Pinelliae Rhizoma (PR), known as Banxia in Chinese, Hange in Japanese, and Banha in Korean, is a renowned herbal medicine in East Asia derived from the dry tuber of Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breit. (PT). It is extensively utilized in dispensing granules, classical prescriptions, and herbal formulas to treat various conditions, including cough, infection, phlegm, nausea, asthma, and inflammation. Despite numerous studies on PR and its classical prescriptions over recent decades, a comprehensive synthesis of available evidence regarding its multifunctional roles and therapeutic potential is lacking. This review aims to address this gap by examining emerging evidence from metabonomics, preclinical studies, and clinical trials, while exploring potential trends and prospects for future research. A systematic literature search was conducted across six electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, to identify relevant articles on PR published until March 2023. PR contains 107 compounds with diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, immune regulatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-asthma, antitussive and expectorant, antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-microbial, emetic and anti-emetic, anti-convulsant and anti-epileptic, sedative and hypnotic, learning and memory enhancement, and anti-depressant effects. Metabonomic studies suggest that raw PR may exhibit cardiotoxicity and pregnancy toxicity while showing no apparent hepatorenal toxicity. However, limited pharmacokinetic investigations on PR constrain its clinical translation. Furthermore, clinical safety data on PR is scarce, with only four clinical trials assessing its positive effects in pediatric epilepsy, nausea and vomiting, soft tissue injury, and chronic sinus tract. This review aims to enhance understanding of PR and provide valuable information and recommendations for further research and development of herbal medicine.
Humans ; Pinellia/chemistry* ; Animals ; Ethnopharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Phytochemicals/chemistry* ; Rhizome/chemistry*

This study identified the types and pathogen carrying status of fleas on the surface of sheep in some areas of southern Xinjiang,and analyzed the genetic evolution differences with respect to related pathogens.The aim was to provide a reference for the local prevention and control of fleas and insect borne infectious diseases.A total of 1 586 fleas were collected from agricultural and pas-toral areas of Tumushuke City and Hotan Prefecture.Flea species were identified on the basis of morphology and the Pulex irritans mi-tochondrial COII gene.Flea DNA was extracted,and PCR was conducted to amplify the Bartonella gltA gene;Arsenophonus,Ana-plasma,Ehrlichia,and Wolbachia 16S rRNA genes;RickettsiaOmpA,17kDa,16S rRNA genes,and Yersinia pestis 16S rDNA gene.The amplified products were sequenced,and the homology of the genes of the three detected pathogens(gltA gene of Bartonella,16S rRNA gene of Wolbachia,and Anaplasma phagocytophilum)with respect to known corresponding genes of the same pathogen in Gen-Bank was analyzed.Phylogenetic trees were constructed with the adjacency method in MEGA 11.0.According to morphological and mo-lecular biology identification results,all fleas collected in this study were Pulex irritans.PCR indicated that the target gene fragments had been added to the mitochondrial COII,BartonellagltA,Wolbachia,and autophagosomal 16S rRNA genes of human fleas,all of which were consistent with the expected fragment sizes.Target bands were not amplified from Ehrlichia,Arsenophonus,spotted fever group Rickettsia,and Yersinia pestis.According to homology and genetic evolution analysis of human flea mitochondrial COII and the corresponding genes of the above-described pathogens,the COX2 gene(ON455234.1)of human fleas in Tumushuke city and Iran ob-tained in this study showed the highest homology(99.84%).The COII gene(NC_063709.1)of human fleas in Hetan City and Hunan region showed the highest homology(100%).Our findings further confirmed that the flea species was Pulex irritans.The PCR amplifi-cation results indicated that the collected Pulex irritans carried multiple pathogens,among which Bartonella and Wolbachia had the highest infection rates,and the infection rate with Anaplasma phagocytophilum was relatively low.This study is the first to discover flea species on the surface of sheep in some areas of southern Xinjiang.Our findings preliminarily confirmed that Bartonella,Wolba-chia,and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are the main Pulex irritans pathogens.

This study identified the types and pathogen carrying status of fleas on the surface of sheep in some areas of southern Xinjiang,and analyzed the genetic evolution differences with respect to related pathogens.The aim was to provide a reference for the local prevention and control of fleas and insect borne infectious diseases.A total of 1 586 fleas were collected from agricultural and pas-toral areas of Tumushuke City and Hotan Prefecture.Flea species were identified on the basis of morphology and the Pulex irritans mi-tochondrial COII gene.Flea DNA was extracted,and PCR was conducted to amplify the Bartonella gltA gene;Arsenophonus,Ana-plasma,Ehrlichia,and Wolbachia 16S rRNA genes;RickettsiaOmpA,17kDa,16S rRNA genes,and Yersinia pestis 16S rDNA gene.The amplified products were sequenced,and the homology of the genes of the three detected pathogens(gltA gene of Bartonella,16S rRNA gene of Wolbachia,and Anaplasma phagocytophilum)with respect to known corresponding genes of the same pathogen in Gen-Bank was analyzed.Phylogenetic trees were constructed with the adjacency method in MEGA 11.0.According to morphological and mo-lecular biology identification results,all fleas collected in this study were Pulex irritans.PCR indicated that the target gene fragments had been added to the mitochondrial COII,BartonellagltA,Wolbachia,and autophagosomal 16S rRNA genes of human fleas,all of which were consistent with the expected fragment sizes.Target bands were not amplified from Ehrlichia,Arsenophonus,spotted fever group Rickettsia,and Yersinia pestis.According to homology and genetic evolution analysis of human flea mitochondrial COII and the corresponding genes of the above-described pathogens,the COX2 gene(ON455234.1)of human fleas in Tumushuke city and Iran ob-tained in this study showed the highest homology(99.84%).The COII gene(NC_063709.1)of human fleas in Hetan City and Hunan region showed the highest homology(100%).Our findings further confirmed that the flea species was Pulex irritans.The PCR amplifi-cation results indicated that the collected Pulex irritans carried multiple pathogens,among which Bartonella and Wolbachia had the highest infection rates,and the infection rate with Anaplasma phagocytophilum was relatively low.This study is the first to discover flea species on the surface of sheep in some areas of southern Xinjiang.Our findings preliminarily confirmed that Bartonella,Wolba-chia,and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are the main Pulex irritans pathogens.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of the H-Loop knotless double-row technique and the suture bridge technique in repairing L-shaped rotator cuff tears under arthroscopy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 58 patients with L-shaped rotator cuff injuries who underwent arthroscopic repair at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, between January 2019 and December 2021. The H-Loop knotless double-row technique was used in 16 cases (8 males and 8 females, mean age 63.69±8.78 years), while the suture bridge technique was used in 42 cases (24 males and 18 females, mean age 61.02±7.02 years). The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, University of California Los Angeles Shoulder Score (UCLA), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), shoulder range of motion, and muscle strength were evaluated and compared between the two groups one year after surgery.Results:The follow-up period was 12.81±0.98 months for the H-Loop group and 13.29±0.94 months for the suture bridge group. No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of age, sex, dominant hand, preoperative symptom duration, tear shape, tear size, or long head tendon amputation (P>0.05). The operative time was significantly shorter in the H-Loop group 67.50±16.02 minutes compared to the suture bridge group 76.67±13.19 