1.Exploring Therapeutic Mechanism of Xihuang Wan for Hyperplasia of Mammary Glands Based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Cell Experiments
Junliang WANG ; Peihua LIANG ; Xueli MA ; Juanxia SUN ; Tao HAN ; Yongmei LAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):41-49
ObjectiveTo study the therapeutic mechanism of Xihuang Wan for hyperplasia of mammary glands based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cell experiments. MethodsThe active ingredients and targets of Xihuang Wan were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and A Bioinformatics Annotation daTabase for Molecular mechANism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM) and supplemented by searching against PubChem and Swiss Target Prediction. The targets of differential metabolites in tissues and urine were obtained from previous metabolomics studies through PubChem and Swiss Target Prediction. GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), PharmGKB, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), Drunbank were searched for the targets of hyperplasia of mammary glands. After the common targets were obtained via Veeny2.1.0, the STRING database was used to analyze the protein-protein interactions, and Cytoscape was used for the core target analysis and visualization. Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were employed for enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was carried out in Autodock, and cell experiments were conducted to verify the prediction results. In the cell experiments, estradiol and progesterone (E2+P) were used to intervene in human mammary epithelial/MCF-10A cells, and thus the MCF-10A cell proliferation model was established. The cells were then treated with Xihuang Wan-medicated serum. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to measure the cell proliferation, and flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis. The mRNA and protein levels of key factors in MCF-10A cells were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsThe results of network pharmacology showed that 90 active ingredients and 316 common targets were obtained, from which 20 core targets and 38 corresponding active ingredients were screened out. The results of GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that Xihuang Wan exerted effect against hyperplasia of mammary glands by regulating a variety of biological processes, which may be related to protein kinase B (Akt)-related molecular functions, estrogen signaling pathway, prolactin signaling pathway and other biological processes. The results of molecular docking showed that estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), serine/threonine kinase 1 (Akt1), non-receptor tyrosine kinase (SRC), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) all had strong binding activity with the nine active ingredients, suggesting that Xihuang Wan exert the effect through the ESR1/SRC/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway and the Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT3 signaling pathway. The results of cell experiments showed that E2+P intervention in MCF-10A cells promoted the proliferation of MCF-10A cells (P<0.05), while the Xihuang Wan-medicated serum inhibited the proliferation of MCF-10A cells exposed to E2+P (P<0.05). Flow cytometry showed that the Xihuang Wan-medicated serum promoted the apoptosis of MCF-10A cells exposed to E2+P (P<0.01). The results of Real-time PCR showed that the Xihuang Wan-medicated serum down-regulated the mRNA levels of PI3K, Akt, JAK2, and STAT3 in MCF-10A cells treated with E2+P (P<0.01). The results of Western blot showed that the Xihuang Wan-medicated serum inhibited the expression of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, p-JAK2/JAK2, and p-STAT3/STAT3 in MCF-10A cells treated with E2+P (P<0.05). ConclusionXihuang Wan may exert the effect against hyperplasia of mammary glands by inhibiting the proliferation and promoting the apoptosis of MCF-10A cells, which may related to the inhibition of the activation of PI3K/Akt and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways.
2.Biological characteristics and translational research of dental stem cells.
Qianmin OU ; Zhengshi LI ; Luhan NIU ; Qianhui REN ; Xinyu LIU ; Xueli MAO ; Songtao SHI
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(5):827-835
Dental stem cells (DSCs), a distinct subset of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are isolated from dental tissues, such as dental pulp, exfoliated deciduous teeth, periodontal ligament, and apical papilla. They have emerged as a promising source of stem cell therapy for tissue regeneration and autoimmune disorders. The main types of DSCs include dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED), periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), and stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP). Each type exhibits distinct advantages: easy access via minimally invasive procedures, multi-lineage differentiation potential, and excellent ethical acceptability. DSCs have demonstrated outstanding clinical efficacy in oral and maxillofacial regeneration, and their long-term safety has been verified. In oral tissue regeneration, DSCs are highly effective in oral tissue regeneration for critical applications such as the restoration of dental pulp vitality and periodontal tissue repair. A defining advantage of DSCs lies in their ability to integrate with host tissues and promote physiological regeneration, which render them a better option for oral tissue regenerative therapies. Beyond oral applications, DSCs also exhibit promising potential in the treatment of systemic diseases, including type Ⅱ diabetes and autoimmune diseases due to their immunomodulatory effects. Moreover, extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from DSCs act as critical mediators for DSCs' paracrine functions. Possessing regulatory properties similar to their parental cells, EVs are extensively utilized in research targeting tissue repair, immunomodulation, and regenerative therapy-offering a "cell-free" strategy to mitigate the limitations associated with cell-based therapies. Despite these advancements, standardizing large-scale manufacturing, maintaining strict quality control, and clarifying the molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction of DSCs and their EVs with recipient tissues remain major obstacles to the clinical translation of these treatments into broad clinical use. Addressing these barriers will be critical to enhancing their clinical applicability and therapeutic efficacy. In conclusion, DSCs and their EVs represent a transformative approach in regenerative medicine, and increasing clinical evidence supports their application in oral and systemic diseases. Continuous innovation remains essential to unlocking the widespread clinical potential of DSCs.
