1.Herbal Textual Research on Stemonae Radix in Famous Classical Formulas
Gang XU ; Li AN ; Xiaomei WANG ; Erhuan WANG ; Yichen YANG ; Cunde MA ; Yang YANG ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):241-251
This article systematically reviews and verifies the historical evolution of Stemonae Radix from the aspects of name, origin, harvesting and processing, quality and others by consulting ancient and modern literature, in order to provide reference for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this medicinal herb. Stemonae Radix has a long history of application, and it derives its name from its distinctive growth pattern, featuring clusters of ten to several dozen underground tuberous roots. This morphology resembles that of certain plants in the genus Asparagus, leading to historical instances where tuberous roots from genus Asparagus were mistakenly used as Stemonae Radix. After the research, it can be concluded that Stemonae Radix was first recorded in Mingyi Bielu, and throughout history, Baidu has been recognized as its official name, though it also bears alternative names such as Baibing, Pofucao and Ye Tianmendong. The mainstream sources used throughout history have been the dried tuberous roots of Stemona sessilifolia, S. japonica or S. tuberosa from the family Stemonaceae. This aligns with the 2025 edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(hereinafter referred to as Chinese Pharmacopoeia). Additionally, Asparagus filicinus and A. officinalis from the genus Asparagus are common sources of confusion with Stemonae Radix. The three primitive plants are mainly distributed in the Yangtze River basin and southern China, exhibiting a wide distribution. Historically, wild harvesting was predominant, but cultivation is now established. In ancient times, the harvesting time was mostly in the second, third, and eighth lunar months, when roots were harvested and dried. Nowadays, it is more common to pick and excavate in the spring and autumn seasons. After excavation, the roots are washed, fibrous roots removed, briefly blanched in boiling water or steamed until no white core remains, and then sun-dried or oven-dried. In ancient times, the processing of Stemonae Radix primarily involved roasting(stir-frying), wine roasting, or raw materials. Modern mainstream processing specifications include two types of raw and honey-roasted products. In terms of quality evaluation of the medicinal materials, ancient criteria of "preferring plump and moist roots" align with modern requirement favoring "thick, robust stems with firm texture". Evaluating quality with authenticity, since the Song dynasty, it has been highly praised to produce in Chuzhou and Hengyang as the best. It was an ancient method of fixing the production area to stabilize the medicinal origin, reflecting the ancient recognition of the therapeutic efficacy of plants belonging to the genus Stemona. The main functions of Stemonae Radix remain consistent throughout history, including relieving coughs, eliminating phlegm and parasites. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing the medicinal material Stemonae Radix, the botanical source specified in the 2025 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia should be selected. The specific species can be determined according to the distribution of resources and the main production areas, and the origin and corresponding botanical source should be fixed. Processing methods should be chosen based on the prescription requirements. It is recommended to use raw products without specified requirements.
2.Herbal Textual Research on Stemonae Radix in Famous Classical Formulas
Gang XU ; Li AN ; Xiaomei WANG ; Erhuan WANG ; Yichen YANG ; Cunde MA ; Yang YANG ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):241-251
This article systematically reviews and verifies the historical evolution of Stemonae Radix from the aspects of name, origin, harvesting and processing, quality and others by consulting ancient and modern literature, in order to provide reference for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this medicinal herb. Stemonae Radix has a long history of application, and it derives its name from its distinctive growth pattern, featuring clusters of ten to several dozen underground tuberous roots. This morphology resembles that of certain plants in the genus Asparagus, leading to historical instances where tuberous roots from genus Asparagus were mistakenly used as Stemonae Radix. After the research, it can be concluded that Stemonae Radix was first recorded in Mingyi Bielu, and throughout history, Baidu has been recognized as its official name, though it also bears alternative names such as Baibing, Pofucao and Ye Tianmendong. The mainstream sources used throughout history have been the dried tuberous roots of Stemona sessilifolia, S. japonica or S. tuberosa from the family Stemonaceae. This aligns with the 2025 edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(hereinafter referred to as Chinese Pharmacopoeia). Additionally, Asparagus filicinus and A. officinalis from the genus Asparagus