OBJECTIVE To study the accumulation pattern of effective components in Cistanche deserticola in different months, and to provide theoretical support for the harvesting, processing and quality control of Cistanche deserticola. METHODS Fifty-four batches of Cistanche deserticola samples were collected from April to December 2023, and a high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) method was established for the simultaneous determination of six components in Cistanche deserticola, such as echinacoside, acteoside, tubuloside A, isoacteoside, poliumoside and geniposide, etc. The content of 54 batches of herbs were determined to analyze the trend of content changes. 54 batches of Cistanche deserticola herbs were identified and classified by chemometrics analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). RESULTS The established HPLC method was able to achieve a good separation of six components in the samples. The contents of the echinacoside, acteoside, tubuloside A, and isoacteoside, decreased gradually with the blooming of the herbs in April-August and increased in September-December while the contents of poliumoside decreased in the blooming stage of Cistanche deserticola. The content of geniposide reached its highest in the full bloom period; the content of the cyclic enol ether terpene constituent geniposide was higher in November-December than in the other periods. From the HCA and PCA analyses, it was found that 54 batches of Cistanche deserticola samples could be clearly differentiated into four groups(elongation period, full bloom period, fruit splitting period, and dormant period), among which all of them were clustered together in one group during the spring harvesting period, and the main feature was that the content of echinacoside was the highest; the samples of Cistanche deserticola samples were clustered together in one group during the autumn harvesting period, and the main feature was the lowest content of acteoside; most of the Cistanche deserticola samples at the full bloom stage were clustered into one group; all the samples at the dormant stage were clustered into one group, and the main characteristic was the highest content of geniposide.The results showed that the contents of the constituents in different growth stages of the herbs of Cistanche deserticola were significantly different. From the results of OPLS-DA analysis, it can be concluded that echinacoside and acteoside are the two components that contribute more to the different growth periods, which are the key components to distinguish the different growth periods, and can be used as the index components for evaluating the quality of Cistanche deserticola herbs, so as to further differentiate the different growth periods. CONCLUSION The HPLC method established in this study has good accuracy, and combined with chemometric analysis, it can be used to distinguish the differences in the quality of the herbs of Cistanche deserticola in different months, and provide a reference for its harvesting and quality control.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the sex-specific effects of icariin on gut microbiota in aged mice and elucidate its regulatory mechanisms on microbial diversity, community structure, and metabolic functions. METHODS Young(2-month-old) and aged(24-month-old) male/female C57BL/6J mice were orally administered icariin(100 mg·kg·d^-1) or saline for 14 days. Gut microbiota profiles were analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing, and metabolic pathways were predicted using KEGG annotation. RESULTS Icariin significantly increased α-diversity in aged mice(Chao1 index: +25%, P<0.05) and shifted β-diversity toward a younger-like pattern. At the phylum level, icariin reduced Bacteroidetes abundance while increasing Firmicutes(F/B ratio restored to youthful levels). Notably, Akkermansiaceae was enriched in aged female mice(4.1-fold). KEGG analysis revealed enhanced glucose metabolism and sphingolipid metabolism(3.2-fold upregulation in females). CONCLUSION Icariin ameliorates age-related gut dysbiosis in a sex-dependent manner, highlighting its potential for gender-tailored anti-aging interventions in traditional Chinese medicine.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the current research status and trends of gut microbiota in diabetes both domestically and internationally, thereby providing a reference for advancing related studies. METHODS By systematically retrieving literature on diabetes and gut microbiota published in the Web of Science (WOS) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases from 2000 to 2024, visual analyses were performed using specialized tools to examine the number of publications, authors, institutions, journals, citation frequencies, and keywords. RESULTS A total of 1 514 Chinese and 2 780 English articles were retrieved. Since 2010, the number of published articles has shown an upward trend. Domestically and internationally, high-impact journals include the Chinese Journal of Microecology and Nutrients, respectively. High-frequency keywords revealed key areas such as metabolomics, insulin resistance, and bifidobacteria (Chinese), research hotspots including diabetic nephropathy, intestinal nitrogen homeostasis disorder, and probiotic supplementation (English). Future research will focus on specific strains, metabolites, and traditional Chinese medicine therapies. CONCLUSION Significant progress has been made in the study of gut microbiota and diabetes; however, disparities between domestic and international research remain. In the future, efforts should be directed toward deepening mechanistic research, enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration, and promoting clinical translation.

OBJECTIVE To establish HPLC fingerprint and multi-component content determination method for Linderae Radix, and explore the quality of Linderae Radix from different origins by combining chemical pattern recognition method, providing scientific basis for the quality control and further development of Linderae Radix. METHODS High-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was employed, using acetonitrile-0.1% triethylamine aqueous solution(adjusted to pH=3.0 with acetic acid) as the mobile phase for gradient elution, to establish the fingerprint of Linderae Radix. The quality of Linderae Radix from different areas was explored through chemical pattern recognition methods, such as similarity evaluation, cluster analysis(HCA), principal component analysis(PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA). RESULTS The established fingerprint method meets the methodological requirements. A total of 17 common peaks were calibrated in the fingerprint spectra of 44 batches of Linderae Radix, and the similarity was greater than 0.8. Seven components were identified, including norisoboldine, boldine, reticuline, linderalactone, linderane, linderene and lindenanolide H. The HCA analysis results showed that the 44 batches of Linderae Radix were classified into five categories. PCA analysis indicated that the cumulative variance contribution rate of the first four principal components was 80.123%. OPLS-DA analysis showed that linderane, linderene, norisoboldine, and linderalactone were identified as differential chemical components of Linderae Radix. The content determination results indicate that “Tiantai Linderae Radix” has significantly higher levels of linderane (P<0.001), linderene (P<0.001), and linderalactone (P<0.01) compared with Linderae Radix from other regions. CONCLUSION The established fingerprint and content determination method is reliable and stable, providing a reference for the quality evaluation of Linderae Radix and the multi-index quality control of related preparations.

Colorectal cancer(CRC) is a prevalent malignant tumor of the digestive tract. In China, most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, with approximately 44% having developed liver and lung metastases, presenting significant challenges for clinical treatment. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs) have shown significant efficacy in patients with deficient mismatch repair or microsatellite instability-high(dMMR/MSI-H) metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC), yet they have shown limited effectiveness in patients with proficient mismatch repair or microsatellite stable(pMMR/MSS) mCRC. Further exploration into the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment, the mechanism of immunotherapy resistance and other combined immunotherapy is anticipated to facilitate the transformation of “cold tumors” into “hot tumors”. This article is intended to review the research progress on the immune escape mechanism and the immunotherapy combination treatment for MSS mCRC.

Mineral Chinese medicine is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine.Due to resources,sources,history and other reasons,compared with the research of plant and animal medicine,the research of mineral Chinese medicine has been slow for a long time.Based on ancient materia medica,modern monographs,Chinese pharmacopoeia and domestic and foreign literature,the definition,classification,varieties,quality control,processing and analysis methods of mineral Chinese medicine were reviewed,and the main problems, research and development suggestion are put forward.The purpose is to provide reference for the sustainable utilization of mineral Chinese medicine resources,the in-depth study of mineral Chinese medicine and the promotion of the development of mineral Chinese medicine in our country.

Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumor with a high mortality rate in women. PARP inhibitors (poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors, PARPi), as one of the mainstays of maintenance therapy, can significantly improve the survival rate of patients; however, with the widespread use of PARPi, PARPi resistance has become an urgent problem in the treatment process. Current studies have found that metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironment (TME) may affect chemoresistance in ovarian cancer through multiple mechanisms, but whether lipid metabolic reprogramming in the TME is involved in the formation of PARPi resistance is not clear. The aim of this paper is to explore the effect of lipid metabolism in TME on PARPi resistance in ovarian cancer in recent years and to analyze the possible link between it and PARPi resistance, with a view to providing new perspectives for further understanding the mechanism of PARPi resistance formation and searching for new therapeutic targets.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the characteristics of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) induced by proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and provide references for clinical safe use of drugs. METHODS Case reports of SCARs caused by PPIs were retrieved from Pubmed, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP databases up to June 2024. Information such as demographic characteristics, drug use, occurrence time, types, clinical manifestations, treatment measures and outcomes of patients was collected, and descriptive statistical analysis was conducted. RESULTS A total of 22 patients were included. There were 8 males (36.4%) and 14 females (63.6%), aged from 23 to 89 years, with an average age of years. The PPIs involved included omeprazole in 10 cases, esomeprazole in 6 cases, pantoprazole in 3 cases, and lansoprazole in 3 cases. SCARs occurred from 1 to 45 days, with an average time of days after treatment, and 18 cases (94.7%) within 3 weeks. Ten cases were diagnosed as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), 7 cases were diagnosed as drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptom (DRESS), and 5 cases were diagnosed as acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP). The clinical symptoms and laboratory indicators of 18 patients (81.8%) were improved after discontinuation and treatment with glucocorticoid and/or globulin, but three patients died of multiple organ failure eventually, and one patient was discharged automatically. CONCLUSION SCARs can be caused by a variety of PPIs, with omeprazole and esomeprazole being relatively more common, and mainly manifest as SJS/TEN and DRESS. Patients should be closely monitored for any allergic symptoms such as fever and rash within 6 weeks of using PPIs. Once SCARs are suspected, the drug should be stopped in time, and symptomatic supportive treatment such as glucocorticoids should be provided if necessary.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role and mechanism of phellopterin in preventing breast cancer metastasis. METHODS The cytotoxicity of phellopterin was evaluated by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry for cell cycle and apoptosis. The effect of phellopterin on the adhesion between cancer cells and vascular endothelial cells was detected by immunofluorescence. The effect of phellopterin on the expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) on the surface of HUVECs was detected by flow cytometry. The effect of phellopterin on the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) regulatory proteins in cancer cells was detected by Western blot and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR). The inhibitory effect of phellopterin on lung metastasis of breast cancer in mice was evaluated by a mouse cancer metastasis model. RESULTS Phellopterin exhibits relatively low cytotoxicity and can inhibit the adhesion of cancer cells to HUVECs by reducing the expression of CAMs, such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), and E-selectin, which are induced by the inflammatory factor TNF-α. Additionally, phellopterin suppresses the expression of regulatory factors associated with EMT transformation and metastasis-promoting proteins, including tripartite motif containing 22(TRIM22), thrombospondin-1(THBS1), and KIT ligand(KITLG). In a mouse model of cancer metastasis, phellopterin was shown to significantly inhibit breast cancer lung metastasis and enhance the activity of anti-tumor immune cells (cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells) in peripheral blood. CONCLUSION Phellopterin shows a significant preventive effect on breast cancer metastasis and holds substantial potential for further development and application.

OBJECTIVE This study aims to establish and characterize patient-derived colorectal cancer organoid models and evaluate their potential value in predicting chemotherapy responses through individualized drug sensitivity testing. METHODS Tumor tissues were obtained from surgical specimens of three patients who underwent radical surgery for colorectal cancer. Tumor cells were isolated through mechanical and enzymatic dissociation, and the resulting cell suspension was mixed with Matrigel and seeded into a three-dimensional culture system. The histopathological characteristics of the organoids were validated using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry, and their genetic consistency was confirmed by short tandem repeat (STR) analysis, demonstrating that this model could reflect both intra- and inter-patient tumor heterogeneity. Standard clinical chemotherapy regimens were applied to the organoid models, and drug sensitivity was assessed using the CellTiter-Glo^® 3D cell viability assay. RESULTS The cultured colorectal cancer organoids closely resembled their originating tumors in terms of histopathological and genetic characteristics. Drug sensitivity testing indicated that organoids derived from different patients exhibited varied sensitivities to commonly used chemotherapeutic agents. CONCLUSION The colorectal cancer organoid model successfully established in this study closely recapitulates the histological classification and genetic features of the parent tumors and shows potential for application in vitro chemotherapy sensitivity testing. This model could be used to predict colorectal cancer patients’ responses to chemotherapy, providing valuable reference for personalized medicine.