The manufacturing process is crucial for ensuring the safety and efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) preparations. Using advanced technologies, innovative methods, and new equipment tailored for TCM to enhance the quality control of TCM preparations in the manufacturing process helps to ensure the product quality and foster high-quality development of the TCM industry. Upon current technical requirements, such as Guideline for Studies on Pharmaceutical Changes in Marketed Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations(Trial) and Guideline for Study on Quality Control in Manufacturing Process of Oral Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations(Trial), this paper analyzes the characteristics and current development of quality control in the manufacturing process of TCM preparations. It also discusses the significant roles that quality control in manufacturing process plays in ensuring the quality consistency and in the evaluation and decision-making of changes in marketed TCM preparations. Furthermore, to benefit the high-quality development of the TCM industry, this paper offers recommendations for improving quality control of TCM preparations in the manufacturing process and implementing new technologies and methods.
Quality Control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; Decision Making ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: To explore the neuroprotective effects of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XFZYD) based on in vivo and metabolomics experiments. METHODS: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) was induced via a controlled cortical impact (CCI) method. Thirty rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (10 for each): sham, CCI and XFZYD groups (9 g/kg). The administration was performed by intragastric administration for 3 days. Neurological functions tests, histology staining, coagulation and haemorheology assays, and Western blot were examined. Untargeted metabolomics was employed to identify metabolites. The key metabolite was validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: XFZYD significantly alleviated neurological dysfunction in CCI model rats (P<0.01) but had no impact on coagulation function. As evidenced by Evans blue and IgG staining, XFZYD effectively prevented blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, XFZYD not only increased the expression of collagen IV, occludin and zona occludens 1 but also decreased matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which protected BBB integrity (all P<0.05). Nine potential metabolites were identified, and all of them were reversed by XFZYD. Adenosine was the most significantly altered metabolite related to BBB repair. XFZYD significantly reduced the level of equilibrative nucleoside transporter 2 (ENT2) and increased adenosine (P<0.01), which may improve BBB integrity. CONCLUSIONS XFZYD ameliorates BBB disruption after TBI by decreasing the levels of MMP-9 and COX-2. Through further exploration via metabolomics, we found that XFZYD may exert a protective effect on BBB by regulating adenosine metabolism via ENT2.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism* ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic/metabolism* ; Adenosine/metabolism* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats

OBJECTIVE: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies seen in clinic and requires novel treatment options. Morin is a natural flavonoid extracted from the flower stalk of a highly valuable medicinal plant Prunella vulgaris L., which exhibits an anti-cancer effect in multiple types of tumors. However, the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of morin in treating GC remains elusive. The study aims to explore the therapeutic effect and underlying molecular mechanisms of morin in GC. METHODS: For in vitro experiments, the proliferation inhibition of morin was measured by cell counting kit-8 assay and colony formation assay in human GC cell line MKN45, human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line AGS, and human gastric epithelial cell line GES-1; for apoptosis analysis, microscopic photography, Western blotting, ubiquitination analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, flow cytometry, and RNA interference technology were employed. For in vivo studies, immunohistochemistry, biomedical analysis, and Western blotting were used to assess the efficacy and safety of morin in a xenograft mouse model of GC. RESULTS: Morin significantly inhibited the proliferation of GC cells MKN45 and AGS in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but did not inhibit human gastric epithelial cells GES-1. Only the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK was able to significantly reverse the inhibition of proliferation by morin in both GC cells, suggesting that apoptosis was the main type of cell death during the treatment. Morin induced intrinsic apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in GC cells, which mainly relied on B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) associated agonist of cell death (BAD) but not phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced protein 1. The upregulation of BAD by morin was due to blocking the ubiquitination degradation of BAD, rather than the transcription regulation and the phosphorylation of BAD. Furthermore, the combination of morin and BCL-2 inhibitor navitoclax (also known as ABT-737) produced a synergistic inhibitory effect in GC cells through amplifying apoptotic signals. In addition, morin treatment significantly suppressed the growth of GC in vivo by upregulating BAD and the subsequent activation of its downstream apoptosis pathway. CONCLUSION Morin suppressed GC by inducing apoptosis, which was mainly due to blocking the ubiquitination-based degradation of the pro-apoptotic protein BAD. The combination of morin and the BCL-2 inhibitor ABT-737 synergistically amplified apoptotic signals in GC cells, which may overcome the drug resistance of the BCL-2 inhibitor. These findings indicated that morin was a potent and promising agent for GC treatment. Please cite this article as: Wang Y, Sun XY, Ma FQ, Ren MM, Zhao RH, Qin MM, Zhu XH, Xu Y, Cao ND, Chen YY, Dong TG, Pan YF, Zhao AG. Morin inhibits ubiquitination degradation of BCL-2 associated agonist of cell death and synergizes with BCL-2 inhibitor in gastric cancer cells. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 320-332.
Humans ; Flavonoids/therapeutic use* ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Animals ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Ubiquitination/drug effects* ; Mice ; Drug Synergism ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Flavones

