1.Key Issues and Research Ideas of Traditional Chinese Medicine Anti-aging Guided by Essence-Qi-spirit Theory of Qiluo Doctrine
Peipei JIN ; Liping CHANG ; Cong WEI ; Mengnan LI ; Hui QI ; Hongrong LI ; Yunlong HOU ; Zhenhua JIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):240-246
Aging has emerged as a cutting edge and hotspot in global life science field, with anti-aging and geriatric disease prevention and treatment becoming critical issues urgently demanding solutions in international medical communities. In the face of the challenge of accelerating global population aging, in-depth exploration of aging mechanisms and the development of effective intervention strategies hold significant scientific and clinical value. This study supported by the national key research and development program of China, employed the essence-Qi-spirit theory of Qiluo doctrine as its guiding framework, focusing on the key scientific issue of the core traditional Chinese pathogenesis of aging, namely "depletion of kidney essence, deficiency of primordial Qi, and impairment of body and spirit". The treatment principle of "tonifying the kidney to replenish essence, harmonizing Yin and Yang, warming and invigorating primordial Qi, and nourishing the body and spirit" was established. Centered on holistic aging, systemic aging, and aging-related diseases, the research integrated multidisciplinary research approaches to construct multi-modal aging models and a multi-dimensional evaluation system, and it utilized multi-omics technologies to deeply analyze aging mechanisms. By systematically reviewing historical kidney-tonifying and anti-aging formulas and combining big data with artificial intelligence technologies, an information database of anti-aging traditional Chinese medicine substance was developed to reveal the differences and synergistic effects of various treatment methods and formulas on anti-aging. Based on this treatment method, the research integrated two millennia of kidney-tonifying medicinal experience to develop the innovative anti-aging traditional Chinese medicine, namely Bazhi Bushen capsules. It was validated that this capsule can delay holistic and systemic aging through multiple targets and mechanisms, thereby elucidating the scientific connotation of the essence-Qi-spirit theory of Qiluo doctrine in guiding anti-aging research from multiple dimensions and providing robust support for leveraging the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine to occupy the commanding heights of international anti-aging research.
2.Correlation between beverage dependence and sleep quality among college students
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(8):1125-1129
Objective:
To explore the relationship between beverage dependence and sleep quality among college students, providing empirical evidence for improving their sleep quality.
Methods:
From December 2024 to January 2025, a convenience sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey among 3 974 college students from four universities in Anhui Province. The Beverage Addiction Scale for College Students (BASCS) was used to assess beverage dependence, and the Self rating Scale of Sleep(SRSS) was used to evaluate sleep quality. A multivariate Logistic regression model was employed to analyze the relationship between beverage dependence and sleep quality, and a restricted cubic spline model was used to examine the dose response relationship between the two.
Results:
The positive rate of beverage dependence symptoms among college students was 7.6%, with positive rates of 9.6%, 13.8%, and 7.4% for the withdrawal symptoms, health effects, and dependence symptoms dimensions, respectively. The detection rate of sleep disorders was 23.6%. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for covariates such as grade, gender, and body mass index, compared with the no beverage dependence group, students with positive beverage dependence symptoms had a higher risk of sleep disorders( OR =3.71, 95% CI =2.87-4.80, P <0.01). The OR (95% CI ) for sleep disorders among students with positive symptoms in the withdrawal symptoms, health effects, and dependence symptoms dimensions were 2.80(2.22-3.53), 2.38(1.95-2.91), and 2.45(1.89-3.18)(all P <0.01). Further analysis using a restricted cubic spline model revealed that the overall beverage dependence score and its three dimensional scores were approximately linearly related to the risk of sleep disorders among college students (all nonlinear P >0.05).
Conclusions
Beverage dependence is associated with sleep quality among college students. Schools should take multiple approaches, such as health education on beverage awareness, to improve students sleep quality.
3.Therapeutic effects and mechanisms of M2 macrophage exosome spray on pressure injuries
Xiang YU ; Peipei JIA ; Xinying LI ; Junjun YANG ; Gaofeng GUO ; Lianfang LU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(9):436-442
Objective To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of a spray prepared from exosomes derived from M2 macrophages induced by interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tantalum particles (Ta) on the healing of pressure ulcers. Methods Bone marrow-derived macrophages were polarized into M2 macrophages using IL-4 or Ta, and exosomes (Exo-IL-4/Exo-Ta) were extracted. The regulatory effects of Exo-IL-4/Exo-Ta on M1 macrophage phenotypes and fibroblast matrix secretion were evaluated in vitro. Proteomic analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes and regulatory networks associated with Exo-Ta. A rat pressure ulcer model was used to assess the effects of Exo-IL-4/Exo-Ta spray on wound healing rate, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen deposition. Results In vitro, Exo-IL-4/Exo-Ta induced the polarization of M1 macrophages to M2 macrophages, reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors, and promoted the expression of anti-inflammatory substances. Additionally, Exo-IL-4/Exo-Ta enhanced the production of collagen and fibronectin in fibroblasts. Proteomic analysis revealed that Exo-Ta primarily participated in biological processes such as energy metabolism and macromolecule biosynthesis. In vivo, Exo-IL-4/Exo-Ta spray accelerated wound healing, reduced inflammatory infiltration, and improved tissue remodeling in the rat pressure ulcer model. Conclusion Exosome sprays derived from M2 macrophages could accelerate pressure ulcer healing by modulating inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration, which demonstrated excellent clinical application potential.
4.Effects and mechanism of plumbagin on the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in rats with AECOPD
Yaru WANG ; Peipei XU ; Shirong LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(18):2250-2255
OBJECTIVE To explore the effects and potential mechanism of plumbagin on the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in rats with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) based on Notch1/GATA3 signaling pathway. METHODS Ten rats were randomly selected as the control group; another 65 rats were used to establish the AECOPD model by inhaling cigarette smoke, intratracheal administration of endotoxin, and nasal inoculation of bacteria. The 50 successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the AECOPD group, plumbagin low-dose group (10 mg/kg), plumbagin high-dose group (50 mg/kg), positive control group (dexamethasone 0.09 mg/kg), and high-dose plumbagin+Jagged1 (Notch1 activator) group (50 mg/kg+25 mg/kg), with 10 rats in each group. Each group was administrated intragastrically or intraperitoneally with the corresponding drug solution or normal saline, once a day for 28 consecutive days. After the last administration, the lung function indicators (peak expiratory flow, the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 0.3 seconds to forced vital capacity), the number of inflammatory cells (white blood cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, macrophages) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, the levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] in lung tissue, and the contents of oxidative stress indicators [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA)] in lung tissue were all determined in each group; the pathological changes of lung tissue and the pathological scores, as well as protein expressions of mucin 5ac (Muc5ac), Notch1 and GATA3 in lung tissue were also detected. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the lung tissue of the AECOPD group rats showed severe damage to the alveolar wall structure, with a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration and accompanied by pathological changes such as thickening of the airway wall; their lung function indicators, IL-10 level, and SOD content were significantly decreased; while the number of various inflammatory cells, IL-6 and TNF-α levels, MDA content, pathological score, as well as protein expressions of Muc5ac, Notch1 and GATA3 were significantly increased or upregulated (P<0.05). Compared with the AECOPD group, the pathological changes in the lung tissue of the rats in each plumbagin dose group were significantly alleviated, and the above quantitative indicators were significantly improved, and the improvement was more obvious in the plumbagin high- dose group (P<0.05). Jagged1 significantly reversed the protective effect of high-dose plumbagin on lung injury and related indicators in AECOPD rats (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Plumbagin can inhibit the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in the lungs of AECOPD rats, alleviate lung damage, and improve lung function. The above effects may be related to the inhibition of the Notch1/GATA3 signaling pathway.
5.Cannabidiol alleviates methamphetamine addiction via targeting ATP5A1 and modulating the ATP-ADO-A1R signaling pathway.
