Chinese medicinal resources are the cornerstone of the sustainable development of traditional Chinese medicine industry. However, due to the fecundity of species, over-exploitation, and limitations of artificial cultivation, some medicinal plants are depleted and even endangered. Tissue culture, a breakthrough technology in the breeding of traditional Chinese medicinal materials, is not limited by time and space, and can allow the production on an annual basis, which plays an important role in the protection of Chinese medicinal resources. The present study reviewed the applications of tissue culture of medicinal plants in the field of Chinese medicinal resources, including rapid propagation of medicinal plant seedlings, breeding of novel high-yield and high-quality cultivars, construction of a genetic transformation system, and production of secondary metabolites. Meanwhile, the current challenges and suggestions for the future development of this field were also proposed.
Sustainable Development ; Plants, Medicinal/genetics* ; Plant Breeding ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Technology

BACKGROUND: Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) has been explored as a potential biomarker for various inflammatory diseases and cardiovascular events. This study aimed to assess the predictive role of GDF-15 levels in cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, considering traditional risk factors and other biomarkers. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted and 3699 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) were enrolled into the research. Baseline GDF-15 levels were measured. Median follow-up was 3.1 years during the study. We analyzed clinical variables and several biomarkers. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate prognostic performance of GDF-15 levels in predicting myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure, stroke, cardiovascular death, and non-cardiovascular death. RESULTS: Baseline GDF-15 levels for 3699 patients were grouped by quartile (≤ 1153, 1153-1888, 1888-3043, > 3043 ng/L). Higher GDF-15 levels were associated with older age, male gender, history of hypertension, and elevated levels of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP), soluble suppression of tumorigenesis-2 (sST2), and creatine (each with P < 0.001). Adjusting for established risk factors and biomarkers in Cox proportional hazards models, a 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in GDF-15 was associated with elevated risk of clinical events [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.52-3.11)], including: MI [HR = 2.83 95% CI: (1.03-7.74)], heart failure [HR = 2.71 95% CI: (1.18-6.23)], cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular death [HR = 2.48, 95% CI (1.49-4.11)] during the median follow up of 3.1 years. CONCLUSIONS Higher levels of GDF-15 consistently provides prognostic information for cardiovascular events and all cause death, independent of clinical risk factors and other biomarkers. GDF-15 could be considered as a valuable addition to future risk prediction model in secondary prevention for predicting clinical events in patient with stable CAD.

A rich diversity of wild medicinal plant resources is distributed in China, but the breeding of new plant varieties of Chinese medicinal plants started late and the breeding level is relatively weak. Chinese medicinal plant resources are the foundation for new varieties breeding, and the plant variety rights(PVP) are of great significance for the protection and development of germplasm resources. However, most Chinese medicinal plants do not have a distinctness, uniformity, and stability(DUS) testing guideline. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has put 191 plant species(genera) on protection lists, of which only 30 are medicinal species(genera). At the same time, only 29 of 293 species(genera) plants in the Protection List of New Plant Varieties of the People's Republic of China(Forest and Grass) belong to Chinese medicinal plants. The number of PVP applications and authorization of Chinese medicinal plants is rare, and the composition of variety is unreasonable. Up to now, 29 species(genera) of DUS test guidelines for Chinese medicinal plants have been developed. Some basic problems in the breeding of new varieties of Chinese medicinal plants have appeared, such as the small number of new varieties and insufficient utilization of Chinese medicinal plant resources. This paper reviewed the current situation of breeding of new varieties of Chinese medicinal plants and the research progress of DUS test guidelines in China and discussed the application of biotechnology in the field of Chinese medicinal plant breeding and the existing problems in DUS testing. This paper guides the further application of DUS to protect and utilize the germplasm resources of Chinese medicinal plants.
Agriculture ; Biotechnology ; Plant Breeding ; Plants, Medicinal/genetics*

