1.Herbal Textual Research on Inulae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Caixia LIU ; Yue HAN ; Yanzhu MA ; Lei GAO ; Sheng WANG ; Yan YANG ; Wenchuan LUO ; Ling JIN ; Jing SHAO ; Zhijia CUI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):210-221
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties, Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name, and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao, Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica, and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species, there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia, I. helianthus-aquatili, and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan, Hubei and other places, and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower, the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months, and dried in the sun, and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom, in order to remove impurities, dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition, the roots, whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times, there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos, and in modern times, it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure, small receptacles, large blooms, yellow petals, long filaments, many fluffs, no fragments, and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning, steaming, and sun-drying, supplemented by techniques such as boiling, roasting, burning, simmering, stir-frying, and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties, ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter, pungent, and salty in taste, with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras, including descending Qi, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos, either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements, where no processing instructions are specified, the raw products may be used after cleaning.
2.Herbal Textual Research on Inulae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Caixia LIU ; Yue HAN ; Yanzhu MA ; Lei GAO ; Sheng WANG ; Yan YANG ; Wenchuan LUO ; Ling JIN ; Jing SHAO ; Zhijia CUI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):210-221
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties, Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name, and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao, Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica, and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species, there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia, I. helianthus-aquatili, and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan, Hubei and other places, and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower, the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months, and dried in the sun, and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom, in order to remove impurities, dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition, the roots, whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times, there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos, and in modern times, it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure, small receptacles, large blooms, yellow petals, long filaments, many fluffs, no fragments, and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning, steaming, and sun-drying, supplemented by techniques such as boiling, roasting, burning, simmering, stir-frying, and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties, ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter, pungent, and salty in taste, with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras, including descending Qi, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos, either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements, where no processing instructions are specified, the raw products may be used after cleaning.
3.Characterization and Application of Moisture Absorption Kinetics of Traditional Chinese Medicines Based on Double Exponential Model:A Review
Yanting YU ; Lei XIONG ; Yan HE ; Wei LIU ; Jing YANG ; Yao ZHANG ; Jiali CHEN ; Xiaojian LUO ; Xiaoyong RAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):340-346
Hygroscopicity research has long been a key focus and hot topic in Chinese materia medica(CMM). Elucidating hygroscopic mechanisms plays a vital role in formulation design, process optimization, and storage condition selection. Hygroscopic models serve as essential tools for characterizing CMM hygroscopic mechanisms, with various types available. The double exponential model is a kinetic mathematical model constructed based on the law of conservation of energy and Fick's first law of diffusion, tailored to the physical properties of CMM extracts. In recent years, this model has been extensively applied to simulate the dynamic moisture absorption behavior of CMM extracts and solid dosage forms under varying humidity conditions. It has revealed the correlation between moisture absorption kinetic parameters and material properties, offering a new perspective for characterizing the moisture uptake behavior of CMM. This paper systematically reviews the application progress of this model in the field of CMM, analyzes its advantages, disadvantages, and challenges in this domain, and explores its potential application trends in other fields. It aims to provide references for elucidating the moisture absorption mechanisms of CMM and researching moisture-proofing technologies, while also offering insights for its broader application in food and polymer materials.
4.Analysis of Chronic Gouty Arthritis Animal Models Based on Clinical Characteristics of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Yan XIAO ; Siyuan LIN ; Fan YANG ; Qianglong CHEN ; Xiaohua CHEN ; Meiling WANG ; Zhen ZHANG ; Jiali LUO ; Youxin SU ; Jiemei GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):84-92
ObjectiveBased on the clinical characteristics of chronic gouty arthritis (CGA) in both traditional Chinese and western medicine, this study aims to systematically evaluate the clinical concordance of existing CGA animal models, providing recommendations for establishing animal models that align with the pathological characteristics of CGA and the manifestations of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes. MethodsBy comprehensively retrieving Chinese and international databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), and PubMed, all relevant literature on CGA animal models was collected. Based on the guidelines, the diagnostic criteria of both traditional Chinese and western medicine were summarized and organized. The evaluation indicators for the CGA model were constructed with reference to existing evaluation modes, and the CGA animal models were analyzed to systematically evaluate the clinical concordance of existing models. ResultsThe current methods used to construct CGA animal models mainly include monosodium urate crystal induction, high-protein diet induction (poultry lack urate oxidase), and high-fat diet combined with urate oxidase inhibitors and joint injection. Based on 11 pieces of included literature, the traditional Chinese and western medicine scoring data of each model were extracted, and the average scoring values of all models were ultimately calculated. The results show that the average clinical concordances of existing CGA animal models in both traditional Chinese and western medicine are 43.33% and 64.44%, respectively. Among them, the model with the highest clinical concordance rate is the one with a high-fat diet combined with potassium oxonate to induce hyperuricemia plus joint injection, achieving 83.33% clinical concordance in western medicine and 60% in traditional Chinese medicine. This model aligns well with the pathogenic characteristics and pathological changes of clinical CGA. ConclusionAlthough current CGA animal models can simulate some pathological characteristics of CGA, they struggle to comprehensively reflect the complex pathological processes of CGA and the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes. Therefore, in the future, it is necessary to establish the CGA animal models that incorporate the clinical disease and syndrome characteristics of traditional Chinese and western medicine and formulate the uniform model evaluation criteria, providing more precise tools for CGA mechanism research and the development of traditional Chinese medicine.
5.Dexamethasone synergizes with high-fat diet to increase lipid deposition in adipocytes
Mingli SU ; Ying WANG ; Zheng YAN ; Jia LUO ; Jie YANG ; Hua YE ; Aiming LIU ; Julin YANG
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;40(1):92-102
Background/Aims:
Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood.
Methods:
In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches.
Results:
DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Conclusions
DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.
6.Iodine nutritional status of children aged 8-10 in Wuhan from 2019 to 2023
WANG Shuai, CHEN Fang, YANG Yan, LUO Huatang, LIU Cong, XU Wenxiu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):792-796
Objective:
To explore the iodine nutrition status of children in Wuhan from 2019 to 2023, and to evaluate the effect of iodine deficiency disorders control in focus groups in Wuhan, so as to provide a basis for consolidating elimination of iodine deficiency disorders.
Methods:
A total of 13 000 non boarding primary school students aged 8-10 were selected from 13 districts of Wuhan by stratified random sampling method.Household salt samples were collected to measure salt iodine content, random urine samples were analyzed for urinary iodine concentration. And B ultrasound was used to measure thyroid volume in students. The median of salt iodine, coverage rate of iodized salt, consumption rate of qualified iodized salt, median of urinary iodine, and the goiter rate were calculated. And Mann-Whitney U- test, Kruskal-Wallis H- test and Chi-square test were applied to compare between groups. Chi-square trend test was used to analyze the changing trends of coverage rate of iodized salt, consumption rate of qualified iodized salt and goiter rate among children in Wuhan.
Results:
The median of iodine content of children s household salt was 23.8 (21.7, 26.1) mg/kg, and the coverage rate of iodized salt was 98.7%, and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 94.5 %. The consumption rates of qualified iodized salt showed an overall upward trend from 2019 to 2023 ( χ 2 trend =5.57, P <0.05). The median of urinary iodine of children was 220.1 (136.7, 326.0) μg/L,and boys had higher median of urinary iodine than girls [228.3(143.2, 336.0),210.2(129.1, 315.7) μg/L] ( Z =6.60, P <0.01). The median of urinary iodine of children in suburbs was higher than those in urban areas [236.3 (150.7, 342.2) , 207.1 (124.5, 309.8) μg/L]( Z =11.00, P <0.01). A total of 4 600 children were examined for thyroid volume, and the range of goiter rates were 1.1% to 3.4%, with an average goiter rate of 2.5%, which showed an overall downward trend from 2019 to 2023 ( χ 2 trend =5.11, P <0.05).
Conclusions
The iodine nutrition is sufficient and iodine nutrition status is good among children in Wuhan. It should continue to carry out monitoring and evaluation of children s iodine nutrition, guide the public to supplement iodine scientifically,so as to maintain the appropriate level of iodine for children.
7.Association between medium to long term ambient PM 2.5 exposure and overweight/obesity among primary and secondary school students
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(7):937-940
Objective:
To investigate the association between medium to long term PM 2.5 exposure around school areas and overweight/obesity among primary and secondary school students in Guangxi, providing data support and theoretical foundations for scientifically addressing overweight and obesity in primary and secondary school students.
Methods:
From September to November 2023, a stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select 251 183 students aged 7-18 years (grade 1 to grade 12) from 14 prefecture level cities (111 districts and counties) in Guangxi. PM 2.5 mass concentration data were obtained from the Tracking Air Pollution in China (TAP) dataset. Preliminary comparative analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test, while binary Logistic regression models were applied to quantify the relationship between PM 2.5 exposure and overweight/obesity. Restricted cubic spline analysis was further utilized to examine the nonlinear association between PM 2.5 concentration and overweight/obesity risk.
Results:
The detection rate of overweight/obesity among Guangxi students in 2023 was 19.5%. The median PM 2.5 concentration in the year prior to the study was higher in the overweight/obesity group (23.22 μg/m 3) compared to the non overweight/obesity group (22.63 μg/m 3) ( Z=-15.66, P <0.01), and consistent trends were observed across gender (male/female) and educational stage (primary/junior/senior high school) subgroups (all P <0.01). Binary Logistic regression revealed that for every 10 μg/m 3 increase in the annual average PM 2.5 concentration, the risk of overweight/obesity increased by 12% ( OR=1.12, 95%CI=1.09- 1.15 , P <0.01). Restricted cubic spline analysis indicated a nonlinear relationship between monthly PM 2.5 levels and overweight/obesity risk ( P trend <0.01). Below 22.68 μg/m 3, PM 2.5 exposure showed no significant association with obesity risk; above the threshold, the risk increased with rising PM 2.5 levels.
Conclusion
Medium to long term PM 2.5 exposure around school environments is significantly associated with overweight/obesity among primary and secondary school students.
8.Evidence-based study on postoperative chemotherapy guidelines/consensuses for ovarian epithelial tumor
Xiandan LUO ; Yanli LU ; Yihang WU ; Yanxiang GUO ; Xiaoyi YAN ; Yongchao HUO ; Hui YAN ; Zhenjiang YANG ; Hongliang ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(18):2328-2333
OBJECTIVE To systematically evaluate the methodological quality of the postoperative chemotherapy guidelines/ consensuses for ovarian epithelial tumor. METHODS A search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CBM, VIP, Chinese Medical Journal Data, Wanfang Data, and CNKI, as well as the official websites of GIN, NICE, Medlive, AHRQ, CSCO, ASCO, and NCCN. The search period was from the establishment of the databases/websites to March 10, 2025. The quality of the included guidelines/consensus was evaluated by using the AGREE-Ⅱ tool. RESULTS A total of 16 guidelines/consensuses were included. The domain scores of AGREE-Ⅱ evaluation were as follows: scope and purpose of 85.07%, participants of 47.92%, rigor of development of 57.49%, clarity of presentation of 88.02%, applicability of 8.20%, and independence of 53.39%. Among them, 14 were recommended at grade B and 2 were recommended at grade C. The subgroup analysis by different countries/regions and different types of studies showed that the scores for participants, rigor of development, and independence of the guidelines/consensuses in China were significantly lower than foreign countries (P<0.05); the scores for participants and rigor of development of the guidelines were significantly higher than consensuses (P<0.05). The guideline/ consensus recommendation results indicated that grade B guidelines/consensus recommend platinum-based combination chemotherapy as the preferred adjuvant chemotherapy regimen for stage Ⅰ high-grade serous carcinoma patients;platinum-based combination chemotherapy±bevacizumab was recommended as the preferred adjuvant chemotherapy regimen for stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ high- grade serous carcinoma patients and for platinum-sensitive recurrent high-grade serous carcinoma patients; non-platinum single- agent chemotherapy±bevacizumab was recommended as the preferred chemotherapy regimen for platinum-resistant recurrent high- grade serous carcinoma patients. CONCLUSIONS The overall quality of postoperative chemotherapy guidelines/consensuses for ovarian epithelial tumor is not high. The methodological quality of guidelines/consensuses in China is still lagging behind that of foreign countries. The recommendations differ from those in foreign countries. It is recommended to improve the aspects of participants, rigor of development, and independence, to recommend treatment plans based on the different stages of ovarian cancer, and develop guidelines/consensuses that align with China’s national conditions.
9.Efficacy of Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya Pills with Different Proportions of Goat Horn Replacing Antelope Horn on Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats
Tengjian WANG ; Wanlu ZHAO ; Yang YU ; Yan LIU ; Kun CAO ; Zheyuan LIN ; Yue WU ; Lilan LUO ; Weizhi LAI ; Zhaohuan LOU ; Qiaoyan ZHANG ; Quanlong ZHANG ; Luping QIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):68-78
ObjectiveTo investigate the optimal ratio of goat horn replacing antelope horn in Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills and the blood pressure-lowering mechanism of this medicine. MethodsThe blood pressure-lowering efficacy of Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills with varying proportions of goat horn replacing antelope horn was evaluated on spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR). In this experiment, 50 SHR rats were randomly grouped as follows: model (n=8), captopril (0.01 g·kg-1) (n=6), low-dose blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.342 g·kg-1) (n=6), high-dose blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.684 g·kg-1) (n=6), low-dose antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.378 g·kg-1) (n=6), high-dose antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.756 g·kg-1) (n=6), low-dose goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.378 g·kg-1) (n=6), and high-dose goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.756 g·kg-1) (n=6). Additionally, 8 WKY rats were used as the normal group. Drugs were administered by gavage for 4 weeks while an equal volume of distilled water was administered for the normal and model groups. Blood pressure was measured before administration, 3 h post administration, and biweekly thereafter. In the experiment for Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills with goat horn replacing antelope horn in different proportions, 48 SHR rats were randomly grouped as follows: model, blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.684 g·kg-1), antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.756 g·kg-1), 2× goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.824 g·kg-1), 4× goat horn Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.969 g·kg-1), and 6× goat horn Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (1.112 g·kg-1). The normal group included 8 WKY rats, and the normal group and model group received an equal volume of distilled water. The treatment lasted for 2 weeks, and blood pressure was recorded at various time points (pre-administration, 3 h post administration, and on days 4, 7, 10, and 14 of administration). Serum levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ), renin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histopathological changes in the heart, kidney, and thoracic aorta were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The protein levels of ACE2, angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor (AT1R), and angiotensinogen (AGT) in the kidney tissue were determined by Western blot, while the expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the thoracic aorta tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry. ResultsCompared with the model group, all treatment groups showed lowered blood pressure (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the 6× goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills group showed consistent blood pressure-lowering effect with the antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills group. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed elevated serum levels of ACE, Ang Ⅱ, renin, and IL-6, while the elevations were declined in the Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Pathological changes in the heart, kidney, and thoracic aorta were alleviated in all the treatment groups, with the 6× goat horn- and antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups exhibited the best effect. Western blot and immunohistochemistry results showed that all the treatment groups exhibited down-regulated protein levels of AT1R, AGT, NF-κB p65, and TLR4 and up-regulated protein levels of ACE2 (P<0.05, P<0.01) compared with model group, with the 6×goat horn- and antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups showcasing the best effect. ConclusionReplacing antelope horn with 6×goat horn in Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills can achieve consistent blood pressure-lowering effect with the original prescription. The prescription may exert the effect by inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways.
10.Compatibility and comfort assessment of school desks and chairs in three cities in China
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(3):321-324
Objective:
To understand the subjective and objective comfort evaluations of students from different age groups on desks and chairs, so as to provide reference for standardized allocation and use of desks and chairs.
Methods:
From January to April 2024, a total of 2 446 students were selected from 26 schools in 13 districts (counties/cities) in Shanghai, Tianjin, and Wuxi from Jiangsu Province by using cluster random method, including students in kindergartens, primary schools, junior high schools,senior high schools, colleges and universities. Standardized procedures were used to measure the height and weight of participants, and the matching desks and chairs models were selected according to the height. The subjective comfort of students on matching desks and chairs was investigated, and their objective comfort was evaluated by using a self designed questionnaire. The χ 2 test was used to analyze the differences of subjective perception and objective evaluation in comfort between different types of desks and chairs.
Results:
About 84.1% of the students subjectively thought that large desks and small chairs were very comfortable or relatively comfortable, followed by large desks and chairs (75.7%), and the proportion of small desks and chairs was the lowest among the three types (46.2%), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ 2=722.46, P <0.01). The reporting rates of primary school, junior high school and senior high school students who subjectively considered large desks and chairs to be very comfortable/relatively comfortable were higher than that of other types of desks and chairs, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ 2=297.49, 252.82, 343.67, P <0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the subjective comfort evaluation of different types of desks and chairs among kindergarten children ( χ 2=3.21, P >0.05), and 66.3% of the students in colleges and universities felt very comfortable/relatively comfortable when they used the matching standard desks and chairs. The objective evaluation results of the comfort for the three types of desks and chairs were consistent with the subjective evaluation, but the proportions of the objective evaluation as very comfortable/relatively comfortable were higher than that of the subjective evaluation ( χ 2=20.76- 813.47, P <0.01).
Conclusions
Large desks and chairs, as well as large desks with small chairs are perceived comfortable, while small desks and chairs are perceived less comfortable. It is recommended to match the large desks and chairs or large desks and small chairs that are suitable for them according to the "standard", to promote physical and mental health of students.


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