1.Effect of "Fahan" on Metabolites of Blumea balsamifera Analyzed by Non-targeted Metabolomics
Jiayuan CAO ; Xin XU ; Xiangsheng ZHANG ; Bingnan LIU ; Yongyao WEI ; Ke ZHONG ; Yuxin PANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):200-207
ObjectiveTo characterize the changes of metabolites of Blumea balsamifera in the process of sweating by non-targeted metabolomics, and to investigate the influence of sweating processing on the constituents of B. balsamifera. MethodsUltra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS) metabolomics was used to identify the metabolites in no sweating group(F1), sweating 2 d group(F2) and sweating 4 d group(F3), the differences of metabolites between the groups were compared by principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), and differential metabolites were screened according to the variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 and P<0.05, and the pathway enrichment of the differential metabolites was analyzed by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG). ResultsThe results of PCA and OPLS-DA showed a clear distinction between the three groups of samples, indicating significant differences in the compositions of the three groups of samples. A total of 433 differential metabolites were screened between the F1 and F2, with 154 up-regulated and 279 down-regulated, the significant up-regulated metabolites were tangeritin, 5-O-demethylnobiletin and so on, while the metabolites with significant down-regulation included alternariol, fortunellin, etc. A total of 379 differential metabolites were screened between the F2 and F3, with 150 up-regulated and 229 down-regulated, the significant up-regulated metabolites were isoimperatorin, helianyl octanoate and so on, and the significant down-regulated metabolites were hovenoside I, goyasaponin Ⅲ, etc. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that tyrosine metabolism, isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, tryptophan metabolism, valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis may be the key pathways affecting metabolite differences of B. balsamifera after sweating treatment. ConclusionSweating can reduce the content of endophytic mycotoxins in B. balsamifera and has a great impact on the synthesis and metabolic pathways of total flavonoids and auxin. This study can provide a reference for the process research on the sweating conditions of B. balsamifera.
2.Fufang Kangjiaolv Capsules Treat Anxiety in Rat Model of Chronic Restraint Stress via Microbiota-gut-brain Axis
Wenxin FAN ; Tingyue JIANG ; Yu WANG ; Ge ZHANG ; Yifan LU ; Mengmeng LIU ; Jiayuan LI ; Renzhi MA ; Jinli SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):95-107
ObjectiveTo observe the intervention effect of Fufang Kangjiaolv capsules on anxiety-like behaviors in the rat model of chronic restraint stress (CRS) and explore the mechanism underlying the anti-anxiety effect via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. MethodsRats were assigned into blank, model, positive drug (diazepam, 1 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (0.75, 1.5, 3 g·kg-1, respectively) Fufang Kangjiaolv capsules groups. After 14 days of administration, the elevated plus maze test, open field test, light and dark box test, and marble burying test were performed. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the hippocampus and colon of rats, and Nissl staining was conducted to observe the damage of hippocampal neurons. The gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to determine the mRNA levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin in the colon of rats. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the colon, serum, and hippocampus were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of ZO-1, occludin, nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) in the colon tissue and NF-κB p65 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampal tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed reductions in the time and frequency ratio of rats entering the elevated plus maze, the time and frequency of rats entering the central area of the open field, the time of entering the open box, the times of passing through the light and dark box, and the number of unburied beads (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Fufang Kangjiaolv capsules ameliorated the anxiety of the model rats to varying degrees, and the high-dose group had the best effect, with increases in the proportions of time and frequency of rats entering the open arm in the elevated plus maze (P<0.05), the number of rats entering the central area in the open field (P<0.05), the time of entering the open box, the times of passing through the light and dark boxes, and the number of unburied beads (P<0.01). Moreover, the high-dose group showed alleviated pathological damage of hippocampal neurons and colon. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the model group had increased relative abundance of Firmicutes, Deferribacterota, Romboutsia, and Phascolarctobacterium, while it had decreased relative abundance of Bavcteroidota and Lactobacillus. The drug administration groups showed increased relative abundance of Bavcteroidota, Bacteroides, norank f norank o Clostridia UCG-014, and Blautia and decreased relative abundance of Firmicutes and Deferribacterota. Compared with the blank group, the model group showed down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of ZO-1 and occludin in the colon (P<0.01), elevated levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-β in the colon, serum, and hippocampus (P<0.01), up-regulated protein level of NF-κB p65 in the colon and hippocampus (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein level of BDNF in the hippocampus (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, high-dose Fufang Kangjiaolv capsules up-regulated the mRNA levels of ZO-1 and occludin in the colon (P<0.01), lowered the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-β in the colon, serum, and hippocampus (P<0.01), up-regulated the protein levels of ZO-1 (P<0.01) and occludin (P<0.05) in the colon, down-regulated the protein level of NF-κB p65 in the colon and hippocampus (P<0.05), and up-regulated the protein level of BDNF in the hippocampus. ConclusionFufang Kangjiaolv capsules can reduce the anxiety-like behaviors in the rat model of CRS by regulating the gut microbiota disturbance, up-regulating the expression of tight junction proteins in the colon, repairing intestinal mucosal mechanical barrier, and down-regulating NF-κB/BDNF signaling pathway, thereby reducing peripheral and central inflammation. This study proves the hypothesis that Fufang Kangjiaolv capsules play an anti-anxiety role via the microbiota-gut-brain axis, providing a new idea for further research.
