1.Herbal Textual Research on Inulae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Caixia LIU ; Yue HAN ; Yanzhu MA ; Lei GAO ; Sheng WANG ; Yan YANG ; Wenchuan LUO ; Ling JIN ; Jing SHAO ; Zhijia CUI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):210-221
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties, Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name, and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao, Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica, and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species, there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia, I. helianthus-aquatili, and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan, Hubei and other places, and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower, the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months, and dried in the sun, and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom, in order to remove impurities, dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition, the roots, whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times, there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos, and in modern times, it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure, small receptacles, large blooms, yellow petals, long filaments, many fluffs, no fragments, and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning, steaming, and sun-drying, supplemented by techniques such as boiling, roasting, burning, simmering, stir-frying, and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties, ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter, pungent, and salty in taste, with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras, including descending Qi, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos, either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements, where no processing instructions are specified, the raw products may be used after cleaning.
2.Herbal Textual Research on Inulae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Caixia LIU ; Yue HAN ; Yanzhu MA ; Lei GAO ; Sheng WANG ; Yan YANG ; Wenchuan LUO ; Ling JIN ; Jing SHAO ; Zhijia CUI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):210-221
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties, Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name, and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao, Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica, and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species, there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia, I. helianthus-aquatili, and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan, Hubei and other places, and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower, the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months, and dried in the sun, and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom, in order to remove impurities, dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition, the roots, whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times, there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos, and in modern times, it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure, small receptacles, large blooms, yellow petals, long filaments, many fluffs, no fragments, and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning, steaming, and sun-drying, supplemented by techniques such as boiling, roasting, burning, simmering, stir-frying, and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties, ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter, pungent, and salty in taste, with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras, including descending Qi, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos, either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements, where no processing instructions are specified, the raw products may be used after cleaning.
3.Herbal Textual Research on Moschus in Famous Classical Formulas
Juanjuan LIU ; Sini LI ; Jie JI ; Liping YANG ; Houkang CAO ; Xiaohui MA ; Ling JIN ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):194-202
In this paper, by consulting the ancient and modern literature, the name, origin, quality evaluation, harvesting and processing, and others of the original animal and medicinal materials of Moschus were systematically sorted out and verified, in order to provide the basis for the development and utilization of the famous classical formulas containing Moschus. According to the textual research, musk deer was first recorded in Shanhaijing. Shennong Bencaojing was recorded as Moschus and all generations were used as the correct name, but there were also aliases such as Shefu, Xiangzhang and Xiangqizi. In ancient times, Moschus berezovskii, M. sifanicus and M. moschiferus were the main sources of Moschus, and the quality of Moschus produced in northwest China was better than that produced in the Yangtze River basin. In modern times, Moschus of M. moschiferus produced in northeast China, M. sifanicus produced in Gansu, Sichuan and other places, and M. berezovskii produced in Ningxia, Shaanxi and other places are regarded as genuine. In ancient times, gunshots, lassoes, arrow shots and other methods were generally used to hunt live musk deer, and the sachets were immediately cut off. Those with high quality were called Xiangshanhuo, and dried in the shade after harvesting, which was known as Maoke Shexiang. Cut open the sachet, remove the shell and dry preservation, commonly known as Moschus kernel. In modern times, the method of taking Moschus from the living body of cultured musk deer is adopted, that is, Moschus kernel is directly taken from its sachet, dried in the shade or dried in a closed dryer. This method realizes the sustainable utilization of Chinese herbal medicine resources, but attention should be paid to the frequency and quality of Moschus. The harvesting time is mostly after the autumnal equinox every year, and before the next summer, it is better to gather sachet in winter. In recent times, it is believed that the shell Moschus is dry, full, thin, elastic, loose inside, many particles, strong and persistent aroma for the best, while the Moschus kernel is particle purple-black, powder yellow-brown, soft and oily texture, strong and persistent aroma for the best. The ancient processing method of Moschus was extracting kernels from the shell. After removing impurities, it is ground and used as medicine. Because its composition is not suitable for heating, the processing method is most common in preparations such as grinding into powder and putting into pills or powders, which has the effect of opening up the orifices and refreshing the mind, and it has continued to this day. Based on the research conclusions, it is suggested that the development of famous classical formulas containing Moschus, M. sifanicus, M. moschiferus and M. berezovskii should be used as the origins. According to the processing requirements specified in the original formula, it should be processed and used as medicine, while those without processing requirements should be used as raw products.
