This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name， origin， medicinal parts， harvesting and processing， and other aspects of Manjiao and Zanthoxyli Radix by referring to the herbal medicine， medical books， prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties， combined with the relevant modern research materials， in order to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing the two medicinal materials. According to the herbal textual research， Manjiao was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty with aliases such as Zhujiao， Goujiao and Zhijiao. Throughout history， Manjiao was sourced from the stems and roots of Zanthoxylum armatum in the Rutaceae family， and its leaves and fruits can also be used in medicine. The traditional recorded production area was mainly in Yunzhong（now Tuoketuo region in Inner Mongolia）， with mentions in Zhejiang， Hunan， Fujian， Guangdong， Guangxi， Yunnan， Taiwan， and other provinces. Presently， this species is distributed from the south of Shandong， to Hainan， Taiwan， Tibet and other regions. The roots can be harvested year-round， while the fruits are harvested in autumn after maturity. In ancient times， the roots and stems were mostly used for brewing or soaking in wine， whereas nowadays， the roots are often sliced and then used as a raw material in traditional Chinese medicine， and the fruits should be stir-fried before use. Manjiao has a bitter taste and warm property， and was historically used to treat wind-cold dampness， joint pain， limb numbness， and knee pain. Modern researches have summarized its effects as dispelling wind， dispersing cold， promoting circulation， and relieving pain， and it is used for treating rheumatoid arthritis， toothache， bruises， as well as an anthelmintic. Zanthoxyli Radix initially known as Rudi Jinniugen， recorded in Bencao Qiuyuan of the Qing dynasty， with the alternate name of Liangbianzhen. In recent times， it is more commonly referred to as Liangmianzhen， sourced from the dried roots of Z. nitidum of the Rutaceae family， mainly produced in Guangxi and Guangdong. It can be harvested throughout the year， cleaned， sliced， and dried after harvesting. Zanthoxyli Radix is pungent， bitter， warm and slightly toxic， with the functions of promoting blood circulation， removing stasis， relieving pain， dispelling wind， and resolving swelling. Based on the results of herbal textual research， it is clarified that the ancient Manjiao and the modern Zanthoxyli Radix are not the same species. This article corrects the mistaken belief of by previous scholars that Zanthoxyli Radix is the same as ancient Manjiao， and suggests that formulas described as Manjiao should use Z. armatum as the medicinal herb， while those described as Liangmianzhen or Rudi Jinniu should use Z. nitidum. The processing was performed according to the processing requirements prescribed in the formulas， otherwise， the raw products are recommended for use.

This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name， origin， medicinal parts， harvesting and processing， and other aspects of Manjiao and Zanthoxyli Radix by referring to the herbal medicine， medical books， prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties， combined with the relevant modern research materials， in order to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing the two medicinal materials. According to the herbal textual research， Manjiao was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty with aliases such as Zhujiao， Goujiao and Zhijiao. Throughout history， Manjiao was sourced from the stems and roots of Zanthoxylum armatum in the Rutaceae family， and its leaves and fruits can also be used in medicine. The traditional recorded production area was mainly in Yunzhong（now Tuoketuo region in Inner Mongolia）， with mentions in Zhejiang， Hunan， Fujian， Guangdong， Guangxi， Yunnan， Taiwan， and other provinces. Presently， this species is distributed from the south of Shandong， to Hainan， Taiwan， Tibet and other regions. The roots can be harvested year-round， while the fruits are harvested in autumn after maturity. In ancient times， the roots and stems were mostly used for brewing or soaking in wine， whereas nowadays， the roots are often sliced and then used as a raw material in traditional Chinese medicine， and the fruits should be stir-fried before use. Manjiao has a bitter taste and warm property， and was historically used to treat wind-cold dampness， joint pain， limb numbness， and knee pain. Modern researches have summarized its effects as dispelling wind， dispersing cold， promoting circulation， and relieving pain， and it is used for treating rheumatoid arthritis， toothache， bruises， as well as an anthelmintic. Zanthoxyli Radix initially known as Rudi Jinniugen， recorded in Bencao Qiuyuan of the Qing dynasty， with the alternate name of Liangbianzhen. In recent times， it is more commonly referred to as Liangmianzhen， sourced from the dried roots of Z. nitidum of the Rutaceae family， mainly produced in Guangxi and Guangdong. It can be harvested throughout the year， cleaned， sliced， and dried after harvesting. Zanthoxyli Radix is pungent， bitter， warm and slightly toxic， with the functions of promoting blood circulation， removing stasis， relieving pain， dispelling wind， and resolving swelling. Based on the results of herbal textual research， it is clarified that the ancient Manjiao and the modern Zanthoxyli Radix are not the same species. This article corrects the mistaken belief of by previous scholars that Zanthoxyli Radix is the same as ancient Manjiao， and suggests that formulas described as Manjiao should use Z. armatum as the medicinal herb， while those described as Liangmianzhen or Rudi Jinniu should use Z. nitidum. The processing was performed according to the processing requirements prescribed in the formulas， otherwise， the raw products are recommended for use.

This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name， origin， academic name， medicinal parts， origin， harvesting， processing and other aspects of Abri Herba and Abri Mollis Herba by referring to the herbal medicine， medical books， prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties， combined with the modern literature， so as to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing this type of medicinal materials. According to the herbal textual research， Abri Herba was first recorded in Lingnan Caiyaolu， with other aliases such as Huangtoucao and Xiye Longlincao. It originates from the dried whole plant of Abrus cantoniensis， a Fabaceae plant， which can be used medicinally except for its fruits. Currently， this species is mainly distributed in Guangdong and Guangxi， and also found in Hunan and Thailand， it can be harvested throughout the year， mainly in spring and autumn. The roots， stems， and leaves can be used for medicinal purposes， but the pods are toxic and need to be removed. After harvesting， impurities and pods are removed， and it is dried and processed for medicinal use. Abri Herba has a sweet and slightly bitter taste， is cool in nature， and is associated with the liver and stomach meridians， it is used for clearing heat and relieving dampness， dispersing blood stasis and relieving pain， and is mainly used to treat jaundice-type hepatitis， stomach pain， rheumatic bone pain， contusion and ecchymosis pain， and mastitis. Abri Mollis Herba was first recorded in the 1982 edition of Zhongyaozhi as another origin for Abri Herba， and was singled out in some monographs such as Xinhua Bencao Gangyao in 1988 for use， while some other monographs use it as a local habitual products or confused products of Abri Herba with aliases such as Daye Jigucao， Qingtingteng， and Maoxiangsi. It comes from the dried whole herb of A. mollis without pods， and is mainly produced in Guangxi and Guangdong， and occasionally found in Hong Kong， Hainan and Fujian. The collection and processing are similar to Abri Herba， after harvesting， impurities and pods are removed， and it is dried and cut for medicinal use. Abri Mollis Herba has a sweet and light taste， is cool in nature， and is associated with the liver and stomach meridians， with the efficacy of clearing heat and detoxifying， and promoting dampness， it is mainly used to treat infectious hepatitis， mastitis， furuncles， burns and scalds， and pediatric malnutrition. Based on the research， A. mollis was first recorded to be used as a medicine in the same origin as A. cantoniensis， and as plants of the same genus， have similar morphological characteristics， and their medicinal parts， collection and processing， properties and flavors， and meridian affiliations are consistent. And in the folk， Abri Mollis Herba is often used as Abri Herba， which has been used for a long time and is now dominated by the cultivation of A. mollis. So it is recommended that the subsequent version of Chinese Pharmacopoeia should include A. mollis in the origin of Abri Herba， and it is also recommended that in famous classical formulas refered to Jiguccao can use A. cantoniensis and A. mollis as the sources of the herb， refered to Mao Jiguccao can use A. mollis as the sources of the herb. Processing is carried out according to the requirements specified in the original formulas， and raw products are recommended to be included in the medicine if there are no requirements.

