1.Interventional Effect and Mechanisms of Renqing Mangjue on MNNG-induced Malignant Transformation of Gastric Mucosal Epithelial Cells
Peiping CHEN ; Fengyu HUANG ; Xinzhuo ZHANG ; Xiangying KONG ; Ziqing XIAO ; Yanxi LI ; Xiaohui SU ; Na LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):69-77
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the intervention effect of Renqing Mangjue on the malignant transformation of gastric mucosal epithelial cells induced by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and to explore its molecular mechanism in preventing precancerous lesions of gastric cancer based on the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/protein kinase G (PKG)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. MethodsHuman gastric mucosal epithelial cells (GES-1) were initially induced by MNNG to establish a precancerous cell model (MC cells). The effective concentration of MNNG for inducing malignant transformation in GES-1 cells was screened using the cell proliferation activity decection (CCK-8) assay, and the effective concentration of Renqing Mangjue for inhibiting the proliferation of transformed GES-1 cells was also determined. GES-1 cells were divided into a blank control group, a model group, and treatment groups with Renqing Mangjue at concentrations of 1, 3, 10, and 30 mg·L-1. Furthermore, the effects of Renqing Mangjue on the migratory ability and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristics of GES-1 malignant transformed cells were evaluated using Transwell migration assays, wound healing assays, and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). Additionally, candidate chemical components and target sites of Renqing Mangjue were obtained from the TCMIP v2.0 database, and disease targets at various stages of gastric cancer precursors were sourced from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed using the Metascape database to predict the potential mechanisms of action of Renqing Mangjue. Finally, the protective mechanism of Renqing Mangjue against gastric cancer precursors was validated through Western blot analysis. ResultsAt a concentration of 20 μmol·L-1, MNNG exhibited an inhibition rate of approximately 50% on GES-1 cells (P<0.01), and at this concentration, the GES-1 cells displayed biological characteristics indicative of malignant transformation. In contrast, Renqing Mangjue had no significant effect on the proliferation of normal GES-1 cells, but significantly inhibited the proliferation of MC cells (P<0.01) and markedly reduced their migratory capacity (P<0.01). Moreover, it also increased the mRNA expression level of E-cadherin during the EMT process (P<0.05), while inhibiting the expression of both N-cadherin and the transcription factor Snail mRNA (P<0.05, P<0.01). Network predictions suggested that Renqing Mangjue may prevent gastric cancer precursors through modulating the cGMP/PKG and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways. Furthermore, Western blot results indicated that Renqing Mangjue upregulated the expression of PKG and NPRB (B-type natriuretic peptide receptor) proteins in the cGMP/PKG pathway (P<0.01), while downregulating the expression of the downstream proteins MEK and ERK (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionIn summary, Renqing Mangjue can prevent gastric cancer precursors by inhibiting the proliferation and migration of malignant transformed GES-1 cells, thereby delaying the EMT process. The underlying mechanisms may be related to the activation of the cGMP/PKG pathway and the inhibition of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway.
2.Analysis of the Correlation between Plasma Fibrinogen and Osteoporosis Defined by Quantitative Computed Tomography
Yingna CHEN ; Kan SUN ; Na LI ; Chengzhi WANG ; Chulin HUANG ; Lingling LI ; Huisheng XIAO ; Guojuan LAO
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(1):147-153
ObjectiveTo clarify the associations between plasma fibrinogen (Fbg) and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) as well as osteoporosis measured by quantitative computed tomography (QCT), and to explore the role of plasma Fbg in early screening and diagnosis of osteoporosis. MethodsPatients with hypertension who were hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2018 to June 2022 and underwent QCT examinations were included for cross-sectional analysis. The study analyzed the correlation between plasma Fbg and osteoporosis in patients. The diagnostic efficacy of plasma Fbg for osteoporosis was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). ResultsTotally 441 subjects were included in the analysis, with an average age of 46.0±14.5 years and a prevalence of osteoporosis of 6.4% (28/441). As the level of plasma fibrinogen increased, the incidence of osteoporosis significantly increased (P<0.000 1)while the average bone mineral density of L1 and L2 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the first quartile of plasma Fbg(1.99g/L -2.37g/L), the risk of osteoporosis in the fourth quartile of plasma Fbg (3.67g/L-4.46g/L) increased by 8.85 times after adjusting for related confounding factors. ConclusionThis study found a negative correlation between plasma fibrinogen levels and bone density in patients with hypertension. Plasma fibrinogen levels may serve as a potential screening indicator for osteoporosis, aiding in early diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring. This discovery offers a new perspective for the study of bone metabolic diseases and warrants further investigation.
3.PANoptosis: a New Target for Cardiovascular Diseases
Xin-Nong CHEN ; Ying-Xi YANG ; Xiao-Chen GUO ; Jun-Ping ZHANG ; Na-Wen LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1113-1125
The innate immune system detects cellular stressors and microbial infections, activating programmed cell death (PCD) pathways to eliminate intracellular pathogens and maintain homeostasis. Among these pathways, pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis represent the most characteristic forms of PCD. Although initially regarded as mechanistically distinct, emerging research has revealed significant crosstalk among their signaling cascades. Consequently, the concept of PANoptosis has been proposed—an inflammatory cell death pathway driven by caspases and receptor-interacting protein kinases (RIPKs), and regulated by the PANoptosome, which integrates key features of pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis. The core mechanism of PANoptosis involves the assembly and activation of the PANoptosome, a macromolecular complex composed of three structural components: sensor proteins, adaptor proteins, and effector proteins. Sensors detect upstream stimuli and transmit signals downstream, recruiting critical molecules via adaptors to form a molecular scaffold. This scaffold activates effectors, triggering intracellular signaling cascades that culminate in PANoptosis. The PANoptosome is regulated by upstream molecules such as interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), and adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1), which function as molecular switches to control PANoptosis. Targeting these switches represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Furthermore, PANoptosis is influenced by organelle functions, including those of the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosomes, highlighting organelle-targeted interventions as effective regulatory approaches. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the leading global cause of morbidity and mortality, are profoundly impacted by PCD. Extensive crosstalk among multiple cell death pathways in CVDs suggests a complex regulatory network. As a novel cell death modality bridging pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis, PANoptosis offers fresh insights into the complexity of cell death and provides innovative strategies for CVD treatment. This review summarizes current evidence linking PANoptosis to various CVDs, including myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy, cardiotoxic injury, atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection, and vascular toxic injury, thereby providing critical clinical insights into CVD pathophysiology. However, the current understanding of PANoptosis in CVDs remains incomplete. First, while PANoptosis in cardiomyocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells has been implicated in CVD pathogenesis, its role in other cell types—such as vascular endothelial cells and immune cells (e.g., macrophages)—warrants further investigation. Second, although pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are known to activate the PANoptosome in infectious diseases, the stimuli driving PANoptosis in CVDs remain poorly defined. Additionally, methodological challenges persist in identifying PANoptosome assembly in CVDs and in establishing reliable PANoptosis models. Beyond the diseases discussed, PANoptosis may also play a role in viral myocarditis and diabetic cardiomyopathy, necessitating further exploration. In conclusion, elucidating the role of PANoptosis in CVDs opens new avenues for drug development. Targeting this pathway could yield transformative therapies, addressing unmet clinical needs in cardiovascular medicine.
4.Historical evolution and clinical application of classical prescription Yigongsan
Na CHEN ; Jingxian GUO ; Yanqi CHU ; Leilei GONG ; Xinhai JIANG ; Xiao HU ; Lan ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(1):119-123
Yigongsan, derived from QIAN Yi’s Key to Therapeutics of Children’s Diseases in the Song Dynasty, is a classic pediatric prescription that is included in the Catalogue of Ancient Classic Prescriptions (the Second Batch of Pediatrics) released by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2022. This paper verifies and analyzes the historical origin, composition, dosage, processing, decoction method and efficacy of Yigongsan by systematically combing ancient books and modern documents. As a result, Yigongsan is composed of five herbs: Panax ginseng, Poria cocos, Atractylodes macrocephala, Citrus reticulata and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, of which P. cocos should be peeled, A. macrocephala is fried with soil, G. uralensis is roasted with honey while P. ginseng and C. reticulata are raw products. According to the dosage of ancient and modern times, each medicinal herb must be ground into fine powder, 1.6 g for each, added with 300 mL of water, 5 pieces of Zingiber officinale, and 2 Ziziphus jujuba, decocted together to 210 mL, and taken before meals. In ancient books, Yigongsan is used to treat vomiting, diarrhea, spleen and stomach deficiency, chest and abdominal distension, and lack of appetite, etc. Modern research showed that Yigongsan could also be used in the diseases of immune system, respiratory system, blood system, etc., involving infantile anorexia, asthma, anemia, tumors and so on.
5.Preparation of soluble microneedles of Aconitum brachypodum alkaloids
Yao CHEN ; Bi-Li DENG ; Jing WAN ; Na-Na DONG ; Xiao-Lan CHEN ; Yong-Ping ZHANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(3):740-747
AIM To prepare the soluble microneedles of Aconitum brachypodum Diels alkaloids.METHODS Centrifugal molding method was adopted in the preparation of soluble microneedles.With chondroitin sulfate consumption,PVP K120 consumption and 40%ethanol consumption as influencing factors,piercing rate as an evaluation index,the formulation was optimized by Box-Behnken response surface method,after which the morphology,piercing performance,drug content and in vitro transdermal performance were investigated.RESULTS The optimal formulation was determined to be 123 mg for chondroitin sulfate consumption,298 mg for PVP K120 consumption,and 2.4 mL for 40%ethanol consumption,the piercing rate was 98.3%.The soluble microneedles were yellow and square patch with conoid needle,which could pierce aluminum foil and rat skin,along with the drug content of(0.94±0.025)mg.The soluble microneedle group demonstrated the accumulative permeability rate of 91.4%within 24 h,which was higher than that in the gel ointment group,and the permeability accorded with Higuchi equation.CONCLUSION The soluble microneedles of A.brachypodum alkaloids exhibit good mechanical strength,which can achieve effective transdermal delivery of drugs.
6.Study on therapeutic material basis and mechanism of Ganke Formula based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS
Xue ZHANG ; Qaing-Hua YUAN ; Cheng-Shi HE ; Na XU ; Xiao-Rui CHEN ; Min ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(3):413-418
Objective To explore the therapeutic material basis and antitussive mechanism of Ganke Formula.Methods Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)technology was used to analyze and identify the components of Ganke Formula in serum.30 rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,experimental-L group,experimental-M group and experimental-H group,6 rats per group.Acute bronchitis rat model was established by smoke inhalation and cold stimulus.The experimental-L,-M,-H groups were respectively given 1.86,4.66,9.32 g·kg-1(crude drug/weight)dose of Ganke Formula per day by intragastric administration for 7 days.The control group and model group were given the equal amount of normal saline.The contents of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in rat lung tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)and phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-Akt)in lung were detected by Western blotting.Results Twenty-six absorbed components have been identified by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS.The contents of IL-1β in control group,model group,experimental-M,-H group were(57.80±7.67),(186.48±8.50),(166.05±9.90)and(143.19±6.31)pg·mL-1;TNF-α contents were(47.14±8.55),(316.22±9.49),(68.93±7.94)and(65.93±7.10)pg·mL-1;the relative expression levels of PI3K in lung tissues were 0.38±0.05,0.97±0.10,0.68±0.15 and 0.56±0.10;the relative expression levels of p-Akt were 0.34±0.14,0.93±0.05,0.63±0.16 and 0.49±0.14,respectively.Compared with the model group,the above indicators in the experimental-H group and control group were statistically different(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusion Ganke Formula can intervene in the expression of inflammatory and immune regulatory factors by regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,improve airway inflammation,and thus exert cough relieving effects.
7.Effects of Anchusa italica Retz.on cough variant asthma and the level of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway
Liang CHEN ; Xiao-Qin XU ; Wen-Hui GUO ; HAJIAKBER·Aisa ; Di-Na MAI
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(5):698-702
Objective To investigate the effect of Anchusa italica Retz.extract on cough variant asthma(CVA)and its mechanism of action.Methods Forty-eight SD rats of each eight were randomly divided into blank group(equal amount of saline),model group(equal amount of saline),control group(250 mg·kg-1 prednisone acetate)and experimental-A1,-A5,-A7 groups(61.1 mg·kg-1 Anchusa italica Retz.extract A1,48.8 mg·kg-1 Anchusa italica Retz.extract A5,201.8 mg·kg-1 Anchusa italica Retz.extract A7),continuous gavage for 28 d;except for the blank group,the other groups were made with ovalbumin-complete Freund's adjuvant.The number of cough times of each rat was observed.The changes in the expression of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor(MyD88)and nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)proteins were observed in the lung tissue.Results The cough times in the blank group,model group,control group and experimental-A1,-A5,-A7 groups were 1.10±0.22,8.33±1.24,3.08±0.65,3.31±0.99,3.08±1.02 and 3.06±0.68;the relative expression levels of TLR4 protein were 0.61±0.01,0.84±0.04,0.66±0.02,0.64±0.04,0.64±0.03 and 0.69±0.02;the relative expression levels of MyD88 protein were 0.54±0.08,0.86±0.06,0.71±0.06,0.65±0.05,0.64±0.08 and 0.70±0.06;the relative expression levels of p-NF-κB protein were 0.48±0.11,0.94±0.06,0.80±0.08,0.68±0.04,0.68±0.06 and 0.78±0.09.Compared with the experimental-A1,-A5,-A7 groups,control group,normal group,the differences were statistically significant in the model group(all P<0.05).Conclusion The extract of Anchusa Italica Retz.can inhibit the symptoms of CVA rats,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
8.Effects of Ginkgo Biloba extract regulating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway on proliferation and apoptosis of human cerebral vascular adventitia fibroblasts
Xiao-Chen BI ; Xiao-Bin KONG ; Na ZHAO ; Jing-Jing GU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(11):1556-1559
Objective To study the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract(GBE)on the proliferation and apoptosis of human cerebral adventitia fibroblasts(HBVAFs)by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)signaling pathway.Methods HBVAFs cells were divided into blank group(normal culture,no treatment),experimental-L,-M,-H groups(25,50 and 100 mg·L-1 GBE treatment for 24 h)and combined group(100 mg·L-1 GBE treatment and 2 nmol·L-1 insulin-like growth factor-1 treatment for 24 h).Cell proliferation was detected by thiazole blue assay,cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,and the protein expressions of phosphorylated-PI3K(p-PI3K),PI3K、phosphorylated-AKT(p-AKT)and AKT were detected by Western blot.Results The cell survival rates of experimental-L,experimental-M,experimental-H,combined and blank groups were(66.78±8.21)%,(53.51±7.40)%,(42.33±6.01)%,(75.69±5.87)%and(96.77±12.80)%;the apoptosis rates were(24.83±2.47)%,(30.07±3.06)%,(37.02±4.66)%,(16.71±2.11)%and(8.99±0.19)%;p-PI3K/PI3K ratios were 0.75±0.07,0.62±0.06,0.43±0.04,0.72±0.05 and 0.90±0.09;p-AKT/AKT ratios were 0.70±0.07,0.60±0.06,0.38±0.03,0.69±0.06 and 0.90±0.09,respectively.The above indexes of the experimental-L,-M,-H groups were compared with the blank group,and the above indexes of the combined group were compared with the experimental-H group,the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).Conclusion GBE can reduce the proliferation of HBVAFs,promote apoptosis,and its mechanism is related to the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
9.Bioequivalence study of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate tablets in Chinese healthy subjects
Xiao-Bin LI ; Nan WANG ; Ni-Na HU ; Ning WANG ; Chen-Dong DONG ; Xiao-Tong CUI ; He XIE ; Yan TIAN ; Wen-Ping WANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(14):2113-2117
Objective To evaluate the pharmacokinetics(PK)of tenofovir alafenamide Fumarate tablets(25 mg)in healthy Chinese subjects after single oral administration to provide a basis for bioequivalence evaluation.Methods Using a single-dose,randomized,open-lable,two-period,two-way crossover design under fasting condition,while three-way crossover design under fed condition,42 healthy subjects respectively for fasting and fed study were enrolled,and randomized into two groups to receive a single dose of test product(T)or reference product(R)25 mg.Plasma concentration of tenofovir alafenamide and tenofovir were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)method.The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by WinNonlin software(8.1 version)using non-compartmental model,and bioequivalence evaluation was performed for the two preparations.Relevant safety evaluations were performed during the trial.Results The test product and the reference product under fasting study,the main PK parameters of tenofovir alafenamide were as follows:Cmax were(215.17±94.24)and(199.30±71.11)ng·mL-1;AUC0-t were(135.44±71.60)and(123.91±53.82)h·ng·mL-1;the main PK parameters of tenofovir were as follows:Cmax were(7.30±2.27)and(7.12±1.74)ng·mL-1,AUC0-t of tenofovir were(237.16±47.09)and(230.06±43.41)h·ng·mL-1,respectively.The test product and the reference product under fed study,the main PK parameters of tenofovir were as follows:Cmax were(197.69±82.19)and(197.10±110.54)ng·mL-1;AUC0-t were(197.69±82.19)and(197.10±110.54)h·ng·mL-1;the main PK parameters of tenofovir were as follows:CMax were(2.57±1.37)and(2.58±1.31)ng·mL-1;AUC0-t were(227.08±74.33)and(238.51±128.30)h·ng·mL-1,respectively.The 90%confidence interval for geometric mean ratio of Cmax,AUC0-tof T and R under fed condition were between 80.00%-125.00%,respectively.The incidence of adverse events in fasting and fed tests was 21.43%and 30.95%,respectively,and no serious adverse event was reported.Conclusion The test formulation and reference formulation of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate tablets were equivalent and was safe.
10.Bioequivalence study of rasagiline mesylate tablets in Chinese healthy subjects
Gang CHEN ; Xiao-Lin WANG ; Si-Qi ZANG ; Ze-Juan WANG ; Xiao-Na LIU ; Ai-Hua DU ; Min LI ; Ya-Nan ZHANG ; Dan ZHANG ; Li-Na ZHANG ; Jin WANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(19):2885-2890
Objective To study the pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of two formulations of rasagiline mesylate tablets in healthy subjects under fasting and fed conditions.Methods The two-period,two-sequence,crossover study design was adopted in the fasting study.Thirty-six subjects were enrolled and given either test preparation or reference preparation 1 mg respectively in two periods.After collecting plasma samples,the plasma concentration of rasagiline was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)and the bioequivalence was evaluated using the average bioequivalence(ABE)method.The four-period,two-sequence,fully replicate crossover study design was adopted in the fed study.Forty-eight subjects were enrolled and given the test preparation or the reference preparation at a dose of 1 mg twice respectively in four periods.According to the degree of intra-individual variation of Cmax,AUC0-t and AUC0-∞,the equivalence was evaluated using the reference-scaled average bioequivalence and ABE method,respectively.Results In the fasting study,the pharmacokinetic parameters of rasagiline of the test and reference preparation were as follow:Cmax were(9.70±3.14)and(9.62±3.85)ng·mL-1,AUC0-t were(6.03±1.47)and(6.02±1.95)ng·h·mL-1,AUC0-∞ were(6.13±1.51)and(6.12±1.97)ng·h·mL-1.The 90%confidence interval(CI)of the geometric mean ratio(GMR)were 94.11%-118.06%,99.22%-107.74%and 99.16%-107.44%for Cmax,AUC0-t and AUC0-∞,respectively,which were within the acceptance criteria of 80.00%-125.00%.In the fed study,the pharmacokinetic parameters of rasagiline of the test and reference preparation were as follow:Cmax were(3.00±1.92)and(3.52±1.77)ng·mL-1,AUC0_t were(5.02±1.20)and(5.06±1.20)ng·h·mL-1,AUC0-∞ were(5.11±1.23)and(5.14±1.22)ng·h·mL-1.The 90%CI of GMR were 96.99%-101.19%and 97.17%-101.41%for AUC0-t and AUC0-∞,which were within the acceptance criteria of 80.00%-125.00%.The 95%upper confidence bound of Cmax for were less than"0",and the point estimate of GMR were within the acceptance criteria of 80.00%-125.00%.The incidence of adverse events in fasting and fed studies was 22.86%and 22.92%,respectively,and all adverse events were moderate to mild.Conclusion The two rasagiline mesylate tablets were bioequivalent,and both the formulations were well tolerated.

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