1.Research progress of traditional Chinese medicine regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to promote chronic wound healing
Zhenhui ZHU ; Zhi LI ; Yu LENG ; Tao CAI ; Xuefa SHEN ; Xianxue XIANG ; Yongxin HUANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(8):1019-1024
The pathogenesis of chronic wound healing is complex. It is often difficult to heal due to a long course of disease, difficulty in treatment, and it seriously affects the quality of life in patients. The active ingredients, couplet medicinals, and compound formulas of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possess unique advantages in the treatment of chronic wound healing. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway is extremely critical in the treatment of chronic wound healing by regulating a series of biological processes, including cell apoptosis, angiogenesis, and inflammatory responses. This article reviews the relevant research on the regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by TCM to promote chronic wound healing. It has been found that the active ingredients of TCM (such as geniposide, astragaloside, and ginsenosides, etc.), and compound formulas (such as Chonghe ointment, Huanglian ointment, Shirun shaoshang ointment, etc.) mainly reduce inflammatory responses, promote angiogenesis, regulate cell autophagy, and accelerate wound healing by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway; at the same time, there are also a few couplet medicinals( such as Huangqi-Honghua) and compound formulas (such as Xiangpi Shengji ointment) that exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting this signaling pathway, to promote wound healing.
2.Proteomics and Network Pharmacology Reveal Mechanism of Xiaoer Huatan Zhike Granules in Treating Allergic Cough
Youqi DU ; Yini XU ; Jiajia LIAO ; Chaowen LONG ; Shidie TAI ; Youwen DU ; Song LI ; Shiquan GAN ; Xiangchun SHEN ; Ling TAO ; Shuying YANG ; Lingyun FU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):69-79
ObjectiveTo explore the pharmacological mechanism involved in the treatment of allergic cough (AC) by Xiaoer Huatan Zhike granules (XEHT) based on proteomics and network pharmacology. MethodsAfter sensitization by intraperitoneal injection of 1 mL suspension containing 2 mg ovalbumin (OVA) and 100 mg aluminum hydroxide, a guinea pig model of allergic cough was constructed by nebulization with 1% OVA. The modeled guinea pigs were randomized into the model, low-, medium- and high-dose (1, 5, 20 g·kg-1, respectively) XEHT, and sodium montelukast (1 mg·kg-1) groups (n=6), and another 6 guinea pigs were selected as the blank group. The guinea pigs in drug administration groups were administrated with the corresponding drugs by gavage, and those in the blank and model groups received the same volume of normal saline by gavage, 1 time·d-1. After 10 consecutive days of drug administration, the guinea pigs were stimulated by 1% OVA nebulization, and the coughs were observed. The pathological changes in the lung tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the serum. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to observe the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in the lung tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was employed observe the alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cell ultrastructure. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of IL-6, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and TNF-α in the lung tissue. Label-free proteomics was used to detect the differential proteins among groups. Network pharmacology was used to predict the targets of XEHT in treating AC. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis was performed to search for the same pathways from the results of proteomics and network pharmacology. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed increased coughs (P<0.01), elevated levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and MDA and lowered level of SOD in the BALF (P<0.05, P<0.01), elevated levels of IgA and IgG in the serum (P<0.05, P<0.01), congestion of the lung tissue and infiltration of inflammatory cells, increased expression of IL-6 and TNF-α (P<0.01), large areas of low electron density edema in type Ⅱ epithelial cells, obvious swelling and vacuolization of the organelles, karyopyknosis or sparse and dissolved chromatin, and up-regulated mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the drug administration groups showed reduced coughs (P<0.01), lowered levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and MDA and elevated level of SOD in the BALF (P<0.05, P<0.01), alleviated lung tissue congestion, inflammatory cell infiltration, and type Ⅱ epithelial cell injury, and decreased expression of IL-6 and TNF-α (P<0.01). In addition, the medium-dose XEHT group and the montelukast sodium group showcased lowered serum levels of IgA and IgG (P<0.05, P<0.01). The medium- and high-dose XEHT groups and the montelukast sodium showed down-regulated mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α and the low-dose XEHT group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of IL-6 and TNF-α (P<0.05, P<0.01). Phospholipase D, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and epidermal growth factor receptor family of receptor tyrosine kinase (ErbB) signaling pathways were the common pathways predicted by both proteomics and network pharmacology. ConclusionProteomics combined with network pharmacology reveal that XEHT can ameliorate AC by regulating the phospholipase D, mTOR, and ErbB signaling pathways.
