1.Mechanism of Fresh Cutting of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Discussion on Integration of Traditional Wisdom and Modern Technology
Wenjie BAO ; Lingyun ZHONG ; Wenhua WU ; Congmin LIU ; Zixin CHEN ; Xingmei LU ; Hengli TONG ; Yi HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):282-290
Fresh-cut processing constitutes a pivotal technique in the origin processing of Chinese medicinal materials, with a long history documented in multiple materia medica. In recent years, it has garnered national policy support for its ability to prevent component loss and low processing efficiency associated with traditional drying-before-cutting methods. As of August 2025, 26 provinces and municipalities nationwide have cumulatively published 789 species for fresh-cut processing. Among these, 78 were included in the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. However, the practice continues to face common challenges and difficulties, including ambiguous scientific understanding, fragmented standards, limited quality control approaches, and poor process stability. Based on this, this paper synthesises years of research findings to systematically elucidate the core mechanisms of fresh-cut processing. These encompass alterations to herbal tissue structure during cutting, post-processing changes in constituents, and physiological-biochemical processes such as plant stress responses and shifts in endogenous enzyme activity. It also summarises influencing factors, including inherent herbal properties, cutting timing and methods, and environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, and microbial presence. Based on this overview of fresh-cutting mechanisms, subsequent research should advance in four directions:Clarifying the scientific principles of fresh-cutting, overcoming technical bottlenecks, upgrading intelligent equipment, and establishing quality standards and evaluation systems. This study provides a theoretical foundation and scientific basis for future research on fresh-cutting in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), promoting its deeper practical application within the industry and contributing to the high-quality development of TCM industry and the modernization of TCM.
2.Exploring Common Principles and Characteristic Differences in Stir-frying Through Varied Processing Techniques
Hong LIU ; Lingyun ZHONG ; Yanwen DENG ; Xingmei LU ; Shuo WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):282-290
As the core technology of processing, the stir-frying method of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) realizes the regulation of efficacy of medicinal substances through the coordination of fire gradient and excipients. This study aims to systematically analyze the influence of different stir-frying degrees(stir-frying until yellow, stir-frying to brown, stir-frying to charcoal) and excipient types(solid excipients such as rice, wheat bran, soil, liquid excipients such as rice wine, vinegar, honey) on the physicochemical properties, efficacy and toxicity of TCM, summarizing their common regulatory mechanisms and characteristics. Then, the three-dimensional regulatory common mechanisms and five-dimensional regulatory specificity mechanisms of different stir-frying processes were obtained. The three-dimensional regulatory common mechanisms are as follows:①Thermal effects break down inherent barriers of medicinal materials and improve the dissolution of components. ②Inducing Maillard reaction, carbonization and other reactions of medicinal materials to promote the transformation of components. ③Combining the catalytic and harmonizing effects of excipients to achieve targeted enrichment of efficacious substances and precise control of toxic components. The five-dimensional regulatory specificity mechanisms manifest as:①The efficacy gradient pattern where stir-frying until yellow strengthens the spleen, stir-frying to brown aids digestion, and stir-frying to charcoal stops bleeding. ②According to the polarity difference and intrinsic properties, the liquid excipients form a directional synergistic mechanism of wine processing enhances ascending nature, ginger processing to warm and disperse, salt processing directs effects to the kidneys, vinegar processing targets the liver, honey processing imparts sweetness and moderation. ③Through porous structure and interfacial properties, solid excipients give the synergistic effect of rice processing for diarrhea relief, bran processing for stomach tonification, soil processing for warming the middle warmer, and clam powder/talcum powder/sand processing for texture optimization. ④Thermal effects induce decomposition/oxidation/polymerization and other reactions to reshape the material basis, directing changes in the efficacy. ⑤The targeted distribution of efficacy is regulated by component enrichment and meridian-guiding effect, and the meridian tropism is changed. The system, driven by thermal effect, excipient synergy and physicochemical reconstruction, integrates five-dimensional regulation of fire, solvent, interface, composition and distribution. It systematically explains the inherent law of efficacy-substance-process of traditional stir-frying, and provides theoretical basis and practical guidance for standardizing TCM processing and enhancing the efficacy.
