1.Therapeutic Mechanisms of Xiebai San on Lung Heat-induced Cough and Asthma via Modulating Lung-Brain Axis Metabolism Based on Spatial Metabolomics
Yue XU ; Fuzhi MA ; Yeerjiang AYIMAN ; Lin ZHU ; Qingce ZANG ; Zhijie MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):41-48
ObjectiveBased on whole-animal mass spectrometry imaging technology, spatial metabolomics was used to characterize in situ the metabolic alteration patterns in the lungs and brain of a rat model of lung heat-induced cough and asthma, as well as after treatment with Xiebai San. MethodsNine Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group (physiological saline), a model group (physiological saline), and a Xiebai San group (9 g·kg-1), with three rats in each group. The model group and the Xiebai San group were both induced using lipopolysaccharide-ovalbumin (LPS-OVA) to establish an asthma rat model. After treatment with Xiebai San, the animals were euthanized on day 21 and rapidly frozen in liquid nitrogen to preserve morphology. Whole-animal tissue sections were prepared using a cryomicrotome, and imaging was performed using the Air-flow-assisted Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging (AFADESI-MSI) platform. Based on the corresponding optical images, ion data of metabolites from the lung and brain tissues of each group were extracted. Differential metabolites were analyzed using SIMCA and GraphPad Prism 9.0 software. Metabolites were identified using the HMDB (
2.Therapeutic Mechanisms of Xiebai San on Lung Heat-induced Cough and Asthma via Modulating Lung-Brain Axis Metabolism Based on Spatial Metabolomics
Yue XU ; Fuzhi MA ; Yeerjiang AYIMAN ; Lin ZHU ; Qingce ZANG ; Zhijie MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):41-48
ObjectiveBased on whole-animal mass spectrometry imaging technology, spatial metabolomics was used to characterize in situ the metabolic alteration patterns in the lungs and brain of a rat model of lung heat-induced cough and asthma, as well as after treatment with Xiebai San. MethodsNine Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group (physiological saline), a model group (physiological saline), and a Xiebai San group (9 g·kg-1), with three rats in each group. The model group and the Xiebai San group were both induced using lipopolysaccharide-ovalbumin (LPS-OVA) to establish an asthma rat model. After treatment with Xiebai San, the animals were euthanized on day 21 and rapidly frozen in liquid nitrogen to preserve morphology. Whole-animal tissue sections were prepared using a cryomicrotome, and imaging was performed using the Air-flow-assisted Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging (AFADESI-MSI) platform. Based on the corresponding optical images, ion data of metabolites from the lung and brain tissues of each group were extracted. Differential metabolites were analyzed using SIMCA and GraphPad Prism 9.0 software. Metabolites were identified using the HMDB (
3.Application of Mass Spectrometry Imaging in Research on Material Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Cong'en ZHANG ; Yue XU ; Fuzhi MA ; Lin ZHU ; Yeerjiang AYIMAN ; Zhijie MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):296-302
The scientific connotation of the material basis of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) depends not only on the composition and abundance of its constituents, but more critically on their spatial distribution within medicinal materials and in vivo. However, conventional analytical approaches have limited capacity to resolve in situ spatial information, failing to delve into therapeutic mechanisms of complex TCM systems. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) enables label-free in situ analysis with spatial visualization of multiple constituents, providing essential technical support for investigations into the material basis of TCM. In recent years, the application of MSI has continuously expanded across studies of single medicinal materials, processing, compound preparations, and in vivo distribution, systematically elucidating microscale spatial distribution patterns of TCM constituents. Accumulating evidence indicates that MSI facilitates clarification of the relationships among endogenous constituents, biosynthetic pathways, medicinal parts, and geo-authenticity (Daodi). Moreover, MSI can dynamically depict spatiotemporal transformation of constituents during processing, offering intuitive evidence for the mechanisms underlying toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement. In the studies of compound preparations, MSI can resolve microregional distribution characteristics of diverse constituents and their potential interactions, thereby deepening the understanding of compatibility principles. In addition, MSI demonstrates unique advantages in in situ tracing of constituents in vivo, as well as in spatially informed quality evaluation and authentication/adulteration identification. Overall, MSI is driving a shift in the research on the material basis of TCM from conventional compositional profiling toward spatial-functional elucidation, providing important technical support for establishing "material-space-efficacy" relationships. Despite remaining challenges in quantification, spatial resolution, and data processing, MSI shows broad promise for application in modern TCM research.
