[Screening and evaluation of core prescriptions for impotence based on network robustness and data mining].

This study aims to explore and analyze ancient proven prescriptions and famous physician cases for treating impotence, so as to obtain the core prescriptions for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) treatment of impotence. It further selected and evaluated these core prescriptions to provide a demonstration for the development of new drugs for advantageous diseases treated with TCM. Through the retrieval of ancient proven prescriptions and famous physician cases for treating impotence, a database of prescriptions for treating impotence was established, and the TCM inheritance computational platform was used to explore and analyze the medication patterns of these proven prescriptions and famous physician cases. Based on the TCM efficacy prediction platform of network robustness, the interference scores of core prescriptions in the ancient proven prescriptions and famous physician cases were calculated and analyzed. On this basis, the results of ancient proven prescriptions, famous physician cases, and computational analysis were comprehensively evaluated to determine the development priority level of the core prescriptions obtained through clustering. The results revealed that medicines in the ancient proven prescriptions and famous physician cases primarily aimed at tonifying deficiency, promoting blood circulation, eliminating blood stasis, clearing heat, and resolving external symptoms, with a particular focus on warm-natured and sweet-flavored medicines associated with the spleen, liver, kidney, and lung meridians. The core prescriptions obtained from the clustering analysis of ancient proven prescriptions and famous physician cases indicated that ancient proven prescriptions combination 1 had the most perturbing effect on the disease network as determined by network robustness analysis. A comprehensive evaluation indicated that prescription combination 1 had the most optimal development potential. TCM treatment for impotence focused on regulating the functions of the spleen, liver, kidney, and lung, aiming to tonify deficiency, with heat-clearing, blood-activating, stasis-resolving, and exterior-releasing medications supplemented. The obtained ancient proven prescriptions combination 1 exhibited the highest potential development value. The integrated strategy of "ancient proven prescriptions-famous physician cases-computational analysis" can be utilized to screen candidate TCM new drug prescriptions.

An innovative rheology analysis method applies to the formulation optimization of Panax notoginseng total saponins ocular gel.

Emphasizing the viscoelasticity of ophthalmic gels is crucial for understanding the residence time, structure, and stability of hydrogels. This study primarily aimed to propose an innovative rheology analysis method for ophthalmic gels, considering complex eye movements. This method was applied to select ophthalmic gels with favorable rheological characteristics. Additionally, the physical characteristics and in vitro release of the selected Panax notoginseng total saponins (PNS) gel were demonstrated. The selected PNS gel significantly increased the activities of SOD and decreased intracellular levels of MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1ß in H2O2-treated ARPE-19 cells. Finally, the optimal formulation was selected as a suitable platform for ophthalmic delivery and was shown to significantly rescue ARPE-19 cells from oxidative cellular damage.

[Interaction between central nervous system and immune system after ischemic stroke and its therapeutic significance of traditional Chinese medicine].

Ischemic stroke is divided into acute phase, subacute phase, and recovery phase, with different pathological and physiological characteristics manifested at each stage. Among them, immune and inflammatory reactions persist for several days and weeks after ischemia. Ischemic stroke not only triggers local inflammation in damaged brain regions but also induces a disorder in the immune system, thereby promoting neuroinflammation and exacerbating brain damage. Therefore, conducting an in-depth analysis of the interaction between the central nervous system and the immune system after ischemic stroke, intervening in the main factors of the interaction between them, blocking pathological cascades, and thereby reducing brain inflammation have become the treatment strategies for ischemic stroke. This study summarizes and sorts out the interaction pathways between the central nervous system and the immune system. The impact of the central nervous system on the immune system can be analyzed from the perspective of the autonomic nervous system, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis(HPA), and local inflammatory stimulation. The impact of the immune system on the central nervous system can be analyzed from the dynamic changes of immune cells. At the same time, the relevant progress in the prevention and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is summarized, so as to provide new insights for the analysis of complex mechanisms of TCM in preventing and treating ischemic stroke.

