The regulation of key flavor of traditional fermented food by microbial metabolism: A review.

The beneficial microorganisms in food are diverse and complex in structure. These beneficial microorganisms can produce different and unique flavors in the process of food fermentation. The unique flavor of these fermented foods is mainly produced by different raw and auxiliary materials, fermentation technology, and the accumulation of flavor substances by dominant microorganisms during fermentation. The succession and metabolic accumulation of microbial flora significantly impacts the distinctive flavor of fermented foods. The investigation of the role of microbial flora changes in the production of flavor substances during fermentation can reveal the potential connection between microbial flora succession and the formation of key flavor compounds. This paper reviewed the evolution of microbial flora structure as food fermented and the key volatile compounds that contribute to flavor in the food system and their potential relationship. Further, it was a certain guiding significance for food industrial production.

Phytochemical consumption and the risk of teratozoospermia: findings from a hospital-based case-control study in China.

STUDY QUESTION: Are dietary phytochemicals associated with the risk of teratozoospermia? SUMMARY ANSWER: Dietary intake of carotene, including total carotene, α-carotene, ß-carotene as well as retinol equivalent, and lutein + zeaxanthin, were inversely correlated with the risk of teratozoospermia. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Phytochemicals are natural plant derived bioactive compounds, which have been reported to be potentially associated with male reproductive health. To date, no study has investigated the association between phytochemical intake and the risk of teratozoospermia. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION: This hospital-based case-control study, which included 146 newly diagnosed teratozoospermia cases and 581 controls with normozoospermia from infertile couples, was conducted in a hospital-based infertility clinic in China, from June 2020 to December 2020. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS: Dietary information was collected using a validated semi-quantitative 110-item food frequency questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression was applied to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between phytochemical (i.e. phytosterol, carotene, flavonoid, isoflavone, anthocyanidin, lutein + zeaxanthin, and resveratrol) intake and the risk of teratozoospermia. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: We observed a decreased risk of teratozoospermia for the highest compared with the lowest tertile consumption of total carotene (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.21-0.77), α-carotene (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.30-0.93), ß-carotene (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.25-0.88), retinol equivalent (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.24-0.90), and lutein + zeaxanthin (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.19-0.66), with all of the associations showing evident linear trends (all P trend <0.05). In addition, significant dose-response associations were observed between campestanol and α-carotene consumption and the risk of teratozoospermia. Moreover, there was a significant multiplicative interaction between BMI and lutein + zeaxanthin intake (P interaction <0.05). LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: The cases and controls were not a random sample of the entire target population, which could lead to admission rate bias. Nevertheless, the controls were enrolled from the same infertility clinic, which could reduce the bias caused by selection and increase the comparability. Furthermore, our study only included a Chinese population, therefore caution is required regarding generalization of our findings to other populations. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Dietary phytochemicals, namely carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, might exert a positive effect on teratozoospermia. These phytochemicals are common in the daily diet and dietary supplements, and thus may provide a preventive intervention for teratozoospermia. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This study was funded by Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province (No. 2022-MS-219 to X.B.W.), Outstanding Scientific Fund of Shengjing Hospital (No. M1150 to Q.J.W.), Clinical Research Cultivation Project of Shengjing Hospital (No. M0071 to B.C.P.), and JieBangGuaShuai Project of Liaoning Province (No. 2021JH1/1040050 to Y.H.Z.). All authors declared that there was no conflict of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Betulinaldehyde inhibits vascular remodeling by regulating the microenvironment through the PLCγ1/Ca2+/MMP9 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Vascular remodeling plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Unfortunately, current drug therapies offer limited relief for vascular remodeling. Therefore, the development of innovative therapeutic strategies or drugs that target vascular remodeling is imperative. Betulinaldehyde (BA) is a triterpenoid with diverse biological activities, but its effects on vascular remodeling remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the role of BA in vascular remodeling and its mechanism of action, providing valuable information for future applications of BA in the treatment of CVDs. METHODS: Network pharmacology was used to predict the key targets of BA in vascular remodeling. The effect of BA on vascular remodeling was assessed in a rat model of balloon injury using hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson staining, immunohistochemistry staining, and Western blotting. A phenotypic transformation model of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was induced by platelet-derived growth factor-BB, and the functional impacts of BA on VSMCs were assessed via CCK-8, EdU, Wound healing, Transwell, and Western blotting. Finally, after manipulation of phospholipase C gamma1 (PLCγ1) expression, Western blotting and Ca2+ levels determination were performed to investigate the potential mechanism of action of BA. RESULTS: The most key target of BA in vascular remodeling, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), was identified through network pharmacology screening. Vascular remodeling was alleviated by BA in vivo and its effects were associated with decreased MMP9 expression. In vitro studies indicated that BA inhibited VSMC proliferation, migration, phenotypic transformation, and downregulated MMP9 expression. Additionally, BA decreased PLCγ1 expression and Ca2+ levels in VSMCs. However, after pretreatment with a phospholipase C agonist, BA's effects on down-regulating the expression of PLCγ1 and Ca2+ levels were inhibited, while the expression of MMP9 increased compared to that in the BA treatment group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the critical role of BA in vascular remodeling. These findings revealed a novel mechanism whereby BA mediates its protective effects through MMP9 regulation by inhibiting the PLCγ1/Ca2+/MMP9 signaling pathway. Overall, BA may potentially be developed into a novel medication for CVDs and may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for improving recovery from CVDs by targeting MMP9.

