1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Treats Acute Lung Injury by Modulating NLRP3 Inflammasome: A Review
Jiaojiao MENG ; Lei LIU ; Yuqi FU ; Hui SUN ; Guangli YAN ; Ling KONG ; Ying HAN ; Xijun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):292-301
Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the most common and critical diseases in clinical practice, with extremely high morbidity and mortality, seriously threatening human life and health. The pathogenesis of ALI is complex, in which the inflammatory response is a key factor. Studies have shown that NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes are involved in ALI through mechanisms such as inflammation induction, increased microvascular permeability, recruitment of neutrophils, oxidative stress, and pyroptosis, playing a key role in the occurrence and progression of ALI. Therefore, regulating NLRP3 inflammasomes and inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors can alleviate the damage in ALI. At present, ALI is mainly treated by mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy, which have problems such as high costs and poor prognosis. In recent years, studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can reduce the inflammatory response and the occurrence of oxidative stress and pyroptosis by regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome, thus alleviating the damage and decreasing the mortality of ALI. Based on the relevant literature in recent years, this article reviews the research progress in TCM treatment of ALI by regulating NLRP3 inflammasomes, discusses how NLRP3 inflammasomes participate in ALI, and summarizes the active ingredients, extracts, and compound prescriptions of TCM that regulate NLRP3 inflammasomes, aiming to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of ALI and the development of relevant drugs.
2.Isolation,identification,gene sequence analysis and pathogenicity of H3N2 subtype swine influenza virus
Chaoyang CHEN ; Yingxue ZHANG ; Congcong XU ; Yuanjie SHI ; Long CAO ; Xijun YAN ; Lijie TANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;44(9):1841-1847
The nasal swab samples of swine influenza(SI)suspected pigs were collected and tested for H3 subtype swine influenza virus(SIV)positive by RT-qPCR.The positive samples were inoc-ulated into SPF chicken embryos for virus isolation.The full genome sequencing and sequence anal-ysis of the isolated H3N2 subtype SIV were conducted,and its pathogenicity was studied.The re-sults showed that a strain of SIV was successfully isolated and identified as H3N2 subtype by RT-PCR,named A/Swine/Yunnan/KM/06/2023(H3N2).The BLSAT results showed that the eight segments of SIV H3N2 KM had the highest homology with eight different strains of swine influ-enza or human influenza viruses,reaching 95.41%-97.49%.The HA and NA segments were de-rived from H3N2 subtype SIV,the NP segment was derived from H1N1 subtype human influenza virus,the M segment was derived from H1N2 subtype SIV,and all other segments were derived from H1N1 subtype SIV.The key receptor sites(190D,223V,226I,228S)of HA protein remained unchanged.The pathogenicity experiment results showed that infected piglets exhibited symptoms such as fever,sneezing,runny nose,the virus could be detoxified to the outside through the nasal cavity,and the lungs had different degrees of lesion.Immunohistochemistry(IHC)showed that the virus could replicate in the lungs.In conclusion,a strain of H3N2 subtype SIV was successfully iso-lated,and the genetic evolution,molecular characteristics and pathogenicity of the virus were stud-ied.It revealed that H3N2 subtype SIV is constantly evolving and had pathogenicity to piglets,pro-viding a reference for monitoring and preventing SIV epidemics in China,and provided a candidate strain for SI vaccine development.
3.LRG1 inhibits hepatic macrophage activation by enhancing TGF-β1 signaling to alleviate MAFLD in mice.
Longfei XU ; Jing HAN ; Zhe YANG ; Yanping YANG ; Jinhui CHEN ; Xijun WU ; Qi WANG ; Yan HONG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2023;43(7):1164-1171
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the effect of leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein (LRG1) derived from hepatocytes on activation of hepatic M1 Kupffer cells.
METHODS:
A metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) model was established in BALB/c mice by high-fat diet (HFD) feeding for 16 weeks. Oleic acid was used to induce steatosis in primary cultures of mouse hepatocytes. The mRNA and protein expressions of LRG1 in mouse liver tissues and hepatocytes were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting. Primary hepatic macrophages were stimulated with the conditioned medium (CM) from steatotic hepatocyte along with LRG1 or transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), or both for 24 h, and the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was detected with Western botting, and the mRNA expressions of iNOS, chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL-1) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured by RT-PCR. The MAFLD mice were injected with LRG1 (n=6), TGF-β1 (n=6), or both (n=6) through the caudal vein, and the live tissues were collected for HE staining and immumohistochemical detection of F4/80 expression; the mRNA expressions of iNOS, CXCL-1 and IL-1β in liver tissues were detected using RT-PCR.
RESULTS:
The mRNA and protein expression levels of LRG1 were significantly downregulated in the liver tissues of MAFLD mice and steatotic hepatocytes (P < 0.05). Treatment of the hepatic macrophages with CM from steatosis hepatocytes significantly enhanced the mRNA expression levels of iNOS, CXCL-1 and IL-1β, and these changes were significantly inhibited by the combined treatment with TGF-β1 and LRG1 (P < 0.05). In MAFLD mice, injections with either LRG1 or TGF-β1 alone reduced hepatic lipid deposition and intrahepatic macrophage infiltration, and these effects were significantly enhanced by their combined treatment, which also more strongly inhibited the mRNA expression levels of iNOS, CXCL-1 and IL-1β (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
LRG1 inhibits hepatic macrophage infiltration by enhancing TGF-β1 signaling to alleviate fatty liver inflammation in MAFLD mice.
Animals
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Mice
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Transforming Growth Factor beta1
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Macrophage Activation
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Signal Transduction
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Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
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Culture Media, Conditioned
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Glycoproteins
4.Compound Danshen Dripping Pill inhibits hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis-induced heart failure in ApoE and LDLR dual deficient mice via multiple mechanisms.
Yanfang YANG ; Ke FENG ; Liying YUAN ; Yuxin LIU ; Mengying ZHANG ; Kaimin GUO ; Zequn YIN ; Wenjia WANG ; Shuiping ZHOU ; He SUN ; Kaijing YAN ; Xijun YAN ; Xuerui WANG ; Yajun DUAN ; Yunhui HU ; Jihong HAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2023;13(3):1036-1052
Heart failure is the leading cause of death worldwide. Compound Danshen Dripping Pill (CDDP) or CDDP combined with simvastatin has been widely used to treat patients with myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular diseases in China. However, the effect of CDDP on hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis-induced heart failure is unknown. We constructed a new model of heart failure induced by hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and LDL receptor (LDLR) dual deficient (ApoE-/-LDLR-/-) mice and investigated the effect of CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin on the heart failure. CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin inhibited heart injury by multiple actions including anti-myocardial dysfunction and anti-fibrosis. Mechanistically, both Wnt and lysine-specific demethylase 4A (KDM4A) pathways were significantly activated in mice with heart injury. Conversely, CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin inhibited Wnt pathway by markedly up-regulating expression of Wnt inhibitors. While the anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress by CDDP were achieved by inhibiting KDM4A expression and activity. In addition, CDDP attenuated simvastatin-induced myolysis in skeletal muscle. Taken together, our study suggests that CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin can be an effective therapy to reduce hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis-induced heart failure.
5.Research progress in chemical composition and pharmacological action of Astragali Radix and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma
Huiqiang LIU ; Guangli YAN ; Ling KONG ; Yu GUAN ; Xijun WANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2023;45(9):1192-1196
After the compatibility of Astragali Radix and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, most of the effective components of Astragali Radix increase, and the bioavailability is improved. Compared with the application of the two drugs alone, it can enhance the effects of immune regulation, anti-tumor, diuresis, lung protection, regulation of flora, and intestinal protection. However, the optimal compatibility ratio of Astragali Radix- Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma pair to exert various pharmacological effects still needs to be clarified. The drug pair and related preparations are mostly used in the treatment of nephropathy, but its mechanism of action needs to be further elucidated.
