1.Mechanism of Huangqi Xiayuxue Decoction Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma via PI3K/Akt/FoxO Signaling Pathway
Xingru XING ; Yuanzhou SHI ; Jiawei WANG ; Di WU ; Yuyao ZHANG ; Yalin WU ; Du CHEN ; Zhen ZHANG ; Sha TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):131-141
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction against hepatocellular carcinoma based on network pharmacology, animal experiments, and cell experiments. MethodsThe active ingredients and corresponding targets of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction were screened via databases including the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM). Hepatocellular carcinoma-related targets were retrieved from the GeneCards database. The common targets shared by Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and hepatocellular carcinoma were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma was prepared. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was adopted to observe the effects of different volume fractions (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma on the proliferation of HepG2, MHCC-97H, Hepa1-6, and Huh-7 cells, and the concentration for subsequent experiments was determined. Flow cytometry was adopted to detect the effects of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) on the apoptosis of MHCC-97H cells. A mouse model of subcutaneous xenograft hepatocellular carcinoma was established. The model mice were assigned into low-, medium-, and high-dose (4.63, 9.25, 18.5 g·kg-1) Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and sorafenib (20 mg·kg-1) groups. Body mass and tumor volume of mice were dynamically monitored during the intervention period. After 3 weeks of intervention, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe tumor morphology. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was employed to detect cell apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was adopted to examine the expression of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in the tumor tissue. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to verify the changes in apoptosis-related factors and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/forkhead box O1 (PI3K/Akt/FoxO1) signaling pathway. ResultsA total of 220 common targets shared by Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and hepatocellular carcinoma were screened out by network pharmacology, among which tumor protein p53 (TP53), Akt1, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were the core targets. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the common targets were involved in cell apoptosis and proliferation, as well as the PI3K/Akt and FoxO signaling pathways. Cell experiments showed that compared with the blank plasma group, all volume fractions of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma inhibited the proliferation of HepG2, MHCC-97H, Hepa1-6, and Huh-7 cells (P<0.01). The proportion of early apoptotic cells in MHCC-97H cells was increased after treatment with different volume fractions of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma (P<0.01). Animal experiments revealed that Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction inhibited the growth of tumor volume, promoted tumor cell apoptosis in the high-dose group, up-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Bax and Caspase-3, down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2, and reduced the phosphorylation level of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHuangqi Xiayuxue decoction exerts anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway and promoting hepatocellular carcinoma cell apoptosis.
2.Mechanism of Huangqi Xiayuxue Decoction Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma via PI3K/Akt/FoxO Signaling Pathway
Xingru XING ; Yuanzhou SHI ; Jiawei WANG ; Di WU ; Yuyao ZHANG ; Yalin WU ; Du CHEN ; Zhen ZHANG ; Sha TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):131-141
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction against hepatocellular carcinoma based on network pharmacology, animal experiments, and cell experiments. MethodsThe active ingredients and corresponding targets of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction were screened via databases including the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM). Hepatocellular carcinoma-related targets were retrieved from the GeneCards database. The common targets shared by Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and hepatocellular carcinoma were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma was prepared. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was adopted to observe the effects of different volume fractions (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma on the proliferation of HepG2, MHCC-97H, Hepa1-6, and Huh-7 cells, and the concentration for subsequent experiments was determined. Flow cytometry was adopted to detect the effects of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) on the apoptosis of MHCC-97H cells. A mouse model of subcutaneous xenograft hepatocellular carcinoma was established. The model mice were assigned into low-, medium-, and high-dose (4.63, 9.25, 18.5 g·kg-1) Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and sorafenib (20 mg·kg-1) groups. Body mass and tumor volume of mice were dynamically monitored during the intervention period. After 3 weeks of intervention, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe tumor morphology. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was employed to detect cell apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was adopted to examine the expression of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in the tumor tissue. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to verify the changes in apoptosis-related factors and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/forkhead box O1 (PI3K/Akt/FoxO1) signaling pathway. ResultsA total of 220 common targets shared by Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and hepatocellular carcinoma were screened out by network pharmacology, among which tumor protein p53 (TP53), Akt1, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were the core targets. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the common targets were involved in cell apoptosis and proliferation, as well as the PI3K/Akt and FoxO signaling pathways. Cell experiments showed that compared with the blank plasma group, all volume fractions of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma inhibited the proliferation of HepG2, MHCC-97H, Hepa1-6, and Huh-7 cells (P<0.01). The proportion of early apoptotic cells in MHCC-97H cells was increased after treatment with different volume fractions of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma (P<0.01). Animal experiments revealed that Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction inhibited the growth of tumor volume, promoted tumor cell apoptosis in the high-dose group, up-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Bax and Caspase-3, down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2, and reduced the phosphorylation level of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHuangqi Xiayuxue decoction exerts anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway and promoting hepatocellular carcinoma cell apoptosis.
3.Dilation effect of luteolin in rat thoracic aortic rings based on Kv7 ion channels
Xingru WANG ; Zerong YANG ; Li WU ; Wenjuan DENG ; Haorui SONG ; Chaoyang CHEN ; Weiping LI
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(6):84-92
Objective To investigate the vasodilatory effect of luteolin on isolated denuded-endothelium rat thoracic aorta(DRTA)vascular rings,and the mechanistic role of the Kv7 ion channel.Methods The tension of DRTA vascular rings was measured using an ex vivo tissue perfusion muscle-tone detection system.DRTA vascular rings were pre-contracted with 60 mmol/L KCl or 0.3 μmol/L U46619,and the effect of luteolin on vascular-ring relaxation was observed at 1,3,10,30,100 and 300 μmol/L.The effects of 4-AP,XE-991,and ML213 on luteolin-induced vasodilation were also observed.The effect of luteolin on KCNQ1-KCNQ5 expression in the thoracic aorta was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Expression levels of Kv7.1 and Kv7.4 proteins in the DRTA were detected by Western blot.Results(1)The luteolin-induced maximum vasodilation rates in DRTA pre-contracted with 60 mmol/L KCl and 0.3 μmol/L U46619 were(97.67±8.51)%and(98.42±9.76)%,respectively.The vasodilation effect was concentration-dependent(P<0.05).(2)4-AP(3 mmol/L)significantly reduced the vasodilatory effect of luteolin on DRTA vascular rings at 10,30,and 100 μmol/L(P<0.05),and XE-991(3 μmol/L)significantly reduced the effect of luteolin at 30 and 100 μmol/L(P<0.05),while ML213(1 μmol/L)significantly enhanced the vasodilatory effect of luteolin at 3,10,and 30 μmol/L(P<0.05).(3)The relative gene expression levels of each subtype of Kv7 channel in normal DRTA were KCNQ1>KCNQ5>KCNQ4>KCNQ3>KCNQ2,with KCNQ1 being the most highly expressed.(4)Luteolin significantly enhanced the expression levels of KCNQ1 at 3,10,30,and 100 μmol/L,KCNQ2 at 1,3,10,30,and 100 μmol/L(P<0.05),KCNQ3 at 3,10,30,and 100 μmol/L,and KCNQ4 at 10,30,and 100 μmol/L(P<0.05),but did not significantly enhance the expression of KCNQ5 at 1,3,10,30,or 100 μmol/L(P>0.05).(5)Luteolin significantly increased the expression of Kv7.1 protein in DRTA at 3,10,30,and 100 μmol/L(P<0.05)and the expression of Kv7.4 at 10,30,and 100 μmol/L(P<0.05).Conclusions Luteolin-induced dilation of DRTA vascular rings may be related to the enhanced gene expression of KCNQ1-4 and increased expression of Kv7.1 and Kv7.4 channel proteins.
4.Dilation effect of luteolin in rat thoracic aortic rings based on Kv7 ion channels
Xingru WANG ; Zerong YANG ; Li WU ; Wenjuan DENG ; Haorui SONG ; Chaoyang CHEN ; Weiping LI
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(6):84-92
Objective To investigate the vasodilatory effect of luteolin on isolated denuded-endothelium rat thoracic aorta(DRTA)vascular rings,and the mechanistic role of the Kv7 ion channel.Methods The tension of DRTA vascular rings was measured using an ex vivo tissue perfusion muscle-tone detection system.DRTA vascular rings were pre-contracted with 60 mmol/L KCl or 0.3 μmol/L U46619,and the effect of luteolin on vascular-ring relaxation was observed at 1,3,10,30,100 and 300 μmol/L.The effects of 4-AP,XE-991,and ML213 on luteolin-induced vasodilation were also observed.The effect of luteolin on KCNQ1-KCNQ5 expression in the thoracic aorta was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Expression levels of Kv7.1 and Kv7.4 proteins in the DRTA were detected by Western blot.Results(1)The luteolin-induced maximum vasodilation rates in DRTA pre-contracted with 60 mmol/L KCl and 0.3 μmol/L U46619 were(97.67±8.51)%and(98.42±9.76)%,respectively.The vasodilation effect was concentration-dependent(P<0.05).(2)4-AP(3 mmol/L)significantly reduced the vasodilatory effect of luteolin on DRTA vascular rings at 10,30,and 100 μmol/L(P<0.05),and XE-991(3 μmol/L)significantly reduced the effect of luteolin at 30 and 100 μmol/L(P<0.05),while ML213(1 μmol/L)significantly enhanced the vasodilatory effect of luteolin at 3,10,and 30 μmol/L(P<0.05).(3)The relative gene expression levels of each subtype of Kv7 channel in normal DRTA were KCNQ1>KCNQ5>KCNQ4>KCNQ3>KCNQ2,with KCNQ1 being the most highly expressed.(4)Luteolin significantly enhanced the expression levels of KCNQ1 at 3,10,30,and 100 μmol/L,KCNQ2 at 1,3,10,30,and 100 μmol/L(P<0.05),KCNQ3 at 3,10,30,and 100 μmol/L,and KCNQ4 at 10,30,and 100 μmol/L(P<0.05),but did not significantly enhance the expression of KCNQ5 at 1,3,10,30,or 100 μmol/L(P>0.05).(5)Luteolin significantly increased the expression of Kv7.1 protein in DRTA at 3,10,30,and 100 μmol/L(P<0.05)and the expression of Kv7.4 at 10,30,and 100 μmol/L(P<0.05).Conclusions Luteolin-induced dilation of DRTA vascular rings may be related to the enhanced gene expression of KCNQ1-4 and increased expression of Kv7.1 and Kv7.4 channel proteins.
5.Bronchoscopic transparenchymal nodule access in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary nodules.
Quncheng ZHANG ; Xuan WU ; Huizhen YANG ; Ya SUN ; Ziqi WANG ; Li YANG ; Nan WEI ; Yihua ZHANG ; Yuanjian YANG ; Xingru ZHAO ; Felix Jf HERTH ; Xiaoju ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2023;136(13):1615-1617
6.Comparative study of physical therapist allocation, education and training, and professional accreditation system in East Asia
Xingru LIN ; Yingzhe ZHAO ; Ya LIU ; Shuyue SUN ; Peiwu GUO ; Fang WU ; Xiaoyao OUYANG ; Qi JING ; Jianhua ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2022;28(11):1334-1341
ObjectiveTo compare the current development of physical therapists in China, Japan and South Korea. MethodsThe condition of configuration, education and practice of physical therapists in China, Japan and South Korea were browsed from the official websites and existing data. ResultsThe allocation, education and training mechanism, and the professional accreditation system needs to be optimized in China. ConclusionThe physical therapists should be allocated based on rehabilitation service settings and needing, trained based on the World Health Organization's Rehabilitation Competency Framework and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and the professional system should be constructed based on the World Health Organization's Rehabilitation Competency Framework and national professional admission systems.
7.Effect of total parenteral nutrition or early enteral and parenteral nutrition on immune function in critically ill neurosurgical patients
Xingru WU ; Zibin TIAN ; Liandi LI ; Xinjuan KONG ; Liangzhou WEI ; Cuiping ZHANG ; Qingxi ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2010;18(3):171-174
Objective To explore the effect of support with total parenteral nutrition(TPN)or early enteral and parenteral nutrition(EN+PN)on immune function of critically ill neurosurgical patients.Methods In this prospective control study,patients were divided inte TPN group and EN+PN group based on the timing of admission.The changes of immunological indicators including CD3,CD4,CD8,CD4/CD8,CD3/CD25,IgA,IgG,IgM,and serum protein before and after nutritional support were compared.Results The percentage of T lymphocyte subsets CD3,CD4,and CD8,the ratio of CD3+/CD25+,the plasma leveh of IgA,IgM,and IgG,and the serum protein were significantly increased after nutrifional supports(P<0.05,P<0.01).However,compared with the TPN group,the percentages of T lymphocyte subsets(CD3,CD4,and CD8),the ratio of CD4+/CD8+,the plasma levels of IgA,IgM,and IgG,and the serum protein were significantly higher in EN+PN group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusions Both TPN and EN+PN can promote the recovery of immune function,while EN+PN is superior to TPN.Early nutritional support should be provided to critically ill neurosurgical patients.

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