Objective To investigate the expressions of 12 cytokines(IL-1β,IL-2,IL-4,IL-5,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10,IL-12p70,IL-17,IFN-α,IFN-γ,TNF-α)and procalcitonin in patients with infective endocarditis(IE).Methods Ten IE patients admitted to our hospital from December 2021 to December 2022 were included into the IE group,10 patients with non-infectious and non-rheumatic valvular diseases who were admitted to our hospital at the same period were randomly selected as the control group,and blood sampling of all patients were conducted at admission.The expressions of 12 cytokines and blood routine indexes were detected by flow cytometry,and the level of procalcitonin was detected by ELISA.The correlations among the expression levels of cytokines in IE patients were analyzed by Pearson method and the correlations of IL-8 level and white blood cell count with procalcitonin in IE patients were analyzed by Spearman method.Results Compared with the control group,the levels of cytokines of IL-1β,IL-2,IL-6,IL-10,TNF-α,IFN-α,IFN-γ and IL-12p70 in the IE group were significantly increased(P<0.05),the white blood cell count,neutrophil percentage and procalcitonin were significantly increased(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the percentage of monocytes between the two groups(P>0.05).IFN-α of IE patients was positively correlated with IL-2,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-12p70,IL-2 was positively correlated with TNF-α and IL-1β,IL-12p70 was positively correlated with IFN-γ,and procalcitonin was significantly positively correlated with IL-8 and white blood cell count,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion The levels of IL-1β,IL-2,IL-6,IL-10,TNF-α,IFN-α,IFN-γ,IL-12p70 and procalcitonin in IE patients are significantly higher than those in the normal population,and the detections of these indicators are of guiding significance for the early diagnosis of IE and the evaluation of the severity of the disease.

Objective:To investigate and assess hemolytic transfusion reaction in patient with complex and combined anti-Fya and anti-Jkb which so as to provide a safety blood transfusion strategy.Methods:ABO/Rh blood grouping,antibody screening and identification,and Coombs'tests were performed by the routine serological methods include manual tube and automatic blood group analyzer with matching micro-column gel cards from Diagnostic Grifols and Jiangsu LIBO.The hospital information system and laboratory information system were used to collect dada on patients' blood routine tests,liver and kidney function,coagulation,cardiac function,and other clinical indicators before and after blood transfusion were analyzed and compared in conjunction with the patients'clinical manifestations.Results:The patient's blood group was A/CcDEe.Before two transfusion,the anti-body screening were positive which identification were anti-Fya and anti-Fya combined with anti-Jkb respectively,while the Coomb's test were positive with anti-C3 and anti-IgG combined with anti-C3 respectively.No agglutination and hemolysis was observed in saline medium cross-matching test before two transfusion of Fya-red blood cell.But before re-transfusion agglutinated reaction was observed in cross-matching test by DG Gel Coombs,which strength was 2+on whether major or minor side.The patient developed soy sauce urine/hemoglobinuria and fever after transfused Fya-red blood cell again.Primary laboratory indicators were observed to be elevated,include C-reactive protein from 3.06 mg/L to 29.97 mg/L,total bilirubin from 21.4 μmol/L to 276.3 μmol/L,direct bilirubin from 8.4 μmol/L to 135.6 μmol/L,lactate dehydrogenase from 166 U/L to 1453 U/L.Urinary free hemoglobin test was 4+.The main laboratory indicators reflecting the heart,liver,kidney and circulatory coagulation function also have vary increased and gradually returned to normal after a week. Conclusion:Jkb-incompatible transfusion of the Kidd blood group system can lead to acute hemolytic transfusion reaction,but in emergency implementing incompatible transfusion due to IgG antibodies outside of the primary blood group (such as ABO/RhD)can ensure the implementation of emergency operation.