3.Research Progress on PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors in Treatment of Advanced, Relapsed, and Refractory NK/T-cell Lymphoma
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(8):705-710
Extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is a rare subtype of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) with strong invasiveness. Although the chemotherapy regimen based on asparaginase is the standard treatment for advanced patients, the prognosis needs to be improved. Moreover, treatment options are limited for recurrent or refractory patients who have failed chemotherapy. In recent years, the research progress of the programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint inhibitor has provided a new perspective for ENKTL treatment. This article summarizes the role of PD-1/PD-L1 in the pathogenesis of ENKTL and the regulatory factors of PD-L1 expression. It also explores the differences in the PD-1/PD-L1 expression in ENKTL of different molecular typing systems as well as the application prospects of their inhibitors in the treatment of ENKTL.
4.MAUP Effect on Spatial Pattern of Pseudostellaria heterophylla Production Regions in China
Leting ZHANG ; Tao ZHOU ; Chengdong XU ; Zhixian JING ; Chenghong XIAO ; Hui WANG ; Tingting SHI ; Jiawei HUANG ; Xiaobo ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):183-191
ObjectiveTo investigate the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) in the spatial pattern of Pseudostellaria heterophylla production regions and reveal the impact of statistical scales on the spatial distribution characteristics of this medicinal plant species. MethodsUsing multi-source data (literature records, field surveys, and statistical data), we systematically analyzed the spatial patterns across three administrative levels (provincial, prefectural, and county scales). Spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I) analysis, high-low clustering (Getis-Ord General G), and hot/cold spot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi*) were employed. ResultsThe literature-based analysis showed that the production regions of P. heterophylla presented random distribution on the provincial scale and significant aggregation on the prefectural scale. The field survey data showed that the production regions displayed random distribution on the provincial scale but significant aggregation on both prefectural and county scales. The statistical data revealed that the production regions lacked spatial autocorrelation on the provincial scale but demonstrated significant aggregation on prefectural and county scales. ConclusionMAUP effects have substantive implications for understanding and decision-making in the arrangement of medicinal plant production regions. The county scale proves to be the most sensitive and explanatory level for analyzing the spatial pattern of P. heterophylla production regions, providing a critical foundation for habitat modeling, suitability evaluation, and ecological cultivation planning of medicinal plants.
5.Tenecteplase versus alteplase in treatment of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: A randomized non-inferiority trial
Xingshan ZHAO ; Yidan ZHU ; Zheng ZHANG ; Guizhou TAO ; Haiyan XU ; Guanchang CHENG ; Wen GAO ; Liping MA ; Liping QI ; Xiaoyan YAN ; Haibo WANG ; Qingde XIA ; Yuwang YANG ; Wanke LI ; Juwen RONG ; Limei WANG ; Yutian DING ; Qiang GUO ; Wanjun DANG ; Chen YAO ; Qin YANG ; Runlin GAO ; Yangfeng WU ; Shubin QIAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(3):312-319
Background::A phase II trial on recombinant human tenecteplase tissue-type plasminogen activator (rhTNK-tPA) has previously shown its preliminary efficacy in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. This study was designed as a pivotal postmarketing trial to compare its efficacy and safety with rrecombinant human tissue-type plasminogen activator alteplase (rt-PA) in Chinese patients with STEMI.Methods::In this multicenter, randomized, open-label, non-inferiority trial, patients with acute STEMI were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive an intravenous bolus of 16 mg rhTNK-tPA or an intravenous bolus of 8 mg rt-PA followed by an infusion of 42 mg in 90 min. The primary endpoint was recanalization defined by thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade 2 or 3. The secondary endpoint was clinically justified recanalization. Other endpoints included 30-day major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) and safety endpoints.Results::From July 2016 to September 2019, 767 eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive rhTNK-tPA ( n = 384) or rt-PA ( n = 383). Among them, 369 patients had coronary angiography data on TIMI flow, and 711 patients had data on clinically justified recanalization. Both used a –15% difference as the non-inferiority efficacy margin. In comparison to rt-PA, both the proportion of patients with TIMI grade 2 or 3 flow (78.3% [148/189] vs. 81.7% [147/180]; differences: –3.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: –11.5%, 4.8%) and clinically justified recanalization (85.4% [305/357] vs. 85.9% [304/354]; difference: –0.5%; 95% CI: –5.6%, 4.7%) in the rhTNK-tPA group were non-inferior. The occurrence of 30-day MACCEs (10.2% [39/384] vs. 11.0% [42/383]; hazard ratio: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.61, 1.50) did not differ significantly between groups. No safety outcomes significantly differed between groups. Conclusion::rhTNK-tPA was non-inferior to rt-PA in the effect of improving recanalization of the infarct-related artery, a validated surrogate of clinical outcomes, among Chinese patients with acute STEMI.Trial registration::www.ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT02835534).
