1.Mechanism of Sangpi Zhike Prescription in Treating Cough After Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Based on "Lung-intestine Co-treatment" Theory
Chuang SUO ; Xiaohong BAI ; Zhitong YU ; Xue GONG ; Chan XIU ; Qihui LYU ; Zhihui LIU ; Kelin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):126-137
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Sangpi Zhike prescription in treating cough after respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection through the "lung-intestine co-treatment" approach using network pharmacology and animal experimental validation. MethodsActive ingredients and targets of Sangpi Zhike prescription were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. Disease targets were obtained from GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM) databases. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and drug-component-target networks were constructed using overlapping targets between drugs and diseases to identify core targets. Gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the overlapping targets. Sixty mouse models were established: 10 as the normal group, and the remaining mice were infected with RSV via slow nasal drip of RSV suspension, with cough induced using capsaicin solution. After modeling, mice were divided into a model group, a Montelukast Sodium group (1 mg·kg-1·d-1), and low, medium, and high dose groups of Sangpi Zhike prescription (4.875,9.75,and 19.5 g·kg-1·d-1), with 10 mice per group. From day 14 after RSV infection, the normal and model groups received saline via gavage, while other groups received corresponding drug treatments once daily for 5 d. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe pathological changes in lung and intestinal tissue. The protein content of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphorylated (p)-ERK1/2 in the lung and colon tissue of mice was detected by Western blot. Real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) detected ERK1/2 mRNA expression in lung and intestinal tissue. Immunohistochemistry assessed p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p-c-Fos protein levels, and inflammatory cytokines interleukin(IL)-4 and (TNF)-α in lung and colon tissue. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified 184 active ingredients and 684 targets in Sangpi Zhike prescription, with 1 344 RSV-related disease targets and 209 overlapping targets. Core targets included TNF, Fos, and Jun. KEGG enrichment revealed 179 pathways, primarily mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), cancer, TNF, and IL-17 signaling pathways. Animal experiments showed that, compared to those of the normal group, the lung tissue sections of the model group showed typical inflammatory damage, infiltration of inflammatory cells, rupture of alveolar septa, extensive alveolar fusion, and disruption of tight junctions between single-layer columnar epithelial cells in the intestinal tissue. The values of p-ERK1/2 and ERK1/2 in lung and intestinal tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the expression level of ERK1/2 mRNA was significantly elevated (P<0.01). The levels of ERK1/2, p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p-c-Fos, IL-4, and TNF-α along the ERK pathway were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared to the model group, Sangpi Zhike prescription groups showed reduced lung and intestinal inflammation, decreased p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 ratios (P<0.05,P<0.01), lower ERK1/2 mRNA levels, and downregulated ERK pathway proteins (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionSangpi Zhike prescription alleviates cough and intestinal symptoms after RSV infection via the "lung-intestine co-treatment" mechanism by suppressing expression levels of ERK1/2, p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p-c-Fos, IL-4, and TNF-α on ERK pathway components, thereby mitigating lung and intestinal pathological damage.
