1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates Signaling Pathways Related to Precancerous Lesions of Gastric Cancer: A Review
Maofu ZHANG ; Xinyu LI ; Yanyun SHEN ; Yeyuan LIU ; Jialin ZHONG ; Lulu CHEN ; Haihong ZHAO ; Zhongyang SONG ; Zhiming ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):297-306
Precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PLGC) are a group of pathological changes caused by abnormalities in the structure, morphology, and differentiation of gastric mucosal epithelial cells. Since the early symptoms are hidden and non-specific, PLGC is not easy to be diagnosed and it has often developed into intermediate or advanced gastric cancer once being diagnosed and missed the best time for treatment. Accordingly, the incidence of this disease is increasing year by year, which lifts a heavy burden on the patients. The pathogenesis of PLGC is complex, involving inflammatory microenvironment, bile reflux, glycolysis, autophagy, and apoptosis. Currently, PLGC is mainly treated with anti-inflammatory and endoscopic therapies, which are difficult to curb the development of PLGC. Therefore, seeking a safe and effective therapy is an important topic of modern research. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by treatment based on syndrome differentiation and a holistic view, exerts effects via multiple pathways, mechanisms, and targets. Recent studies have confirmed that TCM can regulate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR), Wnt/β-catenin, Sonic Hedgehog, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), neurogenic locus notch homolog protein (Notch), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and other signaling pathways. By targeting these pathways, TCM can inhibit aerobic glycolysis, reduce oxidative stress, repair the inflammatory microenvironment, regulate cellular autophagy, and promote vascular normalization, thereby delaying or reversing PLGC. However, few researchers have systematically summarized the TCM regulation of PLGC-associated pathways. By reviewing the relevant articles at home and abroad, this paper summarized the roles of the above signaling pathways in the development of PLGC and the research progress in the regulation of signaling pathways by TCM in the treatment of PLGC, with a view to providing a new theoretical basis for the clinical research on PLGC and the drug development for this disease.
2.Retrospective Study on Tongue Image Characteristics of Patients with Glucolipid Metabolism Disorders with Different Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes
Shi LIU ; Yang GAO ; Tao JIANG ; Zhanhong CHEN ; Jialin DENG ; Jiatuo XU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(8):826-833
ObjectiveTo explore the distribution pattern of tongue image characteristics in patients with glucolipid metabolic disorders and its main syndromes. MethodsA total of 841 patients with glucolipid metabolic disorders (disease group), and 380 healthy subjects (control group) were included. The disease group was classified into three syndrome types: 283 cases of liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome, 311 cases of phlegm-dampness obstruction syndrome, and 247 cases of qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome. Tongue image data were collected using the TFDA-1 Tongue Diagnosis Instrument, and the TDAS V3.0 software was used to analyze the color, texture, and morphological features of the tongue body (TB) and tongue coating (TC) in patents with different syndromes of disease group (including lightness (L), red-green axis (a), yellow-blue axis (b), luminance (Y), difference between red signal and brightness (Cr), difference between blue signal and brightness (Cb), contrast (CON), angular second moment (ASM), entropy (ENT), mean value (MEAN), tongue coating area/tongue surface area (perAll), and tongue coating area/non-coated area (perPart)). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify influencing factors for different syndrome types of glucolipid metabolic disorders. ResultsThe tongue body indicators TB-L, TB-Y, and TB-Cb in the disease group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while TB-a, TB-b, and TB-Cr were significantly lower. The tongue coating indicators TC-L, TC-Y, TC-Cb, perAll, and perPart in the disease group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while TC-a, TC-b, and TC-Cr were significantly lower (P<0.05). Comparing with the different syndromes in disease group, the TB-L and TB-Y of the liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome, and the phlegm-damp obstruction syndrome were higher than those of the qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome; the TB-a and TB-Cr of the phlegm-damp obstruction syndrome were lower than those of the qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome; the perAll of the phlegm-damp obstruction syndrome was higher than that of the qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome (P<0.05). In the analysis of the morphological characteristics of tongue signs, more spotted tongue in disease group compared with control group, more teeth-marked tongue in liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome than the other two syndromes, more greasy coating in phlegm-damp obstruction syndrome, and more stasis spots of tongue in qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified that greasy coating, spotted tongue, stasis spots of tongue, tooth-marked tongue, perAll, and TB-Cb are the influencing factors of liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome; greasy coating, tooth-marked tongue, TC-Cb, and TC-Cr are the influencing factors of phlegm-damp obstruction syndrome; cracked tongue, stasis spots of tongue, tooth-marked tongue, and TB-Y are the influencing factors of qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome (P<0.05). ConclusionCompared to healthy individuals, patients with glycolipid metabolic disorder have darker tongue color and thicker, greasy tongue coating. Glycolipid metabolic disorder patients of liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome exhibit a reddish tongue with finer textures and more tooth marks; patients of phlegm-damp obstruction syndrome have lighter tongue coating with a coarser texture and a higher prevalence of greasy coating; patients of qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome display lower tongue brightness with a higher prevalence of blood stasis spots.
