1.Mechanisms of Curcumol in Inhibiting Proliferation and Migration in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer via JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway
Yu QI ; Yihan YU ; Linling HU ; Bo JIANG ; Yilong ZOU ; Cunyu FAN ; Yiling FAN ; Jixian ZHANG ; Bo XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):34-45
ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effects of curcumol (Cur) on the proliferation and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and to explore the underlying mechanisms. MethodsIn vivo, a subcutaneous tumor xenograft model was established to evaluate the antiproliferative effect of Cur. In vitro, the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to assess the effects of Cur at concentrations of 0, 60, 120, 240, 360, 480, 600, 720, 840, 960 μmol·L-1 on the viability of NCI-A549 and NCI-H23 cells, and to evaluate its inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells. Wound healing and Transwell migration assays were conducted to assess changes in cell migratory capacity following Cur treatment. Immunohistochemistry (IHC-P) was used to investigate the regulatory effect of Cur on the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway in tumor tissues. Western blot was performed to determine the protein expression levels of phosphorylated JAK2 (p-JAK2), phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) in tumor tissues and cells. To further verify the role of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in the pharmacological effects of Cur, rescue experiments were performed using the pathway agonist colivelin. ResultsIn vivo experiments showed that, compared with the model group, the tumor volumes of subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice in both low- and high-dose Cur groups were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the tumor inhibition rates were significantly increased (P<0.05). The inhibitory effect in the high-dose group was comparable to that of the cisplatin group, and the body weight of mice in the Cur groups remained stable throughout the experiment. In vitro, compared with the control group, Cur at concentrations of 120 and 240 μmol·L-1 inhibited the proliferation of NCI-A549 and NCI-H23 cells in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05), with a significant inhibitory effect observed at 360 μmol·L-1 (P<0.01), while no significant effect on the viability of BEAS-2B cells was observed. Migration assays demonstrated that, compared with the control group, Cur treatment significantly reduced the migration rates of both cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05), with an inhibitory effect at 360 μmol·L-1 comparable to that of the cisplatin group. Mechanistic validation showed that, compared with the control group, the protein expression levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in tumor tissues and cells were significantly downregulated in the Cur groups (P<0.01), and the expression levels of downstream proteins PCNA, MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGFA were also significantly decreased with increasing Cur concentration (P<0.05). In the rescue experiments, compared with the control group, colivelin pretreatment increased cell proliferation and migration rates (P<0.05) and upregulated the expression of related proteins (P<0.05). Compared with the Cur group, the colivelin+Cur group showed significantly increased proliferation and migration rates (P<0.05), along with significantly upregulated protein expression levels (P<0.05). ConclusionCur can significantly inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of NSCLC both in vivo and in vitro, and its mechanism of action is closely associated with the inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway activation.
2.Anti-lung Cancer Mechanisms of Yang-warming Herbs and Formulas: A Review
Bo XU ; Yu QI ; Jixian ZHANG ; Linling HU ; Bo JIANG ; Yilong ZOU ; Cunyu FAN ; Yiling FAN ; Qing MIAO ; Yihan YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):70-79
Lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is the malignant tumor with the highest incidence and mortality in China and worldwide. In 2022, the global number of deaths reached 1.8 million, accounting for 18.7% of all cancer-related deaths, seriously threatening human health and life, and posing a severe challenge for prevention and treatment. Although treatment strategies for lung cancer have been continuously enriched in recent years, and progress has been made in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, long-term survival benefits remain limited due to primary or acquired drug resistance, low immune responsiveness, and chemotherapy-related toxicities. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore safe and effective adjunctive therapeutic strategies. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its advantages of holistic regulation and individualized syndrome differentiation, has played an increasingly prominent role in comprehensive cancer treatment. TCM holds that "Yang deficiency leads to accumulation" is a key pathogenesis of tumors. Based on the theory that "Yang transforms Qi, while Yin forms substance", deficiency of Yang Qi results in impaired warming and transformation functions, leading to internal accumulation of Yin-cold. This is closely related to dysregulation of the immune microenvironment, "cold tumor" characteristics, and dysfunction of the neuroendocrine system in modern medicine. Accordingly, the therapeutic strategy of "warming Yang, supporting healthy Qi, and combating cancer" has gained increasing attention. In recent years, commonly used Yang-warming Chinese herbs, including Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Zingiberis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex, Epimedii Folium, and Psoraleae Fructus, as well as their active constituents, have achieved notable progress in anti-lung cancer research by regulating multiple signaling pathways, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting metastasis, and reversing drug resistance. In addition, Yang-warming formulae such as Sini Tang and Yanghe Tang have shown promising effects in alleviating myelosuppression, improving cancer-related fatigue, managing malignant pleural effusion, and relieving cancer pain. These therapies exhibit toxicity-reducing and efficacy-enhancing effects, significantly improving patients' quality of life and survival benefits. To systematically summarize the roles and mechanisms of Yang-warming Chinese herbal medicines and compound formulae in lung cancer, this paper provides a comprehensive review of recent advances, aiming to offer insights for the clinical practice of TCM in the prevention and treatment of lung cancer.
