1.Artesunate Enhances the Sensitization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Inhibiting Nrf2/HIF-1α in Hypoxia
Yuan CHEN ; Meihui WANG ; Wei LI ; Xuefen XU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(2):243-250
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of artesunate increasing the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)cells to sorafenib in hypoxic microenvironment.METHODS Firstly,hypoxia-resistant HCC cell models were established.NAC(a ROS scavenger),necrostatin-1(a necrosis inhibitor),and ferrostatin-1(a ferroptosis inhibitor)were added to examine the effects of artesunate on the inhibition rate of HCC cells and the primary modes of cell death in hypoxic microenvironment by MTT assays.Intra-cellular levels of GSH,ROS,lipid peroxidation product MDA,and iron ions were measured using corresponding kits.Mitochondrial membrane potential changes were assessed using JC-1 staining.Western blot and qPCR were performed to detect the expression of fer-roptosis-related proteins after the addition of artesunate.RESULTS The sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib decreased under hy-poxic microenvironment,but artesunate significantly enhanced this sensitivity.Further analysis revealed that artesunate promoted sor-afenib-induced ferroptosis by increasing ROS levels in HCC cells(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001).Additionally,artesunate was found to inhibit Nrf2 mRNA and protein levels(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001)and downregulate HIF-1α expression(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001).CONCLUSION Artesunate increases intracellular oxidative stress by inhibiting Nrf2 and HIF-1α protein levels,subse-quently induces ferroptosis and enhances the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib in hypoxic microenvironment.
2.Pharmacological advances in pharmacological research on the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration with traditional Chinese medicine
Siya ZHANG ; Yu PEI ; Xi CHEN ; Li PAN ; Ge ZHANG ; Yuanchen DING ; Meihui WEI ; Wei SHI
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(12):981-985
The incidence of age-related macular degeneration(AMD)is rising with the intensifying aging trend,be-coming a critical challenge that demands urgent solutions.Dry AMD(dAMD)accounts for approximately 80%of all AMD cases,and there is currently a lack of highly effective treatment options.In recent years,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has been proven to effectively treat dAMD through actions such as antioxidation,anti-apoptosis,anti-inflammation,and lipid-lowering.By reviewing domestic and international literature,this article discusses TCM monomers,extracts,and compound formulations for dAMD,analyzing their various mechanisms.Based on traditional TCM efficacy theories and in-tegrated with modern mechanisms of action,it targets the active components of TCM to elucidate the connection between effective medicinal targets of TCM and dAMD,thereby clarifying the efficacy and scientific basis of TCM monomers,com-pounds,and extracts in treating dAMD.The aim is to provide new perspectives for the prevention and clinical treatment of dAMD.
3.Artesunate Enhances the Sensitization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Inhibiting Nrf2/HIF-1α in Hypoxia
Yuan CHEN ; Meihui WANG ; Wei LI ; Xuefen XU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(2):243-250
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of artesunate increasing the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)cells to sorafenib in hypoxic microenvironment.METHODS Firstly,hypoxia-resistant HCC cell models were established.NAC(a ROS scavenger),necrostatin-1(a necrosis inhibitor),and ferrostatin-1(a ferroptosis inhibitor)were added to examine the effects of artesunate on the inhibition rate of HCC cells and the primary modes of cell death in hypoxic microenvironment by MTT assays.Intra-cellular levels of GSH,ROS,lipid peroxidation product MDA,and iron ions were measured using corresponding kits.Mitochondrial membrane potential changes were assessed using JC-1 staining.Western blot and qPCR were performed to detect the expression of fer-roptosis-related proteins after the addition of artesunate.RESULTS The sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib decreased under hy-poxic microenvironment,but artesunate significantly enhanced this sensitivity.Further analysis revealed that artesunate promoted sor-afenib-induced ferroptosis by increasing ROS levels in HCC cells(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001).Additionally,artesunate was found to inhibit Nrf2 mRNA and protein levels(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001)and downregulate HIF-1α expression(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001).CONCLUSION Artesunate increases intracellular oxidative stress by inhibiting Nrf2 and HIF-1α protein levels,subse-quently induces ferroptosis and enhances the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib in hypoxic microenvironment.
