1.Interpretation of Evidence-to-decision Framework and Its Application in Pharmacovigilance Guidelines of Chinese Patent Medicines
Hongyan ZHANG ; Xin CUI ; Yuanyuan LI ; Zhifei WANG ; Mengmeng WANG ; Shuo YANG ; Xiaoxiao ZHAO ; Fumei LIU ; Yaxin WANG ; Rui MA ; Yanming XIE ; Lianxin WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):220-228
To interpret the evidence-to-decision (EtD) framework and to illustrate its application in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) guideline development using the example of the Pharmacovigilance Guideline of Chinese Patent Medicine, thereby providing methodological references for TCM guideline standardization. Based on the core three stages of the EtD framework (formulating the question, making an assessment of the evidence, and drawing conclusions), critical decision points and evaluation evidence within the evidence-translation process were systematically addressed, aligning with the purpose, scope, and key questions of the guideline. Qualitative research methods, such as the nominal group technique, were employed to formulate recommendations. The analysis was conducted based on the EtD framework. During question formulation, the specific characteristics and practical needs of pharmacovigilance for Chinese patent medicines were clarified, focusing on the core objective of safety assurance throughout the product lifecycle. In the evidence assessment, multi-source evidence was integrated, including policy documents, literature research, and expert consensus, completing the evidence evaluation. Finally, in recommendation-forming, dispersed research evidence and expert experience were synthesized into consensus, culminating in the guideline's completion through solicitation of opinions and peer review. The EtD framework provides a structured tool for evidence-to-decision translation in TCM guideline development, effectively enhancing the transparency and scientific rigor of the process. Therefore, it is recommended that TCM guideline development adopt the EtD framework to improve the evidence-to-decision process with TCM characteristics.
2.Compilation Instruction and Key Point Interpretation for Pharmacovigilance Guidelines for Clinical Application of Chinese Patent Medicines for Mucosal Administration
Wenzhe LI ; Rui MA ; Xiaoxiao ZHAO ; Hong HUA ; Xin CUI ; Yanming XIE ; Lianxin WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):260-266
To develop the Pharmacovigilance Guidelines for Clinical Application of Chinese Patent Medicines for Mucosal Administration in response to common problems, including insufficient safety information in package inserts, amplified medication risks in special populations, and non-standard clinical practices, thus establishing a risk management system tailored to the characteristics of Chinese patent medicines for mucosal administration. An approach combining qualitative and quantitative methods was adopted. In accordance with the Drug Administration Law of the People's Republic of China (2019 revision) and the GB/T 1.1—2020 standard, a systematic search was performed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition), the Catalog of Medicines Covered by Medical Insurance (2022 edition), Chinese databases [China Network of Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data (Wanfang), and VIP journal resource integration service platform (VIP)], and international databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMbase). Guideline outlines were developed through questionnaire surveys, expert interviews, and the nominal group technique. The content of each item was formulated with full consideration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) incompatibility, as well as the conceptual connotations and extensions of pharmacovigilance. The results included 54 Chinese patent medicines for mucosal administration from the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition) and 58 from the Catalog of Medicines Covered by Medical Insurance (2022 edition). Safety-related items in the corresponding package inserts were collected, and 27 relevant publications were retrieved. Thirty experts from 24 institutions were mobilized for the drafting, and opinions from 61 external experts were solicited. A pharmacovigilance framework was established, covering the full chain of "monitoring, identification, assessment, and control". Based on seven anatomical sites, including nasal, ocular, and oral mucosa, a stratified monitoring system was constructed. The guideline proposed key recommendations on improving package insert sections such as "Adverse Reactions", "Contraindications", and "Precautions", clinical procedure standardization in healthcare institutions, risk control, and dynamic pharmacovigilance. The Guideline provides evidence-based support tailored to the risk profile of Chinese patent medicines for mucosal administration, filling the current gap in international pharmacovigilance standards in this field, while offering technical support for safety management across the full life cycle of medicines for mucosal administration.
