Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CP), derived from the peel of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its cultivated varieties, is widely used and has substantial commercial value. However, notable differences in origin, quality, and price are observed among various CP cultivars. To ensure effective quality control and safe clinical use, a reliable and efficient method for distinguishing these cultivars is urgently needed. This study aimed to investigate the chemical profile differences among seven CP cultivars and to establish a rapid and accurate multi-component quantitative method using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) for their differentiation. Multivariate statistical analyses, including PCA, OPLS-DA, and HCA, were employed to distinguish the seven cultivars. LC-MS/MS analysis identified 53 compounds, including 48 flavonoids, and nine representative flavonoids were selected for quantitative determination. The developed UPLC-based method exhibited high specificity, linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, and accuracy. PCA revealed that C. reticulata "Chachi" (GCP), C. reticulata "Succosa" (BDZ), C. reticulata "Tankan" (JG), and C. reticulata "Unshiu" (WZMG) formed distinct clusters, indicating substantial differences in flavonoid composition. In contrast, C. reticulata "Kinokuni" (NFMJ), C. reticulata "Ponkan" (PG), and C. reticulata "Dahongpao" (DHP) grouped together but were further differentiated by PCA and OPLS-DA, consistent with the HCA results. Hesperetin was quantified exclusively in GCP, suggesting its potential as a cultivar-specific marker. Although the overall chemical profiles of the seven CP cultivars were similar, their flavonoid contents varied significantly. The combined UPLC quantification and multivariate analyses provide an effective approach for distinguishing major CP cultivars and offer new insights for quality control and future research.

Bioactive peptides (BPs) and probiotics have attracted increasing attention in food and nutrition research for their roles in microbial metabolism and functional food development, with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) representing widely used probiotic microorganisms possessing well-characterized metabolic and peptide transport systems within the gut microbiota. This review summarizes current knowledge on food-derived BPs and their interactions with probiotic LAB, with a particular focus on peptide transport and utilization mechanisms, including oligopeptide permease (Opp) and di-/tripeptide permease (Dpp) systems. Sources and production methods of BPs are reviewed, along with experimental evidence describing peptide-supported microbial growth and metabolic responses. Relevant analytical approaches used for peptide characterization and functional assessment are also discussed. Most available evidence derives from controlled in vitro studies and primarily reflects microbial physiological responses rather than direct host-level effects. This review provides a mechanistic perspective on peptide-probiotic interactions in LAB and outlines research directions related to nitrogen utilization and microbial functional performance.

Objective: To investigate the quantitative correlation between color parameters and chemical component variations in Selaginellae Herba (SH) processed products under different firing intensities, integrating chromatographic and microscopic imaging techniques to establish objective quality control indicators for the traditional Chinese medicine processing theory of "preserving the herbal drug's nature after carbonization by stir-heating". Methods: We employed a Multivariate analytical approach to analyze samples representing distinct processing stages: crude (Selaginellae Herba crude, SH-Cr), optimally carbonized (Selaginellae Herba Carbonisata, SH-Ca), insufficiently carbonized SH-Ca (ISH-Ca) and excessively-carbonized SH-Ca (ESHCa). These samples underwent macroscopic and microscopic colorimetric analysis using CIE L*a*b* measurements. Their contents of three bioactive biflavonoids-amentoflavone, sotetsuflavone, and isocryptomerin-were quantified via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Data integration and analysis were performed using partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) alongside correlation studies to identify key discriminative markers. Results: The integrated analytical results demonstrated systematic changes across multiple scales during carbonization. Macroscopic and microscopic colorimetric analysis showed progressive darkening, with L* values decreasing significantly from SH-Cr to ESHCa, accompanied by tissue-specific colorimetric responses. HPLC quantification revealed distinct degradation profiles of the bioactive biflavonoids, indicating that amentoflavone exhibited greater thermal stability than sotetsuflavone, the latter of which degraded completely in ESHCa. Multivariate statistical modeling effectively discriminated processing stages ((RY)-Y-2 = 0.664, Q(2) = 0.656), and identified microscopic color parameters, particularly epidermal cell a* values (VIP > 1.5), as more effective quality markers than macroscopic features. Conclusion: This study establishes that microscopic color parameters, particularly the a* value of epidermal cells, serve as sensitive indicators of the chemical transformations occurring during SH carbonization. These findings provide a scientific basis for utilizing microscopic colorimetry in the quality control of carbonized traditional medicines.

