ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanisms by which serum containing Gegen Qinlian Tang （GQT） inhibits glycolysis and enhances chemotherapy sensitivity in 5-fluorouracil （5-FU）-resistant colorectal cancer （CRC） cells based on the cyclin-dependent kinase 16 （CDK16）/MYC proto-oncogene （MYC） pathway. MethodsHCT-116/5-FU cells were treated with different concentrations （5%， 10%， 20%， 30%） of GQT-containing serum. Cell viability and 5-FU sensitivity were assessed using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay， and the experimental concentrations of 5-FU and GQT for subsequent experiments were determined. Cell proliferation and apoptosis under individual 5-FU， GQT， and combined 5-FU + GQT treatments were evaluated using 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine （EDU） staining and annexin V-FITC/PI double staining， respectively. Glucose consumption， adenosine triphosphate （ATP） production， and lactate levels were measured by colorimetric assays. Expression levels of glycolysis-related proteins， CDK16， MYC， and phosphorylated MYC were detected by Western blot. Co-immunoprecipitation （CoIP） was used to examine the protein interaction between CDK16 and MYC， and cycloheximide （CHX） treatment was applied to assess the effect of CDK16 overexpression on MYC protein stability. ResultsCCK-8 assays showed that 2.5 mg·L^-1 5-FU significantly inhibited HCT-116 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. In HCT-116/5-FU cells， significant inhibition was observed only at 5 mg·L^-1 5-FU （P<0.05）， which was used for model establishment. Compared with 5-FU alone， addition of 5% GQT-containing serum significantly suppressed HCT-116/5-FU cell viability （P<0.05）， with stronger inhibition at higher serum concentrations. Thus， 5% GQT-containing serum was used in subsequent experiments. Compared with the control group， 5-FU， GQT， and 5-FU + GQT treatments all significantly reduced cell proliferation （P<0.05） and increased apoptosis （P<0.01）. The 5-FU + GQT combination showed superior inhibition of proliferation compared with 5-FU or GQT alone （P<0.01）， accompanied by more pronounced reductions in glucose consumption， ATP production， and lactate generation （P<0.01）. Additionally， compared with control， 5-FU， and GQT groups， the 5-FU + GQT group exhibited stronger suppression of MYC and its phosphorylated forms （P<0.01） and greater inhibition of glycolytic enzymes， including hexokinase 2 （HK2）， 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 （PDK1）， lactate dehydrogenase A （LDHA）， and pyruvate kinase M2 （PKM2） （P<0.01）. CDK16， MYC， and MYC phosphorylation expression levels were significantly downregulated in the 5-FU + GQT group compared with the 5-FU group （all P<0.01）. MYC protein stability decreased in a time-dependent manner in the 5-FU + GQT group （P<0.05）， which was rescued by CDK16 overexpression （P<0.05）. ConclusionGQT significantly enhances the sensitivity of HCT-116/5-FU cells to 5-FU， potentially by inhibiting CDK16 and thereby reducing MYC-mediated glycolysis.

ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanisms by which serum containing Gegen Qinlian Tang （GQT） inhibits glycolysis and enhances chemotherapy sensitivity in 5-fluorouracil （5-FU）-resistant colorectal cancer （CRC） cells based on the cyclin-dependent kinase 16 （CDK16）/MYC proto-oncogene （MYC） pathway. MethodsHCT-116/5-FU cells were treated with different concentrations （5%， 10%， 20%， 30%） of GQT-containing serum. Cell viability and 5-FU sensitivity were assessed using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay， and the experimental concentrations of 5-FU and GQT for subsequent experiments were determined. Cell proliferation and apoptosis under individual 5-FU， GQT， and combined 5-FU + GQT treatments were evaluated using 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine （EDU） staining and annexin V-FITC/PI double staining， respectively. Glucose consumption， adenosine triphosphate （ATP） production， and lactate levels were measured by colorimetric assays. Expression levels of glycolysis-related proteins， CDK16， MYC， and phosphorylated MYC were detected by Western blot. Co-immunoprecipitation （CoIP） was used to examine the protein interaction between CDK16 and MYC， and cycloheximide （CHX） treatment was applied to assess the effect of CDK16 overexpression on MYC protein stability. ResultsCCK-8 assays showed that 2.5 mg·L^-1 5-FU significantly inhibited HCT-116 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. In HCT-116/5-FU cells， significant inhibition was observed only at 5 mg·L^-1 5-FU （P<0.05）， which was used for model establishment. Compared with 5-FU alone， addition of 5% GQT-containing serum significantly suppressed HCT-116/5-FU cell viability （P<0.05）， with stronger inhibition at higher serum concentrations. Thus， 5% GQT-containing serum was used in subsequent experiments. Compared with the control group， 5-FU， GQT， and 5-FU + GQT treatments all significantly reduced cell proliferation （P<0.05） and increased apoptosis （P<0.01）. The 5-FU + GQT combination showed superior inhibition of proliferation compared with 5-FU or GQT alone （P<0.01）， accompanied by more pronounced reductions in glucose consumption， ATP production， and lactate generation （P<0.01）. Additionally， compared with control， 5-FU， and GQT groups， the 5-FU + GQT group exhibited stronger suppression of MYC and its phosphorylated forms （P<0.01） and greater inhibition of glycolytic enzymes， including hexokinase 2 （HK2）， 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 （PDK1）， lactate dehydrogenase A （LDHA）， and pyruvate kinase M2 （PKM2） （P<0.01）. CDK16， MYC， and MYC phosphorylation expression levels were significantly downregulated in the 5-FU + GQT group compared with the 5-FU group （all P<0.01）. MYC protein stability decreased in a time-dependent manner in the 5-FU + GQT group （P<0.05）， which was rescued by CDK16 overexpression （P<0.05）. ConclusionGQT significantly enhances the sensitivity of HCT-116/5-FU cells to 5-FU， potentially by inhibiting CDK16 and thereby reducing MYC-mediated glycolysis.

Under the background of the Healthy China strategy， the integration of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） into the public health emergency response system has become an important measure to enhance the capacity for coping with public health emergencies. In recent years， the role of TCM in responding to such emergencies has become increasingly prominent. Taking major emerging epidemics as an example， TCM has developed a rich theoretical system and practical experience in epidemic prevention and treatment over thousands of years， and has played a significant role in successive outbreaks with its unique advantages. Based on the concept of ''preventing disease before its onset'' and the theoretical framework of treatment based on syndrome differentiation， TCM has achieved remarkable results through early intervention and full participation in the integrated model of TCM and Western medicine， from severe acute respiratory syndrome （SARS） to corona virus disease-2019 （COVID-19）， in improving clinical symptoms and outcomes， reducing adverse reactions， and promoting recovery. From the perspective of the Healthy China strategy， this paper systematically reviews the historical development of TCM in epidemic prevention and treatment， with particular attention to recent epidemics such as SARS， influenza A （H1N1）， and COVID-19. It further examines the similarities and differences between TCM and Western medicine in responding to major emerging epidemics， as well as relevant policies related to TCM in epidemic prevention and control. In addition， it summarizes the existing problems in TCM's role in the prevention and treatment of major emerging epidemics， and explores measures to improve its rapid response capacity under the Healthy China strategy. This study not only provides a ''Chinese solution'' for the prevention and control of newly emerging infectious diseases worldwide， but also offers theoretical and practical references for strengthening the public health emergency response system， carrying strategic significance for promoting the modernization and internationalization of TCM.

