1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway to Treat Colorectal Cancer: A Review
Mingxing WANG ; Wanhui DONG ; Baorui ZHANG ; Tong LAI ; Aixin LIU ; Qingming SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):278-287
Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Although preventive colonoscopy screening has improved the survival rate of CRC patients in the past few years, there are still many patients diagnosed after symptoms appear. The surgery for CRC carries high risks and high recurrence, and ideal therapies remain to be developed. The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway has become a focus of research due to its central role in cellular activities. As a classic oncogenic pathway, the JAK/STAT signaling pathway offers new possibilities for diagnosing and treating various malignancies, and it paves a new way for developing therapies for CRC. This pathway not only participates in basic cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis but also plays a crucial role in immune responses and inflammation. Abnormal activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway is closely related to the occurrence and development of CRC. Studies have shown that the active components and compound prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, migration, and angiogenesis while promoting the apoptosis and autophagy of CRC cells by interfering with the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Furthermore, this pathway may also play a role in regulating the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, thus influencing the effectiveness of tumor treatment and impeding the progression of CRC. In recent years, research results have been updated rapidly, and previous literature summaries have failed to incorporate the latest findings, creating obstacles to accessing current literature. Therefore, this article supplements and summarizes information from the definition of the JAK/STAT pathway, association of this pathway with CRC, and TCM intervention of CRC. This review aims to provide references for future development of molecular biology regarding CRC and the research and development of new drugs.
2.Erk Signaling Pathway in Striatal D2-MSNs: an Essential Pathway for Exercise-induced Improvement in Parkinson’s Disease
Bo GAO ; Yi-Ning LAI ; Yi-Tong GE ; Wei CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):61-71
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), primarily manifesting as motor dysfunctions such as resting tremor, muscle rigidity, and bradykinesia. According to the classical model of basal ganglia motor control, approximately half of the medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the striatum are D1-MSNs, which constitute the direct pathway. These neurons express D1-dopamine receptor (D1R) and substance P, and they mainly participate in the selection, initiation, and execution of movements. The other half are D2-MSNs, which constitute the indirect pathway. These neurons express D2-dopamine receptor (D2R) and adenosine 2A receptors and are involved in inhibiting unnecessary movements or terminating ongoing movements, thereby adjusting movement sequences to perform more precise motor behaviors. The direct pathway in the striatum modulates the activity of motor cortex neurons by exciting D1-MSNs through neurotransmitters such as glutamate (Glu), allowing the motor cortex to send signals more freely to the motor system, thus facilitating the generation and execution of specific motor behaviors. Studies using D1-Cre and D2-Cre mice with neurons labeled for D1R and D2R have shown that both types of neurons are involved in the execution of movements, with D1-MSNs participating in movement initiation and D2-MSNs in inhibiting actions unrelated to the target movement. These findings suggest that the structural and functional plasticity of D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs in the basal ganglia circuitry enables motor learning and behavioral regulation. Additionally, when SNpc DA neurons begin to degenerate, D1-MSNs are initially affected but do not immediately cause motor impairments. In contrast, when D2-MSNs undergo pathological changes, they are first activated by upstream projecting neurons, leading to the inhibition of most motor behaviors and resulting in motor dysfunction. Therefore, it is hypothesized that motor impairments such as bradykinesia and initiation difficulties are more closely related to the functional activity of D2-MSNs. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway has been identified as a critical modulator in the pathophysiology of PD. Recent findings indicate that Erk/MAPK signaling pathway can mediate DA and Glu signaling in the central nervous system, maintaining normal functional activity of striatal MSNs and influencing the transmission of motor control signals. Within this complex regulatory network, the Erk/MAPK signaling pathway plays a key role in transmitting motor information to downstream neurons, regulating normal movements, avoiding unnecessary movements, and finely tuning motor behaviors. Our laboratory’s previous research found that 4 weeks of aerobic exercise intervention improved motor dysfunction in PD mice by inhibiting the Erk1/2 signaling upstream of striatal MSNs, primarily involving the Erk1/2 signaling in D2-MSNs rather than D1-MSNs. This review summarizes the neurobiological mechanisms of Erk/MAPK signaling pathway in D2-MSNs for the prevention and treatment of motor dysfunction in PD. By exploring the role of this signaling pathway in regulating motor abnormalities and preventing motor dysfunction in the central nervous system of PD, this review provides new theoretical perspectives for related mechanistic research and therapeutic strategies.
3.Signal mining and analysis for adverse events of avatrombopag based on FAERS
Rui XIONG ; Jin WANG ; Zhen YANG ; Yanmei LUO ; Hong ZHANG ; Yongtao TONG ; Xiaodan LAI
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(4):369-376
Objective To mine the adverse drug events(ADE)signal of avatrombopag,an effective drug for thrombocytopenia treatment,based on real world data in order to provide reference for its clinical safety application.Methods The OpenVigil2.1 pharmacovigilance platform was used to obtain the ADE report data of avatrombopag from May 2018 to March 2023 in the database of FDA adverse event reporting system(FAERS).The ADE signals were classified and described by the system organ class(SOC)and preferred term(PT)of the ADE terminology set in the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities(MedDRA),and reporting odds ratio(ROR)and UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency(MHRA)comprehensive standard were used to detect the positive ADE signals.Results A total of 1 879 ADE reports related to avatrombopag were obtained,24 SOCs were involved,and 28 positive ADE signals were detected at PT level.Among these signals,the strongest ones were renal vein thrombosis,portal vein thrombosis and graft versus host disease,while the reports accounting for the largest numbers were headache,fatigue and asthenia.There were 8 ADE signals discovered newly,that is,seasonal allergy,back disorder,musculoskeletal discomfort,flatulence,hypersomnia,rash macular,emotional disorder,and rhinorrhoea.Conclusion For clinical use of avatrombopag,clinicians should not only concern the risk of thrombosis,but also pay close attention to ADE signals such as seasonal allergy,back disorder,musculoskeletal discomfort,flatulence,hypersomnia,rash macular,emotional disorder,and rhinorrhoea that are not documented in the instructions.
4.Mining and analysis of acalabrutinib-induced ADE risk signals based on FDA adverse event reporting system
Rui XIONG ; Jing LEI ; Shipeng ZHANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Yongtao TONG ; Xiaodan LAI
China Pharmacy 2024;35(5):595-600
OBJECTIVE To provide reference for the clinically safe application of acalabrutinib by mining and analyzing the risk signals of adverse drug events (ADE). METHODS The acalabrutinib-induced ADE reports were extracted from the U.S. FDA adverse event reporting system using the OpenVigil 2.1 platform from November 1, 2017 to March 31, 2023. The reporting odds ratio (ROR) method and composite criteria method from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) were used for detection of ADE signals. RESULTS There were 7 869 ADE reports of acalabrutinib as the primary suspect drug and 142 ADE positive signals were detected from them, involving 20 system organ classes, which was generally consistent with the ADE recorded in the drug instruction of acalabrutinib, mainly involving general disorders and administration site conditions, various inspection, blood and lymphatic system disorders, various neurological disorders and cardiac disorders. In addition, this study identified several new potential ADE signals that were not mentioned in the drug instruction, including sudden cardiac death, pulmonary toxicity, tumor lysis syndrome, pleural effusion, dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, bone pain, decreased blood pressure, and abnormal blood sodium, etc. CONCLUSIONS When using acalabrutinib, in addition to paying attention to the ADE recorded in its instructions, the risk of serious ADE that may lead to death, such as sudden cardiac death and pulmonary toxicity, should also be evaluated to avoid or reduce the occurrence of ADE as much as possible.
