1.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.
2.Effect Difference and Mechanisms of Zishenwan Against Chronic Prostatitis Before and After Salt-processing of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex by Integrating Network Pharmacology and Metabolomics
Shangling ZHAO ; Xiao MENG ; Sirui LI ; Rui TAN ; Changjiang HU ; Lingying YU ; Zhimin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):177-187
ObjectiveThis paper aims to systematically reveal the effect difference and mechanisms of Zishenwan against chronic prostatitis (CP) before and after salt-processing of Anemarrhenae rhizoma and Phellodendri chinensis cortex based on an integrated strategy of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS), network pharmacology, and serum metabolomics. MethodsZishenwan samples before and after salt-processing of Anemarrhenae rhizoma and Phellodendri chinensis cortex were extracted by alcohol-water dual extraction. The chemical components of each sample were detected by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS, and differential components were screened by multivariate statistical analysis. Network pharmacology analysis was performed based on the identified chemical components of Zishenwan to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of "component, target, and pathway", and the core components, targets, and pathways of Zishenwan against CP were screened. Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a Qianliekang group (1.54 g·kg-1), low- and high-dose raw Zishenwan groups (1.8, 5.4 g·kg-1), and low- and high-dose salt-processed Zishenwan groups (1.8, 5.4 g·kg-1). The CP rat model was established by intraprostatic injection of carrageenan. After one week of recovery, the rats were administered the corresponding drugs for 21 days, while those in the blank group and model group received the same volume of normal saline. After the experiment, serum and tissue samples were collected to evaluate pharmacodynamic indicators including organ indices, histopathology, and inflammatory factors in serum. Subsequently, untargeted serum metabolomics technology was used to analyze metabolite changes and perform pathway enrichment analysis. The network pharmacology was used to construct a network of "differential metabolite, reaction, enzyme, and gene". ResultsA total of 76 components were identified in raw and salt-processed Zishenwan, and 34 differential components were screened by multivariate statistical analysis. Among them, the contents of 14 components, including berberine, berberrubine, and phellodendrine, increased after salt-processing, while the contents of 20 components, such as neomangiferin, decreased. The 28 active components and 185 potential targets were screened out by network pharmacology. The core components included berberine, phellodendrine, magnoflorine, and jatrorrhizine, and the core targets included signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), protein kinase B1 (Akt1), and transcription factor AP-1 (JUN). These targets were significantly enriched in pro-inflammatory signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Compared with the model group, all Zishenwan administration groups showed decreased prostate index, reduced levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in serum (P<0.05, P<0.01), as well as varying degrees of alleviation in histopathological damage. At the same dose, compared with the raw Zishenwan groups, the salt-processed Zishenwan groups showed lower prostate index, pathological scores, and IL-1β, IL-18, and Bcl-2 levels in serum, but the differences were not statistically significant. Metabolomics reveals that 38 differential metabolites were reversed after salt-processed Zishenwan administration. Both raw and salt-processed Zishenwan regulated pathways such as β-alanine metabolism and tryptophan metabolism. In addition to the common regulated pathways, the salt-processed group specifically regulated pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis, pyrimidine metabolism, and arginine and proline metabolism. The intersecting pathways between network pharmacology and metabolomics were tryptophan metabolism and arginine and proline metabolism, with overlapping targets including monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and arginase 1 (ARG1). ConclusionThe increased contents of components such as berberine and phellodendrine in salt-processed Zishenwan may enhance its therapeutic effect on CP by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways, along with multi-target regulation of tryptophan, arginine, and pantothenate metabolism pathways to comprehensively regulate inflammatory and immune responses.
3.Survey of residents'willingness to use"internet+nursing service"in a community in Xiamen city
Bixia LIN ; Yuan CHEN ; Yu ZHANG ; Weiliang ZHENG ; Linjing WU ; Zhimin WU ; Shushu DUAN ; Qin YANG ; Kaixin LI ; Mei WU ; Minghui ZHOU
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(3):5-8,31
Objective To investigate residents'willingness to use"internet+nursing services"of a community in Xiamen City and provide reference for the code of practice to promote the service.Methods A total of 350 community residents in Xiamen City were investigated by convenience sampling from January to December 2023.The questionnaire was self-designed with regard to their willingness to use"internet+nursing services".Results 336 questionnaires were effectively collected.The total score of willingness to use"internet+nursing services"of community residents in Xiamen City was(68.80±8.73)points,but only 19.6%of residents knew about"internet+nursing services".There were statistically significant differences in willingness to use among community residents with different ages,medical payment type,whether they knew"internet+nursing services"or not,and the number of service items needed(P<0.05).Among them,age,whether they knew"internet+nursing services"or not and the number of service items needed were the main influencing factors of willingness to use(P<0.05).Conclusion Community residents in Xiamen City show above the middle level of willingness to use"internet+nursing services".However,the popularity of"internet+nursing services"has a large room for improvement.The publicity to the residents should be strengthened,and the care needs of residents with different demographic characteristics should be considered.The supporting application functions of such platforms should be designed to meet the health needs of community residents,especially elderly patients with great demand for services.
