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.

In order to further distinguish the differences of compounds in different medicinal parts of Angelica (head, body and tail), our study used UHPLC-QE-MS combined with non-targeted metabolomics technology to identify the different compounds in different medicinal parts of Angelica. Principal component analysis (PCA) and OPLS-DA were used to screen the differential metabolites, and the related pathways were compared and analyzed. Eighteen types of 1 072 metabolites were identified from different medicinal parts of Angelica sinensis, mainly terpenoids, phenylpropanes, lipids and their derivatives, alkaloids, flavonoids, organic acids and their derivatives, etc. The comparison between Angelica head and Angelica body, Angelica head and Angelica tail, Angelica body and Angelica tail showed 530, 565, 474 different metabolites, among which kaempferol, cinnamic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, ligustilide, liquiritigenin, and rutin were mainly enriched in Angelica tail, naringin, apigenin were mainly enriched in Angelica body, estradiol, ligustrazine were mainly enriched in Angelica head; differential metabolites are concentrated in flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, indole alkaloid biosynthesis, tryptophan metabolism, flavonoid and flavonol biosynthesis and other pathways. In this study, UHPLC-QE-MS non-targeted metabolomics technology can effectively analyze the differential metabolites of different medicinal parts of Angelica sinensis, providing scientific support for clinical rational and accurate application of different medicinal parts of Angelica sinensis.

Gliomas are the most common primary tumors in the central nervous system. However, the efficacy of first-line treatments for glioma is hindered by the blood brain barrier (BBB), making it difficult to reach an effective dose at the tumor site. The volatile oil from traditional Chinese medicine have the advantages of high fat solubility and ability to penetrate the blood brain barrier, has demonstrated promising inhibitory effects on glioma. The volatile oil components of traditional Chinese medicine can improve the anti-glioma efficacy by promoting the entry of chemotherapeutic drugs into the brain, inhibiting the exocytosis of drugs within the brain and synergizing with chemical drug therapy. However, the stability of volatile oil is poor, nano-formulations including liposomes, nanoparticles, and self-assembled prodrug delivery systems, can improve their stability and exert the therapeutic efficacy. As an effective drug for the treatment of glioma, volatile oil from traditional Chinese medicine shows good prospects for application. This review summarizes the mechanisms of action of volatile oil from traditional Chinese medicine and their main components against glioma, and the research progress of volatile oil combined with chemotherapeutic drugs or designed as nano-drug delivery systems for glioma therapy, with a view to providing reference for the application of volatile oil from traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of glioma.

This study investigates the anti-fatigue effects and mechanisms of Lycium barbarum and Ginseng combination using network pharmacology and in vivo validation. The effective components and their action targets of Lycium barbarum and Ginseng were explored through TCMSP, ETCM and other databases combined with literature. The fatigue targets were obtained through OMIM and Gene Cards databases. The intersection targets of drug targets and disease targets were screened out and imported into String database and Cytoscape 3.10.0 to construct PPI network. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of the core targets were performed by David database. A mouse exercise-induced fatigue model was established to evaluate the anti-fatigue effects and mechanisms of the Lycium barbarum-Ginseng combination. The results showed that 55 active ingredients of Lycium barbarum and Ginseng were obtained, corresponding to 573 targets. The number of fatigue targets was 1 137, 115 total targets and 26 core targets were screened. KEGG enrichment pathways mainly included PI3K-AKT, HIF-1α, AGE-RAGE and other signaling pathways. All animal experiments were approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: 202308A018). The results showed that the low, middle and high dose groups of Lycium barbarum and Ginseng (1∶1) could prolong the exhaustive swimming time of mice, and the middle dose group had a more significant effect than Ginseng group and Lycium barbarum group. The middle and high dose groups of Lycium barbarum combined with Ginseng significantly reduced blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in mice. Compared with Ginseng group and Lycium barbarum group, the high dose group had a more significant effect. Lactic acid (LD) levels were significantly decreased in Ginseng group, Lycium barbarum group and combination group. Compared with the Ginseng group, the levels of liver glycogen (Lgly) and muscle glycogen (Mgly) were significantly increased in the middle dose group of Lycium barbarum combined with Ginseng. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum were significantly decreased in Ginseng group and Lycium barbarum combined with Ginseng high dose group. The content of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (AST) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (ALT) in the high dose group of Lycium barbarum combined with Ginseng can be significantly decreased. The results of Western blot showed that the low dose group of Lycium barbarum combined with Ginseng could significantly up-regulate the expression of P-PI3K and AKT proteins in the muscle tissue of fatigue mice, and the middle dose group could significantly down-regulate the expression of P-AKT and HIF-1α proteins. Compared with Ginseng group and Lycium barbarum group, the expression of PI3K protein in the high dose group was significantly increased. The expression of AKT protein in the low-dose group was significantly increased. In conclusion, Lycium barbarum combined with Ginseng has more positive effects on improving exercise endurance, reducing the accumulation of metabolites and improving glycogen storage levels in mice than Ginseng group and Lycium barbarum group, and its mechanism may be the regulation of AKT, PI3K, HIF-1α and other core targets and PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α signaling pathway to exert anti-fatigue effect.

Respiratory infections, as common diseases, along with other respiratory system diseases such as asthma, rare diseases including cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer, can be prevented using vaccines. Taking respiratory infections as an example, vaccines are mostly administered via intramuscular injection, inducing the production of serum IgG, thereby neutralizing viral infectivity and alleviating COVID-19 symptoms. However, due to the lack of secretory IgA and IgG in muscle tissues, intramuscular vaccines cannot quickly provide protection to the respiratory tract. To overcome the shortcomings of intramuscular injection, some vaccine candidates for nasal or nebulized inhalation are under development or have been approved. Clinical studies show that inhaled vaccines can induce antibody responses similar to those of intramuscular vaccines at much lower doses. Inhaled vaccines can simultaneously induce humoral, cellular, and mucosal immunity, providing triple protection. With the application of new vaccines (e.g. mRNA vaccines and DNA vaccines) in inhalable formulations for COVID-19, inhaled vaccines have been proven to have broad application prospects in the prevention of lung diseases. Given this background and the known abundance of immune cells in the lungs, increasing research efforts are devoted to developing single-dose inhalable nano dry powder vaccines. This article discusses the roles and advantages of inhaled vaccines in mucosal immunity, their potentials for treating different diseases, and prospects for the future development of inhaled vaccines based on nanotechnology.

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.

It aimed to research the chemical constituents of Solidago canadensis Lour. A new sucrose derivative was isolated from the the methanol extract of Solidago canadensis Lour. with the technologies of silica gel, microporous resin, Rp-18, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. It was identified as 2, 4, 6, 1′, 3′, 6′-O-hexaisovaleryl sucrose by 1D NMR, 2D NMR, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and acid hydrolysis method. Its mass spectrometry fragmentation behaviors were analyzed using high-resolution mass spectrometry and found that compound 1 was easy to break the glycosidic bond to produce the fragment at m/z 415. The ion at m/z 415 continued to eliminate the isovaleryl group as neutral or non-neutral form to generate a series of daughter ions. Compound 1 could inhibit NO production on LPS-induced neuroinflammatory responses in BV2 microglial cells at the concentrations of 5, 10, and 20 μmol·L^-1 to exhibit neuroprotective effect. Its half maximal inhibition rate of NO was measured to be 13.96 ± 0.78 μmol·L^-1.

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.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection poses significant morbidity and/or mortality risks for individuals with compromised immune systems, rendering it one of the most prevalent congenital infections worldwide. The pursuit of HCMV vaccines has spanned over five decades, with clinical trials primarily focusing on various vaccine candidates, including live attenuated vaccines, viral vectored vaccines, subunit vaccines, peptide vaccines, DNA vaccines, RNA vaccines, and viral-like particle vaccines, usually accompanied by the use of adjuvants. Although the development of vaccines against HCMV is being actively promoted, there are still numerous obstacles and challenges persisting in the research process, due to unique pathogenic characteristics and infection mechanisms of HCMV. Based on the summarized research progress, this article analyzes and discusses the faced challenges and potential approaches to provide valuable insights and guidance for the exploration and development of new vaccines candidates, and ultimately achieve prevention and control of HCMV infection.

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).