Pogostemon cablin is a famous southern medicine.As the important raw material for modern medicine and industry,Pogostemon cablin becomes required with a large marketing demand.However,due to the serious continuous cropping obstacles in the growth process of Pogostemon cablin,the aggravation of diseases of Pogostemon cablin and the degradation of its quality arose.This paper outlined the ecological factors such as climate factors,soil factors and topographic factors suitable for the growth of Pogostemon cablin,analyzed the continuous cropping obstacles and diseases arising in the cultivation,reviewed the current ecological planting mode of Pogostemon cablin such as crop rotation,intercropping,relay-cropping and under-forest planting,and also made a comprehensive evaluation of the economic benefits,ecological benefits and social benefits of the ecological planting mode of Pogostemon cablin,aiming to provide a theoretical basis and a reference for the promotion of the ecological planting mode of Pogostemon cablin.

Aim To explore the effect of serum contai-ning Duhuo Jisheng Decoction on the proliferation,ap-optosis and inflammation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes(FLS)induced by tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and to reveal the under-lying mechanism.Methods The MH7A cells were divided into five groups:normal group(10％blank se-rum),model group(10 μg·L-1 TNF-α+10％blank serum),Duhuo Jisheng Decoction low(10 μg·L-1 TNF-α+2.5％drug-containing serum+7.5％blank serum),medium(10 pg·L-1 TNF-α+5％drug-con-taining serum+5％blank serum),high(10 μg·L-1 TNF-α+10％drug-containing serum)dose group.The concentration of serum containing Duhuo Jisheng Decoction was screened by MTT method.Cell prolifer-ation was detected using EdU staining.The expression of proliferation marker Ki67 was detected using immu-nofluorescence staining.The apoptosis rate was meas-ured by flow cytometry.The contents of IFN-γ,IL-4,IL-6 and IL-10 in each group were detected by ELISA.The mRNA and protein expression of Bax,Bcl-2,caspase-3 and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Results Compared with the normal group,the cell prolifera-tion activity of the model group significantly increased,and the level of apoptosis decreased.The content of IFN-γ and IL-6 increased,and the content of IL-4 and IL-10 decreased.The TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway was activated.After the intervention of low,medium and high dose groups of serum containing Du-huo Jisheng Decoction,it could effectively improve the abnormal proliferation of cells and enhance apoptosis.At the same time,it inhibited the inflammatory re-sponse and the activation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB sig-naling pathway.Conclusions The serum containing Duhuo Jisheng Decoction can inhibit the abnormal pro-liferation of RA-FLS induced by TNF-α and the secre-tion of pro-inflammatory factors,and enhance apoptosis and anti-inflammatory levels.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB sig-naling pathway.

This study aims to observe the effects of different doses of Astragali Radix on the expression of glucagon(GLP-1) in se-rum and glucagon receptor(GLP-1R) in cartilage tissue in rats with knee osteoarthritis(KOA), explore the effect of Astragali Radix on the inflammation and apoptosis of KOA by regulating GLP-1/GLP-1R signaling axis, and investigate the mechanism of its action in alleviating KOA. Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: blank group, model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose Astragali Radix groups(3.125, 6.25, and 12.5 g·kg~(-1)), and glucosamine sulfate group(0.1 g·kg~(-1)). Except for the blank group, rats in other groups were injected with sodium iodoacetate(MIA) into the knee joint to establish KOA models. After successful modeling, the rats were continuously treated for five weeks. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of GLP-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α), and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) in rat serum. Pathological examination was utilized to observe the pathological changes in knee joint cartilage. The mRNA levels of TNF-α and MMP13 in knee joint cartilage were detected by qRT-PCR, and the protein expression levels of GLP-1R, MMP13, and caspase-8 in knee joint cartilage were detected by Western blot. The expression of GLP-1R and MMP13 in the knee joint was detected by immunohistochemistry. Tunel staining was used to observe the apoptosis of chondrocytes in the knee joint. The above experimental results showed that Astragali Radix may raise the serum levels of GLP-1, reduce serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1, and decrease the relative mRNA expression of TNF-α and MMP13 through the GLP-1/GLP-1R axis. It thus activated GLP-1R, reduced the protein expression of MMP13 and caspase-8 in cartilage, and regulated their related signaling pathways to improve inflammation and apoptosis, so as to protect cartilage and improve KOA.
Animals ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/genetics* ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1/metabolism* ; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor/metabolism* ; Astragalus propinquus/chemistry* ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Astragalus Plant/chemistry* ; Apoptosis/drug effects*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the expression and significance of jumonji domain-containing protein 2B (JMJD2B) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) tissues in children. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of JMJD2B and HIF-1α in lymph node tissue specimens from 46 children with NHL (observation group) and 24 children with reactive hyperplasia (control group). The relationship between JMJD2B and HIF-1α expression with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in children with NHL, as well as the correlation between JMJD2B and HIF-1α expression in NHL tissues, were analyzed. RESULTS: The positive expression rates of JMJD2B (87% vs 21%) and HIF-1α (83% vs 42%) in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The expression of JMJD2B and HIF-1α was correlated with serum lactate dehydrogenase levels and the risk of international prognostic index in children with NHL (P<0.05). The expression of JMJD2B was positively correlated with the HIF-1α expression in children with NHL (r_s=0.333, P=0.024). CONCLUSIONS JMJD2B and HIF-1α are upregulated in children with NHL, and they may play a synergistic role in the development of pediatric NHL. JMJD2B can serve as a novel indicator for auxiliary diagnosis, evaluation of the severity, treatment guidance, and prognosis assessment in pediatric NHL.
Humans ; Child ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; Prognosis ; Hypoxia ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin

OBJECTIVE: To investigate protective effect of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) through autophagy-associated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in acute kidney injury (AKI)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). METHODS: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups according to a random number table, including the normal saline (NS)-treated sham group (sham group), NS-treated ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) group (IRI group), and low- (5 g/kg·d) and high-dose (10 g/kg·d) CS-treated IRI groups (CS1 and CS2 groups), 12 rats in each group. Nephrectomy of the right kidney was performed on the IRI rat model that was subjected to 60 min of left renal pedicle occlusion followed by 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of reperfusion. The wet-to-dry (W/D) ratio of lung, levels of serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin- β and tumor necrosis factor- α, and biomarkers of oxidative stress such as superoxide dismutase, malonaldehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), were assayed. Histological examinations were conducted to determine damage of tissues in the kidney and lung. The protein expressions of light chain 3 II/light chain 3 I (LC3-II/LC3-I), uncoordinated-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1), P62, AMPK and mTOR were measured by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: The renal IRI induced pulmonary injury following AKI, resulting in significant increases in W/D ratio of lung, and the levels of Scr, BUN, inflammatory cytokines, MDA and MPO (P<0.01); all of these were reduced in the CS groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the IRI groups, the expression levels of P62 and mTOR were significantly lower (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while those of LC3-II/LC3-I, ULK1, and AMPK were significantly higher in the CS2 group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION CS had a potential in treating lung injury following renal IRI through activation of the autophagy-related AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway in AKI-induced ALI.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Cordyceps/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Kidney/pathology* ; Acute Kidney Injury/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Reperfusion Injury/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Acute Lung Injury/drug therapy* ; Mammals/metabolism*