6.Screening of active components of Euchresta japonica against nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Junling NAN ; Chaozhong WANG ; Guangli YAN ; Fangfang WU ; Zhijun SONG ; Shuo WANG ; Xiaolei ZHOU ; Jianhua MIAO ; Xijun WANG
China Pharmacy 2022;33(11):1320-1329
OBJECTIVE To screen t he active component s of Euchresta japonica against nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS Main chemical components of E. japonica were selected ,and their target proteins were predicted in Swiss Target Prediction database. The target proteins of nasopharyngeal cancer were obtained with GeneCards database. Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was established after the target of chemical components of E. japonica was intersected with the target of nasopharyngeal carcinoma ;PPI network was analyzed by using Cytoscape 3.6.1 software,and the potential active components and key targets of E. japonica against nasopharyngeal carcinoma were screened. The molecular docking technology was used to evaluate binding ability of active component-key target ;active components of E. japonica against nasopharyngeal carcinoma were screened. The anti-nasopharyngeal cancer effect of potential active components of E. japonica was verified by cell proliferation experiment. RESULTS Seven potential active components (tonkinensisol,quercetin,sophoranone,matrine,genistein,coumarin,maackiain) and 10 core targets (SRC,PIK3CA,MAPK1,MAPK3,AKT1,MAPK8,MAP2K1,PTK2,EGFR,JAK3)of E. japonica against nasopharyngeal carcinoma were screened. The molecular docking results showed that above potential active components all possessed certain anti-nasopharyngeal cancer effect. Cell proliferation activity test showed that tonkinensisol ,sophoranone and maackiain had a very significant inhibitory activity on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells CNE- 1. CONCLUSIONS Tonkinensisol, sophoranone and maackiain might be the main active components of E. japonica against nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
7.Mechanism of Acanthopanax senticosus injection in the treatment of ischemic stroke based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and network pharmacology
Xinghua LI ; Guangli YAN ; Hongda LIU ; Lijun FAN ; Yan YAN ; Xijun WANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2022;44(8):901-909
Objective:To analyse the material basis and potential mechanism of Acanthopanax senticosus injection (ASI) in the treatment of ischemic stroke by combining UPLC-Q/TOF-MS and network pharmacology.Methods:The chemical composition of ASI was identified by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. The Swiss Target Prediction, GeneCards and OMIM databases were used to predict the potential targets for the action of ASI in the treatment of ischemic stroke. The String database and Cytoscape software were used to construct protein interaction network maps, and the Omicshare platform was used to perform gene ontology (GO) and KEGG enrichment analysis. The DockThor platform was used for molecular docking.Results:The analysis of 53 components in ASI was firmly established and used as a basis to obtain 189 related targets of ASI for the treatment of ischemic stroke. Reverse screening showed that 25 components in ASI may be important active components in the treatment of ischemic stroke. Functional enrichment studies found that ASI may mainly regulate PI3K-Akt signaling pathway to treat ischemic stroke.Conclusion:This study preliminarily predicted the mechanism of ASI in the treatment of ischemic stroke may be related to inhibition of inflammation, antioxidant stress, promotion of angiogenesis and protection of nerve cells.
8.Content determination of ginsenoside Rb1, cinnamic acid, paeoniflorin and berberine in Wenxin Formula based on UPLC-MS/MS MRM mode
Zongwei WANG ; Xuena LI ; Chang LIU ; Guangli YAN ; Xijun WANG ; Hui SUN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2022;44(10):1138-1143
Objective:To establish a qualitative and quantitative analysis method of ginsenoside Rb1, cinnamic acid, paeoniflorin and berberine in Wenxin formula based on UPLC-MS/MS MRM model so as to provide a rapid and accurate evaluation method for the research and development of new drugs.Methods:Adopting Waters ACQUITY UPLCTM HSS T3 (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm) and gradient elution was performed by mobile methanol-0.03% formic acid water. chromatographic column was used with electrospray ionization source in the scanning mode of multiple reactive ion monitoring (MRM) for ion separation and screening. The retention time and the relative abundance ratio (qualitative ion pairs/quantitative ion pairs) was used for qualitative analysis, while quantitative ion pairs was used for quantitative analysis.Results:The four components tested in Wenxin Formula have been qualitatively detected and showed a good linear relationship, the method showed accuracy, precision, repeatability, and stability, the recovery rate was 96.24%-104.19% and RSD was 1.29%-3.30%. Conclusion:The established method is simple, accurate, rapid and sensitive, which is reliable for the qualitative and quantitative study of the four main components in Wenxin Formula.
9.Construction and identification of an infectious clone for CDV-3 strain of canine distemper virus.
Yan BU ; Xijun YAN ; Jianjun ZHAO ; Haitao LI ; Chuanfang ZHAO ; Xianghong XUE
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2021;37(1):178-186
In order to establish an infectious clone for CDV-3, a commercial vaccine strain of canine distemper virus for mink, to provide reference for the studies of pathogenesis and novel vaccine development of CDV. Thirteen pairs of primers were used to amplify the full-length genome of CDV-3 strain. Five long fragments were obtained based on single restriction site analysis of the whole genome of CDV-3 by RT-PCR. Five fragments were successively inserted into the multiple clone sites in the modified eukaryotic vector of pcDNA3.2 by restriction enzymes and splicing. Meanwhile, the hammerhead ribozyme and hepatitis delta virus ribozyme sequences were added to the beginning of F1 fragment and the ending of F5 fragment, respectively. Then, the full-length cDNA recombinant plasmid of CDV-3 was obtained and named as pcDNA3.2-CDV-3. In addition, three helper plasmids, expressing the N protein, P protein and L protein of the CDV-3 strain respectively, were constructed. The 293T cells were transfected with the full-length cDNA recombinant plasmid and three helper plasmids by Lipofectamine™ 2000. At 3 days post transfection, the supernatant was added to the monolayer of Vero cells to observe the typical syncytium of CDV. Indirect immunofluorescence and artificial label identification of recombinant virus rCDV-3 were conducted after the occurrence of lesions. Finally, the growth characteristics of wtCDV-3 and rCDV-3 were compared after passaging of rCDV-3. The identification of the full-length cDNA recombinant plasmid and three helper plasmids by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing were consistent with expected. The Vero cells infected with the recombinant rCDV-3 showed typical syncytic. The identification of indirect immunofluorescence and labeled marker, and observation under electron microscope proved that the rCDV-3 was indeed rescued from the recombinant plasmid of pcDNA3.2-CDV-3. In comparison of the virus titers of wtCDV-3, rCDV-3 replicated massively and rapidly and reached the maximize virus titer of 10⁷·⁶⁶⁷ TCID₅₀/mL within 36 h post infection (p.i.) in Vero cells, while wtCDV-3 grew gradually to 10⁶·⁶⁶⁷ TCID₅₀/mL at 72 h p.i. in Vero cells. This reverse genetic system of CDV-3 strain has been established successfully, to provide reference for the studies of pathogenesis and novel vaccine development of CDV.
Animals
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Chlorocebus aethiops
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Clone Cells
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DNA, Complementary
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Distemper Virus, Canine/genetics*
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Plasmids/genetics*
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Vero Cells
10.Chinmedomics facilitated quality-marker discovery of Sijunzi decoction to treat spleen qi deficiency syndrome.
Qiqi ZHAO ; Xin GAO ; Guangli YAN ; Aihua ZHANG ; Hui SUN ; Ying HAN ; Wenxiu LI ; Liang LIU ; Xijun WANG
Frontiers of Medicine 2020;14(3):335-356
Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) is a Chinese classical formula to treat spleen qi deficiency syndrome (SQDS) and has been widely used for thousands of years. However, the quality control (QC) standards of SJZD are insufficient. Chinmedomics has been designed to discover and verify bioactive compounds of a variety of formula rapidly. In this study, we used Chinmedomics to evaluate the SJZD's efficacy against SQDS to discover the potential quality-markers (q-markers) for QC. A total of 56 compounds in SJZD were characterized in vitro, and 23 compounds were discovered in vivo. A total of 58 biomarkers were related to SQDS, and SJZD can adjust a large proportion of marker metabolites to normal level and then regulate the metabolic profile to the health status. A total of 10 constituents were absorbed as effective ingredients that were associated with overall efficacy. We preliminarily determined malonyl-ginsenoside Rb2 and ginsenoside Ro as the q-markers of ginseng; dehydrotumulosic acid and dihydroxy lanostene-triene-21-acid as the q-markers of poria; glycyrrhizic acid, isoglabrolide, and glycyrrhetnic acid as the q-markers of licorice; and 2-atractylenolide as the q-marker of macrocephala. According to the discovery of the SJZD q-markers, we can establish the quality standard that is related to efficacy.

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