2.Zuogui Jiangtang Shuxin Prescription Ameliorates Lipid Deposition in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy of MKR Mice by Regulating AMPK/FoxO1/CD36 Signaling Pathway
Xiu LIU ; Juping WANG ; Jiawang HUANG ; Junju ZOU ; Qin XIANG ; Yunfeng YU ; Rong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):134-142
ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effects and related mechanisms of the Zuogui Jiangtang Shuxin prescription (ZJSP) on glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in MKR mice with diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), with a focus on elucidating its regulatory role on the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1)/cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) signaling pathway and lipid deposition. MethodsFifty 8-week-old male MKR mice were fed a high-fat diet for four weeks and then intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin (STZ) while maintaining a high-fat diet to establish a DCM model. The mice were randomly divided into the model group, the low-dose(14.43 g·kg-1)and high-dose(28.86 g·kg-1) ZJSP groups, and the metformin group (0.25 g·kg-1), with age-matched FVB mice as a normal control group. Each group received intragastric administration of normal saline or corresponding concentrations of ZJSP at equal volumes. After four weeks, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and cardiac function were measured. Blood was collected from the eyeballs under anesthesia to detect fasting insulin (FINS) and blood lipid levels. Myocardial tissue morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and lipid deposition in the heart was assessed using oil red O staining. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of AMPK, FoxO1, and CD36 in myocardial tissues. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression levels of AMPK, p-AMPK, FoxO1, p-FoxO1, and CD36. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed significantly increased levels of FBG and FINS (P<0.01), elevated levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0.01), and significantly decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) values (P<0.01). HE staining revealed marked cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, disarray, and widened intercellular spaces in myocardial tissues. Oil Red O staining showed extensive red deposition areas and fine lipid droplet accumulation in the myocardial tissue. AMPK mRNA expression was decreased, while FoxO1 and CD36 mRNA expressions were significantly increased (P<0.01). The p-AMPK/AMPK protein expression ratio in myocardial tissues was significantly reduced, while the p-FoxO1/FoxO1 protein expression ratio and CD36 protein expression levels were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all treatment groups exhibited significantly reduced FBG (P<0.01), decreased FINS and blood lipid levels (TG, TC, LDL-C) (P<0.05, P<0.01), improved cardiac function (P<0.05), noticeable amelioration of myocardial histopathological morphology and lipid deposition, increased AMPK mRNA expression (P<0.01), with significantly downregulated FoxO1 and CD36 mRNA expressions (P<0.01), elevated p-AMPK/AMPK protein expression levels in myocardial tissue (P<0.05), significantly decreased p-FoxO1/FoxO1 ratios (P<0.01), and downregulated CD36 protein expression levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionZJSP exerts a protective effect on the heart in type 2 DCM of MKR mice, and its mechanism may be associated with the regulation of the AMPK/FoxO1/CD36 signaling pathway.
3.Zuogui Jiangtang Shuxin Prescription Ameliorates Lipid Deposition in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy of MKR Mice by Regulating AMPK/FoxO1/CD36 Signaling Pathway
Xiu LIU ; Juping WANG ; Jiawang HUANG ; Junju ZOU ; Qin XIANG ; Yunfeng YU ; Rong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):134-142
ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effects and related mechanisms of the Zuogui Jiangtang Shuxin prescription (ZJSP) on glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in MKR mice with diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), with a focus on elucidating its regulatory role on the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1)/cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) signaling pathway and lipid deposition. MethodsFifty 8-week-old male MKR mice were fed a high-fat diet for four weeks and then intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin (STZ) while maintaining a high-fat diet to establish a DCM model. The mice were randomly divided into the model group, the low-dose(14.43 g·kg-1)and high-dose(28.86 g·kg-1) ZJSP groups, and the metformin group (0.25 g·kg-1), with age-matched FVB mice as a normal control group. Each group received intragastric administration of normal saline or corresponding concentrations of ZJSP at equal volumes. After four weeks, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and cardiac function were measured. Blood was collected from the eyeballs under anesthesia to detect fasting insulin (FINS) and blood lipid levels. Myocardial tissue morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and lipid deposition in the heart was assessed using oil red O staining. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of AMPK, FoxO1, and CD36 in myocardial tissues. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression levels of AMPK, p-AMPK, FoxO1, p-FoxO1, and CD36. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed significantly increased levels of FBG and FINS (P<0.01), elevated levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0.01), and significantly decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) values (P<0.01). HE staining revealed marked cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, disarray, and widened intercellular spaces in myocardial tissues. Oil Red O staining showed extensive red deposition areas and fine lipid droplet accumulation in the myocardial tissue. AMPK mRNA expression was decreased, while FoxO1 and CD36 mRNA expressions were significantly increased (P<0.01). The p-AMPK/AMPK protein expression ratio in myocardial tissues was significantly reduced, while the p-FoxO1/FoxO1 protein expression ratio and CD36 protein expression levels were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all treatment groups exhibited significantly reduced FBG (P<0.01), decreased FINS and blood lipid levels (TG, TC, LDL-C) (P<0.05, P<0.01), improved cardiac function (P<0.05), noticeable amelioration of myocardial histopathological morphology and lipid deposition, increased AMPK mRNA expression (P<0.01), with significantly downregulated FoxO1 and CD36 mRNA expressions (P<0.01), elevated p-AMPK/AMPK protein expression levels in myocardial tissue (P<0.05), significantly decreased p-FoxO1/FoxO1 ratios (P<0.01), and downregulated CD36 protein expression levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionZJSP exerts a protective effect on the heart in type 2 DCM of MKR mice, and its mechanism may be associated with the regulation of the AMPK/FoxO1/CD36 signaling pathway.
