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.Progress on antisense oligonucleotide in the field of antibacterial therapy
Jia LI ; Xiao-lu HAN ; Shi-yu SONG ; Jin-tao LIN ; Zhi-qiang TANG ; Zeng-ming WANG ; Liang XU ; Ai-ping ZHENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):337-347
With the widespread use of antibiotics, drug-resistant bacterial infections have become a significant threat to human health. Finding new antibacterial strategies that can effectively control drug-resistant bacterial infections has become an urgent task. Unlike small molecule drugs that target bacterial proteins, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) can target genes related to bacterial resistance, pathogenesis, growth, reproduction and biofilm formation. By regulating the expression of these genes, ASO can inhibit or kill bacteria, providing a novel approach for the development of antibacterial drugs. To overcome the challenge of delivering antisense oligonucleotide into bacterial cells, various drug delivery systems have been applied in this field, including cell-penetrating peptides, lipid nanoparticles and inorganic nanoparticles, which have injected new momentum into the development of antisense oligonucleotide in the antibacterial realm. This review summarizes the current development of small nucleic acid drugs, the antibacterial mechanisms, targets, sequences and delivery vectors of antisense oligonucleotide, providing a reference for the research and development of antisense oligonucleotide in the treatment of bacterial infections.
4.Analysis of Medication Patterns for Ancient Epidemic Treatment Based on Data Mining
Peipei JIN ; Tongxing WANG ; Liping CHANG ; Bin HOU ; Ningxin HAN ; Xiaoqi WANG ; Zhenhua JIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):287-294
ObjectiveExploring the formula rules of commonly used traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs) for epidemic treatment from the Qin and Han dynasties to the Qing dynasty through data mining, providing reference for the prevention and control of contemporary epidemics. MethodsThe articles on epidemic treatment in the electronic database of Chinese Medical Code V5.0 were systematically searched, and the contents such as source, dynasty, author, diagnosis, formula name, therapeutic method and efficacy, and composition of medicines from each article that met the inclusion criteria were extracted. Then, an Excel standardized database was established, and Python programs were used for data mining to summarize the frequency of commonly used medicines and perform hierarchical cluster analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and association rule analysis. ResultsA total of 1 595 formulas were included, involving 558 TCMs. The efficacy of these medicines could be classified into two categories, namely, expeling pathogenic factors and reinforcing healthy Qi. According to the frequency deconstruction analysis, high-frequency medicines were mainly detoxification, Fu-organ dredging, aromatization and promoting blood circulation, followed by the medicines with the effect of treating the lungs, such as clearing the lungs and resolving phlegm, clearing heat and purging the lungs, relieving cough and asthma, and purging the lungs and relieving asthma. And the proportions of acrid-warm herbs and acrid-cold herbs varied in different periods. Hierarchical clustering and correlation analysis both suggested TCMs for expeling pathogenic factors and reinforcing healthy Qi often formed stable combinations with high association degrees. Association rule analysis showed that the core acrid-warm herb was mainly Ephedrae Herba, and the core acrid-cold herb was mainly Forsythiae Fructus, resulting in the core formulas of Maxing Shigantang and Yinqiaosan. ConclusionThroughout history, the prevention and control of epidemics have been based on the principle of "preserving healthy Qi and avoiding toxic Qi", focusing on the treatment of the causes and characteristics of epidemics through detoxification, Fu-organ dredging, and aromatization, emphasizing the use of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and other herbs to dredge Fu-organ, eliminate toxins and pathogens, and playing the role of actively intervene with symptomatic medication. And based on the external manifestations of the body's struggle between evil and righteousness, diagnose and treatment according to syndrome differentiation was performed.
