1.Cyclocarya paliurus Polysaccharide Inhibits Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Reducing 5α-Reductase 2
Qinhui DAI ; Mengxia YAN ; Chen WANG ; Chenjun SHEN ; Chenying JIANG ; Bo YANG ; Huajun ZHAO ; Zhihui ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):107-114
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of polysaccharide in water extract of Cyclocarya paliurus (CPWP) in inhibiting benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MethodsCPWP was obtained by heating reflux, aqueous extraction, alcohol precipitation, and freeze drying. The chemical composition and structural properties of CPWP were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with 1-pheny-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone pre-column derivatization and infrared spectroscopy. Male SD rats were randomly assigned into control, model, finasteride (ig 5 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (ig 50, 75, 100 mg·kg-1) CPWP groups, with 8 rats in each group. The BPH model was established by subcutaneously injecting propionate testosterone in castrated rats. The rats in the drug intervention groups were administrated with corresponding drugs, and those in the control group were administrated with an equal volume of normal saline each day. After 30 consecutive days, the rats were sacrificed, and the prostate tissue was separated and weighed. The effects of drug interventions on the body weight, prostate wet weight, and prostate index of rats were examined. The prostate tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) for observation of pathological changes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the level of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of steroid 5 alpha-reductase 2 (SRD5A2) and Ki67 in the prostate tissue. ResultsCPWP was identified as a saccharide, with characteristic absorption peaks of saccharides. CPWP showed the total sugar content of 44.15% and molecular weight within the range of 5.5-78.8 kDa, being composed of mannose, rhamnose, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose, xylose, and arabinose. Compared with the control group, the model group had significantly increased prostate wet weight and prostate index (P<0.01), thick and tall prostate epithelial cells, increased internal wrinkles, papillary expansion into the cavity, an elevation in DHT level in the serum, and up-regulated expression of SRD5A2 and Ki67 in the prostate tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, both the finasteride and CPWP groups showed decreases in prostate wet weight and prostate index (P<0.05, P<0.01), thinned prostate epithelial cells, with only a small portion of internal wrinkles and papillary expansion into the cavity, shortened papillary protrusions, lowered DHT level in the serum, and down-regulated expression of SRD5A2 and Ki67 in the prostate tissue (P<0.01). Moreover, CPWP exerted effects in a dose-dependent manner. ConclusionCPWP inhibits BPH by regulating the expression of SRD5A2.
2.Evaluation of Anti-osteoporosis Activity and Hepatotoxicity of Xianling Gubao Based on Zebrafish Model
Qiuman LI ; Yue QIAN ; Zixuan ZHU ; Yuan SONG ; Qian DENG ; Shengyun DAI ; Chongjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):87-94
ObjectiveTo investigate the association and translational mechanism between the hepatotoxicity of Xianling Gubao (XLGB) and its treatment of osteoporosis based on a zebrafish model. MethodsZebrafish were randomly selected four days after fertilization (4 dpf) and exposed to different concentrations of XLGB (0.7,0.35 mg·L-1) for 96 h. At the endpoint of the exposure, the mortality rates of zebrafish in the treatment groups of different concentrations were counted, and the "dose-toxicity" curves were plotted. The 10% sublethal concentration (LC10) was calculated. The liver area, acridine orange staining, and pathological tissue sections of transgenic zebrafish [CZ16 (gz15Tg.Tg (fabp 10a: ds Red; ela31: EGFP)] were used as indicators to confirm the hepatic damage caused by the sublethal concentration of XLGB. By using the prednisolone (PNSL)-induced osteoporosis model of zebrafish, the anti-osteoporosis activity of XLGB was evaluated by using the area of skull stained by alizarin red and the cumulative optical density value as indicators. Then, the toxicity difference of XLGB on the liver of zebrafish in healthy and osteoporotic states was compared, and the mechanism of the translational action of the toxicity of XLGB was predicted based on network pharmacology and real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). ResultsThe LC10 of XLGB on zebrafish (8 dpf) was 0.7 mg·L-1. Compared with the blank group, the sublethal concentration (LC10=0.7 mg·L-1, 1/2 LC10=0.35 mg·L-1) of XLGB induced an increase in the number of apoptosis of hepatocytes in a dose-dependent manner, and the tissue arrangement of the liver was disordered and loose. The vacuoles were obvious, and the fluorescence area of the liver was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the mineralized area and cumulative optical density value of zebrafish skull in the PNSL model group were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and those in the 0.7,0.35 mg·L-1 XLGB treatment group were significantly increased compared with the model group (P<0.01). Most importantly, 0.7 mg·L-1 XLGB had no significant effect on the liver of zebrafish in the osteoporosis disease model compared with the blank group. The results of network pharmacology and real-time PCR experiments showed that the toxic transformation of XLGB might be related to the differences in the expression levels of key targets, such as tumor protein 53 (TP53), cysteine aspartic acid specific protease-3(Caspase-3), interleukin(IL)-6, and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) in different organismal states. ConclusionUnder certain conditions, XLGB has hepatotoxicity in normal zebrafish, but under osteoporotic conditions, XLGB not only exerts significant anti-osteoporosis activity but also alleviates hepatotoxicity significantly, which provides a reference for the safe clinical use of XLGB and real evidence for the theories of traditional Chinese medicine of attacking poison with poison and of treating disease with corresponding drugs without damage to the body.
3.Improvement of quality control methods and “quality evaluation via color discrimination”of Hypericum perforatum
Xishuo LI ; Benzheng SU ; Zhenni QU ; Juanjuan ZHU ; Yanpeng DAI ; Dianhua SHI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(6):661-667
OBJECTIVE To provide a reference for the quality control of Hypericum perforatum. METHODS High- performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to establish fingerprints for 20 batches of H. perforatum and determine the contents of its main components: chlorogenic acid, rutin, hyperin, isoquercitrin, avicularin, quercitrin and quercetin. Cluster analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0 software. The chromaticity values (luminance value L*, red-green value a*, and yellow- blue value b*) of H. perforatum powder were measured using electronic eye. A prediction model for the contents of seven components in H. perforatum based on its appearance chromaticity values was established using machine learning algorithms. The predictive performance of the models was evaluated using root-mean-square-error (RMSE). RESULTS A total of 16 common peaks were calibrated in the fingerprints of 20 batches of H. perforatum, and 9 peaks were identified, which were chlorogenic acid, rutin, hyperin, isoquercitrin, avicularin, quercitrin, quercetin, hypericin and hyperforin; the similarities of the 20 batches of samples and reference fingerprint ranged from 0.889-0.987. The contents of chlorogenic acid, rutin, hyperin, isoquercitrin, avicularin, quercitrin and quercetin were 0.025%-0.166%, 0.048%-0.339%, 0.082%-0.419%, 0.017%-0.209%, 0.011%-0.134%, 0.020%-0.135%, 0.041%-0.235%, respectively. Cluster analysis results showed that 18 batches of qualified H. perforatum were grouped into three categories, when the Euclidean distance was set to 1.4. L* of the 20 batches of H. perforatum ranged from 62.814 to 75.668, a* ranged from 1.409 to 3.490, and b* ranged from 25.249 to 30.759. RMSE of three prediction models, namely XGBoost, LightGBM, and AdaBoost, ranged from 0.008 to 0.070, indicating good fitting performance. XGBoost model predicted the contents of the other six components with high accuracy, except for rutin. CONCLUSIONS The established fingerprints and content determination methods are accurate, reproducible, and reliable. The content prediction model based on appearance chromaticity values, combined with machine learning algorithms, can be used for the quality control of H. perforatum.
4.Oral Herombopag Olamine and subcutaneous recombinant human thrombopoietin after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Dai KONG ; Xinkai WANG ; Wenhui ZHANG ; Xiaohang PEI ; Cheng LIAN ; Xiaona NIU ; Honggang GUO ; Junwei NIU ; Zunmin ZHU ; Zhongwen LIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(1):1-7
BACKGROUND:Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an important treatment for malignant hematological diseases,and delayed postoperative platelet implantation is a common complication that seriously affects the quality of patient survival;however,there are no standard protocols to improve platelet implantation rates and prevent platelet implantation delays. OBJECTIVE:To compare the safety and efficacy of oral Herombopag Olamine versus subcutaneous recombinant human thrombopoietin for promoting platelet implantation in patients with malignant hematological diseases undergoing haploid hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHODS:Clinical data of 163 patients with malignant hematological diseases who underwent haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from January 2016 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.A total of 72 patients who started to subcutaneously inject recombinant human thrombopoietin at+2 days were categorized into the recombinant human thrombopoietin group;a total of 27 patients who started to orally take Herombopag Olamine at+2 days were categorized into the Herombopag Olamine group;and 64 patients who did not apply Herombopag Olamine or recombinant human thrombopoietin were categorized into the blank control group.The implantation status,incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease of degree II-IV within 100 days,1-year survival rate,1-year recurrence rate,and safety were analyzed in the three groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The average follow-up time was 52(12-87)months.The implantation time of neutrophils in the blank control group,recombinant human thrombopoietin group,and Herombopag Olamine group was(12.95±3.88)days,(14.04±3.71)days,and(13.89±2.74)days,respectively,with no statistically significant difference(P=0.352);the implantation time of platelets was(15.16±6.27)days,(17.67±6.52)days,and(17.00±4.75)days,with no statistically significant difference(P=0.287).(2)The complete platelet implantation rate on day 60 was 64.06%,90.28%,and 92.59%,respectively,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001).The subgroup analysis showed that the difference between the blank control group and the recombinant human thrombopoietin group was statistically significant(P<0.001),and the difference between the blank control group and the Herombopag Olamine group was statistically significant(P=0.004).The difference was not statistically significant between the recombinant human thrombopoietin group and Herombopag Olamine group(P=0.535).(3)100-day II-IV degree acute graft-versus-host disease incidence in the blank control group,recombinant human thrombopoietin group,and Herombopag Olamine group were 25.00%,30.56%,and 25.93%,respectively,and the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.752).(4)The incidence of cytomegalovirus anemia,cytomegalovirus pneumonia,and hepatic function injury had no statistical difference among the three groups(P>0.05).(5)During the follow-up period,there was no thrombotic event in any of the three groups of patients.(6)The results showed that recombinant human thrombopoietin and Herombopag Olamine could improve the platelet implantation rate of malignant hematological disease patients after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation,with comparable efficacy and good safety.
5.Novel X-Clip transcatheter edge-to-edge repair system for treating severe functional mitral regurgitation: The first case report
Jiaqi DAI ; Da ZHU ; Shouzheng WANG ; Xiangbin PAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(04):567-570
For patients with moderate-to-severe functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) who continue to experience heart failure symptoms despite optimized medical and device therapy, transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair (TEER) is increasingly becoming a reliable treatment option. With the continuous research and development and improvement of TEER-related devices, there are currently dozens of domestically developed TEER devices undergoing clinical trials in China. In this study, we report the first case of a patient with severe FMR treated with the X-Clip® TEER system. The patient, a 60-year-old male, suffered FMR attributed to dilated cardiomyopathy. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography showed severe mitral regurgitation (4+). He underwent percutaneous repair using the X-Clip® system, and immediate postoperative ultrasound showed mild mitral regurgitation. At the 1-month follow-up, the patient’s symptoms and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class improved, and a follow-up transthoracic echocardiogram showed mild mitral regurgitation (1+).
6.Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification Unraveled The Mechanism of Pachymic Acid in The Treatment of Neuroblastoma
Hang LIU ; Yu-Xin ZHU ; Si-Lin GUO ; Xin-Yun PAN ; Yuan-Jie XIE ; Si-Cong LIAO ; Xin-Wen DAI ; Ping SHEN ; Yu-Bo XIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2376-2392
ObjectiveTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutes a valuable cultural heritage and an important source of antitumor compounds. Poria (Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf), the dried sclerotium of a polyporaceae fungus, was first documented in Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica and has been used therapeutically and dietarily in China for millennia. Traditionally recognized for its diuretic, spleen-tonifying, and sedative properties, modern pharmacological studies confirm that Poria exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. Pachymic acid (PA; a triterpenoid with the chemical structure 3β-acetyloxy-16α-hydroxy-lanosta-8,24(31)-dien-21-oic acid), isolated from Poria, is a principal bioactive constituent. Emerging evidence indicates PA exerts antitumor effects through multiple mechanisms, though these remain incompletely characterized. Neuroblastoma (NB), a highly malignant pediatric extracranial solid tumor accounting for 15% of childhood cancer deaths, urgently requires safer therapeutics due to the limitations of current treatments. Although PA shows multi-mechanistic antitumor potential, its efficacy against NB remains uncharacterized. This study systematically investigated the potential molecular targets and mechanisms underlying the anti-NB effects of PA by integrating network pharmacology-based target prediction with experimental validation of multi-target interactions through molecular docking, dynamic simulations, and in vitro assays, aimed to establish a novel perspective on PA’s antitumor activity and explore its potential clinical implications for NB treatment by integrating computational predictions with biological assays. MethodsThis study employed network pharmacology to identify potential targets of PA in NB, followed by validation using molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, MM/PBSA free energy analysis, RT-qPCR and Western blot experiments. Network pharmacology analysis included target screening via TCMSP, GeneCards, DisGeNET, SwissTargetPrediction, SuperPred, and PharmMapper. Subsequently, potential targets were predicted by intersecting the results from these databases via Venn analysis. Following target prediction, topological analysis was performed to identify key targets using Cytoscape software. Molecular docking was conducted using AutoDock Vina, with the binding pocket defined based on crystal structures. MD simulations were performed for 100 ns using GROMACS, and RMSD, RMSF, SASA, and hydrogen bonding dynamics were analyzed. MM/PBSA calculations were carried out to estimate the binding free energy of each protein-ligand complex. In vitro validation included RT-qPCR and Western blot, with GAPDH used as an internal control. ResultsThe CCK-8 assay demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of PA on NB cell viability. GO analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve cellular response to chemical stress, vesicle lumen, and protein tyrosine kinase activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and Ras signaling pathways. Molecular docking and MD simulations revealed stable binding interactions between PA and the core target proteins AKT1, EGFR, SRC, and HSP90AA1. RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses further confirmed that PA treatment significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression of AKT1, EGFR, and SRC while increasing the HSP90AA1 mRNA and protein levels. ConclusionIt was suggested that PA may exert its anti-NB effects by inhibiting AKT1, EGFR, and SRC expression, potentially modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. These findings provide crucial evidence supporting PA’s development as a therapeutic candidate for NB.
7.Cinobufagin Combined with Thalidomide/Dexamethasone Regimen in the Treatment of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma of Phlegm and Stasis Obstruction: A Retrospective Study
Weiguang ZHANG ; Haihua DING ; Biqing CHEN ; Xiangtu KONG ; Xingbin DAI ; Zuqiong XU ; Jing YANG ; Xixi LIU ; Chencheng LI ; Zhongxiao HU ; Xuejun ZHU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(1):72-78
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of cinobufagin tablets combined with thalidomide/dexamethasone (TD) regimen in the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) with phlegm and stasis obstruction. MethodsThe clinical data of 50 patients with NDMM of phlegm and stasis obstruction who were hospitalized at the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from June 1st, 2015 to July 31th, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into a control group (bortezomib/dexamethasone-containing regimen, 27 cases) and an observation group (cinobufagin tablets combined with TD regimen, 23 cases). The clinical efficacy and safety were compared between the two groups after two or three courses of treatment. The primary outcomes were clinical remission rate including overall response rate and deep remission rate, one-year and two-year overall survival rate, and adverse effects. The secondary outcomes were the proportion of plasma cells in bone marrow, hemoglobin, β2-microglobulin, lactate dehydrogenase, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, bone pain score, and KPS functional status score (KPS score) before and after treatment. ResultsIn terms of clinical efficacy, there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the overall response rate [the observation group 69.57%(16/23) vs the control group 70.37% (19/27)] and deep remission rate [the observation group 56.52% (13/23) vs the control group 55.56% (15/27)] between groups after the treatment. The one-year overall survival rates of the observation group and the control group were 90.9% and 92.4%, and the two-year overall survival rates were 81.8% and 80.9% respectively, with no statistically significant differences between groups (P>0.05). During the treatment, no renal function injury occurred in both groups. The incidence of peripheral nerve injury in the observation group was 8.70%, which was lower than 48.15% in the control group (P<0.01). After the treatment, the proportion of myeloma plasma cells, β2-microglobulin, serum creatinine level, and bone pain score decreased, while the hemoglobin level and KPS score increased in both groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared between groups after treatment, the bone pain score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, while the KPS score was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe clinical efficacy of cinobufagin tablets combined with TD in the treatment of NDMM is equivalent to bortezomib/dexamethasone-containing regimen, but the former is more helpful in relieving the pain and improving the quality of life, and has better safety.
8.Expression and Clinical Significance of MKI67 in Pancreatic Cancer
Hu WANG ; Yanmei YIN ; Haoxuan DU ; Hao CHEN ; Xiaopeng MA ; Aibin DAI ; Kexiang ZHU
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2024;51(2):91-98
Objectives To explore the expression, biological function, and mechanism of MKI67 in pancreatic cancer and its clinical significance. Methods The expression level, diagnosis, and prognostic value of MKI67 in pancreatic cancer were analyzed using public databases. We also investigated the association between the MKI67 with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint molecules. We analyzed the functional pathway enrichment to uncover the possible molecular mechanisms. qRT-PCR and Western blot assay were used to verify the expression of MKI67 mRNA and protein. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect the expression of MKI67 in tissue protein. Results The high expression of MKI67 was significantly associated with high histological grades and poor outcomes in pancreatic cancer. High MKI67 expression was correlated with poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients (
9.Study on Zhou Meisheng's moxibustion treatment for epidemic hemorrhagic fever based on data mining and knowledge map
Bingyuan ZHOU ; Caifeng ZHU ; Haiyang ZHAO ; Xiaofeng QIN ; Fei DAI ; Na ZHANG ; Yumei JIA ; Anqi WU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(3):369-376
Objective:To explore the therapeutic law of moxibustion in Professor Zhou Meisheng's medical manuscripts for epidemic hemorrhagic fever (EHF) based on data mining and knowledge map technology.Methods:The manuscript data of Professor Zhou Meisheng's moxibustion treatment of EHFwere collected from Infectious Diseases Department of Dangshan County People's Hospital from December 16, 1985 to December 25, 1987. Graphpad Grism 8.0 software was used for descriptive analysis. PHP 5.4 program code was used for association rule analysis. SPSS Statistics 26.0 was used for clustering analysis. Neo4j Community 3.5.25 database was used to analyze the syndrome-weight graph.Results:205 prescriptions were included. There were 21 symptoms with frequency>40, in which the frequency of aversion to cold, fever, rash and irritability was 100%. The main types of moxibustion methods used in the treatment included moxibustion frame fumigation moxibustion, Wanying acupoint moxibustion pen moxibustion, and fire needle instead of moxibustion. There were 29 acupoints with a frequency of >25, including Zhongwan (CV12), Shenshu (BL23) and Mingmen (DU4), etc. Association rules showed that Sanyinjiao (SP6)-Zhongwan (CV12)-Feishu (BL13)-Shenshu (BL23)-Zhiyang (DU9) had the highest correlation. Six effective clustering combinations of moxibustion for EHF were summarized by clustering analysis. The weight graph can obtained the first 30 relationships with high correlation of target syndromes.Conclusions:Professor Zhou applied the idea of "moxibustion for heat syndrome" to the treatment of EHF, and took the method of "acupoint selection according to symptoms" as the main acupoint selection idea for moxibustion treatment of EHF. In clinical practice, moxibustion combined with auxiliary operation of TCM is often used to treat EHF, which can achieve good results.
10.Morphological study of GABAergic neurons in the ventral zona incerta of mice involved in chronic itch
Shihao PENG ; Ze FAN ; Ziyi DAI ; Yiwen ZHANG ; Xiaotong SHI ; Yuanyuan ZHU ; Shengxi WU ; Jing HUANG
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2024;40(1):1-8
Objective:To detect itching,anxiety,depression behaviors in chronic itch models of mice and observe the activation of γ-aminobutiric acid(GABA)neurons in the ventral sector of the zona incerta(ZIv),and provide mor-phological evidence for their involvement in the modulation of itch information.Methods:Diphenylcyclopropenone(DCP)was used in glutamic acid decarboxylase 67-green fluorescent protein(GAD67-GFP)knock-in mice to establish chronic itch model.Itch behaviors were detected by video tracking system to verify whether the models were successfully established.The anxiety,depression behaviors of chronic itch model mice were detected by using elevated plus maze test(EPM)and tail suspention test(TST).By using GAD67-GFP mice,the distribution of GABAergic neurons in va-rious sectors of the zona incerta(ZI)was observed.And combined with immunofluorescence staining method,double labeling of GABAergic neurons with FOS in ZIv were observed respectively in control and DCP group mice.Results:In brain slices of GAD67-GFP mice,GABAergic neurons can be observed within all sectors of ZI and are more concentrat-ed in ZIv.Compared with control group mice,DCP group mice showed a significant increase in the bouts of scratching(P<0.001).The time of immobility in TST was significantly higher in DCP group mice than in control group mice,which displayed depression-like behavior.The EPM test showed that the numbers of entries and proportion of time in the cross region in DCP group mice were less than in control group mice.EPM test revealed that DCP group mice exhibited anxiety-like behavior.The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that the number of FOS-positive cells in ZIv was significantly higher in DCP group mice than in control group mice,and abundant co-labeled neurons of FOS and GABAergic neurons were observed in ZIv.Conclusion:GABAergic neurons were predominantly distributed in ZI,and were more concentrated in ZIv.The activation of GABAergic neurons in ZIv of DCP group mice provides morphological evidence on the involvement of GABAergic neurons in chronic itch and associated negative emotions.

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