1.Herbal Textual Research on Inulae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Caixia LIU ; Yue HAN ; Yanzhu MA ; Lei GAO ; Sheng WANG ; Yan YANG ; Wenchuan LUO ; Ling JIN ; Jing SHAO ; Zhijia CUI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):210-221
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties, Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name, and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao, Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica, and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species, there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia, I. helianthus-aquatili, and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan, Hubei and other places, and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower, the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months, and dried in the sun, and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom, in order to remove impurities, dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition, the roots, whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times, there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos, and in modern times, it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure, small receptacles, large blooms, yellow petals, long filaments, many fluffs, no fragments, and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning, steaming, and sun-drying, supplemented by techniques such as boiling, roasting, burning, simmering, stir-frying, and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties, ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter, pungent, and salty in taste, with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras, including descending Qi, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos, either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements, where no processing instructions are specified, the raw products may be used after cleaning.
2.Herbal Textual Research on Inulae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Caixia LIU ; Yue HAN ; Yanzhu MA ; Lei GAO ; Sheng WANG ; Yan YANG ; Wenchuan LUO ; Ling JIN ; Jing SHAO ; Zhijia CUI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):210-221
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties, Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name, and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao, Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica, and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species, there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia, I. helianthus-aquatili, and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan, Hubei and other places, and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower, the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months, and dried in the sun, and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom, in order to remove impurities, dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition, the roots, whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times, there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos, and in modern times, it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure, small receptacles, large blooms, yellow petals, long filaments, many fluffs, no fragments, and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning, steaming, and sun-drying, supplemented by techniques such as boiling, roasting, burning, simmering, stir-frying, and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties, ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter, pungent, and salty in taste, with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras, including descending Qi, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos, either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements, where no processing instructions are specified, the raw products may be used after cleaning.
3.Systematic review of the relationship between dynamic changes in inflammatory markers and therapeutic efficacy in NSCLC patients during EGFR-TKIs therapy
Liying WU ; Jingyi YANG ; Yating ZENG ; Ling YONG ; Weifeng SHAO ; Wei LIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1490-1495
OBJECTIVE To systematically evaluate the correlation between dynamic changes in inflammatory markers during treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and therapeutic efficacy, with the aim of providing evidence-based support for clinical prognosis assessment and treatment strategy adjustment. METHODS Databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and CBM were searched from the inception to July 20, 2025. Following literature screening, data extraction and quality assessment, descriptive analysis was conducted on the outcomes of included studies. RESULTS A total of eight studies were included to analyze the correlation of 6 inflammatory markers before and after treatment with EGFR-TKIs with therapeutic efficacy. The risk of bias assessment identified six high-quality studies and two moderate-quality studies. Among these studies, seven studies demonstrated that lower levels of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), higher lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) before treatment, as well as decreased NLR and MLR and increased LMR after treatment were associated with longer median progression-free survival. Five studies indicated that lower levels of NLR, dNLR, PLR, and interleukin-6 (IL-6), higher LMR before treatment as well as decreased NLR and dNLR and increased LMR were associated with longer median overall survival. Three studies indicated that lower levels of IL-6 were associated with a higher objective response rate, while the association of these markers after treatment remained controversial; another study showed that an early decline in NLR, MLR, and PLR after treatment may be associated with objective response benefit. CONCLUSIONS Lower inflammatory levels during EGFR-TKIs therapy correlate with better therapeutic efficacy in NSCLC patients.
4.Novel Subset-specific Functions of Dendritic Cells: From Spatiotemporal Regulation of Lymph Node Immunity to Precision Targeting Strategies——A Commentary on The Study by Huang & Gerner (Cell, 2026)
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1798-1802
Dendritic cells (DCs) serve as a crucial link between innate and adaptive immunity and represent key modulatory nodes in the initiation of adaptive immune responses. Although DC-targeted vaccines and therapeutic strategies show great promise, their development remains in the early stages due to a limited understanding of the regulatory mechanisms governing distinct DC subsets in response to various immunogens and types of immune responses. Recently, a study by Jessica Y. Huang and Michael Y. Gerner published in Cell has uncovered a novel functional dimension of DCs. Beyond their classical roles in antigen presentation and T cell priming, DCs dynamically regulate the spatiotemporal organization of innate and adaptive immune responses within lymph nodes. During early type I immune responses, tissue-resident DC2s recruit innate immune cells and promote their trafficking, effectively limiting pathogen spread; however, this comes at the cost of disrupting lymph node architecture and suppressing the initiation of adaptive immunity. Following effective pathogen restraint, DCs shift their role to mediate the removal of apoptotic neutrophils and facilitate the restoration of lymph node structure, thereby reinstating adaptive immunity. These findings suggest that a deeper understanding of subset-specific regulatory networks of DCs in various immune contexts may enhance the precision and efficacy of DC-targeted immunotherapies.
5.Exploring the intervention effect of berberine and its mechanism on silicosis-induced injury based on network pharmacology and molecular docking
Wenyue CAO ; Mao CAO ; Jiazi MA ; Yong YANG ; Zhongjun DU ; Hua SHAO
China Occupational Medicine 2026;53(2):121-129
Objective To investigate the effect of berberine and its mechanism in delaying silica-induced lung injury via network pharmacology and molecular docking, followed by verification with animal experiments. Methods i) Targets of berberine and silicosis were obtained from multiple databases, and the common targets were identified. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the STRING database, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed on the common targets via the DAVID database. Molecular docking was conducted using AutoDock software for validation. ii) Specific pathogen-free Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups, with six rats in each group. Rats in the model group, pirfenidone group, and low- and high-dose berberine groups received a single non-exposure intratracheal instillation of 1.00 mL silica suspension at a mass concentration of 100 g/L, whereas rats in the control group received an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Rats in the pirfenidone group were administered with pirfenidone solution at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, and rats in the low- and high-dose berberine groups were administered with berberine solutions at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The remaining two groups received equal volumes of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. All treatments were administered by gavage once daily for 28 consecutive days from 24 hours after silica exposure. After intervention, rats in each group were sacrificed. Histopathological changes in lung tissues were observed, and the lung organ coefficient was detected. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) was detected by colorimetry. Serum inflammatory cytokine were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of fibrosis markers in lung tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), and phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) in lung tissues was determined by Western blot. Results i) Network pharmacology analysis identified 46 potential targets. The core targets included AKT1, tumor protein p53, caspase-3, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and albumin. GO enrichment analysis revealed that the targets related to the anti-fibrotic effect of berberine against silicosis were mainly enriched in biological processes including signal transduction, negative regulation of apoptosis, extracellular matrix degradation, and response to reactive oxygen species. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that berberine exerted anti-silicosis effects through multiple signaling pathways, such as the PI3K/AKT pathway, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 pathway, and advanced glycation end product (AGE)-receptor for AGE pathway. ii) Histopathological examination revealed that rats in the model group presented typical pulmonary fibrotic lesions. Pathological lung injury of rats was alleviated in all three intervention groups (pirfenidone group, low- and high-dose berberine group) compared with the model group. The improvement in the high-dose berberine group was superior to that in the low-dose berberine group and was comparable with that in the pirfenidone group. rats in the model group showed increased lung organ coefficient, serum MDA, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (all P<0.05), as well as increased expression of typeⅠcollagen (COLⅠ), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and PI3K, and p-AKT/AKT ratio in lung tissues (all P<0.05) when compared with the control group. The above indicators were lower in rats in both the low- and high-dose berberine groups than those in the model group (all P<0.05). Serum MDA, IL-1β, and TNF-α, as well as relative expression of COLⅠ and α-SMA in lung tissues, were lower in the high-dose berberine group than in the low-dose berberine group (all P<0.05). Conclusion Berberine may alleviate pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in rats through regulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thereby delaying the progression of silicosis.
