Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) equipment is the industry representative possessing independent intellectual property rights and unique Chinese characteristics. By integrating TCM and information technology, TCM equipment is experiencing an unprecedented period of opportunity. Here, based on the practical significance, we reviewed the recent series of policies to promote the TCM equipment development. In accordance, we analyzed the current main problems and causes, and finally put forward some policy demand and suggestions to boost TCM equipment industry.

【Objective】  A significant amount of evidence has lately revealed that individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) are at high risk of cardiovascular diseases, which is the primary cause of death in patients. This study is to evaluate liver- and cardiovascular-protectant effects of Nigella sativa (N. sativa). 【Methods】  The meta-analysis was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The literature review was conducted in June 2022 with papers retrieved from the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library websites from January 2010 to December 2021. The Review Manager version 5.3 was applied for the statistical analysis of parameters like aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, lipid profil, blood glucose level, weight, and body mass index (BMI). 【Results】  The results showed that N. sativa could significantly decrease the AST (P = 0.009) and ALT (P < 0.05) levels in research subjects. Subjects in the N. sativa group had a significant higher cure rate of fatty liver than those in the placebo group (P = 0.000 1). In addition, lipid profile, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose of subjects all significantly reduced in the N.sativa group (P < 0.05). However, the comparison of body weight and BMI between the N.sativa group and placebo group did not show significant difference (P > 0.05). 【Conclusion】 N. sativa did have certain liver-protectant and cardiovascular-protectant effects on patients with NAFLD or chronic liver diseases (CLD), despite the insignificant comparison of body weight and BMI between the N. sativa group and the placebo group.

【Objective】   As the main active ingredient of Tibetan medicine Hongjingtian (Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma), salidroside (Sal) has a good anti-apoptotic potential. Currently, there are some conflicting results on the anti-apoptotic mechanisms of Sal. Here we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide the preclinical evidence of its anti-apoptotic properties in preventing and treating hypoxic-ischemic cerebral damage(HICD). 【Methods】   The literature on the anti-apoptotic potential of Sal in the treatment of HICD from January 1, 1980 to November 9, 2021 was searched online using Chinese databases including Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), and Wanfang Database, and English databases including PubMed and Web of Science. The quality of the included articles was evaluated by the Cochrane Collaboration network bias risk assessment criteria, and meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. 【Results】  A total of 40 articles were finally included. Among the 40 articles, 30 were about in vivo animal experiments and 17 about in vitro cell experiments, and 7 of them included both animal and cell experiments. After analysis, it was found that Sal had significant effects on disease-related indicators of HICD (P < 0.05), such as cerebral infarctsize and brain water content. As to in vivo studies, Sal mainly affects the expressions of apoptotic factors through antiinflammation, anti-oxidation, activation of complement pathway, and regulation of signal transduction and autophagy, thus exerting anti-apoptotic potential in treating HICD. While for in vitro studies, Sal plays the anti-apoptotic role in HICD models mainly through anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, reduction of Ca2+ overload, regulation of mitochondrial function, signal transduction, and C3 complement. 【Conclusion】  Sal can take anti-apoptotic effects to prevent and treat HICD through mechanisms such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, enhanced autophagy, complement and signal transduction, regulation of mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduction of Ca2 + overload.

【Objective】  To explore the development and research hotspots on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis and predict research trends in the area. 【Methods】  All articles were retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data (Wanfang), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), and Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). All related papers published in journals from the foundation of the databases to December 31, 2022 were included. NoteExpress, Co-Occurrence(COOC), VOSviewer, and CiteSpace were used to visualize data about publication volumes, journals, authors, research institutions, and keywords as well as to analyze hotspots trending topics in the field. 【Results】  A total of 686 articles were retrieved from the databases, among which 610 papers were published in Chinese and 76 in English. In terms of the journals in which these papers were published, 238 of them were Chinese journals and 52 were English ones. The number of the papers published in journals presented a slow growth. According to the results from Chinese article analysis, WANG Yiqin from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine published the most papers in the field. The authors of Chinese papers belonged to six long-term research teams, led by WANG Yiqin and XU Jiatuo (Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine), WEI Yuke (Guangdong University of Technology), LI Gang (Tianjin University), XI Guangcheng (Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academ of Sciences), and NIU Xin (Beijing University of Chinese Medicine), respectively. In accordance with results from English paper analysis, four authors equally publishing the most papers were YAN Haixia, HU Xiaojuan, and JIANG Tao (Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine), and WEN Chuanbiao (Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine). The authors of English papers were from two major research teams in the field of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Currently, research hotspots on AI such as neural networks, data mining, machine learning, feature recognition, image processing, and expert systems, have been centered on tongue diagnosis, pulse diagnosis, and syndrome research in TCM. Additionally, it was found that research on the topic was gradually evolving from explorations of a single diagnosis method to investigations on the combination of multiple TCM diagnosis methods. 【Conclusion】  Research on AI application in TCM diagnosis is still in a slowly growing stage. As technology develops, AI has been applied to many aspects of TCM diagnosis. Therefore, how to combine the two for improving TCM diagnosis is something worthy of our brainstorming and exploring.

【Objective 】 To explore the influencing factors of Yang deficiency constitution in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) from the perspective of mathematics with the use of calculation formulas, so as to protect patients from getting diseases caused by Yang deficiency constitution and provide suggestions for TCM disease prevention. 【Methods】  Based on the classification and determination criteria of TCM constitution implemented by China Association of Chinese Medicine, data for 24 solar terms from May 5, 2020(Start of Summer) to April 20, 2021 (Grain Rain) for the identification of Yang deficiency were collected by mobile constitution identification system. The grey correlation analysis method was used to determine the grey correlation degree of the factors influencing Yang deficiency constitution. In addition, a random forest model was constructed for the verification of the results from the grey correlation analysis, and for the evaluation of correlation degree between Yang deficiency constitution and its influencing factors. 【Results】  A total of 16 259 sets of data were collected from healthy or sub-healthy individuals aged from 18 to 60 years living in the central and northeastern parts of Sichuan Province(China) for the identification of TCM constitutions. After screening and preprocessing, a total of 544 sets of data for the identification of Yang deficiency constitution, involving 18 aspects of factors influencing Yang deficiency constitution. The results of the grey correlation analysis showed that there were 12 influencing factors whose grey correlation degree with Yang deficiency constitution was greater than 0.6. The accuracy of these 12 influencing factors with the training set and validation set of the Yang deficiency constitution random forest model were 98.39% and 93.12%, respectively. 【Conclusion】  In the sample data selected in this paper, grey correlation analysis is the appropriate technology to analyze the influencing factors of Yang deficiency constitution. It provides a new idea and a new methodological reference for the research and analysis of the influencing factors of TCM constitution.

【Objective】  To study the composition and function of tongue coating (TC) and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota in participants with yellow-greasy tongue coating (YGTC), and to explore the representative metabolite markers and pathways in this group. 【Methods】  Subjects with YGTC or thin-white tongue coating (TWTC) were recruited from December 1, 2021 to October 30, 2022, and the TC and fecal samples were collected. Samples were subjected to both whole-genome shotgun (WGS), and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The α-diversity analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and Spearman correlation analysis were performed for two groups. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) analysis was used to analyze metabolomics and enrichment of metabolic pathways. 【Results】  The results revealed 20 YGTC participates and 19 TWTC participates. At the genus level, the dominant bacterial species of TC flora and intestinal flora in the two groups were roughly the same, but the relative kurtosis difference was marked, and the abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria in TC and fecal samples of YGTC subjects was higher. There were 9 down-regulated microorganisms in the TC samples, 26 down-regulated microorganisms, and 6 up-regulated microorganisms in YGTC subjects. The α-diversity analysis indicated that the Chao and abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE) indices of TC bacteria in the YGTC subjects showed a decreasing trend, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The α-diversity of fecal samples and the Chao and ACE indices decreased significantly (P < 0.05). PCA showed that the microflora structure of TC and fecal samples were significantly different between the two groups. Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was no correlation between TC and fecal microorganisms at phyla and genus levels in the same subjects (P > 0.05). The metabolomics results demonstrated that fumarate reductase, V/A ATPase, and phosphatidylethanolamine were increased, and glycerate-3p, UDP-glucose, and quinone oxidoreductase metabolites were decreased in YGTC TC samples. Inosine monophosphate (IMP), uridine monophosphate (UMP), and gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA) were increased in YGTC fecal samples, while the contents of ribo-5P, histidine, biotin,and cobalamin were decreased. Metabolic pathway analysis indicated that the abundance of the TC and fecal samples of the YGTC subjects was relatively low in various metabolic pathways, including amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, and energy metabolism. 【Conclusion】  Structural and functional changes in TC and GIT microbiota or metabolite markers could be potential biological bases of YGTC formation.

【Objective】  To develop and optimize niosomal and proniosomal vesicular delivery systems for a naturally occurring polyphenol chlorogenic acid (CGA), so as to improve its physicochemical properties and permeability, which may enhance its pharmacological activity. 【Methods】   The formulated CGA niosomes (CGANs) and CGA proniosomes (CGAPNs) were primed by thin film hydration and phase separation coacervation methods, and were characterized with different attributes including particle size, morphology, entrapment efficiency, zeta potential, deformability, in vitro diffusion, ex vivo permeability, and long-term stability. Their efficiency was further evaluated with in vitro antioxidant assay, antibacterial assays, and excision wound healing model in rats. 【Results】  Optimized CGANs and CGAPNs showed spherical vesicles with particle size of 490.1 ± 43.0 and 280.0 ± 22.0 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) values of 0.526 and 0.173, and stable zeta potential values of - 29.3 ± 6.4 and - 33.2 ± 6.5 mV, respectively. The CGANs and CGAPNs vesicles showed higher entrapment (98.27% ± 0.46% & 97.27% ± 0.25%) with good deformability (8.77 ± 0.22 & 6.87 ± 0.17), higher in vitro diffusion (97.96% ± 1.67% & 91.00% ± 1.32%), and permeability coefficient values (67 ×10-3 ± 1.72 & 52 ×10-3 ± 1.09) with long-term stability in comparison with plain CGA. Enhanced 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and Fe2 + chelation ability was obtained with CGAPNs > CGANs. They also demonstrated lethal bactericidal activity on different gram positive and gram negative strains with lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values (8 ×  and 16 ×  times less) as compared with plain CGA. Significant reduction (P < 0.05) in wound area with higher wound contraction percentages on day 9 was observed with CGANPs (99.56%) > CGANs (98.44%) in comparison with marketed (92.89%) and CGA (88.89%) hydrogel. 【Conclusion】  These results show great potential of CGANs and CGAPNs for topical wound healing application. This is the first study of CGA in niosomal and proniosomal topical delivery systems.

【Objective】  To investigate the therapeutic effect of Hibiscus cannabinus Linn. (H. cannabinus) leaves on cholelithiasis and urolithiasis. 【Methods】  The study evaluated the effect of aqueous leaf extract of H. cannabinus on thiouracil and cholesterol cholic acid diet induced cholelithiasis in BALB/c mice and ethylene glycol induced urolithiasis in Wistar rats. Three doses of aqueous extract (40, 80, and 160 mg/kg) were selected to evaluate the effectiveness in cholelithiasis in mice; another three doses of aqueous extract (400, 800, and 1 600 mg/kg) were administered for evaluating the effect on urolithiasis in rats. Biochemical parameters such as biliary cholesterol, biliary phospholipid, and bile acid were determined in cholelithiasis model. Similarly, 24-hour urine output, urinary parameters such as creatinine, uric acid, protein, urea, presence of calcium oxalate crystals, red blood cells (RBCs), and pyuria were determined in urolithiasis model. 【Results】  Statistically significant differences were noted in the biliary and urinary parameters after administrating three test doses of H. cannabinus aqueous extract (P < 0.05). 【Conclusion】 H. cannabinus was found to be effective against high fat lithogenic diet urolithiasis and cholelithiasis.

【Objective】  To investigate the correlations between intestinal flora, plasma metabolites, and blood stasis syndrome in coronary heart disease (CHD), and the mechanisms of Yangxin Tongmai Formula (养心通脉方, YXTMF) for blood stasis syndrome in CHD rats. 【Methods】  A total of 18 specific pathogen free (SPF) male Sqrague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to establish CHD rat models with blood stasis syndrome, which were then randomized into model, YXTMF, and atorvastatin calcium (AVT) groups, with six rats in each group, and were intervened through gavage for two weeks. Subsequently, additional six rats that received normal diet were included as normal group. The pathological changes in the CHD rat models were identified by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The electrocardiogram, hemodynamics, and lipid profiles of the rats were detected as well. The untargeted plasma metabolomics of rats were analyzed by liquid chromotography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), their ileal mucosal flora by 16S rRNA sequencing, and the correlation between the two results were also analyzed. 【Results】  The whole blood viscosity, total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of rats in the model group increased compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). In the model group, the proliferation of endothelial cells in the coronary artery of rats was damaged, with quite a few vacuolated pathological changes observed. However, the endothelial lesions in the coronary artery of rats were alleviated in the intervention groups (YXTMF and AVT groups). With the use of  LC-MS/MS, a total of 33 potential endogenous metabolites were identified in plasma, among which 1-methylhistidine, N-acetylhistamine, progesterone, and deoxycorticosterone were expected to be the differential metabolites in CHD rats with blood stasis syndrome. The 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that improved diversity and abundance of intestinal flora were observed in the YXTMF group. The correlation analysis suggested that Hydrogenophaga, Limnohabitans, and Polaromonas, which were highly related to the formation of blood stasis syndrome in CHD patients, were positively correlated with plasma metabolites such as 5-hydroxyindole, N-acetylhistamine, and progesterone (P < 0.01), but were negatively correlated with plasma metabolites such as L-arginine, homoarginine, and Boc-beta-cyano-L-alanine (P < 0.01). After YXTMF intervention, Lactobacillus, Corynebacterium, and Candidatus Nitrososphaera were positively correlated with plasma metabolites such as Boc-β-cyano-L-alanine, stachydrine, and naringenin (P < 0.05), while negatively correlated with 5-hydroxyindole, N-acetylhistamine, and oleoylethanolamide (P < 0.05). 【Conclusion】  YXTMF could alleviate blood stasis syndrome in CHD rats through improving their plasma metabolisms achieved by regulating the intestinal flora.

【Objective】  To predict the active components and action targets of Wuyao (Linderae Radix) in the treatment of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (CPID) based on network pharmacology, explore possible mechanisms of the treatment through animal experiments, and provide a scientific basis for clinical applications of Wuyao (Linderae Radix). 【Methods】  Possible active components and targets of Wuyao (Linderae Radix) in the treatment of CPID were obtained applying network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. CPID rat models were established using the mixed Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Ureaplasma urealyticum plus the performance of mechanical injury. Hematoxylineosin (HE) staining was applied to observe the pathological changes in the uterus, fallopian tube, and spleens of rat models. The contents of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum of rats were determined with the use of corresponding detection kits. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was used to measure the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in the serum of rat models. Flow cytometry was used to determine the percentage of CD4+ and CD8a+ T cells as well as CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the spleen of rat models. 【Results】  A total of nine potential active components and four core therapeutic targets related to inflammatory response in Wuyao (Linderae Radix) were obtained. The animal experiments showed that Wuyao (Linderae Radix) markedly inhibited uterus swelling, regulated morphological changes in the fallopian tube and spleen,  effectively reduced inflammatory infiltration and injuries in the uterus and fallopian tube, and improved spleen functions in CPID rats. Moreover, Wuyao (Linderae Radix) markedly reduced the levels of NO, IL-6, and MDA, and increased the levels of IL-10 and SOD in the serum of rats. Wuyao (Linderae Radix) also elevated the percentage of CD4+T cells and the CD4+ T/CD8a+ T cell ratio, reduced the percentage of CD8a+ T cells, and raised the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs that had been abnormally decreased in rat models (P < 0.05). 【Conclusion】  Wuyao (Linderae Radix) could have therapeutic effects on CPID rats by relieving oxidative stress, mitigating inflammatory levels, and regulating the immuno-function of T cell subgroups to improve the pathological changes in CPID rats. It is a medicinal herb worth being further explored for its clinical values.