1.Mechanism of Modified Si Junzitang and Shashen Maidong Tang in Improving Sensitivity of Cisplatin in EGFR-TKI Resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells Based on Aerobic Glycolysis
Yanping WEN ; Yi JIANG ; Liping SHEN ; Haiwei XIAO ; Xiaofeng YANG ; Surui YUAN ; Lingshuang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):39-46
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of modified Si Junzitang and Shashen Maidong Tang [Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu prescription (YQYYJD)] in enhancing the sensitivity of cisplatin in epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI)-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells based on aerobic glycolysis. MethodsThe effects of different concentrations of YQYYJD (0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 g·L-1) and cisplatin (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 mg·L-1) on the proliferation and activity of PC9/GR cells were detected by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay after 24 hours of intervention. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for PC9/GR cells was calculated to determine the concentrations used in subsequent experiments. PC9/GR cells were divided into blank group (complete medium), YQYYJD group (5 g·L-1), cisplatin group (12 mg·L-1), and combined group (YQYYJD 5 g·L-1 + cisplatin 12 mg·L-1). After 24 hours of intervention, cell viability was measured using CCK-8 assay. Cell proliferation was assessed by colony formation assay, and cell migration was evaluated by scratch and Transwell assays. Glucose consumption, lactate production, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were measured by colorimetric assays. The expression levels of glycolysis-related proteins, including hexokinase 2 (HK2), phosphofructokinase P (PFKP), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), were determined by Western blot. ResultsBoth YQYYJD and cisplatin inhibited the viability of PC9/GR cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 of PC9/GR cells for YQYYJD and cisplatin were 5.15 g·L-1 and 12.91 mg·L-1, respectively. In terms of cell proliferation, compared with the blank group, the cell survival rate and the number of colonies formed in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group showed a further significant reduction in cell survival rate and colony formation (P<0.01). In terms of cell migration, compared with the blank group, the cell migration rate and the number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group exhibited a further significant reduction in cell migration rate and the number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane (P<0.01). In terms of glycolysis, compared with the blank group, glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP levels in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group showed a further significant reduction in glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP levels (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the protein expression levels of HK2, PFKP, PKM2, and LDHA in the YQYYJD, cisplatin, and combined groups were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The combined group showed a further significant reduction in the expression levels of these proteins compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups (P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in the protein expression levels of GLUT1 and MCT4 among the groups. ConclusionYQYYJD can synergistically inhibit the proliferation and migration of PC9/GR cells and enhance their sensitivity to cisplatin. The mechanism may be related to the downregulation of the expression of glycolysis-related rate-limiting enzymes, including HK2, PFKP, PKM2, and LDHA, thereby inhibiting glycolysis.
2.6-Week Caloric Restriction Improves Lipopolysaccharide-induced Septic Cardiomyopathy by Modulating SIRT3
Ming-Chen ZHANG ; Hui ZHANG ; Ting-Ting LI ; Ming-Hua CHEN ; Xiao-Wen WANG ; Zhong-Guang SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1878-1889
