OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and mechanism of Achyranthes bidentata total saponins （ABS） extract on vascular endothelial dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rat （SHR） based on cytochrome P450 4A （CYP4A）/20-hydroxyeicosatetetraenoic acid （20-HETE）/G protein-coupled receptor 75 （GPR75） axis. METHODS Ten Wistar- Kyoto rats were taken as the normal control group. Forty SHR were first stratified by systolic blood pressure and then， within each stratum， randomly assigned using a random-number table to the model group （MOD group）， captopril positive control group （CAP group， 10 mg/kg）， ABS low- and high-dose extract groups （ABS-L group， ABS-H group， 60 and 120 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group. Animals in each group were given the corresponding drug or equal volume of pure water by gavage， once a day， for 28 consecutive days. After the last administration， systolic blood pressure of rats was measured. The levels of vasoactive substances， inflammatory factors and oxidative stress indicators in serum were measured. The pathological changes of rat thoracic aorta were observed. The level of reactive oxygen species （ROS） in aortic tissue was analyzed. The expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS）， CYP4A， GPR75， nuclear factor-κB p65 （NF-κB p65）， phosphorylated NF-κB p65， p22phox， and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4（NOX4） in thoracic aorta tissue were detected. RESULTS After 28 d of treatment， compared with MOD group， the systolic blood pressure of rats in the ABS-L and ABS-H groups decreased significantly. The levels of 20-HETE， angiotensin Ⅱ， interleukin-1β， interleukin-6， tumor necrosis factor-α， intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and malondialdehyde in serum were significantly reduced （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）， while the levels of nitric oxide， superoxide dismutase， glutathione peroxidase and catalase were significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Intimal damage of thoracic aorta was reduced， and endothelial cell morphology was improved. The expressions of ROS， CYP4A， GPR75， p22phox， NOX4 and the phosphorylation level of NF-κB p65 protein in thoracic aorta were down-regulated or reduced （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）， while the expression of eNOS was up-regulated （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS ABS extract may alleviate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in SHR effectively by down-regulating the expression of CYP4A， reducing the production of 20-HETE， inhibiting the activation of GPR75， and subsequently suppressing the activation of downstream NF-κB and NOX4， thereby improving hypertension-related vascular endothelial dysfunction.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the commonest neurodegenerative disease that causes memory decline, cognitive dysfunction and behavior disorders in the aged people. Primary pathological hallmarks of AD include amyloid-β (Aβ), neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), gliosis, and neuronal loss. Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels have important physiological functions, especially in aspects of controlling the resting membrane potential, pacemaker activity, memory formation, sleep and arousal. This article reviews the structure, distribution, regulation of HCN channels and the role of HCN channels in the pathological mechanisms of AD, aiming to provide drug therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of AD.
Humans ; Alzheimer Disease/physiopathology* ; Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels/physiology* ; Animals ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism*

The thought of medicine and food homology and substances with both edible and medicinal values are an important part of China's excellent traditional culture and medicine treasure, playing an important role in human diet and health maintenance for thousands of years. Substances with both edible and medicinal values are a standardized name governed by existing regulations, and many substances with both edible and medicinal values in the list lack important information such as original plants and edible and medicinal parts. Some substances change as the relevant regulations change, which confuses the use and regulation. According to the definition and inclusion conditions of substances with both edible and medicinal values in the Regulation of Substances with Both Edible and Medicinal Values Catalogue, this paper comprehensively reviewed the first batch of 87 substances with both edible and medicinal values published in 2002 by collecting information and investigating the practical application. Some substances supplemented, deleted, and revised were analyzed and discussed, and a complete revised list was compiled, encompassing a total of 90 substances, which were when combined with the 19 substances of the last three batches(published in 2019, 2023, and 2024), amounted to a total of 109 substances. In addition, the substances not currently in the published list but have both edible and medicinal values according to the latest definition were summarized, which revealed at least 27 other substances. Therefore, there were at least 136 substances with both edible and medicinal values. Additionally, the potential substances that could be included in the list of substances with edible and medicinal values were prospected, providing a focus for future expansion of the list. This paper systematically reviewed and revised the list of substances with both edible and medicinal values to lay a foundation for the regulatory authorities to revise the catalog of these substances and provide basic information for promoting the new quality productive forces in the health field and boosting the orderly and rapid development of the big health industry.
China ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards* ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

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* ; Plant Leaves/chemistry* ; Carbon Footprint ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/analysis* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

This study investigated the functions and regulatory mechanism of Portulacae Herba and its chemical components on the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response 88(MyD88)/nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) inflammatory signaling pathway in the colon tissue of mice with dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis(UC). A total of 35 mice were randomly divided into groups, including a blank group, a model group, a mesalazine group(0. 5 g·kg~(-1)), and low, medium,and high dose alkaloids from Portulacae Herba groups(9, 18, 36 mg·kg~(-1)), and a combination treatment group, with 5 mice in each group. The blank group was given purified water, while the other groups were continuously given a 3% DSS solution for 7 days to induce the UC model. From day 8 onwards, the treatment group received oral gavage according to the prescribed doses for 14 days. The overall condition, body weight, stool characteristics, and presence of blood in the stool were recorded daily. After the experiment, the disease activity index(DAI) was assessed for each group, and colon length was measured. Histopathological changes in colon tissue were examined using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and interleukin-1β( IL-1β) in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay( ELISA). The protein and m RNA expression of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB in colon tissue were measured using Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR).Compared to the blank group, the model group showed a significant decrease in body weight, a notable increase in DAI scores, a significant shortening of colon length, and evident histopathological damage. The levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in the serum were significantly elevated, and the protein and m RNA expression of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB in colon tissue were significantly up-regulated. In contrast, the alkaloids from Portulacae Herba treatment groups significantly improved symptoms and reduced body weight loss in mice, decreased DAI scores, alleviated colon shortening, lowered serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,significantly down-regulated the expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB proteins and genes in colon tissue, as well as reduced histopathological damage. Therefore, the study suggests that alkaloids from Portulacae Herba can alleviate intestinal inflammation damage in DSS-induced UC mice, with its mechanism involving the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative/immunology* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/immunology* ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; Mice ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Male ; Alkaloids/administration & dosage* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Female ; Colon/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal

This study aims to reveal the effect and mechanism of Gentianella turkestanorum total extract(GTI) in ameliorating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH). UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was employed to identify the chemical components in GTI. SwissTarget-Prediction, GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD were utilized to screen the targets of GTI components and NASH. The common targets shared by GTI components and NASH were filtered through the STRING database and Cytoscape 3.9.0 to identify core targets, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. AutoDock was used for molecular docking of key components with core targets. A mouse model of NASH was established with a methionine-choline-deficient high-fat diet. A 4-week drug intervention was conducted, during which mouse weight was monitored, and the liver-to-brain ratio was measured at the end. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Sirius red staining, and oil red O staining were employed to observe the pathological changes in the liver tissue. The levels of various biomarkers, including aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), hydroxyproline(HYP), total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), malondialdehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and glutathione(GSH), in the serum and liver tissue were determined. RT-qPCR was conducted to measure the mRNA levels of interleukin 1β(IL-1β), interleukin 6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), collagen type I α1 chain(COL1A1), and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA). Western blotting was conducted to determine the protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and potential drug targets identified through network pharmacology. UPLC-Q-TOF/MS identified 581 chemical components of GTI, and 534 targets of GTI and 1 157 targets of NASH were screened out. The topological analysis of the common targets shared by GTI and NASH identified core targets such as IL-1β, IL-6, protein kinase B(AKT), TNF, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma(PPARG). GO and KEGG analyses indicated that the ameliorating effect of GTI on NASH was related to inflammatory responses and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/AKT pathway. The staining results demonstrated that GTI ameliorated hepatocyte vacuolation, swelling, ballooning, and lipid accumulation in NASH mice. Compared with the model group, high doses of GTI reduced the AST, ALT, HYP, TC, and TG levels(P<0.01) while increasing the HDL-C, SOD, and GSH levels(P<0.01). RT-qPCR results showed that GTI down-regulated the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COL1A1, and α-SMA(P<0.01). Western blot results indicated that GTI down-regulated the protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K), phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT), phosphorylated inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B alpha(p-IκBα), and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)(P<0.01). In summary, GTI ameliorates inflammation, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress associated with NASH by regulating the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Animals ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/genetics* ; Mice ; Network Pharmacology ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Liver/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Molecular Docking Simulation

