Identification of quality markers of Gei Herba based on analytic hierarchy process-entropy weight method and network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

Analytic hierarchy process(AHP)-entropy weight method(EWM) and network pharmacology were employed to identify the potential quality markers(Q-markers) of Gei Herba. According to the new concept of Q-markers in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), the AHP-EWM was applied to quantitatively identify the Q-markers of Gei Herba. The AHP was used for the weight analysis of primary indicators(factor layer), and the EWM for the analysis of literature and experimental data of secondary indicators(control layer). In addition, network pharmacology was employed to build the "component-target-disease-efficacy" network for Gei Herba, and the components showing strong associations with the Qi-replenishing, spleen-invigorating, blood-tonifying, Yin-nourishing, lung-moistening, and phlegm-resolving effects of Gei Herba were screened out. According to the results of AHP-EWM and network pharmacology, four components, i.e., ellagic acid, gallic acid, gemin G, and gemin C, were finally identified as potential Q-markers of Gei Herba. In this study, the AHP-EWM and network pharmacology were employed to screen the Q-markers of Gei Herba, which provided ideas for the quantitative evaluation and identification of Q-markers of TCM.

Three-dimensional Printed Scaffolds with Gelatin and Platelets EnhancePreosteoblast Growth Behavior and the Sustained-release Effect of Growth Factors / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology holds great promise for treating diseases or injuries that affect human bones with enhanced performance over traditional techniques. Different patterns of design can lead to various mechanical properties and biocompatibility to various degrees. However, there is still a long way to go before we can fully take advantage of 3D printing technologies.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study tailored 3D printed scaffolds with gelatin and platelets to maximize bone regeneration. The scaffolds were designed with special internal porous structures that can allow bone tissue and large molecules to infiltrate better into the scaffolds. They were then treated with gelatin and platelets via thermo-crosslinking and freeze-drying, respectively. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 were measured at different time points after the scaffolds had been made. Cell proliferation and cytotoxicity were determined via cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a massive boost in the level of VEGF and TGF-β1 released by the scaffolds with gelatin and platelets compared to that of scaffolds with only gelatin. After 21 days of culture, the CCK-8 cell counts of the control group and treated group were significantly higher than that of the blank group (P < 0.05). The cytotoxicity test also indicated the safety of the scaffolds.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our experiments confirmed that the 3D printed scaffolds we had designed could provide a sustained-release effect for growth factors and improve the proliferation of preosteoblasts with little cytotoxicity in vitro. They may hold promise as bone graft substitute materials in the future.</p>