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Xiaoyaowan has the effects of soothing the liver, invigorating the spleen, regulating menstruation, and nourishing blood. It is often used to treat the distending pain of the chest and hypochondriac, loss of appetite, dizziness, and irregular menstruation caused by liver depression and spleen deficiency. The formula originated from the Sinisan of Treatise on Cold Damage(《伤寒论》) in the Han dynasty and was officially formulated in the Song dynasty's Taiping Royal Prescriptions(《太平惠民合计局方》). In the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was developed into more comprehensive formulas such as modified Bazhentang, modified Xiaoyaowan, and other formulas. In recent years, Xiaoyaowan has become a classic formula for treating many symptoms of liver depression. The Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(《中华人民共和国药典》), 2020 edition, records Xiaoyaowan and modified Xiaoyaowan. Modern clinical research has further expanded the therapeutic range of this formula. Through literature research, it is found that there are certain reports on the clinical application and quality analysis of Xiaoyaowan, but the relevant literature lacks collation so far. Therefore, relevant literature was consulted and sorted out. The paper summarized the treatment of mammary hyperplasia, depression, irregular menstruation, melasma, menopausal syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome with Xiaoyaowan, as well as the quality analysis of paeoniflorin, ferulic acid, and glycyrrhizinic acid of Xiaoyaowan. It is expected to lay a foundation for further research on clinical application, pharmacodynamic mechanism, and quality control of this classic formula.
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Dachengqi Decoction is a classic prescription attacked by Yangming excessive syndromes in clinic, which has the effects of relieving heat, softening and dispersing knots, etc., and is often used in the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by various diseases. This article reviewed the recent studies on the chemical compositions and pharmacological effects of Dachengqi Decoction in recent years. On this basis, combined with the "five principles" of TCM quality markers, the quality markers of Dachengqi Decoction were predicted and analyzed. It is suggested that emodin, Rhein, chrysophanol, aloe-emodin, synephrine, hesperidin, naringin, magnolol and magnolol can be used as quality markers of Dachengqi Decoction.
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Depression is a kind of complex mental illness, which is mainly treated by western medicine at present, but the effect of western antidepressant drugs is not good due to the combined influence of side effects and individual differences of patients. Depression is a "stagnation syndrome" in traditional Chinese medicine, and its treatment principle is to disperse stagnated liver Qi for relieving Qi stagnation. The classic traditional Chinese medicine formula Chaihu Shugansan (CHSGS) has a long history of treating depression and demonstrates significant therapeutic efficacy. Clinically, the addition and subtraction of CHSGS is flexible, but the properties of the active ingredients are vague, and the mechanism and function are unclear. In order to elucidate the pharmacodynamic basis and antidepressant mechanism of CHSGS, this article reviews the pharmacodynamic material basis of CHSGS, clinical research and antidepressant mechanism research progress. Clinically, CHSGS can treat various types of depression such as primary depression, post-stroke depression, and postpartum depression. This article summarizes 32 main ingredients of CHSGS, among which albiflorin, ferulic acid, naringin, hesperidin, saikosaponin a, glycyrrhetinic acid, tangeretin, meranzin hydrate, nobiletin and glycyrrhizic acid are the quality markers (Q-markers) for the antidepressant effect of CHSGS. The antidepressant mechanism of CHSGS is complex, including regulating monoamine neurotransmitters, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, neurotrophic factors, inflammatory response, cell damage-related pathways, oxidative stress, etc. This article helps to deeply understand the pharmacodynamic basis and mechanism of CHSGS in treating depression, and provides a theoretical basis for the clinical application of CHSGS in treating depression and the development of antidepressant drugs.
