1.Protective Effect of Xuebijing on Lung Injury in Rats with Severe Acute Pancreatitis by Blocking FPRs/NLRP3 Inflammatory Pathway
Guixian ZHANG ; Dawei LIU ; Xia LI ; Xijing LI ; Pengcheng SHI ; Zhiqiao FENG ; Jun CAI ; Wenhui ZONG ; Xiumei ZHAO ; Hongbin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):113-120
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect of Xuebijing injection (XBJ) on severe acute pancreatitis induced acute lung injury (SAP-ALI) by regulating formyl peptide receptors (FPRs)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammatory pathway. MethodsSixty rats were randomly divided into a sham group, a SAP-ALI model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose XBJ groups (4, 8, and 12 mL·kg-1), and a positive drug (BOC2, 0.2 mg·kg-1) group. For the sham group, the pancreas of rats was only gently flipped after laparotomy, and then the abdomen was closed, while for the remaining five groups, SAP-ALI rat models were established by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate (Na-Tc) via the biliopancreatic duct. XBJ and BOC2 were administered via intraperitoneal injection once daily for 3 d prior to modeling and 0.5 h after modeling. Blood was collected from the abdominal aorta 6 h after the completion of modeling, and the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in plasma was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The amount of ascites was measured, and the dry-wet weight ratios of pancreatic and lung tissue were determined. Pancreatic and lung tissue was taken for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe pathological changes and then scored. The protein expression levels of FPR1, FPR2, and NLRP3 in lung tissue were detected by the immunohistochemical method. Western blot was used to detect the expression of FPR1, FPR2, and NLRP3 in lung tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of FPR1, FPR2, and NLRP3 in lung tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the SAP-ALI model group showed significantly decreased dry-wet weight ratio of lung tissue (P<0.01), serious pathological changes of lung tissue, a significantly increased pathological score (P<0.01), and significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of FPR1, FPR2, and NLRP3 in lung tissue (P<0.01). After BOC2 intervention, the above detection indicators were significantly reversed (P<0.01). After treatment with XBJ, the groups of different XBJ doses achieved results consistent with BOC2 intervention. ConclusionXBJ can effectively improve the inflammatory response of the lungs in SAP-ALI rats and reduce damage. The mechanism may be related to inhibiting the expression of FPRs and NLRP3 in lung tissue, which thereby reduces IL-1β and simultaneously antagonize the release of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α.
2.Research progress in asexual reproduction technology of Callicarpa.
Yi-Teng ZHANG ; Jin-Feng XU ; Lin FANG ; Lin LI ; Kun-Lin WU ; Song-Jun ZENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1507-1514
Callicarpa is an important medicinal plant in China, which has hemostatic, antibacterial, and antioxidant pharmacological effects, and the efficacy of astringing and arresting bleeding, clearing heat and detoxification, activating blood, and resolving stasis is outstanding. At the same time, Callicarpa can be used as an ornamental plant because of its gorgeous flowers and fruits. Callicarpa has good market development prospects, but the long seed reproduction cycle directly limits the large demand for seedlings in its industrial development. Asexual reproduction technology is the basis for the industrialization development of Callicarpa, which is helpful in producing high-quality seedlings and medicinal materials. Although Chinese and foreign scholars have achieved remarkable results in the study of asexual reproduction of Callicarpa, there is no report on the large-scale production of seedlings of Callicarpa. Integrating and improving its asexual reproduction technology can promote the development and utilization of Callicarpa, improve its medicinal value, and create significant economic benefits. Therefore, the authors reviewed the effects of cutting, season, plant growth regulators, substrates, environment, and management measures on the cutting of Callicarpa and the research progress of tissue culture propagation affected by explants, basic media, exogenous additives, subculture cycles, culture conditions, and transplanting substrates. The mechanism of adventitious root formation was reviewed at the cellular, physiological, and biochemical levels, so as to put forward the problems and corresponding solutions in the study of asexual propagation technology and regulatory mechanism of Callicarpa and point out the future research directions. The study aims to provide a reference for in-depth research on the asexual propagation technology of Callicarpa and the commercial production of its high-quality seedlings.
Reproduction, Asexual
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Plants, Medicinal/physiology*
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Seedlings/growth & development*
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Tissue Culture Techniques
3.Two new lignans from Ajania purpurea.
Yu-Shun CUI ; Min YAO ; Xin-Jun DI ; Zhi-Qiang LI ; Shan HAN ; Jun-Mao LI ; Yu-Lin FENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3322-3334
Macroporous resin adsorption column chromatography, silica gel column chromatography, ODS column chromatography, and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography, combined with analytical methods such as NMR and MS, were employed to separate and identify compounds from the 70% ethanol extract of Ajania purpurea. A total of 30 compounds were isolated and identified, including 13 phenolic acids, 7 coumarins, 2 lignans, 1 flavonoid, 2 sesquiterpenes, 1 steroid, and 4 others. Among them, compounds 1 and 2 were newly discovered compounds, and compounds 4, 6, 8, 12, 14-23, 25, 28, and 30 were isolated from Ajania plants for the first time. Bioactivity screening showed that multiple compounds significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, compound 2 elevated the levels of glutathione in LPS-induced BEAS-2B cells, reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, interleukin(IL)-6, and IL-1β, enhanced the mRNA of GPX4, HMOX1, NFE2L2, and enhanced protein levels of GPX4, HO-1, Nrf2, and SLC7A11, demonstrating potential anti-ferroptotic effect.
Mice
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Animals
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Lignans/isolation & purification*
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RAW 264.7 Cells
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Humans
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Nitric Oxide
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification*
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NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
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Macrophages/metabolism*
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Interleukin-6/immunology*
4.Expert consensus on evaluation index system construction for new traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) from TCM clinical practice in medical institutions.
Li LIU ; Lei ZHANG ; Wei-An YUAN ; Zhong-Qi YANG ; Jun-Hua ZHANG ; Bao-He WANG ; Si-Yuan HU ; Zu-Guang YE ; Ling HAN ; Yue-Hua ZHOU ; Zi-Feng YANG ; Rui GAO ; Ming YANG ; Ting WANG ; Jie-Lai XIA ; Shi-Shan YU ; Xiao-Hui FAN ; Hua HUA ; Jia HE ; Yin LU ; Zhong WANG ; Jin-Hui DOU ; Geng LI ; Yu DONG ; Hao YU ; Li-Ping QU ; Jian-Yuan TANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3474-3482
Medical institutions, with their clinical practice foundation and abundant human use experience data, have become important carriers for the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the "cradles" of the preparation of new TCM. To effectively promote the transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and establish an effective evaluation index system for the transformation of new TCM conforming to the characteristics of TCM, consensus experts adopted the literature research, questionnaire survey, Delphi method, etc. By focusing on the policy and technical evaluation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions, a comprehensive evaluation from the dimensions of drug safety, efficacy, feasibility, and characteristic advantages was conducted, thus forming a comprehensive evaluation system with four primary indicators and 37 secondary indicators. The expert consensus reached aims to encourage medical institutions at all levels to continuously improve the high-quality research and development and transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and targeted at clinical needs, so as to provide a decision-making basis for the preparation, selection, cultivation, and transformation of new TCM for medical institutions, improve the development efficiency of new TCM, and precisely respond to the public medication needs.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
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Humans
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Consensus
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Surveys and Questionnaires
5.Overall strategy for development and application of core outcome set of traditional Chinese medicine.
Jun-Hua ZHANG ; Bo PANG ; Yu-Yun LI ; Hui-Zhong ZHU ; Feng-Wen YANG ; Bo-Li ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(13):3506-3512
The scientific and standardized evaluation of clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is the core requirement for promoting the high-quality development of TCM. Building a recognized evaluation outcome system that conforms to the clinical efficacy characteristics of TCM is a key fundamental issue in the production and transformation of clinical evidence in TCM. In response to the heterogeneity of evaluation outcomes and core issues such as "western law in the middle", the research on the core outcome set of TCM(COS-TCM) has undergone more than ten years of exploration and practice. Its methodological system has continued to deepen under the coordinated development of theoretical basis, technical methods, platform support, and talent team, achieving an important leap from early introduction to standardized system construction and entering a new stage of systematic development. However, the overall research scale, quality, and the translation and application of research results in COS-TCM are still insufficient. In response to the opportunities and challenges of the new development stage, this article systematically reviews the development history and research status of COS-TCM, clarifies the basic principles of "international standards + TCM characteristics" and the key tasks of "selection, improvement, and creation", and proposes a three-step development path of "exploration and research, standard development, and regulatory transformation" to promote the standardization, systematization, and scientific development of related research. To ensure the effective implementation of research results, key promotion strategies such as upgrading research platforms, strengthening support systems, and optimizing collaborative mechanisms have been planned to drive COS-TCM to better serve clinical research, evidence translation, and new drug review.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
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Humans
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards*
6.Research progress and exploration of traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of sepsis-acute lung injury by inhibiting pyroptosis.