Betulinaldehyde exhibits effective anti-tumor effects in A549 cells by regulating intracellular autophagy.

It is of great significance to find new effective drugs for an adjuvant therapy targeting lung cancer to improve the survival rate and prognosis of patients with the disease. Previous studies have confirmed that certain Chinese herbal extracts have clear anti-tumor effects, and in our preliminary study, betulinaldehyde was screened for its potential anti-tumor effects. The current study thus aimed to confirm the anti-tumor effect of betulinaldehyde, using in vitro experiments to explore its underlying molecular mechanism. It was found that betulinaldehyde treatment significantly inhibited the viability, proliferation, and migration of A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, betulinaldehyde inhibited the activation of Akt, MAPK, and STAT3 signaling pathways in A549 cells in a time-dependent manner. More importantly, betulinaldehyde also decreased the expression level of SQSTM1 protein, increased the expression level of LC3 II, and increased the autophagy flux in A549 cells. The pretreatment of A549 cells with the autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine, could partially negate the anti-tumor effects of betulinaldehyde. These findings suggest that betulinaldehyde could significantly inhibit the oncological activity of A549 cells by regulating the intracellular autophagy level, making it a potentially effective option for the adjuvant therapy used to treat lung cancer in the future.

Optimization of extraction process of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Gastrodiae Rhizoma based on network pharmacology and multi-index orthogonal test / 中国中药杂志

To optimize the extraction process of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Gastrodiae Rhizoma herb pair by network pharmacology combined with analytic hierarchy process(AHP)-entropy weight method and multi-index orthogonal test. The potential active components and targets of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Gastrodiae Rhizoma were screened by network pharmacology and molecular docking, and the process evaluation indexes were determined with reference to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition). The core components of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Gastrodiae Rhizoma were determined as gastrodin, parishin B, parishin C, parishin E, ferulic acid, and 3-butylphthalide. With the extraction volume of each indicator and yield of dry extract as comprehensive evaluation indicators, the extraction conditions were optimized by the AHP-entropy weight method and orthogonal test as the ethanol volume of 50%, the solid-liquid ratio of 1∶8(g·mL~(-1)), extraction for three times, and 1.5 h each time. Through network pharmacology and molecular docking, the process evaluation index was determined, and the optimized process was stable and reproducible for the extraction of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Gastrodiae Rhizoma herb pair, which could provide reference for in-depth research.

Modified Acupotomy versus Percutaneous Release for Trigger Thumb: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Acupotomy is now increasingly used for trigger thumb, while recent evidence showed it increased the risk of nerve injury. Based on the close proximity of the neurovascular bundles and the A1 pulley, we designed a modified acupotomy. Given that percutaneous release is the common surgical treatment, this retrospective study aimed to compare the effect and safety of modified acupotomy versus percutaneous release for trigger thumb. Methods: This is a retrospective study. All patients with trigger thumb were retrieved in the electronic records of the Department of Pain Medicine at the Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2016 to September 2018. Both short-term (3 months) and long-term (2 years) outcomes were evaluated using the criteria established through Gilberts et al.'s questionnaire, including triggering, residual pain, stiffness, digital nerve injury, scar, infection and satisfaction. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare differences between two groups. Results: A total of 305 patients with 334 trigger thumbs treated with either modified acupotomy (n = 194 thumbs) or percutaneous release (n = 140 thumbs) were included. Of them, 221 (72.5%) were female, and the mean age was 56.2 ± 10.0 years. The mean duration of trigger thumb lasted for 7.5 ± 3.6 months. At 3 months, all triggering were alleviated by both therapies. Although more digital nerve injury occurred in the percutaneous release (0 [0%] thumbs vs 5 [3.6%] thumbs, P = 0.012), more residual pain (30 [15.5%] thumbs vs 6 [4.3%] thumbs; rate ratio, 3.61; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.54-8.43; P = 0.001) and less satisfaction occurred in the modified acupotomy group. At 2 years, more recurrent triggering, residual pain and digital nerve injury occurred in the percutaneous release group (2 [1.0%] thumbs vs 12 [8.6%] thumbs; rate ratio, 0.12; 95% CI: 0.03-0.53; P = 0.001; 9 [4.6%] thumbs vs 22 [15.7%] thumbs; rate ratio, 0.30; 95% CI: 0.14-0.62 P < 0.001; 0 [0%] thumbs vs 4 [2.9%] thumbs, P = 0.030, respectively). Moreover, satisfaction was significantly better in the modified acupotomy group. Conclusion: The modified acupotomy had better long-term outcomes and satisfaction than the percutaneous release for trigger thumb, although percutaneous release has less residual pain and better satisfaction in the short term. The modified acupotomy is a treatment option for trigger thumb.

A bibliometric analysis on the tribological and physicochemical properties of vegetable oil-based bio-lubricants (2010-2021).

Vegetable oil-based bio-lubricants possess potential as an alternative to mineral oil-based lubricants due to their biodegradability and renewability. However, a detailed examination of the publication focus, trend, and future direction related to these bio-lubricants' tribological and physicochemical properties is scarce. Therefore, the study presents a bibliometric analysis of vegetable oil-based bio-lubricant. One hundred sixty-five publications were extracted from Web of Science (WoS) from 2010 to 2021. During this period, the total citation was 2,240, recording an average citation per publication of 13.58. Proceedings of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part J: Journal of Engineering Tribology was the top productive journal, publishing 10.3% of the publications selected on the studied topic. From 2010 to 2021, India was the most productive country working on bio-lubricants due to its abundance of coconut products, followed by Malaysia due to its abundance of palm products. The keyword analysis indicated that a significant amount of work emphasised the derivation of bio-lubricants with an increasing shift towards tribological performance characterisation. From the analysis, palm is the most studied bio-lubricant, followed by castor oil. The reported viscosity and viscosity index values cover an extensive range, allowing these bio-lubricants to be adopted for a wide range of applications. For different vegetable oil-based bio-lubricants, the coefficient of friction is reported from 0.001 to 0.78, with the wear scar diameter being reported from 0.075 µm to 4.59 mm. Even though these bio-lubricants' friction and wear performances can be tabulated, the dataset is still unreliable for lubricant-selection purposes because of the varying test conditions. Such a scenario also limits the ability to correlate the role of fatty acid composition in the vegetable oil-based bio-lubricants in fulfilling their various application-specific potentials. Therefore, this study recommends that a unified correlation between the fatty acid composition and its tribological performance be attained consistently to better elucidate the potential of vegetable oil-based bio-lubricants.

Effectiveness and safety of acupotomy for knee osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. Acupotomy may be effective for KOA, but the evidence is limited. This trial aims to determine the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy for KOA. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a parallel-group, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. Two hundred patients with KOA will be recruited and randomly assigned to two groups (group A or group D) in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in group A will receive acupotomy and topical diclofenac diethylamine for 4 weeks, while patients in group D will receive topical diclofenac diethylamine alone for 4 weeks. The primary outcome will be the response rate-the proportion of patients who achieve the minimal clinically important improvement in pain and function at week 4 compared with baseline. Secondary outcomes will include pain, function, quality of life, the use of rescue medicine (loxoprofen sodium), and adverse events at weeks 4, 8, and 24 after randomization. Besides, joint fluid and serum will be collected to assess the level of inflammatory cytokines, like TNF-α, IL-1ß, and MMP-3. DISCUSSION: This study will contribute to a better understanding of the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy in combination with topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If the hypothesis is confirmed, acupotomy may be recommended as adjunctive therapy for patients with KOA. Results of the study will be of great importance for the guidelines of clinical therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100043005 Registered on 4 February 2021.

Pharmacology of combination of disease and syndrome:strategies and methods of pharmacology of Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

The pharmacology of Chinese medicine is an academic discipline that studies the interaction between Chinese medicine and organism(including pathogens) by modern science and technology under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theories. However, the pharmacology of Chinese medicine is mainly guided by the theories, techniques, and methods of modern medicine in the development, and TCM theories have been ignored to a certain extent, which does not conform to the action characteristics of Chinese medicine in essence. Since systematic research ideas, strategies, methods, and technologies that conform to the characteristics of TCM have not been established, it is unable to reveal the scientific connotation of TCM in the prevention and treatment of diseases. Therefore, according to the trend of the modern development of TCM and the research status of pharmacology of Chinese medicine, this study put forward the concept of pharmacology of combination of disease and syndrome and expounded the relevant background, content, methods, and significance of this concept. It is expected to improve the standardization of pharmacology of combination of disease and syndrome, guide the safe medication, provide new references for the scientific development of pharmacology of Chinese medicine, and promote the development of the modernization of Chinese medicine.

Chronic heart failure due to Qi deficiency and blood stasis and intervention mechanism of Compound Renshen Buqi Granules:a proteomics-based study / 中国中药杂志

Compound Renshen Buqi Granules have been widely used to treat chronic heart failure(CHF) due to Qi deficiency and blood stasis, but the mechanism of action remains unclear. This paper explored the pathogenesis of CHF due to Qi deficiency and blood stasis and the intervention mechanism of Compound Renshen Buqi Granules based on quantitative proteomics for uncovering the biological basis. SD rats were divided into the normal control(N) group, normal+Compound Renshen Buqi Granules(ND) group, model(M) group, model+Compound Renshen Buqi Granules(D) group, and positive control(Y) group. The rat model of CHF due to Qi deficiency and blood stasis was established by ligation of the left anterior descending(LAD) coronary artery and chronic sleep deprivation. The rats in the ND group and D group were provided with Compound Renshen Buqi Granules, while those in the Y group received valsartan. Six weeks later, the serum was sampled and the data-dependent acquisition(DDA) was employed for the non-targeted quantitative proteomics analysis of the differences in protein expression among groups, followed by the targeted analysis of differentially expressed proteins(DEPs) generated by data-independent acquisition(DIA). Compared with the N group, the rats in the M group pre-sented with decreased body weight, grip strength, and pulse amplitude and increased RGB value on the tongue surface. The pathomorphological examination revealed inflammatory cell infiltration, cell degeneration and necrosis, tissue fibrosis, etc. After the intervention with Compound Renshen Buqi Granules, multiple indicators were reversed. As demonstrated by proteomics results, there were 144 and 111 DEPs found in the M group and ND group in comparison with the N group. Compared with the M group, 107 and 194 DEPs were found in the D group and the Y group, respectively. Compared with the ND group, 119 DEPs were detected in the D group. As illustrated by DIA-based verification, the quantitative results of six proteins in each group were consistent with those by DDA. The syndrome indicators and pathomorphological examination results demonstrated that the protein expression profile of rats with CHF due to Qi deficiency and blood stasis changed obviously. However, Compound Renshen Buqi Granules were able to reverse the differential expression of immune proteins to regulate CHF of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, which has provided clues for figuring out the pathogenesis of CHF due to Qi deficiency and blood stasis and the intervention mechanism of Compound Renshen Buqi Granules.

Molecular Mechanism Analysis of Jiangtang Xiaozhi Tablets in Treatment of NAFLD / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism of Jiangtang Xiaozhi tablets （JTXZT） in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） by means of network pharmacology and molecular docking. Method:With the help of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP）， TCMs Integrated Database （TCMID）， Encyclopedia of TCM （ETCM） and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of TCM （BATMAN-TCM）， the chemical compositions of medicinal materials in JTXZT were obtained， the compound targets were predicted in SwissTargetPrediction database and STITCH database. The targets of NAFLD were searched by The Human Gene Database （GeneCards）， Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM）， Therapeutic Target Database （TTD） and DisGeNET， and intersection analysis was performed with the targets of the active ingredients to obtain the targets of JTXZT for treatment of NAFLD. Based on STRING 11.0 database， the protein-protein interaction （PPI） network of therapeutic targets was constructed， and the enrichment analysis of therapeutic targets was carried out by DAVID 6.8. Finally， the interaction characteristics of key components and core therapeutic targets of JTXZT for treatment of NAFLD were verified based on molecular docking. Result:The key components of JTXZT for treatment of NAFLD were quercetin， luteolin， kaempferol， berberine， isorhamnetin， betulinic acid， oleanolic acid， ursolic acid. formononetin and hexitol， and the core targets of JTXZT for treatment of NAFLD were mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 （MAPK1）， Jun proto-oncogene， activator protein-1 （AP-1） transcription factor subunit （JUN）， MAPK3， protein kinase B1 （AKT1 or Akt1）， tumor protein p53 （TP53）， E1A binding protein p300 （EP300）， Fos proto-oncogene， AP-1 transcription factor subunit （FOS）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF），amyloid beta precursor protein （APP） and cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily E member 1 （CYP2E1）. Biological function and pathway enrichment analysis showed that JTXZT mainly through xenobiotic metabolic process， oxidation-reduction process， cholesterol metabolic process and other biological processes， regulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway， MAPK signaling pathway， NAFLD and insulin signaling pathway to play a role in the treatment of NAFLD. The results of molecular docking showed that the active components of JTXZT had a good affinity with the core targets of JTXZT for the treatment of NAFLD. Conclusion:JTXZT treats NAFLD through multiple active components， multiple key targets and multiple action pathways.

Application prospects of single-cell transcriptome sequencing in traditional Chinese medicine research / 中国中药杂志

Single-cell transcriptome sequencing(scRNA-seq) can be used to analyze the expression characteristics of the transcriptome at the level of individual cell, and discover the heterogeneity of gene expression in individual cell that is "diluted" or averaged in study of group organization. The scRNA-seq, with the characteristics of standardization, high-throughput, and high integration, can greatly simplify the experimental operation and significantly reduce the consumption of reagents. At the same time, a variety of cells are screened and the gene expression patterns are analyzed at the single-cell level to provide a more efficient detection technique and more rich and accurate information for drug research. In the field of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), the scRNA-seq is still a new technology, but the individual and precision concepts embodied by scRNA-seq and the theory of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment have reached the same effect between the micro and macro aspects. This study tried to broaden the thinking for the modernization of TCM by introducing the development of scRNA-seq technology and its application in modern drug research and discussing the application prospects of scRNA-seq in TCM research.

Network Pharmacology Approach to Explore Mechanisms of Qizhu Granules for Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the mechanism of Qizhu granules in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy by using network pharmacology. Method:The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform database （TCMSP） and The Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine（ETCM） database were used to screen out the chemical constituents and protein targets of each drug in the Qizhu granules based on oral bioavailability and drug-like properties. The protein target was standardized into the corresponding gene name through the UniProt database. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man（OMIM）， DisGeNET， Therapeutic Target Database （TTD）， ETCM database were used to search for related targets of diabetic nephropathy， after the intersection of the two， construct a protein interaction network through protein interaction database （STRING）， use Cytoscape to analyze the core target of the network， and the relevant targets were analyzed by KOBAS 3.0 database for Gene Ontology （GO） pathway enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis. Result:A total of 93 chemical components were obtained from Qizhu granules， involving 254 targets， and 607 targets related to diabetic nephropathy. After the intersection， 76 sputum granules were determined to treat diabetic nephropathy， including protein kinase B1 （Akt1）， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGFA）， interleukin （IL）-6， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 （MAPK1）， matrix metalloproteinase （MMP）-9 and other core targets， after GO analysis and KEGG analysis， Qizhu granules can affect cellular response to nitrogen compound， regulation of reactive oxygen species metabolic process and other biological processes， regulate advanced glycation end product （AGE）/advanced glycation end product receptor （RAGE） signaling pathway in diabetic complications， fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis， IL-17 signaling pathways， HIF-1 signaling pathways TNF signaling pathways and other pathways. Conclusion:The therapeutic effect of Qizhu granules on diabetic nephropathy may affect Akt1，VEGFA， IL-6， TNF， MAPK1， MMP-9 and other targets， and regulate AGE/RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications， fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis， IL-17 signaling pathways， hypoxia-inducing factor-1（HIF-1）signaling pathways TNF signaling pathways and other pathways， which can provide a theoretical reference for further basic experimental research.

Analysis on Medication Rules of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Based on Clinical Literature / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the medication rules of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).Method:The literature published in China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), Wanfang Database, China Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed), VIP Database and PubMeb from 2008 to 2019 were retrieved by setting the topics of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and TCM. After screening, a database was established to analyze the medication rules (efficacy, frequency, flavor and meridian tropism, common couplet medicinals and core medicines) of TCM by frequency statistics, association rules and data statistical methods of constructing complex networks.Result:A total of 461 papers for treatment of DPN were included in this study, including 275 kinds of TCM and a total frequency of 6 361 times. Astragali Radix had the highest frequency. Among all kinds of medicinal materials, activating blood circulation and removing stasis was the most commonly used medicine, followed by Qi-invigorating medicine. Flavor of medicines was mainly sugariness and warm, and most of their meridian tropism was liver meridian. After the analysis by association rules, the couplet medicinals with the highest support was Astragali Radix-Angelicae Sinensis Radix. The core medicines obtained by complex network analysis were Astragali Radix, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Spatholobi Caulis, Cinnamomi Ramulus, Carthami Flos, Pheretima, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Persicae Semen.Conclusion:This study comprehensively analyzes the medication rules of TCM clinical treatment of DPN. The main treatment methods of TCM for DPN are invigorating Qi and blood, activating blood circulation and removing stasis, activating meridians to stop pain, which can provide guidance for the TCM clinical use and new Chinese medicines research and development of DPN.

Effect of Yiqi Huoxue Recipe on Vascular Endothelial Function in Rats with Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndrome / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To explore the changes and benefits of vascular endothelial cell function in rats with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, and the effect of Yiqi Huoxue recipe (YQHXF) of such changes. Method: Rats were randomly divided into blank control group, Qi deficiency and blood stasis group, and YQHXF high and low dose groups (5.54,2.77 g·kg-1). A small platform of water environment was used to make the rats stand for a long-term with irregular and incomplete sleep deprivation, 16 h per day for six weeks, so that both mentality and labor of rats were consumed to establish qi deficiency and blood stasis rat models. From the fifth week, intragastric administration was given for 2 weeks, until end of the experiment. Then levels of endothelin-1(ET-1), von willebrand factor (vWF), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), P-selectin,interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rat plasma were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and nitric oxide (NO) was detected by nitrate reductase assay. Result:Compared with blank control group, rats in Qi deficiency and blood stasis group showed rough and dark hair, with significantly decreased body weight and pulse amplitude (PPPα were abnormally increased after sleep deprivation (PPPPPPPConclusion:Sleep deprivation can induce the formation of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in rats, and lead to vascular endothelial dysfunction. YQHXF has the function of protecting the vascular endothelium. It can improve the Qi deficiency and blood stasis symptoms in rats with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome by regulating the secretion of vascular endothelial active substances, reducing cell adhesion and inhibiting inflammation.

Quantitative proteomic research of biological basis of Buyang Huanwu decoction therapy for cerebral infarction combined with Qi-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome / 中国中药杂志

Chinese medicine Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHW) is widely used in treating cerebral infarction combined with Qi-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome, but the pharmacological basis is still not clear. This study aims to uncover the biological basis of BYHW therapy for cerebral infarction combined with Qi-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome using label-free proteomic technology. Using Qi deficiency and blood stasis rat cerebral infarction model as the research object, the protein expression of rat brain tissue was compared among the sham operation group, the model group and the drug group. Quantitative analysis of the 3 groups of tissue samples detected 3 959, 3 996 and 4 055 proteins in the sham operation group, the model group and the drug group, respectively. Take model group as the control group, 391 proteins were identified to be upregulated or downregulated for more than 2 folds. Biological analysis and functional enrichment of the differentially expressed proteins revealed that BYHW may treat cerebral infarction combined with Qi-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome through energy metabolism, nervous system and several signal pathways. This study preliminarily revealed the pharmacological mechanism of BYHW at the protein level, and provided a molecular basis for clinical treatment and traditional Chinese medicine research on cerebral infarction combined with Qi-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome.

Research of characteristic spectrum of Qi deficiency syndrome based on literature mining technology / 中国中药杂志

As a basic syndrome of Chinese medicine, the study of characteristic syndrome spectrum of Qi deficiency syndrome is of great significance for the standardization of clinical diagnosis and modern material basis research. Suitable operators and algorithms were chosen to dig out the relationship between diseases, syndromes, symptoms, detection indicators and etiologist from the literature of Chinese clinical and basic research by literature mining method of frequency statistics, association rules and complex network analysis. Moreover, the information system of Institute of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences was taken as the tools of data mining. The objective was to study the characteristic spectrum of Qi deficiency syndrome and to explore the characteristics of Qi deficiency syndrome. The results showed that the syndrome of fatigue, dietary were the main factors. The main pathogenesis of coronary heart disease, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and stroke the disease were Qi deficiency. The clinical features of Qi deficiency syndrome were fatigue, shortness of breath and pale tongue. The biological indicators of Qi deficiency related were blood lipids, ECG, blood rheology, inflammatory reaction, NO, ET and NF-κB signalling pathway. The Qi deficiency syndrome on the level of syndrome spectrum was studied by the method of literature mining, which would provide reliable characteristic guidance data for the research on the substantial basis of Qi deficiency, the research on standard of diagnosis, establishment of syndrome model, the study on combination of disease and syndrome and the mechanism of prescriptions.

Study on establishment of an animal model of Qi deficiency syndrome base on theory of over exertion leading to Qi consumption in traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

Based on the theory of "overexertion leading to Qi consumption", this study aimed to compare the intervention factors of nervous and physical fatigue to establish a rat model of Qi deficiency syndrome, moreover, the systematic evaluationsystem was necessary with the standard of syndrome diagnosis of Qi deficiency. According to the clinical-mimetic principle the Qi deficiency syndrome animal model is established by the factors of sleep deprivation(SD) and exhaustive swimming(ES). Rats were randomly divided into four groups, normal group, SD group, ES group and compound group (exhaustion swimming complex sleep deprivation). The method of ES was force rats to swim until the exhaustion with 5% of weight, and the SD method by using multi-platform sleep deprivation of water environment randomly 14-16 h daily, and the complex set by using of two methods was combined. The movement distance, average speed, activity time and numbers into the central area were detected by open field test, swimming exhaustion time was detected by swimming exhaustion method, the cardiac function (LVEF, CO, FS, LVDd) was detected by echocardiography, tongue imaging analysis and pulsedistention as the index of tongue and pulse diagnosis, the content of ATP and ADP in serum was detected by ELISA, the blood coagulation indexes for blood stasis syndrome as the additional. These results indicated that independent activity, body weight and exercise capacity were decreased significantly, the neurological function injured significantly, heart function was decreased significantly, the tongue surface color was pale white, and the pulse distention was decreased significantly. The content of ATP decreased significantly and the ADP increased significantly. By the method of four-diagnostic evaluation system to compare the factors of SD and ES, the Qi deficiency syndrome animalmodel could be successfully established by sleep deprivation method.

Preliminary study on two analytical methods for evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes model in rats with blood stasis due to sleep deprivation / 中国中药杂志

The comparison on evaluating blood stasis syndrome in sleep deprived rats was carried out by using R, G, B image analysis of Tongue and palm as well as auricle, palm surface laser Doppler flow perfusion. The experiment was performed by means of a small platform on the water environment for sleep deprivation. The rats were weekly weighed at fixed time, and their macroscopic signs were observed; and their tongue and palm images of the control and model group were respectively collected by the SLR camera at the 2nd, 4th and 6th week. Then the color saturation analysis was performed by means of proofreading with the standard colorimetric card. At the same time, the laser dopper flowmetry was used to analyze the perfusion of auricle and foot flow in rats. It turned out that there was no significant difference in the R,G,B value of the tongue and palm in rats between normal group and model group at the first stage(at the 2nd week), so were the perfusion of auricle and foot flow in rats. But at the second stage (at the 4th week), the R value of tongue in model group rats was obviously lower than that in normal group(<0.01), and the other value (G,B) of tongue in module rats had a decease tendency, but there was no statistical significance. However, the perfusion of left and right auricle flow in model group rats were dramatically decreased as compared with the normal group(<0.01); there was still no significant difference in the perfusion of the palm between two groups. It was found that R,G,B value in model group had a lower trend as compared with the control group of the tongue and palm images at the third stage (at the 6th week), but no statistically significant difference. The perfusion of left and right auricle flow in model group was constantly decreased as compared with the normal group(<0.01).Right and left foot blood flow was lower than the normal group, but no statistically significant difference. We can safely conclude that the results of the R, G, B values of the tongue in rats could objectively reflect the characteristics of the rats with blood stasis syndrome, which were consistent with the diagnosis of clinical tongue image. As a method of microcirculation evaluation, the surface laser doppler perfusion of auricle can exhibit the characteristics of blood stasis in model rats, but also was more objective and reproducible. Therefore, the combination of R, G, B value of tongue as well as auricle laser doppler blood flow is more beneficial to the objective evaluation of index in the later study of traditional Chinese medicine blood stasis syndrome model.

Preliminary analysis on relationship between traditional efficacy of Chinese medicine and modern pharmacological action / 中国中药杂志

To find the relationship between traditional efficacy of Chinese medicine and modern pharmacological action by using data mining, and provide information and reference for further research and development for the pharmacology research of traditional Chinese medicine.The information of 547 kinds of traditional Chinese medicines, 335 kinds of Chinese medicine effects and 86 kinds of pharmacological actions were collected and processed in Clinical Guide to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia published in 2010; Access and Excel software were used to analyze the frequence and frequency of single effect, pharmacological action, and both. In addition, the relationship between efficacy and pharmacology was analyzed with the clearing heat and antibacterial effects as the example. The analysis results showed that 547 kinds of Chinese medicines involved 335 kinds of Chinese medicine effects and 86 kinds of pharmacological actions. Among them, the most frequent Chinese medicine effect was"clearing heat", whose frequence was 130 and the frequency was 0.24; the most frequent pharmacological action was "anti-inflammatory action" whose frequence was 191 and the frequency was 0.35. The most common efficacy-pharmacological action group was "clearing heat" and "anti-bacterial action", whose frequence was 75 and the frequency was 0.26. The couple of "purgation" and "cathartic effect" had the largest frequency of 0.30, but they just appeared together for 3 times. There were 52 kinds of pharmacological actions that occurred together with clearing heat, of which, the top 10 were anti-bacterial action, anti-inflammatory action, antineoplastic action, anti-hepatic injury action, immunoregulation action, antipyretic action, antiviralaction, hypoglycemic action, antioxidant action and analgesic action. There were 161 kinds of Chinese medicine effects that occurred together with anti-bacterial action, of which, the top 10 were clearing heat, detoxification, detumescence, analgesia, resolving dampness, pesticide, cooling blood, expelling wind, eliminating dampness and hemostasis. These results suggested that there was a certain relationship between traditional Chinese medicine effects and modern pharmacological actions.