1.Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification Unraveled The Mechanism of Pachymic Acid in The Treatment of Neuroblastoma
Hang LIU ; Yu-Xin ZHU ; Si-Lin GUO ; Xin-Yun PAN ; Yuan-Jie XIE ; Si-Cong LIAO ; Xin-Wen DAI ; Ping SHEN ; Yu-Bo XIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2376-2392
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutes a valuable cultural heritage and an important source of antitumor compounds. Poria (Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf), the dried sclerotium of a polyporaceae fungus, was first documented in Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica and has been used therapeutically and dietarily in China for millennia. Traditionally recognized for its diuretic, spleen-tonifying, and sedative properties, modern pharmacological studies confirm that Poria exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. Pachymic acid (PA; a triterpenoid with the chemical structure 3β-acetyloxy-16α-hydroxy-lanosta-8,24(31)-dien-21-oic acid), isolated from Poria, is a principal bioactive constituent. Emerging evidence indicates PA exerts antitumor effects through multiple mechanisms, though these remain incompletely characterized. Neuroblastoma (NB), a highly malignant pediatric extracranial solid tumor accounting for 15% of childhood cancer deaths, urgently requires safer therapeutics due to the limitations of current treatments. Although PA shows multi-mechanistic antitumor potential, its efficacy against NB remains uncharacterized. This study systematically investigated the potential molecular targets and mechanisms underlying the anti-NB effects of PA by integrating network pharmacology-based target prediction with experimental validation of multi-target interactions through molecular docking, dynamic simulations, and in vitro assays, aimed to establish a novel perspective on PA’s antitumor activity and explore its potential clinical implications for NB treatment by integrating computational predictions with biological assays. MethodsThis study employed network pharmacology to identify potential targets of PA in NB, followed by validation using molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, MM/PBSA free energy analysis, RT-qPCR and Western blot experiments. Network pharmacology analysis included target screening via TCMSP, GeneCards, DisGeNET, SwissTargetPrediction, SuperPred, and PharmMapper. Subsequently, potential targets were predicted by intersecting the results from these databases via Venn analysis. Following target prediction, topological analysis was performed to identify key targets using Cytoscape software. Molecular docking was conducted using AutoDock Vina, with the binding pocket defined based on crystal structures. MD simulations were performed for 100 ns using GROMACS, and RMSD, RMSF, SASA, and hydrogen bonding dynamics were analyzed. MM/PBSA calculations were carried out to estimate the binding free energy of each protein-ligand complex. In vitro validation included RT-qPCR and Western blot, with GAPDH used as an internal control. ResultsThe CCK-8 assay demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of PA on NB cell viability. GO analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve cellular response to chemical stress, vesicle lumen, and protein tyrosine kinase activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and Ras signaling pathways. Molecular docking and MD simulations revealed stable binding interactions between PA and the core target proteins AKT1, EGFR, SRC, and HSP90AA1. RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses further confirmed that PA treatment significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression of AKT1, EGFR, and SRC while increasing the HSP90AA1 mRNA and protein levels. ConclusionIt was suggested that PA may exert its anti-NB effects by inhibiting AKT1, EGFR, and SRC expression, potentially modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. These findings provide crucial evidence supporting PA’s development as a therapeutic candidate for NB. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.GLUT1-targeted Nano-delivery System for Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine:A Review
Hua ZHU ; Huimin LUO ; Si LIN ; Bingbing WANG ; Jinwei LI ; Liba XU ; Miao ZHANG ; Fengfeng XIE ; Long CHEN ; Meilin LI ; Lu LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(12):270-280
