Upcycling of polyethylene to gasoline through a self-supplied hydrogen strategy in a layered self-pillared zeolite.

Conversion of plastic wastes to valuable carbon resources without using noble metal catalysts or external hydrogen remains a challenging task. Here we report a layered self-pillared zeolite that enables the conversion of polyethylene to gasoline with a remarkable selectivity of 99% and yields of >80% in 4 h at 240 °C. The liquid product is primarily composed of branched alkanes (selectivity of 72%), affording a high research octane number of 88.0 that is comparable to commercial gasoline (86.6). In situ inelastic neutron scattering, small-angle neutron scattering, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and isotope-labelling experiments reveal that the activation of polyethylene is promoted by the open framework tri-coordinated Al sites of the zeolite, followed by ß-scission and isomerization on Brönsted acids sites, accompanied by hydride transfer over open framework tri-coordinated Al sites through a self-supplied hydrogen pathway to yield selectivity to branched alkanes. This study shows the potential of layered zeolite materials in enabling the upcycling of plastic wastes.

Advances in local drug delivery technologies for improved rheumatoid arthritis therapy.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by an inflammatory microenvironment and cartilage erosion within the joint cavity. Currently, antirheumatic agents yield significant outcomes in RA treatment. However, their systemic administration is limited by inadequate drug retention in lesion areas and non-specific tissue distribution, reducing efficacy and increasing risks such as infection due to systemic immunosuppression. Development in local drug delivery technologies, such as nanostructure-based and scaffold-assisted delivery platforms, facilitate enhanced drug accumulation at the target site, controlled drug release, extended duration of the drug action, reduced both dosage and administration frequency, and ultimately improve therapeutic outcomes with minimized damage to healthy tissues. In this review, we introduced pathogenesis and clinically used therapeutic agents for RA, comprehensively summarized locally administered nanostructure-based and scaffold-assisted drug delivery systems, aiming at improving the therapeutic efficiency of RA by alleviating the inflammatory response, preventing bone erosion and promoting cartilage regeneration. In addition, the challenges and future prospects of local delivery for clinical translation in RA are discussed.

Banxia Xiexin decoction modulates gut microbiota and gut microbiota metabolism to alleviate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Banxia Xiexin decoction (BXD) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine prescription for treating ulcerative colitis (UC). However, its potential mechanism of action is still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: Reveal the correlation between the beneficial impacts of BXD on UC and the composition of the gut microbiota. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The major constituents of BXD were identified using the HPLC-DAD technique. An experimental model of UC was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by administering dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). A total of 48 mice were divided into different groups, including control, model, high-dose BXD treatment, medium-dose BXD treatment, low-dose BXD treatment, and a group treated with 5-amino acid salicylic acid (5-ASA). Body weight changes and disease activity index (DAI) scores were documented; colon length, colon index, spleen index, and thymus index scores were determined; myeloperoxidase (MPO) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) activities were assessed; and histological staining with hematoxylin-eosin and alcian blue/phosphate Schiff was performed. The immunofluorescence technique was employed to examine the presence of ZO-1 and occludin in the colon tissue. 16S rRNA sequencing was employed to assess the gut microbiota's diversity and metabolomics was utilized to examine alterations in metabolites within the gut microbiota. The impact of BXD on the gut microbiota was confirmed through fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). RESULTS: BXD exhibited a positive impact on UC mice, particularly in the high-dose BXD treatment group. The BXD group experienced weight recovery, decreased DAI scores, improved colon length, and restored of spleen and thymus index scores compared to the DSS group. Additionally, BXD alleviated colon damage and the inflammatory response while restoring intestinal barrier function. FMT in BXD-treated mice also showed therapeutic effects in UC mice. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Desulfobacterota, Deferribacterota and Actinobacteriota increased; at the genus level, g__norank__f__Muribaculaceae, Dubosiella, Akkermansia, and Lactobacillus increased, whereas Faecalibaculum, Alloprevotella, Turicibacter, and g_Paraprevotella decreased. g__norank_f__Muribaculaceae was positively correlated with body weight and colon length and negatively with colon index scores, splenic index scores, and MPO levels; Alloprevotella was positively correlated with splenic index scores, histological scores, and TNF-α levels and negatively with thymus index scores and thymus index scores. Faecalibaculum was positively correlated with colon index scores and MPO levels. Metabolic investigations revealed 58 potential indicators, primarily associated with the metabolism of amino acids, purines, and lipids. Alloprevotella, g_Paraprevotella, and Bifidobacterium were strongly associated with metabolic pathways. CONCLUSION: BXD showed beneficial therapeutic effects in UC mice. The mechanism may be by promoting the balance and variety of gut microbiota, as well as regulating the metabolism of amino acids, purines, and lipids.

