1.Application of Zebrafish in Quality Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Jiaqi LI ; Xiaolu CHEN ; Jiarui WU ; Xiaoyu TAO ; Qiqi FAN ; Shengyun DAI ; Chongjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):58-70
As a new type of model organism, zebrafish is gradually gaining prominence in the field of scientific research. The unique biological characteristics and advantages of zebrafish make them play an increasingly important role in the quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine. Compared with other common experimental animals, zebrafish have a fast reproductive and growth speed and high embryo transparency, making them an ideal model for evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine. This provides a new perspective and method for research on traditional Chinese medicine. With the growing global interest in traditional Chinese medicine, it has become crucial to find scientific and accurate methods to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine. The introduction of the zebrafish model has brought new breakthroughs in the quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine. To further promote the application of zebrafish in evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine, this article systematically searched and sorted out the previous studies related to the application of zebrafish for this purpose since 2023. The commonly used disease models and indicators of zebrafish in evaluating the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as the mechanism of zebrafish in exploring the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, were primarily reviewed. The application of zebrafish in evaluating the safety of traditional Chinese medicine and the typical examples in ensuring the quality of traditional Chinese medicine were demonstrated. The limitations encountered by zebrafish models in evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine were highlighted. The resolution of these problems will help further improve the accuracy and reliability of zebrafish in evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine. The article discussed the evaluation of effectiveness, safety, and quality control of zebrafish applied in traditional Chinese medicine, so as to provide a reference for establishing standards for traditional Chinese medicine and promoting its modernization in the future.
2.Evaluation of Anti-osteoporosis Activity and Hepatotoxicity of Xianling Gubao Based on Zebrafish Model
Qiuman LI ; Yue QIAN ; Zixuan ZHU ; Yuan SONG ; Qian DENG ; Shengyun DAI ; Chongjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):87-94
ObjectiveTo investigate the association and translational mechanism between the hepatotoxicity of Xianling Gubao (XLGB) and its treatment of osteoporosis based on a zebrafish model. MethodsZebrafish were randomly selected four days after fertilization (4 dpf) and exposed to different concentrations of XLGB (0.7,0.35 mg·L-1) for 96 h. At the endpoint of the exposure, the mortality rates of zebrafish in the treatment groups of different concentrations were counted, and the "dose-toxicity" curves were plotted. The 10% sublethal concentration (LC10) was calculated. The liver area, acridine orange staining, and pathological tissue sections of transgenic zebrafish [CZ16 (gz15Tg.Tg (fabp 10a: ds Red; ela31: EGFP)] were used as indicators to confirm the hepatic damage caused by the sublethal concentration of XLGB. By using the prednisolone (PNSL)-induced osteoporosis model of zebrafish, the anti-osteoporosis activity of XLGB was evaluated by using the area of skull stained by alizarin red and the cumulative optical density value as indicators. Then, the toxicity difference of XLGB on the liver of zebrafish in healthy and osteoporotic states was compared, and the mechanism of the translational action of the toxicity of XLGB was predicted based on network pharmacology and real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). ResultsThe LC10 of XLGB on zebrafish (8 dpf) was 0.7 mg·L-1. Compared with the blank group, the sublethal concentration (LC10=0.7 mg·L-1, 1/2 LC10=0.35 mg·L-1) of XLGB induced an increase in the number of apoptosis of hepatocytes in a dose-dependent manner, and the tissue arrangement of the liver was disordered and loose. The vacuoles were obvious, and the fluorescence area of the liver was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the mineralized area and cumulative optical density value of zebrafish skull in the PNSL model group were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and those in the 0.7,0.35 mg·L-1 XLGB treatment group were significantly increased compared with the model group (P<0.01). Most importantly, 0.7 mg·L-1 XLGB had no significant effect on the liver of zebrafish in the osteoporosis disease model compared with the blank group. The results of network pharmacology and real-time PCR experiments showed that the toxic transformation of XLGB might be related to the differences in the expression levels of key targets, such as tumor protein 53 (TP53), cysteine aspartic acid specific protease-3(Caspase-3), interleukin(IL)-6, and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) in different organismal states. ConclusionUnder certain conditions, XLGB has hepatotoxicity in normal zebrafish, but under osteoporotic conditions, XLGB not only exerts significant anti-osteoporosis activity but also alleviates hepatotoxicity significantly, which provides a reference for the safe clinical use of XLGB and real evidence for the theories of traditional Chinese medicine of attacking poison with poison and of treating disease with corresponding drugs without damage to the body.
