1.Research Advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulation of Pyroptosis for Lung Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Qiongqiong GUO ; Meihao XUE ; Xuchao DONG ; Ping TIAN ; Rong HU ; Longxin XU ; Juan LI ; Jianqing LIANG ; Jintian LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):716-725
Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its treatment continues to face major challenges such as therapeutic resistance and tumor recurrence. Pyroptosis, a newly characterized form of programmed cell death, induces tumor cell death through gasdermin-mediated membrane pore formation and is accompanied by the release of inflammatory mediators, thereby playing complex roles in lung cancer initiation, progression, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Active components and herbal formulas derived from traditional Chinese medicine can modulate pyroptosis-related signaling pathways through multi-target mechanisms, showing potential advantages in inducing lung cancer cell death, inhibiting proliferation and migration, and reversing chemoresistance. This review systematically summarizes relevant studies from domestic and international sources, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of pyroptosis, its roles in lung cancer development and tumor microenvironment remodeling, and the current research progress on traditional Chinese medicine-based interventions targeting pyroptosis, with the aim of providing references for the prevention and treatment of lung cancer using traditional Chinese medicine.
2.Research progress of airway epithelial cell senescence mechanism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Zhao-liang LI ; Lue-li WANG ; Qian YI ; Ruo-qiu MA ; Rong GUO ; Chang-li XU ; Xiao-hua DU ; Wei-min YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):805-810
As the first defense of respiratory system,airway epi-thelial cells(AECs)play an important role in separating the re-spiratory internal and external environment.They are essential for the natural immune function.Small airway lesions are an im-portant early pathology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),when AECs are exposed to harmful particles or gases for a long time,the epithelial barrier is damaged,and the signa-ling pathways which involved in differentiation,repair,and in-flammatory are disordered,resulting in epithelial cell cycle stag-nation and accelerated aging.A number of studies have sugges-ted that AECs of COPD patients express high levels of aging markers,suggesting that senescence of AECs is closely related to COPD.This review discusses the potential mechanisms of AECs senescence in COPD,the impact of AECs senescence on the de-velopment and severity of the disease,and highlights potential targets for modulating cellular senescence in airway epithelium as a therapeutic approach in COPD.
3.Lingguizhugan Decoction improves chronic heart failure by synergistically modulating ?1-AR/Gs/GRKs/?-arrestin signaling bias.
Shuting GUO ; Lei XIA ; Songru YANG ; Yueyang LIANG ; Xiaoli SHAN ; Pei ZHAO ; Wei GUO ; Chen ZHANG ; Ming XU ; Ning SUN ; Rong LU ; Huihua CHEN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(5):560-571
Lingguizhugan Decoction (LGZG) demonstrates significant efficacy in treating various cardiovascular diseases clinically, yet its precise mechanism of action remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanisms and effects of LGZG on isoproterenol (ISO) continuous stimulation-induced chronic heart failure (CHF) in mice, providing direct experimental evidence for further clinical applications. In vivo, continuous ISO infusion was administered to mice, and ventricular myocytes were utilized to explore LGZG?s potential mechanism of action on the ?1-adrenergic receptor (?1-AR)/Gs/G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs)/?-arrestin signaling deflection system in the heart. The findings reveal that LGZG significantly reduced the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of hypertrophy-related biomarkers [atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)] and improved cardiac remodeling and left ventricular diastolic function in mice with ISO-induced CHF. Furthermore, LGZG inhibited the overactivation of Gs/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling and downregulated the downstream transcriptional activity of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and the expression of the coactivator CBP/P300. Notably, LGZG downregulated the expression of ?-arrestin1 and GRK 2/3/5 while upregulating the expression of ?1-AR and ?-arrestin2. These results suggest that LGZG inhibits Gs/cAMP/PKA signaling and ?-arrestin/GRK-mediated desensitization and internalization of ?1-AR, potentially exerting cardioprotective effects through the synergistic regulation of the ?1-AR/Gs/GRKs/?-arrestin signaling deflection system via multiple pathways.
