1.Daurisoline Inhibits Progression of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Regulating the γγ-Secretase/Notch Axis
Xiangyi ZHAN ; Xiaoyong CHEN ; Mei FENG ; Kuo YAO ; Kefan YANG ; Hui JIA
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(2):331-343
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer that is challenging to treat and lacks targeted therapeutic drugs in the clinic. Natural active ingredients provide promising opportunities for discovering and developing targeted therapies for TNBC. This study investigated the effects of daurisoline on TNBC and elucidated its potential mechanisms. Using network pharmacology, a correlation was identified between daurisoline, derived from Menispermum dauricum, and breast cancer, particularly involving the Notch signaling pathway. The effects of daurisoline on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells were evaluated in vitro. Additionally, the impact of daurisoline on the growth of MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumors in nude mice was assessed through in vivo experiments. Expression levels of Notch signaling pathway-related proteins, including Notch-1, NICD, PSEN-1, Bax, and Bcl-2, were examined using molecular docking and Western blotting to explore the underlying mechanisms of daurisoline’s anti-breast cancer effects. It was revealed that daurisoline could effectively inhibit the proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells and promote apoptosis. Furthermore, it significantly reduced the growth of subcutaneous tumors in nude mice. Notably, daurisoline could reduce the hydrolytic activity of γ-secretase by binding to the catalytic core PSEN-1, thereby inhibiting activation of the γ-secretase/Notch axis and contributing to its anti-TNBC effects.This study supported the development of naturally targeted drugs for TNBC and provided insights into the research on dibenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, such as daurisoline.
2.Daurisoline Inhibits Progression of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Regulating the γγ-Secretase/Notch Axis
Xiangyi ZHAN ; Xiaoyong CHEN ; Mei FENG ; Kuo YAO ; Kefan YANG ; Hui JIA
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(2):331-343
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer that is challenging to treat and lacks targeted therapeutic drugs in the clinic. Natural active ingredients provide promising opportunities for discovering and developing targeted therapies for TNBC. This study investigated the effects of daurisoline on TNBC and elucidated its potential mechanisms. Using network pharmacology, a correlation was identified between daurisoline, derived from Menispermum dauricum, and breast cancer, particularly involving the Notch signaling pathway. The effects of daurisoline on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells were evaluated in vitro. Additionally, the impact of daurisoline on the growth of MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumors in nude mice was assessed through in vivo experiments. Expression levels of Notch signaling pathway-related proteins, including Notch-1, NICD, PSEN-1, Bax, and Bcl-2, were examined using molecular docking and Western blotting to explore the underlying mechanisms of daurisoline’s anti-breast cancer effects. It was revealed that daurisoline could effectively inhibit the proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells and promote apoptosis. Furthermore, it significantly reduced the growth of subcutaneous tumors in nude mice. Notably, daurisoline could reduce the hydrolytic activity of γ-secretase by binding to the catalytic core PSEN-1, thereby inhibiting activation of the γ-secretase/Notch axis and contributing to its anti-TNBC effects.This study supported the development of naturally targeted drugs for TNBC and provided insights into the research on dibenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, such as daurisoline.
3.Daurisoline Inhibits Progression of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Regulating the γγ-Secretase/Notch Axis
Xiangyi ZHAN ; Xiaoyong CHEN ; Mei FENG ; Kuo YAO ; Kefan YANG ; Hui JIA
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(2):331-343
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer that is challenging to treat and lacks targeted therapeutic drugs in the clinic. Natural active ingredients provide promising opportunities for discovering and developing targeted therapies for TNBC. This study investigated the effects of daurisoline on TNBC and elucidated its potential mechanisms. Using network pharmacology, a correlation was identified between daurisoline, derived from Menispermum dauricum, and breast cancer, particularly involving the Notch signaling pathway. The effects of daurisoline on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells were evaluated in vitro. Additionally, the impact of daurisoline on the growth of MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumors in nude mice was assessed through in vivo experiments. Expression levels of Notch signaling pathway-related proteins, including Notch-1, NICD, PSEN-1, Bax, and Bcl-2, were examined using molecular docking and Western blotting to explore the underlying mechanisms of daurisoline’s anti-breast cancer effects. It was revealed that daurisoline could effectively inhibit the proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells and promote apoptosis. Furthermore, it significantly reduced the growth of subcutaneous tumors in nude mice. Notably, daurisoline could reduce the hydrolytic activity of γ-secretase by binding to the catalytic core PSEN-1, thereby inhibiting activation of the γ-secretase/Notch axis and contributing to its anti-TNBC effects.This study supported the development of naturally targeted drugs for TNBC and provided insights into the research on dibenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, such as daurisoline.
