1.Mechanism of Yangjing Zhongyutang in Regulating SIRT1/PGC-1α Signaling Pathway to Promote Mitochondrial Function and Alleviate Oxidative Stress Damage in Rats with Diminished Ovarian Reserve
Ping ZHANG ; Lijuan YANG ; Shenghui CHEN ; Wenliang YAO ; Yuliang ZHOU ; Ling MA ; Huiying WU ; Yanwen XU ; Ziyan ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):46-55
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Yangjing Zhongyutang (YJZYT) on mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative stress damage mediated by the silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1α) signaling pathway in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced rats with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), and to explore its mechanism in improving ovarian reserve function and follicular development. MethodsForty-two 8-week-old female SD rats with normal estrous cycles were randomly divided into a blank control group (n=7) and a model group (n=35). Rats in the model group received a single intraperitoneal injection of CTX (90 mg·kg-1) to establish the DOR model. After modeling, estrous cycles were monitored for 7 consecutive days, and model success was confirmed based on criteria for estrous cycle disruption. After successful modeling, rats were divided into groups for intervention: estradiol valerate group (0.09 mg·kg-1), and YJZYT high-, medium-, and low-dose groups (19.98, 9.99, 5.00 g·kg-1). The blank control group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water by gavage. All groups received daily gavage once for 4 consecutive weeks. The general state, body weight, and ovarian wet weight of rats were observed and recorded, and the ovarian organ index was calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe ovarian histomorphological changes and follicular development status. Immunofluorescence was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression levels. Colorimetric assays were employed to measure adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in ovarian tissues. Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and the mRNA expression levels of key genes including SIRT1, PGC-1α, nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression levels of SIRT1, PGC-1α, NRF1, and TFAM. ResultsCompared with the blank group, rats in the model group exhibited disrupted estrous cycles, obviously reduced body weight, and decreased ovarian index (P<0.05). Ovarian histopathology revealed cortical thinning, loose structure, and a significant reduction in both primordial and growing follicles (P<0.01). Serum FSH and LH levels were significantly elevated (P<0.01), while E2 and AMH levels were obviously reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). ATP content and mtDNA copy number decreased in ovarian tissue (P<0.01), ROS expression increased, MDA levels rose, while SOD and GSH-Px activities obviously decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), mRNA and protein expression levels of SIRT1, PGC-1α, NRF1, and TFAM were obviously downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, compared with the model group, body weight and ovarian index obviously recovered in rats administered various doses of YJZYT (P<0.05), serum E2 and AMH levels increased, while FSH and LH levels obviously decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), ovarian tissue ATP content and mtDNA copy number were up-regulated, ROS and MDA levels decreased, and antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px activity obviously increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), Gene and protein expression levels related to the SIRT1/PGC-1α /NRF1/TFAM signaling pathway were obviously up-regulated compared to the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), HE staining revealed that ovarian structure gradually recovered to integrity in all treatment groups, with a obviously increase in the number of primordial and growing follicles (P<0.05, P<0.01). Granulosa cells were neatly arranged, indicating marked improvement in ovarian function. ConclusionYJZYT may improve ovarian function and follicular development in rats with diminished ovarian reserve by activating the SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway, promoting mitochondrial biogenesis, enhancing mitochondrial function, and alleviating oxidative stress damage.