4.Clinical application of single-balloon and double-balloon enteroscopy in pediatric small bowel diseases: a retrospective study of 576 cases.
Can-Lin LI ; Jie-Yu YOU ; Yan-Hong LUO ; Hong-Juan OU-YANG ; Li LIU ; Wen-Ting ZHANG ; Jia-Qi DUAN ; Na JIANG ; Mei-Zheng ZHAN ; Chen-Xi LIU ; Juan ZHOU ; Ling-Zhi YUAN ; Hong-Mei ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(7):822-828
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the effectiveness of single-balloon and double-balloon enteroscopy in diagnosing pediatric small bowel diseases and assess the diagnostic efficacy of computed tomography enterography (CTE) for small bowel diseases using enteroscopy as the reference standard.
METHODS:
Clinical data from 576 children who underwent enteroscopy at Hunan Children's Hospital between January 2017 and December 2023 were retrospectively collected. The children were categorized based on enteroscopy type into the single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) group (n=457) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) group (n=119), and the clinical data were compared between the two groups. The sensitivity and specificity of CTE for diagnosing small bowel diseases were evaluated using enteroscopy results as the standard.
RESULTS:
Among the 576 children, small bowel lesions were detected by enteroscopy in 274 children (47.6%).There was no significant difference in lesion detection rates or complication rates between the SBE and DBE groups (P>0.05), but the DBE group had deeper insertion, longer procedure time, and higher complete small bowel examination rate (P<0.05). The complication rate during enteroscopy was 4.3% (25/576), with 18 cases (3.1%) of mild complications and 7 cases (1.2%) of severe complications, which improved with symptomatic treatment, surgical, or endoscopic intervention. Among the 412 children who underwent CTE, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing small bowel diseases were 44.4% and 71.3%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
SBE and DBE have similar diagnostic efficacy for pediatric small bowel diseases, but DBE is preferred for suspected deep small bowel lesions and comprehensive small bowel examination. Enteroscopy in children demonstrates relatively good overall safety. CTE demonstrates relatively low sensitivity but comparatively high specificity for diagnosing small bowel diseases.
Retrospective Studies
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Double-Balloon Enteroscopy/statistics & numerical data*
;
Single-Balloon Enteroscopy/statistics & numerical data*
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Child
;
Operative Time
;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed/statistics & numerical data*
;
Sensitivity and Specificity
;
Intestine, Small/surgery*
;
Intestinal Diseases/surgery*
5.Clinical Applications of Circulating Tumor DNA in Response Evaluation and Relapse Monitoring of Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma.
Lu PAN ; Xin-Miao JIANG ; Yan TENG ; Ning WANG ; Ling HUANG ; Han-Guo GUO ; Si-Chu LIU ; Xiao-Juan WEI ; Fei-Li CHEN ; Zhan-Li LIANG ; Wen-Yu LI
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(2):407-415
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the clinical significance of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in response evaluation and relapse monitoring for patients with primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL).
METHODS:
The clinical characteristics, efficacy and survival of 38 PMBCL patients in our hospital from January 2010 to April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The ctDNA monitoring was conducted by targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS).
RESULTS:
Among the 38 patients, 26 cases were female, and 32 cases were diagnosed with Ann Arbor stage I-II. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate and progression-free survival (PFS) rate were 74.7% and 61.7%, respectively. Males and those with high aaIPI scores (3 points) had a relatively poor prognosis. The NGS results of 23 patients showed that STAT6 (65.2%), SOCS1 (56.5%), and TNFAIP3 (56.5%) were the most common mutated genes. Patients with stable disease (SD)/progressive disease (PD) exhibited enrichment in cell cycle, FoxO, and TNF signaling pathways. A total of 29 patients underwent end-of-treatment PET/CT (EOT PET/CT), and 16 of them received ctDNA monitoring with 12 negative. Among 6 patients with EOT PET/CT positive (Deauville 4), 4 underwent ctDNA monitoring, and 3 of them were negative, being still in continuous remission without any subsequent anti-tumor therapy.
CONCLUSION
CtDNA may be combined with PET/CT to assess efficacy, monitor relapse, and guide treatment of PMBCL.
Humans
;
Circulating Tumor DNA/blood*
;
Female
;
Mediastinal Neoplasms
;
Male
;
Retrospective Studies
;
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
;
Prognosis
;
Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics*
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Aged
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Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
;
Mutation
6.Real-world efficacy and safety of azvudine in hospitalized older patients with COVID-19 during the omicron wave in China: A retrospective cohort study.
Yuanchao ZHU ; Fei ZHAO ; Yubing ZHU ; Xingang LI ; Deshi DONG ; Bolin ZHU ; Jianchun LI ; Xin HU ; Zinan ZHAO ; Wenfeng XU ; Yang JV ; Dandan WANG ; Yingming ZHENG ; Yiwen DONG ; Lu LI ; Shilei YANG ; Zhiyuan TENG ; Ling LU ; Jingwei ZHU ; Linzhe DU ; Yunxin LIU ; Lechuan JIA ; Qiujv ZHANG ; Hui MA ; Ana ZHAO ; Hongliu JIANG ; Xin XU ; Jinli WANG ; Xuping QIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Tingting ZHENG ; Chunxia YANG ; Xuguang CHEN ; Kun LIU ; Huanhuan JIANG ; Dongxiang QU ; Jia SONG ; Hua CHENG ; Wenfang SUN ; Hanqiu ZHAN ; Xiao LI ; Yafeng WANG ; Aixia WANG ; Li LIU ; Lihua YANG ; Nan ZHANG ; Shumin CHEN ; Jingjing MA ; Wei LIU ; Xiaoxiang DU ; Meiqin ZHENG ; Liyan WAN ; Guangqing DU ; Hangmei LIU ; Pengfei JIN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):123-132
Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T NANC), time to symptom improvement (T SI), and time of hospital stay (T HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.
7.RXRα modulates hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis by targeting CaMKKβ-AMPKα axis.
Lijun CAI ; Meimei YIN ; Shuangzhou PENG ; Fen LIN ; Liangliang LAI ; Xindao ZHANG ; Lei XIE ; Chuanying WANG ; Huiying ZHOU ; Yunfeng ZHAN ; Gulimiran ALITONGBIEKE ; Baohuan LIAN ; Zhibin SU ; Tenghui LIU ; Yuqi ZHOU ; Zongxi LI ; Xiaohui CHEN ; Qi ZHAO ; Ting DENG ; Lulu CHEN ; Jingwei SU ; Luoyan SHENG ; Ying SU ; Ling-Juan ZHANG ; Fu-Quan JIANG ; Xiao-Kun ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3611-3631
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary fibrogenic cells in the liver, and their activation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. Here, we report that retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRα), a unique member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a key modulator of HSC activation and liver fibrosis. RXRα exerts its effects by modulating calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ)-mediated activation of AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha (AMPKα). In addition, we demonstrate that K-80003, which binds RXRα by a unique mechanism, effectively suppresses HSC activation, proliferation, and migration, thereby inhibiting liver fibrosis in the CCl4 and amylin liver NASH (AMLN) diet animal models. The effect is mediated by AMPKα activation, promoting mitophagy in HSCs. Mechanistically, K-80003 activates AMPKα by inducing RXRα to form condensates with CaMKKβ and AMPKα via a two-phase process. The formation of RXRα condensates is driven by its N-terminal intrinsic disorder region and requires phosphorylation by CaMKKβ. Our results reveal a crucial role of RXRα in liver fibrosis regulation through modulating mitochondrial activities in HSCs. Furthermore, they suggest that K-80003 and related RXRα modulators hold promise as therapeutic agents for fibrosis-related diseases.
8.Agitation of TGR5 by INT-777 protected hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in neonatal rats
Rong-jie LIU ; Qin CHEN ; Ying XIONG ; Zhao-yun WANG ; Chang-ling CHEN ; Qin ZHANG ; Mao-qiong CHEN ; Zhan-hui FENG ; Lan YE
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(6):1085-1090
Aim To investigate the neuroprotective effect of Takeda G protein-coupled receptor-5(TGR5)activated by INT-777 on hypoxic-ischemic encephalop-athy(HIE)in neonatal rats.Methods Seven-day-old SD rats were randomly divided into the sham opera-tion group(Sham,S),model group(HIE,G),INT-777 low-dose(L),medium-dose(M),and high-dose(H)groups.The modified Rice-Vanucci method was used to construct the HIE model and Intranasal admin-istration 1 h after modeling.Short-term neurobehavioral tests were performed 48 h after modeling to evaluate the neurological function of neonatal rats,TTC staining was used to determine the volume of cerebral infarction,dry and wet specific gravity was used to determine the brain water content,ferrous ion kit was used to deter-mine the brain ferrous ion content,HE staining was used to observe the pathological damage of brain tis-sue,Nissl staining was used to observe the loss of Nissl substance,Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)was used to observe the mitochondrial morphological changes of cortical neurons,and Western blot was em-ployed to detect the expression of ferroptosis-related proteins TFR1 and GPX4.Results Compared with group S,group G had increased short-term neurobehav-ioral test consumption time,higher scores,increased cerebral infarct volume,brain water content,and brain ferrous iron content,significant brain tissue damage on the affected side,severe loss of Nissl substance,smaller neuronal mitochondria,decreased mitochondrial cris-tae,and increased expression of TFR1 and reduced ex-pression of GPX4.Compared with group G,the INT-777 administration group had a shorter consumption time for short-term neurobehavioral tests,lower scores,the cerebral infarction volume,brain water content,and brain ferrous ion content decreased,the brain tissue damage on the affected side was reduced,and there was insignificant loss of Nissl substance,larger neuronal mi-tochondrial volume,increased mitochondrial cristae,re-duced expression of TFR1,and increased expression of GPX4.Conclusions INT-777 agonist TGR5 has a protective effect against hypoxic-ischemic encephalopa-thy in neonatal rats,and its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of neuronal ferroptosis.
9.Chemical constituents from Fomes officinalis and their anti-inflammatory activities
Subinuer JULAITI ; Zhan-ming XU ; Xuan-lin LIU ; Lei-ling SHI ; Xing-wang GAO ; Xiong-fei GUO
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(1):108-117
AIM To study the chemical constituents from Fomes officinalis(Vill.ex Fr.)Ames and their anti-inflammatory activities.METHODS The 95%ethanol extract from F.officinalis was isolated and purified by silica gel,Sephadex LH-20,HW-40C,MCI and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.Their anti-inflammatory activities in vitro were evaluated by RAW264.7 model.RESULTS Twenty compounds were isolated and identified as asperginine A(1),laricinolic acid(2),methoxylaricinolic acid(3),fomeffic acid(4),19-acetoxy-13S-hydroxylabda-8(17),14-diene(5),bisbenzopyran(6),lariciresinol acetate(7),fomitopsin G(8),fomitopsin H(9),demalonyl fomitopsin H(10),fomlactone A(11),fomlactone B(12),fomefficinol A(13),fomefficinol B(14),laetiporins A(15),laetiporins B(16),dehydrosulphurenic acid(17),dehydroeburicoic acid(18),3-keto-dehydrosulfurenic acid(19),eburicoic acid(20).The IC50 values of compounds 7,13,20 were(4.00±1.02),(3.29±0.62),(3.22±0.94)μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Compound 1 is a new compound,3,6,15,16 are isolated from this plant for the first time.Compounds 7,13,20 have strong anti-inflammatory activities.
10.Seven-step procedure for robot-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy(BABA approach)
Zheng DING ; Bomin GUO ; Youben FAN ; Xianzhao DENG ; Ling ZHAN ; Xuanbin TAO ; Xiaohui GU ; Zixia TAO ; Zhihua XIA ; Jingfu SUN ; Bo YANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):859-866
Traditional open thyroid surgery often leaves a scar on the neck,which can affect cosmetic outcomes.Therefore,various endoscopic thyroidectomy approaches via extra-cervical approaches have been developed.However,due to the unique anatomical characteristics of the neck and limitations of endoscopic instruments,conventional endoscopic techniques have certain drawbacks.Robot-assisted endoscopic thyroid surgery can help overcome these limitations.At present,robotic surgical systems remain expensive and the associated surgical costs are high,limiting their widespread adoption.Most surgeons are still relatively unfamiliar with the technique.Nevertheless,with ongoing technological advancements and cost reductions,robot-assisted surgery holds great promise for broader application.Based on years of large-scale experience in endoscopic thyroid surgery at our center,and drawing upon both domestic and international experiences with robotic thyroidectomy,this paper summarizes and proposes a seven-step protocol for robot-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy via the bilateral axillo-breast approach,aiming to provide a practical reference for the clinical adoption of this technique.

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