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ObjectiveTo study the potential quality marker (Q-marker) of Tinosporae Radix associated with efficacy of "relieving sore throat" based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS), multivariate statistical analysis (MSA), and network pharmacology. MethodUPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to identify the main chemical components in 18 batches of Tinosporae Radix. On this basis, principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were employed to screen out the main marker components that caused differences between groups. Moreover, network pharmacology technology was applied to predict the potential "sore throat-relieving" components, and the molecular docking between the common components resulting from MSA and network pharmacology and the core targets was carried out to verify the marker components. ResultA total of 17 compounds, including alkaloids, diterpenoid lactones, and sterols, were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Five main differential components were found by MSA: Columbamine, jatrorrhizine, palmatine, menisperine, and columbin. Network pharmacology analysis yielded six compounds: tetrahydropalmatine, palmatine, menisperine, fibleucin, neoechinulin A, and columbin which were selected as potential "sore throat-relieving" components of Tinosporae Radix. They may relieve sore throat by acting on interleukin-6, epidermal growth factor receptor, prostaglandin G/H synthase 2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src and other targets, and regulating Hepatitis B, influenza A, human T-cell virus infection, human cytomegalovirus infection, coronavirus disease-2019, and other signaling pathways. The common active components in Tinosporae Radix resulting from MSA and network pharmacology analysis were palmatine, menisperine, and columbin, which had high binding affinity with six core targets and can be used as the Q-marker components of Tinosporae Radix in "relieving sore throat". ConclusionThis study predicts the "sore throat-relieving" Q-marker of Tinosporae Radix, which lays a basis for developing the quality standard of Tinosporae Radix based on the efficacy and improving the quality evaluation system of the medicinal.
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ObjectiveTo perform a predictive analysis of the quality marker(Q-Marker) for the anticoagulant activity of Kunning granules. MethodThe chemical components of Kunning granules were analyzed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 column(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm) with the mobile phase of acetonitrile(A)-25 mmol∙L-1 ammonium acetate aqueous solution(B) for gradient elution (0-5 min, 5%-22%A; 5-10 min, 22%-30%A; 10-15 min, 30%-95%A; 15-20 min, 95%-5%A; 20-30 min, 5%A), flow rate of 0.2 mL∙min-1, column temperature at 30 ℃, injection volume of 1 μL, electrospray ionization(ESI), positive and negative ion detection modes. Interaction analysis between the targets of chemical components and the targets of abnormal uterine bleeding(AUB) was performed by network pharmacology, and the key components were screened through network topology analysis. The fingerprints of 10 batches of Kunning granules were established by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), the anticoagulant activity of the granules was determined by blood coagulation method and fibrinogen plate method, and the spectrum-effective relationship was established. The components co-occurring in the topological analysis and spectrum-effective relationship were selected as Q-Markers, and their anticoagulant activities were verified and confirmed. ResultA total of 475 chemical components were identified from Kunning Granule, of which 22 key components such as salvianolic acid B, paeoniflorin, naringin and neohesperidin, were the potential material basis for the treatment of AUB. The spectrum-effective analysis showed that peaks 7(paeoniflorin), 9(naringin), 10(neohesperidin) and 11(salvianolic acid B) were the optimal principal components, and in vitro activity test showed that these four components could better characterize their anticoagulant activity. ConclusionSalvianolic acid B, paeoniflorin, neohesperidin and naringin may be Q-Markers for the anticoagulant activity of Kunning granules.
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This study aimed to evaluate the biological effect and mechanism of Vernonia anthelmintica Injection(VAI) on melanin accumulation. The in vivo depigmentation model was induced by propylthiouracil(PTU) in zebrafish, and the effect of VAI on melanin accumulation was evaluated based on the in vitro B16F10 cell model. The chemical composition of VAI was identified according to the high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Network pharmaco-logy was applied to predict potential targets and pathways of VAI. A "VAI component-target-pathway" network was established, and the pharmacodynamic molecules were screened out based on the topological characteristics of the network. The binding of active molecules to key targets was verified by molecular docking. The results showed that VAI promoted tyrosinase activity and melanin production in B16F10 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner and could restore the melanin in the body of the zebrafish model. Fifty-six compounds were identified from VAI, including flavonoids(15/56), terpenoids(10/56), phenolic acids(9/56), fatty acids(9/56), steroids(6/56), and others(7/56). Network pharmacological analysis screened four potential quality markers, including apigenin, chrysoeriol, syringaresinol, and butein, involving 61 targets and 65 pathways, and molecular docking verified their binding to TYR, NFE2L2, CASP3, MAPK1, MAPK8, and MAPK14. It was found that the mRNA expression of MITF, TYR, TYRP1, and DCT in B16F10 cells was promoted. By UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and network pharmacology, this study determined the material basis of VAI against vitiligo, screened apigenin, chrysoeriol, syringaresinol, and butein as the quality markers of VAI, and verified the efficacy and internal mechanism of melanogenesis, providing a basis for quality control and further clinical research.
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Animals , Vernonia/chemistry , Melanins/metabolism , Zebrafish/metabolism , Network Pharmacology , Molecular Docking Simulation , Apigenin/pharmacology , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Chromatography, High Pressure LiquidABSTRACT
Glechomae Herba, the dried aerial part of Glechoma longituba(Labiatae), has the effects of promoting urination, draining dampness, and relieving stranguria. It has received wide attention in recent years owing to the satisfactory efficacy on lithiasis. Amid the in-depth chemical and pharmacological research, it has been found that Glechomae Herba has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antithrombotic, hepatoprotective, cholagogic, antitumor, hypoglycemic, and lipid-lowering effects. The main chemical constituents are volatile oils, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and organic acids. This paper summarized the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Glechomae Herba. Based on genetic relationship of plants, the characteristics, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of the chemical constituents, and the potential of these constituents as quality markers(Q-markers), it was summed up that ursolic acid, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, luteolin-7-O-diglucuronide, apigenin, apigenin-7-O-diglucuronide, apigetrin, and glechone can be the candidate Q-markers of Glechomae Herba.
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Apigenin , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Lamiaceae , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Flavonoids/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Panax notoginseng contains triterpene saponins, flavonoids, amino acids, polysaccharides, volatile oil and other active components, which have the effects of promoting blood circulation, stopping bleeding, removing blood stasis, etc. This study summarized the herbal research, chemical constituents and main pharmacological activities of P. notoginseng, and based on the theory of Q-markers of traditional Chinese medicine, predicted and analyzed the Q-markers of P. notoginseng from the aspects of plant kinship, efficacy, drug properties, measurability of chemical components, etc. It was found that ginsenosides Rg_1, Re, and Rb_1 with specific content ratio, ginsenosides Rb_2, Rb_3, Rc, Rd, Rh_2, and Rg_3, notoginseng R_1, dencichine and quercetin could be used as potential Q-markers of P. notoginseng, which facilitated the formulation of quality standards reflecting the efficacy of P. notoginseng.
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Panax notoginseng/chemistry , Ginsenosides/analysis , Saponins/analysis , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Panax/chemistryABSTRACT
Traditional Chinese medicine dispensing granules(TCMDGs)is the new type of decoction pieces with the development of modernization of TCM, which has received mixed opinions since its practical application. In 2021, the national departments issued Announcement on Ending the Pilot Work of TCMDGs, marking the end of the 28-year pilot work of TCMDGs, and eligible TCM enterprises can produce TCMDGs after filing. However, this does not mean that the preparation process, quality standard and efficacy research of TCMDGs have been developed and matured, on the contrary, there are still some problems that need to be solved and gradually improved. For example, in the production process, there are problems such as unclear, unified and non-standardized preparation parameters. In terms of quality control, there are some problems such as lack of producing area regulation, variety selection and processing specification. In terms of consistency evaluation with traditional decoction, there are problems such as unclear relationship between the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of the two. Therefore, in view of some prominent problems of TCMDGs at present, this paper takes the published literature as the main data source and combines the specific requirements of the code or technical standards such as the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Publicity of the Unified Standard on the Varieties of TCMDGs, Quality Control and Standard Formulation Technical Requirements of TCMDGs. The production process of TCMDGs, the origin and variety of raw materials, the processing of decoction pieces, the quality control standard and the consistency evaluation of formula granules and traditional decoction were sorted out and visualized by literature mining, data analysis and list comparison. Based on the analysis results, the following suggestions were made. In terms of preparation process, the completeness and standardization of process parameters should be strengthened. In terms of quality evaluation, attention should be paid to the relationship between the authenticity, variety, processing and quality of medicinal materials. In the consistency evaluation of formula granules and traditional decoction, the deep difference and mechanism between TCMDGs and traditional decoction were discussed by combining structural Chinese medicine, quality marker(Q-Marker) theory and physicochemical characterization, so as to provide reference for the application and development of TCMDGs.