2.Clinical Efficacy of Shenqi Yangxin Decoction in Treatment of Patients with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy and Its Effect on Serum H2S and Ca2+
Zhuojun ZHANG ; Lijuan SHEN ; Hongyi LAN ; Jiajing ZHAO ; Liyang SHEN ; Tiantian HUANG ; Shuai ZHANG ; Xiaodong TAN ; Shu LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):210-217
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Shenqi Yangxin decoction in the treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) with Qi and Yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome and its effect on serum hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and calcium ion (Ca2+). MethodsA total of 64 ICM patients with Qi and Yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a control group (n=32) and a treatment group (n=32). All patients received conventional Western medicine treatment. The treatment group was additionally given Shenqi Yangxin decoction. The TCM syndrome score, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac function classification, and serum H2S and Ca2+ levels were compared between the two groups pre- and post-treatment. ResultsTwo cases dropped out from each group during the study. Finally, 30 patients in each group were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences in age, gender, course of coronary heart disease, underlying diseases, and laboratory tests between the two groups. Compared with baseline, the TCM syndrome score, MLHFQ score, and NT-proBNP in both treatment group and control group decreased significantly (P<0.01), LVEF, 6MWT, and H2S increased significantly (P<0.01), and serum Ca2+ increased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, the MLHFQ score and NT-proBNP in the treatment group decreased (P<0.05), the TCM syndrome score decreased significantly (P<0.01), LVEF, 6MWT, and serum Ca2+ increased (P<0.05), and H2S increased significantly (P<0.01). The improvement degree of the NYHA cardiac function classification in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group, but there was no significant difference. ConclusionShenqi Yangxin decoction is effective in treating ICM patients with Qi and Yin deficiency and blood stasis, which could significantly improve cardiac function and quality of life, and its therapeutic effect may be related to the regulation of serum H2S and Ca2+ levels.
3.Factors affecting and identification of key environmental determinants of the Oncomelania hupensis snail density in the Yangtze River Delta based on machine learning models
Yinlong LI ; Qin LI ; Suying GUO ; Shizhen LI ; Lijuan ZHANG ; Chunli CAO ; Jing XU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(1):14-19
Objective To identify factors affecting and key environmental factors of the Oncomelania hupensis snail density in the Yangtze River Delta region using machine learning methods. Methods Administrative village-level O. hupensis snail survey data in the Yangtze River Delta (including Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province and Anhui Province) from 2011 to 2021 were retrieved from the Information Management System for Parasitic Disease Control of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Environmental factor data were captured from the Google Earth Engine platform, including elevation, slope, terrain, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), vegetation type, soil type, total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), ammonium nitrogen, inorganic nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, pH of water, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and inorganic phosphorus, and climatic factor data in the study region were retrieved from the Copernicus Climate Data Store, including annual precipitation, aridity index and annual mean temperature (AMT). O. hupensis snail survey data in the Yangtze River Delta region from 2011 to 2021 were randomly divided into a training set (70%) and a test set (30%), and five machine learning models were selected for machine learning model construction and comparative analysis of the O. hupensis snail density using the software R 4.3.0, including random forest (RF), eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), support vector machine (SVM), gradient boosting machine (GBM) and neural network (NN). The XGBoost model was employed to construct a predictive model for the O. hupensis snail density, and the impact of each environmental factor on O. hupensis snail distribution was quantified. The SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAPs) values were calculated to estimate the average contribution of each variable to the model prediction, and the core environmental factors affecting the O. hupensis snail population density were screened. Results Among the five machine learning models, the XGBoost model exhibited the optimal comprehensive performance, with the coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.855, mean squared error (MSE) of 0.188, root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.434 and mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.155, respectively. Analysis of factors affecting the O. hupensis snail density with the XGBoost model showed that among the 16 environmental factors, the top four high-impact factors ranked by SHAPs values included annual precipitation, elevation, aridity index and NDVI, with cumulative SHAPs contributions of 75%, which was higher than that of other environmental factors. If NDVI was higher than 0.6, the O. hupensis snail density increased with NDVI and peaked if NDVI was 0.8 (1.60 snails/0.1 m2). The O. hupensis snail density increased with elevation if the elevation ranged from 14 to 40 m, and slowly rose if the annual precipitation ranged from 900 to 1 300 mm, and then increased rapidly to the peak (1.52 snails/0.1 m2) if the annual precipitation ranged from 1 300 to 1 500 mm. In addition, the O. hupensis snail density increased rapidly to the maximum (1.60 snails/0.1 m2) if the aridity index ranged from 0.8 to 1.1, and decreased gradually if the aridity index exceeded 1.1. Conclusions The XGBoost model shows excellent performance in prediction of the O. hupensis snail density and identification of key environmental factors in the Yangtze River Delta region. Annual precipitation, elevation, aridity index and NDVI are key environmental factors affecting the distribution and density of O. hupensis snails in the Yangtze River Delta region.
