Background Peritumoral edema is a common complication of brain metastases from non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and may aggravate neurological symptoms and compromise patients’ tolerance to whole-brain radiotherapy. This study quantitatively assessed serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–derived edema parameters to evaluate the association of adding bevacizumab to chemotherapy and whole-brain radiotherapy with peritumoral edema, intracranial tumor response, and survival outcomes in patients with brain metastases from NSCLC. Methods Seventy-six patients with non-squamous NSCLC and brain metastases were retrospectively analyzed. Both groups received pemetrexed plus carboplatin chemotherapy and whole-brain radiotherapy. The research group (RG; n=38) additionally received bevacizumab, whereas the control group (CG; n=38) did not. Serum VEGF concentrations and quantitative MRI volumetry — peritumoral edema volume (V_edema), brain tumor volume (V_tumor), and edema index (EI = [V_edema + V_tumor]/V_tumor) — were used as primary analytical readouts. The intracranial objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were assessed, while safety profiles and survival outcomes, including overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), were also recorded. Results After completion of whole-brain radiotherapy, the RG showed significant reductions in V_edema, V_tumor, EI, and serum VEGF levels (P<0.05) relative to the CG (P<0.05). ORR and DCR in the RG were markedly higher than the CG values (76.32% vs. 52.63%, P=0.0310; 92.11% vs. 71.05%, P=0.0179), while RG median OS and PFS were substantially prolonged relative to the CG rates (P<0.05). Multivariable Cox modeling identified older age (P=0.0311), clinical stage IV B (P=0.0037), larger maximum brain metastasis volume (P=0.0400), and absence of bevacizumab (P=0.0001) as independent risk factors. Conclusion The addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy and whole-brain radiotherapy was associated with reduced peritumoral edema and intracranial tumor burden, improved intracranial disease control, and longer survival in patients with brain metastases from non-squamous NSCLC, without an observed increase in the overall incidence of adverse events. However, the retrospective single-center design, small sample size, and potential treatment-selection bias limit causal interpretation and the generalizability of these findings. Prospective multicenter studies are warranted to validate these results.
Background Smilax glabra Roxb. (SGB) is traditionally used for gout treatment, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to explore the effect of SGB on Gout. Methods Active compounds of SGB (oral bioavailability ≥ 30% and drug-likeness ≥ 0.18) were screened from the TCMSP database using network pharmacology, and their potential targets were predicted. Functional enrichment of the identified targets was performed with the clusterProfiler package. For transcriptomic validation, the bulk RNA-seq (GSE160170) and scRNA-seq (GSE211783) datasets from gout patients were used to identify differentially expressed genes. Immune infiltration was assessed by CIBERSORT, and pathway enrichment in classical monocytes was analyzed by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Molecular docking was performed to verify compound-target interactions. Results Network pharmacology identified 13 bioactive compounds and 188 potential targets. Functional enrichment revealed that these targets were involved in inflammatory and immune pathways such as TNF, IL-17, and AGE-RAGE signaling. Intersecting the predicted targets with DEGs from gout patients identified FOS and CD40LG as key overlapping genes associated with gout pathogenesis. Immune infiltration analysis revealed increased monocytes and decreased resting NK cells during acute flares. FOS was positively correlated with monocyte abundance and CD40LG was correlated with resting NK cells. Molecular docking demonstrated stable binding between quercetin and CD40LG (binding energy: -6.58kcal/mol). These findings were obtained based solely on computational predictions and require further experimental and clinical validation. Conclusion SGB may alleviate gout by regulating inflammatory signaling and immune cell infiltration, particularly monocyte activation, providing mechanistic insights into its anti-gout effect.
