1.Herbal Textual Research on Inulae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Caixia LIU ; Yue HAN ; Yanzhu MA ; Lei GAO ; Sheng WANG ; Yan YANG ; Wenchuan LUO ; Ling JIN ; Jing SHAO ; Zhijia CUI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):210-221
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties, Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name, and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao, Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica, and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species, there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia, I. helianthus-aquatili, and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan, Hubei and other places, and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower, the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months, and dried in the sun, and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom, in order to remove impurities, dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition, the roots, whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times, there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos, and in modern times, it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure, small receptacles, large blooms, yellow petals, long filaments, many fluffs, no fragments, and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning, steaming, and sun-drying, supplemented by techniques such as boiling, roasting, burning, simmering, stir-frying, and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties, ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter, pungent, and salty in taste, with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras, including descending Qi, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos, either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements, where no processing instructions are specified, the raw products may be used after cleaning.
2.Herbal Textual Research on Inulae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Caixia LIU ; Yue HAN ; Yanzhu MA ; Lei GAO ; Sheng WANG ; Yan YANG ; Wenchuan LUO ; Ling JIN ; Jing SHAO ; Zhijia CUI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):210-221
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties, Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name, and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao, Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica, and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species, there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia, I. helianthus-aquatili, and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan, Hubei and other places, and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower, the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months, and dried in the sun, and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom, in order to remove impurities, dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition, the roots, whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times, there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos, and in modern times, it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure, small receptacles, large blooms, yellow petals, long filaments, many fluffs, no fragments, and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning, steaming, and sun-drying, supplemented by techniques such as boiling, roasting, burning, simmering, stir-frying, and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties, ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter, pungent, and salty in taste, with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras, including descending Qi, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos, either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements, where no processing instructions are specified, the raw products may be used after cleaning.
3.Quality analysis of Pinghuo tea standard decoction
Xinmei ZHAO ; Hongyang SANG ; Chunjing YANG ; Jingwei LEI ; Haiyan GONG ; Caixia XIE ; Chunya ZHANG ; Haohan DUAN ; Hao YU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(1):71-78
OBJECTIVE To establish the fingerprint of Pinghuo tea standard decoction and a method for determination of multi-component to clarify the transfer relationship of quantities and quality from pieces and standard decoction. METHODS Fifteen batches of Pinghuo tea standard decoction were prepared and the extract rate was determined; the fingerprint of the preparation was established by using high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC); the similarity evaluation and the determination of common peaks were performed, and chemometric analysis was performed; the same method was used to determine the content of indicator components and the transfer rate was calculated. The chromatographic column was Venusil C18 column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid solution (gradient elution); the column temperature was 30 ℃, and the detection wavelengths were 238 nm (0-37 min, 85-102 min) and 330 nm (37-85 min) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with an injection volume of 10 μL. RESULTS The similarity of HPLC fingerprints for 15 batches of Pinghuo tea standard decoction was not lower than 0.968. A total of 24 common peaks were calibrated and 9 peaks were recognized, which were as follows neochlorogenic acid (peak 3), chlorogenic acid (peak 6), geniposide (peak 9), glycyrrhizin (peak 10), galuteolin (peak 11), isochlorogenic acid A (peak 14), luteolin (peak 21), kaempferol (peak 23) and glycyrrhizic acid (peak 24). Cluster analysis, principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis showed consistent results, all of which could classify the 15 batches of samples into three categories. The linear range of indicator components in 15 batches of Pinghuo tea standard decoction, such as geniposide, luteolin, isochlorogenic acid A, glycyrrhizin, and glycyrrhizic acid, were 0.020 580-0.411 600, 0.001 617-0.080 850, 0.006 076-0.607 600, 0.005 125-0.071 740, and 0.017 288-0.432 200 mg/mL, respectively; RSDs of precision, repeatability, stability and recovery rate tests were all not higher than 4% (n=6). The mass fractions ranged 3.227 9-10.002 2, 0.297 4-0.554 6, 3.350 1-6.159 6, 0.720 6-1.073 3, 2.003 1-3.030 1 mg/g; transfer rates from the pieces and standard decoction were 19.762 8%-35.840 5%, 12.123 3%-21.254 0%, 46.097 2%-82.869 4%, 58.708 8%-91.629 6%, 39.114 3%-63.710 6%. The transfer rates of the extract from 15 batches of Pinghuo tea standard decoction ranged from 61.15%-84.68%. CONCLUSIONS Established HPLC fingerprint and content determination methods in this study are simple and accurate, which can provide reference for the quantitative value transfer study, quality control, clinical application and the development of subsequent formulations of Pinghuo tea standard decoction.
4."Compatibility" Relationship of Active Components and Heat-clearing and Blood-cooling Effect of Rehmannia glutinosa Roots
Yaman CHEN ; Jinpeng CUI ; Juan ZHANG ; Qingpu LIU ; Haiyan GONG ; Jingwei LEI ; Fengqing WANG ; Caixia XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):193-201
ObjectiveTo analyze the "compatibility" relationship of sugars and glycosides and the heat-clearing and blood-cooling effect of the roots of four varieties of Rehmannia glutinosa and provide a basis for research on the pharmacodynamic material basis and quality control of R. glutinosa. MethodsThe content of sugars and glycosides in the roots of four varieties of R. glutinosa was determined during the growth period. The principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and the "compatibility" relationship of active components were employed to screen out the differential samples. A rat model of bleeding due to blood heat was used to verify the pharmacodynamic differences and the potential active components of differential samples. ResultsThe content and proportion characteristics of various components in roots of the four varieties of R. glutinosa during the expansion stage and the maturity stage had obvious differences. The proportion of phenylethanoid glycosides at the maturity stage was higher than that at the expansion stage. The R. glutinosa variety 85-5 had special quality characteristics among the tested varieties. All the samples alleviated the symptoms in the rat model. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood was different between the maturity stage and the expansion stage, as well as between 85-5 samples at the maturity stage and other samples. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood of R. glutinosa roots was the result of the combined action of multiple components in R. glutinosa roots and might be related to the high proportions of polysaccharides, iridoid glycosides, and phenylethanoid glycosides. ConclusionThe growth stage and variety affect the quality of R. glutinosa roots. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood of R. glutinosa roots was related to the content and proportions of various components. The study can provide a basis for the basic research on the active components and quality control of R. glutinosa.
5."Compatibility" Relationship of Active Components and Heat-clearing and Blood-cooling Effect of Rehmannia glutinosa Roots
Yaman CHEN ; Jinpeng CUI ; Juan ZHANG ; Qingpu LIU ; Haiyan GONG ; Jingwei LEI ; Fengqing WANG ; Caixia XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):193-201
ObjectiveTo analyze the "compatibility" relationship of sugars and glycosides and the heat-clearing and blood-cooling effect of the roots of four varieties of Rehmannia glutinosa and provide a basis for research on the pharmacodynamic material basis and quality control of R. glutinosa. MethodsThe content of sugars and glycosides in the roots of four varieties of R. glutinosa was determined during the growth period. The principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and the "compatibility" relationship of active components were employed to screen out the differential samples. A rat model of bleeding due to blood heat was used to verify the pharmacodynamic differences and the potential active components of differential samples. ResultsThe content and proportion characteristics of various components in roots of the four varieties of R. glutinosa during the expansion stage and the maturity stage had obvious differences. The proportion of phenylethanoid glycosides at the maturity stage was higher than that at the expansion stage. The R. glutinosa variety 85-5 had special quality characteristics among the tested varieties. All the samples alleviated the symptoms in the rat model. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood was different between the maturity stage and the expansion stage, as well as between 85-5 samples at the maturity stage and other samples. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood of R. glutinosa roots was the result of the combined action of multiple components in R. glutinosa roots and might be related to the high proportions of polysaccharides, iridoid glycosides, and phenylethanoid glycosides. ConclusionThe growth stage and variety affect the quality of R. glutinosa roots. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood of R. glutinosa roots was related to the content and proportions of various components. The study can provide a basis for the basic research on the active components and quality control of R. glutinosa.
