1.Herbal Textual Research on Arcae Concha in Famous Classical Formulas
Yiqin ZHANG ; Yixue ZHUANG ; Yinan LU ; Yanning CHEN ; Yichong CHEN ; Shuiyu XU ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Chengzi YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):208-218
In this paper, the name, origin, producing area, harvesting, processing and functional indications of Arcae Concha were systematically combed and verified by consulting the ancient and modern literature, in order to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing Arcae Concha. Arcae Concha was first recorded in the name of Han in Bencao Shiyi, but later, due to the influence of LI Shizhen's error of combining Han item with Kuiha in the Ming dynasty, there were aliases such as Kuilu and Fulao, and Yizong Bidu began to include Walengzi as its correct name and has been used ever since. The textual descriptions and illustrations of the medicinal materials of Arcae Concha contained in the materia medica of the past generations were consistent with the modern Arca inflata, A. subcrenata and A. granosa. In ancient times, there were medicinal records of two parts of shell and meat, but now the shell is used as medicine, and the meat is mostly edible. In ancient times, Zhejiang, Shandong, Guangdong and Guangxi were the main producing areas, and Zhejiang was the best. It is now believed that A. inflata is mostly distributed in the northern part of the Huanghai Sea, A. granosa is mostly distributed in the coastal areas south of Shandong Peninsula in China, and A. subcrenata is widely distributed in the coastal areas of China. Its quality is better in a complete, white, no residual meat and sand. In ancient times, there was no clear harvesting period, and the processing was mainly based on vinegar quenching after calcination or powdering of calcined shell, but now the harvesting period is autumn and winter. After harvesting, it is directly washed and crushed for raw use or processed by calcined method. The records of the medicinal materials in the past dynasties on the properties of Arcae Concha were mainly warm, sweet, salty and mild, and it is now believed that Arcae Concha is salty in taste and mild in nature. In ancient times, it was believed that Arcae Concha were mainly used for coldness in the heart and abdomen, coldness in the waist and spine, benefiting the five internal organs, strengthening the stomach. Nowadays, it is believed that Arcae Concha can eliminate phlegm and remove blood stasis, soften the hardness and dissipate the lumps, produce acid and relieve pain. It can be used in the treatment of stubborn phlegm, gall tumor, scrofula and other symptoms. In conclusion, it is suggested that for the famous classical formulas containing Arcae Concha, the corresponding methods should be selected according to the processing requirements of the drug in the formulas, while those without processing requirements can be determined according to the functional position of the products.
2.Exploring the Relationship Between Liver and Executive Function Decline Based on "the Liver Governs the Designing of Strategy"
Lei HUO ; Yanan DENG ; Jinchai DENG ; Yan ZHANG ; Xueyuan DU ; Xianghong ZHAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(2):201-204
The concept of "spirit" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) aligns closely with "the liver governs the designing of strategy". By exploring the relationship between the liver and executive function decline, it is proposed that prolonged liver constraint leads to indecisiveness in strategy designing, which is the initiating factor for executive function decline; liver blood deficiency causes difficulties in executing strategy, which forms an essential foundation for the progression of executive function decline; obstruction in the "liver-du mai-brain" pathway leads to unclear strategy designing, which accelerates executive function decline. This relationship is examined from the perspectives of TCM, modern medicine, and cognitive psychology, aiming to provide insights into addressing executive function decline through treatments focused on the liver.
