1.Molecular Mechanism of Programmed Cell Death in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Xin PENG ; Yunhui LI ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Haotian XU ; Ziming DANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):304-313
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant threat to global health, exhibiting high morbidity, disability and mortality rate, with its prevention and treatment situation becoming increasingly critical. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex, and the underlying cellular and molecular biological mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Programmed cell death (PCD) is the process wherein cells actively undergo demise to maintain internal environmental stability in response to certain signals or specific stimuli. Contemporary medical research indicates that the dysregulation of PCD patterns such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis is closely related to the onset and progression of COPD. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of PCD in COPD may provide novel perspectives for in-depth understanding and prevention of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by holistic regulation. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted in the TCM field focusing on modulating apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis for the treatment of COPD, yielding remarkable achievements. Therefore, this study systematically explored the molecular mechanism of PCD in COPD and reviewed the potential mechanisms and intervention status of TCM targeting PCD in COPD, aiming to provide insights and references for the clinical prevention, treatment and in-depth research of COPD.
2.Molecular Mechanism of Programmed Cell Death in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Xin PENG ; Yunhui LI ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Haotian XU ; Ziming DANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):304-313
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant threat to global health, exhibiting high morbidity, disability and mortality rate, with its prevention and treatment situation becoming increasingly critical. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex, and the underlying cellular and molecular biological mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Programmed cell death (PCD) is the process wherein cells actively undergo demise to maintain internal environmental stability in response to certain signals or specific stimuli. Contemporary medical research indicates that the dysregulation of PCD patterns such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis is closely related to the onset and progression of COPD. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of PCD in COPD may provide novel perspectives for in-depth understanding and prevention of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by holistic regulation. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted in the TCM field focusing on modulating apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis for the treatment of COPD, yielding remarkable achievements. Therefore, this study systematically explored the molecular mechanism of PCD in COPD and reviewed the potential mechanisms and intervention status of TCM targeting PCD in COPD, aiming to provide insights and references for the clinical prevention, treatment and in-depth research of COPD.
3.Analysis on Quality Standard of Sennae Folium(Cassia angustifolia) Dispensing Granules Based on Standard Decoctions
Jinxin LI ; Xue DONG ; Shuai DUAN ; Guiyun CAO ; Jinghua ZHANG ; Yongfu LUAN ; Yongqiang LIN ; Xiaodi DONG ; Zhaoqing MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):192-200
ObjectiveTo establish the quality standards for Sennae Folium(Cassia angustifolia) dispensing granules based on standard decoctions. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) specific chromatograms were established for 15 batches of Sennae Folium(C. angustifolia) standard decoctions and 10 of Sennae Folium(C. angustifolia) dispensing granules from different manufacturers, and the similarity evaluation, hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA) and principal component analysis(PCA) were performed. Linear calibration with two reference substances(LCTRS) and quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker(QAMS) were established for the common peaks in the specific chromatograms to determine the contents of main components in the decoction pieces, standard decoctions and dispensing granules, and to calculate their transfer rates from decoction pieces to standard decoctions and dispensing granules. ResultsThe similarities of specific chromatograms of 15 batches of Sennae Folium(C. angustifolia) standard decoctions and 10 batches of Sennae Folium(C. angustifolia) dispensing granules were all greater than 0.95, and a total of 8 characteristic peaks were calibrated, and five of them were identified, including kaempferol-3,7-O-diglucoside, apigenin-6,8-di-C-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-gentianoside, sennoside B and sennoside A. HCA and PCA results showed that there were certain differences in the composition of different batches of standard decoctions, but no clustering was observed in the production area. As the standard decoctions, the extract rate of 15 batches of samples was 26.54%-45.38%, the contents of kaempferol-3,7-O-diglucoside, apigenin-6,8-di-C-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-gentianoside, sennoside B and sennoside A were 12.16-19.26, 2.57-4.94, 3.27-5.11, 6.75-11.39, 4.69-7.79 mg·g-1, and their transfer rates from decoction pieces to standard decoctions were 45.41%-79.02%, 29.12%-55.07%, 40.52%-67.90%, 24.72%-49.12%, 27.54%-49.34%, respectively. The extract rates of Sennae Folium(C. angustifolia) dispensing granules(C8-C10) were 38.10%-39.50%, the transfer rates of the above five components from decoction pieces to dispensing granules were 72.85%-73.58%, 53.43%-53.94%, 40.19%-40.74%, 24.62%-25.00%, 28.65%-29.11%, respectively, which were generally consistent with the transfer rates from decoction pieces to standard decoctions. ConclusionCompared with the relative retention time method, LCTRS has higher prediction accuracy and is more suitable for chromatographic columns. The established quality control standard of Sennae Folium(C. angustifolia) dispensing granules based on standard decoction is reasonable and reliable, and all indicators of samples from different manufacturers are within the range specified based on the standard decoction, which can provide reference for the quality control and process research of this dispensing granules.
4.Quality Evaluation of Chuanxiong Rhizoma Dispensing Granules Based on HPLC Specific Chromatogram and Two Reference Substances for Determination of Multiple Components
Jinxin LI ; Xue DONG ; Shuai DUAN ; Guiyun CAO ; Jinghua ZHANG ; Yongfu LUAN ; Yongqiang LIN ; Xiaodi DONG ; Zhaoqing MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):246-253
ObjectiveTo establish the specific chromatogram of Chuanxiong Rhizoma dispensing granules(CRdg), and to evaluate its quality by chemometrics and two reference substances for determination of multiple components(TRSDMC). MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) specific chromatograms were established using 13 batches of CRdg from 7 manufacturers, and preliminary quality evaluation was performed by similarity evaluation and chemometrics analysis. Eight characteristic peaks in the specific chromatogram of CRdg were measured on 22 different types of C18 columns, and the actual retention times were recorded. Taking chlorogenic acid(peak 1) and senkyunolide A(peak 8) as double standard compounds, the retention times of the eight characteristic peaks were predicted by linear calibration using two reference substances(LCTRS), and the method was validated on three other columns of different brands. Taking chlorogenic acid as reference peak, the relative correction factor method(RCFM) was used to quantify cryptochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, senkyunolide I and senkyunolide A, and the results were compared with the external standard method(ESM). ResultsThe similarities of specific chromatograms of 13 batches of CRdg were all >0.90, and a total of 8 characteristic peaks were calibrated, and six of them were identified, including chlorogenic acid(peak 1), cryptochlorogenic acid(peak 2), caffeic acid(peak 3), ferulic acid(peak 5), senkyunolide I(peak 6) and senkyunolide A(peak 8). Through chemometric analysis, it was found that ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, senkyunolide I and cryptochlorogenic acid were the main components causing quality difference in CRdg, and the accuracy of LCTRS in predicting the retention time of 8 characteristic peaks was superior to that of the relative retention time method(RRT). Further comparison of the results obtained from RCFM and ESM showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two methods. ConclusionA quality evaluation method for CRdg based on HPLC specific chromatogram and TRSDMC is established, its qualitative accuracy is better than that of RRT, the quantitative accuracy is similar to that of ESM, and 4 quality-differentiated components among different manufacturers are found. This method is stable and reliable, and has reference value for the quality evaluation of other dispensing granules.
5.Quality Evaluation of Chuanxiong Rhizoma Dispensing Granules Based on HPLC Specific Chromatogram and Two Reference Substances for Determination of Multiple Components
Jinxin LI ; Xue DONG ; Shuai DUAN ; Guiyun CAO ; Jinghua ZHANG ; Yongfu LUAN ; Yongqiang LIN ; Xiaodi DONG ; Zhaoqing MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):246-253
ObjectiveTo establish the specific chromatogram of Chuanxiong Rhizoma dispensing granules(CRdg), and to evaluate its quality by chemometrics and two reference substances for determination of multiple components(TRSDMC). MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) specific chromatograms were established using 13 batches of CRdg from 7 manufacturers, and preliminary quality evaluation was performed by similarity evaluation and chemometrics analysis. Eight characteristic peaks in the specific chromatogram of CRdg were measured on 22 different types of C18 columns, and the actual retention times were recorded. Taking chlorogenic acid(peak 1) and senkyunolide A(peak 8) as double standard compounds, the retention times of the eight characteristic peaks were predicted by linear calibration using two reference substances(LCTRS), and the method was validated on three other columns of different brands. Taking chlorogenic acid as reference peak, the relative correction factor method(RCFM) was used to quantify cryptochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, senkyunolide I and senkyunolide A, and the results were compared with the external standard method(ESM). ResultsThe similarities of specific chromatograms of 13 batches of CRdg were all >0.90, and a total of 8 characteristic peaks were calibrated, and six of them were identified, including chlorogenic acid(peak 1), cryptochlorogenic acid(peak 2), caffeic acid(peak 3), ferulic acid(peak 5), senkyunolide I(peak 6) and senkyunolide A(peak 8). Through chemometric analysis, it was found that ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, senkyunolide I and cryptochlorogenic acid were the main components causing quality difference in CRdg, and the accuracy of LCTRS in predicting the retention time of 8 characteristic peaks was superior to that of the relative retention time method(RRT). Further comparison of the results obtained from RCFM and ESM showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two methods. ConclusionA quality evaluation method for CRdg based on HPLC specific chromatogram and TRSDMC is established, its qualitative accuracy is better than that of RRT, the quantitative accuracy is similar to that of ESM, and 4 quality-differentiated components among different manufacturers are found. This method is stable and reliable, and has reference value for the quality evaluation of other dispensing granules.
6.Immunity-inflammation Mechanism of Viral Pneumonia and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment Based on Theory of Healthy Qi and Pathogenic Qi
Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Xin PENG ; Yihao ZHANG ; Yunhui LI ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):239-247
Viral pneumonia is an infectious disease caused by virus invading the lung parenchyma and interstitial tissue and causing lung inflammation, with the incidence rising year by year. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can treat viral pneumonia in a multi-component, multi-target, and holistic manner by targeting the core pathogenesis of pneumonia caused by different respiratory viruses, demonstrating minimal side effects and significant advantages. According to the theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi in TCM, the struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi and the imbalance between immunity and inflammation run through the entire process of viral pneumonia, and the immunity-inflammation status at different stages of the disease reflects different relationships between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi. Immune dysfunction leads to the deficiency of healthy Qi, causing viral infections. The struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi causes immunity-inflammation imbalance, leading to the onset of viral pneumonia. Inflammatory damage causes persistent accumulation of phlegm and stasis, leading to the progression of viral pneumonia. The cytokine storm causes immunodepletion, leading to the excess of pathogenic Qi and diminution of healthy Qi and the deterioration of viral pneumonia. After the recovery from viral pneumonia, there is a long-term imbalance between immunity and micro-inflammation, which results in healthy Qi deficiency and pathogenic Qi lingering. Healthy Qi deficiency and pathogenic Qi excess act as common core causes of pneumonia caused by different respiratory viruses. Clinical treatment should emphasize both replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi, helping to restore the balance between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi as well as between immunity and inflammation, thus promoting the recovery of patients from viral pneumonia. According to the TCM theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi, this article summarizes the immunity-inflammation mechanisms at different stages of viral pneumonia, and explores the application of the method of replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi in viral pneumonia. The aim is to probe into the scientific connotation of the TCM theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi in viral pneumonia and provide ideas for the clinical application of the method of replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi to assist in the treatment of viral pneumonia.
7.Discovery of orally active and serine-targeting covalent inhibitors against hCES2A for ameliorating irinotecan-triggered gut toxicity.
Ya ZHANG ; Yufan FAN ; Yunqing SONG ; Guanghao ZHU ; Xinjuan LI ; Jian HUANG ; Xinrui GUO ; Changhai LUAN ; Dongning KANG ; Lu CHEN ; Zhangping XIAO ; Zhaobin GUO ; Hairong ZENG ; Dapeng CHEN ; Zhipei SANG ; Guangbo GE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5312-5326
Human carboxylesterase 2A (hCES2A) plays pivotal roles in prodrug activation and hydrolytic metabolism of ester-bearing chemicals. Targeted inhibition of intestinal hCES2A represents a feasible strategy to mitigate irinotecan-triggered gut toxicity (ITGT), but the orally active, selective, and efficacious hCES2A inhibitors are rarely reported. Here, a novel drug-like hCES2A inhibitor was developed via three rounds of structure-based drug design (SBDD) and structural optimization. Initially, donepezil was identified as a moderate hCES2A inhibitor from 2000 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs. Following two rounds of SBDD and structural optimization, a donepezil derivative (B7) was identified as a strong reversible hCES2A inhibitor. Subsequently, nine B7 carbamates were rationally designed, synthesized and biologically assayed. Among all synthesized carbamates, C3 showed the most potent time-dependent inhibition on hCES2A (IC50 = 0.56 nmol/L), excellent specificity and favorable drug-like properties. C3 could covalently modify the catalytic serine of hCES2A with high selectivity, while this agent also showed favorable safety profiles, high intestinal exposure, and impressive effects for ameliorating ITGT in both human intestinal organoids and tumor-bearing mice. Collectively, this study showcases a rational strategy for developing drug-like and serine-targeting covalent inhibitors against target serine hydrolase(s), while C3 emerges as a promising orally active drug candidate for ameliorating ITGT.
8.High serum cystatin C is an independent risk factor for poor renal prognosis in IgA nephropathy.
Tianwei TANG ; Luan LI ; Yuanhan CHEN ; Li ZHANG ; Lixia XU ; Zhilian LI ; Zhonglin FENG ; Huilin ZHANG ; Ruifang HUA ; Zhiming YE ; Xinling LIANG ; Ruizhao LI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(2):379-386
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the value of serum cystatin C (CysC) levels in evaluating renal prognosis in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients.
METHODS:
We retrospectively collected the clinical data of IgAN patients diagnosed by renal biopsy at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from January, 2014 to December, 2018. Based on baseline serum CysC levels, the patients were divided into high serum CysC (>1.03 mg/L) group and normal serum CysC (≤1.03 mg/L) group. The composite endpoint for poor renal prognosis was defined as ≥50% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and/or progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Lasso regression, multivariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used to identify the risk factors and compare renal survival rates between the two groups. Smooth curves fitting and threshold effect analysis were used to explore the relationship between serum CysC levels and the outcomes. A nomogram model was constructed and its predictive performance was evaluated using concordance index, calibration curve, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under curve (AUC).
RESULTS:
A total of 356 IgAN patients were enrolled, who were followed up for 4.65±0.93 years. The composite endpoint occurred in 74 patients. High serum CysC was identified as an independent risk factor for poor renal prognosis in IgAN (HR=2.142, 95% CI 1.222 to 3.755), and the patients with high serum CysC levels had a lower renal survival rate (Log-rank χ2=47.970, P<0.001). In patients with serum CysC below 2.12 mg/L, a higher CysC level was associated with an increased risk of poor renal prognosis (β=3.487, 95% CI: 2.561-4.413, P<0.001), while above this level, the increase of the risk was not significant (β=0.676, 95% CI: -0.642-1.995, P=0.315). The nomogram model based on serum CysC and 3 other independent risk factors demonstrated good internal validity with a concordance index of 0.873 (95% CI: 0.839-0.907) and an AUC of 0.909 (95% CI: 0.873-0.945).
