Objective: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Chinese patent medicines and classic traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions were systematically reviewed from both Chinese and English journals published in 2023. A preliminary summary and evaluation were conducted on the generation and translation of clinical evidence for these treatments. This analysis aims to inform future research on clinical efficacy evaluation and guide the rational application of evidence. Methods: RCTs of Chinese patent medicines and classic traditional Chinese prescriptions published in 2023 were comprehensively retrieved from the Artificial Intelligence Clinical Evidence Database for Chinese Patent Medicine (AICED-CPM), with supplementary searches conducted in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed), Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. The study characteristics and methodological quality of these RCTs were systematically analyzed and evaluated. Results: A total of 1 443 RCTs of Chinese patent medicines were included, comprising 1 399 Chinese articles and 44 English articles. Additionally, 334 RCTs of classic traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions were found, with 331 published in Chinese and 3 in English. 196 567 participants were included, covering 585 types of Chinese patent medicines (487 oral, 61 injectable, and 37 topical) and 179 classic traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. The involved studies encompassed 22 types of diseases, with research primarily focusing on diseases of the circulatory system, the respiratory system, and the genitourinary system. The sample sizes ranged from 18 to 3 777 participants, and most studies were conducted at a single center. Methodologically, the implementation of allocation concealment and blinding remained insufficiently emphasized. Conclusion Overall, compared with 2022, both the number of RCT publications and their methodological quality have improved in 2023, with heightened attention to research on diseases of the genitourinary system. However, quality control and standardized management in the design and implementation processes still require enhancement to produce more high-quality clinical evidence and accelerate the translation and application of this evidence.

OBJECTIVE To optimize the formulation for sustained-release particles of matrine(MAT) and paeonol(PAE) and to primarily evaluate their quality. METHODS The sustained-release particles were fabricated by the extrusion-spheronization method. Single factor analysis was conducted on the main sustained-release materials and their dosage, auxiliary sustained-release materials, and the total amount and proportion of mixed sustained-release materials, using the cumulative release rates of MAT and PAE in vitro as evaluation indicators. By combining central composition design-response surface methodology, the formulation of sustained-release materials was optimized, and the effects of the total amount and mass ratio of ethyl cellulose(EC) and chitosan(CS) on the cumulative release rate and release synchronization of MAT and PAE were investigated. The formulation characteristics, in vitro release, and preliminary stability tests of MAT-PAE-SRPs were evaluated, and the release process kinetic equation was fitted. RESULTS The optimized formulation contained 23.5% EC and 17.1% CS as sustained-release materials. The yield, repose angle, bulk density and friability of final particles were 97.23%, 38.1°, 0.74 g·mL−1 and 0.74%, respectively. The particles showed sustained release pattern in various media and released faster in acidic media with its release percentage >90% at 12 h. The release profile of MAT was fitted best with first order equation, and that of paeonol with Higuchi equation. The formation of SRPs improved the stability of both drugs. CONCLUSION The sustained-release effect of MAT-PAE-SRPs prepared by sustained-release materials EC and CS is significant, and the cumulative release rate and release synchronization of MAT and PAE are good, which can provide reference for the research of dual loaded sustained-release formulations.

This study searched the clinical researches on traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） for cardiovascular diseases registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and the US Clinical Trial Registry， the cardiovascular disease-related studies funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China， as well as those published in China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， Wanfang database， VIP.com， China Biology Medicine disc （CBMdisc）， Embase， Medline， Cochrane Library， and other databases published cardiovascular disease-related studies from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2023. In order to analyse and evaluate the research progress of TCM treatment for coronary heart disease， hypertension， heart failure， and arrhythmia， this study aimed at recent research hotspots and research direction. It is found that the research on TCM for cardiovascular diseases was gradually deepening and the high-quality evidence continued to emerge. It is believed that studies related to the prevention and treatment of common cardiovascular diseases by TCM reflected the multi-angle integration of modern technology and pattern differentiation and treatment， closer integration of clinical and basic research， and further optimisation of pattern identification and interventions. On this basis， the research programme and implementation process should be further standardized， and the translation of research results should be emphasized to promote the standardized application and promotion of TCM diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

As the smallest combination unit of Chinese medicinals， herbal pairs serve as the bridge between medicinals and formulas， whose combination theory reflects the basic characteristics of Chinese medicinals combination and the core essence of prescription composition. Simultaneously， as a key combination of medicinals in clinical treatment of diseases， syndromes， and symptoms， herbal pairs are the main form of clinical medication in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） as well as the characteristic advantage of treating diseases. This article summarized that “mutual complement of medicinals of same or antagonism flavor and nature” theory is the theoretical origin， and efficacy-enhancement and toxicity-attenuation is the core purpose of the combination of herbal pairs. The property theory of Chinese medicinals and the thought of differentiation and treatment are the main basis of the combination of herbal pairs， and pertinence and flexibility are the key points in clinical application. All mentioned above are expected to provide theoretical guidance for the clinical use and modern research of herbal pairs.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) infection leads to a mortality rate of up to 100%, causing devastating disasters to the pig industry. Understanding the ASFV infection and replication is therefore of great importance. ASFV has more than 150 open reading frames, among which the inner coat protein p17 encoded by the D117L gene is involved in the formation of the icosahedral structure of the virus. However, little is known about the mechanism how p17 regulates host cell function. In this study, the potential host proteins interacting with ASFV p17 were screened by immunoprecipitation technique combined with protein profiling analysis. The interactions of p17 with mitochondrial membrane protein TOMM70 and heat shock protein HSPA8 were confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation technique and laser confocal experiments. This study provides important information for further exploring the function of p17 during ASFV infection.
African Swine Fever ; African Swine Fever Virus/metabolism* ; Animals ; Open Reading Frames ; Swine ; Viral Proteins/metabolism*

COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread across the globe, posing an enormous threat to public health and safety. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in combination with Western medicine (WM), has made important and lasting contributions in the battle against COVID-19. In this review, updated clinical effects and potential mechanisms of TCM, presented in newly recognized three distinct phases of the disease, are summarized and discussed. By integrating the available clinical and preclinical evidence, the efficacies and underlying mechanisms of TCM on COVID-19, including the highly recommended three Chinese patent medicines and three Chinese medicine formulas, are described in a panorama. We hope that this comprehensive review not only provides a reference for health care professionals and the public to recognize the significant contributions of TCM for COVID-19, but also serves as an evidence-based in-depth summary and analysis to facilitate understanding the true scientific value of TCM.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis in patients with prostate specific antigen (PSA) abnormal prostate disease. Methods The patients who had abnormal PSA from January 2017 to December 2018 in Weifang People′s Hospital were selected. Patients with prostate puncture indications were as research target. A total of 137 patients including 44 patients with prostate cancer and 93 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were diagnosed by puncture. All patients underwent magnetic resonance scan and enhancement and spectroscopy before surgery. The comparative value of magnetic resonance scan + enhancement, magnetic resonance spectroscopy and joint examination was obtained. Results Sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging and enhancement was 77.3% (34/44), specificity was 86.0% (80/93), and accuracy was 83.2% (114/137). Sensitivity of magnetic resonance spectroscopy was 52.3% (23/44), specificity was 77.4% (72/93), and accuracy was 69.3% (95/137). The sensitivity of the combined application was 90.9% (40/44), specificity was 91.4% (85/93), and accuracy was 91.2% (125/137). Conclusions The application of magnetic resonance spectroscopy can increase the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of magnetic resonance plain scan and intensive examination for diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) is a pharmacologically active substance extracted from the rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (also known as the Chinese herb Danshen), and is widely used to treat atherosclerosis. The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a nuclear receptor that is a key regulator of xenobiotic and endobiotic detoxification. Tan IIA is an efficacious PXR agonist that has a potential protective effect on endothelial injuries induced by xenobiotics and endobiotics via PXR activation. Previously numerous studies have demonstrated the possible effects of Tan IIA on human umbilical vein endothelial cells, but the further mechanism for its exerts the protective effect is not well established. To study the protective effects of Tan IIA against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), we pretreated cells with or without different concentrations of Tan IIA for 24 h, then exposed the cells to 400 μM H₂O₂ for another 3 h. Therefore, our data strongly suggests that Tan IIA may lead to increased regeneration of glutathione (GSH) from the glutathione disulfide (GSSG) produced during the GSH peroxidase-catalyzed decomposition of H₂O₂ in HUVECs, and the PXR plays a significant role in this process. Tan IIA may also exert protective effects against H₂O₂-induced apoptosis through the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway associated with the participation of PXR. Tan IIA protected HUVECs from inflammatory mediators triggered by H₂O₂ via PXR activation. In conclusion, Tan IIA protected HUVECs against H₂O₂-induced cell injury through PXR-dependent mechanisms.
Apoptosis ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Atherosclerosis ; Endothelial Cells* ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Disulfide ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Inflammation ; Oxidative Stress ; Regeneration ; Rhizome ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; Triacetoneamine-N-Oxyl ; Xenobiotics

Objective To investigate the immunological characteristics and clinical significance of reactive plasmacytosis in patients with severe fever with throbocytopenia syndrome (SFTS).Methods Bunyavirus-infected patients who were diagnosed with SFTS were collected from March 2015 to October 2015 in Taizhou Hospital.Morphology analysis of bone marrow and peripheral blood (PB) smear, as well as flow cytometry analysis of plasma cell immune phenotype from peripheral blood were conducted.Serum immunoglobulin levels and helper T hymphocytes (Th)1/Th2 cytokine expressions were detected.Mann-Whitney U test was used.Results PB plasma cells from all of the SFTS patients increased in varying degrees, and the phenotype of the plasma cells was CD19+CD38++CD45+CD138+, which indicated normal mature plasma cells.The ratio of PB plasma cells was >0.030 in 10/16 patients, and >0.300 in 2/16 patients.The ratios of PB plasma cells in the patients with severe and critical groups were significantly higher than that in the mild group (0.052 vs 0.016, P<0.05).Monocytoid histiocytes and hemophagocytes were observed in the BM morphology of 9 patients.Three of them were diagnosed as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).The ratio of plasma cells was more than 0.030 in the bone marrow of 8 patients.The serum levels of interlewkin (IL)-6, IL-10 and interferon (IFN)-γ in acute phase were significantly elevated with the median level of 49.75 ng/L, 26.98 ng/L (reference value 2.6 to 4.9 ng/L) and 17.57 ng/L, respectively.While the levels of IL-2, IL-4 and twmor necrosis fautor(TNF)-α were not significantly changed.The serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels in the patients with severe and critical groups were both significantly higher than those in the mild group (IL-6: 132.36 vs 22.81 ng/L;IL-10: 75.28 vs 6.33 ng/L, both P<0.05), but the difference of IFN-γ level was not significant (P>0.05).The serum IgG, IgA and IgM levels did not increase in acute stage, with the median of 11.6 g/L, 2.56 g/L and 1.60 g/L (reference value 0.46 to 3.04 g/L), respectively.Conclusion The patients with SFTS show excessive humoral and cellular immunity, and the severity of disease is positively correlated with the ratio of peripheral plasma cells and the levels of cytokines IL-6 and IL-10.