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  • Shangmin ZENG, Simin QIN, Li DING, Daiying ZHOU
    Pharmacy Today. 2026, 36(7): 553-560.

    As the dominant oral solid dosage form,tablets are facing core demands for consistent quality and high production efficiency in the era of Pharmaceutical Industry 4.0. Against the backdrop of continuous advancement of generic drug consistency evaluation and transformation toward intelligent manufacturing,the deep integration of Quality by Design (QbD) and Process Analytical Technology (PAT) is promoting a paradigm shift in tablet quality control from traditional end-product testing to full-chain real-time predictive control. This paper systematically reviews key technological advances across the whole tablet production chain driven by the integration of QbD and PAT,including intelligent responsive excipients and molecular simulation-assisted formulation design,continuous granulation-drying integrated systems with multi-scale online monitoring,microstructure regulation and AI-driven optimization of tableting processes,and intelligent monitoring systems for nano-coating materials. The principles,current applications,and bottlenecks of key technologies in each segment are analyzed. Challenges such as multi-modal data fusion,digital twin model verification,and economic viability of green processes are discussed. Future development directions,including blockchain traceability,biomimetic coating materials,self-learning digital twins and carbon-neutral manufacturing,are further prospected. This review holds that constructing a closed-loop intelligent manufacturing system integrating tablet design,monitoring and optimization is not merely technical integration,but a paradigm shift in pharmaceutical philosophy from compliance by testing to.

  • Guangdong Pharmaceutical Association
    Pharmacy Today. 2026, 36(6): 401-408.
  • Yulan WU, Yingui LI, ling ZHANG, Canhong WANG
    Pharmacy Today. 2026, 36(6): 409-415.
    OBJECTIVE

    To explore the pharmacological effects of water extract of Ficus hirta on enhancing immunity and improving gastrointestinal function.

    METHODS

    Sixty healthy male Kunming (KM) mice, weighing 18-22 g, were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal group, model group, positive (Thymus-intestinal peptide) group, low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of the test drug, with 10 mice in each group. Except for the normal group, the other groups were given intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide combined with 5-fluorouracil to prepare mice models of immunosuppression and gastrointestinal dysfunction. The normal and model groups were given distilled water, and the positive group and the test drug groups were given the corresponding drugs for 7 consecutive days. The intestinal charcoal transit rate, blood cell count, serum inflammatory cytokines and immune protein levels of the mice were detected, and the pathological damage of intestinal and spleen tissues was observed, and pathological injury of intestinal and spleen tissues were observed.

    RESULTS

    Compared with the model group, the water extract of Ficus hirta significantly significantly increased the levels of IgA, IgE, IgM, IL-2, and IFN-γ in the plasma supernatant of mice and increased the spleen index, increased the intestinal charcoal transit rate and the number of red blood cells in the blood of mice, and alleviated the pathological injury degree of intestinal and spleen tissues of mice, and to some extent alleviated the immunosuppression induced by cyclophosphamide combined with 5-Fu in mice induced by cyclophosphamide combined with 5-Fu in mice.

    CONCLUSION

    This study confirmed that the water extract of Ficus hirta has a promoting effect on enhancing immunity and improving gastrointestinal peristalsis, and provides data reference for the development and utilization of Ficus hirta resources.

  • Shaohua WU, Lu LIU, Wen DENG, Xialing LEI, Weixuan CHEN, Qianliang ZHANG, Jianmin GUO, Wei YANG
    Pharmacy Today. 2026, 36(6): 416-420.
    OBJECTIVE

    To explore the effects of Chuanxiong broken-wall decoction pieces (CXBDP) on acute and long-term toxicity in SD rats, and compare them with traditional Chuanxiong decoction pieces (CXDP), so as to provide more data support for clinical medication.

    METHODS

    Acute toxicity: SD rats were given a single oral dose of CXBDP 10.08 g·kg-1 and CXDP 10.08 g·kg-1, and then observed for 2 weeks.Long-term toxicity: SD rats were orally given CXBDP 0.54, 1.35, 3.78 g·kg-1, CXDP 0.54, 3.78 g·kg-1 for 4 weeks, and then allowed to recover for 4 weeks after drug withdrawal. The effects of CXBDP and CXDP on rats' clinical observation, body weight, food intake, hematology, blood biochemistry, organ weight, organ coefficient and histopathological indicators were investigated.

    RESULTS

    Acute toxicity: no obvious toxic reactions was observed after single oral administration of CXBDP 10.08 g·kg-1 (maximum dose) and CXDP 10.08 g·kg-1. Long-term toxicity: no obvious toxic reactions was observed in SD rats after continuous oral administration of CXBDP (0.54, 1.35, and 3.78 g·kg-1) and CXDP (0.54 and 3.78 g·kg-1) for 4 weeks, as well as during the 4-week recovery period after drug withdrawal.

    CONCLUSION

    There were no statistically significant difference in safety between CXBDP and traditional CXDP in SD rats.

  • Xiaorong YE, Yuying WEN, Wenqiang ZHANG, Yuankeng HUANG, Cailing DAI, Jianmin GUO
    Pharmacy Today. 2026, 36(6): 421-427.
    OBJECTIVE

    Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common symptoms in cancer patients. In this study, CRF models of Lewis lung cancer, CT-26 colon cancer and WEHI-3 leukemia mice were established to investigate the dynamic characteristics of CRF and explore evaluation indicators for drug treatment of CRF.

    METHODS

    C57BL/6 mice and BALB/c mice were inoculated with Lewis lung cancer cells, CT-26 colon cancer cells and WEHI-3 leukemia cells to induce CRF models. The rotarod test was employed to assess changes in the exercise endurance of the mice following model induction. ELISA was used to detect the changes in the contents of urea nitrogen (BUN), creatine kinase (CK), erythropoietin (EPO), interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the serum of mice post-modeling, as well as the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in skeletal muscle.

    RESULTS

    All three types of model mice showed symptoms such as fluffy coat, hunched back, reduced activity and slow movement after modeling. Their exercise endurance was significantly reduced. The decrease in exercise endurance among Lewis lung cancer, CT-26 colon cancer and WEHI-3 leukemia model mice increased during the later stage of tumor development. The BUN content in serum decreased significantly on days 17, 28 and 19 post-modeling respectively. Meanwhile the CK content increased significantly. TNF-α levels in serum from the WEHI-3 leukemia model mice significantly increased on day 19 post-modeling. The LDH content within skeletal muscle from CT-26 colon cancer model mice significantly decreased on day 28 post-modeling, and the contents of IL-1, TNF-α and hs-CRP in the serum showed an increasing trend.

    CONCLUSION

    Mouse models of Lewis lung cancer, CT-26 colon cancer and WEHI-3 leukemia can be utilized to observe fatigue behavior induced by tumors. Changes in rotarod test time as well as serum CK, BUN, IL-1, TNF-α, hs-CRP and skeletal muscle LDH may serve effectively as evaluation indicators for the efficacy of CRF therapeutic drugs in non-clinical studies.

  • Baojie WANG, Nan JIANG, Junying ZENG, Yuqin QIU, Weiwei ZENG
    Pharmacy Today. 2026, 36(6): 428-433.
    OBJECTIVE

    To develop a dual-crosslinked hydrogel loaded with berberine hydrochloride and to evaluate its physicochemical properties and drug release behavior.

    METHODS

    Soluble silk fibroin with high resolubility rate was prepared by autoclaving combined with freeze-drying. A stable silk fibroin-tannic acid hydrogel matrix was established by optimizing the concentration and ratio of silk fibroin to tannic acid. Glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) was then introduced to modulate the gelation process, thereby constructing a silk fibroin-tannic acid/sodium alginate-Ca2+ dual-crosslinked hydrogel dual-crosslinked hydrogel loaded with berberine hydrochloride. The in vitro drug release profiles were investigated in buffers at different pH values.

    RESULTS

    The optimal mass concentrations of silk fibroin and tannic acid were 4% and 0.25%, respectively, under which a stable hydrogel was formed. When 0.32 g of GDL was added, the dual-crosslinked hydrogel formed rapidly and maintained color stability at different temperatures. The hydrogel exhibited injectability, and the release rate of its loaded berberine hydrochloride was significantly faster at pH 7.4 than at pH 5.5.