Sha JIN ; Cong LIN ; Peipei LI ; Xue WANG ; Yibo WANG ; Cong ZHANG ; Xuenan WANG ; Yinghua PENG ; Haohong LI ; Yuyuan LU ; Xiaohui WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5261-5276
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, shows great promise in treating methamphetamine (METH) addiction. Nonetheless, the molecular target and the mechanism through which CBD treats METH addiction remain unexplored. Herein, CBD was shown to counteract METH-induced locomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference. Additionally, CBD mitigated the adverse effects of METH, such as cristae loss, a decline in ATP content, and a reduction in membrane potential. Employing an activity-based protein profiling approach, a target fishing strategy was used to uncover CBD's direct target. ATP5A1, a subunit of ATP synthase, was identified and validated as a CBD target. Moreover, CBD demonstrated the ability to ameliorate METH-induced ubiquitination of ATP5A1 via the D376 residue, thereby reversing the METH-induced reduction of ATP5A1 and promoting the assembly of ATP synthase. Pharmacological inhibition of the ATP efflux channel pannexin 1, blockade of ATP hydrolysis by a CD39 inhibitor, and blocking the adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) all attenuated the therapeutic benefits of CBD in mitigating METH-induced behavioral sensitization and CPP. Moreover, the RNA interference of ATP5A1 in the ventral tegmental area resulted in the reversal of CBD's therapeutic efficacy against METH addiction. Collectively, these data show that ATP5A1 is a target for CBD to inhibit METH-induced addiction behaviors through the ADO-A1R signaling pathway.
6.Tiaozhou Ziyin recipe for treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency: efficacy, safety and mechanism.
Peipei TANG ; Yong TAN ; Yanyun YIN ; Xiaowei NIE ; Jingyu HUANG ; Wenting ZUO ; Yuling LI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(5):929-941
OBJECTIVES:
To assess the efficacy and safety of Tiaozhou Ziyin (TZZY) recipe for treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and explore the possible mechanisms.
METHODS:
We used bioinformatics analyses and network pharmacology to identify the main active ingredients in TZZY recipe and their core targets, which were verified by Western blotting. We tested the efficacy and safety of the recipe in 60 POI patients, who were randomized into control group (n=30) with Femoston treatment and TZZY group (n=30) with additional TZZY recipe treatment for 3 menstrual cycles.
RESULTS:
The core active ingredients of TZZY recipe included kaempferol, β-sitosterol, luteolin, and quercetin. The core targets included SRC, TP53, STAT3, PIK3CA, and MAPK3, which were involved in positive regulation of cell movement and protein phosphorylation, the cancer pathways and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that the core active ingredients had good binding ability with the core targets. In female rat models of POI, TZZY recipe treatment significantly up-regulated ovarian expressions of p-PI3K and p-Akt proteins. In the clinical trial, treatment with Femoston and Femoston plus TZZY recipe both significantly increased E2 levels and reduced FSH and LH levels and Kupperman scores of the patients, and the combined treatment produced significantly stronger effects. Both treatments increased the number of antral follicles of the patients, but the combined treatment also significantly increased the levels of AMH.
CONCLUSIONS
The therapeutic mechanism of TZZY recipe for POI involves multiple active ingredients, multiple therapeutic targets and multiple pathways, and activating the PI3K /Akt pathway is one of its main mechanisms of action, to improve ovarian reserve function, alleviate clinical symptoms, and enhance clinical efficacy in POI patients.
Female
;
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/drug therapy*
;
Humans
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Animals
;
Rats
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Signal Transduction
;
Sitosterols/therapeutic use*
;
Kaempferols/therapeutic use*
7.Long noncoding RNA HClnc1 promotes proliferation and migration of liver cancer cells by targeting RBBP5/KAT2B complex to enhance ODC1 transcription.
Zhihui FENG ; Wenyue LI ; Mingxiu ZHANG ; Peipei WANG ; Yangyang SHUAI ; Hong ZHANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(9):1919-1926
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HClnc1 in regulating proliferation, invasion, and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and the regulatory mechanism.
METHODS:
HClnc1 expression levels in liver cancer tissues were analyzed using data from the TCGA database. BrdU incorporation, plate cloning, and transwell assays were employed to examine the effects of HClnc1 silencing/overexpression and/or ODC1 silencing on proliferation, invasion, and migration of liver cancer cells. The effects of HClnc1 silencing on ODC1 protein and mRNA expression in the liver cancer cells were analyzed using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. The activity of ODC1 promoter was analyzed using a dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Pull-down experiment, mass spectrometry analysis, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay were used for identification of HClnc1-binding proteins and their interactions. Protein interactions with the ODC1 promoter region and their binding efficiencies were investigated using RNA interference and ChIP analysis.
RESULTS:
HClnc1 was significantly overexpressed in HCC tissues. In liver cancer cells, HClnc1 silencing significantly inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, while HClnc1 overexpression promoted these behaviors. ODC1 silencing also suppressed malignant behaviors of liver cancer cells, and counteracted the effects of HClnc1 overexpression. Interference of HClnc1 obviously inhibited ODC1 promoter activity. RBBP5 and KAT2B proteins were identified to bind simultaneously with HClnc1. HClnc1 overexpression upregulated ODC1 protein expression, while interference of RBBP5 or KAT2B downregulated ODC1 protein expression and blocked HClnc1-induced upregulation of ODC1 protein. Both RBBP5 and KAT2B could directly bind to ODC1 promoter region; knocking out KAT2B or RBBP5 reduced the binding efficiency, while knocking out HClnc1 reduced the binding of both RBBP5 and KAT2B to ODC1 promoter region.
CONCLUSIONS
By targeting the RBBP5/KAT2B epigenetic modification complex, HClnc1 increases ODC1 promoter activity to enhance ODC1 transcription and promote the proliferation and migration of liver cancer cells.
Humans
;
Cell Proliferation
;
RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics*
;
Cell Movement
;
Liver Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics*
;
Promoter Regions, Genetic
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
8.Naoluo Xintong Decoction promotes proliferation of rat brain microvascular endothelial cells after oxygen-glucose deprivation by activating the HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway.
Yu ZHANG ; Yinqi HU ; Peipei LI ; Xiao SHI ; Wei XU ; Jianpeng HU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(9):1980-1988
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effects of Naoluo Xintong Decoction (NLXTD) on proliferation of rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) after oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury and role of the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway in mediating its effect.
METHODS:
Using a BMEC model of OGD/R, we tested the effects of 10% NLXTD-medicated rat serum, alone or in combination with 2ME2 or 10% NAKL, on cell proliferation, migration, tube-forming ability and permeability using CCK-8 assay, Transwell chamber assay, tube formation assay and permeability assay. Cellular expressions of VEGF and Notch were detected using ELISA and laser confocal immunofluorescence analysis, and the expressions of HIF-1α, VEGFR2, Notch1, ERK and P-ERK1/2 proteins were detected with Western blotting.
RESULTS:
OGD/R injury significantly decreased viability of BMECs. NLXTD treatment of the cells with OGD/R could significantly promoted cell proliferation, migration and tube formation ability, but these effects were strongly attenuated by application of 2ME2. NLXTD treatment also significantly increased the percentages of VEGF- and Notch-positive cells in the cell models and obviously enhanced the expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGFR2, Notch1 and P-ERK1/2.
CONCLUSIONS
NLXTD promotes proliferation, migration, and tube formation of rat BMECs after OGD/R injury possibly by activating the HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism*
;
Endothelial Cells/metabolism*
;
Rats
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Glucose
;
Brain/blood supply*
;
Cells, Cultured
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2/metabolism*
;
Oxygen/metabolism*
;
Cell Hypoxia
9.Stress granules and organelles: coordinating cellular responses in health and disease.
Ying LIU ; Yin LI ; Peipei ZHANG
Protein & Cell 2025;16(6):418-438
Membrane-bound organelles and membraneless organelles (MLOs) coordinate various biological processes within eukaryotic cells. Among these, stress granules (SGs) are significant cytoplasmic MLOs that form in response to cellular stress, exhibiting liquid-like properties alongside stable substructures. SGs interact with diverse organelles, thereby influencing cellular pathways that are critical in both health and disease contexts. This review discusses the interplay between SGs and organelles and explores the methodologies employed to analyze interactions between SGs and other MLOs. Furthermore, it highlights the pivotal roles SGs play in regulating cellular responses and the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Gaining insights into these interactions is essential for deciphering the mechanisms underlying both physiological processes and pathological conditions.
Humans
;
Stress Granules/pathology*
;
Organelles/metabolism*
;
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/pathology*
;
Animals
;
Stress, Physiological
;
Cytoplasmic Granules/metabolism*
10.Role of amino acid metabolism in autoimmune hepatitis and related therapeutic targets
Peipei GUO ; Yang XU ; Jiaqi SHI ; Yang WU ; Lixia LU ; Bin LI ; Xiaohui YU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(3):547-551
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease. The pathogenesis of AIH remains unclear, but it is mainly autoimmune injury caused by the breakdown of autoimmune tolerance due to the abnormal activation of the immune system, while the specific molecular mechanism remains unknown. Recent studies have shown that abnormal amino acid metabolism plays an important role in the development and progression of AIH. This article reviews the research advances in amino acid metabolic reprogramming in AIH, in order to provide a theoretical basis for amino acid metabolism as a new target for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of AIH.


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