Real-world experience of Fuzheng Yiqing granule as chemoprophylaxis against COVID-19 infection among close contacts: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the current study was to evaluate whether the use of traditional Chinese medicine, Fuzheng Yiqing granule (FZYQG), was associated with a reduced infection risk of COVID-19 in close contacts. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study across 203 quarantine centres for close contacts and secondary contacts of COVID-19 patients in Yangzhou city. FZYQG group was defined as quarantined individuals who voluntarily took FZYQG; control group did not take FZYQG. The primary outcome was the coronavirus test positive rate during quarantine period. Logistic regression with propensity score inverse probability weighting was used for adjusted analysis to evaluate independent association between FZYQG and test positive rate. RESULTS: From July 13, 2021 to September 30, 2021, 3438 quarantined individuals took FZYQG and 2248 refused to take the granule. Test positive rate was significantly lower among quarantined individuals who took FZYQG (0.29% vs. 1.73%, risk ratio 0.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.08-0.34, p < 0.001). On logistic regression, odds for test positive were decreased in FZYQG group (odds ratio: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.08-0.32, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Close and secondary contacts of COVID-19 patients who received FZYQG had a lower test positive rate than control individuals in real-world experience. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study has been registered on Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100049590) on August 5, 2021.

Proteomic study of left ventricle and cortex in rats after myocardial infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI) induces neuroinflammation indirectly, chronic neuroinflammation may cause neurodegenerative diseases. Changes in the proteomics of heart and brain tissue after MI may shed new light on the mechanisms involved in neuroinflammation. This study explored brain and heart protein changes after MI with a data-independent acquisition (DIA) mode proteomics approach. Permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was performed in the heart of rats, and the immunofluorescence of microglia in the brain cortex was performed at 1d, 3d, 5d, and 7d after MI to detect the neuroinflammation. Then proteomics was accomplished to obtain the vital proteins in the heart and brain post-MI. The results show that the number of microglia was significantly increased in the Model-1d group, the Model-3d group, the Model-5d group, and the Model-7d group compared to the Sham group. Various proteins were obtained through DIA proteomics. Linking to key targets of brain disease, 14 proteins were obtained in the brain cortex. Among them, elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 5 (ELOVL5) and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 4 (ABCG4) were verified through western blotting (WB). The results of WB were consistent with the proteomics results. Therefore, these proteins may be related to the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation after MI.

Role of NF-κB p65/TNF-α in Cell Apoptosis in the Fetal Membranes of Pregnant Women with Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the roles of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-[Formula: see text]B p65) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in cell apoptosis occurring in the fetal membranes of pregnant women who experience preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). METHODS: This was a case-control study involving 57 pregnant women who delivered in the obstetric department of Affiliated Loudi Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, from June 2021 to June 2022. Samples of fetal membrane tissue were collected from pregnant women with PPROM (n=27) and pregnant women who had normal deliveries (control group; n=30). The membrane tissue morphology of both groups was observed, and the expression of NF-[Formula: see text]B p65, p-NF-[Formula: see text]B p65, TNF-α, and caspase-3 was detected. Apoptosis in fetal membranes was examined. RESULTS: Morphological evaluation of the fetal membrane tissues obtained from patients with PPROM revealed an abnormal structure with a thin collagen fiber layer and cells with a largely vacuolar cytoplasm. There was a positive correlation between the expression of p-NF-[Formula: see text]B p65/NF-[Formula: see text]B p65 and cell apoptosis (r1 =0.89, R2 =0.805, P=0.00). Furthermore, TNF-α was positively correlated with fetal membrane cell apoptosis (r2 =0.93, R2=0.881, P=0.00). CONCLUSION: NF-[Formula: see text]B p65 is involved in the occurrence of PPROM by promoting the expression of TNF-α, which upregulates caspase-3 to cause apoptosis of fetal membrane cells.

Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of Amniotic Mesenchymal Stem Cells for POI in Animals.

