Objective To explore the medication patterns of medicinal and food homologous traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) in treatment of vascular dementia (VD), to elucidate their potential mechanisms using network pharmacology, and to validate these findings experimentally, providing a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of VD. Methods Clinical literature on TCM prescriptions for VD was retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), and the China Biology Medicine databases. After comparing with the list of TCMs that are both food and medicine, we obtained a set of VD-related TCM prescriptions. We analyzed the medication patterns and screened for core herbs. Using network pharmacology, we identified the active components of the core herbs and their target points in VD treatment, followed by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analyses. Molecular docking was performed on core targets and major active components. Animal experiments were conducted to verify the therapeutic effects of the core herbs. Results Data mining yielded 531 TCM prescriptions that are both food and medicine, revealing three high-frequency and strongly associated herbal pairs. Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Taoren (Persicae Semen), and Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus) were selected as the core herbs for treating VD. The anti-VD mechanisms involve regulating pathways such as interleukin‑17 (IL-17) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). The main active components, quercetin and kaempferol, showed good binding affinity with key VD targets including tumor protein p53 (TP53), protein kinase B1 (AKT1), TNF, and IL-6. Animal experiments demonstrated that the TCM prescriptions improved learning and memory in VD rats, reduced mitochondrial and synaptic damage, and downregulated the mRNA expression levels of TP53, TNF, and IL-6 in the hippocampus, as well as the positive expression of TP53. Conclusion Astragali Radix, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Persicae Semen, and Corni Fructus are core herbs in the category of TCMs that are both food and medicine for treating VD. Their anti-VD mechanisms are related to the regulation of targets such as TP53, TNF, and IL-6, which help alleviate synaptic injury and neuroinflammation. This study provides valuable insights into the use of these herbs for VD prevention and treatment.

Objective To mine CYP gene family members in Coptis chinensis based on genomic data and analyze the evolutionary specificity of CYP719 genes. Methods The CYP gene family members of C. chinensis were identified based on homologous CYP gene sequence from both Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa. Analyses of the physicochemical properties of proteins, system classification, gene structure, expression profile and cis-acting elements of the identified CYP genes were further conducted by bioinformatics. The CYP719 family members in C. chinensis were identified based on the 23 reported CYP719 genes in other plants, and their collinearity analysis was performed through homologous sequence alignment. Results A total of 308 CYP genes were identified in the C. chinensis genomic data, belonging to 45 families in nine family clans. The range of amino acid numbers for encoded proteins is from 103 to 2 008 aa, with a relative molecular mass ranging from 11 010 to 230 370, and an isoelectric point ranging from 4.85 to 9.79. The number of CYP gene exons in C. chinensis varies between 1 and 38, with a wide range of variation. A total of 308 CYP genes were unevenly distributed on nine chromosomes of C. chinensis and mainly expanded through dispersed duplication（DSD） and proximal duplication（PD）. The expression of CYP genes was tissue-specific, and nine genes were significantly upregulated in rhizomes and fibrous roots. In the promoter regions of these CYP genes, stress response elements were predicted to be the most frequently occurring cis-acting elements. Through genomic collinear analyses between different plants, the C. chinensis CYP719 genes have homologous ones in Aquilegia coerulea, Corydalis tomentella, Papaver somniferum, and Aristolochia debilis, but not in Arabidopsis thaliana, Glycine max, Prunus persica, Chrysanthemum nankingense, Vitis vinifera, Aconitum vilmorinianum, O. sativa, and Amborella trichopoda. Conclusion C. chinensis has a rich CYP supergene family, in which CYP719 gene shows branch-specific evolution, laying the foundation for analyzing the functions of this type of gene.

The scale-up of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) extraction processes is a crucial step in transitioning from laboratory research to industrial production. With the rapid development of the TCM industry, the scale-up of TCM extraction processes faces numerous key challenges, such as parameter fluctuations caused by multi-factor coupling, instability in cross-scale amplification due to unclear kinetic mechanisms, and quality variations resulting from the failure of traditional scaling-up theories. In recent years, with the rapid advancement of process analytical technology (PAT), its application in the scale-up of TCM extraction processes has garnered increasing attention. PAT enhances the efficiency and stability of TCM extraction process scale-up by real-time monitoring and analyzing key parameters during the extraction process, optimizing extraction techniques, establishing precise models, and implementing dynamic regulation and feedback control. This provides robust data support for process scale-up. This review summarizes the application of PAT in extraction process scale-up, systematically elaborates on the current research status of data acquisition, process modeling, and dynamic feedback techniques, and analyzes the current problems and challenges faced by extraction process scale-up. It aims to provide insights for promoting the application of PAT in the TCM manufacturing industry, therebyfacilitating the intelligent transformation, upgrading, and high-quality development of the TCM industry.

Objective To explore food and medicine homologous prescriptions for heat-clearing and detoxifying, with Lugen (Phragmitis Rhizoma) as the core, evaluate their antipyretic effect, and develop compound Phragmitis Rhizoma herbal tea. Methods A total of 181 Chinese patent medicine and formulations containing Phragmitis Rhizoma were retrieved from the Yaozh™ database. After screening, 97 formulations were included for data mining. The core composition of the herbal tea was identified through frequency statistics, cluster analysis, association rule analysis, and core complex network. The antipyretic effect and underlying mechanism were investigated using a dry yeast-induced febrile rat model. Results Data mining revealed that herbs used in Phragmitis Rhizoma-based formulations were predominantly sweet in taste and cold in property, primarily acting on the lung and stomach meridians. Eight traditional Chinese medicine combinations with high confidence and strong associations with Phragmitis Rhizoma were identified. Guided by traditional Chinese medicine theory, the core formulation was finalized as: Phragmitis Rhizoma, Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba), Dazao (Jujubae Fructus), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), and Korla fragrant pear. Animal studies showed that administration of low, medium, and high doses of the compound Phragmitis Rhizoma herbal tea significantly reduced the body temperature of febrile rats (P < 0.01). All dose groups significantly decreased serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, as well as hypothalamic prostaglandin E₂(PGE₂) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels (P < 0.01). Serum levels of interleukin‑6 (IL-6) were significantly reduced in the all groups (P < 0.05, 0.01). Conclusion The compound Phragmitis Rhizoma herbal tea can significantly reduce the body temperature of febrile rats. Its antipyretic mechanism is likely associated with decreasing serum levels of pyrogenic factors IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as reducing hypothalamus levels of pyrogenic, pro‑inflammatory, and algesic factors PGE₂ and cAMP content, there by causing a downward shift of the thermoregulatory set point.

In recent years, significant changes have taken place in the variety type of Citrus cultivars in China, which has profoundly impacted the Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) medicinal materials. Except for Citrus reticulata ‘Chachi’, the cultivated varieties of the primary botanical source of traditional Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium have seen a severe decline in cultivation, leading to an insufficient supply of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium medicinal materials. Consequently, peels derived from Citrus aurantium, Citrus sinensis, and other related species, collectively referred to as “Za Chenpi”, have entered the market and become the predominant commodity. This shift has a serious impact on the safety of clinical medication and the healthy development of the Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium industry. Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium are widely distributed and serve both medicinal and culinary purposes. The development of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium industry plays an important role in driving and leading the development of China’s traditional Chinese medicine industry and rural revitalization. However, except for C. reticulata ‘Chachi’ which has successfully transformed from a single agricultural product into a billion-yuan industry, the broader Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium industry currently faces multiple challenges, including a broken chain in the cultivation sector, the use of “Za Chenpi” as a substitute in manufacturing, insufficient exploration of its health value as a food-medicine dual-purpose substance, a lack of innovation in product development, and inadequate expansion of the service sector. This article provides a systematic review of the historical origin and research progress of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium. In response to the challenges facing the industry, and using the development model of C. reticulata ‘Chachi’ as a benchmark, this study propose strategic recommendations for Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium industry from multiple perspectives, including base construction, quality assurance, technology empowerment, product innovation, brand building, and integrated whole-industry-chain development. The aim is to provide decision-making support for the high-quality development of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium industry.

