1.Study on the anti-hepatitis mechanism of Abrus pulchellus subsp. cantoniensis (Hance) Verdc. and Abrus pulchellus subsp. mollis (Hance) Verdc. based on serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology
Qiaowen ZHOU ; Xue WANG ; Mingjuan HUANG ; Li LI ; Wenya CHEN ; Zhengtao WANG ; Zijia ZHANG ; Lanlan FAN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(22):2772-2777
OBJECTIVE To compare the anti-hepatitis mechanisms of Abrus pulchellus subsp. cantoniensis (Hance) Verdc. (AC) and Abrus pulchellus subsp. mollis(Hance) Verdc. (AM). METHODS SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, AC- treated group, and AM-treated group, with each group consisting of 10 rats. The rats’ orbital venous blood was collected at 5, 15, 30 minutes, and 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 hours after gavage administration of 24 g/kg of the corresponding drug (calculated by crude drug) or water, respectively. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry technology was utilized to identify the prototype components present in the serum. The network pharmacology method was adopted to predict the anti-hepatitis active components, key targets, and signaling pathways of AC and AM. Additionally, molecular docking technology was utilized to verify the binding activity of the core active components with key targets. RESULTS A total of 35 prototype components migrating to the blood of AC and AM were identified in the serum of administered rats, among which 24 were common components. The active components in AC, such as acetylanguidine, physcion, soyasaponin A3 and soyasaponin Ⅰ, as well as those in AM, including vicenin 3, acetylanguidine,soyasaponin Ⅰ and schaftoside, all acted on key targets such as steroid receptor coactivator, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and protein kinase B1(Akt1). These components modulated pathways in cancer, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) -Akt pathway, thereby exerting anti-hepatitis effects. Furthermore, the binding energies between these active components and their key targets were all less than -5 kJ/mol. CONCLUSIONS There are differences in the active components of AC and AM against hepatitis, but their mechanisms of action are similar. Both may exert their anti-hepatitis effects through pathways in cancer, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, and the PI3K-Akt pathway.
2.Stem-leaf saponins of Panax notoginseng attenuate experimental Parkinson's disease progression in mice by inhibiting microglia-mediated neuroinflammation via P2Y2R/PI3K/AKT/NFκB signaling pathway.
Hui WU ; Chenyang NI ; Yu ZHANG ; Yingying SONG ; Longchan LIU ; Fei HUANG ; Hailian SHI ; Zhengtao WANG ; Xiaojun WU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(1):43-53
Stem-leaf saponins from Panax notoginseng (SLSP) comprise numerous PPD-type saponins with diverse pharmacological properties; however, their role in Parkinson's disease (PD), characterized by microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of SLSP on suppressing microglia-driven neuroinflammation in experimental PD models, including the 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPTP)-induced mouse model and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglia. Our findings revealed that SLSP mitigated behavioral impairments and excessive microglial activation in models of PD, including MPTP-treated mice. Additionally, SLSP inhibited the upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and attenuated the phosphorylation of PI3K, protein kinase B (AKT), nuclear factor-κB (NFκB), and inhibitor of NFκB protein α (IκBα) both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, SLSP suppressed the production of inflammatory markers such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells. Notably, the P2Y2R agonist partially reversed the inhibitory effects of SLSP in LPS-treated BV-2 cells. These results suggest that SLSP inhibit microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in experimental PD models, likely through the P2Y2R/PI3K/AKT/NFκB signaling pathway. These novel findings indicate that SLSP may offer therapeutic potential for PD by attenuating microglia-mediated neuroinflammation.
