1.Sanren Runchang Formula Regulates Brain-gut Axis to Treat IBS-C: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Teng LI ; Xinrong FAN ; He YAN ; Zhuozhi GONG ; Mengxi YAO ; Na YANG ; Yuhan WANG ; Huikai HU ; Wei WEI ; Tao LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):154-161
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Sanren Runchang formula in treating constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) by regulating the brain-gut axis and the effects of the formula on serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and substance P (SP). MethodsA randomized controlled design was adopted, and 72 IBS-C patients meeting Rome Ⅳ criteria were randomized into observation and control groups (36 cases).The observation group received Sanren Runchang formula granules twice daily, and the control group received lactulose oral solution daily for 4 weeks. IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS), IBS Quality of Life Scale (IBS-QOL), and Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) were used to assess clinical symptoms, and bowel movement frequency was recorded. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were employed to evaluate psychological status. ELISA was employed to measure the serum levels of 5-HT, VIP, and SP. ResultsThe total response rate in the observation group was 91.67% (33/36), which was higher than that (77.78%, 28/36) in the control group (χ2=4.50, P<0.05). After treatment, both groups showed increased defecation frequency and BSFS scores, decreased IBS-SSS total score, abdominal pain and bloating scores, IBS-QOL health anxiety, anxiety, food avoidance, and behavioral disorders scores, SAS and SDS scores, serum 5-HT and VIP levels, and increased SP levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, the observation group showed more significant changes in the indicators above than the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The SP level showed no significant difference between the two groups. During the 4-week follow-up, the recurrence rate was 5.88% in the observation group and 31.25% in the control group. No adverse events occurred in observation group, and 2 cases of mild diarrhea occurred in the control group. ConclusionSanren Runchang formula demonstrated definitive efficacy in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms and improving the psychological status and quality of life in IBS-C patients, with a low recurrence rate. The formula can regulate serum levels of neurotransmitters such as 5-HT and VIP, suggesting its potential regulatory effect on the brain-gut axis through modulating neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. However, its complete mechanism of action requires further investigation through detection of additional brain-gut axis-related biomarkers.
2.Rapid Discrimination of Processing Degree of Wine-processed Chuanxiong Rhizoma Based on Intelligent Sensory Technology and Multivariate Statistical Analysis
Xiaolong ZHANG ; Xiaoni MA ; Xinzhu WANG ; Po HU ; Yang PAN ; Tulin LU ; Guangming YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):174-182
ObjectiveTo explore the changes in color, odor and chemical components during wine-processing of Chuanxiong Rhizoma(CR), identify differential markers, and provide a basis for standardizing the process and establishing quality standards. MethodsFifteen batches of CR samples from 4 producing areas were collected. Colorimeter and electronic nose were used to detect the color changes and odor components of CR before and after wine-processing. Multivariate statistical methods including partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), principal component analysis(PCA), discriminant factor analysis(DFA) and Fisher discriminant analysis were applied to identify wine-processed CR at different processing stages and establish discriminant models, and differential components were screened out based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value1. Then, high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was employed to detect the content changes of four components(ferulic acid, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide A and ligustilide) during the processing stages. ResultsThe differences of wine-processed CR at various stages were primarily reflected in color parameters L*(brightness value), a*(red-green value) and b*(yellow-blue value). Based on chromaticity differences, the color reference ranges were established for moderately processed CR, including L* of 46.75-48.24, a* of 5.37-6.07 and b* of 20.32-21.70. In odor analysis, DFA revealed significant differences among processing stages, and 11 odor markers were identified, with four differential markers(4-hydroxy-3-butylphthalide, isopropyl butyrate, L-limonene and 1-methoxyhexane) based on VIP values. HPLC results showed that there was no significant difference of the four components except for ligustilide in wine-processed CR at different stages. ConclusionThis study achieved rapid identification of wine-processed CR with different processing degrees by electronic sensory technology and differential component content detection, with discrimination accuracy rates of 92.4% and 93.272% for color and odor, respectively. This paper also established the reference ranges of main colorimetric parameters for wine-processed CR at different stages, and four differential components were screened out, providing a basis for standardizing the processing of wine-processed CR and establishing quality standards for this decoction pieces.
