1.Role of alkaloid compounds in regulating chronic liver diseases
Yihui ZHENG ; Jiahui WANG ; Tiejian ZHAO ; Xuelin DUAN ; Lei WANG ; Yang ZHENG ; Shiquan YANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):375-382
Chronic liver diseases with common causes including viral infections, alcohol abuse, and autoimmune diseases. Alkaloids, as a class of plant-derived compounds, have shown significant potential in regulating chronic liver diseases. Recent studies have shown that alkaloids are able to exert a therapeutic effect on chronic liver diseases through multiple pathways. These compounds have a regulatory effect on key pathological processes such as liver fibrosis, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis, and they also regulate the metabolic homeostasis of hepatocytes by modulating multiple signaling pathways, thereby playing a role in regulating chronic liver diseases. This article reviews the role and mechanism of alkaloids in the treatment of chronic liver diseases, in order to provide new ideas and directions for the treatment of chronic liver diseases.
2.Jianpi Yiqi Prescription Inhibits Proliferation and Invasion of Hepatic Carcinoma Cells by Targeting PTPN1
Shanshan SUN ; Jing HONG ; Shufan SONG ; Zongxi SUN ; Chao WANG ; Shaoyuan ZHUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):80-88
ObjectiveTo investigate the key targets of Jianpi Yiqi prescription (JYP) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on network pharmacology and explore the effect of JYP on the invasion and proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 1 (PTPN1) by bioinformatics analysis and CRISPR/Cas9. MethodsThe potential targets of JYP in the treatment of HCC were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), SwissTargetPrediction, GeneCards, NCBI, and CTD. Additionally, the active components of JYP that could interact with PTPN1 were screened out, and then molecular docking between the targets and active components was performed in Autodock 4.0. UALCAN, HPA, and LinkedOmics were used to analyze the expression of PTPN1 in the HCC tissue, and the relationship of PTPN1 expression with the overall survival (OS) of HCC patients was discussed. CRISPR/Cas9 was used to knock down the expression of PTPN1 in HepG2 and SK-hep-1 cells, and the knockdown effect was examined by sequencing, Real-time PCR, and Western blot. HepG2 cells were classified into blank control, low-, medium-, and high-dose JYP (5.25, 10.5, 21 g·kg-1), and PTPN1 knockout groups. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of PTPN1 in HepG2 cells of each group. The effects of JYP and PTPN1 knockdown on the proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of HepG2 cells were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), Transwell, and Annexin V-FITC/PI methods, respectively. ResultsJYP had the most active components targeting PTPN1, and 31 of the active components had the binding energy less than -5.0 kcal·mol-1 in molecular docking. The mRNA and protein levels of PTPN1 in the HCC tissue were higher than those in the normal tissue (P<0.01). Compared with that in the normal tissue, the mRNA level of PTPN1 in the HCC tissue was up-regulated at the pathological stages Ⅰ-Ⅲ and grades G1-G3 (P<0.01), and it was not significantly up-regulated at the stage Ⅳ or grade G4. The mRNA level of PTPN1 in the TP53-mutated HCC tissue was higher than that in the TP53-unmutated HCC tissue (P<0.01). The high mRNA level of PTPN1 was associated with the OS reduction (P<0.01). After treatment with the JYP-containing serum or knockdown of PTPN1, HepG2 cells demonstrated decreased proliferation and invasion and increased apoptosis (P<0.01). ConclusionPTPN1 may be one of the core targets of JYP in the treatment of HCC. It is highly expressed in the HCC tissue and cells, which is associated with the poor prognosis of patients. The expression level of PTPN1 is significantly up-regulated in the HCC tissue of the patients with TP53 mutation. However, TP53 mutation or deletion does not affect the expression of PTPN1 in HCC cells. JYP can significantly down-regulate the expression of PTPN1 to inhibit the proliferation and invasion and promote the apoptosis of HCC cells.
3.Mechanism of in Vitro and in vivo Models of Osteoporosis Regulation by Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Ming YANG ; Jinji WANG ; Xuefeng ZHUANG ; Xiaolei FANG ; Zhijie ZHU ; Huiwei BAO ; Lijing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):281-289
Osteoporosis is a common bone disease, whose incidence is still on the rise, posing great challenges to patients and society. This review mainly studies the pathogenesis of osteoporosis from the aspects of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and glucolipotoxicity-induced injury and clarifies the efficacy and mechanism of some active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine against osteoporosis through the integration of in vitro and in vivo experiments. The experimental results suggest that some active ingredients can improve bone resorption markers and maintain bone homeostasis by modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, etc. These active ingredients regulate osteoporosis through the receptor activator of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL) pathway, osteoprotegerin (OPG) pathway, Wnt/β-catenin pathway, NF-κB pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and oxidative stress pathway. This review provides ideas for the progress of the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis with the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, aiming to provide new potential lead compounds and reference for the development of innovative drugs and clinical therapy for the treatment of osteoporosis.
4.Clinical Efficacy of Gandou Fumu Granules in Intervention of Liver Fibrosis in WD Patients with Phlegm and Blood Stasis Syndrome and Effect on Cuproptosis-related Indicators
Fei WANG ; Zhenzhen JIANG ; Yimin CHEN ; Zhuang TAO ; Meixia WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):174-181
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Gandou Fumu Granules (GDFMG) combined with sodium dimercaptosulphonate (DMPS) on liver fibrosis in Wilson disease (WD) patients with the syndrome of phlegm and blood stasis, evaluate its effect on cuproptosis-related indicators, and explore the possible mechanisms of cuproptosis in WD-related liver fibrosis. MethodsSixty WD patients diagnosed with the syndrome of phlegm and blood stasis between January 2023 and December 2023 were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 30 patients in each group. The control group received the copper chelator DMPS for the first 6 days, followed by calcium gluconate injection for the next 2 days, completing an 8-day treatment cycle. The observation group received GDFMG in addition to the treatment regimen of the control group, with both groups treated for 21 cycles. A Beckman fully automated biochemical analyzer was used to detect levels of type Ⅳ collagen (CⅣ), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), N-terminal propeptide of type Ⅲ procollagen (PⅢ-NP), and serum copper (SCu) before and after treatment in both groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure levels of ferredoxin 1 (FDX1), lipoic acid synthetase (LIAS), and dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT). Atomic absorption spectroscopy measured 24-hour urine copper levels before treatment and after the 7, 14, and 21 treatment cycles in both groups. An Fibro Touch (FT) non-invasive liver fibrosis diagnostic device was used to measure liver stiffness (LSM) in both groups before and after treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score (TCMSS) was evaluated at the same intervals. Clinical efficacy, adverse events, and safety indicators were also compared. ResultsAfter treatment, levels of CⅣ, HA, LN, and PⅢNP significantly decreased in both groups compared to pre-treatment levels (P<0.01). The observation group showed a more pronounced reduction compared to the control group (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in SCu levels in both groups before and after treatment. After treatment, levels of FDX1,LIAS and DLAT significantly increased in both groups(P<0.01). The observation group showed more notable improvements in these indicators than the control group (P<0.05). After the 7, 14, 21 treatment cycles, 24-hour urine copper levels significantly increased in both groups compared to pre-treatment levels (P<0.01). The observation group had a greater increase in 24-hour urine copper levels than the control group after treatment (P<0.05,P<0.01), and although 24-hour urine copper levels increased after 7 cycles, a gradual decline was observed in subsequent cycles. After treatment, LSM levels significantly decreased in both groups compared to pre-treatment levels (P<0.01), with the observation group showing a greater reduction than the control group (P<0.05). Clinical efficacy was significantly better in the observation group than the control group (P<0.05). No significant differences in the incidence of adverse events or safety indicators were observed between the two groups after treatment. ConclusionGDFMG combined with DMPS can reduce LSM in WD patients with liver fibrosis and the syndrome of phlegm and blood stasis, inhibit cuproptosis, and improve clinical efficacy.
