This study employed ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS) to investigate the chemical constituents of the classic formula Baizhu San and their prototype components and metabolites in rats, aiming to elucidate the potential pharmacologically active substances of this formula. Following the final intragastric administration of Baizhu San, plasma, urine, and feces samples were collected from rats and analyzed in both positive and negative ion modes using Full MS-ddMS~2 scanning. The mass spectral data were processed using Xcalibur 4.5 and Compound Discoverer 3.3 software to identify the chemical constituents in Baizhu San and the prototype components and metabolites in the biological samples. A total of 125 constituents were identified in the Baizhu San extract, comprising 51 flavonoids, 44 triterpenoids, 9 lactones, 8 organic acids, 4 phenylpropanoids, and 9 other compounds. A total of 69 prototype components and 79 metabolites were identified in the rat biological samples, and the metabolic pathways involved phase I reactions such as deglycosylation, oxidation, and hydrolysis, as well as phase Ⅱ reactions including glucuronidation, sulfation, and glutathione conjugation. This study presents the first systematic characterization of the chemical constituents of Baizhu San and their absorption and metabolism characteristics in rats, offering an important reference for the investigation of the pharmacodynamically active substances and quality control of this formula.

This study investigated the effects of different modifiers on the structural characteristics, surface free energy, and key direct compression properties of co-spray drying composite particles, and it established the correlations among particle structure, surface free energy, and direct compression properties. Andrographis Herba extract concentrate was selected as the model drug, and silica(SiO_2), hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin(HPCD), hydroxypropyl cellulose(HPC), and cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVPP) were selected as modifiers. Composite particles were prepared by using co-spray drying technology. The particle structure, surface free energy, and direct compression properties of composite particles were systematically characterized. The results show that, compared with unmodified particles, composite particles exhibit significantly improved roundness and surface smoothness; the median particle size(d_(0.5)) of composite particles increases by 7.2%-49.1%, and roundness approaches an ideal spherical morphology. Surface free energy and polarity index of composite particles increase by 0.9%-29.9%, while cohesion work increases by 0.9%-11.7%; Carr's index(CI) and Hausner ratio(HR) of composite particles decrease by 7.3%-26.4% and 7.3%-20.4%, respectively; the angle of repose(AR) of composite particles decreases by 0.4°-6.8°, indicating significantly enhanced powder flowability of composite particles. Tablet tensile strength(TS) of composite particles increases by 20.8%-185.5%, while the disintegration time of composite particles is shortened by 2.2%-24.4%. Pearson correlation analysis reveals that surface free energy is positively correlated with roundness, but negatively correlated with uniformity, cohesiveness, resilience, and red-green chroma(a~*). The dispersive component is positively correlated with a~*, but negatively correlated with particle size distribution(Span) and roundness. The polar component is positively correlated with roundness, but negatively correlated with uniformity, cohesiveness, and a~*. The polarity index is positively correlated with roundness, but negatively correlated with a~*. Cohesion work is positively correlated with roundness, but negatively correlated with uniformity, cohesiveness, resilience, and a~*. Glass transition temperature(T_g) is positively correlated with d_(0.5), specific surface area, and roundness, but negatively correlated with Span. CI and HR are positively correlated with T_g, but negatively correlated with surface free energy and cohesion work. AR is positively correlated with surface free energy, polar component, polarity index, and cohesion work, while negatively correlated with the dispersive component. TS is positively correlated with the dispersive component, but negatively correlated with the polar component and polarity index. Disintegration time of direct compression tablets is negatively correlated with T_g. This study elucidates the intrinsic correlation among structure, surface free energy, and key direct compression properties of co-spray drying composite particles, providing a theoretical basis for the optimization and development of direct compression processes for TCM powders.