1.Effect and Mechanism of Liangyi Paste on Hepatic Lipid Deposition in Naturally Aged Mice with High-fat Diet via Cuproptosis/Oxidative Stress Pathway
Meiling ZHANG ; Yuanguang DONG ; Xiaofei SUN ; Jiaxin WANG ; Yu LIU ; Jingxuan ZHU ; Qun WANG ; Nan SONG ; Guoyuan SUI ; Lianqun JIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):91-99
ObjectiveTaking the cuproptosis/oxidative stress pathway as the entry point, this study investigated the effect and mechanism of Liangyi Paste on hepatic lipid deposition in naturally aged mice fed with a high-fat diet. MethodsAfter adaptive feeding, 80 ten-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used. Thirty of them were randomly divided into three groups (10 mice per group): The 12-month-old control group (12MCON), the 15-month-old control group (15MCON), and the 15-month-old group with a high-fat diet (15MHFD). The 12MCON and 15MCON groups were continuously fed a standard diet, while the 15MHFD group started receiving a high-fat diet at 12 months of age. Tissue samples were collected at the corresponding time points for each group. The remaining 50 mice were randomly divided into five groups (10 mice per group): the 20-month-old control group (20MCON), the model group, and the low-, medium-, and high-dose Liangyi Paste groups (2.91 , 5.82 , 11.64 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively). The 20MCON group was continuously fed a standard diet, while the other groups started receiving a high-fat diet at 15 months of age. At 18 months of age, the Liangyi Paste groups were administered the corresponding doses of Liangyi Paste by gavage, while the 20MCON and model groups were given an equal volume of saline by gavage. After 8 weeks of continuous gavage (when the mice reached 20 months of age), tissue samples were collected. Hepatic TG levels were measured using assay kits; liver histology and lipid deposition were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and oil red O staining; reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); Cu2+, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured by colorimetry; mRNA and protein expression of genes related to cuproptosis and oxidative stress pathways were analyzed by Real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) and Wes automated protein expression system. ResultsCompared with 12MCON, the 15MCON group showed significantly increased hepatic TG, Cu2+, ROS, and MDA levels (P<0.01), decreased SOD (P<0.01), hepatocyte swelling, and disordered arrangement. The mRNA and protein levels of ferredoxin 1 (FDX1), dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD), pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 subunit-β (PDHB), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) were significantly elevated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with 15MCON group, the 15MHFD and 20MCON groups exhibited further increases in TG, Cu2+, ROS, and MDA (P<0.01), reduced SOD (P<0.01), and aggravated hepatocyte swelling and disorder. There were increased lipid droplets with mild vacuolization in the 15MHFD group, and no significant lipid deposition was observed in the 20MCON group. FDX1, DLAT, HSP70, DLD, PDHB, Nrf2, and PPARγ mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with 20MCON group, the model group demonstrated markedly elevated TG, Cu2+, ROS, and MDA (P<0.01), reduced SOD (P<0.01), severe hepatic steatosis, and upregulated expression of FDX1, DLAT, HSP70, DLD, PDHB, Nrf2, and PPARγ mRNA and proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). All abnormalities were significantly reversed after Liangyi Paste treatment. ConclusionLiangyi paste can ameliorate hepatic lipid deposition in naturally aged mice with a high-fat diet by modulating the cuproptosis/oxidative stress pathway.
