1.Analysis of Pharmacodynamic Material Basis, Mechanisms, and Efficacy-related Quality Markers of Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix with Different Therapeutic Effect
Xiaowei MENG ; Zhenzhen YANG ; Wenting WU ; Ronghua LIU ; Yongmei GUAN ; Hui OUYANG ; Liping HUANG ; Yaqi WANG ; Qiong LI ; Huanhuan DONG ; Jianping GONG ; Weifeng ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):269-281
Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix are the dried roots of Pueraria lobata and Pueraria thomsonii of the Leguminosae family, respectively. Since their separate inclusion in the 2005 edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, the two herbs have been individually recorded. Although they share the same functions and indications, the required content of puerarin differs by a factor of up to eightfold between them. The current quality standard relies solely on a single indicator, puerarin, which fails to reflect the correlation between chemical constituents and core therapeutic effects. This has resulted in prominent issues of mixed use in clinical practice and production, thereby constraining the high-quality development of the industry. Modern research has demonstrated that Puerariae Lobatae Radix contains a comprehensive range and higher content of isoflavonoid constituents, while Puerariae Thomsonii Radix is rich in starch and polysaccharides. Puerariae Lobatae Radix exhibits stronger effects in antipyresis, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, and central analgesia, while Puerariae Thomsonii Radix demonstrates greater advantages in anti-inflammation, hypoglycemia, and peripheral analgesia. Based on this, the chemical material bases of Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix at both the macromolecule and micromolecule levels were systematically reviewed and compared. The pharmacodynamic material bases and mechanisms of action underlying their three core therapeutic effects, namely "relieving exterior syndrome and clearing heat", "promoting fluid production to quench thirst", and "dredging channels and activating collaterals", were summarized. The most highly correlated common metabolic pathway shared by both herbs for these three therapeutic effects is the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway, and their common core target is prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2). This review provided clinical application recommendations based on the therapeutic differences between the two herbs, elucidated the scientific connotation of their "same origin but different effects", and, grounded in the quality marker (Q-Marker), proposed the concept of efficacy-related Q-Marker based on "substance-efficacy-syndrome" association, as well as a novel strategy for efficacy-oriented quality evaluation. Preliminary screening of quality markers associated with different therapeutic effects was also conducted. This study aims to provide critical scientific evidence for the precise clinical application of Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix, the improvement of quality standards, and the high-quality development of the industry.
2.Role of GRP75 and VDAC1 in heroin-induced arrhythmia
Yaling GUAN ; Liping SU ; Li LIU ; Min JI ; Mengjie ZHUANG ; Sensen ZHU ; Hongwei PU
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(8):720-726
Objective To investigate the roles of glucose-regulated protein 75(GRP75)and voltage-dependent anion channel 1(VDAC1)in heroin-induced arrhythmia.Methods Based on transcriptomic data from primary myocardial cells treated with heroin and the GSE31821 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO),differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were identified using R software.Enrichment analysis of DEGs was performed.The protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed using STRING database,and key genes were selected using Cytoscape.Molecular docking of key genes was performed using HDOCK,followed by in vivo valida-tion.A total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into control,model,model+7 d,model+14 d,and model+21 d groups.A rat model of heroin addiction was established,and the expression levels of DEGs in myocardial tissue were assessed using immunohistochemical staining and quantitative real-time PCR.Results A total of 51 DEGs primarily enriched in muscle cell development,myofibrils,actin binding,arrhythmic right ventricular cardiomyopathy,calcium signaling,and apoptosis pathways were identified.Based on the PPI and Cytoscape analyses,GRP75 and VDAC1 were identified as key genes.Molecular docking indicated a strong interaction between GRP75 and VDAC1,which form a stable complex.The results of immunohistochemical staining and qRT-PCR showed that the expression levels of GRP75 and VDAC1 were significantly increased in the model group compared to those in the control group(P<0.05),and their expres-sion increased(P<0.05)with the intervention period of heroin in a time-dependent manner.Conclusion GRP75 and VDAC1 may con-tribute to heroin-induced arrhythmogenesis.