Wen-Yu WU ; Nuo-Ran LI ; Kai WANG ; Xin JIAO ; Wan-Ning LAN ; Yun-Sheng XU ; Lin WANG ; Jing-Nan LIN ; Rui CHEN ; Rui-Feng ZENG ; Jun LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(16):4425-4436
Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response caused by severe infection or trauma, and is one of the common causes of acute lung injury(ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). Sepsis-acute lung injury(SALI) is a critical clinical condition with high morbidity and mortality. Its pathogenesis is complex and not yet fully understood, and there is currently a lack of targeted and effective treatment options. Pyroptosis, a novel form of programmed cell death, plays a key role in the pathological process of SALI by activating inflammasomes and releasing inflammatory factors, making it a potential therapeutic target. In recent years, the role of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in regulating signaling pathways related to pyroptosis through multi-components and multi-targets has attracted increasing attention. TCM may intervene in pyroptosis by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and regulating the expression of Caspase family proteins, thus alleviating inflammatory damage in lung tissues. This paper systematically reviews the molecular regulatory network of pyroptosis in SALI and explores the potential mechanisms and research progress on TCM intervention in cellular pyroptosis. The aim is to provide new ideas and theoretical support for basic research and clinical treatment strategies of TCM in SALI.
Pyroptosis/drug effects*
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Humans
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Sepsis/genetics*
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Acute Lung Injury/physiopathology*
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Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Inflammasomes/metabolism*
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NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics*
7.Development of intelligent equipment for rapid microbial detection of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma decoction pieces based on measurement technology for traditional Chinese medicine manufacturing.
Yang LIU ; Wu-Zhen QI ; Yu-Tong WU ; Shan-Xi ZHU ; Xiao-Jun ZHAO ; Qia-Tong XIE ; Yu-Feng GUO ; Jing ZHAO ; Nan LI ; Shi-Jun WANG ; Qi-Hui SUN ; Zhi-Sheng WU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(16):4610-4618
Microbial detection and control of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) decoction pieces are crucial for the quality control of TCM preparations. It is also a key area of research in the measurement technology and equipment development for TCM manufacturing. Guided by TCM manufacturing measurement methodologies, this study presented a design of a novel portable microbial detection device, using Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma decoction pieces as a demonstration. Immunomagnetic separation technology was employed for specific isolation and labeling of target microorganisms. Enzymatic signal amplification was utilized to convert weak biological signals into colorimetric signals, constructing an optical biosensor. A self-developed smartphone APP was further applied to analyze the colorimetric signals and quantify target concentrations. A portable and automated detection system based on Arduino microcontroller was developed to automatically perform target microbial separation/extraction, as well as mimetic enzyme labeling and catalytic reactions. The developed equipment specifically focuses on the rapid and quantitative microbial analysis of TCM active pharmaceutical ingredients, intermediates in TCM manufacturing, and final TCM products. Experimental results demonstrate that the equipment could detect Salmonella in samples within 2 h, with a detection limit as low as 5.1 × 10~3 CFU·mL~(-1). The equipment enables the rapid detection of microorganisms in TCM decoction pieces, providing a potential technical solution for on-site rapid screening of microbial contamination indicators in TCM. It has broad application prospects in measurement technology for TCM manufacturing and offers strong technical support for the modernization, industrialization, and intelligent development of TCM.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis*
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Atractylodes/microbiology*
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Rhizome/microbiology*
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Biosensing Techniques/methods*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Colorimetry/instrumentation*
;
Quality Control
8.A model based on the graph attention network for epileptic seizure anomaly detection.
Guohua LIANG ; Jina E ; Hanyi LI ; Zhiwen FANG ; Jun WANG ; Chang'an ZHAN ; Feng YANG
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(4):693-700
The existing epilepsy seizure detection algorithms have problems such as overfitting and poor generalization ability due to high reliance on manual labeling of electroencephalogram's data and data imbalance between seizure and interictal periods. An unsupervised learning detection method for epileptic seizure that jointed graph attention network (GAT) and Transformer framework (GAT-T) was proposed. In this method, channel correlations were adaptively learned by GAT encoder. Temporal information was captured by one-dimensional convolution decoder. Combining outputs of the two mentioned above, predicted values for electroencephalogram were generated. The collective anomaly score was calculated and the detection threshold was determined. The results demonstrated that GAT-T achieved the average performance exceeding 90% (or 99%) with a 0.25 s (or 2 s) time segment length, which could effectively detect epileptic seizures. Moreover, the channel association probability matrix was expected to assist clinicians in the initial screening of the epileptogenic zone, and ablation experiments also reflected the significance of each module in GAT-T. This study may assist clinicians in making more accurate diagnostic and therapeutic decisions for epilepsy patients.
Humans
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Electroencephalography/methods*
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Epilepsy/physiopathology*
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Algorithms
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Seizures/physiopathology*
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Neural Networks, Computer
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Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
9.A novel loop-structure-based bispecific CAR that targets CD19 and CD22 with enhanced therapeutic efficacy against B-cell malignancies.
Lijun ZHAO ; Shuhong LI ; Xiaoyi WEI ; Xuexiu QI ; Qiaoru GUO ; Licai SHI ; Ji-Shuai ZHANG ; Jun LI ; Ze-Lin LIU ; Zhi GUO ; Hongyu ZHANG ; Jia FENG ; Yuanyuan SHI ; Suping ZHANG ; Yu J CAO
Protein & Cell 2025;16(3):227-231
10.Cryo-EM structures of Nipah virus polymerase complex reveal highly varied interactions between L and P proteins among paramyxoviruses.
Lu XUE ; Tiancai CHANG ; Jiacheng GUI ; Zimu LI ; Heyu ZHAO ; Binqian ZOU ; Junnan LU ; Mei LI ; Xin WEN ; Shenghua GAO ; Peng ZHAN ; Lijun RONG ; Liqiang FENG ; Peng GONG ; Jun HE ; Xinwen CHEN ; Xiaoli XIONG
Protein & Cell 2025;16(8):705-723
Nipah virus (NiV) and related viruses form a distinct henipavirus genus within the Paramyxoviridae family. NiV continues to spillover into the humans causing deadly outbreaks with increasing human-bat interaction. NiV encodes the large protein (L) and phosphoprotein (P) to form the viral RNA polymerase machinery. Their sequences show limited homologies to those of non-henipavirus paramyxoviruses. We report two cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the Nipah virus (NiV) polymerase L-P complex, expressed and purified in either its full-length or truncated form. The structures resolve the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and polyribonucleotidyl transferase (PRNTase) domains of the L protein, as well as a tetrameric P protein bundle bound to the L-RdRp domain. L-protein C-terminal regions are unresolved, indicating flexibility. Two PRNTase domain zinc-binding sites, conserved in most Mononegavirales, are confirmed essential for NiV polymerase activity. The structures further reveal anchoring of the P protein bundle and P protein X domain (XD) linkers on L, via an interaction pattern distinct among Paramyxoviridae. These interactions facilitate binding of a P protein XD linker in the nucleotide entry channel and distinct positioning of other XD linkers. We show that the disruption of the L-P interactions reduces NiV polymerase activity. The reported structures should facilitate rational antiviral-drug discovery and provide a guide for the functional study of NiV polymerase.
Nipah Virus/chemistry*
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Cryoelectron Microscopy
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Viral Proteins/genetics*
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RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase/genetics*
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Phosphoproteins/genetics*
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Humans
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Models, Molecular
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Protein Binding

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