This paper aims to contribute to guaranteeing the stable development and enhancing the understanding of ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica so that the national strategy and industrial demand can be better served. It first introduces current traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)policy and industrial development status from five aspects, including policy guarantee, theoretical support, technological innovation, standardization system, and brand influence. Then, the paper analyzes the development dilemma of TCM agriculture in production and quality increase and ecological environment protection. It also proposes the development goals of ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica that meet the current industrial development demand, which are reducing chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and carbon emissions, improving quality, increasing efficiency, and protecting ecological environment. In addition, the new development goals are interpreted through case studies. Finally, this paper proposes four development strategies for ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica: conducting research on the pattern and spatial and temporal variations of nationwide TCM production areas; studying the internal and external ecological memories of medicinal plant growth from the perspectives of genetic variations and environmental adaptation variations and elucidating their contributions to the formation of quality; carrying out selection and breeding of stress-resistant varieties for ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica, the optimization of key technologies for soil improvement and restoration and green prevention and control against diseases and pests, and the improvement of quality; carrying out research on the quality assurance and value realization of ecological products made from TCM. This research can provide guidance for policy formulation, theoretical development of the discipline, and the enhancement of industrial technology for ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica.
Agriculture/methods* ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Ecosystem ; Materia Medica ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

This study aims to elucidate the role and mechanism of clematichinenoside AR(CAR) in protecting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) from hypoxia-induced apoptosis. BMSCs were isolated by the bone fragment method and identified by flow cytometry. Cells were cultured under normal conditions(37℃, 5% CO_2) and hypoxic conditions(37℃, 90% N_2, 5% CO_2) and treated with CAR. The BMSCs were classified into eight groups: control(normal conditions), CAR(normal conditions + CAR), hypoxia 24 h, hypoxia 24 h + CAR, hypoxia 48 h, hypoxia 48 h + CAR, hypoxia 72 h, and hypoxia 72 h + CAR. The cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay and terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling(TUNEL) were employed to measure cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. The number of mitochondria and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by MitoTracker®Red CM-H2XRo staining and JC-1 staining, respectively. The level of reactive oxygen species(ROS) was measured with the DCFH-DA fluorescence probe. The protein levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 associated X protein(BAX), caspase-3, and optic atrophy 1(OPA1) were determined by Western blot. The results demonstrated that CAR significantly increased cell proliferation. Compared with the control group, the hypoxia groups showed increased apoptosis rates, reduced mitochondria, elevated ROS levels, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, upregulated expression of BAX and caspase-3, and downregulated expression of OPA1. In comparison to the corresponding hypoxia groups, CAR intervention significantly decreased the apoptosis rate, increased mitochondria, reduced ROS levels, elevated mitochondrial membrane potential, downregulated the expression of BAX and caspase-3, and upregulated the expression of OPA1. Therefore, it can be concluded that CAR may exert an anti-apoptotic effect on BMSCs under hypoxic conditions by regulating OPA1 to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Animals ; Rats ; Cell Hypoxia/drug effects* ; Homeostasis/drug effects* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects* ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Caspase 3/genetics* ; Male ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics* ; Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Protective Agents/pharmacology* ; Cells, Cultured

Atractylodes lancea is a perennial herbaceous plant of Asteraceae, with rhizomes for medical use. However, A. lancea plants from different habitats have great variability, and the germplasm resources of A. lancea are unclear and mixed during production. Therefore, it is urgent to protect new varieties of A. lancea. The distinctness, uniformity, and stability(DUS) testing of new plant varieties is the foundation of plant variety protection, and the DUS testing guidelines are the technical basis for variety approval agencies to conduct DUS testing. In this study, the phenotypic traits of 94 germplasm accessions of A. lancea were investigated considering the breeding and variety characteristics of A. lancea in China. The traits were classified and described, and 24 traits were preliminarily determined, including 20 basic traits that must be tested and four traits selected to be tested. The 20 basic traits included 3 quality traits, 5 false quality traits, and 12 quantitative traits, corresponding to 1 plant traits, 2 stem traits, 8 leaf traits, 6 flower traits, and 3 seed traits. The measurement ranges and coefficients of variation of eight quantitative traits were determined, on the basis of which the grading criteria and codes of the traits were determined and assigned. The guidelines has guiding significance for the trait evaluation, utilization, and breeding of new varieties of A. lancea.
Atractylodes/growth & development* ; China ; Phenotype ; Guidelines as Topic ; Plant Breeding

