1.Early clinical efficacy of Yiqi Tongluo Decoction on ischemic cerebrovascular disease after interventional therapy
Qinghua WANG ; Gesheng WANG ; Ruiping LI ; Can ZHENG ; Wenjing LI ; Jiaqi CHEN ; Kaihang GUO ; Xiaobo DONG ; Wenxin WANG ; Rongjuan GUO ; Le WANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):108-121
Objective:
To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yiqi Tongluo Decoction in the intervention of early traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes after ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) intervention.
Methods:
From October 2020 to July 2023, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to include 60 patients with qi deficiency, blood stasis, and phlegm obstruction syndrome after ICVD interventional therapy. They were assigned to the Yiqi Tongluo Decoction treatment group (30 cases) and the TCM placebo routine treatment control group (30 cases) according to the randomized block design. Both groups received routine standardized treatment of Western medicine, including dual antiplatelet, lipid regulation, and control of risk factors for cerebrovascular disease. The treatment group was treated with Yiqi Tongluo Decoction based on the control group. The course of treatment was 60 days and follow-up was carried out 2 and 6 months after the operation. The improvement of qi deficiency syndrome, blood stasis syndrome, phlegm syndrome score and TCM syndrome score, modified Rankin score (mRS), Barthel index (BI) score, Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) level, incidence of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and ischemic stroke (IS) and incidence of adverse reactions, Head and neck CT angiography (CTA) or digital subtraction angiography (DSA) examination were collected. The clinical efficacy of the patients 2 months after the operation was taken as the main outcome index to preliminarily evaluate the early and long-term efficacy of Yiqi Tongluo Decoction after the ICVD intervention. The early and long-term clinical efficacy and safety of Western medicine standardized treatment combined with TCM Yiqi Tongluo Decoction on patients with qi deficiency, blood stasis and phlegm obstruction syndrome after ICVD intervention were evaluated. The safety of Yiqi Tongluo Decoction in the treatment of patients after ICVD intervention with white blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen (FIB), plasminogen time (PT), recurrence of cerebral ischaemia and restenosis in patients at 2 and 6 months after treatment were evaluated.
Results:
Compared to the control group, the TCM syndrome scores for qi deficiency, blood stasis and phlegm syndrome in the treatment group reduced significantly, the clinical efficacy improved significantly, the mRS score and FABP4 were reduced, and the BI score was increased. Adverse events such as cerebral ischaemia were fewer in the treatment group than in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant; levels of CRP, WBC and PT were reduced, and levels of FIB were reduced at 6 months post-treatment, all P<0.01, and images were intuitively compared. The treatment group was superior to the control group.
Conclusion
Yiqi Tongluo Decoction combined with Western medicine standard treatment can improve the early clinical efficacy of ICVD patients with qi deficiency, blood stasis and phlegm obstruction syndrome after interventional surgery, improve neurological impairment and daily living ability, reduce the state of qi deficiency syndrome, blood stasis syndrome and phlegm syndrome after interventional surgery, and improve the clinical efficacy of TCM. At the same time, it can reduce the level of FABP4, the target of atherosclerosis and restenosis after interventional surgery, reduce the level of inflammation after interventional surgery in patients with ICVD, regulate coagulation function, and reduce the incidence of long-term recurrence of cerebral ischemia after interventional surgery, with good safety.