Background The fermentation of Ziziphus lotus fruit medium by Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated to elucidate the biotransformation of phenolic constituents and their potential molecular mechanisms of action. Methods The fruit medium was fermented using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and changes in phenolic and flavonoid contents were evaluated. Metabolite profiling, including organic acid analysis, was performed using LC-MS/MS. Antioxidant activity was assessed using 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), silver ion reducing antioxidant capacity (SNPAC), and phenanthroline-based methods. Molecular docking was conducted to investigate the interactions of key bioactive compounds with iNOS and NF-κB. Results Fermentation increased the total phenolic content from 35.5 to 63.8µg GAE/mL and the flavonoid content from 4.3 to 7.8µg QE/mL, likely through the release of conjugated compounds and the accumulation of organic acids, including quinic, fumaric, and gallic acids, as confirmed by LC-MS/MS. This shift enhanced antioxidant activity, lowering the IC₅₀ values for ABTS and DPPH to 32.48 ± 0.64 and 69.40 ± 2.86µg/mL, respectively. Molecular docking identified hesperidin as a high-affinity ligand for iNOS and NF-κB, while rutin and nicotiflorin also showed strong binding toward iNOS. However, these findings remain limited to in vitro antioxidant assays and in silico predictions, and LC-MS/MS analysis was conducted without replicate measurements. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that yeast fermentation effectively valorizes Ziziphus lotus by generating a bioactive matrix with potential therapeutic applications, supported by both experimental and in silico evidence. Nevertheless, further in vivo, mechanistic, and bioavailability studies are required to confirm its pharmacological relevance and translational potential.
Background Real-world safety data for immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and durvalumab are essential to guide their clinical use for the treatment of lung cancer. This study analyzed their post-marketing safety profiles. Materials and Methods We employed drug safety signal detection methods, including the Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR), Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR), and other data mining algorithms, to analyze the intensity, occurrence patterns, and risk differentials of adverse drug event (ADE) signals for nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and durvalumab in the FAERS database from January 2004 to March 2026. Results A total of 19208 reports were included. ADEs were most frequent in males and patients aged 65 to 85 years or weighing 50 to 100kg. Dominant reporting disproportionalities were observed for endocrine disorders and surgical complications. Subgroup analyses showed disproportionate reporting signals for urinary tract infections and rheumatoid arthritis in females, while elderly patients exhibited stronger reporting associations for cerebral infarction, pulmonary toxicity, and renal impairment. However, these subgroup findings are hypothesis-generating and may be influenced by multiplicity and sparse data bias. All three drugs showed disproportionate reporting of endocrine-related adverse events. Conclusion This analysis detected known safety signals through statistical disproportionalities and identified potential reporting associations worthy of further investigation as hypothesis-generating findings, particularly in specific demographic subgroups. These hypothesis-generating findings warrant prospective validation, continued pharmacovigilance, and investigation into combination therapy risks before guideline updates. Limitations Due to inherent biases and lack of exposure denominators in FAERS data, subgroup findings are exploratory and not causal, requiring prospective validation before clinical application.
Pharmaceutical water systems constitute a critical utility within the pharmaceutical manufacturing. Water plays a pivotal role in various stages—including synthesis, formulation, and cleaning—yet simultaneously acting as a potential source of microbial contamination. To ensure the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products, global regulatory authorities and international organizations have established rigorous standards governing microbial control in pharmaceutical water. Within this regulatory framework, systematic approaches and policies for microbial testing and oversight have been developed worldwide. However, due to the limitations of testing methods and the complex nature of pharmaceutical water systems, several challenges regarding microbial detection remain unresolved. This review provides a comprehensive overview covering the classification of pharmaceutical water, the origins and risks of microbial contamination (including biofilm formation and opportunistic pathogens), and current microbial control strategies (such as thermal sterilization, ozonation, and reverse osmosis), along with remediation approaches (including disinfectants and preservatives). In the realm of microbial detection, it also systematically summarizes and discusses the advantages and limitations of both traditional and novel detection methods. Although traditional culture-based methods remain the regulatory benchmark, their inherent limitations—such as protracted procedures and restricted sensitivity—have spurred the advancement of rapid microbiological methods (RMMs), including PCR, ATP bioluminescence, and biosensors. These new methods are gaining regulatory acceptance, with increasing advocacy for their use—subject to thorough validation—to enable real-time monitoring and process control. Nevertheless, practical application of these novel methods in the pharmaceutical water industry faces limitations and requires further implementation. Looking ahead, microbial detection in pharmaceutical water is poised to evolve toward real-time, continuous, and intelligent monitoring; concurrently, standardization and international harmonization will be essential for the broad implementation of these emerging technologies.
