1.Exploring Multi-target Effect of Erzhiwan on Improving Myocardial Injury in Ovariectomized Mice Based on Non-targeted Metabolomics
Ying YANG ; Jing HU ; Pei LI ; Ruyuan ZHU ; Zhiguo ZHANG ; Haixia LIU ; Yanjing CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):74-84
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo explore the target of Erzhiwan in reducing myocardial injury in ovariectomized mice through non-targeted myocardial metabolomics combined with experimental verification. MethodsOvariectomized mouse model was selected, 40 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, estrogen group(estradiol valerate, 1.3×10-4 g·kg-1), Erzhiwan low and high dose groups(3.12, 9.36 g·kg-1), with 8 mice in each group. Each administration group was given the corresponding dose of Erzhiwan by gavage, and the sham operation group and model group were given equal volume of distilled water by gavage for 12 weeks. Echocardiography was used to detect cardiac function, hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe myocardial morphological changes, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of estrogen, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP), hypersensitive troponin T(hs-TnT), total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-18 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). The non-targeted metabolomics of mouse myocardium were analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbital trap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS), and the differential metabolites and corresponding metabolic pathways were obtained. The mRNA expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K) and protein kinase B(Akt) in mouse myocardial tissues were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), and the protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated(p)-Akt were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the model group showed abnormal cardiac function, increased myocardial fiber space, cardiomyocyte atrophy, sarcoplasmic aggregation, and occasional dissolution or rupture of muscle fiber, the level of estrogen in the serum was decreased, the levels of NT-proBNP, hs-TnT, IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, TG, TC and LDL-C were increased, and the level of HDL-C was decreased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Erzhiwan could increase the level of estrogen, improve the abnormal cardiac function, reduce the pathological injury of myocardial tissue, decrease the levels of myocardial injury markers(NT-proBNP, hs-TnT) and inflammatory factors(IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α), decrease the levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, and increased the level of HDL-C(P<0.01). The results of non-targeted myocardial metabolomics showed that 31 of the 162 differential metabolites between the model group and sham operation group were significantly adjusted after administration of Erzhiwan, which were mainly glycerol phospholipid metabolites. Pathway enrichment results showed that Erzhiwan mainly affected glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway, PI3K-Akt pathway, cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP)-protein kinase G(PKG) pathway and other metabolic pathways. Compared with the sham operation group, the levels of phosphatidylcholine(PC, 11 types) and phosphatidylethanolamine(PE, 5 types) in mouse myocardial tissue of the model group were increased(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K and p-Akt were decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the levels of PC(11 types) and PE(5 types) were decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01) in myocardial tissue of Erzhiwan group, the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K and p-Akt were elevated(P<0.01). ConclusionErzhiwan can alleviate the pathological injury of myocardium in ovariectomized mice, improve the abnormal cardiac function, improve lipid metabolism disorder, and reduce the levels of myocardial injury markers and inflammatory factors, which involves a number of signaling and metabolic pathways in the heart, among which glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway and PI3K/Akt pathway may have key roles. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.The inhibitory effect of lidocaine by different administration routes on cardiovascular stress response during tracheal intubation of anesthetic intubation
Jing GUO ; Jinlong KANG ; Qiang LI ; Lin ZHAO ; Ji LIU ; Xuewu XU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(6):303-306
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the preventive effects of lidocaine administered through different routes on cardiovascular stress responses during anesthesia tracheal intubation. Methods Total 120 patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were randomly divided into three groups: intravenous injection group (group IV), throat spray group (group LJ), and control group (group CT), with 40 patients in each. Group IV received 50 mg of lidocaine via intravenous injection 1 minute before tracheal intubation. Group LJ received 50 mg of lidocaine sprayed into the pharyngeal cavity, glottis, and subglottic area. Group CT did not receive any treatment, and the remaining procedures were performed following the routine general anesthesia induction protocol. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded at four time points: T0 (before tracheal intubation), T1 (immediately after tracheal intubation), T2 (3 minutes after intubation), and T3 (5 minutes after intubation). Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS 22.0. Results There were no significant differences in HR at various time points within the group LJ. The changes in HR in the group IV and group CT were different statistically from those in the throat spray group. The blood pressure of patients in all three groups increased to varying degrees immediately after tracheal intubation, with the group CT showing particularly significant changes that differed significantly from both the group IV and the group LJ. The group LJ rapidly returned to levels close to those before intubation. Conclusion The preventive effects of lidocaine on stress responses during tracheal intubation were different depending on the route of administration. The inhibitory preventive effect of the throat spray method was superior to that of intravenous lidocaine, especially in preventing changes in heart rate.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Astragalin Regulates Autophagy and Apoptosis of Astrocytes in L4-5 Spinal Dorsal Horn of Mouse Inflammatory Pain Model
Weishan ZHANG ; Jiahong LIN ; Can WANG ; Runheng ZHANG ; Junhua YANG ; Jing LIU ; Guoying LI ; Yuxin MA
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(2):186-196
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo explore the effects of astragalin (AST) on autophagy and apoptosis of astrocytes in the L4-5 dorsal horn of the spinal cord in mice with inflammatory pain induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). MethodsTwenty-four male C57BL/6 mice, aged six months, were randomly assigned to four groups: control group, saline group, CFA model group, and CFA+AST group, six mice in each group. The inflammatory pain model was established by injection of 10 µL CFA into the right lateral malleolus fossa. The saline group were injected with an equal amount of normal saline at the same site. The inflammatory pain mice in CFA+AST group were further treated with AST (60 mg/kg) intraperitoneally once a day for 21 consecutive days. Multiplex immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the coexpression of autophagy-related factors including ATG 12 and Beclin-1, apoptosis-related factors including Cleaved-Caspase3 and Caspase9, and the astrocyte marker such as GFAP in the L4-5 spinal dorsal horn of the mice in each group. Western blot was used to examine the protein expression levels of autophagy-related proteins(ATG12, Beclin-1) and apoptosis-related proteins(Caspase 3, Caspase 9) in the L4-5 spinal dorsal horn of mice. ResultsImmunofluorescent staining showed that in the L4-5 dorsal horn of the spinal cord, the fluorescence intensity of ATG12 (P<0.000 1) and Beclin-1 (P<0.000 1) was significantly increased, while that of Cleaved-Caspase 3 (P<0.001) and Caspase 9 (P<0.000 1) was decreased in the CFA+AST group when compared to the CFA model group. Furthermore, AST could inhibit the activation of astrocytes. Western blot further confirmed that AST significantly upregulated the expression of ATG12 (P<0.000 1) and Beclin-1 (P<0.000 1) in the L4-5 spinal cord of CFA mice, and downregulated the expression of Caspase 3 (P<0.01) and Caspase 9 (P<0.001). ConclusionsAST promotes autophagy of astrocytes and inhibits their apoptosis in the L4-5 spinal dorsal horn of CFA mice. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Xiaoyao Shukun Decoction Treats Sequelae of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease by Regulating Neutrophil Extracellular Traps via PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway
Jing PAN ; Bing ZHANG ; Chunxiao DANG ; Jinxiao LI ; Pengfei LIU ; Xiao YU ; Yuchao WANG ; Jinxing LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):69-78
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo investigate how Xiaoyao Shukun decoction (XYSKD) regulates the formation and release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, thereby reducing inflammation, inhibiting the excessive proliferation of fibroblasts in pelvic adhesion tissue, decreasing adhesion and fibrosis, and repairing the tissue damage in sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease (SPID). MethodsA total of 84 Wistar rats were randomly allocated into seven groups: blank, model, XYSKD (8 mg·kg-1), mTOR agonist (10 mg·kg-1), mTOR agonist + XYSKD (10 mg·kg-1+8 mg·kg-1), mTOR inhibitor (2 mg·kg-1), and mTOR inhibitor + XYSKD (2 mg·kg-1+8 mg·kg-1). The rat model of SPID was constructed by starvation, fatigue, and ascending Escherichia coli infection. After 14 days of drug intervention, the ultrastructure of fibroblasts in the pelvic adhesion tissue was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The general morphology of the uterus, fallopian tube, and ovary was observed by laparotomy. The levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-17 (IL-17), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the peritoneal flushing fluid were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and citrullinated histone 3 (H3) in the fallopian tube was detected by immunofluorescence. Western blot and Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) were employed to determine the relative protein and mRNA levels, respectively, of neutrophil elastase (NE), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (CD54), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), H3, PI3K, and Akt. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group presented a large number of collagen fibers in bundles, numerous cytoplasmic folds of fibroblasts, reduced or absent mitochondrial cristae, and disordered and expanded endoplasmic reticulum. By laparotomy, extensive pelvic congestion, connective tissue hyperplasia, thickening and hardening of the tubal end near the uterus, and tubal and ovarian adhesion or cyst were observed in the model group. In addition, the model group showed raised levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α in the peritoneal flushing fluid (P<0.01), increased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 (P<0.01), and up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of NE, H3, CD54, PI3K, and Akt (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the mTOR agonist group showed increased fibroblasts and cytoplasmic folds, absence of mitochondrial cristae, endoplasmic reticulum dilation, and evident collagen fiber hyperplasia. Pelvic adhesions were observed to cause aggravated damage to the uterine, fallopian tube, and ovarian tissues. The levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α in the peritoneal lavage fluid elevated (P<0.01) and the average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 enhanced (P<0.01) in the mTOR agonist group. In contrast, the XYSKD group and the mTOR inhibitor group showcased decreased fibroblasts and collagen fibers, alleviated mitochondrial crista loss and endoplasmic reticulum dilation, improved morphology and appearance of the uterine, fallopian tube, and ovarian tissues, lowered levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α in the peritoneal lavage fluid (P<0.01), decreased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of NE, H3, CD54, PI3K, and Akt (P<0.05). Compared with the mTOR agonist group, the mTOR agonist + XYSKD group showed alleviated pathological changes in the pelvic tissue, declined levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α (P<0.01), decreased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein levels of NE, H3, CD54, α-SMA, p-PI3K/PI3K, and p-Akt/Akt (P<0.01) and mRNA levels of NE, H3, CD54, α-SMA, PI3K, and Akt (P<0.01). Compared with the mTOR inhibitor group, the mTOR inhibitor + XYSKD group demonstrated reduced pathological severity of the pelvic tissue, reduced levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α (P<0.01), decreased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of NE and CD54 (P<0.05). ConclusionXYSKD can inhibit the excessive formation and release of NETs via PI3K/Akt/mTOR to ameliorate the inflammatory environment and reduce fibrosis and adhesion of the pelvic tissue, thereby playing a role in the treatment of SPID. It may exert the effects by lowering the levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α and down-regulating the expression of NE, H3, CD54, α-SMA, PI3K, and Akt in the pelvic adhesion tissue. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5.Investigation of Effect of Different Drying Conditions on Appearance Characteristics and Internal Indicators of Pinelliae Rhizoma Based on Standardization
Suqing LIU ; Xueli ZHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Cong YANG ; Changfu YANG ; Jun YU ; Bingpeng ZHENG ; Huiwu LI ; Yanhua JIANG ; Chang LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):208-215
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo explore the effect of different drying conditions on the appearance and intrinsic quality indicators of Pinelliae Rhizoma for screening suitable drying conditions, so as to provide reference for its standardized production and quality evaluation. MethodsDifferent dried samples of Pinelliae Rhizoma were prepared by lime-assisted sweating method and intermittent drying method. Visual analysis was employed to measure the color brightness values(L*) of the surface, cross-section and powder of the samples, texture analyzer was used to determine the hardness of the samples under different drying conditions. The total starch content was calculated by measuring the contents of amylose and amylopectin in the samples with ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was used to determine the contents of seven nucleoside components(uracil, hypoxanthine, uridine, inosine, guanosine, β-thymidine and adenosine) in the samples. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to explore the correlation between the external characteristics and intrinsic indicators of the different dried samples. Principal component analysis(PCA) was used to comprehensively rank the data of various indicators, and partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) was used to screen differential components with variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1. Furthermore, the difference between the optimal drying condition for Pinelliae Rhizoma and the traditional sun-drying method was explored by independent samples t-test. ResultsWith the increase of temperature, the color of the intermittently dried samples gradually deepened, while their hardness gradually decreased. Concurrently, the contents of extract, total starch, uridine and adenosine exhibited an upward trend, whereas the contents of uracil, hypoxanthine and inosine displayed a downward trajectory. Compared with the intermittent drying group, the content of extract in the samples subjected to lime-assisted sweating increased. With the increase of lime dose, the hardness and the total content of nucleoside components in the samples showed a downward trend, while the total starch content showed an upward trend. Correlation analysis showed that the comprehensive score of L* was negatively correlated with the contents of uracil, hypoxanthine and inosine, and positively correlated with the contents of uridine, guanosine and adenosine. Hardness was negatively correlated with adenosine content, and positively correlated with the contents of inosine, uracil and hypoxanthine. Through comprehensive consideration and comprehensive score of principal components, the method of 5% lime-mixed sweating for 6 days emerged as the top-ranking approach. Except for the extract, the results of independent samples t-test showed that there was no significant difference between the 5% lime-mixed sweating for 6 days and the traditional sun-drying in terms of other content indicators. ConclusionThe whiteness and firmness of Pinelliae Rhizoma exhibit significant correlations with its chemical composition, while uridine, uracil, guanosine, adenosine and inosine are the key constituents responsible for the quality difference of Pinelliae Rhizoma under different drying conditions. The lime-assisted sweating method optimized in this study can be proposed as a viable alternative to the traditional sun-drying method. This method not only ensures the quality of the medicinal material but also effectively reduces the drying time and prevents mold contamination, which provides a valuable reference for the standardization of drying conditions and the establishment of quality evaluation criteria for Pinelliae Rhizoma. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Therapeutic effect and mechanism of hordenine on ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis in rats
Junyan LI ; Tao LIU ; Fang SUN ; Jiahui HUANG ; Shuzhen MAO ; Jing YAO
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(1):80-90
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			To investigate the therapeutic effect and related mechanisms of hordenine on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) in rats, HE and AB-PAS staining were used to detect the improvement of pathological damage to the nasal mucosa induced by hordenine. ELISA was employed to detect the effect of hordenine on OVA-sIgE in serum and IL-4 in the nasal mucosa supernatant of rats. IHC and Western blot experiments were undertaken to examine the effect of hordenine on Th1/Th2 cell balance. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict pathways, which were verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments. The experimental results showed that hordenine could alleviate the behavioral manifestations of OVA-induced AR rats, alleviate nasal mucosal pathological damage caused by AR, and reduce the secretion of OVA-sIgE and IL-4. In addition, hordenine could regulate the Th1/Th2 balance. Bioinformatics analysis results showed that the potential pathway of action of hordenine on AR was the phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. The in vivo experimental results showed that the expression of PI3K and p-Akt proteins in the nasal mucosa of the model group rats was significantly increased (P < 0.01), and that the protein expression level was significantly decreased after the administration of hordenine, which was also confirmed by an in vitro experiment. This study suggests that hordenine may regulate Th1/Th2 cell balance through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby exerting an alleviating effect on OVA-induced AR.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.Characteristics and lifestyles of patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease based on the physical examination population
Haiqing GUO ; Mingliang LI ; Feng LIU ; Yali LIU ; Jing ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1090-1096
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo screen for the patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) among the physical examination population, to observe the characteristics of MAFLD patients, and to compare the differences in lifestyle between the MAFLD population and the non-MAFLD population. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 6 206 individuals who underwent physical examination in a physical examination institution in Beijing from December 2015 to December 2019, and according to the new diagnostic criteria for MAFLD, the examination population was divided into MAFLD group and non-MAFLD group. Based on body mass index (BMI), the MAFLD group was further divided into lean MAFLD group (BMI<24 kg/m2) and non-lean MAFLD group (BMI ≥24 kg/m2). Related data were compared between groups, including demographic indicators, education level, work pressure, physical measurement indicators, and lifestyles such as sleep, diet, and exercise. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsOf all individuals in this study, 1 926 (31.1%) had MAFLD and 4 280 (68.9%) did not have MAFLD. Compared with the non-MAFLD group, the MAFLD group had significantly higher age (Z=-14.459, P<0.001), proportion of male patients (χ2=72.004, P<0.001), work pressure (χ2=7.744, P=0.005), body weight (Z=-43.508, P<0.001), BMI (Z=-47.621, P<0.001), waist circumference (Z=-48.515, P<0.001), hip circumference (Z=-42.121, P<0.001), and waist-hip ratio (Z=-43.535, P<0.001), as well as a significantly lower education level (χ2=33.583, P<0.001). In terms of behavior, the MAFLD group had a significantly shorter sleep time (χ2=5.820, P=0.016) and a significantly faster eating speed (χ2=74.476, P<0.001). In terms of diet, the patients in the MAFLD group consumed more high-sodium, high-sugar, and high-calorie diets (χ2=42.667, P<0.001) and low-fiber diet (χ2=4.367, P=0.008). In terms of exercise, the MAFLD group had a significantly higher proportion of patients without exercise habits (χ2=10.278, P=0.001). Further analysis showed that there were 202 individuals (10.5%) in the lean MAFLD group and 1 724 (89.5%) in the non-lean MAFLD group. Compared with the non-lean MAFLD group, the lean MAFLD group had significantly higher age (Z=3.368, P=0.001) and education level (χ2=9.647, P=0.002) and significantly lower proportion of male patients (χ2=27.664, P<0.001), body weight (Z=-18.483, P<0.001), BMI (Z=-23.286, P<0.001), waist circumference (Z=-18.565, P<0.001), and hip circumference (Z=-18.097, P<0.001), and in terms of behavior, the non-lean MAFLD group had a significantly faster eating speed (χ2=4.549, P=0.033). ConclusionThere is a relatively high prevalence rate of MAFLD among the physical examination population in Beijing, with a higher number of people with unhealthy lifestyles compared with the non-MAFLD population. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Quality evaluation of Sanzi powder based on quantitative analysis of multi-component combined with chemical pattern recognition and entropy weight-TOPSIS method
Rongjie LI ; Qian ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Xinkui LI ; Yuxia HU ; Mengdi ZHANG ; Jing LIU ; Fang WANG ; Fengye ZHOU ; Jun LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(15):1846-1851
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			OBJECTIVE To comprehensively evaluate the quality of Sanzi powder from different batches based on 12 components quantitative analysis combined with chemical pattern recognition and entropy weight-TOPSIS method. METHODS The contents of 12 components in 15 batches of Sanzi powder (No. S1-S15) were determined by HPLC-MS/MS, such as ethyl gallate, gallic acid, ferulic acid, corilagin, genipin-1-O-β-D-gentiobioside, toosendanin, geniposide, caffeic acid, methyl deacetylated coumarinate, tannic acid, rutin, quercetin. Cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were conducted on the assay results. Using variable importance projection (VIP) value>1 and P<0.05 as the evaluation criteria, the quality differential markers in Sanzi powder were screened. The entropy weight method was used to calculate the weight value, and TOPSIS method was used to rank the quality of 15 batches of Sanzi powder from superior to inferior. RESULTS The contents of the 12 components were 13.494-24.292, 2 069.608-3 188.100, 1.410-3.616, 1 065.030-2 630.584, 1 404.704-1 838.078, 101.640-354.268, 9 193.720-14 777.854, 1.240-5.060, 148.028-5 541.990, 4 261.422-5 607.438, 107.560- 195.512, 2.226-4.192 μg/g, respectively. The results of CA, PCA and OPLS-DA indicated that 15 batches of Sanzi powder could be clustered into two groups. Specifically, batches S3, S7, S10 and S15 were grouped into one category, and remaining batches were grouped into one category. VIP values of geniposide, quercetin, caffeic acid, and methyl deacetylated coumarinate were all greater than 1, with corresponding P-values less than 0.05. The results of the entropy weight-TOPSIS analysis revealed that methyl deacetylate exhibited the smallest information entropy and the highest weight. The relative closeness degrees of samples S3, S7, S10 and S15 ranged from 0.789 to 0.973, while the remaining samples ranged from 0.054 to 0.172. CONCLUSIONS The contents of 12 components in Sanzi powder could be determined accurately by using HPLC-MS/MS technology. Methyl deacetylated coumarinate, geniposide, quercetin and caffeic acid were identified as the quality differential markers. It was found that the overall quality of samples S3, S7, S10 and S15 were superior to that of other batches. Notably, the quality of Gardeniae Fructus decoction pieces emerges as a critical factor in ensuring the consistency of the preparation’s quality.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Effects of Zhimu (Anemarrhena asphodeloides)-Huangbai (Phellodendron amurense) Medicinal Pair on Femoral Microstructure and Osteogenic-Adipogenic Differentiation in Ovariectomized Osteoporosis Model Rats
Chuncai LI ; Mingxing YUAN ; Jiawei LI ; Jing DENG ; Chongyang SHEN ; Yuan LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(16):1704-1710
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanisms of Zhimu (Anemarrhena asphodeloides)-Huangbai (Phellodendron amurense) medicinal pair in alleviating postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP). MethodsSixty unpregnant female SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, blank group, model group, low-dose Zhimu-Huangbai group, high-dose Zhimu-Huangbai group, and estradiol group, with 12 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, all other groups had their ovaries removed to create PMOP rat models, while the blank group only had the fat tissue around the ovaries removed. One week after the ovarian removal, the low-dose and high-dose Zhimu-Huangbai groups received concentrated solution of Zhimu and Huangbai with 1.8, 7.2 g/(kg·d) via gavage, the estradiol group received estradiol solution 0.09 mg/(kg·d) via gavage, and the blank group and the model group received 10 ml/(kg·d) of normal saline via gavage, once daily for 12 weeks. Before sampling, the body mass of the rats was recorded, and uterine tissue was taken to calculate the uterine index. The levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in serum were detected by ELISA; micro CT was used to examine the parameters of femoral microstructure, including bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), and cortical bone area (Ct.Ar). HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in the femur; RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of osteogenic-adipogenic differentiation-related factors in femoral tissue, including Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), chemerin and chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1). ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed a significant increase in body mass, a significant decrease in the uterine index, BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Th and BMD, a significant increase in Tb.Sp, and serum IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels, a significant reduction of mRNA expression of Runx2 and BMP-2 in bone tissue, and a significant increased mRNA expression of PPARγ, chemerin, and CMKLR1 (P<0.01). HE staining revealed that the femoral tissue showed a reduction and sparsity of trabeculae, a significant enlargement of the medullary cavity, and a large number of fat cells. Compared to the model group, the low-dose, high-dose Zhimu-Huangbai groups, and estradiol group showed significant improvements in all the above-mentioned indicators (P<0.05 or P<0.01). HE staining revealed a significant increase in trabeculae, more organized arrangement, and a marked reduction in fat cells. Compared to low-dose Zhimu-Huangbai group, the high-dose Zhimu-Huangbai group exhibited a significant increase in the uterine index and BMD, and a significant reduction in body mass and PPARγ and Chemerin mRNA expression (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to high-dose Zhimu-Huangbai group, the estradiol group showed a decrease in uterine index, BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Th, BMD, and BMP-2 mRNA expression, while the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, as well as Tb.Sp and the mRNA expressions of PPARγ, chemerin, and CMKLR1 increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionThe Zhimu-Huangbai medicinal pair can alleviate PMOP bone loss, and its mechanism of action is related to reducing the levels of inflammatory factors, correcting the disorder of osteogenic-adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and promoting the differentiation of BMSCs into osteoblasts. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.The mechanism of Medicoscab tincture in the treatment of second-degree burns based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology
Qiang ZHANG ; Jing LI ; Yue LIU ; Xiaoqin CHU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(8):377-382
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To explore the mechanism of Medicoscab tincture in the treatment of second-degree burns based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods The effective components of the tincture were screened by the TCMSP; the effective components of the tincture and burn related targets were screened by GeneCards and OMIM database; Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to draw “Chinese medicine-disease-effective components-targets” network diagram; the related gene ontology (GO) functions and pathways of the tincture were obtained through GO enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclo-pedia of genes and geomes (KEGG) pathway analysis on the targets through Metascape platform; the pathway bubble diagram was constructed by the pathways enriched in the KEGG database, and finally verified by AutoDockTools for molecular alignment. Results 19 effective components and 179 target intersections of Medicoscab tincture were selected. GO analysis showed the intervention burns process mainly involved the reaction of inorganic substances, the reaction of cells to nitrogen compounds, and the response to xenobiotic stimuli, as well as biological processes such as membrane rafts, vesicular cavities, transcriptional regulatory factor complexes, receptor complexes, and endoplasmic reticulum cavities. KEGG analysis showed the function mainly includes AGE-RAGE signal pathway, PI3K-Akt signal pathway, IL-17 signal pathway, TNF signal pathway, etc. Analysis of cytoscape software showed the core targets were AKT1, TNF, IL-6, GAPDH, TP53, etc. Molecular docking showed that the active components of Medicoscab tincture were docking with multiple targets, among which β- sitosterol had strong binding activity with AKT1, GAPDH and TP53. Conclusion Quercetin, kaempferol, baicalein, β-sitosterol and other core active ingredients in the tincture of making scabs, which could assist in the relief of burns, regulate the signalling pathways such as AGE-RAGE, PI3K-Akt, IL-17, TNF and so on by acting on the targets of AKT1, GAPDH, TP53, IL-6 and so on. This study laid a theoretical foundation for clarifying the mechanism of action of tincture of scab making for the treatment of burn-like diseases.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            
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