Therapeutic effect of ursodeoxycholic acid-berberine supramolecular nanoparticles on ulcerative colitis based on supramolecular system induced by weak bond / 中国中药杂志

Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a recurrent, intractable inflammatory bowel disease. Coptidis Rhizoma and Bovis Calculus, serving as heat-clearing and toxin-removing drugs, have long been used in the treatment of UC. Berberine(BBR) and ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA), the main active components of Coptidis Rhizoma and Bovis Calculus, respectively, were employed to obtain UDCA-BBR supramolecular nanoparticles by stimulated co-decocting process for enhancing the therapeutic effect on UC. As revealed by the characterization of supramolecular nanoparticles by field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM) and dynamic light scattering(DLS), the supramolecular nanoparticles were tetrahedral nanoparticles with an average particle size of 180 nm. The molecular structure was described by ultraviolet spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and hydrogen-nuclear magnetic resonance(H-NMR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the formation of the supramolecular nano-particle was attributed to the mutual electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic interaction between BBR and UDCA. Additionally, supramolecular nanoparticles were also characterized by sustained release and pH sensitivity. The acute UC model was induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) in mice. It was found that supramolecular nanoparticles could effectively improve body mass reduction and colon shortening in mice with UC(P<0.001) and decrease disease activity index(DAI)(P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences between the supramolecular nanoparticles group and the mechanical mixture group(P<0.001, P<0.05). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6(IL-6), and the results showed that supramolecular nanoparticles could reduce serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels(P<0.001) and exhibited an obvious difference with the mechanical mixture group(P<0.01, P<0.05). Flow cytometry indicated that supramolecular nanoparticles could reduce the recruitment of neutrophils in the lamina propria of the colon(P<0.05), which was significantly different from the mechanical mixture group(P<0.05). These findings suggested that as compared with the mechanical mixture, the supramolecular nanoparticles could effectively improve the symptoms of acute UC in mice. The study provides a new research idea for the poor absorption of small molecules and the unsatisfactory therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine and lays a foundation for the research on the nano-drug delivery system of traditional Chinese medicine.

Key quality attributes of benchmark samples of famous classical formula Kaixin Powder / 中国中药杂志

We prepared 15 batches of Kaixin Powder benchmark samples with the decoction pieces of different batches. Further, we established the specific chromatograms and index component content determination method of Kaixin Powder benchmark samples and analyzed the peaks and similarity of the chromatograms. With sibiricose A5, sibiricose A6, polygalaxanthone Ⅲ, 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose, ginsenoside Rb_1, β-asarone, α-asarone, and dehydropachymic acid as index components, the index component content determination method was established and 70%-130% of the mean content of each component was set as the range. The chromatograms of 15 batches of Kaixin Powder benchmark samples had a total of 22 characteristic peaks, among which 8 peaks were identified, which represented sibiricose A5, sibiricose A6, polygalaxanthone Ⅲ, 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose, ginsenoside Rb_1, β-asarone, α-asarone, and dehydropachymic acid, respectively. The chromatograms shared the similarity of 0.992-0.999. The 15 batches of benchmark samples had sibiricose A5 of 0.34-0.55 mg·g~(-1), sibiricose A6 of 0.43-0.57 mg·g~(-1), polygalaxanthone Ⅲ of 0.12-0.19 mg·g~(-1), 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose of 1.08-1.78 mg·g~(-1), ginsenoside Rb_1 of 0.33-0.62 mg·g~(-1), β-asarone of 2.34-3.72 mg·g~(-1), α-asarone of 0.11-0.22 mg·g~(-1), and dehydropachymic acid of 0.053-0.079 mg·g~(-1). This study established the specific chromatograms and index component content determination method of Kaixin Powder benchmark samples, and the method was simple, feasible, reproducible, and stable. This study provides a scientific basis for further research on the key chemical properties of the benchmark samples and preparations of Kaixin Powder.

Research progress and maturity assessment of continuous manufacturing of traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

The pharmaceutical manufacturing model is gradually changing from intermittent manufacturing to continuous manufacturing and intelligent manufacturing. This paper briefly reviewed the supervision and research progress in continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing in China and abroad and described the definition and advantages of continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing. The continuous manufacturing of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) at the current stage was summarized in the following three terms: the enhancement of the continuity of intermittent manufacturing operations, the integration of continuous equipment to improve physical continuity between units, and the application of advanced process control strategies to improve process continuity. To achieve continuous manufacturing of TCM, the corresponding key technologies, such as material property characterization, process modeling and simulation, process analysis technology, and system integration, were analyzed from the process and equipment, respectively. It was proposed that the continuous manufacturing equipment system should have the characteristics of high speed, high response, and high reliability, "three high(H~3)" for short. Considering the characteristics and current situation of TCM manufacturing, based on the two dimensions of product quality control and production efficiency, a maturity assessment model for continuous manufacturing of TCM, consisting of operation continuity, equipment continuity, process continuity, and quality control continuity, was proposed to provide references for the application of continuous manufacturing technology for TCM. The implementation of continuous manufacturing or the application of key continuous manufacturing technologies in TCM can help to systematically integrate advanced pharmaceutical technology elements and promote the uniformity of TCM quality and the improvement of production efficiency.

Manufacturing classification system for oral solid dosage forms of traditional Chinese medicines(Ⅰ): classification of processing routes / 中国中药杂志

Oral solid dosage(OSD) occupies a key position in the market of Chinese patent medicines and new traditional Chinese medicines. Processing route is the foundation for the research and development of traditional Chinese medicine OSDs. On the basis of prescriptions and preparation methods of 1 308 traditional Chinese medicine OSDs recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, we summarized the patterns of processing routes of both modern dosage forms(tablets, granules, and capsules) and traditional dosage forms(pills and powder) and constructed a manufacturing classification system(MCS) based on the processing routes. Based on the MCS, statistical analyses were conducted respectively on medicinal materials, pharmaceutical excipients, extraction solvents in the pretreatment process, crushed medicinal materials, methods of concentration and purification, and methods of drying and granulation, aiming to uncover the process features. The results showed that each dosage form can be prepared via different routes with different processing methods of decoction pieces and raw materials for dosage preparation. The raw materials for dosage form preparation of traditional Chinese medicine OSDs included total extract, semi-extract, and total crushed powder, which accounted for different proportions. The raw materials for traditional dosage forms are mainly decoction pieces powder. Semi-extracts are the main raw materials for tablets and capsules, which account for 64.8% and 56.3%, respectively. Total extracts are the main raw materials for granules, with a proportion of 77.8%. Compared with tablets and capsules, traditional Chinese medicine granules with dissolubility requirements had a larger proportion of water extraction process, a higher proportion of refining process(34.7%), and a lower proportion of crushed medicinal mate-rials in semi-extract granules. There are four ways to add volatile oil to the modern dosage forms of traditional Chinese medicine. In addition, some new technologies and processes have been used in concentration, filtration, and granulation processes of traditional Chinese medicine OSDs, and the application of pharmaceutical excipients is diversified. The results of this study are expected to provide reference for the processing route design and upgrading of OSDs for new traditional Chinese medicines.

Manufacturing classification system for oral solid dosage forms of traditional Chinese medicines (Ⅱ): classification of tablets disintegration behavior / 中国中药杂志

In this paper, 50 batches of representative traditional Chinese medicine tablets were selected and the disintegration time was examined with the method in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The disintegration time and disintegration phenomenon were recorded, and the dissolution behaviors of water-soluble and ultraviolet-absorbent components during the disintegration process of tablets were characterized by self-control method. The results revealed that coating type and raw material type influenced the disintegration time of tablets. It was found that only 4% of traditional Chinese medicine tablets had obvious fragmentation during the disintegration process, while 96% of traditional Chinese medicine tablets showed gradual dissolution or dispersion. Furthermore, according to the disintegration speed, disintegration phenomenon, and whether the cumulative dissolution of measured components was > 90% at complete disintegration, a disintegration behavior classification system(DBCS) was created for the regular-release traditional Chinese medicine tablets. As a result, the disintegration behaviors of 50 batches of traditional Chinese medicine tablets were classified into four categories, i.e. ⅠA_2, ⅠB_1, ⅡB_1, and ⅡB_2. traditional Chinese medicine tablets(Class I) with disintegration time ≤ 30 min were defined to be rapid in disintegration, which can be the objective of optimization or improvement of Chinese herbal extract(semi extract) tablets. Different drug release models were used to fit the dissolution curve of traditional Chinese medicine tablets with gradual dissolution or dispersion phenomenon(i.e. Type B tablets). The results showed that the dissolution curves of water-soluble components in the disintegration process conformed to the zero order kinetics and the Ritger-Peppas model. It could be inferred that the disintegration mechanisms of type B tablets were a combination of dissolution controlled and swelling controlled mechanisms. This study contributes to understanding the disintegration behavior of traditional Chinese medicine tablets, and provides a reference for the design and improvement of disintegration performance of traditional Chinese medicine tablets.

Patent application of intelligent quality control technology in traditional Chinese medicine production process: a review / 中国中药杂志

In the new stage for intelligent manufacturing of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) from pilot demonstration to in-depth application and comprehensive promotion, how to raise the degree of intelligence for the process quality control system has become the bottleneck of the development of TCM production process control technology. This article has sorted out 226 TCM intelligent manufacturing projects that have been approved by the national and provincial governments since the implementation of the "Made in China 2025" plan and 145 related pharmaceutical enterprises. Then, the patents applied by these pharmaceutical enterprises were thoroughly retrieved, and 135 patents in terms of intelligent quality control technology in the production process were found. The technical details about intelligent quality control at both the unit levels such as cultivation, processing of crude herbs, preparation pretreatment, pharmaceutical preparations, and the production workshop level were reviewed from three aspects, i.e., intelligent quality sensing, intelligent process cognition, and intelligent process control. The results showed that intelligent quality control technologies have been preliminarily applied to the whole process of TCM production. The intelligence control of the extraction and concentration processes and the intelligent sensing of critical quality attributes are currently the focus of pharmaceutical enterprises. However, there is a lack of process cognitive patent technology for the TCM manufacturing process, which fails to meet the requirements of closed-loop integration of intelligent sensing and intelligent control technologies. It is suggested that in the future, with the help of artificial intelligence and machine learning methods, the process cognitive bottleneck of TCM production can be overcome, and the holistic quality formation mechanisms of TCM products can be elucidated. Moreover, key technologies for system integration and intelligent equipment are expected to be innovated and accelerated to enhance the quality uniformity and manufacturing reliability of TCM.

Comparison of chemical components between aerial and underground parts of Coptis chinensis based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS~E technology / 中国中药杂志

The ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS~E) technology was employed to compare the chemical components between the aerial and underground parts of Coptis chinensis samples from different batches. According to the retention time, molecular ion peak, and LC-MS~E fragment information of the reference substances and available literature, we identified a total of 40 components. Thirty-three and 31 compounds were respectively identified in the underground part(taproots) and the aerial part(stems and leaves) of C. chinensis. Among them, 24 compounds, including alkaloids(e.g., berberine and jatrorrhizine) and phenolic acids(e.g., chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, and tanshinol), were common in the two parts. In addition, differential components were also identified, such as magnoline glucoside in the underground part and(±) lariciresionol-4-β-D-glucopyranoside in the aerial part. The analysis of fragmentation pathways based on spectra of reference substances indicated the differences among samples of different batches. Furthermore, we performed the principal component analysis(PCA) for the peak areas of C. chinensis in different batches. The results showed that the underground part and the aerial part were clearly clustered into two groups, indicating that the chemical components contained in the two parts were different. Furthermore, the results of partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) identified 31 differential compounds(VIP value>1) between the underground part and the aerial part, mainly including alkaloids, phenolic acids, lignans, and flavonoids. This study proves that C. chinensis possesses great development potential with multiple available compounds in stems and leaves. Moreover, it sheds light on for the development and utilization of non-medicinal organs of C. chinensis and other Chinese medicinal herbs.

