Xiaojun Li

Date of Birth: November 1981
Place of Birth: Yicheng, Hubei
Specialization: Pharmacology, Traditional Chinese Medicine
Title: Associate Professor
Phone: +86 027-67840637
Email: lxj@mail.scuec.edu.cn

Courses Taught:

• Medicinal      Botany

• Medicinal      Botany Laboratory

• Field      Practice in Medicinal Botany

• Pharmacology

Research Directions:
Primarily engaged in research on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and pharmacology:

1. Long-term      research on mechanisms of liver damage induced by traditional Chinese      medicine, focusing on analyzing the relationship between the structure of      natural products and their toxicity, clarifying toxicological mechanisms,      and developing specific therapeutic drugs.

2. Extensive      efforts in the industrialization and standardization of Chinese medicine,      with key varieties including Chaenomelis fructus, Angelica      pubescens, and Cremastra appendiculata. Research bases are located      in Yichang, Enshi, and Huanggang. Various fungi promoting the germination      and growth of medicinal plants and their key active ingredients were      discovered.

Education and Work Experience:

• 2000-2011:      Studied at Wuhan University, with a study period in France in 2010,      obtaining a Ph.D. in Medicine.

• Since      2011: Employed at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu      University.

• 2018:      Engaged in poverty alleviation efforts in Badong County, Enshi Prefecture.

• 2019-2020:      Served as a member of the Standing Committee and Deputy County Mayor in      Changyang County, Yichang City, responsible for the Chinese medicinal materials      industry.

• 2020:      Appointed Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Demonstration      Center for Ethnomedicine.

• 2023:      Appointed Deputy Dean of the School of Pharmacy, South-Central University      for Nationalities.

Professional Affiliations:

• Board      Member, Tujia Medicine Branch, Chinese Ethnic Medicine Society

• Deputy      Secretary-General, Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacology Committee,      Hubei Pharmacological Society

• Board      Member, Wuhan Pharmacological Society

• Deputy      Secretary-General, Hubei Authentic Medicinal Materials Standardization      Working Group

• Industry      Consultant, Changyang County (2021-2025)

• Science      and Technology Talent of Hubei Province, 2020-2025

• Reviewer      for journals such as International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.

Awards:

• 2018:      Outstanding Village Work Team Member (Provincial Level)

• 2019:      Top Ten Young Faculty Members at the University

• 2019-2020:      Outstanding Performance in Temporary Posts (Provincial Level)

• 2021:      Outstanding Communist Party Member of the University

• 2023:      Outstanding Performance as a Science and Technology Talent in Hubei      Province

• 2024:      Commendation for Science and Technology Talent in Hubei Province

Research Achievements:
Primarily engaged in pharmacological and TCM research, having obtained one National Natural Science Foundation grant and one Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation grant. Published over 20 SCI papers, granted 5 national invention patents, served as the chief editor of one textbook, co-edited four books, and led or participated in drafting five standards.

Representative Research Papers:

1.                  Liu YN#, Zhu HX#, Li TY, Yang XZ*, Li XJ*, Zhang WK*. Lipid nanoparticle encapsulated oleic acid induced lipotoxicity to hepatocytes via ROS overload and the DDIT3/BCL2/BAX/Caspases signaling in vitro and in vivo. Free Radic Biol Med. 2024,222:361-370.

2.      Pan ZN#, Wang J#, He SS, Zhao HY, Dong XY, Feng T*, Meng YY*, Li XJ*. Enhancing seed germination of Cremastra appendiculata: screening and identification of four new symbiotic fungi in the Psathyrellaceae family. J Microbiol. 2024,62:671–682.

3.                  Zhang SH#, Wang J#, Dong XY, Wang GQ, Feng T*, Li XJ*, Liu JK*. Lanostane triterpenoids from the fungus Physisporinus vitreus and their inhibitory activity against nitric oxide production. Phytochemistry. 2023,206:113556.

4.                  Peng Y, Zhou TX, Wang SS, Bahetjan Y, Li XJ*, Yang XZ*. Dehydrocostus lactone inhibits the proliferation of esophageal cancer cells in vivo and in vitro through ROS-mediated apoptosis and autophagy. Food Chem Toxicol. 2022,170:113453.

5.                  Huang XL#, Li XJ#, Qin QF, Li YS∗, Zhang WK, Tang HB∗.Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of active ingredients in the essential oils from Gynura procumbens, a traditional medicine and a new and popular food material. J Ethnopharmacol. 2019,239:111916.

6.                  Li XJ#, Huang FZ#, Wan Y, Li YS, Zhang WK, Xi Y*, Tian GH*, Tang HB*. Lipopolysaccharide Stimulated the Migration of NIH3T3 Cells Through a Positive Feedback Between beta-Catenin and COX-2. Front Pharmacol. 2018,9:1487.

7.      Li XJ#, Mu YM#, Qin QF, Zeng ZX, Li YS, Zhang WK, Tang HB*, Tian GH, Shang HC*. Chronic high-dosage fish oil exacerbates gut-liver axis injury in alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice: the roles of endotoxin and IL-4 in Kupffer cell polarization imbalance. Toxicol Res (Camb). 2017,6(5):611-620.

8.                  Li XJ#, Yang YJ#, Li TT, Li YS, Zhang WK, Tang HB*. α-Pinene, linalool, and 1-octanol contribute to the topical anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of frankincense by inhibiting COX-2. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016, 179:22-26.

9.                  Li XJ#, Mu YM#, Li TT, Yang YL, Zhang MT, Li YS, Zhang WK, Tang HB*. Shang HC*. Gynura procumbens reverses acute and chronic ethanol-induced liver steatosis through MAPK/SREBP-1c-dependent and -independent pathways. J Agric Food Chem. 2015, 63(38):8460-8471.

10.              Li XJ#, Jia MM#, Li YS, Yang YL, Mao XQ, Tang HB*.  Involvement of substance p/neurokinin-1 receptor in the analgesic and anticancer activities of minimally toxic fraction from the traditional Chinese medicine Liu-Shen-Wan in vitro. Biol Pharm Bull. 2014, 37(3):431-438.

11.              Congwei Wang, Binbin Xiong, Jun Wang, Li Xiang, Songtong Wan, Demou Yu, Xiaojun Li*. Optimization of Chaenomelis fructus Planting and Fresh Processing Techniques. Chinese Patent Medicine. 2024, 46(5): 1757-1761.

12.              Jing Wang, Zhangneng Pan, Congwei Wang, Shanshan He, Aihua Tian, Wenkai Liu, Xiaojun Li*. Promotion of Seed Germination of Cremastra appendiculata by Coprinopsis radiata. Chinese Medicinal Materials. 2023, 46(11): 2658-2662.

13.              Xiaojun Li*, Huan Qin, Huan Liu. Ethnomedicinal and Edible Value of Gynura Species. Journal of South-Central Minzu University (Natural Science Edition). 2015, 34(4): 62-67.

Main Patents:

1. Xiaojun Li,      Hongxia Zhu, Qiuyue Liao, Weiyan Zhang, Yanan Liu, Zhangneng Pan, Kaihong      Zhao. "A linoleic acid formulation and its use in preparing drugs for      treating acute lung injury." Chinese Patent ZL202310650494.7, August 30,      2024.

2. Xiaojun Li,      Jun Wang, Yuruo Gong, Bingbin Xiong, Taoyu Li. "A liposome      formulation and its method for preparing animal models of alcoholic liver      disease." Chinese Patent ZL202110881129.8, August 23, 2024.

3. Xiaojun Li, Zhangneng      Pan, Jing Wang. "A Coprinopsis species for promoting seed      germination of Cremastra appendiculata and its applications."      Chinese Patent ZL202311283424.9, May 31, 2024.

4. Xiaojun Li,      Xialing Huang, Dingrong Wan, Longyan Zhao, Dujuan Shi, Wei Lan, Qiufang      Qin, Mengna Zhang, Rui Pu. "Application of Sedum erythrostictum      in the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia or alcoholic liver      disease induced by alcohol." Chinese Patent ZL201810176709.5, October      1, 2020.

5. Xiaojun Li,      Yunmei Mu, Hebin Tang, Yusang Li, Zixuan Zeng, Minghua Deng. "A feed      for preparing animal models of alcoholic liver disease." Chinese      Patent ZL201510632614.6, April 21, 2020.

Books and Publications:

• Chief Editor:      Medicinal Botany Laboratory, edited by Xiaojun Li, Wenjie Wang, and      Yongshen Ren. Huazhong University of Science and Technology Press, Wuhan,      June 2024.

• Co-editor: Traditional      and Modern Research on Polygonum multiflorum, edited by Xuanbin Wang,      Hongtao Liu, and Haitao Lü. Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press, Shanghai,      December 2021.

• Co-editor: Illustrated      Handbook of Common Medicinal Plants in Central China, edited by      Dingrong Wan, Xinqiao Liu, and Qingxiong Lin. Science Press, Beijing,      January 2021.

• Co-editor: Illustrated      Handbook of Common Medicinal Plants in Western Hubei, edited by      Dingrong Wan. Hubei Science and Technology Press, Wuhan, December 2020.

• Co-editor: Illustrated      Handbook of Medicinal Plants in Wuhan, edited by Leyuan Wang. China      Health Media Press, Beijing, November 2018.

• Contributor: Textbook      on Traditional Chinese Medicine Resource Economics, edited by Junlong      Shen and Yuntong Ma. People's Health Publishing House, September 2021.

Standards:

• Xiaojun Li, Congwei      Wang, Jing Wang, Qin Zhaomin, et al. Technical Specification for      Harvesting and Primary Processing of Chaenomelis fructus. Hubei      Provincial Standard, DB42/T 2292-2024, September 22, 2024.

• Xiaojun Li, Congwei      Wang, Jing Wang, Jun Wang, Qiuyue Liao, et al. Quality Standard for      Authentic Medicinal Material—Chaenomelis fructus. China Association      for Quality Standard, T/CAQ 29010-2024, June 20, 2024.

Research Projects:

• Demonstration      Zone for Authentic Medicinal Materials Production, National      Standardization Committee (SFQ10-35), Tenth Batch of National Agricultural      Standardization Demonstration Zones.

• Eco-planting      and Quality Assurance for Authentic Medicinal Materials, Hubei Provincial      Health Commission (HZY21064).

• Key      Technologies for Planting and Primary Processing of Chaenomeles sinensis,      Hubei Provincial Health Commission (ZY2021Z022).

• Medicinal      Botanical Garden, South-Central University for Nationalities. Second Batch      of Science Education Bases in Hubei Province (2022-2026).

• Construction      of the Special Chinese Medicinal Material Resource Bank at South-Central      University for Nationalities (CXY21015). Central Government Special Fund.

• Mechanism of Pa      Bong Ban (Dai medicine) in activating the gut-liver axis and treating      alcoholic liver disease (81403188). National Natural Science Foundation      Youth Project.

• Therapeutic      Effect of 4-Hydroxyrotenone on Hepatic Insulin Resistance Mediated by the      Glut2-IR Complex (2012FFC13501). Hubei Provincial Natural Science      Foundation Youth Project.

• Effects of      Soybean Anti-Diabetic Pills on the Proliferation and Differentiation of      Pre-adipocytes (CZQ2011037). Central University Basic Scientific Research      Funds.

• Screening of      Active Compounds from Dai Medicine Pa Bong Ban for Anti-alcoholic      Liver Disease, Establishment of a Quality Evaluation Model with      Multi-index Method (2015ZY002). Open Topic of the Hubei Provincial      Ethnomedicine Modernization Engineering Technology Research Center, 2015.

Graduated Postgraduate Students:

Undergraduate Thesis Supervision:

2024 Graduates: Xianfeng Li: Isolation of Endophytic Fungi from Angelica pubescens and Their Promotion of Germination; Chong Zhang: Study on the Mechanism of Hepatocyte Death Induced by Flavonoids from Sophora flavescens; Ling A: Oral Toxicity and Mechanism of Action of Liposomes; Yu Wei: Study on Nano-oleic Acid Inhibition of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Responses; Shining Wang: Fungal Promotion of Orchid Seed Germination; Fupei Wei: Establishment of a Mouse Acute Lung Injury Model and Prevention of Injury by Linoleic Acid Formulation; Jiawei Wu: Correlation Between Oil Cavity Area and Atractylodin Content in Atractylodes lancea Slices.

2023 Graduates: Runyi Luo: Study on the Cytotoxic Mechanism of Sophora flavanone G; Siyu Zhao: Preliminary Study on the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Fatty Acid Formulations; Xiaowen Hou: Quality Analysis of Self-Pollinated and Hybrid Varieties of Chaenomeles sinensis from Ziqiu; Hua Yan: Preliminary Study on Nanomaterials in Medicinal Wines; Yingying Shu: Preliminary Study on the Hepatotoxicity of Long-chain Fatty Acids and Their Mechanisms; Weiting Sun: Distribution of Anatomical Structures and Constituents in Angelica pubescens and Other Medicinal Plants.

2022 Graduates: Haiyang Zhao: Application of Gibberellins in the Production of Chaenomeles sinensis from Ziqiu; Binbin Xiong: Study on the Cause of Seedlessness in Chaenomeles sinensis from Ziqiu; Hui Xiong: Methods for Controlling the Ash Content in Sargentodoxa cuneata Slices; Qianxi Lan: Identification of Medicinal Plants on the South-Central University for Nationalities Campus; Lei Changying: Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on the Growth of Angelica pubescens; Yuanpeng He: Optimization of Primary Processing Methods for Chaenomeles sinensis from Ziqiu; Chenhongyu Zhu: Study on the Localization of Osthol and Dihydroxylavandulyl Coumarin in Angelica pubescens.

2021 Graduates: Congwei Wang: Standardization of Harvesting and Primary Processing of Chaenomeles sinensis from Ziqiu and Study on Its Seedlessness; Chenxi Wang: Distribution of Active Ingredients in the Root Structure of Angelica pubescens from Ziqiu; Yanan Xiang: Pharmacological Study on ML-SA1 Induced Hepatic Steatosis in Mice (Part 1); Tao Tan: Pharmacological Study on ML-SA1 Induced Hepatic Steatosis in Mice (Part 2); Xindan Zhang: Pharmacological Study on ML-SA1 Induced Hepatic Steatosis in Mice (Part 3); Zilu Bao: Effects of Gallic Acid on DSS-Induced Colitis in Mice; Xindi Li: Study on the Hepatotoxicity of Oral Liposomes in Mice.

2020 Graduates: Xiaoyan He: Supplementary Descriptions of the Morphological Characteristics of 11 Medicinal Plants in Flora of China; Xiaoqian Zhang: Summary of Work in the Student Society "Baicao Club" and Recommendations for Its Future Development; Qixian Wang: Study on the Prevention and Treatment of Alcoholic Liver Disease by Sedum erythrostictum; Yankun Ju: Study on the Anti-hepatocarcinoma Activity of de-O-methyllasiodiplodin Extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii. Xiyue Yan: Study on the Mode of Cell Death Induced by de-O-methyllasiodiplodin in Hepatocarcinoma Cells.

2019 Graduates: Bingyao Lei: Study on the Essential Oil of Gynura procumbens (Part 1);

Jie Lian: Study on the Essential Oil of Gynura procumbens (Part 2); Zexu Mai: Study on the Essential Oil of Gynura procumbens (Part 3); Zhuoqi Tang: Study on the Essential Oil of Gynura procumbens (Part 4); Nanyan Ni: Problems and Solutions in the Dispensing of Chinese Medicine; Chen Wan: Morphological and Molecular Identification of Sedum Species in Enshi.

2018 Graduates: Yuruo Gong: Expression Analysis of M1 and M2 Kupffer Cells in a Series of Alcoholic Liver Disease Animal Models; Delin Ma: Study on the Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of the Essential Oil of Gynura procumbens; Guoshan Li: Comparative Study on Two Hepatocyte Lines (Part 1); Ying Jiang: Comparative Study on Two Hepatocyte Lines (Part 2); Jikun Wu: Study on the Intervention of Tujia Medicine on Fatty Liver; Yi Liu: Effects of Different Concentrations of 4-HNE on Autophagy in L02 Cells.

2017 Graduates: Dajuan Shi: Effects of Alcohol-Induced Autophagy on Lipid Clearance in Hepatocytes; Zixuan Zeng: Establishment of a Novel Alcoholic Hepatitis Animal Model; Minghua Deng: Mechanisms of Fish Oil Worsening Alcoholic Hepatitis; Jiayao Zhou: Study on the Treatment of Alcoholic Liver Disease by Non-chlorogenic Acid Components of Pa Bong Ban (Dai Medicine); Xiaoxiao Feng: Immunohistochemistry Study of the Liver in Mice with Alcohol-Induced Hyperlipidemia; Qitong Zhang: Comparative Study on the Effects of Konjac Glucomannan on Intestinal Motility in Young and Old Mice.

2016 Graduates: Huan Qin: Edible and Ethnomedicinal Value of Gynura Species; Huan Liu: Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Gynura procumbens;

Xiaoxia Gong: Epidemiological Study of Kidney Stone Disease in Mining Areas of Hunan;

Jiao Ai: Effects of Fish Oil on Macrophage Activation; Jixiang Yao: Reversal of Chronic Alcohol-Induced Hepatic Steatosis by Gynura procumbens Through MAPK/SREBP-1c-Dependent and -Independent Pathways; Xiaoqian Xu: Primary Culture of Mouse Hepatocytes

2015 Graduates: Jijun Tian: Effects of HGF on Cancer; Sihong Jiang: Effects of HGF on Diabetes Treatment; Ya Liu: Establishment of an Analytical Method for Pa Bong Ban (Dai Medicine); Hejuan Cai: Structural Identification of Phenylpropanoids from Pa Bong Ban (Dai Medicine); Mei Li: Establishment of an Alcohol-Induced LO2 Steatosis Model; Pei Lei: Establishment of an Alcohol-Induced HepG2 Steatosis Model.

2014 Graduates: Shanshan Dong: Study on the Treatment of Alcoholic Liver Disease by Pa Bong Ban (Dai Medicine); Zipeng Guo: Screening of Active Components from Pa Bong Ban for Anti-alcoholic Liver Disease (Part 1); Yonggu Liao: Identification of Active Components from Pa Bong Ban (Part 1); Xiaodi Ma: Study on the Effects of Pa Bong Ban on Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Guidance:

• Zhangneng      Pan, Minmin Shi, Du Xiang, Siyuan Chen, Ying Chen, Qianyi Zhu, Xiyue Wang,      Tingting Wei, Weiru Luo, Zijing Liu, Xin Huang, Yike Niu, Shanshan He,      Xiaoyu Jian. Project: "Orchid and Fungus Partnership—Leading      Large-scale Cultivation System for Cremastra appendiculata."      Gold Award in Hubei Provincial Track of China International College      Students' Innovation Competition "Youth Red Dream Journey,"      2024.

• Shanshan He,      Rukeyan Abudukeyinmu, Yuhan Zhao, Han Li, Mingzhong Jiang. Project:      Research on Fungal Promotion of Rare Medicinal Plant Orchid Cremastra      appendiculata Germination in Urban Parks, Third Prize in Hubei      Province University Student Biology Experimental Skills Competition, 2024.

• Zijing Liu,      Xin Huang, Siyuan Chen, Yike Niu, Shanshan He. Project: "Orchid and      Agaricus—Industrialization of Rare Medicinal Plant Cremastra      appendiculata." National Innovation Training Program      GCYXL2024015, 2024.

• Yaqi Li,      Wanqi Tang, Minmin Shi, Qi Zang, Shanshan He. Project: "Smart      Medicinal Plant Identification—A Scientific and Commercial Journey Based      on Medicinal Plant Specimens." Provincial Innovation Training Project      SCX2024057, 2024.

• Minmin Shi,      Du Xiang, Siyuan Chen, Shoujing Wang. Project: "Decoding Orchid      Fungus—Exploring Key Genes in the Symbiotic Fungi of Cremastra      appendiculata." School Innovation Training Project XCX2024123,      2024.