3.Rapid Discrimination of Processing Degree of Wine-processed Chuanxiong Rhizoma Based on Intelligent Sensory Technology and Multivariate Statistical Analysis
Xiaolong ZHANG ; Xiaoni MA ; Xinzhu WANG ; Po HU ; Yang PAN ; Tulin LU ; Guangming YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):174-182
ObjectiveTo explore the changes in color, odor and chemical components during wine-processing of Chuanxiong Rhizoma(CR), identify differential markers, and provide a basis for standardizing the process and establishing quality standards. MethodsFifteen batches of CR samples from 4 producing areas were collected. Colorimeter and electronic nose were used to detect the color changes and odor components of CR before and after wine-processing. Multivariate statistical methods including partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), principal component analysis(PCA), discriminant factor analysis(DFA) and Fisher discriminant analysis were applied to identify wine-processed CR at different processing stages and establish discriminant models, and differential components were screened out based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value1. Then, high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was employed to detect the content changes of four components(ferulic acid, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide A and ligustilide) during the processing stages. ResultsThe differences of wine-processed CR at various stages were primarily reflected in color parameters L*(brightness value), a*(red-green value) and b*(yellow-blue value). Based on chromaticity differences, the color reference ranges were established for moderately processed CR, including L* of 46.75-48.24, a* of 5.37-6.07 and b* of 20.32-21.70. In odor analysis, DFA revealed significant differences among processing stages, and 11 odor markers were identified, with four differential markers(4-hydroxy-3-butylphthalide, isopropyl butyrate, L-limonene and 1-methoxyhexane) based on VIP values. HPLC results showed that there was no significant difference of the four components except for ligustilide in wine-processed CR at different stages. ConclusionThis study achieved rapid identification of wine-processed CR with different processing degrees by electronic sensory technology and differential component content detection, with discrimination accuracy rates of 92.4% and 93.272% for color and odor, respectively. This paper also established the reference ranges of main colorimetric parameters for wine-processed CR at different stages, and four differential components were screened out, providing a basis for standardizing the processing of wine-processed CR and establishing quality standards for this decoction pieces.
4.Effect of Qingfei Shenshi Decoction (清肺渗湿汤) Combined with Western Medicine on Clinical Effectiveness and Immune Function for Patients with Bronchial Asthma of Heat Wheezing Syndrome
Ying SUN ; Haibo HU ; Na LIU ; Fengchan WANG ; Jinbao ZONG ; Ping HAN ; Peng LI ; Guojing ZHAO ; Haoran WANG ; Xuechao LU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):38-44
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effectiveness and safety of Qingfei Shenshi Decoction (清肺渗湿汤) combined with western medicine for patients with bronchial asthma of heat wheezing syndrome, and to explore its potential mechanism of action. MethodsEighty-six participants with bronchial asthma of heat wheezing syndrome were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, each group with 43 participants. The control group received conventional western medicine, and the treatment group was additionally administered Qingfei Shenshi Decoction orally on the basis of the control group, 1 dose per day. Both groups were treated for 14 days. The primary outcome measure was clinical effectiveness; secondary outcome measures included traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, asthma control test (ACT) score, pulmonary function indices such as forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), serum inflammatory factor levels including interleukin-4 (IL-4), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and immune function indices including CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+. All outcome measures were evaluated before and after treatment. Vital signs were monitored, and electrocardiography, blood routine, urine routine, liver function, and renal function tests were performed before and after treatment. Adverse events and reactions during the study were recorded. ResultsA total of 80 patients completed the trial with 40 in each group. The total clinical effective rate of the treatment group was 97.5% (39/40), which was significantly higher than that of the control group (85.0%, 34/40, P<0.05). After treatment, both groups showed decreased TCM syndrome scores, IL-4, TNF-α, hs-CRP, and CD8+ levels, as well as increased ACT scores, CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+, FEV1, FVC, and PEF levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, the improvements in these indices were more significant in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). No significant abnormalities in safety indicators were observed in either group, and no adverse events or reactions occurred. ConclusionQingfei Shenshi Decoction combined with conventional western medicine for patients with bronchial asthma of heat wheezing syndrome can effectively improve the clinical symptoms, pulmonary function, and clinical effectiveness, with good safety. Its mechanism may be related to reducing inflammatory factor levels and regulating T lymphocyte subsets to improve immune function.
5.Inheritance and Current Research Status of Major Spleen-Stomach Theories in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Ling HU ; Fengyun WANG ; Xudong TANG ; Beihua ZHANG ; Yunkai DAI ; Xu CHEN ; Shiqi LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):87-94
This paper systematically reviews the core concepts and lines of theoretical inheritance of major spleen-stomach theories in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including spleen deficiency theory, spleen-stomach damp-heat theory, and liver-spleen disharmony theory. It is found that these theories have all undergone a developmental trajectory characterized by classical foundation, refinement of therapeutic methods, systematization of pathogenesis, and modern innovation. The evolution of spleen-stomach theory has achieved a shift from a singular focus on tonifying the spleen to regulating dynamic middle-jiao (焦) balance, and from localized spleen-stomach regulation to the circular movement of qi involving all five zang organs. In terms of modern disease-syndrome integrative research, spleen deficiency syndrome is shown to be closely associated with impairment of the gastrointestinal mucosal barrier, metabolic disorders, and gene polymorphisms related to Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric diseases. Spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome is closely linked to hyperactive energy metabolism, inflammatory cytokines, and abnormal expression of aquaporins. Liver-spleen disharmony syndrome is mainly associated with dysregulation of the brain-gut axis and microbiota-related metabolic disorders. It is proposed that future research on spleen-stomach diseases and syndromes should further elucidate their potential multidimensional differential biological characteristics, thereby promoting the modernization of the TCM discipline of spleen-stomach studies.