5.Analysis of Medication Patterns for Ancient Epidemic Treatment Based on Data Mining
Peipei JIN ; Tongxing WANG ; Liping CHANG ; Bin HOU ; Ningxin HAN ; Xiaoqi WANG ; Zhenhua JIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):287-294
ObjectiveExploring the formula rules of commonly used traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs) for epidemic treatment from the Qin and Han dynasties to the Qing dynasty through data mining, providing reference for the prevention and control of contemporary epidemics. MethodsThe articles on epidemic treatment in the electronic database of Chinese Medical Code V5.0 were systematically searched, and the contents such as source, dynasty, author, diagnosis, formula name, therapeutic method and efficacy, and composition of medicines from each article that met the inclusion criteria were extracted. Then, an Excel standardized database was established, and Python programs were used for data mining to summarize the frequency of commonly used medicines and perform hierarchical cluster analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and association rule analysis. ResultsA total of 1 595 formulas were included, involving 558 TCMs. The efficacy of these medicines could be classified into two categories, namely, expeling pathogenic factors and reinforcing healthy Qi. According to the frequency deconstruction analysis, high-frequency medicines were mainly detoxification, Fu-organ dredging, aromatization and promoting blood circulation, followed by the medicines with the effect of treating the lungs, such as clearing the lungs and resolving phlegm, clearing heat and purging the lungs, relieving cough and asthma, and purging the lungs and relieving asthma. And the proportions of acrid-warm herbs and acrid-cold herbs varied in different periods. Hierarchical clustering and correlation analysis both suggested TCMs for expeling pathogenic factors and reinforcing healthy Qi often formed stable combinations with high association degrees. Association rule analysis showed that the core acrid-warm herb was mainly Ephedrae Herba, and the core acrid-cold herb was mainly Forsythiae Fructus, resulting in the core formulas of Maxing Shigantang and Yinqiaosan. ConclusionThroughout history, the prevention and control of epidemics have been based on the principle of "preserving healthy Qi and avoiding toxic Qi", focusing on the treatment of the causes and characteristics of epidemics through detoxification, Fu-organ dredging, and aromatization, emphasizing the use of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and other herbs to dredge Fu-organ, eliminate toxins and pathogens, and playing the role of actively intervene with symptomatic medication. And based on the external manifestations of the body's struggle between evil and righteousness, diagnose and treatment according to syndrome differentiation was performed.
6.History, Experience, Opportunities, and Challenges in Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment in Linxian, Henan Province, A High Incidence Area for Esophageal Cancer
Lidong WANG ; Xiaoqian ZHANG ; Xin SONG ; Xueke ZHAO ; Duo YOU ; Lingling LEI ; Ruihua XU ; Jin HUANG ; Wenli HAN ; Ran WANG ; Qide BAO ; Aifang JI ; Lei MA ; Shegan GAO
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(4):251-255
Linxian County in Henan Province, Northern China is known as the region with the highest incidence and mortality rate of esophageal cancer worldwide. Since 1959, the Henan medical team has conducted field work on esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian. Through three generations of effort exerted by oncologists over 65 years of research on esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian, the incidence rate of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in this area has dropped by nearly 50%, and the 5-year survival rate has increased to 40%, reaching the international leading
7.Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria in high- and low-transmission areas of Tanzania: The role of asymptomatic carriers in malaria persistence and the need for targeted surveillance and control efforts
Ernest MAZIGO ; Hojong JUN ; Wang-Jong LEE ; Johnsy Mary LOUIS ; Fadhila FITRIANA ; Jadidan Hada SYAHADA ; Fauzi MUH ; Feng LU ; Md Atique AHMED ; Seok Ho CHA ; Wanjoo CHUN ; Won Sun PARK ; Se Jin LEE ; Sunghun NA ; Joon-Hee HAN ; Nyalali KIJA ; Smart GEODFREY ; Eun-Teak HAN ; Jim TODD ; Alphaxard MANJURANO ; Winifrida KIDIMA ; Jin-Hee HAN
Parasites, Hosts and Diseases 2025;63(1):57-65
As many countries implement different programs aimed at eliminating malaria, attention should be given to asymptomatic carriers that may interrupt the progress. This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in Tanzania from December 2022 to July 2023 within 4 villages from each of the 3 regions, Geita and Kigoma, which are high malaria transmission, and Arusha, which is low transmission. Malaria was diagnosed in asymptomatic individuals aged 1 year and older using the malaria rapid diagnostic test and light microscope. A total of 2,365 of 3,489 (67.9%) participants were enrolled from high-transmission villages. The overall prevalence was 25.5% and 15.8% by malaria rapid diagnostic test and light microscope, respectively. Using the respective tools, the prevalence was significantly higher at 35.6% (confidence interval (CI)=23.6–49.9) and 23.1% (CI=16.2–35.1) in the high-transmission regions (Geita and Kigoma) compared with 2.9% (CI=1.1–3.5) and 1.1% (CI=0.7–1.8) in the low-transmission region (Arusha). Children younger than 15 years and males accounted for the greatest proportion of infections. In the study area, the prevalence of asymptomatic cases was higher than that of reported symptomatic cases in health facilities. We hypothesize that these parasite reservoirs may contribute to the persistence of malaria in the country. Therefore, to achieve comprehensive malaria control in the country, the surveillance and screening of asymptomatic malaria cases are vital.
8.Pre-Treatment Perceived Social Support Is Associated With Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients With Breast Cancer: A Longitudinal Study
Joon Sung SHIN ; Sanghyup JUNG ; Geun Hui WON ; Sun Hyung LEE ; Jaehyun KIM ; Saim JUNG ; Chan-Woo YEOM ; Kwang-Min LEE ; Kyung-Lak SON ; Jang-il KIM ; Sook Young JEON ; Han-Byoel LEE ; Bong-Jin HAHM
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(4):424-434
Objective:
Previous studies have reported an association between cancer-related symptoms and perceived social support (PSS). The objective of this study was to analyze whether Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), a prevalent side effect of chemotherapy, varies according to PSS level using a validated tool for CIPN at prospective follow-up.
Methods:
A total of 39 breast cancer patients were evaluated for PSS using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) prior to chemotherapy and were subsequently grouped into one of two categories for each subscale: low-to-moderate PSS and high PSS. CIPN was prospectively evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 (CIPN20) at five time points. A linear mixed-effects model with square root transformation was employed to investigate whether the CIPN20 scales varied by PSS level and time point.
Results:
Statistical analysis of the MSPSS total scale and subscales revealed a significant effect of the friends subscale group and time point on the CIPN20 sensory scale. The sensory scale score of CIPN20 was found to be lower in participants with high PSS from friends in comparison to those with low-to-moderate PSS at 1 month post-chemotherapy (p=0.010).
Conclusion
This is the first study to prospectively follow the long-term effect of pre-treatment PSS from friends on CIPN. Further studies based on larger samples are required to analyze the effects of PSS on the pathophysiology of CIPN.
9.Relationship Between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Cognitive Function in Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients
Hwallip BAE ; Sung-Doo WON ; Jiyoun KIM ; Hye-Jin SEO ; Changwoo HAN
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(3):252-257
Objective:
Methamphetamine (METH) is a neurotoxic substance that can induce neurodegeneration in the human brain. Consequently chronic METH use can affect the cognitive functions in METH-dependent patients. In this study, we aimed to identify the relationship between cognitive function and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which reflects the status of neuroadaptive changes, by characterizing the effects on the cognitive function of METH-dependent patients.
Methods:
A total of 38 METH-dependent patients participated in this study. BDNF levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We also examined the clinical features based on the measurements of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease-Korean version (CERAD-K). Finally, the relationships between various parts of CERAD-K and BDNF were compared with one another.
Results:
METH-dependent patients were able to conduct most parts of CERAD-K stably. Among the parts of CERAD-K, only trail-making test part B was correlated with BDNF.
Conclusion
The trail-making test is specific for evaluating executive function; therefore, BDNF may play an essential role in detecting neurocognitive functional decline in METH dependence.
10.Persistent influence of past obesity on current adiponectin levels and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes
Min-Ji KIM ; Sung-Woo KIM ; Bitna HA ; Hyang Sook KIM ; So-Hee KWON ; Jonghwa JIN ; Yeon-Kyung CHOI ; Keun-Gyu PARK ; Jung Guk KIM ; In-Kyu LEE ; Jae-Han JEON
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;40(2):299-309
Background/Aims:
Adiponectin, a hormone primarily produced by adipocytes, typically shows an inverse relationship with body mass index (BMI). However, some studies have reported a positive correlation between the two. Thus, this study aimed to examine the relationship between adiponectin level and BMI in diabetic patients, focusing on the impact of past obesity on current adiponectin levels.
Methods:
We conducted an observational study analyzing data from 323 diabetic patients at Kyungpook National University Hospital. Based on past and current BMIs, participants were categorized into never-obese (nn, n = 106), previously obese (on, n = 43), and persistently obese (oo, n = 73) groups based on a BMI threshold of 25 kg/m2. Adiponectin level and BMI were key variables. Kaplan–Meier analysis assessed their impact on all-cause mortality up to August 2023, with survival differences based on adiponectin quartiles and follow-up starting from patient enrollment (2010–2015).
Results:
The analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between adiponectin level and past maximum BMI. The on group exhibited approximately 10% lower adiponectin levels compared to the nn group. This association remained significant after adjusting for current BMI, age, and sex, highlighting the lasting influence of previous obesity on adiponectin levels. Furthermore, survival analysis indicated that patients in the lowest adiponectin quartile had reduced survival, with a statistically significant trend (p = 0.062).
Conclusions
Findings of this study suggest that lower adiponectin levels, potentially reflecting past obesity, are associated with decreased survival in diabetic patients, underscoring a critical role of adiponectin in long-term health outcomes.

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