1.Herbal Textual Research on Quisqualis Fructus in Famous Classical Formulas
Xiuping WEN ; Shiying CHEN ; Ying TAN ; Guanwen ZHENG ; Huilong XU ; Wen XU ; Chengzi YANG ; Zehao HUANG ; Yu LIN ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):225-237
This article systematically analyzed the historical evolution of the origin, scientific name, producing area, quality evaluation, harvesting and processing, and other aspects of Quisqualis Fructus by consulting the ancient materia medica, medical books, prescription books, local literature and combining with the modern literature and standards, summarized and explored the development rules of its medicinal properties and efficacy along with their underlying causes, in order to provide support for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. According to the textual research, Shijunzi was first recorded as Liuqiuzi in Nanfang Caomuzhuang of the Jin dynasty, and the name of Shijunzi was first used in Kaibao Bencao of the Song dynasty, which has been consistently used throughout subsequent dynasties, and there were also aliases such as Junziren, Sijunzi, and Dujilizi. The mainstream source of Quisqualis Fructus used in the past dynasties has been the dried mature fruits of Quisqualis indica, a plant belonging to the family Combretaceae. In modern times, its variety Q. indica var. villosa has also been recorded as the medicinal material of Quisqualis Fructus. In 2007, the Flora of China(English edition) designated Q. indica var. villosa as a synonym of Q. indica. Today, the accepted name of Shijunzi is updated to Combretum indicum. According to ancient herbal records, the producing areas of Quisqualis Fructus were Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan and Fujian, and then gradually expanded to Yunnan, Taiwan, Jiangxi and Guizhou. Since the Song dynasty, two major production regions have gradually emerged in Sichuan, Chongqing and Fujian. Currently, it is primarily cultivated in Chongqing, Guangxi and other areas, with Chongqing yielding the highest output. Since modern times, superior quality has been defined by large size, a purple-black surface, plump grains, and a yellowish-white kernel. According to ancient herbal records, the harvesting period of Quisqualis Fructus was the July and August of the lunar calendar, mostly used raw after shelling or with the shell intact, it underwent processing methods such as cleaning, slicing, mixing, steaming, roasting, stewing, and frying. Currently, the harvesting period is autumn, followed by sun-drying or low-heat drying, with processing methods including cleaning, stir-frying, and stewing. In ancient and modern literature, the records of the properties, functions and indications of Quisqualis Fructus are basically the same, that is, sweet in taste, warm in nature, predominantly non-toxic, belonging to the spleen and stomach meridians. It possesses effects of insecticide, decontamination and invigorating spleen for ascariasis, enterobiasis, abdominal pain due to worm accumulation and infantile malnutrition.The contraindications for use primarily include avoiding consumption by individuals without parasitic infestations, limiting use for those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold, refraining from drinking hot tea during medication, and avoiding excessive intake. Based on the textual research, it is suggested that the dried mature fruits of Q. indica should be used as the medicinal material for the development of famous classical formulas containing Quisqualis Fructus. Processing methods may be chosen according to prescription requirements, and the raw products is recommended for medicinal use if not specified.
2.Effects of Ganbao capsules on intestinal mucosal barrier and gut microbiota in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Xing FAN ; Yan HE ; Chengzi YANG ; Yating LIN ; Defu HUANG
China Pharmacy 2023;34(8):929-934
OBJECTIVE To study the effects of Ganbao capsules on intestinal mucosal barrier and gut microbiota in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and to explore its mechanism of prevention and treatment of NAFLD. METHODS Eight of 26 SD rats were randomly selected as blank group and fed with ordinary diet, and the remaining 18 rats were fed with high diet to establish NAFLD model (2 for modeling inspection); after successful modeling, they were divided into model group and Ganbao group, with 8 rats in each group. Ganbao group were given Ganbao capsules solution (1 440 mg/kg) intragastrically, and the blank group and model group were given the constant volume of distilled water intragastrically, once a day, for consecutive 5 weeks. The contents of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and triglyceride (TG) in serum of rats were detected by automatic analyzer; the contents of lipopolysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β in serum of rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The pathological morphology of liver and ileum tissues were observed by HE staining, the expressions of Occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) were detected by immunohistochemistry method, and the intestinal flora were detected by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing technology. RESULTS Compared with the model group, the serum contents of ALT, AST, TG, lipopolysaccharide, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in Ganbao group were decreased significantly (P<0.01), the pathological changes of liver and ileum tissues were improved 262 significantly, and the expressions of Occludin and ZO-1 were increased significantly (P<0.01). Intestinal microbiotaanalysis revealed that compared with the model group, Ganbao capsules could recover the abundance and diversity of the gut E-mail:hdf8833@126.com microbiota in rats. At the phylum level, Ganbao capsules could significantly increase the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, and significantly reduce the relative abundance of Firmicutes and the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (P<0.01). At the genus level, Ganbao capsules could significantly increase the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Blautia, Bacteroides and Akkermansia, and significantly reduce the relative abundance of Prevotella, Turicibacter, Weissella, SMB53 and Desulfovibrio (P<0.05 or P<0.01). There were different species among the gut microbiota of rats in each group. CONCLUSIONS Ganbao capsules may improve NAFLD by protecting intestinal mucosal barrier function and regulating gut probiotics/harmful bacteria structure.
3.A case of Antley-Bixler syndrome caused by novel POR mutations.
Can PENG ; Chengzi HUANG ; Hu TAN ; Lingqian WU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2019;36(10):1025-1027
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the genetic basis for a child affected with multiple malformations.
METHODS:
Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the child and her parents. Tro whole exome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were carried out. Suspicted mutations were verified by PCR and Sanger sequencing.
RESULTS:
The patient, a 2-year-old girl, presented with multiple malformations including dysmorphism, skeletal malformations and ambigulous genitalia. Through genetic testing, she was diagnosed with Antley-Bixler syndrome caused by compound heterozygous mutations of the POR gene (c.919G>T and c.1615G>A), which were derived from her mother and father, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The compound heterozygous mutations of the POR gene probably underlie the Antley-Bixler syndrome in this patient.
Abnormalities, Multiple
;
genetics
;
Antley-Bixler Syndrome Phenotype
;
genetics
;
Child, Preschool
;
Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
;
genetics
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Mutation
;
Whole Exome Sequencing
4. A case of Antley-Bixler syndrome caused by novel POR mutations
Can PENG ; Chengzi HUANG ; Hu TAN ; Lingqian WU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2019;36(10):1025-1027
Objective:
To explore the genetic basis for a child affected with multiple malformations.
Methods:
Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the child and her parents. Tro whole exome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were carried out. Suspicted mutations were verified by PCR and Sanger sequencing.
Results:
The patient, a 2-year-old girl, presented with multiple malformations including dysmorphism, skeletal malformations and ambigulous genitalia. Through genetic testing, she was diagnosed with Antley-Bixler syndrome caused by compound heterozygous mutations of the

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