Humans
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Dental Pulp/cytology*
;
Translational Research, Biomedical
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology*
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Periodontal Ligament/cytology*
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Stem Cells/cytology*
;
Regeneration
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Tooth, Deciduous/cytology*
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Cell Differentiation
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Tissue Engineering/methods*
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Regenerative Medicine
3.Intelligent design of nucleic acid elements in biomanufacturing.
Jinsheng WANG ; Zhe SUN ; Xueli ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(3):968-992
Nucleic acid elements are essential functional sequences that play critical roles in regulating gene expression, optimizing pathways, and enabling gene editing to enhance the production of target products in biomanufacturing. Therefore, the design and optimization of these elements are crucial in constructing efficient cell factories. Artificial intelligence (AI) provides robust support for biomanufacturing by accurately predicting functional nucleic acid elements, designing and optimizing sequences with quantified functions, and elucidating the operating mechanisms of these elements. In recent years, AI has significantly accelerated the progress in biomanufacturing by reducing experimental workloads through the design and optimization of promoters, ribosome-binding sites, terminators, and their combinations. Despite these advancements, the application of AI in biomanufacturing remains limited due to the complexity of biological systems and the lack of highly quantified training data. This review summarizes the various nucleic acid elements utilized in biomanufacturing, the tools developed for predicting and designing these elements based on AI algorithms, and the case studies showcasing the applications of AI in biomanufacturing. By integrating AI with synthetic biology and high-throughput techniques, we anticipate the development of more efficient tools for designing nucleic acid elements and accelerating the application of AI in biomanufacturing.
Artificial Intelligence
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Synthetic Biology
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Nucleic Acids/genetics*
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Algorithms
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Gene Editing
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Promoter Regions, Genetic
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Biotechnology/methods*
4.Research progress on the role of inflammation in post-stroke depression and the protective effect of Chinese medicine preparations
Wei LI ; Ru GUI ; Jingping SUN ; Xueli CAI
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(4):1000-1004
Inflammation plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of post-stroke depres-sion(PSD),yet the specific molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood.In the field of drug research,traditional Chinese medicine preparations have attracted increasing attention for improving PSD symptoms due to their advantages of multiple targets,many links,and few side effects.At the same time,they have great re-search value in the prevention and treatment of PSD.This article reviews the mechanism of inflammatory re-action,such as the balance regulation of pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory factors,inflammatory markers,gene polymorphism of inflammatory factors in PSD,and the related research progress of Chinese medicine preparations in regulating inflammatory reaction to prevent and treat PSD,with a view to providing reference for the selection of clinical Chinese medicine preparations and the prevention and treatment of PSD.
5.Investigation of the interaction and adverse reactions between voriconazole and tacrolimus based on CYP2C19 gene polymorphism and therapeutic drug monitoring
Xueli CHEN ; Xiaoshan SUN ; Shuai SONG ; Yong SU ; Quan XIA ; Jiatao LIU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(10):1849-1855
Objective To analyze the interaction between voriconazole(VRC)and immunosuppressants such as tacrolimus and cyclosporine and the effect of CYP2C19 gene polymorphism on the interaction and adverse reactions(ADR)based on the results of CYP2C19 gene polymorphism and therapeutic drug monitoring,so as to provide a basis for the development of individualized VRC combined with immunosuppressants.Methods Two-dimensional liquid chromatography and pyrosequencing was used to detect the concentration of VRC and the CYP2C19 gene pol-ymorphism,respectively.And the concentration of immunosuppressants was detected at the same time.The rela-tionship among CYP2C19 gene polymorphism,the concentration of VRC and immunosuppressant and ADR was an-alyzed.Results A total of 61 patients were enrolled in this study,and the mutation rates of CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3 were 54.1%(33/61)and 9.84%(6/61),respectively.The concentrations of VRC in patients with extensive metabolism(EMs),intermediate metabolism(IMs)and poor metabolism(PMs)were(4.44±3.46),(3.62±3.02)and(10.05±1.46)μg/ml(P<0.05),respectively.The concentration of tacrolimus af-ter combined with VRC significantly increased compared to tacrolimus alone[(13.4±9.2)ng/ml vs(6.5±3.6)ng/ml;P=0.002],and the concentration of tacrolimus increased along with an increasing of VRC concentration.The concentration of VRC in patients combined with tacrolimus was lower than that in patients without immunosup-pressants[(3.81±3.48)μg/ml vs(5.84±3.71)μg/ml;P=0.032].The concentration of VRC inpatients with cyclosporine significantly decreased(P<0.01),while tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil had no signifi-cant effect on the concentration of VRC.45.90%(28/61)of the patients had adverse reactions,the concentration of VRC in patients with ADR was significantly higher than that in patients without ADR[(7.07±3.43)μg/ml vs(3.06±2.90)μg/ml;P<0.001].And the concentration of VRC in patients with ADR was higher than patients without ADR with based on CYP2C19 genotype.Conclusion CYP2C19 gene polymorphism can significantly affect the concentration and adverse reactions of VRC,and VRC has significant interaction with immunosuppressants such as tacrolimus.CYP2C19 gene polymorphism combined with therapeutic drug monitoring can improve the individual-ized treatment of tacrolimus and voriconazole,and is expected to minimize toxicity and improve treatment effects.
