Study on the differences in chemical composition of Scutellaria baicalensis leaves from different origins in Shanxi Province based on plant metabolomics and targeted quantitative analysis / 药学学报

By integrating plant metabonomics and target quantitative analysis methods, this study systematically analyzed the differences of chemical constituents in Scutellaria baicalensis leaves from different producing areas in Shanxi, so as to provide theoretical basis for rational and effective utilization of Scutellaria baicalensis leaves. Based on the idea of plant metabonomics, the liquid quality of 53 batches of Scutellaria baicalensis leaves from 8 different producing areas in Shanxi was analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS, and the collected data were imported into SIMCA 14.1 software for multivariate statistical analysis to screen the different chemical constituents among different habitats in Shanxi. Meanwhile, a method for simultaneous determination of 7 flavonoids and 3 organic acids in Scutellaria baicalensis leaves was optimized and established to quantitatively analyze the differences of chemical components in Scutellaria baicalensis leaves from different producing areas in Shanxi. The results of plant metabonomics showed that there were differences in the chemical composition of Scutellaria baicalensis leaves in northern Shanxi (Datong, Xinzhou), Jinzhong (Yangquan, Luliang) and southern Shanxi (Changzhi, Yuncheng, Jincheng, Linfen): there were 14 significant differences in chemical composition between northern Shanxi and Jinzhong; there were 18 significant differences in chemical constituents between southern Shanxi and central Shanxi. There were 15 significant differences in chemical constituents between northern Shanxi and southern Shanxi. Among them, scutellarin and isocarthamidin-7-O-glucuronide were the common differences among the three regions, and the content of scutellarin was the highest in southern Shanxi and the lowest in northern Shanxi. The content of isocarthamidin-7-O-glucuronide was the highest in Jinzhong area and the lowest in northern Shanxi area. Quantitative analysis further confirmed that the average contents of apigenin, naringenin and citric acid were the highest in northern Shanxi, scutellarin, caffeic acid, apigenin-7-O-glucuronide, malic acid and wogonoside were the highest in southern Shanxi, and wogonoside and baicalin were the highest in central Shanxi. This study is of great significance to the quality control of Scutellaria baicalensis leaf resources, and provides theoretical basis for rational and effective utilization of Scutellaria baicalensis leaf resources.

Double-pulley combined with suture bridge technique for fixation of comminuted fractures of distal patella pole / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical effect of double pulley combined with suture bridge in the treatment of comminuted fracture of the lower pole of the patella.@*METHODS@#From January 2018 to June 2020, 15 patients with comminuted fracture of the lower pole of the patella were treated with double pulley and suture bridge technology, including 9 males and 6 females, aged 28 to 68 years old with an average of (42.4±9.6) years old. All patients had obvious knee joint pain and limited movement after injury. All knee joints were examined by X-ray and CT, which confirmed that they were all comminuted fractures at the lower level of the patella. After operation, X-ray films of the knee joint were taken regularly to understand the fracture healing, the Insall Salvati index was measure, the range of motion of the joint was recorded, and the function of the knee joint was evaluateed by the Bostman scoring system.@*RESULTS@#All the 15 patients were followed up for 7 to 24 months with an average of (11.4±4.2) months, and there was no obvious anterior knee pain. At the last follow-up, the knee joint range of motion of the affected limb was 105° to 140° with an average of (128.5±12.8) °, and the Insall Salvati index was 0.79 to 1.12 with an average of (0.92±0.18). The X-ray film showed that the patella was bone healing, and no anchor fell off, broken, or displaced fracture block was found. Bostman patellar fracture function score was 27.85±2.06, 13 cases were excellent, 2 cases were good.@*CONCLUSION@#Double pulley technique combined with suture bridge technique is reliable for reduction and fixation of comminuted fracture of the lower pole of patella, and patients can start functional exercise early after operation.

