1.Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Mechanism of Modified Sinisan in Ameliorating Anxiety-like Behaviors Induced by Chronic Restraint Stress in Mice
Jie ZHAO ; Zhengyu FANG ; He XIAO ; Na GUO ; Hongwei WU ; Hongjun YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):70-79
ObjectiveTo elucidate the potential mechanism of modified Sinisan (MSNS) in alleviating anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) in mice at the metabolic level based on serum untargeted metabolomics and identify key metabolites and metabolic pathways regulated by MSNS. MethodsSeventy-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into six groups: control, model, high-dose (2.4 g·kg-1) MSNS, medium-dose (1.2 g·kg-1) MSNS, low-dose (0.6 g·kg-1) MSNS, and positive control (fluoxetine, 2.6 mg·kg-1). Except the control group, the other groups were subjected to CRS for the modeling of anxiety. Mice were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage 2 h before daily restraint for 14 days. Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated by the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM) test, and light/dark box (LDB) test. Serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone (CORT) were measured via ELISA to assess stress levels. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was employed to detect 9 metabolites in the brain tissue and serum metabolites. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was adopted to identify differential metabolites (VIP>1.0, P<0.05). MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the differential metabolites. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed reductions in the central activity time and central distance in the OFT (P<0.05), the proportions of open-arm residence time and open-arm residence times in the EPM test (P<0.01), and the proportions of open box activity time and open box activity distance in the LDB test (P<0.05), which were increased in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups compared with the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group showed elevated levels of CRH, ACTH, and CORT in the serum (P<0.01), and the elevations were diminished in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups (P<0.05). UPLC-MS results indicated that compared with the control group, the model group presented declined DA, GABA, 5-HIAA, 5-HT, and 5-HT/Trp levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and raised Glu, NE, Kyn, and Kyn/Trp levels (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, high-dose MSNS increased the GABA, 5-HIAA, and 5-HT/Trp levels (P<0.05) and lowered the Glu and Kyn/Trp levels (P<0.05). Untargeted metabolomics identified that 16 CRS-induced metabolic disturbances were reversed by MSNS. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that MSNS primarily modulated eight core pathways including alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine-proline metabolism, TCA cycle, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and tryptophan metabolism. The mechanisms involved multidimensional biological processes, including neurotransmitter homeostasis regulation, TCA cycle energy metabolism optimization, and inflammatory response suppression. ConclusionMSNS alleviates CRS-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice by mitigating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity, improving hippocampal neurotransmitter and tryptophan metabolic pathways, and regulating alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine-proline metabolism, and TCA cycle.
2.Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Mechanism of Modified Sinisan in Ameliorating Anxiety-like Behaviors Induced by Chronic Restraint Stress in Mice
Jie ZHAO ; Zhengyu FANG ; He XIAO ; Na GUO ; Hongwei WU ; Hongjun YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):70-79
ObjectiveTo elucidate the potential mechanism of modified Sinisan (MSNS) in alleviating anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) in mice at the metabolic level based on serum untargeted metabolomics and identify key metabolites and metabolic pathways regulated by MSNS. MethodsSeventy-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into six groups: control, model, high-dose (2.4 g·kg-1) MSNS, medium-dose (1.2 g·kg-1) MSNS, low-dose (0.6 g·kg-1) MSNS, and positive control (fluoxetine, 2.6 mg·kg-1). Except the control group, the other groups were subjected to CRS for the modeling of anxiety. Mice were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage 2 h before daily restraint for 14 days. Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated by the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM) test, and light/dark box (LDB) test. Serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone (CORT) were measured via ELISA to assess stress levels. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was employed to detect 9 metabolites in the brain tissue and serum metabolites. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was adopted to identify differential metabolites (VIP>1.0, P<0.05). MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the differential metabolites. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed reductions in the central activity time and central distance in the OFT (P<0.05), the proportions of open-arm residence time and open-arm residence times in the EPM test (P<0.01), and the proportions of open box activity time and open box activity distance in the LDB test (P<0.05), which were increased in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups compared with the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group showed elevated levels of CRH, ACTH, and CORT in the serum (P<0.01), and the elevations were diminished in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups (P<0.05). UPLC-MS results indicated that compared with the control group, the model group presented declined DA, GABA, 5-HIAA, 5-HT, and 5-HT/Trp levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and raised Glu, NE, Kyn, and Kyn/Trp levels (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, high-dose MSNS increased the GABA, 5-HIAA, and 5-HT/Trp levels (P<0.05) and lowered the Glu and Kyn/Trp levels (P<0.05). Untargeted metabolomics identified that 16 CRS-induced metabolic disturbances were reversed by MSNS. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that MSNS primarily modulated eight core pathways including alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine-proline metabolism, TCA cycle, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and tryptophan metabolism. The mechanisms involved multidimensional biological processes, including neurotransmitter homeostasis regulation, TCA cycle energy metabolism optimization, and inflammatory response suppression. ConclusionMSNS alleviates CRS-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice by mitigating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity, improving hippocampal neurotransmitter and tryptophan metabolic pathways, and regulating alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine-proline metabolism, and TCA cycle.
3.Evaluation of asymptomatic ocular surface disorders in hospitalized patients with primary pterygium before surgery
Chengfang ZHU ; Zhirong LIN ; Xie FANG ; Xianwen XIAO ; Zhiwen XIE ; Shunrong LUO ; Bin LIU ; Xumin SHANG ; Nuo DONG ; Huping WU
International Eye Science 2024;24(1):131-135
AIM: To investigate the preoperative ocular symptoms and the characteristics of asymptomatic ocular surface abnormalities in hospitalized patients with primary pterygium.METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Hospitalized patients diagnosed with primary pterygium and scheduled to receive pterygium excision surgery at the Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University from August 2022 to October 2022 were enrolled. Ocular surface disease index questionnaire(OSDI), six examinations including non-invasive tear film break-up time, Schirmer I test, tear meniscus height, lid margin abnormality, meibomian gland dropout and tear film lipid layer thickness, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography(AS-OCT)were performed and statistically analyzed.RESULTS: A total of 178 cases(178 eyes), with a mean age of 54.39±10.75 years old, were recruited, including 75 males(42.1%)and 103 females(57.9%). The average values of ocular surface parameters in these patients included OSDI: 11.47±9.69, tear film break-up time: 7.10±3.86 s; tear meniscus height: 0.16±0.07 mm, Schirmer I test values: 14.39±7.29 mm/5 min, and pterygium thickness: 504.74±175.87 μm. Totally 161 eyes(90.4%)presented with abnormal lid margin, 44 eyes(24.7%)presented with meibomian gland dropout score ≥4, 52 eyes(29.2%)presented with low lipid layer thickness. In the 6 objective examinations, abnormalities in at least 4 of these tests were found in 85.4% of eyes. Pterygium morphology was classified into four grades: 10 eyes(5.6%)of grade Ⅰ, 93 eyes(52.2%)of grade Ⅱ, 60 eyes(33.7%)of grade Ⅲ, and 15 eyes(8.4%)of grade Ⅳ. In patients with a higher grade of pterygium, the tear film break-up time was lower, and the proportion of abnormal lid margin was also significantly higher(P<0.05). The patients were further divided into two subgroups, including 121 eyes(68.0%)with normal OSDI <13 in the normal group and 57 eyes(32.0%)with OSDI ≥13 in the abnormal group. No significant difference was found in the proportion of meibomian gland dysfunction between the two groups of patients(71.9% vs. 71.9%, P=0.872). In addition, there were differences in the number of abnormal objective examinations(4.11±0.85 vs. 4.91±0.99, P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic ocular surface abnormalities were present preoperatively in patients hospitalized for primary pterygium. A comparable high incidence of structural or functional meibomian gland dysfunction existed in pterygium patients with or without apparent ocular discomfort. More attention should be paid to the ocular surface abnormalities in those asymptomatic patients before primary pterygium surgery.
4.Clinical trial of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of adults with mild and moderate depression
Shu-Zhe ZHOU ; Zu-Cheng HAN ; Xiu-Zhen WANG ; Yan-Qing CHEN ; Ya-Ling HU ; Xue-Qin YU ; Bin-Hong WANG ; Guo-Zhen FAN ; Hong SANG ; Ying HAI ; Zhi-Jie JIA ; Zhan-Min WANG ; Yan WEI ; Jian-Guo ZHU ; Xue-Qin SONG ; Zhi-Dong LIU ; Li KUANG ; Hong-Ming WANG ; Feng TIAN ; Yu-Xin LI ; Ling ZHANG ; Hai LIN ; Bin WU ; Chao-Ying WANG ; Chang LIU ; Jia-Fan SUN ; Shao-Xiao YAN ; Jun LIU ; Shou-Fu XIE ; Mao-Sheng FANG ; Wei-Feng MI ; Hong-Yan ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(6):815-819
Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P<0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59%(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49%(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35%(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.
5.Effects of Angelica Sinensis and Astragalus capsules on myocardial autophagy in rats with heart failure
Xue WU ; Xin-Fang LÜ ; Xiao-Dong ZHI ; Xin-Ke ZHAO ; Ying-Dong LI
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(10):1453-1457
Objective To investigate whether Angelica Sinensis and Astragalus capsules(AAC)regulates myocardial autophagy in heart failure rats via the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase(Akt)/mammalian target of sirolimus(mTOR)signaling pathway.Methods A rat model of heart failure was constructed by intraperitoneal 2.5 mg·kg-1 doxorubicin,and another 8 rats served as the control group.The modeling rats were randomly divided into model group,control group and experimental-L,-M,-H groups.Control group was given 30 mg·kg-1 3-methyladenine by intraperitoneal injection;experimental-L,-M,-H groups were given 150,300 and 450 mg·kg-1 AAC by gavage,respectively;blank and model groups were given the same quantity of sterile distilled water.Six groups were administered once daily for 6 weeks.The cardiac function was measured by ultrasound,and the expression levels of PI3K,Akt,mTOR,sequestosome 1(P62)and microtubule-associated light chain protein 3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ(LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ)in myocardial tissue were measured by Western blot.Results In the blank,model,control and experimental-H groups,the left ventricular ejection fraction values were(85.00±3.63)%,(56.75±4.83)%,(75.63±3.70)%and(72.75±4.23)%;the relative expression levels of PI3K were 1.00±0,0.28±0.05,0.64±0.08 and 0.74±0.16;phosphorylated Akt/Akt were 1.00±0,0.49±0.06,0.90±0.16 and 0.95±0.10;phosphorylated mTOR/mTOR values were 1.00±0,0.42±0.09,0.73±0.13 and 0.83±0.08;the relative expression levels of P62 proteins were 1.00±0,0.24±0.12,0.57±0.09 and 0.96±0.10;the relative expression levels of LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ proteins were 1.00±0,4.31±0.75,2.20±0.76 and 1.59±0.24,respectively.Compared to the model group,statistical significant were identified in the experimental-H and control groups(all P<0.05).Conclusion AAC can regulate PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway,inhibit myocardial autophagy and improve cardiac function in rats with heart failure.
6.Effects of radiation on pharmacokinetics
Jie ZONG ; Hai-Hui ZHANG ; Gui-Fang DOU ; Zhi-Yun MENG ; Ruo-Lan GU ; Zhuo-Na WU ; Xiao-Xia ZHU ; Xuan HU ; Hui GAN
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(13):1996-2000
Radiation mainly comes from medical radiation,industrial radiation,nuclear waste and atmospheric ultraviolet radiation,etc.,radiation is divided into ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation.Studying the effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation on drug metabolism,understanding the absorption and distribution of drugs in the body after radiation and the speed of elimination under radiation conditions can provide reasonable guidance for clinical medication.This article reviews the effects of radiation on the pharmacokinetics of different drugs,elaborates the changes of different pharmacokinetics under radiation state,and discusses the reasons for the changes.
7.Expression profile and function of miRNAs in macrophages infected with Mycobacterium
Ping-ping JIA ; Yi ZHANG ; Shi-ze PENG ; Qian-qian ZHAO ; Xiao-xiao WU ; Fang-qi SHEN ; Kai SUN ; Shan CEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(6):1674-1679
The interaction between
8.Quality Standard and Acute Toxicity Study of Triadica Cochinchinensis
Fang LYU ; Xiao XU ; Xiaopeng WU ; Yan YOU ; Dongjie SHAN ; Xueyang REN ; Xianxian LI ; Qingyue DENG ; Yingyu HE ; Gaimei SHE
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(4):512-519
OBJECTIVE
To establish the quality standard of Triadica cochinchinensis and to perform the acute toxicity study.
METHODS
Appearance properties, powder microscopic identification, and thin-layer chromatography(TLC) identification were researched. The specific chromatogram was established by HPLC. The content of cadmium(Cd), lead(Pb), arsenic(As), copper(Cu), and mercury(Hg) was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(ICP-MS). Acute toxicity was studied by maximum dose.
RESULTS
The outer skin of herbs was dark brown, and the inner surface was light yellow brown and fibrous. Besides, crystal sheath fiber was common, and calcium oxalate clusters arranges in rows. In the TLC diagram of the test product, the fluorescent spots of the same color were displayed at the corresponding position of the control product(scopoletin, isofraxidin). Five common peaks were calibrated in the characteristic map and the three characteristic peaks(scopoletin, isofraxidin, dimethylfraxetin) were recognized. The content of the measured heavy metal elements was lower than the national limit standard. The linear correlation coefficient was R2 > 0.999. The precision, stability, repetitive RSD were < 10%. The average recovery rate of the added sample was 80%−120%, and the RSD was < 10%. The maximum dose of the acute toxicity test was 184.09 g·kg−1. The 14 d internal body mass, food intake, organ-body ratios, the serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine were not significantly different by comparing with the normal controls. Therefore, no significant toxicity was observed.
CONCLUSION
The established standard can provide a reference for evaluating the quality of Triadica cochinchinensis. The heavy metal content of ten batches of medicinal materials is within the safe range. Acute toxicity test show that there is no obvious significant adverse teactions after oral administration, and the safe dose range is large, which can provide a reference for the subsequent development and utilization.
9.Stability study of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells formulation in large-scale production
Wang-long CHU ; Tong-jing LI ; Yan SHANGGUAN ; Fang-tao HE ; Jian-fu WU ; Xiu-ping ZENG ; Tao GUO ; Qing-fang WANG ; Fen ZHANG ; Zhen-zhong ZHONG ; Xiao LIANG ; Jun-yuan HU ; Mu-yun LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(3):743-750
Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) have been widely used in regenerative medicine, but there is limited research on the stability of UC-MSCs formulation during production. This study aims to assess the stability of the cell stock solution and intermediate product throughout the production process, as well as the final product following reconstitution, in order to offer guidance for the manufacturing process and serve as a reference for formulation reconstitution methods. Three batches of cell formulation were produced and stored under low temperature (2-8 ℃) and room temperature (20-26 ℃) during cell stock solution and intermediate product stages. The storage time intervals for cell stock solution were 0, 2, 4, and 6 h, while for intermediate products, the intervals were 0, 1, 2, and 3 h. The evaluation items included visual inspection, viable cell concentration, cell viability, cell surface markers, lymphocyte proliferation inhibition rate, and sterility. Additionally, dilution and culture stability studies were performed after reconstitution of the cell product. The reconstitution diluents included 0.9% sodium chloride injection, 0.9% sodium chloride injection + 1% human serum albumin, and 0.9% sodium chloride injection + 2% human serum albumin, with dilution ratios of 10-fold and 40-fold. The storage time intervals after dilution were 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h. The reconstitution culture media included DMEM medium, DMEM + 2% platelet lysate, 0.9% sodium chloride injection, and 0.9% sodium chloride injection + 1% human serum albumin, and the culture duration was 24 h. The evaluation items were viable cell concentration and cell viability. The results showed that the cell stock solution remained stable for up to 6 h under both low temperature (2-8 ℃) and room temperature (20-26 ℃) conditions, while the intermediate product remained stable for up to 3 h under the same conditions. After formulation reconstitution, using sodium chloride injection diluted with 1% or 2% human serum albumin maintained a viability of over 80% within 4 h. It was observed that different dilution factors had an impact on cell viability. After formulation reconstitution, cultivation in medium with 2% platelet lysate resulted in a cell viability of over 80% after 24 h. In conclusion, the stability of cell stock solution within 6 h and intermediate product within 3 h meets the requirements. The addition of 1% or 2% human serum albumin in the reconstitution diluent can better protect the post-reconstitution cell viability.
10.Therapeutic Efficacy of Wuhu Decoction Plus Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction Combined with Budesonide Atomization for Children with Bronchopneumonia and Its Effects on Inflammatory Response
Shen-Hong TANG ; Yi WU ; Xia YU ; Xiao-Fang WANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(4):900-905
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Wuhu Decoction plus Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction combined with Budesonide atomization for the treatment of pediatric bronchopneumonia with phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome,and to observe its effect on inflammatory response.Methods Seventy children with bronchopneumonia of phlegm-heat obstructing the lung type were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 35 cases in each group.The children in the control group were treated with atomized inhalation of Budesonide suspension,and the children in the observation group were treated with Wuhu Decoction plus Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction orally on the basis of treatment for the control group.Both groups were treated for a period of 7 days.The changes in the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores and the serum levels of inflammatory factors of interleukin 6(IL-6),procalcitonin(PCT),and hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.Moreover,the clinical efficacy,time for the relief of symptoms and signs,and the incidence of adverse reactions in the two groups were compared.Results(1)After 7 days of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 91.43%(32/35),and that of the control group was 71.43%(25/35).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the therapeutic efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of the children in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(3)After treatment,the time for the relief of symptoms and signs such as wheezing,cough,lung rales,constipation and fever in the observation group was significantly shortened compared with that in the control group(P<0.01).(4)After treatment,the serum IL-6,PCT and hs-CRP levels in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the reduction in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(5)The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 5.71%(2/35)and that in the control group was 8.57%(3/35),while the difference was not statistically significant between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Wuhu Decoction plus Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction combined with Budesonide atomization exert certain effect for the treatment of pediatric bronchopneumonia with phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome,which can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms and alleviate the inflammatory response of the children.


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