Based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) technology and molecular docking, the bitter-tasting substances(hereafter referred to as "bitter substances") in Cistanche deserticola extract were investigated, and the bitter taste and efficacy relationship was explored to lay the foundation for future research on de-bittering and taste correction. Firstly, UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS was used for the qualitative analysis of the constituents of C. deserticola, and 69 chemical components were identified. These chemical components were then subjected to molecular docking with the bitter taste receptor, leading to the screening of 20 bitter substances, including 6 phenylethanol glycosides, 5 flavonoids, 3 phenolic acids, 2 cycloalkenyl ether terpenes, 2 alkaloids, and 2 other components. Nine batches of fresh C. deserticola samples were collected from the same origin but harvested at different months. These samples were divided into groups based on harvest month and plant part. The bitterness was quantified using an electronic tongue, and the content of six potential bitter-active compounds(pineconotyloside, trichothecene glycoside, tubulin A, iso-trichothecene glycoside, jinshihuaoside, and jingnipinoside) was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The total content of phenylethanol glycosides, polysaccharides, alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids was determined using UV-visible spectrophotometry. Chemometric analyses were then conducted, including Pearson's correlation analysis, gray correlation analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), to identify the bitter components in C. deserticola. The results were consistent with the molecular docking findings, and the two methods mutually supported each other. Finally, network pharmacological predictions and analyses were performed to explore the relationship between the targets of bitter substances and their efficacy. The results indicated that key targets of the bitter substances included EGFR, PIK3CB, and PTK2. These substances may exert their bitter effects by acting on relevant disease targets, confirming that the bitter substances in C. deserticola are the material basis of its bitter taste efficacy. In conclusion, this study suggests that the phenylethanol glycosides, primarily pineconotyloside, mauritiana glycoside, and gibberellin, are the material basis for the "bitter taste" of C. deserticola. The molecular docking technique plays a guiding role in the screening of bitter substances in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The bitter substances in C. deserticola not only contribute to its bitter taste but also support the concept of the "taste-efficacy" relationship in TCM, providing valuable insights and references for future research in this area.
Molecular Docking Simulation ; Taste ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cistanche/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry

The traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) industry is a crucial part of China's pharmaceutical sector and plays a strategic role in ensuring public health and promoting economic and social development. In response to the practical demand for high-quality development of the TCM industry, this paper focused on the bottlenecks encountered during the digital and intelligent transformation of TCM production systems. Specifically, it explored technical strategies and methodologies for constructing the best TCM production mode. An innovative artificial intelligence(AI)-centered technical architecture for TCM production was proposed, focusing on key aspects of production management including process modeling, state evaluation, and decision optimization. Furthermore, a series of critical technologies were developed to realize the best TCM production mode. Finally, a novel AI-driven TCM production mode characterized by a closed-loop system of "measurement-modeling-decision-execution" was presented through engineering case studies. This study is expected to provide a technological pathway for developing new quality productive forces within the TCM industry.
Artificial Intelligence ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Humans

Objective: To investigate the indoor fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) pollution and its influencing factors in children s bedrooms using solid fuel, so as to provide evidence for effective strategy to reduce PM 2.5 pollution. Methods: From December 2019 to November 2020, 198 households (108 in the north, 90 in the south) from two pilots in the north(Jiamusi in Heilongjiang Province) and south of China (Mianyang in Sichuan Province) were selected, and status of solid fuels using were obtained through home visits, dynamic changes in PM 2.5 concentrations in children s bedrooms were monitored by using real time online instruments, and the influencing factors of PM 2.5 pollution were analyzed by using a mixed effects model. Results: During the monitoring period, the daily PM 2.5 concentrations in the northern and southern pilot were 78.33 (40.50, 154.80) and 38.54(26.20, 58.46) μg/m 3, respectively, exceeding standard rates of 44.57% and 33.22%. During the heating period, the daily PM 2.5 concentrations in the northern and southern pilot were 212.50(133.60,244.10) and 104.42(73.97, 134.90) μg/m 3, respectively, with over standard rates of 96.75% and 86.96%. The mixed effects model analysis results showed that children s bedroom PM 2.5 concentrations were associated with solid fuel usage duration, window opening time, room layout (shared entrance door between kitchen and bedroom), indoor smoking, indoor humidity, and solid fuel use in the bedroom ( β =0.19, -0.05, 1.20, 0.43, 0.02, 0.35, all P <0.05). Conclusion Solid fuel combustion significantly comtributes to PM 2.5 pollution in children s bedrooms, with more pronounced impacts observed in northern China compared to southern regions.

Objective: To investigate the impact of extracurricular physical activity on heart rate variability (HRV) among primary and secondary school students in Chengdu City, so ao to provide references for scientific exercise prescription. Methods: Using a convenient sampling method, 1 323 primary and secondary students were enrolled from central Chengdu who underwent physical fitness assessments at Sichuan Provincial Institute of Sports Science from September 2020 to January 2022. According to the standards of the National Physical Fitness Monitoring Center, boys and girls were divided into groups with and without extracurricular physical exercise habits. HRV was monitored using the SA-3000P device. Key HRV parameters were evaluated separately by gender, including standard deviation of normal to normal intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (rMSSD), total power (TP), low frequency power (LF) and high frequency power (HF). Statistical analyses were employed by t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test and Chi square test. Results: lgSDNN, lgrMSSD, TP, LF and HF in the group without extracurricular physical exercise habit [boys:(1.67±0.13)ms, (1.59±0.20)ms, (7.34±0.73)ms 2, (6.11±0.74)ms 2, (6.05±0.87)ms 2; girls:(1.67± 0.13)ms , (1.59±0.19)ms, (7.35±0.60)ms 2, (6.06±0.69)ms 2, (6.12±0.87)ms 2] were lower than those in the group with extracurricular physical exercise habit [boys:(1.75±0.13)ms, (1.72±0.18)ms, (7.69±0.62)ms 2, (6.41±0.76)ms 2, (6.44±0.79)ms 2；girls:(1.73±0.13)ms, (1.68±0.20)ms, (7.60±0.65)ms 2, (6.26±0.86)ms 2, (6.36±0.90)ms 2] ( t =-8.24, -8.75, -6.54, -5.35 , -6.33；-5.10，-4.90，-4.47，-2.71，-2.93, all P ＜0.01). Only the group of boys without extracurricular physical exercise habits showed a decrease in lgLF/HF [0.04(-0.19,0.27)] compared to the group with extracurricular physical exercise habits [ -0.03 (-0.25,0.20)] ( Z=-2.01, P <0.05). When the score classes of autonomic nerve activity, stress index and fatigue index were compared between boys and girls groups without and with extracurricular physical exercise habits, the proportion of boys normal and above scores increased from 79.3%, 84.1%, 71.8% to 91.4%, 95.7%, 87.3%, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ 2=47.42, 63.66, 38.28); the proportion of girls normal score and above increased from 79.8%, 85.7%, 75.0% to 85.4%, 92.1%, 79.4%, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ 2=48.31, 22.18, 22.22) (all P <0.01). Conclusion The primary and secondary school students who have the habit of extracurricular physical exercise have enhanced compliance in indicators related to HRV, showing more complex heart rate variability.