1.Combination of Components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma-Chuanxiong Rhizoma Affects RA-FLSs by Regulating NF-κB, Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathways and Bcl-2/Caspase-3 Expression
Yongmei GUAN ; Zhiyan WAN ; Shuhui WANG ; Weifeng ZHU ; Zhiyong LIU ; Cheng JIANG ; Zhenzhong ZANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):17-26
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of the combination of components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma and Chuanxiong Rhizoma on rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLSs) and the underlying mechanism. MethodsRA-FLSs were grouped as follows: blank control, positive control (methotrexate), Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma components, Chuanxiong Rhizoma components, and components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma+Chuanxiong Rhizoma. The cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was employed to the cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondiadehyde (MDA) in cells were measured. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65, phosphorylated inhibitory subunit of NF-κBα (p-IκBα), cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 (Caspase-3), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and NF-κB p65. ResultsThe cells in the groups of positive control, Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma components, Chuanxiong Rhizoma components, and components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma+Chuanxiong Rhizoma were treated with 2.50 mg·L-1 methotrexate, 0.20 mg·L-1 triptolide + 0.20 mg·L-1 celastrol, 5.00 mg·L-1 ferulic acid + 20.00 mg·L-1 ligustrazine, 0.20 mg·L-1 triptolide + 0.20 mg·L-1 celastrol + 5.00 mg·L-1 ferulic acid + 20.00 mg·L-1 ligustrazine, respectively. Compared with the blank control group, drug administration reduced the proliferation and invasion and increased the apoptosis of cells (P<0.01), lowered the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, ROS, and MDA (P<0.01), up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Caspase-3, Nrf2, and HO-1 (P<0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2, NF-κB p65, and p-IκBα (P<0.01). Compared with the Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma components group, the combination of components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma+Chuanxiong Rhizoma inhibited the proliferation and invasion (P<0.05) and promoted the apoptosis of RA-FLSs, up-regulated the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and protein levels of Nrf2 and Caspase-3 (P<0.05), and down-regulated the protein levels of NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα (P<0.05). ConclusionThe combination of components from Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma can inhibit the proliferation and invasion and promote the apoptosis of RA-FLSs and alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, and regulating the expression of Bcl-2/Caspase-3.
2.lncRNA MEG3 expression and its relationship with Th17/CD4+T cells in non-small cell lung cancer patients with different severity and prognosis of pleural effusion
Weifeng GUO ; Yueming HE ; Xibin ZHUANG ; Hong HUANG ; Ying ZHEN ; Xiuni ZHU ; Yaotang FANG ; Zixun ZHUANG ; Yuye ZENG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(10):2091-2094,2100
Objective:To study lncRNA MEG3 expression and its relationship with Th17/CD4+T cells in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)with different pleural effusion severity and prognosis.Methods:A total of 104 NSCLC malignant pleural effusion patients admitted to Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected as research subjects,and divided into three groups based on amount of pleural effusion,including small amount of pleural effusion group(35 cases),moderate amount of pleural effusion group(42 cases)and large amount of pleural effusion group(27 cases).According to actual development and prognosis of patient's disease,they were divided into good prognosis group(29 cases without recurrence and metastasis)and poor prognosis group(75 cases with recurrence and metastasis).Another 60 patients with benign pleural effusion due to pneumonia who were treated in Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University at same time were selected as control group.MEG3 expression in pleural effusion of two groups was detected by real-time fluorescent quantita-tive PCR,and peripheral venous blood of subjects was collected.Th17 cell and CD4+T cell ratios of peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry,and Th17/CD4+T was calculated.lncRNA MEG3 and peripheral blood Th17 and CD4+T levels in each group of patients compared.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze pleural effusion and prognostic factors in NSCLC.Results:lncRNA MEG3 expression and CD4+T percentage in pleural effusion in NSCLC group were lower than control group,while Th17 percentage and Th17/CD4+T were higher than control group(P<0.05).lncRNA MEG3 expression and CD4+T percentage in large pleural effusion group were lower than small and moderate pleural effusion groups.lncRNA MEG3 expression and CD4+T percentage in modarate pleural effusion group were lower than small pleural effusion group,while Th17 percentage and Th17/CD4+T in large pleural effusion group were higher than small and moderate pleural effusion groups.Th17/CD4+T was higher in small amount pleural effusion group(P<0.05).lncRNA MEG3 expression and CD4+T percentage in poor prognosis group were lower than those in good prognosis group,while Th17 percentage and Th17/CD4+T were higher than good prognosis group(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that lncRNA MEG3 was a protective factor for NSCLC pleural effusion,and Th17/CD4+T was a risk factor(P<0.05),lncRNA MEG3 was a protective factor of NSCLC prognosis,and Th17/CD4+T was a risk factor(P<0.05).Conclusion:lncRNA MEG3 expression and Th17/CD4+T in NSCLC patients with different pleural effusion severity and prognosis is not same.lncRNA MEG3 is a risk factor for NSCLC pleural effusion and prognosis,while Th17/CD4+T is a risk factor,which can be used as an effective biomarker for pleural effusion severity and progno-sis diagnosis.