5.Study on the Enzymatic Deproteinization Technology,Composition Analysis and Immunomodulatory Activity of Isatidis Ra-dix Polysaccharides
Mengting LAI ; Metsawur MEMITIMIN ; Tong LI ; Ping XIAO ; Shulan SU ; Jinao DUAN
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(4):379-390
OBJECTIVE To optimize the deproteinization process of Isatidis Radix polysaccharides and further explore its immu-nomodulatory activity,and to provide a scientific basis for the development and utilization of it.METHODS The optimum conditions of enzymatic deproteinization were optimized by a single factor combined with the Box-Behnken response surface method.The chemical composition and structural characteristics of deproteinized Isatidis Radix polysaccharides were analyzed by UV-visible spectrum,Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy,high-performance gel permeation chromatography,high-performance liquid chromatography and scan-ning electron microscopy.The effects of deproteinized Isatidis Radix Polysaccharide on neutrophils,macrophages,IL-1β and IL-6 in zebrafish were investigated by using a zebrafish immunocompromised model.RESULTS The optimal enzymatic deproteinization process was as follows:trypsin 500 U·mL-1,pH 8.0,enzymatic hydrolysis time 5 h,enzymatic hydrolysis temperature 37℃.The deproteinization rate was(86.39±0.07)%,and the comprehensive score was(91.15±0.37)%.Ultraviolet,infrared spectroscopy scanning and scanning electron microscopy showed that the protein contained in the crude polysaccharide could be removed by enzymat-ic method.The relative molecular weight of the polysaccharides were between 5.82 and 60.26 kDa.The monosaccharide mole compo-sition was mannose ∶ rhamnose ∶ galacturonic acid ∶ glucose ∶ galactose ∶ arabinose=2.17 ∶ 0.96 ∶ 2.90 ∶ 83.25 ∶ 4.88 ∶ 5.84.The results of immune activity evaluation showed that when the concentration of deproteinized Radix Isatidis polysaccharides was 50~300 μg·mL-1,it could significantly increase the density of zebrafish immune cells,increase the number of macrophages,and reduce the content of IL-1β and IL-6 in immunocompromised zebrafish,thus exerting immunomodulatory effects.CONCLUAION The enzy-matic method can effectively remove the proteins contained in the crude polysaccharides of Isatidis Radix,and the deproteinized Isatidis Radix polysaccharides have certain immunomodulatory effects.
6.Study on Network Pharmacological Mechanisms of'Homotherapy for Heteropathy'of Zhigancao Decoction in Treating Coronary Heart Disease Arrhythmia and Pulmonary Fibrosis
Hai-Rui YU ; Lai-Ping WANG ; Qi-Mei DENG ; Chun-Zhao LIU ; Yu-Tong SUI ; Hai-Quan HUANGFU ; Dong WEI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(6):1588-1597
Objective To explore the mechanism of'homotherapy for heteropathy'Zhigancao Decoction in the treatment of coronary heart disease arrhythmia and pulmonary fibrosis by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.Methods All the active components of Zhigancao Decoction were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP)and Herbal Compendium(HERB).The SwissTargetPrediction database was used to predict the targets.Cytoscape software was used to construct the drugs-targets network diagram and network topology analysis was performed to obtain the core drug targets.The disease targets of coronary heart disease,arrhythmia and pulmonary fibrosis were obtained in GeneCards and OMIM databases,and the intersection targets of Chinese medicine and disease were obtained by Venny software.The intersection targets were imported into the STRING online database to construct a protein-protein interaction network,and the data were imported into Cytoscape software for visualization and screening of core targets.Gene ontology(GO)function enrichment analysis and kyto encyclo-pedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis were performed on the intersection targets using the Metascape database.Molecular docking verification and heat map visualization were performed on the core intersection target and the core drug target through the CB-DOCK2 online platform.Results A total of 137 active components of Zhigancao Decoction were screened out,and 848 corresponding drug targets were obtained by removing repeated values.A total of 9 962 targets of coronary heart disease,5 735 targets of arrhythmia and 7 722 targets of pulmonary fibrosis were obtained.A total of 362 drug-disease intersection targets were obtained by Venny platform processing.The potential core targets with higher degree values were GAPDH,IL-6,ALB,STAT3,TNF,MMP-9 and so on by network topology analysis.GO functional enrichment analysis showed that the main biological processes(BP)involved in Zhigancao Decoction'homotherapy for heteropathy'were the response to hormones,the positive regulation of circulatory system process,phosphorus metabolism process,the response to exogenous stimulation,and the response to organic matter,the main cellular components(CC)include lipid rafts,receptor complexes,cytoplasmic perinuclear regions,dendrites,membrane sides,etc.,the main molecular functions(MF)include protein kinase activity,kinase binding,protein homopolymerization activity,nuclear receptor activity,heme binding,etc..KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the main signaling pathways involved in Zhigancao Decoction'homotherapy for heteropathy'were lipid and atherosclerosis,calcium signaling pathway,cAMP signaling pathway,insulin resistance,cGMP-PKG signaling pathway,JAK-STAT signaling pathway,NF-κB signaling pathway,etc..The results of molecular docking suggested that there was a good binding activity between the main active component targets of Zhigancao Decoction and the core targets of'homotherapy for heteropathy'.Conclusion Zhigancao Decoction mainly regulates JAK-STAT,NF-κB,cAMP and other signaling pathways,acts on IL-6,STAT3,TNF,MMP-9 and other gene targets,and exerts the effect of'homotherapy for heteropathy'on coronary heart disease arrhythmia and pulmonary fibrosis.