3.Key Genes in Phenylpropanoid Biosynthesis Pathway of Lonicera macranthoides Based on Transcriptome and Metabolome Conjoint Analysis
Jiawei HE ; Jingyu ZHANG ; Juan ZENG ; Jiayuan ZHU ; Simin ZHOU ; Meiling QU ; Ribao ZHOU ; Xiangdan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):167-175
ObjectiveBased on the conjoint analysis of transcriptome and metabolome, the key genes in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway of Lonicera macranthoides were explored, which provided a basis for further exploring the synthesis and regulation mechanism of phenylpropanoid compounds in "Xianglei" L. macranthoides. MethodsThe stem, leaves, and three flowering flowers of "Xianglei" L. macranthoides were selected as experimental materials to construct transcriptome and metabolome. The transcriptome and metabolomics were conjointly analyzed by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database and weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), and the key genes in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway of L. macranthoides were explored. ResultsIn this study, 77 differential phenylpropanoids and 315 differential genes were found. Through the joint analysis of transcription and metabolism, nine key differential metabolites and four key genes related to them were finally discovered. Among them, cinnamic acid, 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid,sinapyl alcohol, and chlorogenic acid were higher in flowers, and the content of the iconic effective component, namely chlorogenic acid,decreased sharply during the withering period. Caffeic acid,ferulic acid, 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde,p-coumaryl alcohol, and syringin were higher in leaves. These four key genes belong to the cinnamic alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) family, 4-coumaric acid: Coenzyme A (4CL) family, hydroxycinnamyl transferase (HCT) family, and L-phenylalanine ammonlyase (PAL) family genes. ConclusionAmong the four key genes excavated from L. macranthoides, TRINITY_DN42767_c0_g6 is related to the synthesis of p-coumaryl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol. TRINITY_DN43525_c4_g1 uses caffeic acid,ferulic acid,and cinnamic acid as substrates to catalyze the next reaction. TRINITY_DN47958_c3_g4 correlates with the synthesis of 3-p-coumaroyl quinic acid and caffeoyl-CoA, and TRINITY_DN52595_c1_g2 correlates with cinnamic acid synthesis. These findings provide a basis for further exploring the synthesis and regulation mechanism of phenylpropanoids in "Xianglei" L. macranthoides.
4.Mechanism of Aurantii Fructus and Its Active Components in Regulating Gastrointestinal Motility: A Review
Junbao YU ; Jiayuan ZHU ; Wenya MEI ; Jiawei HE ; Yuqing LONG ; Zhihui WANG ; Xiaorong LIU ; Xiangdan LIU ; Ribao ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(10):290-298
Gastrointestinal motility disorder is an important cause of digestive system diseases. Patients often suffer from nausea, vomiting, gastric retention, gastroparesis, constipation, and many other symptoms, and their quality of life is seriously reduced. Prokinetic agents are routinely used in clinical practice, but their long-term use is prone to problems such as reduced efficacy and increased adverse reactions. Since the incidence of gastrointestinal diseases has continued to rise globally in recent years, there is an urgent need for clinical development of safe and effective treatment strategies. Aurantii Fructus, a traditional Chinese medicine, has the effect of smoothing Qi and eliminating distention, and it has been used to treat gastrointestinal diseases for thousands of years. In modern clinical practice, it is mainly used for the treatment and auxiliary treatment of various gastrointestinal diseases such as functional dyspepsia, functional constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome. The efficacy is remarkable, and no adverse reactions have been reported at conventional doses. Therefore, it can greatly improve the symptoms of patients with gastrointestinal diseases and improve their quality of life. Modern research has revealed that there are many active components in Aurantii Fructus, among which flavonoids have the highest content and the most types. Flavonoids are the main active components in Aurantii Fructus to regulate gastrointestinal motility. Aurantii Fructus and its active components can affect gastrointestinal hormones, neural pathways, Cajal mesenchymal cells, and other multiple mechanisms. They can adjust gastrointestinal motility and correct gastrointestinal motility disorders, showing potential application value in the treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders. However, a comprehensive analysis of Aurantii Fructus in this aspect is still lacking. This study summarized the pharmacological activities of active components of Aurantii Fructus extract and its flavonoids, volatile oils, alkaloids, and coumarin on the regulation of gastrointestinal motility and explored the latest research progress on its mechanism. Finally, the adverse reactions of Aurantii Fructus were summarized. It aims to provide a scientific basis for the research and clinical application of Aurantii Fructus and its active components in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility.
5.Isolation of Enterobacteriaceae strains carrying mcr-1 resistance gene from Shanghai wastewater treatment plants and quantification of their copy number
Jun FENG ; Mingxiang LIU ; Yuan ZHUANG ; Miao PAN ; Qian LIU ; Yong CHEN ; Jiayuan LUO ; Jiayi FEI ; Yitong WU ; Yanqi ZHU ; Jing ZHANG ; Min CHEN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(3):217-223
ObjectiveTo provide technical support for the molecular surveillance of pathogenic bacteria strains carrying mobile colistin resistance-1 (mcr⁃1) gene isolate from inlet of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). MethodsThe Enterobacteriaceae strains carrying mcr⁃1 resistance gene isolate from inlet of WWTP during April 1 to June 30, 2023 in Shanghai were cultured on blood-rich and SS culture medium and were identified using a mass spectrometry analyzer. The mcr⁃1 gene and copy number were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Drug susceptibility test was performed by microbroth dilution method. The copy numbers of Escherichia coli carrying mcr⁃1 gene isolated from wastewater and human fecel were statistically analyzed by SPSS 25.0. ResultsA total of 14 strains carrying the mcr⁃1 gene were isolated from 49 WWTP samples, and the positive isolation rate was 28.6%, including 12 non-diarrheal E. coli strains and 2 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. The drug susceptibility results showed that all 14 strains were multi-drug resistant bacteria. They were all sensitive to imipenem and tigecycline, but were ampicillin- and cefazolin-resistant. There was no significant difference in the copy number between human-sourced diarrheal E. coli and wastewater-sourced non-diarrheal E. coli (t=0.647, P>0.05). ConclusionThe isolation and identification of strains carrying the mcr⁃1 gene from inlet of WWTP samples were firstly established in Shanghai. The multi-drug resistance among the isolated strains is severe. To effectively prevent and control the spread of colistin-resistant bacteria, more attention should be paid to the surveillance of mcr⁃1 gene.
6.Changes in muscle strength and pain in patients receiving Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula after total knee arthroplasty
Jiaxin SHAN ; Yilong ZHANG ; Hongtao WU ; Jiayuan ZHANG ; Anan LI ; Wengang LIU ; Xuemeng XU ; Chuanxi ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(9):1378-1382
BACKGROUND:Some patients still have unsatisfactory improvement of operative limb fatigue and pain after total knee arthroplasty.Clinical findings show that Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula can promote recovery after total knee arthroplasty,but the specific efficacy remains to be studied. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula on the muscle strength and pain of the operated limb after the primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty. METHODS:A total of 74 patients undergoing primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty were randomly divided into a trial group and a control group with 37 patients in each group.All patients received the same prostheses and surgical methods during the operation.Patients in the control group were treated with routine analgesics,anticoagulant drugs and functional exercise after the operation.The trial group received Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula after the treatment in the control group.Both groups were treated continuously and followed up for 1 month.The changes in isokinetic muscle strength(peak torque and total work amount of extensor and flexor),visual analog scale score and the hospital for special surgery score of the two groups were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The trial group had better improvement in peak torque and total work amount of extensor and flexor and the hospital for special surgery score than the control group 14 days and 1 month after surgery(P<0.05).(2)In contrast to the control group,the visual analog scale score of the trial group improved better at 7 and 14 days and 1 month after surgery(P<0.05).(3)It is indicated that Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula can effectively improve the muscle strength of the operated limb,enhance the degree of postoperative joint pain,and promote functional rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty.
