1.Diagnostic Value of Chemokine CCL3 in Infectious Diseases
Haotian WU ; Youyi PENG ; Caiping GONG ; Min YANG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(3):506-511
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo explore the diagnostic value of plasma C-C motif chemokine ligand 3(CCL3) levels in infectious diseases. MethodsThe study enrolled patients in hospital or outpatient service and individuals undergoing health check-ups at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from July to October 2023. Patients clinically diagnosed with infectious diseases were assigned to the experimental group, while those who were healthy or diagnosed with non-infectious diseases were included in the control group. After non-qualifying samples were excluded, residual blood specimens from complete blood count (CBC) tests were collected to measure the plasma CCL3 levels.The CBC parameters including white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophils count (NEUT), eosinophils count (EOS),etc, and the plasma CCL3 levels were analyzed between the infectious and control groups to evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of CCL3 in infectious diseases. ResultsA total of 257 cases were enrolled, with 167 in the experimental group (active infections confirmed via clinical symptoms, CBC, inflammatory markers, or etiological examinations) and 90 in the control group (confirmed absence of active infections). The experimental group exhibited higher levels of WBC, NEUT and CCL3 than the control group, while the lymphocytes count(LYMPH), EOS in the experimental group were lower, with statistical significance (P<0.001) in univariate analysis. By using these significantly different indicators as independent variables, logistics regression modeling identified WBC, NEUT and CCL3 as independent risk factors for infection. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis revealed superior diagnostic performance of CCL3 over WBC and NEUT, while LYMP and EOS showed no diagnostic performance. The area under the curve (AUC) for CCL3 was 0.844 (95% CI: 0.795, 0.892), with a sensitivity of 84.4%, a specificity of 69.8%, and an optimal threshold of 106.405 ng/mL. ConclusionPlasma CCL3 levels have clinical diagnostic value in predicting infectious diseases and may serve as a potential clinical biomarker for detecting infectious diseases. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Quality Evaluation of Zhuye Shigao Granules and Its Therapeutic Effect on Mice with Cold-dampness Pestilence Attacking Lung Syndrome
Haihong LI ; Jiaqi SHEN ; Liwen LIANG ; Ziqi YANG ; Yuting YANG ; Shuyun LIANG ; Zhiliang SUN ; Jiannan LI ; Guangzhi CAI ; Jiyu GONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):182-190
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo establish a quality evaluation method for Zhuye Shigao granules(Zhuye Shigaotang) based on fingerprint and determination of index components, and to investigate the therapeutic effect of Zhuye Shigao granules on mice with cold-dampness pestilence attacking lung syndrome. MethodsThe fingerprint of Zhuye Shigao granules was established by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), and the methods for determination of total calcium, orientin, isoorientin, ginsenosides Rg1, Re and Rb1 and other 2 index components were established. Fifty ICR mice were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, Zhuye Shigao granules low, medium and high dose groups(9.3, 18.6, 37.2 g·kg-1·d-1), with 10 mice in each group. In addition to the blank group, the model mice with cold-dampness pestilence attacking lung syndrome was prepared by nasal drip of lipopolysaccharide combined with cold-dampness environment. Each administration group was given the corresponding liquid by gavage according to the dose, while the blank group and model group were given the same volume of normal saline by gavage. Then, the body temperature and organ index of mice in each group were measured, hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to investigate the lung tissue injury of mice in each group, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the changes of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-lβ, IL-6, IL-10 levels in serum and lung tissue, as well as immunoglobulin(Ig)A and IgM levels in serum. ResultsThe fingerprint similarity of 10 batches of Zhuye Shigao granules was>0.950, and 20 common peaks were calibrated. Seven of them were identified, including peak 11(isoorientin), peak 12(orientin), peak 14(apioside liquiritin), peak 15(liquiritin), peak 17(apioside isoliquiritin), peak 19(isoliquiritin) and peak 20(liquiritigenin). The results of quantitative analysis showed that the content range of each index component in 10 batches of Zhuye Shigao granules was as