Bioactive constituents of animal-derived traditional Chinese medicinal materials for breast cancer: opportunities and challenges.

Breast cancer is globally the most common invasive cancer in women and remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and endocrine therapy are currently the main treatments for this cancer type. However, some breast cancer patients are prone to drug resistance related to chemotherapy or immunotherapy, resulting in limited treatment efficacy. Consequently, traditional Chinese medicinal materials (TCMMs) as natural products have become an attractive source of novel drugs. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge on the active components of animal-derived TCMMs, including Ophiocordycepssinensis-derived cordycepin, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of O.sinensis, norcantharidin (NCTD), Chansu, bee venom, deer antlers, Ostreagigas, and scorpion venom, with reference to marked anti-breast cancer effects due to regulating cell cycle arrest, proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and drug resistance. In future studies, the underlying mechanisms for the antitumor effects of these components need to be further investigated by utilizing multi-omics technologies. Furthermore, large-scale clinical trials are necessary to validate the efficacy of bioactive constituents alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs for breast cancer treatment.

Bioactive constituents of animal-derived traditional Chinese medicinal materials for breast cancer: opportunities and challenges / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Breast cancer is globally the most common invasive cancer in women and remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and endocrine therapy are currently the main treatments for this cancer type. However, some breast cancer patients are prone to drug resistance related to chemotherapy or immunotherapy, resulting in limited treatment efficacy. Consequently, traditional Chinese medicinal materials (TCMMs) as natural products have become an attractive source of novel drugs. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge on the active components of animal-derived TCMMs, including Ophiocordycepssinensis-derived cordycepin, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of O.sinensis, norcantharidin (NCTD), Chansu, bee venom, deer antlers, Ostreagigas, and scorpion venom, with reference to marked anti-breast cancer effects due to regulating cell cycle arrest, proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and drug resistance. In future studies, the underlying mechanisms for the antitumor effects of these components need to be further investigated by utilizing multi-omics technologies. Furthermore, large-scale clinical trials are necessary to validate the efficacy of bioactive constituents alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs for breast cancer treatment.

Research progress and prospects for the use of plant metabolomics in quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicinal materials / 药学学报

The quality of traditional Chinese medicine has a direct impact on the effectiveness and safety of its use, and is the premise necessary to ensure the healthy development of the traditional Chinese medicine industry. Comprehensive and accurate control and evaluation of the quality of medicinal materials is of great significance to the traditional Chinese medicine industry, but the complexity and dynamics of the chemical composition of medicinal materials makes their quality evaluation a challenge. Plant metabolomics provides an integrated and comprehensive analysis that is consistent with the holistic approach of traditional Chinese medicine. Chemical information therein promotes the establishment of a traceable system and provides new ideas and methods for the quality evaluation of medicinal materials. Plant metabolomics in the quality evaluation of medicinal materials is gradually increasing, and the core is the screening and identification of differential metabolites or specific marker compounds by means of stoichiometry. This study focused on the main factors that affect the quality of medicinal materials, such as origin, environmental adversity, varieties, harvest time, commercial specification and TCM processing. We describe the research progress in plant metabolomics combined with chemometrics analysis for the quality control and evaluation of medicinal materials, summarize existing problems, identify trends, and propose future research directions. Metabolomics plays an increasingly important role in the quality evaluation of medicinal materials, but the absolute qualitative and quantitative information of metabolomics needs to be further developed, and a single 'omics' technique is not sufficient for an in-depth analysis of medicinal value. In the future, standardization of plant metabolomics methods and a more complete database should be actively promoted, and plant metabolomics should be integrated into quality marker exploration. Plant metabolomics will need to be integrated with other 'omics' methods to improve the quality and evaluation system of medicinal materials.

[Current situation and problems of national standards for Chinese medicinal materials].

