1.Protective effects of quercetin, the key component of Zuo Gui Wan, against Alzheimer's disease via the PI3K/AKT pathway: insights from network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cell experiments.
Guangya LI ; Peize LI ; Liuling HUANG ; Jingwen ZHU ; Xiude QIN ; Yunwei LU
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2025;():1-12
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the protective mechanism of quercetin, the core component of Zuo Gui Wan, against Alzheimer's disease through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cell experi-ments.
METHODS:
The active components of Zuo Gui Wan were identified by searching TCMSP, PubChem, Swiss Target Prediction, and BATMAN-TCM databases, and their potential targets were predicted. The target information was standardized using Uniprot, and Alzheimer's disease-related target genes were obtained from Drugbank, GeneCards, and OMIM. The intersection of these datasets was used to identify the potential targets of Zuo Gui Wan for treating Alzheimer's disease. Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of potential targets was visualized using Cytoscape 3.10.1 software and the STRING database. The key active compounds and core potential targets for treating Alzheimer's disease with Zuo Gui Wan were identified through calculation. Based on the enrichment analysis results and literature, quercetin and the PI3K/AKT pathway were selected for verification. Molecular docking and binding ability prediction between quercetin and the core target AKT were performed using CB-Dock2, and visualization was conducted with AutoDock and PyMOL software. Finally, Aβ1-42-induced HT-22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells were used to construct an Alzheimer's disease cell model. Quercetin, the PI3K inhibitor LY294002, and the activator EGF were used as interventions. The groups were divided as follows: Control, Aβ1-42, Aβ1-42+Quercetin 2.5 μM, Aβ1-42+Quercetin 5 μM, Aβ1-42+Quercetin 10 μM, Aβ1-42+EGF, and the PI3K/AKT modulation group: Control, LY294002, LY294002+Quercetin 10 μM, LY294002+EGF. CCK-8 assays were performed to detect cell viability, while JC-1, Calcein AM-PI, and Hoechst staining were used to assess cell apoptosis. Western blotting was employed to detect the expression of relevant target proteins.
RESULTS:
Network pharmacology and cell experiments collectively demonstrate that the key active ingredient of Zuo Gui Wan, quercetin, targets core proteins such as AKT1 and GSK3β through a network-based approach, significantly enriching the PI3K/AKT pathway. Molecular docking results indicate that quercetin has a strong binding affinity with AKT. Experimental validation in the Aβ1-42 oligomer-induced HT-22 model reveals that quercetin significantly activates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which is inhibited by Aβ1-42 oligomers, as well as Bcl-2 protein expression. It also suppresses the expression of Cleaved Caspase 3/Caspase 3, BAX, and Cytochrome C proteins. JC-1, Hoechst 33342, and Calcein AM-PI staining results further show that quercetin can significantly alleviate apoptosis induced by Aβ1-42 oligomers in HT-22 cells. Treatment with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 in HT-22 cells leads to reduced cell viability and decreased expression of p-AKT/AKT and Bcl-2 proteins, while increasing the expression of Cleaved Caspase 3/Caspase 3, BAX, and Cytochrome C proteins. Additionally, apoptosis levels increase as observed in JC-1, Hoechst 33342, and Calcein AM-PI staining, all of which can be reversed by quercetin and the PI3K agonist EGF.
CONCLUSIONS
Quercetin, the key active ingredient of Zuo Gui Wan, exerts its protective effects against Alzheimer's disease by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, inhibiting neuronal cell damage and apoptosis.
2.Meta-synthesis of qualitative studies on psychological experience in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Yuehai YU ; Yuanjing QIAO ; Wenna LIANG ; Mengxuan FENG ; Guangya QIN ; Yaoyao ZHU ; Hao PEI
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(8):1054-1060
Objective:To systematically integrate the disease experience of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, and to provide evidence-based evidence for the formulation of health management programs based on the psychological experience of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.Methods:Qualitative studies on psychological experience of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were searched by computer in PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, ProQuest, CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP and China Biology Medicine disc. The search period was from the establishment of the databases to July 2023. The quality of literature was evaluated using the Quality Evaluation Criteria (2020) of Evidence-Based Health Care Center of Joanna Briggs Institute, Australia, and the results of literature studies were integrated by Meta integration method.Results:A total of 13 articles were included, 48 research results were extracted and eight categories were summarized, ultimately forming three integrated results including "negative psychological experience", "increased disease demand" and "active regulation strategies".Conclusions:Medical staff should pay attention to the physical and mental feelings of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus during the disease process and provide targeted and effective intervention strategies in clinical practice to alleviate their negative emotions and improve their quality of life.
