Jiuwei Xifeng Granules have become a Chinese patent medicine in the market. Because the formula contains Os Draconis, a top-level protected fossil of ancient organisms, the formula was to be improved by replacing Os Draconis with Ostreae Concha. To evaluate whether the improved formula has the same effectiveness and safety as the original formula, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, equivalence clinical trial was conducted. This study enrolled 288 tic disorder(TD) of children and assigned them into two groups in 1∶1. The treatment group and control group took the modified formula and original formula, respectively. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks, and follow-up visits were conducted at weeks 2, 4, and 6. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference in Yale global tic severity scale(YGTSS)-total tic severity(TTS) score from baseline after 6 weeks of treatment. The results showed that after 6 weeks of treatment, the declines in YGTSS-TSS score showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The difference in YGTSS-TSS score(treatment group-control group) and the 95%CI of the full analysis set(FAS) were-0.17[-1.42, 1.08] and those of per-protocol set(PPS) were 0.29[-0.97, 1.56], which were within the equivalence boundary [-3, 3]. The equivalence test was therefore concluded. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary efficacy endpoints of effective rate for TD, total score and factor scores of YGTSS, clinical global impressions-severity(CGI-S) score, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) response rate, or symptom disappearance rate, and thus a complete evidence chain with the primary outcome was formed. A total of 6 adverse reactions were reported, including 4(2.82%) cases in the treatment group and 2(1.41%) cases in the control group, which showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. No serious suspected unexpected adverse reactions were reported, and no laboratory test results indicated serious clinically significant abnormalities. The results support the replacement of Os Draconis by Ostreae Concha in the original formula, and the efficacy and safety of the modified formula are consistent with those of the original formula.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Tic Disorders/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of the Coptidis Rhizoma-Scutellariae Radix on cytokine storm secondary lung injury(CSSLI) induced by CpG1826 in mice, and to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms by which its major active components, i.e., coptisine and wogonin, alleviate CSSLI by inhibiting the mitochondrial permeability transition pore(mPTP)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome pyroptosis pathway. In vivo, a mouse model of CSSLI was established by CpG1826 induction. Pulmonary edema was assessed by lung wet-to-dry weight ratio(W/D), lung injury was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and ultrastructural changes in lung tissue were observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The levels of interleukin(IL)-1β, high mobility group box 1 protein(HMGB1), IL-18, and IL-1α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The results showed that the decoction of the Coptidis Rhizoma-Scutellariae Radix significantly reduced pulmonary edema, alleviated lung injury, and decreased the concentrations of related cytokines in BALF more effectively than either single herb alone, thereby improving CSSLI. In vitro, a CpG1826-induced CSSLI model was established in mouse alveolar macrophage MH-S cells. Calcein-AM quenching was used to screen for the most effective monomer components from the herb pair in inhibiting mPTP opening. Coptisine(5, 10, 20 μmol·L~(-1)) and wogonin(10, 20, 40 μmol·L~(-1)) markedly inhibited mPTP opening, with optimal effects and a clear dose-dependent pattern. These components suppressed mPTP opening, thereby reducing the release of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species(ROS), effectively reversing the CpG1826-induced decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP). Further studies revealed that both coptisine and wogonin inhibited pyroptosis and downregulated the expression of key proteins in the NLRP3/Caspase-1/gasdermin D(GSDMD) pathway. In conclusion, the Coptidis Rhizoma-Scutellariae Radix improves CpG1826-induced CSSLI in mice, and this effect is associated with the inhibition of the mPTP/NLRP3 pyroptosis pathway, providing scientific evidence for its clinical application and further development.
Animals ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/immunology* ; Male ; Lung Injury/immunology* ; Cytokines/immunology* ; Scutellaria baicalensis/chemistry* ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides/adverse effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Coptis chinensis

