1.Study on the effects and mechanisms of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. in improving sleep
Ming QIAO ; Yao ZHAO ; Yi ZHU ; Yexia CAO ; Limei WEN ; Yuehong GONG ; Xiang LI ; Juanchen WANG ; Tao WANG ; Jianhua YANG ; Junping HU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):24-29
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. in improving sleep. METHODS Network pharmacology was employed to identify the active components of L. ruthenicum and their associated disease targets, followed by enrichment analysis. A caffeine‑induced zebrafish model of sleep deprivation was established , and the zebrafish were treated with L. ruthenicum Murr. extract (LRME) at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/mL, respectively; 24 h later, behavioral changes of zebrafish and pathological alterations in brain neurons were subsequently observed. The levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)], oxidative stress markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT)], and neurotransmitters [5- hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamic acid (Glu), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE)] were measured. The protein expression levels of protein kinase B1 (AKT1), phosphorylated AKT1 (p-AKT1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), sarcoma proto-oncogene,non-receptor tyrosine kinase (SRC), and heat shock protein 90α family class A member 1 (HSP90AA1) in the zebrafish were also determined. RESULTS A total of 12 active components and 176 intersecting disease targets were identified through network pharmacology analysis. Among these, apigenin, naringenin and others were recognized as core active compounds, while AKT1, EGFR and others served as key targets; EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway was identified as the critical pathway. The sleep improvement rates in zebrafish of LRME low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were 54.60%, 69.03% and 77.97%, 开发。E-mail:hjp_yft@163.com respectively, while the inhibition ratios of locomotor distance were 0.57, 0.83 and 0.95, respectively. Compared with the model group, the number of resting counts, resting time and resting distance were significantly increased/extended in LRME medium- and high-dose groups (P<0.05). Neuronal damage in the brain was alleviated. Additionally, the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, MDA, Glu, DA and NE, as well as the protein expression levels of AKT1, p-AKT1, EGFR, SRC and HSP90AA1, were markedly reduced (P<0.05), while the levels of IL-10, SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, 5-HT and GABA, as well as Bcl-2 protein expression, were significantly elevated (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS L. ruthenicum Murr. demonstrates sleep-improving effects, and its specific mechanism may be related to the regulation of inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter balance, and the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway.
2.Analysis of blood turbidity and collateral disease
Baogeng HUAI ; Xiaoyue SHEN ; Yun QIAO ; Yingjuan CAO ; Dieshan LIU ; Xinlu WANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(6):779-784
Blood turbidity and collateral disease are closely related to each other as the important component parts of the theoretical system of modern traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The former focuses on blood and the latter on blood vessels and collaterals. By integrating these two theories, a theoretical basis for TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment of modern diseases can be provided. This article summarizes the correlation of origin, concept, treatment method and representative drugs of two theories, and points out that both blood turbidity and collateral disease prospers and develops through the integration of TCM classical theory and modern medical achievements. Theoretically, blood turbidity is the cause of collateral disease, and collateral disease is the result of aggravated blood turbidity. In many metabolic diseases, blood turbidity and collateral disease actually correspond to the main features of the early and late stages of the same disease, respectively. In treatment, clearing blood turbidity is consistent with dredging collaterals. When clearing blood turbidity, it is necessary to dredge the collaterals, and when dredging the collaterals, it is necessary to clear the blood turbidity. In terms of prescription and medication, Huazhuo Xingxue Decoction is the representative prescription of blood turbidity, which can be combined with Ramulus Cinnamomi, Sichuan lovage rhizome, earthworm, and other dredging collateral drugs. The representative prescription for collateral disease is Tongxinluo Capsule, which can be combined with lotus leaf, Fructus Crataegi, cassia seed, and other turbid-clearing drugs to enhance the curative effect.
