1.Research on Regulatory Mechanism of Verbenalin on HCoV-229E-infected Macrophage Injury Based on Mitophagy
Qiyue SUN ; Lei BAO ; Zihan GENG ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Shuran LI ; Xihe CUI ; Jingsheng ZHANG ; Xian LIU ; Rui XIE ; Xiaolan CUI ; Shanshan GUO ; Jing SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):29-37
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of verbenalin on mouse mononuclear macrophage leukemia cells (RAW264.7) damaged by human coronavirus (HCoV)-229E infection, thereby providing experimental evidence for its development and application. MethodsRAW264.7 macrophages were infected with different concentrations of HCoV-229E to establish a coronavirus-induced macrophage injury model using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay for assessing cell proliferation and viability. Cells were randomly divided into four groups: normal control, verbenalin group (125 μmol·L-1), model group (HCoV-229E), and HCoV-229E + verbenalin group (HCoV-229E + 125 μmol·L-1 verbenalin). Cell viability was measured using the CCK-8 assay, and the maximum non-toxic concentration (CC0), half-maximal cytotoxic concentration (CC50), half-maximal effective concentration (EC50), and selectivity index (SI) of verbenalin were calculated. Calcein/PI double staining was used to assess cell viability and cytotoxicity, and JC-1 staining was applied to evaluate changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). mito-Keima adenovirus labeling was used to assess mitophagy levels in each group. ResultsA macrophage infection model was successfully established by infecting RAW264.7 cells with the original concentration of HCoV-229E for 36 h. The CC0 of verbenalin was 125 μmol·L-1. The CC50 was 448.25 μmol·L-1. The EC50 against HCoV-229E-infected cells was 46.28 μmol·L-1, and the SI was 9.68. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly reduced cell survival rate (P<0.01), increased cell death rate (P<0.01), decreased MMP (P<0.01), and suppressed mitophagy (P<0.01). In contrast, verbenalin treatment significantly improved cell survival rate (P<0.01), reduced cell death rate (P<0.01), alleviated MMP loss (P<0.01), and enhanced mitophagy levels (P<0.01) compared with the model group. ConclusionVerbenalin can enhance the survival rate of macrophages following HCoV-229E infection. The underlying mechanism may be associated with the activation of mitophagy, maintenance of MMP stability, and alleviation of mitochondrial damage.
2.Research on Regulatory Mechanism of Verbenalin on HCoV-229E-infected Macrophage Injury Based on Mitophagy
Qiyue SUN ; Lei BAO ; Zihan GENG ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Shuran LI ; Xihe CUI ; Jingsheng ZHANG ; Xian LIU ; Rui XIE ; Xiaolan CUI ; Shanshan GUO ; Jing SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):29-37
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of verbenalin on mouse mononuclear macrophage leukemia cells (RAW264.7) damaged by human coronavirus (HCoV)-229E infection, thereby providing experimental evidence for its development and application. MethodsRAW264.7 macrophages were infected with different concentrations of HCoV-229E to establish a coronavirus-induced macrophage injury model using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay for assessing cell proliferation and viability. Cells were randomly divided into four groups: normal control, verbenalin group (125 μmol·L-1), model group (HCoV-229E), and HCoV-229E + verbenalin group (HCoV-229E + 125 μmol·L-1 verbenalin). Cell viability was measured using the CCK-8 assay, and the maximum non-toxic concentration (CC0), half-maximal cytotoxic concentration (CC50), half-maximal effective concentration (EC50), and selectivity index (SI) of verbenalin were calculated. Calcein/PI double staining was used to assess cell viability and cytotoxicity, and JC-1 staining was applied to evaluate changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). mito-Keima adenovirus labeling was used to assess mitophagy levels in each group. ResultsA macrophage infection model was successfully established by infecting RAW264.7 cells with the original concentration of HCoV-229E for 36 h. The CC0 of verbenalin was 125 μmol·L-1. The CC50 was 448.25 μmol·L-1. The EC50 against HCoV-229E-infected cells was 46.28 μmol·L-1, and the SI was 9.68. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly reduced cell survival rate (P<0.01), increased cell death rate (P<0.01), decreased MMP (P<0.01), and suppressed mitophagy (P<0.01). In contrast, verbenalin treatment significantly improved cell survival rate (P<0.01), reduced cell death rate (P<0.01), alleviated MMP loss (P<0.01), and enhanced mitophagy levels (P<0.01) compared with the model group. ConclusionVerbenalin can enhance the survival rate of macrophages following HCoV-229E infection. The underlying mechanism may be associated with the activation of mitophagy, maintenance of MMP stability, and alleviation of mitochondrial damage.
