ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture plus fumigating eyes with cool Chinese medicinal fog in treating severe dry eye syndrome (DES).MethodTwenty-six outpatients with moderate-severe DES patients were classified into 11 cases of heat damaging yin type (20 eyes) and 15 cases of phlegm-stagnation type (23 eyes), to simultaneously receive acupuncture and fumigating eyes with cool Chinese medicinal fog. Tear break-up time (BUT), tear production (SchirmerⅠtest, SIT), and subjective symptoms score were observed and analyzed before treatment, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment.ResultThe SIT, BUT, and subjective symptoms score 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment were superior to that before treatment (P<0.01); The SIT, BUT, and subjective symptoms score 6 months after treatment were lower than that of 3 months after treatment (P<0.05) but still significantly different from that before treatment (P<0.05).ConclusionAcupuncture plus fumigating eyes with cool Chinese medicinal fog can improve the symptoms and signs of DES, though the therapeutic efficacy decreases during the long-term follow-up study.

Aim To investigate the effect of hesperidin on human lung cancer cell A549 and the possible mechanism.Methods The cell apoptosis and necrosis of A549 treated with hesperidin were measured by the Hoechst 33342/PI fluorescent dye based on microfluidic chip technology.Cell cycle and apoptosis rate were evaluated by flow cytometry(FCM).The expressions of the related genes were detected through the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR technology(RT-PCR) including VEGF, PI3K and PTEN.The protein expressions of Bcl-2, Cyclin B1, PI3K, Akt and PTEN were detected by Western blot after hesperidin intervention.Results The proliferation of A549 cells was significantly inhibited by hesperidin in a dose-dependent manner.FCM results showed that hesperidin could not only influence the G0/G1 phase and S phase, but also promote the apoptosis of lung cancer cells.Meanwhile, the apoptosis and necrosis rate was increased from(6.7±0.6)% to(27.9±1.1)% compared with that of control group(P<0.05).From the level of molecular, the gene expressions of VEGF and PI3K were decreased, while the PTEN was increased after hesperidin stimulation.Western blot results showed that the expression of protein Bcl-2, Cyclin B1 and Akt were decreased, which all showed close relationship with cell apoptosis, cell cycle and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.The expression of PI3K was increased, but the change of PTEN was not statistically significant compared with that of control group.Conclusion Hesperidin induces lung cancer cell apoptosis through PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, which blocks cancer cell division and destroys the balance of related protein expression.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Jiawei Bazhen Yimu Capsule on premature ovarian failure rats from the perspective of metabolomics.Methods Female SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group and Jiawei Bazhen Yimu Capsule low,medium and high dose groups,with 10 rats in each group.The model of premature ovarian failure was replicated by removing bilateral ovaries of rats and administered intragastrically once a day for 21 days.The serum samples of rats in each group were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS).Combined with multivariate statistical analysis,the effects of Jiawei Bazhen Yimu Capsule on differential metabolites in rats with premature ovarian failure were investigated.The differential metabolites identified by MELIN database or KEGG database were imported into Metaboanalyst 5.0 online platform for metabolic pathway analysis.Results A total of 18 potential differential metabolites were screened and identified.Most of the differential metabolites showed a good callback trend after intragastric administration of Jiawei Bazhen Yimu Capsule.These 18 differential metabolites were enriched into 2 metabolic pathways(Pathway Impact>0.1),which were glycerophospholipid metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism pathways.Conclusion The therapeutic effect of Jiawei Bazhen Yimu Capsule on premature ovarian failure may be related to improving the level of differential metabolites in serum and restoring normal metabolic activities in rats.

Objective To establish a"quality-quantity"double standard control method of Schizonepeta Spike based on the reference material without relying on multiple reference substances.Methods HPLC technology was used to establish the characteristic atlas of Schizonepeta Spike based on the reference traditional Chinese medicinal materials.The chemical constituents of common peaks were identified by Q-TOF-MS technology,and the authenticity of Schizonepeta Spike was determined by the similarity of characteristic peaks of the reference traditional Chinese medicinal materials and the tested traditional Chinese medicinal materials.The relative content of each characteristic peak in different batches of the tested traditional Chinese medicinal materials was calculated by accurate quantition of pulegone.The"Average value-Standard deviation"was taken as the lower limit of the relative content of characteristic peak chemical components relative to pulegone,and the quality of Schizonepeta Spike was determined according to the lower limit of the relative content of characteristic peak.Results The characteristic atlas and content determination method met the requirements of methodology investigation.A total of 11 common chromatographic peaks were determined,and 6 chemical components were identified,which were luteolin,hesperidin,luteolin-7-O-glucuronide,luteolin,geranyl,pulegone.The similarity between the tested traditional Chinese medicinal materials and reference traditional Chinese medicinal materials was greater than 0.90.The lower limit of relative content of chemical components of Schizonepeta Spike characteristic peak was defined.Conclusion The method can identify Schizonepeta Spike clearly and quickly without many reference substances,and provide reference for quality control of Schizonepeta Spike.

Biomimetic nano formulations of biofilms have low immunogenicity, high targeting, and good biocompatibility, and can avoid being cleared by the endothelial reticular system, thus with in longer blood circulation time in the body.This article mainly reviews the main types as well as advantages and disadvantages of biomimetic nano formulations of biofilms, including tumor cell membranes, red blood cell membranes, platelet membranes, white blood cell membranes, stem cell membranes, extracellular vesicles (exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies), endoplasmic reticulum membranes, and composite biofilms, with also a prospect of the challenges facing biomimetic nano formulations of biofilms and their future development based on their current research status, aiming to provide some insight for further research on biomimetic nano formulations of biofilms.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of long-term intake of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) on the activation of hippocampal microglia in a mouse model of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD).Methods:Ninety-six clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 8 weeks, weighing 18-24 g, were stratified according to body weight and divided into 4 groups ( n=24 each) by a random number table method: control diet group (group C), ω-3 PUFAs group (group ω), control diet plus POCD group (group C+ P) and ω-3 PUFAs plus POCD group (group ω+ P). Mice were fed a special ω-3 PUFAs diet (DHA 0.14 g/100 g, EPA 0.03 g/100 g) for 12 weeks in group ω and group ω+ P, while mice were fed with a control diet for 12 weeks in group C and group C+ P.Tibial fracture procedures were performed under isoflurane anesthesia to develop the POCD model after 12 weeks of feeding.The fear conditioning test and Y maze test were performed on 1st and 3rd days after developing the model.The mice were sacrificed after behavioral tests, and the hippocampal tissues were removed for determination of the contents of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy), density of Iba-1 positive microglia (by immunofluorescence staining), and expression of mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) and precursor brain-derived neurotrophic factor (pro-BDNF) (by Western blot), and contents of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results:Compared with group C, the contents of DHA and EPA were significantly increased, the percentage of freezing time in the contextual test was increased, mBDNF/pro-BDNF ratio was increased ( P<0.05), no significant change was found in the rotation accuracy in Y maze test, density of Iba-1 positive microglia and contents of IL-1β and IL-6 in hippocampus ( P>0.05) in group ω ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the contents of DHA and EPA ( P>0.05), the percentage of freezing time in the contextual test and accuracy of rotation in Y maze test were decreased on 1st and 3rd days after operation, the density of Iba-1 positive microglia and contents of IL-1β and IL-6 were increased, and mBDNF/pro-BDNF ratio was decreased in group C+ P ( P<0.05). Compared with group C+ P, the contents of DHA and EPA were significantly increased, the percentage of freezing time in the contextual test and accuracy of rotation in Y maze test were increased on 1st and 3rd days after operation, the density of Iba-1 positive microglia and contents of IL-1β and IL-6 were decreased, and mBDNF/pro-BDNF ratio was increased in group ω+ P ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Long-term intake of ω-3 PUFAs can improve cognitive function in a mouse model of POCD, and the mechanism may be related to inhibition of activation of hippocampal microglia, reduction of inflammatory responses, and thus increasing the mBDNF/Pro-BDNF ratio.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Jiawei Bazhen Yimu capsule on serum sex hormones， sexual organs and estrogen signaling pathway in female rats with premature ovarian failure. MethodThe key target proteins of Jiawei Bazhen Yimu capsule in the treatment of premature ovarian failure were screened out by network pharmacology analysis. Female healthy SD rats were selected, and the rat model of premature ovarian failure was established by ovariectomy. Fifty ovariectomized rats were randomly divided into a model group, an estradiol (E₂) valerate group, and Jiawei Bazhen Yimu capsule low, medium, and high-dose groups. Another 10 healthy female rats were set as a sham operation group. The sham operation group and the model group were given distilled water by gavage, and other administration groups were given corresponding doses of drugs by gavage. After 21 d, the serum hormone levels of female rats were measured, including E₂, progesterone (P), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). Immunofluorescence staining (IF) was used to detect the protein expression levels of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), estrogen metabolism P4503A4 enzyme (CYP3A4), and P45019A1 enzyme (CYP19A1) in the uterine tissues of female rats. ResultAs compared with the model group, the serum E₂ and P levels of female rats in the Jiawei Bazhen Yimu capsule low, medium, and high-dose groups were significantly increased. Jiawei Bazhen Yimu capsule improved the endometrial status of female rats and increased positive expression of ESR1, CYP3A4, and CYP19A1 in the uterine tissues of female rats (P<0.05). ConclusionThe mechanism of Jiawei Bazhenyimu capsule in the treatment of premature ovarian failure may be related to its hormone-like effect and activation of the estrogen signaling pathway.

Qizhi Weitong granules composed of Bupleuri Radix， Paeoniae Radix Alba， Aurantii Fructus， Cyperi Rhizoma （processed）， Corydalis Rhizoma （processed）， and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma have the effects of soothing the liver， regulating Qi movement， and harmonizing the stomach to relieve pain. This preparation is thus used for the treatment of liver depression， Qi stagnation， chest distension， and epigastric pain. It has become a first-line medication for the treatment of epigastric pain after years of clinical practice. At present， researchers have carried out extensive studies on Qizhi Weitong granules， including the optimization of the extraction and purification process， identification of chemical components， characterization of absorbed components， establishment of quality control methods， validation of pharmacological effect on digestive system diseases， exploration of the mechanism， and observation of clinical efficacy. The studies have achieved fruitful results. This article summarizes the research achievements related to Qizhi Weitong granules in recent years from pharmacological substances， quality control， pharmacological effect， mechanism of action， and clinical efficacy， aiming to provide ideas for in-depth research and modern development of Qizhi Weitong granules.

ObjectiveTo identify the pharmacodynamic substances for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Bupleuri Radix by structure-activity omics. MethodA mouse model of pain was established with formaldehyde to examine the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of saikosaponins in vivo. The core targets of the active components in Bupleurum Radix for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were screened from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP）， Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM）， and Search Tool for Recurring Instances of Neighbouring Genes （STRING）. The key core targets with high binding affinity were screened based on the comprehensive score in the molecular docking between different types of saikosaponins and core targets. The structure-activity relationship was discussed and analyzed based on the binding of compounds to pharmacodynamic targets. ResultSaikosaponins alleviated the foot swelling induced by formaldehyde and reduced the content of prostaglandin E₂ （PGE₂） in the mouse model， showcasing a significant inhibitory effect on the inflammatory pain caused by PGE₂. Nine components and 39 targets of saikosaponins， as well as 3 074 targets of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were screened out， and 22 common targets shared by saikosaponins and the effects were obtained as the direct targets. The protein-protein interaction （PPI） analysis showed that the main active components of Bupleurum Radix were saikosaponins a， b₁， b₂， b₃， c， d， e， f， and v， and the key targets were fms-related receptor tyrosine kinase 1 （FLT1）， kinase insert domain receptor （KDR）， fibroblast growth factor 2 （FGF2）， vascular endothelial growth factor A （VEGFA）， and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）. Molecular docking between saikosaponins and the top 5 targets with high degrees in PPI network analysis revealed 25 highly active docks， including 6 docks with scores of 5-6 and 18 docks with scores above 6. ConclusionThis study adopted structural-activity omics to analyze the material basis for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Bupleuri Radix in vivo， providing new ideas and methods for identifying the pharmacodynamic substances in traditional Chinese medicine.

The complex chemical composition and limited research ideas of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） have led to the unclear material basis and mechanism of the medicinal effects， which is a common problem hindering the modernization of TCM in China. The introduction of computer virtual technology has provided a new perspective for TCM research. In this study， we established the research method of structure-activity omics to study the relationships between the structures and effects of different compounds in TCM based on the chemical structures of TCM components and to analyze and predict the material basis and multitarget synergistic mechanism of TCM. Furthermore， a structure-activity omics study was carried out with the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Qizhi Weitong granules as an example. This study provides support for screening the pharmacodynamic components and analyzing the active ingredients of TCM and gives insights into the research on the material basis and mechanism of compound efficacy and the development of lead compounds of TCM， thus promoting the modern research and the innovative development of TCM.