1.Pathogenesis Evolution and Stage-based Treatment of Gout: An Exploration Based on Theory of ''Endogenous Dampness Leading to Bi Syndrome''
Yingjie ZHANG ; Fan YANG ; Ruifang YANG ; Zhuoming ZHENG ; Siwei PENG ; Yan XIAO ; Peng CHEN ; Youxin SU ; Jiemei GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):74-83
Gout is a crystal-associated arthropathy caused by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals and is closely related to purine metabolic disorders and impaired uric acid excretion. It is clinically characterized by hyperuricemia, recurrent joint swelling and pain, and tophus formation. The disease course is divided into three stages: The hyperuricemia stage, acute attack stage, and chronic gouty arthritis stage. Modern medicine has reached a consensus on its pathology, but traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) lacks a systematic stage-specific understanding of gout pathogenesis and its underlying mechanisms, making it difficult to guide precise syndrome differentiation and treatment. By integrating classical TCM theory, clinical practice, and modern medical understanding, and drawing upon descriptions of Bi syndrome caused by endogenous dampness and turbidity in classical texts such as Huangdi Neijing·Ling Shu and Synopsis of the Golden Chamber, our team proposes the pathogenic concept of gout as ''endogenous dampness leading to Bi syndrome'' and the core pathogenesis of ''spleen deficiency with internal retention of dampness-turbidity''. We systematically elucidate the evolution of pathogenesis across different stages and corresponding therapeutic strategies. This study posits that metabolic byproducts such as urate fall under the category of ''endogenous pathogenic dampness-turbidity''. When genetic or dietary factors lead to metabolic abnormalities, it manifests as ''spleen deficiency with impaired transport and transformation'', resulting in ''internal retention of pathogenic dampness-turbidity''. When damp-turbidity stagnates in the blood vessels, serum uric acid levels rise. When it stagnates in the viscera and limbs, monosodium urate crystals deposit in the joints. Triggered by precipitating factors, this leads to gout attacks—the core pathological process of ''endogenous dampness leading to Bi syndrome''. Based on this theory, the stage-specific pathogenic characteristics of gout are proposed: The hyperuricemia stage is characterized by ''spleen deficiency with impaired transport and transformation, internal retention of pathogenic dampness-turbidity'', the acute attack stage is primarily marked by ''dampness-turbidity and static heat obstructing the limbs and joints'', while the chronic stage is defined by ''spleen deficiency with internal retention of pathogenic dampness-turbidity, intermingled with phlegm-stasis binding''. The treatment principle centers on ''strengthening the spleen and draining dampness'' throughout all stages. During the hyperuricemia stage, treatment focuses on ''strengthening the spleen, draining dampness, and eliminating turbidity''. In the acute attack stage, the treatment should "strengthen the spleen, drain dampness, clear heat, eliminate turbidity, alleviate swelling, and relieve pain''. In the chronic stage, the treatments emphasizes to ''strengthen the spleen, drain dampness, transform turbidity, clear heat, resolve phlegm, and activate blood circulation''. This approach has yielded favorable therapeutic outcomes in clinical practice. This theoretical system clarifies the nature of gout as ''spleen deficiency being the root, dampness-turbidity being the secondary manifestation'' and systematically analyzes its pathogenesis evolution process and characteristics. The constructed stage-based treatment protocol has been validated through clinical and basic research, providing systematic theoretical guidance and a practical framework for the precise TCM management of gout, thereby promoting the modernization of TCM pathogenesis theory related to gout.
