A novel type of Brassica napus with higher stearic acid in seeds developed through genome editing of BnaSAD2 family.

KEY MESSAGE: Modifications of multiple copies of the BnaSAD2 gene family with genomic editing technology result in higher stearic acid content in the seed of polyploidy rapeseed. Solid fats from vegetable oils are widely used in food processing industry. Accumulating data showed that stearic acid is more favorite as the major composite among the saturate fatty acids in solid fats in considerations of its effects on human health. Rapeseed is the third largest oil crop worldwide, and has potential to be manipulated to produce higher saturated fatty acids as raw materials of solid fats. Toward that end, we identified four SAD2 gene family members in B. napus genome and established spatiotemporal expression pattern of the BnaSAD2 members. Genomic editing technology was applied to mutate all the copies of BnaSAD2 in this allopolyploid species and mutants at multiple alleles were generated and characterized to understand the effect of each BnaSAD2 member on blocking desaturation of stearic acid. Mutations occurred at BnaSAD2.A3 resulted in more dramatic changes of fatty acid profile than ones on BnaSAD2.C3, BnaSAD2.A5 and BnaSAD2.C4. The content of stearic acid in mutant seeds with single locus increased dramatically with a range of 3.1-8.2%. Furthermore, combination of different mutated alleles of BnaSAD2 resulted in more dramatic changes in fatty acid profiles and the double mutant at BnaSAD2.A3 and BnaSAD2.C3 showed the most dramatic phenotypic changes compared with its single mutants and other double mutants, leading to 11.1% of stearic acid in the seeds. Our results demonstrated that the members of BnaSAD2 have differentiated in their efficacy as a Δ9-Stearoyl-ACP-Desaturase and provided valuable rapeseed germplasm for breeding high stearic rapeseed oil.

The effectiveness of auricular acupressure on pain management during labor: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

AIM: This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of auricular acupressure on pain management during labor. METHODS: Six English and three Chinese electronic databases were comprehensively searched from inception to 6 November 2021. The PRISMA checklist was followed. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration Bias Risk Assessment Tool. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software. Heterogeneity between studies was calculated using I2 . RESULTS: Five studies comprising 312 participants were included. The labor pain scores of the auricular acupressure group were significantly lower than those of the usual care group at cervix dilations of 6, 8, and 10 cm, with mean differences (95% confidence intervals) of -1.05 (-1.41, -0.69), -1.44 (-2.07, -0.82), and -1.96 (-3.30, -0.61), respectively. Auricular acupressure can thus effectively improve the labor pain perception at cervix dilations of 6, 8, and 10 cm. Moreover, auricular acupressure shortened the active phase, and had the trend of shortening the second and third stages of labor. There was no evidence that auricular acupressure had an effect on the rate of cesarean section or the 1 and 5 min Apgar scores. CONCLUSION: Effective labor pain relief, better labor pain perception, and the lack of adverse effects support the use of auricular acupressure. More high-quality and rigorous trials are needed to verify our findings before we can make strong recommendations.

Effect of Microemulsion on Content of Index Components in Different Phases of Zexietang Extract / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of microemulsion on the distribution of index components in different phases of Zexietang extract based on high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） and phase separation process. MethodParticle size meter and transmission electron microscope were used to characterize the colloidal particles in blank microemulsion， aqueous extract of Zexietang and microemulsion extract of Zexietang. The phase separation process was established by high-speed centrifugation and dialysis， and based on this process， the aqueous extract and microemulsion extract of Zexietang were separated into the true solution phase， the colloidal phase and the precipitation phase， respectively. The contents of six components， including atractylenolide Ⅲ， atractylenolide Ⅱ， 23-acetyl alisol C， alisol A， alisol B and alisol B 23-acetate， were determined by HPLC with the mobile phase of water（A）-acetonitrile（B） for gradient elution（0-5 min， 40%-43%B； 5-20 min， 43%-45%B； 20-45 min. 45%-60%B； 45-75 min， 60%-80%B）. The solubility of the index components in water and microemulsion was determined by saturation solubility method. ResultThe colloidal particles in the aqueous extract， microemulsion extract and blank microemulsion were all spherical， and the particle size， polydispersity index（PDI） and Zeta potential of the colloidal particles were in the order of aqueous extract >microemulsion extract >blank microemulsion. The results of phase separation showed that the colloidal phase and the true solution phase could be completely separated by dialysis for 2.5 h， and the phase separation process was tested to be stable and feasible. Compared with the aqueous extract of Zexietang， the use of microemulsion as an extraction solvent could increase the contents of atractylenolide Ⅲ， 23-acetyl alisol C， atractylenolide Ⅱ ， alisol A， alisol B and alisol B 23-acetate by 3.75， 6.82， 35.47， 10.66， 35.41， 27.75-fold， and could increase the extraction efficiencies of the latter five constituents by 2.03， 1.15， 1.70， 6.43， 5.53 times. The solubility test showed that the microemulsion could significantly improve the solubility of atractylenolide Ⅱ， alisol A， alisol B and alisol B 23-acetate， but it had less effect on the solubility of atractylenolide Ⅲ and 23-acetyl alisol C. ConclusionMicroemulsion can improve the extraction efficiency and increase the distribution of the index components in the colloidal phase state of Zexietang to different degrees， providing a reference for the feasibility of microemulsion as an extraction solvent for traditional Chinese medicine.

Antifungal and Antibiofilm In Vitro Activities of Ursolic Acid on Cryptococcus neoformans.

Ursolic acid (UA) exists in a variety of medicinal plants. UA exhibits antimicrobial activity against several microorganisms; however, little is known regarding the potential antifungal effect of UA on Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans). The antifungal and antibiofilm activities of UA on C. neoformans H99 were evaluated in this study. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of UA against C. neoformans H99 was determined by microdilution technique, and its action mode was elucidated by clarifying the variations in cell membrane integrity, capsule, and melanin production. Moreover, the inhibition and dispersal effects of UA on biofilm formation and mature biofilms by C. neoformans H99 were evaluated using crystal violet (CV) assay, optical microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results indicated that the MIC value of UA against C. neoformans H99 was 0.25 mg/mL. UA disrupted the cell membrane integrity, inhibited the capsule and melanin production of C. neoformans H99 in a concentration-dependent manner. Further, UA presented the inhibitory effect on biofilm formation and dispersed mature biofilms, as well as compromised the cell membrane integrity of C. neoformans H99 cells within biofilms. Together, these results indicate that UA might be a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of C. neoformans-related infections.

Expression of chitinase-3-like protein 1 in different TCM syndromes and its correlation with liver fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to explore the expression of chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) in different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes and its correlation with liver fibrosis. METHODS: A total of 95 patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B who were diagnosed by pathological examination of liver biopsy specimens were selected as study subjects. According to different TCM syndrome types, 47 cases were divided into damp-heat moderate resistance type, and 48 cases were liver depression and spleen-deficiency type. Serum samples of the 2 groups were collected, then the levels of CHI3L1 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), fibronectin (FN), collagen type IV (CIV), and N-terminal procollagen III propeptide (PIIINP) were measured by chemiluminescence. The levels of CHI3L1 was studied to explore the correlations between the 2 types of TCM syndromes and liver fibrosis. RESULTS: The serum CHI3L1 level of the 2 groups increased with increasing fibrosis stage and peaked at the S4 stage. The serum CHI3L1 levels of liver depression and spleen deficiency type patients in the S0-S1, S2-S3, and S4 stages were higher than those of patients with damp-heat moderate resistance type, and the difference was significant (P<0.01). The levels of HA, LN, FN, CIV, and PIIINP in the 2 groups increased with the increase of fibrosis stage and reached the highest level at the S4 stage. Compared to patients with damp-heat syndrome, the levels of HA, LN, FN, CIV, and PIIINP in patients with liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome were lower, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There were positive correlations between CHI3L1 and HA, LN, FN, CIV, and PIIINP (all <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression level of CHI3L1 in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients was higher than expected. The levels of CHI3L1, HA, LN, FN, CIV, and PIIINP in liver depression and spleen deficiency type patients were lower than those in damp-heat moderate resistance type patients. These findings indicated that CHI3L1 is correlated with HA, LN, FN, CIV, PIIINP liver fibrosis indexes, and the syndrome of stagnation of spleen deficiency has a better correlation.

Views on Key Technical Problems in Research and Development of Famous Classical Formulas / 中国实验方剂学杂志

In this paper， the key technical problems in the research and development of famous classical formulas are analyzed. Firstly， the puzzled problem for a long-time， which is conversion relationship from medicinal metrology of Han dynasty （HD） to that of modern （gram，g）， is comprehensively expounded that one Liang （两） of HD=3 g is more appropriate. Secondly， the model and principles of quality consistency evaluation are given for the transformation from the quality of authoritative basic sample prepared by casserole （ABS-C） to the quality consistency in Laboratory process， pilot-scale process and industrial production. The consistency evaluation model is ξABS-X=K1（Q1ABS-X/Q1ABS-C）+K2（Q2ABS-X/Q2ABS-C）+……+Ki（QiABS-X/QiABS-C）=∑Ki（QiABS-X/QiABS-C）（i=1，2，3……n）. In the formula， ABS-X means laboratory reference sample ABS-C （ABS-L）， pilot-scale ABS-C （ABS-mP） or industrial production ABS-C （ABS-P）， ξABS-X means the quality consistency rate or similarity degree of ABS-L， ABS-mP and ABS-P processes with ABS-C， Ki means the weight of each quality evaluation index （i）， QiABS-X is the data of i in ABS-L， ABS-mP， ABS-P samples， and QiABS-C is the data （or mean） of i in ABS-C sample. Thirdly， in order to control the quality of the herbal medicines whose active ingredients were unknown， their chemical constituents should be studied deeply， and if necessary， the bioassay research should be carried out according to the main efficacy or indication of famous classical formulas. Finally， for the special processing of some herbal medicines， it is difficult to formulate the processing method， technology and standard of prepared slices. It is suggested that the scientific connotation and historical evolution of the special processing method should be thoroughly sorted out， and its technological characteristics are summarized， the modern processing technology and production processes are simulated， and then the corresponding processing methods and quality standards are formulated.

[Research and development strategies of new Chinese medicines based on new regulations].

In recent years, only a small number of new Chinese medicines have been approved for marketing, which has embodied the bottleneck in the development of the Chinese medicine industry. To tackle this problem, the National Medical Products Administration has issued a series of regulations and technical requirements. In the context of new regulations, this study deeply explored the research and development strategies of new Chinese medicines under the guidance of the new classification of drug registration, and discussed the key technical issues in the research and development.

A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and the analytical methods of the genus Nardostachys.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The plants of the genus Nardostachys (Caprifoliaceae) have been used for a long history in different cultural systems of medicine, including Chinese, Ayurvedic, Korean folk medicine and Islamic, for treatments of disorders in nervous, digestive, cardiovascular and integumentary systems. AIM OF THE REVIEW: This review aims to provide comprehensive information on Nardostachys plants including botany update, traditional uses, data mining of uses in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and current Chinese medicinal patents, chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, toxicity and analytical method studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studies of the genus Nardostachys were collected via Google Scholar and Baidu Scholar, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, Wiley Online Library, ACS Publications, NLM/NCBI, Web of Science, CNKI, WANFANG DATA, EMBASE, Huabeing database and Traditional Chinese Medicine Resource Network and libraries. Some local books, PhD or MS's dissertations were also included. The literatures cited in this review covered the period from 1962 to March 2021. The Plant List and Kew Herbarium Catalogue databases were used to authenticate the scientific name. RESULTS: Botany description of Nardostachys genus is updated. Analysis of the literatures indicates that Nardostachys species are valuable herbs with therapeutic potentials for various disorders. Data mining on ancient TCM prescriptions and current Chinese medicinal patents containing Nardostachys revealed its common compatibility with other herbs in China. Phytochemical studies identified terpenoids and phenolic compounds as the main constituents in the genus Nardostachys and sesquiterpenoids as the major bioactive components. Experimental studies demonstrated that crude extracts, major fractions and the main constituents from Nardostachys species mainly exhibited pharmacological activities on nervous, digestive, cardiovascular and skin systems. Further, in vivo and in vitro toxicological studies demonstrated that Nardostachys plants showed either no or low toxicities, except at high doses. Finally, methods of qualitative and quantitative analyses on chemical constituents of genus Nardostachys were summarized, including TLC/HPTLC, GC and HPLC/UPLC methods, combined with common detectors including PDA, DAD and MS. CONCLUSIONS: This review summarizes the progress on phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and analytical methods of the genus Nardostachys. Studies demonstrate traditional uses of the genus Nardostachys, and reveal novel bioactive effects for clinical uses. These achievements expand our knowledge on the genus Nardostachys and its clinical value.

Probiotics Can Further Reduce Waist Circumference in Adults with Morbid Obesity after Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Whether probiotics could be used as an adjunct to bariatric surgery is controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of probiotics on body weight, body mass index (BMI), percentage of the excess weight loss (%EWL), waist circumference (WC), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in adults with obesity after bariatric surgery (BS). PUBMED, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials were searched from the earliest record to March 2020. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of probiotics in adults with obesity after bariatric surgery were analyzed according to the eligibility criteria. Four RCTs, including 172 participants, were analyzed. There was a statistically significant difference in probiotics in the reduction of waist circumference at 12 months after bariatric surgery. However, probiotics were not effective in weight, BMI, %EWL, WC, and CRP both within 3 months and at 12 months postoperation. Probiotics aid adults with morbid obesity in achieving further waist circumference improvement after BS, with no significant effect on weight, BMI, %EWL, and CRP. More quality clinical studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of probiotics, and address a number of practical issues before the routine clinical use of probiotics in adults with obesity undergoing BS.

Antidepressant activities and regulative effects on serotonin transporter of Nardostachys jatamansi DC.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC. (family Caprifoliaceae, NJ) is well-documented and commonly used in the systems of traditional medicine in China, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, India and Japan for curing digestive and neuropsychiatric disorders with a long history of medication. However, the possible action mechanisms of antidepressant effects of NJ remain unraveled. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to systematically investigate chemical substances of NJ and their effects on serotonin transporter (SERT) in antidepressant activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antidepressant effects of total methanol extract of NJ were evaluated by tail suspension test (TST) and open field test (OFT). Then the total extract was analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) method, and its effect on SERT activity was evaluated by high content assay (HCA) to determine half maximal effective concentration (EC50). This total extract was subfractioned into twenty subfractions by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (p-HPLC) method, and 'subfraction-SERT activity' relationship curve was fitted with medians of the retention time of those subfractions and their SERT activity values. Then, the fraction NJFr.01 enriched with SERT enhancers was optimized, prepared and analyzed by UHPLC method. Antidepressant effects of the fraction NJFr.01 were evaluated by TST and OFT. Further, major constituents of the total extract and fraction NJFr.01 were isolated by p-HPLC and identified by extensive nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses and comparisons with those reported data, and their SERT activities were also evaluated. Finally, antagonistic effects of chlorogenic acid and desoxo-narchinol A against fluoxetine on SERT were evaluated. RESULTS: Results of TST and OFT demonstrated antidepressant effects of toatal extract of NJ. The EC50 of total extract on SERT enhancement was 31.63 µg/mL. The fitted 'subfraction-SERT activity' relationship curve revealed that fraction NJFr.01 was enriched with SERT enhancing constituents. Both total extract and fraction NJFr.01 significantly enhanced SERT activity, while the rest fraction NJFr.02 didn't show any SERT activity. Then, antidepressant effects of fraction NJFr.01 were demonstrated by TST and OFT. Further, phytochemistry investigation and UHPLC analyses confirmed the identification of fourteen constituents in the total extract of NJ, including 7-oxonardinoperoxide (1), desoxo-narchinol A (2), kanshone B (3), narchinol B (4), nardosinonediol (5), kanshone A (6), 1-hydroxylaristolone (7), debilon (8), nardosinone (9), kanshone H (10), 1,8,9,10-tetradehydroaristolan-2-one (11), (-)-aristolone (12), 1(10)-aristolene-2-one (13) and jatamol A (14), and seven constituents in the fraction NJFr.01, including chlorogenic acid (15), 8α-dihydrogeniposide (16), 7-deoxy-8-epi-loganic acid (17), adoxosidic acid (18), 8-epi-loganic acid (19), 8α-6,7-dihydroapodantheroside acetate (20) and 6″-acetylpatrinalloside (21). Their structures were established by NMR analyses and comparisons with those reported data. HCA results of these constituents demonstrated the major components of fraction NJFr.01 enhanced SERT activity. Antagonistic results showed that chlorogenic acid and desoxo-narchinol A reversed inhibition effect of fluoxetine on SERT activity. CONCLUSION: This study first systematically expatiated the roles of SERT activity in antidepressant effects of NJ, including total methanol extract and the water-soluble fraction NJFr.01 enriched with SERT enhancing constituents. This is the first report of natural SERT enhancing extract and fractions with antidepressant potential in NJ.

Research Status of Zexietang / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Zexietang is derived from Jingui Yaolue （《金匮要略》）， which is composed of Alismatis Rhizoma and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma， and has the effect of inducing diuresis and invigorating the spleen to produce water. Compared with western medicine in the treatment of related diseases， Zexietang can not only improve the curative effect， but also reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions， so as to achieve long-term stable administration. The authors sorted out and analyzed the chemical composition， pharmacological effect and clinical application of Zexietang in recent years. It was found that the main active components of Zexietang were alismol A and B， 23-acetyl-alismol B and C， atractylenolides （atractylenolide Ⅰ， Ⅱ， Ⅲ） and polysaccharides. Pharmacological experiments showed that they had diuretic， hypolipidemic， anti-inflammatory and others. And it can be used in the treatment of hypertension， hyperlipidemia， vertigo， cerebral vascular insufficiency and other diseases combined with other Chinese materia medica， and the curative effect is obvious. By summarizing the research status of Zexietang in recent years， its active components and pharmacological mechanism can be further clarified， which provides the basis for the clinical application of Zexietang and guides the direction of its further research.

Research Progress of Targeted Drug Delivery Nanocarriers Through Blood-brain Barrier / 中国实验方剂学杂志

The small size， moderate drug loading， and targeting properties of nano-preparations make them can be excellent delivery tools for drugs， genes or proteins crossing the cell or blood-brain barrier （BBB）. Currently， facilitating drug crossing BBB with innovative nano-drug delivery systems is considered as a strategic approach for the prevention， diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system （CNS） diseases. However， with the deepening of the research， the adverse reactions and toxicity of nanocarriers have gradually attracted the attention of researchers. Based on this， this paper summarized the situation of BBB-penetrating targeted nano-preparations at home and abroad in recent years from the perspective of classification of types and properties of nanocarriers， and analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of each carrier. The results showed that nano-preparations with active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） as carriers have become a promising way of cancer treatment， but the complexity and diversity of TCM components limited its application to a certain extent. Further studies should be strengthened to lay a foundation for the application and development of TCM nano-preparations in the field of CNS diseases.

Research and development strategies of new Chinese medicines based on new regulations / 中国中药杂志

In recent years, only a small number of new Chinese medicines have been approved for marketing, which has embodied the bottleneck in the development of the Chinese medicine industry. To tackle this problem, the National Medical Products Administration has issued a series of regulations and technical requirements. In the context of new regulations, this study deeply explored the research and development strategies of new Chinese medicines under the guidance of the new classification of drug registration, and discussed the key technical issues in the research and development.

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Yuyang Capsule on Bacterial Dermatitis Model Rats and Its Effect on TLR/NF-κB Signaling Pathway / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To study the anti-inflammatory effects of Yuyang capsule on bacterial dermatitis model rats and its effect on TLR/NF-κ B pathway. METHODS：Minimum inhibition concentration （MIC）and minimal bactericidal concentration （MBC）of Yuyang capsule against Staphylococcus aureus were determined by microdilution test. Totally 50 SD rats were randomly divided into model group ，positive control group （amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium ，120 mg/kg as amoxicillin ），Yuyang capsules high-dose ，medium-dose and low-dose groups （according to MIC ），with 10 rats in each group. The model of bacterial dermatitis was established by using the burned skin of rats infected with S. aureus . 24 h after modeling ，administration groups were intragastrically given the corresponding drug ，and model group was intragastrically given the same amount of normal saline ，once a day，for consecutive 7 days. The skin healing rate was calculated on the 1st，3rd，5th and 7th day of administration ，and the scab formation，decrustation and healing were recorded. The contents of IL- 1β，IL-6，IL-10，TNF-α，hydroxyproline（HYP），collagen Ⅰ（Col Ⅰ）and Col Ⅲ in skin tissue were detected by ELISA. Morphology changes of skin tissues were observed by HE staining. The ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscope. Protein expression of TLR 2，TLR4 and p-NF-κB p65 were detected by Western blotting assay. RESULTS ：MIC and MBC of Yuyang capsule were 25 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL，respectively. Dose of Yuyang capsules high-dose ，medium-dose and low-dose groups were set at 600，300，150 mg/kg. Compared with model group，scab appeared on the injured skin 3 days after administration in Yuyang capsule high-dose and medium-dose groups ，and decrustation appeared on the injured skin of part mice 5-7 days after administration ；the skin healing rate of the positive control group，Yuyang capsule high-dose and medium-dose groups were all significantly increased at each time point. The contents of IL- 1 β，IL-6，IL-10 and TNF-α，pathological score ，protein expression of TLR 2，TLR4 and p-NF-κB p65 were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）；the pathological changes such as inflammatory cell infiltration in skin tissue were improved. The contents of HYP，Col Ⅰ and Col Ⅲ were increased significantly in positive control group and Yuyang capsule high-dose group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. There was no statistical significance in most above indexes in positive control group ，Yuyang capsule high-dose and medium-dose groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ：Yuyang capsule can promote skin healing of bacterial dermatitis model rats and shows certain anti-inflammatory effects ；the mechanism may be related to inhibiting TLR/NF-κB signaling pathway and reducing inflammatory response.

Analysis of "Tianyou (TE 16) and five regions" in the human body / 中国针灸

Focusing on the original text record in

Protective Effects and Possible Mechanisms of Actions of Bushen Cuyun Recipe on Diminished Ovarian Reserve Induced by Cyclophosphamide in Rats.

