1.Application of Zebrafish in Quality Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Jiaqi LI ; Xiaolu CHEN ; Jiarui WU ; Xiaoyu TAO ; Qiqi FAN ; Shengyun DAI ; Chongjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):58-70
As a new type of model organism, zebrafish is gradually gaining prominence in the field of scientific research. The unique biological characteristics and advantages of zebrafish make them play an increasingly important role in the quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine. Compared with other common experimental animals, zebrafish have a fast reproductive and growth speed and high embryo transparency, making them an ideal model for evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine. This provides a new perspective and method for research on traditional Chinese medicine. With the growing global interest in traditional Chinese medicine, it has become crucial to find scientific and accurate methods to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine. The introduction of the zebrafish model has brought new breakthroughs in the quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine. To further promote the application of zebrafish in evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine, this article systematically searched and sorted out the previous studies related to the application of zebrafish for this purpose since 2023. The commonly used disease models and indicators of zebrafish in evaluating the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as the mechanism of zebrafish in exploring the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, were primarily reviewed. The application of zebrafish in evaluating the safety of traditional Chinese medicine and the typical examples in ensuring the quality of traditional Chinese medicine were demonstrated. The limitations encountered by zebrafish models in evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine were highlighted. The resolution of these problems will help further improve the accuracy and reliability of zebrafish in evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine. The article discussed the evaluation of effectiveness, safety, and quality control of zebrafish applied in traditional Chinese medicine, so as to provide a reference for establishing standards for traditional Chinese medicine and promoting its modernization in the future.
2.Evaluation of Safety of Compound Kushen Injection and Efficacy in Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Based on Zebrafish Model
Xiaolu CHEN ; Jiaqi LI ; Linzhen CHEN ; Qi CHEN ; Zhiqiang MA ; Chongjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):71-78
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety/efficacy of compound Kushen injection (CKI) by zebrafish model and explore the possible mechanism. MethodsZebrafish were exposed to different concentrations of CKI solution, and the mortality rate after 24 h was calculated. After exposure to sublethal concentration (
3.Hepatotoxicity and Anti-osteoporotic Mechanism of Evodiamine
Jiaqi LI ; Xiaolu CHEN ; Xiaoyu TAO ; Shan LU ; Qiqi FAN ; Jiarui WU ; Chongjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):79-86
ObjectiveBased on the zebrafish model, the hepatotoxicity and anti-osteoporotic activity of evodiamine (EVO) were studied. The mechanism of EVO in treating osteoporosis was explored by using network pharmacology and real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). MethodsThree days after fertilization (3 dpf), zebrafish were randomly selected and exposed to different concentrations of EVO solution for 96 hours. The mortality rate of zebrafish at different concentrations was calculated at the exposure endpoint, and a "dose-toxicity" curve was drawn. The 10% lethal concentration (LC10) was calculated. Liver phenotype, acridine orange staining, and pathological tissue sections of liver-transgenic zebrafish [CZ16 (gz15Tg.Tg (fabp 10a: ds Red; ela31: EGFP))] were used to confirm hepatotoxicity of EVO. On this basis, prednisolone was used to create a model of osteoporosis in zebrafish. The skull development, area of the skull stained by alizarin red, and cumulative optical density were used as indicators to evaluate the anti-osteoporotic activity of EVO in a safe dose. Based on network pharmacology, the mechanism of action of EVO in the treatment of osteoporosis was predicted and verified through Real-time PCR. ResultsThe LC10 of EVO on zebrafish (7 dpf) was determined to be 0.4 mg·L-1. Compared with the control group, sublethal concentrations (
