1.Research progress of luteolin in ocular diseases
Sijie HE ; Bin GUO ; Wenjun JIANG
International Eye Science 2026;26(4):651-656
Natural flavonoids have attracted considerable attention owing to their favorable biosafety profiles and multiple pharmacological properties in recent years. Luteolin, a representative flavonoid compound, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-angiogenic, and neuroprotective effects in multiple ocular disease models by modulating key signaling pathways, including NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, Nrf2/HO-1, and AGE-RAGE. Accumulating experimental evidence supports the potential application of luteolin in various ocular diseases, including corneal and ocular surface diseases, inflammatory eye diseases, glaucoma, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. However, clinical evidence remains limited. This review systematically summarizes research progress on luteolin in ocular diseases over the past five years, analyzes its molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential, and discusses future directions,so as toprovide a theoretical basis for clinical translation.
2.Cell Autophagy of Digestive System Tumors Induced by Active Ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Wenjun LI ; Chengzhi WANG ; Zhenyao YANG ; Mingyang HE ; Gelei ZHAO ; Dongdong LI ; Peimin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):314-320
As one of the most common malignant tumors, digestive system tumors exhibit an increase in the incidence and mortality year by year. Its pathogenesis is complex, making it difficult to carry out early prevention. Autophagy is a process in which cells use lysosomes to degrade their organelles and macromolecules to maintain cellular homeostasis under the regulation of autophagy-related genes. Cellular autophagy has a dual regulatory effect on the tumor microenvironment, which always affects the occurrence and development of digestive system tumors. Therefore, the effect and mechanism of action of cellular autophagy on digestive system tumors have become a hot topic in tumor therapy in recent years. Meanwhile, the remarkable research results of targeted autophagy drugs indicate that cellular autophagy may become an important target for anti-digestive system tumors. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in the comprehensive treatment of digestive system tumors with good efficacy. A variety of active ingredients in TCM, such as flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, quinones, and alkaloids, can increase the expression of autophagy-associated proteins microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)Ⅱ/Ⅰ, autophagy-related gene (ATG)5, ATG7, inhibit the expression of autophagy-related protein p62 , and induce autophagy in digestive system tumor cells, thereby exerting the anti-digestive system tumor effect. By summarizing the research results in recent years on the modulation of cell autophagy by active ingredients in TCM to fight against digestive system tumors, this paper analyzed the relevant signaling pathways, regulatory factors, and functional characteristics of cell autophagy modulation, so as to elucidate the mechanism by which active ingredients of TCM induce autophagy and to provide ideas and references for clinical application.
3.Cell Autophagy of Digestive System Tumors Induced by Active Ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Wenjun LI ; Chengzhi WANG ; Zhenyao YANG ; Mingyang HE ; Gelei ZHAO ; Dongdong LI ; Peimin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):314-320
As one of the most common malignant tumors, digestive system tumors exhibit an increase in the incidence and mortality year by year. Its pathogenesis is complex, making it difficult to carry out early prevention. Autophagy is a process in which cells use lysosomes to degrade their organelles and macromolecules to maintain cellular homeostasis under the regulation of autophagy-related genes. Cellular autophagy has a dual regulatory effect on the tumor microenvironment, which always affects the occurrence and development of digestive system tumors. Therefore, the effect and mechanism of action of cellular autophagy on digestive system tumors have become a hot topic in tumor therapy in recent years. Meanwhile, the remarkable research results of targeted autophagy drugs indicate that cellular autophagy may become an important target for anti-digestive system tumors. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in the comprehensive treatment of digestive system tumors with good efficacy. A variety of active ingredients in TCM, such as flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, quinones, and alkaloids, can increase the expression of autophagy-associated proteins microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)Ⅱ/Ⅰ, autophagy-related gene (ATG)5, ATG7, inhibit the expression of autophagy-related protein p62 , and induce autophagy in digestive system tumor cells, thereby exerting the anti-digestive system tumor effect. By summarizing the research results in recent years on the modulation of cell autophagy by active ingredients in TCM to fight against digestive system tumors, this paper analyzed the relevant signaling pathways, regulatory factors, and functional characteristics of cell autophagy modulation, so as to elucidate the mechanism by which active ingredients of TCM induce autophagy and to provide ideas and references for clinical application.