BACKGROUNDS: Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) contributes significantly to female infertility. Bushen Cuyun Recipe (BCR, Tradename Yueliang Yin), a product marketed in China, has shown effects in the treatment of female infertility in clinical practices of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In this study, we aimed to investigate the chemical compositions of BCR and its efficacy based on scientific evidence and pharmacological mechanisms in DOR treatments. METHODS: The chemical compositions of BCR were determined by the UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS method. DOR was induced in a rat model by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CTX) 90 mg/kg once. After the CTX treatment for 14 days, rats were intragastrically administrated deionized water, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), or BCR in low, middle, and high doses for 30 days. Ovarian index, ovarian morphology, follicle number, and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in serum were determined to assess the effects of BCR. To investigate possible action mechanisms, network pharmacological analysis was used to predict possible pathways in the effects of BCR on female infertility. In experimental studies, the contents of hormones in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (HPOA, including estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)) and pyroptosis-related proteins, including gasdermin D (GSDMD), caspase-1, and interleukin-18 (IL-18), in ovarian were detected by ELISA, immunofluorescence and Western blot. RESULTS: Chemical studies revealed a total 84 components in BCR, which included 43 flavonoids, 13 triterpenoids, 11 phenolic acids, 8 alkaloids, 1 coumarin, 1 anthraquinone, and 7 other components. After treatments with BCR, the ovarian morphology, ovarian index, estrous cycle, growing follicles and corpus luteum from last ovulation, and serum AMH in DOR rats were significantly improved. Network pharmacological analysis suggested that the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway ranked No. 1 among the mechanisms by which BCR affects female infertility. Experimental results demonstrated that the content of serum FSH in DOR rats was significantly decreased and the contents of serum GnRH and E2 were significantly elevated after BCR treatment and that the elevated level of GSDMD, caspase-1, and IL-18 was significantly reversed in BCR-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS: The chemical compositions of BCR were first identified in the present study. BCR was demonstrated to show protective effects on DOR. The possible mechanisms of BCR on DOR might be mediated by regulating gonadal hormones of the HPOA and protecting granulosa cells in ovary against pyroptosis.

Efficacy and Material Basis of Shuangjin Sanjie Granules in Treatment on Hyperplasia of Mammary Gland / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:The SD rat model of hyperplasia of mammary gland（HMG） and the ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS) technology were used to explore the pharmacological material basis of Shuangjin Sanjie granules (SJSJG) for the treatment on HMG.Method:SD rat models of HMG were administered in groups, and the nipple height and the diameter were measured; the levels of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) and prolactin (PRL) in serum were detected, pathological examination was conducted for the hyperplasia of breast tissue. Histochemical methods were used to detect the expressions of estrogen receptor α (ERα), androgen receptor (AR), progesterone receptor (PR), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) proteins. Finally, UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS technology was used to detect the main chemical constituents of SJSJG, and the pharmacodynamic substance basis was analyzed based on the pharmacological effect.Result:The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the normal group, nipple height and diameter of the model group increased remarkably (P<0.01), serum E2 significantly increased (P<0.01). Pathological examination showed abnormal hyperplasia of breast tissue， expressions of ERα, AR, PR and TNF-α increased， compared with the model group, the nipple height and diameter of the SJSJG group decreased remarkably (P<0.01), serum E2 was decreased significantly (P<0.01)， pathological examination showed weakened abnormal hyperplasia of breast tissue, ERα, AR, PR and TNF-α protein expressions were significant decreased (P<0.01). The results of basic material study showed that 85 chemical components were identified from SJSJG, including 16 alkaloids, 7 flavonoids, 15 terpenes, 9 phenolic acid compounds, 3 coumarin compounds, 10 esters and lactone compounds, 7 fatty acids compounds, 4 amino acids compounds, and 14 other types of ingredients， among them, alkaloids and terpenoids chemical drug substances were closely related.Conclusion:SJSJG can effectively improve the condition of breast hyperplasia, and its medicinal substance basis may include saikosaponin A, Saikosaponin D, verticinone, peimine.

Research Strategies and Key Problems Analysis over Substance Benchmark of Famous Classical Formulas / 中国实验方剂学杂志

With continuous introduction of relevant national policies on famous classical formulas, the research of famous classical formulas is popular all over the country. Different from other new drugs, in the research and development process of famous classical formulas, substance benchmark is earlier than the product, suggesting that the research and development of substance benchmark is of great significance. Based on previous work of the authors, content of substance benchmark of famous classical formulas was analyzed, which was included in the document <italic>The Management Regulation of Simplified Registration and Approval over Chinese Herbal Medicine Compound Preparations of Ancient Famous Classical Formulas</italic> released by the National Medical Products Administration in May 2018. In this paper, the significance of substance benchmark development was described, a five-stage of research strategy was proposed, covering the prescription textual research and historical evolution, the collection and quality evaluation of medicinal materials, the processing method and quality evaluation of decoction pieces, the preparation and quality research of substance benchmark, the drafting and formulating of quality standard over substance benchmark. At the same time, some suggestions were put forward to the feasibility of compound preparations development over famous classical formulas, the implementation difficulty of resource evaluation over Chinese medicinal materials, and the irrationality on the quality correlation of Chinese medicinal materials. All of these are expected to provide reference and enlightenment for the development and policy officially landed over ancient famous classical formulas.

Bioactivities of serotonin transporter mediate antidepressant effects of Acorus tatarinowii Schott.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Acrorus tatarinowii Schott has been widely used in the treatments of neuropsychiatric and digestive disorders in clinical practices of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Both clinical and preclinical studies demonstrated antidepressant effects of A. tatarinowii. However, the possible action mechanisms of antidepressant effects of A. tatarinowii remain unraveled. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aimed to investigate the roles of serotonin transporter (SERT) in antidepressant effects of A. tatarinowii. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antidepressant effects of water extract of A. tatarinowii were evaluated by forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and locomotor activity test. The water extract was analyzed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method. Two major fractions of A. tatarinowii, petroleum ether extract and water extract after petroleum ether processed, were prepared and analyzed by UPLC method. Further, volatile oil extracted by ether extraction, solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) and hydro-distillation were compared and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) method. Finally, major constituents of water extract of A. tatarinowii were isolated by preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and identified by extensive spectroscopic analyses. Effects of all of the above mentioned samples on SERT activity were tested by a high content assay (HCA). RESULTS: Results of FST, TST and locomotor activity confirmed that water extract of A. tatarinowii significantly decreased mice immobility time but did not change mice locomotor activity. UPLC analysis results revealed that the water extract contained trace amount of ß-asarone (0.0004206%) and α-asarone (0.0001918%). HCA results demonstrated that the water extract significantly enhanced SERT activity at 100 µg/mL. Further, GC-MS and UPLC analyses revealed that petroleum ether extract contained high content of ß-asarone (45.63%) and α-asarone (12.50%). GC-MS analysis results demonstrated that the volatile oil extracted by ether extraction, SPME and hydro-distillation contained similar major components. HCA results verified that the petroleum ether extract significantly enhanced SERT activity at 1.56 µg/mL. Moreover, UPLC analysis of water extract after petroleum ether processed did not show any characteristic peaks. HCA results demonstrated that this extract significantly inhibited SERT activity at 50-100 µg/mL. Finally, phytochemistry investigation on the water extract of A. tatarinowii afforded seven constituents including veratric acid (9), anisic acid (7), 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid (3), trans-isoferulic acid (2), 2,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid (11), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (6) and syringic acid (13). Their structures were established on the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometer (MS) data and comparative UPLC analyses. HCA results demonstrated the major components of the water extract of A. tatarinowii demonstrated SERT enhancement/inhibition activities. CONCLUSIONS: This study first systematically demonstrated the roles of SERT activity in antidepressant effects of A. tatarinowii, including water extract, major fractions and main constituents. These results revealed that A. tatarinowii could regulate SERT activities in bidirectional ways.

Exploration of objective quality evaluation parameter of Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces / 中国中药杂志

To establish a quality constant evaluation system of Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces,in order to provide reference for regulating the market circulation of this decoction pieces. A total of 18 batches of Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces were collected from different pharmaceutical factories,and the morphological parameters of each sample were tested. The content of alisol B 23-acetate in Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces was determined by HPLC in the 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia,and the parameters such as quality constant and relative quality constant were calculated. The quality constant range of 18 batches of Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces was 0. 390-2. 076. If 18 batches of Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces were divided into 3 grades,taking 80% of the maximum quality constant as first grade,50% to 80% as second grade,and the rest as third grade,then the quality constant of firstgrade samples was ≥1. 66,the quality constant of second-grade samples was ≥1. 04 and <1. 66,and the quality constant of third-grade samples was <1. 04. The established quality constant evaluation method is objective and feasible,which can be used to classify the grade of Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces and provide a reference method to control the quality of this decoction pieces.