4.Pharmacological advances in pharmacological research on the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration with traditional Chinese medicine
Siya ZHANG ; Yu PEI ; Xi CHEN ; Li PAN ; Ge ZHANG ; Yuanchen DING ; Meihui WEI ; Wei SHI
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(12):981-985
The incidence of age-related macular degeneration(AMD)is rising with the intensifying aging trend,be-coming a critical challenge that demands urgent solutions.Dry AMD(dAMD)accounts for approximately 80%of all AMD cases,and there is currently a lack of highly effective treatment options.In recent years,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has been proven to effectively treat dAMD through actions such as antioxidation,anti-apoptosis,anti-inflammation,and lipid-lowering.By reviewing domestic and international literature,this article discusses TCM monomers,extracts,and compound formulations for dAMD,analyzing their various mechanisms.Based on traditional TCM efficacy theories and in-tegrated with modern mechanisms of action,it targets the active components of TCM to elucidate the connection between effective medicinal targets of TCM and dAMD,thereby clarifying the efficacy and scientific basis of TCM monomers,com-pounds,and extracts in treating dAMD.The aim is to provide new perspectives for the prevention and clinical treatment of dAMD.
5.Inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus reuteri on rotavirus replication in vivo and in vitro and its effect on expression of immune factors
Xiaofeng LI ; Meihui CHENG ; Yang LIU ; Changcheng LIU ; Xuejiao JIA ; Mengqi LIU ; Wei ZHAO
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2024;50(6):1597-1605
Objectives:To discuss the inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus reuteri on the replication of rotavirus(RV)strain SA11 in vivo and in vitro,and to clarify its effect on the expression of related immune factors.Methods:For in vitro experiments,Lactobacillus reuteri was cultured and identified,and the standard curve and growth curve were plotted to screen the optimal time and concentration for Lactobacillus reuteri cultivation.The cells were infected with Lactobacillus reuteri at the concentrations of 5×108,10×108,50×108,100×108,200×108,and 500×108 CFU·mL-1,and the surival rates of Caco-2 cells were detected by trypan blue staining method.Various concentrations of Lactobacillus reuteri were co-incubated with RV in vitro and applied to the Caco-2 cells.The cells were divided into negative control group(NC group),positive control group(PC group),and 107,108,109,and 1010 CFU·mL-1 Lactobacillus reuteri groups.Immunofluorescence focus method was used to detect the viral titers in the Caco-2 cells after treated with Lactobacillus reuteri and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the copy numbers of RV VP6 gene in the Caco-2 cells after treated with various concentrations of Lactobacillus reuteri.In in vivo experiments,25 litters of SPF suckling mice were divided into control group,RV group(infected with SA11 strain),Ab-NC group(treated with antibiotic to deplete gut microbiota),Ab-RV group(depleting gut microbiota and then infected with SA11 strain),and Ab-Lac-RV group(depleting gut microbiota,treated with Lactobacillus reuteri,and then infected with SA11 strain).The fecal samples were collected on days 2,4,6,8,and 10 gavage,colon tissue sample were collected on day 4 of and RT-qPCR method was used to detect the copy numbers of RV VP6 gene in feces and the mRNA expression levels of interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-8,IL-10,interferon-γ(IFN-γ),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in colon tissue of the suckling mice in vartious groups.Results:The Lactobacillus reuteri grew well,with round,smooth,and milky white convex colonies and neat edges.After Gram staining,the bacteria appeared purple,irregular,and square-shaped rods.16SrDNA sequencing showed 99%sequence homology,indicating successful activation of Lactobacillus reuteri.The number of live Lactobacillus reuteri was linearly related to the absorbance(A)value,and the standard curve for regression analysis was Y=0.437 5X+0.000 6,R2=0.999 4.During the 0-2 h cultivation period,the bacteria were at the logarithmic growth phase with slow growth;from 2-14 h,the bacteria grew rapidly and stabilized at 14-16 h,reaching the growth rate peak at 16 h,after which they entered the decline phase.Infection with Lactobacillus reuteri at concentrations of 5×108,10×108,50×108,100×108,and 200×108 CFU·mL-1 resulted in the survival rates of Caco-2 cells were all>90%,so these concentrations were selected for the further experiments.Compared with PC group,the copy numbers of RV VP6 gene in the Caco-2 cells in 5×108,10×108,50×108,100×108,and 200×108 CFU·mL-1 Lactobacillus reuteri groups were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with PC group,the viral titers in the Caco-2 cells in 107,108,109,and 1010 CFU·mL-1 Lactobacillus reuteri groups were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with control group,the numbers of gut microbiota colonies in Ab-NC,Ab-RV,and Ab-Lac-RV groups were significantly decreased,indicating successful depletion of gut microbiota in the suckling mice.On days 2 and 4 after gavage,the RV VP6 gene copy number in the feces in Ab-RV group was significantly lower than that in RV group(P<0.05).On days 4,6,8,and 10 after gavage,the RV VP6 gene copy number in the feces in Ab-Lac-RV group was significantly lower than that in Ab-RV group(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the expression levels of IL-1β,IL-10,IFN-γ,and TNF-α mRNA in colon tissue in Ab-RV and Ab-Lac-RV groups were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while the expression level of IL-8 mRNA was significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the expression level of IL-10 mRNA in colon tissue in Ab-LAC-RV group was significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Lactobacillus reuteri may inhibit the RV replication by upregulating the expressions of IL-1β,IL-10,IFN-γ,and TNF-α mRNA and downregulating the expression of IL-8 mRNA.
6.Study on Anti-inflammatory and Detumescent Pharmacodynamic Material Basis of Jingyaokang Capsule
Jie XU ; Wenyue JIANG ; Yali WANG ; Meihui WANG ; Xiaoyu WEI ; Yu BIAN
China Pharmacy 2019;30(4):478-483
OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-inflammatory and detumescent pharmacodynamic material basis of Jingyaokang capsule, and to provide reference for secondary development, the establishment of quality control method and technological upgrading of the preparations. METHODS: The constituents of Jingyaokang capsule were extracted and separated with different solvents and macroporous adsorption resin to obtain constituent A (overall enrichment part), constituent B (chloroform extraction part), constituent C (water-course part) and constituent D (elution part of 60% ethanol). Using dexamethasone acetate as positive control, the anti-inflammatory and detumescent effects of Jingyaokang capsule and different extraction parts (constituents A, B, C, D) were investigated by mice ear edema and rat paw edema tests to screen the active fraction. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS method was used to analyze active constituent, identify compounds and attribute medicinal material. RESULTS: Anti-inflammatory and detumescent effects of constituent B (chloroform extraction part)+constituent D (elution part of 60% ethanol) were similar to those of Jingyaokang capsule in rats or mice, indicating both had synergistic anti-inflammatory and detumescent effects and were active constituents of Jingyaokang capsule. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS detection and identification showed that constituent B contained 13 compounds as strychnine, phellodendrine, periplogenin, tetraketone alcohol, 11-carbonyl-β-mastic acid, attributing to Strychnos nux-vomica, Stephania tetrandra, Periploca sepium, Lycopodium japonicum, Boswellia carterii, etc. Constituent D contained 7 compounds as adenine, hydroxysafflower yellow A, phellodendrine, neoeriocitrin, zingibroside R1, attributing to rainworm, Carthamus tinctorius, Stephania tetrandra, Davallia mariesii, Achyranthes bidentata, etc. CONCLUSIONS: Jingyaokang capsule shows the significant anti-inflammation and detumescent effects. The chloroform extraction part is synergistic with 60% ethanol elution part, which are the active constituents of anti-inflammation and detumescence,mainly including alkaloids, flavonoids and boswellic acids.