7.Screening and analysis of differentially expressed genes for calcium homeostasis in ameloblasts with high fluoride intervention
Ting HUANG ; Xia LIU ; Zhu WANG ; Ting CHEN ; Bin CHEN ; Guohui BAI ; Jiayuan WU ; Yuan TIAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(16):2481-2487
BACKGROUND:Fluorosis is a disorder of enamel development caused by long-term intake of large amounts of fluoride during enamel development. OBJECTIVE:To further explore the molecular mechanism of dental fluorosis formation by screening the differentially expressed genes associated with calcium homeostasis in ameloblasts by transcriptome sequencing technology. METHODS:LS8 cells were treated with 0,0.4,0.8,1.6,3.2 and 6.4 mmol/L sodium fluoride(NaF)for 24,48 and 72 hours to observe the effects of different concentrations of NaF on the morphology,cell activity and intracellular Ca2+ concentration of LS8 cells.The differentially expressed genes were screened by transcriptome sequencing and validated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After 24 hours of treatment,the cells treated with 0,0.4,and 0.8 mmol/L NaF were in good growth condition,with increased cell number and clear cell outline.When the NaF concentration was≥1.6 mmol/L,the cells were gradually shrunken and became smaller and the number of cells decreased with the increase of NaF concentration.After 48 and 72 hours of treatment,the number of cells increased in the 0,0.4 mmol/L NaF groups,while gradually decreased in the 0.8,1.6,3.2 mmol/L NaF groups,with rounded and smaller cell morphology.The cells in the 6.4 mmol/L NaF group were shrunken,rounded and suspended in the medium,with almost no adherent cells.When treated with the same concentration of NaF,LS8 cells were in optimal growth after 24 hours of treatment.Results from cell counting kit-8 assay showed that when treated with the same concentration of NaF,the cell activity decreased with the increase of treatment time;when the treatment time was the same,the cell activity decreased with the increase of NaF concentration.After 24 hours of treatment,the intracellular Ca2+ concentration increased with the increase of NaF concentration.Transcriptome sequencing analysis identified genes involved in the regulation of cellular calcium homeostasis:Hsp90b1,Canx,Calr,and Hspa5 that were significantly upregulated(P<0.05)and Cacna1a that was significantly downregulated(P<0.05).To conclude,the inhibitory effect of NaF on LS8 cell proliferation may be related to the abnormal increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration,and the mechanism may be caused by the upregulation of the expression of protein processing and synthesis pathways Hsp90b1,Canx,Calr,and Hspa5 and the downregulation of the expression of calcium signaling pathway Cacna1a.
8.Recent advance in role of cerebral microvascular lesions in type 2 diabetes mellitus-associated cognitive impairment
Limin LIU ; Jiayuan CHEN ; Jing XIONG
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2024;23(1):83-88
Cognitive impairment is a common clinical complication in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). T2DM-related cognitive impairment has complex and multifactorial pathogenesis. Cerebral microvascular dysfunction is an important pathological change in patients with T2DM and pre-T2DM, and it can induce blood-brain barrier injury and impaired blood perfusion regulation, with disturbed neurovascular coupling and cerebral autoregulation, leading cognitive impairment. This article reviews the epidemiology and pathophysiological mechanisms related to T2DM cerebral microvascular lesions and cognitive impairment, and how to monitor changes of cerebral microvascular structure and function so as to provide new approach for diagnosis and treatment of T2DM-related cognitive impairment.
