1.Curzerene Ameliorates Depression-Like Behaviors and Cognitive Impairment by Modulating the Gut Microbiota and HMGB1/RAGE/ TLR4 Pathway
Fengjing HUANG ; Xiaohong MA ; Xiao XU ; Jingwen ZHANG ; Chunlai WANG ; Ruoxi SONG ; Xiangxiang WANG ; Mingxing CHEN ; Yu QI
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2026;34(1):174-188
Curzerene, a sesquiterpene compound isolated from Curcuma Radix, exhibits various therapeutic effects, such as anti-tumor and anti-hyperlipidemic properties. However, its neuroprotective effects have not yet been reported. This study focused on exploring the neuroprotective effect of curzerene and elucidating its potential mechanism by combining molecular biotechnology with multi-omics approaches. Curzerene was orally administered to LPS-induced depressive-like behaviors and cognitive impairment in mice for 14 days, and the related biochemical parameters were evaluated. The possible mechanisms were elucidated using qRT-PCR, Western Blot, immunofluorescence, untargeted metabolomics, GC-MS and 16S rDNA comprehensively. Curzerene ameliorated depression symptoms and cognitive impairment by increasing the preference for sucrose in SPT and the central area and total distance traveled in OFT, reducing the immobility time in TST and FST, as well as rising the spontaneous alternation ratio in Y maze. Multiple molecular biology techniques analyses indicated the ameliorative effect of curzerene via HMGB1/RAGE/ TLR4 pathway. Moreover, curzerene primarily regulates purine metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, etc. Furthermore, intervention increased the relative abundance of Parabacteroides, Clostridia_UCG-014_unclassified, and Rhodospirillales_unclassified, and enhanced the production of SCFAs. This work demonstrated that curzerene effectively protects against LPS-induced neurological damage, potentially by inhibiting the HMGB1/ RAGE/TLR4 pathway through the restoration of gut microbiota homeostasis, modulation of metabolites, and enhancement of SCFAs. In conclusion, this study offers new perspectives on the therapeutic possibilities of curzerene in mitigating depressive-like behaviors and cognitive impairment.
2.Intervention Effect and Mechanism of Danggui Shaoyao Power in Rats of Spontaneous Abortion Based on Protenomics
Liya MA ; Bin LIU ; Shen GUO ; Zhaoxuan ZU ; Jingwen DU ; Jiahao GAO ; Xin ZHANG ; Tong ZHANG ; Aoyu QI ; Yu TANG ; Minghao ZHANG ; Dawei ZHANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(1):268-280
Objective To investigate the intervention effects and mechanism of Danggui Shaoyao power on spontaneous abortion rats.Methods A total of 60 first-day pregnant rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,dydrogesterone group and Danggui Shaoyao power low,middle,and high dose groups,with 10 rats in each group.The low,middle,and high dose groups were given Danggui Shaoyao power 5.175 g·kg-1,10.35 g·kg-1,20.7 g·kg-1,respectively,from 1 to 12 days of gestation,and the dydrogesterone group was given dydrogesterone tablet solution 2 mg·kg-1 once a day.On the 13th day of gestation,rats model of spontaneous abortion was established by intragastric administration of 5 mg·kg-1 of mifepristone tablet solution except for the normal group.Serum levels of GnRH,FSH,LH,E2 were measured,and abortion rates and uterine coefficients were calculated.The pathological changes of pregnant uterus were observed by haematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The differential proteins in rats pregnant uterus were detected by Label-Free shotgun proteomic technique,and the PPI,Gene Ontology(GO),and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathways analysis of the differential proteins were analyzed.Immunohistochemistry was used to verify the expression levels of differential proteins.Results Compared with normal group,the serum levels of GnRH,FSH,LH,E2 and uterine coefficients were decreased,and the abortion rates were increased in model group(P<0.05).There were abortion lesions of spontaneous abortion in model group.Compared with model group,the serum levels of GnRH,FSH,LH,E2 and uterine coefficients were increased(P<0.05),and the abortion rates were decreased(P<0.05)in dydrogesterone group and Danggui Shaoyao power low,middle,and high dose groups.Proteomic results showed that a total of 550 proteins were quantified in this study.PPI analysis showed that a total of 159 proteins interacted with other proteins as hubs;the results of GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the intervention effect of Danggui Shaoyao power on spontaneous abortion is related to the focal adhesion pathway,and involved upregulation of Akt2,Col6a1,Col6a2 and downregulation of Pten.Immunohistochemistry results showed that compared with normal group,the expression level of Akt2,Col6a1 and Col6a2 were decreased(P<0.05),and the expression level of Pten was increased(P<0.05)in model group.Compared with model group,the expression level of Akt2,Col6a1 and Col6a2 were increased(P<0.05),and the expression level of Pten was decreased(P<0.05)in dydrogesterone group and Danggui Shaoyao power low,middle,and high dose groups.Conclusions Danggui Shaoyao power has the intervention effect on spontaneous abortion,and its mechanism may be related to by demoting the protein expressions of Pten,and promoting the protein expressions of Akt2,Col6a1 and Col6a2.
3.Research on the association between tetracyclines use during pregnancy and congenital malformations in offspring
Jin GUO ; Peng ZHAO ; Chunrong LIU ; Mingyu LIAO ; Jingwen CHEN ; Jianru WU ; Yan REN ; Biao RONG ; Huanyang QI ; Moliang CHEN ; Xin SUN ; Jing TAN ; Yiquan XIONG
Adverse Drug Reactions Journal 2025;27(9):530-536
Objective:To explore the association between the use of tetracyclines during pregnancy and congenital malformations, with the aim of providing evidence-based guidance for the rational use of antibiotics during pregnancy.Methods:Data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and the Canada Vigilance Adverse Reaction (CVAR) database from January 2015 to September 2024 were collected. Five methods including Tree-based scan statistic (TreeScan), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), reporting odds ratio (ROR), the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) comprehensive standard, and the Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN) were used to detect signals of risk for congenital malformations in offspring following maternal use of tetracyclines during pregnancy. A signal that met the threshold criteria of all above 5 methods was considered as a risk signal. Based on population-based cohort of the drug exposures and adverse pregnancy outcomes (DEEP) data from January 2013 to December 2021 in Xiamen City, propensity score matching (PSM)-based Poisson regression was applied to evaluate the association between the first-trimester tetracyclines exposure and congenital malformations in offspring. Adjusted relative risk (a RR) and its 95% confidence interval ( CI) were calculated. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to validate the reliability of the results. Results:A total of 304 098 reports of adverse events during pregnancy were obtained from the FAERS and CVAR databases. Among them, 5 028 reports were related to tetracyclines, including 1 026 reports of congenital malformations in offspring, involving congenital malformations of musculoskeletal system, other digestive system, and other congenital malformations. Signal detection results suggested that tetracyclines may be a risk signal for above congenital malformations in offspring. The DEEP data included 411 936 pregnant women. After PSM, 240 pregnant women exposed to tetracyclines were included. The results showed no significant association between the first-trimester tetracyclines exposure and congenital malformations in offspring (a RR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.26-2.17), sensitivity analysis also showed no correlation. Conclusions:Data mining from the FAERS and CVAR databases suggests a potential association between tetracyclines use during pregnancy and congenital malformations in offspring. However, the DEEP data study shows no significant correlation.
4.Pharmacokinetic Differences of Seven Components in Different Phases of Banxia Xiexintang in Rats
Chao HE ; Siyi LIU ; Mingyun WANG ; Qi WANG ; Jingwen ZHOU ; Tong ZHANG ; Yiqiong PU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):215-222
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of phases on the pharmacokinetic behavior of seven components from Banxia Xiexintang(BXT) in normal rats by investigating and comparing their pharmacokinetic profiles in different phase samples. MethodsThe phase separation of BXT was carried out by centrifugation-dialysis method, and three phase samples were obtained, including the precipitated phase(PP), colloidal phase(CP) and true solution phase(TP). A total of 24 male SD rats were randomly divided into BXT, PP, CP and TP groups(n=6). The BXT group was gavaged at a dose of 24.1 g·kg-1(calculated by the dosage of raw materials). After proper treatments, PP, CP and TP groups were administrated at the same dose as that of BXT group, respectively. Blood was collected from each group at set time points after gavage of BXT and the phase samples. The contents of 7 components(baicalin, wogonoside, wogonin, berberine, palmatine, ammonium glycyrrhizinate and isoliquiritin) in rat plasma were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS), and the pharmacokinetic parameters of each component were analyzed by DAS 2.0. ResultsThe peak concentration of baicalin was the highest among the blood-entered components in each group, followed by wogonoside. The results of the concentration-time curves and pharmacokinetic parameters of the 7 components showed that the area under the concentration-time curve(AUC) of isoliquiritin in the BXT group was the highest, followed by that in the CP group. AUC values of baicalin, wogonoside, wogonin and ammonium glycyrrhizinate in the BXT group were similar to those of the CP group, and AUC of palmatine in the BXT group was similar to that of the PP group. The elimination half-life(t1/2) values of baicalin and wogonoside in the BXT group was the longest, the t1/2 values of ammonium glycyrrhizinate and berberine were similar to those of the CP group, and the t1/2 of palmatine was similar to that of the PP group. The t1/2 of wogonin was the longest in the PP group, and the t1/2 of isoliquiritin was the longest in the TP group was the longest, which was similar to that in the PP group. Except for isoliquiritin, the other 6 components showed double peaks in the concentration-time curve of the PP group, indicating that the above components might be reabsorbed through the enterohepatic circulation in vivo, which resulted in the maintenance of high plasma concentrations for a long time, and consequently exhibited sustained-release properties. ConclusionThe pharmacokinetic characteristics of the components in different phases were different, and the CP phase may be the effective phase from the perspective of the pharmacological action of BXT. Compared with the BXT group, the in vivo action times of some components in the CP and PP groups were prolonged. The study explores the phase differences of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) compound decoction in the aspect of pharmacokinetics, and verifies that the phase states from TCM compound decoction will affect the pharmacokinetic behaviors of the active components, which may consequently lead to the difference in in vivo effects.
5.Pharmacokinetic Differences of Seven Components in Different Phases of Banxia Xiexintang in Rats
Chao HE ; Siyi LIU ; Mingyun WANG ; Qi WANG ; Jingwen ZHOU ; Tong ZHANG ; Yiqiong PU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):215-222
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of phases on the pharmacokinetic behavior of seven components from Banxia Xiexintang(BXT) in normal rats by investigating and comparing their pharmacokinetic profiles in different phase samples. MethodsThe phase separation of BXT was carried out by centrifugation-dialysis method, and three phase samples were obtained, including the precipitated phase(PP), colloidal phase(CP) and true solution phase(TP). A total of 24 male SD rats were randomly divided into BXT, PP, CP and TP groups(n=6). The BXT group was gavaged at a dose of 24.1 g·kg-1(calculated by the dosage of raw materials). After proper treatments, PP, CP and TP groups were administrated at the same dose as that of BXT group, respectively. Blood was collected from each group at set time points after gavage of BXT and the phase samples. The contents of 7 components(baicalin, wogonoside, wogonin, berberine, palmatine, ammonium glycyrrhizinate and isoliquiritin) in rat plasma were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS), and the pharmacokinetic parameters of each component were analyzed by DAS 2.0. ResultsThe peak concentration of baicalin was the highest among the blood-entered components in each group, followed by wogonoside. The results of the concentration-time curves and pharmacokinetic parameters of the 7 components showed that the area under the concentration-time curve(AUC) of isoliquiritin in the BXT group was the highest, followed by that in the CP group. AUC values of baicalin, wogonoside, wogonin and ammonium glycyrrhizinate in the BXT group were similar to those of the CP group, and AUC of palmatine in the BXT group was similar to that of the PP group. The elimination half-life(t1/2) values of baicalin and wogonoside in the BXT group was the longest, the t1/2 values of ammonium glycyrrhizinate and berberine were similar to those of the CP group, and the t1/2 of palmatine was similar to that of the PP group. The t1/2 of wogonin was the longest in the PP group, and the t1/2 of isoliquiritin was the longest in the TP group was the longest, which was similar to that in the PP group. Except for isoliquiritin, the other 6 components showed double peaks in the concentration-time curve of the PP group, indicating that the above components might be reabsorbed through the enterohepatic circulation in vivo, which resulted in the maintenance of high plasma concentrations for a long time, and consequently exhibited sustained-release properties. ConclusionThe pharmacokinetic characteristics of the components in different phases were different, and the CP phase may be the effective phase from the perspective of the pharmacological action of BXT. Compared with the BXT group, the in vivo action times of some components in the CP and PP groups were prolonged. The study explores the phase differences of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) compound decoction in the aspect of pharmacokinetics, and verifies that the phase states from TCM compound decoction will affect the pharmacokinetic behaviors of the active components, which may consequently lead to the difference in in vivo effects.
