Da Chaihu decoction is a classic prescription for the treatment of cholecystitis that is widely used in clinical practice, and has a definite curative effect. However, due to its diverse components and complex functions, the traditional indexes fail to capture its overall efficacy. Therefore, this study analyzed and predicted the quality markers (Q-markers) of Da Chaihu decoction based on specific chromatogram and network pharmacology to provide a reference for the comprehensive control of the quality. The study obtained 35 potential practical components of Da Chaihu decoction through virtual screening. The specific chromatogram of 15 batches of Da Chaihu decoction was established by HPLC-DAD with neohesperidin as a reference. Compared with the chromatographic peaks and the reference substance, the chemical components were assigned to predict the nine components of albiflorin, paeoniflorin, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, baicalin, wogonoside, saikosaponin b₂, saikosaponin b₁ as Q-markers of Da Chaihu decoction. Finally, the network of the "components-key targets-signal pathways-biological processes" was constructed by network pharmacology to explore the mechanism of Da Chaihu decoction in treating cholecystitis to clarify the accuracy of Q-markers. The results indicated that potential Q-markers could act on multiple targets to regulate inflammatory and metabolism, and then combine to treat cholecystitis. Q-markers could combine with the pharmacologic action of Da Chaihu decoction, which could elucidate the overall efficacy of Da Chaihu decoction. This study explored the Q-markers of Da Chaihu decoction combined with the specific chromatogram and network pharmacology, which provided a basis for the quality control and evaluation of Da Chaihu decoction.

This study investigated the effect of puerarin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) injured with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). HUVEC were divided into three groups: a control group, a model group (H₂O₂ 400 μmol·L^-1) and a puerarin-treated group (3, 10, 30 and 100 μmol·L^-1). HUVEC were cultured with varied concentration of puerarin for 2 h and treated with H₂O₂ for another 24 h. Cell proliferation was detected by a CCK-8 assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by a JC-1 fluorescent probe. A transwell chamber assay was adopted to observe cell migration ability. Mitochondrial respiratory function was measured in a two-chamber titration injection respirometer (Oxygraph-2k). The expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. The expression of pyroptosis-mediated proteins, including cleaved-cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 (caspase-1), N-gasdermin D (N-GSDMD), NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and purinergic ligand-gated ion channel 7 receptor (P2X7R) was detected by Western blot. The results show that 400 μmol·L^-1 H₂O₂ treatment for 24 h causes obvious damage to HUVEC. Compared with the model group, puerarin protected against cellular injury in a dose-dependent manner, with the greatest effect at a dose of 30 and 100 μmol·L^-1. Puerarin significantly decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and improved mitochondrial function. Puerarin inhibited cell migration induced by H₂O₂, suppressed the expression of IL-1β, IL-18 and TNF-α, and down-regulated the pyroptosis-mediated protein. These changes are statistically significant (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that puerarin has a protective effect against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage of HUVEC by inhibiting the migration of HUVEC cells. The mechanism may be related to improved mitochondrial respiratory function and inhibition of pyroptosis.

Rhei Radix et Rhizoma is one of the most used medicinal materials in China. Its original species are Rheum palmatum, Rh. tanguticum, and Rh. officinale. Rhei Radix et Rhizoma derived from different original species are significantly different in their active ingredients and pharmacological effects. To develop an accurate, rapid, and specific identification method, we obtained the chloroplast genomes of the three original species by Illumina Novaseq sequencing. We designed specific DNA barcodes from the hypervariable regions, which can accurately identify the three original species. The experimental results showed that the total length of the chloroplast genomes of Rh. tanguticum, Rh. officinale and Rh. palmatum were 161 039 bp, 161 093 bp, and 161 136 bp, respectively. All the three genomes were represented as typical quadripartite structures. A total of 131 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes were identified from each chloroplast genome. Five pairs of primers based on the hypervariable regions were designed to efficiently amplify 42 samples. Results confirmed that five hypervariable regions, rps16-trnQ, psaA-ycf3, psbE-petL, ndhF-rpl32, and trnT-trnL, can be used as specific DNA barcodes for the identification of Rh. tanguticum, Rh. officinale, and Rh. palmatum. These results provided genetic information for further species identification of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, and improve the safety of this clinical medication as well as standardize the market for Rhei Radix et Rhizoma.

Colorectal cancer is a common malignant tumor of digestive tract, and the risk of inflammatory bowel disease developing into colorectal cancer is significantly increased. Immune signaling pathways NF-κB, IL-6/STAT3, COX-2/PGE2, IL-23/Th17 and TLRs have been confirmed to promote the transformation from colitis to colorectal cancer. NOD2 and intestinal microbes also participate in the regulation of inflammation mediated carcinogenesis. Chronic inflammation is a potential risk for colorectal cancer, and anti-inflammatory drugs may play a chemical preventive role. In this review, we summarize the signaling pathways involved in inflammation-associated colon carcinogenesis and evaluate the chemoprophylaxis of colon cancer.

Two compounds were isolated from 95% ethanol extract of the gum resin of Boswellia carterii by silica gel column chromatography (CC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their structures were identified with IR, UV, NMR and HR-ESI-MS spectroscopic data as 7α-hydroxy-3, 11-dioxo- tirucalla-8, 24-dien-21-oic acid (1) and 21β-hydroxy-3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (2). In addition, their absolute configurations were also identified by ECD calculations. Among them, compound 1 is a new compound and the absolute configuration of compound 2 is confirmed by ECD calculation for the first time.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the main causes of vision loss among middle-aged and elderly people worldwide. The prevention and treatment of AMD is a current topic of interest in ophthalmology but remains challenging. Oxidative stress-induced retinal pigment epithelial cell autophagic dysfunction, cellular senescence, and an abnormal immune inflammatory response are key pathogenic factors for AMD. Many bioactive ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine not only exert anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and anti-apoptotic effects, but also prevent/block the occurrence of AMD through different pathways. This review summarizes our current understanding of the pathogenesis of AMD, the types of natural bioactive ingredients capable of treating AMD, as well as the known mechanisms by which these agents act, and may provide new strategies for the prevention and treatment of AMD.

Fe-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of polymer crystals formed by the combination of Fe ions or Fe clusters with organic ligands through coordination bonds. At present, Fe-based MOFs can be mainly prepared by solvothermal synthesis, ultrasonic synthesis, microwave synthesis, and dry-gel conversion, etc. Fe-based MOFs have the characteristics of strong drug loading capacity of inorganic nano-carrier and high safety of organic nano-carrier, and have good tumor targeting and the capacity of inducting tumor's ferroptosis, which have high potential in the delivery of antitumor drugs. Recently, Fe-based MOFs have also been developed with various functions such as imaging, magnetic hyperthermia, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and intelligent response, which can facilitate diagnosis and monitor drug distribution while delivering antitumor drugs, and can produce synergistic antitumor effects combined with thermotherapy and phototherapy, and can also control the precise release of drugs. Reviewing the advances in the synthesis methods, characteristics as well as functions and types of Fe-based MOFs can provide a basis for the further applications of Fe-based MOFs in antitumor drug delivery.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, repeated intestinal inflammatory disease. Clinically commonly used therapeutic drugs have some disadvantages, such as poor efficacy and many adverse reactions after long-term application. Although new biological therapies such as anti-tumor necrosis factor agents, overcome common adverse reactions, also have problems such as high price, difficult storage, drug resistance and recurrence after application. In recent years, many new therapeutic methods for inflammatory bowel disease have emerged, for example, modulators that inhibit lymphocyte migration (integrin inhibitors and sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor agonists) have been introduced into the clinical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory cytokine inhibitors (interleukin-23 inhibitors, Janus kinase inhibitors, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, etc.) and inhibitors targeting fibrosis and intestinal tissue degradation and remodeling (matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors) are also being evaluated in clinical trials of IBD. Based on the mechanisms of action, this paper intends to outline the current mainstream IBD therapies and some emerging drugs, and briefly introduce their targets to provide reference for IBD drug design and development.

The advantages of local administration are as follow: release drugs directly at the lesion, increase the drug concentration in lesion location and reduce the side effects of systemic administration. Thermosensitive gel is one of typical local administration agents. It exhibits the different physical characteristics with the change of temperature. It is sol-gel at low temperature or storage temperature, while when the temperature rises to the transition temperature or near the body temperature, it is semisolid gel with a certain viscoelasticity, and can recover rapidly. It can enhance the local adhesion, which prolongs the local retention time of drugs. As a result, thermosensitive gel can control and display the release of drugs, which can significantly improve the bioavailability of drugs. This review summarizes the characteristics of thermosensitive gel, thermosensitive materials, and its application in different parts: nasal cavity, eye, vagina, periodontal, skin, tumor and joint cavity, based on clinical needs.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to be prevalent all over the world and mutant strains are constantly appearing, the application of vaccine is still an important method of epidemic prevention and control. Mucosal immunity plays an important role in preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) invasion. The currently marketed injectable COVID-19 vaccine mainly activates humoral immunity, but it is difficult to induce effective mucosal immunity, and it is unable to prevent pathogen invasion in the early stage of virus infection. Compared with injection vaccination, inoculation of the COVID-19 vaccine through mucosal routes such as nasal or oral can closely imitate the natural infection pathway of the virus and induce a comprehensive immune response. It is an ideal choice for rapid and extensive vaccination because it has the advantages of simple and convenient use, easy to achieve self-management of vaccinators, reduced demand for professional medical personnel and so on. In this paper, we summarized and analyzed the products and technical platforms of COVID-19 vaccine inoculated by oral route, in order to provide reference for related research work.