To learn the current situation and strengthen the management of national standards for Chinese medicinal materials, we sorted out the relevant national standards. According to incomplete statistics, there are 1 185 kinds of Chinese medicinal materials, including 1 024 kinds of plant medicines, 106 kinds of animal medicines, and 54 kinds of mineral medicines, in addition to ethnic medicinal materials with different functions. The relevant standards include 819 Pharmacopoeia standards, 342 standards issued by the Ministry of Health or National Medicinal Products Administration, 7 standards for new medicinal materials, and 17 standards for imported medicinal materials. In this paper, the sources of standards as well as the distribution of families and genera and the distribution of medicinal parts of medicinal materials are analyzed. The suggestions are as follows:(1)to improve the coordination among different national standards of Chinese medicinal materials;(2)to improve the standardization and controllability of relevant standards;(3)to revise the issued standards for Chinese medicinal materials(including Tibetan, Uygur, and Mongolian medicinal materials).

[Research progress on role of Chinese medicinal materials and their topical preparations in wound healing by regulating cytokines and growth factors].

Delayed-or non-healing wounds caused by trauma, surgical procedures, acute diseases, or chronic diseases, and proli-ferating scar have a serious impact on patients' quality of life and increase the economic and psychological burden on their families. Therefore, how to accelerate wound healing and obtain satisfactory aesthetic results is of great concern to researchers and is an urgent clinical problem to be solved. In recent years, the mechanisms of Chinese medicinal materials in accelerating wound healing and inhi-biting scar formation by regulating cytokines have been clarified, which provides a scientific basis for revealing the efficacy of Chinese medicinal materials against clinical trauma. This review focuses on the therapeutic effects of active ingredients, extracts, and topical preparations of Chinese medicinal materials through regulating cytokines in the inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling phases of wound healing. It is expected to provide evidence for the application of Chinese medicinal materials in wound therapy.

[Recent advances in surface-enhanced Raman scattering technique for pollutant detection in Chinese medicinal material].

Chinese medicinal material is the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) industry. Its quality is not only closely related to the health of residents but also the key to the development of the TCM industry. Pesticide residues, heavy metals and mycotoxins are the major pollutants of Chinese medicinal materials. In recent years, quite a number of rapid detection methods for pollutants have been constructed. Among them, surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS), which has been widely used in food chemistry, environmental analysis, and other fields because of its speediness and non-destructiveness, shows its great potential in the pollutant detection in Chinese medicinal material. This paper firstly reviews the application of SERS for the detection of common pollutants in Chinese medicinal material. We then discussed the characteristics and advantages of SERS technique for pesticide detection, including the principle, SERS substrate design, specific recognition, etc. Finally, simultaneous detection of multiple pesticide residues in Chinese medicinal material was explored.

Research progress on role of Chinese medicinal materials and their topical preparations in wound healing by regulating cytokines and growth factors / 中国中药杂志

Delayed-or non-healing wounds caused by trauma, surgical procedures, acute diseases, or chronic diseases, and proli-ferating scar have a serious impact on patients' quality of life and increase the economic and psychological burden on their families. Therefore, how to accelerate wound healing and obtain satisfactory aesthetic results is of great concern to researchers and is an urgent clinical problem to be solved. In recent years, the mechanisms of Chinese medicinal materials in accelerating wound healing and inhi-biting scar formation by regulating cytokines have been clarified, which provides a scientific basis for revealing the efficacy of Chinese medicinal materials against clinical trauma. This review focuses on the therapeutic effects of active ingredients, extracts, and topical preparations of Chinese medicinal materials through regulating cytokines in the inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling phases of wound healing. It is expected to provide evidence for the application of Chinese medicinal materials in wound therapy.

Recent advances in surface-enhanced Raman scattering technique for pollutant detection in Chinese medicinal material / 中国中药杂志

Chinese medicinal material is the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) industry. Its quality is not only closely related to the health of residents but also the key to the development of the TCM industry. Pesticide residues, heavy metals and mycotoxins are the major pollutants of Chinese medicinal materials. In recent years, quite a number of rapid detection methods for pollutants have been constructed. Among them, surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS), which has been widely used in food chemistry, environmental analysis, and other fields because of its speediness and non-destructiveness, shows its great potential in the pollutant detection in Chinese medicinal material. This paper firstly reviews the application of SERS for the detection of common pollutants in Chinese medicinal material. We then discussed the characteristics and advantages of SERS technique for pesticide detection, including the principle, SERS substrate design, specific recognition, etc. Finally, simultaneous detection of multiple pesticide residues in Chinese medicinal material was explored.

