ObjectiveTo establish fingerprint profiles and a quantitative determination method for Lycii Cortex， providing a scientific basis for the formulation of quality standards for Lycii Cortex and its roasted products. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） was developed for the quantitative method for determining kukoamine B in Lycii Cortex and its roasted products on an Alphasil XD-C₁₈ CH column（4.6 mm×250 mm， 5 μm）. HPLC fingerprint profiles were established for 10 batches of Lycii Cortex and its roasted products， and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） was used to identify the common peaks based on reference standards， literature and MS information. Quality evaluation indicators included yield of decoction pieces， appearance properties， content of kukoamine B， and fingerprint profiles. The temperature and time of the roasting process were investigated to select the optimal preparation process， which was then verified. Additionally， chemical pattern recognition was combined to assess the differences in the chemical composition of Lycii Cortex before and after roasting， as well as among samples from different origins. ResultsQuantitative analysis indicated that the contents of kukoamine B in Lycii Cortex and its roasted products were 0.35%-5.51% and 0.24%-4.15%， respectively. The transfer rate of kukoamine B was 58.6%-78.9% after roasting. The fingerprint profile analysis demonstrated that the method established in this study effectively separated kukoamine B from other components in the samples and distinctly differentiated it from its impurity peak， cis-N-caffeoylputrescine. The HPLC fingerprint profiles of Lycii Cortex and its roasted products showed high similarity（all above 0.95）， with 7 common peaks identified and five common components， including kukoamine B， cis-N-caffeoylputrescine， N-coumaroyl tyramine， feruloyltyramine， and glucosyringic acid， confirmed. Process optimization confirmed that baking at 110 ℃ for 20 min was a stable and feasible method for roasting Lycii Cortex. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis showed that there was little difference in the chemical composition between raw and roasted Lycii Cortex， but the quality of Lycii Cortex from different origins differed greatly. ConclusionThis study successfully established the fingerprint profiles and a quantitative method for the effective component kukoamine B in Lycii Cortex and roasted Lycii Cortex. The qualitative and quantitative analyses clarified that the impact of the roasting process on the chemical composition of Lycii Cortex was less significant than the variations due to its geographical origin. The findings of this study offer a reference for the development of quality evaluation methods and the establishment of quality standards for Lycii Cortex and its processed products.

ObjectiveTo establish an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry（UHPLC-QqQ-MS） for determination of the active ingredients in Erdongtang， and to predict the targets and pathways of anti-insulin resistance action of this formula. MethodThe analysis was performed on an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C₁₈ column（2.1 mm×100 mm， 1.7 μm） with the mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution（A）-acetonitrile（B） for gradient elution（0-3 min， 90%-87%A； 3-6 min， 87%-86%A； 6-9 min， 86%-83%A； 9-11 min， 83%-75%A； 11-18 min， 75%-70%A； 18-19 min， 70%-52%A； 19-22 min， 52%A； 22-25 min， 52%-5%A； 25-27 min， 5%-90%A； 27-30 min， 90%A）. The contents of active ingredients in Erdongtang was detected by electrospray ionization（ESI） and multiple reaction monitoring（MRM） mode under positive and negative ion modes. On this basis， network pharmacology was applied to predict the targets and pathways of Erdongtang exerting anti-insulin resistance effect. ResultThe 20 active ingredients in Erdongtang showed good linear relationships within a certain mass concentration range， and the precision， stability， repeatability and recovery rate were good. The results of determination showed that the ingredients with high content in 15 batches of samples were baicalein（1 259.39-1 635.78 mg·L^-1）， baicalin（1 078.37-1 411.52 mg·L^-1）， the ingredients with medium content were mangiferin（148.59-217.04 mg·L^-1）， timosaponin BⅡ（245.10-604.89 mg·L^-1）， quercetin-3-O-glucuronide（89.30-423.26 mg·L^-1）， rutin（46.91-1 553.61 mg·L^-1）， glycyrrhizic acid（55.97-391.47 mg·L^-1）， neomangiferin（37.45-127.03 mg·L^-1）， nuciferine（0.89-63.48 mg·L^-1）， hyperoside（6.96-136.78 mg·L^-1）， liquiritin（30.89-122.78 mg·L^-1）， liquiritigenin（26.64-110.67 mg·L^-1）， protodioscin（58.57-284.26 mg·L^-1）， the ingredients with low content were wogonin（7.16-20.74 mg·L^-1）， pseudoprotodioscin（5.49-22.96 mg·L^-1）， ginsenoside Rb₁（7.31-23.87 mg·L^-1）， ginsenoside Rg₁（10.78-28.33 mg·L^-1）， ginsenoside Re（7.78-24.76 mg·L^-1）， ophiopogonin D（2.08-4.29 mg·L^-1）， methylophiopogonanone A（0.74-1.67 mg·L^-1）. The results of network pharmacology indicated that the mechanism of anti-insulin resistance exerted by Erdongtang might be related to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B（PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway. ConclusionThe established UHPLC-QqQ-MS has the advantages of simple sample processing， strong exclusivity and high sensitivity， and can simultaneously determine the contents of the main ingredients from seven herbs in Erdongtang， which can lay the foundation for the development of Erdongtang compound preparations. The results of the network pharmacology can provide a reference for the mechanism study of Erdongtang in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective To optimize the preparation process of Swertia patens,Burk.standard decoction and establish its quality standard by using the quality by design(QbD)concept.Methods Critical Quality Attributes(CQAs)were predicted and analyzed according to the quality marker(Q-marker)theory of traditional Chinese medicine;Failure mode and effects analysis(FMEA)was used to screen critical process parameters(CPPs);The measurement method of key quality attributes was established;The extraction process was optimized by Box Behnken test after the preliminary range was determined according to the single factor test;The entropy method was used for comprehensive scoring;The design space was established and the optimal operation space for process validation was selected;Standard decoction of Swertia patens Burk in fifteen batches with different habitats were prepared with the best technology,and the quality standards for the extraction rate,extract,thin layer chromatography,fingerprint,content,and the content transfer rate were established finally.Results The key quality attributes were swertiamarin content,gentiopicrin content,and paste yield;The key process parameters were soaking time,water amount,and decocting time;The established model had statistical significance;The optimum conditions were as follows:soaking time 90 min,adding water 15 times,decocting time 30 min(second decocting 20 min);The paste yield was 21.13％-30.73％;The extract was 82.00％-88.00％;The spot of swertiamarin was clear in TLC;The similarity between each samples in 15 batches and reference atlas were＞0.85％;The content of swertiamarin was 250.64-385.21 mg·g-1,and the transfer rate was 43.76％-77.73％;The content of gentiopicrin was 0.69-2.70 mg·g-1,and the transfer rate was 56.02％-105.29％.Conclusion Based on the above methods and techniques,the preparation process of Swertia patens Burk.The standard decoction was screened,which provides a reference for the preparation development and quality control of its formula granules.