3.Effect of corticosterone on expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factors in CA1 region of rat hippocampus and its mechanism
Chinese Journal of Biologicals 2025;38(08):913-919
Objective To investigate the effect of corticosterone(CORT) on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factors(BDNFs) in the CA1 region of rat hippocampus and its mechanism, so as to provide new ideas for the study of the pathogenesis of depression.Methods A rat model with depressive-like behavior was established by long-term oral administration of CORT, and the control group was set up(no administration). Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of BDNFs and precursor BDNF(proBDNF) in the CA1 region of rat hippocampus. In situ hybridization(ISH) assay was used to detect the expression distribution of Bdnf transcripts Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅳ and Ⅵ in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Chromatin immunoprecipitation(ChIP) assay was used to detect the trimethylation of histones H3K4, H3K9, H3K27 and H3K36 in the promoters p1, p2, p4 and p6 of Bdnf gene in the CA1 region.Results Compared with the control group, the expression of BDNF protein in the CA1 region of rat hippocampus in the CORT group significantly decreased(t = 2. 842, P < 0. 05),while the expression of proBDNF protein significantly increased(t = 3. 227, P < 0. 05); the expression of Bdnf transcripts Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅳ and Ⅵ decreased; the trimethylation levels of histones H3K4, H3K9, H3K27 and H3K36 in the p1 region of Bdnf promoter significantly increased(t = 17. 280 0, 4. 649 0, 10. 480 0, and 46. 570 0, respectively, each P < 0. 001); there was no significant difference in the trimethylation levels of the four sites in p2 and p4 regions of Bdnf promoter(t = 0. 105 1-2. 633 0, each P > 0. 05); the trimethylation level at H3K27 in the p6 region significantly increased(t = 5. 383 0, P < 0. 018), while there was no significant difference at H3K4, H3K9 and H3K36(t = 2. 022 0, 0. 875 0, 0. 486 2, respectively, each P > 0. 05).Conclusion Oral administration of CORT can induce depression-like behaviors in rats, and cause the significantly decreased expression of BDNF protein and significantly increased expression of proBDNF protein in the CA1 region of rat hippocampus in CORT group, which may be related to the decreased expression of Bdnf transcripts Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅳ and Ⅵ, as well as different histone methylation modification patterns in the p1, p2, p4 and p6 regions of Bdnf promoter.
4.Safety, pharmacokinetics, and dosimetry of 177Lu-AB-3PRGD2 in patients with advanced integrin α v β 3-positive tumors: A first-in-human study.
Huimin SUI ; Feng GUO ; Hongfei LIU ; Rongxi WANG ; Linlin LI ; Jiarou WANG ; Chenhao JIA ; Jialin XIANG ; Yingkui LIANG ; Xiaohong CHEN ; Zhaohui ZHU ; Fan WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):669-680
Integrin α v β 3 is overexpressed in various tumor cells and angiogenesis. To date, no drug has been proven to target it for therapy. A first-in-human study was designed to investigate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and dosimetry of 177Lu-AB-3PRGD2, a novel integrin α v β 3-targeting radionuclide drug with an albumin-binding motif to optimize the pharmacokinetics. Ten patients (3 men, 7 women; aged 45 ± 16 years) with integrin α v β 3-avid tumors were recruited to accept 177Lu-AB-3PRGD2 injection in a dosage of 1.57 ± 0.08 GBq (42.32 ± 2.11 mCi), followed by serial scans to obtain its dynamic distribution in the body. Safety tests were performed before and every 2 weeks after the treatment for 6-8 weeks. No adverse event over grade 3 was observed. 177Lu-AB-3PRGD2 was excreted mainly through the urinary system, with intense radioactivity in the kidneys and bladder. Moderate distribution was found in the liver, spleen, and intestines. The estimated blood half-life was 2.85 ± 2.17 h. The whole-body effective dose was 0.251 ± 0.047 mSv/MBq. The absorbed doses were 0.157 ± 0.032 mGy/MBq in red bone marrow and 0.684 ± 0.132 mGy/MBq in kidneys. This first-in-human study of 177Lu-AB-3PRGD2 treatment indicates its promising potential for targeted radionuclide therapy of integrin α v β 3-avid tumors. It merits further studies in more patients with escalating doses and multiple treatment courses.
