1.Differential analysis of saponins in Platycodon grandiflorus from different origins based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
Tingting ZHANG ; Jingjing HUANG ; Jinglei LIANG ; Tao PANG ; Wansheng CHEN ; Feng ZHANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(4):189-199
Objective To establish a highly efficient and sensitive technical system for the identification and analysis of platycodin-type saponins, systematically compare the differences in platycodin-type saponins among Platycodon grandiflorum from different producing areas, and provide scientific references for the screening of high-quality Platycodon grandiflorum resources, authenticity evaluation, and construction of standardized quality control systems. Methods A total of 45 batches of P. grandiflorum medicinal materials from 3 producing areas (Anhui, Henan, and Jilin, with 15 batches per area) were selected as research objects. Qualitative identification and semi-quantitative analysis of saponin components were performed based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) technology. Meanwhile, two multivariate statistical methods, principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), were combined to analyze the differences in platycodin-type saponins of Platycodon grandiflorus from different producing areas. Results A total of 28 saponin components were identified from Platycodon grandiflorus of the three producing areas. PCA results showed that there were minor differences in platycodin-type saponins between Henan Platycodon grandiflorus and Jilin Platycodon grandiflorus, while Anhui P. grandiflorum exhibited significant differences from both. PLS-DA further screened 15 major differential compounds. Among them, the contents of 6 components including 3''-O-acetylpolygalacin D2 and platycodin H in Anhui Platycodon grandiflorus were higher than those in Henan and Jilin Platycodon grandiflorus; platycodigenic acid A had the highest content in Jilin Platycodon grandiflorus; the contents of platycodin D3, polygalacin J, and polygalacin D were relatively higher in Henan Platycodon grandiflorus. Conclusion This study clarified the characteristic differences in core components of Platycodon grandiflorus from the three major producing areas, which provided an important theoretical basis for the screening of high-quality Platycodon grandiflorus resources, elucidation of the mechanism underlying its authenticity, and construction of a standardized quality control system.
2.Neuroprotective effect and mechanism of eleutheroside B on Parkinson’s disease model mice by regulating the IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway
Xiaoli WANG ; Hua RONG ; Siwen PAN ; Chunlei YU ; Tianjiao XU ; Yu SUN ; Huan CONG ; Yu PANG ; Gang CHEN ; Xiaoming LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(8):998-1002
OBJECTIVE To investigate the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of eleutheroside B (ELB) on Parkinson’s disease (PD) model mice by regulating the IκB kinase β (IKKβ)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. METHODS Fifty mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, positive control group (selegiline hydrochloride, 10 mg/kg), and ELB low-dose and high-dose groups (80, 160 mg/kg), with 10 mice in each group. Each group was given relevant medicine or normal saline intragastrically for 14 consecutive days. Starting from the 10th day of administration, the model group and all administration groups were intraperitoneally injected with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) 30 mg/kg, for five consecutive days to establish the chronic PD model. After the last administration for 24 h, six mice were randomly selected from each group to test their behavioral abilities; detect the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in brain tissue and their mRNA expressions were measured, and positive expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), protein expressions of TH, α -synuclein ( α -syn), ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), as well as phosphorylation levels of IKKβ and NF-κB p65 proteins in the brain tissue were detected. The ultrastructure of neurons in substantia nigra was observed. RESULTS Compared with the model group, rotarod endurance time and climbing score of each administration group (except for the ELB low-dose group) were increased significantly ( P <0.05), while the levels and mRNA expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α, α -syn, and Iba-1, as well as phosphorylation levels of IKKβ and NF-κB p65 proteins in brain tissue were decreased significantly (except for TNF-α in the ELB low-dose group). Conversely, the level and mRNA expression of IL-10 (except for the ELB low-dose group), TH positive expression and protein expressions were significantly increased ( P <0.05). Typical neurodegenerative pathological changes, such as neuronal karyopyknosis, mitochondrial swelling and vacuolization, and endoplasmic reticulum dilation, all showed varying degrees of improvement. CONCLUSIONS ELB may exert neuroprotective effects by inhibiting the activation of the IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway, alleviating inflammatory responses, reducing abnormal α -syn aggregation and neuronal loss, and further improving motor dysfunction in PD mice.
