1.Dual Targeting of TBK1 and JAK-STAT1 Pathways by (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate Suppresses Type I Interferon-driven Inflammation
Liang LI ; Qi-Huan SHENG ; Huan LIU ; Wen-Hao YANG ; Jia-Lin SHI ; Ying-Jie SUN ; Rui JING ; Wei-Hua MAI ; Zhi-Min LI ; Xiao-Li XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1969-1983
ObjectiveType I interferon (IFN-I) signaling is essential for antiviral innate immunity, yet its sustained or excessive activation contributes to the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases and interferonopathies, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. Current strategies targeting this pathway, exemplified by JAK inhibitors, act mainly on downstream signal transduction and provide limited direct control over upstream IFN-I production, while also carrying the risk of broad immunosuppression. Phyllanthus emblica L. has long been used in traditional medicine for inflammatory disorders, but the bioactive constituent responsible for its regulation of IFN-I signaling and the underlying molecular mechanism have not been clearly defined. This study aimed to identify the active anti-inflammatory component of P. emblica and to characterize its mechanism of action on the IFN-I pathway in macrophages. MethodsActive components ofP. emblica and their candidate targets were screened by network pharmacology using the TCMSP and DrugBank databases (oral bioavailability≥30%, drug-likeness≥0.18) and intersected with inflammation-related genes retrieved from public databases. The predicted interaction between EGCG and IFN-I pathway proteins (TBK1, IRF3, STAT1) was evaluated by molecular docking, with BX795 and GSK8612 used as reference TBK1 inhibitors. Mechanistic experiments were performed in THP-1-derived macrophages and primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). Upstream signaling was activated by transfection of the nucleic acid analogs poly(I∶C) and poly(dA∶dT) or by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, whereas downstream signaling was activated by exogenous IFN-β. An siRNA-mediated TREX1 knockdown model was used to mimic endogenous nucleic acid-driven interferonopathy. Expression of IFN-β1 and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) was measured by RT-qPCR, protein phosphorylation by Western blot, and IFN-β secretion by ELISA. Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) were used to probe the interactionbetween EGCG and IRF3. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a candidate IFN-I-suppressive constituent of P. emblica, with predicted binding to TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1. Molecular docking yielded binding energies of -9.2, -7.2, and -8.2 kcal/mol for TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1, respectively, indicating an affinity for TBK1 comparable to that of the reference inhibitors BX795 (-5.7 kcal/mol) and GSK8612 (-6.4 kcal/mol). EGCG suppressed IFN-β1 and ISG mRNA expression under poly (I∶C), poly (dA∶dT), and LPS stimulation in both THP-1 macrophages and BMDM. At the protein level, EGCG reduced the phosphorylation of TBK1 and IRF3 without affecting the levels of the upstream sensors cGAS and RIG-I, and lowered IFN-β secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. CETSA and DARTS showed that EGCG did not enhance the thermal stability or protease resistance of IRF3, indicating that its effect on IRF3 is indirect. Following IFN-β stimulation, prolonged EGCG treatment reduced STAT1 phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner without an apparent change in IRF9, and partially attenuated ISG transcription; this effect was not monotonicly concentration-dependent, and CXCL10 showed the most consistent suppression. In TREX1-knockdown cells, the elevated mRNA levels of ISG15, ISG56, and CXCL10 were reduced by EGCG. ConclusionEGCG suppresses IFN-I responses by concurrently inhibiting TBK1-IRF3-dependent IFN‑β production and JAK-STAT1-mediated downstream transcription. These in vitro findings provide a mechanistic basis for the anti-inflammatory use of P. emblica in traditional medicine and identify EGCG as a candidate for further evaluation in interferon-driven autoimmune disease models.
2.Expert consensus on apical microsurgery.
Hanguo WANG ; Xin XU ; Zhuan BIAN ; Jingping LIANG ; Zhi CHEN ; Benxiang HOU ; Lihong QIU ; Wenxia CHEN ; Xi WEI ; Kaijin HU ; Qintao WANG ; Zuhua WANG ; Jiyao LI ; Dingming HUANG ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Zhengwei HUANG ; Liuyan MENG ; Chen ZHANG ; Fangfang XIE ; Di YANG ; Jinhua YU ; Jin ZHAO ; Yihuai PAN ; Shuang PAN ; Deqin YANG ; Weidong NIU ; Qi ZHANG ; Shuli DENG ; Jingzhi MA ; Xiuping MENG ; Jian YANG ; Jiayuan WU ; Yi DU ; Junqi LING ; Lin YUE ; Xuedong ZHOU ; Qing YU
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):2-2
Apical microsurgery is accurate and minimally invasive, produces few complications, and has a success rate of more than 90%. However, due to the lack of awareness and understanding of apical microsurgery by dental general practitioners and even endodontists, many clinical problems remain to be overcome. The consensus has gathered well-known domestic experts to hold a series of special discussions and reached the consensus. This document specifies the indications, contraindications, preoperative preparations, operational procedures, complication prevention measures, and efficacy evaluation of apical microsurgery and is applicable to dentists who perform apical microsurgery after systematic training.
Microsurgery/standards*
;
Humans
;
Apicoectomy
;
Contraindications, Procedure
;
Tooth Apex/diagnostic imaging*
;
Postoperative Complications/prevention & control*
;
Consensus
;
Treatment Outcome
3.Expert consensus on pulpotomy in the management of mature permanent teeth with pulpitis.
Lu ZHANG ; Chen LIN ; Zhuo CHEN ; Lin YUE ; Qing YU ; Benxiang HOU ; Junqi LING ; Jingping LIANG ; Xi WEI ; Wenxia CHEN ; Lihong QIU ; Jiyao LI ; Yumei NIU ; Zhengmei LIN ; Lei CHENG ; Wenxi HE ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Dingming HUANG ; Zhengwei HUANG ; Weidong NIU ; Qi ZHANG ; Chen ZHANG ; Deqin YANG ; Jinhua YU ; Jin ZHAO ; Yihuai PAN ; Jingzhi MA ; Shuli DENG ; Xiaoli XIE ; Xiuping MENG ; Jian YANG ; Xuedong ZHOU ; Zhi CHEN
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):4-4
Pulpotomy, which belongs to vital pulp therapy, has become a strategy for managing pulpitis in recent decades. This minimally invasive treatment reflects the recognition of preserving healthy dental pulp and optimizing long-term patient-centered outcomes. Pulpotomy is categorized into partial pulpotomy (PP), the removal of a partial segment of the coronal pulp tissue, and full pulpotomy (FP), the removal of whole coronal pulp, which is followed by applying the biomaterials onto the remaining pulp tissue and ultimately restoring the tooth. Procedural decisions for the amount of pulp tissue removal or retention depend on the diagnostic of pulp vitality, the overall treatment plan, the patient's general health status, and pulp inflammation reassessment during operation. This statement represents the consensus of an expert committee convened by the Society of Cariology and Endodontics, Chinese Stomatological Association. It addresses the current evidence to support the application of pulpotomy as a potential alternative to root canal treatment (RCT) on mature permanent teeth with pulpitis from a biological basis, the development of capping biomaterial, and the diagnostic considerations to evidence-based medicine. This expert statement intends to provide a clinical protocol of pulpotomy, which facilitates practitioners in choosing the optimal procedure and increasing their confidence in this rapidly evolving field.
Humans
;
Calcium Compounds/therapeutic use*
;
Consensus
;
Dental Pulp
;
Dentition, Permanent
;
Oxides/therapeutic use*
;
Pulpitis/therapy*
;
Pulpotomy/standards*
4.Expert Consensus on the Ethical Requirements for Generative AI-Assisted Academic Writing
You-Quan BU ; Yong-Fu CAO ; Zeng-Yi CHANG ; Hong-Yu CHEN ; Xiao-Wei CHEN ; Yuan-Yuan CHEN ; Zhu-Cheng CHEN ; Rui DENG ; Jie DING ; Zhong-Kai FAN ; Guo-Quan GAO ; Xu GAO ; Lan HU ; Xiao-Qing HU ; Hong-Ti JIA ; Ying KONG ; En-Min LI ; Ling LI ; Yu-Hua LI ; Jun-Rong LIU ; Zhi-Qiang LIU ; Ya-Ping LUO ; Xue-Mei LV ; Yan-Xi PEI ; Xiao-Zhong PENG ; Qi-Qun TANG ; You WAN ; Yong WANG ; Ming-Xu WANG ; Xian WANG ; Guang-Kuan XIE ; Jun XIE ; Xiao-Hua YAN ; Mei YIN ; Zhong-Shan YU ; Chun-Yan ZHOU ; Rui-Fang ZHU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(6):826-832
With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.
5.Preparation and Characterization of Supramolecular Solvent and Its Extraction of Sulfonamide Antibiotics from Milk
Jun-Qiang HAO ; Zhi-Xin ZHANG ; Yu-Heng LI ; Fan-Di ZHAO ; Yang-Yang ZHOU ; Lei ZHAO ; Wei-Jian ZHANG ; Jia-Han XIE ; Zhi-Bing WANG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(6):976-986
As a cheap and effective antibiotic,sulfonamides are often used in animal husbandry.However,their residues in animal-derived foodstuffs will threaten human health.Consequently,a high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)method integrated with supramolecular solvent microextraction was successfully established for simultaneous quantification of sulfonamide residues sulfachlorpyridazine,sulfamethoxazole,sulfamethoxypyridazine and sulfadimethoxine in milk matrices.This approach exhibited prominent characteristics of operational simplicity,environmental sustainability,and high extraction efficiency.The supramolecular solvents prepared by tributyl octylphosphine tetrafluoroborate and tetrahydrofuran were employed as extraction solvents.The analytes underwent isolation and concentration via dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction(DLLME)prior to quantitative determination using high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).The composition and microscopic morphology of the supramolecular solvent were characterized through a series of analytical techniques,including phase diagram,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,scanning electron microscopy,and inverted fluorescence microscopy and so on.The density and pH value of supramolecular solvents were determined.The extraction conditions were optimized through the one-factor experiments.The experimental results demonstrated that under the optimal extraction conditions,the four kinds of sulfonamide antibiotics exhibited excellent linearity within respective detection range(R2 ≥ 0.9998)and the limits of detection(LOD)were 0.67-1.45 μg/L.Compared with literature methods,this approach offered some advantages such as simplicity of operation and less reagent consumption,and could be used for analysis and detection of sulfonamide antibiotic residues in milk samples.The present method provided technical support for food safety regulation and paved a new way for the application of supramolecular solvents in the field of extraction and separation.
6.Creation and Exploration of the"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"Disci-pline Construction Model for Forensic Medicine in the New Era
Zhi-Wen WEI ; Hong-Xing WANG ; Jun-Hong SUN ; Hao-Liang FAN ; Hong-Liang SU ; Le-Le WANG ; Wen-Ting HE ; Zhe CHEN ; Jie ZHANG ; Xiang-Jie GUO ; Ji LI ; Geng-Qian ZHANG ; Xin-Hua LIANG ; Jiang-Wei YAN ; Qiang-Qiang ZHANG ; Cai-Rong GAO ; Ying-Yuan WANG ; Hong-Wei WANG ; Jun XIE ; Bo-Feng ZHU ; Ke-Ming YUN
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(1):25-29
Forensic medicine has been designated as a first-level discipline,presenting new opportunities and challenges for the development of forensic medicine.Since the 1980s,the establishment of foren-sic medicine discipline and the cultivation of high-level forensic talents have become hot topics in the development of forensic medicine in China.Since the 13th Five-Year Plan,the forensic team of Shanxi Medical University has been aiming at the forefront,proposing the development goals of"Five First-class"and the discipline development path"Six Major Achievements".It has selected benchmark disci-plines,identified gaps in disciplinary development,unified thoughts,formulated completion timelines,concentrated superior resources,assigned tasks to individuals,and created an"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"forensic medicine discipline construction model with the characteristics of the new era.The construction model of forensic medicine has achieved good results in the goals,discipline frame-work,scientific research,talent cultivation,discipline team and platform construction,forming a rela-tively complete discipline construction and management system,and accumulating valuable experience for the construction of first-level discipline and high-level talent cultivation of forensic medicine.
7.Mechanism of inhibiting miR-34a-5p expression and promoting bone growth in mouse brain tissue by Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract.
Yuan-Yuan PEI ; Yan XIE ; Na YIN ; Wen-Long MA ; Wei-Peng XING ; Gui-Zhi WANG ; Qing-Feng WANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(10):1061-1070
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the mechanism by which the extract of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract promotes bone growth in mice by modulation of the expression of miR-34a-5p in brain tissue.
METHODS:
Mice were assigned to four experimental groups:a normal control group, a drug administration group (receiving 0.320 mg·g-1 body weight of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract via intragastric administration), a positive control group (receiving 0.013 mg·g-1 body weight of jujube seed saponin via intragastric administration), and a combination group administration with Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract plus a 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) agonist (intragastric administration of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract combined with intracerebroventricular injection of 8 μg P-MPPF per mice for the final three days of the experiment). Following a 20-day administration period, the effects of the interventions on bone growth, serum growth hormone (GH) levels, and 5-HT2AR expression in brain tissue were evaluated. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) that were differentially expressed in the brain tissues of mice exhibiting bone growth induced by Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract, as compared to those in normal mice, were identified using a gene chip approach. The interaction between miR-34a-5p and 5-HT2AR was subsequently validated through quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chainreaction (RT-qPCR) and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays. Subsequently, by utilizing the miR-34a-5p inhibitor group and mimics group, along with the normal control group, the drug administration group, the positive control group, and the drug administration combined with miR-34a-5p inhibitor group, the variations in 5-HT2AR expression in mouse brain tissue across all groups were examined, and the binding activity of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) to the 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) in mice was assessed.
RESULTS:
The body lengths of the normal control group and the drug administration group were(8.9±0.3) and(10.4±0.4) cm;femur lengths were (8.5±0.3) and (9.1±0.5) mm;tibia lengths were (10.7±0.3) and (11.2±0.4) mm, respectively. The contents of GH levels were (58.6±8.2) and (72.9±6.1) ng·ml-1;and the contents of 5-HT2AR were (32.0±5.0) and (21.9± 5.5) ng·ml-1, respectively. Compared with the normal control group, the drug administration group promoted the growth of body length, femur, and tibia in mice, and increased GH secretion, showing statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Additionally, it significantly reduced the content of 5-HT2AR in brain tissue, with statistical significance (P<0.01). The gene chip analysis identified a total of 16 differentially expressed miRNAs, of which 13 were up-regulated and 3 were down-regulated. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that the up-regulated miR-34a-5p could regulate the expression of 5-HT2AR, a prediction that was confirmed through a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, demonstrating a direct regulatory interaction between the two. Furthermore, in vivo experiments in mice revealed that overexpression and silencing of miR-34a-5p resulted in corresponding changes in the expression levels of 5-HT2AR in brain tissues/cells, as well as in the binding activity between 5-HT and 5-HT1AR.
CONCLUSION
The Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract promotes animal bone growth by enhancing miR-34a-5p expression in brain tissue, downregulating the expression level of 5-HT2AR, improving the binding activity between 5-HT and 5-HT1AR, and extending slow-wave sleep duration, thereby stimulating GH secretion.
Animals
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MicroRNAs/metabolism*
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Mice
;
Male
;
Brain/metabolism*
;
Ziziphus/chemistry*
;
Bone Development/drug effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Plant Extracts/pharmacology*
8.Zedoarondiol Inhibits Neovascularization in Atherosclerotic Plaques of ApoE-/- Mice by Reducing Platelet Exosomes-Derived MiR-let-7a.
Bei-Li XIE ; Bo-Ce SONG ; Ming-Wang LIU ; Wei WEN ; Yu-Xin YAN ; Meng-Jie GAO ; Lu-Lian JIANG ; Zhi-Die JIN ; Lin YANG ; Jian-Gang LIU ; Da-Zhuo SHI ; Fu-Hai ZHAO
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(3):228-239
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effect of zedoarondiol on neovascularization of atherosclerotic (AS) plaque by exosomes experiment.
METHODS:
ApoE-/- mice were fed with high-fat diet to establish AS model and treated with high- and low-dose (10, 5 mg/kg daily) of zedoarondiol, respectively. After 14 weeks, the expressions of anti-angiogenic protein thrombospondin 1 (THBS-1) and its receptor CD36 in plaques, as well as platelet activation rate and exosome-derived miR-let-7a were detected. Then, zedoarondiol was used to intervene in platelets in vitro, and miR-let-7a was detected in platelet-derived exosomes (Pexo). Finally, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were transfected with miR-let-7a mimics and treated with Pexo to observe the effect of miR-let-7a in Pexo on tube formation.
RESULTS:
Animal experiments showed that after treating with zedoarondiol, the neovascularization density in plaques of AS mice was significantly reduced, THBS-1 and CD36 increased, the platelet activation rate was markedly reduced, and the miR-let-7a level in Pexo was reduced (P<0.01). In vitro experiments, the platelet activation rate and miR-let-7a levels in Pexo were significantly reduced after zedoarondiol's intervention. Cell experiments showed that after Pexo's intervention, the tube length increased, and the transfection of miR-let-7a minics further increased the tube length of cells, while reducing the expressions of THBS-1 and CD36.
CONCLUSION
Zedoarondiol has the effect of inhibiting neovascularization within plaque in AS mice, and its mechanism may be potentially related to inhibiting platelet activation and reducing the Pexo-derived miRNA-let-7a level.
Animals
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MicroRNAs/genetics*
;
Exosomes/drug effects*
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Plaque, Atherosclerotic/genetics*
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Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics*
;
Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism*
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Humans
;
Blood Platelets/drug effects*
;
Apolipoproteins E/deficiency*
;
Thrombospondin 1/metabolism*
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CD36 Antigens/metabolism*
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Platelet Activation/drug effects*
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
9.Pien Tze Huang Attenuates Cell Proliferation and Stemness Promoted by miR-483-5p in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells.
Li-Hui WEI ; Xi CHEN ; A-Ling SHEN ; Yi FANG ; Qiu-Rong XIE ; Zhi GUO ; Thomas J SFERRA ; You-Qin CHEN ; Jun PENG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(9):782-791
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effect of miR-483-5p on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells proliferation and stemness, as well as the attenuating effect of Pien Tze Huang (PZH).
METHODS:
Differentially expressed miRNA between HepG2 cells and hepatic cancer stem-like cells (HCSCs) were identified by a miRNA microarray assay. miR-483-5p mimics were transfected into HepG2 cells to explore the effects of miR-483-5p on cell proliferation and stemness. HepG2 cells and HCSCs were treated with PZH (0, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 mg/mL) to explore the effects of PZH on the proliferation and stemness, both in non-induced state and the state induced by miR-483-5p mimics.
RESULTS:
miR-483-5p was significantly up-regulated in HCSCs and its overexpression increased cell proliferation and stemness in HepG2 cells (P<0.05). PZH not only significantly inhibited proliferation in HepG2 cells, but also significantly suppressed the cell proliferation and self-renewal of HCSCs (P<0.05). The effects of miR-483-5p mimics on proliferation and stemness of HepG2 cells were partially abolished by PZH.
CONCLUSIONS
miR-483-5p promotes proliferation and enhances stemness of HepG2 cells, which were attenuated by PZH, demonstrating that miR-483-5p is a potential molecular target for the treatment of HCC and provide experimental evidence to support clinical use of PZH for patients with HCC.
Humans
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MicroRNAs/metabolism*
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Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
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Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy*
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy*
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Hep G2 Cells
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Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects*
10.Pseudolaric Acid B Alleviates Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Targeting PPARα to Regulate Lipid Metabolism and Promote Mitochondrial Biogenesis.
Shu-Yan LIU ; Xiao-Wei ZHANG ; Gai GAO ; Chang-Xin LIU ; Hui CHEN ; Zhong-Xue FU ; Jiang-Yan XU ; Zhen-Zhen WANG ; Zhen-Qiang ZHANG ; Zhi-Shen XIE
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(10):877-888
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the therapeutic potential of pseudolaric acid B (PAB) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its underlying molecular mechanism in vitro and in vivo.
METHODS:
Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice (n=32) were fed either a normal chow diet (NCD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. The HFD mice were divided into 3 groups according to a simple random method, including HFD, PAB low-dose [10 mg/(kg·d), PAB-L], and PAB high-dose [20 mg/(kg·d), PAB-H] groups. After 8 weeks of treatment, glucose metabolism and insulin resistance were assessed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT). Biochemical assays were used to measure the serum and cellular levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). White adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT) and liver tissue were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining or Oil Red O staining to observe the alterations in adipose tissue and liver injury. PharmMapper and DisGeNet were used to predict the NAFLD-related PAB targets. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) pathway involvement was suggested by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and search tool Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) analyses. Luciferase reporter assay, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), and drug affinity responsive target stability assay (DARTS) were conducted to confirm direct binding of PAB with PPARα. Molecular dynamics simulations were applied to further validate target engagement. RT-qPCR and Western blot were performed to assess the downstream genes and proteins expression, and validated by PPARα inhibitor MK886.
RESULTS:
PAB significantly reduced serum TC, TG, LDL-C, AST, and ALT levels, and increased HDL-C level in HFD mice (P<0.01). Target prediction analysis indicated a significant correlation between PAB and PPARα pathway. PAB direct target binding with PPARα was confirmed through luciferase reporter assay, CETSA, and DARTS (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The target engagement between PAB and PPARα protein was further confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations and the top 3 amino acid residues, LEU321, MET355, and PHE273 showed the most significant changes in mutational energy. Subsequently, PAB upregulated the genes expressions involved in lipid metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis downstream of PPARα (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Significantly, the PPARα inhibitor MK886 effectively reversed the lipid-lowering and PPARα activation properties of PAB (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
PAB mitigates lipid accumulation, ameliorates liver damage, and improves mitochondrial biogenesis by binding with PPARα, thus presenting a potential candidate for pharmaceutical development in the treatment of NAFLD.
Animals
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PPAR alpha/metabolism*
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Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/pathology*
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Male
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Lipid Metabolism/drug effects*
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Diterpenes/therapeutic use*
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Organelle Biogenesis
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Diet, High-Fat
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Humans
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Mice
;
Liver/metabolism*
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Insulin Resistance
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Mitochondria/metabolism*
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Molecular Docking Simulation

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