4.Buzhong Yiqitang Combined with Cisplatin Inhibits Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Proliferation by Suppressing PDK1/Akt Signaling Pathway and Regulating Glycolysis
He LI ; Sijia BAI ; Wenjun LIU ; Jianguang WANG ; Jialu LYU ; Chun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):1-12
ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of Buzhong Yiqitang combined with cisplatin on the proliferation of human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells through regulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway and influence on glycolysis. MethodsTranscriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) was employed to compare the expression of glycolysis-related genes between A549 cells and cisplatin-resistant human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549/DDP). Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was employed to knock down PDK1, and the knockdown efficiency was verified by Western blot and Read-time PCR. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to assess the survival and viability of A549 cells under the following conditions: siRNA negative control+cisplatin (128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 0 μmol·L-1), siPDK1+cisplatin (128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 0 μmol·L-1), and siPDK1+cisplatin (128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 0 μmol·L-1)+Buzhong Yiqitang (10%)-containing serum. The 20% inhibitory concentration (IC20) of the siRNA negative control+cisplatin group (7.832 μmol·L-1) was calculated and used as the subsequent cisplatin concentration. Colony formation assay was performed to evaluate the proliferation of A549 cells. Lactate and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assay kits were used to measure lactate and ATP production. The mitochondrial membrane potential was detected with the fluorescent probe JC-1. Western blotting was conducted to examine the expression levels of PDK1, phosphorylated (p)-Akt, Akt, pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA). Confocal immunofluorescence was employed to detect PDK1 and p-Akt. ResultsRNA-seq results identified PDK1 as a highly expressed differential gene in glycolysis metabolism between A549 cells and A549/DDP cells, and it was highly expressed in tumor cells. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed upregulated and downregulated genes in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis pathways. Western blot and RT-qPCR confirmed that PDK1-si-2 had the highest transfection efficiency, with a PDK1 knockdown rate exceeding 60%. CCK-8 assay determined the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for each group as (30.698±5.348), (16.372±3.562), (13.237±1.573) μmol·L-1, while the IC20 of cisplatin in siRNA negative control-transfected A549 cells was (7.832±0.672) μmol·L-1. Compared with the siRNA negative control group, the siRNA negative control+cisplatin group showed decreased colony formation rate, reduced lactate production, lowered mitochondrial membrane potential, downregulated protein levels of p-Akt, GLUT1, PDK1, PDH, and LDHA, and reduced PDK1 fluorescence intensity (P<0.05). The siPDK1 group exhibited decreased colony formation rate, reduced lactate production, increased ATP production, lowered mitochondrial membrane potential, downregulated protein levels of p-Akt, PKM2, GLUT1, PDK1, PDH, and LDHA, and reduced PDK1 and p-Akt fluorescence intensity (P<0.05). Compared with the siPDK1 group, the siPDK1+Buzhong Yiqitang group showed decreased colony formation rate, reduced lactate production, downregulated protein levels of PKM2, GLUT1, and PDK1, and reduced PDK1 fluorescence intensity (P<0.05). The siPDK1+cisplatin group exhibited decreased colony formation rate, reduced lactate production, increased ATP production, lowered mitochondrial membrane potential, downregulated protein levels of PKM2, GLUT1, PDK1, and PDH, and reduced PDK1 and p-Akt fluorescence intensity (P<0.05). The siPDK1+cisplatin+Buzhong Yiqitang group demonstrated decreased colony formation rate, reduced lactate production, increased ATP production, lowered mitochondrial membrane potential, downregulated protein levels of p-Akt, PKM2, GLUT1, PDK1, PDH, and LDHA, and reduced PDK1 and p-Akt fluorescence intensity (P<0.05). Compared with the siPDK1+Buzhong Yiqitang group, the siPDK1+cisplatin group showed decreased colony formation rate, downregulated protein levels of p-Akt and PDH, and reduced PDK1 and p-Akt fluorescence intensity (P<0.05). The siPDK1+cisplatin+Buzhong Yiqitang group exhibited decreased colony formation rate, reduced lactate production, increased ATP production, lowered mitochondrial membrane potential, downregulated protein levels of p-Akt, GLUT1, PDH, and LDHA, and reduced PDK1 and p-Akt fluorescence intensity (P<0.05). Compared with the siPDK1+cisplatin group, the siPDK1+cisplatin+Buzhong Yiqitang group showed decreased colony formation rate, increased ATP production, and downregulated protein levels of p-Akt, PKM2, and LDHA (P<0.05). ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang combined with cisplatin can suppress lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation by modulating glycolysis through the PDK1/Akt signaling pathway.
5.Downregulation of ubiquitous microRNA-320 in hepatocytes triggers RFX1-mediated FGF1 suppression to accelerate MASH progression.