9.Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome with Eosinophilia and Purtscher-like Retinopathy: A Case Report
Qimin MEI ; Jiayuan DAI ; Yecheng LIU ; Min SHEN ; Huadong ZHU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;16(1):256-262
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), a rare disease caused by complement abnormalities, is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury. In this paper, we report a patient with severe renal insufficiency with rapidly progressive decline in binocular visual acuity, who developed eosinophilia during the course of the disease, and was diagnosed with aHUS after excluding other diseases. After glucocorticoid treatment, eosinophils decreased to normal, and after treatment with plasmapheresis combined with eculizumab, renal function tended to be stable, platelets returned to normal, but visual acuity did not improve significantly. This article reviews the diagnosis and treatment process of this patient and incorporates the review of literature, in the hope of providing reference for clinicians.
10.Mechanism of Action of Chinese Medicinal Herbs in the Treatment of Primary Myelofibrosis based on Bioinformatics and Molecular Dynamics
Jiayuan GUO ; Jile XIN ; Man ZHANG ; Mingxin LIU ; Jingwen LIU ; Yajing SU ; Huihui SHI ; Jue GUO ; Wenqing LIU ; Kailu WEI ; Yalin SONG ; Qiuling MA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(21):2250-2258
ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism implicated in the treatment of primary myelofibrosis (PMF) using Chinese medicinal herbs (CMH) by bioinformatics and molecular dynamics. MethodsData mining was performed to find the high-frequency CMH in treating PMF between the year of 1985 and 2024 by searching CNKI, Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database (CCD), and China Academic Journal Database (CSPD). TCMSP, SwissTargetPrediction and related reports were used to collect the main active ingredients of high-frequency CMH and their targets. The PMF datasets GSE44426 and GSE124281 were downloaded from GEO database, and R software was used for data normalization and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) screening. Key module hub genes were obtained by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) analysis. The common intersection genes of active ingredient targets, DEGs and key module hub genes of CMH were selected, and the target network was generated using Cytoscape 3.9.2 software. The core target network was generated by topological analysis, while key pathways were selected by GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and protein interaction relationships were obtained from the String database, so as to construct drug-ingredient-target network and protein interaction network (PPI) relationship diagrams. Discovery Studio 2020 software was used to perform molecular docking, and the GROMACS program was used to perform molecular dynamics simulation. ResultsA total of 21 prescriptions were collected involving 121 herbs. There were 9 herbs with a frequency ≥10 times, which were Danshen (Radix et Rhizoma Salviae Miltiorrhizae), Huangqi (Radix Astragali), Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Dangshen (Radix Codonopsis), Gancao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae), Baishao (Radix Paeoniae Alba), Fuling (Poria) and Shudihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata) from high- to low-frequency. A total of 98 active ingredients and 1125 potential targets were obtained from 9 high-frequency CMH. GSE44426 and GSE124281 data sets screened out 24 gene samples, including 14 of the healthy control group and 10 of the PMF group, and identified 319 DEGs between the two groups, including 122 up-regulated genes and 197 down-regulated genes. WGCNA screened out 24 co-expression module genes and found that the five modules closely related to the onset of PMF were MEpink, MEdarkred, MEblack, MEgrey, and MEturquoise, involving 7112 key module hub genes. The GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that lipids and the atherosclerosis pathways were mainly involved in the mechanism of above high-frequency CMH in treating PMF, which included six hub protein targets: HSP90AA1, HSP90AB1, SRC, MAPK1, IL1B and IL10. From the drug-ingredient-target network, seven active ingredients of CMH targeting at these six hub targets were found, including verbascoside, verbascos isoflavone, kaempferol, luteolin, naringenin, quercetin and pachymic acid. The molecular docking and molecular dynamics analyses showed that the key CMH were Shudihuang, Huangqi, Baishao, Danshen, Gancao and Fuling, and among the seven active ingredients, calycosin had the highest binding affinity with HSP90AB1. ConclusionThe main CMH for the treatment of PMF may be Shudihuang, Huangqi, Baishao, Danshen, Gancao and Fuling, and the active ingredients include verbascoside, verbascos isoflavones, kaempferol, luteolin, naringenin, quercetin and pachymic acid. The relevant targets are HSP90AA1, HSP90AB1, SRC, MAPK1, IL-10, and IL-1β, and the most critical pathways are lipid and atherosclerosis pathways.

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