2.Lirispirolides A-L, a new class of sesquiterpene-monoterpene heterodimers with anti-neuroinflammatory activity from the rare medicinal plant Liriodendron chinense.
Yuhang HE ; Kexin LI ; Yufei WU ; Zexin JIN ; Jinfeng HU ; Yicheng MAO ; Juan XIONG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(8):938-950
Lirispirolides A-L (1-12), twelve novel sesquiterpene-monoterpene heterodimers featuring distinctive carbon skeletons, were isolated from the branches and leaves of Chinese tulip tree [Liriodendron chinense (L. chinense)], a rare medicinal and ornamental plant endemic to China. The structural elucidation was accomplished through comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, quantum-chemical calculations, and X-ray crystallography. These heterodimers exhibit a characteristic 2-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-1-one structural motif, biosynthetically formed through intermolecular [4 + 2]-cycloaddition between a germacrane-type sesquiterpene and an ocimene-type monoterpene. The majority of the isolated compounds demonstrated significant anti-neuroinflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV-2 microglial cells by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, specifically tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO). Further investigation revealed that the lirispirolides' inhibition of NO release correlated with decreased messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS).
Sesquiterpenes/isolation & purification*
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification*
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Animals
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Mice
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics*
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Nitric Oxide/immunology*
;
Microglia/immunology*
;
Molecular Structure
;
Liriodendron/chemistry*
;
Monoterpenes/isolation & purification*
;
Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*
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Cell Line
;
Lipopolysaccharides
;
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/immunology*
;
Plant Extracts/pharmacology*
;
China
3.Research progress on animal models of imiquimod-induced psoriasis
Qing LI ; Jiani TU ; Jia HU ; Yufei FAN ; Jiaming WANG ; Qiao YANG
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(8):1222-1234
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with worldwide prevalence,primarily characterized by epidermal hyperplasia,abnormal keratinization,and immune cell infiltration,with a significant negative impact on patients' quality of life and mental well-being.The onset of psoriasis is closely associated with genetic susceptibility,immune dysregulation,and environmental factors.Despite research progress into the pathogenesis of psoriasis,existing treatment method still face problems including limited efficacy and obvious side effects.There is thus an urgent need for an in-depth analysis of its pathological network and the development of novel interventional strategies.The imiquimod-induced psoriasis animal model has accordingly become a crucial tool for studying psoriasis owing to its high reproducibility and excellent pathological simulation.This review systematically summarizes the core mechanism of action of the imiquimod-induced psoriasis model,expounds on the molecular basis of its action via pathways such as the cascade reaction of the core immune-inflammatory axis,the multi-regulatory network of downstream synergistic mechanisms,and the interaction between host and environmental factors.Research based on this model has successfully verified the therapeutic effects of various targeted therapies and natural products on psoriasis,demonstrating its important application value in therapeutic interventional research.We also discuss the limitations of the imiquimod-induced psoriasis model,and indicate future research directions,with the aim of providing references for further in-depth research and the treatment of psoriasis.
4.Improvement effects and mechanism of Zhichi suanzaoren decoction on oxidative stress injury of hippocampal neurons in perimenopausal insomnia mice
Yufei LIU ; Zeyu ZHANG ; Yonghua ZHANG ; Linlin HU ; Xin ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(19):2372-2378
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and mechanism of Zhichi suanzaoren decoction (ZSD) on hippocampal oxidative stress injury in hippocampal neurons of mice with perimenopausal insomnia. METHODS The potential targets of active ingredients in ZSD were predicted using TCMSP and TCMIP databases; the targets related to insomnia were searched through GeneCards, OMIM and DisGeNET databases; protein-protein interaction network of intersecting targets of ZSD ingredients and insomnia was constructed; Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were conducted on key targets. Sixty mice were divided into sham operation group, model group, ZSD low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (11, 22, and 33 g/kg), and eszopiclone group (positive control, 1 mg/kg). Except for sham operation group, the perimenopausal insomnia model was constructed by ovariectomy (OVX) in the other groups. After successful modeling, mice in each group were gavaged with normal saline or the corresponding drug solution, once a day, for three consecutive weeks. The sleep status of mice was evaluated through the pentobarbital sodium sleep synergy experiment, and the pathological changes of hippocampal neurons and the expressions of related genes and proteins in mice were observed by HE staining, immunohistochemistry staining, immunofluorescence staining, transcriptome sequencing technology and Western blot. RESULTS The results of network pharmacology showed that there were 296 intersection targets between ZSD and perimenopausal insomnia. Protein kinase B1 (Akt1) was a key target for treating insomnia with ZSD. After administration of ZSD, the sleep latency of mice was shortened, the sleep duration was prolonged significantly, and the mean optical density value of neuron-specific nuclear protein in the hippocampal CA1 region was significantly increased (P<0.01). Additionally, hippocampal neuron damage in OVX mice was significantly alleviated. The results of transcriptome sequencing showed that ZSD significantly upregulated the transcriptional levels of Nfe2l2 gene in hippocampal tissue of OVX mice (P<0.05). After administration of ZSD, protein expressions of nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in hippocampal tissue of OVX mice, as well as the phosphorylated Akt level, were increased significantly (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS ZSD can ameliorate hippocampal oxidative stress injury of hippocampal neurons in perimenopausal insomnia mice by activating the Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
5.Analysis of the demands for pharmaceutical clinic service and influential factors based on Kano model
Han SHAN ; Xuan YE ; Zihan GUO ; Jing WU ; Jinwei HU ; Xiaopei TONG ; Yufei BIN ; Jiyong LIU ; Qiong DU ; Mengmeng WANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(22):2850-2855
OBJECTIVE To explore the characteristics and influential factors of pharmaceutical clinic service demands, providing evidence for optimizing pharmaceutical service models and facilitating pharmaceutical service models of pharmacist role transformation. METHODS A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and 410 outpatient participants were selected from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center through convenience sampling for questionnaire administration from February to May 2025. Kano model was applied to analyze the demand attributes of 25 pharmaceutical services, while questionnaires were used to assess patients’ awareness and demand status. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on key demographic variables such as gender, age, educational attainment, and economic burdens, to SACA- systematically examine the differences in Kano attribute classification among patients in each subgroup. RESULTS The awareness rate of pharmaceutical outpatient services among patients was only 14.63%, yet those who were aware demonstrated a significantly higher demand rate for such services compared to those who were unaware (P<0.001). The demand for pharmaceutical clinic services exhibited a hierarchical characteristic: twelve items were identified as attractive attributes (e. g., providing suggestions for more affordable treatment options, offering online consultation services, etc.), five items as expected attributes (e.g., having a good attitude and being able to patiently answer your questions, etc.), three items as must-have attributes (e.g., providing guidance on medication dosage and usage, providing guidance on medication precautions, etc.), five items as indifferent attributes (e.g., providing treatment plan recommendations based on the patient’s condition). There were zero items classified as reverse attribute. Subgroup analysis revealed that female patients showed greater concern for “neat and clean attire of medical staff” than male patients (P<0.001); patients under 60 years of age demonstrated stronger demand for “providing treatment plan recommendations based on patients’ conditions” compared to patients aged 60 or above (P=0.016); those with below high school education placed greater emphasis on “providing guidance on medication precautions” compared to those with a high school education or above (P=0.011); patients with lower economic burdens exhibited stronger preferences for “neat and clean attire of medical staff ” (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS The public awareness rate of pharmaceutical clinic services is considerably low; however, those who are aware of such services demonstrate significantly higher demand. The medication safety-related services and convenience-oriented demands should be prioritized in the development of pharmaceutical clinics. Moreover, the study also revealed that factors such as gender, age, educational level, and economic burdens exert significant influences on patients’ service demands.
6.Reliability and validity analysis of care giver assessment via observation in general hospital
Weixuan QU ; Yanping DUAN ; Yufei WANG ; Bindong DAI ; Jiaojiao HU ; Wei WANG ; Lili SHI ; Jing WEI
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(6):552-557
Objective:To develop and validate the reliability and validity of the care giver assessment via observation (CGAO) in general hospital .Methods:From July 4, 2022 to June 24, 2023, a total of 120 adult inpatients with somatic diseases in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were selected by cluster sampling. All patients completed the CGAO, union physio-psycho-social assessment questionnaire (UPPSAQ-70) and patient health questionnaire-9 item (PHQ-9) assessment simultaneously. Exploratory factor analysis and item response theory analysis were used to explore the structural validity of CGAO by SPSS 26.0 software.The symptoms items and suicide risk assessed by UPPSAQ-70 and PHQ-9 were used as criteria to verify criterion validity.Results:Through exploratory factor analysis, a single-factor model could be constructed. The analysis based on item response theory suggested that it had a good fit with the single-factor stepwise response model ( χ2/ df=1.307, RMSEA=0.051, CFI=0.986, TLI=0.983). The CGAO total score was significantly positively correlated with the total scores of PHQ-9 and UPPSAQ-70 ( r=0.639, 0.518, both P<0.001). The Cronbach's α coefficient of the CGAO full scale was 0.735. Conclusion:CGAO has good reliability and validity in evaluating mental behavior of patients, and is suitable for early recognition of mental behavior abnormalities of inpatients in general hospitals.
7.Complete Period Pathogenesis of Gastric"Inflammation-Cancer"Transformation Discussed from Qi,Fluid and Blood
Yufei FU ; Liuyi XU ; Xueqin HU
Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University 2025;49(2):141-145
[Objective]Based on the relationship of Qi,fluid and blood in the Huangdi Neijing,to explore the basic pathogenesis of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation,also provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer and inhibition of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation.[Methods]This paper analyzes the evolution of the pathogenesis of the whole cycle of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation with the analysis of Huangdi Neijing,Synopsis of the Golden Chamber,General Treatise on the Cause and Symptoms of Diseases and others.It also summarizes the traditional Chinese medical treatment options of modern medical practitioners for different stages of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation.[Results]Chronic atrophic gastritis is induced by liver Qi stagnation,spleen-stomach weakness and insufficient fluid over a long period of time.Lacking vital energy,deficiency of fluid and blood stasis,prolonged accumulation of venom,body fluid blocked-blood stasis,stasis-toxin blockage are the key pathogenic mechanisms of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation.To intervene in the process of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation,it is necessary to emphasize the simultaneous treatment of Qi,fluid and blood.Intervention in the transformation process of gastric"inflammation-cancer"should emphasize on dredging the liver and regulating the Qi in the early stage,benefiting the Qi and strengthening the spleen in the middle stage,nourishing the Yin and activating the blood in the middle and late stages,and benefiting the Qi and resolving the blood stasis and detoxification in the final stage.[Conclusion]The pathogenetic elements of poor Qi,fluid blocked-blood stasis,stasis-toxin blockage play an important role in the evolution of the whole cycle of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation.Regulating Qi,tonifying Yin and activating blood circulation,resolving stasis and removing toxins are the basic methods for treating gastric precancerous lesions,and they have achieved good therapeutic effects in clinical practice.
