A quantitative analytical method for multi-components with a single-marker (QAMS) was established for simultaneous determination of neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, 1, 3-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3, 4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and 4, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid in Artemisia capillaris Thunb standard decoction. The separation was performed on a Waters CORTECS T3 column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 2.7 μm), with the mobile phase consisting of 0.05% phosphate acid solution-acetonitrile for gradient elution. The column temperature was 30℃, and flow rate was 0.5 mL·min^-1. Using chlorogenic acid as an internal reference, the relative correlation factors of neochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, 1, 3-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3, 4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and 4, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid were calculated following UHPLC, as 0.928 0, 0.546 2, 1.099 8, 0.872 1, 1.086 8, 0.739 2, 1.056 6, respectively. The results were compared with those obtained by the external standard method to verify the feasibility, rationality and repeatability of QAMS method. There was no significant difference in assay results between QAMS and the external standard method. In conclusion, the QAMS method is accurate and feasible, and could be used to determine the content such as neochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, 1, 3-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3, 4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and 4, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid in Artemisia capillaris Thunb standard decoction.

The Chinese medicine injections prepared by the natural products containing sesquiterpenoids caused various adverse reactions in clinical use, among which skin allergic reactions are the most common. However, whether the reason of allergic reaction was related to the three isoprene units contained in the sesquiterpenoids is not clear, so the evaluation of drug safety has important guiding significance. The sesquiterpenoids are small molecular substances, and they are not antigens or haptens. They may induce anaphylaxis reactions by acting mast cells directly. Current research confirmed that Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor-X2 (MRGPRX2) which is a 7-transmembrane G protein coupled receptor on mast cells was a key target mediated allergic reactions induced by many small molecular drugs. Unlike IgE-mediated allergic reactions, pseudo-allergic reaction is related to dosage and dosing rate, and occurs in the first exposure to the sensitizer. In this paper, a series of experiments in vitro found that not all sesquiterpenoids caused anaphylactoid reactions. Ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rb1 and germacrone were selected as representative of sesquiterpenoids for calcium imaging assay. The data confirmed that only germacrone activated calcium mobilization through MRGPRX2, causing an increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration in mast cells. Furthermore, the release rate of β-hexosaminidase and the release amount of histamine analysis confirmed that germacrone induced mast cells degranulation directly. Knockdown of MRGPRX2 expression by siRNA and competitive binding experiments against ciprofloxacin were used to prove the target of germacrone was MRGPRX2. The results indicated that germacrone could activate mast cells directly to induce anaphylactoid reaction via MRGPRX2, which might be the reason of skin allergic reactions caused by injections containing germacrone.

The size and surface morphology of carrier lactose had influence on the aerosolization performance of dry powder inhalers. In this article, chlorpheniramine maleate was blended with two types of commercial carrier lactose, which were Lactohale 100^® and Respitose SV003^® (SV003), as formulation model. In vitro experiments were conducted using fast screening impactor at 30 L·min^-1 and 60 L·min^-1 respectively. Meanwhile, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) coupling with discrete element modelling (DEM) was applied to discuss the movements of those two carrier particles in Handihaler^® at the flow rate mentioned above. The dispersion characteristics of two formulations and the dispersion mechanism of Handihaler^® were analyzed by establishing the relationship between in vitro experiments and numerical simulation. The results of in vitro experiments and CFD-DEM demonstrated that the aerosolization performance of formulation with SV003 was better. The linear correlation (R²=0.940 1) between fine particle dose and total energy loss by carrier collision within the wall of device was found by comparing the in vitro experimental results with CFD-DEM results. It revealed that particle-wall collision in Handihaler^® had direct impact on the dispersion results of formulation.

The traditional systemic treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) requires a long time period for an effect and has obvious side effects. In this study, tetrandrine temperature-sensitive gel (TTG) was prepared for treatment of PTSD in mice by nasal administration. TTG was prepared with poloxamer as matrix, the gelation temperature was suitable (< 32℃) and the gelation time was short (1.32 min). Rheology experiments demonstrated that TTG has temperature sensitivity. In vivo imaging system of small animals proved that TTG nasal cavity retention time was so long. The cilia toxic test of toad showed that the formulation was safe. Animal experiments were approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences and the experiments were conducted in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. The mice were randomly assigned into healthy group, model group and TTG group. The PTSD model of mice was established by single prolonged stress (SPS) and foot-shock method to generate anxiety and fear behavior. On the day 0 of TTG administration, SPS model mice were evaluated by the elevated plus maze (EPM). Percentages of open arm entries number (OE), latency of open arm entries (OL) and the residence time of open arm entries (OT) all indicated that the SPS model was successfully established. On the 7th day of TTG administration, TTG increased the OE and OT, decreased the OL of SPS mice. The feard behavior of mice in the foot-shock model was tested using conditioned fear box, 7 days of TTG treatment can reduce the freezing time of the mice obviously. The pathological changes of hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and amygdala were observed by H & E histological sections and c-fos immunohistochemical expression. The main influenced areas of PTSD were revealed to be the CA1 of hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and amygdala. All of the above indicated that TTG is a convenient, safe and effective drug for PTSD treatment, and will provide a new choice for clinical management of PTSD.

This study aimed to prepare an anti-metastatic diallyl trisulfide-exosome (DATS-Exo) drug delivery system. Exosomes in the supernatants of lung metastasis mouse melanoma B16BL6 cell line culture were extracted by ultracentrifugation. The quantity of exosomes was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Malvern particle size meter, and BCA assay. Expression levels of exosome-specific biomarkers CD9, TSG101, Flotillin 1 and lung organotropic biomarker α6 were detected by Western blot. The sonication method was used to load DATS into exosomes. The uptake of exosomes by B16BL6 cells and lung tissue was observed by laser confocal microscopy. Wound healing assay was used to evaluate the anti-migration effect of DATS-Exo in vitro. Experimental lung metastasis model was established to evaluate the anti-metastasis effect of DATS-Exo in vivo. Animal experiments have been approved by the Ethics Committee of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine. The results showed that the particle size of DATS-Exo was 112.3 ±1.98 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) was 0.24 ±0.08, zeta potential was -24.33 ±4.11 mV, and the particles have classic tea tray-like membrane structure under TEM. The protein concentration of DATS-Exo was measured to be 1 312.33 ±6.27 μg·mL^-1. The drug loading rate was about 0.33% ±0.02%. The exosomes could be taken up by B16BL6 cells and the lung tissue. Compared with the free DATS group, DATS-Exo had a better inhibitory effect on tumor metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, these results indicate that exosomes derived from the lung metastasis tumor cells have lung organotropic characteristic and drug-loading properties. Using these kind of exosomes as carrier for anti-tumor drug delivery can be a novel and effective strategy of anti-metastatic therapy.

Medicinal materials in China differ in quality by different ecological types. Our research group found that there were two ecotypes of domestic Panax quinquefolium L. according to the characteristics of ginsenosides, inside versus outside Shanhaiguan. The genetic and ecological mechanisms of quality variation of Panax quinquefolium L. is unknown. Based on the genetic-chemical-ecological strategy, transcriptome and HPLC technology were used for comprehensive correlation analyses of transcriptomic data, ginsenoside content and environmental climate ecological factors. The transcriptomic results showed that key genes of ginsenoside biosynthesis, such as HMGR, AS and FPS, were significantly down-regulated in the inside Shanhaiguan ecotype. HPLC results showed that the quality of outside Shanhaiguan ecotype Panax quinquefolium L. was higher than that of the inside ecotype, with the content of ginsenosides in outside Panax quinquefolium L. was higher than that of inside ecotype except Rb₂. Correlation analyses revealed that content of Panax quinquefolium L. ginsenoside is positively related to the expression levels of ginsenoside biosynthesis key genes (MK, HMGS, HMGR, and AS), and negatively related to the expression of glycosyl transferase (GT). The content of ginsenosides is negative related with climate factors, such as temperature, sunshine, and is positively related with moisture in both ecological environments. This study has provided a new mechanistic insight into the quality variations of two ecotypes for Panax quinquefolium L. and established a scientific basis for studying the ecological factors for the quality of traditional Chinese medicine.

