1.Herbal Textual Research on Inulae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Caixia LIU ; Yue HAN ; Yanzhu MA ; Lei GAO ; Sheng WANG ; Yan YANG ; Wenchuan LUO ; Ling JIN ; Jing SHAO ; Zhijia CUI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):210-221
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties, Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name, and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao, Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica, and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species, there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia, I. helianthus-aquatili, and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan, Hubei and other places, and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower, the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months, and dried in the sun, and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom, in order to remove impurities, dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition, the roots, whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times, there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos, and in modern times, it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure, small receptacles, large blooms, yellow petals, long filaments, many fluffs, no fragments, and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning, steaming, and sun-drying, supplemented by techniques such as boiling, roasting, burning, simmering, stir-frying, and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties, ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter, pungent, and salty in taste, with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras, including descending Qi, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos, either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements, where no processing instructions are specified, the raw products may be used after cleaning.
2.Herbal Textual Research on Inulae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Caixia LIU ; Yue HAN ; Yanzhu MA ; Lei GAO ; Sheng WANG ; Yan YANG ; Wenchuan LUO ; Ling JIN ; Jing SHAO ; Zhijia CUI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):210-221
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties, Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name, and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao, Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica, and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species, there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia, I. helianthus-aquatili, and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan, Hubei and other places, and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower, the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months, and dried in the sun, and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom, in order to remove impurities, dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition, the roots, whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times, there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos, and in modern times, it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure, small receptacles, large blooms, yellow petals, long filaments, many fluffs, no fragments, and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning, steaming, and sun-drying, supplemented by techniques such as boiling, roasting, burning, simmering, stir-frying, and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties, ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter, pungent, and salty in taste, with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras, including descending Qi, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos, either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements, where no processing instructions are specified, the raw products may be used after cleaning.
3.Analysis of related factors for the comorbidity of allergic rhinitis and obesity among primary and secondary school students in Inner Mongolia
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):27-31
Objective:
To investigate the factors influencing the co-prevalence of allergic rhinitis and obesity among primary and secondary school students in Inner Mongolia, so as to provide a data foundation and theoretical basis for developing targeted intervention measures.
Methods:
In September and October 2024, a stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select 139 102 students from 539 schools across 12 leagues/cities and 103 banners/counties in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Participants who were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis by a doctor at least once within one year and had a body mass index ≥ 28 kg/m 2 were considered to have comorbid conditions.
Results:
The coprevalence rate of allergic rhinitis and obesity among primary and secondary school students in Inner Mongolia was 6.4% (8 931 cases). Lasso-Logistic regression revealed that nonboarding status, higher maternal education, consuming high protein foods ≥1 time daily, occasionally or never eating breakfast, engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity for ≥60 minutes on fewer than half of holidays, and having been exposed to second hand smoke in person within the past seven days were associated with higher odds ratios for co-prevalence of allergic rhinitis and obesity( OR = 1.23 , 1.22-1.63, 1.20, 1.19, 1.38, 1.35); being female, higher grade level, residence in flag/county/district areas, non only child status, never having consumed a full glass of alcohol, non hypertensive status, and households without pets were associated with lower co-prevalence risks ( OR =0.65, 0.67-0.77, 0.81, 0.87, 0.73, 0.41, 0.68) (all P <0.05). The ROC curve indicated an area under the curve of 0.64 for the predictive model, demonstrating satisfactory discriminatory ability. The calibration curve showed consistency between predicted and actual occurrence probabilities.
Conclusions
The co-prevalence of allergic rhinitis and obesity among primary and secondary school students in Inner Mongolia is closely associated with demographic characteristics, dietary behaviours, and lifestyle habits. Future prevention and control strategies should prioritize these factors to implement targeted interventions.
4.Research advances and challenges in antimicrobial resistance surveillance technologies
Feng LIU ; Caixia DANG ; Ziqian ZHAO ; Yang WANG ; Yuanyong XU ; Hui CHEN
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(3):128-132
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical global health threat. This review systematically examines AMR surveillance technology advances, from conventional culture methods to modern molecular diagnostics (e.g., whole-genome sequencing) and artificial intelligence-assisted approaches. It focuses on the current application of mass spectrometry, machine learning predictive models, and real-time surveillance networks. To address challenges including inadequate technical standardization, clinical translation barriers, and data-sharing limitations, we propose integrated "genotype-phenotype" strategies and global standardization framework, while exploring future applications of CRISPR-based portable detection, single-cell sequencing, and blockchain technologies.
5.Analyses of mental health literacy levels and influencing factors among middle school students in Minhang District, Shanghai
Caixia YANG ; Yihua JIANG ; Chao JIANG ; Guo XUAN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(4):302-310
ObjectiveTo understand the mental health literacy levels and influencing factors among middle school students in Minhang District, Shanghai, and to provide a basis for formulating mental health promotion strategies
6.FLZ attenuates Parkinson's disease pathological damage by increasing glycoursodeoxycholic acid production via down-regulating Clostridium innocuu m.
Meiyu SHANG ; Jingwen NING ; Caixia ZANG ; Jingwei MA ; Yang YANG ; Yueqi JIANG ; Qiuzhu CHEN ; Yirong DONG ; Jinrong WANG ; Fangfang LI ; Xiuqi BAO ; Dan ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):973-990
Increasing evidence shows that the early lesions of Parkinson's disease (PD) originate from gut, and correction of microbiota dysbiosis is a promising therapy for PD. FLZ is a neuroprotective agent on PD, which has been validated capable of alleviating microbiota dysbiosis in PD mice. However, the detailed mechanisms still need elucidated. Through metabolomics and 16S rRNA analysis, we identified glycoursodeoxycholic acid (GUDCA) was the most affected differential microbial metabolite by FLZ treatment, which was specially and negatively regulated by Clostridium innocuum, a differential microbiota with the strongest correlation to GUDCA production, through inhibiting bile salt hydrolase (BSH) enzyme. The protection of GUDCA on colon and brain were also clarified in PD models, showing that it could activate Nrf2 pathway, further validating that FLZ protected dopaminergic neurons through promoting GUDCA production. Our study uncovered that FLZ improved PD through microbiota-gut-brain axis, and also gave insights into modulation of microbial metabolites may serve as an important strategy for treating PD.
7.Microbial metabolite 3-indolepropionic acid alleviated PD pathologies by decreasing enteric glia cell gliosis via suppressing IL-13Rα1 related signaling pathways.
Meiyu SHANG ; Jingwen NING ; Caixia ZANG ; Jingwei MA ; Yang YANG ; Zhirong WAN ; Jing ZHAO ; Yueqi JIANG ; Qiuzhu CHEN ; Yirong DONG ; Jinrong WANG ; Fangfang LI ; Xiuqi BAO ; Dan ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):2024-2038
Although enteric glial cell (EGC) abnormal activation is reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), and inhibition of EGC gliosis alleviated gut and dopaminergic neuronal dysfunction was verified in our previous study, the potential role of gut microbiota on EGC function in PD still need to be addressed. In the present study, fecal microbiota transplantation revealed that EGC function was regulated by gut microbiota. By employing 16S rRNA and metabolomic analysis, we identified that 3-indolepropionic acid (IPA) was the most affected differential microbial metabolite that regulated EGC gliosis. The protective effects of IPA on PD were validated in rotenone-stimulated EGCs and rotenone (30 mg/kg i.g. for 4 weeks)-induced PD mice, as indicated by decreased inflammation, improved intestinal and brain barrier as well as dopaminergic neuronal function. Mechanistic study showed that IPA targeted pregnane X receptor (PXR) in EGCs, and inhibition of IL-13Rα1 involved cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway, leading to inactivation of downstream JAK1-STAT6 pathway. Our data not only provided evidence that EGC gliosis was critical in spreading intestinal damage to brain, but also highlighted the potential role of microbial metabolite IPA in alleviating PD pathological damages through gut-brain axis.
8.Erratum: Author correction to "Microbial metabolite 3-indolepropionic acid alleviated PD pathologies by decreasing enteric glia cell gliosis via suppressing IL-13Rα1 related signaling pathways" Acta Pharm Sin B 15 (2025) 2024-2038.
Meiyu SHANG ; Jingwen NING ; Caixia ZANG ; Jingwei MA ; Yang YANG ; Zhirong WAN ; Jing ZHAO ; Yueqi JIANG ; Qiuzhu CHEN ; Yirong DONG ; Jinrong WANG ; Fangfang LI ; Xiuqi BAO ; Dan ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4972-4972
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2025.02.029.].
9.Analysis of Alleviating Effect of Calcium Cyanamide on Replanting Problems of Rehmannia glutinosa
Lianghua LIN ; Hengrui ZHANG ; Haoxiang YU ; Fan YANG ; Yufei WANG ; Caixia XIE ; Tao GUO ; Zhongyi ZHANG ; Liuji ZHANG ; Bao ZHANG ; Suiqing CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):212-222
ObjectiveTo investigate the alleviating effect of calcium cyanamide (CaCN2) soil fumigation on replanting problems of Rehmannia glutinosa. MethodsNewly soil (NP) was used as the control group, while three treatment groups were established: replanted soil (RP), newly soil treated with CaCN2 (120 g·m², tillage depth 25 cm) (NPCC), and replanted soil treated with CaCN2 (RPCC). R. glutinosa was cultivated in all groups. At harvest, the tuber agronomic traits (number of enlarged roots, maximum root diameter, fresh weight, dry weight) were measured. The content of catalpol and rehmannioside D was quantified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) to evaluate medicinal quality. Rhizosphere soil available nutrients and enzyme activities were analyzed by assay kits. The community structure and composition of fungi and bacteria in rhizosphere soil were assessed via internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequencing and 16S rDNA sequencing, respectively. ResultsCompared with NP, the RP group showed obviously reduced in tuber agronomic traits and quality indicators (P0.05). However, the RPCC group showed significant improvement in agronomic traits and a notable increase in rehmannioside D content compared to RP (P0.05). The contents of available phosphorus and potassium in RPCC and NP groups were obviously lower than those in RP (P0.05). The polyphenol oxidase soil (S-PPO) activity in RP was obviously lower than in NP (P0.05), while sucrose soil (S-SC), acid phosphatase soil (S-ACP), and S-PPO activities in RPCC were obviously higher than in RP (P0.05). Microbial richness and diversity in RP were obviously higher than in NP (P0.05), whereas no significant differences were observed between the RPCC and NP. The relative abundances of fungal genera Nectria, Myrothecium, Tomentella, and bacterial genus Skermanella were obviousl lower in RPCC and NP than in RP (P0.05). Correlation analysis that S-ACP activity was positively correlated with the content of rehmannioside D (P0.05). Fungal genera Engyodontium and Alternaria, and bacterial genera Pir4 lineage, Pirellula, Methyloversatilis, Brevundimonas, Ralstonia, and Acidibacter were obviously positively correlated with tuber dry weight (P0.05). Conversely, fungal genera Pseudaleuria, Nectria, Haematonectria, Ceratobasidium, and bacterial genera Streptomyces, Skermanella, RB41, Gemmatimonas, and Bacillus were obviously negatively correlated with dry weight (P0.05). The fungal genus Alternaria and bacterial genera Brevundimonas, Ralstonia, Acidibacter, and Dongia showed positive correlations with medicinal quality of R.glutinosa tuber, while fungal genera Pseudaleuria, Nectria, Stachybotrys, Fusarium, Gibberella, Ceratobasidium, and bacterial genera Sphingomonas, Skermanella, RB41, Gemmatimonas, and Bacillus were obviously negatively correlated (P0.05). ConclusionCaCN2 soil fumigation can significantly improve enzyme activities in replanted Rehmannia rhizosphere soil, enhance the utilization of available nutrients, reshape microbial community structure of replanted R.glutinosa at the family and genus level, and notably improve tuber agronomic traits and medicinal quality. This study provides a novel approach to alleviating replanting problems and offers insights for the integrated development of standardized cultivation techniques, including soil disinfection, nutrient-targeted regulation, and microbial inoculant application.
10.Coexistence and related factors of malnutrition and depressive symptoms among middle school students in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
WU Nan, YANG Tian, ZHANG Xiuhong, MA Caixia, GAO Sheng
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(10):1449-1453
Objective:
To understand the current status of malnutrition, depressive symptoms, and their coexistence among middle school students, so as to provide references for exploring the "comorbidity-common cause-common prevention" model for these conditions.
Methods:
In September 2023, a stratified random cluster sampling method was adopted to select 88 594 students from junior high schools, regular high schools, and vocational high schools in 12 leagues/cities (covering 103 banners/counties) of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Physical examinations were conducted to collect data on malnutrition, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale was used to assess depressive symptoms. The Chi-square test and multivariate linear stepwise regression analysis were employed to analyze the related factors of malnutrition, depressive symptoms, and their coexistence.
Results:
In 2023, the detection rates of malnutrition, depressive symptoms, and their coexistence among middle school students in Inner Mongolia were 4.60%, 21.85%, and 0.90%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the detection rates of malnutrition, depressive symptoms, and their coexistence among middle school students of different genders, monitoring sites (except for malnutrition), and school stages ( χ 2=4.95-817.39, all P <0.05). The results of the multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that high school students,drink sugar sweetened beverages ≥1 time per day and those with Internet addiction had higher risk of coexisting malnutrition and depressive symptoms [ OR (95% CI )=1.38 (1.04-1.83), 1.46 (1.20-1.78), 2.28 (1.90-2.74), respectively, all P <0.05 ]. The risk of coexistence was lower among female students, those who ate fresh fruits at least once a day, those who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for ≥1 time/day, those who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for ≥1 hour/day on ≥5 days/week, those who did not use cough syrup without therapeutic need, those who did not use sedative hypnotic drugs without medical advice, and non-drinking students [ OR (95% CI )=0.84 (0.73-0.98), 0.77 (0.66-0.89), 0.82 (0.68-0.98), 0.66 (0.53- 0.80 ), 0.57 (0.41-0.78), 0.63 (0.53-0.72), respectively, all P <0.05].
Conclusions
The occurrence of undernutrition, depressive symptoms, and their coexistence among middle school students in Inner Mongolia can t be ignored. Schools, the government and society should implement a strategy aimed at concurrent prevention of multiple conditions through comprehensive interventions.


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