4.Progress of research on the potential impacts of extreme climates on the distribution of Oncomelania hupensis
Yu PENG ; Jingbo XUE ; Yinlong LI ; Lijuan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(1):96-99
The frequent extreme climatic events post multifaceted impacts on the distribution of Oncomelania hupensis, the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum in the context of global climate change. This article systematically reviews the effects of four types of extreme climatic events, including floods, droughts, heat waves, and cold waves, on the survival, reproduction, and distribution of Oncomelania hupensis. Floods may expand suitable snail habitats, and increase both emerging and re-emerging snail habitats; however, the impact of floods on O. hupensis density is characterized by a lag effect of a decline followed by a rise. Droughts may cause fragmentation of suitable O. hupensis snail habitats, reduced O. hupensis snail egg production rates, and increased O. hupensis snail mortality, and heat waves may cause an increase in O. hupensis snail mortality, a reduction in numbers of O. hupensis snail populations and shrinking of O. hupensis snail distribution, while cold waves may cause a reduction in O. hupensis snail density and a rise in O. hupensis snail mortality. Extreme climate events pose both shortand long-term effects on the distribution of O. hupensis. Intensified surveillance of O. hupensis snails is required in high-risk environments.
5.Immediate effect of vocal training on tear film stability in people with dry eye
Danxia LIU ; Ke HU ; Ling WANG ; Xiaoyan LIU ; Minzhi ZHANG ; Lijuan SUN
International Eye Science 2026;26(8):1479-1484
AIM:To evaluate the immediate effect of vocal training on tear film stability in patients with dry eye disease.METHODS:A prospective crossover controlled study. From April 1 to April 20, 2026, volunteers with mild-to-moderate dry eye [Ocular Surface Disease Index-6(OSDI-6)score: 4-8] were enrolled. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups to receive two interventions in different sequences. Group A underwent a 50-min standardized vocal training session during the first intervention, while Group B served as a blank control; The two groups crossed over to the alternative intervention for the second session, with a 1-week washout period between the two interventions. The immediate post-intervention changes in Dry Eye Symptoms Questionnaire(CDES-Q)score, pre-and post-intervention non-invasive tear film breakup time(NIBUT), including first NIBUT and average NIBUT, as well as tear meniscus height(TMH), were recorded for each session.RESULTS:A total of 32 eligible participants(64 eyes)were enrolled and completed the study per protocol. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups with different intervention sequences. Group A(16 participants, 32 eyes)comprised 3 males and 13 females, with a mean age of 61.69±4.56 y and a mean OSDI-6 score of 5.750±1.183. Group B(16 participants, 32 eyes)comprised 3 males and 13 females, with a mean age of 63.19±1.56 y and a mean OSDI-6 score of 5.250±1.438.There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups(P>0.05). After vocal training intervention, the net effect size for first NIBUT was 1.883 s(P=0.042), and for average NIBUT was 2.076 s(P=0.019). No significant change was observed in TMH(P=0.652). The CDES-Q score difference was -47.188(P<0.001). Further individual data analysis revealed that 59% of participants exhibited prolonged first NIBUT and 50% exhibited prolonged average NIBUT after vocal training.CONCLUSION: Vocal training can immediately improve tear film stability. This therapeutic approach shows promise for dry eye management and provides a reference for future large scale and long-term investigations.
6.Progress of schistosomiasis control in the People’s Republic of China in 2025
Junyi HE ; Lijuan ZHANG ; Suying GUO ; Shizhen LI ; Yinlong LI ; Fan YANG ; Chunli CAO ; Jing XU ; Shizhu LI
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(3):223-231
To understand the progress of, summarize experiences from, and analyze problems in the national schistosomiasis elimination programme, this article presented the national schistosomiasis epidemiology and surveillance in the People’s Republic of China in 2025. By the end of 2025, Shanghai Municipality, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region maintained the achievement of schistosomiasis elimination, and 7 provinces of Jiangsu, Sichuan, Yunnan, Hubei, Hunan, Anhui and Jiangxi remained at the criteria of schistosomiasis transmission interruption. In 2025, there were 450 counties (cities, districts), 3 203 townships and 26 029 villages endemic for schistosomiasis in China, with a total population of 73.598 million in endemic villages. Among the 450 endemic counties (cities, districts), 421 (93.56%) achieved the criteria of schistosomiasis elimination and 29 (6.44%) reached the criteria of transmission interruption. In 2025, a total of 3 630 874 residents received immunological tests for schistosomiasis across endemic areas in China, with 31 588 seropositives identified (seroprevalence, 0.87%), and a total of 154 293 individuals received parasitological examinations, with 5 egg-positives detected. A total of 26 688 advanced schistosomiasis cases were recorded in China by the end of 2025. Of 529 683 bovines raised in schistosomiasis-endemic villages in China in 2025, 101 637 bovines received immunological tests for schistosomiasis, with 183 seropositives detected (seroprevalence, 0.18%), and 165 654 bovines received parasitological examinations, with no egg-positives identified. In 2025, Oncomelania hupensis snail survey was performed covering an area of 667 524.82 hm2 in China, and 176 378.64 hm2 O. hupensis snail habitats were identified, including 123.77 hm2 emerging O. hupensis snail habitats and 953.71 hm2 re-emerging O. hupensis snail habitats. A total of 19 283 schistosomiasis cases received chemotherapy with praziquantel in China in 2025, and 477 450 person-times and 304 279 herd-times received expanded chemotherapy, respectively. In addition, O. hupensis snail control with chemical treatment covered 116 475.10 hm2 snail habitats across China in 2025, with an actual area with chemical control covering 68 510.93 hm2 and an area with environmental improvements covering 1 101.84 hm2. The national schistosomiasis surveillance results indicated that the mean prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections was both 0 among humans and bovines in 2025, and no S. japonicum infection was detected in O. hupensis snails. These data showed that the prevalence of schistosomiasis remained low in China in 2025; however, the area of O. hupensis snail habitats stayed high, with an increase in emerging and reemerging O. hupensis snail habitats. It is recommended to improve the surveillance and forecast mechanism for schistosomiasis and precisely implement the O. hupensis snail control programme in high-risk areas.
7.Evolution of schistosomiasis epidemics in China during the past seventy-five years: reconstruction and implications based on historical literature
Ligang ZHOU ; Qiling HE ; Lijuan ZHANG ; Jing XU ; Shan LÜ ; Shizhu LI
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(3):250-259
Objective To systematically reconstruct the evolution of schistosomiasis prevalence in China from 1950 to 2024, so as to fill the gap of national data on schistosomiasis prevalence in China before 1986. Methods Schistosomiasis control data were collected from schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China before 1986, which mainly included statistical data on schistosomiasis, compilations of control records, annual work reports, and academic papers. Data pertaining to the prevalence of schistosomiasis from each province (autonomous region, municipality) were collected and summarized annually, and integrated into national annual work reports for schistosomiasis control in China from 1986 to 2024 to build a national schistosomiasis epidemic database covering schistosomiasis patients, cattle with schistosomiasis, and Oncomelania hupensis snails. The provincial-level epidemic data of schistosomiasis were summarized annually from 1986 to 2024 with pivot tables, and then the national epidemic data of schis tosomiasis were summarized. The temporal trends in key epidemic indicators of schistosomiasis were analyzed in China from 1950 to 2024. Results A complete time-series dataset of schistosomiasis was established in China from 1950 to 2024 through systematic reconstruction of multi-source historical documents and materials. A total of 1.97 million newly detected schistosomiasis cases were recorded in China from 1950 to 2024, and the actual number of schistosomiasis patients was all more than 1 million each year from 1955 to 1978. There were only more than 20 000 advanced schistosomiasis patients in China by the end of 2024, and the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum human infections reduced from 34.6% in 1950 to below 1.0% after 1996. A total of 2.47 million cattle were tested positive for schistosomiasis, and the prevalence of S. japonicum infections reduced from 21.4% in bovines since 1950. The area of emerging O. hupensis snail habitats was concentrated during the period between 1956 and 1958, accounting for 49.8% of total areas, while the area of emerging O. hupensis snail habitats significantly decreased since 1992, indicating a stable distribution pattern of O. hupensis snails. Data validation results showed that the cumulative variation in areas of O. hupensis snail habitats was 1.6%, and the cumulative variation in the number of schistosomiasis cases was 1.4%. Join-point regression analysis revealed four turning points in the prevalence of S. japonicum infections in humans and seven turning points in the prevalence of S. japonicum infections in livestock across China from 1955 to 2024. Conclusions Through the joint efforts of the Communist Party of China and government leadership, interdepartmental collaboration, professional teams, scientific and technological innovation, and public participation, the schistosomiasis epidemic has been effectively controlled in China following active control for more than 70 years. This study builds, for the first time, a complete time-series dataset on schistosomiasis in China, which provides insights into assessment of the effectiveness of schistosomiasis control programmes and refinement of the experience from schistosomiasis control programmes in China.
8.Integrated effects of climate, land use, and their interactive driving mechanisms on the spatiotemporal dynamics of Oncomelania hupensis density: a case study of Yunnan Province
Jiangling XIANG ; Suying GUO ; Qiang WANG ; Lijuan ZHANG ; Jiayu SUN ; Yi DONG ; Jing XU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(3):260-267
Objective To examine the impact of climate, land use and their interaction effect on the population density of Oncomelania hupensis. Methods O. hupensis snail surveillance data in Yunnan Province from 2013 to 2022 were obtained from the National Information System for Parasitic Diseases Prevention and Control of Chinese Information System for Disease Control and Prevention, and the density of living snails was calculated in each county-level administrative district. Climate data were obtained from the China Meteorological Forcing Dataset version 2.0, and land use data were captured from the China Land Cover Dataset. The raster climate data and land use data were clipped to the administrative border of Yunnan Province in the R package version 4.5, and the climate data were resampled to a spatial resolution of 30 m × 30 m consistent with the land use data using bilinear interpolation. Annual meteorological indicators were extracted from each county-level schistosomiasis surveillance administrative area in Yunnan Province from 2013 to 2022, including average temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, temperature difference, average precipitation rate, maximum precipitation rate, minimum precipitation rate, downward shortwave radiation flux, downward longwave radiation flux, air pressure, wind speed, specific humidity and relative humidity. Annual land use structure and landscape pattern index in each county-level schistosomiasis surveillance administrative area in Yunnan Province from 2013 to 2022 were extracted and calculated, including the proportion of areas occupied by each type of land use, patch density, largest patch index, landscape separation index, landscape fragmentation index, landscape segmentation index, contagion index, patch cohesion index, edge density, and shape index. Land use entropy index was introduced to represent the degree of habitat fragmentation and ecological niche breadth. The density of living snails and environmental factors were subjected to rank correlation analysis, and variables with no statistically significant correlation (P>0.1) were excluded. Then, a correlation coefficient matrix was constructed, and |rs| of 0.85 and greater was defined as the threshold of high collinearity. For highly correlated variables in each group, indicators with a more biological explanatory power or a better statistical efficiency were retained. A generalized additive model (GAM) was constructed with O. hupensis snail density as a response variable and screened environmental variables as independent variables, and the model performance was evaluated using the variance explained. Results The area occupied by O. hupensis snail habitats was 1 056 to 1 680 hm2 in Yunnan Province from 2013 to 2022, appearing an overall tendency towards a decline; however, the density of living snails appeared a tendency towards a slight rise. Based on the correlation coefficient matrix, 14 core explanatory variables were retained, including farmland, water bodies, bare land, impervious surface, landscape separation index, landscape fragmentation index, edge density, shape index, land use entropy index, downward longwave radiation flux, downward shortwave radiation flux, maximum temperature, minimum precipitation rate and specific humidity. Two types of GAM were constructed, including the main-effects model without interaction terms and the interaction model with interaction terms. The corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc) of the optimal main-effects model was −285.223, and the core variables included bare land, impervious surface, landscape separation index, edge density, shape index, land use entropy index and downward shortwave radiation flux. Following introduction of second-order interaction terms, the AICc value of the optimal interaction model was −345.526, and the significant interaction combinations included: farmland × impervious surface, farmland × landscape separation index, farmland × shape index, farmland × land use entropy index, impervious surface × landscape separation index, impervious surface × edge density, and shape index × downward shortwave radiation flux. The proportion of the main-effects model explaining the variation of O. hupensis snail density was 39.8%, and the explanatory power of GAM increased to 79.0% following introduction of interaction terms. Conclusion Landscape separation index, edge density, shape index and other landscape pattern indicators pose significant impacts on the intensity and direction of changes in O. hupensis snail density in Yunnan Province.
9.Banxia Xiexintang Affect PD-L1 Expression Induced by Gastric Cancer Cell-derived Exosomes in Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Akt/c-Myc Signaling Axis
Wei ZHANG ; Xiping LIU ; Lijuan SHI ; Zhongbo ZHU ; Qingmiao WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):94-101
ObjectiveTo observe how Banxia Xiexintang affects programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression induced by exosomes derived from gastric cancer cells in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) through the protein kinase B (Akt)/c-myelocytomatosis oncogene (c-Myc) signaling axis, and its effects on the migration of BMSCs and gastric cancer cells. MethodsExosomes were isolated from human gastric cancer NCI-N87 cells and identified by transmission electron microscopy and Western blot. Rat BMSCs were passaged and identified by immunofluorescence staining. A Transwell chamber was used to create a non-contact co-culture system for NCI-N87 exosomes and BMSCs. The experiment was designed with normal, model, Banxia Xiexintang (10% serum containing Banxia Xiexintang), PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (10% blank serum containing PD-L1 antibody), and combination (10% serum containing Banxia Xiexintang and 10% blank serum containing PD-L1 antibody) groups. The suspension of BMSCs was added to the upper chamber of each group, with the normal group receiving serum culture medium without exosomes in the lower chamber, and the model group receiving NCI-N87 exosomes. The Banxia Xiexintang group, PD-L1 monoclonal antibody group, and combination group received 10% serum containing Banxia Xiexintang, 10% blank serum containing PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, and 10% serum containing Banxia Xiexintang and 10% blank serum containing PD-L1 antibody, respectively, in the upper chamber. After 96 h, BMSCs from the upper chamber were collected, and the protein levels of p-Akt, Akt, c-Myc, and PD-L1, as well as the mRNA levels of Akt, c-Myc, and PD-L1, were determined by Western blot and Real-time PCR, respectively. The migration of BMSCs and NCI-N87 was assessed by the Transwell method. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed increases in protein levels of p-Akt, c-Myc, and PD-L1, as well as mRNA levels of c-Myc and PD-L1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and no significant change in the protein and mRNA levels of Akt. Compared with the model group, the Banxia Xiexintang group, PD-L1 monoclonal antibody group, and combination group showed decreases in protein levels of p-Akt, c-Myc, and PD-L1 (P<0.01). In addition, they had significant effects on the protein and mRNA levels of Akt. The combination group showed greater reductions in the protein and mRNA levels of c-Myc and PD-L1 than the Banxia Xiexintang group and PD-L1 monoclonal antibody group (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the model group showed increases in the number of migrating NCI-N87 and BMSCs (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Banxia Xiexintang group, PD-L1 monoclonal antibody group, and combination group showed decreases in the number of migrating NCI-N87 and BMSCs (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the combination group showing greater reductions in the number of migrating NCI-N87 and BMSCs than the Banxia Xiexintang group and PD-L1 monoclonal antibody group (P<0.01). ConclusionBanxia Xiexintang can lower the PD-L1 expression induced by gastric cancer cell-derived exosomes in BMSCs induced and inhibit the migration of BMSCs and gastric cancer cells. Moreover, it has a synergistic effect when being used together with PD-L1, possibly related to the regulation of the Akt/c-Myc signaling axis.
10.Banxia Xiexintang Affect PD-L1 Expression Induced by Gastric Cancer Cell-derived Exosomes in Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Akt/c-Myc Signaling Axis
Wei ZHANG ; Xiping LIU ; Lijuan SHI ; Zhongbo ZHU ; Qingmiao WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):94-101
ObjectiveTo observe how Banxia Xiexintang affects programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression induced by exosomes derived from gastric cancer cells in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) through the protein kinase B (Akt)/c-myelocytomatosis oncogene (c-Myc) signaling axis, and its effects on the migration of BMSCs and gastric cancer cells. MethodsExosomes were isolated from human gastric cancer NCI-N87 cells and identified by transmission electron microscopy and Western blot. Rat BMSCs were passaged and identified by immunofluorescence staining. A Transwell chamber was used to create a non-contact co-culture system for NCI-N87 exosomes and BMSCs. The experiment was designed with normal, model, Banxia Xiexintang (10% serum containing Banxia Xiexintang), PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (10% blank serum containing PD-L1 antibody), and combination (10% serum containing Banxia Xiexintang and 10% blank serum containing PD-L1 antibody) groups. The suspension of BMSCs was added to the upper chamber of each group, with the normal group receiving serum culture medium without exosomes in the lower chamber, and the model group receiving NCI-N87 exosomes. The Banxia Xiexintang group, PD-L1 monoclonal antibody group, and combination group received 10% serum containing Banxia Xiexintang, 10% blank serum containing PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, and 10% serum containing Banxia Xiexintang and 10% blank serum containing PD-L1 antibody, respectively, in the upper chamber. After 96 h, BMSCs from the upper chamber were collected, and the protein levels of p-Akt, Akt, c-Myc, and PD-L1, as well as the mRNA levels of Akt, c-Myc, and PD-L1, were determined by Western blot and Real-time PCR, respectively. The migration of BMSCs and NCI-N87 was assessed by the Transwell method. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed increases in protein levels of p-Akt, c-Myc, and PD-L1, as well as mRNA levels of c-Myc and PD-L1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and no significant change in the protein and mRNA levels of Akt. Compared with the model group, the Banxia Xiexintang group, PD-L1 monoclonal antibody group, and combination group showed decreases in protein levels of p-Akt, c-Myc, and PD-L1 (P<0.01). In addition, they had significant effects on the protein and mRNA levels of Akt. The combination group showed greater reductions in the protein and mRNA levels of c-Myc and PD-L1 than the Banxia Xiexintang group and PD-L1 monoclonal antibody group (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the model group showed increases in the number of migrating NCI-N87 and BMSCs (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Banxia Xiexintang group, PD-L1 monoclonal antibody group, and combination group showed decreases in the number of migrating NCI-N87 and BMSCs (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the combination group showing greater reductions in the number of migrating NCI-N87 and BMSCs than the Banxia Xiexintang group and PD-L1 monoclonal antibody group (P<0.01). ConclusionBanxia Xiexintang can lower the PD-L1 expression induced by gastric cancer cell-derived exosomes in BMSCs induced and inhibit the migration of BMSCs and gastric cancer cells. Moreover, it has a synergistic effect when being used together with PD-L1, possibly related to the regulation of the Akt/c-Myc signaling axis.

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