1.Ershen Zhenwu Decoction Treats Chronic Heart Failure by Regulating miR-423-5p/Smad7/TGF-β1/Smads Axis and Myocardial Fibrosis Indicators
Lan GE ; Zhenpeng ZHU ; Xinyue WANG ; Dan CHENG ; Yulong LIU ; Maomao ZHANG ; Xiaoyu CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):157-165
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of Ershen Zhenwu Decoction on chronic heart failure (CHF) due to heart-kidney Yang deficiency and blood stasis and its regulatory effects on miR-423-5p/Smad7/transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smads axis and myocardial fibrosis indicators. MethodsOne hundred and fourteen patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) were randomly allocated into a control group and an observation group. The control group was treated with dapagliflozin tablets, sacubitril-valsartan sodium tablets, metoprolol succinate, and spironolactone, and the observation group was treated with Ershen Zhenwu Decoction on the basis of the therapy in the control group. The course of treatment was 8 weeks in both groups. The 6-min walking distance, New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart function grade, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVIDs), interventricular septum thickness at diastole (IVSd), left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness (LVPWd), left ventricular shortening fraction (FS), miR-423-5p, Smad7, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, TGF-β1, Ang Ⅱ, type Ⅰ collagen (Col Ⅰ), type Ⅲ collagen (Col Ⅲ), mRNA levels of fibronectin (Fn) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the myocardial tissue were observed before and after treatment in both groups to evaluate the efficacy of cardiac function and drug safety. ResultsAfter treatment, both groups showed declined levels of NT-proBNP, Ang Ⅱ, miR-423-5p, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, TGF-β1, Col Ⅰ, Col Ⅲ, and mRNA levels of Fn and α-SMA (P0.05), and the levels of the indicators above were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P0.05). After treatment, the Smad7 level increased obviously in both groups (P0.05) and was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P0.05). After treatment, both groups showed decreased MLHFQ scores and increased 6-min walking distance (P0.05), and the observation group had lower MLHFQ score and longer 6-min walking distance than the control group (P0.05). After treatment, the control group showed increased LVEF and FS (P0.05) and the observation group showcased decreased LVIDd and LVIDs and increased LVEF and FS (P0.05). Moreover, the observation group had lower LVIDd and LVIDs (P0.05) and higher LVEF and FS (P0.05) than the control group. The total response rate of cardiac function in the observation group was 90.38% (47/52), which was higher than that (70.59%, 36/51) in the control group (P0.05). No adverse reactions associated with Ershen Zhenwu Decoction were observed during the study period. ConclusionErshen Zhenwu Decoction can improve the cardiac function, exercise tolerance, and quality of life, regulate neuroendocrine factors, and slow down/reverse myocardial remodeling in the patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF (syndrome of heart-kidney Yang deficiency and blood stasis by regulating the miR-423-5p/Smad7/TGF-β1/Smads axis, inhibiting α-SMA and Fn expression, and alleviating myocardial fibrosis. It is worthy of further study.
2.Ershen Zhenwu Decoction Treats Chronic Heart Failure by Regulating miR-423-5p/Smad7/TGF-β1/Smads Axis and Myocardial Fibrosis Indicators
Lan GE ; Zhenpeng ZHU ; Xinyue WANG ; Dan CHENG ; Yulong LIU ; Maomao ZHANG ; Xiaoyu CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):157-165
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of Ershen Zhenwu Decoction on chronic heart failure (CHF) due to heart-kidney Yang deficiency and blood stasis and its regulatory effects on miR-423-5p/Smad7/transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smads axis and myocardial fibrosis indicators. MethodsOne hundred and fourteen patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) were randomly allocated into a control group and an observation group. The control group was treated with dapagliflozin tablets, sacubitril-valsartan sodium tablets, metoprolol succinate, and spironolactone, and the observation group was treated with Ershen Zhenwu Decoction on the basis of the therapy in the control group. The course of treatment was 8 weeks in both groups. The 6-min walking distance, New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart function grade, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVIDs), interventricular septum thickness at diastole (IVSd), left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness (LVPWd), left ventricular shortening fraction (FS), miR-423-5p, Smad7, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, TGF-β1, Ang Ⅱ, type Ⅰ collagen (Col Ⅰ), type Ⅲ collagen (Col Ⅲ), mRNA levels of fibronectin (Fn) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the myocardial tissue were observed before and after treatment in both groups to evaluate the efficacy of cardiac function and drug safety. ResultsAfter treatment, both groups showed declined levels of NT-proBNP, Ang Ⅱ, miR-423-5p, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, TGF-β1, Col Ⅰ, Col Ⅲ, and mRNA levels of Fn and α-SMA (P0.05), and the levels of the indicators above were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P0.05). After treatment, the Smad7 level increased obviously in both groups (P0.05) and was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P0.05). After treatment, both groups showed decreased MLHFQ scores and increased 6-min walking distance (P0.05), and the observation group had lower MLHFQ score and longer 6-min walking distance than the control group (P0.05). After treatment, the control group showed increased LVEF and FS (P0.05) and the observation group showcased decreased LVIDd and LVIDs and increased LVEF and FS (P0.05). Moreover, the observation group had lower LVIDd and LVIDs (P0.05) and higher LVEF and FS (P0.05) than the control group. The total response rate of cardiac function in the observation group was 90.38% (47/52), which was higher than that (70.59%, 36/51) in the control group (P0.05). No adverse reactions associated with Ershen Zhenwu Decoction were observed during the study period. ConclusionErshen Zhenwu Decoction can improve the cardiac function, exercise tolerance, and quality of life, regulate neuroendocrine factors, and slow down/reverse myocardial remodeling in the patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF (syndrome of heart-kidney Yang deficiency and blood stasis by regulating the miR-423-5p/Smad7/TGF-β1/Smads axis, inhibiting α-SMA and Fn expression, and alleviating myocardial fibrosis. It is worthy of further study.