3.Inhibition effect of perillyl alcohol on pulmonary vascular remodeling in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension rats and its mechanism
Yiwen WANG ; Haijun BAI ; Zhanqiang LI ; Dianxiang LU ; Xingmei NAN ; Zhanting YANG
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2025;39(8):569-580
OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of perilla alcohol on pulmonary vascular remod-eling in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension(HPH)rats and to assess its regulatory effects on the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2)-angiotensin(1-7)[Ang(1-7)]-mas proto-oncogene receptor(Mas)and ACE-angiotensinⅡ(AngⅡ)-angiotensin type 1 receptor(AT1R)axes.METHODS An HPH rat model was established by keeping them in a hypobaric chamber that simulated an altitude of 5 000 m for 28 d.Male SD rats were randomly divided into the control group,hypoxia group,hypoxia+sildenafil group(ig administration of 30 mg·kg-1),and hypoxia+perillyl alcohol groups(ig administration of 25,50 and 100 mg·kg-1 respectively).After 28 d,the levels of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT),glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(GPT),and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)in rat serum were measured to evaluate the toxic effects of perillyl alcohol on rat organs.Mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP)was measured via right ventricular catheterization.HE staining was used to observe the patho morphological changes of pulmonary vessels in HPH rats and measure the percentages of the vascularwall area[WA(%)],wall thickness[WT(%)],lumen area[LA(%)].The right ventricular hypertrophy level and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)expression level were detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of α-SMA,ACE,AT1R,AngⅡ,ACE2 and Mas in lung tissues of rats.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to mea-sure the content of Ang(1-7)in lung tissues.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the serum levels of GOT,GPT and BUN in the hypoxia group rats were significantly increased,but were signifi-cantly decreased by perillyl alcohol and sildenafil intervention.Compared with the control group,mPAP,WA(%),WT(%),right ventricular inner diameter(RVID),right ventricular free wall thickness(RVFWT)and fibrosis levels were significantly increased in the hypoxia group,while LA(%)was signifi-cantly decreased.Besides,the protein expression levels of α-SMA,ACE,AT1R and AngⅡ in lung tissues were significantly elevated while those of ACE2 and Mas,as well as Ang(1-7)content were signifi-cantly decreased in hypoxia group compared to the control group.Following intervention with perillyl alcohol and sildenafil,the protein expression levels of ACE and AngⅡin lung tissues of HPH rats were significantly decreased compared to the model group while those of ACE2 and Mas receptor,along with the content of Ang(1-7),were significantly increased.Perillyl alcohol significantly reduced the protein expression level of AT1R while sildenafil had no significant effect.CONCLUSION Perillyl alcohol can lower mPAP levels by improving pulmonary vascular remodeling and reducing pulmonary vascular fibrosis in HPH rats.The mechanism may be related to the regulatory effects on the ACE-AngⅡ-AT1R and ACE2-Ang(1-7)-Mas axes.
4.Inhibition effect of perillyl alcohol on pulmonary vascular remodeling in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension rats and its mechanism
Yiwen WANG ; Haijun BAI ; Zhanqiang LI ; Dianxiang LU ; Xingmei NAN ; Zhanting YANG
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2025;39(8):569-580
OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of perilla alcohol on pulmonary vascular remod-eling in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension(HPH)rats and to assess its regulatory effects on the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2)-angiotensin(1-7)[Ang(1-7)]-mas proto-oncogene receptor(Mas)and ACE-angiotensinⅡ(AngⅡ)-angiotensin type 1 receptor(AT1R)axes.METHODS An HPH rat model was established by keeping them in a hypobaric chamber that simulated an altitude of 5 000 m for 28 d.Male SD rats were randomly divided into the control group,hypoxia group,hypoxia+sildenafil group(ig administration of 30 mg·kg-1),and hypoxia+perillyl alcohol groups(ig administration of 25,50 and 100 mg·kg-1 respectively).After 28 d,the levels of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT),glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(GPT),and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)in rat serum were measured to evaluate the toxic effects of perillyl alcohol on rat organs.Mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP)was measured via right ventricular catheterization.HE staining was used to observe the patho morphological changes of pulmonary vessels in HPH rats and measure the percentages of the vascularwall area[WA(%)],wall thickness[WT(%)],lumen area[LA(%)].The right ventricular hypertrophy level and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)expression level were detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of α-SMA,ACE,AT1R,AngⅡ,ACE2 and Mas in lung tissues of rats.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to mea-sure the content of Ang(1-7)in lung tissues.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the serum levels of GOT,GPT and BUN in the hypoxia group rats were significantly increased,but were signifi-cantly decreased by perillyl alcohol and sildenafil intervention.Compared with the control group,mPAP,WA(%),WT(%),right ventricular inner diameter(RVID),right ventricular free wall thickness(RVFWT)and fibrosis levels were significantly increased in the hypoxia group,while LA(%)was signifi-cantly decreased.Besides,the protein expression levels of α-SMA,ACE,AT1R and AngⅡ in lung tissues were significantly elevated while those of ACE2 and Mas,as well as Ang(1-7)content were signifi-cantly decreased in hypoxia group compared to the control group.Following intervention with perillyl alcohol and sildenafil,the protein expression levels of ACE and AngⅡin lung tissues of HPH rats were significantly decreased compared to the model group while those of ACE2 and Mas receptor,along with the content of Ang(1-7),were significantly increased.Perillyl alcohol significantly reduced the protein expression level of AT1R while sildenafil had no significant effect.CONCLUSION Perillyl alcohol can lower mPAP levels by improving pulmonary vascular remodeling and reducing pulmonary vascular fibrosis in HPH rats.The mechanism may be related to the regulatory effects on the ACE-AngⅡ-AT1R and ACE2-Ang(1-7)-Mas axes.
5.Clinical features of protracted bacterial bronchitis in children.
Fanfan CHI ; Yuqing WANG ; Chuangli HAO ; Huiquan SUN ; Liping FAN ; Li HUANG ; Xingmei YU ; Xiaoyun YANG ; Yanhong LU ; Jing ZHOU ; Quan LU
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2015;53(10):784-787
OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical characteristics of protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) in children.
METHODThe clinical data of patients seen from October, 2010 to March, 2014 in Department of Respiratory Diseases of our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria were over 4 weeks cough, receiving fiberoptic bronchoscopy, positive bacterial culture and (or) the increased percentage of neutral granulocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).
RESULTTwenty eight patients were involved, 26 were male (93%) and two were female (7%). The median age of patients was 8.5 months. The median duration of cough was four weeks. The average length of hospital stay was (8.3 ± 3.9)days. The main clinical feature was wet cough in 28 cases, wet cough with wheezing was seen in 21 cases. The wet cough phase distribution was irregular in 21 cases. The crackles with wheeze (in 21 cases) was main signs of PBB. The percentage of CD3⁻ CD16⁺ 56⁺ cells increased in peripheral blood. The fiberoptic bronchoscopic manifestations of PBB were luminal mucosal edema. Eleven patients also had airway malacia. The neutrophil median in BALF was 0.2. The positive rate of bacterial culture of BALF was 36%. The main bacteria were Streptococcus pneumoniae (50%) and Haemophilus influenzae (30%). The main treatment for PBB patients included amoxycillin/clavulanate potassium and second-generation cephalosporins. The average duration of treatment was (17.3 ± 3.2)days, the prognosis was good.
CONCLUSIONPBB is common in male infants. Persistent wet cough with wheezing was the main characteristic of PBB. PBB is commonly accompanied by immune dysfunction and airway malacia, and the pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.
Bacterial Infections ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Bronchitis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; pathology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Bronchoscopy ; Cough ; Female ; Haemophilus influenzae ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Respiratory Sounds ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; isolation & purification
6.Effect of CTLA-4Ig on BAEP and SEP in rats of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Xingmei ZHANG ; Jianfeng LU ; Heqing HUANG ; Kangning CHEN
Journal of Third Military Medical University 2003;0(23):-
Objective To explore the curative effect and safety of CTLA-4Ig transgene for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Methods The adenovirus loaded CTLA-4Ig was injected into Wistar rat EAE models through the lateral cerebral ventricle. The clinical symptomatic and electrophysiological changes were observed to judge the efficiency of CTLA-4Ig. Results After injection of AdCTLA-4Ig into the lateral cerebral ventricle of Wistar rat EAE models, the time of EAE onset was delayed and the incidence rate was significantly reduced. And the transductive function tested by brain-stem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) was obviously improved. Conclusion CTLA-4Ig is effective in managing EAE.

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