Liu YANG ; Wenjun LI ; Yingfen CHEN ; Ru YA ; Shengying QIAN ; Li LIU ; Yawen HAO ; Qiuhong ZAI ; Peng XIAO ; Seonghwan HWANG ; Yong HE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(8):4096-4114
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a severe type of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is a leading etiology of end-stage liver disease worldwide, posing significant health and economic burdens. microRNA-320 (miR-320), a ubiquitously expressed and evolutionarily conserved miRNA, has been reported to regulate lipid metabolism; however, whether and how miR-320 affects MASH development remains unclear. By performing miR-320 in situ hybridization with RNAscope, we observed a notable downregulation of miR-320 in hepatocytes during MASH, correlating with disease severity. Most importantly, miR-320 downregulation in hepatocytes exacerbated MASH progression as demonstrated that hepatocyte-specific miR-320 deficient mice were more susceptible to high-fat, high-fructose, high-cholesterol diet (HFHC) or choline-deficient, amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD)-induced MASH compared with control littermates. Conversely, restoration of miR-320 in hepatocytes ameliorated MASH-related steatosis and fibrosis by injection of adeno-associated virus 8 (AAV8) carrying miR-320 in different types of diet-induced MASH models. Mechanistic studies revealed that miR-320 specifically regulated fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) production in hepatocytes by inhibiting regulator factor X1 (RFX1) expression. Notably, knockdown of Rfx1 in hepatocytes mitigated MASH by enhancing FGF1-mediated AMPK activation. Our findings underscore the therapeutic potential of hepatic miR-320 supplementation in MASH treatment by inhibiting RFX1-mediated FGF1 suppression.
6.Association between temperature and injury death and related excess death burden in Hunan Province
Yiqing XU ; Chunliang ZHOU ; Qianlai SUN ; Donghui JIN ; Jianxiong HU ; Guanhao HE ; Wenjun MA ; Zhihong DENG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(5):528-535
Background Injury poses a serious threat to human health. As global warming continues to intensify, there is an urgent need to explore the impact of temperature changes on injury deaths. However limited research has focused on this issue. Objective To investigate the relationship between daily mean temperature change (Tm) and injury death, as well as to estimate the associated future death burden in Hunan Province. Methods We employed an individual-level, time-stratified case-crossing design to establish a conditional logistic regression model to analyze the exposure-response relationship between daily mean temperature change and injury death in Hunan Province from 2013 to 2018. Consequently, we conducted subgroup analysis of gender, age group, and injury type. Finally, we estimated the excess burden of injury death attributable to temperature changes under a sustainable development path [low emission scenario (SSP1-2.6)], regional competition path [high emission scenario (SSP3-7.0)], or fossil fuel development path [very high emission scenario (SSP5-8.5)]. Results The study collected
7.Yes-associated protein regulates microgravity-induced primary cilia disassembly and osteogenic differentiation inhibition in osteoblasts
Yanan ZHANG ; Junrui HUA ; Tianyi ZHANG ; Wenjun WEI ; Jufang WANG ; Jinpeng HE
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2025;36(1):38-42
Objective To investigate the effects of simulated-microgravity on the osteogenic differentiation,primary cilia status,cytoskeleton structure,and the YAP(Yes-associated protein)expression in primary osteoblasts.Methods Primary osteoblasts were isolated from the skull bones of neonatal Wistar rats and cultured in random positioning machine system to simulate the cellular effects of microgravity.The calcified nodules were stained with Arlizarin to assess the cellular mineralization ability,the primary cilia and cytoskeleton were detected by immunofluorescence staining of Arl13b/γ-Tubulin and α-Tubulin,respectively,and the expression of YAP was measured by western blot.Results The cellular osteogenic differentiation were markedly suppressed after treated with simulated microgravity for 24 h,and the ciliated cells decreased from(58.44±3.65)%to(15.76±1.84)%in parallel with a decline of average cilium length from(3.19±0.51)μm to(1.59±0.46)μm.In addition,simulated microgravity induced disassembly of microtubules.Notably,simulated microgravity interfered YAP expression and the inhibition of YAP into nucleus.Furthermore,knockdown of YAP expression in osteoblasts notably reduced primary cilia expression and inhibited osteogenic differentiation.Conclusion Primary cilia is a key organelle of osteoblasts in sensing microgravity and regulating osteogenic differentiation.Interference with YAP expression and inhibition of nuclear YAP entry may play an important role in the deaggregation of primary cilia induced by microgravity.
