1.Herbal Textual Research on Malvae Semen in Famous Classical Formulas
Dongxue CHEN ; Yibo LIU ; Yangyang YU ; Guoshuai LYU ; Huili WU ; Xinle HAN ; Yue TAN ; Minhui LI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):252-264
The medicinal use of Malvae Semen has a long history. In this paper, by consulting the ancient materia medica, prescription, agronomy, literature and other aspects of the classics, the name, origin, evolution of scientific name, quality, harvesting and processing, functions and indications and others of Malvae Semen were systematically sorted out and verified, so as to provide a basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. According to the textual research, Shennong Bencaojing began to use Dongkuizi as the correct name, which was used in the past dynasties, and there were also aliases such as Kuicaizi, Huacai, and Kuizi. Through the original research, it can be seen that Kuicai is the mainstream original plant of Malvae Semen, that is, Malva verticillata var. crispa, the Alcea rosea and M. cathayensis are also used. In modern times, the seeds of Abutilon theophrasti have been passed off as Malvae Semen, while the seeds of M. verticillata var. crispa have rarely been used in medicine. And Abutili Semen has been another medicinal material with different efficacy since the collection of Newly Revised Materia Medica in the Tang dynasty. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, the cultivation of Kuicai has been decreasing, while A. theophrasti is more common and easy to obtain, and Abutili Semen and Malvae Semen are similar in morphology and confused, which should be corrected. In addition, Malvae Fructus is a Mongolian customary medicinal herb, which is different from the traditional use of seeds in traditional Chinese medicine. Kuicai, as an important vegetable in history, was widely cultivated and gradually shrunk after the Song dynasty, it is now mainly produced in southern provinces. The quality evaluation of Malvae Semen is better for those with dry bodies, full grain, grayish brown color, no mud, and no impurities. The harvesting is generally in the autumn and winter. After drying, it is seeded, sieved peel and impurities, mashed, or slightly stir-fried to yellow-white color with gentle fire. It is sweet, cold and slippery in nature and taste, with the main effects of laxation, diuresis, lactation and elimination of swelling. The efficacy of Abutili Semen is clearing heat and removing toxicity, promoting diuresis and removing nebula, the efficacy is quite different from that of Malvae Semen. Based on the results of textual research, it is suggested that M. verticillata var. crispa should be used as the medicinal source of Malvae Semen in the development of famous classical formulas, the corresponding processing methods should be selected according to the requirements of drug processing in the formulas, while the raw products are recommended to be used if the processing is not specified.
2.Herbal Textual Research on Malvae Semen in Famous Classical Formulas
Dongxue CHEN ; Yibo LIU ; Yangyang YU ; Guoshuai LYU ; Huili WU ; Xinle HAN ; Yue TAN ; Minhui LI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):252-264
The medicinal use of Malvae Semen has a long history. In this paper, by consulting the ancient materia medica, prescription, agronomy, literature and other aspects of the classics, the name, origin, evolution of scientific name, quality, harvesting and processing, functions and indications and others of Malvae Semen were systematically sorted out and verified, so as to provide a basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. According to the textual research, Shennong Bencaojing began to use Dongkuizi as the correct name, which was used in the past dynasties, and there were also aliases such as Kuicaizi, Huacai, and Kuizi. Through the original research, it can be seen that Kuicai is the mainstream original plant of Malvae Semen, that is, Malva verticillata var. crispa, the Alcea rosea and M. cathayensis are also used. In modern times, the seeds of Abutilon theophrasti have been passed off as Malvae Semen, while the seeds of M. verticillata var. crispa have rarely been used in medicine. And Abutili Semen has been another medicinal material with different efficacy since the collection of Newly Revised Materia Medica in the Tang dynasty. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, the cultivation of Kuicai has been decreasing, while A. theophrasti is more common and easy to obtain, and Abutili Semen and Malvae Semen are similar in morphology and confused, which should be corrected. In addition, Malvae Fructus is a Mongolian customary medicinal herb, which is different from the traditional use of seeds in traditional Chinese medicine. Kuicai, as an important vegetable in history, was widely cultivated and gradually shrunk after the Song dynasty, it is now mainly produced in southern provinces. The quality evaluation of Malvae Semen is better for those with dry bodies, full grain, grayish brown color, no mud, and no impurities. The harvesting is generally in the autumn and winter. After drying, it is seeded, sieved peel and impurities, mashed, or slightly stir-fried to yellow-white color with gentle fire. It is sweet, cold and slippery in nature and taste, with the main effects of laxation, diuresis, lactation and elimination of swelling. The efficacy of Abutili Semen is clearing heat and removing toxicity, promoting diuresis and removing nebula, the efficacy is quite different from that of Malvae Semen. Based on the results of textual research, it is suggested that M. verticillata var. crispa should be used as the medicinal source of Malvae Semen in the development of famous classical formulas, the corresponding processing methods should be selected according to the requirements of drug processing in the formulas, while the raw products are recommended to be used if the processing is not specified.
3.Association between mobile phone addiction and high myopia among college students
Jian YIN ; Zeshi LIU ; Yan LI ; Yangyang GONG ; Naichuan CHEN ; Yuqi ZHAO ; Jia SONG ; Yanping ZHANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(2):301-305
AIM:To analyze the association between mobile phone addiction and high myopia among college students.METHODS:We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey in December 2022 on all students of a university in Shaanxi Province, and the questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, mobile phone addiction, high myopia, and lifestyle. Binary Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between mobile phone addiction and high myopia among college students.RESULTS:A total of 19 952 college students were included. The prevalence of high myopia was 7.31%. The rate of mobile phone addiction was 25.68%, and the mobile phone addiction score was 37.59±13.38. The incidence of high myopia among college students with mobile phone addiction was higher than non-mobile phone addiction(P<0.001). After adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle, the risk of high myopia among college students with mobile phone addiction was 1.274 times(95%CI:1.131-1.434)higher than non-mobile phone addiction. For each point increase of total mobile phone addiction score, withdrawal symptoms score, salience score, social comfort score, and mood changes score, the risk of high myopia among college students increased by 0.9%(95%CI:1.005-1.013), 2.0%(95%CI:1.010-1.030), 2.6%(95%CI:1.010-1.043), 4.8%(95%CI:1.030-1.066), and 3.3%(95%CI:1.014-1.052), respectively.CONCLUSION:Mobile phone addiction is significantly associated with the increased risk of high myopia among college students, and early intervention of mobile phone use may reduce the risk of high myopia among college students.
4.Effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Qingzhi Formula on the cGAS/STING/TBK1 signaling pathway in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Yangyang GOU ; Jiahui MA ; Cong CHEN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(3):370-378
Objective:
To investigate how Zuogui Jiangtang Qingzhi Formula (ZGJTQZF), a traditional Chinese medicine compound for lowering blood glucose levels and clearing lipids based on Zuogui Pill, regulates the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes (STING)/TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) signaling pathway to improve type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Methods:
According to fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, body weight, and sex, 40 MKR mice, with half being male and the other half female, were randomly divided into four groups: blank, model, ZGJTQZF (29.6 g/kg), metformin + simvastatin ([65.0+ 2.6] mg/kg), 10 mice per group, and a normal group consisting of 10 age-matched FVB mice. Mice in all groups, except in the normal and blank groups, were fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks to induce the disease model. Each group received daily gavage of the respective treatments for 8 weeks after successful modeling. Various parameters were measured, including FBG, liver function (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate transaminase [AST]), and blood lipids (triglyceride [TG] and total cholesterol [TC]). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Histological liver changes were examined using transmission electron and optical microscope. cGAS, STING, and TBK1 protein and mRNA expression levels in liver tissues were detected using Western blotting and real-time PCR, respectively.
Results:
Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significant fat accumulation in hepatocytes and liver damage. Additionally, FBG, ALT, AST, serum TNF-α, IL-6, cGAS, STING and TBK1 expression levels in liver tissues were significantly elevated (P<0.05). Treatment with ZGJTQZF and metformin + simvastatin significantly improved FBG, ALT, AST, TG, TC, TNF-α, and IL-6 (P<0.01). Histologically, hepatic steatosis was notably alleviated. Expression of protein and mRNA of cGAS, STING, and TBK1 in liver tissues was significantly reduced (P<0.05).
Conclusion
ZGJTQZF improves lipid and glucose metabolism, mitigates liver injury, and reduces inflammatory markers in MKR mice. These effects may be mediated through the regulation of the cGAS/STING/TBK1 signaling pathway.
5.Hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor-mediated aerobic glycolysis enhances stem-like properties and chemoresistance in lung adenocarcinoma
Wenwen YU ; Yubo SHI ; Xiaoqiong BAO ; Xiangxiang CHEN ; Yangyang NI ; Jincong WANG ; Hua YE
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):337-347
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a global malignancy with significant chemoresistance impacting patient prognosis. The pro-tumorigenic role of hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR) in LUAD is recognized. This study was designed to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which HMMR affects chemoresistance in LUAD. Bioinformatics presented the expression patterns of HMMR in LUAD patients and the association between HMMR levels and patient survival, followed by qRT-PCR to verify HMMR expression in LUAD tissues and cells. Further, bioinformatics was leveraged to identify the signaling pathways enriched by HMMR and its relevance to glycolytic genes, we also analyzed changes in the glycolytic activity of LUAD cells by manipulating HMMR expression. Stemness was evaluated through cell aggregation assays and Western blot, and drug responsiveness was gauged using CCK-8 assays, alongside flow cytometry for apoptosis analysis. HMMR was highly expressed in LUAD tissues and cells, and this overexpression correlated with poorer prognoses in patients. GSEA showed that HMMR was notably enriched in the glycolysis and gluconeogenesis pathways, correlating positively with the expression of key glycolytic genes. Cellular experiments confirmed that HMMR knockdown notably suppressed aerobic glycolysis in LUAD cells. Moreover, overexpression of HMMR could further enhance the stemness and cisplatin resistance of LUAD cells by stimulating glycolysis. In brief, this study has validated that high levels of HMMR in LUAD are predictive of poor patient prognosis, and that overexpression of HMMR can catalyze aerobic glycolysis, thus promoting stemness and chemoresistance in LUAD cells. Thus, HMMR could be a target for improving chemosensitivity in LUAD.
6.Hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor-mediated aerobic glycolysis enhances stem-like properties and chemoresistance in lung adenocarcinoma
Wenwen YU ; Yubo SHI ; Xiaoqiong BAO ; Xiangxiang CHEN ; Yangyang NI ; Jincong WANG ; Hua YE
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):337-347
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a global malignancy with significant chemoresistance impacting patient prognosis. The pro-tumorigenic role of hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR) in LUAD is recognized. This study was designed to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which HMMR affects chemoresistance in LUAD. Bioinformatics presented the expression patterns of HMMR in LUAD patients and the association between HMMR levels and patient survival, followed by qRT-PCR to verify HMMR expression in LUAD tissues and cells. Further, bioinformatics was leveraged to identify the signaling pathways enriched by HMMR and its relevance to glycolytic genes, we also analyzed changes in the glycolytic activity of LUAD cells by manipulating HMMR expression. Stemness was evaluated through cell aggregation assays and Western blot, and drug responsiveness was gauged using CCK-8 assays, alongside flow cytometry for apoptosis analysis. HMMR was highly expressed in LUAD tissues and cells, and this overexpression correlated with poorer prognoses in patients. GSEA showed that HMMR was notably enriched in the glycolysis and gluconeogenesis pathways, correlating positively with the expression of key glycolytic genes. Cellular experiments confirmed that HMMR knockdown notably suppressed aerobic glycolysis in LUAD cells. Moreover, overexpression of HMMR could further enhance the stemness and cisplatin resistance of LUAD cells by stimulating glycolysis. In brief, this study has validated that high levels of HMMR in LUAD are predictive of poor patient prognosis, and that overexpression of HMMR can catalyze aerobic glycolysis, thus promoting stemness and chemoresistance in LUAD cells. Thus, HMMR could be a target for improving chemosensitivity in LUAD.
7.Hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor-mediated aerobic glycolysis enhances stem-like properties and chemoresistance in lung adenocarcinoma
Wenwen YU ; Yubo SHI ; Xiaoqiong BAO ; Xiangxiang CHEN ; Yangyang NI ; Jincong WANG ; Hua YE
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):337-347
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a global malignancy with significant chemoresistance impacting patient prognosis. The pro-tumorigenic role of hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR) in LUAD is recognized. This study was designed to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which HMMR affects chemoresistance in LUAD. Bioinformatics presented the expression patterns of HMMR in LUAD patients and the association between HMMR levels and patient survival, followed by qRT-PCR to verify HMMR expression in LUAD tissues and cells. Further, bioinformatics was leveraged to identify the signaling pathways enriched by HMMR and its relevance to glycolytic genes, we also analyzed changes in the glycolytic activity of LUAD cells by manipulating HMMR expression. Stemness was evaluated through cell aggregation assays and Western blot, and drug responsiveness was gauged using CCK-8 assays, alongside flow cytometry for apoptosis analysis. HMMR was highly expressed in LUAD tissues and cells, and this overexpression correlated with poorer prognoses in patients. GSEA showed that HMMR was notably enriched in the glycolysis and gluconeogenesis pathways, correlating positively with the expression of key glycolytic genes. Cellular experiments confirmed that HMMR knockdown notably suppressed aerobic glycolysis in LUAD cells. Moreover, overexpression of HMMR could further enhance the stemness and cisplatin resistance of LUAD cells by stimulating glycolysis. In brief, this study has validated that high levels of HMMR in LUAD are predictive of poor patient prognosis, and that overexpression of HMMR can catalyze aerobic glycolysis, thus promoting stemness and chemoresistance in LUAD cells. Thus, HMMR could be a target for improving chemosensitivity in LUAD.
8.Hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor-mediated aerobic glycolysis enhances stem-like properties and chemoresistance in lung adenocarcinoma
Wenwen YU ; Yubo SHI ; Xiaoqiong BAO ; Xiangxiang CHEN ; Yangyang NI ; Jincong WANG ; Hua YE
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):337-347
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a global malignancy with significant chemoresistance impacting patient prognosis. The pro-tumorigenic role of hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR) in LUAD is recognized. This study was designed to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which HMMR affects chemoresistance in LUAD. Bioinformatics presented the expression patterns of HMMR in LUAD patients and the association between HMMR levels and patient survival, followed by qRT-PCR to verify HMMR expression in LUAD tissues and cells. Further, bioinformatics was leveraged to identify the signaling pathways enriched by HMMR and its relevance to glycolytic genes, we also analyzed changes in the glycolytic activity of LUAD cells by manipulating HMMR expression. Stemness was evaluated through cell aggregation assays and Western blot, and drug responsiveness was gauged using CCK-8 assays, alongside flow cytometry for apoptosis analysis. HMMR was highly expressed in LUAD tissues and cells, and this overexpression correlated with poorer prognoses in patients. GSEA showed that HMMR was notably enriched in the glycolysis and gluconeogenesis pathways, correlating positively with the expression of key glycolytic genes. Cellular experiments confirmed that HMMR knockdown notably suppressed aerobic glycolysis in LUAD cells. Moreover, overexpression of HMMR could further enhance the stemness and cisplatin resistance of LUAD cells by stimulating glycolysis. In brief, this study has validated that high levels of HMMR in LUAD are predictive of poor patient prognosis, and that overexpression of HMMR can catalyze aerobic glycolysis, thus promoting stemness and chemoresistance in LUAD cells. Thus, HMMR could be a target for improving chemosensitivity in LUAD.
9.Effects of miR-204-3p inhibitor on epithelial-mesenchymal transition and silicosis fibrosis in silicon dioxide-induced alveolar epithelial cells
Fang CHEN ; Jing YU ; Wenxuan HU ; Yangyang PI ; Xi ZHANG ; Luning WANG ; Ping ZHAO ; Faxuan WANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(5):622-629
Background The pathogenesis of silicosis has not been fully elucidated, and microRNAs (miRNA) may be involved in the occurrence and development of silicosis. Objective To investigate the effect of miR-204-3p inhibitor on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and silicosis fibrosis in silicon dioxide dust-induced alveolar epithelial cells. Methods A co-culture model of macrophages and epithelial cells was established using a Transwell chamber. NR8383 macrophages were seeded into the upper chamber of the Transwell, and RLE-6TN cells were seeded into the lower chamber. After 24 h of culture, the medium in the lower chamber was discarded, washed three times with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and replaced with serum-free medium. The cells were divided into four groups: control group, silicosis group, miRNA NC group, and miR-204-3p inhibitor group. The lower chamber was transfected with miRNA NC for the miRNA NC group or the miR-204-3p inhibitor for the miR-204-3p inhibitor group. The lower chambers of the remaining two groups were added by equal amounts of serum-free medium. After 24 h, except for the control group that received an equal volume of serum-free medium, the upper chambers of the remaining three groups were treated with 800 μg·mL−1 silicon dioxide dust. Morphological changes in each group were observed under a microscope. The mRNA and protein expression levels of EMT-related factors, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Vimentin, N-Cadherin, and E-Cadherin, were detected by reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. The mRNA and protein expression levels of fibrosis-related factors, including Collagen I, Collagen III, and Fibronectin, were also assessed by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The fluorescence expression intensities of α-SMA, N-Cadherin, and E-Cadherin were evaluated by immunofluorescence. Results The morphological observation revealed that RLE-6TN cells in the control group exhibited a regular oval shape. After treatment with silicon dioxide, the cells predominantly displayed a long spindle shape. Following the intervention with the miR-204-3p inhibitor, the number of long spindle-shaped cells increased, and the intercellular gaps widened. The RT-qPCR results showed that, compared with the control group, the silicosis group exhibited significantly higher relative mRNA expression levels of EMT-related markers (α-SMA, Vimentin, and N-Cadherin) (P<0.05), while the relative mRNA expression level of E-Cadherin was significantly reduced (P<0.05); the relative mRNA expression levels of fibrosis-related markers (Collagen I, Collagen III, and Fibronectin) were also significantly elevated (P<0.05). Compared with the miRNA NC group, the miR-204-3p inhibitor group showed significantly increased relative mRNA expression levels of α-SMA, Vimentin, and N-Cadherin (P<0.05), decreased E-Cadherin mPNA expression (P<0.05), and elevated mPNA expression of Collagen I, Collagen III, and Fibronectin (P<0.05). The Western blot analysis indicated that, compared with the control group, the silicosis group had significantly higher protein expression levels of α-SMA, Vimentin, and N-Cadherin (P<0.05), lower E-Cadherin protein expression (P<0.05), and increased protein expression of Collagen I, Collagen III, and Fibronectin (P<0.05). Compared with the miRNA NC group, the miR-204-3p inhibitor group exhibited significantly elevated protein expression levels of α-SMA, Vimentin, and N-Cadherin (P<0.05), reduced E-Cadherin expression (P<0.05), and increased protein expression of Collagen I, Collagen III, and Fibronectin (P<0.05). The immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that, compared with the control group, the silicosis group showed enhanced fluorescence intensities of α-SMA and N-Cadherin and reduced fluorescence intensity of E-Cadherin. Compared with the miRNA NC group, the miR-204-3p inhibitor group exhibited increased fluorescence intensities of α-SMA and N-Cadherin and decreased fluorescence intensity of E-Cadherin. Conclusion The miR-204-3p inhibitor may exacerbate the EMT process and silicosis fibrosis in silicon dioxide-induced RLE-6TN cells. miR-204-3p plays a negative regulatory role in silicosis fibrosis.
10.Hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor-mediated aerobic glycolysis enhances stem-like properties and chemoresistance in lung adenocarcinoma
Wenwen YU ; Yubo SHI ; Xiaoqiong BAO ; Xiangxiang CHEN ; Yangyang NI ; Jincong WANG ; Hua YE
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):337-347
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a global malignancy with significant chemoresistance impacting patient prognosis. The pro-tumorigenic role of hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR) in LUAD is recognized. This study was designed to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which HMMR affects chemoresistance in LUAD. Bioinformatics presented the expression patterns of HMMR in LUAD patients and the association between HMMR levels and patient survival, followed by qRT-PCR to verify HMMR expression in LUAD tissues and cells. Further, bioinformatics was leveraged to identify the signaling pathways enriched by HMMR and its relevance to glycolytic genes, we also analyzed changes in the glycolytic activity of LUAD cells by manipulating HMMR expression. Stemness was evaluated through cell aggregation assays and Western blot, and drug responsiveness was gauged using CCK-8 assays, alongside flow cytometry for apoptosis analysis. HMMR was highly expressed in LUAD tissues and cells, and this overexpression correlated with poorer prognoses in patients. GSEA showed that HMMR was notably enriched in the glycolysis and gluconeogenesis pathways, correlating positively with the expression of key glycolytic genes. Cellular experiments confirmed that HMMR knockdown notably suppressed aerobic glycolysis in LUAD cells. Moreover, overexpression of HMMR could further enhance the stemness and cisplatin resistance of LUAD cells by stimulating glycolysis. In brief, this study has validated that high levels of HMMR in LUAD are predictive of poor patient prognosis, and that overexpression of HMMR can catalyze aerobic glycolysis, thus promoting stemness and chemoresistance in LUAD cells. Thus, HMMR could be a target for improving chemosensitivity in LUAD.


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