1.The Ferroptosis-inducing Compounds in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Xin-Die WANG ; Da-Li FENG ; Xiang CUI ; Su ZHOU ; Peng-Fei ZHANG ; Zhi-Qiang GAO ; Li-Li ZOU ; Jun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):804-819
Ferroptosis, a programmed cell death modality discovered and defined in the last decade, is primarily induced by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. At present, it has been found that ferroptosis is involved in various physiological functions such as immune regulation, growth and development, aging, and tumor suppression. Especially its role in tumor biology has attracted extensive attention and research. Breast cancer is one of the most common female tumors, characterized by high heterogeneity and complex genetic background. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a special type of breast cancer, which lacks conventional breast cancer treatment targets and is prone to drug resistance to existing chemotherapy drugs and has a low cure rate after progression and metastasis. There is an urgent need to find new targets or develop new drugs. With the increase of studies on promoting ferroptosis in breast cancer, it has gradually attracted attention as a treatment strategy for breast cancer. Some studies have found that certain compounds and natural products can act on TNBC, promote their ferroptosis, inhibit cancer cells proliferation, enhance sensitivity to radiotherapy, and improve resistance to chemotherapy drugs. To promote the study of ferroptosis in TNBC, this article summarized and reviewed the compounds and natural products that induce ferroptosis in TNBC and their mechanisms of action. We started with the exploration of the pathways of ferroptosis, with particular attention to the System Xc--cystine-GPX4 pathway and iron metabolism. Then, a series of compounds, including sulfasalazine (SAS), metformin, and statins, were described in terms of how they interact with cells to deplete glutathione (GSH), thereby inhibiting the activity of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and preventing the production of lipid peroxidases. The disruption of the cellular defense against oxidative stress ultimately results in the death of TNBC cells. We have also our focus to the realm of natural products, exploring the therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine extracts for TNBC. These herbal extracts exhibit multi-target effects and good safety, and have shown promising capabilities in inducing ferroptosis in TNBC cells. We believe that further exploration and characterization of these natural compounds could lead to the development of a new generation of cancer therapeutics. In addition to traditional chemotherapy, we discussed the role of drug delivery systems in enhancing the efficacy and reducing the toxicity of ferroptosis inducers. Nanoparticles such as exosomes and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can improve the solubility and bioavailability of these compounds, thereby expanding their therapeutic potential while minimizing systemic side effects. Although preclinical data on ferroptosis inducers are relatively robust, their translation into clinical practice remains in its early stages. We also emphasize the urgent need for more in-depth and comprehensive research to understand the complex mechanisms of ferroptosis in TNBC. This is crucial for the rational design and development of clinical trials, as well as for leveraging ferroptosis to improve patient outcomes. Hoping the above summarize and review could provide references for the research and development of lead compounds for the treatment for TNBC.
2.Study on mechanism of naringin in alleviating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury based on DRP1/LRRK2/MCU axis.
