1.The effect of rutaecarpine on improving fatty liver and osteoporosis in MAFLD mice
Yu-hao ZHANG ; Yi-ning LI ; Xin-hai JIANG ; Wei-zhi WANG ; Shun-wang LI ; Ren SHENG ; Li-juan LEI ; Yu-yan ZHANG ; Jing-rui WANG ; Xin-wei WEI ; Yan-ni XU ; Yan LIN ; Lin TANG ; Shu-yi SI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):141-149
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and osteoporosis (OP) are two very common metabolic diseases. A growing body of experimental evidence supports a pathophysiological link between MAFLD and OP. MAFLD is often associated with the development of OP. Rutaecarpine (RUT) is one of the main active components of Chinese medicine Euodiae Fructus. Our previous studies have demonstrated that RUT has lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects, and can improve the OP of rats. However, whether RUT can improve both fatty liver and OP symptoms of MAFLD mice at the same time remains to be investigated. In this study, we used C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 months to construct a MAFLD model, and gave the mice a low dose (5 mg·kg-1) and a high dose (15 mg·kg-1) of RUT by gavage for 4 weeks. The effects of RUT on liver steatosis and bone metabolism were then evaluated at the end of the experiment [this experiment was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (approval number: IMB-20190124D303)]. The results showed that RUT treatment significantly reduced hepatic steatosis and lipid accumulation, and significantly reduced bone loss and promoted bone formation. In summary, this study shows that RUT has an effect of improving fatty liver and OP in MAFLD mice.
2.Research on Magnetic Stimulation Intervention Technology for Alzheimer’s Disease Guided by Heart Rate Variability
Shu-Ting CHEN ; Du-Yan GENG ; Chun-Meng FAN ; Wei-Ran ZHENG ; Gui-Zhi XU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1264-1278
ObjectiveNon-invasive magnetic stimulation technology has been widely used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but there is a lack of convenient and timely methods for evaluating and providing feedback on the effectiveness of the stimulation, which can be used to guide the adjustment of the stimulation protocol. This study aims to explore the possibility of heart rate variability (HRV) in diagnosing AD and guiding AD magnetic stimulation intervention techniques. MethodsIn this study, we used a 40 Hz, 10 mT pulsed magnetic field to expose AD mouse models to whole-body exposure for 18 d, and detected the behavioral and electroencephalographic signals before and after exposure, as well as the instant electrocardiographic signals after exposure every day. ResultsUsing one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, we found that some HRV indicators could identify AD mouse models as accurately as behavioral and electroencephalogram(EEG) changes (P<0.05) and significantly distinguish the severity of the disease (P<0.05), including rMSSD, pNN6, LF/HF, SD1/SD2, and entropy arrangement. These HRV indicators showed good correlation and statistical significance with behavioral and EEG changes (r>0.3, P<0.05); HRV indicators were significantly modulated by the magnetic field exposure before and after the exposure, both of which were observed in the continuous changes of electrocardiogram (ECG) (P<0.05), and the trend of the stimulation effect was more accurately observed in the continuous changes of ECG. ConclusionHRV can accurately reflect the pathophysiological changes and disease degree, quickly evaluate the effect of magnetic stimulation, and has the potential to guide the pattern of magnetic exposure, providing a new idea for the study of personalized electromagnetic neuroregulation technology for brain diseases.
3.Study on HPLC fingerprint and quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker content determination method for Shechuan naolitong granules
Xiaoyan ZHANG ; Kairu DING ; Hong ZHANG ; Wenbing ZHI ; Shengnan JIANG ; Zongren XU ; Ni CUI ; Xiangfeng WEI ; Yang LIU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(19):2409-2414
OBJECTIVE To provide a reference for optimizing and promoting the quality standards of Shechuan naolitong granules. METHODS Fifteen batches of Shechuan naolitong granules were used as samples to establish HPLC fingerprints using the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2012 edition). Similarity evaluation and common peak identification were performed, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was used to assess quality differences among different batches and to screen quality differential components. Using salvianolic acid B(SAB) as the internal reference, quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker (QAMS) was developed to simultaneously determine geniposidic acid (GA), chlorogenic acid (CA), vaccarin (VA), ferulic acid (FA) and senkyunolide I (SI). The results were compared with those obtained by the external standard method. RESULTS A total of 13 common peaks were identified in the HPLC fingerprints of 15 batches of samples, and the similarities of the spectra were all above 0.96. Seven chromatographic peaks were identified as GA (peak 3), CA (peak 6), VA (peak 8), FA (peak 9), SI (peak 11), SAB(peak 12) and TA(peak 13). OPLS-DA indicated that the differential quality markers among 15 batches were peaks 5, 11 (SI), and 12 (SAB).Using SAB as the internal reference, the relative correction factors for GA, CA, VA, FA and SI were calculated as 1.058 4, 0.594 3, 0.643 3, 0.342 7 and 0.262 8, respectively. The mean content of GA, CA, VA, FA, SI and SAB across the 15 batches of samples were 0.155 0, 0.085 4, 0.140 3, 0.071 8, 0.072 7, 1.276 3 mg/g, respectively, showing no significant difference compared with the ESM (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The established HPLC fingerprint and QAMS are simple, efficient and economical, providing a reference for the quality control and further development of Shechuan naolitong granules.
