1.Role of SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Complex in Tumor Drug Resistance
Gui-Zhen ZHU ; Qiao YE ; Yuan LUO ; Jie PENG ; Lu WANG ; Zhao-Ting YANG ; Feng-Sen DUAN ; Bing-Qian GUO ; Zhu-Song MEI ; Guang-Yun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):20-31
Tumor drug resistance is an important problem in the failure of chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy, which is a complex process involving chromatin remodeling. SWI/SNF is one of the most studied ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes in tumorigenesis, which plays an important role in the coordination of chromatin structural stability, gene expression, and post-translation modification. However, its mechanism in tumor drug resistance has not been systematically combed. SWI/SNF can be divided into 3 types according to its subunit composition: BAF, PBAF, and ncBAF. These 3 subtypes all contain two mutually exclusive ATPase catalytic subunits (SMARCA2 or SMARCA4), core subunits (SMARCC1 and SMARCD1), and regulatory subunits (ARID1A, PBRM1, and ACTB, etc.), which can control gene expression by regulating chromatin structure. The change of SWI/SNF complex subunits is one of the important factors of tumor drug resistance and progress. SMARCA4 and ARID1A are the most widely studied subunits in tumor drug resistance. Low expression of SMARCA4 can lead to the deletion of the transcription inhibitor of the BCL2L1 gene in mantle cell lymphoma, which will result in transcription up-regulation and significant resistance to the combination therapy of ibrutinib and venetoclax. Low expression of SMARCA4 and high expression of SMARCA2 can activate the FGFR1-pERK1/2 signaling pathway in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma cells, which induces the overexpression of anti-apoptosis gene BCL2 and results in carboplatin resistance. SMARCA4 deletion can up-regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by activating YAP1 gene expression in triple-negative breast cancer. It can also reduce the expression of Ca2+ channel IP3R3 in ovarian and lung cancer, resulting in the transfer of Ca2+ needed to induce apoptosis from endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria damage. Thus, these two tumors are resistant to cisplatin. It has been found that verteporfin can overcome the drug resistance induced by SMARCA4 deletion. However, this inhibitor has not been applied in clinical practice. Therefore, it is a promising research direction to develop SWI/SNF ATPase targeted drugs with high oral bioavailability to treat patients with tumor resistance induced by low expression or deletion of SMARCA4. ARID1A deletion can activate the expression of ANXA1 protein in HER2+ breast cancer cells or down-regulate the expression of progesterone receptor B protein in endometrial cancer cells. The drug resistance of these two tumor cells to trastuzumab or progesterone is induced by activating AKT pathway. ARID1A deletion in ovarian cancer can increase the expression of MRP2 protein and make it resistant to carboplatin and paclitaxel. ARID1A deletion also can up-regulate the phosphorylation levels of EGFR, ErbB2, and RAF1 oncogene proteins.The ErbB and VEGF pathway are activated and EMT is increased. As a result, lung adenocarcinoma is resistant to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Although great progress has been made in the research on the mechanism of SWI/SNF complex inducing tumor drug resistance, most of the research is still at the protein level. It is necessary to comprehensively and deeply explore the detailed mechanism of drug resistance from gene, transcription, protein, and metabolite levels by using multi-omics techniques, which can provide sufficient theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of poor tumor prognosis caused by mutation or abnormal expression of SWI/SNF subunits in clinical practice.
