1.Interpretation and thoughts on the formulation and revision of the standards for exogenous harmful residues in traditional Chinese medicinal materials in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition
WANG Ying ; SHEN Mingrui ; LIU Yuanxi ; ZUO Tiantian ; WANG Dandan ; HE Yi ; CHENG Xianlong ; JIN Hongyu ; LIU Yongli ; WEI Feng ; MA Shuangcheng
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(1):083-092
As people’s attention to health continues to increase, the market demand for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is growing steadily. The quality and safety of Chinese medicinal materials have attracted unprecedented social attention. In particular, the issue of exogenous harmful residue pollution in TCM has become a hot topic of concern for both regulatory authorities and society. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition further refines the detection methods and limit standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM. This not only reflects China’s high-level emphasis on the quality and safety of TCM but also demonstrates the continuous progress made by China in the field of TCM safety supervision. Basis on this study, by systematically reviewing the development history of the detection standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM and analyzing the revisions and updates of these detection standards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition, deeply explores the key points of the changes in the monitoring standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition. Moreover, it interprets the future development directions of the detection of exogenous residues in TCM, aiming to provide a reference for the formulation of TCM safety supervision policies.
2.Application of Yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy in downstaging and conversion of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report
Ziwei LIANG ; Tiantian ZHANG ; Yong LIAO ; Xin HUANG ; Bin LIANG ; Zhongbin HANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Lin ZHANG ; Xiaobin FENG ; Li HUO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(1):41-45
This case report describes a 68-year-old male patient diagnosed with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). After receiving Yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (90Y-SIRT), the tumor significantly reduced in size, and tumor markers alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and abnormal prothrombin (PIVKA-Ⅱ) decreased. Postoperative pathological results showed minimal residual tumor cells, indicating that 90Y-SIRT has good efficacy and safety in downstaging and conversion of HCC, thereby facilitating subsequent surgical resection.
3.Protective Effect of Tongluo Baoshen Prescription-containing Serum on Lipopolysaccharide-induced Podocyte Injury of Rats
Yongfang LIU ; Tiantian YIN ; Huiyang LIU ; Rui HUANG ; Zhiying FENG ; Li ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):139-148
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Tongluo Baoshen prescription (TLBS)-containing serum on the rat podocyte injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and explore the potential mechanisms. MethodsSD rats were used to prepare the blank serum, losartan potassium-containing serum, and low-, medium-, and high-dose TLBS-containing sera. Rat podocytes were cultured in vitro, and the effects of drug-containing sera on podocyte viability were detected by the cell counting kit-8 (CKK-8) method. The optimal intervention volume fraction of drug-containing sera and the optimal concentration of LPS for inducing the podocyte injury were determined. Rat podocytes were grouped as follows: normal control (NC, 10% blank serum), model control (MC, 20.00 mg·L-1 LPS+10% black serum), losartan potassium (LP, 20.00 mg·L-1 LPS+10% losartan potassium-containing serum), low-dose TLBS (TLBS-L, 20.00 mg·L-1 LPS+10% low-dose TLBS-containing serum), medium-dose TLBS (TLBS-M, 20.00 mg·L-1 LPS+10% medium-dose TLBS-containing serum), and high-dose TLBS (TLBS-H, 20.00 mg·L-1 LPS+10% high-dose TLBS-containing serum), and the interventions lasted for 48 h. The ultrastructure of podocytes was observed under a transmission electron microscope. The podocyte apoptosis was detected by the terminal deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL) kit. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of gasdermin D N-terminal fragment (GSDMD-NT) in podocytes. The mRNA and protein levels of G protein-coupled receptor family C group 5 member B (GPRC5B), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p50, NF-κB p52, NF-κB p65, Rel B, c-Rel, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 (Caspase-1), GSDMD-NT, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, nephrin, integrin α3, and integrin β1 in podocytes were determined by real-time quaritiative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the NC group, the MC group showed reduced podocyte protrusions and organelles, segmental missing of cell membranes, increased and swollen mitochondria, irregular nuclear membranes, light chromatin, increased TUNEL fluorescence-positive nuclei (P<0.01), obviously enhanced fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-NT, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of GPRC5B, NF-κB p50, NF-κB p52, NF-κB p65, Rel B, c-Rel, NLRP3, caspase-1, GSDMD-NT, IL-1β, and IL-18 (P<0.01), and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of nephrin, integrin α3, and integrin β1 (P<0.01) in podocytes. Compared with the MC group, the LP, TLBS-M, and TLBS-H groups showed improved ultrastructure of podocytes with increased protrusions, intact cell membranes, reduced organelles, and alleviated mitochondrial swelling, decreased TUNEL fluorescence-positive nuclei (P<0.01), weakened fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-NT, down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of GPRC5B, NF-κB p50, NF-κB p52, NF-κB p65, Rel B, c-Rel, NLRP3, caspase-1, GSDMD-NT, IL-1β, and IL-18 (P<0.01), and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of nephrin, integrin α3, and integrin β1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, the changes above were the most obvious in the TLBS-H group. ConclusionThe TLBS-containing serum can regulate the GPRC5B/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway to inhibit pyroptosis, thereby ameliorating the podocyte injury induced by LPS.
