1.Comparison of Wild and Cultivated Gardeniae Fructus Based on Traditional Quality Evaluation
Yuanjun SHANG ; Bo GENG ; Xin CHEN ; Qi WANG ; Guohua ZHENG ; Chun LI ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Junjie HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):225-234
ObjectiveBased on traditional quality evaluation of Gardeniae Fructus(GF) recorded in historical materia medica, this study systematically compared the quality differences between wild and cultivated GF from morphological characteristics, microscopic features, and contents of primary and secondary metabolites. MethodsVernier calipers and analytical balances were used to measure the length, diameter and individual fruit weight of wild and cultivated GF, and the aspect ratio was calculated. A colorimeter was used to determine the chromaticity value of wild and cultivated GF, and the paraffin sections of them were prepared by safranin-fast green staining and examined under an optical microscope to observe their microstructure. Subsequently, the contents of water-soluble and alcohol-soluble extracts of wild and cultivated GF were detected by hot immersion method under the general rule 2201 in volume Ⅳ of the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, the starch content was measured by anthrone colorimetric method, the content of total polysaccharides was determined by phenol-sulfuric acid colorimetric method, the sucrose content was determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detection(HPLC-ELSD), and the contents of representative components in them were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC). Finally, correlation analysis was conducted between quality traits and phenotypic traits, combined with multivariate statistical analysis methods such as principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), key differential components between wild and cultivated GF were screened. ResultsIn terms of traits, the wild GF fruits were smaller, exhibiting reddish yellow or brownish red hues with significant variation between batches. While the cultivated GF fruits are larger, displaying deeper orange-red or brownish red. The diameter and individual fruit weight of cultivated GF were significantly greater than those of wild GF, while the blue-yellow value(b*) of wild GF was significantly higher than that of cultivated GF. In the microstructure, the mesocarp of wild GF contained numerous scattered calcium oxalate cluster crystals, while the endocarp contained stone cell class round, polygonal or tangential prolongation, undeveloped seeds were visible within the fruit. In contrast, the mesocarp of cultivated GF contained few calcium oxalate cluster crystals, or some batches exhibited extremely numerous cluster crystals. The stone cells in the endocarp were predominantly round-like, with the innermost layer arranged in a grid pattern. Seeds were basically mature, and only a few immature seeds existed in some batches. Regarding primary metabolite content, wild GF exhibited significantly higher total polysaccharide level than cultivated GF(P<0.01). In category-specific component content, wild GF exhibited significantly higher levels of total flavonoids and total polyphenols compared to cultivated GF(P<0.01). Analysis of 12 secondary metabolites revealed that wild GF exhibited significantly higher levels of Shanzhiside, deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester, gardenoside and chlorogenic acid compared to cultivated GF(P<0.01). Conversely, the contents of genipin 1-gentiobioside, geniposide and genipin were significantly lower in wild GF(P<0.01). ConclusionThere are significant differences between wild and cultivated GF in terms of traits, microstructure, and contents of primary and secondary metabolites. At present, the quality evaluation system of cultivated GF remains incomplete, and this study provides a reference for guiding the production of high-quality GF medicinal materials.
2.Herbal Textual Research on Longan Arillus in Famous Classical Formulas
Yanmeng LIU ; Yihan WANG ; Erwei HAO ; Chun YAO ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):300-309
This article systematically analyzed the historical evolution of the name, origin, harvesting and others of Longan Arillus by referring to the ancient and modern literature, in order to provide a foundation for developing famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it indicated that Longan Arillus was first recorded under the name of longan in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Longan Arillus gradually replaced longan as the standard name recorded in the materia medica, with additional aliases including Yizhi, Lizhinu and Yuanyan. The source of Longan Arillus used in the past dynasties was the arillus of the Sapindaceae plant Dimocarpus longan. The production regions recorded in the past dynasties were mainly Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan and others. Since the Qing dynasty, Longan Arillus produced in Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi have been regarded as the finest and authentic varieties, with Fujian, Guangxi, and Guangdong remaining the primary authentic production areas today. In ancient times, the fruits were primarily harvested in August of the lunar calendar. However, modern longan cultivation typically involves harvesting ripe fruits during summer and autumn. Post-harvest processing involves removing moisture through sun-drying or baking before drying for medicinal use. Throughout history, processing methods have primarily focused on raw product, though techniques such as wine soaking and powdering have also been employed. Since modern times, it has been concluded that its quality is the best one with thick flesh, sweet taste, brownish-yellow color and tender texture. Longan Arillus possesses a sweet and warm nature, entering the heart and spleen meridians. Its primary functions are tonifying the heart and spleen, nourishing the blood and calming the spirit, which is consistent in ancient and modern times. Based on the textual research, it is suggested to use the arillus of D. longan when developing the famous classical formulas containing Longan Arillus. Processing methods should be selected according to the formula requirements, where no specific processing is indicated, the raw products is recommended for medicinal use.