    CONCLUSION

    The as-prepared berberine hydrochloride-loaded dual-crosslinked hydrogel possesses both injectability and pH responsiveness, the developed hydrogel can provide a scientific basis for the development of localized drug delivery systems and novel dressings for chronic wounds.

  • Hancheng LI, Xiaoying LI, Chaohua LUO, Yuting HUANG, Wenhua LIU, Rimeng CHEN, Deyun MA, Zhixian MO
    Pharmacy Today. 2026, 36(6): 434-441.
    OBJECTIVE

    To explore the global research progress and future trends of Morinda officinalis How. (Bajitian) from 2000 to 2024.

    METHODS

    Using CiteSpace software combined with bibliometric methods, relevant Chinese and English literature on Bajitian were collected from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, VIP Biomedical Database, and Web of Science. Duplicate literatures were eliminated with NoteExpress software, and visual analysis and knowledge graph construction were performed on the publication countries, publication volumes, authors, institutions, keywords, etc., using CiteSpace software.

    RESULTS

    A total of 2 712 Chinese articles and 374 English articles were included. From 2000 to 2024, the publication volume of research related to Bajitian had steadily increased, and both domestic and international research entered a rapid development stage in 2009. China was the leading country in Bajitian research, and the core domestic research institution was Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine. Research on Bajitian covered various aspects such as content determination, pharmacological effects, mechanisms of action, and processing methods. Internationally, the focus had been primarily on the pharmacological effects and active ingredients of Bajitian extracts.

    CONCLUSION

    Research on Bajitian had entered a diversified development stage, covering multiple aspects including medication rules, chemical constituents, content determination, fingerprint spectrum, famous TCM physician experience, and clinical application. After 2020, studies using data mining, network pharmacology, and other technologies for molecular docking and mechanisms of action have become a research hotspot, mainly focusing on anti-inflammation, anti-depression, anti-osteoporosis, anti-oxidation, and the treatment of ovarian and testicular dysfunction.

  • Yaxuan QIN, Yang ZHENG, Jiahui WANG, Tiejian ZHAO, Shiquan YANG, Lei WANG
    Pharmacy Today. 2026, 36(6): 442-449.
    OBJECTIVE

    To systematically elucidate the molecular mechanism of Herba Abri intervened liver fibrosis via regulating ferroptosis using network pharmacology, molecular docking, bioinformatics, and machine learning approaches.

    METHODS

    Active components of Abri Herba were screened via the TCMSP database. Liver fibrosis and ferroptosis-related genes were retrieved from GEO and FerrDb databases. R language was employed for batch correction, differential analysis, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Core genes were identified by intersecting targets of Abri Herba, liver fibrosis, and ferroptosis. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and "drug-component-target-disease" network were constructed using STRING and Cytoscape. Functional enrichment analyses (GO and KEGG) were conducted to identify core pathways. Feature genes were screened via random forest and XGBoost algorithms, validated by Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, followed by molecular docking.

    RESULTS

    (1) Twelve active components and 301 predicted targets of Herba Abri were identified. Batch correction and principal component analysis (PCA) integrated 17 731 liver fibrosis-related genes and 396 ferroptosis-related genes, obtaining 27 intersection targets. (2) GO analysis revealed enrichment in oxidative stress response and nuclear receptor activity. KEGG pathways were enriched in cancer metabolism (hsa05207) and PPAR signaling (hsa03320). (3) Machine learning (random forest and XGBoost) prioritized signature genes AR and FABP4. (4) Validation via ROC curves demonstrated AUC values were 0.591 for AR and 0.623 for FABP4, supported by MR analysis. (5) Molecular docking confirmed stable interactions between AR, FABP4 and active components of Herba Abri.

    CONCLUSION

    Abri Herba may inhibit ferroptosis in liver fibrosis by regulating oxidative stress and lipid metabolism pathways to inhibit ferroptosis and thereby suppress liver fibrosis through AR and FABP4, providing novel evidence for the multi-target therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine.

  • Jiajia QIN, Jun LI, Facheng BAI, Lining WU, Yunxia TANG, Wenxing WEI
    Pharmacy Today. 2026, 36(6): 450-455.
    OBJECTIVE

    So as to provide a reference for optimizing the pharmaceutical care model for resident pharmacists in obstetrics and gynecology, and to evaluate its impact on rational drug use and healthcare quality. This aims to provide a reference for optimizing the pharmaceutical care model of resident pharmacists in these departments.

    METHODS

    A retrospective study was conducted. Data on clinical pharmaceutical services from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of a hospital were compared before (January 2024-December 2024, control group) and after (January 2025-December 2025, intervention group) the implementation of the resident pharmacist model. Core indicators included the Antibiotic Use Density (AUD), rational use rate of antibiotics for type II incisions, number of reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and drug proportion control and medication cost control. This was combined with a comparative analysis of online and offline service data from the pregnancy and lactation pharmacy clinic.

    RESULTS

    Following implementation, the pregnancy and lactation pharmacy clinic completed 568 offline consultations and 1 121 online consultations. Clinical affinity was significantly improved (P<0.01). Core rational medication use indicators showed marked improvement: AUD decreased by 13.5% in obstetrics and 23.7% in gynecology (both P<0.01). The rational use rate of antibiotics for type II incisions improved significantly (P<0.01). The acceptance rate of antibiotic consultation recommendations reached 100% in both departments. ADR reporting increased. The drug proportion and average per capita drug cost were significantly decreased. The intravenous infusion rate and average length of stay in gynecology were both significantly decreased (P<0.01). After the implementation of fees for the pharmacy clinic, the pregnancy and lactation clinic conducted 392 fee-based consultations, averaging 28 per month, exceeding the average monthly number of consultations before charging. Following the implementation of the inpatient consultation fee (clinical pharmacy) policy, 732 cases of medication therapy management were conducted.

    CONCLUSION

    The collaborative model integrating the pharmacy clinic with resident pharmacists effectively addresses clinical pain points through medication risk assessment and medication optimization. It enhances physician-pharmacist collaboration, significantly improves rational drug use indicators, and achieves tripartite collaboration among physicians, pharmacists, and patients. This model provides a innovative solution for medication safety in special populations and which is worthy of promotion and application.

  • Huirong DENG, Ziyi CHEN, Qifa CHENG, Jie TIAN, Huili CHANG
    Pharmacy Today. 2026, 36(6): 456-461.
    OBJECTIVE

    To provide reference for guiding individualized medication in epilepsy patients by retrospectively analyzing the therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of new antiseizure medications in the neurology department of a hospital.

    METHODS

    Clinical data were collected from outpatients and inpatients in the neurology department (including pediatric neurology, neurology, and neurosurgery) of the hospital from January 2022 to August 2024, who underwent blood concentration monitoring of two new antiseizure medications, namely oxcarbazepine (OXC) and levetiracetam (LEV). The data included gender, age, antiseizure medication regimens, blood concentration measurements, clinical efficacy, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Statistical analysis was performed to compare whether there were differences in blood concentration levels among different age groups, genders, and combination therapies, as well as whether differences existed in clinical efficacy and ADR incidence across different blood concentration ranges.

    RESULTS

    Among the 414 TDM records, 206 cases were for OXC and 208 cases for LEV. Blood concentrations within the reference range were observed in 114 cases (69.9%) for OXC and 86 cases (41.35%) for LEV. A statistically significant difference in LEV blood concentrations was found among different age groups (P<0.05). The total incidence of ADRs in the OXC group (13.11%) was higher than that in the LEV group (0.27%), and ADR incidence in both groups was significantly correlated with blood concentration (P<0.05). However, no significant differences in blood concentrations were observed based on gender or combination therapy for either OXC or LEV (P>0.05). Additionally, no significant differences in clinical efficacy were found among different blood concentration groups (P>0.05).

    CONCLUSION

    Although the two new antiseizure medications, OXC and LEV, didn't show a significant positive correlation between blood concentration and clinical efficacy in the TDM process, their drug exposure levels are closely associated with the risk of ADRs. Blood concentration monitoring can provide valuable guidance for rational clinical drug use, ensuring safe and effective treatment for patients.