ObjectiveTo analyze the volatile components in raw Coptidis Rhizoma， Euodiae Fructus juice-processed Coptidis Rhizoma （Yuhuanglian）， and the processing adjuvant Euodiae Fructus juice， identify marker volatile components in the processed product， and elucidate the material basis changes during the processing with Euodiae Fructus juice. MethodsHeadspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry （HS-SPME-GC-Q-TOF-MS） was employed to analyze the volatile components in raw Coptidis Rhizoma， Yuhuanglian， and Euodiae Fructus juice. Chemometric analysis was performed to compare volatile components among samples and screen the marker components. Finally， the relative odor activity value （ROAV） was calculated to investigate odor characteristics. ResultsA total of 127 components were detected， with 27， 75， 84 volatile components identified in Euodiae Fructus juice， raw Coptidis Rhizoma， and Yuhuanglian， respectively. Processing with Euodiae Fructus juice significantly increased the number and content of volatile components. Chemometric analysis revealed significant changes in volatile components among the three sample types， allowing clear discrimination. After processing， 39 components such as methyl octanoate and allyl propionate were introduced， while 34 components including furfural and hexanoic acid increased in content， and 11 components including butyric acid and octanal decreased. Additionally， eight components， including zingiberene， 6-methyl-6-hepten-2-one， and 5-methyl-2-hexanone， were screened as marker components of Yuhuanglian. Moreover， processing enhanced the ROAV values of 2，5-dimethylpyrazine （roasted， nutty， coffee-like aroma）， 3-ethylphenol， and guaiacol （smoky， woody aroma）. Additionally， it incorporated 1-hepten-3-one from Euodiae Fructus juice and the newly generated 1-hexen-3-one， contributing mushroom and cucumber-like odors. The sensory profile of Yuhuanglian integrated nutty， roasted， smoky， and woody notes with the citrus and fruity aroma originally contributed by octanal. ConclusionThe processing with Euodiae Fructus juice introduced components from adjuvant， significantly altering the volatile component profile and enhancing the sensory odor characteristics of Yuhuanglian. This study provides a valuable reference for exploring the material basis of volatile components and establishing processing specifications for Yuhuanglian.

ObjectiveTo analyze the volatile components in raw Coptidis Rhizoma， Euodiae Fructus juice-processed Coptidis Rhizoma （Yuhuanglian）， and the processing adjuvant Euodiae Fructus juice， identify marker volatile components in the processed product， and elucidate the material basis changes during the processing with Euodiae Fructus juice. MethodsHeadspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry （HS-SPME-GC-Q-TOF-MS） was employed to analyze the volatile components in raw Coptidis Rhizoma， Yuhuanglian， and Euodiae Fructus juice. Chemometric analysis was performed to compare volatile components among samples and screen the marker components. Finally， the relative odor activity value （ROAV） was calculated to investigate odor characteristics. ResultsA total of 127 components were detected， with 27， 75， 84 volatile components identified in Euodiae Fructus juice， raw Coptidis Rhizoma， and Yuhuanglian， respectively. Processing with Euodiae Fructus juice significantly increased the number and content of volatile components. Chemometric analysis revealed significant changes in volatile components among the three sample types， allowing clear discrimination. After processing， 39 components such as methyl octanoate and allyl propionate were introduced， while 34 components including furfural and hexanoic acid increased in content， and 11 components including butyric acid and octanal decreased. Additionally， eight components， including zingiberene， 6-methyl-6-hepten-2-one， and 5-methyl-2-hexanone， were screened as marker components of Yuhuanglian. Moreover， processing enhanced the ROAV values of 2，5-dimethylpyrazine （roasted， nutty， coffee-like aroma）， 3-ethylphenol， and guaiacol （smoky， woody aroma）. Additionally， it incorporated 1-hepten-3-one from Euodiae Fructus juice and the newly generated 1-hexen-3-one， contributing mushroom and cucumber-like odors. The sensory profile of Yuhuanglian integrated nutty， roasted， smoky， and woody notes with the citrus and fruity aroma originally contributed by octanal. ConclusionThe processing with Euodiae Fructus juice introduced components from adjuvant， significantly altering the volatile component profile and enhancing the sensory odor characteristics of Yuhuanglian. This study provides a valuable reference for exploring the material basis of volatile components and establishing processing specifications for Yuhuanglian.