6.Comparison of Quality Change During Processing Process of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix from Different Origins Based on Color-component Correlation Analysis
Haohan DUAN ; Hao JIA ; Jingwei LEI ; Chunjing YANG ; Caixia XIE ; Haiyan GONG ; Beibei ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(5):143-151
ObjectiveTaking Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix(ABR) from different origins as samples, to quantitatively analyze the chemical composition and chromaticity of ABR with different processing degrees, and clarify the correlation and change law between color and composition in the processing process of ABR, so as to provide reference for the quality evaluation of processed products of ABR. MethodThe colorimeter is used to measure the chromaticity values of three kinds of processing degrees of ABR in different origins to show the color value change trend during the processing process, and the color parameters of wine-processed and salt-processed products of ABR with different processing degrees were analyzed by principal component analysis(PCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) and other analysis methods. The contents of eight representative components of ABR were measured by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), the correlation between chromaticity and each representative component was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis, and the applicability of the selected eight representative components was further verified by Fisher linear discriminant analysis, and the wine-processed and salt-processed products of ABR with different processing degrees were grouped according to the degree of processing, and 48 samples of wine-processed and salt-processed products with different processing degrees were used as training samples. Taking the contents of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, polypodine B, β-ecdysterone, 25R-inokosterone, 25S-inokosterone, ginsenoside Ro, chikusetsusaponin Ⅳa and polysaccharides as variables, the discriminant function was established respectively, and 12 samples of wine-processed and salt-processed products of ABR with different processing degrees were back-tested to verify the discriminant function and test the reliability of the function. ResultPCA and OPLS-DA results showed that ABR samples with different processing degrees were classified into clusters, and the results could significantly distinguish different processed products. During the process of wine and salt processing, the contents of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, ginsenoside Ro, and chikusetsusaponin Ⅳa gradually increased with the deepening of the processing degree, while the contents of polypodine B, β-ecdysterone, 25R-inokosterone, 25S-inokosterone and polysaccharides showed a gradual decreasing trend, indicating these 8 components increased and decreased to different degrees in the process of wine and salt processing. The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural content of the samples with different processing degrees of wine-processed and salt-processed products were negatively correlated with the brightness value(L*) and the total color difference value(E*ab)(P<0.01), and positively correlated with the red-green value(a*) and the yellow-blue value(b*)(P<0.01), and that the content of polypodine B and polysaccharides were positively correlated with L* and E*ab(P<0.01). The discriminant functions of wine-processed and salt-processed products of ABR were established by Fisher linear discriminant analysis, and their accuracy rates in the training samples were 93.75% and 95.83%, respectively. Twelve test samples of wine-processed and salt-processed products with different processing degree were back substitution, and the correct rate was 100%. ConclusionThe trend of composition and color changes of ABR with different processing degrees in different production areas is relatively consistent, and the color value can better distinguish ABR with different processing degrees, and the color of ABR is related to some representative components in the processing process, indicating that the color can provide reference for the identification of the processing degree of ABR and the prediction of component content.
7.Effect of Therapeutic Communication on Anxiety and Hope Level of Cervical Cancer Surgery Patients
Caixia ZHENG ; Xue LI ; Shuiying DONG ; Min XIE ; Xuesong CAO ; Pan LEI
Chinese Medical Ethics 2024;35(4):396-400
The aim is to evaluate the effect of therapeutic communication on cervical cancer patients’ preoperative anxiety and hope level. The convenience sampling method was used to select the inpatients who will receive radical surgery for cervical cancer in the department of obstetrics and gynecology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from November 2016 to November 2019 as the research object. 50 patients were grouped by the random number table method: 25 patients were in the intervention group, and 25 patients were in the control group. Patients in the intervention group were given therapeutic communication on the basis of routine nursing, and patients in the control group were given routine nursing. Both groups were investigated with the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Herth Hope Index (HHI) on the first day of admission and the day before surgery. Before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05) . After the intervention, the anxiety level of the intervention group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05), and the hope level was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). It can be seen that therapeutic communication can alleviate preoperative anxiety of cervical cancer patients, improve their hope level, promote patient recovery, and ease tense medical relationship.
8.The qualitative study of facilitators and barriers to healthy behavior among stroke patients
Mengyu ZHANG ; Lina GUO ; Yuanli GUO ; Caixia YANG ; Xiaoyu LEI ; Gege ZHANG ; Yanjin LIU
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2024;33(1):27-31
Objective:To explore the potential facilitators and barriers to healthy behavior among stroke patients.Methods:Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 16 stroke patients from September 2022 to March 2023 using an objective sampling method.The interview guide was developed using the theoretical domain framework(TDF). Interviews were transcribed and refined the theme using directed content and induction analysis.Using the TDF as the initial coding framework, the themes were then merged into the most relevant domains.Finally, the correspondence between theoretical domains and the healthy behavior of stroke patients was determined based on the frequency and relationship between themes.Results:This study identified nine theoretical domains that affected the healthy behavior of stroke patients: knowledge, skills, motivation and goals, social influences, social/professional role and identity, environment context and resources, belief about capability, consequence belief and behavioral regulation.Conclusion:The healthy behavior of stroke patients is complex and influenced by several factors.The nine theoretical domains identified in this study will provide recommendations for future healthy behavior interventions for stroke patients.
9.Summary of best evidence and practice recommendations for nonpharmacological interventions of urinary incontinence in elderly women
Biyan JIANG ; Shulan YANG ; Lei YE ; Rongrong HU ; Feifei LI ; Huiling ZHENG ; Yanhong XIE ; Fangying LI ; Xiaowei XU ; Caixia LIU
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2023;17(5):385-391
Objective:To integrate the best evidence of non-drug intervention of urinary incontinence in elderly women and to formulate practical recommendations.Methods:In this systematic review study, using “elderly woman”,“urinary incontinence”,“bladder training”,“pelvic floor muscle training”,“enuresis”,“leakage of urine” as the key words, the 6S evidence resource pyramid model was used to search in British Medical Journal best practice, Uptodate, World Health Organization, Guidelines International Network, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Chinese Medical Association, Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, Cochrane Library, The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), New Zealand Guidelines Group, Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, PubMed, Embase, Medline, Web of Science, SinoMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, etc. The evidence retrieved included evidence-based knowledge base resources, clinical practice guidelines, expert consensus, systematic review, etc. Data were retrieved from January 1, 2017 to May 1, 2022, and collated from May 2, 2022 to May 25, 2022. Two researchers independently evaluated the quality of literature and extracted data using the AGREE Ⅱ and JBI evidence-based health care center assessment tools. The JBI evidence-based health care center′s evidence pre-rating system and evidence recommendation rating system were applied to rank the evidence; and under the guidance of the evidence structure of JBI, the strength of evidence recommendation was determined and the best evidence was extracted and summarized in combination with the study group discussion and expert opinion.Results:A total of 9 articles were retrieved, including 7 guidelines and 2 systematic reviews; and 6 guidelines were classified as Grade A and 1 as grade B; both 2 systematic reviews were rated as Grade A; 84% (27/32) of the items were evaluated as “Yes”. Evidence were summarized as 34 pieces of best evidence from 6 dimensions, including “overall recommendation, evaluation of type and degree of urinary incontinence, lifestyle change, behavioral therapy, prevention of precipitating factors, intervention in special population”; the flow chart of screening, evaluation, special symptoms, life style and behavior therapy was combed, and the practical suggestions were formed.Conclusions:The overall quality of the literature on non-drug intervention of urinary incontinence in elderly women is high, and the level of evidence is high. Early identification of urinary incontinence types and assessment of disease severity, lifestyle changes, avoidance of predisposing factors and behavioral therapy are the key to non-drug treatment of urinary incontinence in those patients.
10.Preparation of Diosgenin from Dioscorea zingiberensis: A Review
Juan ZHANG ; Fengyu HUANG ; Qingting WANG ; Yanrong YANG ; Jing YANG ; Jingwei LEI ; Caixia XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(20):274-282
Direct acid hydrolysis of Dioscorea zingiberensis rhizomes for preparation of diosgenin is wildly used in the traditional industry, which uses a large amount of inorganic acid catalysts, with high wastewater discharge and serious environmental pollution. Therefore, exploring clean and efficient preparation methods and processes has become an inevitable choice to realize the sustainable development of industrial production of diosgenin. Herein, the author reviewed and analyzed the research progress and problems of enzymatic hydrolysis, microbial transformation and modified acid hydrolysis in the preparation of diosgenin from D. zingiberensis rhizomes during the last ten years, and their application prospects are analyzed. Enzymatic hydrolysis has mild reaction conditions, but the yield of diosgenin is low, the economic cost is high, and the purification process of active enzyme is complicated. Microorganism shows specific activity to the substrate and high efficiency for diosgenin production, and microbial transformation is clean and environmentally friendly, but microbial transformation is time-consuming and the metabolic intermediates are complicated. For the modified acid hydrolysis, two-phase acid hydrolysis can reduce the amount of acid catalyst, and sulfonic acid-functionalized ionic liquid displays good recyclable performance by replacing the traditional inorganic acid, however, the wastewater discharge should still be considered. Solid acid catalysts are non-corrosive and easy to be recycled, but the need to use ethanol as the reaction solvent has certain safety hazards, and the catalyst preparation process is cumbersome. In conclusion, exploring clean and efficient conversion methods is an important research trend for preparation of diosgenin from D. zingiberensis rhizomes. For the enzymatic hydrolysis, the key glycoside hydrolases in the bioconversion process should be explored in depth, the conversion pathway of enzymatic saponins and enzyme specificity should be fully elucidated, and efforts should be made to improve the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis. For the microbial transformation, we should accelerate its industrial application process based on selecting and breeding efficient transformation strains, and optimizing stable transformation systems and processes, and in-depth investigation of the mechanism of microbial transformation, fully elucidating the specific key hydrolases and its catalytic properties, and striving to improve the efficiency of microbial transformation. For the modified acid hydrolysis, novel acid catalytic system with simple structure, stable performance and good biodegradability should be explored and applied, which can effectively solve the problems of environmental pollution and production safety.

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