6.Study on extraction technology of flavonoids from Potentilla discolor with deep eutectic solvents
Bin LIU ; Chenyi YANG ; Meiling SHAO ; Liangyong HUANG ; Yanguo GAO ; Xueqin WANG ; Guanghui LYU ; Qian HU ; Fang YE
China Pharmacy 2026;37(16):2119-2123
OBJECTIVE To optimize the extraction process of flavonoids from Potentilla discolor .METHODS Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were used as the extraction solvent to prepare test sample solutions. The contents of rutin, quercitrin, and kaempferol were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography. The analytic hierarchy process combined with the criteria importance through intercriteria correlation weighting method was employed to assign comprehensive weights to the contents of the three flavonoids, and calculate the comprehensive score. The optimal DESs were screened based on the comprehensive score.Mean while, using the comprehensive score as the response variable and the liquid-to-solid ratio, ultrasonic time, and urltrasonic temperature as the influencing factors, the extraction technology of flavonoids from P.discolor was optimized by Box-Behnken response surface methodology and subsequently validated.RESULTS The comprehensive weight coefficients of rutin, quercitrin, and kaempferol were 0.646 7, 0.207 5, and 0.145 8, respectively. The optimal DESs were choline chloride-lactic acid (molar ratio 1∶4) with a water content of 40%. The optimal extraction conditions were determined as follows: liquid-to-solid ratio of 25∶1, ultrasonic time of 40 min, and ultrasonic temperature of 50 ℃. The validation results showed that the average comprehensive score of three batches of samples was 99.28, with an RSD of 0.54% ( n =3).CONCLUSIONS The optimal extraction technology of flavonoids from P. discolor based on DESs obtained in this study was stable and feasible.
7.Clinical observation of sacituzumab tirumotecan combined with bevacizumab in the treatment of HER2-negative breast cancer with brain metastases
Yufeng YANG ; Xiuli YANG ; Peng CHENG ; Ling SHEN ; Qian YANG ; Yingbo SHAO
China Pharmacy 2026;37(16):2156-2160
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sacituzumab tirumotecan combined with bevacizumab for the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer with brain metastases.METHODS Clinical data of 90 patients with HER2- breast cancer with brain metastases treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanyang Medical College from December 2024 to November 2025 were retrospectively collected. According to the treatment regimens, the patients were divided into a control group ( n =55) and an experimental group ( n =35). Patients in the experimental group received sacituzumab tirumotecan combined with bevacizumab, whereas those in the control group received conventional systemic therapy, including albumin-bound paclitaxel-based regimens, capecitabine-based regimens, or gemcitabine/vinorelbine combined with platinum-based regimens. Short-term efficacy, progression-free survival (PFS), brain metastasis-related efficacy, adverse events, treatment discontinuation due to adverse events, and treatment-related deaths were compared between the two groups.RESULTS The objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate, median PFS, intracranial disease control rate, and proportion of patients with improvement in neurological symptoms in the experimental group were significantly higher than in the control group ( P <0.05). Stratified analysis showed that PFS of the experimental group was significantly longer than the control group among patients with Breast-Graded Prognostic Assessment scores ≥2.0 and <2.0 ( P <0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the proportion of patients with glucocorticoid dose reduction/discontinuation, the incidence of adverse events of different grades, or the rate of treatment discontinuation due to adverse events between the two groups ( P >0.05). No treatment-related deaths occurred in either group.CONCLUSIONS Compared with conventional systemic therapy, sacituzumab tirumotecan combined with bevacizumab can improve the ORR and prolong PFS in patients with HER2- breast cancer with brain metastases, with an overall manageable safety profile.
8.Analyses of epidemiological characteristics and dietary factors of allergic diseases in children aged 0‒6 in Minhang District of Shanghai
Jinshan YANG ; Yuan CUI ; Chunhai SHAO
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(7):543-549
ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of food allergy, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis among children aged 0‒6 in Minhang District of Shanghai, and to analyze the associations of sociodemographic characteristics, neonatal factors and dietary related factors with these allergic diseases, so as to provide epidemiological evidence for the development of regional prevention strategies. MethodsFrom June to October 2025, a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method was used to enroll children aged 0‒6. The disease status was assessed in accordance with the criteria of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Relevant information was collected using structured questionnaires and food frequency questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to analyze the influencing factors. ResultsAmong the 2 145 children aged 0‒6, the mean age was (4.25±1.52) years. The prevalence rates of food allergy, asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis were 17.25%, 11.05%, 40.51%, 19.07% respectively. Comorbidity was prominent, with the pairwise comorbidity rate ranging from 3.78% to 11.38%. The prevalence of allergic diseases was higher among children aged 3‒6 than among those aged <3, and was significantly higher in boys than in girls (all P<0.05). Intake of refined grains ≥1 time·d-1 was associated with an increased risk of food allergy (aOR=5.72, 95%CI: 1.20‒27.27) and atopic dermatitis (aOR=2.64, 95%CI: 1.01‒6.92). Conversely, consumption of coarse grains (3‒6 times·week-1), melon and solanaceous vegetables (≥1 time·d-1), and dairy products (3‒6 times·week-1) was associated with reduced risks of different allergic diseases, with aORs of 0.47 (95%CI: 0.25‒0.90), 0.43 (95%CI: 0.22‒0.85), and 0.40 (95%CI: 0.19‒0.87), respectively. Intake of fruits, eggs, and nuts at 3‒6 times·week-1 was each associated with a reduced risk of food allergy, with aORs of 0.19 (95%CI: 0.04‒0.93), 0.34 (95%CI: 0.15‒0.78), and 0.52 (95%CI: 0.28‒0.97), respectively. ConclusionThe prevalence of food allergy, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis is relatively high among children aged 0‒6 in Minhang District of Shanghai. Excessive intake of refined grains is associated with an elevated risk of allergic diseases, whereas a diet rich in coarse grains and vegetables showed a negative association. It is recommended to introduce eggs and nuts at appropriate time points during infancy and to promote the consumption of whole grains and vegetables among preschool-aged children.