4.Exploring the Potential Mechanism of Action of Licorice against COVID-19 Based on A Multidimensional Interaction Network of"Component-Disease-Symptom-Target"
Tian GONG ; Weijie LI ; Zhaoyin ZHOU ; Yute ZHONG ; Ping WANG ; Zhijie MA ; Haiyu XU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(11):1464-1479
OBJECTIVE To explore the potential mechanisms and bioactive compounds of licorice against COVID-19 based on a multidimensional interaction of"component-disease-symptom-target".METHODS Firstly,candidate target sets for licorice compo-nents were obtained from the ETCM2.0 database based on the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine,and the disease symp-toms and associated target sets for COVID-19 were derived from the GeneCards and HPO databases.And then a protein interaction network was constructed using the String database(version 12.0).By calculating topological eigenvalues and functional enrichment analysis,the potential mechanisms of action were explored.Combined with Schr?dinger molecular docking virtual screening,candidate pharmacodynamic substances were identified.Fluorescence resonance energy transfer was used for experimental verification.RESULTS Licorice might improve symptoms of COVID-19(fever,chest pain and so on)by regulating the imbalance of"immune-inflammation"network and signal transduction abnormalities during the development and progress of COVID-19,such as coronavirus disease-COVID-19,Toll-like receptor signaling pathway and NOD-like receptor signaling pathway.The components,such as Isos-chaftoside and Hesperidin,were identified to possess high binding affinity with the critical enzymes for viral replication.Isoschaftoside,Hesperidin,Isoliquiritin apioside and Vicenin-2 exhibited varying degrees of inhibition on the enzyme of 3CLpro at different concentra-tions while excluding the interference of the compounds' fluorescence.CONCLUSION Through experimental verification using a multidimensional interaction network of"component-disease-symptom-target",the key pharmacologically active substances of licorice in the fight against COVID-19 are preliminarily identified,and their mechanism of action through overall regulation is elucidated.
5.Genetic causal relationship between gut microbiota and osteoporosis:analysis of 211 gut microbiota from the UK database
Zhijie FANG ; Qiangping MA ; Wantao DONG ; Junyuan WU ; Yunlin LU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(18):3941-3947
BACKGROUND:Osteoporosis is defined as a chronic metabolic bone disease,and a large amount of evidence has shown that gut microbiota is involved in osteoporosis.However,the causal relationship between gut microbiota and osteoporosis is yet unclear.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the potential causal relationship between gut microbiota and osteoporosis using the two-sample Mendelian randomization.METHODS:Pooled statistics from the MiBioGen Consortium's Genome-Wide Association Analysis(GWAS)of gut microbiota and GWAS data from the UK Biometric Sample database for osteoporosis were used.Inverse variance weighting(IVW),MR-Egger regression,weighted median,weighted model and simple model were used to study the causal relationship between gut microbiota and osteoporosis.Sensitivity analysis was used to test whether the results of Mendelian randomization are reliable.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The inverse variance weighted method showed that there was a causal relationship between gut microbiota and osteoporosis.Among them,the R7 genus of Christensenaceae(MR Egger:β=-0.007;IVW:β=-0.004,P=0.028),Coprococus 3(MR Egger:β=-0.008;IVW:β=-0.003,P=0.046)and Trichospirillum(MR Egger:β=-0.009;IVW:β=-0.004,P=0.003)may be protective factors for osteoporosis,while Hotella(MR Egger:β=0.006;IVW:β=0.002,P=0.033)and Eubacterium oxyoxide(MR Egger:β=0.001;IVW:β=0.003,P=0.046)may be potential risk factors for osteoporosis.Eubacterium oxyoxide and Hotella can increase the risk of osteoporosis,while R7 of Christensenaceae,Coprococcus 3 and Spirillum can reduce the risk of osteoporosis.Whether this conclusion also applies to non-European populations will need to be verified in the future by large clinical trials in different groups.
6.Analysis of early fluid resuscitation achievement rates and prognostic factors in sepsis patients
Lina MA ; Zhijie CAO ; Yanjie YANG ; Ling YANG ; Hu PENG ; Xin GU ; Li ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2025;32(4):392-396
Objective To investigate the achievement of early fluid resuscitation targets and factors influencing 28-day outcomes in patients with sepsis.Methods A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted.A total of 164 patients with sepsis admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between January 2022 and January 2024 were enrolled.Patients were divided into survival and death groups based on 28-day survival status,with both groups receiving early fluid resuscitation.Comparisons were made between groups for general characteristics[gender,age,body mass index(BMI),infection site,comorbidities],primary indicators[central venous pressure(CVP),mean arterial pressure(MAP),urine output],and secondary indicators[blood lactate acid(Lac),procalcitonin(PCT),heart rate,sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)on intensive care unit(ICU)admission day,Glasgow coma scale(GCS),duration and dose of vasoactive medication use].Univariate analysis identified variables associated with prognosis,followed by multivariate Logistic regression to select independent risk factors.Receiver operator characteristic(ROC curve)were plotted to assess predictive performance of each risk factor for the 28-day prognosis of patients with sepsis.Results This study included 164 patients.The primary infection sites were mainly the lungs,abdominal cavity,and urinary system,accounting for 42.7%(70/164),38.4%(63/164),and 9.1%(15/164)respectively.The survival group comprised 141 patients,while the the death group included 23 patients.No statistically significant differences existed between groups in gender,BMI,infection site(soft tissue infection vs.others),underlying diseases,MAP,urine output(all P>0.05).Compared to the survival group,the death group showed significantly higher age,pulmonary infection rate,Lac levels,vasoactive drug duration/dose,heart rate,and SOFA scores,while the rates of abdominal,and urinary tract infection,as well as CVP,PCT,and GCS scores were significantly lower(all P<0.05).The achievement rates of early fluid resuscitation parameters:MAP target achievement was highest at 78.7%(129/164),followed by urine output compliance at 78.0%(128/164),while CVP compliance was the lowest at 39.0%(64/164).The overall compliance rate was 21.3%(35/164).Univariate analysis showed that age,pulmonary infection,Lac levels,duration and dose of vasoactive drugs,heart rate,PCT,GCS score,and SOFA score were all risk factors affecting the 28-day prognosis of patients with sepsis(all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed Lac levels,and pulmonary infection were independent risk factors affecting 28-day prognosis of patients with sepsis[odds ratio(OR)were 0.801,3.966,0.812,95%confidence interval(95%CI)were 0.711-0.903,1.149-13.696,0.674-0.979 respectively,P values were<0.001,0.029,0.029 respectively].ROC curve analysis demonstrated that age,Lac levels,and pulmonary infection all possessed predictive value for 28-day outcomes(all P<0.05).Age exhibited the highest predictive value with an AUC of 0.922.At the optimal cut-off of 76.6 years,sensitivity reached 95.7%and specificity 80.9%.Conclusion The overall achievement rate of early fluid resuscation in sepsis patients was low,with age,Lac levels,and pulmonary infection being major factors influencing poor prognosis.
7.Current Status and Analysis of Multidisciplinary Team Model for Lung Cancer in China
Zixiao MA ; Zhijie WANG ; Jie WANG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(12):966-972
Objective To investigate the current status of multidisciplinary team (MDT) approaches in lung cancer management in China to provide a basis for the further promotion and enhancement of the MDT model. Methods From April 2023 to November 2023, physicians engaged in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer were selected as the research objects. Questionnaires were distributed online and offline to investigate the cognition of MDT mode, MDT operating mode of their hospital, challenges faced, and direction of improvement. Descriptive analysis was conducted on the survey results. Results A total of
8.Integrated evidence chain-based effectiveness evaluation of traditional Chinese medicines (Eff-iEC): A demonstration study.
Ye LUO ; Xu ZHAO ; Ruilin WANG ; Xiaoyan ZHAN ; Tianyi ZHANG ; Tingting HE ; Jing JING ; Jianyu LI ; Fengyi LI ; Ping ZHANG ; Junling CAO ; Jinfa TANG ; Zhijie MA ; Tingming SHEN ; Shuanglin QIN ; Ming YANG ; Jun ZHAO ; Zhaofang BAI ; Jiabo WANG ; Aiguo DAI ; Xiangmei CHEN ; Xiaohe XIAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):909-918
Addressing the enduring challenge of evaluating traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), the integrated evidence chain-based effectiveness evaluation of TCMs (Eff-iEC) has emerged. This paper explored its capacity through a demonstration study that evaluated the effectiveness evidence of six commonly used anti-hepatic fibrosis Chinese patent medicines (CPMs), including Biejiajian Pill (BP), Dahuang Zhechong Pill (DZP), Biejia Ruangan Compound (BRC), Fuzheng Huayu Capsule (FHC), Anluo Huaxian Pill (AHP), and Heluo Shugan Capsule (HSC), using both Eff-iEC and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. The recognition of these CPMs within the TCM academic community was also assessed through their inclusion in relevant medical documents. Results showed that the evidence of BRC and FHC received higher assessments in both Eff-iEC and GRADE system, while the assessments for others varied. Analysis of community recognition revealed that Eff-iEC more accurately reflects the clinical value of these CPMs, exhibiting superior evaluative capabilities. By breaking through the conventional pattern of TCMs effectiveness evaluation, Eff-iEC offers a novel epistemology that better aligns with the clinical realities and reasoning of TCMs, providing a coherent methodology for clinical decision-making, new drug evaluations, and health policy formulation.
9.STK39 inhibits antiviral immune response by inhibiting DCAF1-mediated PP2A degradation.
Chengfei ZHANG ; Ping XU ; Yongsheng WANG ; Xin CHEN ; Yue PAN ; Zhijie MA ; Cheng WANG ; Haojun XU ; Guoren ZHOU ; Feng ZHU ; Hongping XIA
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1535-1551
Evading host immunity killing is a critical step for virus survival. Inhibiting viral immune escape is crucial for the treatment of viral diseases. Serine/threonine kinase 39 (STK39) was reported to play an essential role in ion homeostasis. However, its potential role and mechanism in viral infection remain unknown. In this study, we found that viral infection promoted STK39 expression. Consequently, overexpressed STK39 inhibited the phosphorylation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and the production of type I interferon, which led to viral replication and immune escape. Genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of STK39 significantly protected mice from viral infection. Mechanistically, mass spectrometry and immunoprecipitation assays identified that STK39 interacted with PPP2R1A (a scaffold subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)) in a kinase activity-dependent manner. This interaction inhibited DDB1 and CUL4 associated factor 1 (DCAF1)-mediated PPP2R1A degradation, maintained the stabilization and phosphatase activity of PP2A, which, in turn, suppressed the phosphorylation of IRF3, decreased the production of type I interferon, and then strengthened viral replication. Thus, our study provides a novel theoretical basis for viral immune escape, and STK39 may be a potential therapeutic target for viral infectious diseases.
10.A photodynamic nanohybrid system reverses hypoxia and augment anti-primary and metastatic tumor efficacy of immunotherapy.
Haitao YUAN ; Xiaoxian WANG ; Xin SUN ; Di GU ; Jinan GUO ; Wei HUANG ; Jingbo MA ; Chunjin FU ; Da YIN ; Guohua ZENG ; Ying LONG ; Jigang WANG ; Zhijie LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3243-3258
Photodynamic immunotherapy is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. However, the dysfunctional tumor vasculature results in tumor hypoxia and the low efficiency of drug delivery, which in turn restricts the anticancer effect of photodynamic immunotherapy. In this study, we designed photosensitive lipid nanoparticles. The synthesized PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles could produce type I/II reactive oxygen species (ROS) by electron or energy transfer through PFBT under light irradiation. Moreover, this nanosystem could alleviate tumor hypoxia and promote vascular normalization through Roxadustat. Upon irradiation with white light, the ROS produced by PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles in situ dysregulated calcium homeostasis and triggered endoplasmic reticulum stress, which further promoted the release of damage-associated molecular patterns, enhanced antigen presentation, and stimulated an effective adaptive immune response, ultimately priming the tumor microenvironment (TME) together with the hypoxia alleviation and vessel normalization by Roxadustat. Indeed, in vivo results indicated that PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles promoted M1 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages, recruited more natural killer cells, and augmented infiltration of T cells, thereby leading to efficient photodynamic immunotherapy and potentiating the anti-primary and metastatic tumor efficacy of PD-1 antibody. Collectively, photodynamic immunotherapy with PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles efficiently program TME through the induction of immunogenicity and oxygenation, and effectively suppress tumor growth through immunogenic cell death and enhanced anti-tumor immunity.

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