1.Mechanism of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang in Treatment of Sarcopenia Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis by Improving Skeletal Muscle Homeostasis Through Regulation of Autophagy
Yakun WAN ; Yuan LIU ; Yuan QU ; Jingyu GUO ; Ting LIU ; Zhihui BAI ; Di ZHANG ; Ping JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):12-23
ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the mechanism of action of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated sarcopenia by regulating autophagy and improving skeletal muscle homeostasis based on network pharmacology,bioinformatics,machine learning,and animal experiments. MethodsActive ingredients and targets of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP),PubChem,and SwissTargetPrediction databases. RA-related datasets were retrieved from the GEO database,and differential genes were screened. Sarcopenia-related targets were searched through GeneCards and the Comparative Toxicology Database (CTD),and autophagy-related gene sets were downloaded from the Human Autophagy Database (HADb). Their intersection was analyzed to identify autophagy-related therapeutic targets,followed by enrichment analysis. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING database,and key targets were selected using multiple methods. Machine learning was applied to predict models based on the expression profiles of intersecting targets,and nomogram models were constructed based on key targets. Molecular docking of the top four active ingredients with key targets was performed using AutoDockVina. A collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model was established using bovine type Ⅱ collagen,with SD rats divided into groups including a blank group,a model group,and low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang (2.44,4.88,and 9.76 g·kg-1) and administered for five consecutive weeks. Joint scores and gastrocnemius muscle mass were recorded and analyzed after modeling. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Masson's staining were used to observe pathological changes in muscle tissue. Immunofluorescence staining was applied to observe the protein expression levels of myosin heavy chain (MYHC) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in skeletal muscle. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of autophagy-related proteins ATG5,Beclin1,LC3B,muscle-specific proteins (MuRF1),MaFbx,and MYHC. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (Real-time PCR) was performed to measure the mRNA expression levels of ATG5,Beclin1,LC3B,MuRF1,MaFbx,and MYHC in muscle tissue. ResultsNetwork pharmacology revealed that Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang shared 25 common targets with autophagy genes related to RA-associated sarcopenia. The PPI network and machine learning identified six key targets,which were primarily involved in autophagy and inflammatory pathways. Animal experiments showed that compared to the blank group,the model group had significantly higher joint scores (P<0.01) and lower gastrocnemius muscle index (P<0.01). HE staining indicated a significant reduction in the cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius muscle fibers,with notable inflammatory cell infiltration and muscle atrophy in the model group. Masson's staining revealed obvious collagen fiber proliferation and deposition,with significant muscle fibrosis in the model group. The protein and mRNA expression levels of ATG5,Beclin1,LC3B,MuRF1,and MaFbx were significantly increased (P<0.01),while the protein expression of MYHC and IGF1 was significantly downregulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group,the high-dose group of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang showed significantly reduced protein and mRNA expression levels of ATG5,Beclin1,LC3B,MuRF1,and MaFbx (P<0.01) and increased protein expression levels of MYHC and IGF1 (P<0.01). The cross-sectional area of muscle fibers increased,and the muscle cell morphology approached normal. Moreover,pathological abnormalities in the gastrocnemius muscle were significantly improved,with reduced collagen fiber proliferation (P<0.01). ConclusionHuangqi Guizhi Wuwutang can mediate autophagy by regulating the expression of ATG5,Beclin1,LC3B,and IGF1,thereby reducing skeletal muscle catabolism and improving skeletal muscle homeostasis,which contributes to the treatment of RA-associated sarcopenia. The findings provide insight into the mechanisms underlying the effects of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang in the treatment of RA-related sarcopenia and offer a reference for its enhanced clinical application.
2.Systematic characterization and identification of the chemical constituents of the Schisandra chinensis decoction based on a hybrid scanning technique of UHPLC/IM-QTOF-MS
Li-li HONG ; Hong-da WANG ; Xiao-yan XU ; Wan-di HU ; Jing-yuan LIU ; Xiao-ying WANG ; Xiu-mei GAO ; Wen-zhi YANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(3):678-692
italic>Schisandra chinensis is a traditional Chinese medicine with the functions of reinforcing deficiency, strengthening, and inducing astringency, appliable to treat the chronic cough and deficiency in breath, palpitation, and insomnia,
3.Cloning and gene functional analysis study of dynamin-related protein GeDRP1E gene in Gastrodia elata
Xin FAN ; Jian-hao ZHAO ; Yu-chao CHEN ; Zhong-yi HUA ; Tian-rui LIU ; Yu-yang ZHAO ; Yuan YUAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):482-488
The gene
4.Analysis of factors associated with erectile dysfunction after renal transplantation
Hongyang CHEN ; Kepu LIU ; Di WEI ; Pinxiao WANG ; Lei ZHANG ; Ming GAO ; Geng ZHANG ; Changsheng CHEN ; Lin YANG ; Jianlin YUAN
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(2):108-113
【Objective】 To explore the factors influencing erectile dysfunction (ED) in male patients after renal transplantation, so as to provide basis for the prevention and treatment of this disease. 【Methods】 Kidney transplant recipients followed up in the Kidney Transplant Clinic of Xijing Hospital during Sep.1, 2022 and May 1, 2023 were selected as the study objects.Questionnaires were distributed, and the erectile function was measured with Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM).Factors associated with ED were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression. 【Results】 A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed, and 276 valid ones were collected, including 182 cases (65.9%) suffering from ED of varying degrees.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age [(<30 years/>50 years, OR: 0.120, 95%CI: 0.033-0.405, P<0.001), (30-40 years/>50 years, OR: 0.223, 95%CI: 0.102-0.463, P<0.001), (>40-50 years/>50 years, OR: 0.320, 95%CI: 0.139-0.719, P<0.01)], level of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) (OR: 1.95, 95%CI: 1.211-3.248, P<0.01), International Prostate Symptom Score-Quality of Life item (IPSS-QoL) (OR: 1.482, 95%CI: 1.201-1.854, P<0.01), and income [(≥10 000 Yuan/<3 000 Yuan, OR: 0.156, 95%CI: 0.053-0.429, P<0.001), (5 000-<10 000 Yuan/<3 000 Yuan, OR: 0.418, 95%CI: 0.199-0.864, P<0.05), (≥10 000 Yuan/3 000-<5 000 Yuan, OR: 0.205, 95%CI: 0.069-0.573, P<0.01)] were independent and significant factors of ED. 【Conclusion】 The prevalence of ED in renal transplantation recipients is high.Age, income, IPSS and IPSS-QoL are the influencing factors.ED after renal transplantation is not only determined by physical and functional factors, but also closely related to social and psychological factors.
5.Study on the catalytic mechanism of triterpene C-29 carboxylases from Tripterygium wilfordii based on directed evolution
Pan-ting LIU ; Yi-feng ZHANG ; Yuan LIU ; Jie GAO ; Lin MA ; Xiao-yi WU ; Ya-ting HU ; Ping SU ; Shi-jun YUAN ; Xia-nan ZHANG ; Wei GAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(6):1883-1893
Celastrol and wilforlide A are the main active triterpenoids of the traditional Chinese medicine Lei Gong Teng, which have anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities, and are the material basis for the clinical efficacy of Lei Gong Teng-related Chinese medicinal preparations. By analysing the biosynthetic pathway of active ingredients, optimizing genetic elements and utilizing "cell factory" to produce triterpenoids heterologously will be an effective way to obtain from
6.Age Discrimination Based on Volatile Components of Arisaema Cum Bile
Jia HE ; Tiegui NAN ; Tianrui LIU ; Yuyang ZHAO ; Ying LIU ; Yan JIN ; Yuan YUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):197-204