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:Pueraria thomsonii Radix (PTR, "Fen-ge") is a food-medicine herb widely used in China for metabolic complaints. Its putative lipid-modulating effects are supported by traditional practice, but the molecular basis remains incompletely understood. AIM OF THE STUDY:To elucidate the active constituents and mechanisms by which PTR mitigates dyslipidemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Chemical profiling and plasma exposure of PTR constituents were characterized by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. A high-fat-diet rat model was used to assess pharmacodynamic endpoints including serum lipid panel, hepatic histopathology, liver injury markers and inflammatory cytokines. Untargeted plasma metabolomics was performed in rats and patients; rat fecal 16S rRNA gene sequencing and hepatic transcriptomics complemented mechanism inference. Multivariate models were cross-validated and FDR-controlled; pathway and multi-omics correlation analyses integrated metabolite-microbe-gene relationships. RESULTS:PTR significantly ameliorated dyslipidemia in high-fat diet-fed rats, as evidenced by improved serum lipid profiles, reduced ALT/AST levels, and alleviated hepatic steatosis and inflammation in histopathological examination. Integrated metabolomic analysis across rats and patients revealed that the restored metabolic pathways were primarily concentrated in arachidonic acid and unsaturated fatty acid metabolism. Gut microbiota analysis indicated that PTR remodeled microbial taxa correlated with arachidonic acid-related lipid metabolism. Meanwhile, hepatic transcriptomics data showed that differentially expressed genes were functionally enriched in biological processes such as lipid oxidation and were bioinformatically linked to the AMPK signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS:PTR may ameliorate dyslipidemia through coordinated modulation of the gut microbiota and arachidonic acid metabolic network. Based on integrated omics analysis, the hepatic AMPK signaling pathway may potentially be involved in this regulatory process; however, its direct mechanistic role requires further experimental validation. Future investigations employing targeted lipid-omics, protein phosphorylation assays, and microbiota-transfer experiments are warranted to elucidate the causal relationships.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with different molecular weights on the crystal form as well as the properties of mannitol. The liquid properties, morphology, and flowability of the composite excipients were first characterized. Then, the differences in compactibility, disintegrability, and in vitro release behavior of the composite excipient and curcumin-loaded samples were discussed by nanoindentation, disintegration force, etc. Finally, the effect of PVP with different molecular weights on the crystal form of mannitol and the mechanism of improvement of the properties were analyzed. Liquid properties and scanning electron microscopy showed that the solution viscosity of PVP was higher than that of mannitol, resulting in a larger particle size of the composite excipient. X-ray diffraction results revealed that PVP K12 had a stronger crystalline inducing effect on mannitol. This may be due to the shorter molecular chain of PVP K12, which may easily contact with mannitol molecules. Measurements of angle of repose, tensile strength, and nanoindentation showed that mannitol-PVP K90 had the lowest angle of repose and the highest tensile strength and plastic deformation energy, resulting in the best flowability and compactibility of mannitol-PVP K90. This suggests that modifier viscosity had a stronger influence on the functional properties of mannitol than on its crystalline properties. The in vitro release results indicated that mannitol-PVP K17 had a stronger promoting effect on the release of curcumin. This study provides guidance for the application of mannitol and the improvement of its properties.

TCM volatile oil exhibits excellent biological activities and wide application scenarios. However, its volatility and susceptibility to oxidation and deterioration severely restrict the quality of its preparations and clinical efficacy. Therefore, stabilizing TCM volatile oil is extremely necessary. Current research mainly focuses on the development of stabilization techniques and carrier materials, aiming to enhance its stability and endow it with sustained-release and controlled-release properties. In recent years, researchers have increasingly paid attention to the intrinsic mechanisms and potential interactions during the stabilization process, which is of great significance for the development of new stabilization technologies for volatile oil and the research on new dosage forms containing volatile oil. This article systematically reviews the mechanisms of action during the stabilization of TCM volatile oil and summarizes the key methods for characterizing interactions, with the aim of providing references for the development of new stabilization technologies for TCM volatile oil and the theoretical research on its stabilization.

Background: This study deeply explores the influence of different dextrose equivalents (DE) values on room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) properties of maltodextrin (MD) and its luminescence mechanism. The potential applications of MD tablets in non-destructive detection for afterglow visualizing are also explored. Methods: MD tablets with different DE values were prepared to investigate their RTP properties and afterglow effects. MD tablets were validated for afterglow signals and phosphorescence lifetimes under varying environmental conditions. Additionally, the unique afterglow effect of MD was used to detect the uniformity of tablets. Theoretical calculations of MD monomers and dimers were performed using time-dependent density functional theory. Results: The results demonstrated that MD with different DE values exhibited RTP properties, with phosphorescence lifetimes from 186.91 to 618.85 ms. The afterglow signals and phosphorescence lifetimes of MD tablets were influenced by multiple environmental conditions, i.e., relative humidity, temperature, oxygen, ultraviolet light, etc. Based on the afterglow effect of the MD, it is possible to non-destructively detect the uniform tablet. MD is an RTP material regulated by its DE value. Its phosphorescence mechanism is governed by a clustering-triggered emission mechanism, which is dominated by the rich hydrogen bond network. The material’s stimuli-responsive properties and pronounced afterglow effect make it a potential application for non-destructive detection. Conclusions: This study not only investigates the stimulus-responsive behavior of MD but also discovers a common, safe, and edible stimulus-responsive RTP material. These findings provide a new method for non-destructive detection of drugs and reducing the potential pharmacological risks during production, storage, and transportation.

Background: Total glycosides of peony (TGP) have therapeutic potential for immune-related and inflammatory skin diseases, but their skin absorption is not satisfactory. This study aims to investigate how Evodia rutaecarpa volatile oil (VO-ER) enhances the permeability of TGP. Methods: Safety assessment was conducted through cell delivery and skin erythema tests. The chemical composition of VO-ER was identified via GC-MS. The study was conducted using modified Franz diffusion cells, microdialysis, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations (MD), laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), and the western blotting method. Results: The study found that VO-ER promotes the permeation of total glycosides of peony in a concentration-dependent manner by disrupting the intercellular lipid tissue structure, downregulating the expression of claudin-1, claudin-7, and occludin, and improving local microcirculation, thereby promoting the absorption of TGP. Conclusions: VO-ER enhances the transdermal absorption of TGP through multiple mechanisms, such as disrupting the skin lipid barrier, downregulating tight junction proteins, and improving local skin microcirculation. This study provides a theoretical basis for VO-ER as a safe and effective new transdermal penetration enhancer, offering support for the development of topical preparations containing Evodia rutaecarpa and Paeonia lactiflora.

Puerariae Lobatae Radix (PLR) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb included in China’s inaugural list of substances recognized as both food and medicine. PLR has a long history of use and a wide range of medicinal applications. Its use is associated with a broad range of health-promoting effects. Recent studies have shown that PLR contains abundant bioactive compounds including isoflavones and polysaccharides. These findings demonstrate significant potential for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases (MDs). The potential mechanisms underlying these effects involve several targets and pathways, including activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and AMPK signaling pathways; regulation of key factors, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors; and modulation of the gut microbiota composition. This systematic review examines the botanical characteristics and primary chemical constituents of PLR, with particular emphasis on recent research advances, mechanisms of action, and the clinical applications of its active components in MDs intervention. This review aims to provide theoretical guidance for further development, quality improvement, and application of PLR in the prevention and treatment of MDs.

Fupenzi is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine with unique nutritional and medicinal value. It has a history of over a thousand years as a medicine-food homologous herb and is widely used in clinical practice. To provide a reference for further research and clinical application of Fupenzi, this article reviews its chemical components, pharmacological effects, clinical applications, and processing methods by consulting domestic and foreign literatures. The results show that the chemical components of Fupenzi mainly include terpenoids, sterols, organic acids, flavonoids, polysaccharides, alkaloids, and volatile components. It has various pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-aging, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic effects, and it improves lipid metabolism and enhances memory. It is mainly used for diseases of the reproductive and urinary systems in clinic. In addition, different processing methods such as salt-processing, wine-processing, and fermentation can improve or enhance its pharmacological effects, expanding its clinical application. However, current research on Fupenzi is still in the primary stage, with problems such as a gap between basic research and clinical transformation, insufficient analysis of action mechanisms, lack of quality control and standardization, and scarce safety data, which all require further exploration.

This study systematically analyzed the multidimensional effects of Lactobacillus fermentation on Pueraria lobata (PL) and investigated the potential mechanisms underlying its hypolipidemic activity. Results indicated that fermentation significantly increased the total acid content from 1.02 to 3.48 g·L−1, representing a 2.41-fold increase. Although slight reductions were observed in total flavonoids (8.67%) and total phenolics (6.72%), the majority of bioactive components were well preserved. Other antioxidant capacities were retained at >74.71% of baseline, except hydroxyl radical scavenging. Flavor profiling showed increased sourness and astringency, accompanied by reduced bitterness, with volatile compounds such as β-pinene and trans-2-hexenyl butyrate contributing to a distinct aromatic profile. Untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed that fermentation specifically enhanced the abundance of low-concentration isoflavone aglycones, including daidzein and genistein, suggesting a compositional shift that may improve hypolipidemic efficacy. Integrated network pharmacology and computational modeling predicted that eight key components, including genistein, could stably bind to ten core targets (e.g., AKT1 and MMP9) primarily through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, potentially regulating lipid metabolism via the PI3K-AKT, PPAR, and estrogen signaling pathways. This study reveals the role of Lactobacillus fermentation in promoting the conversion of isoflavone glycosides to aglycones in PL and constructs a multi-dimensional “components-targets-pathways-disease” network, providing both experimental evidence and a theoretical foundation for further research on the lipid-lowering mechanisms of fermented PL and the development of related functional products.

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, an edible ultralong organic room-temperature phosphorescent excipient, was employed to formulate anti-counterfeit ink for tablets. A series of anti-counterfeit patterns on diverse tablet shapes were formed through spraying. The anti-counterfeit tablets were examined for afterglow imaging, phosphorescence lifetime, and the effects of temperature and humidity on their afterglow patterns. Findings show: Excitation at 254 nm and 365 nm gives maximum absorption wavelengths of 501 nm and 470 nm for the anti-counterfeit inks, respectively; At 254 nm excitation, phosphorescence lifetime variances for flower, heart, and moon patterns across different tablet shapes are 4.69 %, 5.96 %, and 7.10 %, respectively. At 365 nm, the values are 6.34 %, 12.1 % and 28.05 %, respectively. The phosphorescence lifetime differences among different anti-counterfeiting patterns at 254 nm and 365 nm are less than 7.56 % and 26.52 %, respectively. As relative humidity increased from 23 % to 94 %, the phosphorescence lifetime decreased by 61.85 %. When temperature increased from 0 °C to 40 °C, the afterglow image's color shifted from blue to yellow-green, and the afterglow duration was reduced by 53.48 %; The ambient environment doesn't significantly influence long-term afterglow stability. This work successfully prepared anti-counterfeiting tablets with afterglow, providing key insights for optimizing pattern design and storage conditions for practical anti-counterfeit applications.

This study explores a non-destructive detection method utilizing the afterglow effect of maltodextrin (MD) for tablet quality detection. Firstly, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed MD's phosphorescence mechanisms. Then, MD tablets were prepared for hardness response, disintegration testing, and hygroscopicity testing. Content uniformity of tablets was assessed by mixing MD with non-afterglow materials. Phosphorescence lifetime and afterglow signal of the tablet were measured using a fluorescence spectrophotometer and afterglow imaging analysis. MD's hydroxyl groups readily form hydrogen-bonded networks, facilitating phosphorescent emission. MD tablets stored in different humidity environment conditions such as 94 %, 57 %, 43 %, and 11 % for 6 h showed phosphorescence lifetimes of 86.15, 84.80, 78.01, and 66.40 ms, respectively. Phosphorescence lifetimes of MD tablets with hardnesses of 70, 100, 130, and 160 N were 65.17, 67.12, 67.84, and 67.98 ms, respectively. MD was mixed with polyvinyl pyrrolidone K30 and Andrographis Herbal in a ratio of 3:7 and 8:2, respectively. The mixture was prepared into tablets. Uniformity content tablets had gray value relative standard deviations of 15.00 %, 20.38 %, and 15.28 %, and inhomogeneous ones were 88.87 % and 36.70 %. This work highlights that MD is stimulus-responsive to moisture and hardness, and will promote the development of non-destructive tablet detection technology.

Objectives: Sen Ling Cao (SLC) is an excellent health food that has health-promoting functions, such as alleviating physical fatigue and boosting immune function. Currently, SLC is predominantly marketed and administered as an oral liquid, which suffers from the disadvantages of inconvenient transport and limited versatility. In this study, we investigated the preparation of direct compression (DC) tablets of SLC. Methods: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E3 (HPMC E3), polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP K30), hydroxypropyl cellulose EF (HPC EF), and maltodextrin (MD) were selected as modifying agents; and ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) were employed as pore-forming agents. Co-spray drying was utilized to prepare 13 kinds of composite particles with different structures. Subsequently, their physical properties and compacting parameters were characterized comprehensively. Finally, the various composite particles were directly compacted into tablets to study the respective effects on the properties of DC tablets. Results: The results demonstrated that (i) the SLC composite particles have been successfully produced by co-spray drying, and processing involves physical changes; (ii) the tensile strength (TS) values of PCP-SLC-HPMC-NH4HCO3, PCP-SLC-PVP-NaHCO3, PCP-SLC-HPC-NaHCO3, and PCP-SLC-HPMC-NaHCO3 were 9.8, 7.2, 8.3, and 7.7 times higher than that of SLC; (iii) all the modifiers studied could improve the DC properties of problematic SLC to some degree, and the combination of HPMC and NH4HCO3 showed to be the best to markedly improve both the compactibility and flowability of SLC. Conclusions: Overall, the design of porous composite particles, composite particles, and porous composite particles in this study successfully produced qualified tablets with high SLC loadings via DC. These findings are favorable for promoting the development and application of natural botanical tablets through DC.

In order to improve the utilization value of the by-products from the Pueraria thomsonii and clarifie the release law of bound phenols,Aspergillus niger was used for solid state fermentation of kudzu peel and kudzu dregs.The contents of bound phenols,activities of cellulase and β-glucosidase were measured during fermentation.The types and contents of bound phenols released after fermentation were investigated by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).The antioxidant activities of two by-products extracting solution of Pueraria thomsonii were measured during fermentation.The results showed that the fermentation of Aspergillus niger could effectively release the bound phenols in the by-products of Pueraria thomsonii,and the content of the released bound phenolic substances increased significantly with the increase of fermentation time(P＜0.05).After fermentation for 7 days,the bound phenols content in the kudzu peel and kudzu dregs was 1.63±0.11 mg/g and 0.93±0.05 mg/g respectively.The maximum cellulase activity of kudzu peel was 662.74±17.06 U/g on the 6th day of fermentation and the highest β-glucosidase activity was 332.64±26.52 U/g on the 7th day of fermentation.The maximum cellulase activity of kudzu dregs was 885.79±66.06 U/g on the 7th day of fermentation and the highest β-glucosidase activity was 354.63±9.45 U/g on the 3rd day of fermentation.There was a positive correlation between the release of phenols and the activities of cellulase and β-glucosidase during fermentation.The liquid phase results showed that 3'-hydroxypuerarin,p-hydroxybenzoic acid,puerarin and daidzein were contained in the fermentation product extract solution.The scavenging ability of fermentation product extract solution for DPPH and ABTS+·increased with the increase of fermentation time.The results showed that the by-products of Pueraria thomsonii solid fermented by Aspergillus niger could promote the release of bound phenols and improve the antioxidant activity of fermentation solution.

This study aimed to compare and analyze the effects of different modifiers on the structure, free surface energy parameters, and direct compaction properties of composite particles (CPs) prepared by co-spray drying and to explore the correlation among structure, free surface energy parameters, and direct compaction properties of CPs. CPs with Puerariae lobatae radix were prepared by adding different modifiers. The structure, free surface energy parameters, and direct compaction properties of CPs were characterized. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analysis and artificial neural network methods were used to evaluate the correlation among structure, free surface energy parameters, and direct compaction properties of CPs. The results showed that different modifiers exhibited variegated effects on the structure, free surface energy parameters, and direct compaction properties of CPs. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the particle size distribution, uniformity, and brightness were positively correlated with polar components and polarity index, with statistical significance (P < 0.01). The polar components and polarity index were positively correlated with flowability and disintegration time, and negatively correlated with compactibility, with statistical significance (P < 0.01). Overall, these findings contribute to better establishing a theoretical model among structure, free surface energy parameters, and direct compaction properties of CPs and provide a theoretical basis for predicting material properties. (c) 2025 Chinese Society of Particuology and Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive, multidimensional measurement and comparison of polymorphic mannitol in order to gain a deeper understanding of its polymorphism. The morphology, density, flowability, tabletability, disintegrability, and dissolution behavior of different polymorphic forms of mannitol were first compared. Then, the differences in tabletability, disintegrability, and dissolution behavior of the polymorphs were further elucidated via nanoindentation, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM). Measurements of density, particle size, angle of repose, and texture parameters indicated that beta-mannitol exhibited a lower cohesive index and cake strength, resulting in superior flowability. Nanoindentation and tensile strength data showed that delta-mannitol demonstrated a greater plastic deformation energy, leading to enhanced tabletability. Cryo-SEM and disintegration studies revealed that tablets containing alpha-mannitol had the loosest surface structure and the shortest disintegration time, although the roughness of the particle surface negatively impacted disintegration. In vitro release and AFM results showed that beta-mannitol had weaker binding interactions with drug particles and exhibited a stronger release effect on curcumin. This comprehensive comparison of polymorphic mannitol enhances our understanding of its properties and supports its potential application in solid dosage forms, providing a reference for further exploration in other fields.

Rubi fructus (Fupenzi) is the immature fruit of East China Rubi fructus, which is widely used in medicine, food, health food and other fields. Since ancient times, Fupenzi has been considered to be an important medicine for tonifying the kidney in terms of nourishing the liver and kidney, fixing essence and reducing urine, but its effective components and mechanism are not clear. In this paper, the effective components of Rubi fructus were analyzed by detecting the components of Fupenzi in vivo and in vitro. Adenine was used to replicate the model of kidney yang deficiency, and organ index, biochemical index and histopathology were used to evaluate the effect of different doses of Fupenzi on tonifying kidney yang. Metabonomics technique was used to analyze the metabolic regulation mechanism of Fupenzi in improving kidney yang deficiency syndrome. The results showed that 61 chemical constituents of Fupenzi were identified in vitro, including 18 flavonoids, 19 organic acids, 5 coumarins, 8 terpenoids, 7 amino acids and 4 other components. A total of 51 chemical components were identified, including 30 prototype components and 21 metabolic components, which may be the effective components of Fupenzi. The results of pharmacodynamics showed that compared with the model group, the renal index, testicular index and epididymal index of rats in each Fupenzi group were significantly improved (p<0.01), cAMP significantly increased (p<0.05), cGMP decreased (p<0.05) and cAMP/cGMP ratio increased significantly (p<0.05). The content of ACTH in low dose group increased significantly (p<0.05), while the content of ACTH in middle and high dose groups increased, but there was no significant difference. The results of HE staining showed that compared with the model group, the kidney, testis and epididymis of rats in each treatment group were significantly improved. In general, these changes may be mainly through primary bile acid biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, β-alanine metabolism, glutathione metabolism, porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism and other metabolic pathways to improve adenine-induced metabolic disorders in rats with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome.

