Latest ArticlesIn order to provide a scientific basis for the establishment of a Daphnes Cortex medicinal material fungus library and the screening of endophytic fungi that promote the growth of Daphnes Cortex and increase the content of daphnetin, we used Illumina high-throughput testing technology to analyze 9 Daphnes Cortex samples from Gansu and Shanxi provinces. A total of 632 766 valid sequences were obtained, including 348 OTUs, 4 phyla, 20 classes, 48 orders, 108 families, 154 genera, and 208 species. The sum of the first 3 fungal genera account for more than 65% of the total abundance, with the highest reaching 98.4%. Alternaria and Phoma are the main genuses of Daphne giraldii Nitsche, and Altemaria is the dominant genus. The endophytic fungi community of Daphnes Cortex is rich in diversity, and the order of fungal diversity in different producing areas is: Gangu County > Wutai County > Tanchang County.
Although the guiding principles for molecular identification of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) using DNA barcoding have been recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, there is still a lack of systematic research on its application to commercial TCM decoctions. In this study, a total of 212 commercial TCM decoctions derived from different medicinal parts such as root and rhizome, fruit and seed, herb, flower, leaf, cortex, and caulis were collected to verify applicability and accuracy of the method. DNA barcodes were successfully obtained from 75.9% (161/212) of the samples, while other samples failed to be amplified due to genomic DNA degradation. Among the 161 samples, 85.7% of them were identified as recorded species in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition). In addition, 14 samples could be identified as species recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and their closely related species in the same genus. Morphological identification for the unconfirmed samples showed that eight were genuine species and three were adulterants, while the other three were unidentifiable due to lack of morphological characteristics. Furthermore, the DNA barcodes of seven samples accurately mapped to the sequences of adulterants. Remarkably, counterfeit products were detected in two samples. These results demonstrate that DNA barcoding is suitable for the identification of commercial TCM decoctions. The method can effectively detect adulterants and is appropriate for use throughout the industrial chain of TCM production and distribution, and by the supervisory agencies as well.
Research on the material basis of Chinese materia medica(CMM) is the basis for modernization of CMM. High-resolution mass spectrometry(HRMS) has become a powerful tool for the qualitative analysis of the components of CMM. Some data-mining strategies based on high-resolution mass spectrometry, such as full-information tandem mass spectrometry scanning acquisition strategy, sequential windowed acquisition of all theoretical fragment ions, mass detect filter, characteristic ion filter, mass spectral tree similarity filter, etc. have greatly promoted the elucidation of the qualitative basis of CMM. In order to provide methods for the rapid discovery and structural characterization of components and metabolites of CMM, this review summarized the advances in HRMS-based data-mining technologies for detecting and characterizing the compounds and metabolites of CMM, which includes class compounds, all compounds and metabolites.
With the development of the research on innovative drugs in our country, first-in-class drugs are becoming a main goal for both pharmaceutical companies and scientific institutions. Discovery of first-in-class drugs require amounts of basic research, a massive investment and novel methods, acting as a beacon for the new drug development. In 2020, FDA totally approved 53 novel drugs with 38 small molecules, which still accounting for a major component. Among them, many first-in-class drugs are important including a first EZH2 inhibitor(tazemetostat) for the treatment of epithelioid sarcoma, a first attachment inhibitor(fostemsavir) with novel mechanism for the treatment of HIV, a first farnesyltransferase inhibitor(lonafarnib) for the treatment of HutchinsonGilford progeria syndrome(HGPS) and a first MC4 receptor agonist for the treatment of rare genetic diseases of obesity, etc. The research procedures of the above drugs are representative with new ideas. In this review, we outline3 of the first-in-class drugs to discuss the research background, discovery and development process as well as the therapeutic potentials to provide methods and ideas for the further drug development.
Thiazolidinediones(TZDs) are currently the only recognized insulin sensitizers available for the clinical treatment of type 2 diabetes. Although their advantages are recognized, the profiles of numerous adverse effects hinder the continued use of these drugs. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ(PPARγ) is known as a receptor for TZDs, and its underlying mechanisms of pharmacological actions and adverse effects have been deeply explored. To maximally preserve the PPARγ-mediated insulin sensitizing effects and reduce the occurrence of related adverse effects, the concept of "selective PPARγ modulators(SPPARMs)" has been proposed and developed, guiding the development of new drugs. In this review, we summarize the recent research progress in the definition of SPPARMs, the candidate classification and the molecular underpinnings, as well as present the discovery of the YR series compounds as an example, and discuss the potential application prospects of SPPARMs.
The interaction between platelets and tumor cells can not only promote the metastasis of malignant tumors, but also affect the formation of malignant tumor-related thrombus. When tumor cells enter the blood, they will immediately activate platelets to make them adhere to the surface of tumor cells, protecting tumor cells from blood flow shear force and immune system attack, thereby promoting tumor metastasis. At the same time, the massive adhesion of platelets may also lead to the formation of thrombus. In this article, we use the methods of ingenuity pathway analysis and literature integration to explore the mechanism of platelet-tumor cell interaction and potential drugs for the treatment of malignant tumor metastasis based on the platelet-tumor cell interaction. It provides a certain theoretical basis and clinical reference for the future development of new drugs targeting platelettumor cell interaction based on its mechanism of action.
Salvianolic acids are the main water-soluble active compounds of Salvia miltiorrhiza and have been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Based on the latest studies in China and abroad, we summarize the pharmacological effects and mechanism of salvianolic acids on ischemic heart disease by describing how salvianolic acid A and salvianolic acid B protect the vascular endothelium, relax coronary arteries, promote angiogenesis and anti-platelet aggregation, inhibit the inflammatory response, anti-cell apoptosis, and scavenge free radicals. This review provides a theoretical basis for further research on the effects of salvianolic acids on ischemic heart disease and their potential for drug development.
RAS, as a well-known proto-oncogene, is the most frequently mutated oncogene in human cancers, yet tremendous efforts over the past 30 years have failed to develop effective therapies for RAS-mutant cancer.Recently, specifically targeting the KRAS-G12C mutant, a frequently occurring KRAS mutation in human cancers, has shown promise in conquering KRAS-mutant cancers, and has inspired interest in this direction. We herein review the very recent progress achieved in the development of covalent inhibitors towards KRAS-G12C mutant, in combinational therapies and in proteolysis-targeting chimeras(PROTACs)-based approaches to disrupt KRASG12C protein. We provide insights for drug discovery against KRAS-G12C-mutated tumors and discuss the potential challenges in this field.
Alzheimer's disease(AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss and cognitive impairment. To date, however, no disease-modifying strategies to prevent or cure AD exist. Synapses are involved in the connection of neurons and present as the key component for the memory and other neural activities. Synapse loss is a critical hallmark of AD pathology. In brain, glia cells, including microglia and astrocytes, are a group of highly specific cell types other than neurons. Microglia and astrocytes play a key role in maintaining the healthy neural circuit and regulating synaptic plasticity. Under development and physiological conditions, glial cells contribute to construct and maintain mature central neural networks via synaptic pruning. However, during AD pathogenesis, glial cells engulf synapses excessively, which leads to synapse loss, neuronal dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the underlying mechanisms for glia-mediated synaptic pruning in AD, and provide a novel strategy for the development of AD drugs.
Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a chronic non-specific inflammatory bowel disease, listed as a modern refractory disease by the World Health Organization, which is difficult to recover, whereas it is easy to be attacked repeatedly. UC pathogenesis is closely related to gut microbiota dysbiosis. The gut microbiota interacts with bile acids(BAs), short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs), tryptophan, and other metabolism, immune system, intestinal barrier, etc., which regulate each other and affect the occurrence and development of UC. The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), single herb and its extracts, and formulae can effectively alleviate UC symptoms by regulating the diversity, structure, composition, and metabolites of gut microbiota. In this review, the TCM based on the regulation of gut microbiota in the treatment of UC and its related mechanism for nearly three years was summarized.
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