The structural composition of the surface fungal community of commercially Platycladi semen was analyzed to reveal the surface fungal biodiversity and structural differences. Platycladi semen was collected from Henan, Shandong and Hong Kong, their DNA was extracted, ITS fragments in DNA were amplified by PCR. Miseq was sequenced on Illumina Hiseq 2500 platform after the PCR products were qualified for quality inspection. The sequence OTU cluster was obtained and bioinformatics analysis was carried out. Microbial communities were not observed in the eyes of the Platycladi semen in the three regions. Sequencing results showed that the surface microbial community had high biodiversity, but there were significant differences in species composition. Seven samples o Platycladi semen obtained 345 947 valid sequences, which were divided into 267 OTUs, 3 phylums. 18 classes, 40 orders, 82 families, 120 genus, 191 species fungi. At the genus level, Aspergillus is the dominant species, accounting for the highest proportion, reaching (93.36 ±6.01)%. Seven samples were contaminated by Aspergillus flavus, and the pollution levels were 14.58%, 15.98%, 17.64%, 16.44%, 0.97%, 23.39% and 18.86%. Except sample No. 5, Aspergillus cibarius was the most abundant, the other six samples were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus as the core microflora. By analyzing the diversity of fungi distribution in different habitats, we can fully understand the fungi on the surface of Platycladi semen, lay a foundation for early risk warning of Aspergillus flavus contamination and its aflatoxin contamination, and provide a theoretical basis for the quality and safety of Platycladi semen.

We studied the protective effect and mechanism of isorhamnetin (ISO) on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridiniumion (MPP⁺)-induced SH-SY5Y cells injury. MPP⁺-induced SH-SY5Y cell injury model was established, and cell viability was measured by MTT and LDH methods. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in cells were determined to investigate the level of oxidative stress. DCFH-DA and MitoSOX fluorescence probes were used to detect the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondria superoxide, respectively. JC-1 fluorescence probe was used to detect the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential. Western blot and immunofluorescence methods were used to determine the expressions of Sirt1 and PGC-1 proteins, as well as the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2. MPP⁺ at the dose of 500 μmol·L^-1 significantly reduced SH-SY5Y cells viability to 52.46% and increased LDH release to 417.63%. ISO at 5 and 15 μmol·L^-1 significantly increased the expression of Sirt1 and PGC-1α, inhibited LDH release, reduced intracellular ROS and mitochondria superoxide, inhibited the decline of mitochondrial membrane potential and increased cell viability to 61.61% and 67.55%. In addition, ISO could downregulate the expression of Bax and upregulate the expression of Bcl-2 to reduce cell apoptosis. ISO-mediated inhibition of apoptosis could be reversed by Sirt1 specific inhibitor Sirtinol. Through activating Sirt1/PGC-1α signaling pathway, ISO could reduce oxidative stress injury and inhibit cell apoptosis to protect cells from MPP⁺ injury.

Recently, biosimilar antibodies have become a mainstream component of the biopharmaceutical industry in China. The principle requirements for the development and evaluation of biosimilars are based on proving similarity in product quality (analytical similarity) between a proposed biosimilar candidate and the originator reference drug. However, because the quality of a reference drug often varies during the life cycle and not all reference drug samples are able to collected by a biosimilar sponsor, it has not been practical to accurately determine the critical quality attributes as well as an accurate control range through the characterization of the limited number of reference drug lots that are typically collected. Therefore, the development and evaluation of biosimilars has been challenging both for industry and regulatory agencies. In this article, The Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (CMC) dossier of the rituximab originator company and the dossiers of 18 biosimilar companieswere retrospectively analyzed. Furthermore, the assessment criteria to determine quality similarity of rituximab biosimilar candidates have been proposed, which criteria have been used by reviewing the physicochemical and biological properties data obtained from 123 lots of the reference drug. Moreover, some case studies have been provided that illustrate the application of the proposed analytical similarity criteria in the practice of drug evaluation.

The preparation of polymorphic forms of rivaroxaban was carried out using a recrystallization method based on that for crystal form-Ⅰ. Preparation methods were developed for two crystal forms-Ⅱ (medicinal crystal form) and five crystal forms-Ⅳ and the crystals were then characterized. The crystalline form was identified by applying modern analytical means including X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), element analysis (EA), mass spectrometry (MS), and infrared spectrum (IR), and the morphology of different crystal forms was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the PXRD and DSC characteristics of prepared crystal forms-Ⅱ and Ⅳ are consistent with those described in patents at home and abroad, and the test results with EA, MS and IR are in accordance with the chemical structure of rivaroxaban. The crystal form-Ⅰ is lamellar, the crystal form-Ⅱ is linear and crystalline form-Ⅳ is striped as determined by SEM. In summary, the methods for preparing crystal form-Ⅱ and form-Ⅳ are reliable, the required reagents are easily available, the experimental conditions are easy to implement and the preparation process is simple. Our study provides a new reference for the production and application of rivaroxaban.

Sequence analysis of DNA, mRNA and protein is an essential component of biologics or bioprocess development. Analysis of sequences at the DNA, mRNA, and protein levels after the transfer of the gene of interest into a host cell is an important part of quality control. This article reviews the application of new technologies such as next-generation sequencing and LC-MS/MS in biological drug development such as monoclonal antibodies. These techniques have different requirements in term of cost, handling time and expertise. Selecting an appropriate technique with a sound rationale at different stages of drug development will add to the success rate of research and development, and ensure product quality, thus ensuring the clinical efficacy and safety.

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs), defined as transcripts which are hundreds of nucleotides with little or non-protein coding potential. Recently, LncRNAs have caught much more attentions, instead of considering as noises of genome transcripts, and indeed they have been found to play important roles associated with some biological processes, such as tumorigenesis, immunology dysfunction, metabolism adjustment, and so on. The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in different regions of the world is about 10% to 15%, with high growth rate and high unawareness, including the diabetic nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, etc. Previous publications also suggest that LncRNAs have a close relationship with the kidneys, and it may become new therapeutic targets or new biomarkers to diagnose diseases. In this review, we will summarize LncRNAs' functions with chronic kidney diseases, and discuss the prospects of the clinical applications of LncRNAs in the treatment of CKD treatment.

We determined a component-target-disease network for Carthamus tinctorius L. and the key compounds, identified by topological analysis, were related to vasculitis, coronary heart and cerebrovascular disease. Based on these compounds, the chromatographic fingerprint of Carthamus tinctorius L. was established. Firstly, 132 compounds were obtained from TCMID and TCMSP databases. Their targets were predicted in the PharmMapp and HemMapper databases. CardioGenBase, Therapeutic Target Database and DisGeNET databases were used to collect targets of vasculitis, coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. The corresponding relationships between component and target protein were established by mapping. Finally, the " component-target-disease" network was built with Cytoscape software. The core network and key nodes were analyzed with the Cytohubba plug-in. The results showed that the 24 key compounds were alpha-tocopherol, adenosine, quinone chalcone pigments such as hydroxysafflor yellow A, safflower yellow, quercetin, kaempferol and other flavonoids, organic acids such as stearic acid, linolenic acid, coumaric acid and cinnamic acid. This resulting chromatographic fingerprint of Carthamus tinctorius L. showed good consistency, and the core chemical compounds obtained by topological analysis of the network of " component-target-disease" , could be used as quality control markers. Our research provides a new approach for the identification of quality control indicators in Chinese medicinal materials.

Cardiotoxicity is one of the main causes of failure in new drug development or drug withdrawal from the market. However, current methods for evaluation of drug cardiotoxicity suffer the shortcomings such as low clinical relevance, low reproducibility and lack of high throughput screening capacity. Therefore, there is an urgent need for establishing more accurate and reliable methods for cardiotoxicity evaluation of drugs. As a new generation of drug cardiotoxicity evaluation, cardiac organs in culture retain the biological characteristics and functions of heart cells in the body, and can realistically and accurately respond to the effects of drugs. This article reviews recent progress of in vitro culture of cardiac organs and 3D-cell models, with focuses on application and development potential of cardiac organs for evaluation of cardiotoxicity of traditional Chinese medicine. The advantage and future prospective of such cell- and organ-based models for unique challenges in evaluation of cardiotoxicity of traditional Chinese medicine have been discussed.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Sophoral flavones on proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFb) induced by high glucose and its underlying mechanism. Cardiac fibroblasts were exposed to different concentration of D-glucose (15, 25 and 35 mmol·L^-1) at different time point (24, 48 and 72 h) in order to determine cell proliferation, and the model group was established by culturing CFb with 25 mmol·L^-1 D-glucose for 48 h. Sophoral flavones (12.5, 25 and 50 mg·L^-1) were employed for intervention. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay, and the levels of transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ were measured by ELISA. In addition, flow cytometry was employed to detect the cell cycle; while the protein expression of prohibitin (PHB) was observed via immunocytochemistry and Western blot. This animal experiment had been approved by Jilin Medical University Experiment Animal Ethics Review Committee. The results showed that 25 mmol·L^-1 glucose could promote the proliferation of CFb; and the contents of TGF-β₁, MMP-2, collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ in the model group were higher than that of control (P < 0.05). The number of cells in S and G₂ phase increased under high glucose condition. In the model group, PHB translocation occurred at 6 h and protein expression decreased at 48 h (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, 12.5-50 mg·L^-1 Sophoral flavones reduced the contents of TGF-β₁, MMP-2, collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ, increased the number of G₁ phase cells, and increased the expression of PHB protein at 48 h (P < 0.05), with no effect on the nuclear translocation of PHB. These results indicated that Sophoral flavones could prevent the proliferation of CFb induced by high glucose, the mechanism of which may be related to increasing the expression of PHB protein.

An HPLC fingerprint and multi-component determination method of Leonurus japonicus was established for comprehensive evaluation and quality control of Leonurus japonicus. The sample was incubated in 70% ethanol in a water bath for 2 h, and the extract was analyzed by HPLC using Kromasil C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid with gradient elution. The flow rate was 1.0 mL·min^-1. The temperature of column was 30℃. The detection wavelength was 280 nm. HPLC fingerprint of characteristic components of Leonurus japonicus was established. There were 12 common peaks among 25 batches of samples, and 5 of them were identified and determined. Syringic acid, leonurine hydrochloride, rutin, hyperoside or isoquercitrin showed a good linearity in the ranges of 0.426 1-85.22 ng (r=0.999 9), 7.948-1 590 ng (r=0.999 3), 10.20-2 040 ng (r=1.000 0), 2.018-403.6 ng (r=0.999 9), or 8.704-1 741 ng (r=0.999 9), respectively. The average recoveries were 99.0%, 97.6%, 97.4%, 96.9% and 98.5% with RSD of 1.1%, 1.8%, 1.4%, 1.5% and 1.3%, respectively. The HPLC characteristic fingerprint of Leonurus japonicus was specific, and this method can simultaneously determine the content of 5 components.