2.Mechanism of Huazhuo Sanjie Chubi Presciption in Regulating Macrophage Polarization and Improving Low-grade Inflammation in Rats with Chronic Gouty Arthritis
Yuwan LI ; Yingjie ZHANG ; Siyuan LIN ; Xiaohua CHEN ; Qianglong CHEN ; Fan YANG ; Jun LIU ; Bingyan CHEN ; Peng CHEN ; Jiemei GUO ; Youxin SU ; Yan XIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):93-104
ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of Huazhuo SanJie Chubi presciption (HSCD) on chronic gouty arthritis (CGA) rats with low-grade inflammation and to explore the underlying mechanism with a focus on macrophage polarization. MethodsThe 41 male 6-week-old SD rats were randomly allocated, using the random number table, to a normal group (n=8) and a model group (n =33). CGA with low-grade inflammation was induced in the model group by daily gavage of potassium oxonate (250 mg·kg-1·d-1) and hypoxanthine (300 mg·kg-1·d-1), combined with intra-articular injection of a monosodium urate (MSU) crystal suspension (50 μL, 25 g·L-¹) into the left ankle twice weekly. After 4 weeks of modeling, 3 rats were randomly selected from each group for model validation. The remaining successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, an HSCD group (10.35 g·kg-1·d-1, gavage once daily), an M1 polarization agonist group (L-methionine sulfoximine, 300 mg·kg-1, subcutaneous injection every other day), an M1 polarization agonist + HSCD group, an M2 polarization inhibitor group (PD0325901, 10 mg·kg-1·d-1, gavage once daily), and M2 polarization inhibitor + HSCD group. The corresponding drug or drug combination was administered according to group assignment, whereas rats in the normal and model groups received 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na) vehicle (10.35 g·kg-1·d-1, gavage once daily). All interventions were continued for four weeks. During the intervention period, except for the normal group, potassium oxonate (250 mg·kg⁻¹) and hypoxanthine (300 mg·kg-1) were co-administered by gavage every other day to maintain the model. At the end of treatment, serum uric acid (SUA), ankle joint diameter and joint swelling index were measured. The levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), S100 calcium-binding protein A8/A9 (S100A8/A9), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and arginase-1 (Arg-1) in serum and joint fluid were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). High-frequency ultrasound was used to assess MSU deposition in the ankle joint. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to evaluate synovial histopathological changes. Quantitative Real-time PCR and immunofluorescence were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of the M1 macrophage polarization markers inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the M2 macrophage polarization marker scavenger receptor cysteine-rich type 1 protein M130 (CD163) in synovial tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly elevated SUA level and joint swelling index, and increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, CCL2, and S100A8/A9 in both serum and joint fluid (P<0.05), accompanied by MSU deposition and synovial inflammation in the ankle joint. The mRNA and protein expression levels of macrophage polarization M1/M2 markers iNOS and CD163 in synovial tissues were also significantly up-regulated (P<0.05). Compared with model group, rats in HSCD group had significantly lower SUA levels, attenuated joint swelling, reduced serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and decreased levels of CCL2 and S100A8/A9 in both serum and joint fluid, accompanied with alleviated MSU deposition and synovial inflammation (P<0.05). HSCD markedly downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of M1 marker iNOS (P<0.05), whereas it had no significant effect on the expression of M2 marker CD163. Compared with the M1 polarization agonist group, the M1 polarization agonist + HSCD group showed significantly reduced joint swelling, lower serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and decreased levels of CCL2 and S100A8/A9 in joint fluid (P<0.05). In addition, synovial inflammatory cell infiltration and angiogenesis were attenuated, and iNOS mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly reduced (P<0.05). Compared with the M2 polarization inhibitor group, the M2 polarization inhibitor + HSCD group exhibited reduced joint swelling, decreased levels of CCL2 and S100A8/A9 in joint fluid and ameliorated synovial inflammation (P<0.05), whereas the levels of anti-inflammatory mediators (IL-10, Arg-1) and CD163 mRNA and protein expression were not significantly increased. ConclusionHSCD alleviates low-grade inflammation in CGA rats, at least in part, by inhibiting macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype.
3.Effect and Action Mechanism of Huazhuo Sanjie Chubi Prescription on Gouty Bone Erosion Model Rats Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Zhuoming ZHENG ; Jun LIU ; Meiling WANG ; Xiaohua CHEN ; Yuwan LI ; Siwei PENG ; Yingjie ZHANG ; Ruifang YANG ; Youxin SU ; Yan XIAO ; Jiemei GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):105-117
ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the effect of Huazhuo Sanjie Chubi prescription (HSCD) on the gouty bone erosion model rats and investigate its action mechanism. MethodsThirty-six two-month-old male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group with nine rats and the modeling group with 27 rats. The rats in the modeling group were administered hypoxanthine solution at 300 mg·kg-1·d-1 and potassium oxonate solution at 250 mg·kg-1·d-1, combined with intra-articular injection of 200 μL monosodium urate (MSU) crystal suspension at 25 g·L-1 into the right ankle joint (joint injection once every three days), so as to induce the gouty bone erosion model. After four weeks of modeling, three rats were selected from these two groups to validate the model. The modeled 24 rats were randomly divided into the model group, HSCD group (10.35 g·kg-1·d-1), allopurinol group (20 mg·kg-1·d-1), and inhibitor group (LY294002, 10 mg·kg-1·d-1), with six rats per group. Except for the blank group, rats in all other groups continued to receive hypoxanthine solution at 300 mg·kg-1 and potassium oxonate solution at 250 mg·kg-1 via gavage concurrently with administration to maintain modeling intervention. The rats in the HSCD group and allopurinol group received administration by gavage at the above doses. The rats in the inhibitor group received an intraperitoneal injection at the above dose. The rats in the blank group and model group received saline (10.35 g·kg-1·d-1) by gavage for four consecutive weeks. After administration, ankle joint swelling of the rats in all groups was observed, and the diameters were measured. Bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and bone surface area to bone volume (BS/BV) were observed and quantitatively analyzed by Micro-CT. Histopathological changes in the ankle joint were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and safranin O-fast green staining. The uric acid in the rats' serum was determined by enzyme colorimetry. The levels of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein expressions of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and phosphorylated (p)-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) in ankle joint tissues of rats were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA levels of the proteins related to the bone erosion, including RANKL, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase
4.Nutrition literacy of primary and secondary school students and its influencing factors in Shijingshan District of Beijing
Deyue XU ; Mingliang WANG ; Wei WANG ; Yingjie YU ; Shuiying YUN ; Bo YANG ; Yunzheng YAN ; Lingyan SU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(2):126-130
Objective To understand the current situation of nutrition literacy of primary and secondary school students in Shijingshan District of Beijing, and analyze its influencing factors, and to put forward targeted suggestions for improving the students’ nutrition literacy and promoting their healthy growth. Methods A multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 2480 primary and secondary school students and their parents from 5 primary schools, 3 middle schools and 1 high school in Shijingshan District. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors influencing the attainment rate of nutrition literacy. Results The median score of nutrition literacy of 2480 primary and secondary school students from grades 1 to 12 was 77.86 (in hundred-mark system), the quartile range (IQR) was 16.96, and the attainment rate of nutrition literacy was 42.46%. The cognitive level (45.12%) was higher than the skill level (41.20%) among students from grades 3 to 12. In terms of skills, the attainment rate of food preparation was the lowest, at 30.38%. The scores of nutrition literacy of girls were higher than those of boys, and the scores of primary school students were higher than those of secondary school students. Students with different levels of caregiver’s education, family income, and family food environment had different scores of nutrition literacy, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the attainment rate of nutrition literacy was closely related to student’s gender and study stage, caregiver’s education level, and family food environment. Conclusion The nutrition literacy of primary and secondary school students in Shijingshan District still needs to be improved, especially in the aspect of skills. Targeted nutrition education should be carried out.