6.Intervention Effect and Mechanism of Danggui Shaoyao Power in Rats of Spontaneous Abortion Based on Protenomics
Liya MA ; Bin LIU ; Shen GUO ; Zhaoxuan ZU ; Jingwen DU ; Jiahao GAO ; Xin ZHANG ; Tong ZHANG ; Aoyu QI ; Yu TANG ; Minghao ZHANG ; Dawei ZHANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(1):268-280
Objective To investigate the intervention effects and mechanism of Danggui Shaoyao power on spontaneous abortion rats.Methods A total of 60 first-day pregnant rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,dydrogesterone group and Danggui Shaoyao power low,middle,and high dose groups,with 10 rats in each group.The low,middle,and high dose groups were given Danggui Shaoyao power 5.175 g·kg-1,10.35 g·kg-1,20.7 g·kg-1,respectively,from 1 to 12 days of gestation,and the dydrogesterone group was given dydrogesterone tablet solution 2 mg·kg-1 once a day.On the 13th day of gestation,rats model of spontaneous abortion was established by intragastric administration of 5 mg·kg-1 of mifepristone tablet solution except for the normal group.Serum levels of GnRH,FSH,LH,E2 were measured,and abortion rates and uterine coefficients were calculated.The pathological changes of pregnant uterus were observed by haematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The differential proteins in rats pregnant uterus were detected by Label-Free shotgun proteomic technique,and the PPI,Gene Ontology(GO),and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathways analysis of the differential proteins were analyzed.Immunohistochemistry was used to verify the expression levels of differential proteins.Results Compared with normal group,the serum levels of GnRH,FSH,LH,E2 and uterine coefficients were decreased,and the abortion rates were increased in model group(P<0.05).There were abortion lesions of spontaneous abortion in model group.Compared with model group,the serum levels of GnRH,FSH,LH,E2 and uterine coefficients were increased(P<0.05),and the abortion rates were decreased(P<0.05)in dydrogesterone group and Danggui Shaoyao power low,middle,and high dose groups.Proteomic results showed that a total of 550 proteins were quantified in this study.PPI analysis showed that a total of 159 proteins interacted with other proteins as hubs;the results of GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the intervention effect of Danggui Shaoyao power on spontaneous abortion is related to the focal adhesion pathway,and involved upregulation of Akt2,Col6a1,Col6a2 and downregulation of Pten.Immunohistochemistry results showed that compared with normal group,the expression level of Akt2,Col6a1 and Col6a2 were decreased(P<0.05),and the expression level of Pten was increased(P<0.05)in model group.Compared with model group,the expression level of Akt2,Col6a1 and Col6a2 were increased(P<0.05),and the expression level of Pten was decreased(P<0.05)in dydrogesterone group and Danggui Shaoyao power low,middle,and high dose groups.Conclusions Danggui Shaoyao power has the intervention effect on spontaneous abortion,and its mechanism may be related to by demoting the protein expressions of Pten,and promoting the protein expressions of Akt2,Col6a1 and Col6a2.
7.Astrocytic dopamine D1 receptor modulates glutamatergic transmission and synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex through d-serine.
Yanan YIN ; Jian HU ; Haipeng WU ; Xinyu YANG ; Jingwen QI ; Lang HUANG ; Zhengyi LUO ; Shiyang JIN ; Nengyuan HU ; Zhoucai LUO ; Tong LUO ; Hao CHEN ; Xiaowen LI ; Chunhua YUAN ; Shuji LI ; Jianming YANG ; Yihua CHEN ; Tianming GAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4692-4710
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a pivotal role in orchestrating higher-order emotional and cognitive processes, a function that depends on the precise modulation of synaptic activity. Although pharmacological studies have demonstrated that dopamine signaling through dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1) in the PFC is essential for these functions, the cell-type-specific and molecular mechanisms underlying the neuromodulatory effects remain elusive. Using cell-type-specific knockout mice and patch-clamp recordings, we investigated the regulatory role of DRD1 on neurons and astrocytes in synaptic transmission and plasticity. Furthermore, we explored the mechanisms by which DRD1 on astrocytes regulate synaptic transmission and plasticity at the cellular level, as well as emotional and cognitive functions at the behavioral level, through two-photon imaging, microdialysis, high-performance liquid chromatography, transcriptome sequencing, and behavioral testing. We found that conditional knockout of the Drd1 in astrocytes (CKOAST) increased glutamatergic synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), whereas Drd1 deletion in pyramidal neurons did not affect synaptic transmission. The elevated level of d-serine in the mPFC of CKOAST mice increased glutamatergic transmission and LTP through NMDA receptors. In addition, CKOAST mice exhibited abnormal emotional and cognitive function. Notably, these behavioral changes in CKOAST mice could be reversed through the administration of d-serine degrease to the mPFC. These results highlight the critical role of the astrocytic DRD1 in modulating mPFC synaptic transmission and plasticity, as well as higher brain functions through d-serine, and may shed light on the treatment of mental disorders.
