[Analysis on mechanism of toxicity reduction through compatibility of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma from in vitro component changes,in vivo metabolism and biological effects antagonism].

Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is a representative acid-alkali drug pair,commonly used in clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine( TCM). Its unique compatibility connotation fully embodied the wisdom of ancient people in drug use. In order to more comprehensively and deeply understand the scientific connotation of the compatibility of the two drugs,pharmacy workers have studied the mechanism of reducing toxicity and enhancing efficacy through their compatibility from the perspectives of chemistry,pharmacology and toxicology. On the basis of combing the previous research work,this paper interpreted the unique compatibility connotation from the three-level system of reducing the content of toxic components in vitro by hydrolysis,lipid exchange and formation of associations,the active constituents of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma affecting the metabolism of toxic components and direct antagonism of the toxic effects of aconite in vivo. The existing problems and controversies of the modern mechanism of their compatibility were also proposed,providing a reference for further in-depth studies.

Chondroprotective Mechanism of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.-Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. Couplet Medicines in Knee Osteoarthritis via Experimental Study and Network Pharmacology Analysis.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the primary prevalent disabling joint disorder among osteoarthritis (OA), and there is no particularly effective treatment at the clinic. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs, such as Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (E.G.) couplet medicines, have been reported to exhibit beneficial health effects on KOA, exact mechanism of E.G. nevertheless is not fully elucidated. Purpose: We assess the therapeutic effects of E.G. on KOA and explore its underlying molecular mechanism. Methods: UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technique was used to analyze the active chemical constituents of E.G. The destabilization of the medial meniscus model (DMM) was employed to evaluate the chondroprotective action of E.G. in KOA mice using histomorphometry, µCT, behavioral testing and immunohistochemical staining. Additionally, network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to predict potential targets for anti-KOA activities of E.G., which was further verified through in vitro experiments. Results: In vivo studies have shown that E.G. could significantly ameliorate DMM-induced KOA phenotypes including subchondral bone sclerosis, cartilage degradation, gait abnormality and thermal pain reaction sensibility. E.G. treatment could also promote extracellular matrix synthesis to protect articular chondrocytes, which was indicated by Col2 and Aggrecan expressions, as well as reducing matrix degradation by inhibiting MMP13 expression. Interestingly, network pharmacologic analysis showed that PPARG might be a therapeutic center. Further study proved that E.G.-containing serum (EGS) could up-regulate PPARG mRNA level in IL-1ß-induced chondrocytes. Notably, significant effects of EGS on the increment of anabolic gene expressions (Col2, Aggrecan) and the decrement of catabolic gene expressions (MMP13, Adamts5) in KOA chondrocytes were abolished due to the silence of PPARG. Conclusion: E.G. played a chondroprotective role in anti-KOA by inhibiting extracellular matrix degradation, which might be related to PPARG.

A novel saponin liposomes based on the couplet medicines of Platycodon grandiflorum-Glycyrrhiza uralensis for targeting lung cancer.

Liposomes have been widely used for targeted drug delivery, but the disadvantages caused by cholesterol limit the application of conventional liposomes in cancer treatment. The compatibility basis of couplet medicines and the compatibility principle of the traditional Chinese medicine principle of 'monarch, minister, assistant and guide' are the important theoretical basis of Chinese medicine in the treatment of tumor and the important method to solve the problem of high toxicity. In this study, the active ingredients of the couplet medicines Platycodon grandiflorum and Glycyrrhiza uralensis were innovatively utilized, and glycyrrhizic acid (GA) was encapsulated in liposomes constructed by mixing saponin and lecithin, and cholesterol was replaced by platycodin and ginsenoside to construct saponin liposomes (RP-lipo) for the drug delivery system of Chinese medicine. Compared with conventional liposomes, PR-lipo@GA has no significant difference in morphological characteristics and drug release behavior, and also shows stronger targeting of lung cancer cells and anti-tumor ability in vitro, which may be related to the pharmacological properties of saponins themselves. Thus, PR-lipo@GA not only innovatively challenges the status of cholesterol as a liposome component, but also provides another innovative potential system with multiple functions for the clinical application of TCM couplet medicines.

[SHENG Can-ruo's experience in treatment of goiter with integrated acupuncture and herbal medication].

The paper introduces professor SHENG Can-ruo's experience in treatment of goiter with the combination of acupuncture and herbal medication. Professor SHENG believes that this disease is mostly related with emotional injury, improper diet and geographical and climatic factors, as well as body constitution. Qi stagnation, phlegm retention, blood stagnation and interaction of phlegm and stasis are the essential pathogenesis of goiter. Either acupuncture or herbal medication should focus on "phlegm and stasis" in treatment. Besides, the theory of western medicine should also be considered. In western medicine, thyroid enlargement is classified into Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ degrees of struma, thus, the pathogenesis and treatment with Chinese medicine should be adjusted accordingly. The created "four throat points", combined with acupuncture at distal points, relieve the local masses. The basic herbal formula is prepared and the couplet medicines are modified based on syndrome differentiation. The integrated acupuncture and herbal medication regulates emotions and provides a comprehensive treatment for goiter.

Assessment of the anti-rheumatoid arthritis activity of Gastrodia elata (tian-ma) and Radix aconitic lateralis preparata (fu-zi) via network pharmacology and untargeted metabolomics analyses.

AIM: Gastrodia elata and Radix aconiti lateralis preparrata are respectively named as Tian-Ma and Fu-Zi (TF) in Chinese. We explored the active components against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from an extensively used couplet of Chinese herbs, Gastrodia elata and Radix aconiti lateralis preparata (TF) via untargeted metabolomics and network pharmacological approaches. METHODS: Water extracts of TF were mixed at ratios 1:1, 3:2 and 2:3 (w/w). Ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was then utilized as metabolomics screening. Human Metabolome (http://www.hmdb.ca/) and Lipidmaps (http://www.lipidmaps.org/) databases were used to annotate detected compounds. Further identification of vital genes and important pathways associated with the anti-RA properties of the TF preparations was done via network pharmacology, and verified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). RESULTS: Four key compounds involved in unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis and isoflavonoid biosynthesis were identified through metabolomics analyses. Three key components of TF associated with anti-RA activity were linoleic acid, daidzein, and daidzin. Results of RT-qPCR revealed that all 3 tested TF couplets (1:1, 3:2, and 2:3) markedly suppressed the transcription of PTGS2. These results were consistent with our network pharmacological predictions. CONCLUSIONS: The anti-RA properties of Tian-Ma and Fu-Zi are associated with the inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism pathway.

Establishment of HPLC fingerprints for Ardisia crenata，Sophora tonkinensis and their couplet medicines and content determination of 5 chemical components / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To establish the fingerprints of Ardisia crenata， Sophora tonkinensis and their couplet medicines， and to determine the contents of five components in them. METHODS Using water as solvent， single lyophilized powder of A. crenata and S. tonkinensis and combined lyophilized powder of their couplet medicines were prepared by combining lyophilization technology. The fingerprints of three lyophilized powder samples were established by using high-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）， and the contents of 5 kinds of components such as gallic acid were determined simultaneously. RESULTS There were 5， 10 and 14 common peaks in the fingerprints for single lyophilized powder of A. crenata and S. tonkinensis and combined lyophilized powder of their couplet medicines； the similarities of them with the control fingerprints were all greater than 0.90. For combined lyophilized powder of couplet medicines， peak 3 Δ 基金项目 国家重点研发计划项目（No.2018YFC1708100）；贵 州省科技计划项目（No.黔科合基础-ZK〔2022〕一般483，No.黔科合成 was identified as gallic acid， peak 4 as matrine， peak 6 as 果〔2021〕一般137）；贵州省教育厅高等学校科学研究项目（青年项目） oxymatrine， peak 8 as bergenin， and peak 14 as trifolirhizin. In single lyophilized powder of A. crenata， the average contents of gallic acid and bergenin were 0.499 3 and 4.962 6 mg/g， respectively. In single lyophilized powder of S.tonkinensis， the average contents of matrine， oxymatrine and trifolirhizin were 3.046 0， 2.336 6 and 0.278 6 mg/g， respectively. In combined lyophilized powder of couplet medicines， the average contents of gallic acid， matrine， oxymatrine， bergenin and trifolirhizin were 0.560 6， 2.548 7， 1.382 2， 5.960 7 and 0.279 1 mg/g， respectively. The transfer rates were 8.87%-513.19%. CONCLUSIONS The established fingerprint and content determination methods are stable and feasible， and can be used for the quality control of A. crenata and S. tonkinensis and their couplet medicines. The average contents of matrine and oxymatrine in combined lyophilized powder of A. crenata-S. tonkinensis couplet medicines are decreased.

Contrastive analysis on difference of chemical compositions of single decoction and mixed decoction of Gypsum Fibrosum-Anemarrhenae Rhizoma medicinal pair with different proportion / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To compare the difference of chemical compositions of single decoction and mixed decoction of Gypsum Fibrosum - Anemarrhenae Rhizoma medicinal pair with different proportion.Methods:The Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) and Ion Chromatography (IC) fingerprints of each sample were collected, and the independent sample t-test on the ratio of "peak area/weight" value of common peaks which was from the single decoction and mixed decoction samples was performed through SPSS 26.0.Results:In the UPLC fingerprint, there was significant difference in the "peak area/weight" values of peak 1, peak 2, peak 3, peak 6 and peak 13 between mixed decoction and single decoction with different compatibility ratios (1:1, 3:2, 2:1, 5:2, 3:1)( P<0.05), while peak 5 and peak 11 were without significant difference ( P>0.05). When the compatibility ratio of Gypsum Fibrosum and Anemarrhenae Rhizoma was 1:1, 3:2, 5:2, 3:1, there was significant difference in the "peak area/weight" values of peak 7 (neomangiferin) ( P<0.05). In the IC fingerprint, there was significant difference in the "peak area/weight" values of peak 1 between mixed decoction and single decoction with different compatibility ratios (1:1, 3:2, 2:1, 5:2, 3:1) ( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in peak 5 (calcium ion) ( P>0.05). Conclusion:There are differences in the chemical component content of Gypsum Fibrosum-Anemarrhenae Rhizoma medicinal pair for single decoction and mixed decoction.

Comparison of Volatile Oil of Atractylodis Rhizoma and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma before and after Co-Decocting by Using GC-MS / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Objective To study the changes of volatile oil of Atractylodis Rhizoma(AR)and Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma(AMR)before and after co-decocting in different proportions(1∶3,1∶2,1∶1,2∶1,3∶1).Methods The volatile oil was extracted by steam distillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).Results After co-decocting,the yield of volatile in each group was higher than in single decocting.The relative contents of most components in the mixed volatile oil after co-decocting were significantly different from the theoretical calculation.Co-decocting could promote the extraction of hinesol,which is the main component of the essential oil of AR,and the compatibility with large doses of AMR(1∶2 and 1∶3)could also promote the dissolution of β-eudesmol.At the same time,the extraction of atractylon,germacrene B and valencene was inhibited by co-decocting,which were the main constituents of the volatile oil of AMR.Conclusion Co-decocting of AR and AMR could improve the extraction rate and change the chemical composition of volatile oil.After co-decocting,the dissolution of active components of AR increased,while the dissolution of active components of AMR decreased.It may lead to the change of pharmacological activity.

Contrast analysis of chemical constituents between single decoction and mixed decoction of Inulae Flos - Haematitum medicinal pair with different proportion / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To compare the differences of chemical components between single decoction and mixed decoction with different compatibility ratio of Inulae Flos- Haematitum medicinal pair. Methods:UPLC method was used to determine the contents of 5-caffeoylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid, 4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, caffeic acid, isoquercitrin, isochlorogenic acid B, 1,5- dicaffeoyl quinic acid, isochlorogenic acid C and the fingerprints of the single decoctions and mixed decoctions of Inulae Flos- Haematitum medicinal pair in four groups of proportions. The "peak area/sample weight" value of each common peak in the fingerprints was calculated, and the SPSS 26.0 was used for independent-sample t-test analysis. Results:There are significant differences in the "peak area/weight" values of peak 1, peak 2, peak 4, peak 6 , peak 9, peak 10, peak 12, peak 13, peak 15 between mixed decoction and single decoction of Inulae Flos - Haematitum medicinal pair with different compatibility ratios ( P<0.05), with statistical significance; when the compatibility ratio of Inulae Flos- Haematitum medicinal pair was 3:1, the difference of fingerprints and index components content between single decoction and combined decoction was the largest. Except for peak 7 and peak 14, the difference of "peak area/sample weight" value of other characteristic peaks was statistically significant ( P<0.05), and the content difference of 8 index components was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:There are differences in the chemical components of Inulae Flos - Haematitum medicinal pair for single decoction and mixed decoction.

Research progress in chemical composition and pharmacological action of Astragali Radix and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma / 国际中医中药杂志

After the compatibility of Astragali Radix and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, most of the effective components of Astragali Radix increase, and the bioavailability is improved. Compared with the application of the two drugs alone, it can enhance the effects of immune regulation, anti-tumor, diuresis, lung protection, regulation of flora, and intestinal protection. However, the optimal compatibility ratio of Astragali Radix- Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma pair to exert various pharmacological effects still needs to be clarified. The drug pair and related preparations are mostly used in the treatment of nephropathy, but its mechanism of action needs to be further elucidated.

Mechanism of action of Scutellaria barbata combined with Codonopsis pilosula in the treatment of Bladder carcinoma based on network pharmacology and experimental validation / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of bladder cancer treatment by using Scutellaria barbata and Codonopsis pilosula drug pair through network pharmacology. Methods:The drug composition of the drug pair was screened using TCMSP, and their action targets were predicted using Swiss Target Prediction. GeneCards was used to obtain disease targets of bladder cancer, and venny 2.1 was used to obtain intersection targets. PPI analysis was performed using STRING, and a network diagram was constructed using Cytoscape. GO and KEGG analysis were conducted using Metascape. A drug-target-pathway network map was constructed using Cytoscape software. Nude mice were randomly divided into a model group and a treatment group to establish a bladder cancer mouse model. On the 8th day after model formation, the mice in the model group were administered intragastrically with a dose of 342.86 mg/kg, 0.2 ml, twice/day. On the 28th day after modeling, the tumor size of nude mice was measured. Prostaglandin G/H Synthetase 2 (PTGS2), PTGS1, Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 2 (NCOA2), Retinoic Acid X Receptor α (RXRA), Progesterone Receptor (PGR), Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 (MAPK1), Reticuloendothelial Proliferation virus oncogene homology A (RELA), and Akt1 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:The results show that 45 active components of the drug pair directly acted on 187 disease targets through multiple pathways to treat bladder cancer, in which Quercetin, luteolin, wogonin, 7-Methoxy-2-methyl isoflavone, baicalein, beta-sitosterol, Stigmastero, and other core ingredients, as well as PTGS2, PTGS1, NCOA2, RXRA, PGR, MAPK1, RELA, and Akt1 are critical targets. The results of gene function annotation analysis show that the biological processes most likely related to crossover genes mainly involved responses to hormones, cell responses to lipids, responses to foreign stimuli, and responses to bacterial molecules. The cell components mainly involves transcription regulatory complexes, membrane rafts, membrane microregions, and RNA polymerase Ⅱ transcriptional regulatory complexes, etc. The molecular functions mainly involve transcription factor binding, DNA-binding transcription factor binding, RNA polymerase Ⅱ specific DNA-binding transcription factor binding, nuclear receptor activity, ligand-activated transcription factor activity, etc. The results of pathway enrichment analysis suggests that the main signaling pathways are AGE-RAGE, IL-17, PI3K-Akt, TNF, MAPK, HIF-1, apoptosis, p53, toll-like receptor, etc. Animal experiments show that the Scutellaria barbata and Codonopsis pilosula drug pair can significantly improve tumor size and also improve the expression levels of PTGS2, PTGS1, NCOA2, RXRA, PGR, MAPK1, RELA, and Akt1. Conclusions:The Scutellaria barbata and Codonopsis pilosula drug pair can regulate PTGS2, PTGS1, NCOA2, RXRA, PGR, MAPK1, RELA, and Akt1 and other diseases mainly through the regulation of AGE-RAGE, IL-17, PI3K-Akt, TNF, MAPK, HIF-1, apoptosis, p53, toll-like receptor, and other signaling pathways. Targeting enzyme activity and cell apoptosis can treat bladder cancer by regulating these biological processes.

Mechanism of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma-Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma-Chuanxiong Rhizoma medicinal pair in delaying heart aging based on animal experiments and computer verification / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To explore the mechanism of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma- Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma- Chuanxiong Rhizoma medicinal pair in delaying heart aging based on animal experiments, network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods:Mice were divided into control group, aging group, metformin group and TCM group according to random number table method. All the groups were injected subcutaneously by D-galactose except the control group to build the subacute aging model. Two weeks later, the metformin group was given metformin suspension (150 mg/kg), the TCM group was given Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma- Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma- Chuanxiong Rhizoma lyophilized powder solution (650 mg/kg), and the control group and aging group were given an equivalent volume of ultrapure water by gastric gavage, once a day, six times a week, for 10 weeks. The level of heart TERT mRNA was detected by PCR; the expression of heart p53 was observed by immunohistochemical staining; the morphology of heart tissue was observed by HE staining. TCMSP and SwissTargetPrediciton databases were used to retrieve the active components and targets of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma- Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma- Chuanxiong Rhizoma medicinal pair; TTD, OMIM, Gene, HAGR, DisGeNET and other data platforms were used to screen the targets of heart aging; after the drug and disease targets were intersected, the active components of them were collected; STRING database, Cytoscape 3.8.0 software, etc. were used to make PPI of the intersection targets, and screen out the key targets; FunRich was used to perform enrichment analysis of cellular components, molecular functions, biological processes, and biological signal pathways for key targets; Schr?dinger Maestro software was used to do the molecular docking of the screened active components and key targets, and docking results were visualized via PyMOL 2.1 software. Results:Experiment results showed that Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma- Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma- Chuanxiong Rhizoma could significantly ameliorate the damage of aging heart tissues, elevate TERT mRNA level, while significantly reducing the positive expression of p53. A total of 32 active components from the medicinal pair were screened, corresponding to 637 target genes. There were 263 targets for heart aging, and 67 intersection targets of drug active component targets and heart aging targets. 31 key targets were obtained after screening. Enrichment analysis showed that molecular functions were related to transcription factor activity and protein-tyrosine kinase activity. Biological processes involved signal transduction and cell communication. Signaling pathways mainly involved PDGFR-beta, PI3K-Akt, S1P1, Glypican, TRAIL, and Glypican 1. The molecular docking results showed that kaempferol, suchilactone, and ginsenoside Rg5_qt in the medicinal pair had a strong binding ability to p53. Conclusion:Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma- Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma- Chuanxiong Rhizoma may achieve the effect of delaying heart aging by inhibiting p53 expression, providing a foundation for further research on mechanism of invigorating qi and activating blood circulation drugs to delay heart aging.

Study on the changes of HPLC fingerprints and main chemical compounds before and after the compatibility of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Salvia miltiorrhiza / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To establish methods for HPLC fingerprints and simultaneous determination of multi-index components before and after compatibility of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Angelica sinensis, so as to analyze the dissolution rate of the main compounds. Methods:The extracts of Salvia miltiorrhiza, Angelica sinensis and their compatibility were prepared. The separation was performed on an Eclipse XDB-C18 column (4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm), mobile phase with 0.1% phosphoric acid aqueous solution-acetonitrile for gradient elution, flow rate at 1.0 ml/min, column temperature was maintained at 35 ℃, and the detection wavelength was set at 280 nm. The HPLC fingerprint were established before and after the compatibility of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Angelica sinensis, and the shared patterns of the fingerprint were obtained to gain chromatographic peaks. The content of 9 components Danshensu, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B, salvianolic acid A, tanshinone Ⅱ A, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid and Yangchuanxiong lactone were determinated, and the changes of dissolution rate of each compound before and after the compatibility were analyzed. Results:The determination method for the multi- components with HPLC is precise and the components (waiting to be determinate) in the solution were stable within 48 hours, and the RSD values of each chromatographic peak were <5.0%. The nine components showed good linear relationships within their own ranges, and the recovery rate was in compliance with regulations. The fingerprint similarities of each sample were ?0.9. After the compatibility of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Angelica sinensis, a total of seventeen common peaks were calibrated, ten of which were from Salvia miltiorrhiza, seven from Angelica sinensis. No new components was found under this chromatographic condition. After the combination of these two material medicica decoction, the average dissolution rates of rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acids and Danshensu in Salvia miltiorrhiza were significantly lower than those of the single decoction group ( P<0.05 or P<0.01); the average dissolution rates of caffeic acid in Salvia miltiorrhiza was significantly higher than that of the single decoction group ( P<0.01); the average dissolution rates of chlorogenic acid and ferulic acid in Angelica sinensis were significantly higher than that of the single decoction group ( P<0.05 or P<0.01); the average dissolution rate of Yangchuanxiong lactone after the compatibility was not statistically different than that of single decoction group. Conclusion:The characteristic peaks of HPLC fingerprint of the compatibility of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Angelica sinensis did not increase under this chromatographic condition, which had a significant effect on the dissolution of index components.

Establishment of fingerprints of Coptidis Rhizoma-Magnoliae Officmalis Cortex for formula granule and determination of index components / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To study the HPLC fingerprints of Coptidis Rhizoma- Magnoliae Officmalis Cortex formula granules and the differences of active ingredients in different proportions; To explore the content changes of key components in different proportions of Coptidis Rhizoma- Magnoliae Officmalis Cortex. Methods:HPLC was used to determine the contents of several alkaloids and total phenol of Magnolia officinalis in Coptidis Rhizoma- Magnoliae Officmalis Cortex formula granules and their fingerprints, and the similarity evaluation, cluster analysis and principal component analysis were performed. Results:The similarity of fingerprint of 10 batches of Coptidis Rhizoma- Magnoliae Officmalis Cortex was > 0.950. 17 common peaks were identified, and 6 components were identified. Compared with single medicine, the contents of alkaloids and total phenols in the Coptidis Rhizoma- Magnoliae Officmalis Cortex formula granules were significantly reduced. The contents of multiple alkaloids and total phenols in the Coptidis Rhizoma- Magnoliae Officmalis Cortex formula granules in different proportions were different, and the contents of alkaloids and total phenols were the highest when the proportion of Coptidis Rhizoma- Magnoliae Officmalis Cortex was 2∶1. Conclusion:The contents of main components of Coptidis Rhizoma- Magnoliae Officmalis Cortex formula granules with different proportions are different, which can provide a certain basis for studying the compatibility mechanism of TCM couplet medicines.

SHENG Can-ruo's experience in treatment of goiter with integrated acupuncture and herbal medication / 中国针灸

The paper introduces professor SHENG Can-ruo's experience in treatment of goiter with the combination of acupuncture and herbal medication. Professor SHENG believes that this disease is mostly related with emotional injury, improper diet and geographical and climatic factors, as well as body constitution. Qi stagnation, phlegm retention, blood stagnation and interaction of phlegm and stasis are the essential pathogenesis of goiter. Either acupuncture or herbal medication should focus on "phlegm and stasis" in treatment. Besides, the theory of western medicine should also be considered. In western medicine, thyroid enlargement is classified into Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ degrees of struma, thus, the pathogenesis and treatment with Chinese medicine should be adjusted accordingly. The created "four throat points", combined with acupuncture at distal points, relieve the local masses. The basic herbal formula is prepared and the couplet medicines are modified based on syndrome differentiation. The integrated acupuncture and herbal medication regulates emotions and provides a comprehensive treatment for goiter.

Research progress in chemical constituents and pharmacological action of Chinese medicine pair of Coptidis Rhizoma- Cinnamomi Cortex / 国际中医中药杂志

Coptidis Rhizoma- Cinnamomi Cortex is a classic couplet medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which has the function of communicating heart and kidney, and has been widely used in clinic. At present, the chemical composition of Coptidis Rhizoma- Cinnamomi Cortex before and after compatibility, in terms of nature, quality and in vivo processes to carry out research. The drug pair has sedative hypnotic, hypoglycemic, antidepressant, antiarrhythmic and other pharmacological effects, involving regulation of neurotransmitters, regulation of inflammatory cytokines, antioxidant, regulation of intestinal flora and other mechanisms. The existing research is still insufficient, such as the study on the changes of material basis after the compatibility of Coptidis Rhizoma- Cinnamomi Cortex, as well as the pharmacological effects of cardiovascular system, lipid metabolism and perimenopausal syndrome. The best compatibility ratio of Coptidis Rhizoma- Cinnamomi Cortex in sedation, hypnosis, hypoglycemic and antidepressant needs further analysis.

Effect of Compatibility of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma-Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex Couplet Medicines on Glucolipid Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetic Rats Before and After Salt-processing / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of compatibility of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma-Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex couplet medicines on glucolipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats before and after salt-processing. Method:The type 2 diabetic rat model was induced by high-fat and high-glucose diet combined with low dose streptozotocin （STZ）， the model rats were randomly divided into six groups， including the model group， metformin group （200 mg·kg^-1）， and different compatibility groups of raw and salt-processed of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex （6.48 g·kg^-1）. In addition， The same week old rats fed with normal diet were set as the blank group. After 30 d of continuous intragastric administration， changes of fasting blood glucose （FBG）， fasting serum insulin （FINS）， glycosylated serum protein （GSP）， hepatic glycogen， blood lipid ［total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）］， nonesterified fatty acid （NEFA）， adipocytokines ［adiponectin （ADP） and leptin）］， kidney function ［blood urea nitrogen （BUN） and creatinine （CRE）］ and other indicators of rats from different groups were detected， and the insulin sensitivity index （ISI） and insulin resistance index （HOMA-IR） were calculated， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the morphological changes of pancreas， liver and kidney of rats from different groups. Result:Compared with the model group， compatibility of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma-Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex couplet medicines before and after salt-processing all could decrease the levels of FBG， GSP， TC， TG， LDL-C， NEFA， leptin， BUN， CRE and HOMA-IR， and increase the contents of FINS， HDL-C， ADP， hepatic glycogen and ISI， among which the compatibility of salt-processed Anemarrhenae Rhizoma and salt-processed Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex had the most significant effect on regulating glucolipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats. The compatibility of all couplet medicines could improve the histopathological changes of pancreas， liver and kidney in type 2 diabetic rats， among which the compatibility of salt-processed Anemarrhenae Rhizoma and salt-processed Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex had the most prominent effect on repairing pathological damage. Conclusion:The compatibility of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex before and after salt-processing can improve glucolipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats， while the comprehensive effect of salt-processed Anemarrhenae Rhizoma and salt-processed Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex<italic> </italic>on lowering glucose and regulating lipid is the best.

Study on the mechanism of two related Chinese herbs Danggui-Baishao in treating cardiovascular diseases based on network pharmacology / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective@#By adopting network pharmacology to study the mechanism of the two classical Chinese herbs Danggui-Baishao in treating cardiovascular diseases.@*Methods@#By searching from TCMSP and related literature, together with the databases of TCMSP, SWISS and STITCH, potential active compounds of Danggui-Baishao were collected, while the targets for cardiovascular diseases were obtained from TTD, OMIM and DrugBank databases. Then the PPI network was screened for the major targets. The KEGG Pathway annotation analyses of major targets were performed by using the DAVID database. The ingredient-major target-key pathway network was constructed by Cytoscape.@*Results@#There were 17 compounds and 54 major targets in the ingredient-target-pathway network, as well as 10 key pathways, including inflammation-related pathway (TNF signaling pathway), pathways related to cardiovascular system (such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, Rap1 signaling pathway), prolactin signaling pathway and estrogen signaling pathway.@*Conclusions@#The study verified the characteristics of multi-components, multi-targets and integral regulation for Danggui-Baishao with the application of network pharmacology. It predicted that Dangui-Baishao couldtreat cardiovascular diseases mainly by regulating angiogenesis, inflammatory response and apoptosis.

Molecular Mechanism of Belamcandae Rhizoma and Ephedrae Herba Couplet Medicines in Treating Asthma Based on Network Pharmacology / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To analyze the effective active ingredients of Belamcandae Rhizoma and Ephedrae Herba couplet medicines(BREH)in the treatment of bronchial asthma based on network pharmacology, in order to predict their potential targets and explore the mechanism. Method:Active ingredients and predict their targets were collected from traditional Chinese medicine system pharmacology(TCMSP) database. Drugs-components-targets network and Proteins interations network were built by STRING database and Cytoscape software. ClusterProfiler and ClueGO was used to enrich the biological function and metabolic pathway of core targets. Finally, candidate targets were mapped onto the pictures of correlative pathways. Result:The 38 effectively active ingredients were screened out, including luteolin, stigmasterol, diosmetin, naringenin, quercetin, iristectorigenin A, isorhamnetin. There were 214 candidate targets relating to bronchial asthma, and 55 core ones were selected to be mainly studied, including RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (Akt1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), interleukin-10 (IL-10), NF-kappa-B inhibitor alpha (NFKBIA), and a number of relevant gene ontology(GO) functions and Kyoto Encyclopedin of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathways were enriched. Conclusion:BREH may regulate the Th1, Th2 and Th17 cell differentiations, Asthma, IL-17, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases(PI3K)/Akt, MAPK, NF-κB, VEGF signaling pathways, so as to interfere the process of cell metabolism, and inhibit gene expression of proinflammatory factor in the treatment of bronchial asthma.

Analysis of Chemical Constituents of Volatile Oils in Menthae Haplocalycix Herba-Schizonepetae Herba and Herbal Pairs and Comparison of Anti-bacterial Effects in Vitro / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To discuss the effect of herbal compatibility on the components of volatile oils in Menthae Haplocalycix Herba and Schizonepetae Herba,and the comparison of the anti-bacterial effects in vitro,in order to provide the experimental basis for investigating the effective material basis of their herb-pair. Method: Steam distillation was used to extract volatile oils of Menthae Haplocalycix Herba, Schizonepetae Herba,and their combination. GC-MS was employed to analyze their volatile oils,and the anti-bacterial effects in vitro were compared. Result: Totally 50 compounds were identified from the volatile oils of Menthae Haplocalycix Herba;41 compounds were identified from the volatile oils of Schizonepetae Herba;and 60 compounds were identified from the volatile oils of their herbal pairs. A total of 27 common compounds were found in the samples of three volatile oils. Totally 5 new compounds were detected in the volatile oils of their herbal pairs,and 9 compounds were not detected. In vitro,volatile oils of both their herbal pairs and individual herbs had bacteriostatic effects on dung Enterococcus (ATCC2922),Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC2923),Escherichia coli (ATCC35218),and E. coli (ATCC25922). Among them,volatile oils of their herbal pairs had stronger bacteriostatic effects on dung enterococcus (ATCC2922) and staphylococcus aureus (ATCC2923) than volatile oils of individual herbs. Moreover,the order of the inhibitory effects of volatile oils on E. coli (ATCC35218 and ATCC25922) were "herbal pairs=peppermint > herba schizonepetae". Conclusion: There were some changes between the volatile oils of individual herbs and the volatile oils of their herbal pairs. These phenomena may be caused by the occurrence of certain chemical reactions and physical changes in compatibility of decocting process. The antibacterial effects of volatile oils of their herbal pairs were better than those of individual herbs in vitro.