1.Analysis of Pharmacodynamic Material Basis, Mechanisms, and Efficacy-related Quality Markers of Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix with Different Therapeutic Effect
Xiaowei MENG ; Zhenzhen YANG ; Wenting WU ; Ronghua LIU ; Yongmei GUAN ; Hui OUYANG ; Liping HUANG ; Yaqi WANG ; Qiong LI ; Huanhuan DONG ; Jianping GONG ; Weifeng ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):269-281
Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix are the dried roots of Pueraria lobata and Pueraria thomsonii of the Leguminosae family, respectively. Since their separate inclusion in the 2005 edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, the two herbs have been individually recorded. Although they share the same functions and indications, the required content of puerarin differs by a factor of up to eightfold between them. The current quality standard relies solely on a single indicator, puerarin, which fails to reflect the correlation between chemical constituents and core therapeutic effects. This has resulted in prominent issues of mixed use in clinical practice and production, thereby constraining the high-quality development of the industry. Modern research has demonstrated that Puerariae Lobatae Radix contains a comprehensive range and higher content of isoflavonoid constituents, while Puerariae Thomsonii Radix is rich in starch and polysaccharides. Puerariae Lobatae Radix exhibits stronger effects in antipyresis, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, and central analgesia, while Puerariae Thomsonii Radix demonstrates greater advantages in anti-inflammation, hypoglycemia, and peripheral analgesia. Based on this, the chemical material bases of Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix at both the macromolecule and micromolecule levels were systematically reviewed and compared. The pharmacodynamic material bases and mechanisms of action underlying their three core therapeutic effects, namely "relieving exterior syndrome and clearing heat", "promoting fluid production to quench thirst", and "dredging channels and activating collaterals", were summarized. The most highly correlated common metabolic pathway shared by both herbs for these three therapeutic effects is the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway, and their common core target is prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2). This review provided clinical application recommendations based on the therapeutic differences between the two herbs, elucidated the scientific connotation of their "same origin but different effects", and, grounded in the quality marker (Q-Marker), proposed the concept of efficacy-related Q-Marker based on "substance-efficacy-syndrome" association, as well as a novel strategy for efficacy-oriented quality evaluation. Preliminary screening of quality markers associated with different therapeutic effects was also conducted. This study aims to provide critical scientific evidence for the precise clinical application of Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix, the improvement of quality standards, and the high-quality development of the industry.
2.Analysis of the Current Situation of Orphan Drugs for the Treatment of Rare Diseases in Children and Their Coverage Level of National Basic Medical Insurance in China
Yu HOU ; Aili REYISHAMU ; Li ZHOU ; Yaqin WANG ; Liru QIU ; Dong LIU ; Shiwei GONG ; Wenting ZHANG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(12):1962-1970
Objective To establish a pediatric rare disease catalog,analyze the current status of therapeutic drugs and their coverage of the medical insurance in China,and propose strategies to enhance drug accessibility.Methods Pediatric rare diseases were identified from China's two national rare disease catalogs combined with the EU Orphanet database,US FDA orphan drug database,and the Diagnosis and Treatment Standards for Rare Diseases in Children.We created a specialized drug catalog for pediatric rare diseases,then analyzed drug types(ATC classification),pricing,and medical insurance coverage using descriptive statistics based on Yaozhi.com drug bidding prices and the 2024 Drug of List National Basic Medical Insurance(NBMIDL).Drug affordability was assessed through annual treatment cost calculations.Results The national catalogs included 151 pediatric rare diseases(72.95%of listed conditions),spanning 13 disease systems.We identified 94 dedicated orphan drugs(by generic name)for these conditions,among which 43 were approved internationally but unavailable in China.The average unit price per package was 6 113.53 yuan.Overall NBMIDL coverage was 68.83%,but drugs priced above 7 000 yuan per unit had only 7.69%coverage.Annual treatment costs reached 4.54 million for laronidase(mucopolysaccharidosis).Conclusions Critical gaps persist in China's pediatric rare disease treatment landscape,including catalog deficiencies,inadequate coverage for high-cost drugs and insufficient domestic innovation.It is recommended to establish a list of orphan drugs for pediatric rare diseases,accelerate the import of foreign drugs and the local innovative drugs through policy incentives,optimizing medical insurance reimbursement mechanisms for pediatric rare disease drugs to comprehensively improve therapeutic accessibility.
3.Analysis of the Current Situation of Orphan Drugs for the Treatment of Rare Diseases in Children and Their Coverage Level of National Basic Medical Insurance in China
Yu HOU ; Aili REYISHAMU ; Li ZHOU ; Yaqin WANG ; Liru QIU ; Dong LIU ; Shiwei GONG ; Wenting ZHANG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(12):1962-1970
Objective To establish a pediatric rare disease catalog,analyze the current status of therapeutic drugs and their coverage of the medical insurance in China,and propose strategies to enhance drug accessibility.Methods Pediatric rare diseases were identified from China's two national rare disease catalogs combined with the EU Orphanet database,US FDA orphan drug database,and the Diagnosis and Treatment Standards for Rare Diseases in Children.We created a specialized drug catalog for pediatric rare diseases,then analyzed drug types(ATC classification),pricing,and medical insurance coverage using descriptive statistics based on Yaozhi.com drug bidding prices and the 2024 Drug of List National Basic Medical Insurance(NBMIDL).Drug affordability was assessed through annual treatment cost calculations.Results The national catalogs included 151 pediatric rare diseases(72.95%of listed conditions),spanning 13 disease systems.We identified 94 dedicated orphan drugs(by generic name)for these conditions,among which 43 were approved internationally but unavailable in China.The average unit price per package was 6 113.53 yuan.Overall NBMIDL coverage was 68.83%,but drugs priced above 7 000 yuan per unit had only 7.69%coverage.Annual treatment costs reached 4.54 million for laronidase(mucopolysaccharidosis).Conclusions Critical gaps persist in China's pediatric rare disease treatment landscape,including catalog deficiencies,inadequate coverage for high-cost drugs and insufficient domestic innovation.It is recommended to establish a list of orphan drugs for pediatric rare diseases,accelerate the import of foreign drugs and the local innovative drugs through policy incentives,optimizing medical insurance reimbursement mechanisms for pediatric rare disease drugs to comprehensively improve therapeutic accessibility.
4.Correlations of brain network functional connectivity alterations with cerebrospinal fluid pathological markers in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Chengbing GONG ; Zhengyang ZHU ; Jingxian XU ; Wenting SONG ; Haifeng CHEN ; Ruomeng QIN ; Hui ZHAO ; Yun XU
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2024;23(1):18-26
Objective:To explore the correlations of brain network functional connectivity (FC) alterations with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathological biomarkers in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods:A total of 39 patients with cognitive impairment, admitted to Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from January 2020 to December 2022 were recruited; 23 patients were with AD and 16 with non-AD. Clinical data were compared between the 2 groups. Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data were collected, and FC differences between brain networks and FC differences within brain networks were compared by independent component analysis. Correlations of FC differences between brain networks and FC differences within brain networks with concentrations of β-amyloid protein 1-42 (Aβ 1-42) and Tau protein in CSF were analyzed. Results:Compared with the non-AD group, AD group had significantly lower Aβ 1-42 in CSF ( P<0.05). Compared with those in the non-AD group, FC alterations between the left frontoparietal network (lFPN) and anterior default mode network (aDMN) and between the visual network (VN) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), as well as FC alterations in lFPN, were significantly increased in AD group ( P<0.05). Compared with those in the non-AD group, FC alterations between lFPN and cerebellar network (CEN), and FC alterations in aDMN, sensorimotor network (SMN) and VN were significantly decreased in AD group ( P<0.05). In AD group, FC in SMN was positively correlated with total Tau and phosphorylated-Tau181 in CSF ( P<0.05); FC between VN and PCC was positively correlated with total Tau in CSF ( P<0.05). CSF Aβ 1-42 was positively correlated with FC alterations in aDMN and VN, but negatively correlated with FC in FPN ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In AD patients, characteristic changes in FC within and between multiple brain networks are noted, which are related to changes of Tau protein and Aβ 1-42 in CSF.
5.Research on Improvement of Health Status and Health Inequalities among Older Adults in Urban and Rural China by Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy
Shaoliang TANG ; Yuxin QIAN ; Lei CHEN ; Huiqiu DONG ; Yuli FENG ; Yue GONG ; Wenting SUN
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(6):28-35
Objective:Clarify the correlation between the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy,changes in physical&mental health status,and health inequalities among the older adults,as well as exploring whether this correlation differs between urban and rural areas so as to determine the role played by the total cost of healthcare.Methods:Based on CFPS 2018 and 2020,DID and PSM-DID were used to verify the impact of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy on physical&mental health status and health inequalities of the elderly in urban and rural China.Three-step method and Sobel test were used to verify the mediating effect of total medical costs.Results:The pilot effect of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy was first realized among the urban elderly population,promoting their physical and mental health through the intermediary mechanism of reducing the total medical costs,but for the time being did not show a significant correlation with health inequalities within this group.Among the rural elderly population,none of the three dependent variables was significant(P>0.1).Conclusion:The underlying logic of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy is right,but its future reform should focus on the rural elderly group,and consider the fairness of the effect within the group and between urban and rural areas,so as to improve the health level of the whole society in the longer term.
6.Research on Improvement of Health Status and Health Inequalities among Older Adults in Urban and Rural China by Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy
Shaoliang TANG ; Yuxin QIAN ; Lei CHEN ; Huiqiu DONG ; Yuli FENG ; Yue GONG ; Wenting SUN
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(6):28-35
Objective:Clarify the correlation between the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy,changes in physical&mental health status,and health inequalities among the older adults,as well as exploring whether this correlation differs between urban and rural areas so as to determine the role played by the total cost of healthcare.Methods:Based on CFPS 2018 and 2020,DID and PSM-DID were used to verify the impact of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy on physical&mental health status and health inequalities of the elderly in urban and rural China.Three-step method and Sobel test were used to verify the mediating effect of total medical costs.Results:The pilot effect of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy was first realized among the urban elderly population,promoting their physical and mental health through the intermediary mechanism of reducing the total medical costs,but for the time being did not show a significant correlation with health inequalities within this group.Among the rural elderly population,none of the three dependent variables was significant(P>0.1).Conclusion:The underlying logic of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy is right,but its future reform should focus on the rural elderly group,and consider the fairness of the effect within the group and between urban and rural areas,so as to improve the health level of the whole society in the longer term.
7.Research on Improvement of Health Status and Health Inequalities among Older Adults in Urban and Rural China by Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy
Shaoliang TANG ; Yuxin QIAN ; Lei CHEN ; Huiqiu DONG ; Yuli FENG ; Yue GONG ; Wenting SUN
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(6):28-35
Objective:Clarify the correlation between the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy,changes in physical&mental health status,and health inequalities among the older adults,as well as exploring whether this correlation differs between urban and rural areas so as to determine the role played by the total cost of healthcare.Methods:Based on CFPS 2018 and 2020,DID and PSM-DID were used to verify the impact of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy on physical&mental health status and health inequalities of the elderly in urban and rural China.Three-step method and Sobel test were used to verify the mediating effect of total medical costs.Results:The pilot effect of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy was first realized among the urban elderly population,promoting their physical and mental health through the intermediary mechanism of reducing the total medical costs,but for the time being did not show a significant correlation with health inequalities within this group.Among the rural elderly population,none of the three dependent variables was significant(P>0.1).Conclusion:The underlying logic of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy is right,but its future reform should focus on the rural elderly group,and consider the fairness of the effect within the group and between urban and rural areas,so as to improve the health level of the whole society in the longer term.