2.Correlation between brain white matter lesions and insulin resistance in non-diabetic elderly individuals based on magnetic resonance imaging
Mei LI ; Fang YUAN ; Xizi XING ; Feng XIE ; Hua ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(1):96-101
Objective To investigate the relationship between brain white matter lesions (WML) and triglyceride glucose (TyG) index in non-diabetic elderly individuals based on magnetic resonance imaging. Methods A total of 523 non-diabetic elderly individuals aged ≥ 60 years were selected from Jinan, Shandong Province, China from June 2018 to December 2019. According to the quartiles of TyG index, there were 133 participants in the first quartile (Q1) group, 127 in the second quartile (Q2) group, 132 in the third quartile (Q3) group, and 131 in the fourth quartile (Q4) group. All participants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate paraventricular, deep, and total WML volumes, as well as Fazekas scores. Results Compared with Q1, Q2, and Q3 groups, Q4 group showed significant increase in periventricular, deep, and total WML volumes (P < 0.05). The proportion of participants with a Fazekas score ≥ 2 in the periventricular, deep, and total WML was higher in the Q4 group compared with the Q1 and Q2 groups (P < 0.05). The proportion of participants with a Fazekas score ≥ 2 in deep WML was higher in Q4 group than in Q3 group (P < 0.05). TyG index was significantly positively correlated with periventricular, deep, and total WML volumes (r = 0.401, 0.405, and 0.445, P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, TyG index was still significantly positively correlated with periventricular, deep, and total WML volumes (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with Q1 group, the risk of Fazekas score ≥ 2 in periventricular WML was 1.950-fold (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.154-3.294, P = 0.013) in Q3 group and 3.411-fold (95% CI: 1.984-5.863, P < 0.001) in Q4 group, the risk of Fazekas score ≥ 2 in total WML was 2.529-fold (95%CI: 1.444-4.430, P = 0.001) in Q3 group and 4.486-fold (95%CI: 2.314-8.696, P < 0.001) in Q4 group. The risk of Fazekas score ≥ 2 in deep WML was 2.953-fold (95%CI: 1.708-5.106, P < 0.001) in Q4 group compared with Q1 group. Conclusion Increased TyG index is an independent risk factor for WML in non-diabetic elderly individuals.
3.Identification of Alumen and Ammonium alum Based on XRD, FTIR, TG-DTA Combined with Chemometrics
Bin WANG ; Jingwei ZHOU ; Huangsheng ZHANG ; Jian FENG ; Hanxi LI ; Guorong MEI ; Jiaquan JIANG ; Hongping CHEN ; Fu WANG ; Yuan HU ; Youping LIU ; Shilin CHEN ; Lin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):178-186
ObjectiveTo establish the multi-technique characteristic profiles of Alumen by X-ray diffraction(XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) and thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis(TG-DTA), and to explore the spectral characteristics for rapid identification of Alumen and its potential adulterant, Ammonium alum. MethodsA total of 27 batches of Alumen samples from 8 production regions were collected for preliminary identification based on visual characteristics. The PDF standard cards of XRD were used to differentiate Alumen from A. alum, and the XRD characteristic profiles of Alumen were established, and then the common peaks were screened. Based on hierarchical clustering analysis(HCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), the characteristic information that could be used for identification of Alumen was selected with variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1. FTIR characteristic profiles of Alumen were established, and key wavenumbers for identification were screened by HCA and OPLS-DA with VIP value>1. Meanwhile, the thermogravimetric differences between Alumen and A. alum were analyzed by TG-DTA, and the thermogravimetric traits that could be used for identification were screened. ResultsAlumen and A. alum could not be effectively distinguished by traits alone. However, by comparing the PDF standard cards of XRD, 15 batches of Alumen and 12 batches of A. alum could be distinguished. In the XRD profiles, 10 characteristic peaks were confirmed, corresponding to diffraction angles of 14.560°, 24.316°, 12.620°, 32.122°, 17.898°, 34.642°, 27.496°, 46.048°, 40.697° and 21.973°. In the FTIR profiles, 4 wavenumber ranges(399.193-403.050, 1 186.010-1 471.420, 1 801.190-2 620.790, 3 612.020-3 997.710 cm-1) and 12 characteristic wavenumbers(1 428.994, 1 430.922, 1 432.851, 1 434.779, 1 436.708, 1 438.636, 1 440.565, 1 442.493, 1 444.422, 1 446.350, 1 448.279, 1 450.207 cm-1) were identified. In the TG-DTA profiles, there were characteristic decomposition peaks of ammonium ion and mass reduction features near 555.34 ℃ for A. alum. These characteristics could serve as important criteria for distinguishing the authenticity of Alumen. ConclusionXRD, FTIR and TG-DTA can be used to rapidly detect Alumen and A. alum, and combined with the discriminant features selected through chemometrics, the rapid and accurate identification of Alumen and A. alum can be achieved. The research findings provide new approaches for the rapid identification of Alumen.
