Emodin is a hydroxyanthraquinone compound that is widely distributed and has multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects. Research indicates that emodin may be one of the main components responsible for inducing hepatotoxicity. However, studies on the mechanisms of liver injury are relatively limited, particularly those related to bile acids(BAs) metabolism. This study aims to systematically investigate the effects of different dosages of emodin on BAs metabolism, providing a basis for the safe clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)containing emodin. First, this study evaluated the safety of repeated administration of different dosages of emodin over a 5-week period, with a particular focus on its impact on the liver. Next, the composition and content of BAs in serum and liver were analyzed. Subsequently, qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of nuclear receptors and transporters related to BAs metabolism. The results showed that 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin induced hepatic damage, with bile duct hyperplasia as the primary pathological manifestation. It significantly increased the levels of various BAs in the serum and primary BAs(including taurine-conjugated and free BAs) in the liver. Additionally, it downregulated the mRNA expression of farnesoid X receptor(FXR), retinoid X receptor(RXR), and sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide(NTCP), and upregulated the mRNA expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase(CYP7A1) in the liver. Although 0.01 g·kg~(-1) and 0.03 g·kg~(-1) emodin did not induce obvious liver injury, they significantly increased the level of taurine-conjugated BAs in the liver, suggesting a potential interference with BAs homeostasis. In conclusion, 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin may promote the production of primary BAs in the liver by affecting the FXR-RXR-CYP7A1 pathway, inhibit NTCP expression, and reduce BA reabsorption in the liver, resulting in BA accumulation in the peripheral blood. This disruption of BA homeostasis leads to liver injury. Even doses of emodin close to the clinical dose can also have a certain effect on the homeostasis of BAs. Therefore, when using traditional Chinese medicine or formulas containing emodin in clinical practice, it is necessary to regularly monitor liver function indicators and closely monitor the risk of drug-induced liver injury.
Emodin/administration & dosage* ; Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism* ; Animals ; Male ; Liver/injuries* ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Mice ; Rats

Quality control is a key link in the modernization process of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). Studies have shown that the effects of active components in TCM depend on not only their chemical composition but also their suitable physical forms and states. The physical phase structures, such as micelles, vesicles, gels, and nanoparticles, can improve the solubility, delivery efficiency, and targeting precision of active components. These structures significantly enhance the pharmacological activity while reducing the toxicity and side effects, demonstrating functional activity surpassing that of active components and highlighting the key effects of "structures" on "functions" of active components. Taking the physical phase structure as a breakthrough point, this paper outlines the common types of TCM physical phase structures. Furthermore, this paper explores how to realize the quality upgrading of TCM through the precise regulation of physical phase structures based on the current applications and potential of TCM physical phase structures in processing to increase the efficacy and reduce the toxicity, compounding and decocting processes, drug delivery systems, and quality control, aiming to provide novel insights for the future quality control of TCM.
Quality Control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; Humans ; Drug Delivery Systems

Qingfeitang， specialized in resolving phlegm to stop cough and producing fluid to moisten dryness， is a classic prescription inherited and developed by physicians of successive generations and has been included in the Catalogue of Ancient Classic Prescriptions （First Batch） published by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） in 2018. Relevant ancient books data and modern literature were collected by bibliometrics to analyze the historic origin， formula composition， herb origin， preparation methods， processing methods， clinical effect， and indications of Qingfeitang. The key information of Qingfeitang was summarized to provide reference for the clinical application of the decoction. In this study， a total of 43 pieces of effective data on relevant ancient literature， including 35 ancient TCM books， were collected based on a systematic collation of relevant historic and modern literature. Results showed that "Qingfeitang" was originated from the "Renshen Qingfeitang" recorded in the Taiping Holy Prescriptions for Universal Relief from the Qing dynasty. The name of "Qinfeitang" was first recorded in the Yeshi Luyanfang written by YE Dalian in the Song dynasty. We suggested the modern dosage and usage of Qingfeitang as follows： "Scutellariae Radix of 5.60 g， Platycodon grandiflora， Poria， Tangerine， Fritillaria， and Cortex Mori of 3.73 g respectively， Angelicae Sinensis Radix， Asparagi Radix， Gardeniae Fructus， Armeniacae Semen Amarum， and Ophiopogonis Radix of 2.61 g respectively， Schisandra of 1 g， and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma of 1.12 g， and they were taken 3 times daily. The above formula is recommended to be decocted with 400 mL of water， with 3.37 g ginger and 6 g jujubae fructus， to 320 mL， and taken after a meal， three times per day". Qingfeitang has the effect of resolving phlegm to stop cough and producing fluid to moisten dryness， specialized in treating cough， asthma， rash， and other symptoms in ancient times. Modern applications are mainly focused on the respiratory system， used for treating diseases such as bronchopneumonia and cough. The above research results provide a reference basis for the later development and research of Qingfeitang.

