1.Mechanism of Cyanotis arachnoidea Gel in improving melasma based on network pharmacology and transcriptomics.
Mamattursun MARZIYA ; Li-Ying QIU ; Wan-Quan BAI ; Amar DLRABA ; Chen MA ; Le ZHANG ; Jian GU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(13):3775-3790
Through a comprehensive analysis combining network pharmacology prediction and transcriptomics, this study systematically explained the multi-target mechanism of Cyanotis arachnoidea(CA) Gel in improving melasma. A melasma model was induced in female SD rats by progesterone injection combined with ultraviolet B(UVB) irradiation for 40 consecutive days, while the blank control group was only fed routinely. After successful model establishment, the rats were randomly divided into five groups and administered different doses of CA ethanol extract gel(high, medium, and low doses) or arbutin Gel(positive control), which were applied once daily for 28 consecutive days. Subsequently, the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA), and tyrosinase(TYR) in the skin, serum, and liver tissues were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson-Fontana staining were used to observe the pathological changes in the tissues. Network pharmacology combined with transcriptomics was employed to identify core targets and pathways, and the differential gene expression was validated by quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR). Pharmacodynamic experiments showed that CA Gel significantly increased SOD activity and decreased MDA and TYR levels in the skin, serum, and liver of model rats. It also improved epidermal thickening, inflammatory infiltration, collagen loss, and melanin deposition. Network pharmacology analysis showed that CA mainly regulated core targets such as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR), and interleukin-6(IL-6), and modulated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT) and interleukin-17(IL-17) signaling pathways. Transcriptomic analysis showed that CA Gel significantly downregulated the gene expression of heat shock protein 90β family member 1(Hsp90b1), heat shock protein 90α family member 1(Hsp90aa1), and the key steroid synthesis enzyme cytochrome P450 family 17 subfamily A member 1(Cyp17a1), while upregulating thioredoxin 1(Txn1). qPCR results confirmed that CA Gel regulated oxidative stress and inflammatory response by inhibiting the IL-17 signaling pathway and steroid hormone synthesis. This study, for the first time, reveals the molecular mechanism of CA Gel in improving melasma through multi-target synergistic regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and hormone metabolism pathways, providing a scientific basis for the treatment of pigmentation diseases with traditional Chinese medicine.
Animals
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Rats
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Female
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Network Pharmacology
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Melanosis/metabolism*
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Transcriptome/drug effects*
;
Humans
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Superoxide Dismutase/genetics*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Malondialdehyde/metabolism*
2.Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analysis to Explore the Ferroptosis Susceptibility of Venetoclax-Resistant AML Cells.
Yue LI ; Jia-Qi WAN ; Xin-Tong YANG ; Bao-Quan SONG ; Fei LI ; Hong-Wei PENG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):621-632
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the susceptibility of venetoclax-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines to ferroptosis and to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms using transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis methods.
METHODS:
Venetoclax-resistant AML cell lines were constructed using a low-dose concentration escalation method. The sensitivity of cells to chemotherapeutic drugs was detected by CCK-8 assay. The susceptibility of drug-resistant cell lines to ferroptosis was assessed using transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis methods. The expression of cellular GPX4 and SLC7A11 protein was detected by Western blot, and cell death and lipid peroxidation levels were measured by flow cytometry. Depmap database and TCGA cohort were applied to explore the effect of ferroptosis-related genes expression on prognosis.
RESULTS:
Venetoclax-resistant cell lines exhibited sensitivity to ferroptosis inducers RSL3, APR246, and sorafenib. The ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 partially inhibited cell death induced by these inducers. Compared with the parental cells, significant changes in metabolites and gene expression levels related to ferroptosis were observed in the resistant cell lines. In particular, deregulated expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 may play critical role in ferroptosis susceptibility. Besides, GPX4 was identified as more important for AML cell survival and higher GPX4 expression may predict shortened overall survival, NPM1 mutant and IDH1 R132 mutation positive patients may prone to possess higher GPX4 expression.
CONCLUSION
Venetoclax-resistant AML cell lines remain susceptible to ferroptosis, higher GPX4 expression maybe a critical marker for poor prognosis. Regulating the expression of ferroptosis-related genes and metabolites may enhance the efficacy of venetoclax and provide new treatment options for AML patients.
Humans
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Ferroptosis
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Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism*
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Sulfonamides/pharmacology*
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Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/pharmacology*
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Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
;
Metabolomics
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase
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Amino Acid Transport System y+/metabolism*
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Transcriptome
3.Mechanism of SOS1-IT1 promoting EZH2 expression in human endometrial cancer cells by regulating acetylation modification
Hong-Yang LIU ; Xue-Ling LOU ; Rong-Jing ZHANG ; Quan-Ling FENG ; Kai-Ge GUO ; Hao-Fan WANG ; Ying-Ying LI ; Jun-Hu WAN ; Lin-Dong ZHANG
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(4):444-451
Objective To explore the molecular mechanism by which SOS Ras/Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1-intronic transcript 1(SOS1-IT1)affects enhancer of zeste homolog 2(EZH2)protein expression in endometrial cancer cells Ishikawa and RL95-2.Methods Lentiviral transfection of short hairpin RNA(shRNA)and overexpression plasmid were used in Ishikawa and RL95-2 cell lines to knock down and overexpress SOS1-IT1.The mechanism of EZH2 expression regulation was studied using Real-time PCR,Western blotting,and chromatin immunoprecipitation.Results The expression of SOS1-IT1 and EZH2 genes was positively correlated in endometrial cancer tissues.Knocking down SOS1-IT1 significantly reduces the expression of EZH2,inhibited the proliferation and migration of Ishikawa and RL95-2 cells,and could reduced the acetylation of histone H3 at position 27(H3K27)and the enrichment of CREB binding protein(CBP)in the EZH2 gene promoter region.Overexpression of SOS1-IT1 could increased the expression of EZH2 and enhance the acetylation of H3K27 and the enrichment of CBP.CBP could bind to SOS1-IT1 RNA,and this binding ability was weakened when CBP was knocked down.Conclusion SOS1-IT1 can promote the expression level of EZH2 in endometrial cancer cells Ishikawa and RL95-2 by regulating the acetylation modification level of the EZH2 gene promoter region,thereby affecting the proliferation and migration ability of endometrial cancer cells.
4.Research progress in gene therapy for heart failure
Yan CONG ; Ran ZHENG ; Ming LI ; Zhi XIU ; Quan WAN
Military Medical Sciences 2025;49(9):707-711
Heart failure(HF)is a cardiovascular disease with a high prevalence and mortality rate worldwide,and despite the widespread use of existing drugs,device intervetions and surgical procedures,the clinical outcomes are still unsatisfactory.The exploration of new methods to treat HF is still an urgent problem.Gene therapy provides a new therapeutic strategy for HF by targeting the regulation of pathogenic genes.This article systematically reviewed the delivery system optimization,key targets and clinical translational challenges of gene therapy for HF,aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the optimization of treatment strategies.
5.The combination of berberine and cinnamon polyphenol can improve glucose metabolism in T2DM rats through Bas-TGR5-GLP-1
Wan LIU ; Fei LIANG ; Tie-quan CAI ; Ying LI ; Le LI ; Shu-cai YANG ; Ying LIU ; Yan ZHAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(1):135-142
Berberine (BBR) is the main pharmacological active ingredient of Coptidis, which has hypoglycemic effect, but its clinical application is limited due to its poor oral bioavailability. Polyphenols, derived from cinnamon, are beneficial for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The combination of both may have an additive effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic effect and mechanism of combined medication in diabetic rats. The modeling rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (berberine group, cinnamon group, combined group, metformin group, diabetic control group) and normal control group. The animal experiments were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee (approval number: HMUIRB2022003). The subjects were given orally, and the control group was given equal volume solvent and body weight was measured weekly. Thirty days after administration, oral glucose tolerance test and insulin sensitivity test were performed, and fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated serum protein (GSP), and serum insulin (INS) levels were detected; high-throughput sequencing technology was used to detect intestinal microbiota structure; real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot were used to detect G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) expression levels. The results showed that, compared with the diabetic control group, the levels of FBG (
6.Interaction Between Bruceoside B and Intestinal Flora and Its Inhibitory Effect on Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells
Lingyu SHI ; Wenmin WANG ; Yulin FENG ; Shilin YANG ; Yang WAN ; Daofeng CHEN ; Quan WEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(13):160-166
ObjectiveTo explore the interaction between bruceoside B and gut microbiota and the inhibitory activity of its metabolites on human lung cancer A549 cells, and to explore the value of bruceoside B in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). MethodBruceoside B was co-incubated with the human gut microbiota under anoxic conditions in vitro, and ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was used to analyze the metabolic transformation products. Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay was performed to determine the effects of bruceoside B and its metabolites on the proliferation of human lung cancer A549 cells and the half inhibitory concentration(IC50) was calculated. Five healthy male rats were gavaged with bruceoside B(2 mg·kg-1) for 7 days after adaptive feeding. The feces of rats were collected before and after administration. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to assess gut microbiota. ResultBruceoside B was mainly metabolized to brusatol by human gut microbiota, the IC50 of bruceoside B and the conversion product to A549 cells were 1 755.50, 19.57 μmol·L-1, respectively, and the conversion product had a better activity at inhibiting A549 cells proliferation than bruceoside B. Additionally, The results of intestinal flora analysis showed no significant differences in α diversity and β diversity of gut microbiota after administration. In terms of species abundance, at the phylum level, bruceoside B decreased the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria, increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Patescibacteria and Cyanobacteria. At the genus level, bruceoside B decreased the relative abundance of Staphylococcus, Aerococcus and Psychrobacter, increased the relative abundance of Romboutsia, Lactobacillus, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Norank-f-norank-o-Clostridia-UCG-014, Turicibacter, Allobaculum and Candidatus Saccharimonas. The results of functional prediction showed that the gut microbiota functional compositions were relatively stable. ConclusionBruceoside B can be deglycosylated by intestinal flora and converted into brusatol, with a significant increase in antitumor activity. The administration of bruceoside B will not cause significant changes in the structure and function of the intestinal flora, resulting in intestinal microecological balance disorders, and the administration appears to be beneficial to the intestinal flora of NSCLC patients.
7.Study on the establishment of a cost-benefit evaluation index system for health enterprises construction based on the modified Delphi method
Yanyan SUN ; Jun REN ; Quan WAN ; Peipei CHAI ; Tao LI ; Meibian ZHANG ; Jinfang SUN ; Shuang LI
China Occupational Medicine 2024;51(6):622-628
Objective To establish a cost-benefit evaluation (CBE) index system which is suitable for health enterprise construction, and provide an effective tool for conducting economic evaluation of health enterprise development. Methods The index pool of CBE index system for health enterprise construction was initially established by comprehensive use of field surveys, key informant interviews and literature review. The improved Delphi method was used to conduct two rounds of expert correspondences with 21 experts, through which the evaluation indicator system was adjusted and refined based on the experts' opinions, ultimately the CBE indicator system suitable for health enterprise construction was determined. Results The effective questionnaire recovery rates of the two rounds of expert consultations were 100.0%. The expert authority coefficients was 0.88, and the Kendall's W coordination coefficients of the cost input indicator and benefit indicator in the second round of expert consultation were 0.14 and 0.15 (all P<0.001), with Cronbach's α coefficient of reliability evaluation of index system were all >0.80. The final CBE index system for health enterprise construction includes cost input indicators focusing on four dimensions: “improving management systems”, “building a healthy environment”, “enhancing health management and services”, and “cultivating a healthy culture”. It covered four primary indicators, ten secondary indicators, and 22 tertiary indicators. The benefit indicators mainly focused on the four primary indicators, including “health productivity”, “clinical output”, “economic output”, and “cultural output”, ten secondary indicators, and 23 tertiary indicators. Conclusion The CBE indicator system for health enterprise construction developed in this study is highly reliable, scientific, and practical. It can serve as a tool for the preliminary evaluation and general application of the cost-benefit evaluation of health enterprise construction and provide strong support for future research.
8.Practice and Enlightenment of Strengthening Health System Resilience through Investment in OECD Countries
Guochun XIANG ; Weilin CHEN ; Xiaocan SUN ; Quan WAN ; Peipei CHAI
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(6):89-92,96
Sound financing mechanism is an important support for the development of health system.In response to the problems exposed in the health system during the COVID-19 pandemic,OECD countries have proposed intervention directions and investment strategies to strengthen the resilience of the health system.The investment allocation in strengthening core public health capabilities,proactive material reserves,and coordinated supply from OECD countries were analyzed,in order to explore the characteristics and effectiveness,which could provide a reference for strengthening the resilience of China's health system.
9.Practice and Enlightenment of Strengthening Health System Resilience through Investment in OECD Countries
Guochun XIANG ; Weilin CHEN ; Xiaocan SUN ; Quan WAN ; Peipei CHAI
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(6):89-92,96
Sound financing mechanism is an important support for the development of health system.In response to the problems exposed in the health system during the COVID-19 pandemic,OECD countries have proposed intervention directions and investment strategies to strengthen the resilience of the health system.The investment allocation in strengthening core public health capabilities,proactive material reserves,and coordinated supply from OECD countries were analyzed,in order to explore the characteristics and effectiveness,which could provide a reference for strengthening the resilience of China's health system.
10.Potential drugs for early Alzheimer's disease:Donanemab injection
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(9):1372-1374
Donanemab is a novel anti-amyloid antibody medication that is primarily used to treat early-stage symptomatic Alzheimer's disease.Clinical investigations have demonstrated that it modulates issues with cognitive function and everyday functioning.Preclinical research has discovered that it reduces amyloid deposition in the hippocampus and cortical layers of the brain.To better comprehend cutting-edge novel medications,this article examines the latest research on donanemab.

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