1.Therapeutic development strategies for modulating GLI1-DNA interactions
Zhenyu QIAO ; Yongfu LUO ; Yaoye PEI ; Xiangyang LI ; Mengchen LU
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(4):432-443
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is a critical transduction system regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue homeostasis during embryonic development. Its aberrant activation is closely associated with the pathogenesis of malignancies such as basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma. Although Smoothened (SMO)-targeting inhibitors have received clinical approval, their therapeutic efficacy is limited by acquired resistance mutation and compensatory pathway activation. Glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1), the terminal effector transcription factor of the Hh pathway, has emerged as a promising therapeutic target due to its tumor-specific overexpression and lower propensity for resistance induction. However, GLI1 is classified as an "undruggable" target due to the absence of well-defined ligand-binding pockets, low inhibitory activity, and poor drug-like properties. Currently, no GLI1 inhibitor has entered clinical trials. This review systematically analyzes multidimensional modulation strategies (e.g., allosteric modulation, protein-protein interaction disruption, targeted protein degradation) for targeting transcription factors, based on the structural and functional features of GLI1-DNA interaction combined with recent advances in structural biology and chemical biology, offering new paradigms to overcome therapeutic barriers against undruggable targets.
2.Study on drying quality evaluation of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma based on Weibull distribution and entropy method
Junbin GAO ; Fei FENG ; Hui XIE ; Tulin LU ; Guojun YAN ; Xiaoyu YAO ; Mingxuan LI ; Mengchen ZHANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(7):978-984
Objective:To dry fresh Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma using different drying conditions; To investigate the effects of different drying conditions on the drying characteristics and medicinal quality of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma.Methods:With moisture, powder color, extract, total polysaccharide and ginsenoside contents of Rg 1, Re, Rf, Rb 1, Rc, Rb 2 and Rd as indexes, the drying characteristics of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma were studied based on Weibull function model, and the quality of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma after drying was evaluated by entropy weight-TOPSIS model. Results:The drying method for Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma from its origin can be achieved by controlling the relative humidity of the drying medium to 50%, drying at 70 ℃ for 24 h, and then reducing the drying temperature to 60 ℃ until the moisture content was below 12.0%. This method could achieve high drying efficiency and produce high-quality Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma.Conclusions:The drying process of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma is a falling rate process controlled by internal moisture diffusion. The drying rate of fresh Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma is affected by temperature and humidity. There is a certain correlation between the color of powder and the content of moisture, alcohol-soluble extractives and ginsenosides.
3.Ingredients of Panax notoginseng compound formula modulate inflam-mation and intestinal flora to attenuate endometrial fibrosis in rats with intrauterine adhesion
Mengchen TAN ; Wen'e LIU ; Lu MA ; Yuxin ZENG ; Xue'er YANG ; Yaqi ZHAO ; Ying PENG ; Qiang AO ; Hui LIU ; Minyan LI
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2024;40(11):2135-2144
AIM:To investigate the effects of Panax notoginseng compound formula(PN)on endometrial fibro-sis by regulating inflammatory reaction and intestinal flora(IF)in a rat model of intrauterine adhesion(IUA).METHODS:The rat IUA model was established by following the mechanical injury method.A total of 50 rats were randomly divided in-to sham group,model group,low-dose(210 mg/kg)PN group,medium-dose(420 mg/kg)PN group and high-dose(840 mg/kg)PN group.After 8 weeks of intragastric administration,the uterus was collected to observe morphological changes with naked eye.The degree of uterine tissue damage and fibrosis was evaluated through hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Mas-son staining.The collagen type Ⅰ(Col Ⅰ)was detected by immunohistochemistry.The interleukin-6(IL-6)and IL-10 pro-tein expression was detected by Western blot.The levels of IL-6,IL-1β,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and vascular endothelial growth factor B(VEGFB)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The IF diversity and population structure were observed by 16S amplicon.RESULTS:Compared with the sham group,the uteruses of rats in the model group showed:reduced elasticity,accompanied by congestion and edema;decreased number of glands and blood vessels,and thinned endometrium(P<0.01);increased collagen fibers and Col Ⅰ protein expression(P<0.01);sig-nificantly increased IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α and VEGFB levels in the uterine tissue(P<0.01);decreased IL-10 level(P<0.01);and reduced IF diversity(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the drug intervention groups exhibited:re-covered elasticity of the uterus and relieved congestion and edema;increased number of endometrial glands and blood ves-sels(P<0.05);decreased collagen fibers and Col Ⅰ protein expression(P<0.01);reduced IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α lev-els to varying degrees in the uterine tissue(P<0.05);elevated IL-10 level(P<0.01);and improved IF diversity(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The PN is able to significantly improve the endometrial tissue fibrosis in IUA rats.The under-lying mechanisms may be related to the inhibition of IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α expression,up-regulation of IL-10,and im-provement of IF diversity.
4.Exploring mechanism and experimental validation of Gubiao Fanggan Modified Formula in preventing influenza virus in immunosuppressive mice based on network pharmacology
Xinyue MA ; Jiawang HUANG ; Mengchen ZHU ; Zhuolin LIU ; Ziye XU ; Fangguo LU ; Ling LI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(7):1447-1453,中插2-中插5
Objective:To invastigate the targets and signaling pathways of Gubiao Fanggan Modified Formula in regulating the defense against influenza A virus in immunosuppressed mice by network pharmacology,and the key targets were verified by immuno-suppressive mice model.Methods:TCMSP database was used to search the active ingredients of Gubiao Fanggan Modified Formula,and GeneCard,OMIM,PharmGkb databases were used to obtain the potential targets of the active ingredients to prevent influenza,and take their intersection targets were taken;STRING11.5 database was used to make protein-protein interaction network analyzed and finded the core targets;Cytoscape3.8.1 was used to build a traditional Chinese medicine-ingredient-disease target network,and GO enrichment analysis and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed.Intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide was used to construct a mouse model of immune function suppression,normal group,model control group,Gubiao Fanggan Modified Formula group and oseltamivir group were set up,followed by prophylactic administration,and influenza virus intervention was performed on the fourth day.After 7 days of intragastric administration,the key targets were verified by mouse spleen index,HE staining,RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry.Results:There were 82 active ingredients in five traditional Chinese medicines in Gubiao Fanggan Modi-fied Formula,and 72 common targets of drugs and diseases such as IL-6,TNF-α,IL-2,etc,mainly involving IL-17,TNF and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway.Gubiao Fanggan Modified Formula could increase spleen index and significantly reduce mRNA and protein expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α in spleen tissue of mice(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:Gubiao Fanggan Modified Formula may regulate body's immune function through targets such as IL-6 and TNF-α,thereby preventing influenza virus infection.

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