3.HIV antiretroviral therapy among blood donors: the impact on blood safety
Lilin WANG ; Fang ZHAO ; Zhengrong YANG ; Rui ZHU ; Yizhong LIU ; Linfeng WU ; Tong LI ; Tingting CHEN ; Jinfeng ZENG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(2):138-144
【Objective】 To explore the the potential risks of antiretroviral therapy(ART) drugs on blood safety among blood donors in Shenzhen. 【Methods】 High pressure liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used to measure ART drugs concentrations in the plasma of regular blood donors (negative control group, n=86) and anti-HIV positive individuals (experimental group, n=98, detected from approximately 440 000 blood donors during 2019—2023). The baseline plasma concentrations of ART drugs in the negative control group were clarified, and the impact of ART drugs on blood safety was analyzed. 【Results】 The baseline concentrations of ART drugs were not detected in 86 samples of negative control group. Four positive ART drugs samples were detected in 1∶2 pooled plasma samples of 98 anti-HIV positive blood donors plasma in the resolution test. The ART positive rate of anti-HIV positive donors was 4.08%, with tenofovir, lamivudine and efavirenz detected in three blood donors and lamivudine, lopinavir, ritonavir and zidovudine detected in one blood donor. 【Conclusion】 ART drugs were found among anti-HIV positive blood donors in Shenzhen. Additional research is needed to investigate the motivation of these specific donors, so as to ascertain the groups most susceptible to potential risks, and guarantee blood safety.
4.The Inheritance and Development of the Theory of "Supplementation/Drainage for Bitter-Desire of the Five Viscera" by Representative Physicians of Yishui School
Xiaoling REN ; Yanju BAO ; Rui LIU ; Baojin HUA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(8):862-865
The theory of "supplementation/drainage for bitter-desire of the five viscera" originated from Elementary Questions (《素问》), which is an important origin of the theory of supplementation and drainage prescription. By exploring the connotation of the theory of "supplementation/drainage for bitter-desire of the five viscera", and adopting the archaeological method of literature research, we collected the relevant writings on the theory of "supplementation/drainage for bitter-desire of the five viscera" by the representative physicians of Yishui school, such as ZHANG Yuansu, LI Gao, WANG Haogu, LUO Tianyi, LI Zhongzi, etc., combed through the inheritance and development of this theory, and explored the contribution of Yishui school on this. It was found that all the physicians of Yishui school, on the basis of inheriting the theory of "supplementation/drainage for bitter-desire of the five viscera", combined with their own clinical practice to develop this theory, and promoted the application and development of this theory in clinic, such as ZHANG Yuansu's theories of cold-heat deficiency-excess in viscera and bowels, and the theory of viscera and bowels prescription, and LI Gao's theory of ascending and descending, floating and sinking, supplementing and draining in visceral qi, and other academic thoughts rooted in the theory of "supplementation/drainage for bitter-desire of the five viscera" of Elementary Questions. By clarifying the inheritance and development of this theory by physicians of Yishui school, we can deeply understand the connotation and the embedded rules of prescription of this theory, which can not only guide the clinical medication in traditional Chinese medicine, but also provide reference value to the research on the academic thoughts of the Yishui school and the theory of fsupplementation/drainage for bitter-desire of the five viscera.
5.Tujia medicine Toddalia asiatica improves synovial pannus in rats with collagen-induced arthritis through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
Shan XIANG ; Zongxing ZHANG ; Lu JIANG ; Daozhong LIU ; Weiyi LI ; Zhuoma BAO ; Rui TIAN ; Dan CHENG ; Lin YUAN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(8):1582-1588
Objective To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Tujia medicine Toddalia asiatica alcohol extract(TAAE)for synovial pannus formation in rats with college-induced arthritis(CIA).Methods Sixty male SD rats were randomized into normal control group,CIA model group,TGT group,3 TAAE treatment groups at low,medium and high doses(n=10).Except for those in the normal control group,all the rats were subjected to CIA modeling using a secondary immunization method and treatment with saline,TGT or TAAE by gavage once daily for 35 days.The severity of arthritis was assessed using arthritis index(AI)score,and knee joint synovium pathologies were examined with HE staining.Serum levels of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β were detected with ELISA;the protein expressions of PI3K,Akt,p-PI3K,p-Akt,VEGF,endostatin,HIF-1α,MMP1,MMP3,and MMP9 in knee joint synovial tissues were determined using Western blotting,and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,VEGF,HIF-1α,PI3K,and Akt were detected with RT-PCR.Results Treatment of CIA rat models with TAAE and TGT significantly alleviated paw swelling,lowered AI scores,and reduced knee joint pathology,neoangiogenesis,and serum levels of inflammatory factors.TAAE treatment obviously increased endostatin protein expression,downregulated p-PI3K,p-Akt,MMP1,MMP3,MMP9,VEGF,and HIF-1α proteins,and reduced TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,PI3K,Akt,VEGF,and HIF-1α mRNA levels in the synovial tissues,and these changes were comparable between high-dose TAAE group and TGT group.Conclusion TAAE can improve joint symptoms and inhibit synovial pannus formation in CIA rats by regulating the expressions of HIF-1α,VEGF,endostatin,MMP1,MMP3,and MMP9 via the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.
