1.Treatment of Hyperuricemia and Gouty Arthritis by Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng Decoction via Inhibition of PPAR-γ/NF-κB/AGEs/RAGE Pathway Based on Network Pharmacology
Yue CAO ; Wanmei YAO ; Tao YANG ; Man YANG ; Ruimin JIA ; Rongrong LU ; Xue FENG ; Biwang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):182-192
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the potential molecular biological mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction in treating hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology and preliminarily verify the mechanism through animal experiments. MethodsThe active ingredients and targets in the Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction were obtained by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and ETCM databases. The DisGeNET and GeneCards databases were utilized to acquire disease targets associated with hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis. These disease targets were then intersected with drug targets to identify key targets. The R language ClusterProfiler package and Python were employed for conducting gene ontology(GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) enrichment analysis. The regulatory network diagram of the drug-key target-function-pathway was visualized using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for key targets was depicted. Finally, the hub gene was determined through topological analysis. Auto Dock, PyMOL, and other software were used for molecular docking to explore the possible therapeutic mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction for hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis. In animal experiments, a composite rat model of hyperuricemia induced by intraperitoneal injection of oteracil potassium combined with gouty arthritis induced by the modified Coderre method was established. Through hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, uric acid test, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), Western blot, and real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), the molecular mechanism and key targets of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction for treating hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis were observed. ResultsAfter screening and removing duplicate values, 76 active ingredients and 15 key targets were finally obtained. GO enrichment analysis yielded that the treatment of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis with Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction was significantly associated with acute inflammatory response, astrocyte activation, regulation of interleukin (IL)-8 production, nuclear receptor activity, and binding of growth factor receptor. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis obtained that the key target genes were significantly associated with the IL-17 signaling pathway, advanced glycosylation end/receptor of advanced glycation endproducts(AGE/RAGE) signaling pathway, anti-inflammatory, and other pathways. PPI network indicated that albumin(ALB), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), IL-6, IL-1β, and C-reactive protein(CRP) were the key protein targets. The molecular docking results showed that ALB had the strongest binding force with beta-carotene (β-carotene). Biochemical results showed that blood uric acid decreased in the Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction groups. HE staining results showed that the low-dose (7.76 g·kg-1·d-1), medium-dose (15.53 g·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose (31.05 g·kg-1·d-1) groups of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction had different degrees of remission, and the remission of the high-dose group was the most obvious. Fibroblastic tissue hyperplasia in synovial joints accompanied with inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as inflammatory cell infiltration in renal tissue of the high-dose group was significantly reduced, followed by the medium-dose and low-dose groups, and the expression of ALB, PPAR-γ, IL-6, IL-1β, and CRP was down-regulated to different degrees. ConclusionBy regulating the targets such as ALB, PPAR-γ, IL-6, IL-1β, and CRP, inhibiting the PPAR-γ/nuclear transcription factor (NF)-κB pathway, and reducing AGEs/RAGE-mediated inflammation, Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and activates blood circulation and diuresis in the treatment of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis.
2.Swyer syndrome with gonadal non-dysgerminoma malignant germ cell tumors: a report of 15 cases in a national medical center.