are common sources of confusion with Stemonae Radix. The three primitive plants are mainly distributed in the Yangtze River basin and southern China, exhibiting a wide distribution. Historically, wild harvesting was predominant, but cultivation is now established. In ancient times, the harvesting time was mostly in the second, third, and eighth lunar months, when roots were harvested and dried. Nowadays, it is more common to pick and excavate in the spring and autumn seasons. After excavation, the roots are washed, fibrous roots removed, briefly blanched in boiling water or steamed until no white core remains, and then sun-dried or oven-dried. In ancient times, the processing of Stemonae Radix primarily involved roasting(stir-frying), wine roasting, or raw materials. Modern mainstream processing specifications include two types of raw and honey-roasted products. In terms of quality evaluation of the medicinal materials, ancient criteria of "preferring plump and moist roots" align with modern requirement favoring "thick, robust stems with firm texture". Evaluating quality with authenticity, since the Song dynasty, it has been highly praised to produce in Chuzhou and Hengyang as the best. It was an ancient method of fixing the production area to stabilize the medicinal origin, reflecting the ancient recognition of the therapeutic efficacy of plants belonging to the genus Stemona. The main functions of Stemonae Radix remain consistent throughout history, including relieving coughs, eliminating phlegm and parasites. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing the medicinal material Stemonae Radix, the botanical source specified in the 2025 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia should be selected. The specific species can be determined according to the distribution of resources and the main production areas, and the origin and corresponding botanical source should be fixed. Processing methods should be chosen based on the prescription requirements. It is recommended to use raw products without specified requirements.
3.Study on activation mechanism of SGCs in representation along the distribution of stomach meridian in IBS-D mice.
Na LI ; Junhui REN ; Lu GUAN ; Yashuang XU ; Liyan ZHONG ; Xiaomei SHAO ; Jianqiao FANG ; Junying DU ; Junfan FANG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(5):593-600
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the peripheral neural mechanism underlying representation along the distribution of stomach meridian induced by intestinal inflammatory reaction using diarrhea predominant-irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) mice.
METHODS:
Among 62 healthy male C57BL/6 mice of clean grade, 12 mice were randomly selected and divided into a control group and a model group, 6 mice in each group, additionally, 12 mice were randomly selected and divided into a Tianshu group, a Liangqiu group and a Zusanli group, 4 mice in each group. In the model group, citrobacter was administered orally to establish IBS-D model. In the control group and the model group, the visceral pain threshold was observed using fecal colorectal distension (fCRD) induced electromyography of external oblique muscle, the positive cell number of neutrophil in the colonic muscularis was detected by myeloperoxidase (MPO) staining, the number, location and distribution rule of Evans blue (EB) extravasation points were observed by injection of EB staining solution into the tail vein. In the Tianshu group, the Liangqiu group and the Zusanli group, fluorescent dye Dil was injected at bilateral "Tianshu" (ST25), "Liangqiu" (ST34) and "Zusanli" (ST36) respectively, to observe the dye-positive cell number in different dorsal root ganglion (DRG) segments. In the control group and the model group, the activation of satellite glial cells (SGCs) in different DRG segments was observed by immunofluorescence.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control group, in the model group, the area under curve of electromyography of external oblique muscle was increased at fCRD of 25, 50 and 75 μL distilled water (P<0.001, P<0.01); the MPO-positive cell number of neutrophil in the colonic muscularis was increased (P<0.01). Few EB extravasation points could be found in the control group, while there were much more EB extravasation points observed in the model group, which was specially distribution in the area of stomach meridian, from "Huaroumen" (ST24) to "Zusanli" (ST36), as well as the surface area dominated by L2-L5 segment of the spinal cord. The Dil-positive cells were mainly exhibited in the DRG of T11, L5 and L4 segments in the Tianshu group, the Liangqiu group and the Zusanli group, respectively. Compared with the control group, the ratio of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)/glutamine synthetase (GS) co-expression was increased in the DRG of T11, L4 and L5 segments in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
The activation of SGCs within DRG of T11, L4 and L5 segments may relate closely to the occurrence of the representation along the stomach meridian distribution in IBS-D mice.
