1.Study on the contents of five active components and fingerprint of Gardenia jasminoides-Scutellaria baicalensis herb pairs before and after processing
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):727-732
OBJECTIVE To establish the method for determining the contents of five active components in raw and charred herb pairs of Gardenia jasminoides-Scutellaria baicalensis , construct their fingerprints, and investigate the effects of G. jasminoides processing on chemical constituents in the h erb pairs. METHODS The HPLC method was used to determine the contents of genipin 1- β -D-gentiobioside, geniposide, crocin Ⅰ, crocin Ⅱ and baicalin in ten batches of raw G. jasminoides-S. baicalensis herb pairs and ten batches of charred G. jasminoides-S. baicalensis herb pairs. Using the same HPLC method, chromatographic fingerprints for the ten batches of raw herb pairs and ten batches of processed herb pairs were established with the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprints of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2012 edition). Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis were performed. RESULTS Compared with the raw G. jasminoides-S. baicalensis herb pair, the average content of genipin 1- β -D-gentiobioside in the charred G. jasminoides-S. baicalensis herb pair increased by 12.65%; while the average contents of geniposide, crocin Ⅰ, crocin Ⅱ and baicalin decreased by 7.86%, 60.62%, 62.07% and 0.15%, respectively. Chromatographic fingerprints of ten batches of raw herb pairs and ten batches of processed herb pairs shared 18 common peaks with similarities ranging from 0.997 to 1.000 and 0.988 to 1.000, respectively. Five common peaks were identified: genipin 1- β -D-gentiobioside (peak 2), geniposide (peak 3), crocin Ⅰ (peak 6), crocin Ⅱ (peak 9) and baicalin (peak 10). Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis results showed that the raw G. jasminoides-S. baicalensis herb pair and the charred G. jasminoides-S. baicalensis herb pair could be clearly distinguished. Variable importance in the projection (VIP) values for crocin Ⅰ and crocin Ⅱ were both greater than one. CONCLUSIONS A method has been successfully developed for the determination of five active c omponents, including genipin 1- β -D-gentiobioside, in the G. jasminoides-S. baicalensis herb pair, and its fingerprint has been drawn. Processing is found to increase the content of genipin 1- β -D-gentiobioside, while decreasing the levels of geniposide, crocin Ⅰ, crocin Ⅱ and baicalin in the herb pair. Furthermore, crocin Ⅰ and crocin Ⅱ could serve as potential quality markers for the quality control of this herb pair.
2.Lysosomes as Regulators of Cancer Stemness and Drug Resistance
Fa-Xiao ZHOU ; Di-Ping YU ; Si-Qi TAN ; Hong-Yu DUAN ; Xiao-Ming WU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):951-967
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a distinct subpopulation of cells characterized by self-renewal capacity, differentiation potential, and critical roles in driving tumor progression, therapeutic resistance, recurrence, and maintenance of the tumor microenvironment. Targeting CSCs has emerged as a pivotal direction in cancer research, offering novel strategies to overcome drug resistance and prevent metastasis and relapse. Lysosomes, traditionally recognized as central organelles for intracellular degradation and recycling, are indispensable for cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of lysosomal function is intimately linked to various diseases, including cancer. In tumors, aberrant lysosomal activity can promote malignant progression through mechanisms such as altering metabolic pathways, enhancing lysosomal exocytosis, modulating drug resistance, and interfering with autophagy-lysosomal pathways. Recent studies have underscored the involvement of lysosomes in regulating CSC properties. This review synthesizes findings on lysosomal regulation of CSCs through the following aspects. (1) Lysosomes exert complex and critical bidirectional control over CSC stemness maintenance through three degradation pathways that are dependent on their degradative function. (i) The lysophagy pathway. This pathway exhibits dual roles. Activation can sustain CSC functions; for instance, in glioblastoma, hypoxia upregulates Gal-8 via the STAT3/HIF1α signaling axis to induce autophagy, supporting stem cell survival. In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, degradation of GSK3β activates the Wnt pathway, enhancing stemness. Conversely, this pathway can suppress stemness by degrading stemness-related proteins such as BMI-1 and OCT4A, thereby impairing CSC self-renewal capacity. (ii) Mitophagy pathway. In non-small cell lung cancer stem cells, mitophagy-related mechanisms, such as the accumulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) activating the TLR9-Notch1-AMPK signaling axis, have been shown to promote CSC proliferation. (iii) Autophagosome-dependent lysosomal degradation pathway. This pathway directly regulates stemness-related proteins in a bidirectional manner. Enhanced degradative function can promote CSC properties, exemplified by the degradation of NUMB to activate Notch signaling. Conversely, attenuated degradative function can also enhance stemness by stabilizing oncoproteins (e.g., protecting Frizzled-1 from degradation to sustain Wnt signaling) or preventing the degradation of tumor suppressors (e.g., inhibiting Notch degradation). (2) Constituent proteins of lysosomes, including membrane proteins and luminal acid hydrolases, participate in regulating CSC stemness. Regarding membrane proteins, LAMP2A facilitates chaperone-mediated autophagy to maintain stemness in glioblastoma and ovarian cancer. V-ATPase, by maintaining an acidic luminal environment, promotes proliferation and drug resistance in glioma stem cells. Among hydrolases, cathepsins B and L are highly expressed in pancreatic and ovarian cancers and correlate with poor prognosis. Furthermore, targeting lysosomes to induce lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) triggers lysosome-mediated cell death, presenting a potential therapeutic strategy for eradicating CSCs.