4.Association between use of vibrating tools and low back pain in automobile manufacturing workers: A propensity score matching analysis
Xiaoyi QIAN ; Jiabing WU ; Yanli RAN ; Yan YAO ; Yong MEI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(6):712-716
Background The prevalence of low back pain among workers using vibrating tools in the automobile manufacturing industry is high; however, research on associated risk factors remains limited. Objective To investigate the association between use of vibrating tools and low back pain among automobile manufacturing workers, and to estimate related population attributable risk percentage (PAR%). Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Chinese Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire among workers with over one year of service in an automobile manufacturing enterprise. Workers were categorized into an exposed group (vibrating tool users) and a control group (non-users) based on their use of vibrating tools during work. The variables showing statistically significant differences between the two groups were selected as covariates for matching by 1∶2 nearest-neighbor propensity score. Chi-square test was used to compare the prevalence of low back pain between the matched exposed and control groups. Log-binomial regression model was employed to calculate the prevalence ratio (PR), and the PAR% of low back pain attributable to vibrating tool use was subsequently determined. Results A total of
5.Analyzing the evaluation results of healthy enterprises in Hubei Province from 2020 to 2023
Zhe PENG ; Jian HUANG ; Sheng LIU ; Zhongfa JIANG ; Yongxiang YAO ; Liangying MEI
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(3):299-303
Objective To analyze the evaluation and influencing factors of healthy enterprises in Hubei Province from 2020 to 2023. Methods A total of 351 enterprises participated in the healthy enterprise evaluation in Hubei province were selected as the study subjects using the judgmental sampling method. The differences in evaluation results including scales, industry sector, and ownership type of the enterprises were compared. Results The median and the 25th and 75th percentiles [M (P25, P75)] of the evaluation score among the 351 enterprises was 869 (838, 941) points. The evaluation pass rate was 82.3%. The M(P25, P75) of scores for the management system, health environment, health management and services, health culture, and health outcome review were 183 (174, 192), 190 (181, 198), 340 (321, 376), 133 (122, 142), and 26 (24, 28) points, with the score percentage of 91.5%, 86.4%, 85.0%, 88.7%, and 86.7%, respectively. The deduction rate exceeded 50.0% in six items, which predominantly concentrated within the primary indicator of the health management and services, among the tertiary indicators. The result of multiple linear regression analysis revealed that smaller enterprises had significantly lower evaluation scores (P<0.05), and domestically funded enterprises scored significantly lower than those with investment from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, or foreign investments (all P<0.05). Conclusion Health management and services represent a weak area in healthy enterprise development in Hubei Province. It was suggested to improve policy incentives and support for medium-, small- and micro-sized enterprises, and domestically funded enterprises, to enhance healthy enterprise development levels.
6.Improvement of quality standards for Zhuang medicine Yingbupu (Aralia armata)
Xiangpei ZHAO ; Jieying SU ; Tao XU ; Jing LIANG ; Yanjing LI ; Mei YANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(21):2645-2650
OBJECTIVE To improve the quality standard of Zhuang medicine Yingbupu (Aralia armata). METHODS A total of 23 batches of Yingbupu (A. armata) were studied. Their macroscopic characteristics and powder microscopic features were observed. TLC was employed for the qualitative identification of oleanolic acid and araloside A. Items such as water content, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and ethanol-soluble extract were determined according to the methods specified in the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (part Ⅳ). UPLC fingerprint was established for 23 batches of samples by using Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprints of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2012 edition), and the contents of oleanolic acid and araloside A were determined. RESULTS The powder microscopic characteristics of the medicinal material were distinctive. Oleanolic acid and araloside A were detected by TLC in all 23 batches. Among the 23 batches of samples, the content ranges of moisture, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and ethanol-soluble extract were 6.9% to 10.4%, 1.8% to 6.8%, 0.1% to 1.9%, and 2.8% to 8.4%, respectively. Based on the UPLC fingerprint, a total of 15 common peaks were obtained, and 9 of these common peaks were identified. The content ranges of oleanolic acid and araloside A in the 23 batches of samples were 0.86% to 2.69% and 0.16% to 1.10%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study has added items such as moisture and total ash content fingerprint, TLC identification. A preliminary quality standard has been established for the medicinal material of Yingbupu (A. armata), stipulating that the moisture content should not exceed 11.0%, the total ash content should not exceed 5.0%, the acid-insoluble ash content should not exceed 2.5%, the ethanol-soluble extract(No. content should not be less than 4.0%, and the contents of zyyzdxk-2023165) oleanolic acid and araloside A should not be less than 1.00% and 0.45%( calculated by a dried basis), respectively.
7.Effects of emodin modulation of the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway on vascular endothelial cells damage in diabetic macroangiopathy rats
Qiu-Xiao ZHU ; Hui-Yao HAO ; Zi-Bo LIU ; Ming GAO ; Fang ZHANG ; Jing ZHOU ; Zhi-Hua HAO ; Li-Hui ZHANG ; Yong-Mei HAO
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(6):859-863
Objective To investigate the impact of emodin(EM)on vascular endothelial cell injury in rats with diabetes macroangiopathy by regulating hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)/vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)signaling pathway.Methods SD rats were divided into blank group and modeling group,the rats in the modeling group were fed with high fat and high sugar combined with N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester to build the diabetes macroangiopathy model,and the blank group was fed with ordinary diet.The vascular endothelial cells successfully isolated from the thoracic aorta of rats in blank group and modeling group were named control group and model group,respectively.The vascular endothelial cells in the modeling group were divided into model group,dimethyloxallyl glycine(DMOG)group(10 μmol·L-1DMOG),combined group(80 mg·L-1EM+10 μmol·L-1 DMOG)and experimental-L,-M,-H groups(20,40,80 mg·L-1 EM).The apoptosis of rat vascular endothelial cells was detected by flow cytometry;Western blot was applied to detect the expression of HIF-1αand VEGF proteins in rat vascular endothelial cells.Results The apoptosis rates of vascular endothelial cells in experimental-M,-H groups,DMOG group,combined group,model group and control group were(10.18±0.36)%,(6.28±0.20)%,(24.96±1.18)%,(12.36±0.49)%,(18.76±0.68)%and(4.59±0.26)%;HIF-1α protein levels were 0.96±0.07,0.78±0.06,2.03±0.12,1.05±0.13,1.58±0.12 and 0.69±0.05;VEGF protein levels were 0.59±0.05,0.23±0.02,0.98±0.06,0.63±0.04,0.86±0.07 and 0.11±0.01.The above indexes in the model group were compared with the control,DMOG,experimental-M and experimental-H groups,and the above indexes in the combined group were compared with the experimental-H group,and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).Conclusion EM may inhibit HIF-1α/VEGF pathway to improve vascular endothelial cell injury in rats with diabetes macroangiopathy.
8.Effects of Bushen Huoxue formula on interleukin-17 in rats with recurrent spontaneous abortion
Yao PENG ; Jin CHEN ; Yan LIANG ; Qi YANG ; Li-Mei SHEN ; Xiao-Jian XIA
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(13):1928-1932
Objective To observe the effect of Bushen Huoxue formula on interleukin-17(IL-17)in rats with recurrent spontaneous abortion(RSA).Methods RS A model rats were constructed by intraperitoneal injection of estradiol benzoate.Forty RSA model rats were randomly divided into model group,control group and experimental-L,-H groups,with 10 rats per group.Another 10 healthy pregnant rats were set as blank group.The experimental-L,-H groups were given 7.77 and 15.54 g·kg-1 of Bushen Huoxue formula solution by gavage.The control group was given 2.10 mg·kg-1of dydrogesterone solution by gavage.The blank group and the model group were given equal amount of 0.9%NaCl by gavage.The dose of administration for the five groups was 10 mL·kg-1,once a day,for 9 days.The number of live fetuses,embryo loss,and embryo loss rate in each group were observed.The proportion of Th 17 cells in the peripheral blood was detected by flow cytometry.The expression levels of interleukin-6(IL-6),IL-17 and IL-23 proteins in the decidual tissues were detected by Western blotting.Results The number of live fetuses in the experimental-H,control,model and blank groups were 11.50±2.84,11.50±3.10,6.30±1.25 and 12.50±3.24;the number of embryos lost were 1.80±0.42,1.90±0.57,4.90±1.37 and 0;the rates of embryo loss were(14.01±4.52)%,(14.79±6.06)%,(43.50±9.49)%and 0;the proportions of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood were(3.12±0.47)%,(3.10±0.59)%,(5.31±1.16)%and(2.54±0.71)%;the relative expression levels of IL-6 protein were 0.19±0.04,0.18±0.05,0.85±0.16 and 0.11±0.03;the relative expression levels of IL-17 protein were 0.28±0.04,0.29±0.05,0.84±0.12 and 0.09±0.01;the relative expression levels of IL-23 protein were 0.35±0.04,0.34±0.06,0.90±0.11 and 0.08±0.01,respectively.Comparing experimental-H group and model group,comparing control group and blank group,the above indexes were statistically significant(all P<0.05).Conclusion Bushen Huoxue formula can reduce embryo loss,improve placental tissue pathology,reduce Th 17 cell proportion and its related cytokines IL-6,IL-17,IL-23 expression in rats with RSA.
9.Chinesization of the HEMO-FISS-QoL questionnaire and its reliability and validity
Songpeng SUN ; Shan JIA ; Fangfang XU ; Tianyu LI ; Zhiyun ZHANG ; Qiaorong CAO ; Xinjian LI ; Yao WU ; Weiping WAN ; Bin SHI ; Jianguo WANG ; Hong NI ; Longyu LIANG ; Xingxiao HUO ; Tianqing YANG ; Lei TIAN ; Ying TIAN ; Mei LIN ; Zhanjun WANG ; Yangyang ZHOU ; Hongchuan CHU ; Riyu LIAO ; Kuerban XIEYIDA ; Junhong LONG ; Shuxin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2024;33(1):75-82
Objective:To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of HEMO-FISS-QoL(HF-QoL) questionnaire (HF-QoL-C) in the Chinese population with hemorrhoids.Methods:From November 2021 to November 2022, a self-constructed general information questionnaire, HF-QoL-C, and the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36), Goligher classification, and Giordano severity of hemorrhoid symptom questionnaire (GSQ) were used to conduct a questionnaire survey on 760 hemorrhoid patients in the anorectal department of six hospitals. The data was analyzed for reliability and validity using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 26.0 software.Results:The Cronbach's α coefficient of HF-QoL-C and its dimension ranged from 0.831 to 0.960, and the split coefficient was 0.832-0.915. Four common factors were extracted through principal component exploratory factor analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable structural validity( χ2/ df=8.152, RSMEA=0.097, CFI=0.881, IFI=0.881, NFI=0.867). HF-QoL-C was correlated with SF36 and GSQ( r=-0.694, 0.501, both P<0.01). There were differences in the total score and dimensional scores of HF-QoL-C between surgical and drug treated patients, different grades of Goligher classification for hemorrhoidal disease, and different ranges of hemorrhoid prolapse (all P<0.001). No ceiling effect was found in the total score and the scores of each dimension(0.3%-2.0%). There was a floor effect in both psychological function and sexual activity dimensions (16.7%, 35.1%). Conclusion:HF-QoL-C has good reliability and validity, which can be used to measure the quality of life of Chinese hemorrhoid patients.
10.Electroacupuncture Promotes Functional Recovery after Facial Nerve Injury in Rats by Regulating Autophagy via GDNF and PI3K/mTOR Signaling Pathway.
Jun-Peng YAO ; Xiu-Mei FENG ; Lu WANG ; Yan-Qiu LI ; Zi-Yue ZHU ; Xiang-Yun YAN ; Yu-Qing YANG ; Ying LI ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2024;30(3):251-259
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in promoting recovery of the facial function with the involvement of autophagy, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway.
METHODS:
Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into the control, sham-operated, facial nerve injury (FNI), EA, EA+3-methyladenine (3-MA), and EA+GDNF antagonist groups using a random number table, with 12 rats in each group. An FNI rat model was established with facial nerve crushing method. EA intervention was conducted at Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Yifeng (SJ 17), and Hegu (LI 4) acupoints for 2 weeks. The Simone's 10-Point Scale was utilized to monitor the recovery of facial function. The histopathological evaluation of facial nerves was performed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The levels of Beclin-1, light chain 3 (LC3), and P62 were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Additionally, IHC was also used to detect the levels of GDNF, Rai, PI3K, and mTOR.
RESULTS:
The facial functional scores were significantly increased in the EA group than the FNI group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). HE staining showed nerve axons and myelin sheaths, which were destroyed immediately after the injury, were recovered with EA treatment. The expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3 were significantly elevated and the expression of P62 was markedly reduced in FNI rats (P<0.01); however, EA treatment reversed these abnormal changes (P<0.01). Meanwhile, EA stimulation significantly increased the levels of GDNF, Rai, PI3K, and mTOR (P<0.01). After exogenous administration with autophagy inhibitor 3-MA or GDNF antagonist, the repair effect of EA on facial function was attenuated (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
EA could promote the recovery of facial function and repair the facial nerve damages in a rat model of FNI. EA may exert this neuroreparative effect through mediating the release of GDNF, activating the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway, and further regulating the autophagy of facial nerves.
Rats
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Male
;
Animals
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Electroacupuncture
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/metabolism*
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Facial Nerve Injuries/therapy*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Beclin-1
;
Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
;
Signal Transduction
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
;
Autophagy
;
Mammals/metabolism*

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