3.Interpretation of Evidence-to-decision Framework and Its Application in Pharmacovigilance Guidelines of Chinese Patent Medicines
Hongyan ZHANG ; Xin CUI ; Yuanyuan LI ; Zhifei WANG ; Mengmeng WANG ; Shuo YANG ; Xiaoxiao ZHAO ; Fumei LIU ; Yaxin WANG ; Rui MA ; Yanming XIE ; Lianxin WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):220-228
To interpret the evidence-to-decision (EtD) framework and to illustrate its application in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) guideline development using the example of the Pharmacovigilance Guideline of Chinese Patent Medicine, thereby providing methodological references for TCM guideline standardization. Based on the core three stages of the EtD framework (formulating the question, making an assessment of the evidence, and drawing conclusions), critical decision points and evaluation evidence within the evidence-translation process were systematically addressed, aligning with the purpose, scope, and key questions of the guideline. Qualitative research methods, such as the nominal group technique, were employed to formulate recommendations. The analysis was conducted based on the EtD framework. During question formulation, the specific characteristics and practical needs of pharmacovigilance for Chinese patent medicines were clarified, focusing on the core objective of safety assurance throughout the product lifecycle. In the evidence assessment, multi-source evidence was integrated, including policy documents, literature research, and expert consensus, completing the evidence evaluation. Finally, in recommendation-forming, dispersed research evidence and expert experience were synthesized into consensus, culminating in the guideline's completion through solicitation of opinions and peer review. The EtD framework provides a structured tool for evidence-to-decision translation in TCM guideline development, effectively enhancing the transparency and scientific rigor of the process. Therefore, it is recommended that TCM guideline development adopt the EtD framework to improve the evidence-to-decision process with TCM characteristics.
4.Compilation Instruction and Key Point Interpretation for Pharmacovigilance Guidelines for Clinical Application of Chinese Patent Medicines for Mucosal Administration
Wenzhe LI ; Rui MA ; Xiaoxiao ZHAO ; Hong HUA ; Xin CUI ; Yanming XIE ; Lianxin WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):260-266
To develop the Pharmacovigilance Guidelines for Clinical Application of Chinese Patent Medicines for Mucosal Administration in response to common problems, including insufficient safety information in package inserts, amplified medication risks in special populations, and non-standard clinical practices, thus establishing a risk management system tailored to the characteristics of Chinese patent medicines for mucosal administration. An approach combining qualitative and quantitative methods was adopted. In accordance with the Drug Administration Law of the People's Republic of China (2019 revision) and the GB/T 1.1—2020 standard, a systematic search was performed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition), the Catalog of Medicines Covered by Medical Insurance (2022 edition), Chinese databases [China Network of Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data (Wanfang), and VIP journal resource integration service platform (VIP)], and international databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMbase). Guideline outlines were developed through questionnaire surveys, expert interviews, and the nominal group technique. The content of each item was formulated with full consideration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) incompatibility, as well as the conceptual connotations and extensions of pharmacovigilance. The results included 54 Chinese patent medicines for mucosal administration from the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition) and 58 from the Catalog of Medicines Covered by Medical Insurance (2022 edition). Safety-related items in the corresponding package inserts were collected, and 27 relevant publications were retrieved. Thirty experts from 24 institutions were mobilized for the drafting, and opinions from 61 external experts were solicited. A pharmacovigilance framework was established, covering the full chain of "monitoring, identification, assessment, and control". Based on seven anatomical sites, including nasal, ocular, and oral mucosa, a stratified monitoring system was constructed. The guideline proposed key recommendations on improving package insert sections such as "Adverse Reactions", "Contraindications", and "Precautions", clinical procedure standardization in healthcare institutions, risk control, and dynamic pharmacovigilance. The Guideline provides evidence-based support tailored to the risk profile of Chinese patent medicines for mucosal administration, filling the current gap in international pharmacovigilance standards in this field, while offering technical support for safety management across the full life cycle of medicines for mucosal administration.