2.Alpha-ketoglutarate engineered small extracellular vesicles delay skin aging
Zhijing WU ; Jiali LI ; Jiaxin ZHANG ; Tangrong WANG ; Yuzhou ZHENG ; Zixuan SUN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(1):120-129
BACKGROUND:Cell-free therapy is a research hotspot in the field of medical cosmetic anti-aging.It is still unknown for paracellular secretion of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived small extracellular vesicles loaded with the antiaging drug α-ketoglutaric acid to delay skin aging.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of the anti-aging agent α-ketoglutarate engineered human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived small extracellular vesicles in a D-galactose-induced model of dermal fibroblast senescence.METHODS:(1)Biological characteristics of primary human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were identified by osteogenic-lipogenic differentiation staining and flow cytometry.(2)The small extracellular vesicles derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell were obtained by using differential-ultracentrifugation.α-Ketoglutarate-engineered human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-small extracellular vesicles were constructed by electroporation,and biologically characterized by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analyzer,while the encapsulation rate was assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography.(3)The effect of α-ketoglutarate on the proliferative capacity of dermal fibroblasts was assessed by CCK-8 and Edu cell proliferation assay kits.(4)The effect of α-ketoglutarate-engineered human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-small extracellular vesicles on delaying the senescence of dermal fibroblasts was evaluated by reactive oxygen species detection kit,western blot assay,and cellular immunofluorescence.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The obtained human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-small extracellular vesicles were biologically compatible.(2)There was no toxic effect on dermal fibroblasts when α-ketoglutarate was used in the concentration range of 0.5-8 mmol/L.(3)D-gal induced senescence in dermal fibroblasts,while α-ketoglutarate-engineered human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-small extracellular vesicles treatment reduced the level of oxidative stress,DNA damage,and collagen loss,which was further verified that α-ketoglutarate-engineered human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-small extracellular vesicles could effectively slow down the skin aging process.
3.Alpha-ketoglutarate engineered small extracellular vesicles delay skin aging
Zhijing WU ; Jiali LI ; Jiaxin ZHANG ; Tangrong WANG ; Yuzhou ZHENG ; Zixuan SUN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(1):120-129
BACKGROUND:Cell-free therapy is a research hotspot in the field of medical cosmetic anti-aging.It is still unknown for paracellular secretion of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived small extracellular vesicles loaded with the antiaging drug α-ketoglutaric acid to delay skin aging.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of the anti-aging agent α-ketoglutarate engineered human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived small extracellular vesicles in a D-galactose-induced model of dermal fibroblast senescence.METHODS:(1)Biological characteristics of primary human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were identified by osteogenic-lipogenic differentiation staining and flow cytometry.(2)The small extracellular vesicles derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell were obtained by using differential-ultracentrifugation.α-Ketoglutarate-engineered human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-small extracellular vesicles were constructed by electroporation,and biologically characterized by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analyzer,while the encapsulation rate was assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography.(3)The effect of α-ketoglutarate on the proliferative capacity of dermal fibroblasts was assessed by CCK-8 and Edu cell proliferation assay kits.(4)The effect of α-ketoglutarate-engineered human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-small extracellular vesicles on delaying the senescence of dermal fibroblasts was evaluated by reactive oxygen species detection kit,western blot assay,and cellular immunofluorescence.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The obtained human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-small extracellular vesicles were biologically compatible.(2)There was no toxic effect on dermal fibroblasts when α-ketoglutarate was used in the concentration range of 0.5-8 mmol/L.(3)D-gal induced senescence in dermal fibroblasts,while α-ketoglutarate-engineered human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-small extracellular vesicles treatment reduced the level of oxidative stress,DNA damage,and collagen loss,which was further verified that α-ketoglutarate-engineered human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-small extracellular vesicles could effectively slow down the skin aging process.
4.Mechanism of artemether in treating diabetic sarcopenia via network pharmacology and animal experiment
Jiaxin LI ; Yuchun CAI ; Xiufen GU ; Yating ZHANG ; Shoupan GAO ; Huili SUN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(6):1032-1044
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic mechanism of artemether in diabetic sarcopenia(DS)using network pharmacology and animal experiments. MethodsPotential active components and therapeutic targets were screened using artemisinin as the parent compound. The predicted targets were intersected with DS-related targets, followed by construction of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed to identify the key biological processes and signaling pathways. Molecular docking was further used to evaluate the binding affinity between artemether and core targets. The DS mouse model was established using db/db mice, followed by artemether intervention. Fasting blood glucose, body weight, diabetes-related symptoms, body composition, grip strength, serum and skeletal muscle triglyceride levels, and muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) were assessed. The expression levels of forkhead box O1 (FoxO1), Atrogin-1, muscle RING finger protein 1 (MuRF1), acyl-CoA synthetase short-chain family member 2 (ACSS2), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 (CPT2), and fatty acid-binding protein 3 (FABP3) in skeletal muscle were detected by qRT-PCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. In addition, metabolomics was performed to analyze changes in acylcarnitine metabolites in skeletal muscle. ResultsA total of 68 overlapping targets between artemether and diabetic sarcopenia (DS) were identified. The core targets included AKT1, FoxO1, NFKB1, FBXO32, and TRIM63, which were mainly enriched in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathway, forkhead box O (FoxO) signWaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, and insulin resistance-related pathways. Molecular docking analysis showed that artemether exhibited favorable binding affinity with the core targets. Animal experiments demonstrated that artemether reduced fasting blood glucose, ameliorated metabolic symptoms, increased lean mass and grip strength, decreased serum and skeletal muscle triglyceride levels, and increased muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) in DS mice. In addition, artemether downregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of FoxO1, FBXO32/Atrogin-1, TRIM63/MuRF1, ACSS2, CPT2, and FABP3, and improved the disturbance of acylcarnitine metabolism in skeletal muscle. ConclusionArtemether improves metabolic and skeletal muscle phenotypes in DS mice. Its effects may be associated with the amelioration of lipid metabolic disorders and the downregulation of FoxO1 and its downstream ubiquitin-proteasome pathway-related factors Atrogin-1 and MuRF1 in skeletal muscle.
5.Modified Taohe Chengqitang Regulates Notch/eNOS Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Hepatic Sinusoidal Capillarization
Chang SHAO ; Xiguang SUN ; Jiaxin HUANG ; Linmao YE ; Xiaofan LIANG ; Yi HE ; Junjie ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):42-54
ObjectiveTo investigate whether modified Taohe Chengqitang (JTCT) treats liver fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic sinusoidal capillarization, and to verify whether its specific mechanism is related to the Homologous genes responsible for the notches along the edges of Drosophila wings(Notch) signaling pathway and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling pathway. MethodsFifty C57BL/6 mice were randomized into 5 groups: Control, model (5 mL·kg-1·3 d-1), low-dose JTCT, medium-dose JTCT, and high-dose JTCT (JTCT-L,JTCT-M,JTCT-H). Except the control group, the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with 20% carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) olive oil solution every 3 days for 4 weeks to induce liver fibrosis. Meanwhile, JTCT-L, JTCT-M, and JTCT-H groups were administrated with JTCT by gavage at doses of 16.6, 33.3, and 66.6 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively, for 4 consecutive weeks (the control and model groups received equal volumes of normal saline by gavage). Primary liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) were isolated from rat livers through in situ perfusion of collagenase, Percoll density gradient centrifugation, and selective removal of Kupffer cells. After verification of cell phenotype, LSECs were used for experiments. For cells at the logarithmic growth phase, the small interfering RNA(siRNA) kit was used to knock down the expression of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) through transient transfection. Subsequently, the Notch agonist Jagged-1 was applied. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to examine the cytotoxicity of JTCT on LSECs. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to measure the expression of molecules in the Notch and eNOS signaling pathways at mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Intracellular Ca2+ was labeled with the fluorescent probe Fluo-4 acetoxymethyl ester(Fluo-4/AM). ResultsThe animal experiment showed that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited hepatic steatosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis, lobular structural disorder, and fibrous tissue hyperplasia in the mouse liver tissue, significantly elevated serum levels of hydroxyproline (Hyp), alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) (P<0.01), significantly upregulated expression levels of Notch1, Hes family bHLH transcription factor 1(Hes1), Cluster of Differentiation 31(CD31), and von Willebrand factor(vWF) (P<0.01), and significantly downregulated phosphorylate(p)-eNOS/eNOS ratio and sGC expression (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all the JTCT groups showed significantly reduced serum Hyp, ALT, and AST levels (P<0.01), downregulated expression of Notch1, Hes1, CD31, and vWF (P<0.05, P<0.01), and upregulated p-eNOS/eNOS ratio and sGC expression (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the liver tissue, with the JTCT-H group showing the most significant changes (P<0.01). The cell experiment showed that compared with the LSEC-1day group, the LSEC-5day group exhibited significantly increased expression of Notch1, Hes1, CD31, and vWF (P<0.01), significantly decreased p-eNOS/eNOS ratio and sGC expression (P<0.01), and elevated intracellular Ca2+ concentration (P<0.01). Compared with the LSEC-5day group, the JTCT group showed decreased expression of Notch1, Hes1, CD31, and vWF (P<0.01), significantly increased p-eNOS/eNOS ratio (P<0.01), and significantly reduced intracellular Ca2+ concentration (P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in the expression of Notch1, Hes1, eNOS, p-eNOS, CD31, vWF, sGC, or intracellular Ca2+ concentration between the Jagged1 group and the Jagged1+JTCT group. Compared with the LSEC-5day group, the sGC knockout group (sGC-KO) showed significantly increased expression of CD31 and vWF (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in CD31 or vWF expression between the sGC-KO group and the sGC-KO+JTCT group. ConclusionJTCT inhibits the activation of the Notch signaling pathway and restores the activity of the eNOS signaling pathway to suppress sinusoidal capillarization of LSECs, thereby treating liver fibrosis.
