1.Advancements in herbal medicine-based nanozymes for biomedical applications.
Mei YANG ; Zhichao DENG ; Yuanyuan ZHU ; Chenxi XU ; Chenguang DING ; Yujie ZHANG ; Mingxin ZHANG ; Mingzhen ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(9):1037-1049
Nanozymes are a distinct category of nanomaterials that exhibit catalytic properties resembling those of enzymes such as peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Nanozymes derived from Chinese herbal medicines exhibit the catalytic functions of their enzyme mimics, while retaining the specific medicinal properties of the herb (termed "herbzymes"). These nanozymes can be categorized into three main groups based on their method of synthesis: herb carbon dot nanozymes, polyphenol-metal nanozymes, and herb extract nanozymes. The reported catalytic activities of herbzymes include POD, SOD, CAT, and GPx. This review presents an overview of the catalytic activities and potential applications of nanozymes, introduces the novel concept of herbzymes, provides a comprehensive review of their classification and synthesis, and discusses recent advances in their biomedical applications. Furthermore, we also discuss the significance of research into herbzymes, including the primary challenges faced and future development directions.
Nanostructures/chemistry*
;
Humans
;
Herbal Medicine/methods*
;
Superoxide Dismutase/chemistry*
;
Catalase/chemistry*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Catalysis
;
Glutathione Peroxidase/chemistry*
2.Prevalence and association of hypomineralized second molars and deciduous teeth caries in 6-7 years children from Kaifeng, China
Yang LU ; Jingya GUO ; Chunlin LIU ; Zhaoxin ZHANG ; Mingzhen YANG ; Yimeng ZHANG ; Yanfang REN ; Jie JIA
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(11):1240-1246
Objective:To investigate the incidence of hypomineralized second primary molars (HSPM) and deciduous teeth caries in school-aged children of Kaifeng City, and to discuss the association between HSPM and deciduous teeth caries, providing scientific guidance for clinical prevention and treatment.Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out on first-grade children aged 6-7 years in five primary schools chosen from the eastern, western, southern, northern, and central areas of Kaifeng City by cluster random sampling method. The European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry criteria was used for scoring HSPM. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-Ⅱ) was used to evaluate caries status.Results:This cross-sectional study was with a sample of 913 children. The prevalence of HSPM was 8.76% (80/913), with 39 boys and 41 girls, the most common type of which was atypical caries [35.00% (28/80)]. Regarding the distribution of HSPM, the incidence in maxilla [6.13% (56/913)] showed no statistically significant difference with that in the mandible [5.70% (52/913)] (χ2=0.16, P=0.692). In terms of severity, 56 cases were severe and 24 cases were mild. The association between HSPM and deciduous teeth caries was analyzed. The results showed that 56 had caries on their second primary molars among the 80 HSPM children. Children with HSPM had an increased risk of second deciduous molar decay compared to non-HSPM children ( OR=1.94, 95 %CI: 1.18-3.19, P<0.05); meanwhile, the deciduous teeth of HSPM children were more prone to suffer caries than those of non-HSPM children ( OR=2.33, 95 %CI: 1.26-4.29, P<0.05). Conclusions:The HSPM prevalence in school-aged children of Kaifeng City was 8.76%. Child with HSPM was more likely to have deciduous teeth caries than non-HSPM child. Special attention should be paid to children with HSPM after the eruption of affected molars.
