[Quality evaluation and grading standard discussion on Cinnamomi Ramulus].

This study explored the relationship between the appearance traits and internal components of Cinnamomi Ramulus pieces, so as to provide a reference for the quality evaluation and the formulation of grade standards. This study determined the appearance traits and index component contents of 41 batches of Cinnamomi Ramulus pieces in the core producing areas of Guangxi and Guangdongand established the HPLC characteristic map method. The weight of the pieces, the narrowest diameter, and the widest diameter of the tr ansverse section were used as the indices of appearance traits. The content of index components(cinnamic acid and cinnamalde hyde)was determined by the established content determination method. The chromatographic characteristics were determinedon a Waters XBridge C_(18)(4. 6 mm×250 mm, 5 µm) column with a mobile phase consisting of 0. 1% phosphoric acidacetonitrile and gradient elution at the flow rate of 1 mL ·min~(-1). The column temperature was 30 ℃, and the detection wavelength was 254 nm. Cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and other stoichiometric methods were used to analyze the correlation between theap pearance traits and the index/characteristic components of Cinnamomi Ramulus pieces and compare the qu ality differences of the piecesfrom different batches and plac es. The results showed that the larger weight, the narrowest diameter, andthe widest diameter of the tra nsverse section indicated lowercontent of main indexes/characteristic components, and there was a synergistic decreasing trend amongd ifferent components. The overall quality of Cinnamomi Ramulus pieces in Guangdong Province and Guangxi Province was similar, but there were still differences between different origins and different batches of the same origin. It is scientific and feasible to evaluatethe quality of Cinnamomi Ramulus pieces and establish grading standards based on the appearance traits and index/character istic components. The research provides a more scientific and comprehensive basis for the quality control evaluation and standardformulation of Cinnamomi Ramulus.

[Mechanisms of Hirudo in promoting blood circulation and removing stasis based on network pharmacology].

The study aims to analyze the mechanisms of Hirudo in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis based on network pharmacology. A database of chemical components of Hirudo was established through literature retrieval. The targets were predicted by using the reverse pharmacophore matching method and screened according to the antithrombotic and anticoagulant drug targets approved by FDA in the DrugBank database. Then, the targets were analyzed by KEGG pathway analysis, the protein interactions were analyzed by using BioGrid database, and the active constituents-target-pathway network model of Hirudo was established to study the mechanisms of Hirudo in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. This study collected 49 chemical components of Hirudo, including amino acid, polypeptide, fatty acid ester, alkaloid, glycosides, and steroid. Totally 376 targets were predicted, and 5 critical targets related to the effects of Hirudo in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis were screened, including fibrinogen gamma chain, plasminogen, prothrombin, Urokinase-type plasminogen activator and coagulation factor X. The potential regulatory pathways included complement and coagulation cascades, platelet activation, VEGF signaling pathway, focal adhesion. This study reflects the multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway features of Hirudo, and provides a scientific basis for elucidating the mechanisms of action of Hirudo in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, as well as a reference for the study of mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine.

[Biological assay in quality control of animal medicines].

Animal medicine is a unique part of traditional Chinese medicine. They have strong effects, but their effective compounds are not entirely known. The efficiency and safety of animal medicines can't be effectively controlled by current quality assurance system and evaluation method, which has deeply influenced the development of animal medicines. Biological assay does not focus on efficacy of single component, but directly reflects the pharmacodynamics and safety of animal medicines by biological effect. With the development of biotechnology, many new technologies have emerged, such as biochip and high content analysis. Based on the related targets, pathways and key biochemical factors, the field of biological assay has been expanded. With advantages of pharmacology andoverall controllability, as well as the characteristics of in line with the quality control of Chinese Medicine, biological assay will become one of the important development directionsfor quality standardization of animal medicines.