This study evaluated the inorganic element content and safety of Selaginellae Herba Carbonisata under different processing durations, including unprocessed crude drugs (SH-Cr), insufficiently (ISH-Ca), properly (SH-Ca), and excessively processed (ESH-Ca) samples. The contents of 39 elements were analyzed by ICP-MS, and the safety of key heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Cu) was assessed using exposure assessment, the Hazard Index (HI), and the Margin of Exposure (MOE). Results showed high concentrations of K, Fe, Mg, and Na, alongside beneficial trace elements (Al, Ca, Mn, Zn). Furthermore, Levels of Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ga, Rb, and Au increased significantly with higher processing temperatures (P < 0.05). Antimony (Sb) exhibited the highest migration rate, whereas the behavior of others was variable. Although the contents of Pb, Cd, As, and Cu complied with regulatory limits (HI < 1, MOE > 1), the potential introduction of lead and copper during processing warrants attention, highlighting the need to standardize raw materials and processing equipment. SH-Ca was identified as the optimal product due to its balanced elemental profile and safety compliance. In summary, these findings support quality control for carbonized herbal materials and provide insights for their potential applications in functional foods and dietary supplements.

Endometriosis exhibits epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-aligned traits that promote invasion and lesion persistence. We investigated whether poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) coordinates β-catenin/TCF4 activity with EMT programs and whether these features are amenable to pharmacologic inhibition. PARP-1 and EMT markers were profiled in normal endometrium and ovarian endometriotic lesions. In endometriotic epithelial cells, PARP-1 levels were modulated by overexpression or siRNA and effects on EMT markers and motility were quantified. Association of PARP-1 with β-catenin/TCF4 complexes was evaluated, and a lesion model was used to test the impact of PARP inhibition on EMT features and lesion burden. PARP-1 was elevated in ectopic lesions and aligned with EMT-associated marker shifts. PARP-1 gain increased β-catenin/TCF4 activity, remodeled EMT markers, and enhanced motility, whereas PARP-1 loss produced the opposite pattern. Analyses supported PARP-1 association with β-catenin/TCF4 complexes. Pharmacologic PARP inhibition attenuated β-catenin/TCF4-aligned EMT features in vitro and reduced lesion growth with concurrent marker normalization in vivo. These findings indicate that PARP-1 couples Wnt/β-catenin signaling to EMT programs in endometriosis and identify PARP inhibition as a tractable approach to modulate these phenotypes.

Paeoniae Radix Alba (PRA, roots of Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) yields stir-baked (sbPRA), charred (cPRA), and carbonized (caPRA) specifications through increasing degrees of stir-baking. In this study, an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method was developed to quantitatively determine seven chemical constituents in 15 batches of PRA with varying degrees of stir-baking. The method showed excellent linearity (R2 ≥ 0.9995), with precision RSDs < 2%, repeatability and stability RSDs of 0.93%-2.8% and 0.68%-1.5%, respectively, and mean recoveries of 92.24%-105.9% (RSD < 3%). In caPRA, most constituents were below the detection limit. Oxypaeoniflorin, catechin, paeoniflorin, and benzoylpaeoniflorin decreased progressively with increasing processing intensity, whereas gallic acid increased markedly from PRA to cPRA. The concentrations of albiflorin and 1,2,3,4,6-O-pentagalloylglucose showed an initial increase followed by a decrease, reaching maximum levels in sbPRA. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) identified gallic acid as a key discriminatory marker. Simulated processing experiments showed that paeoniflorin and benzoylpaeoniflorin could decompose into benzoic acid, while 1,2,3,4,6-O-pentagalloylglucose could degrade into gallic acid. This study compared the content of seven components in PRA subjected to different degrees of stir-baking and clarified their transformation patterns.