8.Research on Improvement of Health Status and Health Inequalities among Older Adults in Urban and Rural China by Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy
Shaoliang TANG ; Yuxin QIAN ; Lei CHEN ; Huiqiu DONG ; Yuli FENG ; Yue GONG ; Wenting SUN
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(6):28-35
Objective:Clarify the correlation between the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy,changes in physical&mental health status,and health inequalities among the older adults,as well as exploring whether this correlation differs between urban and rural areas so as to determine the role played by the total cost of healthcare.Methods:Based on CFPS 2018 and 2020,DID and PSM-DID were used to verify the impact of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy on physical&mental health status and health inequalities of the elderly in urban and rural China.Three-step method and Sobel test were used to verify the mediating effect of total medical costs.Results:The pilot effect of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy was first realized among the urban elderly population,promoting their physical and mental health through the intermediary mechanism of reducing the total medical costs,but for the time being did not show a significant correlation with health inequalities within this group.Among the rural elderly population,none of the three dependent variables was significant(P>0.1).Conclusion:The underlying logic of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy is right,but its future reform should focus on the rural elderly group,and consider the fairness of the effect within the group and between urban and rural areas,so as to improve the health level of the whole society in the longer term.
9.Research on Improvement of Health Status and Health Inequalities among Older Adults in Urban and Rural China by Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy
Shaoliang TANG ; Yuxin QIAN ; Lei CHEN ; Huiqiu DONG ; Yuli FENG ; Yue GONG ; Wenting SUN
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(6):28-35
Objective:Clarify the correlation between the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy,changes in physical&mental health status,and health inequalities among the older adults,as well as exploring whether this correlation differs between urban and rural areas so as to determine the role played by the total cost of healthcare.Methods:Based on CFPS 2018 and 2020,DID and PSM-DID were used to verify the impact of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy on physical&mental health status and health inequalities of the elderly in urban and rural China.Three-step method and Sobel test were used to verify the mediating effect of total medical costs.Results:The pilot effect of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy was first realized among the urban elderly population,promoting their physical and mental health through the intermediary mechanism of reducing the total medical costs,but for the time being did not show a significant correlation with health inequalities within this group.Among the rural elderly population,none of the three dependent variables was significant(P>0.1).Conclusion:The underlying logic of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy is right,but its future reform should focus on the rural elderly group,and consider the fairness of the effect within the group and between urban and rural areas,so as to improve the health level of the whole society in the longer term.
10.Research on Improvement of Health Status and Health Inequalities among Older Adults in Urban and Rural China by Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy
Shaoliang TANG ; Yuxin QIAN ; Lei CHEN ; Huiqiu DONG ; Yuli FENG ; Yue GONG ; Wenting SUN
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(6):28-35
Objective:Clarify the correlation between the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy,changes in physical&mental health status,and health inequalities among the older adults,as well as exploring whether this correlation differs between urban and rural areas so as to determine the role played by the total cost of healthcare.Methods:Based on CFPS 2018 and 2020,DID and PSM-DID were used to verify the impact of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy on physical&mental health status and health inequalities of the elderly in urban and rural China.Three-step method and Sobel test were used to verify the mediating effect of total medical costs.Results:The pilot effect of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy was first realized among the urban elderly population,promoting their physical and mental health through the intermediary mechanism of reducing the total medical costs,but for the time being did not show a significant correlation with health inequalities within this group.Among the rural elderly population,none of the three dependent variables was significant(P>0.1).Conclusion:The underlying logic of the Centralized Drug Volume-based Purchasing Policy is right,but its future reform should focus on the rural elderly group,and consider the fairness of the effect within the group and between urban and rural areas,so as to improve the health level of the whole society in the longer term.

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