1.Treatment of Parkinson's Disease with Traditional Chinese Medicine by Regulating BDNF/TrkB Signaling Pathway: A Review
Lulu JIA ; Ying LI ; Jiale YIN ; Nan JIA ; Xiaoxi LIU ; Li LING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):315-322
Parkinson's disease(PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the world, which seriously affects the lives of patients. With the acceleration of aging process, the number of patients continues to rise. Its main pathological features are aggregation of α-synuclein and degenerative death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. However, the pathogenesis of PD is still unclear. According to reports, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)/tyrosine kinase receptor B(TrkB) signaling pathway is highly expressed and activated in dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, which is closely related to neurophysiological processes such as neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. It plays an important role in the occurrence and development of PD. At present, the treatment methods of Western medicine for PD are mainly based on drugs such as levodopa and dopamine agonists to alleviate motor symptoms, but with the increase of dose, the adverse reactions are significantly enhanced. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has attracted people to explore its therapeutic effects on PD due to its characteristics of homology of medicine and food, economy, minor adverse reactions and multi-target action. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews the role of BNDF/TrkB pathway in the pathogenesis of PD and the mechanism of TCM formulas, extracts and monomers in the treatment of PD by regulating the BNDF/TrkB pathway according to retrieving the latest research reports at home and abroad, so as to provide a reference for the clinical application of related TCM and the development of new drugs for PD.
2.Treating diabetic kidney disease based on "using bitter herbs to nourish or purge" theory
Weimin JIANG ; Yaoxian WANG ; Shuwu WEI ; Jiale ZHANG ; Chenhui XIA ; Jie YANG ; Liqiao SUN ; Xinrong LI ; Weiwei SUN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):1-7
The Huangdi Neijing proposes the " using bitter herbs to nourish or purge" theory to guide clinical prescription and formulation of herbal remedies based on the physiological characteristics and functions of the five zang viscera, along with the properties and flavors of medicinal herbs. This study explored diabetic kidney disease pathogenesis and treatment based on the " using bitter herbs to nourish or purge" theory. Kidney dryness is a key pathological factor in diabetic kidney disease, and the disharmony of kidney dryness is an essential aspect of its pathogenesis. Strengthening is the primary therapeutic principle, and kidney dryness is a persistent factor throughout the occurrence and progression of diabetic kidney disease. In the early stage, the pathogenesis involves heat-consuming qi and injuring yin, leading to kidney dryness. In the middle stage, the pathogenesis manifests as qi deficiency and blood stasis in the collaterals, resulting in turbidity owing to kidney dryness. In the late stage, the pathogenesis involves yin and yang deficiency, with kidney dryness and disharmony. This study proposes the staging-based treatment based on the " need for firmness" characteristic of the kidney. The aim is to provide new insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine by rationally using pungent, bitter, and salty medicinal herbs to nourish and moisturize the kidney. This approach seeks to promote precise syndrome differentiation and personalized treatment for different stages of diabetic kidney disease, thereby enhancing clinical efficacy.