4.Cloning, subcellular localization and expression analysis of SmIAA7 gene from Salvia miltiorrhiza
Yu-ying HUANG ; Ying CHEN ; Bao-wei WANG ; Fan-yuan GUAN ; Yu-yan ZHENG ; Jing FAN ; Jin-ling WANG ; Xiu-hua HU ; Xiao-hui WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):514-525
The auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) gene family is an important regulator for plant growth hormone signaling, involved in plant growth, development, as well as response to environmental stresses. In the present study, we identified
5.Aging and Regeneration of Hypothalamic Neural Stem Cells
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1126-1139
Hypothalamic neural stem cells (htNSCs) are a type of glial-like neural stem cell located in the hypothalamus, possessing unique biological characteristics. They not only have the capacity to proliferate and differentiate but can also migrate into the parenchymal regions of the hypothalamus, further developing into neurons and successfully integrating into neural circuits. HtNSCs play multiple key physiological roles in the adult hypothalamus, including contributing to the formation of the blood-hypothalamic barrier (BHB), which is crucial for maintaining the stability of the hypothalamic environment. Through the BHB, htNSCs facilitate the effective diffusion of small molecules between the blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and hypothalamic parenchyma, thereby ensuring the proper transmission of nutrients and signaling molecules. In addition, htNSCs can sense fluctuations in blood glucose levels and regulate the release of neuropeptides accordingly, thus influencing the body’s energy metabolism and endocrine balance. However, as the body ages, the function of htNSCs gradually declines. Studies have shown that the aging of htNSCs has significant adverse effects on energy metabolism, sex hormone secretion, and overall hypothalamic function. During the aging process, the proliferative and differentiative capacities of htNSCs diminish, leading to reduced neuronal replenishment and subsequently impairing the hypothalamus’s ability to regulate energy balance. Furthermore, aging htNSCs may secrete inflammatory factors that disrupt the endocrine functions of the hypothalamus, thereby affecting sex hormone secretion. This impact extends beyond the hypothalamus itself and may exert widespread effects on the entire endocrine system through pathways such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Fortunately, research has found that transplanting young htNSCs can effectively alleviate neurological and skeletal muscle dysfunction associated with aging. This transplantation therapy replenishes active htNSCs, restoring normal hypothalamic function and thereby improving the body’s energy metabolism and neuromuscular function. These findings offer new perspectives and potential therapeutic strategies for anti-aging interventions. In recent years, the role of htNSCs in regulating energy metabolism and promoting aging has attracted significant attention from researchers. Studies have shown that the aging of htNSCs is closely linked to the development of various diseases. For instance, in obesity and metabolic syndrome, htNSC dysfunction may lead to disturbances in energy metabolism. Moreover, the aging of htNSCs has also been associated with the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, in-depth research into the mechanisms underlying htNSC aging is crucial for understanding the pathogenesis of these conditions. This article briefly reviews the classification of htNSCs, the impacts of their aging on bodily functions, their relationship with related diseases, and the regulatory mechanisms that promote htNSC regeneration. Some strategies aimed at promoting htNSC regeneration and counteracting their aging appear to influence the overall aging phenotype of organisms. For example, studies have shown that modulating specific signaling pathways or gene expression can promote htNSC regeneration, thereby delaying the aging process. Additionally, certain natural products or pharmacological agents may also influence htNSC aging. Further research on htNSC aging will enhance our understanding of the hypothalamus’s role in systemic aging and elucidate the reasons behind gender differences in aging patterns. Moreover, these studies may offer novel approaches and therapeutic targets for improving energy metabolism disorders and treating diseases associated with gonadal hormone abnormalities. In summary, htNSCs play a vital role in the physiological functions of the hypothalamus and the aging process. Further investigation into the mechanisms and regulatory pathways of htNSC aging will aid in the development of new anti-aging therapies and provide innovative strategies for the treatment of related diseases.
6.Effect of melatonin in alleviating ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis induced by chronic hypoxia
Yinling XIU ; Ying LIU ; Kaixuan SUN ; Panpan ZHAO ; Shufang TANG ; Jing ZHOU ; Yitong ZHANG ; Yuexin YU
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(11):1017-1022
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of melatonin in alleviating hypoxia-induced apoptosis in ovarian gra-nulosa cells.Methods Rat ovarian granulosa cells were isolated and divided into normoxic,hypoxic,and melatonin groups.Hypoxia-induced injury models were established in the hypoxic and melatonin groups,and granulosa cells in the melatonin group were treated with melatonin.A total of 24 rats were randomized into the control,model,and intervention groups(n=8 per group).Rat models of declining ovarian function induced by long-term hypoxia were established in the model and intervention groups.The rats in the intervention group were intraperitoneally injected with melatonin.Cell proliferation was measured using a CCK-8 assay,and lactate secretion and HIF-1αprotein with a specific kit,respectively.The levels of estradiol and progesterone in the cell supernatant and rat serum were detected using ELISA.Granulosa cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,ovarian morphology by HE staining,and Bax and caspase-3 expression by Western blotting.Results Compared with the normoxic group,the hypoxic group exhibited decreased granulosa cell proliferation,increased apoptosis,elevated lactate and HIF-1α levels,and reduced estradiol and progesterone levels(P<0.05).Compared with hypoxic group,these changes were significantly reversed in the molatonin group(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the model group showed increased lactate,HIF-1α,Bax,and caspase-3 levels,decreased estradiol and progesterone levels,and reduced follicles.Compared with the model group,all the indicators were ameliorated in the intervention group(P<0.05).Conclusion Melatonin alleviated hypoxia-induced granulosa cell apoptosis and promoted the recovery of ovarian function.
7.Ameliorative effects of sweet potato leaf extract on mammary gland oxidative stress and rumenmicrobiota in dairy goats under high concentrate feeding pattern
Ziqing XIU ; Ling ZHANG ; Junqiu ZHANG ; Yu CHEN ; Mgeni MUSA ; Yongjiang WU ; Juncai CHEN ; Yawang SUN ; You YANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(9):1952-1964
This study aimed to investigate the effects of sweet potato leaf extract on production per-formance,systematic and mammary gland oxidative stress status and rumen microbiota of dairy goats fed high concentrate diets.Twenty Guanzhong dairy goats with same parity,similar lactation period(120±15)d and healthy body condition were selected and randomly divided into four groups:low-concentrate(LC),low-concentrate supplemented with 1%sweet potato leaf extract(LCS),high-concentrate(HC)and high-concentrate supplemented with 1%sweet potato leaf ex-tract(HCS).The experimental period was 35 days.The results showed that in the third week,milk yield in the HCS group was significantly higher than that in the LC and LCS groups(P<0.05).The content of lipopolysaccharide in the rumen fluid of the HC group was significantly higher than that of the other three groups(P<0.05),the content of malondialdehyde in the serum of the HC group was significantly higher than that of the LCS group(P<0.05),the content of reactive oxygen species,protein carbonyl,8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in the milk of the HC group was sig-nificantly higher than that of the LC and LCS groups(P<0.05),GSH-Px in HCS group was sig-nificantly higher than that in the other three groups(P<0.05).After the addition of sweet potato leaf extract,there was an increasing trend in the content of Anabaena phylum at the phylum level.In the joint analysis of genera,rumen fluid LPS showed highly significant negative correlation with Succiniclasticum(P<0.01)and negative correlation with Prevotella(P<0.05).Valeric acid was negatively correlated with Prevotella(P<0.05).The pH value was negatively correlated with Treponema(P<0.05).Butyric acid was positively correlated with Anaeroplasma(P<0.05).In conclusion,the addition of sweet potato leaf extract to the diet can increase milk production and al-leviate the state of mammary gland oxidative stress,as well as improving rumen microbial diversi-ty of dairy goats.