Objective To establish a rapid surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy(SERS)method for detection of five banned benzodiazepines in blood,including alprazolam,nitrovalam,Temazepam,diazepam and cloazepine.Methods Ethanol was used as extraction agent to extract nitrodiazepam,nitrazepam,diazepam and clonazepam from blood,a mixture of PSA and C18 was added for optimization,and SERS technology was used for detection.Results Experiments showed that nitalprazolam,nitrodiazepam,Temazepam,diazepam and chlorazepine all had corresponding Raman characteristic signal peaks,which could be used as the basis for qualitative discrimination.The detection limits of these benzodiazepines in blood were between 0.5 and 1 μg/mL.Conclusion This method is simple to operate and has a fast analysis speed.It is suitable for the rapid detection of drugs in blood samples.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of brexpiprazole in treating acute schizophrenia.Methods Patients with schizophrenia were randomly divided into treatment group and control group.The treatment group was given brexpiprozole 2-4 mg·d-1 orally and the control group was given aripiprazole 10-20 mg·d-1orally,both were treated for 6 weeks.Clinical efficacy of the two groups,the response rate at endpoint,the changes from baseline to endpoint of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS),Clinical Global Impression-Improvement(CGI-S),Personal and Social Performance scale(PSP),PANSS Positive syndrome subscale,PANSS negative syndrome subscale were compared.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events in two groups were compared.Results There were 184 patients in treatment group and 186 patients in control group.After treatment,the response rates of treatment group and control group were 79.50％(140 cases/184 cases)and 82.40％(150 cases/186 cases),the scores of CGI-I of treatment group and control group were(2.00±1.20)and(1.90±1.01),with no significant difference(all P＞0.05).From baseline to Week 6,the mean change of PANSS total score wese(-30.70±16.96)points in treatment group and(-32.20±17.00)points in control group,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).The changes of CGI-S scores in treatment group and control group were(-2.00±1.27)and(-1.90±1.22)points,PSP scores were(18.80±14.77)and(19.20±14.55)points,PANSS positive syndrome scores were(-10.30±5.93)and(-10.80±5.81)points,PANSS negative syndrome scores were(-6.80±5.98)and(-7.30±5.15)points,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of treatment-related adverse events between the two group(69.00％vs.64.50％,P＞0.05).Conclusion The non-inferiority of Brexpiprazole to aripiprazole was established,with comparable efficacy and acceptability.

As artificial intelligence technology rapidly advances, its deployment within the medical sector presents substantial ethical challenges. Consequently, it becomes crucial to create a standardized, transparent, and secure framework for processing medical data. This includes setting the ethical boundaries for medical artificial intelligence and safeguarding both patient rights and data integrity. This consensus governs every facet of medical data handling through artificial intelligence, encompassing data gathering, processing, storage, transmission, utilization, and sharing. Its purpose is to ensure the management of medical data adheres to ethical standards and legal requirements, while safeguarding patient privacy and data security. Concurrently, the principles of compliance with the law, patient privacy respect, patient interest protection, and safety and reliability are underscored. Key issues such as informed consent, data usage, intellectual property protection, conflict of interest, and benefit sharing are examined in depth. The enactment of this expert consensus is intended to foster the profound integration and sustainable advancement of artificial intelligence within the medical domain, while simultaneously ensuring that artificial intelligence adheres strictly to the relevant ethical norms and legal frameworks during the processing of medical data.
Artificial Intelligence/legislation & jurisprudence* ; Humans ; Consensus ; Computer Security/standards* ; Confidentiality/ethics* ; Informed Consent/ethics*

