1.Research progress on the regulation of JNK signaling pathway by traditional Chinese medicine for intervention in central nervous system diseases
Hongwei WANG ; Mingliang QIAO ; Chenyi ZHAO ; Pei ZHU ; Zilong WEI ; Yi MENG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):257-262
The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway, a key member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, plays a central role in the pathogenesis and progression of central nervous system (CNS) diseases by regulating core biological processes such as apoptosis, inflammatory responses, synaptic plasticity, and autophagy. This article sorts out and analyzes relevant literature published domestically and internationally in recent years, summarizing the mechanisms of action of the JNK signaling pathway in common CNS diseases and the research progress in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions in CNS diseases through the regulation of the JNK signaling pathway. Studies have shown that active components of TCM, such as berberine, paeoniflorin, and astragaloside Ⅳ, as well as compound formulations like Heixiaoyao san, Ditan tang, and Buyang huanwu tang, can exert neuroprotective effects in various CNS disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and epilepsy, by inhibiting the aberrant activation of the JNK signaling pathway, thereby alleviating neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal apoptosis, while improving synaptic function and cognitive behavioral deficits, regulating autophagy, and maintaining blood-brain barrier integrity.
2.Research progress of urea-containing PET tracers targeting prostate specific membrane antigen
Hong ZHU ; Hui WANG ; Hongwei SI ; Dan ZHANG ; Dengyun CHEN ; Pengfei DAI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):369-375
Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of male genitourinary system. Prostate cancer has the following characteristics: insidious onset, early asymptomatic or not obvious symptoms, complex etiology and pathogenesis, long incubation period and so on. Therefore, the realization of its early diagnosis and treatment is of great significance to the prognosis of patients. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a type 2 transmembrane glycoprotein that is highly expressed on the membrane of almost all primary and metastatic prostate cancer cells, and is an ideal target for prostate cancer imaging and treatment. In recent years, with the approval of urea-containing small molecule PET (positron emission computed tomography) radiopharmaceutical based on PSMA (68Ga-PSMA-11, 18F-PSMA-1007), PET-CT (positron emission computed tomography/computed tomography) has shown new potential for early diagnosis and accurate staging of prostate cancer patients. This review mainly summarizes the research progress of urea-containing PSMA PET imaging agents and finds that they have defects such as uptake in non-target tissues like the kidneys, lacrimal glands, and salivary glands. Thus, further optimizing their structure to reduce the uptake in non-target tissues, providing provide convenience for the labeling of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, thereby achieving the goal of integrated diagnosis and treatment, is an important development direction in this field.
3.Research progress of Qifu yin in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease with marrow-sea insufficiency syndrome
Zilong WEI ; Chenyi ZHAO ; Mingliang QIAO ; Hongwei WANG ; Pei ZHU ; Yi MENG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(10):1376-1380
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Marrow-sea insufficiency serves as the fundamental basis for the onset of AD. Early syndrome differentiation-based intervention helps to delay disease progression, and improve patients’ cognitive function. Qifu yin is a representative specialized prescription for AD with marrow-sea insufficiency syndrome. Studies demonstrate that Qifu yin exerts neuroprotective effects through multiple pathways, including inhibiting the abnormal deposition of amyloid β -protein and hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, alleviating neuroinflammation, regulating oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, modulating the cholinergic system, and improving synaptic plasticity. Qifu yin combined with Western medicine such as donepezil, memantine, and butylphthalide, or combined with external therapies such as acupuncture, can effectively improve cognitive function and activities of daily living in AD patients with favorable safety. Future research should focus on the core pathogenesis and key targets of AD with marrow-sea insufficiency syndrome, provide in-depth elucidation of the scientific connotation of Qifu yin’s “tonifying the kidney to produce marrow”, and further conduct high-quality clinical studies to provide scientific evidence for the prevention and treatment of AD with marrow-sea insufficiency syndrome.
4.Expression of M2-type macrophages in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and prognosis of immunotherapy
Hongwei ZHANG ; Rong XUE ; Lan ZHU ; Guoping ZHAO
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2025;32(2):103-108
OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between M2-type macrophages and immunotherapy prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.METHODS 165 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who received immunotherapy in Tangshan People's Hospital from April 2021 to May 2022 were selected as the study objects.According to the number of CD163 positive cells,the patients were divided into high expression group(n=75)and low expression group(n=90),and the relationship between the expression level of M2 macrophages and clinical characteristics was analyzed.Patients were divided into death group(n=62)and survival group(n=103)according to the prognosis.Hierarchical regression model was used to analyze the relationship between different clinical features and M2 macrophages,and Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between M2 macrophages and prognosis.The association and dose-response relationship between M2-type macrophages and death were analyzed by unconditional Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline model.The influence of M2-type macrophages on survival was verified by Kaplan-meier survival curve.REULTS The expression of M2 macrophages was compared in patients with different tumor diameters,T grades,N grades,different degrees of tumor differentiation,lymph node metastasis,and distant metastasis,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The differences in tumor diameter,T grade,N grade,degree of tumor differentiation,lymph node metastasis,distant metastasis,and expression level of M2 macrophages between the death group and survival group were statistically significant(P<0.05).Hierarchical regression analysis showed that tumor diameter,clinical T stage,clinical N stage,degree of tumor differentiation,lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis had significant effects on M2-type macrophages(P<0.05).After the collinear confounding factors were excluded,the expression level of M2-type macrophage was independently correlated with death(P<0.05).The 1-year survival rate was 82.64%,the 2-year survival rate was 66.77%,and the 3-year survival rate was 60.28%in patients with low expression of M2 macrophages.The 1-year survival rate was 60.11%,2-year survival rate was 42.53%,and 3-year survival rate was 41.82%in patients with high expression of M2 macrophages.There was statistical difference between the two groups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION There is an independent correlation between M2-type macrophages and the prognosis of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.The high expression of M2-type macrophages will promote the occurrence and development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
5.Analysis of Dynamic Change Patterns of Color and Composition During Fermentation of Myristicae Semen Koji
Zhenxing WANG ; Mengmeng FAN ; Le NIU ; Suqin CAO ; Hongwei LI ; Zhenling ZHANG ; Hanwei LI ; Jianguang ZHU ; Kai LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):222-229
ObjectiveTo explore the changes in volatile components, total polysaccharides, enzyme activity, and chromaticity value of Myristicae Semen Koji(MSK) during the fermentation process, and conduct correlation analysis. MethodsBased on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS), the changes of volatile components in MSK at different fermentation times were identified. The phenol sulfuric acid method, dinitrosalicylic acid method(DNS), and carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt method(CMC-Na) were used to investigate the total polysaccharide content, amylase activity, and cellulase activity during the fermentation process. Visual analysis technology was used to explore the changes in chromaticity values, revealing the fermentation process of MSK and the dynamic changes of various measurement indicators, partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) was used to explore the differential compounds of MSK at different fermentation degrees, and Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between volatile components of MSK and total polysaccharides, enzyme activity, and chromaticity values. ResultsA total of 60 volatile compounds were identified from MSK, the relative contents of components such as (+)-α-pinene, β-phellandrene, β-pinene, (+)-limonene, and p-cymene obviously increased, while the relative contents of components such as safrole, methyl isoeugenol, methyleugenol, myristicin, and elemicin significantly decreased. During the fermentation process, the total polysaccharide content showed an upward trend, while the activities of amylase and cellulase showed an initial increase followed by a decrease, and reached their maximum value at 40 h. the overall brightness(L*) and total color difference(ΔE*) gradually increased, while the changes in red-green value(a*) and yellow-blue value(b*) were not obvious. PLS-DA results showed that MSK could be clearly distinguished at different fermentation times, and 13 differential biomarkers were screened out. Pearson correlation analysis results showed that the contents of α-terpinene, β-phellandrene, methyleugenol, β-cubebene and myristic acid had an obvious correlation with chromaticity values. ConclusionAfter fermentation, the volatile components, total polysaccharides, amylase activity, and cellulase activity of MSK undergo significant changes, and there is a clear correlation between them and chromaticity values, which reveals the dynamic changes in the fermentation process and related indicators of MSK, laying a foundation for the quality control.
6.Risk assessment of human Spirometra mansoni infections and cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude and practice towards sparganosis in endemic areas of Henan Province
Yalan ZHANG ; Tiantian JIANG ; Xiaohui MA ; Yan DENG ; Weiqi CHEN ; Yankun ZHU ; Zhenqiang TANG ; Xi-meng LIN ; Hongwei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(2):190-195
Objective To assess the risk of human Spirometra mansoni infections and investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards sparganosis mansoni among residents in Henan Province, so as to provide insights into formulation of the sparganosis mansoni control measures. Methods Qinling Village in Fugou County of Zhoukou City, Bali Village in Yancheng District of Luohe City, Duzhai Village in Puyang County of Puyang City and Doushan Village in Luoshan County of Xinyang City were sampled as survey sites in Henan Province from July to August 2023, and more than 40 frogs were sampled from ponds or streams in each survey site for detection of Sparganum mansoni infections. At least 150 residents were sampled using a cluster sampling method from each survey site, and the sero-prevalence of anti-S. mansoni IgG antibody was estimated. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted on the KAP towards sparganosis mansoni among participants, and the proportion of eligible KAP, rate of correct KAP and KAP scores were calculated. Results A total 229 frogs were collected from 4 survey sites in 2023, and the overall prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 4.37% (10/229) in frogs, with 7.75% (10/129) prevalence in wild frogs and 0 in farm-bred frogs. A questionnaire survey was performed among 649 residents sampled from 4 survey sites, and 649 serum samples were collected. The seroprevalence of anti-S.mansoni IgG antibody was 0.15% (1/649) and the overall proportion of eligible KAP was 23.73% (154/649) among participants. There were age- (χ2 = 30.905, P = 0.000), educational level- (χ2 = 41.011, P = 0.000), and occupation-specific proportions of eligible KAP among participants (χ2 = 10.721, P = 0.005), and the proportion of eligible KAP decreased with age (χ2 trend = 22.717, P = 0.000) and increased with education levels (χ2 trend = 40.025, P = 0.000). The rates of correct KAP towards sparganosis mansoni were 40.81% (2 119/5 192), 96.66% (1 882/1 947) and 63.81% (3 727/5 841) (χ2 = 1 913.731, P = 0.000) among residents, respectively. The rates of correct KAP towards sparganosis mansoni varied significantly among survey sites (χ2 = 136.872, 42.347 and 255.157; all P values= 0.000, with the highest rate of correct knowledge (51.94%, 748/1 440) and practices (75.86%, 1 229/1 620) in Yancheng District of Luohe City and the highest rate of correct attitudes in Puyang County of Puyang City (99.11%, 446/450) (all P values< 0.05). Conclusions There is still a high transmission risk of sparganosis mansoni in Henan Province, and the KAP towards sparganosis mansoni is required to be improved among residents.
7.Screen of FDA-approved drug library identifies vitamin K as anti-ferroptotic drug for osteoarthritis therapy through Gas6.
Yifeng SHI ; Sunlong LI ; Shuhao ZHANG ; Caiyu YU ; Jiansen MIAO ; Shu YANG ; Yan CHEN ; Yuxuan ZHU ; Xiaoxiao HUANG ; Chencheng ZHOU ; Hongwei OUYANG ; Xiaolei ZHANG ; Xiangyang WANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(5):101092-101092
Ferroptosis of chondrocytes is a significant contributor to osteoarthritis (OA), for which there is still a lack of safe and effective therapeutic drugs targeting ferroptosis. Here, we screen for anti-ferroptotic drugs in Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug library via a high-throughput manner in chondrocytes. We identified a group of FDA-approved anti-ferroptotic drugs, among which vitamin K showed the most powerful protective effect. Further study demonstrated that vitamin K effectively inhibited ferroptosis and alleviated the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation in chondrocytes. Intra-articular injection of vitamin K inhibited ferroptosis and alleviated OA phenotype in destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) mouse model. Mechanistically, transcriptome sequencing and knockdown experiments revealed that the anti-ferroptotic effects of vitamin K depended on growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6). Furthermore, exogenous expression of Gas6 was found to inhibit ferroptosis through the AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT serine/threonine kinase (AKT) axis. Together, we demonstrate that vitamin K inhibits ferroptosis and alleviates OA progression via enhancing Gas6 expression and its downstream pathway of AXL/PI3K/AKT axis, indicating vitamin K as well as Gas6 to serve as a potential therapeutic target for OA and other ferroptosis-related diseases.
8.Exploring the mechanism of Xiaoaiping Injection inhibiting autophagy in prostate cancer based on proteomics.
Qiuping ZHANG ; Qiuju HUANG ; Zhiping CHENG ; Wei XUE ; Shoushi LIU ; Yunnuo LIAO ; Xiaolan LI ; Xin CHEN ; Yaoyao HAN ; Dan ZHU ; Zhiheng SU ; Xin YANG ; Zhuo LUO ; Hongwei GUO
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(1):64-76
Xiaoaiping (XAP) Injection demonstrates the anti-prostate cancer (PCa) effects, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of XAP on PCa and elucidate its mechanism of action. PCa cell proliferation was evaluated using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed through Hoechst staining and Western blotting assays. Proteomics technology was employed to identify key molecules and significant signaling pathways modulated by XAP in PCa cells. To further validate potential key genes and important pathways, a series of assays were conducted, including acridine orange (AO) staining, transmission electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence assays. The molecular mechanism of XAP against PCa in vivo was examined using a PC3 xenograft mouse model. Results demonstrated that XAP significantly inhibited cell proliferation in multiple PCa cell lines. In C4-2 and prostate cancer cell line-3 (PC3) cells, XAP induced cellular apoptosis, evidenced by reduced B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) levels and elevated Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) levels. Proteomic, immunofluorescence, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) investigations revealed a strong correlation between forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) autophagic degradation and the anti-PCa action of XAP. XAP hindered autophagy by reducing the expression levels of autophagy-related protein 5 (Atg5)/autophagy-related protein 12 (Atg12) and enhancing FoxO3a expression and nuclear translocation. Furthermore, XAP exhibited potent anti-PCa action in PC3 xenograft mice and triggered FoxO3a nuclear translocation in tumor tissue. These findings suggest that XAP induces PCa apoptosis via inhibition of FoxO3a autophagic degradation, potentially offering a novel perspective on XAP injection as an effective anticancer therapy for PCa.
Male
;
Humans
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Prostatic Neoplasms/physiopathology*
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Autophagy/drug effects*
;
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Proteomics
;
Mice
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
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Forkhead Box Protein O3/genetics*
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Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Mice, Nude
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
9.Text Analysis of China's Pediatric Medication Policies Based on the Framework of"Policy Instrument-Stakeholder"
Meixiang GAO ; Hong ZHU ; Hongwei CHEN ; Minxiang CAI ; Ya LI ; Jiaan YANG ; Yiru YIN ; Haohao FENG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(7):1179-1184
Objective To analyze the policy texts related to pediatric medications in China over the past decade,to explore the deficiencies in existing policy formulation from the perspective of stakeholders,and to propose reasonable optimization suggestions based on the current situation.Methods Collecting national-level policies related to pediatric drugs in China from 2013 to 2023,a two-dimensional policy analysis framework of"Policy tools-Stakeholder"were established.And the content analysis method was used to code,categorize,and statistically analyze the policy texts.Results A total of 54 pediatric drug policies were included in the analysis.In terms of policy tools,a total of 197 policy codes were formed,with environmental tools being the most prevalent with 92 codes(46.70%),primarily consisting of regulatory management tools(28 codes,30.43%).This was followed by supply-oriented tools with 53 codes(26.90%),mainly focused on the issuance of technical guidelines(21 codes,39.62%).Demand-oriented tools accounted for the least with 52 codes(26.40%),with inter-departmental collaboration tools having the highest proportion(17 codes,32.69%).In the dimension of stakeholders,a total of 223 policy codes were formed,with the government having the highest number of codes at 133(59.64%),followed by medical institutions with 56 codes(25.11%).The proportions for medical personnel,pharmaceutical companies,and patients were similar,with 14 codes(6.28%),11 codes(4.93%),and 9 codes(4.04%),respectively.Conclusions Pediatric drugs face challenges with policy tools where supply-oriented tools,particularly those providing financial support,suffer from insufficient policy depth and customization.The demand-oriented tools have a low proportion,leading to structural imbalance and underutilized effectiveness;the environment-oriented tools focus more on regulation than incentives,restricting the accessibility of pediatric drugs;the potential of multiple stakeholders is not fully activated,and there is a lack of policies centered around pediatric patients.To address these issues,supply-oriented policy tools need to establish a diversified financial support model and clearly define the scope of coverage.Demand-oriented policy tools require further adjustments to the catalog,procurement upgrades,and international collaborative research to reshape the pediatric drug security system.Environmental policy tools should enhance economic support,strengthen intellectual property rights,and implement targeted education to build a development ecosystem for pediatric drugs.Regarding stakeholders,it is essential to strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration and optimize pediatric drug policy tools with a patient-centered approach.
10.Gypenosides LI down-regulates CPT1B through the pathway of lipid metabolism to inhibit the growth of colon cancer
Wenyu ZHU ; Hongwei ZHANG ; Decai TANG ; Fangyuan CHEN ; Hua JIANG ; Haiyan MIN ; Jie DING
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(2):162-169
Objective To elucidate the mechanism through which Gypenoside L inhibits the growth of colon cancer by modulating carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1B (CPT1B),a pivotal enzyme in the fatty acid metabolism pathway. Methods Through in vitro experiments,various concentrations of Gypenoside LI LI were applied to inter-vene in colon cancer RKO and SW620 cells. The effects of Gypenoside LI on these cells were comprehensively evalu-ated using the CCK-8 assay,wound healing assay,colony formation assay,and live-dead cell staining,focusing on its impact on cell proliferation,migration,and apoptosis. Additionally,a human colon cancer tissue microarray (TMA) was utilized in conjunction with multiplex fluorescence immunohistochemistry to analyze the expression of CPT1B in colon cancer and adjacent tissues. SW620 cells were transfected with siRNA,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of CPT1B post-transfection were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting. Furthermore,an in vivo nude mouse colon cancer model was established to investigate the inhibitory effect of Gypenoside LI LI on colon cancer growth. Results In vitro experiments demonstrated that Gypenoside LI LI effectively inhibited the proliferation and migration of RKO and SW620 cells in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. Additionally,multiple fluorescence immunohistochemistry analyses revealed that the expression level of CPT1B in colon cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent non-tumor tissues. Gypenoside LI LI promoted ROS accumulation by inhibiting CPT1B expression. In vivo experiments further confirmed that Gypenoside LI LI could inhibit tumor formation in nude mice and reduce CPT1B expression. Conclusions This study elucidates the mechanism by which Gypenoside LI inhibits the growth of colon cancer cells. Specifically,it downregulates CPT1B,leading to increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS),disruption of fatty acid oxidation metabolism,and ultimately inducing apoptosis in colon cancer cells. These findings offer valuable insights into colon cancer treatment,suggesting new therapeutic strategies and potential drug targets.

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