3.Mechanisms of Curcumol in Inhibiting Proliferation and Migration in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer via JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway
Yu QI ; Yihan YU ; Linling HU ; Bo JIANG ; Yilong ZOU ; Cunyu FAN ; Yiling FAN ; Jixian ZHANG ; Bo XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):34-45
ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effects of curcumol (Cur) on the proliferation and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and to explore the underlying mechanisms. MethodsIn vivo, a subcutaneous tumor xenograft model was established to evaluate the antiproliferative effect of Cur. In vitro, the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to assess the effects of Cur at concentrations of 0, 60, 120, 240, 360, 480, 600, 720, 840, 960 μmol·L-1 on the viability of NCI-A549 and NCI-H23 cells, and to evaluate its inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells. Wound healing and Transwell migration assays were conducted to assess changes in cell migratory capacity following Cur treatment. Immunohistochemistry (IHC-P) was used to investigate the regulatory effect of Cur on the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway in tumor tissues. Western blot was performed to determine the protein expression levels of phosphorylated JAK2 (p-JAK2), phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) in tumor tissues and cells. To further verify the role of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in the pharmacological effects of Cur, rescue experiments were performed using the pathway agonist colivelin. ResultsIn vivo experiments showed that, compared with the model group, the tumor volumes of subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice in both low- and high-dose Cur groups were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the tumor inhibition rates were significantly increased (P<0.05). The inhibitory effect in the high-dose group was comparable to that of the cisplatin group, and the body weight of mice in the Cur groups remained stable throughout the experiment. In vitro, compared with the control group, Cur at concentrations of 120 and 240 μmol·L-1 inhibited the proliferation of NCI-A549 and NCI-H23 cells in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05), with a significant inhibitory effect observed at 360 μmol·L-1 (P<0.01), while no significant effect on the viability of BEAS-2B cells was observed. Migration assays demonstrated that, compared with the control group, Cur treatment significantly reduced the migration rates of both cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05), with an inhibitory effect at 360 μmol·L-1 comparable to that of the cisplatin group. Mechanistic validation showed that, compared with the control group, the protein expression levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in tumor tissues and cells were significantly downregulated in the Cur groups (P<0.01), and the expression levels of downstream proteins PCNA, MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGFA were also significantly decreased with increasing Cur concentration (P<0.05). In the rescue experiments, compared with the control group, colivelin pretreatment increased cell proliferation and migration rates (P<0.05) and upregulated the expression of related proteins (P<0.05). Compared with the Cur group, the colivelin+Cur group showed significantly increased proliferation and migration rates (P<0.05), along with significantly upregulated protein expression levels (P<0.05). ConclusionCur can significantly inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of NSCLC both in vivo and in vitro, and its mechanism of action is closely associated with the inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway activation.
4.Anti-lung Cancer Mechanisms of Yang-warming Herbs and Formulas: A Review
Bo XU ; Yu QI ; Jixian ZHANG ; Linling HU ; Bo JIANG ; Yilong ZOU ; Cunyu FAN ; Yiling FAN ; Qing MIAO ; Yihan YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):70-79
Lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is the malignant tumor with the highest incidence and mortality in China and worldwide. In 2022, the global number of deaths reached 1.8 million, accounting for 18.7% of all cancer-related deaths, seriously threatening human health and life, and posing a severe challenge for prevention and treatment. Although treatment strategies for lung cancer have been continuously enriched in recent years, and progress has been made in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, long-term survival benefits remain limited due to primary or acquired drug resistance, low immune responsiveness, and chemotherapy-related toxicities. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore safe and effective adjunctive therapeutic strategies. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its advantages of holistic regulation and individualized syndrome differentiation, has played an increasingly prominent role in comprehensive cancer treatment. TCM holds that "Yang deficiency leads to accumulation" is a key pathogenesis of tumors. Based on the theory that "Yang transforms Qi, while Yin forms substance", deficiency of Yang Qi results in impaired warming and transformation functions, leading to internal accumulation of Yin-cold. This is closely related to dysregulation of the immune microenvironment, "cold tumor" characteristics, and dysfunction of the neuroendocrine system in modern medicine. Accordingly, the therapeutic strategy of "warming Yang, supporting healthy Qi, and combating cancer" has gained increasing attention. In recent years, commonly used Yang-warming Chinese herbs, including Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Zingiberis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex, Epimedii Folium, and Psoraleae Fructus, as well as their active constituents, have achieved notable progress in anti-lung cancer research by regulating multiple signaling pathways, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting metastasis, and reversing drug resistance. In addition, Yang-warming formulae such as Sini Tang and Yanghe Tang have shown promising effects in alleviating myelosuppression, improving cancer-related fatigue, managing malignant pleural effusion, and relieving cancer pain. These therapies exhibit toxicity-reducing and efficacy-enhancing effects, significantly improving patients' quality of life and survival benefits. To systematically summarize the roles and mechanisms of Yang-warming Chinese herbal medicines and compound formulae in lung cancer, this paper provides a comprehensive review of recent advances, aiming to offer insights for the clinical practice of TCM in the prevention and treatment of lung cancer.
5.Chuangling Ye Ameliorates Diabetic Foot Ulcers by Regulating Ferroptosis via the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Pathway:Mechanisms and Therapeutic Effects
Ya ZHAO ; Xiao FENG ; Cunyu ZHANG ; Yue CHEN ; Chaoqun MA
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(10):1344-1355
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Chuangling Ye(CLY)on diabetic foot ulcer(DFU)model mice based on the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)pathway and explore its potential mechanism.METHODS In animal experiments,streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic mice with full-thickness skin defects were divided into control,model,positive control(recombinant human epidermal growth factor,rhEGF),and CLY low-and high-dose groups(n=10).After 14 days of intervention,wound healing rate was measured.Serum inflammatory factors(IL-6,TNF-α,IL-1β)were detected by ELISA,while oxidative stress markers(SOD,MDA,GSH)and tissue ferrous iron(Fe2+)levels were measured by colorimetric assays.Mitochondrial ultrastructure was observed via transmission electron microscopy(TEM).Nrf2,SLC7A11,and GPX4 expression in wound tissues were analyzed by qPCR and Western blot.In cell experiments,a high glucose(HG)-induced ferroptosis model in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)was established and divided into control,HG,CLY,and CLY combined with pathway inhibitors(ML385,Erastin,RSL3)groups.CCK-8 was used to detect cell via-bility,FerroOrange was used to detect Fe2+content,DCFH-DA and C11-BODIPY 581/591 probes were used to detect intracellular ROS and lipid ROS content,and Western blot was used to detect the expression of proteins such as Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4.RESULTS Animal experiments showed that compared with the model group,the wound healing rate in the low-and high-dose CLY groups was significantly improved(P<0.01);the serum IL-6,IL-1β,and TNF-α levels were significantly decreased(P<0.01);the MDA con-tent was significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the SOD activity and GSH content were significantly restored(P<0.05).Colorimetric a-nalysis showed that the low-and high-dose CLY significantly reduced the abnormally elevated Fe2+levels in DFU wounds(P<0.05,P<0.001).Electron microscopy showed that the mitochondrial cristae structure was improved in the low-and high-dose groups.qPCR showed that high-dose CLY upregulated the expression levels of Rno-Nfe2l2(Nrf2),Rno-Slc7a11,Rno-Gpx4,and Rno-Acsl4 mR-NA,and inhibited the expression level of Rno-Acsl4 mRNA(P<0.001).Western blot results showed that CLY upregulated the expres-sion of Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4,and FTH1 in DFU wound tissues(P<0.01),while downregulated the level of ACSL4(P<0.01).Cell experiments showed that treatment with CLY increased the survival rate of high glucose-stimulated HUVECs(P<0.001).However,the protective effect of CLY was significantly inhibited after the addition of ML385,Erastin,or RSL3(P<0.01).Treatment with CLY significantly decreased the Fe2+content(P<0.001),which was reversed by ML385,Erastin,or RSL3.The levels of ROS and lipid ROS were also significantly reduced(P<0.001),while the addition of ML385,Erastin,or RSL3 partially weakened the antioxidant effect of CLY.Western blot results showed that CLY significantly upregulated the expression of Nrf2、SLC7A11 and GPX4(P<0.001)and downregulated the expression of 4-HNE and COX2(P<0.01),and ML385,Erastin,or RSL3 could reverse this protective effect.CONCLUSION CLY promotes DFU healing by activating the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway to inhibit ferroptosis,mitigate oxidative stress,and suppress inflammation,providing a novel therapeutic target for DFU.