Blood metabolites in preterm infants with retinopathy of prematurity based on tandem mass spectrometry: a preliminary study / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study new biomarkers for the early diagnosis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) by analyzing the differences in blood metabolites based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and metabolomics.@*METHODS@#Dried blood spots were collected from 21 infants with ROP (ROP group) and 21 infants without ROP (non-ROP group) who were hospitalized in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2013 to December 2016. LC-MS/MS was used to measure the metabolites, and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis was used to search for differentially expressed metabolites and biomarkers.@*RESULTS@#There was a significant difference in blood metabolic profiles between the ROP and non-ROP groups. The pattern recognition analysis, Score-plot, and weight analysis obtained 10 amino acids with a relatively large difference. Further statistical analysis showed that the ROP group had significant increases in blood levels of glutamic acid, leucine, aspartic acid, ornithine, and glycine compared with the non-ROP group (P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that glutamic acid and ornithine had the highest value in diagnosing ROP.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Blood metabolites in preterm infants with ROP are different from those without ROP. Glutamic acid and ornithine are the metabolic markers for diagnosing ROP. LC-MS/MS combined with metabolomics analysis has a potential application value in the early identification and diagnosis of ROP.

Application and development of quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance technology / 药学学报

Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) technology has significant advantages in quantification due to its simple sample processing and high reproducibility. Two-dimensional qNMR analysis, which can solve the quantification problem of different components in complex systems, has gradually been applied in medicine, food, metabonomics, chemical engineering, and other fields. This paper reviews the analysis methods, influencing factors, experimental optimization, application fields, and other aspects of qNMR to promote its wide and effective application.

Research progress of biomimetic nano drug delivery system in nervous system disease / 药学学报

Brain delivery of drugs remains challenging due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). With advances in nanotechnology and biotechnology, new possibilities for brain-targeted drug delivery have emerged. Biomimetic nano drug delivery systems with high brain-targeting and BBB-penetrating capabilities, along with good biocompatibility and safety, can enable 'invisible' drug delivery. In this review, five different types of biomimetic strategies are presented and their research progress in central nervous system disorders is reviewed. Finally, the challenges and future prospects for biomimetic nano drug delivery systems in intracerebral drug delivery are summarized.

Research progress of anti-tumor in situ gel delivery system / 药学学报

Cancer is the most important leading cause of death worldwide, with about 10 million deaths caused by cancer in 2020. In situ gel drug delivery systems have attracted much attention in the field of pharmacy and biotechnology due to their good histo-compatibility, excellent injectability, high drug delivery capacity, slow-release drug delivery, and less influence by the in vivo environment. Meanwhile, in situ gel can be combined with chemotherapy, photo-thermal therapy, chemokinetic therapy, immunotherapy and so on to deliver drugs into the tumor site in a less invasive way without surgical operation, forming a semi-solid gel reservoir in the tumor site to realize in situ tumor combined therapy. In this paper, the author summarized the research progress of anti-tumor in situ gel delivery system in the past 10 years, introduced its commonly used polymer materials, classification principles and specific application examples, and finally summarized and discussed the key issues, in order to provide reference for the development of new anti-tumor drug delivery system in the future.

Analysis of public appeals for vaccination in Guangzhou's Government Hotline from 2018 to 2020 / 中华预防医学杂志

This study analyzed the characteristics and change trend of Guangzhou citizens' demands related to vaccination through government hotlines 12345 and 12320 from 2018 to 2020. It understood the hotspots and needs of the public for vaccination work, analyzed the problems existing in vaccination work, and provided reference and suggestions for health departments to improve vaccination services and formulate relevant policies: to timely improve the professional ability and knowledge reserve of hotline personnel; to strengthen the construction of vaccination service system;to optimize the appointment vaccination service application; to scientifically purchase HPV vaccine and ensure the production and supply of vaccine.

Determination of paclitaxel prodrug in SD rat plasma by LC-MS/MS and its application in preclinical pharmacokinetic studies / 药学学报

