1.A simple widely applicable hairy root transformation method for gene function studies in medicinal plants.
Xue CAO ; Zhenfen QIN ; Panhui FAN ; Sifan WANG ; Xiangxiao MENG ; Huihua WAN ; Wei YANG ; Shilin CHEN ; Hui YAO ; Weiqiang CHEN ; Wei SUN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(8):4300-4305
Genetic transformation is a fundamental tool in molecular biology research of medicinal plants. Tailoring transgenic technologies to each distinct medicinal plant would necessitate a substantial investment of time and effort. Here, we present a simple hairy root transformation method that does not require sterile conditions, utilizing Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain K599 and the visible RUBY reporter system. Transgenic hairy roots were obtained for six tested medicinal plant species, roots or rhizomes of which have recognized medicinal value, spanning four botanical families and six genera (Platycodon grandiflorus, Atractylodes macrocephala, Scutellaria baicalensis, Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis). Furthermore, two previously identified Glycyrrhiza uralensis UGTs that convert liquiritigenin into liquiritin in heterologous systems were studied in planta using the method. Our results indicate that overexpression of GuUGT1 but not GuUGT10 and Cas9-mediated knockout of GuUGT1 profoundly influenced the accumulation of liquiritin and isoliquiritin in licorice roots. Therefore, the method described here represents a simple, rapid and widely applicable hairy root transformation method that enables fast gene functional study in medicinal plants.
2.TPMGD: A genomic database for the traditional medicines in Pakistan.
Rushuang XIANG ; Huihua WAN ; Wei SUN ; Baozhong DUAN ; Weiqian CHEN ; Xue CAO ; Sifan WANG ; Chi SONG ; Shilin CHEN ; Yan WANG ; Atia-Tul WAHAB ; M IQBAL CHOUDHARY ; Xiangxiao MENG
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(1):87-93
OBJECTIVE:
In Pakistan, traditional medicines are an important component of the medical system, with numerous varieties and great demands. However, due to the scattered resources and the lack of systematic collection and collation, adulteration of traditional Pakistani medicine (TPM) is common, which severely affects the safety of their medicinal use and the import and export trades. Therefore, it is urgent to systematically organize and unify the management of TPM and establish a set of standards and operable methods for the identification of TPM.
METHODS:
We collected and organized the information on 128 TPMs with regard to their medicinal parts, efficacy, usage, and genetic material, based on Pakistan Hamdard Pharmacopoeia of Eastern Medicine: Pharmaceutical Codex. The genetic information of TPM is summarized from national center for biotechnology information (NCBI) and global pharmacopoeia genome database (GPGD). Furthermore, we utilized bioinformatics technology to supplement the chloroplast genome (cp-genome) data of 12 TPMs. To build the web server, we used the Linux + Apache + MySQL + PHP (LAMP) system and constructed the webpage on a PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) model view controller (MVC) framework.
RESULTS:
We constructed a new genomic database, the traditional Pakistani medicine genomic database (TPMGD). This database comprises five entries, namely homepage, medicinal species, species identification, basic local alignment search tool (BLAST), and download. Currently, TPMGD contains basic profiles of 128 TPMs and genetic information of 102 TPMs, including 140 cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences and 119 mitochondrial genome sequences from Bombyx mori, 1 396 internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences and 1 074 intergenic region (psbA-trnH) sequences specific to 92 and 83 plant species, respectively. Additionally, TPMGD includes 199 cp-genome sequences of 82 TPMs.
CONCLUSION
TPMGD is a multifunctional database that integrates species description, functional information inquiry, genetic information storage, molecular identification of TPM, etc. The database not only provides convenience for TPM information queries but also establishes the scientific basis for the medication safety, species identification, and resource protection of TPM.
3.Lingguizhugan Decoction improves chronic heart failure by synergistically modulating ?1-AR/Gs/GRKs/?-arrestin signaling bias.
Shuting GUO ; Lei XIA ; Songru YANG ; Yueyang LIANG ; Xiaoli SHAN ; Pei ZHAO ; Wei GUO ; Chen ZHANG ; Ming XU ; Ning SUN ; Rong LU ; Huihua CHEN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(5):560-571
Lingguizhugan Decoction (LGZG) demonstrates significant efficacy in treating various cardiovascular diseases clinically, yet its precise mechanism of action remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanisms and effects of LGZG on isoproterenol (ISO) continuous stimulation-induced chronic heart failure (CHF) in mice, providing direct experimental evidence for further clinical applications. In vivo, continuous ISO infusion was administered to mice, and ventricular myocytes were utilized to explore LGZG?s potential mechanism of action on the ?1-adrenergic receptor (?1-AR)/Gs/G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs)/?-arrestin signaling deflection system in the heart. The findings reveal that LGZG significantly reduced the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of hypertrophy-related biomarkers [atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)] and improved cardiac remodeling and left ventricular diastolic function in mice with ISO-induced CHF. Furthermore, LGZG inhibited the overactivation of Gs/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling and downregulated the downstream transcriptional activity of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and the expression of the coactivator CBP/P300. Notably, LGZG downregulated the expression of ?-arrestin1 and GRK 2/3/5 while upregulating the expression of ?1-AR and ?-arrestin2. These results suggest that LGZG inhibits Gs/cAMP/PKA signaling and ?-arrestin/GRK-mediated desensitization and internalization of ?1-AR, potentially exerting cardioprotective effects through the synergistic regulation of the ?1-AR/Gs/GRKs/?-arrestin signaling deflection system via multiple pathways.
Animals
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Heart Failure/genetics*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Mice
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Male
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G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases/genetics*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Humans
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Isoproterenol
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Arrestins/genetics*
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Chronic Disease
4.Research on the Pharmacodynamic Material Basis of Kaixinsan Based on High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Mitochondrial Respiratory Function
Ruofan AN ; Zhen LI ; Jun LI ; Yanhua GAO ; Shaojing LI ; Qiman ZHANG ; Ying CHEN ; Huihua WAN ; Wei YANG
Herald of Medicine 2024;43(12):1888-1897
Objective To reveal the pharmacodynamic material basis of Kaixinsan by using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS)and the integrated analysis of"chemical component spectrum-plasma exposure component spectrum-mitochondrial function".Methods Through a review of literature,databases,and previous studies,the chemical components of ginseng,polygala,poria,and acorus were systematically cataloged.A qualitative analysis method for the chemical constituents in the aqueous extract of Kaixinsan was developed,allowing for the identification of its chemical components.A qualitative analysis for rat plasma based on HPLC-MS/MS was established,which was applied to analyze the plasma exposure component spectrum following oral administration of Kaixinsan aqueous extract in rats.Aerobic respiration was evaluated using a seahorse cell energy metabolism analyzer,and the effect of key components of Kaixinsan on mitochondrial aerobic respiration was assessed.Results Four main types of components were identified in the Kaixinsan aqueous extract,including saponins,oligosaccharide esters,xanthones,and triterpenes,comprising a total of 231 identified compounds.Analysis of rat plasma 30 minutes after gavage with Kaixinsan identified 55 compounds.The analysis revealed that ginsenoside Rg1,3,6'-disinapoylsucrose,polygalaxanthone Ⅲ and poricoic acid B could significantly enhance mitochondrial respiratory capacity using in vitro cellular assays to detect aerobic respiration of four main components entered blood.Conclusions Saponins,oligosaccharide esters,xanthones,and triterpenes may be the material basis for the pharmacological effect of Kaixinsan by improving mitochondrial function.The integrated analysis of"chemical component spectrum-plasma exposure component spectrum-mitochondrial function"provides a new approach for in-depth exploration of the material basis underlying the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine.
5.Adjuvant chemotherapy versus adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy after radical surgery for early-stage cervical cancer: a randomized, non-inferiority, multicenter trial.
Danhui WENG ; Huihua XIONG ; Changkun ZHU ; Xiaoyun WAN ; Yaxia CHEN ; Xinyu WANG ; Youzhong ZHANG ; Jie JIANG ; Xi ZHANG ; Qinglei GAO ; Gang CHEN ; Hui XING ; Changyu WANG ; Kezhen LI ; Yaheng CHEN ; Yuyan MAO ; Dongxiao HU ; Zimin PAN ; Qingqin CHEN ; Baoxia CUI ; Kun SONG ; Cunjian YI ; Guangcai PENG ; Xiaobing HAN ; Ruifang AN ; Liangsheng FAN ; Wei WANG ; Tingchuan XIONG ; Yile CHEN ; Zhenzi TANG ; Lin LI ; Xingsheng YANG ; Xiaodong CHENG ; Weiguo LU ; Hui WANG ; Beihua KONG ; Xing XIE ; Ding MA
Frontiers of Medicine 2023;17(1):93-104
We conducted a prospective study to assess the non-inferiority of adjuvant chemotherapy alone versus adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) as an alternative strategy for patients with early-stage (FIGO 2009 stage IB-IIA) cervical cancer having risk factors after surgery. The condition was assessed in terms of prognosis, adverse effects, and quality of life. This randomized trial involved nine centers across China. Eligible patients were randomized to receive adjuvant chemotherapy or CCRT after surgery. The primary end-point was progression-free survival (PFS). From December 2012 to December 2014, 337 patients were subjected to randomization. Final analysis included 329 patients, including 165 in the adjuvant chemotherapy group and 164 in the adjuvant CCRT group. The median follow-up was 72.1 months. The three-year PFS rates were both 91.9%, and the five-year OS was 90.6% versus 90.0% in adjuvant chemotherapy and CCRT groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the PFS or OS between groups. The adjusted HR for PFS was 0.854 (95% confidence interval 0.415-1.757; P = 0.667) favoring adjuvant chemotherapy, excluding the predefined non-inferiority boundary of 1.9. The chemotherapy group showed a tendency toward good quality of life. In comparison with post-operative adjuvant CCRT, adjuvant chemotherapy treatment showed non-inferior efficacy in patients with early-stage cervical cancer having pathological risk factors. Adjuvant chemotherapy alone is a favorable alternative post-operative treatment.
Female
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Humans
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Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/drug therapy*
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Prospective Studies
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Quality of Life
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Neoplasm Staging
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Chemoradiotherapy
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Chemotherapy, Adjuvant/adverse effects*
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Adjuvants, Immunologic
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*
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Retrospective Studies
6.Laparoscopic simple prostatectomy for large volume benign prostate hyperplasia: a report of 30 cases
Changjian SHI ; Bosen DU ; Jie XU ; Minglang LIAO ; Wei GAN ; Huihua JI ; Yun LIU ; Zhenglong ZHANG ; Sheng CHEN ; Tianbao WANG ; Yi GAO ; Yunfei LI
Journal of Modern Urology 2023;28(8):654-658
【Objective】 To investigate the feasibility of laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (LSP) in the treatment of large volume benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). 【Methods】 Clinical and follow-up data of 30 patients with large volume BPH treated with LSP in our hospital during Feb.2019 and Dec.2021 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent extraperitoneal LSP operation. The perioperative and 1-12 month postoperative follow-up data were analyzed. 【Results】 The average prostate volume was (92.4±38.9) mL, operation time (125±45) min, and weight of resected prostate (60.25±16.90) g. The hemoglobin decreased by (12.21±7.25) g/d after operation. No blood transfusion was needed. There was no need for bladder irrigation after operation in 21 cases (70%), and 9 cases (30%) had bladder irrigation time of (0.95±0.49) d. The postoperative catheter indwelling time was (6.92±2.51) d, and hospital stay (5.36±1.63) d. During the follow-up of (9.25±5.4) months, there was 1 case of postoperative intestinal obstruction (Clavien-Dindo grade II), 1 case of transient urinary incontinence (Clavien-Dindo grade I), and 1 case of delayed hematuria (Clavien-Dindo grade I). No urethral stricture occurred. The maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual urine volume (PVR), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL) 3 months after operation were significantly improved compared with those before operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in sexual function before and after operation (P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 LSP is safe and effective in the treatment of large volume BPH. It has advantages of complete resection of glands, minor bleeding and short postoperative bladder irrigation time. However, it still needs to be confirmed by a prospective control study of large samples.
7.Identification and Expression Analysis of PP2C Gene Family Members in Cannabis sativa
Xiaoxue CAI ; Sifan WANG ; Yaolei MI ; Huihua WAN ; Xue CAO ; Wei SUN ; Chang SU ; Shilin CHEN ; Yanqin XU ; Weiqiang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(19):162-172
ObjectiveThe type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2C) are involved in numerous plant signal transduction pathways. They mainly participate in plant stress response and regulate second metabolites biosynthesis via negatively regulating MAPK signaling pathway. Herein,we were to identify and analyze PP2C (CsPP2C) gene family from hemp genome,in hope of providing comprehensive insights for studying CsPP2C function during the development of hemp. MethodMolecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MAGA)-X was used to construct phylogenetic tree. Expert Protein Analysis System (ExPASy),WoLF PSORT,Multiple EM for Motif Elicitation (MEME),Batch Conserved Domain Search (Batch-CD-Search),PlantCare,and TBtools were used,respectively,to predict CsPP2C physicochemical properties,subcellular localization,conserved motifs,protein structure,cis-element in promoter and collinearity with Arabidopsis PP2C. Cannabis sativa transcriptome and Real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) were used to analyze and verify gene expressions,respectively. ResultFifty-two CsPP2C with conserved domains were identified from the entire genome of hemp,encoding proteins ranging from 244 to 1 089 aa in length and with molecular weights ranging from 26.76 to 122.53 kDa. Those genes were mainly distributed in the nucleus,cytoplasm and chloroplast. The 47 CsPP2C were divided into 10 subfamilies,and the remaining 5 were not clustered. Seven pairs of homologous genes between hemp and Arabidopsis thaliana were identified according to collinear analysis. The light-responsive elements and abscisic acid elements are most abundant in the prediction. The gene expression heat map showed varied expression pattern of CsPP2C in different tissues. Real-time PCR results of three CsPP2C were consistent with transcriptome data. Moreover,alternative splicing analysis showed that some CsPP2C had alternative-splicing genes during evolution. ConclusionWe predicted and analyzed CsPP2C gene family in genomic scale and showed that CsPP2C are involved in many biological processes,whereby provides foundation for CsPP2C functional study.
8.Status quo and influencing factors of knowledge, attitude and practice of standardized insulin injection at home in Shanghai community diabetic patients
Xiaoying NI ; Hui LU ; Jie XU ; Ting GAO ; Yuxin LIU ; Huihua ZHAO ; Wei LIANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2022;28(29):4046-4051
Objective:To investigate the status quo of the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of standardized insulin injection at home in Shanghai community diabetic patients and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, totally 1 947 diabetic patients who signed to be managed by 21 community health service centers in Fengxian District, Shanghai from May to October 2020 who used insulin pen injections at home were selected by continuous enrolment. They were investigated with a general information questionnaire and a questionnaire on KAP of standardized insulin injection. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of patients' KAP of standardized insulin injection at home. A total of 1 947 questionnaires were distributed, and 1 697 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 87.2%.Results:The total KAP score of insulin standard injection in the 1 697 diabetic patients was (51.01±6.81) , which was at a moderate level. Among all the items in the questionnaire, the 3 items with the lowest compliance rate were: checking the injection site every time before insulin injection (14.4%) , agreeing to put the discarded insulin needles into the capped hard-shell container (16.1%) , agreeing to and implementing insulin pen needle replacement after each use (20.6%) . Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, education, type of medical insurance, and whether they had received insulin injection guidance were the influencing factors to the KAP of standardized insulin injection at home ( P<0.01) , which accounted for 8.6% of the total variation. Conclusions:Community medical staff should pay attention to the health education of insulin injection at home for diabetic patients, improve the content and form of education based on the characteristics of the community population, thereby improving the compliance rate of injection site inspection, replacement of insulin pen needles and standardized disposal of discarded needles, further standardizing insulin injection behavior, and improving clinical outcomes such as glycemic control in patients.
9.Establishment of HPLC Fingerprint of Different Polar Parts of Zhuang Medicine Calonyction muricatum and Spectrum-effect Relationship of Its Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Effects
Jing LIN ; Jie LIANG ; Chunyan HUANG ; Jinyu WEI ; Dongfang HUANG ; Jue HU ; Jinli QI ; Huihua CHEN
China Pharmacy 2021;32(17):2079-2084
OBJECTIVE:To establish HPLC fingerprints of different polar parts of Zhuang medicine Calonyction muricatum , and to study its spectrum-effect relationship with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. METHODS :The total part ,ethyl acetate part,n-butanol part and water part of C. muricatum were prepared. HPLC fingerprints of different polar parts were established by HPLC method combined with the Similarity Evaluation System of TCM Chromatogramtic Fingerprint (2012A),and the common peaks were identified. Using writhing times and ear swelling degree in mice as analgesic and anti-inflammatory indexes ,analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of different polar parts of C. muricatum were investigated. The correlation of the common peaks of HPLC fingerprint with analgesic and anti-inflammatory indexes was analyzed by grey correlation analysis ,bivariate correlation analysis and partial least square (PLS) method. RESULTS : There were 11 common peaks for the different polar parts of C. muricatum ,and 5 components were identified by reference comparison,i.e. neochlorogenic acid (peak 3),chlorogenic acid (peak 5), cryptochlorogenic acid (peak 6), isochlorogenic acid A (peak 10),isochlorogenic acid C (peak 11). The grey correlation analysis showed that the correlation between all common peaks and analgesic and anti- inflammatory effects were greater than 0.6 (except the correlation between peak 6 and analgesic effects ),showing correlation relationship ;the correlation of peaks 3,7 and 10 with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects were all greater than 0.8,which was highly related. Bivariate correlation analysis showed that the correlation of peak 1,3,4,7,9,10,11 with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects were all greater than 0.6,showing correlation relationship. PLS method showed that peaks 1,3,4,7,9,10,11 contributed greatly to playing an analgesic and anti-inflammatory role. CONCLUSIONS :HPLC fingerprints of different polar parts of C. muricatum is established and five common peak components were identified. Neochlorogenic acid ,isochlorogenic acid A ,isochlorogenic acid C and chemical components represented by peaks 1,4,7,9 may be the pharmacodynamic substances of C. muricatum to exert analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
10.Effects of transitional care on medicine-taking compliance and insight offirst hospitalized female schizophrenic patients
Wei YUAN ; Xiaoping DING ; Zaixiang GENG ; Huihua LIU ; Hongguang CHEN
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2019;33(3):167-171
Objective:To explore the effect of transitional nursing on medicine-taking compliance and insight of first hospitalized female schizophrenic patients.Methods:Seventy female cases who met ICD-10 diagnostic criteria that were discharged after stable treatment were randomly divided into intervention group and control group, 35 cases for each group.The medicine-taking compliance of the two groups was evaluated by the Morisky medication adherence scale, and the treatment effect was evaluated by the Insight and Treatment Attitude Questionnaire (ITAQ).The follow-up period was two months after discharge with four assessment points.Results:The Morisky scores in intervention group at the end of 1 week[ (4.7±1.2) vs. (4.0±0.8) ], 2 weeks[ (5.1±1.2) vs. (3.8±1.1) ], 1 month[ (5.1±1.5) vs. (3.5±1.2) ]and 2 months[ (5.8±1.2) vs. (3.3±1.0) ]were higher than those in control group (F=52.74, P<0.001).The ITAQ scores in intervention group at the end of 1 week[ (3.4±2.1) vs. (2.9±1.4) ], 2 weeks[ (5.5±3.2) vs. (3.7±2.5) ], 1 month[ (4.6±2.7) vs. (4.5±2.7) ]and 2 months[ (6.9±3.4) vs. (3.9±2.6) ]were also higher than those in control group (F=7.12, P=0.010).Conclusion:Transitional nursing can improve the medicine-taking compliance and rehabilitation effect of first hospitalized female schizophrenic patients.

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