1.Effects of serum containing Sanchong tongluo sanjie formula on the proliferation and apoptosis of Lewis lung cancer cells and its mechanism
Yang LI ; Lei CHEN ; Qiachun ZHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Jingyu FENG ; Qi LIANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(4):440-446
OBJECTIVE To study the effects of Sanchong tongluo sanjie formula on the proliferation and apoptosis of Lewis lung cancer cells. METHODS The rats were given Sanchong tongluo sanjie formula powder [0.946 g/(kg·d)], Sanchong tongluo sanjie formula decoction [2.730 g/(kg·d)], and normal saline intragastrically, and injected with Cisplatin injection (4.2 mg/kg) intra-peritoneally to prepare powder-containing serum, decoction-containing serum, positive control serum and negative control serum. Lewis lung cancer cells were divided into negative control serum group, positive control serum group, and 5%, 10%, 20% drug-containing serum groups. The cell proliferation inhibition rates at 24, 48, and 72 hours post- intervention were measured to screen the optimal intervention concentrations of powder-containing serum and decoction-containing serum. The cell invasion ability, metastasis ability and apoptotic rate were detected in the negative control serum group, positive control serum group, 20% powder-containing serum group, and 20% decoction-containing serum group. Protein expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), prolyl hydroxylase-2 (PHD2), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK),c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) were detected. RESULTS The cell proliferation inhibition rates for both the 20% powder-containing serum group and the 20% decoction-containing serum group, when intervened for 48 hours, were not less than 50%. Compared with negative control serum group, the number of invasive Lewis lung cancer cells and migration distance were decreased significantly, while the apoptotic rate was increased significantly (P<0.05); the apoptotic rate in the 20% powder- containing serum group was significantly higher than 20% decoction-containing serum group (P<0.05). The protein expressions of PHD2 and p38 MAPK were increased significantly in the 20% powder-containing serum group (P<0.05), while the protein expression of HIF-1α was decreased significantly in the 20% decoction-containing serum group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Sanchong tongluo sanjie formula can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of Lewis lung cancer cells while promoting their apoptosis. The mechanism of action may be related to regulating the PHD2/HIF-1α signaling pathway. Furthermore, the powder demonstrates superior efficacy compared to the decoction, suggesting that they may possess different mechanisms of action.
2.Chemical consitituents and hypoglycemic activity of Qinhuai No. 1 Rehmannia glutinosa
Meng YANG ; Zhi-you HAO ; Xiao-lan WANG ; Chao-yuan XIAO ; Jun-yang ZHANG ; Shi-qi ZHOU ; Xiao-ke ZHENG ; Wei-sheng FENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):205-210
Eight compounds were isolated and purified from the ethyl acetate part of 70% acetone extract of
3.Inhibition of HDAC3 Promotes Psoriasis Development in Mice Through Regulating Th17
Fan XU ; Xin-Rui ZHANG ; Yang-Chen XIA ; Wen-Ting LI ; Hao CHEN ; An-Qi QIN ; Ai-Hong ZHANG ; Yi-Ran ZHU ; Feng TIAN ; Quan-Hui ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1008-1017
ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) on the occurrence, development of psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and the relative immune mechanisms. MethodsHealthy C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Control), psoriasis model group (IMQ), and HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966-treated psoriasis model group (IMQ+RGFP966). One day prior to the experiment, the back hair of the mice was shaved. After a one-day stabilization period, the mice in Control group was treated with an equal amount of vaseline, while the mice in IMQ group was treated with imiquimod (62.5 mg/d) applied topically on the back to establish a psoriasis-like inflammation model. The mice in IMQ+RGFP966 group received intervention with a high dose of the HDAC3-selective inhibitor RGFP966 (30 mg/kg) based on the psoriasis-like model. All groups were treated continuously for 5 d, during which psoriasis-like inflammation symptoms (scaling, erythema, skin thickness), body weight, and mental status were observed and recorded, with photographs taken for documentation. After euthanasia, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the effect of RGFP966 on the skin tissue structure of the mice, and skin thickness was measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HDAC3 in skin tissues were detected using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze neutrophils in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood, and IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes. Additionally, spleen CD4+ T lymphocyte expression of HDAC3, CCR6, CCR8, and IL-17A secretion levels were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression levels of HDAC3, IL-17A, and IL-10 in skin tissues. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the IMQ group exhibited significant psoriasis-like inflammation, characterized by erythema, scaling, and skin wrinkling. Compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 exacerbated psoriasis-like inflammatory symptoms, leading to increased hyperkeratosis. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) skin symptom scores were higher in the IMQ group than those in the Control group, and the scores were further elevated in the IMQ+RGFP966 group compared to the IMQ group. Skin thickness measurements showed a trend of IMQ+RGFP966>IMQ>Control. The numbers of neutrophils in the blood and lymph nodes increased sequentially in the Control, IMQ, and IMQ+RGFP966 groups, with a similar trend observed for CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the blood. In skin tissues, compared with the Control group, the mRNA and protein levels of HDAC3 decreased in the IMQ group, but RGFP966 did not further reduce these expressions. HDAC3 was primarily located in the nucleus. Compared with the Control group, the nuclear HDAC3 content decreased in the skin tissues of the IMQ group, and RGFP966 further reduced nuclear HDAC3. Compared with the Control and IMQ groups, RGFP966 treatment decreased HDAC3 expression in splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. RGFP966 treatment increased the expression of CCR6 and CCR8 in splenic CD4+ T cells and enhanced IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood and splenic CD4+ T lymphocytes. Additionally, compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 reduced IL-10 protein levels and upregulated IL-17A expression in skin tissues. ConclusionRGFP966 exacerbates psoriatic-like inflammatory responses by inhibiting HDAC3, increasing the secretion of the cytokine IL-17A, and upregulating the expression of chemokines CCR8 and CCR6.
4.Influence evaluation of pharmaceutical quality control on medication therapy management services by the ECHO model
Kun LIU ; Huanhuan JIANG ; Yushuang LI ; Yan HUANG ; Qianying ZHANG ; Dong CHEN ; Xiulin GU ; Jinhui FENG ; Zijian WANG ; Yunfei CHEN ; Yajuan QI ; Yanlei GE ; Aishuang FU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(9):1123-1128
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the influence of pharmaceutical quality control on the efficiency and outcomes of standardized medication therapy management (MTM) services for patients with coronary heart disease by using Economic, Clinical and Humanistic Outcomes (ECHO) model. METHODS This study collected case data of coronary heart disease patients who received MTM services during January-March 2023 (pre-quality control implementation group, n=96) and June-August 2023 (post-quality control implementation group, n=164). Using propensity score matching analysis, 80 patients were selected from each group. The study subsequently compared the economic, clinical, and humanistic outcome indicators of pharmaceutical services between the two matched groups. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences in baseline data between the two groups after matching (P>0.05). Compared with pre-quality control implementation group, the daily treatment cost (16.26 yuan vs. 24.40 yuan, P<0.001), cost-effectiveness ratio [23.12 yuan/quality-adjusted life year (QALY) vs. 32.32 yuan/QALY, P<0.001], and the incidence of general adverse drug reactions (2.50% vs. 10.00%, P=0.049) of post-quality control implementation group were decreased significantly; the utility value of the EuroQol Five-Dimensional Questionnaire (0.74± 0.06 vs. 0.71±0.07, P=0.003), the reduction in the number of medication related problems (1.0 vs. 0.5, P<0.001), the medication adherence score ([ 6.32±0.48) points vs. (6.10±0.37) points, P=0.001], and the satisfaction score ([ 92.56±1.52) points vs. (91.95±1.56) points, P=0.013] all showed significant improvements. Neither group experienced serious adverse drug reactions. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of new adverse reactions between the two groups (1.25% vs. 3.75%, P=0.310). CONCLUSIONS Pharmaceutical quality control can improve the quality of pharmaceutical care, and the ECHO model can quantitatively evaluate the effect of MTM services, making pharmaceutical care better priced and more adaptable to social needs, thus being worthy of promotion.