Flavonoids and organic acids are the primary bioactive components contributing to the functional value of Typhae pollen (TP), and their content and quality are influenced by various processing conditions. To investigate the overall characteristics and dynamic changes of these components during processing, a non-targeted metabolomics strategy was employed to systematically characterize the compounds present before and after TP processing and to identify differential markers. A total of 114 compounds were preliminarily identified in processed TP (CTP). Based on PCA and PLS-DA analyses, 63 and 20 markers were screened in the negative and positive ion modes, respectively, to differentiate raw TP from CTP, using a VIP > 1 criterion. Among these, 18 differential markers were ultimately confirmed using significance thresholds of FC > 1.5 and p-value <0.05, in addition to comparisons with reference standards. During processing, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid and 2-furoic acid were newly generated. The observed differences among samples primarily resulted from variations in flavonoid and organic acid content. Simulated processing revealed that high temperatures significantly degrade flavonoid glycosides through three mechanisms: hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds, rapid conversion of intermediates, and extensive structural disruption. Flavonoid glycosides underwent hydrolysis and deglycosylation, yielding the corresponding secondary glycosides or aglycones. Free sugar residues likely participated in Maillard or caramelization reactions, resulting in the formation of the two furanic organic acids. Processing TP to the P2-P3 levels most effectively promoted the generation of flavonoid aglycones (quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin) and the two furanic organic acids. At this level, the appearance characteristics of CTP satisfy both the traditional "processing" endpoint criteria and the standards outlined in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. These compounds are recommended as chemical markers for objectively evaluating the TP processing procedure. By linking specific patterns of chemical transformation to measurable quality attributes, this study provides theoretical support for the development of TP processing standards and offers practical guidance for industrial production.

Aurantii Fructus (in Chinese, Zhiqiao) is the dried, immature fruit of Citrus aurantium L. and its cultivated varieties. In southern China, a special method is used to process Zhiqiao; however, few studies on this processing exist, and the processing mechanism and rules governing changes in components remain unclear. Thus, a comprehensive analytical method for the simultaneous identification of 11 components and quantification of 10 flavonoids was developed in this study with good accuracy and reproducibility (RSD<3.30 %), R-2 > 0.9990 for all linear equations, lowest LOD of 0.01 mu g/mL and lowest LOQ of 0.04 mu g/mL. Moreover, processing resulted in a significant decrease in neoeriocitrin, narirutin, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, nobiletin and tangeretin and a significant increase in naringenin, all of which significantly differed. Fermentation and high temperature promoted the removal of monosaccharides or disaccharides from flavonoid glycosides to produce corresponding secondary glycosides or flavonoid aglycones. The rational processing mechanism was proposed. i.e., a fermentation time of 3 days and a steaming time of 3-4 h, as narirutin, naringin, hesperidin, and neohesperidin were maximally converted to naringenin and hesperetin. The discovery of changes in flavonoids that occurred during Zhiqiao processing provides a scientific basis for further elucidation of its processing mechanism.

Objective: To optimize Selaginellae Herba Carbonisata (SH-Ca) processing using Box-Behnken Design Response Surface Methodology (BBD-RSM) combined with Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Entropy Weight Method (EWM), and comparatively evaluate its antioxidant enhancement over crude herb (SH-Cr) Methods: Processing parameters (input quantity, temperature, time) were optimized via BBD-RSM-AHP-EWM, with quality assessed by carbon adsorption capacity (CAC), total flavonoid content (TFC), chromatic aberration value (CAV), and appearance characteristics scoring (ACS). Additionally, the antioxidant capacities of SH-Cr and SH-Ca were evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging activity, OH radical scavenging activity, ABTSbased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and FRAP-based T-AOC assays. Results: AHP and EWM were applied to assign appropriate weights to these indicators, with ACS (58.27 %) being the most critical parameter, followed by TFC (24.33 %), CAV (13.54 %), and ACS (3.86 %). Model validation confirmed that the optimized conditions (an input quantity of 28 g, a temperature of 315 +/- 15 degrees C, a processing time of 9.5 min) produced consistent results. While SH-Cr showed superior DPPH radical scavenging at high concentrations, SH-Ca exhibited more stable but generally lower scavenging activity across all tested concentrations. In contrast, SH-Ca displayed significantly enhanced OH radical scavenging activity (P < 0.05) and FRAP-based T-AOC compared to SH-Cr (P < 0.05), with its most notable advantage in ABTS-based T-AOC (P < 0.05) at high concentrations. Conclusion: The integrated BBD-RSM-AHP-EWM approach enabled optimal processing of SH-Ca, with comparative analysis revealing that SH-Ca exhibited superior efficacy against radical-induced oxidative damage whereas SH-Cr showed stronger direct radical quenching capacity. These findings provide insights for developing natural antioxidants with customized properties.

This study explored the changes in color and odor of Raphani Semen at different processing stages using intelligent sensory technologies, such as colorimeters and electronic noses, to establish a model for discriminating &quot;processing degree&quot;. The total chromaticity value(E~*ab)、 lightness(L~*)、 redness-greenness value(a~*)、 yellowness-blueness value(b~*) and odor profiles of both raw Raphani Semen and its processed products were collected and objectively characterized using colorimeters and electronic noses. Discriminant models were constructed using methods like partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), rank correlation analysis, and linear discriminant analysis(LDA) to rapidly differentiate raw Raphani Semen and products processed at varying degrees. The results showed that as the degree of processing increased, the overall color of Raphani Semen darkened, with an increase in redness and a decrease in yellowness, while the E~*ab, L~*, and b~* values decreased. Among the different processing degrees, Raphani Semen showed the strongest response to nitrogen oxides, followed by sulfides, aromatic compounds, and organic sulfides. Nitrogen oxides were identified as the primary differential volatile component distinguishing Raphani Semen processed at different levels. The &quot;processing degree&quot; discriminant model, based on color parameters(L~*, a~*, b~*), and odor parameters, achieved a correct classification rate of 97.5% and 80.0%, respectively. This study provides a reference for the standardization of the frying process for Raphani Semen and offers a new approach for discriminating the &quot;degree of processing&quot; in other medicinal herb slices.

Baihuasheshecao(Hedyotis diffusa) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine derived from the whole herb of H. diffusa and has been widely utilized in folk medicine. It possesses anti-tumor, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it one of the frequently used herbs in TCM clinical practice. However, Shuixiancao(H. corymbosa) and Xianhuaercao(H. tenelliflora), species of the same genus, are often used as substitutes for Baihuasheshecao. To substantiate the medicinal basis of Baihuasheshecao, this study systematically reviewed classical herbal texts and modern literature, examining its nomenclature, botanical origin, harvesting, processing, properties, meridian tropism, pharmacological effects, and clinical applications. The results indicate that Baihuasheshecao was initially recorded as &quot;Shuixiancao&quot; in Preface to the Indexes to the Great Chinese Botany(Zhi Wu Ming Shi Tu Kao). Based on its morphological characteristics and habitat description, it was identified as H. diffusa in the Rubiaceae family. Subsequent records predominantly refer to it as Baihuasheshecao as its official name. In most regions, Baihuasheshecao is recognized as the authentic medicinal material, distinct from Shuixiancao and Xianhuaercao. Baihuasheshecao is harvested in late summer and early autumn, and the dried whole plant, including its roots, is used medicinally. The standard processing method involves cutting. It is known for its effects in clearing heat, removing toxins, reducing swelling and pain, and promoting diuresis to resolve abscesses. Initially, it was mainly used for treating appendicitis, intestinal abscesses, and venomous snake bites, and later, it became a treatment for cancer. The excavation of its clinical value followed a process in which overseas Chinese introduced the herb from Chinese folk medicine to other countries. After its unique anti-cancer effects were recognized abroad, it was reintroduced to China and gradually became a crucial TCM for cancer treatment. The findings of this study help clarify the historical and contemporary uses of Baihuasheshecao, providing literature support and a scientific basis for its rational development and precise clinical application.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:Selaginellae Herba, known as "Juan Bai" in traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for centuries to alleviate bleeding disorders and promote blood circulation. Its carbonized form, Selaginellae Herba Carbonisata, is specifically employed to enhance hemostatic effects. The fire-based processing (carbonization) is believed to modify its chemical composition and efficacy, yet the transformations and their impact on sensory and bioactive properties remain poorly understood. AIM OF THE STUDY:This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the chemical changes in Selaginellae Herba during carbonization and correlate them with measurable sensory traits, thereby evaluating whether carbonization preserves or optimizes the herbal properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Untargeted metabolomics using UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS/MS and Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) was applied to compare crude (SH-Cr), properly processed (SH-Ca), Insufficiently processed (ISH-Ca), and Excessively processed (ESH-Ca) samples. Multimodal sensory profiling was conducted using electronic eye (color parameters L∗/a∗/b∗), electronic nose (volatiles), and electronic tongue (taste). Multivariate statistical analyses, including OPLS-DA, were used to identify heat-sensitive markers, and Pearson correlation analysis was employed to link compositional changes with sensory attributes. RESULTS:A total of 83 compounds were unequivocally identified (77 by UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS/MS & 6 via GNPS), primarily flavonoids and phenolic acids. Key biflavones such as amentoflavone decreased significantly, while aglycones like apigenin increased, indicating glycoside hydrolysis and biflavone cleavage. OPLS-DA identified 31 potential markers (e.g., glutamic acid, VIP = 1.43). Color parameter b∗ (yellowness) showed a strong negative correlation with biflavones (e.g., robustaflavone, r = -0.932) and a positive correlation with aglycones (e.g., kaempferol, r = 0.866). Volatile profiles and bitterness were also significantly associated with flavonoid transformations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:SH-Ca achieved an optimal balance between flavonoid transformation and desirable sensory outcomes, supporting the traditional use of carbonization to enhance the properties of Selaginellae Herba. These findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing processing parameters to ensure quality and efficacy.