3.Research Progress on the Wuwei Qingzhuo Preparation of Mongolian Medicine and Shiliu Jianwei Preparation of Zang Medicine
Shengyun DAI ; Dongxue WU ; Rui HUANG ; Jie LIU ; Xiaoru HU ; Meng XIAO ; Chaojie LIAN ; Feng WEI ; Jian ZHENG ; Jialiang ZHU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(1):61-67
Based on the results of the National Drug Sampling and Inspection Programme,we summarized the history,the standard collection,the production enterprises and the dosage form specifications,the quality standard study,the pharmacological and pharmacodynamic study,and the clinical application study of Wuwei Qingzhuo preparation of Mongolian medicine and Shiliu Jianwei preparation of Zang medicine,to provide the basis for improved quality standards for both preparations.The development of these two preparations was searched and analyzed through literature.The available information shows that there is very little research on the two preparations and insufficient pharmacological experimental and clinical experimental data.The two preparations are basically the same in prescription and efficacy.However,the quality standards are very different,which are not conducive to the quality control of the two and their related dosage forms.And it is suggested that the Chinese Pharmacopoeia should take the situation of this category into comprehensive consideration,and unify the quality standards of the two preparations.
4.Quality Analysis and Suggestion of Zukamu Preparation Based on National Drug Sampling and Testing
Shengyun DAI ; Dongxue WU ; Rui WU ; Meng XIAO ; Jie LIU ; Chaojie LIAN ; Xiaoru HU ; Feng WEI ; Jian ZHENG ; Jialiang ZHU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(10):1600-1605
Objective To examine the quality of Zukamu preparations through the national drug sampling and testing,and further understand their current quality status and existing problems.This work is benefit for improving the quality standard of Zukamu preparations and providing technical support for the drug regulatory authorities.Methods Samples of Zukamu preparations were collected from a total of 29 provinces in China,and were tested for description,identification,other requirements(weight variation,particle size,determination of water,disprsion,and microbial limit items),and assay in accordance with the national pharmaceutical standards.The test data were analyzed to evaluate the quality status of the Zukamu preparations,and exploratory research was carried out to address the problems found in the test.Results A total of 97 batches of Zukamu preparations were sampled,and the passing rate was 100.0%according to the current quality standard.Exploratory study,revealed that Zukamu preparation were subject to 4 testing standards,with uneven test items,missing items,poor operability,and lack of exclusivity in some items.The test based on the existing standards can't comprehensively evaluate the quality of the preparation.Conclusions Based on the national drug sampling and testing,combined with exploratory research on drug safety,authenticity and effectiveness,it is recommended to unify the quality standards of Zukamu preparations by combining with the work of standard improving,revising the identification method of thin-layer chromatography,increasing the content determination,and establishing the quick test method,thereby effectively evaluating and controling the quality of the samples of Zukamu preparations.
5.Research Progress on the Wuwei Qingzhuo Preparation of Mongolian Medicine and Shiliu Jianwei Preparation of Zang Medicine
Shengyun DAI ; Dongxue WU ; Rui HUANG ; Jie LIU ; Xiaoru HU ; Meng XIAO ; Chaojie LIAN ; Feng WEI ; Jian ZHENG ; Jialiang ZHU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(1):61-67
Based on the results of the National Drug Sampling and Inspection Programme,we summarized the history,the standard collection,the production enterprises and the dosage form specifications,the quality standard study,the pharmacological and pharmacodynamic study,and the clinical application study of Wuwei Qingzhuo preparation of Mongolian medicine and Shiliu Jianwei preparation of Zang medicine,to provide the basis for improved quality standards for both preparations.The development of these two preparations was searched and analyzed through literature.The available information shows that there is very little research on the two preparations and insufficient pharmacological experimental and clinical experimental data.The two preparations are basically the same in prescription and efficacy.However,the quality standards are very different,which are not conducive to the quality control of the two and their related dosage forms.And it is suggested that the Chinese Pharmacopoeia should take the situation of this category into comprehensive consideration,and unify the quality standards of the two preparations.