3.Effects of Modified shaoyao gancao decoction on intestinal transit function,intestinal flora and metabolite content in slow transit constipation rat
Ziqi ZHANG ; Hongyun ZHOU ; Qiong ZHAO ; Yuan DENG ; Yu ZHAN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):154-159
OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of Modified shaoyao gancao decoction on intestinal transit function, intestinal flora and the contents of metabolites [γ aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] in slow transit constipation (STC) rats. METHODS SD rats were randomly divided into blank group (10 rats) and modeling group (30 rats), with half male and half female. The STC model was established by intragastric administration of Compound diphenoxylate tablets in the modeling group. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group, Modified shaoyao gancao decoction group [56 g/(kg·d), calculated by crude drug] and positive control group [lactulose 2.09 g/(kg·d)], with 10 rats in each group. Each administration group was given relevant medicine intragastrically, the blank group and model group received an equivalent volume of normal saline, once a day, for 14 consecutive days. During the experiment, the general situation of rats was observed in each group. After the last medication, the body weight was measured, and the Bristol score was used to evaluate the fecal characteristics. The fecal moisture content, intestinal propulsion rate, and the contents of GABA and 5-HT in intestinal content were detected; the diversity of intestinal flora in intestinal contents was investigated, and the correlation between the contents of GABA, 5-HT and relative abundance of microbiota was analyzed. RESULTS Compared with the model group, general conditions such as small body shape, sparse and rough fur, and slow movement were all improved in Modified shaoyao gancao decoction body weight, Bristol score, fecal moisture content,intestinal propulsion rate, 5-HT content, Chao1 index and Shannon index were increased significantly, while GABA content and Simpson index were decreased significantly (P<0.05). The intestinal flora of rats in the Modified shaoyao gancao decoction group could be classified as the same as the blank group, but was far from the model group; the relative abundances of Desulfobacterota, Firmicutes and Bacteroidota in this group showed a tendency of pull back, but the differences were not statistically significant compared to model group (P>0.05). Desulfobacterota was an intergroup differential factor (P<0.05). The content of GABA was negatively correlated with the relative abundance of Bacteroidota, Cyanobacteria, Patescibacteria and Actinobacteriota (P<0.05). The content of 5-HT was positively correlated with the relative abundance of Campilobacterota (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Modified shaoyao gancao decoction can improve the fecal properties and intestinal motility of STC rats. Its mechanism may be related to improving intestinal flora and then affecting the contents of GABA and 5-HT in intestinal contents. In addition, the contents of GABA and 5-HT may be significantly correlated with the relative abundance of specific bacterial phyla such as Bacteroidota and Campilobacterota.
4.Effects of Modified shaoyao gancao decoction on intestinal transit function,intestinal flora and metabolite content in slow transit constipation rat
Ziqi ZHANG ; Hongyun ZHOU ; Qiong ZHAO ; Yuan DENG ; Yu ZHAN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):154-159
OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of Modified shaoyao gancao decoction on intestinal transit function, intestinal flora and the contents of metabolites [γ aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] in slow transit constipation (STC) rats. METHODS SD rats were randomly divided into blank group (10 rats) and modeling group (30 rats), with half male and half female. The STC model was established by intragastric administration of Compound diphenoxylate tablets in the modeling group. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group, Modified shaoyao gancao decoction group [56 g/(kg·d), calculated by crude drug] and positive control group [lactulose 2.09 g/(kg·d)], with 10 rats in each group. Each administration group was given relevant medicine intragastrically, the blank group and model group received an equivalent volume of normal saline, once a day, for 14 consecutive days. During the experiment, the general situation of rats was observed in each group. After the last medication, the body weight was measured, and the Bristol score was used to evaluate the fecal characteristics. The fecal moisture content, intestinal propulsion rate, and the contents of GABA and 5-HT in intestinal content were detected; the diversity of intestinal flora in intestinal contents was investigated, and the correlation between the contents of GABA, 5-HT and relative abundance of microbiota was analyzed. RESULTS Compared with the model group, general conditions such as small body shape, sparse and rough fur, and slow movement were all improved in Modified shaoyao gancao decoction body weight, Bristol score, fecal moisture content,intestinal propulsion rate, 5-HT content, Chao1 index and Shannon index were increased significantly, while GABA content and Simpson index were decreased significantly (P<0.05). The intestinal flora of rats in the Modified shaoyao gancao decoction group could be classified as the same as the blank group, but was far from the model group; the relative abundances of Desulfobacterota, Firmicutes and Bacteroidota in this group showed a tendency of pull back, but the differences were not statistically significant compared to model group (P>0.05). Desulfobacterota was an intergroup differential factor (P<0.05). The content of GABA was negatively correlated with the relative abundance of Bacteroidota, Cyanobacteria, Patescibacteria and Actinobacteriota (P<0.05). The content of 5-HT was positively correlated with the relative abundance of Campilobacterota (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Modified shaoyao gancao decoction can improve the fecal properties and intestinal motility of STC rats. Its mechanism may be related to improving intestinal flora and then affecting the contents of GABA and 5-HT in intestinal contents. In addition, the contents of GABA and 5-HT may be significantly correlated with the relative abundance of specific bacterial phyla such as Bacteroidota and Campilobacterota.
5.Design, synthesis and evaluation of oxadiazoles as novel XO inhibitors
Hong-zhan WANG ; Ya-jun YANG ; Ying YANG ; Fei YE ; Jin-ying TIAN ; Chuan-ming ZHANG ; Zhi-yan XIAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):164-171
Xanthine oxidase (XO) is an important therapeutic target for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout. Based on the previously identified potent XO inhibitor
6.Herbal Textual Research on Picrorhizae Rhizoma in Famous Classical Formulas
Feng ZHOU ; Yihan WANG ; Yanmeng LIU ; Xiaoqin ZHAO ; Kaizhi WU ; Cheng FENG ; Wenyue LI ; Wei ZHANG ; Wentao FANG ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):228-239
This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name, origin, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and other aspects of Picrorhizae Rhizoma by referring to the medical books, prescription books, and other documents of the past dynasties, combined with relevant modern research materials, in order to provide a basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this medicinal herb. The research results indicate that Picrorhizae Rhizoma was first recorded in New Revised Materia Medica from the Tang dynasty. Throughout history, Huhuanglian has been used as its official name, and there are also aliases such as Gehu Luze, Jiahuanglian and Hulian. The main source of past dynasties is the the rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurrooa and P. scrophulariiflora. In ancient times, Picrorhizae Rhizoma was mainly imported by foreign traders via Guangzhou and other regions, and also produced in China, mainly in Xizang. In ancient times, it was harvested and dried in early August of the lunar calendar, while in modern times, it is mostly harvested from July to September, with the best quality being those with thick and crispy rhizomes without impurities, and bitter taste. Throughout history, Picrorhizae Rhizoma was collected, washed, sliced, and dried before being used as a raw material for medicine, it has a bitter and cold taste, mainly used to treat bone steaming, hot flashes, infantile chancre fever, and dysentery. There is no significant difference in taste and efficacy between ancient and modern times. Based on the research results, it is recommended that the rhizomes of P. scrophulariiflora in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, or the rhizomes of P. kurrooa, can be used in famous classical formulas containing this medicinal herb, which can be processed according to the processing requirements marked by the original formula. For those without clear processing requirements, the dried raw products are used as medicine.
7.Current Status and Challenges of the Development on Rare Disease Multi-Security Mechanisms Driven by Data Intelligence in China
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(1):1-6
The major obstacle to optimizing the design of rare disease coverage is the fragmented decision-making process among medical services, pharmaceuticals, and medical insurance departments. There is an urgent need to realize data sharing and digital empowerment, as well as to adopt top-level design and systematic decision-making. It is also crucial to establish mechanisms, facilitated by digital intelligence, for sharing power and responsibilities, and assessing rewards and punishments. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to incorporate the theories of collaborative governance, digital governance, and the full life cycle into the entire process, which includes patient classification, diagnosis and treatment, medical assistance, medication protection, and health insurance fund management for rare diseases. This integration aims to provide theoretical reference for the effective linkage of medical services, pharmaceuticals, and medical insurance, and to improve the efficiency and equity of resource allocation in the public sector.
8.Effects of Different Microbial Fertilizers on Physiology and Rhizosphere Soil Environment of Codonopsis pilosula
Xia JIANG ; Junxi ZHAO ; Panpan SHI ; Xiaoxuan WANG ; Chenhui DU ; Shuosheng ZHANG ; Haixian ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):241-251
ObjectiveTo study the effects of applying different microbial fertilizers on the growth and rhizosphere soil environment of Codonopsis pilosula and provide a theoretical basis for ecological cultivation of this medicinal plant. MethodsSeven groups were designed, including CK (no application of microbial fertilizer), T1 (Trichoderma longibrachiatum fertilizer), T2 (Bacillus subtilis fertilizer), T3 (Trichoderma viride fertilizer), T4 (compound microbial fertilizer), T5 (C. pilosula stems and leaves fermented with compound microbial fertilizer), and T6 (Scutellaria baicalensis stems and leaves fermented with T. viride fertilizer). The physiological indicators, yield, and quality of C. pilosula and the physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and microbial diversity in the rhizosphere soil of different fertilizer treatments were measured. ResultsGroup T1 showed slight decreases in soluble protein content (SPC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Groups T2-T6 showed increases in physiological indicators such as proline (Pro), soluble solids content (SSC), SPC, catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) and a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) in C. pilosula leaves. All the fertilizer treatments increased the yield of C. pilosula and the total polysaccharide content in the roots. T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 increased the total flavonoid content in the roots. Meanwhile, T4 increased the total saponin content in the roots. All the fertilizer treatments reduced the pH and increased the electric conductivity (EC), soil organic matter (SOM), and alkaline nitrogen (AN) in the soil. T2 and T5 increased the available phosphorus (AP), and T3, T4, T5, and T6 increased the available potassium (AK) in the soil. All the fertilizer treatments increased the activities of urease, sucrase, and CAT in the soil. Except that T1 decreased the bacterial diversity in the soil, other fertilizer treatments significantly increased bacterial and fungal diversity in the soil. Different fertilizer treatments significantly affected the composition of bacterial and fungal communities in the soil. At the phylum level, the dominant bacterial phyla included Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, and Bacteroideta, and the dominant fungal phyla were Ascomycota, Mortierellomycota, and unclassified_fungi in the rhizosphere soil of C. pilosula after bacterial fertilizer treatment. At the genus level, unclassified Gemmatimonadaceae, Sphingomonas, and unclassified Vicinamibacteraceae were the dominant bacterial genera, while unidentified, unclassified Fungi, and unclassified Sordariomycetes were the dominant fungal genera in the rhizosphere soil. The results of redundancy analysis indicated that the main physicochemical factors affecting changes of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of C. pilosula were pH, EC, AK, AN, AP, and soil organic matter (SOM) in the soil. The correlation heatmap showed that Bryobacter had significantly positive correlations with EC, AK, and AN. There was a significantly negative correlation between Fusarium and SOM. In summary, applying an appropriate amount of microbial fertilizer can promote the growth and improve the rhizosphere soil environment of C. pilosula. ConclusionThe compound microbial fertilizer and the C. pilosula stems and leaves fermented with compound microbial fertilizer can improve the soil nutrients, growth, development, yield, and quality of C. pilosula, and thus they can be applied to the artificial cultivation of C. pilosula.