6.Strategies for Building an Artificial Intelligence-Empowered Trusted Federated Evidence-Based Analysis Platform for Spleen-Stomach Diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Bin WANG ; Huiying ZHUANG ; Zhitao MAN ; Lifeng REN ; Chang HE ; Chen WU ; Xulei HU ; Xiaoxiao WEN ; Chenggong XIE ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):95-102
This paper outlines the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research, and elucidates the roles and advantages of large language models, knowledge graphs, and natural language processing in advancing syndrome identification, prescription generation, and mechanism exploration. Using spleen-stomach diseases as an example, it demonstrates the empowering effects of AI in classical literature mining, precise clinical syndrome differentiation, efficacy and safety prediction, and intelligent education, highlighting an upgraded research paradigm that evolves from data-driven and knowledge-driven approaches to intelligence-driven models. To address challenges related to privacy protection and regulatory compliance in cross-institutional data collaboration, a "trusted federated evidence-based analysis platform for TCM spleen-stomach diseases" is proposed, integrating blockchain-based smart contracts, federated learning, and secure multi-party computation. The deep integration of AI with privacy-preserving computing is reshaping research and clinical practice in TCM spleen-stomach diseases, providing feasible pathways and a technical framework for building a high-quality, trustworthy TCM big-data ecosystem and achieving precision syndrome differentiation.
7.Study on the effects and mechanisms of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. in improving sleep
Ming QIAO ; Yao ZHAO ; Yi ZHU ; Yexia CAO ; Limei WEN ; Yuehong GONG ; Xiang LI ; Juanchen WANG ; Tao WANG ; Jianhua YANG ; Junping HU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):24-29
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. in improving sleep. METHODS Network pharmacology was employed to identify the active components of L. ruthenicum and their associated disease targets, followed by enrichment analysis. A caffeine‑induced zebrafish model of sleep deprivation was established , and the zebrafish were treated with L. ruthenicum Murr. extract (LRME) at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/mL, respectively; 24 h later, behavioral changes of zebrafish and pathological alterations in brain neurons were subsequently observed. The levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)], oxidative stress markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT)], and neurotransmitters [5- hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamic acid (Glu), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE)] were measured. The protein expression levels of protein kinase B1 (AKT1), phosphorylated AKT1 (p-AKT1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), sarcoma proto-oncogene,non-receptor tyrosine kinase (SRC), and heat shock protein 90α family class A member 1 (HSP90AA1) in the zebrafish were also determined. RESULTS A total of 12 active components and 176 intersecting disease targets were identified through network pharmacology analysis. Among these, apigenin, naringenin and others were recognized as core active compounds, while AKT1, EGFR and others served as key targets; EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway was identified as the critical pathway. The sleep improvement rates in zebrafish of LRME low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were 54.60%, 69.03% and 77.97%, 开发。E-mail:hjp_yft@163.com respectively, while the inhibition ratios of locomotor distance were 0.57, 0.83 and 0.95, respectively. Compared with the model group, the number of resting counts, resting time and resting distance were significantly increased/extended in LRME medium- and high-dose groups (P<0.05). Neuronal damage in the brain was alleviated. Additionally, the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, MDA, Glu, DA and NE, as well as the protein expression levels of AKT1, p-AKT1, EGFR, SRC and HSP90AA1, were markedly reduced (P<0.05), while the levels of IL-10, SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, 5-HT and GABA, as well as Bcl-2 protein expression, were significantly elevated (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS L. ruthenicum Murr. demonstrates sleep-improving effects, and its specific mechanism may be related to the regulation of inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter balance, and the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway.
8.Changes and Trends in the microbiological-related standards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition
FAN Yiling ; ZHU Ran ; YANG Yan ; JIANG Bo ; SONG Minghui ; WANG Jing ; LI Qiongqiong ; LI Gaomin ; WANG Shujuan ; SHAO Hong ; MA Shihong ; CAO Xiaoyun ; HU Changqin ; MA Shuangcheng, ; YANG Meicheng
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(1):093-098
Objective: To systematically analyze the revisions content and technological development trends of microbiological standards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP) 2025 Edition, and explore its novel requirements in risk-based pharmaceutical product lifecycle management.
Methods: A comprehensive review was conducted on 26 microbiological-related standards to summarize the revision directions and scientific implications from perspectives including the revision overview, international harmonization of microbiological standards, risk-based quality management system, and novel tools and methods with Chinese characteristics.
Results: The ChP 2025 edition demonstrates three prominent features in microbiological-related standards: enhanced international harmonization, introduced emerging molecular biological technologies, and established a risk-based microbiological quality control system.
Conclusion: The new edition of the Pharmacopoeia has systematically constructed a microbiological standard system, which significantly improves the scientificity, standardization and applicability of the standards, providing a crucial support for advancing the microbiological quality control in pharmaceutical industries of China.
9.Application of AI versus Mimics software for three-dimensional reconstruction in thoracoscopic anatomic segmentectomy: A retrospective cohort study
Chengpeng SANG ; Yi ZHU ; Yaqin WANG ; Li GONG ; Bo MIN ; Haibo HU ; Zhixian TANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(03):313-321
Objective To analyze the application effects of artificial intelligence (AI) software and Mimics software in preoperative three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction for thoracoscopic anatomical pulmonary segmentectomy. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy at the Second People's Hospital of Huai'an from October 2019 to March 2024. Patients who underwent AI 3D reconstruction were included in the AI group, those who underwent Mimics 3D reconstruction were included in the Mimics group, and those who did not undergo 3D reconstruction were included in the control group. Perioperative related indicators of each group were compared. Results A total of 168 patients were included, including 73 males and 95 females, aged 25-81 (61.61±10.55) years. There were 79 patients in the AI group, 53 patients in the Mimics group, and 36 patients in the control group. There were no statistical differences in gender, age, smoking history, nodule size, number of lymph node dissection groups, postoperative pathological results, or postoperative complications among the three groups (P>0.05). There were statistical differences in operation time (P<0.001), extubation time (P<0.001), drainage volume (P<0.001), bleeding volume (P<0.001), and postoperative hospital stay (P=0.001) among the three groups. There were no statistical differences in operation time, extubation time, bleeding volume, or postoperative hospital stay between the AI group and the Mimics group (P>0.05). There was no statistical difference in drainage volume between the AI group and the control group (P=0.494), while there were statistical differences in operation time, drainage tube retention time, bleeding volume, and postoperative hospital stay (P<0.05). Conclusion For patients requiring thoracoscopic anatomical pulmonary segmentectomy, preoperative 3D reconstruction and preoperative planning based on 3D images can shorten the operation time, postoperative extubation time and hospital stay, and reduce intraoperative bleeding and postoperative drainage volume compared with reading CT images only. The use of AI software for 3D reconstruction is not inferior to Mimics manual 3D reconstruction in terms of surgical guidance and postoperative recovery, which can reduce the workload of clinicians and is worth promoting.
10.Mechanism of imperatorin in ameliorating doxorubicin resistance of breast cancer based on transcriptomics
Yiting LI ; Wei DONG ; Xinli LIANG ; Hu WANG ; Yumei QIU ; Xiaoyun DING ; Hao ZHANG ; Huiyun BAO ; Xianxi LI ; Xilan TANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(5):529-534
OBJECTIVE To investigate the ameliorative effect and potential mechanism of imperatorin (IMP) on doxorubicin (DOX) resistance in breast cancer. METHODS The effects of maximum non-toxic concentration (100 μg/mL) of IMP combined with different concentrations of DOX (12.5, 25, 50, 75, 100 μg/mL) on the proliferation of MCF-7/DOX cells were determined by MTT method. MCF-7/DOX cells were divided into blank control group (1‰ dimethyl sulfoxide), DOX group (50 μg/mL), IMP+DOX group (100 μg/mL IMP+50 μg/mL DOX) and IMP group (100 μg/mL). mRNA and protein expressions of multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 in each group were measured. The relevant pathways and targets involved in the improvement of DOX resistance in breast cancer cells by IMP were screened and validated by using transcriptome sequencing technology, along with gene ontology (GO) enrichment analyses and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. RESULTS Compared with DOX alone, the combination of IMP and DOX reduced the half inhibitory concentration of DOX on MCF-7/DOX cells from 81.965 μg/mL to 43.170 μg/mL, the reverse fold was 1.90, and the mRNA expression of MDR1 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). The results of GO enrichment analyses and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses indicated that the reversal of DOX resistance in breast cancer by IMP was mainly associated with the regulation of biological processes such as detoxification, multiple biological processes, and cell killing. The main pathway involved was the p53 signaling pathway, and the key targets mainly included constitutively photomorphogenic protein 1 (COP1), cyclin E1 (CCNE1), growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein 45A E-mail:tangxilan1983@163.com (GADD45A) and GADD45B. The results of the verification experiments showed that compared with DOX group, there was a trend of up-regulation of COP1 mRNA, and significant down- regulation of CCNE1, GADD45A, and GADD45B mRNA expression in IMP+DOX group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The effect of IMP in ameliorating DOX resistance in breast cancer is related to its regulation of COP1, CCNE1, GADD45A and GADD45B targets in the p53 signaling pathway.

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