5.Three-dimensional finite element analysis of anterior femoral notching during total knee arthroplasty at different bone strengths
Jinhai ZHOU ; Jiangwei LI ; Xuquan WANG ; Ying ZHUANG ; Ying ZHAO ; Yuyong YANG ; Jiajia WANG ; Yang YANG ; Shilian ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(9):1775-1782
BACKGROUND:Periprosthetic fracture of the femoral of the knee after total knee arthroplasty is one of the common complications,and there is a lack of biomechanical research on the periprosthetic fractures of the femoral of the knee under different bone strength conditions.The three-dimensional finite element analysis can provide a biomechanical basis for clinical practice. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical changes of anterior femoral notching after total knee arthroplasty under different bone strengths,and to provide a mechanical basis for the clinical prevention of supracondylar femoral periprosthetic fractures after knee arthroplasty. METHODS:The femoral CT data of healthy adults were obtained,and the three-dimensional model of femoral lateral replacement of the knee joint was established by Mimics,Geomagic studio,and Solidworks software.Anterior femoral notching models of different depths were constructed,and the models were imported into ANSYS software to analyze the changes of biological stress on the femoral condyle with different bone strengths and different anterior femoral notching depths.The stress changes of the femoral anterior condyle section after and before the filling of anterior femoral notching with bone cement were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Under any bone strength,the supracondylar stress increased with the depth of anterior femoral notching.In normal bone conditions,there was a stress abrupt change point when the anterior femoral notching depth was between 3 mm and 4 mm.In the case of osteoporosis,there was a stress abrupt point when the anterior femoral notching depth was between 2 mm and 3 mm.(2)When anterior femoral notching occurred during knee arthroplasty and the depth exceeded the thickness of the bone cortex,the supracondylar stress of the femoral gradually increased as the bone strength decreased.(3)The stress of the anterior femoral condyle section decreased when the model with an anterior femoral notching depth of 3 mm was filled with bone cement.(4)The results show that anterior femoral notching should be avoided during knee arthroplasty,especially in patients with osteoporosis.If anterior femoral notching occurs during surgery,bone cement can be used to evenly fill the anterior femoral notching to reduce the supracondylar stress of the femur and reduce the incidence of periprosthetic fractures of the femoral joint
6.Analysis of the results from national interlaboratory comparisons of radionuclide analysis by γ spectrometry
Yanghai SHI ; Yongyong CHEN ; Yuhua SHI ; Yuansheng LU ; Dezhi HE ; Ping WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(1):55-60
Objective To verify the accuracy of γ spectrometry by analyzing the results of national interlaboratory comparisons of radionuclide analysis by γ spectrometry from 2018 to 2023. Methods A statistical analysis was conducted on the results from multiple years of participation in the national interlaboratory comparisons of radionuclide analysis by γ spectrometry. The measurement results of radionuclide specific activities in soil were analyzed to provide technical support for improving the capability to analyze radionuclides in soil. Results The laboratory participated in six interlaboratory comparisons and conducted 23 radionuclide analyses by γ spectrometry from 2018 to 2023. The relative deviation was −12.20% to 8.11%, the |Ztest| was 0 to 0.61, the Utest was 0 to 0.62, and the Urel was 0.07 to 0.12. The overall pass rate was 100% and the excellent rate was 33.3%. In addition, 21 of the 23 (91.3%) radionuclide analyses showed full scores in experiment operation. However, the total scores were relatively low due to multiple oversights and lack of rigor in the preparation of the test reports, which prevented the laboratory from qualifying for the excellence evaluation process, resulting in a relatively low excellent rate. Conclusion The interlaboratory comparisons indicate that the measurements of radionuclides in this laboratory were all qualified, with full scores for experiment operation in several analyses. These results demonstrate that the soil radionuclide analysis system based on γ spectrometry is reliable and stable.
7.Formulation Characteristics and Efficacy Classification of Chinese Patent Medicines for Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases Based on Diagram of Tangye Jingfa Tu
Yuguang WANG ; Runtao ZHUANG ; Yanqing LIU ; Shen LI ; Xiaolan LIN ; Rui JIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):224-233
ObjectiveChinese patent medicines for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are diverse and complex in their efficacy. The traditional classification method based on efficacy categories has certain limitations and cannot meet the clinical needs for individualized drug selection and variety comparison. This article, based on the formulation compatibility analysis technology of "Tangye Jingfa Tu", clarifies the composition and efficacy characteristics of common Chinese patent medicines used for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, providing support for the precise selection of these medicines. MethodsFifty-six representative Chinese patent medicines, covering all the efficacy subcategories of "stasis-resolving agents" in the National Basic Medical Insurance, Work Injury Insurance, and Maternity Insurance Drug Catalogue (2023) (more than 50% of the total), were selected for the study. Within the knowledge system of "Tangye Jingfa Tu", the compatibility structure of herbal flavors and the proportion structure of herbal quantities for each Chinese patent medicine were determined. The correlation between these structures and the efficacy categories was analyzed to identify the similarities and differences among the selected Chinese patent medicines. Additionally, the efficacy was reclassified and compared according to the theoretical framework of tonifying and purging methods of five Zang organs in the "Tangye Jingfa Tu". ResultsThe representative Chinese patent medicines included in the analysis were Shexiang Baoxin pills, Danshen tablets, Qili Qiangxin capsules, Breviscapine tablets, etc., covering all the efficacy subcategories of "stasis-resolving agents". Among the 56 representative Chinese patent medicines, salty flavor was the most common (48), followed by pungent (33), and sweet (26). According to the dominant herbal flavor, salty flavor was the most common (37), followed by pungent (9), and sour (5). According to the dominant herbal quantity, salty flavor was the most common (27), followed by sour (7), and pungent (5). Furthermore, Chinese patent medicines with different efficacy subtypes showed different flavor characteristics. For example, most Qi-invigorating and blood-activating agents contained sweet drugs for tonifying the spleen (9/10), most Qi-moving and blood-activating agents contained pungent drugs for tonifying the liver (7/8), and all kidney-invigorating and blood-activating agents contained bitter drugs for tonifying the kidneys (6/6). However, the efficacy classification of individual medicines did not always align with the compatibility characteristics of their formulas, as seen with Dengyin Naotong capsules. ConclusionThe formulations of Chinese patent medicines for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases predominantly feature salty, sour, and pungent flavors, which largely conform to the therapeutic principles of "nourishing the heart with salt and soothing the heart with sour" and the liver-heart, heart-spleen mother-child treatment relationship shown in the "Tangye Jingfa Tu". Using the "Tangye Jingfa Tu" framework to conduct research on the structure and efficacy characteristics of Chinese patent medicines is objective and effective.
8.Formulation Characteristics and Efficacy Classification of Chinese Patent Medicines for Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases Based on Diagram of Tangye Jingfa Tu
Yuguang WANG ; Runtao ZHUANG ; Yanqing LIU ; Shen LI ; Xiaolan LIN ; Rui JIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):224-233
ObjectiveChinese patent medicines for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are diverse and complex in their efficacy. The traditional classification method based on efficacy categories has certain limitations and cannot meet the clinical needs for individualized drug selection and variety comparison. This article, based on the formulation compatibility analysis technology of "Tangye Jingfa Tu", clarifies the composition and efficacy characteristics of common Chinese patent medicines used for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, providing support for the precise selection of these medicines. MethodsFifty-six representative Chinese patent medicines, covering all the efficacy subcategories of "stasis-resolving agents" in the National Basic Medical Insurance, Work Injury Insurance, and Maternity Insurance Drug Catalogue (2023) (more than 50% of the total), were selected for the study. Within the knowledge system of "Tangye Jingfa Tu", the compatibility structure of herbal flavors and the proportion structure of herbal quantities for each Chinese patent medicine were determined. The correlation between these structures and the efficacy categories was analyzed to identify the similarities and differences among the selected Chinese patent medicines. Additionally, the efficacy was reclassified and compared according to the theoretical framework of tonifying and purging methods of five Zang organs in the "Tangye Jingfa Tu". ResultsThe representative Chinese patent medicines included in the analysis were Shexiang Baoxin pills, Danshen tablets, Qili Qiangxin capsules, Breviscapine tablets, etc., covering all the efficacy subcategories of "stasis-resolving agents". Among the 56 representative Chinese patent medicines, salty flavor was the most common (48), followed by pungent (33), and sweet (26). According to the dominant herbal flavor, salty flavor was the most common (37), followed by pungent (9), and sour (5). According to the dominant herbal quantity, salty flavor was the most common (27), followed by sour (7), and pungent (5). Furthermore, Chinese patent medicines with different efficacy subtypes showed different flavor characteristics. For example, most Qi-invigorating and blood-activating agents contained sweet drugs for tonifying the spleen (9/10), most Qi-moving and blood-activating agents contained pungent drugs for tonifying the liver (7/8), and all kidney-invigorating and blood-activating agents contained bitter drugs for tonifying the kidneys (6/6). However, the efficacy classification of individual medicines did not always align with the compatibility characteristics of their formulas, as seen with Dengyin Naotong capsules. ConclusionThe formulations of Chinese patent medicines for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases predominantly feature salty, sour, and pungent flavors, which largely conform to the therapeutic principles of "nourishing the heart with salt and soothing the heart with sour" and the liver-heart, heart-spleen mother-child treatment relationship shown in the "Tangye Jingfa Tu". Using the "Tangye Jingfa Tu" framework to conduct research on the structure and efficacy characteristics of Chinese patent medicines is objective and effective.
9.Monotropein resists atherosclerosis by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells
Hongliang LI ; Bingqian YE ; Jiping TIAN ; Bofan WANG ; Yiwen ZHA ; Shuying ZHENG ; Tan MA ; Wenwen ZHUANG ; Won Sun PARK ; Jingyan LIANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(2):245-255
Monotropein is a compound classified into iridoid which is found in herbaceous plants Morindae officinalis. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-osteoarthritic activities. Previous study indicates that monotropein may have the potential to combat cardiovascular disease, although the related mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we constructed the model of atherosclerosis by oxidized low density lipoprotein-induced vascular smooth muscle cells and LDLR –/–mice given high-fat diet to investigate the effects of monotropein on atherosclerosis.Our results showed that monotropein treatment significantly reduced the area of atherosclerotic plaques and necrotic cores in mice, inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which in turn alleviated atherosclerosis. In addition, we found that monotropein reduced the expression levels of P-NF-κB and P-AP-1. In conclusion, our data suggest that monotropein inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells by mediating the activity of NF-κB, AP-1, reducing the level of inflammation and oxidative stress, and thus resisting the development of atherosclerosis. These findings demonstrate the efficacious therapeutic impact of monotropein on atherosclerosis and elucidate its specific target.
10.Monotropein resists atherosclerosis by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells
Hongliang LI ; Bingqian YE ; Jiping TIAN ; Bofan WANG ; Yiwen ZHA ; Shuying ZHENG ; Tan MA ; Wenwen ZHUANG ; Won Sun PARK ; Jingyan LIANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(2):245-255
Monotropein is a compound classified into iridoid which is found in herbaceous plants Morindae officinalis. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-osteoarthritic activities. Previous study indicates that monotropein may have the potential to combat cardiovascular disease, although the related mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we constructed the model of atherosclerosis by oxidized low density lipoprotein-induced vascular smooth muscle cells and LDLR –/–mice given high-fat diet to investigate the effects of monotropein on atherosclerosis.Our results showed that monotropein treatment significantly reduced the area of atherosclerotic plaques and necrotic cores in mice, inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which in turn alleviated atherosclerosis. In addition, we found that monotropein reduced the expression levels of P-NF-κB and P-AP-1. In conclusion, our data suggest that monotropein inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells by mediating the activity of NF-κB, AP-1, reducing the level of inflammation and oxidative stress, and thus resisting the development of atherosclerosis. These findings demonstrate the efficacious therapeutic impact of monotropein on atherosclerosis and elucidate its specific target.

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