1.Prediction of quality markers for cough-relieving and phlegm-expelling effects of Kening Granules based on plasma pharmacology combined with network pharmacology and pharmacokinetics.
Qing-Qing CHEN ; Yuan-Xian ZHANG ; Qian WANG ; Jin-Ling ZHANG ; Lin ZHENG ; Yong HUANG ; Yang JIN ; Zi-Peng GONG ; Yue-Ting LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):959-973
This study predicts the quality markers(Q-markers) for the cough-relieving and phlegm-expelling effects of Kening Granules based on pharmacodynamics, plasma drug chemistry, network pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics. Strong ammonia solution spray and phenol red secretion assays were employed to evaluate the cough-relieving and phlegm-expelling effects of Kening Granules. Twentysix absorbed prototype components of Kening Granules were identified by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with QExactive Plus quadrupole/Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-Exactive Plus Orbitrap HRMS). Through network pharmacology, 11 potential active components were screened out for the cough-relieving and phlegm-expelling effects of Kening Granules. The 11 components acted on 40 common targets such as IL6, TLR4, and STAT3, which mainly participated in PI3K/Akt, HIF-1, and EGFR signaling pathways. Pharmacokinetic quantitative analysis was performed for 7 prototype components. Three compounds including azelaic acid, caffeic acid, and vanillin were identified as Q-markers for the cough-relieving and phlegm-expelling effects of Kening Granules based on their effectiveness, transmissibility, and measurability. The results of this study are of great significance for clarifying the pharmacological substance basis, optimizing the quality standards, and promoting the clinical application of Kening Granules.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Network Pharmacology
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Cough/blood*
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Male
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Humans
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Animals
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Biomarkers/blood*
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Quality Control
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
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Antitussive Agents/chemistry*
2.Research progress in key technologies for the development of Dendrobium officinale: from a rare and endangered species to a 10-billion-RMB-level industry.
Jing-Jing LIU ; Qiao-Xian YU ; Dong-Hong CHEN ; Ling-Shang WU ; Jin-Ping SI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(13):3670-3678
Dendrobium officinale(DO) is a traditional Chinese medicinal and edible plant, while it is critically endangered worldwide. This article, primarily based on the original research findings of the author's team and available articles, provides a comprehensive overview of the factors contributing to the endangerment of DO and the key technologies for the conservation, efficient cultivation, and value-added utilization of this plant. The scarcity of wild populations, low seed-setting rates, lack of endosperm in seeds, and the need for symbiosis with endophytic fungi for seed germination under natural conditions are identified as the primary causes for the rarity and endangerment of DO. Artificial seed production and tissue culture are highlighted as key technologies for alleviating the endangered status. The physiological and ecological mechanisms underlying the adaptation of DO to epiphytic growth are explored, and it is proposed that breaking the coupling of high temperature and high humidity is essential for preventing southern blight, a devastating affliction of DO. The roles of endophytic fungi in promoting the growth, improving the quality, and enhancing the stress resistance of DO are discussed. Furthermore, the integration of variety breeding, environment selection, and co-culture with endophytic fungi is emphasized as a crucial approach for efficient cultivation. The value-added applications of DO in pharmaceuticals, health foods, food products, and daily chemicals-particularly in the food and daily chemical industries-are presented as key drivers for a 10-billion-RMB-level industry. This systematic review offers valuable insights for the further development, utilization, and industrialization of DO resources, as well as for the broader application of conservation strategies for other rare and endangered plant species.
Dendrobium/microbiology*
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Endangered Species
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Seeds/microbiology*
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Fungi/physiology*
3.Genetic profiling and intervention strategies for phenylketonuria in Gansu, China: an analysis of 1 159 cases.
