1.Integrating Transcriptomics and 3D Organoids to Investigate Mechanism of Periplaneta americana Extract Against Lung Adenocarcinoma
Qiong MA ; Chunxia HUANG ; Jiawei HE ; Yuting BAI ; Xingyue LIU ; Yuxuan XIONG ; Yang ZHONG ; Hengzhou LAI ; Yuling JIANG ; Xueke LI ; Qian WANG ; Yifeng REN ; Xi FU ; Funeng GENG ; Taoqing WU ; Ping XIAO ; Fengming YOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):124-132
ObjectiveTo evaluate the antitumor activity of Periplaneta americana extract(PAE) against human-derived lung adenocarcinoma organoids(LUAD-PDOs) and to elucidate its potential mechanism based on transcriptomics. MethodsFresh tumor and adjacent normal tissues from patients with LUAD were collected to construct LUAD-PDOs and normal lung organoid(Nor-PDOs) models using 3D organoid culture technology. The effective intervention concentration of PAE was determined using the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay. Experimental groups included the model group(LUAD-PDOs), normal group, model administration group(LUAD-PDOs+PAE), and normal administration group(Nor-PDOs+PAE). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological structures of PDOs, immunohistochemistry(IHC) was performed to detect the expressions of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and lung adenocarcinoma differentiation markers cytokeratin-7(CK-7) and Napsin A, TUNEL staining was applied to detect cell apoptosis. RNA sequencing(RNA-Seq) was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes(DEGs), followed by Gene Ontology(GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA), alongside protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis to screen core mechanisms. Finally, key targets were validated by integrating external database analysis with immunofluorescence(IF). ResultsNor-PDOs and LUAD-PDOs that highly recapitulated the pathological characteristics of the primary tissues were successfully established. The CCK-8 assay determined that the effective intervention concentration of PAE was 16 g·L-1. Morphological observation showed that Nor-PDOs exhibited lumen-forming structures, whereas LUAD-PDOs displayed dense, solid structures. CCK-8 and TUNEL assays revealed that, compared with the model group, PAE intervention inhibited the proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promoted apoptosis in LUAD cells, while showing no significant effect on the viability of Nor-PDOs. Transcriptomic analysis identified 719 DEGs that were significantly reversed after PAE intervention(347 up-regulated and 372 down-regulated)(P<0.05). GO enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs in the model administration group were significantly enriched in biological processes related to cell cycle regulation compared to the model group. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that PAE affected pathways related to proliferation and metabolism, including pathways in cancer and the p53 signaling pathway. GSEA further confirmed that PAE significantly enhanced the activity of the p53 signaling pathway(P<0.05). PPI network analysis indicated that breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein(BRCA1) and checkpoint kinase 1(CHEK1) were the core down-regulated targets in the p53 pathway. IF verified the high expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 in LUAD-PDOs and their significant downregulation after PAE intervention(P<0.05). Furthermore, survival analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA) database indicated that low expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 was significantly associated with prolonged overall survival in patients with LUAD(P<0.05). ConclusionPAE effectively inhibits proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promotes their apoptosis, its anti-tumor mechanism is potentially associated with the activation of the p53 signaling pathway, with BRCA1 and CHEK1 genes likely serving as key downstream targets for the effects of PAE.
2.Tiaozhou Ziyin recipe for treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency: efficacy, safety and mechanism.
Peipei TANG ; Yong TAN ; Yanyun YIN ; Xiaowei NIE ; Jingyu HUANG ; Wenting ZUO ; Yuling LI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(5):929-941
OBJECTIVES:
To assess the efficacy and safety of Tiaozhou Ziyin (TZZY) recipe for treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and explore the possible mechanisms.
METHODS:
We used bioinformatics analyses and network pharmacology to identify the main active ingredients in TZZY recipe and their core targets, which were verified by Western blotting. We tested the efficacy and safety of the recipe in 60 POI patients, who were randomized into control group (n=30) with Femoston treatment and TZZY group (n=30) with additional TZZY recipe treatment for 3 menstrual cycles.
RESULTS:
The core active ingredients of TZZY recipe included kaempferol, β-sitosterol, luteolin, and quercetin. The core targets included SRC, TP53, STAT3, PIK3CA, and MAPK3, which were involved in positive regulation of cell movement and protein phosphorylation, the cancer pathways and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that the core active ingredients had good binding ability with the core targets. In female rat models of POI, TZZY recipe treatment significantly up-regulated ovarian expressions of p-PI3K and p-Akt proteins. In the clinical trial, treatment with Femoston and Femoston plus TZZY recipe both significantly increased E2 levels and reduced FSH and LH levels and Kupperman scores of the patients, and the combined treatment produced significantly stronger effects. Both treatments increased the number of antral follicles of the patients, but the combined treatment also significantly increased the levels of AMH.
CONCLUSIONS
The therapeutic mechanism of TZZY recipe for POI involves multiple active ingredients, multiple therapeutic targets and multiple pathways, and activating the PI3K /Akt pathway is one of its main mechanisms of action, to improve ovarian reserve function, alleviate clinical symptoms, and enhance clinical efficacy in POI patients.
Female
;
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/drug therapy*
;
Humans
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Animals
;
Rats
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Signal Transduction
;
Sitosterols/therapeutic use*
;
Kaempferols/therapeutic use*
3.Time-specific study on the efficacy of stems and leaves of Arachis hypogaea L. targeting glycine/serine metabolism for insomnia treatment.
Yin WANG ; Yuling HUANG ; Guohua WANG ; Ting JIANG ; Shuwen GENG ; Hongzhan XU ; Tingting ZHOU ; Wenjing ZHANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(11):101288-101288
Image 1.
4.Analysis of the mechanism of Zangjiangzhi capsule in the treatment of hyperlipidemia based on its ingredients identified by UHPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS
Changting He ; Yuling Zhao ; Yongchun Huang ; Yudong Su ; Shoude Zhang
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2025;2025(1):44-55
Objective:
To explore the mechanism of action of Zangjiangzhi capsule (ZJZC) in treating hyperlipidemia (HLP).
Methods:
The components of ZJZC were analyzed and identified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with Q-Exactive Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS/MS). Network pharmacology analysis was used to explore the mechanism of action of ZJZC in HLP treatment. The SwissTargetPrediction database was used to predict compound targets, and GeneCards, DisGeNet, OMIM, and DRUGBANK databases were used to identify HLP-related targets. Protein–protein interaction diagrams were constructed using the STRING database. The targets were subjected to gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. The “herb-ingredient-target” network was visualized using Cytoscape. Preliminary validation was performed using molecular docking and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:
Ninety compounds were identified in ZJZC, including 34 flavonoids, 12 phenols, 10 terpenoids, 10 alkaloids, 8 organic acids, 8 anthraquinones, and 9 other compounds. In total, 904 targets were identified for these compounds. Among them, 158 targets intersected with the HLP target network. Network pharmacology analysis showed that MAPK1, PPAR-α, RXRA, HSP90AA1, PIK3R1, AKT1, PIK3CA, IL6, TNF, and ESR1 are the key targets of action. KEGG enrichment analysis identified 164 pathways. Among these, the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, lipid and atherosclerosis pathways, regulation of lipids in adipocytes, and insulin resistance are related to HLP. Molecular docking showed good affinity between the key targets and ingredients. Further, ZJZC treatment in mice resulted in lower expression of MAPK1 protein and increased expression of PPAR-α protein, which have been shown to be strongly associated with HLP.
Conclusions
This study showed that ZJZC contains various active ingredients and can modulate multiple targets and pathways associated with HLP, providing evidence at the molecular level for its clinical application in the treatment of HLP.
5.Tiaozhou Ziyin recipe for treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency:efficacy,safety and mechanism
Peipei TANG ; Yong TAN ; Yanyun YIN ; Xiaowei NIE ; Jingyu HUANG ; Wenting ZUO ; Yuling LI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(5):929-941
Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of Tiaozhou Ziyin(TZZY)recipe for treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)and explore the possible mechanisms.Methods We used bioinformatics analyses and network pharmacology to identify the main active ingredients in TZZY recipe and their core targets,which were verified by Western blotting.We tested the efficacy and safety of the recipe in 60 POI patients,who were randomized into control group(n=30)with Femoston treatment and TZZY group(n=30)with additional TZZY recipe treatment for 3 menstrual cycles.Results The core active ingredients of TZZY recipe included kaempferol,β-sitosterol,luteolin,and quercetin.The core targets included SRC,TP53,STAT3,PIK3CA,and MAPK3,which were involved in positive regulation of cell movement and protein phosphorylation,the cancer pathways and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.Molecular docking showed that the core active ingredients had good binding ability with the core targets.In female rat models of POI,TZZY recipe treatment significantly up-regulated ovarian expressions of p-PI3K and p-Akt proteins.In the clinical trial,treatment with Femoston and Femoston plus TZZY recipe both significantly increased E2 levels and reduced FSH and LH levels and Kupperman scores of the patients,and the combined treatment produced significantly stronger effects.Both treatments increased the number of antral follicles of the patients,but the combined treatment also significantly increased the levels of AMH.Conclusion The therapeutic mechanism of TZZY recipe for POI involves multiple active ingredients,multiple therapeutic targets and multiple pathways,and activating the PI3K/Akt pathway is one of its main mechanisms of action,to improve ovarian reserve function,alleviate clinical symptoms,and enhance clinical efficacy in POI patients.
6.Correlation of dietary intake during home stay of postoperative patients with digestive malignant tumors and the nutritional knowledge of their primary family caregivers
Yuling HU ; Qiyuan HUANG ; Weisheng YANG ; Zhimin DU
Modern Hospital 2024;24(2):289-292,296
Objective To investigate the dietary intakes of postoperative patients with digestive malignant tumor during their recovery at home and explores the correlation of the intakes with the food nutritional knowledge of their primary family care-givers.Methods A total of 108 primary caregivers of prospective patients with digestive malignant tumors were selected for a sur-vey conducted at home from October 2022 to March 2023 in Guangzhou,from two tertiary hospitals.In this cross-sectional study,this paper investigated these caregivers using its general information questionnaire,a nutritional knowledge-attitude-behavior ques-tionnaire,and a simple dietary self-assessment tool(SDSAT).Results The SDSAT score of the patients was collected(4.16±1.22).Significant differences were observed among patients with various tumor types in terms of the recovery time at home after surgery.The total score of family primary caregivers'nutritional knowledge,attitude,and behavior was(47.64±6.97).Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between the knowledge of dietary guidelines and the patient's dietary intakes during home stay(r=0.285,P<0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that caregivers'knowledge of dieta-ry guidelines significantly influenced the dietary intake of the prospective patients.Conclusion It is essential to regularly monitor the dietary intake of prospective patients at home.Medical personnel can concentrate on intervening with the patient's caregivers and encouraging them to participate in nutrition management together.This approach can improve the quality of family care and the nutritional status of the patients.
7.Identification of banana ADA1 gene family members and their expression profiles under biotic and abiotic stresses.
Qiqi ZHAO ; Wenhui REN ; Huifei ZHU ; Qiuzhen WU ; Chunyu ZHANG ; Xiaoqiong XU ; Binbin LUO ; Yuji HUANG ; Yukun CHEN ; Yuling LIN ; Zhongxiong LAI
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2024;40(1):190-210
The Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase (SAGA) is an ancillary transcription initiation complex which is highly conserved. The ADA1 (alteration/deficiency in activation 1, also called histone H2A functional interactor 1, HFI1) is a subunit in the core module of the SAGA protein complex. ADA1 plays an important role in plant growth and development as well as stress resistance. In this paper, we performed genome-wide identification of banana ADA1 gene family members based on banana genomic data, and analyzed the basic physicochemical properties, evolutionary relationships, selection pressure, promoter cis-acting elements, and its expression profiles under biotic and abiotic stresses. The results showed that there were 10, 6, and 7 family members in Musa acuminata, Musa balbisiana and Musa itinerans. The members were all unstable and hydrophilic proteins, and only contained the conservative SAGA-Tad1 domain. Both MaADA1 and MbADA1 have interactive relationship with Sgf11 (SAGA-associated factor 11) of core module in SAGA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that banana ADA1 gene family members could be divided into 3 classes. The evolution of ADA1 gene family members was mostly influenced by purifying selection. There were large differences among the gene structure of banana ADA1 gene family members. ADA1 gene family members contained plenty of hormonal elements. MaADA1-1 may play a prominent role in the resistance of banana to cold stress, while MaADA1 may respond to the Panama disease of banana. In conclusion, this study suggested ADA1 gene family members are highly conserved in banana, and may respond to biotic and abiotic stress.
Musa/genetics*
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Phylogeny
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Fungal Proteins
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Cell Nucleus
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Histones
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Stress, Physiological/genetics*
8.Research progress on opacification of intraocular lens
Wenlong HUANG ; Wei LEI ; Jinkui LIU ; Yuling WEI
International Eye Science 2024;24(10):1600-1604
Opacification of intraocular lens(IOL)is a rare postoperative complication of cataract surgery. Its occurrence may be associated with various factors, including manufacturing processes, IOL material, patient factors, and surgical intervention. IOL opacification has been reported in all kinds of materials, and the morphological changes and pathological features of IOL opacification from different materials have their own characteristics, with varying clinical manifestations. With the development of related researches, the understanding of IOL opacification is becoming more and more comprehensive. This article reviews the latest research progress in the morphology, etiology, diagnosis and treatment of IOL opacification, with a view to providing guidance for current clinical work and potential directions for future scientific research.
9.Clinical characteristics and outcomes of psoriasis patients with COVID-19: A retrospective, multicenter cohort study in China
Yanhua LIU ; Zhongrui XU ; Jian ZHOU ; Aijun CHEN ; Junling ZHANG ; Xiaojing KANG ; Xian JIANG ; Chengzhi LYU ; Chunrui SHI ; Yuling SHI ; Xiaoming LIU ; Fuqiu LI ; Bin YANG ; Yongmei HUANG ; Chen YU ; Gang WANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(14):1736-1743
Background::Limited information exists regarding the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on psoriasis patients. The objective of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with the prognosis of psoriasis following SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods::A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted between March and May 2023. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related psoriasis outcomes. The study included 2371 psoriasis patients from 12 clinical centers, with 2049 of them having been infected with SARS-CoV-2.Results::Among the infected groups, lower exacerbation rates were observed in individuals treated with biologics compared to those receiving traditional systemic or nonsystemic treatments (22.3% [236/1058] vs. 39.8% [92/231] vs. 37.5% [140/373], P <0.001). Psoriasis progression with lesions (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 8.197, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 5.685–11.820, compared to no lesions), hypertension (adjusted OR = 1.582, 95% CI = 1.068–2.343), traditional systemic (adjusted OR = 1.887, 95% CI= 1.263–2.818), and nonsystemic treatment (adjusted OR= 1.602, 95% CI= 1.117–2.297) were found to be associated with exacerbation of psoriasis after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but not biologics (adjusted OR = 0.931, 95% CI = 0.680–1.274, compared to no treatment), according to multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusions::A reduced risk of psoriasis exacerbation after SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed with biologics compared to traditional systemic and nonsystemic treatments. Significant risk factors for exacerbation after infection were identified as existing psoriatic lesions and hypertension.
10.3,5-Dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl alcohol attenuates hypoxic/reoxygenation injury of human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Zongmian YANG ; Mengjun ZHOU ; Yuling ZHANG ; Danmei HUANG ; Yang ZHANG ; WONG NAI-KEI ; Yanmei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2024;40(11):2067-2073
AIM:To explore the effect of polyphenolic compound 3,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl alcohol(DHMBA)on hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)injury of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(EA.hy926 cells)and its po-tential mechanisms.METHODS:To construct an H/R model,the EA.hy926 cells were cultured in an acidic hypoxia buffer while in an anaerobic workstation.The cells were divided into control,H/R,H/R+different doses of DHMBA,H/R+edaravone(antioxidant)and H/R+reactive oxygen species(ROS)inducer oligomycin A+DHMBA groups.Cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)levels in cells were mea-sured by ELISA.Phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)p65 were measured by Western blot.Intracellular NO levels were determined by laser confocal microscopy.Glutathione(GSH)/glu-tathione disulfide(GSSG)oxidation balance was determined by the dinitrobenzoic acid chromogenic method.Intracellular ROS levels were measured by flow cytometry.Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)leakage was determined using nitro blue tet-razolium staining.Scratch assays were performed to assess cell migration.RESULTS:DHMBA exhibited no significant cytotoxicity between 125 and 1 000 μmol/L.In H/R-injured human umbilical vein endothelial cells,DHMBA improved cell survival,inhibited phosphorylation of NF-κB p65,reduced the content of TNF-α and IL-6,and increased phosphory-lation of eNOS and NO levels.DHMBA also suppressed ROS overload and restored the ratio between GSH and oxidized GSH,decreased in LDH leakage and increased cell migration in H/R-injured human umbilical vein endothelial cells.CONCLUSION:DHMBA can alleviate H/R-induced oxidative stress,inflammation,cellular damage,and dysfunction,which are associated with the ability of DHMBA to inhibit ROS production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.


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