3.Evaluation of the application effectiveness and optimization strategies of confidential unit exclusion in Zhengzhou
Dan LIU ; Hongwei MA ; Tao WEN ; Yonglei LYU ; Mengru JI ; Ge SONG ; Huanyu LIU ; Mengdi FAN
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(3):379-383
Objective: To evaluate the practical effectiveness of confidential unit exclusion (CUE) in ensuring blood safety in Zhengzhou, analyze its application characteristics and existing problems, and provide a basis for optimizing blood safety management strategies. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on CUE data handled by Henan Red Cross Blood Center from January 2019 to December 2024. Parameters such as the number of cases, demographic characteristics, reasons for exclusion, and time of report were statistically analyzed and compared with those of non-CUE. Results: From 2019 to 2024, the CUE reporting rate in Zhengzhou was 0.002 6% (40/1 547 666). CUE donors were predominantly male (65.00%, 26/40), aged 18-34 years (47.50%, 19/40), had college degree orabove (50.00%, 20/40), and were employees of enterprises or public institutions (32.50%, 13/40). Among the 40 CUE blood units, only one was reactive for anti-TP, while all others were qualified. The main reasons for CUE were recent vaccination (32.50%, 13/40), medical conditions unsuitable for donation (27.50%, 11/40), and high-risk sexual behavior (17.50%, 7/40). A total of 70.00% of reports occurred within 24 hours after donation, during which none of the corresponding blood units had been released; all units reported after more than 7 days had already been issued for clinical use, with no adverse transfusion reactions reported upon follow-up. Conclusion: The confidential unit exclusion program has played an active role in establishing a supplementary information feedback channel for blood donors. The procedure can be optimized by strengthening interactive communication and confirmation before donation, improving the accuracy of donors' self-assessment, and expanding convenient and rapid information-based reporting channels.
4.Effects of combined use of active ingredients in Buyang Huanwu Decoction on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reglucose-reoxygenation-induced inflammation and oxidative stress of BV2 cells.
