Xiumin Li

Scopus Publications

Transcriptome analysis of immune-inflammatory regulation in Tremella fuciformis-derived polysaccharide reeducated B16 cells: A subcutaneous model
Xiumin Li, Qiaoling Su, and Yutian Pan
Wroclaw Medical University
BACKGROUND Circulating cancer cells have characteristics of tumor self-targeting. Modified circulating tumor cells may serve as tumor-targeted cellular drugs. Tremella fuciformis-derived polysaccharide (TFP) is related to immune regulation and tumor inhibition, so could B16 cells reeducated by TFP be an effective anti-tumor drug? OBJECTIVES To evaluate the intrinsic therapeutic potential of B16 cells exposed to TFP and clarify the therapeutic molecules or pathways altered by this process. MATERIAL AND METHODS RNA-seq technology was used to study the effect of TFP-reeducated B16 cells on the immune and inflammatory system by placing the allograft subcutaneously in C57BL/6 mice. RESULTS Tremella fuciformis-derived polysaccharide-reeducated B16 cells recruited leukocytes, neutrophils, dendritic cells (DCs), and mast cells into the subcutaneous region and promoted the infiltration of several cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and interleukin 1 (IL-1). Tumor necrosis factor alpha also activated Th17 lymphocytes to secrete interleukin 17 (IL-17) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). The co-expression of IFN-γ and IL-17 was favorable for tumor immunity to shrink tumors. In short, TFP-reeducated B16 cells activated the innate and adaptive immune responses, especially Th17 cell differentiation and IFN-γ production, as well as the TNF-α signaling pathway, which re-regulated the inflammatory and immune systems. CONCLUSION B16 cells subcutaneously exposed to TFP in mice induced an immune and inflammatory response to inhibit tumors. The study of the function of TFP-reeducated B16 cells to improve cancer immunotherapy may be of particular research interest. This approach could be an alternative and more efficient strategy to deliver cytokines and open up new possibilities for long-lasting, multi-level tumor control.

Glucan from Oudemansiella raphanipes suppresses breast cancer proliferation and metastasis by regulating macrophage polarization and the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway
Gulimiran Alitongbieke, Xiuru Zhang, Fukai Zhu, Qici Wu, Zhichao Lin, Xiumin Li, Yu Xue, Xuebin Lai, Jiexin Feng, Rongjie Huang,et al.
Ivyspring International Publisher
Background: The glucan extract of Oudemansiella raphanipes (Orp) has multiple biological properties, similar to extracts of other natural edible fungi. Drugs traditionally used in cancer treatment are associated with several drawbacks, such as side effects, induction of resistance, and poor prognosis, and many recent studies have focused on polysaccharides extracted from natural sources as alternatives. Our study focuses on the therapeutic role and molecular mechanism of action of Orp in breast cancer progression. Methods: MMTV-PyMT transgenic mice were used as the spontaneous breast cancer mice model. Immunoblotting, hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate the tumor behaviors in breast cancer. The inflammatory cell model was constructed using TNF-α. Macrophage activation and WNT/β-catenin signaling were assayed using western blotting and immunofluorescence. Results: Orp management significantly inhibited tumor growth and promoted tumor cell apoptosis in MMTV-PyMT transgenic mice. Besides, the Orp challenge also attenuated the ability of breast tumors to metastasize into lung tissues. Mechanistically, Orp treatment restrained the polarization of M1 macrophages to M2 macrophages and suppressed WNT/β-catenin signaling in mouse tumor tissues, which implied that Orp-mediated tumor inhibition partly occurred via regulating the inflammatory response. Findings from in vitro experiments confirmed that Orp inhibited the TNF-α-induced nuclear transportation of β-catenin, thus preventing inflammation signaling and the expression of c-Myc in MCF-7 cells. Conclusion: Orp inhibits breast cancer growth and metastasis by regulating macrophage polarization and the WNT/β-catenin signaling axis. The findings of this study suggest that Orp may be a promising therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.

A novel cell-wall polysaccharide derived from the stipe of Agaricus bisporus inhibits mouse melanoma proliferation and metastasis
Qi-Ci Wu, Yin-Ying Zhang, Yun-Bing Li, Gulimiran Alitongbieke, Yu Xue, Xiu-Min Li, Zhi-Chao Lin, Jia-Fu Huang, Tao Pan, Xiao-Ming Pan,et al.
Elsevier BV

β-Glucan produced by Lentinus edodes suppresses breast cancer progression via the inhibition of macrophage M2 polarization by integrating autophagy and inflammatory signals
Fukai Zhu, Qianru Zhang, Jiexin Feng, Xiuru Zhang, Tingting Li, Shuwen Liu, Yanling Chen, Xiumin Li, Qici Wu, Yu Xue,et al.
Wiley
β‐Glucan from Lentinus edodes (LNT), an edible mushroom, possesses strong anticancer activity. However, the therapeutic effects of LNT during the occurrence and progression of breast cancer and their underlying molecular mechanisms have not been elucidated.

Lentinan induces apoptosis of mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the EGR1/PTEN/AKT signaling axis
Jingping You, Qici Wu, Yunbing Li, Xiumin Li, Zhichao Lin, Jiafu Huang, Yu Xue, Alitongbieke Gulimiran, and Yutian Pan
Spandidos Publications
Lentinan (LNT) isolated from Lentinus edodes is a vital host defense potentiator previously utilized as an adjuvant in cancer therapy. The present study investigated the effect of LNT on the mouse hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line Hepa1-6 and its possible mechanism. Mouse HCC apoptosis and its potential associated mechanism were then explored using in vitro and in vivo approaches. For in vitro approaches, the effect of LNT on the proliferation of Hepa1-6 cells was investigated by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Annexin V-FITC staining and flow cytometry were applied to explore HCC apoptosis. Western blotting was used to analyze related proteins, such as EGR1, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), protein kinase B (Akt), B lymphocyte-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl2 family-associated X protein (Bax), etc. Cellular immunofluorescence staining was employed to assess the localization and expression of EGR1 and PTEN in nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of Hepa1-6 cells. The association between EGR1 and PTEN was explored by EGR1 overexpression in cell lines. For in vivo methods, a mouse model of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced primary liver cancer was established using C57BL/6 mice to investigate the inhibitory effect of LNT on liver cancer. Histopathology of liver tissue from mice was detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical assay. In vitro and in vivo results showed that LNT can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of mouse HCC cells. Besides, LNT increased the expression of EGR1 in Hepa1-6 cells, which is translocated to the nucleus to function as a transcriptional factor. EGR1 then activates the expression of the tumor suppressor PTEN, thereby inhibiting the activation of the AKT signaling pathway. These data revealed a novel anti-tumor mechanism by which LNT can induce apoptosis to inhibit mouse HCC progression through the EGR1/PTEN/AKT axis. These results provide a scientific basis for the potential use of LNT in drug development and clinical applications associated with primary liver cancer.

Overcharged lipid metabolism in mechanisms of antitumor by Tremella fuciformis-derived polysaccharide
Xiumin Li, Qiaoling Su, and Yutian Pan
Spandidos Publications
Tremella fuciformis-derived polysaccharide (TFP) is a natural macromolecular compound that is well known for whitening skin, as well as for its ability to regulate lipids and immunity. However, its mechanism of action is not clear. In the present study, B16 cells treated with TFP were inoculated subcutaneously in the right flank of C57BL/6 mice to explore the effect of TFP on melanoma in vivo. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining and transcription analysis of tumors were utilized to assess the expression of key molecules in production of melanin, lipid metabolism and immunity. It was found that TFP promoted B16 cell apoptosis and induced G2/M cell cycle arrest, which was associated with activation of cell cycle-related pathways. TFP induced the expression of glucose transporter type 4 and CD36, thus resulting in an increase in the uptake of lipids, which markedly suppressed sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 and phosphorylated-AMP-activated protein kinase expression; increased the number of lipids in the cell membrane, endoplasmic reticulum and nucleus; and induced the RNA expression of molecules related to lipid metabolism, as revealed by RNA-sequencing in vivo. Increased lipid binding, upregulated lipid storage, and elevated triglyceride and lipid catabolism resulted in disruption of cell volume homeostasis and activated innate immune response, thus inhibiting melanoma development and progression. These data revealed a novel molecular mechanism involved in the antitumor effect of TFP via lipid metabolism.

β-glucan from Lentinus edodes inhibits breast cancer progression via the Nur77/HIF-1α axis
Xiuru Zhang, Tingting Li, Shuwen Liu, Yiming Xu, Minjun Meng, Xiumin Li, Zhichao Lin, Qici Wu, Yu Xue, Yutian Pan,et al.
Portland Press Ltd.
Abstract Background: β-glucan from Lentinus edodes (LNT) is a plant-derived medicinal fungus possessing significant bioactivities on anti-tumor. Both hypoxia-induced factor-1α (HIF)-1α and Nur77 have been shown to be involved in the development of breast cancer. However, there is yet no proof of Nur77/HIF-1α involvement in the process of LNT-mediated tumor-inhibition effect. Methods: Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and Hematoxylin–Eosin staining were used to investigate tumor growth and metastasis in MMTV-PyMT transgenic mice. Proliferation and metastasis-associated molecules were determined by Western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Hypoxic cellular model was established under the exposure of CoCl2. Small interference RNA was transfected using Lipofectamine reagent. The ubiquitin proteasome pathway was blunted by adding the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Results: LNT inhibited the growth of breast tumors and the development of lung metastases from breast cancer, accompanied by a decreased expression of HIF-1α in the tumor tissues. In in vitro experiments, hypoxia induced the expression of HIF-1α and Nur77 in breast cancer cells, while LNT addition down-regulated HIF-1α expression in an oxygen-free environment, and this process was in a manner of Nur77 dependent. Mechanistically, LNT evoked the down-regulation of HIF-1α involved the Nur77-mediated ubiquitin proteasome pathway. A strong positive correlation between Nur77 and HIF-1α expression in human breast cancer specimens was also confirmed. Conclusion: Therefore, LNT appears to inhibit the progression of breast cancer partly through the Nur77/HIF-1α signaling axis. The findings of the present study may provide a theoretical basis for targeting HIFs in the treatment of breast cancer.

Agaricus bisporus-derived β-glucan enter macrophages and adipocytes by CD36 receptor
Xiumin Li, Xiufen Zhang, Liang Pang, Liyun Yao, Zhaoshui ShangGuan, and Yutian Pan
Informa UK Limited
Abstract β-glucans are a heterogeneous group of natural polysaccharides. They are ubiquitously found in bacterial or fungal cell walls, cereals, seaweed, and mushrooms. The beneficial role of β-glucan in tumor, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity is being continuously documented. Ample evidence showed that β-glucan could act on several receptors, such as Dectin, complement receptor (CR3), TLR-2, 4, 6 and scavenger. Based on the above, we wanted to explore whether agaricus bisporus-derived β-glucan acted on these receptors on Raw 264.7 macrophages and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Graphical Abstract

Agaricus bisporus-derived β-glucan prevents obesity through PPAR γ downregulation and autophagy induction in zebrafish fed by chicken egg yolk
Xiumin Li, Yu Xue, Liang Pang, Bo Len, Zhichao Lin, Jiafu Huang, Zhaoshui ShangGuan, and Yutian Pan
Elsevier BV

Lysimachia Capillipes Inhibit Adipogenesis via Angiogenesis Inhibition
Xiumin Li, Yu Xue, Liang Pang, Zhaoshui ShangGuan, and Yutian Pan
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
AbstractObesity is a common and increasingly prevalent human condition due to unhealthy diet and less-exercise lifestyle. Development of obesity is associated with substantial modulation of adipose tissue structure. The expansion of adipose tissue is linked to the development of its vasculature, and modulation of angiogenesis may have the potential to impair adipose tissue development. In this study, we used obesity model of zebrafish fed by egg yolk to investigate the effect of Lysimachia capillipes on the obesity. The results showed that Lysimachia capillipes inhibited angiogenesis of adipose tissue in transgenic zebrafish Tg (Fli 1: EGFP), which was similar to surppressing effect of TNP-470, which was accompanied by decreased Oil Red O staining of the zebrafish. The treatment of Lysimachia capillipes reduced expression of MTP significantly, but modestly reduced expression of Ppar g, FABP10a, and CD36 level through ISH, which was accordant with the results by PCR analysis. The study proved that Lysimachia capillipes might possess novel therapeutic properties for prevention and treatment of obesity.

Novel and rapid osteoporosis model established in zebrafish using high iron stress
Wenjuan Zhang, Jingjin Xu, Juhui Qiu, Cencan Xing, Xiumin Li, Bo Leng, Yi Su, Jinmei Lin, Jiaofen Lin, Xuqiao Mei,et al.
Elsevier BV

The preventive effect of cellulose from pleurotus eryngii on fatty liver of hyperlipidemic rats

Rheum palmatum L. Attenuates High Fat Diet-Induced Hepatosteatosis by Activating AMP-Activated Protein Kinase
Mingxing Yang, Xiumin Li, Xin Zeng, Zhimin Ou, Mei Xue, Dehong Gao, Suhuan Liu, Xuejun Li, and Shuyu Yang
World Scientific Pub Co Pte Lt
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common metabolic disorder characterized by the accumulation of excess fat in the liver. Rheum palmatumL. (RP) decoctions have been reported to ameliorate NAFLD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of RP in fatty liver disease induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in rats. Low and high doses of aqueous RP extraction were orally administered to HFD-fed rats for six weeks. Body weight, tissue weight, glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance, hepatic morphology, and liver triglyceride (TG) content were assessed. The effects of RP on the expressions of lipogenic and lipolysis genes were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. The phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) was determined by Western blotting. Treatment with low-dose RP significantly reduced liver weight, liver TG content, and improved glucose tolerance in HFD-fed rats. Consistently, RP attenuated excess fat accumulation and downregulated the expression of lipogenic genes in the liver. Further, an increased phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC was observed. These findings suggest that low-dose RP alleviates hepatosteatosis, at least in part, by stimulating AMPK activity.

Three new 2,5-diketopiperazines from the fish intestinal Streptomyces sp. MNU FJ-36
Yi-xin Ou, Jia-fu Huang, Xiu-min Li, Qian-jin Kang, and Yu-tian Pan
Informa UK Limited
Abstract The gut actinobacteria of marine-inhabited fish is one of the most important reservoirs of novel natural products. Currently, the Streptomyces sp. MNU FJ-36 was isolated from the intestinal fabric of Katsuwonus sp. and determined by 16S rRNA analysis. From the cultures of the S. sp. MNU FJ-36, three new 2,5-diketopiperazines (2,5-DKPs) were discovered and identified as 3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-6-isobutyl-2,5-diketopiperazine (1), 3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-6-isobutyl-2,5-diketopiperazine (2) and 3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-6-isopropyl-2,5-diketopiperazine (3). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis. All the compounds were also evaluated for their inhibitory activity against P388, A-549 and HCT-116 cell lines with the MTT assay. Graphical abstract

Fructus xanthii improves lipid homeostasis in the epididymal adipose tissue of rats fed a high-fat diet
XIUMIN LI, MINGXING YANG, ZHIPENG LI, MEI XUE, ZHAOSHUI SHANGGUAN, ZHIMIN OU, MING LIU, SUHUAN LIU, SHUYU YANG, and XUEJUN LI
Spandidos Publications
High fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity triggers common features of human metabolic syndrome in rats. Our previous study showed that Fructus xanthii (FX) attenuates HFD-induced hepatic steatosis. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of FX on lipid metabolism in epididymal fat (EF), and examine its underlying mechanisms. Aqueous extraction fractions of FX or vehicle were orally administered by gavage for 6 weeks to rats fed either a HFD or a normal chow diet (NCD). The levels of circulating free fatty acid (FFA) were determined in plasma, and the expression levels of lipid metabolism- and inflammation-associated genes in the EF were measured using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. The general morphology, size and number of adipocytes in the EF, and the levels of macrophage infiltration were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining or immunohistochemical staining. FX decreased circulating levels of FFA, increased the expression levels of sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein-1c, FAS, acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase, diacylglycerol acyltransferase and lipoprotein lipase lipogenic genes in the EF. FX increased the numbers of adipocytes in the EF, and featured a shift towards smaller adipocyte size. Compared with the vehicle-treated rats, positive staining of F4/80 was more dispersed in the FX-treated rats, and the percentage of F4/80 positive cells was significantly decreased. FX attenuated HFD-induced lipid dyshomeostasis in the epididymal adipose tissue.

Hepatoprotective effects of polysaccharide isolated from Agaricus bisporus industrial wastewater against CCl<inf>4</inf>-induced hepatic injury in mice
Jiafu Huang, Yixin Ou, Tai Wai David Yew, Jingna Liu, Bo Leng, Zhichao Lin, Yi Su, Yuanhong Zhuang, Jiaofen Lin, Xiumin Li,et al.
Elsevier BV

Berberine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles are concentrated in the liver and ameliorate hepatosteatosis in db/db mice
Mei Xue, Liang Zhang, Mingxing Yang, Wei Zhang, Xiumin Li, Zhi-min Ou, Zhi-peng Li, Suhuan Liu, Xuejun Li, and Shu-yu Yang
Informa UK Limited
Berberine (BBR) shows very low plasma levels after oral administration due to its poor absorption by the gastrointestinal tract. We have previously demonstrated that BBR showed increased gastrointestinal absorption and enhanced antidiabetic effects in db/db mice after being entrapped into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). However, whether BBR-loaded SLNs (BBR-SLNs) also have beneficial effects on hepatosteatosis is not clear. We investigated the effects of BBR-SLNs on lipid metabolism in the liver using histological staining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. The results showed that oral administration of BBR-SLNs inhibited the increase of body weight and decreased liver weight in parallel with the reduction of serum alanine transaminase and liver triglyceride levels in db/db mice. The maximum drug concentration in the liver was 20-fold higher than that in the blood. BBR-SLNs reduced fat accumulation and lipid droplet sizes significantly in the liver, as indicated by hematoxylin and eosin and Oil Red O staining. The expression of lipogenic genes, including fatty acid synthase (FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD1), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) were downregulated, while lipolytic gene carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1) was upregulated in BBR-SLN-treated livers. In summary, we have uncovered an unexpected effect of BBR-SLNs on hepatosteatosis treatment through the inhibition of lipogenesis and the induction of lipolysis in the liver of db/db mice.

Gene features selection for three-class disease classification via multiple orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis and S-plot using microarray data
Mingxing Yang, Xiumin Li, Zhibin Li, Zhimin Ou, Ming Liu, Suhuan Liu, Xuejun Li, and Shuyu Yang
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Motivation DNA microarray analysis is characterized by obtaining a large number of gene variables from a small number of observations. Cluster analysis is widely used to analyze DNA microarray data to make classification and diagnosis of disease. Because there are so many irrelevant and insignificant genes in a dataset, a feature selection approach must be employed in data analysis. The performance of cluster analysis of this high-throughput data depends on whether the feature selection approach chooses the most relevant genes associated with disease classes. Results Here we proposed a new method using multiple Orthogonal Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (mOPLS-DA) models and S-plots to select the most relevant genes to conduct three-class disease classification and prediction. We tested our method using Golub’s leukemia microarray data. For three classes with subtypes, we proposed hierarchical orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models and S-plots to select features for two main classes and their subtypes. For three classes in parallel, we employed three OPLS-DA models and S-plots to choose marker genes for each class. The power of feature selection to classify and predict three-class disease was evaluated using cluster analysis. Further, the general performance of our method was tested using four public datasets and compared with those of four other feature selection methods. The results revealed that our method effectively selected the most relevant features for disease classification and prediction, and its performance was better than that of the other methods.

Characterization, pharmacokinetics, and hypoglycemic effect of berberine loaded solid lipid nanoparticles
Mei Xue, Ming-xing Yang, Wei Zhang, Xiu-min Li, De-hong Gao, Zhi-min Ou, Zhi-peng Li, Xue-jun Li, Su-huan Liu, and Shu-yu Yang
Informa UK Limited
The high aqueous solubility, poor permeability, and absorption of berberine (BBR) result in its low plasma level after oral administration, which greatly limits its clinical application. BBR solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were prepared to achieve improved bioavailability and prolonged effect. Developed SLNs showed homogeneous spherical shapes, small size (76.8 nm), zeta potential (7.87 mV), encapsulation efficiency (58%), and drug loading (4.2%). The power of X-ray diffraction combined with 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was employed to analyze chemical functional groups and the microstructure of BBR-SLNs, and indicated that the drug was wrapped in a lipid carrier. Single dose (50 mg/kg) oral pharmacokinetic studies in rats showed significant improvement (P<0.05) in the peak plasma concentration, area under the curve, and variance of mean residence time of BBR-SLNs when compared to BBR alone (P<0.05), suggesting improved bioavailability. Furthermore, oral administration of both BBR and BBR-SLNs significantly suppressed body weight gain, fasting blood glucose levels, and homeostasis assessment of insulin resistance, and ameliorated impaired glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance in db/db diabetic mice. BBR-SLNs at high dose (100 mg/kg) showed more potent effects when compared to an equivalent dose of BBR. Morphologic analysis demonstrated that BBR-SLNs potentially promoted islet function and protected the islet from regeneration. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that by entrapping BBR into SLNs the absorption of BBR and its anti-diabetic action were effectively enhanced.

Meta-analysis of acupuncture for relieving non-organic dyspeptic symptoms suggestive of diabetic gastroparesis
Mingxing Yang, Xiumin Li, Suhuan Liu, Zhipeng Li, Mei Xue, Dehong Gao, Xuejun Li, and Shuyu Yang
Springer Science and Business Media LLC

An aqueous extract of Radix Astragali, Angelica sinensis, and Panax notoginseng is effective in preventing diabetic retinopathy
Dehong Gao, Yijuan Guo, Xuejun Li, Xiumin Li, Zhipeng Li, Mei Xue, Zhimin Ou, Ming Liu, Mingxing Yang, Suhuan Liu,et al.
Hindawi Limited
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), in which inflammation has been implicated playing important roles, is one of the most common diabetes complications. Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang (DBT), an aqueous extract of Radix Astragali and RadixAngelica sinensis, is a classical prescription in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating inflammation and ischemic diseases. Here, we investigated the effects of a modified recipe of DBT, with addition ofPanax notoginseng, in treating diabetic retinopathy. An aqueous extract of Radix Astragali, RadixAngelica sinensis, andPanax notoginseng(RRP) was given to Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats and streptozotocin-induced Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Leukostasis, vascular leakage, and acellular capillaries in retinal vasculature of animals were determined. Expression of retinal inflammatory biomarkers was assessed. We found that RRP reduced leukostasis, acellular capillaries, and vascular leakage compared to diabetic control rats. We also found that RRP decreased the expression of inflammatory factors including IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, NF-κB, MCP-1, ICAM-1, or VCAM-1 in the retinas of GK rats and reversed high glucose-induced inhibition of endothelial cell migration and proliferation in vitro. We conclude that RRP has a potent effect in preventing the pathogenesis and/or progression of DR and thus may serve as a promising nontoxic therapeutic approach of DR.

Fructus Xanthii Attenuates Hepatic Steatosis in Rats Fed on High-Fat Diet
Xiumin Li, Zhipeng Li, Mei Xue, Zhimin Ou, Ming Liu, Mingxing Yang, Suhuan Liu, Shuyu Yang, and Xuejun Li
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Fructus Xanthii (FX) has been widely used as a traditional herbal medicine for rhinitis, headache, cold, etc. Modern pharmacological studies revealed that FX possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-hyperglycemic properties. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of FX on glucose and insulin tolerance, and hepatic lipid metabolism in rats fed on high-fat diet (HFD). Hepatic steatosis was induced by HFD feeding. Aqueous extraction fractions of FX or vehicle were orally administered by gavage for 6 weeks. Body weight and blood glucose were monitored. Glucose and insulin tolerance test were performed. Liver morphology was visualized by hematoxylin and eosin, and oil red O staining. Expression of liver lipogenic and lipolytic genes was measured by real-time PCR. We showed here that FX improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in HFD rats. FX significantly decreased the expression of lipogenic genes and increased the expression of lipolytic genes, ameliorated lipid accumulation and decreased the total liver triglyceride (TG) content, and thus attenuated HFD-induced hepatic steatosis. In conclusion, FX improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, decreases lipogenesis and increases lipid oxidation in the liver of HFD rats, implying a potential application in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Comparison of toxicokinetic and tissue distribution of triptolide-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles vs free triptolide in rats
Mei Xue, Yan Zhao, Xue-jun Li, Zhen-zhou Jiang, Liang Zhang, Su-huan Liu, Xiu-min Li, Lu-Yong Zhang, and Shu-yu Yang
Elsevier BV

Xiumin Li

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Scopus Publications