In the long river of war between humans and diseases, traditional Chinese medicine has protected the Chinese nation for thousands of years. Traditional Chinese medicine is a historical treasure created by the Chinese nation. By fully utilizing modern science to thoroughly analyze its efficacy and mechanism, it will undoubtedly effectively promote the service of traditional Chinese medicine to the life and health of all mankind. Recently, the Analysis and Testing Encyclopedia website visited the School of Pharmacy at North China University of Science and Technology and interviewed Professor Xie Yuesheng, who has been dedicated to the research of traditional Chinese medicine. He briefly shared his experiences in traditional Chinese medicine research and explored how modern technology can empower the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine.

Xie Yuesheng, Deputy Secretary and Vice Dean of the School of Pharmacy at North China University of Science and Technology

Professor Xie Yuesheng is currently the Deputy Secretary and Vice Dean of the School of Pharmacy at North China University of Science and Technology, with a main research focus on traditional Chinese medicine drug analysis and pharmacokinetics.

Pharmacokinetics of traditional Chinese medicine, elucidating mechanisms to aid research and development

Pharmacokinetic research is a key link in drug development. By elucidating the in vivo quantitative changes of drugs, it provides scientific basis for the development of new drug systems and the rational clinical application of drugs. Using traditional Chinese medicine pharmacokinetics research as a starting point, it helps to modernize traditional Chinese medicine. Xie Yuesheng has made some explorations in this regard, such as the effect of different combinations of Liuwei Dihuang decoction on the in vivo quantitative changes of active ingredients, and the metabolomics based study on the treatment of heart failure with naringin.

When it comes to the current research project on pharmacokinetics of traditional Chinese medicine funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province, Xie Yuesheng said, "For a long time, the difficulties in traditional Chinese medicine research have been: unclear substance basis of Chinese medicine efficacy, unclear internal processes, unclear relationship between pharmacokinetics and efficacy, and incomplete understanding of efficacy expression. In response to the above key issues, we have carried out pharmacokinetic research on the functional substance basis (components) of Jiawei Tongyou Tang compound based on the innovative research and development system model of 'substance pharmacokinetics efficacy' proposed by Academician Liu Changxiao. This study helps to reveal the scientific compatibility mechanism of Jiawei Tongyou Tang, provide experimental evidence for its medicinal properties, and also provide ideas and reference models for exploring the optimization theory of compatibility ratios of classic formula and innovative compound formulations, as well as its pharmacokinetic studies of medicinal properties

Xie Yuesheng's research group also conducted preclinical pharmacokinetic studies on 3-demethylcolchicine. 3-demethylated colchicine is an important active ingredient found in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Baihe Wuyao Tang. Its therapeutic effect on NAFLD is significant, and its effect on reducing insulin resistance and weight loss in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease mice is more pronounced than that of pioglitazone hydrochloride. 3-demethylated colchicine can alleviate liver weight, treat liver injury, and improve liver function, while also improving glucose metabolism abnormalities caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. 

Previously, there were few reports on the pharmacokinetic studies of 3-demethylated colchicine. Xie Yuesheng's research group studied its pharmacokinetics in rats and mice, elucidated the process of 3-demethylcolchicine in animals, and provided scientific and standardized experimental data for the pharmacological properties of 3-demethylcolchicine.

When it comes to the experience of pharmacokinetic research on traditional Chinese medicine mentioned above, Xie Yuesheng stated that although there are differences in wording between traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, the ultimate research is fundamentally consistent in science. At present, the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine is still in the early stage of drug use, and its pharmacological research has been in a relatively tortuous exploration process. There are also no effective theoretical and technological breakthroughs in the corresponding field of traditional Chinese medicine pharmacokinetics research. The breakthrough in the pharmacokinetics of traditional Chinese medicine still needs to be based on the elucidation of the effective ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, and ultimately needs to be focused on small molecule drugs in traditional Chinese medicine components, "Xie Yuesheng added." Through scientific research and development, the mechanism of action of effective traditional Chinese medicine can be fully explained in modern scientific language, establishing a standard for the modernization of Chinese traditional Chinese medicine, and providing better medical services for patients