9.Effects of Different Microbial Fertilizers on Physiology and Rhizosphere Soil Environment of Codonopsis pilosula
Xia JIANG ; Junxi ZHAO ; Panpan SHI ; Xiaoxuan WANG ; Chenhui DU ; Shuosheng ZHANG ; Haixian ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):241-251
ObjectiveTo study the effects of applying different microbial fertilizers on the growth and rhizosphere soil environment of Codonopsis pilosula and provide a theoretical basis for ecological cultivation of this medicinal plant. MethodsSeven groups were designed, including CK (no application of microbial fertilizer), T1 (Trichoderma longibrachiatum fertilizer), T2 (Bacillus subtilis fertilizer), T3 (Trichoderma viride fertilizer), T4 (compound microbial fertilizer), T5 (C. pilosula stems and leaves fermented with compound microbial fertilizer), and T6 (Scutellaria baicalensis stems and leaves fermented with T. viride fertilizer). The physiological indicators, yield, and quality of C. pilosula and the physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and microbial diversity in the rhizosphere soil of different fertilizer treatments were measured. ResultsGroup T1 showed slight decreases in soluble protein content (SPC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Groups T2-T6 showed increases in physiological indicators such as proline (Pro), soluble solids content (SSC), SPC, catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) and a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) in C. pilosula leaves. All the fertilizer treatments increased the yield of C. pilosula and the total polysaccharide content in the roots. T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 increased the total flavonoid content in the roots. Meanwhile, T4 increased the total saponin content in the roots. All the fertilizer treatments reduced the pH and increased the electric conductivity (EC), soil organic matter (SOM), and alkaline nitrogen (AN) in the soil. T2 and T5 increased the available phosphorus (AP), and T3, T4, T5, and T6 increased the available potassium (AK) in the soil. All the fertilizer treatments increased the activities of urease, sucrase, and CAT in the soil. Except that T1 decreased the bacterial diversity in the soil, other fertilizer treatments significantly increased bacterial and fungal diversity in the soil. Different fertilizer treatments significantly affected the composition of bacterial and fungal communities in the soil. At the phylum level, the dominant bacterial phyla included Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, and Bacteroideta, and the dominant fungal phyla were Ascomycota, Mortierellomycota, and unclassified_fungi in the rhizosphere soil of C. pilosula after bacterial fertilizer treatment. At the genus level, unclassified Gemmatimonadaceae, Sphingomonas, and unclassified Vicinamibacteraceae were the dominant bacterial genera, while unidentified, unclassified Fungi, and unclassified Sordariomycetes were the dominant fungal genera in the rhizosphere soil. The results of redundancy analysis indicated that the main physicochemical factors affecting changes of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of C. pilosula were pH, EC, AK, AN, AP, and soil organic matter (SOM) in the soil. The correlation heatmap showed that Bryobacter had significantly positive correlations with EC, AK, and AN. There was a significantly negative correlation between Fusarium and SOM. In summary, applying an appropriate amount of microbial fertilizer can promote the growth and improve the rhizosphere soil environment of C. pilosula. ConclusionThe compound microbial fertilizer and the C. pilosula stems and leaves fermented with compound microbial fertilizer can improve the soil nutrients, growth, development, yield, and quality of C. pilosula, and thus they can be applied to the artificial cultivation of C. pilosula.
10.Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) for high transsphincteric fistulas: a double-center retrospective study with long-term follow-up
Leichang ZHANG ; Chuanyu ZHAN ; Lu LI ; Wanjin SHAO ; Guidong SUN ; Yugen CHEN ; Guanghua CHEN ; Yulei LANG ; Zenghua XIAO ; Xiao XIAO
Annals of Coloproctology 2025;41(1):77-83
Purpose:
This study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of the ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) procedure in treating high transsphincteric fistulas.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the success rate of LIFT treatment in 82 patients with high transsphincteric fistulas involving at least one-third of the external sphincter. This study was carried out across 2 centers from November 2009 to February 2023.
Results:
All patients underwent successful surgery with a median operative time of 48.9 minutes (range, 20–80 minutes), and no intraoperative or postoperative complications were reported. The median follow-up duration was 85.5 months (range, 4–120 months), with 5 patients (6.1%) lost to follow-up. Treatment was successful in 62 patients, whose symptoms disappeared and both the external opening and the intersphincteric incision completely healed, yielding an overall efficiency rate of 80.5%. There were 15 cases (19.5%) of treatment failure, including 6 (7.8%) that converted to intersphincteric anal fistula and 9 (11.7%) that experienced persistent or recurrent fistulas. Only 1 patient reported minor overflow during the postoperative follow-up, but no other patients reported any significant discomfort. There were no statistically significant differences between patients with surgical success and those with treatment failure in terms of fistula length, history of previous abscess or anal fistula surgery, number of external orifices or fistulas, and location of fistulas (all P>0.05).
Conclusion
LIFT is a safe and effective sphincter-preserving procedure that yields satisfactory healing outcomes and has minimal impact on anal function.

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