6.Review of Active Components and Pharmacological Effect and Prediction of Quality Markers of Xihuang Pills
Junliang WANG ; Xueli MA ; Rui TAO ; Jingrui WANG ; Juanxia SUN ; Tao HAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(22):259-269
Xihuang pills are a classic Chinese patent medicine following the theoretical principle of combining eliminating pathogen with reinforcing healthy qi in both local areas and the whole body, with the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, alleviating edema, and dissipating mass. This medicine is traditionally used for treating carbuncle, furuncle, multiple abscess, carcinoma of breast, phlegm nodule, scrofula, lung abscess, and intestine abscess caused by fire depression, phlegm stasis, and heat toxin stagnation. It is used for treating malignant tumors, breast hyperplasia, herpes zoster, lymphadenitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, mastitis, vocal cord leukoplakia, and acne in modern medicine. Xihuang pills are now included in the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The use of high-quality medicinal materials and modern technology enables full retaining of the active components in the medicinal materials. The chemical components in this medicine mainly include amino acids, terpenoids, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, phenols, bile acids, bile pigments, and volatile oils. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that a variety of active components such as bilirubin, bile acid, boswellic acid, and volatile oil in Xihuang pills interact with each other to exert anti-tumor, anti-breast hyperplasia, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and neuroendocrine-regulating effect. This paper reviews the research progress in the active components and pharmacological effects of Xihuang pills and predicts the quality markers (Q-markers) of this medicine according to the transmission, traceability, specificity, efficacy, measurability, and compound compatibility in the concept of Q-marker. It is suggested that bilirubin, bile acid, taurine, muskone, 11-carbonyl-β-boswellic acid, β-boswellic acid, 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid, octyl acetate, β-elemene, and myrrhone can be used as Q-markers of Xihuang pills, which can provide a basis for research on the material basis and the quality control of Xihuang pills.
7.Adalimumab combined with Dexamethasone intravitreal implant in the treatment of refractory noninfectious uveitis macular edema
Yuan SUI ; Jingwen SUN ; Chengsen ZHANG ; Xueli LI ; Xiaomei GOU
International Eye Science 2024;24(1):36-41
AIM: To investigate the effect of adalimumab combined with dexamethasone intravitreal implant in the treatment of refractory non-infectious uveitis macular edema(UME).METHODS: A total of 92 cases(131 eyes)of refractory non-infectious UME patients admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to January 2022 were selected and randomly divided into control group, with 46 cases(63 eyes)treated with dexamethasone intravitreal implant and observation group, with 46 cases(68 eyes)treated with adalimumab subcutaneous injection combined with dexamethasone intravitreal implant. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central retinal thickness(CRT), vitreous opacity and Th17/Treg cytokines were measured before and after treatment, and the occurrence of adverse reactions was recorded.RESULTS: Totally 3 cases(4 eyes)were lost to follow-up. After treatment for 1, 3, 6 and 12 mo, BCVA was improved in both groups compared with that before treatment, and CRT, vitreous opacity score, serum interleukin(IL)-17 and IL-22 levels were decreased compared with those before treatment, and serum transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)and IL-10 levels were increased compared with those before treatment. BCVA in the observation group was better than that in the control group, and CRT, vitreous opacity score, serum IL-17 and IL-22 levels were lower than those in the control group, and serum TGF-β and IL-10 levels were higher than those in the control group(all P<0.05). During treatment and follow-up, no serious adverse reactions occurred in both groups.CONCLUSION: Adalimumab combined with dexamethasone intravitreal implants in the treatment of refractory non-infectious UME can significantly subside the macular edema, reduce vitreous opacity and improve visual acuity.