8.Investigation on the species and pathogens of ticks in some cities of Liaoning Province
Fuxiao XIU ; He ZHAI ; Yao WANG ; Yu ZHAO ; Yuxiang YANG ; Pengpeng WANG ; Yu FENG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(8):809-815
This study investigated the prevalence of canine ticks and the types of their carried pathogens in select cities of Liaon-ing Province,to provide a theoretical scientific basis for the prevention and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases.Canine ticks were collected from six cities in Liaoning Province(Shenyang,Dalian,Anshan,Chaoyang,Tieling,Dandong)and identified through a combination of morphological and molecular biology methods.PCR was used to detect five tick pathogens:Rickettsia,Borrelia burgdor-feri,Babesia,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and Ehrlichia.Canine ticks were prevalent primarily in Liaoning Province from April to June.The collected ticks included 456 Haemaphysalis longicornis,70 Ixodes persulcatus,and 31 Rhicephalus sanguineus.Three tick borne pathogens,Ehrlichia,Borrelia burgdorferi,and Rickettsia,were detected,whereas no Babesia or Pseudomonas were detected.The to-tal detection rate of Ehrlichia(46.85%),which is significant difference with total detection rate of Borrelia burgdorferi(10.81%)(χ2=33.392,P<0.05),but insignificant difference with total detection rate of Rickettsia(34.23%)(χ2=3.370,P>0.05),Both Eh-rlichia and Rickettsia were distributed in the six cities.Haemaphysalis longicornis was the dominant tick species parasite on the surfaces of dogs in Liaoning Province.The main tick borne pathogens in dogs in Liaoning Province were Ehrlichia and Rickettsia.
9.Mechanism of curcumin on improving cell damage induced by ultraviolet B irradiation
Ying CHEN ; Ju-hua ZHAO ; Yu YANG ; Xiu-jun DU ; Hai-xia LIU ; Ling-ling XIONG ; Hua-di ZHUANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(9):753-758
Objective To explore the effect of curcumin(CUR)on oxidative damage of keratinocytes induced by ultraviolet B(UVB)irradiation through Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3)signaling pathway.Methods Human keratinocytes of HaCaT were cultured normally in vitro,and the keratinocyte oxidative damage model was established by the irradiation of 57 mJ/cm2 UVB.The cells with normal culture were as the control group,the cells treated after modeling were as the UVB group,the cells treated with 5 μmol/L CUR after modeling were as the CUR group,the cells treated with 100 μg/L TLR4 inhibitor of TAK-242 after modeling were as the TAK-242 group,and the cells treated with 5 μmol/L CUR and 100 nmol/L TLR4 activator of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)were as the CUR+LPS group.qRT-PCR was applied to detect the relative expression levels of TLR4,NF-κB,and NLRP3 mRNAs of cells in each group.CCK-8 was applied to detect the cell proliferation in each group.The relative content of reactive oxygen species(ROS),the viabilities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT),and the concentrations of glutathione(MDA)and glutathione(GSH)of cells in each group were detected by fluorescence assay according to the kit instruction.ELISA kit was used to detect the expression of inflammatory factors of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)of cells in each group.Flow cytometry was applied to detect the cell apoptosis in each group.Western blot was applied to detect the expression of proliferation related protein of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),apoptosis related proteins[B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)],and TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway related proteins(TLR4,NF-κB and NLRP3)of cells in each group.Results Compared with the Control group,the cell survival rate,the expression levels of PCNA and Bcl-2 proteins,the viabilities of SOD and CAT,and the GSH concentration in the UVB group decreased,while the apoptosis rate,the level of Bax protein,the relative content of ROS,the concentration of MDA,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,and the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4,NF-κB and NLRP3 increased(P<0.05).Compared with the UVB group,the cell survival rate,the expression levels of PCNA and Bcl-2 