Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) represents a significant traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that exhibits both notable pharmacological effects and toxicity. Various processing methods are implemented to reduce the toxicity of raw Fuzi by modifying its toxic and effective components, primarily diterpenoid alkaloids. To comprehensively analyze the chemical variations between different Fuzi products, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS) was employed to systematically characterize Shengfuzi, Heishunpian and Baifupian. A total of 249 diterpenoid alkaloids present in Shengfuzi were identified, while only 111 and 61 in Heishunpian and Baifupian were detected respectively, indicating substantial differences among these products. An untargeted metabolomics approach combined with multivariate statistical analysis revealed 42 potential chemical markers. Through subsequent validation using 52 batches of commercial Heishunpian and Baifupian samples, 8 robust markers distinguishing these products were identified, including AC1-propanoic acid-3OH, HE-glucoside, HE-hydroxyvaleric acid-2OH, dihydrosphingosine, N-dodecoxycarbonylvaline and three unknown compounds. Additionally, the MS imaging (MSI) technique was utilized to visualize the spatial distribution of chemical constituents in raw Fuzi, revealing how different processing procedures affect the chemical variations between Heishunpian and Baifupian. The distribution patterns of different diterpenoid alkaloid subtypes partially explained the chemical differences among products. This research provides valuable insights into the material basis for future investigations of different Fuzi products.
Diterpenes/chemistry* ; Alkaloids/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Aconitum/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Metabolomics ; Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Molecular Structure

Immune-related nephropathy (IRN) refers to immune-response-mediated glomerulonephritis and is the main cause of end-stage renal failure. The pathogenesis of IRN is not fully understood; therefore, treatment is challenging. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have potent clinical effects in the treatment of the IRN conditions immunoglobulin A nephropathy, lupus nephropathy, and diabetic nephropathy. The underlying mechanisms mainly include its inhibition of inflammation; improvements to renal interstitial fibrosis, oxidative stress, autophagy, apoptosis; and regulation of immunity. In this review, we summarize the clinical symptoms of the three IRN subtypes and the use of TCM prescriptions, herbs, and bioactive compounds in treating IRN, as well as the potential mechanisms, intending to provide a reference for the future study of TCM as IRN treatments.

Pheretima,also called"earthworms",is a well-known animal-derived traditional Chinese medicine that is extensively used in over 50 Chinese patent medicines(CPMs)in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edi-tion).However,its zoological origin is unclear,both in the herbal market and CPMs.In this study,a strategy for integrating in-house annotated protein databases constructed from close evolutionary relationship-sourced RNA sequencing data from public archival resources and various sequencing al-gorithms(restricted search,open search,and de novo)was developed to characterize the phenotype of natural peptides of three major commercial species of Pheretima,including Pheretima aspergillum(PA),Pheretima vulgaris(PV),and Metaphire magna(MM).We identified 10,477 natural peptides in the PA,7,451 in PV,and 5,896 in MM samples.Five specific signature peptides were screened and then validated using synthetic peptides;these demonstrated robust specificity for the authentication of PA,PV,and MM.Finally,all marker peptides were successfully applied to identify the zoological origins of Brain Heart capsules and Xiaohuoluo pills,revealing the inconsistent Pheretima species used in these CPMs.In conclusion,our integrated strategy could be used for the in-depth characterization of natural peptides of other animal-derived traditional Chinese medicines,especially non-model species with poorly annotated protein databases.

Cordyceps sinensis(C.sinensis)is a widely used and highly valuable traditional Chinese medicine.Several dipeptides have been detected in C.sinensis,but current scientific knowledge of its chemical makeup remains limited.In this study,an improved approach that integrates offline two-dimensional liquid chromatography(2D LC)separation,precursor ion list,library screening,and diagnostic ion filtering was established to systematically screen and characterize dipeptides in C.sinensis.Offline 2D LC integrating hydrophilic interaction LC and reverse phase separations was established to eliminate interference and identify the target dipeptides.A library containing the potential 400 dipeptides was created,and a precursor ion list with all theoretical precursor ions was adopted to trigger the MS/MS scan with high sensitivity.To identify dipeptides,the type and connection sequence of amino acids were determined according to the product ions.Ile and Leu residues were differentiated for the first time according to the characteristic ion at m/z 69.07.Ultimately,170 dipeptides were identified or tentatively characterized from C.sinensis,and most are reported for the first time in this species herein.In addition,the identified dipeptides were also applied for discrimination among the three Cordyceps species,and 11 markers were identified.The obtained results provide a deeper understanding of the chemical basis of C.sinensis.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been an indispensable source of drugs for curing various human diseases. However, the inherent chemical diversity and complexity of TCM restricted the safety and efficacy of its usage. Over the past few decades, the combination of liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry has contributed greatly to the TCM qualitative analysis. And novel approaches have been continuously introduced to improve the analytical performance, including both the data acquisition methods to generate a large and informative dataset, and the data post-processing tools to extract the structure-related MS information. Furthermore, the fast-developing computer techniques and big data analytics have markedly enriched the data processing tools, bringing benefits of high efficiency and accuracy. To provide an up-to-date review of the latest techniques on the TCM qualitative analysis, multiple data-independent acquisition methods and data-dependent acquisition methods (precursor ion list, dynamic exclusion, mass tag, precursor ion scan, neutral loss scan, and multiple reaction monitoring) and post-processing techniques (mass defect filtering, diagnostic ion filtering, neutral loss filtering, mass spectral trees similarity filter, molecular networking, statistical analysis, database matching, etc.) were summarized and categorized. Applications of each technique and integrated analytical strategies were highlighted, discussion and future perspectives were proposed as well.

Objective To analyze the correlation between subjective symptoms and function of nasal ventila-tion in nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome ( NARES) ,in order to provide the basis for the clinical diagno-sis.Methods 44 patients with NARES were selected as the NARES group ,and 50 healthy people were selected as the control group at the same time .The total nasal resistance ( TNR ) , MCA of the two groups were compared , and Pearson or Spearman correlation was used to analyze the subjective symptoms and objective test indexes in patients with NARES.Results Before contraction,the TNR values of NARES group in 75Pa and 150Pa were higher than those of the control group (Mann-Whiteny Z=7.365,8.125,all P<0.05).After contraction,the differences of TNR values in 75Pa and 150Pa,MCA,the correlation analysis in 8 subjective symptoms and 7 objective index of NARES had no statistically significant differences between the two groups ( all P >0.05).Conclusion The correlation between subjective symptoms and function of nasal ventilation in NARES patients is not obvious .Clinical diagnosis should be comprehensive ,in case of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis .

Objective:To invetigate the value of a novel puncture and drainage of intracranial hematoma for the treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage.Methods:In the group there were 27 patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage,with mean age of 61 years. Their hematomas located in thalamus(1 patient),basal ganglia(22 patients),and lobe(4 patients).The mean(SD)hematoma volume was 40(3.2)mL,the mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)score was 10.15,and the mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score was 30.65 at admission.CT scan provided hematoma location.and the percutaneous puncture. grind and drainage were performed under the local anesthesia by using a novel puncture and drainage of intracranial hematoma.Results:No adverse events occurred during the punctures and after the procedures.One patiems died 20 days after procedure.Other patients were followed up for more than 6 months.Eight patients had a good outcome as assessed by Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS)scores,15 had mild disability,2 had serious disability,and 1 was in a permanent vegetative state.Conclusions:This novel puncture and drainage of intracranial hematoma can be used in the treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage,and it is simple and safe.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between arousal and nocturnal apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHOD: Fifty four patients with OSAHS underwent overnight polysomnography (PSG) were enrolled, An hour continuous PSG monitoring in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) was recorded for all patients. The mean heart rate (HR) in 10 s before each arousal and the peak HR IN 10 s after arousal were compared, and the breathing disorder related arousal index (B-ArL) and pulse rate rise index (PRRI) were calculated at this time, and then a correlation analysis were performed and then Delta HR at apnea termination between these events were compared. RESULT: the peak HR in 10 s after arousal onset was significantly higher than the mean HR in 10 s before arousal onset, and B-Arl was positively correlated to PRRI. the Delta HR of events with EEG arousal at apnea termination was higher than those without EEG arousal. CONCLUSION The results indicate that arousal can influence the function of cardiovascular regulation; Frequent arousal is one of the main causes of the cardiovascular consequences in OSAHS patients. Operation can reduce these influences.
Adult ; Arousal ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; physiopathology ; surgery

Objective To explore the value of microarousal in the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS). Methods 120 snorers were monitored by standard polysomnography(PSG). The overnight PSG recordings were also performed 1 year after operation in 24 patients, who had filled in the Epworth Sleep Score(ESS) before and after treatment, to evaluate the improvement of daytime sleepiness. Results After operation, obstructive sleep apnea of the 24 patients disappeared, their ODI 4 decreased from (52?26)/h to (10?8)/h, microarousal decreased from (28?16)/h to (14?6)/h, and the subjective and objective daytime sleepiness was improved. Conclusion The EEG changes of microarousal with at least 3 seconds in OSAHS patients can be recorded by computerized EEG analysis. Microarousal can serve as an index for daytime sleepiness, and be complementary to AHI in the diagnosis and treatment of OSAHS.