4.Effects of scutellarin on endometrial carcinoma Ishikawa cells based on PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
Li-Li DAI ; Jing WANG ; Xu-Rui WEI ; Qing-Ya MA ; Na WANG ; Zhi-Xiang DU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(1):27-31
Objective To study the effects of scutellarin on endometrial carcinoma Ishikawa cells,and analyze the correlation between the effects and phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase(PI3 K)/protein kinase B(Akt)signaling pathway.Methods Ishikawa cells were divided into blank group and experimental-L,-M,-H groups,each group was treated with complete medium containing 0,5,10 and 20 μmol·L-1 scutellarin,respectively.Cell viability,clonal formation ability,metastatic ability,invasion,apoptosis and protein expression were detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8),plate cloning,scratch,Transwell,flow cytometry and Western blot assay,respectively.Results The cell viability of blank group and experimental-L,-M,-H groups at 48 h were(100.00±0.00)%,(78.51±7.54)%,(52.93±4.91)%and(41.62±5.33)%;the clone formation rate were(100.00±0.00)%,(56.59±6.34)%,(35.23±4.62)%and(10.66±1.91)%;the scratch healing rate were(53.70±6.19)%,(40.59±4.75)%,(34.25±4.40)%and(15.78±2.14)%;the number of invasive cells were 189.70±14.06,106.82±12.67,84.37±8.13 and 53.74±6.78;the relative expression levels of matrixmetallo proteinase-2 were 0.96±0.10,0.73±0.06,0.68±0.08 and 0.42±0.05;tissue inhibitor of MMP-1(TIMP-1)were 0.35±0.04,0.51±0.05,0.74±0.08 and 1.20±0.14;the apoptosis rates were(4.21±0.53)%,(15.83±2.42)%,(22.72±3.85)%and(34.41±4.67)%;the relative expression levels of B cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)were 1.38±0.15,0.90±0.10,0.56±0.06 and 0.24±0.03;Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax)were 0.31±0.02,0.44±0.04,0.93±0.11 and 1.26±0.14;the relative expression levels of PI3Kp85 were 0.67±0.05,0.42±0.04,0.36±0.02 and 0.28±0.03;phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt)were 0.78±0.06,0.53±0.04,0.46±0.05 and 0.42±0.03.Compared with the blank group,the above indexes in the experimental-L,-M,-H groups were statistically significant(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion Scutellarin can inhibit the proliferation,metastatic ability and invasion of endometrial carcinoma Ishikawa cells and promote apoptosis by regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
5.Effects of Hedysarum polysaccharide on FXR-SHP-SREBP-1c signaling pathway in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease cell model
Lei ZHANG ; Zhi-Sheng JIN ; Xiao-Yi YANG ; Jia-Wei LI ; Ya-Ling LI ; Cai-Yun JIN ; Yan-Xu CHEN
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(2):200-204
Objective To study the effect of Hedysarum polysaccharides(HPS)on the farnisol X receptor(FXR)-small heterodimer chaperone(SHP)-sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 c(SREBP-1c)signaling pathway in the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease cell model.Methods The cells were cultured with 1.2 mmol·L-1 fatty acids to construct the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease cell model.The cell were divided into normal group(complete medium),model group(1.2 mmol·L-1 fatty acid solution),positive control group(1.2 mmol·L-1 fatty acid solution+50 μmol·L-1 alpha-lipoic acid)and experimental group(1.2 mmol·L-1 fatty acid solution+80 mg·L-1 HPS),culture for 24 h.The content of triglyceride(TG)and total cholesterol(TC),the activity of glutamate transaminase(GOT)and glutamate transaminasewas(GPT)detected by GPO-PAP enzyme method;the apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry;the expressions of FXR,SHP,SREBP-1c protein and mRNA in hepatocytes were detected by Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results