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Wen C, Chen D, Zhong R, Peng X. Animal models of inflammatory bowel disease: category and evaluation indexes. Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf) 2024; 12:goae021. [PMID: 38634007 PMCID: PMC11021814 DOI: 10.1093/gastro/goae021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) research often relies on animal models to study the etiology, pathophysiology, and management of IBD. Among these models, rats and mice are frequently employed due to their practicality and genetic manipulability. However, for studies aiming to closely mimic human pathology, non-human primates such as monkeys and dogs offer valuable physiological parallels. Guinea pigs, while less commonly used, present unique advantages for investigating the intricate interplay between neurological and immunological factors in IBD. Additionally, New Zealand rabbits excel in endoscopic biopsy techniques, providing insights into mucosal inflammation and healing processes. Pigs, with their physiological similarities to humans, serve as ideal models for exploring the complex relationships between nutrition, metabolism, and immunity in IBD. Beyond mammals, non-mammalian organisms including zebrafish, Drosophila melanogaster, and nematodes offer specialized insights into specific aspects of IBD pathology, highlighting the diverse array of model systems available for advancing our understanding of this multifaceted disease. In this review, we conduct a thorough analysis of various animal models employed in IBD research, detailing their applications and essential experimental parameters. These include clinical observation, Disease Activity Index score, pathological assessment, intestinal barrier integrity, fibrosis, inflammatory markers, intestinal microbiome, and other critical parameters that are crucial for evaluating modeling success and drug efficacy in experimental mammalian studies. Overall, this review will serve as a valuable resource for researchers in the field of IBD, offering insights into the diverse array of animal models available and their respective applications in studying IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changlin Wen
- Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Dan Chen
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion School of Teaching, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Rao Zhong
- Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Xi Peng
- Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P. R. China
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2
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Edwinson AL, Yang L, Peters S, Hanning N, Jeraldo P, Jagtap P, Simpson JB, Yang TY, Kumar P, Mehta S, Nair A, Breen-Lyles M, Chikkamenahalli L, Graham RP, De Winter B, Patel R, Dasari S, Kashyap P, Griffin T, Chen J, Farrugia G, Redinbo MR, Grover M. Gut microbial β-glucuronidases regulate host luminal proteases and are depleted in irritable bowel syndrome. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:680-694. [PMID: 35484230 PMCID: PMC9081267 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01103-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal proteases mediate digestion and immune signaling, while increased gut proteolytic activity disrupts the intestinal barrier and generates visceral hypersensitivity, which in common in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the mechanisms controlling protease function are unclear. Here we show that members of the gut microbiota suppress intestinal proteolytic activity through production of unconjugated bilirubin. This occurs via microbial β-glucuronidase-mediated conversion of bilirubin conjugates. Metagenomic analysis of fecal samples from patients with post-infection IBS (n=52) revealed an altered gut microbiota composition, in particular a reduction in Alistipes taxa, and high gut proteolytic activity driven by specific host serine proteases compared to controls. Germ-free mice showed 10-fold higher proteolytic activity compared with conventional mice. Colonization with microbiota from high proteolytic activity IBS patients failed to suppress proteolytic activity in germ-free mice, but suppression of proteolytic activity was achieved with colonization using microbiota from healthy donors. High proteolytic activity mice had higher intestinal permeability, a higher relative abundance of Bacteroides and a reduction in Alistipes taxa compared with low proteolytic activity mice. High proteolytic activity IBS patients had lower fecal β-glucuronidase activity and end-products of bilirubin deconjugation. Mice treated with unconjugated bilirubin and β-glucuronidase overexpressing E. coli, which significantly reduced proteolytic activity, while inhibitors of microbial β-glucuronidases increased proteolytic activity. Together, these data define a disease-relevant mechanism of host-microbial interaction that maintains protease homeostasis in the gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam L Edwinson
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Stephanie Peters
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Nikita Hanning
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics and Infla-Med, research center of excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Pratik Jagtap
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Joshua B Simpson
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Tzu-Yi Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Praveen Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Subina Mehta
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Asha Nair
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Rondell P Graham
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Benedicte De Winter
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics and Infla-Med, research center of excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Robin Patel
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Surendra Dasari
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Purna Kashyap
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Timothy Griffin
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Gianrico Farrugia
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Matthew R Redinbo
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Departments of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Madhusudan Grover
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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Zhao C, Huang H, Pan Q, Huang W, Peng W, Xu H, Feng Z, Du Y, Nie Y, Zhou Y. Unconjugated Bilirubin Attenuates DSS-Induced Colitis Potentially via Enhancement of Bilirubin Reabsorption. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:654808. [PMID: 34093187 PMCID: PMC8173062 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.654808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies increasingly show that ulcerative colitis (UC) is a consequence of an imbalance between oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity. Bilirubin exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), although the exact mechanism is not completely understood. The aim of this study was to determine the role of serum bilirubin in UC using patient data and a mouse model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. We found that low levels of serum bilirubin correlated to a higher risk of UC in a retrospective case-control population. Pre-treatment with exogenous unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) significantly enhanced colonic bilirubin absorption in mice, and attenuated the DSS-induced body weight loss, colon shortening and histopathological damage. Mechanistically, bilirubin prevented the infiltration of inflammatory cells, and decreased the levels of myeloperoxidase and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum and colon. Moreover, bilirubin inhibited ROS and malondialdehyde production, scavenged superoxide anions (O2·−) from the colon and enhanced the total antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, exogenous UCB attenuated DSS-induced colitis by directly scavenging O2·− and enhancing bilirubin reabsorption in the colon via enterohepatic cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongli Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiuhua Pan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenqi Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wu Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haoming Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Feng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanlei Du
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuqiang Nie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongjian Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
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4
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Gheorghe CE, Ritz NL, Martin JA, Wardill HR, Cryan JF, Clarke G. Investigating causality with fecal microbiota transplantation in rodents: applications, recommendations and pitfalls. Gut Microbes 2021; 13:1941711. [PMID: 34328058 PMCID: PMC8331043 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2021.1941711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, studies investigating the role of the gut microbiota in health and diseases have increased enormously - making it essential to deepen and question the research methodology employed. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in rodent studies (either from human or animal donors) allows us to better understand the causal role of the intestinal microbiota across multiple fields. However, this technique lacks standardization and requires careful experimental design in order to obtain optimal results. By comparing several studies in which rodents are the final recipients of FMT, we summarize the common practices employed. In this review, we document the limitations of this method and highlight different parameters to be considered while designing FMT Studies. Standardizing this method is challenging, as it differs according to the research topic, but avoiding common pitfalls is feasible. Several methodological questions remain unanswered to this day and we offer a discussion on issues to be explored in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra E. Gheorghe
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Nathaniel L. Ritz
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Jason A. Martin
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Hannah R. Wardill
- Precision Medicine, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, the University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - John F. Cryan
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerard Clarke
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Alleviates Inflammatory Bowel Disease Through Induction of AMPK-mTOR-p70S6K-Mediated Autophagy. Inflammation 2020; 42:1666-1679. [PMID: 31236857 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-019-01027-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) has been reported to be protective in several kinds of disorders through inflammatory suppression. Here, we investigated the role of α7nAChR in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on α7nAChR deficient mice (α7nAChR-/-) and the wild-type mice (α7nAChR+/+). Three percent dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was used for the creation of IBD mice model and lipopolysaccharides (LPS)/DSS as an inflammatory stressor in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). The severity of IBD was determined and HE staining as well as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time PCR were used to detect the level of inflammatory activation. Western blot was used to determine the levels of autophagy-related proteins. Transmission electron microscopy and mRFP-GFP-LC3 plasmid were applied to determine the levels of autophagy. We demonstrated that deficiency in α7nAChR produced a detrimental effect on IBD severity and inflammatory reaction in DSS-induced colitis models. Those effects were led to via autophagy dysfunction. α7nAChR deficiency attenuated the protective and anti-inflammatory effect of autophagy inducer in IBD mice and BMDMs challenged with LPS/DSS. The alleviative effect of activating α7nAChR was attenuated through inhibiting adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mediated signaling. In conclusion, α7nAChR contributes to alleviate IBD through the induction of AMPK-mammalian target of rapamycin rabbit (mTOR)-p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K)-mediated autophagy, thus providing a novel target for the treatment of IBD.
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6
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Lin Y, Zheng X, Chen J, Luo D, Xie J, Su Z, Huang X, Yi X, Wei L, Cai J, Sun Z. Protective Effect of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam. Fruit on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice: Role of Keap1/Nrf2 Pathway and Gut Microbiota. Front Pharmacol 2020; 10:1602. [PMID: 32116661 PMCID: PMC7008401 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (BG), a medicinal mangrove, and its fruit (a food material) (BGF), have traditionally been used to treat diarrhea (also known as ulcerative colitis) in folk medicine. However, the mechanism of action against colitis remains ambiguous. This study aimed to investigate the potential efficacy and mechanism of BGF on experimental colitis. Colitis was induced by oral intake of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and treated with aqueous extract of BGF (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) for a week. The Disease Activity Index (DAI), colon length, and histological changes of colon were analyzed. The inflammatory and oxidative stress status was explored. The protein expression of Nrf2 and Keap1 in the colon was detected by Western blotting. The mRNA expression of Nrf2 downstream genes (GCLC, GCLM, HO-1 and NQO1) was determined by RT-PCR. Furthermore, the effect on intestinal flora was analyzed. Results indicated that BGF was rich in pinitol, and showed strong antioxidative activity in vitro. Compared with the DSS model, BGF effectively reduced the body weight loss and DAI, restored the colon length, repaired colonic pathological variations, and decreased the histological scores, which was superior to salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) with smaller dosage. Moreover, BGF not only abated the levels of MDA and inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IFN-γ), increased the level of IL-10, but also prevented the depletion of SOD and GSH. BGF upregulated the protein level of nuclear Nrf2 and mRNA levels of GCLC, GCLM, HO-1 and NQO1, while significantly inhibited the protein expression of Keap1 and cytosolic Nrf2. Besides, BGF promoted the growth of probiotics (Bifidobacterium, Anaerotruncus, and Lactobacillus) in the gut, and inhibited the colonization of pathogenic bacteria (Bacteroides and Streptococcus), which contributed to the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. BGF possessed protective effect against DSS-induced colitis. The potential mechanism of BGF may involve the amelioration of inflammatory and oxidative status, activation of Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway, and maintenance of micro-ecological balance of the host. This study provides experimental evidence for the traditional application of BGF in the treatment of diarrhea, and indicates that BGF may be a promising candidate against colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinsi Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Research of Chinese Medicine, Mathematical Engineering Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinghan Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Research of Chinese Medicine, Mathematical Engineering Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinfen Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Research of Chinese Medicine, Mathematical Engineering Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dandan Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Research of Chinese Medicine, Mathematical Engineering Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianhui Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziren Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Research of Chinese Medicine, Mathematical Engineering Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqi Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Research of Chinese Medicine, Mathematical Engineering Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqing Yi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, China
| | - Long Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Cai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhanghua Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Research of Chinese Medicine, Mathematical Engineering Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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