Latest ArticlesThis research is dedicated to constructing a quality assessment model for Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus) by employing the entropy-weight method in conjunction with the grey-relational-analysis-TOPSIS approach. The objectives are to assess the quality disparities among Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus) and its processed derivatives (stir-fried and scorched products) sourced from diverse regions and to furnish a scientific foundation for the quality control of hawthorn.
Water content, extract content, organic acid content, polysaccharide yield, total polysaccharide content and active components (chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, and isoquercetin) were selected as detection indices. The entropy-weight method was utilized to determine the weight of each index, and the grey-relational-analysis-TOPSIS method was applied to analyze the quality of Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus) and its processed products from six regions, namely Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Hebei and Shandong.
The study revealed that the processing procedures significantly decreased the water content, organic acid content, polysaccharide content and active component contents in Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus). The water content of raw materials ranged from 8% to 12% and dropped to 5%-11% after processing. The organic acid content decreased from 6%-10.5% in raw products to 4%-7.7% in scorched products. The polysaccharide yield decreased from 7%-8.3% in raw materials to 4.6%-5.2% in scorched products. The total active component contents decreased from 0.082 7%-0.139 4% in raw products to 0.024 8%-0.069 5% in scorched products. Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus) from Hebei and Shandong demonstrated superior performance in multiple indices. The extract content (39%-41% in raw products), organic acid content (9%-10.5% in raw products) and total active component content (0.13%-0.14% in raw products) were markedly higher than those in other regions.
The quality evaluation model grounded in the entropy-weight method and the grey-relational-analysis-TOPSIS method offers a standardized and quantitative instrument for evaluating the quality of Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus) and its processed products. It contributes to standardizing the quality control of Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus) within the Chinese medicine industry and promotes the upgrading of Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus) planting industries in various regions and the enhancement of the Chinese medicine industry chain.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, recurrent immunoinflammatory disease in dermatology characterized by eczematous rash and intense itching. The theory of the “gut-skin axis” suggests a close physiological and pathological relationship between the skin and the gut microbiome. The disorder of the gut bacterial and its metabolic products have been directly and indirectly linked to AD, making the regulation of the gut microbiome a new means of clinical intervention for AD. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory of “a skin disease indicating an intestinal disease” has already demonstrated the physiological and pathological connection between the intestines and the skin. Subsequently, some scholars have proposed that “skin and intestine affect each other”, advocating the treatment of skin diseases from the perspective of the intestine, namely the AD treatment approach of “treating skin from intestine”. Gegen Qinlian Decoction (葛根芩连汤), a classic formula from the Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases, has proven effect in the clinical treatment of AD and a clear modern pharmacological regulatory effect on the gut microbiome. The treatment of AD with Gegen Qinlian Decoction not only follows the principles of TCM classic formulas, but also expands its application based on objective evidence from modern medicine. This article mainly discussed the feasibility of treating AD with Gegen Qinlian Decoction by regulating the gut microbiome, focusing on the principle of “treating skin from intestine”.
To explore the inhibitory activity of psoralen against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) and RNA polymerase (RdRp).
Crystal structures of Mpro and RdRp were obtained. Molecular docking technology was employed to study the interaction mode of psoralen with the active sites of both enzymes. The inhibitory activity of psoralen against Mpro was tested using an in vitro fluorescence polarization model, while the inhibitory activity against RdRp was tested using a cell-level SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase catalytic reaction system.
Psoralen could enter the active sites of Mpro and RdRp and interact with surrounding amino acids, with the binding process releasing free energy of-5.8 kcal/mol and-7.8 kcal/mol, respectively. In the Mpro fluorescence polarization model test, psoralen showed no inhibitory activity against the target enzyme at concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 μmol/L. In the RdRp inhibition test, psoralen showed inhibition rates of 7.36%±4.26%, 16.82%±6.04% and 46.07%±9.01% at concentrations of 10, 25 and 50 μmol/L, respectively.
The small molecule psoralen has no inhibitory activity against Mpro, but has certain inhibitory activity against RdRp.
To analyze the effect of Modified Simiao Yong'an Decoction (加味四妙勇安汤) combined with acupuncture at sensitized acupoints on platelet function parameters and serum apoptosis factor levels after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome.
A total of 226 patients with acute coronary syndrome who underwent PCI and were admitted to the hospital from January 2022 to December 2024 were included in the study. They were divided into two groups by the random number table method. The patients (113 cases) in the control group were treated with conventional Western medicine after surgery, and those (113 cases) in the observation group were treated with Modified Simiao Yong'an Decoction combined with acupuncture at sensitized acupoints on this basis. The treatment effects, syndrome scores, platelet function parameters, serum apoptosis factor levels and changes in vascular endothelial function were compared between the two groups.
The total effective rate in the observation group was 93.81%(106/113), which was significantly higher than that (77.88%, 88/113) in the control group, and the difference between the two groups was significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the syndrome scores of both groups decreased (P<0.05), and the decrease in the observation group was more significant compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). The levels of platelet aggregation test (PagT), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) in both groups decreased, and the platelet count (PLT) increased. The improvement in the observation group was more significant compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) in both groups decreased, and the level of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) increased. The improvement in the observation group was more significant compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the ET-1 level in both groups decreased compared with that before treatment, and the nitric oxide (NO) level increased. The improvement in the observation group was more significant compared with that in the control group (P<0.05).
The application of Modified Simiao Yong'an Decoction combined with acupuncture at sensitized acupoints in the patients with acute coronary syndrome after PCI can effectively improve the related symptoms such as chest tightness and shortness of breath, inhibit the thrombosis, improve the platelet function, reduce the vascular endothelial damage and at the same time inhibit the abnormal expressions of myocardial apoptosis factors, playing a role in improving the prognosis.
As a traditional Chinese medicine, Qingfengteng (Sinomenii Caulis) has anti-inflammatory, ease pain, antitumor and other pharmacological effects. It has a long medicinal history and is often used with Baishɑo (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Haifengteng (Piperis Kadsurae Caulis) and Fuzi (Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata) in the form of drug pairs in clinic. This paper focused on the chemical compositions, pharmacological effects of Qingfengteng (Sinomenii Caulis) and the clinical application and pharmacological effects of its drug pairs, and discussed the mechanism of action. It summarized the usage rules and compatibility theory of Qingfengteng (Sinomenii Caulis), providing reference for better development and utilization.
In recent years, Bajiaolian (Dysosma versipellis), a traditional Chinese medicine, has emerged as a significant focus in anti-tumor research due to its distinctive toxicological and pharmacological properties. Evidence from various studies indicates that Bajiaolian (Dysosma versipellis) and its active constituents possess the ability to inhibit the development of multiple cancer types, including breast, lung, colorectal, liver and gastric cancers. The proposed mechanisms of action primarily involve the suppression of tumor cell proliferation, invasion and migration, the induction of apoptosis in tumor cells, and the disruption of the tumor cell cycle. These attributes suggest that Bajiaolian (Dysosma versipellis) holds considerable promise for application in anti-tumor therapy. This review aimed to elucidate the anti-tumor effects and underlying mechanisms of Bajiaolian (Dysosma versipellis) and its active components, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for the future medicinal development of Bajiaolian (Dysosma versipellis) and contributing novel insights and directions for the research and innovation of anti-tumor agents.
Gualou Xiebai Banxia Decoction (瓜蒌薤白半夏汤, GXBD), derived from Jingui Yaolue, consists of Gualou (Trichosanthis Fructus), Xiebai (Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus) and Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), supplemented with wine, and is a representative formula for the treatment of thoracic paralysis with Bi sydnrome of phlegm-turbid obstruction syndrome. In recent years, it has been widely used in clinical practice, and the related research is summarized. In terms of preparation process, modern technology has improved the extraction efficiency and quality control level of components. Compared with water decoction, wine decoction is more conducive to the dissolution of active components and reduces the potential toxic components. The study of material basis showed that this prescription contained 8 key components such as ryegrass lactone, chrysoeriol, rutin and 95 specific components of wine decoction, and the synergistic effect of wine decoction was significant. This prescription is based on “key components-potential targets” for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Its mechanisms include balancing the expression of key proteins in reverse cholesterol transport to regulate lipid metabolism, improving vascular endothelial function and nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate signaling cascade, regulating macrophage polarization phenotype to exert anti-inflammatory effects, anti-myocardial fibrosis by intervening fibroblast transdifferentiation, and regulating energy metabolism by improving mitochondrial function. This paper systematically reviewed the research progress of this prescription in the fields of preparation technology, material basis and pharmacological action, in order to provide directional reference for follow-up research, and also provide reference for the establishment and development of preparation standards.
To compare the differences of appearance and the physical and chemical properties in Chazhigan (Citrus reticulata 'Chachiensis'), Penggan (Citrus reticulata 'Ponkan'), Wenzhou Migan (Citrus reticulata 'Unshiu') and Quju.
The ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry was used to detect flavonoids contents in 4 kinds of Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, CRP). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used to test the contents of hesperidin, nobiletin and tangeretin. The volatile oil meter was used to determine the volatile oil content. The hot dip method was used to detect the contents of the alcohol soluble extracts of the samples. The amino acid analyzer was used to analyze the different amino acid contents in the samples. The antioxidant activity was analyzed by DPPH and ABTS+ test, the final combination clustering analysis with TOPSIS test.
For the 4 kinds of CRP, Quzhou advantage varieties Penggan (Citrus reticulata 'Ponkan') and Quju have more flavonoids, nobiletin, tangeretin volatile oil and alcohol soluble extracts than the others. Penggan (Citrus reticulata 'Ponkan') has a higher ABTS+scavenging ability, while Quju has a stronger ability to scavenge DPPH free radicals. Compared with Chazhigan (Citrus reticulata 'Chachiensis'), Penggan (Citrus reticulata 'Ponkan') has higher contents of hesperidin, naringin and hesperidin. The amino acid content of Chazhigan (Citrus reticulata 'Chachiensis') is relatively high. The comprehensive evaluation results show that the overall quality of Penggan (Citrus reticulata 'Ponkan') and Quju is relatively better than that of Penggan (Citrus reticulata 'Ponkan') and Wenzhou Migan (Citrus reticulata 'Unshiu').
The appearance physical and chemical properties of CRP from different cultivars are different. The research results can provide the reference for quality standards enactment, food and medicine value.
Depression is a serious emotional mental disorder that poses a major threat to human health. This study elucidated the pathogenesis of depression from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, explored the rationale for the prescription of Xiaoyao Powder (逍遥散) and its pharmacodynamic foundation in treating depression, and examined the therapeutic mechanisms of Xiaoyao Powder through five dimensions: modulation of neurotransmitters, regulating cytokines and inflammatory reactions, regulating signaling pathways, regulating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and reducing hippocampal neuron damage. This manuscript aimed to offer valuable theoretical insights for the clinical utilization and further investigation of Xiaoyao Powder.
Mental illnesses are diseases that seriously affect the physical and mental health of human beings and their social functions. Traditional Chinese medicine has important advantages in preventing and treating mental illness. It can “prevent illness before it occurs”, effectively relieve many “indescribable” symptoms, and alleviate various side effects caused by Western medicine. Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) is a common traditional Chinese medicine, which is widely used in the treatment of mental diseases, such as schizophrenia, depression, insomnia, etc. Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma)-related formulas, such as Chengqi Tang (承气汤), Dachaihu Tang (大柴胡汤) and Chaihu Jia Longgumuli Tang (柴胡加龙骨牡蛎汤), are commonly used by ancient physicians in the treatment of mental diseases. Modern pharmacological mechanisms show that the anthraquinone components in Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) are the core components of its function. It has been shown that Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) components help to improve inflammatory damage, neurodevelopmental damage, neurotransmitter disorders, intestinal flora disorders and sexual hormone disturbance in psychiatric disorders, and that Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) monomers such as rheum emodin have exerted a stable effect on improving the pathological damage of psychiatric disorders, and that research on Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) components and dosage forms is becoming more and more in-depth, which is expected to be more widely used in the treatment of mental illness in the future. The active ingredients, clinical studies and pharmacological mechanisms of Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) in the treatment of psychiatric disorders were systematically discussed with a view to providing references for the treatment and research of psychiatric disorders.
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