1.Sesquiterpene ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum Improves Neuroinflammation by Regulating JNK Phosphorylation
Ziyu YIN ; Yun GAO ; Junjiao WANG ; Weigang XUE ; Xueping PANG ; Huiting LIU ; Yunfang ZHAO ; Huixia HUO ; Jun LI ; Jiao ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):139-145
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo study the pharmacological substances and mechanisms through which sesquiterpene ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum improves neuroinflammation. MethodsBV-2 microglial cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce neuroinflammation. The cells were divided into the normal group, the model group, and the ZH-13 low- and high-dose treatment groups (10, 20 μmol·L-1). The model group was treated with 1 μmol·L-1 LPS. Cell viability was assessed using the cell proliferation and activity assay (CCK-8 kit). Nitric oxide (NO) release in the cell supernatant was measured using a nitric oxide kit (Griess method). The mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway proteins was assessed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group, ZH-13 dose-dependently reduced NO release from BV-2 cells under LPS stimulation (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the 20 μmol·L-1 ZH-13 treatment group, the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-6 were significantly reduced compared to the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In both the low- and high-dose ZH-13 groups, the expression of the inflammatory factor TNF-α and the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the upstream MAPK pathway were significantly reduced (P<0.05). After stimulation with the JNK agonist anisomycin (Ani), both low- and high-dose ZH-13 treatment groups showed reduced phosphorylation of JNK proteins compared to the Ani-treated group (P<0.01). ConclusionThe sesquiterpene compound ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum significantly ameliorates LPS-induced neuroinflammatory responses in BV-2 cells by inhibiting excessive JNK phosphorylation and reducing TNF-α expression. These findings elucidate the pharmacological substances and mechanisms underlying the sedative and calming effects of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Effects of donor gender on short-term survival of lung transplant recipients: a single-center retrospective cohort study
Xiaoshan LI ; Shiqiang XUE ; Min XIONG ; Rong GAO ; Ting QIAN ; Lin MAN ; Bo WU ; Jingyu CHEN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(4):591-598
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To evaluate the effect of donor gender on short-term survival rate of lung transplant recipients. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 1 066 lung transplant recipients. The log-rank test was used to evaluate the differences in short-term fatality among different donor gender groups and donor-recipient gender combination groups. Multivariate Cox regression, propensity score (PS) regression, and propensity score matching (PSM) were employed to control for confounding factors and further assess the differences in fatality. Subgroup analyses were also performed based on donor gender. Results Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed no statistically significant differences in fatality at 30 days, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years postoperatively between male and female donor groups (all P>0.05). After PS regression and PSM, univariate Cox regression analysis indicated that recipients from female donors had a higher fatality at 2 years postoperatively compared to those from male donors, with hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.29 (1.01-1.65) and 1.36 (1.03-1.80) respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis also revealed no statistically significant differences in fatality at various follow-up time points among different donor-recipient gender combination groups (all P>0.05). Subgroup analyses based on donor sex showed no statistically significant differences in fatality among recipients of different gender within either male or female donor groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions Female donors may reduce the short-term postoperative survival rate of lung transplant recipients, but this negative impact is not sustainable in the long term. At present, there is no evidence to support the inclusion of sex as a factor in lung allocation rules.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Quality evaluation of Euscaphis japonica from different habitats using chemometrics combined with weighted TOPSIS model
Yuqiu GAO ; Shuai ZHENG ; Xue YU ; Guihua ZOU ; Kai ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(14):1755-1759
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			OBJECTIVE To evaluate the quality of Euscaphis japonica from different habitats. METHODS The relative correction factors of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, ellagic acid, isoquercitrin, astragalin and apigenin were calculated with quercetin as the internal reference; the relative correction factors of euscaphic acid, oleanolic acid, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol were also calculated with ursolic acid as the internal reference. The contents of 12 components in 18 batches of samples were calculated by QAMS method and were compared with external standard method. At the same time, the contents of water-soluble extract, alcohol-soluble extract, total ash and acid-insoluble ash were detected. The quality of E. japonica was evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and weighted technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the