Process analytical technology(PAT) is a key means for digital transformation and upgrading of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) manufacturing process, serving as an important guarantee for consistent and controllable TCM product quality. Near-infrared(NIR) spectroscopy has become the core technology for measuring the TCM manufacturing process. By incorporating NIR spectroscopy into PAT and starting from the construction of a smart platform for the TCM manufacturing process, this paper systematically described the development history and innovative application of the combination of NIR spectroscopy with chemometrics in measuring the TCM manufacturing process by the research team over the past two decades. Additionally, it explored the application of a validation method based on accuracy profile(AP) in the practice of NIR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the software development progress driven by NIR spectroscopy supported by modeling technology was analyzed, and the prospect of integrating NIR spectroscopy in smart factory control platforms was exemplified with the construction practices of related platforms. By integrating with the smart platform, NIR spectroscopy could improve production efficiency and guarantee product quality. Finally, the prospect of the smart platform application in measuring the TCM manufacturing process was projected. It is believed that the software development for NIR spectroscopy and the smart manufacturing platform will provide strong technical support for TCM digitalization and industrialization.
Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Software ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect and safety of Chinese medicine (CM) Fuzheng Huazhuo Decoction (FHD) in treating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who persistently tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Shanghai New International Expo Center shelter hospital in China between April 1 and May 30, 2022. Patients diagnosed as COVID-19 with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results for ⩾8 days after diagnosis were enrolled. Patients in the control group received conventional Western medicine (WM) treatment, while those in the FHD group received conventional WM plus FHD for at least 3 days. The primary outcome was viral clearance time. Secondary outcomes included negative conversion rate within 14 days, length of hospital stay, cycle threshold (Ct) values of the open reading frame 1ab (ORF1ab) and nucleocapsid protein (N) genes, and incidence of new-onset symptoms during hospitalization. Adverse events (AEs) that occurred during the study period were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 1,765 eligible patients were enrolled in this study (546 in the FHD group and 1,219 in the control group). Compared with the control group, patients receiving FHD treatment showed shorter viral clearance time for nucleic acids [hazard ratio (HR): 1.500, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.353-1.664, P<0.001] and hospital stays (HR: 1.371, 95% CI: 1.238-1.519, P<0.001), and a higher negative conversion rate within 14 days (96.2% vs. 82.6%, P<0.001). The incidence of new-onset symptoms was 59.5% in the FHD group, similar to 57.8% in the control group (P>0.05). The Ct values of ORF1ab and N genes increased more rapidly over time in the FHD group than those in the control group post-randomization (ORF1ab gene: β =0.436±0.053, P<0.001; N gene: β =0.415 ±0.053, P<0.001). The incidence of AEs in the FHD group was lower than that in the control group (24.2% vs. 35.4%, P<0.001). No serious AEs were observed. CONCLUSION FHD was effective and safe for patients with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests. (Registration No. ChiCTR2200063956).
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; SARS-CoV-2/drug effects* ; COVID-19/virology* ; Adult ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To study the pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of two formulations of rasagiline mesylate tablets in healthy subjects under fasting and fed conditions.Methods The two-period,two-sequence,crossover study design was adopted in the fasting study.Thirty-six subjects were enrolled and given either test preparation or reference preparation 1 mg respectively in two periods.After collecting plasma samples,the plasma concentration of rasagiline was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)and the bioequivalence was evaluated using the average bioequivalence(ABE)method.The four-period,two-sequence,fully replicate crossover study design was adopted in the fed study.Forty-eight subjects were enrolled and given the test preparation or the reference preparation at a dose of 1 mg twice respectively in four periods.According to the degree of intra-individual variation of Cmax,AUC0-t and AUC0-∞,the equivalence was evaluated using the reference-scaled average bioequivalence and ABE method,respectively.Results In the fasting study,the pharmacokinetic parameters of rasagiline of the test and reference preparation were as follow:Cmax were(9.70±3.14)and(9.62±3.85)ng·mL-1,AUC0-t were(6.03±1.47)and(6.02±1.95)ng·h·mL-1,AUC0-∞ were(6.13±1.51)and(6.12±1.97)ng·h·mL-1.The 90％confidence interval(CI)of the geometric mean ratio(GMR)were 94.11％-118.06％,99.22％-107.74％and 99.16％-107.44％for Cmax,AUC0-t and AUC0-∞,respectively,which were within the acceptance criteria of 80.00％-125.00％.In the fed study,the pharmacokinetic parameters of rasagiline of the test and reference preparation were as follow:Cmax were(3.00±1.92)and(3.52±1.77)ng·mL-1,AUC0_t were(5.02±1.20)and(5.06±1.20)ng·h·mL-1,AUC0-∞ were(5.11±1.23)and(5.14±1.22)ng·h·mL-1.The 90％CI of GMR were 96.99％-101.19％and 97.17％-101.41％for AUC0-t and AUC0-∞,which were within the acceptance criteria of 80.00％-125.00％.The 95％upper confidence bound of Cmax for were less than"0",and the point estimate of GMR were within the acceptance criteria of 80.00％-125.00％.The incidence of adverse events in fasting and fed studies was 22.86％and 22.92％,respectively,and all adverse events were moderate to mild.Conclusion The two rasagiline mesylate tablets were bioequivalent,and both the formulations were well tolerated.

