Stem Cell Research & Therapy•2025•DOI: 10.1186/s13287-025-04378-3
Background Myocardial infarction (MI) is a severe disease that often associated with impaired angiogenesis and increased myocardial apoptosis. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been a promising candidate for treating myocardial infarction. However, functional heterogeneity of MSCs leads to inconsistent therapeutic efficiency and the current MSCs-based therapy lacks the concept and implementation of precision medicine. In this study, we compared the cardioprotective effect of UCMSCs and ADMSCs targeting the angiogenesis in a mouse MI model and screened out optimum MSCs candidate for precise clinical application. Methods The gene expression profiles of UCMSCs and ADMSCs were investigated through RNA sequencing analysis. To compare their angiogenic potential, we performed tube formation assay, Matrigel plug assays, and aortic ring assay, and analyzed pro-angiogenic genes via qPCR. Subsequently, UCMSCs and ADMSCs were respectively injected into myocardium after MI surgery in mice. On day 28 post-MI, echocardiography was performed to assess cardiac function. Histological analysis was performed to assess MSCs retention, angiogenesis, and myocardial apoptosis. Additionally, the anti-apoptosis effects mediated by MSCs were further evaluated using flow cytometry in hypoxia H9C2 and HL-1 cells. Results The RNA sequencing analysis revealed differences in gene expression related to angiogenesis and apoptosis pathways between UCMSCs and ADMSCs. UCMSCs presented greater pro-angiogenesis activity than ADMSCs in vitro and in vivo. Both of UCMSCs and ADMSCs improved cardiac function, decreased infarction area and inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis while promoting angiogenesis post-MI in mice. Notably, ADMSCs exerted a better cardioprotective function than UCMSCs and stronger anti-apoptotic effect on residual cardiomyocytes.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2026•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2026010
Persicaria chinensis, a well-known traditional Chinese medicinal herb that is both edible and medicinal, has been widely acknowledged for its therapeutic effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activities. However, the role of miRNAs from this plant in the cross-kingdom regulation of human diseases has not been investigated. In this study, we analyze the miRNA expression profile of P. chinensis using high-throughput sequencing and identify a total of 673 miRNAs, including 422 novel miRNAs that are unique to this plant and 251 conserved miRNAs. Among the conserved miRNAs, pch-miR319a is found to be the most abundant. Moreover, food-oriented pch-miR319a accumulates in the uterus and tumors and exhibits a rich repertoire of target genes within cancer-related pathways, demonstrating significant cross-kingdom regulatory potential. Utilizing the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, we demonstrate that pch-miR319a from P. chinensis targets the Itga3 gene, which is associated with cervical cancer progression. Overexpression of pch-miR319a significantly decreases the viability, migration, and induces apoptosis of HeLa cervical cancer cells in vitro. Moreover, in a syngeneic mouse tumor model of cervical cancer, treatment with pch-miR319a effectively inhibits tumor growth and downregulates the expressions of ITGA3 and the proliferation marker Ki-67. Our study highlights the potential of pch-miR319a from P. chinensis as a novel therapeutic agent for cervical cancer by targeting ITGA3 and provides new insights into the cross-kingdom regulatory mechanisms of plant miRNAs in human diseases.
Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs•2026•DOI: 10.7501/j.issn.0253-2670.2026.16.20261616
This study interrogates the therapeutic efficacy and molecular mechanism of aconitine combined with paeoniflorin in a rat model of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), focusing on the Indian hedgehog (Ihh)-glioma-associated oncogene homolog (Gli) signaling axis. Anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) was performed on male rats, which were then allocated to sham, model, celecoxib (24 mg/kg), and three aconitine-paeoniflorin dose groups (5+50, 10+100, 20+200 μg/kg; n=10 per group). Behavioral tests, hematoxylin-eosin staining, micro-computed tomography, ELISA for matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and type II collagen (Col II), immunofluorescence, and qRT-PCR for Ihh, Gli, patched 1 (Ptch1), and MMP13 were conducted. Molecular docking assessed binding affinities. Safety was evaluated via serum aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, urinary protein, and histopathology of heart, liver, and kidney. Results demonstrated that the combination significantly elevated mechanical and thermal pain thresholds (P<0.05, 0.01, 0.001), restored cartilage matrix integrity, improved bone microarchitecture, decreased serum MMP13, and increased Col II (P<0.05, 0.01, 0.001). Ihh, Gli, Ptch1, and MMP13 protein and gene expressions were markedly downregulated (P<0.05, 0.01, 0.001). Docking confirmed binding energies ≤−5 kcal/mol for aconitine and paeoniflorin with Ihh, Gli, ADAMTS5, and MMP13. No significant hepatic, renal, or cardiac toxicity was observed. The combination inhibits aberrant Ihh-Gli pathway activation, suppresses cartilage matrix degradation, and offers a safer, multi-target alternative to celecoxib for KOA management.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2026•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2026010
Persicaria chinensis, a well-known traditional Chinese medicinal herb that is both edible and medicinal, has been widely acknowledged for its therapeutic effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activities. However, the role of miRNAs from this plant in the cross-kingdom regulation of human diseases has not been investigated. In this study, we analyze the miRNA expression profile of P. chinensis using high-throughput sequencing and identify a total of 673 miRNAs, including 422 novel miRNAs that are unique to this plant and 251 conserved miRNAs. Among the conserved miRNAs, pch-miR319a is found to be the most abundant. Moreover, food-oriented pch-miR319a accumulates in the uterus and tumors and exhibits a rich repertoire of target genes within cancer-related pathways, demonstrating significant cross-kingdom regulatory potential. Utilizing the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, we demonstrate that pch-miR319a from P. chinensis targets the Itga3 gene, which is associated with cervical cancer progression. Overexpression of pch-miR319a significantly decreases the viability, migration, and induces apoptosis of HeLa cervical cancer cells in vitro. Moreover, in a syngeneic mouse tumor model of cervical cancer, treatment with pch-miR319a effectively inhibits tumor growth and downregulates the expressions of ITGA3 and the proliferation marker Ki-67. Our study highlights the potential of pch-miR319a from P. chinensis as a novel therapeutic agent for cervical cancer by targeting ITGA3 and provides new insights into the cross-kingdom regulatory mechanisms of plant miRNAs in human diseases.