Anhui University of Chinese Medicine

Selaginellae Herba, known as "Juan Bai" in traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for centuries to alleviate bleeding disorders and promote blood circulation. Its carbonized form, Selaginellae Herba Carbonisata, is specifically employed to enhance hemostatic effects. The fire-based processing (carbonization) is believed to modify its chemical composition and efficacy, yet the transformations and their impact on sensory and bioactive properties remain poorly understood.

This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the chemical changes in Selaginellae Herba during carbonization and correlate them with measurable sensory traits, thereby evaluating whether carbonization preserves or optimizes the herbal properties.

Untargeted metabolomics using UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS/MS and Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) was applied to compare crude (SH-Cr), properly processed (SH-Ca), Insufficiently processed (ISH-Ca), and Excessively processed (ESH-Ca) samples. Multimodal sensory profiling was conducted using electronic eye (color parameters L∗/a∗/b∗), electronic nose (volatiles), and electronic tongue (taste). Multivariate statistical analyses, including OPLS-DA, were used to identify heat-sensitive markers, and Pearson correlation analysis was employed to link compositional changes with sensory attributes.

A total of 83 compounds were unequivocally identified (77 by UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS/MS & 6 via GNPS), primarily flavonoids and phenolic acids. Key biflavones such as amentoflavone decreased significantly, while aglycones like apigenin increased, indicating glycoside hydrolysis and biflavone cleavage. OPLS-DA identified 31 potential markers (e.g., glutamic acid, VIP = 1.43). Color parameter b∗ (yellowness) showed a strong negative correlation with biflavones (e.g., robustaflavone, r = -0.932) and a positive correlation with aglycones (e.g., kaempferol, r = 0.866). Volatile profiles and bitterness were also significantly associated with flavonoid transformations (P < 0.05).

SH-Ca achieved an optimal balance between flavonoid transformation and desirable sensory outcomes, supporting the traditional use of carbonization to enhance the properties of Selaginellae Herba. These findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing processing parameters to ensure quality and efficacy.

The combination of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (Ku Shen) and Cnidii Fructus (She Chuang Zi) has been widely documented in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulations, demonstrating notable antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties.

This study aims to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and mechanistic of the extract of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix-Cnidii Fructus couplet medicines (ESCC) against vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) induced by Candida albicans.

A murine model of VVC was established to evaluate vaginal fungal burden and inflammatory cytokine levels, while autophagy-related protein expression and RNA transcriptional profiles were systematically analyzed. A431 cells were used to assess autophagy responses after infection with C. albicans SC5314. Immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and Western blotting (WB) were utilized to quantify autophagy-related protein expression and transcriptional activity in both murine tissues and A431 cells. Network pharmacology analysis was conducted to predict potential therapeutic targets, followed by in vitro validation of key protein expression levels in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

In vivo, 120 mg/kg ESCC treatment restored vulvar symptoms to physiological levels in murine models, with the ESCC group exhibiting a significant reduction in vaginal fungal burden. ESCC upregulated LC3B, ATG5, and p62/SQSTM1 expression in vivo and in vitro, reversing the autophagy inhibition caused by C. albicans. Network pharmacology and KEGG enrichment analyses identified the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway as a pivotal mechanism, which was further verified by transcriptional and protein-level assays showing that ESCC promoted autophagic flux through pathway inhibition.

ESCC alleviates C. albicans-induced VVC by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy in vaginal epithelial cells, providing a mechanistic basis for its antifungal and supporting its potential as a plant-derived therapeutic.

Copper accumulation-induced cognitive impairment represents a significant clinical manifestation in patients with Hepatolenticular Degeneration (HLD). Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in cognitive function, but the effects of their metabolic changes in different brain regions on cognitive dysfunction remain unclear. Thus, we employed desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MS) to observe molecular metabolic disturbances and spatial distribution in the brains of copper-loaded rats. The results showed that there were certain changes in metabolic substance levels in nine brain regions of copper-loaded rats, and the cortical region showed the most significant changes, including increased levels of glutamine, adenosine, taurine, and other substances; and decrease levels of γ-aminobutyric acid, hypoxanthine, and other substances. Collectively, these changes suggest disruptions in the glutamine (Gln)-glutamate (Glu)/γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) cycle. Notably, Gandouling tablets (GDL) intervention restored cognitive abilities in the water maze and reduced copper levels. This study highlights that copper accumulation may induce cognitive deficits by disrupting neurotransmitter balance; conversely, GDL may protect cognitive function by restoring this balance.