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Tumor cells use glycolysis to provide material and energy under hypoxic conditions to meet the energy requirements for rapid growth and proliferation, namely the Warburg effect. Even under aerobic conditions, tumor cells mainly rely on glycolysis to provide energy. Therefore, glucose transporter protein 1(GLUT1), which is involved in the process of glucose metabolism, plays an important role in tumorigenesis, development and drug resistance, and is considered to be one of the important targets in the treatment of malignant tumors. In recent years, research on tumor glucose metabolism has gradually become a hot spot. It has been shown that various factors are involved in the regulation of tumor energy metabolism, among which the role of GLUT1 is the most critical. In this paper, the authors reviewed the latest research progress of GLUT1-targeted traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) active ingredient nano-delivery system in tumor therapy, aiming to reveal the feasibility and effectiveness of this system in the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs. The GLUT1-targeted TCM active ingredient nano-delivery system can overcome the bottleneck of the traditional targeting strategy as well as the high-permeability long retention(EPR) effect. In summary, the authors believe that the GLUT1-targeted TCM active ingredient nano-delivery system provides a new strategy for targeted treatment of tumors and has a broad application prospect in tumor prevention and treatment. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Effect of the explain-simulate-practice-communication-support nursing mode on perioperative stress and postoperative rehabilitation of patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(6):414-419
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To investigate the effect of the explain-simulate-practice-communication-support (ESPCS) nursing model on perioperative stress and postoperative rehabilitation in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Provide a basis for the application of ESPCS nursing model in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.Methods:This was a quasi-experimental study. A total of 212 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from May 2019 to May 2023 were selected by convenience sampling and divided into the observation group and the control group by random digital table method, with 106 patients in each group. The control group received routine nursing intervention, while the observation group received ESPCS nursing intervention for 3 months. The perioperative stress hormones (serum cortisol and epinephrine), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) score, Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) score, gastrointestinal function indicators, and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) score were compared between the two groups.Results:Two groups of patients were lost to follow-up, with a total of 104 patients in each group. The control group consisted of 65 males and 39 females, aged (61.59 ± 3.42) years old, while the observation group consisted of 61 males and 43 females, aged (60.78 ± 3.63) years old. Six days after operation, serum cortisol and epinephrine levels in the observation group were (221.46 ± 24.15) nmol/L and (28.11 ± 3.47) pmol/L, respectively, which were lower than those in the control group (261.84 ± 27.91) nmol/L and (31.49 ± 3.86) pmol/L, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=11.16, 6.64, both P<0.05). After 1 week of operation, the SDS and SAS scores in the observation group were (41.39 ± 2.21), (39.62 ± 2.31) points, respectively, which were lower than those in the control group (45.27 ± 2.34), (44.35 ± 2.37) points, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=12.29, 14.58, both P<0.05). The time of first exhaust, first defecation, intestinal ringing and first solid eating in the observation group were (55.38 ± 6.23), (68.84 ± 7.92), (38.73 ± 4.31), (62.31 ± 7.67) h, respectively, which were lower than those in the control group (67.51 ± 8.39), (84.17 ± 9.25), (48.43 ± 5.79), (75.65 ± 8.52) h, the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 11.84-13.71, all P<0.05). After intervention, the scores of physiological function, role physical, general health, mental health, social function and the total score of SF-36 in the observation group were (82.17 ± 4.12), (83.21 ± 3.67), (75.27 ± 3.64), (80.63 ± 4.31), (77.58 ± 4.13), (73.89 ± 4.86) points, respectively, which were higher than those in the control group (75.61 ± 4.39), (74.24 ± 3.88), (69.45 ± 4.38), (71.28 ± 4.05), (72.35 ± 3.84), (68.81 ± 5.14) points, the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 7.32-17.13, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The ESPCS nursing model can effectively alleviate the perioperative stress reaction of gastric cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy, promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function and improve the quality of life.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5.Chemical constituents from the leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities
Yong YANG ; Ting-Si GUO ; Min XIE ; Li-Hong TAN ; Wen-Chu LI ; Hao ZHENG ; Fei-Bing HUANG ; Yu-Pei YANG ; Wei WANG ; Yu-Qing JIAN
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(3):834-842
