Repositioning of clinically approved drug Bazi Bushen capsule for treatment of Alzheimer′s disease using network pharma⁃cology approach and in vitro experimental validation

OBJECTIVE To explore the new indications and key mechanism of Bazi Bushen capsule(BZBS)by network pharmacology and in vitro experiment.METHODS The potential tar⁃get profiles of the components of BZBS were pre⁃dicted.Subsequently,new indications for BZBS were predicted by disease ontology(DO)enrich⁃ment analysis and initially validated by GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.Further⁃more,the therapeutic target of BZBS acting on AD signaling pathway were identified by intersec⁃tion analysis.Two Alzheimer′s disease(AD)cell models,BV-2 and SH-SY5Y,were used to pre⁃liminarily verify the anti-AD efficacy and mecha⁃nism of BZBS in vitro.RESULTS In total,1499 non-repeated ingredients were obtained from 16 herbs in BZBS formula,and 1320 BZBS targets with high confidence were predicted.Disease enrichment results strongly suggested that BZBS formula has the potential to be used in the treat⁃ment of AD.In vitro experiments showed that BZ⁃BS could significantly reduce the release of TNF-αand IL-6 and the expression of COX-2 and PSEN1 in Aβ25-35-induced BV-2 cells.BZBS reduced the apoptosis rate of Aβ25-35 induced SH-SY5Y cells,significantly increased mitochon⁃drial membrane potential,reduced the expres⁃sion of Caspase3 active fragment and PSEN1,and increased the expression of IDE.CONCLU⁃SIONS BZBS formula has a potential use in the treatment of AD,which is achieved through regu⁃lation of ERK1/2,NF-κB signaling pathways,and GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway.Further⁃more,the network pharmacology technology is a feasible drug repurposing strategy to reposition new clinical use of approved TCM and explore the mechanism of action.The study lays a foun⁃dation for the subsequent in-depth study of BZBS in the treatment of AD and provides a basis for its application in the clinical treatment of AD.

Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs): Navigating Four Pillars of Safety, Development, Supply Chain and Manufacturing Excellence

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are pioneering biologics that merge antibodies’ specificity with small molecules’ potency. With a handful of FDA-approved ADCs in the market and many under development, ADCs are poised to revolutionize therapeutics. This paper examines the complexities of ADC production, emphasizing the importance of process characterization and the pivotal role of supply chain characteristics, safety requirements, and Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) with proficiency. The swift transition of antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) programs from early to advanced clinical stages underscores the urgency for quick and efficient commercial launch preparation. This article delves into strategies to hasten commercial readiness, supply chain strategy, the significance of partnering with adept contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), and the challenges of ADC production.

Unlocking epigenetics for precision treatment of Ewing’s sarcoma

Ewing’s sarcoma(EWS)is a highly aggressive malignant bone tumor primarily affecting adolescents and young adults.Despite the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy in some cases,the cure rate for patients with metastatic and recurrent disease remains low.Therefore,there is an urgent need for innovative therapeutic approaches to address the challenges associated with EWS treatment.Epigenetic regulation,a crucial factor in physiological processes,plays a significant role in controlling cell proliferation,maintaining gene integrity,and regulating transcription.Recent studies highlight the importance of abnormal epigenetic regulation in the initiation and progression of EWS.A comprehensive understanding of the intricate interactions between EWS and aberrant epigenetic regulation is essential for advancing clinical drug development.This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of both epigenetic targets implicated in EWS,integrating various therapeutic modalities to offer innovative perspectives for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of EWS.

JAK-STAT通路相关的克罗恩病治疗药物研究

克罗恩病(Crohn’s disease,CD)为炎症性肠病(inflamatory bowel disease,IBD)的一种,其内科治疗包括传统治疗和生物治疗,生物治疗越来越成为CD的主流治疗方法。而生物治疗涉及炎症因子及其介导的炎性信号通路,这些通路在CD的发病、进展、预后、结局中均有着重要作用。本文总结了与CD有关的JAK-STAT信号通路及阻断该通路相关的药物进展,以期提高人们对CD发病机制的进一步认识。

Recent advances on vaccines against malaria: A review

This review aims to summarize the currently viable vaccine strategies including the approved vaccines and the those in trials for next-generation malaria vaccines.Data on malaria vaccine development was collected through a comprehensive review.The literature search was performed using databases including Google Scholar,PubMed,NIH,and Web of Science.Various novel approaches of vaccination are being developed,including those based on radiation-attenuated strategies,monoclonal antibodies,targeted immunogenic peptides,RNA and DNA vaccines,nanoparticle-based vaccines,protein-based vaccination protocols,and whole organism-based vaccination strategies.Trials on RTS,S have entered phase Ⅲtesting,and those based on blood-stage vaccines and vaccines to interrupt malarial transmission have advanced to higher stages of trials.Mathematical modeling,combined drug and vaccine strategies,mass drug administration,polyvalent vaccine formulations,and targeted vaccination campaigns is playing an important role in malarial prevention.Furthermore,assessing coverage,accessibility,acceptability,deployment,compilation,and adherence to specific vaccination strategies in endemic regions is essential for vaccination drives against malaria.

Emerging structures and dynamic mechanisms ofγ-secretase for Alzheimer’s disease

γ-Secretase,called“the proteasome of the membrane,”is a membrane-embedded protease complex that cleaves 150+peptide substrates with central roles in biology and medicine,including amyloid precursor protein and the Notch family of cell-surface receptors.Mutations inγ-secretase and amyloid precursor protein lead to early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease.γ-Secretase has thus served as a critical drug target for treating familial Alzheimer’s disease and the more common late-onset Alzheimer’s disease as well.However,critical gaps remain in understanding the mechanisms of processive proteolysis of substrates,the effects of familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations,and allosteric modulation of substrate cleavage byγ-secretase.In this review,we focus on recent studies of structural dynamic mechanisms ofγ-secretase.Different mechanisms,including the“Fit-Stay-Trim,”“Sliding-Unwinding,”and“Tilting-Unwinding,”have been proposed for substrate proteolysis of amyloid precursor protein byγ-secretase based on all-atom molecular dynamics simulations.While an incorrect registry of the Notch1 substrate was identified in the cryo-electron microscopy structure of Notch1-boundγ-secretase,molecular dynamics simulations on a resolved model of Notch1-boundγ-secretase that was reconstructed using the amyloid precursor protein-boundγ-secretase as a template successfully capturedγ-secretase activation for proper cleavages of both wildtype and mutant Notch,being consistent with biochemical experimental findings.The approach could be potentially applied to decipher the processing mechanisms of various substrates byγ-secretase.In addition,controversy over the effects of familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations,particularly the issue of whether they stabilize or destabilizeγ-secretase-substrate complexes,is discussed.Finally,an outlook is provided for future studies ofγ-secretase,including pathways of substrate binding and product release,effects of modulators on familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations of theγ-secretase-substrate complexes.Comprehensive understanding of the functional mechanisms ofγ-secretase will greatly facilitate the rational design of effective drug molecules for treating familial Alzheimer’s disease and perhaps Alzheimer’s disease in general.

Effects of proton pump inhibitors on inflammatory bowel disease:An updated review

Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is believed to be caused by various factors,including abnormalities in disease susceptibility genes,environmental factors,immune factors,and intestinal bacteria.Proton pump inhibitors(PPIs)are the primary drugs used to treat acid-related diseases.They are also commonly prescribed to patients with IBD.Recent studies have suggested a potential association between the use of certain medications,such as PPIs,and the occurrence and progression of IBD.In this review,we summarize the potential impact of PPIs on IBD and analyze the underlying mechanisms.Our findings may provide insights for conducting further investigations into the effects of PPIs on IBD and serve as an important reminder for physicians to exercise caution when prescribing PPIs to patients with IBD.

Early proactive monitoring of DNA-thioguanine in patients with Crohn’s disease predicts thiopurine-induced late leucopenia in NUDT15/TPMT normal metabolizers

BACKGROUND Thiopurine-induced leucopenia significantly hinders the wide application of thiopurines.Dose optimization guided by nudix hydrolase 15(NUDT15)has significantly reduced the early leucopenia rate,but there are no definitive biomarkers for late risk leucopenia prediction.AIM To determine the predictive value of early monitoring of DNA-thioguanine(DNATG)or 6-thioguanine nucleotides(6TGN)for late leucopenia under a NUDT15-guided thiopurine dosing strategy in patients with Crohn’s disease(CD).METHODS Blood samples were collected within two months after thiopurine initiation for detection of metabolite concentrations.Late leucopenia was defined as a leukocyte count<3.5×10^(9)/L over two months.RESULTS Of 148 patients studied,late leucopenia was observed in 15.6%(17/109)of NUDT15/thiopurine methyltransferase(TPMT)normal and 64.1%(25/39)of intermediate metabolizers.In patients suffering late leucopenia,early DNATG levels were significantly higher than in those who did not develop late leucopenia(P=4.9×10^(-13)).The DNATG threshold of 319.43 fmol/μg DNA could predict late leucopenia in the entire sample with an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.855(sensitivity 83%,specificity 81%),and in NUDT15/TPMT normal metabolizers,the predictive performance of a threshold of 315.72 fmol/μg DNA was much more remarkable with an AUC of 0.902(sensitivity 88%,specificity 85%).6TGN had a relatively poor correlation with late leucopenia whether in the entire sample(P=0.021)or NUDT15/TPMT normal or intermediate metabolizers(P=0.018,P=0.55,respectively).CONCLUSION Proactive therapeutic drug monitoring of DNATG could be an effective strategy to prevent late leucopenia in both NUDT15/TPMT normal and intermediate metabolizers with CD,especially the former.

Suggestions for Promoting China’s Drug Regulatory Agency to Join Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme-PIC/S

Objective To identify and reduce the gap between China’s drug GMP inspection and pharmaceutical inspection co-operation scheme(PIC/S)audit checklist,find out the key improvement items,and revise them pertinently,which will promote the process of China joining PIC/S.Methods The general situation of PIC/S organization and audit checklist were introduced first,and then the accession of several countries that joined the organization was analyzed.Meanwhile,the process of China’s participation in PIC/S was sorted out.After referring to the contents of PIC/S audit checklist,the problems of GMP inspection system in China were studied.Results and Conclusion There are still many problems in GMP inspection in China.Some suggestions are put forward for improvement and change,which can provide reference for the development of drug inspection agencies at all levels in China.

加入PIC/S对我国职业化专业化药品检查员队伍建设的思考

目的:对我国职业化专业化药品检查员队伍建设进行深入思考,以期为早日加入PIC/S国际组织,实现我国药品检查国际化,促进我国医药行业走向世界提供参考与借鉴。方法:对照PIC/S审计清单中对检查员要求的模块,概述PIC/S对检查员的要求,对我国检查员队伍现状进行分析,对我国职业化专业化药品检查员队伍建设进行深入思考。结果与结论:为加快建立职业化专业化药品检查员队伍,以满足PIC/S对药品检查员的要求,应扩大职业化专职化检查员的规模,深入推进检查员的分级分类管理。同时,需要建立高素质的检查员培养模式,以提升其检查能力。此外,还应建立具有职业特点的职称评审体系,并完善检查员的薪酬待遇保障机制和激励机制,以充分调动检查员提升能力的积极性和主动性,为我国早日加入PIC/S提供坚实保证。

一种吡唑并吡啶酮类衍生物对新型冠状病毒SARS-CoV-2的抑制作用研究

目的探究3-(4-氯苯基)-1,4-二苯基-1,4,5,7-四氢-6H-吡唑并[3,4-b]吡啶-6-酮(以下简称为J1)体外抑制新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV-2)的作用及潜在作用机制。方法采用MTT法评价化合物J1对Vero-E6、ACE2/293T和HRT18细胞的毒性。利用感染性SARS-CoV-2和人冠状病毒OC43(HCoV-OC43)检测化合物J1的抗冠状病毒活性。采用SARS-CoV-2假病毒体外细胞感染模型和时间点加药实验检测J1抑制SARS-CoV-2病毒感染靶细胞的作用阶段。通过S蛋白介导的细胞融合抑制实验检测J1是否通过阻止病毒膜融合而抑制SARS-CoV-2的进入。采用SPR实验和分子对接技术阐明J1与SARS-CoV-2 S蛋白的作用。结果J1对Vero-E6、ACE2/293T和HRT18细胞的毒性较小,半数细胞毒性浓度CC50均大于100μmol·L^(-1)。J1能显著抑制SARS-CoV-2原始株和Delta变异株的活性,半数有效浓度EC50分别为607μmol·L^(-1)和221μmol·L^(-1)。此外,J1可抑制HCoV-OC43病毒的感染,显著减少NP蛋白和mRNA的表达。分子对接结果显示,J1通过氢键作用和疏水作用力与SARS-CoV-2 S蛋白活性位点稳定结合。机制研究结果表明,J1可抑制SARS-CoV-2病毒进入靶细胞,半数抑制浓度IC50为157μmol·L^(-1)。J1浓度依赖性抑制SARS-CoV-2 S蛋白介导的细胞-细胞膜融合,SPR实验证实J1与S蛋白具有较强结合能力。结论吡唑并吡啶酮类衍生物J1通过靶向S蛋白抑制SARS-CoV-2进入靶细胞。

Discussion on Drug Procurement with Target Quantity in China and Its Problem

Objective To provide reference for improving drug procurement with target quantity in China.Methods Documents on drug centralized procurement such as the “Guidance on Drug Procurement with Target Quantity for 4+7 Cities” issued by National Healthcare Security Administration in November 2018 and “Notice on the National Organization of the Pilot Program for Drug Centralized Procurement and Use of Bidding Drugs” issued by the State Council were studied to summarize the mode and result of drug procurement with target quantity.Results and Conclusion Drug procurement with target quantity led by National Healthcare Security Administration solved some problems in the previous centralized drug procurement.For instance,quantity could not determine drug price,and medical institutions didn’t pay to pharmaceutical companies on time.However,this new mode may also arouse new problems such as procurement monopoly,drug shortage,drug quality and inhibition of innovation.

Analysis of Drug Purchase and Pricing Decision under the Mode of Procurement with Target Quantity

Objective To study the reasonable pricing strategy to effectively reduce the risk of drug supply disruption.This paper studies the vertical competition between drug purchasers and pharmaceutical enterprises,and the horizontal competition between different pharmaceutical enterprises.Based on the wholesale price of drugs made by pharmaceutical enterprises,drug purchasers adopt different procurement strategies.Methods A multi-stage game model was used to analyze the collusion and competition between two drug procurement parties.Results and Conclusion(1)Enterprise B can choose the optimal game strategies according to the stability of enterprise A;(2)Two procurement parties should choose collusion when the risk of supply interruption is low;(3)Emergency dual sourcing strategy is better than single sourcing strategy;(4)The optimal procurement quantity is irrelevant to the monotonicity of the stability of enterprise A in Cournot game.Through numerical analysis,the optimal decisions of pharmaceutical enterprises and drug purchasers are obtained respectively.

S-烯虫酯水分散体的制备及其性能研究

S-烯虫酯是一种绿色、高效且对环境及非靶标生物安全的生物化学农药。然而,由于其在有氧、光照等条件下不稳定及不溶于水等问题,限制了其实际应用。本研究以玉米醇溶蛋白为载体,使用反溶剂法制备了负载S-烯虫酯的水分散体,实现了S-烯虫酯的高效负载。探讨了不同浓度的玉米醇溶蛋白和S-烯虫酯对纳米水分散体的微观形貌、载药量、包埋率、释放特性、贮藏稳定性及对烟草甲的防治功效的影响。

PIC/S技术标准指南体系分析

国家药品监督管理局已于2023年9月正式提交了加入药品检查合作计划(PIC/S)申请并已成为正式申请者。当前,PIC/S针对申请加入机构和制药行业颁发了大量的技术标准与指南,熟悉并掌握这些技术标准指南,有助于药品监管机构和制药行业更有效地推进和应对加入PIC/S工作。参考PIC/S网站,本文按照GMP标准、机构指南、指导文件、备忘录和其他文件的分类原则,对PIC/S发布的现行技术标准与指南进行了系统分析与梳理,从体系层面对其进行了研究,以期为业内机构和人员更好地理解PIC/S标准指南体系提供参考。

A Simplified Expression for a Diffusion-Dissolution Con-trolled Release of Drug from Matrix in TDDS

Chandrasekran-paul (1982) made an equation of drug release from matrix system as follows:In this paper a simplified expression has been deduced from it within ordinary range of experimental time and with appropriate values of K. The cumulative amount of drug release may vary in directproportion to the square root of time with an intercept,that is,The release behaviour of both nifedipine patch and propranolol patch has fit the expression with good correlation coefficient.The re0lease data of hydrocortisone creams (Shah,1989)also can be described by the same expression.Compared with Higuchi’s equation,the presence of the intercept,A〃,may be relative to drug dissolution characteristics

谷胱甘肽S-转移酶P1基因多态性与晚期胃癌奥沙利铂联合卡培他滨方案化疗疗效的关系

目的:探讨谷胱甘肽S-转移酶P1(glutathione S-transferase P1,GSTP1)rs1695基因多态性与晚期胃癌奥沙利铂联合卡培他滨方案(XELOX方案)化疗疗效的相关性。方法:回顾性选择102例晚期胃癌患者,均接受XELOX方案化疗,通过基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间(matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight,MALDI-TOF)的方法明确GSTP1 rs1695基因分型,分析患者临床病理特征(包括年龄、性别、肿瘤分化程度、部位、ECOG-PS评分、TNM分期)及GSTP1 rs1695基因分型对患者化疗客观有效率(objective response rate,ORR)及疾病进展时间(progression-free survival,PFS)的影响。结果:102例患者中,GSTP1 rs1695 AA基因型、AG基因型、GG基因型所占例数分别为73例(71.6%)、27例(26.5%)、2例(2.0%),携带变异基因型GG/AG化疗ORR高于野生基因型AA(69.0%vs 43.8%,P=0.022),且携带变异基因型GG/AG患者PFS比野生基因型AA更长[6.1个月(95%CI:5.2~7.0)vs 5.1个月(95%CI:4.6~5.6),P=0.028]。患者临床病理特征均与化疗疗效无关,但肿瘤分化程度及TNM分期与PFS有关(P均<0.05)。Cox回归显示,肿瘤分化程度、TNM分期及GSTP1 rs1695是影响PFS的独立因素。结论:GSTP1 rs1695基因型与晚期胃癌患者XELOX方案化疗疗效密切相关,测定GSTP1 rs1695基因型可以为晚期胃癌的个体化治疗提供参考。

Advances in Drug Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that mainly causes dementia.It is a serious threat to the health of the global elderly population.Considerable money and effort has been invested in the development of drug therapy for AD worldwide.Many drug therapies are currently under development or in clinical trials,based on two known mechanisms of AD,namely,Aβtoxicity and the abnormal Tau hyperphosphorylation.Numerous drugs are also being developed for other AD associated mechanisms such as neuroinflammation,neurotransmitter imbalance,oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction,neuron loss and degeneration.Even so,the number of drugs that can successfully improve symptoms or delay the progression of the disease remains very limited.However,multi-drug combinations may provide a new avenue for drug therapy for AD.In addition,early diagnosis of AD and timely initiation of treatment may allow drugs that act on the early pathological processes of AD to help improve the symptoms and prevent the progression of the condition.

Liposome based drug delivery as a potential treatment option for Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition leading to atrophy of the brain and robbing nearly 5.8 million individuals in the United States age 65 and older of their cognitive functions.Alzheimer’s disease is associated with dementia and a progressive decline in memory,thinking,and social skills,eventually leading to a point that the individual can no longer perform daily activities independently.Currently available drugs on the market temporarily alleviate the symptoms,however,they are not successful in slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.Treatment and cures have been constricted due to the difficulty of drug delivery to the blood-brain barrier.Several studies have led to identification of vesicles to transport the necessary drugs through the blood-brain barrier that would typically not achieve the targeted area through systemic delivered medications.Recently,liposomes have emerged as a viable drug delivery agent to transport drugs that are not able to cross the blood-brain barrier.Liposomes are being used as a component of nanoparticle drug delivery;due to their biocompatible nature;and possessing the capability to carry both lipophilic and hydrophilic therapeutic agents across the blood brain barrier into the brain cells.Studies indicate the importance of liposomal based drug delivery in treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.The idea is to encapsulate the drugs inside the properly engineered liposome to generate a response of treatment.Liposomes are engineered to target specific diseased moieties and also several surface modifications of liposomes are under research to create a clinical path to the management of Alzheimer’s disease.This review deals with Alzheimer’s disease and emphasize on challenges associated with drug delivery to the brain,and how liposomal drug delivery can play an important role as a drug delivery method for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.This review also sheds some light on variation of liposomes.Additionally,it emphasizes on the liposomal formulations which are currently researched or used for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and also discusses the future prospect of liposomal based drug delivery in Alzheimer’s disease.

Effects of Taxotere on invasive potential and multidrug resistance phenotype in pancreatic carcinoma cell line SUIT-2

INTRODUCTIONDevelopment of drug-resistance to chemotherapyand subsequent metastasis of tumor are primarilyresponsible for treatment failure and the death fromcancer. There have been many previous studies onthe relationship between expression of multidrugresistance (MDR) phenotype P-glycoprotein (P-gp)and the malignant properties of tumors, but theresults are often conflicting[1-8]. The difference intumor types or MDR phenotype induced by specificagents might account for this discrepancy. Taxotere(TXT), a member of the family of taxanes, hasantitumor activity through its effect of promotingthe polymerization of tubulin[9,10].