This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Chaiyin Granules compared with Oseltamivir Phosphate Capsules in the treatment of influenza(exogenous wind-heat syndrome). Based on a randomized, double-blind, positive drug parallel control clinical trial, this study evaluated the pharmacoeconomics of Chaiyin Granules with cost-effectiveness analysis method. A total of 116 patients with influenza from eight hospitals(grade Ⅱ level A above) in 6 cities were selected in this study, including 78 cases in the experimental group with Chaiyin Granules and Oseltamivir Phosphate Capsules placebo, and 38 cases in the control group with Oseltamivir Phosphate Capsules and Chaiyin Granules placebo. The total cost of this study included direct medical cost, direct non-medical cost, and indirect cost. The remission time of clinical symptoms, cure time/cure rate, antipyretic onset time/complete antipyretic time, viral nucleic acid negative rate, and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome curative effect were selected as the effect indicators for cost-effectiveness analysis. Four-quadrant diagram was used to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. The results showed that Chaiyin Granules were not inferior to Oseltamivir Phosphate Capsules in the remission time of clinical symptoms of influenza(3.1 d vs 2.9 d, P=0.360, non-inferiority margin was 0.5 d). Compared with Oseltamivir Phosphate Capsules, Chaiyin Granules would delay the remission time of clinic symptoms of influenza for 1 d, but could save 213.9 yuan. 1 d delay in cure time could save 149.3 yuan; 1% reduction in the cure rate could save 8.2 yuan; 1 d delay in antipyretic onset time could save 295.4 yuan; 1 d delay in complete antipyretic time could save 114.3 yuan; 1% reduction in the 5-day cure rate of TCM syndrome could save 19.2 yuan. Different from other indicators, there was no statistically significant difference between two groups in the effect of negative conversion rate of viral nucleic acid, but the cost was lower and the effect was superior, and the pharmacoeconomics was not different from that of Oseltamivir Phosphate Capsules in the field of influenza treatment.
Humans ; Antipyretics/therapeutic use* ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; Cost-Effectiveness Analysis ; Influenza, Human/drug therapy* ; Nucleic Acids/therapeutic use* ; Oseltamivir/therapeutic use* ; Phosphates/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome ; Double-Blind Method

Dao-di herbs are the treasure of Chinese materia medica and one of the characteristic research objects of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). Probing into the microevolution of Dao-di herbs can help to reveal their biological essence and quality formation mechanisms. The progress in molecular biology and omics provides the possibility to elucidate the phylogenetic and quality forming characteristics of Dao-di herbs at the molecular level. In particular, genomics serves as a powerful tool to decipher the genetic origins of Dao-di herbs, and molecular markers have been widely used in the research on the genetic diversity and population structure of Dao-di herbs. Focusing on the excellent traits and quality of Dao-di herbs, this paper reviews the studies about the microevolution process of quality formation mechanisms of Dao-di herbs with the application of molecular markers and omics, aiming to underpin the protection and utilization of TCM resources.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phenotype

Objective ： To study the effect of temperature and light intensity on photosynthetic fluorescence parameters, volatile oil content, and growth of Atractylodes lancea and provide reference for the rational selection of cultivation environment for A. lancea. MethodWe determined the photosynthetic indexes (such as net photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, and carboxylation rate), light response curve, CO₂ response curve, fluorescence parameters, and the content of four volatile oils in A. lancea under two temperature treatments (32 °C and 22 °C) and two light treatments (full light and shade). ResultThe net photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency of A. lancea under high temperature + strong light were significantly higher than those under high temperature + weak light and low temperature + strong light. The ability of A. lancea to use weak light at low temperature was the strongest, while the utilization rate of weak light under strong light significantly reduced. The photosynthetic rate of A. lancea at low temperature was more susceptible to light intensity and CO₂ concentration than that at high temperature. The maximum photosynthetic rate and apparent quantum efficiency under weak light were significantly higher than those under strong light. The photoreaction efficiency at high temperature was higher than that at low temperature. The total amount of volatile oil in A. lancea treated with high temperature + weak light was the highest, reaching 4.582%. Compared with high temperature + strong light, high temperature + weak light significantly increased the content of hinesol and β-eudesmol in A. lancea by 91.7% and 35.7%, respectively, and low temperature + strong light significantly increased the content of hinesol by 87.5%. The content of β-eudesmol in low temperature + weak light treatment was significantly lower than that in high temperature + weak light treatment. ConclusionTThe growth of A. lancea was affected by the interaction between temperature and light. The light and temperature conditions required for the accumulation of volatile oil were not consistent with those suitable for the growth and development of A. lancea. A. lancea responded to the changes of light and temperature conditions by regulating the synthesis and accumulation of volatile oil.