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			AIM To study the chemical constituents from the leaves of Cyanocarya paliurus(Batalin)Iljinskaja and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities.METHODS The 95%ethanol extract from the leaves of C.paliurus was isolated and purified by macroporous resin,silica gel,Sephadex LH-20,polyamide,C18 reversed-phase silica gel and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.Their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were evaluated by PNPG.RESULTS Fifteen compounds were isolated and identified as cyclopaloside C(1),cyclopaloside A(2),juglanosides E(3),vaccinin A(4),ent-murin A(5),kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside(6),kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(7),kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucuronide methyl ester(8),kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucuronide ethyl ester(9),kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucuronide butyl ester(10),quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside(11)quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(12),quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside(13),quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronide butyl ester(14),dihydrokaempferol(15).The IC50 value of total extracts ihibited α-glucosidase was(1.83±0.04)μg/mL,and the IC50 values of compounds 1,4-5 were(29.48±1.86),(0.50±0.07),(0.71±0.07)μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Compound 1 is a new tetrahydronaphthalene glycoside.Compounds 4-5,8-10 and 14 are isolated from the leaves of C.paliurus for the first time.Compounds 4-5 are relatively rare flavonoid lignans with potential inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Effect of Jiawei Jianshen prescription on patients with spleen-kidney deficiency of idiopathic membranous nephropathy and its influence on PLA2R
Chaoye LIU ; Ronggui HUANG ; Weiying ZHANG ; Yifeng XIE ; Zhu CHEN
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(10):52-55
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To observe the effect of Jiawei Jianshen prescription on idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN)with spleen-kidney deficiency and its influence on phospholipase A2 receptor(PLA2R)titer.Methods A total of 60 patients with IMN who were hospitalized or outpatients in Liuzhou Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital from January 2021 to July 2022 were selected and divided into control group and treatment group by simple random sampling method,with 30 cases in each group.The control group was given basic treatment alone,and the treatment group was given Jiawei Jianshen prescription + basic treatment.Blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(SCr),serum albumin(ALB),24h urinary protein quantitative and PLA2R titer were compared between two groups before and after treatment.The therapeutic effect of two groups was evaluated.Results The total effective rate of treatment group was significantly higher than that of control group(χ2=60.000,P<0.001).After treatment,the scores of edema,abdominal distension,fatigue,soreness and weakness of waist and knees in treatment group were significantly lower than those in control group(P<0.05).24h urinary protein and PLA2R titer in treatment group were significantly lower than those in control group,and ALB was significantly higher than that in control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Jiawei Jianshen prescription can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of IMN patients with spleen-kidney deficiency,increase serum ALB level,reduce 24h urinary protein quantity and PLA2R titer.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.Total body water percentage and 3rd space water are novel risk factors for training-related lower extremity muscle injuries in young males
Liang CHEN ; Ke-Xing JIN ; Jing YANG ; Jun-Jie OUYANG ; Han-Gang CHEN ; Si-Ru ZHOU ; Xiao-Qing LUO ; Mi LIU ; Liang KUANG ; Yang-Li XIE ; Yan HU ; Lin CHEN ; Zhen-Hong NI ; Xiao-Lan DU
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2024;27(3):168-172
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Purpose::To identify the risk factors for training-related lower extremity muscle injuries in young males by a non-invasive method of body composition analysis.Methods::A total of 282 healthy young male volunteers aged 18 -20 years participated in this cohort study. Injury location, degree, and injury rate were adjusted by a questionnaire based on the overuse injury assessment methods used in epidemiological studies of sports injuries. The occurrence of training injuries is monitored and diagnosed by physicians and treated accordingly. The body composition was measured using the BodyStat QuadScan 4000 multifrequency Bio-impedance system at 5, 50, 100 and 200 kHz to obtain 4 impedance values. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check whether the data conformed to a normal distribution. Data of normal distribution were shown as mean ± SD and analyzed by t-test, while those of non-normal distribution were shown as median (Q 1, Q 3) and analyzed by Wilcoxon rank sum test. The receiver operator characteristic curve and logistic regression analysis were performed to investigate risk factors for developing training-related lower extremity injuries and accuracy. Results::Among the 282 subjects, 78 (27.7%) developed training injuries. Lower extremity training injuries revealed the highest incidence, accounting for 23.4% (66 cases). These patients showed higher percentages of lean body mass ( p = 0.001), total body water (TBW, p=0.006), extracellular water ( p=0.020) and intracellular water ( p=0.010) as well as a larger ratio of basal metabolic rate/total weight ( p=0.006), compared with those without lower extremity muscle injuries. On the contrary, the percentage of body fat ( p=0.001) and body fat mass index ( p=0.002) were lower. Logistic regression analysis showed that TBW percentage > 65.35% ( p=0.050, odds ratio =3.114) and 3rd space water > 0.95% ( p=0.045, odds ratio =2.342) were independent risk factors for lower extremity muscle injuries. Conclusion::TBW percentage and 3rd space water measured with bio-impedance method are potential risk factors for predicting the incidence of lower extremity muscle injuries in young males following training.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Analysis of Clinical Efficacy and Central Response Mechanism of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Overweight/Obesity Patients Based on Regional Homogeneity
Wen-Fei FAN ; Cheng-Feng ZHANG ; Shun-Ying ZHAO ; Li-Hong YIN ; Si-Ning YAN ; Meng-Ying LIAO ; Jun CHEN ; Yu CHEN ; Chang-Cai XIE
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(11):2954-2960
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation(taVNS)on overweight/obesity patients,and to explore its central mechanism.Methods Twenty-six overweight/obesity patients were randomly divided into two groups,12 cases in the taVNS test group(shortened as the taVNS group)and 14 cases in the lifestyle intervention control group(shortened as the control group).The patients in the control group were treated with online lifestyle intervention of calorie-restricted diet(CRD),and the patients in the taVNS group were treated with taVNS on the basis of the intervention for the control group.The taVNS was performed on unilateral acupoints of spleen and endocrine,twice(in the morning and at evening)per day,for five days a week.The treatment for the two groups covered four weeks.The obesity indicators such as body weight,body mass index(BMI)and waist circumference of the patients in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.Moreover,the resting-state cerebral functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)data of the patients were collected after treatment,and then the regulatory effect of taVNS on the regional homogeneity(ReHo)of local cerebral area of the patients was observed.Results(1)During the trial,one case in each group dropped off,and a total of 24 patients(including 13 cases in the control group and 11 cases in the taVNS group)were finally included in the statistical analysis of the observation indicators.(2)After treatment,the body weight,BMI and waist circumference of patients in the taVNS group were decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),while the obesity indicators in the control group only showed a downward trend compared with those before treatment,the differences being not statistically significant(P>0.05).The improvement of the obesity indicators of body weight,BMI,and waist circumference in the taVNS group was significantly superior to that in the control group,and there were statistically significant differences in the post-treatment indicators and in the pre-and post-treatment difference values of the indicators between the two groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(3)After treatment,the taVNS group had greater ReHo values in the left prefrontal lobe and medial frontal gyrus than the control group,and the control group had greater ReHo value in the right parietal lobe than the taVNS group,which indicated that compared with the control group,the ReHo of the left prefrontal lobe and medial frontal gyrus in the taVNS group was increased and the ReHo of the right parietal lobe was decreased(Pvoxel<0.001,Pcluster<0.05,corrected by FWE level).Conclusion As a non-invasive treatment method,taVNS exerts certain efficacy for the treatment of overweight/obesity patients.The central response mechanism for treatment of obesity is probably related with the modulation of taVNS on the functional areas of left prefrontal lobe,medial frontal gyrus,and right parietal lobe of the patients.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Effect and mechanism of proteasome inhibitor MG132 on memory impairment caused by chronic hypoxia in mice
Hua-Ping DONG ; Peng LI ; Xiao-Xu LI ; Si-Min ZHOU ; Heng XIAO ; Jia-Xin XIE ; Pei HUANG ; Yu WU ; Zhi-Feng ZHONG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(4):449-458
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of proteasome inhibitor MG132 on memory impairment induced by chronic hypoxia in mice.Methods(1)A hypoxic model of the mouse midbrain dopaminergic neuron cell line MN9D was established using a hypoxia workstation.To observe the effects of hypoxia on the expression of TH,Ub-K48 and Ub-K63,MN9D cells were divided into normoxia group and hypoxia(12 h,24 h and 48 h)groups.To observe the effects of MG132 on the expression of the above-mentioned proteins,MN9D cells were divided into normoxia group,hypoxia group and hypoxia + MG132(25,50,100,200 μmol/L)group.(2)A mouse model of memory impairment was established using a hypobaric chamber.To observe the effects of hypobaric hypoxia on the expression of TH,Ub-K48 and Ub-K63 in the substantia nigra compacta(SNc)of mice,thirty C57BL/6 mice were randomly and equally divided into normoxia group and hypobaric hypoxia(3 d and 21 d)groups,10 in each group.To observe the effects of MG132 on spatial memory impairment induced by hypobaric hypoxia,twenty-four C57BL/6 mice were randomly and equally divided into normoxia group,hypobaric hypoxia 21 d group and hypobaric hypoxia 21 d+MG132 group,8 in each group.(3)The protein expression levels of TH,Ub-K48,and Ub-K63 in MN9D cells which were either subjected to different durations of hypoxia treatment or pre-treated with MG132 prior to hypoxia treatment were detected using Western blotting(WB).The novel object recognition test was used to detect the memory function of mice.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the proportion of positive immunoreactive area of TH response in the SNc region.The expression levels of TH,Ub-K48,and Ub-K63 in the SNc region were detected by WB.Results(1)Compared with normoxia group,MN9D cells in hypoxia 24 h group showed increasing expression of Ub-K48 and Ub-K63(P<0.05),and decreasing expression of TH(P<0.05),and MN9D cells in all hypoxia groups showed increasing expression of Ub-K48/TH and Ub-K63/TH(P<0.05).Compared with hypoxia group,MN9D cells showed decreasing expression of Ub-K48/TH and Ub-K63/TH in hypoxia + MG132 100 umol/L group and hypoxia + MG132 200 umol/L group(P<0.05).(2)Compared with the mice in normoxia group,mice in 3 d and 21 d hypobaric hypoxia groups showed decreasing expression of TH(P<0.001),and increasing expression of Ub-K48/TH and Ub-K63/TH(P<0.05)in the SNc region.Compared with normoxia group,the mice in 21 d hypobaric hypoxia group showed a lower new object recognition index(P<0.01),and the proportion of positive immunoreactive area of TH response in the SNc region(P<0.05).Compared with 21 d hypobaric hypoxia group,the mice in hypobaric hypoxia 21 d+MG132 group showed a higher new object recognition index(P<0.01).Conclusion The proteasome inhibitor MG132 could alleviate the memory impairment induced by chronic hypoxia in mice,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Ub-K63 and Ub-K48,which in turn upregulates expression of TH in dopaminergic neurons.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.Pathogenic analysis and diagnostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in critically ill children with hematological disorders
Xiaolu DENG ; Jian HE ; Min XIE ; Liangchun YANG ; Hui ZHANG ; Daolin SI ; Xia WANG
Journal of Chinese Physician 2024;26(5):676-680
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To explore the application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in critically ill children with hematological disorders and evaluate its diagnostic value.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of children with hematological diseases, tumors, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation who underwent traditional culture and mNGS testing in the pediatric intensive care unit of the Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from September 2019 to June 2022. The detection rate and diagnostic value of traditional culture and mNGS for pathogens were analyzed and compared.Results:Among the 50 patients, there were 29 males and 21 females, with a median age of 9.00(4.75-13.00) years. A total of 60 samples were sent for mNGS testing, including 40 blood samples, 10 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples, 7 cerebrospinal fluid samples, and 1 bone marrow, 1 skin, and 1 pleural fluid sample each. 49 positive samples were detected by mNGS, including 20 cases of viruses, 14 cases of bacteria, 8 cases of mixed samples, and 7 cases of fungi. The detection rate of mNGS in this study was significantly higher than that in traditional pathogen culture (81.7% vs 16.7%), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). Based on clinical diagnostic cases, the sensitivity of mNGS was significantly higher than that of traditional culture (85.2% vs 29.6%), with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.01), while its specificity was not statistically significant ( P>0.05) compared to traditional culture (50.0% vs 83.3%). Conclusions:mNGS has a higher detection rate and sensitivity than traditional pathogen culture, and can early identify viral, fungal, and mixed infections, providing strong assistance for precise treatment of critically ill children with hematological conditions.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            
Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail