1.Carbon footprint accounting of traditional Chinese medicine extracts based on life cycle assessment: a case study of mulberry leaf extract from an enterprise.
Zhi-Min CI ; Jian-Xiang OU ; Qiang YU ; Chuan ZHENG ; Zhao-Qing PEI ; Li-Ping QU ; Ming YANG ; Li HAN ; Ding-Kun ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):120-129
Under the background of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with 15 national ministries and commissions, has formulated the Implementation Plan on Establishing a Carbon Footprint Management System, and it is urgent for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) pharmaceutical enterprises to carry out research on carbon footprint accounting methods of related products. Based on the life cycle assessment(LCA) theory, taking mulberry leaf extract produced by a certain enterprise as an example, this study analyzed the carbon footprint of TCM extracts during the life cycle. The results show that for every 1 kg of product produced, the carbon emissions from the stages of raw material acquisition, transportation, and extract production are-20.569, 1.205, and 173.577 kgCO_2eq(CO_2 equivalent), respectively. The carbon footprint of the product is 154.213 kgCO_2eq·kg~(-1). In addition, the carbon emission is the highest in the production stage, in which the consumption of ethanol solvents makes the greatest contribution to the carbon footprint, accounting for 25.71%, more than one-fourth of the total carbon footprint. The second contribution was from the treatment process of TCM residues, accounting for 19.67%, closely followed by wastewater treatment(17.71%), the consumption of hot steam(17.43%), and drinking water(16.90%). The consumption of electric power and packaging materials has a smaller carbon emission of 2.58%. In particular, the carbon emission caused by the consumption of packaging materials is only 0.04%, which is negligible. The results of the study are expected to provide a reference for TCM enterprises to carry out research on the carbon footprint of products, offer ideas for collaborative innovation in reducing pollution and carbon emissions throughout the entire industry chain of TCM, and develop new quality productivity of modern TCM industry based on green and low-carbon manufacturing.
Morus/chemistry*
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Plant Leaves/chemistry*
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Carbon Footprint
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Plant Extracts/analysis*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
2.Grounded theory, scientific connotation, and clinical application of aromatic immunity in traditional Chinese medicine.
Si-Rui XIANG ; Qin JIAN ; Qi XU ; Jun-Zhi LIN ; Ding-Kun ZHANG ; Ming YANG ; Chuan ZHENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1137-1145
Aromatic immunity in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is the medical knowledge accumulated in the process of people's struggling with diseases. It plays an important role in plague prevention, disease treatment, health preservation, and rehabilitation, and has profound TCM basic theoretical support and abundant modern scientific evidence. With the in-depth promotion of the Healthy China initiative and the succession of health needs in the post-COVID-19 era, how to practice the health concept of aromatic immunity in TCM and develop its health service resources with high quality has become an important proposition to be discussed urgently. This paper summarizes the cognitive process, puts forward the basic concept, discusses the scientific connotation and clinical application value, and looks forward to the future development trend of aromatic immunity in TCM, aiming to provide guidance for the development of great health products and promote the application of aromatic immunity in TCM in serving people's health.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
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Humans
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COVID-19/immunology*
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China
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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SARS-CoV-2
3.Quality changes of volatile oil and chlorogenic acid compounds during extraction process of Artemisiae Argyi Folium: process analysis based on chemical composition, physicochemical properties, and biological activity.
Dan-Dan YANG ; Hao-Zhou HUANG ; Xin-Ming CHEN ; Lin HUANG ; Ya-Nan HE ; Zhen-Feng WU ; Xiao-Ming BAO ; Ding-Kun ZHANG ; Ming YANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):3001-3012
To explore the variation laws of volatile oil during the extraction process of Artemisiae Argyi Folium and its impact on the quality of the medicinal solution, as well as to achieve precise control of the extraction process, this study employed headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-SPME-GC-MS) in combination with multiple light scattering techniques to conduct a comprehensive analysis, identification, and characterization of the changes in volatile components and the physical properties of the medicinal solution during the extraction process. A total of 82 volatile compounds were identified using the HS-SPME-GC-MS technique, including 21 alcohols, 15 alkenes, 14 ketones, 9 acids, 6 aldehydes, 5 phenols, 3 esters, and 9 other types of compounds. At different extraction time points(15, 30, 45, and 60 min), 71, 72, 64, and 44 compounds were identified in the medicinal solution, respectively. It was observed that the content of volatile components gradually decreased with the extension of extraction time. Through multivariate statistical analysis, four compounds with significant differences during different extraction time intervals were identified, namely 1,8-cineole, terpinen-4-ol, 3-octanone, and camphor. RESULTS:: from multiple light scattering techniques indicated that at 15 minutes of extraction, the transmittance of the medicinal solution was the lowest(25%), the particle size was the largest(0.325-0.350 nm), and the stability index(turbiscan stability index, TSI) was the highest(0-2.5). With the extension of extraction time, the light transmittance of the medicinal solution improved, stability was enhanced, and the particle size decreased. These laws of physicochemical property changes provide important basis for the control of Artemisiae Argyi Folium extraction process. In addition, the changes in the bioactivity of Artemisiae Argyi Folium extracts during the extraction process were investigated through mouse writhing tests and antimicrobial assays. The results indicated that the analgesic and antimicrobial effects of the medicinal solution were strongest at the 15-minute extracting point. In summary, the findings of this study demonstrate that the content of volatile oil in Artemisiae Argyi Folium extracts gradually decreases with the extension of extraction time, and the variation in volatile oil content directly influences the physicochemical properties and pharmacological efficacy of the medicinal solution. This discovery provides important scientific reference for the optimization of Artemisiae Argyi Folium extraction processes and the development and application of process analytical technologies.
Oils, Volatile/pharmacology*
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Artemisia/chemistry*
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Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Chlorogenic Acid/pharmacology*
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Solid Phase Microextraction
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Quality Control
4.Research progress in micro/nanobubbles for ultrasound diagnosis or treatment
Qing-qing AN ; Chen-xi LI ; Shao-kun YANG ; Xiao-ming HE ; Yue-heng WANG ; Chao-xing HE ; Bai XIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(3):581-590
In the past few decades, microbubbles were widely used as ultrasound contrast agents in the field of tumor imaging. With the development of research, ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction technology combined with drug-loaded microbubbles can achieve precise drug release and play a therapeutic role. As a micron-scale carrier, microbubbles are difficult to penetrate the endothelial cell space of tumors, and nano-scale drug delivery system—nanobubbles came into being. The structure of the two is similar, but the difference in size highlights the unique advantages of nanobubbles in drug delivery. Based on the classification principle of shell materials, this review summarized micro/nanobubbles used for ultrasound diagnosis or treatment and discussed the possible development directions, providing references for the subsequent development.
5.Study on the potential allergen and mechanism of pseudo-allergic reactions induced by combined using of Reduning injection and penicillin G injection based on metabolomics and bioinformatics
Yu-long CHEN ; You ZHAI ; Xiao-yan WANG ; Wei-xia LI ; Hui ZHANG ; Ya-li WU ; Liu-qing YANG ; Xiao-fei CHEN ; Shu-qi ZHANG ; Lu NIU ; Ke-ran FENG ; Kun LI ; Jin-fa TANG ; Ming-liang ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):382-394
Based on the strategy of metabolomics combined with bioinformatics, this study analyzed the potential allergens and mechanism of pseudo-allergic reactions (PARs) induced by the combined use of Reduning injection and penicillin G injection. All animal experiments and welfare are in accordance with the requirements of the First Affiliated Experimental Animal Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee of Henan University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: YFYDW2020002). Based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology combined with UNIFI software, a total of 21 compounds were identified in Reduning and penicillin G mixed injection. Based on molecular docking technology, 10 potential allergens with strong binding activity to MrgprX2 agonist sites were further screened. Metabolomics analysis using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology revealed that 34 differential metabolites such as arachidonic acid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes were endogenous differential metabolites of PARs caused by combined use of Reduning injection and penicillin G injection. Through the analysis of the "potential allergen-target-endogenous differential metabolite" interaction network, the chlorogenic acids (such as chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and isochlorogenic acid A) and
6.Effect of Yiqi Tongmai Formula in Intervening in Liver Inflammation and Lipidosis in ApoE-∕- Mice Based on NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Yuhan CHEN ; Quanna REN ; Kun WANG ; Tingting SU ; Yanhua YANG ; Ming MA ; Yu ZHANG ; Xu ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(15):64-72
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Yiqi Tongxin formula (YQTM) on liver inflammation in apolipoprotein E-∕- (ApoE-∕-) mice by regulating the nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway. MethodForty ApoE-∕- mice were randomly divided into a model group, an atorvastatin group (positive drug group), and low-, medium-, and high-dose YQTM groups (0.39, 0.78, 1.56 g·kg-1). Each drug administration group was given the corresponding concentration of the drug by gavage on the basis of high-fat feeding for 12 consecutive weeks. Eight C57BL/6J mice were used as a blank group and fed with normal chow. After 12 weeks, oil red O staining and Masson staining were used to observe the aortic lesions in mice and to determine whether the modeling was successful. Oil red O staining was used to observe the lipidosis in the livers of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the tissue lesions in the livers of mice. Masson staining was used to observe the distribution of collagen fibers in the livers of mice. Enzyme markers were used to detect the total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in mouse serum, as well as total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) in the liver. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 were detected in mouse liver by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was utilized to observe the expression regions of NF-κB and NLRP3 in the livers of mice. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression levels of NF-κB, NF-κB inhibitory protein (IκB), IκB kinase β (IKKβ), phosphorylated NF-κB (p-NF-κB), phosphorylated IκB (p-IκB), phosphorylated IKK β (p-IKKβ), NLRP3, and Caspase-1 in the livers of mice. ResultCompared with the blank group, the model group showed severe aortic lipidosis, and the intracellular fat droplets in the livers aggregated in large quantities. The cytoplasm was filled with fat vacuoles(P<0.01). The serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, AST, and ALT were significantly elevated in the mice(P<0.01). TG and TC levels were elevated in the liver(P<0.01). The levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in liver tissue, as well as the protein expression levels of NF-κB, IκB, IKKβ, p-NF-κB, p-IκB, p-IKKβ, NLRP3, and Caspase-1 in the liver were significantly elevated(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the aortic arch plaques of mice in each YQTM group were attenuated, and the fat aggregation in the liver was reduced. The inflammatory cell infiltration was alleviated(P<0.05,P<0.01). The serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, AST, and ALT were significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01). TG and TC levels in the liver were reduced. The IL-1β and IL-18 levels in liver tissue, as well as protein expression levels of NF-κB, IκB, IKKβ, p-NF-κB, p-IκB, p-IKKβ, NLRP3, and Caspase-1 in the liver were significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionThe intervention mechanism of YQTM on liver inflammation in ApoE-∕- mice may be related to the down-regulation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
7.Effects of Yiqi tongmai formula on atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice and its mechanism
Quanna REN ; Yuhan CHEN ; Kun WANG ; Ming MA ; Yanhua YANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Xu ZHAO
China Pharmacy 2024;35(18):2232-2237
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Yiqi tongmai formula on atherosclerosis (AS) in ApoE-/- mice and its mechanism. METHODS Forty ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into model group, positive control group [atorvastatin calcium, 2.6 mg/(kg·d)], and low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups of Yiqi tongmai formula [0.46, 0.91, 1.82 g/(kg·d), by raw material], with 8 mice in each group. Eight C57BL/6J mice were selected as the normal group. Except for the normal group, the other groups were given a high-lipid diet and relevant drug or normal saline intragastrically, once a day, for 12 consecutive weeks. After the last medication, the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as well as the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were measured in mice. The proportion of aortic plaque area in each group of mice was detected and calculated, and the pathological morphological changes of the aortic sinus were observed; the protein phosphorylation levels of aortic phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (aka Akt) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were examined. RESULTS Compared with the model group, the serum levels of TC, TG and LDL-C and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and MCP-1 (including low-dose group) were decreased significantly in medium-dose and high-dose groups of Yiqi tongmai formula, while the content of HDL-C in high-dose group was increased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01); aortic plaques of the mice were reduced in Yiqi tongmai formula groups to different extents, and pathological changes such as lipid deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration were relieved to different extents; the proportion of aortic plaque area, the protein phosphorylation levels of PI3K, Akt and mTOR in aortic tissue were significantly reduced in medium-dose and high-dose groups of Yiqi tongmai formula (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Yiqi tongmai formula can improve lipid metabolism, reduce inflammatory response, and delay plaque development in AS mice. Its effect may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway activation.