Chuan ZHANG ; Pei ZHANG ; Bing-Bo ZHOU ; Xing WANG ; Lei ZHENG ; Xiu-Jing LI ; Jin-Xian GUO ; Pi-Liang CHEN ; Ling HUI ; Zhen-Qiang DA ; You-Sheng YAN
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(7):808-814
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the molecular epidemiology of children with phenylketonuria (PKU) in Gansu, China, providing foundational data for intervention strategies.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 159 PKU families who attended Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital from January 2012 to December 2024. Sanger sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, whole exome sequencing, and deep intronic variant analysis were used to analyze the PAH gene.
RESULTS:
For the 1 159 children with PKU, 2 295 variants were identified in 2 318 alleles, resulting in a detection rate of 99.01%. The detection rates were 100% (914/914) in 457 classic PKU families, 99.45% (907/912) in 456 mild PKU families, and 96.34% (474/492) in 246 mild hyperphenylalaninemia families. The 2 295 variants detected comprised 208 distinct mutation types, among which c.728G>A (14.95%, 343/2 295) had the highest frequency, followed by c.611A>G (4.88%, 112/2 295) and c.721C>T (4.79%, 110/2 295). The cumulative frequency of the top 23 hotspot variants reached 70.28% (1 613/2 295), and most variant alleles were detected in exon 7 (29.19%, 670/2 295).
CONCLUSIONS
Deep intronic variant analysis of the PAH gene can improve the genetic diagnostic rate of PKU. The development of targeted detection kits for PAH hotspot variants may enable precision screening programs and enhance preventive strategies for PKU.
Humans
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Phenylketonurias/epidemiology*
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Female
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Male
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Retrospective Studies
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Phenylalanine Hydroxylase/genetics*
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Mutation
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Child, Preschool
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China/epidemiology*
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Child
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Infant
4.Huachansu injection enhances anti-colorectal cancer efficacy of irinotecan and alleviates its induced intestinal toxicity through upregulating UGT1A1-OATP1B3 expression in vitro and in vivo.
Bo JIANG ; Zhao-Yang MENG ; Yu-Jie HU ; Jun-Jun CHEN ; Ling ZONG ; Ling-Yan XU ; Xiang-Qi ZHANG ; Jing-Xian ZHANG ; Yong-Long HAN
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(5):576-590
OBJECTIVE:
Huachansu injection (HCSI), a promising anti-cancer Chinese medicine injection, has been reported to have the potential for reducing the toxicity of chemotherapy and improving the quality of life for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The objective of this study is to explore the synergistic and detoxifying effects of HCSI when used in combination with irinotecan (CPT-11).
METHODS:
To investigate the effect of HCSI on anti-CRC efficacy and intestinal toxicity of CPT-11, we measured changes in the biological behavior of LoVo cells in vitro, and anti-tumor effects in LoVo cell xenograft nude mice models in vivo. Meanwhile, the effect of HCSI on intestinal toxicity and the uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) expression was investigated in the CPT-11-induced colitis mouse model. Subsequently, we measured the effect of HCSI and its 13 constituent bufadienolides on the expression of UGT1A1 and organic anion transporting polypeptides 1B3 (OATP1B3) in HepG2 cells.
RESULTS:
The combination index (CI) results showed that the combination of HCSI and CPT-11 exhibited a synergistic effect (CI < 1), which significantly suppressing the LoVo cell migration, enhancing G2/M and S phase arrest, and inhibiting tumor growth in vivo. Additionally, the damage to intestinal tissues was attenuated by HCSI in CPT-11-induced colitis model, while the increased expression of UGT1A1 in HepG2 cells and in mouse was observed.
CONCLUSION
The co-therapy with HCSI alleviated the intestinal toxicity induced by CPT-11 and exerted an enhanced anti-CRC effect. The detoxifying mechanism may be related to the increased expression of UGT1A1 and OATP1B3 by HCSI and its bufadienolides components. The findings of this study may serve as a theoretical insights and strategies to improve CRC patient outcomes. Please cite this article as: Jiang B, Meng ZY, Hu YJ, Chen JJ, Zong L, Xu LY, Zhang XQ, Zhang JX, Han YL. Huachansu injection enhances anti-colorectal cancer efficacy of irinotecan and alleviates its induced intestinal toxicity through upregulating UGT1A1-OATP1B3 expression in vitro and in vivo. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):576-590.
Irinotecan/therapeutic use*
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Animals
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Glucuronosyltransferase/genetics*
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Humans
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Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Mice, Nude
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Mice
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Up-Regulation/drug effects*
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Male
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Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Hep G2 Cells
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Intestines/drug effects*
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Amphibian Venoms
5.Effects of rhynchophylline on methamphetamine-dependent SH-SY5Y cells model and expression of miR-375-3p/Elavl4
Han-Cheng LI ; Ming ZENG ; Yi-Ling CHEN ; Ling-Hong CHEN ; Zhi-Xian MO
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(1):47-51
Objective To investigate the effects of rhynchophylline on methamphetamine-dependent SH-SY5Y cells model and microRNA-375-3p(miR-375-3p)/embryonic lethal abnormal vision drosophila-like 4(Elavl4)expression.Methods A methamphetamine-dependent cell model by maximum safe dose induction was established.The cells were divided into normal group(complete culture medium),control group(complete culture medium+400 μmol·L-1 rhynchophylline incubated for 48 h),model group(complete culture medium+100 μmnol·L-1 methamphetamine incubated for 48 h)and experimental group(complete culture medium+400 μmol·L-1 rhynchophylline incubated for 15 min,then 100 μmol·L-1 methamphetamine incubated for 48 h).The cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)expression were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),miR-375-3p expression was detected by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),and Elavl4 expression was detected by Western blot.Results The cAMP expression levels of normal group,control group,model group and experimental group were(6.33±0.93),(6.57±1.12),(10.89±1.03)and(7.81±1.32)pmol·mg-1;5-HT were(682.46±17.32),(690.31±15.09),(510.11±27.67)and(649.99±21.42)pg·mL-1;miR-375-3p expression were 1.00±0.13,1.13±0.24,3.48±0.18 and 1.58±0.19;Elavl4 expression were 1.00±0.05,0.89±0.10,0.50±0.09 and 0.90±0.11,respectively.The differences between above indicators in model group and normal group were statistically significant(P<0.01,P<0.05);the differences between above indicators in experimental group and model group were statistically significant(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion This study preliminarily established a methamphetamine-dependent cell model,and also found that rhynchophylline may regulate miR-375-3p/Elavl4 expression to antagonize methamphetamine addiction.
6.Effects of CYP3A5 gene polymorphism and Wuzhi capsule on early postoperative tacrolimus exposure and adverse reactions in renal transplant patients
Qiulin XIANG ; Ling LIU ; Yi YANG ; Guoxing LI ; Song CHEN ; Yingying YANG ; Xian YU
China Pharmacy 2024;35(14):1765-1769
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of CYP3A5 gene polymorphism and Wuzhi capsule (WZ) on early postoperative tacrolimus exposure and adverse reactions in renal transplant patients. METHODS A total of 132 patients who underwent renal transplantation and received tacrolimus + mycophenolic acids + prednisone after operation in our hospital from September 2021 to September 2023 were selected and divided into four groups according to genotypes (CYP3A5*1 or CYP3A5*3/*3) and with or without WZ (“ +WZ” meant drug combination, “ +NO WZ” meant without combination). The blood trough concentration/daily dose (c0/D) values of the four groups were analyzed on the 14th day, 1 month and 3 months after renal transplantation. The incidence of acute rejection and the incidence of tacrolimus-related adverse reactions within 3 months after transplantation were compared among 4 groups. RESULTS On the 14th day, 1 month and 3 months after surgery (except for the CYP3A5*1+WZ group), c0/D values of CYP3A5*1 genotype patients were significantly lower than those of CYP3A5*3/*3 genotype patients regardless of whether they were treated with WZ additionally (P<0.05). Within 3 months after surgery, although there was no significant difference in the incidence of acute rejection and tacrolimus-related adverse reactions among the four groups (P> 0.05), the incidence of hyperglycemia in patients with CYP3A5*3/*3 was higher (41.67%). CONCLUSIONS CYP3A5 gene polymorphism is significantly related to tacrolimus c0/D in kidney transplant patients. Under the premise of c0 monitoring of tacrolimus, patients with CYP3A5*1 genotype should be given WZ as soon as possible after surgery to accelerate tacrolimus to reach the therapeutic concentration range, while CYP3A5*3/*3 genotype is not recommended to be given WZ because of the higher risk of hyperglycemia.
7.The Effect of TCP1 Expression on the Proliferation and the Accu-mulation of Intracellular Drug of HL60/A and HL60 Cell and Its Mechanism
Xiao-Fang CHEN ; Xian-Ling CHEN ; Yuan-Zhong CHEN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(1):71-77
Objective:To investigate the effect of TCP1 expression on the proliferation and the accumulation of intracellular drug of HL60/A and HL60 cells and its possible molecular mechanism.Methods:Lentiviral transfection technology was used to construct HL60/A and HL60 cells with knocked down or overexpressed TCP1 and their control cells.The efficiency of knockdown and overexpression was evaluated by Western blot.The cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay.The intracellular drug accumulation was detected by laser confocal detection and flow cytometry.The expression levels of MRP1,P-gP and p-AKT were evaluated by flow cytometry and Western blot.Results:After TCP1 was knocked down,the proliferation ability of HL60/A cells was significantly reduced,the accumulation of intracellular drug was significantly increased and the expression of MRP1 and P-gP protein were decreased.After TCP1 was overexpressed,the proliferation ability of HL60 was significantly increased,the accumulation of intracellular drug was significantly decreased and the expression of MRP1 and P-gP protein were increased.Intervention of LY294002 significantly antagonized the promotion on cell proliferation,the inhibition on intracellular drug accumulation and the expression of MRP1 and P-gP mediated by TCP1 overexpressing in HL60 cells.Conclusion:TCP1 can promote cell proliferation,improve the expression of MRP1 and P-gP by activating PI3K/AKT signal,and reduce intracellular drug accumulation.
8.The Effect of SIRT5 Deletion on Recovery of Hematopoietic Stem Cells after Injury in Mouse
Yuan-Yao DENG ; Han-Chuan MOU ; Xian ZHANG ; Fan REN ; Zhi-Yang CHEN ; Zhen-Yu JU ; Hui-Ling LOU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(2):568-576
Objective:To investigate the effect of deacylase Sirtuin 5 in the recovery of hematopoietic stem cells(HSCs)after treated by 5-FU in mouse.Methods:Flow cytometry was used to analyze the effect of SIRT5 deletion on the proportion of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells(HSPCs)in bone marrow(BM),the proportion of T cells,B cells and myeloid cells(TBM)in peripheral blood(PB)and spleen,and the development of T cells in thymus.Mouse were treated with 5-FU to study the effect of SIRT5 deletion on the cell cycle,apoptosis and the proportion of HSPCs in BM.The effect of SIRT5 deletion on the proliferation of HSCs was analyzed by flow sorting in vitro.Results:SIRT5 deletion did not affect the development of T cells in thymus and the proportion of TBM cells in PB and spleen compared with wild type mice.SIRT5 deletion increased proportion of HSPCs in BM.After 5-FU treatment,the proportion of HSCs in SIRT5 deletion mice was significant decreased(P<0.05),the HSPC in SIRT5 deletion mice was activated from G0 to G1 phase(P<0.05),and the proportion of early apoptosis increased(P<0.05).By monoclonal culture in vitro,the ability of HSCs to form clones in SIRT5 deletion mice was decreased significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion:SIRT5 deletion lead to a decreased the ability of HSCs to clone in vitro.SIRT5 deletion is not conducive to the recovery of HSPCs injury in mice under hematopoietic stress.
