1.Rosa laevigata Michx. inhibits pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation in hypertension by modulating the Src-AKT1 axis.
Ziwei YANG ; Chang LÜ ; Zhu DONG ; Shulei JI ; Shenghui BI ; Xuehua ZHANG ; Xiaowu WANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(9):1889-1902
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the synergistic mechanism of the traditional Chinese medicine Rosa laevigata Michx. (RLM) for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
METHODS:
Network pharmacological analysis was carried out to screen the active ingredients of RLM and PAH disease targets and construct the "component-target-disease" interaction network, followed by gene enrichment analysis and molecular docking studies. In the cell experiments, primary cultures of rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells were exposed to hypoxia for 24 h and treated with solvent or 100, 200 and 300 mg/mL RLM, and the changes in cell proliferation were detected using Western blotting for PCNA and immunofluorescence staining. In the animal experiment, male SD rats were randomized into 5 control group, monocrotaline (MCT) solvent group, and MCT with RLM (100, 200 and 300 mg/mL) treatment groups. HE staining and immunofluorescence staining were used to observe histopathological changes in the pulmonary blood vessels of the rats.
RESULTS:
Seven core active ingredients (including β-sitosterol and kaempferol) in RLM and 39 key disease targets were identified, and molecular docking showed that SRC was a high-affinity target. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the differential genes were significantly enriched in calcium signaling and PI3K-AKT pathways. In rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells, hypoxic exposure significantly up-regulated cellular expression of PCNA and phosphorylation levels of Src and AKT1, which were obviously lowered by RLM treatment. In RLM-treated rat models, the mean pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular hypertrophy index (Fulton index) were significantly reduced, the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was improved, and pulmonary vascular wall thickening and fibrosis were obviously ameliorated.
CONCLUSIONS
RLM inhibits pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation in rat models of hypertension possibly by regulating the Src-AKT1 axis, suggesting the potential of RLM as a new natural drug for treatment of pulmonary hypertension.
Animals
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Pulmonary Artery/cytology*
;
Male
;
Rats
;
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology*
;
Hypertension, Pulmonary/pathology*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology*
;
src-Family Kinases/metabolism*
;
Cells, Cultured
2.Stearic acid affects the expression of IL-17 in CD4+T cells from ketosis cows through CD36
Ziwei JI ; Siyao LI ; Haixin ZHANG ; Ziwei LI ; Shangmingzhu ZHANG ; Wei YANG ; Chuang XU ; Bingbing ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(3):602-610
The peripheral blood of healthy or ketosis dairy cows was collected,and CD4+T cells were isolated.The expressions of lipid synthesis related proteins fatty acid synthase(FASN),acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase 1(ACC1),cluster of differentiation 36(CD36)and store-operated calcium entry(SOCE)related proteins ORAIl,ORAI2,ORAI3,STIM1,STIM2 were detected by Western blot.IL-17 cells were detected by flow cytometry.CD4+T cells were isolated from the spleen of 1-day-old calves and cultured in vitro.Cells were treated and divided into control(Ctrl)group,si-lenced CD36(siCD36)group,stearic acid(SA)group,and SA+siCD36 group.Cells in the Ctrl and SA groups were transfected with 75 pmol/L negative control siRNA for 48 h,and then stimulated with 200 μmol/L SA for 24 h;Cells in the siCD36 group and SA+siCD36 group were transfected with 75 pmol/L CD36 siRNA for 48 h,and then stimulated with 200 μmol/L SA for 24 h in the SA+siCD36 group.The protein expression of FASN,CD36,ACC1,ORAI1,ORAI2,ORAI3,STIM1 and STIM2 was detected by Western blot,and IL-17 cells were detected by flow cytometry.The results showed that the expression of IL-17 in peripheral blood CD4+T cells of ketosis dairy cows was significantly increased compared to that of healthy cows(P<0.01).Additionally,the protein level of FASN,CD36,STIM1(P<0.05),and ACC1,ORAI2,ORAI3,STIM2(P<0.01)were up-regulated.Compared with the Ctrl group,the protein expression levels of CD36,ACC1 and ORAI3(P<0.05)were up-regulated in the SA group,as well as the protein expression of FASN and STIM1(P<0.01).Additionally,the expression of IL-17 was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the SA group,there was a decrease in the protein expression of STIM1,ORAI1(P<0.05)and CD36,ACC1,FASN,ORAI2(P<0.01)in the siCD36+SA group,as well as IL-17(P<0.05).These results suggest that SA can promote the expression of IL-17 in CD4+T cells in ketosis cows by regulating fatty acid synthesis and activating SOCE channels through CD36.
3.Simultaneous determination of six alkaloid components in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills by QAMS
Hongying BAO ; Yukun ZHOU ; Ziwei CHEN ; Zengyun JI ; He MENG ; Junsheng HAO ; Ying XIN
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(2):190-197
Objective:To establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS)for the determination of 6 alkaloid components,which is benzoylmesaconine,benzoyl-hypaconine,benzoylaconine,mesaconitine,hypaconitine,and aconitine in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills,and prove the scientificity and feasibility of the method in the quality analysis.Methods:The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm)with gradient elution using 0.1 mol·L-1 ammonium acetate(0.5 mL of gla-cial acetic acid per 1 000 mL)(A)-acetonitrile:tetrahydrofuran(25∶15)(B),as the mobile phase(0-50 min,18%B-28%B),the detection wavelength was switched from 235 nm,the column temperature was kept at 40℃and the flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1.The relative correction factors(fs/i)were established with the other 5 compo-nents to be measured using benzoylaconine as the internal reference,which were used to calculate the mass fraction of each component.At the same time,the mass fractions of the 6 effective constituents in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills were calculated by the external standard method(ESM).By comparing the content results of ESMand QAMS,the accura-cy of QAMS method were evaluated.Results:The relative correction factors(fs/i)of benzoylmesaconine,benzoylhyp-aconine,mesaconitine,hypaconitine,and aconitine in Mongolian medicine Zhachong Shisanwei Pills were reproduci-ble with good reproducibility,which were 0.680 4,0.450 6,0.850 8,0.676 1 and 0.757 0,the result obtained by QAMS approximated those obtained by external standard method(ESM).Conclusion:The method is simple,stable and reproducible,and can be used for the quality control of 6 alkaloid components in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills.
4.Simultaneous determination of six alkaloid components in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills by QAMS
Hongying BAO ; Yukun ZHOU ; Ziwei CHEN ; Zengyun JI ; He MENG ; Junsheng HAO ; Ying XIN
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(2):190-197
Objective:To establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS)for the determination of 6 alkaloid components,which is benzoylmesaconine,benzoyl-hypaconine,benzoylaconine,mesaconitine,hypaconitine,and aconitine in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills,and prove the scientificity and feasibility of the method in the quality analysis.Methods:The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm)with gradient elution using 0.1 mol·L-1 ammonium acetate(0.5 mL of gla-cial acetic acid per 1 000 mL)(A)-acetonitrile:tetrahydrofuran(25∶15)(B),as the mobile phase(0-50 min,18%B-28%B),the detection wavelength was switched from 235 nm,the column temperature was kept at 40℃and the flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1.The relative correction factors(fs/i)were established with the other 5 compo-nents to be measured using benzoylaconine as the internal reference,which were used to calculate the mass fraction of each component.At the same time,the mass fractions of the 6 effective constituents in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills were calculated by the external standard method(ESM).By comparing the content results of ESMand QAMS,the accura-cy of QAMS method were evaluated.Results:The relative correction factors(fs/i)of benzoylmesaconine,benzoylhyp-aconine,mesaconitine,hypaconitine,and aconitine in Mongolian medicine Zhachong Shisanwei Pills were reproduci-ble with good reproducibility,which were 0.680 4,0.450 6,0.850 8,0.676 1 and 0.757 0,the result obtained by QAMS approximated those obtained by external standard method(ESM).Conclusion:The method is simple,stable and reproducible,and can be used for the quality control of 6 alkaloid components in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills.
5.Tirzepatide in chronic weight management: From mechanism to clinical application
Yingying LUO ; Ziwei LIN ; Linong JI
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(7):596-600
Obesity is a common chronic disease associated with an increased risk of multiple comorbidities and premature mortality. Tirzepatide, a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, has demonstrated significant efficacy in multiple studies in reducing body weight and fat mass, improving body composition and metabolic parameters, lowering the risk of obesity-related complications and improving health and quality of life. This review summarizes the underlying mechanisms of tirzepatide and recent advances in its clinical research, providing a reference for clinical practice.
6.Stearic acid affects the expression of IL-17 in CD4+T cells from ketosis cows through CD36
Ziwei JI ; Siyao LI ; Haixin ZHANG ; Ziwei LI ; Shangmingzhu ZHANG ; Wei YANG ; Chuang XU ; Bingbing ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(3):602-610
The peripheral blood of healthy or ketosis dairy cows was collected,and CD4+T cells were isolated.The expressions of lipid synthesis related proteins fatty acid synthase(FASN),acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase 1(ACC1),cluster of differentiation 36(CD36)and store-operated calcium entry(SOCE)related proteins ORAIl,ORAI2,ORAI3,STIM1,STIM2 were detected by Western blot.IL-17 cells were detected by flow cytometry.CD4+T cells were isolated from the spleen of 1-day-old calves and cultured in vitro.Cells were treated and divided into control(Ctrl)group,si-lenced CD36(siCD36)group,stearic acid(SA)group,and SA+siCD36 group.Cells in the Ctrl and SA groups were transfected with 75 pmol/L negative control siRNA for 48 h,and then stimulated with 200 μmol/L SA for 24 h;Cells in the siCD36 group and SA+siCD36 group were transfected with 75 pmol/L CD36 siRNA for 48 h,and then stimulated with 200 μmol/L SA for 24 h in the SA+siCD36 group.The protein expression of FASN,CD36,ACC1,ORAI1,ORAI2,ORAI3,STIM1 and STIM2 was detected by Western blot,and IL-17 cells were detected by flow cytometry.The results showed that the expression of IL-17 in peripheral blood CD4+T cells of ketosis dairy cows was significantly increased compared to that of healthy cows(P<0.01).Additionally,the protein level of FASN,CD36,STIM1(P<0.05),and ACC1,ORAI2,ORAI3,STIM2(P<0.01)were up-regulated.Compared with the Ctrl group,the protein expression levels of CD36,ACC1 and ORAI3(P<0.05)were up-regulated in the SA group,as well as the protein expression of FASN and STIM1(P<0.01).Additionally,the expression of IL-17 was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the SA group,there was a decrease in the protein expression of STIM1,ORAI1(P<0.05)and CD36,ACC1,FASN,ORAI2(P<0.01)in the siCD36+SA group,as well as IL-17(P<0.05).These results suggest that SA can promote the expression of IL-17 in CD4+T cells in ketosis cows by regulating fatty acid synthesis and activating SOCE channels through CD36.
7.Tirzepatide in chronic weight management: From mechanism to clinical application
Yingying LUO ; Ziwei LIN ; Linong JI
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(7):596-600
Obesity is a common chronic disease associated with an increased risk of multiple comorbidities and premature mortality. Tirzepatide, a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, has demonstrated significant efficacy in multiple studies in reducing body weight and fat mass, improving body composition and metabolic parameters, lowering the risk of obesity-related complications and improving health and quality of life. This review summarizes the underlying mechanisms of tirzepatide and recent advances in its clinical research, providing a reference for clinical practice.
8.A multicenter, randomized, controlled study on the treatment of pediatric influenza (wind-heat invading lung) with Qingxuan Zhike granules
Xi MING ; Xiaodong SHEN ; Jinni CHEN ; Jinya WANG ; Jiemin WANG ; Fengzhan CHEN ; Huiping SHEN ; Huihui HUANG ; Yingzhu LU ; Jialin ZHENG ; Ziwei WANG ; Ji BIAN ; Zihao FENG ; Naichao FENG ; Siqi CHEN ; Xunzhou LIU ; Xiaohua YAN ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Wen XIE ; Lei XIONG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2024;39(8):597-601
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qingxuan Zhike granules in improving cough symptoms and shortening the course of influenza (wind-heat invading lung) in children.Methods:In this multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial, a total of 240 outpatient influenza patients from 7 hospitals, including the First Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from April 2023 to December 2023 were collected.The subjects were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group via SAS software using the block randomization method.The differences between two groups were compared with t test, corrected t test and χ2 test.Subjects in the control group were given Oseltamivir phosphate granules, orally, twice a day (weight ≤15 kg, 30 mg/time; weight >15-23 kg, 45 mg/time; weight >23-40 kg, 60 mg/time; weight >40 kg, 75 mg/time; age≥13 years, 75 mg/time).In addition to Oseltamivir phosphate granules, subjects in the experimental group were also given Qingxuan Zhike granules, orally, 3 times a day (1-3 years old, 1/2 bag each time; >3-6 years old, 3/4 bag each time; >6-14 years old, 1 bag each time).After 5 days of treatment, the medication was suspended for 2 days.The effect of cough, antipyretic effect, clinical recovery rate, clinical recovery time, Canadian Acute Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale (CARIFS) score, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome effect, complication rate, and adverse reactions were evaluated between the two groups. Results:Finally, 232 cases were included in the study, including 115 cases in the experimental group and 117 cases in the control group.Before and after treatment, there were no significant difference in CARIFS cough score between the experimental group and the control group (all P>0.05).After treatment, the change in CARIFS cough score in the experimental group [(-1.00±0.91) scores]was significantly higher than that in the control group [(-0.75±0.98) scores] ( t=-1.995, P=0.047).After treatment, the change in TCM syndrome cough score in the experimental group [(-1.69±1.51) scores] was significantly higher than that in the control group [(-0.97±1.63) scores] ( t′=-0.035, P=0.001).The time of complete regression of fever in the experimental group [(44.82±22.72) h] was shorter than that in the control group [(51.35±27.07) h], and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=-1.966, P=0.050).The fever score showed that the area under the curve between the CARIFS symptom fever score and time in the experimental group was 4.40±2.42, while that in the control group was 5.12±2.44, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=-2.252, P=0.025).The clinical recovery rate was 93.91%(108/115) in the experimental group and 92.31%(108/117) in the control group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=0.233, P>0.05).The clinical recovery time in the experimental group [(2.93±1.21) d] was shorter than that in the control group [(3.29±1.15) d], and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=-2.279, P=0.024).After treatment, there was a significant difference in TCM syndrome score variation between the experimental group [(-12.00±4.13) scores] and the control group [(-10.85±4.31) scores] ( t′=-2.067, P=0.040).No complication occurred in both groups, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups ( χ2=1.299, P>0.05). Conclusions:Qingxuan Zhike granules combined with Oseltamivir phosphate can effectively improve the cough symptoms associated with influenza in children, shorten the time and course of fever, and improve the TCM syndrome score; thus, they are safe in clinical application.
9.Expression and diagnostic value of lymphocyte subsets and activation status in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Guangli YIN ; Jujuan WANG ; Tian TIAN ; Limin DUAN ; Xin GAO ; Ziwei FANG ; Ji XU ; Hongxia QIU ; Lei FAN
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(8):748-754
Objective:To determine the expression and diagnostic value of peripheral blood lymphocytes and functional activation status in non-Hodgkin lymphoma with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (NHL-HLH) .Methods:We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 30 newly diagnosed NHL-HLH patients admitted to Jiangsu Province Hospital from September 2022 to September 2023. We assessed peripheral blood lymphocytes and activation status by flow cytometry. Forty newly diagnosed patients with NHL who received treatment at our hospital during the same period and had lymphocyte and functional activation indexes were selected as the control group. The differences in relative and absolute lymphocyte counts and functional activation indexes between the two groups were compared. The optimal cutoff values for continuous variables were calculated from the receiver operating characteristic curve and logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors in NHL patients with HLH.Results:A total of 30 NHL-HLH patients were evaluated, including 12 T-cell lymphoma and 18 B-cell lymphoma patients. Forty individuals were in the control group, which included 19 T-cell lymphoma and 21 B-cell lymphoma patients. The absolute counts of CD3 + T, CD4 + T, CD8 + T, and NK cells, along with the relative count of NK cells, were significantly lower in the HLH group compared with that in the control group (all P values<0.01) . The expression of CD38 and HLA-DR on CD8 + T-cell activated subgroups was significantly higher in the NHL-HLH group compared with that in the control group (CD8 +CD38 +/CD8 + T expression median: 57.4% vs 21.5%, P<0.001; CD8 +CD38 +/CD8 + T expression median: 49.7% vs 33.5%, P=0.028, respectively) . In addition, CD28 expression on CD4 + and CD8 + T cells was significantly higher in NHL-HLH patients ( P<0.01) . ROC curve and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that absolute NK cell count ≤72.0 cells/μl, CD4 +CD28 +/CD4 + T >94.2%, and CD8 +CD28 +/CD8 + T >38.4% were risk factors for predicting the occurrence of NHL-HLH patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the regression model were 86.7% and 86.1%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.94 ( P<0.001) . Conclusions:In NHL patients with HLH, there was a significant reduction in the absolute number of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations, whereas T-cell function was notably activated. Specifically, absolute counts of NK cells ≤72.0 cells/μl, CD4 +CD28 +/CD4 + T >94.2%, and CD8 +CD28 +/CD8 + T >38.4% were identified as risk factors for predicting the development of NHL-HLH patients. This will assist in early clinical diagnosis and treatment.
10.Expedited program and utilization for anticancer drug approval in China and the United States
Qi ZHU ; Huiyao HUANG ; Anqi YU ; Xinyu MENG ; Ye LENG ; Hong FANG ; Ziwei LI ; Yu TANG ; Ji LI ; Ning LI
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(9):904-910
Objective:To systematically summarize and comparatively analyze the development, establishment and usage of oncology drugs speedy review approaches in China and in the United States between 2012 and 2021.Methods:Based on National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) websites, the development and current status of the speedy review approaches were consulted and summarized. Approved oncology drugs in China and in the United States (87 in China, 118 in the United States) over the past decade were analyzed using chi-square test for group comparison.Results:Five speedy approaches have been established in China and in the United States, three of which are the same, priority review, conditional approval or accelerated approval and breakthrough therapy. The rest two are special review and approval, special examination and approval in China, and fast track and real-time oncology review in the United States. Compared to the United States, speedy review approaches in China set up late (1992 vs. 2005). The overall utilization rates of the oncology drugs speedy review approaches were similar between the China and United States (90.8% vs. 92.4%, P=0.800) in the previous 10 years, and priority review have highest utilization rates in both China and the United States without significant group difference (77.0% vs. 82.2%, P=0.381); relatively low utilization rates of conditional approval (31.0% vs. 44.9%, P=0.041) and breakthrough therapy (2.3% vs. 50.0%, P<0.001) were seen in China. 52.9% of new drugs applied for special examination and approval in China and 40.7% of new drugs applied for fast track in the United States. Overall, the priority review both in China and the United States are stable, with a similar average annual utilization rate (84.8% vs. 83.7%); accelerated approval and breakthrough therapies in the United States fluctuate wildly, but the situation is tending towards stability in the last 3 years. Conclusions:Both China and the United States have established a relatively complete accelerated review system, with an overall utilization rate over 90%; China's accelerated review started late, although the overall utilization rate is close to that of the United States. The utilization rates of conditional approval and breakthrough therapy are still relatively low. Flexible usage of speedy review approaches, gaining regulatory recognition to use alternative endpoints, achieving real-time review and guidance are keys to accelerate new drug development in China.

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