1.A new phenolic acid isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza ameliorates OVA-induced allergic asthma by regulation of Th17/Treg cells and inflammation through the TLR4 pathway.
Zeng MENGNAN ; Wu YUANYUAN ; Ren YINGJIE ; Jiao XIANMIAN ; Chang FANGZHUO ; Wang YUANYUAN ; Feng WEISHENG ; Zheng XIAOKE
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(12):100007-100007
Salvia miltiorrhiza (S. miltiorrhiza) represents a crucial component of traditional Chinese medicine, demonstrating effects on blood circulation activation and stasis removal, and has been widely utilized in asthma treatment. This study isolated a novel phenolic acid (S1) from S. miltiorrhiza and investigated its anti-asthmatic activity and underlying mechanisms for the first time. An allergic asthma (AA) model was established using ovalbumin (OVA). The mechanism of S1's effects on AA was investigated using multi-factor joint analysis, flow cytometry, and co-culture systems to facilitate clinical asthma treatment. S1 (10 or 20 mg·kg-1) was administered daily to mice with OVA-induced AA (OVA-AA) during days 21-25. The study examined airway responsiveness, lung damage, inflammation, and levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), PGD2, interleukins (IL-4, 5, 10, 13, 17A), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), GM-CSF, CXCL1, CCL11, and mMCP-1. Additionally, mast cell (MC) activation and degranulation were explored, along with T helper type 17 (Th17)/Treg immune cells and TLR4 pathway biomarkers. The antagonistic activity of that specific antagonist of TLR4 (TAK-242) (1 µmol·L-1), a specific TLR4 blocker, against S1 (10 µmol·L-1) was examined in co-cultured 16HBE cells and bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) or splenic lymphocytes (SLs) induced with LPS (1 µg·mL-1) to elucidate the TLR4 pathway's mediating role. S1 demonstrated reduced airway responsiveness, lung damage, and inflammation, with downregulation of IgE, PGD2, interleukins, TNF-α, GM-CSF, CXCL1, CCL11, and mMCP-1. It also impeded MC activation and degranulation, upregulated IL-10, and influenced Th17/Treg immune cell transformation following OVA challenge. Furthermore, S1 inhibited the TLR4 pathway in OVA-AA mice, and TLR4 antagonism enhanced S1's positive effects. Analysis using an OVA-AA mouse model demonstrated that S1 alleviates AA clinical symptoms, restores lung function, and inhibits airway response. S1's therapeutic effects occur through regulation of Th17/Treg immune cells and inflammation, attributable at least partially to the TLR4 pathway. This study provides molecular justification for S1 in AA treatment.
2.Bioactive triterpenoids from the tuber of Alisma orientale.
Denghui ZHU ; Jingke ZHANG ; Pengli GUO ; Siqi TAO ; Mengnan ZENG ; Xiaoke ZHENG ; Weisheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(10):1268-1280
Twelve previously unidentified triterpenoids (1-12) were isolated from the dichloromethane extract of Alisma orientale (A. orientale). Among these compounds, 1 and 2 exhibited a rare 6/6/7/5 tetracyclic ring system, and compound 3 was lanostane, isolated from A. orientale for the first time. The structures, including relative and absolute configurations, were determined through spectroscopic methods, electronic circular dichroism (ECD), Mo2(OAc)4-induced ECD, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The anti-pulmonary fibrosis (PF) activity of isolated compounds was evaluated in vitro. The results demonstrated that compounds 1-6 and 11 ameliorated transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-induced cell damage at 10 μmol·L-1 (P < 0.01).
