1.Herbal Textual Research on Longan Arillus in Famous Classical Formulas
Yanmeng LIU ; Yihan WANG ; Erwei HAO ; Chun YAO ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):300-309
This article systematically analyzed the historical evolution of the name, origin, harvesting and others of Longan Arillus by referring to the ancient and modern literature, in order to provide a foundation for developing famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it indicated that Longan Arillus was first recorded under the name of longan in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Longan Arillus gradually replaced longan as the standard name recorded in the materia medica, with additional aliases including Yizhi, Lizhinu and Yuanyan. The source of Longan Arillus used in the past dynasties was the arillus of the Sapindaceae plant Dimocarpus longan. The production regions recorded in the past dynasties were mainly Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan and others. Since the Qing dynasty, Longan Arillus produced in Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi have been regarded as the finest and authentic varieties, with Fujian, Guangxi, and Guangdong remaining the primary authentic production areas today. In ancient times, the fruits were primarily harvested in August of the lunar calendar. However, modern longan cultivation typically involves harvesting ripe fruits during summer and autumn. Post-harvest processing involves removing moisture through sun-drying or baking before drying for medicinal use. Throughout history, processing methods have primarily focused on raw product, though techniques such as wine soaking and powdering have also been employed. Since modern times, it has been concluded that its quality is the best one with thick flesh, sweet taste, brownish-yellow color and tender texture. Longan Arillus possesses a sweet and warm nature, entering the heart and spleen meridians. Its primary functions are tonifying the heart and spleen, nourishing the blood and calming the spirit, which is consistent in ancient and modern times. Based on the textual research, it is suggested to use the arillus of D. longan when developing the famous classical formulas containing Longan Arillus. Processing methods should be selected according to the formula requirements, where no specific processing is indicated, the raw products is recommended for medicinal use.
2.Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pills Ameliorate Dysfunction of Cardiac Microvascular Endothelial Cells in Rat Model of Heart Failure
Junkai YAO ; Shujuan GUO ; Mingyue HUANG ; Chun LI ; Yong WANG ; Wei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):87-95
ObjectiveTo study the mechanism by which Shexiang Tongxin dropping pills (STDP) ameliorate the dysfunction of coronary microvascular endothelial cells in the rat model of heart failure. MethodsThe heart failure model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in rats, which were then allocated into sham, model, STDP, and telmisartan (TLM) groups and treated for 21 days. The heart function was detected by echocardiography, and the levels of myocardial injury markers, nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET1), and angiotensinⅡ (AngⅡ) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were determined by Western blot. The model of cardiac microvascular endothelial cell injury was established by AngⅡ induction and then treated with the STDP-containing serum (5%, 10%, and 20%) for 24 h. The levels of NO and ET1 were measured by ELISA. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of eNOS, iNOS, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and angiotensinⅡ receptor 2 (AT2). MLN-4760, an ACE2 inhibitor, was used to explore the mechanism underpinning the regulatory effect of STDP on the ACE2-AT2/MAS pathway. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) (P<0.05), a decline in serum NO level, elevations in serum AngⅡ and ET1 levels, a reduction in p-eNOS/eNOS ratio, and up-regulation in iNOS expression (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, STDP increased LVEF, LVFS, and cardiac output (P<0.05), raised the level of NO and lowered the levels of AngⅡ and ET1 in the serum (P<0.05), increased the p-eNOS/eNOS value, and inhibited iNOS expression (P<0.05). Compared with the AngⅡ group, STDP increased the NO content and decreased the ET1 content in endothelial cells (P<0.05), increased the p-eNOS/eNOS ratio, and inhibited the iNOS expression (P<0.05). The ACE2 inhibitor MLN-4760 reversed the regulatory effects of STDP on p-eNOS, eNOS, and iNOS. ConclusionSTDP improves the cardiac function in the rat model of heart failure, enhances the synthesis and release of NO in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells, reduces AngⅡ and ET1 levels, and regulates the expression of p-eNOS and eNOS, thereby ameliorating the dysfunction of microvascular endothelial cells in heart failure. This mechanism is related to the upregulation of the expression of proteins in the ACE2-AT2/MAS pathway.
3.Herbal Textual Research on Abri Herba and Abri Mollis Herba in Famous Classical Formulas
Zhen ZENG ; Yanmeng LIU ; Yihan WANG ; Erwei HAO ; Chun YAO ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):193-201
This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name, origin, academic name, medicinal parts, origin, harvesting, processing and other aspects of Abri Herba and Abri Mollis Herba by referring to the herbal medicine, medical books, prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties, combined with the modern literature, so as to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing this type of medicinal materials. According to the herbal textual research, Abri Herba was first recorded in Lingnan Caiyaolu, with other aliases such as Huangtoucao and Xiye Longlincao. It originates from the dried whole plant of Abrus cantoniensis, a Fabaceae plant, which can be used medicinally except for its fruits. Currently, this species is mainly distributed in Guangdong and Guangxi, and also found in Hunan and Thailand, it can be harvested throughout the year, mainly in spring and autumn. The roots, stems, and leaves can be used for medicinal purposes, but the pods are toxic and need to be removed. After harvesting, impurities and pods are removed, and it is dried and processed for medicinal use. Abri Herba has a sweet and slightly bitter taste, is cool in nature, and is associated with the liver and stomach meridians, it is used for clearing heat and relieving dampness, dispersing blood stasis and relieving pain, and is mainly used to treat jaundice-type hepatitis, stomach pain, rheumatic bone pain, contusion and ecchymosis pain, and mastitis. Abri Mollis Herba was first recorded in the 1982 edition of Zhongyaozhi as another origin for Abri Herba, and was singled out in some monographs such as Xinhua Bencao Gangyao in 1988 for use, while some other monographs use it as a local habitual products or confused products of Abri Herba with aliases such as Daye Jigucao, Qingtingteng, and Maoxiangsi. It comes from the dried whole herb of A. mollis without pods, and is mainly produced in Guangxi and Guangdong, and occasionally found in Hong Kong, Hainan and Fujian. The collection and processing are similar to Abri Herba, after harvesting, impurities and pods are removed, and it is dried and cut for medicinal use. Abri Mollis Herba has a sweet and light taste, is cool in nature, and is associated with the liver and stomach meridians, with the efficacy of clearing heat and detoxifying, and promoting dampness, it is mainly used to treat infectious hepatitis, mastitis, furuncles, burns and scalds, and pediatric malnutrition. Based on the research, A. mollis was first recorded to be used as a medicine in the same origin as A. cantoniensis, and as plants of the same genus, have similar morphological characteristics, and their medicinal parts, collection and processing, properties and flavors, and meridian affiliations are consistent. And in the folk, Abri Mollis Herba is often used as Abri Herba, which has been used for a long time and is now dominated by the cultivation of A. mollis. So it is recommended that the subsequent version of Chinese Pharmacopoeia should include A. mollis in the origin of Abri Herba, and it is also recommended that in famous classical formulas refered to Jiguccao can use A. cantoniensis and A. mollis as the sources of the herb, refered to Mao Jiguccao can use A. mollis as the sources of the herb. Processing is carried out according to the requirements specified in the original formulas, and raw products are recommended to be included in the medicine if there are no requirements.
4.Herbal Textual Research on Abri Herba and Abri Mollis Herba in Famous Classical Formulas
Zhen ZENG ; Yanmeng LIU ; Yihan WANG ; Erwei HAO ; Chun YAO ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):193-201
This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name, origin, academic name, medicinal parts, origin, harvesting, processing and other aspects of Abri Herba and Abri Mollis Herba by referring to the herbal medicine, medical books, prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties, combined with the modern literature, so as to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing this type of medicinal materials. According to the herbal textual research, Abri Herba was first recorded in Lingnan Caiyaolu, with other aliases such as Huangtoucao and Xiye Longlincao. It originates from the dried whole plant of Abrus cantoniensis, a Fabaceae plant, which can be used medicinally except for its fruits. Currently, this species is mainly distributed in Guangdong and Guangxi, and also found in Hunan and Thailand, it can be harvested throughout the year, mainly in spring and autumn. The roots, stems, and leaves can be used for medicinal purposes, but the pods are toxic and need to be removed. After harvesting, impurities and pods are removed, and it is dried and processed for medicinal use. Abri Herba has a sweet and slightly bitter taste, is cool in nature, and is associated with the liver and stomach meridians, it is used for clearing heat and relieving dampness, dispersing blood stasis and relieving pain, and is mainly used to treat jaundice-type hepatitis, stomach pain, rheumatic bone pain, contusion and ecchymosis pain, and mastitis. Abri Mollis Herba was first recorded in the 1982 edition of Zhongyaozhi as another origin for Abri Herba, and was singled out in some monographs such as Xinhua Bencao Gangyao in 1988 for use, while some other monographs use it as a local habitual products or confused products of Abri Herba with aliases such as Daye Jigucao, Qingtingteng, and Maoxiangsi. It comes from the dried whole herb of A. mollis without pods, and is mainly produced in Guangxi and Guangdong, and occasionally found in Hong Kong, Hainan and Fujian. The collection and processing are similar to Abri Herba, after harvesting, impurities and pods are removed, and it is dried and cut for medicinal use. Abri Mollis Herba has a sweet and light taste, is cool in nature, and is associated with the liver and stomach meridians, with the efficacy of clearing heat and detoxifying, and promoting dampness, it is mainly used to treat infectious hepatitis, mastitis, furuncles, burns and scalds, and pediatric malnutrition. Based on the research, A. mollis was first recorded to be used as a medicine in the same origin as A. cantoniensis, and as plants of the same genus, have similar morphological characteristics, and their medicinal parts, collection and processing, properties and flavors, and meridian affiliations are consistent. And in the folk, Abri Mollis Herba is often used as Abri Herba, which has been used for a long time and is now dominated by the cultivation of A. mollis. So it is recommended that the subsequent version of Chinese Pharmacopoeia should include A. mollis in the origin of Abri Herba, and it is also recommended that in famous classical formulas refered to Jiguccao can use A. cantoniensis and A. mollis as the sources of the herb, refered to Mao Jiguccao can use A. mollis as the sources of the herb. Processing is carried out according to the requirements specified in the original formulas, and raw products are recommended to be included in the medicine if there are no requirements.
5.Impact of ischemia time and storage periods on RNA quality of fresh-frozen breast cancer and esophageal cancer tissue samples in biobank
Yang-si ZHENG ; Xuan-hao LIN ; Fan LI ; Kun-sheng XIAO ; Xi-feng CHEN ; Chun-peng LIU ; Pei-xiu YAO ; Shao-hong WANG
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(3):437-445
Objective To investigate the effects of ischemia time and storage periods on RNA quality in fresh-frozen breast cancer(BC)and esophageal cancer(EC)tissue samples in order to establish evidence-based protocols for biobank sample management.Methods The tumor(T)and paired normal(N)tissue samples from 6 cases of BC and 6 cases of EC were collected and cryopreserved in Biobank,Shantou Central Hospital.Mirror paraffin-embedded tissues were simultaneously prepared into sections for morphological analysis.The samples were divided into two groups of<15 min and 15-30 min according to ischemia time,and RNA quality was analyzed at 4 storage periods of 8-10 months(T1),14-16 months(T2),26-28 months(T3)and 38-40 months(T4).Results In 96 analyzed samples,93.8%(90/96)exhibited high quality(RIN≥6),with 89.6%(43/48)in BC and 97.9%(47/48)in EC.Significant differences in RIN were observed between BC group and EC group(8.050 vs.8.600,P=0.009).In EC group,RIN value was significantly negatively correlated with RNA yield(P<0.001).Moreover,RIN values of tumor-normal pairs exhibited markedly significant differences(7.550 vs.9.000,P<0.001).In contrast,no significant difference was detected in BC group(8.200 vs.7.700,P=0.348).Statistical analysis showed that RIN value was positively correlated with 28S/18S(P<0.001),but had no correlation with tumor content(P=0.676)and necrotic content(P=0.055).Neither ischemia time(<15 min vs.15-30 min:8.200 vs.8.300,P=0.932)nor storage periods(T1-T4:8.400,7.700,8.450,8.600,P=0.163)compromised RNA quality.Conclusion Organ origin and tissue type could influence RNA quality of fresh-frozen tissue samples.However,limited ischemia time(≤30 min)and long-term storage period(38-40 months)do not adversely affect RNA quality in fresh-frozen breast cancer and esophageal cancer tissue samples.
