Human influenza is mainly caused by influenza A virus and influenza B virus, and it is one of the most serious infectious diseases that pose a serious threat to human health. Currently, there are few marketed drugs for influenza viruses, and the existing drugs are faced with problems such as drug resistance. The development and research of combinations of anti-influenza drugs have gradually attracted people's attention. At present, certain progress has been made in aspects such as the discovery of anti-influenza drug combinations and the evaluation of drug effects. Discovering effective combination drugs is an ideal method for repurposing old drugs. That can be used to improve therapeutic effects and delay or reduce the occurrence of drug resistance. Herein, this article introduces the evaluation methods, models of combinations of anti-influenza drugs, as well as available data resources and tools, and summarizes the latest progress in the current research on combinations of anti-influenza drugs, with the aim of providing a reference for the research and development of the combined application of anti-influenza virus drugs.

Exosomes are small vesicles secreted by cells that contain important bioactive molecules such as nucleic acids and proteins. Increasing research indicates that exosomes play a unique and crucial role as signal molecule carriers in various diseases, and they exhibit great potential in disease diagnosis and treatment. Recent studies have shown that exosomes play an important role in immune regulation. The NOD (nucleotide binding oligomerization domain)-like receptors protein 3 (NLRP3), an essential component of the innate immune system, plays a key role in the occurrence and development of various diseases including autoimmune diseases, metabolic diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. Its activation and regulatory mechanisms are complex and diverse. However, the regulatory mechanisms associated with exosomes and NLRP3 inflammasome have not yet been fully elucidated. This article reviews the regulatory effects of exosomes from different sources on the NLRP3 inflammasome and summarizes the therapeutic potential of exosomes in diseases associated with the NLRP3 inflammasome, aiming to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of diseases related to the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Through several chromatographic methods, such as silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), six iridoids were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Patrinia scabiosaefolia. By means of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, ¹³C NMR calculation and mass spectrometry (MS), their structures were identified as patrinin A (1), patrinin B (2), loganin aglycone (3), isovillosol (4), 1, 3-dimethoxy-4, 7-dimethyl-octahyhro-cyclopenta[c]pyran-6, 7-diol (5) and viburnshosin A (6). Among them, compounds 1 and 2 were new compounds. Furthermore, the anti-influenza virus and anti-inflammatory activities of the isolates were evaluated.

Yeast-derived microcapsules were employed to co-encapsulate a nano-emulsion adjuvant (MF59) and antigens, effectively addressing the limitations of MF59 adjuvant in direct antigen encapsulation and its capacity to induce cellular immunity. Yeast microcapsules (YCs) were prepared using strong acid and alkali treatments, resulting in a porous and hollow structure with enhanced adjuvant properties. Positively charged polycaprolactone-polyethyleneimine (PCL-PEI) modified MF59 nanoemulsions were produced, which allowed for electrostatic interaction-driven spontaneous deposition into YCs. This modification facilitated the adsorption of the antigen, chicken ovalbumin (OVA), forming the complex YC-MF59-OVA. YC-MF59-OVA was efficiently recognized and endocytosed by antigen-presenting cells (APCs), a process facilitated by the β-glucan present on the capsular shell. Simultaneously, YC-MF59-OVA enabled a sustained release of the antigen and promoted the recruitment of APCs at the site of inoculation, leading to enhanced activation of immune responses in mice. Specifically, YC-MF59-OVA significantly elevated serum levels of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a antibodies, achieving concentrations that were two to three times higher than those observed in the group treated with free OVA. In addition, the cellular immune response was notably improved, as evidenced by increased frequencies of IFN-γ⁺CD8⁺ and IL-4⁺CD4⁺ T cells compared to the OVA-immunized group. Furthermore, there was a marked increase in the proportion of memory T cells (CD44⁺CD62L⁺) in the splenic tissues of treated animals. The animal experiment protocol was reviewed and approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Zunyi Medical University (approval No. ZMU21-2407-169). These findings demonstrate that YC-MF59-OVA can elicit robust humoral and cellular immune responses, confirming that YC can significantly overcome the limitations of traditional nanoemulsion adjuvants. This study provides a promising reference for the development of advanced vaccine delivery systems.