This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name， origin， academic name， medicinal parts， origin， harvesting， processing and other aspects of Abri Herba and Abri Mollis Herba by referring to the herbal medicine， medical books， prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties， combined with the modern literature， so as to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing this type of medicinal materials. According to the herbal textual research， Abri Herba was first recorded in Lingnan Caiyaolu， with other aliases such as Huangtoucao and Xiye Longlincao. It originates from the dried whole plant of Abrus cantoniensis， a Fabaceae plant， which can be used medicinally except for its fruits. Currently， this species is mainly distributed in Guangdong and Guangxi， and also found in Hunan and Thailand， it can be harvested throughout the year， mainly in spring and autumn. The roots， stems， and leaves can be used for medicinal purposes， but the pods are toxic and need to be removed. After harvesting， impurities and pods are removed， and it is dried and processed for medicinal use. Abri Herba has a sweet and slightly bitter taste， is cool in nature， and is associated with the liver and stomach meridians， it is used for clearing heat and relieving dampness， dispersing blood stasis and relieving pain， and is mainly used to treat jaundice-type hepatitis， stomach pain， rheumatic bone pain， contusion and ecchymosis pain， and mastitis. Abri Mollis Herba was first recorded in the 1982 edition of Zhongyaozhi as another origin for Abri Herba， and was singled out in some monographs such as Xinhua Bencao Gangyao in 1988 for use， while some other monographs use it as a local habitual products or confused products of Abri Herba with aliases such as Daye Jigucao， Qingtingteng， and Maoxiangsi. It comes from the dried whole herb of A. mollis without pods， and is mainly produced in Guangxi and Guangdong， and occasionally found in Hong Kong， Hainan and Fujian. The collection and processing are similar to Abri Herba， after harvesting， impurities and pods are removed， and it is dried and cut for medicinal use. Abri Mollis Herba has a sweet and light taste， is cool in nature， and is associated with the liver and stomach meridians， with the efficacy of clearing heat and detoxifying， and promoting dampness， it is mainly used to treat infectious hepatitis， mastitis， furuncles， burns and scalds， and pediatric malnutrition. Based on the research， A. mollis was first recorded to be used as a medicine in the same origin as A. cantoniensis， and as plants of the same genus， have similar morphological characteristics， and their medicinal parts， collection and processing， properties and flavors， and meridian affiliations are consistent. And in the folk， Abri Mollis Herba is often used as Abri Herba， which has been used for a long time and is now dominated by the cultivation of A. mollis. So it is recommended that the subsequent version of Chinese Pharmacopoeia should include A. mollis in the origin of Abri Herba， and it is also recommended that in famous classical formulas refered to Jiguccao can use A. cantoniensis and A. mollis as the sources of the herb， refered to Mao Jiguccao can use A. mollis as the sources of the herb. Processing is carried out according to the requirements specified in the original formulas， and raw products are recommended to be included in the medicine if there are no requirements.

This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name， origin， medicinal parts， harvesting， processing and others of Chrysanthemi Indici by referring to the herbal medicine， medical books， prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties， combined with the relevant modern research materials， in order to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing this medicinal herb. According to the research， Chrysanthemi Indici was first recorded under the name Kuyi in Bencao Jingjizhu， with aliases such as Yeshanju， Huangjuzai and Lubianju. The botanical source of Chrysanthemi Indici throughout history was Chrysanthemum indicum of the Asteraceae family. It is now distributed in most areas of China， and since the Qing dynasty， the product from Suichang， Zhejiang has been highly regarded. The whole plant can be used as medicine. According to the natural growth laws， the roots were collected in the first lunar month， leaves in the third， stems in the fifth， flowers in the ninth， and fruits in the eleventh， all of which were dried in the shade. In modern times， Chrysanthemi Indici is harvested during their initial blooming in autumn and winter. Since Bencao Gangmu listed Chrysanthemi Indici as a single medicinal material and clarified that all parts have medicinal value， ancient herbal texts began to record the independent medicinal use of Chrysanthemi Indici Flos， and the use of flowers as medicine has become mainstream. In modern times， the quality of Chrysanthemi Indici Flos is summarized to be best when they are dry， yellow， complete， and fragrant. Because Chrysanthemi Indici has a bitter and pungent taste， and is warm， it can eliminate and disperse， often using the power of alcohol to reach and ascend， and is commonly used to treat carbuncles， boils， and scrofula， with consistent properties and effects throughout ancient and modern times. Based on the research results， it is suggested that Chrysanthemi Indici involved in the formulas can be used as C. indicum， which can be used according to the medicinal parts labeled in the original formulas and the requirements of processing， while those without clear medicinal parts and requirements of processing should be used as the whole plant of the dried raw products.

This study aims to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of polysaccharide extract PCP1 from Polygonatum cyrtonema in ameliorating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury in rats through modulation of the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) signaling pathway. In vivo, SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, model group, PCP1 group, nimodipine(NMDP) group, and TLR4 signaling inhibitor(TAK-242) group. A middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R) model was established, and neurological deficit scores and infarct size were evaluated 24 hours after reperfusion. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in ischemic brain tissue. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) assessed ultrastructural damage in cortical neurons. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-18(IL-18), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-10(IL-10), and nitric oxide(NO) in serum. Immunofluorescence was used to analyze the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins. In vitro, a BV2 microglial cell oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R) model was established, and cells were divided into the control, OGD/R, PCP1, TAK-242, and PCP1 + TLR4 activator lipopolysaccharide(LPS) groups. The CCK-8 assay evaluated BV2 cell viability, and ELISA determined NO release. Western blot was used to analyze the expression of TLR4, NLRP3, and downstream pathway-related proteins. The results indicated that, compared with the model group, PCP1 significantly reduced neurological deficit scores, infarct size, ischemic tissue pathology, cortical cell damage, and the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, and NO(P<0.01). It also elevated IL-10 levels(P<0.01) and decreased the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins(P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, in vitro results showed that, compared with the OGD/R group, PCP1 significantly improved BV2 cell viability(P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced cell NO levels induced by OGD/R(P<0.01), and inhibited the expression of TLR4-related inflammatory pathway proteins, including TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6), phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p-p65)/nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p65), NLRP3, cleaved-caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18(P<0.05, P<0.01). The protective effects of PCP1 were reversed by LPS stimulation. In conclusion, PCP1 ameliorates cerebral I/R injury by modulating the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway, exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-pyroptotic effects.
Animals ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/genetics* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Polysaccharides/isolation & purification* ; Polygonatum/chemistry* ; Brain Ischemia/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: To explore and verify the effect and potential mechanism of Brucea javanica Seed Oil Emulsion Injection (YDZI) and Shengmai Injection (SMI) on peripheral microcirculation dysfunction in treatment of gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: The potential mechanisms of YDZI and SMI were explored through network pharmacology and verified by cellular and clinical experiments. Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) were cultured for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured for tube formation assay. Twenty healthy volunteers and 97 patients with GC were enrolled. Patients were divided into surgical resection, surgical resection with chemotherapy, and surgical resection with chemotherapy combining YDZI and SMI groups. Forearm skin blood perfusion was measured and recorded by laser speckle contrast imaging coupled with post-occlusive reactive hyperemia. Cutaneous vascular conductance and microvascular reactivity parameters were calculated and compared across the groups. RESULTS: After network pharmacology analysis, 4 ingredients, 82 active compounds, and 92 related genes in YDZI and SMI were screened out. β-Sitosterol, an active ingredient and intersection compound of YDZI and SMI, upregulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2, P<0.01), downregulated the expression of caspase 9 (CASP9) and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1, P<0.01) in HMECs under oxaliplatin stimulation, and promoted tube formation through VEGFA. Chemotherapy significantly impaired the microvascular reactivity in GC patients, whereas YDZI and SMI ameliorated this injury (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS YDZI and SMI ameliorated peripheral microvascular reactivity in GC patients. β-Sitosterol may improve peripheral microcirculation by regulating VEGFA, PTGS2, ESR1, and CASP9.
Humans ; Microcirculation/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Stomach Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Emulsions ; Male ; Plant Oils/administration & dosage* ; Brucea/chemistry* ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Drug Combinations ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Seeds/chemistry* ; Injections ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Aged ; Network Pharmacology

Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal condition characterized by reduced bone mass and strength, leading to increased fragility. Buqi-Tongluo (BQTL) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has yet to be fully evaluated for its potential in treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To investigate the mechanism by which BQTL decoction inhibits osteoclast differentiation in vitro and validate these findings through in vivo experiments. We employed MTS assays to assess the potential proliferative or toxic effects of BQTL on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) at various concentrations. TRAcP experiments were conducted to examine BQTL's impact on osteoclast differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were utilized to evaluate the relative expression levels of osteoclast-specific genes and proteins under BQTL stimulation. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed using an osteoporosis model to further validate the in vitro findings. This study revealed that BQTL suppressed receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorption activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner without observable cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of BQTL on osteoclast formation and function were attributed to the downregulation of NFATc1 and c-fos activity, primarily through attenuation of the MAPK, NF-κB, and Calcineurin signaling pathways. BQTL's inhibitory capacity was further examined in vivo using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, demonstrating a strong protective effect against bone loss. BQTL may serve as an effective therapeutic TCM for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the alleviation of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and related conditions.
Animals ; NFATC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoclasts/metabolism* ; Female ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Osteoporosis/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Bone Resorption/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Humans ; RANK Ligand/metabolism* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Transcription Factors

OBJECTIVES: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to study the efficacy of modified anterior splint (MAS) combined with anterior repositioning splint (ARS) in maintaining the normal disk-condyle relationship. METHODS: We obtained clinical and imaging data of 10 patients with acute anterior disk displacement without reduction (ADDwoR) of the temporomandibular joint undergoing successful mandibular manipulation in the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Nanchang University from January to June 2024. The MAS and ARS were used for subsequent treatment. Maximum active mouth opening (MMO) and visual analogue score (VAS) were recorded before treatment and 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment. The changes in the disk-condyle relationship, disk-condyle angle, joint effusion, and double contour sign before and after treatment were analyzed through MRI. RESULTS: Three months after treatment, the MMO increased from 28.90 mm to 46.85 mm, VAS decreased from 4.68 to 0.61, and the disk-condyle angle decreased from 58.84° to 25.99°. MRI analysis found that 6 patients showed normal disk-condyle relationship, 2 patients exhibited displacement with reduction, and 2 patients exhibited ADDwoR. The disk-condyle angle was 58.84° before treatment and 25.99° after treatment. CONCLUSIONS The MAS combined with ARS could further stabilize the coordinated disk-condyle relationship and reduce the recurrence rate.
Humans ; Male ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Female ; Adult ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/diagnostic imaging* ; Splints ; Middle Aged ; Mandible ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc ; Occlusal Splints ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Young Adult ; Joint Dislocations/therapy*

The incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) continues to rise, and there are no effective drugs to treat it. The immune microenvironment plays an important role in the development of ICC and is currently a research hotspot. Icaritin (ICA) is an innovative traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. It is considered to have potential immunoregulatory and anti-tumor effects, which is potentially consistent with the understanding of "Fuzheng" in the treatment of tumor in traditional Chinese medicine. However, whether ICA can be used to treat ICC has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, sgp19/kRas, an in situ ICC mouse model with intact immune system, was selected to evaluate the efficacy of ICA in the treatment of ICC in vivo for the first time, and the effects of ICA on the tumor immune microenvironment of ICC mice were analyzed by flow cytometry. This experiment was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Capital Medical University (approval number: AEEI-2023-138). In this study, sgp19/kRas ICC mouse model was treated with oral gavage of 100 mg·kg^-1 ICA. We found that ICA significantly inhibited tumor growth and tumor cell proliferation in the sgp19/kRas ICC mouse model after 3 weeks of treatment. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that ICA treatment markedly reduced the proportion of M2 macrophages and increased the number of CD3⁺CD4⁺ T cells. In vitro experiments demonstrated that ICA promoted macrophage polarization towards the M1 phenotype while inhibiting polarization towards the M2 phenotype. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis suggested that ICA enhanced Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) expression, influencing macrophage nitric oxide metabolism synthesis pathways and receptor-related activities, thereby regulating macrophage polarization. In summary, this study demonstrates that ICA treatment significantly delays tumor progression in sgp19/kRas ICC mouse models. Mechanistically, ICA may achieve its anti-ICC effects by upregulating TLR9 receptor expression levels, promoting macrophage polarization towards the M1 phenotype, and altering the tumor immune microenvironment.