5.Cortical Control of Itch Sensation by Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide-Expressing Interneurons in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex.
Yiwen ZHANG ; Jiaqi LI ; You WU ; Jialin SI ; Yuanyuan ZHU ; Meng NIAN ; Chen CHEN ; Ningcan MA ; Xiaolin ZHANG ; Yaoyuan ZHANG ; Yiting LIN ; Ling LIU ; Yang BAI ; Shengxi WU ; Jing HUANG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(12):2184-2200
The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has recently been proposed as a key player in the representation of itch stimuli. However, to date, little is known about the contribution of specific ACC interneuron populations to itch processing. Using c-Fos immunolabeling and in vivo Ca2+ imaging, we reported that both histamine and chloroquine stimuli-induced acute itch caused a marked enhancement of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-expressing interneuron activity in the ACC. Behavioral data indicated that optogenetic and chemogenetic activation of these neurons reduced scratching responses related to histaminergic and non-histaminergic acute itch. Similar neural activity and modulatory role of these neurons were seen in mice with chronic itch induced by contact dermatitis. Together, this study highlights the importance of ACC VIP+ neurons in modulating itch-related affect and behavior, which may help us to develop novel mechanism-based strategies to treat refractory chronic itch in the clinic.
Animals
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Pruritus/physiopathology*
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Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide/metabolism*
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Interneurons/metabolism*
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Gyrus Cinguli/metabolism*
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Mice
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Male
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Histamine
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Chloroquine
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Optogenetics
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Mice, Transgenic
6.Lipidome atlas of human myometrium reveals distinctive lipid signatures associated with adenomyosis: Combination of high-coverage lipidomics and mass spectrometry imaging.
Shuo LIANG ; Jialin LIU ; Maokun LIAO ; Dandan LIANG ; Yiyi GONG ; Bo ZHANG ; Nan ZHAO ; Wei SONG ; Honghui SHI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(9):101197-101197
Adenomyosis is a common gynecological disease characterized by the invasion of endometrial glands and stroma into the myometrium of uterus, the pathological mechanism of which remains unclear yet. Disturbed lipid metabolism extensively affects abnormal cell proliferation and invasion in various diseases. However, the lipidome signature of human myometrium, which could be crucial in the development of adenomyosis, remains unknown. In this study, we generated the first lipidome profiling of human myometrium using a high-coverage and quantitative lipidomics approach based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with triple quadrupole (QqQ)-mass spectrometry (MS). A total of 317 lipid species were successfully quantified in the myometrial tissues from women with (n = 38) or without (n = 65) adenomyosis who underwent hysterectomy at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Bejing, China). Up to 83 lipid species showed significant alternations in content between the two groups. These lipid aberrations involved multiple metabolic pathways, and emphasized inflammation, cell migration, and immune dysregulation upon adenomyosis. Moreover, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis found that the combination of five lipid species could accurately distinguished the myometrial samples from women with and without adenomyosis with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.906. Desorption electrospray ionization MS imaging (MSI) further underscored the heterogeneous distributions of these lipid markers in the adenomyosis lesion and adjacent myometrial tissue. Collectively, these results extremely improved our understanding on the molecular basis of adenomyosis, and could shed light on developing potential biomarkers and new therapeutic directions for adenomyosis.
7.The impact of different chest compression frequencies on cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcomes in domestic pigs.
Nana XU ; Jiabi ZHANG ; Jialin LUO ; Li WANG ; Yong CHEN ; Lijun ZHOU ; Bihua CHEN ; Lan LUO ; Xiaolu LIU ; Shuju LUO ; Yong WANG ; Zunwei LUO ; Li DING ; Mei LI ; Manhong ZHOU
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(5):472-476
OBJECTIVE:
To compare the effects of different chest compression rates (60-140 times/min) on hemodynamic parameters, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), resuscitation success, and survival in a porcine model of cardiac arrest (CA) followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
METHODS:
Forty healthy male domestic pigs were randomly divided into five groups based on chest compression rate: 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 times/min (n = 8). All animals underwent standard anesthesia and tracheal intubation. A catheter was inserted via the left femoral artery into the thoracic aorta to monitor aortic pressure (AOP), and another via the right external jugular vein into the right atrium to monitor right atrial pressure (RAP). In each group, animals were implanted with a stimulating electrode via the right external jugular vein to the endocardium, and ventricular fibrillation (VF) was induced by delivering alternating current stimulation, resulting in CA. After a 1-minute, manual chest compressions were performed at the assigned rate with a compression depth of 5 cm. The first defibrillation was delivered after 2 minutes of CPR. No epinephrine or other pharmacologic agents were administered during the entire resuscitation process. From 1 minute before VF induction to 10 minutes after ROSC, dynamic monitoring of AOP, coronary perfusion pressure (CPP), and partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2). Cortical ultrastructure was examined 24 hours post-ROSC using transmission electron microscopy.
RESULTS:
With increasing compression rates, both the total number of defibrillations and cumulative defibrillation energy significantly decreased, reaching their lowest levels in the 120 times/min group. The number of defibrillations decreased from (4.88±0.83) times in the 60 times/min group to (2.25±0.71) times in the 120 compressions/min group, and energy from (975.00±166.90)J to (450.00±141.42)J. However, both parameters increased again in the 140 times/min group [(4.75±1.04)times, (950.00±207.02)J], the differences among the groups were statistically significant (both P < 0.01). As compression frequency increased, PETCO2, pre-defibrillation AOP and CPP significantly improved, peaking in the 120 times/min group [compared with the 60 times/min group, PETCO2 (mmHg, 1 mmHg≈0.133 kPa): 18.69±1.98 vs. 8.67±1.30, AOP (mmHg): 95.13±7.06 vs. 71.00±6.41, CPP (mmHg): 14.88±6.92 vs. 8.57±3.42]. However, in the 140 times/min group, these values declined significantly again [PETCO2, AOP, and CPP were (10.59±1.40), (72.38±11.49), and (10.36±4.57) mmHg, respectively], the differences among the groups were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). The number of animals achieving ROSC, successful resuscitation, and 24-hour survival increased with higher compression rates, reaching a peak in the 120 times/min group (compared with the 60 times/min group, ROSC: 7 vs. 2, successful resuscitation: 7 vs. 2, 24-hour survival: 7 vs.1), then decreased again in the 140 times/min group (the animals that ROSC, successfully recovered and survived for 24 hours were 3, 3, and 2, respectively). Transmission electron microscopy revealed that in the 60, 80, and 140 times/min groups, nuclear membranes in cerebral tissue were irregular and incomplete, nucleoli were indistinct, and mitochondria were swollen with reduced cristae and abnormal morphology. In contrast, the 100 times/min and 120 times/min groups exhibited significantly attenuated ultrastructural damage.
CONCLUSIONS
Among the tested chest compression rates of 60-140 times/min, a chest compressions frequency of 120 times/min is the most favorable hemodynamic profile and outcomes during CPR in a porcine CA model. However, due to the wide spacing between groups, further investigation is needed to determine the optimal compression rate range more precisely.
Animals
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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/methods*
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Swine
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Male
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Heart Arrest/therapy*
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Heart Massage/methods*
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Hemodynamics
8.Saponins from Aralia taibaiensis protect against brain ischemia/reperfusion injuries by regulating the apelin/AMPK pathway.