The efficacy of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cell (hAMSC) ovarian injection in improving ovarian function in primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) patients has been shown in some reports. However, the safety and efficacy of hAMSC vein injection remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of hAMSC intravenous injection in cynomolgus macaques and SD rats and provided evidence for clinical trials. The hAMSCs were transplanted three times in SD rats at low, medium, and high doses. The animal behavior and biochemical and biophysical parameters were routinely monitored on a 2-month period posttransplantation, and histopathologic examinations were also performed. Experiments on the acute toxicity, allergy test, and hemolysis test showed that hAMSCs possess good biocompatibility. Our results showed that the maximum tolerated dose of hAMSCs in SD rats was 4.0 × 107 cells/kg. The maximum safe dose with three injections of hAMSCs in SD rats was 5.0 × 106 cells/kg. In addition, the results demonstrated that hAMSCs may restore POI rat ovarian function after two injections of 2.5 × 106 cells/kg or 5.0 × 106 cells/kg, which improved the disturbed estrous cycle, hormone levels, and ovarian lesions induced by pZP3. In conclusion, the preclinical results suggested that the transplantation of hAMSCs may be safe and efficacious for SD rats at doses of 5.0 × 106 cells/kg and lower.

Effect of Naoxintong Capsule on Microglia and Proteomics of Cortex After Myocardial Infarction in Rats.

Neuroinflammation caused by microglia in the central nervous system (CNS) is observed after myocardial infarction (MI). However, the inflammatory response mechanism remains unclear. BuChang Naoxintong capsule (NXT) is a Chinese medicine for treating ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, requiring more studies to understand the pharmacodynamic mechanism. Permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was performed in rats. Additionally, histopathological staining in the left ventricular (LV) and immunofluorescence within the brain cortex after 1 d and 7 d of MI were performed to determine the NXT pharmacodynamic action and best administration dosage. Proteomics helped obtain the essential proteins related to neuroinflammation and MI in the heart and brain tissue after 7 d of MI. Based on TTC, HE, Masson, and immunofluorescence staining results of CD206 and IBA-1, NXT demonstrated a better pharmacodynamic action towards myocardial injury and neuroinflammation after 7 d of MI. Moreover, the human equivalent dosage of NXT (220 mg/kg) became the best administration dose. The proteome bioinformatics analysis in the LV and brain cortex was performed. Thus, the elongation of very long-chain fatty acids protein 5 (ELOVL5) and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 4 (ABCG4) became critical proteins related to MI and neuroinflammation. The western blotting results indicated that ABCG4 expression possessed the same trend as the proteomics results. The auto-dock results revealed that ABCG4 had a good binding ability with Ferulic acid, Paeoniflorin, and Tanshinone II A, the key ingredients of NXT. The cellular thermal shift assay results demonstrated that ABCG4 showed better thermal stability post-NXT treatment. NXT can improve myocardial injury, such as heart infarct size, pathological injury, myocardial fibrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Additionally, brain neuroinflammation induced by microglia after MI affects the expression and structure of ABCG4. Thus, ABCG4 could be the key protein associated with MI and neuroinflammation.

The influence and mechanistic action of sperm DNA fragmentation index on the outcomes of assisted reproduction technology.

We investigated the influence of DNA fragmentation index (DFI) on in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo transfer (ET), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). We analyzed the semen parameters of 61 cycles in infertile couples undergoing IVF-ET and ICSI and determined DFI by sperm chromatin dispersion testing. Based on DFI, the patients were differentiated into a control group (DFI < 25%, n = 35) and a test group (DFI ≥ 25%, n = 26). Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the extent of sperm reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis. We also investigated the effect of DFI on pregnancy outcomes of IVF-ET/ICSI. DFI was negatively related to sperm motility and positively correlated with ROS and apoptosis (P < 0.05). Abnormally elevated DFI reduced the rate of transplantable, high-quality embryos, implantation, clinical pregnancy, delivery, and live birth after IVF-ET, and increased the chance of early abortion per transfer cycle (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant correlation between DFI and fertilization rate, cleavage rate, transplantable rate, high-quality embryo rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, early abortion rate, delivery rate and live birth rate when assisted by ICSI (P > 0.05). Sperm DNA integrity is crucial for fertilization and the development of healthy offspring. ROS may increase the level of DFI by inducing apoptosis in sperm.

[Formation and development of "Xiang thinking" in traditional Chinese medicine].

"Xiang thinking" is the main thinking mode in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) with both philosophical and scientific connotations, and has an important influence on the emergence and development of TCM. This study systematically expounded the philosophical connotation and characteristics of "Xiang thinking", and its application in the construction of TCM theory, clinical syndrome differentiation and treatment, the formation of medicinal properties, and interpretation of efficacy of Chinese medicine. "Xiang thinking" in TCM develops and changes continuously with practical application, and its historical evolution can be summarized into three stages, i.e., "Ying Xiang(corresponding to Xiang)" "Fa Xiang(following Xiang)", and "Bian Xiang(differentiating Xiang)". The understanding of Xiang is based on the means and methods of human observation of things and the backgrounds of the philosophy, science, and development. The result of comparison depends on the depth and breadth of Xiang. In the real world, Xiang is showing new construction characteristics with multiple dimensions and levels. Therefore, this study proposed the thinking of "Bian Xiang", which is expected to provide a thinking approach that can realize the transformation from "Xiang thinking" to scientific research for the exploration and innovative research on life origin in the field of contemporary and TCM.

2D nanomaterial sensing array using machine learning for differential profiling of pathogenic microbial taxonomic identification.

An integrated custom cross-response sensing array has been developed combining the algorithm module's visible machine learning approach for rapid and accurate pathogenic microbial taxonomic identification. The diversified cross-response sensing array consists of two-dimensional nanomaterial (2D-n) with fluorescently labeled single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) as sensing elements to extract a set of differential response profiles for each pathogenic microorganism. By altering the 2D-n and different ssDNA with different sequences, we can form multiple sensing elements. While interacting with microorganisms, the competition between ssDNA and 2D-n leads to the release of ssDNA from 2D-n. The signals are generated from binding force driven by the exfoliation of either ssDNA or 2D-n from the microorganisms. Thus, the signal is distinguished from different ssDNA and 2D-n combinations, differentiating the extracted information and visualizing the recognition process. Fluorescent signals collected from each sensing element at the wavelength around 520 nm are applied to generate a fingerprint. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate that a six-sensing array enables rapid and accurate pathogenic microbial taxonomic identification, including the drug-resistant microorganisms, under a data size of n = 288. We precisely identify microbial with an overall accuracy of 97.9%, which overcomes the big data dependence for identifying recurrent patterns in conventional methods. For each microorganism, the detection concentration is 105 ~ 108 CFU/mL for Escherichia coli, 102 ~ 107 CFU/mL for E. coli-ß, 103 ~ 108 CFU/mL for Staphylococcus aureus, 103 ~ 107 CFU/mL for MRSA, 102 ~ 108 CFU/mL for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 103 ~ 108 CFU/mL for Enterococcus faecalis, 102 ~ 108 CFU/mL for Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 103 ~ 108 CFU/mL for Candida albicans. Combining the visible machine learning approach, this sensing array provides strategies for precision pathogenic microbial taxonomic identification. • A molecular response differential profiling (MRDP) was established based on custom cross-response sensor array for rapid and accurate recognition and phenotyping common pathogenic microorganism. • Differential response profiling of pathogenic microorganism is derived from the competitive response capacity of 6 sensing elements of the sensor array. Each of these sensing elements' performance has competitive reaction with the microorganism. • MRDP was applied to LDA algorithm and resulted in the classification of 8 microorganisms.

Identification of Peptoniphilus vaginalis-Like Bacteria, Peptoniphilus septimus sp. nov., From Blood Cultures in a Cervical Cancer Patient Receiving Chemotherapy: Case and Implications.