Tian-Qing XIA ; Ying CHEN ; Jian-Lin HUA ; Qin SU ; Cun-Yan DAN ; Meng-Wei RONG ; Shi-Ning GE ; Hong GUO ; Bao-Guo XIAO ; Jie-Zhong YU ; Cun-Gen MA ; Li-Juan SONG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(14):3835-3846
This study aims to explore the effects and action mechanisms of the active ingredients in Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BYHWD), namely tetramethylpyrazine(TMP) and hydroxy-safflor yellow A(HSYA), on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reglucose-reoxygenation(OGD/R)-induced inflammation and oxidative stress of microglia(MG). Network pharmacology was used to screen the effective monomer ingredients of BYHWD and determine the safe concentration range for each component. Inflammation and oxidative stress models were established to further screen the best ingredient combination and optimal concentration ratio with the most effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. OGD/R BV2 cell models were constructed, and BV2 cells in the logarithmic growth phase were divided into a normal group, a model group, an HSYA group, a TMP group, and an HSYA + TMP group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and interleukin-6(IL-6). Oxidative stress markers, including superoxide dismutase(SOD), nitric oxide(NO), and malondialdehyde(MDA), were also measured. Western blot was used to analyze the protein expression of both inflammation-related pathway [Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)] and oxidative stress-related pathway [nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)]. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the expression of proteins such as inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and arginase-1(Arg-1). The most effective ingredients for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in BYHWD were TMP and HSYA. Compared to the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, NO, and MDA, along with significantly higher protein expression of NF-κB, TLR4, Nrf2, and HO-1 and significantly lower SOD levels. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant. Compared to the model group, both the HSYA group and the TMP group showed significantly reduced levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, NO, and MDA, lower expression of NF-κB and TLR4 proteins, higher levels of SOD, and significantly increased protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1. Additionally, the expression of the M1-type MG marker iNOS was significantly reduced, while the expression of the M2-type MG marker Arg-1 was significantly increased. The results of the HSYA group and the TMP group had statistically significant differences from those of the model group. Compared to the HSYA group and the TMP group, the HSYA + TMP group showed further significant reductions in IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, NO, and MDA levels, along with significant reductions in NF-κB and TLR4 protein expression, an increase in SOD levels, and elevated Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression. Additionally, the expression of the M1-type MG marker iNOS was reduced, while the M2-type MG marker Arg-1 expression increased significantly in the HSYA + TMP group compared to the TMP or HSYA group. The differences in the results were statistically significant between the HSYA + TMP group and the TMP or HSYA group. The findings indicated that the combined use of HSYA and TMP, the active ingredients of BYHWD, can effectively inhibit OGD/R-induced inflammation and oxidative stress of MG, showing superior effects compared to the individual use of either component.
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Glucose/metabolism*
;
Cell Line
;
Inflammation/genetics*
;
Oxygen/metabolism*
;
Pyrazines/pharmacology*
;
Microglia/metabolism*
;
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/immunology*
;
NF-kappa B/immunology*
;
Toll-Like Receptor 4/immunology*
;
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology*
;
Humans
5.Correction to: Scorpion Venom Heat-Resistant Peptide is Neuroprotective Against Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Association with the NMDA-MAPK Pathway.
Xu-Gang WANG ; Dan-Dan ZHU ; Na LI ; Yue-Lin HUANG ; Ying-Zi WANG ; Ting ZHANG ; Chen-Mei WANG ; Bin WANG ; Yan PENG ; Bi-Ying GE ; Shao LI ; Jie ZHAO
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(3):549-550
6.Development and application of chiral separation technology based on chiral metal-organic frameworks.
Gege ZHU ; Li GE ; Xinyu LI ; Bing NIU ; Qin CHEN ; Dan ZHONG ; Xiaodong SUN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(7):101176-101176
Chirality is not only a natural phenomenon but also a bridge between chemistry and life sciences. An effective way to obtain a single enantiomer is through racemates resolution. Recent literature shows that chiral metal-organic frameworks (CMOFs) have many applications in various fields because of their diverse topologies and functionalities. This review outlines the design idea and summarizes the latest synthesis strategies and applications of CMOFs. It highlights key advances and issues in the separation domain. In conclusion, the review provides perspectives on the challenges and prospective advancements of CMOFs materials and CMOFs-based separation technologies.
7.Effect of Huangqi Shengmai Yin on myocardial fibrosis in rats with acute myocardial infarction by adjusting P2X7R/NLRP3 pathway
Yi-Jie MA ; You-Jian ZHANG ; Ji-Pei WANG ; Dan-Dan LI ; Jin-Ge JIN
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(6):713-720
Objective To investigate the effect of Huangqi Shengmai Yin(HSY)on myocardial fibrosis in rats with acute myocardial infarction(AMI)by adjusting P2X purinoceptor 7(P2X7R)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)pathway.Methods Sixty rats were divied into a sham operation group and model group(5 groups),with 10 rats in each group.The AMI rat model was constructed by ligating the left anterior descending branch and randomly grouped into AMI group,the HSY-low group(intragastric administration of 1.6 ml/kg HSY),the HSY group(intragastric administration of 6.2 ml/kg HSY),the compound miltiorhiza group(intragastric administration of 300 mg/kg),and the HSY-high+P2X7R agonist-ATP group(intragastric administration of 6.2 ml/kg HSY,and tail vein administration of 10 mmol/L ATP).After the intervention,cardiac function,myocardial injury and inflammatory factor markers were detected.The tissue sections were prepared to examine pathological changes,myocardial fibrosis,type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen(COL1A1,COL3A1).Western blotting was performed to detecte the protein expression of P2X7R,NLRP3,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and the expression of activated Caspase-1.Results Compared with the sham surgery group,the AMI group showed an increase in the left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDD),the coatent of brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)and cardiac troponin I(cTn I),fibrosis volume fraction,the positive expression of COL1A1,COL3A1,TNF-α,IL-1β,P2X7R,NLRP3,and activated Caspase-1 proteins(P<0.05),and a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)(P<0.05).The HSY-low group,HSY-high groups,and compound miltiorhiza group showed a decrease in LVEDD,the content of BNP and cTn I,fibrosis volume fraction,the positive expression of COL1A1 and COL3A1,TNF-α,IL-1β,P2X7R,NLRP3,and activated Caspase-1 proteins(P<0.05),and an increase in LVEF than these in the AMI group(P<0.05).The HSY-high+ATP group showed an increase in LVEDD,the content of BNP,cTn I,fibrosis volume fraction,the positive expression of COL1A1 and COL3A1,TNF-α,IL-1β,P2X7R,NLRP3,and activated Caspase-1 proteins(P<0.05),and a decrease in LVEF than those in the HSY-high group(P<0.05).Conclusion HSY inhibits P2X7R/NLRP3 pathway to alleviate myocardial fibrosis in AMI rats.
8.Development and application of chiral separation technology based on chiral metal-organic frameworks
Gege ZHU ; Li GE ; Xinyu LI ; Bing NIU ; Qin CHEN ; Dan ZHONG ; Xiaodong SUN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(7):1409-1426
Chirality is not only a natural phenomenon but also a bridge between chemistry and life sciences.An effective way to obtain a single enantiomer is through racemates resolution.Recent literature shows that chiral metal-organic frameworks(CMOFs)have many applications in various fields because of their diverse topologies and functionalities.This review outlines the design idea and summarizes the latest synthesis strategies and applications of CMOFs.It highlights key advances and issues in the separation domain.In conclusion,the review provides perspectives on the challenges and prospective advance-ments of CMOFs materials and CMOFs-based separation technologies.
9.Clinical effects of Feining Paidu Decoction combined with conventional treatment on patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae lobar pneumonia
Guo-Cai GAO ; Guo-Lan GE ; Dan-Ping PAN ; Qian-Qian LI ; Xue HAN
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(1):112-116
AIM To investigate the clinical effects of Feining Paidu Decoction combined with conventional treatment on patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae lobar pneumonia.METHODS Ninety patients were randomly assigned into control group(45 cases)for 2-week intervention of conventional treatment,and observation group(45 cases)for 2-week intervention of both Feining Paidu Decoction and conventional treatment.The changes in clinical effects,TCM syndrome scores,inflammatory indices(WBC,N,CRP,ESR,PCT),inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-6,IL-8),coagulation indices(PLT,TT,PT,APTT,Fib,D-D),pulmonary imaging intergal and incidence of adverse reactions were detected.RESULTS The observation group demonstrated higher total effective rate than the control group(P<0.05).After the treatment,the two groups displayed decreased TCM syndrome scores,inflammatory indices,inflammatory cytokines,PLT,pulmonary imaging intergal(P<0.05),especially for the observation group(P<0.05);the observation group exhibited prolonged TT,PT,APTT(P<0.05),and decreased Fib,D-D(P<0.05),which were more obvious than those in the control group(P<0.05).No significant difference in incidence of adverse reactions was found between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION For the patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae lobar pneumonia,Feining Paidu Decoction combined with conventional treatment can safely and effectively alleviate clinical symptoms,and improve inflammatory responses,coagulation functions.
10.Mechanism and strategies of hypoxia-inducible factor-mediated resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in hepato-cellular carcinoma
Xiaoying GE ; Dan ZHENG ; Xue JIANG ; Leilei BAO ; Jun BIAN
China Pharmacy 2024;35(10):1280-1284
The use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) has been an important advance in the systemic treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, but their sustained anti-angiogenic therapy leads to increased tumor hypoxia, accelerates the development of a hypoxic microenvironment and promotes the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF), thereby inducing drug resistance of tumor patients to TKI. This paper summarizes the mechanism of action of HIF mediating TKI resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma in aspects of metabolic reprogramming, abnormal expressions of cancer and cancer-associated genes, and ferroptosis, and sorts resistance response strategies to provide reference for clinical solutions to TKI resistance issues. As results show, HIF/ glycolysis axis inhibitors (isoflavonoid genistein, simvastatin, etc.) can improve TKI resistance based on metabolic reprogramming mechanism; oncogene-targeted inhibitors combined with TKI (the combination of capsaicin and sorafenib) can improve TKI resistance based on abnormal expression of cancer and cancer-related genes; fatty acid synthase inhibitor (orlistat) can improve TKI resistance based on ferroptosis mechanism.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail