1.Efficacy and Mechanism of Action of Ermiao Situ Decoction in Modulating JAK/STAT Pathway in Rats with Damp-heat Eczema
Kangning HAN ; Junjie HU ; Juan LI ; Min ZHANG ; Xian ZHOU ; Songlin LIU ; Xin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):37-47
ObjectiveUltra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) coupled with network pharmacology and molecular docking was utilized to explore the efficacy and mechanism of action of Ermiao Situ decoction on rats with damp-heat eczema. MethodsA rat model of damp-heat eczema was established by artificial climate chamber intervention combined with sensitization induction by dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), and it was randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, the medium- and high-dose groups of Ermiao Situ decoction (3.40 g·kg-1 and 6.80 g·kg-1), and the prednisone acetate group (2.51 mg·kg-1), with eight rats in each group, totalling 46 rats, of which six rats were tested with the drug-containing serum. The chemical analysis of drug-containing serum from rats was carried out by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, combined with network pharmacology for the prediction of key components, core targets, and signaling pathways, and molecular docking experiments were performed by CB-Dock2 online website. The pharmacological effects of Ermiao Situ decoction in the treatment of damp-heat eczema were investigated by epitaxial indexes combined with the pathologic tissue staining method. The serum levels of gastrin (GAS), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-13 (IL-13) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), phosphorylated (p)-JAK1, signal transduction and activation of transcription factor 3 (STAT3), and p-STAT3 protein expression level was determined by Western bolt. ResultsA total of 19 active ingredients were detected in drug-containing serum samples of rats, which were predicted to act on 198 targets for the treatment of damp-heat eczema, among which the key ingredients included rhodopsin, huangpai alkaloids, and quercetin, and the main core targets included STAT3, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and IL-6, which were mainly involved in the cancer signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase (Akt) signaling pathway, T helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation signaling pathway, and JAK/STAT signaling pathway. The molecular docking results suggested that the key components had strong binding activities with the core targets IL-6, JAK1, and STAT3 in the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with those in the normal group, rats in the model group were depressed. They had loose hair, loose stools, epidermal oozing, vesiculation, and generation of thick scabs in the form of scales, decreased body weight, increased anus temperature and water intake, and increased indexes of the spleen, thymus gland, and stomach (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the lesion tissue could be seen to be hyperkeratotic, with the aggregation of inflammatory cells and nonsignificant separation of epidermis and dermis. The gastric mucosa was thinned, deficient, and structurally disorganized, and obvious inflammatory cell aggregation was seen. The levels of GAS, IL-4, and IL-13 in serum were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of IL-6, JAK1, p-JAK1, and p-STAT3 in the lesion tissue were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, rats in each administration group had stable mental states, formed feces, a clean perianal area, and basically normal epidermis. Only a small amount of scaly scabs existed, and the rats had body weight increased, with decreased anal temperature and water intake, as well as decreased spleen, thymus, and gastric indexes (P<0.05, P<0.01). Epidermal thickness was decreased, and epidermal and dermal separation boundaries were obvious, but hyperkeratotic and accumulation of inflammatory cells could still be seen. The thickness of gastric mucosa increased, and the structure was restored to varying degrees. The levels of GAS, IL-4, and IL-13 content in the serum of rats were increased to varying degrees, and the protein expression levels of IL-6, JAK1, p-JAK1, and p-STAT3 in the dermal lesion tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionErmiao Situ decoction may exert therapeutic effects on rats with damp-heat eczema by modulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.
2.Exploration of the antidepressant machanism of Shugan hewei tang based on metabolomics of PFC-NAc-VTA neural circuit
Xinyue QU ; Junjie HU ; Juan LI ; Min ZHANG ; Xian ZHOU ; Songlin LIU ; Xin CHEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(10):1172-1178
OBJECTIVE To investigate the antidepressant mechanism of Shugan hewei tang (SGHWT) based on the metabolomics of prefrontal cortex (PFC)-nucleus accumbens (NAc)-ventral tegmental area (VTA) neural circuit. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, SGHWT low-, medium- and high-dose groups [3.67, 7.34, 14.68 g/(kg·d), by raw material], and fluoxetine group [1.58 mg/(kg·d), positive control], with 12 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, the depression model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress combined with individual cage housing in the remaining groups, and the corresponding drug solution or normal saline was administered via gavage during modeling, once a day, for 6 consecutive weeks. After the last administration, the body weight, sucrose preference rate, total moving distance, frequency into the center and immobility time of rats in each group were detected. Samples of PFC, NAc and VTA areas of rats in the blank group, model group, SGHWT medium-dose group and fluoxetine positive control groups were collected,and their histomorphological features were observed, and non-targeted metabolomics analysis (except for fluoxetine group)were performed and validated. RESULTS Compared with model group, the cytolysis, structural damage and other pathological damages in three brain regions of rats were significantly alleviated in each drug group, while their body weight, sucrose preference rate, total moving distance and frequency into the center were all significantly higher or longer (P<0.05), and immobility time was significantly shorter (P<0.05). The results of non-targeted metabolomics showed that a total of 78 endogenous differential metabolites were identified, with 40, 35 and 24 in the PFC, NAc and VTA regions respectively, mainly involved in amino acid, lipid and sphingolipid metabolism. The results of metabolic pathway enrichment analysis showed that SGHWT affected the neural circuits of depressed rats by regulating sphingolipid metabolism, alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid metabolism, saturated fatty acid biosynthesis, among which alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid metabolism was predominantly involved. Validation experiments showed that SGHWT significantly increased the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B (Akt) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and decreased the protein expression of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor 1 (NMDAR1) in the NAc region of rats. CONCLUSIONS SGHWT significantly improves the depression-like behavior and attenuates pathological damage of PFC-NAc-VTA neural circuit of model rats, the mechanism of which is associated with inhibiting NMDAR1 expression and activating the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
3.Research progress in antibody drug therapy for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Yanyan SUN ; Weichen ZHAO ; Chunyuan HE ; Yimiao XIA ; Wei ZHOU ; Yuanyuan ZHEN ; Junjie JIANG ; Facai WANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(13):1677-1682
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a highly heterogeneous disease. Although standard first-line regimens can cure >50% of patients, approximately one-third of them develop relapsed/refractory DLBCL (r/r DLBCL). Consequently, immunotherapy targeting molecular abnormalities has become pivotal for managing r/r DLBCL. The results of this review show that with advances in understanding DLBCL pathogenesis and the tumor immune microenvironment, antibody-based therapies have evolved rapidly, progressing from monoclonal antibodies (e.g., rituximab, tafasitamab) to bispecific antibodies(e.g., odronextamab,glofitamab, epcoritamab) and antibody-drug conjugate (e.g., polatuzumab vedotin, loncastuximab tesirine). These engineered agents enhance immune cytotoxicity and tumor-specific targeting, providing novel therapeutic options for r/r DLBCL patients.
4.Study on Quantitative Evaluation Method of Balance Ability in Cancer Patients Based on Gait Features.
Junjie LIU ; Xu ZHOU ; Chao YU ; Qingqing CAO ; Zhiming YAO ; Wanqiu ZHANG ; Ling ZHANG ; Wanqing YAO ; Ning LIN
Chinese Journal of Medical Instrumentation 2025;49(4):369-374
The importance of gait assessment in the rehabilitation of cancer patients is gradually being recognized. However, quantitative analysis of balance ability in cancer patients is still limited. A total of 102 cancer patients meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited from Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Their balance ability was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Gait data were collected by an electronic walkway and an IMU sensor system, including spatial-temporal and kinematic gait features such as step length, cadence, support time, and range of motion. Recursive feature elimination was used for feature selection. Ridge, Elastic Net, SVR, RF, and AdaBoost models were used to predict balance ability scores. Five-fold cross-validation was used to evaluate the performance of these models. Results show that the SVR model achieves the best performance with fifteen features (RMSE=3.22, R 2=0.91), followed by Ridge (RMSE=3.63, R 2=0.89). A method for evaluating balance ability based on gait features is proposed, providing a quantitative tool for personalized rehabilitation interventions in cancer patients.
Humans
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Postural Balance
;
Neoplasms/rehabilitation*
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Gait
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Gait Analysis
;
Biomechanical Phenomena
;
Female
5.Oral submucous fibrosis: pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches.
Jianfei TANG ; Junjie LIU ; Zekun ZHOU ; Xinyan CUI ; Hua TU ; Jia JIA ; Baike CHEN ; Xiaohan DAI ; Ousheng LIU
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):8-8
Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) that causes oral mucosal tissue sclerosis, and even cancer transformation, is a chronic, progressive fibrosis disease. However, despite some advancements in recent years, no targeted antifibrotic strategies for OSF have been approved; likely because the complicated mechanisms that initiate and drive fibrosis remain to be determined. In this review, we briefly introduce the epidemiology and etiology of OSF. Then, we highlight how cell-intrinsic changes in significant structural cells can drive fibrotic response by regulating biological behaviors, secretion function, and activation of ECM-producing myofibroblasts. In addition, we also discuss the role of innate and adaptive immune cells and how they contribute to the pathogenesis of OSF. Finally, we summarize strategies to interrupt key mechanisms that cause OSF, including modulation of the ECM, inhibition of inflammation, improvement of vascular disturbance. This review will provide potential routes for developing novel anti-OSF therapeutics.
Humans
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Oral Submucous Fibrosis/immunology*
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Extracellular Matrix/metabolism*
;
Myofibroblasts
6.Liquiritin improves macrophage degradation of engulfed tumour cells by promoting the formation of phagolysosomes via NOX2/gp91phox.
Caiyi YANG ; Kehan CHEN ; Yunliang CHEN ; Xuting XIE ; Pengcheng LI ; Meng ZHAO ; Junjie LIANG ; Xueqian XIE ; Xiaoyun CHEN ; Yanping CAI ; Bo XU ; Qing WANG ; Lian ZHOU ; Xia LUO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(5):101093-101093
The incomplete degradation of tumour cells by macrophages (Mϕ) is a contributing factor to tumour progression and metastasis, and the degradation function of Mϕ is mediated through phagosomes and lysosomes. In our preliminary experiments, we found that overactivation of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) reduced the ability of Mϕ to degrade engulfed tumour cells. Above this, we screened out liquiritin from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, which can significantly inhibit NOX2 activity and inhibit tumours, to elucidate that suppressing NOX2 can enhance the ability of Mϕ to degrade tumour cells. We found that the tumour environment could activate the NOX2 activity in Mϕ phagosomes, causing Mϕ to produce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus prohibiting the formation of phagolysosomes before degradation. Conversely, inhibiting NOX2 in Mϕ by liquiritin can reduce ROS and promote phagosome-lysosome fusion, therefore improving the enzymatic degradation of tumour cells after phagocytosis, and subsequently promote T cell activity by presenting antigens. We further confirmed that liquiritin down-regulated the expression of the NOX2 specific membrane component protein gp91 phox, blocking its binding to the NOX2 cytoplasmic component proteins p67 phox and p47 phox, thereby inhibiting the activity of NOX2. This study elucidates the specific mechanism by which Mϕ cannot degrade tumour cells after phagocytosis, and indicates that liquiritin can promote the ability of Mϕ to degrade tumour cells by suppressing NOX2.
7.Creation of new glabrous and salt-tolerant rice germplasm along the Yellow River by CRISPR-Cas9-mediated editing of OsSPL10.
Qiangbing XUAN ; Huigang ZHOU ; Minglan ZHU ; Junjie WANG ; Weihong LIANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(2):706-718
The OsSPL10 gene has previously been reported to positively regulate trichome development and negatively regulate salt and drought stress tolerance in rice. However, it is not clear whether this gene can be used for gene editing to create new germplasm of glabrous leaf and salt-tolerant rice. In this study, we created six rice mutants by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of OsSPL10 from 'Xinfeng 2', 'Xinkedao 31', and 'Xindao 25', the main rice cultivars along the Yellow River. Visual observation and scanning electron microscopy verified that the mutants lacked trichomes on the leaves and glumes, and the expression of glabrous marker genes OsHL6, OsGL6, and OsWOX3B in mutants was down-regulated compared with that in the wild type. The net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate of flag leaves in the mutants were significantly higher than those in the wild type. In addition, the survival rates of the mutants were much higher than that of the wild type after 7 days of treatment with 200 mmol/L NaCl. The results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) further verified that compared with the wild type, the mutants demonstrated down-regulated expression of the salt stress-related gene OsGASR1 and up-regulated expression of OsNHX2 and OsIDS1. Statistical analysis of agronomic traits showed that the mutants had increased plant height and no significant changes in yield-related traits compared with the wild type. The six spl10 mutants created in this study not only had glabrous leaves and glumes but also demonstrated enhanced tolerance to salt stress, serving as new germplasm resources for directional breeding of rice along the Yellow River.
Oryza/physiology*
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CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics*
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Salt Tolerance/genetics*
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Gene Editing/methods*
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Plant Proteins/genetics*
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Rivers
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Plant Leaves/genetics*
;
Mutation
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Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics*
;
China
8.BRAF V600E mutation and clinicopathologic analysis of papillary thyroid carcinoma in Air Force flight peronnel
Guangxin ZHOU ; Li XIAO ; Huijuan ZHU ; Junjie DU ; Li CUI ; Guoli GU ; Haojun GUAN ; Yukun TAO ; Huijing ZHU ; Jinzheng HOU ; Da ZHANG
Military Medical Sciences 2024;48(11):838-842
Objective To investigate the characteristics and clinicopathology of v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog Bl(BRAF)V600E mutations in papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)in Air Force flight personnel.Methods Data of cases and test results of BRAF V600E mutation were collected from Air Force aviators pathologically diagnosed with PTC.A univariate analysis of the relationship between BRAF V600E mutations and clinicopathologic features was performed.Results The overall rate of BRAF V600E mutations among 55 PTC flight crew members was 70.91%.The univariate analysis showed that the number of lymph node metastases in the BRAF V600E mutated group was larger than in the BRAF V600E unmutated group,and the proportion of BRAF V600E mutations in flight crews at intermediate risk of recurrence was higher than that in those at low risk of recurrence(P<0.05).The presence or absence of BRAF V600E mutations did not affect the results of medical evaluation of PTC in flight personnel.Conclusion The rate of PTC BRAF V600E mutations in Air Force flight crews is similar to that of the general Chinese population.BRAF V600E mutations are associated with an increased number of lymph node metastases and risk of recurrence,and follow-up is recommended for flight personnel with PTC,especially those with BRAF V600E mutations.
9.Paeoniflorin ameliorates chronic colitis via the DR3 signaling pathway in group 3 innate lymphoid cells
Huang SHAOWEI ; Xie XUEQIAN ; Xu BO ; Pan ZENGFENG ; Liang JUNJIE ; Zhang MEILING ; Pan SIMIN ; Wang XIAOJING ; Zhao MENG ; Wang QING ; Chen JINYAN ; Li YANYANG ; Zhou LIAN ; Luo XIA
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(6):889-901
Inhibiting the death receptor 3(DR3)signaling pathway in group 3 innate lymphoid cells(ILC3s)pre-sents a promising approach for promoting mucosal repair in individuals with ulcerative colitis(UC).Paeoniflorin,a prominent component of Paeonia lactiflora Pall.,has demonstrated the ability to restore barrier function in UC mice,but the precise mechanism remains unclear.In this study,we aimed to delve into whether paeoniflorin may promote intestinal mucosal repair in chronic colitis by inhibiting DR3 signaling in ILC3s.C57BL/6 mice were subjected to random allocation into 7 distinct groups,namely the control group,the 2%dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)group,the paeoniflorin groups(25,50,and 100 mg/kg),the anti-tumor necrosis factor-like ligand 1A(anti-TL1A)antibody group,and the IgG group.We detected the expression of DR3 signaling pathway proteins and the proportion of ILC3s in the mouse colon using Western blot and flow cytometry,respectively.Meanwhile,DR3-overexpressing MNK-3 cells and 2% DSS-induced Rag1-/-mice were used for verification.The results showed that paeoniflorin alleviated DSS-induced chronic colitis and repaired the intestinal mucosal barrier.Simultaneously,paeoniflorin inhibited the DR3 signaling pathway in ILC3s and regulated the content of cytokines(interleukin-17A,granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor,and interleukin-22).Alternatively,paeoniflorin directly inhibited the DR3 signaling pathway in ILC3s to repair mucosal damage indepen-dently of the adaptive immune system.We additionally confirmed that paeoniflorin-conditioned me-dium(CM)restored the expression of tight junctions in Caco-2 cells via coculture.In conclusion,paeoniflorin ameliorates chronic colitis by enhancing the intestinal barrier in an ILC3-dependent manner,and its mechanism is associated with the inhibition of the DR3 signaling pathway.
10.Clinical effects of parallel combined flow-through perforator flaps in the treatment of circular hot crush injuries in limbs with blood supply disorder
Shuping ZHOU ; Shimin LI ; Yingguang SHI ; Liwu ZHENG ; Chaonan CHANG ; Junjie CHEN ; Huanpeng WANG ; Ke SUN ; Xiuhuan WANG ; Linbo LIU
Chinese Journal of Burns 2024;40(7):665-672
Objective:To explore the clinical effects of parallel combined flow-through perforator flaps in the treatment of circular hot crush injuries in limbs with blood supply disorder.Methods:The study was a retrospective observational study. From April 2016 to December 2022, 4 cases with circular hot crush injuries in limbs with blood supply disorder were admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of the 988 th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, including 3 males and 1 female, aged from 24 to 48 years. Among them, 2 cases were injured in the calf and 2 cases were injured in the forearm. After emergency debridement, the area of skin and soft tissue defects was from 20 cm×20 cm to 44 cm×20 cm. The patients had defects in tibialis anterior and posterior tibial arteries with a length of 13 to 18 cm, and in ulnar and radial arteries with a length of 9 to 12 cm. Flaps were designed and cut, including a flow-through anterolateral thigh perforator flap with area of 20 cm×9 cm to 24 cm×21 cm carrying the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and the accompanying veins of 8 to 18 cm in length; and a flow-through posterior tibial artery perforator flap with area of 21 cm×13 cm and 20 cm×14 cm carrying the posterior tibial artery, the accompanying veins with a length of 14 and 17 cm respectively, and the great saphenous vein with a length of 22 and 21 cm. The circular hot crush injury wounds in the calf with blood supply disorder were repaired by a parallel combination of flow-through posterior tibial artery perforator flap and flow-through anterolateral thigh perforator flap, and the circular hot crush injury wounds in the forearm with blood supply disorder were repaired by a parallel combination of bilateral flow-through anterolateral thigh perforator flap, and the injured main vessels were reconstructed. The donor site wounds of flap were closed directly or treated with split-thickness skin grafts from abdomen. After surgery, the blood supply and survival of the flap and distal affected limb, the healing of wounds in the donor and recipient sites, the survival of the skin graft in the flap donor site were observed. During follow-up, the condition of flaps, the appearance, blood supply, and function of affected limbs were observed. At the last follow-up, the foot and ankle functions were evaluated according to the scoring standards of American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Association, and the wrist and hand function was evaluated according to the trial standard of replantation of amputated upper limb function assessment of the Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association. Results:The flaps and distal affected limbs of 4 patients had good blood circulation and successfully survived after surgery. The wounds of 3 cases successfully healed, while one patient with circular hot crush injury in the forearm experienced exudation in the recipient site in the later stage, and the wound healed after re-expansion and suturing. The donor site wounds healed smoothly, and the skin grafts successfully survived. During follow-up of 12 to 24 months after surgery, the flaps were slightly swollen, the limbs had good appearance, normal blood circulation, and fine functional recovery. At the last follow-up, the foot and ankle function of 2 patients with circular hot crush injuries in the calf was evaluated as good in 1 case and commonly in 1 case; the wrist and hand function of 2 patients with circular hot crush injuries in the forearm was evaluated as excellent in 1 case and good in 1 case.Conclusions:The parallel combined flow-through perforator flap can reconstruct the damaged main blood vessels and repair the wound at the same time. It can not only effectively save the limb, but also restore part of the function of the affected limb. It is one of the effective methods to treat the circular hot crush injuries in limbs with blood supply disorder.

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