(3) The acidic luminal environment, single-membrane structure, and the presence of transmembrane transporters (e.g., ABCA3) enable lysosomes to passively trap or actively uptake and sequester chemotherapeutic drugs. Subsequent drug extrusion via exocytosis confers drug resistance. In CSCs, this lysosome-mediated drug sequestration, often cooperating with autophagy, establishes multimodal drug resistance. Therefore, targeting lysosomal function represents a potential strategy to overcome therapy resistance. The central role of lysosomes in regulating CSC stemness and resistance positions them as highly promising therapeutic targets. Strategies aimed at disrupting lysosomal function to selectively eliminate CSCs include: inhibiting the lysosome-autophagy system using agents like IITZ or lovastatin; inducing lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) with compounds such as hexamethylene amiloride to compromise membrane stability; and disrupting the acidic luminal environment using drugs like siramesine or the K/H transport compound 2. In conclusion, lysosomes critically regulate CSC stemness maintenance and drug resistance through degradative pathways, membrane protein functions, luminal hydrolase activities, and drug sequestration mechanisms. This redefines the lysosome from a traditional “waste disposal unit” to a “signal integration center” in CSCs. The duality and context-dependency of lysosomal function in CSCs offer novel insights into the heterogeneity observed across different tumors. Targeting lysosomal vulnerabilities—such as inducing LMP, disrupting acidity, or blocking autophagic flux—provides a strategy to bypass canonical CSC resistance mechanisms and directly trigger cell death. This establishes the lysosome as a key target to overcome CSC-mediated therapy resistance, paving the way for developing diverse candidate drugs and innovative combination therapies in oncology.
3.Olfactory Receptors Expressed in The Intestine and Their Functions
Pei-Wen YANG ; Meng-Meng YUAN ; Ying ZHOU ; Peng LI ; Gui-Hong QI ; Ying YANG ; Zhong-Yi MAO ; Meng-Sha ZHOU ; Xiao-Shuang MAO ; Jian-Ping XIE ; Yi-Nan YANG ; Shi-Hao SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):534-549
Olfactory receptors (ORs) form the largest superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Traditionally recognized for their role in the nasal olfactory epithelium, where they mediate the sense of smell, accumulating evidence has firmly established their ectopic expression in non-olfactory tissues, including the intestine, lungs, and kidneys. The intestine, as the primary site for nutrient digestion and absorption, harbors a highly complex chemical environment. To adapt to this environment, the gut employs a sophisticated network of “chemosensors” to monitor luminal contents and maintain homeostasis. Among these sensors, intestinal ORs have emerged as crucial functional components, serving as a molecular bridge that connects environmental chemical signals—such as food-derived odorants—to specific physiological responses. This discovery has significantly deepened our understanding of how dietary flavors and compounds influence intestinal physiology at the molecular level. This review systematically summarizes the expression profiles, ligand classification, and biological functions of ORs within the gastrointestinal tract. Studies indicate that intestinal ORs exhibit distinct spatial distribution patterns across different gut segments and display cell-type specificity, particularly within enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells. These receptors function as versatile sensors capable of recognizing a wide variety of ligands, including exogenous dietary components, gut microbiota metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, and endogenous small molecules like azelaic acid. Upon activation by specific ligands, intestinal ORs trigger intracellular signaling cascades, primarily involving the AC-cAMP-PKA pathway or calcium influx channels. A major focus of this review is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors regulate the secretion of gut hormones. Activation of specific ORs in enteroendocrine cells has been shown to stimulate the release of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and serotonin (5-HT), thereby modulating systemic energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and gastrointestinal motility. Furthermore, the review addresses the critical roles of ORs in immune regulation and pathology. Evidence suggests that specific ORs contribute to the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis and may offer protection against inflammation. Beyond their involvement in inflammatory responses, ORs such as Olfr78 have been shown to regulate the differentiation and function of intestinal endocrine cells. Similarly, Olfr544 has been demonstrated to alleviate intestinal inflammation by remodeling the gut microbiome and metabolome. These findings collectively suggest that specific ORs hold promise as therapeutic targets for mitigating intestinal inflammation and maintaining gut homeostasis. Additionally, the review explores the emerging role of ORs in cancer. Although OR expression is often downregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal mucosa, activation of specific ORs by certain ligands can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis via pathways such as MEK/ERK and p38 MAPK. Conversely, other receptors, such as OR7C1, may serve as biomarkers for cancer-initiating cells. In conclusion, intestinal ORs represent a vital component of the gut’s sensory network. The review also discusses the translational potential of these findings. By elucidating the precise pairing relationships between dietary components and specific ORs, novel therapeutic strategies could be developed. Intestinal ORs may thus emerge as promising targets for nutritional and pharmacological interventions in metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and malignancies.