7.Clinical analysis of osteoarthropathy in 14 cases with progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia
Tong YUE ; Ziqin LIU ; Xue ZHAO ; Yang YANG ; Jianming LAI ; Gaixiu SU ; Jia ZHU ; Fengqi WU
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2024;39(6):440-444
Objective:To summarize the clinical features of 14 cases with clinically and genetically diagnosed progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia(PPRD) and analyze the characteristics of joint lesions caused by PPRD to provide references for clinical diagnosis and treatment of PPRD.Methods:A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data and genetic test data of 14 patients admitted to Children′s Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics and cooperative units, from December 2017 to September 2023.An observational retrospective analysis was performed on hospitalization and follow-up data, and correlation factors were analyzed using the Kendall correlation test.Results:The 14 patients, including 6 males and 8 females, were all Chinese Han children.The average age of onset was 6.12 years(2-11 years), the average age of diagnosis was 10.61 years old(5-17 years old), and the average duration of the disease was 4.46 years(0.5-6.0 years) at diagnosis.The number of joint involvements ranged from 4 to 14, with an average of 9.20.There were 12 patients with claudication as the first symptom.All these 14 children had limited hip mobility and no obvious hip pain.The hip joint imaging indicated that space narrowing occurred in 11 cases, femoral neck shortening in 2 cases, femoral head displacement in 4 cases, and articular surface sclerosis, cystic degeneration or bone destruction in 8 cases.The joints of the four limbs were mainly manifested as enlargement of the proximal interphalangeal joints and metacarpophalangeal joints of both hands.The other joints were knees(11 cases), elbows(8 cases), wrists(7 cases) and ankles(5 cases) in the order of easy involvement, and the shoulder joint was less involved(1 case).The spine was mainly characterized by changes in the curvature, and limited movement was found in 8 cases.Thoracic and lumbar spines were mainly involved(13 cases), while cervical involvement was rare(1 case).The duration of the disease at diagnosis was positively correlated with the number of joint involvements and the number of joint mobility limitations( r=0.584, 0.671; P=0.007, 0.002).In this study, 8 children were misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and the longest misdiagnosis time was 6 years.All the 14 children had CCN6 gene mutations, including 10 complex heterozygous mutations and 4 homozygous mutations.Five children had c. 342T>G and c. 667T>G, 4 children had c. 589 + 2(IVS4)T>C, 3 children had c. 866dup, and 2 children had c. 136C>T and c. 624dupA. Conclusions:PPRD is characterized by multiple joint involvements, among which hip involvement is the most common.The lesions are serious and easily misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis.The number of affected joints increases gradually with the prolongation of the disease course.