3.Association of hippocampal subfield volumes and cross-domain associative memory impairment in patients with schizophrenia
Zhao-lin ZHAI ; Di CHANG ; Xuan LI ; Chang LU ; Yu-ke DONG ; Yan WANG ; Chun-hong SHAO ; Qing KANG ; Deng-tang LIU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(6):775-782
Objective To investigate the possible association between cross-domain associative memory(AM)impairment and hippocampal subfield volumes in patients with schizophrenia(SCZ).Methods We enrolled 28 SCZ patients from Shanghai Mental Health Center,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,and 28 healthy controls(HCs)between 2019 and 2021.Based on an innovative AM paradigm and automated segmentation,3D-T1 weighted data of the objects were processed with PhiPipe and FreeSurfer.Differences in subfield volums between the two groups were analyzed using ANCOVA,while their relationship with AM scores was assessed using Pearson correlation.Results SCZ patients exhibited significantly poorer AM performance across three conditions compared with HCs.Marginally significant reductions were observed in the total volume of bilateral hippocampus,encompassing both the hippocampal head and body.Significant volume reductions were identified in the bilateral presubiculum and parasubiculum.The volumes of bilateral presubiculum head(r=0.273,P=0.042),parasubiculum(r=0.397,P=0.002),and CA1 head(r=0.382,P=0.004)exhibited positive correlations with cross-domain AM performance.Conclusion The bilateral presubiculum and parasubiculum,as hippocampal subregions significantly associated with cross-modal AM deficits in SCZ,may play a crucial role in the pathology of AM.
4.Improvement effect of isoquercitrin on anxiety rats through modulation of BDKRB2/PI3K/Akt pathway in hippocampus
De-di GUO ; Yi-wei ZHANG ; Xiang-jun WANG ; Xi-tai CHEN ; Huai-wei ZHAO ; Run-wei SONG ; Chang-lin WANG ; Chun-hong SONG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1359-1367
Aim To explore the action mechanism of isoquercitrin(IQ)in ameliorating anxiety based on network pharmacology,cellular transcriptomics,molecu-lar docking and animal experiments.Methods The common targets of anxiety disorders and IQ were ob-tained by using relevant databases.The protein-protein interaction network,the biological function and signa-ling pathway enrichment analysis were conducted by u-sing the common targets.Primary hippocampal neurons were cultured in vitro,and corticosterone was added to induce neurons to establish a corticosterone injury mod-el.IQ treatment was added to the culture system,and transcriptomics was used to screen for differentially ex-pressed genes and enrich for differentially expressed pathways.Subsequently,the results were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).Possible targets and signaling pathways for IQ treatment on anxiety were speculated and screened u-sing network pharmacology,transcriptomics and molec-ular docking.The anxiety rat model was constructed,and the anxiety state of rats was evaluated after IQ in-tervention,and the protein expression level of hippo-campus was detected to verify the relevant mechanism.Results Network pharmacology,cellular transcrip-tome,and molecular docking analyses revealed that the key mechanism of IQ for anxiety may be related to the BDKRB2/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.Animal exper-iments showed that IQ was effective in improving anxie-ty behaviour and learning memory ability in rats.IQ increased the movement distance and residence time in the central area of the open field,the time and number percentage of entries into the open arm in the elevated plus maze,and the spontaneous alternations score in the Y maze in rats,and significantly elevated protein expression of BDKRB2,PI3K,Akt and decreased pro-tein expression of NF-κB in the hippocampus.Conclu-sions Isoquercitrin can effectively treat anxiety,and the mechanism of action may be related to the regula-tion of BDKRB2/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in hip-pocampus.