8.Automatic measurement of acetabular cup anteversion angle using an accurate recognition technology based on improved Otsu algorithm and feature point.
Qian LIU ; Yunqing MA ; Bo WU ; Yao ZHANG ; Jingwen QI ; Yuqian MEI
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(3):592-600
The orientation of the acetabular cup in hip joint anteroposterior radiograph is a key factor in evaluating the postoperative outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Currently, measurement of the acetabular cup anteversion angle primarily relies on manual drawing of auxiliary lines by orthopedic surgeons and calculations using scientific calculators. This study proposes an automated computer-aided measurement method for the acetabular cup anteversion angle based on hip joint anteroposterior radiograph. The proposed method segments hip prosthesis images using an improved Otsu algorithm, identifies feature points at the acetabular cup opening by combining circle-fitting theory and the cup's geometric characteristics, and fits an ellipse to the cup opening to calculate the anteversion angle. A total of 104 hip joint anteroposterior radiographs, including 71 right-sided and 81 left-sided prostheses, were analyzed. Two orthopedic surgeons independently measured the postoperative anteversion angles, and the results were compared with computer-generated measurements for correlation analysis. Spearman and Pearson correlation analyses demonstrated significant correlations between the proposed method and manual measurements for both the right group ( r = 0.795, P < 0.01) and the left group ( r = 0.859, P < 0.01). This method provides a reliable reference for orthopedic surgeons to assess postoperative prognosis.
Humans
;
Acetabulum/anatomy & histology*
;
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/methods*
;
Algorithms
;
Hip Prosthesis
;
Hip Joint/diagnostic imaging*
;
Radiography
;
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*
9.Research on the association between tetracyclines use during pregnancy and congenital malformations in offspring
Jin GUO ; Peng ZHAO ; Chunrong LIU ; Mingyu LIAO ; Jingwen CHEN ; Jianru WU ; Yan REN ; Biao RONG ; Huanyang QI ; Moliang CHEN ; Xin SUN ; Jing TAN ; Yiquan XIONG
Adverse Drug Reactions Journal 2025;27(9):530-536
Objective:To explore the association between the use of tetracyclines during pregnancy and congenital malformations, with the aim of providing evidence-based guidance for the rational use of antibiotics during pregnancy.Methods:Data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and the Canada Vigilance Adverse Reaction (CVAR) database from January 2015 to September 2024 were collected. Five methods including Tree-based scan statistic (TreeScan), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), reporting odds ratio (ROR), the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) comprehensive standard, and the Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN) were used to detect signals of risk for congenital malformations in offspring following maternal use of tetracyclines during pregnancy. A signal that met the threshold criteria of all above 5 methods was considered as a risk signal. Based on population-based cohort of the drug exposures and adverse pregnancy outcomes (DEEP) data from January 2013 to December 2021 in Xiamen City, propensity score matching (PSM)-based Poisson regression was applied to evaluate the association between the first-trimester tetracyclines exposure and congenital malformations in offspring. Adjusted relative risk (a RR) and its 95% confidence interval ( CI) were calculated. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to validate the reliability of the results. Results:A total of 304 098 reports of adverse events during pregnancy were obtained from the FAERS and CVAR databases. Among them, 5 028 reports were related to tetracyclines, including 1 026 reports of congenital malformations in offspring, involving congenital malformations of musculoskeletal system, other digestive system, and other congenital malformations. Signal detection results suggested that tetracyclines may be a risk signal for above congenital malformations in offspring. The DEEP data included 411 936 pregnant women. After PSM, 240 pregnant women exposed to tetracyclines were included. The results showed no significant association between the first-trimester tetracyclines exposure and congenital malformations in offspring (a RR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.26-2.17), sensitivity analysis also showed no correlation. Conclusions:Data mining from the FAERS and CVAR databases suggests a potential association between tetracyclines use during pregnancy and congenital malformations in offspring. However, the DEEP data study shows no significant correlation.
10.Research progress on the relationship between virus and lower urinary tract diseases and related mechanism
Yuexuan ZHU ; Qi SUN ; Zhangrui ZHU ; Jingwen XUE ; Peng WU
Chinese Journal of Urology 2024;45(1):75-78
The microbiome plays a role in the development of lower urinary tract diseases, but the impact of viruses on these conditions remains unclear. In recent years, research has emerged demonstrating a potential link between viruses and lower urinary tract diseases, including bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and overactive bladder. In this paper, the research of the correlation between viruses and lower urinary tract diseases and the related mechanisms were reviewed.

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