Curcumin (Cur), a natural polyphenolic compound extracted from the rhizomes of plants belonging to the Zingiberaceae and Araceae families, has attracted considerable interest for its remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer activities. Extensive studies have focused on its potential in treating various diseases, including cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, and autoimmune disorders. However, its clinical application has been hampered by inherent physicochemical challenges, such as poor aqueous solubility, short half-life, and low bioavailability. To address these challenges, nanodrug delivery systems have been developed to improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of curcumin, thereby enhancing its therapeutic efficacy. This review summarizes the pharmacological activities and underlying mechanisms of curcumin, encompassing its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, and antibacterial effects. Furthermore, it highlights the significant advancements achieved through the development of curcumin-based nanomedicines. By synthesizing current findings, this review aims to provide insights that may inspire innovative strategies for the future design and broader applications of curcumin nanomedicines.

To introduce the general thinking, guidelines, work objectives and elaboration process of the general technical requirements adopted by volume Ⅳ of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition, and to summarize and figure out the main characteristics on dosage forms, physico-chemical testing, microbial and biological testing, reference standards and guidelines The newly revised general chapters of pharmacopoeia give full play to the normative and guiding role of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard, track the frontier dynamics of international drug regulatory science and the elaboration of monographs, expand the application of state-of-the-art technologies, and steadily promote the harmonization and unification with the ICH guidelines； further enhance the overall capacity of TCM quality control, actively implement the 3 R principles on animal experiments, and practice the concept of environmental-friendly； replace and/or reduce the use of toxic and hazardous reagents, strengthen the requirements of drug safety control This paper aims to provide a full-view perspective for the comprehensive, correct understanding and accurate implementation of general technical requirements included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition.

AIM: To explore the therapeutic effect of oral Xuefu Zhuyu Pill combined with intravitreal injection of aflibercept in the treatment of retinal vein occlusion(RVO).METHODS: A total of 80 patients(80 eyes)with RVO admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to March 2024 were prospectively selected. According to the treatment method, they were divided into a control group of 40 patients treated with intravitreal injection of aflibercept, and an observation group of 40 patients treated with oral Xuefu Zhuyu Pill combined with intravitreal injection of aflibercept. The efficacy, TCM syndrome score, retinal microcirculation parameters, macular edema(ME), and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups of patients in the treatment of RVO.RESULTS: All patients have completed follow-up. The clinical effective rate of the observation group after treatment was 95%, obviously higher than that of the control group(80%; χ2=4.114, P=0.043). After treatment for 3 mo, the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores, foveal avascular area(FAZ)area, FAZ circumference, macular central retinal thickness, and neovascularization leakage area of both groups decreased, the overall blood flow density of the superficial capillary plexus(SCP)and deep capillary plexuses(DCP)increased, and the observation group showed better results than the control group(all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of adverse reactions between the two groups during the treatment period(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Oral administration of Xuefu Zhuyu Pill combined with intravitreal injection of aflibercept in the treatment of RVO can improve retinal microcirculation, enhance vision, restore ocular blood circulation, improve bleeding, promote ME absorption, and improve clinical efficacy.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline, functional impairment, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. It represents the most prevalent form of dementia among the elderly population. Accumulating evidence indicates that oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of AD. Notably, elevated levels of oxidative stress have been observed in the brains of AD patients, where excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause extensive damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA, ultimately compromising neuronal structure and function. Amyloid β‑protein (Aβ) has been shown to induce mitochondrial dysfunction and calcium overload, thereby promoting the generation of ROS. This, in turn, exacerbates Aβ aggregation and enhances tau phosphorylation, leading to the formation of two pathological features of AD: extracellular Aβ plaque deposition and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). These events ultimately culminate in neuronal death, forming a vicious cycle. The interplay between oxidative stress and these pathological processes constitutes a core link in the pathogenesis of AD. The signaling pathways mediating oxidative stress in AD include Nrf2, RCAN1, PP2A, CREB, Notch1, NF‑κB, ApoE, and ferroptosis. Nrf2 signaling pathway serves as a key regulator of cellular redox homeostasis, exerts important antioxidant capacity and protective effects in AD. RCAN1 signaling pathway, as a calcineurin inhibitor, and modulates AD progression through multiple mechanisms. PP2A signaling pathway is involved in regulating tau phosphorylation and neuroinflammation processes. CREB signaling pathway contributes to neuroplasticity and memory formation; activation of CREB improves cognitive function and reduce oxidative stress. Notch1 signaling pathway regulates neuronal development and memory, participates in modulation of Aβ production, and interacts with Nrf2 toco-regulate antioxidant activity. NF‑κB signaling pathway governs immune and inflammatory responses; sustained activation of this pathway forms “inflammatory memory”, thereby exacerbating AD pathology. ApoE signaling pathway is associated with lipid metabolism; among its isoforms, ApoE-ε4 significantly increases the risk of AD, leading to elevated oxidative stress, abnormal lipid metabolism, and neuroinflammation. The ferroptosis signaling pathway is driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, and the subsequent release of lipid peroxidation products and ROS exacerbate oxidative stress and neuronal damage. These interconnected pathways form a complex regulatory network that regulates the progression of AD through oxidative stress and related pathological cascades. In terms of therapeutic strategies targeting oxidative stress, among the drugs currently used in clinical practice for AD treatment, memantine and donepezil demonstrate significant therapeutic efficacy and can improve the level of oxidative stress in AD patients. Some compounds with antioxidant effects (such asα-lipoic acid and melatonin) have shown certain potential in AD treatment research and can be used as dietary supplements to ameliorate AD symptoms. In addition, non-drug interventions such as calorie restriction and exercise have been proven to exerted neuroprotective effects and have a positive effect on the treatment of AD. By comprehensively utilizing the therapeutic characteristics of different signaling pathways, it is expected that more comprehensive multi-target combination therapy regimens and combined nanomolecular delivery systems will be developed in the future to bypass the blood-brain barrier, providing more effective therapeutic strategies for AD.

OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to investigate the effects of exposure to multiple environmental organic pollutants on cardiopulmonary health with a focus on the potential mediating role of oxidative stress. METHODS: A repeated-measures randomized crossover study involving healthy college students in Beijing was conducted. Biological samples, including morning urine and venous blood, were collected to measure concentrations of 29 typical organic pollutants, including hydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs), bisphenol A and its substitutes, phthalates and their metabolites, parabens, and five biomarkers of oxidative stress. Health assessments included blood pressure measurements and lung function indicators. RESULTS: Urinary concentrations of 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OH-PHE) ( β = 4.35% [95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.85%, 7.97%]), 3-hydroxyphenanthrene ( β = 3.44% [95% CI: 0.19%, 6.79%]), and 4-hydroxyphenanthrene (4-OH-PHE) ( β = 5.78% [95% CI: 1.27%, 10.5%]) were significantly and positively associated with systolic blood pressure. Exposures to 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-PYR) ( β = 3.05% [95% CI: -4.66%, -1.41%]), 2-OH-PHE ( β = 2.68% [95% CI: -4%, -1.34%]), and 4-OH-PHE ( β = 3% [95% CI: -4.68%, -1.29%]) were negatively associated with the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity. These findings highlight the adverse effects of exposure to multiple pollutants on cardiopulmonary health. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, including 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and extracellular superoxide dismutase, mediated the effects of multiple OH-PAHs on blood pressure and lung function. CONCLUSION Exposure to multiple organic pollutants can adversely affect cardiopulmonary health. Oxidative stress is a key mediator of the effects of OH-PAHs on blood pressure and lung function.
Humans ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Cross-Over Studies ; Female ; Young Adult ; Environmental Pollutants/toxicity* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Adult ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/urine* ; Beijing

Objective:To establish a quality control method for the standard decoction of Polygoni Avicularis Herba.Methods:Totally 12 batches of decoction pieces from different origins were collected, the standard decoction was prepared and the quality evaluation method was established, the content of index components in the decoction pieces and the standard decoction was determined with HPLC, the index components, solution pH and other parameters were calculated, and the similarity analysis was carried out against the fingerprints.Results:The total content of myricetin in 12 batches of decoction pieces was >0.12%, and the content of myricetin in the standard decoction was >0.03%, which met the standard of the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The pH value was 5.1-5.5, the transfer rate of myricetin components ranged from 50.0%-106.3%, and the fingerprint study showed that there were 7 common peaks. The similarity analysis results indicated that the standard decoction of 12 batches of decoction pieces of Polygoni Avicularis Herba had good consistency.Conclusion:The preparation process is stable and feasible in line with the traditional decoction preparation method, and can be used for the research and quality evaluation of the standard decoction.

To introduce the general thinking,guidelines,work objectives and elaboration process of the general technical requirements adopted by volume Ⅳ of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition,and to summarize and figure out the main characteristics on dosage forms,physico-chemical testing,microbial and biological testing,ref-erence standards and guidelines.The newly revised general chapters of pharmacopoeia give full play to the norma-tive and guiding role of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard,track the frontier dynamics of international drug regu-latory science and the elaboration of monographs,expand the application of state-of-the-art technologies,and stead-ily promote the harmonization and unification with the ICH guidelines;further enhance the overall capacity of TCM quality control,actively implement the 3 R principles on animal experiments,and practice the concept of environ-mental-friendly;replace and/orreduce the use of toxic and hazardousreagents,strengthen the requirementsofdrug safety control.This paper aims to provide a full-view perspective for the comprehensive,correct understanding and accurate implementation of general technical requirements included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition.

Mitochondria are semi-self-service organelles in eukaryotes. Their main function is to synthesize adenosine triphosphate (ATP), provide energy to cells through this pathway, and participate in a variety of activities within cells. These functions rely on the unique genetic material inside the mitochondria, known as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Mitochondrial DNA abundance is the amount of mitochondrial DNA in a cell and is measured by the mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN). In recent years, as the scientific research community continues to deepen research on mitochondrial DNA abundance, and considering that blood mtDNA is relatively easier to obtain, researchers have begun to explore the potential relationship between blood mtDNA abundance and human health conditions and various diseases. Blood mtDNA abundance is increasingly considered as a possible biomarker for a variety of diseases. Research evidence has shown that blood mitochondrial DNA abundance is significantly correlated with diseases of human nervous system, kidney system and cardiovascular system, and can be used as a new biomarker for diagnosis and treatment. This review focuses on recent advances in the study of the association between blood mitochondrial DNA abundance and various human diseases.

Objective:To investigate whether malignant tumors affect the laboratory outcomes of patients in their first controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycle.Methods:This study was a retrospective case-control study that analyzed the clinical and laboratory data of patients who underwent fertility preservation before chemotherapy and radiotherapy due to malignant tumors, as well as patients with infertility caused by tubal factors who first underwent in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) at the Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to May 2024. Patients who underwent fertility preservation were designated as the research group, while patients who underwent assisted reproduction due to tubal factors during the same period were designated as control group. After 1∶3 propensity score matching (PSM), 40 patients were included in the research group and 118 patients were included in control group. The ovarian response, oocyte retrieval outcomes, and embryonic development after fertilization in the first COH cycle were compared between the two groups. Results:After PSM, the research group and control group showed statistically significant differences in the gonadotropin (Gn) starting dosage [225.00 (162.50, 300.00) U vs. 193.75 (150.00, 225.00) U, P=0.002], duration of Gn used [10.00 (8.00, 11.00) d vs. 12.00 (10.00, 13.00) d, P<0.001], and average estradiol levels on human chorionic gonadotropin trigger day [2 487.00 (1 461.25, 4 090.25) pmol/L vs. 10 738.50 (8 400.00, 16 507.25) pmol/L, P<0.001]. However, no statistically significant difference was found in the total dosages of Gn used between the two groups ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of metaphase Ⅱ oocytes, two pronuclei (2PN) rate, 2PN cleavage rate, available embryo rate, high-quality embryo rate, blastocyst formation rate, and available blastocyst formation rate (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with infertility patients with tubal factors, there is no significant difference in the laboratory outcomes of malignant tumor patients undergoing COH for fertility preservation prior to chemotherapy and radiation.