1.Optimization and Mechanism Exploration of Tusizi Prescription for Ovarian Reserve Function Based on Uniform Design Method
Yuan LI ; Hanqian DU ; Jiashan LI ; Li GUO ; Zehui LI ; Na LIN ; Ying XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):53-62
ObjectiveTo optimize Tusizi prescription for ovarian reserve function based on the uniform design method combined with in vitro experiments and explore the underlying mechanisms of this prescription. MethodsThe uniform design method was adopted to design a 5-factor 11-level experiment on the water extract of Tusizi prescription. The cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was employed to measure the viability of human ovarian granulosa cells (KGN cells) treated with Tusizi prescription extracts 1-11, and multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the optimal herb ratio in this prescription. The potential targets of active ingredients in the prescription were retrieved from traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) and encyclopedia of traditional Chinese medicine (ETCM). The common targets shared by Tusizi prescription and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) were selected and imported into search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins (STRING) to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and into gene function annotation database (DAVID) for gene ontology (GO) analysis. The CCK-8 assay was used to measure the viability of ovarian germline stem cells treated with hyperoside. The CCK-8 assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were employed to examine the proliferation, apoptosis, and estradiol (E2) secretion of KGN cells treated with the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 4∶4∶2∶1∶1) and the optimal prescription screened by uniform design. On this basis, the optimal prescription composition for maximizing the effect on ovarian reserve function was determined and preliminary insights into the underlying mechanisms of this prescription were gained. ResultsA total of 147 common targets were obtained from 278 targets of Tusizi prescription and 1 721 targets of DOR. GO analysis revealed 194 biological processes, primarily involving cellular responses to exogenous compound stimuli, negative regulation of apoptotic process, and positive regulation of cell proliferation. It identified 84 cellular components, including cell membrane, mitochondria, and neuronal cell body, as well as 144 molecular functions such as enzyme binding, estrogen response element binding, and nuclear estrogen receptor binding. The multivariate regression analysis revealed that when Tusizi prescription was composed of Cuscutae Semen, Lycii Fructus, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Poria, and Nelumbinis Semen in a ratio of 27∶30∶17∶12∶14, the water extract of Tusizi prescription had the best effect of enhancing the viability of KGN cells. CCK-8 results showed that compared with the normal group, the hyperoside group demonstrated increased viability of ovarian germline stem cells (P<0.01). The CCK-8, EdU, and ELISA results showed that compared with the normal group, the optimal prescription screened by uniform design and the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription increased the proliferation and reduced the apoptosis of KGN cells (P<0.05, P<0.01). ELISA results showed that compared with the normal group, the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription promoted the E2 secretion of KGN cells (P<0.05), while the optimal prescription screened by uniform design had no significant effect on the E2 secretion. ConclusionBoth the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 4∶4∶2∶1∶1) and the optimal prescription screened by uniform design (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 27∶30∶17∶12∶14) can improve the ovarian reserve function, and the former has better effect. Tusizi prescription can modulate biological processes (such as cell proliferation and apoptosis) and molecular functions (such as enzyme binding and estrogen response element binding) through active components like hyperoside to promote the proliferation and E2 secretion and inhibit the apoptosis of KGN cells, thereby protecting the ovarian reserve function.
2.Optimization and Mechanism Exploration of Tusizi Prescription for Ovarian Reserve Function Based on Uniform Design Method
Yuan LI ; Hanqian DU ; Jiashan LI ; Li GUO ; Zehui LI ; Na LIN ; Ying XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):53-62
ObjectiveTo optimize Tusizi prescription for ovarian reserve function based on the uniform design method combined with in vitro experiments and explore the underlying mechanisms of this prescription. MethodsThe uniform design method was adopted to design a 5-factor 11-level experiment on the water extract of Tusizi prescription. The cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was employed to measure the viability of human ovarian granulosa cells (KGN cells) treated with Tusizi prescription extracts 1-11, and multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the optimal herb ratio in this prescription. The potential targets of active ingredients in the prescription were retrieved from traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) and encyclopedia of traditional Chinese medicine (ETCM). The common targets shared by Tusizi prescription and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) were selected and imported into search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins (STRING) to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and into gene function annotation database (DAVID) for gene ontology (GO) analysis. The CCK-8 assay was used to measure the viability of ovarian germline stem cells treated with hyperoside. The CCK-8 assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were employed to examine the proliferation, apoptosis, and estradiol (E2) secretion of KGN cells treated with the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 4∶4∶2∶1∶1) and the optimal prescription screened by uniform design. On this basis, the optimal prescription composition for maximizing the effect on ovarian reserve function was determined and preliminary insights into the underlying mechanisms of this prescription were gained. ResultsA total of 147 common targets were obtained from 278 targets of Tusizi prescription and 1 721 targets of DOR. GO analysis revealed 194 biological processes, primarily involving cellular responses to exogenous compound stimuli, negative regulation of apoptotic process, and positive regulation of cell proliferation. It identified 84 cellular components, including cell membrane, mitochondria, and neuronal cell body, as well as 144 molecular functions such as enzyme binding, estrogen response element binding, and nuclear estrogen receptor binding. The multivariate regression analysis revealed that when Tusizi prescription was composed of Cuscutae Semen, Lycii Fructus, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Poria, and Nelumbinis Semen in a ratio of 27∶30∶17∶12∶14, the water extract of Tusizi prescription had the best effect of enhancing the viability of KGN cells. CCK-8 results showed that compared with the normal group, the hyperoside group demonstrated increased viability of ovarian germline stem cells (P<0.01). The CCK-8, EdU, and ELISA results showed that compared with the normal group, the optimal prescription screened by uniform design and the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription increased the proliferation and reduced the apoptosis of KGN cells (P<0.05, P<0.01). ELISA results showed that compared with the normal group, the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription promoted the E2 secretion of KGN cells (P<0.05), while the optimal prescription screened by uniform design had no significant effect on the E2 secretion. ConclusionBoth the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 4∶4∶2∶1∶1) and the optimal prescription screened by uniform design (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 27∶30∶17∶12∶14) can improve the ovarian reserve function, and the former has better effect. Tusizi prescription can modulate biological processes (such as cell proliferation and apoptosis) and molecular functions (such as enzyme binding and estrogen response element binding) through active components like hyperoside to promote the proliferation and E2 secretion and inhibit the apoptosis of KGN cells, thereby protecting the ovarian reserve function.
3.Mebendazole effectively overcomes imatinib resistance by dualtargeting BCR/ABL oncoprotein and ββ-tubulin in chronic myeloid leukemia cells
Li YANG ; Zhuanyun DU ; Yuhang PENG ; Wenyao ZHANG ; Wenli FENG ; Ying YUAN
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(1):67-81
To target the pivotal BCR/ABL oncoprotein in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are utilized as landmark achievements in CML therapy. However, TKI resistance and intolerance remain principal obstacles in the treatment of CML patients. In recent years, drug repositioning provided alternative and promising perspectives apart from the classical cancer therapies, and promoted anthelmintic mebendazole (MBZ) as an effective anti-cancer drug in various cancers. Here, we investigated the role of MBZ in CML treatment including imatinib-resistant CML cells. Our results proved that MBZ inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis in CML cells. We found that MBZ effectively suppressed BCR/ABL kinase activity and MEK/ERK signaling pathway by reducing p-BCR/ABL and p-ERK levels with ABL1 targeting ability. Meanwhile, MBZ directly targeted the colchicine-binding site of β-tubulin protein, hampered microtubule polymerization and induced mitosis arrest and mitotic catastrophe. In addition, MBZ increased DNA damage levels and hampered the accumulation of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated and DNA-dependent protein kinase into the nucleus. This work discovered that anthelmintic MBZ exerts remarkable anticancer effects in both imatinib-sensitive and imatinib-resistant CML cells in vitro and revealed mechanisms underlying. From the perspective of drug repositioning and multi‐target therapeutic strategy, this study provides a promising option for CML treatment, especially in TKI-resistant or intolerant individuals.
4.Correlation Between "Pathological Accumulation from Collateral Obstruction" and Gap Junction Communication Dysfunction and Its Application in Tumor Prevention and Treatment
Hongtai XIONG ; Ying SONG ; Yanyuan DU ; Peiyi YU ; Honggang ZHENG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(13):1311-1316
By reviewing modern research and integrating clinical practice, this paper elucidates the correlation between the traditional Chinese medicine theory of pathological accumulation from collateral obstruction and gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC), as well as its theoretical connotation and clinical application in tumor prevention and treatment. Physiologically, gap junction and collateral channels share similarities in structural distribution, substance exchange and information transmission. Pathologically, metabolic coupling mediated by dysfunctional gap junction resembles collaterals stagnation, forming the basis of tumor pathogenesis. The establishment of heterotypic gap junction parallels collateral hyperactivity, contributing to tumor metastasis. The post-translational modifications (PTMs) disorder of connexins is similar to the deficiency of collaterals, serving as a driver of tumor progression. Clinically, tumor treatment should follow the pathomechanism of collateral obstruction leading to pathological accumulation. In the early stage, detoxifying and unblocking collaterals can restore intercellular communication and inhibit tumorigenesis; in the progressive stage, calming hyperactivity and suppressing aberrant collateral pathways can prevent metastasis by interrupting heterotypic gap junction formation; and in the terminal stage, supporting vital qi and modulating PTMs of connexins can help delay tumor progression.
5.Differentiation and Treatment of Pediatric Allergic Rhinitis Based on the Theory of "Spleen Fuctions as Wei Qi"
Haoyu DU ; Yongbin YAN ; Ying DING ; Wenbo LIU ; Yudi LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(15):1610-1613
Based on the theory of "spleen functions as wei qi", this paper believes that the disease mechanism of allergic rhinitis (AR) in children is the nasal dysfunction caused by the loss of spleen's wei qi. The root cause of AR is the failure of splenic transportation as well as its inability to properly distribute nutrients. The inducement of AR is the invasion of pathogenic qi coupled with insecurity of the wei exterior. The key to AR recurrence lies in the deficiency of healthy qi and lingering of pathogenic qi, with pathogenic qi lodging inside the body. The treatment should adhere to the principle of helping the spleen restore wei qi. During the acute phase, the treatment should dispel wind, conso-lidate the wei qi, and relieve stuffy orifices, and the modified Qufeng Tongqiao Decoction (祛风通窍汤) is used. During the remission phase, the treatment should fortify the spleen, raise the clear, and harmonize the wei qi, and the modified Yuhan Decoction (御寒汤) is applied. During the recovery phase, the treatment should reinforce the healthy qi, consolidate the constitution, and strengthen the wei qi, and the modified Huangqi Jianzhong Decoction (黄芪建中汤) is employed.
6.Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound Formulas in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis by Regulating NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathway: A Review
Guanyu ZHAO ; Ruihua XIN ; Ying WANG ; Lei SHI ; Lidong DU ; Guotai WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):305-314
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a refractory disease of the digestive system characterized by diverse etiologies, complex pathogenesis, a prolonged course, and frequent relapses. In recent years, the incidence of UC has been increasing annually, severely impairing patients' quality of life, posing a risk of malignant transformation that may threaten patients' lives, and resulting in a substantial medical burden. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound formulas, with their advantages of multi-component and multi-target actions, have become a new therapeutic option for UC. The NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a core component of innate immunity, and its aberrant activation is closely associated with the onset and progression of UC, involving multiple processes such as inflammation and oxidative stress, and exhibiting crosstalk with pathways including nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). At present, NLRP3 has become one of the most intensely studied hotspots in UC-related research. Although increasing studies have focused on the regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by TCM compound formulas for UC treatment, challenges remain due to the complex pathogenesis of UC and the compositional diversity of TCM, hindering the realization of precision therapy. In this context, by reviewing literature from the past decade, this paper summarizes the activation process of NLRP3 and its relationship with UC, and elucidates the roles and mechanisms by which TCM compound formulas regulate the NLRP3 inflammasome and related signaling pathways, with a view to providing a reference for further research into the pathogenesis of UC, TCM treatment strategies, and their mechanisms of action.
7.Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound Formulas in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis by Regulating NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathway: A Review
Guanyu ZHAO ; Ruihua XIN ; Ying WANG ; Lei SHI ; Lidong DU ; Guotai WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):305-314
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a refractory disease of the digestive system characterized by diverse etiologies, complex pathogenesis, a prolonged course, and frequent relapses. In recent years, the incidence of UC has been increasing annually, severely impairing patients' quality of life, posing a risk of malignant transformation that may threaten patients' lives, and resulting in a substantial medical burden. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound formulas, with their advantages of multi-component and multi-target actions, have become a new therapeutic option for UC. The NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a core component of innate immunity, and its aberrant activation is closely associated with the onset and progression of UC, involving multiple processes such as inflammation and oxidative stress, and exhibiting crosstalk with pathways including nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). At present, NLRP3 has become one of the most intensely studied hotspots in UC-related research. Although increasing studies have focused on the regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by TCM compound formulas for UC treatment, challenges remain due to the complex pathogenesis of UC and the compositional diversity of TCM, hindering the realization of precision therapy. In this context, by reviewing literature from the past decade, this paper summarizes the activation process of NLRP3 and its relationship with UC, and elucidates the roles and mechanisms by which TCM compound formulas regulate the NLRP3 inflammasome and related signaling pathways, with a view to providing a reference for further research into the pathogenesis of UC, TCM treatment strategies, and their mechanisms of action.
8.Pharmacokinetic interactions between empagliflozin and donafenib/lenvatinib in rats
Ying LI ; Zihan LIU ; Wenyu DU ; Jing AN ; Congyang DING ; Yue ZHAO ; Bingnan REN ; Zefang YU ; Yajing LI ; Zhanjun DONG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(9):1853-1860
ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of empagliflozin combined with donafenib or lenvatinib on the pharmacokinetic parameters of each drug, and to provide a reference for combined medication in clinical practice. MethodsA total of 48 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 8 groups: empagliflozin group 1 and 2, donafenib group, lenvatinib group, donafenib pretreatment+empagliflozin group, lenvatinib pretreatment + empagliflozin group, empagliflozin pretreatment+donafenib group, and empagliflozin pretreatment+lenvatinib group, with 6 rats in each group. The doses of empagliflozin, donafenib, and lenvatinib were 2.5 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, and 1.2 mg/kg, respectively. The rats in the empagliflozin group, donafenib group, and lenvatinib group were given a blank solvent by gavage for 7 consecutive days, followed by a single dose of empagliflozin, donafenib, or lenvatinib on day 7 after the administration of the blank solvent; the rats in the pretreatment groups were given the pretreatment drug by gavage for 7 consecutive days, followed by a single dose of drug combination on day 7 after administration of the pretreatment drug. Blood samples were collected at different time points, and plasma was separated to measure the concentration of each drug. A validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was used to measure the plasma concentrations of donafenib, lenvatinib, and empagliflozin, and a non-compartmental model was used to calculate the main pharmacokinetic parameters of each drug (area under the plasma concentration-time curve [AUC], time to peak [Tmax], peak concentration [Cmax], and half-life time [t1/2]). The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups. ResultsCompared with the empagliflozin group, the donafenib pretreatment+empagliflozin group had significant increases in the AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ of empagliflozin (P=0.011 and 0.008), while the lenvatinib pretreatment+empagliflozin group had no significant change in the AUC of empagliflozin, with a slightly shorter Tmax (P=0.019). Compared with the donafenib group, the empagliflozin pretreatment+donafenib group had significant increases in the AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ of donafenib (P=0.027 and 0.025), as well as a significant increase in Cmax (P=0.015) and significant reductions in CLz/F and Vz/F (P=0.005 and 0.004); compared with the lenvatinib group, the empagliflozin pretreatment+lenvatinib group had a reduction in the t1/2 of lenvatinib by approximately 5 hours (P=0.002), with a trend of reduction in AUC0-t (P0.05). ConclusionEmpagliflozin combined with donafenib may alter the pharmacokinetic parameters of both drugs, leading to a significant increase in the exposure levels of both drugs, and efficacy and adverse reactions should be monitored during co-administration. There are no significant changes in the exposure levels of empagliflozin and lenvatinib during co-administration.
9.Mebendazole effectively overcomes imatinib resistance by dualtargeting BCR/ABL oncoprotein and ββ-tubulin in chronic myeloid leukemia cells
Li YANG ; Zhuanyun DU ; Yuhang PENG ; Wenyao ZHANG ; Wenli FENG ; Ying YUAN
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(1):67-81
To target the pivotal BCR/ABL oncoprotein in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are utilized as landmark achievements in CML therapy. However, TKI resistance and intolerance remain principal obstacles in the treatment of CML patients. In recent years, drug repositioning provided alternative and promising perspectives apart from the classical cancer therapies, and promoted anthelmintic mebendazole (MBZ) as an effective anti-cancer drug in various cancers. Here, we investigated the role of MBZ in CML treatment including imatinib-resistant CML cells. Our results proved that MBZ inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis in CML cells. We found that MBZ effectively suppressed BCR/ABL kinase activity and MEK/ERK signaling pathway by reducing p-BCR/ABL and p-ERK levels with ABL1 targeting ability. Meanwhile, MBZ directly targeted the colchicine-binding site of β-tubulin protein, hampered microtubule polymerization and induced mitosis arrest and mitotic catastrophe. In addition, MBZ increased DNA damage levels and hampered the accumulation of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated and DNA-dependent protein kinase into the nucleus. This work discovered that anthelmintic MBZ exerts remarkable anticancer effects in both imatinib-sensitive and imatinib-resistant CML cells in vitro and revealed mechanisms underlying. From the perspective of drug repositioning and multi‐target therapeutic strategy, this study provides a promising option for CML treatment, especially in TKI-resistant or intolerant individuals.
10.Mebendazole effectively overcomes imatinib resistance by dualtargeting BCR/ABL oncoprotein and ββ-tubulin in chronic myeloid leukemia cells
Li YANG ; Zhuanyun DU ; Yuhang PENG ; Wenyao ZHANG ; Wenli FENG ; Ying YUAN
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(1):67-81
To target the pivotal BCR/ABL oncoprotein in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are utilized as landmark achievements in CML therapy. However, TKI resistance and intolerance remain principal obstacles in the treatment of CML patients. In recent years, drug repositioning provided alternative and promising perspectives apart from the classical cancer therapies, and promoted anthelmintic mebendazole (MBZ) as an effective anti-cancer drug in various cancers. Here, we investigated the role of MBZ in CML treatment including imatinib-resistant CML cells. Our results proved that MBZ inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis in CML cells. We found that MBZ effectively suppressed BCR/ABL kinase activity and MEK/ERK signaling pathway by reducing p-BCR/ABL and p-ERK levels with ABL1 targeting ability. Meanwhile, MBZ directly targeted the colchicine-binding site of β-tubulin protein, hampered microtubule polymerization and induced mitosis arrest and mitotic catastrophe. In addition, MBZ increased DNA damage levels and hampered the accumulation of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated and DNA-dependent protein kinase into the nucleus. This work discovered that anthelmintic MBZ exerts remarkable anticancer effects in both imatinib-sensitive and imatinib-resistant CML cells in vitro and revealed mechanisms underlying. From the perspective of drug repositioning and multi‐target therapeutic strategy, this study provides a promising option for CML treatment, especially in TKI-resistant or intolerant individuals.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail