1.Comparison of Wild and Cultivated Gardeniae Fructus Based on Traditional Quality Evaluation
Yuanjun SHANG ; Bo GENG ; Xin CHEN ; Qi WANG ; Guohua ZHENG ; Chun LI ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Junjie HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):225-234
ObjectiveBased on traditional quality evaluation of Gardeniae Fructus(GF) recorded in historical materia medica, this study systematically compared the quality differences between wild and cultivated GF from morphological characteristics, microscopic features, and contents of primary and secondary metabolites. MethodsVernier calipers and analytical balances were used to measure the length, diameter and individual fruit weight of wild and cultivated GF, and the aspect ratio was calculated. A colorimeter was used to determine the chromaticity value of wild and cultivated GF, and the paraffin sections of them were prepared by safranin-fast green staining and examined under an optical microscope to observe their microstructure. Subsequently, the contents of water-soluble and alcohol-soluble extracts of wild and cultivated GF were detected by hot immersion method under the general rule 2201 in volume Ⅳ of the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, the starch content was measured by anthrone colorimetric method, the content of total polysaccharides was determined by phenol-sulfuric acid colorimetric method, the sucrose content was determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detection(HPLC-ELSD), and the contents of representative components in them were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC). Finally, correlation analysis was conducted between quality traits and phenotypic traits, combined with multivariate statistical analysis methods such as principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), key differential components between wild and cultivated GF were screened. ResultsIn terms of traits, the wild GF fruits were smaller, exhibiting reddish yellow or brownish red hues with significant variation between batches. While the cultivated GF fruits are larger, displaying deeper orange-red or brownish red. The diameter and individual fruit weight of cultivated GF were significantly greater than those of wild GF, while the blue-yellow value(b*) of wild GF was significantly higher than that of cultivated GF. In the microstructure, the mesocarp of wild GF contained numerous scattered calcium oxalate cluster crystals, while the endocarp contained stone cell class round, polygonal or tangential prolongation, undeveloped seeds were visible within the fruit. In contrast, the mesocarp of cultivated GF contained few calcium oxalate cluster crystals, or some batches exhibited extremely numerous cluster crystals. The stone cells in the endocarp were predominantly round-like, with the innermost layer arranged in a grid pattern. Seeds were basically mature, and only a few immature seeds existed in some batches. Regarding primary metabolite content, wild GF exhibited significantly higher total polysaccharide level than cultivated GF(P<0.01). In category-specific component content, wild GF exhibited significantly higher levels of total flavonoids and total polyphenols compared to cultivated GF(P<0.01). Analysis of 12 secondary metabolites revealed that wild GF exhibited significantly higher levels of Shanzhiside, deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester, gardenoside and chlorogenic acid compared to cultivated GF(P<0.01). Conversely, the contents of genipin 1-gentiobioside, geniposide and genipin were significantly lower in wild GF(P<0.01). ConclusionThere are significant differences between wild and cultivated GF in terms of traits, microstructure, and contents of primary and secondary metabolites. At present, the quality evaluation system of cultivated GF remains incomplete, and this study provides a reference for guiding the production of high-quality GF medicinal materials.
2.Multidimensional Analysis of Mechanisms of Nuciferine Against Cerebral Ischemia Based on Transcriptomic Data
Yingying QIN ; Peng LI ; Sha CHEN ; Yan LIU ; Jintang CHENG ; Qingxia XU ; Guohua WANG ; Jing ZHOU ; An LIU ; Chang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):184-191
ObjectiveStudies have shown that nuciferine has anti-cerebral ischemia effect, but the specific mechanism of action has not been elaborated. Based on the transcriptome results, the pharmacological mechanism of nuciferine against cerebral ischemia was analyzed from multiple dimensions including tissue, cell, pathological process, biological process and signaling pathway. MethodsThirty SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, model group and nuciferine group(40 mg·kg-1) according to weight. Except for the sham group, the model of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) was established by thread embolization method after 30 min of administration in the other two groups. Twenty-four hours after surgery, transcriptome sequencing was used to detect the gene expression profiles in the cortex penumbra of rat cerebral tissue, and gene ontology(GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed for differentially expressed genes. The mechanismof nuciferine against cerebral ischemia was analyzed from 5 dimensions of tissue, cell, pathological process, biological process and signaling pathway by the transcriptome-based multi-scale network pharmacology platform(TMNP). ResultsTranscriptome sequencing and gene quantitative analysis showed that 667 genes were significantly reversed by nuciferine. Further enrichment analysis of KEGG and GO suggested that the pathways of nuciferine involved regulating stress response, ion transport, cell proliferation and differentiation, and synaptic function. TMNP research found that at the tissue level, nuciferine could significantly improve the cerebral tissue injury caused by ischemia. At the cellular and pathological levels, nuciferine could play an anti-cerebral ischemia role by improving the state of various nerve cells, mobilizing immune cells, regulating inflammation. And at the level of biological processes and signaling pathways, nuciferine mainly acted on the processes such as vascular remodeling, inflammation-related signaling pathways, and synaptic signaling. ConclusionCombined with the results of transcriptome sequencing, gene quantitative analysis and TMNP, the mechanism of nuciferine against cerebral ischemia may be related to processes such as intervening in stress response and inflammation, affecting vascular remodeling and regulating synaptic function. These results can provide a basis and reference for further study of the pharmacological mechanism of nuciferine against cerebral ischemia.
3.Research on the multi-dimensional value assessment framework for new antidiabetic drugs to support evidence-informed medical insurance decision-making
Feifei YAN ; Jingyu CHEN ; Jiaran CHEN ; Chen PAN ; Guohua WANG ; Jinsong GENG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(13):1563-1567
OBJECTIVE To establish a multi-dimensional value assessment framework for new antidiabetic drugs based on multi-criteria decision analysis theory, thus providing a theoretical framework and methodology for evidence-informed medical insurance decision-making. METHODS Firstly, multi-dimensional evidence was searched and obtained to provide reliable data for the establishment of the framework. Secondly, in terms of the obtained evidence, the value assessment framework was preliminarily constructed. Its structure, main core criteria, and contextual criteria were determined through focus group discussion. Finally, the criteria and sub-criteria of the framework and their weights were further determined, reasons for inclusion of sub-criteria and the reasonableness of rating scores were evaluated, and methods of assessment were optimized through expert consultation. RESULTS The multi-dimensional value assessment framework for new antidiabetic drugs was composed of core criteria and contextualized criteria, which could be used for quantitative and qualitative value assessment of new drugs, respectively. The core criteria consisted of five dimensions, with affordability (6.31) having the highest weighting score, followed by comparative effectiveness (6.20), comparative safety (6.01), cost-effectiveness (5.89), and quality of evidence (5.46). After the normalization of weight within sub-criteria, the budget impact on medical insurance had the highest standardized weight, followed by the control of glycated hemoglobin and patient affordability. The contextual criteria included two dimensions, i. e., innovation and equity. CONCLUSIONS The assessment framework integrates evidence, stakeholders’ values, and decision contexts to enable a multi- dimensional and evidence-based assessment of the value of new antidiabetic drugs.
4.Protective Effect of Bushen Zhuyun Prescription on Abortion Rats with Kidney Deficiency-Corpus Luteum Inhibition Syndrome via ERα/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathwa
Changyue SONG ; Siyu LI ; Fengyu HUANG ; Mingzhu QI ; Daiyue DING ; Shuangfei DENG ; Heqiao LI ; Jinghong XIE ; Guohua WANG ; Chen ZANG ; Hong XU ; Xiaohui SU ; Xiangying KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):107-116
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of Bushen Zhuyun prescription (BSZY) on abortion rats with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome. MethodsAn abortion rat model with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome was constructed. Pregnant mice aged 8-10 weeks were randomly divided into a control group (Control), a model group (Model), low-dose BSZY (BSZY-L), medium-dose BSZY (BSZY-M), and high-dose BSZY (BSZY-H) groups (2.57, 5.14, 10.28 g·kg-¹), and a Zishen Yutai Pill (ZSYT) group (1.575 g·kg-¹). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate histopathological changes in ovarian and decidual tissue of rats in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure levels of estrogen (E₂), progesterone (P), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum. The candidate targets of BSZY were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Platform (TCMSP) and Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCMIP) v2.0 databases, while disease targets for recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) were retrieved from GeneCards, DrugBank, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and Therapeutic Target Database (TTD). The intersection targets were identified by the Venny 2.1.0 platform. Pathway enrichment analysis was conducted based on the Metascape database to predict the potential mechanisms of BSZY. Additionally. Western blot was used to verify the effects of BSZY on the expression of estrogen receptor (ERα), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt) and explore its protective mechanism on RSA rats. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited significantly decreased uterine, ovarian, and embryonic wet weights (P<0.05, P<0.01), with an abortion rate of 57.18%. The ovarian tissue showed varying degrees of reduction in primordial follicles, primary follicles, mature follicles, and corpora lutea, along with a large number of atretic follicles. The endometrium was thinner, and decidual tissue exhibited cellular edema and disorganized arrangement. In contrast, compared with the model group, the BSZY groups at all doses and the ZSYT group demonstrated increased uterine, ovarian, and embryonic wet weights, along with a reduced abortion rate. The number of primordial follicles, primary follicles, mature follicles, and corpora lutea increased, while atretic follicles decreased. The endometrium thickened, and decidual tissue displayed normal cellular structure with tight arrangement. Additionally, the model group showed significantly decreased levels of E₂, P, PRL, and FSH in serum (P<0.05, P<0.01), along with a decreasing trend in LH level. In contrast, the BSZY groups at all doses exhibited significantly elevated levels of E₂, P, LH, PRL, and FSH in serum (P<0.05, P<0.01). Network pharmacology predictions suggested that BSZY may exert protective effects against abortion in rats by activating the ERα/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Western blot results confirmed that BSZY significantly upregulated the expression of ERα, PI3K, and p-Akt proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBSZY has a protective effect on the abortion rats with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome, possibly by activating the ERα/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to reduce ovarian apoptosis and regulate endocrine function, thereby lowering the abortion rate.
5.Trends and sex disparities in the burden of urolithiasis in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2021.
Junjiong ZHENG ; Qihang ZHANG ; Jie ZHANG ; Yuhui YAO ; Li CHEN ; Yunfei LIU ; Yi SONG ; Tianxin LIN ; Guohua HE
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(16):1973-1983
BACKGROUND:
Urolithiasis is a widespread disease with a high prevalence worldwide. This study aims to evaluate the disease burden of urolithiasis and its trends from 1990 to 2021 globally, based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 database.
METHODS:
The numbers and age-standardized rates (ASRs) of incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and mortality of urolithiasis were extracted from GBD 2021 to represent the disease burden. Joinpoint regression analyses were conducted to assess the temporal trends in the burden of urolithiasis. The male-to-female ASR ratio indices were used to evaluate sex disparities. Additionally, we explored the relationship between the ASR ratio and the sociodemographic index (SDI).
RESULTS:
The total numbers of incidence, DALY, and mortality of urolithiasis were 105,983,780 cases (95% uncertainty interval [UI] = 88,349,356-128,645,155 cases), 693,444 cases (95% UI = 567,765-850,490 cases), and 17,672 cases (95% UI = 13,932-21,241 cases), respectively, in 2021. There is an increasing trend in the number of these measures globally, whereas the ASRs have decreased over the past 30 years. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) were significantly higher in males than in females in 2021. The sex disparities in the age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) and ASMR of urolithiasis were negatively correlated with the SDI. In 2021, the ASIR of urolithiasis was 964.70 (95% UI = 801.26-1175.09) per 100,000 people in China, which is much lower than the global average (1242.84 [95% UI = 1034.94-1506.99] per 100,000 people). Compared with the global average, a more pronounced decline in ASIR was observed in China from 1793.16 (1446.0-2235.14) in 1990 to 964.70 (801.26-1175.09) per 100,000 people in 2021.
CONCLUSIONS
Urolithiasis poses a significant healthcare burden worldwide. More robust global and national strategies are warranted to address the prevention and treatment, especially in low SDI countries and regions.
Humans
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Urolithiasis/mortality*
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Male
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Female
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Incidence
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Global Burden of Disease
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Disability-Adjusted Life Years
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Adult
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Middle Aged
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Risk Factors
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Sex Factors
6.Expert consensus on the treatment of oral diseases in pregnant women and infants.
Jun ZHANG ; Chenchen ZHOU ; Liwei ZHENG ; Jun WANG ; Bin XIA ; Wei ZHAO ; Xi WEI ; Zhengwei HUANG ; Xu CHEN ; Shaohua GE ; Fuhua YAN ; Jian ZHOU ; Kun XUAN ; Li-An WU ; Zhengguo CAO ; Guohua YUAN ; Jin ZHAO ; Zhu CHEN ; Lei ZHANG ; Yong YOU ; Jing ZOU ; Weihua GUO
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):62-62
With the growing emphasis on maternal and child oral health, the significance of managing oral health across preconception, pregnancy, and infancy stages has become increasingly apparent. Oral health challenges extend beyond affecting maternal well-being, exerting profound influences on fetal and neonatal oral development as well as immune system maturation. This expert consensus paper, developed using a modified Delphi method, reviews current research and provides recommendations on maternal and child oral health management. It underscores the critical role of comprehensive oral assessments prior to conception, diligent oral health management throughout pregnancy, and meticulous oral hygiene practices during infancy. Effective strategies should be seamlessly integrated across the life course, encompassing preconception oral assessments, systematic dental care during pregnancy, and routine infant oral hygiene. Collaborative efforts among pediatric dentists, maternal and child health workers, and obstetricians are crucial to improving outcomes and fostering clinical research, contributing to evidence-based health management strategies.
Humans
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Pregnancy
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Female
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Infant
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Consensus
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Mouth Diseases/therapy*
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Pregnancy Complications/therapy*
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Oral Health
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Infant, Newborn
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Delphi Technique
;
Oral Hygiene
7.Advances in the application of anticoagulants in obese patients
Guohui SHOU ; Shengye LIU ; Guohua CHEN ; Boxia LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(24):3137-3142
Obesity is a well-established risk factor for thrombotic events such as venous thromboembolism, and the alterations in pharmacokinetics induced by obesity pose challenges for anticoagulation management. This article systematically reviews the advances of the use of various anticoagulants in obese patients, and finds that the dosage of low-molecular-weight heparin needs to be adjusted according to preventive or therapeutic goals in severely obese patients, the preventive dose may be increased to 40 mg, q12 h or 0.5 mg/(kg·d), while the therapeutic dose is recommended to be reduced to 0.8 mg/(kg·d), q12 h. Direct oral anticoagulant drugs are safe and effective for general obese patients; in severely obese patients, standard doses of rivaroxaban or apixaban may be used, warranting cautious application and consideration for therapeutic drug monitoring. In special clinical scenarios such as obesity combined with trauma, pregnancy, advanced age, or bariatric surgery, anticoagulation strategies should be individualized, with close attention to monitoring. Future research should focus on optimizing anticoagulant regimens for special populations and addressing anticoagulation management in obese patients with other embolic diseases.
8.Herbal Textual Research, Quality Evaluation and Phase Analysis of Halloysitum Rubrum
Xiaofei WANG ; Youshao WANG ; Daihong CHEN ; Shuyuan SUN ; Yan CAO ; Guohua ZHENG ; Juan LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(21):176-184
In this paper, we systematically sorted out and verified the name, origin, producing area change, quality, efficacy and processing of Halloysitum Rubrum by consulting materia medica, medical books, prescription books from past dynasties, and modern literature, and combined with the comprehensive analysis of trait identification, hygroscopicity measurement and X-ray diffraction(XRD) detection, in order to provide a basis for understanding the original source of the mineral medicine. The results indicated that Halloysitum Rubrum was first contained in the Shennong Bencaojing, it had been consistently named Chishizhi, there were also aliases such as Chifu, Hongxinshi and Chiyouzhi. The description of Halloysitum Rubrum in ancient materia medica aligns with modern findings, categorizing it under the silicate kaolinite family, specifically polyhydrous kaolinite, with associated minerals mainly being dickite, nacrite, hematite, gibbsite, mica, etc. Historically, the production area of Halloysitum Rubrum was mainly located in the Qinling Mountains, Shandong and Henan, and is now primarily distributed in most parts of China, including Henan, Hubei and other provinces. Quality evaluation in ancient times included descriptions like "fresh and greasy color", "delicately sticky tongue and lips" and "smooth as fat". Modern materia medica mostly evaluates its quality based on color, luster, texture and hygroscopicity, noting characteristics such as red color, smoothness, delicacy, softness and strong viscosity. Halloysitum Rubrum is sweet, sour and pungent in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic, and belongs to the heart and large intestine meridians. It acts as an astringent and solidifying agent, particularly useful in the treatment of long-term dysentery and diarrhea, common processing methods include fire calcination, water flying, and vinegar quenching. Comprehensive analysis of the traits, XRD and humidity absorption of different batches of samples showed that the commercially available Halloysitum Rubrum is mainly bright red or brownish red, with a smooth surface like grease, soft and smooth texture, delicate cross-sectional texture, and some have waxy luster and strong water absorption. It is mainly composed of 10 Å(1 Å=0.1 nm) polyhydric kaolinite, and is often accompanied by 7 Å polyhydric kaolinite, nacrite, etc. Genuine products tend to have higher moisture absorption than counterfeit ones, which can be used as a key indicator to distinguish the authenticity. The quality evaluation of Halloysitum Rubrum aligns with historical materia medica, where "fresh color, delicate and greasy lips" could serve as a key feature for its quality evaluation.
9.Impact of inhaled corticosteroid use on elderly chronic pulmonary disease patients with community acquired pneumonia.
Xiudi HAN ; Hong WANG ; Liang CHEN ; Yimin WANG ; Hui LI ; Fei ZHOU ; Xiqian XING ; Chunxiao ZHANG ; Lijun SUO ; Jinxiang WANG ; Guohua YU ; Guangqiang WANG ; Xuexin YAO ; Hongxia YU ; Lei WANG ; Meng LIU ; Chunxue XUE ; Bo LIU ; Xiaoli ZHU ; Yanli LI ; Ying XIAO ; Xiaojing CUI ; Lijuan LI ; Xuedong LIU ; Bin CAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(2):241-243
10.Clinical Observation of Supplemented Wendan Decoction Combined with Western Medicine in Treatment of Insomnia Accompanied by Anxiety and Depression in Phlegm-heat Internal Disturbance Syndrome
Jinzhen JIANG ; Guohua CHEN ; Xinhua SONG ; Yihan ZHANG ; Zhiyu LUO ; Guang WANG ; Junhua MEI
Herald of Medicine 2024;43(2):221-227
Objective To explore the clinical effect of clinical observation of supplemented wendan decoction combined with Western medicine in treating insomnia accompanied by anxiety and depression in phlegm-heat internal disturbance syndrome.Methods A total of 120 cases of insomnia with anxiety and depression comorbiditis with phlegm heat disturbance syndrome were randomly divided into control group and treatment group,60 cases in each group.The control group was given escitalopram oxalate tablet combined with dexzopiclonone tablet,and the observation group was given added Wendan decoction on the basis of the control group.Both groups were treated continuously for 6 weeks.Polysomnography monitoring parameters and heart rate variability were compared between the two groups during baseline period and visit 2(baseline period+3 months).Scale scores of the two groups were compared during baseline period,visit 1(baseline period+6 weeks)and visit 2.The content of heart rate variability includes:time domain analysis(standard deviation of normal interval(SDNN),square root of the square sum of the mean of the difference between adjacent normal interval(RMSSD)and frequency domain analysis(LF,HF,LF/HF).The scale scores included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)and Insomnia Severity Index(ISI)to assess sleep status,and the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Self-assessment Scale for Depression(PHQ-9)and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale(GAD-7)to assess anxiety and depression status.Results(1)Polysomnography monitoring:the wake time of observation group was significantly shorter than that of control group,the number of awakenings was significantly less than that of control group,and the percentage of N3 and REM was significantly higher than these of control group(P<0.05).(2)Heart rate variability:RMSSD and HF values in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group,and LF/HF values were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).(3)In terms of sleep:during the interview,PSQI total score,sleep quality,hypnotic drugs and daytime dysfunction in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05);At the 3 months,the sleep quality,hypnotic drugs and daytime dysfunction in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).In terms of emotion:HAMA,HAMD and GAD-7 scores were significantly lower than those of control group at 6 weeks(P<0.05);At the 3 months,HAMA and GAD-7 scores were significantly lower than those of control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Supplemented Wendan decoction combined with western medicine can obviously optimize the sleep structure of insomnia patients with anxiety and depressionof phlegm-heat disturbance syndrome,improve sleep continuity and deepen sleep depth,and improve parasympathetic functional activities,contribute to sympathetic parasympathetic balance,can improve insomniaand depression symptoms recently,and significantly improve anxiety symptoms in the short term,with good safety.

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