Kai-Mei TAN ; Hong-Yu ZENG ; Feng QIU ; Yun XIANG ; Zi-Yang ZHOU ; Da-Hua WU ; Chang LEI ; Hong-Qing ZHAO ; Yu-Hong WANG ; Xiu-Li ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2484-2494
This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanism by which naringin alleviates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(CI/R) injury through DRP1/LRRK2/MCU signaling axis. A total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, the model group, the sodium Danshensu group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose(50, 100, and 200 mg·kg~(-1)) naringin groups, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the sham group, a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(tMCAO/R) model was established in SD rats using the suture method. Longa 5-point scale was used to assess neurological deficits. 2,3,5-Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining was used to detect the volume percentage of cerebral infarction in rats. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Nissl staining were employed to assess neuronal structural alterations and the number of Nissl bodies in cortex, respectively. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 gene(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), cleaved cysteine-aspartate protease-3(cleaved caspase-3), mitochondrial calcium uniporter(MCU), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3), and P62. Mitochondrial structure and autophagy in cortical neurons were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence assay was used to quantify the fluorescence intensities of MCU and mitochondrial calcium ion, as well as the co-localization of dynamin-related protein 1(DRP1) with leucine-rich repeat kinase 2(LRRK2) and translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20(TOMM20) with LC3 in cortical mitochondria. The results showed that compared with the model group, naringin significantly decreased the volume percentage of cerebral infarction and neurological deficit score in tMCAO/R rats, alleviated the structural damage and Nissl body loss of cortical neurons in tMCAO/R rats, inhibited autophagosomes in cortical neurons, and increased the average diameter of cortical mitochondria. The Western blot results showed that compared to the sham group, the model group exhibited increased levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, MCU, and the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio in the cortex and reduced protein levels of Bcl-2 and P62. However, naringin down-regulated the protein expression of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, MCU and the ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio and up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and P62 proteins in cortical area. In addition, immunofluorescence analysis showed that compared with the model group, naringin and positive drug treatments significantly decreased the fluorescence intensities of MCU and mitochondrial calcium ion. Meanwhile, the co-localization of DRP1 with LRRK2 and TOMM20 with LC3 in cortical mitochondria was also decreased significantly after the intervention. These findings suggest that naringin can alleviate cortical neuronal damage in tMCAO/R rats by inhibiting DRP1/LRRK2/MCU-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation and the resultant excessive mitophagy.
Animals
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Reperfusion Injury/genetics*
;
Flavanones/administration & dosage*
;
Rats
;
Dynamins/genetics*
;
Male
;
Brain Ischemia/genetics*
;
Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Humans
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
3.Effects of alcoholic extract of Gnaphalium affine on oxidative stress and intestinal flora in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Da-Huai LIN ; Xiang-Li YE ; Guo-Hong YAN ; Kai-Ge WANG ; Yu-Qin ZHANG ; Huang LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(15):4110-4119
The efficacy mechanism of the alcoholic extract of Gnaphalium affine was investigated by observing its influence on oxidative stress and intestinal flora in rats modeled for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). UPLC-MS was used to evaluate the quality of the alcoholic extract of G. affine, and 72 rats were randomly divided into six groups, with COPD models established in five groups by cigarette smoke combined with airway drip lipopolysaccharide, and the rats were given the positive drug of Danlong Oral Solution, as well as low-, medium-, and high-doses alcoholic extract of G. affine, respectively. After two weeks of continuous gastric gavage, the body weights and general morphology observations were performed; HE staining and Masson staining were used to verify the effects of the alcoholic extract of G. affine on alveolar inflammation and collagen deposition area in COPD rats; the oxidative stress indexes CAT and GSH in serum and SOD and MDA in lung tissue of the rats were measured, and the mRNA expression of HO-1, Nrf2, and NQO1 were determined by qRT-PCR. The protein expressions of HO-1, Nrf2, and NQO1 were determined by the Western blot method, and the mechanism by which the alcoholic extract of G. affine affected oxidative stress in COPD rats was explored. Finally, the influence of G. affine on the changes in intestinal flora caused by COPD was studied by 16S rRNA sequencing. The results showed that a total of 121 chemical components were identified by UPLC-MS, including 70 positive and 51 negative ion modes. In animal experiments, it was found that the alcoholic extracts of G. affine were able to reduce the percentage of collagen deposition, affect the oxidative stress indexes such as CAT, GSH, SOD, MDA, as well as the mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1. The 16S rRNA sequencing results showed an increase in the level of Lactobacillales and a decrease in the level of Desulfovibrio and Desulfovibrionales, suggesting that the alcoholic extracts of G. affine could reverse the changes in intestinal flora caused by COPD. In conclusion, the alcoholic extracts of G. affine may exert anti-COPD effects by affecting the oxidative stress pathway and modulating the changes in intestinal flora.
Animals
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Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
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Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/genetics*
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Rats
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Male
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
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Humans
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Lung/metabolism*
4.Efficacy and Safety of Juan Bi Pill with Add-on Methotrexate in Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: A 48-Week, Multicentre, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Qing-Yun JIA ; Yi-Ru WANG ; Da-Wei SUN ; Jian-Chun MAO ; Luan XUE ; Xiao-Hua GU ; Xiang YU ; Xue-Mei PIAO ; Hao XU ; Qian-Qian LIANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(2):99-107
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the efficacy and safety of Juan Bi Pill (JBP) in treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
METHODS:
From February 2017 to May 2018, 115 participants from 4 centers were randomly divided into JBP group (57 cases) and placebo group (58 cases) in a 1:1 ratio using a random number table method. Participants received a dose of JBP (4 g, twice a day, orally) combined with methotrexate (MTX, 10 mg per week) or placebo (4 g, twice a day, orally) combined with MTX for 12 weeks. Participants were required with follow-up visits at 24 and 48 weeks, attending 7 assessment visits. Participants were undergo disease activity assessment 7 times (at baseline and 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 weeks) and safety assessments 6 times (at baseline and 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 weeks). The primary endpoint was 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP). The secondary endpoints included American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for 20% and 50% improvement (ACR20/50), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), clinical disease activity index (CDAI), visual analog scale (VAS), Short Form-36 (SF-36) score, Medial Outcomes Study (MOS) sleep scale score, serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), tender joint count, swollen joint count, and morning stiffness. The adverse reactions were observed during the treatment.
RESULTS:
After 12 weeks of treatment, DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP scores in both groups were lower than before treatment (both P<0.01), while the remission rate of DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP and low disease activity of JBP group were higher than those in the placebo group (both P<0.01). JBP demonstrated better efficacy on ACR20 and ACR50 compliance rate at 12 and 48 weeks comparing to placebo (all P<0.05). The CDAI and HAQ-DI score, pain VAS and global VAS change of RA patients and physicians, the serum ESR and CRP levels, and the number of tenderness and swelling joints were lower than before treatment at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 weeks in both groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the reduction of above indices in the JBP group was more obvious than those in the placebo group at 12 weeks (ESR and CRP, both P<0.05) or at 12 and 48 weeks (all P<0.01). There was no difference in adverse reactions between the 2 groups during treatment (P=0.75).
CONCLUSION
JBP combined with MTX could effectively reduce disease activity in patients with RA in active stage, reduce the symptoms of arthritis, and improve the quality of life, while ensuring safety, reliability, and fewer adverse effects. (Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT02885597).
Humans
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy*
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Methotrexate/adverse effects*
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Female
;
Double-Blind Method
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Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Adult
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Antirheumatic Agents/adverse effects*
;
Aged
5.mRNA display-enabled discovery of proximity-triggered covalent peptide-drug conjugates.
Ruixuan WANG ; Siqi RAN ; Jiabei GUO ; Da HU ; Xiang FENG ; Jixia ZHOU ; Zhanzhi ZHANG ; Futian LIANG ; Jiamin SHANG ; Lingxin BU ; Kaiyi WANG ; Junyi MAO ; Huixin LUO ; Rui WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5474-5485
Peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) have emerged as a promising modality in precision oncology, enabling targeted delivery of cytotoxic payloads while minimizing off-target toxicity. The integration of covalent warheads, such as those based on sulfur(VI) fluoride exchange (SuFEx) chemistry, enhances drug-target residence time and tumor accumulation. However, existing screening methods for covalent peptide (CP) libraries require post-translational warhead conjugation, limiting throughput. Here, we present an integrated mRNA display platform that incorporates covalent warheads during ribosomal synthesis, enabling efficient screening of ultra-diverse covalent macrocyclic peptide libraries (>1013 variants). This approach, using site-specific incorporation of N-chloroacetyl-d-phenylalanine and fluorosulfate-l-tyrosine, accelerated the discovery of irreversibly binding (K i = 3.58 μmol/L) Nectin-4-targeting peptide CP-N1-N3 via proximity-triggered SuFEx. The peptide was further conjugated to cytotoxic payloads, yielding the covalent PDC CP-N1-MMAE with potent cytotoxicity (IC50 ≈ 43 nmol/L) against MDA-MB-468 cells. This platform establishes a new paradigm for precision covalent drug discovery.
6.Three-dimensional Heterogeneity and Intrinsic Plasticity of the Projection from the Cerebellar Interposed Nucleus to the Ventral Tegmental Area.
Chen WANG ; Si-Yu WANG ; Kuang-Yi MA ; Zhao-Xiang WANG ; Fang-Xiao XU ; Zhi-Ying WU ; Yan GU ; Wei CHEN ; Ying SHEN ; Li-Da SU ; Lin ZHOU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(1):159-164
7.Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis with integrative traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
Xin-Ran DU ; Meng-Yi WU ; Mao-Can TAO ; Ying LIN ; Chao-Ying GU ; Min-Feng WU ; Yi CAO ; Da-Can CHEN ; Wei LI ; Hong-Wei WANG ; Ying WANG ; Yi WANG ; Han-Zhi LU ; Xin LIU ; Xiang-Fei SU ; Fu-Lun LI
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(6):641-653
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a well-accepted therapy for atopic dermatitis (AD). However, there are currently no evidence-based guidelines integrating TCM and Western medicine for the treatment of AD, limiting the clinical application of such combined approaches. Therefore, the China Association of Chinese Medicine initiated the development of the current guideline, focusing on key issues related to the use of TCM in the treatment of AD. This guideline was developed in accordance with the principles of the guideline formulation manual published by the World Health Organization. A comprehensive review of the literature on the combined use of TCM and Western medicine to treat AD was conducted. The findings were extensively discussed by experts in dermatology and pharmacy with expertise in both TCM and Western medicine. This guideline comprises 23 recommendations across seven major areas, including TCM syndrome differentiation and classification of AD, principles and application scenarios of TCM combined with Western medicine for treating AD, outcome indicators for evaluating clinical efficacy of AD treatment, integration of TCM pattern classification and Western medicine across disease stages, daily management of AD, the use of internal TCM therapies and proprietary Chinese medicines, and TCM external treatments. Please cite this article as: Du XR, Wu MY, Tao MC, Lin Y, Gu CY, Wu MF, Cao Y, Chen DC, Li W, Wang HW, Wang Y, Wang Y, Lu HZ, Liu X, Su XF, Li FL. Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis with integrative traditional Chinese and Western medicine. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):641-653.
Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy*
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Humans
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
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Integrative Medicine
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Practice Guidelines as Topic
8.Efficacy and safety of recombinant human anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody injection(F61 injection)in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 combined with renal damage:a randomized controlled exploratory clinical study
Ding-Hua CHEN ; Chao-Fan LI ; Yue NIU ; Li ZHANG ; Yong WANG ; Zhe FENG ; Han-Yu ZHU ; Jian-Hui ZHOU ; Zhe-Yi DONG ; Shu-Wei DUAN ; Hong WANG ; Meng-Jie HUANG ; Yuan-Da WANG ; Shuo-Yuan CONG ; Sai PAN ; Jing ZHOU ; Xue-Feng SUN ; Guang-Yan CAI ; Ping LI ; Xiang-Mei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(3):257-264
Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of recombinant human anti-severe acute respiratory syn-drome coronavirus 2(anti-SARS-CoV-2)monoclonal antibody injection(F61 injection)in the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)combined with renal damage.Methods Patients with COVID-19 and renal damage who visited the PLA General Hospital from January to February 2023 were selected.Subjects were randomly divided into two groups.Control group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy,while trial group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy combined with F61 injection.A 15-day follow-up was conducted after drug administration.Clinical symptoms,laboratory tests,electrocardiogram,and chest CT of pa-tients were performed to analyze the efficacy and safety of F61 injection.Results Twelve subjects(7 in trial group and 5 in control group)were included in study.Neither group had any clinical progression or death cases.The ave-rage time for negative conversion of nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 in control group and trial group were 3.2 days and 1.57 days(P=0.046),respectively.The scores of COVID-19 related target symptom in the trial group on the 3rd and 5th day after medication were both lower than those of the control group(both P<0.05).According to the clinical staging and World Health Organization 10-point graded disease progression scale,both groups of subjects improved but didn't show statistical differences(P>0.05).For safety,trial group didn't present any infusion-re-lated adverse event.Subjects in both groups demonstrated varying degrees of elevated blood glucose,elevated urine glucose,elevated urobilinogen,positive urine casts,and cardiac arrhythmia,but the differences were not statistica-lly significant(all P>0.05).Conclusion F61 injection has initially demonstrated safety and clinical benefit in trea-ting patients with COVID-19 combined with renal damage.As the domestically produced drug,it has good clinical accessibility and may provide more options for clinical practice.
9.Current applications of transcatheter edge-to-edge tricuspid valve repair
Chun-Mei XIE ; Meng-Qi SHEN ; Da ZHU ; Shou-Zheng WANG ; Zhi-Ling LUO ; Xiang-Bin PAN
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2024;32(1):45-50
Tricuspid regurgitation(TR)is a common heart valve disease.According to the pathogenesis,TR can be divided into primary(organic)and secondary(functional)regurgitation,of which functional TR accounts for more than 90%.Patients with severe TR have poor prognosis and poor drug treatment,and surgery(valvuloplasty)is the main treatment.At present,transcatheter edge-to-edge tricuspid valve repair(T-TEER)has become an essential program of transcatheter treatment for TR,providing minimally invasive treatment for TR patients who cannot undergo surgery or are at high risk of surgery.T-TEER reduces the degree of regurgitation by clamping leaflets,and is currently in the early stage of research and development exploration and clinical validation,mainly for functional TR.T-TEER devices have also made significant progress(TriClip,PASCAL),and Chinese-made novel-designed T-TEER devices are also undergoing clinical trials(DragonFly-TTM,SQ-Kyrin-TTM,NeoBlazarTM).This paper reviews the current applications and research progress of T-TEER.
10.An in vitro evaluation of the hydromechanical properties on transcatheter edge-to-edge repair
Hao WANG ; Da ZHU ; Zhi-Qian LU ; Zhao-Ming HE ; Li LIU ; Xiang-Bin PAN
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2024;32(2):89-95
Objective To establish a method for testing isolated mitral valve in vitro and quantitatively evaluate the effect of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair technology(TEER)on functional mitral regurgitation(FMR)(non-A2-P2 regurgitation).Methods In this study,an FMR(non-A2-P2 regurgitation)model was developed by dilating the annulus orifice and displacing the papillary muscle in isolated porcine mitral valve.The hydrodynamics characteristics of 6 valves were tested by a pulsatile flow testing system under different physiological and pathological conditions before and after TEER.Results The results show that the valve regurgitation improved from moderate-severe[regurgitant fraction(60.2±17.5)%]to mild-moderate[regurgitant fraction(34.7±12.0)%]by repair(P<0.001).The EOA[(3.8±1.6)cm2 vs.(2.2±0.5)cm2,P<0.001]and the forward cross valve pressure difference[(1.8±1.3)mmHg vs.(3.8± 1.8)mmHg,P<0.001],which characterize the forward flow performance of the valve,were compared before and after repair,and the differences were statistically significant.At the same time,the repair caused valve stenosis(the effective orifice area decreased by 40%and the positive differential pressure increased by 110%),but the valves was still within the normal physiological range,and no iatrogenic stenosis was caused.Conclusions It can be seen that TEER has an effect on FMR.This study provides validation and evaluation methods in vitro for expanding indications and improving TEER,and reference for developing standards of transcatheter valve repair testing in vitro.

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