3.Genetic characteristics of VP1 region of Coxsackievirus A10 in Yunnan Province
Yihui CAO ; Bingjun TIAN ; Zhichao WANG ; Jianping CUN ; Xiaofang ZHOU ; Lili JIANG ; Enfa QIAO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(6):25-29
Objective To investigate the genetic characteristics of the VP1 region of Coxsackievirus A10 (CVA10) in Yunnan Province. Methods Fecal samples of suspected hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) were subjected to real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR for detection of enterovirus CVA10. Positive samples were subjected to VP1 gene sequence amplification and Sanger sequencing. Sequence splicing was performed with DNAstar7.1 Seqman software, and nucleotide sequence and amino acid site analysis were performed using Mega 6.0 software. Results The sequencing of VP1 gene of CVA10 obtained a sequence of 894 nucleotides, encoding 298 amino acids. Compared with the original strain, there were mainly three active amino acid mutation regions, 13-33, 141-142, and 283-285. The nucleotide difference rate between the Yunnan isolates and the reference strain ranged from 16.92% to 30.90%, and the amino acid difference rate ranged from 2.58% to 4.00%. C1 and C2 group nucleotide difference was 10.58%, and the amino acid difference rate was 1.80%. The VP1 150-176 region exhibited highly conserved characteristics. Six CVA10 strains and Sichuan strain MW178898 belonged to the C1 group of the C genotype. The other 14 CVA10 strains belonged to the C2 group. Conclusion VP1 gene mutation is active and CVA10 is an important pathogen of HFMD in Yunnan. C2 genotype of CVA10 is dominant in this study, and C1 and C2 have co-circulated in Yunnan. It is necessary to strengthen monitoring and develop multivalent vaccines containing CVA10 epidemic genotype.
4.Taxifolin attenuates liver fibrosis by regulating the phosphorylation of NDRG1 at Thr328 via hepatocyte-stellate cell cross talk.
Chuan DING ; Zeping WANG ; Kao SHI ; Sunan LI ; Xinyue DOU ; Yan NING ; Gang CHENG ; Qiao YANG ; Xianan SANG ; Mengyun PENG ; Qiang LYU ; Lu WANG ; Xin HAN ; Gang CAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):2059-2076
Taxifolin (TAX) is a natural compound known for its liver protection effect, but the mechanism remains unknown. Phosphorylated proteomics analyses discovered that the phosphorylation level of NDRG1 at T328 was a key event of TAX-improved liver fibrosis. We established models with NDRG1 knockout (KO) in vivo and in vitro, demonstrating that NDRG1 KO attenuated the development of hepatocyte injury, and combining NDRG1 KO and TAX administration did not result in a reduction in protection against liver injury. Cellular thermal shift assay and surface plasma resonance analysis showed that TAX directly binds to NDRG1 rather than its upstream kinase, subsequently demonstrating that TAX regulated phosphorylation of NDRG1 at T328 through binding to its C289 site. NDRG1 T328A (phosphorylated mutation) and T328E (mimic phosphorylation) in vivo and in vitro confirmed that pNDRG1T328 exacerbates hepatocyte injury along with DNA damage, inflammatory response, and apoptosis, thereby contributing to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation. In contrast, TAX can inhibit the above pathological abnormalities and block hepatocyte injury-triggered HSCs activation and fibrosis. Overall, TAX is a potent liver protection drug primarily targeting NDRG1 and inhibiting pNDRG1T328 in hepatocytes.
5.Chromatin landscape alteration uncovers multiple transcriptional circuits during memory CD8+ T-cell differentiation.
Qiao LIU ; Wei DONG ; Rong LIU ; Luming XU ; Ling RAN ; Ziying XIE ; Shun LEI ; Xingxing SU ; Zhengliang YUE ; Dan XIONG ; Lisha WANG ; Shuqiong WEN ; Yan ZHANG ; Jianjun HU ; Chenxi QIN ; Yongchang CHEN ; Bo ZHU ; Xiangyu CHEN ; Xia WU ; Lifan XU ; Qizhao HUANG ; Yingjiao CAO ; Lilin YE ; Zhonghui TANG
Protein & Cell 2025;16(7):575-601
Extensive epigenetic reprogramming involves in memory CD8+ T-cell differentiation. The elaborate epigenetic rewiring underlying the heterogeneous functional states of CD8+ T cells remains hidden. Here, we profile single-cell chromatin accessibility and map enhancer-promoter interactomes to characterize the differentiation trajectory of memory CD8+ T cells. We reveal that under distinct epigenetic regulations, the early activated CD8+ T cells divergently originated for short-lived effector and memory precursor effector cells. We also uncover a defined epigenetic rewiring leading to the conversion from effector memory to central memory cells during memory formation. Additionally, we illustrate chromatin regulatory mechanisms underlying long-lasting versus transient transcription regulation during memory differentiation. Finally, we confirm the essential roles of Sox4 and Nrf2 in developing memory precursor effector and effector memory cells, respectively, and validate cell state-specific enhancers in regulating Il7r using CRISPR-Cas9. Our data pave the way for understanding the mechanism underlying epigenetic memory formation in CD8+ T-cell differentiation.
