1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates VEGF Signaling Pathway for Anti-angiogenic Intervention in Preneoplastic Breast Cancer: A Review
Huikun BAI ; Min HUANG ; Benfa LI ; Rong ZHAO ; Zhuoling LI ; Dongdong ZHAO ; Na YANG ; Awei BI ; Yun GAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):295-302
Breast cancer prevention and treatment have become major issues that urgently need to be addressed in the field of global public health. As a key pathological transitional stage in the progression of breast cancer, preneoplastic breast cancer (PBC) carries a significant risk of clinical transformation. Effective intervention in the progression of PBC is of great clinical significance in preventing the occurrence of breast cancer. Pathological studies have shown that abnormal angiogenesis is a key mechanism driving the transformation of PBC into breast cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as a core regulatory molecule that promotes angiogenesis, plays a pivotal role in this process. The malignant transformation of PBC is closely associated with the abnormal activation of the VEGF-mediated pro-angiogenic network. Although modern medicine has achieved certain therapeutic effects through surgery and endocrine therapy, clinical limitations such as invasiveness, drug resistance, and adverse reactions still exist. Recent studies have demonstrated that the VEGF signaling system mediates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. In addition, the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/VEGF signaling pathway and the delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4)/Notch receptor 1 (Notch1) signaling pathway, together with other pathways, form a complex regulatory network that plays a central role in angiogenesis during PBC. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by multi-component synergy, multi-pathway regulation, and high safety, demonstrates significant advantages in inhibiting pathological angiogenesis and blocking PBC progression by targeting the VEGF signaling pathway. From the perspective of VEGF pathway regulation, this paper systematically reviews the latest research progress on TCM in inhibiting angiogenesis and intervening in PBC, and discusses its mechanisms and application value in the early prevention and treatment of PBC, with the aim of providing references for optimizing clinical intervention strategies for PBC.
2.Research progress on the effects of processing on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Morinda officinalis
Na BAI ; Tianyi FU ; Yale MA ; Chen WANG ; Hongwei LI ; Kai LI ; Le KANG ; Mengyun LIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(13):1778-1783
Morinda officinalis is one of the “Four Great Southern Medicines” and is commonly used in clinical practice to treat erectile dysfunction and nocturnal emissions caused by kidney yang deficiency, uterine cold infertility, menstrual disorders, low abdominal pain, rheumatism, and muscle and bone weakness. Based on the principle of “treating raw and cooked differently”, this article summarizes the effects of different processing methods on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of M. officinalis . Research has found that processing can affect the content and structure of sugars, iridoids, and anthraquinones in M. officinalis , thereby regulating its pharmacological effects such as anti-osteoporosis, immune regulation, anti-fatigue, and anti-depression. Among them, salt M. officinalis shows outstanding performance in anti-osteoporosis and enhancing immunity. Although previous studies have preliminarily elucidated the major chemical constituents of M. officinalis and their pharmacological characteristics, the dynamic transformation paths of constituents during the processing remain to be further clarified, especially the es tablishment of a quality marker system associated with the processing technology, to achieve the precision and intelligent development of the processing.
3.Research progress on the effects of processing on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Morinda officinalis
Na BAI ; Tianyi FU ; Yale MA ; Chen WANG ; Hongwei LI ; Kai LI ; Le KANG ; Mengyun LIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(13):1778-1783
Morinda officinalis is one of the “Four Great Southern Medicines” and is commonly used in clinical practice to treat erectile dysfunction and nocturnal emissions caused by kidney yang deficiency, uterine cold infertility, menstrual disorders, low abdominal pain, rheumatism, and muscle and bone weakness. Based on the principle of “treating raw and cooked differently”, this article summarizes the effects of different processing methods on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of M. officinalis . Research has found that processing can affect the content and structure of sugars, iridoids, and anthraquinones in M. officinalis , thereby regulating its pharmacological effects such as anti-osteoporosis, immune regulation, anti-fatigue, and anti-depression. Among them, salt M. officinalis shows outstanding performance in anti-osteoporosis and enhancing immunity. Although previous studies have preliminarily elucidated the major chemical constituents of M. officinalis and their pharmacological characteristics, the dynamic transformation paths of constituents during the processing remain to be further clarified, especially the es tablishment of a quality marker system associated with the processing technology, to achieve the precision and intelligent development of the processing.
4.Transcriptome sequencing analysis of gene expression differences in intestinal organoids of septic mice and the protective effects of myeloid differentiation factor 88 inhibitor.
