Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)remains a therapeutic challenge because of the suboptimal efficacy and significant adverse effects of current treatments.Obakulactone(OL),a natural tetracyclic triterpenoid isolated from Phello...Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)remains a therapeutic challenge because of the suboptimal efficacy and significant adverse effects of current treatments.Obakulactone(OL),a natural tetracyclic triterpenoid isolated from Phellodendri cortex,has emerged as a promising candidate for RA intervention.However,its underlying mechanism remains poorly understood.In this study,we investigated the therapeutic effects of OL and its molecular mechanisms in RA using a multifaceted approach.A complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA)-induced RA rat model revealed that OL significantly alleviated joint swelling and restored the expression of CD3+T cells and CD68+macrophages in joints,and the polarization state of macrophages shifted from proinflammatory M1(CD86)to anti-inflammatory M2(CD206)dominant.In addition,OL alleviated pathological changes in lymphoid organs(thymus and spleen),effectively inhibited the differentiation of CD4+T cells into T helper 17(Th17)cells,and normalized serum levels of inflammatory cytokines(e.g.,interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α))and RA diagnostic markers(e.g.,creactive protein(CRP)and rheumatoid factor(RF)).Multiomics profiling revealed that OL corrected the dysregulated biosynthesis and metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids(e.g.,arachidonic acid and linolenic acid)in RA rats,with acyl coenzyme A(CoA)thioesterase 1(ACOT1)identified as a critical regulator.In vitro studies have shown that OL significantly inhibits cell proliferation and inflammatory cytokine secretion and promotes the apoptosis of RA synovial fibroblasts(SFs).It inhibited the M1 polarization of Raw264.7 macrophages and promoted M2 polarization.Mechanistically,cellular thermal shift assays(CETSA),microscale thermo phoresis(MST),surface plasmon resonance(SPR),and short hairpin RNA(shRNA)experiments revealed ACOT1 as the direct target of OL.OL enhanced ACOT1 ubiquitinationmediated proteasomal degradation,thereby reducing downstream stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 expression and inhibiting the Janus kinase(JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)and phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT)signaling pathways,thus suppressing inflammation and fibrosis in SFs.This study establishes OL as a potential RA therapeutic agent and highlights ACOT1 as a novel target for RA intervention,offering insights into fatty acid metabolism reprogramming as a therapeutic strategy.展开更多
Liver disease(LD)is a global health problem caused by multiple factors.At present,there are still obvious problems with limited efficacy and strong side effects of drugs used in the clinical treatment of LD.Therefore,...Liver disease(LD)is a global health problem caused by multiple factors.At present,there are still obvious problems with limited efficacy and strong side effects of drugs used in the clinical treatment of LD.Therefore,it is of great significance to search for effective hepatoprotective drugs from natural products.Geniposide(GS)is a cyclic ether terpenoid compound and a key component in the traditional Chinese medicine Gardenia jasminoides.It has a significant inhibitory effect on LD.However,there is currently no literature systematically analyzing its mechanism of action.To adapt to the environment of new drug research and the need for precision medication,this article summarizes the pathways and possible mechanisms of action discovered by GS in the treatment of LD,based on recent research literature:regulating bile stasis,antioxidant and anti-apoptosis,improving amino acid metabolism,improving energy metabolism,regulating lipid metabolism,anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects,etc.It also summarizes the pharmacokinetics of GS in vivo and discusses the liver toxicity of GS that is positively correlated with dosage.In addition,the existing problems in current research and possible future development directions were also discussed,to lay the foundation for the clinical development of natural product GS.展开更多
Innovative drugs are defined as new chemical entities that play a vital role in the treatment and maintenance of human health.While single-target innovative drugs have achieved notable success,they face limitations in...Innovative drugs are defined as new chemical entities that play a vital role in the treatment and maintenance of human health.While single-target innovative drugs have achieved notable success,they face limitations in addressing the increasingly complex and precise spectra of diseases.The advent of multi-target innovative drugs offers new opportunities,supported by a growing body of pharmaco-logical evidence.Herbal medicines are recognized as valuable sources of multi-target therapeutics due to their proven efficacy in treating complex diseases.However,the identification and validation of such drugs from herbal sources continue to pose significant challenges.This paper presents a comprehensive review of the literature on traditional Chinese medicine,integrated medicine,chemistry,and biol-ogy from 2015 to 2025.It summarizes the strategies employed in integrating traditional Chinese and Western medicine for innovative drug development,along with successful application cases.We believe these efforts will deepen understanding of the current land-scape,accelerate the discovery of multi-target innovative drugs from herbal medicine,and contribute to addressing major human health challenges.展开更多
Although cancer chemopreventive agents have been confirmed to effectively protect high-risk populations from cancer invasion or recurrence,only over ten drugs have been approved by the U.S.Food and Drug Administration...Although cancer chemopreventive agents have been confirmed to effectively protect high-risk populations from cancer invasion or recurrence,only over ten drugs have been approved by the U.S.Food and Drug Administration.Therefore,screening potent cancer chemopreventive agents is crucial to reduce the constantly increasing incidence and mortality rate of cancer.Considering the lengthy prevention process,an ideal chemopreventive agent should be nontoxic,inexpensive,and oral.Natural compounds have become a natural treasure reservoir for cancer chemoprevention because of their superior ease of availability,cost-effectiveness,and safety.The benefits of natural compounds as chemopreventive agents in cancer prevention have been confirmed in various studies.In light of this,the present review is intended to fully delineate the entire scope of cancer chemoprevention,and primarily focuses on various aspects of cancer chemoprevention based on natural compounds,specifically focusing on the mechanism of action of natural compounds in cancer prevention,and discussing in detail how they exert cancer prevention effects by affecting classical signaling pathways,immune checkpoints,and gut microbiome.We also introduce novel cancer chemoprevention strategies and summarize the role of natural compounds in improving chemotherapy regimens.Furthermore,we describe strategies for discovering anticancer compounds with low abundance and high activity,revealing the broad prospects of natural compounds in drug discovery for cancer chemoprevention.Moreover,we associate cancer chemoprevention with precision medicine,and discuss the challenges encountered in cancer chemoprevention.Finally,we emphasize the transformative potential of natural compounds in advancing the field of cancer chemoprevention and their ability to introduce more effective and less toxic preventive options for oncology.展开更多
Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) is a Chinese classical formula to treat spleen qi deficiency syndrome (SQDS) and has been widely used for thousands of years.However,the quality control (QC) standards of SJZD are insufficient...Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) is a Chinese classical formula to treat spleen qi deficiency syndrome (SQDS) and has been widely used for thousands of years.However,the quality control (QC) standards of SJZD are insufficient.Chinmedomics has been designed to discover and verify bioactive compounds of a variety of formularapidly.In this study,we used Chinmedomics to evaluate the SJZD's efficacy against SQDS to discover the potential quality-markers (q-markers) for QC.A total of 56 compounds in SJZD were characterized in vitro,and 23 compounds were discovered in vivo.A total of 58 biomarkers were related to SQDS,and SJZD can adjust a large proportion of marker metabolites to normal level and then regulate the metabolic profile to the health status.A total of 10 constituents were absorbed as effective ingredients that were associated with overall efficacy.We preliminarily determined malonyl-ginsenoside Rb2 and ginsenoside Ro as the q-markers of ginseng;dehydrotumulosic acid and dihydroxy lanostene-triene-21-acid as the q-markers of poria;glycyrrhizic acid,isoglabrolide,and glycyrrhetnic acid as the q-markers of licorice;and 2-atractylenolide as the q-marker of macrocephala.According to the discovery of the SJZD q-markers,we can establish the quality standard that is related to efficacy.展开更多
基金supported by the International(Regional)Cooperation and Exchange Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U23A20501)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32141005)+4 种基金the Youth Science Foundation of China(82404816 and 82204690)the State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine(SZ2021ZZ49 and SZ2024QN06)the Heilongjiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation——Joint Guidance Program(LH2023H069)the Heilongjiang Provincial Key Research and Development Program(2022ZX02C04)the Guangdong Guangzhou Joint Fund Youth Fund Project(2023A15151110703)。
摘要Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)remains a therapeutic challenge because of the suboptimal efficacy and significant adverse effects of current treatments.Obakulactone(OL),a natural tetracyclic triterpenoid isolated from Phellodendri cortex,has emerged as a promising candidate for RA intervention.However,its underlying mechanism remains poorly understood.In this study,we investigated the therapeutic effects of OL and its molecular mechanisms in RA using a multifaceted approach.A complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA)-induced RA rat model revealed that OL significantly alleviated joint swelling and restored the expression of CD3+T cells and CD68+macrophages in joints,and the polarization state of macrophages shifted from proinflammatory M1(CD86)to anti-inflammatory M2(CD206)dominant.In addition,OL alleviated pathological changes in lymphoid organs(thymus and spleen),effectively inhibited the differentiation of CD4+T cells into T helper 17(Th17)cells,and normalized serum levels of inflammatory cytokines(e.g.,interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α))and RA diagnostic markers(e.g.,creactive protein(CRP)and rheumatoid factor(RF)).Multiomics profiling revealed that OL corrected the dysregulated biosynthesis and metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids(e.g.,arachidonic acid and linolenic acid)in RA rats,with acyl coenzyme A(CoA)thioesterase 1(ACOT1)identified as a critical regulator.In vitro studies have shown that OL significantly inhibits cell proliferation and inflammatory cytokine secretion and promotes the apoptosis of RA synovial fibroblasts(SFs).It inhibited the M1 polarization of Raw264.7 macrophages and promoted M2 polarization.Mechanistically,cellular thermal shift assays(CETSA),microscale thermo phoresis(MST),surface plasmon resonance(SPR),and short hairpin RNA(shRNA)experiments revealed ACOT1 as the direct target of OL.OL enhanced ACOT1 ubiquitinationmediated proteasomal degradation,thereby reducing downstream stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 expression and inhibiting the Janus kinase(JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)and phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT)signaling pathways,thus suppressing inflammation and fibrosis in SFs.This study establishes OL as a potential RA therapeutic agent and highlights ACOT1 as a novel target for RA intervention,offering insights into fatty acid metabolism reprogramming as a therapeutic strategy.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Key Project(81830110)。
摘要Liver disease(LD)is a global health problem caused by multiple factors.At present,there are still obvious problems with limited efficacy and strong side effects of drugs used in the clinical treatment of LD.Therefore,it is of great significance to search for effective hepatoprotective drugs from natural products.Geniposide(GS)is a cyclic ether terpenoid compound and a key component in the traditional Chinese medicine Gardenia jasminoides.It has a significant inhibitory effect on LD.However,there is currently no literature systematically analyzing its mechanism of action.To adapt to the environment of new drug research and the need for precision medication,this article summarizes the pathways and possible mechanisms of action discovered by GS in the treatment of LD,based on recent research literature:regulating bile stasis,antioxidant and anti-apoptosis,improving amino acid metabolism,improving energy metabolism,regulating lipid metabolism,anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects,etc.It also summarizes the pharmacokinetics of GS in vivo and discusses the liver toxicity of GS that is positively correlated with dosage.In addition,the existing problems in current research and possible future development directions were also discussed,to lay the foundation for the clinical development of natural product GS.
基金This work was supported by key projects of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81830110)Heilongjiang Province key research and development plan(No.2022ZX02C04).
基金supported by the Heilongjiang Province Key Research and Development Plan(No.2022ZX02C04).
摘要Innovative drugs are defined as new chemical entities that play a vital role in the treatment and maintenance of human health.While single-target innovative drugs have achieved notable success,they face limitations in addressing the increasingly complex and precise spectra of diseases.The advent of multi-target innovative drugs offers new opportunities,supported by a growing body of pharmaco-logical evidence.Herbal medicines are recognized as valuable sources of multi-target therapeutics due to their proven efficacy in treating complex diseases.However,the identification and validation of such drugs from herbal sources continue to pose significant challenges.This paper presents a comprehensive review of the literature on traditional Chinese medicine,integrated medicine,chemistry,and biol-ogy from 2015 to 2025.It summarizes the strategies employed in integrating traditional Chinese and Western medicine for innovative drug development,along with successful application cases.We believe these efforts will deepen understanding of the current land-scape,accelerate the discovery of multi-target innovative drugs from herbal medicine,and contribute to addressing major human health challenges.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant no.U23A20501,81830110,and 81903818)Key Research and Development Program of Heilongjiang(2022ZX02C04)University Nursing Program for Young Scholars with Creative Talents in Heilongjiang Province(UNPYSCT2020224).
摘要Although cancer chemopreventive agents have been confirmed to effectively protect high-risk populations from cancer invasion or recurrence,only over ten drugs have been approved by the U.S.Food and Drug Administration.Therefore,screening potent cancer chemopreventive agents is crucial to reduce the constantly increasing incidence and mortality rate of cancer.Considering the lengthy prevention process,an ideal chemopreventive agent should be nontoxic,inexpensive,and oral.Natural compounds have become a natural treasure reservoir for cancer chemoprevention because of their superior ease of availability,cost-effectiveness,and safety.The benefits of natural compounds as chemopreventive agents in cancer prevention have been confirmed in various studies.In light of this,the present review is intended to fully delineate the entire scope of cancer chemoprevention,and primarily focuses on various aspects of cancer chemoprevention based on natural compounds,specifically focusing on the mechanism of action of natural compounds in cancer prevention,and discussing in detail how they exert cancer prevention effects by affecting classical signaling pathways,immune checkpoints,and gut microbiome.We also introduce novel cancer chemoprevention strategies and summarize the role of natural compounds in improving chemotherapy regimens.Furthermore,we describe strategies for discovering anticancer compounds with low abundance and high activity,revealing the broad prospects of natural compounds in drug discovery for cancer chemoprevention.Moreover,we associate cancer chemoprevention with precision medicine,and discuss the challenges encountered in cancer chemoprevention.Finally,we emphasize the transformative potential of natural compounds in advancing the field of cancer chemoprevention and their ability to introduce more effective and less toxic preventive options for oncology.
基金This work was supported by grants from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2018YFC1706103)Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.81830110,8181101160,81430093,81673586,81703685,81302-905,81503386,and 81373930)+4 种基金National Key Subject of Drug Innovation(Nos.2015ZX09101043-005 and 2015ZX09101043-011)TCM State Administration Subject of Public Welfare of(No.2015468004)Major Projects of Application Technology Research and Development Plan in Heilongjiang Province(No.GX16C003)TCM State Administration Subject of Public Welfare(No.2015468004),Young Talent Lift Engineering Project of China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine(No.QNRC2-B06)Outstanding Talents Foundation of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine(No.2018jc01).
摘要Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) is a Chinese classical formula to treat spleen qi deficiency syndrome (SQDS) and has been widely used for thousands of years.However,the quality control (QC) standards of SJZD are insufficient.Chinmedomics has been designed to discover and verify bioactive compounds of a variety of formularapidly.In this study,we used Chinmedomics to evaluate the SJZD's efficacy against SQDS to discover the potential quality-markers (q-markers) for QC.A total of 56 compounds in SJZD were characterized in vitro,and 23 compounds were discovered in vivo.A total of 58 biomarkers were related to SQDS,and SJZD can adjust a large proportion of marker metabolites to normal level and then regulate the metabolic profile to the health status.A total of 10 constituents were absorbed as effective ingredients that were associated with overall efficacy.We preliminarily determined malonyl-ginsenoside Rb2 and ginsenoside Ro as the q-markers of ginseng;dehydrotumulosic acid and dihydroxy lanostene-triene-21-acid as the q-markers of poria;glycyrrhizic acid,isoglabrolide,and glycyrrhetnic acid as the q-markers of licorice;and 2-atractylenolide as the q-marker of macrocephala.According to the discovery of the SJZD q-markers,we can establish the quality standard that is related to efficacy.