6.Investigation of Pharmacodynamic Components of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus in Treatment of Hyperlipidemia by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry and Targeted Network Pharmacology Combined with Molecular Docking
Yi-Kai WANG ; Jin-Xu DONG ; Yu-Tao BAI ; Rui WANG ; Xin HUANG ; Chang-Bao CHEN ; Hao YUE ; Tong LIU ; De-Hui YANG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(4):578-586
The main chemical components of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus and components in serum were analyzed and identified rapidly and precisely by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)technique in this study.The compounds were identified based on the relative molecular mass,fragmentation ions,and retention time of chromatographic peaks.A total of 36 kinds of chemical components were identified from Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus,including 28 kinds of saponins,3 kinds of amino acids,2 kinds of flavonoids,one kind of organosulfur compound,one kind of nucleoside,and one kind of hormone-lipid compound.In addition,8 kinds of compounds of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus were identified from the serum.Based on the intersection compounds of which detected in serum and screened out by TCMSP platform database,by using targeted network pharmacology and molecular docking technology,a"drug-component-target-pathway"association network was constructed.Naringenin,quercetin,macrostemonoside E and 25(R)-26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-22-hydroxy-5β-furostan-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside were screened as the main active constituents of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.In addition,adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK),tumor necrosis factor(TNF),vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)and matrix metallopeptidase 9(MMP9)were the key action targets for Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.Molecular docking was performed using the main pharmacodynamic components and key action targets.The results indicated that all the four active components showed strongly bound to AMPK.This suggested that the regulation of lipid metabolism might be the key mechanism of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus in antihyperlipidemic effect.This study provided a data reference for the research on the pharmacodynamic components of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus,and provided a basis for the improvement of quality standard of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus.
7.Tujia medicine Toddalia asiatica improves synovial pannus in rats with collagen-induced arthritis through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
Shan XIANG ; Zongxing ZHANG ; Lu JIANG ; Daozhong LIU ; Weiyi LI ; Zhuoma BAO ; Rui TIAN ; Dan CHENG ; Lin YUAN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(8):1582-1588
Objective To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Tujia medicine Toddalia asiatica alcohol extract(TAAE)for synovial pannus formation in rats with college-induced arthritis(CIA).Methods Sixty male SD rats were randomized into normal control group,CIA model group,TGT group,3 TAAE treatment groups at low,medium and high doses(n=10).Except for those in the normal control group,all the rats were subjected to CIA modeling using a secondary immunization method and treatment with saline,TGT or TAAE by gavage once daily for 35 days.The severity of arthritis was assessed using arthritis index(AI)score,and knee joint synovium pathologies were examined with HE staining.Serum levels of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β were detected with ELISA;the protein expressions of PI3K,Akt,p-PI3K,p-Akt,VEGF,endostatin,HIF-1α,MMP1,MMP3,and MMP9 in knee joint synovial tissues were determined using Western blotting,and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,VEGF,HIF-1α,PI3K,and Akt were detected with RT-PCR.Results Treatment of CIA rat models with TAAE and TGT significantly alleviated paw swelling,lowered AI scores,and reduced knee joint pathology,neoangiogenesis,and serum levels of inflammatory factors.TAAE treatment obviously increased endostatin protein expression,downregulated p-PI3K,p-Akt,MMP1,MMP3,MMP9,VEGF,and HIF-1α proteins,and reduced TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,PI3K,Akt,VEGF,and HIF-1α mRNA levels in the synovial tissues,and these changes were comparable between high-dose TAAE group and TGT group.Conclusion TAAE can improve joint symptoms and inhibit synovial pannus formation in CIA rats by regulating the expressions of HIF-1α,VEGF,endostatin,MMP1,MMP3,and MMP9 via the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.