8.Advances in epidemiological research on correlation between air pollution, climate change and intrinsic capacity of the elderly
Ziyi LIANG ; Sujuan CHEN ; Guanhao HE ; Wenjun MA
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(8):994-1002
In the context of rapid global aging, the number of vulnerable elderly individuals who are sensitive to climate change and air pollution is increasing rapidly, potentially augmenting the burden of related diseases. The intrinsic capacity (IC) of the elderly refers to the comprehensive ability of individuals in physical, cognitive, and mental health aspects, typically encompassing 5 dimensions: cognitive status, motor ability, mental health, sensory function, and vitality. This article reviewed the advancements in epidemiological research on the effects of air pollution and climate change (including meteorological factors) on the overall intrinsic capacity of the elderly and its various dimensions. The results indicated that pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) are most significantly associated with the decline in the cognitive function and vitality dimensions, and extreme meteorological events like high temperatures are also related to the functional deterioration of each dimension of IC. Nevertheless, the current studies mostly focus on the impact of atmospheric environmental factors on a specific dimension of IC rather than on overall IC, and research on the combined exposure to multiple atmospheric factors is even rarer, and the exploration of associated mechanisms is insufficient. Future research should enhance the investigation of the influence and mechanism of the combined exposure to air pollution and climate change on the dynamic changes of IC, and promote multi-center research and transnational cooperation. This review is conducive to clarifying the potential impact of atmospheric environmental factors on the IC of the elderly, providing a scientific basis for formulating health intervention policies to address climate change and air pollution.
9.Regulation of Gastrointestinal Tumor Stem Cells by Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Chenglei ZHENG ; Chengzhi WANG ; Zhenyao YANG ; Mingyang HE ; Wenjun LI ; Dongdong LI ; Peimin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):280-287
Gastrointestinal tumors (GTs), including colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and esophageal cancer, are increasing in incidence worldwide and have become one of the major diseases threatening human health. Tumor stem cells (TSCs), an undifferentiated subpopulation within tumor tissues, possess biological characteristics such as self-renewal, multidirectional differentiation, high tumorigenicity, and resistance to radiochemotherapy. They play an important role in the occurrence, progression, recurrence, and metastasis of GTs and have increasingly become a research hotspot in GT treatment. Although modern medicine has made remarkable progress, there remain many problems in therapeutic approaches targeting TSCs. In this context, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its favorable safety profile and multi-target mechanisms, has shown potential advantages and value in regulating TSCs. It can reduce TSC drug resistance, enhance the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents, inhibit tumor growth and metastasis, and has shown unique advantages in improving the quality of life and prolonging the survival of GT patients. Studies have found that active components of Chinese medicine, such as terpenoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, glycosides, and quinones, and Chinese medicine compound formulas, including Zuojin pills, Sijunzi decoction, Biejiajian pills, and Xuanfu Daizhe decoction, can inhibit TSCs-related signaling pathways such as the Notch signaling pathway, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway, and the Hippo signaling pathway. They also reduce the expression of TSC surface markers, including sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), sex-determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9), octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), prominin-1 (CD133), cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), cluster of differentiation 24 (CD24), and thyroid transmembrane protein 1 (CD90), thereby hindering TSC differentiation, accelerating their metabolic processes, improving the tumor microenvironment, and consequently inhibiting GT growth. This study collects and analyzes recent research on the regulation of TSCs by TCM in the treatment of GT, aiming to provide a new theoretical basis for tumor therapy with TCM, expand its application in the comprehensive treatment of GT, and offer new therapeutic ideas and methods for clinical practice.
10.Automatic acquisition and analytic procedure of acupuncture manipulation based on optical navigation.
Changshuai ZHANG ; Zihao FENG ; Weichao CHANG ; Weigang MA ; Yongjian WU ; Haiming LI ; Xingfang PAN ; Haiyan REN ; Yangyang LIU ; Zhaoshui HE ; Wenjun TAN
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(10):1383-1390
This paper presents an automatic acquisition and analytic procedure of acupuncture manipulation based on optical navigation, aiming at solving the shortcomings of existing acquisition methods of acupuncture manipulation. An acquisition holder installed at the handle tail of filiform needle was designed to display the movement trajectory of the needle during acupuncture delivery by collecting the movement trajectory of holder. The 3-month old male Bama miniature pig was selected as the experimental subject, and 6 points, "Bojian" "Qiangfeng" "Housanli" "Xiaokua" "Huiyang" (BL35) and "Baihui" (GV20), were selected during acupuncture manipulation. The optical navigation system was used to collect the real-time data, and these data were per-processed and analyzed using mean filtering and Fourier transform. The acupuncture procedure was divided into 3 stages, inserting, lifting-thrusting, and twisting. The results showed that the accuracy was 96.3% at lifting-thrusting stage, and that was 100.0% at twisting stage. The decomposition effect of the entire procedure was satisfactory. This study provides a new approach to the quantitative analysis of acupuncture manipulation. In the future, it needs to further optimize the algorithm and expand the sample size so as to improve the accuracy of this analytic technique.
Acupuncture Therapy/methods*
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Male
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Animals
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Swine
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Acupuncture Points
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Humans
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Swine, Miniature
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Needles

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