Spray Drying in Research of Traditional Chinese Medicine Powders： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

After more than 100 years of development， spray drying technology has become more mature and widely used， and it is of great importance in the field of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. TCM powders prepared by spray drying is the raw material of dispensing granules， and the powder properties have an important influence on subsequent molding process and product quality. As a new form of TCM， dispensing granules have been included in the management category of TCM decoction pieces， indicating a broader application market， and a consensus has also been reached on the importance of TCM powder research. Based on this， the author summarized the application progress of spray drying in the study of TCM powders， including the factors affecting spray drying process， such as liquid properties， process parameters and equipment factors， as well as the application of computational fluid dynamics （CFD） and thermodynamic model in spray drying process simulation. Moreover， some commonly used pharmaceutical excipients for the modification of TCM powders were also introduced such as maltodextrin， microcrystalline cellulose and povidone. In addition， spray drying technology can also be used as a preparation technology for new drug delivery systems such as microcapsules and solid dispersions. Through the summary of this paper， the author suggests that the future research direction of spray drying of TCM can be carried out from the aspects of application rule of the coprocessing auxiliary materials based on the "unification of medicines and excipients"， the "structure-property" relationship of spray-dried powders and the application of computer simulation and design， so as to further enrich the application of spray drying in the field of TCM powders.

Material manufacturability classification in high shear wet granulation process of Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

The high shear wet granulation(HSWG) process of Chinese medicine has a complicated mechanism. There are many influencing factors that contribute to this process. In order to summarize the manufacturability of different kinds of materials in HSWG, this paper constructed a material library composed of 11 materials, including 4 Chinese medicine extracts and 7 pharmaceutical excipients. Each material was described by 22 physical parameters. Several binders were employed, and their density, viscosity and surface tension were characterized. Combining empirical constraints and the principle of randomization, 21 designed experiments and 8 verification experiments were arranged. The partial least squares(PLS) algorithm was used to establish a process model in prediction of the median granule size based on properties of raw materials and binders, and process parameters. The surface tension and density of binders, as well as the maximum pore saturation were identified as key variables. In the latent variable space of the HSWG process model, all materials could be divided into three categories, namely the Chinese medicine extracts, the diluents and the disintegrants. The granulation of Chinese medicine extracts required low viscosity and low amount of binder, and the resulted granule sizes were small. The diluent powders occupied a large physical space, and could be made into granules with different granule sizes by adjusting the properties of binders. The disintegrants tended to be made into large granules under the condition of aqueous binder. The combination use of material database and multivariate modeling method is conducive to innovate the knowledge discovery of the wet granulation process of Chinese medicine, and provides a basis for the formulation and process design based on material attributes.