7.Study on HPLC Fingerprint of Zhenqi Fuzheng Granules
Xiaoyu WEI ; Guodong JIANG ; Hong CHEN ; Meihui WANG ; Jie XU ; Yu BIAN ; Wenyue JIANG
China Pharmacy 2017;28(33):4691-4694
OBJECTIVE:To establish HPLC fingerprint of Zhenqi fuzheng granules. METHODS:HPLC-ELSD method was ad-opted. The determination was performed on Agilent Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C18 column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-wa-ter(gradient elution)at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with column temperature of 40 ℃. The detector evaporation temperature was 50℃,and sample size was 10μL. Using specnuezhenide as reference,HPLC chromatograms of 7 batches of Zhenqi fuzheng gran-ules were determined. The identification and similarity evaluation of common peaks were conducted by using the TCM Chromato-graphic Fingerprint Similarity Evaluation System(2004 A edition). RESULTS:There were 13 common peaks in HPLC chromato-grams of 7 batches of samples. After validated,the similarity of 3 batches of samples in HPLC chromatograms of 7 batches of sam-ples were higher than 0.9,which were in good agreement with control fingerprints. The similarity of 4 batches of samples were <0.9,which were poorly same to control fingerprint. CONCLUSIONS:Established fingerprint can provide reference for quality evalu-ation of Zhenqi fuzheng granules.
8.Effect of two short striae incision or traditional "L" shaped incision in neck dissection of differentiated thyroid carcinoma on serum trauma cytokines.
Zhongli GENG ; Wei WANG ; Meihui SHAN ; Guanghui REN ; Chao DONG ; Binlin MA
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2012;37(12):1260-1264
OBJECTIVE:
To compare the trauma of neck dissection on the human body between two-striae incision and traditional "L" shaped incision by serum trauma cytokines.
METHODS:
Patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma hospitized from December 2008 to July 2011 were divided into 2 groups according to their own will. The first group 26 patients) had two-striae incision and the second group 32 patients) had traditional "L" shaped incision. The serum level of interleukin(IL)-2, IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) in all patients were examined 1 day before and 1, 3 and 5 days after the surgery.
RESULTS:
No statistical significance was found between the 2 groups, although level of IL-2 decreased 1 day after the surgery, but recovered to normal 3 days later. The level of IL-6 in both groups increased 1 day after the surgery, began to decrease 3 days after the surgery, and recovered to normal 5 days after the surgery. The level of CRP suggested statistical significance (P<0.05), which increased obviously 1, 3 and 5 days after the surgery. No statistical difference was found before or after the surgery between the 2 groups (P>0.05). After follow-up for 8-40 months, no local recurrence or lymph node metastasis was found.
CONCLUSION
Compared with the traditional "L" shaped incision, two-striae incision in neck dissection does not increase the serum level of trauma cytokines and trauma to human body after the surgery. Two-striae incision is an ideal surgical approach to differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
Adult
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C-Reactive Protein
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metabolism
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Carcinoma, Papillary
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blood
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surgery
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Cytokines
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blood
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Female
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Humans
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Interleukin-2
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blood
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Interleukin-6
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blood
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Neck Dissection
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methods
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Thyroid Neoplasms
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blood
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surgery
9.A study on the immunologic techniques experiment teaching of higher vocational education
Suqin WU ; Jianling ZHENG ; Meihui WANG ; He QI ; Wei DUAN
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2011;10(12):1518-1520
The student majoring in Medical Biological Technique will be mainly engaged in the practical work of biological technique industry after graduation in the future.In order to bind the theories on the practical biological techniques in designs of contents and roundly improve students' practical ability in classes as well as enriching the communication among students,our college offers an immunologic techniques experiment classes with 36 hours per semester,which has also undergone a reasonable project teaching innovation. This proved to result in a satisfactory outcome in improving the students' practical a

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