1.Optimization of simmering technology of Rheum palmatum from Menghe Medical School and the changes of chemical components after processing
Jianglin XUE ; Yuxin LIU ; Pei ZHONG ; Chanming LIU ; Tulin LU ; Lin LI ; Xiaojing YAN ; Yueqin ZHU ; Feng HUA ; Wei HUANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(1):44-50
OBJECTIVE To optimize the simmering technology of Rheum palmatum from Menghe Medical School and compare the difference of chemical components before and after processing. METHODS Using appearance score, the contents of gallic acid, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), sennoside A+sennoside B, combined anthraquinone and free anthraquinone as indexes, analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-entropy weight method was used to calculate the comprehensive score of evaluation indicators; the orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize the processing technology of simmering R. palmatum with fire temperature, simmering time, paper layer number and paper wrapping time as factors; validation test was conducted. The changes in the contents of five anthraquinones (aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, physcion), five anthraquinone glycosides (barbaloin, rheinoside, rhubarb glycoside, emodin glycoside, and emodin methyl ether glycoside), two sennosides (sennoside A, sennoside B), gallic acid and 5-HMF were compared between simmered R. palmatum prepared by optimized technology and R. palmatum. RESULTS The optimal processing conditions of R. palmatum was as follows: each 80 g R. palmatum was wrapped with a layer of wet paper for 0.5 h, simmered on high heat for 20 min and then simmered at 140 ℃, the total simmering time was 2.5 h. The average comprehensive score of 3 validation tests was 94.10 (RSD<1.0%). After simmering, the contents of five anthraquinones and two sennosides were decreased significantly, while those of 5 free anthraquinones and gallic acid were increased to different extents; a new component 5-HMF was formed. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully optimizes the simmering technology of R. palmatum. There is a significant difference in the chemical components before and after processing, which can explain that simmering technology slows down the relase of R. palmatum and beneficiate it.
2.Modified Ditan Tang Regulates Biorhythm-related Genes in Rat Model of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Zhiwen PANG ; Yu LIU ; Nan SONG ; Jie WANG ; Jingxuan ZHU ; Zhen HUA ; Yupeng PEI ; Qun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):115-124
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of modified Ditan tang on genes related to the transcription-translation feedback loop (TTFL) of biorhythm in the rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its mechanism for prevention and treatment of NAFLD. MethodsSixty-five healthy SPF male SD rats were randomly assigned into blank (n=20), model (n=15), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (2.68, 5.36, and 10.72 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively) modified Ditan tang (n=10) groups. Other groups except the blank group were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. The modified Ditan tang groups were treated with the decoction at corresponding doses by gavage, and the blank and model groups were treated with an equal volume of normal saline from the 9th week for 4 weeks. The levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the serum were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer. TG and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) assay kits were used to measure the levels of TG and NEFA in the liver. The pathological changes in the hypothalamus and liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the lipid deposition in the liver was observed by oil red O staining. The levels of brain-muscle ARNT-like protein 1 (BMAL1/ARNTL) in the hypothalamus and liver were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA and protein levels of BMAL1, circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK), period circadian clock 2 (PER2), and cryptochrome1 (Cry1) in the hypothalamus and liver were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed elevated levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, AST, and ALT (P<0.01) and a lowered level of HDL-C (P<0.05) in the serum, elevated levels of TG and NEFA in the liver (P<0.01), pyknosis and deep staining of hypothalamic neuron cells, and a large number of vacuoles in the brain area. In addition, the model group showed lipid deposition in the liver, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 (P<0.01), and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Cry1 and PER2 (P<0.01) in the hypothalamus and liver. Compared with the model group, all the three modified Ditan tang groups showed lowered levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, ALT, and AST (P<0.05, P<0.01) and an elevated level of HDL-C (P<0.05) in the serum, and lowered levels of TG and NEFA (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the liver. Furthermore, the three groups showed alleviated pyknosis and deep staining of hypothalamic neuron cells, reduced lipid deposition in the liver, down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Cry1 and PER2 (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the hypothalamus and liver. ConclusionModified Ditan tang can reduce lipid deposition in the liver and regulate the expression of CLOCK, BMAL1, Cry1, and PER2 in the TTFL of NAFLD rats.
3.Structure and Function of GPR126/ADGRG6
Ting-Ting WU ; Si-Qi JIA ; Shu-Zhu CAO ; De-Xin ZHU ; Guo-Chao TANG ; Zhi-Hua SUN ; Xing-Mei DENG ; Hui ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):299-309
GPR126, also known as ADGRG6, is one of the most deeply studied aGPCRs. Initially, GPR126 was thought to be a receptor associated with muscle development and was primarily expressed in the muscular and skeletal systems. With the deepening of research, it was found that GPR126 is expressed in multiple mammalian tissues and organs, and is involved in many biological processes such as embryonic development, nervous system development, and extracellular matrix interactions. Compared with other aGPCRs proteins, GPR126 has a longer N-terminal domain, which can bind to ligands one-to-one and one-to-many. Its N-terminus contains five domains, a CUB (complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, Bmp1) domain, a PTX (Pentraxin) domain, a SEA (Sperm protein, Enterokinase, and Agrin) domain, a hormone binding (HormR) domain, and a conserved GAIN domain. The GAIN domain has a self-shearing function, which is essential for the maturation, stability, transport and function of aGPCRs. Different SEA domains constitute different GPR126 isomers, which can regulate the activation and closure of downstream signaling pathways through conformational changes. GPR126 has a typical aGPCRs seven-transmembrane helical structure, which can be coupled to Gs and Gi, causing cAMP to up- or down-regulation, mediating transmembrane signaling and participating in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. GPR126 is activated in a tethered-stalk peptide agonism or orthosteric agonism, which is mainly manifested by self-proteolysis or conformational changes in the GAIN domain, which mediates the rapid activation or closure of downstream pathways by tethered agonists. In addition to the tethered short stem peptide activation mode, GPR126 also has another allosteric agonism or tunable agonism mode, which is specifically expressed as the GAIN domain does not have self-shearing function in the physiological state, NTF and CTF always maintain the binding state, and the NTF binds to the ligand to cause conformational changes of the receptor, which somehow transmits signals to the GAIN domain in a spatial structure. The GAIN domain can cause the 7TM domain to produce an activated or inhibited signal for signal transduction, For example, type IV collagen interacts with the CUB and PTX domains of GPR126 to activate GPR126 downstream signal transduction. GPR126 has homology of 51.6%-86.9% among different species, with 10 conserved regions between different species, which can be traced back to the oldest metazoans as well as unicellular animals.In terms of diseases, GPR126 dysfunction involves the pathological process of bone, myelin, embryo and other related diseases, and is also closely related to the occurrence and development of malignant tumors such as breast cancer and colon cancer. However, the biological function of GPR126 in various diseases and its potential as a therapeutic target still needs further research. This paper focuses on the structure, interspecies differences and conservatism, signal transduction and biological functions of GPR126, which provides ideas and references for future research on GPR126.
4.Determination method of plasma concentrations of 7 anti-tumor drugs and its application
Jinxiu LYU ; Nan YAN ; Wenjun XU ; Jing ZHAO ; Hua ZHU ; Pengzhou HANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(4):475-481
OBJECTIVE To establish a method for simultaneous determination of 7 anti-tumor drugs (irinotecan, capecitabine, paclitaxel, docetaxel, tamoxifen, letrozole and methotrexate) in human plasma and apply it to the clinic. METHODS After precipitating with a methanol-acetonitrile mixture (1∶ 1, V/V) containing 0.1% formic acid, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to determine the plasma concentration, using deuterium isotopes of each analyte as internal standards. The chromatography was performed on the Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 column with a gradient elution of water (containing 0.1% formic acid+0.04% 5 mmol/L ammonium formate) as mobile phase A and acetonitrile (containing 0.1% formic acid) as mobile phase B. The flow rate was 0.6 mL/min, and the column temperature was set at 40 ℃ . The sample size was 10 μL, and the analysis lasted for 5.5 min. Electrospray ionization was used in positive and negative ion mode, and multiple reaction monitoring mode was used. The ion pairs used for quantitative analysis were m/z 587.1→167.1 (irinotecan), m/z 360.1→244.1 (capecitabine), m/z 876.4→308.0 (paclitaxel), m/z 830.3→304.2 (docetaxel), m/z 372.1→129.1 (tamoxifen), m/z 284.1→242.1 (letrozole), and m/z 455.0→ 308.0 (methotrexate). A total of 97 patients with malignant tumors in our hospital were selected to measure the plasma concentrations of 7 anti-tumor drugs using the above method. RESULTS The linear ranges of irinotecan, capecitabine, paclitaxel, docetaxel, tamoxifen, letrozole and methotrexate were 2-1 000 ng/mL (r=0.994 3), 20-10 000 ng/mL (r=0.997 5), 2-1 000 ng/mL (r=0.997 9), 1-500 ng/mL (r=0.995 8), 1-500 ng/mL (r=0.995 2), 1-500 ng/mL (r=0.996 4), 10-5 000 (r=0.997 7), respectively. The quantitative lower limits were 2, 20, 2, 1, 1, 1 and 10 ng/mL; RSDs of intra-assay precision were 0.08%-14.86% (n=6). RSDs of inter-batch precision were 1.51%-11.55% (n=3), and the accuracies were 89.17%-114.93% (n=6). The matrix effects ranged from 89.89%-119.74% (n=6). RSDs of the stability tests were 1.98%-14.88% (n=6). The results of E-mail:hangpengzhou@163.com clinical application showed, the average plasma concentrations of irinotecan, capecitabine, paclitaxel and docetaxel were 704.09, 909.40, 36.45, 150.43 ng/mL, respectively. The values of the coefficient of variation were 25.24%, 62.65%, 122.69%, and 92.27%. CONCLUSIONS The established LC-MS/MS method is simple and rapid, and can be used for the simultaneous determination of 7 commonly used anti-tumor drugs in the plasma of patients with malignancy.
5.The Effect of Zhiqiao Gancao Decoction (枳壳甘草汤) on Intervertebral Disc Nucleus Pulposus Cell Apoptosis and the Hippo-YAP/TAZ Signaling Pathway in Tail Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Rats
Zaishi ZHU ; Zeling HUANG ; Junming CHEN ; Bo XU ; Binjie LU ; Hua CHEN ; Xingxing DUAN ; Yuwei LI ; Xiaofeng SHEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(5):509-517
ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism by which Zhiqiao Gancao Decoction (枳壳甘草汤, ZGD) delays intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) based on the Hippo-yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 50 SD rats were randomly divided into sham surgery group, model group, low-dose ZGD group, high-dose ZGD group, and high-dose ZGD + inhibitor group, with 10 rats in each group. In the sham surgery group, the rats were pierced in the skin and muscle at the Co6/7/8 segments of the tail with a 21G needle (depth approximately 2 mm) without damaging the intervertebral disc. In the other groups, rats were injected with a 21G needle at the Co6/7/8 segments of the tail to establish an IDD model by piercing the tail intervertebral disc 5 mm. One week after modeling, rats in the low-dose and high-dose ZGD groups were given 6.24 and 12.24 g/(kg·d) of the decoction via gastric gavage, respectively. The high-dose ZGD + inhibitor group was given 12.24 g/(kg·d) of the decoction and an intraperitoneal injection of YAP/TAZ inhibitor Verteporfin 10 mg/kg. The sham surgery and model groups were given 5 ml/(kg·d) of normal saline via gavage. The gavage was given once a day, and the intraperitoneal injection was given every other day. After 4 weeks of continuous intervention, the pathological changes of the tail intervertebral discs were observed using HE staining, Oil Red O-Green staining, and Toluidine Blue staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of aggrecan and MMP3 in the nucleus pulposus. TUNEL fluorescence staining was performed to detect apoptosis in the nucleus pulposus, and the apoptosis rate was calculated. Western blot was used to detect the Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling pathway, including YAP, phosphorylated YAP (p-YAP), phosphorylated MST1/2 (p-MST1/2), phosphorylated TAZ (p-TAZ) and apoptosis-related proteins, such as Cleaved Caspase 3, P53, Bcl-2 and Bax. ResultsCompared with sham surgery group, the rats in the model group showed significant degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc. The levels of aggrecan, Bcl-2, and YAP proteins in the nucleus pulposus decreased, while the levels of p-MST1/2, p-YAP, p-TAZ, P53, Bax, Cleaved Caspase 3, MMP3 proteins, and the apoptosis rate increased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the drug intervention groups showed partial recovery in intervertebral disc degeneration. The levels of aggrecan, Bcl-2, and YAP proteins increased, while the levels of p-MST1/2, p-YAP, p-TAZ, P53, Bax, Cleaved Caspase 3, MMP3 proteins, and the apoptosis rate decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The high-dose ZGD group showed more significant recovery in intervertebral disc degeneration compared to the low-dose ZGD group, with a decrease in the levels of p-MST1/2, p-YAP, p-TAZ, P53, Bax, Cleaved Caspase 3, MMP3 proteins, and apoptosis rate, and an increase in the levels of aggrecan, Bcl-2, and YAP proteins (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the high-dose ZGD group, the high-dose ZGD + inhibitor group showed a reduced recovery in intervertebral disc degeneration, with an increase in the levels of p-MST1/2, p-YAP, p-TAZ, P53, Bax, Cleaved Caspase 3, MMP3 proteins, and apoptosis rate, and a decrease in the levels of aggrecan, Bcl-2, and YAP proteins (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionZGD may delay intervertebral disc degeneration by inhibiting the phosphorylation of YAP in the nucleus pulposus, maintaining the function of the Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling pathway, and reducing apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells.
6.Study on secondary metabolites of Penicillium expansum GY618 and their tyrosinase inhibitory activities
Fei-yu YIN ; Sheng LIANG ; Qian-heng ZHU ; Feng-hua YUAN ; Hao HUANG ; Hui-ling WEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):427-433
Twelve compounds were isolated from the rice fermentation extracts of
7.Cognition status quo of wild mushroom poisoning and its influencing factors among students in Guizhou Province
ZHOU Qianqian, ZUO Peipei, TIAN Jigui, WU Anzhong, GUO Hua, ZHU Shu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(3):335-338
Objective:
To assess the awareness and associated factors of wild mushroom poisoning among students in Guizhou Province, so as to provide a scientific foundation for wild mushroom poisoning prevention and control among students.
Methods:
By a multi stage stratified cluster random sampling method, 1 162 students from Guizhou Province were selected in May 2024. The questionnaire survey was administered to evaluate knowledge regarding wild mushroom poisoning. Data were analyzed employing the χ 2 test and Logistic regression model.
Results:
Among the nine questions assessing awareness of wild mushroom poisoning, only three had the awareness rate exceeding 70%. Binary Logistic regression analysis revealed that students who "actively learn about the prevention of wild mushroom poisoning" ( OR=0.48, 95%CI =0.26-0.92) and "spread knowledge about wild mushroom poisoning to others" ( OR=0.47, 95%CI =0.33-0.69) scored higher on the wild mushroom poisoning knowledge questions ( P <0.05). Conversely, students with a habit of consuming wild mushrooms ( OR=1.52, 95%CI =1.15-2.02) scored lower ( P < 0.05 ). 42.3% of the students suggested that scientific dissemination and publicity about wild mushrooms should be intensified.
Conclusions
The awareness rate of wild mushroom poisoning knowledge among students in Guizhou Province requires further attention. Comprehensive knowledge should be disseminated systematically through various channels to further improve students awareness of the prevention and control of wild mushroom poisoning.
8.Mechanism of Wumen Zhiqiao gancao decoction inhibiting pathological angiogenesis in degenerative intervertebral discs by regulating HIF-1α/VEGF/Ang signal axis
Zeling HUANG ; Zaishi ZHU ; Yuwei LI ; Bo XU ; Junming CHEN ; Baofei ZHANG ; Binjie LU ; Xuefeng CAI ; Hua CHEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(7):807-814
OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and mechanism of Zhiqiao gancao decoction (ZQGCD) on pathological angiogenesis of degenerative intervertebral disc. METHODS The rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (normal saline), model group (normal saline), hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) inhibitor (YC-1) group [2 mg/(kg·d), tail vein injection], and ZQGCD low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups [3.06, 6.12, 12.24 g/(kg·d)], with 8 rats in each group. Except for sham operation group, lumbar disc degeneration model of rat was constructed in all other groups. After modeling, they were given relevant medicine once a day, for consecutive 3 weeks. After the last medication, pathological changes and angiogenesis of the intervertebral disc tissue in rats were observed; the levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] and the expressions of angiogenesis-related proteins [HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), angiotensin 1(Ang 1), Ang 2] in the com intervertebral disc tissue in rats were all determined. In cell experiment, the primary nucleus pulposus cells were isolated and cultured from rats, and cellular degeneration was induced using 50 ng/mL TNF-α. The cells were divided into blank control group (10% blank control serum), TNF-α group (10% blank control serum), YC-1 group (10% blank control serum+0.2 mmol/L YC-1), and 5%, 10%, 15% drug-containing serum group (5%, 10%, 15% drug-containing serum). After 24 hours of intervention, the nucleus pulposus cells were co-cultured with HUVEC. The expressions of Collagen Ⅱ, matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in nucleus pulposus cells were detected. HUVEC proliferation, migration and tube forming ability were detected, and the expression levels of the HIF-1α/VEGF/Ang signal axis and angiogenesis- related proteins (add MMP-2, MMP-9) in HUVEC were detected. RESULTS Animal experiments had shown that compared with model group, the positive expression of CD31 in the intervertebral disc tissues of rats in each drug group was down-regulated (P< 0.05), the levels of inflammatory factors and angiogenesis-related proteins were decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the pathological changes in the intervertebral disc were alleviated. Cell experiments had shown that compared with TNF-α group, the expression of Collagen Ⅱ in nucleus pulposus cells of all drug groups was significantly up-regulated (P<0.05), and the expression of MMP-3 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05); the proliferation, migration and tubulogenesis of HUVEC were significantly weakened (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1α, VEGF, Ang 2 as well as the expression of angiogenesis-related proteins (except for the expression of Ang 2 mRNA and HIF-1α, VEGFR2, Ang 2 protein in 5% drug- containing serum group) were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS ZQGCD may inhibit the HIF-1α/VEGF/ Ang signal axis to weaken the angiogenic ability of vascular endothelial cells, improve pathological angiogenesis in the intervertebral disc, and delay the degeneration of the intervertebral disc.
9.Treatment of Thyroid Nodules,Breast Nodules,and Uterine Fibroids Based on the Theory of "Liver Governing the Free Flow of Qi"
Yujiao SONG ; Min ZHU ; Zhuonan JIANG ; Hua GUO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(13):1409-1412
Guided by the theory of "liver governing the free flow of qi", it is believed that liver fail to govern the free flow of qi may lead to qi stagnation, phlegm coagulation, and stasis, which is the core pathogenesis of thyroid nodules, breast nodules and uterine fibroids; qi stagnation, phlegm coagulation, and stasis are not only the important pathological products, but also the obstruction to the liver's function, and the two affect each other as the cause of each other. In clinic, it is advocated that using the treatment method of soothing the liver, rectifying qi, and resolving constraint, with prescription of Tongqi Powder (通气散) as the basic formula, and modified according to symptoms. For liver depression and qi stagnation syndrome, the formula chooses modified Tongqi Powder to soothe the liver and rectify qi; for qi stagnation and phlegm coagulation syndrome, the formula chooses modified Tongqi Powder plus Shenling Baizhu Powder (参苓白术散) to soothe the wood and regulate the earth, and resolve phlegm and dissipate masses; for qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome, the formula applies modified Tongqi Powder plus Taohong Sizu Decoction (桃红四物汤) to move qi and invigorate blood circulation, unblock the collaterals and dispel accumulation. At the same time, according to the characteristics of thyroid nodules, breast nodules, and uterine fibroids and their different disease locations, medicinals were added or subtracted according to the symptoms, so as to treat both the symptoms and the root cause of the disease simultaneously.
10.Determination of 26 trace cathinones new psychoactive substances in sewage by HPLC-MS/MS
Bin DENG ; Na ZHU ; Zhendong HUA ; Youmei WANG ; Mengxiang SU
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(2):148-154
A method for the pretreatment and qualitative detection of 26 trace cathinone new psychoactive substances in wastewater was established and applied in actual wastewater cases. The effluent samples were eluted on the Oasis PRiME HLB solid phase extraction column by ultra-pure water drenching and methanol solution, then dried with nitrogen at 40 ℃, and finally re-dissolved with 0.1% formic acid-acetonitrile solution (95∶5), and detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, The effluent sample was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-Tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode and separated on chromatographic column UPLC BEH C18(100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) at 35 ℃ with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid in aqueous solution gradient elution. After methodological validation, the lower quantification of 26 cathinone new psychoactive substances could reach 1.50−3.00 ng/L. Among these, 21 analytes fell within the concentration range of 1.50−375.0 ng/L, while 5 were detected in the range of 3.00−750.0 ng/L, the correlation coefficient was 0.99, within-and between-batch precision was less than 7.71% and 13.91%, respectively, and the extraction recoveries were higher than 92.64% . The method is simple, accurate, and sensitive, and can be used for cathinone detection and abuse monitoring.


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