4.Prognostic analysis of genes related to pyroptosis in prostate cancer cells and the regulatory role of NLRP1
Xiaolu MA ; Jiaqin CHEN ; Junlong FENG ; Qi ZHAO ; Bin WANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(1):73-81
[Objective] To analyze the prognostic value of prostate cancer (PCa) pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) using gene expression databases and to explore the regulatory mechanism of nucleotidebinding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 1 (NLRP1) in the pyroptosis of PCa cells. [Methods] Fragments per kilobase of exon model per million reads mapped (FPKM) data and clinical information from PCa and adjacent tissues from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were obtained. Differentially expressed PRGs between PCa and adjacent tissues, classified subtypes and plotted survival curves were analyzed. Univariate Cox regression analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis were conducted to screen prognosis-related PRGs, risk scores were calculated, and a prognostic risk model was constructed and validated. Patients were divided into high and low risk groups based on the median risk scores from the training and validation sets, and gene ontology (GO) enrichment and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis were conducted on differentially expressed PRGs. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression level of NLRP1 in PCa cell lines, and pyroptosis was induced in DU145 and LNCaP cells while morphological changes were observed. Western blot (WB) was performed to detect the expression of pyroptosis-related molecules. [Results] A total of 6 prognostic-related PRGs were obtained, including CHMP4C, CYCS, GPX4, GSDMB, NLRP1, and PLCG1. The risk score was positively correlated with the risk of recurrence but negatively correlated with the progression-free survival (P<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for the training set at 1, 3, and 5 years were 0.769 (95%CI: 0.652-0.878), 0.804 (95%CI: 0.736-0.882), and 0.772 (95%CI: 0.631-0.905), respectively, while those for the validation set were 0.731 (95%CI: 0.647-0.826), 0.753 (95%CI: 0.674-0.818), and 0.763 (95%CI: 0.626-0.849), respectively. Differences in expression levels of the 6 PRGs were observed between the high and low risk groups in both the training and validation sets (P<0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that T stage, prostate specific antigen (PSA), Gleason grade, and risk score were independent predictors of PCa prognosis (P<0.05). Differences in risk scores were observed among patients of different ages, T stages, and Gleason grades (P<0.05). NLRP1 was found to be lowly expressed in PCa cell lines and was involved in the regulation of pyroptosis in DU145 and LNCaP cells. [Conclusion] The prognostic risk model constructed based on PRGs has a certain predictability for the prognosis of PCa patients, and NLRP1 may be involved in the regulation of pyroptosis in PCa cells.
5.Emerging roles of RNA N4-acetylcytidine modification in reproductive health.
Zibaguli WUBULIKASIMU ; Hongyu ZHAO ; Fengbiao MAO ; Xiaolu ZHAO
Protein & Cell 2025;16(6):458-477
N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C), an emerging posttranscriptional RNA modification, plays a pivotal role in epigenetic regulation. Ac4C is detected not only in tRNA, rRNA, and mRNA, but also in miRNA, lncRNA, viral RNA, and even DNA. Functionally, ac4C stabilizes mRNA, enhances protein translation fidelity, and impacts various biological processes and diseases such as cancer, inflammation, immune regulation, neural diseases, osteogenic differentiation, cardiovascular diseases, viral infections, and replication. Current research primarily focuses on ac4C's roles in cancer progression and immunity, with emerging findings in gynecological diseases and reproduction. However, a comprehensive understanding of ac4C's implications in reproductive health is lacking. This review provides a historical perspective on ac4C's discovery and detection methods, elucidates its functions in reproductive development and gynecological disorders, and offers insights for further research in reproductive health. This review aims to pave the way for innovative therapeutic approaches and precise diagnostic tools tailored to this field.
Humans
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Reproductive Health
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Cytidine/genetics*
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Animals
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Female
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RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
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Epigenesis, Genetic
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RNA/genetics*
6.Determination of chloride,sulfate and bicarbonate ions in Compound polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder (Ⅲ) by ion chromatography
Xianhua ZHANG ; Yuxin ZHAO ; Haiyan ZHOU ; Xiaolu ZHU ; Dengyan LAI ; Jiao ZHU ; Tao PENG ; Shichun YE
China Pharmacy 2024;35(22):2769-2772
OBJECTIVE To establish an ion chromatography method for the simultaneous determination of chloride, sulfate and bicarbonate ions in Polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder (Ⅲ). METHODS The chromatographic column was a Dionex IonpacTM AS11-HC anion analysis column, with a Dionex IonPacTM AG11-HC guard column. The mobile phase was 10 mmol/L potassium hydroxide at an isocratic elution flow rate of 1.2 mL/min. The detector was a conductivity detector, and the suppressor was a Dionex AERS with a suppressor current of 30 mA. The column temperature was maintained at 30 ° C, and the injection volume was 10 μL. Chloride and sulfate contents were calculated by external standard method, while bicarbonate content was determined by double logarithmic fitting standard curve method. RESULTS Under these chromatographic conditions, chloride, sulfate and bicarbonate ions were effectively separated with linear ranges of 0.055 to 0.219 mg/mL (r=0.999 9), 0.155 to 0.618 mg/mL (r=1.000 0), and 0.065 to 0.121 mg/mL (r=0.999 9), respectively. The recoveries were 98.06% to 101.34%, 97.37% to 101.25%, and 97.16% to 99.81%, respectively, with RSDs of 1.1%, 1.3% and 1.0% (n=9). The RSDs for the evaluation of precision, accuracy, stability and ruggedness were all less than 2%. CONCLUSIONS The established ion chromatography is simple, rapid, accurate, precise and durable, can simultaneously determine the contents of chloride, sulfate and bicarbonate ions in Polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder (Ⅲ), which is suitable for its quality control.
7.Analysis of Specific Chromatogram of Classical Formula Qianghuo Shengshi Tang Reference Samples
Wenya GAO ; He XU ; Mingli LI ; Haiyu ZHAO ; Yanyan ZHOU ; Hongjie WANG ; Jian YANG ; Xiaolu WEI ; Zhikun FAN ; Nan SI ; Baolin BIAN
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(10):1350-1356
OBJECTIVE
To establish the specific chromatogram of Qianghuo Shengshi Tang(QHSS) reference sample, clarify the key quality attributes of QHSS, providing reference for the quality evaluation of QHSS reference sample.
METHODS
The SilGreen C18 column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) was used. The mobile phase consisted acetonitrile and 0.2% formic acid aqueous solution. The detection wavelength was 328 nm. Established an HPLC characteristic spectrum analysis method for the reference sample of QHSS. A variety of chromatographic columns and different instruments were applied to investigate the adaptability of the system. HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS was used to identify the specific peaks of the QHSS reference samples in positive ion mode.
RESULTS
There were 14 peaks in the specific chromatogram, which belonged to Notopterygii Rhizoma Et Radix, Angelicae Pubescentis Radix, Ligustici Rhizoma Et Radix, Chuanxiong Rhizome, Viticis Fructus, respectively. Ferulic acid(peak 3) was reference peak. A total of 22 compounds were identified by mass spectrometry, including coumarin and flavonoids.
CONCLUSION
The established specific chromatogram method of QHSS is simple, stable and reproducible. The material basis of QHSS reference sample is basically determined, providing a reference for the development and quality control of QHSS.
8.Expert consensus on the management of auditory hallucinations in inpatients with mental illness
Yanhua QU ; Dongmei XU ; Jing SHAO ; Shan ZHANG ; Mengqian ZHANG ; Jianing GU ; Xiaolu YE ; Feifei LI ; Wei LUO ; Wanting LI ; Li WANG ; Fangzhu SHI ; Xiaoyu FENG ; Qian ZHOU ; Juan ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(14):1080-1090
Objective:To standardize the management of auditory hallucination symptoms in inpatients with mental illness and develop an expert consensus on the management of auditory hallucinations in hospitalized psychiatric patients.Methods:From March 2023 to July 2023, the Mental Health Committee of the Chinese Nursing Association focused on the key issues in the management of auditory hallucinations symptoms in inpatients with mental illness, based on clinical practice, using literature analysis combined with the work experience of mental health experts, and formed the first draft of the expert consensus on the management of auditory hallucinations in inpatients with mental illness (hereinafter referred to as the consensus). Through 3 rounds of expert consultation and 3 rounds of expert demonstration meeting, the draft was adjusted, revised, and improved.Results:37 experts were included in the Delphi expert consultation, 1 male and 36 females with 39-67(51.48 ± 6.61) years old. The positive coefficients of experts in 3 rounds of Delphi expert consultations were all 100%, and the degrees of expert authority were 0.924, 0.938 and 0.949, respectively. The average importance value of each item was higher than 4.00, the variation coefficient of each item was less than 0.25. The Kendall harmony coefficient of the experts were 0.179, 0.195 and 0.198, respectively (all P<0.05). There were 15, 12, 12 experts in the first, seeond, third rounds of expert demonstration meeting. Finally, a consensus was reached on the recommendation of 4 parts, included auditory hallucination assessment, management format, symptom management implementation, and precautions. Conclusions:The consensus covers all parts of the management of auditory hallucination symptoms in hospitalized patients with mental disorders, which is practical and scientific. It is helpful to guide mental health professionals to standardize the management of auditory hallucination symptoms, improve the quality of nursing and ensure the safety of patients.