5.Research progress of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in tumor angiogenesis
Xiaodi LIU ; Jianfei SU ; Jingxian ZHANG ; Xueqin WEI ; Yingjie JIA
Journal of International Oncology 2024;51(1):50-54
As a kind of immunosuppressive cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are an important component of the immune microenvironment. MDSCs play a significant role in promoting tumor immune escape. In addition, non-immunological functions such as promoting angiogenesis can also promote tumor development with the deepening of research. MDSCs can promote tumor angiogenesis directly through vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway, or promote tumor growth and angiogenesis by secreting cytokines such as matrix metalloprotein-9, basic fibroblast growth factor, angiogenic peptide Bv8, platelet derived growth factor, exosomes, or interacting with other cells. Exploring the expansion, activation, recruitment and angiogenesis mechanism of MDSCs will provide new ideas for regulating the individualized diagnosis and treatment based on targeted MDSCs.
6.Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation based on music therapy on insomnia:a randomized controlled trial
Siyan CAI ; Yingjie FAN ; Huifang TIAN ; Chunya XIA ; Juan ZHANG ; Min SU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2024;30(10):1193-1202
Objective To explore the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS)based on music therapy on insomnia. Methods From July,2023 to April,2024,70 patients with insomnia in the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow Univer-sity were randomly divided into control group(n=35)and observation group(n=35).Both groups accepted mu-sic therapy;moreover,the observation group accepted tDCS,and the control group accepted sham tDCS,for four weeks.They were assessed with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)total score and sub-score,Hamilton De-pression Scale 17-item(HAMD-17),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Chinese version of Stress Perception Scale(CPSS);and the relative power of resting-state electroencephalography(EEG)and mean blood flow veloci-ty(Vm)of each cerebral artery with transcranial Doppler were measured before and after treatment. Results Five cases dropped down in the control group,and four in the observation group.PSQI total score and sub-score,HAMD-17 score,HAMA score and CPSS score(|t|>3.503,P<0.01)in the observation group decreased after treatment,and were less in the observation group than in the control group(|t|>2.304,P<0.05),except sleep duration,sleep efficiency and CPSS scores.The relative power of δ and θ increased in the observation group,and decreased in α,β and γ(|t|>6.468,P<0.001),and were better in the observation group than in the control group(|t|>2.395,P<0.05).The Vm of each artery increased in the observation group(|t|>4.624,P<0.001),and were more in the observation group than in the control group(|t|>2.147,P<0.05). Conclusion tDCS based on music therapy may further improve sleep quality and EEG activity,increase cerebral blood flow velocity,and reduce adverse emotions in insomnia patients.
7.Extreme animal protectionism and experimental animal welfare ethics
Xuemei TIAN ; Kubo SACHIKO ; Yingjie WU ; Tao SU
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2024;34(5):106-112
Experimental animals as living reagents promote the development of life science and medicine,and draw public attention to the welfare ethics of experimental animals.Experimental animal welfare ethics is important for animal protection and plays an important role in protecting the rights and interests of experimental animals and promoting the rationality and morality of scientific research.However,during the evolution of animal protectionism,some extreme theories,such as extreme animal protectionism,have also emerged.This article summarizes the main theories of animal protectionism and the development of animal welfare ethics,and analyzes the main problems of extreme animal protectionism.This article expounds on the present situation and problems of experimental animal welfare ethics and puts forward some suggestions to promote the practice of experimental animal welfare ethics to provide references for our country's experimental animal welfare ethics practice and system construction.
8.Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with constraint-induced weight training of the affected lower limb on Pusher syndrome after stroke
Haibo WANG ; Yuanyuan TAO ; Jing LI ; Jianjun SUN ; Tianpei XIE ; Hao QIU ; Yingjie FAN ; Jianjun LI ; Min SU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2023;29(3):269-274
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with constraint-induced weight training (CIWT) on Pusher syndrome after stroke. MethodsA total of 60 stroke inpatients with Pusher syndrome in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January to December, 2021 were randomly divided into tDCS group, CIWT group and combination group, with 20 cases in each group. The three groups accepted routine rehabilitation training, the tDCS group received anode tDCS, the CIWT group received CIWT of the affected lower limb, and the combination group received CIWT of the affected lower limb and tDCS, for eight weeks. They were assessed with Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremities (FMA-LE), Burke Lateropulsion Scale (BLS) and Holden Walking Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) before and after treatment. ResultsAfter treatment, the scores of BBS, FMA-LE, BLS and FAC improved (|t| > 1.452, P < 0.05) in all the groups, and improved the most in the combination group (|F| > 1.827, P < 0.05). ConclusiontDCS combined with CIWT of the affected lower extremity can effectively improve the function of stroke patients with Pusher syndrome.
