Ethnopharmacological relevanceCompound Zaoren Granules (CZG), an optimized herbal formulation based on the traditional Chinese medicine prescription Suanzaoren decoction, are designed specifically for insomnia treatment. However, the mechanisms underlying its efficacy in treating insomnia are not yet fully understood.Aim of the studyThe research investigated the mechanisms of CZG’s improvement in insomnia by regulating cAMP/CREB signaling pathway and metabolic profiles.MethodsThe main components of CZG were characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Subsequently, these validated components were applied to network pharmacological analysis to predict signaling pathways associated with insomnia. We evaluated the effect of CZG on BV-2 cells in vitro. We also evaluated the behavioral indexes of CUMS combined with PCPA induced insomnia in rats. HE staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the pathological damage of hippocampus. ELISA was used to detect the levels of various neurotransmitters, orexins, HPA axis, and inflammatory factors in insomnia rats. Then we detected the expression of cAMP/CREB signaling pathway through ELISA, WB, and IHC. Finally, the metabolomics was further analyzed by using UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS to investigate the changes in the hippocampus of insomnia rats and the possible metabolic pathways were also speculated.ResultsThe results of CZG in vitro experiments showed that CZG has protective and anti-inflammatory effects on LPS induced BV-2 cells. A total of 161 chemical components were identified in CZG. After conducting network pharmacology analysis through these confirmed components, we select the cAMP/CREB signaling pathway for further investigate. The behavioral research results on insomnia rats showed that CZG significantly prolonged sleep time, mitigated brain tissue pathological damage, and exhibited liver protective properties. CZG treats insomnia by regulating the content of various neurotransmitters, reducing levels of orexin, HPA axis, and inflammatory factors. It can also treat insomnia by upregulating the expression of the cAMP/CREB signaling pathway. Hippocampus metabolomics analysis identified 69 differential metabolites associated with insomnia. The metabolic pathways related to these differential metabolites have also been predicted.ConclusionThese results indicate that CZG can significantly prolong sleep time. CZG is used to treat insomnia by regulating various neurotransmitters, HPA axis, inflammatory factors, cAMP/CREB signaling pathways, and metabolic disorders.

Background Yinqiaosan decoction (YQSD), a traditional Chinese medicinal recipe, has been employed to treat influenza in China for approximately 300 years. Objective Our study aimed to explore the mechanisms of YQSD against influenza via in vivo and in vitro experimental studies. Study design and methods UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was utilized to examine the substances of the YQSD. The chemical components of YQSD detected by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS were used for network pharmacology analysis. The antiviral effect of YQSD in vivo was investigated. The potential mechanisms of YQSD in combating influenza, which were predicted from network pharmacology analysis, were validated in vitro. Results By use of UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, 97 compounds were identified from YQSD. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that the therapeutic effect of YQSD against influenza may be associated with the regulation of T cell receptors (TCR) and Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase (PI3K)- protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways. Treatment with YQSD significantly prolonged the mean survival time of the mice and reduced lung injury due to the influenza A virus in vivo. It was discovered that YQSD efficiently inhibited the expression of inflammation-related cytokines. Moreover, YQSD has been found to significantly reduce the expression levels of cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and H1N1 virus nucleoprotein (NP), and prevent the decrease of epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) protein. In addition, YQSD can inhibit the phosphorylation of the zeta chain of T cell receptor-associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP70) and PI3K proteins in vitro. Conclusion The capacity of YQSD to suppress viral multiplication and inflammatory response by modulating T cell immunity may explain its effect against influenza viral pneumonia, which may involve the regulation of TCR and PI3K signaling pathways.

The chemical constituents of Schizonepetae Spica were qualitatively analyzed by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. An Agilent poroshell 120 SB-C_(18) column(3.0 mm×100 mm, 2.7 μm) was used for gradient elution with 0.1% formic acid water(A)-acetonitrile(B) solution as mobile phase at the flow rate of 0.4 mL·min~(-1) and column temperature of 45 ℃. The data were collected by scanning in positive and negative ion modes, and the compounds were identified by comparison of reference materials and PeakView software. Ninety-seven compounds were identified from Schizonepetae Spica, including 28 flavonoids, 23 phenolic acids, 23 fatty acids, 15 terpenoids, and 8 other compounds. The UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS method established in this study can identify the chemical components of Schizonepetae Spica rapidly, accurately, and comprehensively, and provide a basis for the basic study of pharmacodynamic substances of Schizonepetae Spica.

目的 采用超快速气相电子鼻技术,解析不同放置时间下2种中药香囊(儿童型和成人型)的气味成分变化规律.方法 通过气相色谱法分析不同放置时间的香囊成分变化规律,同时结合电子鼻自带的Arochembase数据库得出定性结果,并运用判别因子分析方法分析2种香囊样品的整体气味成分差异.结果 儿童型香囊共鉴定出10种气味成分,其中α-蒎烯和β-蒎烯可作为儿童型香囊的功能性指标成分;儿童型香囊放置0.25 d后有5种气味成分消失,放置7 d后大部分气味成分基本消失;判别因子分析累计贡献率为99.225％.成人型香囊共鉴定出8种气味成分,其中α-蒎烯和α-水芹烯可作为成人型香囊的功能性指标成分.成人型香囊放置0.25 d后有4种气味成分消失;放置15 d后6～8号峰消失,5号峰强度较放置0 d时下降了34.3％;判别因子分析累计贡献率为91.965％.结论 随着放置时间延长,2种中药香囊的气味成分均在不断减少;建议儿童型香囊的使用时间为7 d,成人型香囊的使用时间为15 d.

目的 研究复方枣仁颗粒改善失眠的机制.方法 将49只小鼠随机分为空白组、模型组、阳性对照组1(艾司唑仑片0.5 mg/kg)、阳性对照组2(舒眠胶囊0.6 g/kg)和复方枣仁颗粒低、中、高剂量组(2.5、5、10 g/kg),每组7只.通过慢性不可预见性温和应激刺激联合对氯苯丙氨酸建立小鼠失眠模型,通过小鼠旷场实验、戊巴比妥钠协同催眠实验考察小鼠行为学变化,通过苏木精-伊红染色观察小鼠下丘脑组织病理形态学变化.结合超高效液相色谱-飞行时间质谱技术对小鼠血清进行代谢组学分析及多元统计分析筛选差异代谢物,并基于MetaboAnalyst 5.0数据库进行代谢通路分析.结果 与空白组比较,模型组小鼠总行进距离、中央区域进入次数、中央区域移动距离显著减少(P＜0.05),总静息时间比例显著升高(P＜0.05),睡眠时长显著缩短(P＜0.05),下丘脑神经细胞受损且空泡化严重.与模型组比较,复方枣仁颗粒低、中剂量组小鼠总行进距离显著增加(P＜0.05)、总静息时间比例显著降低(P＜0.05),复方枣仁颗粒高剂量组小鼠睡眠时长显著延长(P＜0.05);各给药组小鼠下丘脑组织神经细胞均不同程度恢复,其中复方枣仁颗粒高剂量组小鼠下丘脑组织细胞与空白组较为接近.通过代谢组学分析共得到18个差异代谢物(如苯基丙氨酸、牛磺酸、正缬氨酸、甲硫氨酸等)及4条重要的氨基酸代谢通路(L-苯丙氨酸、酪氨酸和色氨酸生物合成,牛磺酸和次牛磺酸代谢,L-苯丙氨酸代谢,半胱氨酸和甲硫氨酸代谢).结论 复方枣仁颗粒可通过回调苯基丙氨酸、牛磺酸等差异代谢物及调节4种氨基酸代谢通路,使紊乱的体内代谢恢复正常,从而发挥改善失眠的作用.

呕吐是中医中临床常见的病证之一,是指胃失和降、气逆而上、胃中之物从口吐出的一种病证.中药在治疗呕吐方面有较好的疗效,且毒副作用也较少.本文对单味中药的止呕功效进行了分类,并对单味中药、中药复方及中成药止呕的药理作用及机制的研究进展进行了综述.生姜、半夏、吴茱萸等单味中药,小半夏汤等复方及半夏茯苓胶囊等中成药具有止呕作用,其机制与调控5-羟色胺3A(5-HT3A)、多巴胺2(D2)、神经激肽1(NK1)等受体和直接作用于中枢、胃肠平滑肌有关,以期进一步指导临床用药及为止呕中药的进一步研究提供思路.

目的:建立基于气味信息的不同产地荆芥穗的鉴别方法.方法:采用HeraclesⅡ型超快速气相电子鼻技术对不同产地荆芥穗进行气味鉴别,根据获取的图谱信息结合AroChemBase数据库、Kovates保留指数定性库进行定性分析;采用Alpha Soft V14.2软件进行主成分分析(PCA)、判别因子分析(DFA);采用SPSS 22.2软件进行聚类分析(CA).结果:15批不同产地荆芥穗中共有16个共有峰,经与AroChemBase数据库、Kovates保留指数定性库对比,共得到13个可能存在的成分.不同产地荆芥穗可能存在的成分及感官描述信息基本相同,仅含量存在差别.2号共有峰的色谱峰强度为安徽>甘肃>河南>河北>江苏;6号共有峰的色谱峰强度为安徽>河北>甘肃≈河南>江苏;9号共有峰的色谱峰强度为安徽>甘肃>河南>江苏>河北;13号共有峰的色谱峰强度为安徽≈甘肃>河北>江苏>河南,即代表甲酸甲酯(2号)、α-蒎烯(6号)、3-壬酮(9号)及α-松油醇(13号)这4种成分的色谱峰强度可因产地变化而存在较为显著的差异.PCA结果显示,前2个主成分的累计贡献率为96.807％.DFA结果显示,判别因子1和判别因子2的贡献率分别为92.089％和3.982％.CA结果显示,当距离为10时,15批样品可聚为3类,B1～B5、J1～J3聚为一类,A1～A3聚为一类,G1、G2、N1、N2聚为一类,与PCA、DFA结果基本一致.结论:超快速气相电子鼻技术可用于鉴别不同产地的荆芥穗;甲酸甲酯、α-蒎烯、3-壬酮及α-松油醇可能为区分不同产地荆芥穗的关键因素.