1.Mechanism and Combination Therapy of Berberine in Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty liver Disease:A Review
Xiaojie WANG ; Heng ZHANG ; Sutong LIU ; Lihui ZHANG ; Wenxia ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):269-281
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the world. Because of its complex pathogenesis, high clinical prevalence and large population, it poses a great threat and challenge to public health in the world. Therefore, active intervention measures are needed. Currently, western medicine is effective in reducing weight, reducing liver fat content, improving glucose-lipid metabolism and insulin resistance. However, for patients with NAFLD-related fibrosis and cirrhosis, there is still a lack of sufficient histological evidence to support its benefits, and randomized controlled trials are still needed to clarify. Lifestyle intervention is an important cornerstone for the treatment of NAFLD, but there are many problems such as poor implementation and low compliance of patients, and the clinical efficacy is not ideal. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has the significant advantages of multiple pathways and multiple targets. Berberine, the active ingredient of TCM, can interfere with the production of NAFLD from multiple pathways, including increasing energy consumption, weight loss, improving glucose-lipid metabolism, improving insulin resistance, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, regulating intestinal flora, restoring bile acid homeostasis, anti-fibrosis and so on, which can play a positive role in the treatment of NAFLD. At the same time, it was found that the combination of BBR with Chinese and western medicines had significant advantages in promoting drug absorption, improving oral bioavailability, increasing the highest biological distribution in the liver, enhancing the overall therapeutic effect of NAFLD, and reducing adverse drug reactions, which could provide reference for clinical medication.
2.Clinical Study on Treatment of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis Patients with Dyslipidemia by Dizhuo Huayu Prescription with Catgut Embedding Therapy
Xiaoyan LIU ; Dongfang SHANG ; Lihui ZHANG ; Chenlu ZHAO ; Siying WANG ; Huaxin CHEN ; Wenxia ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):152-159
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Dizhuo Huayu prescription combined with catgut embedding therapy in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and dyslipidemia and explore the effect of the combined therapy on inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-1β. MethodsA total of 82 patients with NASH and dyslipidemia from the Gastroenterology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine were randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group, with 41 patients in each group. The control group received Polyene Polyenylphosphatidylcholine Capsules, while the treatment group received Dizhuo Huayu prescription granules combined with catgut embedding. The treatment duration was 24 weeks for both groups. At weeks 0, 12, and 24, the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, body mass index (BMI), liver fat content assessed by Fibroscan (CAP value), the level of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and free fatty acid (FFA), and the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-18 and IL-1β in serum were observed. Adverse reactions in both groups were recorded. ResultsA comparison of the comprehensive therapeutic effects between the two groups after 24 weeks of treatment revealed that the total effective rate was 62.16% (23/37) in the control group and 85.71% (30/35) in the treatment group, with a statistically significant difference (χ2 = 5.14, P<0.05). At weeks 12 and 24 after treatment, the TCM syndrome score, BMI, CAP value, TC, TG, LDL-C, and FFA were all significantly lower in both groups compared to pre-treatment levels, while the HDL-C level significantly increased (P<0.05). The effect was better at week 24 (P<0.05) than at week 12 (P<0.05), and the treatment group showed better outcomes than the control group at weeks 12 and 24 after treatment (P<0.05). After 24 weeks of treatment, both groups exhibited significant reductions in IL-18 and IL-1β levels (P<0.05). The treatment group demonstrated superior efficacy compared to the control group after treatment (P<0.05). Both groups experienced decreases in ALT, AST, and GGT levels after treatment (P<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the 12-week and 24-week post-treatment values within each group, nor were there significant differences between the two groups. No significant adverse reactions were observed in both groups. ConclusionThe Dizhuo Huayu prescription combined with catgut embedding therapy is safe and effective in treating patients with NASH and dyslipidemia, exhibiting hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, lipid-regulating, and weight-reducing effects.
3.Spatio-temporal clustering analysis of influenza in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2014 to 2023
MA Ying ; ZHANG Wenxia ; MA Jinyu ; DONG Junqiang ; WANG Xiuqin ; LI Wenyu ; ZHAO Lihua
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(6):608-611
Objective:
To investigate the spatio-temporal clustering characteristics of influenza in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2014 to 2023, so as to provide the basis for strengthening influenza prevention and control.
Methods:
Data pertaining to influenza cases reported in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2014 to 2023 were retrieved from the Infectious Disease Surveillance System of the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System, including age, sex, current residence, onset date, and reporting date. The seasonal incidence of influenza was analyzed using seasonal index. The spatio-temporal clustering characteristics of influenza were identified using spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatio-temporal scan analysis.
Results:
A total of 20 377 influenza cases were reported in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2014 to 2023, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.15∶1. The majority were children under 15 years, with 10 950 cases accounting for 53.74%. Influenza was highly prevalent in January, February, March, and December, with seasonal indices of 219.06%, 111.00%, 246.65%, and 366.24%, respectively. The average annual reported incidence was 29.55/100 000, among which Pengyang County, Jinfeng District, Dawukou District, Xiji County, and Litong District had higher average annual reported incidence, at 63.99/100 000, 55.71/100 000, 55.70/100 000, 49.49/100 000, and 49.04/100 000, respectively. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that in 2023, there was spatial clustering of influenza cases in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (Moran's I=0.333, P<0.05), with a high-high cluster in Jingyuan County, while in other years, the distribution of influenza cases was random (all P>0.05). Spatio-temporal scan analysis showed that from 2014 to 2023, there were four space-time clusters in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, including one type Ⅰ cluster in Hongsibao District of Wuzhong City, with the clustering period from January 20 to 26, 2014; and three type Ⅱ clusters, mainly in January, February, March and December, covering one area in Shizuishan City, five areas in Guyuan City, one area in Zhongwei City, three areas in Wuzhong City, and four areas in Yinchuan City.
Conclusions
From 2014 to 2023, children under 15 years were the primary population affected by influenza in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with distinct spatio-temporal distribution characteristics. The peak incidence occurred during the winter and spring seasons, and the main clustering areas were in the southern regions.
4.Research on ethical issues and coping strategies of voice biomarkers in medical applications
Sikai SHAN ; Shuyu HAN ; Wenxia WANG ; Yufan YANG ; Xiaomeng WANG ; Wenmin ZHANG ; Siye CHEN ; Mo CHEN ; Zhiwen WANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(10):1233-1239
Voice biomarkers, as an emerging smart medical technology, are now being used in applications such as assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, facilitating accurate and personalized medical services for patients. However, it also raises many ethical issues, including informed consent, privacy protection, accuracy and reliability, data security, legal risks, and other issues. This paper systematically sorted out the ethical issues in the applications of voice biomarkers in the medical field, summarized these issues, such as informed consent, privacy protection, accuracy and reliability, data security, and legal risks, as well as explored the corresponding coping strategies. These countermeasures encompassed utilizing new media platforms to raise public awareness of voice biomarkers, strengthening supervision and management to promote the privacy protection of voice biomarkers, reducing algorithm biases to promote the general benefits of voice biomarkers to the public, establishing multidisciplinary teams to protect the data security of voice biomarkers, and encouraging medical professionals and researchers to participate in policy research, with a view to providing references for promoting and regulating the applications of voice biomarkers in the medical field.
5.Damage effect and mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on nerve cells
Jiao WANG ; Jiajia LI ; Wenyi XIAO ; Donghui WEI ; Ning JIANG ; Wenxia ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2024;38(5):375-383
OBJECTIVE To investigate the damage effect and potential toxic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein(S protein)on human neuroblastomacells(SH-SY5Y).METHODS SH-SY5Y were treated with S protein at concentrations of 25,50,75,and 100 mg·L-1 for 24 h.Cell viability of SH-SY5Y was detected using the CCK-8 assay.The cytotoxic lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)detection kit was used to measure the release rate of LDH,and the 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine(EdU)-488 cell prolifera-tion kit was used to assess cell proliferation.The ATP detection kit was used to measure intracellular ATP content.The JC-1 fluorescent probe method was employed to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)of cells.Seahorse XF was used to measure mitochondrial respiratory and glycolytic capacity.RESULTS Compared with the cell control group,cell viability was significantly reduced in S protein 25,50,75 and 100 mg·L-1 groups(P<0.01),and the half-inhibition concentration(IC50)was 65.05 mg·L-1.The LDH release rate wassignificantly increased(P<0.01)and the proportion of EdU positive cellswas significantly reduced(P<0.01)in S protein 25,50,75 and 100 mg·L-1 groups.S protein signifi-cantly reduced intracellular ATP content(P<0.01)at the concentrations of 75 and 100 mg·L-1,while significantly reduced intracellular MMP(P<0.05,P<0.01)at the concentrations of 50 and 75 mg·L-1.S protein 50 mg·L-1 increased the maximum value of basal glycolysis levels and glycolytic capacity(P<0.05,P<0.01),and S protein 25 and 50 mg·L-1 increased the maximum value of respiration capacity(P<0.05,P<0.01).SH-SY5Y cell viability was positively correlated with the intracellular ATP content and the MMP level(r2=0.9209,P=0.001;r2=0.6170,P=0.0025),and negatively correlated with the maximum level of basal glycolysis and glycolytic capacity(r2=0.5194,P=0.0285;r2=0.6664,P=0.0073),and nega-tively correlated with ATP production capacity(r2=0.8204,P=0.0008).CONCLUSIONS protein decreases the viability of SH-SY5Y cells and inhibited cell proliferation.The mechanism may be closely related to the disorder of energy metabolism.
6.Damage effect and mechanisms of cyclophosphamide to human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells
Jiajia LI ; Jiao WANG ; Wenyi XIAO ; Donghui WEI ; Yongxiang ZHANG ; Ning JIANG ; Wenxia ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2024;38(8):561-574
OBJECTIVE To investigate the damage effect and mechanisms of cyclophosphamide(CTX)and its active metabolite derivative 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide(4-HC)to human neuroblas-toma SH-SY5Y cells.METHODS SH-SY5Y cells were treated with CTX[0(cell control),0.01,0.1,1,5,10,20,40 and 80 mmol·L-1]and 4-HC[0(cell control),0.01,0.1,1,5,10,20,40 and 80 μmol·L-1]for 48 h.Cell confluence and morphology were observed by the IncuCyte ZOOM system.Cell viability was assessed by CCK-8 assay.Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)release was measured by LDH assay kit.SH-SY5Y cells were treated with CTX(0,1,5,10 and 20 mmol·L-1)and 4-HC(0,1,5,10 and 20 μmol·L-1)for 48 h before cell proliferation was analyzed by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine(EdU)staining assay.Immunofluorescence was employed to assess the levels of the DNA double-strand break marker γ-H2AX and to evaluate changes in mitochondrial membrane potential.SH-SY5Y cells were treated with CTX(0,1,5 and 10 mmol·L-1)and 4-HC(0,1,5 and 10 μmol·L-1)for 48 h,and the alterations in glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation levels were analyzed using the Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer.RESULTS Compared with the cell control group,cell confluence and cell viability were significantly reduced in the CTX and 4-HC groups(P<0.01),and the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations(IC50)for CTX and 4-HC were 4.44 mmol·L-1 and 4.78 μmol·L-1,respectively.The release rate of LDH was signif-icantly increased while the percentage of EdU+cells was significantly reduced in the CTX and 4-HC groups(P<0.01).The percentage of γ-H2AX+cells was significantly increased and mitochondrial membrane potential significantly decreased in the CTX and 4-HC group(P<0.05).Treatment with CTX and 4-HC resulted in reduced levels of maximum glycolytic capacity,glycolytic reserve,maximal respi-ration,and ATP production(P<0.05).CONCLUSION CTX and 4-HC exert significant cytotoxic effects on SH-SY5Y cells by disrupting cell membrane structure,impeding cell proliferation,and reducing cell viability.The mechanisms underlying these effects may involve intracellular DNA damage,disturbance of energy metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction.
7.Construction and evaluation of a multi-variant pseudovirus system of SARS-CoV-2 for antibody evaluation and virus entry inhibitors screening
Jingxuan LI ; Feng LIU ; Ying WANG ; Junping CHENG ; Zhiyong XIAO ; Wenxia ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(4):811-817
Objective:A SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus(PsV)system was established for neutralizing antibody evaluation and virus entry inhibitor screening.Methods:Lentiviral vector plasmids psPAX2,pCDH-Luc and SARS-CoV-2 Spike(S)protein expres-sion plasmids were co-transfected,and harvested pseudoviral supernatant was used to infect ACE2-293T cells.Protein content of p24 was determined to reflect titer of PsV,and expression of S protein in PsV was detected by Western blot.Neutralization capacity of an S protein monoclonal antibody was evaluated using original strain,D614G,Gamma,Delta,Omicron PsV.Two reported virus entry inhibitors,chloroquine and carrageenin,were used to detect effect on entry of Omicron PsV.Results:Lentiviral vector successfully incorporated S protein.Western blot results showed that S protein mutated at 665Y showed a different cleavage form(90 kD)than wild-type full-length S protein(180 kD).Titer of PsV packaged by three plasmids system was higher.Ratio of S protein expression plasmid,transfer plasmid and packaging plasmid at 1∶3∶3 was optimum condition for viral packaging.Titer of PsV packaged under this condi-tion was over 20 ng/ml.PsV could effectively infect ACE2-293T cells,and double reporter gene GFP and firefly luciferase were expressed obviously,whose chemiluminescence values reached 106.Monoclonal antibodies of S protein effectively neutralized four types of PsVs,but neutralization of original strain was 10~30 times greater than that of variant PsV.Virus entry inhibitors,chloroquine and ι-carrageenan significantly inhibited entry of Omicron PsV.Conclusion:SARS-CoV-2 PsV infection system we conducted can simu-late entry of SARS-CoV-2 successfully.Effective pharmacodynamic evaluation of neutralizing antibodies and virus entry inhibitors can be performed efficiently by the system,which can provide a technical platform for evaluation of neutralizing antibody of SARS-CoV-2 and screening of virus entry inhibitors,and would benefit R&D of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.
8.Modified Weijingtang Regulates Pyroptosis of Macrophages via Caspase-1/GSDMD Pathway
Dongfang SHANG ; Chenlu ZHAO ; Siying WANG ; Cheng ZHOU ; Minghao LIU ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Suping MA ; Wenxia ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(11):27-33
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of modified Weijingtang on the pyroptosis of RAW264.7 macrophages via the cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 (Caspase-1)/gasdermin D (GSDMD) pathway. MethodLipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce pyroptosis of RAW264.7 cells. The blank group was treated with the blank serum, and the intervention groups were treated with the sera containing different doses of modified Weijingtang. After 24 h, the viability of cells in different groups was examined by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). The pyroptosis and morphology of cells in each group were observed by a scanning electron microscope and a phase-contrast microscope, respectively. The mRNA and protein levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1, and GSDMD in each group were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. The levels of interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-1β in each group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultUnder the electron microscope, RAW264.7 cells presented the best morphology and structure in the blank group and obvious pyroptosis and leakage of cell contents in the model (LPS) group. Compared with the model group, the intervention groups showed reduced pyroptosis to varying degrees, and the high-dose group had the closest cell morphology and structure to the blank group. Under the optical microscope, RAW264.7 cells were spherical in the blank group and irregular with protrusions in the model group. Compared with the model group, the intervention groups showed improved cell morphology, and the cell morphology in the group with the dose of 20% was the closest to that in the blank group. The mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD in the model group were higher than those in the blank group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, each intervention group showed down-regulated expression of the above indicators (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the model group presented elevated levels of IL-18 and IL-1β (P<0.05), which were lowered in the intervention (10%, 20%) groups (P<0.01). ConclusionModified Weijingtang inhibits the pyroptosis of macrophages by down-regulating the Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway and reducing the release of proinflammatory cytokines.
9.Research Progress on Dual Role of Autophagy in Cancer and Intervention of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Xiaoran WANG ; Wenxia ZHAO ; Mingsan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(4):218-227
With the change in environmental pollution and lifestyle, the incidence and mortality of cancer are increasing year by year, which is a serious threat to human life and health. Autophagy is a process in which eukaryotic cells use lysosomes to degrade cytoplasmic proteins and damaged organelles under the regulation of autophagy-related genes. It plays a dynamic inhibiting or promoting role in the occurrence and development of cancer and is involved in the regulation of tumor formation, proliferation, metastasis, and response to anticancer therapy. With the deepening of the research on the mechanism of cancer, a variety of cancer treatment methods have been established, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy, and gene therapy. Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of autophagy has been shown to enhance the lethal effect of various anticancer treatments on tumor cells, suggesting that inhibition of autophagy is an effective sensitization strategy in cancer therapy. Meanwhile, over-stimulation of autophagy may also provide a new method for the treatment of drug-resistant cancer cells with high apoptotic thresholds. As a treasure of Chinese culture, traditional Chinese medicine plays an important role in the adjuvant treatment of cancer with its advantages of multi-target, multi-pathway, and small side effects. In recent years, many positive results have been achieved in the study of natural autophagy regulatory factors of traditional Chinese medicine in cancer, and they have been widely verified in different autophagy regulatory models. This article outlines the mechanism of autophagy, summarizes the dual regulatory role of autophagy in tumor biology, and collects relevant studies published in the databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Data for nearly 10 years that affect the role of tumorigenesis and development by regulating autophagy. The article also collates autophagy rules of tumor cells induced by traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients, so as to provide a certain reference for the research on the development and application of anti-tumor drugs.
10.Screening and evaluation of the biocontrol efficacy of a Trichoderma brevicompactum strain and its metabolite trichodermin against banana Fusarium wilt.
Xiajun YAO ; Jin XIE ; Yanhua QI ; Bin WANG ; Wenxia FANG ; Gang TAO ; Xiliang JIANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2024;40(1):211-225
The banana Fusarium wilt (BFW) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race4 (FocTR4) is difficult to control worldwide, which causes a huge economic losse to banana industry. The purpose of this study was to screen Trichoderma strains with antagonistic activity against FocTR4, to isolate and purify the active compound from the fermentation broth, so as to provide important biocontrol strains and active compound resources. In this work, Trichoderma strains were isolated and screened from the rhizosphere soil of crops, and the strains capable of efficiently inhibiting FocTR4 were screened by plate confrontation, and further confirmed by testing inhibition for the conidial germination and mycelial growth of FocTR4. The phylogenetic tree clarified the taxonomic status of the biocontrol strains. Moreover, the active components in the fermentation broth of the strains were separated and purified by column chromatography, the structure of the most active component was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), the BFW control effect was tested by pot experiments. We obtained a strain JSHA-CD-1003 with antagonistic activity against FocTR4, and the inhibition rate from plate confrontation was 60.6%. The fermentation broth of JSHA-CD-1003 completely inhibited the germination of FocTR4 conidia within 24 hours. The inhibition rate of FocTR4 hyphae growth was 52.6% within 7 d. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the ITS and tef1-α gene tandem sequences, and JSHA-CD-1003 was identified as Trichoderma brevicompactum. Purification and NMR identification showed that the single active compound was trichodermin, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 25 μg/mL. Pot experiments showed that the fermentation broth of strain JSHA-CD-1003 was effective against BFW. The control rate of leaf yellowing was 47.4%, and the rate of bulb browning was 52.0%. Therefore, JSHA-CD-1003 effectively inhibited FocTR4 conidial germination and mycelium growth through producing trichodermin, and showed biocontrol effect on banana wilt caused by FocTR4, thus is a potential biocontrol strain.
Fusarium
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Musa
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Phylogeny
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Trichodermin
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Hypocreales


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