Cinnamon is one of the most popular spices worldwide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are its main metabolic products. The misuse or mixing of cinnamon on the market is quite serious. This study used gas chromatography-ion migration spectroscopy (GC-IMS) technology to analyze the VOCs of cinnamon samples. The measurement results showed that 66 VOCs were detected in cinnamon, with terpenes being the main component accounting for 45.45%, followed by aldehydes accounting for 21.21%. The content of esters and aldehydes was higher in RG-01, RG-02, and RG-04; the content of alcohols was higher in RG-01; and the content of ketones was higher in RG-02. Principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and partial least squares regression analysis can be performed on the obtained data to clearly distinguish cinnamon. According to the VIP results of PLS-DA, 1-Hexanol, 2-heptanone, ethanol, and other substances are the main volatile substances that distinguish cinnamon. This study combined GC-IMS technology with chemometrics to accurately identify cinnamon samples, providing scientific guidance for the efficient utilization of cinnamon. At the same time, this study is of great significance for improving the relevant quality standards of spices and guiding the safe use of spices.

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.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. The fruits of Illicium verum, which is a medicinal and edible resource, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Methods: In this study, we investigated the effects of I. verum extracts (IVEs) on human RA fibroblasts-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) by using a sensitive and selective ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with high-definition mass spectrometry (UPLC-HDMS) method. We subsequently analyzed the metabolites produced after the incubation of cultured RA-FLS with IVEs. Results: IVEs inhibited the proliferation and suppressed the migration of RA-FLS, and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors including TNF-α and IL-6. Twenty differential metabolites responsible for the effects of IVEs were screened and annotated based on the UPLC-HDMS data by using a cell metabolomics approach. Discussion: Our findings suggest that treating RA-FLS with IVEs can regulate lipid and amino acid metabolism, indicating that this extract has the potential to modify the metabolic pathways that cause inflammation in RA. Conclusions: This might lead to novel therapeutic strategies for managing patients with RA.

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.

Objective To analyze the main syndrome types,medication rules,and core prescription characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in the treatment of metabolism-associ-ated fatty liver disease(MAFLD),and to predict the anti-MAFLD mechanism of core formula,so as to provide references for the clinical application of TCM and the development of new drugs. Methods Literature research on TCM in treating MAFLD was retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),China Science and Technology Journal Database(VIP),and Wanfang Database since the establishment of the database to July 2022.Excel 2019 and Chinese Medicine Inheritance Computing Platform(V3.0)were used for frequency analysis,association rule analysis,and cluster analysis of effective prescriptions.The key components,targets,and action pathways of anti-MAFLD core formulas were predicted by network phar-macology.Finally,the interactions between the obtained core components and their core tar-gets were verified reversely by molecular docking technology. Results A total of 218 articles were screened and selected,including 352 prescriptions,in-volving 270 traditional Chinese herbs.The drugs were used a total of 3 901 times,and a total of 10 915 cases were collected,among which the prevalence rate was higher in males.The main types of TCM syndrome included intermingled phlegm and blood stasis syndrome,liv-er depression and spleen deficiency syndrome,and damp-heat in liver and gallbladder syn-drome,among which Shanzha(Crataegi Fructus),Danshen(Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma),Fuling(Poria),Zexie(Alismatis Rhizoma),Chaihu(Bupleuri Radix),and Baizhu(Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma)were the most frequently used.The properties of Chi-nese medicine primarily encompassed thermal characteristics,with a predominant emphasis on cold and warm;the flavors of herbs were predominantly characterized by bitterness and sweetness,while the majority exhibited tropism towards the spleen and liver meridians.The drugs were primarily classified based on their efficacy in tonifying deficiencies,promoting diuresis and moistening,enhancing blood circulation and removing blood stasis,heat-clearing,etc.The association rules were employed to derive a set of 20 core drug pairs,while cluster analysis was utilized to identify three distinct groups of core drug combinations.Network pharmacological showed that the main components of the core formula"Shanzha(Crataegi Fructus)-Danshen(Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma)-Zexie(Alismatis Rhi-zoma)-Chaihu(Bupleuri Radix)-Fuling(Poria)"in the treatment of MAFLD were quercetin,apigenin,puerarin,luteolin,ursolic acid,kaempferol,tanshinone IIA,emodin,paeonol,etc.,which involved RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase 1(AKT1),cellular tumor antigen p53(TP53),interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β,signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3),epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR),peroxisome proliferative activated recep-tor gamma(PPARG),and other key targets.The molecular docking results showed that the core components had good binding to lipid and atherosclerosis,and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway-associated proteins. Conclusion The main principles of TCM for the treatment of MAFLD involve soothing the liv-er and strengthening the spleen,eliminating phlegm and dampness,clearing heat and damp-ness,as well as promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis.The core formula may exert anti-MAFLD effects mediated through multiple components,targets,and signaling pathways.This study establishes a theoretical foundation for the clinical application of TCM in the treatment of MAFLD,and serves as a reference for further exploration of new drugs against MAFLD.

AIMS:Based on the gut microbiota and plasma metabolites, the underlying mechanism was analysed for the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) effects of Ganfule capsule (GFL) in the study. METHODS AND RESULTS:The UPLC-Q-TOF/MS results showed that 13 key compounds were identified in GFL and the major active ingredients included amygdalin, saikosaponin A, astragaloside I, etc. The nude mice received HepG2 injection, and GFL showed lower volume and weight of the tumour. In addition, the apoptosis proteins (Bax and Bcl2) were altered in response to GFL treatment, and apoptosis cells were increased, indicating an anti-HCC effect. Interestingly, 16S rDNA results showed that GFL treatment improved gut microbiota diversity and compositions, especially for the beneficial bacteria, such as Bacilli, Lactobacillales, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillaceae, Firmicutes, Lactobacillus_reuteri and Lactobacillus_gasseri. Metabonomics further identified 426 metabolites and 343 metabolites variation in the positive and negative ion modes after GFL treatment, which might be associated with amino acid, lipid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism pathways, indicating these metabolites might involve in the protective role of GFL in HCC. Correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between gut microbiota and plasma metabolites. CONCLUSION:In conclusion, GFL exerted an anti-HCC effect in the nude murine model, which might be associated with microbial and metabolic improvements. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY:This study is the first to report the anti-HCC effect of GFL associated with gut microbiota and plasma metabolites. GFL may improve the gut microbiota structure, such as increasing probiotics - Lactobacillus. It also provides a new strategy for the scientific demonstration of the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.

目的:探讨肝复乐通过PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路抑制人肝癌HepG2细胞增殖的作用机制.方法:以不同质量浓度(0.1、0.5、1mg/mL)的肝复乐、阳性对照药(顺铂,3.58×10-6mg/mL)处理HepG2人肝癌细胞细胞和L02人正常肝细胞,采用CCK-8法检测细胞活性;细胞划痕实验检测药物干预后细胞迁移能力的变化;流式细胞术检测药物干预后细胞凋亡情况;qPCR法检测PI3K、AKT、mTOR mRNA的表达情况;Western Blot法检测PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路相关蛋白的表达水平.结果:CCK-8法检测结果显示,肝复乐可有效抑制HepG2细胞活性(P＜0.05,P＜O.01),呈浓度和时间依赖性,且对L02人正常肝细胞在最大给药浓度内无明显抑制作用.细胞迁移实验提示,与空白对照组比较,肝复乐中、高剂量干预组可显著抑制HepG2细胞的迁移能力(P＜0.05).流式细胞术实验提示,肝复乐组能有效诱导HepG2细胞凋亡(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).qRT-PCR和Western Blot检测结果显示,与空白对照组比较,药物处理24h后,肝复乐中、高剂量组PI3K、AKT、mTOR mRNA及蛋白表达显著下调(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).结论:肝复乐可通过下调PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路关键蛋白PI3K、AKT、mTOR、p-AKT、p-mTOR的表达降低细胞迁移能力,诱导细胞凋亡,抑制HepG2细胞增殖.

This study aims to explore the potential mechanisms of Xinnaokang in atherosclerosis treatment. Firstly, the active components of Xinnaokang were analysed by HPLC, which contains ginsenoside Rg1, puerarin, tanshinone, notoginsenoside R1, ammonium glycyrrhizate and glycyrrhizin. Network pharmacology analysis showed there were 145 common targets of Xinnaokang, including the chemical stress, lipid metabolite, lipopolysaccharide, molecules of bacterial origin, nuclear receptor and fluid shear stress pathways. Then, the animal experiment showed that Xinnaokang reduced the body weight and blood lipid levels of atherosclerotic mice. Vascular plaque formation was increased in atherosclerotic mice, which was markedly reversed by Xinnaokang. In addition, Xinnaokang reduced CAV-1 expression and increased ABCA1, SREBP-1 and LXR expressions in the vasculature. Xinnaokang promoted SREBP-2 and LDLR expressions in the liver but decreased IDOL and PCSK9 expressions, indicating that Xinnaokang regulated lipid transport-related protein expression. Cecal microbiota diversity was reduced in atherosclerotic mice but increased after Xinnaokang treatment. Xinnaokang treatment also improved gut microbiota communities by enriching Actinobacteria, Bifidobacteriales and Bifidobacteriaceae abundances. Metabolic profile showed that Xinnaokang significantly reduced homogentisate, phenylacetylglycine, alanine and methionine expressions in the liver of atherosclerotic mice. Xinnaokang effectively alleviated atherosclerosis, and this effect might be linked with the altered features of the liver metabolite profiles and cecal microbiota.

To assess the extraction methods of egg yolk oil in ShiZhenKang (SZK) oil, which is used to treat eczema, a mice model of eczema was established by using 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The therapeutic effects of egg yolk oil extracted by different methods from SZK oil on the model of acute eczema in mice were evaluated. The oil yield rate of ethanol extraction is 42.06%. Its egg yolk oil is orange and has a rich, sweet, egg smell. Moreover, the SZK oil prepared from it has a very good therapeutic effect on the model of acute eczema in mice. The alcohol extraction method is the preferable method according to a comprehensive evaluation of each index of seven kinds of methods to extract the egg yolk oil.