Journal: Hereditas

Article Title: Mechanistic evaluation of Jiu Wei Qing Zhi Gao in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: insights from network Pharmacology and experimental validation

doi: 10.1186/s41065-025-00427-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: Potential targets of JWQZG against NAFLD. ( A ) Venn diagram illustrating the gene targets associated with NAFLD identified from five databases. Each color represents a specific database. ( B ) Venn diagram showing the overlap of targets between JWQZG and NAFLD. The orange section represents JWQZG-specific targets, while the blue section represents NAFLD-specific targets. ( C ) Compound-target network for JWQZG in the treatment of NAFLD. Blue nodes represent the chemical compounds in JWQZG, green nodes represent gene targets, and the edges indicate interactions between the compounds and targets. JWQZG: Jiu Wei Qing Zhi Gao

Article Snippet: These results collectively indicate that the therapeutic effects of JWQZG on NAFLD may be mediated through a multitarget and multi-pathway mechanism, involving processes such as lipid metabolism, insulin signaling, and inflammation.

Techniques:

Journal: Hereditas

Article Title: Mechanistic evaluation of Jiu Wei Qing Zhi Gao in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: insights from network Pharmacology and experimental validation

doi: 10.1186/s41065-025-00427-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of coexistent targets, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis for gene targets of JWQZG in the treatment of NAFLD. ( A ) PPI network of 43 key genes identified using Degree Centrality (DC), Betweenness Centrality (BC), and Closeness Centrality (CC). ( B ) Network of the top 10 gene targets ranked by Degree values. Circle nodes represent key gene targets, with node size and color (ranging from yellow to red) reflecting their Degree values, transitioning from low to high. ( C ) GO enrichment analysis depicting the top 10 terms for BP, MF, and CC. The x-axis represents the number of enriched genes, and the y-axis lists the GO terms. ( D ) KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealing the top 15 pathways for gene targets of JWQZG. Node size represents the count of enriched genes, while node color reflects the statistical significance (p-values). ( E ) Molecular docking of AKT1 (AF_P31749 ) with Berberine (affinity=-8.8 kcal/mol), Paeoniflorin (affinity=-8.5 kcal/mol), Quercetin (affinity=-8.4 kcal/mol), Wuweizisu C (affinity=-7.3 kcal/mol). ( f ) Molecular docking of IRS1 (AF_P35568 ) with Berberine (affinity=-6.2 kcal/mol), Paeoniflorin (affinity=-6.2 kcal/mol), Quercetin (affinity=-6.5 kcal/mol), Wuweizisu C (affinity=-6.4 kcal/mol).JWQZG: Jiu Wei Qing Zhi Gao

Article Snippet: These results collectively indicate that the therapeutic effects of JWQZG on NAFLD may be mediated through a multitarget and multi-pathway mechanism, involving processes such as lipid metabolism, insulin signaling, and inflammation.

Techniques:

Journal: Hereditas

Article Title: Mechanistic evaluation of Jiu Wei Qing Zhi Gao in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: insights from network Pharmacology and experimental validation

doi: 10.1186/s41065-025-00427-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: JWQZG alleviates liver injury in NAFLD mice. ( A ) Timeline of experimental modeling and drug administration. ( B ) Representative images of body and liver appearance, and liver tissue sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Oil Red O (magnification, 20×) for each group. ( C ) NAFLD activity scores (NAS) in each group ( n = 4).( D ) Quantitative analysis of Oil Red O-stained areas in liver sections for each group ( n = 3). (E-F) Body weight and liver index (liver-to-body weight ratio) of each group ( n = 8). Data are presented as mean ± SD. p < 0.05, p < 0.01, * p < 0.001, ** p < 0.0001 compared to the HFD group. JWQZG, Jiu Wei Qing Zhi Gao; Con, normal control (mice fed a standard chow diet and treated with saline); HFD, high-fat diet control (mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with saline); JWL, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with low-dose JWQZG; JWM, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with medium-dose JWQZG; JWH, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with high-dose JWQZG; Met, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with metformin

Article Snippet: These results collectively indicate that the therapeutic effects of JWQZG on NAFLD may be mediated through a multitarget and multi-pathway mechanism, involving processes such as lipid metabolism, insulin signaling, and inflammation.

Techniques: Staining, Activity Assay, Control, Saline

Journal: Hereditas

Article Title: Mechanistic evaluation of Jiu Wei Qing Zhi Gao in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: insights from network Pharmacology and experimental validation

doi: 10.1186/s41065-025-00427-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: JWQZG improves serum biochemical indicators and cytokine levels in NAFLD mice. ( A - E ) Levels of serum ALT, AST, TC, TG, and Glu in each group ( n = 4). ( F - H ) Levels of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in serum from each group ( n = 4). Data are presented as mean ± SD. p < 0.05, p < 0.01, * p < 0.001, ** p < 0.0001 compared to the HFD group. JWQZG, Jiu Wei Qing Zhi Gao; Con, normal control (mice fed a standard chow diet and treated with saline); HFD, high-fat diet control (mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with saline); JWL, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with low-dose JWQZG; JWM, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with medium-dose JWQZG; JWH, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with high-dose JWQZG; Met, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with metformin

Article Snippet: These results collectively indicate that the therapeutic effects of JWQZG on NAFLD may be mediated through a multitarget and multi-pathway mechanism, involving processes such as lipid metabolism, insulin signaling, and inflammation.

Techniques: Control, Saline

Journal: Hereditas

Article Title: Mechanistic evaluation of Jiu Wei Qing Zhi Gao in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: insights from network Pharmacology and experimental validation

doi: 10.1186/s41065-025-00427-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: JWQZG attenuates insulin resistance in NAFLD mice. ( A ) Area under the curve (AUC) for glucose tolerance test (GTT) ( n = 7). ( B ) AUC for insulin tolerance test (ITT) ( n = 7). ( C ) Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values ( n = 4). Data are presented as mean ± SD. p < 0.05, p < 0.01, * p < 0.001, ** p < 0.0001 compared to the HFD group. JWQZG, Jiu Wei Qing Zhi Gao; Con, normal control (mice fed a standard chow diet and treated with saline); HFD, high-fat diet control (mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with saline); JWL, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with low-dose JWQZG; JWM, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with medium-dose JWQZG; JWH, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with high-dose JWQZG; Met, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with metformin; GTT, glucose tolerance test; ITT, insulin tolerance test; HOMA-IR, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance

Article Snippet: These results collectively indicate that the therapeutic effects of JWQZG on NAFLD may be mediated through a multitarget and multi-pathway mechanism, involving processes such as lipid metabolism, insulin signaling, and inflammation.

Techniques: Control, Saline

Journal: Hereditas

Article Title: Mechanistic evaluation of Jiu Wei Qing Zhi Gao in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: insights from network Pharmacology and experimental validation

doi: 10.1186/s41065-025-00427-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: JWQZG reduces lipid accumulation in NAFLD model cells. ( A ) Viability of HepG2 cells treated with different concentrations of JWQZG-containing serum ( n = 5). ( B ) Relative lipid area in HepG2 cells ( n = 5). ( C ) Representative images of Oil Red O staining in HepG2 cells (magnification, 40×). ( D - E ) Intracellular triglyceride (TG) and glycogen (Gly) levels in HepG2 cells ( n = 3). ( F - H ) Levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in cell culture supernatants ( n = 3). Data are presented as mean ± SD. p < 0.05, p < 0.01, * p < 0.001, ** p < 0.0001 compared to the PA group. JWQZG, Jiu Wei Qing Zhi Gao; Con, normal control (HepG2 cells incubated normally); PA, model control (HepG2 cells incubated with palmitic acid to induce the NAFLD model); JWL, NAFLD cells treated with low-dose JWQZG; JWM, NAFLD cells treated with medium-dose JWQZG; JWH, NAFLD cells treated with high-dose JWQZG; TG, triglyceride; Gly, glycogen

Article Snippet: These results collectively indicate that the therapeutic effects of JWQZG on NAFLD may be mediated through a multitarget and multi-pathway mechanism, involving processes such as lipid metabolism, insulin signaling, and inflammation.

Techniques: Staining, Cell Culture, Control, Incubation

Journal: Hereditas

Article Title: Mechanistic evaluation of Jiu Wei Qing Zhi Gao in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: insights from network Pharmacology and experimental validation

doi: 10.1186/s41065-025-00427-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: JWQZG activates the IRS1/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway in NAFLD mice. ( A ) Immunohistochemical staining and quantitative analysis of p-AKT expression in liver tissue (magnification, 20×) ( n = 3). ( B ) Relative protein expression levels of IRS1, p-PI3K, PI3K, p-AKT, AKT, p-GSK3β, and GSK3β in liver tissues measured by western blot analysis ( n = 3). Data are presented as mean ± SD. p < 0.05, p < 0.01, * p < 0.001, ** p < 0.0001 compared to the HFD group. JWQZG, Jiu Wei Qing Zhi Gao; Con, normal control (mice fed a standard chow diet and treated with saline); HFD, high-fat diet control (mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with saline); JWL, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with low-dose JWQZG; JWM, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with medium-dose JWQZG; JWH, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with high-dose JWQZG; Met, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with metformin

Article Snippet: These results collectively indicate that the therapeutic effects of JWQZG on NAFLD may be mediated through a multitarget and multi-pathway mechanism, involving processes such as lipid metabolism, insulin signaling, and inflammation.

Techniques: Immunohistochemical staining, Staining, Expressing, Western Blot, Control, Saline

Journal: Hereditas

Article Title: Mechanistic evaluation of Jiu Wei Qing Zhi Gao in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: insights from network Pharmacology and experimental validation

doi: 10.1186/s41065-025-00427-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: JWQZG activates the IRS1/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway in NAFLD model cells. ( A ) Relative protein expression levels of IRS1, p-PI3K, PI3K, p-AKT, AKT, p-GSK3β, and GSK3β in HepG2 cells measured by western blot analysis ( n = 3). ( B ) Viability of HepG2 cells treated with JWQZG and/or the IRS1 inhibitor NT157 ( n = 3). ( C ) Relative lipid droplet area in HepG2 cells ( n = 3). ( D ) Representative images of Oil Red O staining in HepG2 cells (magnification, 40×). Data are presented as mean ± SD. p < 0.05, p < 0.01, * p < 0.001, ** p < 0.0001; “ns” indicates no significance. JWQZG: Jiu Wei Qing Zhi Gao; Con: normal control (HepG2 cells incubated under normal conditions); PA: model control (HepG2 cells incubated with palmitic acid to induce the NAFLD model); JWL: NAFLD cells treated with low-dose JWQZG; JWM, NAFLD cells treated with medium-dose JWQZG; JWH: NAFLD cells treated with high-dose JWQZG; PA + NT157: NAFLD cells treated with NT157; PA + JWH: NAFLD cells treated with high-dose JWQZG; PA + JWH + NT157: NAFLD cells treated with high-dose JWQZG and NT157

Article Snippet: These results collectively indicate that the therapeutic effects of JWQZG on NAFLD may be mediated through a multitarget and multi-pathway mechanism, involving processes such as lipid metabolism, insulin signaling, and inflammation.

Techniques: Expressing, Western Blot, Staining, Control, Incubation

Journal: Vaccines

Article Title: Immunotherapy with Checkpoint Inhibitors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Where Are We Now?

doi: 10.3390/vaccines8040578

Figure Lengend Snippet: Ongoing clinical trials that explore the combination of PD1 inhibitors and oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors as a treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Article Snippet: Patients with advanced HCC had no effective therapies until 2008, when sorafenib, a multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), demonstrated a benefit compared with placebo in terms of both overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) [ ].

Techniques: Clinical Proteomics

Journal: Vaccines

Article Title: Immunotherapy with Checkpoint Inhibitors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Where Are We Now?

doi: 10.3390/vaccines8040578

Figure Lengend Snippet: Ongoing clinical trials of immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination with different drugs.

Article Snippet: Patients with advanced HCC had no effective therapies until 2008, when sorafenib, a multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), demonstrated a benefit compared with placebo in terms of both overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) [ ].

Techniques: Clinical Proteomics

Journal: Vaccines

Article Title: Immunotherapy with Checkpoint Inhibitors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Where Are We Now?

doi: 10.3390/vaccines8040578

Figure Lengend Snippet: Ongoing clinical trials exploring immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination with local therapies.

Article Snippet: Patients with advanced HCC had no effective therapies until 2008, when sorafenib, a multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), demonstrated a benefit compared with placebo in terms of both overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) [ ].

Techniques: Clinical Proteomics