1.Ameliorative effects and mechanisms of Buyang huanwu decoction and its active fractions on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Jinbiao YANG ; Xingtong CHEN ; Yunyue ZHOU ; Ruihong YANG ; Qiao WANG ; Shuang XUE ; Yukun ZHANG ; Wenying NIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(3):299-304
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Buyang huanwu decoction (BYHWD) and its active fractions in ameliorating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. METHODS BYHWD and its effective fractions obtained through ethanol precipitation, as well as 30% ethanol, 50% ethanol, and 75% ethanol fractions (namely, the CC effective fraction, 30YC effective fraction, 50YC effective fraction, and 75YC effective fraction), were prepared. These preparations were administered to rats via intragastric administration to prepare corresponding drug-containing serum (blank serum and simvastatin-containing serum were prepared using the same protocol). Human L02 hepatocytes were divided into control group, model group, simvastatin-containing serum group, BYHWD-containing serum group, CC-containing serum group, 30YC-containing serum group, 50YC-containing serum group, and 75YC-containing serum group. Except for the control group, other groups were given 0.2 mol/L oleic acid for 24 h to induce a lipid accumulation model, and then intervened with 20% drug-containing serum/blank serum for 24 h. The lipid deposition in cells was observed, and the proportion of lipid droplet area was calculated; the levels of triglycerides (TG) and indicators of oxidative stress [malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD)] as well as liver function [alanine amino- transferase (ALT), aspartate amino-transferase (AST)] in cells were detected; protein and mRNA expressions of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1)/glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) signaling pathway were also measured. RESULTS Compared with the control group, cells in the model group exhibited severe cellular steatosis, with a significantly increased proportion of lipid droplet area, as well as the elevated levels of TG, ALT, AST, and MDA in cells, along with significantly up-regulated mRNA and protein expression levels of SREBP-1 and GPAT (P<0.05). The level of SOD, mRNA expression of AMPK, as well as the protein phosphorylation level of AMPK were decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, cellular steatosis was alleviated in all drug-containing serum groups, and the levels of most of the aforementioned quantitative indicators were significantly reversed (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS BYHWD and its active fractions can exert a therapeutic effect on improving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating the AMPK/SREBP-1/GPAT signaling pathway, inhibiting oxidative stress responses, and reducing lipid deposition.
2.Discovery of selective HDAC6 inhibitors driven by artificial intelligence and molecular dynamics simulation approaches
Xingang LIU ; Hao YANG ; Xinyu LIU ; Minjie MOU ; Jie LIU ; Wenying YAN ; Tianle NIU ; Ziyang ZHANG ; He SHI ; Xiangdong SU ; Xuedong LI ; Yang ZHANG ; Qingzhong JIA
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(8):1860-1872
Increasing evidence showed that histone deacetylase 6(HDAC6)dysfunction is directly associated with the onset and progression of various diseases,especially cancers,making the development of HDAC6-targeted anti-tumor agents a research hotspot.In this study,artificial intelligence(AI)technology and molecular simulation strategies were fully integrated to construct an efficient and precise drug screening pipeline,which combined Voting strategy based on compound-protein interaction(CPI)prediction models,cascade molecular docking,and molecular dynamic(MD)simulations.The biological potential of the screened compounds was further evaluated through enzymatic and cellular activity assays.Among the identified compounds,Cmpd.18 exhibited more potent HDAC6 enzyme inhibitory activity(IC50=5.41 nM)than that of tubastatin A(TubA)(IC50=15.11 nM),along with a favorable subtype selectivity profile(selectivity index ≈ 117.23 for HDAC1),which was further verified by the Western blot analysis.Additionally,Cmpd.18 induced G2/M phase arrest and promoted apoptosis in HCT-116 cells,exerting desirable antiproliferative activity(IC50=2.59 μM).Furthermore,based on long-term MD simulation trajectory,the key residues facilitating Cmpd.18's binding were identified by decomposition free energy analysis,thereby elucidating its binding mechanism.Moreover,the representative conformation analysis also indicated that Cmpd.18 could stably bind to the active pocket in an effective conformation,thus demonstrating the potential for in-depth research of the 2-(2-phenoxyethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one scaffold.
3.Discovery of selective HDAC6 inhibitors driven by artificial intelligence and molecular dynamics simulation approaches.
Xingang LIU ; Hao YANG ; Xinyu LIU ; Minjie MOU ; Jie LIU ; Wenying YAN ; Tianle NIU ; Ziyang ZHANG ; He SHI ; Xiangdong SU ; Xuedong LI ; Yang ZHANG ; Qingzhong JIA
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(8):101338-101338
Increasing evidence showed that histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) dysfunction is directly associated with the onset and progression of various diseases, especially cancers, making the development of HDAC6-targeted anti-tumor agents a research hotspot. In this study, artificial intelligence (AI) technology and molecular simulation strategies were fully integrated to construct an efficient and precise drug screening pipeline, which combined Voting strategy based on compound-protein interaction (CPI) prediction models, cascade molecular docking, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The biological potential of the screened compounds was further evaluated through enzymatic and cellular activity assays. Among the identified compounds, Cmpd.18 exhibited more potent HDAC6 enzyme inhibitory activity (IC50 = 5.41 nM) than that of tubastatin A (TubA) (IC50 = 15.11 nM), along with a favorable subtype selectivity profile (selectivity index ≈ 117.23 for HDAC1), which was further verified by the Western blot analysis. Additionally, Cmpd.18 induced G2/M phase arrest and promoted apoptosis in HCT-116 cells, exerting desirable antiproliferative activity (IC50 = 2.59 μM). Furthermore, based on long-term MD simulation trajectory, the key residues facilitating Cmpd.18's binding were identified by decomposition free energy analysis, thereby elucidating its binding mechanism. Moreover, the representative conformation analysis also indicated that Cmpd.18 could stably bind to the active pocket in an effective conformation, thus demonstrating the potential for in-depth research of the 2-(2-phenoxyethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one scaffold.
4.Progress in mechanism of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A re-ductase
Xingtong CHEN ; Jinbiao YANG ; Yunyue ZHOU ; Shuaihu YANG ; Ruihong YANG ; Shijian FANG ; Yuxue MA ; Wenying NIU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(4):791-797
Cholesterol is a crucial lipid in the human body.Elevated levels of cholesterol can result in condi-tions such as hypercholesterolemia.3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase(HMGCR)serves as a pivotal en-zyme in the synthesis of cholesterol,acting as a rate-limiting factor.As a result,HMGCR plays a critical role in maintain-ing cholesterol balance,with the regulatory processes being intricate in vivo.This review outlines the advancements in un-derstanding the regulatory mechanisms of HMGCR,encompassing transcriptional control,degradation pathways,and en-zyme activity.
5.Safety and long-term efficacy of transvaginal reconstructive pelvic surgery for severe pelvic organ prolapse in elderly women aged 70 years and over
Xiaolan ZHANG ; Yongxian LU ; Wenjie SHEN ; Ying ZHAO ; Ke NIU ; Wenying WANG ; Lin QIN ; Jiajia YAN
Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2025;60(8):627-636
Objective:To explore the safety and long-term efficacy of transvaginal reconstructive pelvic surgery (TVRPS) in ≥70-year-old women with severe pelvic organ prolapse (POP).Methods:A single-center, prospective cohort study was conducted on 343 elderly women patients with severe POP who received TVRPS at the Fourth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Medical School of Chinese PLA from March 2007 to September 2024. There were 297 cases (86.6%, 297/343) of Ⅲ degree and 46 cases (13.4%, 46/343) of Ⅳ degree prolapse respectively. Among them, anterior pelvic prolapse accounted for 80.8% (277/343), and those with prolapse in two or more sites accounted for 30.0% (103/343). The age was (74.2±3.4) years (range: 70 to 89 years old). There were 300 cases (87.5%, 300/343) with more than one internal medicine disease. Preoperative general conditions were assessed using American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification system (ASA) and American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-frailty index (ACS NSQIP-FI). TVRPS surgeries included transvaginal hysterectomy, salpingooophorectomy, high uterosacral ligament suspension, sacrospinous ligament fixation, native tissue and mesh repair of the anterior and posterior vaginal walls, mid-urethral sling for anti-urinary incontinence, and levator anal muscle folding suture and perineal repair. Perioperative complications were evaluated using Clavien-Dindo classification system. The objective effect of TVRPS was determined based on pelvic organ prolapse quantification system (POP-Q), and the subjective results were evaluated using pelvic floor distress inventory-short form 20 (PFDI-20), pelvic floor impact questionnaire-short form 7 (PFIQ-7) and patient global impression of improvement (PGI-I).Results:All patients had a preoperative ASA grade of ≤gradeⅡ, and ACS NSQIP-FI score of ≤0.27. All patients safely and successfully underwent all TVRPS surgeries. The operation time was (154.2±43.2) minutes. The perioperative morbidity and mortality rate were 0.6% (2/343) and 0 (0/343) respectively. None of the patient needed blood transfusion. The follow-up time was (7.5±4.3) years, with the longest being 17 years. Thirty-four cases (9.9%, 34/343) were lost to follow-up, and 22 cases (6.4%, 22/343) died of internal diseases during the follow-up period. The point values of Aa, Ba, C, Ap and Bp in the POP-Q system were significantly decreased after the operation (all P<0.01), the genital hiatus was significantly shortened (all P<0.01), and the perineal body was significantly elongated (all P<0.01). The scores of PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 were significantly lower than those before the operation (all P<0.01). There were 332 cases (96.8%, 332/343) with an overall symptom impression improvement score of PGI-I≤2. Conclusion:The results on 343 elderly women with severe POP aged an average of 74.2 years show that for elderly POP patients who still have the desire to preserve the vagina and do not meet the conditions for colpocleisis, as long as there is a comprehensive understanding and strict evaluation of the overall condition before the operation, TVRPS is a safe, feasible and long-lasting therapeutic procedure.
6.Safety and long-term efficacy of transvaginal reconstructive pelvic surgery for severe pelvic organ prolapse in elderly women aged 70 years and over
Xiaolan ZHANG ; Yongxian LU ; Wenjie SHEN ; Ying ZHAO ; Ke NIU ; Wenying WANG ; Lin QIN ; Jiajia YAN
Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2025;60(8):627-636
Objective:To explore the safety and long-term efficacy of transvaginal reconstructive pelvic surgery (TVRPS) in ≥70-year-old women with severe pelvic organ prolapse (POP).Methods:A single-center, prospective cohort study was conducted on 343 elderly women patients with severe POP who received TVRPS at the Fourth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Medical School of Chinese PLA from March 2007 to September 2024. There were 297 cases (86.6%, 297/343) of Ⅲ degree and 46 cases (13.4%, 46/343) of Ⅳ degree prolapse respectively. Among them, anterior pelvic prolapse accounted for 80.8% (277/343), and those with prolapse in two or more sites accounted for 30.0% (103/343). The age was (74.2±3.4) years (range: 70 to 89 years old). There were 300 cases (87.5%, 300/343) with more than one internal medicine disease. Preoperative general conditions were assessed using American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification system (ASA) and American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-frailty index (ACS NSQIP-FI). TVRPS surgeries included transvaginal hysterectomy, salpingooophorectomy, high uterosacral ligament suspension, sacrospinous ligament fixation, native tissue and mesh repair of the anterior and posterior vaginal walls, mid-urethral sling for anti-urinary incontinence, and levator anal muscle folding suture and perineal repair. Perioperative complications were evaluated using Clavien-Dindo classification system. The objective effect of TVRPS was determined based on pelvic organ prolapse quantification system (POP-Q), and the subjective results were evaluated using pelvic floor distress inventory-short form 20 (PFDI-20), pelvic floor impact questionnaire-short form 7 (PFIQ-7) and patient global impression of improvement (PGI-I).Results:All patients had a preoperative ASA grade of ≤gradeⅡ, and ACS NSQIP-FI score of ≤0.27. All patients safely and successfully underwent all TVRPS surgeries. The operation time was (154.2±43.2) minutes. The perioperative morbidity and mortality rate were 0.6% (2/343) and 0 (0/343) respectively. None of the patient needed blood transfusion. The follow-up time was (7.5±4.3) years, with the longest being 17 years. Thirty-four cases (9.9%, 34/343) were lost to follow-up, and 22 cases (6.4%, 22/343) died of internal diseases during the follow-up period. The point values of Aa, Ba, C, Ap and Bp in the POP-Q system were significantly decreased after the operation (all P<0.01), the genital hiatus was significantly shortened (all P<0.01), and the perineal body was significantly elongated (all P<0.01). The scores of PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 were significantly lower than those before the operation (all P<0.01). There were 332 cases (96.8%, 332/343) with an overall symptom impression improvement score of PGI-I≤2. Conclusion:The results on 343 elderly women with severe POP aged an average of 74.2 years show that for elderly POP patients who still have the desire to preserve the vagina and do not meet the conditions for colpocleisis, as long as there is a comprehensive understanding and strict evaluation of the overall condition before the operation, TVRPS is a safe, feasible and long-lasting therapeutic procedure.
7.Progress in mechanism of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A re-ductase
Xingtong CHEN ; Jinbiao YANG ; Yunyue ZHOU ; Shuaihu YANG ; Ruihong YANG ; Shijian FANG ; Yuxue MA ; Wenying NIU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(4):791-797
Cholesterol is a crucial lipid in the human body.Elevated levels of cholesterol can result in condi-tions such as hypercholesterolemia.3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase(HMGCR)serves as a pivotal en-zyme in the synthesis of cholesterol,acting as a rate-limiting factor.As a result,HMGCR plays a critical role in maintain-ing cholesterol balance,with the regulatory processes being intricate in vivo.This review outlines the advancements in un-derstanding the regulatory mechanisms of HMGCR,encompassing transcriptional control,degradation pathways,and en-zyme activity.
8.Lower urinary tract injury in transvaginal reconstructive pelvic surgery
Wenjie SHEN ; Yongxian LU ; Ke NIU ; Yinghui ZHANG ; Wenying WANG ; Ying ZHAO ; Jing GE ; Xiaolan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2024;59(2):130-134
Objective:To explore the characteristics, prevention and treatment strategies of lower urinary tract injury in transvaginal reconstructive pelvic surgery (vRPS).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 24 patients who suffered lower urinary tract injuries occuring in vRPS from January 2005 to June 2021, among which 4 cases were referred to our hospital from other hospitals.Results:(1) In our hospital, 1 952 patients underwent vRPS for anterior and (or) middle pelvic organ prolapse during that study period, with a 1.0% (20/1 952) incidence of lower urinary tract injuries occurring in 20 cases. (2) Ureteral injuries were observed in 14 cases who underwent transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension (1.4%, 14/966). The symptoms were relieved after the removal of sutures. (3) Bladder injuries occurred in 6 cases in our hospital, with 4 cases (0.7%, 4/576) in anterior transvaginal mesh surgery (aTVM), one (0.4%, 1/260) in colpocleisis, and one (0.7%, 1/150) in apical suspension for fornix prolapse. An additional 4 cases of bladder injury were referred to our hospital after aTVM. Among the 8 cases of bladder injury during aTVM, 2 cases were intraoperative incidents. Cystoscopy confirmed that the superficial branch or puncture rod of anterior vaginal mesh had penetrated into the bladder. Re-puncturing and placement of the mesh were successfully performed. No abnormalities were observed during a follow-up period of 4-5 years. Postoperative bladder injuries were identified in 6 cases, characterized by mesh erosion into the bladder and formation of calculi. These injuries were confirmed between 6 months to 2 years after vRPS. The exposed mesh and calculi in the bladder were removed through laparotomy or cystoscopy, followed up for 2-12 years. One case experienced slight re-erosion of mesh to the bladder.Conclusions:Lower urinary tract injuries are difficult to avoid in vRPS, particularly in transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension and aTVM. However, the incidence is low. Lower urinary tract injuries during vRPS could be easily detected and managed intraoperatively because of the use of cystoscopy. As long-term postoperative complications, erosion of transvaginal mesh to lower urinary tract postoperatively could be treated correctly, seldom with severe sequelae.
9.Effect of Buyang huanwu decoction on red blood cells in hyperlipidemia model mice
Yunyue ZHOU ; Jinbiao YANG ; Xintong CHEN ; Ruihong YANG ; Hongbin XIAO ; Wenying NIU
China Pharmacy 2024;35(22):2716-2720
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Buyang huanwu decoction on red blood cells in hyperlipidemia model mice. METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet to prepare a hyperlipidemia model. Successfully modeled mice were randomly assigned to the model group, atorvastatin calcium group (0.26 g/kg), fenofibrate group (1.3 mg/kg), and high-, medium-, and low- dose groups of Buyang huanwu decoction (18.6, 9.3, 4.6 g/kg), with 10 mice in each group. Additionally, 10 mice fed with regular chow served as the normal group. Each group of mice received intragastric administration with the corresponding drug or normal saline once daily for 21 consecutive days. After the last administration, the body weight of the mice in each group was measured, and blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TAG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were measured. Red blood cell morphology changes were observed, and the expression levels of glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1), erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.2 (protein 4.2), caveolin-1, and flotillin-1 in erythrocyte membrane were determined. RESULTS Compared with the model group, the body weight and levels of TC, TAG, HDL-C, LDL-C, and the expression levels of GLUT1, caveolin-1 and flotillin-1 in the Buyang huanwu decoction groups were significantly decreased, while blood glucose levels and the expression levels of protein 4.2 were significantly increased (P<0.05). The red blood cell morphology in the low- and medium-dose groups of Buyang huanwu decoction was significantly promoted. CONCLUSIONS Buyang huanwu decoction can reduce blood lipid levels in hyperlipidemia model mice and strengthen the morphology and function of red blood cells in a hyperlipidemic environment, which has the potential to be used for preventing hyperlipidemia complications such as atherosclerosis.
10.Exploration of the regulatory mechanism of Danshen decoction on dyslipidemia in hyperlipidemia model rats based on proteomics
Yukun ZHANG ; Yuenan FENG ; Jingqi BIAN ; Xinxin LIU ; Hongbin XIAO ; Wenying NIU
China Pharmacy 2024;35(9):1070-1075
OBJECTIVE To explore the regulatory mechanism of Danshen decoction on dyslipidemia in hyperlipidemia model rats. METHODS The experimental rats were divided into blank group (n=9, no modeling), model group (n=8, modeling), and Danshen decoction group (n=9, modeling). Starting from the 9th week of feeding with the high-fat diet, rats in the Danshen decoction group were given the corresponding medication solution (3.6 g/kg) intragastrically, while blank group and model group were given equal volume of normal saline, once a day, for 4 consecutive weeks. After 4 weeks of administration, the plasma levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured in each group of rats; the pathological and morphological changes of liver tissue were observed; the differential proteins between samples were screened out by TMT quantitative proteomic analysis; the expression levels of the key differentially expressed proteins in the liver, including epoxide hydrolase 2 (EPHX2), perilipin 2 (PLIN2), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPAR γ) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)were detected. RESULTS Compared with the model group, the plasma levels of TC, TG and LDL-C in the Danshen decoction group were significantly reduced (P<0.05), while the level of HDL-C was significantly increased (P<0.05). The liver tissue of rats inmodel group showed uneven staining, disordered arrangement of liver plates, disappearance of liver sinusoids, nuclearcondensation or disappearance of some cells, swelling and fusion of cytoplasm, proliferation of connective tissue, and diffuse vacuolar-like fat droplet changes. The liver tissue of Danshen decoction group showed varying degrees of improvement in the above pathological and morphological. The results of differential protein analysis showed that the total number of differential proteins was 298 between the model group and the blank group; the total number of differential proteins was 139 between the model group and Danshen decoction group. Compared with the model group, the expression levels of EPHX2 and PLIN2 proteins in the liver tissue of rats in the Danshen decoction group were significantly reduced (P<0.01), while the expression levels of GSK-3β and PPARγ were significantly increased (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Danshen decoction has a significant improvement effect on the plasma lipid levels and the pathological and morphological of the liver tissue in hyperlipidemia model rats. Its regulatory mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of PPARγ and GSK-3β expression and down-regulation of EPHX2 and PLIN2 expression, and the signaling pathways involved may include PPAR-γ signal pathway.

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