6.Chuangling Ye Ameliorates Diabetic Foot Ulcers by Regulating Ferroptosis via the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Pathway:Mechanisms and Therapeutic Effects
Ya ZHAO ; Xiao FENG ; Cunyu ZHANG ; Yue CHEN ; Chaoqun MA
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(10):1344-1355
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Chuangling Ye(CLY)on diabetic foot ulcer(DFU)model mice based on the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)pathway and explore its potential mechanism.METHODS In animal experiments,streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic mice with full-thickness skin defects were divided into control,model,positive control(recombinant human epidermal growth factor,rhEGF),and CLY low-and high-dose groups(n=10).After 14 days of intervention,wound healing rate was measured.Serum inflammatory factors(IL-6,TNF-α,IL-1β)were detected by ELISA,while oxidative stress markers(SOD,MDA,GSH)and tissue ferrous iron(Fe2+)levels were measured by colorimetric assays.Mitochondrial ultrastructure was observed via transmission electron microscopy(TEM).Nrf2,SLC7A11,and GPX4 expression in wound tissues were analyzed by qPCR and Western blot.In cell experiments,a high glucose(HG)-induced ferroptosis model in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)was established and divided into control,HG,CLY,and CLY combined with pathway inhibitors(ML385,Erastin,RSL3)groups.CCK-8 was used to detect cell via-bility,FerroOrange was used to detect Fe2+content,DCFH-DA and C11-BODIPY 581/591 probes were used to detect intracellular ROS and lipid ROS content,and Western blot was used to detect the expression of proteins such as Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4.RESULTS Animal experiments showed that compared with the model group,the wound healing rate in the low-and high-dose CLY groups was significantly improved(P<0.01);the serum IL-6,IL-1β,and TNF-α levels were significantly decreased(P<0.01);the MDA con-tent was significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the SOD activity and GSH content were significantly restored(P<0.05).Colorimetric a-nalysis showed that the low-and high-dose CLY significantly reduced the abnormally elevated Fe2+levels in DFU wounds(P<0.05,P<0.001).Electron microscopy showed that the mitochondrial cristae structure was improved in the low-and high-dose groups.qPCR showed that high-dose CLY upregulated the expression levels of Rno-Nfe2l2(Nrf2),Rno-Slc7a11,Rno-Gpx4,and Rno-Acsl4 mR-NA,and inhibited the expression level of Rno-Acsl4 mRNA(P<0.001).Western blot results showed that CLY upregulated the expres-sion of Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4,and FTH1 in DFU wound tissues(P<0.01),while downregulated the level of ACSL4(P<0.01).Cell experiments showed that treatment with CLY increased the survival rate of high glucose-stimulated HUVECs(P<0.001).However,the protective effect of CLY was significantly inhibited after the addition of ML385,Erastin,or RSL3(P<0.01).Treatment with CLY significantly decreased the Fe2+content(P<0.001),which was reversed by ML385,Erastin,or RSL3.The levels of ROS and lipid ROS were also significantly reduced(P<0.001),while the addition of ML385,Erastin,or RSL3 partially weakened the antioxidant effect of CLY.Western blot results showed that CLY significantly upregulated the expression of Nrf2、SLC7A11 and GPX4(P<0.001)and downregulated the expression of 4-HNE and COX2(P<0.01),and ML385,Erastin,or RSL3 could reverse this protective effect.CONCLUSION CLY promotes DFU healing by activating the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway to inhibit ferroptosis,mitigate oxidative stress,and suppress inflammation,providing a novel therapeutic target for DFU.
7.Influence of mitral valve morphology on short-term and long-term outcomes in elderly patients undergoing percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty
Zongqin YAO ; Jixing ZHOU ; Zhigang ZHANG ; Jinzhu ZHANG ; Cunyu FU
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2019;38(7):742-745
Objective To explore the effect of mitral valve morphology on short-term and long-term outcomes in elderly patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis(MS)undergoing percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty(PBMV).Methods In the prospective study,elderly patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis undergoing PBMV between February 1996 and June 2007 were followed up for 10 years.One hundred and twenty-four patients with full follow-up data were included in the study.According to echocardiography Wilkins score,83 cases of patients (Wilkins score ≤ 8)were selected as Wilkins score ≤ 8 group,and 41 cases were selected as Wilkins score> 8 group.The pressure gradient in mitral valve(MV△P),mitral valve area(MVA),left atrial diameter(LAD),left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESd),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDd),pulmonary artery systolic blood pressure(sPAP),ejection fraction(EF)and mitral regurgitation were measured before and after the operation.Results In both Wilkins score ≤ 8 group and Wilkins score> 8 groups,MVA and EF were increased immediately after PBMV operation versus before PBMV operation,and MV△P,LAD,LVEDd,LVEDs and PAPs were decreased immediately after PBMV operation versus before PBMV operation(all P <0.05).Severe mitral regurgitation was not found in both two groups.The clinical effects of the Wilkins score≤8 group were stable after 10 years,which had no significant difference in the indexes compared with those in the Wilkins score≤ 8 group immediately after PBMV(P>0.05).MVA and EF in the Wilkins score>8 group were decreased,and MV△P,LAD,LVEDd,LVEDs and PAPS were increased after 10 years as compared with those immediately after PBMV(P<0.05).The incidence of NYHA functional class Ⅲ or Ⅳ was lower in the Wilkins score ≤8 group than in the Wilkins score>8 group(26.5% or 22/83 vs.46.3% or 19/41,x2 =4.879,P=0.027).And the incidence of mitral restenosis was lower in the ≤8 group than in the Wilkins score>8 group(34.9% or 29/83 vs.61.0% or 25/41,x2 =7.567,P=0.006).There was no significant difference in the incidence of moderate or severe mitral regurgitation between the two groups(10.8% or 9/83 vs.12.3% or 5/41,x2=1.278,P=0.258).Conclusions The short-term and long-term outcomes are good in elderly individuals with rheumatic mitral stenosis undergoing PBMV operation,and the curative effect of PBMV operation is better in patients with Wilkins score ≤8 than in patients with Wilkins score >8.
8.Efficacy of Yixin Kangtai capsule combine with Diltiazem for unstable angina pectoris
Yan LIU ; Zhiqiang HE ; Weiping WANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Cunyu ZENG
Chongqing Medicine 2016;(1):21-23
Objective To study the clinical efficacy of unstable angina patients with the treatment of Yixin Kangtai capsule combine with diltiazem .Methods A total of 98 patients with unstable angina were randomly divided into control group and treat-ment group ,49 in each group .The control group was given conventional anti-anginal drug therapy ;while combination group was given Yixin Kangtai capsule combine with diltiazem on the basis of conventional anti-anginal medication .The course was 30 days . After the treatment ,the symptoms of angina ,ECG ST-T ,blood viscosity and markers of endothelial function NO and ET levels were observed .Results After treatment ,the total effective rate of the combination therapy group was higher than that of the con-trol group (P< 0 .05) ;the angina attacks and its duration in combination therapy group were lower than that of control group(P<0 .05) ;the total efficiency of electrocardiogram in combination therapy group was better than that of the control group (P< 0 .05) ;blood viscosity values and ET levels of combination therapy group were reduced compared with before treatment (P < 0 .05) ,but NO levels were increased(P< 0 .05) .Conclusion Yixin Kangtai capsule combine with diltiazem have significant efficacy for unsta-ble angina pectoris ,and have protective effect on endothelial function in patients with unstable angina .

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