Objective To explore the effects of different processing methods on the expectorant and antitussive effects of Zhuli (Bambusae Succus, BS). Methods The chemical composition differences of BS prepared by different processing methods were analyzed by GC-MS technology, and a comprehensive evaluation was conducted using principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) to screen for differential and specific components. The microscopic characteristics of bamboo before and after processing were further compared and analyzed. A chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mouse model was established to evaluate the expectorant and antitussive effects of BS prepared by different processing methods. Results This study determined the relative contents of guaiacol and syringol and the overall proportion of phenolic components in BS prepared by three processing methods through GC-MS analysis. In the fire treatment method, the proportions were 4.68%, 2.22%, and 14.93% respectively; in the dry distillation method, they were 5.98%, 6.96%, and 24.77% respectively; in the water boiling method, the overall proportion of phenolic components was 3.65%, and the relative contents of the two components were both below the detection limit. PCA and OPLS-DA indicated that the three processing methods had certain differences in chemical composition and screened out 13 characteristic differential components with distinguishing significance, including 2-methylpheno, creosol, eugenol, 2-methoxy-4-propyl-Phenol, (E)-isoeugenol, vanillin, 2-propenal, 2-methoxy-5-methylphenol, 4-ethylguaiacol, maltol, oleamide, 3, 5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde. Cluster analysis showed that the components of the fire processing and dry distillation methods were relatively similar, while both were significantly different from the water boiling method. Microscopic structure observation revealed that the bamboo structure corresponding to the BS prepared by the water boiling method was similar to that of fresh bamboo, while the fire processing and dry distillation methods had more significant changes in bamboo structure. Pharmacological experiments showed that BS prepared by the three methods all exhibited varying degrees of cough-suppressing and expectorant effects, among which the dry distillation method significantly prolonged the cough latency period (P < 0.05) and increased phenol red excretion (P < 0.01). Conclusion Compared with the fire processing and water boiling methods, the dry distillation method can more effectively retain active and convert components such as guaiacol and syringol. Mechanism studies indicated that the water boiling method, due to insufficient heating temperature, was unable to thermally decompose lignin to generate phenolic acid components, resulting in significant differences in chemical composition compared to the traditional fire processing and dry distillation methods, leading to distinct quality characteristics among the three approaches. The efficacy experiments showed that all three methods exhibited expectorant and antitussive effects to varying degrees; among them, the dry distillation method had a more significant effect in prolonging the cough latency period and increasing the phenol red excretion volume. By studying the effects of different processing techniques on the quality of BS and its efficacy in relieving cough and expectorating phlegm, this research provides a theoretical basis for its clinical application, the development of new dosage forms, and the scientific connotation of dry distillation processing.

Objective Based on a confined mass transfer mathematical model, this study aims to establish a quantitative analysis method for the existing states of matrine in the complex solution environment of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and elucidate the influence pattern of the compatibility ratio of Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, SMRR) and Kushen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, SFR) on its acid-base complexation reaction. Methods Based on the mass transfer differences of component states during nanofiltration (NF) and ultrafiltration (UF), the mass transfer coefficient of matrine was fitted taking the component transmission rate and membrane flux as evaluation indicators. Using the molecular and ionic monomer components as references, a quantitative calculation model for the existing states was constructed. The existing states of matrine in the SFR extract and the SMRR- SFR co-extract were fitted to analyze the occurrence patterns of acid-base complexation reactions under different solution environments. Results Coupling UF and NF enhanced the separation differences between the ionic and molecular states of matrine, thereby improving the accuracy of the quantitative calculation model for the ionic state. The correlation coefficients of the power function equations for quantitatively calculating the existing states of matrine were all greater than 0.97, indicating that the model was successfully established. The proportion of matrine in the molecular state was approximately 1.21%-1.91% in both the SFR extract and the co-extract. In the SFR extract, matrine existed as 36.90% in the ionic state and 61.98% in the associated state. After compatibility and extraction of SFR and SMRR, the existing form of matrine changed significantly. When the compatibility ratio of SMRR was low, the ionic state was dominant, with the increase in the proportion of SMRR, the ionic proportion of matrine gradually decreased from 66.73% to 45.83%, transforming into a complex-structured composite state, and the corresponding composite state proportion rose from 31.87% to 52.90%. Conclusion A quantitative calculation method for the existing states of matrine in different solution environments was successfully constructed, providing technical support for elucidating the states of components in complex solution environments.

Objective To prepare a self-assembled nanoparticles of saikosaponin D (SSD) and cannabidiol (CBD) and preliminarily investigate their anti-hepatoma mechanism in vitro. Methods The SSD-CBD self-assembled nanoparticles were constructed using the nano co-precipitation method at a mass ratio of 3∶1, and their assembly mechanisms were characterized by techniques including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ¹H-¹H nuclear overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (¹H-¹H NOESY). Its physicochemical properties were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The antitumor activity, apoptosis induction, and preliminary mechanisms were systematically assessed by MTT assay, flow cytometry (Annexin V-FITC/PI staining), and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (Caspase) activity assays. Results The assembly was self-assembled through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, with SSD and CBD showing a synergistic effect against HepG2 cells (CI = 0.79). It exhibited pH-responsive drug release, specifically releasing drugs in the tumor microenvironment (pH 6.8) while remaining stable at normal physiological environment (pH 7.4). Mechanistic studies indicated that it primarily induced HepG2 cell death by activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Conclusion The constructed SSD-CBD self-assembled nanoparticles offer a carrier-free strategy that can simultaneously improve the delivery efficiency of CBD and achieve precise collaborative drug delivery, providing an experimental basis for the development of intelligent nanomedicine based on SSD.

Objective To optimize the optimal processing methods for two different preparations of Huaimi (Sophorae Japonicae, SJ) and establish a method for determining the content of marker components and analyzing their correlation with color values using UPLC. Methods UPLC was employed to determine nine components in SJ (5-hydroxymethylfurfural, protocatechuic acid, rutin, isoquercitrin, quercetin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, narcissin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin) and alcohol-soluble extract content as evaluation indicators. A single-factor experiment combined with Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology (BBD-RSM) was employed to investigate three factors: roasting power, roasting time, and feedstock quantity. The weighting coefficient of the 10 indicators was calculated using the criteria importance through inter-criteria correlation (CRITIC) method. Both approaches were integrated to analyze and optimize the processing techniques for the two prepared forms of SJ. The IRIS electronic eye was employed to measure color changes in SJ at different processing levels. SPSS 20.0 and Origin 2024 software were used to analyze the correlation between color and indicator components. Results The optimal processing conditions for stir-fried SJ were determined as frying power 900 W, 5 min processing time, and 115 g batch size. For charred SJ, the optimal conditions were frying power 1 600 W, 3 min processing time, and 100 g batch size. Three batches of samples were prepared for validation, yielding average composite scores of 67.33 and 78.98 with RSD of 2.29% and 0.70%, respectively. These values closely matched predicted values, indicating process stability. Correlation analysis between color values and nine components revealed that both L^* and b^* values showed significant positive correlations with rutin, kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, and narcissin, while exhibiting significant negative correlations with kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin. The a^* value demonstrated significant positive correlations with protocatechuic acid, isoquercitrin, quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin, indicating a correlation between color and changes in internal components of SJ. Conclusion The processing methods for stir-fried SJ and charred SJ optimized through BBD-RSM and CRITIC weighting are stable and feasible. Changes in intrinsic components during processing showed significant correlation with color values, providing a simple and intuitive basis for assessing the degree of processing and the relationship between intrinsic component changes in stir-fried SJ and charred SJ, and offering reference for their quality evaluation and clinical application.

Objective To prepare an amino acid-based deep eutectic gel dressing and study in vitro performance and the in vivo therapeutic effect on oral ulcer. Methods Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were screened using lysine, proline, arginine, and glycine as hydrogen bond donors, and lactic acid, citric acid, glycerol, mannitol, and malic acid as acceptors, with curcumin solubility identifying the optimal system. Gel dressings were prepared by optimizing the formulation process based on the composite matrix of gelatin methacryloyl/chitosan methacryloyl (GelMA/CSMA) in combination with 3D printing technology. Its mechanical properties, adhesiveness, swelling, and biocompatibility were evaluated, and in vivo efficacy was verified in an SD rat oral ulcer model. Results The optimal DES system (proline-lactic acid, 1:12) increased curcumin solubility over 700-fold (0.789 mg/mL) compared to its solubility in water. The optimal printing formulation and process parameters were as follows: 1% CSMA, 5% GelMA, 0.1% lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP), 0.02% tartrazine, 20% DES content, 100 μm layer height, and a layer-by-layer exposure time of 25 s. The obtained amino acid-based gel dressing had excellent mechanical properties, with a 2.5 N adhesion force at 25 min and an approximately 500% swelling ratio at 6 h. In vitro biocompatibility showed that the survival rate of L929 cells was all above 90%, and the DES system had no significant cytotoxicity. It also showed high in vitro biocompatibility (L929 viability > 90%, non-cytotoxic). In vivo, the gel achieved localized, sustained curcumin release in SD oral ulcer model rats, reducing ulcer area by 40% with decreased neutrophil density and inflammatory infiltration. Conclusion Successfully prepared an amino acid-based DES gel dressing loaded with curcumin, which exhibits excellent wound adaptability and precise drug release behavior, offering an efficient and safe therapeutic strategy for oral ulcers.

Objective To evaluate the quality of Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma Tablets (FDRT) produced by different companies. Methods A total of 18 batches of FDRT produced by company A and 20 batches of FDRT produced by company B were collected, respectively. The fingerprints of 38 batches FDRT were determined using HPLC, the common peaks were assigned and the constituents of these peaks were identified by quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF-MS/MS). Using quantitative common peak areas as variables, pattern recognition analysis of the fingerprint was conducted using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The content of the nine constituents confirmed by comparison with reference substances and have good separation in samples were determined. Results There were 33 common peaks in the fingerprint of 38 batches of FDRT, and a total of 53 constituents were identified by Q-TOF-MS/MS, including 21 tannins, 12 phenolics, seven flavonoids, seven phenylpropanoid glycosides, two amino acids, two organic acids, one alkaloid, and one terpenoid, among them, three phenolics (gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, and protocatechualdehyde), five tannins (procyanidin B1, B2, B3, C1, C2), four flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, and rutin) were confirmed by reference substance. The separation degree of nine constituents except for procyanidin C2, B2, and rutin was relatively good. The average content of these nine constituents in FDRT produced by company B was significantly higher than that in FDRT produced by company A (P < 0.01). The results of HCA, PCA, and OPLS-DA were consistent, clearly distinguished the FDRT produced by company A and company B into two categories. The constituents corresponding to common peaks 30, 29, 16, 17, 2, 21, 10, 11, 18, 20, and 27, such as procyanidin C2, B2, C1, B1, B3, gallic acid, epicatechin, etc., are the marker constituents responsible for the quality differences in FDRT produced by two enterprises. Conclusion There is a significant quality difference in FDRT produced by two companies.

Objective To explore the mechanism of morin, an active ingredient of Sangzhi (Mori Ramulus), against gastric cancer based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and in vitro experiments. Methods Potential targets of Mori Ramulus and gastric cancer-related targets were screened by network pharmacology, and the intersection of targets was obtained. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network topological analysis, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, and GEO dataset validation were used to screen core targets. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were applied to verify the binding ability of morin (the active ingredient of Mori Ramulus) to phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1) and the stability of the formed complex. In in vitro experiments, human gastric adenocarcinoma AGS cells were treated with 100, 200, 300, 400 μmol/L morin alone or combined with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) agonist 740Y-P. Cell proliferation ability was detected by CCK-8 assay and plate clone formation assay. Cell apoptosis rate and cell cycle distribution were detected by flow cytometry. Expressions of PI3K/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway, apoptosis and cycle related proteins were detected by Western blotting. Results A total of 178 potential targets of Mori Ramulus, 13 100 gastric cancer-related targets, and 159 intersecting targets were identified. Enrichment analysis showed that the key pathway was the PI3K/Akt pathway. Morin had strong binding affinity with PIK3R1, was significantly highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues, and the constructed morin-PIK3R1 complex maintained excellent stability. The in vitro experiment results showed that morin could inhibit AGS cells proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, induce G₀/G₁ phase arrest, and promote cell apoptosis (P < 0.05, 0.01). Meanwhile, morin downregulated the expressions of PI3K/Akt pathway, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), cyclin D1 (CCND1), cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) protein (P < 0.05, 0.01), and upregulated the expressions of Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and p21 (P < 0.01). Combined treatment with 740Y-P significantly reversed the effects of morin on proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle (P < 0.05, 0.01). Conclusion Morin can exert anti-gastric cancer activity by targeting and stably binding to PIK3R1, inhibiting the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway, inducing cell cycle arrest, promoting apoptosis, and inhibiting proliferation in gastric cancer cells.

Objective To investigate the pharmacodynamic effect and mechanism of casticin on improving colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). Methods A CAC mouse model was established using azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induction, followed by intervention with casticin. Therapeutic efficacy and safety of casticin were evaluated by comparing body weight changes, disease activity index, colonic tumor burden, tumor-bearing survival rates, organ indices, pathological alterations and serum liver function indicators. Intestinal microbiota structural alterations were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Differentially expressed proteins and key signaling pathways were screened through proteomic techniques. Western blotting was performed to validate key protein expressions. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis based on TCGA database was conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of target genes, and molecular docking was employed to predict the binding modes between casticin and target proteins. The interaction between gut microbiota and host targets was revealed through correlation analysis. Results Compared with model group, casticin significantly alleviated body weight loss in CAC mice, improved intestinal inflammatory responses, reduced colonic tumor volume and tumor burden (P < 0.05), and improved survival rates of tumor-bearing mice. Safety evaluation showed no significant abnormalities in serum liver indicators and histomorphology of major organs in all treatment groups. 16S rRNA sequencing demonstrated that casticin effectively reversed CAC-induced intestinal dysbiosis, significantly downregulated the relative abundance of pro-carcinogenic phyla Fusobacteriota and Patesbacteria, while enriched the anti-inflammatory genera Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 that produce short-chain fatty acids. Proteomic analysis identified the complement and coagulation cascade pathway as the core responsive pathway, with dose-dependent restoration of microenvironment remodeling-related molecule serine protease inhibitor 1 (Serpine1) and immune recognition receptor integrin alpha M (Itgam) expression. Western blotting validation demonstrated that compared with model group, the protein expression levels of Itgam and Serpine1 in colonic tissues were significantly downregulated in casticin group (P < 0.01, 0.001), consistent with the proteomic trend analysis. Integrated analysis further revealed that the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group was significantly negatively correlated with the expression of microenvironment remodeling molecule Serpine1, while the abundance of pro-carcinogenic bacteria such as Fusobacteriota was significantly positively correlated with the expression of immune recognition receptor Itgam. Conclusion Casticin can reshape the intestinal microbiota structure, regulate key molecular responses in the complement and coagulation cascade pathway, thereby synergistically blocking the inflammatory-carcinogenic transformation process of CAC.

Objective To explore the mechanism of tubeimoside II (TUB-II) in inhibiting the growth and metastasis of colorectal cancer. Methods Human colorectal cancer cell lines RKO and SW620 were used as research subjects, the effect of TUB-II on viability of RKO and SW620 cells was detected. The cell proliferation ability was detected by colony formation assay. The cell migration ability was detected by scratch assay. Western blotting was used to detect the effect of TUB-II on expressions of lethal (2) giant larvae homolog 2 (LLGL2) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins in RKO and SW620 cells. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to detect the effect of TUB-II on ubiquitination of LLGL2. Subcutaneous tumor model and colorectal cancer lung metastasis model in vivo were constructed to investigate the effect of TUB-II on tumor growth and lung metastasis. Results TUB-II significantly inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer both in vitro and in vivo (P < 0.05, 0.01, 0.001). TUB-II significantly upregulated the expression of LLGL2 (P < 0.05, 0.01, 0.001) and inhibited the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway (P < 0.05, 0.01, 0.001), thereby suppressing tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. At the same time, TUB-II inhibited the interaction between murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and LLGL2 to suppress the ubiquitination of LLGL2, thereby stabilizing its expression and exerting an anti-colorectal cancer effect. Conclusion TUB-II inhibits the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of LLGL2 ubiquitination and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Objective To study the protective effect and potential mechanism of soybean isoflavones (SI) on ischemic stroke. Methods SI were isolated from soybeans and components were analyzed. An oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)-induced PC12 cells model was constructed to investigate the effect of SI on cell survival, migration ability, apoptosis, intracellular Ca²⁺, reactive oxygen species (ROS), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cysteine aspartate protease-3 (Caspase-3) levels, and expressions of Kelch-like ECH associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway related proteins. A rat model of global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was established using bilateral common carotid artery ligation. The effect of SI on neurological function score, brain tissue water content, proportion of cerebral infarction volume, pathological changes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), LDH activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and expressions of Keap1/Nrf2 pathway related proteins in brain tissue were investigated. Results In vitro experiments showed that compared with model group, SI significantly increased cell survival rate and migration rate (P < 0.05, 0.01), decreased cell apoptosis rate and intracellular Ca²⁺, ROS, LDH, Caspase-3 levels (P < 0.05, 0.01), upregulated Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) protein expressions (P < 0.01), and downregulated Keap1 protein expression (P < 0.05, 0.01). In vivo experiments, compared with model group, SI significantly improved neurological deficits, reduced brain edema and infarct volume in rats (P < 0.01), repaired brain tissue pathological damage, reduced MDA level and LDH activity in brain tissue (P < 0.01), increased SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities in brain tissue (P < 0.01), upregulated Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 protein expressions in brain tissue (P < 0.01), and downregulated Keap1 protein expression in brain tissue (P < 0.01). Conclusion SI have a significant neuroprotective effect on ischemic stroke, which may be related to the activation of Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, enhancing the antioxidant capacity of body, inhibiting oxidative stress damage, reducing neuronal apoptosis and alleviating brain tissue damage.