1.Study on The Effect and Mechanism of Luteolin Against Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Xia OU ; Zhao-Hong LIU ; Lei TANG ; Jian-Ming XIA ; Kai YANG ; Kai-Yi DING ; Guo-Yang LIAO ; Ze LIU ; Ji-Hong ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1207-1223
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the anti-Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) activity of luteolin and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. MethodsLuteolin was identified as the primary active compound from the polyphenol extract ofF. diotrys using network pharmacology. Its efficacy was evaluated against two MP strains: the standard strain M129 and the multidrug-resistant strain M19. A modified culture medium with visual characteristics was employed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of luteolin. The expression of key proteins involved in MP growth and pathogenicity was assessed by qRT-PCR following luteolin treatment. Additionally, the viability of A549 cells infected with MP was compared between luteolin-treated and untreated groups. In vivo anti-MP activity was evaluated using a mouse model, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines in lung tissues was analyzed. ResultsLuteolin effectively inhibited both MP strains, with MIC90 values of 100 mg/L for M19 and M129. Treatment with luteolin significantly downregulated the expression of adhesion proteins P1 and P30 in both strains. However, the expression of P65, HMW3, TrmB, and CARDS TX was reduced only in the M19 strain following luteolin intervention. Luteolin also enhanced the growth and viability of A549 cells infected with MP. In the mouse model, luteolin treatment resulted in steady weight gain and was well tolerated. The bacteriostatic rate of luteolin in lung tissues was 50.7%, significantly higher than the 25.2% observed in the roxithromycin group. Furthermore, luteolin reduced the expression of inflammatory factors, including IL-6, TNF-α, and HMGB1, in MP-infected mice. ConclusionLuteolin effectively and safely inhibits the proliferation and pathogenicity of MP, particularly the drug-resistant M19 strain, by downregulating the expression of toxicity-associated proteins (P1, P30, P65, HMW3, TrmB, CARDS TX) and modulating host inflammatory responses. These findings suggest that luteolin may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for treating MP infections, especially those caused by drug-resistant strains.
2.Study on The Effect and Mechanism of Luteolin Against Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Xia OU ; Zhao-Hong LIU ; Lei TANG ; Jian-Ming XIA ; Kai YANG ; Kai-Yi DING ; Guo-Yang LIAO ; Ze LIU ; Ji-Hong ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1207-1223
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the anti-Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) activity of luteolin and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. MethodsLuteolin was identified as the primary active compound from the polyphenol extract ofF. diotrys using network pharmacology. Its efficacy was evaluated against two MP strains: the standard strain M129 and the multidrug-resistant strain M19. A modified culture medium with visual characteristics was employed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of luteolin. The expression of key proteins involved in MP growth and pathogenicity was assessed by qRT-PCR following luteolin treatment. Additionally, the viability of A549 cells infected with MP was compared between luteolin-treated and untreated groups. In vivo anti-MP activity was evaluated using a mouse model, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines in lung tissues was analyzed. ResultsLuteolin effectively inhibited both MP strains, with MIC90 values of 100 mg/L for M19 and M129. Treatment with luteolin significantly downregulated the expression of adhesion proteins P1 and P30 in both strains. However, the expression of P65, HMW3, TrmB, and CARDS TX was reduced only in the M19 strain following luteolin intervention. Luteolin also enhanced the growth and viability of A549 cells infected with MP. In the mouse model, luteolin treatment resulted in steady weight gain and was well tolerated. The bacteriostatic rate of luteolin in lung tissues was 50.7%, significantly higher than the 25.2% observed in the roxithromycin group. Furthermore, luteolin reduced the expression of inflammatory factors, including IL-6, TNF-α, and HMGB1, in MP-infected mice. ConclusionLuteolin effectively and safely inhibits the proliferation and pathogenicity of MP, particularly the drug-resistant M19 strain, by downregulating the expression of toxicity-associated proteins (P1, P30, P65, HMW3, TrmB, CARDS TX) and modulating host inflammatory responses. These findings suggest that luteolin may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for treating MP infections, especially those caused by drug-resistant strains.
