1.Mechanism of Yangjing Zhongyutang in Regulating SIRT1/PGC-1α Signaling Pathway to Promote Mitochondrial Function and Alleviate Oxidative Stress Damage in Rats with Diminished Ovarian Reserve
Ping ZHANG ; Lijuan YANG ; Shenghui CHEN ; Wenliang YAO ; Yuliang ZHOU ; Ling MA ; Huiying WU ; Yanwen XU ; Ziyan ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):46-55
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Yangjing Zhongyutang (YJZYT) on mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative stress damage mediated by the silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1α) signaling pathway in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced rats with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), and to explore its mechanism in improving ovarian reserve function and follicular development. MethodsForty-two 8-week-old female SD rats with normal estrous cycles were randomly divided into a blank control group (n=7) and a model group (n=35). Rats in the model group received a single intraperitoneal injection of CTX (90 mg·kg-1) to establish the DOR model. After modeling, estrous cycles were monitored for 7 consecutive days, and model success was confirmed based on criteria for estrous cycle disruption. After successful modeling, rats were divided into groups for intervention: estradiol valerate group (0.09 mg·kg-1), and YJZYT high-, medium-, and low-dose groups (19.98, 9.99, 5.00 g·kg-1). The blank control group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water by gavage. All groups received daily gavage once for 4 consecutive weeks. The general state, body weight, and ovarian wet weight of rats were observed and recorded, and the ovarian organ index was calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe ovarian histomorphological changes and follicular development status. Immunofluorescence was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression levels. Colorimetric assays were employed to measure adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in ovarian tissues. Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and the mRNA expression levels of key genes including SIRT1, PGC-1α, nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression levels of SIRT1, PGC-1α, NRF1, and TFAM. ResultsCompared with the blank group, rats in the model group exhibited disrupted estrous cycles, obviously reduced body weight, and decreased ovarian index (P<0.05). Ovarian histopathology revealed cortical thinning, loose structure, and a significant reduction in both primordial and growing follicles (P<0.01). Serum FSH and LH levels were significantly elevated (P<0.01), while E2 and AMH levels were obviously reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). ATP content and mtDNA copy number decreased in ovarian tissue (P<0.01), ROS expression increased, MDA levels rose, while SOD and GSH-Px activities obviously decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), mRNA and protein expression levels of SIRT1, PGC-1α, NRF1, and TFAM were obviously downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, compared with the model group, body weight and ovarian index obviously recovered in rats administered various doses of YJZYT (P<0.05), serum E2 and AMH levels increased, while FSH and LH levels obviously decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), ovarian tissue ATP content and mtDNA copy number were up-regulated, ROS and MDA levels decreased, and antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px activity obviously increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), Gene and protein expression levels related to the SIRT1/PGC-1α /NRF1/TFAM signaling pathway were obviously up-regulated compared to the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), HE staining revealed that ovarian structure gradually recovered to integrity in all treatment groups, with a obviously increase in the number of primordial and growing follicles (P<0.05, P<0.01). Granulosa cells were neatly arranged, indicating marked improvement in ovarian function. ConclusionYJZYT may improve ovarian function and follicular development in rats with diminished ovarian reserve by activating the SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway, promoting mitochondrial biogenesis, enhancing mitochondrial function, and alleviating oxidative stress damage.
