1.Bioinformatics Reveals Mechanism of Schisandrin B in Inhibiting Ferroptosis to Ameliorate Methionine and Choline Deficiency-induced Fatty Liver Disease in Mice
Zhifeng ZHU ; Wenting LI ; Yongjun CAO ; Yuanyuan LIN ; Yifei LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):74-83
ObjectiveNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic stress liver injury. Ferroptosis is involved in the occurrence and development of NAFLD. Exploring the efficacy and mechanism of schisandrin B in treating NAFLD facilitates the development of strategies for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. MethodsThe molecular structure of schisandrin B was obtained by searching against PubChem, and the related targets were predicted by SwissTargetPrediction. The active ingredients and their targets were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and the high-throughput experiment- and reference-guide database of traditional Chinese medicine (HERB). GeneCards and FerrDb were searched for the targets of NAFLD and ferroptosis. The common targets were taken as the core targets, and the protein-protein interaction network of the core targets was established. DAVID was used for gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Finally, molecular docking was performed between schisandrin B and core targets, and the binding energy was calculated. C57BL/6 mice were fed with a methionine and choline-deficiency (MCD) diet for the modeling of NAFLD. Mice were randomized into normal, model, positive drug (essentiale), and low- and high-dose schisandrin B groups. The body mass and liver index of mice were measured after drug administration. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the serum and those of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and Fe2+ in the liver homogenate were measured by biochemical assay kits. The pathological changes of the liver tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and red oil O staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) in the serum. Western blotting and real-time PCR were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels, respectively, of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), solute carrier family 3 member 2 (SLC3A2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), transferrin, and ferritin heavy chain (FTH) in the liver tissue. ResultsA total of 2 370, 2 547, and 1 451 targets of schisandrin B, NAFLD, and ferroptosis were obtained, in which 90 common targets were shared by the three. Enrichment analyses predicted 505 GO terms and 92 KEGG pathways. Molecular docking suggested that schizandrin B had strong binding affinity with the key targets of ferropstosis (SLC7A11 and SLC3A2). Animal experiments showed that schizandrin B significantly decreased the liver index, lowered the levels of ALT, AST, TC, TG, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, alleviated hepatocyte ballooning and inflammatory cell infiltration, and reduced lipid accumulation in the liver of NAFLD mice. In addition, schisandrin B significantly lowered the levels of MDA, 4-HNE, and Fe2+, elevated the level of GSH, up-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of SLC7A11, SLC3A2, and GPX4, and down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of transferrin in the liver tissue. ConclusionSchisandrin B can alleviate NAFLD by inhibiting ferroptosis in hepatocytes.
2.Exploring Role of Energy Dyshomeostasis in Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Fatty Liver Disease Panvasculopathy from Theory of Liver Being Substantial Yin and Functional Yang
Jing CUI ; Qian XU ; Wenting WANG ; Mengmeng ZHU ; Yanfei LIU ; Yue LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):227-233
Liver being substantial Yin and functional Yang maintain normal function of Qi, blood and meridians. In clinical practice, it is often found that pan-vascular lesions with atherosclerosis as the predominant pathological change often co-occur with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD). MAFLD leads to increased risk and worse prognosis for many pan-vascular diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Dysregulation of energy homeostasis disrupts the hepatic homeostasis of body use, and representative drugs to improve metabolism, such as metformin, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, not only have a clear cardiovascular benefit, potential improvement of MAFLD has also been demonstrated. The liver stores blood and the heart pumps blood, and liver diseases affect the heart, that's why the unsmoothness of vessels appears. So the treatment should from the standpoint of liver, restoring liver function, soothing the liver and nourishing heart, activating blood and dredging meridian. It is of great significance to explore in depth the pathogenesis and treatment of pan-vascular lesions caused by MAFLD, and to restore the energy homeostasis by adjusting the balance of liver Yin and Yang.
3.Exploring Role of Energy Dyshomeostasis in Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Fatty Liver Disease Panvasculopathy from Theory of Liver Being Substantial Yin and Functional Yang
Jing CUI ; Qian XU ; Wenting WANG ; Mengmeng ZHU ; Yanfei LIU ; Yue LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):227-233
Liver being substantial Yin and functional Yang maintain normal function of Qi, blood and meridians. In clinical practice, it is often found that pan-vascular lesions with atherosclerosis as the predominant pathological change often co-occur with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD). MAFLD leads to increased risk and worse prognosis for many pan-vascular diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Dysregulation of energy homeostasis disrupts the hepatic homeostasis of body use, and representative drugs to improve metabolism, such as metformin, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, not only have a clear cardiovascular benefit, potential improvement of MAFLD has also been demonstrated. The liver stores blood and the heart pumps blood, and liver diseases affect the heart, that's why the unsmoothness of vessels appears. So the treatment should from the standpoint of liver, restoring liver function, soothing the liver and nourishing heart, activating blood and dredging meridian. It is of great significance to explore in depth the pathogenesis and treatment of pan-vascular lesions caused by MAFLD, and to restore the energy homeostasis by adjusting the balance of liver Yin and Yang.
4.Antiretroviral therapy attrition and its influencing factors among HIV-infected patients in Hainan
FENG Yuting ; XU Yujun ; ZHU Kaokao ; ZHANG Wenting
China Tropical Medicine 2024;24(3):304-
Objective To investigate the current status and attrition among HIV-infected persons receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), and to analyze factors affecting attrition in Hainan. Methods In this study, HIV-infected patients who started ART treatment in Hainan Province from 2005 to 2022 were selected from the antiviral treatment submodule of China Disease Prevention and Control Information System.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,a total of 4 286 HIV-infected persons were receiving . A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze factors affecting attrition. Results Among the 4 286 study subjects, 3 718 were males (86.7%), with a sex ratio of 6.55∶1. Unmarried individuals accounted for 58.4%, and the average age was (39.68±13.17) years. Transmission through homosexual contact accounted for 49.8%, and 84.3% were in WHO clinical stage I. Treatment regimens containing Efavirenz (EFV) accounted for 71.7%. During a follow-up of 19 677.44 person-years, the overall attrition rate was 0.80 per 100 person-years, with the first-year post-ART initiation attrition rate being 21.10 per 100 person-years. The results of Cox regression analysis showed that the time of treatment initiation in 2016-2022 (AHR=2.40, 95%CI: 1.40-4.10), and the last HIV viral load (VL) 20-<1 000 copies/mL (AHR=3.69, 95%CI: 2.08-6.54), the last HIV-1 VL≥1 000 copies/mL (AHR=15.98, 95%CI: 9.46-27.01), and no last HIV-1 VL test (AHR=92.90, 95%CI: 57.68-149.62), the time interval from diagnosis to treatment for 1-12 months (AHR=1.62, 95%CI: 1.12-2.36), and an interval longer than 12 months (AHR=1.68, 95%CI: 1.07-2.62) were the main factors that increased the risk of attrition. Treatment regimens containing Lopinavir/ritonavir (Lpv/r) (AHR=0.34, 95%CI:0.18-0.66) and treatment regimens containing integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) (AHR=0.24, 95%CI: 0.09-0.58) were the factors that reduced the risk of attrition after antiretroviral therapy. Conclusions The attrition of ART in HIV/AIDS patients in Hainan Province is related to a longer interval from diagnosis to treatment, treatment plan, and abnormal HIV viral load test results. Case-based measures should be taken to address factors influencing antiretroviral treatment attrition, while improving the timeliness of antiviral treatment and treatment management service quality to further improve the efficacy of antiviral treatment.
5.Probing the anti-rheumatoid arthritis synovial neovascularization of alcoholic extracts of the Miao medicinal plant helleborus thibetanus franchon in rats based on the VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway
Lei HOU ; Yunmei ZHOU ; Dong DING ; Zizhen LI ; Zhigang ZHU ; Wenting SHAN ; Xia LIU ; Fei AI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2024;32(10):1233-1242
Objective This project aimed to study the Miao medicine helleborus thibetanus franchon,including investigating its anti-inflammatory activity in collagen-induced arthritis CIA rats and its mechanism of VEGF/VEGFR2/P38 MAPK pathway regulation.Methods Sixty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups:normal;model;positive drug;and low,medium,high dose groups,with 10 rats in each group.Bovine type Ⅱ collagen solution was injected into the tail of rats to construct the rheumatoid arthritis model,and the positive drug group was given MTX2.0 mg/(kg·d)by gavage once every other day.The three groups of helleborus thibetanus franchon low,medium,and high dose were gavaged with helleborus thibetanus franchon ethanol extract at 0.25,0.5 and 1 g/(kg·d)once a day.The normal and model groups were given an equivalent volume of NaCl solution,with continuous administration lasting for 28 days.During treatment,the general condition of the rats was observed,body weight changes recorded,and foot thickness measured.After treatment and euthanasia,the rats'hind limbs were removed for Micro-CT to detect bone destruction;hematoxylin and eosin staining for pathological investigattion of the synovial membrane;immunohistochemistry to observe neovascularization in the synovium;quantitative reverse-transcription PCR to detect mRNA levels of VEGF-A,VEGFR2,TNF-α in the synovial tissue;and Western Blot to detect the expression of VEGF,VEGFR2,p-P38,p-AKT.The analyses were used to explore the potential mechanisms of action of the Miao medicine helleborus thibetanus franchon in treating rheumatoid arthritis.Results Compared with the normal group,the model group showed significant weight loss(P<0.01),increased foot swelling(P<0.01),visible proliferative synovial tissue with inflammatory cell infiltration,erosive lesions on bone surfaces,increased neovascularization in the synovium,and significant bone destruction in Micro-CT,with reduced bone percentage,trabecular thickness,and bone density.The levels of VEGF-A,VEGFR2,TNF-α mRNA and VEGF-A,VEGFR2,p-P38,p-AKT proteins were significantly elevated(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the helleborus thibetanus franchon ethanol extract-treated groups showed improvements in these conditions in a dose-dependent manner,with the high-dose group receiving the best effect.There was a significant increase in the rats'body weight(P<0.05);reduction in foot swelling(P<0.05);amelioration of synovial and erosive bone lesions;reduction in neovascularization in the synovium;and significantly lower levels of VEGF-A,VEGFR2,and TNF-α mRNA,and VEGF-A,VEGFR2,p-P38,and p-AKT protein(P<0.01).Conclusions The Miao medicine plant helleborus thibetanus franchon may alleviate joint inflammatory damage in CIA rats by modulating the VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway,thereby exerting therapeutic effects on rheumatoid arthritis.
6.Correlation Between Blood Pressure Dropping Rate at Night and HRV and DC in Female Patients with Essential Hypertension
Yinmei ZHANG ; Wenting WANG ; Lulu ZHU
Journal of Medical Research 2024;53(9):44-49
Objective Using the methods of heart rate variability(HRV)and deceleration capacity of heart rate(DC),which mo-nitor cardiac autonomic nervous function,to study the correlation between the nocturnal blood pressure dropping rate and cardiac autonom-ic nervous function in female patients with essential hypertension,and to explore the related factors affecting the nocturnal blood pressure dropping rate in female patients with essential hypertension.Methods A total of 187 female patients with essential hypertension admitted to the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2019 to August 2023 were selected.General data,nocturnal blood pressure dropping rate,HRV time domain parameters(SDNN,SDANN,SDNNI,PNN50)and DC were collected.According to the nocturnal sys-tolic blood pressure dropping rate,they were divided into three groups:dipper group,non-dipper group,and reverse dipper group.The differences of general data and 24-hour,daytime and nighttime mean blood pressure and heart rate,HRV time domain parameters and DC values among three groups were compared,and the correlation between the nocturnal blood pressure dropping rate and HRV time do-main parameters,DC values and other general data was analyzed,and the factors affecting the nocturnal blood pressure dropping rate of fe-male patients with essential hypertension were analyzed by simple and multiple linear regression.Results The nocturnal blood pressure dropping rate in female patients with essential hypertension was linearly positive correlated with SDNN,SDANN,SDNNI and DC values(β were 0.235,0.016,0.102,0.493,P<0.05),and linearly negative correlated with menopause(β=-3.798,P<0.05).The re-sults of multiple linear regression analysis showed that SDNN,menopause,age,diabetes were the factors affecting the nocturnal blood pressure dropping rate.Conclusion In female patients with essential hypertension,the imbalance of cardiac autonomic nerve regulation,menopause,age and diabetes are the main risk factors affecting the nocturnal blood pressure dropping rate.
7.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.
8.Effects of gene polymorphism on efficacy and toxic effect of chemotherapy regimen containing oxaliplatin treatment in stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ colorectal cancer
Liuxing TANG ; Bo LYU ; Wenting JIANG ; Zheng XIANG ; Zhu SHEN ; Jie PAN ; Cunjin SU
China Pharmacy 2024;35(6):734-738
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of GSTP1, XRCC1, ABCB1, MTHFR gene polymorphisms on efficacy and toxic effect of chemotherapy regimen containing oxaliplatin in patients with stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ colorectal cancer patients. METHODS Clinical data of 76 patients with stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ colorectal cancer who received chemotherapy regimen containing oxaliplatin (XELOX,FOLFOX) were collected from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from September 2018 to March 2020. The correlation of genotypes with progression-free survival (PFS) and toxic effect was analyzed by using univariate and multivariate COX regression model. RESULTS Carriers of the ABCB1 3435T>C locus C allele (TC/CC) had a significantly higher risk of progression compared to TT genotype patients [HR=2.39, 95%CI (1.05,5.50), P=0.038]. The risk of progression in patients at stage Ⅳ was significantly higher than those at stage Ⅲ [HR=8.11, 95%CI(3.39,19.40), P<0.001]. Chemotherapy regimen, Karnofsky performance status score and tumor site had no significant effect on disease progression (P>0.05). Mutations in gene loci were not correlated with adverse reactions (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Patients carrying ABCB1 TC/CC and receiving chemotherapy regimen containing oxaliplatin have a higher risk of disease progression, which may be associated with longer PFS in patients (TT genotype) with stage Ⅳ colorectal cancer receiving the chemotherapy, while GSTP1, XRCC1, and MTHFR gene polymorphisms have no significant impact.