results of QAMS method and external standard method for the 12 components in the 18 batches of samples. However, notable content variations were observed among different batches of samples. The results of PCA and OPLS-DA showed that S1-S7, S8- S12, and S13-S18 were clustered into one category respectively. Seven key characteristic components variable importance in projection values >1, euscaphic acid, ursolic acid, protocatechuic acid, apigenin, β-sitosterol, isoquercitrin, and oleanolic acid, respectively. The analysis results of the weighted TOPSIS method revealed that the relative closeness for evaluating the quality of 18 batches of samples ranged from 0.283 5 to 0.644 1, with the samples of E. japonica from Fengjie, Chongqing, demonstrating the highest quality. CONCLUSIONS The established method is accurate and feasible, which can be used for the quality evaluation of E. japonica combined with chemometrics and weighted TOPSIS model.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Effect of electroacupuncture combined with low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation on the electroencephalographic signals of rats with traumatic brain injury
Simiao GAO ; Xue HAN ; Xiaoguang WU ; Jinyu ZHENG ; Fangwen GAO ; Kuihua LI ; Yong PENG ; Lanxiang LIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(2):402-408
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			BACKGROUND:Traumatic brain injury is a condition in which the normal function of the brain is disrupted by a bump or impact to the head.It is necessary to find effective treatments and objective targets that can help doctors diagnose the injury status and restore the brain function of patients. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of electroacupuncture combined with low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation on the electroencephalographic signals of rats with traumatic brain injury. METHODS:Forty 6-week-old SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups:sham group,model group,electroacupuncture group,low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation group and combined group(electroacupuncture+low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation),with eight rats in each group.Feeney weight-drop method was used to establish the animal model of traumatic brain injury.In the sham group,the bone window was only opened without impact.Interventions were started at 1 day after modeling.Electroacupuncture in the electroacupuncture group,low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation in the low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation group,and electroacupuncture+low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation in the combined group were performed for days in total.The modified neurological severity scale score for assessing rats'neurological deficits was performed at 8 hours after modeling.The percentage of spontaneous alternation behavior in the Y-maze was measured at 7 days after modeling.Then,the electroencephalographic signals were collected and electroencephalographic data of α,β,θ,and δ waves were extracted by fast Fourier transform,and the value of oscillation amplitude and energy ratio were calculated in α,β,θ,and δ waves,as well as the Lempel-Ziv complexity and sample entropy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the sham group,the modified neurological severity scale scores in the model group,electroacupuncture group,low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation group and combined group were significantly increased at 8 hours after modeling(P<0.05).Compared with the sham group,the value of oscillation amplitude in δ wave and the value of δ energy ratio were significantly increased in the model group at 7 days after modeling,meanwhile the percentage of spontaneous alternation behavior in Y-maze,and the value of α/β energy ratio,Lempel-Ziv complexity,and sample entropy were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the value of oscillation amplitude in α and δ waves was significantly decreased in the combined group(P<0.05),while the value of α/β energy ratio was significantly increased(P<0.05)and the value of δ energy ratio was significantly decreased(P<0.05)in the electroacupuncture group,low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation group and combined group.Compared with the electroacupuncture group and low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation group,the value of δ energy ratio was significantly decreased in the combined group(P<0.05),while the percentage of spontaneous alternation behavior,the value of α/β energy ratio,the Lempel-Ziv complexity,and the sample entropy were significantly increased(P<0.05).To conclude,abnormal electroencephalographic signals can appear in rats with traumatic brain injury,while the electroacupuncture combined with low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation can alleviate the abnormal electroencephalographic signals in rats,which suggests the electroencephalographic frequency domain value and nonlinear features can be used to assess the severity of traumatic brain injury.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5.Biomimetic nanoparticle delivery systems b ased on red blood cell membranes for disease treatment
Chen-xia GAO ; Yan-yu XIAO ; Yu-xue-yuan CHEN ; Xiao-liang REN ; Mei-ling CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):348-358
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			 Nanoparticle delivery systems have good application prospects in the field of precision therapy, but the preparation process of nanomaterial has problems such as short 
		                        		
		                        	
6.Isoliquiritigenin alleviates abnormal endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by type 2 diabetes mellitus
Kai-yi LAI ; Wen-wen DING ; Jia-yu ZHANG ; Xiao-xue YANG ; Wen-bo GAO ; Yao XIAO ; Ying LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):130-140
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			 Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a chalcone compound isolated from licorice, known for its anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties. Our previous study has demonstrated that ISL effectively lowers blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice and improves disturbances in glucolipid and energy metabolism induced by T2DM. This study aims to further investigate the effects of ISL on alleviating abnormal endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) caused by T2DM and to elucidate its molecular mechanisms. 
		                        		
		                        	
7.The role of histone deacetylase 3 in diabetes and its complications, and the research progress on histone deacetylase 3 inhibitors
Jia-yu ZHAI ; Cun-yu FENG ; Xue-feng GAO ; Li-ran LEI ; Lei LEI ; Yi HUAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):1-11
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			 Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) is an epigenetic modification enzyme that plays a crucial role in the development and progression of diabetes and its complications. Studies have reported that increased HDAC3 activity is associated with pancreatic 
		                        		
		                        	
8.Research progress on correlation between hyperphosphatemia and calciphylaxis in patients with chronic kidney disease
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(2):121-125
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Hyperphosphatemia is a common complication in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, which is an important factor causing secondary hyperparathyroidism, calcium-phosphorus deposition changes, vitamin D metabolism disorders and renal osteopathy. Calciphylaxis is a rare and highly fatal disease in clinical practice, which is generally believed to be related to abnormal calcium-phosphorus metabolism. Based on the results of previous studies, this paper summarizes the relationship between calciphylaxis and hyperphosphatemia, its occurrence mechanism, and prevention and treatment methods, in order to improve the awareness and attention of this disease.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Research progress on biomaterials-based integrated strategies for tumor prevention, treatment, and organ protection
ZHONG Rui1,2△ ; JI Keqin2,3△ ; XUE Qian2,3 ; GAO Jie2,3
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(3):233-238
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			[摘  要]  在癌症治疗领域,传统的治疗手段如手术、化疗和放疗虽然取得了一定的效果,但往往伴随着不良反应严重、复发率高和对正常组织损伤严重等问题。近年来,随着生物材料科学的快速发展,肿瘤防治和器官保护一体化的生物材料逐渐成为研究的热点。根据维度结构,这些生物材料可分为小分子药物、零维、一维、二维和三维生物材料、多维度复合材料及活性生物材料等。零维材料如普鲁士蓝纳米酶、金纳米颗粒可实现抗肿瘤和促修复;一维生物材料纳米管可负载药物并促进创伤修复;二维生物材料如锂皂土可构建纳米复合体系明胶-锂皂土-多柔比星(GLD),其对肿瘤细胞的杀伤能力显著提高;三维生物材料如水凝胶可用于肿瘤治疗和组织修复。零维生物材料与二维、三维生物材料形成的复合材料可长效缓释零维材料,同时发挥肿瘤防治和器官保护功能。设计生物材料时需综合考量其优缺点,结合纳米技术和生物工程手段,实现肿瘤精确治疗与器官保护。这些材料通过整合抗肿瘤药物与组织修复因子,旨在实现抑制肿瘤生长的同时促进受损组织的修复和再生,为肿瘤治疗提供了新的思路和方法。
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.The mechanism of Laggerae Herba in improving chronic heart failure by inhibiting ferroptosis through the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway
Jinling XIAO ; Kai HUANG ; Xiaoqi WEI ; Xinyi FAN ; Wangjing CHAI ; Jing HAN ; Kuo GAO ; Xue YU ; Fanghe LI ; Shuzhen GUO
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(3):343-353
		                        		
		                        			Objective:
		                        			To investigate the role and mechanism of the heat-clearing and detoxifying drug Laggerae Herba in regulating the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2(Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway to inhibit ferroptosis and improve chronic heart failure induced by transverse aortic arch constriction in mice.
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			Twenty-four male ICR mice were divided into the sham (n=6) and transverse aortic arch constriction groups (n=18) according to the random number table method. The transverse aortic arch constriction group underwent transverse aortic constriction surgery to establish models. After modeling, the transverse aortic arch constriction group was further divided into the model, captopril, and Laggerae Herba groups according to the random number table method, with six mice per group. The captopril (15 mg/kg) and Laggerae Herba groups (1.95 g/kg) received the corresponding drugs by gavage, whereas the sham operation and model groups were administered the same volume of ultrapure water by gavage once a day for four consecutive weeks. After treatment, the cardiac function indexes of mice in each group were detected using ultrasound. The heart mass and tibia length were measured to calculate the ratio of heart weight to tibia length. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to observe the pathological changes in myocardial tissue. Masson staining was used to observe the degree of myocardial fibrosis. Wheat germ agglutinin staining was used to observe the degree of myocardial cell hypertrophy. Prussian blue staining was used to observe the iron deposition in myocardial tissue. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and glutathione (GSH) contents in mice serum. Colorimetry was used to detect the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in mice serum. Western blotting was used to detect the Nrf2, GPX4, SLC7A11, and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) protein expressions in mice cardiac tissue.
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Compared with the sham group, in the model group, the ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) of mice decreased, the left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) increased, the left ventricular anterior wall end-systolic thickness (LVAWs) and left ventricular posterior wall end-systolic thickness (LVPWs) decreased, the ratio of heart weight to tibia length increased, the myocardial tissue morphology changed, myocardial fibrosis increased, the cross-sectional area of myocardial cells increased, iron deposition appeared in myocardial tissue, the serum NT-proBNP and MDA levels increased, the GSH level decreased, and Nrf2, GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 protein expressions in cardiac tissue decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, in the captopril and Laggerae Herba groups, the EF, FS, and LVAWs increased, the LVESV and LVESD decreased, the ratio of heart weight to tibia length decreased, the myocardial cells were arranged neatly, the degree of myocardial fibrosis decreased, the cross-sectional area of myocardial cells decreased, the serum NT-proBNP level decreased, and the GSH level increased. Compared with the model group, the LVPWs increased, the iron deposition in myocardial tissue decreased, the serum MDA level decreased, and Nrf2, GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 protein expressions in cardiac tissue increased (P<0.05) in the Laggerae Herba group.
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			Laggerae Herba improves the cardiac function of mice with chronic heart failure caused by transverse aortic arch constriction, reduces the pathological remodeling of the heart, and reduces fibrosis. Its mechanism may be related to Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway-mediated ferroptosis.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            

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