6.Inhibitory effects of tirapazamine on biofilm formation of Salmonella
Heng DU ; Xiwen FAN ; Yaping WANG ; Yao ZHAO ; Chun YANG ; Zhen WANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(8):1705-1712
This study is to explore the antibiofilm activity of tirapazamine(TPZ)against Salmonella and the mechanism of inhibiting biofilm formation.In this study,crystal violet staining was used to determine the effect of TPZ on the minimal biofilm inhibitory concentration(MBIC)of Salmonel-la and on the development stage of Salmonella biofilm.The effects of TPZ on bacteria and biofilm of Salmonella were observed by scanning electron microscope and fluorescence microscope.Phe-nol-sulfuric acid method,spectrophotometer and BCA method were used to detect the effects of the bacteria on the content of main extracellular matrix of Salmonella.The autocoagulation and hydro-phobicity of Salmonella were measured and their effects on the cell wall of Salmonella were meas-ured by AKP method.The result showed that the MBIC value of TPZ on Salmonella ATCC 14028 was 1.563 μmol/L,it had destructive effects on both Salmonella bacteria and mature biofilm structure,it inhibited the formation of early Salmonella biofilm in a concentration-dependent manner,and inhibited the synthesis and secretion of extracellular polymers in Salmonella biofilm.The autoagglutination ability,hydrophobicity and cell wall integrity of Salmonella were affected.To sum up,the TPZ may inhibit the formation of a large number of Salmonella biofilms in the early stage of biofilm development by affecting the extracellular polymer and cell agglutination a-bility,which is expected to be a potential candidate drug against biofilm infection and provide a new idea for finding alternative antibiotics.
7.Mitochondria:Potential Precise Diagnostic and Therapeutic Targets for Parkinson's Disease
Shi-Qing FU ; Chun-Yao WANG ; Fang WANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(4):514-521
As an indispensable"energy factory"within cells,mitochondria efficiently convert chemical energy from food into ATP through oxidative phosphorylation,providing continuous energy support for va-rious cellular life activities.The functional homeostasis of mitochondria maintains the cell's energy sup-ply,redox balance,cell signaling,and metabolic regulation,thereby ensuring normal cell operation and the healthy survival of organisms.Processes such as mitophagy,mitochondrial fusion and fission,mito-chondrial transport,reactive oxygen species accumulation,and calcium signaling are involved in maintai-ning mitochondrial functional homeostasis.The degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the striatum is the main pathological feature of Parkinson's Disease(PD).Dopaminergic neurons have unique polarized and extended structures with high bioenergetic demands,making them particularly susceptible to mito-chondrial dysfunction.When mitochondrial function is impaired,the energy supply to dopaminergic neu-rons is insufficient,leading to neuronal dysfunction and subsequently triggering a series of neurodegenera-tive diseases,including PD.The molecular basis of PD pathogenesis often involves abnormalities in pro-teins that maintain mitochondrial homeostasis.These proteins play crucial roles in sustaining mitochondri-al function,and any functional abnormalities or genetic mutations can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction,thereby inducing PD.This article provides a comprehensive review of recently reported abnormalities in proteins maintaining mitochondrial function and their association with the onset and progression of PD.The aim is to gain a deeper understanding of the functions of these proteins,their genetic mutations,and their relationship with the disease,providing valuable insights for the development of effective treatments and diagnostic biomarkers for PD.
8.Diagnostic and treatment strategies for testicular torsion
Qing-song MENG ; Wan-ze ZHANG ; Ming ZHANG ; Jiang-hua JIA ; Xin WANG ; Wan-li MA ; Yao-hua WANG ; Ya-xuan WANG ; Jin-chun QI
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(3):222-225
Objective:To investigate the differences between high-frequency ultrasound-guided manual detorsion combined with surgery(MD+S)and surgery alone in the treatment of testicular torsion,and to provide some new evidence for the timely diagno-sis and treatment of the disease.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 134 cases of unilateral testicular torsion within 48 hours treated in our hospital by MD+S or by surgery alone from January 2015 to May 2022.We statistically analyzed the age distribution,and duration and degrees of testicular torsion,followed by comparison between the two groups.Results:In the 134 ca-ses,the median age of onset was 15(13-19)years old,the median onset-to-visit time was 15(8-25)hours,and the median de-gree of torsion was 360°(180°-1080°).Of the total number of patients,21 underwent testicular excision and the other 113 were treated with the testis preserved,with no statistically significant difference in age distribution between the two groups(P>0.05),and a higher rate of testis resection in those with longer duration and greater angle of torsion(P<0.05).Totally,33 of the patients were assigned to the MD+S group and 101 to the surgery alone group.According to the actual clinical conditions and excluding those with torsion time longer than 24 hours and torsion angle greater than 720 °,28 of the patients underwent ultrasound-guided MD+S(with 1 case of testis resection,3.6%),and 68 received surgery alone(with 7 cases of testis resection,10.3%).The rate of testis resection was higher in the surgery alone than that in the MD+S group,but with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05),which was considered to be related to the small sample size in this study.Conclusion:The popularization of testicular torsion knowledge can shorten the onset-to-visit time,and reasonable manual detorsion before emergency surgery can reduce the rate of testis resection.
9.Inhibitory effects of tirapazamine on biofilm formation of Salmonella
Heng DU ; Xiwen FAN ; Yaping WANG ; Yao ZHAO ; Chun YANG ; Zhen WANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(8):1705-1712
This study is to explore the antibiofilm activity of tirapazamine(TPZ)against Salmonella and the mechanism of inhibiting biofilm formation.In this study,crystal violet staining was used to determine the effect of TPZ on the minimal biofilm inhibitory concentration(MBIC)of Salmonel-la and on the development stage of Salmonella biofilm.The effects of TPZ on bacteria and biofilm of Salmonella were observed by scanning electron microscope and fluorescence microscope.Phe-nol-sulfuric acid method,spectrophotometer and BCA method were used to detect the effects of the bacteria on the content of main extracellular matrix of Salmonella.The autocoagulation and hydro-phobicity of Salmonella were measured and their effects on the cell wall of Salmonella were meas-ured by AKP method.The result showed that the MBIC value of TPZ on Salmonella ATCC 14028 was 1.563 μmol/L,it had destructive effects on both Salmonella bacteria and mature biofilm structure,it inhibited the formation of early Salmonella biofilm in a concentration-dependent manner,and inhibited the synthesis and secretion of extracellular polymers in Salmonella biofilm.The autoagglutination ability,hydrophobicity and cell wall integrity of Salmonella were affected.To sum up,the TPZ may inhibit the formation of a large number of Salmonella biofilms in the early stage of biofilm development by affecting the extracellular polymer and cell agglutination a-bility,which is expected to be a potential candidate drug against biofilm infection and provide a new idea for finding alternative antibiotics.
10.Association between bile acid/short-chain fatty acid metabolic disorders and hepatic encephalopathy based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory of Yin and Yang
Luyi YAN ; Weiyu CHEN ; Han WANG ; Wenqian FENG ; Yang DU ; Xueru TIAN ; Yang HONG ; Dewen MAO ; Lei FU ; Chun YAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(7):1443-1449
Hepatic encephalopathy is a neuropsychiatric syndrome secondary to severe liver disease.Recent studies have shown that the development of hepatic encephalopathy is closely associated with bile acid/short-chain fatty acid metabolic disorder.As the core theory of traditional Chinese medicine,the theory of Yin and Yang provides a unique perspective for analyzing the association between bile acids/short-chain fatty acids and hepatic encephalopathy.Bile acids function like Yang,governing the free flow of Qi and assisting in metabolic processes,while short-chain fatty acids belong to Yin,maintaining internal stability and conservation,preserving the intestinal barrier,and combating inflammation and toxins.Bile acids and short-chain fatty acids constrain each other and are interdependent to regulate the dynamic equilibrium of the gut-liver-brain axis.On this basis,by regulating the metabolic imbalance of bile acids and short-chain fatty acids,it is expected to restore the dynamic balance of Yin and Yang in patients with hepatic encephalopathy under the synergistic intervention of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine.

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