9.Regulation of Immune Balance by Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Cough Variant Asthma: A Review
Han YANG ; Yonghuang YAN ; Wenting ZHANG ; Peixuan ZHU ; Fang YAN ; Yujie WU ; Shiqing QIAO ; Tieshan WANG ; Zeqi SU ; Ting WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(5):206-212
Cough variant asthma (CVA) is a chronic respiratory disease with cough as its main symptom. The occurrence of CVA is closely related to non-specific airway inflammation, and its pathogenesis involves environmental, genetic, immune, and other factors. In recent years, the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of CVA have attracted the attention of experts and scholars in China and abroad, especially its prominent role in regulating immune balance, relieving cough symptoms in CVA patients, and reducing recurrence. T Helper cells 1 (Th1), T helper cells 2 (Th2), T helper cells 17 (Th17), and regulatory T cells (Treg) are derived from CD4+ T cells. Immune imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg is a new hotspot in the pathogenesis of CVA and a potential key target in the treatment of CVA by TCM. Th cell subsets are in dynamic balance under physiological conditions, maintaining respiratory immune homeostasis in which pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines are balanced. Immature helper T cells (Th0) can be differentiated into Th1, Th2, Th17, Treg, and other cell subsets due to cytokine types in the microenvironment in the stage of CVA maturation. The proliferation of Th2 cells leads to eosinophilic airway inflammation. Excessive differentiation of Th17 cells induces neutrophil airway inflammation. Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cells are mutually restricted in number and function, and the immune imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg is easy to aggravate the generation of inflammatory response. Restoring immune balance is particularly important for the airway anti-inflammatory therapy of CVA. In this paper, the imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg and the pathogenesis of CVA were systematically expounded. Meanwhile, the latest research on the regulation of immune imbalance by TCM compound, single TCM, and its effective ingredients in the treatment of CVA was reviewed. It provides ideas and references for revealing the scientific connotation of TCM regulating immune balance therapy of CVA, as well as the development of clinical treatment and basic research of CVA.
10.GC Fingerprint and Multi-component Content Determination of Xiangsha Yangwei
Yiqing MAO ; Liqing TONG ; Ying ZHU ; Qing ZHANG ; Wenting LIU ; Yu CAO
Herald of Medicine 2024;43(1):115-121
Objective To establish the method of fingerprint and content determination of multi-component for Xiangsha Yangwei pill by gas chromatography(GC).Methods The GC fingerprint of Xiangsha Yangwei pill was found,and the peak attribution was carried out.The contents of limonene,eucalyptol,camphor,borneol,bornyl acetate,patchouli alcohol,pogostone,and α-cyperone were determined.Results The fingerprint similarity of 56 batches of Xiangsha Yangwei pill were 0.33-0.99,28 common peaks were confirmed,and 14 known components were identified.Limonene,eucalyptol,camphor,borneol,bornyl acetate,patchouli alcohol,pogostone and α-cyperone showed good linearity within the determined ranges(14.30-286.08,24.52-490.44,16.14-322.88,9.40-187.95,15.39-307.83,25.78-515.60,19.95-398.90,and 24.87-497.30 μg·mL-1).The average recoveries were 101.20%,97.90%,93.97%,94.23%,102.94%,100.54%,99.16%,and 98.31%;with the RSDs were 2.41%,1.48%,1.65%,2.00%,1.93%,2.30%,2.07%,and 2.38%,respectively.The concentrations of eight components were 0.2-959.1,0.3-420.4,1.0-542.6,0.0-64.5,0.0-364.2,0.0-339.6,0.0-130.7,0.0-82.0 μg·g-1,respectively.Conclusion The fingerprint and multi-component determination method can be used for the quality control and evaluation of Xiangsha Yangwei pill.

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