Objective To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of acellular nerve allografts(ANA)combined with electroacupuncture on spinal ganglia in rats with sciatic nerve injury(SNI).Methods Totally 50 male adult SD rats were randomly selected for this experiment.Ten rats were prepared for the ANA.Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,ANA group and combinational group,with 10 rats in each group.The SNI model was established by cutting off the nerves 10 mm at the 5 mm on the inferior border of piriformis after separating the right sciatic nerves.The rats in the ANA group were bridged with ANA to the two broken ends of injured nerves.The rats in the combinational group were treated with electroacupuncture 2 days after ANA bridging,Huantiao(GB30)and Yanglingquan(GB34)were performed as the acupuncture points,each electroacupuncture lasted 15 minutes and 7 days as a course of treatment,4 courses in all.Sciatic nerve conduction velocity was measured by electrophysiology to evaluate the regeneration of damaged axons.Morphology of spinal ganglia was observed by Nissl staining.The expression of nerve growth factor(NGF)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining.Results Compared with the normal group,the sciatic nerve conduction velocity in model group decreased significantly(P<0.01),Nissl bodies in neurons of spinal ganglia were swollen and dissolved,with incomplete structure and the number decreased dramatically(P<0.01),while the level of NGF and BDNF also decreased significantly(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the sciatic nerve conduction velocity in ANA and combinational groups strongly increased(P<0.01),the damage of Nissl bodies in neurons of spinal ganglia reduced and the number obviously increased(P<0.01),the level of NGF and BDNF increased considerably(P<0.01).Compared with the ANA group,the sciatic nerve conduction velocity in combinational group increased significantly(P<0.01),the morphology of Nissl bodies in neurons of spinal ganglia were more regular and the number increased(P<0.01),moreover,the level of NGF also increased significantly(P<0.01).Conclusion ANA combined with electroacupuncture can enhance the sciatic nerve conduction velocity,improve the morphology of neurons in spinal ganglia and play a protective effect on spinal ganglia.The mechanism can be related to the higher expression of NGF and BDNF proteins,especially the expression of NGF protein.

Objective To investigate the effects of exercise and complex environment on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced dopaminergic neuron death in the substantia nigra of midbrain.Methods C57BL/6 mice were divided into control group,LPS group,LPS+swimming group and LPS+complex environment group,with 7 mice in each group.The mice in the LPS group were injected with LPS into the brain to establish an inflammatory model of Parkinson's disease and lived in cages for 2 weeks.Mice in LPS+swimming group were forced to swim for 15 minutes every day for 2 weeks after modeling.The mice in the LPS+complex environment group were placed in a complex environment for 2 weeks after modeling.The control group mice were not treated.After 14 days of modeling,behavioral experiments such as footprint,open field and rotating rod were performed on each group of mice to detect the autonomous exercise ability,exercise balance ability and depression level of mice.The expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)in substantia nigra was detected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting.The expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),Caspase-3,interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the substantia nigra of the midbrain were detected by Western blotting.The transcription levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in substantia nigra were detected by RT-PCR.Results Compared with the control group,the exercise ability and balance ability of mice in LPS group,LPS+swimming group and LPS+complex environment group decreased,the depression level increased(P＜0.001),the number of TH positive neurons and BDNF protein decreased significantly(P＜0.001),and the contents of Caspase-3,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α increased significantly(P＜0.001).Compared with the LPS group,the exercise ability and balance ability of the mice in the LPS+swimming group and the LPS+complex environment group were restored,the depression level decreased significantly(P＜0.01),the survival number of TH positive neurons and the content of BDNF increased significantly(P＜0.01),Caspase-3,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α reduced significantly(P＜0.01),and the phenomenon in the LPS+complex environment group was more significant.Conclusion Exercise and complex environment can inhibit LPS-induced central nervous system inflammation in mice,thereby reducing damage to midbrain substantia nigra neurons,and the inhibitory effect of LPS+complex environment group is more significant.

Objective:To screen interleukin(IL)-1β secretion-related membrane transporters by macrophage experiment in vitro and conventional knockout mice.Methods:THP-1 cell line was differentiated to obtain human THP-1-derived macrophages,and the primary macrophages were obtained from human peripheral blood.FVB wild-type mice with the same sex and age were used as the controls of MRP1 knockout mice.The macrophages in abdominal cavity and bone marrow of mice were cultivated.The cells were treated with ABCC1/MRP1,ABCG2/BCRP,ABCB1/P-gp,OATP1B1,and MATE transporter inhibitors,then stimulated by lipopolysaccharide and adenosine triphosphate.The secretion level of IL-iβ was detected by ELISA,Western blot,and immunofluorescence.Results:After inhibiting ABCC1/MRP1 transporter,the secretion of IL-1β decreased significantly,while inhibition of the other 4 transporters had no effect.In animal experiment,the level of IL-1 β secreted by macrophages in bone marrow of MRP1 knockout mice was significantly lower than control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:ABCC1/MRP1 transporter is a newly discovered IL-1β secretion pathway,which is expected to become a new target for solving clinical problems such as cytokine release syndrome.

This study rapidly identified and quantified the chemical components of the Wuzhuyu Decoction nanophase(WZYD-N) and suspension phase(WZYD-S) using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry(UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS). Based on preliminary pharmacodynamic experiments and network pharmacology analysis, the differential anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of WZYD-N and WZYD-S were explored to understand their pharmacodynamic basis. WZYD-N and WZYD-S were separated by differential centrifugation-dialysis, and their particle size, Zeta potential, PDI, and morphology were characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. A method was established to quantify 23 representative components of WZYD using UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS, clarifying the differences in component content between the two phases. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of WZYD-N and WZYD-S were preliminarily investigated using the acetic acid-induced enhanced capillary permeability inflammation model and the acetic acid writhing pain model. Network pharmacology was applied to screen the key anti-inflammatory and analgesic targets and active components of WZYD, and the relationship between the components and pharmacodynamics of WZYD-N and WZYD-S was analyzed based on quantitative results. The results showed that WZYD-N primarily consisted of spherical self-assembled aggregates around 200 nm, with a PDI of approximately 0.299 and a zeta potential of-22.1 mV. With an equivalent amount of crude drugs, obacunone and dihydroevocarpine were quantified in equal amounts in WZYD-N and WZYD-S. The content of rutaecarpine, evocarpine, rutaevine, limonin, and ginsenoside Ro was higher in WZYD-S, while 15 other components, including evodiamine, dehydroevodiamine, ginsenoside Re, 6-gingerol, and ginsenoside Rg_1, were higher in WZYD-N. Moreover, 6-dehydrogingerdione was low in both WZYD-N and WZYD-S. Preliminary pharmacodynamic experiments showed that WZYD-N could reduce the number of writhing responses and inhibit pain responses induced by acetic acid in mice, exhibiting analgesic effects similar to the WZYD group. WZYD-S could reduce the absorbance value of the intraperitoneal lavage fluid in mice, exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects comparable to the WZYD group. Network pharmacology analysis indicated that dehydroevodiamine, rutaecarpine, 6-gingerol, and ginsenoside Rg_1 might be the analgesic active components of WZYD, and limonin, rutaevine, and ginsenoside Ro might be the anti-inflammatory active components of WZYD. This study proposed a novel strategy for elucidating the pharmacodynamic basis of WZYD and innovating classical formulas.
Animals ; Analgesics/pharmacology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; Male ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Pain/drug therapy* ; Humans

ObjectiveTo investigate the mRNA expression levels of various aquaporins （AQPs） in luteinized granulosa cells from follicles of different diameters. MethodsFrom March 25， 2022 to September 23， 2022 in our reproductive medicine center， 48 women undergoing in-vitro fertilization （IVF） were enrolled and divided into the antagonist group and the agonist group according to the ovarian stimulation protocol. Follicular fluid samples were collected on the day of oocyte pick-up and granulosa cells were extracted from follicles of different diameters： small （<13 mm）， medium （13~18 mm） and large （≥18 mm）. After RNA quantification， 22 cases （66 samples） were included for analysis and mRNA expression levels of AQPs were compared among the three follicle groups. ResultsThe mRNA expression of aquaporin 2 （AQP2） in luteinized granulosa cells increased with the increase of follicle diameter （linear trend P = 0.004） and the difference was statistically significant between two groups of large and small follicles （P = 0.017）. Statistical difference was found in the antagonist group （P = 0.049 6）， but not in the agonist group （P = 0.108）. ConclusionThe mRNA level of AQP2 in luteinized granulosa cells increases with the increase of follicle diameter and its expression is related to the ovarian stimulation protocol， suggesting that AQP2 may play a role in follicle growth and follicular fluid formation， and its mRNA expression level may be regulated by follicle stimulating hormone （FSH） and luteinizing hormone （LH）.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with insidious onset, posing a serious threat to human physical and mental health. The cognitive impairments caused by AD are generally diffuse and overlap symptomatically with other neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, the symptoms of AD are often covert, leading to missed opportunities for optimal treatment after diagnosis. Therefore, early diagnosis of AD is crucial. In vitro diagnostic biomarkers not only contribute to the early clinical diagnosis of AD but also aid in further understanding the disease's pathogenesis, predicting disease progression, and observing the effects of novel candidate therapeutic drugs in clinical trials. Currently, although there are numerous biomarkers associated with AD diagnosis, the complex nature of AD pathogenesis, limitations of individual biomarkers, and constraints of clinical detection methods have hindered the development of efficient, cost-effective, and convenient diagnostic methods and standards. This article provides an overview of the research progress on in vitro diagnostic biomarkers and detection methods related to AD in recent years.
Humans ; Alzheimer Disease/diagnosis* ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Early Diagnosis ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; Biomarkers