3.Ferrostatin-1 prevents transfusion-related acute lung injury in mice by inhibiting ferroptosis
Siwei LIU ; Ling XIAO ; Haixia XU ; Jiale CHENG ; Li TIAN ; Zhong LIU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(8):1008-1015
Objective: To investigate the role of ferroptosis in transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and evaluate the efficacy of the specific inhibitor Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), thereby to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of TRALI. Methods: This study utilized a ”2-hit” model to induce TRALI in mice. The mouse model of TRALI was validated through survival curve analysis, lung tissue wet/dry weight ratio (W/D), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and total protein concentration in lung tissue. Samples from the TRALI model group, LPS group, and control group (n=6) were collected. The occurrence of ferroptosis in TRALI was confirmed by measuring key ferroptosis indicators, including iron concentration in lung tissue, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, lipid peroxidation products (LPO) level, and expression levels of related proteins (GPX4, ACSL4). Additionally, a Fer-1 intervention group was added to evaluate its preventive and therapeutic effects. The survival rates and clinical symptoms of the four groups (n=6) were dynamically monitored, and the degrees of lung injury were assessed. Ferroptosis-related indicators were also measured to elucidate the protective mechanism of Fer-1. Results: A mouse model of TRALI was successfully established. Compared to the control and LPS groups, the TRALI group showed significantly higher levels of ferrous iron [(18.32±1.11) nmol/well, MDA [(14.68±0.96) μmol/L], and LPO [(1.60±0.02) μmol/L] in lung tissue (all P<0.01), along with a downregulation of GPX4 and an upregulation of ACSL4. Fer-1 pretreatment significantly reversed these abnormalities: the W/D ratio decreased to 4.01±0.43, and MPO activity significantly decreased [Fer-1 group: (21 606±4 235) pg/mL vs TRALI group: (30 724±2 616) pg/mL], the total protein concentration in lung tissue of the Fer-1 group decreased by approximately 40.8% compared to the TRALI group (all P<0.01). These changes indicate that the lung injury in mice was alleviated after treatment. Following Fer-1 intervention, ferrous iron concentration [(7.46±1.83) nmol/well] was restored to a level close to that of the control group [(5.48±0.70) nmol/well]. Lipid peroxidation tests further revealed that Fer-1 intervention reduced MDA and LPO levels by 35.8% and 29.4%, respectively (P<0.001). Additionally, the expression levels of GPX4 and ACSL4 proteins returned to near-normal levels in the treated mice (both P>0.05). Conclusion: The progression of TRALI is closely related to the activation of ferroptosis, characterized by iron overload, lipid peroxidation accumulation, and the imbalance of GPX4/ACSL4. Ferrostatin-1 significantly alleviates pulmonary edema and inflammatory damage by inhibiting the ferroptosis pathway, suggesting that targeting ferroptosis may provide a new therapeutic strategy for TRALI.
4.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates Metabolic Reprogramming Mechanism to Intervene in Inflammation-cancer Transformation of Gastric Mucosa
Xinyi LIANG ; Jiale MA ; Huizhen LI ; Shuangmei ZHAO ; Mengtong LENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):252-260
Gastric cancer (GC) has an insidious onset and is mostly diagnosed in the middle and late stages after clinical detection. It is one of the malignant tumors with high incidence and mortality rates in the world. At present, the treatment plans are optimized mainly in terms of surgery, radiotherapy, and intervention, while the endpoints of clinical trials, such as patients' overall survival, progression-free survival, and disease-free survival, are still unsatisfactory. Therefore, effectively delaying the dynamic inflammation-cancer transformation has become an urgent bottleneck in the prevention and treatment of GC. In 1920s, Professor Otto Warburg discovered the phenomenon that tumor cells can accelerate glycolysis. Since then, the abnormal metabolic network inside tumor cells has gradually entered into researchers' view, and the hot academic research topic of metabolic reprogramming has been proposed. Tumor cells can meet their own energy consumption and adapt to external changes by adjusting their metabolic pathways to achieve rapid proliferation. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is resolutely pursuing innovation in inheritance and the continuous refinement of research has led to the precision-oriented transition of TCM theories. Therefore, linking TCM with the treatment of tumors and precancerous diseases has certain research connotations. The searching and review of the publications in this field revealed that the number of publications in tumor-related metabolism increased dramatically, while there were only a few studies using TCM as a therapeutic solution. The research group has long been committed to the study of precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PLGC) in Chinese and Western medicine. This article explained the dynamic process of inflammation-cancer transformation from the perspective of spleen deficiency-Qi stagnation-collateral stasis. The molecules of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, cancer-Myc (c-Myc), apolipoprotein E (APOE) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) were selected to reflect the biological connotation of inflammation-cancer transformation. The current achievements of TCM in regulating the metabolic reprogramming to intervene in inflammation-cancer transformation were summarized, with a view to providing more information for TCM to intervene in the inflammation-cancer transformation of gastric mucosa.
5.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates Metabolic Reprogramming Mechanism to Intervene in Inflammation-cancer Transformation of Gastric Mucosa
Xinyi LIANG ; Jiale MA ; Huizhen LI ; Shuangmei ZHAO ; Mengtong LENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):252-260
Gastric cancer (GC) has an insidious onset and is mostly diagnosed in the middle and late stages after clinical detection. It is one of the malignant tumors with high incidence and mortality rates in the world. At present, the treatment plans are optimized mainly in terms of surgery, radiotherapy, and intervention, while the endpoints of clinical trials, such as patients' overall survival, progression-free survival, and disease-free survival, are still unsatisfactory. Therefore, effectively delaying the dynamic inflammation-cancer transformation has become an urgent bottleneck in the prevention and treatment of GC. In 1920s, Professor Otto Warburg discovered the phenomenon that tumor cells can accelerate glycolysis. Since then, the abnormal metabolic network inside tumor cells has gradually entered into researchers' view, and the hot academic research topic of metabolic reprogramming has been proposed. Tumor cells can meet their own energy consumption and adapt to external changes by adjusting their metabolic pathways to achieve rapid proliferation. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is resolutely pursuing innovation in inheritance and the continuous refinement of research has led to the precision-oriented transition of TCM theories. Therefore, linking TCM with the treatment of tumors and precancerous diseases has certain research connotations. The searching and review of the publications in this field revealed that the number of publications in tumor-related metabolism increased dramatically, while there were only a few studies using TCM as a therapeutic solution. The research group has long been committed to the study of precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PLGC) in Chinese and Western medicine. This article explained the dynamic process of inflammation-cancer transformation from the perspective of spleen deficiency-Qi stagnation-collateral stasis. The molecules of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, cancer-Myc (c-Myc), apolipoprotein E (APOE) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) were selected to reflect the biological connotation of inflammation-cancer transformation. The current achievements of TCM in regulating the metabolic reprogramming to intervene in inflammation-cancer transformation were summarized, with a view to providing more information for TCM to intervene in the inflammation-cancer transformation of gastric mucosa.
6.Research progress on clinical and molecular mechanisms of Xianglian pills in the treatment of ulcerative colitis
Ying LI ; Zaoyu ZHANG ; Rong DENG ; Jiale CHEN ; Yanlong LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(20):2609-2614
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic intestinal autoimmune disease, with clinical manifestations including abdominal pain, diarrhea, mucus and bloody stools, and its pathogenesis is complex. The classic prescription Xianglian pills (XLP) has been widely used in the clinical treatment of UC in recent years. It has few adverse reactions, good patient tolerance, and shows significant potential for clinical application. However, there is currently no comprehensive integration of evidence on its clinical research and molecular mechanisms. Through a systematic review of the clinical research and molecular mechanisms of XLP in the treatment of UC, it is found that XLP and its modified formulas, when used in combination with chemical drugs, can significantly improve the symptoms of UC patients and reduce intestinal inflammation, with superior efficacy compared to chemical drugs alone. Its mechanism of action involves regulating pan-apoptosis, immune response, signaling pathways (hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, nuclear factor-κB, etc.), intestinal flora, and repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier. Its medicinal materials, monomers and active components can also prevent the differentiation of helper T cells 17 and restore the balance of M1/M2 cells through regulating multiple pathways such as Wnt/β -catenin and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription, thereby reducing intestinal damage in UC.
7.Expression of WNT10A in papillary thyroid carcinoma and its effect on cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis.
Li YUAN ; Ping ZHOU ; Yongfeng ZHAO ; Jiale LI ; Yan ZHANG ; Wengang LIU
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(3):402-415
OBJECTIVES:
Lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is closely associated with tumor recurrence and patient survival. However, current technologies have limited sensitivity in detecting occult cervical lymph node metastases. Identifying accurate molecular markers for predicting PTC metastasis holds significant clinical value. This study aims to analyze WNT10A expression in PTC and its clinical significance, and to explore the role of WNT10A gene knockdown in PTC cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis.
METHODS:
The expression of WNT10A in thyroid carcinoma was analyzed using the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) and University of Alabama at Birminghara Cancer data analysis Portal (UALCAN) databases. Real-time RT-PCR was used to measure WNT10A mRNA levels in tumor and adjacent normal tissues from 32 PTC patients. Immunohistochemistry was conducted on 158 PTC specimens to assess WNT10A protein expression and its correlation with clinicopathological features. In vitro experiments were performed using K1 and TPC-1 cell lines. Cell proliferation was assessed using the Celigo system and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assays; apoptosis was measured via flow cytometry; invasion and metastasis were evaluated using scratch and Transwell assays. A xenograft model was established in nude mice to observe tumor growth, and tumor weight and volume were compared between cell lines. Differentially expressed genes regulated by WNT10A were identified via mRNA sequencing, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA). Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to validate the effects of WNT10A on key downstream mRNA and protein in the Tec kinase signaling pathway.
RESULTS:
WNT10A mRNA expression was significantly higher in thyroid cancer tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues according to GEPIA and UALCAN (both P<0.01). The real-time RT-PCR result showed that WNT10A mRNA expression in PTC tissues was high than that in adjacent tissues (P<0.01). Immunohistochemistry revealed significantly higher WNT10A protein expression in PTC tissues compared to adjacent tissues (P<0.01), and its expression correlated with multifocality, extrathyroidal invasion, and lymph node metastasis. WNT10A knockdown significantly inhibited proliferation, altered cell cycle distribution, and increased apoptosis in K1 and TPC-1 cells (all P<0.01). WNT10A silencing also reduced migration and invasion abilities in both cell lines. In vivo, WNT10A knockdown in TPC-1 cells suppressed tumor formation in nude mice. GO analysis and IPA suggested that the Tec kinase signaling pathway was a key downstream target of WNT10A. RT-PCR and Western blotting confirmed that WNT10A knockdown downregulated the expression of key genes (STAT3, MAPK8, TNFRSF21, and AKT2) in this pathway.
CONCLUSIONS
WNT10A is highly expressed in PTC and is associated with tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Its tumor-promoting effects may be mediated through suppression of the Tec kinase signaling pathway.
Humans
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/pathology*
;
Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Wnt Proteins/metabolism*
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Mice
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Female
;
Male
;
Mice, Nude
;
Apoptosis
;
Lymphatic Metastasis
;
Middle Aged
;
Cell Movement
;
Adult
8.FTO-regulated m6A modification of pri-miR-139 represses papillary thyroid carcinoma metastasis.
Jiale LI ; Ping ZHOU ; Juan DU ; Hongwei SHEN ; Yongfeng ZHAO ; Shanshan YU
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(5):815-826
OBJECTIVES:
Increasing detection of low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is associated with overdiagnosis and overtreatment. N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-mediated microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation plays a critical role in tumor metastasis and progression. However, the functional role of m6A-miRNAs in PTC remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of m6A-miR-139-5p expression in PTC, determine its association with PTC metastasis, and evaluate its potential as a diagnostic biomarker for PTC metastasis, thereby providing experimental evidence for precision diagnosis and therapy.
METHODS:
Expression profiles of m6A-miRNAs were compared between the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GSE130512 cohorts to identify metastasis-associated candidates. Clinical specimens from 13 metastasis and 18 non-metastasis PTC patients were analyzed to assess m6A-miR-139-5p expression and its correlation with metastasis. Functional experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) on pri-miR-139 methylation and processing, clarifying its regulatory role in miR-139-5p expression. In TPC-1 cells, MTT assays were performed to evaluate whether miR-139-5p overexpression could counteract FTO-mediated cell proliferation. Transwell invasion assays were used to determine the impact of miR-139-5p on PTC cell invasion, exploring whether it functions through the ZEB1/E-cadherin axis.
RESULTS:
By comparing TCGA and GSE130512 cohorts, it was found that circulating m6A-miR-139-5p could serve as a biological indicator for detecting PTC metastasis. Detection of 13 metastatic and 18 non-metastatic clinical specimens showed that FTO inhibited the processing of pri-miR-139 by reducing its methylation level, leading to the dysregulation of miR-139-5p in PTC (P<0.05). In TPC-1 cells, MTT assay showed that overexpression of miR-139-5p could partially reverse FTO overexpression-mediated cell proliferation (P<0.05). In addition, miR-139-5p inhibited the invasive ability of PTC cells by targeting the ZEB1/E-cadherin axis, while FTO overexpression could partially weaken this inhibitory effect.
CONCLUSIONS
Circulating miR-139-5p can be a potential marker for evaluating PTC metastasis. FTO affects the expression and function of miR-139-5p by regulating m6A modification of pri-miR-139, but its clinical value needs further verification.
Humans
;
MicroRNAs/metabolism*
;
Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/metabolism*
;
Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO/metabolism*
;
Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Neoplasm Metastasis
;
Adenosine/genetics*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
;
Female
;
Male
;
Cadherins/metabolism*
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1/genetics*
9.Dual activation of GCGR/GLP1R signaling ameliorates intestinal fibrosis via metabolic regulation of histone H3K9 lactylation in epithelial cells.
Han LIU ; Yujie HONG ; Hui CHEN ; Xianggui WANG ; Jiale DONG ; Xiaoqian LI ; Zihan SHI ; Qian ZHAO ; Longyuan ZHOU ; JiaXin WANG ; Qiuling ZENG ; Qinglin TANG ; Qi LIU ; Florian RIEDER ; Baili CHEN ; Minhu CHEN ; Rui WANG ; Yao ZHANG ; Ren MAO ; Xianxing JIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):278-295
Intestinal fibrosis is a significant clinical challenge in inflammatory bowel diseases, but no effective anti-fibrotic therapy is currently available. Glucagon receptor (GCGR) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R) are both peptide hormone receptors involved in energy metabolism of epithelial cells. However, their role in intestinal fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Herein GCGR and GLP1R were found to be reduced in the stenotic ileum of patients with Crohn's disease as well as in the fibrotic colon of mice with chronic colitis. The downregulation of GCGR and GLP1R led to the accumulation of the metabolic byproduct lactate, resulting in histone H3K9 lactylation and exacerbated intestinal fibrosis through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Dual activating GCGR and GLP1R by peptide 1907B reduced the H3K9 lactylation in epithelial cells and ameliorated intestinal fibrosis in vivo. We uncovered the role of GCGR/GLP1R in regulating EMT involved in intestinal fibrosis via histone lactylation. Simultaneously activating GCGR/GLP1R with the novel dual agonist peptide 1907B holds promise as a treatment strategy for alleviating intestinal fibrosis.
10.Celastrol-loaded ginsenoside Rg3 liposomes boost immunotherapy by remodeling obesity-related immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in melanoma.
Hongyan ZHANG ; Jingyi HUANG ; Yujie LI ; Wanyu JIN ; Jiale WEI ; Ninghui MA ; Limei SHEN ; Mancang GU ; Chaofeng MU ; Donghang XU ; Yang XIONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2687-2702
Obesity usually exacerbates the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITME), hindering CD8+ T cell infiltration and function, which further represents a significant barrier to the efficacy of immunotherapy. Herein, a multifunctional liposomal system (CR-Lip) for encapsulating celastrol (CEL) was utilized to remodel obesity-related ITME and improve cancer immunotherapy, wherein Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) was detected interspersed in the phospholipid bilayer and its glycosyl exposed on the surface of the liposome. CR-Lip had a relatively uniform size (116.5 nm), facilitating favorable tumor tissue accumulation through the interaction between Rg3 and glucose transporter 1 overexpressed in obese tumor cells. Upon reaching the tumor region, CR-Lip was found to induce the immunogenic cell death (ICD) of HFD tumor cells. Notably, the level of PHD3 in HFD tumor cells was effectively boosted by CR-Lip to effectively block metabolic reprogramming and increase the availability of major free fatty acids fuel sources. In vivo, experiments studies revealed that the easy-obtained nano platform stimulated enhanced the production of various cytokines in tumor tissues, DC maturation, CD8+ T-cell infiltration, and synergistic anticancer therapeutic potency with aPD-1 (tumor inhibition rate = 82.1%) towards obesity-related melanoma. Consequently, this study presented an efficacious approach to tumor immunotherapy in obese mice by encompassing tumor eradication, inducing ICD, and reprogramming metabolism. Furthermore, it offered a unique insight into a valuable attempt at the immunotherapy of obesity-associated related tumors.


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