8.Reliability and validity analysis of care giver assessment via observation in general hospital
Weixuan QU ; Yanping DUAN ; Yufei WANG ; Bindong DAI ; Jiaojiao HU ; Wei WANG ; Lili SHI ; Jing WEI
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(6):552-557
Objective:To develop and validate the reliability and validity of the care giver assessment via observation (CGAO) in general hospital .Methods:From July 4, 2022 to June 24, 2023, a total of 120 adult inpatients with somatic diseases in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were selected by cluster sampling. All patients completed the CGAO, union physio-psycho-social assessment questionnaire (UPPSAQ-70) and patient health questionnaire-9 item (PHQ-9) assessment simultaneously. Exploratory factor analysis and item response theory analysis were used to explore the structural validity of CGAO by SPSS 26.0 software.The symptoms items and suicide risk assessed by UPPSAQ-70 and PHQ-9 were used as criteria to verify criterion validity.Results:Through exploratory factor analysis, a single-factor model could be constructed. The analysis based on item response theory suggested that it had a good fit with the single-factor stepwise response model ( χ2/ df=1.307, RMSEA=0.051, CFI=0.986, TLI=0.983). The CGAO total score was significantly positively correlated with the total scores of PHQ-9 and UPPSAQ-70 ( r=0.639, 0.518, both P<0.001). The Cronbach's α coefficient of the CGAO full scale was 0.735. Conclusion:CGAO has good reliability and validity in evaluating mental behavior of patients, and is suitable for early recognition of mental behavior abnormalities of inpatients in general hospitals.
9.Endothelial cell proliferation and extracellular matrix-related pathways regulate pulmonary arterial hypertension in rat models
Xiaoxuan LU ; Lina GUO ; Hong ZHANG ; Wanlu SONG ; Yufei HU ; Peiran YANG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(6):770-776
Objective To identify mechanisms regulating disease progression in rat models of pulmonary arterial hy-pertension(PAH).Methods Rat PAH models were established using subcutaneous monocrotaline(MCT)injec-tion and the SU5416/hypoxia(SU/Hx)method.Transcriptomic sequencing of lung tissues was performed to identify gene expression and pathway alterations in PAH rats,followed by a comparative analysis with transcriptomic data of patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension(IPAH)in NCBI database.Results Inflammatory-related genes such as CXCL9,CCL24,and SECTM1 were upregulated in both PAH rat models and IPAH patient lungs,while genes such as DGKG and DOCK9 were downregulated(P<0.05).Pathways related to endothelial cell proliferation regulation and extracellular matrix(ECM)remodeling were significantly upregulated(P<0.05).Conclusions The imbalance in endothelial cell proliferation and abnormal ECM remodeling may collectively contribute to PAH pathogenesis.Further exploration of these signaling pathways may provide deep in-sights for early diagnosis and targeted therapy of PAH.
10.Research progress on animal models of imiquimod-induced psoriasis
Qing LI ; Jiani TU ; Jia HU ; Yufei FAN ; Jiaming WANG ; Qiao YANG
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(8):1222-1234
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with worldwide prevalence,primarily characterized by epidermal hyperplasia,abnormal keratinization,and immune cell infiltration,with a significant negative impact on patients' quality of life and mental well-being.The onset of psoriasis is closely associated with genetic susceptibility,immune dysregulation,and environmental factors.Despite research progress into the pathogenesis of psoriasis,existing treatment method still face problems including limited efficacy and obvious side effects.There is thus an urgent need for an in-depth analysis of its pathological network and the development of novel interventional strategies.The imiquimod-induced psoriasis animal model has accordingly become a crucial tool for studying psoriasis owing to its high reproducibility and excellent pathological simulation.This review systematically summarizes the core mechanism of action of the imiquimod-induced psoriasis model,expounds on the molecular basis of its action via pathways such as the cascade reaction of the core immune-inflammatory axis,the multi-regulatory network of downstream synergistic mechanisms,and the interaction between host and environmental factors.Research based on this model has successfully verified the therapeutic effects of various targeted therapies and natural products on psoriasis,demonstrating its important application value in therapeutic interventional research.We also discuss the limitations of the imiquimod-induced psoriasis model,and indicate future research directions,with the aim of providing references for further in-depth research and the treatment of psoriasis.

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