Objective:To explore the curative effect and prognostic assessment value of percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP)in treating osteoporosis-caused spinal vertebral compression fractures by using imaging parameters of pelvic sagittal X-ray.Methods:A total of 198 patients with osteoporosis-caused spinal vertebral compression fractures who received treatment from January 2022 to January 2023 were selected,and they were divided into effective group(171 cases)and ineffective group(27 cases)according to the treatment effect.All patients underwent PKP treatment,and the parameters of preoperative measurements included sagittal vertical axis(SVA)of cervical vertebra 7(C7),the thoracic vertebra 1 pelvic angle(T1PA),thoracic kyphosis(TK),lumbar lordosis(LL)and sacral slope(SS).The clinically curative effect and prognosis between two groups were compared.Results:After PKP treatment,49 cases of 198 patients were cured,and 69 cases appeared significant effect,and 53 cases were effective,and 27 cases were ineffective.The SVA,LL and SS levels of effective group were significantly lower than those of ineffective group,and the differences of them were statistically significant(t=6.485,3.250,2.325,P<0.05),and the T1PA and TK of the effective group were significantly higher than those of the ineffective group(t=2.387,3.245,P<0.05),respectively.In 198 patients,39 cases occurred postoperative complications(20 cases occurred bone cement leakage,and 15 cases occurred recurrent adjacent vertebral fracture,and 2 cases occurred pulmonary embolism,and 2 cases occurred others),and 159 cases did not occurred complications.The SVA,LL and SS levels in patients without complications were significantly lower than those in patients with complications(t=10.304,5.669,0.844,P<0.05),and the T1PA and TK of patients without complications were significantly higher than those of patients with complications,and the differences were significant(t=3.494,5.550,P<0.05),respectively.The results of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that SVA,T1PA,TK,LL and SS had a certain value in assessing the curative effect and prognosis of PKP in treating osteoporosis-caused spinal vertebral compression fractures.Conclusion:Preoperative detection of imaging parameters of pelvic sagittal X-ray can assess the curative effect and prognosis of osteoporosis-caused spinal vertebral compression fractures,which can provide a certain reference for clinical treatment.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Panax notoginsenosides in the treatment of sepsis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.Methods The action targets of total saponins of Panax notoginsenosides were obtained by searching the databases of TCMSP,Swiss Target Prediciton and PharmMapper,and the disease-related targets of sepsis were searched in the databases of Genecard,Drugbank,Disgenet and OMIM.The selected targets of total saponins of Panax notoginsenosides were intersected with the disease-related targets of sepsis,which were used as potential targets for the treatment of sepsis.The protein-protein interaction(PPI)network of potential targets was constructed by STRING database,and the key targets were screened;the potential targets were analyzed by GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis,and the drug-disease-target-pathway network was constructed;the molecular docking of five monomer saponins of Panax notoginsenosides and the key targets of Panax notoginsenosides in the treatment of sepsis was studied by AutoDock Vina software.Results A total of 206 potential targets of Panax notoginsenosides in the treatment of sepsis were obtained,and key targets such as AKT1,TP53,SRC,STAT3,JUN,TNF,IL6,MAPK1,PIK3R1 and IL1B were screened.A total of 2 548 biological process(BP)items,174 molecular function(MF)items and 47 cellular component(CC)items were obtained by GO functional enrichment analysis of potential targets,and 171 signal pathways were obtained by KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.The main active components of Panax notoginsenosides R1,ginsenoside Rg1,ginsenoside Re,ginsenoside Rb1 and ginsenoside Rd have strong binding activity with key targets AKT1,TP53,STAT3,SRC and JUN.Conclusion Panax notoginsenosides may act on the main signal pathways such as PI3K-Akt and AGE-RAGE through the key targets such as AKT1,TP53,SRC,STAT3 and TNF,and then affect the physiological processes such as inflammation,apoptosis and blood coagulation in sepsis,and play a role in the treatment of sepsis.

Objective: Recent studies indicate that 3 morphological types of atlanto-occipital joint (AOJ) exist in the craniovertebral junction and are associated with type II basilar invagination (BI) and atlanto-occipital instability. However, the actual biomechanical effects remain unclear. This study aims to investigate biomechanical differences among AOJ types I, II, and III, and provide further evidence of atlanto-occipital instability in type II BI. Methods: Models of bilateral AOJ containing various AOJ types were created, including I-I, I-II, II-II, II-III, and III-III models, with increasing AOJ dysplasia across models. Then, 1.5 Nm torque simulated cervical motions. The range of motion (ROM), ligament and joint stress, and basion-dental interval (BDI) were analyzed. Results: The C0–1 ROM and accompanying rotational ROM increased progressively from model I-I to model III-III, with the ROM of model III-III showing increases between 27.3% and 123.8% indicating ultra-mobility and instability. In contrast, the C1–2 ROM changes were minimal. Meanwhile, the stress distribution pattern was disrupted; in particular, the C1 superior facet stress was concentrated centrally and decreased substantially across the models. The stress on the C0–1 capsule ligament decreased during cervical flexion and increased during bending and rotating loading. In addition, BDI gradually decreased across the models. Further analysis revealed that the dens showed an increase of 110.1% superiorly and 11.4% posteriorly, indicating an increased risk of spinal cord impingement. Conclusion Progressive AOJ incongruity critically disrupts supportive tissue loading, enabling incremental atlanto-occipital instability. AOJ dysplasia plays a key biomechanical role in the pathogenesis of type II BI.

Objective: Recent studies indicate that 3 morphological types of atlanto-occipital joint (AOJ) exist in the craniovertebral junction and are associated with type II basilar invagination (BI) and atlanto-occipital instability. However, the actual biomechanical effects remain unclear. This study aims to investigate biomechanical differences among AOJ types I, II, and III, and provide further evidence of atlanto-occipital instability in type II BI. Methods: Models of bilateral AOJ containing various AOJ types were created, including I-I, I-II, II-II, II-III, and III-III models, with increasing AOJ dysplasia across models. Then, 1.5 Nm torque simulated cervical motions. The range of motion (ROM), ligament and joint stress, and basion-dental interval (BDI) were analyzed. Results: The C0–1 ROM and accompanying rotational ROM increased progressively from model I-I to model III-III, with the ROM of model III-III showing increases between 27.3% and 123.8% indicating ultra-mobility and instability. In contrast, the C1–2 ROM changes were minimal. Meanwhile, the stress distribution pattern was disrupted; in particular, the C1 superior facet stress was concentrated centrally and decreased substantially across the models. The stress on the C0–1 capsule ligament decreased during cervical flexion and increased during bending and rotating loading. In addition, BDI gradually decreased across the models. Further analysis revealed that the dens showed an increase of 110.1% superiorly and 11.4% posteriorly, indicating an increased risk of spinal cord impingement. Conclusion Progressive AOJ incongruity critically disrupts supportive tissue loading, enabling incremental atlanto-occipital instability. AOJ dysplasia plays a key biomechanical role in the pathogenesis of type II BI.

Objective: Recent studies indicate that 3 morphological types of atlanto-occipital joint (AOJ) exist in the craniovertebral junction and are associated with type II basilar invagination (BI) and atlanto-occipital instability. However, the actual biomechanical effects remain unclear. This study aims to investigate biomechanical differences among AOJ types I, II, and III, and provide further evidence of atlanto-occipital instability in type II BI. Methods: Models of bilateral AOJ containing various AOJ types were created, including I-I, I-II, II-II, II-III, and III-III models, with increasing AOJ dysplasia across models. Then, 1.5 Nm torque simulated cervical motions. The range of motion (ROM), ligament and joint stress, and basion-dental interval (BDI) were analyzed. Results: The C0–1 ROM and accompanying rotational ROM increased progressively from model I-I to model III-III, with the ROM of model III-III showing increases between 27.3% and 123.8% indicating ultra-mobility and instability. In contrast, the C1–2 ROM changes were minimal. Meanwhile, the stress distribution pattern was disrupted; in particular, the C1 superior facet stress was concentrated centrally and decreased substantially across the models. The stress on the C0–1 capsule ligament decreased during cervical flexion and increased during bending and rotating loading. In addition, BDI gradually decreased across the models. Further analysis revealed that the dens showed an increase of 110.1% superiorly and 11.4% posteriorly, indicating an increased risk of spinal cord impingement. Conclusion Progressive AOJ incongruity critically disrupts supportive tissue loading, enabling incremental atlanto-occipital instability. AOJ dysplasia plays a key biomechanical role in the pathogenesis of type II BI.

Objective: Recent studies indicate that 3 morphological types of atlanto-occipital joint (AOJ) exist in the craniovertebral junction and are associated with type II basilar invagination (BI) and atlanto-occipital instability. However, the actual biomechanical effects remain unclear. This study aims to investigate biomechanical differences among AOJ types I, II, and III, and provide further evidence of atlanto-occipital instability in type II BI. Methods: Models of bilateral AOJ containing various AOJ types were created, including I-I, I-II, II-II, II-III, and III-III models, with increasing AOJ dysplasia across models. Then, 1.5 Nm torque simulated cervical motions. The range of motion (ROM), ligament and joint stress, and basion-dental interval (BDI) were analyzed. Results: The C0–1 ROM and accompanying rotational ROM increased progressively from model I-I to model III-III, with the ROM of model III-III showing increases between 27.3% and 123.8% indicating ultra-mobility and instability. In contrast, the C1–2 ROM changes were minimal. Meanwhile, the stress distribution pattern was disrupted; in particular, the C1 superior facet stress was concentrated centrally and decreased substantially across the models. The stress on the C0–1 capsule ligament decreased during cervical flexion and increased during bending and rotating loading. In addition, BDI gradually decreased across the models. Further analysis revealed that the dens showed an increase of 110.1% superiorly and 11.4% posteriorly, indicating an increased risk of spinal cord impingement. Conclusion Progressive AOJ incongruity critically disrupts supportive tissue loading, enabling incremental atlanto-occipital instability. AOJ dysplasia plays a key biomechanical role in the pathogenesis of type II BI.

Objective: Recent studies indicate that 3 morphological types of atlanto-occipital joint (AOJ) exist in the craniovertebral junction and are associated with type II basilar invagination (BI) and atlanto-occipital instability. However, the actual biomechanical effects remain unclear. This study aims to investigate biomechanical differences among AOJ types I, II, and III, and provide further evidence of atlanto-occipital instability in type II BI. Methods: Models of bilateral AOJ containing various AOJ types were created, including I-I, I-II, II-II, II-III, and III-III models, with increasing AOJ dysplasia across models. Then, 1.5 Nm torque simulated cervical motions. The range of motion (ROM), ligament and joint stress, and basion-dental interval (BDI) were analyzed. Results: The C0–1 ROM and accompanying rotational ROM increased progressively from model I-I to model III-III, with the ROM of model III-III showing increases between 27.3% and 123.8% indicating ultra-mobility and instability. In contrast, the C1–2 ROM changes were minimal. Meanwhile, the stress distribution pattern was disrupted; in particular, the C1 superior facet stress was concentrated centrally and decreased substantially across the models. The stress on the C0–1 capsule ligament decreased during cervical flexion and increased during bending and rotating loading. In addition, BDI gradually decreased across the models. Further analysis revealed that the dens showed an increase of 110.1% superiorly and 11.4% posteriorly, indicating an increased risk of spinal cord impingement. Conclusion Progressive AOJ incongruity critically disrupts supportive tissue loading, enabling incremental atlanto-occipital instability. AOJ dysplasia plays a key biomechanical role in the pathogenesis of type II BI.