H. pylori induces gastritis and promotes gastric carcinogenesis. Antimicrobial therapy against H. pylori often causes gastrointestinal dysbiosis, with side effects like vomiting, diarrhea, and antibiotic resistance, hindering effective eradication. This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of probiotics in balancing microbiota to alleviate H. pylori-related gastritis. Using in vivo and in vitro gastritis models with various H. pylori virulence strains, the study employed 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and qPCR to link gastric microbiota with inflammation. Genomic mining and microbiota reconstruction identified Lactococcus garvieae LG3092 and GarQ as key microecological-targeting regulators. Results showed that different H. pylori induce varying levels of gastritis in vivo, with elevated IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels linked to pro-inflammatory bacteria. LG3092 secretes GarQ, specifically targeting Man-PTS receptors on pro-inflammatory bacteria, disrupting their membranes and modulating the gastric microbiota, highlighting the potential of probiotics in combination with other therapies to managing H. pylori infection and related gastritis.

Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) caused by endometrial injury is the most common cause of female uterine infertility. Current treatments offer limited clinical benefits. In this study, we investigated the role of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) loaded collagen scaffold in the regeneration of injured human endometrium in an IUA rat model. Following the construction of the IUA rat model by mechanical injury, collagen scaffold, hUCMSCs, or hUCMSCs-loaded collagen scaffold was transplanted. The implantation of hUCMSCs-loaded collagen scaffold significantly increased the thickness of the endometrium, the number of endometrial glands and the abundance of blood vessels in IUA rats. Moreover, hUCMSCs-loaded collagen scaffold treatment significantly reduced endometrial fibrosis, increased the expression of Vegf, Integrin β3, Lif, and Igf-1, and finally improved endometrial receptivity in IUA rats. Taken together, our observations suggest that hUCMSCs-loaded collagen scaffold could be a practical therapeutic for treating IUA and restoring regeneration.

A high-performance liquid chromatography method using pre-column derivatization with 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate was developed to determine the content of 15 amino acids in the medicinal snakes Bungarus Parvus,Agkistrodon,and Zaocys.The results showed that the total amino acid(TAA)content ranged from 277.13 to 515.05 mg·g-1,with the top four amino acids in all three species being glutamic acid(Glu),glycine(Gly),aspartic acid(Asp),and lysine(Lys).The essential amino acid(EAA)content ranged from 74.56 to 203.94 mg·g-1,with Agkistrodon exhibiting the highest content.The non-essential amino acid(NEAA),semi-essential amino acid(semi-EAA),and medicinal amino acid(MAA)content ranged from 189.06 to 318.23,12.89 to 33.53,and 179.83 to 342.33 mg·g-1,respectively,with Zaocys having the highest content in these categories.Amino acid nutritional value was evaluated using the amino acid ratio(RAA),amino acid ratio coefficient(RCAA),and amino acid ratio coefficient score(SRCAA),and the results indicated that all three medicinal snakes possessed good nutritional value.The amino acid composition was similar across the species,though significant differences in content were observed.Based on these differences,an orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA)model was established,which could clearly distinguish between the three medicinal snake species.The key differences in amino acid content included Gly,tyrosine(Tyr),Glu,and serine(Ser),which may be related to the observed clinical application differences among the species.Further research into the mechanisms of these differential amino acids is expected to provide more insights into the clinical application disparities of these three medicinal snake species.

