1.Herbal Textual Research on Quisqualis Fructus in Famous Classical Formulas
Xiuping WEN ; Shiying CHEN ; Ying TAN ; Guanwen ZHENG ; Huilong XU ; Wen XU ; Chengzi YANG ; Zehao HUANG ; Yu LIN ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):225-237
This article systematically analyzed the historical evolution of the origin, scientific name, producing area, quality evaluation, harvesting and processing, and other aspects of Quisqualis Fructus by consulting the ancient materia medica, medical books, prescription books, local literature and combining with the modern literature and standards, summarized and explored the development rules of its medicinal properties and efficacy along with their underlying causes, in order to provide support for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. According to the textual research, Shijunzi was first recorded as Liuqiuzi in Nanfang Caomuzhuang of the Jin dynasty, and the name of Shijunzi was first used in Kaibao Bencao of the Song dynasty, which has been consistently used throughout subsequent dynasties, and there were also aliases such as Junziren, Sijunzi, and Dujilizi. The mainstream source of Quisqualis Fructus used in the past dynasties has been the dried mature fruits of Quisqualis indica, a plant belonging to the family Combretaceae. In modern times, its variety Q. indica var. villosa has also been recorded as the medicinal material of Quisqualis Fructus. In 2007, the Flora of China(English edition) designated Q. indica var. villosa as a synonym of Q. indica. Today, the accepted name of Shijunzi is updated to Combretum indicum. According to ancient herbal records, the producing areas of Quisqualis Fructus were Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan and Fujian, and then gradually expanded to Yunnan, Taiwan, Jiangxi and Guizhou. Since the Song dynasty, two major production regions have gradually emerged in Sichuan, Chongqing and Fujian. Currently, it is primarily cultivated in Chongqing, Guangxi and other areas, with Chongqing yielding the highest output. Since modern times, superior quality has been defined by large size, a purple-black surface, plump grains, and a yellowish-white kernel. According to ancient herbal records, the harvesting period of Quisqualis Fructus was the July and August of the lunar calendar, mostly used raw after shelling or with the shell intact, it underwent processing methods such as cleaning, slicing, mixing, steaming, roasting, stewing, and frying. Currently, the harvesting period is autumn, followed by sun-drying or low-heat drying, with processing methods including cleaning, stir-frying, and stewing. In ancient and modern literature, the records of the properties, functions and indications of Quisqualis Fructus are basically the same, that is, sweet in taste, warm in nature, predominantly non-toxic, belonging to the spleen and stomach meridians. It possesses effects of insecticide, decontamination and invigorating spleen for ascariasis, enterobiasis, abdominal pain due to worm accumulation and infantile malnutrition.The contraindications for use primarily include avoiding consumption by individuals without parasitic infestations, limiting use for those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold, refraining from drinking hot tea during medication, and avoiding excessive intake. Based on the textual research, it is suggested that the dried mature fruits of Q. indica should be used as the medicinal material for the development of famous classical formulas containing Quisqualis Fructus. Processing methods may be chosen according to prescription requirements, and the raw products is recommended for medicinal use if not specified.
2.Mechanisms of Qiaobai cold compress solution in improving acne vulgaris based on transcriptomics and experiment
Zhenjiang XIE ; Weina ZHU ; Liangliang CAO ; Fuqiong ZHOU ; Shupan ZHANG ; Bingwen ZHOU ; Yinsheng CHEN ; Wen LI ; Ying ZHAO
China Pharmacy 2026;37(4):425-430
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism by which Qiaobai cold compress solution (QBCS) improves acne vulgaris (AV) based on transcriptomics and animal experiments. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into a blank control group ( n =6) and a modeling group ( n =30). AV models were established in the modeling group by topical application of oleic acid to the inner surface of both ears, combined with subcutaneous injection of Cutibacterium acnes suspension into the auricle. Successfully modeled rats were further divided into the model group, positive control group (Tretinoin cream, 0.045 g/kg), and QBCS low-, medium-, high-dose groups [3.55, 7.11, 14.22 g/kg (calculated by the amount of crude drug) ] , with 6 rats in each group. Rats in each d rug group were treated with the corresponding drugs once daily for 14 consecutive days. After the final administration, changes in the appearance of the ears and histopathological changes in the ear tissues were observed, and serum levels of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β, were measured. Auricular tissues from the blank control group, model group and QBCS medium-dose group were collected for transcriptome sequencing. Differential expressed genes (DEGs) were screened and subjected to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis, followed by validation using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay. RESULTS Compared with the model group, rats in all QBCS groups showed alleviated auricular acne symptoms, with reduced epidermal thickening, sebaceous gland hyperplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Serum levels of TNF-α (except for the QBCS low-dose group), IL-6 (except for the QBCS low-dose group) and IL-1β were significantly decreased ( P <0.05). A total of 590 DEGs were identified (blank control group vs. model group), and 596 DEGs were identified (model group vs. QBCS medium-dose group). Above DEGs (blank control group vs. model group) were mainly enriched in Toll-like receptor (TLR) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways, etc. Validation experiments showed that, compared with model group, low-, medium- and high-dose of QBCS reduced, to varying degrees, the mRNA expression of TNF-α, TLR2, interferon-γ and CXC chemokine ligand 8 in the auricular tissues of AV rats, increased the mRNA expression of peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma and tumor protein 53, and inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 protein as well as the expressions of TLR2 and myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88(MyD88) ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS QBCS can alleviate auricular inflammation and skin lesions in AV rats. This effect may be related to inhibition of the TLR/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby suppressing the expression of downstream inflammatory factors such as TNF-α.
3.Research progress of fibrillin-1 in ophthalmic diseases
Longjiao SUN ; Wenjun JIANG ; Ying WEN
International Eye Science 2026;26(4):641-645
Fibrillin-1(FBN1)is a large-sized, cysteine-rich, calcium-binding extracellular matrix glycoprotein encoded by the FBN1 gene. As a structural component of microfibrils, this protein is widely distributed in the connective tissues of various ocular structures, including the zonules of Zinn, trabecular meshwork, cornea, retina, and its microvessels, providing mechanical support. Studies have shown that mutations in the FBN1 gene, resulting in decreased protein expression, significantly disrupt microfibril assembly and TGF-β-mediated signaling pathways. These pathogenic mechanisms are strongly linked to the development of key ocular disorders, such as lens dislocation, glaucoma, keratoconus, and retinal vascular diseases. This review summarizes and discusses the clinical manifestations and molecular mechanisms of FBN1-related ophthalmic conditions, with the aim of elucidating their pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies while laying molecular foundations for the development of novel targeted therapies.
4.Rapid Identification of Different Parts of Nardostachys jatamansi Based on HS-SPME-GC-MS and Ultra-fast Gas Phase Electronic Nose
Tao WANG ; Xiaoqin ZHAO ; Yang WEN ; Momeimei QU ; Min LI ; Jing WEI ; Xiaoming BAO ; Ying LI ; Yuan LIU ; Xiao LUO ; Wenbing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):182-191
