1.Comparison of Wild and Cultivated Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Based on Traditional Quality Evaluation
Changsheng YUAN ; Feng ZHOU ; Xingyu LIU ; Yu SHI ; Yihan WANG ; Huaizhu LI ; Yongliang LI ; Shan GUAN ; Huaizhong GAO ; Yanmeng LIU ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):203-214
ObjectiveTo characterize the quality differences among different germplasm and introduced varieties of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium roots(BSR), and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms, providing a basis for high-quality production and quality control. MethodsWild BSR from Yulin(YLW) served as the quality reference, we conducted comparative analysis among YLW, locally domesticated wild germplasm in Yulin(YLC3), Daqing germplasm introduced and cultivated in Yulin(YLDQC3), and locally cultivated germplasm in Daqing(DQC3). A combination of traditional pharmacognostic methods and modern multi-omics analyses was employed, including macroscopic traits(appearance, odor), microscopic features(proportions of cork, phloem, xylem), cell wall component contents(hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin), carbohydrate contents(starch, water-soluble polysaccharides), marker compound contents(ethanol-soluble extracts, total saponins, liposoluble extracts, and saikosaponins A, B2, C, D), metabolomics, and transcriptomics, in order to systematically characterize quality differences and investigate molecular mechanisms among these samples. ResultsMacroscopically, Yulin-produced BSR(YLW, YLC3, YLDQC3) exhibited significantly greater weight, length, and upper and middle diameters than Daqing-produced BSR(DQC3). Odor-wise, YLW and YLC3 had a a fragrance taste, YLDQC3 had a rancid oil odor, and DQC3 had a sweet and fragrant taste. Microscopically, Yulin germplasm(YLW, YLC3) and Daqing germplasm(YLDQC3, DQC3) shared similar structural features, respectively. However, Yulin germplasm showed significantly higher proportions of cork and phloem, as well as stronger xylem vessel staining intensity compared to Daqing germplasm. Regarding various component contents, Yulin germplasm contained significantly higher levels of ethanol-soluble extracts, total saponins, and saikosaponins A, B2, C, D, while Daqing germplasm had significantly higher levels of hemicellulose, starch, and liposoluble extracts. After introduction to Yulin, the Daqing germplasm(YLDQC3) showed increased starch, water-soluble polysaccharides and liposoluble extracts contents, decreased cell wall component content, but no significant difference in other component contents. Metabolomics revealed that saponins and terpenes accumulated significantly in Yulin germplasm, while alcohols and aldehydes accumulated predominantly in Daqing germplasm. Transcriptomics indicated similar gene expression patterns within the same germplasm but specificity between different germplasms. Integrative metabolomic-transcriptomic analysis identified 145 potential key genes associated with the saikosaponin biosynthesis pathway, including one acetyl-coenzyme A(CoA) acetyltransferase gene(ACAT), one 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A synthase gene(HMGS), two hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA(HMG-CoA) reductase genes(HMG), one phosphomevalonate kinase gene(PMK), one 1-deoxy-D-xylose-5-phosphate synthase gene(CLA), one hydroxymethylbuten-1-aldol synthase gene(HDR), two farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase genes(FPPS), one squalene synthase gene(SQS), one β-amyrin synthase gene(BAS), 102 cytochrome P450(CYP450) gene family members, and 32 uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase(UGT) gene family members. ConclusionAmong the three cultivated types, YLC3 most closely resembles YLW in appearance, microscopic features, contents of major bioactive constituents, metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles. Yulin germplasm exhibits superior saponin synthesis capability compared to Daqing germplasm, and Yulin region is more suitable for the growth of B. scorzonerifolium. Based on these findings, it is recommended that artificial cultivation in northern Shaanxi and similar regions utilize the local Yulin germplasm source cultivated for at least three years.
