1.Role and Mechanism of Cucurbitacin B in Suppressing Proliferation of Breast Cancer 4T1 Cells via Inducing Ferroptosis
Yidan RUAN ; Huizhong ZHANG ; Huating HUANG ; Pingzhi ZHANG ; Aina YAO ; Yongqiang ZHANG ; Xiaohan XU ; Shiman LI ; Jian NI ; Xiaoxu DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):91-97
ObjectiveTo explore the role of cucurbitacin B (CuB) in inducing ferroptosis in 4T1 cells and its mechanism. MethodsThe effects of CuB(0.2, 0.4, 0.8 μmol·L-1)on the proliferation ability of 4T1 cells in vitro were detected using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The clonogenic ability of 4T1 cells was detected by the plate cloning assay, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in 4T1 cells were detected by the use of a kit. The mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry, and the mitochondrial ultrastructure of 4T1 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The western blot was used to detect the expression of ferroptosis-related protein p53 in 4T1 cells, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SCL7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), transferrin receptor protein 1 (TFR1), and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). ResultsCompared with that in the blank group, the survival rate of 4T1 cells in CuB groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the number of cell clones in CuB groups was significantly reduced (P<0.01). In addition, compared with that in the blank group, the leakage of LDH in cells in CuB groups was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells in CuB groups decreased significantly (P<0.01). Cellular ROS levels were significantly elevated in CuB groups (P<0.01). The mitochondria of cells in CuB groups were obviously wrinkled, and the mitochondrial cristae were reduced or even disappeared. Compared with that in the blank group, the protein expression of p53, ACSL4, and TFR1 were significantly up-regulated in CuB groups (P<0.05), and that of SLC7A11, GPX4, and FTH1 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). ConclusionCuB may inhibit SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression by up-regulating the expression of p53, which in turn regulates the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway axis and accelerates the generation of lipid peroxidation substrate by up-regulating the expression of ACSL4. It up-regulates TFR1 expression to promote cellular uptake of Fe3+ and down-regulates the expression of FTH1 to reduce the ability of iron storage, resulting in an elevated free Fe2+ level. It catalyzes the Fenton reaction, generates excess ROS, imbalances the antioxidant system and iron metabolism, and then induces ferroptosis in 4T1 cells.
2.Role and Mechanism of Cucurbitacin B in Suppressing Proliferation of Breast Cancer 4T1 Cells via Inducing Ferroptosis
Yidan RUAN ; Huizhong ZHANG ; Huating HUANG ; Pingzhi ZHANG ; Aina YAO ; Yongqiang ZHANG ; Xiaohan XU ; Shiman LI ; Jian NI ; Xiaoxu DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):91-97
ObjectiveTo explore the role of cucurbitacin B (CuB) in inducing ferroptosis in 4T1 cells and its mechanism. MethodsThe effects of CuB(0.2, 0.4, 0.8 μmol·L-1)on the proliferation ability of 4T1 cells in vitro were detected using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The clonogenic ability of 4T1 cells was detected by the plate cloning assay, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in 4T1 cells were detected by the use of a kit. The mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry, and the mitochondrial ultrastructure of 4T1 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The western blot was used to detect the expression of ferroptosis-related protein p53 in 4T1 cells, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SCL7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), transferrin receptor protein 1 (TFR1), and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). ResultsCompared with that in the blank group, the survival rate of 4T1 cells in CuB groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the number of cell clones in CuB groups was significantly reduced (P<0.01). In addition, compared with that in the blank group, the leakage of LDH in cells in CuB groups was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells in CuB groups decreased significantly (P<0.01). Cellular ROS levels were significantly elevated in CuB groups (P<0.01). The mitochondria of cells in CuB groups were obviously wrinkled, and the mitochondrial cristae were reduced or even disappeared. Compared with that in the blank group, the protein expression of p53, ACSL4, and TFR1 were significantly up-regulated in CuB groups (P<0.05), and that of SLC7A11, GPX4, and FTH1 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). ConclusionCuB may inhibit SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression by up-regulating the expression of p53, which in turn regulates the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway axis and accelerates the generation of lipid peroxidation substrate by up-regulating the expression of ACSL4. It up-regulates TFR1 expression to promote cellular uptake of Fe3+ and down-regulates the expression of FTH1 to reduce the ability of iron storage, resulting in an elevated free Fe2+ level. It catalyzes the Fenton reaction, generates excess ROS, imbalances the antioxidant system and iron metabolism, and then induces ferroptosis in 4T1 cells.
3.Anti-frostbite effect of miglitol on cold-exposed mice through UCP1-mediated thermogenic activation
Xiang LI ; Hongyuan LU ; Mingyu ZHANG ; Huan GAO ; Dong YAO ; Zihua XU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(1):1-5
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of miglitol on regulating the energy metabolism of brown adipocytes by activating UCP1 and preventing cold injury in mice after cold exposure. Methods Primary brown adipocytes were induced into mature adipocytes, the effect of miglitol on the viability of brown adipocytes was investigated by MTT method, the lipid droplet consumption level of cells after drug administration was investigated by Oil Red O staining technology, and the level of UCP1, a key protein of thermogenesis in brown adipocytes, was detected by Western blotting. The activity of anti-frostbite was investigated in cold exposure at 4 ℃ and −20 ℃. KM mice, which were randomly divided into control group, cold exposure group, miglitol group and all-trans retinoic acid group, and after 7 days of repeated administration, the body surface temperature of mice was detected by infrared thermal imaging system, the anal temperature change was detected by anal thermometer, and the expression levels of UCP1 and PGC1-α in adipose tissue were detected by immunoblotting. Results Compared with the control group, the lipid droplet consumption and UCP1 expression levels in brown adipocytes in the miglitol group were significantly increased. The levels of body surface temperature and rectal temperature increased significantly after cold exposure, and the levels of UCP1 and PGC1α in the brown adipose tissue of mice increased significantly, which indicated that the miglitol could activate the critical proteins UCP1 and PGC1α of the thermogenesis pathway, increase the thermogenesis of mice after cold exposure, and thus improve the effect of cold injury for toe swelling. Conclusion Miglitol could play a role in improving cold injury and body temperature in mice by increasing the level of UCP1 and PGC1α, which are key targets of the thermogenesis pathway to promote the thermogenesis of brown fat.
4.Construction and application of the "Huaxi Hongyi" large medical model
Rui SHI ; Bing ZHENG ; Xun YAO ; Hao YANG ; Xuchen YANG ; Siyuan ZHANG ; Zhenwu WANG ; Dongfeng LIU ; Jing DONG ; Jiaxi XIE ; Hu MA ; Zhiyang HE ; Cheng JIANG ; Feng QIAO ; Fengming LUO ; Jin HUANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):587-593
Objective To construct large medical model named by "Huaxi HongYi"and explore its application effectiveness in assisting medical record generation. Methods By the way of a full-chain medical large model construction paradigm of "data annotation - model training - scenario incubation", through strategies such as multimodal data fusion, domain adaptation training, and localization of hardware adaptation, "Huaxi HongYi" with 72 billion parameters was constructed. Combined with technologies such as speech recognition, knowledge graphs, and reinforcement learning, an application system for assisting in the generation of medical records was developed. Results Taking the assisted generation of discharge records as an example, in the pilot department, after using the application system, the average completion times of writing a medical records shortened (21 min vs. 5 min) with efficiency increased by 3.2 time, the accuracy rate of the model output reached 92.4%. Conclusion It is feasible for medical institutions to build independently controllable medical large models and incubate various applications based on these models, providing a reference pathway for artificial intelligence development in similar institutions.
5. Mechanism and experimental validation of Zukamu granules in treatment of bronchial asthma based on network pharmacology and molecular docking
Yan-Min HOU ; Li-Juan ZHANG ; Yu-Yao LI ; Wen-Xin ZHOU ; Hang-Yu WANG ; Jin-Hui WANG ; Ke ZHANG ; Mei XU ; Dong LIU ; Jin-Hui WANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(2):363-371
Aim To anticipate the mechanism of zuka- mu granules (ZKMG) in the treatment of bronchial asthma, and to confirm the projected outcomes through in vivo tests via using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods The database was examined for ZKMG targets, active substances, and prospective targets for bronchial asthma. The protein protein interaction network diagram (PPI) and the medication component target network were created using ZKMG and the intersection targets of bronchial asthma. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics (KEGG) and gene ontology (GO) were used for enrichment analysis, and network pharmacology findings were used for molecular docking, ovalbumin (OVA) intraperitoneal injection was used to create a bronchial asthma model, and in vivo tests were used to confirm how ZKMG affected bronchial asthma. Results There were 176 key targets for ZKMG's treatment of bronchial asthma, most of which involved biological processes like signal transduction, negative regulation of apoptotic processes, and angiogenesis. ZKMG contained 194 potentially active components, including quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, and other important components. Via signaling pathways such TNF, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), cancer pathway, and MAPK, they had therapeutic effects on bronchial asthma. Conclusion Key components had strong binding activity with appropriate targets, according to molecular docking data. In vivo tests showed that ZKMG could reduce p-p38, p-ERKl/2, and p-I
6.Total Saponins in Paridis Rhizoma: A Review
Yibo ZHANG ; Huizhong ZHANG ; Jing FU ; Yidan RUAN ; Aina YAO ; Pingzhi ZHANG ; Xingbin YIN ; Changhai QU ; Jian NI ; Xiaoxu DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):232-243
Paridis Rhizoma possesses the functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, alleviating swelling and relieving pain, cooling the liver and calming the convulsion. Saponins are the main active components of Paridis Rhizoma. Studies have shown that total saponins in Paridis Rhizoma have obvious inhibitory effect on solid tumors such as breast cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, and liver cancer and non-solid tumors such as leukemia. The saponins may exert the anti-tumor effects by inhibiting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumor cells, regulating cell cycle, inducing apoptotic and non-apoptotic death pathways, and regulating metabolism and tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, total saponins in Paridis Rhizoma showed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, hemostatic, and uterus-contracting activities. At the same time, they may induce apoptosis of normal cells, inflammation and oxidative stress, and metabolic disorders. In recent years, the reports of liver injury, reproductive injury, gastrointestinal injury, hemolysis, and other adverse reactions caused by total saponins in Paridis Rhizoma have been increasing. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that there are significant differences in the metabolism of total saponins in Paridis Rhizoma administrated in different ways. Injection has a fast clearance rate, while oral administration may have hepatoenteric circulation. Meanwhile, due to the low solubility and activation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) molecular pump, the prototype absorption, intestinal permeability, and recovery rate of total saponins in Paridis Rhizoma are poor, which affects the bioavailability. The bioavailability can be improved to some extent by preparing new dosage forms or new drug delivery systems with advanced technology. This paper reviews the pharmacological effect, pharmacokinetics, and adverse reactions of Rhizoma Paridis total saponins by searching the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, and Web of Science with ''Rhizoma Paridis total saponins'' as the keywords, hoping to provide references for the research, development, and clinical application of such components.
7.TSHR Variant Screening and Phenotype Analysis in 367 Chinese Patients With Congenital Hypothyroidism
Hai-Yang ZHANG ; Feng-Yao WU ; Xue-Song LI ; Ping-Hui TU ; Cao-Xu ZHANG ; Rui-Meng YANG ; Ren-Jie CUI ; Chen-Yang WU ; Ya FANG ; Liu YANG ; Huai-Dong SONG ; Shuang-Xia ZHAO
Annals of Laboratory Medicine 2024;44(4):343-353
Background:
Genetic defects in the human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (TSHR) gene can cause congenital hypothyroidism (CH). However, the biological functions and comprehensive genotype–phenotype relationships for most TSHR variants associated with CH remain unexplored. We aimed to identify TSHR variants in Chinese patients with CH, analyze the functions of the variants, and explore the relationships between TSHR genotypes and clinical phenotypes.
Methods:
In total, 367 patients with CH were recruited for TSHR variant screening using whole-exome sequencing. The effects of the variants were evaluated by in-silico programs such as SIFT and polyphen2. Furthermore, these variants were transfected into 293T cells to detect their Gs/cyclic AMP and Gq/11 signaling activity.
Results:
Among the 367 patients with CH, 17 TSHR variants, including three novel variants, were identified in 45 patients, and 18 patients carried biallelic TSHR variants. In vitro experiments showed that 10 variants were associated with Gs/cyclic AMP and Gq/11 signaling pathway impairment to varying degrees. Patients with TSHR biallelic variants had lower serum TSH levels and higher free triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels at diagnosis than those with DUOX2 biallelic variants.
Conclusions
We found a high frequency of TSHR variants in Chinese patients with CH (12.3%), and 4.9% of cases were caused by TSHR biallelic variants. Ten variants were identified as loss-of-function variants. The data suggest that the clinical phenotype of CH patients caused by TSHR biallelic variants is relatively mild. Our study expands the TSHR variant spectrum and provides further evidence for the elucidation of the genetic etiology of CH.
8.Clinical analysis of 57 children with epilepsy caused by focal cortical dysplasia
Yan DONG ; He YAO ; Xinjun WANG ; Mengchun LI ; Jixue YANG ; Qiao SHAN ; Tianming JIA ; Dongming LI ; Gong'ao WU ; Haiyan WANG ; Ke ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2024;23(3):233-239
Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with epilepsy caused by focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), and identify the influencing factors for postoperative seizure controls.Methods:Fifty-seven patients with epilepsy caused by FCD admitted to Department of Neurosurgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 2019 to November 2023 were chosen; standard preoperative evaluation, surgery, postoperative management and follow-up were performed. A retrospective study of clinical data, imaging and video electroencephalogram (VEEG) data, surgical approaches, pathological findings, and follow-up data was performed; influencing factors for postoperative seizure controls were analyzed.Results:In these 57 patients with epilepsy caused by FCD, 29 were males (50.88%) and 28 were females (49.12%). Onset age was 30.00 (8.00, 74.50) months, and surgery age was 95.00 (50.00, 138.50) months. Focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (42/57; 73.68%) and epileptic spasms (13/57; 22.81%) were common seizure types. Cranial MRI was positive in 34 patients (59.65%), mainly manifested as abnormal cortical gyri/sulci morphology (17/57; 29.82%). In 43 patients accepted PET-CT, hypometabolic sites were detected in 40 (93.02%), and complete agreement between PET/MRI fusion results and actual lesion sites was noted in 40 (93.02%). FCD type I was noted in 16 patients (28.07%), type II in 39 (68.42%), and type III in 2 (3.51%). By December 2023, 44 (77.19%) had Engel grading I, 4 (7.02%) had grading II, 4 (7.02%) had grading III, and 5 (8.77%) had grading IV. Children with good prognosis (Engel grading I+II) and those with poor prognosis (Engel grading III+IV) showed significant differences in terms of time from first seizure to surgery, positive/negative MRI, and regularity of postoperative ASMs ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizure is the most common seizure type in patients with epilepsy caused by FCD, and abnormal cortical gyri/sulci morphology is the most common MRI manifestation; PET/MRI fusion imaging is superior to PET-CT or MRI in identifying epileptogenic foci. Poor seizure control can be noted in patients with long onset time to surgery, with negative cranial MRI results, or with irregular postoperative ASMs.
9.Application value of ultrasound microvascular imaging combined with shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of ACR TI-RADS 4 thyroid nodules
Dong GUO ; Yue SHAN ; Zhengxian ZHANG ; Yefei YAO
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(11):15-17,21
Objective To explore the application value of ultrasound microvascular imaging combined with shear wave elastography in differentiating thyroid ultrasound image reporting and data system(TI-RADS)4 benign and malignant thyroid nodules.Methods Totally 114 thyroid nodules diagnosed as ACR TI-RADS 4 in Hangzhou traditional Chinese medicine hospital from November 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively selected.All nodules were examined by ultrasound microvascular imaging and shear wave elastography,and compared with the surgical pathological results to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of microvascular imaging,shear wave elastography and the combination of the two.Results Among 114 cases of thyroid TI-RADS type 4 nodules,35 cases were benign nodules,79 cases were malignant nodules.The microvascular pattern of malignant nodules was mainly concentrated and interrupted sign and perforator sign.The Emax value of shear wave elastography was statistically significant in differentiating benign from malignant nodules,and the SWE Emax value of malignant nodules was greater than 41.6kPa(P<0.05).The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of ultrasound microvascular imaging combined with shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of thyroid TI-RADS 4 nodules were 96.20%,65.72%and 86.84%,respectively,and the area under curve(AUC)was 0.810.The sensitivity and accuracy were higher than those of single diagnosis mode,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Ultrasound microvascular imaging combined with shear wave elastography can improve the diagnostic efficiency of benign and malignant thyroid TI-RADS 4 nodules with high diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy,which is helpful for the noninvasive differential diagnosis of such nodules and avoids some unnecessary needle biopsy.
10.Mechanism of Polyphyllin Ⅱ in Induction of Ferroptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 Cells
Huizhong ZHANG ; Jian NI ; Hulinyue PENG ; Yibo ZHANG ; Xiaohan XU ; Shiman LI ; Yidan RUAN ; Yongqiang ZHANG ; Pingzhi ZHANG ; Aina YAO ; Ying WANG ; Xiaoxu DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(17):105-112
ObjectiveTo investigate the induction of ferroptosis by polyphyllin Ⅱ (PPⅡ) in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and its underlying mechanism. MethodThe effect of PPⅡ (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 9.0, 18.0 mg·L-1) on the in vitro proliferation of HepG2 cells was assessed using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Colony formation ability of HepG2 cells was evaluated through a colony formation assay. Cell migration ability was assessed via a scratch assay. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content in HepG2 cells was measured using a kit. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in HepG2 cells were observed using a fluorescence inverted microscope. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and free Fe2+ content in HepG2 cells were detected using respective kits. The mitochondrial ultrastructure in HepG2 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression of ferroptosis-related proteins p53, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), and transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1) in HepG2 cells was detected using Western blot. ResultCompared with the control group, the PPⅡ treatment groups showed significantly decreased survival rate of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01), significantly reduced number of cell colonies (P<0.01), significantly shortened scratch healing distance, inverse correlation of the migration distance with drug concentration (P<0.01), significantly increased LDH leakage in cells (P<0.01), significantly enhanced relative fluorescence intensity of intracellular ROS, and significantly increased accumulation of lipid peroxide MDA (P<0.01), decreased intracellular GSH content with increasing drug concentration (P<0.01), and significantly enhanced fluorescence intensity of FeRhoNox-1 in cells (P<0.01). Moreover, cells exhibited vacuolation, and mitochondria showed significant shrinkage with reduced or even disappeared cristae. Compared with the results in the control group, the expression of p53, ACSL4, and TFR1 proteins significantly increased, while the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins significantly decreased in the PPⅡ treatment groups (P<0.05). ConclusionIn summary, PPⅡ induces ferroptosis in HepG2 cells by regulating the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling axis, promoting ACSL4 expression and Fe3+ uptake, leading to an imbalance in the antioxidant system.

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