Background This study aimed to compare the real-world efficacy of budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol (BGF) and budesonide/formoterol (BF), and to develop and internally validate a FEV₁/FVC-based machine learning model for predicting asthma control. Methods This study was a single-center, retrospective real-world cohort study. A total of 67 adults (18–75 years old) with moderate-to-severe asthma (GINA criteria) and a baseline asthma control test (ACT) ≤ 19 were enrolled and received routine care. The patients were managed with either BGF aerosol (n = 35) or BF dry powder (n = 32). Outcomes at baseline and at 6 months were evaluated according to ACT, spirometry (FEV1, FVC, and PEF), as well as inflammatory and hematologic markers. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and random forest were used for feature selection, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess model performance. Results Overall ACT control improved in both groups; at 6 months, BGF achieved a higher asthma control rate than BF (97.14% vs 81.25%; Fisher p = 0.048). FEV1 and FVC improved in both groups, with larger gains in the BGF group. PEF increased significantly only with BGF. There were no significant changes in CRP and PCT. In the BF group, ANC decreased, LYC increased, and NLR declined. Feature-selection methods converged on FEV1/FVC, based on which a single-feature model was developed and achieved an AUC of 0.72. This study, however, was limited by a relatively small sample size and a single-indicator predictive model with only internal validation, necessitating further validation in large multicenter cohorts. Conclusion An interpretable, FEV1/FVC-based model developed in this study demonstrated moderate discrimination for predicting control, suggesting potential utility in routine clinical practice.
Allergic bronchial asthma is a prevalent chronic airway disease characterized by immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated inflammation. For patients with moderate-to-severe diseases that remain inadequately controlled despite conventional therapies, anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represent an important targeted treatment strategy. This review summarizes the mechanistic basis, clinical efficacy, safety, heterogeneity in treatment response, predictive biomarkers, and future directions of anti-IgE therapy for allergic asthma. Omalizumab, the first approved anti-IgE mAb, reduces circulating free IgE, downregulates FcεRI expression, and attenuates downstream inflammatory cascades. Evidence from clinical trials and real-world studies indicates that omalizumab reduces asthma exacerbations, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and systemic corticosteroid use while improving disease control and health-related quality of life. Clinical benefits have also been reported in selected patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and when omalizumab is used in combination with allergen immunotherapy. Omalizumab is generally well tolerated; however, rare cases of anaphylaxis and remaining uncertainties regarding its long-term safety warrant continued pharmacovigilance. Emerging agents such as ligelizumab exhibit greater IgE-binding affinity than omalizumab, but their clinical superiority in allergic asthma has not yet been established. The current evidence base is limited by substantial heterogeneity in study populations, treatment regimens, follow-up durations, and outcome definitions; a scarcity of head-to-head comparisons; and insufficient long-term asthma-specific data on newer agents. Future studies should validate biomarker-guided approaches to patient selection and further evaluate long-term safety, comparative effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness.
Background Eucheuma denticulatum has been widely used to treat diabetes mellitus due to its several antidiabetic components. The current study aimed to formulate capsules containing the crude extract of E. denticulatum. Methods The dry granulation method was used, with microcrystalline starch, corn starch, and the crude extract of E. denticulatum to produce granules. The granules were encapsulated, and the formulations were evaluated for weight uniformity, disintegration time, and in vitro drug release. Results The formulated capsules rapidly disintegrated (≤ 4 min), with a pH of 6.9 ± 0.15, a moisture content of 5 ± 0.01%, and weight uniformity within ± 7.5%. Organoleptic and physicochemical properties of the extracts demonstrated their suitability for use in oral capsule formulation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed that the active substance and the excipients were compatible. The final formulation spectrum retained most of the characteristic peaks of microcrystalline starch, corn starch, and the extract, but with noticeable shifts in peak positions and variations in intensity, particularly in the O–H, C–O, and CO vibration bands, which signify that encapsulation of the E. denticulatum extract was successful. In vitro drug release showed almost 98% cumulative drug release and followed non-Fickian (anomalous) transport, Higuchi diffusion, and polymer swelling or erosion. In addition, the encapsulation efficiency was approximately 98%, and the drug-loading capacity was approximately 84%. Conclusion This study has demonstrated that the E. denticulatum capsule has ideal properties, a favorable release profile, and a suitable mechanism for antidiabetic activity. However, this study lacks stability tests and recommends their implementation, which are essential to determine the formulation’s long-term physicochemical stability, potency, and shelf-life.
