1.Re-examination of Atractylodis Rhizoma and Dosage of Whole Formula in Yuejiuwan
Yanping HAN ; Yiyi ZHANG ; Huimin GAO ; Raorao LI ; Li YAO ; Zhaoxiang SUN ; Zhuo MA ; Huamin ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):223-233
Yuejuwan is a classic formula widely used by doctors to relieve liver and depression, with precise clinical efficacy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The authors used bibliometric methods to collect and collate 495 ancient data related to Yuejuwan, and 105 valid data were screened out, involving 68 ancient Chinese medical books. After systematic verification of the origin of the formula of Yuejuwan, the main treatment symptoms, the principle of the formula, the composition of the drug, the dosage, the preparation method, the decoction method, and other information, the results showed that Yuejuwan originated from the Danxi Xinfa (《丹溪心法》) of the Yuan Dynasty by ZHU Zhenheng, and it is composed of five medicines, namely Atractylodis Rhizoma, Cyperi Rhizom, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Massa Medicata Fermentata, and Gardeniae Fructus. In terms of drug base, Atractylodis Rhizoma, Cyperi Rhizom, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, and Gardeniae Fructus are in line with the records in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and Massa Medicata Fermentata is used. The preparation method is as follows: Massa Medicata Fermentata and Gardeniae Fructus are fried, and Cyperi Rhizoma is roasted in vinegar. Chuanxiong Rhizoma is used in the raw form, and Atractylodis Rhizoma is prepared with rice swill. The formula can regulate Qi and relieve depression and broaden the middle and remove fullness. It is clinically used for the treatment of six types of depression syndromes, chest and diaphragm plumpness, abdominal distension and leg acid, acid swallowing and vomiting, eating and drinking disharmony, toothache, mouth and tongue sores, and other diseases. The most used dosage of the formula in the ancient records through the ages is converted into the modern dosage, namely 3.05 g Atractylodis Rhizoma, 3.05 g Cyperi Rhizoma, 3.05 g Chuanxiong Rhizoma, 3.05 g Massa Medicata Fermentata, and 3.05 g Gardeniae Fructus, and the daily dosage is 15.25 g. The converted dosage is similar to that recorded in the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The formula is in pill form, and medicine should be taken with lukewarm boiled water after the meal. Through the excavation of the ancient literature related to Yuejuwan, the key information of the formula is identified, with a view to providing a more accurate reference for the clinical application of Yuejuwan and subsequent in-depth investigation.
2.Re-examination of Atractylodis Rhizoma and Dosage of Whole Formula in Yuejiuwan
Yanping HAN ; Yiyi ZHANG ; Huimin GAO ; Raorao LI ; Li YAO ; Zhaoxiang SUN ; Zhuo MA ; Huamin ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):223-233
Yuejuwan is a classic formula widely used by doctors to relieve liver and depression, with precise clinical efficacy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The authors used bibliometric methods to collect and collate 495 ancient data related to Yuejuwan, and 105 valid data were screened out, involving 68 ancient Chinese medical books. After systematic verification of the origin of the formula of Yuejuwan, the main treatment symptoms, the principle of the formula, the composition of the drug, the dosage, the preparation method, the decoction method, and other information, the results showed that Yuejuwan originated from the Danxi Xinfa (《丹溪心法》) of the Yuan Dynasty by ZHU Zhenheng, and it is composed of five medicines, namely Atractylodis Rhizoma, Cyperi Rhizom, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Massa Medicata Fermentata, and Gardeniae Fructus. In terms of drug base, Atractylodis Rhizoma, Cyperi Rhizom, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, and Gardeniae Fructus are in line with the records in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and Massa Medicata Fermentata is used. The preparation method is as follows: Massa Medicata Fermentata and Gardeniae Fructus are fried, and Cyperi Rhizoma is roasted in vinegar. Chuanxiong Rhizoma is used in the raw form, and Atractylodis Rhizoma is prepared with rice swill. The formula can regulate Qi and relieve depression and broaden the middle and remove fullness. It is clinically used for the treatment of six types of depression syndromes, chest and diaphragm plumpness, abdominal distension and leg acid, acid swallowing and vomiting, eating and drinking disharmony, toothache, mouth and tongue sores, and other diseases. The most used dosage of the formula in the ancient records through the ages is converted into the modern dosage, namely 3.05 g Atractylodis Rhizoma, 3.05 g Cyperi Rhizoma, 3.05 g Chuanxiong Rhizoma, 3.05 g Massa Medicata Fermentata, and 3.05 g Gardeniae Fructus, and the daily dosage is 15.25 g. The converted dosage is similar to that recorded in the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The formula is in pill form, and medicine should be taken with lukewarm boiled water after the meal. Through the excavation of the ancient literature related to Yuejuwan, the key information of the formula is identified, with a view to providing a more accurate reference for the clinical application of Yuejuwan and subsequent in-depth investigation.
3.Characteristics of Emergency Health Systems Guidance Based on AGREE-HS
Danping ZHENG ; Wei YANG ; Nannan SHI ; Dongfeng WEI ; An LI ; Gezhi ZHANG ; Xue CHEN ; Fangqi LIU ; Zhaoshuai YAN ; Weixuan BAI ; Xinghua XIANG ; Yaxin TIAN ; Mengyu LIU ; Huamin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(22):137-148
This study used the Appraisal of Guidelines Research & Evaluation-Health Systems (AGREE-HS) to demonstratively compare 34 global coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) health systems guidance documents (HSGs) and 6 World Health Organization (WHO) standard HSGs. The comparison involved topic, participants, methods, recommendations, and implementability, with the aim of exploring the characteristics of emergency HSGs. The results showed that the emergency HSGs had an overall average score of 49%, with topic having the highest score, recommendations having the second highest score, and participants having the lowest score. The standard HSGs had an overall average score of 79%, with high scores in all items. The emergency HSGs had lower scores in participants, methods, recommendations, and implementability than the standard HSGs (P<0.001), while the COVID-19 emergency HSGs developed by the WHO had higher score in topic than the standard HSGs (P<0.05). Compared with those released by countries, the COVID-19 emergency HSG developed by the WHO showed superiority in all items and overall scores (P=0.000 2). This indicates that emergency HSGs, represented by the COVID-19 emergency HSG, place equal emphasis on topic and recommendations as standard HSGs but have low requirements in terms of expert participation, evidence support, and comprehensive consideration in the time- and resource-limited context. They have the characteristics of prominent topics, clear purposes, orientation to demand, keeping up with the latest evidence, flexible adjustment, and timeliness, emphasizing immediate implementation effects, weakening long-term effects, and focusing on comprehensive benefits. Additionally, developers, types, and report completeness are important influencing factors.
4.Characteristics of Developing Methods for Emergency Health Systems Guidance Based on AGREE-HS
Danping ZHENG ; Wei YANG ; Dongfeng WEI ; Nannan SHI ; Lin TONG ; An LI ; Gezhi ZHANG ; Xue CHEN ; Fangqi LIU ; Weixuan BAI ; Xinghua XIANG ; Mengyu LIU ; Huamin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(22):149-156
The scientific rigor and efficacy of methodologies employed in drafting emergency health systems guidance documents (HSGs) are paramount in guaranteeing the quality, reliability, and applicability of HSGs. According to the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation- Health Systems (AGREE-HS), we demonstratively assessed both global coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) emergency HSGs and World Health Organization (WHO) standard HSGs to uncover the core attributes of methods employed in the development of emergency HSGs. Our evaluation findings revealed that across the five assessment items of AGREE-HS, methods in the 34 emergency HSGs evaluated ranked third, trailing behind topic and recommendations. Notably, criterion 2 (the best available and most contextually relevant evidence is considered) received the highest score, whereas criterion 5 (evidence of cost and cost-effectiveness of the potential options is described) scored the lowest. Compared with the WHO standard HSGs, the COVID-19 emergency HSGs exhibited low scores in methods (P<0.05), which was reflected in nine criteria (P<0.05), especially in criteria 1 (systematic and transparent methods are used to identify and review the evidence) and 9 (systematic and transparent methods are used to agree upon the final recommendations). Among the COVID-19 emergency HSGs, that developed by the WHO achieved higher scores in eight out of all nine criteria, excluding criterion 8 (P<0.05). The clinically relevant emergency HSGs had higher scores in the criteria 3 (the evidence base is current) and 8 (the rationale behind the recommendations is clear) than other types of emergency HSGs. Collectively, the methodology for developing emergency HSGs, represented by the COVID-19 emergency HSG, underscores evidence orientation and integrates expert consensus. It is characterized by adaptable evidence synthesis strategies, streamlined evidence review protocols, and contextual relevance, all of which are influenced by external, internal, and implementation-specific factors.
