1.Differences in deltamethrin resistance and kdr gene mutation in Culex tritaeniorhynchus population in and outside the Yellow Sea wetland
Xiao-er ZHANG ; Zhi-ming WU ; Ye TIAN ; Qian CUI ; Yu-qian JI ; Huan WANG ; Shu-juan YANG ; Yi-chao ZHAO ; Yu WANG ; Hua-yu YIN ; Yu DING ; Guo-jin YAN ; Min-sen ZHAO ; Shou-gang ZHANG ; Bing-dong SONG ; Hong-na CHEN ; Jian GAO ; Wei-fang YANG ; Yu-fu ZHANG ; Hui LIU ; Hong-liang CHU
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):101-107
Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.
2.The Dual Role and Clinical Potential of Core Fucosylation in Liver Diseases
Zi-Han LEI ; Hui-Min XU ; De-Zhi ZHAO ; Yong-Hong GUO ; Hao-Qi DU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(8):2161-2178
Core fucosylation, catalyzed exclusively by fucosyltransferase 8 (FUT8), is an evolutionarily conserved post-translational modification that has emerged as a central regulatory hub linking liver homeostasis, chronic disease progression, and malignant transformation. Liver diseases, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma, remain a leading global health burden characterized by late diagnosis, limited therapeutic options, and poor overall survival. While aberrant glycosylation is now recognized as a hallmark of cancer and inflammatory disorders, existing research on FUT8-mediated core fucosylation in liver diseases remains fragmented: the dynamic functional switch of FUT8 from a homeostatic regulator to a pathological driver across the full disease continuum has not been systematically delineated, and the integrated mechanisms by which core fucosylation modulates oncogenic signaling, metabolic reprogramming, and immune evasion remain poorly understood. This review synthesizes recent advances to establish a unified framework for understanding the dual role of core fucosylation in liver physiology and pathology, and evaluates its translational potential for precision medicine. At the molecular level, FUT8’s unique catalytic specificity makes core fucosylation an irreplaceable modification, as evidenced by the perinatal lethality and severe organ dysfunction in Fut8 knockout mice. In hepatocellular carcinoma, genomic amplification of guanosine 5'-diphosphate-fucose biosynthetic enzymes provides metabolic support for aberrant core fucosylation. FUT8 expression is tightly regulated by a multi-layered network: transcriptional activation via Wnt/β‑catenin and wild-type p53, epigenetic upregulation by lncRNAs, post-transcriptional repression by miR-122-5p and miR-34a, and virus-specific induction by hepatitis B virus/hepatitis C virus. Physiologically, core fucosylation maintains liver homeostasis through four core mechanisms: it acts as a molecular switch for epidermal growth factor receptor/hepatocyte growth factor receptor signaling to enable liver regeneration; directs polarized secretion of hepatocyte-derived glycoproteins into bile ducts; modulates cholesterol metabolism via the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9-low density lipoprotein receptor axis; and regulates aging through insulin‑like growth factor 1 receptor signaling. Pathologically, core fucosylation exhibits context-dependent dual functions: in liver fibrosis, FUT8 upregulation in hepatic stellate cells forms a negative feedback loop that limits excessive fibrogenesis; in hepatocellular carcinoma, however, aberrant FUT8 overexpression drives cell-autonomous malignancy by constitutively activating epidermal growth factor/hepatocyte growth factor receptor, transforming growth factor‑β/Smad, and Wnt/β‑catenin pathways, while simultaneously establishing a multi-layered immune evasion network by stabilizing programmed cell death ligand 1 and cluster of differentiation 47, and impairing natural killer cell homeostasis via interleukin‑2 receptor β glycosylation. Clinically, stage-specific core fucosylation biomarkers enable non-invasive monitoring of liver disease progression: low molecular mass kringle-Fc fusion protein outperforms conventional markers for early fibrosis detection, while alpha-fetoprotein-L3 and novel glycopeptides (α‑2‑macroglobulin N‑linked glycosylation site 1424, lumican core fucosylated peptide) significantly improve early hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis, especially in alpha-fetoprotein-negative patients. Next-generation detection technologies (chemoenzymatic labeling, site-specific mass spectrometry) overcome the specificity limitations of traditional lectin assays. Therapeutically, four promising strategies are emerging: small-molecule FUT8 inhibitors, afucosylated antibodies with enhanced antibody‑dependent cellular cytotoxicity, Fuc-modified targeted drug delivery systems, and core fucose-specific lectins for NASH treatment. The core challenge for clinical translation lies in FUT8’s inherent “double-edged sword” effect, as systemic inhibition disrupts its essential physiological functions beyond pathological roles. Long-term systemic FUT8 blockade not only impairs post-injury liver regeneration by abrogating epidermal growth factor/hepatocyte growth factor receptor signaling but also disrupts cholesterol homeostasis via the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9-low density lipoprotein receptor axis, leading to dyslipidemia and altered bile secretion. Critically, it compromises immune surveillance by destabilizing interleukin‑2 receptor β on natural killer cells, reducing their cytotoxic activity against malignant and virally infected cells, and impairs IgG Fc-mediated effector functions, increasing susceptibility to infections. This fundamental trade-off between therapeutic efficacy and systemic toxicity necessitates a paradigm shift from non-specific global inhibition to precision modulation of pathological core fucosylation. By addressing these critical challenges, FUT8-mediated core fucosylation has the potential to transform liver disease management from late-stage intervention to early detection and precision therapy, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing the global burden of liver diseases.
3.Mechanism by which sanguis draconis flavones regulating ROS/TXNIP pathway-mediated pyroptosis to ameliorate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats
Chao-Xia ZHU ; Zhi-Ying LI ; Xiao-Fei LÜ ; Qian ZHAO ; Bao-Cang CHENG ; Hui-Jie YANG ; Li-Ping ZHOU ; Li-Min ZENG
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(6):673-680
Objective To explore the mechanism by which the sanguis draconis flavones(SDF)regulates the reactive oxygen species(ROS)/thioredoxin-interacting protein(TXNIP)pathway to mediate cell pyroptosis and improve cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI)in rats.Methods The experimental rats were randomly divided into the control group(Ctrl),the CIRI group,the low-dose SDF group(SDF-L),the high-dose SDF group(SDF-H),and the SDF-H+ROS/TXNIP pathway activator,trimethylamine oxide(TMAO)group(SDF-H+TMAO).Among them,except for the control group,the remaining rats all needed to establish the CIRI rat model by the modified suture method.Zea Longa scoring was performed on rats from each group.ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-18 and oxidative stress-related factors superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px).Flow cytometry was used to measure the ROS levels.Cerebral edema was detected.Cerebral infarction was detected by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining.HE staining was used to detect the pathological changes of brain tissue.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of pyrolytic effector protein dermolin D(GSDMD).Western blotting was used to detect the expression of proteins related to the ROS/TXNIP pathway.Results Compared with the control group,a large area of cerebral infarctions were observed in the brain tissue of the CIRI group,accompanied by mild hemorrhage and obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells.Neuronal cells underwent degeneration and necrosis,with sparse and disordered arrangement.The phenomena of nuclear condensation and nucleolus lysis were obvious.The Zea Longa score,cerebral infarction volume,brain tissue water content,levels of IL-1β,IL-18,ROS,MDA,and the expressions of GSDMD,TXNIP,nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-related punctate protein(ASC),and Caspase-1 increased,while the activities of SOD and GSH-Px decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the CIRI group,the pathological damage of brain tissues in the SDF-L group and the SDF-H group was significantly improved.The Zea Longa score,cerebral infarction volume,brain tissue water content,levels of IL-1β,IL-18,ROS,MDA,and the expressions of GSDMD,TXNIP,NLRP3,ASC,and Caspase-1 decreased.The activities of SOD and GSH-Px increased(P<0.05);TMAO treatment partially reversed the improvement effect of SDF on CIRI in rats.Conclusion SDF ameliorates cerebral CIRI in rats by inhibiting ROS/TXNIP pathway-mediated pyroptosis.
4.STUDY ON THE POPULATION STRUCTURE OF MOSQUITOES AND THE APPLICATION OF MOSQUITO-REPELLENT SILICONE-BASED OIL FILM IN THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM OF MINHANG DISTRICT,SHANGHAI
Min-Hui ZHU ; Li-Jun LIU ; Lu ZHANG ; Xiao-Sa WEN ; Zhi-Yin XU ; Zhao-Wen ZHANG ; Yi-Bin ZHOU
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2025;32(2):105-111
Objective Understanding the population structure of mosquitoes in the drainage system of Minhang District,Shanghai,and exploring the physical prevention and control technology of mosquito traps with a Vazor mosquito repellent film in the drainage system.Methods A 500 mL water spoon was used to assist in visual inspection to investigate the breeding status of mosquito larvae in the drainage system.A carbon dioxide mosquito trap method was used to monitor adult mosquitoes around the ground drainage system,and the artificial hour method was used to monitor adult mosquitoes around the underground drainage system.Mosquito-repellent film was applied at a rate of 1 mL/m2 to the drainage system where mosquito larvae or pupae are found,and the breeding situation was observed and recorded.Results The positivity rate of mosquitoes breeding in the ground drainage system was 50%.The mosquito larvae in the drainage channels were primarily Aedes albopictus,whereas Ae.albopictus were primarily noted in the sewage wells.The proportions of Ae.albopictus and Culex pipiens pallens in the rainwater wells were similar,and the dominant mosquito species around the surface drainage system was Ae.Albopictus.The positive rate of mosquito breeding in the underground drainage system was 47%,with the dominant mosquito species being Cx.pipiens pallens(58.39%)followed by Ae.albopictus(41.6%).The dominant adult mosquito species around the drainage system were Cx.pipiens pallens(83%)followed by Ae.albopictus(11%).In terms of the effectiveness of mosquito-repellent water film,the mosquito breeding rates of the ground and underground drainage systems using mosquito-repellent water film decreased to 2.78%and 5%after 1 week of use,respectively,and then rebounded after the 3rd week.After a supplementary dose during the 5th week,the breeding rates returned to normal.No statistically significant differences were observed in the effect compared with the standard control group using 1%bisulfite granules;however,a statistically significant difference was noted compared with the blank control group without special treatment.Conclusions In the drainage system of Minhang District,Shanghai,mosquito breeding is severe,and variations exist in the dominant mosquito species in different environmental drainage facilities.The simultaneous use of mosquito-repellent films can effectively control mosquito breeding in drainage systems.
5.Study on anti-depression effect of Suanzaoren Decoction based on liver metabolomics.
Jing LI ; Ya-Nan TONG ; Hong-Tao WANG ; Shao-Hua ZHAO ; Wei-Yan CHEN ; Zhi-Wei LI ; Min-Yan LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):19-31
To explore the anti-depression effect of Suanzaoren Decoction(SZRD), the regulatory effects on endogenous metabolites in the liver of rats with depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) were analyzed by using LC-MS metabolomics. The rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, low-dose SZRD group, high-dose SZRD group, and positive drug group. The CUMS depression model was replicated by applying a variety of stimuli, such as fasting and water deprivation, ice water swimming, hot water swimming, day and night reversal, tail clamping, and restraint for rats. Modeling and treatment were conducted for 56 days. The behavioral indexes of rats in each group, including body weight, open field test, sucrose preference test, and tail suspension test, were observed. Plasma samples and liver tissue samples were collected, and the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), dopamine(DA), and norepinephrine(NE) in plasma were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Meanwhile, the regulatory effects of SZRD on the liver metabolic profile of CUMS model rats were analyzed by the LC-MS metabolomics method. The results show that SZRD can significantly improve the depression-like behavior of CUMS model rats and increase the neurotransmitter levels of 5-HT, DA, and NE in plasma. A total of 24 different metabolites in the rats' liver are identified using the LC-MS metabolomics method, and SZRD can reverse 13 of these metabolites. Metabolic pathway analysis indicates that nine metabolic pathways are found to be significantly associated with depression, and in the low-dose SZRD group, four pathways can be regulated, including pentose phosphate pathway, purine metabolism, inositol phosphate metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism. In the high-dose SZRD group, two metabolic pathways can be regulated, including sphingolipid metabolism and glycerol glycerophospholipid metabolism. Sphingolipid metabolism is a metabolic pathway that can be regulated by SZRD at different doses, so it is speculated that it may be the primary pathway through which SZRD can alleviate metabolic disturbances in the liver of CUMS model rats.