A 39-year-old woman with a 3-year human papillomavirus (HPV) 18 infection history was admitted to the hospital for a 16-day history of vaginal bleeding after sex. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer based on the results of the electronic colposcopy, cervical cytology, microscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Then, she received chemotherapy, with paclitaxel 200 mg (day 1), cisplatin 75 mg (day 2), and bevacizumab 700 mg (day 3) twice with an interval of 27 days. During the examination for the diagnosis and treatment, many invasive operations, including removal of intrauterine device, colposcopy, and ureteral dilatation, were done. After that, the patient was discharged and entered the emergency department about 2.5 months later with a loss of consciousness probably caused by septic shock. The patient finally died of multiple organ failure and bacterial infection, although she has received antimicrobial therapy. The blood cultures showed a monobacterial infection with an anaerobic Gram-positive bacterial strain, designated as SAHP1. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) indicated that the patient was infected with Peptoniphilus asaccharolyticus, while molecular analysis and genome-based taxonomy confirmed the infection with a novel Peptoniphilus species that has a close genetic relationship with Peptoniphilus vaginalis and proposed provisionally as Peptoniphilus septimus sp. nov., which may also act as a commensal of the human vagina. Genomic features of SAHP1 have been fully described, and comparative genomic analysis reveals the known prokaryote relative of Peptoniphilus septimus sp. nov. in the genus Peptoniphilus. The invasive operations on the genital tract during the diagnosis and treatment of the patient and the tumor tissue damage and bleeding may have a certain role in the bloodstream infection. This study casts a new light on the Peptoniphilus bacteria and prompts clinicians to include anaerobic blood cultures as part of their blood culture procedures, especially on patients with genital tract tumors. Furthermore, due to the incomplete database and unsatisfying resolution of the MALDI-TOF MS for Peptoniphilus species identification, molecular identification, especially whole-genome sequencing, is required for those initially identified as bacteria belonging to Peptoniphilus in the clinical laboratory.

Angelica Sinensis Polysaccharide Suppresses the Aging of Hematopoietic Stem Cells Through Sirt1/FoxO1 Signaling.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the anti-aging effects of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) on mouse hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and related mechanisms. METHODS: Seventy-two C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the following three groups (n = 24 per group): control group; aging group, in which mice were irradiated with X-ray uniformly to establish the aging model of HSCs; and ASP group, in which mice were given 200 mg/kg ASP during irradiation. HSCs were collected by immunomagnetic beads, transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the morphological changes in HSCs, SA-ß-Gal staining was used to detect the aging cells, immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the reactive oxygen species (ROS), and western blotting was used to evaluate the expression levels of sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) and forkhead box O1 (FoxO1). RESULTS: HSCs in the control group had an intact cytoplasmic structure and many mitochondria. In the aging group, HSCs had many vacuoles in the cytoplasm, and few and irregular mitochondria. In the ASP group, HSCs had a normal cytoplasmic structure and more mitochondria compared with the aging group. The aging group had a significantly higher positive rate of HSCs SA-ß-Gal staining and ROS production than the control group (p < 0.05), but had lower expression of Sirt1 and FoxO1 (p < 0.05). These patho(physio)logical changes were ameliorated by ASP treatment (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ASP inhibits irradiation-induced oxidative stress and aging of HSCs at least in part by regulating the Sirt1/FoxO1 pathway, thereby delaying aging of HSCs in mice.

[Establishment and application of quality evaluation method for Xiaochaihu Granules based on calibrator samples].

With reference to the production process documented in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, this paper prepared the calibrator samples of Xiaochaihu Granules from multiple batches and established a method for fingerprint analysis and content determination that could be used to evaluate Xiaochaihu Granules available in market. Multiple batches of Chinese herbal pieces contained in Xiaochaihu Granules were collected for preparing the calibrator samples according to the process in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Following the establishment of fingerprints for calibrator samples by UHPLC, the method for determining the contents of saikosaponin B2, saikosaponin B1, baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein, liquiritin, glycyrrhizin G2 and glycyrrhizic acid in Xiaochaihu Granules was established. The experimental results showed that the fingerprints of calibrator samples had 26 common peaks, covering the chemical compounds of main herbs Bupleuri Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Changii Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens. The similarity of fingerprints for 47 batches of Xiaochaihu Granules from 31 companies with the calibrator sample fingerprint ranged from 0.74 to 0.99, indicating good applicability of the established fingerprint. The contents of main components baicalin, saikosaponin B2, and glycyrrhizic acid in Xiaochaihu Granules were within the ranges of 22.917-49.108 mg per bag(RSD 19%), 0.28-2.19 mg per bag(RSD 62%), and 0.897-6.541 mg per bag(RSD 41%), respectively. The quality difference in saikosaponin B2, and glycyrrhizic acid among different manufacturers was significant. The fingerprint analysis and content determination method for calibrator samples of Xiaochaihu Granules prepared according to the production process in Chinese Pharmacopoeia has been proved suitable for evaluating the quality of Xiaochaihu Granules from different manufacturers. Saikosaponin B2, glycyrrhizic acid, and liquiritin should be added as content control indicators for Xiaochaihu Granules, aiming to further improve the product quality.

[Core prescriptions in treatment of edema by traditional Chinese medicine masters and mechanism prediction].

The core prescriptions and formulation characteristics in the treatment of edema by traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) masters were analyzed through data mining and their mechanisms were explored by network pharmacology. We collected journal reports on the treatment of edema by TCM masters in three sessions from China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI) and constructed a database by Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Support System 3.0. The prescriptions in the case studies were analyzed by association rules and k-means clustering. The chemical components and targets of Chinese medicines in core prescriptions were collected through TCMSP and TCMID. Edema-related targets were collected from DrugBank and GeneCards. The protein-protein interaction(PPI) network was constructed by STRING and the core targets were screened out. FunRich 3.1.3 was used to enrich the expression sites of core prescriptions. Metascape was used to perform Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analysis of intersection targets. Cytoscape 3.6.0 was used to visualize the "Chinese medicine-active ingredient-core target-pathway" network. The results showed that 315 pieces of medical records in the treatment of edema by TCM masters were obtained and five core prescriptions were analyzed by association rules and k-means clustering. Core prescription 1 contained Poria, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Astragali Radix, Alismatis Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Codonopsis Radix, involving 166 chemical components and 1 125 targets. Core prescription 2 contained Astragali Radix, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Poria, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, and Angelicae Sinensis Radix, involving 138 chemical components and 1 112 targets. Core prescription 3 contained Poria, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Alismatis Rhizoma, and Coicis Semen, involving 126 chemical components and 1 121 targets. Core prescription 4 contained Poria, Forsythiae Fructus, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Imperatae Rhizoma, Cicadae Periostracum, and Coicis Semen, involving 58 chemical components and 820 targets. Core prescription 5 contained Poria, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Astragali Radix, Alismatis Rhizoma, Trionycis Carapax, and Dioscoreae Rhizoma, involving 68 chemical components and 919 targets. The core targets of core prescriptions included AKT1, ALB, CASP3, MAPK3, EGFR, SRC, MAPK1, and TNF. The potential targets of core prescriptions in the treatment were highly expressed in the stomach, bladder, lung, and kidney. KEGG pathways were enriched in inflammation and cell cycle pathways, especially the inflammation-relation pathways. The therapeutic effect of core prescriptions on edema is presumedly achieved by tonifying the spleen, draining water, activating blood, and benefiting Qi to resist inflammation and regulate the immune system. This study is expected to provide references for the summary of TCM masters' experience and new drug development.

Therapeutic effect of Moringa oleifera leaves on constipation mice based on pharmacodynamics and serum metabonomics.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Moringa oleifera is native to India, and has been introduced to China in recent years. Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL), as Ayurvedic medicine, has efficacy of Pachana karma (digestive) and Virechana karma (purgative). Folium Sennae (FS), Rhubarb (RB), Aloe vera (AV), Hemp seed (HS) are commonly used as laxatives in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which have different characteristics. However, the intensity of the diarrheal effect of MOL and its mechanism of action are unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: The methods of pharmacology and omics were used to compare the purgative effects of MOL and FS, RB, AV, HS, and their effects on metabolomics, to analyze the purgative characteristics and related mechanisms of MOL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/6J mouse model of constipation was established by feeding low-fiber food. Feces parameters and colon pathology were used to evaluate the effect of FS, RB, AV, HS and MOL. And mass spectrometry-based serum metabolomics was performed. The differential metabolites of these herbs in the treatment of constipation were obtained by OPLS-DA analysis. Furthermore, pathway analysis was conducted based on different metabolites. RESULTS: Moringa leaves can adjust the stool number, wet fecal weight and fecal water content to varying degrees to achieve laxative effects, and recover colon muscle thickness and mucus. Analysis of metabolomics results showed that 71 metabolites from LC-MS datasets between model group and control group were obtained. 29, 12, 44, 29 and 20 metabolites were significantly reversed by FS, RB, AV, HS, MOL compared with model group respectively. According to the metabolic pathways, RB and AV may be clustered into a similar category, and MOL, FS and HS showed similarity of metabolic characteristics. CONCLUSION: The purgative effect of MOL is inferior to that of FS, and stronger than that of AV, RB and HS. The metabolic pathway for constipation is more similar to that of FS. MOL has a long-lasting and mild effect of laxative, increasing defecation volume and water content of feces, and may become a fewer side effects medicine to treat constipation.

[Analysis of medication regularity of classical prescription in treatment of COPD based on multi-target efficacy evaluation system of Chinese medicine].

Effective drugs for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), a complex chronic lung disease, have long been difficultly determined, while traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has played a critical effect in the treatment of such disease. A new approach for the prediction based on data analysis by integrating TCM basic theories and modern science is urgently needed apart from clinical experiments. In this study, an efficacy evaluation system of COPD was established based on the multi-target efficacy evaluation system of Chinese medicine to analyze the medication regularity and characteristics, such as efficacies, properties, meridian tropism,and core combinations of Chinese medicines. The characteristics of classical prescriptions in the intervention of COPD were explored from modern pharmacology. The results showed that the Chinese medicines in the classical prescriptions in the treatment of COPD were dominated by heat-clearing, phlegm-resolving, dampness-dispelling, exterior-releasing, deficiency-tonifying, and interior-warming drugs. Among them, dampness-dispelling, interior-warming, and heat-clearing drugs resulted in higher perturbation efficiency in the disease network than some western medicines on the market, suggesting that these drugs possessed better efficacies in the treatment of COPD. In the classic prescriptions, warm-heat drugs were equivalent to cold-cool drugs in number, while the proportion of warm-heat drugs gradually raised with the increase in the perturbation efficiency. Additionally, core combinations in the classical prescriptions,such as heat-clearing/heat-clearing, dampness-dispelling/dampness-dispelling, and phlegm-resolving/heat-clearing, could achieve better efficacy for COPD. The present study preliminarily screened out the efficacies of Chinese medicines in the treatment of COPD based on scientific data through the multi-target efficacy evaluation system to explore the effect of Chinese medicine on COPD from modern pharmacology, explain the mechanism of TCM treatment of lung diseases, and provide references for the development of drugs targeting COPD.

The qualitative and quantitative assessment of xiaochaihu granules based on e-eye, e-nose, e-tongue and chemometrics.

Xiaochaihu granules (XCHG), a famous Chinese patent medicine with high sales, have more than 100 approved number by China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA). Therefore, it is important to evaluate the quality of XCHG from different pharmaceutical companies. The data fusion of electronic eye (e-eye), electronic nose (e-nose) and electronic tongue (e-tongue) combined with chemometrics were applied for qualitative identification and quantitative prediction of XCHG quality. Firstly, main chemical constituents, such as saikosaponin b2, baicalin and glycyrrhizin were quantified with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). Secondly, the characteristic features of odor, color, and taste of XCHG were measured by e-nose, e-eye and e-tongue, and the Pearson correlation between constituents and e-signals was analyzed. Thirdly, partial least squares discrimination analysis (PLS-DA) of e-eye, e-nose and e-tongue were classified by the hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) results of the main constituents of XCHG separately. Finally, partial least-squares regression (PLSR) was used to build the prediction model between components and data fusion of e-eye, e-nose and e-tongue. The results showed that saikosaponin b2, baicalin and glycyrrhizin were the three main components in XCHG samples. in which saikosaponin b2 ranged from 0.280 to 2.186 mg (relative standard deviation (RSD), 62.10 %), baicalin range from 25.883 mg to 49.108 mg (RSD, 16.64 %), and glycyrrhizin ranged from 0.897 mg to 6.052 mg (RSD, 40.32 %) of 31 batches of XCHG in each bag. Pearson correlation results showed that the main constituents were related to the core e-signals of XCHG, such as Eab, bitterness and R2 (odor sensitive to nitrogen oxide). Data fusion of e-eye, e-nose and e-tongue with main constitutes of XCHG using the PLSR model showed that the root mean square error (RMSE) values were 0.320 and 0.090 for saikosaponin b2 and licoricesaponin G2 (P < 0.000). The saikosaponin b2 and licoricesaponin G2 contents in XCHG could be predicted with integrated data of e-nose, e-eye, and e-tongue using the PLSR model.

[Efficacy and mechanism of new resource medicinal materia Moringa oleifera leaves against hyperlipidemia].

High fat diet induced hyperlipidemia hamster model was used to explore the anti-hyperlipidemia effect of water extract of Moringa oleifera leaves( WEMOL). On this basis,the possible action mechanism was predicted by network pharmacology. Golden hamsters were randomly divided into normal diet group( NFD),high-fat diet group( HFD),simvastatin group,high dose group of WEMOL( HIWEMOL) and low dose group of WEMOL( LOWEMOL). The model was administered simultaneously for 66 days,during which the body weight changes of hamsters were recorded. At the end of the experiment,serum lipid level and serum transaminase level of golden hamsters in each group were detected,and the pathological changes of liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin( HE) staining. The results showed that WEMOL could significantly decrease the serum total cholesterol( TC),total triglyceride( TG),low density lipoprotein cholesterol( LDL-c) levels,and reduce the lipid deposition in liver tissue,thus improving the hyperlipidemia of golden hamsters. According to the prediction of network pharmacology,219 targets of potential active components of M.oleifera leaves and 185 targets of water-soluble potential active components of M. oleifera leaves for the treatment of hyperlipidemia were obtained separately. The MCODE analysis was performed on the PPI network of 219 targets and 185 targets obtained above and got five and four clusters respectively. The signaling pathway analysis of clusters showed that among the common pathways,nonalcoholic fatty liver,insulin resistance,MAPK signaling pathway,estrogen signaling pathway,cell apoptosis and HIF-1 signaling pathway were associated with hyperlipidemia. In addition,the potential active components of M. oleifera leaves could also inhibit the metabolic inflammation of hyperlipidemia by modulating complement and coagulation cascades signaling pathway,and GSK3 B,F2,AKT1,RELA,SERPINE1 might be the key targets. The water-soluble potential active components of M. oliefera leaves could modulate lipid metabolism by modulating AMPK signaling pathway and JAK-STAT signaling pathway,with PIK3 CB,PIK3 CA,CASP3,AKT1 and BCL2 as the key targets. These results suggested that WEMOL had anti hyperlipidemia effect,and its mechanism might be related to the protein expression regulation of lipid metabolism,nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis related signaling pathways.

Enterovirus D68 in hospitalized children with respiratory symptoms in Guangdong from 2014 to 2018: Molecular epidemiology and clinical characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is an emerging pathogen in humans. EV-D68 causes a wide range of respiratory symptoms in children and has the propensity to cause severe complications. EV-D68 outbreaks are rarely investigated in mainland China. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of EV-D68 in children and to describe the clinical manifestations as well as the phylogeny of EV-D68 in Guangdong Province from 2014 to 2018. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from hospitalized children with respiratory symptoms and screened for respiratory pathogens by fluorescence quantitative PCR and culture. The EV-positive samples were subsequently typed by sequencing the 5'-untranslated region and EV-D68-specific VP1 capsid gene. A phylogenetic tree was constructed by the maximum-likelihood method based on the VP1 gene using ClustalW. RESULTS: A total of 1,498 (59.8%) out of 2,503 children were screened positive for ≥1 virus species. Among the 158 (6.31%) EV-positive samples, 17 (0.68%) were identified as EV-D68. Most EV-D68 cases (n = 14) were diagnosed with pneumonia and bronchial pneumonia. No deaths were found in EV-D68 cases. Wheezing occurred in EV-D68 cases more frequently (70.59% vs. 43.26%, P = 0.040) than that of other EVs. All the EV-D68 were of clade B3, which were highly similar to the strains circulating in China. CONCLUSION: EV-D68 was the predominant enterovirus type in hospitalized children with respiratory symptoms in Guangdong Province. All the EV-D68 strains belong to clade B3. The development of diagnostic tools is warranted in order to monitor EV-D68 infections in China.