1.Progress in immunology diagnosis of food-born trematodes
Mali WU ; Anmei LI ; Wei LUO ; Zhilai GUO
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2017;36(8):617-620
Food-born trematodes which parasitize liver, lung and intestine cause various trematodes diseases. There are a few common trematodes such as Clonorchis sinensis, Fasciola, Opisthorchis, Paragonimus, and Echinostoma. This review provides recent progress in techniques and methods for their immunodiagnosis. These methods are mainly used to diagnose with excretory-secretary antigen, recombinant antigen and antibodies of hosts, by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunoblotting, immunefluorescence, immunehistochemistry, proteomics and a lateral flow detection system so on. It is beneficial to improve diagnostic and accuracy rates when all this methods are used synthetically.
2.Comparison of volatile constituents in two types of mugwort leaves (produced in Qichun and Nanyang) using the headspace GC-MS
Yuan ZHANG ; Liping KANG ; Zhongqiu TENG ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Tiegui NAN ; Aixiang ZHOU ; Lanping GUO
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2016;14(3):164-169
Objective:To compare the volatile constituents in mugwort leaves produced in Qichun, Hubei Province and Nanyang, Henan Province.
Methods:The volatile constituents were extracted using headspace heating and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Then a qualitative analysis was made according to the standard database provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the relative contents of each constituent were calculated using the peak area normalization method.
Results:A total of 59 compounds were identified from the mugwort leaves from Qichun and 51 compounds were identified from the mugwort leaves from Nanyang. These mainly include monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, CxHyOz and other compounds involving the aldehyde, ketone, alkane and benzene. The mugwort leaves from Qichun and Nanyang share 32 common volatile constituents. The chromatographic peak area of identified compounds accounting for 96.38% of GC-MS total chromatographic peak areain Qichun mugwort leaves, versus 95.54% of that in Nanyang mugwort leaves.
Conclusion:The headspace heating extraction combined with GC-MS technology can evidently display similarities and differences of volatile constituents in mugwort leaves produced in different areas and thus provide scientific basis for the quality and screening of mugwort leaves.
3.Herbal Textual Research on Pharbitidis Semen in Famous Classical Formulas
Liping YANG ; Xudong GUO ; Shaoyang XI ; Xiaohui MA ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Ling JIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):179-189
By consulting the ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Pharbitidis Semen has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, distribution of production areas, quality specification, harvesting, processing and so on, so as to provide reference for the development and utilization of the relevant famous classical formulas. Through textual research, it can be seen that Pharbitidis Semen was first published in Mingyi Bielu(《名医别录》), and all dynasties have taken Qianniuzi as the correct name. Based on the original research, the main source of Pharbitidis Semen used in previous dynasties is the dried mature seeds of Pharbitis nil, which is consistent in ancient and modern times. The white Pharbitidis Semen appearing in Compendium of Materia Medica(《本草纲目》) from Ming dynasty is similar to the present P. purpurea. It is produced all over the country, and the quality is better if the particles are full and free of impurities. In ancient times, the harvesting time was mostly in the September. Now it is autumn. The fruits are ripe and harvested, dried to remove impurities for standby. In ancient times, the processing methods of Pharbitidis Semen were mainly wine steaming, steaming and frying until half cooked and grinding the head and end. In modern times, they have been simplified to stir-frying method. The nature, taste, meridian tropism and their effects also change supplements with the deepening of practice. Before the Ming dynasty, they were all bitter, cold and toxic. In the Ming dynasty, there appeared the characteristics of pungent, hot and small poisonous. The efficacy has evolved from controlling low Qi, curing foot edema, removing wind toxin, and facilitating urination to facilitating water and defecation, eliminating phlegm and drinking, and eliminating accumulated insects. The main clinical contraindications are those with weak spleen and kidney, those with weak spleen and stomach, pregnant women, and should not be used with croton and croton cream. Based on the textual research, it is suggested that when developing the classic famous formula with Pharbitidis Semen as the main raw material in the future, it is clear that the source should be the dried mature seeds of Pharbitis nil(black product is its black-brown seeds, white product is its beige seeds). The processing requirements indicated in the original formula are all processed according to the requirements, and the raw product is recommended to be used as medicine if not specified.
4.Herbal Textual Research on Trichosanthis Fructus and Trichosanthis Radix in Famous Classical Formulas
Zijing XUE ; Guang CHEN ; Dan ZHANG ; Long GUO ; Yuguang ZHENG ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(17):62-74
Through reviewing the ancient and modern literature, the name, origin, producing area, quality evaluation, harvesting and processing methods of Trichosanthis Fructus(TF) and Trichosanthis Radix(TR) in famous classical formulas were systematically sorted out following the chronological order. The results showed that there were many nicknames of TF and TR, and Gualou and Tianhuafen have become the mainstream names for its fruit and root, respectively. Both of them took Trichosanthes kirilowii as the mainstream base. TF and TR have been used as medicines in the Han dynasty, and since the North and South dynasties, Leigong Paozhilun had been clear that the effects of peels, seeds, stems, roots were different. TF was used as medicine with intact fruits, harvested after maturity from September to October, hung and dried in the shade, and its quality has been summarized in recent times as being best for those who are mature, large, thick and pliable peels, orange-yellow in color, and with sufficient sugary properties. In ancient times, the processing of TR was mostly crushed or shredded with the peels and seeds, or processing for pancakes and creams. TR was used as medicine with the roots, it is harvested from November to December, peeled and dried in the sun, and its quality was best when it was deep in the soil, large, white, powdery, firm and delicate with few muscles and veins, and it was considered to be toxic when it was born in briney land. Processing method of TR was to do powder into the medicine in the Tang dynasty, and gradually evolved into direct slicing use in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Since the modern era, the authentic producing areas of TF and TR were in the vicinity of Lingbao, Henan province, known as Anyang Huafen, and in modern times, there are well-known production areas such as Anguo, which produces Qihuafen, and Jinan, which produces Changqing Gualou. In the Song dynasty, there was a habit of substituting Trichosanthis Semen for the whole herb, which was later corrected by the materia medica in Ming dynasty. Based on the results, It is suggested that T. kirilowii be selected as the basal plant for the development of famous classical formulas involving TR and TF. In Qingjin Huatantang, Trichosanthis Semen is processed by stir-frying method, while TR and TF in other five formulas from the Catalogue of Ancient Famous Classical Formulas(The First Batch) were all used in raw form.
5.Herbal Textual Research on Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix in Famous Classical Formulas
Zijing XUE ; Xinxin CHANG ; Dan ZHANG ; Long GUO ; Yuguang ZHENG ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(8):103-115
By reviewing ancient materia medica, medical and prescription books, combined with modern literature, the textual research of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix has been conducted to verify the name, origin, producing area, harvesting and processing methods. Through textual research, the results show that the mainstream name of this herb recorded in the past dynasties is Fangji, which is also called Hanzhong Fangji because it is produced in Hanzhong city, and after the Tang dynasty, it was gradually divided into Hanfangji and Mufangji, and there is the saying that Han Zhushuiqi, Mu Zhufengqi. The names of Fenfangji and Guangfangji were first seen in the republic of China. In addition, Fenfangji was once distributed in Hankou, so it was also known as "Hanfangji", which is easily confused with the traditional Hanzhong Fangji for short. Based on the original research, it is concluded that Aristolochia heterophylla(Hanzhong Fangji)is the mainstream of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix used in the Qing dynasty and before, and the application history of Cocculus orbiculatus can be traced back to before the Tang dynasty. After the Ming dynasty, Stephania tetrandra gradually became another main origin, and in the Republic of China, A. fangchi was used as a medicine for Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix, but in modern times it was banned because it contained aristolochic acid as a toxic ingredient, and S. tetrandra has become the mainstream legal origin. The traditional production area of Hanzhong Fangji is Hanzhong, Shaanxi province, while today the mainstream of S. tetrandra is manly produced in Jiangxi and other places. Based on the quality evaluation research, the quality of Hanzhong Fangji is better with the radial texture of section used as radial solution, yellow solid and fragrant. Fenfangji with solid quality, white inside, powdered enough, less fiber and radiating texture is better. From the harvesting and processing research, the root of Fangji is mostly harvested in spring and autumn, and the outer bark should be removed in some literature. Before the Ming dynasty, this herb was dried in the shade, and after the Ming dynasty, it was dried in the sun. The modern production processing of Fangji is to harvest it in autumn, wash it, remove the rough bark, dry it to half dry, cut it into sections, and then cut it longitudinally if it is large, and dry it. Based on the results, combined with current studies on the toxicity of aristolochic acid and influencing factors such as commercial circulation, it is suggested that S. tetrandra should be used as the origin of Fangji, the processed products are selected according to the prescription requirements, and those without specified requirements can be processed by referring to the raw products in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
6.Herbal Textual Research on Euryales Semen in Famous Classical Formulas
Zixuan GAO ; Cheng QU ; Hui YAN ; Ling XIA ; Sheng GUO ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(11):210-217
This paper systematically combed and verified the name, origin, producing area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing of Euryales Semen in famous classical formulas by consulting relevant ancient materia medica, medical books, prescription books and modern literature. The results showed that Euryales Semen was first collected by materia medica under the name of Jitoushi, and since the Ming dynasty, Qianshi has been used as a proper name and continues to this day, with other aliases such as Yanhuishi. Euryale ferox, a plant of the Nymphaeaceae family, is the same as that used in the past dynasties. However, due to long-term artificial domestication, the varieties vary with the origin, including Beiqian and Suqian. The medicinal part of Euryales Semen is mature seed kernel, its origin of ancient records mainly includes Shandong, Jiangsu, Henan and other places, since the Ming and Qing dynasties, Euryales Semen produced in Suzhou has been highly praised. Since modern times, it has gradually summarized and formed the best quality evaluation method of Euryales Semen with full grains, white cross-section, powdery enough and no broken powder. The harvesting time in the past dynasties was mainly August or in autumn. The main processing methods in the past dynasties included peeling for powder, pounding powder after steaming, drying and frying. Up to now, two mainstream processing methods of cleansing and stir-frying have been formed. Based on the research results, it is recommended that the mature seed kernel of E. ferox be used in famous classical formula Yihuangtang. Combined with the processing requirements of the original formula, it is suggested to refer to the stir-frying method in the general principles of processing of the current edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
7.Reviews and Recommendations in Comparative Studies on Quality of Wild and Cultivated Chinese Crude Drugs
Yapeng WANG ; Changsheng YUAN ; Jinxiu QIAN ; Yihan WANG ; Yanmeng LIU ; Yunxiang LIU ; Tiegui NAN ; Liping KANG ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Lanping GUO ; Luqi HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):1-20
By reviewing the research history on quality comparison between wild and cultivated Chinese crude drugs, this paper systematically combed the relevant research reports since the 1950s, and summarized and analyzed the results of existing comparative studies, and found that the existing comparative research on the quality of wild and cultivated Chinese crude drugs were mainly focused on several aspects, including characteristics, microstructures, chemical compositions, pharmacodynamic effects, and genetic diversity. Among these, comparative studies of chemical compositions have been the dominant approach, with a particular emphasis on comparing the contents of index components. However, research on pharmacodynamic effects remained relatively limited. Due to various factors such as sample quantity, sample origin, growth period and cultivation methods, the differences in quality between wild and cultivated Chinese crude drugs vary significantly. In general, most wild Chinese crude drugs exhibited higher quality than cultivated products, with significant differences in their characteristics. The contents and proportions of some chemical components underwent noticeable changes, particularly with a marked increase in the proportion of primary metabolites after cultivation. The quality of cultivated Chinese crude drugs is closely related to the cultivation practices employed. Chinese crude drugs produced through wild nurturing, simulated wild planting, ecological cultivation, and other similar methods demonstrate quality levels comparable to those of wild Chinese crude drugs. Based on the analysis results, it is recommended to explicitly specify the cultivation practices and cultivation period of cultivated Chinese crude drugs in comparative studies of the quality between wild and cultivated Chinese crude drugs. Multiple technical approaches, including characteristics, microscopy, non-targeted metabolomics combined with quantitative analysis of differential components, and bioefficacy evaluation, should be employed to comprehensively assess the quality disparities between wild and cultivated Chinese crude drugs. Moreover, research efforts should be intensified to investigate the changes in pharmacodynamic effects resulting from differences in plant cell wall composition, primary metabolites, and secondary metabolites, in order to guide the production of high-quality Chinese crude drugs.