Objective To analyze relevant literature on the essence of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes using bibliometric methods;To understand the current research status and hotspots in this field;To provide references for relevant research.Methods Research literature about the essence of TCM syndromes was retrieved from CNKI,VIP,Wanfang Data and CBM from 1st Jan.1979 to 30th June 2024.CiteSpace 6.2 software was used to conduct visualization analysis on authors,institutions,keywords,etc.Results A total of 695 articles were included,with an overall upward trend in publication volume followed by stabilization.The authors who published more articles included Luo Ren(13 articles),Zhao Xiaoshan(13 articles),Li Zegeng(12 articles),etc.The institutions with more publications included Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(35 articles),Beijing University of Chinese Medicine(33 articles),Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(26 articles),etc.Institutions were clustered regionally,and cooperation was mostly between TCM universities and their affiliated hospitals,with less cross regional communication.High frequency keywords included kidney yang deficiency syndrome,metabolomics,animal models,TCM syndrome types,coronary heart disease,lung qi deficiency syndrome,spleen qi deficiency syndrome,liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome,etc;Keyword clustering covered aspects such as biomolecules and metabolism,TCM syndromes,pathology,disease models,and animal research.Conclusion Research in the field of the essence of TCM syndromes is gradually receiving more attention.Exploring the essence of TCM syndromes at the molecular level through techniques such as genomics,transcriptomics,metabolomics and proteomics is a research hotspot and trend in this field.

Objective To conduct an analysis on objective data of tongue manifestations and complexions among college students with yang deficiency constitution and balanced constitution,thus to explore the correlation between yang deficiency constitution and the objective data of tongue manifestations and complexions among college students.Methods From August 2023 to January 2024,data collection was carried out in 325 cases of yang deficiency constitution(yang deficiency group)and 175 cases of balanced constitution(balanced group)from college students of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine,Central South University,Hunan Normal University,Hunan University and Changsha University of Science and Technology in Hunan Province.YM-MA-Ⅰ digital detection system for tongue manifestations and complexions of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)was utilized for data collection and image analysis,and the differences in the Lab parameters of tongue color,tongue shape,tongue coating color,complexions,and lip color were compared between yang deficiency group and balanced group.Of the Lab parameters,letter"L"stands for luminance,which expresses the luminance from absolute black to absolute white,and takes the value of 0-100;letter"a"and letter"b"stand for two color channels,letter"a"represents the color from dark green to grey then to bright pink,and takes a value from-128 to 127,and letter"b"represents the color from bright blue to grey then to yellow,and also takes a value from-128 to 127.Results(1)The analysis of tongue manifestations showed that in comparison with the balanced group,enlarged tongue(72.62％),tooth-marked tongue(83.69％),and greasy coating(59.38％)were frequently seen in the yang deficiency group,and the differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(2)The analysis of complexions showed that in comparison with the balanced group,lusterless complexion(79.08％)and pale lip(42.15％)were frequently seen in the yang deficiency group,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.01).(3)The yang deficiency group had higher L value of tongue color,L value of tongue coating color,L value of complexions,and L and b values of lip color than the balanced group,and the differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05),indicating that the tongue color,complexions,and lip color of the yang deficiency group were all pale.Conclusion The objective data and image analysis of tongue manifestations and complexions can accurately identify the population of yang deficiency constitution from college students,and the results will provide approaches and references for the identification of other TCM constitutions from the population.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of six kinds of commonly used traditional Chi-nese medicine combined with mesalazine in the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC)based on frequency statis-tical network meta-analysis.Methods Randomized controlled trials(RCT)of oral Chinese medicine for the treatment of UC were searched from the establishment of the database to June 2024 of PubMed,CNKI,Wan-fang,VIP,Sinomed and other databases.The quality of the included literatures was evaluated by Cochrane bias risk assessment tool,and the data were statistically analyzed by Stata MP17.0 software.Results A total of 24 RCTs involving 1 939 patients were included,involving 6 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese pa-tent medicine,including 4 macro and micro outcome indicators.In terms of improving the total clinical effec-tive rate,Shaoyao decoction,Gancao Xiexin decoction,Huangqin decoction granule,Baitouweng decoction,Kangfuxin liquid,Shenlingbaizhu powder+mesalazine were all superior to using mesalazine alone,and Kang-fuxin liquid+mesalazine had the best effect(P<0.05).In terms of down-regulation of interleukin(IL)-6 expression in colonic mucosa,Shaoyao decoction,Gancao Xiexin Decoction,Huangqin Decoction granules,Pul-satilla decoction,Kangfuxin Liquid+mesalazine were better than using mesalazine alone,and Pulsatilla De-coction+mesalazine had the best effect on reducing IL-6(P<0.05).In terms of down-regulation of colonic mucosal tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α expression,Shaoyao decoction,Gancao Xiexin decoction,Huangqin decoction granule,Baitouweng decoction,Shenlingbaizhu decoction+mesalazine was better than using me-salazine alone,and Gancao Xiexin decoction+mesalazine had the best effect(P<0.05).In terms of down-regulation of IL-10 expression in colonic mucosa,Pulsatilla decoction+mesalazine was better than mesalazine alone(P<0.05).Conclusion Traditional Chinese medicine combined with mesalazine could alleviate the clin-ical symptoms of UC patients,improve inflammatory factor indicators,eliminate inflammation,and show a better treatment effect for UC than mesalazine used alone.