2.Comparison of Wild and Cultivated Polygalae Radix Based on Traditional Quality Evaluation
Yihan WANG ; Yanmeng LIU ; Huaizhu LI ; Yongliang LI ; Shan GUAN ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):215-224
ObjectiveBased on the traditional quality evaluation methods summarized in previous dynasties, this paper systematically contrasted the quality differences between wild Polygalae Radix(WPR) and cultivated Polygalae Radix(CPR) from the aspects of character, microscope and chemical composition by modern scientific and technological means, providing a basis for high-quality production and quality control. MethodsCPR and local WPR in Yulin city, Shaanxi province from 1 to 6 years were collected, and a systematic comparative analysis was conducted using traditional pharmacognosy research methods combined with modern multi-omics analysis techniques, including character traits(length, weight, diameter), cross-sectional microscopic features(proportions of cork, phloem, xylem, etc), cell wall component content(hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin), extracts content(water-soluble extract and alcohol-soluble extract), carbohydrate content(starch, water-soluble polysaccharides), contents of total flavonoids, total saponins and specific marker compounds(3,6′-disinapoyl sucrose, polygalaxanthone Ⅲ, tenuifoliside A, tenuifoliside C, sibiricose A5 and A6) and other indexes. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was employed to conduct comparative analysis of secondary metabolites in WPR and CPR, and multivariate statistical analysis such as principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were combined to screen the key differential components of them. ResultsIn terms of appearance, there were significant differences between WPR and CPR. The characteristics of WPR conformed to the "thick wrinkles on the epidermis" recorded in ancient books, featuring a wrinkled surface and grayish-brown appearance. However, CPR had a finer texture and a yellowish white appearance, with weight, length, and diameter increasing with longer cultivation periods. In terms of microscopy, WPR exhibited a thick cork layer with fissures in the phloem, whereas CPR had a thinner cork layer with uniformly arranged cork cells. Younger PR specimens showed numerous phloem fissures in cross-sections, while older specimens display progressively denser arrangements of phloem parenchyma cells. In terms of the contents of various major components, the contents of water-soluble extract, starch and total saponins in WPR were inversely proportional to the root diameter, while the contents of water-soluble extract, water-soluble polysaccharides and total saponins in CPR decreased with the increase of planting years. The content of xanthones in WPR was significantly higher than that of CPR, while the contents of other major components showed no significant change pattern. Among the six indicator components, the average content of sibiricose A5 in WPR was significantly higher than that of CPR, followed by slightly higher content of tenuifoliside A. In CPR, the relative content of 3,6′-disinapoyl sucrose and tenuifoliside A was the highest. The former showed an increase in volatility with increasing cultivation years, while the latter showed a decrease in volatility. The results of differential compound analysis based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS showed that there were significant differences in metabolites between WPR and CPR samples. Among them, the seven compounds with the largest differences among WPR samples of different thicknesses were polygalasaponins, and for CPR with different planting years, the main differential compounds were oligosaccharide esters. ConclusionThere are differences between WPR and CPR in character, microscopic structure and chemical composition, and some components are inversely proportional with the increase of diameter and cultivation duration due to the distribution characteristics. However, the longer the cultivation years of PR, the closer it is to the "thick wrinkles on the epidermis" of WPR, which has been respected by generations. It is suggested that this traditional character combined with modern component contents should be used as the index of artificial cultivation and quality control of PR.
3.Analysis of co-occurrence patterns of common mental health issues among college students
YAN Yulin, LUO Miyang, LUO Jiayou, MA Suiyi, LI Jia, CHEN Xi, WANG Feng, LIU Hao
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):379-383
Objective:
The cross sectional study aimed to identify predominant co-occurrence patterns among six common mental health issues in college students, so as to provide empirical basis for designing targeted interventions.
Methods:
From October 2024, a total of 9 837 students from 4 universities in Xiangtan City, Hunan Province, participated in the current study by multistage random cluster sampling method. Participants completed self report measures, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 item Scale (GAD-7), Young s Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire, the Adolescent Insomnia Symptom Self rating Scale, the Ottawa Self injury Inventory, and the Brief Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences Questionnaire. Demographic and co-occurrence characteristics were first compared using Chi square or trend Chi-square tests, followed by application of the Apriori algorithm to mine association rules for primary co-occurrence patterns.
Results:
The detection rate of co-occuring the common mental health issues was 46.44%. The detection rate was significantly higher in female than in male students (50.42%, 43.61%; χ 2=44.46) and in students from rural versus urban areas (47.22%, 44.60%; χ 2=5.67) (both P <0.05). Significant differences were observed among freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors (46.63%, 48.35%, 45.05% , 43.66%, respectively; χ 2=9.22, P <0.05), although no statistically significant trend was detected ( χ 2 trend =3.75, P = 0.05 ). Association rule mining identified “anxiety + depression” “anxiety + psychotic experiences + depression” and “anxiety + sleep disorder + depression” as the combinations with the highest support. In addition, “anxiety+depression+Internet addiction+psychotic experiences =>sleep disorder (>= refered to the occurrence of the latter item under the condition that the former item occurs)” and “anxiety + depression+Internet addiction=>sleep disorder” were combinations with relatively high confidence.
Conclusions
Co-occurrence of these mental health issues among college students is high and exhibits diverse patterns. Strategies to address this burden should prioritize integrated interventions that target these specific combinations of factors.
4.Optimization of Quality Standards for Polygalae Radix Based on Characteristic Chromatograms and QAMS for Xanthones
Humin XIE ; Xiaoqing CUI ; Weihong FENG ; Yu LU ; Xiaoqian LIU ; Xiaoli SUN ; Yanrong LI ; Zhimin WANG ; Chun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):196-204
ObjectiveTo address the limitations of the current quality standard for Polygalae Radix(PR), which relies on a single component for quality assessment and struggles to holistically control its intrinsic quality, by constructing a comprehensive quality evaluation system integrating "macro-characterization of chemical profile, synchronous quantification of multiple index components, and quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS) for key component groups". This study aims to facilitate the scientific revision of the quality standard for PR. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) characteristic chromatograms were established for 11 batches of PR medicinal materials(YZ), 10 batches of PR decoction pieces(YP), and 10 batches of licorice-processed PR decoction pieces(ZYZ), followed by similarity evaluation and identification of common peaks. HPLC-QAMS was developed for xanthones(sibiricaxanthone B, polygalaxanthone Ⅺ, polygalaxanthone Ⅲ) in the characteristic chromatograms. Simultaneously, the external standard method(ESM) was used to determine the contents of the corresponding xanthones and 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose in YZ, YP, and ZYZ, followed by multivariate statistical analysis and Spearman correlation analysis. ResultsThe similarity between the characteristic chromatograms of 31 batches of PR samples and the reference chromatogram was>0.9. A total of 13 common peaks were identified, and 10 of these peaks were characterized through reference standard comparison. The successfully constructed QAMS method showed that the relative correction factors(RCFs) of sibiricaxanthone B and polygalaxanthone Ⅺ to polygalaxanthone Ⅲ were 0.76 and 0.88, and their relative retention times(RRTs) were 0.85 and 0.97, respectively. The results calculated by the QAMS method showed no significant difference from those obtained by the ESM. According to the limit standard for polygalaxanthone Ⅲ in the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(hereinafter referred to as the Chinese Pharmacopoeia), the pass rate of 31 batches of samples was only 19.35%. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated certain compositional differences between different batches of YZ and YP, as well as between YP and ZYZ, with 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose identified as the main differentiating component. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that the content of polygalaxanthone Ⅲ was positively correlated with the contents of sibiricaxanthone B and polygalaxanthone Ⅺ, but showed no association with the content of 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose. ConclusionIt is recommended that the content limit for polygalaxanthone Ⅲ in YZ,YP and ZYZ be revised to not less than 0.07%, or the total content of polygalaxanthone Ⅲ, sibiricaxanthone B and polygalaxanthone Ⅺ be not less than 0.18%. The newly established triple quality control model of "holistic control via characteristic chromatograms, precise quantification of oligosaccharide esters, and efficient detection of xanthones by QAMS" provides a systematic and precise solution for quality evaluation of PR and similar Chinese herbal medicines.
5.Effects of isorhamnetin on the development of gastric cancer by up-regulating SLC25A25-AS1
Yang ZHANG ; Jing WANG ; Lisha NA ; Aoran ZENG ; Bowen PANG ; Yulin LIU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(8):932-938
OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of isorhamnetin on the development of gastric cancer through up-regulation of solute carrier family 25 member 25 antisense RNA 1(SLC25A25-AS1). METHODS Using BALB/c nude mice as the subjects, the xenograft tumor model was established by subcutaneously inoculating human gastric cancer MKN28 cells into the axillary region. The effects of low and high doses of isorhamnetin (20 and 40 mg/kg) on the tumor volume and mass in nude mice were investigated. MKN28 cells were selected and divided into control group, isorhamnetin group (70 μmol/L, similarly hereinafter), isorhamnetin+knocking down negative control group, isorhamnetin+knocking down SLC25A25-AS1 group, isorhamnetin+ overexpression negative control group and isorhamnetin+overexpressing SLC25A25-AS1 group. Effects of knocking down/ overexpressing SLC25A25-AS1 on viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion ability of isorhamnetin-treated cells were detected. After verifying the targeting relationships between microRNA-212-3p (miR-212-3p) and SLC25A25-AS1, as well as phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), the effects of knocking down/overexpressing SLC25A25-AS1 on the expression of miR-212-3p, PTEN mRNA, and PTEN protein in isorhamnetin-treated cells were investigated. RESULTS Compared with the model control group, tumor volume and mass of nude mice in the isorhamnetin low-dose and high-dose groups were reduced significantly, and the isorhamnetin high-dose group was significantly lower than the isorhamnetin low-dose group (P<0.05). miR-212-3p had targeting relationships with SLC25A25-AS1 and PTEN. Compared with the control group, the cell viability (intervened for 24, 48 h), migration number, invasion number and miR-212-3p expression of cells in the isorhamnetin group, isorhamnetin+knocking down negative control group and isorhamnetin+overexpressing negative control group were significantly reduced or decreased or down-regulated, while the apoptosis rate, mRNA and protein expressions of PTEN were significantly increased or up-regulated (P<0.05). Compared with isorhamnetin group and isorhamnetin+knocking down negative control group, the cell viability, migration number, invasion number and miR-212-3p expression of cells in the isorhamnetin+knocking down SLC25A25-AS1 group were significantly increased or up- regulated, while the apoptosis rate, mRNA and protein expressions of PTEN were significantly reduced or down-regulated (P< 0.05). Compared with isorhamnetin group and isorhamnetin+overexpressing negative control group, the cell viability, migration number, invasion number and miR-212-3p expression of cells in isorhamnetin+overexpressing SLC25A25-AS1 group were significantly reduced or decreased or down-regulated, while the apoptosis rate, PTEN mRNA and protein expressions were significantly increased or up-regulated (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Isorhamnetin may inhibit the development of gastric cancer by up-regulating the expression of SLC25A25-AS1, down-regulating miR-212-3p, and up-regulating the expression of PTEN, which is a downstream target of miR-212-3p.
6.Clinical application progress of femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis
Xiaopeng LIU ; Fangfang SUN ; Xiaoxuan WANG ; Yulin LEI
International Eye Science 2025;25(7):1116-1121
With the continuous development of refractive surgery, people's focus has gradually shifted from improving vision to improving visual quality, and personalized laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis(LASIK)surgery has gradually become people's preferred choice. Femtosecond laser-assisted keratoplasty provides better advantages for personalized LASIK surgery. This article mainly introduces the commonly used femtosecond laser-assisted personalized LASIK surgery(FS-LASIK)in recent years, such as wavefront-optimized, wavefront-guided, topography-guided, Q value-guided(aspheric cutting), personalized surgery “Wavelight Plus” and personalized surgery when correcting patients with age-related inadequate accommodation. This article focuses on analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of different personalized FS-LASIK, as well as the research progress in recent years, and also focuses on comparing the differences between different personalized surgeries.
7.Life's Essential 8 cardiovascular health metrics and long-term risk of cardiovascular disease at different stages: A multi-stage analysis.
Jiangtao LI ; Yulin HUANG ; Zhao YANG ; Yongchen HAO ; Qiuju DENG ; Na YANG ; Lizhen HAN ; Luoxi XIAO ; Haimei WANG ; Yiming HAO ; Yue QI ; Jing LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(5):592-594
8.Associations between statins and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events among peritoneal dialysis patients: A multi-center large-scale cohort study.
Shuang GAO ; Lei NAN ; Xinqiu LI ; Shaomei LI ; Huaying PEI ; Jinghong ZHAO ; Ying ZHANG ; Zibo XIONG ; Yumei LIAO ; Ying LI ; Qiongzhen LIN ; Wenbo HU ; Yulin LI ; Liping DUAN ; Zhaoxia ZHENG ; Gang FU ; Shanshan GUO ; Beiru ZHANG ; Rui YU ; Fuyun SUN ; Xiaoying MA ; Li HAO ; Guiling LIU ; Zhanzheng ZHAO ; Jing XIAO ; Yulan SHEN ; Yong ZHANG ; Xuanyi DU ; Tianrong JI ; Yingli YUE ; Shanshan CHEN ; Zhigang MA ; Yingping LI ; Li ZUO ; Huiping ZHAO ; Xianchao ZHANG ; Xuejian WANG ; Yirong LIU ; Xinying GAO ; Xiaoli CHEN ; Hongyi LI ; Shutong DU ; Cui ZHAO ; Zhonggao XU ; Li ZHANG ; Hongyu CHEN ; Li LI ; Lihua WANG ; Yan YAN ; Yingchun MA ; Yuanyuan WEI ; Jingwei ZHOU ; Yan LI ; Caili WANG ; Jie DONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(21):2856-2858
9.Shexiang Tongxin dropping pills ameliorate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury progression via the S1PR2/RhoA/ROCK pathway
Ying Sun ; Boyang Jiao ; Yizhou Liu ; Ran Wang ; Qiong Deng ; David N Criddle ; Yulin Ouyang ; Wei Wang ; Xuegong Xu ; Chun Li
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2025;2025(1):31-43
Objective:
To investigate the potential protective effect of Shexiang Tongxin dropping pills (STDP) on ischemia-reperfusion injury and its underlying mechanisms in improving endothelial cell function in coronary microvascular disease (CMVD).
Methods:
A rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury with CMVD was established using ligation and reperfusion of the left anterior descending artery. The effect of STDP (21.6 mg/kg) on cardiac function was evaluated using echocardiography, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and Evans blue staining. The effects of STDP on the microvascular endothelial barrier were assessed based on nitric oxide production, endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression, structural variety of tight junctions (TJs), and the expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), claudin-5, occludin, and vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin proteins. The mechanisms of STDP (50 and 100 ng/mL) were evaluated by examining the expression of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2), Ras Homolog family member A (RhoA), and Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) proteins and the distribution of ZO-1, VE-cadherin, and F-actin proteins in an oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation model.
Results:
The administration of STDP on CMVD rat model significantly improved cardiac and microvascular endothelial cell barrier functions (all P < .05). STDP enhanced the structural integrity of coronary microvascular positioning and distribution by clarifying and completing TJs and increasing the expression of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-5, and VE-cadherin in vivo (all P < .05). The S1PR2/RhoA/ROCK pathway was inhibited by STDP in vitro, leading to the regulation of endothelial cell TJs, adhesion junctions, and cytoskeletal morphology.
Conclusion
STDP showed protective effects on cardiac impairment and microvascular endothelial barrier injury in CMVD model rats induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury through the modulation of the S1PR2/RhoA/ROCK pathway.
10.RBM14 enhances transcriptional activity of p23 regulating CXCL1 expression to induce lung cancer metastasis.
Wen ZHANG ; Yulin PENG ; Meirong ZHOU ; Lei QIAN ; Yilin CHE ; Junlin CHEN ; Wenhao ZHANG ; Chengjian HE ; Minghang QI ; Xiaohong SHU ; Manman TIAN ; Xiangge TIAN ; Yan TIAN ; Sa DENG ; Yan WANG ; Xiaokui HUO ; Zhenlong YU ; Xiaochi MA
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3059-3072
Metastasis serves as an indicator of malignancy and is a biological characteristic of carcinomas. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a key role in the promotion of tumor invasion and metastasis and in the enhancement of tumor cell aggressiveness. Prostaglandin E synthase 3 (p23) is a cochaperone for heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). Our previous study showed that p23 is an HSP90-independent transcription factor in cancer-associated inflammation. The effect and mechanism of action of p23 on lung cancer metastasis are tested in this study. By utilizing cell models in vitro and mouse tail vein metastasis models in vivo, the results provide solid evidence that p23 is critical for promoting lung cancer metastases by regulating downstream CXCL1 expression. Rather than acting independently, p23 forms a complex with RNA-binding motif protein 14 (RBM14) to facilitate EMT progression in lung cancer. Therefore, our study provides evidence for the potential role of the RBM14-p23-CXCL1-EMT axis in the metastasis of lung cancer.


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