Metabolomics is expected to accelerate the revelation of the pharmacological mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine

Due to the challenges in studying the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine, metabolomics of traditional Chinese medicine has emerged in recent years. The research object of metabolomics is small molecule metabolites (molecular weight below 1000) of endogenous substances. By studying the dynamic changes of metabolites of endogenous substances, we can understand their metabolic pathways. Academician Liu Changxiao was the first scholar to introduce and promote metabolomics research methods in traditional Chinese medicine research.

Xie Yuesheng believes that metabolomics plays a complementary role in interpreting the mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicine pharmacology. Unlike traditional pharmacokinetic analysis of drugs themselves, it analyzes the changes in endogenous metabolites in the body after taking traditional Chinese medicine to deduce the basis for drug efficacy, which is expected to accelerate the development of traditional Chinese medicine. However, metabolomics only detects metabolites in urine and blood, which has certain limitations in fully elucidating the mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicine.

At present, the challenge facing the research of traditional Chinese medicine metabolomics is the combination of traditional Chinese medicine research and metabolomics, which is essentially the combination of two complex systems. The biggest difficulty is the standardization and unity of research regulations and evaluation standards.

AI builds database, inherits and innovates traditional Chinese medicine

When it comes to the challenges faced by traditional Chinese medicine research, Xie Yuesheng stated that it is a grand and complex proposition. The composition of traditional Chinese medicine is extremely complex, requiring detailed analysis and understanding of the main components, including qualitative, quantitative, and content ratio analysis. Through these research analyses, a complete pharmacological database will be established, covering all traditional Chinese medicine ingredients and their contents. In addition, to consider the bioavailability and metabolic processes of each component in the human body, a large pharmacokinetic database needs to be established. The establishment of these two databases not only helps deepen our understanding of traditional Chinese medicine ingredients and efficacy, but also provides powerful tools and methods for new drug development. At the same time, let traditional Chinese medicine go global and make more people recognize the value and charm of traditional Chinese medicine.

However, traditional knowledge and technology are limited for the establishment of large and complete databases. Xie Yuesheng looks forward to the comprehensive integration of big data and artificial intelligence technology into traditional Chinese medicine research, enabling more efficient and accurate information extraction, screening, and storage, accelerating the establishment of traditional Chinese medicine databases, promoting the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine and the development of new drugs, in order to make greater contributions to human health.

In addition, Xie Yuesheng shared his experience in new drug research and development. He believes that there is no shortcut to new drug development, and it must be based on the basic principles and scientific processes of drug development. The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine are often substances with high content. Although trace components may have certain pharmacological effects, the effectiveness of the drug must be based on a certain amount, which is one of the principles that traditional Chinese medicine research should follow. The research and development process of traditional Chinese medicine must also strictly follow scientific procedures, namely: selection and confirmation of drug targets and biomarkers - determination of lead compounds - study of structure-activity relationships and screening of active compounds - determination of candidate drugs.

Acchrom-Tech: Beautiful and durable chromatography, long column life

Analytical instruments play a significant role in promoting research on traditional Chinese medicine. According to Xie Yuesheng, the Acchrom-Tech S6000 high-performance liquid chromatography is a frequently used instrument in the team's research process. During the use of this instrument, researchers often marvel at the significant leap in design and performance of domestically produced instruments. The appearance of S6000 high-performance liquid chromatography is beautiful, and the flow path design is scientific. It can ensure that there is no diffusion problem of excessive peak broadening in the detection results, while maintaining good fluidity. On the premise of stable detection results, it is not easy to block, and the operating failure rate is extremely low. In the year long blood sample testing, there were almost no failures, providing strong guarantee for the smooth progress of the research project. It is a reliable research tool.

The chromatographic column used by Teacher Xie Yuesheng - Alphasil VC-C18 spectrophotometer