Animals
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Panax notoginseng/chemistry*
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Saponins/pharmacology*
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Microglia/immunology*
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Mice
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NF-kappa B/immunology*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology*
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics*
;
Male
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Parkinson Disease/immunology*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Disease Models, Animal
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Plant Leaves/chemistry*
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Neuroinflammatory Diseases/drug therapy*
;
Humans
3.Role of cordycepin in resisting Neospora caninum infection
Zhengkai WEI ; Rongsheng HUANG ; Xi JIANG ; Dezhi ZHANG ; Quan LIU ; Qianyong LI ; Zhengtao YANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(6):1218-1224
Bovine neosporosis,a significant disease affecting the livestock industry,is caused by the protozoan parasite Neospora caninum(N.caninum).The current absence of efficacious vaccines and therapeutics necessitates the exploration of novel interventions.Cordycepin,a bioactive nucleo-side derived from Cordyceps militaris,has garnered attention for its diverse pharmacological properties.This study endeavors to elucidate the inhibitory effects of cordycepin on N.caninum in-fection.The cytotoxicity of cordycepin to bovine macrophages was assessed using the CCK-8 assay to ascertain a non-toxic concentration range.The impact of cordycepin on the N.caninum burden within bovine macrophages was evaluated using qPCR analysis and immunofluorescence assays.Additionally,the modulation of cytokine,interferon,and defensin expression induced by N.cani-num in the presence of cordycepin was examined through qRT-PCR analysis.The results showed that cordycepin exhibited negligible cytotoxicity to bovine macrophages at concentrations ranging from 2.812 5 to 180.000 0 μmol/L,compared to the control group.At concentrations of 5.625 0,11.250 0,and 22.500 0 μmol/L,cordycepin significantly reduced the intracellular N.caninum loads and diminished the intensity of intracellular parasite fluorescence.While N.caninum infection downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6,cordycepin treatment robustly induced their expression.Furthermore,although cordycepin treatment reduced the expression levels of IFN-α,IFN-β,and IFN-γ that were upregulated by N.caninum infection,it maintained substantial expression levels.In conclusion,cordycepin demon-strates a promising resistance against N.caninum infection,suggesting its potential as a therapeu-tic agent for the treatment of bovine neosporosis.
4.Progress in the study of clinical features and mechanisms related to Meniere's disease and vestibular migraine
Zhengtao SUN ; Bo LIU ; Yi ZHANG ; Yue WU
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(5):495-501
Ménière's disease(MD)and vestibular migraine(VM)are two common episodic vertigo disor-ders.Patients with VM often exhibit auditory and vestibular symptoms similar to those of MD.Patients with MD are also prone to migraine features such as headache,photophobia,and a positive family history of migraine.There-fore,differentiating MD from VM is challenging,especially in the early stages of the disease.Although the two dis-eases overlap in many ways,some core features in terms of demographic characteristics,clinical symptoms,and la-boratory tests can be used to identify them.However,a highly specific test or biological marker to distinguish the two is not available.Physicians may combine various features such as symptoms,signs,and tests to differentiate MD and VM.
5.Role of cordycepin in resisting Neospora caninum infection
Zhengkai WEI ; Rongsheng HUANG ; Xi JIANG ; Dezhi ZHANG ; Quan LIU ; Qianyong LI ; Zhengtao YANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(6):1218-1224
Bovine neosporosis,a significant disease affecting the livestock industry,is caused by the protozoan parasite Neospora caninum(N.caninum).The current absence of efficacious vaccines and therapeutics necessitates the exploration of novel interventions.Cordycepin,a bioactive nucleo-side derived from Cordyceps militaris,has garnered attention for its diverse pharmacological properties.This study endeavors to elucidate the inhibitory effects of cordycepin on N.caninum in-fection.The cytotoxicity of cordycepin to bovine macrophages was assessed using the CCK-8 assay to ascertain a non-toxic concentration range.The impact of cordycepin on the N.caninum burden within bovine macrophages was evaluated using qPCR analysis and immunofluorescence assays.Additionally,the modulation of cytokine,interferon,and defensin expression induced by N.cani-num in the presence of cordycepin was examined through qRT-PCR analysis.The results showed that cordycepin exhibited negligible cytotoxicity to bovine macrophages at concentrations ranging from 2.812 5 to 180.000 0 μmol/L,compared to the control group.At concentrations of 5.625 0,11.250 0,and 22.500 0 μmol/L,cordycepin significantly reduced the intracellular N.caninum loads and diminished the intensity of intracellular parasite fluorescence.While N.caninum infection downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6,cordycepin treatment robustly induced their expression.Furthermore,although cordycepin treatment reduced the expression levels of IFN-α,IFN-β,and IFN-γ that were upregulated by N.caninum infection,it maintained substantial expression levels.In conclusion,cordycepin demon-strates a promising resistance against N.caninum infection,suggesting its potential as a therapeu-tic agent for the treatment of bovine neosporosis.
6.Progress in the study of clinical features and mechanisms related to Meniere's disease and vestibular migraine
Zhengtao SUN ; Bo LIU ; Yi ZHANG ; Yue WU
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(5):495-501
Ménière's disease(MD)and vestibular migraine(VM)are two common episodic vertigo disor-ders.Patients with VM often exhibit auditory and vestibular symptoms similar to those of MD.Patients with MD are also prone to migraine features such as headache,photophobia,and a positive family history of migraine.There-fore,differentiating MD from VM is challenging,especially in the early stages of the disease.Although the two dis-eases overlap in many ways,some core features in terms of demographic characteristics,clinical symptoms,and la-boratory tests can be used to identify them.However,a highly specific test or biological marker to distinguish the two is not available.Physicians may combine various features such as symptoms,signs,and tests to differentiate MD and VM.
7.Targeted inhibition of Gus-expressing Enterococcus faecalis to promote intestinal stem cell and epithelial renovation contributes to the relief of irinotecan chemotoxicity by dehydrodiisoeugenol.
Ruiyang GAO ; Bei YUE ; Cheng LV ; Xiaolong GENG ; Zhilun YU ; Hao WANG ; Beibei ZHANG ; Fangbin AI ; Ziyi WANG ; Donghui LIU ; Zhengtao WANG ; Kaixian CHEN ; Wei DOU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(12):5286-5304
Irinotecan (CPT11) chemotherapy-induced diarrhea affects a substantial cancer population due to β-glucuronidase (Gus) converting 10-O-glucuronyl-7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38G) to toxic 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38). Existing interventions primarily address inflammation and Gus enzyme inhibition, neglecting epithelial repair and Gus-expressing bacteria. Herein, we discovered that dehydrodiisoeugenol (DDIE), isolated from nutmeg, alleviates CPT11-induced intestinal mucositis alongside a synergistic antitumor effect with CPT11 by improving weight loss, colon shortening, epithelial barrier dysfunction, goblet cells and intestinal stem cells (ISCs) loss, and wound-healing. The anti-mucositis effect of DDIE is gut microbiota-dependent. Analysis of microbiome profiling data from clinical patients and CPT11-induced mucositis mice reveals a strong correlation between CPT11 chemotoxicity and Gus-expressing bacteria, particularly Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). DDIE counters CPT11-induced augmentation of E. faecalis, leading to decreased intestinal Gus and SN38 levels. The Partial Least Squares Path Model (PLS-PM) algorithm initially links E. faecalis to dysregulated epithelial renovation. This is further validated in a 3D intestinal organoid model, in which both SN38 and E. faecalis hinder the formation and differentiation of organoids. Interestingly, colonization of E. faecalis exacerbates CPT11-induced mucositis and disturbs epithelial differentiation. Our study unveils a microbiota-driven, epithelial reconstruction-mediated action of DDIE against mucositis, proposing the 'Gus bacteria-host-irinotecan axis' as a promising target for mitigating CPT11 chemotoxicity.
8.Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Atherosclerosis and Its Regulation by Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Qingzhi LIANG ; Zhengtao CHEN ; Ruoran ZHOU ; Jiying LI ; Yuan ZHANG ; Chunguang XIE ; Qiyue YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(5):226-235
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory pathological process in which lipid and/or fibrous substances are deposited in the intima of arteries, and it is one of the pathological bases of many cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is a protective mechanism of cell adaptation. Moderate ERS can reduce abnormal protein aggregation and increase the degradation of misfolded proteins to repair and stabilize the internal environment, while excessive ERS can cause unfolded protein reaction, activate inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and other downstream pathways, and lead to cell damage, or even apoptosis. A large number of studies have shown that ERS mediates a variety of pathological processes related to AS, affects endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages, endothelial progenitor cells, and other cell components closely related to its occurrence and development, influences the progress of AS by regulating cell function, and promotes the formation of AS plaque, the transformation of stable plaque to unstable plaque, and the rupture of unstable plaque. Regulation of ERS may be a key target for the prevention and treatment of AS, and it is a research hotspot at present. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) believes that the origin of AS is the imbalance of Yin and Yang, the disharmony of Zangfu organs, and the abnormal operation of Qi, blood, and body fluid, which leads to the accumulation of phlegm, blood stasis, and other pathological products in the pulse channels, making the blood flow blocked or misfunction and causing the disease, which belongs to the syndrome of deficiency in origin and excess in superficiality. As the pathogenesis of AS is complex, and the symptoms are diverse, TCM has significant advantages in treating AS because of its multiple targets, multiple pathways, stable efficacy, strong individualization, and high safety. This paper systematically elaborated on the role of ERS in the occurrence and development of AS and summarized the mechanism research on the regulation and control of ERS by Chinese herbal monomer, Chinese herbal extract, Chinese herbal compound, and proprietary medicine, so as to provide a theoretical basis for clinical research and drug development in the prevention and treatment of AS.
9.Preliminary exploration of the differential diagnostic value of otoacoustic emissions in early Meniere's disease and vestibular migraine
Zhengtao SUN ; Bo LIU ; Yi ZHANG
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2024;31(8):497-500
OBJECTIVE To analyze the distortion product otoacoustic emissions(DPOAE) characteristics in patients with Ménière disease(MD) and vestibular migraine(VM),and explore the diagnostic value of DPOAE in MD and VM. METHODS There were 35 unilateral MD patients[age (41.86±10.77)years;21 males,14 females]and 32 VM patients[age (39.97±8.99)years;7 males,25 females]who were diagnosed at Beijing Tongren Hospital were included. Pure-tone audiometry thresholds and DPOAE response amplitudes and signal-to-noise ratios(SNR) were analyzed. Further analysis was conducted on DPOAE results in patients with normal average hearing thresholds in both groups. RESULTS 1. DPOAE results of all included patients indicated that DPOAE response amplitudes and SNR in the MD group were lower than those in the VM group within the 0.7-8 kHz range(P<0.05);2. Comparative analysis of the two groups with normal average hearing thresholds revealed a lower DPOAE SNR at 1 kHz in the MD group compared to the VM group(Z=-2.495,P=0.013). CONCLUSION The MD group exhibited lower DPOAE response amplitudes and smaller SNR;a comparison of the two groups with normal mean hearing thresholds also showed a reduced SNR at 1 kHz in the MD group. These findings suggest that DPOAE assessment can be a valuable tool in evaluating cochlear function and aiding in the early differential diagnosis of MD and VM.
10.The effectiveness of different interventions in post-percutaneous coronary intervention patients with kinesiophobia: a network Meta-analysis
Lili HAO ; Yanqiu MA ; Zhengtao ZHANG ; Baofeng LIANG ; Tiane FA
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(20):1542-1549
Objective:To evaluate the effect of different interventions in post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients with kinesiophobia using network Meta-analysis.Methods:Computerized search of randomized controlled trials and quasi-experiment related to kinesiophobia interventions for post-PCI patients in WanFang database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine, VIP database, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase was conducted with a time frame of searching from the establishment of the library to August 3, 2023. Literature screening, data extraction and literature quality evaluation were carried out independently by two researchers. Network Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 17.0 software.Results:A total of 13 literatures were included, including 9 randomized controlled trials and 4 quasi-experiments.Network Meta-analysis showed that cognitive behavioral therapy ( SMD = -4.08, 95% CI -6.49 --1.67), cognitive behavioral therapy combined with cardiac rehabilitation ( SMD = - 3.02, 95% CI -5.43 -- 0.61), dual heart medical intervention ( SMD = - 2.48, 95% , - 4.87 - - 0.09) can reduce the level of exercise fear in patients after PCI, and the difference were statistically significant compared with routine nursing (all P< 0.05). Ranked probability plots showed that the effects of the nine interventions in reducing kinesiophobia in post-PCI patients were cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy combined with cardiac rehabilitation, adaptive leadership theory-based intervention, dual heart medical intervention, COX health behavior interaction model, health education based on the behavioral change wheel, graded exposure therapy, mindfulness intervention, and high-intensity interval training in descending order of effectiveness. Conclusions:Cognitive behavioral therapy was the most effective intervention for kinesiophobia in post-PCI patients, but more high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to further verify this conclusion.

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