proteins,the viabilities of SOD and CAT,and the GSH concentration in the TAK-242 group and CUR group increased,while the apoptosis rate,the level of Bax protein,the relative content of ROS,the concentration of MDA,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,and the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4,NF-κB and NLRP3 decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the CUR group,the cell survival rate,the expression levels of PCNA and Bcl-2 proteins,the viabilities of SOD and CAT,and the GSH concentration in the CUR+LPS group decreased,while the apoptosis rate,the level of Bax protein,the relative content of ROS,the concentration of MDA,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,and the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4,NF-κB and NLRP3 increased(P<0.05).Conclusion CUR can increase the antioxidant stress level of keratinocytes,alleviate inflammatory response,promote cell proliferation,and improve cell damage caused by UVB irradiation,which may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
10.The therapeutic effects of newly formulated Tadalafil tablets on rats with pulmonary fibrosis through promoting histone acetylation
Xiao-qing LIU ; Jie GAO ; Yu-heng LIAO ; Jia-xiu LEI ; Zheng-gang ZHAO ; Fang-hong LI ; Yun-ping MU ; Zi-jian ZHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2143-2150
Aim To investigate the therapeutic effects of a newly developed Tadalafil tablet on pulmonary fi-brosis induced by paraquat(PQ)in rats,as well as its impact on histone acetylation levels in epithelial cells.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:the control group(control),the model group(PQ),the Tadalafil new tablet treatment group(N-Tad,1 mg·kg-1),and the positive control drug treatment group(Cialis,5 mg·kg-1).The model group and treatment group rats were intraperitoneally injected with PQ(30 mg·kg-1).Two hours after the initial treatment,the rats in the treatment group re-ceived N-Tad or Cialis via gavage,while the control and model groups were administered an equal volume of physiological saline by gavage once daily for 28 days.The weight gain rate and lung tissue index for each group of rats were calculated.Additionally,the effects of N-Tad treatment on lung tissue structural damage and collagen deposition in rats with PQ-in-duced pulmonary fibrosis were observed using HE stai-ning,Masson trichrome staining,and immunohisto-chemical techniques.By employing the Western blot technique,the effects of Tadalafil intervention on the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin(E-Cad),the stromal marker fibronectin(Fn),and the histone acetylation marker acetylated histones(Ac-his-tones)in A549 cells were observed.Results Com-pared to the control group,rats with PQ-induced pul-monary fibrosis exhibited a significant decrease in the rate of body weight growth,an increase in lung tissue index(P<0.05),and a notable increase in the expression and distribution of the fibrosis marker alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)in lung tissue.The structure of the lung tissue was disrupted,accompanied by the deposition of interstitial collagen fibers.Both N-Tad and Cialis treatments could significantly enhance the rate of weight gain,decrease the lung tissue index,inhibit the expression of α-SMA,and reduce the depo-sition of interstitial collagen in the lung tissue of rats with pulmonary fibrosis.Notably,low-dose N-Tad treatment was comparable to high-dose Cialis treat-ment.At the cellular level,Tadalafil significantly in-hibited the high expression of Fn induced by transfor-ming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1)in A549 cells.It also upregulated the expression of E-cadherin and sig-nificantly increased the levels of acetylated histones(P<0.05).Conclusions N-Tad promotes histone acetylation in alveolar epithelial cells,significantly in-hibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition,increases E-cadherin expression,and improves lung tissue structur-al damage and collagen deposition caused by PQ.Ad-ditionally,it offers the advantage of a lower effective dose compared to Cialis,providing a new option for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

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