minutes ( t=2.234, P=0.031). Additionally, the number of anchors used was significantly lower in the H-Loop group 2.00±0 compared to the suture bridge group 4.14±0.35 ( t=16.573, P<0.001). The ASES scores increased significantly in both groups: from 57.44±15.91 to 92.00±4.41 in the H-Loop group and from 58.21±16.58 to 87.71±6.19 in the suture bridge group ( F=53.439, P<0.001; F=72.511, P<0.001). Similarly, the UCLA scores improved from 20.63±3.79 to 31.56±3.65 in the H-Loop group and from 20.83±5.78 to 30.36±4.71 in the suture bridge group ( F=57.788, P<0.001; F=50.043, P<0.001). The Constant-Murley scores also showed significant improvement: from 68.50±15.31 to 87.5±8.70 in the H-Loop group and from 66.21±16.51 to 86.33±9.14 in the suture bridge group ( F=6.733, P<0.001; F=30.173, P<0.001). SST scores increased from 6.38±3.76 to 9.06±2.59 in the H-Loop group and from 6.55±3.31 to 9.17±2.45 in the suture bridge group ( F=2.847, P<0.001; F=11.096, P<0.001). The shoulder flexion range of motion increased from 158.75°±21.25° to 178.75°±47.07° in the H-Loop group and from 139.29°±45.12° to 179.76°±3.42° in the suture bridge group ( t=3.814, P=0.002; t=5.877, P<0.001). Shoulder abduction motion increased from 145°±45.46° to 178.75°±3.42° in the H-Loop group and from 135.24°±47.07° to 179.76°±1.54° in the suture bridge group ( t=2.952, P=0.001; t=6.185, P<0.001). Muscle strength improved from 53.36±25.21 N to 73.69±24.09 N in the H-Loop group and from 43.31±24.49 N to 61.8±30.07 N in the suture bridge group ( t=4.916, P<0.001; t=5.623, P<0.001). The ASES score at one year post-surgery was significantly higher in the H-Loop group 92.00±4.41 compared to the suture bridge group 87.71±6.19 ( t=2.529, P=0.014). There were no significant differences in UCLA scores, Constant-Murley scores, SST scores, shoulder motion, or muscle strength between the groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The H-Loop technique provides a good early curative effect. Compared to the traditional suture bridge technique, the H-Loop technique offers a higher early postoperative ASES score, shorter operative time, and fewer anchors required.

Objective This study aims to explore the complex relationship between social engagement and depressive symptoms among older adults in China,focusing particularly on the moderating role of marital status. Methods This study used data from the latest Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey(CLHLS).The analysis used the latent class analysis to delineate personality clusters and hierarchical linear regression,supplemented by the PROCESS macro,to investigate the effects of social engagement and marital status on depressive symptoms. Results The analysis encompassed 7,789 respondents(mean age:82.53[s=11.20]years),with 54%female.The personality analysis categorized participants into four clusters,with the majority(77.60%)classified as Confident Idealists,who exhibited the lowest levels of depressive symptoms.Hierarchical linear regression analysis yielded several significant findings:Higher levels of social engagement were significantly associated with fewer depressive symptoms(t=-7.932,P<0.001,B=-0.463).Marital status was a significant factor;married individuals reported fewer depressive symptoms compared to their unmarried counterparts(t=-6.368,P<0.001,B=-0.750).There was a significant moderating effect of marital status on the relationship between social engagement and depressive symptoms(t=-2.092,P=0.037,B=-0.217). Conclusion This study demonstrates that,among Chinese older adults,both social engagement and marital status significantly influence depressive symptoms.Higher social engagement,particularly in other activities like doing household chores,gardening,reading newspapers or books,and playing cards or Mahjong,is associated with fewer depressive symptoms,especially among married individuals.

ObjectiveTo explore new targets and herbal medicines of total ginsenosides in ameliorating alcoholic hepatitis （AH） by data mining and experimental validation and to provide new directions for the clinical treatment of AH. MethodGSE28619 was selected as the test set from the GEO database and GSE83148 and GSE103580 were selected as the validation sets. The limma package and weighted gene co-expression network analysis （WGCNA） were employed to identify the AH-related differentially expressed genes and modular genes， and Venny was used to extract the common genes. The protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed and the enrichment analysis was carried out. The hub genes were further screened and evaluated for their diagnostic value. After validation with the datasets， new potential targets of AH and traditional Chinese medicine were predicted. Molecular docking between the targets and active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine was performed， and the results were validated by experiments. Eight out of 48 SD rats were randomly selected into a blank group and received an equal amount of normal saline. The rest rats were subjected to modeling with ethanol by gavage and then randomized into low- （10 mg·kg^-1）， medium- （20 mg·kg^-1）， and high-dose （40 mg·kg^-1） total ginsenosides， model， and positive control （metadoxine， 117 mg·kg^-1） groups. After 3 weeks of gavage， serum samples were collected for the measurement of aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and alanine aminotransferase （ALT） levels， and liver samples were collected for hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Western blot and Real-time PCR were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels， respectively， of potential targets in the liver tissue. ResultData mining predicted the potential genes： Proto-oncogene FOS and collagen type Ⅰ alpha 2 （COL1A2）. Experimental validation showed that the liver injury was alleviated after drug administration compared with that after modeling. The serum AST and ALT levels were reduced after drug administration. The protein and mRNA levels of FOS were significantly up-regulated， while those of COL1A2 were down-regulated after drug administration. ConclusionTotal ginsenosides ameliorate HA via FOS and COL1A2.

Platelets, small cell fragments in the blood that prevent bleeding, are closely associated with hemostasis and thrombosis and play an important role in the inflammatory response. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by periodontopathogenic bacteria, resulting in local and systemic inflammatory responses that are associated with many systemic diseases. In recent years, several animal and human studies have demonstrated the correlation between periodontitis and platelets from three aspects: gingiva, and gingival crevicular fluid, and found that activated platelets play a very important role in the development and progression of periodontitis. Porphyromonas gingivalis and inflammatory mediators S100A8/A9 activate platelets, which then combine with leukocytes to form platelet-leukocyte aggregates. These aggregates can migrate into periodontal tissue, producing proinflammatory cytokines, thereby promoting the development and progression of periodontitis. Available studies also suggest that initial periodontal therapy reduces platelet activation and platelet-leukocyte aggregate formation, which may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in patients with periodontitis. Additionally, studies found that antiplatelet drugs can inhibit periodontal inflammation and promote periodontal tissue repair and that P. gingivalis-induced expression of CD40L on platelets may be an important mediator between periodontitis and CVD. These reports suggest that platelets can serve as novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of periodontitis. This review aims to discuss the current literature on the correlation and interaction mechanisms between periodontitis and platelets.

Qingyan Dropping Pills have the effects of relieving wind and heat, detoxifying, and promoting the pharynx. It is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicines to treat acute and chronic pharyngitis, as well as sore throats and dry throats caused by surgery. Recently, many studies have shown that Qingyan Dropping Pills have certain effects on bacteriostasis, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral activities. As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic enters the post-epidemic era, the regular use of drugs for COVID-19 pandemic symptoms has become a new trend. Therefore, there is a good market prospect to explore and develop Chinese patent medicines with antiviral effects. A preliminary study on the herbal formula and material basis of Qingyan Dropping Pills revealed that they have potential for antiviral applications. In this paper, the research on the quality study and antiviral effect of Qingyan Dropping Pills was reviewed, and the research direction of its secondary development was discussed to provide ideas and references for the new use of old traditional Chinese medicines.

Ganoderma lucidum is a mushroom widely used for its edible and medicinal properties. Primary bioactive constituents of G. lucidum are ganoderic triterpenoids (GTs), which exhibit important pharmacological activity. Abscisic acid (ABA), a plant hormone, is associated with plant growth, development, and stress responses. ABA can also affect the growth, metabolism, and physiological activities of different fungi and participates in the regulation of the tetracyclic triterpenes of some plants. Our findings indicated that ABA treatment promoted GT accumulation by regulating the gene expression levels (squalene synthase (sqs), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (hmgr), and lanosterol synthase (ls)), and also activated cytosolic Ca²⁺ channels. Furthermore, under ABA mediation, exogenous Ca²⁺ donors and inhibitors directly affected the cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration and related gene expression in Ca²⁺ signaling. Our study also revealed that ABA-mediated cytosolic Ca²⁺ played a crucial regulatory role in GT biosynthesis, accompanied by antioxidant defense modulation with increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity, and the resistance ability of O₂^•- and glutathione (GSH) contents.