Zhizichi Decoction (栀子豉汤) firstly recorded in the Treatise on Febrile Diseases written by Zhang Zhongjing, was included in the Catalogue of Ancient Classical Prescriptions (second batch) published by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is a classic prescription for treating “restlessness due to deficiency” and “inner distress”. The formula of ZhiziChi Decoction is simple. Modern pharmacological studies have found that the active components of Zhizichi Decoction have the effects such as sedation and sleep induction, hypoglycemic action, regulation of lung tissue damage, protection of liver and myocardial cells. This classic formula is used to treat agrypnia and annoyance with heat, clinically, it has been used for treatment of neurological disorders and gastrointestinal diseases. This paper systematically summarizes and sorts out the pharmacological effects, modern clinical applications and modern research of Zhizichi Decoction, which can provide a theoretical basis for the future research and development of ZhiziChi Decoction.

ObjectiveTo identify the members of the ERF gene family (TkERFs) of Trichosanthes kirilowii based on transcriptome sequencing data, and to analyze their biological functions in the growth and development of T. kirilowii, so as to provide a theoretical basis for further studying the mechanism of sex differentiation in T. kirilowii. Methods Bioinformatics methods were used to systematically identify the ERF gene family members of T. kirilowii, and the key candidate gene for sex differentiation, TkERF2, was screened for functional elucidation. The tissue expression patterns of the tissues were analyzed by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The TkERF2 overexpression vector was constructed and its biological function was explored through subcellular localization and genetic transformation experiments of Arabidopsis thaliana, combined with phenotypic observation, related gene expression detection and ethylene content determination. Transcriptome and small RNA omics data were integrated to screen miRNAs that target the regulation of TkERFs and improve their regulatory networks. Results Based on transcriptome data, a total of 54 TkERF genes (TkERF1—TkERF54) were identified by open reading frame (ORF) and conserved domain analysis. It encodes a protein sequence length of 101—389 amino acids, a molecular weight of 11 580—43 310, and a theoretical isoelectric point (pI) of 4.66—10.60. Subcellular localization prediction showed that 74% of TkERFs were localized in the nucleus and 26% were distributed in chloroplasts and cytoplasm. Protein conservation motif analysis identified 10 motifs. The phylogenetic tree divides the family into eight subfamilies. TkERF2, TkERF20 and TkERF45 were identified by specific miRNA targeting. Transgenic A. thaliana experiments showed that TkERF2 significantly regulated ethylene synthesis pathway, and the expressions of auxin synthesis genes (AtYUC2, AtYUC6), auxin response factor (AtARF8) and auxin transport gene (AtPIN2) were significantly higher than those of wild type (P < 0.05), confirming that TkERF2 was involved in developmental process by positively regulating auxin synthesis and transport. Conclusion This study has completed the systematic identification and preliminary exploration of the ERF gene family, which provides a theoretical basis for analyzing the mechanism of sex determination and genetic improvement of T. kirilowii.

Zebrafish are a critical model organism for investigating liver disease mechanisms and drug discovery because of their embryonic transparency and genetic manipulability, as well as their possession of a structurally and functionally conserved liver highly homologous to mammals. This review systematically summarizes methodologies for establishing zebrafish models of liver injury, hepatic fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and focuses on exploring the therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) components in ameliorating liver injury, counteracting fibrogenesis, and inhibiting tumorigenesis,with the aims of providing novel perspectives and methodologies for advancing the application of zebrafish models in hepatopathology research and promoting TCM-based interventions for liver diseases.

ObjectiveTo systematically analyze the TIFY gene family members in Gastrodia elata f. glauca and explore their potential molecular mechanisms in the interaction between G. elata. f. glauca and Armillaria gallica. Methods Based on the whole-genome data of G. elata f. glauca, bioinformatics methods were used to analyze the system evolution, gene structures, and chromosome distribution. The gene expression characteristicswere detected by qRT-PCR, and the jasmonic acid (JA) content was detected by mass spectrometry. The correlation between gene expression and JA content was further analyzed. Results A total of 30 TIFY family members were identified in G. elata f. glauca, belonging to four subfamilies: TIFY, JAZ, PPD, and ZML. They have highly conserved protein motifs and similar exon/intron structures, and are unevenly distributed on seven chromosomes. The number of conserved homologous genes in G. elata f. glauca is more than that in Arabidopsis thaliana, indicating a specific expansion of the TIFY family. The cis-acting element analysis revealed that the promoter regions of the TIFY family members in G. elata f. glauca are enriched with a large number of hormone response, stress response, and growth and development-related elements. Transcriptome analysis showed that A. gallica infection induced differential expression of 19 TIFY family members in G. elata f. glauca. In the mother tubers, GeJAZ4-3, GeJAZ8, and GeJAZ1-1 were significantly upregulated, and the expression levels of multiple members were significantly positively correlated with JA content, especially the expression level of GeJAZ4-3. Conclusion The TIFY gene family in G. elata f. glauca shows specific expansion. GeJAZ4-3, as a key regulatory factor, mediates the JA signaling pathway to regulate the balance of the interaction between G. elata f. glauca and A. gallica, laying an important foundation for the analysis of the symbiotic mechanism of G. elata and facilitating disease-resistant breeding.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) in a high humidity osteoarthritis (HHOA) rat model. Methods The HHOA rat model was established, and rats were given TMP for eight weeks. Safranin O-fast green staining was used to observe morphological changes in cartilage tissue. The levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum were measured. Prussian blue staining was performed to detect iron deposition in cartilage. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expressions of GPX4 and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) in cartilage. Serum untargeted metabolomics was performed to analyze changes in metabolites and their enriched pathways. In vitro, a ferroptosis model of chondrocytes was established and treated with main metabolite N-acetylserotonin. GSH/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) value, MDA and SOD levels were measured, the expressions of GPX4 and ACSL4 were measured by Western blotting. Results Compared with HHOA group, levels of MMP-9, PTGS2 and MDA in serum of rats in TMP group were significantly reduced (P < 0.05, 0.01), while the levels of TIMP-1, GPX4, SOD and GSH in serum were significantly increased (P < 0.05, 0.01). The pathological damage to the articular cartilage was significantly improved, and the deposition of iron ions in articular cartilage was reduced, GPX4 protein expression was increased, and ACSL4 protein expression was reduced. Metabolomics analysis showed that 2 695 differential metabolites were screened between HHOA group and sham group, with significantly more down-regulated metabolites than up-regulated metabolites; A total of 2 846 differential metabolites were screened between TMP high-dose group and HHOA group, with up-regulated metabolites being the main ones. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis results showed that the differential metabolites between HHOA group and sham group were mainly enriched in multiple metabolic pathways such as carbon metabolism and amino acid metabolism, the differential metabolites between TMP group and HHOA group were mainly enriched in multiple pathways closely related to amino acid metabolism and substance transport. Compared with sham group, the levels of γ-glutamylleucine, 3-indoolepropionic acid and N-acetylseletonin in serum of HHOA group rats were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Compared with HHOA group, the levels of γ-glutamylleucine, 3-indoolepropionic acid and N-acetylseletonin in TMP high-dose group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The in vitro experimental results showed that the main metabolite N-acetylserotonin significantly increased the GSH/GSSG value and SOD activity in ferroptosis model of chondrocytes (P < 0.05), decreased MDA level (P < 0.05), up-regulated GPX4 protein and down-regulated ACSL4 protein expressions (P < 0.05, 0.01). Conclusion TMP could improve the metabolomic profile of HHOA rats, regulate the tryptophan metabolism pathway represented by N-acetylserotonin, alleviate GPX4/ASCL4 axis mediated lipid peroxidation and iron ion deposition, thereby reducing ferroptosis in chondrocytes and delaying the progression of HHOA.