The contents of TG in hepatocytes of normal group,model group,positve control group and experimental group were(2.91±1.13),(6.81±1.32),(3.72±0.52)and(4.67±0.62)mmol·gprot-1;the contents of TC in these four groups were(23.66±4.92),(67.96±5.56),(29.41±4.22)and(54.34±3.96)mmol·gprot-1;the activity of GOT in these four groups were(249.10±11.59),(322.63±28.81),(288.89±19.14)and(266.91±8.77)U·gprot-1;the activity of GPT in these four groups were(58.83±16.88),(134.55±22.96),(89.63±15.81)and(77.37±7.25)U·gprot-1,respectively;FXR mRNA expression levels were 1.01±0.16,2.09±0.12,1.83±0.17 and 1.45±0.15,respectively;SHP mRNA expression levels were 1.00±0.11,0.51±0.15,0.64±0.14 and 0.70±0.14,respectively;SREBP-1c mRNA were 1.00±0.08,1.57±0.19,1.37±0.13 and 1.21±0.15;the expression levels of FXR protein were 1.00±0.02,1.63±0.03,1.42±0.02 and 1.25±0.03,respectively;the expression levels of SHP protein were 1.00±0.02,0.23±0.01,0.54±0.21 and 0.62±0.02;the expression levels of SREBP-1c protein were 1.00±0.03,4.08±0.05,1.99±0.02 and 1.48±0.01,respectively.Compared with the normal group,there were significant differences in the above indexes of model group(all P<0.05);compared with the model group,there were significant differences in the above indexes of experimental group(all P<0.05).Conclusion HPS may protect liver cells by regulating the FXR-SHP-SREBP-1 c signaling pathway,reducing lipid synthesis in liver cells.
6.Simultaneous determination of gefitinib,erlotinib,nilotinib and imatinib concentrations in plasma by HPLC-MS/MS
Tian-Lun ZHENG ; Jing-Pu XU ; Zhu-Hang HAN ; Wen-Li LI ; Wei-Chong DONG ; Zhi-Qing ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(6):899-903
Objective To establish a high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS)for the simultaneous determination of gefitinib,erlotinib,nillotinib and imatinib plasma concentrations and analyze the results.Methods The plasma samples were treated with acetonitrile precipitation and separated by Diamonsil C18 column(150 mm ×4.6 mm,3.5 μm)with mobile phase of 0.1%formic acid water(A)-0.1%formic acid acetonitrile(B).The flow rate of gradient elution was 0.7 mL·min-1,and the column temperature was 40 ℃ and the injection volume was 3 μL.Using arotinib as the internal standard,the scanning was carried out by using electrospray ionization source in positive ionization mode with multi-reaction monitoring.The specificity,standard curve,lower limit of quantitation,precision,accuracy,recovery rate,matrix effect and stability of the method were investigated.The concentrations of imatinib and erlotinib in 20 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia(CML)and gefitinib and erlotinib in 3 patients with non-small cell lung cancer were measured.Results The standard curves of the four drugs were as follows,gefitinib:y=2.536 × 10-3x+9.362 × 10-3(linear range 20-2 000 ng·mL-1,R2=0.996 6);erlotinib:y=3.575× 10-3x+7.406 × 10-3(linear range 50-5 000 ng·mL-1,R2=0.994 9);nilotinib:y=1.945 x 10-3x+0.015 643(linear range 50-5 000 ng·mL-1,R2=0.990 6);imatinib:y=4.56 x 10-3x+0.010 451(linear range 100~104 ng·mL-1,R2=0.9963).RSD of intra-day and inter-day were less than 10%,and the accuracy ranged from 90%to 110%,and the recovery rates were 91.35%to 98.93%(RSD<10%);the matrix effect ranged from 91.64%to 107.50%(RSD<10%).Determination of 23 patients showed that the blood concentration of nilotinib ranged from 623.76 to 2 934.13 ng·mL-1,and the blood concentration of imatinib ranged from 757.77 to 2 637.71 ng·mL-1,and the blood concentration of gefitinib ranged from 214.76 to 387.40 ng·mL-1.The serum concentration of erlotinib was 569.57 ng·mL-1.Conclusion The method of this research is simple,fast,sensitive and dedicated,which can be monitored by the concentration of clinical blood.
7.Effects of total flavonoids of Oxytropis falcata Bunge on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats
Tian-Yan YANG ; Xin-Huan MA ; Zhi-Wei XU ; Rong-Kun LI ; Fang-Xiong MA ; Bao-Feng HE ; Liang CHEN ; Xiao-Qing CHEN ; Jun ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(14):2073-2077
Objective To investigate the effects of total flavones from Oxytropis falcata Bunge on hepatic fibrosis(HF)induced by carbon tetrachloride and liver transforming growth factor(TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway.Methods Forty-eight male rats were randomly divided into normal group(intraperitoneal injection of peanut oil,intragastric administration of 0.9%NaCl),model group(intraperitoneal injection of 40%CC14 peanut oil solution induced HF model,intragastric administration of 0.9%NaCl),positive control group(modeling,intragastric administration of 0.2 mg·kg-1 of colchicine),experimental-L,-M,-H groups(modeling,intragastric administration of 100,200 and 400 mg·kg-1 of total flavonoid extract of Oxytropis falcata Bunge),8 individuals in each group,for 4 consecutive weeks.The histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining.Serum liver function and liver fibrosis were measured;erum inflammatory factors were detected;fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was used to determine gene expression in liver.Results The pathological injury of liver tissue in the model group was serious,and a large number of inflammatory factors and collagen fibers were accumulated,while the rest of the treatment groups had different degrees of remission.In normal group,model group,positive control group,experimental-L,-M,-H groups,glutamic-pyruvic transaminase levels were(49.28±12.44),(5 885.42±948.37),(4 454.60±489.27),(4 650.47±843.53),(3 761.75±887.30)and(3 544.90±1 066.75)μg·L-1;glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase levels were(186.90±46.89),(5 936.23±793.81),(3 971.37±780.28),(4 360.30±863.35),(3 943.10±439.47)and(3 971.38±631.08)μg·L-1;hyaluronic acid levels were(45.08±17.16),(104.32±36.06),(66.83±20.09),(70.30±21.07),(60.00±9.68)and(59.02±10.73)μg·L-1;laminin levels were(23.13±3.89),(60.85±13.66),(35.67±9.92),(39.98±9.39),(36.55±12.21)and(34.68±24.83)μg·L-1;type Ⅲ procollagen level were(24.98±5.34),(82.58±30.14),(40.70±16.14),(51.08±23.21),(43.60±12.48)and(44.20±11.66)p±g·L-1;interleukin(IL)-1β levels were(37.63±1.24),(46.10±3.23),(39.22±2.36),(41.33±0.93),(40.25±2.04)and(39.18±2.23)pg·mL-1;tumor necrosis factor-α levels were(314.58±20.56),(383.71±16.97),(349.00±7.93),(348.88±25.11),(325.75±27.84)and(335.07±21.33)pg·mL-1;TGF-β1 mRNA expression of relative quantity respectively were 1.00±0.00,60.99±15.70,9.61±1.59,7.37±1.09,6.41±0.64,6.87±1.09;Smad7 mRNA relative expression were 1.00±0.00,0.34±0.05,0.21±0.03,0.35±0.02,0.38±0.02,0.42±0.03.The above indexes in the model group were compared with the normal group,and the above indexes in the experimental-M,-H groups were compared with the model group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001).Conclusion Total flavonoids of Oxytropis falcata Bunge have protective effects on CC14-induced liver fibrosis in rats,and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of TGF-β/Smad pathway.
8.Evolution of chemistry and selection technology for DNA-encoded library.
Peixiang MA ; Shuning ZHANG ; Qianping HUANG ; Yuang GU ; Zhi ZHOU ; Wei HOU ; Wei YI ; Hongtao XU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):492-516
DNA-encoded chemical library (DEL) links the power of amplifiable genetics and the non-self-replicating chemical phenotypes, generating a diverse chemical world. In analogy with the biological world, the DEL world can evolve by using a chemical central dogma, wherein DNA replicates using the PCR reactions to amplify the genetic codes, DNA sequencing transcripts the genetic information, and DNA-compatible synthesis translates into chemical phenotypes. Importantly, DNA-compatible synthesis is the key to expanding the DEL chemical space. Besides, the evolution-driven selection system pushes the chemicals to evolve under the selective pressure, i.e., desired selection strategies. In this perspective, we summarized recent advances in expanding DEL synthetic toolbox and panning strategies, which will shed light on the drug discovery harnessing in vitro evolution of chemicals via DEL.