Forsythia suspensa is a traditional Chinese medicine and a commonly used landscaping plant. Its dried fruit is used in medicine for its functions of clearing heat, removing toxins, reducing swelling, dissipating masses, and dispersing wind and heat. It possesses extremely high medicinal and economic value. However, the genetic differentiation and diversity of its wild populations remain unclear. In this study, chloroplast genome sequences were obtained from 15 wild individuals of F. suspensa using high-throughput sequencing technology. The sequence characteristics and intraspecific variations were analyzed. The results were as follows:(1) The full length of the F. suspensa chloroplast genome ranged from 156 184 to 156 479 bp, comprising a large single-copy region, a small single-copy region, and two inverted repeat regions. The chloroplast genome encoded a total of 132 genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes.(2) A total of 166-174 SSR loci, 792 SNV loci, and 63 InDel loci were identified in the F. suspensa chloroplast genome, indicating considerable genetic variation among individuals.(3) Population structure analysis revealed that F. suspensa could be divided into five or six groups. Both the population structure analysis and phylogenetic reconstruction results indicated significant genetic variation within the wild populations of F. suspensa, with no obvious correlation between intraspecific genetic differentiation and geographical distribution. This study provides new insights into the genetic diversity and differentiation within F. suspensa species and offers additional references for the conservation of species diversity and the utilization of germplasm resources in wild F. suspensa.
Genome, Chloroplast ; Forsythia/classification* ; Phylogeny ; Genetic Variation ; Chloroplasts/genetics* ; Microsatellite Repeats

ObjectiveTo investigate whether there are differences in the efficacy of Gegen Qinliantang with different contents of Puerariae Lobatae Radix on the acute enteritis （AE） model mice and provide a scientific basis for the interpretation of Gegen Qinliantang in the treatment of "Xie Re Li". MethodsA total of 112 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a blank group，model group，single Puerariae Lobatae Radix group，non-Puerariae Lobatae Radix group，regular dose Gegen Qinliantang group （regular dose group），half-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group，and doubled-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group， with 16 mice in each group. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the colon tissue. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of ZO-1 （a protein in the tight junction） and Occludin in the colon tissue， as well as the changes of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β）. ResultsCompared with the blank group，the DAI scores of the mice in the model group were significantly higher （P<0.05），and the histopathological sections of their colon tissues showed mucosal damage，glandular atrophy，disordered arrangement，and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration，and the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin proteins in their colon tissues was significantly down-regulated （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β was significantly up-regulated （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with the model group，the DAI scores of mice in all dosing groups decreased significantly （P<0.05），with the most significant effect in the regular dose group. After 7 d of drug administration，the regular dose group had the best impact on the repair of colonic mucosa in the AE mouse model. The regular dose group significantly down-regulated the expression of TNF-α （P<0.05） and significantly up-regulated the expression of ZO-1 protein （P<0.05）. The doubled-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group significantly down-regulated the expression of IL-1β protein （P<0.01），and there was no significant difference between all dosing groups and the model group in terms of the expression of Occludin protein. After 14 d of drug administration，the best effect on the repair of colonic mucosa in the AE mouse model was observed in the doubled dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group. All groups except the non-Puerariae Lobatae Radix group significantly down-regulated the expression of TNF-α （P<0.01）. Meanwhile，the regular dose group and doubled-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group significantly elevated the expression level of Occludin protein （P<0.01）. The doubled-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group also significantly inhibited the expression of IL-1β protein （P<0.05） and up-regulated ZO-1 protein expression （P<0.05）. ConclusionGegen Qinliantang can reduce the pathological damage of colon tissue， protect the barrier function and structure of intestinal epithelial cells， and reduce the expression of inflammatory factors， so as to achieve the therapeutic effect of AE model mice. When comparing the therapeutic efficacy of Gegen Qinliantang containing different Gegen contents， Gegen Qinliantang with the proportion of the original formula of Zhongjing was the most effective in AE model mice.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether there are differences in the efficacy of Gegen Qinliantang with different contents of Puerariae Lobatae Radix on the acute enteritis （AE） model mice and provide a scientific basis for the interpretation of Gegen Qinliantang in the treatment of "Xie Re Li". MethodsA total of 112 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a blank group，model group，single Puerariae Lobatae Radix group，non-Puerariae Lobatae Radix group，regular dose Gegen Qinliantang group （regular dose group），half-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group，and doubled-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group， with 16 mice in each group. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the colon tissue. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of ZO-1 （a protein in the tight junction） and Occludin in the colon tissue， as well as the changes of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β）. ResultsCompared with the blank group，the DAI scores of the mice in the model group were significantly higher （P<0.05），and the histopathological sections of their colon tissues showed mucosal damage，glandular atrophy，disordered arrangement，and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration，and the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin proteins in their colon tissues was significantly down-regulated （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β was significantly up-regulated （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with the model group，the DAI scores of mice in all dosing groups decreased significantly （P<0.05），with the most significant effect in the regular dose group. After 7 d of drug administration，the regular dose group had the best impact on the repair of colonic mucosa in the AE mouse model. The regular dose group significantly down-regulated the expression of TNF-α （P<0.05） and significantly up-regulated the expression of ZO-1 protein （P<0.05）. The doubled-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group significantly down-regulated the expression of IL-1β protein （P<0.01），and there was no significant difference between all dosing groups and the model group in terms of the expression of Occludin protein. After 14 d of drug administration，the best effect on the repair of colonic mucosa in the AE mouse model was observed in the doubled dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group. All groups except the non-Puerariae Lobatae Radix group significantly down-regulated the expression of TNF-α （P<0.01）. Meanwhile，the regular dose group and doubled-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group significantly elevated the expression level of Occludin protein （P<0.01）. The doubled-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group also significantly inhibited the expression of IL-1β protein （P<0.05） and up-regulated ZO-1 protein expression （P<0.05）. ConclusionGegen Qinliantang can reduce the pathological damage of colon tissue， protect the barrier function and structure of intestinal epithelial cells， and reduce the expression of inflammatory factors， so as to achieve the therapeutic effect of AE model mice. When comparing the therapeutic efficacy of Gegen Qinliantang containing different Gegen contents， Gegen Qinliantang with the proportion of the original formula of Zhongjing was the most effective in AE model mice.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Objective:To investigate the effect of mild moxibustion on transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1(TRPV1)channel expression in primary dysmenorrhea(PD)rats and explore its mechanism in alleviating central pain sensitization.Methods:Thirty-two female non-pregnant Wistar rats were randomized into a blank group,a model group,a mild moxibustion group,and a capsazepine group,with 8 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,the other three groups used estradiol benzoate,ice-water bath,and oxytocin to establish the rat PD model of cold-dampness stagnation pattern.The interventions began on day 1 of modeling,once a day,and lasted 10 d.The mild moxibustion group received mild moxibustion at Shenque(CV8)and Guanyuan(CV4),20 min/time;in the capsazepine group,capsazepine was injected at a dose of 2 mg/(kg·bw).The abdominal pain threshold was measured 10-30 min after oxytocin injection on day 11;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum prostaglandin F2α(PGF2α)level;the expression of TRPV1,cluster of differentiation 11B(CD11B),and proto-oncogene c-Fos in the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting.Results:Compared to the blank group,the model group showed a decreased pain threshold(P<0.05)and an increased serum PGF2α level with elevated TRPV1,CD11B,and c-Fos protein expression in the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus(P<0.05).Compared to the model group,both the mild moxibustion group and capsazepine group showed significantly increased pain thresholds(P<0.05),along with decreased serum PGF2α levels and reduced protein expression levels of TRPV1,CD11B,and c-Fos in the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus(P<0.05).Rat pain threshold in the capsazepine group was higher than that in the mild moxibustion group(P<0.05).Serum PGF2α level,the expression levels of CD11B and c-Fos proteins in the spinal dorsal horn,as well as TRPV1,CD11B,and c-Fos proteins in the hypothalamus of the capsazepine group were lower than those in the mild moxibustion group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Mild moxibustion at Shenque(CV8)and Guanyuan(CV4)may alleviate the central pain sensitization in PD rats by down-regulating TRPV1 channel expression in the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus,thus playing an analgesic effect.

Objective To investigate the effects of indirect moxibustion on the expressions of DNA methyltransferases(DNMT)and methylation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)promoter region in uterine tissues of rats with primary dysmenorrhea(PD);To explore the mechanism of epigenetic regulation of indirect moxibustion on PD model rats.Methods A total of 32 female SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,indirect moxibustion group and Western medicine group,with 8 rats in each group.The PD model with cold dampness stagnation syndrome was established using ice-water baths combined with estradiol benzoate and oxytocin.Starting from the first day of modeling,the indirect moxibustion group received salt-partitioned moxibustion at"Shenque"and ginger-partitioned moxibustion at"Guanyuan"for 20 min,while the Western medicine group was gavaged ibuprofen solution.Both interventions were given once a day for 10 days.On day 11,writhing responses were observed and scored after oxytocin injection,Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to detect protein and mRNA expression of BDNF,DNMT3A and DNMT3B in uterine tissue,immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the positive expressions of DNMT3A and DNMT3B in uterine tissue.The DNA methylation of BDNF promoter region in uterine tissue was detected by sulfite sequencing.Results Compared with the blank group,the writhing latency was shortened and the writhing score increased in the model group(P<0.01);the protein and mRNA expressions of BDNF,DNMT3A and DNMT3B in uterine tissue increased(P<0.01),the positive expressions of DNMT3A and DNMT3B increased(P<0.01),and the DNA methylation rate in BDNF promoter region decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the writhing latency was lengthened and the writhing score decreased in the indirect moxibustion group and Western medicine group(P<0.05,P<0.01);the protein and mRNA expressions of BDNF,DNMT3A and DNMT3B in uterine tissue decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the positive expressions of DNMT3A and DNMT3B decreased(P<0.01),and the DNA methylation rate in BDNF promoter region increased(P<0.01).Conclusion Indirect moxibustion at"Shenque"and"Guanyuan"may inhibit the transcription of BDNF by increasing the DNA methylation level of BDNF promoter region,and reduce the expression of BDNF,so as to relieve the pain of PD rats.