4.Protective effects and mechanisms of luteolin on vascular injury induced by polystyrene microplastics
Deyu ZHU ; Qi HUANG ; Xiao LIANG ; Zhuangzhuang WEI ; Xinyu BAO ; Ping MA ; Yang WU ; Cuiyu BAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(3):432-438
ObjectiveTo explore the vascular endothelial injury in male mice caused by exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and the intervention effect of luteolin on vascular remodeling. Additionally, to investigate the mechanism through the oxidative system and metabolomics. MethodsThirty-two C57BL/6 mice (6-8 weeks old) were randomly divided into the saline group (saline group), the 0.1 mg/kg PS-MPs exposure group (0.1PS-MPs group), the 1 mg/kg PS-MPs exposure group (1PS-MPs group), and the 1 mg/kg PS-MPs + luteolin treatment group (1PS-MPs + Lut group), with 8 mice in each group. After 8 weeks of intervention, the body weight, blood pressure, aortic organ coefficient, and aortic histopathological changes of mice in each group were detected; the total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) lipid metabolism-related indicators in the aorta of mice were detected; the reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) oxidative stress-related indicators were detected; the endothelin (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1/CD106), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1/CD54) endothelial function-related indicators and serum metabolomics were detected. ResultsCompared to the saline group, exposure to PS-MPs resulted in pathological thickening of the mouse aorta, increased aortic organ coefficient, and elevated blood pressure. Lipid metabolism-related indicators, including TC and TG, were elevated, while HDL-C was reduced, indicating lipid metabolism disorder in mice. Oxidative stress markers such as ROS and MDA increased, whereas GSH decreased, demonstrating oxidative damage. Vascular endothelial inflammation and injury markers, including ET-1, VEGF-A, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1, were upregulated, while the vasodilatory substance NO was downregulated, confirming endothelial injury. Furthermore, serum metabolomics results revealed that PS-MPs exposure induced endothelial damage by disrupting metabolic pathways such as the citrate cycle. Compared to the PS-MPs group, luteolin significantly reversed these effects, attenuating oxidative stress and lipid metabolism disorders, and effectively repairing endothelial injury. ConclusionPS-MPs induce vascular toxicity through oxidative stress and lipid metabolism. Luteolin effectively alleviates endothelial damage and vascular remodeling.
5.Analysis of the core and bridge effects of interpersonal,relaxation and medication efficacy in self-management of rheumatoid arthritis patients
Yao DENG ; Sha ZHANG ; Xiaorun XIANG ; Ping WAN ; Qi REN ; Lei LIU
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(20):2532-2539
Objective To explore the networked association among the dimensions of self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and to identify core efficacy and bridge efficacy,and provide a basis for formulating precise nursing intervention strategies.Methods A total of 652 RA patients admitted in our hospital from September 2024 to January 2025 were enrolled with convenience sampling.The general information questionnaire and Rheumatoid Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale(RASE)were used for assessment.Exploratory factor analysis was used to extract efficacy symptom clusters.With aid of R project,network analysis was employed to construct an association network among efficacy dimensions to calculate centrality indicators(strength,closeness,betweenness)to identify core efficacy and bridge efficacy.Results Exploratory factor analysis extracted 7 efficacy symptom clusters,with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 64.539%(P<0.001).Network analysis showed that the network density was 0.143,suggesting that there were moderate correlations among the self-efficacy dimensions."Relaxation efficacy 1(r1)"and"pain efficacy 1(a1)"had the strongest correlation(r=0.73).Interpersonal efficacy 2(i2)had the highest intensity centrality(6.88),and relaxation efficacy 3(r3)had the highest tightness(0.0125),and medication efficacy 1(m1)had the highest mediation(116),which were the core efficacy and bridge efficacy in this network group.Conclusion There are complex network-like correlations among the various dimensions of self-efficacy in RA patients.Interpersonal efficacy is the core driving factor,while relaxation and medication efficacies play the bridging role,jointly influencing the overall level of patients'self-management ability.
