1.Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome with Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on the Core Pathogenesis Evolution of "Constraint,Heat,Deficiency,Stasis,and Toxin"
Zhichao RUAN ; Jiangteng LIU ; Hua ZHANG ; Weijun HUANG ; Qiang FU ; Shidong WANG ; Jinxi ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):680-684
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a rich theoretical foundation and clinical experience for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome(CKM), demonstrating unique advantage. Building on previous work in managing diabetes, its complications, and chronic kidney disease, our team has proposed a five-phase evolution theory of "constraint, heat, deficiency, stasis, and toxin" as the core pathogenesis. These phases correspond to the pathological progression of constraint of phlegm-dampness, constraint transforming into heat, heat damaging qi and yin, stasis accumulated in the collateral vessels, and toxin induced by deficiency and stasis. In the prevention and treatment of CKM by TCM, it is emphasized to integrate the concept of "treating disease before it arises" with constitution theory, and incorporate the "2-5-8" prevention and treatment strategy, which combines prevention with treatment, tailors interventions to different phases, and employs comprehensive treatment modalities. Our goal is to leverage TCM's holistic advantages in preventing and treating CKM.
2.Advancements in herbal medicine-based nanozymes for biomedical applications.
Mei YANG ; Zhichao DENG ; Yuanyuan ZHU ; Chenxi XU ; Chenguang DING ; Yujie ZHANG ; Mingxin ZHANG ; Mingzhen ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(9):1037-1049
Nanozymes are a distinct category of nanomaterials that exhibit catalytic properties resembling those of enzymes such as peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Nanozymes derived from Chinese herbal medicines exhibit the catalytic functions of their enzyme mimics, while retaining the specific medicinal properties of the herb (termed "herbzymes"). These nanozymes can be categorized into three main groups based on their method of synthesis: herb carbon dot nanozymes, polyphenol-metal nanozymes, and herb extract nanozymes. The reported catalytic activities of herbzymes include POD, SOD, CAT, and GPx. This review presents an overview of the catalytic activities and potential applications of nanozymes, introduces the novel concept of herbzymes, provides a comprehensive review of their classification and synthesis, and discusses recent advances in their biomedical applications. Furthermore, we also discuss the significance of research into herbzymes, including the primary challenges faced and future development directions.
Nanostructures/chemistry*
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Humans
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Herbal Medicine/methods*
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Superoxide Dismutase/chemistry*
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Catalase/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Catalysis
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Glutathione Peroxidase/chemistry*
3.Prognostic value of ultrasound carotid plaque length in patients with coronary artery disease.
Wendong TANG ; Zhichao XU ; Tingfang ZHU ; Yawei YANG ; Jian NA ; Wei ZHANG ; Liang CHEN ; Zongjun LIU ; Ming FAN ; Zhifu GUO ; Xianxian ZHAO ; Yuan BAI ; Bili ZHANG ; Hailing ZHANG ; Pan LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(14):1755-1757
4.Metabolic reprogramming nanomedicine potentiates colon cancer sonodynamic immunotherapy by inhibiting the CD39/CD73/ADO pathway.
Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Weiwei JIN ; Zhichao DENG ; Bowen GAO ; Yuanyuan ZHU ; Junlong FU ; Chenxi XU ; Wenlong WANG ; Ting BAI ; Lianying JIAO ; Hao WU ; Mingxin ZHANG ; Mingzhen ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2655-2672
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) can potentially induce immunogenic cell death in tumor cells, leading to the release of ATP, and facilitating the initiation of an immune response. Nevertheless, the enzymes CD39 and CD73 can swiftly convert ATP into immunosuppressive adenosine (ADO), resulting in an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). This study introduced a nanomedicine (QD/POM1@NP@M) engineered to reprogram TME by modulating the CD39/CD73/ADO pathway. The nanomedicine encapsulated sonosensitizers silver sulfide quantum dots, and the CD39 inhibitor POM1, while also incorporating homologous tumor cell membranes to enhance targeting capabilities. This integrated approach, on the one hand, stimulates the release of ATP via SDT, thereby initiating the immune response. In addition, it reduced the accumulation of ADO by inhibiting CD39 activity, which ameliorated the immunosuppressive TME. Upon administration, the nanomedicine demonstrated substantial anti-tumor efficacy by facilitating the infiltration of anti-tumor immune cells, while reducing the immunosuppressive cells. This modulation effectively transformed the TME from an immunologically "cold" state to a "hot" state. Furthermore, combined with the checkpoint inhibitor α-PDL1, the nanomedicine augmented systemic anti-tumor immunity and promoted the establishment of long-term immune memory. This study provides an innovative strategy for combining non-invasive SDT and ATP-driven immunotherapy, offering new ideas for future cancer treatment.
5.Metabolome and transcriptome association study reveals biosynthesis of specialized benzylisoquinoline alkaloids in Phellodendron amurense.
Tingxia LIU ; Wanran ZHANG ; Sijia WANG ; Ya TIAN ; Yifan WANG ; Ranran GAO ; Shilin CHEN ; Wei SUN ; Wei MA ; Zhichao XU
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(1):178-188
OBJECTIVE:
Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) have pharmacological functions and clinical use. BIAs are mainly distributed in plant species across the order Ranunculales and the genus Phellodendron from Sapindales. The BIA biosynthesis has been intensively investigated in Ranunculales species. However, the accumulation mechanism of BIAs in Phellodendron is largely unknown. The aim of this study is to unravel the biosynthetic pathways of BIAs in Phellodendron amurens.
METHODS:
The transcriptome and metabolome data from 18 different tissues of P. amurense were meticulously sequenced and subsequently subjected to a thorough analysis. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), a powerful systems biology approach that facilitates the construction and subsequent analysis of co-expression networks, was utilized to identify candidate genes involved in BIAs biosynthesis. Following this, recombinant plasmids containing candidate genes were expressed in Escherichia coli, a widely used prokaryotic expression system. The purpose of this genetic engineering endeavor was to express the candidate genes within the bacteria, thereby enabling the assessment of the resultant enzyme activity.
RESULTS:
The synonymous substitutions per synonymous site for paralogs indicated that at least one whole genome duplication event has occurred. The potential BIA biosynthetic pathway of P. amurense was proposed, and two PR10/Bet v1 members, 14 CYP450s, and 33 methyltransferases were selected as related to BIA biosynthesis. One PR10/Bet v1 was identified as norcoclaurine synthase, which could catalyze dopamine and 4-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde into (S)-norcoclaurine.
CONCLUSION
Our studies provide important insights into the biosynthesis and evolution of BIAs in non-Ranunculales species.
6.Isthmin-1 drives pancreatic cancer invasion and metastasis through epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Xinyu ZHANG ; Zhichao XU ; Zhentao WANG ; Qing CHEN ; Dupeng QIN ; Dongming SU
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(6):747-757
To investigate the effect of isthmin-1 (ISM1) on the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer and its underlying mechanism, this study analyzed the expression of ISM1 in pancreatic cancer patients and normal pancreatic tissues using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Western blot was employed to detect differences in ISM1 protein expression between pancreatic cancer cell lines (Aspc1, Bxpc3, PANC1, SW1990) and the pancreatic epithelial cell line (hPNE). Cell models with stable ISM1 overexpression and knockdown were constructed, and changes in cell migration and invasion capabilities were assessed via Transwell invasion assays and wound healing assays. Meanwhile, Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of key markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Furthermore, TCGA and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were utilized to analyze pathways regulated downstream of ISM1 and the mechanisms promoting pancreatic cancer invasion and metastasis. Immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry (IP-MS) was used to screen for vimentin as an ISM1-binding protein, and the interaction between ISM1 and vimentin was verified by immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Bxpc3 cells overexpressing ISM1 were treated with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) to detect vimentin protein stability. The results indicate that ISM1 promotes the EMT process by inhibiting vimentin degradation, thereby enhancing the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. This study provides new experimental evidence for elucidating the mechanism of pancreatic cancer metastasis.
7.Pathogenesis and Treatment of Stomach Exuberance and Spleen Deficiency in Metabolic Disease
Wenxuan LUO ; Jinxi ZHAO ; Jinyan WEI ; Jiangteng LIU ; Zhichao RUAN ; Kaitong ZHANG ; Le WANG ; Weijun HUANG ; Yonghua XIAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(19):2041-2044
Stomach exuberance and spleen deficiency are common pathogenesis of many metabolic diseases. Through analyzing the pathogenesis of stomach exuberance and spleen deficiency, it is believed that its essence is stomach heat and spleen deficiency. Stomach heat includes gastrointestinal heat, spleen and stomach damp-heat, and spleen deficiency is divided into deficiency of spleen yin, deficiency of spleen qi , and deficiency of spleen yang. It is suggested that the metabolic diseases of stomach-exuberance and spleen-deficiency syndrome can be divided into three categories,i.e. stomach-heat and spleen yin-deficiency, stomach-heat and spleen qi-deficiency, and stomach-heat and spleen yang-deficiency, and the main treatment methods are clearing and draining heat, nourishing yin and moistening intestine, clearing dampness and heat, strengthening spleen and qi, clearing dampness and heat, strengthening spleen and warming yang, respectively, with prescriptions as Maziren Pills (麻子仁丸), Qinlian Pingwei Powder (芩连平胃散), and Jiawei Lianli Decoction (加味连理汤) accordingly.
8.Exploring the Mechanism of Action of Jintiange Capsules in Regulating SMSC-Exos miRNA and Articular Chondrocytes mRNA for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis in Rats Based on Transcriptome
Zhichao WANG ; Xue ZHANG ; Xiaofei ZHANG ; Yajun SHI ; Dongyan GUO ; Fei LUAN ; Bingtao ZHAI ; Junbo ZOU ; Puwei YUAN
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(11):1464-1475
OBJECTIVE
To confirm the therapeutic effect of Jintiange capsules on osteoarthritis(OA) and the potential mechanism of synovial mesenchymal stem cell exosomes(SMSC-Exos) and articular chondrocytes(ACs) in the treatment of OA based on high-throughput sequencing technology.
METHODS
Type Ⅱ collagenase-induced OA rats were used for efficacy verification through general behavioral observation, bipedal balance difference experiment, mechanical foot reflex threshold, Micro-CT observation, and Safranin O-Fast Green staining. SMSCs and ACs were cultured in suitable concentration of drug-containing serum, and mRNA sequencing was performed on ACs in the control, model, and Jintiange capsules groups, as well as miRNA sequencing on SMSC-Exos. Differential expressed mRNAs and miRNAs were screened and target genes were predicted. The common differential expressed genes between SMSC and ACs were obtained by intersecting the differential expressed genes, and a miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed using Cytoscape software. The expression trend analysis of common differential expressed genes was conducted, as well as the correlation analysis between differential expressed gene mRNA and miRNA, Micro-CT efficacy indicators, and differential expressed gene mRNA.
RESULTS
Under the pathological state of OA, the expression of miRNA-23a-3p, miRNA-342-3p, miRNA-146b-5p, miRNA-501-3p, and miRNA-214-3p were down-regulated, while miRNA-222-3p, miRNA-30e-3p, miRNA-676-3p, and miRNA-192-5p were up-regulated (P<0.05). The expressions of these miRNAs were significantly reversed after intervention with drug-containing serum of Jintiange capsules. There was a certain correlation between Micro-CT efficacy indicators, mRNA and miRNA.
CONCLUSION
Jintiange capsule has obvious efficacy in the treatment of OA, and its mechanism may be related to the promotion of SMSC-Exos targeting ACs to transport miRNA and then regulate Serpinb10, Ntn1, Il1b, Tgm2, Megf10, Il11, Cd40, Slc15a3, Pou2f2 and other genes.
9.Effect of high glucose on immune escape of pancreatic cancer cells by regulating miR-429/ZEB1 axis
Zhichao ZHANG ; Guanghui LI ; Xuehe ZHU ; Qiang WEI ; Fei WANG ; Haiping ZHAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(7):1166-1174
Objective To explore the impact of high glucose(HG)intervention on immune escape of pancreatic cancer cells and its molecular mechanisms.Methods PANC-1 cells were treated with different concentrations of glucose(0,7.5,15,30 mmol/L)for 24 h to establish high glucose intervention PANC-1 cells.miR-429 mimics and its negative control(mimics NC)were transfected into PANC-1 cells,which were divided into control group,HG group,HG+mimics NC group,HG+mimics group,HG+mimics+oe-NC group,and HG+mimics+oe-ZEB1 group.Flow cytometry was utilized to measure the expression level of cell surface molecule PD-L1;qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression levels of miR-429 and ZEB1 mRNA in cells;Western blot was used to detect the ex-pression level of ZEB1 protein in cells.The above-mentioned PANC-1 cells from each group were co-cultured with CD8+T cells to establish a co-culture system,and CCK-8 was used to assess cell proliferation activity;apoptosis levels of cells were measured using flow cytometry;lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)release assay was used to detect the killing effect of CD8+T cells on PANC-1 cells;dual-luciferase reporter system was used to validate the target-regulatory relationship between mi R-429 and ZEB1.Results HG could promote the expression of cell surface mole-cules PD-L1 and ZEB1 in PANC-1 cells(P<0.05),inhibit the expression of miR-429,and exhibit concentration dependence.Overexpression of miR-429 could significantly suppress the expression of cell surface molecule PD-L1 induced by HG in PANC-1 cells,while overexpression of ZEB1 could reverse the inhibitory effect of miR-429 over-expression on the expression of cell surface molecule PD-L1 induced by HG.After establishing a co-culture system with CD8+T cells,compared with the control group,the proliferation activity of PANC-1 cells in the HG group sig-nificantly increased,and the apoptosis rate and cytotoxicity significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the HG+mimics NC group,the proliferation activity of PANC-1 cells in the HG+mimics group significantly decreased,and the apoptosis level and cytotoxicity significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the HG+mimics group,the proliferation activity of PANC-1 cells in the HG+mimics+oe-ZEB1 group significantly increased,and the apop-tosis rate and cytotoxicity significantly decreased(P<0.05).Dual luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that miR-429 negatively regulated ZEB1.Conclusion High glucose promotes immune escape of PANC-1 cells by down-regulating the expression level of miR-429,negatively regulating the expression of ZEB1 mRNA,and increasing the expression level of cell surface molecule PD-L1 in PANC-1 cells.
10.Diagnostic value of H3.3G34W,p63 and SATB2 immunohistochemical staining combined in giant cell tumor of bone
Nan ZHANG ; Moqi LÜ ; Zhichao TONG ; Haiyan LI ; Dan WANG ; Wenyi YANG ; Xiaoju LI ; Dangxia ZHOU
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(3):461-469
Objective To investigate the expressions of H3.3G34W,p63 and SATB2 in giant cell tumor of bone(GCTB)and the effect and value of their combined application in the diagnosis of GCTB.Methods We collected the samples and medical records of 54 cases of GCTB and 83 cases of non-giant cell tumor of bone(14 cases of aneurysmal bone cyst,16 cases of chondroblastoma and 53 cases of non-ossifying fibroma)diagnosed between 2020 and 2022 in the Department of Pathology of Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University.The expressions of H3.3G34W,p63 and SATB2 were detected by EliVision immunohistochemical method.X2 test was used to determine whether there are significant differences in the positive rates of H3.3G34W,p63 and SATB2 among all the groups.The combined diagnostic model including H3.3G34W,p63 and SATB2 was established by Logistic regression analysis,and the diagnostic value of the model was evaluated by ROC curve analysis.Results The positive rates of H3.3G34W,p63 and SATB2 in GCTB group were 81.5%,90.7%and 92.6%,respectively;the positive rates in NGCTB group were 2.4%,28.9%and 62.7%.Compared with NGCTB group,the age of GCTB group was significantly older[(41.222±14.849)vs.(16.566±9.439),P<0.001],and the prevalence was higher in women than in men(51.9%vs.48.1%,P<0.001).In addition,compared with the NGCTB group,the positive rates of H3.3G34W(81.5%vs.2.4%,P<0.001),p63(90.7%vs.28.9%,P<0.001)and SATB2(92.6%vs.62.7%,P<0.001)were significantly higher in the GCTB group.Univariate regression analysis built a univariate prediction modeland ROC curve analysis showed that age(AUC=92.9%,P<0.001),sex(AUC=64.5%,P=0.004),H3.3G34W positive rate(AUC=89.5%,P<0.001),p63 positive rate(AUC=80.9%,P<0.001)and SATB2 positive rate(AUC=65.0%,P=0.003)were independent predictors of diagnosis of giant cell tumor of bone.Multivariate regression analysis(Logistic)constructed a hybrid prediction model.ROC curve analysis suggested that the hybrid model showed better prediction value than the single factor model(AUC=98.4%,P<0.001).Conclusion H3.3G34W,p63 and SATB2 are effective molecular markers for the diagnosis of GCTB,and their combined application can improve the prediction efficiency of the diagnosis of GCTB.


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