6.Small molecule deoxynyboquinone triggers alkylation and ubiquitination of Keap1 at Cys489 on Kelch domain for Nrf2 activation and inflammatory therapy
Linghu KE-GANG ; Zhang TIAN ; Zhang GUANG-TAO ; Lv PENG ; Zhang WEN-JUN ; Zhao GUAN-DING ; Xiong SHI-HANG ; Ma QIU-SHUO ; Zhao MING-MING ; Chen MEIWAN ; Hu YUAN-JIA ; Zhang CHANG-SHENG ; Yu HUA
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(3):401-415
Activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)by Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1)alkylation plays a central role in anti-inflammatory therapy.However,activators of Nrf2 through alkylation of Keap1-Kelch domain have not been identified.Deoxynyboquinone(DNQ)is a natural small molecule discovered from marine actinomycetes.The current study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and molecular mechanisms of DNQ via alkylation of Keap1.DNQ exhibited signif-icant anti-inflammatory properties both in vitro and in vivo.The pharmacophore responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of DNQ was determined to be the α,β-unsaturated amides moieties by a chemical reaction between DNQ and N-acetylcysteine.DNQ exerted anti-inflammatory effects through activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway.Keap1 was demonstrated to be the direct target of DNQ and bound with DNQ through conjugate addition reaction involving alkylation.The specific alkylation site of DNQ on Keap1 for Nrf2 activation was elucidated with a synthesized probe in conjunction with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.DNQ triggered the ubiquitination and subsequent degra-dation of Keap1 by alkylation of the cysteine residue 489(Cys489)on Keap1-Kelch domain,ultimately enabling the activation of Nrf2.Our findings revealed that DNQ exhibited potent anti-inflammatory capacity through α,β-unsaturated amides moieties active group which specifically activated Nrf2 signal pathway via alkylation/ubiquitination of Keap1-Kelch domain,suggesting the potential values of targeting Cys489 on Keap1-Kelch domain by DNQ-like small molecules in inflammatory therapies.
7.In Vitro and in Vivo Evaluation of Scutellarin-phospholipid Complex Nanoemulsion and Analysis of Its Activity in Ameliorating LPS-induced Vascular Endothelial Injury
Tian LUO ; Zhiyong HE ; Xiangjun MAO ; Xue LIU ; Jinggang HE ; Yuan ZHI ; Xiangchun SHEN ; Qianli XU ; Ling TAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(10):159-168
ObjectiveTo evaluate some properties of scutellarin-phospholipid complex nanoemulsion(SCU-PC-NE), such as release, cell uptake and tissue distribution, and to investigate its effect on ameliorating lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced vascular endothelial injury. MethodSCU-PC-NE was prepared by weighting SCU-PC, ethyl oleate, Kolliphor HS15, 1,2-propylene glycol(50, 400, 514.3, 85.7 mg), respectively. And the appearance of SCU-PC-NE was observed by transmission electron microscope, the average paticle size and Zeta potential were measured by nanopotential particle size analyzer. The cumulative release of SCU-PC-NE in vitro was measured by dynamic dialysis, thiazolyl blue(MTT) colorimetric assay was used to investigate the effect of SCU-PC-NE on the viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs), the inverted fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry were used to investigate cell uptake of HUVECs by SCU-PC-NE in vitro using coumarin 6 as a fluorescent probe, the tissue distribution of DiR/SCU-PC-NE labeled by near infrared fluorescent dyes was obeserved by small animal in vivo imaging system. The inflammation injury model was established by co-incubation with LPS(1 mg·L-1) and HUVECs, the effect of SCU-PC-NE on the levels of interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-6 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), 18 Kunming male mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, blank preparation group(equivalent to high dose group), SCU group and SCU-PC-NE low and high dose groups(5, 10 mg·kg-1), 3 mice in each group, and the drug administration groups were administered once in the tail vein at the corresponding dose every 48 h, equal volume of normal saline was given to the blank group and the model group, and the drug was administered for 4 consecutive times. Except for the blank group, the endothelial inflammatory injury was induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS(10 mg·kg-1) at 12 h before the last administration in each group. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to investigate the effect of SCU-PC-NE on the histopathological changes in the thoracic aorta of mice. ResultThe appearance of SCU-PC-NE displayed pale yellow milky light, mostly spherical with rounded appearance and relatively uniform particle size distribution, with the average particle size of 35.31 nm, Zeta potential of 7.23 mV, and the encapsulation efficiency of 75.24%. The cumulative release in vitro showed that SCU-PC-NE exhibited sustained release properties compared with SCU. The cell viability of SCU-PC-NE was >90% at a concentration range of 1.05-8.4 mg·L-1. The results of cellular uptake experiments showed that the cellular uptake ability of SCU-PC-NE was significantly enhanced when compared with the SCU group(P<0.01). Compared with normal mice, the results of tissue distribution showed that the fluorescence intensity of DiR/SCU-PC-NE was significantly enhanced in the spleen, kidney, brain and thoracic aorta of mice at different time points after intraperitoneal injection of LPS(P<0.05, P<0.01), especially in thoracic aorta. ELISA results showed that the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in the model group were significantly increased when compared with the blank group(P<0.05, P<0.01), and compare with the model group, all administration groups significantly down-regulated IL-1β level, with the strongest effect in the SCU-PC-NE high-dose group(P<0.01), and all administration groups significantly down-regulated IL-6 level, with the strongest effect in the SCU-PC-NE low-dose group(P<0.05). Compare with the blank group, the results of HE staining showed that the endothelial cells were damaged, the elastic fibers were broken and arranged loosely in the model group, although similar vascular injury could be observed in the blank preparation group, SCU group and SCU-PC-NE low-dose group, the vascular endothelial damage was significantly reduced in the high-dose group of SCU-PC-NE, which had a better effect than that in the SCU group. ConclusionSCU-PC-NE can promote the uptake of drugs by endothelial cells and effectively enriched in the site of vascular endothelial injury caused by LPS, suggesting that it has a protective effect on vascular endothelial injury and is a good carrier of SCU.
8.Effects of methimazole on urinary metabolomics in hyperthyroidism rats
Xu LU ; Ling LI ; Tao YE ; Youfeng PENG ; Jiaxin HE ; Ning ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(9):1064-1069
OBJECTIVE To study the effects of methimazole on the urinary metabolomics of hyperthyroidism rats, and to preliminarily investigate its possible mechanism. METHODS Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and methimazole group, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the control group, the rats in the other two groups were given Levothyroxine sodium tablets 160 mg/kg by intragastric administration for 15 days; at the same time, methimazole group was additionally given methimazole 3.6 mg/kg daily by intragastric administration every day. The basic condition of the rats was observed, and the body weight and anal temperature were measured. After the last medication, the serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine (T4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free tetraiodothyronine (FT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were determined; 24-hour urine was collected on the 15th day after administration. UPLC-TOF-MS was used to analyze the urine metabolomics of rats. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis were used to screen out related differential metabolites, and potential metabolic pathways were analyzed by using HMDB and KEGG. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the rectal temperature, serum levels of T3, T4, FT3 and FT4, the expressions of differential metabolites sebacic acid, cholic acid 3-O-glucuronic acid and N6, N6, N6-trimethyl-L-lysine in urine were significantly up-regulated, while body weight, serum level of TSH, the expressions of deoxycytidine and 2-oxo-4-methylthiobutanoic acid in urine were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with model group, above indexes of rats were reversed significantly in methimazole group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Above five differential metabolites were mainly involved in four signaling pathways: pentose and glucuronate interaction, lysine degradation, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism. CONCLUSIONS Methimazole might improve hyperthyroidism by modulating the four pathways of pentose and glucuronate interaction, lysine degradation, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism.
9.Comprehensive evaluation of the quality of Houttuynia cordata from different producing areas
Niting WEN ; Changgui YANG ; Tao ZHOU ; Chuanzhi KANG ; Dan ZHAO ; Sheng WANG ; Weike JIANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(4):425-429
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the comprehensive quality of Houttuynia cordata from different producing areas. METHODS Using total flavonoids, water-soluble extract, moisture, total ash and acid-insoluble ash as indicators, the entropy weight method was used to objectively weigh each indicator, and the relative correlation degree (r)i calculated by grey correlation method was used as a measure to comprehensively evaluate the quality of H. cordata. RESULTS The weights of total flavonoids, total ash, moisture, acid-insoluble ash, and water-soluble extract were 0.295 5, 0.227 3, 0.188 7, 0.145 1, and 0.143 4, respectively. The weights of total flavonoids and total ash were relatively large. The ri of 30 batches of H. cordata ranged from 0.233 2 to 0.673 9; the average ri of samples from Quanzhou County and Ziyuan County of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region were the highest, which were 0.638 3 and 0.598 7, respectively, followed by samples from Lingchuan County of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (0.556 1) and Jianshui County of Yunnan Province (0.452 8). The quality of medicinal materials produced in the above producing areas was generally good and stable. CONCLUSIONS Entropy weight method combined with the grey correlation method can be used to comprehensively evaluate the quality of H. cordata. The overall quality of H. cordata produced in Quanzhou County of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is the best.
10.Herbal Textual Research on Bletillae Rhizoma in Famous Classical Formulas
Dan ZHAO ; Tao ZHOU ; Chaolei LUO ; Dewei GAN ; Lingling LIU ; Chuanzhi KANG ; Zhikun WU ; Xu LI ; Yan FU ; Guoqiong CAO ; Yongping ZHANG ; Chenghong XIAO ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(4):77-88
In order to provide basic information for the utilization and development of famous classical formulas containing Bletillae Rhizoma, this article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name, origin, harvesting and processing of Bletillae Rhizoma by reviewing the ancient materia medica, prescription books, medical books and modern literature. The research results showed that Baiji(白及) was the main name, some scholars took Baiji(白芨) as its main name, and there were many other names such as Baiji(白给), Baigen(白根), Baiji(白苙). The mainstream source of Bletillae Rhizoma was the tubers of Bletilla striata, and drying, large, white, solid, root-free and skin removed completely were the good quality standards. With the promotion of wild to cultivated medicinal materials, there were certain differences between their traits, and the quality evaluation indexes should be adjusted accordingly. The origin of records in the past dynasties was widely distributed, with Guizhou and Sichuan having high production and good quality in modern times. The harvesting period is mostly in spring and autumn, and harvested in autumn was better. The processing and processing technology is relatively simple, and it was used fresh or powdered in past dynasties, while it is mainly sliced for raw use in modern times. Based on the results, it is suggested that the tubers of Bletilla striata of Orchidaceae should be used in the famous classical formulas, and it should be uniformly written as Baiji(白及). And if the original formula indicates the requirement of processing, it should be operated according to the requirement, if the requirement of processing is not indicated, it can be used in raw form as medicine.

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