ObjectiveTo establish an ultra-performance liquid fingerprint and multi-components determination method for Naomaili granules. To evaluate the quality of different batches by chemometrics， and the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of water extract and main components of Naomaili granules were tested in vitro. MethodsThe similarity and common peaks of 27 batches of Naomaili granules were evaluated by using Ultra performance liquid chromatography （UPLC） fingerprint detection. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS） technology was used to determine the content of the index components in Naomaili granules and to evaluate the quality of different batches of Naomaili granules by chemometrics. LPS-induced BV-2 cell inflammation model was used to investigate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of the water extract and main components of Naomaili granules. ResultsThe similarity of fingerprints of 27 batches of samples was > 0.90. A total of 32 common peaks were calibrated， and 23 of them were identified and assigned. In 27 batches of Naomaili granules， the mass fractions of 14 components that were stachydrine hydrochloride， leonurine hydrochloride， calycosin-7-O-glucoside， calycosin，tanshinoneⅠ， cryptotanshinone， tanshinoneⅡ_A， ginsenoside Rb₁， notoginsenoside R₁， ginsenoside Rg₁， paeoniflorin， albiflorin， lactiflorin， and salvianolic acid B were found to be 2.902-3.498， 0.233-0.343， 0.111-0.301， 0.07-0.152， 0.136-0.228， 0.195-0.390， 0.324-0.482， 1.056-1.435， 0.271-0.397， 1.318-1.649， 3.038-4.059， 2.263-3.455， 0.152-0.232， 2.931-3.991 mg∙g^-1， respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that paeoniflorin， ginsenoside Rg₁， ginsenoside Rb₁ and staphylline hydrochloride were quality difference markers to control the stability of the preparation. The results of bioactive experiment showed that the water extract of Naomaili granules and the eight main components with high content in the prescription had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the release of NO in the cell supernatant. Among them， salvianolic acid B and ginsenoside Rb₁ had strong anti-inflammatory activity， with IC₅₀ values of （36.11±0.15） mg∙L^-1 and （27.24±0.54） mg∙L^-1， respectively. ConclusionThe quality evaluation method of Naomaili granules established in this study was accurate and reproducible. Four quality difference markers were screened out， and eight key pharmacodynamic substances of Naomaili granules against neuroinflammation were screened out by in vitro cell experiments.

ObjectiveTo investigate the migration and distribution characteristics of chemical constituents in blood and hippocampal tissues before and after vinegar processing of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride（CRPV）， and to explore the potential material basis and mechanisms underlying their regulatory effects on emotional disorders by comparing the effects of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS） was employed to characterize and identify the chemical constituents of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV extracts， as well as their migrating components in blood and hippocampal tissues after oral administration. Reference standards， databases， and relevant literature were utilized for compound annotation， with data processing performed using PeakView 1.2 software. Seventy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into seven groups， including the blank group， model group， diazepam group（2.5 mg·kg^-1）， raw CRPV low/high dose groups（0.6， 1.2 g·kg^-1）， and vinegar-processed CRPV low/high dose groups（0.6， 1.2 g·kg^-1）， with 10 mice per group. Except for the blank group， all other groups underwent chronic restraint stress（2 h·d^-1） for 20 d. Each drug-treated group received oral administration at the predetermined dose starting 10 d after modeling， with a total treatment duration of 10 d. Following model-based drug administration， mice underwent open-field， forced swimming， and elevated plus maze tests. After anesthesia with isoflurane， whole brains were collected from each group of mice， and hippocampi were dissected. Reactive oxygen species（ROS） level in hippocampal tissues was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to observe hippocampal tissue morphology. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect neuronal nuclei（NeuN） and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha（PPARα） expressions in hippocampal tissue. Then， pharmacodynamic evaluations were conducted to assess the effects of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV on mood disorders， exploring the potential mechanisms. ResultsVinegar processing caused significant changes in the chemical composition of CRPV， with 18 components showing increased relative content and 35 components showing decreased relative content. The primary changes occurred in flavonoid compounds， including 20 flavonoids， 20 flavonoid glycosides， 3 triterpenes， 3 phenolic acids， 1 alkaloid， and 6 other compounds. Twenty-one components were detected in blood（15 methoxyflavones， 4 flavonoid glycosides， and 2 phenolic acids）， with 17 shared between raw and vinegar-processed CRPV. Seven components reached hippocampal tissues（all common to both forms）. In regulating emotional disorders， Vinegar-processed CRPV exhibited superior antidepressant-like effects compared to raw products. HE staining revealed that both treatments improved hippocampal neuronal morphology， particularly in the damaged CA1 and CA3 regions. Immunofluorescence and ELISA analyses demonstrated that both raw and vinegar-processed CRPV significantly modulated NeuN and PPARα expressions in hippocampal tissue while alleviating oxidative stress induced by excessive ROS（P<0.05）. ConclusionThe chemical composition of CRPV undergoes changes after vinegar processing， but the migrating components in blood and hippocampus are primarily methoxyflavonoids. These components may serve as the potential material basis for activating the PPARα pathway， thereby negatively regulating ROS generation in the hippocampus， reducing oxidative stress， and promoting the development of NeuN-positive neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence for enhancing quality standards， pharmacodynamic material research， and active drug development of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV.

Objective To explore a method for rapid and differential diagnosis of rejection after kidney transplantation through urine hyperspectral imaging technology. Methods Hyperspectral data information from urine samples of 118 recipients after kidney transplantation was collected, and a deep learning model was constructed to diagnose and classify the types of rejection. Results A deep learning diagnostic model based on the 34-layer residual network (ResNet-34) was constructed, and 118 patients were included and divided into the training set and the test set. Based on the pathological results of the transplanted kidney puncture, the urine samples of the patients were classified into five groups: the non-rejection group, the T-cell-mediated rejection group, the antibody-mediated rejection group, the mixed rejection group and the nephropathy recurrence group. The results showed that the diagnostic sensitivities of the model for the above five groups were 0.960, 0.980, 0.930, 0.940 and 0.943 respectively, and the diagnostic specificities were 0.983, 0.993, 0.997, 0.989 and 0.989 respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy rate reached 95.7%. Conclusions The study provides a non-invasive, rapid and accurate auxiliary diagnostic method for the differential diagnosis of rejection after kidney transplantation.

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.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of modified Si Junzitang and Shashen Maidong Tang ［Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu prescription （YQYYJD）］ in enhancing the sensitivity of cisplatin in epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor （EGFR-TKI）-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells based on aerobic glycolysis. MethodsThe effects of different concentrations of YQYYJD （0， 2， 3， 4， 5， 6， 7， 8 g·L^-1） and cisplatin （0， 3， 6， 9， 12， 15， 18， 21， 24， 27 mg·L^-1） on the proliferation and activity of PC9/GR cells were detected by the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay after 24 hours of intervention. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration （IC₅₀） for PC9/GR cells was calculated to determine the concentrations used in subsequent experiments. PC9/GR cells were divided into blank group （complete medium）， YQYYJD group （5 g·L^-1）， cisplatin group （12 mg·L^-1）， and combined group （YQYYJD 5 g·L^-1 + cisplatin 12 mg·L^-1）. After 24 hours of intervention， cell viability was measured using CCK-8 assay. Cell proliferation was assessed by colony formation assay， and cell migration was evaluated by scratch and Transwell assays. Glucose consumption， lactate production， and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） levels were measured by colorimetric assays. The expression levels of glycolysis-related proteins， including hexokinase 2 （HK2）， phosphofructokinase P （PFKP）， pyruvate kinase M2 （PKM2）， lactate dehydrogenase A （LDHA）， glucose transporter 1 （GLUT1）， and monocarboxylate transporter 4 （MCT4）， were determined by Western blot. ResultsBoth YQYYJD and cisplatin inhibited the viability of PC9/GR cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ of PC9/GR cells for YQYYJD and cisplatin were 5.15 g·L^-1 and 12.91 mg·L^-1， respectively. In terms of cell proliferation， compared with the blank group， the cell survival rate and the number of colonies formed in the YQYYJD group， cisplatin group， and combined group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups， the combined group showed a further significant reduction in cell survival rate and colony formation （P<0.01）. In terms of cell migration， compared with the blank group， the cell migration rate and the number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane in the YQYYJD group， cisplatin group， and combined group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups， the combined group exhibited a further significant reduction in cell migration rate and the number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane （P<0.01）. In terms of glycolysis， compared with the blank group， glucose consumption， lactate production， and ATP levels in the YQYYJD group， cisplatin group， and combined group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups， the combined group showed a further significant reduction in glucose consumption， lactate production， and ATP levels （P<0.05）. Compared with the blank group， the protein expression levels of HK2， PFKP， PKM2， and LDHA in the YQYYJD， cisplatin， and combined groups were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The combined group showed a further significant reduction in the expression levels of these proteins compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups （P<0.01）. No significant differences were observed in the protein expression levels of GLUT1 and MCT4 among the groups. ConclusionYQYYJD can synergistically inhibit the proliferation and migration of PC9/GR cells and enhance their sensitivity to cisplatin. The mechanism may be related to the downregulation of the expression of glycolysis-related rate-limiting enzymes， including HK2， PFKP， PKM2， and LDHA， thereby inhibiting glycolysis.

ObjectiveTo establish a model that can quickly identify the aroma components in different parts of Nardostachys jatamansi， so as to provide a quality control basis for the market circulation and clinical use of N. jatamansi. MethodsHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（HS-SPME-GC-MS） combined with Smart aroma database and National Institute of Standards and Technology（NIST） database were used to characterize the aroma components in different parts of N. jatamansi， and the aroma components were quantified according to relative response factor（RRF） and three internal standards， and the markers of aroma differences in different parts of N. jatamansi were identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） and cluster thermal analysis based on variable importance in the projection（VIP） value >1 and P<0.01. The odor data of different parts of N. jatamansi were collected by Heracles Ⅱ Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose， and the correlation between compound types of aroma components collected by the ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose and the detection results of HS-SPME-GC-MS was investigated by drawing odor fingerprints and odor response radargrams. Chromatographic peak information with distinguishing ability≥0.700 and peak area≥200 was selected as sensor data， and the rapid identification model of different parts of N. jatamansi was established by principal component analysis（PCA）， discriminant factor alysis（DFA）， soft independent modeling of class analogies（SIMCA） and statistical quality control analysis（SQCA）. ResultsThe HS-SPME-GC-MS results showed that there were 28 common components in the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi， of which 22 could be quantified and 12 significantly different components were screened out. Among these 12 components， the contents of five components（ethyl isovalerate， 2-pentylfuran， benzyl alcohol， nonanal and glacial acetic acid，） in the aboveground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the underground part（P<0.01）， the contents of β-ionone， patchouli alcohol， α-caryophyllene， linalyl butyrate， valencene， 1，8-cineole and p-cymene in the underground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the aboveground part（P<0.01）. Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose results showed that the PCA discrimination index of the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi was 82， and the contribution rates of the principal component factors were 99.94% and 99.89% when 2 and 3 principal components were extracted， respectively. The contribution rate of the discriminant factor 1 of the DFA model constructed on the basis of PCA was 100%， the validation score of the SIMCA model for discrimination of the two parts was 99， and SQCA could clearly distinguish different parts of N. jatamansi. ConclusionHS-SPME-GC-MS can clarify the differential markers of underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi. The four analytical models provided by Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose（PCA， DFA， SIMCA and SQCA） can realize the rapid identification of different parts of N. jatamansi. Combining the two results， it is speculated that terpenes and carboxylic acids may be the main factors contributing to the difference in aroma between the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of ferroptosis mediated by long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 （ACSL4） signalling pathway in rats with coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome and the intervention effect of Xuefu Zhuyutang. MethodsSPF male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， sham-operation group， model group， trimetazidine group （5.4 mg·kg^-1）， low-， medium-， and high-dose group （3.51， 7.02，14.04 g·kg^-1） of Xuefu Zhuyutang. The coronary artery left anterior descending ligation method was used to prepare a model of coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome， and continuous treatment for 7 d was conducted， while the sham-operation group was only threaded and not ligated. The general macroscopic symptoms of the rats were observed， and indicators such as electrocardiogram， echocardiography， and blood rheology were detected. The pathological morphology of myocardial tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and the changes in mitochondria in myocardial tissue were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The level of iron deposition in myocardial tissue was observed by Prussian blue staining. The levels of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid （12-HETE） and 15-HETE were detected in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A biochemical colourimetric assay was used to detect the levels of Fe²⁺， lipid peroxidation （LPO）， glutathione （GSH）， and T-GSH/glutathione disulfide （GSSG） in myocardial tissue. DCFH-DA fluorescence quantitative assay was employed to detect the levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS）. Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was adopted to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， ferritin heavy chain 1 （FTH1）， ACSL4， and ly-sophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase3 （LPCAT3） in myocardial tissue. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group， the rats in the model group were poor in general macroscopic symptoms. The electrocardiogram showed widened QRS wave amplitude and increased voltage， bow-back elevation of the ST segments， elevated T waves， J-point elevation， and accelerated heart rate. Echocardiography showed a significant reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） and left ventricular fraction shortening （LVFS） （P<0.01）. Blood rheology showed that the viscosity of the whole blood （low， medium， and high rate of shear） was significantly increased （P<0.01）. HE staining showed an abnormal structure of myocardial tissue. There was a large area of myocardial necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration and a large number of connective tissue between myocardial fibers. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the mitochondria were severely atrophy or swelling. The cristae were reduced or even broken， and the matrix was flocculent or even vacuolated. Prussian blue staining showed that there were a large number of iron-containing particles， and the iron deposition was obvious. The content of 12-HETE and 15-HETE in the serum was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The content of Fe²⁺， LPO， and ROS in myocardial tissue was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The content of GSH was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and T-GSH/GSSG was decreased （P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expressions of GPX4 and FTH1 in myocardial tissue were both significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while those of ACSL4 and LPCAT3 increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the general macroscopic symptoms and electrocardiogram results of rats in low-， medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang were alleviated， and the differences in LVEF/LVFS ratios were all significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The differences in whole-blood viscosity （low， medium， and high rate of shear） were all significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The results of HE staining and transmission electron microscopy showed that the morphology， structure， and mitochondria of cardiomyocytes were improved. The content of 12-HETE and 15-HETE in serum was reduced to different degrees in low-， medium-， and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The content of Fe²⁺， LPO， and ROS was significantly reduced in the medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the content of GSH and T-GSH/GSSG was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expressions of GPX4 and FTH1 were significantly increased to varying degrees in the medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and ACSL4 and LPCAT3 were decreased to different degrees in the low-， medium-， and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionXuefu Zhuyutang can regulate iron metabolism and anti-lipid oxidation reaction to mediate ferroptosis through the ACSL4 signalling pathway， thus exerting a protective effect on rats with coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Maxing Kugan decoction （MKD） on inflammatory response and apoptosis in rats with oleic acid （OA）-induced acute lung injury （ALI） and explore its mechanism of action. MethodsSixty Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly assigned into six groups： a control group， a model group， a dexamethasone-treated group （2 mg·kg^-1）， and three MKD-treated groups at low， medium， and high doses （3.1， 6.2，12.4 g·kg^-1）. Each group was administered either an equivalent volume of normal saline or the corresponding concentration of MKD by gavage for seven consecutive days. The model group and each administration group were used to establish the ALI model by tail vein injection of OA （0.2 mL·kg^-1）. Twelve hours after modeling， blood gas analyses were conducted， and the wet-to-dry （W/D） weight ratio of lung tissue was measured for each group. Additionally， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to quantify the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） of the rats. Cell damage and apoptosis in lung tissue were examined via hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling （TUNEL） assays， and the results were subsequently scored. The expression levels of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）/nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） signaling pathway and apoptosis-related proteins and mRNAs were assessed using Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited a significant decrease in partial pressure of oxygen （PaO₂）， blood oxygen saturation （SaO₂）， and oxygenation index （PaO₂/FiO₂）， along with a marked increase in partial pressure of carbon dioxide （PaCO₂） and lung W/D ratio （P<0.01）. Additionally， levels of TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β in BALF were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Histopathological analysis of lung tissue showed significant inflammatory infiltration， tissue edema， alveolar septal thickening， and apoptosis of lung tissue. Pronounced increases were observed in the mRNA expression levels of p38 MAPK， NF-κB p65， inhibitor of NF-κB （IκBα）， B-cell lymphoma-2 associated x protein （Bax）， and Caspases-3， as well as the protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK， p-NF-κB p65， p-IκBα， Bax， Caspases-3， and cleaved Caspases-3， while the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， MKD significantly elevated PaO₂， SaO₂， and PaO₂/FiO₂ while reducing PaCO₂ and W/D ratio in rats （P<0.01）. It also greatly reduced TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β levels in BALF （P<0.01） and alleviated inflammatory infiltration， tissue edema， alveolar septal thickening， and apoptosis of lung tissue. Additionally， it downregulated the mRNA expression of p38 MAPK， NF-κB p65， IκBα， Bax， Caspases-3， as well as protein expression of p-p38 MAPK， p-NF-κB p65， p-IκBα， Bax， Caspases-3， and cleaved Caspases-3 in lung tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while significantly upregulating mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. ConclusionMKD exerts a protective effect on OA-induced ALI rats， potentially through the regulation of the p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit inflammation and apoptosis.

Jiegengtang is a basic formula for treating sore throat and cough. By means of bibliometrics， this study conducted a textual research and analysis on the key information such as formula origin， decocting methods， and clinical application of Jiegengtang. After the research， it can be seen that Jiegengtang is firstly contained in Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Disease， which is also known as Ganjietang， and it has been inherited and innovated by medical practitioners of various dynasties in later times. The origins of Chinese medicines in this formula is basically clear， Jiegeng is the dried roots of Platycodon grandiflorum， Gancao is the dried roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis， the two medicines are selected raw products. The dosage is 27.60 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and 13.80 g of Platycodonis Radix， decocted with 600 mL of water to 200 mL， taken warmly after meals， twice a day， 100 mL for each time. In ancient times， Jiegengtang was mainly used for treating Shaoyin-heat invasion syndrome， with cough and sore throat as its core symptoms. In modern clinical practice， Jiegengtang is mainly used for respiratory diseases such as pharyngitis， esophagitis， tonsillitis and lung abscess， especially for pharyngitis and lung abscess with remarkable efficacy. This paper can provide literature reference basis for the modern clinical application and new drug development of Jiegengtang.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Maxing Kugan decoction （MKD） on inflammatory response and apoptosis in rats with oleic acid （OA）-induced acute lung injury （ALI） and explore its mechanism of action. MethodsSixty Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly assigned into six groups： a control group， a model group， a dexamethasone-treated group （2 mg·kg^-1）， and three MKD-treated groups at low， medium， and high doses （3.1， 6.2，12.4 g·kg^-1）. Each group was administered either an equivalent volume of normal saline or the corresponding concentration of MKD by gavage for seven consecutive days. The model group and each administration group were used to establish the ALI model by tail vein injection of OA （0.2 mL·kg^-1）. Twelve hours after modeling， blood gas analyses were conducted， and the wet-to-dry （W/D） weight ratio of lung tissue was measured for each group. Additionally， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to quantify the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） of the rats. Cell damage and apoptosis in lung tissue were examined via hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling （TUNEL） assays， and the results were subsequently scored. The expression levels of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）/nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） signaling pathway and apoptosis-related proteins and mRNAs were assessed using Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited a significant decrease in partial pressure of oxygen （PaO₂）， blood oxygen saturation （SaO₂）， and oxygenation index （PaO₂/FiO₂）， along with a marked increase in partial pressure of carbon dioxide （PaCO₂） and lung W/D ratio （P<0.01）. Additionally， levels of TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β in BALF were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Histopathological analysis of lung tissue showed significant inflammatory infiltration， tissue edema， alveolar septal thickening， and apoptosis of lung tissue. Pronounced increases were observed in the mRNA expression levels of p38 MAPK， NF-κB p65， inhibitor of NF-κB （IκBα）， B-cell lymphoma-2 associated x protein （Bax）， and Caspases-3， as well as the protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK， p-NF-κB p65， p-IκBα， Bax， Caspases-3， and cleaved Caspases-3， while the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， MKD significantly elevated PaO₂， SaO₂， and PaO₂/FiO₂ while reducing PaCO₂ and W/D ratio in rats （P<0.01）. It also greatly reduced TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β levels in BALF （P<0.01） and alleviated inflammatory infiltration， tissue edema， alveolar septal thickening， and apoptosis of lung tissue. Additionally， it downregulated the mRNA expression of p38 MAPK， NF-κB p65， IκBα， Bax， Caspases-3， as well as protein expression of p-p38 MAPK， p-NF-κB p65， p-IκBα， Bax， Caspases-3， and cleaved Caspases-3 in lung tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while significantly upregulating mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. ConclusionMKD exerts a protective effect on OA-induced ALI rats， potentially through the regulation of the p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit inflammation and apoptosis.