3.Analysis of color Doppler flow imaging features of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy
Ziyang WANG ; Wenli YANG ; Yifan LI ; Dongjun LI ; Wei CHEN ; Xinyang CAO ; Yang AN ; Mingzhen YUAN ; Hai LU
Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases 2025;41(2):126-132
Objective:To analyze the color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) features of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) at different stages.Methods:A retrospective study. A total of 104 patients with 201 eyes from Department of Ophthalmology of Beijing Tongren Hospital who were hospitalized for fundus examination and diagnosed with FEVR from 2018 to 2022 were included. There were 69 male cases with 133 eyes and 35 female cases with 68 eyes. The age was ranged from 2 months to 11 years, with a mean age of 2.9 years. Fundus and CDFI examination were performed in both eyes. Fluorescein fundus angiography was performed in 72 cases (144 eyes). FEVR staging was conducted according to literature standards. The presence of avascular areas in the peripheral retina or abnormal retina neovascularization was stage 1; the presence of retinal neovascularization at the vitreoretinal interface in the avascular area was stage 2; partial retinal detachment without macula involvement was stage 3; partial retinal detachment involving the macula was stage 4; complete retinal detachment was stage 5. The CDFI ultrasound features of FEVR at different stages were analyzed. The CDFI image features of FEVR patients in different stages were observed.Results:Among the 104 patients, 97 (93.3%, 97/104) cases were binocular and 7 (6.7%, 7/104) cases were monocular. In 201 eyes, stages 1 to 5 of FEVR were 49 (24.4%, 49/201), 23 (11.4%, 23/201), 39 (19.4%, 39/201), 71 (35.3%, 71/201), and 19 (9.5%, 19/201) eyes, respectively. CDFI examination showed no abnormality or mild vitreous opacity in 49 eyes vitreous body at stage 1. Vitreous opacities were observed in all 23 eyes in stage 2, and the echo of the temporal ballwall was not smooth. In 39 eyes at stage 3, the anterior globular cluster echo in temporal peripheral eyes was observed in 17 eyes and partial retinal detachment was observed in 13 eyes. In 71 eyes at stage 4, 51 eyes had temporal or infratemporal retinal folds, and 20 eyes had temporal retinal detachment. All the 19 eyes in stage 5 had total retinal detachment, of which 15 eyes had closed "funnel-shaped" retinal detachment. Among the patients with retinal folds, 13 had bilateral folds, and the fellow eyes of the other 25 patients with unilateral folds all had vitreous opacity or clump echo in front of the temporal spherical wall. Blood flow signals could be detected on the retinal folds with Doppler imaging.Conclusions:The CDFI manifestations of FEVR patients at different stages have different characteristics. The possibility of FEVR should be considered when the temporal or infratemporal retinal folds of both eyes are present, as well as the retinal folds of one eye, the contralateral vitreous body opacity, or the anterior temporal peribulbar cluster echoes are present.
4.Mechanism of Cnidii Fructus in the treatment of periodontitis with osteoporosis based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation.
Miaomiao FENG ; Xiaoran XU ; Ningli LI ; Mingzhen YANG ; Yuankun ZHAI
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(2):249-261
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to explore the active components, potential targets, and mechanism of Cnidii Fructus in the treatment of periodontitis with osteoprosis through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation technology.
METHODS:
The main chemical constituents and targets of Cnidii Fructus were screened using the TCMSP and SwissTargetPrediction databases, as well as literature reports. Targets of periodontitis and osteoporosis were predicted using different databases. The intersection targets of Cnidii Fructus, periodontitis, and osteoporosis were obtained using Venny 2.1. The protein-protein interaction network was formed on the STRING platform. Cytoscape 3.9.1 was used to construct the active component-intersection target interaction network, perform the topological analysis, and screen key targets and core active components. Furthermore, the Metascape database was used to perform gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis on the intersection targets. The top five key targets and core active components were selected as receptor proteins and ligand small molecules. Discovery Studio 2019 was used to dock ligands and receptors and visualize the docking results. Molecular dynamics simulation was conducted using Gromacs2022.3 to assess the stability of the interactions between the core active components and the main targets.
RESULTS:
A total of 20 potential active ingredients of Cnidii Fructus were screened, and 116 targets of Cnidii Fructus were obtained for treating periodontitis and osteoporosis. GO and KEGG analyses of the 116 targets showed that Cnidii Fructus may play a therapeutic role through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt) and advanced glycation end products-receptor for advanced glycation end products (AGE-RAGE) signaling pathways. Molecular docking showed that the core constituents were well bound to the main targets. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of the Diosmetin-AKT1 complex system.
CONCLUSIONS
The preliminary discovery of the potential molecular pharmacological mechanism of Cnidii Fructus extract in the targeted treatment of periodontitis with osteoporosis through a multi-component, multitarget, and multi-pathway approach can serve as a theoretical foundation for future drug-development research and clinical application.
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Molecular Dynamics Simulation
;
Network Pharmacology
;
Periodontitis/complications*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Osteoporosis/complications*
;
Humans
;
Protein Interaction Maps
;
Cnidium/chemistry*
5.Research and discussion on quality standards for medicinal brown sugar
Zhuangwei LIU ; Jianping ZHU ; Juying TAN ; Xinzhi YANG ; Jie JIANG ; Hong HE ; Mingzhen WU
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(2):145-150
Objective:To revise the quality standards for pharmaceutical excipients such as medicinal brown sugar.Methods:This article combines the production and application of medicinal brown sugar,and refers to the requirements of GB/T35885-2018 brown sugar,the fourth general rules of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 edition,and other relevant requirements,and conducts research on its characteristics,identification,inspection,and assay.Results:A quality standard for medicinal brown sugar was established,and 10 batches of samples were tested according to the proposed quality standard.Conclusion:The establishment of this standard will provide quality assurance for the application of brown sugar in the pharmaceutical field.
6.Prevalence and association of hypomineralized second molars and deciduous teeth caries in 6-7 years children from Kaifeng, China
Yang LU ; Jingya GUO ; Chunlin LIU ; Zhaoxin ZHANG ; Mingzhen YANG ; Yimeng ZHANG ; Yanfang REN ; Jie JIA
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(11):1240-1246
Objective:To investigate the incidence of hypomineralized second primary molars (HSPM) and deciduous teeth caries in school-aged children of Kaifeng City, and to discuss the association between HSPM and deciduous teeth caries, providing scientific guidance for clinical prevention and treatment.Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out on first-grade children aged 6-7 years in five primary schools chosen from the eastern, western, southern, northern, and central areas of Kaifeng City by cluster random sampling method. The European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry criteria was used for scoring HSPM. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-Ⅱ) was used to evaluate caries status.Results:This cross-sectional study was with a sample of 913 children. The prevalence of HSPM was 8.76% (80/913), with 39 boys and 41 girls, the most common type of which was atypical caries [35.00% (28/80)]. Regarding the distribution of HSPM, the incidence in maxilla [6.13% (56/913)] showed no statistically significant difference with that in the mandible [5.70% (52/913)] (χ2=0.16, P=0.692). In terms of severity, 56 cases were severe and 24 cases were mild. The association between HSPM and deciduous teeth caries was analyzed. The results showed that 56 had caries on their second primary molars among the 80 HSPM children. Children with HSPM had an increased risk of second deciduous molar decay compared to non-HSPM children ( OR=1.94, 95 %CI: 1.18-3.19, P<0.05); meanwhile, the deciduous teeth of HSPM children were more prone to suffer caries than those of non-HSPM children ( OR=2.33, 95 %CI: 1.26-4.29, P<0.05). Conclusions:The HSPM prevalence in school-aged children of Kaifeng City was 8.76%. Child with HSPM was more likely to have deciduous teeth caries than non-HSPM child. Special attention should be paid to children with HSPM after the eruption of affected molars.
7.Research and discussion on quality standards for medicinal brown sugar
Zhuangwei LIU ; Jianping ZHU ; Juying TAN ; Xinzhi YANG ; Jie JIANG ; Hong HE ; Mingzhen WU
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(2):145-150
Objective:To revise the quality standards for pharmaceutical excipients such as medicinal brown sugar.Methods:This article combines the production and application of medicinal brown sugar,and refers to the requirements of GB/T35885-2018 brown sugar,the fourth general rules of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 edition,and other relevant requirements,and conducts research on its characteristics,identification,inspection,and assay.Results:A quality standard for medicinal brown sugar was established,and 10 batches of samples were tested according to the proposed quality standard.Conclusion:The establishment of this standard will provide quality assurance for the application of brown sugar in the pharmaceutical field.
8.Analysis of color Doppler flow imaging features of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy
Ziyang WANG ; Wenli YANG ; Yifan LI ; Dongjun LI ; Wei CHEN ; Xinyang CAO ; Yang AN ; Mingzhen YUAN ; Hai LU
Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases 2025;41(2):126-132
Objective:To analyze the color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) features of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) at different stages.Methods:A retrospective study. A total of 104 patients with 201 eyes from Department of Ophthalmology of Beijing Tongren Hospital who were hospitalized for fundus examination and diagnosed with FEVR from 2018 to 2022 were included. There were 69 male cases with 133 eyes and 35 female cases with 68 eyes. The age was ranged from 2 months to 11 years, with a mean age of 2.9 years. Fundus and CDFI examination were performed in both eyes. Fluorescein fundus angiography was performed in 72 cases (144 eyes). FEVR staging was conducted according to literature standards. The presence of avascular areas in the peripheral retina or abnormal retina neovascularization was stage 1; the presence of retinal neovascularization at the vitreoretinal interface in the avascular area was stage 2; partial retinal detachment without macula involvement was stage 3; partial retinal detachment involving the macula was stage 4; complete retinal detachment was stage 5. The CDFI ultrasound features of FEVR at different stages were analyzed. The CDFI image features of FEVR patients in different stages were observed.Results:Among the 104 patients, 97 (93.3%, 97/104) cases were binocular and 7 (6.7%, 7/104) cases were monocular. In 201 eyes, stages 1 to 5 of FEVR were 49 (24.4%, 49/201), 23 (11.4%, 23/201), 39 (19.4%, 39/201), 71 (35.3%, 71/201), and 19 (9.5%, 19/201) eyes, respectively. CDFI examination showed no abnormality or mild vitreous opacity in 49 eyes vitreous body at stage 1. Vitreous opacities were observed in all 23 eyes in stage 2, and the echo of the temporal ballwall was not smooth. In 39 eyes at stage 3, the anterior globular cluster echo in temporal peripheral eyes was observed in 17 eyes and partial retinal detachment was observed in 13 eyes. In 71 eyes at stage 4, 51 eyes had temporal or infratemporal retinal folds, and 20 eyes had temporal retinal detachment. All the 19 eyes in stage 5 had total retinal detachment, of which 15 eyes had closed "funnel-shaped" retinal detachment. Among the patients with retinal folds, 13 had bilateral folds, and the fellow eyes of the other 25 patients with unilateral folds all had vitreous opacity or clump echo in front of the temporal spherical wall. Blood flow signals could be detected on the retinal folds with Doppler imaging.Conclusions:The CDFI manifestations of FEVR patients at different stages have different characteristics. The possibility of FEVR should be considered when the temporal or infratemporal retinal folds of both eyes are present, as well as the retinal folds of one eye, the contralateral vitreous body opacity, or the anterior temporal peribulbar cluster echoes are present.
9.Advances in basic and clinical research of flumatinib
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(6):621-624
Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a hematological malignancy originating from the pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells. Imatinib is the first generation of small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) that revolutionized the treatment of CML. Flumatinib, as a novel oral TKI that independently developed in China, which can be used as a preferred treatment for CML. Basic researches suggested that the inhibitory effect of flumatinib on CML cell lines is stronger than imatinib. Flumatinib demonstrated that it has better efficacy than imatinib on CML in clinical trials and in real world studies. Flumatinib also showed a higher potency against CML with specific mutations, Ph + acute lymphoblastic leukemia and some solid tumors. The adverse events are manageable and tolerable.
10.ICP-MS determination of elemental impurities in pharmaceutical excipient sucrose
Mingzhen WU ; Yue LI ; Jianping ZHU ; Zhuangwei LIU ; Rui YANG ; Xia ZHAO
Drug Standards of China 2024;25(4):423-429
Objective:An ICP-MS method was established for the determination of arsenic(As),cadmium(Cd),mercury(Hg),lead(Pb),cobalt(Co),nickel(Ni),vanadium(V),lithium(Li),antimony(Sb),copper(Cu)and other 10 elements in pharmaceutical excipients sucrose to assess their risks.Methods:The pharmaceuti-cal excipient sucrose was dissolved in 0.1%HN03 solution directly,and the contents of 75 As,111Cd,202Hg,208Pb,59 Co,60 Ni,51V,7 Li,121 Sb,and 63 Cu in sucrose were determined by the ICP-MS method with the optimized instru-mental parameters in the STD mode.Results:The results showed that the linearity of the method was great in the range of 0-100 ng·mL-1 for As,Cd,Pd,Co,Ni,V,Li,Sb and Cu(the correlation coefficient r was not less than 0.99),and the linearity of the method was good in the range of 0-2 ng·mL-1 for Hg(r=0.999 1).The average recoveries for the 10 elements were in the range of 99.8%-100.0%,and the RSDs were less than 5%(n=6).Conclusion:The method is easy to operate and has high accuracy.It can be used for the determination of 10 elemental impurities in pharmaceutical excipient sucrose.It can be seen that the content of the above ten elements in sucrose is much lower than the specified value in ICH Q3D,and the risk is small.The heavy metal item can no longer be considered separately when revising the standard.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail