1.Effect of Compatibility of Effective Monomer Components of Fujin Shengjisan on Angiogenesis of HUVEC Based on Uniform Design
Xianying LU ; Jing GAO ; Dingxi BAI ; Chaoming HOU ; Wenting JI ; Huan CHEN ; Chenxi WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):9-20
ObjectiveTo determine the optimal combination of the effective monomer components "quercetin-kaempferol-abietic acid-boswellic acid" in Fujin Shengjisan for promoting diabetic ulcer (DU) wound healing through uniform design, thereby achieving the modern application of the ancient formula. MethodsFollowing the principle of "uniform design-pharmacodynamic experiment-mathematical modeling and model verification", the U14(145) uniform design table was adopted.The four monomer components of Chinese medicine were considered as the independent variables, and the proliferation rate of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by glucose was used as the pharmacodynamic indicator. A mathematical model was constructed using DPS software to correlate the effective monomer components with the pharmacodynamic indicator. The results of uniform design were verified through CCK-8 assay, cell scratch healing, tube formation, Western blot, and Real-time PCR. ResultsAmong the 14 compatibility groups, compared with the high-glucose model group, compound compatibility group 6 showed the strongest proliferation effect and statistical significance (P<0.05). Four quadratic polynomial regression equations (Y1-Y4) were obtained through DPS modeling. Considering the model's fit, stability, and practical application, equations Y1-Y3 were selected for the follow-up verification. To ensure experiment reproducibility, group 6 was used for validation. Group 6 and equations Y1-Y3 were renamed as compound prescription ① to compound prescription④, respectively, to represent the modern application of the ancient FJSJ Powder through compatibility of monomer components. Verification experiments showed that in the CCK-8, scratch healing, and tube formation assays, the cell viability, wound healing rate, and tube formation number of HUVECs stimulated with 50 mmol·L-1 glucose were significantly reduced compared with the blank group. Moreover, the expression levels of angiogenesis-related cytokines, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), and CD31 secretion were significantly down-regulated. However, after intervention with compound prescriptions ① to ④, compound prescriptions ① and ③ significantly improved the biological functions of HUVECs induced by 50 mmol·L-1 glucose. Further analysis of the regression coefficients of compound prescriptions ① and ③, and the relative dose ratios of each monomer component, indicated that abietic acid, quercetin, and boswellic acid promoted angiogenesis of HUVECs in the high glucose environment, with a major effect (positive partial correlation coefficients, all > 0.9). Abietic acid and boswellic acid, as well as kaempferol and boswellic acid, promoted angiogenesis in HUVECs through interaction (positive partial correlation coefficients). ConclusionCompound prescriptions ① and ③ are the optimal combinations. They can reverse the inhibitory effects of high glucose, stimulate the proliferation, migration, and tube formation abilities of HUVECs in a high glucose environment, and promote the expression of vascular endothelial growth factorA(VEGFA), FGF2, and CD31, thereby promoting angiogenesis and facilitating DU wound healing. This finding not only confirms the good reproducibility and feasibility of compound prescriptions ① and ③ but also provides new insights and methods for the rational construction of mathematical models to further study the compatibility theory of Chinese medicine.
2.Cardiomyocyte pyroptosis inhibited by dental pulp-derived mesenchymal stem cells via the miR-19a-3p/IRF-8/MAPK pathway in ischemia-reperfusion.
Yi LI ; Xiang WANG ; Sixian WENG ; Chenxi XIA ; Xuyang MENG ; Chenguang YANG ; Ying GUO ; Zuowei PEI ; Haiyang GAO ; Fang WANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(18):2336-2346
BACKGROUND:
The protective effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury has been widely reported. Dental pulp-derived mesenchymal stem cells (DP-MSCs) have therapeutic effects on various diseases, including diabetes and cirrhosis. This study aimed to determine the therapeutic effects of DP-MSCs on I/R injury and elucidate the underlying mechanism.
METHODS:
Myocardial I/R injury model mice were treated with DP-MSCs or a miR-19a-3p mimic. The infarct volume, fibrotic area, pyroptosis, inflammation level, and cardiac function were measured. Cardiomyocytes exposed to hypoxia-reoxygenation were transfected with the miR-19a-3p mimic, miR-19a-3p inhibitor, or negative control. Pyroptosis and protein expression in the interferon regulatory factor 8/mitogen-activated protein kinase (IRF-8/MAPK) pathway were measured.