This study primarily investigates the effect of Liuwei Dihuang Pills on the activation and proliferation of female germline stem cells(FGSCs) in the ovaries and cortex of mice with premature ovarian failure(POF), and how it improves ovarian function. ICR mice were randomly divided into the control group, model group, Liuwei Dihuang Pills group, Liuwei Dihuang Pills double-dose group, and estradiol valerate group. A mouse model of POF was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide. After successful modeling, the mice were treated with Liuwei Dihuang Pills or estradiol valerate for 28 days. Vaginal smears were prepared to observe the estrous cycle and body weight. After the last administration, mice were sacrificed and sampled. Serum levels of estradiol(E_2), follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinizing hormone(LH), and anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe ovarian morphology and to count follicles at all stages to evaluate ovarian function. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of mouse vasa homolog(MVH), a marker of ovarian FGSCs. Immunofluorescence staining, using co-labeling of MVH and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), was used to detect the expression and localization of specific markers of FGSCs. Western blot was employed to assess the protein expression of MVH, octamer-binding transcription factor 4(Oct4), and PCNA in the ovaries. The results showed that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited disordered estrous cycles, decreased ovarian index, increased atretic follicles, and a reduced number of follicles at all stages. FSH and LH levels were significantly elevated, while AMH and E_2 levels were significantly reduced, indicating the success of the model. After treatment with Liuwei Dihuang Pills or estradiol valerate, hormone levels improved, the number of atretic follicles decreased, and the number of follicles at all stages increased. MVH marker protein and PCNA proliferative protein expression in ovarian tissue also increased. These results suggest that Liuwei Dihuang Pills regulate estrous cycles and hormone disorders in POF mice, promote the proliferation of FGSCs, improve follicular development in POF mice, and enhance ovarian function.
Animals ; Female ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Ovary/cytology* ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/genetics* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/metabolism* ; Humans ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone/blood* ; Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects* ; Luteinizing Hormone/metabolism* ; Cyclophosphamide/adverse effects*

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) resources are an important foundation for the theory and practice of TCM. Rare and endangered TCM, as a significant component of these resources, plays an essential role. Conducting research on substitutes for rare and endangered TCM resources is of great significance for alleviating resource shortages, promoting the sustainable utilization of TCM, and advancing TCM modernization. This paper reviews the conservation achievements of rare and endangered Chinese medicinal materials in China and organizes the substitution methods for these materials. Currently, the main substitution approaches include introduction and domestication, tissue culture, varietal replacement, and artificial synthesis. Furthermore, this paper proposes the following approaches for researching the application scenarios of rare and endangered medicinal materials, i.e., tracing the historical context of their use to clarify foundational principles; verifying disease classifications to strengthen the clinical application scenarios of these materials; analyzing the evolution patterns of prescription formulations to strengthen the mining of the compatibility application scenarios of rare and endangered medicinal materials; scientifically evaluating to strengthen the application scenario research and development of endangered Chinese patent medicine industry. These efforts aim to promote the scientific substitution and sustainable utilization of rare and endangered medicinal materials and their substitutes.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; China ; Plants, Medicinal/growth & development* ; Endangered Species ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Animals

With the growing awareness of public health, the value and importance of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) resources have become increasingly prominent. Despite the undeniable significance of TCM in medical treatment and healthcare, the protection, development, and utilization of TCM resources still face numerous challenges. Under the traditional model, the development and utilization of TCM resources heavily rely on manual labor and empirical decision-making, which not only leads to inefficiencies and high costs but also causes serious issues such as unstable drug quality and imbalances in market supply and demand. In the current era of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence(AI) and technology, AI has emerged as a new engine to address many challenges and difficulties throughout the entire TCM resource industry chain. By leveraging AI technology, intelligent management, precise production, and optimized utilization of TCM resources can be achieved, thereby improving efficiency, reducing costs, ensuring stable quality, and balancing market supply and demand. This article primarily explores the application of AI technology in the entire TCM resource industry chain from different perspectives and provides an in-depth analysis of the future development of AI in the TCM industry. It holds significant importance and value in promoting the intelligent development of the TCM sector and facilitating the healthy development of the entire TCM resource industry chain.
Artificial Intelligence ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/economics* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/economics* ; Drug Industry

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is the pillar for the development of motherland medicine, and animal medicine has a long history of application in China, characterized by wide resources, strong activity, definite efficacy, and great benefits. It has significant potential and important status in the consumption market of raw materials of TCM. In the context of global climate change, farming system alterations, and low renewability, the depletion of wild medicinal animal resources has accelerated. Accordingly, the conservation and sustainable utilization of wild resources of animal medicinal materials has become a problem that garners increasing attention and urgently needs to be solved. This paper summarizes the current situation of domestic and foreign medicinal animal breeding and research progress in industrial application in recent years and points out the issues related to standardized breeding, germplasm selection and breeding, and quality evaluation standards for medicinal animals. Furthermore, this paper discusses standardized breeding, quality standards, resource protection and utilization, and the search for alternative resources for rare and endangered medicinal animals. It proposes that researchers should systematically carry out in-depth basic research on animal medicine, improve the breeding scale and level of medicinal animals, employ modern technology to enhance the quality standards of medicinal materials, and strengthen the research and development of alternative resources. This approach aims to effectively address the relationship between protection and utilization and make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of medicinal animal resources and the animal-based Chinese medicinal material industry.
Animals ; Breeding ; China ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Conservation of Natural Resources

Objective As primary Sj?gren's syndrome(pSS)primarily affects the salivary glands,saliva can serve as an indicator of the glands'pathophysiology and the disease's status.This study aims to illustrate the salivary proteomic profiles of pSS patients and identify potential candidate biomarkers for diagnosis. Methods The discovery set contained 49 samples(24 from pSS and 25 from age-and gender-matched healthy controls[HCs])and the validation set included 25 samples(12 from pSS and 13 from HCs).Totally 36 pSS patients and 38 HCs were centrally randomized into the discovery set or to the validation set at a 2:1 ratio.Unstimulated whole saliva samples from pSS patients and HCs were analyzed using a data-independent acquisition(DIA)strategy on a 2D LC-HRMS/MS platform to reveal differential proteins.The crucial proteins were verified using DIA analysis and annotated using gene ontology(GO)and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts(IPA)analysis.A prediction model for SS was established using random forests. Results A total of 1,963 proteins were discovered,and 136 proteins exhibited differential representation in pSS patients.The bioinformatic research indicated that these proteins were primarily linked to immunological functions,metabolism,and inflammation.A panel of 19 protein biomarkers was identified by ranking order based on P-value and random forest algorichm,and was validated as the predictive biomarkers exhibiting good performance with area under the curve(AUC)of 0.817 for discovery set and 0.882 for validation set. Conclusions The candidate protein panel discovered may aid in pSS diagnosis.Salivary proteomic analysis is a promising non-invasive method for prognostic evaluation and early and precise treatments for pSS patients.DIA offers the best time efficiency and data dependability and may be a suitable option for future research on the salivary proteome.

Pathological vascular remodeling is a hallmark of various vascular diseases. Previous research has established the significance of andrographolide in maintaining gastric vascular homeostasis and its pivotal role in modulating endothelial barrier dysfunction, which leads to pathological vascular remodeling. Potassium dehydroandrographolide succinate (PDA), a derivative of andrographolide, has been clinically utilized in the treatment of inflammatory diseases precipitated by viral infections. This study investigates the potential of PDA in regulating pathological vascular remodeling. The effect of PDA on vascular remodeling was assessed through the complete ligation of the carotid artery in C57BL/6 mice. Experimental approaches, including rat aortic primary smooth muscle cell culture, flow cytometry, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay, Boyden chamber cell migration assay, spheroid sprouting assay, and Matrigel-based tube formation assay, were employed to evaluate the influence of PDA on the proliferation and motility of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Molecular docking simulations and co-immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to examine protein interactions. The results revealed that PDA exacerbates vascular injury-induced pathological remodeling, as evidenced by enhanced neointima formation. PDA treatment significantly increased the proliferation and migration of SMCs. Further mechanistic studies disclosed that PDA upregulated myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) expression in SMCs and interacted with T-cadherin (CDH13). This interaction augmented proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix deposition, culminating in pathological vascular remodeling. Our findings underscore the critical role of PDA in the regulation of pathological vascular remodeling, mediated through the MyD88/CDH13 signaling pathway.
Mice ; Rats ; Animals ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; Vascular Remodeling ; Cell Proliferation ; Vascular System Injuries/pathology* ; Carotid Artery Injuries/pathology* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Cell Movement ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction ; Succinates/pharmacology* ; Potassium/pharmacology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Diterpenes ; Cadherins

Two methods including gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were established to detect common alkyl sulfonates and aryl sulfonates genotoxic impurities. Four alkyl sulfonates and methyl benzenesulfonate were determined by GC-MS/MS using butyl methanesulfonate as the internal standard, the chromatographic column was HP-5MS UI (30 mm × 0.25 mm, 0.25 µm), the carrier gas was helium, the flow rate was 1.0 mL·min^-1 in a constant flow mode, the sample inlet temperature was set to 250 ℃, the split ratio was 10∶1, and the initial temperature of the heating program was 80 ℃, maintained for 1 minute, and then increased to 240 ℃ at a heating rate of 30 ℃·min^-1 for 2 minutes. The mass spectrometry detector was an electron bombardment ion source (EI source), the data collection condition was multi reaction monitoring mode (MRM), and method validation using the raw material of clinical drug citalopram hydrobromide as a sample. The results showed that the linear range of four alkyl sulfonates and methyl benzenesulfonate were good at 3-50 ng·mL^-1 and 9-150 ng·mL^-1, with a correlation coefficient of r > 0.999, The spiked recovery was 80%-120%. The detection limits were 1 and 3 ng·mL^-1; Ten aryl sulfonates determined by LC-MS/MS, the chromatographic column was CSH Fluoro phenyl (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm), the mobile phase was methanol (B)-5 mmol·L^-1 ammonium formate (D), with a flow rate of 0.2 mL·min^-1, and gradient elution was performed. The gradient program (T/% B) was set as 0/20, 25/90, 35/90, 42/20. The mass spectrometer detector was electro spray ionization with positive ionization mode (ESI⁺), the data collection was in dynamic multi reaction monitoring mode (dMRM), and the method was validated using the raw material of the clinical drug citalopram hydrobromide as a sample. The results showed that the linear range of aryl sulfonates were good at 9-2 000 ng·mL^-1, 3-100 ng·mL^-1 and 0.9-30 ng·mL^-1, respectively. The correlation coefficient r > 0.999, the spiked recovery was 80%-120%. The detection limits were 30, 1 and 0.3 ng·mL^-1. Two detection methods did not detect potential sulfonate genotoxicity impurities in the above APIs. The established analytical methods are reliable and effective, which can provide reference for drug quality control and detection.