2.Effect and mechanism of gallic acid on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells
Zhiru WANG ; Wenjing ZHAO ; Xi CHEN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(3):493-498
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of gallic acid (GA) on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and its mechanism. MethodsHepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of GA (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 μg/mL) for 24 and 48 hours, and CCK8 assay was used to measure cell viability and calculate IC50. The experiment was divided into control group (HepG2 cells), 5 μg/mL GA group, 10 μg/mL GA group, and 20 μg/mL GA group. Plate colony formation assay was used to evaluate the effect of GA on cell proliferation; wound healing assay and Transwell chamber assay were used to observe the effect of GA on cell migration and invasion; flow cytometry was used to observe the effect of GA on cell apoptosis; Western blot was used to measure the expression of matrix metallopeptidase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), and apoptosis-related proteins. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsThe mean IC50 value of GA on HepG2 cells was 38.02±2.58 μg/mL at 24 hours and 18.36±1.54 μg/mL at 48 hours. The number of cell colonies was 239.00±29.45 in the control group, 210.00±19.00 in the 5 μg/mL GA group, 144.33±16.03 in the 10 μg/mL GA group, and 57.00±9.55 in the 20 μg/mL GA group, suggesting that compared with the control group, each GA group had a significant reduction in cell colony formation ability (all P<0.05). After 24 hours of treatment, the cell migration rate was 42.62%± 7.82% in the control group, 35.34%±6.42% in the 5 μg/mL GA group, 21.85%±4.42% in the 10 μg/mL GA group, and 12.57%± 3.54% in the 20 μg/mL GA group, respectively, in these four groups, and the number of transmembrane cells in these four groups was 230.30±15.30, 182.12±12.60, 137.20±7.50, and 124.40±6.80, respectively, suggesting that compared with the control group, each GA group had significant reductions in migration rate and the number of transmembrane cells (all P<0.05). After 48 hours of treatment, the cell apoptotic rate was 0.67%±0.08% in the control group, 13.27%±1.07% in the 5 μg/mL GA group, 20.94%± 2.45% in the 10 μg/mL GA group, and 40.74%±2.63% in the 20 μg/mL GA group, and compared with the control group, each GA group had a significant increase in cell apoptosis rate (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, each GA group had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 (all P<0.05) and significant increases in the protein expression levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 (all P<0.05). ConclusionGA can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HepG2 cells and promote the apoptosis of HepG2 cells, possibly by regulating MMP-2, MMP-9, and the apoptosis-related proteins Bax/Bcl-2.
3.A real world study on the effectiveness and safety of deu-cravacitinib in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in China.
Yi ZHANG ; Tongyao CHEN ; Wenjing PAN ; Zhiming LI
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2025;54(5):653-660
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of deucravacitinib in Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
METHODS:
This retrospective study included 41 patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis treated with deu-cravacitinib 6 mg once daily for 16 weeks at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between January and September 2024. Effectiveness was assessed by the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), static physician's global assessment (sPGA), palmoplantar psoriasis area and severity index (PPASI), modified nail psoriasis severity index (mNAPSI), and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) at baseline, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after treatment. Adverse events during treatment were recorded. Laboratory parameters, including complete blood count, liver and kidney function, electrolytes, and lipids, were assessed at baseline, 8, 16 weeks after treatment to evaluate safety. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore factors associated with achieving PASI75 at week 16, using baseline characteristics as independent variables.
RESULTS:
Significant reductions from baseline in PASI and DLQI scores were observed from week 4 through week 16 (all P<0.01). Overall response rates for PASI75, PASI90, PASI100, sPGA 0 or 1 grade, and DLQI 0 or 1 point increased progressively over the treatment period. 75, 90, and 100 refer to a score reduction of at least 75%, at least 90%, and 100%, respectively, from baseline. Response rates of PASI75, PASI90, PASI100 for the scalp, limbs, and trunk, PPASI75, PPASI90, PPASI100 for palmoplantar lesions, and mNAPSI75, mNAPSI90 for nail lesions increased progressively over time but with different trends. Scalp lesions improved most markedly from week 4, followed by the limbs, whereas improvements in trunk and palmoplantar lesions were relatively slower. Nail lesions responded more slowly, with only 20% of patients achieving marked improve-ment at week 16. Deucravacitinib demonstrated good tolerability and compatibility with concomitant medications. No severe adverse events were reported, indicating a favorable safety profile. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed no significant association between the achievement of PASI75 response at week 16 and patient age, body mass index, disease duration, or baseline PASI, sPGA, or DLQI scores (all P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
In this real world study of Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, deucravacitinib demonstrated favorable effectiveness and safety over 16 weeks of treatment.