ObjectiveTo establish a model that can quickly identify the aroma components in different parts of Nardostachys jatamansi, so as to provide a quality control basis for the market circulation and clinical use of N. jatamansi. MethodsHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-SPME-GC-MS) combined with Smart aroma database and National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST) database were used to characterize the aroma components in different parts of N. jatamansi, and the aroma components were quantified according to relative response factor(RRF) and three internal standards, and the markers of aroma differences in different parts of N. jatamansi were identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) and cluster thermal analysis based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value >1 and P<0.01. The odor data of different parts of N. jatamansi were collected by Heracles Ⅱ Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose, and the correlation between compound types of aroma components collected by the ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose and the detection results of HS-SPME-GC-MS was investigated by drawing odor fingerprints and odor response radargrams. Chromatographic peak information with distinguishing ability≥0.700 and peak area≥200 was selected as sensor data, and the rapid identification model of different parts of N. jatamansi was established by principal component analysis(PCA), discriminant factor alysis(DFA), soft independent modeling of class analogies(SIMCA) and statistical quality control analysis(SQCA). ResultsThe HS-SPME-GC-MS results showed that there were 28 common components in the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi, of which 22 could be quantified and 12 significantly different components were screened out. Among these 12 components, the contents of five components(ethyl isovalerate, 2-pentylfuran, benzyl alcohol, nonanal and glacial acetic acid,) in the aboveground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the underground part(P<0.01), the contents of β-ionone, patchouli alcohol, α-caryophyllene, linalyl butyrate, valencene, 1,8-cineole and p-cymene in the underground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the aboveground part(P<0.01). Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose results showed that the PCA discrimination index of the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi was 82, and the contribution rates of the principal component factors were 99.94% and 99.89% when 2 and 3 principal components were extracted, respectively. The contribution rate of the discriminant factor 1 of the DFA model constructed on the basis of PCA was 100%, the validation score of the SIMCA model for discrimination of the two parts was 99, and SQCA could clearly distinguish different parts of N. jatamansi. ConclusionHS-SPME-GC-MS can clarify the differential markers of underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi. The four analytical models provided by Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose(PCA, DFA, SIMCA and SQCA) can realize the rapid identification of different parts of N. jatamansi. Combining the two results, it is speculated that terpenes and carboxylic acids may be the main factors contributing to the difference in aroma between the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi.
5.Effects of imperatorin on malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer cells by regulating ThPOK expression
Lan CHEN ; Lingli XIA ; Ying CHEN ; Gang ZHANG ; Feng WEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):191-196
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of imperatorin (IMP-SD) on malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer (GC) cells by regulating zinc finger and BTB domain 7B (ThPOK). METHODS Human GC cells MKN-7 were used as the research object and then divided into control group (no treatment), IMP-SD low-, medium- and high-concentration groups (40, 80 and 160 μmol/L IMP-SD), si-ThPOK and si-NC group [treated with 160 μmol/L IMP-SD and then transfected with ThPOK small interfering RNA (si-ThPOK) or its negative control (si-NC)]. After treatment, cell clone formation, migration and invasion abilities and apoptosis of MKN-7 cells were detected; the killing activity of NK cells, T cells classification, the protein expressions of ThPOK, programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) were all determined. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the number of cell clones, migration number, invasion number, and the protein expressions of PD-1 and PD-L1 were decreased or down-regulated significantly in IMP-SD groups, while the cell apoptotic rate, NK cell killing activity, CD4+ T proportion, the ratio of CD4+ T proportion and CD8+ T proportion (CD4+ T/CD8+ T), and the protein expression of ThPOK were increased or up-regulated significantly, in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). Compared with IMP-SD high-concentration group and si-NC group, the number of cell clones, migration number, invasion number, and the protein expressions of PD-1 and PD-L1 were increased or up-regulated significantly in si-ThPOK group, while the cell apoptotic rate, NK cell killing activity, CD4+ T proportion, CD4+ T/CD8+ T, and the protein expression of ThPOK were decreased or down-regulated significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS IMP-SD may reduce the clonal formation, migration and invasion abilities of GC cells, promote their apoptosis and inhibit their immune escape by promoting ThPOK expression.