Animals
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Heart Failure/genetics*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Mice
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Male
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G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases/genetics*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Humans
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Isoproterenol
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Arrestins/genetics*
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Chronic Disease
4.Effect of polymyxin B combined with novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations on biofilms of polymyxin B-resistant bacteria
Miaomei TIAN ; Siwei GUO ; Bingqian YAN ; Rong JIANG ; Bing XU ; Xin LI
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(1):58-66
Objective To explore the activity and mechanism of polymyxin B combined with novel β-lactam/β-lac-tamase inhibitor combinations on biofilm of polymyxin B-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumo-niae.Methods The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC),minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration(MBIC),and minimum biofilm eradication concentration(MBEC)of all antimicrobial agents were determined by micro-broth dilution method and MBECTM assay.The crystal violet staining method was adopted to evaluate the effect of poly-myxin B combined with cefepime/avibactam,ceftazidime/avibactam,meropenem/avibactam,aztreonam/avibactam,meropenem/vaborbactam,and imipenem/relebactam at sub-MIC doses on inhibition of biofilm formation and eradi-cation of mature biofilm.The best combination scheme for anti-biofilm activity was screened out,and anti-biofilm mechanism of this combination scheme was preliminarily explored with phenol-sulfuric acid method,bacterial motili-ty test,and quorum sensing inhibition test.Results The MBIC and MBEC of all antimicrobial agents were higher than MIC.The combination regimen based on polymyxin B could inhibit the formation of biofilms and eradicate ma-ture biofilm in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae.The combination of polymyxin B with cefepime/avibactam had the highest inhibition and eradication rates,ranging 67.99%-90.16%and 58.26%-63.86%,respectively.The combination of polymyxin B and cefepime/avibactam could inhibit the extracellular poly-saccharides of Klebsiella pneumoniae,with inhibition rates of 34.04%-61.10%,this combination could also re-duce the swimming and twitching motility diameters of bacteria.Cefepime/avibactam monotherapy on quorum sen-sing signaling molecules presented concentration dependent inhibitory effect,and when combined with polymyxin B,the inhibitory effect was consistent with that of monotherapy.Conclusion Polymyxin B and cefepime/avibactam may be potential scheme for clinical treatment for severe biofilm-associated infection caused by polymyxin B-resistant strains,and their mechanisms may be related to the inhibition of bacterial extracellular polysaccharides and motility.
5.Kui Jie Kang regulates intestinal FXR and affects bile acid metabolism in treatment of ulcerative colitis in mice
Rong-yi XU ; Xiao-si LI ; Jian-guo MA ; Xue-qing YANG ; Hua-ning WANG ; Yan QI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(2):383-391
Aim To explore the effects of Kui Jie Kang(KJK)on modulating the farnesoid X receptor(FXR)pathway in the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism in mice with ulcerative colitis(UC).Methods Mice were subjected to DSS-induced UC and randomly as-signed to the control(CON),model(MOD),and two KJK-dosed groups(KJK.H at 12.8 g·kg-1,KJK.L at 3.2 g·kg-1).Mouse body weight was recorded,and disease activity index(DAI)was scored.The his-topathological changes in colonic tissue were observed via HE staining,and the number of goblet cells and mucosal layer repair were assessed using PAS and Al-cian blue staining.Bile acid content in feces was measured using LC-MS/MS,gut microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing,and the expression of FXR target genes and related proteins was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Results KJK significantly ameliorated colonic shortening,de-creased disease activity index in UC mice,reduced his-topathological scores,increased the number of goblet cells and mucus secretion,altered the levels of primary and secondary bile acids,and increased the relative a-bundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus.Additionally,it significantly upregulated the expression of FXR and FGF15 mRNA and protein in colonic tissue and downregulated the expression of hepatic CYP7A1 mRNA,and the correlation analysis in this study clearly revealed a significant correlation between bile acid me-tabolism disorders and gut microbiota imbalance in UC.Conclusion KJK activates the intestinal FXR-FGF15-CYP7A1 pathway,thereby regulating bile acid metabolism and restoring gut microbiota balance,which may be key to its improvement of UC.
6.Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation of acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (version 2025)
Bolong ZHENG ; Wei MEI ; Yanzheng GAO ; Liming CHENG ; Jian CHEN ; Qixin CHEN ; Liang CHEN ; Xigao CHENG ; Jian DONG ; Jin FAN ; Shunwu FAN ; Xiangqian FANG ; Zhong FANG ; Shiqing FENG ; Haoyu FENG ; Haishan GUAN ; Yong HAI ; Baorong HE ; Lijun HE ; Yuan HE ; Hua HUI ; Weimin JIANG ; Junjie JIANG ; Dianming JIANG ; Xuewen KANG ; Hua GUO ; Jianjun LI ; Feng LI ; Li LI ; Weishi LI ; Chunde LI ; Qi LIAO ; Baoge LIU ; Xiaoguang LIU ; Xuhua LU ; Shibao LU ; Bin LIN ; Chao MA ; Xuexiao MA ; Renfu QUAN ; Limin RONG ; Honghui SUN ; Tiansheng SUN ; Yueming SONG ; Hongxun SANG ; Jun SHU ; Jiacan SU ; Jiwei TIAN ; Xinwei WANG ; Zhe WANG ; Zheng WANG ; Zhengwei XU ; Huilin YANG ; Jiancheng YANG ; Liang YAN ; Feng YAN ; Guoyong YIN ; Xuesong ZHANG ; Zhongmin ZHANG ; Jie ZHAO ; Yuhong ZENG ; Yue ZHU ; Rongqiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(9):805-818
Acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture (ASOTLF) can lead to chronic low back pain, kyphosis deformity, pulmonary dysfunction, loss of mobility, and even life-threatening complications. Vertebral augmentation is currently the mainstream treatment method for this condition. In 2019, the Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Trauma and the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association collaboratively led the development of Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation for acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures. Six years later, with advances in clinical diagnosis and treatment techniques as well as accumulating evidence in related fields, the 2019 guideline requires updating. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, the Spinal Health Professional Committee of China Human Health Science and Technology Promotion Association, and the Minimally Invasive Orthopedics Professional Committee of Shaanxi Medical Doctor Association have organized experts in the field to develop the Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation of acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025) , based on the latest evidence-based medical researches. This guideline incorporates 3 recommendations retained from the 2019 version with updated strength of evidence, along with 12 new recommendations. It provides recommendations from six aspects of diagnosis, pain management, treatment option selection, prevention of postoperative complications, anti-osteoporosis therapy, and postoperative rehabilitation, aiming to provide a reference for standard treatment of vertebral augmentation for ASOTLF in hospitals at all levels.
7.Expert Consensus on the Ethical Requirements for Generative AI-Assisted Academic Writing
You-Quan BU ; Yong-Fu CAO ; Zeng-Yi CHANG ; Hong-Yu CHEN ; Xiao-Wei CHEN ; Yuan-Yuan CHEN ; Zhu-Cheng CHEN ; Rui DENG ; Jie DING ; Zhong-Kai FAN ; Guo-Quan GAO ; Xu GAO ; Lan HU ; Xiao-Qing HU ; Hong-Ti JIA ; Ying KONG ; En-Min LI ; Ling LI ; Yu-Hua LI ; Jun-Rong LIU ; Zhi-Qiang LIU ; Ya-Ping LUO ; Xue-Mei LV ; Yan-Xi PEI ; Xiao-Zhong PENG ; Qi-Qun TANG ; You WAN ; Yong WANG ; Ming-Xu WANG ; Xian WANG ; Guang-Kuan XIE ; Jun XIE ; Xiao-Hua YAN ; Mei YIN ; Zhong-Shan YU ; Chun-Yan ZHOU ; Rui-Fang ZHU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(6):826-832
With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.
8.Research progress of airway epithelial cell senescence mechanism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Zhao-liang LI ; Lue-li WANG ; Qian YI ; Ruo-qiu MA ; Rong GUO ; Chang-li XU ; Xiao-hua DU ; Wei-min YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):805-810
As the first defense of respiratory system,airway epi-thelial cells(AECs)play an important role in separating the re-spiratory internal and external environment.They are essential for the natural immune function.Small airway lesions are an im-portant early pathology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),when AECs are exposed to harmful particles or gases for a long time,the epithelial barrier is damaged,and the signa-ling pathways which involved in differentiation,repair,and in-flammatory are disordered,resulting in epithelial cell cycle stag-nation and accelerated aging.A number of studies have sugges-ted that AECs of COPD patients express high levels of aging markers,suggesting that senescence of AECs is closely related to COPD.This review discusses the potential mechanisms of AECs senescence in COPD,the impact of AECs senescence on the de-velopment and severity of the disease,and highlights potential targets for modulating cellular senescence in airway epithelium as a therapeutic approach in COPD.
9.Research progress on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to intervene in endometriosis
Kaikai LEI ; Jinnan GUO ; Rong XIANG ; Xiaolong LI ; Xiaoling FENG ; Fang XU ; Hongying KUANG ; Xin MAO ; Miao SUN
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(10):112-123
Endometriosis is a common estrogen-dependent disease in women of childbearing age,often leading to chronic pelvic pain,infertility,ovarian cancer,and other serious complications,and jeopardizing the health of women.The pathogenesis of endometriosis is complex and involves the alteration of multiple signaling pathways mediated by hormones,immunity,genetics,and the environment,and their interactions.Wnt/β-catenin signaling is involved in the regulation of embryonic development and tissue homeostasis,and it has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of endometriosis via multiple pathways.This review considers the biological characteristics of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and summarizes the main mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis,as well as the curr-ent research status of the regulation of this signaling pathway by traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of endometriosis.We aim to clarify how the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway affects the development of endometriosis,and suggest that future studies should focus on exploring its potential role as an indicator for the clinical prediction and early diagnosis of endometriosis,thus providing theoretical support for the early diagnosis of this condition and the development of targeted drugs.
10.Investigation of tumor-suppressive mechanism of Guiqi Yiyuan Extract combined with cisplatin in Lewis lung cancer mice via TXNIP/NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway
Qiong-qiong GUO ; Wen-jie LI ; Jin-tian LI ; Jian-qing LIANG ; Ping TIAN ; Rong HU ; Xu-chao DONG ; Mei-hao XUE ; Long-xin XU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(9):2894-2901
AIM To investigate the tumor-suppressive mechanism of Guiqi Yiyuan Extract combined with cisplatin in Lewis lung cancer mice.METHODS Ten intact C57BL/6J mice were assigned to the blank group.Sixty additional mice were developed into Lewis lung cancer models bearing transplanted tumor and subsequently allocated into the model group,the cisplatin group(5 mg/kg),the high-dose Guiqi Yiyuan Extract group(6.6 g/kg),and the low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose Guiqi Yiyuan Extract combined with cisplatin group(1.6,3.3,6.6 g/kg+5 mg/kg),with 10 mice in each group.Mice in the blank and model groups received saline via daily gavage,while treatment groups were administered Guiqi Yiyuan Extract orally(once daily),and cisplatin injection intraperitoneally(once every other day).After 14 days of drug administration,mice were euthanized for endpoint analysis.The following assessments were conducted:general health status and body weight changes monitored throughout the study period;tumor excision and weighing for inhibition rate calculation;histopathological examination of tumors via hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;serum quantification of IL-1 β,IL-18 and HMGB1 by ELISA;ultrastructural analysis of tumor cell death using transmission electron microscopy(TEM);spatial localization of TXNIP and GSDMD-N in tumor sections via immunofluorescence(IF);and Western blot detection of TXNIP,NLRP3,Caspase-1,cleaved Caspase-1,GSDMD,GSDMD-N protein expressions in tumor tissues.RESULTS Compared to the model group,the cisplatin group and all combination therapy groups exhibited significant reduction in tumor weight(P<0.05)and increased tumor suppression rate;enhanced tumor tissue necrosis with characteristic pyroptotic morphology;elevated serum levels of IL-1β,IL-18 and HMGB1(P<0.05);and upregulated expressions of pyroptosis-associated proteins TXNIP,NLRP3,Caspase-1,cleaved Caspase-1,GSDMD and GSDMD-N(P<0.05).The high dose combination group demonstrated optimal therapeutic efficacy(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Guiqi Yiyuan Extract enhances cisplatin sensitivity,demonstrating synergistic anti-tumor effects in Lewis lung carcinoma-bearing mice.This combinatorial therapeutic effect likely involves modulation of the TXNIP/NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.

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