3.Connotation of the Theory of Spirit Collaterals and Its Clinical Application in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Top Jiao (焦) Diseases
Dongsen HU ; Linhua ZHAO ; Jianwen GUO ; Bing XIA ; Juexian SONG ; Xiaolin TONG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(18):1925-1930
psychiatric disorders (PD) and neurological disorders (ND) are currently major public health issues. The "four jiao (焦) and eight systems" theory categorizes them respectively into "spirit-system diseases" and "marrow-system diseases", collectively attributing to "top jiao diseases". In the prevention and treatment of these diseases, deficiencies still exist in treating only the physical form while neglecting the spirit, or treating only the spirit while neglecting the physical form, lacking theoretical basis that integrates both form and spirit. Accordingly, the theory of spirit collaterals is proposed, aiming to expand the scope of collateral disease theory based on the concept of the unity of form and spirit, thereby providing a reference for the differentiation and treatment of top jiao diseases. By clarifying the relationships between concepts such as spirit, collaterals, marrow, brain spirit, the five spirit organs, brain orifices, clear orifices and spirit collaterals, and combining modern medical research on neurovascular units and neurovascular bundles, the connotations of spirit collaterals are elucidated from the perspectives of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western medicine. It is also demonstrated that spirit collaterals takes top jiao as its center, spreads throughout the body, and possesses the attributes of qi collaterals, blood collaterals, and fluid collaterals, achieving the unity of physical structure and functional regulation. Based on the spirit collaterals theory, the core pathogenesis of top jiao diseases is proposed as collateral stasis and failure of spirit mechanism, with an evolutionary pattern of "collateral stagnation-collateral stasis-collateral block". In the clinical differentiation and treatment of top jiao diseases, unblocking and regulating the spirit collaterals is taken as the core therapeutic method. Basic formulas are formulated respectively for spirit-system diseases and marrow-system diseases, and a modification strategy is formed that takes into account the three collaterals, regulates qi and treats the spirit, and performs precise treatment according to the disease location.
4.Microfluidic-based Pre-amplification-free CRISPR-Cas Biosensing for Rapid Detection: Technologies and Applications
An-Yan LU ; Liang ZHAO ; Guang-Sheng GUO ; Xia-Yan WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(9):2430-2448
CRISPR-Cas-based biosensing systems have become important platforms for rapid nucleic acid detection because of their programmable sequence recognition and high specificity. In many diagnostic workflows, the CRISPR reaction is coupled with polymerase chain reaction or isothermal pre-amplification to enrich low-abundance targets before readout. This design improves sensitivity, but it also introduces additional primers and enzymes, requirements for temperature control and reaction compatibility, and a higher demand for contamination management. These factors make the whole assay less convenient for integrated and field-deployable point-of-care testing. Developing pre-amplification-free CRISPR assays is therefore not simply a pursuit of shorter protocols, but a way to simplify molecular diagnosis at the system level, especially in settings where rapid decisions, closed workflows, and minimal manual operation are required. Microfluidic devices provide an important engineering route for this purpose. Their small reaction volumes, precise fluid manipulation, high-throughput partitioning, and compatibility with portable readout make it possible to integrate target confinement, reaction control, signal acquisition, and quantitative analysis on a chip. Droplet microfluidics and microwell arrays can divide a sample into large numbers of independent microreactors, enabling digital counting of rare recognition events. Continuous-flow, centrifugal, and paper-based microfluidic formats further provide options for automated operation, low-cost fabrication, and on-site use. In this context, microfluidics is not only a signal-enhancement method, but also a platform that connects CRISPR molecular recognition with practical assay implementation. This review summarizes recent progress in microfluidic-based pre-amplification-free CRISPR-Cas biosensing for rapid detection. We focus on four related technical directions. crRNA engineering, including spacer-length tuning, multi-crRNA design, chemical modification, and allosteric regulation, can improve recognition kinetics, nuclease stability, and mismatch discrimination. Digital microfluidic detection based on droplets or microwell arrays converts single-molecule recognition events into countable positive partitions, thereby improving quantitative capability without target pre-amplification. Physical signal transduction interfaces couple CRISPR activity to electrochemical, electrochemiluminescent, fluorescent, or surface-enhanced Raman scattering readouts, making weak molecular signals easier to detect with portable instruments. On-chip cascade signal amplification strategies further enhance output intensity through enzymatic reactions, DNA circuits, nanomaterials, or cross-domain amplification modules while avoiding direct amplification of the target nucleic acid. Together, these strategies show that the performance of a pre-amplification-free assay depends not only on biochemical recognition, but also on how the reaction is confined, amplified, transduced, and operated. In addition to describing these mechanisms, this review compares different strategies in terms of sensitivity improvement, operational complexity, cost, and suitability for point-of-care testing. Representative applications in food authenticity identification and rapid pathogen screening are also discussed to illustrate how these platforms perform in practical scenarios. Finally, we analyze the remaining challenges, including the detection of low-abundance targets in complex matrices, on-chip sample preparation, device-to-device reproducibility, long-term reagent storage, and standardization. Future development will likely depend on tighter integration of sample processing, CRISPR reaction, signal readout, and data interpretation, ultimately moving pre-amplification-free CRISPR diagnostics toward automated and user-friendly sample-to-answer systems.
5.Spectrum-effect Relationship of Bupleuri Radix Processed with Trionyx sinensis Blood for Yin Deficiency Based on Saponins
Mengyu HOU ; Xia ZHAO ; Zhiyu GUO ; Ting LIU ; Yuexing MA ; Yaohui YE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):147-155
ObjectiveTo analyze the pharmacodynamic activity of Bupleuri Radix processed with Trionyx sinensis blood in the treatment of Yin deficiency and study the spectrum-effect relationship of this medicine. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography was employed to establish the fingerprints of 15 batches of Bupleuri Radix processed with Trionyx sinensis blood, and the similarity was evaluated according to the SOP of Similarity Evaluation System of Chromatographic Fingerprint of TCM (version 2012). A mouse model of Yin deficiency induced by thyroxine was established. The relationship between the active components and the effect on Yin deficiency was explored by grey correlation analysis and partial least squares method based on the changes in the serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), cyclic adenosine phosphate (cAMP), and cyclic guanosine phosphate (cGMP). The components screened out based on the spectrum-effect relationship were used for retrieval of the targets from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology and Analysis Database (TCMSP), The Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ETCM), and Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCMIP). Furthermore, the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), GeneCards, TTD, DisGeNET, and Drugbank were employed to establish the active component-target against Yin deficiency network of Bupleuri Radix processed with Trionyx sinensis blood. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were carried out for the core targets. Real-time PCR was conducted to verify the predicted key pathways and mechanisms. ResultsThe fingerprints of the 15 batches of Bupleuri Radix processed with Trionyx sinensis blood showed the similarities of 0.976-0.999 with the control fingerprint. Compared with the model group, the drug administration group showed elevated levels of T3 and T4 and lowered levels of cAMP, cGMP and cAMP/cGMP. The results of grey correlation analysis showed that active components in terms of the correlations followed the trend of saikosaponin B1 > saikosaponin B2 > saikosaponin C > saikosaponin D > saikosaponin A. The partial least squares analysis showed that saikosaponins A, D, B1, and B2 had higher VIP values. Network pharmacology predicted a total of 30 common targets, which were enriched in 276 GO terns and 115 KEGG pathways. The results of Real-time PCR showed that the model group had lower mRNA levels of Caspase-9, kinase insert domain receptor (KDR), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and higher mRNA level of mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) than the blank group and the drug administration group. ConclusionBupleuri Radix processed with Trionyx sinensis blood has therapeutic effect on Yin deficiency syndrome, which provides a new idea for studying Bupleuri Radix processed with Trionyx sinensis blood.
6.Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in neutropenia management after CAR-T cell therapy: A safety and efficacy evaluation in refractory/relapsed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Xinping CAO ; Meng ZHANG ; Ruiting GUO ; Xiaomei ZHANG ; Rui SUN ; Xia XIAO ; Xue BAI ; Cuicui LYU ; Yedi PU ; Juanxia MENG ; Huan ZHANG ; Haibo ZHU ; Pengjiang LIU ; Zhao WANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Wenyi LU ; Hairong LYU ; Mingfeng ZHAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(1):111-113
7.Artificial intelligence guided Raman spectroscopy in biomedicine: Applications and prospects.