6.Quality Analysis and Suggestion of Zukamu Preparation Based on National Drug Sampling and Testing
Shengyun DAI ; Dongxue WU ; Rui WU ; Meng XIAO ; Jie LIU ; Chaojie LIAN ; Xiaoru HU ; Feng WEI ; Jian ZHENG ; Jialiang ZHU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(10):1600-1605
Objective To examine the quality of Zukamu preparations through the national drug sampling and testing,and further understand their current quality status and existing problems.This work is benefit for improving the quality standard of Zukamu preparations and providing technical support for the drug regulatory authorities.Methods Samples of Zukamu preparations were collected from a total of 29 provinces in China,and were tested for description,identification,other requirements(weight variation,particle size,determination of water,disprsion,and microbial limit items),and assay in accordance with the national pharmaceutical standards.The test data were analyzed to evaluate the quality status of the Zukamu preparations,and exploratory research was carried out to address the problems found in the test.Results A total of 97 batches of Zukamu preparations were sampled,and the passing rate was 100.0%according to the current quality standard.Exploratory study,revealed that Zukamu preparation were subject to 4 testing standards,with uneven test items,missing items,poor operability,and lack of exclusivity in some items.The test based on the existing standards can't comprehensively evaluate the quality of the preparation.Conclusions Based on the national drug sampling and testing,combined with exploratory research on drug safety,authenticity and effectiveness,it is recommended to unify the quality standards of Zukamu preparations by combining with the work of standard improving,revising the identification method of thin-layer chromatography,increasing the content determination,and establishing the quick test method,thereby effectively evaluating and controling the quality of the samples of Zukamu preparations.
7.Rapid Discriminate Analysis and Quantitative Analysis Methods for Carbonized Typhae Pollen Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy Coupled with Chemometrics
Min TANG ; Xiaolong LI ; Jiaqi LI ; Yongqi ZHONG ; Shengwang LIANG ; Shengyun DAI ; Fei SUN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;26(9):2385-2398
Objective To establish the rapid discriminate analysis and quantitative analysis methods for carbonized Typhae Pollen(CTP)using near infrared spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics.Methods A total of 186 batches of CTP samples were prepared and categorized into three group including light degree CTP,moderate CTP,and heavy degree CTP.The NIR spectra of these samples were characterized.Then partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA),k-nearest neighbors(KNN),support vector machine(SVM)algorithms were separately applied to build the discriminant models.The performance of discriminant models was evaluated in terms of the accuracy(ACC)and the error rate(ER).The partial least squares algorithm was used to establish the quantitative model for the prediction of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid,3-hydroxybenzoic acid,4-hydroxybenzoic acid,azelaic acid,quercetin,quercetin-3-(2G-rhamnosylrutinoside),kaempferol,kaempferol-3-(2G-rhamnosylrutinoside),isorhamnetin,typhaneoside,isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidin,and naringenin of CTP samples.The correlation coefficients(rcal,rpre),the root mean square error of calibration(RMSEC),the root mean square error of prediction(RMSEP),and the ratio of performance deviation(RPD)were calculated to assess the PLS model.Results Compared with PLS-DA and KNN models,the SVM model yielded the best classification.The ACC of SVM model was 90.08%for calibration set and 93.44%for prediction set,while the ER was 9.08%for calibration set and 5.31 for prediction set.The values of rcal and r for PLS models were greater than 0.9,and the RPD of that was greater than 2.3.Conclusion In this study,the NIR spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics was firstly applied to develop the rapid discriminant analysis and quantitative analysis methods for CTP.The NIR-based method is rapid,non-destructive,and accurate,and it provides the scientific basis and method support for the rapid judgment of the processing degree of CTP and analysis of the changes of chemical components to ensure the quality of CTP.
8.Rapid Discriminate Analysis and Quantitative Analysis Methods for Carbonized Typhae Pollen Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy Coupled with Chemometrics
Min TANG ; Xiaolong LI ; Jiaqi LI ; Yongqi ZHONG ; Shengwang LIANG ; Shengyun DAI ; Fei SUN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;26(9):2385-2398
Objective To establish the rapid discriminate analysis and quantitative analysis methods for carbonized Typhae Pollen(CTP)using near infrared spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics.Methods A total of 186 batches of CTP samples were prepared and categorized into three group including light degree CTP,moderate CTP,and heavy degree CTP.The NIR spectra of these samples were characterized.Then partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA),k-nearest neighbors(KNN),support vector machine(SVM)algorithms were separately applied to build the discriminant models.The performance of discriminant models was evaluated in terms of the accuracy(ACC)and the error rate(ER).The partial least squares algorithm was used to establish the quantitative model for the prediction of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid,3-hydroxybenzoic acid,4-hydroxybenzoic acid,azelaic acid,quercetin,quercetin-3-(2G-rhamnosylrutinoside),kaempferol,kaempferol-3-(2G-rhamnosylrutinoside),isorhamnetin,typhaneoside,isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidin,and naringenin of CTP samples.The correlation coefficients(rcal,rpre),the root mean square error of calibration(RMSEC),the root mean square error of prediction(RMSEP),and the ratio of performance deviation(RPD)were calculated to assess the PLS model.Results Compared with PLS-DA and KNN models,the SVM model yielded the best classification.The ACC of SVM model was 90.08%for calibration set and 93.44%for prediction set,while the ER was 9.08%for calibration set and 5.31 for prediction set.The values of rcal and r for PLS models were greater than 0.9,and the RPD of that was greater than 2.3.Conclusion In this study,the NIR spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics was firstly applied to develop the rapid discriminant analysis and quantitative analysis methods for CTP.The NIR-based method is rapid,non-destructive,and accurate,and it provides the scientific basis and method support for the rapid judgment of the processing degree of CTP and analysis of the changes of chemical components to ensure the quality of CTP.