CONCLUSIONS
Serum CysC levels are associated with renal prognosis in IgAN patients, and high serum CysC an independent risk factor for poor renal prognosis.
Humans
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Glomerulonephritis, IGA/diagnosis*
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Cystatin C/blood*
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Prognosis
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Risk Factors
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Retrospective Studies
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Glomerular Filtration Rate
;
Kidney Failure, Chronic
;
Male
;
Female
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Adult
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Nomograms
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Middle Aged
9.Expression and clinical significance of lysosome-associated membrane protein 3 and activating transcription factor 4 in cervical cancer
WANG Yayue1 ; LUAN Xiaona2 ; CHEN Xiaohan3 ; MA Huihui3 ; LI Mingyu1 ; TIAN Tian3
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(5):518-524
[摘 要] 目的:探讨溶酶体相关膜蛋白3(LAMP3)与转录激活因子4(ATF4)在宫颈癌中的表达及其与临床病理参数的相关性。方法:采用免疫组化SP法检测正常宫颈组织、宫颈上皮内病变组织及宫颈癌组织中LAMP3与ATF4的表达情况,分析两种蛋白与宫颈癌患者临床病理参数之间的关系,并且分析两种蛋白的相关性。结果:LAMP3在正常宫颈组及高级别鳞状上皮内病变组中均为阴性或低表达,在宫颈癌中高表达率为38.3%,差异有统计学意义(χ2 = 14.113,P = 0.001)。ATF4在正常宫颈组中高表达率为26.7%,在高级别鳞状上皮内病变组中高表达率为10.0%,在宫颈癌组中高表达率为58.3%,差异有统计学意义(χ2 = 11.078,P = 0.004)。LAMP3的表达与宫颈癌FIGO分期(χ2 = 10.139,P = 0.006)、淋巴结转移(χ2 = 8.475,P = 0.004)有关,差异均有统计学意义。ATF4的表达在宫颈癌病灶大小(χ2 = 4.578,P = 0.032)、FIGO分期(χ2 = 8.971,P = 0.009)、淋巴结转移(χ2 = 7.881,P = 0.005)等方面的差异均有统计学意义。LAMP3与ATF4在宫颈癌中的表达呈正相关(r = 0.388,P = 0.002)。结论:LAMP3与ATF4在宫颈癌组织中表达升高,两者的表达程度具有相关性,且在宫颈癌的发生发展中发挥重要的促进作用,有望成为宫颈癌治疗的潜在靶点。
10.Effect of storage conditions on long-term preservation of PRP growth factors
Qing QI ; Zhaojie LI ; Qiong WU ; Pingping MAO ; Yangzi SUN ; Jianfeng LUAN ; Shujun WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(6):759-765
Objective: To compare the changes in the concentration of relevant growth factors released from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) stored at -80℃ by cryopreservation and at 4℃ by refrigerated lyophilization over 2 years, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for prolonging PRP storage duration. Methods: PRP (n=15) was separated using a blood cell separator and stored under -80℃ cryopreservation (F-PRP group) and 4℃ refrigerated freeze-drying conditions (FD-PRP group). The contents of growth factors (PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, EGF, TGF-β1, and VEGF) in both groups were measured by ELISA at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months. Results: PDGF-AA and VEGF maintained good stability in both groups for up to 24 months. PDGF-BB and TGF-β1 showed high stability in the first 12 months but their stability decreased gradually from 12th to 24th months. EGF demonstrated good stability in the first 6 months, and its stability gradually decreased from the 9th to 24th months. Comparing the F-PRP and FD-PRP groups, the concentrations of the five growth factors in the FD-PRP group were either not statistically different or higher than those in the F-PRP group at all time points. Specifically, the concentrations of EGF were significantly higher in the FD-PRP group at all time points. Conclusion: Both -80℃ freezing and 4℃ freeze-drying enable long-term preservation of PRP. Freeze-drying imposes less stringent storage requirements and facilitates growth factor compared to frozen storage.

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