8.Effect of cluster emergency nursing for 6 patients with chlorfenapyr poisoning
Haiyang HU ; Li ZHANG ; Xihua HUANG ; Hao SUN ; Nianxiang LIU ; Weinan ZHANG ; Xueli JI
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2024;28(11):125-128
Objective To observe the effect of cluster emergency nursing in treating patients with chlorfenapyr poisoning. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the treatment and nursing processes of 6 patients with chlorfenapyr poisoning. Results Among the 6 patients with chlorfenapyr poisoning, 5 cases were orally poisoned and one case was poisoned by respiratory tract and skin absorption of toxins. All of the 6 patients with chlorfenapyr poisoning were treated through the green channel for poisoning treatment, and multidisciplinary cooperation cluster treatment and nursing as well as toxicant detection were carried out. One patient was excluded because no chlorfenapyr component was detected in the toxicant detection; the remaining 5 patients had different degrees of fever, fatigue, nausea and vomiting and other symptoms in the early stage, and among them, 4 patients had high fever and aggravated degree of consciousness disturbance in the later stage of the disease, and died of ineffective treatment for 2 to 11 days after poisoning (one patient was out of contact and was expected to die), with a mortality rate of 80%. Conclusion There is no specific antidote for chlorfenapyr poisoning, and the mortality rate is extremely high. After poisoning, blood, urine and other specimens should be collected as soon as possible for toxic examination. At the same time, early gastric lavage (within 6 hours), intestinal adsorption, gastrointestinal catharsis, enema and other symptomatic treatments should be given. Continuous blood purification should be performed as soon as possible to remove blood toxins, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can be performed if conditions permit.
9.Chinese expert consensus on clinical application of molecularly targeted drugs for hepatocellular carcinoma (2022 edition).
Juxian SUN ; Qiu LI ; Xueli BAI ; Jianqiang CAI ; Yajin CHEN ; Minshan CHEN ; Chaoliu DAI ; Chihua FANG ; Weidong JIA ; Xiangcheng LI ; Tianfu WEN ; Jinglin XIA ; Mingang YING ; Zhiwei ZHANG ; Xuewen ZHANG ; Zhaochong ZENG ; Shuqun CHENG
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(21):2630-2632
10.Long-Term Exposure to Low-Level Ambient Air Pollution and Mortality among 0.3 Million Chinese Older Adults.
Likun LIU ; Xueli YUAN ; Wenqing NI ; Jing WEI ; Tingting LIU ; Ruijun XU ; Yingxin LI ; Zihua ZHONG ; Yi ZHENG ; Sihan LIANG ; Rui WANG ; Jian XU ; Yuewei LIU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(12):1362-1372
OBJECTIVE:
Evidence that long-term exposure to ambient air pollution increases mortality among older adults, particularly those residing in low-level air pollution locations, remains scarce. This study investigated the potential links between long-term low-level air pollution exposure and mortality among Chinese older adults.
METHODS:
A population-based study with 317,464 individuals aged ≥ 65 years was conducted in Shenzhen, China during 2018 and 2020. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations between long-term exposure to air pollution and all-cause mortality, as the primary outcome, as well as non-accidental, cancer and cardiovascular mortality.
RESULTS:
Significant associations of PM 1, PM 2.5, PM 10, SO 2, CO, and O 3 exposures with a higher risk of all-cause mortality were found. Adjusted odds ratio ( OR) for each 1 µg/m 3 increment was 1.49 [95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.46, 1.53] for PM 1, 1.30 (1.27, 1.32) for PM 2.5, 1.05 (1.04, 1.06) for PM 10, 5.84 (5.39, 6.32) for SO 2, 1.04 (1.04, 1.05) for CO, and 1.02 (1.00, 1.03) for O 3, respectively. Long-term PM 1, PM 2.5, PM 10, SO 2, and CO exposures also elevated the risks of non-accidental, cancer and cardiovascular mortality.
CONCLUSION
Long-term low-level air pollution exposure was associated with an increased mortality risk among Chinese older adults.
Humans
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Aged
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China/epidemiology*
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Male
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Female
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Air Pollution/adverse effects*
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Environmental Exposure/adverse effects*
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Air Pollutants/analysis*
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Aged, 80 and over
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Particulate Matter/adverse effects*
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Cardiovascular Diseases/mortality*
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Mortality
;
Neoplasms/mortality*
;
East Asian People


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