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the prophylactic effects of caloric restriction (CR) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic cardiomyopathy (SCM) and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective actions of CR. This research aims to provide innovative strategies and theoretical support for the prevention of SCM. MethodsA total of forty-eight 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice, weighing between 20-25 g, were randomly assigned to 4 distinct groups, each consisting of 12 mice. The groups were designated as follows: CON (control), LPS, CR, and CR+LPS. Prior to the initiation of the CR protocol, the CR and CR+LPS groups underwent a 2-week acclimatization period during which individual food consumption was measured. The initial week of CR intervention was set at 80% of the baseline intake, followed by a reduction to 60% for the subsequent 5 weeks. After 6-week CR intervention, all 4 groups received an intraperitoneal injection of either normal saline or LPS (10 mg/kg). Twelve hours post-injection, heart function was assessed, and subsequently, heart and blood samples were collected. Serum inflammatory markers were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum myocardial enzyme spectrum was analyzed using an automated biochemical instrument. Myocardial tissue sections underwent hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of protein in myocardial tissue, including inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-9, IL-18), oxidative stress markers (iNOS, SOD2), pro-apoptotic markers (Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, CASP3), and SIRT3/SIRT6. ResultsTwelve hours after LPS injection, there was a significant decrease in ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) ratios, along with a notable increase in left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD). Morphological and serum indicators (AST, LDH, CK, and CK-MB) indicated that LPS injection could induce myocardial structural disorders and myocardial injury. Furthermore, 6-week CR effectively prevented the myocardial injury. LPS injection also significantly increased the circulating inflammatory levels (IL-1β, TNF-α) in mice. IF and Western blot analyses revealed that LPS injection significantly up-regulating the expression of inflammatory-related proteins (TNF-α, IL-9, IL-18), oxidative stress-related proteins (iNOS, SOD2) and apoptotic proteins (Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, CASP3) in myocardial tissue. 6-week CR intervention significantly reduced circulating inflammatory levels and downregulated the expression of inflammatory, oxidative stress-related proteins and pro-apoptotic level in myocardial tissue. Additionally, LPS injection significantly downregulated the expression of SIRT3 and SIRT6 proteins in myocardial tissue, and CR intervention could restore the expression of SIRT3 proteins. ConclusionA 6-week CR could prevent LPS-induced septic cardiomyopathy, including cardiac function decline, myocardial structural damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. The mechanism may be associated with the regulation of SIRT3 expression in myocardial tissue.
3.High-throughput screening of novel TFEB agonists in protecting against acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice.
Xiaojuan CHAO ; Mengwei NIU ; Shaogui WANG ; Xiaowen MA ; Xiao YANG ; Hua SUN ; Xujia HU ; Hua WANG ; Li ZHANG ; Ruili HUANG ; Menghang XIA ; Andrea BALLABIO ; Hartmut JAESCHKE ; Hong-Min NI ; Wen-Xing DING
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(1):190-206
Macroautophagy (referred to as autophagy hereafter) is a major intracellular lysosomal degradation pathway that is responsible for the degradation of misfolded/damaged proteins and organelles. Previous studies showed that autophagy protects against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced injury (AILI) via selective removal of damaged mitochondria and APAP protein adducts. The lysosome is a critical organelle sitting at the end stage of autophagy for autophagic degradation via fusion with autophagosomes. In the present study, we showed that transcription factor EB (TFEB), a master transcription factor for lysosomal biogenesis, was impaired by APAP resulting in decreased lysosomal biogenesis in mouse livers. Genetic loss-of and gain-of function of hepatic TFEB exacerbated or protected against AILI, respectively. Mechanistically, overexpression of TFEB increased clearance of APAP protein adducts and mitochondria biogenesis as well as SQSTM1/p62-dependent non-canonical nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) activation to protect against AILI. We also performed an unbiased cell-based imaging high-throughput chemical screening on TFEB and identified a group of TFEB agonists. Among these agonists, salinomycin, an anticoccidial and antibacterial agent, activated TFEB and protected against AILI in mice. In conclusion, genetic and pharmacological activating TFEB may be a promising approach for protecting against AILI.
4. The molecular mechanism of spleen-strengthening and moisture-nourishing liver prescription in treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure based on network pharmacology and experimental verification
Qi HUANG ; Wen-Feng MA ; Zhi-Yi HAN ; Jia-Ling SUN ; Wei ZHANG ; Xin-Feng SUN ; Jian -Ping CHEN ; Xiao-Zhou ZHOU ; Qi HUANG ; Wen-Feng MA ; Zhi-Yi HAN ; Jia-Ling SUN ; Wei ZHANG ; Xin-Feng SUN ; Xiao-Zhou ZHOU ; Jing LI ; Xiao-Zhou ZHOU ; Jian -Ping CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(3):557-564
To explore the mechanism of spleen- were obtained for the treatment of acute-on-chronic livstrengthening and moisture-nourishing liver prescription er failure, and 244 intersecting target genes and 7 core (JPLSYGF) in the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver target genes were screened. Molecular docking showed failure using network pharmacology and the molecular that the core target genes AKT1, SRC, VEGFA, docking. Methods Relying on TCMSP and Gene- STAT3 , EGFR, MAPK3 , HRAS had good affinity with Cards and other databases, the relevant targets of JPL- quercetin, the main active component in the JPLSYGF in the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure SYGF, and had strong binding activity. In addition, in were obtained. String and Cytoscape were used to con- vivo tests verified that the JPLSYGF could reduce the struct PPI networks of targets, core targets were expression of HRAS, EGFR, STAT3 , SRC, and VEGscreened out, and DAVID was used for GO function FA, to delay the progression of acute-on-chronic liver annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. failure. Conclusions JPLSYGF may act on core tar- The main active ingredients of the traditional Chinese gets such as HRAS, EGFR, STAT3, SRC, VEGFA medicine compound formula for JPLSYGF were select- and so on, to achieve the effect of treating acute-oned with a bioavailability OB value of =Э 30% and a chronic liver failure. drug-like DL^O. 18 as the screening conditions, and.
5.Role of PNEC and GABA in pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors
Xiao-Qiong ZHAO ; Wen CHEN ; Yu-Jie SUN ; Chen-Yu LIN ; Yuan YUE ; Rui LI ; Tao ZHANG ; Li XIAO
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(3):288-296
Objective To investigate the role of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells(PNEC)and γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)in patients with pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors(PNET).Methods The pathological specimens of 29 cases of PNET treated in the eighth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from October 2018 to January 2022 were collected.The morphological characteristics were observed by HE staining,and the expression levels of synaptophysin(Syn),chromogranin A(CgA),CD56,Ki-67,CD86 and CD163 were observed by immunohistochemical staining.Calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)and glutamic acid decarboxylase(GAD)65/67 in different types of PNETs were detected by double antibody immunofluorescence co-staining,and the correlation between GAD65/67 positive PNEC and macrophage polarization was analyzed.Results The results of HE staining showed that all four types of PNET tissues had neuroendocrine(NE)characteristics:rosette structure and organ nesting or palisade pattern,but they were different,and the proportion of mitotic cells from low to high was typical carcinoid(TC),atypical carcinoid(AC),large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma(LCNEC)and small cell lung cancer(SCLC).The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that the positive expression rate of Syn and CgA and the positive degree of Syn,CgA and CD56 in carcinoid(TC and AC)were significantly higher than those in LCNEC and SCLC(P<0.05).The Ki-67 indices of the four types of PNET are:TC<5%,AC 5%-20%,LCNEC and SCLC>75%respectively.The number of PNEC in carcinoid was significantly higher than that in LCNEC,SCLC and paratumoral tissues(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in the number of PNEC between LCNEC and SCLC and para-tumor tissues(P>0.05).The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that the number of GAD65/67 positive cells co-expressing GAD65/67 in 95%PNEC was significantly higher than that in LCNEC,SCLC and para-tumor tissues(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between LCNEC and SCLC GAD65/67 positive cells and para-tumor tissues(P>0.05).The results of immunohistochemical staining also showed that the number of CD86 positive M1 macrophages was significantly higher than that of CD163 positive M2 macrophages in para-tumor tissues(P<0.05),while M2 macrophages were significantly more than M1 macrophages in AC,LCNEC and SCLC(P<0.01).Correlation analysis showed that the number of GAD65/67 positive PNEC cells in PNET was negatively correlated with the number of CD163 positive M2 macrophages in tumor stroma(r=-0.6336,P=0.0174).Conclusions PNEC is the main source of GABA in lung tissue and plays an immunomodulatory role in the lung,which may be involved in the progression of PNET.
6.Relationship between GLI1 expression and tumor immune infiltration and clinical prognosis of gastric cancer
Wen-Shuai ZHU ; Jing-Guo SUN ; Yi LU ; Mu-Hua LUAN ; Xiao-Li MA ; Yan-Fei JIA
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2024;27(1):8-13
Objective:To investigate the correlation between the expression of GLI1 and im-mune invasion and clinical prognosis in gastric cancer.To study the effect of GLI1 expression on drug resistance in gastric cancer.Methods:The expression difference of GLI1 in gastric cancer and normal tissues was analyzed by using TCGA database,and the effect of clinical features and GLI1 gene ex-pression level on prognosis of patients with gastric cancer was analyzed.The correlation between GLI1 gene expression and tumor immune cell infiltration in gastric cancer tissues was analyzed to explore its influence on drug resistance of chemotherapy drugs and targeted drugs.Clinical samples were collect-ed to analyze the difference of GLI1 expression in gastric cancer and paracancer tissues.Results:The expression of GLI1 in gastric cancer tissues was 1.7 times that in normal tissues,and the overall sur-vival and disease-free survival of patients with high expression are shorter than those with low ex-pression(P<0.05).The interstitial score,immune score and abundance of immunoinfiltrating cells were higher in the high expression of GLI1 in gastric cancer tissues.High expression of GLI1 reduces drug sensitivity and is positively correlated with the expression of immune checkpoint markers PDCD1(P<0.05).GLI1 expression was significantly increased in patients with subdifferentiated gastric cancer.Conclusions:GLI1 expression is associated with the prognosis and immune infiltration of patients with gastric cancer,and it may lead to poor prognosis of patients by regulating chemotherapy resis-tance,which may be a potential therapeutic target and molecular marker for gastric cancer.
7.Antiviral Efficacy and Mechanism of BD-77 Against Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2
Lei BAO ; Qinhai MA ; Shanshan GUO ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Wen XIA ; Zihan GENG ; Jing SUN ; Yanyan BAO ; Zhou XU ; Shenglong YAN ; Jinxin XIAO ; Huarong CHEN ; Chenggang HUANG ; Xiaolan CUI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(13):45-51
ObjectiveThe human angiotensin converting enzyme2 (hACE2) transgenic mouse model was used to clarify the antiviral efficacy of BD-77 against a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and explore the action mechanism of BD-77 against SARS-CoV-2. MethodSARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta variant strains-infected VeroE6 cell models were established and administered with BD-77 to observe the antiviral effect of BD-77 in vitro. A kit was used to detect the effect of BD-77 in vitro on the binding of spike S protein of SARS-CoV-2 virus (Delta/Omicron) to angiotensin converting enzyme2 (ACE2). Chromatography was adopted to detect the binding of BD-77 to the S protein and N protein of the novel coronavirus. hACE2 transgenic C57BL/6 mice were divided into a blank control group, SARS-CoV-2 infection group, BD-77 administration groups of 37.5 mg·kg-1 and 75 mg·kg-1, with eight mice in each group. The pneumonia model of SARS-CoV-2-infected hACE2 transgenic mice was built to observe the survival of the mice, detect the virus titer of the lung tissue of the mice, and observe the lesions in the lung tissue. ResultBD-77 had a certain inhibitory effect on Omicron and Delta variant strains in vitro, with median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 526.3 mg·L-1 and 653.0 mg·L-1, respectively. BD-77 had no significant inhibitory effect on the binding of the S protein of WT, Omicron, and Delta variant strains of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE2 and had no binding effect with the S protein and N protein of the novel coronavirus. No mice in the blank group died, while the mortality rate of SARS-CoV-2-infected mice was 75%. There was a large amount of virus replication in the lung tissue of the mice and large areas of inflammatory infiltration in the lung tissue and interstitium. Compared with the model group, BD-77 administration groups of 37.5 mg·kg-1 and 75 mg·kg-1 could reduce the mortality of mice, significantly lower the virus titer in the lung tissue of mice (P<0.05), and improve lung lesions. ConclusionBD-77 demonstrated significant inhibitory effects against SARS-CoV-2 virus in vitro and in vivo. However, its mechanism of action did not involve direct inhibition of the virus itself or intervention in the virus-host binding process. This finding suggests that the mechanism of action of BD-77 needs to be thoroughly investigated and elucidated by further experiments.
8.Research progress on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases using traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis by regulating autophagy
Xin SUN ; Xiao LIANG ; Yalan LI ; Zhan XIAO ; Wulong WEN ; Weiye ZHANG ; Jing YANG ; Rui WANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(16):2048-2054
Autophagy is mediated by multiple molecules and pathways. In cardiovascular diseases, autophagy can play a role through key signaling pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mTOR, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), p53, Wnt/β-catenin, etc. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monomers for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis such as hydroxysafflor yellow A, ginsenoside Rb1, salidroside, ligustrin, curcumin, etc., and TCM prescription and preparations such as Huangqi baoxin decoction, Taohong siwu decoction, Tongxinluo capsule, Shuangshen ningxin capsule, Suxiao jiuxin pills, etc. can regulate autophagy through the above-mentioned key signaling pathways, thereby alleviating the progression of cardiovascular diseases.
9.Sappanone A attenuates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by regulating JNK signal pathway
Tai-wei JIN ; Xiao-ning GAO ; Wen-lin SONG ; Yan-yan WANG ; Lin SUN ; Ling-hong LU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(6):1639-1646
This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of sappanone A (SA) in regulating renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats. The animal experiment has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Suzhou Wujiang District Children's Hospital (approval number: 2022010). First, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining was used to evaluate the effects of SA on IRI, and renal damage was scored. Serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and cystatin C (Cystatin C) were analyzed. The effect of sappanone A on the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells induced by IRI was analyzed by TUNEL staining. Protein expression levels of p-JNK/JNK, p-ERK/ERK, Bcl2, Bax and cleaved-caspase 3 in renal tissues were detected by Western blot. Finally, H&E staining, serological analysis, TUNEL staining and Western blot were used to determine whether JNK activator anisomycin could reverse the effect of SA on IRI in rats. The results showed SA significantly reduced the renal tubule injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion, and decreased the level of SCr, BUN and Cys C in serum. TUNEL staining showed that SA significantly reduced the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells induced by IRI. Western blot analysis of kidney tissue showed that SA significantly promoted the expression of apoptosis inhibiting protein Bcl2 and inhibited the expression of apoptosis-promoting proteins Bax and cleaved-caspase 3. Further analysis elucidated that SA did not affect the phosphorylation of ERK but decreased the phosphorylation of JNK. Finally, H&E staining, serological analysis, TUNEL staining and Western blot confirmed that JNK activator anisomycin could reverse the alleviating effect of SA on IRI in rats. The above findings suggest that SA could alleviate IRI in rats by inhibiting JNK phosphorylation.
10.Research progress of exosome microneedle drug delivery system
Wulong WEN ; Weiye ZHANG ; Xin SUN ; Xiao LIANG ; Jing YANG ; Rui WANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(13):1663-1667
Microneedles can penetrate the skin barrier to deliver drugs without touching the nociceptive nerves, to effectively increase the efficiency of transdermal drug delivery and improve patient compliance. Exosomes have multiple physiological functions and good biocompatibility, and are natural nanoscale drug carriers. This paper reviews the pathways and advantages of exosomes combined with microneedles for the treatment of diseases, and describes the current research status of exosome microneedle drug delivery system in various diseases. Exosome microneedles can be divided into two categories: (1) exosomes as therapeutic agents, their unique physiological origin can effectively avoid the toxicity and immunogenicity of conventional drugs and other problems; combined with microneedles directly in the specific medication site can greatly improve the metabolic consumption of oral drug delivery and patient compliance of injection drug delivery. (2) Exosomes as drug carriers, their natural vesicle structure and endogenous characteristics can protect the metabolism of foreign drugs in the body and enhance the targeting; combined with microneedles can effectively solve the problem of transdermal delivery of drugs with high efficacy but poor stability. Exosome microneedle drug delivery system is still in the laboratory stage, but it has shown great development prospects in repairing spinal cord injury, promoting diabetic ulcer wound healing, germinating, intervening myocardial infraction, relieving chronic pain and other diseases.

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