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On the basis of the qualitative preparation quality markers of Zhibao Sanbian Wan (ZBSBW), we screened out the quantitative markers and evaluated the content consistency of ZBSBW. A method capable of simultaneously determining 34 compounds in ZBSBW was established based on HPLC-MS/MS, and 16 batches of ZBSBW were simultaneously analyzed by this method. Furthermore, we explored a general strategy for analyzing the component migration in preparation, plasma, brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid. The methodological investigation was confirmed by linear range, recovery (85.10%-105.07%), precision (RSD: 1.37%-4.58%), stability, and repeatability (3.00%-12.45%), the established method was suitable for the detection and quantification of the compounds in ZBSBW. The contents of compounds in ZBSBW were all lower than 1 mg·g-1, and the contents and daily dose of nystose were the highest, followed by echinacoside, paeoniflorin, osthole and paeonol. The results of systematic clustering showed that the contents were consistent for ordinary preparations of ZBSBW. The principal component analysis showed that the components of berberine, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rg1, pinoresinol diglucoside and tenuifolin had large variation, which contributed significantly to the grouping. The contents of echinacoside, verbascoside, polygalaxanthone Ⅲ, β-ecdysterone, osthole, alisol B 23-acetate, liquiritin and glycyrrhizic acid were stable from batch to batch. The animal experiment results showed that osthole, paeonol and liquiritin in ZBSBW could be absorbed into the blood and enter the brain tissue by passing through the blood-brain barrier. All animal studies were reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (No. 2020B071). The above compounds contributed the quantitative preparation quality markers of ZBSBW. In conclusion, the HPLC-MS/MS method established in this study was sensitive, accurate and rapid, and could be used for simultaneous quantification of 34 compounds and content consistency evaluation of multiple batches of preparations in ZBSBW. The result provided a methodological basis for the screening of quantitative preparation quality markers and material basis research of ZBSBW.
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As an effective prescription for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsule (HQC) is still blank in quality control. This study aims to explore quality markers (Q-markers) for HQC in the treatment of RA by integrating network pharmacology and pharmacokinetics. By constructing the visualization network of "pharmacodynamic ingredient-target-pathway", the potential Q-Marker of HQC treatment for RA was preliminatively predicted. A rat model of rheumatic heat obstruction syndrome collagene-induced arthritis (CIA) was established to elucidate the dynamic quantification law of pharmacodynamic components of HQC in the disease state of rats. To establish the inflammatory model of RA synovial fibroblasts (MH7A) induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in vitro. The effects of active ingredients on protein expression of sphingosin kinase-1 (Sphk1) and p-SphK1 were detected. The network pharmacological results showed that baicalin, geniposide, luteolin, coixol and amygdalin were the important active components of HQC treatment for RA. Quantitative analysis results further verified the measurability of these five components. The expression of Sphk1 and p-SphK1 was significantly inhibited by geniposide and baicalin by Western blotting. The above studies determined that the above 5 components could be used as Q-markers in the treatment of RA by HQC. This experiment was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: AHUCM-rats-2021049). All procedures were conducted in strict accordance with the principles of animal use and care.
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Objective To analyze the secondary metabolites of Abrus cantoniensis Hance based on plant metabolomics,and the quality marker(Q-marker)of Abrus cantoniensis Hance by multivariate statistics and network pharmacology prediction.Methods The chemical constituents of 11 batches of Abrus cantoniensis Hance were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS methods established and their common components were confirmed.At the same time,cluster analysis(HCA),principal component analysis(PCA)and partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA)were carried out to identify the main differential components that caused the classification of the multi-batch medicinal materials of Abrus cantoniensis Hance.Then,the network of"core components-core target-core pathway"was constructed through network pharmacology to screen and predict the potential Q-marker of Abrus cantoniensis Hance,and molecular docking verification was applied to further predict the activity.Results 39 common components were identified in 11 batches of Abrus cantoniensis Hance,mainly containing triterpenoid saponins,flavonoids,alkaloids,etc.HCA and PCA analysis showed that 11 batches of Abrus cantoniensis Hance were divided into 4 categories,and OPLS-DA analysis showed that 9 chemical components played an important role in the classification.The results of network pharmacology analysis showed that the above 9 components which acted on 166 targets were active components,and 29 core targets were obtained by protein interaction(PPI)screening.Among them,four chemical components,Abrine,Hypaphorine,SoyasaponinⅠ and Arginine,were highly correlated with the core targets.Combined with the concept of Q-marker and molecular docking results,it was preliminarily predicted that Abrine and Hypaphorine would be the Q-markers of Abrus cantoniensis Hance.Conclusion The Q-marker of Abrus cantoniensis Hance can be predicted and analyzed by plant metabolomics combined with multivariate statistics and network pharmacology.This study provided data reference for the quality control and evaluation of Abrus cantoniensis Hance and research ideas for further scientific development of Abrus cantoniensis Hance.
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Existing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-related databases are still insufficient in data standardization, integrity and precision, and need to be updated urgently. Herein, an Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine version 2.0 (ETCM v2.0, http://www.tcmip.cn/ETCM2/front/#/) was constructed as the latest curated database hosting 48,442 TCM formulas recorded by ancient Chinese medical books, 9872 Chinese patent drugs, 2079 Chinese medicinal materials and 38,298 ingredients. To facilitate the mechanistic research and new drug discovery, we improved the target identification method based on a two-dimensional ligand similarity search module, which provides the confirmed and/or potential targets of each ingredient, as well as their binding activities. Importantly, five TCM formulas/Chinese patent drugs/herbs/ingredients with the highest Jaccard similarity scores to the submitted drugs are offered in ETCM v2.0, which may be of significance to identify prescriptions/herbs/ingredients with similar clinical efficacy, to summarize the rules of prescription use, and to find alternative drugs for endangered Chinese medicinal materials. Moreover, ETCM v2.0 provides an enhanced JavaScript-based network visualization tool for creating, modifying and exploring multi-scale biological networks. ETCM v2.0 may be a major data warehouse for the quality marker identification of TCMs, the TCM-derived drug discovery and repurposing, and the pharmacological mechanism investigation of TCMs against various human diseases.
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Taohe Chengqi Decoction is a classical prescription for removing heat and blood stasis, possessing anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hemorheological, renal interstitial fibrosis and other pharmacological effects, which is often used to treat diseases of internal medicine, orthopedics, and obstetrics and gynecology. This article reviewed the chemical composition, pharmacological effects and clinical application of Taohe Chengqi Decoction. On this basis, Q-marker of Taohe Chengqi Decoction was predicted and analyzed according to the "five principles" of Q-marker. These results suggested that amygdalin, cinnamic acid, Cinnamaldehyde, rhein, emodin, glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin can be used as Q-markers in Taohe Chengqi Decoction.
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Pien Tze Huang (PTH) was documented as an imperial prescription composed of Notoginseng Radix, Calculus Bovis, Snake Gallbladder, and Musk. It is famous in China and Asian countries due to its excellent effects in heat clearing, detoxifying, swelling reduction, and pain relieving. Modern pharmacological studies demonstrate that PTH shows excellent effects against various inflammatory diseases, liver diseases, and cancers. This review summaries the pharmacological effects, clinical applications, and mainchemical components of PTH. More importantly, its potential quality markers (Q-markers) were then analyzed based on the "five principles" of Q-markers under the guidance of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, including transfer and traceability, specificity, efficacy, compatibility, and measurability. As a result, ginsenosides Rb1, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rd, ginsenoside Re, notoginsenoside R1, dencichine, bilirubin, biliverdin, taurocholic acid, and muscone are considered as the Q-markers of PTH. These findings will provide guidance and assistance for the construction of a quality control system for PTH.
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Humans , Ginsenosides/pharmacology , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Neoplasms , Quality Control , ChinaABSTRACT
The quality of traditional Chinese medicine has a direct impact on the effectiveness and safety of its use, and is the premise necessary to ensure the healthy development of the traditional Chinese medicine industry. Comprehensive and accurate control and evaluation of the quality of medicinal materials is of great significance to the traditional Chinese medicine industry, but the complexity and dynamics of the chemical composition of medicinal materials makes their quality evaluation a challenge. Plant metabolomics provides an integrated and comprehensive analysis that is consistent with the holistic approach of traditional Chinese medicine. Chemical information therein promotes the establishment of a traceable system and provides new ideas and methods for the quality evaluation of medicinal materials. Plant metabolomics in the quality evaluation of medicinal materials is gradually increasing, and the core is the screening and identification of differential metabolites or specific marker compounds by means of stoichiometry. This study focused on the main factors that affect the quality of medicinal materials, such as origin, environmental adversity, varieties, harvest time, commercial specification and TCM processing. We describe the research progress in plant metabolomics combined with chemometrics analysis for the quality control and evaluation of medicinal materials, summarize existing problems, identify trends, and propose future research directions. Metabolomics plays an increasingly important role in the quality evaluation of medicinal materials, but the absolute qualitative and quantitative information of metabolomics needs to be further developed, and a single 'omics' technique is not sufficient for an in-depth analysis of medicinal value. In the future, standardization of plant metabolomics methods and a more complete database should be actively promoted, and plant metabolomics should be integrated into quality marker exploration. Plant metabolomics will need to be integrated with other 'omics' methods to improve the quality and evaluation system of medicinal materials.
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The quality of Chinese materia medica is the premise to ensure its safety and effectiveness in clinical application, and the standardization of Chinese materia medica quality is the most important to realize the sustainable development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). At present, the quality control system of Chinese materia medica has been transformed from a single chemical evaluation to the overall quality control guided by clinical efficacy. However, some quality control items of decoction pieces are still lacking or imperfect in the drug standard of prescription, which makes it difficult to guarantee the effectiveness and safety of Chinese materia medica in clinical application. Based on this, the quality control models and innovative ideas of Chinese materia medica were analyzed and discussed from the perspectives of chemical analysis, biological evaluation and clinical application in this paper. Aiming at the existing problems and actual needs in the control system of Chinese materia medica, this paper proposed the improvement strategies in accordance with the characteristics of TCM, in order to provide theoretical basis for the related research on quality control of Chinese materia medica.
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The quality of Chinese materia medica is the premise to ensure its safety and effectiveness in clinical application, and the standardization of Chinese materia medica quality is the most important to realize the sustainable development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). At present, the quality control system of Chinese materia medica has been transformed from a single chemical evaluation to the overall quality control guided by clinical efficacy. However, some quality control items of decoction pieces are still lacking or imperfect in the drug standard of prescription, which makes it difficult to guarantee the effectiveness and safety of Chinese materia medica in clinical application. Based on this, the quality control models and innovative ideas of Chinese materia medica were analyzed and discussed from the perspectives of chemical analysis, biological evaluation and clinical application in this paper. Aiming at the existing problems and actual needs in the control system of Chinese materia medica, this paper proposed the improvement strategies in accordance with the characteristics of TCM, in order to provide theoretical basis for the related research on quality control of Chinese materia medica.
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ObjectiveTo explore the material basis for the difference in the efficacy of different parts of mulberry based on molecular connectivity index (MCI). MethodBy referring to the relevant literature at home and abroad and traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) database, the chemical composition database of mulberry-source medicinal materials was established. Venn analysis was carried out on the components among mulberry-source medicinal materials. The components in the database were divided into 10 categories, and the composition information was analyzed. According to MCI value, all components of mulberry-source medicinal materials were divided into different groups. The angle cosine method was used to calculate the MCI similarity. The average MCI values of the common component group from 0-8 orders and CI of mulberry-source medicinal materials were calculated. ResultThe components with high similarity such as (+)-cycloolivil, 1′-methoxy-2′-hydroxydihydromollugin, kuwanon, morusin and 1-deoxynojirimycin were selected as potential pharmacodynamic components. Mulberry-source medicinal materials could be divided into five component groups. The similarity between component groups and total components was 0.760-0.999, and the similarity between component groups was 0.248-0.999. In Mori Ramulus, Mori Folium, Mori Cortex and Mori Fructus, the average MCI values of their flavonoids from 0-8 orders were 4.57, 4.59, 6.41, 4.24, respectively. The average MCI values of alkaloids from 0-8 orders were 2.65, 4.55, 2.58, 2.78, respectively. The average CI values from 0-8 orders were 5.51, 5.49, 5.44 and 2.88, respectively. ConclusionIt is preliminarily concluded that there are differences in the flavonoids and pathways of hypoglycemic effects between Mori Cortex and the other three mulberry-source medicinal materials. The MCI values of alkaloids from 0-8 orders in Mori Folium and Mori Fructus were higher, but their inhibitory activity of α-glucosidase were lower than those of Mori Ramulus and Mori Cortex. The structural characteristics of the total components of Mori Fructus represented by CI were quite different from the other three mulberry-source medicinal materials.
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ObjectiveTo analyze and predict the potential quality markers (Q-Marker) in the Genuine medicinal materials Jiangxi Aurantii Fructus based on fingerprints and network pharmacology. MethodUltra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) fingerprints were established for 18 batches of Jiangxi Aurantii Fructus ,combined with chemometric methods to screen out candidate Q-Marker components.Use network pharmacology to construct a "core component-target-pathway" network to predict the Q-Marker and core targets of Jiangxi Aurantii Fructus,and then verify the biological activity of Jiangxi Aurantii Fructus Q-Marker by molecular docking method. ResultThe 18 batches of Jiangxi Aurantii Fructus use UPLC,GC-MS fingerprints combined with chemometric analysis,a total of 9 Q-Marker candidate components were screened out.Through network pharmacological analysis,it is predicted that nobiletin,neohesperidin,meranzin,naringin and D-limonene are the Q-Marker of Jiangxi Aurantii Fructus,acting on the core targets transforming protein p21/H-Ras-1(HRAS),cellular tumor antigen p53 (TP53),mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8),transcription factor AP-1(JUN),glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta(GSK3B),tumor necrosis factor(TNF),cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1(CDKN1A),cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit alpha(PRKACA),cysteine aspartate-specific protease-9(Caspase-9),cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein 1(CREB1),exerting gastrointestinal motility and antidepressant,anti-inflammatory,anti-tumor,etc.; molecular docking shows that nobiletin,neohesperidin,meranzin,naringin and D-limonene and the selected 10 core targets have good binding ability,reflecting the better biological activity of the Q-Marker of Jiangxi Aurantii Fructus. ConclusionThe Q-Marker of Jiangxi Aurantii Fructus can be comprehensively predicted from the two aspects of volatile and non-volatile components,providing a reference for the quality control of Jiangxi Aurantii Fructus and the further study of its pharmacodynamic mechanism.