Background: Viral hepatitis causes annual deaths of 1.4 million people. Antiviral therapy rarely cures the disease, and patients are usually required to maintain lifelong medication, leading to cumulative drug toxicity. Schisandrae Fructus (SF) is efficacious in the treatment of viral hepatitis. Objective: The systematic review and meta-analysis aim to examine the efficacy and safety of SF alone or in combination with specific and nonspecific treatments for treating viral hepatitis by analyzing the clinical trials performed up to date. Methods: An extensive literature was searched in 7 databases from inception to May 2023. Final outcomes were divided into the primary outcomes containing the total effective rate and virological responses, as well as the secondary outcomes containing liver biochemical functions and frequencies of adverse events. RevMan 5.3 and GRADE pro 3.6 software were used for meta-analysis and assessment of evidence quality. Subgroup analysis was conducted to explore the source of the heterogeneity. Results: Twenty-nine randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. SF treatment was comparable with western medicines or other traditional Chinese treatments in terms of primary and secondary outcomes. In combination with specific treatments with antiviral medicines, SF group reduced 18.45 U/L of alanine aminotransferase levels [weighted mean difference: 18.45, 95% confidence interval (CI): (16.12, 20.78), p < 0.000 01] and 8.37 U/L of aspartate aminotransferase levels [weighted mean difference: 8.37, 95% CI: (1.25, 15.48), p = 0.02], and it decreased the levels of hyaluronic acid (HA) [standard mean difference (SMD): 0.92, 95% CI: (0.58, 1.27), p < 0.000 01], laminin (LN) [SMD: 0.64, 95% CI: (0.38, 0.90), p < 0.000 01], and procollagen type III [SMD: 0.48, 95% CI: (0.28, 0.67), p < 0.000 01], while increasing the total effective rate by 24% [risk ratio: 1.24, 95% CI: (1.15, 1.32), p < 0.000 01]. There were no severe adverse events during treatment. Conclusions: SF was a potential adjuvant for antiviral therapy in restoring liver function. However, the poor quality of the included randomized controlled trials limited the recommendations. More long-term, randomized, and double-blind studies should be performed to assess the efficacy and safety of combination therapy.

Background: Viral hepatitis causes annual deaths of 1.4 million people. Antiviral therapy rarely cures the disease, and patients are usually required to maintain lifelong medication, leading to cumulative drug toxicity. Schisandrae Fructus (SF) is efficacious in the treatment of viral hepatitis. Objective: The systematic review and meta-analysis aim to examine the efficacy and safety of SF alone or in combination with specific and nonspecific treatments for treating viral hepatitis by analyzing the clinical trials performed up to date. Methods: An extensive literature was searched in 7 databases from inception to May 2023. Final outcomes were divided into the primary outcomes containing the total effective rate and virological responses, as well as the secondary outcomes containing liver biochemical functions and frequencies of adverse events. RevMan 5.3 and GRADE pro 3.6 software were used for meta-analysis and assessment of evidence quality. Subgroup analysis was conducted to explore the source of the heterogeneity. Results: Twenty-nine randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. SF treatment was comparable with western medicines or other traditional Chinese treatments in terms of primary and secondary outcomes. In combination with specific treatments with antiviral medicines, SF group reduced 18.45 U/L of alanine aminotransferase levels [weighted mean difference: 18.45, 95% confidence interval (CI): (16.12, 20.78), p < 0.000 01] and 8.37 U/L of aspartate aminotransferase levels [weighted mean difference: 8.37, 95% CI: (1.25, 15.48), p = 0.02], and it decreased the levels of hyaluronic acid (HA) [standard mean difference (SMD): 0.92, 95% CI: (0.58, 1.27), p < 0.000 01], laminin (LN) [SMD: 0.64, 95% CI: (0.38, 0.90), p < 0.000 01], and procollagen type III [SMD: 0.48, 95% CI: (0.28, 0.67), p < 0.000 01], while increasing the total effective rate by 24% [risk ratio: 1.24, 95% CI: (1.15, 1.32), p < 0.000 01]. There were no severe adverse events during treatment. Conclusions: SF was a potential adjuvant for antiviral therapy in restoring liver function. However, the poor quality of the included randomized controlled trials limited the recommendations. More long-term, randomized, and double-blind studies should be performed to assess the efficacy and safety of combination therapy.