Animals
;
Male
;
Mice
;
Irritable Bowel Syndrome/therapy*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Meridians
;
Stomach/physiopathology*
;
Humans
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Disease Models, Animal
4.Investigating the protective effect of naringenin on hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative damage of human periodontal ligament stem cells by regulating the forkhead box protein O-1/β-catenin pathway.
Li ZHANG ; Shiyuan PENG ; Feiyang TANG ; Jingwei JIAN ; Shuosheng YUAN ; Xiaomei XU
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(4):559-569
OBJECTIVES:
Investigating the protective effect of naringenin (NAR) on the osteogenic potential of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) under oxidative stress and its related mechanisms.
METHODS:
The oxidative damage model of hPDLSCs was established using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) andthe hPDLSCs were treated with different concentrations of NAR and 0.5 μmol/L forkhead box protein O-1 (FOXO1) inhibitor AS1842856. After that, the cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) was used to determine the optimal concentrations of H2O2 and NAR. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and real time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were employed to assess the expression of ALP, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and osteocalcin (OCN) in hPDLSCs of each group. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining were utilized to evaluate the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in hPDLSCs. Meanwhile, qRT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression levels of FOXO1 and β-catenin, both are pathway related genes and proteins.
RESULTS:
H2O2 exposure led to an increase in oxidative damage in hPDLSCs, characterized by a rise in intracellular ROS levels and increased expression of MDA and LDH (P<0.05). At the same time, the osteogenic differentiation ability of hPDLSCs decreased, as evidenced by lighter ALP staining and reduced expression levels of osteogenic differentiation-related genes ALP, RUNX2 and OCN (P<0.05). Co-treatment with NAR alleviated the oxidative damage in hPDLSCs, enhanced their antioxidant capacity, and restored their osteogenic ability. The FOXO1 inhibitor AS1842856 downregulated the expression of β-catenin (P<0.05) and significantly diminished both the antioxidant effect of NAR and its ability to restore osteogenesis (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
NAR can enhance the antioxidant capacity of hPDLSCs by activating the FOXO1/β-catenin signaling pathway within hPDLSCs, thereby mitigating oxidative stress damage and alleviating the loss of osteogenic capacity.
Humans
;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
;
Periodontal Ligament/cytology*
;
Hydrogen Peroxide
;
Forkhead Box Protein O1/metabolism*
;
Stem Cells/cytology*
;
Flavanones/pharmacology*
;
beta Catenin/metabolism*
;
Osteogenesis/drug effects*
;
Signal Transduction
;
Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit/metabolism*
;
Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism*
;
Osteocalcin/metabolism*
;
Cells, Cultured
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
5.Paeoniflorin alleviates cisplatin and lansoprazole-induced acute kidney injury by inhibiting necroptosis
Qi Xu ; Xiaomei Luo ; Wei Zhu ; Yuanyuan Li ; Yonggui Wu
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(11):2096-2105
Objective:
To investigate the effects of paeoniflorin (Pae) on acute kidney injury ( AKI) and mouse renal tubular epithelial cell ( mRTEC) damage induced by lansoprazole (LPZ) and cisplatin (CIS) through in vivo and in vitro experiments .
Methods :
The C57BL/6J mice or mRTECs were divided into four groups : normal control (NC) group , NC + LPZ group , CIS group , and CIS + LPZ group . Serum creatinine (CRE) and blood urea nitro- gen (BUN) levels in mice were measured , and kidney pathology was observed with HE staining. Western blot , im- munohistochemistry , and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression levels of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 1 , RIPK3 , and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) . Subsequently , C57BL/6J mice or mRTECs were divided into six groups : NC group , NC + Pae group , CIS + LPZ (M) group , and CIS + LPZ + Pae ( M + Pae) group . Serum CRE and BUN levels in each group were measured , kidney pathology was observed with HE staining , and ultrastructural changes in the kidney were observed with transmission electron microscopy. The KIM-1 and necroptosis-related protein expression levels were detected by Western blot , immunohistochemistry , and immunofluorescence .
Results:
Compared with the NC group , CRE and BUN levels were elevated in the CIS group , and these levels were further increased after LPZ in- tervention (all P < 0. 001) . Compared with the CIS group , renal tubular dilation and brush border loss were evi- dent in the CIS + LPZ group based on HE staining of kidney tissue (P < 0. 001) . Compared with the NC group , the expression levels of KIM-1 , RIPK1 , RIPK3 , and MLKL in the renal tissues of mice in the CIS group increased ( all P < 0. 001) , and compared with the CIS group , The expression levels of KIM-1 , RIPK1 , RIPK3 and MLKL in the renal tissues of mice in the CIS + LPZ group increased (all P < 0. 001) . After Pae treatment , compared with group M , the expression levels of CRE , BUN , KIM-1 , RIPK1 , RIPK3 and MLKL in each group of mice decreased significantly and in a dose-dependent manner (all P < 0. 001) .
Conclusion
LPZ promotes CIS-induced AKI by enhancing necroptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells , and Pae can improve CIS and LPZ-induced AKI by inhibi- ting necroptosis .
6.Exploration on Approach to Differentiating and Treating Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Based on the View of Regulation of Both Mind and Body
Xiaomei ZHONG ; Jinghan XU ; Lanyue ZHANG ; Xuemin WU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(7):1792-1797
Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT)is an autoimmune thyroid disease characterized by diffuse enlargement of thyroid gland and elevated thyroid autoantibodies.HT is closely related to emotional factors,conveyance and dispersion function of the liver,and the qi movement of the five zang organs.This paper explores the approach to the differentiation and treatment of HT based on Professor Yang Shuyu's view of regulation of both mind and body.In the view of regulation of both mind and body,the regulation of mind is to harmonize emotions,and the regulation of body refers to the conveyance and dispersion function of zang-fu organs.Based on the view of regulation of both mind and body,the pathological changes of HT are characterized by the disordered conveyance and dispersion of qi movement,and the stable phase,hyperthyroid phase,and hypothyroid phase of HT correspond to obstructed conveyance and dispersion,excessive conveyance and dispersion,and insufficient conveyance and dispersion,respectively.The emotional disorders caused by the failure of mind regulation exist throughout the disease course.Therefore,the treatment of HT can be conducted by using the therapies of unblocking,suppressing,and tonifying separately for stable phase,hyperthyroid phase,and hypothyroid phase to address the root cause,and then the conveyance and dispersion of visceral qi movement are restored.Besides,the therapeutic method of resolution is used to alleviate symptoms by removing goiter and dissipating nodules.Simultaneously,emotional regulation therapy is incorporated to achieve a comprehensive efficacy for harmonizing physique-spirit and mind-body through the regulation of emotions,conveyance and dispersion of qi movement,and visceral functions.The view of regulation of both mind and body provides new methods and approaches for traditional Chinese medicine management of HT.
7.Geraniin attenuates isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis
Jiaqi DING ; Shenjie ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Boyu XIA ; Jingjing WU ; Xu LU ; Chao HUANG ; Xiaomei YUAN ; Qingsheng YOU
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):307-319
Geraniin, a polyphenol derived from the fruit peel of Nephelium lappaceum L., has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in the cardiovascular system. The present study explored whether geraniin could protect against an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy model. Mice in the ISO group received an intraperitoneal injection of ISO (5 mg/kg) once daily for 9 days, and the administration group were injected with ISO after 5 days of treatment with geraniin or spironolactone. Potential therapeutic effects and related mechanisms analysed by anatomical coefficients, histopathology, blood biochemical indices, reverse transcription-PCR and immunoblotting. Geraniin decreased the cardiac pathologic remodeling and myocardial fibrosis induced by ISO, as evidenced by the modifications to anatomical coefficients, as well as the reduction in collagen I/III á1mRNA and protein expression and cross-sectional area in hypertrophic cardiac tissue. In addition, geraniin treatment reduced ISO-induced increase in the mRNA and protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, whereas ISO-induced IL-10 showed the opposite behaviour in hypertrophic cardiac tissue.Further analysis showed that geraniin partially reversed the ISO-induced increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, and the ISO-induced decrease in glutathione, superoxide dismutase and glutathione. Furthermore, it suppressed the ISO-induced cellular apoptosis of hypertrophic cardiac tissue, as evidenced by the decrease in Bcell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X/caspase-3/caspase-9 expression, increase in Bcl-2 expression, and decrease in TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells.These findings suggest that geraniin can attenuate ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis.