ObjectiveTo discriminate the age of Arisaema Cum Bile, the combination of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was applied to explore the differences of volatile components of unfermented, 1-year fermented, 2-year fermented, and 3-year fermented Arisaema Cum Bile. MethodSamples with different fermentation durations were collected and HS-SPME-GC-MS technology was employed to detect the volatile components of each sample. The relative contents of detected volatile components were processed and analyzed by chemometrics methods such as principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). ResultThe results showed that 145 volatile components were identified. Among these volatile components, the relative contents of heterocyclic, alcohols, aldehydes and aromatics were high. PCA, HCA, and PLS-DA can effectively separate Arisaema Cum Bile with four different ages. Based on variable importance in projection (VIP) value > 1, 73 markers of differential volatile components were identified. The content of 2,6,11-trimethyldodecane and m-xylene in unfermented samples was the highest, and the content difference between them and those in fermented samples was significant (P<0.05). 2,3-butanediol was detected only in 1-year samples, octane was detected only in 2-year samples, and ethyl heptanoate was detected only in 3-year samples. These components can be used as odor markers for Arisaema Cum Bile with different fermentation years. ConclusionThe identification method of volatile components of Arisaema Cum Bile was established by HS-SPME-GC-MS technology, which can realize the rapid identification of unfermented, 1-year fermented, 2-year fermented, and 3-year fermented samples, and provide a scientific basis for the standardization of processing technology and quality standards of Arisaema Cum Bile.
7.Reviews and Recommendations in Comparative Studies on Quality of Wild and Cultivated Chinese Crude Drugs
Yapeng WANG ; Changsheng YUAN ; Jinxiu QIAN ; Yihan WANG ; Yanmeng LIU ; Yunxiang LIU ; Tiegui NAN ; Liping KANG ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Lanping GUO ; Luqi HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):1-20
By reviewing the research history on quality comparison between wild and cultivated Chinese crude drugs, this paper systematically combed the relevant research reports since the 1950s, and summarized and analyzed the results of existing comparative studies, and found that the existing comparative research on the quality of wild and cultivated Chinese crude drugs were mainly focused on several aspects, including characteristics, microstructures, chemical compositions, pharmacodynamic effects, and genetic diversity. Among these, comparative studies of chemical compositions have been the dominant approach, with a particular emphasis on comparing the contents of index components. However, research on pharmacodynamic effects remained relatively limited. Due to various factors such as sample quantity, sample origin, growth period and cultivation methods, the differences in quality between wild and cultivated Chinese crude drugs vary significantly. In general, most wild Chinese crude drugs exhibited higher quality than cultivated products, with significant differences in their characteristics. The contents and proportions of some chemical components underwent noticeable changes, particularly with a marked increase in the proportion of primary metabolites after cultivation. The quality of cultivated Chinese crude drugs is closely related to the cultivation practices employed. Chinese crude drugs produced through wild nurturing, simulated wild planting, ecological cultivation, and other similar methods demonstrate quality levels comparable to those of wild Chinese crude drugs. Based on the analysis results, it is recommended to explicitly specify the cultivation practices and cultivation period of cultivated Chinese crude drugs in comparative studies of the quality between wild and cultivated Chinese crude drugs. Multiple technical approaches, including characteristics, microscopy, non-targeted metabolomics combined with quantitative analysis of differential components, and bioefficacy evaluation, should be employed to comprehensively assess the quality disparities between wild and cultivated Chinese crude drugs. Moreover, research efforts should be intensified to investigate the changes in pharmacodynamic effects resulting from differences in plant cell wall composition, primary metabolites, and secondary metabolites, in order to guide the production of high-quality Chinese crude drugs.
8.Methods for Identifying Seeds of Chinese Medicinal Materials: A Review
Zhihao LIU ; Liangping ZHA ; Li LUO ; Yuyang ZHAO ; Xiaolin LI ; Yuan YUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(4):1-11
Seeds are the source for the production of Chinese medicinal materials. The seed authenticity and quality of directly affect the effectiveness and safety of Chinese medicinal materials. The seed quality is faced with the problems such as mixed sources, existence of adulterants and seeds stocked for years, low maturity, and low purity. To ensure the high-quality and sustainable development of the Chinese medicinal material industry, it is urgent to standardize the seed market and identify and evaluate the quality of the seeds circulating in the market. Seed identification methods include visual inspection, microscopic observation, micro-character identification, chemical fingerprinting, molecular identification, electronic nose, X-ray diffraction, electrochemical fingerprinting, spectral imaging, and artificial intelligence. These methods have different application scopes and unique advantages and disadvantages. According to the different species of Chinese herbal medicines and different requirements of testing sites, suitable methods can be selected to achieve rapid and accurate identification with low costs. In the future, the seed identification methods should be developed based on emerging technologies with interdisciplinary knowledge, and intelligent, nondestructive, and single-grain detection methods are needed for the modern Chinese medicinal material industry. This paper introduces the seed identification technologies currently applied in research and production, compares the principles, applicability, advantages, and disadvantages of different technologies, and provides an outlook on the future development of seed identification technologies, aiming to provide a reference for the identification and quality evaluation of seeds of Chinese medicinal material.
9.Research progress and prospects of intelligent warning equipment and model for hypothermia
Guo-Feng RU ; Wei CHEN ; Di LUO ; Jing YUAN ; Yi-Jing FU ; Guan-Jun LIU ; Guang ZHANG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2024;45(5):86-94
The concept and harms of hypothermia were introduced.The research progress of the intelligent warning equipment and model for hypothermia was reviewed,and the advantages and problems in practical application were analyzed.It's pointed out the intelligent warning equipment had to be improved in environmental adaptability,operational convenience and functio-nal stability and the model be enhanced in robustness,large-scale clinical validation and warning parameter accessibility.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(5):86-94]
10.Effect of CD8+CD28-T Cells on Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease after Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
An-Di ZHANG ; Xiao-Xuan WEI ; Jia-Yuan GUO ; Xiang-Shu JIN ; Lin-Lin ZHANG ; Fei LI ; ZHEN-Yang GU ; Jian BO ; Li-Ping DOU ; Dai-Hong LIU ; Meng LI ; Chun-Ji GAO
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(3):896-905
Objective:To investigate the effect of CD8+CD28-T cells on acute graft-versus-host disease(aGVHD)after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(haplo-HSCT).Methods:The relationship between absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells and aGVHD in 60 patients with malignant hematological diseases was retrospectively analyzed after haplo-HSCT,and the differences in the incidence rate of chronic graft-versus host disease(cGVHD),infection and prognosis between different CD8+CD28-T absolute cells count groups were compared.Results:aGVHD occurred in 40 of 60 patients after haplo-HSCT,with an incidence rate of 66.67%.The median occurrence time of aGVHD was 32.5(20-100)days.At 30 days after the transplantation,the absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells of aGVHD group was significantly lower than that of non-aGVHD group(P=0.03).Thus the absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells at 30 days after transplantation can be used to predict the occurrence of aGVHD to some extent.At 30 days after transplantation,the incidence rate of aGVHD in the low cell count group(CD8+CD28-T cells absolute count<0.06/μl)was significantly higher than that in the high cell count group(CD8+CD28-T cells absolute count ≥0.06/μl,P=0.011).Multivariate Cox regression analysis further confirmed that the absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells at 30 days after transplantation was an independent risk factor for aGVHD,and the risk of aGVHD in the low cell count group was 2.222 times higher than that in the high cell count group(P=0.015).The incidence of cGVHD,fungal infection,EBV infection and CMV infection were not significantly different between the two groups with different CD8+CD28-T cells absolute count.The overall survival,non-recurrent mortality and relapse rates were not significantly different between different CD8+CD28-T cells absolute count groups.Conclusion:Patients with delayed CD8+CD28-T cells reconstitution after haplo-HSCT are more likely to develop aGVHD,and the absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells can be used to predict the incidence of aGVHD to some extent.The absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells after haplo-HSCT was not associated with cGVHD,fungal infection,EBV infection,and CMV infection,and was also not significantly associated with the prognosis after transplantation.

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