3.Role of GRP75 and VDAC1 in heroin-induced arrhythmia
Yaling GUAN ; Liping SU ; Li LIU ; Min JI ; Mengjie ZHUANG ; Sensen ZHU ; Hongwei PU
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(8):720-726
Objective To investigate the roles of glucose-regulated protein 75(GRP75)and voltage-dependent anion channel 1(VDAC1)in heroin-induced arrhythmia.Methods Based on transcriptomic data from primary myocardial cells treated with heroin and the GSE31821 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO),differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were identified using R software.Enrichment analysis of DEGs was performed.The protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed using STRING database,and key genes were selected using Cytoscape.Molecular docking of key genes was performed using HDOCK,followed by in vivo valida-tion.A total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into control,model,model+7 d,model+14 d,and model+21 d groups.A rat model of heroin addiction was established,and the expression levels of DEGs in myocardial tissue were assessed using immunohistochemical staining and quantitative real-time PCR.Results A total of 51 DEGs primarily enriched in muscle cell development,myofibrils,actin binding,arrhythmic right ventricular cardiomyopathy,calcium signaling,and apoptosis pathways were identified.Based on the PPI and Cytoscape analyses,GRP75 and VDAC1 were identified as key genes.Molecular docking indicated a strong interaction between GRP75 and VDAC1,which form a stable complex.The results of immunohistochemical staining and qRT-PCR showed that the expression levels of GRP75 and VDAC1 were significantly increased in the model group compared to those in the control group(P<0.05),and their expres-sion increased(P<0.05)with the intervention period of heroin in a time-dependent manner.Conclusion GRP75 and VDAC1 may con-tribute to heroin-induced arrhythmogenesis.
4.Retrospective analysis of unexpected antibodies in primary-screened D-negative blood donors
Hecai YANG ; Yin GUAN ; Xiaoli MA ; Yonglei LYU ; Minglu GENG ; Yi CAO ; Liping WANG ; Hongwei MA
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(11):1556-1561
Objective: To analyze the frequency and investigate the causes of unexpected antibodies in D-negative blood donors. Methods: From January 2022 to December 2024, 3 768 D-negative blood donors sent to our laboratory were selected as research subjects. D-negative confirmation test and RhCE phenotype detection were applied by saline tube method and microcolumn gel indirect antiglobulin test (IAT), respectively. Antibody screening and identification were performed using the polybrene method and IAT column agglutination methods. Anti-D, anti-C and anti-G specificities were identified by a two-step adsorption-elution method, and the genotypes of D-negative samples were determined by RHD gene amplification, Sanger sequencing, and PacBio Single Molecule Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing. Results: Among D-negative donors, ccee and Ccee phenotypes accounted for the highest proportion, 55.68% (2 098/3 768) and 29.56% (1 114/3 768), respectively, while CcEE and CCEe phenotypes were the least, with one case detected in each, accounting for 0.03% (1/3 768). A total of 165 cases with D variant phenotype were detected, and the proportion of D variant was 4.38% (165/3 768) in the donors detected by D-negative confirmation test. Antibody screening positive blood donors were identified in 93 cases with a proportion of 2.47% (93/3 768). Antibody specificity was determined in 84 blood donors, and 9 samples showed no clear specificity. Anti-D was detected most frequently (n=68), in which 6 of them were detected having multiple antibodies, anti-D + anti-C (n=2), anti-D + anti-G(n=1), and anti-D + anti-E(n=3). The other antibodies detected were anti-E (n=1), anti-M(n=9), anti-P1 (n=3), anti-Le
(n=1), and anti-HI(n=2). Fourteen cases were detected with anti-D in serological D-negative donors with C+ or E+ phenotype, in which three of them were DVI type 3 individuals and 11 cases were D negative individuals. Conclusion: The incidence of unexpected antibodies was higher in D-negative blood donors than in the total donors, with anti-D being the most common. The data provide insights for prevention and monitoring hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) caused by anti-D. To ensure the safety of blood transfusion, routine unexpected antibody screening for RhD-negative blood donors is recommended to prevent the use of unexpected antibodies positive plasma in the clinic.
5.Compound Centella asiatica formula alleviates Schistosoma japonicum-induced liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the inflammation-fibrosis cascade via regulating the TLR4/MyD88 pathway.