9.Effects of Tongfengning(痛风宁) on Intestinal Flora and Intestinal Uric Acid Metabolism in Model Mice of Hyperuri⁃cemia of Spleen Deficiency with Exuberance of Dampness Syndrome
Yingjie ZHANG ; Xiao MAO ; Yan XIAO ; Tangyan CAI ; Jiemei GUO ; Peng CHEN ; Peng ZHANG ; Jun LIU ; Yu CHEN ; Mengting QIU ; Youxin SU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2023;64(21):2232-2240
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms of Tongfengning (痛风宁, TFN) in treating hyperuricemia (HUA) of spleen deficiency with exuberance of dampness syndrome. MethodsTen of 60 mice were randomly selected, and were fed with regular diet as the control group, while the remaining 50 mice were fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with excessive exercise and potassium oxonate-allopurinol suspension to establish an HUA animal model of syndrome of spleen deficiency with exuberance of dampness. After the successful modeling, in order to better observe the effects of TFN on the intestinal microbiota of the model mice, a mixed antibiotic suspension was administered by gavage to induce further dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota in the model mice. Fifty sucessfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model group, TFN group, allopurinol group, probiotics group, and an allopurinol + probiotics group, 10 in each group. The TFN group was administered TFN liquid at a dosage of 19.11 g/(kg·d) by gavage. The allopurinol group was administered allopurinol suspension at a dosage of 78 mg/(kg·d) by gavage. The probiotics group was administered live combined Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus tablets suspension at a dosage of 3 g/(kg·d) by gavage. The allopurinol + probiotics group was administered allopurinol at a dosage of 78 mg/(kg·d) and live combined Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus tablets suspension at a dosage of 3 g/(kg·d) by gavage. The control group and model group were administered normal saline at a dosage of 19.11 ml/(kg·d) by gavage. The interventions were continued for 21 days. In order to maintain a stable high blood uric acid state, all groups but the control group continued modeling while receiving drug intervention. The changes in spleen deficiency syndrome scores, blood uric acid levels, microbial community structure, acetic acid and butyric acid content in intestinal lavage fluid, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) content in small intestine tissue, as well as ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2), glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9) protein and mRNA expression in the small intestine tissue were compared among the groups of mice. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed increased spleen deficiency syndrome scores, blood uric acid levels, relative abundance of phylum Firmicutes, Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, abundance of Bacteroides genus, Klebsiella genus, and Enterococcus genus, acetic acid content in intestinal lavage fluid, ADA and XOD content in small intestine tissue, as well as GLUT9 protein and mRNA expression (P<0.05). The number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of intestinal microbiota, relative abundance of Bacteroidetes phylum, abundance of Lactobacillus genus and uncultured Bacteroides genus, butyric acid content in intestinal lavage fluid, and ABCG2 protein and mRNA expression in small intestine tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, in the group treated with TFN, probiotics, and allopurinol + probiotics, the spleen deficiency syndrome score, blood uric acid level, relative abundance of Firmicutes, acetic acid content in intestinal lavage fluid, ADA and XOD content in small intestine tissue, GLUT9 protein and mRNA expression significantly decreased. The number of gut microbiota OTUs, relative abundance of proteobacteria, butyric acid content in intestinal lavage fluid, ABCG2 protein and mRNA expression in small intestine tissue significantly increased (P<0.05). In the probiotics group, the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes decreased. In the TFN group, the