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism*
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Cell Differentiation
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Chromatin/immunology*
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Animals
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Mice
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Immunologic Memory
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Epigenesis, Genetic
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SOXC Transcription Factors/immunology*
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NF-E2-Related Factor 2/immunology*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Gene Regulatory Networks
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Enhancer Elements, Genetic
6.A cascade reaction nanoplatform with magnetic resonance imaging capability for combined photothermal/chemodynamic/gas cancer therapy.
Jinyu WANG ; Yuhao GUO ; Xiaomei WU ; Yiming MA ; Qianqian QIAO ; Linwei LI ; Tao LIAO ; Ying KUANG ; Cao LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(9):101223-101223
To effectively exploit the tumor microenvironment (TME), TME-responsive nanocarriers based on cascade reactions have received much attention. In this study, we designed a novel nanoparticle PB@SiO2@MnO2@P-Arg (PMP) to construct a cascade reaction nanoplatform. While using biosafety Prussian blue (PB) for photothermal therapy (PTT), this nanoplatform uses silica (SiO2) as an intermediate layer to assemble Prussian blue and manganese dioxide (MnO2) into a core-shell structure, which effectively enhances the response of the nanoplatform to TME and promotes the effect of chemodynamic therapy (CDT) resulting from glutathione (GSH) depletion and Fenton-like reaction. The released Mn2+ can also be used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Through the cascade reaction, poly-l-arginine (P-Arg) coated on the surface of the nanoparticles can react with hydroxyl radical (•OH) obtained from the Fenton-like reaction to release nitric oxide (NO), which further reacts with O2•- to produce the more toxic peroxynitrite anion (ONOO-). The photothermal effect of PB further enhances the effect of the cascade reaction while reducing the amount of heat required for treatment. In vitro and in vivo studies confirmed the antitumor effects of cascade reaction-based nanoplatforms in combined photothermal/chemodynamic/gas cancer therapies, providing new strategies for the design and fabrication of multifunctional nanoplatforms that integrate diagnostic and therapeutic functions, as well as the application of cascade reactions in multimodal synergistic therapy.
7.Investigation on Detoxification Mechanism of Euphorbia Fischeriana Steud.Processed with Terminalia Chebula Retz Soup U-sing LC-MS and Simulation Processing
Qiao ZHANG ; Fugui CHEN ; Jie CAO ; Hongli YU ; Yijing CHEN ; Yu DUAN ; Hao CAI ; Hao WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(7):674-692
OBJECTIVE To explore the detoxification mechanism of Terminalia chebula Retz(TCR)soup-processed Euphorbia fischeriana Steud.(EFS)based on LC-MS and simulation processing.METHODS The changes of chemical composition of TCR soup-processed EFS,and dichloromethane extracts of crude EFS after simulation processing with TCR soup were analyzed by LC-MS.Mice were orally administered with alcoholic extracts of crude EFS,alcoholic extracts of water-processed EFS,alcoholic extracts of TCR soup,alcoholic extracts of TCR soup-processed EFS,dichloromethane extracts of crude EFS,dichloromethane extracts of TCR soup-processed EFS,and dichloromethane extracts of crude EFS after simulation processing with TCR soup,respectively.Toxicity changes in TCR soup-processed EFS and dichloromethane extracts of crude EFS after simulation processing with TCR soup were evalu-ated by fecal water contents,release levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,and intestinal pathology.RESULTS A total of 115 and 53 com-pounds were identified in EFS and TCR soup,respectively.The contents of 58 and 12 compounds significantly decreased and signifi-cantly increased respectively in EFS after processing with TCR soup.Compared to the blank control group,the fecal water contents and the release levels of TNF-α and IL-1β significantly increased in both the crude and water-processed EFS groups(P<0.01),and no-table intestinal injury was observed.Compared to