follows:Total calcium of 9.978-11.294 mg·g-1, isoorientin of 0.033-0.041 mg·g-1, orientin of 0.046-0.055 mg·g-1, ginsenoside Rg1+ginsenoside Re of 0.748-0.762 mg·g-1, ginsenoside Rb1 of 0.151-0.197 mg·g-1, liquiritin of 1.106-1.366 mg·g-1, glycyrrhizic acid of 0.904-1.182 mg·g-1. Compared with the blank group, the body temperature of mice in the model group was significantly increased, the organ indexes of liver, lung and spleen were significantly decreased, the organ index of thymus was significantly increased, HE staining of lung tissue showed infiltration of inflammatory cells, a small amount of serous exudation was observed in the alveoli, and lung tissue was damaged. After the intervention of Zhuye Shigao granules, the pathological changes were improved compared with the model group. The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased, the expression level of IL-10 was significantly decreased in serum and lung tissue. The levels of IgA and IgM in serum were significantly decreased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the body temperature, the organ indexes and immune factor levels in serum and lung tissue of mice in the Zhuye Shigao granules medium and high dose groups were significantly reduced(P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionIn this study, the quality evaluation of Zhuye Shigao granules was carried out based on fingerprint combined with determination of index components, and the fingerprint of four herbs(Lophatheri Herba, Ophiopogonis Radix, Pinelliae Rhizoma and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) in this formula and the determination of 8 index components were established. The therapeutic effect of Zhuye Shigao granules on mice with cold-dampness pestilence attacking lung syndrome may be related to inhibiting inflammatory response and mediating immune regulation. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Comprehensive value of novel oral anticoagulant drugs after major orthopedic surgery based on multi-criteria decision analysis
Xinru LIU ; Xindie ZHOU ; Yang YANG ; Jinhong GONG ; Shan XU ; Dan SU ; Jingjing SHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(13):1661-1665
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			OBJECTIVE To evaluate the comprehensive value of novel oral anticoagulant drugs (NOACs) after major orthopedic surgery. METHODS The evaluation evidence was collected through literature research; evidence and value:impact on decision-making (EVIDEM) framework was introduced to integrate the evaluation process; the multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method was used to construct a multi-dimensional evaluation system; the weights assigned to each evaluation criterion were determined by the combination of Delphi method and analytic hierarchy process, and the rivaroxaban, dabigatran and apixaban were comprehensively evaluated. RESULTS The clinical comprehensive evaluation system of NOACs after major orthopedic surgery was successfully established, and the final clinical comprehensive evaluation weights of NOACs (rivaroxaban, dabigatran, apixaban) after major orthopedic surgery were calculated, with scores of 0.399 7 for rivaroxaban, 0.244 4 for apixaban, and 0.355 9 for dabigatran, indicating that rivaroxaban demonstrated the highest overall clinical value. Among them, rivaroxaban had the highest weight score in the evaluation of pharmaceutical characteristics, cost-effectiveness and other attributes in a single dimension. In terms of efficacy and safety evaluation, apixaban had the highest weighting score. CONCLUSIONS Among NOACs, rivaroxaban is more suitable for routine anticoagulation management after major orthopedic surgery, especially in terms of pharmacological properties, cost-effectiveness and other attributes.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Correlation Between Cardiovascular Events and Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis:A Cross-Sectional Study
Fuyuan ZHANG ; Quan JIANG ; Jun LI ; Yuchen YANG ; Xieli MA ; Tian CHANG ; Congmin XIA ; Jian WANG ; Xun GONG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(15):1572-1578