4.Identification of Alumen and Ammonium alum Based on XRD, FTIR, TG-DTA Combined with Chemometrics
Bin WANG ; Jingwei ZHOU ; Huangsheng ZHANG ; Jian FENG ; Hanxi LI ; Guorong MEI ; Jiaquan JIANG ; Hongping CHEN ; Fu WANG ; Yuan HU ; Youping LIU ; Shilin CHEN ; Lin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):178-186
ObjectiveTo establish the multi-technique characteristic profiles of Alumen by X-ray diffraction(XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) and thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis(TG-DTA), and to explore the spectral characteristics for rapid identification of Alumen and its potential adulterant, Ammonium alum. MethodsA total of 27 batches of Alumen samples from 8 production regions were collected for preliminary identification based on visual characteristics. The PDF standard cards of XRD were used to differentiate Alumen from A. alum, and the XRD characteristic profiles of Alumen were established, and then the common peaks were screened. Based on hierarchical clustering analysis(HCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), the characteristic information that could be used for identification of Alumen was selected with variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1. FTIR characteristic profiles of Alumen were established, and key wavenumbers for identification were screened by HCA and OPLS-DA with VIP value>1. Meanwhile, the thermogravimetric differences between Alumen and A. alum were analyzed by TG-DTA, and the thermogravimetric traits that could be used for identification were screened. ResultsAlumen and A. alum could not be effectively distinguished by traits alone. However, by comparing the PDF standard cards of XRD, 15 batches of Alumen and 12 batches of A. alum could be distinguished. In the XRD profiles, 10 characteristic peaks were confirmed, corresponding to diffraction angles of 14.560°, 24.316°, 12.620°, 32.122°, 17.898°, 34.642°, 27.496°, 46.048°, 40.697° and 21.973°. In the FTIR profiles, 4 wavenumber ranges(399.193-403.050, 1 186.010-1 471.420, 1 801.190-2 620.790, 3 612.020-3 997.710 cm-1) and 12 characteristic wavenumbers(1 428.994, 1 430.922, 1 432.851, 1 434.779, 1 436.708, 1 438.636, 1 440.565, 1 442.493, 1 444.422, 1 446.350, 1 448.279, 1 450.207 cm-1) were identified. In the TG-DTA profiles, there were characteristic decomposition peaks of ammonium ion and mass reduction features near 555.34 ℃ for A. alum. These characteristics could serve as important criteria for distinguishing the authenticity of Alumen. ConclusionXRD, FTIR and TG-DTA can be used to rapidly detect Alumen and A. alum, and combined with the discriminant features selected through chemometrics, the rapid and accurate identification of Alumen and A. alum can be achieved. The research findings provide new approaches for the rapid identification of Alumen.
5.Association Between Abnormal Body Weight and Physical Fitness Levelsin Chinese Older Adults: Findings from the 5th National PhysicalFitness Surveillance in China
Chaoqun FAN ; Mei WANG ; Qiang FENG ; Jingjing WANG ; Dongming WU ; Zonghao SUN ; Jiarong ZHU ; Yini WU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(3):617-626
Based on the data from the 5th National Physical Fitness Surveillance in China, this study aimed to explore the relationship between abnormal body weight and physical fitness levels in older adults. The study included adults aged 60-79 years from the 5th National Physical Fitness Surveillance database. Body weight was categorized into four groups—underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity—based on body mass index (BMI), with underweight, overweight, and obesity classified as abnormal weight. Physical fitness indicators such as cardiorespiratory endurance (number of 2-minute high-knee steps), lower limb muscle strength (number of 30-second chair stands), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), balance ability (eyes-closed single-leg stance time), and reaction ability (choice reaction time) were collected. Each physical fitness indicator was divided into four levels (excellent, good, pass, and fail) based on quartile cutoffs. After adjusting for demographic factors (including age, sex, urban/rural residence, education level, pre-retirement occupation, marital status, exercise habits, smoking, sleep quality, and self-rated fitness), binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between physical fitness indicators and abnormal weight. A total of 39 927 older adults aged 60-79 years were included, comprising 19 777 men (49.5%) and 20 150 women (50.5%), with a mean age of 69.2±5.6 years. The prevalence rates of underweight, overweight, and obesity were 2.3%, 41.8%, and 16.7%, respectively, with underweight prevalence significantly increasing with age ( Chinese older adults aged 60-79 years face a dual burden of underweight and overweight/obesity. Poor cardiorespiratory endurance and muscle strength (in women) are significantly associated with abnormal weight. Maintaining good cardiorespiratory endurance and muscle strength may help improve abnormal weight status in older adults.
6.Effects of understory environmental factors on understory planting of medicinal plants.
Ding-Mei WEN ; Hong-Biao ZHANG ; Feng-Yuan QIN ; Chao-Qun XU ; Dou-Dou LI ; Bao-Lin GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1164-1171
Understory planting of medicinal plants is a new planting mode that connects Chinese herbal medicine(CHM) with forest resources.The complex and variable understory environmental factors will inevitably affect the yield and quality of understory CHM.This research summarized the research progress on understory planting of medicinal plants based on forest types and environmental factors within the forest from the perspectives of understory light, air temperature and humidity, soil characteristics, and the interaction between crops within the forest.The results showed that the complex and variable light, temperature and humidity, and soil factors(such as fertility, acidity and alkalinity, and microorganisms) under the forest could affect the yield and quality of medicinal plants to varying degrees through physiological activities such as photosynthesis and respiration, resulting in a significant increase or decrease in yield and quality compared to open field cultivation.In addition, the competition or mutual benefit between different crops within the forest could lead to differences in the yield and quality of understory medicinal plants compared to open field cultivation.A reasonable combination of planting could achieve resource sharing and complementary advantages.Therefore, conducting systematic research on the effects of understory environmental factors on the yield and content of medicinal plants with different growth and development characteristics can provide theoretical guidance and technical references for formulating comprehensive strategies for understory planting of medicinal plants, such as selecting suitable medicinal plant varieties, optimizing planting density, and conducting reasonable forest management, thus contributing to the sustainable development and ecological protection of CHM.
Plants, Medicinal/growth & development*
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Forests
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Soil/chemistry*
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Environment
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Ecosystem
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Temperature
7.Pharmacological effect and mechanism of tannic acids in Paeoniae Radix Alba.
Jia-Xin DIAO ; Qi-Tong ZHENG ; Meng-Yao CHEN ; Jiang-Chuan HONG ; Min HAO ; Qing-Mei FENG ; Jun-Qi HU ; Xia-Nan SANG ; Gang CAO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1471-1483
The chemical composition of Paeoniae Radix Alba(PRA) is complex, with primary secondary metabolites including monoterpenoids, tannins, triterpenoids, and flavonoids. In previous studies on the material basis of PRA, it was found that, in addition to the widely studied characteristic monoterpene glycosides, tannic acid components also play an important role in the efficacy of PRA. However, their pharmacological effects have not been thoroughly investigated. This paper reviews the tannic acid components in PRA, including pentagaloyl glucose(PGG), tetragaloyl glucose(TGG), trigaloyl glucose(TriGG), and gallic acid, along with their structures, properties, and characteristics to provide a detailed discussion of their pharmacological activities and related mechanisms, aiming to offer a theoretical basis for the material basis research and clinical application of PRA.
Paeonia/chemistry*
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Tannins/chemistry*
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Humans
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Animals
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Plant Extracts
8.Processing technology of calcined Magnetitum based on concept of QbD and its XRD characteristic spectra.
De-Wen ZENG ; Jing-Wei ZHOU ; Tian-Xing HE ; Yu-Mei CHEN ; Huan-Huan XU ; Jian FENG ; Yue YANG ; Xin CHEN ; Jia-Liang ZOU ; Lin CHEN ; Hong-Ping CHEN ; Shi-Lin CHEN ; Yuan HU ; You-Ping LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2391-2403
Guided by the concept of quality by design(QbD), this study optimizes the calcination and quenching process of calcined Magnetitum and establishes the XRD characteristic spectra of calcined Magnetitum, providing a scientific basis for the formulation of quality standards. Based on the processing methods and quality requirements of Magnetitum in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the critical process parameters(CPPs) identified were calcination temperature, calcination time, particle size, laying thickness, and the number of vinegar quenching cycles. The critical quality attributes(CQAs) included Fe mass fraction, Fe~(2+) dissolution, and surface color. The weight coefficients were determined by combining Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP) and the criteria importance though intercrieria correlation(CRITIC) method, and the calcination process was optimized using orthogonal experimentation. Surface color was selected as a CQA, and based on the principle of color value, the surface color of calcined Magnetitum was objectively quantified. The vinegar quenching process was then optimized to determine the best processing conditions. X-ray diffraction(XRD) was used to establish the characteristic spectra of calcined Magnetitum, and methods such as similarity evaluation, cluster analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were used to evaluate the quality of the spectra. The optimized calcined Magnetitum preparation process was found to be calcination at 750 ℃ for 1 h, with a laying thickness of 4 cm, a particle size of 0.4-0.8 cm, and one vinegar quenching cycle(Magnetitum-vinegar ratio 10∶3), which was stable and feasible. The XRD characteristic spectra analysis method, featuring 9 common peaks as fingerprint information, was established. The average correlation coefficient ranged from 0.839 5-0.988 1, and the average angle cosine ranged from 0.914 4 to 0.995 6, indicating good similarity. Cluster analysis results showed that Magnetitum and calcined Magnetitum could be grouped together, with similar compositions. OPLS-DA discriminant analysis identified three key characteristic peaks, with Fe_2O_3 being the distinguishing component between the two. The final optimized processing method is stable and feasible, and the XRD characteristic spectra of calcined Magnetitum was initially established, providing a reference for subsequent quality control and the formulation of quality standards for calcined Magnetitum.
X-Ray Diffraction/methods*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Quality Control
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Particle Size
9.Study on mechanism of naringin in alleviating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury based on DRP1/LRRK2/MCU axis.
Kai-Mei TAN ; Hong-Yu ZENG ; Feng QIU ; Yun XIANG ; Zi-Yang ZHOU ; Da-Hua WU ; Chang LEI ; Hong-Qing ZHAO ; Yu-Hong WANG ; Xiu-Li ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2484-2494
This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanism by which naringin alleviates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(CI/R) injury through DRP1/LRRK2/MCU signaling axis. A total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, the model group, the sodium Danshensu group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose(50, 100, and 200 mg·kg~(-1)) naringin groups, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the sham group, a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(tMCAO/R) model was established in SD rats using the suture method. Longa 5-point scale was used to assess neurological deficits. 2,3,5-Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining was used to detect the volume percentage of cerebral infarction in rats. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Nissl staining were employed to assess neuronal structural alterations and the number of Nissl bodies in cortex, respectively. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 gene(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), cleaved cysteine-aspartate protease-3(cleaved caspase-3), mitochondrial calcium uniporter(MCU), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3), and P62. Mitochondrial structure and autophagy in cortical neurons were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence assay was used to quantify the fluorescence intensities of MCU and mitochondrial calcium ion, as well as the co-localization of dynamin-related protein 1(DRP1) with leucine-rich repeat kinase 2(LRRK2) and translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20(TOMM20) with LC3 in cortical mitochondria. The results showed that compared with the model group, naringin significantly decreased the volume percentage of cerebral infarction and neurological deficit score in tMCAO/R rats, alleviated the structural damage and Nissl body loss of cortical neurons in tMCAO/R rats, inhibited autophagosomes in cortical neurons, and increased the average diameter of cortical mitochondria. The Western blot results showed that compared to the sham group, the model group exhibited increased levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, MCU, and the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio in the cortex and reduced protein levels of Bcl-2 and P62. However, naringin down-regulated the protein expression of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, MCU and the ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio and up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and P62 proteins in cortical area. In addition, immunofluorescence analysis showed that compared with the model group, naringin and positive drug treatments significantly decreased the fluorescence intensities of MCU and mitochondrial calcium ion. Meanwhile, the co-localization of DRP1 with LRRK2 and TOMM20 with LC3 in cortical mitochondria was also decreased significantly after the intervention. These findings suggest that naringin can alleviate cortical neuronal damage in tMCAO/R rats by inhibiting DRP1/LRRK2/MCU-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation and the resultant excessive mitophagy.
Animals
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Reperfusion Injury/genetics*
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Flavanones/administration & dosage*
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Rats
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Dynamins/genetics*
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Male
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Brain Ischemia/genetics*
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Humans
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
10.Research progress in pharmacological effects of puerarin.
Xiao-Wei MENG ; Feng-Mei GUO ; Qian-Qian WANG ; Jia-Rong LI ; Ni ZHANG ; Fei QU ; Rong-Hua LIU ; Wei-Feng ZHU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):2954-2968
Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), a treasure of the Chinese nation, contains abundant chemical components and demonstrates unique pharmacological activities, showing important values in clinical applications. With profound connotations and broad application prospects, TCM urgently needs us to further explore and conduct systematic research. Puerarin is a small-molecule natural isoflavonoid carbon glycoside extracted from plants of Pueraria. It is also the main active ingredient of Puerariae Lobata Radix, a Chinese herbal medicine with both medicinal and edible values. Puerarin has a variety of pharmacological effects such as blood pressure-lowering, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-ischemia-reperfusion injury, antithrombotic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, liver-protecting, nerve cell-protecting, and intestinal microbiota-regulating effects. It is also an active ingredient that has been widely studied. This article comprehensively reviews the research progress in the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of puerarin over the years, aiming to provide references and theoretical support for the in-depth research and development as well as clinical application of puerarin.
Isoflavones/chemistry*
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Humans
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Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Pueraria/chemistry*

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