9.Preliminary study on delaying aging induced thymus degeneration in SAMP6 mice with Bazi Bushen capsule
Zhao-Dong LI ; Yin-Xiao CHEN ; Bo-Yang GONG ; Zhe XU ; Zhi-Xian YU ; Yue-Xuan SHI ; Yan-Fei PENG ; Yu-Hong BIAN ; Yun-Long HOU ; Xiang-Ling WANG ; Shu-Wu ZHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1186-1192
Aim To explore the improvement effect of Bazi Bushen capsule on thymic degeneration in SAMP6 mice and the possible mechanism.Methods Twenty 12 week old male SAMP6 mice were randomly divided into the model group(SAMP6)and the Bazi Busheng capsule treatment group(SAMP6+BZBS).Ten SAMR1 mice were assigned to a homologous control group(SAMR1).The SAMP6+BZBS group was oral-ly administered Bazi Bushen capsule suspension(2.8 g·kg-1)daily,while the other two groups were orally administered an equal amount of distilled water.After nine weeks of administration,the morphology of the thymus in each group was observed and the thymus in-dex was calculated;HE staining was used to observe the structural changes of thymus tissue;SA-β-gal stai-ning was used to detect thymic aging;flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of thymic CD3+T cells in each group;Western blot was used to detect the levels of p16,Bax,Bcl-2,and cleaved caspase-3 proteins in thymus;immunofluorescence was applied to detect the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells in each group;ELISA was employed to detect IL-7 lev-els in thymus.Results Compared with the SAMP6 group,the thymic index of the SAMP6+BZBS group significantly increased(P<0.05);the disordered thy-mic structure was significantly improved;the positive proportion of SA-β-gal staining significantly decreased(P<0.01);the proportion of CD3+T cells apparently increased(P<0.05);the level of p16 protein signifi-cantly decreased(P<0.05);the level of Bcl-2 pro-tein significantly increased(P<0.05),while the lev-el of cleaved caspase-3 protein markedly decreased(P<0.05);the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells evidently increased;the level of IL-7 significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusions Bazi Bushen capsule can delay thymic degeneration,inhibit cell ap-optosis in thymus and promote thymic cell development in SAMP6 mice,which may be related to increasing the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells and promoting IL-7 secretion.
10.Exploring mechanism of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction in intervening methamphetamine addiction from PI3K-Akt pathway and cell verification based on network pharmacology and cell verification
Han-Cheng LI ; Zhao JIANG ; Yang-Kai WU ; Jie-Yu LI ; Yi-Ling CHEN ; Ming ZENG ; Zhi-Xian MO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(10):1971-1978
Aim To investigate the mechanism of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction(BBTD)in interfer-ing methamphetamine(MA)addiction using network pharmacology.Methods The mechanism of BBTD intervention in MA addiction was analyzed using net-work pharmacology,and MA-dependent SH-SY5Y cell model was further constructed to observe the effects of BBTD on cell model and PI3K-Akt pathway.Results A total of 88 active ingredients and 583 potential tar-gets of BBTD were screened.KEGG analysis showed that BBTD might intervene in MA addiction through PI3K-Akt,cAMP and other pathways.The molecular docking results showed that key active ingredients ex-hibited strong binding ability with core targets of PI3K-Akt pathway.In vitro experiments showed that MA-de-pendent model cells had shorter synapses,tended to be elliptical in morphology,had blurred cell boundaries,showed typical cell damage morphology,and had high intracellular expression of cAMP(P<0.01)and low expression of 5-HT(P<0.05).BBTD intervention could counteract the above morphology,cAMP,and 5-HT changes,suggesting that it had therapeutic effects on MA-dependent model cells.Western blot showed that MA modeling elevated the p-PI3K/PI3K(P<0.05)and p-Akt/Akt(P<0.01);BBTD inter-vention decreased their relative expression.Conclu-sions Gastrodin and other active ingredients in BBTD have therapeutic effects on MA addiction,and the mechanism may be related to regulation of PI3K-Akt pathway relevant targets.

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