OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential mechanism of berberine improving diabetes mellitus type 2 （T2DM） combined with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） by regulating ceramide. METHODS Thirty-two db/db mice with blood glucose levels＞11.1 mmol/L （T2DM model） were divided into four groups： model group， berberine low- and high-dose groups [100， 200 mg/（kg·d）] and metformin group [300 mg/（kg·d）]， with 8 mice in each group. Additionally， 8 wt/wt mice were selected as the normal control group. Mice in each group were administered the corresponding drug solution or water by gavage once daily for a continuous period of 6 weeks. During the experiment， the body weight of the mice was monitored， and the differences in final body weight were analyzed. After the last administration， the body shape of the mice in each group was observed， and their fasting blood glucose （FBG） and the lipid indicators [total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）] were measured. Fasting serum insulin （FINS） levels were also measured， and the insulin resistance index HOMA-IR） and insulin sensitivity index （ISI） were calculated. Liver weight， liver index and serum liver function indicators [alanine transaminase （ALT）， aspartate transaminase（AST）] were assessed， and hepatic histopathological changes were observed. Additionally， the expression of fatty acid synthesis-related proteins [sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 （SREBP1）， fatty acid synthase （FASN）， acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 （ACC1）] in liver tissue was examined. Serum samples from the normal control group， model group， and berberine high-dose group were collected for non-targeted lipidomics analysis and validation. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the pathological changes， including disordered liver tissue cell arrangement and lipid vacuoles， were significantly improved in the berberine low- and high-dose groups. The significant decreases or down-regulations were observed in body weight in the last week， as well as FBG， TC， TG， and LDL-C levels， HOMA-IR （except for the berberine low-dose group）， liver weight， liver index， AST and ALT levels， and protein expressions of SREBP1， FASN and ACC1. Additionally， HDL-C levels， FINS （except for the berberine high-dose group）， and ISI （except for the berberine low-dose group） were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. A total of 21 potential differential metabolites， including multiple types of ceramides， were identified； these metabolites were primarily enriched in sphingolipid metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways. Verification experiments confirmed that high-dose berberine significantly reduced the serum content of ceramide in model mice （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Berberine reduces insulin resistance， improves liver damage and lipid accumulation in the T2DM combined with MAFLD mice， and these effects may be related to the reduction of ceramide content.

Objective To investigate the effect of Huangzhi oral liquid on ferroptosis and apoptosis of hepatocytes in acute hyperlipidemia mice based on abnormal lipid metabolism.Methods Forty SPF grade C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to the normal control group,the model group,Huangzhi oral liquid low-dose and high-dose groups,and fenofibrate group,with 8 mice in each group.All administration groups were given Huangzhi oral liquid and fenofibrate by gavage at corresponding doses,while the normal control group and the model group were given the same dose of distilled water for a period of 5 days.on the third day of administration,in addition to the normal control group,other groups were injected intramuscularly with Triton WR-1339 to establish a hyperlipidemia model.After the administration,the serum lipid levels and liver function in mice were detected.The pathological changes of liver were observed by HE staining and lipid accumulation was observed by oil red O staining.The iron content in liver tissues was detected by tissue iron assay kit.The changes in protein expression of ABCA1,ABCG5,LXRα,ASGR1,cleaved-PARP,cleaved-caspase 3,Bcl2,Bax,TFR1,SLC7A11,GCLM,GPX4 and FTH1 in liver were detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the model group,Huangzhi oral liquid could reduce the lipid vacuoles in liver tissues,alleviate the degree of lipid degeneration,reduce the content of TC,TG,LDL-C,AST and ALT in serum,increase the content of HDL-C,increase the protein expression levels of ABCA1,ABCG5,LXRα,Bcl-2,SLC7A11,GCLM,GPX4 and FTH1 in mice liver tissues,reduce the protein expression levels of ASGR1,cleaved-PARP,cleaved-caspase 3,Bax and TFR1.Conclusion Huangzhi oral liquid can alleviate the abnormal lipid metabolism in acute hyperlipidemia mice,thus alleviates hepatocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis.

Objective To observe the effects of Xifeng Tongnao capsules on the content of TNF-α and IL-1β in brain tissue of rats with focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods A total of 120 adult SD rats were randomized into 6 groups: Xifeng Tongnao low-, middle- and high-dose groups, model control group, Buchang Naoxintong group and sham-operated group.Buchang Naoxintong group were treated with Buchang Naoxintong capsules at 0.864 g??kg-1.Xifeng Tongnao high-, middle-and low-dose groups were treated with 3.456, 1.728, and 0.864 g??kg-1 Xifeng Tongnao capsules, respectively;sham-operated group and model control group were treated with equal volume of purified water. Medications were administered intragastrically once daily for 7 days. The acute transient focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion ( MCAO) 1 h after the final dose, and rats in the sham-operated group only received anesthesia and stripping without occlusion.All rats were sacrificed after reperfusion for 24 h, and expression levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the brain tissue were detected by ELISA. Results TNF-αcontent in Xifeng Tongnao capsutes low-, middle-and high-dose groups were (35.34±8.95), (33.75±6.92), and (40.95±5.39) ng??L-1, respectively.IL-1β content were (1.44±0.47), (1.45± 0.23), and (1.61±0.33) ng??L-1 in low-, middle- and high-dose groups, respectively.TNF-α and IL-1β were (38.96±9.84) and (1.56±0.31) ng??L-1, respectively in Buchang Naoxintong group, (52.74±6.76) and (2.79±0.45) ng??L-1in the model control group, and (32.54±4.00) and (1.32±0.22) ng??L-1 in sham-operated group.TNF-αand IL-1βcontent were significantly higher in Buchang Naoxintong group than in sham-operated group ( P<0. 05 ) . TNF-α and IL-1β content were significantly decreased in Xifeng Tongnao high-, middle- and low-dose groups (all P<0.05). Conclusion Xifeng Tongnao capsules can protect brain tissue by supressing TNF-α and IL-1β and alleviating inflammatory injury from ischemia.

This study was aimed to investigate the research on pharmacological effects, relevant ideas and methods of Guangdong native heat-clearing and toxin-removing herbs. Literatures on pharmacological effects of Guangdong native heat-clearing and toxin-removing herbs were collected, summarized and analyzed. The results showed that most Guangdong native heat-clearing and toxin-removing herbs had obvious effects of anti-microbial, anti-bacterial endotoxin, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effect. It also had obvious antivenomous and analgesia effect. Based on research ideas and methods of Guangdong native heat-clearing and toxin-removing herbs, we clarified the confusion species as soon as possible, and adhered to the whole animal experiments in combination with in vitro experiments and computer molecular docking simulations for the complementation of each other. It was concluded that the study on pharmacological effects of Guangdongnative heat-clearing and toxin-removing herbs provided strong support in its clinical application. Ideas and methods provided in this article was the main way to explain pharmacological effects of Guangdong native heat-clearing and toxin-removing herbs.

Objective To establish a TLC identification method for pollen typhae in Xifeng-Tongnao capsule,and to set up quality control standard for the product.Methods According to the literatures,methods and improved methods were adopted to identify the pollen typhae in Xifeng-Tongnao capsule.Results The fifth method in this article was simple,with TLC spots being clear,the separation effect showing good results without the interference of negative control.Conclusion The fifth method has feasibility and a strong specificity.It can be used as qualitative identification method for pollen typhae in Xifeng-Tongnao capsule.

Objective To study the preparation and quality control of Shehuang powder.Methods Medicinal materials were toasted,crushed into powder,and mixed in uniformity to make Shehuang powder.TLC was used to identify pronephrium triphyllum and rhubarb in the powder.Results TLC could identify effective reagents.The preparation method was simple and effective.Shehuang Powder prepared with this method was stable.Conclusion The compatibility of Shehuang powder was reasonable.The preparation method and quality Control was simple.

Objective To study the preparing craft and quality control for Biyan Jiedu Granule. Methods Medicines of Biyan Jiedu Granule were prepared with traditional methods, then extracted by water, concentrated, and then mixed with adjuvant materials into granule. TLC was used to identify milkvetch root, baical skullcap root, and radix glycyrrhizae. Results The preparing method was simple and feasible. The quality of the product was stable. TLC could identify characteristic spots. Conclusion The preparation craft is simple and convenient for quality control, providing a practical and feasible method for producing Biyan Jiedu Granule.

Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of water-extract of microcos paniculata,and to provide scientific experimental evidence for clinical applications.Methods Various inflammatory models,including the swelling of ear induced by xylene and the permeability increase of capillary induced by acetic acid in mice were used to explore the anti-inflammatory of water-extract of Microcos Paniculata.Results High and middle doses of microcos paniculata could significantly inhibit ear edema,and all the three doses of microcos paniculata could significantly inhibit the permeability increase of capillary permeability.Conclusion The water-extract of microcos paniculata has significant anti-inflammatory effect.

OBJECTIVE:To establish the quality criteria for Huangzhi oral liquid.METHODS:TLC was employed to for the qualitative identificaiton of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei,Leech and Fructus Arctii;the content of total nitrogen was determined by KjeLdahL determination and content of Chrysophanol in Radix et Rhizoma Rhei in Huangzhi oral liquids was determined by HPLC.RESULTS:The TLC chromatograms of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei,Leech and Fructus Arctii presented the spots of the same colors with those at the corresponding places in the chromatograms of the controls.There was a good linear relationship within the concentration range of 1.696～ 8.480? g? mL-1 for Chrysophanol(r=0.999 8).The average recovery was 99.60%(RSD=1.37%,n=9).CONCLUSION:The methods are accurate and reliable with a strong specificity and can be used for the quality control of Huangzhi oral liquid.

OBJECTIVE:To study the general pattern and characteristics of the ADRs associated with Saponins of panax notoginseng(SPN)injection to guide rational administration of this drug.METHODS:ADR cases induced by SPN injection that retrieved from domestic medical journals between 1994 and 2006 were analyzed statistically.RESULTS:Of the total 81 ADR cases induced by SPN injection,females showing higher percentage than males,and the ADRs were more often seen in aged group.The ADRs usually occurred following second time injection or repeated injections.The clinical manifestations of ADRs varied and could involve multiple organs and systems,which were characterized predominantly by damages of skin and its appendages.CONCLUSION:Doctors and pharmacists should master the pattern and characteristics of ADRs and strengthen ADR monitoring so as to reduce the incidence of ADRs.