisolone tablets(12 mg every other day), and dipyridamole tablets(50 mg once daily). She continued these drugs during pregnancy. Ultrasonographic examination at 24 +2 weeks of gestation indicated oligohydramnios, which lasted until 32 +2 weeks of gestation. The amniotic fluid volume ranged 1.1-3.4 cm, and the amniotic fluid indexes were 1.9-6.9 cm. Losartan and methylprednisolone were discontinued, and nifedipine controlled released tablets (30 mg once daily) were given to reduce blood pressure. Amniotic fluid volume gradually increased to normal. At 34 +4 weeks of gestation, her blood pressure rose to 177/113 mmHg. Preeclampsia was diagnosed. She was treated with magnesium sulfate (IV infusion at a speed of 1 g/h), oral nifedipine controlled released tablets (60 mg once daily) and labetalol (200 mg twice daily). Then her blood pressure was 143/82 mmHg and urinary protein detection was positive (++). At 35 +3 weeks of gestation, a baby boy was delivered by cesarean section, with a body length of 43 cm and a weight of 2 200 g. Neonatal Apgar scores at 1 min and 5 min were both 10, and no birth defects were found. During the follow-up to 24 months of age, his growth and development were good, and intellectual development and physical exercise were normal.
3.Oligohydramnios caused by exposure to losartan during pregnancy
Chunrong SONG ; Qiang WEI ; Li ZHANG ; Yi XU ; Meifan DUAN
Adverse Drug Reactions Journal 2020;22(6):377-378
A 32-year-old female patient with nephrotic syndrome got pregnant during treatments with losartan potassium tablets (50 mg once daily), methylprednisolone tablets(12 mg every other day), and dipyridamole tablets(50 mg once daily). She continued these drugs during pregnancy. Ultrasonographic examination at 24 +2 weeks of gestation indicated oligohydramnios, which lasted until 32 +2 weeks of gestation. The amniotic fluid volume ranged 1.1-3.4 cm, and the amniotic fluid indexes were 1.9-6.9 cm. Losartan and methylprednisolone were discontinued, and nifedipine controlled released tablets (30 mg once daily) were given to reduce blood pressure. Amniotic fluid volume gradually increased to normal. At 34 +4 weeks of gestation, her blood pressure rose to 177/113 mmHg. Preeclampsia was diagnosed. She was treated with magnesium sulfate (IV infusion at a speed of 1 g/h), oral nifedipine controlled released tablets (60 mg once daily) and labetalol (200 mg twice daily). Then her blood pressure was 143/82 mmHg and urinary protein detection was positive (++). At 35 +3 weeks of gestation, a baby boy was delivered by cesarean section, with a body length of 43 cm and a weight of 2 200 g. Neonatal Apgar scores at 1 min and 5 min were both 10, and no birth defects were found. During the follow-up to 24 months of age, his growth and development were good, and intellectual development and physical exercise were normal.
4.Exploration on Setting up an Evaluation Norm System by Students for College Textbooks
Feng JIANG ; Xiaoni ZHONG ; Chunrong QIANG ; Zhiyong WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2005;0(06):-
A comprehensive evaluation on textbooks depends not only on experts' opinions but also on the first-hand feedback information from users.This research,based on the Evaluation Norm System issued by Education Department and the real situation of users(students),has set up an evaluation norm system by students for college textbooks.Through the test of this system,it is thought that it can reflect a basic picture of textbooks and is easy to be operated.

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