INTRODUCTION:In China, Typhae Pollen (TP) has been extensively utilized as a medicinal product, which is the dried pollen from the male inflorescences of Typha angustifolia L. (TA), Typha orientalis Presl (TO), or species within the same genus. However, existing methods for differentiating the botanical origin and controlling the quality of TP are confusing, unreliable, and unsystematic. OBJECTIVES:This study aims to elucidate the microstructural similarities and differences between pollen grains of the two species and to develop a comprehensive method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of multiple flavonoids and phenolic acids in TP. METHODOLOGY:Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine the dried pollen grains. A comprehensive analytical approach was developed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze 17 flavonoids and phenolic acids. Discrepancies in constituents were further explored using partial least squares discrimination analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis. RESULTS:Microscopic examination revealed distinct differences between the pollen grains of the two species, which could be distinguished using SEM. The analytical methods established for these 17 constituents-comprising 13 flavonoids and 4 phenolic acids-proved reliable and accurate. The flavonoid glycosides in TP could be categorized into three distinct groups. In TA, the average contents of constituents 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 12 were higher than in TO, whereas the reverse was true for constituents 7, 14, 16, and 17. Constituents 9, 10, and 13 were unique to TO. And constituent 14 should be chosen as a more appropriate quality indicator for TO. Chemometric techniques effectively differentiated between TA and TO. CONCLUSIONS:This study contributes to enhancing quality control and facilitating botanical origin identification of TP and provides an experimental foundation for improving its standards.

Sinapis Semen, as a traditional Chinese medicine, has an unclear relationship between its stir-frying degrees and sensory characteristics. Therefore, it is essential to develop a multi-index evaluation method to classify the processing degree of Sinapis Semen. Based on diverse intelligent sensory technologies and chemical analysis, the features of "color-aroma-taste-quality" of raw and stir-frying Sinapis Semen were systematically collected and objectively characterized, establishing discriminative models by integrating with machine learning. The results indicated that as the stir-frying increased, the overall color brightness diminished, the volatile constituents of sulfides and aromatic compounds exhibited a significant increase, and the taste discrepancies were primarily concentrated in saltiness, astringency, and sourness, which were related to the alkaloids and polyphenols contained in Sinapis Semen. Three machine learning models were employed to evaluate and compare their performance. TabTransformer achieved an accuracy of 96.92 % in single-source modeling using the NIRS data; on the fused dataset, TabTransformer and MLP attained accuracies of 100 % and 98.33 %, respectively, demonstrating the effective integration in handling multidimensional information from diverse data sources. This research successfully developed discrimination models for Sinapis Semen at varying processing degrees, providing a valuable reference for its standardized production, and offering a novel approach for process optimization of others.

OBJECTIVE:The genetic analysis, particularly focusing on the psbA-trnH region, aims to tackle the challenges linked to myrrh identification and improve quality control in medicinal and aromatic plant sectors. This process reveals the genetic diversity inherent in myrrh species, identifies adulterants, and assesses consistency with pharmacopoeia-designated species. METHODS:A meticulous investigation was conducted, involving twenty-five myrrh samples sourced from diverse origins and one adulterant sample. The methodology encompassed precise execution of DNA extraction, PCR amplification targeting the psbA-trnH region, sequencing, and subsequent data analysis. Additionally, the integration of GenBank data was employed to enrich the genetic analysis. RESULTS:The psbA-trnH region demonstrated 100% amplification efficiency across all myrrh samples, accurately identifying three distinct species-Commiphora gileadensis, Commiphora myrrha, and Commiphora edulis. Only 8% of samples aligned with pharmacopoeia-specified species, revealing a significant misalignment. The identified adulterant, Liquidambar formosana, underscored the efficacy of the genetic approach. Genetic distances and haplotype analysis offered insights into myrrh species diversity. Intraspecific and interspecific distances highlighted the discriminatory potential of the psbA-trnH region. A phylogenetic tree illustrated distinct genetic clusters among Commiphora species and Liquidambar formosana. CONCLUSIONS:It affirms the robustness of the psbA-trnH region for authenticating myrrh and emphasizes the necessity of adapting pharmacopoeial standards to accurately mirror genetic diversity. An avenue for exploring therapeutic variations within myrrh species and advocates collaboration among researchers, regulatory agencies, and industry stakeholders to fortify comprehensive quality management measures within the context of agronomy-focused herbal products.