2.Quality Evaluation of Naomaili Granules Based on Multi-component Content Determination and Fingerprint and Screening of Its Anti-neuroinflammatory Substance Basis
Ya WANG ; Yanan KANG ; Bo LIU ; Zimo WANG ; Xuan ZHANG ; Wei LAN ; Wen ZHANG ; Lu YANG ; Yi SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):170-178
ObjectiveTo establish an ultra-performance liquid fingerprint and multi-components determination method for Naomaili granules. To evaluate the quality of different batches by chemometrics, and the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of water extract and main components of Naomaili granules were tested in vitro. MethodsThe similarity and common peaks of 27 batches of Naomaili granules were evaluated by using Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) fingerprint detection. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) technology was used to determine the content of the index components in Naomaili granules and to evaluate the quality of different batches of Naomaili granules by chemometrics. LPS-induced BV-2 cell inflammation model was used to investigate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of the water extract and main components of Naomaili granules. ResultsThe similarity of fingerprints of 27 batches of samples was > 0.90. A total of 32 common peaks were calibrated, and 23 of them were identified and assigned. In 27 batches of Naomaili granules, the mass fractions of 14 components that were stachydrine hydrochloride, leonurine hydrochloride, calycosin-7-O-glucoside, calycosin,tanshinoneⅠ, cryptotanshinone, tanshinoneⅡA, ginsenoside Rb1, notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, lactiflorin, and salvianolic acid B were found to be 2.902-3.498, 0.233-0.343, 0.111-0.301, 0.07-0.152, 0.136-0.228, 0.195-0.390, 0.324-0.482, 1.056-1.435, 0.271-0.397, 1.318-1.649, 3.038-4.059, 2.263-3.455, 0.152-0.232, 2.931-3.991 mg∙g-1, respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that paeoniflorin, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rb1 and staphylline hydrochloride were quality difference markers to control the stability of the preparation. The results of bioactive experiment showed that the water extract of Naomaili granules and the eight main components with high content in the prescription had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the release of NO in the cell supernatant. Among them, salvianolic acid B and ginsenoside Rb1 had strong anti-inflammatory activity, with IC50 values of (36.11±0.15) mg∙L-1 and (27.24±0.54) mg∙L-1, respectively. ConclusionThe quality evaluation method of Naomaili granules established in this study was accurate and reproducible. Four quality difference markers were screened out, and eight key pharmacodynamic substances of Naomaili granules against neuroinflammation were screened out by in vitro cell experiments.
3.Rosa laevigata Michx. inhibits pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation in hypertension by modulating the Src-AKT1 axis.
Ziwei YANG ; Chang LÜ ; Zhu DONG ; Shulei JI ; Shenghui BI ; Xuehua ZHANG ; Xiaowu WANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(9):1889-1902
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the synergistic mechanism of the traditional Chinese medicine Rosa laevigata Michx. (RLM) for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
METHODS:
Network pharmacological analysis was carried out to screen the active ingredients of RLM and PAH disease targets and construct the "component-target-disease" interaction network, followed by gene enrichment analysis and molecular docking studies. In the cell experiments, primary cultures of rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells were exposed to hypoxia for 24 h and treated with solvent or 100, 200 and 300 mg/mL RLM, and the changes in cell proliferation were detected using Western blotting for PCNA and immunofluorescence staining. In the animal experiment, male SD rats were randomized into 5 control group, monocrotaline (MCT) solvent group, and MCT with RLM (100, 200 and 300 mg/mL) treatment groups. HE staining and immunofluorescence staining were used to observe histopathological changes in the pulmonary blood vessels of the rats.
RESULTS:
Seven core active ingredients (including β-sitosterol and kaempferol) in RLM and 39 key disease targets were identified, and molecular docking showed that SRC was a high-affinity target. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the differential genes were significantly enriched in calcium signaling and PI3K-AKT pathways. In rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells, hypoxic exposure significantly up-regulated cellular expression of PCNA and phosphorylation levels of Src and AKT1, which were obviously lowered by RLM treatment. In RLM-treated rat models, the mean pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular hypertrophy index (Fulton index) were significantly reduced, the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was improved, and pulmonary vascular wall thickening and fibrosis were obviously ameliorated.
CONCLUSIONS
RLM inhibits pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation in rat models of hypertension possibly by regulating the Src-AKT1 axis, suggesting the potential of RLM as a new natural drug for treatment of pulmonary hypertension.
Animals
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Pulmonary Artery/cytology*
;
Male
;
Rats
;
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology*
;
Hypertension, Pulmonary/pathology*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology*
;
src-Family Kinases/metabolism*
;
Cells, Cultured
4.Flavonoid extract from Dracocephalum rupestre hance in improving gouty arthritis:study based on network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiment
Weidong YANG ; Ruiqi WANG ; Haihua WANG ; Tianxiang YE ; Shenghui CHENG ; Huifang LI ; Xuliang HAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(6):763-773
AIM:To investigate the mechanism of flavonoid extract from Dracocephalum rupestre hance(DRHF)in the treatment of gouty arthritis through network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiment.METHODS:Literature re-trieval was used to explore the main active chemi-cal components and targets of DRHF.Gouty arthri-tis disease targets were obtained using Gene Cards and OMIM databases,and drug-disease intersect-ing targets were obtained using Wayne online tools.protein-protein interactions(PPI)and other related network diagrams were constructed using Cytoscape software.GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed on the shared intersect-ing targets using Metascape database.A rat model of gouty arthritis was established by Coderre meth-od;the swelling degree of ankle joint,gait behav-iour scores of rats were observed,and hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was performed.ELISA and real-time PCR were used to detect the key targets pre-dicted by the network pharmacology,and the ef-fects of DRHF on the molecular mechanism and key targets of gouty arthritis were observed.RESULTS:A total of 7 active compounds and 129 candidate targets for the treatment of GA were obtained,in-cluding IL-6,IL-1β,RELA,TNF,PPARG,etc.and the KEGG enrichment results suggested that DRHF may be involved in PI3K-Akt,TNF,IL-17 and other signal transduction pathways.Animal results:HE staining showed that the thickening of synovial tissue was not obvious in each administered group,and syno-vial cell proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltra-tion were significantly improved;compared with the normal group,the serum levels of TNF,IL-6,and IL-1β in the model group were significantly higher(P<0.05),and the mRNA of PPARG,IL-6,and RELA in the synovial tissues were significantly high-er;compared with the model group,the levels of TNF,IL-6,and IL-1β were significantly lower(P<0.05)in the low group of DRHF(0.45 g/kg)and high group of DRHF(0.9 g/kg),TNF,IL-6,IL-1β lev-els were significantly reduced(P<0.05);PPARG,IL-6,RELA mRNA in synovial tissue were significantly reduced.CONCLUSION:DRHF inhibits IL-17/PI-3K/TNF signaling pathway by down-regulating the ex-pression of IL-6,PPARG and RELA mRNA,decreas-ing the levels of IL-6,IL-1β and TNF,and then treat-ing gouty arthritis.
5.Evaluation progress of the application of staplers in thoracoscopic lung surgery
Shenghui LI ; Yijiu REN ; Hang SU ; Minglei YANG ; Guofang ZHAO ; Yongxiang SONG ; Xuefei HU ; Deping ZHAO ; Qi XUE ; Chang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):709-713
Compared to traditional suturing, lung stapling using automatic staplers offers advantages such as smaller trauma, faster wound healing, ease of operation, and lower complication rates, making it widely used in clinical practice. However, there are significant differences in bronchial tissue thickness at different anatomical locations, and the market is flooded with various types of staplers. Currently, there is a lack of recommended stapling schemes for bronchial staplers at different anatomical locations. This article reviews the development and application of automatic staplers and summarizes some types of staplers that are currently used in clinical practice, with the aim of promoting the formation of individualized stapler selection protocols for minimally invasive thoracic surgery based on the Chinese population.
6.Volume changes in the thalamus and thalamic subnucleus in patients with trigeminal neuralgia
He ZHAO ; Shenghui XIE ; Xueying MA ; Qiong WU ; Xue BAI ; Yang GAO
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(2):198-201
Objective To investigate the thalamus and thalamic subnucleus volume changes in patients with trigeminal neuralgia(TN)and to preliminarily investigate whether there is a pain processing lateralization advantage in the thalamus.Methods The three-dimensional T1WI images of 56 TN patients and 56 matched healthy controls(HC)were collected,and thalamus and thalamic subnucleus volumes were extracted by automated segmentation via a region of interest(ROI)-based morphological analysis method.Results There was no significant difference in the whole thalamus volume between TN and HC groups.Compared with HC,the bilateral ventral lateral(VL)of the thalamus were significantly smaller in patients with right-sided trigeminal neuralgia(RTN),and no significant thalamic subnucleus volume changes were found in patients with left-sided trigeminal neuralgia(LTN).After mirror-flipping the whole-brain images of the LTN,it was found that the volume of ipsilateral thalamic VL of TN group was significantly reduced than that of HC group.The volume of ipsilateral mediodorsal lateral parvocellular(MD1)of TN group was significantly smaller than that of HC group.There was no significant difference in the volume of ipsilateral and contralateral thalamic subnucleus.Conclusion The thalamic subnucleus are exclusively reduced in volume in patients with TN,and there is no significant change in whole thalamus volume,suggesting no lateralization advantage for pain processing.
7.Flavonoid extract from Dracocephalum rupestre hance in improving gouty arthritis:study based on network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiment
Weidong YANG ; Ruiqi WANG ; Haihua WANG ; Tianxiang YE ; Shenghui CHENG ; Huifang LI ; Xuliang HAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(6):763-773
AIM:To investigate the mechanism of flavonoid extract from Dracocephalum rupestre hance(DRHF)in the treatment of gouty arthritis through network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiment.METHODS:Literature re-trieval was used to explore the main active chemi-cal components and targets of DRHF.Gouty arthri-tis disease targets were obtained using Gene Cards and OMIM databases,and drug-disease intersect-ing targets were obtained using Wayne online tools.protein-protein interactions(PPI)and other related network diagrams were constructed using Cytoscape software.GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed on the shared intersect-ing targets using Metascape database.A rat model of gouty arthritis was established by Coderre meth-od;the swelling degree of ankle joint,gait behav-iour scores of rats were observed,and hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was performed.ELISA and real-time PCR were used to detect the key targets pre-dicted by the network pharmacology,and the ef-fects of DRHF on the molecular mechanism and key targets of gouty arthritis were observed.RESULTS:A total of 7 active compounds and 129 candidate targets for the treatment of GA were obtained,in-cluding IL-6,IL-1β,RELA,TNF,PPARG,etc.and the KEGG enrichment results suggested that DRHF may be involved in PI3K-Akt,TNF,IL-17 and other signal transduction pathways.Animal results:HE staining showed that the thickening of synovial tissue was not obvious in each administered group,and syno-vial cell proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltra-tion were significantly improved;compared with the normal group,the serum levels of TNF,IL-6,and IL-1β in the model group were significantly higher(P<0.05),and the mRNA of PPARG,IL-6,and RELA in the synovial tissues were significantly high-er;compared with the model group,the levels of TNF,IL-6,and IL-1β were significantly lower(P<0.05)in the low group of DRHF(0.45 g/kg)and high group of DRHF(0.9 g/kg),TNF,IL-6,IL-1β lev-els were significantly reduced(P<0.05);PPARG,IL-6,RELA mRNA in synovial tissue were significantly reduced.CONCLUSION:DRHF inhibits IL-17/PI-3K/TNF signaling pathway by down-regulating the ex-pression of IL-6,PPARG and RELA mRNA,decreas-ing the levels of IL-6,IL-1β and TNF,and then treat-ing gouty arthritis.
8.Volume changes in the thalamus and thalamic subnucleus in patients with trigeminal neuralgia
He ZHAO ; Shenghui XIE ; Xueying MA ; Qiong WU ; Xue BAI ; Yang GAO
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(2):198-201
Objective To investigate the thalamus and thalamic subnucleus volume changes in patients with trigeminal neuralgia(TN)and to preliminarily investigate whether there is a pain processing lateralization advantage in the thalamus.Methods The three-dimensional T1WI images of 56 TN patients and 56 matched healthy controls(HC)were collected,and thalamus and thalamic subnucleus volumes were extracted by automated segmentation via a region of interest(ROI)-based morphological analysis method.Results There was no significant difference in the whole thalamus volume between TN and HC groups.Compared with HC,the bilateral ventral lateral(VL)of the thalamus were significantly smaller in patients with right-sided trigeminal neuralgia(RTN),and no significant thalamic subnucleus volume changes were found in patients with left-sided trigeminal neuralgia(LTN).After mirror-flipping the whole-brain images of the LTN,it was found that the volume of ipsilateral thalamic VL of TN group was significantly reduced than that of HC group.The volume of ipsilateral mediodorsal lateral parvocellular(MD1)of TN group was significantly smaller than that of HC group.There was no significant difference in the volume of ipsilateral and contralateral thalamic subnucleus.Conclusion The thalamic subnucleus are exclusively reduced in volume in patients with TN,and there is no significant change in whole thalamus volume,suggesting no lateralization advantage for pain processing.
9.Study on the mechanism of Hongteng Decoction in inhibiting adenomyosis fibrosis from Hippo/YAP pathway
Weiwei ZENG ; Xinmin CHEN ; Lijuan LU ; Shenghui HUANG ; Yang CAO ; Tingting ZHANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(7):867-873
Objective:To investigate the mechanism of Hongteng Decoction in inhibiting the adenomyosis (ADS) fibrosis by observing the effects on the key proteins of epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT), fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation (FMT) and Hippo pathway in uterine tissue of mice with ADS.Methods:ICR mice were divided into blank group, model group, Hongteng Decoction group, and verteporfin group according to random number table method, with 8 mice in each group. The day of birth of the mice was day 0, and from day 1, mice in model group, Hongteng Decoction group and verteporfin group were given 1 mg/kg tamoxifen solvent for gavage for 5 days. On the 42nd day after molding, HE staining verified that the molding was successful. Starting from the 43rd day, mice in the Hongteng Decoction group were given TCM solution of Hongteng Decoction 16.5 g/kg everyday, and intraperitoneally injected with 0.9%NaCl solution (100 μl/10 g) every 3 days. Mice in the verteporfin group were intraperitoneally injected with verteporfin solution of 100 mg/kg every 3 days, and intragastric with water of 100 μl/10 g everyday. Mice in blank group and model group were intragastric with constant volume of water daily and intraperitoneally injected with 0.9%NaCl solution every 3 days. The drugs were administered for 60 days. The fibrosis degree of mice in each group was evaluated by Masson staining. The expressions of E-cadherin, Vimentin, α-SMA, YAP and Snail in uterine tissue of mice in each group were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Results:Compared with the model group, the Masson staining expression in Hongteng Decoction group significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis showed that the expression of E-cadherin in uterine tissue of mice in Hongteng Decoction group significantly increased ( P<0.05), while the expressions of Vimentin, α-SMA and YAP significantly decreased ( P<0.01, P<0.05) compared with the model group. Conclusion:Hongteng Decoction can inhibit the occurrence of EMT and FMT in ADS, thereby inhibiting fibrosis, and its mechanism is related to the regulation of Hipoo/YAP pathway.
10.Monitoring and Analysis of Blood Concentrations of Seven New Antiepileptic Drugs on 6 537 Cases in A Grade-A Tertiary Hospital in Beijing
Xintian LI ; Dongjie ZHANG ; Li YANG ; Zhigang ZHAO ; Shenghui MEI ; Jiping HUO
Herald of Medicine 2024;43(12):2026-2032
Objective To analyze the blood concentration monitoring results of 7 new antiepileptic drugs levetiracetam(LEV),oxcarbazepine(OXC),lamotrigine(LTG),topiramate(TPM),lacosamide(LCM),zonisamide(ZNS)and perampanel(PER)and provide a basis for clinical rational drug use.Methods Aretrospective analysis was conducted on the blood concentration monitoring results of 7 new antiepileptic drugs in a grade-A tertiary hospital in Beijing from November 2021 to March 2023,with a total of 6 537 valid concentration data collected.The patients were grouped according to age,gender and concomitant medication,and the blood drug concentration levels and compliance rates among the groups were analyzed and compared.Results The male to female patient ratio was 1.35∶1.There were statistically significant differences in the blood concentration distribution of OXC,LEV,LCM and TPM between genders(P<0.05).The blood concentration of LEV showed statistically significant differences between the pediatric group and the elderly group,as well as between the young adult group and the elderly group(P<0.05).The blood concentrations of OXC,ZNS and TPM showed statistically significant differences between the pediatric group and the young and middle-aged group,between the young and middle-aged group and the elderly group,and between the pediatric group and the young and middle-aged group,respectively(P<0.05).The highest and lowest overall compliance rates of blood concentration were observed for OXC and LCM,respectively.The compliance rates of OXC and TPM in the pediatric group were significantly higher than those in the young-middle-aged group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05),while the compliance rate of LEV in the elderly group was significantly higher than that in the pediatric group and the young-middle-aged group,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).There were a total of 2 133 cases with combined drug use.LEV,OXC and LTG are frequently used and have good efficacy and weak interactions when added to treatment.Conclusion New antiepileptic drugs show a promising prospect in treatment,and therapeutic drug monitoring can further improve the effectiveness of individualized clinical treatment.

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