8.The Practice of Ideological and Political Education in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Courses of"Rooted in Agriculture,Rural Areas,and Farmers;Focused on Integration"Under the Background of New Agricultural Education
Zhen ZHANG ; Peng-Kun YANG ; Jin-Huan HE ; Ming ZHENG ; Yong-Fen WANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2024;40(6):867-878
"Rooted in agriculture,rural areas,and farmers;Focused on integration"is an important gripper for Henan College of Animal Husbandry Economics to serve the development of regional agricul-ture and animal husbandry industries for high-level application-oriented universities.The courses of bio-chemistry and molecular biology are the foundational courses for agricultural majors in our school,and are an important carrier for the integration of science and technology in the construction of new agricultural science.In order to achieve the ideological and political goals of the curriculum under the background of the new agricultural curriculum,the course team has built a training platform for students'"agriculture,rural areas,and farmers"sentiments from the aspects of disciplinary development history,practical appli-cation of agriculture,rural areas,alumni excellent cases,ecological civilization,professional ethics,and bioethics through the condensation of ideological and political cases;In the arrangements of ideological and political cases and practical project,industry development,agriculture,rural areas,teacher re-search,school enterprise cooperation projects,and student independent innovation projects were connect-ed and integrated to establish a"fusion"platform for student knowledge application,thereby achieving the sentiment cultivation of students'"rooted in agriculture,rural areas,and farmers"and the enhance-ment of their integration capability.During the teaching process,blended online and offline teaching was applied to transform single classroom teaching into full cycle participation in talent cultivation.By integra-ting ideological and political elements into online tasks before class and teaching in the"six stages"of class and the second classroom after class,ideological and political goals were achieved through challeng-ing,advanced,and innovative knowledge applications.Through curriculum reform,the employment rate of students in the frontline of agriculture,rural areas,and farmers has significantly increased,and their ability to solve the problems of agriculture,rural areas and farmers through disciplinary integration has been effectively improved.This has successfully enhanced their awareness of serving agriculture,rural ar-eas,and farmers,strengthened their professional thinking,and stimulated their endogenous motivation to use curriculum knowledge in practice.
9.The international pharmaceutical trade policies of the BRICS countries and its implications for China
Zuo-Kun LIU ; Wang-Yao MA ; Yi-Wu GU ; Yu-Yang ZHANG ; Ji-Yan MA ; Ming-Fan PANG ; Yi-Nuo SUN ; Yang-Mu HUANG
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2024;17(4):65-71
This study adopted the policy text analysis method,review the historical background of the enactment,aimed to comparatively analyze the international pharmaceutical trade policies of the BRICS countries.The main objectives of the BRICS countries'international pharmaceutical trade policies included ensuring stable and accessible drug supply,expanding exports of domestic products and creating a favorable political environment.For these purposes,Brazil,Russia,and South Africa all ensure drug supply through substantial imports.However,they have also taken measures such as compulsory patent licensing and promoting localization of production by foreign companies to reduce import dependence.India,on the other hand,protects its domestic industry by resisting drug imports to ensure drug supply while simultaneously promoting the export of pharmaceutical products.China continually optimizes approval and data monitoring procedures to align with international standards,creating a favorable trade environment and expanding exports.China should further refine its international pharmaceutical trade policies while ensuring the autonomy of domestic drug research and supply,fostering stronger collaboration within BRICS nations and promoting global access to public healthcare products.
10.Study on Preparation of Silver Nanoparticles Functionalized by Carboxylated Pillar5arene and Catalytic Degradation Activity toward Organic Dyes
Jun-Tong ZHANG ; Xin TAO ; Yun-Han YANG ; Yan CHEN ; Ming-Kun YANG ; Ju YANG ; Li YANG ; Li-Juan YANG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(4):513-522
Carboxylated pillar[5]arene functionalized silver nanoparticles(CP5A-AgNPs)were successfully prepared by Creighton method.The prepared CP5A-AgNPs composites were characterized by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy(UV-Vis),infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM),etc.TEM results showed that when the molar ratio of CP5A to AgNO3 was 1:10,the prepared CP5A-AgNPs had good dispersion and uniform particle size,with an average particle size of 4.05 nm.The catalytic degradation ability of CP5A-AgNPs toward two kinds of organic dyes,Rhodamine B(RhB)and methyl orange(MO)was further investigated.The results showed that the degradation rates of these two dyes by CP5A-AgNPs were 99.91%and 98.83%respectively,and CP5A-AgNPs exhibited good cyclic catalytic ability.The catalytic efficiencies in the fifth cycle were 91.06%and 98.45%,respectively.In addition,the performance of functionalized silver nanoparticles using monomer compound of CP5(CMA)as stabilizer(CMA-AgNPs)was compared.The results showed that CP5A-AgNPs had strong catalytic degradation activity to RhB and MO,and had good recycling catalytic ability.

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