Humans
;
Psoriasis/drug therapy*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
China
;
Adult
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Severity of Illness Index
;
Quality of Life
;
Aged
4.Itaconic acid alleviates macrophage PANoptosis in sepsis-associated acute lung injury via inhibiting ninjurin-1-mediated plasma membrane rupture.
Mengrui CHEN ; Xiaohua TAN ; Wenjing ZHONG ; Hanxi SHA ; Liying LIANG ; Shaokun LIU
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(6):970-985
OBJECTIVES:
Sepsis-associated acute lung injury (S-ALI) is one of the major causes of death in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, yet its mechanisms remain incompletely understood and effective therapies are lacking. Lytic cell death of macrophages is a key driver of the inflammatory cascade in S-ALI. PANoptosis, a newly recognized form of lytic cell death characterized by PANoptosome assembly and activation, involves plasma membrane rupture (PMR) mediated by ninjurin-1 (NINJ1), a recently identified pore-forming protein. Itaconic acid is known for its anti-inflammatory effects, but its role in macrophage PANoptosis during S-ALI is unclear. This study aims to investigate the protective effect of itaconic acid on macrophage PANoptosis in S-ALI to provide new therapeutic insights.
METHODS:
Male specific-pathogen-free C57BL/6J mice (6-8 weeks, 18-20 g) received intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish a classical S-ALI model. Western blotting was used to assess PANoptosome-related proteins and enzymes involved in the itaconic acid metabolic pathway, while real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and metabolomics quantified itaconic acid levels. Primary peritoneal macrophages (PMs) were pretreated with the itaconate derivative 4-octyl itaconate (4-OI) and then exposed to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) plus interferon gamma (IFN-γ) to induce PANoptosis. Cell viability was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Western blotting was employed to quantify enzymes of the itaconate-metabolic pathway in PANoptotic macrophages, to evaluate the impact of 4-OI on PANoptosome-associated proteins, and to determine NINJ1 abundance in lung tissues from S-ALI mice and in PANoptotic macrophages. Fluorescent dye FM4-64 was used to visualize 4-OI-mediated changes in PMR, whereas immunofluorescence staining mapped the effect of 4-OI on both the expression level and membrane localization of NINJ1 in PANoptotic macrophages. The effect of 4-OI on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in culture supernatants and peripheal blood serum was assessed using a LDH assay kit, and non-denataring polyacylamide gel electrophoresis was used to assess the expression of NINJ1 in S-ALI mouse lung tissues and the impact of 4-OI on the expression of PANoptosis-associated NINJ1 multimeric reflected protein in macropahges.
RESULTS:
In S-ALI mouse lungs, PANoptosome components [NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3), Gasdermin D (GSDMD), Caspase-1, Z-DNA binding protein (ZBP1), and Caspase-3] and phosphorylated mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) S345 were significantly upregulated (all P<0.05), while metabolomics showed compensatory increases in itaconic acid and its key enzymes [aconitate decarboxylase 1 (ACOD1)/immunoresponsive gene 1 (IRG1)]. In macrophages, 4-OI obviously suppressed PANoptosome protein expression, reduced LDH release, restored plasma membrane integrity, and inhibited NINJ1 expression and oligomerization at the membrane (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Itaconic acid may alleviate macrophage PANoptosis in S-ALI by inhibiting NINJ1-mediated plasma membrane rupture. Targeting NINJ1 or enhancing itaconate pathways may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for S-ALI.
Animals
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Acute Lung Injury/pathology*
;
Succinates/pharmacology*
;
Sepsis/complications*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Male
;
Mice
;
Macrophages/pathology*
;
Cell Membrane/metabolism*
;
Lipopolysaccharides
;
Hydro-Lyases
5.Analysis of cochlear reimplantation surgery and factors influencing postoperative auditory and speech function.