Yuan LIU ; Sitong CHEN ; Xiaomin XIONG ; Zhenguo WEN ; Long ZHAO ; Bo XU ; Qianjin GUO ; Jianye XIA ; Jianfeng PEI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(11):101271-101271
Due to its high sensitivity and non-destructive nature, Raman spectroscopy has become an essential analytical tool in biopharmaceutical analysis and drug development. Despite of the computational demands, data requirements, or ethical considerations, artificial intelligence (AI) and particularly deep learning algorithms has further advanced Raman spectroscopy by enhancing data processing, feature extraction, and model optimization, which not only improves the accuracy and efficiency of Raman spectroscopy detection, but also greatly expands its range of application. AI-guided Raman spectroscopy has numerous applications in biomedicine, including characterizing drug structures, analyzing drug forms, controlling drug quality, identifying components, and studying drug-biomolecule interactions. AI-guided Raman spectroscopy has also revolutionized biomedical research and clinical diagnostics, particularly in disease early diagnosis and treatment optimization. Therefore, AI methods are crucial to advancing Raman spectroscopy in biopharmaceutical research and clinical diagnostics, offering new perspectives and tools for disease treatment and pharmaceutical process control. In summary, integrating AI and Raman spectroscopy in biomedicine has significantly improved analytical capabilities, offering innovative approaches for research and clinical applications.
8.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*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Mice
;
Male
;
G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases/genetics*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Humans
;
Isoproterenol
;
Arrestins/genetics*
;
Chronic Disease
9.Chromosome 8 Open Reading Frame 76 (C8orf76) Co-Expressed with Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 (CDK4) as a Prognostic Indicator of Colorectal Cancer.
Shang GUO ; Cheng Cheng LIU ; Zi Feng ZHAO ; Zhong Xin LI ; Xia JIANG ; Zeng Ren ZHAO
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(8):977-987
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the correlation between chromosome 8 open reading frame 76 (C8orf76) and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and the potential predictive effect of C8orf76 and CDK4 on the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC).
METHODS:
We constructed a protein-protein interaction network of C8orf76-related genes and analyzed the prognostic signatures of C8orf76 and CDK4. Clinicopathological features of C8orf76 and CDK4 were visualized using a nomogram.
RESULTS:
C8orf76 and CDK4 levels were positively correlated in two independent human CRC cohorts ( n = 83 and n = 597). A consistent positive correlation was observed between C8orf76 and CDK4 expression in the CRC cell lines. The nomogram included prognostic genes (C8orf76 and CDK4) and pathological N and M stages. The concordance index (C-index) in our cohort was 0.776, which suggests that the ability of the indicators to predict the overall survival of patients with CRC in our cohort was strong.
CONCLUSION
We found that C8orf76 was positively correlated with CDK4 in both the cohorts as well as in CRC cell lines. Therefore, C8orf76 and CDK4 can be used as potential biomarkers to predict the prognosis of CRC.
Humans
;
Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis*
;
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/metabolism*
;
Prognosis
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics*
;
Aged
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
10.Association of Body Mass Index with All-Cause Mortality and Cause-Specific Mortality in Rural China: 10-Year Follow-up of a Population-Based Multicenter Prospective Study.
Juan Juan HUANG ; Yuan Zhi DI ; Ling Yu SHEN ; Jian Guo LIANG ; Jiang DU ; Xue Fang CAO ; Wei Tao DUAN ; Ai Wei HE ; Jun LIANG ; Li Mei ZHU ; Zi Sen LIU ; Fang LIU ; Shu Min YANG ; Zu Hui XU ; Cheng CHEN ; Bin ZHANG ; Jiao Xia YAN ; Yan Chun LIANG ; Rong LIU ; Tao ZHU ; Hong Zhi LI ; Fei SHEN ; Bo Xuan FENG ; Yi Jun HE ; Zi Han LI ; Ya Qi ZHAO ; Tong Lei GUO ; Li Qiong BAI ; Wei LU ; Qi JIN ; Lei GAO ; He Nan XIN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1179-1193
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study.
METHODS:
A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants.
RESULTS:
Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m 2) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m 2) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m 2) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m 2 ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses.
CONCLUSION
This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans
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Body Mass Index
;
China/epidemiology*
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Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Prospective Studies
;
Rural Population/statistics & numerical data*
;
Aged
;
Follow-Up Studies
;
Adult
;
Mortality
;
Cause of Death
;
Obesity/mortality*
;
Overweight/mortality*

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