ObjectiveTo establish a method for the analysis of oligosaccharides in Atractylodes lancea rhizome based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） and a method for the quantification of oligosaccharides in A. lancea rhizome based on UPLC-evaporative light scattering detector （ELSD）， and to investigate the oligosaccharide characteristics of A. lancea rhizome from different habitats. MethodUPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to identify the oligosaccharides in A. lancea rhizome with the mobile phase of 0.1% ammonia acetonitrile solution （A）-0.1% ammonia solution （B） for gradient elution （0-0.5 min， 98%A； 0.5-2.0 min， 98%-89%A； 2.0-2.5 min， 89%-86%A； 2.5-5.5 min， 86%-80%A； 5.5-6.5 min， 80%-72%A； 6.5-9.5 min， 72%-63%A； 9.5-14.0 min， 63%-50%A； 14.0-16.0 min， 50%A； 16.0-16.5 min， 50%-98%A； 16.5-20 min， 98%A）， the column temperature of 60 ℃ and the flow rate of 0.2 mL·min^-1. Electrospray ionization （ESI） was used to collect data in negative ion mode and the detection range was m/z 50-1 500. The qualitative analysis of oligosaccharides was accomplished by retention time， relative molecular weight， primary and secondary MS information of characteristic fragment ions in combination with reference substance information. UPLC-ELSD was employed to determine the contents of nine oligosaccharides in A. lancea rhizome with the mobile phase of 0.1% ammonia acetonitrile solution （A）-0.1% ammonia solution （B） for gradient elution （0-1 min， 98%-75%A； 1-7 min， 75%-70%A； 7-18 min， 70%-55%A； 18-23 min， 55%A； 23-23.5 min， 55%-98%A； 23.5-28 min， 98%A）， the drift tube temperature of ELSD was set at 50 ℃. Principal component analysis （PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA） were used to analyze the classification and differential components between A. lancea rhizome from different habitats. ResultA total of 24 oligosaccharides， containing 11 pairs of isomers， were identified from A. lancea rhizome. Among them， compared with samples from Anhui， Chongqing， Nanjing and Shaanxi， the contents of kestose（GF2）， 1F-fructofuranosylnystose （GF4）， kestohexose （GF5）， fructo-oligosaccharide DP10 （GF9） in samples from Maoshan were statistically significant （P<0.05）， and the total mass fraction of sucrose （GF1）-GF9 reached 16.47%. The peak area ratio of fructose-fructose oligosaccharide to its isomer sucrose-fructose oligosaccharide was greater than 1 in samples from Maoshan. ConclusionThe types and contents of oligosaccharides in A. lancea rhizome vary greatly among different habitats， and the peak area ratio of fructose-fructose oligosaccharide to sucrose-fructose oligosaccharide >1 may be one of the geoherb characteristics of A. lancea rhizome， which can provide a reference for the development， utilization and quality control of this herb.

Carbon dioxide peaking and carbon neutrality have become hot issues of political and economic activities in China and abroad. The structure and development of various industries in China will be profoundly affected in the process of accomplishing "Dual Carbon" goals. Eco-agriculture of Chinese medicine(EACM) highlights the balance and sustainable development of the ecosystem while producing high-quality medicinal materials. With chemically synthesized fertilizers, pesticides, and growth regulators prohibited, EACM emphasizes the recycling of agricultural and sideline products and the reduction of waste output, which results in the minimal negative impact on the ecological environment. Therefore, it is typical agriculture with low-carbon sources and high-carbon sinks. This study reviewed the mechanism and potential of EACM in carbon dioxide peaking and carbon neutrality, analyzed the specific ways of EACM in reducing carbon sources and increasing carbon sinks based on the typical ecological planting pattern, and proposed the point of view to strengthen EACM as well as the "Dual Carbon" theory and research methods, so as to direct low-carbon and efficient deve-lopment. Furthermore, this study advocated to comprehensively promote the transformation of Chinese medicine production from chemical agriculture to eco-agriculture to improve the comprehensive benefits of contribution rate of carbon neutrality, explore and establish carbon sink compensation mechanism to ensure the sustainable and healthy development of EACM, and strengthen the training of EACM and "Dual Carbon" theory and technologies to continuously improve the capacity of EACM in sustainable development. This study is expected to provide a reference for the development of ecological functions in EACM and the development of economic functions through ecological functions.
Agriculture ; Carbon Dioxide ; China ; Ecosystem ; Fertilizers ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

As a unique medical resource in China, Chinese herbal medicine plays a key role in the prevention and treatment of human diseases. With the gradual expansion of applications, the quality of Chinese herbal medicine has become the focus of attention. The quality of Chinese herbal medicines depends largely on their source authenticity. Tracing the origin of Chinese herbal medicines plays an important role in ensuring their quality and efficacy and reducing the mixing and adulteration of Chinese herbal medicines from different regions. Stable isotope technology, as a key technology for origin tracing of agricultural products and food, has been used in the research of Chinese herbal medicines from multiple sources and origins in recent years. This new technological means contributes to standardizing the origin of Chinese herbal medicines and controlling their quality from the source. Apart from introducing the basic principles of stable isotope technology and the characteristics of common stable isotopes, this study reviewed the application status of light and heavy stable isotopes in the origin tracing of Chinese herbal medicines and their correlation with ecological factors, and forecasted the application prospect of this technology in the authentication of Chinese herbal medicines, aiming to provide reference for the geographical origin tracing of Chinese herbal medicines and promote the sustainable development of traditional Chinese medicine.
Drug Contamination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Humans ; Isotopes ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Quality Control

In this study, 280 batches of Zingiberis Rhizoma samples from nine producing areas were analyzed to obtain infrared spectral information based on near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS). Pluralistic chemometrics such as principal component analysis(PCA), partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), K-nearest neighbors(KNN), support vector machine(SVM), random forest(RF), artificial neural network(ANN), and gradient boosting(GB) were applied for tracing of origins. The results showed that the discriminative accuracy of the spectral preprocessing by standard normal variate transformation coupled with the first derivative was 93.9%, which could be used for the construction of the discrimination model. PCA and PLS-DA score plots showed that samples from Shandong, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou could be effectively distinguished, but the remaining samples were partially overlapped. As revealed by the analysis results by machine learning algorithms, the AUC values of KNN, SVM, RF, ANN, and GB algorithms were 0.96, 0.99, 0.99, 0.99, and 0.98, respectively, with overall prediction accuracies of 83.3%, 89.3%, 90.5%, 91.7%, and 89.3%. It indicated that the developed model was reliable and the machine learning algorithm combined with NIRS for origin identification was sufficiently feasible. OPLS-DA showed that Zingiberis Rhizoma from Sichuan(genuine producing areas) could be significantly distinguished from other regions, with good discriminative accuracy, suggesting that the NIRS established in this study combined with chemometrics can be used for the identification of Zingiberis Rhizoma from Sichuan. This study established a rapid and nondestructive identification and reliable data analysis method for origin identification of Zingiberis Rhizoma, which is expected to provide a new idea for the origin tracing of Chinese medicinal materials.
Algorithms ; Chemometrics ; China ; Ginger ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Plant Extracts ; Principal Component Analysis ; Support Vector Machine