6.Effects of imperatorin on malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer cells by regulating ThPOK expression
Lan CHEN ; Lingli XIA ; Ying CHEN ; Gang ZHANG ; Feng WEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):191-196
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of imperatorin (IMP-SD) on malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer (GC) cells by regulating zinc finger and BTB domain 7B (ThPOK). METHODS Human GC cells MKN-7 were used as the research object and then divided into control group (no treatment), IMP-SD low-, medium- and high-concentration groups (40, 80 and 160 μmol/L IMP-SD), si-ThPOK and si-NC group [treated with 160 μmol/L IMP-SD and then transfected with ThPOK small interfering RNA (si-ThPOK) or its negative control (si-NC)]. After treatment, cell clone formation, migration and invasion abilities and apoptosis of MKN-7 cells were detected; the killing activity of NK cells, T cells classification, the protein expressions of ThPOK, programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) were all determined. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the number of cell clones, migration number, invasion number, and the protein expressions of PD-1 and PD-L1 were decreased or down-regulated significantly in IMP-SD groups, while the cell apoptotic rate, NK cell killing activity, CD4+ T proportion, the ratio of CD4+ T proportion and CD8+ T proportion (CD4+ T/CD8+ T), and the protein expression of ThPOK were increased or up-regulated significantly, in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). Compared with IMP-SD high-concentration group and si-NC group, the number of cell clones, migration number, invasion number, and the protein expressions of PD-1 and PD-L1 were increased or up-regulated significantly in si-ThPOK group, while the cell apoptotic rate, NK cell killing activity, CD4+ T proportion, CD4+ T/CD8+ T, and the protein expression of ThPOK were decreased or down-regulated significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS IMP-SD may reduce the clonal formation, migration and invasion abilities of GC cells, promote their apoptosis and inhibit their immune escape by promoting ThPOK expression.
7.Research progress on the characteristic clinical manifestations of pathologic myopia and their related genes
International Eye Science 2025;25(4):620-626
Pathologic myopia is a leading cause of visual impairment worldwide. Its characteristic clinical manifestations include posterior staphyloma caused by pathological elongation of the axial length, myopic maculopathy and high myopia-associated optic neuropathy. Extensive research conducted both domestically and internationally has consistently demonstrated that genetics plays a significant role in the occurrence and progression of pathologic myopia. With the innovative development of genetics, it has become possible to predict, prevent, control, and treat pathologic myopia at the gene level. This paper reviews the characteristic clinical manifestations of pathologic myopia and its related genes to provide a basis for the etiology of pathologic myopia and potential targets for therapeutic intervention, to provide a reference for treating pathologic myopia and its complications at the genetic level, and to explore new and effective ways to control the development of pathologic myopia.
8.An alkyne and two phenylpropanoid derivants from Carthamus tinctorius L.
Lin-qing QIAO ; Ge-ge XIA ; Ying-jie LI ; Wen-xuan ZHAO ; Yan-zhi WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):185-190
The chemical constituents from the
9.Isoliquiritigenin alleviates abnormal endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by type 2 diabetes mellitus
Kai-yi LAI ; Wen-wen DING ; Jia-yu ZHANG ; Xiao-xue YANG ; Wen-bo GAO ; Yao XIAO ; Ying LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):130-140
Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a chalcone compound isolated from licorice, known for its anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties. Our previous study has demonstrated that ISL effectively lowers blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice and improves disturbances in glucolipid and energy metabolism induced by T2DM. This study aims to further investigate the effects of ISL on alleviating abnormal endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) caused by T2DM and to elucidate its molecular mechanisms.
10.Status of Clinical Practice Guideline Information Platforms
Xueqin ZHANG ; Yun ZHAO ; Jie LIU ; Long GE ; Ying XING ; Simeng REN ; Yifei WANG ; Wenzheng ZHANG ; Di ZHANG ; Shihua WANG ; Yao SUN ; Min WU ; Lin FENG ; Tiancai WEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(2):462-471
Clinical practice guidelines represent the best recommendations for patient care. They are developed through systematically reviewing currently available clinical evidence and weighing the relative benefits and risks of various interventions. However, clinical practice guidelines have to go through a long translation cycle from development and revision to clinical promotion and application, facing problems such as scattered distribution, high duplication rate, and low actual utilization. At present, the clinical practice guideline information platform can directly or indirectly solve the problems related to the lengthy revision cycles, decentralized dissemination and limited application of clinical practice guidelines. Therefore, this paper systematically examines different types of clinical practice guideline information platforms and investigates their corresponding challenges and emerging trends in platform design, data integration, and practical implementation, with the aim of clarifying the current status of this field and providing valuable reference for future research on clinical practice guideline information platforms.

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