A fast and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of prodrug of paclitaxel (Pro-PTX) and paclitaxel (PTX) in rat plasma was developed. The plasma samples were subjected to protein precipitation with acetonitrile (0.1% formic acid), and then separated by LC with an Ultimate AQ-C18 column (50 mm × 3.0 mm, 3 μm) and acetonitrile-1 mmol·L-1 ammonium formate (containing 0.1% formic acid) as the mobile phase. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) scanning mode was used to detect the ion responses m/z 983.4→415.2 (Pro-PTX), m/z 854.4→286.1 (PTX) and m/z 808.3→527.2 (Docetaxel, internal standard) by using a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization source and positive ion mode. The method validation results show that the linear ranges of Pro-PTX and PTX in plasma were 2.00-500 ng·mL-1 (r > 0.99) and 4.00-1 000 ng·mL-1 (r > 0.99), the lower limit of quantification was 2.00 ng·mL-1 and 4.00 ng·mL-1, respectively; the quality control samples with low, medium and high concentrations of Pro-PTX and PTX were within the batch, the relative standard deviation (RSD) between batches were all less than 9%; the relative deviation (RE) was within the range of ± 9%; In the stability test, both Pro-PTX and PTX in plasma were stable under various storage conditions. The method was sensitive, specific, and reproducible, and was suitable for the pharmacokinetic study of Pro-PTX in rats. Animal experiments were approved by the Ethics Committee of Laboratory Animal Management and Animal Welfare, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No.: 00003552).

A proposed mechanism by which Qishen Yiqi dropping pill improves cardiac energy metabolism in rats with heart failure based on metabolomics and network pharmacology / 药学学报

"Omics" and bioinformatics have brought new ideas to the study of traditional Chinese medicine. This study used metabonomics and network pharmacology to investigate the pharmacodynamic basis and regulation of Qishen Yiqi dropping pill (QDP) improving cardiac energy metabolism in rats with heart failure (HF). 1H NMR metabonomics analysis showed that eight metabolites, including carnitine, glutamine, creatine, proline, homocitrulline, lactic acid, taurine and alanine appeared significant callback after QDP treatment for HF. The results indicate that QDP regulates the metabolism of carbohydrate, lipid, ATP and protein. The animal experiment was conducted in accordance with the regulations of the Ethics Committee for Experimental Animal Management and Animal Welfare of Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. A "drug-component-target-disease" network was established using network pharmacology, and the "component-target" sub-network related to the above energy metabolism processes was extracted by combining metabonomics results. Results revealed 79 chemical compounds and 47 potential targets of QDP involved in the regulation of energy metabolism, and identified key chemical components including ursolic acid, notoginsenoside G, ginsenoside-Rh1, and core targets such as INS, PPARG, and AKT1. The results also demonstrated the complex multi-target and multi-component relationship between QDP and HF from the perspective of energy metabolism. The molecular docking technique verified a strong interaction between some targets and chemical compounds, with affinities less than -5 kcal·mol-1. The results of this study provide useful information for the clinical application, development, and utilization of QDP.

Coronal curvature of tibial leads to malalignment of tibial prosthesis after total knee arthroplasty / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of tibial coronal curvature on the alignment of tibial prosthesis in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA).@*METHODS@#From July 2019 to April 2021, 100 patients with knee osteoarthritis were treated with total knee arthroplasty. Before operation, the full-length films of lower limbs were taken and the tibial bowing angle(TBA) was measured. TBA more than 2° was tibial bending, which was divided into tibial bending group and non bending group. There were 40 cases in tibial bending group, 9 males and 31 females, aged 56 to 84 years old with an average of (69.22±7.10) years. There were 60 cases in the non bending group, 19 males and 41 females, aged from 51 to 87 years old with an average of (70.80±7.21) years. The preoperative tibial length (TL) and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) were measured and compared between the two groups. The full-length X-rays of the lower limbs were taken again 3 days to 1 week after operation. The medial angle of the tibial component coronal aligement angle (TCCA) and the outilier rate of force line of the tibial prosthesis were measured and compared between the two groups. Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between TCCA and age, TCCA and height, TCCA and weight, TCCA and BMI, TCCA and TBA, TCCA and TL, TCCA and MPTA; Spearman method was used to analyze the correlation between TCCA and gender, TCCA and Kellgren-Lawrence(K-L) grade.@*RESULTS@#All 100 patients successfully completed the operation and obtained satisfactory full-length X-rays in standing position. There was no significant difference in TL, MPTA and TCCA between bending group and non bending group(P>0.05). The outilier rate of force line in tibial bending group was 22.5%, and that in non bending group was 6.67%, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The correlation study found that TCCA was strongly correlated with TBA(r=-0.702, P<0.01), weakly correlated with MPTA(r=0.311, P<0.01), and had no correlation with other parameters(P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#In patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing total knee arthroplasty, tibial bending will lead to poor force line of tibial prosthesis. During operation, attention should be paid to osteotomy of proximal tibial vertical tibial mechanical axis and correct installation of prosthesis to avoid poor alignment of prosthesis.