5.Comparison between ultrafiltration and dextran gel method in the purification of Tfn/PCL micelles
Lingbo YU ; Yadong ZHANG ; Rui XU ; Yuyu SUN ; Huiyun WANG ; Jinjin YANG ; Yanan CUI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):258-263
ObjectiveTo compare the differences between the ultrafiltration method and the dextran gel filtration method during the purification of Tfn-modified PCL micelles by using purification efficiency and micelle purity as indicators. MethodsCoumarin-6 (C6) was used as a fluorescent probe and was loaded into HOOC-PEG-PCL to form PCL micelles by the film-dispersion method. Tfn was then conjugated to the surface of PCL micelles via an amidation reaction, resulting in two types of micelles: Tfn/PCLH and Tfn/PCLL. The pharmaceutical properties of the two types of micelles were characterized. The micelles were then purified through ultrafiltration method and dextran gel method respectively, and the efficiency of the two methods, along with the purity of the final micelles, was compared. The density of Tfn on the surface of PCL micelles was also calculated. ResultsThe hydrated diameter of PCL micelles was approximately 73 nm, and the C6 loading efficiency was around 0.046%. The size increased to 134 nm and 158 nm for Tfn/PCLL and Tfn/PCLH, respectively. The micelle population was monodisperse. The purification results showed that, for the ultrafiltration method, after two and one rounds of purification, the Tfn/C6 ratio stabilized at 23.6 and 3.4 for Tfn/PCLH and Tfn/PCLL, respectively. For the dextran gel filtration method, the Tfn/C6 ratio reached 23.7 for the Tfn/PCLH group after two rounds of purification. However, for the Tfn/PCLL group, the Tfn/C6 ratio increased during four rounds of dextran gel purification, and a significant difference (P = 0.042 4) was observed between the first and last filtrations. The density of Tfn in the final micelles were calculated. For the ultrafiltration method, the Tfn density of Tfn/PCLH and Tfn/PCLL were 94.9% and 13.8%, respectively. For the dextran gel filtration method, the density of the two micelles were 95.6% and 14.4%, respectively. For Tfn/PCLL group, the density results revealing a statistically significant difference (P=0.000 2). ConclusionThe purification efficiency of the two methods is comparable. However, the purity of the final micelles shows a significant difference, with the dextran gel filtration method resulting in higher purity, particularly for the Tfn/PCLL micelles.
6.TCM Syndrome Distribution Patterns and Clinical Characteristics in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Comorbid with Metabolically Associated Fatty Liver Disease
Dingqi LI ; Liang HUANG ; Baixue LI ; Rui ZHAO ; Zhenglong ZHENG ; Yichen PENG ; Yu LIANG ; Caiying HE ; Jingdong CUI ; Zilin XIONG ; Xiyang LIU ; Quansheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):259-270
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the distribution patterns of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) comorbid with metabolically associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and analyze their correlation with clinical characteristics and the progression of liver fibrosis. MethodsA cross-sectional study method was employed, and 506 patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD who attended the Hepatology Outpatient Department of Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu from June 2024 to December 2024 were enrolled. General information, traditional Chinese medicine syndromes information, laboratory indicators, and imaging examination results were collected using case report forms (CRF). Tongue images of patients were acquired using a tongue diagnosis instrument, and tongue feature parameters were extracted using computer image processing technology. Frequency analysis, factor analysis, and cluster analysis, and other methods were used to explore syndrome categories and distribution patterns. Non-parametric tests were used to compare the differences in clinical characteristics among different syndromes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and the progression of liver fibrosis. ResultsThe main traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD were mainly dominated by damp-heat accumulation syndrome, liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome, and phlegm-blood stasis syndrome, with damp-heat accumulation syndrome accounting for the highest proportion (41.89%). Compared with those without damp-heat accumulation syndrome, patients with damp-heat accumulation syndrome had significantly lower tongue proper H value, tongue coating H value, and tongue coating a* value (P<0.05), significantly higher tongue coating b* value (P<0.05), significantly increased levels of white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), and glucose (GLU), increased CAP values (P<0.05), a higher proportion of males (P<0.05), and a younger age (P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses show that age, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), diabetes, and damp-heat accumulation syndrome are independent risk factors for liver fibrosis (P<0.05), and that damp-heat accumulation syndrome is predominantly distributed in liver fibrosis stage F0-F1. ConclusionDamp-heat accumulation syndrome is a typical syndrome in patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD, which is significantly associated with enhanced inflammatory response, metabolic disorders, and early liver fibrosis, and is a key link in disease progression. Clinical attention and early intervention are needed.
7.Mechanisms of Dahuang Gancaotang in Improving Ferroptosis in Chronic Kidney Disease through SIRT3-mediated Deacetylation of p53
Mengdi CUI ; Yi AN ; Rui WANG ; Zhili XIONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):59-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Dahuang Gancaotang (DHGC) alleviates ferroptosis in chronic kidney disease (CKD) via silent information regulator 3 (SIRT3)-mediated deacetylation of tumor protein p53 (p53). MethodsIn vivo, a CKD mouse model was established by feeding a 0.2% adenine-containing diet. Seventy-two C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into six groups: blank group, model group, DHGC low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (0.975, 1.95, 3.90 g·kg-1), and valsartan group (0.025 g·kg-1), with 12 mice in each group. Renal function was evaluated by measuring serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (SCr). Renal pathological changes were assessed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), and Masson staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of collagen type (Col)Ⅰ, ColⅢ, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in renal tissue to evaluate renal fibrosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) to assess inflammatory responses. Colorimetric assays were used to determine superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and renal total iron content to evaluate lipid peroxidation and iron metabolism. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of the SIRT3/p53 signaling pathway, acetylated p53 (ac-p53), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in renal tissue. In vitro, a ferroptosis model of HK-2 cells was induced using erastin. Cells were divided into six groups: blank group, model group, DHGC-containing serum low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (15 rats were randomly divided into three groups, n = 5 per group, and gavaged with 0.675, 1.35, 2.70 g·kg-1 to prepare medicated serum), and ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) group (5 μmol·L-1). The cell counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to determine cell viability and to screen the optimal concentrations of erastin and DHGC-containing serum. Western blot was used to detect SIRT3/p53 pathway proteins, ac-p53, and GPX4 expression. Immunofluorescence confocal microscopy was used to observe p53 nuclear translocation. ResultsIn vivo, compared with the blank group, the model group showed significantly increased BUN and SCr levels (P<0.01). Severe renal pathological injury and aggravated renal fibrosis were observed. Lipid peroxidation and iron metabolism disorders were evident, as shown by significantly decreased SOD and GSH levels and significantly increased MDA and renal total iron levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all the above indices were significantly improved after DHGC intervention in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05, P<0.01). In vitro, compared with the blank group, HK-2 cell viability was significantly decreased in the model group. A concentration of 0.4 μmol·L-1 erastin was identified as the optimal induction dose, and high-dose DHGC-containing serum was identified as the optimal treatment condition. Compared with the model group, cell viability was significantly increased in all DHGC-containing serum groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Mechanistically, compared with the blank group, protein expression of SIRT3 and GPX4 was significantly decreased in both in vivo and in vitro model groups, while p53 and ac-p53 expression and p53 nuclear translocation were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, these changes were significantly reversed after DHGC intervention (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionDHGC exerts a protective effect against adenine-induced CKD in mice and erastin-induced ferroptosis in HK-2 cells. The mechanism is associated with its anti-ferroptosis effect mediated via the SIRT3/p53 signaling pathway.