Natural products with diverse structures and significant biological activities were important source of lead compounds, and have played a key role in the innovative drug development. Recently, China has been in the prior position in discovering of structurally diverse active natural products from natural medicines. In 2018, a series of natural products with novel structures and significant biological activities have been isolated and studied by scholars from China, and 73 molecules with novel carbon frameworks have been selected as "Hot of The Press" by Nat Prod Rep Journal. In this review, the original, structures and biological activities of 123 compounds of natural products research field in 2018 were briefly described, which was aimed to exhibit the highlights of natural products research from China in past year.

Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) infection remains a major public health problem of global concern, largely due to antibiotics resistance, persistence and immune evasion. Sphingolipid bioactive molecules are involved in several important pathophysiological processes. Sphingosine-1-phosphate is a key product of sphingolipid metabolism, and can play a role in two manners:autocrine and/or paracrine. Sphingosine-1-phosphate regulates T cells and a variety of antigen-presenting cells during M. tuberculosis infection, promotes antigen processing and expression in monocytes, is involved in the maturation of phagolysosome, regulates Ca²⁺ homeostasis, participates in the autophagy of macrophages, inhibits the survival and proliferation of M. tuberculosis within host cells, and effectively reduces the necrosis of the mouse lungs infected by M. tuberculosis. Injection of 20 nmol per mouse sphingosine-1-phosphate inhibited up to 47% of mycobacterial growth in the lung and spleen of mice infected by M. tuberculosis. In this paper, sphingosine-1-phosphate, its receptors and regulatory network were reviewed, and the specific mechanism of sphingosine-1-phosphate inhibiting the survival of M. tuberculosis-infected host cells was elaborated. This will provide novel insights into the new targets for tuberculosis prevention and treatment.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most serious microvascular complications in diabetic patients, and is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. The interaction between metabolic and hemodynamic factors leads to activation of the common pathways of diabetic kidney injury. Studies have shown that salvianolic acid can alleviate renal fibrosis and renal injury caused by diabetes by regulating renal tubular interstitial activator A, transforming growth factor-β1 and monocyte chemokine protein-1. It can also participate in the reconstruction of the glomerular extracellular matrix by affecting the expression of protein kinase ERK1/2 protein, which serves a protective effect on diabetic kidneys. Tanshinone can inhibit oxidative stress mediated glucose-induced kidney injury, inhibit the expression of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) activity, and improve the secretion function of beta cells in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Interstitial fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy can be alleviated by blocking TGF-β/Smad, NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. It has been suggested that salvianolic acid and salvianone are excellent candidates for prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy. We provide here the scientific basis for in-depth research and development of salvianolic acid and salvianone into drugs.

Lung cancer ranks the first in the mortality rate among all cancers, and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) accounts for about 80% of the incidence of lung cancer. In recent years, the drugs targeting specific molecules have been developed rapidly. The epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFRTKIs) have achieved good results in the treatment of patients with NSCLC. Currently, there are three generations of EGFR-TKIs, and the treatment outcome of these drugs surpasses traditional chemotherapies. However, the problems of acquired resistance remains in the course of treatment. In this review, research progress of the mechanisms of acquired resistance is divided into two parts:EGFR-dependent pathway and EGFR-independent pathway. The EGFR-dependent pathway mainly includes EGFR gene mutations, whereas the EGFR-independent pathways include HER2 amplification, BIM deletion, activation of HGF/c-Met pathway, activation of IGF1R, RAS mutation, PTEN deletion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, PUMA loss, and high levels of expression of VEGF or IL-6. These interconnected mechanisms are linked with acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC.