1.National biological standards for antibiotics: an overview
Bufang MA ; Hui LIU ; Xuan JIN ; Yanchun FENG ; Jin LI
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2026;57(1):108-114
National biological standards for antibiotics are critical components of the antibiotic quality control system and serve as reference materials for measuring and calibrating the biological activity of antibiotics. This article systematically reviews the classification, definition of potency units, and current research status of commercially available national antibiotic biological standards in China. At present, these standards can be categorized based on chemical structure, number of components, and development methods. The definition of potency units has evolved from an early “arbitrarily assigned unit” to “being represented by the mass of the antibiotic salt” and, more recently, to the current mainstream approach of “being represented by the mass of the active ingredient”. This evolution reflects a shift in quality control philosophy from primarily biological analysis to a system dominated by chemical analysis supplemented by biological methods. Current research focuses on optimizing potency determination methods, studying the unification of content and potency, and implementing dual quality control of both the potency and the ratio/content of active components in multi-component antibiotics. For complex multi-component antibiotics, the microbiological assay based on biological activity remains irreplaceable in quality control. Future efforts should emphasize further method optimization, ensuring batch-to-batch consistency of standards, and advancing precision quality control as key research priorities for antibiotic biological standards.
2.Research advances and challenges in antimicrobial resistance surveillance technologies
Feng LIU ; Caixia DANG ; Ziqian ZHAO ; Yang WANG ; Yuanyong XU ; Hui CHEN
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(3):128-132
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical global health threat. This review systematically examines AMR surveillance technology advances, from conventional culture methods to modern molecular diagnostics (e.g., whole-genome sequencing) and artificial intelligence-assisted approaches. It focuses on the current application of mass spectrometry, machine learning predictive models, and real-time surveillance networks. To address challenges including inadequate technical standardization, clinical translation barriers, and data-sharing limitations, we propose integrated "genotype-phenotype" strategies and global standardization framework, while exploring future applications of CRISPR-based portable detection, single-cell sequencing, and blockchain technologies.
3.Efficacy of Differential Dosage of Pueraria in Gegen Qinliantang on Acute Enteritis Model in Mice
Ruiying ZHANG ; Ping WANG ; Di ZHANG ; Hongfa CHENG ; Ying ZHANG ; Zhu DENG ; Hui FENG ; Min LIU ; Yang TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):197-204
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.
4.Efficacy of Differential Dosage of Pueraria in Gegen Qinliantang on Acute Enteritis Model in Mice
Ruiying ZHANG ; Ping WANG ; Di ZHANG ; Hongfa CHENG ; Ying ZHANG ; Zhu DENG ; Hui FENG ; Min LIU ; Yang TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):197-204
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.
5.Safety and efficacy of Angong Niuhuang Pills in patients with moderate-to-severe acute ischemic stroke (ANGONG TRIAL): A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial.
Shengde LI ; Anxin WANG ; Lin SHI ; Qin LIU ; Xiaoling GUO ; Kun LIU ; Xiaoli WANG ; Jie LI ; Jianming ZHU ; Qiuyi WU ; Qingcheng YANG ; Xianbo ZHUANG ; Hui YOU ; Feng FENG ; Yishan LUO ; Huiling LI ; Jun NI ; Bin PENG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(5):579-588
BACKGROUND:
Preclinical studies have indicated that Angong Niuhuang Pills (ANP) reduce cerebral infarct and edema volumes. This study aimed to investigate whether ANP safely reduces cerebral infarct and edema volumes in patients with moderate to severe acute ischemic stroke.
METHODS:
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial included patients with acute ischemic stroke with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores ranging from 10 to 20 in 17 centers in China between April 2021 and July 2022. Patients were allocated within 36 h after onset via block randomization to receive ANP or placebo (3 g/day for 5 days). The primary outcomes were changes in cerebral infarct and edema volumes after 14 days of treatment. The primary safety outcome was severe adverse events (SAEs) for 90 days.