8.Antipyretic Activity of Sulfhydryl Active Fractions Extracted From Bubali Cornu
Siying HUANG ; Qiyuan FENG ; Wanglin BAO ; Xiaozheng HUANG ; Wenxing WU ; Ming ZHAO ; Jinao DUAN ; Rui LIU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(3):268-277
OBJECTIVE To extract the-SH active fractions(SHF)from Bubali Cornu(water buffalo horn)and evaluate its an-tipyretic activity.METHODS SHF was extracted from Bubali Cornu by SDS-DTT,and the content of native thiols(-SH)was deter-mined by Ellman reagent method.SHF was identified based on nano LC-MS/MS technology.Evaluation of antipyretic activity of SHF was based on LPS-induced fever rat model.The levels of PGE2,IL-1β,and TNF-α in plasma as well as the levels of cAMP,PGE2,and TNF-α in the hypothalamus were measured by ELISA kits.An untargeted metabolomics approach was used to further investigate the intervention of SHF on plasma metabolites in febrile rats.RESULTS SDS-DTT could effectively extract SHF from Bubali Cornu,in which the main components were type Ⅰ,type Ⅱ keratins and keratin-associated proteins,which were rich in Cys,and the ratio of-SH to protein in SHF was increased about 20 times more than that of traditional decoction.SHF could significantly decrease(P<0.01)the body temperature which lasted for 4.5 hours.SHF could also significantly decrease the levels of PGE2,IL-1β,TNF-α and cAMP in plasma and hypothalamic.A total of 137 potentially differential metabolites were identified from plasma samples of the control and model groups,of which 31 metabolites could be dialed back after SHF administration,including lysophosphatidic acid,phosphatidyli-nositol,phosphatidic acid,triglycerides,phosphatidylcholine and so on,which were mainly involved in the glycerophospholipid meta-bolic pathway.CONCLUSION SHF has precise antipyretic effect,and the dosage of 1/10 of the aqueous extract can show its com-parable antipyretic effect,which provides the direction and basis for the basic research on the antipyretic efficacy of Bubali Cornu.
9.Preparation and Optimization of pH-Sensitive Nintedanib Liposomes for Inhalation
Wei TIAN ; Xinru WANG ; Lingyun BAO ; Tong LIU ; Shujun WANG ; Rui YANG ; Tiantian YE
Herald of Medicine 2024;43(11):1774-1781
Objective To design a pH-sensitive nintedanib liposomes(Nb-Lips)which targeted the acidic microenvironment of pulmonary fibrosis.The entrapment efficiency(EE%)was optimized by the formulation process.Methods Nintedanib liposomes were prepared by membrane hydration method,and the formulation of nintedanib liposomes were optimized by single factor experiments and response surface method(RSM).The particle size,polymer dispersity index(PDI),Zeta potential and encapsulation rate was investigated by dynamic light scattering technique and microcolumn centrifugation method.The release behavior of nintedanib liposomes in artificial lung fluid with pH 7.4 and artificial lung fluid with pH 5.3 was investigated by dialysis method.Nintedanib liposomes were atomized with a compressed air atomizer and its atomization stability and aerodynamic particle size were investigated.Results The particle size of nintedanib liposomes was(100.651±7.315)nm,the PDI was(0.328±0.026),the zeta potential was(21.633±2.004)mV,and the encapsulation rate was higher than 80%.Compared with nintedanib solution at pH 7.4,the total release of nintedanib liposomes in pH 5.3 artificial lung solution was 60.78%higher,and the release of nintedanib liposomes in pH 5.3 artificial lung solution was 48h delayed,which was much higher than that of nintedanib solution.The data reveals no significant differences in particle size,potential and PDI before and after atomization of nintedanib liposomes,and the encapsulation rate decreased 4.25%.The fine particle fraction of the atomized droplets was 37.49%.Conclusion The response surface method can effectively improve the encapsulation rate of nintedanib liposomes,and successfully prepare nintedanib liposomes that are sensitive to acidic environment,and can be inhaled and released slowly.
10.Neuroprotective effect of hesperidin combined with enriched environment on intracerebral hemorrhage model mice and ferroptosis mechanism mediated by Nrf2/Gpx4
Rui MA ; Hong YOU ; Yaya GAO ; Hong LIU ; Juan BAO ; Wei LU ; Xinyu MA ; Min ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2024;33(11):1013-1019
Objective:To investigate the neuroprotective effect of hesperidin combined with enriched environment on ferroptosis in collagenase-induced intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH) mouse model as well as the ferroptosis mechanism.Methods:ICH model was established by injecting collagenase Ⅶ into caudate putamen nucleus. Ninty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 6 groups according to a random number table: sham group, intracerebral hemorrhage group, enriched environment group, hesperidin group, enriched environment and hesperidin group (combination group), and combination group + Nrf2 specific inhibitor ML385 (inhibitor group), with 15 mice in each group. The mice in inhibitor group, intracerebral hemorrhage group, enriched environment group, hesperidin group and combination group were injected with 0.5 μL collagenase type Ⅶ solution (0.075 U/μL, dissolved with 0.9% NaCl solutin) for ICH modeling, and the mice in sham group were injected with 0.9% normal saline. The hesperidin group, combination group, and inhibitor group were given hesperidin solution (dissolved in 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium) by gavage within 6 hours after the modeling surgery. The sham group, intracerebral hemorrhage group, and enriched environment group were given equal volumes of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium solution by gavage. The inhibitor group was intraperitoneally injected with Nrf2 specific inhibitor ML385 (30 mg/kg, dissolved in 5% DMSO), while the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of 5% DMSO. Both gastric perfusion and intraperitoneal injection were completed within 6 hours after the end of modeling operation, once a day for 14 days. After the postoperative recovery of the mice, the enriched environment group, combination group, and inhibitor group were placed in enriched environment cages, while the sham group, intracerebral hemorrhage group, and hesperidin group were placed in regular cages. After all intervention were completed, all mice were evaluated using the modified neurological severity score (mNSS). Then the mice were subjected to brain water content detection, Prussian blue staining, ELISA detection of changes in malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4), PCR and Western blot detection of nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Gpx4 at the mRNA level and protein level. The GraphPad Prism 9 software was used for statistical analysis. ANOVA was used for multi-group comparison, and Tukey test was used for multiple comparisons.Results:(1) There was a statistically significant difference in mNSS scores among the 6 groups ( F=66.35, P<0.001). The mNSS score of the intracerebral hemorrhage group(8.00±1.46) was higher than that of the sham group(0.86±0.83)( P<0.05). The mNSS scores of the enriched environment group (6.47±1.13) and hesperidin group (6.13±1.25) were lower than that of the intracerebral hemorrhage group, but higher than that of the combination group (4.53±1.30)(all P<0.05). (2) There was a statistically significant difference in the percentage of brain water content among the 6 groups ( F=33.29, P<0.001). The percentage of brain water content in the intracerebral hemorrhage group was higher than that in the sham group.The percentage of brain water content in the enriched environment group and hesperidin group were lower than that in the intracerebral hemorrhage group, but higher than that in the combination group (all P<0.05). (3) The result of Prussian blue staining showed that iron deposition in the intracerebral hemorrhage group was higher than that in the sham group, while the iron depositions in the enriched environment group and hesperidin groups were lower than that in the intracerebral hemorrhage group, but higher than that in the combination group(all P<0.05). (4) There were statistically significant differences in the expression levels of Nrf2 and Gpx4 mRNA and protein among the 6 groups ( F=27.73, 31.24, 26.79, 13.79, all P<0.001). The mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2 and Gpx4 in the combination group were higher than those in the enriched environment group, hesperidin group, but higher than those in the inhibitor group(all P<0.05). (5) The results of ELISA showed that the levels of MDA, Gpx4, ROS, and SOD in the brain tissues of 6 groups were statistically significant ( F=111.20, 21.53, 29.45, 22.75, all P<0.001). Among them, the MDA and ROS in the combination group ((14.05±0.57) nmol/mL, (75.46±3.40) ng/mL) were lower than those in the enriched environment group ((18.17±2.51) nmol/mL, (97.23±3.43) ng/mL), hesperidin group ((17.24±0.68) nmol/mL, (90.02±9.46) ng/mL) and the inhibitor group ((17.08±0.64) nmol/mL, (101.07±3.38) ng/mL), while Gpx4 and SOD ((340.40±31.21) pg/mL, (62.55±2.81) ng/mL) were higher than those in the enriched environment group ((267.81±27.17) pg/mL, (50.47±8.38) ng/mL), hesperidin group ((271.55±34.36) pg/mL, (50.55±8.19) ng/mL) and the inhibitor group ((235.65±72.54)pg/mL, (52.67±3.56)ng/mL)(all P<0.05). Conclusion:Enriched environment and hesperidin can inhibit ferroptosis after ICH by activating the Nrf2/GPX4 pathway, exerting neuroprotective effects on ICH mouse models, and the combined treatment of the enriched environment and hesperidin has a more significant effect.

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