6.Gypenoside L Regulates piR-hsa-2804461/FKBP8/Bcl-2 Axis to Promote Apoptosis and Inhibit Ovarian Cancer
Yuanguang DONG ; Yinying SUN ; Mingdian YUAN ; Ying YANG ; Jiaxin WANG ; Jingxuan ZHU ; Nan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):98-106
ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism by which gypenoside L (Gyp-L) promotes apoptosis and inhibits ovarian cancer (OC) through the FK506-binding protein (FKBP) prolyl isomerase 8 (FKBP8)/B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) axis, with the piR-hsa-2804461 pathway as a breakthrough point. MethodsThe effects of different concentrations of Gyp-L and cis-platinum on the proliferation of OVCAR3 cells were determined by the cell count kit-8 method to identify the appropriate intervention concentration for subsequent experiments. OVCAR3 cells were allocated into blank, low-dose Gyp-L (Gyp-L-L, 50 µmol·L-1), high-dose Gyp-L (Gyp-L-H, 100 µmol·L-1), and cis-platinum (15 µmol·L-1) groups. The migration, colony formation, and apoptosis of OVCAR3 cells were detected by the cell scratch assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. The mRNA levels of piR-hsa-2804461 and FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis-related genes in OVCAR3 cells were determined by Real-time PCR, and the expression levels of FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis-related proteins were determined by simple Western blot. Further, an OVCAR3 cell model with piR-hsa-2804461 knocked out was constructed. The cells were allocated into blank, NC-inhibitor, inhibitor, NC-inhibitor+Gyp-L, and inhibitor+Gyp-L groups. The colony formation of OVCAR3 cells was detected by the colony formation assay. The mRNA levels of piR-hsa-2804461 and FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis-related genes and the expression levels of FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis-related proteins were determined by Real-time PCR and simple Western blotting, respectively. ResultsGyp-L inhibited the migration and proliferation (P<0.01), promoted the apoptosis (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA level of piR-hsa-2804461 (P<0.05), and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of FKBP8 and Bcl-2 (P<0.05) in OVCAR3 cells. Furthermore, Gyp-L increased the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase (Caspase)-3, and Caspase-9, which are related to the FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis (P<0.05). ConclusionGyp-L may promote apoptosis by regulating the piR-hsa-2804461/FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis, thus affecting the occurrence of ovarian cancer.
7.Exploring Molecular Mechanism of Gypenoside L against Ovarian Cancer Based on Ferroptosis Pathway Mediated by Mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3-LPCAT3
Jingxuan ZHU ; Jiao ZHAO ; Qun WANG ; Xiaofei SUN ; Jiaxin WANG ; Hongda ZHANG ; Nan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):107-117
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC and pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT in the ferroptosis phenotype of ovarian cancer (OC) cells and the regulatory mechanism of gypenoside L (Gyp-L) on mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC and pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT in OC cells. MethodsThe proliferation of human ovarian adenocarcinoma OVCAR3 cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of cisplatin (DDP), Gyp-L, and DDP in the presence of Gyp-L were calculated to determine the intervention concentration for subsequent experiments. Cell cloning assay and scratch assay reflected the proliferation and migration ability of OVCAR3 cells. PANDORA-seq small RNA sequencing was used to detect the differentially expressed transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) in the cells after Gyp-L intervention, and the corresponding target genes of the tsRNAs were found by the RNAhybrid software. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxide (LPO) levels were measured by colorimetry or enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, Fe2+ content by FerroOrange fluorescent probe, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) content by DCFH-DA fluorescent probe to reflect the occurrence of ferroptosis in OVCAR3 cells. OVCAR3 cells were divided into a control group, a 50 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L group, and a 100 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L group. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect the expression of mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC, mature-tRNA-Leu-CAA, mature-mt_tRNA-Tyr-GTA_5_end, mature-tRNA-Val-CAC, mature-mt_tRNA-Glu-TTC, pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT, mature-tRNA-Asn-GTT, hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS), Wnt, β-catenin, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), cystine/glutamate antiporter xCT, lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3 (LPCAT3), and arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15). Western blot was performed to detect the expression of HMBS, Wnt, β-catenin, GPX4, KEAP1, Nrf2, ATF3, xCT, LPCAT3, and ALOX15 proteins. ResultsThe 50 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L, 100 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L, DDP, 50 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L+DDP, and 100 µmol·L-1 Gyp-L+DDP groups showed significantly inhibited proliferation and migration of OVCAR3 cells (P<0.05) and exacerbated cell ferroptosis as reflected by the increase in the content of ROS, MDA, LPO, and Fe2+, as well as a decrease in the content of GSH (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, Gyp-L effectively interfered with the expression of 25 tsRNAs in OVCAR3 cells (P<0.05, |log2Fc|>1). Pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/HMBS/Wnt/β-catenin/GPX4, pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/KEAP1/NRF2/xCT, mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3/KEAP1/NRF2/xCT, and mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/LPCAT3/ALOX15 axial expression was significantly aberrant after Gyp-L intervention (P<0.05). ConclusionThe pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/HMBS/Wnt/β-catenin/GPX4, pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/KEAP1/Nrf2/xCT, mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3/KEAP1/Nrf2/xCT, and mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/LPCAT3/ALOX15 signaling pathways are involved in OC development. Gyp-L inhibits OC development by activating OVCAR3 cell ferroptosis onset mainly through the mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3/KEAP1/Nrf2/xCT and mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/LPCAT3/ALOX15 signaling axes.
8.Molecular Mechanism of Gypenoside L in Anti-Ovarian Cancer by Affecting GCK-Mediated Glycolytic Pathway
Yuanguang DONG ; Nan SONG ; Ying YANG ; Jingxuan ZHU ; Jiaxin WANG ; Mingdian YUAN ; Yingying SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):118-124
ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of gypenoside L (Gyp-L) in the treatment of ovarian cancer (OC) by taking the glycolytic pathway of OC as the key point. MethodsThe proliferation activity of OVCAR3 cells was measured by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay to determine the appropriate intervention concentration for subsequent experiments. The cell clone formation assay and the scratch healing assay were employed to assess the proliferation and migration capabilities of OVCAR3 cells. OVCAR3 cells were divided into a blank group, a Gyp-L-L group (low concentration of Gyp-L, 50 µmol
9.Molecular Mechanism of Treating Different Diseases with Same Treatment of Gypenoside L Affecting Oxidative Damage HUVEC and OVCAR-3 Through EGFR/STAT3/Glycolytic Pathway
Ying YANG ; Jiao ZHAO ; Xiaofei SUN ; Jiaxin WANG ; Peng CUI ; Nan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):125-134
ObjectiveWith the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)/Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription(STAT3)/Hexokinase 2(HK2) signaling pathway in atherosclerosis (AS) and ovarian cancer (OC) as the entry point, this paper discusses the molecular mechanism of Gypenoside L (Gyp-L) treating AS and OC with different diseases, provides a new perspective and theoretical basis for TCM treating AS and OC with EGFR-STAT3-HK2 pathway, and enriches the scientific connotation of the theory of "cytoskeleton in the heart". MethodsCCK-8 was used to detect the proliferation of HUVEC and OVCAR-3 cells, in order to determine the intervention concentration for subsequent experiments. The colorimetric method was used to detect the NO content in HUVEC and the contents of pyruvate and LDH in two cell lines. Cell cloning experiments and scratch experiments reflect the proliferation and migration ability of OVCAR-3 cells. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of relevant proteins. Furthermore, two cell models overexpressing EGFR were constructed and co treated with Gyp-L. HUVEC cells were divided into control, ox-LDL, OE-NC, OE-EGFR, OE-NC+Gyp-L, and OE-EGFR+Gyp-L group. OVCAR-3 cells were divided into control, OE-NC, OE-EGFR , OE-NC+Gyp-L, and OE-EGFR+Gyp-L group. The colorimetric method was used to detect the NO content in HUVEC and the contents of pyruvate and LDH in two cell lines. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of EGFR-STAT3-HK2 pathway related proteins. Cell cloning experiments and scratch experiments reflect the proliferation and migration ability of OVCAR-3 cells. ResultsGyp-L can significantly reduce the NO content of HUVEC and the pyruvate and LDH content of two cell lines (P<0.05); Inhibit the proliferation and migration ability of OVCAR-3 cells; Reduce the expression levels of EGFR/STAT3/HK2 pathway related proteins in HUVEC and OVCAR-3 cell lines (P<0.05), and inhibit the glycolysis pathway. ConclusionGyp-L can inhibit glycolysis in HUVEC and OVCAR-3 cells through the EGFR/STAT3/HK2 pathway,thereby suppressing the occurrence and development of AS and OC.
10.Gypenoside L Regulates piR-hsa-2804461/FKBP8/Bcl-2 Axis to Promote Apoptosis and Inhibit Ovarian Cancer
Yuanguang DONG ; Yinying SUN ; Mingdian YUAN ; Ying YANG ; Jiaxin WANG ; Jingxuan ZHU ; Nan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):98-106
ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism by which gypenoside L (Gyp-L) promotes apoptosis and inhibits ovarian cancer (OC) through the FK506-binding protein (FKBP) prolyl isomerase 8 (FKBP8)/B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) axis, with the piR-hsa-2804461 pathway as a breakthrough point. MethodsThe effects of different concentrations of Gyp-L and cis-platinum on the proliferation of OVCAR3 cells were determined by the cell count kit-8 method to identify the appropriate intervention concentration for subsequent experiments. OVCAR3 cells were allocated into blank, low-dose Gyp-L (Gyp-L-L, 50 µmol·L-1), high-dose Gyp-L (Gyp-L-H, 100 µmol·L-1), and cis-platinum (15 µmol·L-1) groups. The migration, colony formation, and apoptosis of OVCAR3 cells were detected by the cell scratch assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. The mRNA levels of piR-hsa-2804461 and FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis-related genes in OVCAR3 cells were determined by Real-time PCR, and the expression levels of FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis-related proteins were determined by simple Western blot. Further, an OVCAR3 cell model with piR-hsa-2804461 knocked out was constructed. The cells were allocated into blank, NC-inhibitor, inhibitor, NC-inhibitor+Gyp-L, and inhibitor+Gyp-L groups. The colony formation of OVCAR3 cells was detected by the colony formation assay. The mRNA levels of piR-hsa-2804461 and FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis-related genes and the expression levels of FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis-related proteins were determined by Real-time PCR and simple Western blotting, respectively. ResultsGyp-L inhibited the migration and proliferation (P<0.01), promoted the apoptosis (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA level of piR-hsa-2804461 (P<0.05), and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of FKBP8 and Bcl-2 (P<0.05) in OVCAR3 cells. Furthermore, Gyp-L increased the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase (Caspase)-3, and Caspase-9, which are related to the FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis (P<0.05). ConclusionGyp-L may promote apoptosis by regulating the piR-hsa-2804461/FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis, thus affecting the occurrence of ovarian cancer.

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