Liyan GUO ; Na XUE ; Qing WANG ; Hongyun TENG ; Lili BAI ; Kai WEI ; Yuantao LI ; Qingguo FENG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(10):916-923
OBJECTIVE:
To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying sepsis-induced injury in mouse intestinal organoids and investigate the possible mechanisms or potential drug targets of myeloid differentiation factor 88 inhibitor [TJ-M2010-5 (TJ5)] on this condition.
METHODS:
Small intestinal organoids from C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were established and characterized using immunofluorescence for cell growth and proliferation marker nuclear antigen Ki-67, goblet cell marker mucin-2 (MUC-2), epithelial cell marker E-cadherin, and Paneth cell marker lysozyme (Lyz). Small intestinal organoids after 3 days of passaging were divided into different groups: a normal control group treated with culture medium containing 0.2% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 10 hours, a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group treated with culture medium containing 200 mg/L LPS and 0.2% DMSO for 10 hours, and a TJ5 group pre-treated with 10 mmol/L TJ5 for 2 hours followed by treatment with culture medium containing 200 mg/L LPS for 10 hours. Real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to measure the expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in the small intestinal organoids. RNA transcriptome sequencing was performed on the small intestinal organoids from each group to analyze differentially expressed genes between groups, and significant enrichment was analyzed using gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG).
RESULTS:
By the 7th day of primary culture, mature organoids had formed, and their growth rate increased after passaging. Immunofluorescence identification showed expressions of Ki-67, MUC-2, E-cadherin, and Lyz, indicating that the mouse small intestinal organoids maintained their cellular composition and functional characteristics under in vitro culture conditions. RT-qPCR results showed that compared with the normal control group, the mRNA expression of IL-6 in the small intestinal organoids of the LPS group was significantly increased (2-ΔΔCT: 1.83±0.16 vs. 1.02±0.28, P < 0.05), while the mRNA expression of ZO-1 was significantly decreased (2-ΔΔCT: 0.53±0.11 vs. 1.01±0.18, P < 0.05). In contrast, the mRNA expression trends of both IL-6 and ZO-1 were reversed in the TJ5 group, showing statistically significant differences as compared with the LPS group (2-ΔΔCT: IL-6 mRNA was 1.24±0.01 vs. 1.83±0.16, ZO-1 mRNA was 1.97±0.29 vs. 0.53±0.11, both P < 0.05). RNA transcriptome sequencing showed 49 differentially expressed genes in the LPS group compared to the normal control group, with 42 upregulated and 7 downregulated. Compared to the LPS group, the TJ5 group showed 84 differentially expressed genes, with 47 upregulated and 37 downregulated. GO enrichment analysis of these differentially expressed genes showed that the significantly enriched biological processes of the differentially expressed genes between the normal control group and the LPS group included responses to LPS, responses to molecule of bacterial origin and responses to bacterium. The significantly enriched biological processes of the differentially expressed genes between the LPS group and the TJ5 group included glutathione metabolic processes, responses to stress cellular and responses to chemical stimulus. In molecular function groups, glutathione binding and oligopeptide binding were significantly enriched by the differentially expressed genes. In cellular component classifications, the enrichment of the differentially expressed genes was mainly observed in the cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, and microsomes. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the differentially expressed genes between the normal control group and LPS group were enriched in IL-17 signaling pathways, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathways, viral protein interactions with cytokines and cytokine receptors signaling pathways, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction signaling pathways. In contrast, the differentially expressed genes between the LPS and TJ5 groups were mainly enriched in atherosclerosis signaling pathways, ferroptosis signaling pathways, glutathione metabolism signaling pathways, and cytochrome P450-mediated drug metabolism signaling pathways.
CONCLUSIONS
Mouse small intestinal organoids were successfully extracted and cultured. TJ5 may exert its protective effects by regulating gene expression and related signaling pathways (fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, ferroptosis, glutathione metabolism, cytochrome P450 drug metabolism, etc.) in sepsis-injured mouse small intestinal organoids. These genes and signaling pathways may be key targets for treating sepsis-induced intestinal injury.
Animals
;
Mice
;
Sepsis/genetics*
;
Organoids/drug effects*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Intestine, Small/metabolism*
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Gene Expression Profiling
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Transcriptome
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Lipopolysaccharides
5.Circulating immunological transcriptomic profile identifies DDX3Y and USP9Y on the Y chromosome as promising biomarkers for predicting response to programmed death 1/programmed death ligand 1 blockade.
Liting YOU ; Zhaodan XIN ; Feifei NA ; Min CHEN ; Yang WEN ; Jin LI ; Jiajia SONG ; Ling BAI ; Jianzhao ZHAI ; Xiaohan ZHOU ; Binwu YING ; Juan ZHOU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(3):364-366
6.Prognostic value of ultrasound carotid plaque length in patients with coronary artery disease.
Wendong TANG ; Zhichao XU ; Tingfang ZHU ; Yawei YANG ; Jian NA ; Wei ZHANG ; Liang CHEN ; Zongjun LIU ; Ming FAN ; Zhifu GUO ; Xianxian ZHAO ; Yuan BAI ; Bili ZHANG ; Hailing ZHANG ; Pan LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(14):1755-1757
7.Novel biallelic MCMDC2 variants were associated with meiotic arrest and nonobstructive azoospermia.
Hao-Wei BAI ; Na LI ; Yu-Xiang ZHANG ; Jia-Qiang LUO ; Ru-Hui TIAN ; Peng LI ; Yu-Hua HUANG ; Fu-Rong BAI ; Cun-Zhong DENG ; Fu-Jun ZHAO ; Ren MO ; Ning CHI ; Yu-Chuan ZHOU ; Zheng LI ; Chen-Cheng YAO ; Er-Lei ZHI
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(2):268-275
Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), one of the most severe types of male infertility, etiology often remains unclear in most cases. Therefore, this study aimed to detect four biallelic detrimental variants (0.5%) in the minichromosome maintenance domain containing 2 ( MCMDC2 ) genes in 768 NOA patients by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) demonstrated that MCMDC2 deleterious variants caused meiotic arrest in three patients (c.1360G>T, c.1956G>T, and c.685C>T) and hypospermatogenesis in one patient (c.94G>T), as further confirmed through immunofluorescence (IF) staining. The single-cell RNA sequencing data indicated that MCMDC2 was substantially expressed during spermatogenesis. The variants were confirmed as deleterious and responsible for patient infertility through bioinformatics and in vitro experimental analyses. The results revealed four MCMDC2 variants related to NOA, which contributes to the current perception of the function of MCMDC2 in male fertility and presents new perspectives on the genetic etiology of NOA.
Humans
;
Male
;
Azoospermia/genetics*
;
Meiosis/genetics*
;
Spermatogenesis/genetics*
;
Adult
;
Exome Sequencing
;
Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics*
;
Alleles
;
Infertility, Male/genetics*
8.Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim syndrome in a neonate.
Wei-Na LIU ; Ya-Lei PI ; Xing-Yu BAI ; Hui-Fen CHEN
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(3):373-376
The patient is a male neonate born at term. He was admitted 16 minutes after birth due to stridor and inspiratory respiratory distress. Physical examination revealed a cleft palate, and a grade II systolic ejection murmur was audible at the left sternal border. Whole exome sequencing identified a heterozygous variant in the SON gene, c.5753-5756del (p.Val1918GlufsTer87), which was absent in either parent, indicating a de novo mutation. According to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, this was classified as a "pathogenic variant" leading to a diagnosis of Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim (ZTTK) syndrome. Upon admission, symptomatic supportive treatment was provided. Follow-up at the age of 8 months revealed persistent stridor; the infant could only consume small amounts of milk and was unable to sit steadily. This patient represents the youngest reported case to date, and his symptoms expand the clinical spectrum of the disease, providing valuable insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Humans
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Male
;
Minor Histocompatibility Antigens/genetics*
;
DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
;
Rare Diseases/genetics*
;
Neurodevelopmental Disorders/genetics*
9.Effect of Shenqi Yiliu Formula (参芪抑瘤方) Drug-Containing Serum on the Cycle of Gastric Cancer Cell AGS and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway
Na WEI ; Chongyuan GUO ; Min BAI ; Yaorong AN ; Sichao ZHANG ; Liyang WU ; Yongqiang DUAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(4):399-406
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of Shenqi Yiliu Formula (参芪抑瘤方) in treating precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PLGC) by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. MethodsThe CCK-8 assay was used to determine the optimal intervention time for Shenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum and the concentration of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor XAV939 depends on the survival rate of AGS gastric cancer cell line. AGS cells were divided into the gastric cancer cell group (15% blank serum), inhibitor group (selected concentration of XAV939), high-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula group (12% Shenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum + 3% blank serum), medium-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula group (6% Shenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum + 9% blank serum), and low-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula group (3% Shenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum + 12% blank serum). Each group was tested in triplicate. After culturing for 24 and 48 hours, cell migration and invasion were assessed by scratch assays; after a selected intervention period (48 hours), cell cycle distribution was analyzed using flow cytometry, Ki67 protein levels were detected by immunofluorescence, the protein levels of Wnt, β-catenin, GSK-3β, and intranuclear T-cell specific factor(TCF) were measured by the protein immunoblotting assay, and the mRNA expressions of these above factors were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. ResultsThe optimal intervention time for Shenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum was determined to be 48 hours, and the effective concentration of XAV939 was 20 μmol/L. Compared with the gastric cancer cell group, Shenqi Yiliu Formula at all doses reduced the cell migration rate at 24 and 48 hours (P<0.05), except for the low-dose group at 24 hours. Compared to the low-dose group at corresponding time points, high- and medium-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula groups showed significantly reduced migration rates, particularly the high-dose group at 48 hours (P<0.05). Compared with the gastric cancer cell group, the high-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula and inhibitor groups exhibited reduced protein and mRNA levels of Wnt, β-catenin, and TCF, along with reduced Ki67 protein levels and a decreased proportion of cells in the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle, but GSK-3β protein levels, GSK-3β mRNA expression, and the proportion of cells in the G1 phase increased (P<0.05). Compared to the inhibitor group, the high-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula group showed a decreased proportion of G1-phase cells and an increased proportion of G2-phase cells (P<0.05), although differences in Wnt and β-catenin protein levels and mRNA expressions were not statistically significant (P>0.05). ConclusionShenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum inhibits the migration and invasion of gastric cancer AGS cells and block the cell cycle at G1 phase, and its underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
10.Textual Research on Historical Evolution and Key Information of Classical Famous Formula of Da Qinjiaotang
Na LI ; Jianying BAI ; Fuping LI ; Xiufen ZHANG ; Di LU ; Yishuo BAI ; Cuixiang WANG ; Kun SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):201-211
Da Qinjiaotang is the 54th formula of the 100 formulas in the Catalogue of Ancient Classical Formulas (the first batch) ,and it originated from the Collection of Writings on the Mechanism of Disease, Suitability of Qi, and Safeguarding of Life Discussed in Plain Questions. Da Qinjiaotang is composed of Gentiana macrophylla, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Angelica sinensis, Paeonia lactiflora, Asari Radix et Rhizoma, Notopterygium incisum, Saposhnikoviae Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Gypsum, Angelica dahurica, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Rehmanniae Radix, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, Poria, and Angelicae Pubescentis Radix. It is a classical formula for treating strokes. Da Qinjiaotang is widely used in modern clinical practices for treating ischemic stroke, peripheral facial paralysis, cervical spondylosis, rheumatic arthritis, neurodermatitis, and other multisystem diseases. Therefore, following the Principles of Textual Research on the Key Information of Ancient Classical Famous Formulas, the authors collected the ancient Chinese medical literature of Da Qinjiaotang by the method of bibliometrics and screened out 177 valid data, involving 100 ancient books of traditional Chinese medicine. Based on the historical evolution, composition, dosage, method of preparation, and preparation of the original medicinal materials of Da Qinjiaotang, a systematic study was carried out. It was found that among the 175 records of the main diseases and syndromes, stroke (144) was the most, accounting for 82.29% of the total diseases and syndromes. Later generations mostly followed the practice of LIU Wansu in using Da Qinjiaotang to treat stroke caused by "weak blood and inability to nourish tendon", featuring "hands and feet cannot move, stiff tongue hinders speaking", as well as other symptoms, such as slant of the mouth, hemiplegia, numbness of the limbs, paroxysmal pain, and acerbic syncope. The treatment scope was expanded, covering tendon dryness, clonic convulsion, spasm syndrome, and arthralgia syndrome. At the same time, it was found that there was a controversy between "internal wind" and "external wind" in the treatment of stroke by Da Qinjiaotang. LIU Wansu thought that stroke was caused by internal factors, created the theory of "hot stroke", and used Da Qinjiaotang to treat "internal wind". Many doctors in later generations focused on treating the "external wind" of "internal deficiency and evil". There were 76 valid data on the composition of drugs, 59 of which had doses for each drug. It was suggested to use the modern conversion dosage of the original formula, with 41.30 g per dose. The drug should be boiled in 600 mL water until 300 mL, decocted once, and taken in a warm state after removing the dregs anytime. Through the analysis and study of the ancient books about Da Qinjiaotang, the paper clarified its historical evolution and confirmed its key information, so as to provide the ancient literature evidence for the research and development of the classical famous formula Daqinjiaotan and its better clinical application.

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