8.A phase Ⅱ clinical study of the efficacy and safety of antaitasvir phosphate combined with yiqibuvir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in adults
Lai WEI ; Hongxin PIAO ; Jinglan JIN ; Shufen YUAN ; Xuan AN ; Jia SHANG ; Wenhua ZHANG ; Jiabao CHANG ; Tong SUN ; Yujuan GUAN ; Bo NING ; Jing ZHU ; Wentao GUO ; Qingwei HE ; Lin LUO ; Yulei ZHUANG ; Hongming XIE ; Yingjun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2024;32(7):637-642
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of antaitasvir phosphate 100 mg or 200 mg combined with yiqibuvir for 12 weeks in patients with various genotypes of chronic hepatitis C, without cirrhosis or compensated stage cirrhosis.Methods:Patients with chronic hepatitis C (without cirrhosis or compensated stage cirrhosis) were randomly assigned to the antaitasvir phosphate 100 mg+yiqibuvir 600 mg group (100 mg group) or the antaitasvir phosphate 200 mg+yiqibuvir 600 mg group (200 mg group) in a 1∶1 ratio. The drugs were continuously administered once a day for 12 weeks and observed for 24 weeks after drug withdrawal. The drug safety profile was assessed concurrently with the observation of the sustained virological response (SVR12) in the two patient groups 12 weeks following the drug cessation. The intention-to-treat concept was used to define as closely as possible a full analysis set, including all randomized cases who received the experimental drug at least once. The safety set was collected from all subjects who received the experimental drug at least once (regardless of whether they participated in the randomization group) in this study. All efficacy endpoints and safety profile data were summarized using descriptive statistics. The primary efficacy endpoint was SVR12. The primary analysis was performed on a full analysis set. The frequency and proportion of cases were calculated in the experimental drug group (antaitasvir phosphate capsules combined with yiqibuvir tablets) that achieved "HCV RNA
9.The inhibitory effect of artesunate on hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating expression of GADD45A and NACC1
Guan-Tong SHEN ; Jin-Yao DONG ; Jing FENG ; Nan QIN ; Gen-Lai DU ; Fei ZHU ; Ke LIAN ; Xin-Yu LIU ; Qing-Liang LI ; Xun-Wei ZHANG ; Ru-Yi SHI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1089-1097
Aim To explore the effect and mechanism of the artesunate(ART)on hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The cell lines MHCC-97H and HCC-LM3 were used to be detected.MTT and clone formation were used to determine the cell proliferation;Wound healing was used to detect the cell migration;Transwell was used to test the cell invasion.Flow-cy-tometry was used to detect cell apoptosis and cell cy-cle.RNA-seq and qRT-PCR was used to detect the genes expression.Results The proliferation,migra-tion and invasion of treated cells were obviously inhibi-ted(P<0.01).Moreover,the apoptosis rate in-creased significantly,so did the proportion of G2/M cells.Transcriptomic analysis identified GADD45A as a potential target of ART through RNA-sequencing da-ta,and suggested that ART might induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through regulating the expression of GADD45A.In addition,the results of mechanism studies and signaling analysis suggested that GADD45A had interaction with its upstream gene NACC1(nucle-us accumbens associated 1).Moreover,after ART treatment,the expressions of GADD45A and NACC1 were changed significantly.Conclusion ART may be a potential drug to resist HCC by affecting the expres-sion of GADD45A and its upstream gene NACC1,which provides a new drug,a new direction and a new method for the clinical treatment of HCC.
10.Seasonal impact of diurnal temperature range on intracerebral hemorrhage in middle-aged and elderly people in central China
Shiwen WANG ; Jinyu YIN ; Hao ZHOU ; Jingmin LAI ; Guizhen XIAO ; Zhuoya TONG ; Jing DENG ; Fang YANG ; Qianshan SHI ; Jingcheng SHI
Epidemiology and Health 2024;46(1):e2024053-
OBJECTIVES:
This study investigated the seasonal impact of diurnal temperature range (DTR) on hospitalization rates for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in middle-aged and elderly adults.
METHODS:
We collected data on the DTR and hospitalization records of ≥45-year-old patients with ICH in 2019 in Hunan Province, central China. Time-series analyses were performed using a distributed lag non-linear model.
RESULTS:
Overall, 54,690 hospitalizations for ICH were recorded. DTR showed a non-linear relationship with ICH hospitalization in both middle-aged and elderly populations (45-59 and ≥60 years, respectively). During spring, a low DTR coupled with persistently low temperatures increased ICH risk in both age groups, while a high DTR was associated with an increased risk in the middle-aged group only (relative risk [RR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 1.27). In the summer, a low DTR combined with persistently high temperatures was linked to a higher risk exclusively in the middle-aged group. A high DTR in the autumn was correlated with increased risk in both age groups. In winter, either a low DTR with a continuously low temperature or a high DTR elevated the risk solely in the elderly population (RR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.69). In the elderly group, the impact of DTR on hospitalization risk manifested within a 5-day period.
CONCLUSIONS
The impact of DTR on ICH hospitalization risk differed significantly across seasons and between age groups. Elderly individuals demonstrated greater sensitivity to the impact of DTR. Weather forecasting services should emphasize DTR values, and interventions targeting sensitive populations are needed.

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