In this study, it is the first that the Viticis Fructus (VF) was used as the raw material for extracting total flavonoids using the ultrasound-assisted enzyme extraction (UAE) method. Response surface methodology was employed to determine the optimal extraction parameters. The optimal conditions were as follows: 60 % ethanol solution as the extract solvent, material–liquid ratio of 1:25, pH value of 4, enzyme addition amount of 1.5 %, enzymatic hydrolysis time of 30 min, enzymatic hydrolysis temperature of 40 ℃, and ultrasonic time of 50 min. Comparing the total flavonoid yield of VF and processed VF (PVF) extracted using different methods, it was observed that UAE resulted in a higher total flavonoid yield compared to traditional ultrasound extraction and enzyme extraction. Additionally, the total flavonoid yield of PVF extracted by all three methods was generally higher than that of VF. The PVF solution extracted by UAE also demonstrated better in vitro antioxidant activity compared to VF. These results suggest that UAE is an effective method to enhance the activity of natural total flavonoids. The study of the physicochemical properties and in vitro antioxidant activity of VF and PVF showed that the total flavonoid yield and antioxidant activity significantly increased after VF stir-frying, indicating that their efficacy can also be enhanced.

Background: Cuscutae Semen (CS) has been prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for millennia as an aging inhibitor, an anti-inflammatory agent, a pain reliever, and an aphrodisiac. Its three main forms include crude Cuscutae Semen (CCS), wine-processed CS (WCS), and stir-frying-processed CS (SFCS). Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a globally occurring medical condition. The present work sought a highly efficacious multi-target therapeutic approach against POI with minimal side effects. Finally, it analyzed the relative differences among CCS, WCS and SFCS in terms of their therapeutic efficacy and modes of action against H₂O₂-challenged KGN human granulosa cell line. Methods: In this study, ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-Q-ExactiveTM Orbitrap-mass spectrometry (MS), oxidative stress indices, reactive oxygen species (ROS), Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), real-time PCR, Western blotting, and molecular docking were used to investigate the protective effect of CCS, WCS and SFCS on KGN cells oxidative stress and apoptosis mechanisms. Results: The results confirmed that pretreatment with CCS, WCS and SFCS reduced H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage, accompanied by declining ROS levels and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation in the KGN cells. CCS, WCS and SFCS upregulated the expression of antioxidative levels (GSH, GSH/GSSG ratio, SOD, T-AOC),mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the relative mRNA(Nrf2, Keap1, NQO-1, HO-1, SOD-1, CAT). They inhibited apoptosis by upregulating Bcl-2, downregulating Bax, cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved caspase-3, and lowering the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. They also exerted antioxidant efficacy by partially activating the PI3K/Akt and Keap1-Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways. Conclusions: The results of the present work demonstrated the inhibitory efficacy of CCS, WCS and SFCS against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in KGN cells and showed that the associated mechanisms included Keap1-Nrf2/HO-1 activation, P-PI3K upregulation, and P-Akt-mediated PI3K-Akt pathway induction.

The processing of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a unique traditional pharmaceutical technology in China, which is the most important feature that distinguishes Chinese medicine from natural medicine and plant medicine. Since the record in Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor), till now, the processing of TCM has experienced more than 2000 years of inheritance, innovation, and development, which is a combination of TCM theory and clinical practice, and plays an extremely important position in the field of TCM. In recent years, as a clinical prescription of TCM, Chinese herbal pieces have played a significant role in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 and exhibited their unique value, and therefore they have become the highlight of China's clinical treatment protocol and provided Chinese experience and wisdom for the international community in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic. This paper outlines the research progress in the processing of representative TCM in recent years, reviews the mechanism of the related effects of TCM materials after processing, such as changing the drug efficacy and reducing the toxicity, puts forward the integration and application of a variety of new technologies and methods, so as to reveal the modern scientific mystery of the processing technology of TCM.