5.Improvement effect of isoquercitrin on anxiety rats through modulation of BDKRB2/PI3K/Akt pathway in hippocampus
De-di GUO ; Yi-wei ZHANG ; Xiang-jun WANG ; Xi-tai CHEN ; Huai-wei ZHAO ; Run-wei SONG ; Chang-lin WANG ; Chun-hong SONG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1359-1367
Aim To explore the action mechanism of isoquercitrin(IQ)in ameliorating anxiety based on network pharmacology,cellular transcriptomics,molecu-lar docking and animal experiments.Methods The common targets of anxiety disorders and IQ were ob-tained by using relevant databases.The protein-protein interaction network,the biological function and signa-ling pathway enrichment analysis were conducted by u-sing the common targets.Primary hippocampal neurons were cultured in vitro,and corticosterone was added to induce neurons to establish a corticosterone injury mod-el.IQ treatment was added to the culture system,and transcriptomics was used to screen for differentially ex-pressed genes and enrich for differentially expressed pathways.Subsequently,the results were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).Possible targets and signaling pathways for IQ treatment on anxiety were speculated and screened u-sing network pharmacology,transcriptomics and molec-ular docking.The anxiety rat model was constructed,and the anxiety state of rats was evaluated after IQ in-tervention,and the protein expression level of hippo-campus was detected to verify the relevant mechanism.Results Network pharmacology,cellular transcrip-tome,and molecular docking analyses revealed that the key mechanism of IQ for anxiety may be related to the BDKRB2/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.Animal exper-iments showed that IQ was effective in improving anxie-ty behaviour and learning memory ability in rats.IQ increased the movement distance and residence time in the central area of the open field,the time and number percentage of entries into the open arm in the elevated plus maze,and the spontaneous alternations score in the Y maze in rats,and significantly elevated protein expression of BDKRB2,PI3K,Akt and decreased pro-tein expression of NF-κB in the hippocampus.Conclu-sions Isoquercitrin can effectively treat anxiety,and the mechanism of action may be related to the regula-tion of BDKRB2/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in hip-pocampus.
6.Mechanism of Polygonum capitatum on atherosclerosis based on data mining
Zi YE ; Yun-pei WANG ; Yu-hui WANG ; Xun-de XIAN ; Xiao-jie LI ; Chun-hua HUANG ; Yuan-zhu LIAO ; Di-dong LOU ; Yi-xia ZHOU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2369-2378
Aim To systematically investigate the ac-tive components,targets,and regulatory pathways of Po-lygonum capitatum in intervening atherosclerosis(AS)through network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiments.Methods Active components of Polygonum capitatum and AS-related targets were screened and identified through database searches.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis was performed using the STRING database,followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses via the David plat-form.Molecular docking validation was conducted with AutoDock.An AS model was established in Syrian golden hamsters fed a high-fat diet.Predicted pathways and targets were validated using qPCR,ELISA,and histopathological assessment of aortic and hepatic tis-sues via HE staining.Results Network pharmacology identified 27 potential active components of Polygonum capitatum(primarily flavonoids such as quercetin and luteolin)and 110 drug-disease intersection targets,in-cluding core targets MMP-9,ALB,and AKT1.GO and KEGG analyses enriched 593 and 125 pathways,re-spectively,with the NF-κB inflammatory pathway,TNF signaling pathway and lipid metabolism/atherosclerosis pathways highlighted as key mechanisms.Animal ex-periments demonstrated that Polygonum capitatum im-proved serum lipid profiles(reduced TC,TG,LDL-C)in AS hamsters,suppressed the MMP-9/NF-κB signa-ling pathway(downregulated MMP-9,p65 phosphoryla-tion,TNF-α,and IL-6),and inhibited VSMC synthetic phenotypic transformation(upregulated α-SMA and myocardin)by downregulating MCPIP1.Additionally,Polygonum capitatum ameliorated aortic lesions and he-patic lipid deposition in AS hamsters.Conclusions Polygonum capitatum alleviates AS by synergistically regulating the MMP-9/NF-κB/MCPIP1 axis through flavonoid components,suppressing vascular inflammato-ry cascades and maintaining VSMC contractile pheno-types.This reflects Polygonum capitatum's multi-com-ponent,multi-pathway,and multi-target characteristics in combating AS.
7.Association of hippocampal subfield volumes and cross-domain associative memory impairment in patients with schizophrenia
Zhao-lin ZHAI ; Di CHANG ; Xuan LI ; Chang LU ; Yu-ke DONG ; Yan WANG ; Chun-hong SHAO ; Qing KANG ; Deng-tang LIU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(6):775-782
Objective To investigate the possible association between cross-domain associative memory(AM)impairment and hippocampal subfield volumes in patients with schizophrenia(SCZ).Methods We enrolled 28 SCZ patients from Shanghai Mental Health Center,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,and 28 healthy controls(HCs)between 2019 and 2021.Based on an innovative AM paradigm and automated segmentation,3D-T1 weighted data of the objects were processed with PhiPipe and FreeSurfer.Differences in subfield volums between the two groups were analyzed using ANCOVA,while their relationship with AM scores was assessed using Pearson correlation.Results SCZ patients exhibited significantly poorer AM performance across three conditions compared with HCs.Marginally significant reductions were observed in the total volume of bilateral hippocampus,encompassing both the hippocampal head and body.Significant volume reductions were identified in the bilateral presubiculum and parasubiculum.The volumes of bilateral presubiculum head(r=0.273,P=0.042),parasubiculum(r=0.397,P=0.002),and CA1 head(r=0.382,P=0.004)exhibited positive correlations with cross-domain AM performance.Conclusion The bilateral presubiculum and parasubiculum,as hippocampal subregions significantly associated with cross-modal AM deficits in SCZ,may play a crucial role in the pathology of AM.
8.Herbal Textual Research on Abri Herba and Abri Mollis Herba in Famous Classical Formulas
Zhen ZENG ; Yanmeng LIU ; Yihan WANG ; Erwei HAO ; Chun YAO ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):193-201
This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name, origin, academic name, medicinal parts, origin, harvesting, processing and other aspects of Abri Herba and Abri Mollis Herba by referring to the herbal medicine, medical books, prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties, combined with the modern literature, so as to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing this type of medicinal materials. According to the herbal textual research, Abri Herba was first recorded in Lingnan Caiyaolu, with other aliases such as Huangtoucao and Xiye Longlincao. It originates from the dried whole plant of Abrus cantoniensis, a Fabaceae plant, which can be used medicinally except for its fruits. Currently, this species is mainly distributed in Guangdong and Guangxi, and also found in Hunan and Thailand, it can be harvested throughout the year, mainly in spring and autumn. The roots, stems, and leaves can be used for medicinal purposes, but the pods are toxic and need to be removed. After harvesting, impurities and pods are removed, and it is dried and processed for medicinal use. Abri Herba has a sweet and slightly bitter taste, is cool in nature, and is associated with the liver and stomach meridians, it is used for clearing heat and relieving dampness, dispersing blood stasis and relieving pain, and is mainly used to treat jaundice-type hepatitis, stomach pain, rheumatic bone pain, contusion and ecchymosis pain, and mastitis. Abri Mollis Herba was first recorded in the 1982 edition of Zhongyaozhi as another origin for Abri Herba, and was singled out in some monographs such as Xinhua Bencao Gangyao in 1988 for use, while some other monographs use it as a local habitual products or confused products of Abri Herba with aliases such as Daye Jigucao, Qingtingteng, and Maoxiangsi. It comes from the dried whole herb of A. mollis without pods, and is mainly produced in Guangxi and Guangdong, and occasionally found in Hong Kong, Hainan and Fujian. The collection and processing are similar to Abri Herba, after harvesting, impurities and pods are removed, and it is dried and cut for medicinal use. Abri Mollis Herba has a sweet and light taste, is cool in nature, and is associated with the liver and stomach meridians, with the efficacy of clearing heat and detoxifying, and promoting dampness, it is mainly used to treat infectious hepatitis, mastitis, furuncles, burns and scalds, and pediatric malnutrition. Based on the research, A. mollis was first recorded to be used as a medicine in the same origin as A. cantoniensis, and as plants of the same genus, have similar morphological characteristics, and their medicinal parts, collection and processing, properties and flavors, and meridian affiliations are consistent. And in the folk, Abri Mollis Herba is often used as Abri Herba, which has been used for a long time and is now dominated by the cultivation of A. mollis. So it is recommended that the subsequent version of Chinese Pharmacopoeia should include A. mollis in the origin of Abri Herba, and it is also recommended that in famous classical formulas refered to Jiguccao can use A. cantoniensis and A. mollis as the sources of the herb, refered to Mao Jiguccao can use A. mollis as the sources of the herb. Processing is carried out according to the requirements specified in the original formulas, and raw products are recommended to be included in the medicine if there are no requirements.
9.Herbal Textual Research on Abri Herba and Abri Mollis Herba in Famous Classical Formulas
Zhen ZENG ; Yanmeng LIU ; Yihan WANG ; Erwei HAO ; Chun YAO ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):193-201
This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name, origin, academic name, medicinal parts, origin, harvesting, processing and other aspects of Abri Herba and Abri Mollis Herba by referring to the herbal medicine, medical books, prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties, combined with the modern literature, so as to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing this type of medicinal materials. According to the herbal textual research, Abri Herba was first recorded in Lingnan Caiyaolu, with other aliases such as Huangtoucao and Xiye Longlincao. It originates from the dried whole plant of Abrus cantoniensis, a Fabaceae plant, which can be used medicinally except for its fruits. Currently, this species is mainly distributed in Guangdong and Guangxi, and also found in Hunan and Thailand, it can be harvested throughout the year, mainly in spring and autumn. The roots, stems, and leaves can be used for medicinal purposes, but the pods are toxic and need to be removed. After harvesting, impurities and pods are removed, and it is dried and processed for medicinal use. Abri Herba has a sweet and slightly bitter taste, is cool in nature, and is associated with the liver and stomach meridians, it is used for clearing heat and relieving dampness, dispersing blood stasis and relieving pain, and is mainly used to treat jaundice-type hepatitis, stomach pain, rheumatic bone pain, contusion and ecchymosis pain, and mastitis. Abri Mollis Herba was first recorded in the 1982 edition of Zhongyaozhi as another origin for Abri Herba, and was singled out in some monographs such as Xinhua Bencao Gangyao in 1988 for use, while some other monographs use it as a local habitual products or confused products of Abri Herba with aliases such as Daye Jigucao, Qingtingteng, and Maoxiangsi. It comes from the dried whole herb of A. mollis without pods, and is mainly produced in Guangxi and Guangdong, and occasionally found in Hong Kong, Hainan and Fujian. The collection and processing are similar to Abri Herba, after harvesting, impurities and pods are removed, and it is dried and cut for medicinal use. Abri Mollis Herba has a sweet and light taste, is cool in nature, and is associated with the liver and stomach meridians, with the efficacy of clearing heat and detoxifying, and promoting dampness, it is mainly used to treat infectious hepatitis, mastitis, furuncles, burns and scalds, and pediatric malnutrition. Based on the research, A. mollis was first recorded to be used as a medicine in the same origin as A. cantoniensis, and as plants of the same genus, have similar morphological characteristics, and their medicinal parts, collection and processing, properties and flavors, and meridian affiliations are consistent. And in the folk, Abri Mollis Herba is often used as Abri Herba, which has been used for a long time and is now dominated by the cultivation of A. mollis. So it is recommended that the subsequent version of Chinese Pharmacopoeia should include A. mollis in the origin of Abri Herba, and it is also recommended that in famous classical formulas refered to Jiguccao can use A. cantoniensis and A. mollis as the sources of the herb, refered to Mao Jiguccao can use A. mollis as the sources of the herb. Processing is carried out according to the requirements specified in the original formulas, and raw products are recommended to be included in the medicine if there are no requirements.
10.Mechanism of Polygonum capitatum on atherosclerosis based on data mining
Zi YE ; Yun-pei WANG ; Yu-hui WANG ; Xun-de XIAN ; Xiao-jie LI ; Chun-hua HUANG ; Yuan-zhu LIAO ; Di-dong LOU ; Yi-xia ZHOU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2369-2378
Aim To systematically investigate the ac-tive components,targets,and regulatory pathways of Po-lygonum capitatum in intervening atherosclerosis(AS)through network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiments.Methods Active components of Polygonum capitatum and AS-related targets were screened and identified through database searches.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis was performed using the STRING database,followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses via the David plat-form.Molecular docking validation was conducted with AutoDock.An AS model was established in Syrian golden hamsters fed a high-fat diet.Predicted pathways and targets were validated using qPCR,ELISA,and histopathological assessment of aortic and hepatic tis-sues via HE staining.Results Network pharmacology identified 27 potential active components of Polygonum capitatum(primarily flavonoids such as quercetin and luteolin)and 110 drug-disease intersection targets,in-cluding core targets MMP-9,ALB,and AKT1.GO and KEGG analyses enriched 593 and 125 pathways,re-spectively,with the NF-κB inflammatory pathway,TNF signaling pathway and lipid metabolism/atherosclerosis pathways highlighted as key mechanisms.Animal ex-periments demonstrated that Polygonum capitatum im-proved serum lipid profiles(reduced TC,TG,LDL-C)in AS hamsters,suppressed the MMP-9/NF-κB signa-ling pathway(downregulated MMP-9,p65 phosphoryla-tion,TNF-α,and IL-6),and inhibited VSMC synthetic phenotypic transformation(upregulated α-SMA and myocardin)by downregulating MCPIP1.Additionally,Polygonum capitatum ameliorated aortic lesions and he-patic lipid deposition in AS hamsters.Conclusions Polygonum capitatum alleviates AS by synergistically regulating the MMP-9/NF-κB/MCPIP1 axis through flavonoid components,suppressing vascular inflammato-ry cascades and maintaining VSMC contractile pheno-types.This reflects Polygonum capitatum's multi-com-ponent,multi-pathway,and multi-target characteristics in combating AS.

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