Research progress on natural medicines and active compounds in the treatment of heart failure / 药学实践与服务

Heart failure is the terminal stage of various cardiovascular diseases and a leading cause of death. For a long time, natural medicines have been used to treat heart failure（HF） with remarkable effects. In this paper, the Traditional Chinese Medicine compound patents in the national patent database were mined, common Traditional Chinese Medicines for the clinical treatment of HF were selected, and the single active ingredient contained in them was analyzed, which provided some valuable tips for the development of drugs for the treatment of heart failure.

Study on mechanism and Huanglong Mixture in the treatment of children with cough variant asthma and experimental verification based on network pharmacologic analysis / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To study the the mechanism of action of Huanglong Mixture in the treatment of cough variant asthma (CVA) in children based on the IL-4/signal transduction and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) signaling pathway using network pharmacology methods, molecular docking techniques, and in vitro cell experiments.Methods:The components and targets of various TCM components in Huanglong Mixture were searched in TCMSP database, HERB database and literature, and the disease targets of CVA were found in Gene Cards database, OMIM database, DrugBank database and PharmGkb database. The STRING database was used to construct the protein-protein interaction network, and Cytoscape 3.9.1 was used for topology analysis to screen out the core targets. The disease-drug-component-target network was constructed to screen out the core components. The KEGG enrichment analysis and GO enrichment analysis of the intersection targets were performed using Metascape software. PDB protein database, PubChem, Autodock and R language were used for molecular docking verification of core targets and core drug components. Finally, rat primary airway smooth muscle cells were cultured, modeled with interleukin-4 (IL-4), and p-STAT6 expression in the cytoplasm and nucleus was detected by Western blot.Results:A total of 122 effective components were obtained, including quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin and so on. The core targets included JUN, ESR1, TP53, MYC, HIF1, etc. GO enrichment analysis involved biological processes such as response to external stimuli, response to oxygen levels, positive regulation of protein phosphorylation, and regulation of cellular stress response. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the main pathways of Huanglong Mixture in treating CVA included advanced glycation end product-glycation end product receptor (AGE-RAGE) signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, Janus kinase/signal transduction activation factor (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway. Molecular docking found that the core targets and core drug components had good combination. Cell experiments also confirmed that Huanglong Mixture could inhibit p-STAT6 entering the nucleus.Conclusions:The effective components and targets of Huanglong Mixture in the treatment of CVA are successfully predicted. The mechanism of Huanglong Mixture in the treatment of children with CVA may be related to the inhibition of IL-4/STAT6 signaling pathway.

Exploring mechanism of Huayu Pills combined with immunocheckpoint inhibitors in treating triple-negative breast cancer based on network pharmacology / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To explore the potential mechanism of Huayu Pills in the treatment of TNBC (triple-negative breast cancer) using network pharmacology.Methods:TCMSP (Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology), PubChem, STITCH and SwissTargetPrediction databases were used to analyze the potential targets of Huayu Pills. TNBC disease targets were screened based on the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database. The drug-disease mapping target was constructed by PPI network, key target screening and module analysis, and the DAVID database was used for GO function annotation and KEGG signal pathway enrichment analysis. SD rats were orally administered 3.94 g/kg of Huayu Pills decoction for 4 days to prepare medicated serum. HUVEC cells were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group using a random number table method. The experimental group received intervention with Huayu Pills containing serum for 24 hours, inoculated in matrigel's solidified 48 well plate and HUVEC angiogenesis was observed 3 hours later.Results:130 possible targets of Huayu Pills in the treatment of TNBC were obtained. VEGFA is the core target. The cascade of angiogenesis, hypoxia, and blood coagulation may be the main functions and key signals of Huayu Pills in the treatment of TNBC. In vitro studies have shown that serum containing Huayu Pills can promote the normalization of tumor blood vessels in HUVEC cells.Conclusion:Huayu Pills may promote tumor vascular normalization (angiogenesis, hypoxia, coagulation cascade reactions) through VEGF targets, and can assist immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of TNBC.

Research progress on chemical constituents,pharmacological action and clinical application of Rubi fructus / 中国药师

Rubi fructus mainly contains contents of flavonoids,coumarins,phenolic acids,polysaccharides,alkaloids and trace elements.Meanwhile,it has activity effects of anti-tumor,anti-oxidation,anti-aging and anti-inflammation,and is widely used in medicine,food,health food and other fields.Research progress on chemical constituents,pharmacological action and clinical application of Rubi fructus were summarized in this paper,in order to provide the theoretical guidance for the rational use of Rubi fructus and the sustainable development of the resources.

Research progress of Fengweiqi from"Qiyao"in Qinling Mountains / 中国药师

Fengweiqi is the whole plant of Rhodiola dumulosa.It is a kind of natural and precious folk medicinal plant,mainly distributed on hillside rocks and crevasses at the altitude of 1 600-4 100 m.Fengweiqi mainly contains flavonoids,volatile oil,polysaccharides,various amino acids and trace elements.Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Fengweiqi has many significant pharmacological activities,such as anti-oxidation,anti-fatigue,anti-hypoxia and bacteriostasis.In this paper,the textual research,chemical constituents,pharmacological actions and artificial cultivation of Fengweiqi were reviewed in order to provide reference for further research and development of Fengweiqi resources.

Identification of chemical components of Longmu Qingxin Mixture by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and research on its material basis for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder / 中成药

AIM To identify the chemical components of Longmu Qingxin Mixture by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and study its material basis for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.METHODS The sample was detected by mass spectrometry in positive and negative ion mode on a Waters CORTECS? UPLC? T3 chromatographic column.The data were analyzed with Peakview 1.2 software and matched with the Natural Products HR-MS/MS Spectral Library 1.0 database,and the components were identified in combination with literature reports.The material basis of Longmu Qingxin Mixture for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was analysed according to the identified components.RESULTS Forty chemical components were identified,including 11 flavonoids,6 monoterpene glycosides,4 triterpene saponins,3 phenolic acids,6 alkaloids etc.,which mainly derived from Radix Astragali,Radix Paeoniae Alba,Radix Scutellariae,licorice root,Ramulus Uncariae cum,etc.,baicalein,formononetin,astragaloside Ⅳ and rhynchophylline may be the material basis for the therapeutic effect of Longmu Qingxin Mixture.CONCLUSION UPLC-Q-TOF-MS can quickly identify the chemical components of Longmu Qingxin Mixture.Flavonoids,triterpene saponins and alkaloids may be the material basis for Longmu Qingxin Mixture for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,which can provide the basis for its material basis research,quality standard establishment and pharmacological study of the dismantled formula.

Network pharmacology-based prediction of potential effective components of traditional Chinese medicine and their molecular mechanisms of action in the anti-angiogenic treatment of Kaposi′s sarcoma / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To investigate potential effective components of traditional Chinese medicine and their molecular mechanisms of action in the anti-angiogenic treatment of Kaposi′s sarcoma based on network pharmacology, and to predict key targets and signal pathways in the anti-angiogenic treatment of Kaposi′s sarcoma with traditional Chinese medicine.Methods:According to the previous network pharmacology-based analysis results, main chemical components and targets of Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati, Cortex Mori, Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae and Fructus Perillae were obtained by using the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP); potential therapeutic targets for angiogenesis and Kaposi′s sarcoma were obtained by searching the GeneCard, OMIM, DrugBank and TTD databases, and a Venn diagram was constructed to obtain targets for the interaction between Kaposi′s sarcoma and anti-angiogenic drug components; a protein-protein interaction model was constructed using the STRING 11.5 platform; the Cytoscape 3.6.0 software was used to construct the component-target visual network. Meanwhile, the Metascape platform was used to analyze the Gene Ontology (GO) functions and the enrichment of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) -based pathways. The main active ingredients and core targets obtained through the above analyses were then verified by molecular docking. Results:The core components of anti-Kaposi′s sarcoma angiogenesis drugs were resveratrol (degree: 142), quercetin (degree: 141), kaempferol (degree: 56), luteolin (degree: 56), β-sitosterol (degree: 37), arachidonic acid (degree: 36), naringenin (degree: 36), etc., and the core target was prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2). KEGG analysis revealed that the cancer signaling pathways were the important pathways related to the inhibiton of angiogenesis in Kaposi′s sarcoma; functional enrichment analysis showed that the positive regulation of cell migration was the most significantly enriched GO term in the biological process category. Molecular docking results showed that resveratrol, quercetin, kaempferol and luteolin had good affinity with PTGS2, especially quercetin and luteolin exhibited the strongest binding abilities to PTGS2, with the binding energies being -9.4 and -9.5 kcal/mol, respectively.Conclusion:This study showed that the 4 traditional Chinese medicines recorded in TCMSP (including Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati., Cortex Mori, Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae and Fructus Perillae) may play an anti-angiogenic role by regulating cancer signaling pathways and acting on targets such as PTGS2, and predicted the possible anti-angiogenesis mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicines in Kaposi′s sarcoma.

Effects of christina loosestrife and snowbellleaf tickclover herb on kidney calcium oxalate calculi related metabolites in rats / 国际外科学杂志

Objective:To compare the specific mechanism and effects between christina loosestrife and snowbellleaf tickclover herb on kidney calcium oxalate calculi in rats.Methods:A total of 54 SPF grade SD male rats were fed adaptically for 1 week to 180-200 g, the models of rats with kidney calcium oxalate calculi were established by intragastric administration with glycol, and divided into nine groups according to random number table method and controlled, which were healthy control group (group A), positive control group (model group, group B), low, medium and high doses of christina loosestrife groups (C1, C2, C3, 3 groups), low, medium and high doses of snowbellleaf tickclover herb groups (D1, D2, D3, 3 groups), therapeutic control group (potassium sodium hydrogen citrate group, group E), 6 rats in each group. After 4 weeks, samples were collected to determine the urine and serum biochemical indexes of each group, and Von Kossa staining was used to detect kidney calcium oxalate crystals. Calcium oxalate crystal deposition in kidney tissues of rats was observed under polarization microscope, and the difference of efficacy between the two drug effects was determined by the percentage of positive area in photos and the urine and serum biochemical indexes. The measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between groups, and SNK- q test was used for comparison between two groups. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare crystal formation between groups. Results:Compared with the positive control group and christina loosestrife groups, high dose of snowbellleaf tickclover herb could significantly reduce serum creatinine level ( P<0.01), the mean serum creatinine of rats with christina loosestrife was (86.70±11.49) μmol/L, that of rats with snowbellleaf tickclover herb was (70.72±9.08) μmol/L, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). High dose of christina loosestrife and snowbellleaf tickclover herb could significantly increase urinary magnesium and decrease serum urea levels, and there was no statistical significance between them ( P>0.05). Compared with the positive control group, high dose of christina loosestrife ( P<0.000 1) and snowbellleaf tickclover herb ( P<0.000 1) could both inhibit the formation of calcium oxalate crystals and protect the kidney of rats, and there was no statistical significance between the two effects ( P>0.05). The levels of urine pH value could not be increased, while the levels of urinary calcium urinary oxalic acid and 24 h urine volume, serum calcium, serum phosphorus, serum magnesium, blood uric acid and content of kidney oxalate could not be decreased significantly after using these two drugs. Conclusion:Snowbellleaf tickclover herb is better than christina loosestrife in preventing recurrence of kidney calcium oxalate calculi and protecting renal function.

Molecular mechanism of Danggui Niantong Decoction in the treatment of gouty arthritis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism of Danggui Niantong Decoction in the treatment of gouty arthritis (GA) based on network pharmacology and molecular docking.Methods:By selecting for the active components and targets of Danggui Niantong Decoction with TCMSP, and retrieving the GeneCards, OMIM, PharmGKB and DrugBank databases to obtain GA related targets. The potential targets of Danggui Niantong Decoction in the treatment of GA were obtained by the intersection of mappings. The regulation network of Chinese medicine compound and protein-protein interaction network of Danggui Niantong Decoction were constructed by Cytoscape software, and the targets of Danggui Niantong Decoction in the treatment of GA were analyzed by GO and KEGG enrichment by David Database. Finally, molecular docking was performed by using Autodock software.Results:There are 198 active components that could treat GA in Danggui Niantong Decoction. The key active components are Quercetin and Kaempferol. There are 46 key targets, the core targets are NFE2L2, HMOX1, PPARA, PTGS2, IL1β, CXCL8. GO enrichment suggests that the key genes are primarily involved in many biological processes such as Inflammatory response regulation, response to oxidative stress, Fatty acid metabolism process, steroid metabolism, lipopolysaccharide response and reactive oxygen species metabolism. KEGG pathway indicates that Danggui Niantong Decoction mainly acted on IL-17 signal pathway, HIF-1 signal pathway, TNF signal pathway and AGE-RAGE signal pathway. Molecular docking shows that the active components of Danggui Niantong Decoction and action target of GA can combine toghether with high efficiency, and the structure is stable.Conclusion:Danggui Niantong Decoction has multi-component, multi pathway and multi-protein characteristics. Danggui Niantong Decoction can treat GA by regulating immune inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress reaction.

Discussion on mechanism and experimental verification of Herba Hedyotidis in treating liver fibrosis based on network pharmacology / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To study the mechanism of Herba Hedyotidis against liver fibrosis based on network pharmacology. Methods:Based on TCMSP database and Uniprot database, the effective components and target genes of Herba Hedyotidis were screened. Target genes of liver fibrosis were screened by GeneCards and OMIM database, and the "disease-component-target" network map was constructed by Cytoscape 3.8.2 software. Protein interaction network was constructed by STRING database, and the Cytoscape 3.8.2 software was used to screen the core target out. The core targets were analyzed by gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment. Experimental verification was performed to the analysis results. A hepatic fibrosis model was established by intraperitioneal imjection of 40% carbon tetrachloride oil solution in rats that were then divided into the model control group and the Herba Hedyotidis group by randomized number table table, with 10 rats in each group. Ten normal rats were used as the normal control group. The Herba Hedyotidis group were injected 2.7 g/kg herb aqueous extract by intragastric administration, once a day, for 4 weeks; and the normal and model control group were given the same volume distilled water for gavage. The serum GPT, GOT, Alb and liver pathologic changes were observed. The serum expressions of IL-6, IL-1β and TGF-β1 were detected by ELISA. The expressions of PI3K, Akt, HIF-1α and VEGF were detected by Western blot. Results:5 effective components and 118 targets of Herba Hedyotidis in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis were obtained. Stigmasterol, β-sitosterol and quercetin were the most effective components with high moderate value. The moderate targets were VEGF, EGFR, HIF-1α and IL-6. The core genes of PPI network were HIF-1α, IL-6, etc. GO enrichment analysis showed that RNA transcription, protein binding and other processes may be affected. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that significant enrichment pathways were cancer pathway, hepatitis B pathway, PI3K/Akt, HIF pathway and so on. Animal experimental results showed that compared with model group, liver histopathology was improved significantly, the content of GPT, GOT, IL-6, IL-1β and TGF-β1 decreased ( P<0.01), the content of Alb increased ( P<0.01), and the protein expressions of PI3K, Akt, HIF-1α and VEGF in liver tissue were down-regulated ( P<0.01). Conclusion:The Herba Hedyotidis exerts functions of anti-hepatic fibrosis through acting on the targets of VEGF, EGFR, HIF-1α and IL-6, regulating the PI3K/Akt, HIF-1 pathways, and has anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenesis, anti-tumor and other biological functions.

Study on the mechanism of Kechuan'an Oral Liquid for the treatment of asthma / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To explore the mechanism of Kechuan'an Oral Liquid in treating asthma based on network pharmacology; To carry out experimental verification.Methods:The effective components and targets of Kechuan'an Oral Liquid were obtained through TCMSP and literature search. The related targets of asthma were screened by GEO database, and the intersection targets of drug and disease were selected. The PPI network was constructed by STRING database, and the GO function and KEGG pathway were enriched and analyzed for key targets by DAVID database. The rats were divided into blank control group, model group and Kechuan'an Oral Liquid group according to the method of random number table. Kechuan'an Oral Liquid group received Kechuan'an Oral Liquid 12.34 ml/kg for gavage, and blank control group and model group were perfused with distilled water of the same volume for gavage, once a day for 3 days. The asthma model of rats was prepared by atomizing the mixture of acetylcholine chloride and histamine phosphate, and HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissue; Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of IL-6, TLR4, MyD88 and TAK1, and the network pharmacological prediction results were verified.Results:A total of 153 active components, 1 896 targets and 2 982 differentially expressed genes of Kechuan'an Oral Liquid were screened out, and 25 intersection targets of drugs and diseases were obtained. The enrichment results showed that toll-like receptor signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway and Nod-like receptor signaling pathway were the main mechanisms of immune inflammation. Compared with the control group, the lung tissue of rats in the model group showed morphological changes such as thickening of air duct wall and infiltration of inflammatory cells, which were significantly improved in the Kechuan'an Oral Liquid group. Compared with the control group, the expressions of IL-6, TLR4, MyD88 and TAK1 in the model group significantly increased ( P<0.01), and compared with model group, the expressions of IL-6, TLR4, MyD88 and TAK1 in Kechuan'an Oral Liquid group significantly decreased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion:Kechuan'an Oral Liquid can inhibit toll-like receptor signaling pathway and mediate anti-inflammatory effect to treat asthma.

Research progress of chemical composition, pharmacological effects and clinical applications of Taohe Chengqi Decoction and prediction and analysis of its Q-marker / 国际中医中药杂志

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.

Discussion on the anti-tumor metastasis mechanism of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma based on internet pharmacology / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To analyze and explore the possible mechanism of anti-tumor metastasis of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma using Internet pharmacology. Methods:The active components and targets of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma were screened by retrieving Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). GeneCards database was used to screen the anti-tumor metastasis-related targets, and compounds and disease targets were under mapping analysis. Key targets of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma for anti-tumor metastasis were screened through Venn map. With the help of Cytoscape 3.7.2 software, a compound-disease network diagram was constructed. String platform was used to build a PPI network. Bioconductor was used to enrich the target genes for KEGG signaling pathway and GO biological process analysis. Results:Totally 119 active components were selected from Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma. There were 8 eligible active components, corresponding to 162 related targets, 121 targets related to anti-tumor metastasis, and 30 key targets screened by PPI network, including AKT1, MAPK1, JUN, RELA, IL6, etc. GO enrichment analysis mainly involved biological processes such as cytokine receptor binding, heme binding, RNA polymerase Ⅱ transcription factor binding, ubiquitin protein ligase binding, and steroid hormone receptor activity. 149 signal pathways related to Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma anti-tumor metastasis were obtained by KEGG enrichment analysis, mainly involving multiple signal pathways, such as AGE-RAGE and PI3K-Akt, and hepatitis B, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus infection, human cytomegalovirus infection and other viral infections and various tumors. Conclusion:Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma can pass multiple active components, such as ginsenoside f2, ginsenoside rh2 β-, sitosterol, stigmasterol and quercetin, and multiple targets, such as AKT1, MAPK1, JUN, RELA and IL6, acting on multiple pathways such as PI3K-Akt, thereby playing the role of anti-tumor metastasis.

Study on the mechanism of Kangmin Zhisou Granules in the treatment of bronchial asthma based on network pharmacology and animal experiments / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To deeply explore the potential mechanism of Kangmin Zhisou Granules in the treatment of bronchial asthma through network pharmacology method; To verify it with animal experiments.Methods:The active components and corresponding target information of Kangmin Zhisou Granules were screened with the help of BATMAN-TCM database, and the related disease targets of bronchial asthma were obtained through GeneCards and OMIM databases. The drug targets and bronchial asthma targets were intersected and imported String database was used to establish PPI network. Cytoscape 3.9.1 software was used to draw the network diagram of "Chinese materia medica-active components-intersection targets" and the core targets were screened. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis was performed on the core targets using DAVID database. A mouse model of asthma induced by ovalbumin was prepared. After the intervention of Kangmin Zhisou Granules, the pathological changes of mouse lung tissue were observed, and the contents of serum TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1 β were detected by ELISA.Results:Totally 240 active components and 1 364 potential targets were obtained from Kangmin Zhisou Granules. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), protein kinase B (AKT1), albumin (ALB), interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) and other 11 core targets were obtained after screening. The results of GO enrichment analysis showed that the treatment of bronchial asthma by Kangmin Zhisou Granules mainly involved the positive regulation of protein phosphorylation, the regulation of inflammatory response, lipopolysaccharide response and other biological processes, as well as TNF, activated protein kinase (MAPK), interleukin-17 (IL-17) and other signaling pathways. Animal experiments confirmed that Kangmin Zhisou Granules could reduce the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in serum ( P<0.05), and reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lung tissue of mice, thereby relieving asthma symptoms. Conclusion:Kangmin Zhisou Granules may exert anti-inflammatory effects by acting on TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and other targets to alleviate asthma symptoms.

Material Basis and Pharmacological Action of Tongxie Yaofang： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Tongxie Yaofang， also known as Baizhu Shaoyaosan， was first recorded in Danxi's Experiential Therapy （《丹溪心法》） by ZHU Danxi in the Yuan dynasty. It is composed of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma， Paeoniae Radix Alba， Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium， and Saposhnikoviae Radix， and serves as the representative prescription for the treatment of painful diarrhea. It has the functions of tonifying the spleen， emolliating the liver， relieving pain， and checking diarrhea， and is mainly used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） and ulcerative colitis （UC）. In addition， it is effective in treating gastrointestinal disorders with mental and psychological abnormalities， as well as obstinate anorexia in children， depression syndrome， and respiratory diseases. Experimental research and clinical practice have shown that Tongxie Yaofang has multi-component， multi-pathway， and multi-target characteristics in the treatment of diseases. The mechanism of Tongxie Yaofang in treating diseases is mainly attributed to anti-inflammation， immune function regulation， intestinal hypersensitivity improvement， emotion regulation， etc. Monoterpene glycosides， flavonoids， chromones， lactones， and other components contained play an important therapeutic role. The research on the systems biology of Tongxie Yaofang， such as metabolomics， proteomics， and network pharmacology， provides a scientific basis for clarifying its mechanism of action and expanding its clinical application. However， there are still some problems to be solved， such as difficulty in combining diseases and syndromes and lack of in-depth systematic research. Through the retrieval and collation of relevant literature， this paper systematically reviewed the material basis， pharmacological effects， and systems biology research of Tongxie Yaofang， aiming to lay a foundation for in-depth research on its mechanism in treating diseases and rational application in clinical practice.

Discussion on the mechanism of Jiangtang Xiaoke Granules for diabetes mellitus based on network pharmacology and molecular docking / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To predict the possible targets and signaling pathways of Jiangtang Xiaoke Granules in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) using computer network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.Methods:The active components and targets of Jiangtang Xiaoke Granules were collected by ETCM; the targets of DM were searched from the databases of DisGeNET and GeneCards, and the intersections of the two were taken to draw a Venny diagram; String database was used for gene transformation and network interaction analysis; the network diagram was constructed with Cytoscape3.6.0; the predicted results were supported by molecular docking technology; GO and KEGG analysis was performed through Metascape database.Results:A total of 128 active components of Jiangtang Xiaoke Granules were screened, with 607 corresponding targets, 1 240 DM related targets, and 53 core targets. Molecular docking showed that the active components had good binding energy with the core targets. GO analysis yielded 46 functional items and KEGG analysis yielded 15 pathways.Conclusion:Jiangtang Xiaoke Granules regulate glucose homeostasis by participating in a variety of biological processes through multiple components, and multiple targets, including affecting lipids and atherosclerosis, Alzheimer disease, AMPK signaling pathway, Apelin signaling pathway, and glucagon signaling pathway.

Study on mechanism and experimental validation of Duzhong Pills against osteoporosis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To study and verify the molecular mechanism of Duzhong Pills for osteoporosis (OP) by means of network pharmacology and molecular docking.Methods:The main chemical components of Duzhong Pills were mined by TCMSP database and the related targets were predicted. The potential targets of osteoporosis in GeneCards, DisGeNET and OMIM databases were searched and the common targets of both were obtained. The STRING platform was used for protein interaction analysis and PPI network diagram was made. The common targets were imported into the David database for enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG pathways, and molecular docking of the main components and core targets was performed. Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control group, model group and Duzhong Pills group according to random number table method, with 6 rats in each group. Ovariectomy was used to make osteoporosis model in model group and Duzhong Pills group. Duzhong Pills group was intragaxed with Duzhong Pills extract of 5 g/kg, and control group and model group were intragaxed with normal saline of the same volume, once a day for 8 weeks. Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β were detected by ELISA, and femur PI3K and Akt were detected by Western blot.Results:34 active components were obtained from Duzhong Pills, corresponding to 243 targets, and 1 059 targets for osteoporosis. The core targets included TNF-α, IL-6, AKT1, TP53, IL-1β and others regulated osteoporosis through PI3K-Akt and TNF pathway. The experimental results indicated that compared with model group, the levels of serum TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in Duzhong Pills group decreased ( P<0.05), and the expressions of PI3K and Akt in femur decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Through β-sitosterol, quercetin, kaempferol and other active components, Duzhong Pills can act on TNF, IL-6, AKT1, TP53, IL-1β and other targets, regulating PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway and other signaling pathways to play a role in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Phytochemical Estimation and Therapeutic Amelioration of Aesculus hippocastanum L. Seeds Ethanolic Extract in Gastric Ulcer in Rats Possibly by Inhibiting Prostaglandin Synthesis / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To quantify phytochemicals using liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy (LCMS) analysis and explore the therapeutic effect of Aesculus hippocastanum L. (AH) seeds ethanolic extract against gastric ulcers in rats.@*METHODS@#Preliminary phytochemical testing and LCMS analysis were performed according to standard methods. For treatment, the animals were divided into 7 groups including normal control, ulcer control, self-healing, AH seeds low and high doses, ranitidine and per se groups. Rats were orally administered with 10 mg/kg of indomethacin, excluding the normal control group (which received 1% carboxy methyl cellulose) and the per se group (received 200 mg/kg AH seeds extract). The test group rats were then given 2 doses of AH seeds extract (100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively), while the standard group was given ranitidine (50 mg/kg). On the 11th day, rats in all groups were sacrificed, and their stomach was isolated to calculate the ulcer index, and other parameters such as blood prostaglandin (PGE2), tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malonyldialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH). All isolated stomach tissues were analyzed for histopathological findings.@*RESULTS@#The phytochemical examination shows that the AH seeds contain alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenolic components, and glycosides. LCMS analysis confirms the presence of quercetin and rutin. The AH seeds extract showed significant improvement in gastric mucosa conditions after indomethacin-induced gastric lesions (P<0.01). Further marked improvement in blood PGE2 and antioxidant enzymes, SOD, CAT, MDA and GSH, were observed compared with self-healing and untreated ulcer-induced groups (P<0.01). Histopathology results confirmed that AH seeds extract improved the mucosal layer and gastric epithelial membrane in treated groups compared to untreated ulcer-induced groups.@*CONCLUSIONS@#LCMS report confirms the presence of quercetin and rutin in AH seeds ethanolic extract. The therapeutic effect of AH seeds extract against indomethacin-induced ulcer in rat model indicated the regenerated membrane integrity, with improved cellular functions and mucus thickness. Further, improved antioxidant enzyme level would help to reduce PGE2 biosynthesis.

Xiangsha Liu Junzitang for Prevention and Treatment of Gastric Cancer： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Gastric cancer is one of the malignancies with high incidence in the world. Xiangsha Liu Junzitang，a common prescription for the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer，has the effects of moving Qi to relieve pain，drying dampness， and invigorating the spleen. It is especially indicated for gastric cancer of the spleen and stomach qi deficiency syndrome. Based on the databases such as CNKI，Wanfang Data，and PubMed，the clinical efficacy and experimental studies of Xiangsha Liu Junzitang for the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer were summarized and sorted out，and the mechanism of Xiangsha Liu Junzitang for the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer was elaborated in order to provide useful references for the clinical and basic research on Xiangsha Liu Junzitang in the field of gastric cancer in the future. In clinical practice，Xiangsha Liu Junzitang can treat gastric precancerous lesions，increase the body immunity of patients with gastric cancer，improve the symptoms of spleen and stomach weakness after gastric cancer surgery，and reduce the adverse reactions of the digestive tract after chemotherapy for gastric cancer. Its clinical efficacy is superior to that of western medicine alone whether it is combined with western medicine or used alone. In the experimental research，Xiangsha Liu Junzitang has the effects of regulating inflammatory factors，inhibiting the proliferation of gastric cancer cells，promoting the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells，and improving the activity of pepsin. Modern pharmacological research has shown that Xiangsha Liu Junzitang can conduct a comprehensive intervention with multiple components and multiple targets. The main components of a single drug contained include saponins，polysaccharides，lactones，volatile oils，organic acids，and others， with the effects of protecting gastric mucosa，regulating endocrine，and promoting apoptosis of epithelial cells in gastric mucosal dysplasia，reflecting the advantages and values of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer.

Comparison of active components in different parts of Perilla frutescens and its pharmacological effects / 中国中药杂志

Perilla frutescens is a widely used medicinal and edible plant with a rich chemical composition throughout its whole plant. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia categorizes P. frutescens leaves(Perillae Folium), seeds(Perillae Fructus), and stems(Perillae Caulis) as three distinct medicinal parts due to the differences in types and content of active components. Over 350 different bioactive compounds have been reported so far, including volatile oils, flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenes, sterols, and fatty acids. Due to the complexity of its chemical composition, P. frutescens exhibits diverse pharmacological effects, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antidepressant, and antitumor activities. While scholars have conducted a substantial amount of research on different parts of P. frutescens, including analysis of their chemical components and pharmacological mechanisms of action, there has yet to be a systematic comparison and summary of chemical components, pharmacological effects, and mechanisms of action. Therefore, this study overviewed the chemical composition and structures of Perillae Folium, Perillae Fructus, and Perillae Caulis, and summarized the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of P. frutescens to provide a reference for better development and utilization of this valuable plant.