Animals
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Rats
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Metabolomics
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Depression/metabolism*
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Male
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Liver/drug effects*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Antidepressive Agents/administration & dosage*
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Serotonin/blood*
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Humans
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Disease Models, Animal
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Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
6.Carbon footprint accounting of traditional Chinese medicine extracts based on life cycle assessment: a case study of mulberry leaf extract from an enterprise.
Zhi-Min CI ; Jian-Xiang OU ; Qiang YU ; Chuan ZHENG ; Zhao-Qing PEI ; Li-Ping QU ; Ming YANG ; Li HAN ; Ding-Kun ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):120-129
Under the background of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with 15 national ministries and commissions, has formulated the Implementation Plan on Establishing a Carbon Footprint Management System, and it is urgent for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) pharmaceutical enterprises to carry out research on carbon footprint accounting methods of related products. Based on the life cycle assessment(LCA) theory, taking mulberry leaf extract produced by a certain enterprise as an example, this study analyzed the carbon footprint of TCM extracts during the life cycle. The results show that for every 1 kg of product produced, the carbon emissions from the stages of raw material acquisition, transportation, and extract production are-20.569, 1.205, and 173.577 kgCO_2eq(CO_2 equivalent), respectively. The carbon footprint of the product is 154.213 kgCO_2eq·kg~(-1). In addition, the carbon emission is the highest in the production stage, in which the consumption of ethanol solvents makes the greatest contribution to the carbon footprint, accounting for 25.71%, more than one-fourth of the total carbon footprint. The second contribution was from the treatment process of TCM residues, accounting for 19.67%, closely followed by wastewater treatment(17.71%), the consumption of hot steam(17.43%), and drinking water(16.90%). The consumption of electric power and packaging materials has a smaller carbon emission of 2.58%. In particular, the carbon emission caused by the consumption of packaging materials is only 0.04%, which is negligible. The results of the study are expected to provide a reference for TCM enterprises to carry out research on the carbon footprint of products, offer ideas for collaborative innovation in reducing pollution and carbon emissions throughout the entire industry chain of TCM, and develop new quality productivity of modern TCM industry based on green and low-carbon manufacturing.
Morus/chemistry*
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Plant Leaves/chemistry*
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Carbon Footprint
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Plant Extracts/analysis*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
7.Buzhong Yiqi Decoction alleviates immune injury of autoimmune thyroiditis in NOD.H-2~(h4)mice via c GAS-STING signaling pathway.
Yi-Ran CHEN ; Lan-Ting WANG ; Qing-Yang LIU ; Zhao-Han ZHAI ; Shou-Xin JU ; Xue-Ying CHEN ; Zi-Yu LIU ; Xiao YANG ; Tian-Shu GAO ; Zhi-Min WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1872-1880
This study aims to explore the effects of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction(BYD) on the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase(cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes(STING) signaling pathway in the mouse model of autoimmune thyroiditis(AIT) and the mechanism of BYD in alleviating the immune injury. Forty-eight NOD.H-2~(h4) mice were assigned into normal, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose BYD, and selenium yeast tablets groups(n=8). Mice of 8 weeks old were treated with 0.05% sodium iodide solution for 8 weeks for the modeling of AIT and then administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 8 weeks before sampling. High performance liquid chromatography was employed to measure the astragaloside Ⅳ content in BYD. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the mouse thyroid tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPO-Ab), thyroglobulin antibody(TgAb), and interferon-γ(IFN-γ). Flow cytometry was employed to detect the distribution of T cell subsets in the spleen. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of cGAS, STING, TANK-binding kinase 1(TBK1), and interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3). Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of markers related to the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in the thyroid tissue. The results showed that the content of astragaloside Ⅳ in BYD was(7.06±0.08) mg·mL~(-1). Compared with the normal group, the model group showed disrupted structures of thyroid follicular epithelial cells, massive infiltration of lymphocytes, and elevated levels of TgAb and TPO-Ab. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups showed intact epithelial cells, reduced lymphocyte infiltration, and lowered levels of TgAb and TPO-Ab. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed increases in the proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells, a decrease in the proportion of Th2 cells, and an increase in the IFN-γ level. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups presented decreased proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells and lowered levels of IFN-γ, and the medium-dose BYD group showed an increase in the proportion of Th2 cells. Compared with the normal group, the modeling up-regulated the mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1, and IRF3 and the protein levels of cGAS, p-STING, p-TBK1, and p-IRF3. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups showed reduced levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1, and IRF3-positive products, down-regulated mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, and TBK1, and down-regulated protein levels of cGAS and p-STING. The high-dose BYD group showed down-regulations in the mRNA level of IRF3 and the protein levels of p-TBK1 and p-IRF3. The above results indicate that BYD can repair the imbalance of T cell subsets, alleviate immune injury, and reduce thyroid lymphocyte infiltration in AIT mice by inhibiting the cGAS-STING signaling pathway.
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/metabolism*
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Mice
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Membrane Proteins/metabolism*
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Mice, Inbred NOD
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Humans
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Female
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Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism*
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Male
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Disease Models, Animal
8.Effect and mechanism of salt-processed Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex in improving insulin resistance based on network pharmacology and experimental verification.
Jin-Jie LEI ; Yang-Miao XIA ; Shang-Ling ZHAO ; Rui TAN ; Ling-Ying YU ; Zhi-Min CHEN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2373-2381
This study explores the therapeutic differences and mechanisms of salt-processed Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex in improving insulin resistance(IR) based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cellular experiments. The components and intersection targets of Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex in improving IR were collected from databases, and a "drug-component-target-disease" network and protein-protein interaction(PPI) network were constructed to screen core components and targets. A total of 29 active components and 240 intersection targets were identified, of which 13 were core targets. Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were used to identify key signaling pathways, and molecular docking was performed to validate the binding activity between core components and targets. An IR model in HepG2 cells was induced using insulin combined with high glucose, and the effects of Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex before and after salt-processing on cell glucose consumption were evaluated. The expression of proteins related to the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT) signaling pathways was detected by Western blot. The cellular experimental results showed that, compared with the model group, glucose consumption in the drug-treated groups was significantly increased(P<0.01), the phosphorylation level of extracellular regulated protein kinase(ERK) was decreased(P<0.05), the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT were increased, and the expression of glucose transporter 4(GLUT4) was also upregulated(P<0.05). Furthermore, the effect of salt-processed Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex was better than that of raw Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex. The study demonstrates that Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex, both before and after salt-processing, improves IR by regulating the expression of related proteins in the MAPK and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways, with enhanced effects after salt-processing.
Humans
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Network Pharmacology
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Phellodendron/chemistry*
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Insulin Resistance
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Hep G2 Cells
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Molecular Docking Simulation
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Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics*
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics*
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Glucose/metabolism*
9.Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma drug pair inhibits growth of osteosarcoma by affecting cell adhesion and angiogenesis via PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α pathway.
Dao-Tong YUAN ; Zhi-Meng ZHANG ; Rui GONG ; Xi-Min JIN ; Can-Ran WANG ; Jie ZHAO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(8):2217-2228
This study aims to investigate the optimal ratio of Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma(AC) for inhibiting the proliferation of 143B osteosarcoma cells, and to investigate the mechanism by which AC inhibits osteosarcoma growth and metastasis through angiogenesis and cell adhesion mediated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) pathway. A subcutaneous 143B tumor-bearing nude mouse model was successfully established and randomly divided into the model group, and the AC 1∶1, 2∶1, and 4∶1 groups. Body weight, tumor volume, and tumor weight were recorded. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt), HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA), transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), epithelial cadherin(E-cadherin), neural cadherin(N-cadherin), vimentin, matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2), matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9), B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), and caspase-3 in the hypoxic core region of the tumor tissue. A cell hypoxia model was established, and the effects of AC-medicated serum(model group, AC 1∶1, 2∶1, and 4∶1 groups) on angiogenesis, proliferation, adhesion, invasion, and migration of 143B osteosarcoma cells were examined through CCK-8, flow cytometry, Transwell assay, cell adhesion assay, and HUVEC tube formation assay. The results showed that compared with the model group, the tumor weight and volume were smallest in the 2∶1 group. The expression levels of PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, HIF-1α, VEGFA, and TGF-β1 were significantly decreased, and the protein expression of E-cadherin was significantly increased, while the protein expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, MMP2, and MMP9 was significantly decreased. Additionally, the protein expression of Bax and caspase-3 was significantly increased, and Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly decreased. In vitro experiments showed that after intervention with AC-medicated serum at a 2∶1 ratio, the cell activity, adhesion, invasion, and migration of 143B cells were significantly reduced, apoptosis was significantly increased, and HUVEC tube formation was significantly decreased. In conclusion, the 2∶1 ratio of AC showed the most effective inhibition of 143B cell growth. AC can inhibit the growth and metastasis of osteosarcoma 143B cells by regulating the PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α signaling pathway, inhibiting angiogenesis and reducing cell adhesion, invasion, and migration.
Osteosarcoma/pathology*
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Animals
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics*
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Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics*
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Humans
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Mice
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Cell Adhesion/drug effects*
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Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
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Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics*
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Mice, Nude
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Astragalus Plant/chemistry*
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Bone Neoplasms/physiopathology*
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Male
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Rhizome/chemistry*
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Angiogenesis
10.Clinical research progress on treatment of liver cirrhosis with traditional Chinese medicine.
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(15):4178-4189
Liver cirrhosis is the pathological outcome of chronic liver diseases due to a variety of causes. Liver cirrhosis at different stages differs greatly in patients' conditions, which can seriously affect the prognosis of patients. Elimination of the causes and symptomatic treatments are the main ways to treat liver cirrhosis at present. However, the curative effect cannot meet the clinical needs. There is a long-term experience accumulation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in the treatment of liver cirrhosis and its complications. This review focuses on the clinical research progress on the treatment of liver cirrhosis with TCM from the perspectives of histological regression of liver fibrosis and prevention and treatment of decompensated cirrhosis and its complications. The aim is to provide reference for clinical treatment and explore future research directions. The commonly used proprietary Chinese medicines and experience prescriptions with the anti-liver fibrosis effect not only effectively facilitate histological regression but also prevent variceal bleeding and reduce the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. The combined therapy integrating traditional Chinese and western medicine plays a crucial role in preventing and treating complications of liver cirrhosis. Its mechanisms are related to inhibiting stellate cell activation, protecting hepatocytes from injury, promoting hepatocyte regeneration, inhibiting hepatic sinusoidal capillarization, regulating renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, improving gastrointestinal motility, and so on. Aiming at the main pathological processes including liver fibrosis, liver regeneration, and liver cancer, efforts should be made to realize combination of disease and syndrome and further strengthen TCM clinical research, which are of great significance for improving clinical efficacy of liver cirrhosis and its complications.
Humans
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Liver Cirrhosis/complications*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Animals
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional


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