Zhengrong LI ; Yuwen LIU ; Kedi LIU ; Xingru TAO ; Naping HU ; Wangting LI ; Jialin DUAN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(3):299-310
Aralia taibaiensi, widely distributed in western China, particularly in the Qinba Mountains, has been utilized as a folk medicine for treating diabetes, gastropathy, rheumatism, and cardiovascular diseases. Saponins from A. taibaiensis (sAT) have demonstrated protective effects against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In vivo, middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) induced inflammatory infiltration, neuronal injury, cell apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress in the ischaemic penumbra, which were effectively mitigated by sAT. sAT increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of apelin and its receptor apelin/apelin receptors (ARs) both in vivo and in vitro. (Ala13)-Apelin-13 (F13A) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) abolished the regulatory effects of sAT on neuroprotection mediated by adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/protein kinase B (Akt). Furthermore, sAT induced apelin/AR expression by simultaneously inhibiting P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38 MAPK)/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and upregulating hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Our findings indicate that sAT regulates apelin/AR/AMPK by inhibiting P38 MAPK/ATF4 and upregulating HIF-1a, thereby suppressing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Animals
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Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control*
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Aralia/chemistry*
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Saponins/administration & dosage*
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AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics*
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Male
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Apelin/genetics*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Neuroprotective Agents/administration & dosage*
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Brain Ischemia/genetics*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Rats
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Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
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Apelin Receptors/genetics*
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Humans
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Mice
9.Analysis on Advantages of New Integration Processing Method in Producing Area of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata
Xueying XIN ; Jialin JING ; Shuangrong GAO ; Jiangshan ZHANG ; Qianfeng GONG ; Lu LUO ; Raorao LI ; Ting LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(8):167-175
ObjectiveTo analyze the effects of new integration processing method in producing area and traditional method on the composition and pharmacological action of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata(PMRP), and to illustrate the advantages of toxicity reducing and efficacy enhancing of the decoction pieces prepared by the new method. MethodFresh Polygoni Multiflori Radix(PMR) was taken from Dao-di producing area, and was processed by new integration processing method in producing area(steaming with black bean juice under pressure of 0.1 MPa and temperature at 120 ℃ for 10.5 h) and traditional method(steaming with black bean juice under water for 36 h), respectively. Samples were collected during the processing process of the two methods, For new method, the samples were collected at 0.5, 3, 5.5, 8, 10.5 h, separately. For traditional method, the samples were collected every 4 h. High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was used to establish fingerprint and identify common peaks, the content of polysaccharides was determined by anthrone-sulfuric acid colorimetry at 627 nm, and the contents of anthraquinones and stilbene glycosides in different processed products were determined according to the methods under the item of determination of PMR and PMRP in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. In pharmacological experiments, 90 SD rats were randomly divided into 9 groups with 10 in each group(half of male and half of female), including the blank group, and raw products, 24 h processed products under atmospheric pressure, 30 h processed products under atmospheric pressure, 8 h processed products under high pressure groups with low and high dosages(4.125, 16.5 g·kg-1). Rats were given the drug by gavage for 29 d with once a day, blood was collected from the abdominal aorta after the last administration, and the serum was isolated, the body mass and liver mass of rats were weighed and the organ index was calculated. The pathological change of liver tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and biochemical methods were used to detect the contents of aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), γ-glutamyltransferase(GGT), lactic dehydrogenase(LDH) in serum which used as liver function indicators and the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA), glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) in brain tissues which used as oxidation indicators. ResultA total of 14 common peaks were identified in the fingerprint of PMR, PMRP prepared by new method and traditional method, and three of the peaks were designated as stilbene glycoside, emodin and emodin methyl ether, respectively. The characteristic peak areas of each processed products changed significantly from 0 min to 25 min, indicating that different processing methods had an effect on the contents of components with high polarity in PMRP, and the trend of the changes of the two methods was similar, with the higher degree of change in the new method. The determination results showed that compared with the traditional method, the content of polysaccharide(a kind of beneficial component in PMRP obtained by the new method) significantly increased, while the contents of stilbene glycoside and bound anthraquinone(liver-damaging ingredients) significantly decreased. The pharmacological results showed that compared with the blank group, AST and LDH levels of male rats in the low and high dose groups of 24 h processed products under atmospheric pressure and AST level of male rats in the low and high dose groups of 8 h processed products under high pressure were significantly reduced(P<0.05, P<0.01), while compared with the raw product groups with the same dose, AST and LDH levels of male rats in the low dose group of 30 h processed products under atmospheric pressure were significantly reduced(P<0.05, P<0.01), the AST levels of male rats in the low and high dose groups of 8 h processed products under high pressure were significantly decreased(P<0.01), and there was no statistical significance in the differences of biochemical indexes of female rats in each administration group as compared with those of the blank group. ConclusionThe new integration processing method in producing area of PMRP can reach the quality of relevant regulations in 8 h. The processed products obtained by this method have more advantages than the traditional method in terms of toxicity reducing and efficacy enhancing, and energy saving to avoid the loss of ingredients, which can provide ideas for the production of high-quality decoction pieces of PMRP, and the integration processing method in producing area of other roots and rhizomes of traditional Chinese medicines.
10.Exploring Mechanism of Neferine in Promoting Vascular Regeneration Against Cerebral Ischemia Based on Mitochondrial MCU Channel
Qiman ZHANG ; Yanhua GAO ; Wenjie WU ; Wei YANG ; Chen LIU ; Shuting LI ; Bingjie CAI ; Jialin YANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Jing MA ; Shaojing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(24):103-113
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of neferine(Nef) in promoting vascular regeneration against cerebral ischemia through modulation of mitochondrial calcium uniporter(MCU) ion channel. MethodTaking the area of subintestinal vessels in microvascular deficiency zebrafish as an index, the vascular regenerative efficacy of Nef was evaluated, and the median effective concentration(EC50) was calculated. Rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, a positive drug group(butylphthalide, 6 mg·kg-1), and Nef low, medium, and high dose groups(0.125, 0.625, 3.125 μg·kg-1). Except for the sham operation group, the middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) model was established in other groups. After modeling, the groups were administered the corresponding dose of drugs by gavage, while the sham operation and model groups received equal volumes of saline, once a day for 7 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral scores were assessed for each group of rats, and the infarct rate of ischemic brain tissue was calculated by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining. The regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) of each group was measured using a speckle contrast imaging. Immunofluorescence and Western blot were conducted to detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1(CD31), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) proteins in each group. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) were divided into the normal group, model group, positive drug group(astragaloside Ⅳ, 10 μmol·L-1), and Nef group (32 nmol·L-1). In the verification of mitochondrial protection of Nef and its mechanism in promoting vascular regeneration, the spermine(MCU agonist) and Nef+spermine group were added. HUVECs model of oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD) was established in all groups except the normal group, the cell viability was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay, and cell migration ability was evaluated through scratch and tube formation assays. Fluorescent probes(Rhod-2 AM, Fluo-3 AM, JC-1, Calcein AM) and a cellular energy metabolism analyzer were used to analyze the mitochondrial protective effects of Nef. Molecular docking was performed to predict the binding ability of Nef with MCU and HIF-1α, and Western blot was used to detect the effects of Nef on the protein expressions of MCU, B-cell lymphoma-2 associated X protein(Bax), Caspase-3 and HIF-1α in the OGD model HUVECs. ResultThe results of vascular regeneration in microvascular deficiency zebrafish showed that compared to the normal group, the area of subintestinal vessels in the model group significantly decreased(P<0.01). Compared to the model group, different concentrations of Nef could significantly increase the area of subintestinal vessels(P<0.01), with the maximum tolerated concentration of 10.24 μmol·L-1 and the EC50 of 0.23 μmol·L-1. Anti-cerebral ischemia results on MCAO rats showed that compared to the sham operation group, the model group had a significant decrease in rCBF and a significant increase in infarct rate, while CD31 expression significantly decreased(P<0.01), and VEGF and HIF-1α protein expressions significantly increased(P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the treated groups showed significant increases in rCBF, significant reductions in infarct volume, and significant increases in CD31, VEGF, and HIF-1α protein expression(P<0.01). Cell experiment results showed that compared to the normal group, the model group had decreased cell viability and migration ability, increased intracellular Ca2+ and mitochondrial Ca2+ levels, reduced mitochondrial permeability transition pore(MPTP) opening, and decreased mitochondrial energy metabolism capability, with increased expressions of MCU, Bax, Caspase-3 and HIF-1α proteins(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared to the model group, the Nef group showed increased cell viability and migration ability, decreased intracellular Ca2+ and mitochondrial Ca2+ levels, increased MPTP opening, enhanced mitochondrial energy metabolism capability, decreased expressions of MCU, Bax and Caspase-3 proteins, and increased HIF-1α protein expression(P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionNef can stabilize mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibit mitochondrial apoptosis. By down-regulating the expression of MCU, it suppresses the activation of intracellular Bax and Caspase-3 while activating the HIF-1α signaling pathway, enhancing the expression of VEGF and CD31, thereby promoting vascular regeneration to treat ischemic brain injury.


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