Current situation and problems of national standards for Chinese medicinal materials / 中国中药杂志

To learn the current situation and strengthen the management of national standards for Chinese medicinal materials, we sorted out the relevant national standards. According to incomplete statistics, there are 1 185 kinds of Chinese medicinal materials, including 1 024 kinds of plant medicines, 106 kinds of animal medicines, and 54 kinds of mineral medicines, in addition to ethnic medicinal materials with different functions. The relevant standards include 819 Pharmacopoeia standards, 342 standards issued by the Ministry of Health or National Medicinal Products Administration, 7 standards for new medicinal materials, and 17 standards for imported medicinal materials. In this paper, the sources of standards as well as the distribution of families and genera and the distribution of medicinal parts of medicinal materials are analyzed. The suggestions are as follows:(1)to improve the coordination among different national standards of Chinese medicinal materials;(2)to improve the standardization and controllability of relevant standards;(3)to revise the issued standards for Chinese medicinal materials(including Tibetan, Uygur, and Mongolian medicinal materials).

Molecular authentication of the medicinal species of Rhizoma et Radix Heraclei, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Radix Angelicae Pubescentis and Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii by integrating ITS2 and its secondary structure / 药学学报

This study is to identify Chinese medicinal materials Rhizoma et Radix Heraclei, Angelicae Sinensis, Radix Angelicae Pubescentis and Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii based on ITS2 and its secondary structure. Total 26 ITS sequences of 7 species were downloaded from GenBank, the ITS2 sequences were annotated by HMMer method. The NJ phylogenetic tree was built by MEGA software, the intraspecific and interspecific K2P genetic distance were analyzed by MEGA as well. The ITS2 secondary structures of all taxa were predicted by ITS2 database. Sequence matrix of primary structure and secondary structure was aligned by 4Sale software. And the profile neighbor joining (PNJ) phylogenetic tree was constructed via the the ProfDistS software based on the distance method. The results show that, the average interspecific genetic distance was far greater than the average intraspecific genetic distance, an obvious barcoding gap was noted among all taxa; NJ tree showed that all species were clustered into seperate branches; each species had different secondary structures; the PNJ tree showed higher resolution than NJ tree. Therefore, ITS2 is suggested to be used as a barcode for distinguishing the original plants of Rhizoma et Radix Heraclei, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Radix Angelicae Pubescentis and Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii in this study, this provides some scientific basis for classification and accurate identification of these Chinese medicinal materials.

The Potential Transformation Mechanisms of the Marker Components of Schizonepetae Spica and Its Charred Product.

Schizonepetae Spica (SS) is commonly used for treating colds, fevers, bloody stool and metrorrhagia in China. To treat colds and fevers, traditional Chinese medicine doctors often use raw SS, while to treat bloody stool and metrorrhagia, they usually use Schizonepetae Spica Carbonisata (SSC; raw SS processed by stir-frying until carbonization). However, there have been limited investigations designed to uncover the mechanism of stir-fry processing. In the present study, a method combining gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed for the comprehensive analysis of the chemical profiles of SS and SSC samples. Principal component analysis of the GC-MS data demonstrated that there were 16 significant differences in volatile compounds between the SS and SSC samples. The simultaneous quantification of six nonvolatile compounds was also established based on HPLC, and remarkable differences were found between the two products. These changes were probably responsible for the various pharmacological effects of SS and SSC as well as the observed hepatotoxicity. Finally, the mechanisms could be rationalized by deducing possible reactions involved in the transformation of these marker components. This work reports a new strategy to reveal the chemical transformation of SS during stir-fry processing.

[Teaching research of Molecular Pharmacognosy for talent development in industry of Chinese medicinal materials under new situation].

The industry of Chinese medicinal materials is going through another high-level development stage with some important files issued by Chinese government in the past months, such as "the protection and development plans of Chinese medicinal materials (2015-2020)" and "the strategic development plans of Chinese medicine (2016-2030)". In addition, the effect of "TU Youyou" will not only improve the industry development, but also indicates the increasing international competition intensely. Therefore, one of the core problems of the sustainable-development industry is the training of senior talents under the "New Situation" with opportunity and intense competition. As one of the forefront courses of Chinese Pharmacology, Molecular Pharmacognosy (MP) is a new interdisciplinary science, which integrates the pharmacognosy and molecular biology, and combines many discipline theories and technological systems. MP not only inherits the traditional concepts,but also makes up for the shortages of pharmacognosy, and improves the development of pharmacognosy. Thus, these are importance of MP for cultivation of senior talents, and also the difficult teaching points of MP with no unified teaching mode. We will, in this paper, discuss the possible teaching modes through several aspects for talent cultivation and meeting the needs of social and industry development, such as teaching state of MP, the education of undergraduate and graduate students, social identity, and self renewal of curriculum theories and practice.

[A consideration on screening of allelochemicals by using "knock-out/in" of targeting ingredients based on identification model of medicinal effect].

This paper clarified in detail the definition, characteristics of allelopathy and its association with consecutive monoculture problem.Most of studies have indicated that it is critical to parse the formation mechanisms of consecutive monoculture problem that identification of allelochemicals and verification of its function. Here, we proposed a new approach to separate and identify the allelochemical group precisely and effectively, in which the "knock-out/in" methods of targeting ingredients in the model of medicinal effect identification and quality control were applied. This method will contribute to deep understanding plant allelopathy, and provide theoretical basis and technical support for alleviating consecutive monoculture problems simultaneously.

[Textual research on the origin and producing area of Baitouweng (Radix Pulsatillae)].

Baitouweng (Pulsatilla Root), a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, was first recorded in Shen nong ben cao jing (Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica) . Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel from Ranunculaceae had become the authentic source for the Baitouweng since the Song Dynasty, which was consistent with the Radix Pulsatillae collected in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Chuzhou, Anhui province, being regarded as the main producing area in ancient times, had been its genuine producing area since the period of Republic of China. From the Tang Dynasty to Ming Dynasty, the origin of Baitouweng recorded in the works of Chinese materia medica could also include P. cernua, P. dahurica and P. ambigua. Therefore, P. chinensis in Chuzhou, with large quantity and high quality, is a superior resource that need to increase its protection and further studies, whereas P. cernua, P. dahurica and P. ambigua have better to be used as local drugs.

Teaching research of Molecular Pharmacognosy for talent development in industry of Chinese medicinal materials under new situation / 中国中药杂志

The industry of Chinese medicinal materials is going through another high-level development stage with some important files issued by Chinese government in the past months, such as "the protection and development plans of Chinese medicinal materials (2015-2020)" and "the strategic development plans of Chinese medicine (2016-2030)". In addition, the effect of "TU Youyou" will not only improve the industry development, but also indicates the increasing international competition intensely. Therefore, one of the core problems of the sustainable-development industry is the training of senior talents under the "New Situation" with opportunity and intense competition. As one of the forefront courses of Chinese Pharmacology, Molecular Pharmacognosy (MP) is a new interdisciplinary science, which integrates the pharmacognosy and molecular biology, and combines many discipline theories and technological systems. MP not only inherits the traditional concepts,but also makes up for the shortages of pharmacognosy, and improves the development of pharmacognosy. Thus, these are importance of MP for cultivation of senior talents, and also the difficult teaching points of MP with no unified teaching mode. We will, in this paper, discuss the possible teaching modes through several aspects for talent cultivation and meeting the needs of social and industry development, such as teaching state of MP, the education of undergraduate and graduate students, social identity, and self renewal of curriculum theories and practice.

A consideration on screening of allelochemicals by using "knock-out/in" of targeting ingredients based on identification model of medicinal effect / 中国中药杂志

This paper clarified in detail the definition, characteristics of allelopathy and its association with consecutive monoculture problem.Most of studies have indicated that it is critical to parse the formation mechanisms of consecutive monoculture problem that identification of allelochemicals and verification of its function. Here, we proposed a new approach to separate and identify the allelochemical group precisely and effectively, in which the "knock-out/in" methods of targeting ingredients in the model of medicinal effect identification and quality control were applied. This method will contribute to deep understanding plant allelopathy, and provide theoretical basis and technical support for alleviating consecutive monoculture problems simultaneously.

Study of difference in quality of traditional Chinese medicines / 药学学报

Traditional Chinese medicinal materials (TCMMs) are the material basis of the traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) in the treatment of disease, and the inherent quality of the TCMMs are of crucial importance for the efficacy and safety of TCM. Most of the TCMMs are originated from the plants with complex chemical compositions, and the chemical diversity is inevitable. How to clarify the relationship between the chemical identity and the biological activity is the key point for quality control of TCMMs in the establishment of the quality standards. The components with great impact on the biological activities should be used as index compounds in the quality evaluation. In this study, based on the results in our previous studies, a research idea on the evaluation of quality difference of TCMMs is proposed. Its application and existing problems are also discussed.

Humble opinions on problems and solutions for protection of Chinese medicinal material resources / 药学实践杂志

Chinese medicinal materials ,as main treatment measures ,are commonly used in clinic practice of Chinese tra-ditional medicine with long history ,and a significant proportion of Chinese medicinal material resources are from wild resource . Unreasonable exploitation and utilization of wild resources of Chinese medicinal material that happened in recent years make it a great challenge to sustainable development .This paper discussed on issues of Chinese medicinal material resources development and strategies of endanger species protection .

Research on the Countermeasures of Chinese Medicinal Material“Nominal High Price”Based on the Whole Industry Chain Management / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To realize reasonable regression of Chinese medicinal material price to deal with Chinese medicinal material“nominal high price”. METHODS:From the perspective of whole industry chain management,reasons for Chinese medici-nal material“nominal high price”were discussed and feasibility analysis of whole industry chain management of Chinese medicinal material was carried out by using Macro-environment analysis(including politics environment,economic environment,social envi-ronment and technology environment). RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS:At present, Chinese medicinal material“nominal high price”mainly results from lack of core organization,supply deficiency,demand expansion,nonstandard storage and circulation and other factors. Relevant management departments and enterprises should set up whole industry chain management model of Chinese medicinal material from aspects of political environment,economic environment,social environment and technology environment, including to establish industry chain management organization core,to practice standardized production in the upstream industry chain,to appropriately extend industry chain for middle and downstream and to build up modernized logistics service system.

Effects of relay intercropping vegetables on Ophiopogonis Radix based on assay of yield and effective constituents / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of relay intercropping Ophiopogonis Radix and vegetables by measuring the yield and contents of effective components and fingerprint analysis. METHODS: The field capacity when relay intercropping Ophiopogonis Radix and vegetables was evaluated, taking Ophiopogonis Radix monoculture as control. The contents of major compound of Ophiopogonis Radix were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography, and the HPLC fingerprint of Ophiopogonis Radix was established. RESULTS: Relay intercropping vegetables reduced the yield of Ophiopogonis Radix to some extent, but the land equivalent ratios were all more than 1, indicating that it is advantageous to intercrop Ophiopogonis Radix and vegetables. Relay intercropping vegetables did not reduce the contents of chemical constituents in Ophiopogonis Radix significantly. The similarities of all the HPLC fingerprint chromatograms were greater than 0.990. CONCLUSION: Relay intercropping Ophiopogonis Radix and vegetables is a feasible pattern to solve the contention for land between Ophiopogonis Radix and vegetables in the main producing areas of Ophiopogonis Radix, and can be applied and generalized.