Three new compounds were isolated from the n-butanol fraction of Zingiber officinale (Ginger) peel by MCI Gel CHP-20, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and semipreparative high performance liquid chromatography. Their structures were identified as dendranthemoside C (1), zingpyranoside E (2), zingpyranoside F (3) by 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR, HR-ESI-MS, circular dichroism (CD) and ECD calculation techniques.

JAZ proteins, as inhibitors in the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway, play a crucial role in regulating plant growth and development, as well as the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in plants. To explore the functions of the JAZ gene family in Tripterygium wilfordii, our study systematically identified the members of the JAZ gene family in T. wilfordii. We analyzed their physicochemical properties, chromosome localization, phylogenetic tree, and protein conserved motifs. Additionally, we investigated the expression patterns of TwJAZs in different tissues, constructed a gene regulatory network map, and ultimately cloned the full-length sequences of 18 JAZ genes. The results showed that the 18 TwJAZs were unevenly distributed across 12 chromosomes, encoding amino acid numbers ranging from 122 to 525, with molecular weights of 13.87 to 54.73 kDa, and isoelectric points ranging from 6.83 to 10.27. Subcellular localization prediction indicated that 13 TwJAZs were localized in the nucleus, while 5 TwJAZs were located in the cytoplasm and chloroplasts. The phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the JAZ family proteins of T. wilfordii could be divided into five subfamilies, with members of the same subfamily sharing similar conserved motifs. Expression pattern analysis demonstrated that TwJAZs were predominantly expressed in flowers, leaves, and peeled stems, with most TwJAZs showing the highest expression levels after 4 hours of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) induction. The transcription factor regulatory network shows that TwJAZs are strongly correlated with transcription factor families such as AP2/ERF-ERF, NAC, and bHLH. This study comprehensively identified all the JAZ gene family sequences in T. wilfordii, initially clarifying the structural and functional characteristics of the TwJAZs, and laying an important foundation for further research on the functions and regulatory mechanisms of TwJAZs.

Jinqi Jiangtang Capsule (JQJTC) is one of the commonly used dosage forms of Jinqi Jiangtang formula, derived from the classic Qianjin Huanglian Pill, which is widely used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. However, its pharmacokinetics is not still unclear. In this study, a stable and reliable method for the quantitative analysis of multiple components from JQJTC in mouse plasma and liver was established by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Then, the concentration changes of 16 components from JQJTC in plasma and liver of type 2 diabetic mice were determined and the kinetics was analyzed. The results demonstrated that the established UPLC-MS/MS method met the requirements for the determination of biological samples. The alkaloids, organic acids, flavonoids, and saponins were absorbed into mouse blood after JQJTC was administered by gavage, and there were significant differences in the rates of absorption, transport into liver and elimination and exposure levels of 16 components in plasma and liver. And the exposure of alkaloids, calycosin-7-glucoside and its glycosides, formononetin, and cycloastragenol in the liver were significantly higher than that in the plasma. The results provided a basis for further research on the pharmacodynamic substances of JQJTC. The use of all experimental animals has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Laboratory Animal of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. PZSHUTCM2401310001).

Indigo naturalis [Baphicacanthus cusia (Nees) Bremek., QD], as a traditional Chinese medicine, has exhibited efficacy in the ulcerative colitis (UC). Cu Dian (CD), the current form of Indigo naturalis, has been regarded as the mainstream form of medicine today. Dian Hua (DH) is the traditional purified form of QD, in which the content of indigo and indirubin is higher than that of CD. The study evaluated the efficacy of DH and CD in UC and explored their mechanism. Male BALB/c mice were subjected to an 8-day regimen of 3% dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) drinking water to induce UC. The experiment was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (approval number: 2024075). Concurrently, the mice received intragastric administration of CD (400, 200, and 100 mg·kg^-1) and DH (400, 200, 100, and 50 mg·kg^-1) for the same duration. The anti-inflammatory properties of CD and DH were evaluated by quantifying levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-18 in colon tissue. Western blot and immunofluorescence assays were employed to assess the protein levels of zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) and occludin. Additionally, Western blot and RT-qPCR were utilized to analyze the protein and gene expression levels of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), and related factors in colon tissue. CD and DH demonstrated a capacity to alleviate inflammatory responses in mice with UC. The protective impact of both CD and DH on the intestinal mucosal barrier was associated with an elevation of ZO-1 and occludin. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effects of CD and DH were attributed to the inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome through the activation of the AMPK/silent information regulator of transcription 1 (SIRT1) pathway. Notably, DH exhibited a more pronounced improvement in UC compared to CD, particularly at the dosage of DH-M (200 mg·kg^-1). Our investigation substantiates the effectiveness of CD and DH in mitigating DSS-induced UC in mice. They demonstrated a capacity to diminish the production of inflammatory cytokines and safeguard the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier, notably by elevating level of tight junctions. The anti-colonic inflammatory effects of CD and DH were elucidated through the inhibition of both the formation and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, mediated by the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway.

The study of micromechanical behavior during tablet pressing is often limited to phenomenological studies, accurate calibration of the discrete element model parameters of binary particles is a prerequisite for conducting modeling research on tablet compression. In this study, we take pregelatinized starch and microcrystalline cellulose as the research objects, and apply the Edinburgh elasto-plastic adhesion (EEPA) contact model to establish a discrete elemental simulation model for binary material pressing. Taking tablet force-hardness and force-volume reduction as response values, the optimal values of the discrete meta-parameters that significantly affect tablet pressing are obtained by applying Plackett-Burman design, Latin hypercubic sampling, Kriging model, and Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-Ⅱ) calibration. The results obtained the optimum combination of discrete element method (DEM) parameters for pregelatinized starch, Poisson's ratio 0.257, shear modulus 1×10⁹ Pa, granule-particle static friction coefficient 0.165, unit normal stiffness 2.419 2×10⁹ N·m^-3, unit tangential stiffness 7.954 6×10⁹ N·m^-3, and strength of adhesive force -0.009 155 8 N. For microcrystalline cellulose, Poisson's ratio 0.381, shear modulus 1.04×10⁹ Pa, particle-particle static friction coefficient 0.719, unit normal stiffness 3.171 5×10⁹ N·m^-3, unit tangential stiffness 6.746 2×10⁹ N·m^-3, and strength of adhesion -0.038 7 N. For optimum combinations of the DEM parameters for the binary blend of excipients, particle-particle collision recovery coefficient 0.1, unit normal stiffness 9.947 1×10⁹ N·m^-3, unit tangential stiffness 1.994 5×10⁹ N·m^-3, and adhesion force strength -0.060 35. The simulation results under the optimal parameter combination are similar to the experimental results, indicating that the calibrated parameters can be used for discrete element simulation research and provide theoretical basis and data support for the subsequent intelligent and continuous production of tablets.

The study aims to establish HPLC fingerprint and multi-index content determination method of Guanxin Qiwei tablets and provide scientific basis for its quality control. The fingerprints of 18 batches of Guanxin Qiwei tablets were established by Shim-pack GGIST HP C₁₈ chromatographic column, and analyzed comprehensively in combination with the Similarity Evaluation System of TCM Chromatographic Fingerprint (2012 edition). Cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used for stoichiometric study. HPLC-MS/MS method was established for simultaneous determination of 9 components. A total of 22 common peaks were identified in 18 batches of Guanxin Qiwei tablets fingerprint, and the similarity was 0.952-0.998, 9 common peaks were identified. They were No. 1 gallic acid, No. 3 protocatechuic acid, No. 8 ellagic acid, No. 9 salvianolic acid B, No. 12 luteolin, No. 13 apigenin, No. 19 dehydrodiisoeugenol, No. 20 cryptotanshinone and No. 21 tanshinone ⅡA. CA and PCA analysis grouped 18 batches of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into 3 categories: S1-S4 (manufacturer A) was grouped into one category, S5-S8 (manufacturer B) was grouped into one category, and S9-S18 (manufacturer C and D) was grouped into one category. Under OPLS-DA analysis mode, 14 quality differentiators were selected with the variable important projection (VIP) greater than 1 as the standard, and all of them had significant differences. The linear relationship of the 9 components was good in their respective ranges, and the linear correlation coefficient r was greater than or equal to 0.099 9. Precision RSDS were all lower than 3.00%. The stability and repeatability were good, RSD lower than 5.00%; The average recoveries were 96.58%-106.28%, RSD was 2.68%-6.45%. This method is efficient and stable, and can be used for quality control of Guanxin Qiwei tablets.