5.Efficacy-driving Mechanism of Danhong Injection for Stable Angina Pectoris Based on Composition-activity Relationship of Target Modules
Siwei TIAN ; Wenjing ZONG ; Jun LIU ; Wei YANG ; Qikai NIU ; Siqi ZHANG ; Jing'ai WANG ; Huamin ZHANG ; Zhong WANG ; Bing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):121-128
ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy-driving mechanism of Danhong injection (DHI) in the treatment of stable angina pectoris (SAP) based on the composition-activity relationship of target modules and clarify the pharmacological effects of DHI. MethodAccording to the angina frequency (AF) in the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) that was obtained in the previous clinical trial, the patients before and after DHI treatment were grouped based on efficacy. The transcriptomic data of the patients before treatment and in the best efficacy group 30 days post-treatment were selected as the data source, and then weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to construct the co-expression network. Relevant modules in the network were identified and associated with clinical features. In addition, the On-modules (Z value below 0) were identified by Zsummary. The topological indicators such as density, centrality, and clustering coefficient were adopted to explore the dynamics of DHI efficacy at the network level and module level, respectively. In addition, the driver genes were screened by the personalized network control (PNC) algorithm. Finally, rat H9C2 cells were used to establish the model of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), which was used to confirm the potential therapeutic target of DHI for SAP and provide a scientific basis for revealing the therapeutic mechanism of DHI. ResultWe identified 19 modules in the best efficacy group of DHI for SAP, and the comparison between day 0 and day 30 revealed 12 On-modules. The changes of network topological indicators at the network and module levels confirmed the correlation between the best efficacy of DHI treatment and topological dynamics. Finally, the driver genes, Klotho and fibroblast growth factor 22 (FGF22), in DHI treatment of SAP were verified by the H9C2 cell model of H/R. ConclusionBased on clinical transcriptome data, this study determined the composition-activity relationship of target modules of DHI for SAP, which provided a scientific basis for deciphering the efficacy-driven mechanism of DHI for SAP.
6.Analysis on the Dosage, Dose and Administration Method of Decoctions in Ming and Qing Dynasties Based on Catalogue of Ancient Classic Famous Formulas (First Batch)
Lin ZHANG ; Ruoshui TANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Bing LI ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Jia SONG ; Yanling FU ; Huamin ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(8):866-869
The dosage, dose and administration method of decoctions are important factors affecting the efficacy of prescriptions. By analyzing 35 decoction formulas from the Ming and Qing dynasties within the Catalogue of Ancient Classic Famous Formulas (First Batch), it was found that the average dosage was equivalent to about 65 g, of which 71.4% (25/35) of the prescriptions had a dosage ≤60 g. And among them, the dosage of decoctions in the Ming dynasty was significantly smaller than that in the Qing dynasty. Considering the characteristics of formulas in Song dynasty, it is believed that decoctions in Ming and Qing dynasties were influenced by the popular use of decoctions during the Song, Jin, and Yuan dynasties. Some decoctions recorded a dosage of one dose instead of one day, which was more evident in the Ming dynasty. However, by the Qing dynasty, the usage of prescriptions with a dosage of one day gradually became more common. Therefore, in the practical research and application of classic famous formulas from the Ming and Qing dynasties, it is advised to pay attention to the difference between the dosage, one dose and the daily dosage. It is necessary to determine whether to double the dosage of the original formula based on the actual use, in order to ensure the clinical efficacy.
7.Usage and Dosage Analysis and Countermeasures for Development of Compound Preparations of Han Dynasty Famous Classical Formulas
Yan JIN ; Bing LI ; Wei ZHANG ; Huasheng PENG ; Huamin ZHANG ; Huihui LIU ; Lin ZHANG ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):1-10
In order to provide a reference basis for the development of relevant compound preparations, this article takes a comprehensive analysis of the usage and dosage of famous classical formulas in Han dynasty from various perspectives, and gives corresponding countermeasures on this basis. Through the comprehensive analysis of the classification and statistics of Zhongjing's medication characteristics, decoction methods, administration and dosage, and combining conversion methods of weights and measures by ancient medical practitioners, along with the dosage and administration of the listed Han dynasty famous classical formulas, it was found that the "Jiangxi method" served as a general guideline for administration according to Zhongjing's original text. This method allowed for flexible dosing based on the conversion of the ancient measurements to modern equivalents[13.8 g per Liang(两)], ensuring the safe and effective medication of these formulas. After combing, it is found that although the dosage of single medicine is large in famous classical formulas from Han dynasty, the administration is flexible. The crude drug amount per administration serves as the foundational dose, with the frequency of administration adjusted flexibly according to the condition. This dosing approach becomes the key for the rational development of compound formulations of famous classical formulas. Based on the conclusions of the study, it is recommended that when developing compound formulations of famous classical formulas in Han dynasty, the original administration method and dosage should be respected. The original crude drug amount per administration should be considered as the daily foundational dose, with the frequency of administration described within a range(1 to N times per day, where N is the maximum number of administrations as per the original text). The specific frequency of administration can be adjusted flexibly by clinical practitioners based on the individual condition. This approach should also be adopted in toxicological studies, where the dosage per administration serves as the basis for toxicity research, and the toxicity profile at the maximum administration frequency should be observed, providing guidance on the clinical safety range. Corresponding drug labels should provide information within a range to indicate toxicological risk intervals.
8.Discussion on Common Problems of Historical Evolution of Famous Classical Formulas and Its Textural Research of Key Information
Bing LI ; Lin ZHANG ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Huasheng PENG ; Haiyu XU ; Huamin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(1):1-8
The famous classical formulae are epitomes of the clinical practice experience created by doctors in history, as an important symbol of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory and clinical treatment approaches, it has been given a new concept connotation and become one of the breakthroughs for the development of TCM in the new era. Due to the limitations of historical literature and different cognitive perspectives of literature research, there are still common problems in determination of the dosage, original materials, processing and decocting method for the famous classical formulae, which hinder its development and registration process. In the history of more than 2 000 years, famous classical formulae have been developed in the continuous clinical application of practice. This paper systematically reviewed the evolution of the concept and history of the famous classical formulae, and introduced the evolution of the famous classical formulae in terms of name, composition, medicine, dosage, decocting method and clinical functions, including the stability of basic prescription composition, differentiation of drug bases, the progress of processing methods, the characteristics of dosages in different historical periods and the expansion of functions. In view of the research of the key information for famous classical formulae, the paper puts forward the suggestion of paying more attention to the evolution of prescriptions in the past dynasties. In textual research, we should combine the changes of medicinal resources, habits of drug use and production technology of the past dynasties, so as to bridge the ancient and modern. As to the dosage selection, we should be based on the weights and measures of all dynasties and current clinical practice to select rational dosage and decocting method. On the basis of inheriting the essence, follows the ancient but not be bounded by it, and solves the common problems in the textual research of key information from the perspective of history and development.
10.Effects of Limonin on Immune Function and Apoptosis-related Factors Expression in MFC Gastric Cancer Bearing Model Mice
Wei XIONG ; Hua HAN ; Huamin CHEN ; Xiaoming WU ; Guangyue HUANG
China Pharmacy 2021;32(7):845-850
OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of limonin on immune function and apo ptosis-related factors expression in MFC gastric cancer bearing model mice. METHODS :MFC gastric cancer bearing model was established by inoculating MFC gastric cancer cells into the right armpit of mice. After modeling ,model mice were divided into model group ,cyclophosphamide group (positive control ,25 mg/kg)and limonin high-dose ,medium-dose and low-dose groups (100,50 and 25 mg/kg),with 10 mice in each group. Other groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically ,once a day ,for consecutive 14 days,except that model group was given 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose intragastrically. Before administration and after last administration ,the body weight of mice was measured ;spleen,thymus and tumor tissue were taken after the last administration to calculate the spleen index,thymus index and tumor inhibition rate. The percentage of CD 4+ and CD 8+ T lymphocytes ,CD4+/CD8+ ratio were detected by flow cytometry. The expression of immune function related indexes (IL-2,IL-10,IFN-γ)in serum were detected by ELISA. RT-PCR and Western blot assay were adopted to detect relative mRNA and protein expression of apoptosis-related factors [cytochrome C (Cyt-C),Bcl-2,Bax] in tumor tissue of mice. RESULTS :There was no significant difference in body weight among the other groups except that of cyclophosphamide group was decreased significantly ,compared with model group (P<0.05). Inhibitory rate of tumor were (58.16 ± 7.07)% ,(37.09 ± 4.26)% ,(27.30 ± 3.64)% ,(15.13 ± 2.95)% in cyclophosphamide group ,limonin high-dose ,medium-dose and low-dose groups. Compared with model group ,spleen index , thymus index ,the percentages of CD 4+ and CD 8+T lymphocyte cells ,CD4+/CD8+ ratio,serum levels of IL- 2 and IL- 10,relative mRNA and protein expression of Bcl- 2 in tumor of mice in cyclophosphamide group as well as the expression of IL- 10,relative mRNA and protein expression of Bcl- 2 in limonin groups were decreased significantly (P<0.05). The expression of IFN-γ,relative mRNA and protein expression of Cyt-C and Bax of cyclophosphamide group as well as spleen index (except for low-dose group ), thymus index , the percentage of CD 4 + and CD 8 + T lymphocytes,CD4+/CD8+ ratio,the expression of IL- 2 and IFN-γ,and relative mRNA and protein expression of Cyt-C and Bax in limonin groups were increased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS :Limonin can inhibit tumor growth in MFC gastric cancer bearing model mice ,and the side effects are relatively weak. Its mechanism is related to the improvement of immune function and the induction of apoptosis.

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