1.Application of Zebrafish in Quality Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Jiaqi LI ; Xiaolu CHEN ; Jiarui WU ; Xiaoyu TAO ; Qiqi FAN ; Shengyun DAI ; Chongjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):58-70
As a new type of model organism, zebrafish is gradually gaining prominence in the field of scientific research. The unique biological characteristics and advantages of zebrafish make them play an increasingly important role in the quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine. Compared with other common experimental animals, zebrafish have a fast reproductive and growth speed and high embryo transparency, making them an ideal model for evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine. This provides a new perspective and method for research on traditional Chinese medicine. With the growing global interest in traditional Chinese medicine, it has become crucial to find scientific and accurate methods to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine. The introduction of the zebrafish model has brought new breakthroughs in the quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine. To further promote the application of zebrafish in evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine, this article systematically searched and sorted out the previous studies related to the application of zebrafish for this purpose since 2023. The commonly used disease models and indicators of zebrafish in evaluating the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as the mechanism of zebrafish in exploring the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, were primarily reviewed. The application of zebrafish in evaluating the safety of traditional Chinese medicine and the typical examples in ensuring the quality of traditional Chinese medicine were demonstrated. The limitations encountered by zebrafish models in evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine were highlighted. The resolution of these problems will help further improve the accuracy and reliability of zebrafish in evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine. The article discussed the evaluation of effectiveness, safety, and quality control of zebrafish applied in traditional Chinese medicine, so as to provide a reference for establishing standards for traditional Chinese medicine and promoting its modernization in the future.
2.Evaluation of Safety of Compound Kushen Injection and Efficacy in Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Based on Zebrafish Model
Xiaolu CHEN ; Jiaqi LI ; Linzhen CHEN ; Qi CHEN ; Zhiqiang MA ; Chongjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):71-78
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety/efficacy of compound Kushen injection (CKI) by zebrafish model and explore the possible mechanism. MethodsZebrafish were exposed to different concentrations of CKI solution, and the mortality rate after 24 h was calculated. After exposure to sublethal concentration (
3.Hepatotoxicity and Anti-osteoporotic Mechanism of Evodiamine
Jiaqi LI ; Xiaolu CHEN ; Xiaoyu TAO ; Shan LU ; Qiqi FAN ; Jiarui WU ; Chongjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):79-86
ObjectiveBased on the zebrafish model, the hepatotoxicity and anti-osteoporotic activity of evodiamine (EVO) were studied. The mechanism of EVO in treating osteoporosis was explored by using network pharmacology and real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). MethodsThree days after fertilization (3 dpf), zebrafish were randomly selected and exposed to different concentrations of EVO solution for 96 hours. The mortality rate of zebrafish at different concentrations was calculated at the exposure endpoint, and a "dose-toxicity" curve was drawn. The 10% lethal concentration (LC10) was calculated. Liver phenotype, acridine orange staining, and pathological tissue sections of liver-transgenic zebrafish [CZ16 (gz15Tg.Tg (fabp 10a: ds Red; ela31: EGFP))] were used to confirm hepatotoxicity of EVO. On this basis, prednisolone was used to create a model of osteoporosis in zebrafish. The skull development, area of the skull stained by alizarin red, and cumulative optical density were used as indicators to evaluate the anti-osteoporotic activity of EVO in a safe dose. Based on network pharmacology, the mechanism of action of EVO in the treatment of osteoporosis was predicted and verified through Real-time PCR. ResultsThe LC10 of EVO on zebrafish (7 dpf) was determined to be 0.4 mg·L-1. Compared with the control group, sublethal concentrations (
4.Exploration of radiotherapy as a combined treatment modality with in situ vaccines in the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcomas
TAN Siyi, ; WANG Xiaolu ; WANG Qin ; DU Shiyao ; YIN Fangtao ; YANG Yiqi ; SUN Wu ; LIU Juan ; ZHOU Xia ; LIU Baorui, ; LI Rutian
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(4):418-424
[摘 要] 目的:评估放疗作为原位疫苗的联合治疗模式在晚期软组织肉瘤(STS)患者中的有效性和安全性。方法:回顾性分析2020年12月至2024年9月期间在南京大学医学院附属鼓楼医院肿瘤中心接受联合治疗模式的12例晚期STS患者的临床资料。12例患者均接受了联合治疗。放疗主要以大分割为主。靶向治疗:安罗替尼10例、阿帕替尼2例。免疫治疗以PD-1抗体为主。主要研究终点为疾病控制率(DCR),次要研究终点为客观有效率(ORR)及安全性。结果:接受联合治疗的12例STS患者中有0例CR,4例PR,7例SD,1例PD。ORR为33%,DCR为91.7%,其中靶病灶的DCR为100%。12例患者中,9例出现Ⅰ~Ⅱ级不良反应。最常发生的血液学不良反应是贫血(6例)、肝功能检查结果异常(3例)。最常发生的非血液学不良反应是尿蛋白(5例)、高血压(4例)、甲状腺功能异常(3例)、厌食(3例)、恶心呕吐(2例);仅2例发生Ⅲ级血液毒性,有1例发生Ⅲ级气胸。结论:放疗作为原位疫苗的联合治疗模式在晚期STS患者中展现出较高的DCR,且未出现严重不良反应。该联合治疗模式具有良好的有效性与安全性。
5.Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of apatinib combined with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the treatment of malignant solid tumors
Chen WANG ; Jun LI ; Ning WANG ; Xinjuan YU ; Xiaolu YU ; Tingtian LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(16):2067-2072
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of apatinib combined with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the treatment of malignant solid tumors. METHODS Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on apatinib combined with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (combination group) versus monotherapy (apatinib or PD-1/PD-L1)combined with (or) chemotherapy/other treatments (control group) in the treatment of malignant solid tumors were collected from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data and China Biomedical Literature Database. The search time limit was from the establishment of the databases to May 2025. After literature screening, data extraction and literature quality evaluation, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 14.0. RESULTS A total of 28 RCTs involving 2 974 patients were included. The objective response rate [RR=1.639, 95%CI(1.452,1.851), P<0.000 01], disease control rate [RR=1.284, 95%CI(1.178,1.399), P<0.000 01] and CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ as well as the incidence of ADR such as hypertension, fatigue, proteinuria, thrombocytopenia were significantly higher in the combination group than control group (P<0.05 or P<0.000 01). The progressive disease rate [RR= 0.497, 95%CI(0.437, 0.566), P<0.000 01] and serum tumor + marker levels and CD8 were significantly lower in the combination group than control group (P<0.05 or P<0.000 01). Subgroup analysis results of different types of tumors showed that the objective response rate and disease control rate were significantly higher in the combination group than control group (P<0.05). The results of sensitivity analysis showed that the stability of this study was good. The results of publication bias analysis showed that there was a high possibility of publication bias in this study. CONCLUSIONS Apatinib combined with PD-1/ PD-L1 inhibitors has a significant efficacy in the treatment of different types of tumors, but attention should be paid to the occurrence of hypertension, fatigue, proteinuria and thrombocytopenia.
6.Strategies for Optimizing Tumor Physical Microenvironment to Enhance in Situ Vaccine Efficacy
Han LI ; Xiaolu WANG ; Changhua YU ; Baorui LIU ; Rutian LI
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(10):840-847
In situ tumor vaccine has become an important strategy in cancer immunotherapy owing to its ability to induce immune responses locally and overcome tumor heterogeneity. However, the abnormal structure and mechanical properties of the tumor’s physical microenvironment significantly limit the efficiency of vaccine delivery and immune efficacy. In this review, the key factors in the tumor’s physical microenvironment, including solid pressure, interstitial fluid pressure, matrix stiffness, and tissue microstructure, are systematically discussed. Their obstructive roles in immune cell infiltration, antigen presentation, and immune activation are analyzed. The potential of approaches, such as radiotherapy, anti-angiogenic therapy, extracellular matrix degradation agents, nanomaterials, and hydrogel delivery platforms, in reshaping the tumor’s physical microenvironment is explored. This review aims to offer theoretical and practical guidance for optimizing in situ vaccine strategies through the regulation of the tumor’s physical microenvironment, ultimately advancing the precision and effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy.
7.Innovative insights into extrachromosomal circular DNAs in gynecologic tumors and reproduction.
Ning WU ; Ling WEI ; Zhipeng ZHU ; Qiang LIU ; Kailong LI ; Fengbiao MAO ; Jie QIAO ; Xiaolu ZHAO
Protein & Cell 2024;15(1):6-20
Originating but free from chromosomal DNA, extrachromosomal circular DNAs (eccDNAs) are organized in circular form and have long been found in unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes. Their biogenesis and function are poorly understood as they are characterized by sequence homology with linear DNA, for which few detection methods are available. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies have revealed that eccDNAs play crucial roles in tumor formation, evolution, and drug resistance as well as aging, genomic diversity, and other biological processes, bringing it back to the research hotspot. Several mechanisms of eccDNA formation have been proposed, including the breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) and translocation-deletion-amplification models. Gynecologic tumors and disorders of embryonic and fetal development are major threats to human reproductive health. The roles of eccDNAs in these pathological processes have been partially elucidated since the first discovery of eccDNA in pig sperm and the double minutes in ovarian cancer ascites. The present review summarized the research history, biogenesis, and currently available detection and analytical methods for eccDNAs and clarified their functions in gynecologic tumors and reproduction. We also proposed the application of eccDNAs as drug targets and liquid biopsy markers for prenatal diagnosis and the early detection, prognosis, and treatment of gynecologic tumors. This review lays theoretical foundations for future investigations into the complex regulatory networks of eccDNAs in vital physiological and pathological processes.
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8.Blood concentration monitoring of tacrolimus in patients with nephrotic syndrome and establishment of MLP prediction model
Xiaolu YAN ; Hua OUYANG ; Longsheng ZHU ; Lingzhao ZHENG ; Xiaoqing LIN ; Xiaofeng LIN ; Hongyuan LI
China Pharmacy 2024;35(5):584-589
OBJECTIVE To investigate the monitoring of tacrolimus blood concentration in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS),and to establish a prediction model for tacrolimus blood concentration. METHODS Data from 509 concentration monitoring sessions of 166 NS patients using tacrolimus were collected from January 1, 2020 to August 31, 2023 in Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University. The relationship of efficacy and adverse drug reaction(ADR) with blood concentration was analyzed. A multilayer perceptron (MLP) prediction model was established by using the blood concentration monitoring data of 302 times from 109 NS patients with genetic information, and then verified. RESULTS In terms of efficacy, the median blood concentration of tacrolimus in the non-remission group was 2.20 ng/mL, which was significantly lower than that in the partial remission group (4.00 ng/mL, P<0.001) and the complete remission group (3.60 ng/mL, P=0.002). In terms of ADR, the median blood concentration of tacrolimus in the ADR group was 5.01 ng/mL, which was significantly higher than that in the non-ADR group (3.37 ng/mL) (P=0.001). According to the subgroup analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve, when the blood concentration of tacrolimus was ≥6.65 ng/mL, patients were more likely to develop elevated blood creatinine [area under the curve (AUC) was 0.764, P<0.001); when the blood concentration of tacrolimus was ≥6.55 ng/mL, patients were more likely to develop blood glucose (AUC=0.615, P= 0.005). The established MLP prediction model has a loss function of 0.9, with an average absolute error of 0.279 5 ng/mL between the predicted and measured values. The determination coefficient of the validation scatter plot was 0.984, indicating an excellent predictive performance of the model. CONCLUSION Tacrolimus blood concentration has an impact on both efficacy and ADR in NS patients. The use of the MLP model for predicting blood concentration exhibits high accuracy with minimal error between predicted and measured values. The model can be used as an important tool in clinical individualized medication regimens.
9.Case analysis of a patient with isavuconazonium-caused pancytopenia
Xiaoping LIU ; Xiaolu LIN ; Jianfang LI
China Pharmacy 2024;35(7):881-885
OBJECTIVE To correctly identify and deal with the adverse drug reaction as pancytopenia caused by isavuconazonium and to provide reference for the safe use of isavuconazonium. METHODS Clinical pharmacists analyzed a case of severe infection and renal insufficiency who experienced pancytopenia after using isavuconazonium. Clinical pharmacists screened the drugs used during hospitalization and evaluated the relationship between this adverse drug reaction and isavuconazonium, as well as the possible mechanisms, based on the half-life of the drugs and relevant literature. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS The relationship between pancytopenia and isavuconazonium was assessed as “possibly related”. When using isavuconazonium, attention should be paid to avoiding the combination of drugs with the same mechanism or potential interaction. For patients who have a course of treatment for more than 2 weeks, have hematological abnormalities or complicated with liver and renal insufficiency, or should use it combined with other drug with same mechanism, it may be considered to increase the frequency of blood routine monitoring.
10.Role of curcumin-mediated inhibition of inflammation in alleviating brain ischemia-reperfusion synaptic injury
Minghui ZHAO ; Honghong SHANG ; Fengqin LI ; Bingmei XYU ; Xiaolu CAO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(1):74-78
Objective To investigate the potential effect and mechanism of curcumin in inhibiting synaptic injury in the cortex of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham-operated group, model group, low-dose curcumin (50 mg/kg) group, and high-dose curcumin (100 mg/kg) group. A model of middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2 hours and reperfusion for 24 hours was constructed, and curcumin was administered. Based on the neurological function score, the effects of curcumin on cerebral infarct volume, synaptic ultrastructure changes, inflammatory cell infiltration, and the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, Synapsin1, and CAMKⅡ were observed after the end of the animal treatment. Results The neurological function scores were 0, 3.25±0.43, 2.50±0.50, and 1.50±0.50 for the sham-operated group, model group, low-dose curcumin group, and high-dose curcumin group, respectively. The percentage of cerebral infarct volume was 0, (38.89±2.21)%, (33.48±1.77)%, and (23.69±2.19)%, respectively. Compared with the sham operation group, the model group had severe synaptic ultrastructure damage, extensive inflammatory cell infiltration, significantly increased expression of Caspase-1 and NLRP3 (P < 0.5), and significantly decreased expression of Synapsin1 and CAMKⅡ (P < 0.5). Curcumin treatment significantly inhibited synaptic damage, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased the expression of Caspase-1 and NLRP3 (P < 0.5), and increased the expression of Synapsin1 and CAMKII (P < 0.5), when compared with the model group. Conclusion Ischemia-reperfusion-mediated synaptic injury in rat brain triggers an inflammatory response in cortical nerve cells, and curcumin alleviates synaptic damage and reduces brain injury by inhibiting inflammatory factor levels.


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