4.Research advances of association between age at natural menopause and diabetes risk: evidence from prospective studies
Meng WANG ; Yunqi GUAN ; Weiwei GONG ; Xiaoyan ZHOU ; Zhimin MA ; Jin PAN ; Mingbin LIANG ; Jieming ZHONG ; Fan WU ; Min YU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(8):1502-1505
The menopausal age is one of the important menopausal factors, and women of different menopausal ages have different risks of diabetes. This study reviewed the evidence from prospective studies on the association between the age at natural menopause and diabetes risk, both domestically and internationally, and presented its research design and main findings. Advanced menopause, especially premature and early menopause, will increase the risk of diabetes in postmenopausal women. The research on the influence of delayed menopause on the incidence of diabetes is still insufficient. Many factors may modify the association between menopausal age and the risk of diabetes.
5.Survey of residents'willingness to use"internet+nursing service"in a community in Xiamen city
Bixia LIN ; Yuan CHEN ; Yu ZHANG ; Weiliang ZHENG ; Linjing WU ; Zhimin WU ; Shushu DUAN ; Qin YANG ; Kaixin LI ; Mei WU ; Minghui ZHOU
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(3):5-8,31
Objective To investigate residents'willingness to use"internet+nursing services"of a community in Xiamen City and provide reference for the code of practice to promote the service.Methods A total of 350 community residents in Xiamen City were investigated by convenience sampling from January to December 2023.The questionnaire was self-designed with regard to their willingness to use"internet+nursing services".Results 336 questionnaires were effectively collected.The total score of willingness to use"internet+nursing services"of community residents in Xiamen City was(68.80±8.73)points,but only 19.6%of residents knew about"internet+nursing services".There were statistically significant differences in willingness to use among community residents with different ages,medical payment type,whether they knew"internet+nursing services"or not,and the number of service items needed(P<0.05).Among them,age,whether they knew"internet+nursing services"or not and the number of service items needed were the main influencing factors of willingness to use(P<0.05).Conclusion Community residents in Xiamen City show above the middle level of willingness to use"internet+nursing services".However,the popularity of"internet+nursing services"has a large room for improvement.The publicity to the residents should be strengthened,and the care needs of residents with different demographic characteristics should be considered.The supporting application functions of such platforms should be designed to meet the health needs of community residents,especially elderly patients with great demand for services.
6.Percutaneous coronary intervention vs . medical therapy in patients on dialysis with coronary artery disease in China.
Enmin XIE ; Yaxin WU ; Zixiang YE ; Yong HE ; Hesong ZENG ; Jianfang LUO ; Mulei CHEN ; Wenyue PANG ; Yanmin XU ; Chuanyu GAO ; Xiaogang GUO ; Lin CAI ; Qingwei JI ; Yining YANG ; Di WU ; Yiqiang YUAN ; Jing WAN ; Yuliang MA ; Jun ZHANG ; Zhimin DU ; Qing YANG ; Jinsong CHENG ; Chunhua DING ; Xiang MA ; Chunlin YIN ; Zeyuan FAN ; Qiang TANG ; Yue LI ; Lihua SUN ; Chengzhi LU ; Jufang CHI ; Zhuhua YAO ; Yanxiang GAO ; Changan YU ; Jingyi REN ; Jingang ZHENG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(3):301-310
BACKGROUND:
The available evidence regarding the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on patients receiving dialysis with coronary artery disease (CAD) is limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PCI and clinical outcomes as compared with medical therapy alone in patients undergoing dialysis with CAD in China.
METHODS:
This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in 30 tertiary medical centers across 12 provinces in China from January 2015 to June 2021 to include patients on dialysis with CAD. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included all-cause death, the individual components of MACE, and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria types 2, 3, or 5 bleeding. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between PCI and outcomes. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed to account for potential between-group differences.
RESULTS:
Of the 1146 patients on dialysis with significant CAD, 821 (71.6%) underwent PCI. After a median follow-up of 23.0 months, PCI was associated with a 43.0% significantly lower risk for MACE (33.9% [ n = 278] vs . 43.7% [ n = 142]; adjusted hazards ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.71), along with a slightly increased risk for bleeding outcomes that did not reach statistical significance (11.1% vs . 8.3%; adjusted hazards ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval, 0.82-2.11). Furthermore, PCI was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities. Subgroup analysis did not modify the association of PCI with patient outcomes. These primary findings were consistent across IPTW, PSM, and competing risk analyses.
CONCLUSION
This study indicated that PCI in patients on dialysis with CAD was significantly associated with lower MACE and mortality when comparing with those with medical therapy alone, albeit with a slightly increased risk for bleeding events that did not reach statistical significance.
Humans
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Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/methods*
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Male
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Female
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Coronary Artery Disease/drug therapy*
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Retrospective Studies
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Renal Dialysis/methods*
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Middle Aged
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Aged
;
China
;
Proportional Hazards Models
;
Treatment Outcome
7.Theoretical research on LOU Ying′s guideline and item syndrome differentiation
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):483-489
The guideline and item classification approach represents a distinct historical method ology, first introduced by ZHU Xi in his Compendium of Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government during the Southern Song Dynasty. LOU Ying later adapted this framework to the field of traditional Chinese medicine, critically analyzing and addressing the limitations of prior academic theories. By drawing upon the rich intellectual traditions of classical texts and historical works, LOU Ying restructured and refined his ideas, ultimately establishing the "guideline and item" medical theory. This innovative framework profoundly influenced LOU Ying′s work, shaping both the compilation of medical texts and the development of novel theoretical approaches in traditional Chinese medicine. In disease differentiation and treatment, LOU Ying proposed the theory of guideline and item classification, that is, taking yin and yang as two guidelines, taking qi and blood, exterior and interior, upper and lower parts, deficiency and excess, cold and heat as ten items, and constructing a syndrome differentiation system focusing on qi and blood, focusing solely on upper and lower parts, distinguishing exterior and interior, carefully examining deficiency and excess, and distinguishing cold and heat. The guideline and item classification system integrates and harmonizes multiple syndrome differentiation method ologies, including the eight-principle pattern identification, viscera syndrome differentiation, differentiation of syndromes according to the pathogenesis of Sanjiao, and qi-blood-fluid pattern identification. As a precursor to modern method of syndrome differentiation and treatment, it possesses unique theoretical significance and considerable clinical relevance. Its applicability to diagnosing and treating various diseases, coupled with its greater operational practicality compared to other methods, highlights its value in contemporary clinical practice. This system offers a complementary and enhanced framework for syndrome differentiation and treatment, warranting further adoption and promotion in the clinical setting.
8.Effects of baicalin on ferroptosis of mouse fibroblasts under high glucose treatment and its mechanism
Zheng GONG ; Xiaowei ZHANG ; Xiaomei LI ; Zhimin YIN ; Limin BAI ; Jiaxi WANG ; Yujia HAN ; Shuangyi XU ; Lu YU ; Gang XU
Chinese Journal of Burns 2025;41(3):277-285
Objective:To investigate the effects of baicalin on ferroptosis of mouse fibroblasts (Fbs) under high glucose treatment and its mechanism, and to provide a basis for the treatment of diabetic wounds.Methods:The study was an experimental study. Mouse Fbs were collected and divided into control group with conventional culture, high glucose group treated with glucose at final molarity of 30.0 mmol/L, and low baicalin group and high baicalin group pretreated with baicalin at final molarties of 5 and 10 μmol/L respectively and then treated as that in high glucose group. After 48 h of culture, the cell survival rate was detected by the cell counting kit-8, the reactive oxygen species level in cells was detected by the fluorescent probe method, the levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione, and ferrous ion in cells were detected by colorimetry, and the protein expression levels of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in cells and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in cytoplasm and nucleus were detected by Western blotting. Another batch of mouse Fbs were collected and divided into control group, high glucose group, high baicalin group, and high baicalin+ML385 group. The cells in the first three groups were treated as before, the cells in the last group were pretreated with baicalin and ML385 of Nrf2 inhibitor at final molarties of 10 μmol/L and then treated as that in high glucose group. After 48 h of culture, the protein expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in cells and the protein expression level of Nrf2 in cytoplasm and nucleus were detected as before. Except that the sample number in detecting SLC7A11 and GPX4 was 4, the sample number in detecting other indexes was 3.Results:After 48 h of culture, the cell survival rates in control group, high glucose group, low baicalin group, and high baicalin group were (100.0±10.7)%, (70.0±5.0)%, (80.9±3.2)%, and (91.4±1.9)%, respectively. Compared with those in control group, the cell survival rate, the glutathione level, and SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells, and nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level were significantly decreased in high glucose group ( P<0.05), and the levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and ferrous ion in cells, and cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level were significantly increased in high glucose group ( P<0.05). Compared with those in high glucose group, the cell survival rate, glutathione level, SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells, and nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level in low baicalin group and high baicalin group were significantly increased ( P<0.05), the reactive oxygen species and ferrous ion levels in cells, and cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level in low baicalin group and high baicalin group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the malondialdehyde level in cells in high baicalin group was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with those in low baicalin group, the cell survival rate, glutathione level, SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells, and nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level in high baicalin group were significantly increased ( P<0.05), and the reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and ferrous ion levels in cells, and cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level in high baicalin group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). After 48 h of culture, compared with those in control group, the nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level and SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level was significantly increased in high glucose group ( P<0.05); compared with those in high glucose group, the cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level was significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level and SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells were significantly increased in high baicalin group ( P<0.05); compared with those in high baicalin group, the cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level was significantly increased ( P<0.05), and the nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level and SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells were significantly decreased in high baicalin+ML385 group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Baicalin can inhibit the occurrence of ferroptosis in cells by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway and up-regulating the expressions of proteins related to SLC7A11/GPX4 axis in Fbs in high glucose treatment, thus increasing the cell survival rate.
9.Research advances of association between age at natural menopause and diabetes risk: evidence from prospective studies
Meng WANG ; Yunqi GUAN ; Weiwei GONG ; Xiaoyan ZHOU ; Zhimin MA ; Jin PAN ; Mingbin LIANG ; Jieming ZHONG ; Fan WU ; Min YU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(8):1502-1505
The menopausal age is one of the important menopausal factors, and women of different menopausal ages have different risks of diabetes. This study reviewed the evidence from prospective studies on the association between the age at natural menopause and diabetes risk, both domestically and internationally, and presented its research design and main findings. Advanced menopause, especially premature and early menopause, will increase the risk of diabetes in postmenopausal women. The research on the influence of delayed menopause on the incidence of diabetes is still insufficient. Many factors may modify the association between menopausal age and the risk of diabetes.
10.Brassica juncea WRKY12 mediates bolting and flowering by interacting with the SOC1 and FUL promoters.
Yifang HUANG ; Yue DONG ; Yue YU ; Dakun LIU ; Qinlin DENG ; Yuanda WANG ; Dayong WEI ; Zhimin WANG ; Qinglin TANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(7):2818-2828
Flowering and bolting are important agronomic traits in cruciferous crops such as Brassica juncea. Timely flowering can ensure the crop organ yield and quality, as well as seed propagation. The WRKY family plays an important role in regulating plant bolting and flowering, while the function and mechanism of WRKY12 in B. juncea remain unknown. To explore its function and mechanism in bolting and flowering of B. juncea, we cloned and characterized the BjuWRKY12 gene in B. juncea and found that its expression levels were significantly higher in flowers and inflorescences than in leaves. BjuWRKY12 belonged to the Ⅱc subfamily of the WRKY family, and subcellular localization indicated that the protein was located in the nucleus. Ectopic overexpression of BjuWRKY12 in transgenic lines promoted bolting and flowering, leading to significant increases in the expression levels of flowering integrators SOC1 and FUL. Furthermore, yeast one-hybrid and dual luciferase reporter system assays confirmed that BjuWRKY12 directly bound to the promoters of BjuSOC1 and BjuFUL, undergoing protein-DNA interactions. This discovery gives new insights into the regulation network and molecular mechanisms of BjuWRKY12, laying a theoretical foundation for the breeding of high-yield and high-quality varieties of B. juncea.
Mustard Plant/metabolism*
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Flowers/growth & development*
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Plant Proteins/physiology*
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Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
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Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics*
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Transcription Factors/metabolism*
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MADS Domain Proteins/metabolism*


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