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between the occurrence of cardiovascular events in rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome. MethodsThe cross-sectional study selected 6713 RA patients from 122 centres nationwide, in which general information such as name, gender, age, height, body weight, and course of disease were collected by completing a questionnaire; patients were classified into eight types of syndrome according to the information of their four examinations,i.e. wind-dampness obstruction syndrome, cold-dampness obstruction syndrome, dampness-heat obstruction syndrome, phlegm-stasis obstruction syndrome, stasis-blood obstructing collateral syndrome, qi-blood deficiency syndrome, liver-kidney insufficiency syndrome, and qi-yin deficiency syndrome. According to the occurrence of cardiovascular events, they were divided into the occurrence group and the non-occurrence group, and the condition assessment data and laboratory examination indexes were recorded. The test of difference between groups was used to analyse the possible risk factors for the occurrence of RA cardiovascular events, and binary logistic regression was used to analyse the correlation between TCM syndromes and RA cardiovascular events. ResultsA total of 6713 RA patients were included, including 256 cases in occurrence group and 6457 in non-occurrence group. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of height, gender, insomnia, appetite, white blood cell(WBC), hemoglobin(HGB), platelets(PLT), rheumatoid factor(RF), anti-cyclic peptide containing citrulline(CCP), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT), urea creatinine(CREA), and glucose(GLU)(P>0.05). The TCM syndromes between groups showed significant statistic differences(P<0.05). Patients in occurrence group had longer disease duration, heavier body weight, and older age; more severe conditions such as disease activity(DAS-28), number of painful joints(TJC), number of swollen joints(SJC), health questionnaire scores(HAQ), visual analog scores(VAS), restlessness, and fatigue; higher blood sedimentation rate(ESR), low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C), triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC), D-Dimer, and lower high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C)(P<0.05). The distribution of syndrome types showed that dampness-heat obstruction syndrome accounted for the largest proportion of patients in both groups and was higher in RA cardiovascular events. Logistic regression analysis showed that the occurrence of RA cardiovascular events was strongly associated with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome[OR=5.937, 95%CI (4.434, 7.949), P<0.001]. ConclusionThe occurrence of RA cardiovascular events were associated with TCM syndromes, and the probability of cardiovascular events in the RA patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome was 5.937 times higher than patients with other TCM syndromes. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5.Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Shengmai Jiuxin Decoction in Treating Chronic Heart Failure with Qi and Yin Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, and Blood Stasis
Yiming YAO ; Hongjun ZHU ; Yang ZHAO ; Man SHI ; Yujin GONG ; Yuan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):151-158
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and potential mechanism of Shengmai Jiuxin decoction in the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis. MethodsA total of 68 patients diagnosed with ADHF of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis type were randomly assigned to an observation group (34 cases) and a control group (34 cases). Both groups received conventional Western medical treatment, while the observation group was additionally administered Shengmai Jiuxin decoction. Parameters compared before and after treatment included: TCM syndrome score, TCM syndrome efficacy, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), six-minute walk distance (6MWD), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), Caspase-3, and the number of rehospitalizations for heart failure within one month after discharge. ResultsThere were no significant differences in sex, age, vital signs, or underlying diseases between the two groups. Compared with baseline, both groups exhibited significant reductions in TCM syndrome scores, NT-proBNP, and HIF-1α levels (P<0.01), as well as significant increases in 6MWD, LVEF, VEGF-A, and Caspase-3 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the observation group showed significantly greater reductions in TCM syndrome score, NT-proBNP, HIF-1α, and Caspase-3 levels compared with the control group (P<0.05) and significantly greater increases in 6MWD, TCM syndrome efficacy, and VEGF-A levels (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the groups in NYHA functional classification, LVEF, or the number of rehospitalizations for heart failure within one month after discharge. No drug-related adverse events were reported in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionShengmai Jiuxin decoction can improve cardiac function and clinical symptoms in patients with ADHF of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis type. Its mechanisms may be related to the regulation of the HIF-1 signaling pathway by modulating targets such as HIF-1α, VEGF-A, and Caspase-3. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Shengmai Jiuxin Decoction in Treating Chronic Heart Failure with Qi and Yin Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, and Blood Stasis
Yiming YAO ; Hongjun ZHU ; Yang ZHAO ; Man SHI ; Yujin GONG ; Yuan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):151-158
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and potential mechanism of Shengmai Jiuxin decoction in the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis. MethodsA total of 68 patients diagnosed with ADHF of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis type were randomly assigned to an observation group (34 cases) and a control group (34 cases). Both groups received conventional Western medical treatment, while the observation group was additionally administered Shengmai Jiuxin decoction. Parameters compared before and after treatment included: TCM syndrome score, TCM syndrome efficacy, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), six-minute walk distance (6MWD), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), Caspase-3, and the number of rehospitalizations for heart failure within one month after discharge. ResultsThere were no significant differences in sex, age, vital signs, or underlying diseases between the two groups. Compared with baseline, both groups exhibited significant reductions in TCM syndrome scores, NT-proBNP, and HIF-1α levels (P<0.01), as well as significant increases in 6MWD, LVEF, VEGF-A, and Caspase-3 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the observation group showed significantly greater reductions in TCM syndrome score, NT-proBNP, HIF-1α, and Caspase-3 levels compared with the control group (P<0.05) and significantly greater increases in 6MWD, TCM syndrome efficacy, and VEGF-A levels (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the groups in NYHA functional classification, LVEF, or the number of rehospitalizations for heart failure within one month after discharge. No drug-related adverse events were reported in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionShengmai Jiuxin decoction can improve cardiac function and clinical symptoms in patients with ADHF of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis type. Its mechanisms may be related to the regulation of the HIF-1 signaling pathway by modulating targets such as HIF-1α, VEGF-A, and Caspase-3. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.Analysis of human parvovirus B19 nucleic acid detection in blood products in China
Yue WANG ; Xiaobei ZHENG ; Qin GONG ; Ying ZHAO ; Yuanxiu LUO ; Dandan YANG ; Linlin ZHANG ; Zheng JIANG ; Gan PENG ; Jin ZHANG ; Bingbing KE
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(7):950-957
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective: To analyze the nucleic acid load of human parvovirus B19 in major commercially available blood products in China, including human albumin, human intravenous immunoglobulin, human rabies immunoglobulin and various coagulation factor products, aiming to provide evidence for improving blood product manufacturing processes and quality control of source plasma. Methods: A total of 98 batches of coagulation factor products were tested for human parvovirus B19 nucleic acid using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, including 42 batches of human prothrombin complex, 35 batches of human coagulation factor Ⅷ, and 21 batches of human fibrinogen. Additionally, 6 batches of human albumin, 6 batches of human intravenous immunoglobulin, and 38 batches of human rabies immunoglobulin were tested for human parvovirus B19 nucleic acid. Results: Human parvovirus B19 nucleic acid were undetectable in human albumin, human intravenous immunoglobulin and human rabies immunoglobulin. Among the 98 batches of coagulation factor products tested for human parvovirus B19 nucleic acid, B19 nucleic acid reactivity rate was 69.0% (29/42) for human prothrombin complex batches, but nucleic acid concentration were all significantly lower than 10
       IU/mL. The reactivity rate of B19 nucleic acid in 35 batches of human coagulation factor Ⅷ was 48.6% (17/35), with nucleic acid concentration all below 10
       IU/mL. The reactivity rate of B19 nucleic acid in 21 batches of human fibrinogen was 61.9% (13/21), with nucleic acid concentration all below 10
       IU/mL. Conclusion: No human parvovirus B19 has been detected in human albumin, human intravenous immunoglobulin, or human rabies immunoglobulin. Human parvovirus B19 nucleic acid may exist in commercially available coagulation factor products, highlighting the need for enhanced screening of human parvovirus B19 nucleic acid in these products. It is also recommended that B19 viral nucleic acid testing be conducted on source plasma, particularly for coagulation factor products.
    
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Quality Evaluation of Black Panacis Quinquefolii Radix Based on Neuroprotective Spectrum-effect Relationship
Yuting YANG ; Shuyun LIANG ; Shanshan LI ; Yulong YANG ; Ziqi YANG ; Guangzhi CAI ; Liru ZHAO ; Jiyu GONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):149-156
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo clarify the neuroprotective effect of black Panacis Quinquefolii Radix(PQR) and explore its active ingredients, with the aim of establishing an activity-oriented quality evaluation method. MethodsTransgenic Tg(HuC∶EGFP) zebrafish was used to establish a neuronal injury model by aluminum chloride immersion. Different doses(10, 20 mg·L-1) of PQR and black PQR ethanol extracts were administered. The neuroprotective effects of PQR and black PQR were compared by analyzing the fluorescent area and intensity of zebrafish neurons. Based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC), a fingerprint profile of black PQR was established, followed by principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA). Differential components were screened using the criteria of variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 and P<0.05. The neuroprotective activity of 14 batches of black PQR was assessed, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to identify saponins related to neuroprotective activity, which were then validated. Based on the above results, active marker components were determined, and an UPLC method was established for their quantitation with clear content limits. ResultsPharmacological efficacy results showed that both PQR and black PQR at different doses could significantly improved neuronal damage in zebrafish. At a dose of 20 mg·L-1, black PQR demonstrated superior efficacy(P<0.05). The fingerprint similarities of 14 batches of black PQR were>0.94, with 26 common peaks identified. Through comparison with the reference standards, 8 components were confirmed, including peak 1(ginsenoside Rg1), peak 2(ginsenoside Re), peak 5(ginsenoside Rb1), peak 9(ginsenoside Rd), peak 16[ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3], peak 17[ginsenoside 20(R)-Rg3], peak 18(ginsenoside Rk1), and peak 19(ginsenoside Rg5). The results of PCA and OPLS-DA indicated that there were differences in saponins among black PQR samples from different origins, and 12 differential components were screened. All 14 batches of black PQR exhibited good protective effects on zebrafish neurons, with Shaanxi-produced black PQR showing superior protective effects compared to the other three production regions. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that a total of 11 components, including ginsenosides 20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5, showed a significant positive correlation with the neuroprotective effect in zebrafish(P<0.05). The activity validation results indicated that ginsenosides 20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 were the primary components responsible for the neuroprotective effects of black PQR. Quantitative analysis showed that the content of ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 in 14 batches of black PQR ranged from 0.17% to 0.52%, and the repair rate of neuronal damage ranged from 42.77% to 97.83%. ConclusionBased on the fingerprint and neuronal protective activity, the spectrum-effect related quality control model of black PQR was established, with ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 as the quality control index, and the neuronal damage repair rate≥60% as the evaluation standard, the minimum limit of ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 in black PQR should be≥0.20%. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Analysis of human parvovirus B19 nucleic acid detection in blood products in China
Yue WANG ; Xiaobei ZHENG ; Qin GONG ; Ying ZHAO ; Yuanxiu LUO ; Dandan YANG ; Linlin ZHANG ; Zheng JIANG ; Gan PENG ; Jin ZHANG ; Bingbing KE
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(7):950-957
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective: To analyze the nucleic acid load of human parvovirus B19 in major commercially available blood products in China, including human albumin, human intravenous immunoglobulin, human rabies immunoglobulin and various coagulation factor products, aiming to provide evidence for improving blood product manufacturing processes and quality control of source plasma. Methods: A total of 98 batches of coagulation factor products were tested for human parvovirus B19 nucleic acid using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, including 42 batches of human prothrombin complex, 35 batches of human coagulation factor Ⅷ, and 21 batches of human fibrinogen. Additionally, 6 batches of human albumin, 6 batches of human intravenous immunoglobulin, and 38 batches of human rabies immunoglobulin were tested for human parvovirus B19 nucleic acid. Results: Human parvovirus B19 nucleic acid were undetectable in human albumin, human intravenous immunoglobulin and human rabies immunoglobulin. Among the 98 batches of coagulation factor products tested for human parvovirus B19 nucleic acid, B19 nucleic acid reactivity rate was 69.0% (29/42) for human prothrombin complex batches, but nucleic acid concentration were all significantly lower than 10
       IU/mL. The reactivity rate of B19 nucleic acid in 35 batches of human coagulation factor Ⅷ was 48.6% (17/35), with nucleic acid concentration all below 10
       IU/mL. The reactivity rate of B19 nucleic acid in 21 batches of human fibrinogen was 61.9% (13/21), with nucleic acid concentration all below 10
       IU/mL. Conclusion: No human parvovirus B19 has been detected in human albumin, human intravenous immunoglobulin, or human rabies immunoglobulin. Human parvovirus B19 nucleic acid may exist in commercially available coagulation factor products, highlighting the need for enhanced screening of human parvovirus B19 nucleic acid in these products. It is also recommended that B19 viral nucleic acid testing be conducted on source plasma, particularly for coagulation factor products.
    
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.Consistency Evaluation of Processing of Black Panacis Quinquefolii Radix Decoction Pieces Based on "Chromaticity-chemistry-activity"
Yulong YANG ; Shanshan LI ; Yuting YANG ; Ziqi YANG ; Guangzhi CAI ; Liru ZHAO ; Jiyu GONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):195-203
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo assess the quality consistency of black Panacis Quinquefolii Radix(bPQR) decoction pieces prepared by atmospheric and pressurized steaming processes based on chromaticity-chemical composition-vasoactive inhibition. The ultimate goal was to screen the pressurized steaming process yielding quality equivalent to atmospheric steaming, and optimize the processing technology of bPQR. MethodsThe bPQR decoction pieces were prepared using both atmospheric and pressurized steaming processes, and the chromaticity values[lightness value(L*), red/green chromaticity value(a*), yellow/blue chromaticity value(b*), total chromaticity value(E*ab)] were measured. High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was employed to establish fingerprint profiles for the decoction pieces, and cluster analysis was conducted on chromaticity values and the common peak areas in fingerprint profiles to elucidate the quality relationships between the decoction pieces processed by different methods. The optimal atmospheric steaming of bPQR decoction pieces was determined through zebrafish angiogenesis inhibition experiments. The contents of ginsenosides Rg1, Re, Rb1, 20(S)-Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 in the decoction pieces were quantified, and Spearman correlation analysis was employed to investigate the relationship between saponin content, chromaticity, and angiogenesis inhibition activity during the steaming process. By integrating the consistency of chromaticity, saponin components and angiogenesis inhibition activity, pressurized steaming conditions with quality equivalent to the atmospheric pressure method were selected. ResultsCompared with the atmospheric steaming method, pressurized steaming resulted in faster color darkening and higher conversion rates of ginsenosides in bPQR decoction pieces. Moreover, the neovascularization inhibitory activity of bPQR decoction pieces continued to increase with the deepening of processing. Based on the effectiveness and safety, the optimal process for preparing bPQR decoction pieces with neovascularization inhibitory activity was determined to be atmospheric steaming for 21 h. All six ginsenosides tested exhibited strong to extremely strong correlations with both the chromaticity values of the decoction pieces and their neovascularization inhibitory activities. Among them, ginsenosides Rg1, Re and Rb1 exhibited positive correlations with chromaticity values and negative correlations with zebrafish angiogenesis inhibition activity. Conversely, ginsenosides 20(S)-Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 showed negative correlations with chromaticity values and positive correlations with zebrafish angiogenesis inhibition activity. By integrating chromaticity values, cluster analysis results, as well as the results of activity, it was determined that the quality of bPQR decoction pieces steamed under pressurized conditions of 110 ℃(0.045 MPa) for 5 h and 115 ℃(0.07 MPa) for 3 h was highly consistent with that obtained by atmospheric steaming for 21 h. ConclusionThe preparation of bPQR decoction pieces by pressurized steaming has the advantages of short preparation time, low energy consumption, and rapid saponin conversion rate, making it a viable alternative to atmospheric steaming for preparing bPQR decoction pieces. Meanwhile, the evaluation method based on chromaticity-chemical composition-activity can provide a more scientific and effective explanation of change rules in the quality during traditional Chinese medicine processing, and offer a new model for optimizing processing technology and enhancing quality control. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            
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