This study selected 6 529 plant-based Chinese materia medica(PCMM) from Chinese Materia Medica as research subjects and applied a random permutation test to explore the overall correlation characteristics between nature and flavor, as well as the correlation characteristics after distinguishing different medicinal parts and harvest seasons. The results showed that the overall correlation characteristics between nature and flavor in PCMM were significantly associated in the following pairs: cold and bitter, cool and bitter, cool and astringent, cool and light, neutral and sweet, neutral and astringent, neutral and light, neutral and sour, hot and pungent, and warm and pungent. When analyzing the data by distinguishing medicinal parts and/or harvest seasons, new correlation patterns emerged, characterized by the disappearance of some significant correlations and the emergence of new ones. When analyzing by medicinal parts alone, significant correlations were found in the following cases: cold and light in leaves, cold and salty in barks, cool and sweet in fruits and seeds, neutral and pungent in whole herbs, neutral and salty in stems, and warm and salty in flowers. However, no significant correlations were found between cool and bitter in stems and other types of herbs, cool and astringent in fruits, seeds, flowers, and other types of herbs, cool and light in leaves, fruits, seeds, barks, flowers and other types of herbs, neutral and sweet in barks, neutral and astringent in whole herbs and stems, neutral and light in leaves, fruits, seeds, and flowers, neutral and sour in whole herbs, stems, barks, flowers, and other types of herbs, and hot and pungent in whole herbs, stems, flowers, and other types of herbs. When analyzing by harvest season alone, significant correlations were found in the following cases: cold and salty, and cool and sour in herbs harvested in winter, and neutral and salty in herbs harvested year-round. However, no significant correlation was found between cool and light in herbs harvested in winter. When considering both medicinal parts and harvest seasons, compared to the independent influence of medicinal parts, 14 new significant correlations emerged(e.g., the correlation between cool and bitter in stems harvested in spring), while 53 previously significant correlations disappeared(e.g., the correlation between cool and bitter in barks harvested in summer). Compared to the independent influence of harvest seasons, 11 new significant correlations appeared(e.g., the correlation between cold and light in barks harvested in autumn), while 50 previously significant correlations disappeared(e.g., the correlation between hot and pungent in leaves harvested in winter). This study is the first to reveal the influence of medicinal parts and harvest seasons on the correlation between nature and flavor in PCMM, which highlights that these two factors can interact and jointly affect nature-flavor correlations. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms. This study provides a deeper understanding of the inherent scientific connotations of herbal properties and offers a theoretical foundation for the cultivation and harvesting of PCMM.
Seasons ; Plants, Medicinal/growth & development* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Taste

italic>Lamiophlomis rotata is an important medicinal plant species endemic to the Tibetan Plateau, which is prone to strong climate change impacts on its habitable range due to the high sensitivity of the Tibetan Plateau to climate change. Accurate quantification of species vulnerability to climate change is essential for assessing species extinction risk and developing effective conservation strategies. Therefore, we carried out the α-shape analysis to determine the habitat of L. rotata. We then carried out the climate-niche factor analysis (CNFA) to assess the vulnerability of L. rotata to climate change based on five climate variables (i.e., mean diurnal range, temperature seasonality, mean temperature of warmest quarter, precipitation of driest month and precipitation of warmest quarter) in the context of two shared socioeconomic pathways (i.e., SSP126 and SSP585) and three global climate models (CMCC-ESM2: Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici-Earth System Model version 2; HadGEM3-GC31-LL: Hadley Global Environment Model version 3-Global Coupled configuration 3.1; IPSL-CM6A-LR: Institut Pierre Simon Laplace-Climate Model version 6) during two different periods (2041-2060 and 2081-2100). The vulnerability of L. rotata to climate change was calculated by integrating the sensitivity and exposure indices of L. rotata to five climate variables. The results showed that L. rotata had the highest vulnerability to the precipitation of warmest quarter. Its vulnerability within its habitat range generally showed a spatial pattern of high value in the southern region and low in the northern region, high in the western region and low in the eastern region. In general, the vulnerability of L. rotata under the SSP585 scenario was higher than that under the SSP126 scenario. The climate data of different global climate models have some influence on the results, while the resulted uncertainty can be reduced by data integration methods. As a result of climate change, the pressure on the survival of L. rotata in the future will be intensified in the low-altitude areas such as the Yarlung Zangbo River, Yigongzangbu River, Zayu River, and Jiaomuzu River, etc., while the highly weathered scree flats or stony alpine meadows in the high-altitude zones, such as the eastern Tanggula Mountain Range, the northern part of Hengduan Mountain Range, and the western part of the Qinling Mountains, may become its refuge. It is necessary to focus on and strengthen the protection and management of L. rotata resources in these vulnerble and critical areas.

AIM To investigate the ameliorative effects of Schisandrol A(Sol A)in Suhuang antitussive capsule on post-infectious cough(PIC).METHODS The in vivo mouse PIC model was established by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)combined with cigarette smoke exposure.The mice were randomly divided into the control group,the model group,the Suhuang antitussive capsule group(14 g/kg),the montelukast sodium positive control group(3 mg/kg),and low and high dose Sol A groups(10,30 mg/kg).The in vitro PIC model was established by stimulating human bronchial epithelial cells(BEAS-2B)with LPS.The cells were divided into the control group,the model group,the Suhuang antitussive capsule group(10 μg/mL)and low and high dose Sol A groups(3,10 μmol/L).HE and Masson staining were used to detect the pathological changes of the lung and bronchial tissues.ELISA was used to detect the levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,ROS,MDA,SOD and GSH in the lung tissues.RT-qPCR was used to detect the IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expressions in BEAS-2B cells.And Western blot was applied to detect the protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-Akt,NOX4,SIRT1,p-ERK,Fibronectin,E-cadherin,Vimentin and α-SMA in mouse lung tissue and BEAS-2B cells.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with Sol A or Suhuang antitussive capsule displayed prolonged cough latency(P＜0.01);reduced cough frequency(P＜0.01);relieved pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition in PIC mice;decreased pulmonary levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,ROS,MDA and protein expressions of Fibronectin,Vimentin,α-SMA,p-ERK,p-PI3K,p-Akt,and NOX4(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);increased pulmonary levels of SOD and GSH and protein expressions of E-cadherin and SIRT1(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased ROS level,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α mRNA expressions and p-ERK,p-PI3K,p-Akt,NOX4 protein expressions in vitro(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and increased SIRT1 protein expression in vitro as well(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Being the main antitussive component of Suhuang antitussive capsule upon the PIC model,Sol A inhibits the inflammation via SIRT1/ERK signaling pathway and relieve the oxidative stress via PI3K/Akt/NOX4 signaling pathway.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second-most common cancer among men. Both active surveillance or watchful waiting (AS/WW) and focal laser ablation (FLA) can avoid the complications caused by radical treatment. How to make the choice between these options in clinical practice needs further study. Therefore, this study aims to compare and analyze their effects based on overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) to obtain better long-term benefits. We included patients with low-risk PCa from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database of 2010-2016. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were conducted for OS and CSS in the two groups. To eliminate bias, this study applied a series of sensitivity analyses. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to obtain survival status. A total of 18 841 patients with low-risk PCa were included, with a median of 36-month follow-up. According to the multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression, the FLA group presented inferior survival benefits in OS than the AS/WW group (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37-3.33, P < 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, the result persisted (HR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.02-2.81, P < 0.05). According to the results of the sensitivity analysis, the inverse probability of the treatment weighing model indicated the same result in OS. In conclusion, AS/WW and FLA have the advantage of fewer side effects and the benefit of avoiding overtreatment compared with standard treatment. Our study suggested that AS/WW provides more survival benefits for patients with low-risk PCa. More relevant researches and data will be needed for further clarity.
Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Male ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Risk ; Watchful Waiting

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted. Clinical data from ASD patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and who underwent FMT in the Tenth People's Hospital affiliated to Tongji University or Jinling Hospital between May 2012 to May 2021 were retrospectively collected. Scores derived from the autism behavior checklist (ABC), the childhood autism rating scale (CARS), the Bristol stool form scale (BSFS), and the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS) were analyzed at baseline and at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 12th, 24th, 36th, 48th and 60th month after FMT. Records of any adverse reactions were collected. Generalized estimating equations were used for analysis of data on time points before and after FMT. Results: A total of 328 patients met the inclusion criteria for this study. Their mean age was 6.1±3.4 years old. The cohort included 271 boys and 57 girls. The percentage of patients remaining in the study for post-treatment follow-up at the 1st, 3rd, 12th, 24th, 36th, 48th and 60th month were as follows: 303 (92.4%), 284 (86.7%), 213 (64.9%), 190 (57.9%), 143 (43.6%), 79 (24.1%), 46 (14.0%), 31 (9.5%). After FMT, the average ABC score was significantly improved in the first 36 months and remained improved at the 48th month. However, the average score was not significantly different from baseline by the 60th month (1st-36th month, P<0.001; 48th month, P=0.008; 60th month, P=0.108). The average CARS score improved significantly during the first 48 months and remained improved at the 60th month (1st-48th month, P<0.001; 60th month, P=0.010). The average BSFS score was also significantly improved in the first 36 months (with an accompanying stool morphology that resembled type 4). This improvement was maintained at the 48th month. However, the average score was similar to baseline at the 60th month (1st-36th month, P<0.001; 48th month, P=0.008; 60th month, P=0.109). The average GSRS score was significantly improved during the first 24 months, but not afterwards (1st-24th month, P<0.001; 36th month, P=0.209; 48th month, P=0.996; 60th month, P=0.668). The adverse events recorded during treatment included abdominal distension in 21 cases (6.4%), nausea in 14 cases (4.3%), vomiting in 9 cases (2.7%), abdominal pain in 15 cases (4.6%), diarrhea in 18 cases (5.5%), fever in 13 cases (4.0%), and excitement in 24 cases (7.3%). All adverse reactions were mild to moderate and improved immediately after suspension of FMT or on treatment of symptoms. No serious adverse reactions occurred. Conclusion: FMT has satisfactory long-term efficacy and safety for the treatment of ASD with gastrointestinal symptoms.
Autism Spectrum Disorder/therapy* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Feces ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To identify traditional Chinese drugs that contain active ingredients for treatment of myocardial infarction (MI) and explore their therapeutic mechanisms using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. METHODS: The TCMSP database was used for screening the traditional Chinese drugs containing active ingredients for treating MI, and the related targets of MI and the candidate drugs were obtained from Genecards, OMIM, PharmGkb and PharmMapper databases. The common target network of the drug targets and disease targets was established using Venny2.1.0 software. GO and KEGG signal pathway enrichment analysis of the common targets was performed, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed for the targets. The targets in the PPI network were analyzed to identify the key targets, for which GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed. Molecular docking was performed for the candidate ingredients and the key targets, and a total score ≥6 was used as the criteria for screening the therapeutic ingredients and their docking binding with key targets was verified. A human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) model of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) was used to validate the candidate ingredients and the key therapeutic targets for MI by Western blotting. RESULTS: Our analysis identified Salvia miltiorrhiza and Dalbergiae odoriferae as the candidate drugs rich in active ingredients for treatment of MI. These ingredients involved 16 key therapeutic targets for MI, which participated in such biological processes as inflammatory response, angiogenesis, energy metabolism and oxidative stress and the pathways including HIF-1, VEGF, and TNF pathways. Sclareol and PTGS2 in Salvia miltiorrhiza and formononetin and KDR in Dalbergiae odoriferae all had high docking total scores. Western blotting showed that at medium and high doses, sclareol significantly inhibited PTGS2 expression and formononetin promoted KDR expressions in the cell models in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Both Salvia miltiorrhiza and Dalbergiae odoriferae have good therapeutic effects on MI. Sclareol in Salvia miltiorrhiza and formononetin in Dalbergiae odoriferae regulate the expressions of KDR and PTGS2, respectively, to modulate the inflammatory response, angiogenesis, oxidative stress and energy metabolism and thus produce myocardial protective effects.
China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Myocardial Infarction/drug therapy* ; Network Pharmacology

Objective:To investigate the effect of Ranae Oviductus (RO) on ovarian follicular development， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway， and pregnancy function in rats, and the estrogen-like mechanism of OR. Method:Seventy female Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group， a progynova+ luteohormone group (1 mg·kg^-1+40 mg·kg^-1), a clomiphene group (10 mg·kg^-1), and high-dose(400 mg·kg^-1) and low-dose(200 mg·kg^-1) RO groups. Rats were administered correspondingly by gavage for eight weeks. After seven weeks of intragastric administration, the estrus cycle of all rats was measured. After eight weeks of intragastric administration， four rats from each group were selected to give birth. For other rats, blood was collected on the day of estrus， and the serum levels of estradiol (E₂)，progesterone (P)， testosterone (T)， follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)， and luteotropic hormone (LH) were detected. Uterus and ovaries were extracted and weighed to calculate organ index. One ovary was made into pathological sections, and the follicles at different developmental stages and corpus luteum were counted. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）and Western blot were performed on the other ovary to detect mRNA and protein changes in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Forty female Kunming mice were randomly divided into a normal group and RO groups (400 mg·kg^-1) with 14 days， 28 days， and 56 days of intervention. Mice in the RO groups were raised with male mice in cages after intragastric administration of OR for 14， 28， and 56 days， respectively. After 18 days, the number of intrauterine fetuses on both sides and the number of stunted fetuses were counted. Result:After eight weeks of intragastric administration of OR， the rats showed decreased uterine index (P<0.05)， declining serum LH (P<0.05)， reduced luteum (P<0.01)， dwindled primary follicles (P<0.05)， and increased rate of follicle atresia (P<0.01). Additionally， more luteal or interstitial glands degenerated into interstitial structures in the ovarian cortex in a short time. The mRNA expression levels of PI3K and Akt in the ovary were elevated (P<0.01)， while the mRNA expression levels of mTOR and PTEN were reduced (P<0.01). The phosphorylation level of Akt protein showed a downward trend without significant difference. For the rats， the number of fetuses was decreased (P<0.05). The pregnancy rate of mice was decreased to varying degrees after administration of RO for different durations， with the lowest in the 14 day RO group， as low as 30%. After 28 days of intragastric administration of RO， the difference in left and right uterine pregnancy increased (P<0.05). Conclusion:Long-term administration of RO can lead to premature ovarian failure by over-stimulating the ovary， which is similar to clomiphene. Short-term administration can result in decreased pregnancy rate， excessive ovulation on one side， and inhibition of ovulation on the other side. The influence on follicles needs further exploration.

Objective: To establish a rapid on-site method for identifying Chinese medical material recombinase-mediated amplification (RAA) technology for the use of identifying medicinal Bubali Cornu from yak horn. Method: Based on the differences of mitochondrial genome sequences between Bubali Cornu and adulterants,the specific RAA primer (SNJ-1.F,SNJ-1.R) and fluorescence probe SNJ-1.probe were designed by variation sites. Alkaline lysis method was used to extract DNA from milled samples,and optimize RAA reaction system. The incubation was made at 37℃ for 15-20 min, the reaction results were monitored through gel electrophoresis and a mobile fluorescence amplification instrument. The RAA identification result was compared with COI DNA sequencing. Result: After incubation at 37℃ for 20 min,about 140 bp of bright and simple bands was amplified from DNA templates of Bubalus bubalis,whereas Bos mutus were negative. By the Real-time fluorescent RAA identify method,all reactions in DNAs from Bubali Cornu samples were amplified from 6.21 to 8.37 min,whereas DNAs from yak samples were amplified after 10.08 min,COI sequencing results conformed to the Real-time fluorescent RAA identification. Conclusion: Specific RAA could rapidly identify Bubali Cornu in 20 minutes, and thus be applied in medical material and its products. This method is simple,rapid and sophisticated instrument-free,with promises in on-site identification of traditional Chinese medicine.

The aim of the present study was to establish a cell model of volume-regulated anion channel subunit LRRC8A and investigate the physiological characteristics of LRRC8A. The eukaryotic expression vectors of LRRC8A and YFP-H148Q/I152L were constructed and transfected into Fischer rat thyroid (FRT) cells by Lipofectamine 2000. The FRT cell lines co-expressing LRRC8A and YFP-H148Q/I152L were obtained by antibiotic screening. The expression of LRRC8A and YFP-H148Q/I152L in FRT cells was detected by the inverted fluorescence microscope. The fluorescence quenching kinetic experiment was done to verify the function and effectiveness of the cell model. Then the cell model was utilized to study the physiological characteristics of LRRC8A, such as the characteristics of anion transport, the opening of LRRC8A by osmotic pressure, the effect of anion transport velocity, and the effect of chloride channel inhibitors on LRRC8A anion channel. The results of the inverted fluorescence microscope showed that LRRC8A was expressed on the cell membrane and YFP-H148Q/I152L was expressed in the cytoplasm. The results of fluorescence quenching kinetic test showed that under the condition of low osmotic state, LRRC8A could transport some kinds of anions, such as iodine and chloride ions. Osmotic pressure played a key role in the regulation of LRRC8A volume-regulated anion channel opening. Chloride channel inhibitors inhibited ion transport of LRRC8A channel in a dose-dependent manner. It is suggested that LRRC8A has the characteristics of classic volume-regulated anion channels by using the cell model of FRT cells co-expressing LRRC8A and YFP-H148Q/I152L.
Animals ; Anions ; Cells, Cultured ; Chloride Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Ion Transport ; Membrane Proteins ; physiology ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344 ; Thyroid Gland ; cytology ; Transfection