Clinical observation on spleen-invigorating and qi-benefiting pediatric massage for treating recurrent respiratory tract infection in children with cerebral palsy due to qi deficiency of spleen and lung / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of spleen-invigorating and qi-benefiting pediatric massage (tuina) for treating recurrent respiratory tract infection in children with cerebral palsy due to qi deficiency of spleen and lung. Methods: A total of 70 children with cerebral palsy who suffered from recurrent respiratory tract infection due to qi deficiency of spleen and lung were randomized into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method, with 35 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with conventional rehabilitation training, while the observation group was given additional spleen-invigorating and qi-benefiting pediatric massage, and the control group additionally took oral Yu Ping Feng granule. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by the total effective rate, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score, and serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM and IgG. Results: The difference in total effective rate between the two groups after treatment was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the TCM symptom scores in both groups decreased to varying degrees than those before treatment, and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01); the differences in the scores of various TCM symptoms between the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of IgA, IgM and IgG of the children in both groups increased to varying degrees, and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The between-group differences in the IgA, IgM and IgG levels after treatment were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Spleen-invigorating and qi-benefiting pediatric massage can effectively treat recurrent respiratory tract infection due to qi deficiency of spleen and lung in children with cerebral palsy, relieve the clinical symptoms and improve immune function, and thus is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Impact of Particle Size on Density of Binary Powder Mixture of Chinese Medicine / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the influence of particle size on density of binary powder mixture of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， and to provide reference for formulation design of TCM preparations. Method:Three groups of binary powder mixtures with different particle size ratio （<italic>α</italic>） were constructed， namely Oroxyli Semen-microcrystalline cellulose PH102 （MCC PH102） （<italic>α</italic>=0.071 7）， Stellariae Radix-MCC PH200 （<italic>α</italic>=0.158 7） and Angelicae Sinensis Radix-MCC KG802 （<italic>α</italic>=0.840 6）. Binary powder mixtures with nine mass ratios （90∶10， 80∶20， 70∶30， 60∶40， 50∶50， 40∶60， 30∶70， 20∶80 and 10∶90） were prepared for each group， and 27 binary powder mixtures containing TCM were obtained. The particle size distribution， density and other parameters of six single materials and 27 binary powder mixtures were characterized. Based on the packing theory and multivariate analysis， the effects of particle size related parameters on the filling structure and density of the binary powder mixtures were elucidated. Result:The <italic>α</italic> of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-MCC KG802 binary mixture system was larger than the replacement rate （<italic>α</italic>_r=0.741 0）， and its density had a good linear relationship with the mass ratio， which conformed to the replacement mechanism. The <italic>α</italic> of Oroxyli Semen-MCC PH102 binary mixture system was smaller than the critical ratio （<italic>α</italic>_c=0.154 0）， and its density was nonlinear with the mass ratio of components， which conformed to the filling mechanism. The <italic>α</italic> of Stellariae Radix-MCC PH200 binary mixture system was between <italic>α</italic>_c and <italic>α</italic>_r， its density was affected by both of replacement mechanism and filling mechanism. Based on the partial least squares （PLS） model， the variable importance in the projection （VIP） analysis further proved that the mixing mass ratio （VIP value=1.62）， <italic>α</italic> （VIP value=1.13） and <italic>D</italic>₁₀ （the corresponding particle size when the particle size distribution accumulated to 10%， VIP value=1.06） were the key factors affecting the density of binary powder mixtures of TCM. Conclusion:In the binary powder mixtures of TCM， the linearity relationship between density and mass ratio is largely depended on particle size difference of components.

Mechanisms exploration of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma herb-pair for liver fibrosis prevention based on network pharmacology and experimental pharmacologylogy / 中国天然药物

Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui) and Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong) herb-pair (DC) have been frequently used in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions for hundreds of years to prevent vascular diseases and alleviate pain. However, the mechanism of DC herb-pair in the prevention of liver fibrosis development was still unclear. In the present study, the effects and mechanisms of DC herb-pair on liver fibrosis were examined using network pharmacology and mouse fibrotic model. Based on the network pharmacological analysis of 13 bioactive ingredients found in DC, a total of 46 targets and 71 pathways related to anti-fibrosis effects were obtained, which was associated with mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathway, hepatic inflammation and fibrotic response. Furthermore, this hypothesis was verified using carbon tetrachloride (CCl

[Effect of acupoint catgut embedding therapy on joint attention and social communication in children with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effect on the joint attention and social communication in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) between the combined treatment of acupoint catgut embedding therapy with rehabilitation training and the simple application of rehabilitation training. METHODS: A total of 60 children with ASD were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the control group, the routine ASD rehabilitation training was adopted, including conductive education, speech training and music therapy, once a day. In the observation group, on the base of the treatment as the control group, the catgut embedding therapy was applied to Shenting (GV 24), Baihui (GV 20), Shenmen (HT 7) and the optic area (the point of scalp acupuncture), once a week. In the two groups, the treatment for 4 weeks was as one course, at the interval of 1 week between the courses. A total of 3 courses of treatment were required. The social domain of the autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC) and the autism behavior checklist (ABC) were adopted to assess the therapeutic effect of the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of each item of the social domain in ATEC and the scores of ABC (feeling, communication, physical movement, language and healthy behavior) were all lower than those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01). The scores of each item in the observation group were lower than those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The combined treatment of acupoint catgut embedding therapy with the rehabilitation training effectively improves in the joint attention and social communication. The therapeutic effect of this combined treatment is better than the simple application of rehabilitation training.

Clinical observation on muscle regions of meridians needling method in improving upper limb function for children with cerebral palsy of spastic hemiplegia type / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the improving effect of muscle regions of meridians needling method on the upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy of spastic hemiplegic type. Methods: A total of 100 children with cerebral palsy of spastic hemiplegia type were divided into a treatment group and a control group according to the visiting sequence, with 50 cases in each group. The control group was treated with conventional rehabilitation plus conventional acupuncture treatment. The treatment group was treated with conventional rehabilitation plus muscle regions of meridians needling method. The electromyography (EMG) signal values of triceps brachii and pronator teres were detected before treatment, and 3 months and 6 months after treatment. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by Peabody developmental motor scale-fine motor (PDMS-FM) and fine motor function measure (FMFM). Results: Three and six months after treatment, the EMG signal values of triceps brachii and pronator teres, grasping scores and visual-motor integrated scores of PDMS-FM and the FMFM scores in both groups increased to varying degrees compared with the same group before treatment, and the intra-group differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). Six months after treatment, the results of the above three items in the treatment group were all better than those in the control group, and the differences between the groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Muscle regions of meridians needling method added on the basis of conventional rehabilitation can effectively reduce the muscle tone of upper limb and enhance the muscle strength, and improve the upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy of spastic hemiplegia type. The efficacy is superior to that of the conventional rehabilitation plus conventional acupuncture treatment.

Progress of Historical Evolution of Processing, Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Effect of Platycodonis Radix / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Platycodonis Radix, which was first recorded in the Agriculture God's Canon of Materia Medica. It is a multi-functional drug with a wide range of applications. The processing of Platycodonis Radix has been recorded as early as in the Jin dynasty, and has a long history of processing. Today, in addition to the washing, cutting and stir-frying with honey, there have also been more than 20 kinds of processing methods, such as stir-frying with wine, stir-frying with bran, stir-frying with Lilii Bulbus juice and so on. The ancients believed that Platycodonis Radix could enhance the effect of diffusing the lung, promoting pharynx and relieving cough by processing. In terms of the chemical compositions in Platycodonis Radix, more than 100 compositions, like triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, phenols, sterols, polysaccharides and polyacetylenes, have been isolated and identified from it. Among them, triterpenoid saponins are the essential compositions. In addition, Platycodonis Radix has the pharmacological effects of expectorant, antitussive, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, etc. The medicinal ingredients of Platycodonis Radix are mainly triterpenoid saponins and polysaccharides. Among them, triterpenoid saponins have diverse biological activities, which lead it to be one of the hotspots of current researches. Platycodonis Radix has a good role in promoting lung and removing phlegm. After being processed, its medicinal effects are enhanced. It is complex and diverse in compositions of Platycodonis Radix so that has rich pharmacological activities. On the basis of sorting out the literature, this paper discusses the processing history, chemical composition and pharmacological effect of Platycodonis Radix, in order to provide reference for the special processing and modern research of Platycodonis Radix. Furtherly, it provides a theoretical basis for the research of its processing mechanism and quality control.

Effect of acupoint catgut embedding therapy on joint attention and social communication in children with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effect on the joint attention and social communication in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) between the combined treatment of acupoint catgut embedding therapy with rehabilitation training and the simple application of rehabilitation training.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 children with ASD were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the control group, the routine ASD rehabilitation training was adopted, including conductive education, speech training and music therapy, once a day. In the observation group, on the base of the treatment as the control group, the catgut embedding therapy was applied to Shenting (GV 24), Baihui (GV 20), Shenmen (HT 7) and the optic area (the point of scalp acupuncture), once a week. In the two groups, the treatment for 4 weeks was as one course, at the interval of 1 week between the courses. A total of 3 courses of treatment were required. The social domain of the autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC) and the autism behavior checklist (ABC) were adopted to assess the therapeutic effect of the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the scores of each item of the social domain in ATEC and the scores of ABC (feeling, communication, physical movement, language and healthy behavior) were all lower than those before treatment in the two groups (<0.01). The scores of each item in the observation group were lower than those in the control group after treatment (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The combined treatment of acupoint catgut embedding therapy with the rehabilitation training effectively improves in the joint attention and social communication. The therapeutic effect of this combined treatment is better than the simple application of rehabilitation training.

Rapid Determination of Coating Film Thickness of Tianshu Tablets by Near Infrared Spectroscopy / 中国实验方剂学杂志

<b>Objective::To investigate the feasibility of near-infrared spectroscopy for detecting the coating film thickness of Tianshu tablets. <b>Method::Nine batches of Tianshu tablets were taken during the coating process. Then, their near-infrared diffuse reflection spectra were collected. The sample set was divided into calibration set and validation set by Kennard-Stone algorithm. The preprocessing method was selected. The synergy interval partial least squares (siPLS) and moving window partial least squares (mwPLS) were employed to screen the optimal spectral interval. And the corresponding quantitative calibration model of partial least squares (PLS) were established. Some evaluation parameters were adopted to assess the performance of the model. <b>Result::The method of first derivative and Norris Derivative smoothing combined with standard normal variate transformation was suitable for processing the spectra. The optimal PLS model was established in the preferred band interval of siPLS. The correlation coefficient between the predicted value and the measured value of calibration set was 0.966, and the correlation coefficient between the predicted value and the measured value of validation set was 0.991.Both root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) and root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) values were small, which showed the fitness and predictive performance of the model were favorable. <b>Conclusion::The near-infrared spectroscopy technique can be used to determine coating film thickness of Tianshu tablets with high accuracy, which provides technical supports for the in-line determination of coating thickness in the production process of traditional Chinese medicine tablets.

[Effect of acupoint thread-embedding therapy on the sitting ability of ataxia children with cerebral palsy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effective of acupoint thread-embedding therapy for ataxia children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: A total of 70 ataxia children with cerebral palsy and a Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM, Dimension B) score of <35 were enrolled and randomly divided into thread-embedding group and control group, with 35 children in each group, and 2 children in the thread-embedding group were lost to follow-up. The children in the control group were given routine rehabilitation treatment, including physical therapy, spleen-strengthening, kidney-nourishing, and Governor Vessel-regulating massage, vibroacoustic therapy, and scalp acupuncture, and those in the thread-embedding group were given thread-embedding therapy at the acupoints of Jianyu (LI15), Jianliao (SJ14), Tianzong (SI11), Tianshu (ST25), and HuatuoJiaji points (C4, L1 and L4) in addition to the treatment in the control group, with 6-8 acupoints selected each time, once a week. Each course of treatment was 4 weeks, with an interval of one week between two courses of treatment, and the children were treated for 3 courses. Level of sitting scale (LSS), incurvation reflex, and GMFM score were recorded to evaluate the improvement in sitting ability and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Both groups had significant improvements in LSS, incurvation reflex, and GMFM (Dimension A and B) score after treatment (P<0.01), and the thread-embedding group had significantly greater improvements than the control group (P<0.01). The thread-embedding group had a significantly higher overall response rate than the control group (90.9% [30/33] vs 68.5% [24/35], P<0.01). CONCLUSION: In addition to routine rehabilitation treatment, acupoint thread-embedding therapy can effectively suppress primitive reflex in ataxia children with cerebral palsy and significantly promote their sitting ability, and therefore, it is an effective acupuncture treatment method for ataxia children with cerebral palsy.

Effect of acupoint thread-embedding therapy on the sitting ability of ataxia children with cerebral palsy / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effective of acupoint thread-embedding therapy for ataxia children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: A total of 70 ataxia children with cerebral palsy and a Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM, Dimension B) score of <35 were enrolled and randomly divided into thread-embedding group and control group, with 35 children in each group, and 2 children in the thread-embedding group were lost to follow-up. The children in the control group were given routine rehabilitation treatment, including physical therapy, spleen-strengthening, kidney-nourishing, and Governor Vessel-regulating massage, vibroacoustic therapy, and scalp acupuncture, and those in the thread-embedding group were given thread-embedding therapy at the acupoints of Jianyu (LI15), Jianliao (SJ14), Tianzong (SI11), Tianshu (ST25), and HuatuoJiaji points (C4, L1 and L4) in addition to the treatment in the control group, with 6-8 acupoints selected each time, once a week. Each course of treatment was 4 weeks, with an interval of one week between two courses of treatment, and the children were treated for 3 courses. Level of sitting scale (LSS), incurvation reflex, and GMFM score were recorded to evaluate the improvement in sitting ability and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Both groups had significant improvements in LSS, incurvation reflex, and GMFM (Dimension A and B) score after treatment (P<0.01), and the thread-embedding group had significantly greater improvements than the control group (P<0.01). The thread-embedding group had a significantly higher overall response rate than the control group (90.9% [30/33] vs 68.5% [24/35], P<0.01). CONCLUSION: In addition to routine rehabilitation treatment, acupoint thread-embedding therapy can effectively suppress primitive reflex in ataxia children with cerebral palsy and significantly promote their sitting ability, and therefore, it is an effective acupuncture treatment method for ataxia children with cerebral palsy.

Urtica extracts induce periosteal cell proliferation and differentiation:tissue-engineered bone construction and ultrastructural changes / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Urtica, a traditional Chinese herbal, holds anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic effects, but its influence on periosteal cells is little reported. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the proliferation and differentiation of human periosteal cells induced by urtica and to construct tissue-engineered bone by periosteal cells in vitro,thereby providing theoretical basis for the application of urtica in bone tissue engineering. METHODS:Human clavicle periosteum was obtained.Primary periosteal cells were cultured by tissue culture method in vitro,passaged,and the 3 generations of periosteal cells were seeded into cell culture plate, and treated with urtica extracts (10-6, 10-5and 10-4g/L, experimental group), 50 μg/L bone morphogenetic protein-7 (positive control group) or purified water (control group). The absorbance values of periosteal cells were measured by MTT assay, and the expression levels of alkaline phosphatase and calcium nodules were detected by alkaline phosphatase staining and Von Kossa staining at 1, 4, 7 and 9 days after culture. 10-4g/L urtica extracts and bone morphogenetic protein-7 were added into the three-dimensional polyclonal lactone scaffold and periosteal cells to construct tissue-engineered bone. After 24 days of culture, the morphological changes of periosteal cells were observed under electron microscope. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: MTT results revealed that the absorbance values of periosteal cells in the experimental and positive control groups were significantly higher than those in the control group at different time points (P < 0.05); the order of absorbance values was as follows: 10-4group > 10-5group > 10-6g/L group (P < 0.05), suggesting 10-4g/L was the optimal concentration. The positive rates of alkaline phosphatase and calcium nodules in the experimental and positive control groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (P< 0.05), but the experimental and positive control groups did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). In the experimental group, there were abundant microvilli on the cell membrane, the mitochondria matrix was dense and appeared with crista, and active proliferation and differentiation of cells were detected. The number of mitochondria in the experimental and positive control groups was significantly more than that in the control group (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that periosteal cells can be induced by urtica to amplify and differentiate into osteoblasts, and construct tissue-engineered bone in the three-dimensional polyclonal lactone scaffold.