8.Effect of Serum Containing Zhenwutang on Apoptosis of Myocardial Mast Cells and Mitochondrial Autophagy
Wei TANG ; Meiqun ZHENG ; Xiaolin WANG ; Zhiyong CHEN ; Chi CHE ; Zongqiong LU ; Jiashuai GUO ; Xiaomei ZOU ; Lili XU ; Lin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):11-21
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of serum containing Zhenwutang on myocardial mast cell apoptosis induced by angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ) and the mechanism of the correlation between apoptosis and mitochondrial autophagy. MethodsIn this experiment, AngⅡ and serum containing Zhenwutang with different concentrations were used to interfere with H9C2 cardiomyocytes for 24 h, and the survival rate of H9C2 cardiomyocytes was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) to screen the optimal concentration for the experiment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the content of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in cell culture supernatant, and immunofluorescence was used to detect the cell surface area to verify the construction of the myocardial mast cell model. Subsequently, the experiment was divided into a blank group (20% blank serum), a model group (20% blank serum + 5×10-5 mol·L-1 AngⅡ), low-, medium-, and high-dose (5%, 10% and 20%) serum containing Zhenwutang groups, an autophagy inhibitor group (1×10-4 mol·L-1 3-MA), and autophagy inducer group (1×10-7 mol·L-1 rapamycin). The apoptosis level of H9C2 cells and the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by flow cytometry. The lysosomal probe (Lyso Tracker) and mitochondrial probe (Mito Tracker) co-localization was employed to detect autophagy. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect Caspase-3, Caspase-9, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-related X protein (Bax), and cytochrome C (Cyt C) in apoptosis-related pathways and the relative mRNA expression of ubiquitin ligase (Parkin), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), and p62 protein in mitochondrial autophagy-related pathways. Western blot was used to detect cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, Bax, Bcl-2, and Cyt C in apoptosis-related pathways, phosphorylated ubiquitin ligase (p-Parkin), phosphorylated PTEN-induced kinase 1 (p-PINK1), p62, and Bcl-2 homology domain protein Beclin1 in mitochondrial autophagy-related pathways, and the change of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio. ResultsCCK-8 showed that when the concentration of AngⅡ was 5×10-5 mol·L-1, the cell activity was the lowest, and there was no cytotoxicity. At this concentration, the surface area of cardiomyocytes was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the content of BNP in the supernatant of culture medium was significantly increased (P<0.05). Therefore, AngⅡ with a concentration of 5×10-5 mol·L-1 was selected for the subsequent modeling of myocardial mast cells. Compared with the blank group, the model group and the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA group had a significantly increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01) and significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (P<0.01). The results of immunofluorescence co-localization showed that compared with the blank group, the model group had a significantly decreased number of red and green fluorescence spots. The results of Real-time PCR showed that compared with that in the blank group, the relative mRNA expression of Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 in the model group was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01), while the relative mRNA expression of Bcl-2, Parkin, and PINK1 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). In addition, the relative protein expression of Bax, cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). The LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly decreased, and the relative protein expression of Bcl-2, p-Parkin, p-PINK1, and Beclin1 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum containing Zhenwutang groups and the autophagy inducer group had significantly decreased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), and the decrease ratio of mitochondrial membrane potential is significantly lowered (P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, both red and green fluorescence spots became more in these groups. In the 3-MA group, the number of red and green fluorescence spots decreased significantly. The relative mRNA expression of Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), while that of Bcl-2, Parkin, and PINK1 was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). In the serum containing Zhenwutang groups, the relative protein expression levels of Bax, cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05,P<0.01). The LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly increased, and the relative protein expression levels of Bcl-2, p-Parkin, p-PINK1, and Beclin1 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). ConclusionThe serum containing Zhenwutang can reduce the apoptosis of myocardial mast cells and increase mitochondrial autophagy. This is related to the inhibition of intracellular Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase-3 apoptosis pathway and regulation of Parkin/PINK1 mitochondrial autophagy pathway.
9.Analysis on Pharmacodynamic Material Basis and Mechanism of Famous Classical Formula Renshen Wuweizi Tang in Treatment of Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency Syndrome
Shanshan LI ; Yute ZHONG ; Xiaomei XIANG ; Wei KANG ; Shufan ZHOU ; Ping WANG ; Haiyu XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):31-39
ObjectiveBased on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS), network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques, to explore the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of Renshen Wuweizi Tang in treating spleen-lung Qi deficiency syndrome. MethodsThe chemical components in the decoction of Renshen Wuweizi Tang were systematically characterized and identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, and network pharmacology was used to screen potential active ingredients, collect component targets and gene sets related to spleen-lung Qi deficiency syndrome, and obtain protein interaction relationships through STRING. Cytoscape 3.9.1 was used to construct a "formula-syndrome" association network and calculate topological feature values. Gene ontology(GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed on core genes to explore potential pharmacodynamic links, the average shortest path between the formula-drug target network and the pharmacodynamic link gene network was calculated to discover dominant pharmacodynamic links, and MCODE plugin was used to identify core gene clusters from the dominant pharmacodynamic links, which were validated using Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO), and molecular docking was performed between key components and core targets. ResultsOne hundred and thirty-seven components were identified in the negative ion mode, and eighty components were identified in the positive ion mode. After deduplication, a total of 185 components were identified, mainly composed of triterpenoid saponins(49) and flavonoids(54). Based on the "formula-syndrome" correlation network analysis, energy metabolism was determined to be the dominant pharmacodynamic link of Renshen Wuweizi Tang in the treatment of spleen-lung Qi deficiency syndrome. The results of molecular docking showed that 7 components(adenosine, atractylenolide Ⅱ, atractylenolide Ⅲ, ginsenoside Rg1, glycyrrhizin B2, glycyrrhizin E2 and campesterol) from 4 medicinal materials(Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Poria) in this formula might regulate energy metabolism by acting on 6 targets, namely cyclic adenosine monophosphate-response element binding protein 1(CREB1), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH), interleukin(IL)-6, nuclear transcription factor(NF)-κB1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α(PPARα), and tumor necrosis factor(TNF), thus improving the symptoms of diseases related to spleen-lung Qi deficiency syndrome. ConclusionThis study established a UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS for rapid characterization and identification of chemical components in the decoction of Renshen Wuweizi Tang, expanding the understanding of the material composition of this formula, and found that 7 components might act on the key advantageous pharmacodynamic link "energy metabolism" through 6 targets to improve the related symptoms of spleen-lung Qi deficiency syndrome. This can provide a reference for the subsequent exploration of the material benchmark and mechanism of the famous classical formula.
10.Geraniin attenuates isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis
Jiaqi DING ; Shenjie ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Boyu XIA ; Jingjing WU ; Xu LU ; Chao HUANG ; Xiaomei YUAN ; Qingsheng YOU
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):307-319
Geraniin, a polyphenol derived from the fruit peel of Nephelium lappaceum L., has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in the cardiovascular system. The present study explored whether geraniin could protect against an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy model. Mice in the ISO group received an intraperitoneal injection of ISO (5 mg/kg) once daily for 9 days, and the administration group were injected with ISO after 5 days of treatment with geraniin or spironolactone. Potential therapeutic effects and related mechanisms analysed by anatomical coefficients, histopathology, blood biochemical indices, reverse transcription-PCR and immunoblotting. Geraniin decreased the cardiac pathologic remodeling and myocardial fibrosis induced by ISO, as evidenced by the modifications to anatomical coefficients, as well as the reduction in collagen I/III á1mRNA and protein expression and cross-sectional area in hypertrophic cardiac tissue. In addition, geraniin treatment reduced ISO-induced increase in the mRNA and protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, whereas ISO-induced IL-10 showed the opposite behaviour in hypertrophic cardiac tissue.Further analysis showed that geraniin partially reversed the ISO-induced increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, and the ISO-induced decrease in glutathione, superoxide dismutase and glutathione. Furthermore, it suppressed the ISO-induced cellular apoptosis of hypertrophic cardiac tissue, as evidenced by the decrease in Bcell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X/caspase-3/caspase-9 expression, increase in Bcl-2 expression, and decrease in TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells.These findings suggest that geraniin can attenuate ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis.


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