9.Research progress on carrier-free and carrier-supported supramolecular nanosystems of traditional Chinese medicine anti-tumor star molecules
Zi-ye ZANG ; Yao-zhi ZHANG ; Yi-hang ZHAO ; Xin-ru TAN ; Ji-chang WEI ; An-qi XU ; Hong-fei DUAN ; Hong-yan ZHANG ; Peng-long WANG ; Xue-mei HUANG ; Hai-min LEI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(4):908-917
Anti-tumor traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of clinic application, in which the star molecules have always been the hotspot of modern drug research, but they are limited by the solubility, stability, targeting, bioactivity or toxicity of the monomer components of traditional Chinese medicine anti-tumor star molecules and other pharmacokinetic problems, which hinders the traditional Chinese medicine anti-tumor star molecules for further clinical translation and application. Currently, the nanosystems prepared by supramolecular technologies such as molecular self-assembly and nanomaterial encapsulation have broader application prospects in improving the anti-tumor effect of active components of traditional Chinese medicine, which has attracted extensive attention from scholars at home and abroad. In this paper, we systematically review the research progress in preparation of supramolecular nano-systems from anti-tumor star molecule of traditional Chinese medicine, and summarize the two major categories and ten small classes of carrier-free and carrier-based supramolecular nanosystems and their research cases, and the future development direction is put forward. The purpose of this paper is to provide reference for the research and clinical transformation of using supramolecular technology to improve the clinical application of anti-tumor star molecule of traditional Chinese medicine.
10.Toxicokinetics of MDMA and Its Metabolite MDA in Rats
Wei-Guang YU ; Qiang HE ; Zheng-Di WANG ; Cheng-Jun TIAN ; Jin-Kai WANG ; Qian ZHENG ; Fei REN ; Chao ZHANG ; You-Mei WANG ; Peng XU ; Zhi-Wen WEI ; Ke-Ming YUN
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2024;40(1):37-42
Objective To investigate the toxicokinetic differences of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine(MDMA)and its metabolite 4,5-methylene dioxy amphetamine(MDA)in rats af-ter single and continuous administration of MDMA,providing reference data for the forensic identifica-tion of MDMA.Methods A total of 24 rats in the single administration group were randomly divided into 5,10 and 20 mg/kg experimental groups and the control group,with 6 rats in each group.The ex-perimental group was given intraperitoneal injection of MDMA,and the control group was given intraperi-toneal injection of the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group.The amount of 0.5 mL blood was collected from the medial canthus 5 min,30 min,1 h,1.5 h,2 h,4 h,6 h,8 h,10 h,12 h after administration.In the continuous administration group,24 rats were randomly divided into the experi-mental group(18 rats)and the control group(6 rats).The experimental group was given MDMA 7 d by continuous intraperitoneal injection in increments of 5,7,9,11,13,15,17 mg/kg per day,respectively,while the control group was given the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group by in-traperitoneal injection.On the eighth day,the experimental rats were randomly divided into 5,10 and 20 mg/kg dose groups,with 6 rats in each group.MDMA was injected intraperitoneally,and the con-trol group was injected intraperitoneally with the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group.On the eighth day,0.5 mL of blood was taken from the medial canthus 5 min,30 min,1 h,1.5 h,2 h,4 h,6 h,8 h,10 h,12 h after administration.Liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect MDMA and MDA levels,and statistical software was employed for data analysis.Results In the single-administration group,peak concentrations of MDMA and MDA were reached at 5 min and 1 h after administration,respectively,with the largest detection time limit of 12 h.In the continuous administration group,peak concentrations were reached at 30 min and 1.5 h af-ter administration,respectively,with the largest detection time limit of 10 h.Nonlinear fitting equations for the concentration ratio of MDMA and MDA in plasma and administration time in the single-administration group and continuous administration group were as follows:T=10.362C-1.183,R2=0.974 6;T=7.397 3C-0.694,R2=0.961 5(T:injection time;C:concentration ratio of MDMA to MDA in plasma).Conclusions The toxicokinetic data of MDMA and its metabolite MDA in rats,obtained through single and continuous administration,including peak concentration,peak time,detection time limit,and the relationship between concentration ratio and administration time,provide a theoretical and data foundation for relevant forensic identification.

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