3.A scoping review of the relationship between 24 hour movement behaviors and physical and mental health among college students
XIAO Rui, ZHAO Lei, PANG Kehan, LI Zhiru, CHEN Xin, XU Linyan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(4):593-598
Objective:
To review the relationship between 24 hour movement behaviors and physical and mental health among college students, in order to provide evidence to support health promotion and further research in universities.
Methods:
Following the Joanna Briggs Institude(JBI) scoping review guidelines, relevant studies published in databases from inception date to December 26, 2025 were searched, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Data. For studies meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a descriptive analysis was conducted to summarize the measurement tools used, adherence rates with guidelines, and the relationship between physical and mental health.
Results:
A total of 30 studies were included. Measurement tools exhibited a high heterogeneity, with questionnaires being the primary method. The rate of full adherence with 24 hour movement behaviors among college students was less than 30%. Moderate to vigorous physical activity and high quality sleep were associated with improvements in physical fitness, cardiopulmonary function, and mental health, while prolonged sitting was negatively associated with obesity and depression. Equivalent time substitution analysis indicated that increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity and reducing prolonged sitting could significantly improve health outcomes.
Conclusions
The adherence rate for 24 hour movement behaviors among college students is low and it is closely associated with physical and mental health. Future studies should standardize measurement tools, and implement targeted interventions based on the optimization of daily activity patterns.
4.Shared genetic architecture between arrhythmia and obsessive-compulsive disorder: a heart-brain axis study based on multi-omics integration
Jiaqing XU ; Chen XU ; Xiaochu GU ; Lijun PANG ; Jing SHEN ; Liya YE
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(2):149-157
BackgroundArrhythmia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) frequently co-occur in clinical and epidemiological settings, yet their shared genetic basis and potential heart-brain axis mechanisms remain unclear. ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the genetic correlation between arrhythmia and OCD, and to elucidate their underlying molecular genetic mechanisms, so as to provide molecular evidence for the "heart-brain axis" to support risk assessment and integrated clinical strategies for these comorbidities. MethodsThe aggregated data from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) of arrhythmia in the UK Biobank (7 207 cases and 477 391 controls) and the GWAS data of OCD released by the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (2 688 cases and 7 037 controls) were integrated, all of which were limited to individuals of European ancestry. The genome-wide genetic correlations were estimated using the linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) and the high-definition likelihood (HDL). Local genetic correlation analysis was conducted using the local analysis of variance annotation (LAVA). Multi-trait analysis of GWAS (MTAG) was employed to identify pleiotropic loci. Shared risk genes were identified by combining summary-data based Mendelian randomization (SMR) and transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS). Functional enrichment analysis was performed based on the functional mapping and annotation (FUMA) platform. ResultsBoth LDSC (rg=0.248, 95% CI: 0.159–0.336, P=4.82×10-3) and HDL (rg=0.294, 95% CI: 0.237–0.351, P=5.87×10-4) revealed significant positive genetic correlation between arrhythmia and OCD. LAVA identified 23 significantly local correlated regions in the genome (P<2.0×10-5). MTAG discovered 11 genome-wide significant pleiotropic SNPs, among which rs12754189 (intron of KCNN3) had potential functional harmfulness (CADD>12.37). SMR and TWAS jointly identified 20 shared genes, enriched in neural-cardiovascular tissues such as the cerebral cortex, amygdala, and left ventricle, and involved in DNA damage response, RNA metabolism, transcriptional regulation, and FAS signaling pathway (FDR<0.05). ConclusionArrhythmia and OCD share a common genetic basis. The co-morbidity mechanism may involve the common vulnerability of neurons and cardiac muscle cells in terms of gene expression regulation and stress response, supporting the role of the brain-heart axis in the pathophysiology of both conditions.
5.Impact of a Rapid Optimization Clinic on Glycemic Control and Insulin Deintensification in Patients With Diabetes: An Early Retrospective Audit
Pang Hoy Yan ; Varuna Shashti Dhevi Marimuthu ; Amir Ridzwan Maula Mohd Nasir ; Muhammad Firdaus Ghani ; Chen Chiew Yee ; Hidayatil Alimi Keya Nordin ; Elliyyin Katiman
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):41-42
Introduction:
Improving glycemic control while minimizing unnecessary
insulin exposure is an important goal in diabetes
management. The Rapid Optimization Clinic (ROC) was
established as a structured multidisciplinary service to
support therapy individualization, close follow-up, and
timely insulin deintensification. This audit evaluated early
changes in glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and insulin
treatment burden following ROC care over 3 months.