Signal detection is a critical task in drug safety regulation. However, it inevitably generates irrelevant or false signals, posing challenges for resource allocation by marketing authorization holders. To reasonably assess these signals, different countries have established various principles for prioritizing the evaluation of risk signals. This study systematically compares these principles and finds that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) focuses on practical issues, such as identifying drug confusion or drug interactions. However, China's Good Pharmacovigilance Practices and the European Medicines Agency(EMA) emphasize a comprehensive evaluation framework. The Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences(CIOMS) emphasizes the consistency of multiple data sources, highlighting the reliability of signal evaluation. China practices a multidisciplinary approach combining traditional Chinese and western medicine, and the risk signals related to traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) have unique characteristics, including complex components, cumulative toxicity, specific theoretical foundations, and drug interactions. The different priorities in risk signal evaluation principles across countries suggest that China should strengthen clinical trial research, emphasize corroboration with evidence of multiple sources, and pay particular attention to the risks of drug interactions in the TCM regulatory science. Establishing the risk signal prioritization principles that align with the characteristics of TCM enables more precise and efficient scientific regulation of TCM.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; United States ; United States Food and Drug Administration

Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) is a prevalent metabolic and endocrine disorder. Long-term hyperglycemia can lead to severe chronic complications, imposing substantial economic burdens on both society and patients. Despite the availability of various hypoglycemic agents for clinical use, these agents often fail to meet the therapeutic needs of T2DM and its complications. Consequently, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies and drugs. Lithocarpus litseifolius(L. litseifolius), commonly referred to as "cordyceps on trees", has a long history of use in traditional medicine and can be applied in tea, sugar, and medicine. Research indicates that L. litseifolius extracts are rich in dihydrochalcones, including trilobatin, phloridzin, and phloretin, which exhibit a range of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective effects. These properties suggest potential applications in the treatment of T2DM and its complications. This review systematically compiled and organized the relevant literature from the past decade on dihydrochalcones(trilobatin, phloridzin, and phloretin) from L. litseifolius extracts. It highlighted recent research progress regarding their role in treating T2DM and its complications through mechanisms such as reducing insulin resistance, regulating glucose transport, improving glucose and lipid metabolism, modulating enzyme activity, regulating gut microbiota, and alleviating inflammation and oxidative damage. The purpose of this review is to provide a reference and basis for future research on the prevention and treatment of T2DM and its complications using dihydrochalcones(trilobatin, phloridzin, and phloretin) from L. litseifolius extracts.
Chalcones/chemistry* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism* ; Humans ; Animals ; Elaeocarpaceae/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypoglycemic Agents/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/chemistry*

The chemical constituents of sesquiterpenes from 95% ethanol extract of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum were isolated and purified by various column chromatography techniques, including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, octadecylsilyl(ODS), and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Their planar structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by ultraviolet(UV) spectrometry, infrared(IR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry(MS), nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR), electronic circular dichroism(ECD), and other techniques. Eight sesquiterpenoids were isolated and identified as(+)-(7R,10R)-selina-4,11-dien-12-dimethoxy-15-al(1),(+)-(7R,10R)-selina-4,11-diene-12,15-dial(2), agalleudesmanol B(3), aquisinenoid C(4), 12,15-dioxo-α-selinen(5), agarospiranic aldehyde B(6), neopetasane(7), and eremophila-7(11),9-dien-8-one(8). Compound 1 was a new compound, and it was the first time to find a dimethoxy substitution on the side chain of eudesmane-type sesquiterpene skeleton.
Sesquiterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Thymelaeaceae/chemistry* ; Molecular Structure ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

This paper aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of the Yiqi Fumai Formula(YQFM), a kind of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), on mice with experimental heart failure based on the "heart-gut axis" theory. Based on the network pharmacology integrated with the group collaboration algorithm, the active ingredients were screened, a "component-target-disease" network was constructed, and the potential pathways regulated by the formula were predicted and analyzed. Next, the model of experimental heart failure was established by intraperitoneal injection of adriamycin at a single high dose(15 mg·kg~(-1)) in BALB/c mice. After intraperitoneal injection of YQFM(lyophilized) at 7.90, 15.80, and 31.55 mg·d~(-1) for 7 d, the protective effects of the formula on cardiac function were evaluated using indicators such as ultrasonic electrocardiography and myocardial injury markers. Combined with inflammatory factors in the cardiac and colorectal tissue, as well as targeted assays, the relevant indicators of potential pathways were verified. Meanwhile, 16S rDNA sequencing was performed on mouse fecal samples using the Illumina platform to detect changes in gut flora and analyze differential metabolic pathways. The results show that the administration of injectable YQFM(lyophilized) for 7 d significantly increased the left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter, fractional shortening, and ejection fraction of cardiac tissue of mice with experimental heart failure(P<0.05). Moreover, markers of myocardial injury were significantly decreased(P<0.05), indicating improved cardiac function, along with significantly suppressed inflammatory responses in cardiac and intestinal tissue(P<0.05). Additionally, the species of causative organisms was decreased, and the homeostasis of gut flora was improved, involving a modulatory effect on PI3K-Akt signaling pathway-related inflammation in cardiac and colorectal tissue. In conclusion, YQFM can affect the "heart-gut axis" immunity through the homeostasis of the gut flora, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on heart failure. This finding provides a reference for the combination of TCM and western medicine to prevent and treat heart failure based on the "heart-gut axis" theory.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Heart Failure/microbiology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Male ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Heart/physiopathology* ; Humans ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

The zebrafish model has attracted much attention due to its strong reproductive ability, short research cycle, and ease of maintenance. It has always been an important vertebrate model system, often used to carry out human disease research. Its motor behavior features have the advantages of being simpler, more intuitive, and quantifiable. In recent years, it has received widespread attention in the study of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for the treatment of sleep disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, fatigue, epilepsy, and other diseases. This paper reviews the characteristics of zebrafish motor behavior and its applications in the pharmacodynamic verification and mechanism research of TCM extracts, active ingredients, and TCM compounds, as well as in active ingredient screening and safety evaluation. The paper also analyzes its advantages and disadvantages, with the aim of improving the breadth and depth of zebrafish and its motor behavior applications in the field of TCM research.
Zebrafish/physiology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods* ; Animals ; Sleep Wake Disorders/physiopathology* ; Epilepsy/physiopathology* ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/physiopathology* ; Fatigue/physiopathology* ; Behavior, Animal/physiology* ; Motor Activity/physiology*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the function of LIM and calponin homology domains 1 (LIMCH1) in the development and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), along with their potential clinical applications. METHODS: By utilizing transcriptome sequencing data from two groups of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients, along with bioinformatics analytical techniques such as Gene Ontology (GO) and gene co-expression networks, we identified genes that might play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. We employed real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting to validate the expression patterns of these genes across twelve patient tissue samples. Furthermore, we conducted CCK-8 assays, flow cytometry analyses, and scratch wound healing assays to assess the impact of key genes on the biological behaviors of both the Cal27 oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line and the potentially malignant DOK oral lesion cell line. Additionally, we examined correlations between these key genes and clinical disease parameters in 214 oral squamous cell carcinoma patients using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data; gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) analysis results were also incorporated to enhance our findings from real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting regarding potential mechanisms underlying the action of these key genes. RESULTS: The integrated analysis of sequencing data and bioinformatics revealed that LIMCH1 exhibited significantly reduced mRNA (P < 0.001) and protein levels (P < 0.01) in the oral squamous cell carcinoma tissues compared with normal control tissues. In the Cal27 cells, the low LIMCH1 level group demonstrated a larger wound healing area within 24 hours than the control group (P < 0.01), enhanced proliferation capacity over 72 hours relative to the control group (P < 0.01), and an increased apoptosis rate within 24 hours compared with the high expression group (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the low and high level groups in DOK cells. Furthermore, it was determined that low LIMCH1 level correlated with poor prognosis in the patients (P=0.013) and a higher lymph node metastasis rate (P < 0.05). Investigations into the potential mechanisms of action indicated that LIMCH1 did not influence the onset or progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma via the epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway. CONCLUSION LIMCH1 level may function as a promising biomarker to aid in the prognostic assessment of oral squamous cell carcinoma; however, its precise mechanistic role requires further investigation.
Humans ; Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Prognosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism* ; Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism* ; LIM Domain Proteins/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Male ; Female