3.Qualitative research on the practical training objectives of intravenous therapy nurses
Dandan LI ; Yuanjing QIAO ; Xu WANG ; Yuxue XIA ; Wenna LIANG ; Guangya QIN ; Mengxuan FENG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2023;29(5):600-606
Objective:To discuss the composition and connotation of practical training objectives for nurses specialized in intravenous therapy, and provide guidance and reference for standardizing the practical training of nurses specialized in intravenous therapy.Methods:In this phenomenological analysis in qualitative research, 13 intravenous treatment and nursing experts from Shandong, Zhejiang, Sichuan, and Shaanxi provinces were selected from May to July 2021 for semi-structured interviews. Colaizzi's 7-step method and Nvivo 12.0 were used to organize data and analyze and refine themes.Results:Three themes and 12 subthemes were extracted for the practical training of intravenous therapy nurses, including knowledge objectives, ability objectives, and well-rounded objectives.Conclusions:Attention should be paid to the setting of clinical professional knowledge, skills and comprehensive quality goals for nurses specialized in intravenous therapy, so as to improve the pertinence and timeliness of training, promote the quality of training and the professional development of specialized training for intravenous therapy.
4.Site‐targeted imaging enhancement of viable myocardium after ischemia‐reperfusion by a novel nano‐scale ultrasound contrast agent :a vivo study
Yingying LIU ; Mingxing XIE ; Jinfeng XU ; Li ZHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Feixiang XIANG ; Xiaojuan QIN ; Nan DING ; Chang YANG ; Guangya XIANG
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2019;28(10):907-911
Objective To prepare a kind of lipid nanoparticle ultrasound contrast agents with the ability to target to viable myocardium for diagnosis . Methods T he agent was a biotinylated ,fluorescent‐labelled ,lipid‐coated , liquid perfluorocarbon emulsion . Physico‐chemical properties of the agent were measured ,including size distribution ,Zeta Potential ,concentration and so on . Ischemia‐reperfusion models were created in rats ,and then exposed to biotinylated anti‐MCP‐1 monoclonal antibody ,rhodamine avidin and biotinylated ,FITC‐labelled nanoparticles ,respectively . Echocardiography was taken before and after injection . Frozen sections of their hearts were observed under fluorescence microscope . Results T he particle diameter ,zeta potential and concentration of lipid nanoparticles were ( 172 .30 ± 52 .06) nm ,( -33 .10 ± 6 .50) mV and ( 2 .28 ± 0 .46 ) × 1011/ml ,respectively . From the short‐axis view ,the myocardium under endocardium of anterior wall was enhanced obviously . While myocardium of other walls were still . T he lipid nanoparticles located in the myocardium of anterior wall and gave out bright green and red fluorescence under fluorescence microscope ,w hile neither lipid nanoparticles nor fluorescence were found in other sites of ventricular myocardium . Conclusions The viable myocardium can be targeted and acoustically enhanced by the self‐made nano‐scale ultrasound contrast agent . T his new agent has potential to improve sensitivity and specificity for noninvasive identifying viable myocardium .
5. Site-targeted imaging enhancement of viable myocardium after ischemia-reperfusion by a novel nano-scale ultrasound contrast agent: a vivo study
Yingying LIU ; Mingxing XIE ; Jinfeng XU ; Li ZHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Feixiang XIANG ; Xiaojuan QIN ; Nan DING ; Chang YANG ; Guangya XIANG
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2019;28(10):907-911
Objective:
To prepare a kind of lipid nanoparticle ultrasound contrast agents with the ability to target to viable myocardium for diagnosis.
Methods:
The agent was a biotinylated, fluorescent-labelled, lipid-coated, liquid perfluorocarbon emulsion. Physico-chemical properties of the agent were measured, including size distribution, Zeta Potential, concentration and so on. Ischemia-reperfusion models were created in rats, and then exposed to biotinylated anti-MCP-1 monoclonal antibody, rhodamine avidin and biotinylated, FITC-labelled nanoparticles, respectively. Echocardiography was taken before and after injection. Frozen sections of their hearts were observed under fluorescence microscope.
Results:
The particle diameter, zeta potential and concentration of lipid nanoparticles were (172.30±52.06)nm, (-33.10±6.50)mV and (2.28±0.46)×1011/ml, respectively. From the short-axis view, the myocardium under endocardium of anterior wall was enhanced obviously. While myocardium of other walls were still. The lipid nanoparticles located in the myocardium of anterior wall and gave out bright green and red fluorescence under fluorescence microscope, while neither lipid nanoparticles nor fluorescence were found in other sites of ventricular myocardium.
Conclusions
The viable myocardium can be targeted and acoustically enhanced by the self-made nano-scale ultrasound contrast agent. This new agent has potential to improve sensitivity and specificity for noninvasive identifying viable myocardium.

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