5.Correlation Between Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution and Clinical Characteristics of Allergic Rhinitis in Adults:A Survey of 215 Cases in Shenzhen Area
Tiantian LI ; Jiaxin LIU ; Tian FENG ; Yanchun XIAO ; Shiwen LIU ; Yunying LI ; Xiangjun CHEN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(4):803-812
Objective To investigate the correlation between the clinical characteristics of allergic rhinitis(AR)in adults located in Shenzhen area and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitutions.Methods A cross-sectional survey of adult AR patients in Shenzhen was conducted.From June 2022 to December 2023,adult AR patients admitted to the Department of Otolaryngology outpatient clinic of Bao'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine(Shenzhen Bao'an District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine)were selected as the study subjects.The clinical baseline data,Total Nasal Symptoms Score(TNSS),and Total Non-Nasal Symptoms Score(TNNSS)of the patients were collected for the analysis of clinical characteristics,and TCM constitutions were differentiated based on the information collected by TCM constitutions questionnaire.After that,the correlation between the biased TCM constitutions and clinical characteristics were explored by using analysis of variance,non-parametric test and Logistic regression analysis.Results(1)A total of 215 cases of adult AR patients from Shenzhen were included.Most of the patients were male(60.93%),and the patients were usually aged 18-29 years old(accounting for 48.84%).AR in adults often arose in the spring(33.49%)and fall(30.70%).(2)Lung qi deficiency-cold syndrome was the predominated TCM syndrome type of AR in adults,accounting for 40.93%,and then came kidney yang deficiency syndrome(26.98%),spleen qi deficiency syndrome(20.00%),and heat accumulation in lung meridian syndrome(12.09%).Lung qi deficiency-cold syndrome and heat accumulation in lung meridian syndrome were more common in young males,and kidney yang deficiency syndrome was frequently seen in middle-aged and elderly males.(3)The leading three TCM constitution types of AR in adults were qi deficiency constitution(30.23%),yang deficiency constitution(24.65%),and inherited special constitution(15.81%).In adult AR patients with lung qi deficiency-cold syndrome,the commonly-seen TCM constitution types were qi deficiency constitution,inherited special constitution,and balanced constitution.In adult AR patients with spleen qi deficiency syndrome,the commonly-seen TCM constitution types were inherited special constitution,phlegm-damp constitution,and yang deficiency constitution.In adult AR patients with kidney yang deficiency syndrome,the commonly-seen TCM constitution types were yang deficiency constitution,qi stagnation constitution,and inherited special constitution.In adult AR patients with heat accumulation in lung meridian syndrome,the commonly-seen TCM constitution types were damp-heat constitution,yin deficiency constitution,and blood-stasis constitution.The leading five TNSS scores were shown in adult AR patients with inherited special constitution,qi deficiency constitution,yang deficiency constitution,phlegm-damp constitution,and qi stagnation constitution,respectively.And the leading five TNNSS scores were shown in adult AR patients with yang deficiency constitution,inherited special constitution,qi stagnation constitution,yin deficiency constitution,and damp-heat constitution,respectively.(4)The results of statistical analysis showed that the differences in gender among the adult AR patients with various TCM constitution types were not statistically significant(P>0.05),but the differences in age groups,TCM syndrome types,TNSS scores and TNNSS scores were statistically significant(P<0.01 or P<0.001).(5)The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that the TNSS scores and TNNSS scores were all positively correlated with qi deficiency constitution,yang deficiency constitution,and inherited special constitution,and spleen qi deficiency syndrome was negatively correlated with damp-heat constitution,the differences being all statistically significant(P<0.01 or P<0.001).Conclusion The onset of AR in adults from Shenzhen area is closely related to age,gender,season,and TCM constitutions.The adult AR patients usually have the biased constitutions,in particular qi deficiency constitution,yang deficiency constitution,and inherited special constitution.In adult AR patients,higher TNSS scores are correlated with inherited special constitution,higher TNNSS scores are correlated with yang deficiency constitution,and the primary TCM syndrome type of lung qi deficiency-cold syndrome is correlated with qi deficiency constitution.
6.Interpretation and thoughts on the formulation and revision of the standards for exogenous harmful residues in traditional Chinese medicinal materials in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition
Ying WANG ; Mingrui SHEN ; Yuanxi LIU ; Tiantian ZUO ; Dandan WANG ; Yi HE ; Xianlong CHENG ; Hongyu JIN ; Yongli LIU ; Feng WEI ; Shuangcheng MA
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(1):83-92
As people's attention to health continues to increase,the market demand for traditional Chinese medi-cine(TCM)is growing steadily.The quality and safety of Chinese medicinal materials have attracted unprecedent-ed social attention.In particular,the issue of exogenous harmful residue pollution in TCM has become a hot topic of concern for both regulatory authorities and society.The Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition further refines the detection methods and limit standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM .This not only reflects China's high-level emphasis on the quality and safety of TCM but also demonstrates the continuous progress made by China in the field of TCM safety supervision.Basis on this study,by systematically reviewing the development history of the detection standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM and analyzing the revisions and updates of these detec-tion standards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition,deeply explores the key points of the changes in the monitoring standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition.Moreo-ver,it interprets the future development directions of the detection of exogenous residues in TCM ,aiming to provide a reference for the formulation of TCM safety supervision policies.
7.Neuroprotective effects of Shaoyao Gancao decoction against excitatory damage in PC12 cells based on the Src-NR2-nNOS pathway
Xiaxu Fan ; Hongyan Ma ; Tiantian Zhou ; Min Fu ; Zhiyuan Qiao ; Yingtong Feng ; Zhen Wang ; Yiwei Shen ; Jingxia Wang
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2024;11(3):293-302
Objective:
To explore the neuroprotective effects of the Shaoyao Gancao decoction (SGD) against excitatory damage in PC12 cells and the role of the Src-NR2-nNOS pathway mediation by SGD in regulating γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-glutamate (Glu) homeostasis.
Methods:
N-Methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) was used to establish a PC12 cell excitability injury model. To investigate the neuroprotective effect of SGD, a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to determine PC12 cell viability, Annexin V/Propidium Iodide (Annexin V/PI) double staining was used to determine PC12 cell apoptosis, and Ca2+ concentration was observed using laser confocal microscopy. GABA receptor agonists and antagonists were used to analyze the neuroprotective interactions between γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and NMDA receptors. Additionally, molecular biology techniques were used to determine mRNA and protein expression in the Src-NR2-nNOS pathway. We analyzed the correlations between the regulatory sites of GABA and NMDA interactions, excitatory neurotoxicity, and brain damage at the molecular level.
Results:
NMDA excitotoxic injury manifested as a significant decrease in cell activity, increased apoptosis and caspase-3 protein expression, and a significant increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Administration of SGD, a GABAA receptor agonist (muscimol), or a GABAB receptor agonist (baclofen) decreased intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, attenuated apoptosis, and reversed NMDA-induced upregulation of caspase-3, Src, NMDAR2A, NMDAR2B, and nNOS. Unexpectedly, a GABAA receptor antagonist (bicuculline) and a GABAB receptor antagonist (saclofen) failed to significantly increase excitatory neurotoxicity.
Conclusions
Taken together, these results not only provide an experimental basis for SGD administration in the clinical treatment of central nervous system injury diseases, but also suggest that the Src-NR2A-nNOS pathway may be a valuable target in excitotoxicity treatment.
8.Baihe Wuyaotang Ameliorates NAFLD by Enhancing mTOR-mediated Liver Autophagy
Rui WANG ; Tiantian BAN ; Lihui XUE ; Xinyi FENG ; Jiyuan GUO ; Jiaqi LI ; Shenghe JIANG ; Xiaolei HAN ; Baofeng HU ; Wenli ZHANG ; Naijun WU ; Shuang LI ; Yajuan QI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):66-77
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Baihe Wuyaotang (BWT) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and elucidate its underlying mechanism. MethodC57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to six groups: normal control, model, positive drug (pioglitazone hydrochloride 1.95×10-3 g·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose BWT (1.3,2.5 and 5.1 g·kg-1). Following a 12-week high-fat diet (HFD) inducement, the mice underwent six weeks of therapeutic intervention with twice-daily drug administration. Body weight was monitored weekly throughout the treatment period. At the fifth week, glucose tolerance (GTT) and insulin tolerance (ITT) tests were conducted. Subsequently, the mice were euthanized for the collection of liver tissue and serum, and the subcutaneous adipose tissue (iWAT) and epididymal adipose tissue (eWAT) were weighed. Serum levels of total triglycerides (TG) and liver function indicators,such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), were determined. Histological examinations, including oil red O staining, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining, and transmission electron microscopy, were performed to evaluate hepatic lipid deposition, pathological morphology, and ultrastructural changes, respectively. Meanwhile, Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) were employed to analyze alterations, at both gene and protein levels, the insulin signaling pathway molecules, including insulin receptor substrate 1/2/protein kinase B/forkhead box gene O1 (IRS1/2/Akt/FoxO1), glycogen synthesis enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy kinase (Pepck) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), lipid metabolism-related genes stearoyl-coA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1), fibrosis-associated molecules α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), type Ⅰ collagen (CollagenⅠ), and the fibrosis canonical signaling pathway transforming growth factor-β1/drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein2/3(TGF-β1/p-Smad/Smad2/3), inflammatory factors such as interleukin(IL)-6, IL-8, IL-11, and IL-1β, autophagy markers LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ and p62/SQSTM1, and the expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). ResultCompared with the model group, BWT reduced the body weight and liver weight of NAFLD mice(P<0.05, P<0.01), inhibited liver lipid accumulation, and reduced the weight of white fat: it reduced the weight of eWAT and iWAT(P<0.05, P<0.01) as well as the serum TG content(P<0.05, P<0.01). BWT improved the liver function as reflected by the reduced ALT and AST content(P<0.05, P<0.01). It improved liver insulin resistance by upregulating IRS2, p-Akt/Akt, p-FoxO1/FoxO1 expressions(P<0.05). Besides, it improved glucose and lipid metabolism disorders: it reduced fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose(P<0.05, P<0.01), improved GTT and ITT(P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced the expression of Pepck, G6Pase, and SCD-1(P<0.01), and increased the expression of CPT-1(P<0.01). The expressions of α-SMA, Collagen1, and TGF-β1 proteins were down-regulated(P<0.05, P<0.01), while the expression of p-Smad/Smad2/3 was downregulated(P<0.05), suggesting BWT reduced liver fibrosis. BWT inhibited inflammation-related factors as it reduced the gene expression of IL-6, IL-8, IL-11 and IL-1β(P<0.01) and it enhanced autophagy by upregulating LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ expression(P<0.05)while downregulating the expression of p62/SQSTM1 and mTOR(P<0.05). ConclusionBWT ameliorates NAFLD by multifaceted improvements, including improving IR and glucose and lipid metabolism, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, and enhancing autophagy. In particular, BWT may enhance liver autophagy by inhibiting the mTOR-mediated signaling pathway.
9.Application value of fumarate hydratase and 2-succinocysteine in primary screening of fumarate hydratase-deficient uterine leiomyoma
Tiantian FANG ; Feng SHI ; Ning QIAN ; Weiju ZHANG ; Yun GU
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2024;40(3):251-254
Purpose To investigate the expression of fuma-rate hydratase(FH)and 2-succinocysteine(2SC)in leiomyoma with singular nuclear features,and to analyze the diagnostic val-ue of these two proteins in fumarase hydratase-deficient(FH-d)uterine leiomyomas.Methods Sixty-seven cases of leiomyoma with singular nuclear features were collected.The expression was detected by immunohistochemical EnVision method,and the relationship between the expression of FH,2SC and the morpho-logical characteristics of FH-d uterine leiomyomas was analyzed,and the relevant literature was reviewed.Results There were 67 patients of leiomyoma with singular nuclear features,among which 27 had FH-d leiomyoma.The positive rate of FH was(2/27,7.41%),significantly lower than that of leiomyomas without FH-d(31/40,77.50%).The positive rate of 2SC(26/27,96.30%)was significantly higher than that of leiomyo-mas without FH-d(11/40,27.50%).The statistical results showed that there was a correlation between the expression of FH and 2SC(P<0.05);positive expression of FH and 2SC was associated with significant eosinophilic nucleoli,perinucleolar vacuoles,eosinophilic inclusions and antler vessels(P<0.05).The sensitivity and specificity of FH immunohistochemi-cal identification of FH defective leiomyoma were 92.59%and 77.50%,respectively.The sensitivity and specificity of 2SC immunohistochemical were 96.30%and 72.50%for FH defec-tive leiomyomas,respectively.Conclusion In most leiomyomas with FH-d morphology,FH expression is negative and 2SC ex-pression is positive.The combined detection of FH and 2SC can significantly improve the diagnosis of FH defective leiomyoma.
10.Effect of Osteoking on Inflammatory Injury and NF-κB/NFATc1 Signaling Pathway in Model Mice with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
Tiantian YU ; Ruibing FENG ; Qing WANG ; Chaowen LI ; Jiahao CHEN ; Ruixuan JIANG ; Yinshuai DING ; Yong HUANG ; Hao HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(10):62-69
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Osteoking (OK) on postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP). MethodForty adult female mice were randomly divided into a sham operation (Sham) group, osteoporosis model (OVX) group, estradiol intervention (E2) group, and OK group, with 10 mice in each group. The modeling was completed by conventional back double incision ovariectomy, and the corresponding drugs were given one week later. After 12 weeks, the body mass and uterine index of mice were measured, and the pathological changes of bone tissue and the number of osteoclasts (OCs) were determined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, respectively. Bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), and bone volume fraction (BV/TV) were measured by microcomputed tomography (Micro-CT). The maximum load of the femur was detected by a three-point bending test. The contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and bone resorption marker C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen (CTX-1) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein expression levels of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65), phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (p-NF-κB p65), nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor alpha (IκBα), phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B alpha (p-IκBα), nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1), and proto-oncogene (c-Fos) were detected by Western blot. The mRNA expressions of OCs-related specific genes matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), NFATc1, TRAP, cathepsin K (CTSK), and c-Fos were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultCompared with the Sham group, the uterine index decreased significantly in the OVX group, and the body mass (BMI) increased significantly. The structure of bone trabeculae was completely damaged, and the number of OCs increased. BMD, Tb.N, BV/TV, and maximum load decreased, while Tb.Sp was up-regulated. The levels of TNF-α and CTX-1 in serum were up-regulated. The protein expressions of c-Fos, p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, NFATc1, and p-IκBα/IκBα were increased. The mRNA expressions of NFATc1, c-Fos, CTSK, TRAP, and MMP-9 were up-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the OVX group, the body mass of the OK and E2 groups decreased, and the uterine index increased. The bone trabeculae increased, and the number of OCs decreased. BMD, Tb.N, BV/TV, and maximum load increased, while Tb.Sp decreased. The levels of TNF-α and CTX-1 in serum were decreased. The protein expressions of c-Fos, p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, NFATc1, and p-IκBα/IκBα were decreased, and the mRNA expressions of NFATc1, c-Fos, CTSK, TRAP, and MMP-9 were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionOK can inhibit the NF-κB/NFATc1 signaling pathway and reduce bone mass loss by reducing the level of inflammatory injury factors in PMOP mice, which is one of the mechanisms for treating PMOP.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail