A New Concept on Quality Marker for Quality Assessment and Process Control of Chinese Medicines

Chinese medicine （CM） is the most typical conventional therapy compared with any other traditional or alternative medicine systems. The active components of CMs are either primary or secondary metabolites generated by metabolic and biosynthetic enzymes in plants, protecting the plants from environmental stress. The characteristics of these metabolites are diverse, complicated and unique. In this paper, current approaches for quality assessment were extensively reviewed, a new concept of quality marker （Q-marker） was then proposed for CM quality assessment. Additionally, definition of the Q-marker, as well as the relevant methods, were discussed, on the basis of the biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites and source of biological active components. Study design of Q-marker is complex system for quality assessment and production process control of CM products with transitivity and traceability. Therefore, the system with characteristics of transmission and traceability is expected to be established for regulation of quality. Upon the concept which the transitivity and traceability in the quality assessment and production process control covered the entire process, such as raw materials, decoction slices, processing, extraction and production can be further enhanced. The transitivity and traceability will inevitably require close attention to ＂who, what, where, when, and why＂ details at each stage of Q-markers of CM production form raw materials to patent product. The establishing quality standards are enablers of many and various transitivity and traceability solutions, not a solution in them. It means that the transitivity and traceability system is readily link between products and across borders in quality. According to the thinking mode and methods of investigation on quality assessment of CM product, we focus on the entire process, in terms of safety and effectiveness and quality control. The standard preparation of CM or CM decoction is not only the basis for study of Q-marker, but also the basis for transmission and traceability of the quality of CM product.

Prediction of quality markers of traditional Chinese medicines based on network pharmacology

Network pharmacology is a powerful tool to reflect the pharmacologically active effects,mechanism of action and toxic activity of traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs).The ingredients of TCMs,associated with quality control of TCM products,are those fundamental chemicals that exhibit biological activities.A great amount of effort has been made by scientists in that field in order to improve the quality of TCMs,though the approaches to determine their quality and the TCM theory and compatibility rules remain ambiguous.Now some methods and technologies must be applied to predict and explore the quality marker(Q-marker)for quality control,as well as to clarify the factors affecting the quality of TCM,which may give new insight into rational ground of establishment of appropriate quality control and assessment system.In this review paper,authors focus on the prediction of quality markers of TCMs by network pharmacology based on three aspects:(1)from network medicine to network pharmacology,(2)complex network system of traditional Chinese medicine,and(3)predicting TCM quality markers based on network pharmacology.Authors proposed the research pattern on network pharmacology based on biological and medical networks,and further TCM network pharmacology based on substantial basis of TCM formulae,and the idea of"effect-ingredient-target-fingerprint"to predict and recognize the TCM Qmarker was the ultimate goal.In addition,authors yet noted how to make full use of the advantages of network toxicology to provide new ideas for the toxicity study of complex TCM systems and the prediction of TCM toxicity markers.

Rapid Analysis and Identification of Absorbed Components and Their Metabolites of Yuanhu Zhitong Dropping Pill in Rat Plasma and Brain Tissue Using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS with Multivariate Statistical Analysis

Objective To establish an effective approach for rapid and comprehensive analysis on the absorbed and metabolic components in rats after ig administration of Yuanhu Zhitong Dropping Pill（YHZT）. Methods Based on the combination of UPLC-Q-TOF/MS and multivariate statistical analysis, the absorbed prototype constituents and their metabolites in rat plasma were rapidly analyzed and identified, and the components absorbed into brain were further identified by comparing the extracted ion chromatograms（EICs） of control and brain tissue samples of dosed rats. Results A total of 38 YHZT-related xenobiotic compounds were detected and identified as the potential bioactive constituents in rat plasma, including 24 absorbed prototype constituents and 14 metabolites. In particular, of all prototype constituents, 14 were also detected in rat brain tissue, indicating that they could penetrate the blood-brain barrier and enter into brain. Conclusion An effective method is established and applied to analyze the potential bioactive constituents in YHZT, which provides a pathway to further investigate the pharmacological pattern and mechanism of YHZT.

Anti-mutagenicity of Swertiamarin and Its Metabolite in Incubated System of Human Intestinal Flora

Objective To study the biotransformation regulation and pharmacological effect of swertiamarin and its metabolite in incubated system of human intestinal flora. Methods Incubated system of human intestinal flora was utilized to research the intestinal metabolism of swertiamarin. Furthermore, mutagenic test and anti-mutagenic test were carried out to research the activity relationship of swertiamarin and its metabolite. Results Gentianine was found in the metabolites of swertiamarin. The pharmacological experiment indicated that swertiamarin and its metabolite both had good anti-mutagenic effect. Conclusion Swertiamarin is partly metabolized to gentianine after oral administration. They show similar anti-mutagenicity effects.

Carry forward advantages of traditional medicines in prevention and control of outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic

Members of the China-ASEAN Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Traditional Medicine Research used the video conference platform to exchange and discuss the advantages of traditional medicine through the form of score exchange and report,and research and develop the amount and issues of the therapeutic COVID-19 products of concern.This paper mainly reviews the achievements of the implementation of the epidemic prevention and control plan,advances of scientific basic studies on SARS-CoV-2,analysis and screening of potential targets and pathways of antiviral compounds based on network pharmacology and development of antiviral food dual-use products.The authors believe that the declaration of the(10+3)special meeting of national leaders on epidemic prevention and control should raise the medical and pharmaceutical issues of common concern.It is the responsibility of our joint laboratory members to accelerate the development of traditional medicine research and industry.Also the authors believe that this exchange will certainly promote the development of the cause of cooperation.