Liping GUAN ; Yan YAN ; Xinyi LU ; Zhifeng LI ; Hui GAO ; Dong CAO ; Chenxi HOU ; Jingyu ZENG ; Xinyi LI ; Yang ZHAO ; Junjie WANG ; Huilong FANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(6):1307-1316
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the therapeutic mechanism of compound Centella asiatica formula (CCA) for alleviating Schistosoma japonicum (Sj)-induced liver fibrosis in mice.
METHODS:
The active components and targets of CCA were identified using the TCMSP database with cross-analysis of Sj-related liver fibrosis targets. A "drug-component-target-pathway-disease" network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1. Functional enrichment analysis (GO/KEGG) was performed using DAVID. Molecular docking study was carried out to validate interactions between the core targets and the key compounds. For experimental validation of the results, 36 mice were divided into control group, Sj-infected model group, and CCA-treated groups. In the latter two groups, liver fibrosis was induced via abdominal infection with Sj cercariae for 8 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of daily treatment with CCA decoction or saline. Hepatic pathology of the mice was assessedwith HE and Masson staining, and hepatic expressions of collagen-I and collagen-III were detected using immunohistochemistry; serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were determined with ELISA. Hepatic expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 proteins were analyzed with Western blotting.
RESULTS:
We identified a total of 107 bioactive CCA components and 791 targets, including 37 intersection targets linked to Sj-induced fibrosis. The core targets included TNF, TP53, JUN, MMP9, and CXCL8, involving the IL-17 signaling, lipid metabolism, TLR4/MyD88 axis, and cancer pathways. Molecular docking study confirmed strong binding affinity between quercetin (a primary CCA component) and TNF/TP53/JUN/MMP9. In Sj-infected mouse models, CCA treatment significantly attenuated hepatic inflammatory cell infiltration, reduced collagen-I and collagen-III deposition, improved tissue architecture, reduced serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and downregulated TLR4 and MyD88 expressions in the liver.
CONCLUSIONS
CCA mitigates Sj-induced liver fibrosis by targeting TNF, TP53, JUN, and MMP9 to modulate the TLR4/MyD88 pathway, thereby suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine release, inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation, reducing collagen deposition, and preventing granuloma formation in the liver.
Animals
;
Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism*
;
Schistosoma japonicum
;
Liver Cirrhosis/parasitology*
;
Schistosomiasis japonica
;
Signal Transduction
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Inflammation
;
Centella/chemistry*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
6.A Method for Detecting Depression in Adolescence Based on an Affective Brain-Computer Interface and Resting-State Electroencephalogram Signals.
Zijing GUAN ; Xiaofei ZHANG ; Weichen HUANG ; Kendi LI ; Di CHEN ; Weiming LI ; Jiaqi SUN ; Lei CHEN ; Yimiao MAO ; Huijun SUN ; Xiongzi TANG ; Liping CAO ; Yuanqing LI
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(3):434-448
Depression is increasingly prevalent among adolescents and can profoundly impact their lives. However, the early detection of depression is often hindered by the time-consuming diagnostic process and the absence of objective biomarkers. In this study, we propose a novel approach for depression detection based on an affective brain-computer interface (aBCI) and the resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG). By fusing EEG features associated with both emotional and resting states, our method captures comprehensive depression-related information. The final depression detection model, derived through decision fusion with multiple independent models, further enhances detection efficacy. Our experiments involved 40 adolescents with depression and 40 matched controls. The proposed model achieved an accuracy of 86.54% on cross-validation and 88.20% on the independent test set, demonstrating the efficiency of multimodal fusion. In addition, further analysis revealed distinct brain activity patterns between the two groups across different modalities. These findings hold promise for new directions in depression detection and intervention.
Humans
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Male
;
Female
;
Adolescent
;
Case-Control Studies
;
Depression/diagnosis*
;
Early Diagnosis
;
Rest
;
Electroencephalography/methods*
;
Brain-Computer Interfaces
;
Models, Psychological
;
Reproducibility of Results
;
Affect/physiology*
;
Photic Stimulation/methods*
;
Video Recording
;
Brain/physiopathology*
7.Impact of short-term proton pump inhibitors vs . histamine-2 receptor antagonists on gut microbiota in patients with acute coronary syndrome: A multicenter randomized trial.
Chen CHEN ; Huizhu LIANG ; Meibo HE ; Ruqiao DUAN ; Yu GUAN ; Fangfang WANG ; Liping DUAN
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(5):542-552
BACKGROUND:
Several randomized controlled studies have suggested that the prophylactic use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients could not reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) and may increase adverse events such as intestinal infection and pneumonia. Gut microbiota may play a critical role in the process. PPIs have been widely prescribed for GIB prophylaxis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study aimed to determine the short-term effects of PPI and histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) treatment on gut microbiota of ACS patients.
METHODS:
The study was designed as a single-blind, multicenter, three-parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial conducted at three centers in Beijing, China. We enrolled ACS patients at low-to-medium risk of GIB and randomized (2:2:1) them to either PPI ( n = 40), H2RA ( n = 31), or control group ( n = 21). The primary outcomes were the alterations in gut microbiota after 7 days of acid suppressant therapy. Stool samples were collected at baseline and 7 days and analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing.
RESULTS:
There were no significant changes in the diversity of gut microbiota after the short-term use of acid suppressants, but the abundance of Fusobacterium significantly increased and that of Bifidobacterium significantly decreased, especially in PPI users. In addition, the abundance of some pathogenic bacteria, including Enterococcus and Desulfovibrio, was significantly elevated in the PPI users. The fecal microbiota of the PPI users included more arachidonic acid metabolism than that of control group.
CONCLUSIONS:
PPIs may increase the risk of infection by adversely altering gut microbiota and elevating arachidonic acid metabolism, which may produce multiple proinflammatory mediators. For ACS patients at low-to-medium risk of GIB, sufficient caution should be paid when acid-suppressant drugs are prescribed, especially PPIs.
REGISTRATION
www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2000029552).
Humans
;
Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic use*
;
Acute Coronary Syndrome/microbiology*
;
Female
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Histamine H2 Antagonists/therapeutic use*
;
Aged
;
Single-Blind Method
8.Role of HK2 and VDAC1 in Diacetylmorphine-induced Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis
Jinling XIAO ; Yaling GUAN ; Sensen ZHU ; Mengjie ZHUANG ; Liping SU ; Hongwei PU
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2024;45(2):7-13
Objective To investigate the role of HK2 and VDAC1 in diacetylmorphine-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.Methods A dose-escalation method was used to establish a rat model of diacetylmorphine addiction.Forty SD rats were randomly divided into three groups,the normal group(n=10)was injected with an equal amount of saline subcutaneously,the model group(n=15)was injected with 5 mg/kg of diacetylmorphine for the first time,and then the dose was increased by 2.5 mg/(kg·d)day by day for 20 days,and the group of model +10 D(n=15)continued to increase the dose based on the model group up to the 10th day.Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT)were detected by ELISA;HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of myocardial tissues in each group;TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis in myocardial tissues in each group;and immunohistochemistry,RT-q-analysis,and immunochemistry were used to detect apoptosis in myocardial tissues in each group.Immunohistochemistry,RT-qPCR and Western bl-ot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of HK2,VDAC1 and apoptosis-related factors.Results HE staining revealed that myocardial tissues exhibited different degrees of damage with the prolongation of diacetylmorphine intervention.Compared with the normal group,serum LDH,GOT content and myocardial apoptosis rate increased in the model group,mRNA and protein levels of HK2 and anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 decreased,mRNA and protein levels of VDAC1 and pro-apoptotic factors Bax and Caspase-3 increased,and the protein level of Clevead Caspase-3 increased;in the model +10 D group the above indexes,there was a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).Conclusion Diacetylmorphine can cause cardiomyocyte apoptosis,and VDAC1 may be involved in the process of cardiomyocyte apoptosis caused by diacetylmorphine.
9.Pedigree analysis of B el subtype caused by the new allele c.175_176insGA
Hecai YANG ; Yin GUAN ; Xiaoli MA ; Yonglei LYU ; Yongkui KONG ; Chaoqun GUO ; Minglu GENG ; Liping WANG ; Tao WEN
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;47(10):1206-1211
Objective:To serologically and genotypically analyze the pedigree of a case with a new allele c.175_176insGA of B el subtype and preliminarily explore the molecular mechanism of weak expression of glycosyltransferase B. Method:In the descriptive study,a 23-year-old male voluntary blood donor and his family members were selected for the study. The ABO and Le blood types of the proband and his family members was identified by the test tube method. The agglutination inhibition test was applied to detect the B and H antigens in saliva, and the Sanger sequencing and PacBio (Pacific Bioscience) third-generation haplotype sequencing were performed on the study subjects to identify genotypes. Finally, Expasy software were applied to amino acid translation of DNA sequences and prediction of protein length after gene alteration. ORF finder was applied to predict alternative start codons as well as open reading frames of mRNA, and protein expression mechanisms were analyzed.Results:The proband and her sister were B el subtype, her mother was AB el subtype, her father was normal O type, and all members of the family were Le(a+b+) phenotype. Sanger sequencing results showed that a new allele of c.175_176insGA was found in exon 4 of the proband, her mother, and her sister. Third-generation haplotype sequencing detected the haplotypes of the family members, which revealed that the proband was ABO*O.01.02/ABO*BEL.NEW (c.175_176insGA), the father was ABO*O.01.02/ABO*O.01.02, the mother was ABO*A1.02/ABO*BEL.NEW (c.175_176insGA), and the sister was ABO*O.01.02/ABO*BEL.NEW (c.175_176insGA). Analysis of the protein expression mechanism indicated that although the new allele of ABO*BEL.NEW was presumed to cause a frameshift mutation and result in a premature stop codon p.Asp59Glu*fs20 in exon 5, encoding an inactive glycosyltransferase, an alternative start codon could be utilized to initiate translation of B el subtype functional glycosyltransferase. Conclusion:Expression of the new allele of B el subtype is associated with the translation of B el subtype glycosyltransferase initiated by alternative start codons.
10.Study of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate in ameliorating cisplatin induced myocardial injury in rats
Xinshuang WANG ; Yajuan AN ; Xiuju GUAN ; Jiao LI ; Yue LIU ; Liping WEI ; Xin QI
Tianjin Medical Journal 2024;52(8):809-814
Objective To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate(MgIG)on cisplatin(CDDP)-induced myocardial injury in rats.Methods Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal control group,the cisplatin model group(CDDP group),the cisplatin+magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate low-dose group(MgIG-L group)and the cisplatin+magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate high-dose group(MgIG-H group),with 6 rats in each group.Changes of body mass of rats were monitored daily.At the end of drug administration,cardiac function indexes including left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular short-axis narrowing rate(LVFS),left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter(LVESD)and left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter(LVEDD)were detected by echocardiography.The morphology of myocardial tissue was observed by HE staining.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect serum levels of creatine kinase isoenzyme MB(CK-MB)and troponin I(cTnI).Levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione synthase(GSH),reactive oxygen species(ROS)and ferrous ion(Fe2+)in homogenates of myocardial tissue were measured biochemically.The protein expressions of nuclear factor E2-associated factor 2(Nrf2),long-chain fatty acyl coenzyme A synthase 4(ACSL4),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)and ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1)protein were detected by Western blot assay.Results The body mass of rats in the control group showed an increasing trend during feeding,and the body mass of rats in the CDDP group showed a decreasing trend.Compared with the CDDP group,the body mass of rats in the MgIG-L group and the MgIG-H group increased after 5 d,9 d and 13 d of treatment(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the CDDP group showed decreased LVEF and LVFS,increased LVESD and LVEDD,disturbed myocardial fiber alignment,myocardial fiber degeneration and fracture,increased serum CK-MB and cTnI levels,increased levels of MDA,Fe2+and ROS in myocardial tissue,decreased levels of SOD and GSH,and decreased levels of Nrf2,GPX4,and decreased FTH1 protein expression levels and increased ACSL4 protein expression levels in myocardial tissue(P<0.05).Compared with the CDDP group,the above indicators and myocardial histopathological changes were significantly improved in the MgIG-L group and the MgIG-H group.Conclusion Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate can ameliorate cisplatin-induced myocardial injury by regulating myocardial oxidative stress and inhibiting cardiomyocyte iron death in rats.

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