Reishi/metabolism* ; Triterpenes/metabolism* ; Abscisic Acid/metabolism* ; Antioxidants/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate the relationship between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and activity of Crohn′s disease (CD), and explore the diagnostic value of RDW for CD activity.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. Clinical data of CD patients treated continuously at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from November 2012 to October 2014 (CD group) were collected, including the first results of routine hematological examinations and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels after admission. Routine hematological examination results were also collected from healthy peoples undergoing regular health check-ups at the same time, who served as the normal control group. CD patients were divided into remission, mild activity, and moderate-severe activity groups based on the Crohn′s disease activity index (CDAI). The levels of routine hematological indicators including RDW and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were compared between the CD group and the normal control group, as well as among different subgroups of CD patients. The correlations between RDW, PLR and CD activity or CRP were analyzed, and the diagnostic value of RDW for CD activity was evaluated by using ROC curve. Logistic univariate and multivariate regressions were performed to analyze the influencing factors of the activity of CD. Logistic regression equation was constructed to calculate the diagnostic efficacy of the influencing factors.Results:A total of 303 CD patients (216 males, 87 females; mean age 28.6 ± 11.7 years) were assigned to CD group and 293 healthy peoples (190 males, 103 females; mean age 30.1 ± 12.3 years) were assigned to normal control group. There was no significant differences in age and gender between the two groups (both P>0.05), indicating comparability. Among the CD patients, 109 were in remission group, 106 in mild activity group, and 88 in moderate-severe activity group. There was no significant differences in age and gender among the three subgroups (all P>0.05), indicating comparability. Compared with the normal control group, RDW (15.26% ± 2.51% vs. 13.10% ± 1.13%, P<0.001), PLR (245.09 ± 158.69 vs. 119.07 ± 36.52, P<0.001), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) [3.22 (2.06, 4.75) vs. 1.76 (1.39, 2.32), P<0.001], white blood cell count [ (7.68 ± 3.30) ×10 9/L vs. (6.52 ± 1.68) × 10 9/L, P<0.001] and platelet count [ (320.69 ± 116.10) × 10 12/L vs. (230.10 ± 51.08) × 10 12/L, P<0.001] were significantly higher in the CD group, while hemoglobin [ (112.8 ± 21.0) g/L vs. (137.1 ± 13.5) g/L, P<0.001] and platelet distribution width (PDW) [ (10.70 ± 1.91) fl vs. (11.89 ± 1.75) fl, P<0.001] were significantly lower. Compared with patients in remission group, the patients in mild activity group had higher RDW and platelet count, and lower hemoglobin (all P<0.05). Compared with the patients in remission and mild activity groups, the patients in moderate-severe activity group had higher RDW, PLR and NLR, and lower hemoglobin (all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed the positive correlations between RDW, PLR and CD activity ( r = 0.423, P<0.001; r = 0.295, P<0.001), and RDW was positively correlated with CRP ( r = 0.438, P<0.001). The cut-off value of RDW for predicting CD activity was 13.85%, while the area under curve (AUC) was 0.723 (95% CI: 0.664-0.782, P<0.001), sensitivity was 0.784 and specificity was 0.550. Logistic multivariable regression analysis showed that RDW ( OR = 1.532, 95% CI: 1.291-1.818, P<0.001) and PLR ( OR = 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001-1.006, P = 0.013) were independent risk factors. The combination of RDW and PLR in diagnosing CD activity yielded an AUC of 0.730 (95% CI: 0.673-0.787, P<0.001), sensitivity of 0.407, and specificity of 0.927. Conclusions:CD patients with high RDW have more severe activity. RDW is a simple and practical indicator for diagnosing the activity of CD.