Targeted and untargeted metabolomics uncovering the effects of Jiawei Ermiao Granule on patients with persistent HPV infection

Jiawei Ermiao Granule (JWEMG) is a traditional Chinese herbal formulation widely used in China for the treatment of human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. However, the mechanisms underlying their efficacy in clearing HPV infections remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by whi...

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Main Authors: Xiu Li, Li Ning, Hongting Zhao, Yating Xu, Yu Si, Jiayi Hua, Qingling Ren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1550908/full
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author Xiu Li
Xiu Li
Li Ning
Li Ning
Hongting Zhao
Yating Xu
Yating Xu
Yu Si
Yu Si
Jiayi Hua
Qingling Ren
Qingling Ren
author_facet Xiu Li
Xiu Li
Li Ning
Li Ning
Hongting Zhao
Yating Xu
Yating Xu
Yu Si
Yu Si
Jiayi Hua
Qingling Ren
Qingling Ren
author_sort Xiu Li
collection DOAJ
description Jiawei Ermiao Granule (JWEMG) is a traditional Chinese herbal formulation widely used in China for the treatment of human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. However, the mechanisms underlying their efficacy in clearing HPV infections remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which JWEMG clears persistent HPV infections from a metabolomics perspective using modern analytical techniques. Untargeted and targeted metabolomics analyses were performed on vaginal lavage samples from 33 patients using liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC-MS) and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS). Untargeted metabolomics identified 47 potential biomarkers through volcano plot analysis, among which 30 exhibited a reversal trend following JWEMG intervention. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis suggested that JWEMG may exert therapeutic effects on patients with persistent HPV infections via pathways related to starch and sucrose metabolism, galactose metabolism, fructose and mannose metabolism, and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism. Targeted metabolomics revealed a significant increase in tyrosine levels in the vaginal/cervical microenvironment following JWEMG treatment. By integrating targeted and untargeted metabolomics, this study provides a comprehensive exploration of the holistic effects of JWEMG on HPV-infected patients, addressing the challenges of scientifically explaining the pharmacological mechanisms of multi-component, multi-target traditional Chinese medicines.
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spelling doaj-art-6a6d25ece9ab4ce8a158d804a8232f6b2025-08-20T03:09:24ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology2235-29882025-04-011510.3389/fcimb.2025.15509081550908Targeted and untargeted metabolomics uncovering the effects of Jiawei Ermiao Granule on patients with persistent HPV infectionXiu Li0Xiu Li1Li Ning2Li Ning3Hongting Zhao4Yating Xu5Yating Xu6Yu Si7Yu Si8Jiayi Hua9Qingling Ren10Qingling Ren11Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Innovation Center for Obstetrics and Reproduction, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaJiangsu Clinical Medicine Innovation Center for Obstetrics and Reproduction, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaJiangsu Clinical Medicine Innovation Center for Obstetrics and Reproduction, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaJiangsu Clinical Medicine Innovation Center for Obstetrics and Reproduction, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaJiangsu Clinical Medicine Innovation Center for Obstetrics and Reproduction, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaJiangsu Clinical Medicine Innovation Center for Obstetrics and Reproduction, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaJiawei Ermiao Granule (JWEMG) is a traditional Chinese herbal formulation widely used in China for the treatment of human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. However, the mechanisms underlying their efficacy in clearing HPV infections remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which JWEMG clears persistent HPV infections from a metabolomics perspective using modern analytical techniques. Untargeted and targeted metabolomics analyses were performed on vaginal lavage samples from 33 patients using liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC-MS) and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS). Untargeted metabolomics identified 47 potential biomarkers through volcano plot analysis, among which 30 exhibited a reversal trend following JWEMG intervention. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis suggested that JWEMG may exert therapeutic effects on patients with persistent HPV infections via pathways related to starch and sucrose metabolism, galactose metabolism, fructose and mannose metabolism, and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism. Targeted metabolomics revealed a significant increase in tyrosine levels in the vaginal/cervical microenvironment following JWEMG treatment. By integrating targeted and untargeted metabolomics, this study provides a comprehensive exploration of the holistic effects of JWEMG on HPV-infected patients, addressing the challenges of scientifically explaining the pharmacological mechanisms of multi-component, multi-target traditional Chinese medicines.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1550908/fullJiawei Ermiao GranuleHPVuntargeted metabolomicstargeted metabolomicsamino acid metabolismtyrosine
spellingShingle Xiu Li
Xiu Li
Li Ning
Li Ning
Hongting Zhao
Yating Xu
Yating Xu
Yu Si
Yu Si
Jiayi Hua
Qingling Ren
Qingling Ren
Targeted and untargeted metabolomics uncovering the effects of Jiawei Ermiao Granule on patients with persistent HPV infection
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
Jiawei Ermiao Granule
HPV
untargeted metabolomics
targeted metabolomics
amino acid metabolism
tyrosine
title Targeted and untargeted metabolomics uncovering the effects of Jiawei Ermiao Granule on patients with persistent HPV infection
title_full Targeted and untargeted metabolomics uncovering the effects of Jiawei Ermiao Granule on patients with persistent HPV infection
title_fullStr Targeted and untargeted metabolomics uncovering the effects of Jiawei Ermiao Granule on patients with persistent HPV infection
title_full_unstemmed Targeted and untargeted metabolomics uncovering the effects of Jiawei Ermiao Granule on patients with persistent HPV infection
title_short Targeted and untargeted metabolomics uncovering the effects of Jiawei Ermiao Granule on patients with persistent HPV infection
title_sort targeted and untargeted metabolomics uncovering the effects of jiawei ermiao granule on patients with persistent hpv infection
topic Jiawei Ermiao Granule
HPV
untargeted metabolomics
targeted metabolomics
amino acid metabolism
tyrosine
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1550908/full
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