Pharmaceutical analysis has always been shaped by a careful dialogue between measurement and meaning. Early chemometric approaches brought structure to this dialogue, allowing scientists to uncover patterns within complex chemical data and to make informed decisions about quality, identity, and safety. In recent years, this landscape has begun to change, as more flexible and data-rich modeling strategies—often described as Foundation models—enter the field. These newer approaches offer the possibility of learning from diverse datasets and adapting across analytical contexts, raising expectations for faster and more integrated workflows. Yet, this progress also invites reflection. The growing reliance on large and often opaque models challenges long-standing values in pharmaceutical science, particularly the need for transparency, robustness, and trust. Questions remain about how well such systems capture underlying chemical realities, how they perform under constrained or imperfect data conditions, and how they can be aligned with regulatory standards. This review traces the path from traditional chemometric methods to emerging model paradigms, highlighting both continuity and change. It considers current evidence, outlines practical and conceptual limitations, and explores future directions that balance innovation with responsibility. Despite these advances, this review is limited by the scarcity of validated foundation-model studies in pharmaceutical analysis, the lack of standardized benchmark datasets, and evolving regulatory guidance, which restrict firm conclusions regarding routine industrial implementation. In doing so, it argues that the future of pharmaceutical analysis will depend not only on technological advancement but also on preserving the interpretive insight and critical thinking that have long defined the field.
Background Breast cancer remains a major global health challenge, characterized by high heterogeneity and frequent resistance to single-target therapies. Multi-target drug design offers a promising strategy to address pathway redundancy, motivating the design of dual-target inhibitors capable of simultaneously engaging complementary oncogenic pathways. The purpose of this study was to design and evaluate, through an in silico workflow, a library of benzenesulfonamide-tetrahydropyrimidine hybrids as potential dual-target inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and thymidylate synthase (TS). Methods A library of 36 benzenesulfonamide-tetrahydropyrimidine hybrids was designed and subjected to ADMET and toxicity screening. Ten drug-like candidates were selected for molecular docking against EGFR (PDB: 1XKK) and TS (PDB: 6QXG). The electronic properties of the top-ranked hybrids were further examined using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6–31 + G(d,p) level. Results Four compounds (17, 25, 28, and 38) showed predicted favorable safety profiles (LD50 = 6000 mg/kg) relative to reference drugs. Compound 25 showed the most favorable predicted binding affinities against both EGFR (-10.3 kcal/mol) and TS (-10.2 kcal/mol), the latter more favorable than that estimated for the native ligand FdUMP (-8.6 kcal/mol). DFT calculations indicated favorable electronic stability and reactivity for the lead hybrids. Conclusion These in silico findings suggest that benzenesulfonamide-tetrahydropyrimidine hybrids, particularly compounds 25 and 38, represent promising dual-target scaffolds warranting further investigation. As this study is limited to computational predictions, experimental validation, including in vitro and in vivo assays, is required to confirm biological activity and safety before preclinical development can be considered.
Background This study was designed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of Tanshinone ⅡA using an in vitro model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPDLFs). Methods An LPS-induced periodontitis model was constructed with HPDLFs. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry assays were used to assess cell viability and apoptosis of model HPDLFs. The content of inflammation-relevant cytokines was quantified by ELISA, and the autophagosome formation was observed under a transmission electron microscopy. Further, the expression levels of mediators related to autophagy and protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway were tested via quantitative PCR and immunoblotting assays. For validation, rescue assays were performed using autophagy inhibitor 3-MA or AKT activator SC79. Results Tanshinone ⅡA effectively restored cell viability, inhibited apoptosis, and significantly downregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1β. Tanshinone IIA promoted autophagosome formation, upregulated the expression of Beclin 1, downregulated p62 levels, and simultaneously inhibited the phosphorylation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Intervention experiments using the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA and the AKT activator SC79 confirmed that the protective effects of Tanshinone IIA was dependent on the activation of autophagy and inhibition of the AKT/mTOR pathway. This study, however, is limited to in vitro assays in LPS-induced HPDLFs, and lacks in vivo validation. Conclusion This study further evaluated the anti-inflammatory property of Tanshinone ⅡA on LPS-induced HPDLFs, and proposed that the activation of autophagy and suppression of AKT/mTOR pathway may account for such effects.
Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, amyloid-13 aggregation, neurofibrillary tangles, and cholinergic dysfunction. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition remains an important therapeutic strategy for AD management. The present study aims to evaluate the potential of 4-hydroxychalcone (4HC) as a novel AChE inhibitor and explore its suitability as a lead compound for Alzheimer's disease therapy. Methods: The structural, electronic, and anti-Alzheimer potential of 4-hydroxychalcone (4HC) were investigated using experimental and computational approaches. Structural characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, FT-Raman, and UV-Visible spectroscopy, supported by DFT calculations at the B3LYP/ 6-311 + + G(d,p) level. Molecular docking against AChE was followed by 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations, ADMET prediction, and in vitro AChE inhibition assays. Results: The HOMO-LUMO energy gap was calculated as 3.89 eV in the gas phase and 3.71 eV in DMSO. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinity toward AChE with a maximum binding energy of-9.7 kcal/ mol. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed stable ligand-protein interactions. ADMET predictions suggested favorable drug-likeness and blood-brain barrier permeability. In vitro studies demonstrated dose-dependent AChE inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 36.86 & micro;g/mL. Discussion: The combined experimental and computational findings indicate that the electronic structure and reactive regions of 4HC contribute to effective interaction with AChE and support its potential anti-Alzheimer activity. Limitations: The present study is limited to computational and in vitro investigations. Further in vivo studies and toxicity evaluations are required to validate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of 4HC. Conclusion: 4-Hydroxychalcone exhibits promising AChE inhibitory activity with favourable pharmacokinetic properties, highlighting its potential as a lead scaffold for further development in Alzheimer's disease therapeutics.
Background Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains a major global health challenge, particularly due to the rising prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains. Pantothenate synthetase (PanC), a key enzyme in coenzyme A biosynthesis, represents a promising and selective therapeutic target. Methods This study employed an integrated structure-based drug design workflow combining energy-optimized pharmacophore modeling, enrichment validation, molecular docking, MM-GBSA binding free energy calculations, ADMET prediction, and 200ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to optimize pyrazolopyridine derivatives targeting PanC (PDB ID: 3COY). Results A validated six-feature pharmacophore model demonstrated strong screening performance (AUC = 0.86; EF1% = 12.4). Virtual screening of 1,000 ChEMBL compounds yielded 55 high-confidence candidates, followed by hierarchical docking and free energy analysis. Designed derivatives M45 and M10 showed superior binding (XP scores: –10.96 and –10.49kcal/mol; ΔGBind: –76.40 and –74.59kcal/mol), outperforming the reference ligand (–40.10kcal/mol). Key stabilizing residues included Lys269, Asp139, Tyr175, and Ser301. MD simulations confirmed high stability (RMSD ≤ 2.3Å; hydrogen bond occupancy > 65%), with M45 exhibiting a deeper free energy minimum. ADME analysis indicated favorable drug-likeness and high gastrointestinal absorption. Conclusion M45 emerges as a promising PanC inhibitor with strong thermodynamic stability and favorable pharmacokinetic properties. This study establishes a robust computational framework for accelerating early-stage anti-TB drug discovery. However, the study is limited by the absence of experimental IC₅₀ and MIC validation data, possible synthetic accessibility constraints that may affect high-throughput synthesis, and predicted CYP inhibition profiles that suggest potential drug-drug interaction risks requiring further preclinical evaluation.
Background Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) is a traditional Chinese medicine widely used for disorders of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Febrile seizures (FS), the most prevalent cause of seizures in young children, remain lacking effective clinical therapies. This study aimed to explore UR’s neuroprotective effect against FS-induced neuronal injury and its mechanism. Methods We used animal behavioral to evaluate the severity of FS; hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Nissl staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to assess the neuroprotective effect of UR by detecting neuronal injury; molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to verify target binding sites; the CCK-8 assay to assess UR-mediated neuroprotection and cell viability in SH-SY5Y cells; and patch-clamp technique to analyze neuronal excitability. Results Results showed that UR significantly reduced the severity of FS, especially the incidence of generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and decreased neuronal necrosis and apoptosis in FS models. It also downregulated myelin formation marker MBP and glial activation marker S100β, and decreased neuronal excitability in a dose-dependent manner. UR’s active components, rhynchophylline (RHY) and isorhynchophylline (IRHY), stably bound to NMDARs, downregulated NMDAR2A/2B subunits, and inhibited NMDAR-mediated evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs). Conclusion UR effectively protects neurons from FS-induced neurotoxicity, holding promising potential as a preventive agent for FS. However, limitations exist in validating the components and potential underlying mechanisms of brain-penetrant ingredients.
Background Exemestane is prone to oxidative degradation, forming structurally similar isomeric impurities. This study established an high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of two oxidative degradation impurities in exemestane active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Methods Exemestane API was subjected to acidic, alkaline, oxidative, thermal, and photolytic stress conditions per the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP). A HPLC method was developed and validated using a C18 column with gradient elution and Diode Array Detector (DAD) for simultaneous determination of the two impurities. Results The linearity ranges for impurity A and impurity B were 0.10188–10.188 μg/mL and 0.10138–10.138 μg/mL, respectively (r = 0.9999). Mean recoveries were 96.86% ± 2.32% and 96.57% ± 2.49%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 2.21% and 2.37%. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for both impurities were 0.01 μg/mL and 0.03 μg/mL, respectively. However, the two impurities are structurally similar with closely related retention, imposing stringent separation demands. A column with intermediate particle size was therefore used; larger particles or lower efficiency compromised system suitability. The method is also sensitive to gradient elution, requiring strict mobile phase control. Conclusions The HPLC method demonstrated high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in the determination of the two oxidative degradation impurities in the API of exemestane.
Background Helicobacter pylori-induced chronic gastritis (HAG) is a significant healthcare burden in China due to its prevalence and carcinogenic potential. Current clinical management relies on antimicrobial therapies, such as bismuth-based quadruple therapy. This study aimed to explore Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)’s protective effect against long-term antibiotic therapy-induced injury, such as rising resistance, reduced eradication rates, and increasing adverse effects (gut microbiota dysbiosis and drug allergies). Methods To address these limitations, bioactive components of dandelion were screened from multiple TCM databases using ADME-based pharmacokinetic filters, and their targets were predicted using SwissTargetPrediction. Disease-associated targets were retrieved from GEO, GeneCards, and OMIM, followed by PPI network construction, GO/KEGG enrichment, molecular docking, and GSEA validation to prioritize candidate targets for experimental validation. Blood-absorbed components were further confirmed by UPLC–MS serum analysis. The therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms were subsequently validated in an H. pylori-infected C57BL/6 mouse model and GES-1 cells through histological evaluation, qRT-PCR quantification of pathway-related gene expression, and Western blot analysis of PI3K/AKT total and phosphorylated protein levels. Results Quercetin was identified as the principal active component, demonstrating strong binding affinity to AKT1 and upregulating PI3K/AKT phosphorylation. In vivo, quercetin inhibited HAG progression and enhanced the efficacy of quadruple therapy, improving body weight recovery, inflammation resolution, and cure time. Conclusion Quercetin enhanced quadruple therapy by boosting immunity, shortening treatment duration, and promoting gastric mucosal recovery. While this study delineates the mechanism of a single active compound via the PI3K/AKT axis, the holistic therapeutic potential of dandelion may rely on multi-component synergistic interactions. Future large-scale clinical trials are needed to optimize TCM-antibiotic combinations, offering safer, personalized therapy for HAG.
Acne vulgaris, a prevalent dermatological disorder, has traditionally been managed with pharmacological treatments, but there is a growing interest in herbal remedies due to their perceived safety and efficacy. This comprehensive review explores the role of herbal remedies in acne management, examining both traditional and modern formulations. The review begins with an overview of historical herbal treatments, including the use of botanicals such as Aloe vera, Tea Tree Oil, and Neem, which have long been employed in various cultures for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and astringent properties. The review further investigates recent advancements in herbal medicine, highlighting the incorporation of standardized extracts and the development of innovative formulations that enhance bioavailability and efficacy. Scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of these herbal remedies is discussed, focusing on clinical studies and pharmacological research that validate their therapeutic potential. The article addresses safety considerations and potential interactions between herbal remedies and conventional acne treatments. By evaluating both traditional knowledge and contemporary research, this review provides a holistic perspective on the integration of herbal remedies into acne management protocols. The findings suggest that, while herbal remedies offer promising adjunctive treatment options, they should be used judiciously and in conjunction with established therapies. Future research directions are proposed to further elucidate the mechanisms of action and optimize the clinical application of herbal remedies in acne management. This review underscores the potential of integrating herbal medicine with modern dermatological practices to provide a more comprehensive approach to acne treatment. However, the clinical translation of many herbal therapies remains limited due to insufficient large-scale clinical studies, variability in herbal formulations, and lack of standardized treatment protocols.
Background Guifu Dihuang (GFDH) Pills is a classic traditional Chinese medicine prescription for kidney yang deficiency. At present, its quality control only takes Paeonol as the single marker, which is difficult to comprehensively reflect the holistic quality and therapeutic efficacy of this preparation. To screen and determine the quality markers of GFDH pills based on multi-component qualitative and quantitative analysis, combined with network pharmacology and chemometric analysis. Methods A total of 27 batches of commercial samples from 9 manufacturers were collected. The chemical constituents were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). Fourteen constituents were quantitatively determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Network pharmacology was applied to predict anti-fatigue active components and their related targets. Screen quality markers by combining chemometric methods including coefficient of variation (CV), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Results A total of 88 chemical constituents were identified, and their contents differed significantly among different batches. The results of coefficient of variation (CV), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) indicated obvious quality differences in samples from different manufacturers. Ultimately, eight constituents with variable importance in projection (VIP) values greater than 1.0 were screened out. Conclusion F, Cornuside, Acteoside, Benzoylpaeoniflorin, Paeonol, Paeonolide, Loganin and Mudanpioside C can be used as quality markers of GFDH Pills. However, the proposed quality markers require further validation through in vivo pharmacological experiments and clinical correlation studies with larger sample sizes.
Background: Oxaliplatin is a key component of XELOX chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Conventional lyophilized formulations require reconstitution before administration, which may increase preparation time, contamination risk, occupational exposure, and medication costs. A terminally sterilized aqueous oxaliplatin injection provides a ready-to-use alternative; however, its clinical non-inferiority, safety, and pharmacoeconomic value require further evaluation. This study aimed to compare the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of terminally sterilized aqueous oxaliplatin injection with conventional lyophilized formulations, including originator and generic products. Methods: A total of 219 patients were screened, and 211 eligible patients receiving XELOX chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were stratified into the aqueous injection group (n=65) and lyophilized powder group (n=154), including the originator group (n=37) and two generic formulation groups (n=117). Clinical outcomes, adverse events, and treatment costs were compared. Results: No significant differences were observed among the four groups in disease control rate, mortality, 2-year overall survival, or 2-year disease-free survival (all P>0.05). Gastrointestinal toxicity, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia were the most common adverse events, most of which were Grade I-II. Thrombocytopenia occurred more frequently in the aqueous injection group than in the originator group (P<0.05), but did not differ significantly from the two generic groups (P>0.05). Cost analysis showed that the aqueous injection was significantly more cost-effective than the originator formulation (P<0.05) and comparable to generic formulations. Conclusion: Terminally sterilized aqueous oxaliplatin injection showed comparable efficacy and survival outcomes to lyophilized formulations, with potential advantages in convenience, sterility assurance, occupational safety, and cost-effectiveness. However, the retrospective, single-center design and limited sample size may restrict the generalizability of these findings. Hematologic toxicity, particularly thrombocytopenia, should still be monitored during clinical use.