Objective To explore the quality markers of Puerariae Lobatue Radix;To predict its"efficacy component group"with alcohol detoxification and liver protection effects.Methods Fingerprints of 26 batches of Puerariae Lobatue Radix samples from different origins in China was established.Multivariate statistical analysis was employed to identify quality markers,while network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to predict the potential"efficacy component group".Results UPLC fingerprint analysis calibrated 11 common peaks.Clustering analysis classified 26 batches of samples into 3 categories,and 7 quality markers were ultimately screened through multivariate statistical analysis,including mirificin,puerarin,puerarin-6''-O-xyloside,3'-methoxypuerarin,ononin,genistin and daidzin.Network pharmacology revealed that all 7 markers interacted with targets related to alcohol-associated liver disease,identifying 19 core targets such as TNF,CASP3,BCL2,MMP9,IL2,and 93 signaling pathways involving IL-17 and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways.Molecular docking demonstrated strong binding affinity between the 7 markers and target proteins,with binding energies<-5 kcal/mol.Conclusion The"efficacy component group",main targets and signaling pathways predicted in this study can provide support for the research on the mechanism,material basis and quality control of the alcohol detoxification and liver protection effects of Puerariae Lobatue Radix.

Objective To explore the quality markers of Puerariae Lobatue Radix;To predict its"efficacy component group"with alcohol detoxification and liver protection effects.Methods Fingerprints of 26 batches of Puerariae Lobatue Radix samples from different origins in China was established.Multivariate statistical analysis was employed to identify quality markers,while network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to predict the potential"efficacy component group".Results UPLC fingerprint analysis calibrated 11 common peaks.Clustering analysis classified 26 batches of samples into 3 categories,and 7 quality markers were ultimately screened through multivariate statistical analysis,including mirificin,puerarin,puerarin-6''-O-xyloside,3'-methoxypuerarin,ononin,genistin and daidzin.Network pharmacology revealed that all 7 markers interacted with targets related to alcohol-associated liver disease,identifying 19 core targets such as TNF,CASP3,BCL2,MMP9,IL2,and 93 signaling pathways involving IL-17 and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways.Molecular docking demonstrated strong binding affinity between the 7 markers and target proteins,with binding energies<-5 kcal/mol.Conclusion The"efficacy component group",main targets and signaling pathways predicted in this study can provide support for the research on the mechanism,material basis and quality control of the alcohol detoxification and liver protection effects of Puerariae Lobatue Radix.

This study was aimed at exploring the epidemiological characteristics of plague,and the evolutionary relation-ships among the isolated plague strains in the Yunnan border area,to provide clues for further studying epidemic causes and ep-idemiological patterns.Plague epidemic data in the border area during the second epidemic period(1982-2007)were collected and analyzed with descriptive epidemiological methods.Whole genome sequences of 262 strains of Yersinia pestis in the border area were obtained for phylogenetic analysis.Plague outbreaks occurred in 17 counties(cities)among 25 border counties(cit-ies);a total of 552 epidemic foci and 123 human cases were identified.The 1.ORI2,1.ORI3,1.IN3,2.ANT and 2.MED geno-types were identified among Yersinia pestis isolated from the Yunnan border area,among which the 1.ORI2 population was dominant.A total of 258 strains of Yersinia pestis from the 1.OR12 population belonged to four subclusters.The Myanmar and Vietnam clade was embedded within the Yunnan clade in the overall phylogeny.The above results indicated that during the sec-ond period of the epidemic,the intensity of plague epidemics in Yunnan's border areas was high,showing a trend of devel-opment from west to south and east.Our findings indicated a risk of cross-border transmission of plague between Yunnan and neighboring countries;therefore,the surveillance,pre-vention,and control of plague in border areas should be strengthened.

AIM To explore the ameliorative effects of Zigui Yichong Formula on mitochondrial energy metabolism in in vitro model of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).METHODS A POI model in vitro was established in human ovarian granulosa cell KGN with acrolein ( ACR ) for the further intervention of serum containing Zigui Yichong Formula.The control group,the ACR group,the Zigui Yichong Formula group,the EX527 ( SIRT1 inhibitor) group and the EX527+Zigui Yichong Formula group were set up.The cells had their apoptosis rate detected by flow cytometry;their ROS level detected by DCFH-DA method;their mitochondria number detected by Mito-Trakine fluorescence labeling method;their oxidative phosphorylation level of mitochondria detected by Seahorse method;their ATP level detected by colorimetry;their copy number of mtDNA and mRNA expressions of SIRT1,PGC-1α,Nrf1 and TFAM detected by RT-qPCR;and their protein expressions of SIRT1,PGC-1α,Ac-PGC-1α,Nrf1 and TFAM detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the ACR group displayed increased apoptosis rate and ROS level of KGN cells ( P<0.05,P<0.01 );decreased number of mitochondria and mtDNA copy number ( P<0.01 );decreased basic value of mitochondrial aerobic respiration,maximum respiration,reserve value and ATP level (P<0.05,P<0.01),decreased mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1,PGC-1α,Nrf1 and TFAM ( P<0.05,P<0.01 );and increased protein expression of Ac-PGC-1α( P<0.01 ).Compared with the ACR group,the Zigui Yichong Formula group demonstrated improvement in terms of the aforementioned indices levels ( P<0.05,P<0.01).The combination use of Zigui Yichong Formula and EX527 reversed the effects of single use of Zigui Yichong Formula on KGN cells ( P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Zigui Yichong Formula may improve the mitochondrial energy metabolism disorder induced by ACR in KGN cells by increasing mitochondrial biosynthesis via SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

This study was aimed at investigating the distribution of Bartonella in rodents,and analyzing the prevalence of the virus in Inner Mongolia.Rodent liver,spleen,and kidney tissue samples were collected from Hohhot,Baotou,Chifeng,Tongliao,Ordos,Bayannur,Ulanqab,Xingan League,Xilin Gol League,and Hulun Buir in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2022 to 2023.Bartonella pathogens were detected with TaqMan probe fluorescence quantitative PCR(qPCR).The samples that tested positive by qPCR were amplified by PCR;those with positive results were sequenced,and genetic evo-lution analysis was performed.A total of 799 rodents were captured,including 271 mice(33.92％,271/799),188 Rattus nor-vegicus(23.53％,188/799),and 188 long-claw gerbils(23.53％,188/799).Tissue test results indicated 49 qPCR positive samples,with a positivity rate of 6.13％(49/799),29 of which subsequently had positive PCR findings.Sequence analysis and genetic evolution analysis indicated detection of four Bartonella species,B.Krasnovii(55.17％,16/29),unnamed Bartonella(34.48％,10/29),B.ribocorum(6.90％,2/29),and B.rochalimae(3.45％,1/29),in rodents from Inner Mongolia.Bar-tonella infection in rodents was widespread in many cities of Inner Mongolia,and showed genotype and host diversity.The surveil-lance of pathogens carried by rodents should be strengthened,and the prevention and control of rodent borne diseases should be opti-mized to decrease the risk of human infection.

This study was aimed at investigating the distribution of Bartonella in rodents,and analyzing the prevalence of the virus in Inner Mongolia.Rodent liver,spleen,and kidney tissue samples were collected from Hohhot,Baotou,Chifeng,Tongliao,Ordos,Bayannur,Ulanqab,Xingan League,Xilin Gol League,and Hulun Buir in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2022 to 2023.Bartonella pathogens were detected with TaqMan probe fluorescence quantitative PCR(qPCR).The samples that tested positive by qPCR were amplified by PCR;those with positive results were sequenced,and genetic evo-lution analysis was performed.A total of 799 rodents were captured,including 271 mice(33.92％,271/799),188 Rattus nor-vegicus(23.53％,188/799),and 188 long-claw gerbils(23.53％,188/799).Tissue test results indicated 49 qPCR positive samples,with a positivity rate of 6.13％(49/799),29 of which subsequently had positive PCR findings.Sequence analysis and genetic evolution analysis indicated detection of four Bartonella species,B.Krasnovii(55.17％,16/29),unnamed Bartonella(34.48％,10/29),B.ribocorum(6.90％,2/29),and B.rochalimae(3.45％,1/29),in rodents from Inner Mongolia.Bar-tonella infection in rodents was widespread in many cities of Inner Mongolia,and showed genotype and host diversity.The surveil-lance of pathogens carried by rodents should be strengthened,and the prevention and control of rodent borne diseases should be opti-mized to decrease the risk of human infection.

AIM To explore the ameliorative effects of Zigui Yichong Formula on mitochondrial energy metabolism in in vitro model of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).METHODS A POI model in vitro was established in human ovarian granulosa cell KGN with acrolein ( ACR ) for the further intervention of serum containing Zigui Yichong Formula.The control group,the ACR group,the Zigui Yichong Formula group,the EX527 ( SIRT1 inhibitor) group and the EX527+Zigui Yichong Formula group were set up.The cells had their apoptosis rate detected by flow cytometry;their ROS level detected by DCFH-DA method;their mitochondria number detected by Mito-Trakine fluorescence labeling method;their oxidative phosphorylation level of mitochondria detected by Seahorse method;their ATP level detected by colorimetry;their copy number of mtDNA and mRNA expressions of SIRT1,PGC-1α,Nrf1 and TFAM detected by RT-qPCR;and their protein expressions of SIRT1,PGC-1α,Ac-PGC-1α,Nrf1 and TFAM detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the ACR group displayed increased apoptosis rate and ROS level of KGN cells ( P<0.05,P<0.01 );decreased number of mitochondria and mtDNA copy number ( P<0.01 );decreased basic value of mitochondrial aerobic respiration,maximum respiration,reserve value and ATP level (P<0.05,P<0.01),decreased mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1,PGC-1α,Nrf1 and TFAM ( P<0.05,P<0.01 );and increased protein expression of Ac-PGC-1α( P<0.01 ).Compared with the ACR group,the Zigui Yichong Formula group demonstrated improvement in terms of the aforementioned indices levels ( P<0.05,P<0.01).The combination use of Zigui Yichong Formula and EX527 reversed the effects of single use of Zigui Yichong Formula on KGN cells ( P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Zigui Yichong Formula may improve the mitochondrial energy metabolism disorder induced by ACR in KGN cells by increasing mitochondrial biosynthesis via SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

This study compared the changes in chemical components during the processing of different types of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata(ALRP) in "Jianchang" faction, i.e., dried ginger-steamed ALRP pieces(Yin-FP), sand-fried ALRP pieces(Yang-FP), and rice swill water-bleached ALRP pieces(DFP), and provided a scientific basis for the mechanism in toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement from a compositional perspective. Samples were collected during the processing of the three types of ALRP pieces, yielding raw ALRP pieces, water-bleached Yin-FP, ginger juice-moistened Yin-FP, steamed Yin-FP, water-bleached Yang-FP, sand-fried Yang-FP, water-bleached DFP, rice swill water-bleached DFP, and roasted DFP. Aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine, benzoylhypaconine, aconine, mesaconine, hypaconine, salsolinol, fuziline, and higenamine in the extracts were determined by UPLC-MS/MS, and then content analysis and cluster heatmap analysis were performed on 11 sets of samples. During the processing of the three types of ALRP pieces, bleaching significantly reduced the content of 12 alkaloids; steaming, stir-frying, and roasting significantly reduced the content of diester-type alkaloids(aconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine) and significantly increased the content of monoester-type alkaloids(benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine, and benzoylhypaconine) and aminoalcohol-type alkaloids(aconine, mesaconine, and hypaconine). During the processing of Yin-FP, the diester-type alkaloids continuously decreased, while the monoester-type and aminoalcohol-type alkaloids showed an initial decrease followed by an increase. During the processing of Yin-FP, Yang-FP, and DFP, the diester-type alkaloids continuously decreased, while the monoester-type and aminoalcohol-type alkaloids showed an initial decrease followed by an increase. Steamed Yin-FP showed a higher increase in content than fried Yang-FP and roasted DFP. Comprehensive analysis of content differences in toxic and therapeutic components in three ALRP pieces suggests that the distinctive processing methods in "Jianchang" faction can indeed achieve detoxification and efficacy enhancement on ALRP. This study provides references for understanding the mechanisms of action of the three processing methods.
Aconitine/analysis* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Zingiber officinale ; Oryza ; Sand ; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Alkaloids/analysis* ; Steam