Objective To analyze relevant literature on the essence of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes using bibliometric methods;To understand the current research status and hotspots in this field;To provide references for relevant research.Methods Research literature about the essence of TCM syndromes was retrieved from CNKI,VIP,Wanfang Data and CBM from 1st Jan.1979 to 30th June 2024.CiteSpace 6.2 software was used to conduct visualization analysis on authors,institutions,keywords,etc.Results A total of 695 articles were included,with an overall upward trend in publication volume followed by stabilization.The authors who published more articles included Luo Ren(13 articles),Zhao Xiaoshan(13 articles),Li Zegeng(12 articles),etc.The institutions with more publications included Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(35 articles),Beijing University of Chinese Medicine(33 articles),Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(26 articles),etc.Institutions were clustered regionally,and cooperation was mostly between TCM universities and their affiliated hospitals,with less cross regional communication.High frequency keywords included kidney yang deficiency syndrome,metabolomics,animal models,TCM syndrome types,coronary heart disease,lung qi deficiency syndrome,spleen qi deficiency syndrome,liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome,etc;Keyword clustering covered aspects such as biomolecules and metabolism,TCM syndromes,pathology,disease models,and animal research.Conclusion Research in the field of the essence of TCM syndromes is gradually receiving more attention.Exploring the essence of TCM syndromes at the molecular level through techniques such as genomics,transcriptomics,metabolomics and proteomics is a research hotspot and trend in this field.

AIM:This study aimed to investigate whether Xiang-Sha-Liujunzi decoction(XSLJZD)prevents ethanol-induced gastric ulcer(GU)in rats by inhibiting nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome activation-mediated pyroptosis.METHODS:A total of 60 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:normal control group,model group,positive control(0.33 mg/kg rabeprazole)group,low-dose(3.40 g/kg)XSLJZD group and high-dose(6.80 g/kg)XSLJZD group,with 12 rats per group.Prior to the induction of GU,all rats received their respective treatments via intragastric gavage for 3 d.The GU model was established in all groups except the normal control group using the anhydrous ethanol method.The ulcer index and ulcer inhibition rate were measured.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe pathological changes of gastric tissues,and periodic acid-Schiff staining was used to evaluate the mucus content.Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were employed to inves-tigate ultrastructural changes of gastric tissues.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to measure the levels of interleukin-4(IL-4),IL-10,IL-1β,IL-18,prostaglandin E2(PGE2)and nitric oxide(NO).Additionally,visible spectrophotometric assay was used to determine the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH)and superoxide dismutase(SOD).The protein levels of NLRP3,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),caspase-1,gasdermin D(GSDMD),phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB(p-NF-κB)and phosphorylated NF-κB inhibitor β(p-IκBβ)were assessed using immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS:Compared with model group,XSLJZD significantly alleviated gastric tissue injury,reduced the ulcer index,and enhanced the ulcer inhibition rate in GU rats.Treatment with XSLJZD markedly increased the levels of SOD,GSH,IL-4,IL-10,PGE2 and NO in gas-tric tissue,but significantly decreased the levels of MDA,IL-1β and IL-18.At the molecular level,XSLJZD significantly down-regulated the protein levels of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1,GSDMD,p-NF-κB and p-IκBβ in gastric tissues.CON-CLUSION:Treatment with XSLJZD demonstrates a significant preventive effect against ethanol-induced GU in rats.Its mechanisms may involve the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation,reduction of the inflammatory response,pre-vention of pyroptosis in gastric mucosal epithelial cells,and enhancement of antioxidant levels.

AIM:This study aimed to investigate whether Xiang-Sha-Liujunzi decoction(XSLJZD)prevents ethanol-induced gastric ulcer(GU)in rats by inhibiting nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome activation-mediated pyroptosis.METHODS:A total of 60 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:normal control group,model group,positive control(0.33 mg/kg rabeprazole)group,low-dose(3.40 g/kg)XSLJZD group and high-dose(6.80 g/kg)XSLJZD group,with 12 rats per group.Prior to the induction of GU,all rats received their respective treatments via intragastric gavage for 3 d.The GU model was established in all groups except the normal control group using the anhydrous ethanol method.The ulcer index and ulcer inhibition rate were measured.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe pathological changes of gastric tissues,and periodic acid-Schiff staining was used to evaluate the mucus content.Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were employed to inves-tigate ultrastructural changes of gastric tissues.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to measure the levels of interleukin-4(IL-4),IL-10,IL-1β,IL-18,prostaglandin E2(PGE2)and nitric oxide(NO).Additionally,visible spectrophotometric assay was used to determine the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH)and superoxide dismutase(SOD).The protein levels of NLRP3,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),caspase-1,gasdermin D(GSDMD),phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB(p-NF-κB)and phosphorylated NF-κB inhibitor β(p-IκBβ)were assessed using immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS:Compared with model group,XSLJZD significantly alleviated gastric tissue injury,reduced the ulcer index,and enhanced the ulcer inhibition rate in GU rats.Treatment with XSLJZD markedly increased the levels of SOD,GSH,IL-4,IL-10,PGE2 and NO in gas-tric tissue,but significantly decreased the levels of MDA,IL-1β and IL-18.At the molecular level,XSLJZD significantly down-regulated the protein levels of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1,GSDMD,p-NF-κB and p-IκBβ in gastric tissues.CON-CLUSION:Treatment with XSLJZD demonstrates a significant preventive effect against ethanol-induced GU in rats.Its mechanisms may involve the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation,reduction of the inflammatory response,pre-vention of pyroptosis in gastric mucosal epithelial cells,and enhancement of antioxidant levels.

AIM: To understand the publication status, research trends, and cutting-edge and hot topics in this field by conducting a bibliometrics analysis of relevant literatures on the pathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma(POAG)in the past 30 a.METHODS:A total of 986 relevant literatures on the pathogenesis of POAG published on the core databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)and Web of Science(WOS)from 1 September 1993 to 1 September 2023 were retrieved. CiteSpace(6.2.R.4)and VOSviewer(1.6.18)software were used to conduct knowledge graph analysis on the retrieved literature, including publication volume, author, research institution, country/region, and keywords.RESULTS:The United States(243 articles)has the highest number of publications, followed by China(121 articles). The foreign institution with the highest number of publications is Harvard University(37 articles), while domestic institutions such as Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, ophthalmology department of Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, and Peking University First Hospital tied for the highest number of publications. Louis R. Pasquale(21 articles)is the most prolific English author. Wang Ningli is the most active Chinese researcher in this field. Keywords include trabecular meshwork, intraocular pressure, aqueous humor, glucocorticoid, hemorheology, etc.CONCLUSION: The research on the pathogenesis of POAG is in a period of vigorous development. The United States has the largest number of publications in this field, and Harvard University is a leading institution in this field. The research focus in the field of POAG has shifted from the structural aspect to the genetic level, and gene research and traditional Chinese medicine treatment have broad application prospects in this field.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of Ziyin Mingmu Formula （滋阴明目方） on retinitis pigmentosa mice and its possible mechanism. MethodsSixty rd10 mice were randomly divided into model group， vitamin A group， and Ziyin Mingmu Formula low-， medium-， and high-dose groups， 12 mice in each group； twelve C57BL/6 mice as the blank group. The mice in Ziyin Mingmu Formula low-， medium-， and high-dose groups were given 13.5， 27.0 and 54.0 g/（kg·d） of Ziyin Mingmu Formula by gavage， respectively； mice in the Vitamin A group were given 750 IU/（kg·d） of vitamin A soft capsule by gavage； mice in the blank group and model group were given 13.5 ml/（kg·d） of physiological saline by gavage. Each group was gavaged once a day for 28 days. Fundus photography and optical coherence tomography were used to detect the morphology of the fundus and retina， TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis， microtitre digital PCR and immunofluorescence double staining were used to detect glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， inositol-requiring enzyme 1 （IRE1）， activated transcription factor 6 （ATF6）， and C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP） mRNA and protein expression levels. ResultsIn the model group， optic discs were yellowish， fundus was atrophic with large pigmentation. The retinal blood vessels were thinned， a large number of vascular white sheaths were seen， the retinal cell nuclei disorganised， and a large number of apoptotic cells were seen； the fundus conditions of the mice in all dosages of Ziyin Mingmu Formula and the vitamin A group were improved to varying degrees compared with those of the model group， the apoptotic cells reduced， with Ziyin Mingmu Formula middle- and high-dose groups showing more significant improvement. Compared with the blank group， the retinal thickness of mice in the model group reduced， and the expression of GRP78， IRE1， ATF6， CHOP mRNA and protein elevated （P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， retinal thickness increased and GRP78， IRE1， ATF6 mRNA and protein expression decreased in the vitamin A group and Ziyin Mingmu Formula medium- and high-dose groups； CHOP mRNA and protein expression decreased in low-， medium-， and high-dose groups of Ziyin Mingmu Formula （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with vitamin A group and the low-dose group of Ziyin Mingmu Formula， retinal thickness increased in the high-dose group of Ziyin Mingmu Formula （P＜0.01）. Compared with vitamin A group， GRP78， ATF6， IRE1， and CHOP mRNA expression decreased in the medium- and high-dose groups of Ziyin Mingmu Formula， and GRP78 and CHOP protein expression decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the low-dose group of Ziyin Mingmu Formula， CHOP protein expression reduced in the medium- and high-dose groups of Ziyin Mingmu Formula （P＜0.01）. ConclusionZiyin Mingmu Formula can reduce apoptosis of retinal tissues by inhibiting the endoplasmic reticulum stress response， thus slowing down the progression of retinopathy and protecting visual function in a dose-dependent manner.

Objective We aimed to explore the mechanism of Ziyin Mingmu Formula in improving retinitis pigmentosa.Methods Twenty SD rats were randomly divided into the blank serum group and the Ziyin Mingmu Formula containing serum group using a random number table method,with 10 rats in each group.The rats in the Ziyin Mingmu Formula containing serum group were given Ziyin Mingmu Formula(46.875 g/kg),while the rats in the blank serum group were given distilled water.The Ziyin Mingmu Formula containing serum and blank serum were prepared.Analysis of chemical components in Ziyin Mingmu Formula containing serum using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technology.Adult retinal pigment epithelial cell line-19(ARPE-19)cells were treated with tunicamycin to induce endoplasmic reticulum stress injury model.The optimal volume fraction of Ziyin Mingmu Formula containing serum was screened by CCK-8.ARPE-19 cells were divided into the blank group,the model group,the blank serum group,the Ziyin Mingmu Formula containing serum group and the tauroursodeoxycholic acid group,each group is intervened separately.After 24 hours of intervention,the morphological observation of cells was performed using a multi-time dynamic cell function analysis system,cell survival rate was detected by CCK-8,cell apoptosis rate was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI,and protein and mRNA expressions of 78 kDa glucose regulated protein(GRP78),inositol-requiring enzyme 1(IRE1)and activating transcription factor 6(ATF6)were detected by Western blotting and ddPCR.Results The main chemical components in Ziyin Mingmu Formula containing serum were obtained by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis,such as arbutin,salicylic acid,luteolin,Salvianolic acid A,erysovine,taurine,quercetin,maltol,baicalin,and danshensu.Compared with the model group,the number of cells in Ziyin Mingmu Formula containing serum group increased,the growth was more uniform,and the floating dead ARPE-19 cells and fragments decreased.The cell survival rate of Ziyin Mingmu Formula containing serum group and taursodeoxycholic acid group increased,and the cell apoptosis rate decreased(P<0.05).The protein expressions of GRP78,IRE1,and ATF6 in Ziyin Mingmu Formula containing serum group were decreased,and IRE1 and ATF6 in taursodeoxycholic acid group were decreased(P<0.05).The mRNA expressions of GRP78,IRE1,and ATF6 in Ziyin Mingmu Formula containing serum group and tauroursodeoxycholic acid group were decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Ziyin Mingmu Formula can reduce the cell apoptosis of ARPE-19 cells induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress,and its molecular mechanism is related to down-regulating the expression of GRP78,IRE1,ATF6 and inhibiting the endoplasmic reticulum stress response.

Objective:To analyze the research progress and hotspots on drug resistance of helicobacter pylori in China and abroad since 2000, in order to provide theoretical reference and basis for the study of digestive system diseases.Methods:The Chinese and English literature related to helicobacter pylori resistance, which were included in the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database and the Web of Science database, were searched from 2000 to 2021. We imported the retrieved literature into Citespace6.1.R2 software, performed visual analysis on authors, countries and institutions, keywords, cited literature, and drew visual graphs.Results:A total of 2 824 Chinese literature and 1 885 English literature were included. The authors with the highest volume of publications in Chinese and English literature are Hu Fulian and Gisbert JP, respectively. The institutions with the highest volume of publications are the First School of Medicine, Beijing University and the Baylor School of Medicine in the United States. The keywords with high centrality in Chinese literature include clarithromycin, eradication rate, drug resistance, amoxicillin, metronidazole, etc. In the analysis of cited literature, it was observed that the Maastricht Consensus report holds an important position in this field.Conclusions:The use of Citespace visualization analysis has intuitively elucidated the research hotspots on the drug resistance of Helicobacter pylori.