Mining association rules between the granulation feasibility and physicochemical properties of aqueous extracts from Chinese herbal medicine in fluidized bed granulation.

Fluidized bed granulation (FBG) is a widely used granulation technology in the pharmaceutical industry. However, defluidization caused by the formation of large aggregates poses a challenge to FBG, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) due to its complex physicochemical properties of aqueous extracts. Therefore, this study aims to identify the complex relationships between physicochemical characteristics and defluidization using data mining methods. Initially, 50 types of TCM were decocted and assessed for their potential influence on defluidization using a set of 11 physical properties and 10 chemical components, utilizing the loss rate as an evaluation index. Subsequently, the random forest (RF) and Apriori algorithms were utilized to uncover intricate association rules among physicochemical characteristics and defluidization. The RF algorithm analysis revealed the top 8 critical factors associated with defluidization. These factors include physical properties like glass transition temperature (Tg) and dynamic surface tension (DST) of DST100ms, DST1000ms, DST10ms and conductivity, in addition to chemical components such as fructose, glucose and protein contents. The results from Apriori algorithm demonstrated that lower Tg and conductivity were associated with an increased risk of defluidization, resulting in a higher loss rate. Moreover, DST100ms, DST1000ms and DST10ms exhibited a contrasting trend in the physical properties Specifically, defluidization probability increases when Tg and conductivity dip below 29.04℃ and 6.21 ms/m respectively, coupled with DST10ms, DST100ms and DST1000ms values exceeding 70.40 mN/m, 66.66 mN/m and 61.58 mN/m, respectively. Moreover, an elevated content of low molecular weight saccharides was associated with a higher occurrence of defluidization, accompanied by an increased loss rate. In contrast, protein content displayed an opposite trend regarding chemical properties. Precisely, the defluidization likelihood amplifies when fructose and glucose contents surpass 20.35 mg/g and 34.05 mg/g respectively, and protein concentration is less than 1.63 mg/g. Finally, evaluation criteria for defluidization were proposed based on these results, which could be used to avoid this situation during the granulation process. This study demonstrated that the RF and Apriori algorithms are effective data mining methods capable of uncovering key factors affecting defluidization.

[Composition and morphology of Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma decoction co-precipitate and effect on in vivo behavior of decocting liquid].

Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma(SR-CR) herbal pair is commonly used in many compound prescriptions for their synergistic heat-clearing and dampness-drying properties. During the decoction process, a substantial amount of precipitate is generated. However, there have been no explicit reports on the composition, morphology, and potential effects of this precipitate on the in vivo behavior of SR-CR decoction. This study employed high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), high-resolution mass spectrometry, and other techniques to analyze the composition of the co-precipitate in the decoction of SR-CR. Scanning electron microscopy and mass spectrometry imaging were used to analyze its appearance and morphology. Additionally, rats were used to investigate the effects of the co-precipitate on the in vivo behavior of the main components in the SR-CR decoction. The research findings indicated that eight components, including coptisine, berberine, epiberberine, palmatine, baicalin, oroxylin A-7-O-ß-D-glucuronide, wogonoside and baicalein, constituted the primary composition of the co-precipitate. Among these, baicalin and berberine hydrochloride were the most abundant, accounting for about 60% of the total weight. Moreover, the co-precipitate contained 18% tannins. Morphological analysis revealed that the particles in the SR-CR decoction precipitate were spherical microparticles with an average diameter of around 600 nm. Pharmacokinetic research demonstrated that there were significant differences in the AUC, C_(max), t_(1/2), and T_(max) of baicalin, a major component, in rats administered with lyophilized powders of the combined decoction and single decoctions of SR-CR orally, suggesting that the precipitate generated during the decoction process can affect the in vivo behavior of the main components of the SR-CR decoction. It can reduce the absorption of baicalin in the body, decrease the extent of rapid drug release, and to a certain extent, prevent adverse reactions or side effects.

Carrier-Free Gambogic Acid Dimer Self-Assembly Nanomedicines for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment.

Introduction: The insufficient targeting delivery of therapeutic agents greatly impeded the treatment outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite the recognized therapeutic advantages of gambogic acid (GBA) in inflammatory diseases, its high delivery efficiency to inflammatory site still limits its clinical application. Self-assembly of drug dimers into carrier-free nanoparticles (NPs) has become a straightforward and attractive approach to develop nanomedicines for RA treatment. Herein, homodimers of GBA were designed to form the carrier-free NPs by self-assembly for RA treatment. Methods: The synthetic gambogic acid dimers (GBA2) were self-assembled into NPs using a one-step solvent evaporation method. The size distribution, morphology, drug-loading efficiency (DLE) and storage stability were evaluated. A molecular dynamic simulation was conducted to gain further insight into the self-assembly mechanisms of GBA2/NPs. Besides, we investigated the cytotoxicity, apoptosis and cellular uptake profiles of GBA2/NPs in macrophages and osteoclasts. Finally, the specific biodistribution on the ankles of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) mice, and the anti-RA efficacy of the AIA rat model were assessed. Results: GBA2/NPs exhibited the uniform spherical structure, possessing excellent colloidal stability, high self-assembly stability, high drug loading and low hemolytic activity. Comparing with GBA, GBA2/NPs showed higher cytotoxicity, cellular uptake and apoptosis rate against osteoclasts. In addition, GBA2/NPs exhibited much higher accumulation in ankle joints in vivo. As expected, the systematic administration of GBA2/NPs resulted in the greater alleviation of arthritic symptoms, cartilage protection, and inflammation, notably the reduced systemic toxicity compared to free GBA. Conclusion: GBA2/NPs formed GBA dimers exhibited the superior accumulation in the inflamed joint and anti-RA activity, potentially attributing to the similar extravasation through leaky vasculature and subsequent inflammatory cell-mediated sequestration ("ELVIS") effects in inflamed joint and the enhanced cellular uptake in macrophages and osteoclasts. Our findings provide substantial evidence that self-assembly of GBA2/NPs would be a promising therapeutic alternative for RA treatment.

Huashibaidu formula attenuates sepsis-induced acute lung injury via suppressing cytokine storm: Implications for treatment of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common complication of sepsis with poor effective interventions. Huashibaidu formula (HSBD) showed good therapeutic effects in treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the therapeutic potential and precise mechanism of HSBD against sepsis-induced ALI based on network pharmacology and animal experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Network pharmacology was used to predict the possible mechanism of HSBD against sepsis. Next, a sepsis-induced ALI rat model via intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was constructed to evaluate the level of inflammatory cytokines and the degree of lung injury. The expression of inflammation-related signaling pathways, including TLR4/NF-κB and PI3K/Akt was determined by western blot. RESULTS: Network pharmacology analysis indicated that HSBD might have a therapeutic effect on sepsis mainly by affecting inflammatory and immune responses. Animal experiments demonstrated that HSBD protected the lung tissue from LPS-induced injury, and inhibited the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1ß, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the serum and IL-1ß, IL-5, IL-6, IL-18, GM-CSF, IFN-γ and TNF-α in the lung tissue. Western blot results revealed that HSBD downregulated the expression of TLR4/NF-κB and upregulated the expression of PI3K/Akt. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic mechanism of HSBD against sepsis-induced ALI mainly involved suppressing cytokine storms and relieving inflammatory symptoms by regulating the expression of TLR4/NF-κB and PI3K/Akt. Our study provides a scientific basis for the mechanistic investigation and clinical application of HSBD in the treatment of sepsis and COVID-19.

Bimetallic Aluminum- and Niobium-Doped MCM-41 for Efficient Conversion of Biomass-Derived 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran to Pentadienes.

The production of conjugated C4-C5 dienes from biomass can enable the sustainable synthesis of many important polymers and liquid fuels. Here, we report the first example of bimetallic (Nb, Al)-atomically doped mesoporous silica, denoted as AlNb-MCM-41, which affords quantitative conversion of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF) to pentadienes with a high selectivity of 91 %. The incorporation of AlIII and NbV sites into the framework of AlNb-MCM-41 has effectively tuned the nature and distribution of Lewis and Brønsted acid sites within the structure. Operando X-ray absorption, diffuse reflectance infrared and solid-state NMR spectroscopy collectively reveal the molecular mechanism of the conversion of adsorbed 2-MTHF over AlNb-MCM-41. Specifically, the atomically-dispersed NbV sites play an important role in binding 2-MTHF to drive the conversion. Overall, this study highlights the potential of hetero-atomic mesoporous solids for the manufacture of renewable materials.

[Application of multivariate models in whole process control of solid preparations].

The production of solid preparations is a multi-unit and multi-step system and is a whole process chain. Its quality is affected by many factors such as material properties and process parameters. As an important analysis tool, multivariate models play an important role in pharmaceutical monitoring. Besides, multivariate models can comprehensively understand the multi-factor relationship between material properties, process parameters, and quality attributes of products, thereby promoting the whole process optimization and controlling the drug production quality. This paper summarized the application of commonly used multivariate models in the process of solid preparations, which provides a certain reference for the process modeling of Chinese medicinal preparations.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Tanreqing Targets Both Cell Division and Virulence in Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus has been recognized as an important human pathogen and poses a serious health threat worldwide. With the advent of antibiotic resistance, such as the increased number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutical agents. In this study, Chinese traditional medicine Tanreqing (TRQ) has been used as an alternative treating agent against MRSA and we aim to unravel the mode of action of TRQ underlying MRSA inhibition. TRQ treatment affected numerous gene expression as revealed by RNA-seq analysis. Meanwhile, TRQ targeted cell division to inhibit cell growth as shown by illumination microscopy. Besides, we confirmed that TRQ downregulates the expression of virulence factors such as hemolysin and autolysin. Finally, we used a murine model to demonstrate that TRQ efficiently reduces bacterial virulence. Altogether, we have proved TRQ formula to be an effective agent against S. aureus infections.

A {Ni12 }-Wheel-Based Metal-Organic Framework for Coordinative Binding of Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide.

Air pollution by SO2 and NO2 has caused significant risks on the environment and human health. Understanding the mechanism of active sites within capture materials is of fundamental importance to the development of new clean-up technologies. Here we report the crystallographic observation of reversible coordinative binding of SO2 and NO2 on open NiII sites in a metal-organic framework (NKU-100) incorporating unprecedented {Ni12 }-wheels; each wheel exhibits six open NiII sites on desolvation. Immobilised gas molecules are further stabilised by cooperative host-guest interactions comprised of hydrogen bonds, π⋅⋅⋅π interactions and dipole interactions. At 298 K and 1.0 bar, NKU-100 shows adsorption uptakes of 6.21 and 5.80 mmol g-1 for SO2 and NO2 , respectively. Dynamic breakthrough experiments have confirmed the selective retention of SO2 and NO2 at low concentrations under dry conditions. This work will inspire the future design of efficient sorbents for the capture of SO2 and NO2 .

Bimetallic Aluminum- and Niobium-Doped MCM-41 for Efficient Conversion of Biomass-Derived 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran to Pentadienes.

The production of conjugated C4-C5 dienes from biomass can enable the sustainable synthesis of many important polymers and liquid fuels. Here, we report the first example of bimetallic (Nb, Al)-atomically doped mesoporous silica, denoted as AlNb-MCM-41, which affords quantitative conversion of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF) to pentadienes with a high selectivity of 91 %. The incorporation of AlIII and NbV sites into the framework of AlNb-MCM-41 has effectively tuned the nature and distribution of Lewis and Brønsted acid sites within the structure. Operando X-ray absorption, diffuse reflectance infrared and solid-state NMR spectroscopy collectively reveal the molecular mechanism of the conversion of adsorbed 2-MTHF over AlNb-MCM-41. Specifically, the atomically-dispersed NbV sites play an important role in binding 2-MTHF to drive the conversion. Overall, this study highlights the potential of hetero-atomic mesoporous solids for the manufacture of renewable materials.

Global, Regional, and National Death, and Disability-Adjusted Life-Years (DALYs) for Cardiovascular Disease in 2017 and Trends and Risk Analysis From 1990 to 2017 Using the Global Burden of Disease Study and Implications for Prevention.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and a major barrier to sustainable human development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the global, sex, age, region, and country-related cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden, as well as the trends, risk factors, and implications for the prevention of CVD. Methods: Detailed information from 1990 to 2017, including global, regional, and national rates of CVD, and 11 categories of mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were collected from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The time-dependent change in the trends of CVD burdens was evaluated by annual percentage change. Results: More than 17 million people died from CVD in 2017, which was approximately two times as many as cancer, and increased nearly 50% compared with 1990. Ischemic heart disease and stroke accounted for 85% of the total age-standardized death rate (ASDR) of CVD. The ASDR and age-standardized DALYs rate (ASYR) of CVD were 1.5 times greater in men compared with women. People over the age of 50 were especially at risk for developing CVD, with the number of cases and deaths in this age group accounting for more than 90% of all age groups. CVD mortality was related to regional economic development and the social demographic index. In regions with a high economic income or socio-demographic index, there was a greater decline in the ASDR of CVD. The ASDR of CVD in high SDI regions decreased more than 50% from 1990 to 2017. Tobacco use, diets low in whole grains, diets high in sodium, and high systolic blood pressure were the important risk factors related to CVD mortality. Conclusions: CVD remains a major cause of death and chronic disability in all regions of the world. Ischemic heart disease and stroke account for the majority of deaths related to CVD. Although the mortality rate for CVD has declined in recent years from a global perspective, the results of CVD data in 2017 suggest that the mortality and DALYs of CVD varied in different ages, sexes, and countries/regions around the world. Therefore, it is necessary to elucidate the specific characteristics of global CVD burden and establish more effective and targeted prevention strategies.

Global, regional, and national cancer incidence and death for 29 cancer groups in 2019 and trends analysis of the global cancer burden, 1990-2019.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cancer will soon become the leading cause of death in every country in the twenty-first century. This study aimed to analyze the mortality and morbidity of 29 types of cancer in 204 countries or regions from 1990 to 2019 to guide global cancer prevention and control. METHODS: Detailed information for 29 cancer groups was collected from the Global Burden of Disease Study in 2019. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized death rate (ASDR) of the 29 cancer groups were calculated based on sex, age, region, and country. In addition, separate analyses were performed for major cancer types. RESULTS: In 2019, more than 10 million people died from cancer, which was approximately twice the number in 1990. Tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancers collectively showed the highest death rate, and the ASDR of pancreatic cancer increased by 24%, which was cancer with the highest case fatality rate (CFR). The global cancer ASIR showed an increasing trend, with testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, and malignant skin melanoma showing a significant increase. The ASDR and ASIR of cancer in males were about 1.5 times higher than that in females. Individuals over 50 years had the highest risk of developing cancer, with incidences and deaths in this age group accounting for more than 85% of cancers in all age groups. Asia has the heaviest cancer burden due to its high population density, with esophageal cancer in this region accounting for 53% of the total fatalities related to this type of cancer in the world. In addition, the mortality and morbidity of most cancers increased with the increase in the development or socio-demographic index (SDI) in the SDI regions based on the World Bank's Human Development Index (HDI), with cancer characteristics varying in the different countries globally. CONCLUSIONS: The global cancer burden continues to increase, with substantial mortality and morbidity differences among the different regions, ages, countries, gender, and cancer types. Effective and locally tailored cancer prevention and control measures are essential in reducing the global cancer burden in the future.

Quasi-square-shaped cadmium hydroxide nanocatalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction with high efficiency.

Powered by a renewable electricity source, electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction is a promising solution to facilitate the carbon balance. However, it is still a challenge to achieve a desired product with commercial current density and high efficiency. Herein we designed quasi-square-shaped cadmium hydroxide nanocatalysts for CO2 electroreduction to CO. It was discovered that the catalyst is very active and selective for the reaction. The current density could be as high as 200 mA cm-2 with a nearly 100% selectivity in a commonly used H-type cell using the ionic liquid-based electrolyte. In addition, the faradaic efficiency of CO could reach 90% at a very low overpotential of 100 mV. Density functional theory studies and control experiments reveal that the outstanding performance of the catalyst was attributed to its unique structure. It not only provides low Cd-O coordination, but also exposes high activity (002) facet, which requires lower energy for the formation of CO. Besides, the high concentration of CO can be achieved from the low concentration CO2 via an adsorption-electrolysis device.

Emerging heterogeneous catalysts for biomass conversion: studies of the reaction mechanism.

The development of efficient catalysts to break down and convert woody biomass will be a paradigm shift in delivering the global target of sustainable economy and environment via the use of cheap, highly abundant, and renewable carbon resources. However, such development is extremely challenging due to the complexity of lignocellulose, and today most biomass is treated simply as waste. The solution lies in the design of multifunctional catalysts that can place effective control on substrate activation and product selectivity. This is, however, severely hindered by the lack of fundamental understanding of (i) the precise role of active sites, and (ii) the catalyst-substrate chemistry that underpins the catalytic activity. Moreover, active sites alone often cannot deliver the desired selectivity of products, and full understanding of the microenvironment of the active sites is urgently needed. Here, we review key recent advances in the study of reaction mechanisms of biomass conversion over emerging heterogeneous catalysts. These insights will inform the design of future catalytic systems showing improved activity and selectivity.

Zn-Nx sites on N-doped carbon for aerobic oxidative cleavage and esterification of C(CO)-C bonds.

Selective cleavage of C-C bonds is very important in organic chemistry, but remains challenging because of their inert chemical nature. Herein, we report that Zn/NC-X catalysts, in which Zn2+ coordinate with N species on microporous N-doped carbon (NC) and X denotes the pyrolysis temperature, can effectively catalyze aerobic oxidative cleavage of C(CO)-C bonds and quantitatively convert acetophenone to methyl benzoate with a yield of 99% at 100 °C. The Zn/NC-950 can be applied for a wide scope of acetophenone derivatives as well as more challenging alkyl ketones. Detail mechanistic investigations reveal that the catalytic performance of Zn/NC-950 can be attributed to the coordination between Zn2+ and N species to change the electronic state of the metal, synergetic effect of the Zn single sites with their surrounding N atoms, as well as the microporous structure with the high surface area and structural defects of the NC.

Analysis of Clinical Trials of New Drugs for Liver Diseases in China.

BACKGROUND: Liver diseases are a major public health concern worldwide, and the development of novel therapeutic drugs is an important research focus. But no overview has been conducted so far on the current research and development for liver-specific drugs in China, and the actual situation regarding the development and evaluation of new drugs in clinical trials. METHODS: The information of all clinical trials on liver diseases were obtained through the "Pharmaceutical Clinical Trial Registration and Information Disclosure Platform" before December 31, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 751 clinical trials on liver disease-related drugs were published on the above platform, including 574 chemical drugs, 128 biological products, and 49 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)/natural drugs. The number of annual registrations has increased on an annual basis. The main indications for these clinical trials are viral hepatitis, liver malignancies, liver abscess, liver transplantation, congenital liver metabolic disease, and other hepatitis-related diseases. Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and liver cancer accounted for 72.4% of the total clinical trials, and the majority are related to generic drug research. There are 103 innovative drugs currently in clinical testing, mainly for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The stronger macro-control is required for the clinical trials conducted in China, and it is necessary to identify new therapeutic targets and develop novel drugs for the key liver diseases, as well as preventive hepatitis C vaccines, and targeted therapy, TCM/natural drugs and immunotherapy for liver cancer.

Study on the Mechanism of Ionic Liquids Improving the Extraction Efficiency of Essential Oil Based on Experimental Optimization and Density Functional Theory: The Fennel (Foeniculi fructus) Essential Oil Case.

In this work, microwave-assisted ionic liquids treatment, followed by hydro-distillation (MILT-HD), as an efficient extraction technology, was used to extract essential oil. The purpose for this was to use multivariate analysis (MVA) models to investigate the effects of potential critical process parameters on the extraction efficiency of essential oil, and explore the mechanism of ionic liquids (ILs). According to the design of experiment (DoE), under optimal process conditions, the extraction efficiency of essential oil was dramatically enhanced, and had low energy demands. Since little is known regarding those mechanisms, according to the non-covalent interaction analysis, the underlying mechanism for ILs improving extraction efficiency was explored based on the density functional theory (DFT). The results showed that ILs could form intense non-covalent bond interaction with cellulose. It helped destroy the network hydrogen bond structure of cellulose in plant cells and caused the essential oils in the cells to be more easily exposed to the extraction solution, thereby accelerating extraction efficiency. Based on this work, it is conducive to understand the MILT-HD process better and gain knowledge of the mechanism of ILs.

[GC-MS analysis of volatile oil components of Mastiche and Olibanum and study on antibacterial activity of Helicobacter pylori].

The volatile oil from Mastiche and Olibanum medicinal materials was extracted by steam distillation, and the chemical components of the volatile oil were analyzed by GC-MS technology. The differences of the volatile oil components were compared and study on the Helicobacter pylori in vitro antimicrobial activitiy was conducted. The results showed that the yields of the volatile oil from Mastiche and Olibanum were 11.93% and 2.40%, respectively. A total of 46 compounds(91.31%) were identified from the volatile oil from Mastiche annd 35 compounds(92.49%) from Olibanum. The classification and comparison study of the components showed that the content of monoterpenes in the volatile oil from Mastiche was the highest(40.69%), followed by alcohols(28.48%); while the content of alcohols in the volatile oil from Olibanum was the highest(35.81%), followed by esters(24.92%). There were significant differences in the components of volatile oil from Mastiche and Olibanum, which might be one of the reasons for the difference in efficacy and application. In vitro bacteriostatic experiments showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) of the volatile oil from Mastiche against H. pylori was 1 mg·mL~(-1), and the MIC of the volatile oil from Olibanum against H. pylori was more than 1 mg·mL~(-1). In combination with the results of the oil yield experiment, Mastiche had the advantage of inhibiting H. pylori activity. The research results provide scientific basis for the rational application of Mastiche and Olibanum.