5.Research on BP Neural Network Method for Identifying Cell Suspension Concentration Based on GHz Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
An ZHANG ; A-Long TAO ; Qi-Hang RAN ; Xia-Yi LIU ; Zhi-Long WANG ; Bo SUN ; Jia-Feng YAO ; Tong ZHAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1302-1312
ObjectiveThe rapid advancement of bioanalytical technologies has heightened the demand for high-throughput, label-free, and real-time cellular analysis. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) operating in the GHz frequency range (GHz-EIS) has emerged as a promising tool for characterizing cell suspensions due to its ability to rapidly and non-invasively capture the dielectric properties of cells and their microenvironment. Although GHz-EIS enables rapid and label-free detection of cell suspensions, significant challenges remain in interpreting GHz impedance data for complex samples, limiting the broader application of this technique in cellular research. To address these challenges, this study presents a novel method that integrates GHz-EIS with deep learning algorithms, aiming to improve the precision of cell suspension concentration identification and quantification. This method provides a more efficient and accurate solution for the analysis of GHz impedance data. MethodsThe proposed method comprises two key components: dielectric property dataset construction and backpropagation (BP) neural network modeling. Yeast cell suspensions at varying concentrations were prepared and separately introduced into a coaxial sensor for impedance measurement. The dielectric properties of these suspensions were extracted using a GHz-EIS dielectric property extraction method applied to the measured impedance data. A dielectric properties dataset incorporating concentration labels was subsequently established and divided into training and testing subsets. A BP neural network model employing specific activation functions (ReLU and Leaky ReLU) was then designed. The model was trained and tested using the constructed dataset, and optimal model parameters were obtained through this process. This BP neural network enables automated extraction and analytical processing of dielectric properties, facilitating precise recognition of cell suspension concentrations through data-driven training. ResultsThrough comparative analysis with conventional centrifugal methods, the recognized concentration values of cell suspensions showed high consistency, with relative errors consistently below 5%. Notably, high-concentration samples exhibited even smaller deviations, further validating the precision and reliability of the proposed methodology. To benchmark the recognition performance against different algorithms, two typical approaches—support vector machines (SVM) and K-nearest neighbor (KNN)—were selected for comparison. The proposed method demonstrated superior performance in quantifying cell concentrations. Specifically, the BP neural network achieved a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 2.06% and an R² value of 0.997 across the entire concentration range, demonstrating both high predictive accuracy and excellent model fit. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that the proposed method enables accurate and rapid determination of unknown sample concentrations. By combining GHz-EIS with BP neural network algorithms, efficient identification of cell concentrations is achieved, laying the foundation for the development of a convenient online cell analysis platform and showing significant application prospects. Compared to typical recognition approaches, the proposed method exhibits superior capabilities in recognizing cell suspension concentrations. Furthermore, this methodology not only accelerates research in cell biology and precision medicine but also paves the way for future EIS biosensors capable of intelligent, adaptive analysis in dynamic biological research.
6.PES1 Repression Triggers Ribosomal Biogenesis Impairment and Cellular Senescence Through p53 Pathway Activation
Chang-Jian ZHANG ; Yu-Fang LI ; Feng-Yun WU ; Rui JIN ; Chang NIU ; Qi-Nong YE ; Long CHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1853-1865
ObjectiveThe nucleolar protein PES1 (Pescadillo homolog 1) plays critical roles in ribosome biogenesis and cell cycle regulation, yet its involvement in cellular senescence remains poorly understood. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the functional consequences of PES1 suppression in cellular senescence and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its regulatory role. MethodsInitially, we assessed PES1 expression patterns in two distinct senescence models: replicative senescent mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and doxorubicin-induced senescent human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Subsequently, PES1 expression was specifically downregulated using siRNA-mediated knockdown in these cell lines as well as additional relevant cell types. Cellular proliferation and senescence were assessed by EdU incorporation and SA-β-gal staining assays, respectively. The expression of senescence-associated proteins (p53, p21, and Rb) and SASP factors (IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-8) were analyzed by Western blot or qPCR. Furthermore, Northern blot and immunofluorescence were employed to evaluate pre-rRNA processing and nucleolar morphology. ResultsPES1 expression was significantly downregulated in senescent MEFs and HepG2 cells. PES1 knockdown resulted in decreased EdU-positive cells and increased SA‑β‑gal-positive cells, indicating proliferation inhibition and senescence induction. Mechanistically, PES1 suppression activated the p53-p21 pathway without affecting Rb expression, while upregulating IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-8 production. Notably, PES1 depletion impaired pre-rRNA maturation and induced nucleolar stress, as evidenced by aberrant nucleolar morphology. ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that PES1 deficiency triggers nucleolar stress and promotes p53-dependent (but Rb-independent) cellular senescence, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining nucleolar homeostasis and regulating senescence-associated pathways.
7.Expert consensus on the positioning of the "Three-in-One" Registration and Evaluation Evidence System and the value of orientation of the "personal experience"
Qi WANG ; Yongyan WANG ; Wei XIAO ; Jinzhou TIAN ; Shilin CHEN ; Liguo ZHU ; Guangrong SUN ; Daning ZHANG ; Daihan ZHOU ; Guoqiang MEI ; Baofan SHEN ; Qingguo WANG ; Xixing WANG ; Zheng NAN ; Mingxiang HAN ; Yue GAO ; Xiaohe XIAO ; Xiaobo SUN ; Kaiwen HU ; Liqun JIA ; Li FENG ; Chengyu WU ; Xia DING
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):445-450
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a treasure of the Chinese nation, plays a significant role in maintaining public health. In 2019, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council proposed for the first time the establishment of a TCM registration and evaluation evidence system that integrates TCM theory, "personal experience" and clinical trials (referred to as the "Three-in-One" System) to promote the inheritance and innovation of TCM. Subsequently, the National Medical Products Administration issued several guiding principles to advance the improvement and implementation of this system. Owing to the complexity of its implementation, there are still differing understandings within the TCM industry regarding the positioning of the "Three-in-One" Registration and Evaluation Evidence System, as well as the connotation and value orientation of the "personal experience." To address this, Academician WANG Qi, President of the TCM Association, China International Exchange and Promotion Association for Medical and Healthcare and TCM master, led a group of academicians, TCM masters, TCM pharmacology experts and clinical TCM experts to convene a "Seminar on Promoting the Implementation of the ′Three-in-One′ Registration and Evaluation Evidence System for Chinese Medicinals." Through extensive discussions, an expert consensus was formed, clarifying the different roles of the TCM theory, "personal experience" and clinical trials within the system. It was further emphasized that the "personal experience" is the core of this system, and its data should be derived from clinical practice scenarios. In the future, the improvement of this system will require collaborative efforts across multiple fields to promote the high-quality development of the Chinese medicinal industry.
8.Itaconate derivative 4-OI inhibits M1 macrophage polarization and restores its impaired function in immune thrombocytopenia through metabolic reprogramming.
Qiang LIU ; Anli LIU ; Shaoqiu LENG ; Xiaoyu ZHANG ; Xiaolin WANG ; Zhang CHENG ; Shuwen WANG ; Jun PENG ; Qi FENG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(16):2006-2015
BACKGROUND:
Macrophage polarization anomalies and dysfunction play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Itaconate is a Krebs cycle-derived immunometabolite synthesized by myeloid cells to modulate cellular metabolism and inflammatory responses. This study aimed to evaluate the immunoregulatory effects of an itaconate derivative on macrophages in patients with ITP.
METHODS:
Peripheral blood-derived macrophages from patients with ITP and healthy controls were treated with 4-octyl itaconate (4-OI), a derivative of itaconate that can penetrate the cell membrane. Macrophage polarization, antigen-presenting functions, and phagocytic capability were measured via flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Macrophage glycolysis in patients with ITP and the metabolic regulatory effect of 4-OI were detected using a Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer. An active murine model of ITP was used to evaluate the therapeutic effects of 4-OI in vivo .
RESULTS:
4-OI reduced the levels of CD80 and CD86 in M1 macrophages and suppressed the release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that 4-OI could hinder the polarization of macrophages toward an M1 phenotype. We found that 4-OI pretreated M1 macrophages reduced the proliferation of CD4 + T cells and promoted the differentiation of regulatory T cells. In addition, after 4-OI treatment, the phagocytic capacity of M1 macrophages toward antibody-coated platelets decreased significantly in patients with ITP. In addition, the glycolytic function of M1 macrophages was elevated in individuals with ITP compared to those in healthy controls. 4-OI treatment downregulated glycolysis in M1 macrophages. The glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) also inhibited the polarization of M1 macrophages and restored their functions. In vivo , 4-OI treatment significantly increased platelet counts in the active ITP murine model.
CONCLUSIONS
Itaconate derivative 4-OI inhibited M1 macrophage polarization and restored impaired functions through metabolic reprogramming. This study provides a novel therapeutic option for ITP.
Macrophages/metabolism*
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Humans
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Animals
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Succinates/pharmacology*
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Mice
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Male
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Female
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Adult
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Middle Aged
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Flow Cytometry
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
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Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
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Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/metabolism*
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Glycolysis/drug effects*
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Metabolic Reprogramming
9.Tanreqing Capsules protect lung and gut of mice infected with influenza virus via "lung-gut axis".
Nai-Fan DUAN ; Yuan-Yuan YU ; Yu-Rong HE ; Feng CHEN ; Lin-Qiong ZHOU ; Ya-Lan LI ; Shi-Qi SUN ; Yan XUE ; Xing ZHANG ; Gui-Hua XU ; Yue-Juan ZHENG ; Wei ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(8):2270-2281
This study aims to explore the mechanism of lung and gut protection by Tanreqing Capsules on the mice infected with influenza virus based on "the lung-gut axis". A total of 110 C57BL/6J mice were randomized into control group, model group, oseltamivir group, and low-and high-dose Tanreqing Capsules groups. Ten mice in each group underwent body weight protection experiments, and the remaining 12 mice underwent experiments for mechanism exploration. Mice were infected with influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/08/1934(PR8) via nasal inhalation for the modeling. The lung tissue was collected on day 3 after gavage, and the lung tissue, colon tissue, and feces were collected on day 7 after gavage for subsequent testing. The results showed that Tanreqing Capsules alleviated the body weight reduction and increased the survival rate caused by PR8 infection. Compared with model group, Tanreqing Capsules can alleviate the lung injury by reducing the lung index, alleviating inflammation and edema in the lung tissue, down-regulating viral gene expression at the late stage of infection, reducing the percentage of neutrophils, and increasing the percentage of T cells. Tanreqing Capsules relieved the gut injury by restoring the colon length, increasing intestinal lumen mucin secretion, alleviating intestinal inflammation, and reducing goblet cell destruction. The gut microbiota analysis showed that Tanreqing Capsules increased species diversity compared with model group. At the phylum level, Tanreqing Capsules significantly increased the abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, while reducing the abundance of Bacteroidota and Proteobacteria to maintain gut microbiota balance. At the genus level, Tanreqing Capsules significantly increased the abundance of unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae while reducing the abundance of Bacteroides, Eubacterium, and Phocaeicola to maintain gut microbiota balance. In conclusion, Tanreqing Capsules can alleviate mouse lung and gut injury caused by influenza virus infection and restore the balance of gut microbiota. Treating influenza from the lung and gut can provide new ideas for clinical practice.
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Mice
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Lung/metabolism*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Capsules
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Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology*
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
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Male
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Humans
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Female
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Influenza A virus/physiology*
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Influenza, Human/virology*
10.Chemical and pharmacological research progress on Mongolian folk medicine Syringa pinnatifolia.
Kun GAO ; Chang-Xin LIU ; Jia-Qi CHEN ; Jing-Jing SUN ; Xiao-Juan LI ; Zhi-Qiang HUANG ; Ye ZHANG ; Pei-Feng XUE ; Su-Yi-le CHEN ; Xin DONG ; Xing-Yun CHAI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(8):2080-2089
Syringa pinnatifolia, belonging to the family Oleaceae, is a species endemic to China. It is predominantly distributed in the Helan Mountains region of Inner Mongolia and Ningxia of China. The peeled roots, stems, and thick branches have been used as a distinctive Mongolian medicinal material known as "Shan-chen-xiang", which has effects such as suppressing "khii", clearing heat, and relieving pain and is employed for the treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and joint pain. Over the past five years, significant increase was achieved in research on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects. There were a total of 130 new constituents reported, covering sesquiterpenoids, lignans, and alkaloids. Its effects of anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, sedation, and analgesia were revealed, and the mechanisms of agarwood formation were also investigated. To better understand its medical value and potential of clinical application, this review updates the research progress in recent five years focusing on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of S. pinnatifolia, providing reference for subsequent research on active ingredient and support for its innovative application in modern medicine system.
Medicine, Mongolian Traditional
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Humans
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Animals
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Syringa/chemistry*


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