1.Mechanisms of Gegen Qinlian Tang-containing Serum in Improving 5-FU Sensitivity by Inhibiting Glycolysis in Colorectal Cancer Cells Based on CDK16/MYC Pathway
Rong CAI ; Shang WANG ; Fuqing CHENG ; Yanping ZHOU ; Zuowei HU ; Yunhai LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):1-9
ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanisms by which serum containing Gegen Qinlian Tang (GQT) inhibits glycolysis and enhances chemotherapy sensitivity in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-resistant colorectal cancer (CRC) cells based on the cyclin-dependent kinase 16 (CDK16)/MYC proto-oncogene (MYC) pathway. MethodsHCT-116/5-FU cells were treated with different concentrations (5%, 10%, 20%, 30%) of GQT-containing serum. Cell viability and 5-FU sensitivity were assessed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and the experimental concentrations of 5-FU and GQT for subsequent experiments were determined. Cell proliferation and apoptosis under individual 5-FU, GQT, and combined 5-FU + GQT treatments were evaluated using 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EDU) staining and annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, respectively. Glucose consumption, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, and lactate levels were measured by colorimetric assays. Expression levels of glycolysis-related proteins, CDK16, MYC, and phosphorylated MYC were detected by Western blot. Co-immunoprecipitation (CoIP) was used to examine the protein interaction between CDK16 and MYC, and cycloheximide (CHX) treatment was applied to assess the effect of CDK16 overexpression on MYC protein stability. ResultsCCK-8 assays showed that 2.5 mg·L-1 5-FU significantly inhibited HCT-116 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. In HCT-116/5-FU cells, significant inhibition was observed only at 5 mg·L-1 5-FU (P<0.05), which was used for model establishment. Compared with 5-FU alone, addition of 5% GQT-containing serum significantly suppressed HCT-116/5-FU cell viability (P<0.05), with stronger inhibition at higher serum concentrations. Thus, 5% GQT-containing serum was used in subsequent experiments. Compared with the control group, 5-FU, GQT, and 5-FU + GQT treatments all significantly reduced cell proliferation (P<0.05) and increased apoptosis (P<0.01). The 5-FU + GQT combination showed superior inhibition of proliferation compared with 5-FU or GQT alone (P<0.01), accompanied by more pronounced reductions in glucose consumption, ATP production, and lactate generation (P<0.01). Additionally, compared with control, 5-FU, and GQT groups, the 5-FU + GQT group exhibited stronger suppression of MYC and its phosphorylated forms (P<0.01) and greater inhibition of glycolytic enzymes, including hexokinase 2 (HK2), 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) (P<0.01). CDK16, MYC, and MYC phosphorylation expression levels were significantly downregulated in the 5-FU + GQT group compared with the 5-FU group (all P<0.01). MYC protein stability decreased in a time-dependent manner in the 5-FU + GQT group (P<0.05), which was rescued by CDK16 overexpression (P<0.05). ConclusionGQT significantly enhances the sensitivity of HCT-116/5-FU cells to 5-FU, potentially by inhibiting CDK16 and thereby reducing MYC-mediated glycolysis.
2.Mechanisms of Gegen Qinlian Tang-containing Serum in Improving 5-FU Sensitivity by Inhibiting Glycolysis in Colorectal Cancer Cells Based on CDK16/MYC Pathway
Rong CAI ; Shang WANG ; Fuqing CHENG ; Yanping ZHOU ; Zuowei HU ; Yunhai LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):1-9
ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanisms by which serum containing Gegen Qinlian Tang (GQT) inhibits glycolysis and enhances chemotherapy sensitivity in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-resistant colorectal cancer (CRC) cells based on the cyclin-dependent kinase 16 (CDK16)/MYC proto-oncogene (MYC) pathway. MethodsHCT-116/5-FU cells were treated with different concentrations (5%, 10%, 20%, 30%) of GQT-containing serum. Cell viability and 5-FU sensitivity were assessed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and the experimental concentrations of 5-FU and GQT for subsequent experiments were determined. Cell proliferation and apoptosis under individual 5-FU, GQT, and combined 5-FU + GQT treatments were evaluated using 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EDU) staining and annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, respectively. Glucose consumption, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, and lactate levels were measured by colorimetric assays. Expression levels of glycolysis-related proteins, CDK16, MYC, and phosphorylated MYC were detected by Western blot. Co-immunoprecipitation (CoIP) was used to examine the protein interaction between CDK16 and MYC, and cycloheximide (CHX) treatment was applied to assess the effect of CDK16 overexpression on MYC protein stability. ResultsCCK-8 assays showed that 2.5 mg·L-1 5-FU significantly inhibited HCT-116 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. In HCT-116/5-FU cells, significant inhibition was observed only at 5 mg·L-1 5-FU (P<0.05), which was used for model establishment. Compared with 5-FU alone, addition of 5% GQT-containing serum significantly suppressed HCT-116/5-FU cell viability (P<0.05), with stronger inhibition at higher serum concentrations. Thus, 5% GQT-containing serum was used in subsequent experiments. Compared with the control group, 5-FU, GQT, and 5-FU + GQT treatments all significantly reduced cell proliferation (P<0.05) and increased apoptosis (P<0.01). The 5-FU + GQT combination showed superior inhibition of proliferation compared with 5-FU or GQT alone (P<0.01), accompanied by more pronounced reductions in glucose consumption, ATP production, and lactate generation (P<0.01). Additionally, compared with control, 5-FU, and GQT groups, the 5-FU + GQT group exhibited stronger suppression of MYC and its phosphorylated forms (P<0.01) and greater inhibition of glycolytic enzymes, including hexokinase 2 (HK2), 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) (P<0.01). CDK16, MYC, and MYC phosphorylation expression levels were significantly downregulated in the 5-FU + GQT group compared with the 5-FU group (all P<0.01). MYC protein stability decreased in a time-dependent manner in the 5-FU + GQT group (P<0.05), which was rescued by CDK16 overexpression (P<0.05). ConclusionGQT significantly enhances the sensitivity of HCT-116/5-FU cells to 5-FU, potentially by inhibiting CDK16 and thereby reducing MYC-mediated glycolysis.