Effect of Geniposide on Liver Injury and Bile Acid Profile in Serum, Liver and Excrement of Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the hepatotoxicity of different doses of geniposide on the liver of rats and the effects on bile acid profile in serum， liver tissue and feces. Method:The 60 Sprague Dawley rats， half male and half female， were randomly divided into 5 groups according to body weight： blank group and four different doses （50， 100， 200， 400 mg·kg^-1） geniposide groups， 12 rats in each group. The rats were treated by gavage once a day for 7 consecutive days， and the serum， liver and cecal contents were collected on the 8^th day of treatment. The activities of alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， the contents of albumin （ALB）， total bilirubin （TBIL）， total bile acid （TBA）， creatinine （Crea） and carbamide （Urea） were detected in each group. The sections of liver tissue were stained with hematoxylin-eosin（HE）， and the protein expressions of cytokeratin 7（CK7） and cytokeratin 19（CK19） were detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein expressions of CK7 and CK19 in the liver tissue were detected by Western blot. And the mRNA expressions of cholesterol 7<italic>α</italic>-hydroxylase （CYP7A1）， cholesterol 27<italic>α</italic>-hydroxylase （ CYP27A1） and cholesterol 12<italic>α</italic>-hydroxylase （CYP8B1） were detected by real-time PCR. The contents of 18 kinds of bile acids in serum， liver and cecal contents were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry（UPLC-MS）. Result:Compared with the control group， TBIL level in each dose of geniposide group was increasesd significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. ALT， AST activity and TBA content in 400 mg·kg^-1 geniposide group were increased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. HE staining showed that， compared with control group， there was bile duct reaction in the portal area and inflammatory cells infiltrate around bile duct in 200 mg·kg^-1 and 400 mg·kg^-1 geniposide groups， especially 400 mg·kg^-1. The expressions of CK7 and CK19 in liver tissue of 400 mg·kg^-1 geniposide group were significantly higher than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the control group， the contents of glycoursodeoxycholic acid （GUDCA） and glycohyodeoxycholic acid （GHDCA） in liver tissue of 400 mg·kg^-1 geniposide group decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， the contents of sodium taurochenodeoxycholate （TCDCA）， hyodeoxycholic acid （HDCA）， cholic acid （CA） and chenodeoxycholic acid （CDCA） in liver tissue increased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， the contents of glycocholic acid hydrate （GCA）， glycochenodeoxycholic acid （GCDCA）， glycodeoxycholic acid hydrate （GDCA）， glycocholic acid （GLCA）， tauroursodeoxycholic acid （TUDCA）， GUDCA， GHDCA， ursodeoxycholic （UDCA） and taurolithocholic acid （TLCA） decreased， the proportions of TCDCA， HDCA， CA， CDCA and deoxycholic acid （DCA） in liver tissue increased， the contents of GHDCA and lithocholic acid （LCA） in serum decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while sodium taurohyodeoxycholate hydrate （THDCA）， taurocholic acid （TCA）， GCA， TCDCA， UDCA， CA， CDCA， DCA in serum decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. The contents of CA， UDCA， CA， CDCA and DCA increased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， the ratio of CA/DCA increased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and the ratio of CA and CDCA increased by 19.60% and 4.63%， respectively； Compared with the control group， the contents of all bile acids in cecal contents of 400 mg·kg^-1 were decreased， and the contents of GCA， UDCA， HDCA， GCDCA， GDCA， TLCA， GLCA， CDCA， DCA and LCA were decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. In addition， real-time PCR results showed that the mRNA expressions of CYP7A1， CYP27A1 in the 400 mg·kg^-1 geniposide group were significantly higher than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:The 400 mg·kg^-1geniposide can cause obvious hepatotoxicity in rats， and the bile acid profile in liver， serum and excrement changes significantly， and the changes of the each bile acid in liver， serum and feces are different. However， the causal relationship between the gardenoside-induced liver injury and the changes in bile acid profile are<italic> </italic>not clear. It needs to be further studied.

Application of remote sensing technology in medicinal plant resources / 中国中药杂志

The sustainable use of medicinal plants is the foundation of the inheritance of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the acquisition of information on medicinal plants is the basis for the development of TCM. The traditional methods of investigating medicinal plant resources are disadvantageous in strong subjectivity and poor timeliness, making it difficult to real-time monitor medicinal plant resources. In recent years, remote sensing technology has become an important means of obtaining information on medicinal plants. The application of this technology has made up for the shortcomings of traditional methods. The open-access remote sensing data with medium spatial resolution satellites provide an opportunity for extracting information on medicinal plant resources. This study firstly introduced the principles of remote sensing technology, summarized the satellites and the parameters commonly used in the field of medicinal plant resources, and compared the survey methods of remote sensing technology with traditional methods. Secondly, it reviewed the applications of remote sensing technology in the extraction of information on the cultivation of medicinal plants and the common methods for extracting the planting structure information of medicinal plants based on remote sensing technology. Thirdly, the applications of remote sensing technology in the investigation and monitoring of medicinal plants were further analyzed with the research objects divided into wild and cultivated medicinal plants according to the characteristics of the habitats. Finally, it pointed out the key unsolved technical problems in the remote sensing monitoring of medicinal plant resources, and proposed solutions for the intelligent information processing of medicinal plants based on remote sensing big data, which is expected to provide references for the development of remote sensing technology in derivative application in medicinal plant resources.

Effect of arachidonic acid cytochrome P450ω hydroxylase Cyp4a14 gene knockout on skeletal muscle regeneration after injury / 生理学报

The objective of this study was to explore the roles of arachidonic acid cytochrome P450ω hydroxylase CYP4A14 in skeletal muscle regeneration after injury. Wild-type (WT) control mice and Cyp4a14 knockout (A14

Arachidonic acid Alox15/12-HETE signaling inhibits vascular calcification / 生理学报

This study aims to explore the effects of arachidonic acid lipoxygenase metabolism in vascular calcification. We used 5/6 nephrectomy and high-phosphorus feeding to establish a model of vascular calcification in mice. Six weeks after nephrectomy surgery, vascular calcium content was measured, and Alizarin Red S and Von Kossa staining were applied to detect calcium deposition in aortic arch. Control aortas and calcified aortas were collected for mass spectrometry detection of arachidonic acid metabolites, and active molecules in lipoxygenase pathway were analyzed. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect changes in the expression of lipoxygenase in calcified aortas. Lipoxygenase inhibitor was used to clarify the effect of lipoxygenase metabolic pathways on vascular calcification. The results showed that 6 weeks after nephrectomy surgery, the aortic calcium content of the surgery group was significantly higher than that of the sham group (P < 0.05). Alizarin Red S staining and Von Kossa staining showed obvious calcium deposition in aortic arch from surgery group, indicating formation of vascular calcification. Nine arachidonic acid lipoxygenase metabolites were quantitated using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. The content of multiple metabolites (12-HETE, 11-HETE, 15-HETE, etc.) was significantly increased in calcified aortas, and the most abundant and up-regulated metabolite was 12-HETE. Furthermore, we examined the mRNA levels of metabolic enzymes that produce 12-HETE in calcified blood vessels and found the expression of arachidonate lipoxygenase-15 (Alox15) was increased. Blocking Alox15/12-HETE by Alox15 specific inhibitor PD146176 significantly decreased the plasma 12-HETE content, promoted calcium deposition in aortic arch and increased vascular calcium content. These results suggest that the metabolism of arachidonic acid lipoxygenase is activated in calcified aorta, and the Alox15/12-HETE signaling pathway may play a protective role in vascular calcification.

The effect of metformin on lipid disorders as measured by nuclear magnetic metabolomics and metabolic flux analysis / 药学学报

Studies have found that metformin is not only the preferred drug for lowering blood sugar, but also shows lipid-lowering and weight-loss effects. The purpose of this study was to use a hyperlipidemia hamster model to investigate the lipid-lowering effect of metformin and its effect on important metabolic pathways in lipid metabolism disorders. Fifty golden hamsters were divided into a control group, a model group, metformin high- and low-dose groups, and a simvastatin group. A high-fat diet was fed for 1 week to create the model, and then drug was administered for 11 weeks with the high-fat diet. Serum was taken for measurement of blood lipid and blood glucose at 2, 6, and 9 weeks after administration, and at weeks 3, 5, and 9 feces and urine were collected for 1H NMR metabolomics tests. After 11 weeks of intravenous injection of [U-13C6] glucose, serum was collected for a 13C NMR metabolic flux test. The results showed that the administration of metformin can significantly reduce blood lipids and glucose levels and can significantly affect metabolic pathways such as sugar metabolism, lipid metabolism, ketone metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and intestinal flora metabolism. The results of the metabolic flux analysis showed that the high-fat diet reduced the metabolism of tricarboxylic acids by 37.48%. After administration of low and high doses of metformin the metabolism of tricarboxylic acid increased by 98.14% and 143.10%, respectively. After administration of simvastatin tricarboxylic acid metabolism increased by 33.18%. The results indicate that metformin has a significant effect on promoting energy metabolism. This study used a combination of metabolomics and metabolic flow to explore the effect of metformin on lipid metabolism disorders and quantifies changes in the key pathway of energy metabolism-the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This study provides useful information for the study of the efficacy and mechanism of metformin, as well as a practical technical method for the screening of lipid-lowering drugs based on a hamster model.

Comprehensive profiling and characterization of the absorbed components and metabolites in mice serum and tissues following oral administration of Qing-Fei-Pai-Du decoction by UHPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap HRMS / 中国天然药物

Qing-Fei-Pai-Du decoction (QFPDD) is a Chinese medicine compound formula recommended for combating corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. The latest clinical study showed that early treatment with QFPDD was associated with favorable outcomes for patient recovery, viral shedding, hospital stay, and course of the disease. However, the effective constituents of QFPDD remain unclear. In this study, an UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS based method was developed to identify the chemical constituents in QFPDD and the absorbed prototypes as well as the metabolites in mice serum and tissues following oral administration of QFPDD. A total of 405 chemicals, including 40 kinds of alkaloids, 162 kinds of flavonoids, 44 kinds of organic acids, 71 kinds of triterpene saponins and 88 kinds of other compounds in the water extract of QFPDD were tentatively identified via comparison with the retention times and MS/MS spectra of the standards or refereed by literature. With the help of the standards and in vitro metabolites, 195 chemical components (including 104 prototypes and 91 metabolites) were identified in mice serum after oral administration of QFPDD. In addition, 165, 177, 112, 120, 44, 53 constituents were identified in the lung, liver, heart, kidney, brain, and spleen of QFPDD-treated mice, respectively. These findings provided key information and guidance for further investigation on the pharmacologically active substances and clinical applications of QFPDD.

Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Applications of Radix Astragali / 中国结合医学杂志

Radix Astragali (RA), a traditional Chinese medicine from the dried root of Astragalus species, is widely distributed throughout the temperate regions of the world. The major bioactive constituents of RA are triterpene glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids, and these compounds mostly exert pharmacological activities on the cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, and hepatic systems. This review summarizes the recent studies on RA and provides a comprehensive summary regarding the status of resources, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, clinical application, and patent release of RA. We hope this review can provide a guidance for further development of therapeutic agents from RA.

Future development of Good Agricultural Practice in China under globalization of traditional herbal medicine trade / 中草药·英文版

Traditional herbal medicine (THM) is an important part of the traditional Chinese medicine culture. Due to its high medicinal potential, it should not only serve for the Chinese people's medical use, but also contribute to the world medicine, THM for the international market must be standardized and large-scale, and produced according to the “Good Agriculture Practice” (GAP). The quality of THM directly affects the patient's treatment status and safety of use. Therefore, the quality assurance of THM runs through the entire process of research and development, production and clinical practice. The standardized production and cultivation of THM is the starting point of the THM industry chain and plays a decisive role in the economic development of the THM industry. This article summarizes the development history, limitations and future development of GAP, and clarifies the opportunities for THM in the rapid development of the international and domestic Chinese medicine industry. In addition, analyzing the deficiencies that were existing in the former GAP implementation process and by suggesting science-based quality measures, it is hoped to stipulate improved GAP guidelines in the future and to lay the foundation for a modern THM international trade.

Optimization of extraction of flavonoids from Lonicera rupicola and analysis of its effects in resisting inflammation, relieving pain, enhancing immunity, and inhibiting pyroptosis / 中国中药杂志

The present study optimized the extraction of flavonoids from Lonicera rupicola Hook. f. et Thoms(LRH) and explored its pharmacological effects, such as resisting inflammation, relieving pain, enhancing immunity, and inhibiting pyroptosis, aiming to provide data support and scientific basis for the development and utilization of LRH. Response surface methodology(RSM) was applied to optimize the extraction of flavonoids from LRH based on the results of single-factor experiments. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of LRH flavonoids were evaluated via inflammation and pain models in mice, such as xylene-induced ear swelling, carrageenan-induced footpad swelling, writhing caused by acetic acid, and paw licking. The effect of LRH flavonoids on the carbon clearance index of monocytes and serum immunoglobulin A(IgA) and IgM levels was analyzed on the immunosuppression model induced by cyclophosphamide in mice. The anti-oxidative effect in vivo of LRH flavonoids on liver superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels was determined based on the chronic/subacute aging model in mice induced by D-galactose. The levels of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1(caspase-1), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and IL-18 in the supernatant of J774 A.1 mononuclear phagocytes were detected to evaluate the effect of LRH flavonoids on the pyroptosis of mononuclear phagocytes in mice induced by the combination of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and adenosine triphosphate(ATP). Meanwhile, the effect of LRH flavonoids on the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway was also explored. The optimum conditions for the extraction of LRH flavonoids are listed below: extraction temperature of 65 ℃, the ethanol concentration of 50%, extraction time of 60 min, a material-liquid ratio at 1∶25, and the yield of LRH flavonoids of 0.553%. RSM determined the multiple quadratic regression equation model of response value and variables as follows: the yield of LRH flavonoids=0.61-0.48A+0.1B+0.029C-0.014D+0.32AB+0.04AC-0.012AD-0.02BC+0.037BD-0.031CD-0.058A~2-0.068B~2-0.069C~2-0.057D~2. LRH flavonoids could effectively inhibit ear swelling and footpad swelling, reduced acetic acid-induced writhing, and delayed the paw licking response time in mice. Additionally, LRH flavonoids could improve the carbon clearance index in immunosuppressed mice, potentiate the activities of SOD and CAT and reduce MDA levels in the liver of aging mice induced by D-galactose, and effectively inhibit macrophage pyroptosis by decreasing the levels of caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18. The results reveal that LRH flavonoids possess excellent pharmacological activities such as resisting inflammation and oxidation, relieving pain, and enhancing immunity. They can inhibit pyroptosis by enhancing the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway. The results of this study can underpin the pharmacological research, development, and utilization of LRH.

"'s five-needle method" as the main treatment for allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome: a multi-center randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effect differences between "'s five-needle method" and routine acupoint selection on allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome.@*METHODS@#A total of 210 patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group (105 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and a control group (105 cases, 4 cases dropped off). The patients in the observation group were treated with "'s five-needling method", and the acupoints of Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14), Fengmen (BL 12), Yintang (GV 29), Shangyingxiang (EX-HN 8) and Hegu (LI 4), etc. were selected; the patients in the control group was treated with routine acupuncture, and the acupoints of Feishu (BL 13), Zhongfu (LU 1), Taiyuan (LU 9), Dingchuan (EX-B 1), Danzhong (CV 17), Yintang (GV 29), Fengmen (BL 12) and Zusanli (ST 36), etc. were selected. The treatment in the two groups was given once a day, 6 times a week, for 4 weeks. The score of symptoms and signs was observed before and after treatment as well as 1 month, 2 months and 3 months after treatment. The forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and eosinophils in peripheral blood were measured before and after treatment in the two groups. After treatment, the clinical therapeutic effect was compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The total effective rate was 98.0% (99/101) in the observation group, which was superior to 94.1% (95/101) in the control group (0.05), and the total score of symptoms and signs in the third month of follow-up in the control group was significantly increased (<0.05). After treatment, FEV1 and PEF in the two groups were increased (<0.01), eosinophil count in peripheral blood was decreased (<0.01), and the improvement in the observation group was greater than that in the control group (<0.01, <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#"'s five-needle method" can improve the clinical symptoms and pulmonary function, reduce the count of eosinophils in peripheral blood in patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome, and the curative effect is better than routine acupuncture.