1.Effect of Huanglian Jiedutang in Regulating Ferroptosis in Mice with Atherosclerosis Based on Nrf2/GPX4 Signaling Pathway
Zhaohui GONG ; Li GAO ; Huiqi ZHAI ; Jinzi YU ; Qingmin CHU ; Chuanjin LUO ; Lijin QING ; Wei WU ; Rong LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):22-28
ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of Huanglian Jiedutang (HLJDT) in treating mice with atherosclerosis (AS) by improving ferroptosis. MethodsA total of 10 SPF C57BL/6J mice were selected as a normal group, and 50 ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into five groups: model group, low-dose group of HLJDT, medium-dose group of HLJDT, high-dose group of HLJDT, and atorvastatin (ATV) group. ApoE-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks to establish the AS model, and at the 9th week, they were given normal saline, low, medium, and high doses of HLJDT (3.9, 7.8, 15.6 g·kg-1·d-1), and atorvastatin calcium tablets (0.01 g·kg-1·d-1), respectively, for a total of eight weeks. The formation of aortic plaque in mice was observed by gross oil red O staining and Masson staining. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in blood fat were measured by the automatic biochemical analyzer, and the mitochondrial structure of the aorta was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The content of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The content of reduced glutathione (GSH) in serum was detected by the microplate method, and that of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum was detected by the TBA method. The protein expression of nuclear factor E2-associated factor 2 (Nrf2)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway was detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with those of the normal group, the contents of TC, LDL-C, TG, HDL-C, and MDA in the serum and the aortic vascular plaque deposition of the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the expression levels of SOD and GSH in serum, as well as Nrf2, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and GPX4 in aorta were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Mice in the model group appeared mitochondrial fragmentation and vacuolation in the aorta, volume atrophy, mitochondrial crista reduction, or a loose and disorganized form. Compared with those in the model group, the aortic vascular plaque deposition was significantly decreased in the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of HLJDT and ATV group, and the contents of serum TC, LDL-C, TG, and MDA in serum were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The contents of serum SOD and GSH and the expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the aorta were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the symptoms of aortic mitochondrial vacuolation were alleviated. The number of cristae was increased, and they were ordered neatly. ConclusionHLJDT can reduce aortic vascular plaque deposition, decrease blood lipid and MDA expression, increase SOD and GSH expression, and ameliorate the pathological changes of ferroptosis, the mechanism of which is related to the Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway.
2.Enzyme-directed Immobilization Strategies for Biosensor Applications
Xing-Bao WANG ; Yao-Hong MA ; Yun-Long XUE ; Xiao-Zhen HUANG ; Yue SHAO ; Yi YU ; Bing-Lian WANG ; Qing-Ai LIU ; Li-He ZHANG ; Wei-Li GONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):374-394
Immobilized enzyme-based enzyme electrode biosensors, characterized by high sensitivity and efficiency, strong specificity, and compact size, demonstrate broad application prospects in life science research, disease diagnosis and monitoring, etc. Immobilization of enzyme is a critical step in determining the performance (stability, sensitivity, and reproducibility) of the biosensors. Random immobilization (physical adsorption, covalent cross-linking, etc.) can easily bring about problems, such as decreased enzyme activity and relatively unstable immobilization. Whereas, directional immobilization utilizing amino acid residue mutation, affinity peptide fusion, or nucleotide-specific binding to restrict the orientation of the enzymes provides new possibilities to solve the problems caused by random immobilization. In this paper, the principles, advantages and disadvantages and the application progress of enzyme electrode biosensors of different directional immobilization strategies for enzyme molecular sensing elements by specific amino acids (lysine, histidine, cysteine, unnatural amino acid) with functional groups introduced based on site-specific mutation, affinity peptides (gold binding peptides, carbon binding peptides, carbohydrate binding domains) fused through genetic engineering, and specific binding between nucleotides and target enzymes (proteins) were reviewed, and the application fields, advantages and limitations of various immobilized enzyme interface characterization techniques were discussed, hoping to provide theoretical and technical guidance for the creation of high-performance enzyme sensing elements and the manufacture of enzyme electrode sensors.
3.Visual feature extraction combining dissolution testing for the study of drug release behavior of gliclazide modified release tablets
Si-yu CHEN ; Ze-ya LI ; Ping LI ; Xin-qing ZHAO ; Tao GONG ; Li DENG ; Zhi-rong ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):225-231
Oral solid dosage forms require processes such as disintegration and dissolution to release the drug before it can be absorbed and utilized by the body. In this manuscript, imaging technology was used to continuously visualize and characterize the
4.Therapeutic Study on The Inhibition of Neuroinflammation in Ischemic Stroke by Induced Regulatory T Cells
Tian-Fang KANG ; Ai-Qing MA ; Li-Qi CHEN ; Han GONG ; Jia-Cheng OUYANG ; Fan PAN ; Hong PAN ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):946-956
ObjectiveNeuroinflammation plays a crucial role in both the onset and progression of ischemic stroke, exerting a significant impact on the recovery of the central nervous system. Excessive neuroinflammation can lead to secondary neuronal damage, further exacerbating brain injury and impairing functional recovery. As a result, effectively modulating and reducing neuroinflammation in the brain has become a key therapeutic strategy for improving outcomes in ischemic stroke patients. Among various approaches, targeting immune regulation to control inflammation has gained increasing attention. This study aims to investigate the role of in vitro induced regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in suppressing neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke, as well as their potential therapeutic effects. By exploring the mechanisms through which Tregs exert their immunomodulatory functions, this research is expected to provide new insights into stroke treatment strategies. MethodsNaive CD4+ T cells were isolated from mouse spleens using a negative selection method to ensure high purity, and then they were induced in vitro to differentiate into Treg cells by adding specific cytokines. The anti-inflammatory effects and therapeutic potential of Treg cells transplantation in a mouse model of ischemic stroke was evaluated. In the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, after Treg cells transplantation, their ability to successfully migrate to the infarcted brain region and their impact on neuroinflammation levels were examined. To further investigate the role of Treg cells in stroke recovery, the changes in cytokine expression and their effects on immune cell interactions was analyzed. Additionally, infarct size and behavioral scores were measured to assess the neuroprotective effects of Treg cells. By integrating multiple indicators, the comprehensive evaluation of potential benefits of Treg cells in the treatment of ischemic stroke was performed. ResultsTreg cells significantly regulated the expression levels of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo, effectively balancing the immune response and suppressing excessive inflammation. Additionally, Treg cells inhibited the activation and activity of inflammatory cells, thereby reducing neuroinflammation. In the MCAO mouse model, Treg cells were observed to accumulate in the infarcted brain region, where they significantly reduced the infarct size, demonstrating their neuroprotective effects. Furthermore, Treg cell therapy notably improved behavioral scores, suggesting its role in promoting functional recovery, and increased the survival rate of ischemic stroke mice, highlighting its potential as a promising therapeutic strategy for stroke treatment. ConclusionIn vitro induced Treg cells can effectively suppress neuroinflammation caused by ischemic stroke, demonstrating promising clinical application potential. By regulating the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, Treg cells can inhibit immune responses in the nervous system, thereby reducing neuronal damage. Additionally, they can modulate the immune microenvironment, suppress the activation of inflammatory cells, and promote tissue repair. The therapeutic effects of Treg cells also include enhancing post-stroke recovery, improving behavioral outcomes, and increasing the survival rate of ischemic stroke mice. With their ability to suppress neuroinflammation, Treg cell therapy provides a novel and effective strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke, offering broad application prospects in clinical immunotherapy and regenerative medicine.
5.Improvement effects of pachymic acid on myocardial injury in coronary heart disease rats by regulating mito-chondrial autophagy mediated by the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway
Jian XIE ; Bo GAO ; Shanshan LIANG ; Qing YANG ; Siyan GUO ; Longjia GONG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(18):2267-2272
OBJECTIVE To explore whether pachymic acid (Pac) regulates mitochondrial autophagy mediated by the PTEN- induced kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (Parkin) signaling pathway to alleviate myocardial injury in coronary heart disease (CHD) rats. METHODS SD rats were divided into control (Con) group, CHD group, Pac low-dose group (Pac-L group), Pac high-dose group (Pac-H group), Pac-H+PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway inhibitor group (Pac-H+3-MA group), with 10 rats in each group. Except for the Con group, CHD models were established in the remaining groups of rats. After successful modeling, the rats in each group were intraperitoneally injected with the corresponding drugs or normal saline. After continuous intervention for 4 weeks, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) of the rats were detected. The levels of creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in the serum, as well as the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-1β, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) in the myocardial tissue, and the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as the expression levels of p62, cleaved caspase-3, Parkin, PINK1 proteins and the ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ (LC3Ⅱ)/LC3Ⅰ ratio were measured. The morphology of myocardial tissue and mitochondrial autophagic vesicles were observed, and the number of mitochondrial autophagic vesicles per unit area and the rate of cardiomyocyte apoptosis were counted. RESULTS Compared with CHD group, LVEF, MAP, IL-10 levels, CAT and SOD activities, p62, Parkin, PINK1 protein expressions, LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio, the numbers of mitochondrial autophagic vesicles per unit area in the Pac-L and Pac-H E-mail:hzdpft@163.com groups were increased significantly (P<0.05); the levels of LVEDV, LVESV, CK-MB, LDH, cTnI, cTnT, TNF-α, IL-1β, ROS and MDA, cell apoptosis rates, and protein expression of cleaved caspase-3 were all decreased significantly (P<0.05); and the changes in various indicators were more pronounced in the Pac-H group (P<0.05); both groups showed varying degree of improvement in myocardial histopathological morphology. Compared with the Pac-H group, the aforementioned indicators in rats from the Pac-H+3-MA group were all significantly reversed (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Pac may promote mitochondrial autophagy in cardiomyocytes of CHD rats by activating the PINK1/ Parkin signaling pathway, thereby reducing inflammatory responses and oxidative stress and improving myocardial injury.
6.Effect of Compatibility of Wujiwan on Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Distribution of Representative Components
Yu DONG ; Ying CHEN ; Zipeng GONG ; Qing YANG ; Xiaogang WENG ; Yajie WANG ; Xiaoxin ZHU ; Chenhao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(3):105-113
ObjectiveTo study the plasma pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of five representative components in Wujiwan, and to illustrate the difference of metabolism and tissue distribution before and after compatibility. MethodHealthy male SD rats were divided into four groups, including Wujiwan group(A group, 62.96 g·L-1), Coptidis Rhizoma group(B group, 38.4 g·L-1), processed Euodiae Fructus group(C group, 5.88 g·L-1) and fried Paeoniae Radix Alba group(D group, 18.68 g·L-1), with 65 rats in each group, and were administered the drugs according to the clinical dose of decoction pieces converted into the dose of the extracts. Then plasma, liver, small intestine and brain were taken at pharmacokinetic set time in each group after administration. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the quantitative analysis of five representative components[berberine(Ber), palmatine(Pal), evodiamine(Evo), rutecarpine(Rut) and paeoniflorin(Pae)] in Wujiwan, their concentrations in plasma, liver, small intestine and brain were detected at different time, plasma samples were processed by protein precipitation, and tissue samples were pretreated by protein precipitation plus liquid-liquid extraction. Non-atrioventricular model was used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters of each component, and the parameters of each group were compared. ResultPharmacokinetic results of A group showed that area under the curve(AUC0-t) of the five representative components were ranked as follows:Ber and Pal were small intestine>liver>blood, Evo and Rut were liver>small intestine>plasma, Pae was small intestine>plasma, which was not detected in the liver, no other components were detected in brain except for Ber. In comparison with plasma and other tissues, peak concentration(Cmax) of Ber, Pal, Evo, and Rut were the highest and time to peak(tmax) were the lowest in the liver of A group. In plasma, the AUC0-t and Cmax of Evo and Rut were increased in A group compared with C group, tmax of Pea was elevated and its Cmax was decreased in A group compared with D group. In the liver, compared with B-D groups, Cmax values of 5 representative components except Pae were elevated, AUC0-t of Pae was decreased and AUC0-t of Evo and Rut were increased in the A group. In the small intestine, half-life(t1/2) of each representative components in A group was elevated and tmax was decreased, and Cmax of each representative ingredient except Pal was decreased, AUC0-t values of Ber and Pal were increased, whereas the AUC0-t values of Evo and Rut were decreased. ConclusionThe small intestine, as the effector organ, is the most distributed, followed by the liver. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the representative components in Wujiwan are changed before and after compatibility, which is more favorable to the exertion of its pharmacodynamic effects.
7.Effects of leonurine on primary nephrotic syndrome rats
Pu GONG ; Qing WANG ; Zhen ZHAO
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(11):1603-1607
Objective To explore the improvement effect of leonurine(LEO)on primary nephrotic syndrome(PNS)rats by regulating Ras homolog gene family member A(RhoA)/Rho associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase(ROCK)signaling pathway.Methods Rat glomerular mesangial cells HBZY-1 were cultured and randomly grouped into control group,proliferation group(100 ng·mL-1 LPS),low concentration experimental group(100 ng·mL-1 LPS+5 μmol·L-1 LEO),high concentration experimental group[100 ng·mL-1 lipopolysaccharide(LPS)+10 μmol·L-1LEO],and combined treatment group(100 ng·mL-1LPS+10 μmol·L-1 LEO+10 nmol·L-1 RhoA activator U46619).Cell counting kit-8 assay was applied to detect cell proliferation activity;flow cytometry was applied to detect apoptosis.Sixty SPF Wistar rats were randomly grouped into normal group,model group,low-dose experimental group(10 mg·kg-1 LEO),high-dose experimental group(20 mg·kg-1 LEO),and combination group(20 mg·kg-1 LEO+10 mmol·L-1 U46619),with 12 rats in each group.Except the normal group,the other groups were injected with adriamycin hydrochloride via tail vein to establish PNS rat model;coomassie brilliant blue method was applied to detect 24-hour urinary protein content in rats.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-4 in renal tissue.Western blot was used to detect RhoA and Rock1 protein expression in rat kidney.Results In the cell experiment,the proliferation activities(optical density value)of HBZY-1 cells in control group and hyperplasia group was 0.32±0.03 and 0.70±0.07;the apoptosis rate were(9.23±1.04)%and(1.64±0.22)%,with statistical significance(all P<0.05).In animal experiments,24 h urinary protein content of normal group,model group,low-dose experimental group,high-dose experimental group and combination group were(21.45±2.28),(127.38±14.70),(120.85±13.34),(43.15±6.68)and(96.20±10.63)mg;TNF-α levels were(0.27±0.05),(1.58±0.16),(1.56±0.16),(0.44±0.05)and(1.03±0.10)ng·mL-1;IL-4 levels were(0.17±0.02),(1.24±0.12),(1.20±0.12),(0.29±0.03)and(0.87±0.09)ng·mL-1;RhoA protein expression levels were 0.27±0.03,0.78±0.08,0.76±0.07,0.34±0.03 and 0.72±0.07;the expression levels of ROCK1 protein were 0.22±0.02,0.85±0.09,0.83±0.08,0.41±0.04 and 0.75±0.08.The differences of above indexes were statistically significant between the high-dose experimental group and the combination group(all P<0.05).Conclusion LEO may improve PNS in rats by down-regulating RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.
8.Comparison and related factors of suicide risk among patients with schizophrenia,major depressive disorder,and bipolar disorder
Chuanlin LUO ; Yuanyuan LI ; Zhaorui LIU ; Yanling HE ; Liang ZHOU ; Bo LIU ; Jie ZHANG ; Yuandong GONG ; Yan LIU ; Jin LU ; Yanping ZHOU ; Changqing GAO ; Qing DONG ; Defang CAI ; Runxu YANG ; Tingting ZHANG ; Yueqin HUANG
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2024;38(1):1-8
Objective:To describe and analyze suicide risk of patients with schizophrenia,major depressive disorder,and bipolar disorder.Methods:A total of 2 016 patients with schizophrenia,903 patients with major de-pressive disorder,and 381 patients with bipolar disorder from inpatients,clinics,or communities who met the diag-nostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fifth Edition were recruited.All patients were interviewed by psychiatrists using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview to diagnose mental disor-ders and assess suicide risk,as well as Clinical-Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity(CRDPSS)to as-sess symptoms.Differences and risk factors of suicide risk among three types of mental disorders were explored u-sing multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:In the past one month,37 patients with schizophrenia(1.8%),516 patients with major depressive disorder(57.1%),and 102 patients with bipolar disorder(26.8%)had suicide risk.Compared with patients with schizophrenia,suicide risk in patients with major depressive disorder(OR=36.50)and bipolar disorder(OR=20.10)increased.Female(OR=1.87),smoking(OR=1.76),family history of suicide(OR=5.09),higher score of CRDPSS hallucination(OR=1.80),and higher score of CRDPSS depression(OR=1.54)were risk factors of suicide risk of patients.Conclusions:Suicide risk of patients with ma-jor depressive disorder and bipolar disorder is higher than that of patients with schizophrenia.In clinical practice,it is important to regularly assess suicide risk of patients.Patients who experience symptoms of hallucination and de-pression should be paid more attention to.
9.Preparation of Phenolic Acid-sodium Hyaluronate Copolymers and in vitro Antioxidant Activity Assessment
Xiao-Yue ZHANG ; Xiao-Na WANG ; Min JIANG ; Ting-Ting HAN ; Jin-Song GONG ; Qing-Na LI ; Su-Zhen YANG ; Jin-Song SHI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(8):1950-1962
ObjectiveSodium hyaluronate (HA) was used as the research object to modify it with phenolic acid in order to obtain the molecular structure with better antioxidant activity or even new activity. MethodsIn this study, 5 kinds of phenolic acid-sodium hyaluronate was prepared by free radical-mediated grafting method, and the grafts with the highest grafting degree were selected to optimize the synthesis conditions. Then, grafts structure and physicochemical properties were analyzed. The grafts were characterized by IR, UV, 1H NMR, FESEM and TGA spectra. The in vitro antioxidant capacity of grafts was determined by the scavenging ability of DPPH·, ABTS+· and O2-·. ResultsAmong 5 kinds of phenolic acid-sodium hyaluronate, the grafting rate of ferulic acid-sodium hyaluronate copolymer (FA-HA) was highest , which was chosen as experimental sample in the following tests. Firstly, the reaction conditions were investigated and the highest grafting rate was (16.59±0.31) mg/g at the optimal preparation conditions. Then, FA-HA structure and physicochemical properties were analyzed. Data from UV, IR, 1H NMR analyses, TGA showed that FA were successfully grafted to HA. Compared with HA, the results of gel permeation chrematography (GPC) showed that the molecular mass distribution ofFA-HA copolymer decreased from 34.4 to 31.5 ku, but the uniformity of molecular distribution was improved. FESEM results showed that the structure of copolymer exhibited a closely connected lamellar structure with a relatively smooth surface. TGA results showed that thermal stability of FA-HA had a little decline. The antioxidant performance in vitro results showed that, during 0.25-10 g/L, FA-HA can eliminate (83.76±4.86)% DPPH·, (76.95±5.06)% ABTS+· and (83.08±2.51)% O2-· respectively at 10 g/L. which were higher than that of native HA and FA. ConclusionFA and HA were successfully grafted together by free radical grafting, and the grafted FA-HA had better antioxidant activity in vitro, which provided a theoretical basis for further research and development of phenolic acid-HA grafts.
10.Isolation, chiral separation and absolute configuration determination of lignanoids from an aqueous extract of the Angelica sinensis root head
Xiao-yi ZHANG ; Zhao XIA ; Xiao-qiang LEI ; Wei-ping LI ; Rong LIU ; Qing-lan GUO ; Jian-gong SHI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(7):2077-2086
From an aqueous extract of the

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