Qingling BI ; Zhongyan CHEN ; Yong LYU ; Wenjing YANG ; Xiaoyu XU ; Yan LI ; Yuan LI
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(5):419-424
Objective:The aim of this study was to present an institution's experience with cochlear reimplantation(CRI), to assess surgical challenges and post-operative outcomes and to increase the success rate of CRI. Methods:We retrospectively evaluated data from 76 reimplantation cases treated in a tertiary center between 2001 and 2022. Clinical features include caused of CRI, type of failure, surgical issues, and auditory speech performance were analyzed. Categorical Auditory Performance (CAP) and Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) scores were used to evaluate pre-and post-CRI outcomes. Our center's consecutive cohort of 1 126 patients had seven patients, while 69 patients were from other cochlear implant centers. Device failure was the most common cause of CRI(68/76), with the remaining cases including flap complications(3/76), magnet displacement(3/76), secondary meningitis(1/76), and foreign bodies around the implant(1/76). Postoperative auditory and speech outcome improved in 31.6%(24/76) of patients, remained unchanged in 63.2%(48/76), and decreased in CAP and SIR scores in 5.2%(4/76) of patients. Postoperatively, the seven patients with cochlear ossification and fibrosis scored lower on the overall CAP and SIR scale than non-ossification individuals, which is a significant factor in surgical success rates and auditory-speech outcomes. Conclusion:CRI surgery is a challenging but relatively safe procedure, and most reimplanted patients experience favorable postoperative outcomes. Medical complications and intracochlear damage are the main causes of poor postoperative results. Therefore, minimally invasive CI has a positive significance for reducing the difficulty of CRI surgery and improving the CI performance.
Humans
;
Cochlear Implantation/methods*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Cochlear Implants
;
Male
;
Female
;
Postoperative Period
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Adult
;
Speech
;
Middle Aged
;
Postoperative Complications
;
Replantation
;
Cochlea/surgery*
6.Erratum: Author correction to "Up-regulation of glyclipid transfer protein by bicyclol causes spontaneous restriction of hepatitis C virus replication" Acta Pharm Sin B 9 (2019) 769-781.
Menghao HUANG ; Hu LI ; Rong XUE ; Jianrui LI ; Lihua WANG ; Junjun CHENG ; Zhouyi WU ; Wenjing LI ; Jinhua CHEN ; Xiaoqin LV ; Qiang LI ; Pei LAN ; Limin ZHAO ; Yongfeng YANG ; Zonggen PENG ; Jiandong JIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1721-1721
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.01.013.].
7.Extracellular vesicles as biomarkers and drug delivery systems for tumor.
Xue WANG ; Wenjing CHEN ; Wei ZENG ; Kuanhan FENG ; Yu ZHENG ; Ping WANG ; Fucai CHEN ; Wen ZHANG ; Liuqing DI ; Ruoning WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3460-3486
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are crucial for facilitating intercellular communication, promoting cell migration, and orchestrating the immune response. Recently, EVs can diagnose and treat tumors. EVs can be measured as biomarkers to provide information about the type of disease and therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, EVs with lower immunogenicity and better biocompatibility are natural carriers of chemicals and gene drugs. Herein, we review the molecular composition, biogenesis, and separation methods of EVs. We also highlight the important role of EVs from different origins as biomarkers and drug delivery systems in tumor therapy. Finally, we provide deep insights into how EVs play a role in reversing the immunosuppressive microenvironment.
8.Artificial mesenchymal stem cell extracellular vesicles enhanced ischemic stroke treatment through targeted remodeling brain microvascular endothelial cells.
Shengnan LI ; Wei LV ; Jiangna XU ; Jiaqing YIN ; Yuqin CHEN ; Linfeng LIU ; Xiang CAO ; Wenjing LI ; Zhen LI ; Hua CHEN ; Hongliang XIN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(8):4248-4264
Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide. The blood‒brain barrier (BBB) is the first line of defense after ischemic stroke. Disruption of the BBB induced by brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) dysfunction is a key event that triggers secondary damage to the central nervous system, where blood-borne fluids and immune cells penetrate the brain parenchyma, causing cerebral edema and inflammatory response and further aggravating brain damage. Here, we develop a novel artificial mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) extracellular vesicles by integrating MSC membrane proteins into liposomal bilayers, which encapsulated miR-132-3p with protective effects on BMECs. The artificial extracellular vesicles (MSCo/miR-132-3p) had low immunogenicity to reduce non-specific clearance by the mononuclear phagocytosis system (MPS) and could target ischemia-injured BMECs. After internalization into the damaged BMECs, MSCo/miR-132-3p escaped the lysosomes via the HII phase transition of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) and decreased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis levels by regulating the RASA1/RAS/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) models, MSCo/miR-132-3p targeted impaired brain regions (approximately 9 times the accumulation of plain liposomes at 12 h), reduced cerebral vascular disruption, protected BBB integrity, and decreased infarct volume (from 44.95% to 6.99%).
9.Discovery and proof-of-concept study of a novel highly selective sigma-1 receptor agonist for antipsychotic drug development.
Wanyu TANG ; Zhixue MA ; Bang LI ; Zhexiang YU ; Xiaobao ZHAO ; Huicui YANG ; Jian HU ; Sheng TIAN ; Linghan GU ; Jiaojiao CHEN ; Xing ZOU ; Qi WANG ; Fan CHEN ; Guangying LI ; Chaonan ZHENG ; Shuliu GAO ; Wenjing LIU ; Yue LI ; Wenhua ZHENG ; Mingmei WANG ; Na YE ; Xuechu ZHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5346-5365
Sigma-1 receptor (σ 1R) has become a focus point of drug discovery for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. A series of novel 1-phenylethan-1-one O-(2-aminoethyl) oxime derivatives were synthesized. In vitro biological evaluation led to the identification of 1a, 14a, 15d and 16d as the most high-affinity (K i < 4 nmol/L) and selective σ 1R agonists. Among these, 15d, the most metabolically stable derivative exhibited high selectivity for σ 1R in relation to σ 2R and 52 other human targets. In addition to low CYP450 inhibition and induction, 15d also exhibited high brain permeability and excellent oral bioavailability. Importantly, 15d demonstrated effective antipsychotic potency, particularly for alleviating negative symptoms and improving cognitive impairment in experimental animal models, both of which are major challenges for schizophrenia treatment. Moreover, 15d produced no significant extrapyramidal symptoms, exhibiting superior pharmacological profiles in relation to current antipsychotic drugs. Mechanistically, 15d inhibited GSK3β and enhanced prefrontal BDNF expression and excitatory synaptic transmission in pyramidal neurons. Collectively, these in vivo proof-of-concept findings provide substantial experimental evidence to demonstrate that modulating σ 1R represents a potential new therapeutic approach for schizophrenia. The novel chemical entity along with its favorable drug-like and pharmacological profile of 15d renders it a promising candidate for treating schizophrenia.
10.Engineered plant extracellular vesicles: Emerging nanoplatforms for combinational cancer immunotherapy.
Fucai CHEN ; Rongrong BAO ; Wanyi YANG ; Yijing LU ; Jiaxin GUO ; Wenjing CHEN ; Jiale LI ; Kuanhan FENG ; Wen ZHANG ; Liuqing DI ; Liang FENG ; Ruoning WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(11):5663-5701
Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs), describe a group of nanoparticles released by plants. These particles are characterized by a lipid bilayer structure containing various proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and unique metabolites. Although the study on PDEVs is relatively new, having only been around for ten years, they have shown promising development prospects in both basic research and clinical transformation areas. Evidence suggests that PDEVs have excellent application prospects in regulating inflammation and treating tumors. Their distinctive, vesicle-mimicking architecture and stellar biocompatibility render them prime candidates for ferrying various anti-cancer agents, including RNA, proteins, and conventional chemotherapy drugs. Increasingly, studies have shown that PDEVs can be engineered as an innovative platform for combination cancer immunotherapy. Consequently, this paper provides an extensive summary of current developments in engineering methods and strategies for PDEVs in cancer treatment and combined cancer immune therapeutics. The essential characteristics of PDEVs, including the biogenesis process and components, as well as their anti-tumor activity and mechanism, are summarized. Finally, the in vivo safety of PDEVs as delivery vectors and the challenges of scale-up production and clinical transformation are discussed.


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