Methodology:
We conducted a retrospective audit of routine clinical
data from patients with diabetes managed in the ROC at a
district hospital. Baseline and 3-month HbA1c and insulin
data were extracted from non-electronic clinic records.
Insulin dose was standardized as total daily dose (TDD)
in units/kg/day. Insulin deintensification was evaluated
primarily by change in TDD from baseline to 3 months and
by the proportion of patients who discontinued insulin
during follow-up. Paired analyses were performed for patients with complete baseline and follow-up data for
each outcome. Continuous variables are presented as mean
± standard deviation or median with interquartile range,
as appropriate. Exploratory analyses were undertaken to
assess whether available patient factors were associated
with HbA1c improvement.
Results:
Twenty-three patients were included. Paired HbA1c data
were available for 12 patients, whereas paired TDD data
were available for 21 patients. Mean HbA1c decreased
from 10.78 ± 2.59% at baseline to 8.42 ± 2.29% at 3 months,
representing a mean reduction of 2.36 percentage points
(95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09–4.62; p = 0.043). Mean TDD
decreased from 0.434 ± 0.248 to 0.286 ± 0.313 units/kg/day,
corresponding to a mean reduction of 0.148 units/kg/day
(95% CI 0.077–0.219; p <0.001). Insulin was discontinued in
9 of 21 patients (42.9%). No clear association was observed
between HbA1c improvement and age, sex, or number of
visits. Interpretation is limited by the small sample size,
reflecting the early phase of a newly established clinic.
Conclusion
In this early audit, ROC care was associated with clinically
meaningful improvement in glycemic control and
significant insulin deintensification over 3 months. These
findings support the potential role of a structured multidisciplinary optimization clinic in delivering individualized
diabetes care and facilitating safe reduction of insulin
burden.
Humans
;
Glycemic Control
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Diabetes Mellitus
;
Insulins
6.Prediction and verification of the mechanism of action of Jiawei qifang weitong granule in ameliorating precancerous lesions of gastric cancer
Wenlong CHEN ; Meiwen TANG ; Yeping YU ; Xinyuan CHEN ; Long PANG ; Changzhou XIONG ; Yingye LIANG ; Ting WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(15):1948-1953
OBJECTIVE To predict and verify the mechanism of Jiawei qifang weitong granule in ameliorating precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PLGC). METHODS Transcriptomic data of PLGC-related were obtained from the GEO database to screen differentially expressed genes and conduct functional enrichment analysis. Targets related to gastric mucosal injury repair were screened via the GeneCards database. The active ingredient targets of Jiawei qifang weitong granule were predicted using the TCMSP and other databases. The intersection of differentially expressed genes, gastric mucosal repair targets and active ingredient targets was extracted. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed based on the STRING database, and the top 6 hub target genes with the highest connectivity were screened. A PLGC rat model was established by combining 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine with alternating fasting and full feeding. Model rats were divided into model group, weifuchun group (positive control, 0.40 g/kg), low-, medium- and high-dose Jiawei qifang weitong granule groups (9.73, 19.44, 38.90 g/kg), with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 unmodeled rats were set as control group. Rats in each group were intragastrically administered corresponding liquid medicine or normal saline once a day for 30 consecutive days. After the last administration, pathological morphological changes of rat gastric tissues were observed, and the mRNA expression levels of hub target genes as well as partial protein expression levels in gastric tissues were detected. RESULTS Transcriptomics and network pharmacology analyses revealed that the top 6 hub target genes ranked by connectivity included MMP9 (matrix metalloproteinase 9), BCL2(B-cell lymphoma 2), IL10(interleukin 10),ICAM1(intercellular adhesion molecule 1), PTGS2 (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2), and HIF1A (hypoxia-inducible factor 1α subunit). Animal experiments showed that compared with the model group, gastric mucosal pathological injury was significantly alleviated in medium- and high-dose Jiawei qifang weitong granule groups and weifuchun group. The pathological injury score of gastric mucosa, the mRNA expression levels of MMP9, PTGS2, ICAM1, BCL2 and HIF1A, as well as the protein expression levels of PTGS2 and BCL2 in gastric tissues were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the mRNA expression level of IL10 was significantly increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Jiawei qifang weitong granule may ameliorate PLGC by targeted down-regulating the mRNA expression of MMP9, PTGS2, ICAM1, BCL2 and HIF1A, up-regulating IL10 mRNA expression, and regulating the imbalance between gastric mucosal inflammatory response and injury repair.
7.Efficacy and Mechanism of Shenling Qushi Prescription in Treatment of Hyperuricaemia Mice
Xuan LIU ; Jialu QUE ; Caixia PANG ; Shuhui TAN ; Luyu CHEN ; Yihuan LI ; Xiaofeng LIN ; Qi LIANG ; Cuiling LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):197-206
ObjectiveTo investigate the urate-lowering effect of Shenling Qushi prescription in the mouse model of hyperuricaemia. MethodsSixty-three C57BL/6N mice were randomly assigned to the following groups (n=9): Control, model, low-dose (6 g·kg-1) Shenling Qushi prescription, medium-dose (12 g·kg-1) Shenling Qushi prescription, high-dose (24 g·kg-1) Shenling Qushi prescription, medium-dose Shenling Qushi prescription plus febuxostat (12+0.003 g·kg-1), and febuxostat (3 mg·kg-1). A mouse model of persistent hyperuricaemia was established via intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxazolamide (250 mg·kg-1) combined with oral administration of allopurinol (300 mg·kg-1) over a 28-day period. Concurrently, the prescription was administered orally at the specified doses once daily for 21 consecutive days. Throughout the experiment, mouse body weight, food intake, water consumption, and urine output were measured and recorded. Kidney and liver indices were calculated. Renal histopathological changes were observed by haematoxylin and eosin staining. Serum uric acid (SUA) and urinary uric acid (UUA) levels, along with xanthine oxidase (XOD) and adenosine deaminase (ADA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, were determined. Real-time PCR was employed to assess the mRNA levels of urate anion transporter 1 (URAT1) and glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9) in the renal tissue, alongside those of XOD and ADA in the liver tissue. The protein levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 in the renal tissue were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group, model mice exhibited reduced food intake and body weight (P<0.01), decreased water consumption yet increased urine output, no significant change in the liver index but increased kidney index (P<0.01). Pathological findings revealed renal tissue damage including glomerular atrophy, epithelial cell detachment, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Furthermore, the model group exhibited elevated UUA and SUA levels (P<0.01), enhanced activities of ALT, AST, XOD, and ADA in the liver tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), upregulated mRNA and protein levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 in the renal tissue (P<0.05), alongside markedly elevated mRNA levels of XOD and ADA in the liver (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Shenling Qushi prescription groups showed no significant changes in body weight or food intake, with water consumption and urine output remaining within normal ranges, alleviated glomerular atrophy, with reduced pathological damage such as inflammatory infiltration, declined UUA and SUA levels (P<0.01), and increased activities of ALT, AST, XOD, and ADA in the serum (P<0.01). Real-time PCR results demonstrated that Shenling Qushi prescription downregulated the mRNA levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 in the renal tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01) and XOD and ADA in the hepatic tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). Western blot results demonstrated Shenling Qushi prescription reduced the protein levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionShenling Qushi prescription modulates fluid balance and reduces uric acid levels, thereby alleviating renal injury in hyperuricaemic mice. This effect is highly likely mediated through inhibition of uric acid synthesis and reabsorption.
8.Clinical application of transparent cap-assisted peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy for large common bile duct stones
Liying TAO ; Hongguang WANG ; Qingmei GUO ; Chong PANG ; Yundong SHI ; Sijie GUO ; Tianjiao JIA ; Yan CHEN ; Jiani ZHOU ; Shu CHE
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(8):1902-1907
ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and efficacy of transparent cap-assisted peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL). MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 60 patients with large common bile duct stones who were admitted to Department of Gastroenterology, Jilin People’s Hospital, from May 1, 2023 to January 31, 2026, and according to the treatment method, the patients were divided into transparent cap-assisted peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy group and peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy group, with 30 patients in each group. The two groups were compared in terms of the rate of successful single-session stone fragmentation and removal, procedural time, duration of electrohydraulic lithotripsy, clinical success rate, and complications. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. ResultsCompared with the peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy group, the transparent cap-assisted peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy group had a significantly higher technical success rate (83.33% vs 60.00%, χ2=4.022, P=0.045) and significantly shorter procedural time [46.00 (42.25 — 49.00) min vs 54.50 (42.00 — 65.00) min, Z=2.012, P=0.044] and duration of electrohydraulic lithotripsy [8.00 (6.25 — 11.75) min vs 13.50 (9.25 — 17.75) min, Z=2.749, P=0.006]. Both groups achieved a clinical success rate of 100%, with no significant difference in the incidence rate of complications (P>0.05). ConclusionTransparent cap-assisted peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy has a high rate of successful single-session stone fragmentation and removal and a short procedural time, with good safety and efficacy, and therefore, it holds promise for clinical application.
9.Research progress in analytical technologies for characterizing pharmacodynamic substance basis of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions
Yuan YUAN ; Di NIU ; Xinxin PANG ; Chaoyang DU ; Yanan WANG ; Ruifang CHEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(21):2738-2741
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound prescriptions serve as crucial practical embodiments of TCM theoretical frameworks, characterized by their complex multi-component composition and multi-target interactions. The research on the material basis of their pharmacological effects has gradually become the key to promoting the modernization of TCM. In recent years, new ideas and theories regarding the research on pharmacodynamic substance basis of TCM compound prescriptions have been continuously proposed. This review systematically summarizes and reviews analytical techniques such as targeted fishing technology, spectrum-effect relationship analysis, serum pharmacochemistry, network pharmacology, high-throughput screening, and cell membrane chromatography. It is found that these techniques exhibit unique advantages in areas including target-specific analysis, component-pharmacological effect correlation analysis, identification of the material basis in vitro and in vivo, prediction of multi-target mechanisms, efficient screening of active ingredients, and analysis of interactions between cell membrane receptors. These techniques compensate for the shortcomings of traditional research methods, enhance the systematicness and precision of research on pharmacodynamic substance based TCM compound prescriptions, and can provide theoretical support for the promotion and clinical application of TCM compound prescriptions.
10.Exploring Immune Mechanism of Alveolar Epithelial Homeostasis in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Based on Principle of "Spleen being in Charge of Defensive Function"
Jie CHEN ; Lijian PANG ; Ningzi ZANG ; Jingyu WANG ; Siyu LI ; Yuanyu LIANG ; XU XINZHU ; Ping LEI ; Xiaodong LYU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):259-264
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) can be classified as pulmonary collateral disease,and its pathogenesis is mainly characterized by the loss of Qi meridian nourishment,the loss of Yin meridian nourishment,and the formation of blood stasis in the blood vessels. Qi Yin deficiency is the pathological basis that runs through IPF,and obstruction of meridians and collaterals is a key element in the development of the disease. The dysfunction of "spleen being in charge of the defensive function" is closely related to the formation of the pathological pattern of "lung deficiency and collateral stasis" in IPF. The term "spleen being in charge of the defensive function" originated from the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon. If the spleen is healthy,the Qi will be filled with vitality. Positive energy is stored inside,evil cannot be dried up. Its concept is quite similar to the immune defense function in modern medicine. If the principle of "spleen being in charge of the defensive function" is lost,the key structure and function of the IPF alveolar epithelial barrier may be abnormal,and it can interact with various innate immune cells to promote inflammation and fibrosis processes. Therefore,this article explains the imbalance of immune homeostasis in IPF alveolar epithelium from two aspects:the barrier function of alveolar epithelial cells(AECs) and their interaction with innate immune cells. And based on the theory of "spleen being in charge of the defensive function",using traditional Chinese medicine for strengthening the spleen and nourishing Qi to treat IPF from the perspective of the spleen. This not only strengthens the scientific connotation of "spleen being in charge of the defensive function" in the pathogenesis of IPF,but also provides new research directions and ideas for its future clinical prevention and treatment.


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