abundance of Lactobacillus and uncultured Bacteroidetes significantly increased, while the abundance of Parabacteroides, Klebsiella, and Enterococcus significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the TFN group, allopurinol group and the probiotics group showed elevated blood uric acid levels, abundance of Bacteroidetes, ADA and XOD levels in intestinal tissue, and GLUT9 mRNA expression. The relative abundance of Firmicutes, abundance of lactobacilli, and ABCG2 mRNA expression significantly decreased. The probiotics group showed elevated GLUT9 protein expression in intestinal tissue. The probiotics group and the allopurinol plus probiotics group showed significantly higher scores for spleen deficiency syndrome in mice, and lower levels of butyric acid in mouse intestinal lavage fluid. The allopurinol group showed decreased numbers of OTUs in mouse intestinal flora, decreased abundance of proteobacteria, and butyric acid levels in intestinal lavage fluid. The allopurinol group also showed decreased ABCG2 protein expression in intestinal tissue, increased acetic acid levels in intestinal lavage fluid, increased abundance of Klebsiella, and significantly elevated GLUT9 protein expression (P<0.05). ConclusionsThe treatment of HUA with TFN may be associated with the regulation of intestinal probiotics (such as lactobacilli) and pathogenic bacteria (such as Klebsiella), as well as the production of bacterial metabolites such as acetic acid and butyric acid. It may also involve reducing the expression of ADA and XOD in the intestines, decreasing intestinal uric acid production, upregulating the expression of intestinal epithelial urate transporter ABCG2, downregulating GLUT9 expression, and promoting intestinal uric acid excretion. These factors are related to the syndrome of spleen deficiency with exuberance of dampness.
10.Genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic analysis of a medicinal snake, Bungarus multicinctus, to provides insights into the origin of Elapidae neurotoxins.
Jiang XU ; Shuai GUO ; Xianmei YIN ; Mingqian LI ; He SU ; Xuejiao LIAO ; Qiushi LI ; Liang LE ; Shiyu CHEN ; Baosheng LIAO ; Haoyu HU ; Juan LEI ; Yingjie ZHU ; Xiaohui QIU ; Lu LUO ; Jun CHEN ; Ruiyang CHENG ; Zhenzhan CHANG ; Han ZHANG ; Nicholas Chieh WU ; Yiming GUO ; Dianyun HOU ; Jin PEI ; Jihai GAO ; Yan HUA ; Zhihai HUANG ; Shilin CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2023;13(5):2234-2249
The many-banded krait, Bungarus multicinctus, has been recorded as the animal resource of JinQianBaiHuaShe in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Characterization of its venoms classified chief phyla of modern animal neurotoxins. However, the evolutionary origin and diversification of its neurotoxins as well as biosynthesis of its active compounds remain largely unknown due to the lack of its high-quality genome. Here, we present the 1.58 Gbp genome of B. multicinctus assembled into 18 chromosomes with contig/scaffold N50 of 7.53 Mbp/149.8 Mbp. Major bungarotoxin-coding genes were clustered within genome by family and found to be associated with ancient local duplications. The truncation of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor in the 3'-terminal of a LY6E paralog released modern three-finger toxins (3FTxs) from membrane tethering before the Colubroidea divergence. Subsequent expansion and mutations diversified and recruited these 3FTxs. After the cobra/krait divergence, the modern unit-B of β-bungarotoxin emerged with an extra cysteine residue. A subsequent point substitution in unit-A enabled the β-bungarotoxin covalent linkage. The B. multicinctus gene expression, chromatin topological organization, and histone modification characteristics were featured by transcriptome, proteome, chromatin conformation capture sequencing, and ChIP-seq. The results highlighted that venom production was under a sophisticated regulation. Our findings provide new insights into snake neurotoxin research, meanwhile will facilitate antivenom development, toxin-driven drug discovery and the quality control of JinQianBaiHuaShe.


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