3.Design, synthesis and anti-Alzheimer's disease activity evaluation of cinnamyl triazole compounds
Wen-ju LEI ; Zhong-di CAI ; Lin-jie TAN ; Mi-min LIU ; Li ZENG ; Ting SUN ; Hong YI ; Rui LIU ; Zhuo-rong LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):150-163
19 cinnamamide/ester-triazole compounds were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) activity. Among them, compound
4.Clinical outcomes of cyclosporine combined with lacrimal plug in the treatment of dry eye in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome
Lin AN ; Qiuhong WEI ; Jingjing CAI ; Chengwen YANG ; Rong ZHANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(1):128-133
AIM: To analyze the clinical outcomes of cyclosporine combined with lacrimal plug in the treatment of dry eye in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.METHODS: The clinical data of 60 patients(120 eyes)who were admitted to the ophthalmology department and rheumatology and immunology department of Baoding No.1 Central Hospital and were diagonosed with siogren's syndrome dry eye after multidisciplinary consultation from June 2022 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients received regular treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome, and they were divided into three groups according to treatment methods: A, B and C, with 20 cases(40 eyes)in each group. The group A received 0.3% sodium hyaluronate eyedrops, the group B received 0.3% sodium hyaluronate eyedrops plus 0.05% cyclosporine eyedrops, and the group C received 0.3% sodium hyaluronate eyedrops plus 0.05% cyclosporine eyedrops combined with binocular lacrimal plugs. The ocular surface disease index(OSDI)score, conjunctival hyperemia score, tear film breakup time(BUT), tear meniscus height(TMH), corneal fluorescein staining(FL)score and tear secretion of the three groups of patients were compared before and at 4, 8 and 12 wk after treatment. The contents of inflammatory factors such as interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)in tears were detected before and at 12 wk after treatment.RESULTS: At 4, 8 and 12 wk after treatment, the scores of OSDI, conjunctival hyperemia score and FL in the three groups of patients were lower than those before treatment, and the BUT, TMH and tear secretion were higher than those before treatment(all P<0.001). The OSDI score of the group C was lower than that of the group A and B, and the group B was lower than the group A(all P<0.001). The BUT, TMH and tear secretion of the group C were higher than those of the group A and B, with the group B higher than the group A(all P<0.001). At 12 wk after treatment, the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β in the tears of the three groups of patients were lower than those before treatment, with the group C lower than the group A and B, and the group B lower than the group A(all P<0.001). There was no statistical significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions among the three groups of patients(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: The combined use of cyclosporine and lacrimal plug is safe and effective in improving the clinical symptoms of patients with moderate and severe dry eye, promoting the function of tear film and cornea, increasing tears secretion, and reducing the level of tear inflammatory factors.
5.Yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy on liver cancer: the past, the present, and the future
Jingqin MA ; Linhong ZHANG ; Minjie YANG ; Jiabin CAI ; Ying FANG ; Rong LIU ; Xudong QU ; Lingxiao LIU ; Zhiping YAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(1):3-8
Yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy (90Y-SIRT) is a treatment technique that delivers radioactive microspheres precisely to the arterial vascular bed of neoplasms, utilizing beta radiation to administer a high local dose of radiation to the neoplasm tissues. This technology has demonstrated significant efficacy in patients with unresectable pirmary liver cancers and liver metastases. This article systematically reviews the development history and clinical application status of 90Y-SIRT in the treatment of liver cancer, and looks forward to future development directions.