the crude EFS group,the fecal water contents and the release levels of TNF-α and IL-1β significantly decreased in both the TCR soup group and the TCR soup-processed EFS group(P<0.01),and repaired intestinal injury was observed.After simulation processing for the dichloromethane extracts of crude EFS with TCR soup,the ion intensity change rates for diterpenoids and tannin phenolic acid compounds ranged from-6.75%to 8.09%and 66.06%to 100.00%,respectively.The ion intensity change rates of diterpenoids in the dichloromethane extracts of TCR soup-processed EFS ranged from-9.92%to 54.72%with almost no tannin phenolic acid compounds.Compared to the blank control group,the fecal water contents and the release levels of TNF-α and IL-1β significantly increased in both the dichloromethane extracts of crude and TCR soup-processed EFS groups(P<0.01),and severe intestinal injury was observed.Compared to the dichloromethane extracts of crude EFS group,the fecal water contents and the release levels of TNF-α and IL-1β significantly decreased in the group of the dichloromethane extracts of crude EFS after simulation processing with TCR soup(P<0.01),with no apparent intestinal injury.CONCLUSION TCR soup pro-cessing can alleviate the intestinal toxicity of EFS.The detoxification mechanism may involve the introduction of a large number of tan-nin phenolic acid compounds in TCR soup during the processing of EFS,which plays a pharmacological antagonistic role in the animal body.
8.Study on the antidepressant mechanism of ginseng-fragrant solomonseal rhizome couplet medicines on inhibiting the activation of inflammasomes NLRP1,NLRC4,and AIM2,and regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines
Huayu ZHANG ; Jialu CAO ; Bingyuan ZHENG ; Qian LIU ; Ke LIANG ; Tie QIAO
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(7):939-947
Objective To observe the effect of Renshen(ginseng)-Yuzhu(fragrant solomonseal rhizome)on inflammatory factors and inflammasomes in depression rats,and to explore the antidepressant mechanism of Renshen-Yuzhu.Methods Fifty male SD rats were divided into the blank group,model group,fluoxetine group(2.1 mg/kg),Renshen-Yuzhu low-dose group(1.89 g/kg),and Renshen-Yuzhu high-dose group(5.67 g/kg),with ten rats in each group.Except for the blank group,the rats in the other groups were treated with chronic unpredictable mild stress to establish a depression rat model.On the second day after the end of modeling,the rats in each group were given the corresponding drugs once daily for 14 days.After modeling and dosing,body weight,forced swimming immobility time,and sucrose preference rate were measured.After dosing,hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to detect neuronal damage in the cerebral cortex,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the contents of interleukin-4(IL-4),interleukin-23(IL-23),and interleukin-27(IL-27)in cortex,real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of interleukin-24(IL-24)in cortex,and the protein expressions of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 1(NLRP1),absent in melanoma 2(AIM2),and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 4(NLRC4)were detected by Western blotting.Results After dosing,compared with the blank group,the body weight of the model group decreased,the sucrose preference rate decreased,the swimming immobility time was prolonged,the neuronal tissue in cortex was destroyed,the content of IL-4 in cortex decreased,the contents of IL-23 and IL-27 in cortex increased,and the protein expressions of NLRP1,AIM2 and NLRC4 in cortex increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the body weight of rats in each administration group increased,the sucrose preference rate increased,the swimming immobility time was shortened,the damage of neuronal tissues in cortex improved,the content of IL-4 in cortex increased,the contents of IL-23 and IL-27 in cortex decreased,and the protein expressions of NLRP 1,AIM2 and NLRC4 in cortex decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Renshen-Yuzhu couplet medicines can improve the depressive-like behavior and exert antidepressant effect in chronic stress rats,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NLRP 1,NLRC4,AIM2 inflammasome activation and its mediated inflammatory response in cortex,reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines,and increasing the level of antiinflammatory cytokines.
9.Consensus statement on research and application of Chinese herbal medicine derived extracellular vesicles-like particles (2023 edition).
Qing ZHAO ; Tong WANG ; Hongbin WANG ; Peng CAO ; Chengyu JIANG ; Hongzhi QIAO ; Lihua PENG ; Xingdong LIN ; Yunyao JIANG ; Honglei JIN ; Huantian ZHANG ; Shengpeng WANG ; Yang WANG ; Ying WANG ; Xi CHEN ; Junbing FAN ; Bo LI ; Geng LI ; Bifeng LIU ; Zhiyang LI ; Suhua QI ; Mingzhen ZHANG ; Jianjian ZHENG ; Jiuyao ZHOU ; Lei ZHENG ; Kewei ZHAO
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2024;16(1):3-12
To promote the development of extracellular vesicles of herbal medicine especially the establishment of standardization, led by the National Expert Committee on Research and Application of Chinese Herbal Vesicles, research experts in the field of herbal medicine and extracellular vesicles were invited nationwide with the support of the Expert Committee on Research and Application of Chinese Herbal Vesicles, Professional Committee on Extracellular Vesicle Research and Application, Chinese Society of Research Hospitals and the Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Herbal Vesicles. Based on the collation of relevant literature, we have adopted the Delphi method, the consensus meeting method combined with the nominal group method to form a discussion draft of "Consensus statement on research and application of Chinese herbal medicine derived extracellular vesicles-like particles (2023)". The first draft was discussed in online and offline meetings on October 12, 14, November 2, 2022 and April and May 2023 on the current status of research, nomenclature, isolation methods, quality standards and research applications of extracellular vesicles of Chinese herbal medicines, and 13 consensus opinions were finally formed. At the Third Academic Conference on Research and Application of Chinese Herbal Vesicles, held on May 26, 2023, Kewei Zhao, convenor of the consensus, presented and read the consensus to the experts of the Expert Committee on Research and Application of Chinese Herbal Vesicles. The consensus highlights the characteristics and advantages of Chinese medicine, inherits the essence, and keeps the righteousness and innovation, aiming to provide a reference for colleagues engaged in research and application of Chinese herbal vesicles at home and abroad, decode the mystery behind Chinese herbal vesicles together, establish a safe, effective and controllable accurate Chinese herbal vesicle prevention and treatment system, and build a bridge for Chinese medicine to the world.
10.Screening of IL-3 and IL-3+SCF Induce Differentially Expressed Genes and Signaling Pathways in Bone Marrow-derived Mast Cells Based on Bioinformatics
Jun CAO ; Jieyu JIN ; Sheng ZHANG ; Longwei QIAO ; Yuting LIANG
Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine 2024;39(1):16-22
Objective To identify the differentially expressed genes and pathways of bone marrow-derived mast cells(BMMCs)of mice induced by IL-3 and IL-3+stem cell factor(SCF)using bioinformatics analysis,which may provide a foundation for in vitro culture and functional study of mast cells(MC).Methods The matrix data of GSE35332 dataset in IL-3 and IL-3+SCF induced BMMCs was downloaded from the GEO database,and the R software was applied to screen differentially expressed genes(DEGs).The gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis of EDGs were performed based on the online tool DAVID database.The protein interaction network was constructed by STRING database and hub genes were screened through MCODE plugin of the Cytoscape software.Results The GSE35332 data set was analyzed by R software,and 1 339 DEGs were screened,including 723 up-regulated genes and 616 down-regulated genes.A total of 6 hub genes were screened through the MCODE plugin of Cytoscape software,namely Psmd8,Psmd6,Psmd14,Psmc4,Psma6 and Psma3.GO and KEGG analysis showed that the hub genes were concentrated in proteolysis,antigen processing and presentation of exogenous peptide antigen via MHC class I,proteasome-mediated ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolism process,and Epstein-Barr virus infection.Conclusion This study found that there were significant differences in BMMCs gene expression profiles in mice induced by two modes and 6 hub genes participated in ubiquitin-dependent protein decomposition process through bioinformatics based on the GEO database,providing help for further research on MC vitro culture and function.


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