9.Research Progress on Regulation of CD8+ T Cell Infiltration by Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts
Pengfei ZHANG ; Cailing SHAO ; Puzhong JI ; Yanli YANG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2026;53(8):625-632
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are core regulators in the tumor microenvironment. Their high heterogeneity and plasticity remarkably influence the infiltration and function of CD8+ T cells, thereby determining the response to immunotherapy. However, the mechanisms by which CAFs impede CD8+ T cell infiltration exhibit substantial heterogeneity across different cancer types. This review proposes a dichotomous model of CAFs-mediated immune exclusion: Type Ⅰ active exclusion (exemplified by pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, where CAFs create physical and chemical barriers through excessive extracellular matrix deposition and secretion of TGF-β/CXCL12) and Type Ⅱ immune ignorance (exemplified by a subset of microsatellite-stable colorectal cancers, where loss of CAFs function results in insufficient chemokine production). Under this framework, we systematically review the specific regulatory mechanisms of CAFs subsets, specifically myofibroblastic CAFs and inflammatory CAFs, in pancreatic cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and colorectal cancer, highlighting their multidimensional roles in extracellular matrix remodeling, metabolic reprogramming, and construction of immunosuppressive networks. Furthermore, by integrating single-cell and spatial multi-omics perspectives, we propose immune phenotype-based CAFs-targeting strategies, namely, "barrier-breaking" strategies (TGF-β inhibition and FAP targeting) for Type Ⅰ tumors and "activating" strategies (reprogramming CAFs toward an immune-supportive phenotype) for Type Ⅱ tumors, and discuss their temporally sequenced combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
10.RNF8 promotes DNA damage response through the ATM/CHK2 axis and affects cisplatin resistance in endometrial cancer cells
Cai Feifei ; Yang Tingting ; Shao Yang ; Ma Xin ; Qiang Ping ; Zhao Fang ; Xi Xingshu
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(8):830-839
[摘 要] 目的:探讨环指蛋白8(RNF8)对子宫内膜癌(EC)细胞顺铂(CDDP)敏感性的影响及可能机制。方法:基于在线数据库分析RNF8在EC组织中的表达及拷贝数变异;采用慢病毒介导shRNA稳定敲低Ishikawa细胞中RNF8表达并进行CDDP处理,按sh-NC+溶剂对照、sh-RNF8+溶剂对照、sh-NC + CDDP、sh-RNF8 + CDDP分组处理,并设置sh-RNF8 + CDDP + KU60019抑制实验。采用CCK-8、克隆形成、Annexin V-FITC/PI流式细胞术、Hoechst 33258/PI染色、WB及γ-H2AX免疫荧光检测细胞活力、克隆形成、凋亡、DNA损伤累积及ATM/CHK2通路相关蛋白表达。结果:RNF8在EC组织和细胞中表达升高。RNF8敲低降低细胞存活率和IC50,抑制克隆形成,并进一步增强CDDP诱导的凋亡;同时BAX、Cleaved-Caspase-3和γ-H2AX表达升高,BCL-2、p-ATM、p-CHK2和RAD21表达降低。KU60019处理进一步促进DNA损伤累积和细胞凋亡,并降低细胞活力。结论:RNF8可能通过ATM/CHK2轴促进DNA损伤应答并降低EC细胞对CDDP的敏感性;敲低RNF8可增加DNA损伤累积并增强CDDP敏感性。

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