8.Spatial navigation performance and associated factors in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Guangze CUI ; Rui ZHAO ; Hongyi ZHAO ; Yinxia BAI
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(4):367-374
BackgroundObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) represents a potential modifiable risk factor for cognitive impairment, while spatial navigation performance serves as a sensitive marker to detect such deficits at an early stage. Currently, polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for OSA diagnosis, with the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) used to stratify the disease severity. Nevertheless, AHI alone cannot fully explain the individual variability in cognitive impairment among OSA patients. Existing evidence indicates that sleep architecture disruption impairs spatial memory consolidation and subsequently alters spatial navigation through pathways independent of AHI, yet this hypothesis remains unvalidated in routine clinical OSA cohorts. ObjectiveTo compare the global cognitive function and spatial navigation performance across OSA patients of varying severities, and to analyze associated factors of spatial navigation performance, so as to provide clinical evidence for the early identification and intervention of cognitive impairment in OSA patients. MethodsThis cross-sectional study consecutively enrolled 135 outpatients from the Mental Health Center of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from March 8, 2024 to September 12, 2025. All participants completed PSG monitoring and fulfilled the OSA diagnostic criteria outlined in the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Subjects were stratified into mild (5 ≤AHI < 15 events/h), moderate (15 ≤ AHI < 30 events/h), and severe (AHI ≥ 30 events/h) groups based on AHI values, and all PSG sleep architecture parameters were extracted for statistical analysis. Global cognitive function was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Trail Making Test (including TMT-A and TMT-B), and two subtasks from the THINC Integrated Toolkit (THINC-it): the Spotter test (choice reaction time, CRT) and the Codebreaker test (digit symbol substitution test, DSST). Spatial navigation performance was assessed through the Santa Barbara Sense of Direction Scale (SBSOD) and the computerized AMUNET spatial navigation test. ResultsAmong the 135 OSA patients, 46 (34.07%) were classified into the mild group, 47 (34.82%) into the moderate group, and 42 (31.11%) into the severe group. In terms of cognitive function, there were no statistically significant intergroup differences across three groups in CRT, consecutive correct DSST responses, MMSE scores, and completion time of TMT-A and TMT-B (P>0.05). Regarding spatial navigation performance, no statistically significant differences were observed among three groups in SBSOD scores and the outcomes of the four AMUNET subtasks (P>0.05). Spearman correlation analyses revealed that the performance on the delayed allocentric AMUNET subtask was positively correlated with stage N2 duration, percentage of stage N2 sleep (N2%), and rapid eye movement (REM) latency (r=0.277, 0.296, 0.239, PFDR<0.05). In contrast, this subtask exhibited negative correlations with REM duration, percentage of REM sleep (REM%), stage N3 duration and percentage of stage N3 sleep (N3%) (r=-0.223–-0.175, PFDR<0.05). SBSOD score was positively correlated with the completion time of TMT-A and TMT-B (r=0.236, 0.278), and negatively correlated with MMSE scores (r=-0.311). For AMUNET indices, performance on the allocentric navigation subtask showed a positive correlation with CRT (r=0.013). Moreover, performance of both egocentric and allocentric navigation subtasks yielded positive correlations with the completion time of TMT-A and TMT-B (r=0.191–0.265, PFDR<0.05). Performance on the egocentric, allocentric, and combined egocentric–allocentric navigation subtasks was negatively correlated with MMSE scores and the consecutive correct DSST responses (r=-0.318–-0.207, PFDR<0.05). Hierarchical multiple liner regression analysis demonstrated that after controlling for baseline characteristics and global cognitive function, N2% emerged as a positive predictor of the delayed allocentric navigation subtask performance (β=0.242, 95% CI: 0.104–1.463). ConclusionPatients with OSA across all severity strata exhibit comparable global cognitive function and spatial navigation performance. Spatial memory is associated with sleep architecture parameters, among which N2% acts as an independent positive predictor of spatial memory performance. [Funded by Natural Science Foundation Project of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (number, 2024QN08050); Science and Technology Project for High-Level Clinical Specialty Development of Public Hospitals of the Capital Region under the Autonomous Region Health Commission of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2023 (number, 2023SGGZ047)]
10.Comprehensive Review on Rhodiola crenulata: Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Properties and Clinical Applications.
Rui ZHU ; Cui-Fen FANG ; Shu-Jing ZHANG ; Zhu HAN ; Ge-Hui ZHU ; Shang-Zuo CAI ; Cheng ZHENG ; Yu TANG ; Yi WANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(8):752-759

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