RESULTS:
DP-MSCs protected cardiac function in cardiac I/R-injured mice and inhibited cardiomyocyte pyroptosis. The upregulation of miR-19a-3p protected cardiac function, inhibited cardiomyocyte pyroptosis, and inhibited IRF-8/MAPK signaling in cardiac I/R-injured mice. DP-MSCs inhibited cardiomyocyte pyroptosis and the IRF-8/MAPK signaling by upregulating the miR-19a-3p levels in cardiomyocytes injured by I/R.
CONCLUSION
DP-MSCs protected cardiac function by inhibiting cardiomyocyte pyroptosis through miR-19a-3p under I/R conditions.
Animals
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MicroRNAs/metabolism*
;
Pyroptosis/genetics*
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism*
;
Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology*
;
Mice
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Male
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Dental Pulp/cytology*
;
Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/therapy*
;
MAP Kinase Signaling System/physiology*
3.Metabolic reprogramming nanomedicine potentiates colon cancer sonodynamic immunotherapy by inhibiting the CD39/CD73/ADO pathway.
Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Weiwei JIN ; Zhichao DENG ; Bowen GAO ; Yuanyuan ZHU ; Junlong FU ; Chenxi XU ; Wenlong WANG ; Ting BAI ; Lianying JIAO ; Hao WU ; Mingxin ZHANG ; Mingzhen ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2655-2672
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) can potentially induce immunogenic cell death in tumor cells, leading to the release of ATP, and facilitating the initiation of an immune response. Nevertheless, the enzymes CD39 and CD73 can swiftly convert ATP into immunosuppressive adenosine (ADO), resulting in an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). This study introduced a nanomedicine (QD/POM1@NP@M) engineered to reprogram TME by modulating the CD39/CD73/ADO pathway. The nanomedicine encapsulated sonosensitizers silver sulfide quantum dots, and the CD39 inhibitor POM1, while also incorporating homologous tumor cell membranes to enhance targeting capabilities. This integrated approach, on the one hand, stimulates the release of ATP via SDT, thereby initiating the immune response. In addition, it reduced the accumulation of ADO by inhibiting CD39 activity, which ameliorated the immunosuppressive TME. Upon administration, the nanomedicine demonstrated substantial anti-tumor efficacy by facilitating the infiltration of anti-tumor immune cells, while reducing the immunosuppressive cells. This modulation effectively transformed the TME from an immunologically "cold" state to a "hot" state. Furthermore, combined with the checkpoint inhibitor α-PDL1, the nanomedicine augmented systemic anti-tumor immunity and promoted the establishment of long-term immune memory. This study provides an innovative strategy for combining non-invasive SDT and ATP-driven immunotherapy, offering new ideas for future cancer treatment.
4.Compound Centella asiatica formula alleviates Schistosoma japonicum-induced liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the inflammation-fibrosis cascade via regulating the TLR4/MyD88 pathway.
Liping GUAN ; Yan YAN ; Xinyi LU ; Zhifeng LI ; Hui GAO ; Dong CAO ; Chenxi HOU ; Jingyu ZENG ; Xinyi LI ; Yang ZHAO ; Junjie WANG ; Huilong FANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(6):1307-1316
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the therapeutic mechanism of compound Centella asiatica formula (CCA) for alleviating Schistosoma japonicum (Sj)-induced liver fibrosis in mice.
METHODS:
The active components and targets of CCA were identified using the TCMSP database with cross-analysis of Sj-related liver fibrosis targets. A "drug-component-target-pathway-disease" network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1. Functional enrichment analysis (GO/KEGG) was performed using DAVID. Molecular docking study was carried out to validate interactions between the core targets and the key compounds. For experimental validation of the results, 36 mice were divided into control group, Sj-infected model group, and CCA-treated groups. In the latter two groups, liver fibrosis was induced via abdominal infection with Sj cercariae for 8 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of daily treatment with CCA decoction or saline. Hepatic pathology of the mice was assessedwith HE and Masson staining, and hepatic expressions of collagen-I and collagen-III were detected using immunohistochemistry; serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were determined with ELISA. Hepatic expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 proteins were analyzed with Western blotting.
RESULTS:
We identified a total of 107 bioactive CCA components and 791 targets, including 37 intersection targets linked to Sj-induced fibrosis. The core targets included TNF, TP53, JUN, MMP9, and CXCL8, involving the IL-17 signaling, lipid metabolism, TLR4/MyD88 axis, and cancer pathways. Molecular docking study confirmed strong binding affinity between quercetin (a primary CCA component) and TNF/TP53/JUN/MMP9. In Sj-infected mouse models, CCA treatment significantly attenuated hepatic inflammatory cell infiltration, reduced collagen-I and collagen-III deposition, improved tissue architecture, reduced serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and downregulated TLR4 and MyD88 expressions in the liver.
CONCLUSIONS
CCA mitigates Sj-induced liver fibrosis by targeting TNF, TP53, JUN, and MMP9 to modulate the TLR4/MyD88 pathway, thereby suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine release, inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation, reducing collagen deposition, and preventing granuloma formation in the liver.
Animals
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Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism*
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Mice
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Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism*
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Schistosoma japonicum
;
Liver Cirrhosis/parasitology*
;
Schistosomiasis japonica
;
Signal Transduction
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Inflammation
;
Centella/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
5.Single-cell transcriptomics identifies PDGFRA+ progenitors orchestrating angiogenesis and periodontal tissue regeneration.
Jianing LIU ; Junxi HE ; Ziqi ZHANG ; Lu LIU ; Yuan CAO ; Xiaohui ZHANG ; Xinyue CAI ; Xinyan LUO ; Xiao LEI ; Nan ZHANG ; Hao WANG ; Ji CHEN ; Peisheng LIU ; Jiongyi TIAN ; Jiexi LIU ; Yuru GAO ; Haokun XU ; Chao MA ; Shengfeng BAI ; Yubohan ZHANG ; Yan JIN ; Chenxi ZHENG ; Bingdong SUI ; Fang JIN
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):56-56
Periodontal bone defects, primarily caused by periodontitis, are highly prevalent in clinical settings and manifest as bone fenestration, dehiscence, or attachment loss, presenting a significant challenge to oral health. In regenerative medicine, harnessing developmental principles for tissue repair offers promising therapeutic potential. Of particular interest is the condensation of progenitor cells, an essential event in organogenesis that has inspired clinically effective cell aggregation approaches in dental regeneration. However, the precise cellular coordination mechanisms during condensation and regeneration remain elusive. Here, taking the tooth as a model organ, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect the cellular composition and heterogeneity of human dental follicle and dental papilla, revealing a distinct Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) population with remarkable odontogenic potential. Interestingly, a reciprocal paracrine interaction between PDGFRA+ dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) and CD31+ Endomucin+ endothelial cells (ECs) was mediated by Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and Platelet-derived growth factor subunit BB (PDGFBB). This crosstalk not only maintains the functionality of PDGFRA+ DFSCs but also drives specialized angiogenesis. In vivo periodontal bone regeneration experiments further reveal that communication between PDGFRA+ DFSC aggregates and recipient ECs is essential for effective angiogenic-osteogenic coupling and rapid tissue repair. Collectively, our results unravel the importance of MSC-EC crosstalk mediated by the VEGFA and PDGFBB-PDGFRA reciprocal signaling in orchestrating angiogenesis and osteogenesis. These findings not only establish a framework for deciphering and promoting periodontal bone regeneration in potential clinical applications but also offer insights for future therapeutic strategies in dental or broader regenerative medicine.
Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha/metabolism*
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Humans
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Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology*
;
Dental Sac/cytology*
;
Single-Cell Analysis
;
Transcriptome
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism*
;
Bone Regeneration
;
Animals
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Dental Papilla/cytology*
;
Periodontium/physiology*
;
Stem Cells/metabolism*
;
Regeneration
;
Angiogenesis
6.Role of ALKBH5-mediated m6A modification in endometrial decidualization of mice in early pregnancy
Sihui HE ; Weike LI ; Rufei GAO ; Xuemei CHEN ; Jing LONG ; Chenxi CHEN ; Dexian DAI ; Yingxiong WANG ; Na LI
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(11):1541-1549
Objective:To investigate the role of alkylation repair homolog 5(ALKBH5)-mediated N6-methyladenosine(m6A)modifi-cation in endometrial decidualization.Methods:The mouse models of pregnancy and pseudopregnancy were established,and quantita-tive real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure the expression pattern of ALKBH5 in the endometrium.The mouse and cell models of artificially induced decidualization were established,and quantitative real-time PCR,Western blot,and immunohistochemis-try were used to measure the expression levels of decidualization-related markers.The EpiQuik m6A RNA methylation quantification kit was used to measure the level of m6A.The mouse and cell models of artificially induced decidualization with interference of ALKBH5 expression were established,and quantitative real-time PCR,Western blot,and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the expression levels of decidualization-related markers,cell proliferation marker molecules,and apoptosis molecules.Flow cytometry was used to measure cell apoptosis rate.Results:In the mouse model of pregnancy,the expression level of ALKBH5 at the uterine em-bryo implantation site was significantly higher than that adjacent to the implantation site,and in the mouse and cell models of artifi-cially induced decidualization,compared with the control group,the induction group had a significant increase in the expression level of ALKBH5 and a significant reduction in the level of m6A.Inhibiting the expression of ALKBH5 led to an increase in the level of m6A,which in turn inhibited the proliferation of stromal cells,induced cell apoptosis,and ultimately impaired the normal process of en-dometrial decidualization.Conclusion:ALKBH5 deficiency leads to an increase in the level of m6A and decidualization injury in the en-dometrium,which lays a foundation for the research on m6A modifi-cation in decidualization.
7.New-onset urethral stricture after transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and analysis on its influencing factors
Jie WANG ; Chenxi YE ; Qiang HU ; Guorong YANG ; Xiaowei HAO ; Yin LU ; Fan GAO ; Qing YUAN
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(12):1342-1349
Objective To systematic analyze the risk factors for new-onset urethral stricture after transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate(HoLEP)in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Methods A case-control study was conducted on 746 BPH patients undergoing HoLEP treatment in Department of Urology of the Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from November 2021 to August 2024.After 23 cases were excluded because of complication of prostate cancer,finally 723 patients were included.General clinical data such as age,height,weight,history of smoking and drinking,perioperative parameters,and follow-up data at 1,3 and 6 months after operation were collected.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the clinical risk factors for new-onset urethral stricture after HoLEP.Results The subjected patients had a median age of 66.5(64.0,75.0)years,and a preoperative median prostate volume of 66(45,92)mL,and a median indwelling catheter time of 4(4,5)d.The incidence of new urethral stricture after operation was 5.8%(42/723),with membranous part of the urethra(61.9%)the most common site,followed by the external urethral orifice(21.4%)and the bladder neck(7.1%).Risk factor analysis indicated that low BMI(<18.5 kg/m2)(OR=4.682,P=0.037),young age(OR=0.946,P=0.005),and postoperative urinary tract infection(OR=4.513,P=0.001)were independent risk factors for new-onset urethral stricture after surgery.Prostate volume and indwelling time of urinary catheter had no significant association with the occurrence of new urethral stricture after surgery.Conclusion The occurrence of new-onset urethral stricture after HoLEP is significantly correlated with BMI,age and urinary tract infection.The above 3 factors can be used as better predictors of new-onset urethral stricture after HoLEP.