Puerariae Lobatae Radix, as a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) with both medicinal and edible properties, possesses effects such as relieving muscle tension and fever, generating fluids and quenching thirst, and unblocking the meridians and collaterals. Modern fermentation technology, combined with microecology and modern bioengineering, can regulate the fermentation process and efficiently produce fermentation products. In recent years, modern fermentation technology has been widely applied in TCM, enhancing or altering efficacy, reducing toxicity, and expanding the scope of clinical applications. This paper reviewed the current research on Puerariae Lobatae Radix fermentation, including fermentation methods, strain selection, fermentation processes, and pharmacological effects, with the aim of providing a reference for further in-depth research, development, and utilization of Puerariae Lobatae Radix fermentation.

Ethnopharmacological relevanceHoneysuckle, first documented in the Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians, is known for its ability to expel toxin and cool blood to stop diarrhea. Modern pharmacological research has shown that honeysuckle has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and immune-regulating effects and is widely used in clinical practice. However, the effect of honeysuckle on ulcerative colitis (UC) is still not fully understood, which presents challenges for quality control, research and development.Aim of the studyThis study aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory properties and mechanism of action of aqueous extracts of honeysuckle in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.Materials and methodsThe dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced-ulcerative colitis mouse model was established, and the mice were divided into five groups: the control group, the model group, and the low, medium, and high dose honeysuckle treatment groups.ResultsAll dose groups of honeysuckle were found to significantly reduce IL-6 and TNF-α levels and regulate DSS-induced mRNA levels of CLDN4, COX-2, IL-6, INOS, MUC-2, occludin and NLRP3. The high-dose group displayed the most effective inhibition, and a differentially expressed mRNA detection indicated abnormal mRNA expression. The 16sRNA sequencing revealed that the honeysuckle was able to significantly upregulate the abundance of beneficial bacteria and downregulate the abundance of harmful bacteria. The study of short-chain fatty acids revealed that the levels of acetic, propionic, isobutyric, valeric and isovaleric acids were significantly increased after administering honeysuckle at medium and high doses.ConclusionHoneysuckle reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increases the content of short-chain fatty acids and restores the intestinal ecological balance, resulting in better therapeutic effects.

Crocus sativus L. (C. sativus) has its stigma as the main valuable part used. With extremely low production and high prices, stigma is considered a scarce resource. As a result, its petals, considered as by-products, are often discarded, leading to significant waste. We developed a UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS method for qualitative analysis of stigmas and petals and a UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS method for simultaneous quantification of 9 characteristic active compounds for the first time, and compared their biological activity in vitro. The results indicated that a total of 63 compounds were identified in the petals and stigmas. The content of flavonoids in the petals was significantly superior to that in the stigma, and the content of quercetin in the petals was 50 times higher than that in the stigma. The results of the in vitro evaluation of biological activity indicated that both the petals （•OH: IC50=39.70mg/mL; DPPH: IC50=28.37mg/mL; ABTS: IC50=0.9868mg/mL）and stigma （•OH: IC50=34.41mg/mL; DPPH: IC50=38.99mg/mL; ABTS: IC50=3.194mg/mL）demonstrated comparable antioxidant activities. However, the tyrosinase inhibitory activity in petals （IC50=21.17mg/mL） was weaker than that in stigma（IC50=1.488mg/mL）. This study provides a fast, reliable, and efficient analytical method that can be used for the quality assessment of petals as a natural resource and its related products in the food and pharmaceutical industries.