DNA barcoding technology, a method of identifying biological species through a standard sequence, is widely used in the identification of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), promoting the renaissance of TCM authentication discipline. The whole industrial chain of TCM includes three sections:the planting and collecting in the upstream chain, the production of TCM in the midstream chain and the circulation in the downstream chain. DNA barcoding technology, which possesses accurate, common, and objective advantages, plays an important role in the whole industrial chain of TCM. In the upstream, it is used to identify the seeds, seedlings and medicinal plants, ensuring the original source is correct. In the middle, it is used to identify Chinese medicinal materials, Chinese herbal slices and Chinese patent medicines, ensuring the materials of enterprises are correct and the clinical medication is safe. In the downstream, it participates in the establishment of traceability system for TCM, achieving the recording, inquiry and traceability of information. Therefore, DNA barcoding technology should help to control the whole production process, to protect the rights and interests of consumers and contribute to the supervision of TCM. Combined with some study cases in recent years, this paper introduces the application of DNA barcoding technology in the whole industrial chain of TCM, which is of great significance to promote the modernization of TCM industry and their internationalization.

This study was to determine the expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p21 in alveolar macrophages (AMs) and the role of p21 in activation of AMs in bleomycin (BLM) injury-induced lung fibrosis. The expression of CD206 in AMs was measured by immunofluorescence staining. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was used to detect the expression of macrophage activation markers. The coculture assay for macrophage and fibroblast was employed to explore the effect of macrophage on fibroblast activation. Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting assay were adopted to detect the expression of p21 in fibrotic tissues. AMs were treated with p21 knockdown or overexpression virus, RT-PCR and the co-culture system were used to explore the effect of p21 expression on macrophage activation. The Experimental Animal Welfare Ethics Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College approved all of the protocols for this research. Our results showed that the expression of CD206 and macrophage activation markers was increased in AMs from fibrotic mice, indicating that AMs from fibrotic mice were associated with a profibrotic phenotype. Moreover, the expression of p21 was upregulated in AMs after BLM treatment. Depletion of p21 suppressed macrophage activation, while overexpression of p21 promoted the profibrotic phenotype of AMs from healthy mice. In summary, BLM injury causes the progressive accumulation of p21 in AMs, which induces the production of a number of profibrotic factors promoting the development of pulmonary fibrosis.

This study systematically investigated the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy-induced mucositis (CIM) by cryptotanshinone (CTS) in mice. CIM mice were prepared by intraperitoneal injection of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and irinotecan for 4 days. A pseudo-sterile mouse model was established by intragastric administration of mixed antibiotics (metronidazole, vancomycin, and penicillin). The body weight, disease activity index (DAI), and defecation of mice were daily monitored. The animal welfare and experimental procedures followed the rules of the Animal Ethics Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. We determined the contents of inflammatory factors, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and lipase activity in serum or colonic mucosa of CIM mice. We also studied the composition and relative abundance of fecal flora. The correlation of the relative abundance of fecal microbiota and environmental factors was further analyzed. CTS significantly decreased DAI and reduced the content of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 11 (IL-11), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and diamine oxidase (DAO) in the serum of CIM mice. CTS effectively increased the content of TG while reduced TC and lipase activity in serum. Results showed the incidence of CIM in pseudoaseptic model group was significantly reduced. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in the contents of inflammatory factors and TG/TC ratio between pseudoaseptic model group and normal control group. There was a significant difference in the diversity and composition of fecal microbiota among groups. In addition, CTS restored the composition of fecal microbiota close to normal and significantly increased the abundance of g_norank_f_Muribaculaceae. Especially, g_Ruminiclostridium and g_norank_f_Muribaculaceae exhibited a significant positive correlation to TG but a negative correlation to DAO, MPO, IL-6, lipase, and TC. Cryptotanshinone significantly increased the abundance of g_norank_f_Muribaculaceae and g_ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 in fecal microbiota of CIM mice. In conclusion, we reported CTS effectively alleviated intestinal mucositis in mice induced by 5-fluorouracil and irinotecan by regulating fecal microbiota, inflammatory factors, and serum lipid.

Network pharmacology and bioinformatics technology were used to predict the mechanism of action of Fuzi-Lizhong pill (FLP) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). 26 components (23 prototype compounds and 3 metabolites) in the blood of FLP were selected as the research objects. PharmMapper database, SwissTargetPrediction platform, GeneCards and OMIM database were used to screen and predict potential targets of FLP in blood. The protein-protein interaction network model was constructed by using String database and Cytoscape software. DAVID platform, KEGG and Reactome databases were used for GO analysis and pathway analysis of potential targets. Network of drug ingredients-targets-pathways was constructed by Cytoscape software. AutoDock vina software was used to dock the molecules of the absorbed ingredients of FLP in blood with the key targets. 82 potential targets of FLP for treatment of UC were obtained. Potential targets mainly involve biological processes such as response to organic substance, regulation of apoptosis, regulation of programmed cell death, which played roles in the treatment of UC by adjusting pathways in cancer, Colorectal cancer, Vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway, Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, arachidonic acid metabolism and the other signal pathways. From the perspective of network pharmacology, this study predicted the mechanisms of action of FLP in treating UC, indicating that FLP in treating UC had the characteristics of multiple ingredients, multiple targets and multiple pathways, which laid a foundation for further research.

The protective effects of cyclosporin A (CsA), an inhibitor of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), on vascular permeability in sepsis rats were investigated. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis rats were used for in vivo studies, and the effects of CsA (1 and 5 mg·kg^-1) on vascular permeability of lung, kidney, and intestine, mitochondrial respiratory control ratio, and the survival of the sepsis rats were observed. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used for stimulating vascular endothelial cells (VECs) in vitro, and the effects of CsA on leakage of microvascular, immunofluorescence of zonula occludes-1 (ZO-1), and transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) were observed. All the animal welfare and experimental procedures are in accordance with the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of the Army Medical University. Compared with sham-operated group, the vascular permeability of lung, kidney, and intestine in sepsis rats increased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with conventional treatment group, CsA could significantly decrease the vascular permeability of lung, kidney, and intestine (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and prolong the survival period. The results of microcirculation also showed that CsA could significantly reduce the permeability of mesenteric venules in sepsis rats. At the cellular level, LPS stimulation significantly increased the permeability of vascular endothelial cells, including the decrease of transmembrane resistance and protein expression of ZO-1 (P < 0.05). CsA can significantly reduce the increase of permeability of vascular endothelial cells induced by LPS stimulation (P < 0.01). The function of mitochondria in the kidneys and intestines of sepsis rats was obviously impaired, and the respiratory control ratio of mitochondria was decreased. LPS significantly increased MPTP opening of VECs, while CsA significantly inhibited MPTP opening and improved mitochondrial function. CsA may protect mitochondrial function by inhibiting the opening of MPTP and play a protective role in the vascular permeability of sepsis rats. This study will provide an insight for the treatment of sepsis vascular leakage.

We observed the effect of calcium dobesilate (CaD) on apoptosis induced by cisplatin in human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) and explored the possible mechanism. Based on HK-2 cells apoptosis model induced by cisplatin, CCK-8 method was used to detect the effect of CaD on the proliferation of HK-2. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay was used to evaluate the level of oxidative stress. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by JC-1 method. The expression levels of p53, caspase-3, bcl-2 and bax in cisplatin-induced HK-2 were detected by Western blot. The expression of renal injury factor 1(KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatin-related apolipoprotein (NGAL), markers of acute kidney injury, were detected by ELISA. The results showed that CaD could reduce the oxidative stress level induced by cisplatin and inhibit apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells. Cisplatin can up-regulate the protein expressions of p53, caspase-3, bax, KIM-1 and NGAL, and reduce the expression of bcl-2. After using CaD, the protein levels of KIM-1, NGAL, p53, caspase-3 and bax were significantly reduced, while the levels of bcl-2 were increased. This study has shown that CaD can alleviate cisplatin-induced HK-2 injury and inhibit HK-2 apoptosis, which may be related to the regulation of bax/bcl-2/caspase-3 apoptosis signaling pathway.

This paper mainly studied the effect of Xiyanping injection on the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced fever in rabbits, preliminarily investigated the mechanisms, and provided pharmacological basis for the clinical application. The rabbit model of endotoxin-induced fever was established by using LPS as the inducer; The changes of rectal temperature were measured; The levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and phospholipaseA2 (PLA2) in the serum were measured; The levels of PGE2, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and arginine vasopressin (AVP) in cerebrospinal fluid as well as hypothalamus were detected. The animal welfare and experimental process are in accordance with the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of China Pharmaceutical University in this study. The results showed that Xiyanping injection (12.5, 25, and 50 mg·kg^-1) could significantly reduce LPS-upregulated body temperature of rabbits, and the duration of action could reach 5.5-8.5 h. At the doses of 25 and 50 mg·kg^-1, the antipyretic effect of Xiyanping injection was comparable to that of analgin injection (50 mg·kg^-1). Furthermore, Xiyanping injection and analgin injection both reduced the levels of PGE2, IL-1β, TNF-α, and PLA2 in the serum of febrile rabbits to the varying degrees. In addition, Xiyanping injection also down-regulated the levels of PGE2, cAMP, and AVP in the hypothalamus, and PGE2 and cAMP in the cerebrospinal fluid. The level of AVP in the cerebrospinal fluid was up-regulated. This study indicated that Xiyanping injection could significantly improve the endotoxin-induced fever in rabbits, and mechanisms were closely related to the regulation of the levels of PGE2, TNF-α, IL-1β, PLA2, cAMP, and AVP in serum, hypothalamus, and cerebrospinal fluid.

To detect the methylation level of genome-wide DNA and total RNA in the process of heart failure, we established the method of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to observe the change and synchronization of methylation rate of myocardial infarction (MI) tissue and peripheral blood. Animal welfare and experimental process were in accordance with the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of Guangzhou Medical University. The rats with myocardial infarction were divided into three groups:1^st, 4^th, and 8^th week to simulate different levels of cardiac function. And they were euthanized at the same time to keep the same age. DNA and RNA were extracted from infarct marginal tissues and peripheral blood lymphocytes, and then decomposed into single nucleosides by enzymolysis. The methylation rate of DNA and RNA was measured and calculated quantitatively. The results showed a concordant methylation changes in tissue and blood, and the methylation level of genome-wide DNA and total RNA was increased after myocardial infarction in rats. In this study, we obtained the preliminary data of DNA and RNA methylation during the occurrence and development of heart failure, further indicating that epigenetic changes can be used as biomarkers for early diagnosis of heart failure.

The aim of the present study was to determine the metabolic changes and possible toxic mechanisms of ketamine-associated bladder toxicity. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly allocated into a control group, a low-dose group and a high-dose group. The behavior of these rats was observed every day. In addition, the weight, 2 h urinary frequency and organ coefficient of the bladder were measured. Serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Urinary metabolites were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This research was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Animal Experiment Center of Southwest Medical University (No. 201901-98). After 12 weeks of administration, the frequency of 2 h urination and the bladder mass index were significantly different in the low-dose and high-dose groups compared with the control group. Serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Bladder HE staining showed that long-term administration of ketamine could induce cystitis. The concentrations of the three common differential metabolites, including 3-aminoisobutyric acid, citric acid and uric acid in the low-dose and the high-dose groups were increased compared with those in the control group. This study indicates that 3-aminoisobutyric acid, citric acid and uric acid and their related metabolic pathways may be closely related to ketamine-associated bladder toxicity.

An ethanol extract of Chloranthus henryi (Chloranthaceae) was subjected to various chromatographic procedures including silica gel column chromatography, MCI column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and preparative HPLC. Five purified sesquiterpenes analyzed by spectroscopic analyses (MS, IR, NMR) and single crystal X-ray diffraction were elucidated as (1S, 6S, 8R)-8-ethoxychlomultin C (1a), (1R, 6R, 8S)-8-ethoxychlomultin C (1b), (+)-phaeocaulin D (2), atractylenolide Ⅰ (3), and 8-β-ethoxyasterolid (4). Compounds 1a and 1b were a new pair of sesquiterpene enantiomers and compounds 2-4 were isolated from this plant for the first time. Compounds 1a, 1b, 2 and 3 increased cell viability in H₂O₂-treated PC12 cells from (43.41±1.59)% to (61.71±7.56)%, (66.05±5.61)%, (74.34±3.32)% and (69.58±5.02)% at 10 μmol·L^-1, respectively.