RESULTS:
There were 57 and 60 patients finally included in the ANP and placebo groups, respectively for modified intention-to-treat analysis. The median age was 66.0 years, and the median NIHSS score at baseline was 12.0. The changes in cerebral infarct volume at day 14 were 0.3 mL and 0.4 mL in the ANP and placebo groups, respectively (median difference: -7.1 mL; interquartile range [IQR]: -18.3 to 2.3 mL, P = 0.30). The changes in cerebral edema volume of the ANP and placebo groups on day 14 were 11.4 mL and 4.0 mL, respectively ( median difference: 3.0 mL, IQR: -1.3 to 9.9 mL, P = 0.15). The rates of SAE within 90 days were similar in the ANP (3/57, 5%) and placebo (7/60, 12%) groups ( P = 0.36). Changes in serum mercury and arsenic concentrations were comparable. In patients with large artery atherosclerosis, ANP reduced the cerebral infarct volume at 14 days (median difference: -12.3 mL; IQR: -27.7 to -0.3 mL, P = 0.03).
CONCLUSIONS:
ANP showed a similar safety profile to placebo and non-significant tendency to reduce cerebral infarct volume in patients with moderate-to-severe stroke. Further studies are warranted to assess the efficacy of ANP in reducing cerebral infarcts and improving clinical prognosis.
TRAIL REGISTRATION
Clinicaltrials.gov , No. NCT04475328.
Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Double-Blind Method
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
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Ischemic Stroke/drug therapy*
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Pilot Projects
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Stroke/drug therapy*
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Treatment Outcome
6.Research progress in chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Abelmoschi Corolla and prediction of its quality markers.
Shi-Han GUAN ; Chang LIU ; Xiao-Tong YAN ; Jin-Wei HAN ; Feng-Ting YIN ; Hui SUN ; Guang-Li YAN ; Ling KONG ; Ying HAN ; Xi-Jun WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):908-921
Abelmoschi Corolla, the dried corolla of Abelmoschus manihot, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrosis activities. Its chemical constituents mainly include flavonoids, organic acids, steroids, and polysaccharides. This study reviewed the research progress in the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Abelmoschi Corolla in recent 20 years. According to the concept of quality marker(Q-marker), the Q-markers of Abelmoschi Corolla were predicted from plant phylogeny, chemical constituent specificity, traditional efficacy, chemical constituent measurability, and absorbed constituents. The primary Q-markers for Abelmoschi Corolla were anticipated to include quercetin-3'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, gossypetin-8-O-β-D-glucuronide, isoquercetin, myricetin,quercetin, and hyperoside, with the aim of providing reference data for improving the quality evaluation system of Abelmoschi Corolla.
Abelmoschus/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Flowers/chemistry*
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Humans
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Animals
;
Quality Control
;
Flavonoids/chemistry*
7.Research on software development and smart manufacturing platform incorporating near-infrared spectroscopy for measuring traditional Chinese medicine manufacturing process.
Yan-Fei WU ; Hui XU ; Kai-Yi WANG ; Hui-Min FENG ; Xiao-Yi LIU ; Nan LI ; Zhi-Jian ZHONG ; Ze-Xiu ZHANG ; Zhi-Sheng WU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2324-2333
Process analytical technology(PAT) is a key means for digital transformation and upgrading of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) manufacturing process, serving as an important guarantee for consistent and controllable TCM product quality. Near-infrared(NIR) spectroscopy has become the core technology for measuring the TCM manufacturing process. By incorporating NIR spectroscopy into PAT and starting from the construction of a smart platform for the TCM manufacturing process, this paper systematically described the development history and innovative application of the combination of NIR spectroscopy with chemometrics in measuring the TCM manufacturing process by the research team over the past two decades. Additionally, it explored the application of a validation method based on accuracy profile(AP) in the practice of NIR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the software development progress driven by NIR spectroscopy supported by modeling technology was analyzed, and the prospect of integrating NIR spectroscopy in smart factory control platforms was exemplified with the construction practices of related platforms. By integrating with the smart platform, NIR spectroscopy could improve production efficiency and guarantee product quality. Finally, the prospect of the smart platform application in measuring the TCM manufacturing process was projected. It is believed that the software development for NIR spectroscopy and the smart manufacturing platform will provide strong technical support for TCM digitalization and industrialization.
Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/methods*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis*
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Software
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Quality Control
8.Exploring in vivo existence forms of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in rats.
Meng-Ge FENG ; Lin-Han XIANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Wen-Hui ZHAO ; Yang LI ; Li-Li LI ; Guang-Xue LIU ; Shao-Qing CAI ; Feng XU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2539-2562
The study aims to elucidate the existence forms(original constituents and metabolites) of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in rats and reveal its metabolic pathways. After Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma was administered orally once a day for seven consecutive days to rats, all urine and feces samples were collected for seven days, while the blood samples were obtained 6 h after the last administration. Using the ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) technique, this study identified 6, 73, and 156 existence forms of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in the rat plasma, urine, and feces samples, respectively. Among them, 101 compounds were identified as new existence forms, and 13 original constituents were identified by comparing with reference compounds. The metabolic reactions of constituents from Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma were mainly deglycosylation, dehydration, hydroxylation, hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, acetylation, and amino acid conjugation. Furthermore, the possible in vivo metabolic pathways of protopanaxatriol(PPT) in rats were proposed. Through comprehensive analysis of the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) data, isomeric compounds were discriminated, and the planar chemical structures of 32 metabolites were clearly identified. According to the literature, 48 original constituents possess antitumor and cardiovascular protective bioactivities. Additionally, 32 metabolites were predicted to have similar bioactivities by SuperPred. This research lays the foundation for further exploring the in vivo effective forms of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma.
Animals
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Rats
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacokinetics*
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Rhizome/metabolism*
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Male
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
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Panax notoginseng/chemistry*
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Tandem Mass Spectrometry
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Feces/chemistry*
9.Expert consensus on evaluation index system construction for new traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) from TCM clinical practice in medical institutions.
Li LIU ; Lei ZHANG ; Wei-An YUAN ; Zhong-Qi YANG ; Jun-Hua ZHANG ; Bao-He WANG ; Si-Yuan HU ; Zu-Guang YE ; Ling HAN ; Yue-Hua ZHOU ; Zi-Feng YANG ; Rui GAO ; Ming YANG ; Ting WANG ; Jie-Lai XIA ; Shi-Shan YU ; Xiao-Hui FAN ; Hua HUA ; Jia HE ; Yin LU ; Zhong WANG ; Jin-Hui DOU ; Geng LI ; Yu DONG ; Hao YU ; Li-Ping QU ; Jian-Yuan TANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3474-3482
Medical institutions, with their clinical practice foundation and abundant human use experience data, have become important carriers for the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the "cradles" of the preparation of new TCM. To effectively promote the transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and establish an effective evaluation index system for the transformation of new TCM conforming to the characteristics of TCM, consensus experts adopted the literature research, questionnaire survey, Delphi method, etc. By focusing on the policy and technical evaluation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions, a comprehensive evaluation from the dimensions of drug safety, efficacy, feasibility, and characteristic advantages was conducted, thus forming a comprehensive evaluation system with four primary indicators and 37 secondary indicators. The expert consensus reached aims to encourage medical institutions at all levels to continuously improve the high-quality research and development and transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and targeted at clinical needs, so as to provide a decision-making basis for the preparation, selection, cultivation, and transformation of new TCM for medical institutions, improve the development efficiency of new TCM, and precisely respond to the public medication needs.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
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Humans
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Consensus
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Surveys and Questionnaires
10.A new amide alkaloid from Cannabis Fructus.
Rui-Wen XU ; Yong-Zhuo ZHAO ; Yu-Guo MA ; Hui LIU ; Yan-Jun SUN ; Wei-Sheng FENG ; Hui CHEN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):3043-3048
Eight amide alkaloids(1-8) were isolated from the 70% ethanol extract of Cannabis Fructus using silica gel column chromatography, MCI column chromatography, and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Their structures were identified as hempspiramide A(1), N-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]formamide(2), N-acetyltyramide(3), N-trans-p-coumaroyltyramine(4), N-trans-caffeoyltyramine(5), N-trans-feruloyltyramine(6), N-cis-p-coumaroyltyramine(7), N-cis-feruloyltyramine(8) by using spectroscopic methods such as NMR and MS. Among these compounds, compound 1 was a new amide alkaloid, while compounds 2 and 3 were isolated from Cannabis Fructus for the first time. Some of the isolates were assayed for their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Compounds 5-7 displayed significant inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase with IC_(50) values ranging from 1.07 to 4.63 μmol·L~(-1).
Cannabis/chemistry*
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Alkaloids/pharmacology*
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Amides/isolation & purification*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification*
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Fruit/chemistry*
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Molecular Structure
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alpha-Glucosidases/chemistry*
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid


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