1.Pharmacological effects and drug design research progress of fucoxanthin
Yuxin ZHANG ; Ziyang DENG ; Can WANG ; Dan ZENG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(17):2216-2220
Fucoxanthin is a pigment found in plants and animals such as algae, marine plankton and aquatic shellfish, and holds significant potential for development in the pharmaceutical field. This review introduces the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-obesity, and other pharmacological effects of fucoxanthin, as well as recent advances in drug design research. It was found that fucoxanthin can exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects through mechanisms such as activating AMP- activated protein kinase related signaling pathways, regulating the expression of inflammatory factors, altering microbial stability, thereby improving conditions such as metabolic associated fatty liver disease and colitis. It can exert selective antitumor effects through multi-target synergistic actions; and it was also found that it can exert anti-obesity effects by regulating the intestinal microbiota. Its characteristic functional groups (such as hydroxyl and epoxy groups) possess target specificity and reversible inhibitory properties, making it a suitable template for guiding the design and development of novel drugs, thereby providing new insights for breaking through the limitations of traditional drug design.
2.Role of borneol as enhancer in drug formulation: A review.
Manqun TANG ; Wenwei ZHONG ; Liwei GUO ; Haoran ZENG ; Yuxin PANG
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(3):473-483
As a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), borneol has shown superior ability for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities when coupled with other active ingredients from ancient times. Furthermore, borneol is believed to improve blood concentration and bioavailability of drugs. Thus, it has been paired with various TCM formulas since ancient time. The physiological barriers in human can cause significant limitations in drug efficiency as the drug is primarily restricted from entering into blood and brain. Borneol has been proven to enhance the permeability of biological barriers such as the blood-brain, transdermal, corneal, and intestinal barriers. Moreover, growing interest has been shown in the drug delivery system design for trans-barrier transport involving borneol. Nano-drug delivery system with increased surface area and improved active sites, has been applied to increase the bioactivity of water insoluble drugs. Nano-drug delivery system has been used to enhance drug efficacy by reducing the time of action as compared to conventional administration approach of TCM formulas. Given its ability to enhance cross-barrier permeation and drug efficacy, borneol has been integrated into TCM formulas of drug delivery system for precise and prolonged targeting at tumor sites. However, the design and preparation of a drug delivery system consisting of borneol still face great challenges. Current research fails to unravel the difference in mechanism of action between nano-drug delivery systems comprised of borneol and conventional drug systems coupled with borneol. Enhanced penetration of borneol in drug delivery system is rarely verified compared to conventional administration with identical drug formulation consisting of borneol regarding dosage and medical indications. This study outlines the current state of research on the properties, formulation and pharmacological effects of borneol, allowing cross-comparison of borneol coupled with single compound and classical TCM formulas for various medical indications. This study aims to provide insights into the design of borneol-based enhanced cross-barrier delivery drug formulation, and the potential development of nano-drug system for TCM formulas with borneol for enhanced bioavailability.
3.Study on the brain functional network and structural-functional coupling in children with drug-resistant epilepsy
Xuhong LI ; Jianhui XIAO ; Heng LIU ; Yulun HE ; Haifeng RAN ; Yuxin XIE ; Guiqin CHEN ; Qian′e YU ; Zhen ZENG ; Wenfu LI ; Tijiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(2):184-191
Objective:To investigate the changes in brain functional network and structural-functional network coupling in children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), and to analyze their correlation with cognitive function, disease duration, and age of onset.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. Clinical and imaging data of 19 children with DRE who received consultation and treatment at the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from August 2021 to August 2023 (DRE group) were prospectively included. Another 27 age-and sex-matched healthy children were collected as the healthy control group. All subjects had 3D-T 1WI, T 2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans and Wechsler Intelligence Scale assessments. Independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the global and local topological attributes, as well as the structural-functional coupling (SFC) values at the whole brain and modular levels in two groups. Correlations between abnormal resting state brain functional network indicators and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale score [verbal comprehension index (VCI), perceptual reasoning index (PRI), working memory index (WMI), processing speed index (PSI), full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ)], disease duration and age of onset was evaluated using a Spearman or Pearson correlation analysis. Results:Compared to the healthy control group, DRE group exhibited decreased VCI, PRI, WMI, PSI, FSIQ and the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). Both brain functional networks had small world attributes. There was a statistically significant difference in the area under the curve of sparsity of degree centrality (DC) in the left pallidum between the DRE group and healthy control group (2.998±0.942, 4.992±1.945, t=-4.07, FDR corrected P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the DRE group had decreased SFC within the limbic network (LN) ( P<0.05), increased SFC within the sensorimotor (SMN) ( P<0.05), decreased SFC between the default mode network-LN ( P<0.05), and increased SFC between the SMN-attentional network (AN) ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in SFC at the whole brain level between the two groups. Correlation analysis indicated that DC in left pallidum in DRE group negatively correlated with the PSI ( r=-0.537, P=0.018), and SFC between the SMN and AN demonstrated a negative correlation with age of onset ( r=-0.537, P=0.018). Conclusion:The altered DC in left pallidum may be related to cognitive impairment in children with DRE, providing biomarker information for the study of neural mechanisms in children with DRE.
4.Study on self-injurious and suicidal behavior,non-enzymatic antioxidants and thyroid hormones in adolescents with depressive disorder
Xuefei WANG ; Manman CHEN ; Yuxin TENG ; Botao ZENG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(5):15-18
Objective To investigate the correlation between self-injurious and suicidal behavior in adolescents with depressive disorder and their non-enzymatic antioxidants and thyroid hormones.Methods A total of 93 adolescent patients with depressive disorder who were hospitalized at the Qingdao Mental Health Center from August 2023 to May 2024 were selected as the research subjects.The patients were divided into three groups:depression group(n=33),self-injurious behavior group(n=30)and a suicidal behavior.Plasma levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants and thyroid hormones were measured at admission and after 8 weeks of treatment,and their clinical symptoms were assessed by the Hamilton depression scale(HAMD)and the Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA).Differences in plasma non-enzymatic antioxidants and thyroid function levels and scale scores were compared among three groups.Results Compared with depression group,baseline UA levels were lower in self-injurious and suicidal behavior groups.After 8 weeks of treatment,FT3 levels were higher in self-injurious group than in the suicidal behavior group,and both HAMD and HAMA scores decreased in all patients.After correction,HAMA scores were higher in suicidal behavior group than in depression group(P=0.047).Compared to baseline levels,TSH levels increased,and HAMD and HAMA scores decreased in all groups after treatment(P<0.001).In suicidal behavior group,TBIL and FT3 levels decreased,and UA levels increased after treatment,while in depression group,FT4 levels decreased after treatment.Conclusion Non-enzymatic antioxidants may serve as potential biological markers for adolescents with depressive disorder who exhibit self-injurious and suicidal behavior.
5.Efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban for anticoagulant therapy in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation
Yanxian LAN ; Haipeng LU ; Cong LYU ; Yuxin ZENG ; Xiu LUO
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(7):59-62
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation.Methods The cases datas of 236 elderly patients with atrial fibrillation hospitalized in Minzu Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from July 2022 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the use of anticoagulant drugs,they were divided into rivaroxaban group(148 cases)and warfarin group(88 cases).New thrombosis,bleeding events and all-cause death during hospitalization were compared between two groups.Logistic regression and multi-factor Cox regression analysis were used to investigate the influencing factors of new thrombus,hemorrhage and all-cause death.Results The proportion of antiplatelet drugs and platelet count in rivaroxaban group were significantly higher than those in warfarin group,and thrombin time,prothrombin time and international standardized ratio were significantly lower than those in warfarin group(P<0.05).Before and after adjusting for confounders,there were no significant differences in the risk of new thrombosis,bleeding events and all-cause death between two groups(P>0.05).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that combined use of non steroidal antiinflammatory drug and low-dose rivaroxaban were risk factors for death in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation(P<0.05).Conclusion The efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation are not inferior to warfarin.
6.Role and mechanism of osteoblast autophagy in exercise-related improvements in osteoporosis
Xiaoyan YI ; Xinyu ZENG ; Yuwei LIU ; Yuxin YANG ; Chenghao ZHONG ; Jianbo HU ; Xianghe CHEN
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(3):156-169
The role of osteoblast(OB)autophagy in regulating bone metabolism is a research hotspot in the field of biomedicine.OB autophagy can regulate osteoporosis(OP)induced by aging,oxidative stress,estrogen deficiency,and glucocorticoids(GCs)by mediating factors such as run and cysteine rich domain containing Beclin-1 interacting protein(RUBCN),silent information regulator of transcription 1(SIRT1),and osteoprotegerin(OPG).OB autophagy can also regulate OP by activating notch receptor(Notch)and forkhead box protein O subfamily(FoxO),up-regulating the expression of osteogenic transcription factors(such as Runx2 and Osterix),and mediating the amp-activated protein kinase(AMPK),mammalian target of rapamycin complex(mTOR),Wnt,and c-Jun n terminal kinase(JNK)pathways to act on OB and osteoclast(OC)differentiation.Exercise is an important means of improving OP,and its molecular mechanism is closely related to the up-regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3K),adenosine monophosphate(AMP),tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),and SIRT1 expression.These in turn activate key factors or pathways(including AMPK,mTOR,Wnt,PI3K/protein kinase B(Akt)/mTOR,and nuclear transcription factor-KB(NF-κB)),regulate the expression of downstream target genes(β-catenin,mTOR,FoxO3a and B cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2))to up-regulate the expression of autophagy factors(Beclin-1,autophagy related genes(ATG),and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3)),and promote OB autophagy to restore the dynamic balance in the body,thereby regulating bone formation and bone resorption and improving OP.The relationships among exercise,OB autophagy and OP,however,remain unclear and there is currently a lack of systematic reviews.Here we review and analyze the mechanism of OB autophagy in relation to exercise-induced improvements in OP,and provide a new theoretical basis and research ideas for the prevention and treatment of OP.
7.Role and mechanism of osteoblast autophagy in exercise-related improvements in osteoporosis
Xiaoyan YI ; Xinyu ZENG ; Yuwei LIU ; Yuxin YANG ; Chenghao ZHONG ; Jianbo HU ; Xianghe CHEN
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(3):156-169
The role of osteoblast(OB)autophagy in regulating bone metabolism is a research hotspot in the field of biomedicine.OB autophagy can regulate osteoporosis(OP)induced by aging,oxidative stress,estrogen deficiency,and glucocorticoids(GCs)by mediating factors such as run and cysteine rich domain containing Beclin-1 interacting protein(RUBCN),silent information regulator of transcription 1(SIRT1),and osteoprotegerin(OPG).OB autophagy can also regulate OP by activating notch receptor(Notch)and forkhead box protein O subfamily(FoxO),up-regulating the expression of osteogenic transcription factors(such as Runx2 and Osterix),and mediating the amp-activated protein kinase(AMPK),mammalian target of rapamycin complex(mTOR),Wnt,and c-Jun n terminal kinase(JNK)pathways to act on OB and osteoclast(OC)differentiation.Exercise is an important means of improving OP,and its molecular mechanism is closely related to the up-regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3K),adenosine monophosphate(AMP),tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),and SIRT1 expression.These in turn activate key factors or pathways(including AMPK,mTOR,Wnt,PI3K/protein kinase B(Akt)/mTOR,and nuclear transcription factor-KB(NF-κB)),regulate the expression of downstream target genes(β-catenin,mTOR,FoxO3a and B cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2))to up-regulate the expression of autophagy factors(Beclin-1,autophagy related genes(ATG),and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3)),and promote OB autophagy to restore the dynamic balance in the body,thereby regulating bone formation and bone resorption and improving OP.The relationships among exercise,OB autophagy and OP,however,remain unclear and there is currently a lack of systematic reviews.Here we review and analyze the mechanism of OB autophagy in relation to exercise-induced improvements in OP,and provide a new theoretical basis and research ideas for the prevention and treatment of OP.
8.Study on self-injurious and suicidal behavior,non-enzymatic antioxidants and thyroid hormones in adolescents with depressive disorder
Xuefei WANG ; Manman CHEN ; Yuxin TENG ; Botao ZENG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(5):15-18
Objective To investigate the correlation between self-injurious and suicidal behavior in adolescents with depressive disorder and their non-enzymatic antioxidants and thyroid hormones.Methods A total of 93 adolescent patients with depressive disorder who were hospitalized at the Qingdao Mental Health Center from August 2023 to May 2024 were selected as the research subjects.The patients were divided into three groups:depression group(n=33),self-injurious behavior group(n=30)and a suicidal behavior.Plasma levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants and thyroid hormones were measured at admission and after 8 weeks of treatment,and their clinical symptoms were assessed by the Hamilton depression scale(HAMD)and the Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA).Differences in plasma non-enzymatic antioxidants and thyroid function levels and scale scores were compared among three groups.Results Compared with depression group,baseline UA levels were lower in self-injurious and suicidal behavior groups.After 8 weeks of treatment,FT3 levels were higher in self-injurious group than in the suicidal behavior group,and both HAMD and HAMA scores decreased in all patients.After correction,HAMA scores were higher in suicidal behavior group than in depression group(P=0.047).Compared to baseline levels,TSH levels increased,and HAMD and HAMA scores decreased in all groups after treatment(P<0.001).In suicidal behavior group,TBIL and FT3 levels decreased,and UA levels increased after treatment,while in depression group,FT4 levels decreased after treatment.Conclusion Non-enzymatic antioxidants may serve as potential biological markers for adolescents with depressive disorder who exhibit self-injurious and suicidal behavior.
9.Efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban for anticoagulant therapy in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation
Yanxian LAN ; Haipeng LU ; Cong LYU ; Yuxin ZENG ; Xiu LUO
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(7):59-62
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation.Methods The cases datas of 236 elderly patients with atrial fibrillation hospitalized in Minzu Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from July 2022 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the use of anticoagulant drugs,they were divided into rivaroxaban group(148 cases)and warfarin group(88 cases).New thrombosis,bleeding events and all-cause death during hospitalization were compared between two groups.Logistic regression and multi-factor Cox regression analysis were used to investigate the influencing factors of new thrombus,hemorrhage and all-cause death.Results The proportion of antiplatelet drugs and platelet count in rivaroxaban group were significantly higher than those in warfarin group,and thrombin time,prothrombin time and international standardized ratio were significantly lower than those in warfarin group(P<0.05).Before and after adjusting for confounders,there were no significant differences in the risk of new thrombosis,bleeding events and all-cause death between two groups(P>0.05).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that combined use of non steroidal antiinflammatory drug and low-dose rivaroxaban were risk factors for death in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation(P<0.05).Conclusion The efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation are not inferior to warfarin.
10.Study on the brain functional network and structural-functional coupling in children with drug-resistant epilepsy
Xuhong LI ; Jianhui XIAO ; Heng LIU ; Yulun HE ; Haifeng RAN ; Yuxin XIE ; Guiqin CHEN ; Qian′e YU ; Zhen ZENG ; Wenfu LI ; Tijiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(2):184-191
Objective:To investigate the changes in brain functional network and structural-functional network coupling in children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), and to analyze their correlation with cognitive function, disease duration, and age of onset.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. Clinical and imaging data of 19 children with DRE who received consultation and treatment at the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from August 2021 to August 2023 (DRE group) were prospectively included. Another 27 age-and sex-matched healthy children were collected as the healthy control group. All subjects had 3D-T 1WI, T 2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans and Wechsler Intelligence Scale assessments. Independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the global and local topological attributes, as well as the structural-functional coupling (SFC) values at the whole brain and modular levels in two groups. Correlations between abnormal resting state brain functional network indicators and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale score [verbal comprehension index (VCI), perceptual reasoning index (PRI), working memory index (WMI), processing speed index (PSI), full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ)], disease duration and age of onset was evaluated using a Spearman or Pearson correlation analysis. Results:Compared to the healthy control group, DRE group exhibited decreased VCI, PRI, WMI, PSI, FSIQ and the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). Both brain functional networks had small world attributes. There was a statistically significant difference in the area under the curve of sparsity of degree centrality (DC) in the left pallidum between the DRE group and healthy control group (2.998±0.942, 4.992±1.945, t=-4.07, FDR corrected P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the DRE group had decreased SFC within the limbic network (LN) ( P<0.05), increased SFC within the sensorimotor (SMN) ( P<0.05), decreased SFC between the default mode network-LN ( P<0.05), and increased SFC between the SMN-attentional network (AN) ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in SFC at the whole brain level between the two groups. Correlation analysis indicated that DC in left pallidum in DRE group negatively correlated with the PSI ( r=-0.537, P=0.018), and SFC between the SMN and AN demonstrated a negative correlation with age of onset ( r=-0.537, P=0.018). Conclusion:The altered DC in left pallidum may be related to cognitive impairment in children with DRE, providing biomarker information for the study of neural mechanisms in children with DRE.

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