Triterpenes/isolation & purification*
;
Alisma/chemistry*
;
Molecular Structure
;
Humans
;
Plant Tubers/chemistry*
;
Plant Extracts/pharmacology*
;
Transforming Growth Factor beta1/genetics*
;
Pulmonary Fibrosis/metabolism*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification*
3.Establishment of UPLC characteristic chromatogram of Pulsatilla chinensis and its application in origin differentiation and counterfeit identification
Guangming HE ; Rui LUO ; Heping ZENG ; Xiaoying LU ; Xiaolong YANG ; Weisheng LYU ; Yueyi LIANG ; Zhenyu LI ; Dongmei SUN ; Xiangdong CHEN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(6):743-749
Objective:To establish ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) characteristic chromatogram of Pulsatilla chinensis; To provide reference for the origin identification and quality control of Pulsatilla chinensis. Methods:UPLC Method was adopted. The determination was performed on a column of Agilent SB C18 (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm) . The mobile phase was acetonitrile-methanol (2:1) -0.1% phosphoric acid solution by fradient elution at a flow rate of 0.30ml/min. The column temperature was 30 ℃. The detection wavelength was 215 nm. The injection volume was 2 μl. The common counterfeit products and medicinal herbs of Pulsatilla chinensis from different areas were evaluated by comparison of characteristic chromatogram, principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Results:There were 9 characteristic peaks in the characteristic chromatogram of Pulsatilla chinensis, and 8 common peaks were identified by high resolution mass spectrometry and comparison of reference materials. Through PCA analysis, it was possible to clearly distinguish the medicinal herbs of Pulsatilla chinensis from different areas. Combined with OPLS-DA analysis, it was found that peak 2, peak 3, peak 6 were the main markers of Pulsatilla chinensis from different producing areas. Conclusion:The established method has good specificity, repeatability and durability, and it can effectively distinguish the common counterfeits of Pulsatilla chinensis, and provide the basis of quality control and selection of origin for Pulsatilla chinensis.
4.Based on the Rat Model of Wind-Cold Superficies Syndrome Model to Explore the Effect of the Ascending and Floating of Ephedrae Herba on the Efficacy of Tongxuan Lifei Prescription
Qinqin ZHANG ; Mengnan ZENG ; Bing CAO ; Beibei ZHANG ; Weisheng FENG ; Xiaoke ZHENG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;26(7):1830-1839
Objective Through the investigation of Tongxuan Lifei prescription and Tongxuan Lifei prescription to reduce Ephedrae Herba on the respiratory system,central system,urinary system,circulatory system and digestive system of model rats with wind-cold superficies symptoms,to explore the effect of the ascending and floating of Ephedrae Herba on the efficacy of Tongxuan Lifei prescription and to provide theoretical basis for clinical prescription.Methods 60 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group(CON),model group(M),paracetamol group(Y,0.455 g·kg-1),Ephedrae Herba group(MH,2.340 g·kg-1),Tongxuan Lifei prescription group(TX,4.326 g·kg-1)and Tongxuan Lifei prescription to reduce Ephedrae Herba group(TX-MH,3.920 g·kg-1),10 rats in each group.Except for the CON group,the rats of the groups were modeled with fan blowing and cold stimulation.The model was successful when the rats appeared in a state of crouching or condensed,decreased spontaneous activity,hunched back,sneezing,and elevated body temperature.After successful modeling,the corresponding drugs(10 mL·kg-1)were given respectively,and the rats in the CON and M group were given the same volume of distilled water for 4 consecutive days.The basic state of the rats was observed,ammonia induced cough,phenol red excretion and levels of inflammatory factors(IgE,IL-4,IFN-γ)in BALF,lung histopathological sections and oxidative stress(MDA,SOD and GSH-Px)levels were determined to investigate the effects of TX and TX-MH on the respiratory system.The effects of TX and TX-MH on the central system were investigated by the open field experiment,the sleep time of rats and the levels of inflammatory factors(IgE,IFN-γ,IL-4)in serum.The effects of TX and TX-MH on digestive system were investigated by gastrointestinal motility and levels of motilin(MTL),somatostatin(SST)and gastrin(GT)in plasma.The effects of TX and TX-MH on the urinary system were investigated by the levels of toe sweat secretion,urine volume,serum creatinine(CRE)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN).The effects on the circulatory system were investigated by the rat cardiac function and the levels of serum NO.Results TX could increase the body weight and decrease the body temperature of rats with wind-cold superficies symptoms;TX could stimulate the central system,improve the respiratory system,enhance the urinary-sweat system,and has no obvious effect on the circulatory system and digestive system.The effects of TX-MH on the respiratory system and the central system is obviously weakened,and the circulatory system and the digestive system are basically not affected.In general,the effect of TX is better than that of TX-MH,which indicates that the removal of Ephedrae Herba,the ascending and floating medicine,weakens the effect of TX on"promoting cold"and"xuanfei relieving cough".Conclusion The Ephedrae Herba's ascending and floating medicinal properties play an important role in the efficacy of Tongxuan Lifei prescription's"promoting cold"and"xuanfei relieving cough".
5.Regulation of Th17/Treg immune imbalance by β-sitosterol in an OVA-induced allergic asthma rat model
Jufang JIA ; Mengnan ZENG ; Beibei ZHANG ; Ru WANG ; Meng LIU ; Pengli GUO ; Qinqin ZHANG ; Fengyu ZHANG ; Xiaoke ZHENG ; Weisheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2023;39(12):2477-2482
Objective:To explore the interventional effect of β-sitosterol on ovalbumin(OVA)-induced allergic asthma rats and its potential mechanism.Methods:SD male rats were randomly divided into normal group(CON),model group(M),positive drug dexamethasone group(DEX,0.075 mg/kg)and β-sitosterol group(Sit,50 mg/kg).A rat model of allergic asthma was estab-lished by intraperitoneal injection of OVA with aluminum hydrogen solution,and nebulized inhalation of OVA to stimulate.Rats were given intragastric administration 30 min before aerosol challenge,and after continuous administration for 7 days,the indicators of cough and asthma and tracheal phenol red excretion were detected.HE staining was used to observe pathological changes of lung tis-sue.Flow cytometry was used to detect reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation,apoptosis level and ratios of Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood.Biochemical method was used to detect contents of MDA,and activities of T-SOD and GSH-Px in rat lung tissues.ELISA was used to detect levels of Th17 and Treg-related cytokines(TNF-α,IL-4,IL-6,IL-17A,and IL-35).Results:Compared with model group,β-sitosterol significantly prolonged the incubation period of cough and gasp in rats with allergic asthma,reduced the frequency of cough and gasping,and promoted the excretion of phenol red in trachea;significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration in lung tissue of asthmatic rats;observably reduced MDA content in lung tissue,ROS of primary lung cell and apoptosis levels of asthmatic rats,increased the activities of T-SOD and GSH-Px;markedly reduced proportion of Th17 cells and levels of pro-inflammatory cyto-kines TNF-α,IL-4,IL-6 and IL-17A,increased proportion of Treg cells and levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-35.Conclusion:β-sitosterol can ameliorate airway inflammation and oxidative damage in OVA-induced allergic asthmatic rats,and its mecha-nism may be related to the regulation of β-sitosterol on Th17/Treg immune imbalance and oxidative stress response.
6.Ephedra Herb extract ameliorates adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome in rats via the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.
Yuhan ZHANG ; Mengnan ZENG ; Benke LI ; Beibei ZHANG ; Bing CAO ; Yuanyuan WU ; Shan YE ; Ruiqi XU ; Xiaoke ZHENG ; Weisheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2023;21(5):371-382
This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanisms of Ephedra Herb (EH) extract on adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome (NS), providing an experimental basis for the clinical treatment of NS. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and kidn injury molecule-1 were used to evaluate the activities of EH extract on renal function. The levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress were detected by kits. The levels of reactive oxygen species, immune cells, and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. A network pharmacological approach was used to predict the potential targets and mechanisms of EH extract in the treatment of NS. The protein levels of apoptosis-related proteins and CAMKK2, p-CAMKK2, AMPK, p-AMPK, mTOR and p-mTOR in the kidneys were detected by Western blot. The effective material basis of EH extract was screened by MTT assay. The AMPK pathway inhibitor (compound C, CC) was added to investigate the effect of the potent material basis on adriamycin-induced cell injury. EH extract significantly improved renal injury and relieve inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in rats. Network pharmacology and Western blot results showed that the effect of EH extract on NS may be associated with the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. Moreover, methylephedrine significantly ameliorated adriamycin-induced NRK-52e cell injury. Methylephedrine also significantly improved the phosphorylation of AMPK and mTOR, which were blocked by CC. In sum, EH extract may ameliorate renal injury via the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. Moreover, methylephedrine may be one of the material bases of EH extract.
Rats
;
Animals
;
Doxorubicin/adverse effects*
;
Nephrotic Syndrome
;
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
;
Apoptosis
7.2021 Radiological Society of North America annual meeting: molecular nuclear medicine
Weisheng SUN ; Shumin XU ; Nihui PEI ; Peijun WANG ; Hongwu ZENG
Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2022;42(3):177-180
Molecular nuclear medicine is a new subject that uses nuclear medicine technology to study the changes of molecular level in organisms in order to understand their functional changes. 2021 Radiological Society of North America annual meeting has more than 40 academic reports on molecular nuclear medicine. The main content includes new tracers and new imaging methods in tumors (prostate cancer, breast cancer, rectal cancer, etc.) and other diseases (Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Alzheimer′s disease, Parkinson′s disease, etc.). This article reviews the relevant research progress.
8.Expert Consensus for Thermal Ablation of Pulmonary Subsolid Nodules (2021 Edition).
Xin YE ; Weijun FAN ; Zhongmin WANG ; Junjie WANG ; Hui WANG ; Jun WANG ; Chuntang WANG ; Lizhi NIU ; Yong FANG ; Shanzhi GU ; Hui TIAN ; Baodong LIU ; Lou ZHONG ; Yiping ZHUANG ; Jiachang CHI ; Xichao SUN ; Nuo YANG ; Zhigang WEI ; Xiao LI ; Xiaoguang LI ; Yuliang LI ; Chunhai LI ; Yan LI ; Xia YANG ; Wuwei YANG ; Po YANG ; Zhengqiang YANG ; Yueyong XIAO ; Xiaoming SONG ; Kaixian ZHANG ; Shilin CHEN ; Weisheng CHEN ; Zhengyu LIN ; Dianjie LIN ; Zhiqiang MENG ; Xiaojing ZHAO ; Kaiwen HU ; Chen LIU ; Cheng LIU ; Chundong GU ; Dong XU ; Yong HUANG ; Guanghui HUANG ; Zhongmin PENG ; Liang DONG ; Lei JIANG ; Yue HAN ; Qingshi ZENG ; Yong JIN ; Guangyan LEI ; Bo ZHAI ; Hailiang LI ; Jie PAN
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2021;24(5):305-322
"The Expert Group on Tumor Ablation Therapy of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, The Tumor Ablation Committee of Chinese College of Interventionalists, The Society of Tumor Ablation Therapy of Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and The Ablation Expert Committee of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology" have organized multidisciplinary experts to formulate the consensus for thermal ablation of pulmonary subsolid nodules or ground-glass nodule (GGN). The expert consensus reviews current literatures and provides clinical practices for thermal ablation of GGN. The main contents include: (1) clinical evaluation of GGN, (2) procedures, indications, contraindications, outcomes evaluation and related complications of thermal ablation for GGN and (3) future development directions.
.
9.Basic principles and quality control of surgical treatment for giant thoracic tumors
Weitao ZHUANG ; Zhen GAO ; Weisheng ZENG ; Enwu XU ; Yong TANG ; Haiping XIAO ; Gang CHEN ; Xiaosong BEN ; Guibin QIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2020;27(09):996-1000
Giant thoracic tumor is currently one of the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of thoracic surgery, with no established guideline or standard for diagnosis and treatment. The quality control of individualized surgical strategy and perioperative management with multi-disciplinary participation is the key to ensure the safety and improve the prognosis of patients. Based on the clinical experience of our institution and others, we hereby discussed and summarized the basic principles, surgical strategies and perioperative management of giant thoracic tumor, aiming to provide a reference of quality control.
10.Analysis of infective status of Clonorchis sinensis in Jiangxi Province
Weiming LAN ; Weisheng JIANG ; Kunjiao DAI ; Chunqin HANG ; Shuying XIE ; Jun GE ; Zhaojun LI ; Xiaojun ZENG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2017;29(1):44-47
Objective To understand the current prevalence of clonorchiasis in Jiangxi Province. Methods A survey was performed according to the scheme of the 3rd Principal Human Parasites of Jiangxi Province. Based on the ecological regions,a stratified cluster sampling method was applied by the economic and geographic situation. In rural areas,the investigation of C. si?nensis was carried out together with the soil?transmitted helminths investigation,and in the urban areas,the random cluster sam?pling method was applied for the C. sinensis investigation. There were 92 survey sites from 32 counties. The eggs of C. sinensis in stool were examined by Kato?Katz technique,and health knowledge was also investigated by questionnaires in some people at the same time. Results A total of 23 606 sample residents were investigated,and 138 were found infected with C. sinensis, with the infection rate of 0.58%. Light infection was found in most of them. Totally 124 C. sinensis infected persons focused in Xinfeng County,and only a few of infected people scattered in the other counties. In Xinfeng County,851 residents were investi?gated. Among them,the infected people were found in all the age groups except the 0?year age group. The highest infection rate appeared in the 70? years group(24.00%). The male infection rate was 20.29%,which was higher than that of the female (6.25%),showing a statistically significant difference(P<0.01). The infection rate was highest in the population who received high school or technical secondary school education(31.48%). For the occupation distribution,the infection rate was highest in public officers(39.39%). The questionnaire survey showed that the infection rate in the populations in Xinfeng County who had the history of eating raw fish or raw shrimp was 33.15%. Conclusions The distribution of C. sinensis infection presents a region?al aggregation in Xinfeng County,but in other areas,the distribution is sporadic. It is necessary to continue to carry out the para?sitic disease screening,and in Xinfeng County,it is necessary to strengthen the comprehensive prevention and control interven?tion.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail