ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in chemical components of Gardeniae Fructus（GF） before and after being charred， providing data support for research on the material basis of GF Carbonisata（GFC）. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS） was used to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the chemical components in GF and GFC under positive and negative ion modes with Compound Discoverer 3.3 software and online database. Then， principal component analysis and partial least squares-discriminant analysis in SIMCA14.1 software were used to analyze the MS data of each sample. Based on the principle of variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1， differential secondary and primary metabolites before and after carbonization were screened. In addition， MetaboAnalyst website was used for pathway enrichment of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG）， so as to provide a reference for clarifying the processing mechanism. ResultsA total of 185 components were identified， including 96 secondary metabolites and 89 primary metabolites. These components were classified into nine categories， primarily including iridoid glycosides， flavonoids， and terpenoids， their fragmentation pathways were also analyzed. Simultaneously， multivariate statistical analysis was performed on the secondary and primary metabolites， identifying 70 and 59 differential metabolites， respectively. The secondary metabolites were enriched in two metabolic pathways， including C5-branched dibasic acid metabolism and flavonoid and flavonol biosynthesis， while the primary differential metabolites were enriched in seven pathways such as linoleic acid metabolism and tyrosine metabolism. ConclusionThe chemical components of GF change significantly after carbonization， with a significant decrease in the contents of iridoid glycosides and terpenoids such as hydroxyisogeniposide， crocin Ⅱ， crocetin， and jasminoside B. while the contents of 4-hydroxycoumarin， geniposidic acid， gentiopicroside， and gardenoside methyl ester increase significantly. This change is presumed to be associated with the enhanced cooling and hemostatic effects of the processed products. The identified key components provide a basis for elucidating the material basis underlying the efficacy changes before and after carbonization.

Objective To investigate whether miR-15b-5p can alleviate airway inflammation in asthma by negatively regulating ubiquitin specific peptidase 9X (USP9X) to down-regulate the expression of phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-diphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit α/AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (PIK3CA/AKT1) pathway. Methods USP9X was predicted to be a direct target of miR-15b-5p by using an online database (miRWalk), and the luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to verify it. Co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) was used to verify the direct binding between USP9X and PIK3CA and the role of USP9X and its small molecule inhibitor WP1130 in the deubiquitination of PIK3CA. C57 mice were randomly divided into Control group, OVA group, OVA combined with NC group and miR-15b-5p agomir group, with 10 mice in each group. BEAS-2B cells were induced with interleukin 13 (IL-13) and treated with miR-15b-5p mimic. HE, Masson, PAS, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR) were performed. Results It was found that the administration of miR-15b-5p agomir and mimic could reduce peribronchial inflammatory cells and improve airway inflammation, and miR-15b-5p could target negative regulation of USP9X. USP9X could directly bind to PIK3CA and regulate PIK3CA level in a proteasome-dependent manner, and USP9X could deubiquitinate K29-linked PIK3CA protein. Down-regulation of USP9X could increase PIK3CA ubiquitination level. WP1130, a small molecule inhibitor of USP9X, has the same effect as knockdown of USP9X, both of which could increase the ubiquitination level of PIK3CA and reduce the protein level of PIK3CA. Conclusion The miR-15b-5p/USP9X/PIK3CA/AKT1 signaling pathway may provide potential therapeutic targets for asthma.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Asthma/pathology* ; Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Inflammation/genetics* ; Cell Line ; Female ; Male

Objective:To explore the effects of imperatorin(IMP)on airway remodeling in the bronchial asthma mice,and to elucidate the possible mechanisms.Methods:Forty SFP male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,low dose of IMP group(IMP-L group),high dose of IMP group(IMP-H group)and dexamethasone group,with 8 mice in each group.Except for contol group,the mice in the other groups were injected with an ovalbumin(OVA)suspension intraperitoneally to induce the asthma models.After one week,the daily asthma symptoms of the mice were observed and scored.After 8 weeks,the enhanced pause(Penh)values of the mice in various groups were detected to evaluate the airway reactivities.The percentages of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)of the mice in various groups were detected by flow cytometry.The levels of serum IgE,interleukin interferon-gamma(IL)-13,IL-5,IL-4 and interferon-gamma(IFN-γ)in BALF of the mice in various groups were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method.HE,PAS and Masson staining were applied to observe the pathomorphology,the number of goblet cells and collagen deposition of the lung tissue of the mice in various groups.Immunohisto chemistry method was applied to detect the expressions of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and mouse mammary tumor virus(MMTV)wingless type MMTV intergration site family member 5A(Wnt5A)proteins in lung tissue of the mice in various groups.The expression levels of Wnt5A,cellular myelocytomatosis oncogene(c-Myc),β-catenin and α-SMA in lung tissue of the mice in various groups were detected by Western blotting method.The expression levels of α-SMA protein in lung tissue of the mice in various groups were detected by immunofluorescence method.Results:Compared with control group,the score of asthma symptoms of the mice in model group was increased(P<0.01);the Penh value was significantly increased(P<0.01);the serum IgE levels and the levels of IL-13,IL-5,IL-4 in BALF,as well as the percentage of eosinophils(EOS)in BALF were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the level of IFN-γ was reduced(P<0.05);the expression levels of α-SMA and Wnt5A proteins in lung tissue were markedly increased(P<0.01);the expression levels of proteins associated with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the lung tissue were significantly increased(P<0.01);the immofluorescence method results showed the expression level of α-SMA protein in lung tissue was significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with model group,the scores of asthma symphtoms of the mice in IMP-L group,IMP-H group,and dexamethasone group were decereased(P<0.01),and the Penh values of the mice in IMP-H group were decreased(P<0.05);the serum IgE levels and the levels of IL-13,IL-5,IL-4 in BALF,as well as the percentages of EOS in BALF of the mice in IMP-L group,IMP-H group,and dexamethasone group were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the levels of IFN-γ were increased(P<0.05);the expression levels α-SMA and Wnt5A proteins in lung tissue were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);the expression levels of proteins related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the lung tissue were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);the immunofluorescence method results showed that expression levels of the α-SMA protein in the lung tissue were reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:IMP has an improving effect on airway remodeling in the asthmatic mice and can inhibit the expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related proteins.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Bushen Tongmai Prescription in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)complicated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD)of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type,and to investigate its effect on serum microRNA-126(miR-126).Methods Sixty patients with T2DM complicated with ASCVD of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type who admitted to the outpatient and inpatient departments of the Department of Geriatric Medicine of Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from March 2023 to October 2023 were randomly divided into the study group and the control group according to random number table method,with 30 patients in each group.All patients in the two groups were required to take low-salt and low-fat diabetic diet and exercise for intervention,and were also given the conventional western medical treatment with hypoglycemic,lipid-lowering,antihypertensive,anti-platelet aggregation agents.Additionally,the study group was treated with Bushen Tongmai Prescription.The course of treatment for the two groups covered eight weeks.Before and after treatments,the two groups were observed in the changes of C-reactive protein(CRP),interleukin 1β(IL-1β),interleukin 6(IL-6),vascular cell adhesion molecule 1(VCAM1),miR-126,carotid intima-media thickness(CIMT),carotid plaque Crouse scores,and blood lipid indicators of total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C).After treatment,the therapeutic efficacy on carotid artery and drug safety in the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After treatment,the serum miR-126 level in the study group was significantly increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.01),but the level in the control group only showed a rising trend and the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The comparison between the two groups showed that the increase of serum miR-126 level in the study group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the serum VCAM1 level in the study group was decreased significantly compared with that before treatment(P＜0.01),but the level in the control group only showed a rising trend and the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The comparison between the two groups showed that the decrease of serum VCAM1 level in the study group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the serum CRP,IL-1 β,and IL-6 levels in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the decrease of serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels in the study group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the TC,TG and LDL-C levels in the study group were decreased(P＜0.01)and the HDL-C level was increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.01),but in the control group,the changes in the TC,TG,LDL-C,and HDL-C levels were not significant(P＞0.05).The comparison between the two groups showed that the decrease of TC and LDL-C levels in the study group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(5)After eight weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the study group was 90.00％(27/30),while that of the control group was 63.33％(19/30).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the therapeutic efficacy of the study group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.05).(6)During the treatment,no serious adverse reactions or toxic-side effects occurred in the two groups.Conclusion Bushen Tongmai Prescription combined with conventional western medicine treatment can up-regulate the level of miR-126,inhibit the expression of VCAM1,and decrease the levels of serum CRP,IL-1β,and IL-6,so as to inhibit inflammatory response and retard the progression of T2DM complicated with ASCVD.The combined therapy exerts certain clinical efficacy and higher safety in treating T2DM complicated with ASCVD.

Objective To explore the role of Erianin in atopic dermatitis(AD)and its regulatory mechanism involving the high-mobility group box 1(HMGB1)/receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE)-Ras homolog gene family member A(RhoA)/Rho-associated protein kinase 1(ROCK1)signaling pathway.Methods An AD model was induced in BALB/c mice using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene(DNCB).Skin thickness and spleen and lymph node weight were measured and pathological changes in the back skin and ears were detected using methylamine blue and hematoxylin and eosin staining.Inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.An in vitro model of AD was established in HaCaT cells stimulated by tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α.Cellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)were detected by flow cytometry and mitochondrial ROS(mtROS)were detected by immunofluorescence assay.Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling.HMGB1,RAGE,RhoA,and ROCK1 proteins were detected by Western blot.Results Erianin inhibited the increase in skin thickness,reduced the spleen and lymph node weights,improved the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the degranulation of mast cells,and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors(P＜0.05).Erianin also reduced the production of cellular ROS and mtROS induced by TNF-α in vitro(P＜0.01),and decreased the protein expression of HMGB1,RAGE,RhoA,and ROCK1(P＜0.01).Treatment of HMGB1-stimulated HaCaT cells with a RAGE-specific blocker(TFA)had no effect on HMGB1 expression,while expression levels of RAGE,RhoA,and ROCK1 were decreased(P＜0.01).Cells treated with the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632+r-HMGB1 group showed similar result to the TFA+r-HMGB1 group,except for RAGE.Conclusions Erianin relieves AD by regulating the HMGB1/RAGE-RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Glaucocalyxin A(GLA)in inhibiting ovalbumin(OVA)-induced airway remodeling in asthmatic mice through the topoisomerase Ⅱ α(TOP2A)/cyclin-dependent kinase 1(CDK1)signaling pathway.Methods Forty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups:the control group,the model group,the low-dose GLA group,the high-dose GLA group and the Dexamethasone group,with 8 mice in each group.The effect of GLA on airway remodeling was examined by immunohistochemical staining,ELISA and other methods,and bioinformatics methods were used to predict new targets of GLA.The action targets of TOP2A were screened using the STRING database,and the interaction relationship between the two was verified by co-immunoprecipitation.In vitro,GLA and siRNA were used to interfere with interleukin-4(IL-4)-stimulated human airway epithelial cells BEAS-2B.The expressions of TOP2A,epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR),Integrin β1,focal adhesion kinase(FAK),β-catenin,CDK1 and DRP1 were detected by Western Blot.Results GLA intervention could significantly reduce OVA-induced asthma airway remodeling,airway smooth muscle thickening,collagen deposition around the airway,the number of eosinophils in alveolar lavage fluid,the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4,and the level of serum IgE.The new target of GLA screened out was TOP2A,which was highly expressed in the lung tissue of the asthma airway remodeling model.GLA intervention could down-regulate its expression.In vitro,intervention with GLA and si-TOP2A could significantly down-regulate the expressions of IL-4-induced TOP2A,EGFR,Integrin β1,FAK and β-catenin.Further studies have found that TOP2A had an interaction relationship with CDK1.si-TOP2A could downregulate the expression of CDK1,and knockdown of CDK1 could significantly down-regulate the expression of phosphorylated DRP1.Conclusion GLA may alleviate asthma airway remodeling by targeting the TOP2A/CDK1 signaling pathway,providing experimental evidence for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of asthma airway remodeling in asthma.

Objective Key genes related to ferroptosis in asthma were screened using bioinformatics,and their molecular mechanisms of action in the development of asthma were investigated.Methods Data sets related to asthma were obtained from the GEO database,and ferroptosis-related genes in FerrDB were downloaded to screen differentially expressed genes related to ferroptosis in asthma.LASSO regression and SVM-RFE algorithm were used to further screen the core genes.Molecular biology verification of these screened genes was performed,and miRNA microarray data from asthmatic mice combined with miRWalk and TargetScan were used to predict the upstream miRNA.Results From GSE43696,212 differentially expressed genes with consistent phenotypes in moderate-to-severe asthma were screened,including five ferroptosis-related genes:HCAR1,NOS2,MEF2C,IL6 and NOX1.The SVM-RFE results indicate that MEF2C has the greatest impact on the model.Experimental validation showed that the expression of both its mRNA and protein products was downregulated in asthmatic mice and was primarily expressed in the airway epithelium as well as within the cell nucleus.The prediction analysis results of miRNA targeting MEF2C revealed that miR-2861,which is upregulated in asthmatic mice,may target MEF2C,and that the expression of miR-2861 was significantly downregulated after IL-17A knockout.Conclusion MEF2C is a key regulator in ferropto-sis-related asthma.Its down regulation may be associated with IL-17A-mediated upregulation of miR-2861.

Objective To explore the role of Erianin in atopic dermatitis(AD)and its regulatory mechanism involving the high-mobility group box 1(HMGB1)/receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE)-Ras homolog gene family member A(RhoA)/Rho-associated protein kinase 1(ROCK1)signaling pathway.Methods An AD model was induced in BALB/c mice using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene(DNCB).Skin thickness and spleen and lymph node weight were measured and pathological changes in the back skin and ears were detected using methylamine blue and hematoxylin and eosin staining.Inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.An in vitro model of AD was established in HaCaT cells stimulated by tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α.Cellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)were detected by flow cytometry and mitochondrial ROS(mtROS)were detected by immunofluorescence assay.Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling.HMGB1,RAGE,RhoA,and ROCK1 proteins were detected by Western blot.Results Erianin inhibited the increase in skin thickness,reduced the spleen and lymph node weights,improved the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the degranulation of mast cells,and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors(P＜0.05).Erianin also reduced the production of cellular ROS and mtROS induced by TNF-α in vitro(P＜0.01),and decreased the protein expression of HMGB1,RAGE,RhoA,and ROCK1(P＜0.01).Treatment of HMGB1-stimulated HaCaT cells with a RAGE-specific blocker(TFA)had no effect on HMGB1 expression,while expression levels of RAGE,RhoA,and ROCK1 were decreased(P＜0.01).Cells treated with the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632+r-HMGB1 group showed similar result to the TFA+r-HMGB1 group,except for RAGE.Conclusions Erianin relieves AD by regulating the HMGB1/RAGE-RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Glaucocalyxin A(GLA)in inhibiting ovalbumin(OVA)-induced airway remodeling in asthmatic mice through the topoisomerase Ⅱ α(TOP2A)/cyclin-dependent kinase 1(CDK1)signaling pathway.Methods Forty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups:the control group,the model group,the low-dose GLA group,the high-dose GLA group and the Dexamethasone group,with 8 mice in each group.The effect of GLA on airway remodeling was examined by immunohistochemical staining,ELISA and other methods,and bioinformatics methods were used to predict new targets of GLA.The action targets of TOP2A were screened using the STRING database,and the interaction relationship between the two was verified by co-immunoprecipitation.In vitro,GLA and siRNA were used to interfere with interleukin-4(IL-4)-stimulated human airway epithelial cells BEAS-2B.The expressions of TOP2A,epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR),Integrin β1,focal adhesion kinase(FAK),β-catenin,CDK1 and DRP1 were detected by Western Blot.Results GLA intervention could significantly reduce OVA-induced asthma airway remodeling,airway smooth muscle thickening,collagen deposition around the airway,the number of eosinophils in alveolar lavage fluid,the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4,and the level of serum IgE.The new target of GLA screened out was TOP2A,which was highly expressed in the lung tissue of the asthma airway remodeling model.GLA intervention could down-regulate its expression.In vitro,intervention with GLA and si-TOP2A could significantly down-regulate the expressions of IL-4-induced TOP2A,EGFR,Integrin β1,FAK and β-catenin.Further studies have found that TOP2A had an interaction relationship with CDK1.si-TOP2A could downregulate the expression of CDK1,and knockdown of CDK1 could significantly down-regulate the expression of phosphorylated DRP1.Conclusion GLA may alleviate asthma airway remodeling by targeting the TOP2A/CDK1 signaling pathway,providing experimental evidence for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of asthma airway remodeling in asthma.

Objective Key genes related to ferroptosis in asthma were screened using bioinformatics,and their molecular mechanisms of action in the development of asthma were investigated.Methods Data sets related to asthma were obtained from the GEO database,and ferroptosis-related genes in FerrDB were downloaded to screen differentially expressed genes related to ferroptosis in asthma.LASSO regression and SVM-RFE algorithm were used to further screen the core genes.Molecular biology verification of these screened genes was performed,and miRNA microarray data from asthmatic mice combined with miRWalk and TargetScan were used to predict the upstream miRNA.Results From GSE43696,212 differentially expressed genes with consistent phenotypes in moderate-to-severe asthma were screened,including five ferroptosis-related genes:HCAR1,NOS2,MEF2C,IL6 and NOX1.The SVM-RFE results indicate that MEF2C has the greatest impact on the model.Experimental validation showed that the expression of both its mRNA and protein products was downregulated in asthmatic mice and was primarily expressed in the airway epithelium as well as within the cell nucleus.The prediction analysis results of miRNA targeting MEF2C revealed that miR-2861,which is upregulated in asthmatic mice,may target MEF2C,and that the expression of miR-2861 was significantly downregulated after IL-17A knockout.Conclusion MEF2C is a key regulator in ferropto-sis-related asthma.Its down regulation may be associated with IL-17A-mediated upregulation of miR-2861.