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Zhang SY, Guo SX, Chen LL, Zhu JY, Hou MS, Lu JK, Shen XX. Exploring the potential mechanism of WuFuYin against hypertrophic scar using network pharmacology and molecular docking. World J Clin Cases 2024; 12:3505-3514. [DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i18.3505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertrophic scar (HTS) is dermal fibroproliferative disorder, which may cause physiological and psychological problems. Currently, the potential mechanism of WuFuYin (WFY) in the treatment of HTS remained to be elucidated.
AIM To explore the potential mechanism of WFY in treating HTS.
METHODS Active components and corresponding targets were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. HTS-related genes were obtained from the GeneCards, DisGeNET, and National Center for Biotechnology Information. The function of targets was analyzed by performing Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) enrichment analysis. A protein + IBM-protein interaction (PPI) network was developed using STRING database and Cytoscape. To confirm the high affinity between compounds and targets, molecular docking was performed.
RESULTS A total of 65 core genes, which were both related to compounds and HTS, were selected from multiple databases. PPI analysis showed that CKD2, ABCC1, MMP2, MMP9, glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B), PRARG, MMP3, and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit gamma (PIK3CG) were the hub targets and MOL004941, MOL004935, MOL004866, MOL004993, and MOL004989 were the key compounds of WFY against HTS. The results of KEGG enrichment analysis demonstrated that the function of most genes were enriched in the PI3K-Akt pathway. Moreover, by performing molecular docking, we confirmed that GSK3B and 8-prenylated eriodictyol shared the highest affinity.
CONCLUSION The current findings showed that the GSK3B and cyclin dependent kinase 2 were the potential targets and MOL004941, MOL004989, and MOL004993 were the main compounds of WFY in HTS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Shaoxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Song-Xue Guo
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lei-Lei Chen
- Hand and Plastic Surgery, The first People’s Hospital of Linping District, Hangzhou 311013, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jia-Yan Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Shaoxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ming-Sheng Hou
- Department of Pathology, Shaoxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jia-Ke Lu
- Department of Traumatology, Yuyao Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ningbo 315400, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xue-Xiang Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Shaoxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang Province, China
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Li Y, Li F, Ding M, Ma Z, Li S, Qu J, Li X. Chuanxiong Rhizoma extracts prevent liver fibrosis via targeting CTCF-c-MYC-H19 pathway. CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES 2024; 16:82-93. [PMID: 38375042 PMCID: PMC10874761 DOI: 10.1016/j.chmed.2023.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Hepatic fibrosis has been widely considered as a conjoint consequence of almost all chronic liver diseases. Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong in Chinese, CX) is a traditional Chinese herbal product to prevent cerebrovascular, gynecologic and hepatic diseases. Our previous study found that CX extracts significantly reduced collagen contraction force of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Here, this study aimed to compare the protection of different CX extracts on bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver fibrosis and investigate plausible underlying mechanisms. Methods The active compounds of CX extracts were identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Network pharmacology was used to determine potential targets of CX against hepatic fibrosis. Bile duct hyperplasia and liver fibrosis were evaluated by serologic testing and histopathological evaluation. The expression of targets of interest was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blot. Results Different CX extracts were identified by tetramethylpyrazine, ferulic acid and senkyunolide A. Based on the network pharmacological analysis, 42 overlap targets were obtained via merging the candidates targets of CX and liver fibrosis. Different aqueous, alkaloid and phthalide extracts of CX (CXAE, CXAL and CXPHL) significantly inhibited diffuse severe bile duct hyperplasia and thus suppressed hepatic fibrosis by decreasing CCCTC binding factor (CTCF)-c-MYC-long non-coding RNA H19 (H19) pathway in the BDL-induced mouse model. Meanwhile, CX extracts, especially CXAL and CXPHL also suppressed CTCF-c-MYC-H19 pathway and inhibited ductular reaction in cholangiocytes stimulated with taurocholate acid (TCA), lithocholic acid (LCA) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), as illustrated by decreased bile duct proliferation markers. Conclusion Our data supported that different CX extracts, especially CXAL and CXPHL significantly alleviated hepatic fibrosis and bile duct hyperplasia via inhibiting CTCF-c-MYC-H19 pathway, providing novel insights into the anti-fibrotic mechanism of CX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Fanghong Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Mingning Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Zhi Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Shuo Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jiaorong Qu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
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Zhang J, Chang N, Liu J, Liu W, Bai G. The role of Shunaoxin pills in the treatment of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and its main pharmacodynamic components. Open Med (Wars) 2022; 17:1860-1868. [DOI: 10.1515/med-2022-0607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) is a frequent ischemic cerebrovascular disease that induces brain dysfunction. Shunaoxin pills (SNX) are traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), frequently used for the treatment of CCH. The purpose of this study was to develop an activity-based screening system to identify the active ingredients of SNX. We developed a model of CCH and revealed that SNX induces cerebrovascular dilatation and protects against CCH-induced nerve cell injury in rats. Using the transcriptome analysis, we found that Ca2+-related signaling pathways play a major role in the effect of SNX against CCH. We developed an activity-based screening system based on the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry coupled with a dual-luciferase reporter calcium assay to identify the active components of SNX. As a result, SNX dilates cerebral blood vessels, increasing cerebral blood flow by modulating calcium-related signaling pathways and regulating calcium homeostasis. Two calcium antagonists, ligustilide and senkyunolide I, were identified as active ingredients in SNX. In conclusion, we developed a rapid screening method suitable for the discovery of active natural products in TCM by integrating genomics and target pathway-oriented spectroscopic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University , Tianjin , 300353 , China
| | - Nianwei Chang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Tianjin , 300193 , China
| | - Jiani Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University , Tianjin , 300353 , China
| | - Wenjuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University , Tianjin , 300353 , China
| | - Gang Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University , Tianjin , 300353 , China
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Sun L, Ye X, Wang L, Yu J, Wu Y, Wang M, Dai L. A Review of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Buyang Huanwu Decoction for the Treatment of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:942188. [PMID: 35844225 PMCID: PMC9278698 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.942188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is often referred to as “collaterals disease” in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and commonly includes ischemic and hemorrhagic CSVD. TCM has a long history of treating CSVD and has demonstrated unique efficacy. Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) is a classical TCM formula that has been used for the prevention and treatment of stroke for hundreds of years. BHD exerts its therapeutic effects on CSVD through a variety of mechanisms. In this review, the clinical and animal studies on BHD and CSVD were systematically introduced. In addition, the pharmacological mechanisms, active components, and clinical applications of BHD in the treatment of CSVD were reviewed. We believe that an in-depth understanding of BHD, its pharmacological mechanism, disease-drug interaction, and other aspects will help in laying the foundation for its development as a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of CSVD.
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Wu J, Zhou F, Fan G, Liu J, Wang Y, Xue X, Lyu X, Lin S, Li X. Ferulic acid ameliorates acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury by promoting AMPK-mediated protective autophagy. IUBMB Life 2022; 74:880-895. [PMID: 35514074 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Acetaminophen (APAP), one of the most widely used antipyretics and analgesics, principally results in acute liver injury (ALI) in developed countries when taken overdose. Ferulic acid (FA) is a natural polyphenol compound existing in many plants that has free radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory and liver-protective properties. However, the effect and underlying mechanism of FA in treating APAP-induced ALI have not been fully elucidated. Herein, we established a mouse model of APAP-induced ALI and used APAP-stimulated mouse primary hepatocytes for biochemical assessment of molecular parameters. After constructing networks and obtaining predicted targets from public databases, we further verified the putative pathways using immune-blotting assays both in vivo and in vitro. The reign of liver necrosis, serum levels of ALT and AST and oxidative stress in livers significantly elevated after APAP treatment, which were almost recovered back to normal levels by FA administration. In addition, FA significantly upregulated the APAP-induced downregulation of hepatic specific markers, including HNF4a, Foxa2 and ALB. Then, the results of functional enrichment indicated the possible signaling pathways of FA against APAP challenge, mainly including AMPK, autophagy, apoptosis and other metabolic process. Furthermore, FA markedly reversed the APAP-induced decline of mitochondria membrane potential, increased ratio of BAX/BCL2 and CASPASE 3 expression, and promoted autophagy flux of hepatocytes by upregulating AMPK phosphorylation, which were abrogated by a specific AMPK inhibitor, compound C. Overall, the hepatoprotective effect of FA on APAP-induced ALI might be associated with anti-oxidant and anti-apoptosis, which were at least partly attributed to AMPK-mediated protective autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhi Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Guifang Fan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyong Xue
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangjun Lyu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Sheng Lin
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dong zhi men Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Wang LY, Li WY, Zhou HF, Zhao XY, Li XN, Wu XD, Zhao QS. Spiroligustolides A and B: two pairs of enantiomeric spiro-orthoester-containing phthalide dimers as Cav3.1 calcium channel inhibitors from Ligusticum Chuanxiong Hort. Bioorg Chem 2022; 123:105749. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Xue X, Wu J, Ding M, Gao F, Zhou F, Xu B, Lu M, Li J, Li X. Si-Wu-Tang ameliorates fibrotic liver injury via modulating intestinal microbiota and bile acid homeostasis. Chin Med 2021; 16:112. [PMID: 34736501 PMCID: PMC8570021 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-021-00524-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fibrotic liver injury is a progressive scarring event, which may permanently affect liver function and progress into devastating end-stage liver diseases due to the absence of effective therapies. Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), a traditional Chinese medicine formula used in clinic to treat gynecological disorders for centuries, has been investigated in recent preliminary findings for its role in alleviating chronic liver diseases. Here we aim to elucidate the therapeutic effects and possible mechanisms of SWT against fibrotic liver injury. Methods UHPLC-MS/MS was performed to investigate the chemical characterization of SWT. After intragastrically administered with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) every 3 days for 1-week, C57BL/6 mice were orally administered with SWT (5.2, 10.4 and 20.8 g/kg) once daily for 3 weeks along with CCl4 challenge. Liver function was determined by the measurement of serum biomarkers, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson’s trichrome staining. Intestinal inflammatory infiltration and the disruption of intestinal barrier were examined by H&E and E-cadherin immunohistochemical staining. The microbial composition of intestinal content was determined by 16S rRNA sequencing. Serum bile acids (BAs) profiling was analyzed by LC–MS/MS. Simultaneously, the expression of genes of interest was determined by qPCR and western blot. Results SWT exhibited remarkable therapeutic effects on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, as indicated by improved collagen accumulation in livers, intestinal barrier injury and hepatic and intestinal inflammatory response. Results of 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that SWT treatment strikingly restructured intestinal microbiota in fibrotic mice by increasing the relative abundances of Bacteroides and Lachnoclostridium and decreasing the relative abundances of Alistipes and Rikenellaceae. UHPLC-MS/MS data suggested that SWT altered the composition of BAs in circulation as evidenced by increased unconjugated BAs like cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid but decreased conjugated BAs including taurocholic acid and taurodeoxycholic acid, compared to that in CCl4 mice. Notably, SWT efficiently improved the imbalance of BA homeostasis in livers caused by CCl4 via activating farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-fibroblast growth factor 15 enterohepatic and FXR-small heterodimer partner hepatic pathways. Conclusion SWT decreased inflammatory response, reconstructed gut microbiota-mediated BA homeostasis as well as activated FXR pathways, which eventually protected against CCl4-induced fibrotic liver injury. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13020-021-00524-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyong Xue
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jianzhi Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Mingning Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Feng Gao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Fei Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Bing Xu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Mingjun Lu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jun Li
- Gynecology Department, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China.
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Wu J, Xue X, Fan G, Gu Y, Zhou F, Zheng Q, Liu R, Li Y, Ma B, Li S, Huang G, Ma L, Li X. Ferulic Acid Ameliorates Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrotic Liver Injury by Inhibiting PTP1B Activity and Subsequent Promoting AMPK Phosphorylation. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:754976. [PMID: 34566665 PMCID: PMC8455917 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.754976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation in response to persistent exogenous stimuli or damage results in liver fibrosis, which subsequently progresses into malignant liver diseases with high morbidity and mortality. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic acid widely isolated from abundant plants and exhibits multiple biological activities including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation and enhancement of immune responses. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) functions as a critical energy sensor and is regulated through the phosphorylation of liver kinases like LKB1 or dephosphorylation by protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). However, the role of FA in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced chronic inflammation and liver fibrosis and AMPK activation has not been elucidated. Here we reported that FA ameliorated CCl4-induced inflammation and fibrotic liver damage in mice as indicated by reduced levels of serum liver function enzyme activities and decreased expression of genes and proteins associated with fibrogenesis. Additionally, FA inhibited hepatic oxidative stress, macrophage activation and HSC activation via AMPK phosphorylation in different liver cells. Mechanically, without the participation of LKB1, FA-induced anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects were abrogated by a specific AMPK inhibitor, compound C. Combining with the results of molecular docking, surface plasmon resonance and co-immunoprecipitation assays, we further demonstrated that FA directly bound to and inhibited PTP1B, an enzyme responsible for dephosphorylating key protein kinases, and eventually leading to the phosphorylation of AMPK. In summary, our results indicated that FA alleviated oxidative stress, hepatic inflammation and fibrotic response in livers through PTP1B-AMPK signaling pathways. Taken together, we provide novel insights into the potential of FA as a natural product-derived therapeutic agent for the treatment of fibrotic liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhi Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyong Xue
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Guifang Fan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yiqing Gu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Zheng
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Runping Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yajing Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Boning Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shuo Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Guangrui Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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