6.Guided by National Strategic Needs,Striving to Build a First-Class Forensic Medicine Discipline—The Construction Plan for Forensic Medicine at Southern Medical University
Dong-Fang QIAO ; Ping-Ming QIU ; Qi WANG ; Yun-Chun TAI ; Dong-Ri LI ; Jing-Tao XU ; Qi-Zhi LUO ; En-Ping HUANG ; Bo-Feng ZHU
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(1):15-19
The 2024 National Education Work Conference pointed out that at the current juncture of the critical period for achieving the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan,the implementation of the Education Powerhouse Construction Plan Outline should be taken as the main line of work,and building first-class disciplines is an crucial task for a higher education powerhouse.In 2022,forensic medicine was officially listed as a first-level discipline under the medical category,presenting an un-precedented historical opportunity for the development of forensic medicine.The forensic medicine dis-cipline of Southern Medical University comprehensively improves the quality of talent cultivation and facilitates the construction of first-class disciplines as its main direction.It aims to initiate and imple-ment a high-level faculty team building plan featuring"combining recruitment and cultivation,inter-disciplinary integration";make vigorous efforts to establish a first-level doctoral program,refine advan-tageous second-level disciplines and research directions;and establish an innovative research platform from a high starting point with deep integration.The discipline adheres to moral cultivation and the Five Domains of Education simultaneous development,to build a high-quality talent joint training model.Guided by the construction of the national legal system and industry needs,the discipline will enhance social service capabilities.The forensic medicine construction in our university will continue to contribute to the rule of law in China and educational power.
7.Inhibition effect of secondary metabolites of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on Candida albicans and machanisms explore in vitro
Peng WANG ; Yuhang LUO ; Ping QIU ; Qi LI ; Jiawei LIU ; Linjuan CHEN ; Xuan CHEN ; Weihong WEN ; Lingqing XU
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(17):2097-2104
Objective To study the inhibitory effect of secondary metabolites of Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA)on Candida albicans(CA)and to explore some of the mechanisms.Methods PA and CA strains were i-solated from clinical specimens from the hospital.Then,PA strains with inhibitory effects on CA were screened through cross-line test and co-incubation test,and crude extracts of PA secondary metabolites were prepared,and were tested together with pyocyanin,phenazine-1-carboxylic acid,1-hydroxyphenazine,and 3-ox-ododecyl-l-homoserine lactone(3-oxo-HSL).The inhibitory effects of various PA secondary metabolites on CA were determined through minimum inhibitory concentration test,minimum bactericidal concentration test,time-sterilization curve measurement,and XTT method activity measurement test,and some mechanisms by which PA secondary metabolites inhibited CA were explored.Results The strongest inhibitory effect on CA was 1-hydroxyphenazine,and at a concentration of 6.250 μg/mL,the relative activity of CA decreased to 0.00%.Next were pyocyanin and PA crude extract,and the relative fungal activity of CA decreased to 0.00%at concentrations of 200 and 100 μg/mL.1-hydroxyphenazine,pyocyanin,3-oxo-HSL and PA crude extract all had inhibitory effects on the formation of CA hyphae.Reactive oxygen species(ROS)were generated in CA cells treated with 1-hydroxyphenazine,phenazine 1-carboxylic acid,pyocyanin,and PA crude extract,and the highest levels of ROS were induced by pyocyanin and 1-hydroxyphenazine.Conclusion Phenazine secondary metabolites 1-hydroxyphenazine and pyocyanin have significant inhibitory effects on the growth and activity of CA,and both induce the highest amount of ROS.The quorum-sensing signal molecule 3-oxo-HSL have no in-hibitory effect on CA growth,but have a significant inhibitory effect on the formation of fungal hyphae.
8.Ginsenoside CK mediates the regulation of the AMPK/mTOR pathway in gastric cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy
Ping GUO ; Juanjuan QI ; Xiangping GONG ; Yu GAO
International Journal of Surgery 2025;52(9):611-616
Objective:To investigate the effects of ginsenoside Compound K (CK) on proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy in gastric cancer cells, and to further explore whether it exerts its effects by regulating the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.Methods:Human gastric cancer AGS cells were cultured in vitro to the logarithmic growth phase and randomly divided into control group (treated with 0.9% sodium chloride solution), ginsenoside CK group (treated with 50 μM CK) and ginsenoside CK+ Dorsomorphin group (treated with 50 μM CK combined with 10 μM Dorsomorphin). AGS cells were treated with ginsenoside CK at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 μM, and cell viability was measured by the CCK-8 assay to determine the optimal concentration (50 μM). After treatment according to the above groups, cell viability was assessed by the CCK-8 assay; colony formation was evaluated by the plate clone formation assay; apoptosis was detected by the Tunel assay; autophagy was assessed by MDC fluorescence staining; and the expression levels and phosphorylation status of autophagy-related proteins (Beclin-1, LC3-Ⅱ), apoptosis-related proteins (Caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2), and AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway-related proteins were analyzed by Western Blot. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using GraphPad Prism 9.1.2 software.Results:Compared with the control group, the apoptosis rate, autophagy degree and the expression levels of Beclin-1, LC3-Ⅱ, caspase-3, Bax and p-AMPK proteins were significantly increased in the ginsenoside CK group ( P<0.05), while the cell viability, clone formation rate, and the expression levels of Bcl-2 and p-mTOR proteins were decreased ( P<0.05). After the addition of AMPK pathway inhibitor Dorsomorphin based on 50 μM ginsenoside CK treatment, the apoptosis rate, the degree of autophagy, and the expression levels of Beclin-1, LC3-Ⅱ caspase-3, Bax, and p-AMPK proteins showed a decreasing tendency ( P<0.05). In contrast, the cell viability, the clone formation rate, and the expression levels of Bcl-2 and p -mTOR protein expression levels showed a certain rebound trend ( P<0.05). The anti-tumor effect of ginsenoside CK was reversed by the combined intervention of ginsenoside CK and dorsomorphin in AGS cells. Conclusion:Ginsenoside CK suppresses gastric cancer cell proliferation while enhancing apoptosis and autophagy through modulation of the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, offering a promising novel approach for gastric cancer therapy.
9.The interconnected relationship between mitochondrial autophagy and ferroptosis in polycystic ovary syndrome
Qi Zhao ; Ping Chen ; Liping Yang ; Jianhua Sun
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(6):1149-1154
Abstract
Polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS) is a very common endocrine and reproductive disease. Its etiology and pathogenesis are complex and not yet fully clear. At present, the clinical treatment is mainly symptomatic. Studies have revealed that ferroptosis, as a new form of cell death, may play a key regulatory role in the occurrence and development of PCOS. In addition, there is an increase in autophagy/mitochondrial autophagy in PCOS patients, which may be closely related to the occurrence of ferroptosis. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of mitochondrial autophagy and ferroptosis in PCOS, and analyzes the interrelationship between mitochondrial autophagy and ferroptosis in granulosa cells, in order to provide new insights and potential therapeutic targets for the clinical treatment of PCOS.
10.Effects of the prolyl hydroxylase 2 inhibitor cpd17 on mouse osteogenic precursor cells
Zhongqiu DU ; Xiaoyang QI ; Ping YANG ; Jianglin YU ; Yixin CHEN ; Linjian ZHANG ; Xusheng QIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(2):238-244
BACKGROUND:Prolyl hydroxylase domain 2(PHD2)inhibitors can regulate bone metabolism and relieve osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.cpd17 is a small molecule oral PHD2 inhibitor newly developed by China Pharmaceutical University.It is effective in the treatment of renal anemia with few side effects,but its effect on bone formation and bone resorption is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of cpd17 on mouse osteogenic precursor cells. METHODS:Osteogenic precursor cells were treated with cpd17.Alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular matrix mineralization were measured,and the expression levels of osteogenesis-and osteoclastogenesis-related markers,as well as PHD2 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α,were detected.After inhibition of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α pathway using LW6(a hypoxia-inducible factor 1α pathway inhibitor),alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular matrix mineralization were detected again,as well as the expression levels of osteogenesis-and osteoclastogenesis-related markers,PHD2 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:cpd17 significantly enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular matrix mineralization,up-regulated the expression of osteogenesis-related markers,down-regulated the expression of osteoclastogenesis-related markers,up-regulated the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α,down-regulate the expression of PHD2.However,cpd17's effects were significantly attenuated by LW6.To conclude,the PHD2 inhibitor cpd17 promotes osteogenic differentiation and inhibits osteoclastic differentiation through activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α signaling pathway.


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