1.Effect and Mechanism of Liangyi Paste on Hepatic Lipid Deposition in Naturally Aged Mice with High-fat Diet via Cuproptosis/Oxidative Stress Pathway
Meiling ZHANG ; Yuanguang DONG ; Xiaofei SUN ; Jiaxin WANG ; Yu LIU ; Jingxuan ZHU ; Qun WANG ; Nan SONG ; Guoyuan SUI ; Lianqun JIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):91-99
ObjectiveTaking the cuproptosis/oxidative stress pathway as the entry point, this study investigated the effect and mechanism of Liangyi Paste on hepatic lipid deposition in naturally aged mice fed with a high-fat diet. MethodsAfter adaptive feeding, 80 ten-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used. Thirty of them were randomly divided into three groups (10 mice per group): The 12-month-old control group (12MCON), the 15-month-old control group (15MCON), and the 15-month-old group with a high-fat diet (15MHFD). The 12MCON and 15MCON groups were continuously fed a standard diet, while the 15MHFD group started receiving a high-fat diet at 12 months of age. Tissue samples were collected at the corresponding time points for each group. The remaining 50 mice were randomly divided into five groups (10 mice per group): the 20-month-old control group (20MCON), the model group, and the low-, medium-, and high-dose Liangyi Paste groups (2.91 , 5.82 , 11.64 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively). The 20MCON group was continuously fed a standard diet, while the other groups started receiving a high-fat diet at 15 months of age. At 18 months of age, the Liangyi Paste groups were administered the corresponding doses of Liangyi Paste by gavage, while the 20MCON and model groups were given an equal volume of saline by gavage. After 8 weeks of continuous gavage (when the mice reached 20 months of age), tissue samples were collected. Hepatic TG levels were measured using assay kits; liver histology and lipid deposition were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and oil red O staining; reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); Cu2+, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured by colorimetry; mRNA and protein expression of genes related to cuproptosis and oxidative stress pathways were analyzed by Real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) and Wes automated protein expression system. ResultsCompared with 12MCON, the 15MCON group showed significantly increased hepatic TG, Cu2+, ROS, and MDA levels (P<0.01), decreased SOD (P<0.01), hepatocyte swelling, and disordered arrangement. The mRNA and protein levels of ferredoxin 1 (FDX1), dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD), pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 subunit-β (PDHB), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) were significantly elevated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with 15MCON group, the 15MHFD and 20MCON groups exhibited further increases in TG, Cu2+, ROS, and MDA (P<0.01), reduced SOD (P<0.01), and aggravated hepatocyte swelling and disorder. There were increased lipid droplets with mild vacuolization in the 15MHFD group, and no significant lipid deposition was observed in the 20MCON group. FDX1, DLAT, HSP70, DLD, PDHB, Nrf2, and PPARγ mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with 20MCON group, the model group demonstrated markedly elevated TG, Cu2+, ROS, and MDA (P<0.01), reduced SOD (P<0.01), severe hepatic steatosis, and upregulated expression of FDX1, DLAT, HSP70, DLD, PDHB, Nrf2, and PPARγ mRNA and proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). All abnormalities were significantly reversed after Liangyi Paste treatment. ConclusionLiangyi paste can ameliorate hepatic lipid deposition in naturally aged mice with a high-fat diet by modulating the cuproptosis/oxidative stress pathway.
2.Molecular Mechanism of Gypenoside L Inducing Ovarian Cancer Cell Apoptosis by Regulating NUF2 and Influencing Magnesium Homeostasis
Yang HONG ; Di ZHANG ; Yuanguang DONG ; Jiaxin WANG ; Lu PAN ; Lijiang ZHOU ; Mingdian YUAN ; Qun WANG ; Nan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):155-165
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the role of NDC80 kinetochore complex component (NUF2) and magnesium homeostasis in ovarian cancer cell apoptosis, as well as the regulatory mechanism of gypenoside L (Gyp-L) on NUF2 and magnesium homeostasis. MethodsOvarian cancer OVCAR3 cells were divided into a blank control group, a low-concentration Gyp-L group (50 µmol·L-1), a high-concentration Gyp-L group (100 µmol·L-1), and a cisplatin (15 µmol·L-1) group. The migration, proliferation, and apoptosis capabilities of OVCAR3 cells were evaluated through cell scratch assays, clonal experiments, and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay (TUNEL) staining. Differentially expressed genes of ovarian cancer were screened by using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The interaction relationships of differentially expressed genes and proteins were analyzed via the Search Tool for Recurring Instances of Neighbouring Genes (STRING) database. The prognostic survival analysis was performed by using the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database, and the differential expression levels of genes were validated with the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database. The mRNA expression levels of NUF2, magnesium homeostasis-related indicators, such as magnesium transporter 1 (MAGT1), non-imprinted in Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome 1 (NIPA1), NIPA-like domain containing 1 (NIPAL1), as well as apoptosis-related indicators B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in OVCAR3 cells, were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The protein expression levels of NUF2, MAGT1, NIPA1, NIPAL1, Bcl-2, and Bax in OVCAR3 cells were quantitatively analyzed by ProteinSimple WES. A model of overexpression of NUF2 was constructed, and Gyp-L intervention was performed. The molecular mechanism by which Gyp-L induces ovarian cancer cell apoptosis by regulating NUF2 and influencing magnesium homeostasis was quantitatively analyzed and detected through cell cloning, TUNEL staining, Real-time PCR, and ProteinSimple WES. Finally, the Mg2+ content and protein synthesis efficiency were detected by immunofluorescence. ResultsGyp-L significantly inhibited the migration and proliferation capabilities of OVCAR3 cells and promoted their apoptosis (P<0.05). Overexpression of NUF2 markedly increased the expression levels of MAGT1, NIPA1, NIPAL1, and Bcl-2, while reducing the expression level of Bax (P<0.05). It also significantly elevated intracellular Mg2+ content and protein synthesis efficiency and simultaneously inhibited apoptosis (P<0.05). Gyp-L could reverse the magnesium homeostasis imbalance and apoptosis inhibition caused by the overexpression of NUF2, downregulating the expression levels of NUF2, MAGT1, NIPA1, NIPAL1, and Bcl-2 (P<0.05), while upregulating the expression level of Bax (P<0.05). ConclusionGyp-L can inhibit the occurrence of ovarian cancer, and its mechanism may involve inhibiting the expression of NUF2 to maintain magnesium homeostasis and inducing apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells.
3.Gypenoside L Regulates piR-hsa-2804461/FKBP8/Bcl-2 Axis to Promote Apoptosis and Inhibit Ovarian Cancer
Yuanguang DONG ; Yinying SUN ; Mingdian YUAN ; Ying YANG ; Jiaxin WANG ; Jingxuan ZHU ; Nan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):98-106
ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism by which gypenoside L (Gyp-L) promotes apoptosis and inhibits ovarian cancer (OC) through the FK506-binding protein (FKBP) prolyl isomerase 8 (FKBP8)/B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) axis, with the piR-hsa-2804461 pathway as a breakthrough point. MethodsThe effects of different concentrations of Gyp-L and cis-platinum on the proliferation of OVCAR3 cells were determined by the cell count kit-8 method to identify the appropriate intervention concentration for subsequent experiments. OVCAR3 cells were allocated into blank, low-dose Gyp-L (Gyp-L-L, 50 µmol·L-1), high-dose Gyp-L (Gyp-L-H, 100 µmol·L-1), and cis-platinum (15 µmol·L-1) groups. The migration, colony formation, and apoptosis of OVCAR3 cells were detected by the cell scratch assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. The mRNA levels of piR-hsa-2804461 and FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis-related genes in OVCAR3 cells were determined by Real-time PCR, and the expression levels of FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis-related proteins were determined by simple Western blot. Further, an OVCAR3 cell model with piR-hsa-2804461 knocked out was constructed. The cells were allocated into blank, NC-inhibitor, inhibitor, NC-inhibitor+Gyp-L, and inhibitor+Gyp-L groups. The colony formation of OVCAR3 cells was detected by the colony formation assay. The mRNA levels of piR-hsa-2804461 and FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis-related genes and the expression levels of FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis-related proteins were determined by Real-time PCR and simple Western blotting, respectively. ResultsGyp-L inhibited the migration and proliferation (P<0.01), promoted the apoptosis (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA level of piR-hsa-2804461 (P<0.05), and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of FKBP8 and Bcl-2 (P<0.05) in OVCAR3 cells. Furthermore, Gyp-L increased the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase (Caspase)-3, and Caspase-9, which are related to the FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis (P<0.05). ConclusionGyp-L may promote apoptosis by regulating the piR-hsa-2804461/FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis, thus affecting the occurrence of ovarian cancer.
4.Molecular Mechanism of Gypenoside L in Anti-Ovarian Cancer by Affecting GCK-Mediated Glycolytic Pathway
Yuanguang DONG ; Nan SONG ; Ying YANG ; Jingxuan ZHU ; Jiaxin WANG ; Mingdian YUAN ; Yingying SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):118-124
ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of gypenoside L (Gyp-L) in the treatment of ovarian cancer (OC) by taking the glycolytic pathway of OC as the key point. MethodsThe proliferation activity of OVCAR3 cells was measured by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay to determine the appropriate intervention concentration for subsequent experiments. The cell clone formation assay and the scratch healing assay were employed to assess the proliferation and migration capabilities of OVCAR3 cells. OVCAR3 cells were divided into a blank group, a Gyp-L-L group (low concentration of Gyp-L, 50 µmol
5.Gypenoside L Regulates piR-hsa-2804461/FKBP8/Bcl-2 Axis to Promote Apoptosis and Inhibit Ovarian Cancer
Yuanguang DONG ; Yinying SUN ; Mingdian YUAN ; Ying YANG ; Jiaxin WANG ; Jingxuan ZHU ; Nan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):98-106
ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism by which gypenoside L (Gyp-L) promotes apoptosis and inhibits ovarian cancer (OC) through the FK506-binding protein (FKBP) prolyl isomerase 8 (FKBP8)/B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) axis, with the piR-hsa-2804461 pathway as a breakthrough point. MethodsThe effects of different concentrations of Gyp-L and cis-platinum on the proliferation of OVCAR3 cells were determined by the cell count kit-8 method to identify the appropriate intervention concentration for subsequent experiments. OVCAR3 cells were allocated into blank, low-dose Gyp-L (Gyp-L-L, 50 µmol·L-1), high-dose Gyp-L (Gyp-L-H, 100 µmol·L-1), and cis-platinum (15 µmol·L-1) groups. The migration, colony formation, and apoptosis of OVCAR3 cells were detected by the cell scratch assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. The mRNA levels of piR-hsa-2804461 and FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis-related genes in OVCAR3 cells were determined by Real-time PCR, and the expression levels of FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis-related proteins were determined by simple Western blot. Further, an OVCAR3 cell model with piR-hsa-2804461 knocked out was constructed. The cells were allocated into blank, NC-inhibitor, inhibitor, NC-inhibitor+Gyp-L, and inhibitor+Gyp-L groups. The colony formation of OVCAR3 cells was detected by the colony formation assay. The mRNA levels of piR-hsa-2804461 and FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis-related genes and the expression levels of FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis-related proteins were determined by Real-time PCR and simple Western blotting, respectively. ResultsGyp-L inhibited the migration and proliferation (P<0.01), promoted the apoptosis (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA level of piR-hsa-2804461 (P<0.05), and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of FKBP8 and Bcl-2 (P<0.05) in OVCAR3 cells. Furthermore, Gyp-L increased the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase (Caspase)-3, and Caspase-9, which are related to the FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis (P<0.05). ConclusionGyp-L may promote apoptosis by regulating the piR-hsa-2804461/FKBP8/Bcl-2 axis, thus affecting the occurrence of ovarian cancer.
6.Molecular Mechanism of Gypenoside L in Anti-Ovarian Cancer by Affecting GCK-Mediated Glycolytic Pathway
Yuanguang DONG ; Nan SONG ; Ying YANG ; Jingxuan ZHU ; Jiaxin WANG ; Mingdian YUAN ; Yingying SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):118-124
ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of gypenoside L (Gyp-L) in the treatment of ovarian cancer (OC) by taking the glycolytic pathway of OC as the key point. MethodsThe proliferation activity of OVCAR3 cells was measured by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay to determine the appropriate intervention concentration for subsequent experiments. The cell clone formation assay and the scratch healing assay were employed to assess the proliferation and migration capabilities of OVCAR3 cells. OVCAR3 cells were divided into a blank group, a Gyp-L-L group (low concentration of Gyp-L, 50 µmol

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