6.Construction of A Chiral Separation Method Using Polystyrene-cyclodextrin Metal-organic Framework Coating for Open-tubular Capillary Electrochromatography
Yan ZHANG ; Hao-Yu LI ; Cai LIU ; Rong-Yue ZHANG ; Xiao-Nan HE ; Juan QIAO
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(10):1751-1760
By using a strategy of leveraging the ability of metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)materials to precisely regulate the spatial orientation of cyclodextrins(CD),a polystyrene-modified γ-cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks(PS-CD-MOFs)capillary coating was established and applied to the chiral separation of amino acids in open-tubular capillary electrochromatography(OT-CEC)based on the excellent film-forming property of polystyrene(PS).Characterization results by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),X-ray diffraction(XRD)indicated that PS was successfully grafted onto the surface of CD-MOFs.The modification significantly improved the structural stability and thermal stability of CD-MOFs while maintaining the integrity of the MOFs.The PS-CD-MOFs coated capillary electrophoresis system exhibited excellent performance in separating dansylated amino acid enantiomers(Dns-D,L-AAs).Specifically,under the optimal separation conditions(Sodium dodecyl sulfate/boric acid buffer system,20 cm capillary,and 10 kV effective voltage),good separation was achieved for D,L-methionine(D,L-Met)and D,L-serine(D,L-Ser).Further quantitative analysis showed that Dns-D,L-Met presented a good linear relationship in the concentration range of 10.0-1500.0 μmol/L,with a correlation coefficient close to 0.998,demonstrating high sensitivity and repeatability.Not only did it overcome the problem that traditional CD(used as additives in capillary electrophoresis)could not precisely control the spatial orientation of chiral resolvents,but also it solved the issues of insufficient stability and bonding amount of CD-MOFs coatings by utilizing the excellent film-forming property of polymers on the inner wall of capillaries.This study provided an efficient and controllable new strategy for construction of chiral separation stationary phases.
7.Creation and Exploration of the"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"Disci-pline Construction Model for Forensic Medicine in the New Era
Zhi-Wen WEI ; Hong-Xing WANG ; Jun-Hong SUN ; Hao-Liang FAN ; Hong-Liang SU ; Le-Le WANG ; Wen-Ting HE ; Zhe CHEN ; Jie ZHANG ; Xiang-Jie GUO ; Ji LI ; Geng-Qian ZHANG ; Xin-Hua LIANG ; Jiang-Wei YAN ; Qiang-Qiang ZHANG ; Cai-Rong GAO ; Ying-Yuan WANG ; Hong-Wei WANG ; Jun XIE ; Bo-Feng ZHU ; Ke-Ming YUN
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(1):25-29
Forensic medicine has been designated as a first-level discipline,presenting new opportunities and challenges for the development of forensic medicine.Since the 1980s,the establishment of foren-sic medicine discipline and the cultivation of high-level forensic talents have become hot topics in the development of forensic medicine in China.Since the 13th Five-Year Plan,the forensic team of Shanxi Medical University has been aiming at the forefront,proposing the development goals of"Five First-class"and the discipline development path"Six Major Achievements".It has selected benchmark disci-plines,identified gaps in disciplinary development,unified thoughts,formulated completion timelines,concentrated superior resources,assigned tasks to individuals,and created an"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"forensic medicine discipline construction model with the characteristics of the new era.The construction model of forensic medicine has achieved good results in the goals,discipline frame-work,scientific research,talent cultivation,discipline team and platform construction,forming a rela-tively complete discipline construction and management system,and accumulating valuable experience for the construction of first-level discipline and high-level talent cultivation of forensic medicine.
8.International risk signal prioritization principles: comparison and implications for scientific regulation of traditional Chinese medicine.
Rui ZHENG ; Shuo LIU ; Shi-Jia WANG ; He-Rong CUI ; Hai-Bo SONG ; Hong-Cai SHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):273-277
Signal detection is a critical task in drug safety regulation. However, it inevitably generates irrelevant or false signals, posing challenges for resource allocation by marketing authorization holders. To reasonably assess these signals, different countries have established various principles for prioritizing the evaluation of risk signals. This study systematically compares these principles and finds that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) focuses on practical issues, such as identifying drug confusion or drug interactions. However, China's Good Pharmacovigilance Practices and the European Medicines Agency(EMA) emphasize a comprehensive evaluation framework. The Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences(CIOMS) emphasizes the consistency of multiple data sources, highlighting the reliability of signal evaluation. China practices a multidisciplinary approach combining traditional Chinese and western medicine, and the risk signals related to traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) have unique characteristics, including complex components, cumulative toxicity, specific theoretical foundations, and drug interactions. The different priorities in risk signal evaluation principles across countries suggest that China should strengthen clinical trial research, emphasize corroboration with evidence of multiple sources, and pay particular attention to the risks of drug interactions in the TCM regulatory science. Establishing the risk signal prioritization principles that align with the characteristics of TCM enables more precise and efficient scientific regulation of TCM.
Humans
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
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China
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
;
United States
;
United States Food and Drug Administration
9.Mechanism of Colquhounia Root Tablets against diabetic kidney disease via RAGE-ROS-PI3K-AKT-NF-κB-NLRP3 signaling axis.
Ming-Zhu XU ; Zhao-Chen MA ; Zi-Qing XIAO ; Shuang-Rong GAO ; Yi-Xin YANG ; Jia-Yun SHEN ; Chu ZHANG ; Feng HUANG ; Jiang-Rui WANG ; Bei-Lei CAI ; Na LIN ; Yan-Qiong ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1830-1840
This study aimed to explore the therapeutic mechanisms of Colquhounia Root Tablets(CRT) in treating diabetic kidney disease(DKD) by integrating biomolecular network mining with animal model verification. By analyzing clinical transcriptomics data, an interaction network was constructed between candidate targets of CRT and DKD-related genes. Based on the topological eigenvalues of network nodes, 101 core network targets of CRT against DKD were identified. These targets were found to be closely related to multiple pathways associated with type 2 diabetes, immune response, and metabolic reprogramming. Given that immune-inflammatory imbalance driven by metabolic reprogramming is one of the key pathogenic mechanisms of DKD, and that many core network targets of CRT are involved in this pathological process, receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE)-reactive oxygen species(ROS)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT)-nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)-NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3) signaling axis was selected as a candidate target for in-depth research. Further, a rat model of DKD induced by a high-sugar, high-fat diet and streptozotocin was established to evaluate the pharmacological effects of CRT and verify the expression of related targets. The experimental results showed that CRT could effectively correct metabolic disturbances in DKD, restore immune-inflammatory balance, and improve renal function and its pathological changes by inhibiting the activation of the RAGE-ROS-PI3K-AKT-NF-κB-NLRP3 signaling axis. In conclusion, this study reveals that CRT alleviates the progression of DKD through dual regulation of metabolic reprogramming and immune-inflammatory responses, providing strong experimental evidence for its clinical application in DKD.
Animals
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Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism*
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Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products/genetics*
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NF-kappa B/genetics*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Rats
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NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Male
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics*
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Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
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Humans
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Plant Roots/chemistry*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Tablets/administration & dosage*
10.Intervention mechanism of Yiqi Fumai Formula in mice with experimental heart failure based on "heart-gut axis".
Zi-Xuan ZHANG ; Yu-Zhuo WU ; Ke-Dian CHEN ; Jian-Qin WANG ; Yang SUN ; Yin JIANG ; Yi-Xuan LIN ; He-Rong CUI ; Hong-Cai SHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3399-3412
This paper aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of the Yiqi Fumai Formula(YQFM), a kind of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), on mice with experimental heart failure based on the "heart-gut axis" theory. Based on the network pharmacology integrated with the group collaboration algorithm, the active ingredients were screened, a "component-target-disease" network was constructed, and the potential pathways regulated by the formula were predicted and analyzed. Next, the model of experimental heart failure was established by intraperitoneal injection of adriamycin at a single high dose(15 mg·kg~(-1)) in BALB/c mice. After intraperitoneal injection of YQFM(lyophilized) at 7.90, 15.80, and 31.55 mg·d~(-1) for 7 d, the protective effects of the formula on cardiac function were evaluated using indicators such as ultrasonic electrocardiography and myocardial injury markers. Combined with inflammatory factors in the cardiac and colorectal tissue, as well as targeted assays, the relevant indicators of potential pathways were verified. Meanwhile, 16S rDNA sequencing was performed on mouse fecal samples using the Illumina platform to detect changes in gut flora and analyze differential metabolic pathways. The results show that the administration of injectable YQFM(lyophilized) for 7 d significantly increased the left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter, fractional shortening, and ejection fraction of cardiac tissue of mice with experimental heart failure(P<0.05). Moreover, markers of myocardial injury were significantly decreased(P<0.05), indicating improved cardiac function, along with significantly suppressed inflammatory responses in cardiac and intestinal tissue(P<0.05). Additionally, the species of causative organisms was decreased, and the homeostasis of gut flora was improved, involving a modulatory effect on PI3K-Akt signaling pathway-related inflammation in cardiac and colorectal tissue. In conclusion, YQFM can affect the "heart-gut axis" immunity through the homeostasis of the gut flora, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on heart failure. This finding provides a reference for the combination of TCM and western medicine to prevent and treat heart failure based on the "heart-gut axis" theory.
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Heart Failure/microbiology*
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Male
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Disease Models, Animal
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
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Heart/physiopathology*
;
Humans
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*

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