Nitrogen-fixing bacteria promote growth and bioactive components accumulation of Astragalus mongholicus by regulating plant metabolism and rhizosphere microbiota.

BACKGROUND: The excessive application of chemical fertilizers in the cultivation of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge results in a reduction in the quality of the medicinal plant and compromises the sustainable productivity of the soil. PGPB inoculant is a hot topic in ecological agriculture research. In the cultivation of Astragalus mongholicus, the screened nitrogen-fixing bacteria can promote plant growth, however, whether it can promote the accumulation of main bioactive components remains unknown. In this study, mixed inoculants containing 5 strains of growth promoting bacteria (Rhizobium T16 , Sinorhizobium T21 , Bacillus J1 , Bacillus G4 and Arthrobacter J2) were used in the field experiment. The metabolic substances in the root tissues of Astragalus mongholicus were identified during the harvest period by non-targeted metabolomics method, and the differential metabolites between groups were identified by statistical analysis. Meanwhile, high-throughput sequencing was performed to analyze the changes of rhizosphere soil and endophytic microbial community structure after mixed microbial treatment. RESULTS: The results of non-targeted metabolism indicated a significant increase in the levels of 26 metabolites after treatment including 13 flavonoids, 3 saponins and 10 other components. The contents of three plant hormones (abscisic acid, salicylic acid and spermidine) also increased after treatment, which presumed to play an important role in regulating plant growth and metabolism. Studies on endosphere and rhizosphere bacterial communities showed that Rhzobiaceae, Micromonosporaceae, and Hypomicrobiaceae in endophytic, and Oxalobactereae in rhizosphere were significantly increased after treatment. These findings suggest their potential importance in plant growth promotion and secondary metabolism regulation. CONCLUSIONS: This finding provides a basis for developing nitrogen-fixing bacteria fertilizer and improving the ecological planting efficiency of Astragalus mongholicus.

A rho-type GTPase activating protein affects the growth and development of Cordyceps cicadae.

Cordyceps cicadae is recognized for its medicinal properties, attributed to bioactive constituents like polysaccharides and adenosine, which have been shown to improve kidney and liver functions and possess anti-tumor properties. Rho GTPase activating proteins (Rho GAPs) serve as inhibitory regulators of Rho GTPases in eukaryotic cells by accelerating the GTP hydrolysis of Rho GTPases, leading to their inactivation. In this study, we explored the function of the CcRga8 gene in C. cicadae, which encodes a Rho-type GTPase activating protein. Our study found that the knockout of CcRga8 resulted in a decrease in polysaccharide levels and an increase in adenosine concentration. Furthermore, the mutants exhibited altered spore yield and morphology, fruiting body development, decreased infectivity, reduced resistance to hyperosmotic stress, oxidative conditions, and cell wall inhibitors. These findings suggest that CcRga8 plays a crucial role in the development, stress response, and bioactive compound production of C. cicadae.

Study on chemical profiling of bailing capsule and its potential mechanism against thyroiditis based on network pharmacology with molecular docking strategy.

Bailing capsule (BLC), a drug that is clinically administered to modulate the autoimmune system, exhibits promising therapeutic potential in the treatment of thyroiditis. This study elucidates the chemical profile of BLC and its potential therapeutic mechanism in thyroiditis, leveraging network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques. Utilizing ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear trap-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS), 58 compounds were identified, the majority of which were nucleosides and amino acids. Utilizing the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC QqQ MS/MS) strategy, 16 representative active components from six batches of BLCs were simultaneously determined. Network pharmacology analysis further revealed that the active components included 5'-adenylate, guanosine, adenosine, cordycepin, inosine, 5'-guanylic acid, and l-lysine. Targets with higher connectivity included AKT1, MAPK3, RAC1, and PIK3CA. The signaling pathways primarily focused on thyroid hormone regulation and the Ras, PI3K/AKT, and MAPK pathways, all of which were intricately linked to inflammatory immunity and hormonal regulation. Molecular docking analysis corroborated the findings from network pharmacology, revealing that adenosine, guanosine, and cordycepin exhibited strong affinity toward AKT1, MAPK3, PIK3CA, and RAC1. Overall, this study successfully elucidated the material basis and preliminary mechanism underlying BLC's intervention in thyroiditis, thus laying a solid basis for further exploration of its in-depth mechanisms.

Assessing Therapeutic Value and Side Effects of Key Botanical Compounds for Optimized Medical Treatments.

Due to the significance of variable chemical groups across a wide spectrum of modern medicine, it is imperative to determine what is the most widely used group in medical applications with the fewest side effects. Ten compounds from ten chemical groups that are most commonly known for their medical uses were compared in terms of their therapeutic potential and side effects. The comparison among the selected compounds indicated the superiority of the flavonoids over other groups in the multitude of their utilizations and the lower side effects. Kaempferol and quercetin showed higher medical utilization with lower side effects. Whereas alkaloid compounds showed the lowest levels of medical use and the highest levels of side effects. Based on the comparison conducted, it is concluded to give priority to flavonoid compounds being used in medical applications because they exhibit the highest medical uses with the lowest side effects. Within flavonoids, kaempferol and quercetin are the two compounds that are highly recommended to be used in the widest range of medical applications. Serious caution should be considered before applying alkaloids to any medical service. Understanding the characteristics of these compounds can aid in developing safer and more effective treatments for medicinal plants.

Study on Active Components and Mechanism of Lettuce Latex against Spodoptera litura.

Six compounds were isolated from lettuce latex. They were identified as 2,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (1), 3ß-hydroxy-4,15-dehydrograndolide (2), annuolide D (3), lactucin (4), lactucopicrin (5), and hanphyllin (6). Bioassays showed that the inhibition rate of compound 1 (2,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde) and 6 (hanphyllin, a sesquiterpene lactone) on the weight gain of S. litura were 52.4% and 10%, respectively, at the concentration of 100 µg/g. RNA-seq analyses showed that larval exposure to compound 1 down-regulated the genes associated with heterobiotic metabolism including drug metabolism-cytochrome P450, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, retinol metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and drug metabolism-other enzymes (mainly uridine diphosphate glucuronyltransferase, UGTs). RT-qPCR further confirmed that 33 genes in the family of carboxylesterase (CarE), P450s and UGTs were down-regulated by compound 1. The activities of CarE, P450s and UGTs in the larvae fed on diets containing compound 1 were significantly lower than those fed on control diets, with the inhibition for the three detoxification enzymes being 55.4%, 53.9%, and 52.9%. These findings suggest that secondary metabolites including 2,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde in the latex play a key role in protecting lettuce from insect herbivory.

[Identification of cardioprotective substances in Panax ginseng/P. notoginseng based on mitochondrial morphological characteristics and UPLC-Triple-TOF-MS].

Panax ginseng is reputed to be capable of replenishing healthy Qi and bolstering physical strength, and P. notoginseng can resolve blood stasis and alleviate pain. P. ginseng and P. notoginseng are frequently employed to treat ischemic heart diseases caused by blockages in the heart vessels. Mitochondrial dysfunction often coexists with abnormal mitochondrial morphology, and mitochondrial plasticity and dynamics play key roles in cardiovascular diseases. In this study, primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to 4 hours of hypoxia(H) followed by 2 hours of reoxygenation(R). MitoTracker Deep Red and Hoechst 33342 were used to label mitochondria and nuclei, respectively. Fluorescence images were then acquired using ImageXpress Micro Confocal. Automated image processing and parameter extraction/calculation were carried out using ImagePro Plus. Subsequently, representative parameters were selected as indicators to assess alterations in mitochondrial morphology and function. The active compounds of P. ginseng and P. notoginseng were screened out and identified based on the UPLC-Triple-TOF-MS results and mitochondrial morphometric parameters. The findings demonstrated that RS-2, RS-4, SQ-1, and SQ-4 significantly increased the values of three key morphometric parameters, including mitochondrial length, branching, and area, which might contribute to rescuing morphological features of myocardial cells damaged by H/R injury. Among the active components of the two medicinal herbs, 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg_3, ginsenoside Re, and gypenoside ⅩⅦ exhibited the strongest protective effects on mitochondria in cardiomyocytes. Specifically, 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg_3 might upregulate expression of optic atrophy 1(OPA1) and mitofusin 2(MFN2), and ginsenoside Re and gypenoside ⅩⅦ might selectively upregulate OPA1 expression. Collectively, they promoted mitochondrial membrane fusion and mitigated mitochondrial damage, thereby exerting protective effects on cardiomyocytes. This study provides experimental support for the discovery of novel therapeutic agents for myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury from P. ginseng and P. notoginseng and offers a novel approach for large-scale screening of bioactive compounds with cardioprotective effects from traditional Chinese medicines.

[Application status and challenges of molecular docking in development of traditional Chinese medicine].

Traditional Chinese medicine is precious treasure of ancient Chinese science and a key to unlocking the treasure trove of Chinese civilization. To elucidate the efficacy and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicines, scientists have been engaged in the research on the molecular basis and regulatory targets. Molecular docking is a computer-aided drug design method capable of visualizing the interaction between components and target proteins. With the progress in the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine and the advancement of algorithms and computing power, molecular docking has become an essential approach in the development of new traditional Chinese medicines. This article summarizes the recent research progress in molecular docking in the development of traditional Chinese medicine, aiming to provide valuable references for further screening of active components and offering insights for improving the development of new traditional Chinese medicines.

[Research progress on pathogenic mechanism of sepsis-induced liver injury and treatment with traditional Chinese medicine and its active components].

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by infection, with high morbidity and mortality. Sepsis-induced liver injury(SILI) is one of the manifestations of sepsis-induced multiple organ syndrome. At present, there is no recommended pharmacological intervention for the treatment of SILI. traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), based on the holism and dialectical treatment concept, shows the therapeutic characteristics of multi-target and multi-pathway and can comprehensively prevent and treat SILI by interfering with inflammatory factors, inflammatory signaling pathways, and anti-oxidative stress and inhibiting apoptosis. This article reviewed the experimental studies on the treatment of SILI with TCM to clarify its pathogenic mechanism and therapeutic characteristics, so as to provide more ideas and directions for the development or preparation of new drugs.

[Anti-diabetic active constituents of pomegranate peel-derived extracellular nanovesicles].

Pomegranate peel-derived extracellular nanovesicles(PPENs) were isolated and purified by ultra-high speed centrifugation and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Their morphology and structure were characterized. In vitro α-glucosidase inhibition assay and model test of insulin resistance(IR) in HepG2 cells showed that PPENs had good anti-diabetic activity. The IC_(50) value of α-glucosidase inhibition was(35.3±1.1) µg·mL~(-1), significantly better than the positive drug acarbose. At a concentration of 100 µg·mL~(-1), PPENs could increase the glucose absorption of IR cells significantly. Lipidome, proteome, and metabolite analysis of PPENs were performed using chromatography-mass spectrometry. MicroRNA(miRNA) sequences were identified, and target genes of miRNA were predicted. The analysis results indicated that PPENs contained abundant lipids and transport proteins, providing a material basis for the transportation and distribution of PPENs in tissue. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis suggested that lipids and miRNAs may be the key components of PPENs to exert anti-diabetic activity.

[Traditional Chinese medicines target neutrophil extracellular traps to treat diseases: a review].

Neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs) are fibrous networks formed by neutrophils after a procedure called NETosis, with the function of capturing and killing pathogens. NETs are widely involved in the pathological processes of major diseases such as immune system diseases, respiratory diseases, metabolic diseases, cancers, and reperfusion injury. Therefore, regulating NETs has become one of the important ways to prevent and treat the above diseases. As an excellent traditional culture in China, traditional Chinese medicine has made outstanding contributions to the treatment of diseases. In recent years, studies have discovered that a variety of active components in traditional Chinese medicines, Chinese medicine compound prescriptions, and single traditional Chinese medicines can alleviate the symptoms by regulating NETs in the pathological process of major diseases. This article reviews the research progress in the regulation of NETs by the active components of traditional Chinese medicines, Chinese medicine compound prescriptions, and single traditional Chinese medicines in the last five years, aiming to serve as a reference for related research.

[Mechanisms of changes of active components in Chinese medicinal materials during drying: a review].

Drying is an indispensable processing step for Chinese medicinal materials after harvesting. It often leads to significant changes in the active components of these materials, thus impacting their medicinal values. Understanding the mechanisms behind the changes during the drying process is of great importance for regulating the transformation of key active components. Therefore, this paper reviews the available studies and comprehensively expounds the mechanisms underlying the changes in active components during the drying process. The aim is to offer insights for the development of regulatory strategies and the improvement of drying techniques for Chinese medicinal materials.

[Research progress on induced hepatic stellate cell ferroptosis in prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis].

Liver fibrosis is a key pathological stage in the progression of chronic liver disease. If the disease is mistreated, it can further deteriorate into liver failure, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients and brings heavy medical costs. Hepatic stellate cell(HSC) activation triggers extracellular matrix(ECM) deposition, which plays an important driving role in liver fibrosis, and ferroptosis is an effective strategy to clear or reverse the activation of HSCs into a deactivated phenotype. Therefore, inhibiting the activation and proliferation of HSCs by regulating ferroptosis is the key to the treatment of this disease, so as to derive the prospect of inducing ferroptosis of HSCs(including RNA-binding proteins, non-coding RNA, chemicals, and active components of traditional Chinese medicine) to intervene in liver fibrosis. On this basis, this paper started from the activation of HSCs to induce ECM deposition and focused on summarizing the mechanism of inducing HSC ferroptosis in delaying the progression of liver fibrosis, so as to continuously enrich the clinical practice of liver fibrosis and provide a reference for subsequent basic research.

Advances of antitumor drug discovery in traditional Chinese medicine and natural active products by using multi-active components combination.

The antitumor efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines has been widely recognized. Leading compounds such as sterols, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and polyketides constitute their complex active components. The antitumor monomers derived from Chinese medicine possess an attractive anticancer activity. However, their use was limited by low bioavailability, significant toxicity, and side effects, hindering their clinical applications. Recently, new chemical entities have been designed and synthesized by combining natural drugs with other small drug molecules or active moieties to improve the antitumor activity and selectivity, and reduce side effects. Such a novel conjugated drug that can interact with several vital biological targets in cells may have a more significant or synergistic anticancer activity than a single-molecule drug. In addition, antitumor conjugates could be obtained by combining pharmacophores containing two or more known drugs or leading compounds. Based on these studies, the new drug research and development could be greatly shortened. This study reviews the research progress of conjugates with antitumor activity based on Chinese herbal medicine. It is expected to serve as a valuable reference to antitumor drug research and clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine.

Design of Bifunctional Cu-SSZ-13@Mn2Cu1Al1Ox Core-Shell Catalyst with Superior Activity for the Simultaneous Removal of VOCs and NOx.

Synchronous control of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) is of great importance for ozone and PM2.5 pollution control. Balancing VOC oxidation and the NH3-SCR reaction is the key to achieving the simultaneous removal of these two pollutants. In this work, a vertically oriented Mn2Cu1Al1Ox nanosheet is grown in situ on the surface of Cu-SSZ-13 to synthesize a core-shell bifunctional catalyst (Cu-SSZ-13@Mn2Cu1Al1Ox) with multiple active sites. The optimized Cu-SSZ-13@Mn2Cu1Al1Ox catalyst delivered excellent performance for the simultaneous removal of VOCs and NOx with both 100% conversion at 300 °C in the presence of 5% water vapor. Physicochemical characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that Cu-SSZ-13@Mn2Cu1Al1Ox possesses more surface acidity and oxygen vacancies. The charge transfer between the core and shell is the intrinsic reason for the improved activity for both VOC and NOx removal. The molecular orbital theory is used to explain the different adsorption energies due to the different bonding modes between the core-shell and mixed individual catalysts. This work provides a novel strategy for designing efficient catalysts for the simultaneous removal of VOCs and NOx or other multiple pollutants.

Pineapple peel waste valorization for extraction of bio-active compounds and protein: Microwave assisted method and Box Behnken design optimization.

Pineapple peel waste (PPW) is obtained in huge quantities out of pineapple canning industries and it is found to be rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity and an opulent source of bromelain protein having commercial importance. To fulfil the purpose, microwave assisted extraction was considered. Three parameters varied were solvent to substrate ratio, microwave power and extraction time. The independent variables were solvent to substrate ratio (10:1 mL/g to 20:1 mL/g), microwave power (300 W-600 W) and extraction time (40 min-50 min). Optimization was done with three factors and three level Box- Behnken Design (BBD). Each of the experiment has been analysed for Total phenolic content (TPC), Total flavonoid content (TFC), Total tannin content (TTC) as well as for protein content. The Folin- Ciocalteu method was utilized for analysing TPC, TTC and the colorimetric method (AlCl3) was used for the analysis of TFC, protein content was analysed by lowry's method and antioxidant activity making use of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The p values were less than 0.05 which showed all the four models were significant. The experimental values and the predicted values were harmonious for the optimum conditions. The optimum condition obtained out of BBD were solvent to substrate ratio of 20:1 mL/g, microwave power of 600 W and extraction time 40 min. Antioxidant activity for the extract was found out by DPPH assay under the optimized conditions was 75% along with proteolytic activity of bromelain as 1647.612 GDUgconcentrate-1.

Elucidating the mechanisms underlying the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of Laportea bulbifera using integrated serum metabolomics and network pharmacology.

Hyperlipidemia is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by alterations in lipid metabolism as well as other pathways. Laportea bulbifera, an indigenous medicinal plant of Chinese herbal medicine, exhibits therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia, but the mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the potential mechanisms underlying the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of L. bulbifera using an integrated strategy based on metabolomics and network pharmacology methods that were established to investigate the potential mechanism of anti-hyperlipidemia effect of L. bulbifera. First, the therapeutic effects of L. bulbifera on body weight reduction and biochemical indices were assessed. Next, 18 significant metabolites distinguishing the control and model groups were identified based on serum metabolomics and multivariate analyses. Then, a compound-target network was constructed by linking L. bulbifera and hyperlipidemia using network pharmacology. Three metabolic pathways involved in treating hyperlipidemia were identified. Finally, five crucial targets were selected by constructing a bionetwork starting from the compounds and ending in the metabolites. This study established an integrated strategy based on metabolomics coupled with network pharmacology and revealed the mechanism underlying the protective effects of L. bulbifera against hyperlipidemia for the first time.

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of the active components of Shenkang injection in rats with chronic renal failure and its protective effect on damaged renal cells.

The study aimed to explore the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic alterations of the active components of Shenkang injection (i.e. hydroxy saffron yellow pigment A [HSYA], tanshinol, rheum emodin, and astragaloside IV) in rats with chronic renal failure (CRF), and establish a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model (PK-PD model) in order to provide a scientific and theoretical basis for the rational clinical use of Shenkang injection. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group, model group, and Shenkang injection group. A rat model of CRF was induced by adenine gavage and then followed by drug administration via tail vein injection. Orbital blood was collected at different timepoints and the blood concentrations of the four active components were measured by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS. Serum levels of creatinine (Scr), urea nitrogen (BUN), and uric acid (UA) were determined using an automatic biochemical analyzer. A PK-PD model was established, and DAS 3.2.6 software was used for model fitting as well as statistical analysis. TGF-ß1 was utilized to induce normal rat kidney cells to construct a renal fibrosis model to investigate the protective effect of the pharmacological components on renal fibrosis. The pharmacokinetic analysis of hydroxy saffron yellow pigment A, tanshinol, rheum emodin, and astragaloside IV based on UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS was stable. The linear regression equations for the four active components were as follows: Y = 0.031X + 0.0091 (R2  = 0.9986) for hydroxy saffron yellow pigment A, Y = 0.0389X + 0.164 (R2  = 0.9979) for tanshinol, Y = 0.0257X + 0.0146 (R2  = 0.9973) for rheum emodin, and Y = 0.0763X + 0.0139 (R2  = 0.9993) for astragaloside IV, which indicated good linear relationships. The methodological investigation was stable, with the interday and intraday precision RSD <10%. Meanwhile, the recoveries ranged between 90% and 120%, in accordance with the requirements for in vivo analysis of drugs. Compared with the model group, the levels of Scr, BUN, and UA were significantly decreased after 20 min in the Shenkang injection group (p < 0.01). The PK-PD model showed that the four active components in the Shenkang injection group could fit well with the three effect measures (i.e. Scr, BUN, and UA), with the measured values similar to the predicted values. The cell model of renal fibrosis showed that the connective tissue growth factor and FN1 protein expression levels were significantly lower in the Shenkang injection group than those in the model group, and the cell fibrosis was improved. The established method for in vivo analysis of Shenkang injection was highly specific, with good separation of the components and simple operation. The total statistical moment could well integrate the pharmacokinetic parameters of the four active components. After treatment with Shenkang injection, all indexes in the administered group improved and showed significant inhibition of renal cell fibrosis in vitro. This study could provide scientific reference ideas for the clinical rational use of traditional Chinese medicine.

[Research progress in prevention and treatment of radiation-induced intestinal injury by traditional Chinese medicine active components].

Radiation-induced intestinal injury(RIII), a common complication of radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies, affects the quality of life and the radiotherapy efficacy for cancer. Currently, the main clinical approaches for the prevention and treatment of RIII include drug therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and surgical treatment. Among these methods, drug therapy is cost-effective. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) containing a variety of active components demonstrates mild side effects and good efficacy in preventing and treating RIII. Studies have proven that TCM active components, such as flavonoids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and alkaloids, can protect the intestine against RIII by inhibiting oxidative stress, regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines, modulating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, adjusting intestinal flora, and suppressing cell apoptosis. These mechanisms can help alleviate the symptoms of RIII. The paper aims to provide a theoretical reference for the discovery of new drugs for the prevention and treatment of RIII by reviewing the literature on TCM active components in the last 10 years.

[Content analysis and quality evaluation of main active components and mineral elements of Cynomorium songaricum in different habitats].

To clarify the content characteristics of the main active components and mineral elements of Cynomorium songaricum under different habitat conditions, and further explore the relationship between the quality of C. songaricum and habitats, this study took C. songaricum from 25 different habitats in China as the research object, and measured the contents of 8 main active components and 12 mineral elements separately. Diversity analysis, correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis were carried out. The results showed that the genetic diversity of total flavonoids, ursolic acid, ether extract, potassium(K), phosphorus(P) and zinc(Zn) in C. songaricum was high. The coefficient of variation of crude polysaccharide, ether extract, gallic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, catechin, epicatechin, calcium(Ca), sodium(Na), magnesium(Mg), sulfur(S), iron(Fe), manganese(Mn), selenium(Se) and nickel(Ni) were all over 36%, indicating that the quality of C. songaricum was significantly affected by habitats. There were strong synergistic and weak antagonistic effects among the contents of the 8 active components, and complex antagonistic and synergistic effects among the contents of the 12 mineral elements. Principal component analysis revealed that crude polysaccharide, ursolic acid, catechin, epicatechin and total flavonoids could be used as the characteristic components to evaluate the quality of C. songaricum, and Na, copper(Cu), Mn and Ni were the characteristic elements to evaluate the quality of C. songaricum. In cluster ana-lysis, the second group with the main active components as cluster center had better quality in terms of the content of active substances, and the second group with the mineral elements as cluster center had higher utilization potential in the exploitation of mineral elements. This study could provide a basis for resource evaluation and breeding of excellent varieties of C. songaricum in different habitats, and provide a reference for cultivation and identification of C. songaricum.

[Strategy and challenge of innovative drug research and development from clinically effective ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine].

Novel drug discovery from the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine is the most distinctive feature and advantageous field of China, which has provided an unprecedented opportunity. However, there are still problems such as unclear functional substance basis, action targets and mechanism, which greatly hinder the clinical transformation of active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine. Based on the analysis of the current status and progress of innovative drug research and development in China, this paper aimed to explore the prospect and difficulties of the development of natural active ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine, and to explore the efficient discovery of trace active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine, and obtain drug candidates with novel chemical structure, unique target/mechanism and independent intellectual property rights, in order to provide a new strategy and a new model for the development of natural medicine with Chinese characteristics.