9.Innovative insights into extrachromosomal circular DNAs in gynecologic tumors and reproduction.
Ning WU ; Ling WEI ; Zhipeng ZHU ; Qiang LIU ; Kailong LI ; Fengbiao MAO ; Jie QIAO ; Xiaolu ZHAO
Protein & Cell 2024;15(1):6-20
Originating but free from chromosomal DNA, extrachromosomal circular DNAs (eccDNAs) are organized in circular form and have long been found in unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes. Their biogenesis and function are poorly understood as they are characterized by sequence homology with linear DNA, for which few detection methods are available. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies have revealed that eccDNAs play crucial roles in tumor formation, evolution, and drug resistance as well as aging, genomic diversity, and other biological processes, bringing it back to the research hotspot. Several mechanisms of eccDNA formation have been proposed, including the breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) and translocation-deletion-amplification models. Gynecologic tumors and disorders of embryonic and fetal development are major threats to human reproductive health. The roles of eccDNAs in these pathological processes have been partially elucidated since the first discovery of eccDNA in pig sperm and the double minutes in ovarian cancer ascites. The present review summarized the research history, biogenesis, and currently available detection and analytical methods for eccDNAs and clarified their functions in gynecologic tumors and reproduction. We also proposed the application of eccDNAs as drug targets and liquid biopsy markers for prenatal diagnosis and the early detection, prognosis, and treatment of gynecologic tumors. This review lays theoretical foundations for future investigations into the complex regulatory networks of eccDNAs in vital physiological and pathological processes.
Male
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Female
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Animals
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Humans
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Swine
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DNA, Circular/genetics*
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Genital Neoplasms, Female
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Semen
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DNA
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Reproduction
10.Role of curcumin-mediated inhibition of inflammation in alleviating brain ischemia-reperfusion synaptic injury
Minghui ZHAO ; Honghong SHANG ; Fengqin LI ; Bingmei XYU ; Xiaolu CAO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(1):74-78
Objective To investigate the potential effect and mechanism of curcumin in inhibiting synaptic injury in the cortex of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham-operated group, model group, low-dose curcumin (50 mg/kg) group, and high-dose curcumin (100 mg/kg) group. A model of middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2 hours and reperfusion for 24 hours was constructed, and curcumin was administered. Based on the neurological function score, the effects of curcumin on cerebral infarct volume, synaptic ultrastructure changes, inflammatory cell infiltration, and the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, Synapsin1, and CAMKⅡ were observed after the end of the animal treatment. Results The neurological function scores were 0, 3.25±0.43, 2.50±0.50, and 1.50±0.50 for the sham-operated group, model group, low-dose curcumin group, and high-dose curcumin group, respectively. The percentage of cerebral infarct volume was 0, (38.89±2.21)%, (33.48±1.77)%, and (23.69±2.19)%, respectively. Compared with the sham operation group, the model group had severe synaptic ultrastructure damage, extensive inflammatory cell infiltration, significantly increased expression of Caspase-1 and NLRP3 (P < 0.5), and significantly decreased expression of Synapsin1 and CAMKⅡ (P < 0.5). Curcumin treatment significantly inhibited synaptic damage, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased the expression of Caspase-1 and NLRP3 (P < 0.5), and increased the expression of Synapsin1 and CAMKII (P < 0.5), when compared with the model group. Conclusion Ischemia-reperfusion-mediated synaptic injury in rat brain triggers an inflammatory response in cortical nerve cells, and curcumin alleviates synaptic damage and reduces brain injury by inhibiting inflammatory factor levels.


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