Huan LIANG ; Si Jie LI ; Jia Xin YANG ; Ming WU ; Dong Yan CAO ; Jin Hui WANG ; Tao WANG ; Xin Yue ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2024;59(1):64-69
Objective: To evaluate the incidence, treatment, and survival outcomes of Swyer syndrome with gonadal non-dysgerminoma malignant germ cell tumor (MGCT-NDG). Methods: A retrospective study was performed on Swyer syndrome patients with MGCT-NDG between January 2011 and December 2022 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital to investigate their characteristics and outcomes. Results: A total of 15 patients (4.9%, 15/307) with Swyer syndrome were identified in 307 MGCT-NDG patients. The average age at diagnosis of MGCT-NDG and Swyer syndrome were (16.8±6.7) and (16.7±6.6) years, respectively. Six cases were preoperatively diagnosed as Swyer syndrome, of which 4 cases received bilateral gonadectomy with or without hysterectomy, while the other 2 cases underwent removal of gonadal tumor and unilateral gonadectomy with hysterectomy, respectively. Of the 9 patients postoperatively diagnosed as Swyer syndrome, unilateral gonadectomy, removal of gonadal tumor, and unilateral gonadectomy with hysterectomy were performed in 6 patients, 2 patients, and 1 patient, respectively. Mixed malignant germ cell tumor (MGCT;10 cases), yolk sac tumor (4 cases), and immature teratoma (1 case) were the pathological subtypes, in the descending order. There were International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage Ⅰ in 6 cases, stage Ⅱ in 3 cases, stage Ⅲ in 5 cases, and stage Ⅳ in 1 case, respectively. Eleven patients received reoperation for residual gonadectomy after a average delay of (7.9±6.2) months, including 8 MGCT-NDG patients and 1 gonadoblastoma patient, no tumor involved was seen in the remaining gonads in the other 2 cases. Ten patients experienced at least one recurrence, with a median event free survival of 9 months (5, 30 months), of which 2 patients received surgery only at the time of initial treatment. All patients with recurrence received surgery and combined with postoperative chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 25 months (15, 42 months), 10 patients were disease-free, 3 patients died of the tumor, 1 died of side effects of leukemia chemotherapy, and 1 survived with disease. Conclusion: The incidence rate of Swyer syndrome in patients with MGCT-NDG is about 4.9%; timely diagnosis and bilateral gonadectomy should be emphasized to reduce the risk of reoperation and second carcinogenesis in this population.
Female
;
Humans
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY/surgery*
;
Gonadoblastoma/surgery*
;
Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/surgery*
;
Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology*
3.Metabonomic study of blood of mice with high-voltage electrical injury
Si-Yu CHEN ; Hui WANG ; Yan LUO ; Jia-Wen TAO ; Wen-Juan ZHANG ; Yang YUE ; Zheng-Ping YU ; Hui-Feng PI
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(2):100-106
Objective To explore the changes of metabonomics in blood of mice after high-voltage electric shock,then screen out the significantly changed differential metabolites and metabolic pathways.Methods The head of C57BL/6J mice was subjected to high-voltage electric shock(electric shock group)or exposed to acoustic and optical stimulation of high-voltage electric(control group),then the whole blood from mice were collected to separate serum.The dual platform combined metabonomic analysis based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometer(GC-MS)and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer(LC-MS)was performed and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA)was used to screen the differential metabolites and related metabolic pathways.Results A total of 415 differential metabolites were screened out in metabonomics in blood of mice after high-voltage electric shock,including 187 up-regulated and 228 down-regulated metabolites.These differentially metabolites were significantly enriched in metabolic pathways including central carbon metabolism in cancer,glucagon signaling pathway,etc.Conclusion By establishing the model of high-voltage electrical injury on experimental mice,this study reveals the significant change of metabolite content and metabolic pathway in blood by high-voltage electrical injury.Which provides a basis for the damage of blood metabolic activity by high-voltage electrical injury,and suggests the potential harm of high-voltage electrical injury to blood metabolic activity in the whole body.
4.Text analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine scientific and technological innovation policy in China based on policy tools
Yue-Ming LI ; Li-Jun ZHUO ; Jing-Jia ZHU ; Hong-Bing TAO
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2024;17(1):36-42
Objective:To analyze the key points and shortcomings of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)science and technology innovation policy in China,and to provide reference for the subsequent policy optimization.Methods:Searching for TCM science and technology innovation policy texts released at the national level since 2007,and use the two-dimensional analysis framework for quantitative analysis.Results:Among 27 policies,In the X dimension,supply-based,environmental and demand-based policy tools respectively accounted for 48.98%,39.29%and 11.73%.In the Y dimension,the proportion of scientific and technological innovation and achievement transformation was the highest(29.03%);Promoting the development of integrated Chinese and Western medicine was the least used(1.08%).Conclusion:There is a structural imbalance in the application of policy tools,the distribution difference of policy objectives is significant,and the internal policy tools'usage is imbalanced regarding policy objectives.Suggestions:Optimize the internal structure of policy tools.Meanwhile,enhance the structure of policy objectives,and facilitate the dynamic integration and application of policy tools to achieve the policy objectives of scientific and technological innovation in TCM.
5.Comparation and considerations for general notice between the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the Japanese Pharmacopoeia
ZHU Jia ; LOU Yongjun ; PAN Fangfang ; GENG Xiaoting ; TANG Dengfeng ; SHANG Yue ; ZHENG Jinqi ; ZHENG Cheng ; TAO Qiaofeng
Drug Standards of China 2024;25(1):035-040
Objective: The characteristics and differences of the general notice between the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the Japanese Pharmacopoeia were investigated to provide references and suggestions for the compilation of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
Methods: From the perspective of frame structure and main contents, the general notice between the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the Japanese Pharmacopoeia was compared.
Results: Each volume of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia had its general notice, including 34 to 48 items and 10 to 12 chapters based on different varieties collected in each volume. The Japanese Pharmacopoeia had 49 items not arranged by chapters. There are many differences on the general notice between the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, such as the definitions and expressions of names, determination of appearance, revision rules, risk assessment and quality control conception. The framework of the general notice in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia was clear, the content was specific and the operation was friendly. The term description of the general notice in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia was concise, and some terms need to be implemented under the guidance of professional knowledge.
Conclusion: In light of comparative study, every volume’s general notice of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia has its own characteristics. By integrating advanced analytical technique, combining the requirements with laws and regulations, and optimizing content and terms, all volume’s general notice could be explored to be coordinated and unified.
6.Application of Functionalized Liposomes in The Delivery of Natural Products
Cheng-Yun WANG ; Xin-Yue LAN ; Jia-Xuan GU ; Xin-Ru GAO ; Long-Jiao ZHU ; Jun LI ; Bing FANG ; Wen-Tao XU ; Hong-Tao TIAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(11):2947-2959
Plant natural products have a wide range of pharmacological properties, not only can they be used as plant dietary supplements to meet the nutritional needs of the human body in the accelerated pace of life, but also occupy an important position in the research and development of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of tumors, inflammation and other diseases, and have been widely accepted by the public due to their good safety. However, despite the above advantages of plant natural products, limiting factors such as low solubility, poor stability, lack of targeting, high toxicity and side effects, and unacceptable odor have greatly impeded their conversion to clinical applications. Therefore, the development of new avenues for the application of new natural products has become an urgent problem to be solved at present. In recent years, with the continuous development of research, various strategies have been developed to improve the bioavailability of natural products. Among them, nanocarrier delivery system is one of the most attractive strategies at present. In past studies, a large number of nanomaterials (organic, inorganic, etc.) have been developed to encapsulate plant-derived natural products for their efficient delivery to specific organs and cells. Up to now, nanotechnology has not only been limited to pharmaceutical applications, but is also competing in the fields of nanofood processing technology and nanoemulsions. Among the various nanocarriers, liposomes are the largest nanocarriers with the largest market share at present. Liposomes are bilayer nanovesicles synthesized from amphiphilic substances, which have advantages such as high drug loading capacity and stability. Attractively, the flexible surface of liposomes can be modified with various functional elements. Functionalized modification of liposomes with different functional elements such as antibodies, nucleic acids, peptides, and stimuli-responsive moieties can bring out the excellent drug delivery function of liposomes to a greater extent. For example, the modification of functional elements with targeting function such as nucleic acids and antibodies on the surface of liposomes can deliver natural products to the target location and improve the bioavailability of drugs; the modification of stimulus-responsive groups such as photosensitizers, magnetic nanoparticles, pH-responsive groups, and temperature sensitizers on the surface of liposomes can achieve controlled release of drugs, localized targeting, and synergistic thermotherapy. In addition to the above properties, by using functionalized liposomes to encapsulate natural products with irritating properties can also effectively mask the irritating properties of natural products, improve public acceptance, and increase the possibility of application of irritating natural products. There are various strategies for modifying liposomes with functional elements, and the properties of functionalized liposomes constructed by different construction strategies differ. The commonly used construction strategies for functionalized liposomes include covalent modification and non-covalent modification. These two types of construction strategies have their own advantages and disadvantages. Covalent modification has better stability than non-covalent modification, but its operation is cumbersome. With the above background, this review focuses on the three typical problems faced by plant natural products at present, and summarizes the specific applications of functionalized liposomes in them. In addition, this paper summarizes the construction strategies for building different types of functionalized liposomes. Finally, this paper will also review the opportunities and challenges faced by functionalized liposomes to enter clinical therapy, and explore the opportunities to overcome these problems, with a view to better realizing the precise control of plant nanomedicines, and providing ideas and inspirations for researchers in related fields as well as relevant industrial staff.
7.The antitumor activity and mechanisms of piperlongumine derivative C12 on human non-small cell lung cancer H1299 cells
Hai-tao LONG ; Xue LEI ; Jia-yi CHEN ; Jiao MENG ; Li-hui SHAO ; Zhu-rui LI ; Dan-ping CHEN ; Zhen-chao WANG ; Yue ZHOU ; Cheng-peng LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(10):2773-2781
The compound (
8.Construction of CRISPR/Cas9 knock-in system for tardigrade damage suppressor gene Dsup and its effect on HEK 293T cell proliferation
Yuting GAO ; Biao ZHANG ; Yali JIA ; Haiyang WANG ; Tao FAN ; Jiafei XI ; Wen YUE ; Quan ZENG ; Junnian ZHOU
Military Medical Sciences 2024;48(8):586-593
Objective To construct HEK 293T cells that express tardigrade Dsup protein fused with green fluorescent protein copGFP in order to study the effect of Dsup protein on proliferation of HEK 293T cells.Methods The CRISPR/Cas9 gene knock-in system was constructed.The target gene fragments of Dsup,copGFP,EF1α and puromycin were amplified by PCR and inserted into pAAVS1-SFFV to construct the fusion vector of Dsup and copGFP,which was known as pAAVS1-SFFV-Dsup-copGFP-EF1α-Puro.pAAVS1-SFFV-Dsup-copGFP-EF1 α-Puro and pAAVS1-CRISPR-Cas9 vector were co-transfected into HEK 293T cells before Dsup gene was inserted into the AAVS1 region of HEK 293T cells via homologous recombination.The HEK 293T cells expressing Dsup gene were obtained following puromycin selection,flow cytometry sorting and genome identification.The expression of Dsup at mRNA and protein levels and proliferation-related genes(MCM2,MCM4,PCNA,Ki-67)were examined to investigate the effects of Dsup gene on the proliferation of HEK 293T-Dsup-copGFP cells.Results The pAAVS1-SFFV-Dsup-copGFP-EF1α-Puro recombinant vector was constructed,and the HEK 293T-Dsup-copGFP cells with Dsup gene inserted in the AAVS1 region were obtained,where both Dsup mRNA and protein were expressed.The cell proliferation rate of HEK 293T-Dsup-copGFP was higher than that of HEK 293T-Control-copGFP(P<0.001).Further investigation revealed that the expressions of Ki-67 and MCM4 protein in HEK 293T-Dsup-copGFP were significantly higher than in the control group,indicating that the knock in of Dsup gene might enhance the proliferation ability of human cells by promoting the expression of Ki-67 and MCM4 protein.Conclusion A gene editing vector is constructed,and stable cell line HEK 293T-Dsup-copGFP for Dsup fusion expression with copGFP is established.The expression of Dsup gene in HEK 293T cells can promote cell proliferation,possibly by upregulating the expressions of Ki-67 and MCM4 protein.
9.REDH: A database of RNA editome in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancy
Jiayue XU ; Jiahuan HE ; Jiabin YANG ; Fengjiao WANG ; Yue HUO ; Yuehong GUO ; Yanmin SI ; Yufeng GAO ; Fang WANG ; Hui CHENG ; Tao CHENG ; Jia YU ; Xiaoshuang WANG ; Yanni MA
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(3):283-293
Background::The conversion of adenosine (A) to inosine (I) through deamination is the prevailing form of RNA editing, impacting numerous nuclear and cytoplasmic transcripts across various eukaryotic species. Millions of high-confidence RNA editing sites have been identified and integrated into various RNA databases, providing a convenient platform for the rapid identification of key drivers of cancer and potential therapeutic targets. However, the available database for integration of RNA editing in hematopoietic cells and hematopoietic malignancies is still lacking.Methods::We downloaded RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data of 29 leukemia patients and 19 healthy donors from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and RNA-seq data of 12 mouse hematopoietic cell populations obtained from our previous research were also used. We performed sequence alignment, identified RNA editing sites, and obtained characteristic editing sites related to normal hematopoietic development and abnormal editing sites associated with hematologic diseases.Results::We established a new database, "REDH", represents RNA editome in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancy. REDH is a curated database of associations between RNA editome and hematopoiesis. REDH integrates 30,796 editing sites from 12 murine adult hematopoietic cell populations and systematically characterizes more than 400,000 edited events in malignant hematopoietic samples from 48 cohorts (human). Through the Differentiation, Disease, Enrichment, and knowledge modules, each A-to-I editing site is systematically integrated, including its distribution throughout the genome, its clinical information (human sample), and functional editing sites under physiological and pathological conditions. Furthermore, REDH compares the similarities and differences of editing sites between different hematologic malignancies and healthy control.Conclusions::REDH is accessible at http://www.redhdatabase.com/. This user-friendly database would aid in understanding the mechanisms of RNA editing in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancies. It provides a set of data related to the maintenance of hematopoietic homeostasis and identifying potential therapeutic targets in malignancies.
10.Effects and mechanisms of total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot in inhibiting podocyte necroptosis and renal fibrosis in diabetic kidney disease.
Jia-Xin CHEN ; Qi-Jun FANG ; Yi-Gang WAN ; Ying-Lu LIU ; Yu WANG ; Wei WU ; Yue TU ; Mei-Zi WANG ; Dian-Guang WANG ; Hai-Tao GE
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(15):4137-4146
Previous studies have shown that high blood glucose-induced chronic microinflammation can cause inflammatory podocyte injury in patients with diabetic kidney disease(DKD). Therein, necroptosis is a new form of podocyte death that is closely associated with renal fibrosis(RF). To explore the effects and mechanisms in vivo of total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot(TFA), an extract from traditional Chinese herbal medicine Abelmoschus manihot for treating kidney diseases, on podocyte necroptosis and RF in DKD, and to further reveal its scientific connotation with multi-pathway and multi-target, the authors randomly divided all rats into four groups: a namely normal group, a model group, a TFA group and a rapamycin(RAP) group. After the modified DKD rat models were successfully established, four group rats were given double-distilled water, TFA suspension and RAP suspension, respectively by gavage every day. At the end of the 4th week of drug treatment, all rats were sacrificed, and the samples of their urine, blood and kidneys were collected. And then, the various indicators related to podocyte necroptosis and RF in the DKD model rats were observed, detected and analyzed, respectively. The results indicated that, general condition, body weight(BW), serum creatinine(Scr), urinary albumin(UAlb), and kidney hypertrophy index(KHI) in these modified DKD model rats were both improved by TFA and RAP. Indicators of RF, including glomerular histomorphological characteristics, fibronectin(FN) and collagen type Ⅰ(collagen Ⅰ) staining extent in glomeruli, as well as the protein expression levels of FN, collagen Ⅰ, transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) and Smad2/3 in the kidneys were improved respectively by TFA and RAP. Podocyte damage, including foot process form and the protein expression levels of podocin and CD2AP in the kidneys was improved by TFA and RAP. In addition, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)-mediated podocyte necroptosis in the kidneys, including the morphological characteristics of podocyte necroptosis, the extent and levels of the protein expression of TNF-α and phosphorylated mixed lineage kinase domain like pseudokinase(p-MLKL) was improved respectively by TFA and RAP. Among them, RAP had the better effect on p-MLKL. More importantly, the activation of the receptor interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 1(RIPK1)/RIPK3/MLKL signaling axis in the kidneys, including the expression levels of its key signaling molecules, such as phosphorylated receptor interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 1(p-RIPK1), p-RIPK3, p-MLKL and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-8(caspase-8) was improved respectively by TFA and RAP. Among them, the effect of TFA on p-RIPK1 was superior. On the whole, in this study, the authors demonstrated that TFA alleviates podocyte necroptosis and RF in DKD through inhibiting the activation of the TNF-α-mediated RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling axis in diabetic kidneys. The authors' findings provide new pharmacological evidence to reveal the scientific connotation of TFA in treating RF in DKD in more depth.
Humans
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Rats
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Animals
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Diabetic Nephropathies/drug therapy*
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Abelmoschus
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Flavones/pharmacology*
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Podocytes
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
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Necroptosis
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Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
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Fibrosis
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Threonine/pharmacology*
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Collagen/metabolism*
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Serine/pharmacology*
;
Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy*

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