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Pseudomonas aeruginosa injection in preventing reurrent urinary tract infection in women. Methods:This was a multicenter, randomized, open, positive-controlled, non-inferiority trial involving female patients with recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) who were admitted to 11 medical centers in China. Inclusion criteria: ①Aged 18-70 years, with verifiable clinical data showing at least 3 episodes of acute UTIs within 1 year and at least 2 episodes within 6 months, and cured by antimicrobial therapy; ② At the time of enrollment, the patients had no obvious symptoms of urinary tract irritation, normal white blood cell count in midstream urine routine (within the normal range of laboratory standards of each unit) or ≤3HP by centrifuge microscopy, negative leucocyte esterase and nitrite, and negative urine culture; ③No abnormal urinary anatomic function (such as urinary obstruction, calculus or congenital urinary malformation) and residual urine volume ≤50 ml were detected by B-ultrasound of urinary system; ④Informed consent signed by the person or agent; ⑤Clear consciousness, able to answer questions independently, according to the requirements of the test plan to complete the research questionnaire. Exclusion criteria: ①Patients allergic to the above drugs; ②Any complex signs of urinary tract infection or pyelonephritis (manifested as low back pain, fever ≥37.3℃, systemic symptoms); ③Drugs affecting immune function were used within 7 days before randomization; ④Patients with basic diseases of urinary system such as obstruction, calculus, urinary stenosis, vesicoureteral reflux or other functional abnormalities, urine diversion, indwelling catheter or stent tube or intermittent catheterization; ⑤Combined with or existing systemic lupus erythematosus, AIDS and other diseases that can lead to systemic immune function abnormalities; ⑥Patients who are known or suspected to be pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy within 3 months of stopping the drug; ⑦Patients with malignant tumors and mental patients; ⑧Persons who have received any other investigational drug treatment or participated in another interventional clinical trial within 4 weeks prior to screening; ⑨Failure to comply with the trial protocol or other conditions deemed unsuitable for enrollment by the investigator. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. The experimental group was given Pseudomonas aeruginosa injection for 5 times, 0.5 ml for the first time, and 1 ml/ time per week for the following 4 weeks. The control group was given fosfomycin aminotriol 3g orally, once every 10 days, for 9 consecutive times. The patients were followed up for 6 to 8 months, during which urinary tract symptoms developed and routine urine tests showed abnormally elevated white blood cells, which was defined as recurrent UTIs. Urine routine, liver and kidney function, and urinary secretory immunoglobulin A(SIgA) were reviewed 0-2 days (V2) after the 5th administration of the experimental group and the 4th administration of the control group. Urine routine and urine SIgA were reviewed at (90±10) d (V3) and (180±10) d (V4) after treatment. At (270±10) d (V5) after treatment, the recurrence (re-infection caused by the same species of bacteria) or re-infection (re-infection caused by non-same species of bacteria) of the two groups were compared, and non-inferiority analysis was performed, and the non-inferiority threshold was set at 0.2. Results:From March 2021 to May 2022, a total of 152 rUTIs patients were enrolled in this study, including 80 patients in the experimental group, 71 patients in the intention-to-analysis set (ITT) and 66 patients in the protocol analysis set (PPS). In the control group, 72 cases met ITT in 69 cases and PPS in 67 cases. There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, marital status, duration of urinary tract infection, history of diabetes, history of previous major surgery, history of infection, and urinary SIgA between the two groups (all P>0.05). The recurrence rates of the experimental group and the control group at V5 time point were 44.78% (30/67) and 42.65% (29/68), respectively ( P=0.803) (ITT data set analysis results showed that the difference in recurrence rates between the two groups was 0.0213(95% CI-0.1460-0.1886, P=0.0048). PPS data set analysis showed that the difference of recurrence rate between the two groups was -0.0021(95%CI -0.1711-0.1670, P=0.0109), and the recurrence rate of the experimental group was not worse than that of the control group. At V2 time points, there were no significant differences in liver and kidney function indexes between test group and control group ( P>0.05). At V2 to V4 time points, urinary SIgA of test group and control group were 0.90 (0.37, 2.89) mg/L and 1.32 (0.34, 3.08) mg/L, 1.54 (0.44, 3.23) mg/L and 1.71 (0.27, 2.92) mg/L, 1.11 (0.65, 3.42) mg/L and 2.18 (0.43, 3.26) mg/L, there was no statistical significance ( P>0.05). The incidence of adverse events in the experimental group was 30.0% (24/80), including 14 cases of redness, pain and discomfort at the injection site, 5 cases of fever, 2 cases of allergic rash, and 1 case of urticaria, headache and constipation each. The incidence of adverse events in the control group was 5.6% (4/72), all of which were diarrhea, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P<0.01). No life-threatening serious adverse events occurred in both groups, and all adverse events were self-healing without additional intervention. Conclusions:Compared with fosfomycin aminotriol, Pseudomonas aeruginosa injection has the same clinical effect in preventing rUTI and has good safety.

Oral submucous fibrosis(OSF)is a chronic and inflammatory mucosal disease caused by betel quid chewing,which belongs to oral potentially malignant disorders.Abnormal fibroblast differentiation leading to disordered collagen metabolism is the core process underlying OSF development.The epithelium,which is the first line of defense against the external environment,can convert external signals into pathological signals and participate in the remodeling of the fibrotic microenvironment.However,the specific mechanisms by which the epithelium drives fibroblast differentiation remain unclear.In this study,we found that Arecoline-exposed epithelium communicated with the fibrotic microenvironment by secreting exosomes.MiR-17-5p was encapsulated in epithelial cell-derived exosomes and absorbed by fibroblasts,where it promoted cell secretion,contraction,migration and fibrogenic marker(α-SMA and collagen type I)expression.The underlying molecular mechanism involved miR-17-5p targeting Smad7 and suppressing the degradation of TGF-β receptor 1(TGFBR1)through the E3 ubiquitination ligase WWP1,thus facilitating downstream TGF-β pathway signaling.Treatment of fibroblasts with an inhibitor of miR-17-5p reversed the contraction and migration phenotypes induced by epithelial-derived exosomes.Exosomal miR-17-5p was confirmed to function as a key regulator of the phenotypic transformation of fibroblasts.In conclusion,we demonstrated that Arecoline triggers aberrant epithelium-fibroblast crosstalk and identified that epithelial cell-derived miR-17-5p mediates fibroblast differentiation through the classical TGF-β fibrotic pathway,which provided a new perspective and strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of OSF.

Objective To establish a rapid surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy(SERS)method for detection of five banned benzodiazepines in blood,including alprazolam,nitrovalam,Temazepam,diazepam and cloazepine.Methods Ethanol was used as extraction agent to extract nitrodiazepam,nitrazepam,diazepam and clonazepam from blood,a mixture of PSA and C18 was added for optimization,and SERS technology was used for detection.Results Experiments showed that nitalprazolam,nitrodiazepam,Temazepam,diazepam and chlorazepine all had corresponding Raman characteristic signal peaks,which could be used as the basis for qualitative discrimination.The detection limits of these benzodiazepines in blood were between 0.5 and 1 μg/mL.Conclusion This method is simple to operate and has a fast analysis speed.It is suitable for the rapid detection of drugs in blood samples.

Oral submucous fibrosis(OSF)is a chronic and inflammatory mucosal disease caused by betel quid chewing,which belongs to oral potentially malignant disorders.Abnormal fibroblast differentiation leading to disordered collagen metabolism is the core process underlying OSF development.The epithelium,which is the first line of defense against the external environment,can convert external signals into pathological signals and participate in the remodeling of the fibrotic microenvironment.However,the specific mechanisms by which the epithelium drives fibroblast differentiation remain unclear.In this study,we found that Arecoline-exposed epithelium communicated with the fibrotic microenvironment by secreting exosomes.MiR-17-5p was encapsulated in epithelial cell-derived exosomes and absorbed by fibroblasts,where it promoted cell secretion,contraction,migration and fibrogenic marker(α-SMA and collagen type I)expression.The underlying molecular mechanism involved miR-17-5p targeting Smad7 and suppressing the degradation of TGF-β receptor 1(TGFBR1)through the E3 ubiquitination ligase WWP1,thus facilitating downstream TGF-β pathway signaling.Treatment of fibroblasts with an inhibitor of miR-17-5p reversed the contraction and migration phenotypes induced by epithelial-derived exosomes.Exosomal miR-17-5p was confirmed to function as a key regulator of the phenotypic transformation of fibroblasts.In conclusion,we demonstrated that Arecoline triggers aberrant epithelium-fibroblast crosstalk and identified that epithelial cell-derived miR-17-5p mediates fibroblast differentiation through the classical TGF-β fibrotic pathway,which provided a new perspective and strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of OSF.