9.The interaction between polyphyllin I and SQLE protein induces hepatotoxicity through SREBP-2/HMGCR/SQLE/LSS pathway
Zhiqi LI ; Qiqi FAN ; Meilin CHEN ; Ying DONG ; Farong LI ; Mingshuang WANG ; Yulin GU ; Simin GUO ; Xianwen YE ; Jiarui WU ; Shengyun DAI ; Ruichao LIN ; Chongjun ZHAO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2023;13(1):39-54
Polyphyllin Ⅰ(PPⅠ)and polyphyllin Ⅱ(PⅡ)are the main active substances in the Paris polyphylla.However,liver toxicity of these compounds has impeded their clinical application and the potential hepatotoxicity mechanisms remain to be elucidated.In this work,we found that PPⅠ and PⅡ exposure could induce significant hepatotoxicity in human liver cell line L-02 and zebrafish in a dose-dependent manner.The results of the proteomic analysis in L-02 cells and transcriptome in zebrafish indicated that the hepa-totoxicity of PPⅡ and PⅡwas associated with the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway disorders,which were alleviated by the cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor lovastatin.Additionally,3-hydroxy-3-methy-lglutaryl CoA reductase(HMGCR)and squalene epoxidase(SQLE),the two rate-limiting enzymes in the choles-terol synthesis,selected as the potential targets,were confirmed by the molecular docking,the over-expression,and knockdown of HMGCR or SQLE with siRNA.Finally,the pull-down and surface plasmon resonance technology revealed that PPⅠ could directly bind with SQLE but not with HMGCR.Collectively,these data demonstrated that PPⅠ-induced hepatotoxicity resulted from the direct binding with SQLE protein and impaired the sterol-regulatory element binding protein 2/HMGCR/SQLE/lanosterol synthase pathways,thus disturbing the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway.The findings of this research can contribute to a better understanding of the key role of SQLE as a potential target in drug-induced hepatotoxicity and provide a therapeutic strategy for the prevention of drug toxic effects with similar structures in the future.
10.Study on Mechanism of Action of Matrine in Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Based on Zebrafish Model and Network Pharmacology
Linzhen CHEN ; Xue ZHANG ; Qi CHEN ; Xue YU ; Shengyun DAI ; Zhiqiang MA ; Chongjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(22):88-94
ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of matrine in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) based on the zebrafish model and network pharmacology. MethodThe IBD model of zebrafish was established using 2,4,6-trinitro-benzenesulfonicacid (TNBS), and the intestinal phagocytic function, goblet cell secretion, and neutrophil aggregation were evaluated using neutral red staining, alcian blue staining, and neutrophil number changes. Changes in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and cholecystokinin (CCK) content in zebrafish were determined by using relevant reagent kits. Network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were used to predict the potential mechanism of matrine in the treatment of IBD. Gene expression of relevant targets was verified through Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultCompared with the model group, the matrine administration group can increase the neutral red staining area in a dose-dependent manner and improve intestinal phagocytic function(P<0.05,P<0.01). It can reduce the staining area of alcian blue and affect the secretion of intestinal goblet cells(P<0.01). It can reduce the number of neutrophil granulocytes, relieve its aggregation, significantly reduce TNF-α content(P<0.01), and increase the CCK content. Network pharmacology analysis identifies 28 potential targets for matrine in the treatment of IBD. The top five targets by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis are CHRNA7, DRD1, CHRNA4, SLC6A3, and GRM5. The Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) results show that the treatment of IBD with matrine may be related to neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, cholinergic synapse, and neutrophil extracellular trap formation. Real-time PCR results show that matrine can affect the expression level of related target genes. Conclusionmatrine has a certain therapeutic effect on IBD and can affect the inflammatory response of IBD. Its therapeutic effect may be related to neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and other pathways.

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