Background/Objectives: This study is the first to investigate the potential mechanism of star anise extract (SAE) in protecting against cold stress-aggravated acute lung injury (CSALI) in rats. Methods: A rat CSALI model was induced via combined lipopolysaccharide challenge and cold stress exposure. The preventive effects of SAE were evaluated using cytotoxicity assays, quantification of biochemical indices and inflammatory factors, and histopathological examination. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS)-based serum metabolomics was employed to systematically profile CSALI-associated metabolic alterations and decipher the potential mechanism underlying the preventive effects of SAE. Results: SAE alleviated pathological progression of CSALI, suppressed inflammatory cell migration, markedly reduced pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration, and ameliorated lung tissue injury in CSALI rats. SAE also improved abnormal liver function indicators and lowered the levels of pro-inflammatory factors in both serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Serum metabolomics analysis identified and annotated 24 disease-altered differential metabolites and evaluated the protective effects of SAE on them. These metabolites were significantly enriched in two key metabolic pathways related to the pathogenesis of CSALI, including arachidonic acid metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Furthermore, based on metabolite changes, phospholipase A2 was hypothesized as a potential key regulatory factor that may cooperate with arachidonic metabolism to suppress the inflammatory cascade. Conclusions: These findings demonstrated that SAE exerted prominent anti-inflammatory activity and effectively protected against lung injury in CSALI rats.

Pleione bulbocodioides (Franch.) Rolfe (PB) has attracted considerable attention due to its distinctive ornamental and medicinal value. Its pseudobulbs have a long-standing history of medicinal application and exhibit notable antitumor activity. However, research on its roots and leaves remains limited. The present study employed UHPLC-MS-based metabolomics to investigate the phytochemical composition and antitumor effects of roots (PBR) and leaves (PBL) of PB. A total of 125 differential metabolites were identified between the two groups. Inter-group analyses revealed that multiple differential metabolites were enriched in the PBL compared to the PBR, with flavonoids exhibiting particularly notable enrichment, whereas amino acid levels were significantly decreased. Furthermore, PBL exhibited more potent antitumor activity than PBR, which may be closely associated with the accumulation of bioactive flavonoids. These findings provide novel scientific insights for exploring the medicinal potential of PB, thereby enhancing its economic value and facilitating its development and utilisation.

Chemoresistance and metastasis remain major challenges in colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) represent a valuable source of multi-target therapeutic candidates; however, systematic approaches for identifying their potential anti-CRC effects and molecular mechanisms are limited. In this study, we developed an AI-assisted multi-omics framework to screen 187 CHM extracts and investigate their potential regulatory effects in CRC. Transcriptomic profiling combined with deep learning approaches, including Jaccard similarity analysis, autoencoder-based feature learning, multi-kernel learning, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis, was applied for candidate prioritization. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were further performed to characterize the associated molecular pathways. Five CHMs were identified as potential candidates associated with ferroptosis regulation and metabolic remodeling in CRC, including Pinus massoniana Lamb., Mahonia fortunei , and Coptis chinensis Franch. These candidates were associated with alterations in iron homeostasis, lipid peroxidation-related processes, IL-6/STAT3 signaling, and cholesterol metabolism pathways. Collectively, this study establishes an AI-driven multi-omics strategy for systematic discovery of CHM candidates and provides insights into their potential roles in regulating ferroptosis-associated and metabolic pathways in CRC.

Scutellarein, a flavonoid compound from the traditional Chinese herb Scutellaria baicalensis, exhibits inhibitory effects against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its clinical application is limited by relatively weak potency. To enhance its antitumor activity, we synthesized a novel derivative, 5,6,7-trimethoxy-4'-benzimidazolyl scutellarein 6b (TBS6b), by introducing antitumor pharmacophores-trimethoxyphenyl and benzimidazole-into the scutellarein scaffold. TBS6b demonstrated significantly improved anti-HCC activity both in vitro and in vivo. Cell-based assays, including colony formation, EdU staining, wound healing, transwell migration, and western blot analysis, demonstrated that TBS6b significantly inhibits HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, we employed proteomic and transcriptomic sequencing, along with western blot and qRT-PCR experiments, to predict and validate atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3) as the target of TBS6b. Molecular docking studies confirmed that TBS6b binds tightly to the ACKR3 protein. Additionally, with the aid of pharmacological tools, we established that TBS6b promotes the ubiquitination and degradation of ACKR3. Tissue microarray analysis and queries of public databases revealed that ACKR3 expression is elevated in HCC tissues compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues, correlating closely with patient survival. By constructing cell lines with either silenced or overexpressed ACKR3, we confirmed that ACKR3 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC. Finally, rescue experiments indicated that TBS6b exerts its anticancer effects primarily through targeting ACKR3. These findings establish ACKR3 as a critical target through which TBS6b mediates its anticancer activity against HCC.

Purpose:Yuquan capsule (YQC) is a well-known proprietary Chinese medicine used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential mechanism and efficacy of YQC in the treatment of T2DM by means of metabolomics. Methods:Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups of control, type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM), metformin (Met), and YQC. Establishment of the T2DM model by high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ). Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and weight were measured weekly, urine output was collected and recorded. The blood, kidney, pancreas, and liver tissue samples were collected at the end of the experiment. Blood samples were analyzed with methods of ELISA, pancreas, and liver tissues were analyzed by pathological sections, and serum was analyzed by metabolomics using ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS). Results:It was observed that YQC could reduce blood glucose levels by modulating blood lipid and transaminase indices, and by diminishing the concentration of inflammatory factors within hepatic and pancreatic tissues. Furthermore, YQC restores homeostasis by regulating lipid and amino acid metabolism, engaging 21 biomarkers and 10 metabolic pathways. Conclusion:YQC has the capacity to enhance blood lipid and transaminase levels, suppress the expression of inflammatory factors, and foster the homeostatic progression of metabolic circulation in rats with T2DM.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disorder characterized by hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. Ganfule (GFL), a traditional Chinese medicine, has demonstrated therapeutic potential in the treatment of NAFLD but the mechanisms involved are not fully understood.To evaluate the biochemical mechanisms of GFL in treating NAFLD by examining its effects on biological networks, key therapeutic targets, histopathological changes and clinical implications. Methods: Chemical component screening, key target prediction, biological functional enrichment analysis, lipid profile localization analysis and complex network analysis were performed on GFL using multi-database mining, network analysis and molecular docking. An NAFLD rat model was then established and treated with different doses of GFL. Histopathological evaluation and western blotting were used to verify the expression levels of key target proteins in GFL-treated NAFLD rats. Results: Network analysis analysis identified 12 core targets, 12 core active ingredients and 7 core Chinese medicinal herbs in GFL potentially involved in the treatment of NAFLD. Biological functional enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of lipid metabolism, apoptosis and intracellular signaling pathways. Molecular docking confirmed a strong affinity between GFL's core compounds and certain target proteins. Histopathological examination of an NAFLD rat model showed reduced hepatocellular steatosis after GFL treatment. Western blotting revealed significant downregulation of PPARA and PPARD protein expression and upregulation of PIK3CG and PRKACA protein expression in NAFLD rats treated with lower doses of GFL. Conclusions: Our results suggest that GFL modulates key proteins involved in lipid metabolism and apoptosis pathways. GFL improved the histopathological features of NAFLD rats by regulating lipid metabolism as well as reducing hepatocyte apoptosis and hepatocellular steatosis. These findings offer insights into the biochemical mechanism of action of GFL and support its use in the treatment for NAFLD.

The Yuquan capsules is a commonly used traditional Chinese Patent Medicine used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In this study, a high-throughput analytical method for identifying the chemical composition of Yuquan capsules was established for the first time by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry. The data obtained were subjected to fragment analysis and this was combined with UNIFI processing of natural products. One-hundred sixteen compounds were characterized from Yuquan capsules. Twelve of the bioactive compounds were quantitatively analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. This study was undertaken to obtain a comprehensive chemical profile analysis as well as to evaluate the overall quality of Yuquan capsules. The results will provide a reference for the quality evaluation of different Yuquan preparations. In addition, the data will enable basic pharmacodynamic research into these extensively used capsules.

Jigucao capsules (JGCC) have the effects of soothing the liver and gallbladder and clearing heat and detoxification. It is a good medicine for treating acute and chronic hepatitis cholecystitis with damp heat of the liver and gallbladder. However, the existing quality standard of JGCC does not have content determination items, which is not conducive to quality control. In this study, serum pharmacochemistry technology and UNIFI data processing software were used to identify the blood prototype components and metabolites under the condition of the obvious drug effects of JGCC, and the referenced literature reports and the results from in vitro analysis of JGCC in the early stage revealed a total of 43 prototype blood components and 33 metabolites in JGCC. Quality markers (Q-markers) were discovered, such as abrine, trigonelline, hypaphorine and isoschaftoside. In addition, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-QQQ-MS) was used to determine the active ingredients in JGCC. The components of quantitative analysis have good correlation in the linear range with R2 ≥ 0.9993. The recovery rate is 93.15%~108.92% and the relative standard deviation (RSD) is less than 9.48%. The established UPLC-MS/MS quantitative analysis method has high sensitivity and accuracy, and can be used for the quality evaluation of JGCC.

目的 研究八角茴香复方对脂多糖(LPS)诱导的大鼠急性肺炎模型的抗炎作用.方法 取48只大鼠随机分为6组,分别为对照组、模型组、阳性对照组及复方低、中、高剂量组,灌胃给药2 d,末次给药l h后使用鼻腔滴入法制备急性肺炎模型,继续给药3 d后腹腔注射2％戊巴比妥钠麻醉.采用ELISA试剂盒检测各组大鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和白细胞介素-6(IL-6)含量的变化;血液分析仪检测血液白细胞种类和数量,并对BALF的炎性细胞进行分类和计数;通过中性粒细胞/淋巴粒细胞比值(NLR)评估肺炎预后价值;HE染色观察肺组织形态学变化.结果 八角茴香复方对LPS诱导的大鼠急性肺损伤具有较好的抗炎作用,可降低大鼠BALF及血清中IL-1β、1L-6、TNF-α的表达,降低炎性细胞的种类和数量.结论 八角茴香复方对LPS诱导的大鼠急性肺炎模型具有抗炎作用,其机制可能通过降低IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α的表达来实现的.

Abrus mollis Hance is a traditional Chinese medicine that is widely used to treat acute and chronic hepatitis, steatosis, and fibrosis. Its therapeutic qualities of it have long been acknowledged, although the active ingredients responsible for its efficacy and the mechanisms of its action are unknown. In this study, the chemical constituents absorbed into the blood from Abrus mollis Hance were assessed by using liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry and the data was analyzed with the UNIFI screening platform. The results obtained were compared to existing chromatographic-mass spectrometry information, including retention times and molecular weights as well as known reference compounds. 41 chemical constituents were found in Abrus mollis Hance, and these included 16 flavonoids, 13 triterpenoids, five organic acids, and two alkaloids. Experimentally it was found that Abrus mollis Hance had a therapeutic benefit when treating α-naphthalene isothiocyanate-induced acute liver injury in rats. In addition, 11 blood prototypical constituents, including six flavonoids, three triterpenoids, and two alkaloids, were found in serum samples following intragastric administration of Abrus mollis Hance extracts to rats. This novel study can be used for the quality control and pharmacodynamic assessment of Abrus mollis Hance in order to assess its efficacy in the therapeutic treatment of patients.

Dampness-heat Jaundice Syndrome (DHJS) is a complex Chinese medicine syndrome, while Jigucao capsule (JGCC) is an effective compound preparation of Chinese medicine for the treatment of DHJS about liver and gallbladder, but its mechanism is not clear yet. The purpose of this study is to clarify the pathogenesis of DHJS and the treatment mechanism of JGCC. We used ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS) combined with pattern recognition, accompanied the advanced software and online database for the urine metabolomics of rats. The potential biomarkers disturbing metabolism were identified and the metabolic pathway was analyzed. We investigated the callback of biomarkers after treatment with JGCC. Finally, A total of 25 potential urine biomarkers were identified, including Arachidonic acid, Phenylpyruvic acid, L-Urobilin and so on, and 14 related metabolic pathways were disturbed. After treatment with JGCC, the clinical biochemical indexes and histopathological were significantly improved, and the disturbed biomarkers were also obviously adjusted. It is proved that JGCC has remarkable effect on the treatment of DHJS.

Background: Emergence agitation (EA) is a common problem often observed in children after sevoflurane anesthesia, which can be prevented by dexmedetomidine and alfentanil. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of dexmedetomidine alone and with different doses of alfentanil in preventing EA in children under sevoflurane anesthesia.Materials and Methods: In a double-blind trial, 80 children (ASA I or II, 3–7 years old) undergoing tonsillectomy alone and adenotonsillectomy with sevoflurane anesthesia were randomly assigned into four groups: the control group, dexmedetomidine (DEX) group, dexmedetomidine plus 10 μg/kg alfentanil group (DEX + Alf1), and dexmedetomidine plus 20 μg/kg alfentanil group (DEX + ALf2). The incidence of EA was assessed with the Aono’s scale, and the severity of EA was evaluated with the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scale. The time of tracheal extubation and time of wake were recorded. Postoperative pain and complications such as nausea and vomiting, cough, laryngospasm, and bradycardia were recorded.Results: The incidence of EA was 50% in the control group, 25% in the DEX group, and 5% in the DEX + Alf1 group, and it never happened in the DEX + Alf2 group. The Aono’s scale, the PAED scale, and the FLACC scale in the control group and the DEX group were significantly more than those in the DEX + Alf1 group and the DEX + Alf2 group after the tracheal extubation (p < 0.05). The time of tracheal extubation of the control group and the DEX group were significantly shorter than those in the DEX + Alf1 group and the DEX + Alf2 group (p < 0.05). The awakening time of the DEX + Alf2 group is significantly longer than those in other groups (p < 0.05). The case of postoperative nausea and vomiting in the DEX + Alf1 group was fewer than those in the other groups (p < 0.05). And, the cases of cough and laryngospasm and bronchospasm in the DEX + Alf1 group and the DEX + Alf2 group were significantly less than those in the control group and the DEX group after the tracheal extubation (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The combined administration of alfentanil and dexmedetomidine can reduce EA in children undergoing tonsillectomy alone and adenotonsillectomy with sevoflurane anesthesia. Dexmedetomidine plus 10 μg/kg alfentanil seems to be more appropriate than other dose combinations as it reduced EA and postoperative nausea and vomiting but did not prolong the time to awake.

目的 基于UPLC-Q/TOF-MS研究H1N1病毒感染树鼩动物模型的血清代谢特征.方法 H1N1病毒滴鼻法制备感染树鼩动物模型,测量病毒载量和抗体血抑滴度,进行肺组织的病理学检查,采集树鼩血清样本并进行非靶向代谢组学研究.结果 模型制备第3~7天,体温和病毒载量逐渐达峰,多变量统计分析发现H1N1病毒感染树鼩血清中24个差异离子,它们导致磷脂酰胆碱代谢、鞘脂代谢、花生四烯酸代谢等代谢紊乱.结论 本研究首次发现H1N1病毒感染树鼩模型的代谢特征,H1N1病毒感染树鼩模型紊乱的代谢与炎症反应有关.

This study analyzed the quality markers(Q-markers) of Yuquan Capsules(YQC) based on serum pharmacochemistry of Chinese medicine and detected the components and metabolites of YQC absorbed into the blood by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and UNIFI systems. As a result, 32 components of YQC were detected, including 17 prototype components and 15 metabolized components. Among them, 12 prototype components(ginsenoside Rh_2, genistein, formononetin, puerarin, daidzein, schizandrin A, schizandrin B, schizandrin C, schizandrol A, schizandrol B, gomisin D, and ononin) and 12 metabolized components(ginsenoside Rg_1, ginsenoside Rg_2, ginsenoside Rg_3, ginsenoside Ro, 3'-methoxypuerarin, daidzin, astragaloside Ⅱ, astragaloside Ⅳ, glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritin, and verbascoside) showed inhibitory effects and pharmacological activities against diabetes, and these 24 blood-entering components against diabetes were identified as Q-markers of YQC.

土甘草为豆科鱼藤属植物毛果鱼藤(Derris eriocarpa How.)的藤茎,是广西壮族传统药用植物.现代研究表明,土甘草主要含有黄酮类、三萜类化合物、香豆素类等多种化学成分,具有抗炎、镇痛、抗肿瘤等作用.本文对近年来土甘草的相关研究进行综述,阐明其药理活性和化学物质基础,为该药材的进一步深入开发与研究提供依据.

Jigucao capsule is a well-known Chinese patent medicine for the treatment of acute and chronic hepatitis and cholecystitis. The chemical components of Jigucao capsule were not clear resulting from the paucity of relevant studies, which hindered the research of the pharmacological mechanism, the comprehensive development, and utilization of Jigucao capsule in clinical studies. By establishing a high-throughput ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry in combination with intelligent UNIFI software data processing platform to automatically characterize and identify the chemical profile of Jigucao capsule, 144 compounds were determined rapidly, including 34 terpenoids, 25 flavonoids, 22 steroids, 21 phenylpropanoids, 10 glycosides, six alkaloids, 13 organic acids, and other 13 components. These compounds may be the active components of Jigucao capsule. In this study, a rapid and robust method for comprehensively analyzing the chemical composition of Jigucao capsule was described and established for the first time. The results will provide a reference for the quality control of Jigucao capsule and the establishment of a higher quality standard, as well as for the pharmacodynamic material basis research.

To explore the potential mechanism of the Chinese patent medicine Jigucao capsule in treating the serum metabolic profile of rats with Yanghuang syndrome, zingiber officinale Rosc. and ethanol simulates the syndrome background of traditional Chinese medicine and uses α-naphthyl isothiocyanate to induce liver damage in rats to prepare a Yanghuang syndrome model. The histopathological observation and the determination of biochemical indexes evaluate the therapeutic effect of the Jigucao capsule, and the metabolomic method analyzes the mechanism of the Jigucao capsule against Yanghuang syndrome. Jigucao capsule reduces the number of inflammatory cells, inhibits the proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells and hepatocyte necrosis. Compared with Yanghuang syndrome rats, the levels of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bile acid were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Jigucao capsule significantly reversed the abnormal levels of glucose 1-phosphate, phenylalanyl-cysteine, taurodeoxycholic acid, lysoPC (22:6 (4Z, 7Z, 10Z, 13Z, 16Z, 19Z), lysoPC (15:0), lysoPC (P-18:0), 7alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholestenoate and 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatrieic acid and regulated part of the lipid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism, Jigucao capsule has a therapeutic effect on Yanghuang syndrome rats. In short, this study sets for the first time elaborated on the underlying mechanism of Jigucao capsule resistance to Yanghuang syndrome rats from a metabolomics perspective, providing the basic data for the pharmacodynamic studies of the Jigucao capsule.

为了进一步开发国内引种栽培的巴西人参药材,通过对巴西人参的原植物形态、药材性状、粉末显微鉴别及薄层层析等进行分析研究,发现该药材的原植物形态特征基本稳定、根横切面结构除三生维管束构造异常外其余特征稳定,粉末鉴别草酸钙砂晶特征明显,药材与对照药材及β-蜕皮甾酮对照品在相应位置均有相同颜色斑点显现.实验结果稳定,可作为巴西人参生药学鉴别的重要依据.

鸡骨草胶囊根据民间验方研究改进而成,由毛鸡骨草、栀子、茵陈、白芍、三七等10味药材组成,是治疗属肝胆湿热证的急、慢性肝炎和胆囊炎的常用中成药.国内治疗肝胆疾病的药物市场潜力巨大,但鸡骨草胶囊因缺乏系统而深入的药理研究而遇到发展瓶颈.本文总结了鸡骨草胶囊的化学成分、质量控制、药理作用及临床应用研究进展,旨在为深入研究和开发鸡骨草胶囊提供参考.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of serum containing Tengcha total flavonoid and dihydromyricetin on proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells.METHOD:Serum containing respectively Tengcha total flavonid, dihydromyricetins and CTX and control serum were prepared by serological pharmacology method. MTT assay was used to observe the proliferation inhibition rate of HepG2 cells after incubated with different kinds of serum. Inverted microscope was utilized to observe the morphological changes after HepG2 cells were treated with different serum. AnnexinV/7AAD double label method was used to detect earlier period apoptosis cells.RESULT:Both serum containing 20% Tengcha total flavonid and serum containing 20% dihydromyricetin could restrain the HepG2 cells proliferation at different levels and the morpholological changes of apoptosis were observed. AnnexinV/7AAD double label method showed that the earlier period apoptosis cells rates were increased by serum containing 20% Tengcha total flavonoid, but serum containing 20% dihydromyricetin did not show influence on the earlier period apoptosis cells.CONCLUSION:Tengcha total flavonoid can restrain the HepG2 cells proliferation and induce earlier period apoptosis cells.