8.Mechanism of Chinese Medicine Polysaccharide in Treating Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis: A Review
Chenxi FENG ; Ao YIN ; Xiangzhu HOU ; Kaiqing LIU ; Xiangyang LENG ; Yang GAO ; Duoduo XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(10):264-273
Osteoporosis (OP) and osteoarthritis (OA) are common bone diseases in clinic. OP is a systemic skeletal disease, and OA is a chronic degenerative joint disease with high prevalence and disability rates. With the advent of the aging population, the incidence rate of OA and OP is increasing year by year, and they have become common diseases of the elderly. The quality of life and physical and mental health of patients are severely affected by the above two bone diseases. Chinese medicine has a long history of treating bone diseases, with a good clinical effect on preventing and treating OP, OA, and other bone diseases with few side effects. It is one of the commonly used methods to treat bone diseases. Polysaccharides, as one of the active substances of Chinese medicine, have various pharmacological activities and a wide range of sources with low toxicity, and their effect cannot be ignored. The role of polysaccharides in the treatment of bone diseases has been deeply studied. It has been found that the mechanism of Chinese medicine polysaccharides in treating OP and OA involves multiple levels, targets, and pathways. Through the analysis and summary of the relevant literature on the mechanism of Chinese medicine polysaccharides in treating OP and OA, it was found that Chinese medicine polysaccharides mainly treated OP by regulating the bone dynamic balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts and affecting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and bone microstructure. The mechanism of Chinese medicine polysaccharides in the treatment of OA is related to the regulation of chondrocyte growth, the increase in the proteoglycan and collagen content in the cartilage matrix, and the reduction of oxygen free radical content and inflammatory mediator level. This study aimed to further explore the internal relationship among mechanisms of Chinese medicine polysaccharides in the treatment of bone diseases, to provide relevant ideas for the study of Chinese medicine polysaccharides in the treatment of bone diseases.
9.Textual quantitative analysis of rural-oriented tuition-waived medical student training policy in China from the perspective of policy instruments
Jing TIAN ; Qinglin LI ; Rui GAO ; Liyan ZHU ; Chenxi ZHAO ; Min WANG ; Yanping WANG ; Shengyan ZHOU ; Depin CAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2023;22(9):1299-1303
Objective:To analyze the use of policy tools for rural-oriented tuition-waived medical student training policy and to provide relevant suggestions for the continuous promotion of the policy.Methods:With "rural-oriented tuition-waived medical students" as the key word, the policy texts were collected and screened from government portals. Using ROTHWELL disaggregated method to build the rural order directional medical students training policy analysis framework, applying Excel 2019 software for classification and coding of policy texts.Results:A total of 13 rural-oriented medical student training policy texts were screened and obtained. The X dimension of the policy analysis framework for rural order-oriented medical student training included three policy tools, namely, supply, environment and demand, and the Y dimension included three policy objectives, namely, available, usable, and retained. In X dimension, environmental policy tools were most frequently used. In Y dimension, the "retained" target had the highest frequency of use.Conclusion:There were differences in the frequency of using policy tools for targeted medical student cultivation in different policies. The frequency of using environmental tools is higher, which highlighted the attention of the state to medical and health services. The internal structure of policy tools is unbalanced, so the configuration of supply-oriented policy tools should be optimized, and the construction of demand-oriented policy tools should be emphasized. It is suggested to continuously optimize the combination of policy tools, improve the compatibility between policy tools and rural order-oriented medical student training, and pay attention to the sustainability of policy tools.
10.The Integrated Theory of Health Behavior Change in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Yanrui JIA ; Chenxi SHI ; Liang DONG ; Yining ZHANG ; Shu DING ; Shuqin WANG ; Yunqing LIU ; Fengli GAO
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2023;29(22):3038-3042
Objective:To evaluate the effect of inhaled medication compliance intervention in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on integrated theory of health behavior change.Methods:A total of 117 elderly COPD patients who visited Respiratory Department of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from July to December 2021 were selected by the convenient sampling method. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the experimental group and the control group. 7 cases fell off during follow-up, and a total of 110 cases were finally included in the study, of which 55 cases were in the experimental group and 55 cases in the control group. The control group adopted the conventional health education method, while the experimental group adopted the intervention plan of inhalation medication compliance of elderly COPD patients based on the integrated theory of health behavior change. The accuracy of inhalation device use, inhalant medication compliance, forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases Assessment Test (CAT) scores were compared between the two groups before intervention and 3 months after intervention. Results:After 3 months of intervention, the inhalation device use accuracy, inhalation medication compliance in experimental group were higher than those in the control group, the score of CAT in experimental group was lower than that in the control group, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in FEV 1 between two groups ( P>0.05) . Conclusions:The intervention plan for inhalation medication compliance in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease based on the integrated theory of health behavior changes can improve their inhalation medication compliance and improve their quality of life.

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