3.Practice of paperless management of medical records in a hospital
Ling HONG ; Weifeng YING ; Qin SUN ; Jianhong JIANG ; Liangfeng ZHU
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2024;40(5):400-404
Paperless management of medical records is of great significance in promoting refined hospital management. Driven by national policies and the development of information technology in medical institutions, paperless medical records have become an inevitable trend in the development of medical records. However, at present, there were still a large number of medical record data in China that cannot be digitized or directly uploaded to hospital electronic medical record systems. Since 2019, the First Hospital of Jiaxing has launched a paperless medical record construction project and established a paperless medical record management system, forming a closed-loop management system for the entire process of medical record collection, archiving, storage, management, and utilization. By the end of 2021, paperless of medical records in all departments had been achieved, electronic signatures had been fully implemented, and paperless versions of reports of standalone equipment, high-value consumables barcodes, surgical anesthesia related documents, and outsourced inspection reports had been achieved, with a paperless rate of 98.5%. Through paperless management of medical records, the supervision of medical record quality and medical quality has been strengthened, operating costs have been reduced and work efficiency has been improved. At the same time, this has provided convenience for medical personnel to access medical record information and applicate of the data, and has effectively improved the hospital′s level of refined management. It can provide reference for paperless management of medical records in other medical institutions.
4.Dedifferentiated endometrial carcinoma/undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma with loss of expression of SMARCA4: clinicopathological features analysis
Wei LIU ; Yi SHI ; Xiaojiang WANG ; Yanmei CUI ; Tongmei HE ; Jingcheng LIU ; Weifeng ZHU ; Qin XU ; Dan HU
Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2024;59(11):856-863
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of dedifferentiated endometrial carcinoma/undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma (DDEC/UDEC) with loss of expression of SMARCA4.Methods:A total of 10 cases with loss of expression of SMARCA4 were diagnosed at Fujian Cancer Hospital between January 2019 and December 2023. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical characteristics, morphology, immunophenotype, molecular classification, and prognosis.Results:(1) Clinical characteristics: among 10 cases of DDEC/UDEC with loss of expression of SMARCA4, the patients′ age ranged from 48 to 65 years, with a median age of 56 years.Five cases were classified as International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages Ⅰ-Ⅱ, while the remaining five were categorized as stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ. (2) Pathological features: tumor cells exhibited poor cell adhesion, with common intravascular tumor emboli (8/10), occasional vacuolated nuclei (6/10), rhabdoid cells (4/10), and starry sky phenomenon formed by tissue cell phagocytosis apoptosis bodies or fragments (4/10). Six cases (6/10) showed loss of mismatch repair (MMR) protein expression, two cases (2/10) exhibited p53 mutant expression, and five cases (5/10) tested positive for programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1). (3) Molecular subtyping: molecular subtyping revealed POLEmut in 1 case (1/10), mismatch repair deficient (MMR-d) in 5 cases (5/10), p53 abn in 1 case (1/10), and no specific molecular profile (NSMP) in 3 cases (3/10). (4) Prognosis: the follow-up period ranged from 7 to 42 months, with a median of 20 months. Five patients succumbed to the tumor, whereas the remaining five exhibited no recurrence during subsequent postoperative evaluations. The 2-year progression-free survival rates and overall survival rates were 58.3% and 52.5%, respectively.Conclusions:Loss of expression of SMARCA4 occurs in approximately 1/5 of DDEC/UDEC, which presents with an aggressive clinical course and a poor prognosis. About half of them show MMR protein loss expression and PD-L1 positive expression, suggesting that there might be benefit from treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
5.Study on extraction technology of Sophora flavescens-Phellodendron chinense drug pair
Yongmei GUAN ; Ying TAO ; Chengyu ZOU ; Zhenzhong ZANG ; Lihua CHEN ; Lili LIU ; Limei CHEN ; Weifeng ZHU
China Pharmacy 2024;35(7):793-800
OBJECTIVE To study the extraction technology of Sophora flavescens-Phellodendron chinense drug pair and provide a reference for the development of new drugs for the treatment of anorectal diseases. METHODS Using the contents of total alkaloids of S. flavescens (matrine+oxymatrine), berberine hydrochloride and total flavonoid, and extract yield as evaluation indicators, analytic hierarchy process-entropy weight method was used to calculate the weight coefficient of each indicator, and was combined with Box-Behnken design-response surface method to study the extraction technology of S. flavescens-P. chinense drug pair and verify it. RESULTS The optimal extraction technology of S. flavescens-P. chinense drug pair was immersed in 12-fold amount of 58% ethanol for 30 minutes and extracted twice, each time for 120 minutes. The relative error between the verification experimental results and the predicted value was 1.88%. CONCLUSIONS The obtained extraction technology is stable and feasible and can provide reference for the application of S. flavescens-P. chinense drug pair and development of new drugs.
6.Pathogenesis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Modulating Effect of Chinese Medicine: A Review
Enguo ZOU ; Tianyu HUANG ; Mulan WANG ; Chenliang ZHA ; Qin GONG ; Weifeng ZHU ; Yulin FENG ; Liangji LIU ; Jun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(10):280-289
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), as a progressive lung disease, has a poor prognosis and no reliable and effective therapies. IPF is mainly treated by organ transplantation and administration of chemical drugs, which are ineffective and induce side effects, failing to meet the clinical needs. Therefore, developing safer and more effective drugs has become an urgent task, which necessitates clear understanding of the pathogenesis of IPF. The available studies about the pathogenesis of IPF mainly focus on macrophage polarization, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), oxidative stress, and autophagy, while few studies systematically explain the principles and links of the pathogeneses. According to the traditional Chinese medicine theory, Qi deficiency and blood stasis and Qi-Yang deficiency are the key pathogeneses of IPF. Therefore, the Chinese medicines or compound prescriptions with the effects of replenishing Qi and activating blood, warming Yang and tonifying Qi, and eliminating stasis and resolving phlegm are often used to treat IPF. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that such medicines play a positive role in inhibiting macrophage polarization, restoring redox balance, inhibiting EMT, and regulating cell autophagy. However, few studies report how Chinese medicines regulate the pathways in the treatment of IPF. By reviewing the latest articles in this field, we elaborate on the pathogenesis of IPF and provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanism of the active ingredients or compound prescriptions of Chinese medicines in regulating IPF. Combining the pathogenesis of IPF with the modulating effects of Chinese medicines, we focus on exploring systemic treatment options for IPF, with a view to providing new ideas for the in-depth study of IPF and the research and development of related drugs.
7.Oral Absorption and Labeling Techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine Polysaccharides: A Review
Weifeng ZHU ; Shuangyan DENG ; Hui OUYANG ; Wenjing YANG ; Jianing FU ; Huangqing WEI ; Qiong LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(12):261-269
Polysaccharides are the important material basis of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and have various pharmacological activities such as immunomodulation, antitumor and anti-aging. Due to the large molecular weight of TCM polysaccharides, their structural analysis and oral absorption mechanism are facing technical challenges, and the current research on their structure-activity relationships has made some breakthroughs, while the research on their oral absorption mechanisms is relatively slow. In-depth study of the oral absorption mechanism of TCM polysaccharides is not only crucial for the interpretation of their action pathways and efficacy in vivo, but also helpful for the interpretation of their pharmacological effects, rational clinical applications and the discovery of new targets. In recent years, the application of fluorescent labeling and isotopic labeling methods has provided new technical means for the oral absorption studies of polysaccharides, which has promoted the development of oral absorption studies of TCM polysaccharides. In this paper, we reviewed the oral absorption pathways and labeling techniques of TCM polysaccharides, and concluded that they can be absorbed orally through transmembrane, cellular bypass, and M-cell-mediated transport, of which transmembrane pathway is the main absorption pathway, and summarized the labeling reactions of four fluorescent labeling and isotopic labeling methods with TCM polysaccharides, which can provide references for evaluating the absorption pathways of TCM polysaccharides, screening active TCM polysaccharides, establishing pharmacodynamic models and comprehensively elucidating the mechanism of TCM polysaccharides.
8.Effect of volatile oil of Ligusticum chuanxiong on transdermal properties and cytotoxicity of triptolide in vitro
Cheng JIANG ; Zhenzhong ZANG ; Lihua CHEN ; Haiting ZHU ; Shihua FU ; Weifeng ZHU ; Wenting WU ; Wei SHI ; Yongmei GUAN
China Pharmacy 2024;35(4):413-418
OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of volatile oil of Ligusticum chuanxiong on the transdermal properties and cytotoxicity of triptolide in vitro. METHODS The chemical constituents of the volatile oil of L. chuanxiong were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The lower abdominal skin of KM mice was separated and divided into triptolide group, triptolide in compatibility with volatile oil of L. chuanxiong groups at 1∶10, 1∶50, 1∶100 (hereinafter referred to as “compatibility 1∶10”“compatibility 1∶50”“compatibility 1∶100” groups). After the skin of mice in each group was fully exposed to 0.2 g of the corresponding cream for 24 h, the cumulative transdermal dose (Qn) of triptolide in the receiving solution of each group was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the transdermal absorption rate (Jss) was calculated. Human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCat) were used as a model, the CCK-8 method was used to detect the cell survival rate of different concentrations of the volatile oil of L. chuanxiong and triptolide before and after compatibility. RESULTS A total of 62 chemical constituents of the volatile oil of L. chuanxiong were identified, including Z-ligustilide, senkyunolide, and β-selinene. The Qn (P< 0.01) and Jss of triptolide increased within 24 h in the compatibility 1∶10 and 1∶50 groups, while the Qn (P<0.05) and Jss decreased in the compatibility 1∶100 group as compared with the triptolide group. Compared with the triptolide group, the cell survival rate of HaCat was significantly increased in the compatibility 1∶10 and 1∶50 groups when the triptolide concentrations were 36, 72 and 144 ng/mL (P<0.05 or P<0.01); while the cell survival rate of HaCat was decreased in the compatibility 1∶100 group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS When the compatibility ratio of triptolide and volatile oil of L. chuanxiong was 1∶10 or 1∶50, it can promote the transdermal absorption of triptolide and reduce the cytotoxicity of triptolide to HaCat.
9.Discussion on the legal attributes of provincial Chinese herbal pieces processing norms
Heyun NIE ; Haowei SONG ; Weifeng ZHU ; Ming XIE ; Minxian SONG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(5):513-517
OBJECTIVE To provide a reference for the definition of the legal attributes of the provincial Chinese herbal pieces processing norms and the improvement of legal expression for the drug standards in Drug Administration Law. METHODS Based on the legal evolution of local drug standards in China, the composition of national drug standards for Chinese herbal pieces and the composition of current provincial Chinese herbal pieces processing norms were analyzed; at the same time, based on the method of legal interpretation, the legal connotation of the provincial Chinese herbal medicine processing norms in Drug Administration Law was investigated. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS In the practice of drug supervision, the provincial Chinese herbal pieces processing norms are essentially local drug standards. The newly revised Drug Administration Law defines the drug standards specifically, but does not stipulate the legal attribute of drug standards for the provincial Chinese herbal pieces processing norms, and there are certain legislative technical defects. It is suggested that when amending the Drug Administration Law, the legal attributes of the drug standards of the provincial Chinese herbal medicine processing norms should be clarified.
10.The value of urine protein kinase Y-linked gene promoter site methylation in early diagnosis of prostate cancer
Weifeng LIU ; Zheng DAI ; Yibin ZHOU ; Kaiwen FENG ; Kai WEI ; Gule SUN ; Dongrong YANG ; Jin ZHU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(5):688-694
Objective To explore the clinical value of methylation at promoter sites of urine protein kinase Y-linked(PRKY)gene in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer(PCa).Methods Urine samples were collected from 50 suspected PCa patients.After extracting DNA,the methylation levels of the PRKY gene promoter sites cg05163709,cg08045599,and cg05618150 were detected using quantitative methylation-specific PCR(qMSP).Simultaneously,the patients were divided into the benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)group and the PCa group.The differences in clinical indicators between the two groups were analyzed,as well as the methylation status of the PRKY gene promoter sites in the urine of the two groups of patients.The receiver operating charac-teristic(ROC)curve of PRKY promoter sites methylation was established,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to analyze the diagnostic value of PRKY promoter sites methylation in PCa,and to perform com-bined diagnosis with clinical indicators.Results The methylation rates of cg05163709 and cg05618150 in urine specimens of PCa patients were significantly higher than those of BPH patients.The AUC for cg05163709 methyla-tion in diagnosing PCa was 0.762,with a sensitivity of 86.70%.It showed better performance in early screening for PCa compared to total prostate specific antigen(tPSA),percentage free prostate specific antigen(f/tPSA)and prostate specific antigen density(PSAD)index.We found that the AUC for cg05618150 methylation in conjunc-tion with PSAD in diagnosing PCa was 0.787,with a sensitivity of 86.70%.The AUC of cg05163709 methylation and PSAD in the joint diagnosis of PCa was 0.855,and the specificity could reach 95.00%.Conclusion The methylation of urine PRKY gene promoter sites cg05163709 and cg05618150 shows high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing PCa,making them promising biomarkers for early detection of PCa.

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